My, my! Wouldn’t prior generations of North Carolinians be astounded to learn that the Old North State just barely missed legalizing casino gambling in 2023?
Long known as a part of the Bible Belt, even a lesser one, North Carolina has a long heritage of straight-laced legislative actions, even if legislators themselves were really mandating, “do as I say, not as I do.”

Take alcohol policy, for example. While Prohibition was repealed and liquor sales became legal in the 1930s, albeit only in state controlled stores, North Carolina did not allow liquor by the drink in restaurants until 1978.

Even then, a certain amount of food sales were required. And, as we all know, liquor sales to both individuals and businesses remain controlled by the state.

So, it took many Tar Heels, including this one, by surprise when Republican State Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, a staunch conservative if ever there were one, came out in favor of casino gambling.
Berger was so pro gambling, in fact, that he used his iron-fisted power to hold up passage of a much-delayed budget for the entire state!

His determination to allow casino gambling kept teachers and state employees wondering whether they would get raises and kept about 600,000 North Carolinians on pins and needles as to whether they would get Medicaid health insurance.

Berger and his supporters finally caved and abandoned their gambling plans and a potential casino in Berger’s legislative district, only after so many legislators, including Republicans, refused to play along.
The Republican religious right has got to be scratching their heads that one of their own promoted legalizing casino gambling and wondering whether it will rise again in the General Assembly.

Closer to home, Fayetteville City Council puts the brakes on a proposed 11 p.m. curfew for residents under 16 years old put forward by Police Chief Kem Braden. The Chief’s proposal is understandable.

Teenagers are still learning how to interact with others, and their parents are not always aware of what they are up to, even though we might wish they were more present. That said, the curfew notion is not dead.
Council wisely decided to seek more buy-in from other stakeholders, including the school system, social services agencies and others. As parents, including Hillary Clinton, it takes a village to raise a child.

In my younger years, I was thrilled to refer to myself as a “woman,” but now that I really am one, I often use the word “girl’ to describe human beings who really are girls in age as well as my own friends and contemporaries, who are decidedly not girls by age.

If you could see us, you would immediately understand how ridiculous that appellation is. But who knew “girl” has become a loaded word.

Marie Solis wrote an entire column about “Girls” last month in the New York Times, and she makes several fascinating yet different points about the use of “girl.”

Solis did her homework and linguistics professor Nicole Holliday said, “this kind of term is known to rhetoric experts as ‘vocative,’ which is used to call someone in. This seems to be especially true in internet communications.”

Says Solis, “the word ‘girl’ is in diametrical opposition not to ‘boy’ but to ‘woman,’ allowing women to enjoy simple feminine pleasures without the complications associated with womanhood.

She quotes New Orleans resident Hillary Keeney, a fully grown 46, “no one is going to say ‘woman dinner’ or ‘women’s night out.’ That’s too serious.”

“Girl” may be associated with frivolity and fun, but there is a silver lining to that; according to Marlowe Granados, who wrote in The Baffler, such perception is a positive.

“If people underestimate you, there’s actually room to move around, and you can give people a shock when you prove them wrong.”

Millions of women in my generation will testify to that.

Meanwhile, in the summer of 2023, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and Barbie, girly girls all, are laughing their way to the bank.

If you have a loved one showing signs of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you’ll obviously experience some strong emotions — and you’ll likely ask yourself this question: What can I do to help?

While there are certainly many ways you could provide assistance over time, there’s one area that might require your immediate attention: finances.

Alzheimer’s patients often exhibit a range of money-related problems. Here are some of the most common ones, according to the National Institute on Aging:

• Trouble counting change or paying for a purchase
• Difficulty in balancing a checkbook
• Confusion over bank statements
• Not paying — or even opening — bills
• Making strange and unnecessary purchases with a credit card

Of course, your awareness of these problems depends, to a great extent, on just how familiar you are with the daily life of your loved one with Alzheimer’s or similar dementia.
But if you have noticed these issues, it may be time for you to act before things get worse — and they can get worse, because scam artists constantly target the elderly by making false promises, soliciting personal data, asking for money and even requesting changes in estate-planning documents.

So, what steps can you take? You’ll need to clearly communicate your concerns to your afflicted loved one, and you’ll have to get their consent for the actions you wish to take on their behalf.
This may not be easy, but it’s certainly worth the effort.

Here are a few moves to consider:

• Set up auto-pay. If your loved one has still been paying bills manually, now may be a good time to set up auto-pay for utilities, loans and other bills.
• Open a joint checking account.
  By opening a joint checking account with your loved one, or perhaps adding your name to an existing account, you can help ensure all payments are accurate and appropriate.
• Freeze credit reports. By freezing your loved one’s credit reports at the credit reporting bureaus — Equifax, TransUnion and Experian — you can prevent bogus credit lines from being opened in their name.
• Create a durable power of attorney. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, your loved one could create a durable power of attorney and name you, or another close family member, as the “agent” — which means you’d be empowered to make financial and other decisions when your loved one is no longer capable of doing so. A durable power of attorney could also be created in cases of advanced Alzheimer’s, but it can be somewhat more challenging.
• Help establish a living trust. In addition to a durable power of attorney, a living trust can be valuable for families of Alzheimer’s patients. A living trust can hold a person’s financial assets and other property while the trustee manages the money and makes investment and spending decisions. A living trust can be complex, so before establishing one, you’ll need to consult with your legal and tax professionals.

When you’re dealing with the financial issues associated with your loved one’s Alzheimer’s or dementia, it can feel like you’re on a long road. But diligently seeking out the appropriate financial moves can help make the journey less stressful — for everyone involved.

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has taken action to move forward with construction of a Homeless Support Center that will provide much needed shelter beds for County residents experiencing homelessness, as well as access to programs and resources that will help them achieve sustainable housing and improve their lives.

The Homeless Support Center will be located off Grove Street between B Street and Hawley Lane.

The selected site is adjacent to the former Pauline Jones Elementary School, which is currently used by Fayetteville Technical Community College as an Education Center.

On Sept. 12, the Cumberland County Board of Education approved a request to convey two parcels adjacent to the former school to the County.

The County intends to partner with FTCC to provide educational opportunities for residents who utilize the Homeless Support Center.
Cape Fear Valley Health System will also be a partner in this project and the County will work with other community partners to bring resources to those using the facility to assist them as they work to transition to permanent and stable housing.

Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Dr. Toni Stewart announced she will establish an advisory committee for the project that will include two residents from the B Street community.

They will be business owners: one representative who serves and advocates for the homeless community, and one person from Community Development, along with herself, Commissioner Michael Boose and Fayetteville City Councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram.

“The need for beds in our community has not gone unnoticed by the County,” said Chairwoman Stewart.

“We need beds, but we also need to change the overall living environment. There’s a lot more to be done to make that happen, but this is a significant step in that process.”

The Board of Commissioners has also selected the architectural firm LS3P to finalize the building program and design the Homeless Support Center.

LS3P was selected following an RFQ process and was recommended based on their extensive experience with similar types of facilities, as well as alignment with the County’s goals of creating a welcoming and inviting space that will allow those receiving services to feel valued and understood.

County staff are currently working with LS3P to bring a contract forward for Board approval to begin working on programming and design of the Homeless Support Center.

As part of that process, the County will engage various stakeholders, including members of the homeless community to provide input on what the facility will need to truly make a positive impact on the community and improve outcomes for those experiencing homelessness.

For more information about Cumberland County Government, visit https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/home cumberlandcountync.gov.

The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Cumberland County and surrounding area residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Oct. 28 in Fayetteville.

Presented by McKee Homes, the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter will be hosting Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fayetteville at Segra Stadium located at 460 Hay Street in Fayetteville. Check-in opens at 9 a.m. with an Opening Ceremony at 10 a.m. and a Walk Start at 10:30 a.m.

“We’re closer than ever to stopping Alzheimer’s disease, but to get there, we need our community to join us in fighting for a different future,” said Lisa Roberts, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “We encourage people to start or join a team to help the Alzheimer’s Association raise awareness and funds for families facing the disease. Together, we will take steps toward treatments and fighting to end this disease.”

On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent people’s connection to Alzheimer’s — their personal reasons to end the disease.

“It is a powerful moment to look out at the crowd displaying their colorful commitment to ending this disease,” said Roberts. “The Promise Garden flowers are a powerful reminder there is hope and an entire community who understands the impact of this disease.”

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with

Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In North Carolina alone, there are more than 180,000 people living with the disease and 369,000 caregivers.
To register as a participant or Team Captain or to learn more about becoming a sponsor or volunteer of Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fayetteville, visit act.alz.org/Fayetteville or call 800-272-3900.

The Alzheimer’s Association hosts 17 walks across North Carolina including: Alamance County, Asheville, Charlotte, Gaston/Cleveland/Lincoln Counties, Fayetteville, Guilford County, Henderson County, Unifour (Hickory), Iredell County, Jacksonville, Moore County, Mount Airy, New Bern, Rowan-Cabarrus Counties, Triangle (Raleigh and Durham), Wilmington and Winston-Salem. To register and receive the latest updates on any of this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit: alz.org/walk.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The annual event takes place in more than 600 communities and features over 300,000 participants across the country. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association® mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia®.

About the Alzheimer’s Association - Eastern North Carolina Chapter:

The Eastern North Carolina Chapter provides patient and family services, information and referral, education, and advocacy in 51 eastern North Carolina counties. It offers opportunities to get involved and to make a difference, in addition to a variety of services including: a 24/7 Helpline, support groups, educational programs, and care consultations. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, or the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter, visit alz.org/nc or call 800-272-3900. For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Foundations Hair Salon is a small, almost unnoticeable gray brick building at the Haymount end of Fort Bragg Road. Inside the building’s main space is an open room, decorated with a chandelier and large mirrors at each booth.

There’s a shabby chic feel to it with feminine decor, rose-colored velvet chairs and couches. In the back right hand corner, just off the main space, is a room brightly-lit with one single black barber’s chair.

The charcoal colored walls are covered in art, skateboards, photos and other decor, most of which are odes to classic horror movies.  

This is the room of hair artist Elyssa Sax, and juxtaposed against the frill of the rest of the building, it gives off the vibes that one of these things is not like the other. Among her reviews and raves on online groups, many say this same thing goes for Sax and her hair artistry. 

Today, like most days, Sax has a busy schedule. She is quickly moving around the chair, switching between clippers and scissors and all sorts of tools she has housed in a large, black tool box that comes up mid-chest on her. 

“It’s easier,” she says looking at the tool chest. “I lock it up if I need to and it’s easy to sanitize. I love them. There is plenty of room for everything.” 

She stops for a few seconds and looks at it another time. 

“I would love to have a big one — one of those with a long butcher block type of thing.” 

Sax switches tools again. She is buzzing the head of Diego Ramierez. While she takes unkempt manes from unruly to rockabilly suave most of the day, the shave is at the request of Diego. For him, working on air conditioners in the heat of North Carolina, a haircut is all about keeping his head cool. This does not mean she’ll take any shortcuts. 

“I could do skin with this clipper but it’s more of a five o’clock shadow,” Sax laughs. She picks up a few of her razors one at a time. “This will get it close. This will get it closer. This right here
is my work horse.” 

And, of course, there’s always her ornate silver scissors and the straight razor.

Sax grabs some shaving gel and the straight razor. She peels back the protective layer from a fresh new blade. She’ll do this at least once per client for hygiene reasons but sometimes, depending on the head, she may do it multiple times with a single client. 

“I don’t want to give it a chance to try and dull out.” 

She locks the blade in and starts to evaluate the edges of Diego’s hair. Sax’s short, salt and pepper hair is neatly coiffed and tattoos cover most of her arms, hands and neck.

Today she is dressed in a black t-shirt and black shorts. The large gauges in her ears just add to the effect. She looks as if she walked out of a scene of Southern California skaters — ironically where Diego was from prior to moving to Fayetteville.
Sax bends down and checks out Diego’s hair from different angles. When she is so concentrated, all that can be heard is the sounds of a movie, usually a comedy Sax admits, and the scrap of the straight razor. 

“The shaving part is my favorite,” Diego says, closing his eyes. 

“Its my favorite part too,” Sax says. “Its when I have to relax … like those zen gardens — this is it for me.” 

For Sax, hair is an art. She dreams of an old-timey salon with well-dressed barbers, craft cocktails, a shoe shiner and a cigar smoking area out back. This is her goal — to open a high-end barbershop, a place where men can get haircuts that have been perfected and experience their own version of luxury. She says she hopes it’ll be a place where the barbers want to dress up and the art of hair will be everyday life. 

Sax would have no less. She is a competitor. Currently, she is gearing up for a hair competition in Charlotte.

She is working to confirm the model. She needs tough hair, she says; someone who can provide her a real transformation and an opportunity to show off her skills. In the corner of her room sits a few trophies already. She plans to add a few more to that collection in the near future. 

She does a quick few adjustments on Diego’s cut and then it’s his son Jonathan’s turn. Jonathan has thick, jet-black hair and he likes it styled to one side.
Currently, it sits on top of his head overgrown. Father and son exchange a few words in Spanish and then Diego relays to Sax how to cut Jonathan’s hair.

As she begins the cut, Sax and Diego exchange a couple stories about skateboarding. They both chuckle about laying off skating now that they use their hands so much for work. 

Sax is probably a little more aware of this than most, having been in a severe accident at a tire retreading plant.
As fate would have it, a monorail ended up hitting her in the face, a twist that brought her from the tire plant into multiple surgeries and rehab and then eventually into cosmetology school in 2014.
Sax counts herself lucky to have not only survived but also the fact she landed into a second career. 

“Its the best decision I never made.” 

It’s a decision that has kept her busy. Sax says she is booked eleven days out even working every single day. When asked if she ever gets worried about the fluctuation of clients, Sax quietly shakes her head no. 

“Not anymore. It’s a blessing and a curse.”

She moves around Jonathan again, this time with scissors in her hand. She flicks her wrist in and out, turning the blade of the scissors toward herself when moving and not cutting.

Sax manipulates the scissors like it’s another appendage, like some sort of daydream taken straight out of a Tim Burton gothic fairytale. 

Sax stands back for a second and  looks over Jonathan’s hair. She puts her scissors into her tool box, gives one final inspection and with that, the final cut of the day is done. 

A brand new local craft fair is about to kick off its new event on Oct. 14. It promises to be a great event for all.

This year’s fair boasts a variety of handmade crafts, including jewelry, pottery and textiles. With so many talented artisans in attendance, there is sure to be something for everyone.

June House, the coordinator of the craft fair, says one of her favorite hobbies was creating things. From knitting to making wreaths, House has always loved being crafty.

Last year, House put on a craft fair in the small community where she lived right around Christmas. She said the turnout was okay but wanted to continue and expand the initial craft fair.
Many people from her community started to recommend she start a craft fair at the Village Baptist Church.

“We began planning it. We held interest meetings at the church, primarily looking for crafters who were members at the church. We had half a dozen responses who would be interested in participating in the craft fair. From there, we went on and registered the craft fair,” House said.

House says she hopes people will be able to shop around and find something they would use in their home, but also something that could be gifted.

There will be 26 vendors. One of those is Betty Powell, the owner and creator of All Things Crafty, LLC. She hand-makes items like wreaths, swags, lanterns, crochet plushies, keychains and door hangers. Powell says that this craft fair gives her a chance to meet new people with the same dreams and hobbies.

“This brings awareness that small businesses are still around, and for some, this is not just a hobby but their source of income,” Powell said.

In addition to the crafts themselves, visitors to the fair can look forward to a friendly, community-oriented atmosphere.
There will be some refreshments during the fair, first-come, first-served, and there will be a kid’s table with activities and crafts.

“This is our first craft fair, and we are hoping that the success of the event will look toward having an annual event at Village Baptist Church in the future,” House said.

This is a great opportunity to support local artists and businesses while enjoying a fun day out with friends and family.

Whether you’re in the market for a new piece of art for your home or simply looking for a unique gift for someone special, the local craft fair is the perfect place to find it. Come out on Saturday, Oct. 14, to support the community and discover the many talents of local artisans.

Admission is free. The fair will take place at Village Baptist Church at 906 S. McPherson Church Road from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parking will be adjacent to the building and will be free.

For more fair details or to apply as a vendor, email Bonnie Wilson at bgreene0625@outlook.com.

One of the theater’s most popular productions is back after a small hiatus. The Rocky Horror Show’s opening night is Oct. 6th at 7:30 p.m. The Gilbert Theater is ready to take viewers on a strange journey full of song, fun, and fishnet.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at www.gilberttheater.com. Those who are planning on attending should purchase their tickets early.

Audience members are in for a treat this year as there will be bags of props given out at the door for interactive fun later in the show.

Audience members are highly encouraged to participate, as this is part of what makes this show so fun and popular. The show couldn’t come at a more perfect time as this season marks the Gilbert Theater’s 30th season.

The Gilbert Theater got its start as most successful things do, in a basement. Founder Lynn Pryer gathered community thespians in his basement in 1994. Eventually, the theater moved into the space it occupies now above the Fascinate -U Museum downtown at 116 Green Street.

The theater started putting on The Rocky Horror Show production sometime in the 2000s and ran the show every season until a couple of years ago.
Lawrence Carlisle is the current Artistic Director of the theater and took great care in planning this season’s shows.

“When I was planning the 30th season, I wanted to do four shows that we had done previously in our 30-year span and then one brand new show that has never really been done anywhere.”

“When we started talking about doing it that way this show was the first one, this was it. This was the first one we were going to bring back,” Carlisle said.

This year’s director directed the very first season of the Rocky Horror Show, adding to the nostalgia of the production.
The show will feature new faces on the Gilbert stage and a live four-piece band. Carlisle is excited about the addition of the live band.

“We don’t often have a live band because we don’t have a lot of space. But if we can get a band that doesn’t require a lot of room, we like to do that,” he said.

With the addition of a live band comes more technical stuff. Although actors don’t usually wear mics at the theater — the theater is intimate and doesn’t require it -- because of the live band, the theater needs extra equipment and sound for Victoria Lloyd, the Gilbert Theater’s Technical Director to manage and run during shows.

She has been with the theater since 2017 and has been Technical Director since 2019. A job she manages solo, Victoria is the “light, sound, and set” of every production.

“[My favorite part is] seeing a completed product and seeing people when the lights come back up after the show and just seeing their reactions,” Lloyd said. “Whether it’s a drama and they are gripped to their chest, passion or it was funny, they just had a good time. It means the world to me.”

The Rocky Horror Show will also act as a fundraiser for the theater. Funds raised during the show’s run will be put back into the theater, ensuring it’s here for decades to come.

With the mark of the 30th season and the return of The Rocky Horror Show, sponsors are in no short supply this year. Sponsors this year include UPS Store Westwood Shopping Center, Breathless Tattoo, Pan, Arts Council of Fayetteville, Allstate Glass, Up & Coming Weekly and Circa 1800.

Lawrence also credits “people, just people, the people who come to the shows.”

This year’s season is full of familiar shows and a brand new one, including A Christmas Carol, In the Blood, a Lynn Pryer favorite, and Assassins, a musical.

The new title show, Ivories, was written by a local talent whose show was performed at the Fringe! Film Festival in the U.K. and is currently one of the shows Lloyd is the most excited about.

“It’s going to be very different. Lots of things with gender, and it’s kind of spooky and it’s got all of the things I love,” she said.

There are several ways to get involved with the Gilbert Theater. Community members can audition for a show or volunteer.

The theater also has a great youth education program, Gilbert GLEE, and an adult education program, the Gilbert Adult Theater Education (GATE). Gilbert GLEE runs from September to May and is $250. Siblings are half-price.

Whether an audience member, a volunteer, a patron or aspiring to headline a show one day, the Gilbert Theater hopes the community will come support and keep theater alive in Fayetteville.

No need to travel to Cannes to experience a one-of-a-kind film fest. For the eighth year, the Indigo Moon Film Fest is taking over downtown Fayetteville on October 13th through 15th.

The CAMEO, Lodge and The Capital Encore Academy will host this year’s films over three days. This year’s offerings range from animation to documentaries to student films and will include a whole day dedicated to N.C.-made films.

With over 80 films set to screen at the film fest, there are sure to be plenty of favorites among filmgoers. Tickets can be purchased online at www.indigomoonfilmfest.com. For those free all weekend, All Access VIP tickets can be purchased for $100. These tickets include access to opening Night, all film showings, film receptions and the awards banquet. One-day tickets can be used for any showing except for opening night, and range from $5 to $10. Check out the website for the complete list of ticket options.

A special experience has been added this year: dinner and a movie (director). A small intimate dinner with director, Indy Saini, at the SkyView on Hay, will give filmgoers the opportunity to talk with the director, who has had her work featured on Amazon Prime. Tickets are $10.

Opening the Indigo Moon Film Fest is Black Barbie, directed by LaGueria Davis. Founders of Groundswell Pictures and the Indigo Film Fest, Jan Johnson and Pat Wright, are most excited to bring this film to the local screen.

“Our opening night film, Black Barbie is one we are so excited to bring to the people in Fayetteville,” they said. “What an amazing documentary about the introduction of black Barbies and other black dolls into the marketplace. It should not be missed. And, not only do we show it on October 13 at 7 p.m. in the CAMEO, but we also screen it again on Sunday, Oct. 15 in the CAMEO at 1 p.m. We want everyone to see this amazing film. Of course, if you come to opening night you also get to hear from the filmmaker and go the Opening Night Gala where you will enjoy live music, light bites and a chance to interact with the more than 2 dozen filmmakers who will be in attendance.”

Jan and Pat are thrilled about the eighth year of the film festival, an event they believe is an asset and essential to our community.

“We believe film inspires change. That is the focus of the festival every year. Film festivals offer viewers the opportunity to view films from other cultures, countries and beliefs. This gives viewers a chance to look at ideas from a different perspective. This is what allows people to grow and change,” they said.

As one can imagine, a lot of work goes into an event this big. For community members who are interested in taking a support role at the film fest, volunteers are still needed. Information on becoming a volunteer signup can be found at https://signup.zone/indigo-moon.

Those interested in volunteering should sign up as soon as possible, as a volunteer training session is happening soon. This year’s sponsors include The Arts Council of Fayetteville Cumberland County, South River EMC, Cumberland Community Foundation, and Carmax Cares. Director-level sponsors include Developmental & Forensic Pediatrics, Dr. Wayne Riggins and Luis Perez, SkyView on Hay, Rainbow Room and Moonlight Communications. Jan and Pat feel the support of the community through sponsors, volunteers, and attendees.

“We are so humbled by all of our supporters,” they said.

The Indigo Moon Film Fest will culminate Sunday with an Awards BBQ at the SkyView on Hay, another showing of Black Barbie at the CAMEO and the presentation of the film awards at the Lodge. This is a can’t miss event for film lovers of Fayetteville.

When viewing any work of art, we each have a level of appreciation that takes place.

We might see ourselves in the work, the craftsmanship is remarkable, or we like the subject and style. We can value a work of art for its historical place in history or maybe the work shows us something we have not seen or thought about.

No matter what reason we value works of art or the content of an artist’s work, a successful work of art must have inherent formal qualities that support a visual balance.

An aesthetic appreciation was immediate in 2022 when I saw a body of work by Chapel Hill artist Deb Drew in the 10:10:10 exhibit at the Fayetteville Arts Council.

The mix of natural and painted woods and earth colors, the figure is stylized in shapes of color and texture against an abstracted background. At the bottom of the panel, the artist included one word in a material that was slightly raised off the surface of the panel.

No matter what the word or subject, each panel exuded a sense of completeness or joyfulness.

After meeting the artist, I invited her to exhibit at Gallery 208. Several months later we talked on the phone.

One year later, the artist’s reception for Themes of Joy and Transformation: Mixed Media by Deb Drew opens in Gallery 208, Thursday, Oct. 5. The reception will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

As the curator of the exhibit, the call to Drew, which took place several months after meeting her, became a turning point in what would be selected for exhibitions at Gallery 208. This is the first exhibit in the twelve years of curating Gallery 208 that an artist is exhibiting work inspired by religious faith.

Why is that? First and foremost, an artist with faith-based works has not approached Gallery 208 for an exhibit. But there are other factors.

Although contemporary art culture tries to acknowledge and support diversity, it is still strongly influenced by popular styles. The result is artists align themselves with current trends or market demands. This influence also has the potential to marginalize religious themes in favor of popular and commercially viable subjects.

Drew, like all artists, explores themes and symbols as a means of communicating a feeling or an idea. For this artist, themes and symbols are a way to express her spirituality by incorporating modern techniques and perspectives to create fresh and thought-provoking artworks.

Ultimately, religious art in the 21st century continues to serve multiple purposes, from personal expression and spiritual practice to cultural preservation and education.

It remains a vibrant and evolving aspect of the art world, reflecting the enduring significance of religion in
human culture and society.

Deb Drew is an accomplished artist and educator. She earned a Ph.D. in Art Education at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio after earning an MA in Art Education at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois, and a BA in Visual Communication and Psychology from North Central University in Durham, North Carolina.

It wasn’t until 2015 Drew decided to create works inspired by religious text.

‘Fruit of the Spirit’ was the first piece I produced. I envisioned a young man with his hands raised, surrounded by the words that make up the fruit of the Spirit,” she said.

“I contacted my oldest nephew and asked if he would pose for me, and he was happy to do so. His image began the whole creative mixed-media process, and that work is on the front of my business card. I can’t imagine a better beginning, for “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control.” (Gal 5:22-23)

With the exception of one work in the exhibit, if a mixed media work or painting has words in it, there is only one word and not a phrase. The beauty of the limited text is an opportunity to open the interpretation of the work.

An example is the work titled Good: a smiling woman is in the center of the panel, the word “patience” reads across her headband. Behind the figure is a group, or pattern, of stylized oranges creating an aura of yellow-orange, striped leaves of green between the fruit.

The lower bottom of the picture plane is made of wooden panels stained in a cherry-wood color; the word “good” is on the surface cut from a different piece of wood stained in dark gray.
Forgive and Ye Will Be Forgiven, another work in the exhibit, is without text. Drew has painted patterns of daisies across the surface of the painting in the form of an upward spiral: they diminish in size as they float backward and upwards into the distance.

A joyous smiling female is behind the daisies and in front of the background of larger arc shapes, painted in the color of teal and gold leafing.

Drews’s works serve as a means of outreach, sparking curiosity and encouraging dialogue about faith and spirituality — yet many works are left to interpretation.

Although religious art had a significant role in shaping the cultural heritage of societies around the world — today it is met with mixed reactions and criticism in secular galleries.
No matter what the belief system of any visitor to Themes of Joy and Transformation is, the majority of visitors will leave the gallery seeing a strong body of work and having a feeling of joy and positivity. It is the way in which the artist explores a theme that reflects human positivity and joy, or in the beauty of a landscape full of tulips.

While religious art may face challenges in contemporary art circles, there are still many contemporary artists who incorporate religious themes and symbols into their work and are celebrated for doing so.

The reception of religious art in contemporary art is diverse, with some embracing it as a valuable form of expression for a myriad of reasons. Art, by its nature, is highly subjective, and opinions on what constitutes meaningful or valuable art can vary widely.
In an increasingly interconnected world, Themes of Joy and Transformation has the potential to facilitate interfaith dialogue and understanding by showcasing commonalities and differences among different religious traditions.

At the end of the day, Gallery 208 celebrates diversity and inclusiveness.

Beyond its spiritual or religious aspects, Deb Drew’s art is simply aesthetically beautiful or captivating. The skill and creativity of the artist in depicting spiritual themes can be appreciated purely on an artistic level.

The value of spiritual-based art is multifaceted, encompassing personal, cultural, religious, emotional and artistic dimensions.
It serves as a means of expression, reflection and connection to the spiritual or divine realm. Themes of Joy and Transformation has the potential to evoke different meanings and significance for different individuals and communities.

The public is invited to attend the reception and meet the artist on Thursday, Oct. 5, between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The exhibit will remain at Gallery 208 until late December 2023.
Gallery 208 is located at 208 Rowan Street, Fayetteville. The hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information call 910-484-6200.

From the obscure Airboy to the widely popular and well-known X-Men, comic fans from all over the region will be packing through the doors of the Crown Complex on Oct. 14th and 15th for Fayetteville Comic Con.

Tickets are currently on sale online at www.fayettevillecomiccon.com. Those planning on attending are encouraged to buy their tickets early. There are several ticket options, each offering a different kind of experience.

Attendees looking for the full experience are encouraged to purchase a fan sponsorship package. Packages include weekend passes, early access, merchandise, special guest experiences and more. Fayetteville Comic Con owner and producer, Keith Gibbs, is excited to announce a couple of new events at this year’s show.

Along with over 100 vendors, cosplay competitions and fan panels, there will be a small film festival that will take place on Friday, Oct. 13th. The festival will be followed by a special “curated” screening of Friday the 13th Part lV with the film’s writer and director, Tom McLoughlin. Tickets for the film festival and screening are $10 online. All proceeds from these ticket sales will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

There will also be a new competition called “Cosplay’s Got Talent” which will “combine Cosplay and performance”, and winners can expect “significant cash prizes” according to Gibbs.

The Variant, an online community all about comics, cosplay, and conventions, will be on-site taking pictures and running the photo booth at this year’s convention. RJ Marchese, owner and editor in chief, is thrilled to be back at this year’s convention in their role as photographers.

“We have worked with Fayetteville Comic Con in multiple capacities over the years as cosplayers, media and celebrity photo-ops. It has definitely become one of our con homes away from home,” he said.

The Variant will be offering several different services to convention-goers this year.

“Attendees of FCC can come by the photo booth at any time during convention hours and take cosplay photos with our team of professional cosplay photographers. We also have our Cosplay Spotlights at the booth to meet and greet everyone, as well as sign prints. The money for the prints goes right back to the cosplayers so they can make more cosplays,” said Marchese.

“Some of our cosplayers sell stickers as well as merch too. We always have a ton of action figures at every show as well. GI Joe, Star Wars, Marvel, and Masters of the Universe are the main brands we stock. Some of our cosplayers also run the Cosplay Repair booth. They use their crafting expertise to help anyone who needs it. If you’re gonna have a cosplay contest, having a repair booth is vital because sometimes cosplays go awry,” he said.

“Fayetteville holds one of the best contests in the state and will be branching out to a circuit soon. We also help facilitate the adult and children’s runway competitions as well as the Master Class contest on occasion.”

Those who are looking to have their cosplay professionally photographed need not worry about cost ranging in the thousands, The Variant promises to keep prices low and the quality high.

“We give people an option to purchase their pictures immediately at an extremely affordable rate, or if they wait two weeks the photos will be available for free on our website,” said Marchese. “We won’t inundate the photos with huge watermarks either. Our logo houses the convention’s logo so it’s a nice aesthetic to commemorate their time at the convention. It allows people to post their pics on social media while also supporting the conventions.”

Unlike mega events like San Diego Comic-Con and Dragon Con in Atlanta, Fayetteville Comic-Con is a “Fan Run Show for Fans” and “If It’s Geek, We Got It!” local event. Keith Gibbs who started as a volunteer back in 2016, eventually took over as owner.

“[I] guided the show into becoming a registered business entity, maintained our brand through the pandemic, and after buying out the company from the original promoter, led the expansion to two shows a year,” Gibbs said.

The Fayetteville Comic Con brings 6,000 to 8,000 people to the Crown twice a year. While the vendors number in the hundreds, Gibbs wants people to know that the convention isn’t just for businesses that center around comics or cosplay.

“We have over 6000 - 8000 customers in regular attendance who all need banks, and pediatricians and mobile phones,” said Gibbs.

Gibbs encourages all local businesses to consider sponsoring the Fayetteville Comic Con. He has no big dreams of making the convention a mega event.

“We really strive to make sure that the guests we bring in are approachable and that their offerings are affordable to our attendees,” Gibbs said. “We don’t try to make people wait in long lines, and we really want our celebrity guests to be part of the whole show…We maintain an affordable price point for vendors, artists, and fans, and strive to pack as much into the weekend as we can.”

The small, hometown feel that you get from Fayetteville Comic Con is one of the reasons it’s a favorite of so many. It is why attendees usually become regulars and become involved in some capacity with the convention.

David Probus has been attending the convention since 2017 and is an avid cosplayer. Attendees can usually catch him in video games, Marvel or Star Wars cosplay. This year Probus will be debuting a new look, paying tribute to WWE legend, Windham Rotunda (Bray Wyatt).

“I love the community and friends I’ve met over the years. It’s also such a cool opportunity to meet and connect with people I’ve watched, heard and seen in various shows, movies, etc.,” Probus said.

It is his reason for returning every year. Another Fayetteville Comic Con regular and sometimes volunteer is Sarah Mills. Mills has attended the convention since day one and eventually became a recurring guest for a few years. Her cosplay is 99% handmade, as well as her props.

“For the Fayetteville Comic Con this year I think I’ll replay my Tim Burton styled Madd Hatter...but the comic con is in a few weeks. And I have enough time to change, so I probably will,” Mills said. “As an artist, this is how your mind works. Once you think you have something down or perfect, you’ll nitpick it to death.”

Mills does both canon costumes — any cosplay or costume that precisely recreates an outfit worn by a character at a specific point of time within a story — and original characters.

No matter what or who they are cosplaying, both Probus and Mills spend months planning, piecing, buying, sewing, and hot gluing to create their signature looks that Fayetteville Comic Con attendees have come to recognize and love.

This event will have something for everybody.

”This the best convention for those just starting out, it’s not overwhelming and is great for those who may have a little anxiety,” Mills said.

Probus is excited about this year and offers this advice for first-time convention goers, “If this is your first con, pace yourself. Even at our con which isn’t huge, it can be overwhelming for a first-time con-goer. Take your time, go to some panels, meet some of our guests, and do not hesitate to ask a cosplayer to take pictures with you. We love it! Above all else, have fun!”

South View High School is having its 50th anniversary on Oct. 13 and 14.

In 1972, South View High School opened after Hope Mills, Massey Hill and Grays Creek High Schools all closed. This year, the school will honor its past at its 50th anniversary.

The class of 1973 will host their 50th year reunion on Friday, Oct. 13, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Shrine Club of Hope Mills, 4461 Cameron Road.

There will be a meet and greet and afterwards, the class of 1973 will attend the SVHS homecoming football game. Kickoff for the game on Friday is at 7:30. On Saturday, Oct. 14, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., there will be a dinner and dancing featuring DJ King playing music from 1973.

Dressed-up casual attire is requested. No alcoholic beverages will be allowed in the building due to the Shriner’s policy for this event.

“If you have an opportunity, attend a reunion, don’t be left out, sitting at home wondering what it would be like. Attend, get rejuvenated, and find that fountain of youth within yourself,” said Gary Bolton, member of the SVHS Class of 1973 Reunion Committee.

The 50th anniversary weekend events are more than a trip down memory lane. They are important occasions to preserve once-forgotten and cherished memories. Class reunions bring people together and can create deeper bonds that will last a lifetime.

“I want us to have a good time. I want them to feel 18 years old again. I want them to feel how wonderful it was to be free and to not have the burdens of the life that we are in,” said Bolton.

Reunions can allow attendees to relive stories and connect with those whom they shared a unique experience with, evoking the same camaraderie and laughter that once filled their senior year.

“When you get together, you realize we had some good times, and we really are friends,” said Bolton.

The South View High School’s class of 1973’s 50th reunion is not just about reliving the past; it’s about rekindling friendships, sharing stories and creating new memories that will undoubtedly become cherished in the years to come.

Bolton and the dedicated reunion committee have poured their hearts into making this event a reality, and their passion is a testament to the enduring spirit of the SVHS community.

Bolton extends his gratitude to the passionate and dedicated individuals who have made this reunion possible.

“A reunion is a good thing, and it takes passionate and dedicated people to put it together. That is why I’m so excited about the committee group I was with,” he said.

He’s proud to acknowledge the valuable contributions of his fellow SVHS Class of 1973 Reunion Committee Members:

• Dan Hayes
• James Moore
• Betty Moore
• Karen Reece, wife of Chris Reece
• Sarah Burden Melvin
• Jimmy Kitchen
• Debbie McGee
• Glenda Delahorne
• Archie Blackwell
• Amanda Carpenter
• Judy Beasley
• Connie Carter
• Gail Leaphart
• Gary Bolton
• Sharon Brunson
• Marilyn Embree Raeford
• Ealine Dowdy Autry
• Helen Belmont

For more information, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/861555351611661 or email Gary Bolten boltonw07@gmail.com.

The Cumberland County Public Library is participating in the “31 Days of Love” campaign to make a difference in the lives of pets in the Cumberland County Animal Shelter. Every library location is accepting donations of pet supplies during the month of October.

Donations can be delivered to any library location. Acceptable items include pet food, pet toys, blankets and newspapers to line cages and other animal-related supplies. See a wish list of items on Animal Services’ donation website at https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/animal-services-group/animal -Services/volunteer-foster-donate!/or on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2Q918I9BOFIRS/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_ 3.

The Library will also host pet adoption programs to help find loving homes for shelter pets during the 31 Days of Love. The pet adoption programs will be held at:

• Oct. 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Cliffdale Regional Library, 6882 Cliffdale Rd., Fayetteville
• Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Headquarters Library, 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville
• Oct. 24 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Hope Mills Community Library, 3411 Golfview Rd., Hope Mills
• Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at North Regional Library, 855 McArthur Rd., Fayetteville

People can make a difference by adopting shelter animals in need of a home. Visit the shelter, located at 4704 Corporation Dr., Fayetteville, or go online to see adoptable shelter animals at the Animal Services https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/animal-services-group/animal -Services/pet-adoption/adoptable-animals website.

Pet supply donations are accepted year-round during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the shelter. If you are interested in adopting a pet or for more information about pet supply donations, call 910-321-6852.

For more information on the Library system, including other locations and hours of operation, visit https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/library-group/library cumberlandcountync.gov/library.

Fayetteville Technical Community College joined Thursday with nine other community colleges, N.C. A&T State University, N.C. State University, and six workforce development boards in a charter aimed at optimizing their strengths to address the needs of regional employers.

Representatives from each of the partners met Sept. 21 at Central Carolina Community College to sign the AdvanceNC charter. AdvanceNC is an innovative workforce development ecosystem developing a robust talent pipeline to support unprecedented economic growth in North Carolina.

Dr. Tiffany Watts, Chief of Staff & Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at FTCC, attended on behalf of College President Dr. Mark Sorrells.

Gov. Roy Cooper, N.C. Community College System President Dr. Jeff Cox, UNC System President Peter Hans and N.C Association of Workforce Development Boards President Rodney Carson delivered remarks before the signing.

There is so much good going on here from VinFast to Toyota to Wolfspeed bringing great-paying jobs right here to the central part of our state, Cooper said. We are the number one state in the country for business.

That’s no accident. The credit belongs to the people of North Carolina. North Carolina has the best, most hard-working, dedicated, well-trained, diverse workforce in the world. When you invest in people, you invest in success, and education is the backbone of our economy and our workforce.

The AdvanceNC partners recently applied for funding and designation of central North Carolina as an Economic Development Administration Tech Hub. The proposed project known as the Central Carolina Cleantech Hub (C3H) aims to strengthen the region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical clean energy technologies.

The AdvanceNC partners are:

• Alamance Community College
• Capital Area Workforce Development Board
• Central Carolina Community College
• Durham Tech Community College
• Durham Workforce Development Board
• Fayetteville Tech Community College
• Johnston Community College
• Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board
• Lumber River Workforce Development Board
• Mid-Carolina Workforce Development Board
• N.C. A&T State University
• N.C. State University
• Piedmont Community College
• Piedmont Triad/Regional Workforce Development Board
• Randolph Community College
• Sandhills Community College
• Vance-Granville Community College
• Wake Tech Community College

“Creative expression is the ability to use our minds and imaginations to create something that represents ourselves. Humans are naturally creative and crave personal expression,” states The Innerwork Center.

“Comics, like any other art form, are capable of complex expression and storytelling.” defines the Boston University Art Gallery.

Comic book categories are superheroes, manga, science-fiction, action-adventure, horror, humor romance and children. The common elements are image-style, word-image relationships, lay-outs and drawing inferences. Superheroes are a popular category.

Superheroes are sources of personal expression. An individual may have an inability to express intense feelings and negative emotions. Cosplay can convey the feeling of confidence, strength, happiness, love, excitement, sadness and pain.

Cosplay, or Kosupure, was coined by Takahasi Nobuyuki in 1964. He visited the World Con Los Angeles and saw fans of science fiction and fantasy wearing costumes of their favorite character.

Cosplay is “a visual or external expression of fandom typically through costume, clothing, masks, make-up, armor or props. It allows young adults to feel validated and even help them develop emotional literacy.
In many ways, related to emotional development, cosplay is limitless. It can create a buffer for social anxiety, depression and loneliness. A person can process and discuss emotional reactions to fictional character’s narratives,” states Drea Letamendi, psychologist.

The psychology of Cosplay is “a method of escapism and a way to be someone else even for just a few hours,” said Robert Mueller, Ph.D.

“I feel more confident and comfortable in myself. I feel able to do things. It also helps me express my conflicting feelings,” shares Moon, an 18-year-old male cosplayer.

The compact list of classic Superheroes are Captain America, Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantomah, Susan Storm, and Wonder Woman. These characters address social justice. Spider-Man addresses poverty and X -Men grapples with discrimination.

Batman is the protector of Gotham City. Superman is the champion for the defenseless and indigent.

Captain America reflects Patriotism. Wonder Woman represents truth, justice, and equality. Wonder Woman is an Amazon and embodies woman empowerment. Susan Storm is identified with feminism. Fantomah is associated with ecology.

Superheroes for the 21st century are Jessica Jones, Miles Morales and Kamala Khan. Jessica Jones has super-human strength, ability to fly, proficient hand to hand combat skills and a volatile temper.

Miles Gonzalo Morales is the first person of color and the continuance of the Spider-Man legacy. Morales is a biracial son of an African American father and a Puerto Rican mother. He witnesses the death of Spider-Man by the Green Goblin.

Miles Morale’s character is featured in the movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).
Kamala Khan, Ms. Marvel, is a superheroine of Pakistani- American descent and Muslim heritage. She has the abilities of shapeshifting, appearance/size alteration, plasticity, malleability, elasticity, bioluminescence and regenerative healing.

Superheroes have elements of identity. Superheroes display integrity, vulnerability, human flaws, resilience, hope, empathy, moving forward from past mistakes, forgiveness and selflessness.

“Although comic book readership has declined in adolescence, more than 80 per cent of teens still read comic books in some form...” states Carol Tilley, assistant professor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

“In 2020, 32% of monthly comic book readers were aged 18 to 29 and 56% were aged 30 to 50. Adults are the majority population of comic books according to this market study.

Digital comics sales were worth approximately ninety million dollars in 2019,” according to the results of the Market Data Gitnuk Study, Aug. 2023
Comic books and graphic novels address difficult subjects such as substance misuse. Iron man experiences substance misuse with alcohol. Green Arrow’s sidekick, Speedy, experiences heroin misuse.
Climate change, another deep topic, is a complex interaction of science, weather and human actions.

“I try to show while this stuff is complicated and super important, it is much easier to understand if you get the context. Explaining a topic is much easier if we tell stories and stories are there, if you look,” said Celline Keller, climate change comic artist.

Climate-change comic books are Afterglow, edited by Grist, Science Comics. Wild Weather by MK Reed and Jonathan Mill, Surviving the City by Tasha Spillett, and Keep Your Head Up by Aliya King Neil which are available in digital format.

“All I thought about when I authored my stories was, ‘I hope these comic books would sell so I can keep my job and continue to pay my rent,’” said Stan Lee, American comic book writer, editor, and producer of Marvel Comics.

“Never in a million years could I have imagined that it would turn into what it has evolved into nowadays. Every comic book is someone’s first.”

The Greater Sandhills Chamber and Spring Lake have joined forces to bring back the vibrancy of Main Street.

After overcoming the challenges of Local Government Commission oversight, Mayor Kia Anthony and town aldermen have adopted a more responsible approach to spending, leading to an impressive growth in the general fund from $1.6 million to $11.2 million.

However, revitalizing Spring Lake’s Main Street requires the support of the community, which is why the town staff and Greater Sandhills Chamber are taking a community-driven approach.

Despite a decrease in visitor traffic to Main Street due to nearby bridge construction, the team is tackling the issue by organizing a series of monthly community block parties.

The first event in September was a resounding success, with Mayor Anthony describing it as “amazing” and “a great time for our community with dancing in the streets.”

The second block party will be taking place on Friday, Oct. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. With over 20 vendors, including local Spring Lake businesses and those run by military spouses, event-goers can be sure to find a unique product or service.

For families with children, there will be a dedicated section with a range of fun activities to keep the little ones entertained.

Meanwhile, foodies can indulge in delicious concessions from Hugger Mugger Brewing Company and a variety of food trucks. Whether attendees are in the mood for a cold beer or some tasty street food, there will be something to suit all tastes.

Greater Sandhills Chamber will also take a moment to honor the life and legacy of Steve Milburn, a cherished member and supporter of the Chamber. Steve’s remarkable life and his contributions to the community will never be forgotten.

A special treat with this tribute will feature the band Rivermist taking the stage, promising an unforgettable performance with their unique blend of folk, country and blues. The soulful vocals, intricate guitar work and driving rhythm section will have music lovers swaying to the beat all night long.

Come join the Town of Spring Lake, Greater Sandhills Chamber, Greater Fayetteville Chamber, Hope Mills Chamber, Milburn family and UPS Store in this
celebration of life.

Musicians, vendors and food truck operators are all welcome to participate in future events and connect with the organizers.

Those interested in taking part in this fun-filled celebration of local art and music should venture out to Main Street in Spring Lake on Friday, Oct. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m.

For more information, contact Lillian Anderson at 772-204-4439 or the Chamber at info@greatersandhillschamber.com.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be a part of this community event, which promises to be one of the highlights of the year in Spring Lake.

The Fayetteville Fire Department is set to host its 3rd Annual Women in Fire Service Day for women interested in joining or learning more about being a firefighter on Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will take place at the Fayetteville Fire Training Facility on 3065 Radar Road, off Doc Bennett Rd. Women in Fire Service Day provides a unique opportunity for women to get hands on experience going through required physical ability drills, hone interview skills and talk to women firefighters about their experience with the FFD. Lunch is provided for all participants.

“Many women don’t think of the fire service as a career opportunity,” said Recruitment Captain Stephen Shakeshaft.

“We invite them to learn, ask questions and hear about the unique rewards of the career from other women, currently serving as Firefighters.”

The day is a FFD event focused on encouraging more women to apply for firefighter roles with the City. Women in Fire Service Day uplifts the City of Fayetteville and FFD’s values of diversity and inclusion. To register for Women in Fire Service Day, contact Captain Shakeshaft, FFD Recruitment Officer, at 910-676-1716 or email StephenShakeshaft@FayettevilleNC.gov.

Registration is open until all spots are full as space is limited.

Employment with Fayetteville Fire Department

The Fayetteville Fire Department has received a Class One rating from the Insurance Services Office, which is the best rating awarded. The Fire Department is also internationally accredited through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. The Department is one of only 117 fire departments worldwide to hold both distinctions of an ISO Class One rating and accredited through CPSE. Other benefits of working with
the Fire Department:

• Fully paid Fire Training Academy.
• Nationally recognized certifications and credentialing.
• Educational incentives for Firefighters who pursue associate or bachelor’s degrees.
• Regional Fire Training Facility for continued education and professional development.

A defined career development plan allowing Firefighters to pursue specialty training in Hazardous Materials, Urban Search and Rescue, Fire Investigation or Community Risk Reduction. Each track provides step-plan pay increases for time in service and training.

Multiple specialty programs and divisions including DroneOperations, Strategic Planning and Emergency Preparedness, Logistics, and many more.
For more information about these and other positions available at the City of Fayetteville, visit https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/human-resource-development/employment-with-the-city-4136.

As the trees in the Sandhills begin to show the first signs of fall, we are reminded that colder weather is near.

Like many of you, my family faced last winter’s high energy prices and I am left wondering how they will be this year—especially as costs continue to climb. Just like many states across the country, North Carolina is currently seeing another steep rise in the price of gas and energy.

In the last month, energy prices have increased 5.6% and gas prices in North Carolina have spiked 16 cents higher per gallon than they were one year ago.
Washington Democrats’ overspending and war on American energy fueled this inflation crisis.

However, House Republicans are working on policies to combat these high prices by passing bills, such as H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. This legislation will unleash American energy production, reverse President Joe Biden’s anti-energy policies, and lower energy costs that continue to burden your family’s pocketbook.

High energy costs continue to impact you and every family, and lowering them should not be a partisan issue.

However, the Democrat-controlled Senate refuses to move forward on the Lower Energy Costs Act—common sense legislation which passed the House with bipartisan support. Against the backdrop of historic energy costs, the Biden administration continues to push a rush-to-green agenda by attempting to give power to states to force people to buy expensive electric vehicles.

These mandates are impractical and unaffordable for the average family. In fact, the average price of an electric vehicle is $17,000 more than a gas-powered car and the lack of vehicle charging infrastructure—especially in rural communities—makes electric vehicles even more impractical.

You should be in the driver’s seat when it comes to choosing your car. That’s why last week, House Republicans took a stand against Far Left bureaucrats and passed H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act.

This bill stops the EPA from banning your gas car or truck and protects you and millions of Ameicans from big government overreach. Instead of focusing on the car in your garage, I continue urging President Biden and my colleagues to focus on the issues that matter most.

For example, after the power substation attacks in Moore County last December, I have been laser focused on finding solutions to strengthen our power grid. Earlier this summer, I brought members of the Energy and Commerce Committee to Moore County for a field hearing on improving the security and resiliency of our nation’s energy grid.

Since that first hearing, our Committee has held multiple others to continue discussions in Washington with expert witnesses.
Their testimonies and insight help us move closer to finding tangible solutions to strengthen our power grid in order to prevent future energy infrastructure attacks. These are the kinds of solutions you should expect from Washington.

Over the past eight months, House Republicans have delivered on all fronts of our “Commitment to America” and have advanced legislation that will build an economy that’s strong, a nation that’s safe, a future built upon freedom, and a government that’s accountable to you.

Although we have made significant progress, there is still a lot of work to be done. As your Congressman, I will never stop working to solve problems facing our nation and am committed to fighting for your family.
Until Next Time.

Decades ago, when I moved back to North Carolina from the nation’s capital, my rent dropped by half — for a new apartment that was larger and better furnished than the one I rented just outside Washington, D.C.

Today, my native state remains less expensive to live in than the average state. And even our fastest-growing metropolitan areas remain more affordable than most of the metros with which they compete for people, jobs, and business investment.

But these differences are shrinking.

Take the Charlotte metro, for example, which encompasses not only the Queen City but also Concord, Gastonia and dozens of other nearby jurisdictions.

According to data released from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the cost of housing, food, transportation and other goods and services in the Charlotte metro is roughly 3.4% lower than the national average.

The Tax Foundation offers a handy website for comparing living costs across the country, translating the BEA data into dollar values.
In other words, if you had $100 to spend on a standard bundle of household goods and services, it would buy you quite a bit more in Charlotte ($103.52) than in, say, Denver, Colorado ($91.61), but only slightly more than in Colorado Springs ($103.26).

All of North Carolina’s metros fare better than average here. You’d get $102.48 worth of goods and services in the Raleigh area, $102.49 in Wilmington, $104.18 in Durham, $105.60 in Asheville, $107.73 in Greensboro, $109.03 in Winston-Salem, $109.07 in Fayetteville, $109.60 in New Bern, $110.95 in Goldsboro, $111.48 in Jacksonville, $111.58 in Greenville, $111.65 in Burlington, and $112.04 in Hickory.

The BEA data aren’t as granular for small towns and rural counties. Very roughly, North Carolinians outside of metropolitan areas get about $114 worth of value per $100 spent.

These are real differences, to be sure. And they’re driven largely by differences in the costs of housing, which in turn reflect a combination of geography and land-use policies.
But if I were writing this column 30 years ago, or even 15, the differences would look far more dramatic.

The fact is that while North Carolina remains a relative bargain, our cost of living has been rising toward the national average for quite a while.

Some of this is just the market at work. As people move here from other states — be it because of job opportunities, climate, quality of life, or some other attraction — they tend to bid up the price of housing and other services purchased here.

When more buyers chase a fixed quantity of a good or service, its price rises.

Of course, when a price goes up in a given location, that also serves as a signal to prospective sellers that they can prosper by selling more of the good or service in that location.

As they respond, supply catches up with demand. Prices moderate.
There is some evidence that, over time, the costs and benefits of living in various locations across the United States have been converging.

The most expensive metro is, not surprisingly, San Francisco. The real value of a hundred dollars spent there is about $83. By comparison, it’s worth about $119 in Anniston, Alabama.

A big difference? Sure, though some might argue that the intangible but deeply valued benefits of living in the Bay Area — though presumably not next to an abandoned store or rowdy park — are worth the tangible cost.

What’s really striking to me, though, is that this gap isn’t really so large anymore.

As North Carolina policymakers continue their efforts to make our state a great place to live, work, play, and invest, they need to pay close attention to our rising costs, especially for housing.

To the extent state and local regulations obstruct the ability of homebuilders, developers, and agents to add more inventory to our housing stock, that keeps prices and rents artificially high.
North Carolina is still a good buy for most individuals, households, and businesses. Let’s keep it that way.

When Watts Auman, beloved community and political leader in Moore County, died at 84 on Sept. 17, I knew that I would have to write about him.

But there is a problem. Whenever I have written about Watts in the past, the column turned out to be more about me than him. There is a reason. My connection with Watts and the lessons I learned from and with him have been important, perhaps life changing.

So I cannot write about Watts without trying to explain how much I learned because of him. When I first arrived at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) in late 1963 and was being taken around to see the important places that airborne troops need to know, I learned that my Davidson College friend Watts Auman was commanding a team of airborne riggers.

As paratroopers know, riggers are among the most important people in airborne.

They pack the parachutes, new and used, and get them ready for use. A mistake could lead to a tragedy. Watts and the people under his command regularly made airplane jumps using the parachutes that they had prepared. Watts’s quiet leadership made him a perfect commander of these riggers.

For a short time Watts and I lived with seven other junior officers in a house at 1805 Bragg Boulevard in Fayetteville. But soon Watts completed his service and returned to the family farm near West End in Moore County.

Meanwhile, I was assigned to an intelligence detachment of the Special Forces. One of my first assignments was to participate in the war games in the area known as Swift Strike as an underground spy in Moore County.

Watts and his parents let me live with them for several weeks and pretend to be a part of their family. One of the first things I saw in the Auman home was a plug of chewing tobacco encased in plastic and sitting in a prominent place on the coffee table in their living room.

“What in the world is that?” I asked.

“That was Kerr Scott’s favorite chewing tobacco,” Watts’s mother explained.

Terry Sanford, who ran Scott’s campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1954, sent tobacco plugs to the key campaign workers like Clyde Auman, Watts’ father. He had been Kerr Scott’s county chair and was now campaigning for a seat in the North Carolina House. I learned how much struggling farmers appreciated the roads and services that Kerr Scott had pushed through while governor.

Watts led me around the farm. Although the Aumans were best known for peaches, they also farmed other crops.

He showed me how to string tobacco, take it down, bind it up, and send it to market. I watched as Watts worked with the farm workers.

Always quiet and respectful, but he was also demanding. It was clear that Watts had earned their respect. One day, Watts and I took a small crop of field peas to the Farmers Market in Raleigh, selling them for almost enough to cover the cost of the gas it took to get there.

Clyde Auman let me follow him around from event to event as he campaigned for the legislature. Like Watts, Clyde Auman was quiet and modest in a winning way.
But that modesty made it a challenge to create campaign materials. Even though Moore County was still Democratic, a candidate had to be careful to appeal to traditional Republicans in the northern part of the country and to conservatives in Pinehurst and Southern Pines.

But our candidate was slow to brag.

In those few weeks in the Auman home, I learned more about farming and politics and the strength of humility than I did about “spying.”
Watts leaves hundreds, maybe thousands, of Auman kin across the state and region, almost all sharing Watts’s commitment to community, especially his sisters Nancy Cunningham and Laura Pitts and his brother Bob.

Without Bob’s suggestions for column topics and his careful reading and correction of drafts, I could not continue writing this column.

For Watts’s friendship and example and for my connection to his family, I will always be grateful.

The North Carolina General Assembly approved the $30 billion state budget last week, and Fayetteville and Cumberland County will benefit from the $127M that will flow into our community.
This is excellent news, but unfortunately, it pales compared to what the tour de force Cumberland County delegation of Sens. deViere and Clark and State Reps. Szoka, Richardson, Lucas and Wheatley brought to our community in previous years. ($413M plus!)

Why the success? That delegation worked hard, cared about every segment of our community, and worked together across the aisle for the betterment of the citizens of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. More importantly, they displayed a unified and dignified front in Raleigh. They got things done.

This time, the credit goes to Sen. Tom McInnis, who serves Moore County and a small piece of Cumberland County, and Fayetteville’s District 43 House Representative, Diane Wheatley.

The $127M covers the two-year budget through June 30, 2025.
Because of their focus and hard work, many local organizations will benefit. To name a few of the beneficiaries:

All three educational facilities: Fayetteville State $72M, Methodist University $2M and FTCC $10M

• $12M for Grays Creek
• $14M Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
• $2 million U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum
• $2.1 million Fayetteville Cape Fear Regional Theatre
• $250,000 to the Gilbert Theater

Plus money for nonprofit organizations:

• Cumberland County Fire Chiefs Association
• Heritage Square Historical Society
• Falcon Children’s Home
• Vander Civic Association
• The School of Hope
• Karen Chandler Trust of Fayetteville
• Gray’s Creek Ruritan Club

We thank Sen. Tom McInnis and Rep. Diane Wheatley for a job well done. As for the rest of the delegation, we recommend they spend less time concerned about their political futures and pay more attention to their constituents in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, who sent them to Raleigh.

Make no mistake about it, State Reps. Charles Smith, Marvin Lucas of Spring Lake, Frances Jackson of Hope Mills and Sen. Val Applewhite of Fayetteville paid homage and loyalty to high-ranking Raleigh democrats rather than looking out for their constituents.

And, yes, this group voted Against the Budget. So, they voted Against bringing $127M of North Carolina tax dollars to the Cumberland County community.

This begs the question: What are they there for? Why were they voted into office if not to represent the taxpayers of this community?

I hope that the next election does not forget these irresponsible actions. Undoubtedly, they will want to take credit for these accomplishments or, at best, try to spin it with plenty of excuses for underperforming.
Excuses like they were not invited to participate, they were never included in the conversations or negotiation, or their requests were undermined by someone or something beyond their control abound. Please don’t buy it.

Please don’t buy any attempt they may try to take credit for what McInnis and Wheatley accomplished.

Smith, Jackson, Applewhite and Lucas voted AGAINST the $30 billion budget. They voted AGAINST the $127M to local organizations. They voted AGAINST Fayetteville and Cumberland County residents.
Again, this begs the question: Why do they deserve to represent Cumberland County if they don’t represent us? Curious minds want to know.

Thank you for reading the Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper.