Where are the best museums, restaurants and street festivals in any city? Downtown — the answer is always downtown. The All-American city of Fayetteville is no different. With the revitalization of Fayetteville’s downtown, some of the best shops, restaurants and entertainment is housed within the same four and a half blocks of this historic area.

The 4th Friday celebration of the downtown area and has become a tradition in Fayetteville that draws crowds every month. This month, 4th Friday offers a new historical perspective of Cumberland County, spring crafts for the kids and student art displayed by the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

The Market House is open to the public during this event from 6 - 10 p.m. The special exhibit for March is The Floods of Fayetteville. This exhibit showcases pictorial panels of two major floods in 1908 and 1945. The Cape Fear River is the largest river system in North Carolina and water rises and falls dramatically, which is vividly portrayed though the exhibit. Original photographs from 1908 will be on exhibit to depict the level of the floods at Liberty Point and other historical landmarks in the area. View pictures of people in rowboats where streets were before the flood came.

A women’s history exhibit will be in the front lobby of the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum. The exhibit shows women of Cumberland County breaking the stereotypes of their time frame; working in the heat of rural farm life, and thriving as business women. There will be special area displays of women who were the first in the county — such as the first female firefighter.

Fascinate-U Children’s Museum is open from 7 - 9 p.m. for 4th Friday. Join the craft table to celebrate the arrival of spring. Children can use their imagination to decorate paper eggs with the bright colors of spring.

High school students of Cumberland County will display their artwork during the 12th Annual Cumberland County High School Juried Art Exhibition open from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County building. This exhibition includes drawings, paintings, sculpture and mixed media artwork. Each entry will be judged by an art professional with recognition going to first, second and third place, along with honorable mentions.

Students In Free Enterprise of Fayetteville State University, will host Community Can-do sponsored by Campbell’s’ Let’s Can Hunger initiative. Four college and four high school teams will build giant structures out of cans and nonperishable food items. Curious spectators can vote on their favorite structure by donating a dollar or a can of food per vote. The food and money collected will go to the Second Harvest Food Bank in Fayetteville. Last year, 7,600 pounds of food was collected and displayed in a rocket, pirate ship and Happy Meal for the event. The organization hopes to collect 20,000 pounds this year. Check out the displays and vote for your favorite at 321 Hay Street.

If celebrating the history of Cumberland County, supporting young artists and do-gooders, enjoying the shopping and dining doesn’t attract you to downtown, seeing macho men walking in red stilettos heels might.

During the second annual Walk Awhile In Her Shoes, a large group of brave men will walk for blocks downtown to raise awareness against sexual assault. Last year approximately 100 men walked, raising $15,000 for Rape Crisis Volunteers of Cumberland County. Company sponsors, individual walkers and non-walking supporters all contributed to the cause. Onsite registration begins at the Market House in downtown Fayetteville at 6 p.m. and the walk begins at 7 p.m. from the Market House to the AIT building.

Whether dining and shopping, watching huge sculptures being made from cans or seeing men strutting their stuff in heels is your idea of a good night, you’ll be sure to find it March 23, downtown during 4th Friday.

The Lorax (Rated G) 4 Stars

Somehow The Lorax (86 minutes) manages to irritate almost everybody while still raking it in at the box office. While the film had the biggest open-ing weekend of any theatrical release based on a Seuss book, it is hard to find people with good things to say about it. Honestly, yes, the songs are cheesy and the movie is a simplified version of a philosophically complex story much-loved by children every-where. But you know what? It still made me cry.

Director Chris Renaud (with some assistance from Kyle Balda) reunites with his Despicable Me screenwriter Ken Daurio to expand the classic story into a feature length piece, with mixed success. The wacky Thneed-Ville sub-plot takes away from the story of the boy and the Once-ler, and the chase scene at the end of the film goes on way too long.

Of the three background species most affected by the industrial deforestation of the truffula trees, only the Bar-ba-loots (in their Bar-ba-loot suits) are men-tioned by name. For those of you wracking your brains in an attempt to recall the other two, they would be the Swommee Swams and the Humming Fish. You’re welcome.

We start with Ted (Zac Efron), deep in the throes of puppy love. The object of his affection, Audrey (Taylor Swift), is pining after a real tree. Since Thneed-Ville is composed of plastic and Astroturf, real trees and the seeds that grow them are in short supply. Luckily, Ted’s Grammy (Betty White) knows where he can get more information. But instead of sending him to the Thneed-Ville library or showing him how to Google, Grammy (who clearly has it out for Ted) sends him into the polluted wilds that surround the town to speak with the creepy loner known as the Once-Ler (Ed Helms). While I would say this scenario definitely falls into the category of stranger danger, Ted willingly wanders through the sewage and smog of the devastated wastelands, searching for a copy of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth.

Once on the Street of the Lifted Lorax, he settles in to hear the story of how capitalism ruined the pristine wilderness and killed cute fuzzy creatures. He hears the story over several days, interspersed with travel in and out of his planned community. Periodically, he is bullied by Mr. O’Hare of O’Hare Air (Rob Riggles), who, despite running a major industrial concern, still has plenty of time to track and harass the citizenry.

Thus is revealed the story of the Lorax (Danny DeVito), who speaks for the trees. Just as in the original, the Lorax spends a lot more time lecturing the Once-ler than he spends using his magic Lorax powers to actually save the Truffula Forest and its inhabitants. And, just as in the original, after the Once-ler figures out how to exploit a few natural resources, he brings in the rest of his family to finish despoiling the natural beauty. Eventually, he is left devastated and alone, telling his tale to pilgrims who come seeking knowledge.

As much as I love the story, it seems to me to be marred by a few basic flaws. For instance, if the Once-ler spent so much time hoarding the last Truffula seed, why didn’t he plant it himself? And if Grammy knew where to find the Once-ler, why didn’t she take Ted herself instead of sending him through miles of rusting metal on a flimsy plastic scooter?

Overall, if you can get past the environmentalists complaining about how poor sponsor choices undermine the essential message of the film (Really? A Truffula Tree approved SUV?), and then ignore the far right accusations that the film is a transparent attempt to indoctrinate the youth of America into becoming “eco-warriors,” you’ll probably enjoy it. That is, if you can get past the fact that the film spends a bit too much time subtly mocking a beloved kid’s classic.

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

On Sunday, March 25, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina is pleased to announce its 2012 Walk for Wishes event. This fun 5K walk is held in five cities across eastern North Carolina on the same date. The Make-A-Wish Foundation relies solely on the generous donations of individuals, corporations and foundations, so Walk for Wishes helps increase awareness and engagement in the communities that Make-A-Wish Foundation serves. With a large number of wishes taking place in Cumberland County, Fayetteville is one of the largest of these communities.

It is a priceless feeling to see the sparkle in a child’s eyes accompanied by a smile as wide as the Cape Fear River because you helped make their dreams come true. Jerry Peters, director of community engagement with Make-A-Wish of Eastern North Carolina wants everyone to know that with your help, it is possible. He wants everyone to know that you can help the children in our community who have life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. “Having grown up the son of a Marine Corps fighter pilot, I spent a good bit of my childhood in eastern North Carolina. Like a lot of folks in the area, I knew of the good work that Make-A-Wish did but was not aware that there was a chapter based here,” Peters said.

We have all made wishes in our life and hoped that they could come true. Well, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina grants wishes — and they are going to make some wishes come true right here in our city. “I am extremely fortunate in my job that I am able to witness some of the hope, strength and joy that these wishes provide to the children. No matter how long the wish lasts, whether it is an hour, a day or a full week, these children can forget all about medicine, doctors and hospitals and just to be a kid,” Peters explained.

In February, the Make-A-Wish Foundation started granting wishes to children in Fayetteville. The organization will continue granting wishes over the next few months until the wishes of eight very lucky children are granted. The children range in age from 5 to 18. This year marks the 25th anniversary for the local chapter, which has granted more than 2,300 wishes since it began in 1986. In an effort to get everyone in our community involved, the organization will host Walk for Wishes on March 25 at Festival Park. Registration lasts from 12:30-2 p.m. The walk lasts from 2-3:30 p.m. “Our Walk for Wishes event will help us spread the news about wishes we grant right here in Cumberland County and all of the other 48 counties that we serve in eastern North Carolina,” Peters said. This event will take place in five cities across N.C. on this date, so anyone who wants to make a contribution should come out and show your support.

Participate as a walker, fundraiser, sponsor or volunteer. Visit www.eastnc.wish.org to register. Registration is $25. Kids 13 and younger are free.

Members of any business, organization, school, hospital or religious group can make up a team. Even friends and neighbors can join together in this team effort. Teams consist of a minimum of four people. Each team member must register separately.

For more information, please visit www.eastnc.wish.org or contact Jerry Peters at (919) 821-7111, ext. 203 or via email at jpeters@eastnc.wish.org.

Photo: It is a priceless feeling to see the sparkle in a child’s eyes accompanied by a smile as wide as the Cape Fear River because you helped make their dreams come true.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet takes center stage performing Moulin Rouge at the Givens Performing Arts Center on March 20.

Choreographed by Jorden Morris, the astound-ing ballet takes place in turn-of-the-century Paris where Moulin Rouge, the cabaret of addiction and personal expression, brings about forbidden love for Nathalie and Matthew.

Moulin Rouge has been the subject of many books, musicals and, of course, the creation of a popular movie starring Nicole Kidman. This famous tale of a fanatical love triangle is cap-tured again through the art of dance and expression. Andre Lewis, artistic director at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, says the ballet performance pushes the envelope.

“It a great show and the more we have per-formed, the dancers have become very comfortable,” Lewis said. “We have had standing ovations after every show from the audience. Moulin Rouge also has an incredible set with exciting lighting and great costumes,” he added.

David Thaggard, assistant executive director at GPAC, added that the students and the general public will enjoy the show as well. Thaggard is enthusiastic about the ballet coming GPAC.

“It will be a very exciting night that celebrates the art of dance,” Thaggard said. “Everyone should take the journey and experience ballet in a whole new way.”

This will be the first performance by the ballet at GPAC.

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet was founded in 1939 by Gweneth Lloyd and Betty Farrally. The ballet has a trademark of versatility, technical excellence and captivating style.

“We are one of the oldest companies in Canada,” Lewis said. “We have a well-established brand.”

The company is known for touring all round North America. Since 1954, it devotes 20 or more weeks a year to touring.

Lewis has had the privilege of being a part of the brilliant company for almost 35 years. He was accepted into the Professional Division at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in 1975. He trained there until being asked by Royal Winnipeg to join their company in 1979. He is known as a talented dancer and has strengths both as a soloist and as a partner. Lewis has been part of the artistic staff of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet since 1984. After serving as associate artistic director five years ear-lier, he officially became the artistic director on March 7, 1996.

The curtain rises at 8 p.m. For more information about tickets, call 521-6287 or visit the website at www.uncp.edu/gpac.

Photo: (Top) Moulin Rouge comes to Givens on March 20.

Are you a military health careprovider?

Each year, thousands of men and women separate from military service at Fort Bragg. Many of the soldiers who have a Military Occupation Specialty in healthcare are unable to secure employment post separation from the service due to a lack of civilian credentials and education.

The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation has made funds avail-able to Fayetteville Technical Community College through a pilot program, Pathways to Second Service in Health Programs, to develop pathways for degree completion by maximizing credit for military education and expe-rience. Currently there are several bridge programs ready for enrollment:

• Medic to Paramedic — This fast-track program will award a diploma in Emergency Medical Science. At the completion of the program, successful students will be eligible to apply for both state- and national-certification exams. Please contact Richard Criste, EMS department chair, at (910) 678-8515 or crister@faytechcc.edu.

• Accelerated Radiography — This online program will provide ARRT registered technologists who are military trained or who attended a hospi-tal-based training program the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Radiography. Practicing technologists can meet the educational requirements to sit for the ARRT national certification exam. Please contact Anita McKnight, Radiography department chair at (910) 678-8303 or mcknigha@faytechcc.edu

• Advanced Placement to Associate Degree Nursing — This program gives the licensed practical nurse credit for education and work experience. Students will advance-place into the third semester of the program and complete three semesters. The student will earn an associate’s degree in nursing. Please contact Carolyn Stovall, department chair, at (910) 678-8482 or stovallc@faytechcc.edu.

• Respiratory Therapy — The advanced placement option is designed for military-trained respiratory specialists who are transitioning to civilian life to obtain an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy. By obtaining the degree, an individual may take the certification exam through the National Board for Respiratory Care and become a certified respiratory therapist. Please contact John Holloman, department chair of Respiratory Therapy, at (910) 678-8316 or hollomaj@faytechcc.edu.

• Surgical Technology — The Accelerated Alternate Delivery Program in Surgical Technology was developed to assist currently practicing non-certified surgical technologists to obtain the educational background required to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certifying examina-tion. Surgical technologists interested in this program must fit in one of the three groups:

1) On the job trained surgical technologists who com-peted training before March 1, 2000

2) Formerly trained surgical technologists who completed their education from a non-Commission of Accreditation of the Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program in Surgical Technology

3) Military-trained surgical technologistsFor more information, please contact Terry Herring, department chair, at 678-8358 or herringt@faytechcc.edu.

Additional fast-track options in other health programs are being evaluated. If you have been working in a healthcare field as a member of the military and would like more information, please contact Katherine Pugh, project coordinator at FTCC, at (910) 678-0054 or pughk@faytechcc.edu.

There are many possibilities for you to expedite your educational process and go back to work in the same or related field!

Photo: FTCC offers healthcare related cours-es with military and prior military members in mind.

Understanding Alzheimers Disease and Dementia

Recently, Alzheimer’s disease has moved into the number six position as cause of death for senior citizens, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It is important that families comprehend what is happening to their loved one.

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning and intellectual reasoning due to changes in the brain caused by disease. Those with dementia tend to repeat questions, become disoriented in familiar places, neglect personal hygiene or nutrition or get confused about people or time. It can be caused by many things, some of which are reversible — such as vitamin deficiencies and poor nutrition, reactions to medications or problems with the thyroid. However, some forms of dementia are irreversible, such as that caused by mini strokes or Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease occurs when nerve cells deteriorate in the brain due to a build up of plaque and tangles, which results in the death of a large number of brain cells. Doctors are not sure why this occurs, but research is underway to determine causes and cures. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 5.4 million Americans are presently living with Alzheimer’s disease.

It is important to remember that Alzheimer’s is a medical condition and disease of the brain. If the brain affects thoughts, feelings, personality and behavior, then Alzheimer’s is going to affect how your loved one thinks, what he feels, who he is and what he does. The range of symptoms can be enormous. Also, people with Alzheimer’s don’t necessarily look sick. Although Alzheimer’s disease is a physical illness, it often doesn’t affect a person’s appearance until the later stages of the disease. This might be confusing to you because your loved one may seem as healthy as ever, but just acting differently.

If you are caring for someone in this situation, you may find it helpful to read other information available on www.caregiverstress. com.

Once they understand the situation being presented, the family needs to consider the many options available. Because custodial care is not covered by typical health insurance, families are mostly responsible for providing the care. Care is costly, time-consuming and can take its toll, physically and emotionally, on the family members.

The Wall Street Journal (February 18, 2012) shared an article about resources for families struggling with the care of someone suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease. The focus of the article was the negative effects this devastating disease can have on the caregivers and some places to obtain assistance.

Recently, Home Instead Senior Care in Fayetteville, has started training care givers in new techniques and strategies to improve care for dementia patients. In the fall of 2012, the local office will offer the same instruction to family caregivers. If you are interested in participating in this training call 484-7200.

These simple strategies can help people with Alzheimer’s disease prolong their time at home, which is where most people want to be.

“Rather than trying to force Alzheimer’s patients to live in our world in the here and now,” Home Instead’s president Jeff Huber says, “we need to meet them in the past.”

Photo: People with Alzheimers’s don’t always look sick.

From Susan B. Anthony to Rosa Parks, women have made many positive contributions to society. These women deserve recognition for all they have accomplished during a time when society made it a challenge for women to be successful. The Museum of the Cape Fear celebrates the observance of Women’s History Month and the N.C. Civil War Sesquicentennial, with a presenta-tion about Dr. Mary E. Walker, on March 18.

The program, presented by Dr. Matt Farina, a retired physician from New York, focuses on Dr. Mary E. Walker. Farina currently resides in Southern Pines, N.C. He is a member of the Rufus Barringer Civil War Roundtable.

Lisa Greathouse, associate curator of education, said that Farina talked with her about doing this program a while ago. “He contacted me to discuss coming to the museum to speak about two years ago,” Greathouse said.

This program celebrates and acknowledges women who aided in shaping an ever-evolving and perplexing society. There was a time in history when women could not even vote, let alone have a career. Brave women fought to change the system and gain equality.

Walker is an example of a woman who brought about change and inspiration through her achievements.

“I remember after reading about Dr. Walker, I went to visit Womack Army Medical Center,” Greathouse said. “I saw her picture in the hall and it caught my eye.” Greathouse said she has been to the hospital and has walked those same halls before. But now knowing who Dr. Walker is, and her great accomplishments, her picture stands out even more. “It was the icing on the cake, very fascinating.”

Born on Nov. 26, 1832, Walker was always destined for something bigger than the typical female of her time. Working to make money for college, Walker graduated at what is now called Upstate Medical University in 1855. The only woman in her class, she received a degree as a medical doctor. She opened a joint practice with her husband, Albert Miller, in Rome, N.Y., which, sadly, did not succeed. This did not stop Walker from pushing forward, she later volunteered during the Civil War as a female surgeon. Working as an unpaid volunteer at the U.S. Patent Office Hospital in Washington, D.C., she became an unpaid field surgeon during the Battle of Fredericksburg and in Chattanooga after the Battle of Chickamauga. Walker was also captured as a prisoner of war. She was later released during a prisoner exchange.

Her dedication and talent paid off and she became the first-ever female U.S. Army Surgeon in 1863. Walker is the only woman to ever receive the Medal of Honor. She went on to become a lecturer and a writer, and was a true supporter of the suffrage movement. In 1919, Walker died at the age of 86.

“There is a lot of practicality behind discussing Dr. Mary Walker. Her contributions check a lot of boxes for an excellent role model,” Greathouse explains, “You will have a great educational experience.”

The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical complex is known for having many programs and features that focuses on southern North Carolina history. The museum includes exhibits that range from the Paleo-Indian period through the American Revolution, through the antebellum period, and into the first decades of the 1900s.

The Dr. Mary Walker: Union Army Physician program begins at 2 p.m. All programs at the museum are free. For more information about this program or the museum itself, contact 486-1330 or visit www.museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/index.html.

Photo: Dr. Mary Walker.

Wanderlust  (Rated R)  Four Stars

Wanderlust(98 minutes) is classic David Wain, the comic genius behind Wet Hot American Summer. Most of the Wain stable of actors manage to make an appearance in one form or another, although not everyone is equally prepared to carry their share of the comedic weight. And after the toxic waste dump that was Couple’s Retreat, Malin Akerman really needed to do a better job at winning me back (her work on Children’s Hospital not withstanding). If only Marguerite Moreau had been cast instead of Jennifer Aniston.

The film opens on some fairly stale material. George (Paul Rudd) and Linda (Aniston) are considering their first home purchase, a microloft in New York City. Although, it is refreshing to see a semi-realistic depiction of an actual New York apartment within the price range of the people who wish to live in it … the cute little condo is essentially a hallway with an attached oven/toilet. As small as it is, George and Linda still manage a moving in/housewarming party montage as they settle into their pricey new closet.

After all this character establishing, the young professionals experience some setbacks. Apparently, penguins with testicular cancer do not fit well into HBO’s naked lady/big swords niche market, leaving Linda back at square one. And it turns out that George is not getting that bonus he was counting on, since his vaguely defined place of business is being shut down for shady business dealings of some kind.

So, out of work, unable to afford or sell their microloft, the power couple head down to Hot-Lanta to live with George’s obnoxious brother (Ken Marino) and anesthetized wife (Michaela Watkins) in suburban splendor. Too bad George’s brother is a rage-a-holic.

On the way from New York to Atlanta, contemplating the loss of their hopes and dreams, the couple pull over for a break … which seems premature, because if I can make it from Fayetteville to Pennsylvania in about 9 hours, they must have been driving down I-95 South at about 45 mph to end up in rural Georgia, in the summer, after nightfall, so late in the day that they are exhausted and ready to stop for the night. Maybe they left New York after lunch?

Anyway, they spot a convenient Bed and Breakfast, and pull onto a dirt road. There they are confronted by a naked Wayne (Jo Lo Truglio). I can only imagine how I would react if confronted with a fully clothed Truglio, so the fact that they immediately reverse at full speed and end up overturning their car is a totally reasonable reaction. It turns out he’s not a psychopath, just a dirty naked hippy — in sneakers? (Birkenstocks really would have been more in character.)

Naked Wayne takes them down the road to the B&B, which is run by Kathy (Kerri Kenney-Silver from Reno 911!) After their long drive, Linda is kept awake by some Didgeri-dooing. Because she is a bad person and a terrible actor, rather than taking care of this herself, she makes her poor tired husband go yell at their hosts. Which he doesn’t do, because the party downstairs is way more fun than his selfish, grouchy wife upstairs.

Eventually she heads down to look for him, and finds a whole houseful of dirty, dirty, hippies doing hippy stuff. Hey! It’s Lauren Ambrose! I like her. Then, Seth (Justin Theroux) is introduced, and he is the dirtiest, hairiest hippy of them all.

Overall, if you like the David Wain brand, you’ll like this. There is nudity, humor that most would consider to be in questionable taste, and Paul Rudd doing his Paul Rudd thing. I liked it more than I thought I would.

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

Fayetteville is historically and culturally relevant on many levels. With a rich Gaelic history, a Revolutionary War and a Civil War connection, strong military ties, deep African-American roots, wonder-ful architecture and a bevy of international eateries it can be taxing to get a handle on it all. The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau recognizes the treasures that the area has to offer and seeks to share these gems in fun and useful ways that connect both residents and visitors to what Fayetteville and Cumberland County have to offer. One of the many ways they do this is with Cultural Heritage Trails. The FACVB offers more than 750 miles of themed driving trails that educate, engage and enlighten visitors. They are self-guided and self-paced and include most any topic you can think of that relates to the area.

The newest of these trails is the Antiquing Trail. There are more than a dozen shops in the Fayetteville area that offer a wide range of items. Whether you are looking for vintage furniture, housewares, clothing, toys, jewelry or Civil War memorabilia it is worth a look.

Scattered throughout the area, a day on the antique trail promises to be a true treasure hunt.

Old Heritage Restoration Inc., is located on Williams Street in Fayetteville, and has been in business since 1979. Not only does the business provide quality furniture restoration, including fire and water damage and transportation damaged furniture, they also sell furniture and accessories. Owner, James Canaday Jr. recognizes good quality when he sees it and enjoys being able to offer his customers something they won’t find anywhere else. If you are not in the market to make a purchase, but are looking to restore a family heirloom or other piece to pristine condition, Canaday is your man. He’s passionate about the quality, beauty and charm found in older furniture and has spent more than 30 years providing Fayetteville with great quality workmanship and unique furnishings.

“The furniture industry has drastically changed over the last 30 years,” Canaday said. “Many of the items we sell are technically not antiques, but they represent a quality and style we will never see again.”

What began as a hobby digging up a piece of Roseville pottery on the family farm, has shaped Canaday’s vision for his business and drives what he offers his customers. Give him a call at 484-6767. Even better, stop by and see what treasure is waiting to come home with you.

Not Quite Antiques opened its doors six years ago on Roxie Avenue. Since then, it’s relocated to 2829½ Raeford Rd.

It was her love of auctions, estate sales and “junking” that led Dr. Deon Faillace to open her shop.

“We got tired of hearing that you had to go to Wilmington or Pinehurst to find a cool antique shop,” saidFaillace. “We are the most eclectic shop in Fayetteville. Every day we discover something unique and special for our customers. We are friends helping friends who share a passion for recycling, repurposing and supporting our local small businesses and neighbors.”

Not Quite Antiques has a vast selection of mid-century modern items, country primitive pieces, work by local artists and quality consignments.

Stop by the shop, or give them a call at 323-0300 to find out more about the treasures they offer.

The FACVB website has more detailed information about the antiquing trail, as well as the many other driving trails they offer at www.visitfayettevillenc.com/cultur-alheritagetrails.

Photo: The FACVB Antiquing Trail offers a variety of treasures, deals and fun!

If you’ve ever walked in two-inch stilettos along a busy brick sidewalk on a Friday night, you are a brave person. If you are a man wearing stilettos walking for blocks downtown, that takes bravery to a whole new level. For a large group of brave men, that its exactly what they will be doing March 23 in support of Walk Awhile In Her Shoes.

The second annual Walk Awhile In Her Shoes event, hosted by the Rape Crisis Volunteers of Cumberland County, brings attention to sexual assault victims and raises money for the organization.

Last year, approximately 100 men walked, raising $15,000 for RCVCC from company sponsors, individual walkers and non-walking supporters. The sponsors this year are Lafayette Business Machines, Shaw Construction Co., Michael Boose Law Firm, Valley Auto World, Fayetteville Police Department, Cape Fear Valley Health System, Dr. Mendes and Bill’s Mobile Crane Service.

On-site registration begins at the Market House in downtown Fayetteville at 6 p.m. and the walk starts at 7 p.m., leaving from the Market House, ending at the AIT building.

“It’s a fun, funny event that’s all profi t for a local charity,” Michael Boose, event walker and volunteer said. “That’s the most compelling part to me; helping people I know — maybe not by name, but extended family of friends or people my daughters went to school with.”

Last year, his oldest daughter drove down from East Carolina University for the event because she couldn’t believe her dad would really walk in heels. To her surprise he even let her paint his toenails to match his pumps.

“When you see this burly man willing to put on high heels for the cause, you don’t really have an alternative,” Boose said. “All these men scream testosterone.”

Like most men, Boose tried to “manly up” his heels by wearing a leather vest but he doubts anyone noticed.

“Before the event, the men dread it. Then they put on their heels and start getting attention from the viewers and steady their steps. Then they start to strut and really enjoy themselves,” Deanne Gerdes, RCVCC executive director said. “People enjoy the camaraderie and the lively, jovial attention.”

“It’s a great time to poke fun, not take yourself so seriously and people have really enjoyed it,” Boose said.

Clients of Boose told him a picture of him from last year’s event is hanging on their refrigerator so when people asked they could point at him and say “Oh, see him? That’s my lawyer.”

Although RCVCC provides heels for the walkers, Boose has already begun shopping for his own pair.

“I’m looking for a pair that isn’t too high; something I can actually walk in. If I wore two-inch stilettos, I’d be splattered all over the pavement,” Boose said. 

“I appreciate women being able to walk in heels, with their calves stretched, pretending to be comfortable and looking suave while doing it. I just try to go slow and steady to finish the walk.”

After the walk, men share war stories of that treacherous, toe-pinching walk and enjoy refreshments while awards are given out to those brave enough to take a stand in red stilettos. Band-Aids will be provided by RCVCC for those tired feet.

“It’s difficult to raise money for victims when it’s rape because no one wants to talk about it, but this is a fun way to bring attention (to the cause) and involve men to take a stand against sexual assault.” Gerdes said.

More than 400 victims received services from RCVCC last year. The RCVCC provides a 24-hour crisis hotline, 24-hour emergency room responders, counseling, support groups, courtroom advocacy and community awareness.

“One in four women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, that’s why we are here — to help your neighbor, sister, or grandmother through the traumatic time,” Gerdes said.

Photo: Eddie Bartlett, Michael Boose, Kenny Hardin, Gene Howell and Cal Coyer show off their shoes at the 2011 event. 

Although some would argue that marriage offers no benefi ts and is no longer a relevant institution in today’s society, there are numerous studies to the contrary. LaTricia Smith of A Stronger Bond disagrees and offers a few statistics support her argument. According to Familyfacts.org, married women report higher levels of physical and psychological health. Married people are more likely to volunteer. Being married increases the likelihood of affl uence. Married people tend to experience less depression and fewer problems with alcohol. Getting married increases the probability of moving out of a poor neighborhood. Married men make more money. Married women are less likely to experience poverty. Marriage is associated with a lower mortality risk.

In support and celebration of marriage, A Stronger Bond is hosting the third annual Black Marriage Day on March 25, at the Business and Professional Women’s Club, at 1015 Clarendon St., Fayetteville. The event includes a three-course meal, a panel discussion, live entertainment, giveaways and a unity ceremony.

A Stronger Bond is a relationship coaching and education company. “Our mission is to help foster healthy relationships. We want people to have healthy relationships. They are the cornerstones of our lives and how we fare in our relationships affects everything we do,” said Smith, event coordinator and A Stronger Bond representative. “Better relationships create better families, which create better communities, which create a better world. When things aren’t right in your relationships, wherever you go your issues go with you — no matter how much people like to believe they can leave them at home.”

Don’t let the title fool you — because it is called Black Marriage Day doesn’t mean you have to be black and doesn’t mean you have to be married to attend, said Smith. “There are certain issues in the black community that we do intend to address. There are higher risk factors in the black community when it comes to marriage. They have the highest divorce rate, the lowest marriage rate and the highest (giving birth) out of wedlock rate, but everyone can benefi t from this discussion. This is a societal problem, not just a black problem. If we are not faring well in one sector of the community then society is failing.”

Smith is excited about the format this year. Like marriage, every year has been different for this even. The fi rst year, 2010, was themed “Let’s Stay Together” and featured three guest speakers. Last year, the format included four black couples from the community who had each been married more than 60 years. This year, the formal portion of the event is a panel discussion. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions for the panel. All of the panel members are pro-marriage, Smith said. The panel includes a pastor, an author and a success coach.

Entertainment includes live jazz music and a dance troupe. The evening will end with a unity ceremony.

In preparation for the event, and to get people thinking about the topic of marriage, the community is invited to enter the “What Marriage Means to Me” contest. In 250 words or less, describe what marriage means to you. “People don’t have to be married to enter this contest,” said Smith. “The event also includes a Married Couple of the Year award. We really need to hold up examples of successful marriages in our society and this award will go to couples that exemplify that.”

Find out more about Black Marriage Day events and contests at www.celebratingblackmarriage.com. Tickets are $30 per person and $55 per couple. Call (910) 816- 9270 to purchase tickets or for more information.

Photo: Last year, several couples, who had been married for more than 40 years attended Black Marriage Day, including William Henry and Beulah Carver pictured above.

Take one great and very familiar piece of music, add 200 singers, four soloists and under the baton of Maestro Fouad Fakhouri, a symphony recognized as one of the fi nest regional orchestras in the state, and all the elements are in place for an extraordinary musical experience. In its largest endeavor attempted in terms of musical forces, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with the new Spring Festival Chorus, will perform Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125” or “Choral” on Saturday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. at Reeves Auditorium on the Methodist University campus in Fayetteville.

“Beethoven’s ‘Ninth’ is a work that I’ve always obviously wanted to do,” said Fakhouri. “It is ‘the’ piece of music in terms of Western classical symphonic music. It is the one that, if you ask most people which piece of music they know, they’ll either tell you Beethoven’s ‘Fifth’ or ‘Ode to Joy,’ which is the ‘Ninth’ symphony. It’s a seminal work. We want to encourage anyone and everyone to come. It’s going to be an incredible experience simply because the work is so good.”

No doubt part of the popular appeal of Beethoven’s “Ninth” is the familiar and rousing choral “Ode to Joy,” which incorporates part of the poem “Ode an die Freude” by Friedrich Schiller in the last movement and which will be performed by the newly formed Spring Festival Chorus, a partnership coordinating the Cumberland Oratorio Singers with other university and community choirs in the area. According to the COS website, the Spring Festival Chorus hopes “to make major choral works a tradition in Fayetteville!”

Also on the program is Fakhouri’s “Gargoyle,” a piece that until this concert event has only been performed in Europe, premiering in Sofi a, Bulgaria in 2004.

“It started out as a chamber piece that I wrote in 1997 or 1998,” Fakhouri said. “... and then six years later, I orchestrated it for the orchestra. I had this idea for a story line, so I built the piece around the story line.”

In the story, which is set in the mid 1800s, one of the gargoyles atop the Notre Dame Cathedral breaks free to avenge a murder that takes place underneath the cathedral.

“It is quite a diffi cult piece,” said Fakhouri. “It features the brass and the percussion. The tempo is quite quick. It’s loud and aggressive.”

Fakhouri explained his approach to pairing pieces like Beethoven’s “Ninth,” which premiered in May 1824, and the contemporary “Gargoyle” in a concert program.

“Typically when I put the program together, I try to provide the listener over the entire season with a variety of styles and even periods of music. I try to pick music that is romantic music, classical music, contemporary music. I’m always keeping that angle in mind, as well as more popular music and family-oriented music. I try to always diversify in that regard,” said Fakhouri.

“Beethoven’s symphony is such a well-known and loved piece, and people come knowing that work. Whenever I am performing newer works, whether it’s my piece or another new work, I try to pair it with a piece that is well established and well loved so that the audience will come in and hear something that they would have never heard before. They would hear it simply because they are coming to hear this other work.”

For more information or tickets for the performance, call (910) 433-4690 or email info@fayettevillesymphony.org Tickets are also available online at www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

Photo: Ludwig van Beethoven

Failure Is Not An Option

In 1994, I watched the debate in the legislature, on where the proposed Mercedes-Benz manufacturing plant would be built. What happened? The State of Alabama would have the fi nal say in this matter. The same opportunity presented itself with the BMW plant, which would fi nd a home in South Carolina.

Since World War II, North Carolina has prided itself as the “Good Road State.’’ North Carolina’s most notable selling points were precisely the facts. We had more paved roads than most southern states, a fi rst-rate education system K-12 (because the State had taken over the School System during the fi rst Great Depression), tranquil vacations on the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and the beautiful coastal beaches for hundreds of miles down east. Our economy was driven by agricultural products, but tobacco was king. We were the furniture capitol of the world, and textile plants dotted the landscape. A very modern, sophisticated Research Triangle Park was thriving and growing on cutting-edge technology. We had it all!

Political leaders boasted “this is the place to be” to new industry. In 1995, we saw a major shift to Republican control of the House of Representatives and an opportunity to revisit the state’s public policies from a business perspective. Emphasis was placed on the question, “What can we do as a legislature to make North Carolina more business friendly and competitive with other states for Economic Development?” No one had done it like first-term Gov. Jim Hunt, who led a delegation to Japan to recruit new industry.

This continued with others, I went along with Gov. Jim Martin when he took a delegation to Japan. These men were after businesses that would bring jobs to North Carolina. In order to be competitive with other states, we had to give incentives to companies. Finally, through Gov. Hunt again, the language began to change. After much discussion, a Democratic governor and Senate with a Republican Speaker agreed on a bill that would offer various incentives for businesses that built plants, made capital investments and created jobs. This was new, acceptable bipartisan public policy that would forever change the way N.C. conducted business with taxpayers’ money; a policy in which I strongly advocated for and supported, against prevailing conventional wisdom. This bill was passed overwhelmingly by both parties in the general assembly. The William E. Lee Act marked a shift in public policy, allowing N.C. to receive hundreds of billions of dollars in investments, which created tens of thousands of new jobs for this state.

This brings us to BRAC, which we’ve heard so much about, with personnel upwards of 30,000 relocating to this area and thousands of jobs. In order to keep its military installations open, N.C. offered concessions to Congress, like forgiving the collection of gasoline taxes on fuel purchased on post. Locally, we should consider doing something similar to keep the regional postal service here in Fayetteville. When we were up against the closing of Kelly Springfield, the state’s policy was incentives for new businesses only! Many of us fought to change/amend the act to save jobs and modernize existing plants and equipment. Those 3,000 Kelly Springfield jobs would be in Mexico now if we had not done so. The leadership of Fayetteville needs to get behind this issue of post-office closings, or risk losing countless jobs that will not be replaced soon.

The state’s rainy day fund could offset costs and weigh the benefits of 500 jobs and the loss of a $200,000 million operation with contracts for local business. Everything I’ve said earlier related to taxpayer funds being used for the greater good of society, was to call attention to the face that everyone has to give up something to make this work.

To make this work, the local leadership, state legislative delegation, mayor, city council, county commissioners, our two U.S. Senators and local union need to come together and offer an incentive package for the Postal Services Commissioners to consider. To offer them nothing will most certainly mean the loss of a valuable community asset. In summation, the closing of post offices is more than the lost of 500 jobs, it is the loss of households and livelihoods for families. It is the loss of healthcare benefits. Failure is not an option!

Asleep at the Wheel

It’s very easy to get excited and wrapped up in a feel-good story. When I fi rst started writing for a newspaper, my editor and publisher had to dampen my enthusiasm for some of the stories I came back with. They taught me, or rather reenforced in me, one of the most important rules of journalism. You can’t take a story at face value. You’ve got to dig

.I think that’s pretty much true about most things in life. You have to consider the source, consider their angle and consider what’s in it for them. Then you have to make sure that everything you hear and are led to believe is factual.

This is where a lot of people fall into a trap. Some would argue that its only the cynic that looks at life this way. I would say they’re wrong. Case in point, the trials and tribulations of the Jubilee House.

When the news first broke that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was coming to Fayetteville, I was a little excited. I watch the show from time to time, and like the feel-good stories it promotes. My first thought was that maybe some old retired veteran whose home was destroyed by the tornado would be helped, or maybe some young Soldier and his family who had purchased a house with mold or something like that would benefit from the show’s arrival in Fayetteville. When they made the announcement about the Jubilee House, it sounded good. But I had never heard of the organization, so I went into research mode.

They were not registered as a 501(c3) with the Secretary of State’s Office. And other than the announcement, I couldn’t really find anything out about them. That’s when, as a management team, we decided not to be involved. The idea didn’t seem to pass the common sense test. Turns out, we were right.

In the past few days, I have followed all of the coverage about Jubilee House, and no matter those who say, “It’s all good,” I see dark days ahead for Barbara Marshall and a big black eye for our community.

I really wanted to know how things got this far. So I started asking questions. How did this start? How did an unvetted, unqualified organization get such resounding support from community leaders that thrust them into the national limelight?

And, the answer was kind of surprising. A young journalist from the Fort Bragg Paraglide went down and did a story on the Jubilee House. The journalist went back to the paper with a heart-warming, feel-good story, that got everyone excited and the ball started rolling. Unfortunately, no one tempered the excitement, and everyone took the story at face value.

But there were a lot of different places in this cycle where someone, anyone could have asked... Is this actually a charity? Where is the organization’s bylaws? Who are its board members? Is there a board-certified and approved budget? Is there a financial means of support for the organization?

If any of these questions had of been asked by our community leaders, we would not be where we are now.

I’ve worked in nonprofits. I’ve sat on boards and I’ve run an organization. Donations are earmarked for specific things, and, when you are struggling to pay your light bill, you don’t make a facility investment like buying two new houses for homeless veterans to live in, especially when the facility you already have sits empty. Your board, also has to impartial, because they are the stewards of donated money. That means that it can’t be someone who could possibly benefit from that money — like your family.

Marshall says she didn’t know the rules, and that she made a bad mistake by buying new properties. At face value, that argument could be made. But Marshall, as a military chaplain has been responsible for public funds. She is an educated woman. A mistake? We aren’t buying it.

Photo: Last summer First Lady Michelle Obama showed sup-port for the Jubilee House. The organization is now under investigation.

On Tuesday, March 13, Robin Greene, an author and professor, will present Augustus: Narrative of a Slave, Woman at the Pate Room of the Headquarters Library.

Greene, an author, professor, director of the writing center and editor at Longleaf Press at Methodist University, grew up in the fast-paced city of Long Island, N.Y., where she enjoyed the multicultural atmosphere with her husband, fiction writer Michael Colonnese.

She attended college at the age of 16 to take her 11th grade curriculum. After a brief return to high school for her senior year, she discovered that high school was no longer suitable for her. At age 17, she was accepted at Shimer College.

“I really enjoyed Shimer College, The Great Books College, where we were ex-pected to read really big books that contained between 500-1,000 pages a week,” Robin said.

It was not the traditional way to complete school, but this feminist artist enjoys doing things the non-traditional way.

In 1989 Greene, along with her husband and two children, relocated to North Carolina. “I was transplanted to the south after growing up in New York. Coming down here, race seemed (to Greene) to be a different kind of issue then what I was used to, it seemed to underscore things here,”she said.

“My brother is married to an African-American woman and my two nieces identify as African American,” explained Greene. 

Puzzled by what she perceived as dirty looks from strangers when she was out with her nieces, Greene began her quest for a better understanding of the racial dynamic in the south. One day in the public library, she discovered a collection of WPA (Work Progress Association) — first person accounts of blacks talking about their slavery experiences.

“It was like I opened up a treasure chest of stories and lives of women. It was like I could hear the voices of the women as they told their stories. I read all 2,300 narratives of the slaves and I just was riveted by their stories,” said Greene. The story that resonated most regarded Sarah Louis Augustus, from Fayetteville. It is this experience that Greene has agreed to share with the residents of Fayetteville.

Join Greene as she discusses Augustus: Narrative of a Slave, Woman. She will present a first-person account of Sarah Louise Augustus, who came of age dur-ing the Civil War and whose story involves a head-on collision with the moral ambiguities of slavery.

Greene becomes Professor Greene in this historical novel, the fictional narrator whose commentary frames the story and whose own scholarly need for authen-ticity and precision nearly costs her more than she is willing to lose. This event is on March 13, in the Pate Room at the Cumberland County Headquarters Library at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the pub-lic. For more information call 483-7727.

Photo: Robin Greene, author/professor, will speak at the Pate Room at the Headquarters Library on the life of Sarah Louis Augustus, a slave who came of age during the Civil War.

Shelter or Boarding House?

There is something about Fayetteville’s Jubilee House that simply does not pass the smell test. More precisely, there are many things. Navy veteran Barbara Marshall’s good works of housing homeless women veterans gained national attention. From there ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Editionjumped into action and in short order produced a $500,000, 7200 square-foot house where once a $24,000 house stood. Well and good if the intent and purpose as Marshall described it was, in fact, the truth of the matter.

This then brings me to the truth as we might perceive it. The house can accommodate ten clients. Currently there may be none in Marshall’s care. Fayetteville has plenty of women in need of shelter for an abundance of reasons, yet Marshall cannot provide a roof and meal for any? The most acceptable reason for this puzzling mission failure is the absence of money. But that doesn’t equate because Marshall has received about $50,000 since her brand new house was completed. So show us the money or show us how those funds were applied to her clearly stated mission.

Look no further than Marshall’s real estate investments. She purchased two homes, one in the Summerhill area, and one near the Jubilee House location, for a total of $35,000 to use as “transitional shelters” for female veterans. But hold on here. Is that not the purpose of the Jubilee House — which is empty? Marshall’s real estate purchases have all the earmarks of a rental-housing investment. Then consider that buying a house in Summerhill or Gilmore Street requires a loan, and that requires (these days) a careful analysis of the borrower’s ability to manage the loan. But Marshall got one heck of a deal. She received a discount, as the VA has explained it. If the discount was such that the houses are free and clear, Marshall got the deal of a lifetime — or was the VA gullible beyond belief?

Then there is the donation of $75 per week required of homeless women. A donation is a voluntary contribution. It is not a requirement — that would be rent. But Marshall expects payment from her clients, if she had any, for shelter and food, which the community, again, was led to believe was offered out of goodness of heart and charity to the less fortunate. So this sets up the question. Is Marshall running a boarding house in the guise of a charity for the homeless, or is she honestly just a good hearted woman who is woefully incompetent? I suspect the former. This situation needs to be addressed and brought back to functioning as intended by overview and guidance of a competent and vitally involved board of directors. That board must obviously not include Marshall’s family members.

Current news about that is not reassuring. It is somewhat laughable. Board member Rebekah Sanderlin has reported that all is well with the Jubilee House. But then what else would one expect from the leading board member?

Surely, do not expect objectivity and truth about the matter. Tell us more about the Summerhill house and the Gilmore Street house and their financing, if any. Explain the Jubilee House’s lack of clients. And where exactly did the $50,000 go? I wonder if Marshall is as uninformed as she claims about the state’s requirement for a license to solicit funds as a non-profit charity — or was she trying to fly under the radar in that regard?

Fayetteville leadership has so often failed to adequately investigate situations before jumping in with both feet. The Jubilee House is a case in point. Perhaps the same city staffer that gave the mayor the go ahead on the Moorish-American declaration recommended city endorsement of Jubilee House and Barbara Marshall. Jubilee House will not become a tremendous disappointment to the many who devoted time effort and money to the understood cause if accountability and complete transparency guide the project’s future.

Photo: The Jubilee House, a 7,200-square-foot home intended for homeless veterans is empty.

The Ringling Bros.® The Greatest Show On Earth® is bringing Barnum Bash to the Crown Coliseum March 8-11. Barnum Bash is a new show featuring international acts and a pre-show that offers all circus goers a backstage look at circus life.

An hour before the actual show, clown D.J. Dean Kelley hosts the rockin’ pre-show party. Guests are invited on to the arena floor to practice their juggling and balancing skills, experiment with circus style in glitzy costumes, as well as talk and take pictures with the stars of “the greatest show on earth.” Even the elephants come out and join the party. One elephant will make a piece of art — a footprint using canvas and paint — which will be raffled off to party-goers.

New for this show, audience members can step behind the curtains for an exclusive backstage look at the exotic animals featured in the show.“

Something we’ve never done before is open up the curtain and let guests take a back-stage tour,” Kelley said, explaining that the audience gets the opportunity to be part of the whole experience.

“The pre-show party is my chance to interact and get to know the audience. I’m there to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves and having a good time.”

Kelley wears a bright orange wig with a cowlick that stands straight up. His flamboyant personality is just as outrageous as his appearance; a sight to behold. The audience can’t help but enjoy Kelley and the rest of the stars as they share circus tricks and wow the audience.

“We have a saying ‘For kids of all ages…’ and it’s true — we have something for everyone, if you are 2 or a 102,” Kelley said. “It’s really cool when I can look into the audience and see a child and parent and grandparents all responding in the same way and all enjoying themselves.”

Barnum Bash brings together a number of international acts including the Mighty Dmytrio, Motorcycle Mania, Epic Asian Elephants, Wheel of Steel, and Hand Balancers. All are tricked-out for the circus party and ready to perform wild feats of wonder and strength to contemporary pop music in 21st century Barnum style.

Kelley is excited about some of the new acts that have joined the show.

“I really like the hand balancing act by Duo Fusion. You know people might say … ‘Oh it’s a balancing act, it’s boring,’ but it’s breathtaking every time I see it,” he said.

Duo Fusion is a married couple who trained as gymnasts before joining the show. The duo combines their Latin heritage with strength, agility and balance to create an incredible show.

“Also, there is a troupe of acrobats from Cuba that are outstanding and do some things you’ve never seen before. That’s why they’re in the ‘greatest show on Earth’,” Kelley said.

Troupe members execute swift spins; bar-to-bar jumps; and high-fl ying, trapeze-like maneuvers where they are caught and released by a catcher as they perform fl ips and twists in mid-air.

“Growing up knowing what a treasure Ringling Bros.® is to the world, and then being able to perform in the show, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s something I have always dreamed of doing and I’m glad I have the opportunity to do so,” Kelley said.

For more information, visit www.Ringling.com or visit Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey on Facebook. All seats are reserved. Tickets are available at the Crown Coliseum Box Offi ce and through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.

Photo: Dean Kelley, the host of Barnum Bash is excited about the stop in Fayetteville.

Walk into the exhibit of photographs by Carlo Pieroni at Gallery 208 and you are walking into the world of a highly successful Italian photographer whose favorite subject is women — beautiful women. Visitors to the opening reception will immediately sense the joyfulness in Pieroni’s work; his passion for life and his art exudes when you talk to the artist.

Visitors will easily understand how Pieroni is currently the world’s leading photographer of pin-up art.

Pieroni’s portfolio includes various lifestyle genres, but this striking exhibit is all about the pin-up girl. Pieroni has taken a style with a long history and made it his own. Just think about where you may have seen the pin-up — old movies, popular magazines, calendars and even cartoons.

Remember the cartoon character Betty Boop, or the silent film star Theda Bara? Then there is the long list of modern pin-up gals: Carole Lombard, Marilyn Monroe, Betty Gable, Rita Haywood, Jane Russell and many, many more.

Pieroni has made the traditional pin-up girl a timeless modern beauty by changing the wardrobe and the environments the models are situated in. Somewhere between reality and fantasy Pieroni’s pin-up girls find themselves in just about any situation. They can be posed standing on a pier holding fishing gear, being lifted into the air by a group of blue helium balloons — even cooking on a grill!

If you think the pin-up girl is limited to the “male gaze” in magazines, think again. His work has been commissioned by many international magazines and plenty of commercial companies. Those companies include Liz Claiborne Cosmetics, M&M candy, Everlast and Playtex.

So how did this career start? Pieroni was born in Florence, Italy, and practiced photography while still a student in high school. After graduating, he started his own commercial studio as a self-taught artist, and later becoming an art director for an advertising agency. His connection to Fayetteville is a model he met while on a job in the Sahara Desert. The model, Carol Wilson, is from Fayetteville. She later became his wife and the couple has three children and split their time between Italy and North Carolina.

Pieroni is a man who truly enjoys his work. “(I) began creating photographic imagery in the 1980s and enjoy having an international career in fashion and beauty photography shooting for several international magazines and advertising agencies.”

Although Pieroni discovered the pin-up girl style for himself, the origin of the magazine pin-up is difficult to pin point. The pin-up style historically began as an attractive young woman used to illustrate stories or ads. The art emerged when magazines left the story behind and we are left with an illustration — an art form independent of a narrative story.

Visitors to Gallery 208 will enjoy the charm and beauty of Pieroni’s pin-up girls. They are tasteful; the images are full of joy, and are campy and vampy. No need to be concerned about offending anyone, Pieroni quoted the following in “Crazy Girls”, in Black + White Magazine, when interviewed by Nick Dent; “More women than men told me they liked the pictures when they were exhibited in London and Paris. They say they love the happiness, the elegance.

It won’t be difficult to identify the typical pin-up style. The women will all be beautiful. She will bewearing very high heels, clothes that hug her body to accentuate her shape, sometimes wearing lingerie; and often wearing a belt around her waist! Her hair will usually be long or pulled back to show her perfect makeup and smile. You will leave the exhibit knowing beauty is still a popular art form in our culture.

The opening reception for the exhibit is on Thursday, March 8 from 5:30-7 p.m. Gallery 208 is located in the corporate offices of Up & Coming Weekly at 208 Rowan St. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 484-6200.

Photo: Gallery 208 will highlight the works of Carlo Pieroni during a reception on Thursday, March 8. 

Enjoy a weekend of indigenous music, art and culture March 9-10, at the 2012 River People Music and Culture Fest hosted by Givens Performing Arts Center at UNC Pembroke. The festival kicks off Friday, with a morning performance at 10 a.m. At 6 p.m. on Friday, the River Roots Arts Guild hosts an Emerging Artist Showcase in the University Center Annex.

The showcase highlights artist works inspired by the Lumbee River. These works include paintings, sculpture, spoken work, poetry and musical performances. The showcase also features a juried art show by local artists.

On Saturday, the festival continues at GPAC at 6:30 p.m. General admission is $10; $5 for students and children; and $3 for UNCP students.

The event features Native American Music Award winners Pura Fé and the Trio and Dark Water Rising. Other performers include the Deer Clan Singers, The Henry Berry Band, Unheard Voices, flutist Jonathan Ward and blues guitarist Lakota John, Layla & Friends.

Pura Fé has been a performing artist for more than 25 years. She opened for Neil Young with one of her fi rst solo performances for Aboriginal Voices.

The name, Dark Water Rising, originates from the home of its members. Famed for being the birthplace of Lumbee culture, Robeson County is nourished by cypress-lined swamps and the black water of the Lumber River. These swamps are legendary for hiding Lumbee outlaws during and after the Civil War. Dark Water Rising has been called “One of the most original and charismatic bands to rise from the ‘middle of nowhere.’”

The Deer Clan Singers from Robeson County, are Tuscarora Indians, the Southernmost band of the Iroquois. As strong singers, harmonizers and extensive travelers, they keep the traditions of their ancestors alive through their performances.

Layla Rose Locklear, 19, is a well-known and talented performer and violinist.

Lakota John plays the bottle-neck slide guitar, harmonica and sings. He blends traditional styles of the Delta and Piedmont acoustic blues with bottle-neck slide guitar.

Jonathan C. Ward started playing the Native-American flute in July 2008 when he worked at a retail store that carried flutes. Ward found a strong love for the instrument. Within eight months, he recorded and released his debut album Native Flutin: A New Beginning.

Officially founded in the ‘70s as a group of spoken-word performers, Unheard Voices is now a sub-group of the Carolina Indian Circle.

Henry Berry is an ongoing studio project by two of the original members of The Henry Berry Band, the notorious outlaw Southern Rock group that terrorized Robeson and surrounding counties in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

The Chavis brothers — Danny, Earl, Frank, James and Ernie brought a national spotlight to Pembroke in the 1950s. The members will be honored for their achievements in music on Saturday, March 10.

Jackie Jacobs is the mistress of ceremonies. Jacobs is a motivational speaker and is known nationwide as the publicist for the Quileute Tribe from the Twilight Saga phenomenon and has worked closely with the native actors.

The River People Music and Culture Fest will spotlight American-Indian culture from across the nation. Many of the performers have connections to North Carolina and Robeson County. Organizers believe this event will showcase some of the most outstanding talent in the American-Indian community. The nations represented include the Eastern Band of Cherokee, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, Tuscarora, Waccamaw Siouan Tribe and Haliwa Saponi.

For more information, please contact GPAC at (910) 521-6361 or email tasha.oxendine@uncp.edu.

Photos: Dark Water Rising and Jonathan Ward are among the performers at the festival.

Many children are faced with the challenge of loss of sight. This is a difficult condition for many human beings. All around you is darkness and heavy reliance on your four other senses is vital.

Mercifully, there is a foundation that focuses on providing help to blind children. The MIRA Foundation USA, is a national non-profit organiza-tion that offers guide dogs, free of charge, to blind children. The foundation’s mission is to provide targeted educational outreach to promote public awareness and services for support to the adult population and their families.

Beth Daniels, executive director of the MIRA Foundation USA, says the foundations is going into its third year and has placed eight guide dogs with blind children so far.

“Historically, guide dogs are not given to blind people until the age of 18,” Daniels explains. “We are the only foundation that provides guide dogs for blind children between the ages of 11 and 17,” Daniel explains.

Guide dogs produce a social bridge for the children. The dogs allow for more independence and freedom that they can’t achieve with the use of a cane. A cane may be useful in some ways, but in no circumstance can it be compared to the better usage and stability of a guide dog.

Of course, the Mira Foundation owes much of its success to the heroes that are changing these children’s lives one day at a time — the guide dogs of the MIRA Foundation. Careful breeding is important to the success of the foun-dation. The goal, when breeding the best dog, is to look for the best physical and behavioral features. The foundation wants to ensure compatibility with their necessary requirement for creating the best guide dogs for these children. Foundation staff has discovered the best breed is a mixture of Labrador and Mountain Bernese, which creates the Labernese.

Michael Moore, 18, is a resident in the Fayetteville community and attends the Governor Morehead School for the blind in Raleigh. Moore has one of the guide dog. Robbie, Moore’s dog, came from the MIRA Foundation. His mother, Michelle Moore, could not be more pleased to have this dog in their lives.

“The foundation has been awesome and the expe-rience has been wonderful for Michael,” Moore says. “Had he gotten this dog in middle school he would have stayed mainstream in Cumberland County.”

Moore explained that the bond between Robbie and Michael is strong.

“He is the sweetest dog,” she said. “A lot of places do not advocate guide dogs for children but the Mira Foundation does and we are so pleased.”

Currently, the Mira Foundation has plans to place two more dogs with blind children in Fayetteville.

MIRA Foundation USA has many events in the Fayetteville area. The third annual Sandhills Dining in the Dark Dinner on April 28, will be held at the elegant Pinehurst Member’s Club. The event will allow guests to eat their meal blindfolded to experience being blind.

The Mira Foundation has its only office in Aberdeen, N.C., on 112 N. Poplar St., but they are continuing to expand. The foundation is focused on making a better life for children who are blind.

For more information about the MIRA Foundation USA or to volunteer, visit www.mirausa.org or contact the main office at 944-7757.

Photo: The Mira Foundation has discovered the best breed for their guide dogs is a mixture of Labrador and Mountain Bernice, which creates the Labernese. 

Kari Jobe’s Musical Styling Finds a Home

The contemporary Christian music world is rapidly falling in love with the music of worship leader and artist, Kari Jobe. Though often compared to fellow artists, Christy Nockels and Sara Groves because of musical styling, Jobe has a sound all her own. Her passion to encourage people can be heard in every word she sings.

“I remember hearing a worship song that applied perfectly to a family that I knew and I knew that I wanted to write songs like that, for hurting people, songs that someone could speak to the Lord when they can’t find the words,” she said.

In the midst of singing on the very popular Winter Jam Tour and serving as worship pastor at her church in Southlake, Texas, Jobe has still found time to record and release her highly anticipated sophomore album, Where I Find You.

“After singing about the importance of making time for intimate worship on my first album, I wanted to take the next step on Where I Find You,” she explained. “These songs come from such an honest place of praising God for what he’s done — and what he’s continuing to do in our lives — because of his grace and goodness.”

Jobe’s songs warmly express God’s unwavering love. Her music is great to listen to anytime but especially when you need that extra encouragement to know you can make it through your struggles by relying on God.

“That’s the reason I’m doing what I’m doing at this specific moment — to see God’s name lifted high, to encourage the hurt and the broken and to remind everyone to draw close to him because he really, truly does care about each and every one of his children,” she concluded.

Jobe’s work has been recognized by her peers in the music industry as well. Recently she won two Dove Awards for Special Event Album of the Year and Spanish Language album and was nominated for New Artist of the Year.

Produced by Ed Cash and Matt Bronleewe Where I Find You, which includes the new hit radio single “We Are,” is a clarion call for listeners to experience God’s presence to the fullest.

The album reached number one on iTunes upon release and debuted at number 75 on the Canadian Albums Chart.

Where I Find You is on sale now at local Christian music stores. To learn more about Jobe’s and her music check out her website at www.karijobe. com. And, for more “Buzz” on the latest in Christian conte mporary music dial up Christian 107.3 on your radio or online at www.christian107.com.

Photo: Kari Jobe sang during the 2010 GMA Dove awards. She has won two Dove awards 

Maybe you’ve never met Carlo Pieroni, but chances are, you’ve seen his work. The self-taught, Italian-born photographer’s work has appeared in Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, GQ, Madame Figaro, Interview, Max, Uomo Vogue and Femme. He’s worked with companies including Motorola, Chupa Chups, Everlast, Renault, La Perla, Liz Claiborne Cosmetics, Lucky You, M&M/Mars, Playtex, Triumph, Camel, Flamingo Hotel and Casino and VH-1/MTV.

While Pieroni’s lifestyle and advertising work are impressive, he is also pas-sionate about pin-ups — think Betty Page and Jayne Mansfield. On March 8, Up & Coming Weekly’s Gallery 208 opens an ex-hibit featuring Pieroni’s pin-up work.

Lighthearted and whimsical, the pin-ups are a collaboration between the artist and the models he portrays. The idea of each photo is to find the inner bombshell of each woman and to use Pieroni’s creativity to produce a piece of art that complements the model and presents an entertaining and visually appealing piece of work.

Each image starts as a photograph, but the end result is a combination of photography, and some “painting,” done by Pieroni, that portrays the models in playful situations somewhere between reality and fantasy.

In December of 2010 the USO teamed up with VH1 to present VH1 Divas Salute the Troops. For this venture Pieroni transformed Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, Nicki Minaj, and the Nocturnals’ Grace Potter, Keri Hilson, Katy Perry and Paramore’s Hayley Williams into 1940s-era pin-ups.

A family man and father of three, Pieroni grew up in Florence Italy. He started taking pictures when he was in high school and even did some com-mission work for friends. From there, he moved on to commercial photog-raphy and focused on still-life pictures for a time. It was a photo shoot in the Sahara Desert that turned him in the direction of photographing people. This particular model portrayed a desert rose. She stole his heart and became Pieroni’s muse — and later his wife, and he never looked back. He’s now a well-known and highly sought after fashion photographer.

“It is such an exciting experience to be a part of the universe of a woman,” said Pieroni. “Each woman is so unique, such an individual... and has her own set of strengths and her own sense of beauty and glamor and self. It really is a joy to be a part of this for a time and to translate that vision into a work of art.”

For his pin-up images, Pieroni prefers to keep things light and playful. Sure, his images are soft and dreamy and lighthearted — he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“A lot of my work is silly and is set up to show the comedy in a situation. It is meant to portray the inner joy and lightheartedness of the models,” said Pieroni.

The Gallery 208 opening reception is from 5:30-7 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Call 484-6200 for more information.

Photo: On March 8, Up & Coming Weekly’s Gallery 208 opens an exhibit featuring Pieroni’s pin-up work.

From elegant ballroom dancing to striking salsa moves, come out and support Fayetteville’s superstars as they dance and boogie the night away. The Center for Economic Empowerment and Development hosts Dancing with the Fayetteville Stars on Saturday, April 14, at the Crown Expo Center.

The event was voted best fundraiser in 2011 by Up & Coming Weekly readers. That honor is not a big surprise to those who have participated in or attended previous events. CEED put a lot of hard work and energy into the event, which helps make a difference in our community.

Originally called the Women’s Center of Fayetteville, The Center for Economic Empowerment and Development is a non-profi t organization that was established May 20, 1990, when a small group of women in the Fayetteville community came together and generated a facility focused on community service. The organization has an emphasis on bringing people and organizations together, without confl ict, to resolve important issues for relief in the community. CEED is dedicated to assisting women and men by helping them fi nd their own strength to succeed. The mission of CEED is to promote growth, productivity and well-being through counseling, education, information and advocacy programs.

The organization has attained success since its beginning, with the creation of three programs: Women’s Business Center, the New Choice Program and the Lease to Home Program. All of these amazing programs have a goal of success, which is an important key to life.

Dancing with the Fayetteville Stars is an important fundraiser for the organization because it focuses on raising money to support the Lease to Home Program. Lilliana Parker, marketing manager at CEED, explained that each year the organization has a goal of raising more money from the fundraiser than the previous year.

“Last year we raised $120,000 and we focus on increasing our budget each year,” Parker says. “We have a goal of making $160,000 at this year’s fundraiser.”

Parker discusses the importance of sponsorship and its signifi cance when raising money for the fundraiser.

“Usually we have 1,000 tables, and depending on the level of sponsorship, that determines the amount of tickets a person can receive,” Parker explains. “Sponsorship levels range from copper level which costs $300, to platinum level which is $10,000.”

Volunteers are a huge focal point in making the fundraiser a success. Because CEED’s mission is focused on helping the community, volunteering is a big part of the event.

“We have a good amount of volunteers for the fundraiser who help out for the event as well as volunteer dancers,” Parker adds. “Usually we have about 40 volunteers for the event.”

Parker said the fundraiser will be a night of fun and enjoyment for all who attend. But the most important part of the night is raising money to help those individuals with low income.

The Lease to Home program is CEED’s innovative program that focuses on assisting those transitioning from homelessness to becoming homeowners. Who doesn’t want to be able to have a safe place to live and call their own? The Lease to Home program offers affordable living and a safe place to live for all walks of life. To date, the program has successfully helped 46 families become homeowners. With the money raised from the fundraiser, CEED hopes to rehabilitate and provide safe, affordable housing for families in need.

“Every year, through our fundraiser, we are happy to present a new home for those low-income families,” Parker says. “It is very tangible and very fast.”

CEED’s one night of entertainment and dance brings optimism and bliss to families for a lifetime.

The fundraiser sweeps the dance fl oor at 5:30 p.m. at the Crown Expo Center. For more information about sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, visit www.ncceed.org or contact the offi ce at 323-3377.

Photo: Dancing with the Fayetteville Stars was voted best fundraiser in 2011 by Up & Coming Weekly readers.

Does the idea of fighting crowds at the airport or standing in line at theme parks leave you cold? If so, you are not alone. In the United States, nearly one in 12 U.S. vehicle-owning households (about 7 million) now owns a recreational vehicle. That number is expected to grow by about 15 percent in the coming years.

Why? Rowland Bostock, the promoter for the Eastern North Carolina RV Show doesn’t have all the answers to that question, but he does have some.

“The outdoor lifestyle is a very appealing lifestyle,” said Bostock. “When you go to campgrounds, you find other like-minded people who are looking for quiet and relaxation (for the most part.) They are open and friendly and willing to lend a hand or advice.”

Bostock said there is no better feeling than sitting quietly around a campfire at the end of a fun day and reflecting on the day and planning for the next.

“It’s just very relaxing, and then you lay down in the comfort of your own bed with the sounds of crickets or a river putting you to sleep,” he said. “It’s just a very unique and different lifestyle.”

Bostock said that the solitude isn’t for everyone. Some RV owners use their trailers for getting into the mix of things and tailgating at Nascar races or at football games.

“They enjoy the excitement and camaraderie that goes along with those events,” he said.

This is the seventh RV show in Fayetteville. Years ago there was another show, but they stopped coming and started concentrating on bigger venues. Two RV Sales owners came together with the idea of starting a local show. They enlisted Bostock, and other RV dealers from eastern North Carolina, and put the show together.

“All of these folks work really well together and have a little friendly competition,” said Bostock.

Just as the dealers come back year after year, so do the attendees at the show.

“We see a lot of the same faces year after year,” said Bostock.

Annually about 2,500 people come out for the show. That number dropped slightly over the past couple of years, because of the economy, but attendance has remained close to the 2,500 range.

“Our dealers all have had success at the show,” he said.

This year there are nine RV dealers participating in the show, including Fayetteville dealer, Hawley’s Camping Center. “We have a really good representa-tion from RV dealers, as well as RV parks,” said Bostock.

Throughout the three days of the event, dealers will offer special sales on RVs. Vendors associated with the RV industry will be on hand to showcase products and prizes will be given out throughout the event.

Bostock said some folks come out to the show simply out of curiosity, while oth-ers have been a part of the RV family for years.

“Some people come just because it is something to do, while others come to trade in older RVs and others come who want to try out the lifestyle for the first time,” explained Bostock.

He noted that the love of the outdoors beckons many people to the RV lifestyle.

“There are a lot of people who don’t want to take the fly/drive vacation to busy spots,” he said. “Many of them want to take quiet vacations and just enjoy being with their families in the great outdoors. So the idea of having an RV appeals to them.”

Bostock said pet owners are also very intrigued with the idea of camping.

“A lot of people really love their pets and want to take them on vacation. It’s really hard to find hotels that will allow you to do that, and some of the ones that do, well, you wouldn’t want to stay in them,” he said. “With the RV, the pet can come along with no problems.”

Bostock said that many of the first-time buyers will go for something simple like a pop-up camper. But over time, they may upgrade their RVs a num-ber of times. He noted that RVs have come a long way from their early days. These days, the RVs are spacious and have everything from full bathrooms to well-equipped kitchens and entertainment centers. With a number of slide-outs on a camper, the RV can be as spacious and roomy as some people’s homes.

“We have some people who come in and trade up every year, and others that come every three to five years,” said Bostock. “What we see a lot in our older RV’ers is them trading down so they have a simpler set up and something that is easier to pull.”

The Eastern North Carolina RV Show rolls into the Crown Agri-Expo Center on Friday, March 2 from noon-8:30 p.m. On Saturday, March 3, the show opens at 10 a.m. and runs through 8:30 p.m. The show closes on Sunday, March 4, with hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bostock said it’s a great event for people whether they are experienced campers or just thinking about getting into RVing. This year’s show will include new exhibitor’s from eastern North Carolina providing a wider selection of RVs. Speak with experi-enced sales professionals about features and benefits of owning an RV… then shop and compare for your best deal.

Tickets to the event are $7 for adults, $2 for children ages 7-12, with children under 7 admitted free. Friday is military appreciation night, with all military admitted at half price after 4 p.m. For more in-formation, visit www.encrv.com.

Photo: Many of the first-time RV buyers will go for something simple like a pop-up camper. But over time, they may upgrade their RVs a number of times.

As a society, we ask a lot of educators. In return it’s only right to provide teachers with the resources and support they need to get the job done well.

That is the job of the Cumberland County Education Foundation. The foundation seeks to promote and support community awareness of issues critical to the success of our public schools; to facilitate funding of innovative programs not typically funded that offer excellence; and to recognize teachers, administrators and volunteers of outstanding distinction.

On Saturday, March 3, the Cumberland County Education Foundation hosts its annual fundraiser School House Rock, a fun way to celebrate excellence in Cumberland County Schools and raise funds for theprograms sponsored by CCEF.

Get out the hairspray and leg warmers ladies; and gents it’s time to rummage through the closet for that Members Only jacket and slip on the wayfarers — the theme for this year’s School House Rock is the 1980s.

With entertainment by ‘80s tribute band, The Breakfast Club, the evening promises to be totally rad. Formed in 1993, The Breakfast Club is all about the music of the original MTV generation and has been hailed by the Wilmington Star News as “better than the original artists.”

“This is our signature fundraiser,” said Cindy Kowal, executive director of the Cumberland County Education Foundation. “I do have to give credit to (Cumberland County School System Superintendent) Dr. Till; When he came on board three years ago we met and talked about fundraising … and he said ‘I think people just like to have fun and go to a good party.’ He was right.”

The first School House Rock was a great success, and last year was even better. Kowal recalled that it was such a good time in part because people really got into dressing up and embracing the ‘70s theme. “Last year, if you were not in costume you really were the odd one out. Everybody was dressed in bright colors; there were afro wigs and things like that. There was really good music, starting with Woodstock and going into the disco generation. People had a lot of fun with the costumes — from Bob Marley to John Travolta. It was a big hit,” she said.

Kowal is excited about the ‘80s theme for this year’s party, and anticipates it will be just as successful.

“We are back this year bigger and better and expect everyone to have a totally awesome time. Parachute pants and big hair are strongly encouraged,” said Kowal. “Be Tom Cruise, be Michael Jackson, be Ronald Reagan, we don’t care — just come and have a great time with us,” she added.

Funds raised at School House Rock benefi t the CCEF, which sponsors programs that serve students, support teachers and engage the community.

Students benefit from programs like Communities In Schools, which is the nation’s leading drop-out prevention program. CIS serves more than 3,000 students locally with things like enrichment opportunities, mentoring, tutoring, community service and career exploration. Other supported programs include:

The Fuller Performance Learning Center, The Yanoff Music Initiative, a joint venture with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra that introduces classical music to all Cumberland County Schools third graders; the Teacher-of-the-Year Program, educational mini-grants provided by CCEF.; and the CCEF Science, Math and Engineering Explorations Grant Heavy hors d‘oeuvres and cocktails are included in the $75 ticket price for School House Rocks.

“This event really does reach out to the community to support our mission,” said Kowal. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www. ccedfoundation.org.

Photo: Supporters of education gathered for a ‘70s flashback at the 2011 School House Rocks.