Entertainment

FTCC: Committed to serving veterans

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Tuesday, 12 March 2019

Written by ROBIN TREVOR

Military Friendly is a company that assesses quality for military-related issues. VIQTORY is a company that creates resources for people exiting military service. The two companies announced in January that Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked No. 1 in the Top 10 Gold Category College Award for large community colleges for 2019-2020.

FTCC’s All American Veterans Center, located on Fort Bragg Road on the Fayetteville campus, and its new dedicated staff are working around the clock to ensure that veterans who wish to use educational benefits receive positive experiences at FTCC.

The full-time and part-time staff at the AAVC works hard for veteran students by providing oneon- one support to help them maneuver the multistep enrollment process. The staff is committed to helping students accomplish this enrollment as efficiently as possible.

The center’s staff includes school certifying officials, or SCOs, and is comprised of a diverse group that includes those who have served our country in the Air Force, Army and Navy, as well as civilians.

SCOs audit students’ courses and information to submit information to Veterans Affairs for processing benefits. FTCC proudly has more than 2,000 students using some form of VA benefits to complete associate degree, certificate and diploma programs of study.

Another recent change at FTCC and in the Veterans Services Office involves a new online system for electronically filing student documents. Students submitting paperwork to FTCC can now do so via the school’s website, www.faytechcc.edu.

This means veteran students can now submit the new Veteran Student Intake Form online along with other important documents, such as the DD-214, commonly known as a Certificate of Eligibility.

Students can receive help submitting the form at Thompson Library. They can also submit the online 

Students also enjoy an open-door policy at FTCC and at the AAVC, providing veterans quick, easy, on-the-spot access to an SCO who can assist with questions.

The AAVC provides students with a place to study, to conduct research and to interact with fellow veteran students. The Student Veteran Association holds monthly meetings at the center and invites students to express concerns and share experiences with fellow veteran students and staff members.

Students can even enjoy coffee or tea in a relaxed environment while they complete school assignments at the AAVC.

FTCC invites veterans who are interested in attending college to visit the AAVC, email vso@faytechcc.edu, or call 910-678-8395. It is an honor for the AAVC staff to serve our veterans and respond to their questions and needs to make a positive difference for them.

PWC’s Power & Water Expo offers conservation tools, information

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Tuesday, 12 March 2019

Written by STEPHANIE CRIDER

When the power bill arrives every month, most people don’t think about what PWC, Fayetteville’s hometown utility provider, does not just for its customers but for the community and for the environment, too. Now is the time to find out. Friday, March 22, from noon-9 p.m., and Saturday, March 23, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., PWC will host its 5th Annual Power & Water Expo at SkyView on Hay.

Upon arrival, the first 500 visitors will receive a reusable tote. Carolyn Justice-Hinson, PWC spokeswoman, said that by the time people leave, their totes are filled with educational and useful items. These include fat-trappers, tree seedlings, LED energysaving light bulbs and other energy and water conservation tools. Attendees can register to win a $100 bill credit, too.

There will also be a drawing for a smart thermostat, which Hinson said is one of the best tools available to help manage utility bills.

The expo is also an excellent time to learn about upcoming billing changes. “Because we are going to change to time-of-use electric rates in May, this is a great time for customers who want to learn more about how it works and how they can take advantage of the lowest rates,” Hinson said.

Hinson sees this as a great opportunity for the community to get to know PWC and the people who work so diligently to keep Fayetteville’s lights on. She invites the community to come and get answers to their questions about all aspects of PWC.

“The cool thing is that we have employees from all over the company that volunteer to come to this, and they know the basic information about conservation and our programs,” Hinson said. “And they really enjoy interacting with people.”

There will be PWC representatives from the customer service department as well as conservation specialists, utility workers with equipment to show off, system protection employees, engineers and field service workers. This gives attendees the opportunity to learn about almost every aspect of PWC and its reach. Hinson encourages people to chat with the representatives and ask questions.

Several other organizations will be represented as well, including Sustainable Sandhills, the city of Fayetteville’s Stormwater program, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

“The idea behind that was looking at organizations that we work with and that offer value to our customers,” said Hinson. “When they come, it gives them a place to interact with the public, and it showcases our partnerships we have year-round.”

Action Pathways will also be at the expo to talk about its weatherization program and how it can have a significant impact on home utility bills. Cape Fear Botanical Garden will be at the expo, too. “They have a waterwise garden,” said Hinson. “We’ve partnered with them for 20 years.”

Radio stations Bob FM, Sunny, WKML, and Old School Jamz will be on-site throughout the event.

PWC has a long reach, to include Fayetteville Technical Community College, which will also participate in the expo. “We will be promoting in partnership with FTCC its new line worker program,” said Hinson. “(We want to) help promote that as a career opportunity. Additionally, people will be able to talk to line workers.

“As we continue to expand, there are always different types of jobs in the utility industry we will be looking to fill.”

While the event is free, Hinson suggests paying it forward and bringing a nonperishable food donation for the Second Harvest Food Bank food drive.

This is a family-friendly event, so bring the children. For more information, visit www.faypwc.com/pwcexpo.

Master Gardeners host fifth annual spring symposium

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Tuesday, 12 March 2019

Written by JUDY DEWAR

The Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association of Cumberland County presents its fifth annual spring symposium this month. The event has sold out the past two years and as a result has moved to the Ramada Plaza on Owen Drive. It takes place Saturday, March 23, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

This year’s speakers, Tony Avent and Carol Reese, are at the top of the East Coast horticulture circuit.

Avent is the Indiana Jones of horticulture. He’s a curator, breeder, columnist and creator of Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden, both in Raleigh. His talks are titled “Hot Plants in Cold Places” and “Our Fine Textured Friends — The Magical World of Ornamental Grasses.”

Reese, a nationally known speaker, columnist and extension horticulture specialist at the University of Tennessee, blends gardening with her quirky humor. She’s offering talks titled “Beyond Azaleas” and “Sex in the Garden.” Yes, you read that correctly.

Come to the Ramada Plaza to hear these speakers and enjoy visiting vendors and gathering information. Avent will end with a brief but exciting auction of some interesting plants he grows.

This event raises scholarship funds for horticulture students at Fayetteville Technical Community College. It also supports the North Carolina/Cumberland County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers in their effort to educate residents in state-approved horticulture practices.

Registration, which is currently in its “late” phase, costs $60. To register, visit Eventbrite.com and search “Master Gardener Spring Symposium 2019” in Fayetteville. Or, make a check out to CCEMGVA and send it to Lynne Grates, Treasurer, 301 East Mountain Dr., Fayetteville, NC, 28306.

For further information, call 910-261-1091 and ask for Judy Dewar.

Fayetteville’s Ultimate Lip Sync Showdown benefits local victims of child abuse

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Tuesday, 12 March 2019

Written by SHERRIS JOHNSON

The Child Advocacy Center, a charitable nonprofit organization that serves local victims of child abuse and their families, is gearing up for the Third Annual Fayetteville’s Ultimate Lip Sync Showdown. This spring fundraising event, held at the Crown Center Ballroom, takes place Saturday, March 23.

The 2017 and 2018 shows both sold out, bringing in nearly $40,000 each year. Those proceeds assisted in the various education and prevention programs offered by the CAC in partnership with other community resources. In fiscal year 2018, the CAC served 686 children.

For the Ultimate Lip Sync Showdown, 14 teams of local law enforcement, business owners, health care workers, school system employees and interested community members put together their best acts and give the audience a show like no other.

Julia Adkins, chairperson for the event, said the medleys and group act mash-ups are the most popular. “There were some great acts,” she said of the past two years. “The Michael Jackson mash-up and ‘Pitch Perfect’ tribute were phenomenal. The law enforcement group had props in their performance, and it was fantastic.”

Each year, the acts have evolved into bigger performances, and team slots have filled up faster. Seventyfive percent of the teams in 2018 were returning teams from 2017.

The teams compete to be crowned Top Fundraiser, People’s Choice and Fayetteville’s Ultimate Lip Sync Stars.

Twenty-year radio announcer Gayle Nelson and Cape Fear Regional Theatre Public Relations Director Michael Thrash will emcee this year’s show. Local actress Nicki Hart, local attorney Tim Edwards, District 12 judge Toni King and local singersongwriter and producer Kyng Bea will serve as judges.

Funds are raised via ticket sales, pay-to-vote and raffle tickets. Standard table tickets cost $50, and VIP table tickets cost $75. Both options grant access to a social hour at 6 p.m., which includes hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. The show starts at 7 p.m. and includes an intermission with desserts.

The VIP ticket additionally includes wine at the table, one vote ticket and one raffle ticket. Purchase tickets online at capefeartix.com or in person at the Crown Center Box Office, 1960 Coliseum Dr.

At the show or in advance online, audience members can vote for their favorite act for $1 per vote. Raffle tickets are also available for purchase prior to the show or in person; they are one for $5 or five for $20. This year’s prizes include a 50-inch Smart LED TV, an Apple watch with GPS, a karaoke machine and more.

To learn more about this event and the CAC, or to purchase votes or raffle tickets early, visit www.CACFayNC.org.

You can help

Here is a brief list of ways you can volunteer your time at the Child Advocacy Center, located at 222 Rowan St. in downtown Fayetteville. Applications for volunteer slots will open in late April. To see a longer list or to learn more, visit www.CACFayNC.org.

A CAC wish list follows.

Office:

• Answer phones

• Put information packets together for families

• Prepare educational workshop materials

• Help send out mass mailings

• Help with the Therapy Dog Program

• Get trained to lead prevention workshops

• Adopt the flower pots in front of the building

Development:

• Participate in fundraising events

• Increase opportunities for financial giving to the CAC

Marketing:

• Get trained to join the Speaker’s Bureau and share about the CAC at presentations to community civic groups, church groups, etc.

• Seek opportunities for publicity for the CAC in our community Community Coalition:

• Serve alongside other concerned citizens to find ways to promote child abuse awareness and prevention in our community

CAC wish list:

Therapy dogs, washable dry erase markers, sharpie markers in various colors, juice boxes, individually wrapped snack items for children, comfort blankets, children’s magazines, paper rolls for easel, canned soda, powdered creamer, sugar, coffee, hot and cold drink cups, paper plates, gift cards to grocery stores or office supply stores, 8 1/2 x 11” copy paper, parent magazines, Lysol spray, air freshener