I had to read the news story twice, and then I scanned it again.

Former President Bill Clinton, a quintessential Southern boy if ever there was one, has become a vegan.

It was almost as stunning as if, in his mid-60s, he had suddenly announced he were gay. I had an immediate fl ashback of the day early in his first term as Leader of the Free World when Clinton led a contingent of fit and toned Secret Service agents on a morning jog and popped into a McDonalds for a quick burger and fries. We Americans and everyone else were treated to the fi rst and only known sighting of Presidential short shorts in the history of the world.

What about all that barbeque on the campaign trail? What about shrimp and Hollandaise at state dinners and steaks and mac and cheese in the White House’s family dining room? Ice cream and TV with Hillary and Chelsea?

I know many people who flirt on and off with some degree of vegetarianism, and truth be told, I eat far less meat than I once did. I also know folks who refer to themselves as “fl exatarians,” meaning that they eat mostly plants and grains but enjoy occasional doses of meat, seafood and dairy products. For some people, such choices are health related —they want to keep their arteries clear and their weight and cholesterol under control. For others, it is a philosophical, environmental or ethical issue regarding treatment of animals by human beings, especially the industrial farming of animals. For others, all of those issues play into their decisions about what to eat.

Vegans eschew all animal products, including diary, in their diets, and some vegans eliminate the use of all animal products from their lives, including leather, fur, wool, honey and all consumer products tested on animals.

So intrigued was I by the former President’s dietary decision — not to mention his 24 pound weight loss — I searched and found an interview he did with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on the subject. His decision, Clinton said, was health related. After heart-bypass surgery and the implanting of stents, his cholesterol continued to build. Using that Rhodes Scholar brain of his, Clinton studied up on the issue and found that 82 percent of people who change to a “plant-based diet” are able to control heart-related health issues. No dairy for him these days, but he did own up to the occasional piece of fi sh but never meat of any sort.

I have to admit, the former President looks terrific, especially in what appeared to be a good-looking silk tie.

…

The massive fall issues of women’s fashions magazines are out, exploding with advertisements for everything from clothes to face creams and weighing down tote bags of fashionistas and those who would like to be around the world.

The fall issues are the biggest of the year, hundreds of pages thick with more ads than editorial content, and what editorial content is there often refl ects which designers and companies bought ad pages and which did not.

As a concession to tough economic times, several of them go out of their ways to include articles on fashionable items under $50 or under $100, generally toward the back of the magazine, but the prime pages are full of items that cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. It is hard to imagine who spends that kind of money on clothes, some of which are decidedly odd-looking, but clearly someone does or they would not be created or advertised.

Nevertheless, I was fl abbergasted recently as a friend and I toured the Mint Museum in Charlotte to learn that some haute couture creations by designers like Chanel cost as much as a jaw dropping $100,000 — maybe more. The curator who had organized an exhibit of Chanel clothing dropped that stunning fact and added that the entire industry is supported by about 1,000 women around the world who are willing and able to commission and purchase these duds.

I do not think I have ever met a woman who could — or would.

…

New polling released last week finds that Americans have the lowest opinion of Congress ever recorded by Rasmussen, hitting the single digit mark and rendering Congress about as popular as Casey Anthony.

Only 9 — yes, 9 percent — of us think that Congress is doing a good or excellent job while a full 52 percent of voters responding say Congress is doing a poor job, a number which ties the highest number recorded in that category.

Certainly, the state of our economy and the constant name-calling, fi nger-pointing and partisan bickering are behind these historic and troubling findings.

What is hard to fathom, though, is why members of Congress do not quit digging themselves deeper into the hole of public disgust while the issues facing our nation become ever more pressing.

To paraphrase Rodney King, why can’t we all just get along and get going?

Photo: Former President Bill Clinton has shocked the world by becoming a vegan.

Contagion (Rated R) 5 Stars

The creepy children in the Tyson’s chicken commercial that has been attached to movies for the last few weeks can no longer go unmentioned. It might be the weirdly hostile smiling, or it might be the supernatural rings of white light in their beady little eyes, but either way I am getting a real Children of the Damned vibe off the precious little tots.

So, onto the plagues! Contagion(105 minutes) opens with a sickly looking Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow) on what the ominously red locator stamp helpfully tells us is Day 2. Beth is talking to someone on the phone, and she seems a bit under the weather. She blissfully sticks her virus covered hands into pub-licly shared bowls of food, passes germy money around the bar, and makes sure to fondle pens and chairs to share the bacterial goodness as much as possible. I resolve to start wearing plastic gloves everywhere I go and to stock up gallons of water and medical-grade sterilizing equipment. Do you think we could get out of our economic slump if everyone went out and bought a ton of hand sanitizer?

Once Beth has coughed and sneezed on several hundred people or so, she heads home to pass it along to her husband Mitch (Matt Damon) and son Clark (Griffin Kane). After establishing that the infection is fast moving and pretty deadly, the focus shifts to Dr. Ellis Cheever (Laurence Fishburne), working at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. He identifies a cluster of deaths in Minneapolis, and sends Dr. Erin Mears (Kate Winslet) to figure out what they are dealing with. The scene shifts in between these major players and Dr. Leonora Orantes (Marion Cotillard) from the World Health Organization

.Dr. Orantes travels to Hong Kong in an attempt to trace the origins of the mystery disease. She manages to trace it to this one guy who refuses to wash his hands after going to the bathroom. She makes a lot of new friends in Hong Kong, all of whom are very reluctant for her to leave. Not that there’s any major exploration of this, or any real payoff to the plot point.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ally Hextall (Jennifer Ehle) begins try-ing to sequence the virus so a vaccine can be manufactured. Remember how in Outbreak that took about 15 minutes? Well, Dr. Hextall suggests the timeline to produce a vaccine will be more like 15 months. Good thing she is overestimating quite a bit, since engaging in unethical experimentation on herself ap-parently speeds up the FDA approval process quite a bit. If only this were a different kind of movie, all this casual injecting would have turned half the population into brain-starved zombies. Oh well. This is almost as good!

While the good doctor works on prevention strategies, con-spiracy blogger Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law) finds a measure of credibility in attacking Dr. Cheever and Big Pharm frequently, publicly and, if we’re being fair, sort of accurately. He wanders the streets in a home-made bio-containment suit leaving flyers under windshield wipers, which seems to be a little pointless. After all, in state of medical emergency where most of the popu-lation is sick or scared of getting sick, and there is nowhere to go even if you could find gas, how many people are checking their cars?

As is common with Soderbergh, there is a documentary feeling to the film. The action occurs on a realistic timeline, and the cold scientific terminol-ogy, though adding emotional distance, serves to underscore the real risk of a deadly global pandemic. The only real flaw with the film is the lack of character development and the speed with which some of the characters are dispatched. Obviously, not everyone in an ensemble cast of this size and quality will get equal screen time. But when the audience is left wondering about character motivation, that signals the need to either increase the length of the film or decrease the number of characters.

By now it is no secret that bikers have big hearts — especially our local bikers. On Oct. 8, come out to Cape Fear Harley-Davidson and help support Harley’s Heroes, an event sponsored by the Harley Davidson Foundation and the Disabled American Veterans.

The connection between the two groups makes perfect sense when you take into consideration the number of military members who ride. Throw in the fact that Harley’s are about as American as apple pie and the flag that our service men and women so selflessly protect, and it’s a no-brainer. In 2010 a $1 million grant was made by the Harley-Davidson n Foundation to the DAV.

Via a mobile service office, Harley’s Heroes brings benefits, education and counseling to veterans across the country. The mobile offices are able to visit thousands of locations each year and provide counseling and assis-tance to veterans and their families.

The organization helps make sure that these veteran’s are receiv-ing benefits owed to them by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the Department of Defense and other agencies.

“The MSOs are staffed by highly trained professional DAV counselors who are skilled experts in developing and prosecuting veterans’ claims,” said Duke Durham, event spokesman.

“Both Harley-Davidson and DAV have a rich history and long legacy of working with our nation’s military and veterans,” he continued.

Harley-Davidson’s commitment to the U.S. military dates back almost 100 years. After use in the Mexican Expedition, the U.S. military commis-sioned nearly one-third of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles produced in 1917 to support efforts during World War I, and nearly half of the motor company’s production in 1918.

Proceeds raised throughout the day will benefit Harley’s Heroes. The day will be packed with fun events including a ride and an auction. There will also be a raffle of lap blankets made from Harley-Davidson T-shirts. Stick around for the free cook-out and enjoy some food and fellwoship. Local veterans are invited to come and speak with the DAV representatives who will be at the event, too.

The event begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Find out more at the Harley’s Heroes website www.dav.org/HarleysHeroes or the Cape Fear Harley site www.capefearhd.com

Hard to find dirt on this politician

Every politician is the object of critical, unfriendly, and just plain bad com-ments. That is the rule.

But retired journalist and biographer Ned Cline may have found an exception.

He had to look long and hard to find any dirt on the subject of his latest book, The Man from Mount Gilead: Bob Jordan Helped Give Public Service a Good Name.

The closest thing to dirt about Jordan was during his campaign against incumbent governor Jim Martin in 1988. His consultants prepared a television ad that showed a bunch of real monkeys dressed in tuxedos but acting wildly.

They were, the ad implied, as ineffective as Governor Martin’s staff. It was funny and made an important point. But in the minds of some people, it was tasteless and un-fair. So, Jordan quickly pulled the ad.

Democratic Party Executive Director Ken Eudy had pushed for more attack ads and told Cline later, “Bob just didn’t have the stomach for that kind of campaigning. He would have been a great governor, but he was not a great campaigner on things like that. I don’t think he wanted to win that badly.”

Cline found one other time during the 1988 campaign when Jordan drew a few critical remarks. Explaining to black newspaper editors why he was not more forthcoming on some issues that were important to their readers, Jordan said, “I can’t publicly say some of the things you are asking because I need all the votes I can get, including the redneck votes in Eastern North Carolina.”

White conservatives, racial minorities, and Republicans jumped on Jordan for a few days.

But for Jordan, “redneck” was not necessarily a negative term. He identified with the farmers and working people like many of his friends in Montgomery County. In this respect Cline compares Jordan to Jim Hunt. “Both are products of a rural upbringing.”

Both thought their rural and small town upbringings were assets, not liabili-ties. They understood and appreciated the conservative attitudes, as well as the aspirations and challenges, of the people who were their friends, schoolmates, and co-workers when they were growing up. Those kinds of connections can be important advantages for political leaders who otherwise might be too liberal for the North Carolina conservative rural and small town voters.

Cline points out that Jordan and former governor Jim Hunt have much else in common. In addition to their rural upbringing, “…Both are top graduates of N.C. State University, where their devotion and loyalty are legendary. Both have served the state in multiple capacities of public service….Both were raised by highly respected, fiscally conservative, yet socially conscious parents… who focused on the goodness of people and taught their children to focus on the do-able rather than negatively on the difficult.”

The differences, Cline says, are in approach, with Hunt “more like a hard changing fullback crashing through the line just to prove he can score while Jordan, more like a nimble quarterback, is more methodical in scoring by avoid-ing tacklers rather than knocking them down.”

Jordan and Hunt were political allies, but Cline’s book leaves its readers speculating whether or not they might have found themselves running against each other for governor in 1992 if Jordan passed by the 1988 campaign and waited until 1992 to make his run for governor.

Hunt told Cline, “I really don’t know what I would have done if (Jordan) had waited until then and run…But it would have been hard for me to be a can-didate if Bob Jordan were a candidate.”

We may be left to wonder about that possible 1992 contest, but Cline’s cataloguing of Jordan’s contributions to political and public life leaves no doubt that his service and example have been a great blessing to North Carolina.

You are now reading one of the most sought after and enjoyed editions of Up & Coming Weekly. It’s our biggest and best read issue of the entire year: The 2011 Best of Fayetteville.

Every September for the last 14 years, we have honored and recognized the “best of the best” people, businesses and organizations that have shaped, impacted and defi ned our community’s unique, award-winning quality of life. So, read, enjoy and use this special edition all year as your reference for where to shop, eat and play. Get to know and become familiar with local community businesses and organizations that have, by their actions and attention to detail, proven themselves to have mastered the art of good service and good ole fashioned southern hospitality. To all the winners we want to say thank you and congratulations!

Also, I want to thank our long time sponsors Lee Utley of Utley & Knowles, CPAs, Jimmy Keefe of Clark’s Sporting Goods/The Trophy House and Rodney Chamberlin of Lido’s Restaurant in downtown Fayetteville. Without their understanding, support, assistance and expertise we would not be able to maintain the success, prestige and integrity of this important program.

As you travel throughout the community, look for the Best of Fayetteville plaques and certifi cates on display at the businesses you frequent. Look for the BOF logo in their ads or as a symbol of excellence posted on their websites. Speaking of websites, this year Up & Coming Weekly is showcasing the entire BOF issue on our website and in every electronic online edition at www.upandcomingweekly.com. The Best of Fayetteville edition will be sent out with every edition of Up & Coming Weekly for the entire year. Each winner will be linked back to their home website for easy access to valuable information. Read it, use it and send it to a friend with confi dence. After all, you are sending them the best of the best.

Last, and certainly not least, I want to thank the professional staff of Up & Coming Weekly. In a time when traditional newspapers nationally are challenged and tasked with maintaining their relevance as a media source with many still struggling for survival, weekly community newspapers like Fayetteville’s Up & Coming Weekly continue to grow and prosper. Our dedicated and professional staff is in touch with this community and has serving the community and telling its story as their #1 priority. Nobody does it better.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. We are extremely proud to be your community newspaper. After all, you are the best of the best. 

Don't be Afraid of the Dark (Rated R) Three Stars

Oh, darling Guillermo … we have been here before. Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (99 minutes) deals with themes you have been working with your whole life. It is clear from Pan’s Labyrinth and The Devil’s Backbone(among others) that you love your little dark haired innocents. You love to torture them, anyway. The jury is still out on Director Troy Nixey. I’m gonna go ahead and give him credit for producing genuine scares here, since the film did not suffer from lack of atmosphere, just plot holes.

The film begins by borrowing some cheap sadistic thrills from Marathon Man. Feel free to show up late to the theater if you hate amateur dentistry, since the prologue is a bit unnecessary thanks to a later in the film recap. There are, at least, some interesting shots that are, oddly enough, reminding me of Neil Marshall’s 2005 film The Descent, if that film featured an inexplicable tooth fetish.

The prologue over, the scene changes to (and this is the weird part) some unidentified year, possibly 1973, the year of the original telefilm. Did they have such generic clothes in 1973 that they still look modern today? Or are the characters actually in the present day, but choosing to use dead photographic tech-nology involving flashbulbs? But wait. Do they still make flashbulbs? Did flash-bulbs in 1973 last through several dozen flashes? Because the ones I used in the mid-eighties were like, six flashes and done. And by the millennium, everything was digital anyway. Who is responsible for including the helpful place/time tag on period movies? Fire him. He did not do his job.

But I digress. Whenever the film is placed, children are allowed to take cross country trips alone. Sally (Bailee Madison) is going to stay with her Daddy Alex (Guy Pearce) and Daddy’s little sister…what was that? That’s not his sister? Oh dear. Well, born in ‘78 does not jailbait make. So, she’s staying with Daddy and Daddy’s young, hot, girlfriend in the thin-walled mansion they are redecorating. Good thing Sally is already taking medication because a ways down the road she is probably going to need therapy.

For some reason, Sally does not want to make friends with Kim (Katie Holmes). And, after all the trouble Kim took to put her in the bedroom right next door to Daddy’s bedroom! But there is someone Sally does want to make friends with. The creepy disembodied voices that like to bite the heads off Barbie dolls. To this end, she wanders around with feet exposed so that the monster under the bed can more easily grab her little pink ankles and drag her screaming into the darkness. Also, she does not sleep with her lights on even after it becomes clear that the creatures attached to the creepy disembodied voices flee from bright light. Not that there is any consistency to their fleeing, since they seem pretty comfortable as long as they are shaded by flowers, even if they are in a brightly lit entry hall.

It’s not as though Sally’s caretakers are willing to humor her, either. While Daddy is away she is sent alone into a vast bathroom bigger than my kitchen while the housekeeper heads down a couple flights of stairs to the other side of the house. This, even in 1973, would seem to teeter on the edge of child en-dangerment. Luckily for Sally, that flimsy shower curtain evidently has creature repelling powers because when the inevitable child endangerment occurs, she emerges without a scratch on her.

There are several major plot points that get dropped (evidence of the crea-tures that is never followed up on, what governs their emergence, their obsession with children’s teeth), but overall, a decently scary flick with some good moments.

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

While the music scene can be competitive and frustrating for performers, songwriters quite often have even fewer oppor-tunities to shine locally. Some innovation, can-do spirit and a down-right tenacious attitude can go a long way in making strides in a songwriter’s career. Throw in some encourage-ment and support from local music venues and, oh yeah, some cash, and sud-denly the possibilities are endless.

Greg Biltz had no idea what was going to happen on the day he walked into Huske Hardware hoping to land a paying gig. After talking with Huske owner, Josh Collins, a different op-portunity presented itself and Biltz reached out and grabbed it.

Beginning on Sept. 14, Huske Hardware is hosting Huske Unplugged Writer’s Night. From 8-11 p.m. Local songwriters are invited to come and share their work with each other and with the public.

According to the event host Greg Biltz, who is also a songwriter, there is no need to go out and find a band to perform your pieces. Just bring your songs, and whatever means you use to express them and share your creations.

It’s not just a chance to be heard, it’s an opportunity to network, con-nect with other talented artists and, depending on how the judges feel about your work, maybe walk away with a little extra cash.

“There will not be back-up bands, or writing jams or anything like that. It’s strictly going to be an opportunity for local writers to get their material heard... one mic/one guitar. Also, there will not be any catego-ries as in “Country,” “Folk,” or the like,” said Biltz.

Depending on the turnout, Biltz hopes to see Huske Unplugged con-tinue for 6-8 weeks and then bring the winners for a showdown.

“This is something that I’ve tried in Columbus, Ga., and Dayton, Ohio, and it was very well received,” said Biltz. “The songwriters all en-joyed it and it worked well for the venues where we performed.”

It is too easy to get lost in the music that is played on the radio, and Biltz believes that there is much more talent than what can be heard on the airwaves. Creative energy, self expression and solid musical talent are often over looked because they don’t fit the formula that media execs use to decide what gets played, so venues like this become even more valuable, not just to the artists, but to audiences looking for original music and new ideas about music.

Events like this can really create an artistic synergy and a motiva-tion in artists that results in a surge in their work. “If someone comes to one of these and hears what other people are playing, they can get really inspired,” said Biltz. “It’s also really motivating to hear other people and to go home and think ‘Okay, this is the quality of work that I have to pro-duce to win.’”

Biltz will be hosting the event and prizes will be awarded to the 1st through 3rd place winners. The final four weeks of the event promise to be exciting. The line-up will go from 24 finalists down to one winner who will receive a grand prize of $2,000, plus some fantastic expo-sure. Find out more at Huske’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/HuskeHardware.

Photo: Huske Hardware is adding an exciting new event to their fall calendar. Huske Unplugged-Singer/Songwriter Night starts Sept. 14. 

If you are new to Fayetteville, you probably know Rocky Horror Picture Show best from late night cable TV airings. If you’ve been in Fayetteville for the past few years, you no doubt equate Rocky Horror with the Gilbert Theater.

Originally produced on stage in London, Rocky Horror became a cult hit after the 1975 release of the fi lm starring Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon. Part rock opera, part horror movie, part sci-fi flick, Rocky Horror rolls a lot of personality into one story.

“There is a reason why that movie has been around for so long. You’ve got so many people that are drawn to it. I go back to that every once in a while and try to fi nd some pieces to incorporate onto the stage,” said Rhonda Brocki, Gilbert Theater Director and Choreographer.

With a fan-base that has been loyal for 36 years and continues to grow, Brocki says the appeal of Rocky Horror is because it’s a one-of-a-kind production. “It’s so campy. In the 70s it was probably seen as even more bizarre, but it has a charm about it. It’s fun, it’s nothing to take seriously. It’s just bizarre enough to get your attention. There hasn’t been anything like Rocky Horror since it’s opening.“

The story remains the same, but audiences rarely tire of the dalliances of Dr. Frank-N-Furter and crew. It all starts on a stormy night in November when Brad and his fiancé Janet seek shelter at a castle where they stumble upon Frank with his minions Riff Raff, the handyman; Magenta, the domestic; and Columbia, the tap dancing groupie. Rocky Horror, the Charles Atlas inspired creation of Frank, is born this night. It is a night filled with catchy songs, deception, activities that might be deemed romance in exotic cultures and murderous intentions.

The fourth production of The Rocky Horror Show at the Gilbert Theater will run from Sept. 22 through Oct. 9. The curtain rises at 8 p.m. every night except for Sundays, which is at 6 p.m. There is a special midnight show on Friday, Oct. 7.

“I’ve gone to see other productions just to compare and I’m really happy with what we’ve come up with as our interpretation. We have a very good production. I’m proud of it,” said Brocki.

Brocki was the driving force to bring Rocky Horror to the Gilbert. Not only is this her fourth production of Rocky Horror, but it’s also the fourth production for cast members Steve Jones, James Johnson, Ralph Tappan and Breann Garner. Bill Barker, Efrain Colon, Kathleen Zahran, Cary Mundell and Terry Levitt are returning from last year’s highly successful production. Dr. Gail Morfesis is returning as the musical director along with Adita Harless and the stage band.

The Gilbert Theater production of Rocky Horror has been named Best Play/Musical in Up & Coming Weekly’s Best of Fayetteville 2011 poll. Steve Jones, as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, received the nod for Best Male Actor.

“He’s the ultimate Frank-N-Furter. He has just the right qualities. The women love him, the men love him. He’s just perfect. We’re really fortunate to have him,” said Brocki. “

He surprises people too. When I went up to Charlotte to see Rocky Horror, a friend asked ‘Who in Fayetteville can be the role of Frank-N-Furter?’ My response was, ‘Well, you need to come and see.’”

Leave your newspapers and rice at the door, Rocky Horrorveterans. Prop bags will be available at the show. Order tickets early at gilberttheater.com. Because when it comes to The Rocky Horror Show at the Gilbert Theater, “you’re lucky, he’s lucky, I’m lucky, we’re all lucky!”

When Seniors Say “No” to Help

A family caregiver’s job, by definition, is already a dif-ficult one. Time away from work and family, and the worry of caring for a senior adult all can take a toll. But when you consider that many seniors often resist help, that job becomes overwhelming for so many caregivers in our own area.

A study of family caregivers conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care® network revealed that more than half of the respondents (51 percent) said that their aging relative was very resistant to care. These seniors often object to help whether it’s from a family caregiver or a professional who tries to come into their homes to assist.

This is a real problem for family caregivers worried about the safety of a senior loved one who might be forget-ting food on the stove or neglecting to take their medications. Some seniors are so resistant they have been known to call the police when their family members have arranged for a caregiver to visit their home.

Experts say that keeping fiercely independent seniors safe at home isn’t a lost cause. There are solutions for them and their family caregivers. That’s why the Home Instead Senior Care network launched Caring for Your Parents: Education for the Family Caregiver. This family caregiver support series addresses senior resistance to care and features a variety of topics. Among those issues are choosing an in-home care provider, the signs of aging, long distance caregiving and com-municating with aging parents. Materials and videos are available at www.caregiver-stress.com so please check that out. These materials offer a great referral resource for senior care professionals who work with older adults and their families each day.

Resistance is at the root of many senior-care issues. Why? If seniors admit they need help, they feel their independence is in question. Seniors believe that once they acknowledge they need help, they’ll lose control of their affairs. They are trying to maintain dignity. Unless they feel they can trust someone, they resist change. It’s also the fear that life as they’ve known it will be taken away from them. Sometimes seniors only want help from a son or daughter, which can put undue pressure on that family caregiver.

Most caregivers can go into “crisis mode” to rally around a loved one in the short-term, but you can’t be totally immersed in a crisis mode long-term without their family, work and health suffering. That’s according to family caregiving consultant Dr. Amy D’Aprix and author of From Surviving to Thriving: Transforming Your Caregiving Experience. The strain can take a particular toll on work-ing family caregivers. The Home Instead Senior Care study revealed that 42 percent of caregivers spend more than 30 hours a week caregiving. That’s the equivalent of a second full-time job.

In the study, family caregivers also stated that their own personal health and job were affected bycaregiving. Fifty-eight percent say they are getting ill more frequently and that caregiving is taking a toll on their jobs. Furthermore, 81 percent say their loved ones’ needs are becoming overwhelming compared with 73 percent who thought so just four years earlier. That’s what makes countering that resistance to assistance so important. Many times family caregivers make assumptions but never ask: “Mom, I’ve noticed that every time I bring up hav-ing someone come in to assist, you don’t want help. Why is that?” Sometimes the parent doesn’t realize they’re being resistant. Also, reassuring a senior loved one that you have the same goal in mind will help. Start with: “My goal for you is to be in-dependent, too. You know I can’t be here all the time. A little extra assistance will help you stay at home.”

Please read SENIOR CORNER on September 28, for some sugges-tions for turning resistance into acceptance.

Photo: Most caregivers can go into “crisis mode” to rally around a loved one in the short-term.

Our Common Bonds

Americans know exactly where we were and what we were doing at the moments which stun and transform our nation and us as a people.

I was changing classes at Alexander Graham Junior High School in downtown Fayetteville when word came that President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated. Two days later I was riding beside my sister in the back seat of our family car on the way home from church when a radio newsman broke in to say that Jack Ruby had just shot and killed Kennedy’s murderer, Lee Harvey Oswald. Americans, even young ones, understood immediately that while we might come to understand how our President died, Ruby’s deed meant that we would very likely never know exactly why.

I remember the eerie quiet that pervaded my college campus the day four students died and nine others were wounded in a hail of National Guard gunfire that lasted less than 15 seconds at Kent State University. We understood that if it could happen to American college students in Ohio, it could happen to American college students on another campus.

More than a decade later, I was picking up a Precious Jewel at a neighborhood church pre-school when we learned that the Challenger space shuttle had exploded a minute into its fl ght, blowing up the lives of seven astronauts and Americans’ belief that our space program was invincible.

On the lovely morning of September 11, 2001, I was in Washington, D.C., on the second floor of the Cannon Office Building, the oldest legislative office building next door to the United States Capitol. Ten other colleagues and friends from the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce were also there, enjoying a continental breakfast as we waited for a briefing on transportation infrastructure to Chamber representatives from around the nation from US Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta.

The Secretary never showed.

He, like everyone else in Washington, New York, and throughout our country, was suddenly and astoundingly dealing with the reality that terrorists had just crashed two commercial airliners fi lled with human cargo into the Twin Towers in lower Manhattan.

One member of our little band of Fayetteville Chamber folks received a call from home about the first plane and then another about the second. We quickly gathered our party to leave the building and were on the way out when the order was given to evacuate the entire building and others around it. We were all too close to the Capitol, and no one knew what was coming next.

Near chaos reigned on the sidewalk outside.

Thousands of people had been turned out of thousands of offi ces, and no one knew where to go. Public transportation was shut down and no one knew what to do. Go one way and a terrorist event might occur. Go the other way and the same thing could happen.

Our group somehow got a cab to go back to the hotel we had checked out of before breakfast, and we piled in — three of us in the front and five or six in the back. Washington ordinances did not allow this, of course, but the cabbie said nothing. Soon it was clear that gridlock would not permit any movement at all, so we all piled out again. No one paid the fare. Nor did the cabbie ask for payment. In hindsight, he was as shell-shocked as we were.

I remember less about this than other Chamber travelers, because I was not focused on us but on the Precious Jewel who had started college in New York City just two weeks to the day before what we now call 9-11. Her college was far uptown, and I had no reason to think she was downtown on a weekday morning, but I did not know and could not know. Cell phones did not work because their towers were down or their systems overloaded.

By this time, we could see smothering clouds of dark smoke across the Potomac, and we knew it billowed from the Pentagon. Then came the news of the crash in Pennsylvania, and the immediate speculation that the US Capitol had been the target — a target that was within shouting distance of where, only hours before, we were chatting over juice and coffee.

Blessedly, by late that afternoon, I knew that Precious Jewel had indeed been on her uptown campus and was safe, and the Fayetteville Chamber delegation was homeward bound past the smoldering Pentagon in a van navigated by then Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Tad Davis whose arrival and guidance was awaited by several Military Police cars.

Surrounding the 10th anniversary of the day Americans suddenly and irrevocably understood what terrorism means, it is remarkable to hear diverse and poignant recountings of the day that continues to shape our national conversation and our common future.

No matter where we were or what we saw, none of us are the same Americans we were on the lovely and bright morning of September 11, 2001.

Photo: Americans know exactly where we were and what we were doing at the moments which stun and transform our nation and us as a people.

Every community has its gems — the people and organizations that strive to meet the needs of the public and improve the quality of life in an area. Some of them are around for just a season, to meet a particular need, and then their purpose is complete. Others are in it for the long haul and have real staying power — like Fayetteville Technical Community College.

It was in 1961 that local visionaries sought to fill a gap in the community. It was clear to them that there was a need for an institution offering job training and other educational opportunities. That is how (then) Fayetteville Area Industrial Education Center was born. From the beginning, the school served a large area including Cumberland, Bladen, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson, Sampson and Scotland counties as well as Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base, and over the years their scope of infl uence has expanded.

Always on the cutting edge, even from its inception, FTCC predates the founding of the North Carolina Community College System in 1963. Not only is the establishment a long-term educator, it is the third largest community college in the state, with a student base of more than 38,000.

As this fine institution celebrates 50 years of education and meeting the community needs, they’ve got a year-long celebration planned.

On Sept. 16, the public is invited to the Fall Convocation to celebrate FTCC’s 50th anniversary at Horace Sisk Gym at 1 p.m. The guest speaker is Hilda Pinnix-Ragland, Chair of the N.C. State Board of Community Colleges.

In October, don’t miss the kick-off of the FTCC Foundation’s Forever Gold Community Fund Drive and the student Fall Festival. The FTCC Foundation’s mission is to help students by assisting them with funds for books and tuition.

There will be an art competition hosted by the Art’s Council Fayetteville/ Cumberland County with an FTCC theme in November. Stay tuned for more details as they become available. This is also the month that the FTCC Foundation holds its annual dinner theater and play. The theme this year will be Vietnam.

Look for the military appreciation tribute in January followed by the ribbon-cutting for FTCC’s new general classroom building in February.

The spring will be filled with events like the Student and Family Spring Fling Celebration, the Foundations Silent Auction and dinner, the foundation’s annual golf tournament and of course the graduation ceremony in May.

FTCC President, Dr. Larry Keene is passionate about FTCC’s role in the community and is looking forward to not only celebrating this milestone, but also reflecting on the path that led to the current successes of the college and reaching forward to meet whatever opportunities the future holds.

“We’re so pleased that we are coming up our 50th anniversary,” said Keen. “The thing that is so remarkable to me is that when I meet people who were here when it started or before the campuses were started and they come through and see what it is now compared to what it was then, they just shake their heads and always — without exception — express how proud they are of the institution and what we have been able to do for the community through the years.”

That success didn’t just happen, it took a lot of planning and a lot of work on the part of many selfl ess and hard-working individuals.

“It really is pleasing to know that the visionaries who saw the opportunity back in the 50s and 60s, and that the ones who were brave enough to move forward with the concept, each successive generation has built on the success of the previous generations,” said Keene. “We celebrate our 50th knowing that we are literally standing on the foundation built by the people who preceded us. We are grateful to them for their leadership and the courage that they provided for the community.”

Look for more information about where FTCC is headed in the next 50 years in our Oct. 5 edition.

Once upon a time I foolishly believed that I was smarter than Gayle, my GPS. I am not. Never, ever turn off your GPS when in Utah. Not only will you get lost, but you will make your GPS mad. She Who Must be Obeyed will then send you to the land of cannibals. It was early August, our biennial collection of cousins had broken camp in Yellowstone and scattered like dust in the wind to go back to what passes for reality. My wife and I headed to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for an evening of western culture. The town square of Jackson features four arches consisting solely of interwoven elk antlers that tower about thirty feet in the air. It gives the town a certain boney feel with a touch of weirdness that leads you to believe that the movie Cowboys and Aliens was based on actual events.

Jackson is full of art galleries, tee shirt emporiums and French tourists. We had supper at the Cadillac Grill which introduced me to elk meat loaf. Elk meat loaf sounds better than it tastes. On our way back to the Grand Teton Lodge after dinner I almost ran into a herd of elk standing in the middle of the road doing elkish things. Elk are large robust critters. They would spoil your day if they entered your car through its windshield. I was happy that they didn’t know that I had eaten their cousin Earl for supper. It could have made them cranky. I am not sure how elk feel about being eaten, but it is probably not on the top of their list of priorities.

The next day we set out for the beautiful town of Vernal, Utah which is famous for its life size statue of a Tyrannosaurus Rex wearing a cowboy hat and carrying a lasso. It’s a long way from the Grand Tetons to Vernal. It’s even longer if you miss a turn and drive 50 miles in the wrong direction. For reasons known only to the Gods of Stupidity I had turned off Gayle the GPS, mistakenly believing I could follow a highway. When I fi nally concluded I was making really good time in the wrong direction, I turned Gayle back on. She was bitter and decided to punish me for forsaking her. She admonished me to “turn around as soon as possible.” Chastened, I did so and vowed to follow her every whim and instruction.

At this point Gayle decided to display her cruel side. She directed us to turn onto a small paved road that led off the main road. She knew the name of the road so, like Flounder in Animal House, I screwed up. I trusted her. The farther we drove, the narrower the road became. The canyon walls crowded closer to the road. Piles of antlers danced in my head. When the going gets weird, the weird go to Utah. After about five miles, the pavement turned to dirt. Oh, great, thought I. The walls of the canyon became steeper still and shadows darkened the road. The Utah sky shrank to a rock bound narrow slit high above us. My level of unease grew like the national debt, but I had to trust Gayle. She was a GPS and must know some back road across the mountains that would save us many miles. I had not considered the possibility that Hell hath no fury like a GPS scorned.

After about two miles of increasingly diffi cult dirt road I felt like we were in the semi-classic horror movie, The Hills Have Eyes, which features a bunch of cannibal mutants hanging out in the desert chowing down on hapless strangers. There was not enough room to turn around so I kept going. Rounding a curve, I saw a sign pointing to the Bates Resort across a rickety bridge. The dirt road opened up in a beautiful box canyon with a large green lawn with ten little tourist cabins scattered around the perimeter. It was unrelenting peaceful perfection. It was totally out of place. The cliff walls went straight up all around it. We were a pastoral verdant island in a wilderness of stone. What was this place?

I asked the nice grandmotherly lady swinging a child if there were a way back to the road other than how we came in. She sweetly said she didn’t know but I could inquire at the main house. I knocked on the door and was invited in by two children and Frankie the dog. Frankie was torn between loving me or having me for lunch. The owner lady kindly advised that the only way out was the way we came. I thanked her and headed back to the car.

The place was beautiful. The isolation was complete. I noticed on their bulletin board that the croquet match was that afternoon and the human sacrifi ce would be Thursday night before supper. I shivered and headed back to civilization.

Moral: Don’t irritate your GPS or you could be lunch.

Looking for something fun to do with the family? Well, don’t worry about gassing up the car or packing your bags; you can enjoy a ‘stay-cation’ right here in Fayetteville.

If you haven’t heard of 4th Friday, an event held on the fourth Friday of each month in downtown Fayetteville, it’s not too late to see what all the excitement is about and get in on the action.

Did someone say Dogwood Festival? No, no, it’s not the Dogwood Festival — but it is something like a miniature version, with a dose of the arts and some creativity thrown in for good measure. 4th Friday brings a sense of fun and community to the city, filling up the streets of downtown Fayetteville, month after month.

Art, entertainment, shopping, wine tasting, delectable dishes and desserts? Several businesses and vendors, along with the Art Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County pull out all the stops every month to make each 4th Friday more memorable than the last.

Calling all artists! If you paint, bead, write, dance or have any other creative talent that you want to display, this is defi nitely your time to shine. Cindy Whitehead, one of the many artists who frequent the downtown event month after month, has been coming to 4th Friday for four years.

“4th Friday is a true celebration of the arts and downtown Fayetteville. People of all ages can come out and enjoy art, entertainment, bistros and shops to find unique items.” Whitehead said.

This celebration of the arts is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown Fayetteville. From Hay Street to Gillespie Street and all the points in between, door prizes and colorful exhibits are likely to steal the show, that is, if the miniature train ride around downtown Fayetteville doesn’t.

Choo-Choo... The Cotton Exchange Express seats four to six people and takes off from The Cotton Exchange at 226 Donaldson St. in downtown Fayetteville.

Sheri Collins, 4th Friday coordinator with the Fayetteville Downtown Alliance, feels 4th Fridays are a great idea that get residents to come out, walk around, and get an idea of what Fayetteville has to offer.

“Many people are new to our community, brought here by Ft. Bragg, and are not familiar with the heart of our city. 4th Friday gives them a reason to come downtown,” says Collins. “Among the favorites are the belly dancers and the drum circle, which invites everyone to participate. This year the Downtown Alliance has a different theme and activities for 4th Friday each month. That will continue in 2012 and the events are expected to grow and become even better.”

Mary Kinney, of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, says the city is gearing up for a special twist to 4th Friday for the month of September.

“This September, 4th Friday is going to be different from any other Friday. It will kick off the Art Council’s 33rd International Folks Festival, a three day event that includes the Parade of Nations. This parade represents different cultures and will begin at 7 p.m.” said Kinney.

Whitehead, an avid lover of all things art and the opportunities available with the Arts Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County, sums it up best when she says “4th Friday brings an evening of fun and camaraderie for everyone. Seeing all kinds of folks get together for a fun filled evening is what I like the most.”

Find out more about 4th Fridays at http://www.theartscouncil.com/fourthmain.php or http://www.fayettevillealliance.com/4th_friday.aspx.

Photo: Cindy Whitehead is one of the many artists who frequent the downtown 4th Friday event. Photo by Yuliya Atabay.

Travel back to the medieval times with Fort Bragg’s first Renaissance Fair on Sept. 17 and 18 at the Smith Lake Recreation Area. “This is our first year, but we are hoping it will be an annual event,” says Pearlita Price, Fort Bragg’s Special Event Coordinator. “We were just trying to brainstorm new event ideas and one of our colleagues suggested a Renaissance Fair, so we surveyed some other customers at events that we were doing it and we had a very positive response that customers did want to see a Renaissance Fair.” The gates will open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and will close at 6 p.m. on Saturday and the fair finale will take place at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

“There will be a lot of different things that are all Renaissance and Elizabethan era themed,” says Price. Watch live Paragon jousting tournaments, go on a Unicorn or Warhorse ride, and get educated with the living history exhibits and role players. There will also be armor and combat demonstrations by knights, belly dancing shows, live musicians and games such as axe throwing and archery. Some of the child-friendly events will include knighting ceremonies, and some arts and crafts where they can make their own shields and head pieces.

Aside from the medieval games and performances that will take place, there will also be a Masquerade Ball on Saturday from 5-6 p.m. where participants will be teaching customers how to do authentic dances from this time period.

The Renaissance Fair is free of cost and open to the general public. “Everybody and anybody is welcome,” says Price, “You’ve got the hardcore people that really live for the Renaissance Fairs, subscribe to the magazines and travel around to the different Fairs, you have the families with the younger kids that would think it’d be cool to get knighted or little girls that want to be a princess and ride on the unicorn and you have the people that maybe don’t think they’ll enjoy it, but they don’t have anything else to do that weekend and we can just get them out and show them a different side of Fort Bragg and the Army.”

While the admission, the performances, and the exhibits are all free of charge, there will be food and beverages on site for purchase and some of the games are going to have a minimal cost of a dollar for three tries at the archery or three axe throws. So come out to the Smith Lake Recreation Area, chow down on a roasted turkey leg, watch some live middle-age entertainment and help Fort Bragg welcome their first Renaissance Fair to Fayetteville.

Photo: Come out to the Smith Lake Recreation Area, chow down on a roasted turkey leg, watch some live entertainment and help Fort Bragg welcome their first Renaissance Fair too Fayetteville.

Chances are you know of someone that has Lupus or has been affected in some way. Or perhaps you have only heard of the disease in passing and feel that the subject in general has nothing to do with you personally.

But consider this, there are at least 4,000 people in Cumberland County alone who have been diagnosed with lupus. They are your neighbors, your co-workers, the cashier at the gas station or even one of your classmates at school. They are an integral segment of the 45,000 people in the state of North Carolina living with lupus today.

That’s an awful lot of people.

Lupus is a disease of which there is no known cure and no known cause; a chronic disease that can literally destroy the skin, tissues and organs within the body. With lupus, the immune system confuses germs and bacteria with healthy tissues and organs. In response, the body creates auto antibodies that attack normal and healthy tissues; this can cause pain and harm to essential parts of the body like the kidneys, joints and even the blood.

Unbelievably, there has not been an approved FDA drug to come on the market in more than 50 years, that is, until now. In March of this year, the FDA approved Benlysta, an injectable drug designed to relieve symptoms like flare-ups and pain that are associated with lupus.

On Sept. 17, at Festival Park in Fayetteville, at least 700 walkers are going to attend the Third Annual Walk for Lupus Now: Fayetteville, in order to celebrate the latest development in treatment for lupus and bring about awareness of the disease. A one to three mile walk around downtown Fayetteville and Festival Park, family fun, food and activities are just a few of the things that will be on the agenda.

Karen McLeod is one of the many faces that will be in attendance, and one of the many faces of those whose lives have been affected by lupus. Mcleod was diagnosed with lupus six years ago, when she was only 20-years-old and in her sophomore year in college. Her participation and support for the event stems from her desire to increase awareness about lupus and other chronic diseases.

“I support Walk for Lupus because it gives me a chance to encourage, inspire and educate friends, coworkers, family and others within my community about lupus. Supporting the walk also allows me to become a face to others that have recently been diagnosed.” McLeod said.

The latest breakthrough in medical treatment is just cause for celebration for those who have been diagnosed with lupus in the past, present, and even in the future. Benlysta gives hope that more research will be made to eventually produce a cure for lupus.

But until then, Christine John-Fuller, president and CEO of The Lupus Foundation of America, Piedmont Chapter, wants to make sure that this year’s walk proceeds top last year’s goal of $32,000. All monies raised during the Walk for Lupus Now: Fayettevillewill go to benefit the Lupus Foundation of America.

“Every year our walk sees incredible growth as public awareness about lupus increases. The result are proceeds that are critical to fund our national research initiatives, free patient services, including workshops, support groups, teleconferences, financial assistance, phone support and our patient-navigation program,” said John-Fuller.

Lupus is a complicated disease that is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed within the medical field. It affects women more often than men, and women of color are more likely to be struck with lupus than any other.

“I think it’s important to remember that when it comes to lupus there is a misconception that no one that we know has it. With 1.5 million Americans currently living with lupus, it’s a lot more common than people think,”she continued.

Living with lupus doesn’t mean that life is over. Keeping a positive attitude and having a good support system goes a long way when it comes to managing a disease that remains to be one of the least researched, least acknowledged and least funded conditions to date.

McLeod sums it up best when she comments on how she has overcome many of the challenges that come with a diagnosis of lupus.

“As a 26-year-old woman, I don’t look at having lupus as a handicap, but as a stepping stone that has allowed me to accomplish incredible things.”

To find out more information about lupus and how you can register and participate in the Walk for Lupus Now: Fayetteville, call 1-877-849-82

In 1962, a group of Fayetteville actors got together to put on a show. Much like the movies of old, the whole gang got together and staged the courtroom drama The Night of January 16th. They performed the play at the old Fayetteville Courthouse. Everything from props to lights was borrowed. And from that humble beginning, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre was born.

It seems fitting that the theatre kicks-off its Golden Anniversary 50th Season by restaging that first show. For one weekend only, The Night of January 16th will be on stage at the historic Cumberland County Courthouse, under the direction of Mayon Weeks, who directed the first show.

The play, written by Ayn Rand, was inspired by the death of the “Match King,” Ivar Kreuger. First produced in 1934, it takes place entirely in a court room and is centered on a murder trial. It was a hit of the 1935-36 Broadway season. The play deals with issues of a man’s ability to regard oneself as important and exist in a society where moral decay is ever prevalent. It also deals with issues of love, loyalty and betrayal.

One particularly interesting feature of the play is that members of the audience are picked to take on the role of jury members each night. Depending on whether the “jury” finds the defendant in the play, guilty or not guilty, the play has a different ending. Another unique feature of the play is that it does not state what the true events were on the night of January 16, forcing the actors performing the show to decide how much of their character’s testimony is actually true. Since several witnesses contradict each other, it is almost certain that some of them are lying.

The play features many well known Fayetteville actors, including attorney Coy Brewer and Judge Robert Stiehl, who will bring some reality to the drama.

The show runs from Thursday, Sept. 8 to Sunday, Sept. 10. Thursday through Saturday, shows are at 8 p.m. Sunday’s show is at 2 p.m. Tickets range in price from $12 to $40.For more information, visit the CFRT website at www.cfrt.org.

Philoxenia. It means friends of strangers. It’s a Greek word that perfectly describes the Hellenic community, specifi cally the Fayetteville Hellenic community. Just ask Kelly Papagikos. She is married to Father Papagikos, who serves the Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church on Oakridge Avenue.

“We’ve lived in many different Greek communities,” said Papgikos. “This is by far the most generous and giving church we have been a part of. The congregation is constantly working, together and as individuals, to give back to the community. They not only give financially to charitable groups and organizations, they give of their time as well and are always ready to embrace the community.”

It’s this philosophy of hospitality and kindness that drives the Greek Festival (and the church’s many other activities and events) each year. As preparations begin for the festivities, which will run from Friday Sept. 9 through Sunday, Sept. 11, there are already scores of people laboring, preparing to invite the community into their lives, their church, their culture, their hearts.

It starts on Friday with extended hours from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Along with the new hours, the activities for the day are expanded, too.

“We have opened up Friday to the community and to the schools,” said Papagikos. “Education is so important, and we continuously want to give back to them. We are having lecturers and speakers to talk about education, architecture, culture — anything that has to do with anything Greek.”

The lectures include an opportunity to visit the inside of the church and to see the impressive iconography, the symbols of faith and history that so heavily infl uence the faith of the congregation.

Schools and large groups are welcome, and can call the church offi ce at 484-8925 to make a reservation, but the public is invited as well.

Saturday and Sunday’s events will not include the educational lectures, but will still feature the church tours and, of course, the other cultural delights that Greek Fest lovers look forward to with great anticipation each year. Papagikos warned though, that there are a few key changes to the layout.

“This year, when you walk through the festival you will feel like you are walking in Athens,” she said. “There will be flower pots set up everywhere and no matter where you turn you will feell like you are in Greece for that moment.

There is going to be a lot more aesthetic beauty and culture so you feel like you are visiting Plaka — it is like the Rodeo Drive of Athens.”

There will be dancing both inside and outside this year, which is a big change, but one that the event organizers think will add to the event.

“One of the things our children look forward to the most each year is the dancing,” said Papagikos. “If you want to see what this festival means to our community, look at the faces of the children as they are dancing with and for the community.”

What is a celebration without good food and drink? Many hands are busy this year preparing the delectable offerings that can be found in the food tents. Everything from full meals to gyros, souvlaki and more will be for sale. The array of confections will surely satisfy any sweet-tooth, and inspire even the most disciplined to have a treat and enjoy the efforts of the dedicated people who prepared it.

Everything from art to jewelry to literature and clothing items will be available for sale. If you happen to make it to the cooking class on Saturday at 4 p.m., you will want to take a moment to shop in the Greek grocery store and take home a treasure or two to savor later.

A visit to the church website www.stsch.nc.goarch.org/GreekFestival will answer any questions you may have about the event.

Whether you are a veteran of previous Greek Festival or a newcomer to the event, Papagikos promises that it will be worth the trip to stop and visit.

“Plan to experience our culture with all five of your senses. When you come to the Greek Fest we want you to feel welcome,” she said. “We want you to taste. We want you to dance with us. We want you to embrace the culture as we so passionately love it. We want to share who we are with you.”

Photo: The congregation looks forward to entertaining their guests each year. This year’s festival runs Sept. 9-11 at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

On Sunday, Sept. 11, millions of Americans will probably go about their daily lives. Some may stop briefl y and think about the date, others might not think about it at all. And some will stop and reflect on that fateful day 10 years ago when the world, as most Americans knew it, exploded.

For most of us, up until 9/11, bombs exploding in our streets were a foreign concept. We went about our business in a somewhat protective cocoon believing those kinds of things only happened in dusty cities in the Middle East. We watched it play out like a movie in our evening news. It was not our reality.

Some will argue that unless you were in the World Trade Center, on Flight 93 or in the Pentagon, it still isn’t our reality. But they would be wrong.

With almost crystal clarity, I can remember the moments of 9/11 and how they unfolded. I remember the curiosity most people expressed when the first plane hit the towers. Someone, it might have been me, said something about another drunk flight crew.

We shook our heads and said how awful it was for the people in the building and went back to work. I glanced up at the television in my offi ce and saw the second plane fl y into the building. And then the absolute terror of what was happening began to set in.

My friend Jane Davis, the then Womack commander’s wife, came into my offi ce, her eyes full of tears, her voice bereft of hope. My co-worker — my sister of the heart — JoAnn Hooker rocked back and forth uttering prayers for those in harm’s way.

And I watched silently as the story unfolded before us. And I felt my heart shatter.

I’m sure those same reactions were played out in offices and homes throughout our country on 9/11.

People sought solace and hope in a number of ways. Church doors were thrown open and people huddled together in prayer to try to make sense of the situation.

Many wrapped themselves in the flag and took to the streets.

Others of us stayed glued to the television, and even though we were miles away, we wept at every heartbreaking scene that fl ashed before our eyes.

Yes, we picked ourselves up and returned to our jobs on Sept. 12 — or in the case of Fort Bragg, we tried to return to our jobs but wound up spending the day on All-American. But we were not the same people we were on the morning of 9/11.

We were not innocent, and we were no longer safe.

The first time I saw a low fl ying plane near Fort Bragg, I had a panic attack.

At the first large public event I went to, I begged my husband to leave when a group of young Middle Eastern men sat behind us. I was terrified beyond reason. My husband took me by the hand and said, “We are staying. If we leave, then they’ve won.”

He was right.

And like countless other Americans, I began to lose my fear, and by staying, I made a very small, very private stand.

Those small personal stands were happening all over America. For many young people, it manifested in enlistments in the military. Others chose to go to New York and volunteer. That is what my friend Jane did. She provided medical gear to the men working at Ground Zero. As she emailed back to tell us about her work, I heard hope in her voice again.

They were small victories that helped us make sense of that day.

Now 10 years later, we are a different America. We are an America that has lived through a decade of confl ict. We have seen our husbands, sons and daughters pay the price for our freedom with their blood.

How will you remember 9/11? Will you remember the despair or the small triumphs? We are choosing the latter.

On the morning of 9/11, Stephen Siller, a New York fiReman was heading out of the city, his shift complete. When he heard about the plane hitting the tower, he tried to go back into the city, but he wound up stuck in traffi c in one of the tunnels. He grabbed his gear, all 75 pounds of it, and ran almost two-miles back to the tower. He never came out.

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2011, my family and some of our friends will be in Wilmington to participate in the Tunnel to Tower Run to commemorate the lives of the first responders like Stephen who ran into the fire while others were running out.What will you do?

Fayetteville After 5 is nearing the end of its 2011 season and “we’re going out with a bang,” says Carrie King, executive director of the Dogwood Festival.

 This 2011 concert series has been running since May and is hosting its grand finale at Festival Park on Sept. 15.

“We’re going out in big style with the Band of Oz,” says King, “that’s the one that everybody has been anticipating…they’re just a great beach band and people love them.”

The gates will open at 5 p.m., and the opening show will be 45 RPM, a regional girl band, that will take the stage around 6 p.m. After the opening band (about an hour and a half), the Band of Oz will make its way on stage and play for the remainder of the night until the event ends around 9:30 p.m.

While the Band of Oz is finishing up the concert series for 2011, Fayetteville After 5 has been an annual event for 13 years and has many years to come. The concert series is sponsored by RA Jeffery’s, the beer distributor, and is now hosted by the Dogwood Festival.

“It’s definitely an established event,” says King, “and it’s a tradition here in Fayetteville. It’s funny because when we’re setting up, we’re still dragging out trash cans and there are people waiting to get in, so we have a lot of die-hard people.”

No matter what your age, the Fayetteville after 5 concert series welcomes everyone.

“It’s a huge fellowship,” says King, “and there’s definitely a selection of ages so it’s interesting.”

Aside from the live entertainment, there will be many other activities for you and your children to enjoy, such as corn hole, prize wheels and a bean bag toss.

“We’ve also had photo booths there that were free for folks to take candid pictures, and in July, because it was so hot, we had water slides for the kids,” says King. While the event and the activities are free of cost, there will be food vendors on site with food and beverages for purchase.

Make your way to Festival Park on September 15th to relax with a cold beverage, rock out to 45 RPM and The Band of Oz, and send Fayetteville After 5 out with a bang.

Photo: The Band of Oz will end the 2011 Fayetteville After 5 season at Festival Park on Sept. 15.

School is back in session, the weather is cooling off (sort of) and the days are getting shorter. That can only mean one thing — it’s time for the Cumberland County Agricultural Fair. Opening Sept. 15 and running through Sept. 25, the fair promises a good time for everyone.

The goal of the fair is to “showcase and preserve the history and legacy of agricultural communities in Cumberland County; to celebrate the diversity of local arts and crafts; to promote a safe setting for fun, healthy family entertainment featuring music, motorsports and animals; and to encourage an environment of friendly competition for all ages.” It’s the way they do it that makes a day of strolling the midway and visiting exhibits such a great time.

First, they go big — really big. It takes several of the parking lots and four buildings at the Crown Center to hold the rides, exhibits, games and food vendors that entertain more than 45,000 visitors each year. In fact, the Cumberland County Agricultural Fair is one of the largest events hosted by the Crown each year.

The exhibits include agricultural, artistic, culinary, animal and handcraft categories. There are also educational exhibits, and of course, the rides and yummy fair food that everyone looks forward to with great anticipation. After all, what is a day at the fair without cotton candy and popcorn?T

here are also a variety of entertaining shows throughout the 10-day run. There are three 30-minute shows of Friendly Farmers Barn Yard Review each day, featuring music, magic and comedy. Also showing three times a day, don’t miss the racing pigs and the pig paddling porkers. Keeping with the cowboy theme, there will be bull riding, too

.Chainsaw artist Rick Cox will perform chainsaw art demonstrations, and don’t forget to swing by the petting zoo. Some other exhibits include a toddler driving school, farmer for a day, which will be hosted by the Cumberland County 4-H Clubs, paintball competitions, the Cape Fear Railroaders Model Train Exhibit and camel and pony rides.

On Sept. 16 and 17 don’t miss the motorcross weekend races. Practice starts at 4 p.m. and the race is at 7 p.m. Also on Sept. 17, is the Diaper Derby and Parent Olympics. The Fair Queens Pageant will be on Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. On Sept. 24, it’s a stomping good time at the Cumberland County Invitational Step Show, which starts at 2 p.m.

Something new in the mix this year is pink day at the fair in support of breast cancer awareness. Observed on Sept. 17, the fi rst 4,000 visitors who come to the fair will receive a pink bracelet as well as a cup that can be fi lled at the food vendors for a $1 — that is half of the regular price. In addition, $1 of all admission fees that day will be donated to the Cape Fear Valley Breast Care Center.

The fair has a new price structure that is sure to suit the community. Event organizer Hubert Bullard is excited about what it means for patrons to the fair. With the new price structure, visitors to the fair pay for admission and the price includes rides, entertainment and contests.

“Everything at the fair would be free after that, including free unlimited carnival rides. It is a bargain. Now a family can come to the fair cheaper than they can go to the movies,” said Bullard.

Buy in advance, and get an even better deal.

“It is a tremendous deal to buy tickets in advance. For the price of $10, buying in advance, the purchaser would also get $41 worth of free products at the fair,” said Bullard. “Food, soft drinks, free pony rides and things like that are the real advantage of buying in advance.” There are several locations currently selling tickets. You can find them at the Crown Center Box Office, 4-H offices, at any Short Stop in Cumberland County and online at Ticketmaster.com.

Visit www.cumberlandcountyfair.org for more information.

Photo: For the best deals, buy your tickets to the Cumberland County Agricultural Fair in advance.

Claudia Swartz is many things, but chief among them, she is a music lover, a performer and a promoter. Since 2005, she has organized the local Blues Artist Showcase. Every year, folks gather in the Pate Room at the Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center and listen to local talented artists sing the blues.

The event draws more than 450 people per performance.

This year, the headliner is national recording artist DC Collins and his band Highway 13. Collins is the brother of blues artist Mojo Collins

.Local favorite, 14 year-old Lakota John will be returning to the event to entertain the crowds.

“Lakota has been delighting the audiences with his incredible talent at the last four showscases, which are held annually,” said Swartz. “He will be joined on the stage by his father ‘Sweet Papa John’ Locklear and his 17 year-old sister Layla Rose Locklear, all incredibly gifted blues performers.”

Also performing will be the Raiford Street Band and a duo performance by Dorothy “Q” Finiello, a well-known visual artist, and her friend Ken Novak on Bass. Finiello and Novak are regular performers at the Art’s Council and Downtown Alliance’s 4th Friday celebrations.

Blues Enigma is another popular local blues band, and it features Swartz on the harmonica. Look for them at the showcase along with the Bluegrass Fever, a band with a progressive bluegrass sound. Banjoist Buck Thrailkill will be in attendance as will Fayetteville local Corky Jones and his band Mighty Blue.

The event is free and open to the public. It is appropriate for audiences of all ages. If you hear something you like, pick up a CD of your favorite performer at the event. Not only will it help the artists, but 20 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Friends of the Library programs.

The mission of the Friends of the Library is to create awareness of the opportunities offered by the libraries of Cumberland County, focus attention on the library needs and enrich the cultural advantage available to Cumberland County citizens, increase library services and facilities and maintain an association of persons interested in books. The funds that they collect are used by the library to sponsor guest authors, provide special awards for library events, sponsor book sales, organize programs spotlighting North Carolina authors, lobby for improved library funding at the local, state and national levels and conduct fundraising activities.

This event is a fun way to enjoy the musical talents of our local musicians and support a great cause at the same time.

The eighth annual local Blues Artist Showcase is on Sunday, Sept. 18 from 1 – 6 p.m. Visit http://www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/ or call 483-7727 to fi nd out more.

Photo: The eighth annual local Blues Artist Showcase is on Sunday, Sept. 18 from 1 – 6 p.m.

Conan the Barbarian(Rated R)  Two Stars

Question: Conan, what is best in life? Answer: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women.

If only this Conan (Jason Momoa) were as eloquent as Famous Original Conan. If only this Conan used as much baby oil to shine up his constantly ex-posed everything! Oh well. The new Conan the Barbarian (113 minutes) is not entirely without joy. What it does lack is a coherent plot, likeable char-acters, a charismatic hero and a good ending. Other than that, it’s really not terrible when compared to a truly awful film. You know, like The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, or Batman and Robin. Of course it does display a complete lack of awareness of its more sexist elements.

Um, I guess I’ll have to be the one to say it … Conan the Barbarian (1982) starring the notoriously sexist Arnold Schwarzenegger (The recent scandal? Nothing. Consider Googling this one) was actually more egalitarian than the 2011 remake. At least the original had stuntwoman Sandahl Bergman as female lead Valeria, swinging her great big sword around. All this Conan has going for gender equality is Rachel Nichols, last seen playing a sexy green alien plaything of Captain Kirk on the Star Trek reboot, seen here getting tied up a lot and occa-sionally girlfighting with Rose McGowan. Ah, Rose McGowan. You used to be cool.

The film begins with a voiceover explaining that things in Hyboria are all messed up because evil necromancers have played with death magic once too often, destroyed civilization and left behind a bunch of flea bitten barbarians to wax poetic about their big, pointy, shiny, steel, um, swords. And then, in battle, Conan is born! He clearly possesses several superior qualities, not the least of which is his superhuman constitution, evidenced by the way he does not im-mediately contract a life shortening infection from all the mud and non-sterile birthing conditions.

Fast-forward. Young Conan is rocking the unwashed dreadlock look, and his Chieftain Dad (Ron Perlman) is running around shoving eggs into everyone’s mouth. Yes, with or without context, it’s just a bizarre scene and an interest-ing parenting style. A Warlord Dude (Stephan Lang) and his witchy daughter (McGowan) show up to burn the place down. Warlord Dude and the Minions, in classic Austin Powers style, leave the mostly intact, and pretty ferocious young Conan in an overly elaborate and easily escapable situation, then wander out of the movie for the next several scenes. In a shocking twist, Conan escapes and finishes learning to fight and stuff. He hooks up with some … pirates? I think? But they’re okay pirates? Not the bad kind that viciously rob and murder peo-ple? Anyway, seeing as how I have already mentioned the sexual politics I will skip discussing the race politics of the movie. But, think about it, won’t you?

After about 20 years traveling around and asking about the man with six fingers on his right hand, Conan finally gets a lead. My name is Conan the Barbarian, you killed my father, prepare to die! He does not say it. But he does lure the Warlord Dude (Khalar Zym) into a mano-e-mano, then acts really sur-prised when the murderous untrustworthy Warlord Dude brings a witch to a swordfight. Me? I’m surprised that he only brought a witch. I was waiting for his entire army to come riding over the ridge. Especially considering the overall inef-fectiveness (in both witching and acting) of said witch.

Overall, you might want to save your money for buying the original, which may have been campier, but was also a lot more fun, AND had James Earl Jones turning into a snake!

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

My maternal grandmother died just short of 87-years-old, having lived a life devoted to her family and her community, but on her own outspoken and often original terms.

When her long-time physician, no spring chicken herself, emerged from Gobbie’s hospital room to confi rm the sad news for her assembled family and other loved ones, the doctor did not bow her head or look distressed in any way. Instead, she threw her arms into the air and pronounced, “This is the end of an era.”

That is exactly what occurred on one quiet block of one small and narrow Haymount street last month.

Times four.

Six short weeks in July and August were particularly cruel to the handful of families on the quiet street. First came the death of Dr. Weldon Jordan at 87, following in short order by Stuart Kerr at 85, Dr. Albert Stewart at 90, and, finally, last week by Rosalie Kelly at 81.

These were members of what Tom Brokaw famously named “Greatest Generation,” those who came into their own after World War II and who, in ways large and small, public and private, helped shape our community into what it is today. They were also devoted family people, parenting 18 children among them and more grandchildren than I can count on both fi ngers and toes.

How do I know all this?

These four were among my own parents’ friends and contemporaries, people I do not remember not knowing. Even more, though, for 25 years the Dicksons lived in the middle of that one block, arriving the very day the fi rst Precious Jewel toddled his fi rst steps and departing a few months before he married. When we arrived, the street was, in the words of one memorable resident, “nothing but widows, widows, widows,” all of whom have now met their Maker. Over time it morphed into a family street with 20 children living there at one time or another during our tenure, making it a wonderful and loving place to raise a family. It was a tiny community with many parts making a whole.

Now it is morphing again.

Weldon Jordan and Albert Stewart lived next door to each other, had nine sons between them, and practiced medicine together the old fashioned way. They made house calls, and countless patients were devoted to each of them for all the right reasons. Later years found Dr. Jordan in his garden sharing his knowledge and his produce with our Precious Jewels and the children of their generation. Dr. Stewart was likely in his woodworking shop, creating exquisite handmade furniture that would be the pride of anyone’s home. The description “a kindly Southern gentleman” fit both to a T.

Stuart Kerr and Rosalie Kelly lived next door to each other at the other end of the street.

Stuart Kerr died last month in the house in which she grew up, with a lifetime of quiet and voluntary community work and philanthropy in between, most notably with the Cumberland Community Foundation and the Salvation Army, although her fingerprints are on many local institutions. She was quick-witted and loved to travel, and the street’s Precious Jewels often walked with her as she strolled a succession of dogs.

Rosalie Kelly, whose family has been in Fayetteville since before there was a Fayetteville, became the public face of historic preservation in our community. At a time when our community was trying to find its way after a polarizing time in American history, Rosalie Kelly would not let us forget that we are a community of great history ourselves and that our buildings are a crucial part of that and must be preserved. Woe to anyone who dared utter otherwise and especially to anyone ignorant enough to use that awful invented word that is a cross between Fayetteville and Vietnam. Rosalie Kelly would have your head on a silver platter. She was a warm and charming person, bestowing the word “precious” on all whom she loved.

As I sat at the last of the services for these four remarkable Fayettevillians, I was sad yet again for the loss to their families, their friends, our community, and, frankly, to me. And, even though there was nothing to see, I had a clear sense of a changing of the guard — a passing of the baton — or, as my grandmother’s doctor put it, “the end of an era.”

The Greatest Generation is exiting, and my generation, the Baby Boomers, is up next.

These four individuals, living on one block in the middle of Haymount, set the bar very high.

I had planned on August being my favorite month this year. How could it not be — the month started with seven-days at the beach, the middle of the month brought the youngest Burton’s birthday and we were to end the month with a roadtrip to Baltimore to watch our beloved New York Yankees in a double header against the Orioles.

Unfortunately, things don’t always turn out as planned.

Oh, I went to the beach, and the fi rst four days were all that I had hoped for. I spent most of those days with my toes in the sand or in the water; not a telephone or computer in sight. I did plow through a number of books — about 10 — and basked in the joy of doing nothing but being with my family.

Day five altered things dramatically. I decided to spend the day on the water with my husband and son on the boat — they had been fi shing most of the week on the Intracoastal Waterway. The morning was beautiful — not a cloud in the sky. It was shaping up to be a perfect day until a big yacht with an irresponsible driver put a dent into it.

Suffice it to say, we ended the day in an urgent care, and for about eight weeks, I am sporting a hot-pink cast as a result of a broken right wrist.

I’ve learned a lot about how the body adapts when you lose the use of a limb. I am now a pretty quick one-hand typist. I can write with my left hand. It’s not pretty, but it gets the job done.I’ve also learned to depend a little more on other people — something I’m not very good at. In leaning a little on others, I’ve been blessed to see the remarkable kindness in those I know — and complete strangers, too.

And while this break is causing me some challenges, it is only temporary. That is not the case with many in our society who have lost limbs in war. Their challenges are immense and they are long-lasting. Thinking of them helps me put my frustrations in perspective.

The week of the youngest Burtons’ birthday was challenging. I spent the week at Camp Mackall watching the immense organization of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School optimize to run efficiently. The whole command was charged with finding ways to do things more efficiently and to put people and resources where they would provide the most bang for the buck. This was led from the bottom up. The staff got together and found ways to do things better.

Wouldn’t it be great if they did that in Washington? Let’s just say they brought in common sense people like you and me and actually listened to what we said. I’m pretty sure I could fi nd several trillon in savings, and no one would even feel the loss.

Couldn’t you?

Earlier this week, quite a few of us got our first taste of an earthquake. Most of us didn’t like it. I watched as west coast citizens mocked the response to the earthquake by their east coast neighbors. What is commonplace to them isn’t quite so common here. Let’s see them stand up to a Carolina summer and then see who complains.

As school began on Thursday, I wonder if our county’s teachers saw the earthquake and the approaching storms as omens of the year to come. I wish them smooth sailing.

As I write this column, I should be packing for my roadtrip. Instead, I’m watching the news like countless others along the east coast wondering what damage Irene will really bring.

In the interest of safety, we have elected not to go to Baltimore for the ballgame. Even though we are diehard Yankee fans, it’s just not worth putting ourselves in harm’s way.

We will lose some money by not going, but it’s a pittance compared to what the overall loss will be once Irene stomps up the coast. Experts are expecting great losses to property and are expecting losses in lives as well. Hopefully, people will take the warnings to heart and seek shelter in a safe place. But as we have seen in past storms, there will be those who don’t listen, and who will pay the price.

As for the Burtons, we plan to ride out this rainy, windy weekend in the comfort of our home.

It’s been a wild, wild month — September is looking pretty good.

As much a part of our country’s history and quest for freedom as our founding fathers, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, fought as a major-general in the Continental Army under George Washington. So significant was his contribution to the revolution, that in 1783, our fair city took his name, becoming Fayetteville. On Saturday, Sept. 10, the Lafayette Society of Fayetteville is honoring our city’s namesake with the fourth annual Lafayette Celebration. The day is packed with fun-filled events and activities that offer something for everyone.

“Lafayette played a very signifi cant part in American history,” said Hank Parfi tt, president of the Lafayette Society. “Without his help, America may not have won the Revolutionary War. He was very open minded and willing to consider that perhaps the best way to fight in America is not the same as the best way to win a war in Europe. That helped signifi cantly.”

Start the day off right at the Lafayette French Toast Breakfast Fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center at Horne’s Café. The breakfast includes coffee, bacon or sausage and, of course, French toast. The cost is $7, and for every plate sold, Horne’s Cafe´ will donate $2 to the Child Advocacy Center. Advance tickets are available at Horne’s Café as well as the Child Advocacy Center on Ray Avenue. Tickets will also be available at the door the day of the event.

At 9 a.m., there is a guided tour of the Lafayette Trail, which is one of the Cultural Heritage Driving Trails sponsored by the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

The trail begins at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Headquarters and Museum on Burgess Street. It covers the route that Lafayette travelled through Fayetteville when he visited the city in 1825. The tour also includes coffee, a screening of Vivé Lafayette and ends with a luncheon at the Market House. Tickets are $30 a person and registration is required. Call 678-8899 to find out more

.If the tour does not interest you, the Lafayette Rotary Club is having a 10K, 5K and one-mile, fun run/walk. Registration starts at 8 a.m. at Fayetteville Technical Community College at the corner of Hull Road and FTCC Access Road. Pre-register before Sept. 4 and pay just $20. Funds raised will be used to buy dictionaries for Cumberland County school children. Register at www.active.com or by calling 850-8813.

The All American Fencing Academy is hosting the Lafayette Open Fencing Tournament from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their fencing studio at 207 B Donaldson St. The Lafayette Open is sanctioned by the North Carolina division of the United States Fencing Association. The public is invited to come and watch. It’s free.

At 9:30 a.m., don’t miss the Lafayette Parade of Pooches. Bring your favorite French breed canine friend to the corner of Anderson and Hay Streets for a fashion show. Be sure they are wearing a French or Revolutionary War costume so Fido can compete for prizes. Register in advance by calling the Dogwood Festival at 323-1934, or pick up a registration form at the Child Advocacy Center or Horne’s Café. On-site registration will also be available on the day of the event. The cost is $5 to participate and the proceeds will benefi t the Child Advocacy Center.

Downtown Alliance merchants are celebrating with a sidewalk sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shoppers will find great deals on a variety of items

Also from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Museum of the Cape Fear is having Festival of Yesteryear. The festival celebrates Colonial and Revolutionary War history. It features military re-enactors, and several child-friendly activities, like interactive toys and games, a doll-making project, a tricorner hat project and more. There will be professional story tellers telling tales centered around colonial North Carolina. Find out more at www.museumofthecapefear.gov or by calling 437-2603.

At noon, head to Cross Creek Park for a Party in the Park hosted by the Lafayette Society, the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum and Morgan Stanley-Smith Barney. There will be barbecue, cake, ice cream, music and good fun. Look for games, face painting, bounce houses and more. The party lasts until 5 p.m. Admission is free, but the barbecue will cost you $7 a plate. Barbecue tickets may be purchased at City Center Gallery & Books or by calling 678-8899 or on site the day of the event. Proceeds from the sale of the barbecue will be used to help purchase historical markers for Fayetteville’s first Revolutionary War Park.

“Something we are excited to add this year is the trolley service we will have running between the Museum of the Cape Fear and Cross Creek Park,” said Parfi tt. “People can go to the Festival of Yesteryear and then ride down to the party in the park and enjoy a late lunch or an early dinner.”

End the day with a French wine and cheese tasting at the Fresh Café on Hay Street. The event will feature regional wines and cheeses from France. Tickets cost $15 a piece. The wine and cheese tasting runs from 3 to 9 p.m.

Find out more about this fun-filled day at www.lafayette250.com