The Animal Called POW, a special exhibit, opens at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum on Friday, Feb 10.

The temporary exhibit is sponsored by the Directorate of Plans Training and Mobilization (DPTM) and the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation. It focuses on educating the public about the prison camps in South Vietnam and the horrors the soldiers incarcerated in the camps faced. The exhibit runs through January 2013, and takes a hard look at rescue missions, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) training, as well as current prisoners of war. Dr. Nicole Suarez, curator at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, says that this has been the most worthwhile exhibit that she has worked with.

“People aren’t aware that there were prisoners of war in South Vietnam and our mission is to inform and educate the public about it,” Suarez says.

Colonel James “Nick” Rowe, a U.S. Army offi cer, is a main discussion point in the exhibit. He was one of only 34 prisoners to escape during imprisonment in the Vietnam War. The exhibit displays a replica of the “tiger cage” that housed the soldier while he was held captive. Rowe, who retired following his escape, was later recalled to active duty to use the lessons he learned during his struggle to survive to create the SERE training that is still taught to high-risk personnel in today’s armed forces.

In 1989, Rowe, who was assigned to the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group in the Philippines, was assissinated on the morning of April 21, 1989, as he was being driven to work in an armored limousine. Rowe’s vehicle was hit by gunfire from a .45 caliber pistol and an M16 rifle. Twenty-one shots hit the vehicle; one round entered through an unarmored portion of the vehicle frame and struck Colonel Rowe in the head, killing him instantly. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery.

Visitors will get a glimpse of what it was like to live in these prison camps by viewing an immersive indoctrination hut, which replicates the one used in “Force of Darkness” in South Vietnam.

“A prison camp has been created inside the exhibit for the public to walk through and understand what it was like for these soldiers,” Suarez adds.

The walls of the exhibit are made of bamboo, which offers a more realistic approach to the public. A display of actual artifacts from the POWs is also on display, as well as a section of the exhibit that shows movie clips related to POWs throughout the years. The public will gain some knowledge and hear of lessons learned from the prisoners of war and the escape attempts that they made. Suarez also added that as visitors walk through the exhibit they hear the POWs’ stories in their own words. This allows visitors to have a more realistic experience. “I think the general public can take something away from viewing this exhibit,” Suarez says.

The Airborne and Special Operations Foundation was inspired by the Heroes Homecoming celebration in Fayetteville last year, which honored Vietnam Veterans. The group created this exhibit to acknowledge and praise these veterans’ stand for sacrifi ce, teamwork and victory. The mission of the organization is to provide a unique and educational experience on U.S. history and basic core values of airborne and special-operations soldiers. The organization members want to preserve interpretation and recognition of U.S. Army airborne and special-operations history, equipment, technology, legend, art and weaponry.

The main exhibits in the museum are the Early Airborneexhibit, World War II Exhibit, Korea and Cold War exhibit, Vietnamexhibitand Contingency Operations and Training exhibit. Set up in a chronological manner, visitors travel through time, beginning in the 1940s.

The museum also includes a theatre and simulator where visitors can gain a more virtual experience.

Admission to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum is free, however, donations are accepted. Doors to the museum are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays. Volunteers are always welcome and contribute to the success of the museum. For more information about the museum or any volunteer work, contact the museum at 910-643-2766 or email at info@asomf.org.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE(RATED PG-13) 4 STARS

 I don’t know what to tell you people. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol(133 minutes) was long and had some boring parts, but it didn’t suck. If you’re into seeing a crazy-pants cultist perform some physically impossible stunts while looking intently at the camera, you should really enjoy it. Although you should be careful not to look directly into his eyes; that’s how the thetans get you! There are some pretty girls rolling around on the floor together, ripping at each other clothes and bashing vases over each other’s heads, too. But that is in no way sexist or exploitative, because, see they’re spies and stuff, and they are in a fight so it makes perfect sense within the logic of the plot. And boy spies do exactly the same thing, except they don’t, so it’s sexist. Unless you count the Viggo Mortenson full frontal sauna fight from Eastern Promises.

As far as I am concerned, the franchise peaked with Mission Impossible II, but this one is certainly watchable enough. The logic behind choosing Brad Bird to direct eludes me. I’m not com-plaining (after all, this is the guy that did the “Family Dog” episode of Amazing Stories and Ratatouille), it just seems an improbable jump

. I guess he did all right. Can he do a feature length version of “Family Dog?” That would be cool.So, Abrams clearly had a hand in recruiting, since Josh Holloway shows up early in the film as MI agent Trevor Hanaway. He gets to play with some cool new technology that works really well, unlike later in the film when, like toys on Christmas morning, everything breaks two seconds after it’s out of the package. He is tracked by an elite assassin with an awesome name, Sabine Moreau (Lea Seydoux). As what should have been a simple snatch and grab operation goes toes up, we transi-tion to a Moscow prison.

Apparently, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) did something naughty and ended up in the gulag. Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Jane Carter (Paula Patton) plan a nifty prison break, that involves exposing the dedicated prison guards who are only trying to do their jobs to a full-scale prison riot. At least Ethan heads back to save that one prison guard … nope. Nope. He is walking right past the guy getting beaten to death to collect his plot point Bogdan (Miraj Grbic).

After some very arty opening credits, Ethan gets his mission message and takes the team, sadly not including Ving Rhames, to the Kremlin. They do some technology stuff, only to find out their mission is a bust and take off, followed by a massive explosion.

Ethan manages to mission impossible his way out of his impend-ing arrest only to hear the rather disappointing news that he and his team are going to act as scapegoats for the U.S. government, and that MI will be disbanded under the rules of the Ghost Protocol. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but whatever. At least Ethan has Brandt (Jeremy Renner) to keep him company when he goes under-ground! And from all the smoldering glances they keep giving each other, it doesn’t look like he misses his MI: III wife at all.

The team regroups in a near impossible-to-access moving bun-ker, which might look like a well-cared for state of the art weapons cache, but is apparently filled with junk because none of it works. They head out to Dubai to look for a mystery man with a nuclear device (Michael Nyqvist). Despite being disavowed, they still have unlimited funds and lots of fake ID’s, so when they can’t nab him there, they track their guy to Mumbai, and send Jane in to seduce important information out of some dude. Because in an MI movie, that’s all highly skilled spy ladies are good for. Also, they get emotional and kill people they’re not supposed to kill.

Overall, watchable if you don’t spend too much time thinking and you don’t mind suspending disbelief regarding what is and is not physically possible.

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

Medication Problems and the Elderly

At 83 years old, Sally still lived in her own home, and enjoyed working in her garden and canning peaches. It was becoming harder to motivate herself, to get up in the mornings and accomplish the day’s tasks. She confided to her daughter that she felt anxious and tired. Her daughter, who was taking medication for her anxiety, took Sally to her own doctor, (not Sally’s doctor) and got her a prescription for Valium. In doing so, the daughter’s doctor, who had never seen Sally and who did not have her medical history, was only aware of a few medi-cations they told him she was taking.

Sally, in fact, was taking 9 different medications as well as herbal supplements.

The addition of Valium to her existing list of prescribed drugs sent her to the emergency room with respiratory distress. If she had gone to her own doctor, he would have found that a dosage adjustment of her current medications would have solved her anxiety.

Medication errors are common in the elderly. Many seniors take on average six to eight different prescriptions, as well as over the counter drugs. Many times the elderly will not go back to their doctor to have their dosage evaluated and changed if necessary.

Family members should be aware, that elderly parents tend to take the family’s advice over going to their own doctor. Even though children want to help increase the health and stamina of their parents, they may in fact be causing damage by misdirecting their loved ones.

An online article on HealthSquare.com, titled “Drugs and the Elderly,” talks about physical symptoms and medications.

“Among the first signs that a drug may not be working properly in an older person is a change in mood, energy, attitude or memory. Too often, these alterations are overlooked, ignored, or chalked up to “old age” or senility. Older people may feel that their blue mood is caused by something external such as the death of a friend or boredom. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Virtually every heart medication, blood pressure drug, sleeping pill and tranquilizer has been known to trig-ger depressive symptoms.

“When a psychological symptom appears in an older person, examine his or her medication or drug use first. Consider, too, factors like alcohol intake, poor nutrition and hormone imbalance. And never dismiss the possibility that a real psychological problem has developed and may itself require medication.”

There are many things family members can do to help monitor medications for their elderly parents.

• Make a list of medicines prescribed and all supplements being taken.

• Give this list to the doctor and pharmacist and have one on hand for emergencies.

• Use the same pharmacy to fill all prescriptions. Pharmacies keep a record of your prescribed drugs and will verify your doctor’s instructions. They will also tell you if foods or over the counter supplements will interact with a prescription.

• Dispense pills in a daily pill organizer box.

• Have a family member be responsible to call or physically monitor the taking of medication. Family members who live long distances from their elders have available to them new technology in medication monitoring.

• Alarms for pill boxes, watch alarms, medical alarm bands and necklaces that ring a reminder.

• Computerized pill box dispensers that ring a designated number if the pills have not been taken.

• Home Telehealth. Technology has developed computers and computer cameras to help the elderly in their homes stay safe and healthy. Home telehealth — set up by medical professionals in the home — enables providers to monitor such things as medications and blood pressure and actually see the patient. Patient questions are an-swered and advice is given, while the monitoring nurse views through the video phone how his or her patient looks physically.

• Home Care Agencies. Homecare companies offer a variety of service options in helping families care for and properly dispense medication to their elder parents.Overmedication or taking medication incorrectly may lead to early mental confusion and decline in health in seniors. If medication problems were ranked as a disease in cause of death, it would be the fifth leading cause in the United States.

Photo: Many seniors take on average six to eight different prescriptions, as well as over the counter drugs. 

Robotics has not only become an integral part of manufacturing processes but is also now sneaking into our homes. Everyone has seen the iRobot Roomba, the vacuum cleaning robot that moves around the room sucking any dirt in its path. You may have even seen demonstrations of robot lawn mowers, such as the Robotics RoboMower. The prices really aren’t that high. About $400 will take care of your dirty floor and another $1,700 will take care of your overgrown lawn. Who would have thought that the dirty floor and overgrown lawn would be the “killer” applications for robotics in the home? The sci-fi shows have led us to believe that robotic servants, dogs, or children would have been the first instances of home robots.

What jobs involve robotics? Well, there’s mechanical design; there’s electrical design; there’s electronics design; there’s software design; and then there’s AI (Artificial Intelligence). All of this robot research, design and development is performed by engineers, both hardware and software types. What about engineering technicians? Well, someone has to build, test and maintain these robots during the development, manufacturing and lifetime phases of these robots and that’s the job of the electri-cal, electronics, computer and mechanical engi-neering technicians.

What kind of salaries are we talking about? According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of electrical and computer engineers is about $90,000, and the salary for engineering technicians is about $53,000. Note these are median salaries for experienced engineers and technicians.

How do I get into robotics? Well, right here at Fayetteville Technical Community College. The Electronics Engineering Technology Program at FTCC has evolved from a typical electronics program into one that covers many of the different aspects of robotics. There are courses in the C, C#, assembly and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) programming languages, all of which can be used to program a robot. There are courses in microprocessors and PLCs, which serve as the brain of a robot. There is a course in control theory, which covers feedback and motor control. You have to make sure the robot has all the right moves. There’s a course in AI, which covers finite state machines, fuzzy logic, neural networks and genetic algorithms.

So what about robots? Well, we have robotic arms and those wonderful Robotis Bioloid Robots to apply all this knowledge in the above courses. We also have the PLCs and have used the Microchip PICs to make our own versions.

In addition to our Electronics Engineering Technology Program, we are currently working to get a Pre-Engineering Program (Associate of Science) at FTCC. With this program, you would be able to get the first two years of an engineering degree at FTCC and then finish with a bachelor’s of engineering degree at the university of your choice.

Call me (Beymer Bevill, FTCC Department Chair) at 678-8216 to schedule a tour of the facilities and discuss what opportunities await you in the exciting field of robotics and other electronics-related areas. I’ll be waiting for your call.

After returning from a road trip consisting of three games in three days, the FireAntz are hosting a Military Appreciation Night. Saturday, Feb. 4, will be the second Military Appreciation Night of the FireAntz season. We would like to show our apprecia-tion for all the military does by honoring them at the game. Local businesses such as Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union, Thee Car Lot, USAA and Picerne Military Housing have re-ceived tickets to give out to service men and women and their families.

At the game on Feb. 4, one of the large group-sin attendance is the 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment. The soldiers within the unit have continuously deployed to Afghanistan to support both conventional and special-operations forces with long-range rocket and missile fire since 2005. Two of the batteries, Delta Battery and Charlie Battery, have recently redeployed from Afghanistan in November and December respectively, after successfully completing their missions. Currently, Alpha Battery is de-ployed to Afghanistan to continue the mission and will return in June.

The FireAntz host the Augusta RiverHawks with a puck drop at 7:30 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 4. There will be a specialty jersey worn for Military Appreciation Night. After the game, fans have the opportunity to meet their favorite FireAntz players, and bid on the game jerseys.

The FireAntz would like to thank the following local businesses that are a part of the Military Appreciation Night: USAA, CenturyLink, Dex Knows, Pierro’s, All American Homes, Black’s Tire, Stanley Steemer, Hurst Annaho, Pierne Military Housing, Thee Car Lot, Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union, Heritage Jewelers, Systel, Quizno’s, 4G Communications and First Class Property. These local business help make our Military Appreciation Nights such a big success.

The FireAntz return to action at the Crown on Tuesday, Feb. 14, to face the same opponent, the Augusta RiverHawks, for a Valentines’ Day meeting.

For future games and times, you can find a full 2011-2012 FireAntz schedule at www.fireantzhockey.com.

Do not forget to contact the FireAntz office by phone at 321-0123 if you have questions. Gather your friends and family to come out and enjoy Fayetteville FireAntz Hockey where fire and ice unite!

Photo: FireAntz host military appreciation night on Feb. 4.

The Cape Fear Regional Theatre Celebrates 50 Years of Excellence

If ever a director had the perfect show with the perfect cast, Bo Thorp has it with the staging of Encore: 50 Years. Encore is retrospective of the past 50 years of theater at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. The show is comprised of some of the best music to ever be performed on the stage, along with a cast of 60 performers who have given their hearts and souls to the CFRT.

As much as Thorp and company hope the community enjoys the show, putting the show together has been its own reward. To stage the show, Thorp invited back some of the founders of the CFRT, as well as some members of early casts and put them together with the talented actors who walk the stage today. What she has made is theatrical magic.

“Encore celebrates 50 years of fabulous theatre. It is a retrospective of what we have peformed and a reunion of talented people,” explained Thorp. “In my opinion, it’s the best of each. We have picked the best songs and have gathered a grand group to perform them with us.”

The cast of 60 is made of some old faces and of the future of the theatre in its youth performers. Thorp has managed to gather an eclectic cast including Reggie Barton, a former board member who spearheaded the fi rst renovation of the theatre and later was bitten by the acting bug, Josh White Jr., an international performer who has followed in his father’s footsteps performing African-American folk songs, Dirk Lumbard, who has performed at the theatre off and on throughout its history and Ray Kennedy.

To put the show together, Thorp brought Grady Bowman, who has just finished the show Billy Elliott on Broadway, to choreograph the musical. Bowman, who has been working on Broadway since he graduated from college, grew up on the CFRT stage under Thorp’s direction.

“Seeing Grady helping direct the show rather than be in it is really seamless,” said Thorp. “Of all the people that I have seen over the years, he was the one person that I knew would have a professional career in theatre, and I knew he would one day come back and direct us. Grady was just 5 years old when he performed in Encore: 25 Years.”

Thorp said the reunion of so many talented performers has been a homecoming, but it has also been nostalgic. “In the show, we have an In Memoriam section to honor some of the great talents we are missing,” she said.

Leonard McLeod, Pat Reese, Lee Yop and Herbert Thorp are just some of the people whom Thorp pays tribute to in the show. “Leonard, Pat and Lee were just tremendous talents,” she said. “I put Herbert (Thorp’s husband) in there because he was the one who stood by, and if we couldn’t get something to work, he would fi nd a way to make it work for us — even if it meant calling the President of the United States. He wanted the theatre to be successful for us and for the community, and he wanted me to be happy.”

Looking back over the past 50 years, Thorp acknowledges that she has found happiness and a second family at the theatre. This season is her last as a member of the theatre’s staff, but she hopes to come back often as a performer or a director.

“Very few people get to orchestrate their exit, and I’ve done that,” she said. “I’m hoping that will let me in the doors now then so I can watch a rehearsal and maybe they will let me perform. I hope people will see me as available and capable of performing.”

She noted that while the show has brought a sense of nostalgia, and while there is some sadness at the end of her career with the theatre, she can leave the theatre knowing it’s in good hands. “I’m happy with what we have accomplished here,” said Thorp, giving a nod to the caliber of performances at the theatre, which is manifest in Encore. “What more success could you want than to leave a legacy like this? I know that I have left my corner of Haymount better than what I found it.”

And she knows she has touched the lives of countless performers, but more specifi cally, children in the community who have become a part of the theatre family.

“I love that the most,” said Bo. “That the children will always remember Ms. Bo.”

Bowman is living proof of that. He first walked the boards at the CFRT at the age of 5. “I had one line in the show, and the only thing I can remember is that I had to stand behind my godfather, Leonard McLeod, for the big reveal. I was the younger him, and he was remembering his life. I remember sticking to him like glue.”

Bowman says the roots for his successful career on Broadway were created at the CFRT. “I did 25 to 30 shows here, and I had the opportunity to work with so many talented, even legendary people,” he said.

That experience has served him well over the years on the stage. At this point in his career, he is transitioning from the role of performer to choreographer. So it seemed fi tting that he come home and choreograph this historic show.

“I’ve always wanted to come home, and luckily my schedule lined up so that I could do this show,” said Bowman. “It’s more than a retrospective, it’s really a changing of the guard — the end of an era. I am proud to be here and be a part of this because it was such a huge part of my life.”

Like the majority of the performers who have returned for the show, Bowman sees it as a reunion. “There are so many old faces, as well as new ones, and they are all so talented,” he said. “When I first got here, I went up and sat in the seats that have my name and Leonard’s name on them. I just sat and took it all in — all the memories.”

If the walls could talk, the memories that would fl oat through the air are the stuff theatre magic is made of.

Linda Riddle came to Fayetteville in June of 1969, and immediately immersed herself in the theater. “I was sitting in the Dixie Diner in Spring Lake, when I saw an advertisement for a summer workshop at the Little Theatre. The workshop was taught by Pat Reese, so I went down and took the class. My first show was in the summer of 1969 — Sweet Bird of Youth — and I’ve been involved ever since.”

Riddle said that she is proud to have been invited to perform in the show.

“I’m so grateful to see so many faces of people who are coming home just for the show,” she said. “It’s been wonderful. But as much as I love seeing the old faces, I am just in awe of the all the young talent that is here in Fayetteville and that is showcased in the show.”

Having “grown up” with the theatre, Riddle said that she is proud of what the theatre has accomplished over the years. She recalls affectionately the pranks that she and Pat Reese played on each other on stage. During the world premier of Raney, Reese, who played a character who committed suicide, wound up in the casket dressed in drag. Riddle was the only person who could see him. To pay him back, she dumped ice out of her handbag into the casket and made sure the majority of it landed on his crotch.

“He was having the worst time trying to stay still,” recalled Riddle. “It’s those kinds of moments that keep coming back to me.”

For Halley Sullivan, 14, it sounds odd, but she is also returning to her roots. Sullivan was tapped for a role in the Lion King on Broadway when she was just 9-years-old.

“I just love Bo and the theatre, and getting to be a part of something that is so important to them, is very important to me,” she said.

While the community can watch the performance, they can’t really hear all of these memories, but they will have their chance to live and breathe them during the theatre’s gala on Feb. 11.

“It’s a party, not a peformance,” said Thorp. “There will be bands, music, great food and libations all over the theatre. It’s going to be a big to do. We have been planning this for months. It’s our Golden Gala and it’s a cause to celebrate.”

The event is spearheaded by Debbie Lallier and Jenny Beaver and runs through Feb., 5. Tickets for the event are available to the public at $75 per ticket. For tickets to Encore or to the Gala, call the CFRT Box Offi ce at 323-4233.

It takes more than good intentions to put on an affair as grand in scale and generosity as A Chocolate Affair... to Remember.

Now in its ninth year, the event is slated for Jan. 28, and draws about 200 guests each year. The indulgence of choice for the evening is, of course, chocolate. Jazz music by Reggie Codrington, a posh venue at Hotel Bordeaux and Conference Center and both live and silent auctions, in addition to the confections, make for a luxurious evening.

A relatively new item in the live auction is the Dessert of the Month, provided by contributing chef Terry Ciszek.

“Last year was the fi rst year we did the Dessert of the Month and it was so much fun for me getting to know the winner through out the year and cooking up a new dessert for him every month,” said Ciszek.

The event is set to begin at 7 p.m. — just the right hour for dessert and entertainment after a dinner out.

B&B Catering is a major benefactor for the Chocolate Affair. Located in Spring Lake, B&B Catering specializes in total event planning and creating a unique yet elegant atmosphere for every occasion.

Personal service and attention to detail are what owners Bill Pannhoff and Rob Masone focus on when putting together unforgettable events like this one. Chefs Pannhoff and Masone use only the freshest, highest quality ingredients available, which is what makes them a perfect fi t for this event.

“Bill Pannhoff is a huge contributor of ours and he is always so generous,” said Ciszek. Pannhoff contributes savory hors d’oeuvres for the event to bring balance to the richness of the many desserts being served.

“With so much chocolate, you really need some salt to bring out the flavors. Chef Pannhoff usually does bacon crisps and two or three other items. He also donates platters, linens, risers and utensils. He gives us everything we need to make the event successful, and we are really thankful for his contributions,” Ciszek added.

A freelance photographer with a passion for cooking, Ciszek looks forward to the Chocolate Affair each year. It’s been four or fi ve years since she was fi rst invited to cook for the event and she still remembers how excited she was.

“I had already attended the event a few times and I had really enjoyed the food. I had even thought to myself, ‘I wish they would ask me to make something,’” she recalled.

Now, Ciszek looks forward to making delicious chocolate desserts each year and considers this a chance to expand her repertoire.

“Every year I can get more adventurous and that is something I love. I like to cook and to give it away. I believe that if God gave me a talent I am to use it to serve others,” she explained.

Ciszek is still tweaking her menu items, but some of her favorites have made her short list and may be served at A Chocolate Affair: mini cheesecakes dipped in chocolate; chocolate cookies filled with white chocolate cream; chocolate biscotti; truffles; chocolate-dipped, toasted coconut clusters and an item or two involving peanut butter.

“I am a freak for caramel, so there will be a caramel-chocolate combination item, too. I am just not sure which recipe it will be,” Ciszek added.

Wendy Riddle is slated to be the emcee this year, which Ciszek says is sure to be a fun time. “She is just so good at it and makes it a fun evening for everyone.”

The proceeds benefit Catholic Charities, a member of the United Way of Cumberland County. The event, in the Marseille Room of the Hotel Bordeaux, runs from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $35 if purchased in advance and $40 at the door. For advance tickets, call 424-2020.

Photo: A Chocolate Affair …To Remember brings great chocolate desserts, music and fun together to benefit the Catholic Charities.

Chances are, that if you are connected to the Internet, you follow a blogger or two online. Perhaps you even have a blog of your own. You may use ads to help defray any cost –– or even to make money. And with a simple press of the button, you share yourself and your opinions with the world.

Now, imagine maintaining a blog in 1858. You write it out by longhand. Up to 100 times. And sell it for a $2 yearly subscription fee. Such was the historical endeavor of Harnett County native John McLean Harrington. Michael Ray Smith, PhD, a professor of communication studies at Campbell University, details Harrington’s fascinating story in his recent book, A Free Press in Freehand: The Spirit of American Blogging in the Handwritten Newspapers of John McLean Harrington, 1858-1869. Smith will discuss his book and more on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m., at the Cumberland County Public Library Headquarters, 300 Maiden Lane. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library Author Visit program and is free and open to the public.

A native of Washington, D. C., Smith is an award-winning journalist and photographer and author of fi ve books. He has taught for more than 20 years after a 10-year stint in the newsroom. His “discovery” of Harrington’s writings came about after moving to Harnett County and studying its history.

“He’s a guy that deserves some kind of recognition,” said Smith. “You may have heard of Paul Green, the playwright that created The Lost Colony. In my way of thinking, you couldn’t have a Paul Green if we hadn’t had a John McLean Harrington. Harrington kind of paved the way for other writers who created people. This guy wrote short stories in 1858. He was 18 years old. He wrote about marriages and obituaries and just routine kinds of stuff happening in the community. But he also had that literary quality. In 11 years, from 1858 to 1869, he authored 302 separate handwritten publications, and in some cases, he hand-copied them up to 100 times. It’s staggering. Unbelievable.”

Smith was surprised that no one had ever studied Harrington, and one can find irony in the detail that just up the road, UNC-Chapel Hill is home to one of the best journalism schools in the country.

“He’s mentioned in passing. He doesn’t have any roadside markers like Paul Green has. He was right here in Harnett County. You can go to Duke and see them [the newspapers]; you can touch them, you can pick them up and read them. They’re very available, and they’re historic artifacts, but no one ever bothered. I felt like Columbus. I had a discovery here. This is 1858. This is rural Harnett County. Things haven’t changed much. There’s some development, but there’s not a lot of industry. I admire people who use their own God-given ingenuity to come up with something that’s not just interesting, but it was commercial. He sold this. He sold each of his newspapers for $2 a year. And he has real strict terms: $2 in advance, and if you don’t pay, you don’t get your newspaper.”

The son of affluent parents, Harrington attended the best schools, which at that time were all private, and by the time he was 15, he was a headmaster earning $158 for three months’ work. As the postmaster of the Harrington Post Offi ce in Broadway, near Sanford, N.C., Harrington was fortunate to have a method of not only distributing his newspapers, but also collecting information.

“People would go there a couple times a week to get their mail, and he’d have the newspaper there,” said Smith. “When people were getting their mail, they’d stand around and talk.”

Harrington’s newspapers included some display advertising as well. But Smith also notes that Harrington included some “weird” stuff in his paper, like ads from Philadelphia and New York, though most of the area’s residents “had never been more than 20 miles from their home. He had to put it in there just to make it look more like a newspaper,” Smith said.

Harrington wrote his newspapers, which included news, jokes and short stories, from age 18 to 29 and lived to be 48, but his life was not without turmoil. He never married, and unlike other able-bodied men of his area, did not serve in the military during the Civil War, nor did he support the Confederacy, considered treasonous at the time.

For more information, visit www.michaelraysmith.com.

Photo: Michael Ray Smith to speak at Friends of Library author visit on Feb. 7.

Clusters, another original work, debuts at the Gilbert Theater to the delight of theatre aficionados. Performances are Feb. 2-19.

The play, written and directed by Stephen Miles, focuses on senior citizens in a retirement home where they face health problems such as Alzheimer’s, aging and right-to-die issues. Even though Miles has written 13 plays in his lifetime, this will be the writer’s debut as a director and he is thrilled. The new director stated that this play is very close to his heart because he can relate to it on a deeper level.

“I’m not getting any younger myself, and I have seen friends of mine face the challenges of getting older,” Miles said.

As people age, they are faced with challenges with their health. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia, accounts for about 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases. The majority of people with Alzheimer’s disease are usually 65 years and older. Cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease are common among Baby Boomers as well.

Miles explained that Clusters is a very powerful play, but disturbing in a sense. The director is very excited to get feedback from the community on not only the performance, but his writing as well. According to Miles, the cast is currently working hard in rehearsal for the play and it is going well.

Lynn Pryer, artistic director at Gilbert Theater, says the play hits close to home for many in the community, since having aging family members is a commonality. Anyone can relate to the play and be impacted by it, noted Pryer, who founded the theater in 1994. Pryer will retire in June.

The Gilbert Theater, which was originally founded in the basement of Pryer’s home, has a mission of producing original works for world premieres. Diversity is vital in the Gilbert Theatre and the experience is brought throughout the community by providing a stream of different productions.

From the features of many up-and-coming writers, children’s puppet shows, fundraisers, and even the production of A Christmas Carol, to name a few, it should come as no surprise why the theater is so cherished by many throughout Fayetteville.

Clusters performances begin at 8 p.m., with the exception of Sundays, when the curtain rises at 2 p.m for a matinee show. Ticket prices are $12 and can be purchased through the Gilbert Theater website www.gilberttheater.com. Tickets for Thursday performances of Clusters are $10 for students and military.

Comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White brings laughter to the Crown Center Theatre on Friday, Feb. 3, performing in Fayetteville for his Moral Compass Tour.

Even though he couldn’t comment on the content of the show because he doesn’t want to spoil what is in store for his fans, White did promise “You won’t breathe for an hour and 30 minutes.” It’s just that funny.

Being in the show business for 26 years, he has had the opportunity to perform 10,000 live shows and travel to 148 cities. The comedian does big shows three times a week and is thrilled every time. This performance is no exception.

This is not White’s first visit to Fayetteville, the comedian has a strong connection to the military and has performed at the Crown Center Theatre in the past. A Navy veteran, White is an active member of the Armed Forces Foundation, which he joined in 2008. The Armed Forces Foundation is a non-profit organization that devotes its time to bringing relief to the mem-bers of the Armed Forces community during their greatest time of need. The foundation provides direct financial support to military members and their families. In fact, 94 percent of all donations to this organization go to help our nation’s heroes.

The cigar-smoking, scotch-drinking funny man is always thrilled when he is on stage. The response he receives from his fans gives him the validation that he still has the ability to entertain. “People going crazy in the audience is worth more than the price of admission,” he said.

White has been doing stand-up comedy since he was 29. He has been making people laugh all his life and knew that it was something that he wanted to pursue. White has led a successful career that includes Grammy nomina-tions, a New York Times Best-selling book, a Gold Record, three of the top rated one-hour TV specials in Comedy Central history, and CD and DVD sales of more than 10 million units. White has also starred in two popular movies: Sex and The City 2 and Horrible Bosses. His latest movie venture, Jayne Mansfield’s Car, is a project that the comedian is thrilled about. White will star in the feature with Billy Bob Thornton, who also directed the movie. Robert Duvall also has a role in the film. The movie premieres at the Berlin International Film Festival in February.

“This is the biggest part I’ve ever played,” White said.

The Crown Center Theatre is thrilled to have the comedian perform again. Marshall Perry, director of marketing and sales, anticipates a sell-out for this show and stated that tickets are going very fast. “White will be greatly enjoyed by those who come to see the show. They will not be disappointed. Although the show is intended for mature audiences only, it will be very amusing to say the least,” said Perry. “He always does a great show and is very well received.”

White loves what he does and has no plans of retiring anytime soon.

“I plan on doing it as long as people want to see it” White said.

The show will begin at 8 p.m. at the Crown Center Theatre, located on 1960 Coliseum Dr. Ticket prices range from $35 to $85. Tickets are available at the Crown Box Office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

Photo: Ron White performs at the Crown on Feb. 3.

The Adventures of Tintin (Rated PG)  3 Stars

Much like Pavlov’s dog, I have been conditioned to respond to the sounds of Celine Dion’s “The Heart Will Go On” with tears. Weirdly, the fact that the song makes me cry always inspires hysterical laughter. So, sorry, people in the theater trying to enjoy the Titanic 3D trailer, I might have gotten a bit loud.

Maybe I’m a bit burnt out on kids movies, but The Adventures of Tintin (107 minutes) left me a bit cold. The spectacle was there, the sense of adventure and wonder, the nostalgia … it just seemed to lack heart somehow. Obviously, di-rector Spielberg put a lot of time and effort into the project, demonstrating a good deal of loyalty to the source material in the pro-cess. But just like the source material, this is a story by boys, about boys and for boys. The narrative connection to the Indiana Jones movies is clear, but did we really need another kid’s movie where boys get to do all the cool stuff?

The film opens on some arty credits, which lead into a shot of Tintin, boy re-porter (Jamie Bell) having a caricature drawn by a street artist with Snowy the dog by his side. In a clever bit of tribute, the caricature resembles the original art in the children’s series by Herge. Actual Tintin, however, resembles Neil Patrick Harris.

While Tintin schmoozes with the artist, Snowy runs off down the street in pursuit of a pickpocket (Toby Jones) who turns out to be important later. While tracking down his dog, Tintin spots a nice model ship and buys it just ahead of two competitors, Sakharine (Daniel Craig) and Barnaby (Joe Starr).

Tintin skips off home to display his new toy, only to have an evil little kitty sneak into his apartment and mess with his stuff. After he leaves to investigate the his-tory of his find, somebody breaks in to steal it. I wonder if it was one of the guys who were trying to get it earlier? Eventually, one of them shows up, only to be shot up on Tintin’s doorstep. He must have been wearing a bullet vest or some-thing, because despite being shot badly enough to pass out in the entryway, there isn’t any blood.

Interpol agents Thompson and Thompson (Nick Frost and Simon Pegg) helpfully explain that the possibly dead guy was also an agent, and that he was on the track of something huge. Naturally, he didn’t tell anyone what he was doing, and because he is possibly dead or maybe just shot and in a coma, they can’t ask him.

This story is going nowhere quick. Maybe some villain will appear to advance the plot? Yes indeed! The new villains kidnap Tintin, and are very mean to Snowy, who manages to follow them all the way to the docks because he is smarter than the average dog. The bad guys put their captive in a locked cage below decks, and the head bad guy stops by to offer some helpful and menacing exposition without actually accomplishing anything that will further his presumably evil plot. Luckily, Snowy the wonder-dog frees Tintin, and they hook up with Captain Drunky (Andy Serkis). After some ship chases, followed by airplane chases, followed by motorcycle chases and then some more ship chases, the heroes triumph, mostly because the vil-lain has a stupid backstory.

All in all, the movie was cute. I am sure kids will enjoy it more than I did. But just to make sure that kids don’t take the wrong message away, tell the kids that girls can become heroic reporters chasing down pirates, too.

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

The Fayetteville FireAntz are excited to announce joint efforts with Highland OB/GYN to Paint the Rink Pink.

Highland OB/GYN has been part of the Fayetteville community for more than 60 years. They pride themselves on excellence in the obstetrician and gynecologist fi eld and have a staff of stellar physicians, midwives and nurses.

Dr. David Schutzer, MD, FACOG, has led Highland OB/GYN since 1997 when he fi nished training at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Schutzer has also served as Chief of Department of OB/GYN and Chief of Staff at Cape Fear Valley Health System.

A recent addition to the practice is Kelly Saunders, a certifi ed midwife. Saunders graduated from The Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. She brings to the practice more than 10 years of experience providing care to women during various stages of pregnancy.

Back by popular demand is Ladies Night! Four years in a row, the Fayetteville FireAntz have partnered with Highland OB/GYN for Ladies Night with the purpose of raising funds and bringing the spotlight to local agencies that provide medical care or services to women in the Cumberland County area. The highlight of this year’s Ladies Night, which is Friday, Jan. 20, includes an opportunity to be part of Paint the Rink Pink.

Fans are asked to wear pink in support of the Breast Cancer Center of Cape Fear Valley. Hats, T-Shirts, jerseys and more … we are hoping for pink galore. Power comes in numbers and what a statement 3,000 plus fans creating a rink full of pink will make toward support of the Breast Cancer Center of Cape Fear Valley.

Don’t have pink? The FireAntz organization will have on sale white and pink t-shirts at the event. All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Care Center. Players turn the ice pink with special pink jerseys, which will be auctioned after the game. Special ticket prices are also available to include $3 tickets, 30 tickets for $90 (10 for Jan. 20 and 20 for February 22.)

Can’t join the festivities on Jan. 20? There is plenty more action to take advantage of this weekend. On Sunday, Jan. 22, the Fayetteville FireAntz will once again play host to the Mississippi Surge. Game time is 4 p.m.

Additional specialty nights include Military Appreciation Night, Cram the Crown Public Safety Night and Systel FAPS Pet Adoption Night. Director of Game Day Operations, Richard Edge, shares “It is an honor to have an opportunity to put the spotlight on organizations that do so much good for our community!”

For future games and times, a full 2011-2012 FireAntz schedule is available by visiting the FireAntz website at www.fireantzhockey.com. Do not forget to contact the FireAntz offi ce by phone at 321-0123. Gather your friends and family to come out and enjoy Fayetteville FireAntz Hockey where fire and ice unite! We will sell you the seat, but you will only need the edge.

Photo: On Jan. 20, Fans are asked to wear pink in support of the Breast Cancer Center of Cape Fear Valley. 

A little indulgence now and then can be good for the soul. Indulging for a good cause, who doesn’t love that? On Jan. 28, that is exactly what’s happening at the 9th Annual A Chocolate Affair … to Remember.

The Chocolate Affairis more than sweet treats. Bid on vacation packages, collectibles, crafts, art/photography, jewelry, toys, event tickets, sports memorabilia and more — all donated by local merchants and benefactors. The items are divided between live and silent auctions.

“We are really excited about the items we have to auction this year,” said Lisa Perkins, regional director of Catholic Charities. “Our donors have been very generous and the winners, I’m sure, will be happy with what they get.”

Perkins suggests that the event would be the perfect way to end an evening out.

“We tried to time it so that people could go out to dinner or something and then come and enjoy some really nice desserts and maybe have a glass of wine,” said Perkins.

Local R&B artist Reggie Codrington is scheduled to perform throughout the evening. Codrington has eight CD’s to his name and years of experience performing. His most recent release, Vision of Dreams came out in 2010. A Vicarious Experience, which is Codrington’s next project, drops this summer.

It’s not just the chocolate, music and the generous donations that make this event so much fun. Perkins points out that it is a great opportunity to enjoy the company of the people around you and maybe even do a little networking.

LIFE at St. Joseph in the Pines is the title sponsor this year. It is a fairly new program of all-inclusive care for the elderly. The program provides a team of healthcare professionals to help assist senior citizens. Some of the services provided include adult day health services, medical care, occupational-, physical- and speech-therapy, dental care and mental-health services. 

While enjoying a sweet snack and bidding on auction items, consider that the proceeds benefi t Catholic Charities of Fayetteville, an organization that serves the poor and needy in Fayetteville and surrounding counties. Catholic Charities routinely provides emergency assistance, counseling, family support, legal-immigration services and employment assistance to people in the community. Perkins estimates that the organization helps about 200 families locally each year, and 55,000 regionally. In addition to providing emergency resources and direct services, Catholic Charities advocates for social and economic justice for people in need and serves people regardless of their religion.

The confections will be provided by a number of chocolatiers, including Fayetteville’s own, The Chocolate Lady.

A supporter of the Catholic Charities’ Chocolate Affairsince its inception, Jeannie Nelson — the Chocolate Lady — has been making chocolate since the ‘80s. It was a stint at a chocolate factory in Hawaii that really showed her how to temper the chocolate, which she says is the secret to making her great treats.

“Once you learn now to properly temper the chocolate, there are so many possibilities that open up,” said Nelson. “It is key in making so many things.”

A regular in the Fayetteville chocolate scene since 2002, Nelson is excited to start her 10th year in business here. “When we fi rst moved here I built my business mostly by word-of-mouth recommendations, and I worked some through a local caterer,” she said. Now she is a part of the downtown business community and enjoys the foot traffic that brings people into her shop each day. “It is hard to believe that was 10 years ago.”

Peek into her shop and it becomes clear that Nelson is serious about making chocolate fun. Confections that look like wedding cakes, festive cocktails in miniature martini glasses, scrumptious two-toned chocolate tuxedos and even adorable cartoon-ish looking chocolate mice (think Cinderella) fill the cases.

Standard favorites like buck-eyes, truffles and peanut clusters are on the menu too, along with chocolate covered treats like cereal bars and of course luscious chocolate-dipped fruits.“

We try to make sure that there is something here that appeals to everyone,” said Nelson. “The chocolate covered strawberries are popular, and of course the truffl es. Those are my very favorite. A lot of time and energy goes into making those just right.”

Look for Chocolate Lady confections at the Catholic Charities 9th Annual Chocolate Affair... to Remember. It’s is an event she looks forward to each year.

“This is such a fun night and just a great event,” said Nelson. “I really enjoy being a part of it and watching how much everyone enjoys themselves.”

Find out more about the Chocolate Lady at www.fayettevillechocolatelady.com.

A Chocolate Affair … to Remember is at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux, Marseille Room and runs from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $35 if purchased in advance and $40 at the door. Sponsorships are still available and can be purchased starting at $250. For advanced tickets call 424-2020 or purchase them at The Pollitt Selection in Westwood Shopping Center or The Chocolate Lady on Hay Street. Donations are tax deductible.

Photo: Chocolate treats headline at A Chocolate Affair.

Are you considering going back to school? Many jobs are skill specifi c and without the right education it can be difficult to break into the job field of your dreams. Today, many high-paying jobs list a community college education as the foundation for entering into positions requiring specialized skills. This is good news because your neighbor, Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC), has more 120 exciting programs to choose from — and at an affordable cost!

As with all new endeavors, you are probably wondering if you can afford to attend school. The cost to attend FTCC is affordable, and Fayetteville Tech also offers fi nancial aid. In fact, the annual cost for tuition and fees to attend FTCC is approximately $1,686. Students who are interested in pursuing a four-year degree can use FTCC as a stepping stone to take their first two years of study and then transfer to a four-year college or university to complete the fi nal two years. It’s not only a smart way to earn a four-year degree, but it’s also a smart way to get a solid foundation on your education. Below are some of the major funding programs available to students at FTCC:

• Pell Grant: This is a major United States Entitlement available to qualifi ed applicants. The maximum amount available is $5,500.00.

• Scholarships: Scholarships are a popular form of fi nancial assistance because the money from scholarships does not have to be paid back. Qualifi cations and award amounts from scholarships vary.

• Federal Direct Subsidized Loans: The Department of Education (DOE) offers this loan to students who demonstrate financial need. Students must pay back this money once school attendance has stopped. However, the federal government pays the interest on the loan as long as the student is in school.

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans:These are low-interest loans made by the DOE to students who do not qualify for a subsidized loan. Unlike the subsidized loan, the DOE does not pay the interest on this loan. Loan interest accrues as long as the student is in school. Six months after the last date of school attendance, the student must begin making payments to pay back the loan.

This represents a quick overview of some of the major sources of educational funding available to students. Why not get started on a new career path today? To get started, there are two important steps that must be accomplished:

1. Apply for Admissions: Go to the FTCC website at: http://www.faytechcc.edu/. On the lefthand side of the page, click on Getting Started. You will be able to access the online admissions application at this location, and you can also see other items you may need to accomplish.

2. Apply for Financial Aid: Go to The Federal Student Aid website at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

As you fill out this application for fi nancial aid, you will be asked to provide the FTCC school code. The FTCC school code is 007640.

FTCC offers many programs of study leading to the awards of diploma, certifi cate, and associate degree. To help you reach your goal, Fayetteville Tech also offers many resources, including a variety of fi nancial aid options. With the start of the new year, we invite you to invite FTCC into your life to help you achieve new skills, enhance your existing skills or help you change to a completely new career path. The choice is yours, and the opportunities awaiting you are endless. Learn more about FTCC at www.faytechcc.edu.

Photo: To help you reach your goal, Fayetteville Technical Community College also offers many resources, including a variety of fi nancial aid options. 

Older Adults May Need Help to Stay Mentally Fit

You’ve probably heard the phrase “use it or lose it.” As it turns out, it’s more than just a cliché. Research confirms it’s true.

A study in Psychological Medicine found that individuals with high “brain reserve” have a 46 percent decreased risk of dementia as compared to those with low brain reserve. What is brain reserve, you ask? Well, it looks at how mentally stimulating pursuits can prevent cognitive decline. And more good news — the study pointed out that even a late-life surge in mental activity can ward off the effects of dementia.

So what are today’s seniors doing to keep mentally fi t? Many have said goodbye to traditional games such as bingo. They’re gravitating more to group activities such as Scrabble® and bridge tournaments. According to the latest studies, it all helps.

Here are some suggestions to help seniors keep their minds active.

• Video Action: Interactive video games have become popular for family members of all ages. Some games, such as Nintendo’s Brain Age, and the Wii home video-game system, may be particularly good for stimulating seniors’ minds.

• Computer Savvy Not Required:Seniors can start playing Solitaire, a variety of other computer games or joining an online bridge game.

• Organize Game Night: Board or card games offer a great avenue for mind stimulation. Encourage your senior loved one to get a few friends together to join in the fun.

• The Magic of Music: Many seniors were avid musicians in earlier years and some may still have instruments in their homes. Ask them to play you a tune or challenge them to learn an instrument.

• Tournament Fun: Bridge and Scrabble tournaments for seniors are springing up around the country. Check with the local senior center to learn of any activities in your area, or encourage your older adult to join a bridge group.

• Think Big: Large-piece jigsaw and large-type crossword and Sudoku puzzles are great pastimes for seniors who need a mind-stimulating activity when they’re alone.

• Out and About:Most communities have concerts, lectures and other pursuits that can interest seniors and their families. If your loved one is able to get out, consider activities such as these.

• In the News: Many seniors maintain their interest in politics and current events. For their next birthday (or another special date), why not renew a subscription, regular — or large print if needed, to a newspaper or popular news magazine. Or, you can organize a news-discussion group.

• Just the Two of You:When it’s just you and your senior loved one, remember there are more things you can do than just watching television. For instance, Hasbro Inc. — the largest U.S. game company — has introduced three fast versions of classic board games: Monopoly® Express, Scrabble® Express and Sorry!® Express. They don’t take long to play.

• Companionship Counts: Companionship is an important part of stimulating seniors’ minds. If your senior has no one to spend time with, consider hiring a companion — such as a Home Instead CAREGiver.

• Guided Conversations: Purchasing items that prompt topics of discussion such as Caring Cards™. This set of cards was produced by Dr. Amy Inc, a leader in caregiver wellness. Caring Cards™ features more than 50 questions on a wide range of topics to help engage seniors in meaningful conversations and keep those conversations going. Contact Home Instead Senior Care for more information.

During these winter months of limited outdoor activity, focusing on mental stimulation can produce healthy results as well as fi ll many hours with enjoyable activities.

Top Mind-Game Activities For Seniors

Based upon 17 years of experience serving thousand of clients around the world, the Home Instead Senior Care franchise network suggests the following activities as great mind –sharpening exercises for seniors:

• Scrabble®    • Bridge    • Crossword Puzzles    • Dominos    • Jigsaw Puzzles    • Word Searches

• Sudoku Puzzles    • Card Games    • Video Games

Art enthusiasts in Fayetteville know that the end of the month means more than turning a page on the calendar. It means 4th Friday — a time to celebrate the arts and creativity. This month, 4th Friday falls on Jan. 27, and like always, there will be plenty to see and do.

“We have a very exciting 4th Friday coming up,” said Mary Kinney, marketing director at the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “We are opening the Friends of African and African-American Art exhibit. Last year we had we are The Ship and the year before that we had Art of the Masters. This year we have three collections.”

The Arts Council hosts a trio of exhibits this month. Inspiration features Maya Angelou’s poem “Our Grandmothers” paired with illustrations by John Biggers. An author, speaker, educator, teacher, historian, filmmaker and Civil Rights activist, Dr. Angelou’s works speak boldly and eloquently in her poem, which was originally published in I Shall Not Be Moved. Biggers, a contemporary of Angelou’s is known for his murals, drawings, paintings and lithographs portraying the multifaceted ethnic heritage of African Americans. Inspiration features lithographs by John Biggers.

Voices, an artist book by 23 African-American artists, celebrates creativity and excellence in African-American art. Each book contains an original work by each of the featured 23 African-American artists, and each is a one of a kind. Portfolio is the third exhibit and is set up in a similar fashion.

“We are very lucky to have an organization like Friends of African and African-American Art,” said Kinney. “This organization really understands that African and African-American art needs to be seen. It is still underserved. The fact that we have this organization that makes an effort every year to present quality African and African-American Art is a service to this community.”

Don’t miss the opportunity to see artists at work at Arts Alive. From 6-10 p.m. local artists gather in the parking lot by the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum and demonstrate their skills. Each month is different. Sometimes there are glass artists, painters and musicians, and on another day there might be basket weavers, rock polishers and poets.

Just behind Arts Alive sits Cape Fear Studios and the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum, and each has a unique exhibit for visitors to enjoy. At the museum, learn about agriculture and check out farm-related tools from 7-9 p.m.

Cape Fear Studios hosts its North Carolina College Faculty exhibit. Look for pieces from professors from Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Meredith College, Methodist University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. The exhibit includes works in various mediums and diverse genres. The show runs from Jan. 27-Feb. 22.

The Market House opens at 6 p.m. for visitors to explore an educational exhibit and remains open until 10 p.m. Local drummers gather for a drum circle and meet under the market house to entertain 4th Friday visitors.

Local businesses are anticipating a good crowd and many will be open late and offering great deals. Restaurants like Huske Hardware House, Wet Willies and the Hilltop House are all great places to enjoy a hearty meal before setting out to enjoy the artistic offerings.

Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines and take off to Fayetteville’s 7th Annual AMP Tour’s Thunder Slam Monster Truck and Motorcycle Demolition Derby at the Crown Coliseum on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and 28.

There will be a pit party at 6 p.m. and the show follows at 7:30 p.m. This year’s show features everything from high-flying freestyle BMX bikers, motorcycle destruction, monster truck rides and local Tuff Truck competitions.

Since 2005, The AMP Tour, based out of Scottsdale, Ariz., has put on hundreds of shows in cities all over the United States. This 2012 tour means visiting 17 different cities in a matter of 13 weeks.

“We are going to El Paso and San Angelo, Texas and then Fayetteville is our third stop on this tour,” says AMP Tour Manager Ron Leach.

The AMP Tour is known for bringing 10,000 pound, 10-foot-tall, monster trucks with 2,000 horse power to a variety of different venues to captivate and thrill their audiences.

“This year’s show is all new — never before seen in Fayetteville,” says Leach.

Some of the most prestigious performers will also be returning to the Crown Coliseum; like Viper, Reptoid, Nail It, Country Boy and God, Guts and Glory. Watch these “masters of destruction” and more rev up their engines and crush cars with their oversized tires.

Thunder Slam also features the Road Rage Rampage Motorcycle Demolition Derby, which consists of six dare-devil motorcyclists getting decked out in protective gear and going head to head in a full contact battle with one another. The show includes a team of six of the best freestyle BMX bikers fl ying through the air and performing gut wrenching and nail biting stunts that are sure to fascinate you. These professional ramp-to-ramp jumpers from Pinn-It FMX will bring the stunts of the X Games seen on TV to the Crown Coliseum.

The show has a team of freestyle BMX bikers flying through the air and performing heart-stopping tricks. Also, if you’re feeling gutsy, compete in Thunder Slam’s Tuff Truck Challenge

“This is where local competitors have the chance to come to the show in their work trucks and they can jump jumps and crash cars,” says Leach. “It’s a great time.”

“We’re just going to be high and tight and have fun, there will be all new thrills and chills, a lot of excitement,” exclaims Leach. “There will be a lot of things happening that have never been seen in Fayetteville before.”

Tickets to The AMP Tour’s Thunder Slam Monster Truck and Motorcycle Demolition Derby are available for purchase online or at the Crown Coliseum Box Office and other local Ticketmaster locations. Reserved tickets are under $20 and 30 percent off when bought in advance.

Photo: The Amp Tour’s Thunder Slam Monster Trucke and Motorcycle Demoli-tion Derby will bring chills and thrills to the Crown.

Part of the mission of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra (FSO) is to try and serve every citizen of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. The FSO will once again do so in a very special way when the orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Fouad Fakhouri, presents Peter and the Wolf at the Second Annual Exceptional Children and Adults’ Concerton Friday, Jan. 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Crown Theater in Fayetteville.

Free and open to the public, the concert event welcomes all children and adults to attend, providing an opportunity for those with mental, physical and developmental disabilities to enjoy a live performance of the symphony. The concert program features Michael Macias on piano, Ken Smith as narrator and Betty-Neill Parsons, conductor of One Voice, the Gilmore Center’s Exceptional Performing Chorus.

“This is the second year that we’ve done this program. It was a great success last year,” said Fakhouri, FSO music director and conductor. “There’s obviously a need for something like this because many of these exceptional young children, and adults as well, are underserved in that regard, and we felt that we should fulfi ll that need. We have associated with the concert the instrument petting zoo. The kids get to grab these instruments, touch them and play them and then they get to hear them when we perform.”

The FSO was able to acquire and purchase the instruments for the zoo through a grant from the Cumberland Community Education Foundation.

“These kids can always play with them, and when we go to schools, we can even take them with us. It’s a great, great thing. The idea behind it is that after the concert, as they are walking out, the instruments are there as well, and they can gravitate towards the instrument that they liked in that performance. It provides them with hands-on experience with these instruments, beyond just sitting there in the audience and listening and being preached to. It gives them an actual chance to physically touch the instruments, and that’s real important,” he noted.

Also important, Fakhouri noted, is the effect the music itself may have on many in the audience who, prior to this type of concert, may have never had an opportunity to see an orchestra or sit in an audience and listen to one.

“Last year, when we first started, there were many noises in the audience, a lot of activity. As everything settled in, and as we started getting into the third or fourth piece, it almost had this calming effect, and you could sense that it shifted from ‘they’re just watching’ to ‘now they’re listening to us’ because a lot of the noise completely dissipated and subsided to a point where we felt we could acknowledge that we had their attention.

“The concerts in general are a joy for the musicians to perform and certainly for me because part of what we do as musicians always is try to touch people’s lives in ways that we feel certainly are important to us as musicians. By the time you leave that concert, you feel that you have significantly affected positively the lives of children and adults,” Fakhouri continued, underscoring the importance of the FSO’s commitment to its mission as it celebrates its 55th anniversary season: To Educate. To Entertain. To Inspire.

“We want to encourage everyone to come to our concerts. We are constantly trying to seek programs, any events that will touch people. We are always striving for that, and to provide culture and music to all of Fayetteville and Cumberland County.”

For more information on the Exceptional Children and Adults’ Concert or the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, please call 910.433.4690, email info@fayettevillesymphony.org or visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

Photo: The Instrument Petting Zoo is a big draw for children at the FSO Exceptional Children and Adults’ Concert..

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo  (Rated R)  5 Stars

Hey, you know who is just excellent at moody and atmospheric films that show characters in sort of a bad light? Director David Fincher (Se7en, Fight Club)! Most of the time, the book is bet-ter than the movie, and an original foreign film is better than a big-budget American redo. In this case, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (158 well-chosen minutes) matches the original Swedish film, just as both films somehow manage to do justice to the first book in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy.

Rooney Mara is brilliantly cast as Lisbeth Salander, and she ap-parently went method with the role — all those piercings are real. Considering the train wreck that Natalie Portman or Kiera Knightly would have been in this role, somebody in central casting deserves a nice end-of-year bonus. Daniel Craig is a great actor, and he does the role justice, but he also comes off as almost boyish when compared to Michael Nyqvist from the original film, which is not so much a misstep as a personal quibble with directorial choices. At least Fincher made the choice to keep the film’s setting in Sweden, even if all the characters are speaking English. The country itself is a character in the story, and forcing the film to take place in New England or something just would not have worked.

Mikael Blomkvist (Craig) is up against a professional wall, having tried to take down a wealthy businessman, only to be charged and convicted of libel when he is unable to back up his allegations. He is smoking a lot, and I would say shame on you Daniel Craig, but children shouldn’t be watching this anyway.

Broke and facing the loss of his professional reputation, he is approached by Dirche Frode (Steven Berkoff, who I last saw playing Victor Maitland in Beverly Hills Cop). Frode represents Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer), who wishes to hire him to solve the decades-old murder of his niece based on the strength of a background check performed by Lisbeth Salander (Mara). Blomkvist is reluc-tant at first, but agrees when he finds out that Vanger has information that will restore his journalistic reputation.

Meanwhile, Salander is assigned a legal guardian named Nils Bjurman (Yorick van Wageningen). Bjurman is every bit as evil as depicted in the books. While I give the actors credit for managing to film the intense scenes required, and acknowledge that one of the main themes of the trilogy is the violence men visit upon women, I find it distasteful that Fincher felt bound to mirror some of the more vicious choices made in the first film, and even exceed them by a bit. For a film that spends so much time alluding to violence against women without lingering over the details, I don’t see how including one of the most violent mainstream literary scenes around adds anything to an otherwise skillfully edited movie. For this, Fincher, go back to the ear slicing scene in Reservoir Dogs to see how you show violence without actually showing violence. I guess what I am saying is, the scene in the remake is even harder to watch.

Anyway, Blomkvist settles in to the Vanger estate, meeting the dramatis personae and learning the background to the case. It doesn’t take long for him to meet Vanger Industries CEO Martin Vanger (Stellan Skarsgård) and Cecilia Vanger (Geraldine James). It takes about 90 minutes to put Blomkvist and Salander in the same room, which is when things start moving quickly. Naturally, the two reach the same conclusion at the same time, putting one of them in danger just in time to be rescued by the other.

If you haven’t read the books or seen the Swedish trilogy, this is an excellent introduction … and you should definitely check them out just to see the different character choices.

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

As someone who grew up in Fayetteville and is often back home for business and fam-ily, I am always appreciative of some of our more sincere non-chain restaurants. My constant favorite is hands-down the Hilltop House, which is located in the histor-ic community of Haymount.

The dining atmosphere is warm and inviting — and thoughtfully respectful of the 110 year plus history of the home. While the interior makes for a wonderful respite and a marvelous setting to conclude business, it is the food and the wine list that brings me back and solidifies Hilltop House as my favorite Fayetteville restaurant.

A thoughtful restaurant menu must always be paired with an informed wine list. The Hilltop does not disappoint. The domestic wines are of ex-cellent value and range from subtle crisp Washington State Rieslings to a Big Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon. There is an equally impressive selec-tion of international wines, all thoughtfully and extremely well considered — as we would expect from internationally traveled proprietor Sandra Shearin.

Ahh, but the main reason I am such a big fan is clearly the food. Irrespective, of whether it is only a small bite of lunch or a big night out for dinner, the menu is as wonderfully varied as the wine. Chefs Beth Smith and Matt Graham exhude both confidence and creativity in their preparation.

There is no obvious prejudice to a certain style or kitchen. This culinary freedom allows Hilltop to vary its menu and experiment with new opportunities.

My “never let me down” favorites are their simple shrimp bisque, stuffed pork chops and just about every salad they make.

Living in Charlotte affords me wonderful res-taurant choices. My wife and I have several that we frequent there, but back in my hometown of Fayetteville I am always eager to find another reason to dine at Hilltop House.

After all, I have only scratched the surface of their wine list and I have too many assured favorite dishes yet to sample.

Photo: Sandra Shearin and Beth Smith share a toast at the Hilltop House.

Martin Luther King Day is more than an opportunity to honor a great man. It is a chance to give back to the community and to build on the aspirations of Dr. King. It’s a chance to consider where the world and community are headed and move to influence the future.

This year, there are several celebrations around Fayetteville that educate, motivate and celebrate in the name of Martin Luther King Jr.

On Thursday, Jan. 12, at Bronco Square at Fayetteville State University, the Martin Luther King Jr. March and Vigil begins at 5:30 p.m. The march proceeds to MLK Park where a vigil is scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m.

Hope Mills Branch Library celebrates with “I Have a Dream: Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” at the Hope Mills Meeting Room at the Hope Mills Branch Library on Friday, Jan. 13. The celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. and includes stories and crafts for children ages 3-5. Groups of 7 or more are encouraged to register by calling 425-8455.

On Saturday, Jan. 14, head downtown and enjoy the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade. It starts at the courthouse and goes to the train station. While you are downtown, take a few moments to check out the galleries, shops and restaurants. The parade starts at 11:30 a.m.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast and Day of Service kicks off at 7 a.m. at the Crown Exposition Center. Now in its 19th year, the prayer breakfast welcomes keynote speaker Bobby Henry, Sr., Publisher and CEO of Westside Gazette Newspaper. After the breakfast, participants are invited to A Day of Service. Churches, organizations, agencies and individuals commit to four hours of community service. For more information, contact Bishop Larry O. Wright, FCCMC President at 494-8274. Find out more about the Ministers Council and purchase tickets to the prayer breakfast at http://ministerscouncil.net.

If breakfast is out of the question, join the Fayetteville Martin Luther King Jr. Challenge Day of Service. Meet at 8:20 a.m. at the Center for Community Justice and Service Learning at 1047 Murchison Rd. and pitch in to make a difference. The event is free. Find out more by calling 672-2460.

At 7 p.m. at Seabrook Auditorium on the Fayetteville State University Campus, the FSU Concert Choir and community ensembles perform at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16.

This weekend is the perfect time to refl ect a little and learn a few things about local African American Heritage. The African American Heritage Trail chronicles the history, lives and experiences of African Americans who lived in the region. The Fayetteville CVB website www.visitfayettevillenc.com/culturalheritagetrails offers many several historical trails for visitors who would like to explore a little deeper into Fayetteville’s history.

The Crown Center has just the cure for the winter blues — a line up of sensational shows that will keep you entertained. With upcoming shows, you will be on the edge of your seat, jamming to some of your favorite music, laughing out loud at side splitting comedy and shedding a tear or two overlive theatre. So hang onto your seat, and grab a phone to order tickets, the Crown is starting the year out right.

The FireAntz opened the year with a game against the Huntsville Havoc and have several home games scheduled through March. As we head into the coldest months of the year, a feisty game of hockey is sure to heat things up. Check the schedule at www.fireantzhockey.com.

Community Concerts presents REO Speedwagon on Jan. 14. The band formed in 1967, and has been on stage and in the studio for more than 40 years producing, dozens of albums and performing hundreds of concerts. The concert is sure to please fans of every age. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and the Crown box office. Contact Community Concerts at www.community-concerts.com for more information and ticket inquiries.

Broadway’s best-loved musical, The Color Purple, makes a stop at the Crown on Jan. 19. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the film by Steven Spielberg, the play tells the story of Celie, a woman who finds strength to triumph over adversity and discover her voice in the world. The curtain rises at 8 p.m. Tickets are between $30 and $59.

On Jan. 21, country crooner Jason Aldean performs at 7:30 p.m., along with Luke Bryan and American Idolrunner-up Lauren Alaina. Since his debut in 2005 with Hicktown, Aldean has become a country favorite, keeping critics and listeners on their toes.

Tickets are available by calling the Crown box office at 438-4100.

Look for the Thunderslam Monster Truck Spectacular on Jan. 27-28. If the smell of dust in the air and the sounds of crunching metal get your heart pounding, this event is a must-see. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on both nights.

Comedian Ron White visits the Crown on Feb. 3. White performed with funny men Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy in the Blue Collar Comedy Tour from January 2000 throughMarch of 2003. They played to sold-out audiences in more than 90 cities and grossed more than $15 million dollars. Over the past five years, White has been one of the top-three grossing comedians on tour in the U.S. A Comedy Central mainstay, White’s sense of humor keeps his audiences in stitches. The show starts at 8 p.m.

Rock of Ages featuring music from ‘80s bands, Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison and Whitesnake, rocks the Crown on Valentine’s Day. Presented by Community Concerts, this event is the perfect opportunity to relive some great memories — or make new ones — with your sweetheart, best friend or favorite teenager. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. 

Comedian Mike Epps brings laughter to Fayetteville on Feb. 19 with the I’m Still Standing Tour, followed by Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots on Feb. 23-24.

February comes to a close with the Carolina Home and Garden Show on the Feb 25-26. Attend a workshop, visit with vendors and get ready for spring.

Find out more about these and other events at www.atthecrown.com or by calling the Crown Box Office at 438-4100.

Photos: Jason Aldean, Lauren Alaina, Ron White. 

When it first started, Community Concerts was one of many organizations around the country that would buy shows from Columbia Entertainment and bring them to their communities. Over time, the concept grew and as recently as 20 years ago, according to Michael Fleishman, attractions director for the Community Concerts series, the program was strictly a classical music affair. The organization continued to keep pace with the tastes of its audience and over the years the programming, at least here in Fayetteville, has evolved.

“We decided to change with the times and our organization has grown and grown. Today there are just a handful of community-concerts organizations left in the country,” said Fleishman. “The parent organization went by the wayside 10 to 15 years ago, and we are the only group that really became a true performing-arts organization.”

Part of changing with the times includes bringing in a variety of shows each season that meet the entertainment needs of a vibrant and diverse audience. This season is no exception. In fact, this year’s programming budget is the largest it has ever been, and that is refl ected in the shows that are available. Darius Rucker, former front man for Hootie and the Blowfish, now a country solo sensation, kicked off the season in November, followed by Lee Ann Rimes in December.

REO Speedwagon is up next in the lineup. The band, which reached its heyday in the late ‘70s with its break-out album You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish, will be at the Crown on Jan. 14, bringing back memories and making new ones for the audience.

Some see the group as only an ‘80s band, but in reality, REO Speedwagon has been entertaining for more than 30 years and counting. With hits like “Keep On Loving You,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Take It on the Run” and “Someone Tonight”, they continue to tour the country performing and recording music — and their fans keep showing up at concerts and buying their songs. The pace is brisk, but the band wants nothing more than to please their fans. REO Speedwagon has not let a year slip by without doing at least one concert, and they continue to seek creative ways to make their work available to listeners.

In 2007, the band recorded Find Your Own Way Home and teamed up with Wal-Mart to get the music to the public at affordable prices. Their passion shows through in each performance as fans from years past flock to hear their old favorites, and they bring their teenaged children with them, spawning an entirely new generation of followers, and well, keeping the fire burning so to speak.

Driven by a desire to give back, REO Speedwagon is out there working to help when a worthy cause arises. They’ve participated in Live Aid in 1985, a benefit for port authority workers just after 9/11, MusiCares shows and a “Ridin’ The Storm Out” benefit concert, raising more than $500,000 for Iowa flood relief in 2008.

So far, the ticket sales are strong and Fleishman is confident that the group is a good fit for Community Concerts’audiences.

“Reo Speedwagon is the third concert for this, our 76th season,” he said. “It promises to be huge. It is going to be a big show. They are a very iconic group.”

There is something to be said about a group with this kind of staying power. The themes of their songs are easy to relate to; they are about life, passion, relationships and overcoming challenges.

In addition to a rockin’ good time, Community Concerts has something else planned in conjunction with the concert. This marks the fifth anniversary of the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame. On the night of the concert, the newest members will be honored. “At the REO Speedwagon concert we will do a very special presentation,” said Fleishman. “It is to honor those who have brought musical distinction to Fayetteville. There are a lot of people here who, through the years, have taught our children; they’ve entertained us; they’ve gone to Broadway; they’ve put on Broadway shows for us. They’ve enriched this community musically and they deserve to be honored.”

Community Concertsis serious about providing good entertainment, but the organization has a positive impact on the community in other ways, too.

“We did a cancer-awareness recognitions with Lee Ann Rimes. Through the efforts of the Darius Rucker show we had a big Veterans Day salute to the military in conjunction with Heroes Homecoming. We’ve been doing more in recent years to put community into Community Concerts,” said Fleishman. “This organization does a lot more than put on concerts. It is an all-volunteer nonprofit and I don’t think a lot of people realize that they’ve done a lot outside of the concert season.”

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and the Crown Box Office. For more information at ticket inquiries visit Community Concerts at www.community-concerts.com or call 323-1991.

 Photo: REO Speedwagon is set to rock the Crown on Jan. 14

The Fayetteville FireAntz will be fighting for blood — off the ice — to help increase the community’s blood supply for the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center.

January is National Blood Donor month and the FireAntz and the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center need everyone’s help. Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months due to holidays, travel schedules, inclement weather and illness. The community’s blood supply feels the impact of the shortage of donors, especially during January, so the FireAntz are urging people to take some time during this month to help give the gift of life.

Approximately every two seconds, someone needs blood. Five million Americans would die each year without it and the only place to get this precious resource is from volunteer blood donors. All the blood donated to the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center stays in the community to save local patients with cancer and other diseases, organ transplant recipients, surgical patients, neonatal patients and accident victims.

Every pint of blood donated saves up to three lives. This small act of kindness helps in such a tremendous way. In recognition of National Blood Donor Month, the Blood Donor Center is giving donors a fiery red tumbler, while supplies last.

Every month, Cape Fear Valley Health transfuses about 1,100 units of blood to their patients. Sixty percent of people are eligible to donate blood but less than fi ve percent actually do. There is a need for additional healthy, volunteer donors to join the ranks of those who already give of themselves so generously. Donating blood is a safe, simple and an easy way to help your friends, family and neighbors.

Friday, Jan. 13, is Blood Donor Night at the FireAntz game. The Blood Donor Center will be at the game giving out information and answering questions about donating blood or platelets. We will hand out the annual Blood Donor Center poster that night with some of your favorite Fayetteville FireAntz on it.

After the game, fans have a chance to meet and greet the FireAntz and get autographs from their favorite players, courtesy of the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center.

The Fayetteville FireAntz will be at some of the different donation sites throughout the season. There will also be some of your Fayetteville FireAntz players at Methodist University on Wednesday, Feb.1 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come out either of those days to give blood, see your favorite FireAntz player and get entered to win tickets to a future Fayetteville FireAntz hockey game.

It takes the entire community’s support to fight for our patients; team up with the FireAntz and the Blood Donor Center to fight for blood!

Photo: Team up with the FireAntz and the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center.

It’s happened to most everyone. You need a resource or information and cannot find where or how to access it, or you have a resource/information that you know will be useful to many and can’t seem to get it into the hands of the people it will help the most. It’s beyond frustrating. When the two come together, so much good can happen. And that is apparent in the Cumberland County Schools.

Parents of special-needs children are aware of how diffi cult it can be to unlock the resources that the public-school system provides. So is Dr. Franklin Till, the Cumberland County Schools superintendent. He, along with the Exceptional Children Parents Advisory Council, has spent the last two years trying to find a way to better connect parents of special-needs children with the right programs and resources within the school system. What the group has found that is in most cases, the programs are already in place. The problem comes in connecting the the right families with the right resources. The result of their efforts is the Special Education Parent Teacher Association, or SEPTA.

Joan Owen and Julie Rufenacht are parents of special-needs children. They know first-hand the extra effort it takes to meet the myriad education needs of children with special needs.

“There was not a way for parents to connect,” said Owen.“There was a lot of miscommunication in the system and parents were not educated on how the system works. They don’t know what services are offered and things like that, so this is a way for them to work within the school system and see what is available. It is a way for parents to connect with other parents who may have a child with a similar diagnosis.”

Two years in the making, SEPTA was formally organized in August 2011 and held its first meeting in November. Owen and Rufenacht were both thrilled when more than 100 people showed up. “A lot of these parents have all they can handle and they don’t get involved in PTA’s because they feel like it is not suitable to them,” said Rufenacht. “This is a way to build a platform for these families and their children to come together and learn from each other, learn the school system and learn how we, as families, can help each other.”

The next meeting is scheduled for Jan 19 at Maxx Abbott Middle School The program topic IEP/504 and How We Can Work with the System will be presented by Angela Rafferty of the Family Support Network. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. To find out more, contact SEPTA at cumberlandcountysepta@yahoo.com.

Photo: The Special Education PTA works in conjunction with the Cumberland County PTA to unite families of special-needs students and educate them about resources provided through the school system.