The fact that child abuse exists at all is sad, and the fact that it exists right here in Fayetteville is sadder still. For years, the Child Advocacy Center has been working to change this by helping children heal after they have experienced abuse. The Fayetteville Kiwanis Club has also taken action against abuse by supporting the Child Advocacy Center with the annual Kiwanis Care for Kids Golf Tournament, which helps to raise money for the charity.

The Kiwanis Club has hosted charity golf tournaments for many years. In the past, all proceeds went to local charities as well as the Duke Children’s Hospital. It is only recently that the club decided to focus its efforts more locally.

“We have been donating to the Child Advocacy Center for the past six years. Last year we gave them more than $19,000,” Jason Poole a co-chair for the tournament explained. “All of the money stays local and goes to one of the best charities in town. They are a great charity and there is a huge need for them in Fayetteville, due to all the child abuse that we have here.”

Though the primary reason for this golf tournament is to support a great cause, it will also be a great time.

“A good time, and hopefully good weather. We usually sell out on golfers, so there about 128 golfers on the course. Good prizes for everyone and a great dinner afterwards. The dinner is provided by one of our sponsors, The Barbeque Hut, and they always provide a good dinner,” Poole said.

This is a great opportunity for the community to come together in support of the area’s children in need.

There are many different ways for individuals, as well as corporations to get involved in supporting the Child Advocacy Center and Fayetteville’s children other than golfing. There are hole signs (these are professionally-made golf hole-signs with logos and/or print that are located at tee box at the course) available for purchase, prizes can be donated for the raffle, money for prizes can be donated and there are varying levels of sponsorship that anyone can purchase.

The Child Advocacy Center also accepts direct donations on its website: www.childadvocacycenter.com/2013/08/donate-now. Additionally, corporate sponsors are also welcome. In fact, Poole said that the biggest challenge in the tournament is “finding corporate sponsors so we can give as much as we can to the Child Advocacy Center.”

The golf tournament is being held on Thursday, Sept. 26. Check-in time is from 11:30 a.m. until noon, and the shotgun start is at 12:30 p.m. The tournament is at Cypress Lakes Golf Course, 2126 Cypress Lakes Rd. Cost for an individual player is $100 or $475 for a team of four. All proceeds go to the Child Advocacy Center, which also accepts direct donations.

For more information on registration and sponsorship go to www.childadvocacycenter.com.

Photo: The Kiwanis Care for Kids Golf Tournament raises funds to help the Child Advocacy Center

The Best

of the

Best

Turns 16

The first time I heard the words Best of Fayetteville, it was 1998. I had been working at Up & Coming Weekly about a year, and was still getting used to the light that Bill Bowman gets in his eyes when he has a really great idea.

I was sitting in my office editing something or the other, when he came into the building like a whirlwind. He yelled down the hallway of our office, which was then located on McPherson Church Road, and asked everyone to come into the conference room.

We all gathered in the conference room, waiting to hear Bill’s latest brainstorm. I remember the excitement in his voice when he started explaining the idea. For Bill, showcasing and putting the spotlight on our community is like breathing. So the idea of putting the businesses and people who make our community excellent on center stage was like Christmas and his birthday all rolled up in one.

We all agreed it was a great idea — but that was before we started to wrap our minds around how much work it would be and how much time it would take. We have always been a small staff, and there has never been more than four of us who have put the Best of Fayetteville issue together. If you look at the size of this paper, you can see why we all had second thoughts.

That first issue, we rolled up our sleeves, dug in and went to work. I would like to say it was easier than we thought or that we finished right on time, but I would be lying. It was a nightmare. Those of us on the production staff spent the whole week (day and night) and the whole weekend working on the issue. By the time it was done, I never wanted to hear the words Best of Fayetteville again.

When the paper hit the stands and we saw the reaction of the community, and in particular the reaction of the people who won, it made it all worth while. The Best of Fayetteville is more than a plaque that is hung on the wall of a local establishment. It is an accolade that can’t be bought. It must be earned. Cumberland County residents have high expectations, and for the winners of the Best of Fayetteville, earning the award is a true mark of excellence.

While we were preparing for this year’s Best of Fayetteville, a lot of research was done to see if we could find a 16-year winner. You might be surprised that we found more than one — we found six. Consistently, these companies have made the Best of Fayetteville list and have kept the faith and trust of the community. That says a lot about them and the services they offer.

If you made it to the Best of Fayetteville party on Tuesday at the TapHouse, you were able to celebrate with us as we recognized all those people, businesses and organizations in our community that make it great. And we will continue to celebrate those who have consistently made the list and the good things they bring to the community.

In case you are wondering, the approach of the Best of Fayetteville issue still puts a gleam in Bill Bowman’s eye and it still fills my heart with dread. I know that it will consume our staff and the words “working on the weekends” become a part of our vocabulary. I would like to say that I am surprised by the winners, but that wouldn’t be true. Having celebrated the Best of Fayetteville for 15 years (and now working through the 16th), I have an idea of what this community likes and admires in people, businesses and organizations.

And even though, I dread the work, I am happy to celebrate the sweet 16th anniversary of the Best of Fayetteville and the excellence it represents.

Sweet Sixteen: 16th Annual “Best of

Fayetteville” What to Expect

Okay Fayetteville, get ready! It’s a party!!! And, you are invited! Mark your calendars for next Tuesday, Sept. 17 when Up & Coming Weekly hosts our 16th Annual Best of Fayetteville Awards & Recognition Party.

Don’t miss it!

This event is unique for a lot of reasons, but most importantly, it allows us to celebrate Fayetteville’s Best of from people, events, venues, businesses and organizations as determined by the readers of our community newspaper. Come join Tony Chavonne, mayor, City of Fayetteville, Jimmy Keefe, chairman, Cumberland County Board of Commisioners, Doug Peters, president, Fayetteville Regional Chamber of Commerce, me and my staff as we celebrate those who make Fayetteville and Cumberland County a great place to live, work and play.

The party is hosted by Josh and Tonia Collin’s at their new restaurant and sports bar The TapHouse in historic downtown Fayetteville. Don Chase, of WKML, everyone’s favorite radio personality will join the fun as the celebrity host for the evening. If that isn’t enough, there is plenty of food, music, prizes and surprises as we recognize the 2013 Best of Fayetteville winners. Be there!

This is our biggest event of the year and the 16th Annual Best of Fayetteville edition of Up & Coming Weekly is not only our biggest and most read edition of the year, it’s the most valuable to the winners and the community. The Sept. 18 edition is distributed and used throughout the coming year to promote the “best of the best” Fayetteville/Cumberland County businesses, organizations and venues to visitors and newcomers to our community. In addition, this special edition is posted online for the entire year and the winner’s listings and ads are all linked back to their home websites. Think of it as your guaranteed and reliable source for local information. Like a Better Business Bureau directory and Angie’s List all rolled into one — only exclusive to Fayetteville. This is your invitation to come and experience excellence.

We know there has been a lot of confusion this year with several commercial, generic online companies claiming “Best of” recognitions. Don’t buy it.

There is only one sanctioned Best of Fayetteville and you will recognize the businesses that have achieved the honor by looking for these logos and symbols at their businesses or in their advertising.

In closing, let me say that good things last so join us on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and see why this is Up & Coming Weekly’s 16th Annual Best of Fayetteville Awards Party. See ya there! Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper. Also, a special thanks to all our Best of Fayetteville Sponsors:

Now that school is back in session it is time to start thinking about the fair and all the fun that comes with it! The Cumberland County Fair will be in town Sept. 12-22, and it is filled with rides, events, food and more…

Hubert Bullard has helped organize the fair for the past 15 years and he is excited about what visitors will find there this year.

“One of the things that kids enjoy most at the fair is the rides, and we have 12-14 of the best carnival rides in the state for school-age kids,” said Bullard. “For the low price of $10 a person can buy an advanced ticket and can ride all the rides any weekday.”

This fair also has one of the largest petting zoos in the state, said Bullard. While sheep and goats are a lot of fun to check out up close, kids may want to keep their distance if they attend the One World Exotic Animal Show.

“We’ve got lions and tigers coming to the exotic animal show,” said Bullard. “This is an exciting show out of Venice, Florida. We will have two shows per day during the week and three on the weekends. Another new attraction this year is the bungee trampoline and the rock climbing walls and pony rides.”

Even the youngest family members will have things to do. Cumberland County Schools system is offering a toddler driving school at the Expo Center. Kids can use pedal cars to complete a course and will even receive a kiddie driver’s license at the end.

Radio station Q98 is sponsoring another diaper derby this year. This is a fun competition for parents to do several baby related tasks as fast as they can. It is a lot of fun, both for the competitors and for the people watching.

Friends of the Skateparks Foundation will sponsor the Valley VW Street Style Skateboarding Open on Saturday, Sept. 21. This is an amateur skateboarding contest and fundraiser. Money from this event will go to build free public skateparks. More than $5,000 in cash and prizes will be given away. Specials guests Keelan Dadd, Lenny Rivas and Boo Johnson will perform as well. The street-style course will contain obstacles like stairs, benches and picnic tables. There is a $5 spectator fee for this event, but it includes entry to the fair. For more information or to register, visit www.valleyvwstreetstyle2013.eventbee.com. Skateboarding fans should check out the DaVille Skate Team Show, which runs throughout the fair.

Different theme nights keep things interesting while reaching out to specific groups in the community and supporting great causes.

September 18 is FUN, FUN, FUN Student Night. Students receive $2 off admission with a school discount coupon. September 19 is A Fair Fight Against Breast Cancer night at the Fair, with $1 of all admissions going to the Cape Fear Valley Breast Care Center. On Sunday, Sept. 22, bring your church bulletin and receive $3 off admission. One bulletin per person is required for this discount.

While some events run on specific days, there are many fun features that run daily throughout the fair. These include the interactive petting farm, Vintage World War II Halftrack Rides, helicopter rides, pedal car racing, the baby chick display, WKML with Larry K broadcasting, Fred Anderson Nissan Entertainment stage with continuous local entertainment, toddler driving school, chainsaw carving demonstrations and exhibits, farmer for a day expo, pony rides, eurobungy trampoline, home, craft and agricultural exhibits and the Goodness Grows in North Carolina contest and the Kidsville News! Truman Entertainment Stage.

Exhibits include arts and crafts, clothings, canned fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies, perishables and baked goods and more.

A fair just isn’t a fair without food and music, and there will be plenty of both this year. In fact, make sure you check out the Kidsville News! stage while you are there. Look for a variety of activities and performers including a Magic Show on Saturday, Sept. 14.

If this all sounds like a great time, it is, but Bullard noted that a lot of work goes into putting an event like this together.

“We have a lot of people and organizations involved in putting the fair together. One of my favorite things is working with all the people who make it happen, for the vendors to the attractions and rides to the local people at places like the Cumberland County Schools system and the Farm Bureau. There are a lot of people committed to making this event a success,” said Bullard. “By far, though, my favorite part of the fair is seeing it all fall into place and watching the 50,000 to 60,000 smiling faces that come through the fair and have a great time.

The fair opens Sept. 12 and runs from 5-10 p.m.; on Sept. 13 and 20 it will be open from 5-10 p.m.; on Sept. 14 and 21 the hours are 1-10 p.m.; Sept. 15 and 22 the fair will be open from 1-9 p.m.; and Sept. 16 – 19, the hours are 5-10 p.m. The $12 admission price includes unlimited carnival rides and entertainment Monday-Thursday. Children under the age of 2 get in free. Admission at the gate is $5 Friday-Sunday. Wristbands are available. $10 advance tickets are available at the Crown Box Office and local Kangaroo stores. Find out more at Cumberlandcountyfair.org.

As in the 1934 hit song, “What a difference a day makes,” we have witnessed the growth and transformation of the Gilbert Theater. The Gilbert has been a part of the thriving Fayetteville arts community since Lynn Pryer allowed the first patron to visit his Brandts Lane basement theater in 1994.

The Gilbert has grown from a 40-seat home theater into a 99-seat, semi-professional black box in the heart of downtown. Now the theater is preparing to open its 20th anniversary season with the musical Rent on September 20.

The Gilbert was built on a dream made possible by local artistic talent, which was allowed to blossom and grow during those early years. One such talent inspired by the theater, honed to perfection and still delighting us today, is seen in our own Fayetteville local favorite, Joyce Lipe.

“I first heard of Lynn Pryer’s theater from fellow actor, George Roraback about 20 years ago. Shortly after, Lynn asked me to audition for a show he was directing, An Evening of One Acts. I performed a monologue from Quilters and have been a regular at the Gilbert Theater ever since. My fondest memories involve Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, which I narrated for six consecutive seasons. My husband and I took part in the Fayetteville Arts Council Dickens Holiday each year dressing in costumes of that period and as we strolled along Hay Street getting caught up in the beauty of candlelight and Christmas decorations, I thought what a perfect time for the Gilbert Theater to present A Christmas Carol. Chuck agreed and I presented the idea to Lynn and the show took off from there, every year being a bit different with lots of rewrites and new cast members and a tradition was established.

“Over the years, I have performed in close to 20 shows, each a different aspect of theater from monologue to large cast, comedy to drama but always directed and rehearsed to the best that each cast had to offer,” she continued. “All shows were cast from open auditions allowing anyone with a desire to appear on stage to give it a try. Consequently, the Gilbert has been a proving ground for new actors and an opportunity for seasoned actors to hone their skills. New playwrites are also encouraged to submit their work. The Gilbert Theater has established itself as a theater of excellence where, as Lynn so beautifully stated it, “Story telling takes center stage.”

Artistic Director Robyne Parrish is beginning her second season with the Gilbert and has tried to stimulate the Gilbert’s growth by bringing in talented colleagues to direct and star in many of last season’s productions. This 20th season will begin with the musical Rent by Jonathan Larson. This modern musical, roughly based on the opera La Boheme, will carry on the tradition of the Gilbert to pursue theatrical experiences that are somewhat outside of the mainstream. Rentwas not considered the usual Broadway fare when it opened in 1996 but still speaks to issues that, even now, we only discuss behind closed doors. “Rent is a musical about a hip young group of artists in NYC in the 1990s coping with love loss and happiness while learning to live for today!” Parrish continued, “We are blessed with an ethnically diverse cast that truly captures the world of Rent and the New York City that is in all of our hearts.”

The show is directed by Ruth Crews, stage director, and Leanne Valcarcel, musical director, both of whom will make their directing debuts at the Gilbert.

Rent opens Sept. 20 and runs through Oct. 6 Friday-Sunday with 8 p.m. performances on Friday and Saturday nights and 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $15 and $13 for military, students and seniors. Reserve at www.gilberttheater.com 910 678 7186

The season continues with the annual favorite, A Christmas Carol followed by new works to complete the roster including Pan (the true story of Peter Pan) adapted for the Gilbert, Sherlock Holmes: The Sleeping Detective a brand new, sleepy Sherlock tale, Macbeth and A Company of Wayward Saints.

Used for everything from self-expression to community bonding, dancing has been part of humans’ lives for millennia. Modern ballroom dancing, however, has a briefer history. Originating in the early 20th century, ballroom dancing is generally considered to encompass just a few of the many dance styles. Some examples are the foxtrot, the tango, the waltz and the rumba. There are many organizations that compete in these dances, but just dancing socially is also popular. In Fayetteville, the Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers have offered the community a way to learn and dance ballroom socially for 20 years.

The Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers was established on March 2, 1993 when they held their very first dance in the Prince Charles Hotel. Since then, the group has grown tremendously from the original 12 members. The Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers has three locations. The Highland Country Club, Roland’s Dance Studio and the Bragg Officers Club. The group hosts dances monthly. This month, however, they will hold a very special dance to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

Dr. Andrew Ziegler, the president of the Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers explained, “People should expect to have fun, to hear good music and to dance if they want to. Some people don’t want to dance every song, some do. It is a good and pleasant opportunity to dance in a great first-class venue and to spend time with friends whether they are new or old. At this dance we also have a live out-of-town band, which we don’t normally do.” Most dance groups in Fayetteville participate in competitions and require training. The Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers welcome people of all levels of experience to their dances.

“There is no judgment, no contest, just fun,” Ziegler explains, “My wife Kalli wanted to learn to ballroom dance for years. Eventually, I got her a Christmas gift of a beginners package of lessons at Roland’s Dance Studio. That was many years ago. We enjoyed the lessons and through the studio we met members of the Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers and they invited us to join.”

The dances that are done at the monthly dances are the foxtrot, waltz, swing, tango, cha cha, rumba and the shag. Ballroom dancing has many benefits. Not only is it exercise and a great way to be social, the monthly dances also provide a venue to learn from professionals regardless of experience level. Zeigler also explains that learning to dance and attending these dances allows him to spend quality time with his wife.

The Anniversary Dance is on Sept. 21 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Highland Country Club, 105 Fairway Dr. Reservations are required and tickets are $40 for members and $50 for guests. Formal attire is required and the Duke Ladd Band will perform.

For reservation sheets or for more information on the Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers, visit www.capefearballroomdancers.org/index.html.

Photo: Dancers hit the floor to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers

The Renaissance was a pivotal time in the history of mankind. It brought people out of the dark ages and introduced many revolutions in science and art. It was a time of kings and queens and knights; and for many people it is one of the most interesting periods in history. One way that modern people still celebrate and learn about this triumphant period in history is through renaissance fairs. In September, The Medieval Fantasies Company and the U.S. Army will partner for the third year in order to give the people of this community the same opportunity at the Fort Bragg Renaissance Faire.

The faire is a family-friendly affair that has an extraordinary number of events that allow the public to see and experience the excitement of a time long past.

“This is an opportunity for families to step back in time and enjoy the atmosphere of knights and ladies and chivalry, to experience jousting and eating a giant turkey leg. It has all the fun and pageantry of the Renaissance age and brings fairy tales and stories to life. It represents this era as something that it could have been rather than something it actually was,” said Sir Black Wolf, the owner of Medieval Fantasies Company.

At the Renaissance Faire there are numerous activities and attractions. Black Wolf named a few of these attractions.

“There will be Paragon Jousting returning with us and the Knightly Order of Fait Lux, which is new. They have live demonstrations of Medieval weaponry. They have demonstration fights with real steel and armor,” he said. “There will be two local belly dancing groups and a few new merchants. The faire is truly full to overflowing as far as what we offer.

The Huntsman and his wife will be returning and they will have at least one Irish Wolfhound with them. We will have a masquerade ball each day, and we also have a new activity. It is the last performance of the day, and the whole cast and performers will gather and all guests are invited to join in and sing the day to a close.”

There will also be many more attractions at the faire, from period soap created by Medieval Soap Co., to realistic stockades and crafts for kids. The faire will be overflowing with opportunities to learn and have fun. If the day leaves you hungry, never fear, refreshments will be sold.

For Sir Black Wolf this faire, in particular, has personal meaning.

“It is rewarding to bring these experiences to people, but it is especially rewarding at Fort Bragg and being able to bring this opportunity to the troops and their families. I’m a veteran and I remember how important it was to have things like this coming to town for the families,” he says.

The faire will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22. It will open at 10 a.m. both days. On Saturday the faire will close at 6 p.m. and it will close at 5 p.m. on Sunday. No weapons are permitted whether they are period or modern. Additionally, no pets, outside alcohol or coolers will be allowed. The cost of admittance is $5 per carload. The faire is staged at Smith Lake Recreation Area, 1200 Honeycutt Rd. For more information, visit http://www.medievalfantasiesco.com/FortBraggRenaissanceFaire.htm or call 396-9126. Join in the fun as Knights joust and minstrels play at the Fort Bragg Renais-sance Fair.ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom-ingweekly.com.

Photo: Join in the fun as Knights joust and minstrels play at the Fort Bragg Renais-sance Fair.

Have you been affected by cancer? Almost everyone has. Maybe a family member, friend, neighbor or someone at your church is dealing with cancer. Perhaps you are a survivor yourself.

I lost my grandfather to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma last year. As I remember the struggles my family and I endured during his illness, it helps to know that there are organizations like Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center to provide support to cancer patients, survivors and their family members.

Members of the community can also show their support on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the 8th Annual Ribbon Walk & Ride, occurring at the Medical Arts Center in Downtown Fayetteville.

The purpose of Friends of the Cancer Center is to alleviate some of the stress that is placed on cancer patients and their families. A cancer diagnosis can come as a shock to patients and their loved ones. Treatments and financial obligations can add to that stress.

Fortunately, all proceeds from the Ribbon Walk & Ride go toward The Friends of the Cancer Center’s mission of helping cancer patients at Cape Fear Valley cope. This includes helping cancer victims with funds for cancer screenings, prescription medicines, wigs, hats, scarves, transportation, dietary supplements, utilities and even rent. It also involves offering emotional support and therapeutic outlets both for patients and their families.

With funds raised by events such as the Ribbon Walk & Ride, Cape Fear Valley Cancer Treatment and CyberKnife® Center offers the Oasis Complimentary Medicine Program, which provides numerous therapeutic exercises for patients. Services concentrate on the mind, body and soul. Patients can receive a massage or reflexology for an exceptional price. Nutritional classes are also offered and patients may attend art therapy classes to therapeutically express any feelings of depression or anxiety they may be experiencing.

A healthy soul heals, and the Oasis Complimentary Medicine Program is aimed at treating the areas that radiation and chemotherapy can’t reach.

Tara Brisson Hinton, Friends of the Cancer Center Coordinator, would like to see these services continue to expand, in order to help even more patients through their journey with cancer. Doing so will require raising funds through events like the Ribbon Walk & Ride.

One of the great things about participating in this special event is that you are helping patients right here at home, in your community.

There are numerous ways you can support those who are fighting cancer. You can choose to walk by yourself, with a team or register as a survivor.

Those up to the challenge created a team and recruited others to join. Some came up with a creative name or named their teams after someone they have lost to cancer.

All teams must be registered by Friday, August 30, to be acknowledged on the team banner. The team who raises the most before Monday, September 30, will receive The Crystal Trophy, with their team name engraved on it. Additionally, the top 3 teams will receive:

• A thank you letter from the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Board of Directors and recognition at their annual meeting

• Certificate of Appreciation

• Team name listed on the foundation’s donor wall panel for the year

• Honored at a special reception at the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center Treatment & Cyberknife Center on Oct. 17.

A new element has been added this year. A school competition will be held for elementary, middle and high school teams participating in the walk. Students, staff, family and friends may join the school teams. First, second and third place teams will receive awards for the Most Money Raised and Most Registered Participants. Also, teams will receive their award at a special reception at the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center Treatment & Cyberknife Center.

Cancer survivors may register for the event for only $15 and receive an honorary Survivors T-shirt and a personal invitation to the Survivor’s Reception.

The Second Annual Survivors Reception will be held at Sky View on Hay Street on Friday, Sept. 20 – the night before the Ribbon Walk & Ride — from 7 to 9 p.m.

The 2012 reception was a wonderful success with more than 350 guests in attendance. Each survivor, regardless of where they received their treatment, may bring a guest if they register for the Ribbon Walk & Ride before Monday, Sept. 6.

“This is a time to celebrate with all cancer survivors,” says Hinton. “We honor them and their fight against this horrible disease, as well as their caregiver as we start off a weekend of hope and support for our patient’s right here at home.”

The reception will be elegant with delectable food, live music, prizes and an entertaining photo booth. Get silly and have fun with the photo booth accessories because you can have a print for a keepsake.

On display the night of the reception will be an art showcase, featuring work by the artists of Cape Fear Valley’s Artful Reflections Program.

Survivors are not required to walk in order to attend the reception. Don’t miss out on an enjoyable night of entertainment and laughter.

More than 950 people participated in the 2012 Ribbon Walk & Ride, raising more than $79,000. Cape Fear Valley’s Friends of the Cancer Center is hoping to top that with a goal to raise $100,000 this year.

At over halfway to the goal, I encourage everyone to participate in this year’s 8th Annual Ribbon Walk & Ride. For more information on how to register or donate to support cancer patients at Cape Fear Valley Cancer and Cyberknife Center, please call (910) 615-1434 or visit www.ribbonwalkforcancer.org.

Photo: Local citizens take on cancer at the annual Ribbon Walk & Ride for Cancer.

Forrest Gump fans may remember him as Lt. Dan, the Vietnam War amputee and more recently he is known for his portrayal of detective Mac Taylor on CSI NY. In other circles, he is also known as a champion for the military and a talented performer.On Sept. 13, Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band are coming to Fayetteville and will perform in Festival Park, but this is more than just a concert.

On Sept. 9-10, prior to the concert, artist Scott Labaido will paint a large American Flag at Festival Park to say thanks to the beneficiaries of the event. Lobaido’s painting of the American flag hangs in the White House. The public is invited to come and cheer him on. Tickets will also be available on site.

“Scott has painted his flags all over the U.S., in each of the 50 states,” said Catherine Christman, event coordinator. “He is unbelievable to watch and he believes the American flag is the most beautiful thing ever.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum will host a ribbon cutting ceremony. The ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. and the public is invited to attend. The ribbon will be cut at 9:59 a.m. to coincide with the exact time that the first tower of the World Trade Center fell in 2001. Mayor Chavonne will be in attendance and the Cumberland Oratorio Singers will perform.

“We are going to go all over the country with our mobile 9/11 museum and want to remind people what it was all about,” said Christman. “The artifacts are on loan from New York City firehouses, which have honored us by loaning us these artifacts.”

The 9/11 Mobile Museum will be at ASOM Sept. 11-12 and will be on display at the concert on Sept. 13.

The event is part of a collaboration with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation called Building for America’s Bravest. The foundation is named for firefighter Steven Siller, who on Sept. 11, 2001, ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel with 60 pounds of gear on his back to help in the crisis as the Twin Towers fell.

The Building for America’s Bravest program builds custom-designed smart homes for injured service members. The homes are energy efficient, easily accessible and use adaptive energy and they are built with the idea of empowering the inhabitants to live constructive and independent lives. Security systems, window treatments and other systems are powered by iPads.

Local heroes Master Sgt. John Masson and Staff Sgt. Thomas McRae, are each going to receive a smart home, and the Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band concert is a fundraiser to help make this happen. Even in the best of financial circumstances providing high-tech quality homes is an expensive endeavour no matter how noble the cause. The goal is to raise enough funds from concert ticket sales to provide Masson and McRae and their families. The Gary Sinise Foundation also aims to “serve as a vehicle to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities; which is at the core of the Gary Sinise Foundation’s mission.

Masson stepped on an IED during a village stability operation in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan in 2010. He lost both legs and his dominant arm in the explosion but still helped to treat his own wounds. Masson received the Purple Heart Medal and a second Bronze Star Medal from the incident.

Having already served three combat tours in Iraq, McRae was on his second tour in Afghanistan when he was injured in an IED explosion. He was on a foot patrol early last year when an IED exploded. He lost both legs, his left arm and suffered injury to his brain and eyes.

An award winning actor, director and musician, Sinise has been called a modern-day Bob Hope and has indeed served as a beacon of hope for many service members who have suffered injuries. The Gary Sinise Foundation partners with many programs and organizations to make sure that America’s finest, to include the military and first responders, receive the support they deserve.

For more information, visit the Gary Sinise Foundation at www.garysinisefoundation.org, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.tunneltotowersfoundation.org and Building for America’s Bravest at ourbravest.org. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at www.ltdanbandtickets.com.

Photo: Lt. Dan Band will play to support heroes like Master Sgt. John Masson and Staff Sgt. Thomas McRae pictured left.

Motorsports enthusiasts and country music fans alike are in for a treat on Sept. 7. The Outback Motorsports Complex in Laurinburg is set to host the Colt Ford Classic, a day-long festival that includes an Outlaw Motorcross Race and a day full of bands, with country music star Colt Ford capping off the festivities.

A relatively new venue, the Outback Motorsports Complex originally opened to provide ATV and otheroutdoor training to the military. Mike Evock, owner and former Green Beret, decided to open the establishment to the public. Now most anyone is welcome to come out and enjoy the great outdoors.

“We have 800 acres for ATVs and dirt bikes along with a 1.5 mile motorcross track,” said Evock. “It’s a national style motorcross track. We also have concessions on site, camper hook ups, a fishing pond and camping areas for tents.”

The Colt Ford concert is one of many events planned at the complex in the coming months and the first concert of this size.

“We can hold 30,000 people, and this is an outdoor concert,” said Evock. “Bring your ATV and come for the day. We have a motorcross race that morning, too. We’ll see how this one turns out, we are trying to put together some bands for Veteran’s Day, too.”

Colt Ford released a new album, Declaration of Independence, last summer. Ford wrote or co-wrote 14 of the 15 songs on the record. The performer has said that this is the best he has ever made. The former pro golfer has a sound all his own. Drawing on his experience as a rapper, Ford’s songs are often a hip-hop country fusion that cover topics that ring true with Americans of all stripes. He’s collaborated with other big names like Jason Aldean to produce hits like “Dirt Road Anthem.” He’s also worked with Darius Rucker, Jake Owen and Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn and is set to tour with Florida-Georgia Line later this fall.

While the Outback Motorsports Complex is great for an afternoon of outdoor fun, Evock also hosts training events, parties and more. From Mud Bogs to Corn Hole tournaments, the public has found a unique outdoor space for a variety of activities.

“We have a race next month coming up called a hair scrambler,” said Evock. “Guys race through the woods, where we have an 8-10 mile track for them. They run through the woods and the whole thing takes about two hours.”

The Outback Motorsports Complex is in Laurinburg. “That’s just 20 or 30 minutes south of Raeford,” said Evock. “One of the things that makes us different is that me and my staff are always out on the property making sure that people are having a good time. I’ve even had people tell me that they were surprised to learn that I am the owner, because you are just as likely to find me out on a water truck as you are to find me in the office.”

Tickets for the Colt Ford Classic are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event and can be ordered at www.coltford-concert.com. For more information, visit www.outbackmotorsportscomplex.com or call 910.916.0284.

Photo: Country music comes to Laurinburg at the Colt Ford Classic.

Women have been the heart and soul of society since its beginning. Whether it’s a mother who lovingly gives wisdom and direction for life’s journey or a wife who is a constant source of strength through trials, every successful man has a strong woman guiding him as he makes his mark on the world. Now, more and more, women are making their marks as well.

Join the third annual Fayetteville Ladies’ Power Lunch on Sept. 12 and Dec. 12 at the Embassy Suites located at 4760 Lake Valley Drive in Fayetteville. This event is for every woman! If you own your own business, are a homemaker or selflessly give your time and energy to children with developmental disorders, you are cordially invited to be a part of this power lunch. The event organizers respectfully request that only women attend.

The purpose of this event is to encourage every woman to continue making a positive difference in the lives of others and the city of Fayetteville. With 20 to 25 vendors on site, opportunities to network professionally and to shop will be provided. Mothers of children with developmental disorders will be honored, as well. These women are affectionately referred to as “SHeroes.” Being honored as well at the event will be a special selection of women known as the “Golden Girls.” This elite group will be comprised of those who have helped other women achieve success in life and represent all mothers. It is women like this that make this event possible.

Driving this event is President of the Fayetteville Ladies’ Power Lunch and CEO of Fayetteville Hyperbarics, Denise Mercado. She conceived the idea of the lunch from one similarly done in the Triangle area.

When speaking about the event, Mercado said, “It’s very unique and is sponsored by women, for women.”

It is her belief that women have just as much to contribute to our economy as men. The value of women in our society is all too often understated and The Fayetteville Ladies’ Power Lunch hopes to help change that.

Speaking at this event will be women of note. On Sept. 12, Denise Bennett will be the guest speaker. A highly sought after voice of influence throughout the state and beyond, Bennett is the author of Chosen Seed: from Mustard Seed to Abundance and is a member of the National Speakers Association and Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women Board of Directors. Her words promise to be enlightening and insightful for women of all walks of life.

Speaking in December will be television personality and Fayetteville native, Nicole Carr. With experience from ABC 11’s Eyewitness team, WECT in Wilmington and WTVF in Nashville, Carr knows what it takes to be a successful woman in the public eye. She shares a strong passion for military families and described herself as an Army Brat.

Come and join other successful women and celebrate the courage and entrepreneurial spirit of all local women at the Fayetteville Ladies’ PowerLunch. For more information, contact Karen Estep at (910) 920-1165.

Photo: In September and December, Fayetteville women have the opportunity to celebrate their success at the  Women’s Power Lunch.

Scary Statistics: Local Roads Are Dangerous and so Is this Community

No doubt about it, we need to get tough on crime. Last Saturday our new Police Chief Harold Medlock and the Fayetteville Police Department, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Hope Mills and Spring Lake Police Departments and the local Probation & Parole units conducted a DWI checkpoint on a section of Hope Mills Road. The checkpoint was part of the Booze It and Lose It Campaign through the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. The objectives were to educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving and to reduce the number of drunk drivers on our roadways. Good idea? No. Great idea!

However, as a longtime resident of Cumberland County,it brings to light some very interesting and disturbing points. Why wasn’t the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department participating and supporting this exercise? And, why is it that so many of our Cumberland County residents have such a high disrespect and disregard for our laws, ordinances, law enforcement officers, the courts and our judicial system in general?

If this situation wasn’t so serious, it would be a laughing matter. After all, the crooks, “bad guys” and not so casual lawbreakers continue mocking our laws, our police officers, sheriff deputies, our magistrates, judges and entire judicial system. No? Want proof?

Just examine the results of just one day of this recent Booze It campaign. I repeat, just one day. This speaks volumes about how people feel about law and order and the level of respect they have for our police and local laws. These results also provide all the insights one needs as to why Fayetteville and Cumberland County have one of the highest crime rates in the state. Where’s the pride to lead the state in community assaults, rapes, burglaries, property crimes and murders? Check out this one day’s work of day arrests and citations:

Underage DWI 5 arrests

Driving with a Revoked License 32 citations

No Operators License 19 citations

Open Container (Alcohol) 3 citations

Inspection / Registration Violations 45 citations

Misdemeanor Drug Violations 4 citations

Seatbelt / Child Restraint Violations 3 citations

Wanted Persons arrested 2

113 in all. Impressed? I am, but, for the wrong reasons. Notice the low number of DWIs. That’s a positive. What’s disturbing is that they were all underage drinkers. What should really alarm everyone is that 51, or 45 percent, of the total citations were given out to people driving automobiles without valid driver licenses. That’s huge and extremely scary!

Think about it, in just one day in several hours, 51 people were caught driving on local roads without authorization or consequence. Even scarier and more detrimental to our community in every case, there is a good and legal reason why they do not have valid authorization to drive a motor vehicle. To make matters even worse, no valid driver license means they also do not have automobile insurance. Bottom line, literally, our streets are dangerous. Citizens are not safe.

The harsh reality is that this is a sad reflection of how our community and humanity in general views and respects authority and the laws of the land. Slick lawyers, weak law enforcement, lenient judges, over crowded jails all contribute to what criminals applaud as a “catch-and-release” environment that serves only to encourage the weak willed to ignore and break the law. Put another way, there is no fear or sense of consequence.

In the Fayetteville community, as in communities all across the nation, lack of punishment or consequence only encourages and incites a criminal to ignore the law. What better proof is needed than one day’s work out on Hope Mills Road? I hope our city and county leaders (and leaders to be) will consider these points before our war on crime escalates into our local war on terror.

Cumberland County and Fayetteville both have qualified and talented law enforcement agencies. They are working hard … just not together. The magistrates, judges, DA’s office and courts need to search out their A games, get serious to reestablish law and order in our community. Honestly, the perception is that they are missing in action. Until all these components of justice start to come together I am afraid all the newly hired police officers, hundreds of surveillance cameras and dozens of municipal crime advisory boards will only serve as a placebo and fuzzy feel good for taking on the real responsibility for establishing law and order and getting tough on crime.

Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly. We love being your community newspaper.

If know any of the women who are appearing in The Dames You Thought You Knew at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, then you probably consider yourself lucky. These women — Suzanne Pennick, Terri Union, Rollin Shaw, Patricia Timmons-Goodson and Margaret Dickson — all successful in their own right as professionals, are more than their bank balances. They are known for their community involvement, for their caring and we would be remiss if we didn’t say for their style.

Being in a room with one of them is a delight, sitting down with all of them is a treat not to be missed. And you are invited to do just that as The Dames You Thought You Knew hits the stage Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 31 - Sept. 1 and again on Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept. 8.

The show, conceived by Bo Thorp, is a journey through the lives of five successful Fayetteville women told in their own words, by them. It is held together with music performed by The Singing Dames under the direction of Brian Whitted and Sharon McNair. The music, which spans the pivotal decades in the lives of these women, ties the show together, but it is the wit, wisdom and kindness of the women that tells the story.

Thorp has been toying with the idea of doing a project like this for some time, she says it has been on her bucket list for quite a while.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a long, long time, but it wasn’t something I was ready to pursue. But now it’s at the top of my list,” said Thorp. “I think it became more important to me at this point in my life as I have begun to think ‘How did I get here?’ This isn’t where I started, but as I look back, I can see it has been a crooked road, and I was interested to see how the road looked for these women.”

Thorp looked around the community and came up with 10 women whom she thought were leaders; women who made the community better. She then approached the top five women on her list, and to her amazement, they all agreed.

“The amazing thing to me is that they said yes, before they even knew what the project was,” she said. “That overwhelmed me that they trusted that I know what I am doing, and I do know what I am doing, to see this project through. I am stunned by that.”

The ladies, though, had no hesitation in joining Thorp in the project.

“If Bo said do it, we had to do it — and have fun,” said Shaw.

With a full endorsement from her cast, Thorp brought the ladies together and what a wild ride it has been. The cast started meeting in January and began telling their stories.

For Timmons-Goodson, Thorp’s outline of periods of their lives they should concentrate on was key.

“If you were asked to tell your life story, what experiences would you pick? Bo organized it in such a way that was very helpful. She gave us an outline, so to speak. She said we must select one aspect and one incident. This was fascinating to me, looking at what it is I selected to discuss.”

The stories the women share are funny and they are sad. They are the fabric of the lives of the women who are telling them. They bring with them humor and kindness, romance and heartbreak, but the common thread of love and a sisterhood runs between the women. It is tangible. As they sit going through the process, some sipping iced tea or diet coke, you can see the ease with which they share their heart.

As Dickson noted, the ladies were friends before, having been neighbors with children the same ages, but the process has brought them closer, it has made them sisters.

If you would like to share their incredible journey, visit the CFRT Box Office or call 323-4233. Tickets range from $15 to $30. For more information, visit www.cfrt.org.

Photo: The show, conceived by Bo Thorp, is a journey through the lives of five successful Fayetteville women told in their own words, by them. 

When hardship descends on a country it is leadership that often decides the fate of the people. One noticeable leader who helped lead a fledgling country from the bloody fields of war into democracy was the Marquis de Lafayette; and it is in his honor that another great leader of our nation is coming to Fayetteville to speak.

To kick off the Lafayette Birthday Celebration Gen. Russell Honorè will be lecturing on “Leadership in the New Normal” as part of the Lafayette Leadership Speaker Series.

The lecture is sponsored by Methodist University in celebration of Lafayette’s Birthday.

“Methodist University feels that part of its mission and purpose is to bring high-quality speakers in routinely. It is exciting to see the university do this and be part of bringing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and hear General Honorè. He took charge and became a hero. It is an opportunity to see, meet and hear someone of this stature,” Dr. Andrew Ziegler, the director of The Lura S. Tally Center of Leadership Development, explains.

Gen. Honorè first came into the public eye when he was put in charge of managing the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina. Dealing with the overwhelming devastation was a daunting task, but with a great leader at the helm, the situation was resolved quickly.

Ziegler recalls the devastation by saying, “Two-thousand people died as a result of the storm, there was $100 million in property damage, and more than 1 million people were displaced or lost their homes. New Orleans was not the only place affected, it was the entire gulf coast. In the aftermath, civil authority broke down and there were riots, looting and violence: total tragedy. Gen. Honorè came and put it all back in order. He brought thousands of troops, took command of the National Guard and hundreds of boats. It was a massive operation. The first phase was search and rescue, second was restoring order and finally recovery. He handled it superbly. Perhaps this lecture will help people to remember how fragile civil society is.”

There is more to Gen. Honorè than the ability to handle massive devastation in a short period of time. For years he has been a sought after speaker for emergency preparedness and leadership required for the modern world; but he has pushed for change to better the country in other ways as well.

“He has a passion for the country and for leadership. He wrote a book called Leadership in the New Normal, and he will be talking about that during his lecture. He is very concerned about bread and butter issues for the country such as education and family,” says Ziegler.

The lecture will take place on Sept. 6 from 11 until 11:50 a.m. in the Reeves Auditorium at Methodist University. It is completely free and open to the public. Reeves Auditorium is located at 5400 Ramsey St. For more information, visit the website www.methodist.edu/pub_media/releases/honore.pdf or email questions to aziegler@methodist.edu.

Other events associated with the Lafayette Birthday celebration include the Lafayette Trail tour, which costs $30, a sidewalk sale in downtown Fayetteville and more. There will be a 3K Dog Jog and a 5K Road Race on Sept. 7. Call 644-0137 for more information.

Wine and Design will offer a paint your own Eiffel Tower class on Sept. 7. Call 483-0433 for more information.

Photo : Gen. Russell Honoré will speak at Methodist University in honor of Lafayette’s Birthday Celebration.

Teacher, Teacher! Where Would We be Now?

Currently there is much controversy in North Carolina over the recent voting rights and education legislation signed into law by Governor Pat McCrory and our republican-leaning general assembly. Yes, North Carolina is getting a lot of air time on national TV and radio; though I’m not sure it’s the complimentary kind. Even high-pro관le Republican personalities like former Secretary of State Colin Powell is weighing in on McCrory’s voter ID position and labeling it a bad move for Republicans, noting that he considers it to be ineffective strategic planning. Wow! And that coming from a republican?

For me, honestly, I have no idea what’s going on up there in Raleigh. I just can’t figure out the strategy of either party.

Unfortunately, and like many Americans, I just don’t understand why our state and federal governments are so adept at finding, identifying, uncovering and exposing government waste, abuse, fraud and duplication yet they are totally powerless, or unwilling, to do anything about it. Go 관gure.

Both Republicans and Democrats continue throwing barbs at one another while continuing doing “business as usual” by ignoring horrendous circumstances that every American recognizes regardless of their social status, religion or race. Frustrating. So, now that we know the lay of the land, let’s talk about education in North Carolina and Cumberland County.

First of all, I will state the obvious: “Every politician we have elected are where they are today because of a dedicated teacher, professor or educational mentor. And, if asked, each and every one of them could recount fond and grateful memories of how those educators affected their lives and molded them into mature, responsible adults.

This being the case, why then are North Carolina teachers’ pay ranked as one of the lowest in the nation? That is a simple question, which lacks a simple answer.

However, I will say with some certainty that it is not because our current Republican administration does not value or appreciate the noble profession. Recently, an educator was quoted as “not having a raise in seven years.” Seven years? The McCrory administration is less than a year old. What were previous administrations doing about this? Educating young children has always been a valuable avocation. It is not a business where revenue and pro관ts drive corporate direction. Our entire economy is based on the simple concept of supply and demand. As more parents, high school and college counselors direct and push students into teaching professions, the glut of available qualified teachers will continue to grow keeping both the demand and the salaries down.

For sure, this is not to say we do not appreciate the people who we entrust with educating our children on a daily basis. And, if this is not enough justification there is an even bigger deterrent to higher teacher salaries: That is the passion, dedication and overwhelming desire professional teachers have to participate in developing, influencing and nurturing humanity. The truth be known, yes, teachers and teacher assistants deserve higher salaries, but the majority (silent) of dedicated educators are hard-working professionals and not doing it just for the money. Back to what I said earlier, there would be plenty of money for increased teacher salaries if local and state governments would focus on detecting and eliminating government waste, fraud, duplication of services and abuse of tax payers’ money.

North Carolina educators should stay focused and strive for not only higher salaries but also for higher measurable standards in education. If children are truly our future, then they should not be pawns used by individuals, organizations or political parties intent only on trying to further their cause.

Here in Cumberland County, I am extremely proud of our educational achievements and applaud the efforts of Superintendent Dr. Frank Till and his staff of administrators, principals, teachers and teacher assistants. All of whom, despite salaries that should be more reflective of their talents and achievements, succeeded in getting every school in Cumberland County accredited — feat that eluded Mecklenburg and Wake Counties.

In addition, the Cumberland County School District was recognized as one of the top four educational systems in the country and has become a finalist for the Broad Foundation Scholarship Award. The Broad Prize ($550,000) recognizes large urban school districts that show significant improvements over a four-year period. Cumberland County did not apply for this consideration; it was independently chosen out of the country’s 75 largest urban school districts serving a large percentage of low-income and minority students. We were one of four districts that had notable gains in overall student achievement and in reducing achievement gaps for low-income Hispanic and African-American children. Proof positive that we have a system that works.

A system dedicated to the profession of educating young children. A system full of educational professionals, staffers, principals, teachers and teacher assistants and all doing more with less. Why? Because they care. What price can be put on this? So, I guess if you are reading this, thank a teacher. They are priceless!

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. Don’t forget you can go to our website at www.upandcomingweekly.com and subscribe free and receive our VIP edition directly to your computer Tuesday afternoon. Also, listen in to my show with Goldy and Jim on WFNC’s 640AM Good Morning Fayetteville every Wednesday.

Good food, culture, music, dancing and great company — what’s not to like? It’s time for the 23rd Annual Greek Festival and all the fun that comes with it. Sept. 6-8 the congregation of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church will host the much anticipated and much loved Greek Festival.

The entire congregation pulls together every year to host this event, and every year the community takes them up on their offer of hospitality. The festival is centered on outreach and sharing, and every year the entire Greek community pulls together to give the locals an opportunity to get to know our neighbors and their culture a little bit better.

“One of my favorite things about the Greek Festival is the fellowship and learning more about our religion and sharing these things with the community,” said John Poulos, a member of the Greek FestivalPlanning Committee. “I like sharing the positive things that the Greek culture and the Orthodox Church does for the community and sharing our culture and our heritage.”

Many friendships are formed and memories made when people break bread together. A favorite aspect of Greek culture for many who attend the event, is the food. The Greek Festival features everything from gyros to souvlaki to spanikopita. For those who love Greek food this is a great opportunity to taste the many lovely flavors of the Greek Isles. Lamb, beef and chicken prepared with olive oil and spices make up a portion of typical Greek fare, along with the greens and veggies that are used in a refreshing Greek salad. Stuffed grape leaves, or dolmades are another popular dish. While parents can enjoy authentic Greek cuisine, there is always something for the kids to eat, too. Greek beer and wine, which pair nicely with the authentic cuisine are also available at the event.

Not much finishes off a great meal like an amazing dessert, and local Greek pastries can’t be beat. This is one of few occasions throughout the year when the congregation offers such delicacies in great supply. Filled with honey, nuts and butter, baklava is always a hit, but the pastry table is always covered with a variety of delectable treats like finikia, almond cookies and more.

This year there will be a limited lunch all day Friday, with a full dinner serving beginning at 5 p.m.

Decked in traditional garb of the Greek Isles, various folk dance troupes perform each year, showcasing the native dances and dress of their homeland. The troupes typically perform at various times throughout the weekend and often invite the audience to join in the fun and try a few of the simpler dances.

“We are going to show visitors to the festival how to Greek dance, but we will also give them a geography lecture and show slides of cities, villages and monuments in Greece,” explained Poulos.

Traditional Greek music will be provided by the Nick Trivelas Band, right down to the bouzouki, a mandolin-like instrument that is a staple in this genre of music. His playlist includes not only traditional Greek songs, but songs that can be heard in Greek taverns today. He’s released a CD of Greek Dance Festivalival music and one of Mediterranean love songs as well and both have met with great success across the country.

No culture can be truly understood without examining its faith. Take a guided tour of the church and learn more about Greek history and the Greek Orthodox beliefs. It is a great time to ask questions and delve deeper into the beliefs that inspire so many people in the community.

Books about the Greek Orthodox faith are sold at the market each year. Visitors will find everything from paintings, to clothes to jewelry. 

The Greek grocery store offers things like olive oil, cooking wines, coffee and other items that are commonly found in Greek pantries. It is a fun way to experiment with new ingredients, or even to pick up some hard to find items that will perk up meal time.

Also on display will be a traditional Greek home. Take a peek into the simple décor and serene atmosphere of a typical homestead that one might find on a Greek island.

The raffle each year includes two round trip tickets to Greece (or $2,000). The tickets cost just $5 each.

An addition to this year’s Festival is a community health fair. Working in partnership with Cape Fear Valley, the Festival will offer CPR classes as well as screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol. Attendees will have a chance to give back during a blood drive.

“We are hoping this will have a positive impact on the health of Cumberland County,” said Poulos.

Gracious hosts each year, the generosity of the congregation extends beyond the Festival weekend. Several nonprofits in the community benefit from donations that the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church bestows upon them. This year is no different, as the church plans to share part of the proceeds from this event with the community. Agencies who will receive funding include the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America, the United Way and the Autism Society. “If you haven’t been you should give it a try,” said Poulos.

“If you have been before, we can’t wait to see you again!”

The Festival runs Sept 6-8 and is open from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday; Saturday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. Entrance to the event and parking are free, but come prepared to shop and eat! Find out more about the Festivalival at www.stsch.nc.goarch.org or by calling 484-2010.

Photos:  A celebration of culture, faith and food, the Greek Festival runs Sept. 6-8.

Finding Money for College

How many times have you thought about going to college, only to have your dreams put on holdbecause you could not figure out how to pay for it? The information below will explain how you can turn those educational dreams into reality and offers solutions that you might explore for paying for college.

First of all, let’s compare the costs of education. Per 12 credit hours of education Fayetteville Technical Community College tuition and fees cost $903; state universities cost $3165.38; and private institutions cost $5102.

FTCC offers several college transfer options. If you graduate from FTCC with a two-year college transfer degree and have met the requirements of our statewide agreement with the university system, you will enter the university as a first-semester junior. As you can see, FTCC is your affordable alternative for your first two years of college.

With that said, how do you pay for classes at FTCC? Take a moment to consider your options below.

Grants: Grant funds are generally given based on financial need. Students do not have to pay back any grant funds received.

Scholarships: Scholarship funding is given to students based on different criteria, such as need, merit, or other specific requirements. Students do not have to pay back scholarship funds.

William D. Ford Loans: Loans disbursed through the William D. Ford Loan Program help provide students with financial funding for education, but students must pay back the loan money which incurs interest.

Payment Plan: FTCC offers a payment plan that breaks up the cost of college into a series of four payments.

Short-term loans: FTCC offers to students who are applying for financial aid but have not yet completed the entire financial aid process a short-term loan, which must be paid back.

Employer Grants: Inquire with your employer about employer help with funding for your education. Many employers consider helping their employees with education expenses a worthwhile expense because employees’ job skills will become enhanced or upgraded through education.

Private loans: Students can easily access a listing of providers of private educational loans through an Internet search. Remember, loans are monies that must be paid back, and loans incur interest.

Workforce Development: The Workforce Development Center is a service provided through the state of North Carolina that will pay tuition for individuals who are trying to upgrade their workforce skills. http://www.faytechcc.edu/institutional_effectiveness/wfdfrequentlyaskedquestions.aspx

Centralized Tuition Military Assistance:Many active duty soldiers qualify for tuition assistance. Check with your educational officer to see how you qualify.

Veteran’s Benefits: If you are a veteran or the dependent of a veteran, you may qualify for certain benefits to include the payment of tuition and fees. For more information, visit the FTCC veteran’s website at: http://www.faytechcc.edu/veterans_services.

Clubs, Organizations and Churches: Many clubs, organizations, and churches offer scholarship programs.

Would you like to know more about the options above? Visit the FTCC Financial Aid Website at www.faytechcc.edu/financial_aid/types_of_aid.aspx. Act now to ensure that you have completed the necessary steps to pay for college. FTCC is pleased to serve and be your school of choice!

Photo: Finding money for college might be easier than you think.

Anyone who has spent a season in North Carolina knows that mosquitoes are hardly scarce in the region. It is not an unfamiliar situation that as the sun starts to set and the sky erupts with colors, the beauty of the night may be corrupted by the eruption of mosquitoes. It doesn’t have to be that way, however. There is a company dedicated to helping families reclaim their yards from the bloodsucking pests, The Mosquito Squad.

Paul Reinhardt, the owner of Mosquito Squad in Fayetteville, has a passion for getting rid of mosquitoes. He says that it is important to control these pests.

“There is a rampant outbreak and the mosquitoes are one of the deadliest predators on earth. Their bites result in more than 2 million deaths a year,” he said.

Female mosquitoes bite humans in order to get the blood they need for their reproductive cycle. Unfortunately, besides leaving itchy annoying bumps, these attacks can also lead to the spread of diseases such as the West Nile Virus and Malaria.

On the Mosquito Squad website there are many do-it-yourself tips such as removing standing water and planting catnip, citronella or a few other plants that mosquitoes naturally hate. If that is not enough to protect a yard, calling a mosquito elimination expert is the next best thing to do.

There are several options for yard treatments such as barrier sprays which last for an average of 21 days, misting systems, which periodically mist foliage with bug repellent and even all-natural options that can be applied every 14 days. For special events like weddings, the Mosquito squad can also apply a 24-48 hour barrier spray with added repellents for stinging insects before guests arrive to ensure a pest free day.

“When we come out to spray a yard, 90 percent of mosquitoes will be eliminated and families will be able to enjoy their yard again,” Reinhardt said.

There are many advantages to having an entire yard protected as opposed to layering on bug spray before every outing.

“It is healthier than applying chemicals directly to the body. The spray is put on the surrounding foliage and it is healthier and more effective. It allows people to use the outdoors again and it greatly reduces the chance of disease.” Reinhardt explains.

Though it is especially designed to kill mosquitoes, the bug spray applied to gardens and yards gets rid of many other pests as well. Ticks are another major disease-spreading pest that can be eliminated from homes. Known to cause Lyme Disease and other diseases, ticks causes serious health issues in tens of thousands of people each year. These parasitic arachnids are common in any wooded or grassy area, but can be eliminated with the use of a barrier spray or misting system. The Mosquito Squad has more tips on how to get rid of mosquitoes and ticks on the website.

For more information or to schedule a visit from the mosquito squad visit http://fayetteville.mosquitoesquad.com or call 910-779-2656.

Photo: The Mosquito Squad is a local company that can get rid of what bugs you.

The fifth season of Huske Unplugged starts on Sept. 4, and if the past four seasons are any indication of the talent that is likely to participate, Fayetteville is in for a treat. While there are several venues for musicians to perform locally, Huske Unplugged is a platform for songwriters (many of whom also happen to be performers). Last season ended with a bang as both local and national sponsors awarded prizes worth more than $20,000.

Huske Hardware House owner Josh Collins has been a strong supporter of the event since its inception when he offered $2,000 of his own money as the prize. Last season, PCG Nashville, an agency that helps professionally develop artists of all genres awarded a $15,000 scholarship to their program, Reed Lallier Chevrolet offered $3,000 or a one-year car lease and Manifold Recording offered free recording time. Through the entire season the audience was treated to a variety of music by songwriters with varying levels of experience and expertise. In the end, Autumn Nicholas won the scholarship category and Ethan Hanson won the cash award category - and truly the biggest winners were the people who came out week after week to encourage and listen to the songwriters.

Sponsors are stepping up to support the participants. Mike Tiemann of Manifold Recording has confirmed that they will once again be a sponsor for Huske Unplugged Singer/Songwriter Night. The songwriter awarded best overall performance will receive a day of free recording at the state-of-the-art facility in Pittsboro. There will also be cash prizes each week and at the conclusion of the season.

As in previous seasons, there are eight weeks of preliminaries. Wednesday nights at 7 p.m., the sign-up sheet goes out. Performances start at 8 p.m. There are 12 available slots each week. The winner walks away with a cash prize and a spot in the semi-finals. Songwriters should come prepared to perform two to three songs, one of which can be a cover song.

"Songwriters come to this with different levels of experience," said Greg Biltz, cohost and cofounder of the event. "Sometimes one song is all they've written, and we still want to give them a chance to be heard."
There are two weeks of semi-finals leading up to the big night on Nov. 20. Throughout the competition Biltz has made sure that the event remains focused on the songwriters and the work they put into their compositions.

"This is not American Idol Fayetteville," said Biltz. "This showcase is about songwriters. Not every songwriter is a natural performer, and we want to keep this about content. We've had some amazing talent come out in the past four seasons and I hope to see some familiar faces, along with plenty of new faces, this time around."

In the past four seasons combined, 96 songwriters have participated. Only one, Nicholas, has won both the cash prize category and the scholarship category. That means there is a chance that the audience will get to see some of their favorites come out again since winners are only able to win each category once, at the current time.

An advocate for local musicians, Biltz is impressed with the talent in the area and has been blown away time and again with the many musical acts and what they have to offer.

"Our very fist winner, Nathan Fair, opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd at Sturgis this year," said Biltz. "He said they asked him to come back next year, too."
Nicholas has been to Nashville as part of winning the scholarship category last season. "I went to Nashville to watch Autumn. It was her first appearance as a PCG Nashville client," said Biltz. "She blew everyone away."

While Ethan Hanson won last season in the cash award category, the execs from PCG Nashville were reaching out to him, too, on the night of the finals. While there were several top-notch performers at the finals in April, Biltz called Hanson's victory a well-deserved win. "There were some people that I thought had a good chance, but then Ethan came in and just ate everybody's lunch," he said.

Casey Cotton competed last season and has put together a group that is building quite a following around town.

"Casey is the best keyboard player I have seen in 30 years. He is a showman," said Biltz. "He puts on a good show and he knows how to connect with the audience. His music is  upbeat and hard to describe. They do some fairly well-known pieces, but the way they put it together is different and fresh."

Mitch Clark is another crowd-pleaser that Biltz hopes to see at Huske Unplugged. "He has been a finalist in all four events and he is coming along phenomenally as well," said Biltz. "He is really developing as a songwriter. In 2011, he had never written a song before and he came in third place."

With so many talented writers and performers it's hard to tell who may or may not show, but Biltz is excited to see what this season brings.

"I've said from the beginning, and I tell everybody who shows up to play that this isn't about the money or winning a prize," said Biltz. "It's about an opportunity to have your original work heard. It is a chance to play your own songs in front of people who are interested in hearing them. Shoot, if I weren't hosting I'd be up there every week just to get my material heard."

Huske Hardware House owners Josh and Tonia Collins have been supporters of local musicians for years. In fact, their daughter, Summer Collins, has graced the stage at Huske Hardware, Festival Park and other local venues since she was in middle school. Thanks to her family's support and her talent and hard work, Summer is yet another success story in the Fayetteville music scene.

"I am finally heading west to Nashville, Tenn., to attend Belmont University as a commercial music major," she said. "I will be working with masters of the industry and surrounded by inspiration. I am anxious to dive into the Music City culture and driven to make Fayetteville proud."

Season five of Huske Unplugged starts, Wednesday, Sept. 4 at Huske Hardware House. Check the Huske Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HuskeHardware for more information.

During the Revolutionary War, the French played a huge part in securing victory for the United States. One man more than any other stands out as a hero and a leader, our town's namesake, the Marquis de Lafayette. In honor of this hero of the American Revolution, and our namesake, starting Sept. 6, the Lafayette Birthday Celebration ensues.

To kick-off the celebration, Lieutenant General Russel L. Honorè will speak as part of the Lafayette Leaderhip Speaker Series. General Honorè is famous for his management of the Hurricane Katrina aftermath. He is now a public speaker about emergency preparedness and leadership in modern day America. The lecture is free to the public and is on Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. until 11:50 a.m. in the Reeves Auditorium at Methodist University, 5400 Ramsey St.

There are a number of events over the weekend for people to enjoy. They are family friendly, and the majority are completely free to the public.

"There is the Lafayette Trail tour where people retrace the steps of Lafayette's visit in 1825. Kids can go with their parents to Wine, Paint and Canvas and paint an Eiffel Tower. For people who like sports there is a 3K pooch run and fencing - an open fencing tournament at the All American Fencing Academy. There is something for everyone. There will be sidewalk sales and entertainment in the streets," Hank Parfitt, the event organizer said.

Wine, Paint and Canvas will offer the paint your own Eiffel Tower from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Sept. 8. It costs $30 for adults and $20 for children. For more information, call 483-0433. Wine and Canvas is located at 3350 Footbridge Ln.

The sidewalk sale is also on Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., all throughout downtown Fayetteville. For more information, visit www.lafayettesociety.org/sidewalk-sale.php.

The 3K Dog Jog and a 5K Road Race will begin behind the Medical Arts Building at Hay Street and Bragg Boulevard. The race starts at 9 a.m. on Sept. 8. The Lafayette Open Fencing Tournament is the fourth annual tournament. It begins at 10 a.m. and will last until 3 p.m. at the All American Fencing Academy, 201 Donaldson St. For more information, call 644-0137.

The Marquis de Lafayette is a huge part of American History, and though cities all over the United States bear his name, Fayetteville, N.C., is the only one ever visited by the man himself. One of the most popular events of the birthday celebration each year is the guided tour of the Lafayette trail. "Bruce Daws, the city historian and commander of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry, which is the second oldest private militia in the nation, will guide people through the route Lafayette took when he visited Fayetteville. He will be wearing the uniform that the militia would have been wearing in 1825, when Lafayette visited." Parfitt said. Before the tour there will be coffee and croissants and afterwards there will be a great lunch catered by Circa 1800. A new addition to the tour this year is the local landmark The Cool Springs Tavern. Tickets are $3 and are available by calling 678-8899 or at City Center Gallery & Books at 112 Hay St.

For more information, visit www.lafayettesociety.org/events.php. 

Get set to be entertained by "Ready and Resilient," the 2013 U.S. Army Soldier Show as it comes to the Crown Theatre Sept. 3-4.

The 75-minute song-and-dance production by active duty, Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers uses music to put an entertaining spin on how Soldiers and their families maintain readiness and resiliency.
"We had to take a good look at what the Army says makes troops and their families ready and resilient and what mechanisms the country and the world in general are offering to help with resilience," said Soldier Show Artistic Director Victor Hurtado. "And helping with readiness because you know there's a good chance that you're going back out again, so you better be ready.

"The show is very much about illustrating not only ways to get away and be resilient, but also illustrating overarching solutions to certain issues that are facing the military today, like [the Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program], Gold Star, Blue Star and Survivor Outreach Services," Hurtado said.

The show's troops are focused on accomplishing the mission and providing quality entertainment at the same time.

"The material makes sense with the messaging, and it also makes sense to them," Hurtado said of the 15 Soldier-performers and seven Soldier-technicians who comprise the cast and crew. "We're also going to be entertaining. We're going to be singing songs just because they are on the radio."

Hurtado promises there is something for everyone who watches the show. Tributes are paid to the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 75th anniversary of "God Bless America," the 60th anniversary of the Armistice of the Korean War, and the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the modern era of the U.S. Army Soldier Show.

"Every American, military-affiliated or not, will be able to see themselves in the show," Hurtado said. "The fact that the show is entertaining someone is already taking them away [from their mindset], but the messaging is going to inspire. We know they are coming to be entertained, but further, the content in the show is designed to hopefully be a time-released pool of inspiration."

From the opening song, "Let's Go" by Calvin Harris, the direction of the show is set.

"There's a lyric in there that we've taken almost all of our cues from, and it says it's not about where you've been, it's about where you're going," Hurtado said.
"To me, as the artistic director and the writer of the show, that's where I'm taking my cues from," Hurtado said. "Resilience is about the now. And readiness is about getting ready for the future. Not much you can do about the past. We're not painting a rosy picture, but resilience, again, is about moving on."
Hurtado does not want to reveal too much about the show, insisting this is one not to miss.

"The mechanism is really brilliant, so if we give too much of it away, they are going to be expecting it," Hurtado said. "Arguably and humbly, I will say this is going to probably go down as one of the more well thought-out shows, and there are a lot of reasons for it."

The shows are free, and start at 7 p.m.

This past Saturday I attended the first of what will hopefully be many more candidate forums for the office of mayor of our fine city. This forum was hosted by the Cumberland County Citizens United organization in western Fayetteville, which originally formed to fight Fayetteville's "Big Bang" annexation a few years ago.

Needless to say, that was a failed endeavor.

The overall turnout was disappointing. Some estimate about 100 people showed up to hear the candidates; when you take out the five mayoral candidates, their families and the media, I'm not sure the turnout was all that impressive. Maybe about 60 people.

However, I was pleased to see two Cumberland County Commissioners there, Billy R. King and Ed Melvin. I have always felt that Fayetteville would benefit from a closer relationship with Cumberland County officials.
In any case, all five mayoral candidates did show up present and accounted for. That, in the end, was the real problem for me. In attendance were the three serious mayoral candidates: Val Applewhite, current city council member, Air Force veteran, businesswoman and mother of two; Kirk deViere local business owner, business man, community volunteer and past chair of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerc; and Nat Robertson, lifetime resident, local businessman and former two-term city council member.

The other not-so-serious candidates present were CCCU founder Charles Regan and past city council member Paul Williams. Both of these gentlemen will be on the ballot for mayor but by their own volition only serve as posers* (*short for impostors, i.e. posing as something you are not) since neither are serious mayoral candidates.

Combined, their responses, statements, postures and positions on issues facing the City of Fayetteville would have been comical and even laughable if the circumstances were not so serious. Their performance on Saturday begged the question: What were they doing there?

Honestly, both these candidates have come out and declared that they are NOT serious candidates for the office of  Mayor of Fayetteville.  Neither has any intention of actively campaigning or soliciting for the position.
So why are they taking up space at a citizen forum dealing with serious issues concerning the future of the City of Fayetteville? After all, just because they can scrape up $24 in sofa change to pay the filing fee does not entitle them to make a mockery of this democratically protected American right - or to create a distraction to the process that many feel is vitally important to our city's future at this very moment.

This mayoral race (or any electoral race) should not be used as a buffoon's personal platform to draw attention to themselves by creating a continuous eight-week rant just to get their name in the newspaper or an invitation to a radio talk show to promote a business or for creating their own personal public forum for whining, complaining, criticizing and pontificating over circumstances and situations for which they have no remedy or intention of solution. Sad.  

In any case, it is my opinion that these types of shenanigans are not needed or wanted in this race where loyalty, honesty and ability will come together to define the type of person capable of providing the residents of the City of Fayetteville a mayor who can effectively lead our city. There is no place for Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello or Dumb and Dumber. We all can look elsewhere for our comic relief.

With that being said, what is the solution? Easy. Don't invite them! That's right. If, through their very own words and deeds they have admitted they are not serious candidates then they should not be invited to participate in the forums. The hosts of these forums should invite only the serious candidates (Applewhite, deViere, Robertson) and let the time and efforts be wisely spent educating the public on how they plan to lead and improve our city. People who attend these forums want to hear what they have to say about crime, jobs, taxes, roads, transportation, PWC, storm water and the other important issues facing our community, all of which I deem serious.

A $24 filing fee does not give these irreverent posers the right to waste the valuable time of our voters by distracting and confusing the issues when we have so much of importance to talk about. For what it is worth, here are a few other comments and recommendations about future forums:

1. Have closing comments. Each candidate should have a chance to make a final statement.

2. Ditch fluff questions. Pose hard, fair but relevant questions on serious, relevant subjects that demand specific answers.

 3. Let the audience ask questions to specific candidates then give other candidates an opportunity to comment.

4. With a moderator, let the candidates pose questions to each other. Hey, this could be where the real fun is.

I'll close by thanking you for reading Up & Coming Weekly and by congratulating and saying "thank you" to Val Applewhite, Kirk deViere and Nat Robertson for taking up the challenge to serve and improve our city. Vote!

A smart, but frustrated, chum rang up recently with an unusual complaint that resonated with me. We Americans simply have too many choices. We have so many choices, she suggests, that choosing among our myriad options has become actual work.

All of us research our major purchases. No one ever buys a car without researching it in some way. We do not go to a car dealership and say, for example, "I want to buy a blue car." Even writing that sounds absurd, much less doing it. Instead we decide what sort of vehicle we want - sedan, station wagon (moi!), SUV, pick-up truck - how much we want to spend on whatever we have chosen and perhaps what brand we prefer. We read and talk to other people. Then we go out to find the vehicle we want and haggle with the sales staff until we cut a deal.

Not so with lesser consumer items. Take shampoo. Have you cruised what is generally called the "Hair Care" aisle lately? It is smorgasbord of colors and sizes, products for normal hair, oily hair, damaged hair, colored hair, aging hair, thinning hair, curly hair and on and on. Products at eye level - how they got that cherished spot is anyone's guess - may sell more because they are the obvious and easy grab, but if you actually look around, confusion reigns. How can a shopper know what is the right product for his/her young or old, curly or straight, dry or oily, flowing or skimpy tresses? If you survive the great shampoo hunt, you may feel the need for a hair conditioner. And about a styling product? Gel or spray? Mousse, perhaps? Do you go for the same brand in all these products or do you mix and match? If so, how do you choose which shampoo goes with which conditioner, much less which styling goo?

You are getting the idea. The whole thing is a lot of work not because hair products are unique in and of themselves, but because there are so darn many of them.

Ditto for face cream, hand cream, toothpaste, shaving cream and just about every other "personal care" item you can imagine. We are drowning in choices.

And, my friend insisted, do not even get her started on wine options! In the olden days before Americans took up wine quaffing with an enthusiasm unmatched even in Europe, most of us thought we had two choices - red or white, and the occasional pink one, which, if we were feeling sophisticated, we referred to as a rosé.

My, how times have changed! My neighborhood grocery has an entire wine section, bigger even than the beer display, which must be a shock for some of the good-old-boys. There are chardonnays from California and France, champagnes from France, proseccos from Italy, malbecs from Argentina and Chile, merlots, pinot grigios, pinot noirs, sauvignon blancs, cabernet sauvingnons, bordeauxs - all from many different regions of the world, along with traditional chiantis and chabillis. It is all a bit much for a shopper who simply wants to find a wine to serve dinner guests Saturday night. He or she is going to have to work hard to avoid making an embarrassing vino faux pas.

The choice problem is certainly not a problem on the scale of, say, world peace, but it is frustrating and confusing. I know that specialty stores maintain knowledgeable staffs who can help us decide what suits our needs and our pocketbooks, and they can indeed be instructive. The cold hard reality for many shoppers, though, is that many of us are busy, doing all this on the fly as we juggle our other responsibilities and obligations. Devoting significant chunks of time to what our hair may be hankering for or finding the perfect after-dinner sherry just is not in the cards for most of us on a regular basis.

So what are we to do? For personal care items, wines and lots of other things, this consumer takes to the Internet to read reviews posted by other people who have tried whatever it might be. This is not a foolproof system, as we all have different needs and different tastes. I find the practice helpful, though, as fellow consumers can be brutally honest as in "this blouse is made of really cheap fabric and makes you look fat." or "this cream smells like motor oil," realities advertising faithfully overlooks.

Happy shopping!

Magic has tantalized the public for generations, providing entertainment and wonder for millions across the globe. One thing that magic is not commonly related to however, is education. As most people know, “a good magician never reveals his secrets.” Kidsville News! is changing that though, with a new take on magic shows.

Kidsville News! and the Kidsville News Literacy & Education Foundation are partnering with the Crown to present Truman’s Mystical Magical Adventure, featuring The Amazing Vandoren. This show promises to be not only fun, but also educational and beneficial to the community. Kristy Sykes, the event marketing consultant says “Net proceeds from this event will go to the Kidsville News Literacy and Educational Foundation to continue providing educational community programs for our youth.”

The magic show is an event that the whole family can enjoy. The Amazing Vandoren has been performing for years, and just as his name suggests, he will amaze the crowd. Truman will also attend the magic show.
“He will greet everyone as they walk into the show and he will actually be on stage assisting The Amazing Vandoren,” Sykes said.

For schools, shows will take place Oct. 3-4. There are two shows each day at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Each school that attends will receive a donation of $1 per attending student. Tickets cost $8 per student.

Principals, teachers, chaperones and bus drivers get in free. The school with the most students attending will also win a Truman’s Magic show, starring The Amazing Vandoren, for their entire school. Each student who attends the show will also receive an autographed photo of Truman and The Amazing Vandoren. Schools can book shows by having a school representative call 484-6200. The show is open for schools in Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, Lee, Sampson and Robeson counties.

There are also public performances, with an evening show on Oct. 4, at 7 p.m., and an afternoon show on Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. There are also special group rates and military discounts offered. It is requested that large groups make reservations. All tickets for family shows can be purchased by calling 484-6200 or through ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com/Crown-Center-tickets-Fayetteville/venue/115005. Tickets can also be purchased at the Crown Box Office. All shows will be held in the Crown, at 1960 Coliseum Drive.

The Kidsville News Literacy & Education Foundation’s mission is to “improve literacy, education and character development among America’s young children by providing support for various early literacy and learning-based initiatives nationwide.” Since 1998, one way the foundation has done that is through Kidsville News! This child-focused publication is a free resource for grades kindergarten to fifth grade that is distributed to schools across the nation. Currently, 1.4 million people are reached by Kidsville News! every month.

To sponsor or donate to Truman’s Mystical Magical Adventure contact Kristy Sykes at 484-6200 or kristy@upandcomingweekly.com.
“Donations will help cover the cost for underprivileged students who otherwise would not be able to come,” Sykes said.

This past week, a lot of talk and a lot of newsprint has been dedicated to talking about the need to revitalize the Bragg Boulevard and Murchison Road corridor, particularly where it intersects with Fayetteville State University. Additionally, Fayetteville State University Chancellor James Anderson called for a closer tie between the university and the city. None of this is new news.

When I moved to Fayetteville in 1997, people were talking about the same things. Everyone agreed that it was important work. It was work that needed to be done. And we all went about our business doing other necessary work. At that time, the city's attention was focused on downtown. People gathered to watch the old strip clubs on Hay Street fall to the wrecking ball and newer edifices like city hall, the police department and later, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum take their place. This was revitalization at its finest.

Residents gawked as brave investors began pumping money into downtown. The brave among us attended the first of the 4th Friday events, happy when we got back in our cars with no mishaps. And slowly, downtown became a reality. It was work, hard work. Those involved in the lion's share of that work, people like Robin Kelly-Legg, endured the cynicism and the rebuffs from established business owners, but kept pushing to make it a reality.

In 1998, WRAL ran a story about the revitalization of downtown: Years of planning, fundraising and taking risks is paying off, as downtown Fayetteville makes a comeback. You may not be able to see it from the street yet, but inside many downtown Fayetteville buildings, there is quite a bit of restoration going on. And, it doesn't come cheaply.

"Mike Pinkston owns the Climbing Place. One year ago, he invested his life savings in the indoor-climbing business. His hope was that if he built it, they would come - even if customers would have to come to a decaying downtown Fayetteville. Luckily, private cash has resulted in an uptick for the heart of the city.

"Since the spring of 1996, more than $24 million has been invested here by the private sector. The Fayetteville Partnership's Robin Kelly-Legg says that those investors are seeing healthy returns.
"Pinkston is so pleased, he is expanding his business. And, others have big plans as well.

"The investor of the Huske Hardware House brew pub will have spent more than $4.5 million dollars, once the floors above the restaurant are turned into apartments (That still hasn't happened). The Radisson Prince Charles is also spending about $4 million for a new nine-story tower. (That also didn't happen, although development plans are underway.) "Officials with the Fayetteville Partnership believe the money is coming, because people believe its Vision Plan is going to work."

There are some key things in this 15-year-old story about downtown that are missing when it comes to revitalizing Bragg Boulevard and Murchison Road.

First, there was a key entity - The Fayetteville Partnership was tagged with pushing revitalization efforts in downtown. And, there was a point person - Kelly-Legg. Her office lived and breathed downtown. More importantly, she had a passion for it and put her heart and soul into it. There is no lightning rod, no one-source that can be tagged for the revitalization of Bragg and Murchison. Certainly Chancellor Anderson cannot be that person and no one in the city is stepping up to the plate.

Secondly, there was a vast investment of private money going into the downtown area, as noted in the story, more than $24 million in private funding. We can't even get anyone to open a restaurant or hotel adjacent to a college campus. That should be easy. Students eat. Their families who come to visit need a place to stay near the campus. Why won't investors bite? Take a look at the crime rate and take a look at the surrounding neighborhoods. (Which again, scream revitalization.)

Finally, what's missing in the call for revitalization of these blighted areas is belief. People do not believe that Bragg Boulevard or the Murchison Road corridor can change, and where there is no belief, there is no action.

For these areas to change, we need at least one true believer who will spearhead the effort and put in the work necessary to make it happen. Who will step into that role?