The Fayetteville Duck Derby is fairly new as a local fundraiser, but already it is one that the community looks forward to each year. There are plenty of fun ways to participate, even if it doesn’t involve Quacky.

Typically, around March, local bars and restaurants compete in the Duck Derby Drink and Appetizer Competition to claim the honor of creating and serving the official Duck Derby Drink/Appetizer. For several weeks the public is invited to visit their favorite participating bars and restaurants to sample and compare the various treats and vote on their favorites. The votes are tallied and the winners are proclaimed at the Duck Derby, which is on May 4, giving the establishments bragging rights for a year. The local chefs and mixologists relish the challenge of offering creative food and drinks that the public can enjoy while supporting a great cause at the same time.

In the weeks leading up to the event, people are encouraged to buy rubber ducks to enter in the race. The ducks are given computer-generated numbers and are randomly tagged.

Quacky, the event mascot, makes appearances around town, and sometimes around the world, posting his adventures on Facebook. This season, he has already been spotted at the Fayetteville Christmas Parade and with visiting journalist Geraldo Rivera.

On race day, thousands gather at the Cape Fear River, usually at Campbellton Landing, as 15,000 to 20,000 ducks are dropped into the river. In previous years, prizes have included a new car, beach and mountain get-away weekends, gift certificates to local spas and golf courses, silent auctions and more. This year, the grand prize is a 2013 Toyota Scion D. The day has also included music, food, kids’ activities and vendors — all the ingredients for a fun day, and best of all, admission is free.

While the Duck Derby was originally established as a fundraiser for Fayetteville Urban Ministry, other nonprofits can get in on the action by registering as a team. Once a team is established, anyone who chooses to buy a duck — or several ducks — can choose which team will receive funding from the purchase. Teams have included everything from child advocacy groups to arts-related nonprofits to health-related charities and even corporate teams.

Fayetteville Urban Ministry’s mission is “to show God’s compassion for our neighbors in need, and thus build our community together.” This is accomplished through several programs.

The Emergency Assistance program was started in 1974. It provides food, clothing and financial assistance to those in crisis. In fiscal year 2010/2011, this program touched more that 5,000 family members and more than 300 homeless people.

The Nehemiah project was founded in 1993. Volunteers from local churches repair homes of low-income home owners. It did not take long for this program to grow. In 1994 the emergency home-repair program that was run by the Community Development Department of the City of Fayetteville became a part of this program. Between 170 and 200 elderly and/or low income home owners receive help from the Nehemiah Project.

Locally, 24 percent of adults read at lower than a fifth-grade level. Since 1976, the Adult Literacy Program has assisted adults in the areas of reading, writing, math, English and in computer skills. Literacy doesn’t just benefit the adult student; their family members benefit, too. Approximately 150-185 adults are served through this program each year.

The Find-A-Friend Program was started in 1982. This program engages high risk kids with after-school activities and programs, summer camps and field trips. According to www.fayurbmin.org, “It costs taxpayers more than $100,000 per year to house one juvenile in confinement, and the cost to our community is limitless when a youth yields to the temptations of chronic truancy, crime and anti-social behavior. It takes less than $1,500 to sponsor a youth in FAF to participate in one year full of prevention services with a full Summer Achievement Camp.”

More than 200 youth are touched by this program every year and Find-A-Friend boasts an 80 percent success rate.

Find out more about Fayetteville Urban Ministry, visit www.fayurbmin.org. Learn more about the Duck Derby at www.facebook.com/fayettevilleduckderby. This year’s event is scheduled for May 4, so go ahead and mark your calendar.

Photo: Geraldo Rivera and Johnny Wilson.

If ever there was something worth investing in, worth protecting, worth fighting for, it is our future — the country’s next generation — our children. Most children are raised in well adjusted and loving homes that offer them the support and resources they need to succeed, and this is something over which to rejoice. For children who are abused, neglected and beat down by the ones they trust, betrayed by the adults who are supposed to build them up and keep them safe, what recourse is there? Thankfully, the children of Cumberland County have many advocates. Guardian Ad Litem is one of them. A voice for children in court, the Guardian Ad Litem program consists of two attorney advocates, four program supervisors, a program assistant, a district administrator and approximately 100 trained community volunteers. This group of dedicated professionals advocate for abused and neglected children who end up in the court system through no fault of their own.

Jane Sutherlin has been a Guardian Ad Litem volunteer for almost four years. “We are the eyes and ears of the judges in the community,” said Sutherlin. “Our goal is to determine what is in the best interest of each child. Social Services has mandates they have to follow; we are not limited by the statutory stipulations. We get to think outside the box and think in terms of what is in the best interest of the children.”

Sometimes though, good intentions are not enough and current resources only cover so much. Sutherlin, along with other volunteers and state officials are moving to form a 501c3 foundation that will help fill in the gaps.

“When all other funding sources are exhausted we would look at the potential of picking up the costs. That might be things like special camps that are needed,” said Sutherlin. “If there is a child that is obese you won’t find a state agency that will pay to send them to a camp for overweight children. That is something we would look at funding. One of the primary things we would look at is making sure each child would have something for Christmas. Social Services does what they can and the Toy Drop that Fort Bragg runs provides gifts. It is wonderful when the military units are all here. When they are all gone things are sparse.”

Thanks to other communities in the state that have similar programs, the local foundation does not have to reinvent the wheel. New Hanover and Wake counties both have similar organizations that are successful in making a difference for kids. Sutherlin hopes that Cumberland County is not far behind, as this is something dear to her heart. “I was very fortunate. When our son was 4 months old, I was given the opportunity to adopt him,” said Sutherlin. “And I look at these wonderful children and think ‘there but for the grace of God...’ He is 44 years old now and our lives have been so enriched by having him in our lives.”

To find out more about the Guardian Ad Litem program, visit www.cumberlandcountygal.com or call 910.475.3291.

Photo: The children of Cumberland County have many advocates. Guardian Ad Litem is one of them.

College is expensive, and every year all over the country the tuition prices seem to go up. There are ways for students to manage the prices, however. One such way is through the generosity of the community. Thankfully, local colleges go out of their way to work with students to make a college education a reality. At Methodist University, 95 percent of the students receive some sort of financial aid. Last year the school awarded more than $17 million in financial aid.

One of the ways that Methodist University is able to help their students is through the Loyalty Day Scholarship Fund. When most people think of Loyalty Day they think of donations from alumni, but alumni are not the only benefactors who contribute to the fund.

Methodist is a strong community-based school, and there are many individuals and businesses in the community that support it. Krista Lee, the director of the Annual fundraiser noted, “Community members are our biggest supporters for the Loyalty Day campaign. Last year 25 percent of our goal was met by alumni support, 75 percent by community supporters, faculty and staff. However, it is important to note that many of our alumni are also community members.”

While at Methodist University, students are completely entrenched in the community of the college. For many, this creates amazing experiences that motivate them to give back to their community and stay involved. The money raised through the Loyalty Day campaign goes to benefit institutional scholarships that are specifically intended for students in need. One example is Jeannie Snider, Class of 2013, who says “My ambition keeps me in college, but what keeps me at Methodist University is the family atmosphere, the wonderful faculty and staff who have helped me along the way and the amazing career-oriented opportunities I have received. I am a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship at Methodist University. This scholarship has not only helped me pursue a degree, but it has enabled me to receive the best quality education possible in criminal justice. I plan to pursue a career with the Fayetteville Police Department and am looking forward to being engaged in the community which has given so much to me.”

Over the years Loyalty Day has grown just as the university has expanded both its reach and programs. “Loyalty Day was born out of a commitment of annual support made by the Fayetteville community in 1955 when Methodist University was established. At that time, the community pledged $50,000 a year. We try to increase our goal each year. This year we have a goal of $130,000 and are hoping to surpass it through the overwhelming support of our community.” Lee said.

For more information contact Lee at 630-7169. To donate visit the website www.methodist.edu/advancement/loyalty.htm “We print the Loyalty Day thank you advertisement in the paper in April and usually conclude our campaign follow-up by the end of March,” says Lee.

Photo: Over the years Loyalty Day has grown just as the University has expanded both its reach and programs. 

Fixing a System that Is Broke and Broken

North Carolina currently faces a more than $2 billion debt to the federal government for loans used to fund the state’s share of unemployment compensation benefits — this is the third largest unemployment insurance debt in the United States.

Record-high unemployment rates, a very slow economic recovery and extended benefits mandated by the federal government led to a significant increase in claims that quickly depleted the state’s unemployment trust fund.When the trust fund was solvent in good economic times, there was a reduction in UI taxes, while at the same time benefits were being expanded. The combination of these factors resulted in an unsustainable system that was ultimately not prepared for the severity of the recession.

Neither the tax rates nor the benefit structure single-handedly led to the debt crisis and, similarly, fixing just one of these factors is not a viable solution to creating a solvent and effective UI system for the future. Our state’s UI system has an annual deficit of $470 million a year. The benefit payout has simply outstripped the ability to pay for the program and inaction for many years caused the problem to quickly go from bad to worse. A number of measures have to be considered in order to bring balance to the system. North Carolina’s UI benefits paid are more generous than the national average and above the regional area.

North Carolina’s unemployment insurance system is not only broke but also broken. The broken UI system has leaked $556 million in improper jobless benefits payouts between 2008 and 2011, of which millions involved allegations of fraud. An investigation uncovered serious problems that contribute to UI fraud going back 15 years.

It gets worse. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, North Carolina had the worst scores in the country on important quality-control measures. In fact, of 120 quality checks performed by the department on our state’s unemployment agency since 1997, it has passed only twice.

The responsibility to pay off this debt falls squarely on employers. Under current federal guidelines, and given the state’s outstanding loan balance, North Carolina employers will repay approximately $2.5 billion in principal and more than $500 million in interest from 2011 to 2019 to extinguish the state’s loan.

On Nov. 10, 2012, North Carolina missed another deadline to repay the federal UI loan in order to avoid additional tax penalties. This translates into a tax increase on every job from $63 to $84 per employee, and will continue to rise annually until the debt is paid. These crippling tax increases at the federal and state levels year-after-year will cost North Carolina jobs, making our unemployment problem worse. Inaction on this issue cost employers a total of $395 million in 2012 alone.

While tax adjustments are an appropriate part of a comprehensive solution, it would be irresponsible not to address the problem as a whole, which includes ensuring that employer investments into the fund are managed efficiently and inserting accountability measures into the system.

It is important that we make common-sense reforms to align tax revenues with benefits and allow North Carolina to be competitive with other states which helps attract business and investment. The goal is that no one will ever reach the end of their benefits. A job is the ultimate economic stimulus and changes to affordability would be consistent with the goal of an enhanced focus on reemployment of UI claimants.

The Fayetteville Regional Chamber has joined a Reemployment Coalition of businesses, local chambers and allied business organizations to address the state’s broken UI system and advocate for reforms that put the focus back on jobs.

Photo: Record-high unemployment rates, a very slow economic recovery and extended benefits mandates by the federal government led to a significant increase in claims that quickly depleted the state’s unemployment trust fund.

The Impossible (Rated PG-13) 3 Stars

The Impossible (114 minutes) is a hard film to review. First, it is based on the true story of real people who survived the most devastating tsunami in recent memory. That makes it real hard to crack jokes or make sarcastic observations, and that’s 90 percent of my typical review content. Second, the acting isn’t terrible. The other 10 percent of most of my reviews revolves around calling out the over and under actors.

The length was fine, the narrative arc balanced throughout the film, and director Juan Antonio Bayona managed to avoid Spielbergian levels of emotional manipulation. Most of the bodies that show up are covered, but there are several scenes that hint at the number of dead — though, I sus-pect, without conveying the true magnitude of the disaster. Toss your leads around in a huge water tank all you want, it’s still going to fall short of the actual tsunami.

I may not have much to work with, but I can point out that the story of a Spanish family was conveniently turned into the story of a bunch of white people. In the film, María Belón is called Maria Bennet (Naomi Watts), her husband Enrique becomes Henry (Ewan McGregor) and son Tomas becomes Thomas (Samuel Joslin). At least sons Lucas (Tom Holland) and Simon (Oaklee Pendergast) get to keep their names. The director may claim that his goal was to create a family of ambiguous ethnic background, but he didn’t do such a good job since after seeing the film I was left with the impression that they were from England originally. I’m not sure which was the biggest clue, but maybe it was the English accents?

The film opens on a plane. A family of five is headed overseas to vaca-tion in Thailand. There is a bit of character-establishing family discussion. It seems that Thomas is upset by his older brother Lucas ignoring him, so Mom Maria runs interference. Meanwhile, Henry fills out paperwork. As family dynamics go, the brief scene is enough to reveal all. There is a bit of mild sibling rivalry, a stay at home mom mediating the squabbles and a father more concerned with external needs than family business. McGregor and Watts have a fairly realistic chemistry and the two youngest kids are too cute to be believed.

They settle into their rooms, complete with ocean view and do vacation stuff together. They celebrate Christmas and I wonder about the lo-gistics of shipping Christmas presents back and forth by plane. Wouldn’t going to Thailand be present enough? Perhaps my standards for gift exchange are a bit off.

The appearance of the tsunami is both intense and brutal, occurring just as Henry and the two younger boys are playing in the pool, separated from Maria and Lucas. The film follows Maria and Lucas as they are swept away and hurled into a va-riety of moving and stationary objects by the unrelenting flood waters. This is seriously edge-of-the-seat stuff. Eventually, battered and dressed in the remains of their lounging-by-the-pool outfits they reach semi-safety and are assisted by locals. The rest of the film is about this little family trying to reconnect in a sea of people. Overall, a tense film that man-ages to show just a little bit of the reality of a devastating natural disaster.

Now showing at Wynnsong 7, Carmike 12 and Carmike Market Fair 15.

Fayetteville Technical Community College is excited to announce that starting Fall 2013, it will offer an associate degree in Health and Fitness Science. Do the topics of fitness, nutrition, ex-ercise science, personal training and group exer-cise interest you? Does working with different aged populations and motivating others sound appealing to you? Want to make good money by doing something that you enjoy? Would you like to have the freedom to create your own personal work schedule?

If you answered yes, then a Health and Fitness Science degree may be perfect for you.

As a graduate of FTCC’s Health and Fitness Science program, you will have the skills to manage a fitness center, meet the needs of fitness clients, develop and cultivate your exercise programming ideas, lead group-exercise classes, become a personal trainer and work with special populations to promote health and encourage an overall better quality of life.

The career opportunities are numerous for Health and Fitness graduate. According to the Bureau of Labor 2010 statistics, the median salary for a fitness trainer or instructor was $31,090 per year or $14.95 per hour. According to the same statistics, the fitness industry job market is expected to increase by 24 percent by the year 2020. That is 10 percent faster than the national average of all occupational growth for the same time frame. As you can see, the fitness industry is in high demand and looking for some-one like you. Come join FTCC’s Health and Fitness Science program and open your world to this amazing and rewarding fitness industry.

To learn more, contact Fayetteville Technical Community College at (910) 678-8400 to speak with an academic coun-selor to learn more about this new associate degree program and how to enroll at FTCC.

Photo: According to the same statistics, the fitness industry job mar-ket is expected to increase by 24 percent by the year 2020. 

4th Friday, the community’s celebration of the arts, is reaching a high note this month, as The Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the Friends of African & African-American Art bring an impressive exhibit called Songs from the Soul A Revue: Art Comes to Life to town.

The exhibit contains portraits and educational text panels featuring Smokey Robinson, Bo Diddley, Marvin Gaye, Quincy Jones, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and more. Like many of the artists the exhibit celebrates, look for a larger-than-life experience. Along with colorful portraits and illustrations, the exhibit uses black and white photographs and caption panels to shine a light on the relationships between music, history and culture and the influence these artists had in several music genres, including rhythm and blues, jazz, soul, gospel, disco and rock and roll.

“It is colorful portrait illustrations plus black and white photos from William Gottlieb. The photos are more behind-the-scenes with these artists,” said Mary Kinney, marketing director at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “There is a beautiful one of Billy Holiday in the dressing room. Some are of performers standing outside having a cigarette together or in rehearsal. This particular photographer travelled with these artists, so he was with them during these moments. It is a more intimate scene into their lives.”

The portraits on the other hand, “… are very vibrant colors and really fun happy portrayals of the artists. They are all just stunning and musicians are smiling or singing,” said Kinney. “They capture warm moments for these icons.”

The 23 portraits are the work of international artist Wolfram Schramm who hales from Geringen, Germany. The 15 black-and-white photographs are from the William Gottlieb collection, Songs from the Soul, a collection that reflects the influences of famous African-Americans during the Civil Rights movement through today’s pop culture.

More artists who seem to come to life in Songs from the Soulinclude: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, B.B. King, Little Richard, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Mariah Carey, Donna Summer, Patti LaBelle, and Berry Gordy Jr., the founder of the Motown record label, the Apollo Theatre, Cotton Cub, Soul Train.

The exhibit opens on Jan. 25 at The Arts Council. A reception is planned from 7-9 p.m. Fayetteville State University’s Department of Performing and Fine Art’s performance groups Mane Attraction and Men of Distinction will perform Songs from the Soul — A Revue: Art Comes to Life under the direction of Denise Payton. FSU Jazz Express will also perform under the direction of Dr. Neal Finn. The exhibit will hang until Feb.16. Visit www.theartscouncil.com for more information and gallery hours.

In celebration of Black History month, several activities have been planned around the exhibit. On Feb. 2, local artist and nationally known jazz musician Ray Codrington is scheduled to perform a Jazzy Jam session at The Arts Council from noon to 4 p.m.

“It is a jam session in the sense that other artists will come and play with him and will be coming in an out,” said Kinny. “There is a surprise local guest talent scheduled to perform, too. It is someone that people will not expect to see. His profession is not as a musician but he is very talented musically.”

On Feb. 16, kids 7-13 are invited to a music and art workshop at The Arts Council. The event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free. Space is limited, and registration is required. Call 323-1776 for more information or to register.

Cape Fear studios opens its 2013 Black History Month Exhibit on 4th Friday. The display features the works of local artists Edwina C. Clark (Cape Fear Studios member artist), Winson Colter Clark (artist and son of Edwina C. Clark), Dwight Smith (artist, FSU professor), Stacey Robinson (artist, FSU graduate). Stop in and meet the artists from 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 25.

The Downtown Alliance is focusing on heart health at 4th Friday and will offer free fitness assessments at J’s Fitness Factory. Group fitness classes are planned and attendees get a chance to check out J’s Fitness Factory.

Don’t forget to stop by the Market House and check out the exhibit covering Fayetteville’s Historic District architecture.

Fascinate-U offers free admission for 4th Friday as well as a project. This month, visitors are invited to make Valentine’s Day cards. The museum is open from 7-9 p.m. for this event.

The Fayetteville Art Guild, located at Gallery One13, 113 Gillespie St., opens a new exhibit called The Creative Spirit, a juried photography show. The gallery is open from 6-9 p.m. for 4th Friday.

At Hay Street United Methodist Church, the praise bands of Hay Street UMC, Snyder Memorial Baptist Church and Highland Presbyterian will perform a Music 4 Missions concert.

Explore local history at the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum. The featured exhibit this month showcases Fayatteville’s Edgar Allen Poe. Poes was a prominent businessman who lived in Fayetteville in the early 1900s. He manufactured bricks and pottery.

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

Photo: Vibrant and colorful portraits make up part of the Songs from the Soul exhibit at the Arts Council.  Photo credit, www.ArtVisionExhibitions.com

Fayetteville State University Hosts MLK Celebration

The FSU Department of Performing and Fine Arts will present its Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Concert featuring the FSU Concert Band and The Army Ground Forces Band from Fort Bragg. This free concert takes place on Jan. 21 in Seabrook Auditorium on the main campus of Fayetteville State University at 7 p.m.

The concert provides a rare opportunity to hear works by African-American composers for a concert band.

This concert commemorates two significant events this year: the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington. The FSU Concert Band will perform Have a Dream by Greg Danner in commemoration of the March.

The Honorable Mayor Anthony Chavonne will join the combined ensembles in Randol Bass’ New Birth of Freedomfor band and narrator. This narrative setting of Lincoln’s immortal Gettysburg Address was commissioned by the United States President’s Own Marine Band in early 2009.

The program ends with Mark Camphous’s A Movement for Rosain honor of the Civil Rights heroine Rosa Parks. Other works on the program include compositions by Alton Adams, Aaron Copland, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information about the concert, please contact Alfred Davis at 910-672-1446 oradavis50@uncfsu.edu or Dr. Earnest Lamb at 910-672-1571 or elamb@uncfsu.edu.

Crisis Intervention Team Honors Public Safety Professionals

On Jan. 8, the Fayetteville-Cumberland Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) recognized five local public safety professionals from the Cumberland County Emergency Services Department, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fayetteville Police Department for outstanding service. The awards ceremony, hosted by the local CIT and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, was held at the county’s Mental Health Clinic, 109 Bradford Ave.

The following individuals received awards:

Cumberland County Emergency Services: Telecommunicator of the Year Wanda Barton

Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office:Deputy of the Year Sgt. Corrie Simmons

Trainer of the Year Sgt. Hardin Brown

Fayetteville Police Department: Officer of the Year Lt. Randy Podobinski

Telecommunicator of the Year Tracy Trogdon

“We are looking to build a comprehensive and seamless system of crisis response in Cumberland County,” said Cumberland County CIT Coordinator Wayne Cannon. “I am extremely proud of those who were acknowledged at the awards reception.”

CIT is a jail diversion program designed to be a specialized law enforcement response to individuals experiencing a crisis related to mental illness. The program seeks to help citizens get treatment instead of incarceration. Currently, 250 law enforcement offi cers and 54 telecommunicators in Cumberland County are CIT certified.

The Gilbert Theater’s fourth main stage production of the season brings together the works of three local playwrights: Stephen Miles, James Dean and Robyne Parrish in a thought-provoking evening revealing the struggles and unburdening of the soul.

The opening one act play, Grey Zones by Miles explores the relationship between a married couple when many truths are exposed. The role of the husband, a World War II veteran, was written by Miles for Dean. Dean is a favorite with local audiences for his many superb performances with The Gilbert Theater, Cape Fear Regional Theater and other area theaters. Carrie Carroll, also well known to Fayetteville audiences, portrays his wife.

Miles is currently the playwright-in-residence at The Gilbert. He was the founding member and president of Writer’s Ink Guild, a Fayetteville writer’s group, and founder and president of the Professional Writer’s Group, which is comprised of professional playwrights statewide. He taught creative writing at Methodist College and will assist with the Veteran’s Writer Group at Methodist on Feb. 9. He has won many awards for his works including the Sanskrit Award, Thompson Theatre Playwright’s Award, Tar Heel Writer’s Award and was a finalist in the International Playwrights Festival in 2012. Other notable works by Miles produced at The Gilbert include Yesterday’s News (2008), Clusters (2011) and selections from Deros: A Vietnam Trilogy, which was performed as part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremonies during Fayetteville’s Heroes Homecoming in November, 2011.

Grey Zones is followed by Dean’s Method Man and Parrish’s GoodBadUgly.

Grey Zones will last about one hour; however, the following two plays by Dean and Parrish are more properly characterized as shorts lasting about 25 and 10 minutes respectively.

Dean’s Method Man is a glimpse into the life of two actors, Stan and Ollie, who have come to an audition to find that no one else is in attendance — not even the director and producer. They are thus forced to interact producing some unexpected consequences and hidden agendas. Several other plays by Dean have been presented at The Gilbert including Murder Knocks at the Musical Box (2001) and the winner of a Gilbert playwright contest, Colonel Hollister’s Daughter.

GoodBadUgly is the first play to be presented at The Gilbert by Parrish, which she describes as a spiritual transformation. Parrish is the new artistic director at The Gilbert and is in her fi rst season with the theater. This short was originally written for a playwright competition in Pittsburgh, Pa. It was performed as part of the Swan Day Festival with No Name Players at the Hazlett Theatre in Pittsburgh in March 2011. She has also authored several children’s books under the pseudonym, R. M Parrish.During the interview, each playwright was asked to use one word which would best describe their work. The replies in order of performance were “Poetic,” “Edgy” and “Naked”.

This should prove to be an evening that induces thought. As Lynn Pryer, founder of The Gilbert Theater and former artistic director so often said, The Gilbert is where storytelling takes center stage.”

The production runs Jan. 31 – Feb. 10 (preview Jan. 30), Thursday — Saturday at 8 p.m. and matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Naked contains full frontal nudity, strong Language and adult situations and is not recommended for all audiences.

Loud noise, screaming fans, backstage passes. A rock concert? Absolutely not. Monster X Tours comes to the Crown Coliseum with a show guaranteed to please the most ardent supporters — or one new to the world of monster trucks. Shows are scheduled for Jan. 25 and 26, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Monster trucks gained prominence when Bob Chandler’s “Bigfoot” was the first to drive over and crush cars. In 1981 he performed at the Silverdome in Detroit and introduced the bigger 66” tires. What had previously been a side-show at mud-bogging and truck pulling shows became a headlining event. Over the years modifi cations have been made to the trucks to ensure safety for the drivers as well as the audience.

Noisy. Absolutely. The average decibel level produced by these 500+ horsepower behemoths is equivalent to a jackhammer or rock concert. Attendees will say their hearing wasn’t right for a couple of days following the event but a set of ear plugs will reduce the noise to a more comfortable level (highly recommended).

Monster X Tours CEO Danny Torgerson stated, “Our show is at the pinnacle of this sport. We have an exemplary record for safety and quality and hold ourselves to the highest standards.” The Monster Truck Thunder will be provided by Project X, Scorpion, River Rat and Heavy Hitter. These 10,000 pound car crushing giants will compete in racing, wheelie contests and bring the house down with amazing freestyle competition.

In addition, there will be a freestyle motorcross lead by X-Game medalist Justin Homan and others. Tricks will include roof-scraping cliffhangers, double grabs, superman seat grabs and the ever-challenging backfl ip. Not enough excitement yet? Purchase a Pit Party Pass and meet the drivers and get the ride of your life during the party or intermission.

“We recently returned from an Eastern European tour. Monster X Tours was the first event of its kind to visit Moscow and we played to sold-out audiences. We also had events in Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. In an average season we will conduct 100 shows from coast to coast and will be appearing in Hawaii in May,” Torgerson said.

The Pit Party starts at 6 p.m. and winds up at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. on both days. The show will be loud and exhaust fumes can be expected. No video recording or long lens cameras allowed. The show is not recommended for children under two years of age.

Tickets and Pit Party Passes can be purchased online at www.Ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased directly from the Crown Coliseum by calling 910-323-5088.

Photo: Monster Trucks are coming to the Crown on Jan. 25 and 26. 

A big event makes its return to the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville on, Thursday, Feb. 7. For those whodon’t know or haven’t been to one, this year’s Winter Jam is not one to miss.

According to Turning Point Newstoday, this is regarded as the top contemporary Christian tour and visits 44 cities along the way. There are a number of well-known bands on this bill. Nick Hall is the inspirational speaker for this major show.

According to Marshall Perry, director of marketing and sales at the Crown, even though the show begins at 7 p.m., the pre-Jam party begins at 6 p.m. and that is also when the doors open. Expect to see Jason Castro, OBB and Capital Kings as part of the preshow. Marshall recommended “… you get in line early, because there is going to be a packed house. Also, there will be music playing from the start.”

Audiences can look forward to amazing performances by Royal Tailor, Sidewalk Prophets, Newsong, Jamie Grace, Matthew West, Red and this year’s headliner Toby Mac. Mac is a Grammy winning multi-platinum recording artist who includes well-known hits as part of his set. A popular Christian music performer, Mac was part of DC Talk, which performed as a three-man group in the 1980s and 1990s. Newsong is the host & anchor band, which means they “welcome the groups,” according to Perry.

Newsong is a founding member of the Winter Jam concerts. In fact, the group premiered the first Winter Jam Tour Spectacular in 1995. Last year, the concert tour “outpaced attendance for all other tours in the first quarter, including Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: The Immortal, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, The Black Keys, Jason Aldean and Brad Paisley, according to Pollstar’s 2012 Worldwide First Quarter Ticket Sales “Top 100 Tours” chart,” claims the event website.

If you want to get a sneak peak of the show, and get a taste of what the performance will be like, Perry explained that additional background information is provided on the official YouTube channel of Winter Jam. Fans can also visit JamTour.com as well, for more information about this event.

Although it costs $10 to attend, special privileges are given to people who become a member of Jam Nation. There are three different levels of Jam Nation membership: Individual Platinum, Group Premium and Group Basic. These group packages are available to groups of 10 or more people. Benefits of these VIP passes/platinum editions include early entry into the venue with an access pass and lanyard, select seating, early-bird onsite merchandise shopping, an official limited edition t-shirt from this event and an exclusive question and answer session with an artist. Jam Nation door time is 4:30 p.m.

Visit www.jamtour.com or www.atthecrown.com for more information.

Photo: Toby Mac headlines this year’s Winter Jam.

On cold clear winter nights the stars come alive. In the inky night sky the glimmering stars reveal not only their beauty, but to those who watch closely, their mysteries. The study of the matter of outer space is called astronomy. This scientifi c discipline has led to amazing triumphs of humanity such as discovering other earth-like planets and putting a man on the moon. This amazing science is not relegated to professionals however; amateur astronomers have made many important discoveries. All anyone really needs is a telescope and a love of the stars.

On Jan. 31, anyone who has an interest in the stars will have the perfect place to share their passion and gain some more knowledge at Lake Rim Park. Participants will be able to gaze at the stars with fellow enthusiasts and learn about the constellations and many other celestial objects as well as the folklore behind them.

Michael Moralis, a park ranger at Lake Rim Park, will teach the class, which consists of two parts. The fi rst part is an introduction to the night sky where participants will learn about the many interesting objects and systems that can be found throughout space, such as: planets, stars, nebula and galaxies.

“I will talk about constellations as well, and the stars that are in them, the stories on how they got their names and how to find them,” said Moralis.

Moralis advises participants to “bundle up, because it’s cold and the entire class is outside. Winter is the best time in North Carolina to watch the sky, because the weather is usually clearer this time of year. It is the best time of the year at Lake Rim because there aren’t any ball practices. When ball parks are lit up, the glare from the lights makes it harder to get a good view of the night sky. The introduction to the stars is outside under the picnic shelter and the actual star gazing is from the football field.

“Attendees are welcome to bring telescopes and binoculars if they want to zoom in on something I’m talking about, but it is not required. I try to partner up with Johnny Horn and the Fayetteville Astronomy Club to make sure there are telescopes around,” said Moralis.

Anyone who wants to participate should know that the event is free, but registration is required. The last day to register is Jan. 30. Be sure to dress warmly; hot chocolate would probably not be out of place. The event is scheduled to take place at Lake Rim Park on Jan. 31 from 6 until 7:30 p.m. Lake Rim Park is located at 2214 Tar Kiln Dr. For more information, or to register, call 424-6134.

Photo: Explore the night sky at Lake Rim Park.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D (Rated R) 2 Stars

I don’t use the phrase shamelessly derivative cash grab lightly. I find it ut-terly incomprehensible that Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D (92 minutes) was number one at the box office the week it released. I mean, neither Django nor Les Miserables was able to take down The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and here we have this worthless bit of nothing leapfrogging into the top spot.

I really enjoyed the original when I first saw it (a shoddy copy on VHS) and I enjoyed the remastered DVD even more. The se-quels were completely unnecessary, and the millennial remakes amounted to little better than torture-porn. Going into this film, I thought I was about the see the third in the remake trilogy so I was extremely puzzled when the film appeared to start with scenes from the original — including shots of original Leatherface Gunnar Hansen.

The quality of the earlier footage is ruined by the insertion of Bill Moseley. He is not even playing his Chop-Top Sawyer character from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. Instead, his character is the patriarch of the clan who was played by Jim Siedow in Chainsaw and its sequel, Drayton Sawyer. Things start to make sense when the original footage segues into new scenes of the Sheriff (Thom Barry) shout-ing at Drayton to bring the boy out. At first there is some disagreement in the Sawyer clan as to whether or not to send Leatherface out, but then some Texans with cowboy hats and shotguns/rifles/guns show up and start slinging nooses. Clearly, things are about to get interesting. With the shouting back and forth headed towards Leatherface being taken into custody forthwith, the Texans decide that lynching is too good for those who cooperate with authority, and so they set the place on fire.

As you would expect, a small fire quickly engulfs the large house and burns it to the ground. But wait! There’s a survivor! One of the Texans takes a baby from the wreckage and gives it to his wife. Recap: this film is the sequel to the original, not the remakes, but it essentially ignores the events from the original sequels, assuming Drayton Sawyer is killed in the fire. Of course, if there was one survivor they may be a few more…

Anyway. The baby grows up to be a hottie with really pretty eyes who appeared in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia that one time. Heather (Alexandria Daddario) finds out she was adopted and has inherited a large property in Texas. She plans to head down South to settle the estate. Her boyfriend Ryan (Tremaine Neverson) and frenemy Nikki (Tania Raymonde) decide to go with her, bringing along Ryan’s friend/Nikki’s hook-up Kenny (Keram Malicki-Sanchez) to be supportive.

On the way to Texas, they run into a hitchhiker. Of course, it turns out that Darryl the Hitchhiker (Shaun Sipos) was working a scam all along, and tries to rob the estate the first chance he gets. Because, duh, stupid young people, don’t pick up hitchhikers.

While the trusting fools get supplies, Darryl begins poking around until he finds the butler’s pantry and a secret door. I feel like I should include Spoiler Tags here, but I’m not spoiling much, given the title of the film. Out pops Leatherface! He blud-geons Darryl to death and I roll my eyes in disgust because it’s not called Texas Bludgeoning Massacre 3D. The death count rises and the stupid chainsaw has still not made an appearance.

Eventually, the town’s police force gets into the action and tries to lure Leatherface into an abandoned slaughterhouse for the final act. Narrative in-consistencies abound, and an after-credits scene provides little satisfaction. The entire effort is ugly, nasty and more than little bit icky, and not in that arty way like Gummo.

Now showing at Wynnsong 7, Carmike 12 and Carmike Market Fair 15.

A season of “Blessings” for Laura Story

Sowing & Reaping

As we go through life, we will all inevitably reap what we have sown. Laura Story has been faithful in her music ministry as well as her devotion and support to her ail-ing husband, Martin. Lately she has certainly been enjoying the reap-ing end of the equation.

Heading to the Grammy’s

Her song “Blessing” has been her most suc-cessful song to date, both in sales and more importantly in the im-pact it has had on people’s lives. As a result of this success, Story was nominated for and won her first Grammy Award! A rare feat for any Christian artist, and even more a fe-male worship artist.

Multiple Doves

Story was recog-nized by her peers in a big way at last month’s 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards. She walked away with Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year and Album of the Year, as well as overall Song and Songwriter of the year — all stemming from her huge hit “Blessings”!

The Singer/Songwriter Becomes an Author

Capturing an incredible thought in a song is nothing new for Story. What is new is turning those thoughts into a devotional book called What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? Comprised of 30 daily devotions designed to draw readers into a deeper understanding of God’s sometimes mysterious gifts, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? includes the devotions “He Loves Us Too Much to Give Us Lesser Things”; “When Faith Disappears”; “The Blessed Thorn”; “Giving Endurance a Chance to Grow”; and “How Can We Find Peace Amid Suffering?” Each devotion contains Story’s personal reflections garnered from her own journey, along with prayers, quotes and a journaling page for read-ers to recount how blessings have impacted their own lives.

Best Blessing of All

As if the music awards and the success of her new cd and book weren’t enough to make this one of Story’s best year’s ever, she and husband Martin recently learned that she is pregnant. The bundle of joy is due to arrive in September and the expectant mom and dad couldn’t be more excited. 2012 was a year of bountiful blessing for Story and we wish her many more!

Photo: Lara Story

David Jewell and his friends like to ride motorcycles. And most any biker will agree, after a long ride, nothing tastes better than some delicious comfort food and a cold brew, but the group of buddies had a problem. The riding part was easy. It was finding fresh, good tasting food and good beer that proved difficult. So in 2005, they opened the first Mac’s Speed Shop in Charlotte.

“We absolutely expected to be out of business within a year. We were just trying to solve a problem for ourselves,” said Jewell.

They hit the jack pot when they started planning the menu, though.

“We knew a guy, a chef at a white tablecloth, fine-dining restaurant here in Charlotte,” said Jewell. “He had some really old family recipes that he pulled out and shared with us. I’m talking about things like BBQ, baked beans, banana pudding and things like that.”

Eight years later, there are five locations throughout the state (including one on McPherson Church Road in Fayetteville) and Mac’s Speed Shop is getting rave reviews from the Charlotte Observer, Garden & Gun and the Washington Post. The restaurant has a competitive BBQ team that competes and routinely places in international competitions. Celebrities, foodies and politicos alike including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Zach Galifanakis, Anthony Bourdain, Nick Nolte, Michael Jordan, George Stephanopoulos and Madeline Albright have been seen eating at Mac’s.

Until a year or so ago, Jewell didn’t have much reason to travel to Fayetteville, but then” … we heard in conversation that there were hour-long waits at chain restaurants there and we had high hopes that people would appreciate us. A traditional BBQ place might be open for lunch or dinner and they don’t usually have beer. We expanded the menu and we had hope that if there was that kind of demand for national chains that something as cools as what we were offering would resonate with Fayetteville.”

What started out as beer, bikes and BBQ has grown into beer, bikes, BBQ, bands and even babies said Jewell. They owners work hard to make sure each establishment has an authentic feel that patrons can make their own. He knew they were on to something when “…one Sunday there were two outlaws in vests with patches eating and sharing a picnic table outside with what looked like an 80-year-old couple in their Sunday best. It was real and that’s what brings people together. You are just as likely to find a group of bikers as you are a family with young children or senior citizens here.”

BBQ is a big player on the menu, but chicken, ribs, wings, salad and more are available. While food is the driving force at Mac’s, beer afficionados won’t be disappointed.

“We have more than 50 different beers on tap,” said Jewell. “And we bring in the best beers we can find. We have some from North Carolina and a few from Michigan and Colorado, too.”

While Mac’s Speed Shop is still a relative new comer to Fayetteville, the owners are serious about giving back.

“We want to be a positive force in the community,” said Jewell. “We are not a national chain that comes in and throws open our doors and just takes money from people. We want to get involved in the community. We do a lot with Toys for Tots and we do things like poker runs to help people.”

Find out more about Mac’s Speed shop at www.macspeedshop.com or stop by and see them at 482 N. McPherson Church Rd.

Every generation produces a few incredible people. They see things in the world that they don’t agree with and they step forward and change them. They are the face of cultural movements, and they inspire future generations with the tales of their bravery. They are the people who are imprinted on our collective social psyche; Martin Luther King Jr. is one of these people. His dedication to the Civil Rights movement still impacts people today. He made the world a better place. In celebration of MLK Day, the community is honoring Dr. King with several events and activies.

In honor of all the ideals that Dr. King upheld, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Technical Community College and Methodist University are collaborating with the Corporation for National and Community Service, to create an event that would make Dr. King proud.

The CNCS is a government organization that supports community service. The organization is partnering with universities and colleges around the nation to honor Dr. King with a day dedicated to community service. This is the the fourth year for this event and it looks to be a remarkable experience for volunteers and beneficiaries alike. Melissa Lyon, program manager at the Fayetteville State University Office of Civic Engagement and Service Learning says the event “invites students, faculty/staff and community members to make Jan. 21 a “day on instead of a day off,” in the spirit of the event.

Since 1994, when Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first named a national holiday by Congress, the CNCS has led the charge in making the Federal holiday a day of service that truly honors the legacy of Dr. King. Officials at the CFNC say, “Dr. King worked tirelessly for increased opportunity for all Americans. Now more than ever we need to create and support opportunities for Americans to strengthen their own and each other’s economic security. Service is a powerful way for citizens, nonprofits, the private sector and government to work together to meet critical needs and advance King’s dream of opportunity for all.”

Over the years, CFNC has made a huge impact in the ways many Americans spend MLK Day. Across the country Americans will be giving back to their communities on their holiday, and this year is no exception. “The 2013 MLK Day of Service will include thousands of projects spread across all 50 states. Families, students, congregations, employees, and individuals of all ages and backgrounds will come together to celebrate MLK Day by making a difference in their communities. Projects will include delivering meals, refurbishing schools and community centers, collecting food and clothing, signing up mentors, supporting veterans and military families, promoting nonviolence and more, with many projects starting on King Day and lasting throughout the year,” CFNC officials report.

Anyone in the Fayetteville area that would like to participate in the nationwide honoring of Dr. King through a day of service can register to volunteer at http://2013mlkday-eorgf.eventbrite.com. For more information about the nationwide event, visit www.mlkday.gov and for information on local events contact Melissa L. Lyon at 672-2484.

Join the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Ministerial Council, Inc. on Monday, Jan. 21, at the Crown Exposition Center for the 20th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast followed by the 4th Annual Day of Service.

The breakfast runs from 7:30-10 a.m. Kim D. Sanders is the scheduled keynote speaker. Entertainment will include the Fayetteville State University Gospel Choir under the direction of Dr. Brooksie E. Harrington and 2012 Piece Magazine Gospel Showcase Winner Pastor Donnell Peterson & Rhema Music Group based in Greensboro, N.C.

Tickets are available in advance for an $18 donation or a $20 at the door. Find out more about this event and how you can participate at www.ministerscouncil.net, or by calling Bishop Larry O. Wright Sr. 910-568-4276 or Dr. Maxie Dobson 910-624-7785 and Reverend Mary Owens 910-670-9640.

Photo: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

For thousands of years people fished. It began simply as a way to hunt the food found in the water, but over the years it has developed into a sport — and for many an art form. Fly fishing is one such form of fishing, and it is arguably one of the most challenging. This winter, the John E. Pechmann Fishing Center offers several classes. A class is scheduled for Jan. 19.

Fly fishing is a unique form of fishing that requires specific movements for casting the line. The fisher uses a lure made to look like a fly. Through casting techniques the fisher simulates the landing and movements of a fly on the water. Often, fishermen tie their own lures out of strings and hair so that they resemble flying insects. Traditionally, fly fishing is practiced in cold mountain streams, but it can be practiced anywhere. Most all species of fish respond to the movements simulating flies.

“That is one of the things we point out,” said Tom Carpenter, a program coordinator at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center. “Traditionally, when people think of fly fishing they think trout or salmon. What we show them is that you can fish farm ponds for blue-gill bass, you can fly fish warm water streams, you can fly fish at the beach for speckle trout … you are not limited to any particular species of fish. It is wide open to what you want to do with a fly rod.”

It is never too late to learn a new form of casting, and with that in mind the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center offers several fly fishing classes for beginners. In this class, participants will learn the basics of casting and knot tying according to regulations and ethics.

The Pechmann Center has revamped its fly-fishing courses for 2013, and Carpenter sees it as a good thing for students.

“Our primary focus is the basic casting instruction,” he said. “We provide some instruction for knots and we also have some handouts that help students with fly selection.”

After class, students put their new-found skills to use and head over to the two stocked fishing ponds on the property to practice their new skills.

“We usually have quite a few people catch some trout when we take them to the ponds,” said Carpenter.

One of the things that students appreciate about the course is that handling a fly rod is more of a challenge than reel fishing. “One of the things to remember about fly fishing, as with any sort of fishing, is that it is a life-long learning experience,” said Carpenter. “We have to understand what the fish feed on, what time of day they eat and how the weather might affect the fish. We learn all these things so we can become better fisherman. It gives you a better understanding of nature as well.”

The class is taught with the help of several experienced volunteer instructors. Each class can accommodate 40 students and classes fill up quickly, Carpenter noted.

The class requires preregistration and costs $5 per person. Registration begins Dec. 3 at Lake Rim Park. The fishing education center will provide all equipment, but it is advised that participants bring eye protection and a brimmed hat.

The beginner classes will be held on Saturday, Jan, 5, Jan. 19 and Feb. 2. All classes will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The class is intended for participants aged 12 and up. The younger fishers must have a participating adult accompany them. For more information, call 433-1018. The fishing center is located next to Lake Rim Park at 7489 Raeford Rd.

Photo: Local sportsmen can learn the art of fly fishing at upcoming classes.

If Your Senior Won't Let Go

Getting rid of stuff is actually a two-step process: sorting and deciding, on the one hand, and disposing on the other. That’s according to University of Kansas Professor Dr. David Ekerdt, who is coordinating a “household moves” project to determine the role that possessions play in older people’s housing decisions. But convincing seniors to start that process can be a challenge.

Following are strategies if your loved one doesn’t want to let go from Katherine “Kit” Anderson, CPO-CD, president of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization, and Vickie Dellaquila, certified professional organizer and author of Don’t Toss My Memories in the Trash.

1. Arrange And Cheer Small Victories.

Suppose you spend a short time helping your loved one clear off a table. Celebrate the accomplishment together.

2. Conduct An “Experiment.”

If your loved one has 150 empty margarine tub containers, suggest donating 15 of those to a school for a painting project. Allow some time to go by and ask how she felt giving those up. Chances are she won’t feel as awful as suspected.

3. Gently Approach The Idea Of Health And Safety. Remind your loved ones that too much clutter can actually keep them from being safe in their homes, which could jeopardize their ability to stay at home. They could trip over papers on the floor or lose bills and medications.

4. Draft An Agreement.

Agree to box up unused clothing or tools. Carefully list what’s in the box and track that for six months. If your loved one does not use the items in that time, suggest they donate them to a charity.

5. Consider The Control Issue.

Clutter is all about control, but so is being the one to decide where stuff goes. Remind your loved ones if they don’t decide where something will go, someone else will.

For more information, contact the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) at www.nsgcd.org or visit www.homeinstead.com. For tips on talking to a loved one about sensitive subjects, go to www.4070talk.com. If you notice these characteristics about your senior loved ones or their homes, clutter could start creeping up on them.

1. Piles of mail and unpaid bills.

2. Difficulty walking safely through a home.

3. Frustration trying to organize.

4. Difficulty managing activities of daily living.

5. Expired food in the refrigerator.

6. Jammed closets and drawers.

7. Compulsive shopping.

8. Difficulty deciding whether to discard items.

9. A health episode such as a stroke or dementia.

10. Loneliness.

When family members are not able to assist with decluttering activities, consider hiring professional caregivers who can take on the sorting projects slowly and methodically. For more information, call 910-484-7200 or visit www.homeinstead.com/647.

Photo: Cluttered drawers are a sign that your senior might need help.

It’s official: the holidays are over. You have run yourself ragged trying to find just the right gift for everyone you know, spending next month’s paycheck and tightening your grocery budget. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to give something to your kids that wouldn’t cost you any money? Instead of getting them the latest gadget, which will undoubtedly be outdated within six months, wouldn’t you like to do something that might positively affect the rest of their lives?

Fayetteville Technical Community Colleges has the solution for you, and we feel that it is one of Fayetteville’s best kept secrets.

For years now, local high school students have been invited to take classes at FTCC through the High School Connections program. This exciting opportunity provides students with both high school and college credit tuition — free. According to money.cnn.com*, the average cost of public university tuition for the 2012-2013 school year is about $8,655. Add to that the expense of books, housing, fees, food and your child’s version of “spending money,” and you’ve probably got some heavy financing to do. When it comes to total cost of attendance, College Board gives a “moderate” budget estimate of $22,261 at a public institution and $43,289 at a private one.

The HSC program can help alleviate these financial worries for many local families. Eligible junior and senior high school students can participate in a variety of programs, and although they will incur textbook and fee costs, the tuition itself is paid in full through the state’s Career and College Promise initiative. Sample career and technical education programs include Demi-Chef, Plumbing, Graphic Design, Nursing, Medical Coding and many more. FTCC even offers general college transfer classes for those students who, like the rest of us, aren’t sure yet what they want to be when they grow up.

Now, as parents, you are probably jumping for joy at the thought of giving your kids a head start on their post-graduation plans; the sooner they have job training for the “real world,” the less likely they are to live on your couch forever. Past CTE students who have completed certificate programs via HSC have been able to find work after their high-school graduation, either full-time or part-time as they pursue further education. Students who take college transfer courses can complete as many as 34 credits by the time they graduate from high school, which can take a healthy bite out of that four-year degree cost. Financially, our smartest students are those who begin their college education with HSC, then enroll in FTCC to complete an associate’s degree, and then transfer on to a four-year university if needed.

Hopefully by now, you are wondering how to get your child involved in our program. In that case, we encourage you to speak first with your student’s high school counselor; each Cumberland County high school has a designated HSC contact to help you get started. FTCC will also host an open house for HSC on Feb. 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for interested student and their parents.

For more information about requirements, a list of available programs, and how to contact us, visit our website at http://www.faytechcc.edu/highschool_connections/default.asp.

They say the best gifts in life are free; why not let your gift be your child’s college education?

To say Kay Yow is a legend is an understatement. She was the N.C. State Wolfpack women’s basketball team head coach from 1975 to 2009. With more than 700 career wins, and a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame, Yow was an inspiration to many, not just for her great coaching skills, but for her fighting spirit.

Yow was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and after three bouts with the disease she passed away on Jan. 24, 2009. On Saturday, Feb. 2, Fayetteville State University will get into the game by hosting a “Ball in Pink” basketball game against its rival St. Augustine’s University. .

The event is part of the Play 4 Kay campaign sponsored by the Kay Yow Cancer Foundation. The Play 4 Kay program (formerly known as WBCA Pink Zone) encourages coaches across the nation to increase breast-cancer awareness and raise funds for breast-cancer research. The program has raised more than $2 million for women’s cancer research since 2007.

Breast cancer survivors and family members are eligible for free admission and special seating in the chancellor’s section. After the game, breast cancer surivivors and family members are invited to a reception. The group will also be recognized during half-time of the nationally televised men’s game. If you are interested in attending, contact Kevin Wilson at 910-672-2565 or email kwilso10@uncfsu.edu. The deadline is January 21. Support the cause and wear pink to the game. Better yet, help raise funds for breast-cancer research by purchasing a “Ball in Pink” T-shirt at the FSU bookstore before the game. To make a donation, visit www.play4kay.org, click “donate to the team” and select “FSU Broncos.” All of the proceeds benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Foundation and the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation Friends of the Cancer Center.

The women’s game starts at 1 p.m. followed by the men’s game at 4 p.m. There will also be a silent auction at the game.

Methodist Monarchs

On Feb. 16, Methodist University will also celebrate Play 4 Kay at a 2 p.m. game. Fans who wear pink to the game will be admitted free with a donation to support breast-cancer awareness. The team will wear pink shirts to support the cause as well. Purchase a T-shirt or pint glass to remember the event. Items are available before the game or at www.mumonarchs.com/sb_output.aspx?form=16. During the game, fans are encouraged to participate in the silent auctions. Items up for bid include autographed items, special golf packages and more.

Breast cancer survivors will be honored during half-time. This is yet another way that the university seeks to raise awareness about this invasive killer. In the past four years, this event has helped Methodist University Monarchs raise more than $15,000 to support breast-cancer research and awareness.

“Kay Yow has always been an inspiration to me — not only as a coach, but as a player,” said Methodist’s Head Coach DeeDee Jarman. “She was devoted to North Carolina State, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the game of basketball; we are delighted to have the opportunity to give back.”

To find out more about this event, contact the Methodist University Athletic Department at (910) 630-7175 or visit www.mumonarchs.com/play4kay.

Breast cancer survivors interested in participating in the event should contact DeeDee Jarman at (910) 630-7283 or djarman@methodist.edu

Photo: Ball In Pink games raise money to support cancer research through the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

Many remember Styx as a band of the 1970s and ‘80s, but the reality is that Tommy Shaw, James “JY” Young, Lawrence Gowan, Todd Sucherman and Ricky Phillips (along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo), have performed more live since ’99 than all of the previous years of its career combined, according to the band’s website www.styxworld.com.

On Jan. 19, Community Concerts is bringing this legendary group to the Crown for a one-night event. Known for hits including “Come Sail Away,” “Renegade,” “Blue Collar Man” and “Fooling Yourself,” the band has a fan base that crosses generations.

Marshall Perry director of sales/booking at the Crown Coliseum Complex is excited about hosting the band.

“This is going to be probably one of the greatest shows folks in this area will have ever seen in their lives. There is not a bad seat in the theater,” he said. “You are talking about a band that has been around for many years and their sounds just gets better and better as they go along. They’ve put together a sound that is fantastic. It is always fresh.”

At the beginning of their career in the early 1970s, Styx was influenced by Emerson, Lake & Palmer and the Moody Blues, but it was their single “Lady” that first got the group national attention. In the mid-’70s, tour guitarist John Curulewski left and was replaced by Tommy Shaw. Things really clicked for the band after Shaw arrived and most of their releases went platinum after that.

In 1981 Paradise Theater was released and turned out to be the group’s biggest hit yet and the fourth consecutive triple-platinum album for Styx — a historical first for any band at that point.

After the release of Caught in the Actin 1984, the band took a break as members and tried their hands at various solo projects. By 1996, the band was back together — with new drummer Todd Sucherman — for a reunion tour. In 1997, they released Return to Paradise.

With releases (including several recordings of live performances) every year from 1999-2006 and another in 2009, and a tight touring schedule that would make lesser bands flinch, Styx continues to deliver exactly what their fans are looking for — a rockin’ good time. The band has more than half a million fans on Facebook and You Tube is filled with their music. Clearly, this is a group with staying power.

Known for bringing great entertainment to Fayetteville, Community Concerts is in its 77th season and still going strong. So far this season concerts have included Gladys Knight and Martina McBride. Still to come are shows featuring Kool & the Gang on Saturday, Feb. 23 and Ricky Skaggs on Friday, April 12.

Find out more about community concerts and all they have to offer at www.community-concerts.com.

Photo:  Community Concerts presents Styx at the Crown on Jan. 19.

This is 40   (Rated R) 4 Stars

Director Judd Apatow might be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Increasingly, his films make me want to have a meal of raw cookie dough sprinkled with Prozac, served with a side of cheap liquor. This is 40(134 minutes) might have likeable and even realistic characters, but he lost some nuance in his attempt to transition to a more mature story.

As supporting characters in Knocked Up, Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) served as a cautionary tale for Ben (Seth Rogen) and Alison (Katherine Heigl). In a stand-alone film we learn far more about them then we ever wanted to. For example, apparently (big surprise) they both have issues with their parents. Pete’s Dad (Albert Brooks) is remarried and mooches off Pete to support his stay-at-home wife and trip-lets (conceived through modern medicine). Debbie’s Dad (Jon Lithgow) has reentered her life after a prolonged absence, bring-ing her abandonment and control issues screaming to the surface just as her marriage is at a crisis point.

It seems that Pete, in a bit of character consistency, is secretly a jerk. As pleasant and easy going as he can be, he lies all the time. And they’re huge lies that are destined to be found out, like the impending ruin of his business. Meanwhile, Debbie (who is by far the more sympathetic of the two) is trying to make their marriage work even in the face of her husband’s downright disinterest and petulance. He’s not happy but he is determined to fake it until the problem goes away. She’s not happy, but she can’t get it through to her husband that she is running out of things to try, which means he is running out of chances to meet her halfway. Yes, it’s supposed to be a comedy. I think.

It is the approximately 3 million subplots that drag the film down the most. First, Debbie has a business now. It is some kind of boutique, and she employs Jodi (Charlyne Yi from Knocked Up) and Desi (Megan Fox, Ugh.). She thinks one of them is stealing and can’t figure out whom. Second, their two kids Charlotte and Sadie (Iris and Maude Apatow) fight a lot. Both subplots were utterly boring and could have easily been trimmed. Don’t work with family Apatow. It’s too hard to cut their crap scenes.

Knocked Up and The Forty Year Old Virgin are some of the funniest modern comedies I’ve seen. There is a certain goofy sweetness to the leads in those pics. They may be long, but they are never bloated. Here, however, the plot does not justify the length. This is mostly a series of vignettes that lack an over-arching narrative. Like any other couple, sometimes they are happy and sometimes they are not. Sometimes they like their kids and sometimes they don’t. They are children of divorce and their respective fathers each started a second family, full of younger half-siblings that make for awkward get-togethers. Honestly, this comes off like a failed sitcom that got turned into a movie.

Overall the strengths of the film balance the weaknesses. This is not going down in history as his best work, but I think it will age well. The central theme of the mid-life couple crisis is relat-able; it’s the trimmings that take away. I mean, I find it hard to muster any real sympathy for the characters when I am reminded that they are two relatively wealthy and attractive people in danger of aging and becoming slightly less wealthy. Oh no! Their daughter dropped an F-Bomb! Family crisis! Really, they fight and make up so often during the course of the movie, when we get to the kiss-and-make-up finale it is just one more up destined to roll down. This results in a lack of catharsis and a sense that five minutes after the credits rolled they headed to divorce court. But yes, there are some outtakes after the movie. Enjoy.

Now showing at Wynnsong 7, Carmike 12 and Carmike Market Fair 15.

Now in it’s 10th year, the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh’s Chocolate Affairis truly an affair to remember. A buffet of decadent deliciousness, the event is scheduled for Jan. 26 in the Expo Room at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux.

“This event has come a long way,” said Lisa Perkins, regional director of Catholic Charities. “For years this event was held in different social halls in local churches. It has grown both in size and participation.”

The event includes both live and silent auctions as well as entertainment and, of course, scrumptious food and beverages. Wendy Riddle returns as the emcee and Ben Ammons is the auctioneer.

While there is still time to donate to the auctions and to sponsor the event, there are already some fun items lined up.

“For the silent-auction products we try to feature local businesses. There could be anything from art to pottery to a spa package,” said Perkins. “The silent auction usually has more things like a weekend at a beach condo. We always try to do some kind of a thrill package, too, — like a zip-line excursion or something of that nature. We also have locally made furniture this year.”

The luscious desserts are provided by long-time favorites B&B Catering and The Chocolate Lady. New Deli is joining the cause as well this year. Not only will there be a buffet of chocolate goodness, there will also be feature tables where businesses can set up and showcase their best desserts.

Adding ambience to the evening is local musician Reggie Codrington. Codrington has a long history in Fayetteville and has played at high-end venues including The Hilltop House and Highland Country Club. With several CDs on the market and a history of entertaining locals, Codrington’s smooth jazz will add just the right touch of sophistication to the event, according to Perkins.

Perkins has been attending the Chocolate Affair for several years and looks forward to indulging, if only a little.

“I love the chocolate. I have learned to pace myself over the years,” she said. “A great way to enjoy this event is to go out with friends or a significant other and have dinner and then come to us for dessert and a good time,” she said. “With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it is a great opportunity to fi nd that special gift for your sweetheart. We auction off things like bouquets of roses that make great Valentine’s Day gifts. It’s an opportunity to get out and have a good evening with people you care about.

”While the evening is definitely intended to be fun, Perkins noted that it is a party with a purpose. All proceeds benefit the Catholic Charities. Specifically, the funds earned will support the local family-support program. This is a goal-oriented, case-management program that helps families to become self-suffi cient.

The program offers assistance by:

• Listening to families

• Providing information and referrals for a variety of needs

• Giving family assessments, with awareness of:

    o Family safety and health, including access to healthcare

    o Risks of family/domestic violence

• Providing family casework/case management

• Programs focused on enhancing economic stability:

    o Employment assistance o Budget counseling

    o Financial literacy• Educational programming

• Pregnancy Services

“We do anything from helping families and children cope with bullying to domestic violence. Our programs are offered bilingually, too,” said Perkins. “We do a lot of things like helping families who wouldn’t be served at other places. We have a tax program where volunteers are trained to do taxes and we do them for free in our community. We also have a food pantry and a clothing closet as well as counseling services.”

The best part is that all the money stays in the local community. “All proceeds stay with the Fayetteville Catholic Charities,” said Perkins. “This is our only fundraiser, which makes it very important to us.”

Last year the event raised more than $20,000. Perkins hopes this year’s event will meet that number.

“We are a charity like any other. We do a lot to support ourselves,” said Perkins. “It is for a good cause and the money really does go right back into the community to help the poor and working poor among us. At the end of the day it is what is needed to have these services available. We never want to be in a position where we have to tell people no.”

Tickets are on sale for $35 in advance and $40 at the door. They can be purchased through the Catholic Charities office, at and at the Poet Selection in Westwood Shopping Center and at the Chocolate Lady in downtown Fayetteville. The event runs from 7-10 p.m. For more information or to sponsor the event or make a donation, call (910) 424-2020 x 22.

Photo: Chocolate Affair... to Remember is a fun way to raise funds to help local families in need.

Kicking off the New Year

We are kicking off the new year with a great variety of new music!

Audio Adrenaline is back with a new lead vocalist (Kevin Max, formerly of DC Talk) and a fabulous new radio single. “Kings & Queen’s” is “just an incredible song about this idea of when we love the least of these, God wraps these little orphans in his majesty and they can become kings and queens,” shares Mark Stuart. “It gives you that idea that these are God’s favorites, these little kids who have been forgotten. It’s just a triumphant, majestic song that just connects so deeply with Hands & Feet and the message of Audio A right now.”

So what is the Hands & Feet Project? Five years ago, the band gathered in Hawaii along with their biggest fans for what they thought was their last perfor-mance. Since that emotional finale concert, founding members Mark Stuart and Will McGinniss have tirelessly worked to raise awareness and support for 100 orphans currently being cared for in orphanages in Jacmel and Grand Goave, Haiti. The official music video was taped in Jacmel, Haiti at the Hands & Feet Project Children’s Village.

Another veteran band with a new look is Hawk Nelson. New front-man Jon Steingard shares his thoughts on the newly released single from their upcoming project. “‘Words’ really speaks to the heart of what God’s been teaching us as a band over the past few months. The words we speak are a powerful testament to who we are and how we influence those around us. We truly have the power to either speak life into others or break them down depending on the choices we make. It’s been our prayer as a band to say to God that we want to be His light … that we want to speak His love into people’s lives every day. Whether that means being on stage and playing shows, or whether that’s with our wives, families or friends, we just want to be really intentional about speaking life into people. We were so honored that Bart from MercyMe agreed to be a part of this song as well. He was actually monumental in encouraging me to step up as the new lead singer for Hawk Nelson. It’s been really cool to see God directing the whole thing as it came around full circle and we’re stoked with how ‘Words’ turned out!”

There is also another new thought-provoking tune from Sidewalk Prophets. Co-writer and lead vocalist Dave Frey says, “‘Help Me Find It’ was written after a conversation with a close friend of mine. We were talking about how hard it is to be patient in life, and how equally hard it is to go when God calls us to go…our fears of uncertainty and failure consume us. God is in control. We have to be patient and wait for God’s timing, and, in the same breath, we need to trust God enough to venture out and chase down life’s dreams when he calls us to go. ‘Help Me Find it’ is a prayer for God to give us the wisdom to know his great desire for our lives” J

ust a few of the newest songs you’ll be hearing from some of your favorite artists in this new year.

A new group meeting at Methodist University is encouraging members of the local military community to tell their stories through the written word, hopefully to give voice to unshared experiences while empowering and transforming the storytellers.

The Veterans Writing Collective is open to active-duty military, vet-erans and family members. The group will have its first meeting on Saturday, Jan. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Trustees Building Room 340 on the Methodist campus.

The mission of the collective, which will meet monthly, is to encour-age the art of writing and provide an environment where participants offer honest, positive feedback on members’ writing. The group is free and open to writers of all genres. At the first meeting and every third meeting, the group will also host a credentialed writer for special pre-sentations on technical aspects of writing. Regular times and dates will be set after the first meeting.

“The focus is on writing,” said English and writing professor Robin Greene, who is advising the group. “Our group meetings will be con-ducted as workshops, which means that writers will gather to share their work, receive supportive feedback and learn about craft.”

Greene said there is a need for such groups as the military continues a lengthy stretch of overseas campaigns and deployment cycles. Also, family members and veterans with older experiences are now telling their stories.

An unlikely organizer — Greene is not a veteran — she was con-tacted by several organizations over the summer who wanted something like this in the Fayetteville community: a group for military-related writing where they could be free to tell stories that might otherwise shock or offend people without similar experiences.

“Our goal is to honor veterans and encourage them to tap into their creativity as they offer unique glimpses into their experiences,” Greene said. “Even family mem-bers have the opportunity to write creatively about their experiences. Frequently, in the cry for service stories, we neglect their stories.”

Whether fictionalized accounts, poetry or personal stories, Greene believes writing helps process difficult memories and emotions, empowering and transforming the writer with critical distance to deal with the material.

“Too often, stories are lost because we don’t give ourselves permission to speak our truth,” Greene said. “And traditionally, the military has trained men and women to be stoic — which is often interpreted as a mandate to be silent. But that’s no longer the case. Throughout America, and here in our hometown, the voices of our warriors and their family members are finding outlets to be heard.”

As Greene was fielding inquisitive phone calls, one of her students, Paul Stroebel, was researching literature about war. Stroebel, a senior writing major and U.S. Army veteran, found writing to be empowering and cathartic, and hopes other veterans will, too. He will facilitate the group’s meetings.

“I hope to work with the members as we all learn to refine our writing,” Stroebel said. “We have a common experience in the U.S. military, and that experience informs our lives and our writing. As we learn to use that experience as a lens through which we see our work, we grow as writers.”

The new group already has attention and support from established local writers, like Appalachian State University Professor and North Carolina’s Poet Laureate Joseph Bathanti, also an organizer. When he took the post in September, Bathanti announced he wanted to work with veterans to share their stories through poetry. He hopes these workshops will be duplicated across the state.

“I’m interested in working with the Fayetteville group precisely because of their location and because what they are doing dovetails so nicely into my mission as Poet Laureate,” Bathanti said. “I’m hoping also to lead workshops for the group this spring in Fayetteville.”

Greene said the group plans to post members’ works on its website, methodist.edu/writingvets. In the future, the group may also hold pub-lic readings of their work on campus or at other locations.

For more information, contact Greene at rgreene@methodist.edu.

Photo: Veterans are invited to join The Veteran’s Writing Collective at Methodist University.