• nightlife

    • Best Venue/Club For Live Music............Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom

    • Best Night Club Overall......................... Club Halo

    • Best Neighborhood Bar..........................Paddy’s Irish Public House

    • Best Bar for Craft Beers........................ Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom

    • Best Sports Bar.......................................Bubba’s 33

    • Best Pool Room......................................Corner Pockets

  • 14The North Carolina Home Expo, held at the Crown Complex Friday Sept. 22 through Sunday Sept. 24, is an event meant to turn a house into a home.

    Matthew Desmond opines, “Housing is essential to human flourishing. Without stable shelter, it all falls apart.”

    Stable housing addresses environmental factors such as air pollution, recreational resources, access to healthy foods and medical care.

    Healthy People is a health promotion and disease prevention program of the United States Department of Health & Human Services. The Healthy People 2030 objectives are to attain healthy, thriving, lives and well-being, free from preventable diseases, disability and injury.

    Built Environment is one of the sub-sections of Healthy People 2030. Built environment is “surroundings created by humans for humans and used for human activities.”

    According to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a person’s zip code can determine their life expectancy. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports Cumberland County has a life expectancy of 77.70 years. North Carolina has the life expectancy of 76.40.

    House and home are not interchangeable concepts. House is a physical, mass-produced, assembled, designed by architects, planners, and builders. Housing Divisions represent the current technology, interior design, and appliances.

    According to Farahan Samani research study, “No one lives without a home, and home plays an inescapable role in the reflection of the human desire for longing. Belonging underpins human sociality. Security and emotional attachment can be linked to appliances, furniture, dishes, flatware, silverware, home accessories and bric-a-bracs. Every item has a story. Home ownership is essential to the psychosocial aspects of agency and self-determination."

    Agency and self-determination are reflected by home repair and home improvement. Home repairs are projects to maintain the function of the home. Home Improvement are the enhancement of the aesthetics of the house.

    The Spruce Website announce the renovation trends for 2023 are influenced by the pandemic, escalating cost of materials, spiraling housing market, and aging well in place.

    The projects run the gamut of fixing broken fences, repair for burst water pipes, bathroom and kitchen upgrades and updating appliances to energy-star.
    Patios, decks, outdoor living spaces are reflective of Outdoor living. The open-space concept is being segmented into compact and enclosed areas.

    The renovation trends feature garages, sheds, and rooms designated as Home Office. This practice is reflective of mental health awareness.
    How does a person decide to renovate or to move? According to the Property Brothers, Drew, and Jonathan Scott, HGTV, the questions are, “Am I in the right location? Is there enough room for family growth? What are the costs?”

    According to Todd Tomalak, Zonda Building Products Research, the brief list of projects with one hundred per cent of return of investment are HVAC electrification, garage door replacement, replacement of siding with stone veneer, and entry-door replacement.

    Aging- well-in -place options are door levers, bath bars for the bathroom, vinyl and bamboo flooring, and easy grip cabinet knobs. Budget -friendly projects are painting, plants, and home accessories.

    The North Carolina Home Expo is family-friendly, one stop shopping to create a legacy.

    The Expo features products and the service demonstrations can range from kitchens, bathrooms, windows, roofing, siding, general contractors, gutters, doors, windows, flooring, garage doors and painting.

    Past vendors of the Expo have been All-American Gutter Protection, Bath Fitters, Leonard USA, Superior Sleep Mattresses, Moxie Solar, Southern Exposure Sunrooms, and Groundworks. Homeowners can be apprised of trending home design and home improvement innovations.

    The North Carolina Home Expo will be held at the Crown Center. It will be a three day event, Friday, Sept. 22, from noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday Sept. 23,10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday Sept. 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit https://northcarolinahomeexpo.com.

  •  

    Best of Fayetteville 2022 Winners

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  • goodsandservices

    • Best Veteran-Owned Business.......................... Boone Trail Fit Body Bootcamp

    • Best Shopping Complex (Not the mall)............ Westwood Shopping Center

    • Best Health Food Store...................................... Apple Crate Natural Market

    • Best Candy/Sweet Shop....................................  Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop

    • Best Tobacco Shop............................................  Anstead’s Tobacco Company

    • Best Furniture Store - Used............................... New & Nearly New Thrift Shop

    • Best Furniture Store - New................................  Bullard Furniture

    • Best Antique Shop.............................................  Blue Bike Antiques and Gifts

    • Best Place to Buy a Unique Gift......................  A Bit of Carolina
    • Best Used Book Store....................................... 2ND & CHARLES

    • Best Library Branch............................................Cliffdale Regional Branch Library
    • Best Private School........................................... Village Christian Academy
    • Best Carpet/Flooring Store............................... Webb Carpet

    • Best Thrift Shop..................................................Lily Kat’s Consignment Boutique

    • Best Bargain Shop...............................................Ollie’s Bargain Outlet

    • Best Pawn Shop.................................................. Jim’s Pawn and Gun Jobbery

    • Best Jewelry Store.............................................. Rhudy’s Jewelry Showroom

    • Best Place To Buy A Gun................................... Jim’s Pawn and Gun Jobbery

    • Best Car Dealer - Used....................................... CARMAX

    • Best Car Dealer - New......................................... Bryan Honda

    • Best Auto Repair................................................. Black’s Tire & Auto Service

    • Best Auto Body Shop......................................... Caliber Collision

    • Best Car Wash..................................................... 5 Star Express

    • Best Motorcycle Dealer - Used.......................... Baker American Cycles

    • Best Motorcycle Dealer - New............................ Baker American Cycles

    • Best Tire Store..................................................... Black’s Tire & Auto Service

    • Best CPA Firm..................................................... TRP Sumner, CPAs & Advisors

    • Best Law Firm...................................................... The Cotton Law Firm

    • Best Legal Assistant.........................................   Gina Owens of Blackwell & Edwards P.A

    • Best Criminal Attorney.............................. .........David Courie of Beaver, Courie Attorneys
    • Best Divorce Attorney......................................... Timothy Edwards - Blackwell and Edwards

    • Best Personal Injury Attorney.............................Shankar Law Firm PLLC
    • Best Traffiffic Violation Attorney.......................Mike Williford of Williford, Boliek & Frangakis, LLP
    • Best Local Pharmacy.......................................... Cape Fear Discount Drug
    • Best Dental Clinic................................................ Lewis Family Dentistry

    • Best Pediatric Dentist......................................... Village Family Dental

    • Best Chiropractor................................................ Nelson & Nelson Chiropractic

    • Best Urgent Care................................................. NextCare Urgent Care

    • Best Family Medical Practice............................  Medical Arts Family Practice

    • Best Pediatrician...............................................  Rainbow Pediatrics

    • Best Optometrist...............................................   Better Vision Optometric Center, P.A.

    • Best Ophthalmologist....................................... Cape Fear Eye Associates

    • Best HVAC Contractor.....................................  NATHAN’S Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

    • Best Plumbing Contractor............................... Wade Hardin Plumbing

    • Best Computer Repair Service........................ Ross I.T. Services

    • Best IT Professionals/Service......................... Ross I.T. Services

    • Best Cell Phone Repair..................................... CPR Cell Phone Repair

    • Best Bank.......................................................... TRUIST

    • Best Credit Union............................................. State Employees’ Credit Union

    • Best Hair Salon................................................. Leading Edge Salon

    • Best Barber Shop............................................. Pinky’s Chop Shop

    • Best Place To Board Pets................................ Blessed Oasis Pet Resort

    • Best Pet-Sitting................................................ Carolina Pet Care

    • Best Dog Groomer............................................PetSmart

    • Best Vet/Animal Hospital.................................Riverbark Veterinary Hospital

    • Best Employment Agency............................... Express Employment Professionals

    • Best Event Venue............................................. The Crown Complex

    • Best Florist....................................................... Always Flowers by Crenshaw

    • Best Funeral Service....................................... Rogers & Breece Funeral Home

    • Best Health Club/Gym..................................... fit 4 life Health Clubs

    • Best Day Spa................................................... The Renaissance Day Spa & Alternative Wellness

    • Best Sign/Banner Company........................... FASTSIGNS

    • Best Advertising Specialties.......................... Carolina Specialties International

    • Best Mortgage Company................................ Union Home Mortgage

    • Best Realtor/Company.................................... Logan Geddie of Coldwell Banker

    • Best Insurance Agent/Agency....................... James Cook of NC Farm Bureau Insurance

    • Best Security/Alarm Company...................... Gill Security Systems INC.

    • Best Moving Company................................... Andy Anderson Moving Co.

    • Best Remodeling Contractor......................... Paul Blankenship Vinyl Siding & Construction

    • Best Cleaning & Sanitation Service.............  NC Window Cleaning
    • Best Lawn & Garden/Nursery........................ Pate's Farm Market

    • Best Landscaping Company..........................Green Biz Nursery & Landscaping

    • Best Pool/Spa Company................................ Hallmark Spa & Pools

    • Best Place To Get A Tattoo/Body Piercing....Evolution Ink

     

     

  • wineanddine

    • Best Restaurant Overall............................................Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar

    • Best New Restaurant.................................................Chicken Salad Chick

    • Best Local Caterer....................................................Two Brothers Catering-The Vine

    • Best Waitstaff/Service..............................................MaryBill’s Cafe

    • Best Brew House......................................................Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom

    • Best Breakfast...........................................................Zorba’s Gyro

    • Best Business Lunch...............................................Gaston Brewing Company

    • Best Food Truck....................................................... R Burger

    • Best Coffee House...................................................Rude Awakening

    • Best German Restaurant.........................................Max & Moritz Bakery & Restaurant

    • Best Indian Restaurant............................................Bombay Bistro

    • Best Italian Restaurant............................................Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar

    • Best Japanese Restaurant......................................Miyabi Japanese Steak & Seafood House

    • Best Korean Restaurant..........................................Ohana International

    • Best Chinese Restaurant........................................Hunan Garden

    • Best Vietnamese Restaurant..................................Saigon Bistro

    • Best Thai Restaurant.............................................. Prik Thai Cuisine

    • Best Sushi Restaurant............................................NONA Sushi

    • Best Steakhouse.....................................................Chris’s Open Hearth Steak House

    • Best Greek Cuisine.................................................Zorba’s Gyro

    • Best Mexican Restaurant.......................................Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant

    • Best Seafood Restaurant.......................................316 Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill

    • Best Southern-Style Restaurant............................Fred Chason’s Grandsons

    • Best Vegetarian Cuisine.........................................Bombay Bistro

    • Best Vegan Cuisine..................................................Bombay Bistro

    • Best American Cuisine...........................................Bubba’s 33

    • Best Bakery/Desserts..............................................Superior Bakery

    • Best BBQ..................................................................Mission BBQ

    • Best Fried Chicken..................................................KFC

    • Best Pizza.................................................................Marco's Pizza

    • Best Wings...............................................................301 Wingz

     

  • 06 GI BillThe number of people using the Post-9/11 GI Bill has fallen substantially for each of the past two fiscal years, federal data indicates. About 54,000 fewer people used the GI Bill in fiscal 2017 and 2018, a 7% decline both years, according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Officials of veteran service organizations, and some of the schools that enroll the greatest numbers of GI Bill users, said they’re not overly concerned about the falling GI Bill usage — at least not yet. Fayetteville Technical Community College has been ranked No. 2 by Military Times in its “Best for Vets: Career & Technical Colleges.” Schools like FTCC, which have put the most thought and effort into tailoring programs and policies around veterans’ unique experiences, have experienced growth.


    Experts offered several possible explanations for declining enrollments, including more vets earning degrees, GI Bill rules that could be discouraging vets from using the benefit and the strong national economy. Meanwhile, public universities continued to account for most GI Bill students. “A lot more of the public and the not-for-profit private schools are offering distance education now,” said James Schmeling, executive vice president of Student Veterans of America.
    For years, the for-profit University of Phoenix has enrolled more GI Bill users than any other institution, but it has seen plummeting GI Bill enrollment recently. In fiscal year 2018, the school shed more than 5,940 Post-9/11 GI Bill students — about 21% — dropping to 22,428 such students. The school declined to answer questions about its falling GI Bill enrollment.


    The recent overall drops in GI Bill usage in fiscal 2018, among all universities, mirror a similar trend affecting military tuition assistance, which saw usage rates decline 6% from fiscal 2016 to 2017 and then go down another 2.5% from fiscal 2017 to 2018. The 7% declines charted in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2018 were calculated by adding all schools’ GI Bill populations and comparing year-on-year changes.


    Veterans Affairs did not respond to interview requests to discuss declining GI Bill usage.


    In addition to enrollment losses, the amount of money spent on GI Bill benefits decreased by nearly $287 million in fiscal 2018 to about $4.6 billion, a 5.9% drop.


    Officials offered a variety of theories to explain the falling numbers. “A reduction in beneficiaries may indicate more veterans successfully complete degrees and are moving into the workforce,” said John Aldrich, a vice president at the country’s fourth most popular GI Bill school, American Military University, a for-profit institution.


    Another possible explanation Aldrich offered is that students may be turning away from the GI Bill because it shrinks their housing stipends if they attend school entirely online.


    The Forever GI Bill, signed into law in August 2017, allowed anyone who left the military after January 2013 to use the GI Bill at any time in the future. Previously, all benefits had to be used within 15 years of separation. In addition, officials pointed to a common higher education trend: More people go to college to improve their job prospects in bad economies, while fewer go to school when the economy is strong.

  • outdoorsandrec

     

    • Best Bowling Alley………………………………….….…Lafayette Lanes

    • Best Extreme Activity/Adventure................................ZipQuest

    • Best Golf Course………………………………………....Gates Four Golf & Country Club

    • Best Place To Commune With Nature………..............Cape Fear Botanical Garden

    • Best Local Picnic Area……………………………….….Lake Rim

    • Best Place For Taking A Hike..................................... Cape Fear River Trail

    • Best Place For Doggie Walk....................................... Cape Fear River Trail

    • Best Senior Living Center........................................... Heritage Place

    • Best Shooting Range.................................................. Jim’s Pawn and Gun Jobbery

     

  • citylife


    • Best Use of Local Tax Dollars…………………...Schools

    • Best Local Landmark………………………..…....Market House

    • Best Little Known Attraction…………………….Sweet Valley Ranch

    • Coolest Venue Downtown……………………..…Segra Stadium

    • Best Thing To Show Off To Visitors..................Airborne & Special Operations Museum

    • What Does Fayetteville Need Most....................Leadership

    • Best Local Community Project..........................North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center 

    • Best Local Nonprofit Organization……………..His Outreach Worldwide Inc.

    • Best Event/ Attraction....................................... Dogwood Festival

  • arts   • Best Cinema Complex..................................AMC Fayetteville 14 & IMAX

    • Best Theatre: Live/Virtual…………………….Cape Fear Regional Theatre

    • Best Art Gallery………………………………..The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County

    • Best Museum………………………………......Airborne & Special Operations Museum

    • Best Local Musician/Band…………………...Rivermist

  •  

     

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  • arts

    • Best Theatre: Live/Virtual…………………….Cape Fear Regional Theatre

    • Best Art Gallery………………………………..The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County

    • Best Museum………………………………......Airborne & Special Operations Museum

    • Best Local Musician/Band…………………...Rivermist

    • Best Sports Bar………………………………...Bubba’s 33

  • citylife


    • Best Use of Local Tax Dollars…………………...Highways & Road Maintenance

    • Best Local Landmark………………………..…....Market House

    • Best Little Known Attraction…………………….Sweet Valley Ranch’s Dinosaur World

    • Coolest Venue Downtown……………………..…Segra Stadium

    • Best Thing To Show Off To Visitors..................Airborne & Special Operations Museum

    • What Does Fayetteville Need Most....................Attractions for young people-Amusement/Water Park

    • Best Local Community Project..........................Public Art by The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County

    • Best Local Nonprofit Organization……………..Vision Resource Center

    • Best Local Fundraising Event........................... Good Eyes for School Supplies (Better Vision Optometric Center)

     

     

  • CFRT Logo BlackandPlumbOn any given night lately, Cape Fear Regional Theatre can be found with a packed audience roaring with laughter. On stage, everything is going wrong. While in any normal play circumstance, this would be a disaster, here its a beautifully crafted, well-acted body of art. This time, everything that goes wrong feels oh so right. 
     
    While CFRT usually puts on a good show, this one is an exceptional work of comedy. Farce is always hard, according to its director, Laura Josepher, but the actors in The Play That Goes Wrong have hit the mark wonderfully. From the fake snow to a lost dog, each mishap during the scenes brings a new bout of laughter from the audience that may keep them laughing for days after. 
     
    Sometimes in plays it is easy to pick out key actors who steal the show; it would be hard to say any one actor out-performed his or her counterparts. Jonathan-Judge Russo, a returning actor to the stage at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, and Charlie Turner are seemingly meant for farce. The timing of jokes, expressions and line delivery was on-point for both of these actors. Mitchell Stephens, who plays in the show as the "director" and is the choreographer for the play as well, embodies a worried, at-wits-end play director that at some point seems to give up on trying to keep his show together. Matthew Stuart Jackson, Amber French and Cerina Johnson are ridiculous, as needed by their parts, and will keep any scene filled with laughter from the pure bad acting their parts demand. 
     
    The props and stage decorations for The Play That Goes Wrong were probably either the least impressive part, only because the bar was set so high by its actors, or perhaps one of the most. While this may seem contradictory, in a play pretending to be a play where everything goes wrong, it is very hard to tell what is intended to be roughly made and not hit the quality that the production company usually strives to hit. Now, the disintegration and destruction of the set are absolutely hilarious, well-timed and 100 percent intentional. This will provide a few enjoyable surprises for any show-goer. Again, however, it in no way outshines any of the actors' performances. 
     
    The Play That Goes Wrong is a beautiful, non-stop-laughter-inducing performance. If ever there was a time to visit the local theatre, now is the time. If facial pain from laughing and tight stomach muscles in the morning are the best course of treatment, it is definitely the prescription. 
     
    Note from the editor: The Play That Goes Wrong is being put on at Cape Fear Regional Theatre until Sept. 24.
  •  

     

    politics

     

    • Best Business to Adapt and How.......................Chick-fil-A / Expanded Curbside and Safety


    • Best Cleaning/Sanitation Services………………911 Restoration

     

     

     

  • 10a4th Friday in September is an opportunity for the public to visit the Dürer to Picasso printmaking, an exhibit that runs until Sept. 30. Rosenthal Gallery, on the campus of Fayetteville State University, is extending its gallery hours for the public to view Dürer to Picasso, a printmaking exhibit from the Ackland Art Museum’s print collection in Chapel Hill, North Carolina during September’s 4th Friday evening.

    From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., on September 22, Rosenthal Gallery will remain open and free to the public to see thirty-six original prints by the most recognized European artists from the late fifteenth to the early twentieth century.

    Original works by Albrecht Dürer, Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt van Rijn, Francisco de Goya, William Blake, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Käthe Kollwitz, Salvador Dali and Vincent van Gogh, among others, demonstrate the power of the print media to document events, spread ideas,and influence public opinion.

    An additional viewing time and a lecture have been scheduled for the public on Saturday, Sept. 30, the last day of the exhibit. The gallery will be open between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the lecture will take place between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. in the gallery.

    Professor Soni Martin’s presentation references the artists in the exhibit, their influences and little-known facts about how the artists pushed the boundaries of their artistic expression in innovative ways.

    Printmaking, the process of reproducing the same image from a matrix (metal, stone, wood, and other materials), allows artists to create hundreds, if not thousands, of reproductions of the same image.

    Considered collectible fine art, each work printed from the same matrix is considered a limited edition original. Due to printing multiples of an image, the medium is valued by artists as a way to share their work with a much larger audience, including international audiences.

    Valued by the public, prints are an affordable way to collect the work of an artist or invest in original art and encourage the broad dissemination of knowledge, spread an artist’s expressive vision, and document works in other media like painting and sculpture for a wide public.

    In the centuries before photography, prints then became some of the most effective conveyors of contemporary ideas, knowledge and art.10b

    The exhibit was installed chronologically by decade. The gallery begins with Andrea Mantegna, an early Renaissance artist from the 1400s. The last print hanging sequentially in the gallery is by Salvadore Dali, a surrealist artist in the modern period.

    Entering the gallery, visitors will have to stop to look at the draftsmanship of Hendrick Goltzius, a Dutch artist who lived between 1558 and 1617. Influenced by printmakers Lucas van Leyden and the well-known Albrecht Dürer, Goltzius takes the art of cross-hatching with a line to a heightened level of describing volume when representing the figure.

    In the engraving titled The Followers of Cadmus Devoured by a Dragon, 1588, the details of the line work swell and taper around the figures and in the background to create incredible volume and fullness. Goltzius's subjects and handling of the figure are moving us away from the conceptual period of the Renaissance towards the drama of the Baroque period.

    There are several overarching themes when looking at the works from the Renaissance, Baroque to the Romantic period compared to the modern prints.

    Artists like Albrecht Dürer to Rembrandt focus on the effects of light on a subject and in the pictorial space, whereas modern artists from the post-Impressionists to mid-modernism focused on the expressive quality of the mark to evoke emotion instead of describing the figure.

    Seeing the small black and white etching by Van Gogh titled Portrait of Doctor Gachet, from 1890, is very different than seeing his colorful paintings. Yet we get to experience the artist's hand in mark-making, how he expresses a type of shorthand in the line quality to evoke meaning in a portrait of his doctor created only six weeks before his death.

    Due to postmodern sensibilities, many of the early works are more conceptual than emotional but important to see as a way to understand the evolution of European culture. Yet, there are many works in the exhibit, especially from the Romantic period, that easily move you emotionally.

    For example, Käthe Kollwitz used the print medium as a powerful instrument of political loyalty to her anti-war and anti-violence position in the early years of the 1900s.

    Her large etching titled The Battlefield, from 1907, depicts a mother searching for her dead son in the soft light of a lantern among a field of corpses. The genius of Kollwitz is to portray the rawness and brutality of the aftermath of a war battle and personal loss, instead of depicting the chaos and numbing of the actual battle taking place.

    Kollwitz is one of only two women in the exhibit. The other woman in the exhibit is Mary Cassatt, an American who lived from 1844 to 1926. She lived her adult life in Paris as an artist among the post-Impressionists.

    One of Cassatt's contributions to the history of art is her preoccupation with a genre that had not been investigated by a woman artist: the private space of women, telling the story of motherhood, women and children living and growing together.

    Like several other post-Impressionists, Cassatt was influenced by the ukiyo-e style of the Japanese print. Another artistic contribution was interpreting her subject(s) only using flat planes of flat color, bright hues, asymmetric compositions, drastic foreshortening, decorative patterns, fine lines and simplified figures.

    Visitors to the exhibit will find information panels next to each work. Visitors should plan on taking the time to read each brief panel since they contextualize the artist in their period and share the story about their subject and its relevance in history.

    FSU Professor Dwight Smith coordinated with the Ackland Art Museum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the exhibit to come to FSU and would like to acknowledge Dana Cowen, Sheldon Peck Curator for European and American Art before 1950, for curating this exceptional exhibit to share with the Fayetteville area.

    “This collaboration underscores the importance of fostering cultural exchange and enriching the artistic experiences between universities and agencies,” Smith said.

    Rosenthal Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information or if groups would like to schedule a time to come to Rosenthal Gallery, please contact Professor Dwight Smith at dsmith46@uncfsu.edu or call 910-672-1795.

  • outdoorsandrec

     

    • Best Bowling Alley………………………………….….…B&B Lanes

    • Best Pool Room………………………………………..….Corner Pockets

    • Best Golf Course……………………………………….…Gates Four Golf & Country Club

    • Best Place To Commune With Nature………..............Cape Fear Botanical Garden

    • Best Local Picnic Area……………………………….….Mazarick Park

    • Best Place For Taking A Hike..................................... Cape Fear River Trail

    • Best Place For Doggie Walk....................................... Cape Fear River Trail

    • Best Senior Living Center........................................... Heritage Place

    • Best Shooting Range.................................................. Jim’s Pawn and Gun Jobbery

     

  • 19aThe cost of products and services continues to rise and organizations everywhere have increasingly been feeling the pressure to reevaluate budgets. It’s no different in school districts nationwide, with school boards making difficult decisions about which programs to keep and which will have to go in order to save money.

    Music and arts programs often are the first to be cut when school budgets are tightened. The organization Save the Music says that, during the Great Recession in 2008 and 2009, per-pupil spending in public schools decreased by approximately 7 percent across the country. This led to a trickle-down effect that resulted in the cancellation of art and music programs. Since then, many districts have continued to cut arts programs due to budget limitations. COVID-19 also did little to help the situation.

    Art program cutbacks are rarely met with open arms, and that resistance has a lot to do with the positive effects such offerings have on students’ academic performance.
    Better test performance

    Numerous studies have found a correlation between early introduction to music education and a number of benefits for children. Music education can help develop communication skills, brain plasticity, language, and motor skills. A study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles used a database of more than 25,000 middle and high school students. The researchers found that students involved in arts performed better on standardized achievement tests than students with lower arts involvement.

    Furthermore, data from 2015 from The College Board, which produces the SAT, found students who took four years of arts and music classes while in high school scored an average of 92 points higher on their SATs than students who only took one-half year or less.

    Improved emotional states

    In addition to better performance on tests, a review in Frontiers in Psychology examined several studies linking arts and aesthetic experiences with “broad improvements” in people’s emotional states. Those improvements included greater psychological and physical well-being.

    Community involvement

    Participation and even appreciation of the arts can have an impact as well. Researchers from the Department of Public Administration at the University of Illinois Chicago found that being an art curator or audience member leads to high levels of civic engagement and social tolerance.

    The support and therapy company Evolve Treatment Centers reports that involvement in music and arts leads to overall higher GPAs, higher scores in math and reading and a reduced risk of behavioral problems and suspensions.
    Music and arts education are important to students’ development. Keeping these programs alive in schools can benefit students in many ways.

  • wineanddine

    • Best Restaurant Overall.............................................Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar

    • Best New Restaurant..................................................Jonathan’s Cafe

    • Best Local Caterer.....................................................Peaden’s Seafood & Catering

    • Best Waitstaff/Service...............................................Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar

    • Best Brew House.......................................................Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom

    • Best Breakfast...........................................................Zorba’s Gyro

    • Best Business Lunch...............................................Blue Moon Cafe

    • Best Food Truck....................................................... R Burger

    • Best Coffee House...................................................The Coffee Scene

    • Best German Restaurant.........................................Max & Moritz Bakery & Restaurant

    • Best Indian Restaurant............................................Bombay Bistro

    • Best Italian Restaurant.............................................Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar

    • Best Japanese Restaurant......................................Miyabi Japanese Steak & Seafood House

    • Best Korean Restaurant..........................................E Tae Won

    • Best Chinese Restaurant........................................Hunan Garden

    • Best Vietnamese Restaurant..................................Saigon Bistro

    • Best Thai Restaurant..............................................Thai Pepper

    • Best Sushi Restaurant............................................NONA Sushi

    • Best Steakhouse.....................................................Chris’s Open Hearth Steak House

    • Best Greek Cuisine.................................................Zorba’s Gyro

    • Best Mexican Restaurant.......................................Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant

    • Best Seafood Restaurant.......................................316 Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill

    • Best Southern-Style Restaurant...........................Fred Chason’s Grandsons

    • Best Vegetarian Cuisine.........................................Bombay Bistro

    • Best Vegan Cuisine..................................................Bombay Bistro

    • Best American Cuisine...........................................Southern Coals Country Style Kitchen

    • Best Bakery/Desserts..............................................Superior Bakery

    • Best BBQ..................................................................Southern Coals Country Style Kitchen

    • Best Fried Chicken..................................................KFC

    • Best Pizza.................................................................Elizabeth’s Pizza

    • Best Wings...............................................................301 Wingz

     

  • goodsandservices

    • Best Veteran-Owned Business.......................... Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom

    • Best Shopping Complex (Not the mall)............ Westwood Shopping Center

    • Best Health Food Store...................................... Apple Crate Natural Market

    • Best Candy/Sweet Shop.................................... Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop

    • Best Tobacco Shop............................................ Anstead’s Tobacco Company

    • Best Furniture Store - Used...............................New & Nearly New Thrift Shop

    • Best Furniture Store - New................................Bullard Furniture

    • Best Antique Shop............................................ The Pickin’ Coop

    • Best Used Book Store.......................................2ND & CHARLES

    • Best Carpet/Flooring Store...............................Carolina Carpet

    • Best Thrift Shop................................................Timely Treasures Thrift Store

    • Best Bargain Shop............................................ Ollie’s Bargain Outlet

    • Best Pawn Shop................................................ Jim’s Pawn and Gun Jobbery

    • Best Jewelry Store............................................ Rhudy’s Jewelry Showroom

    • Best Place To Buy A Gun................................. Jim’s Pawn and Gun Jobbery

    • Best Car Dealer - Used..................................... CARMAX

    • Best Car Dealer - New....................................... Bryan Honda

    • Best Auto Repair............................................... Ernie & Sons Automotive

    • Best Auto Body Shop....................................... C&C Top Shop

    • Best Car Wash................................................... 5 Star Express

    • Best Motorcycle Dealer - Used........................ Fort Bragg Harley-Davidson

    • Best Motorcycle Dealer - New.......................... Fort Bragg Harley-Davidson

    • Best Tire Store.................................................. Black’s Tire & Auto Service

    • Best CPA Firm.................................................. TRP Sumner, CPAs & Advisors

    • Best Law Firm....................................................Beaver Courie Sternlicht Hearp & Broadfoot, P.A. Attorneys At Law

    • Best Legal Assistant......................................... Danielle Rea - Beaver Courie Sternlicht Hearp & Broadfoot, P.A. Attorneys At Law

    • Best Divorce Attorney....................................... Timothy Edwards - Blackwell and Edwards

    • Best Local Pharmacy........................................ Cape Fear Discount Drug

    • Best Dental Clinic.............................................. Village Family Dental

    • Best Pediatric Dentist....................................... Highland Pediatric Dental

    • Best Chiropractor.............................................. Nelson & Nelson Chiropractic

    • Best Urgent Care............................................... NextCare Urgent Care

    • Best Family Medical Practice............................Hope Medical Clinic / Dr. Solomon Ghebregziabiher

    • Best Pediatrician...............................................Rainbow Pediatrics

    • Best Optometrist............................................... Dr. Kent Risk - Risk Optometric Associates, PA

    • Best Ophthalmologist....................................... Carolina Vision Center

    • Best HVAC Contractor...................................... Blanton’s Air, Plumbing & Electric

    • Best Plumbing Contractor............................... Wade Hardin Plumbing

    • Best Computer Repair Service........................ Ross I.T. Services

    • Best IT Professionals/Service......................... Ross I.T. Services

    • Best Cell Phone Repair..................................... iFixandRepair

    • Best Bank.......................................................... BB&T

    • Best Credit Union............................................. State Employees’ Credit Union

    • Best Hair Salon................................................. Talk of the Town

    • Best Barber Shop............................................. Pinky’s Chop Shop

    • Best Place To Board Pets................................ Bed & Biscuits Boarding

    • Best Pet-Sitting................................................ Carolina Pet Care

    • Best Dog Groomer............................................WOOF GANG BAKERY & GROOMING

    • Best Vet/Animal Hospital................................. Animal Hospital of Fayetteville

    • Best Employment Agency............................... Express Employment Professionals

    • Best Event Venue............................................. Festival Park

    • Best Florist....................................................... Always Flowers by Crenshaw

    • Best Funeral Service....................................... Rogers & Breece Funeral Home

    • Best Health Club/Gym..................................... fit 4 life Health Clubs

    • Best Day Spa................................................... The Renaissance Day Spa & Alternative Wellness

    • Best Sign/Banner Company........................... FASTSIGNS

    • Best Advertising Specialties.......................... Carolina Specialties International

    • Best Mortgage Company................................ Union Home Mortgage

    • Best Realtor/Company.................................... Mary Bunnell - Century 21-Liberty

    • Best Insurance Agent/Agency....................... Kurt Riehl of State Farm

    • Best Security/Alarm Company...................... Gill Security Systems INC.

    • Best Moving Company................................... Andy Anderson Moving Co.

    • Best Remodeling Contractor......................... Paul Blankenship Vinyl Siding & Construction

    • Best Lawn & Garden/Nursery........................ Bell’s Seed Store

    • Best Landscaping Company..........................NC Design Concepts

    • Best Pool/Spa Company................................ Hallmark Spa & Pools

    • Best Place To Get A Tattoo/Body Piercing....Evolution Ink

     

     

  • 18UpComing• Oct. 1 Cruise – Into – Paradise at Paradise Acres, 1965 John McMillan Rd. Come out and bring your shiniest car, motorcycle, truck or even tractor to display while enjoying BBQ, fried chicken and the fixins. Kids will love the train ride, jumping castle and playground. Free admission, food prices ranging from $2-8. Details: www.paradiseacres.biz or  (910) 424-2779.

    • Oct. 5  Hope Meals Food Truck Rodeo Community Event from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 5770 Rockfish Rd., featuring BaBann’s Southern Fried Chicken, Straight Drop Seafood, Big T’s and the Blind Pig. Music will be live streamed from an internet radio station.

    • Oct 7. Peace, Love and Walk 

    Meet at 3770 Rockfish Rd. Contact ALMS HOUSE at (910) 425-0902 for details.

    • Oct 9. Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at Hope Mills Parks and Recreation, 5770 Rockfish Rd. $10 per guest.

    • Oct 13. Kiwanis BBQ Fundraiser in the grassy area between the Hope Mills Main Street Wal-Mart and Food Lion across from gas station.  10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monies raised will go toward ALMS House, Shop-with-a-Cop, Bicycle Presentation for Terrific Kids, Boys and Girls Club of Cumberland County, Boys and Girls Homes of Lake Waccamaw, and many other community services.  Call (910) 426-7256 for  more information.

    • Oct. 20-21 Ole Mill Days Festival 

    Celebrate the Mills Way! Ole Mills street dance from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20. Saturday, Oct. 21 runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Municipal Parks 1 and 2. Family fun to include: tractor pull, kids’ corner, movie night, food, vendors, craft vendors, and a Mills workers reunion.  Details: (910) 429-4109.

    • Oct 21. Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce’s Chili Cook-off as part of Hope Mills Ole Mills Days from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Municipal Ball Park.

    • Nov. 4-12 Heroes Homecoming V at the Hope Mills Public Library. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 4 is the first day of a nine-day ceremonious event to honor veterans. On this day, the focus will be on Vietnam Veterans. Visit www.heroeshomecoming.com for more information. The event is free and open to the public.

    • Nov. 5 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony and Flag Display hosted by The Hope Mills Veterans Advisory Commission at the Hope Mills Veterans Memorial from 3-4:30 p.m. Special guest speaker will be retired Lt. COL Walt Brinker.  Free and open to the public.

  • 14GetEdHope Mills is a beautiful town. It has a beautiful recreation center and park. It has an awardwinning fire department. It has a police station that engages with the community through programs like “Shop with a Cop” for children. And the people — We have awesome people in our town. They are giving and supportive. Some of those people help maintain this wonderful town. The question is, how much do you know about our town leaders, fire department, police department, recreation center, etc?

    There is so much information, true.  But it is important to know about the town in which you reside.  The best way is through the Hope Mills Citizens Academy. It’s held every Thursday until Oct. 19. Classes begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall. 

    The Hope Mills Citizens Academy will teach you about its first responders and the infrastructure of the Hope Mills police and fire departments. You will also learn about the duties of our mayor, commissioners, town manager and town attorney. They all play vital roles that help maintain the safety and the growth plan of our town. They even make plans that affect details like how our traffic will flow. 

    The Citizens Academy also provides information about the local library and recreation center. Each one has different programs that pertain to all citizens. In addition to what I’ve mentioned, so much more about our town will be taught.

    This isn’t your ordinary Citizens Academy where you sit and listen and possibly get sleepy. Oh no. This one is interactive. Remember the field trips in school? That’s right. We get to go on field trips. We will go to the fire department and the recreation center, just to name two destinations on the list. Deputy Town Clerk Deborah Holland believes in hands-on learning and wants each student to remember what he or she learns by seeing it first-hand.

    It’s worth investing your time in this program. Hope Mills is a town of approximately 16,000.

    It’s important to know which organizations provide what programs that will benefit its citizens. It’s important to know who your government leaders are and what vital roles they play to help maintain our town. 

    Whether you have recently moved to Hope Mills or have been here your whole life, Hope Mills Citizens Academy will help you. For more information, visit www.townofhopemills.com.

  • 09082010pt.gifWe all know Americans are literally too big for our britches these days.

    We hear and see it all the time. We are too heavy and it is affecting our health.

    We eat too much processed food and not enough fresh. We eat restaurant and fast-food meals too often and the portions are too big. We sit at computer screens and TV sets too long and move our bodies too little. What is even worse is that our children are following our examples, and we are setting our own precious jewels up for a lifetime of weight-related problems, including social and health issues.

    It breaks this mother’s heart to see school age children who actually waddle because they cannot get their thighs together for all the fat.

    But who would have thunk it about Army recruits?

    For the first time, the Army acknowledges that chubby, less-thanfit recruits are an issue, and in true military style, they are on it.

    The Army screens out potential recruits who are obese or absolutely unfit, but they have other plans for those who still hold military promise but who have had too many burgers and fries, have played too many video games and have been offered too few school athletic activities.

    Faced with the reality of potential recruits who fail their physicals because of weight — up a flabbergasting 70 percent between 1995 and 2008, and an official report by retired brass entitled Too Fat to Fight, our Army has a plan.

    It is a new PT for a new recruit, one who has grown up with the less-thannutritious diet and sedentary activities of today and without the weight bearing work of past American generations. The New York Times reports that because an increasing number of young recruits were getting injured in traditional basic training PT, up alarmingly since just 2002, the Army has come up with a new PT program for its recruits, one heavier on stretching, core strengthening and balance and lighter on individual exercises like multiple sit-ups and the traditional long runs.

    In other words, it looks more like yoga and Pilates and less like your daddy’s basic training workout.

    Lt. General Mark Hertling, who heads the Army’s basic training program, says that weight is a national problem that has affected the Army as it has the rest of our culture and that the percentage of recruits who fail their physicals has risen 70 percent over the last two decades. More women recruits fail than men.

    The new PT program, almost 10 years in the making and now challenging some 145,000 recruits a year at the Army’s five basic-training posts, is an effort both to whip recruits into shape and to prepare them for the challenging realities of combat in terrain like that of Afghanistan.

    So what are our Army recruits doing in PT if not a bazillion sit ups and interminable runs?

    The two former gym teachers who developed the new PT program and who run the Army Physical Fitness School at Fort Jackson, S.C., looked at what soldiers actually do in their work like tossing grenades, dodging bullets and climbing, and designed exercises to develop those skills, including side twists, back bridges and rowing-like exercises.

    It is a multi-week course that increases in diffi culty as it unfolds.

    Says one of the developers, Frank Palkoska, “What we did in the morning had nothing to do with what we did the rest of the day.”

    And lest you think the Army has gone soft, First Lt. Tameeka Hayes, who leads a platoon of new recruits at Fort Jackson, says “It’s more whole body. No one who has done this routine says we’ve made it easier.”

    The program also has a mess-hall component involving color-coded food choices which translates into more fruits and vegetables and fewer fried chicken nuggets and sodas.

    I have never been through Army recruit PT, but I have been doing yoga for the last decade, and can promise you, it is not for sissies. My longtime yoga master, a former paratrooper and martial arts master, is someone you would not want to meet in a dark alley unless he is on your team, and I am convinced that the ongoing and life-long challenges of yoga will help me with strength and balance as I age.

    The new PT regimen is for recruits at this point, but indications are it will spread. Even though every unit’s commander is responsible for its exercise program and current commanders came up under the older system, the new policy has been distributed Army-wide, replacing a 1992 version. The idea is to keep all soldiers more fit, since evidence suggests many pack on the pounds during or immediately after deployments.

    In other words, can you say “hooah” and “om” at the same time?

  • Surfboarding penguins, a sunfl ower draped Iron Mike and a Jim Morrison-inspired cowboy are a just a few of the visual delights that await you when the doors to Wet Willie’s opens in early October.

    But as much as the new entertainment venue in historic downtown Fayetteville is a visual delight, its trademark daquiries are a tasty delight that Josh and Tonia Collins believe will help keep summer hanging on all year round.

    Years in the making, Wet Willie’s is the third restaurant the couple has opened in downtown Fayetteville, and if their past successes are any indicator, Wet Willie’s will soon become Fayetteville’s nightlife destination.

    The restaurant, part of a Wet Willie’s 17-store chain, is a natural progression for the folks at Huske. Collins recounts that their first foray into the restaurant world was at Blue Moon. When Huske Hardware came up for sale, Collins thought it was an opportunity not to be missed. But Tonia thought otherwise.09-21-11-wet-willies.jpg

    “I told Tonia I wanted to do Huske, and she said, ‘No, I want to do a Wet Willie’s,’” recounted Josh. “So I said let’s do Huske fi rst, and then we will do Wet Willie’s. That was the negotiation.”

    After getting Huske on a solid status. The duo and their partners began laying the ground work for Wet Willie’s, purchasing the franchise in 2007. As Huske took off in late 2008-2009, they started working harder on Wet Willie’s and then the economy crashed.

    “We were working through the small business loans, but money was hard to come by,” said Josh. “We were on our third bank, and our business was in a five inch binder before we got fi nal approval — and that was a nine-month process.”

    “Quite a few things were happening downtown at that time. Businesses were closing, but were were doing okay,” he said.

    When the Wet Willie’s executives came to town, the Collins’ took them to a variety of locations where they thought to put the restaurant. “We went all over the community, and the CEO wouldn’t even get out and look at some of the locations,” he said. “When we showed them Huske, the CEO said, ‘Son, this is a homerun.’”

    “And then he said, ‘If you don’t do it here, I am,’” added Tonia.

    The idea is that the two businesses, Huske and Wet Willie’s will complement each other, creating a nightlife destination for downtown.

    As mentioned earlier, Wet Willie’s is a daiqu09-21-11-wet-willies-2.jpgiri restaurant. It was originally started in 1988 by a small group of friends. The group began the research required to fuse the daiquiri concept with a casual, upbeat atmosphere, yielding the right mix of fl avor, fun and success. The goal was to exceed our guests’ expectation of a bar and a party, and to become an institution.

    The Collins’ hope to meet that goal in Fayetteville. “We will make the world’s greatest daiquiris,” said Josh.

    The restaurant serves a variety of exotic as well as classic frozen daiquiris with names like Attitude Improvement, Bahama Mama, Chocloate Thunder and the classic Call A Cab. It will also offer aclohol-free drinks known as Weak Willie’s

    .Along with the drinks, there will also be great food. The restaurant will feature some of the chain’s menu, but will also offer an expanded menu.

    “We are taking it up a notch,” he said.

    The same can be said of the nightlife. Just as Huske has become a destination for dancing and live music, Wet Willie’s will also offer quality night time entertainment in a safe and healthy environment.

    As construction is ongoing at the facility, adjacent to Huske, excitement is beginning to grow. Frequent hits to the establishment’s website, www.wetwillies.com/locations/fayetteville, have resulted in the still unopen restaurant being in the top three for VIP memberships within the chain.

    “We aren’t planning on a big grand opening, we think people have waited long enough,” said Tonia. “We just want to get the doors open and let the people enjoy it.”

  • 19 We watched the great and solemn events in Britain last week. But we heard not a mention of North Carolina’s important connections to the royal family, to Elizabeth and Charles.

    Understandably perhaps, because our connections are not so much with the late Queen Elizabeth II or her son King Charles III. Our connections run to earlier British royals, to another Queen Elizabeth and another King Charles, whose names ring many bells for North Carolinians interested in
    history.

    Some, perhaps many of us remember from our school history lessons that the first Queen Elizabeth was a friend and patron of Sir Walter Raleigh, who sponsored the first attempted British colonization in North America at the settlement we know as the Lost Colony.

    We learned that the settlers of the Lost Colony recognized Elizabeth I as their queen by naming the first child born in the colony, Virginia Dare, in honor of their unmarried and virgin queen.

    Manteo and the Lost Colony site are in Dare County, which is named for Virginia Dare, thus indirectly honoring the first Queen Elizabeth I.

    Hundreds of years after her death or disappearance, the memories of Virginia Dare and that of her queen are kept alive each summer in Manteo when the symphonic drama by Paul Green, “The Lost Colony,” features Elizabeth as an important character.

    Year-round at the Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo, visitors can encounter life as the English settlers experienced it. Included is a ship, named Elizabeth II, newly constructed but made to demonstrate how the first settlers crossed the ocean on a ship named for their queen.

    So, North Carolina, especially in Manteo and Dare County, holds fast to its connection to the first Queen Elizabeth.

    Our state has even closer connections to British kings named Charles. It got its name from them.

    North Carolina, and South Carolina too, got named for King Charles. But it’s not clear which one.

    Do we owe our state’s name to King Charles I, who reigned from 1603 to 1649 when he was beheaded, or his son King Charles II, who reigned from 1660 until his death in 1685?

    Here is the case for Charles I as explained by the late H.G. Jones in his classic book, “North Carolina Illustrated, 1524-1984.”

    “In 1629, King Charles I granted to his attorney general, Sir Robert Heath, a vast tract extending from near the present northern boundary of Florida to the southern shore of Albemarle Sound, an area named “Carolana” in the King's honor.”

    Carolus is Latin for Charles. Efforts to establish active Carolana colonies did not work out. Meanwhile, in 1649, Charles I was deposed and executed. But the Carolana name stuck and was used to describe the region.

    In 1660, the monarchy was restored, and Charles II became king.

    H.G. Jones explained what happened then, making the case for the state name’s connection to Charles II: “The restoration of the English monarchy in 1660 left Charles II with heavy debts to those who had engineered his ascension to the throne, and on 24 March 1663 he rewarded eight of his leading supporters with a charter for a vast slice of North America from the 31st to the 36th parallels from the Atlantic to the South Seas (essentially the same lands previously granted to Sir Robert Heath in 1629). Over this province of Carolina, as the name was now confirmed in honor of Charles II, the Lords Proprietors were given broad feudal powers.”

    Later the province was divided into North and South Carolina, so both states can claim their names came from King Charles II.

    Elizabeth and Charles.

    North Carolinians can claim connections to the names of both royals.

  • 15b A trombonist, a violinist, a vocalist and a drummer will perform as part of Methodist University’s Friends of Music Guest Artist Series, according to a news release.

    Each year, the series sponsors live classical and contemporary music demonstrations and recitals for as many as 500 youths and adults.

    “These amazing musical enrichment opportunities are open to everyone in the Cumberland County area free of charge,” said Susan Durham-Lozaw, chairwoman of the university’s performing arts department.

    Each visit will include an 11 a.m. master class in Hensdale Chapel on the Methodist campus; a private workshop at Capital Encore Academy; and a 7:30 p.m. recital in Matthews Chapel on campus.

    For the first time in the series, one artist also will lead a drum workshop at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, the release said.

    15c Thomas Burge, a trombonist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra kicked off the series on Sept. 16. Originally from Australia, Burge earned his master’s degree at Julliard School and now lives in North Carolina. He has taught brass instruments at the college level and performed with orchestras internationally. He also has been a guest clinician and soloist across the country. Burge hosts a radio show and conducts brass ensembles, the release said.

    The schedule for the rest of the series includes a violinist, a vocalist and a drummer.

    Oct. 14: Violinist Megan Kenny is a member of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. A military spouse, she is originally from Montana. Kenny has a master of music degree in violin performance from Yale School of Music. She currently teaches at UNC-Pembroke, Campbell University and Red Lodge Music Festival.

    15d Feb. 10: Yolanda Rabun is a North Carolina-based singer who performs and records across genres, including jazz, soul, R&B, gospel, folk, and contemporary music. Rabun also performs throughout the region in musical theater, opera and radio programs, the release said.

    March 24: Liz Broscoe is a drummer and a facilitator who specializes in West African djembe and dunun drums. A resident of Lake Tahoe, California, she performs a theatrical solo drumming show, with her drum group, and as a member of a funk, jazz and blues band. With the support of local and national grants, she is currently a teaching artist in several schools and facilitator of social development drumming in juvenile treatment centers.

    For more information about the guest artists, visit www.methodist.edu/about-mu/arts/friends-of-music/.

    Methodist University received a grant of $3,000 from the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County to support the artists series, the release said.

  • uac090413001.gif 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 Appreciation09-04-13-ribbon-walk-and-ride.gif

    • 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.

     

  • I09-17-14-nutritional-strategies.gifn the 1950s, autism was so rare that most people had never heard of it. Now 1 in every 50 American children has some form of autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Autistic symptoms vary but most often impact a child’s social communication skills

    — leaving him or her perpetually withdrawn, silent or physically difficult to control.

    Is the increase simply a matter of improved diagnostics? Not likely. Parents, teachers and physicians would not have missed such a clear behavioral disorder. Doctors have theorized about various causes, but parental, fetal and infant exposures to toxins (not just mercury) do seem related to risk.

    One bright spot: Nutritional therapies often reduce symptoms in autistic children. “Some supplements can improve brain chemistry, and vitamin B6 in particular may possibly reduce seizures,” said Stephen Edelson, Ph.D., executive director of the Autism Research Institute (ARI) in San Diego. Here are some promising approaches.

    Diet. A just-published study found a strong link between prenatal pesticide exposure and subsequent development of autism. So if you’re planning to have children, go organic to drastically reduce toxin intake and focus on healthy eating habits long before you or your spouse become pregnant. If you have a child with autism, a gluten- and casein-free diet often mitigates symptoms, according to an extensive parental survey in 2009 and a 2013 summary of more than 150 published studies. A candida-elimination (sugar-free) diet and the Feingold (additive-free) diet can also help, as does avoiding wheat, refined sugars and carbs, chocolate and eggs.

    Dose. To address general nutrient deficiencies, give your child a daily multivitamin—and take one yourself.

    Detox. According to ARI, liver detox regimens and medically supervised chelation therapy (which removes mercury and lead from the body) can also dramatically lessen autism symptoms. Lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and silymarin boost the liver’s ability to break down toxins.

    Dose. For small children, try one or two of these: 100 mg lipoic acid, 100 mg NAC, or 100 mg silymarin daily. For teens, double or triple the dose.

    B6, magnesium, DMG, zinc. Several studies by the late Bernard Rimland, PhD, who founded ARI, discovered that a combination of vitamin B6 and magnesium supplements led to significant improvements in autistic children’s behavior. More than 20 studies have since found these nutrients helpful. Edelson adds that dimethylglycine (DMG) and zinc might further reduce symptoms and improve learning. Take these supplements under the guidance of a nutritionally oriented doctor.

    Dose. 250–1,000 mg B6, 200–400 mg magnesium citrate, 125–250 mg DMG, and 15 mg zinc gluconate daily.

    Vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels during fetal development and infancy might predispose a child to autism, according to a growing body of research. Researchers at the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute in California suggest that vitamin D supplements might prevent and lessen symptoms.

    Dose. 400 IU daily for infants, 600 IU for toddlers, and up to 2,000 IU daily for teens.

    Omega-3s. These nutrients, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are essential for brain development and studies show that supplements improve children’s behavior and learning. In a new study, omega-3s led to significant neurological improvements in 8- to 12-year-old children.

    Dose. About 300–400 mg DHA and 100–200 mg EPA daily. You can safely double the dose.

    Probiotics. Studies have found that autistic children have a gut bacteria imbalance — and a more serious imbalance is related to more severe autism. Constipation or diarrhea plague up to 50 percent of children with autism.

    Dose. Look for a supplement containing 1 billion to 5 billion CFU of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria.

    Remember: It’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement.

  • 18 Cape Fear Studios’ latest exhibit displays work from artists across the nation. The 6By Visual Exhibit showcases art that is at least six inches on one side and no more than 18 inches on its largest side. Steve Opet, the board president of Cape Fear Studios, says this is the fourth year this exhibit has appeared in their studios.

    “This show features artists in 13 different states. Eighty-two pieces were submitted this year and 40 pieces were accepted,” Opet said.

    The art pieces were judged by local artists Greg Hathaway and Dwight Smith, an associate professor of performing and fine arts at Fayetteville State University.

    Winners

    The first-place winner, Stacy-Ann Topjian Searle, is from Carrboro, North Carolina. Her piece, “Groundcover” is a pen and ink drawing. According to her website, Searle works in a realist style, which allows her to capture the subtle details found in nature. She works exclusively in black and white because, for her, color is a distraction.

    The second-place winner was a Hope Mills resident, Rose Kennedy. Her piece, “In the Moment,” is an impressionistic oil painting. According to her website, Kennedy enjoys applying paint in a “broken color” fashion, whether using buttery oils or acrylic paints. Creating a visual orchestration that has its own voice and speaks to herself and others is her goal with each painting.

    The third-place piece was a spray paint and texture medium by Virginia artist, Silas Baker. His piece “Trichotomy” includes three 6x6-inch canvases which are hand framed.
    Cape Fear Studios is a nonprofit arts organization in downtown Fayetteville. Its mission is to involve, educate and enrich Cumberland County and surrounding communities with the opportunity to create and freely view art.

    “When you're in downtown, just come in and browse. You don't have to buy anything. You don't have to take a class. Just come in and enjoy the artwork. We're open for the public to bring art to our community regardless of who you are,” Opet said.

    Upcoming Workshop

    One workshop that is coming up is a colored pencil workshop with Donna Slade. Slade is a Charter and Signature artist of the Colored Pencil Society of America and has earned local, national and international recognition winning fine art awards in solo and group exhibitions.

    Slade comes from a background in graphic design, however she works primarily in colored pencils. She creates contemporary realism paintings featuring a straightforward approach to representational art.
    The two-day workshop will take place on Sept. 24 and 25. The cost of the workshop is $200, but there are free seats for six college students. While those seats have already been claimed, two more workshops are being planned.

    “We're going to have two more workshops that we will offer six free seats with art supplies provided for free to local students,” Opet told Up & Coming Weekly.

    Cape Fear Studios is located at 148 Maxwell Street, next to the Fayetteville Transportation Museum. The studios are open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are also open

  •     Do you know what Esse Quam Videri means? Can you recite the state toast? And what’s so important about the Longleaf Pine? If you know the answers to those questions, you might be just who the Cape Fear Historical Complex is looking for.
        {mosimage}On Thursday, Sept. 25, The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex will sponsor the first annual North Carolina Quiz Bowl. The event designed to test your knowledge of North Carolina history will be held in the museum’s multipurpose room.
        “In the past the museum has done a Civil War Quiz Bowl which has been very popular,” said Catherine Beach, the curator of research for the museum. “There are a number of contestants, as well as their supporters, who participate in the event.”
        Beach explained that while the Civil War Quiz Bowl focuses solely on the Civil War, this event will focus on North Carolina history and trivia. She noted that many people may not think of trivia — like what is the state dog — as history, but she maintains it is. She explained it tells a story about our state and its people.
        “Somebody with a good knowledge of North Carolina history would be the ideal contestant,” she noted. “We want to get them excited and to test their knowledge. With the Civil War Quiz Bowl, we have had high school students who have been very sharp and accurate and who have done very well in the quiz bowl.”
        She added that if your knowledge of our state’s past isn’t up to par, you can come and cheer on the contestants and pick up some interesting knowledge along the way. “A lot of people watch Jeopardy just for the knowledge they get from the questions,” she said.
        The event, which begins at 7 p.m., is free for all contestants and spectators, and all ages are welcome to participate.
        The North Carolina Quiz Bowl is limited to 20 participants. If you are interested in participating, call at (910) 486-1330 to pre-register. Registration is also available at the door and will continue until all 20 slots are filled.
        Categories for the North Carolina Quiz Bowl will include Civil War history, sports, higher education and more. Prizes will be awarded to the top contestants. This event promises to be a family-friendly, educational evening about North Carolina history. For more information or to register, call Jim Brisson at (910) 486-1330.

  • uac091113001.gif 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. 09-11-13-fair-cover-story.gif

    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.

  • Every day, from the moment our feet hit the floor in the morning, we take steps and make moves toward goals. Sometimes these goals are minor. We move towards the post offi ce, the grocery store, towards the laundromat. Other times they are larger, more substantial goals, towards a higher education, a spiritual awakening, a closer relationship with someone we care about. And sometimes the steps that we take can help change the lives of our family, friends or someone we have never even met. 09-15-10-lupuswalkbanner.gif

    On Sunday, Sept. 19, the community of Fayetteville has an opportunity to progress towards a common goal in The Walk for Lupus, taking place in beautiful Festival Park. This is a great opportunity to get out and show your support for people suffering from this terrible disease, raise money for education and research, and show the 45,000 residents in North Carolina who struggle with this syndrome that they are not alone.

    Lupus is a chronic and potentially life threatening autoimmune disease. No cure is in sight and the effects can be devastating, not only for the people suffering but for their friends and families as well. Lynn Rogers, who was diagnosed in 2002, says that having Lupus has drastically changed her life. She has become more health conscious, more aware of the need of others when they become ill and has learned to closely follow the guidance of her physicians. Most importantly, she has learned not to take the simple things in life for granted.

    To the walkers, she sends her appreciation. “What they’re doing to raise money for Lupus sufferers is amazing and so selfl ess. Every dollar, every donation, every step is appreciated. It’s amazing what people will do in support of their friends and families, as well as strangers.”

    Her daughter, Taleah Grimmage, is standing nearby and chimes in “I think it’s important for the community to show our support for other Lupus sufferers, even if it doesn’t personally affect them. I first started walking when my mother was newly diagnosed, and although she’s doing better now, (Lynn received a replacement kidney in 2004), I know that there are others just like her that still need our help.”

    There are two different walks, for all types of physical ability levels. A one mile mini walk around historic downtown Fayetteville or a 5k stroll around the beautiful streets that surround it. If you are not able to physically walk, you can still participate with a Virtual Walker, where you can set up a personalized page to raise money and win prizes.

    To find out more visit http://walkforlupusnow.kintera.org/faf/ home/default.asp?ievent=419941.

  • uac090314001.gif If you had your choice of sitting at home and watching TV or dancing and laughing and learning about one of the oldest cultures in the world, which would you choose? If you’re smart, you’ll choose the first option and head out to the 24th Annual Greek Fest at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, which organizers promises will be big-ger and better than before. So grab your keys and kin and be Greek For a weekend!

    The Greek Fest, a much awaited and loved event in Fayetteville, will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday Sept. 5 and will run through 6 p.m. on Sun-day, Sept. 7. For three fabulous day, you can soak yourself in the traditions and history of our Greek neighbors, and in case we haven’t mentioned it, you can all fill yourself to the brim with some of the best Greek food in town.

    For the Greek Community, the Greek Festival serves a two-fold purpose. First, it allow the com-munity to share the culture, history and heritage of their people through food, music and dancing, as well as their Greek Orthodox faith. Second, it raises funds to help numerous charities within the community. The Greek Community looks at it like being good neighbors.

    Not only are they good neighbors, they are also great hosts! John Batzolas, a mem-ber of the Greek Fest Committee, explained, “We are going to have Greek food, Greek dancing, a live Greek Band and a Greek marketplace.”

    He noted that the food, all lovingly made by the members of Sts. Constantine and Helen, is one of the biggest draws. Community residents flock to the church in droves to taste the succulent dishes, and of course, to get their hands on the fresh-baked pastries.

    Batzolas noted that the annual baking of the pastries is a community affair.

    “Most of the ladies from the church come together and pitch in to bake the goods before the event,” he said.

    The love and care they put into their baking is greatly appreciated by the people who line up to not only sample while they are there, but also to take it home.

    This year, as in year’s past, there are two food lines; one line offers a full, traditional Greek meal, while the other offers typical Greek snack food like gyros or pitas. (The baked goods are sold separately. ) Batzolas cautioned that Friday lunch will offer a limited menu; however, come Friday night, the festival is in full swing.

    In addition to the food, visitors will also have the opportunity to visit a Greek Marketplace, where they can find the typical things found in a Greek store. After you’ve shopped there, you can step over to the Greek grocery store, where you can purchase products found in Greece from olive oil to ouzo and from Greek wine to nuts, as well as water and soft drinks and Greek wine to comple-ment your food..09-03-14-greek-dancers.gif

    And while you are there, you can listen to the great Greek music provided by the Nick Trivelas Band, and, if the spirit moves you, join the Greek dancers for a dance or two.

    Batzolas added, “If you like to dance, join us!”And before you leave, make sure you by a Greek Fest Raffle ticket for only $5. You have a chance at winning at winning the grand prize of either $2,000 cash or two round trip airfares to Athens, Greece, a large screen televi-sion or some cold, hard cash.

    It’s important to note, as Batzolas explained, that the money raised by the festival and the raffle stays in the community, with some money stay in the church and the remainder going into the community to support various non-profit organizations like the Autism Society and the American Red Cross.

    Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church is located at 614 Oakridge Ave., in Haymount. Admission and parking are free. The festival runs Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. For more information, call 910 484-2010, or visit the website at www.stsch.nc.goarch.org.

  • uac091014001.gif If the phrases, “I’m not dead yet,” “It’s a flesh wound” and “I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries,” leave you laughing and speaking in your worst English accent, then you are probably a pretty big fan of Monty Python’s Holy Grail.

    That being the case, you are definitely going to buy a ticket to the upcoming show at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre: Spamlot.

    Spamalot is a musical adaptation of the Holy Grail, which has left audiences in stitches all across the world. During the 2004-2005 Broad-way season, Spamalot had more than 1,500 performances during its initial run and was seen by more than 2 million people. The show garnered three Tony Awards, include Best Musical. All of which affirmed what Eric idle, one of the shows creator’s, said, “I like the title Spamlot, a lot. We tested it with audiences on my recent U.S. tour and they liked it as much as I did, which is gratifying. After all, they are the ones who will be paying Broadway prices to see the show. It comes from a line in the movie which goes: “We eat ham, we eat jam and Spam a lot.”

    The outtake from the movie for the title, is really what the show is comprised of — some of the funniest bits from the movie. But in the case of Spamalot, the outtakes are brilliantly woven together to not only tell a story, but also to end in a big Broadway finish, one that CFRT Artistic Director Tom Quaintance will not only leave his audience laughing, but keep them coming back for more.

    Quaintance recalls his first introduction to the show. “Someone gave me tickets to the show, and I went with-out any real expectations,” he recalled. “I just didn’t really think the show would be for me. I was wrong. I laughed so long and so hard. It really stuck with me because it is as broad as it can be. There’s great music, dancing and it is as funny as it can be.”

    With that in mind, Quaintance, along with the season selection board at the CFRT, decided to bring it to the stage.

    “This is a show that fits really well in this season and it fits really well with out community of actors,” said Quaintance. “In this show, all of the performers are regional, with all of them coming from within an hour of the Fayetteville. To bring a Tony Award play to stage with regional actors is something that we really want to do at the CFRT.

    When adding the show to the season lineup, Quaintance also weighed it against the other shows in the line up. The next show coming to the stage is The Bluest Eye, which is a pretty intense show. Adding a huge musical comedy like Spamalot to the lineup rounds out the season nicely.

    “This show is not heavy,” he said. “It is fun, fun, fun. There is something really important about bringing a community of people together to share a laugh.”

    While the entire cast of Spamalot is exceptional in Quaintance’s opinion, King Arthur played by veteran CFRT actor Ken Griggs and The Lady of the Lake, played by Raleigh actor Lisa Jolley, will leave the audi-ence in stitches.

    “Although these two have only worked together once before, they are a little like an old married couple, up on the stage” noted Quaintance. “They play very well off of each other.”

    As Quaintance makes his point, the two break into a side conversation on who is the better dancer and Griggs laughingly makes fun of Jolley’s phobias.

    “This show is curing all of my phobias,” confirmed Jolley. “I am afraid of heights, drops and movement. If they could add a roller coaster to the set I would be cured. This is good therapy for me.”

    “I was 10-years-old when I saw my first Monty Python sketch,” said Griggs. We didn’t have cable and all that stuf, so I had to wait for public TV to show it. The Holy Grail is wonderfully, hilariously, unrelentingly funny. I memorized every of every scene of every sketch. The chance to do this show is awesome.”

    For Jolley, the show is a bit of a change. “I’m not used to playing the girl,” she said. “I’m usually the old lady, the best friend, the table, the dog. So being the Lady of the Lake is a really different role for me. But I like it a lot.”

    In Spamalot, the Lady of the Knight sends King Arthur on his quest to find the Lady Grail. Throughout the performance, she makes ap-pearances with her Laker Girls to keep the quest on its way.

    And of course, big production numbers help keep the show moving.

    “It seems like there is a cast of thousands, but there are really only 18 people in the cast,” added Quaintance. “There’s a really big finish over and over again.

    “The hardest working people in the show are the ensemble,” he continued. “They have a 100 different parts and when they are not on stage, they are just off stage doing very quick costume changes.”

    In the ensemble, you will also see some familiar faces. Of particular note are the Knights of the Round Table played by Jeremy Fiebig, Jacob Barton, Matt Lamb and Bill Saunders.

    Griggs cautions that people shouldn’t come to the show expecting to see a remake of the movie.

    “We aren’t doing the movie or the Broadway show,” he explained. “We are doing our version, and I think we are making some pretty smart choices.”

    Previews for Spamalot are Thursday, Sept. 18 and Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the preview are $15. The show opens on Saturday, Sept. 20 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 12. All shows, with the exception of the Saturday and Sunday matinees start at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are at 2 p.m.

    For tickets and information, visit the CFRT website at ww.cfrt.org or call 323-4233 to buy tickets..

  • 09-24-14-cfbg.gifThough the weather may be cooling off, the fun-filled events at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden are showing no sign of slowing down. This fall, the garden is hosting a concert series that melds the magic of music with the gorgeous environment of the gardens. Sept. 26, brings a traditional jazz combo with the “Dave Brubeck Tribute.” Oct. 3, a brass quintet will perform show tunes in the concert “Pops in the Garden.” The final concert of the series is “Swing for the Stars” a jazz, swing, and big band music combination on Oct. 10.

    The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is a non-profit organization driven by a vision for excellence in both their gardens and their programs. They strive to provide a beautiful and engaging place for the community to come learn, enjoy, and grow. The Fall Concert Series is just one way that they achieve this. “By hosting the concert series we are opening doors to our community members, as the Garden and music both have the power to transform lives, as well as to inspire and entertain,” Meg Suraci, the Garden’s Director of Marketing said.

    This concert series is also unique in that it combines two cultural institutions from the community: The Cape Fear Botanical Gardens and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. “The Fall Concert Series in the Garden featuring select musicians of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra encores for a 3rd annual season, offering four nights of outdoor ‘mini’ concerts. The natural beauty of Cape Fear Botanical Garden boasts unrivaled ambience and the Symphony is praised for its artistic excellence. Blending these two experiences is a collaborative effort and both organizations are committed to the cooperative success of this series,” Suraci said.

    In addition to the great atmosphere and music, there will also be delicious refreshments available at each concert, heightening the overall excellence of the event. “Pierro’s Catering will be on-site with tempting food and beverage selections available for purchase and guests will have the opportunity to dine outdoors surrounded by beautiful views. A cash bar will be open for wine and beer,” Suraci says.

    The intimacy with nature provided by the Cape Fear Botanical gardens for these concerts is unique and creates for an engaging and magical experience for a myriad of senses. That being said, seating will not be provided. Suraci explained that, “Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket – or both depending on the forecast, as we head into fall with shorter evening hours and cool temperatures. The Garden will have chairs available for rent, also.”

    The concerts are a rain or shine event. In case of inclement weather, they will be moved to the beautiful 6,685 square foot Orangery. No outside food, beverages, coolers, smoking, or pets are allowed in the garden. Admission is free for members. For non-members tickets are $10, $9 with military I.D., $5 for children from 6-12, and children under 5 are free. For more information call 486-0221 or visit www.capefearbg.org. The garden is located at 536 N Eastern Blvd. For all of the concerts the gates open at 6p.m. and performances begin at 7 p.m.

    Photo: CFBG pays tribute to Dave Brubek on Sept. 26.

  • 14October is National Bullying Prevention Month. The premise is the reduction of childhood bullying incidents.

    “One in six students will experience bullying on or off school property,” reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 2 is World Day of Bullying Prevention Day.

    “Bumps and bruises are the rite of passage for childhood bullying. The consequences of childhood bullying and depression can persist forty years after the bullying occurs. The reaction of depression from bullying can cause multiple psychological symptoms and in extreme circumstances, bullying-inducted suicide. Children and adolescents experiencing bullying have significant rates of self-harm and anxiety,” according to recent studies.

    The observance of the day is “to encourage schools, communities and organizations to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on children.”

    Bullying is a public health issue. Bullying is a form of aggression. It is continuous and deliberate misuse of the power dynamic in a relationship. Bullying can be physical, verbal, social and cyber.

    Physical bullying is a person using their body as a tool for intimidation. Hitting, pushing, tripping, pinching and damaging property is a concise list for physical bullying tactics.

    Verbal bullying uses words as weapons. The words are used to threaten, to offend and to hurt the victim.

    Social bullying includes teasing, nasty looks, spreading false rumors, spreading gossip and physical gestures. The victim experiences alienation. Gaslighting is a widespread practice of social bullying perpetrators.

    Those who use gaslighting attempt to have a person question their reality. For instance, a person can purposely ignore an individual within a meeting. The confrontation with the perpetrator creates the comment, “I didn’t see you.”

    Cyberbullying is the evolved technological level of bullying. Cyberbullying is intimidation and harassment on multiple platforms. The messages are sexual comments or gestures, threats of harm to the target, offensive videos about the victim.

    “Cyberbullicide” is a term created by Sameer Hinduja and Justin Patchin in 2009.

    “It is a descriptive term for suicides that are directly or indirectly influenced by online bullying. Students who participate in bullying and cyberbullying, both offender and victim, have a significant likelihood of experiencing suicidal thoughts, suicidal attempts and completed suicides.”

    “In 2013, 12-year-old Rebecca Sedwick was extensively bullied on multiple online platforms by girls from school, including her former best friends. She switched schools, but cyberbullying continued, and after a year and a half, Ms. Sedwick took her life,” according to news sources.

    Bullying has three roles: perpetrator, target and bystander. The Bystander has multiple options. The person stays and watches the event. The bystander has a passive response to the perpetrator and target.

    The supportive role for the perpetrator is cheering, encouraging and laughing at the intimidating actions. Defenders could ask the perpetrator to cease torturing the target. However, there is the possibility for the perpetrator to torture the intervening individual. Some onlookers are unsure of an effective action. Often the question is, what can I do?

    Bullying impacts health habits such as frequent tears and angry outbursts, changes in eating and sleeping habits, stealing and substance misuse.

    Help is available. The United States Department of Health and Human Services sponsors the Stop Bullying Now Helpline. The Helpline contact number is 1-800-273-8255.

    A second option is 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline is sponsored by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and V! brant Emotional Health.

    Counselors are available 24/7 on the 988 Lifeline. Spanish and English counselors are available. The Lifeline can be contacted by the website Lifeline-988lifeline.org, 988 for text and chat, and SMS:988.
    You are not alone. Reach out and connect for support.

    The October 2, World Day of Bullying Prevention and the October, National Bullying Prevention month features community engagement activities.

    Blue shirts and banners can commemorate the World Day of Bullying Prevention.

    Educators can create bulletin boards about anti-bullying topics. Free sample lessons with multimedia slides and videos about anti-bullying activities are available on School Connect at https://www.school-connect.net>anti-bullying>curriculum.

  • 10The Community Action Committee for Fort Liberty met for its monthly meeting Sept. 20. The meetings are aimed to convey information from the post's leadership.

    Child care services may expand

    A possible return of evening and weekend hours at Chay Youth Center, which provides activities for kids and teens, typically in middle and high school, as well as free programs for students, was brought up.
    The facility has a full-size gymnasium with a 20-foot climbing wall, a gaming lounge, an outdoor pool table and computers.

    Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Chay Youth Center was open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and from 1 to 10 p.m. on Saturdays. These expanded hours were beneficial for parents who worked later shifts. Now, the center is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and closed on the weekend.

    “We are looking at the extended hours for Friday night, expanding them, looking at that initially first, and working our way onto Saturday,” said Margaret Lilly, chief of child and youth services.

    Lilly was asked about the hourly program for day care, which was cut during the pandemic.

    “We have a desire for all of our programs, but we need staff,” she said. “And the hourly was a result of the staff shortage. But with the increase of that, we will see additional hours within our program.”

    Lilly noted onboarding is trending upward. At a hiring event earlier this week, 42 child and youth program assistants were added, a trend she hopes to see grow.

    One ongoing issue is the lack of sensory-friendly classrooms within CYS’ child development centers. As of March, there are nearly 5,000 families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program at Fort Liberty, the highest for any military installation, according to the garrison command team.

    The directorate of the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation office reported a lack of child care to support children; a retention issue for soldiers and child-care personnel.
    CYS is also looking at creating more sensory-friendly classrooms with a reduced ratio on Fort Liberty.

    It has addressed the issue with Installation Management Command headquarters in San Antonio but has yet to receive a response.

    Neighborhood community mayors return

    Now that many organizations are moving past COVID restrictions, Wilcox says, it’s time to bring back community mayors for neighborhoods on post.

    Each Fort Liberty neighborhood will be represented by a community mayor selected by the garrison commander. Each mayor will undergo training from the Army Residential Communities Initiative Team, including information on regulations, housing policies, customer service and conflict resolution.

    Residents of those neighborhoods will be able to reach out to the mayors about any concerns they have, and the mayors will then talk to Corvias and Fort Liberty leadership about resolving those issues. The mayors work on a voluntary basis. Eight mayors were announced during the meeting. There are still vacancies for the Linden Oaks Clubhouse, Ste Mere Eglise, and Randolph Pointe neighborhoods.

    Multiple 911 system outages reported

    Emergency Services staff confirmed a number of 911 center outages on post but said the outages may have been caused by a fiber cut. The outages affected calls using hardwired telephones. according to Deputy Director Dean DeMarks.

    “If you call 911 from a hard line and you get a constant busy signal, call via your cellphone,” DeMark said. “We are in the process of getting systems upgraded here in the near future.”

    DeMark also said 911 callers should tell the center they are on Fort Liberty because the call could be forwarded to the city of Fayetteville or Cumberland County, depending on where the caller is on post.
    The October meeting of the Community Action Committee has not been scheduled. Meetings are open to the Fort Liberty community and are typically held at the Soldier and Family Readiness Group Center.

  • 5Early voting for the Oct. 10 Fayetteville primary election begins Thursday with new requirements for voters.

    For this election, voters will be required to show photo identification. Those without a photo ID can get one free at the Cumberland County Board of Elections Office.

    The early voting schedule is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Sept. 21 to Oct. 6, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Cumberland County Board of Elections Office, 227 Fountainhead Lane.
    Three contests for Fayetteville city office have primary elections this cycle: City Council Districts 2 and 5 and the mayoral race.

    Residents can register to vote on the same day they vote during the early-voting period. Voters must be a U.S. citizen, 18 or older, and a legal resident of Cumberland County for 30 days before the date of the next election.

    To be eligible to vote in a municipal election, voters must be a city resident. Go to the State Board of Elections website to use an interactive map to see municipal elections by location at www.ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election.

    Voter ID requirements

    As of 2023, all voters in North Carolina will be required to show photo identification in order to vote.

    Acceptable forms of ID include:

    • North Carolina driver’s license.
    • State ID from the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (also called non-operator ID).
    • Driver’s license or non-driver’s license from another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory (only if voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election).
    • U.S. passport or U.S. passport card.
    • Voter ID card issued by the county Board of Elections.
    • College or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections.
    • State or local government or charter school employee ID approved by the State Board of Elections.

    To learn more about the photo ID requirement, acceptable forms of identification and how to get a free voter ID, visit www ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id.
    For more information, contact the Cumberland County Board of Elections at 910-678-7733 or visit www.cumberlandcountync.gov/elections.

  • 8bCape Fear Botanical Garden will serve the community as a resource for 2023-2024 environmental education and cultural arts programs - with Cultural Organization Resource grant support from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

    As a reflection of society and individual identity, art brings meaning into people’s lives. Cornerstone cultural programs and public events include Halloween at the BOO-tanical Garden, Holiday Lights in the Garden, Dog Day and Pondamania.

    “Cape Fear Botanical Garden is in a unique position to provide engagement with art and nature making both more enjoyable, approachable and accessible. It is a place where all can come together to connect as a community through enriching experiences that inspire, delight, entertain and educate,” says Chris Hoffman, CEO of Cape Fear Botanical Garden.

    “Cultural Organization Resource Grants support art organizations of Cumberland County that are vital to our community and have a proven record of being able to use the funds appropriately,” says Bob Pinson, President and CEO of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

    “The Arts Council is proud to partner with Cape Fear Botanical Garden as a CORE Grantee. We value all that these organizations contribute to the arts in Cumberland County.”

    The Arts Council’s Community Organization Resource Grants may be awarded to local arts agencies in Cumberland County whose programs are vital to the cultural life of the community and whose organizations have reached a size and maturity that assure their long-term viability.

    The purpose of CORE Grants is to strengthen and stabilize major arts institutions and help them to deliver high quality arts services to the citizens of Cumberland County.

  • 18Cape Fear Regional Theatre has announced their 2023-24 activities, which will include live, professional theatre productions and a suite of educational and outreach initiatives with the help of a $250,000.00 Community Organization Resource grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

    “While the theatre industry faces a wave of closures, reductions, and losses, CFRT is a rare story of successful return to pre-pandemic attendance.

    "We are deeply grateful for the support of The Arts Council and the community for their trust and love and we look forward to an incredible line up of shows, education programs, and community outreach in the upcoming season.” says Managing Director Ella Wrenn.

    “We are grateful to live in a place that values the experience of live arts!” says Artistic Director Mary Catherine Burke.

    CFRT’s 2022/23 mainstage season has something for everyone. The season kicks off with The Play That Goes Wrong – a non-stop hilarious comedy in the tone of Monty Python (Sept 2023); The Addams Family Musical (Oct/Nov 2023) will be directed by CFRT’s Artistic Director Mary Catherine Burke, choreographed by Emmy Award winner Tyce Diorio, and featuring CFRT’s Director of Education Marc de la Concha as Gomez; the year comes to a close with the annual community production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Dec 2023).

    In Jan. 2024, family favorite Cinderella comes to the stage, directed by Broadway’s Tom Caruso; King Liz (March/April 2024) will feature onstage seating for this play about a female basketball agent that will coincide with March Madness.

    Finally, the season comes to a close with Sister Act, directed by West Hyler (Broadway’s Jersey Boys). Additionally, CFRT will continue its popular education programs, including Spring and Summer Theatre Camps, Drama Day Camps, Passport Series, Studio classes, and CFRTeen Tours.

    Ticket sales account for less than 40% of CFRT’s funding. “We are deeply grateful to the Arts Council for its incredible financial support. This funding is essential to our operations and enables us to produce high-quality productions and education programs that support our community’s creative and emotional needs,” says Wrenn.

    The Arts Council’s Community Organization Resource Grants  may be awarded to local arts agencies in Cumberland County whose programs are vital to the cultural life of the community and whose organizations have reached a size and maturity that assure their long-term viability. The purpose of CORE Grants is to strengthen and stabilize major arts institutions and help them to deliver high quality arts services to the citizens of Cumberland County.

  • Come out to Cypress Lakes Golf Course on Sept. 29 at 12:30 p.m. and watch the first tee-off at the 14th Annual Kiwanis Care for Kids Golf Tournament.09-21-11-kiwanis-golf.jpg

    “Fourteen years ago, we had a couple of members of our club who either had a child or a grandchild that was affected by brain tumors and we decided we were going to do a golf tournament to benefit pediatric brain tumor research,” said Gary Cooper, chairman of the Kiwanis Club Golf Tournament. “We did eight years for that particular cause, and the last six years we’ve been doing the tournament to benefi t the Child Advocacy Center.”

    Before the first tee off, at 12:15 p.m., the Army’s premier parachute team, The Golden Knights, will jump into the event.

    “It will be literally at 12:15 because that’s how good they are,” explained Cooper. “They will start jumping from the sky earlier than that and there will probably be a team of about 8. If you’ve never seen that you ought to come out and see it. It’s pretty cool!”

    Aside from The Golden Knights and the tournament itself, there will also be prizes raffl d off at the tournament.

    “Kiwanis is all about children,” said Cooper. “Whether it’s helping the abused, as in the case of the Child Advocacy Center, it’s providing funds for brain tumor research, or it’s reading at local schools and providing books and certifi cates to kids for being good students, everything we do revolvesaround children.”

    Aside from the adults who have volunteered to come participate in the golf tournament, the Kiwanis Club has also invited a foursome of wounded warriors to come out and play.

    While the Kiwanis Care for Kids Golf Tournament has always had a good turnout, Cooper is confi dent that this year will be no different.

    “The most we can have is 128 golfers, and we’ll have 128 golfers,” he said. The entry fee to play in the tournament is $100 player. If there is a team of four, the fee is $400, but if you are a hole sponsor the fee is $475.

    “Typically a whole sponsor will be $100, but because you have a team we lower the price,” said Cooper.

    In the previous five years that the Kiwanis Club has teamed up with the Child Advocacy Center, the golf tournament has donated an average of at least $15,000 a year, and this year promises to be even better.

    “We are very thankful for some of our biggest sponsors like Beasley Broadcast, who provides awareness of what we’re doing by bringing their WKML bus out every year and doing a remote while we’re all getting ready to play,” said Cooper. “Cape Fear Valley Hospital is also a platinum sponsor, and we have a lot of other very good corporate citizens, both locally-owned companies and national companies, that have participated year after year.”

  • 16bHispanic and Latino individuals comprise one of the largest demographics in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau indicates that, as of 2020, there were more than 60 million people identifying as Hispanic or Latino living in the country.

    With such a high percentage of individuals belonging to the Hispanic and Latino community, it should come as no surprise just how influential the group can be. In addition to achievements in sports, music, film, medicine, and more, Hispanics and Latinos have made great strides in the business sector. In fact, many notable people are executives in major corporations or are innovating by coming up with new products and business concepts.

    Consider these influential Hispanic business professionals.

    •  Lymaris Albors: Albors is the CEO of the Acacia Network, a nonprofit housing, health and social services company. Under Albors’ leadership, the company opened the Santaella Gardens development in the Bronx, helping low-income individuals.
    •  Anthony Jimenez, Jr: Jimenez, Jr. is the founder, chairman and CEO of MicroTech, one of the largest Hispanic-owned IT Integrators in the United States. Under Jimenez, Jr.’s leadership, the company has grown from a small, home-based startup to a half billion-dollar company.
    • Betro Perez: Anyone who has taken a Zumba™ Fitness class at a local gym can thank Perez. As an aerobics instructor in Colombia, Perez once forgot his usual exercise routine, so he improvised by adding dance moves to the program. That on-the-fly thinking helped shape a fitness empire that now spans the globe.
    • Marilu Galvez: Galvez is the first Latina to fill the role of president and general manager of the WABC-TV network in New York. Through her position, Galvez has worked to increase the Hispanic American community’s visibility by leading broadcast productions of live events and ensuring representation through content creation.
    • Jose Perez: As the president and CEO of Hispanics in Energy, Perez leads a nonprofit that strives to increase Hispanic inclusion in America’s energy industry. He is both a leader and an advocate.
    • Maria Contreras-Sweet: In addition to being administrator of the Small Business Administration, Contreras-Sweet is founder of ProAmérica, California’s first Latino-formed commercial bank in more than 35 years. She also founded Contreras-Sweet Enterprises, a marketing and research firm.
    • Jordi Munoz: Munoz is the founder of 3D Robotics, a company that has generated millions in revenue. The company started by chance when Munoz hacked the sensors on the controller of his Nintendo Wii and wrote code to use it to control a drone he built at home.
    • Jeanette Prenger: Prenger is the founder, CEO and president of ECCO Select, a leading provider of technology services and consulting for government agencies and Fortune 1000 companies. ECCO Select has consistently been listed as one of the top 500 Hispanic businesses in the United States.

    The business community is awash with influential and experienced Hispanic and Latino individuals who have shaped the country with their contributions.

  • 10aThe Greater Fayetteville Chamber and presenting award sponsors Highland Construction & Restoration and Manna Church announce the upcoming 2023 Annual Public Safety Valor Awards, taking place on September 12th from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. This event held at Manna Church serves as a heartfelt tribute, expressing the deepest gratitude and admiration for the unwavering dedication of first responders in the city, county and at Fort Liberty.

    These extraordinary men and women put their lives on the line every day to ensure safety and well-being. It is only fitting to come together as a community to recognize their selflessness, bravery and commitment to serving others.

    The awardees of this prestigious event are nominated by their Chiefs or agency heads from various law enforcement agencies, fire/rescue departments, and emergency management agencies that serve Cumberland County. These exceptional individuals have gone above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrating valor in the face of adversity.

    This year's awards will honor those who have shown remarkable courage and resilience during incidents that occurred within Cumberland County over the past year. Their stories serve as a testament to their unwavering dedication to protecting our community. The award categories are:

    The Valor Award. Reserved for those who have displayed extraordinary valor and heroism. It is given to public safety officials who knowingly put their lives at risk or faceD extreme bodily harm while performing official duties.

    The Lifesaving Award. Recognizes public safety officials who have undertaken official acts in life-threatening situations, resulting in saving a life or preventing serious harm. Their quick thinking, bravery, and decisive actions deserve admiration.

    The Award of Merit. Designed to honor those who have demonstrated exceptional initiative, ingenuity and diligence in the performance of their duties. Whether it's creating a groundbreaking program or process, solving a long-standing cold case or dedicating years of detective work to a major initiative, this award recognizes individuals who have truly made a difference in public safety.

    The People's Choice Award. This is a special recognition chosen by our community. It honors an individual who has truly touched the lives of people around them through their exceptional service. This awardee has gone the extra mile and made a lasting impact on the community they serve.

    The Greater Fayetteville Chambers and its sponsors request that you join them in honoring and celebrating these remarkable individuals who work tirelessly to ensure our safety and well-being. The awards ceremony is open to the public and will be held at Manna Church, 5117 Cliffdale Rd. Fayetteville. Admission is $25. To purchase tickets visit www.chamber.faybiz.com/events.com. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For information, contact Jami McLaughlin at 910-483-8133 ext. 6774 or email events@faybiz.com.

  • 16 Amanda LockamyLinda Lockamy is gearing up to put on the 10th Tee It Up For MS Charity Golf Tournament. It will be held Friday, Oct. 11, at Cypress Lakes Golf Course.

    But Lockamy’s passion for the event is just as strong as it was at the first one in 2009.

    That’s because her commitment to raising money for the fight against multiple sclerosis is personal, starting 18 years ago when her daughter, Mandy Lockamy, was first diagnosed with the disease.

    Currently in remission, the younger Lockamy’s condition has been improved by an assortment of MS drugs, including an infusion of a new medication a few years ago that nearly halted the disease in its tracks.

    But as Linda Lockamy noted, while Mandy’s condition is improved, she’s not cured. She continues to take medication for headaches and fatigue related to the MS, and she takes a special medicine designed to help her walk.

    Many of her treatments have come from the research that money from events like the golf tournament have helped to fund. Since it was created, Linda Lockamy said the tournament has raised about $72,000 for the fight against the disease.

    For Linda Lockamy, it all started in 2002 when friends of Mandy told her about the local MS Walk. Linda formed a team and has participated in the walk ever since.

    But she wanted to do more, and she got her chance when she got a call from the former Beef O’Brady’s restaurant about sponsoring a charity golf tournament.

    The original plan was for the benefit to rotate among local charities, and MS would be the focal charity once every three or four years.

    While she appreciated the help, Lockamy soon realized one tournament every three or four years wasn’t enough.

    “There were so many people in that first golf tournament that knew people with MS, we said we can’t wait three or four years,’’ she said. “We need to do this every year.’’

    And that’s what happened, save for one year when Mandy Lockamy was undergoing treatments. Since the first tournament in 2009, save that one year, the MS golf tournament has been held every October at Cypress Lakes Golf Course.

    “We’ve got people that have played in every tournament,’’ Lockamy said. “I have people call me in late summer asking when the tournament is and do you have it scheduled yet.’’

    The cost of this year’s tournament is $300 for a four-man team. The entry fee includes lunch, a goody bag, beverages and a dinner.

    Registration opens at 11 a.m. the day of the tournament with a noon shotgun start.

    While the deadline for registering is one week before the tournament is held, Lockamy said individual players often show up the day of the tournament to see if they can get on a team and no one has been turned away.

    For those who don’t play golf, some companies have paid sponsorship fees for first responders, allowing them to play. Hole sponsorships are also available for $100 a hole. If a team in the tournament sponsors a hole, the cost of the sign is only $50.

    Registration forms are available at the Cypress Lakes clubhouse and on Lockamy’s Facebook page, Linda Swanson Lockamy. You can email her at swanlock74@aol.com or call 910-977-8662.

    Pictured: Amanda Lockamy 

  • 8September is an important month for so many different reasons, but especially for the United States: We honor and recognize the American Labor Movement on September 4th with Labor Day, and we honor and remember lost U.S. Citizens and Service members on 9/11 Patriot Day.

    For anyone who doesn’t know, The United States’ National POW/MIA Recognition Day is celebrated and honored across the country on the third Friday of September each year. In 1979 under the presidency of Jimmy Carter, the First Proclamation was signed, and ever since, every president has issued an annual proclamation commemorating this Recognition Day. This is a day where we remember those who were prisoners of war (POW) and those who have been missing in action (MIA), across our different branches of the military.

    The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, also known as DPAA, is the organization responsible for providing the fullest possible accounting for the missing soldiers and personnel to their families and our country. They have the largest forensic skeletal identification laboratory in the world, as well as teams of people working all around the world to discover and recover missing remains of fallen soldiers.

    According to dpaa.mil, as of May 22, 2023, there are more than 81,000 Americans that remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Gulf Wars/other conflicts. Out of the total, approximately 75% of the losses are located in the Indo-Pacific region, and over 41,000 of the missing are presumed lost at sea (such as ship losses and known aircraft water losses). DPAA has been searching for the remains of U.S. Military members in 45 nations, being able to strengthen diplomatic ties within nations while bringing closure to loved ones of fallen soldiers.

    Fayetteville is home to countless military families thanks to Fort Liberty, formerly known as Fort Bragg. Living in Fayetteville, you more than likely either got here because of the military or know someone who is active duty or retired. With so many of us having military ties, there are even greater chances of you knowing or even being related to a soldier who was a POW/MIA.

    For me, my father William Henry Jones Jr. brought our family to Fort Bragg in 2002 after his 2nd Tour in the Korean Conflict/Cold War, a war that technically has never stopped. He served in 9 different divisions, and even served in the 4th Royal Tank Battalion in Great Britain for the Late Queen of England, all in his 27 years as active duty in the U.S. Army. He then retired as a Command Sergeant Major from Fort Bragg on June 1st 2006. Though my father had a successful military career, he would have never thought he would come across a POW/MIA member in the lines of our family tree, who would turn out to be his great Uncle Calvin Solomon Jones.8a

    Calvin Solomn Jones is my great great uncle, who I recently found out is a POW/MIA who served in the Korean War. He was reported as Missing in Action (MIA) and was listed as a prisoner of war (POW) on November 26th 1950, with a reported date of death of February 28th 1951, as per other POW witness statements.

    Calvin was 21 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 29th 1949. He trained at Camp Stoneman in California and served at Fort Dix in New Jersey before being assigned to “King Company”, 3rd Battalion of 9th Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea, where he and his troops traveled north through the 38th Parallel and up to the Yalu river, which is the northern most point in North Korea.

    The 38th Parallel is a peace border between North and South Korea that acts as a cease fire zone. My father William, who did two tours in South Korea himself was also stationed near the 38th Parallel on two different occasions, and was honored to know that his great Uncle served in the same area. He says, “I kind of felt close to him in a way, because I was stationed there. I remember how close we were stationed to what they call the thirty-eighth parallel, which is the demilitarization zone; we have an enemy just on the other side of that line. And we're looking at each other every day. I remember us digging out tank fighting positions, in case they decided to attack.”

    On September 27th 1950 , my uncle Calvin suffered a bayonet puncture that would wound him and send him to the 64th Field Hospital for treatment. After his treatment, he had the option to return home from the war due to his injuries, but instead he decided to return back to the frontlines with his Battalion and finish the fight with his fellow soldiers. He reconnected with his unit fighting on the front lines on October 13th 1950.

    8bWhen my Uncle Calvin returned to the war, his Battalion had crossed enemy territory. In the late month of November in 1950, over 180,000 “volunteers” from the Communist Chinese Forces (CCF) were sneaking south, hiding in the North Korean hills, and staged a massive surprise ambush attack.

    The 9th Infantry Calvin was a part of was hit hard during these attacks. He and his group of POWs were held in a cluster of holding villages, around a former mining camp, in the valley between the North Korean towns of Pukchin and Tarigol. This camp was also called “Hofong Camp,” “T-1, and “T-8,” also known as one of the worst camps because of the conditions and the men who perished there. My uncle Calvin was marched north and was in one of the first groups of POWs to reach the newly created POW Camp 5 in the village of Pyoktong, North Korea.

    Camp 5 was as far as anyone could go and still be in North Korea, on the south shore of the Yalu River. Reports indicate that by the time my uncle Calvin arrived at Camp 5, he was gravely ill from exposure, malnutrition, and pneumonia. It is believed that he expired there at the Camp 5 location and due to not being allowed to completely search the area of Camp 5, the exact whereabouts of his body and other members of Camp 5 are still undetermined.

    DPAA does not currently conduct operations in North Korea but through past operations has been able to recover over 200 remains.

    There are approximately 7,500 service members still unaccounted-for from the Korean War. Of that total, it is estimated that approximately 5,300 are located in North Korea. The majority of the missions in North Korea were in Unsan and Kujang counties.

    To commemorate my great-great uncle, and other North Carolina POW/MIA families, do attend the Statewide Remembrance Luncheon, Saturday September 9 at the Crown. Check out https://www.ncpowmia.com or call 910-286-6068 for tickets.

  • Fall FamilyOle Mill Days, the annual Hope Mills community festival that celebrates the town’s rich history as a mill village with a wide variety of family-related activities, returns at the slightly earlier date this fall of Saturday, Oct. 5.

    Meghan Freeman, assistant director of programs and events for the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department, said the change in the date was made to avoid a conflict with Fayetteville’s annual Dogwood Festival.

    “Historically it’s been toward the end of October,’’ Freeman said of Ole Mill Days. “We looked at the calendars for surrounding areas and it didn’t seem like there were any big, big events that would be a conflict.’’

    Freeman said the event is a way for families to enjoy the community and see the assortment of family-related activities the town has to offer that day.

    “There are a lot of activities for the kids as well as vendors and food trucks,’’ she said.

    Hours for most activities at Ole Mill Days will be from noon until 6:30 p.m. Interactive events for the children will be from noon until 4 p.m.

    One new feature of the event will be a 105-foot inflatable zipline. There will also be a bungee trampoline.

    The traditional petting zoo will also be featured. Provided by It’s A Zoo Life, the zoo typically includes a lemur, an alpaca, a kangaroo, a mini-horse, a goat, a sulcata or spurred tortoise, a capybara (the world’s largest rodent), a mara (a rabbit-like animal), a fennec fox (a small fox with big ears) or a llama. The selection of animals varies due to availability from week to week, Freeman said.


    Ole Mill Days will coincide with the town’s final monthly Good2Grow Farmer’s Market of the year, which will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.


    For the adults, Dirtbag Ales will sponsor a beer garden.


    There will be two live bands performing, Upscale N Casual at 1:30 p.m. and Rivermist at 4:30 p.m. Upscale N Casual primarily features smooth jazz. Rivermist performs classic rock and is described as a variety party band.
    They have been voted Best Local Band for the last three years in Up & Coming Weekly’s Best of Fayetteville survey.


    An annual feature of Ole Mill Days will be the reunion for the millworkers from Hope Mills. It will be hosted at Town Hall from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.


    Primary parking areas for the event will be at Rockfish Elementary School across the street from the Town Hall and Municipal Park complexes, as well as behind Fields 4, 5 and 6 at Municipal Park, as well as the public library.
    Tables and chairs will be provided, but the public is welcome to bring its own portable chairs Freeman said.


    Those planning to attend should not bring coolers or alcoholic beverages. All of the activities will be free of charge, excluding the things being sold by the vendors and the food trucks.


    For any questions, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 910-426-4109.

  • 17 Deputy Chief Hank HarrisMost people begin to worry about hurricanes when the weather reports grow ominous as a major storm advances on the place that they live.

     
    But emergency personnel like Hank Harris, deputy chief of the Cotton Fire Department in Hope Mills, have to remain focused on storms throughout hurricane season — and not just ones that threaten our local communities.
     
    Cotton is part of a larger group known as Urban Search and Rescue Teams. They work together with the Fayetteville Fire and Police Departments and Cumberland County Emergency Medical Services.
     
    “There are seven teams like it across the state,’’ Harris said. “Most of them are in big municipalities. They’ve got equipment to shore up structurally collapsed buildings. We’ve got swift-water rescue stuff. They are self-sustainable for 72 hours.’’
     
    In past storms, local rescue personnel have been involved with sending swift-water rescue teams to storm-stricken areas.
     
    During Hurricane Dorian, the Fayetteville-area team sent a forklift to the Outer Banks to load supplies at hurricane-ravaged Ocracoke Island.
     
    Harris said the Fayetteville area team also has tents available that can be used to house team members when they are sent elsewhere to serve, or they can be sent to disaster areas to provide an emergency hospital or shelter to feed people displaced from their homes.
     
    In 2017, Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston and southeast Texas, causing $125 billion in damage, mostly from flooding.
     
    Harris said the team from the Fayetteville area sent 90 people to Texas to help with relief during that storm.
     
    “We go everywhere,’’ he said.
     
    With the growing frequency of storms every fall in the United States, Harris said it’s a good idea for people to not wait to hear bad news on the weather and maintain a basic level of readiness whenever hurricane season arrives in the Southeast.
     
    “It’s always good to have a hurricane kit,’’ Harris said. You can visit ReadyNC.org on the internet or download the ReadyNC app to your smartphone and get a lot of valuable information there, Harris added.
     
    “It gives you a list of materials you need to keep on hand,’’ he said. “You know what happens to all the grocery stores. They start emptying the shelves. You can be a little bit ahead of the game by having some of that stuff already in place.’’
     
    Some basics to have on hand include bandaging material, water both to drink and to clean wounds with and enough food to sustain life for everyone in the home for several days.

     

    Harris said it’s also a good idea to be aware of what rescue personnel with the fire department can and can’t do when a storm hits.

     
    Harris said his agency normally won’t respond to situations like a tree falling on a house and simply causing physical damage to the building. They will come out for emergencies like people trapped in a home or car, for rising water and, in some cases, for downed power lines. They try to refer power line situations to the appropriate power company.
     
    “It keeps us from stretching our resources so thin,’’ he said, "in times when multiple calls might be coming in."
     
    Harris said the safety of rescue personnel also has to be factored in. “When the wind gets up, it’s not safe for us to respond,’’ he said. “If the winds are too high for us to respond and something happens to us, we’re not helping anybody.’’
     
    Pictured: Deputy Chief Hank Harris
     
  • 16 MatsThe Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department is in the third year of a program to make sleeping mats for the homeless from plastic bags.

     
    Anne Evanco, a program specialist for the Parks and Recreation Department, said the program has stockpiled plenty of raw material for the work, but it needs more helping hands to create the mats.
     
    The program started at the former senior center on Davis Street but has relocated to the Parks and Recreation building on Rockfish Road.
     
    Evanco estimates that the volunteers in the program have churned out roughly 300 mats since they started.
     
    They collect plastic bags from various local businesses and then bring them to the recreation center. There they are flattened, folded and cut into a material they call plarn, which means plastic yarn.
     
    Once the plarn has been made, it can be used in a variety of ways to create the sleeping mats. Evanco said they can be knitted, crocheted or weaved, depending on the preference of the person making the mat.
     
    She added it’s a simple process to learn and anyone can do it with minimal training.
     
    When people come out to take part in the program for the first time, Evanco said they are usually assigned to the process of making the plarn.
     
    “We want them to learn each step,’’ she said. “After you learn how to process the bags and make the plarn, it doesn’t take long to learn the weaving method.’’
     
    The process of making a mat can take from 10 to 30 hours Evanco said. A lot of that depends on the individual worker and how nimble their hands are. Some of the crocheted mats can take as long as 60 hours.
     
    The mat makers convene at the recreation center three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon until 4 p.m. each day.
     
    While the program was originally intended for senior citizens, Evanco said people of all ages are now welcome to take part.
     
    The mat-making room is somewhat crowded on Wednesday and Friday, Evanco said, but they could use some more volunteers who would like to work on mats on Mondays.
     
    The mat makers aren’t responsible for getting the mats into the hands of the homeless. The recreation center staff works with other organizations, especially Fayetteville Urban Ministry, to drop off the mats and have them put directly into the hands of the homeless.
     
    Evanco said she doesn’t have an idea on how long a mat will actually last, saying it varies from person to person and the type of surface they might be sleeping on, with mats used on grass surfaces standing up better than those used on concrete.
     
    Anyone interested in learning how to make the mats should just show up at one of the Monday, Wednesday or Friday sessions. “The people in this program are very welcoming,’’ Evanco said. “We’ll bring that person in and put them to work, show them the process.

     

    “It’s great to see someone who has never done anything like this before. There’s something for everyone in this program.’’

    Pictured: Paula Ray, center, a Hope Mills volunteer, delivers mats to staff at the Veterans Administration Stand Down Center last August

  • 15 01 Police Chief Joel AcciardoThe town of Hope Mills scored the ultimate win-win for its police department last week as the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to add a specialized armored vehicle to the rolling stock of police chief Joel Acciardo’s department.
     
    The best news about the acquisition is the vehicle won’t cost the town a cent.
     
    The commissioners voted 5-0 to accept an Oshkosh M-ATV from the U.S. Military Law Enforcement Support Program. Estimated value of the vehicle is $767,360.
     
    “We are eligible to receive equipment from the federal government as long as it’s used for law enforcement purposes,’’ Acciardo said.
     
    In addition to being lightly armored, Acciardo said the M-ATV has what’s called deepwater fording capabilities. “We’ll be able to use it for deep water rescue operations,’’ he said.
     
    Acciardo said the town already experienced a situation where a vehicle like the M-ATV would have been helpful — during Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Residents of the retirement center on Cameron Road had to be evacuated because of rising water there. “That pretty much cemented the usefulness of vehicles like that for us,’’ Acciardo said.
     
    But deepwater rescue isn’t the only thing the vehicle could help with, and Acciardo is hopeful it never has to be used for this purpose.
     
    15 02 MATV“One of the things we identified early on that we needed was a vehicle that would allow us to get closer to victims and place officers closer to where an active shooter is,’’ he said. “The M-ATV matches all those requirements. You have high ground clearance, deepwater fording capabilities and it’s lightly armored.
     
    “That kind of checks a whole bunch of blocks.’’
     
    Acciardo said there are other companies that make vehicles similar to the M-ATV, but they are extremely expensive and out of the price range for a smaller agency like the Hope Mills Police Department.
    With the donation of the M-ATV from the military, Acciardo said the only cost to Hope Mills will be to get it here, license it and paint it.
     
    While Hope Mills has mutual aid agreements with other local police departments and would get their cooperation in an active shooter situation, Acciardo said time is of the utmost importance, and having its own specialized vehicle here improves the Hope Mills police’s chances of responding quicker.
     
    Acciardo said the M-ATV the town is getting is about nine years old and has less than 60,000 miles on it.
     
    The vehicle’s cab has room for a driver and four passengers. The rear area of the vehicle can be used to carry either cargo or more people.
     
    A training program will be required for those who will operate the vehicle. He estimates anywhere from five to six senior police officers will be trained as drivers so the department can assign one driver per shift to be available if the vehicle is called into service.
     
    He estimated it’ll take about 90 days to be able to put the vehicle in service, hopefully by mid-November or mid-December.
     
    With proper care and maintenance, he estimates the town could get up to 20 years of service from the vehicle.
     
    “You won’t see it in a parade, you won’t see it at a demonstration, you won’t see it on patrol,’’ he said. “You’ll see it when there is a weather event, a natural disaster or, God forbid, an active shooter situation.
    “That’s the whole purpose of it, to have the resource and hope you never have to use it. You have to be prepared in today’s world.’’
     

    Picture 1: Chief Joel Acciardo 

    Picture 2: M-ATV similar to the one Hope Mills is getting 

     
  • 14 emergency 1For the first time, the town of Hope Mills is offering CPR training to two groups of people who can really benefit from it, babysitters and new parents of small children and infants.

    Kasey Ivey of the Parks and Recreation Department said the idea was presented to her by Jamie Krusinski, a registered nurse and certified CPR instructor.

    In addition to basic CPR training, topics including clearing obstructed airways and working with AEDs will be covered.

     “There are a lot of similar things, but some are just geared toward the two different groups of people,’’ Ivey said. 

    Ivey said Krusinski will bring an AED to the training sessions to show both the babysitters and the parents how it works and how to operate it.

    An important part of the AED training is to teach everyone, especially the younger people, not to be afraid of the AED and to understand it can save a person’s life.

     Ivey said the entire program was designed by Krusinski. Each class will be limited to a maximum of nine participants. Each class is self-contained, not a series, so you only have to go to one to get the full effect of the training.

     “It’s the first time we are trying this so we will see how it goes,’’ Ivey said.

     She added it’s important for the town to offer this kind of training. “It’s a life skill,’’ she said. “It can be used in so many different settings. It’s an important thing to help strengthen the community with lifelong learning.’’

    Ivey said she’s been certified in CPR since 2006. “To have that basic knowledge and skill set between the time an incident occurs and before emergency personnel get there is critical time when you could save someone’s life, if you have the knowledge and skill,’’ she said.

    All those completing one of the programs will get a two-year certificate in CPR through the American Heart Association. They will have to repeat the training once the certificate expires to be certified again.

    A minimum of two people must sign up for a class to be held.

    For the new parent class the cost is $65 per person or $60 each if both parents or guardians attend. The cost for the babysitter class is $75 per person. There is an age limit of 11 and up for the baby sitter class.

    The babysitter classes will all be on Saturdays, Oct. 12, Oct. 19, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9 from 1-4 p.m. each day.

    New parent classes are the same days with hours from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

    For questions contact Ivey at Hope Mills Parks and Recreation, 910-426-4109.

  • 15 01 Old dam gatesCitizen input is crucial as the town of Hope Mills rolls out initial plans for the proposed Heritage Park. The meeting to get public input will be held Thursday, Sept. 26, at
    6 p.m. at the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Building

    The park is to be constructed on land near the current dam and stretch down to property where the former Episcopal Church is located. 

    The preliminary goal is to create a natural green space with hiking trails while also adding kiosks that will tell the story of the area near the dam. Ancient dam gates from years past, which are standing near the proposed entry to the park, will also be put on permanent display.

    Hope Mills town manager Melissa Adams said the town is using the same process it did to get input from citizens on what to do with the golf course property the town owns.

    “This is a kickoff meeting,’’ she said. “We are involving the Appearance Committee, the Parks and Recreation Committee, the Lake Advisory Committee and the Historic Preservation Commission, 15 02 ENTRY WAY along with the public.’’

    Adams said the purpose of the meeting is to gather information on what the public and the various committees would like to see in Heritage Park.

    There is a tentative plan for the park that was drawn up by people from North Carolina State.

    It calls for a green space with trails, kiosks with educational signage and the old dam gates. The goal is to connect the property entrance area on Lakeview Road with the Episcopal Church property on Main Street.

    The only difference between this meeting and the one involving plans for the golf course is there won’t be as many options to discuss with Heritage Park because it’s a much smaller space.

    Adams said the golf course has many more amenities over its some 90 acres while Heritage Park only takes up six or seven acres. “We can’t cram but so much in there,’’ Adams said.

    One thing that has been discussed is some kind of picnic area at Heritage Park, Adams said.

    She added that the trails designed for Heritage Park would not be a flat walking surface like the walk near town hall but are hilly and natural.

    “It’s extremely important for the public to come and give their input and take a look at everything,’’ Adams said. “This is just the beginning stages of it.

    “We’d like very much for as many people to come as possible.’’

    For questions prior to the meeting, Adams said people should contact Lamarco Morrison at
    910-424-4555.

    Picture 1: Closeup of the old dam gates

    Picture 2: An entry way to the proposed Heritage Park

  • 13 Hope Mills Shred LitterGet your unwanted documents together and dress for cleanup duty. The town of Hope Mills is holding its biannual shredding and litter sweep events. Stormwater supervisor Beth Brown said Sept. 21 has been designated as the day the town will offer free shredding of sensitive documents while inviting townspeople to volunteer to help spruce up neighboring streets by picking up litter.

    There will not be a hazardous household waste cleanup. That was held in the spring, and Brown said it’s too costly to do more than once a year. “That event is typically between $20,000-30,000,’’ she said.

    Not many people requested a repeat on the hazardous waste cleanup, Brown said, but they did on the shredding event. “We feel it’s easier to do in coordination with another event like the litter sweep,’’ she said.

    The goal of the shredding event is to provide the community with a chance to dispose of any kind of paper waste and get rid of it in a manner that is environmentally friendly and appropriate.

    Just about anything related to paper products is acceptable except large binder clips, Brown said. Paper clips and staples can be left in documents and will be shredded.

    The public can also bring computer disks, both CD and DVD types, along with the old-style floppy disks. “We did collect some of those during the spring,’’ she said of the floppy disks.

    One thing everyone bringing documents for shredding needs to know is the shredding will not take place on site when the materials are dropped off. Everything will be collected and placed in locked containers that will be locked in town hall over the weekend.

    The Monday following the shred event, the company doing the shredding will pick up all the material and transport it to Raleigh to be shredded. Brown said some people were upset last year when they were unable to watch their documents being shredded.

    “The service is as secure to use as if it was shredded on our site,’’ she said.

    While the shred event will be going on at town hall in the customer parking lot, the litter sweep will begin at the Parks and Recreation Department.

    Brown said maps will be available and volunteers can pick an area of town where they would like to clean up. They can choose a designated area or clean up anywhere within the town limits.

    The town will provide gloves, trash bags and tools to pick up the trash with along with safety vests. The vests and tools need to be returned when done. 

    Children are welcome to take part in the litter sweep, but any child under the age of 18 must be supervised by a parent or guardian as a safety precaution.

    Brown said this litter sweep is important because it will be the final one before Ole Mill Days on Saturday, Oct. 5, with major activities scheduled at town hall and municipal park.

    Anyone with questions about the shred event should call 910-424-4555. For questions about the litter sweep, call 910-426-4109.

  • 16 FOOD TRUCK RODEOUPDATE 9/03/19: Due to the threat to Hope Mills posed by Hurricane Dorian, the Food Truck Rodeo has been moved to Thursday, Sept. 12, from 5-8 p.m.

    Hope Mills has taken its share of punishment from hurricanes in recent years, so town officials have scheduled an event to help citizens prepare for the worst should one or more strike again this season.

    As part of the Thursday, Sept. 5, Food Truck Rodeo in Hope Mills, a hurricane preparedness event has been arranged in cooperation with the local Community Emergency Response Team.

    The food truck rodeo will take place this Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the outdoor basketball courts at Hope Mills Municipal Park on Rockfish Road. 

    Nearly all of the vendors on hand for the event will be oriented toward dealing with issues involving hurricane awareness. 

    Chancer McLaughlin, development and planning administrator for the town, said many of the vendors will be able to provide citizens attending the event information on how to deal with issues they might encounter when a hurricane strikes.

    Here are some questions that the experts at the food truck rodeo will help answer.

    How much bleach is needed to purify water?

    What is a survival flash drive and where should you store it?

    How do you operate a generator?

    How do you stop bleeding?

    What smartphone apps are best to have in an emergency situation?

    What steps need to be taken during a water advisory?

    Other topics that will be covered include how to pack a so-called “go bag” along with on-site training in CPR.

    Vendors with specific information involving hurricane situations will include the American Red Cross, the Public Works Commission and the Salvation Army.

    As always, the food truck rodeo will be collecting nonperishable food items to support the ALMS HOUSE in Hope Mills.

    The event isn’t just about hurricane preparedness, it’s also about having a fun evening out with the family and enjoying the variety of eating options at the food trucks.

    Special musical guest for the evening will be a jazz band called Rah’s Illuminated 1’s.

    Miller Motte College will be on hand to share information about its programs and offer free massages.

    A wide assortment of food trucks will be present, including Doug’s NC Barbecue, Big T’s, Nannie’s Famous, Chef Glen, Food 4 the Soul, Noth’n Fancy, Elite Catering, Dogwood Java, East Coast Snowey and Lo Diferente.

    “The main purpose is to get the public some useful information,’’ McLaughlin said.

    There are two more food truck events scheduled this year, McLaughlin said, one in October and one in November on the first Thursday of each month.

    McLaughlin said no theme had been determined for the remaining two rodeos.

  •     The guy I’m dating is a high school graduate with a manual labor job. I have a master’s and a corporate career, and I’ll eventually make several times his salary. He’s a great guy, and does stuff like spontaneously buying me flowers at the farmers market and calling just to say goodnight. We talk sports, which I love, and he shares his work gossip, but I can’t talk to him the way I talk to my egghead friends. I use $5 words (my natural speech after years of schooling), and I can tell he sometimes has no idea what I just said. My friends seem put off by him and question whether we’ve got enough in common. I’m more concerned with how he feels around them (going silent, fumbling words, getting grumpy).     Is it reasonable to give up this sweet, attentive man for somebody married to his work, but who can match wits with anyone, anytime?
     —Opposites
                                  


        Opposites might attract, but then they start talking. You say tomayto, he says tomahto, and you throw in a side order of antidisestablishmentarianism. (Man is from Mars, Woman is from Encyclopedia Britannica.)
        It’s amazing how you can be in a man’s arms and over his head at the very same time. In a way, this is a case of terrible timing. If you’d both been around during the Oklahoma Land Rush, he would’ve been a much wiser choice of boyfriend than some pointyhead who’d just read the collected works of Charles Darwin. But here you are in 2008, probably all cozy in some starter condo, feeling the constant grate of his intellectual incompatibility, especially at those smart people clambakes you’re always attending.
        While people will tell you money can’t buy happiness, if you make lots more than he does, you might end up feeling pretty miserable. There was this theory that women only wanted rich, powerful men because they couldn’t get money or power themselves. Studies by evolutionary psychologist David Buss and others actually show that rich, successful women tend to go for even richer, more successful men.
        As a woman who uses $5 words, can you be satisfied with a man who only has $2.75 or so to play around with? Most importantly, do you admire him? And will you — when he stretches his hand skyward and promises you the stars...without the faintest idea that he’s actually offering you a passing satellite?
  • 15 01 Catch drainHope Mills town officials are concerned about the recent increase in yard debris and the negative impact it could have if it’s allowed to block the town’s storm drain system.

    That’s why community officials are reaching out to citizens to do the best they can to make sure debris is cleared from their yards before a major storm hits the town again.

    Tyler Riddle, a stormwater technician for the town, said the major culprits among lawn debris include grass clippings, leaves and limbs, but it doesn’t stop there.

    “If it can be picked up by the water and possibly make it to a drain, it’s going to hinder the amount of water that can get in that catch basin,’’ he said.

    The catch basin is the structure you see with a metal grate at street level and a wide opening for the water to flow through into the storm drain.

    Problems mount when yard trash winds up in the street and is swept into the catch basins around the town.

    “Everything that’s in the street is going to run to that catch basin, even pine straw,’’ Riddle said. “It’s going to cover that grate on the catch basin and not allow water to come through.’’

    Worse, large amounts of yard waste can get into the catch basin and, from there, the storm drain pipe system. Over time, it accumulates to further hinder the flow of water though the pipes.

    Eventually, the pipe itself can get clogged, requiring cleaning with a pumping truck and a sewer jetter, a drain-cleaning machine that uses high-pressure water to knock the debris free.

    “That’s going to cost the taxpayers money,’’ Riddle said. “They’re the ones paying for it in the long run.’’

    Riddle said town staff does as much as it can to keep the streets clear of debris that could foul the storm drains, but with so many drains located all over Hope Mills, it’s an impossible job for the staff to complete alone.

    “Everybody who helps out, it’s not just helping the town, it’s helping yourself in the long run for your street not flooding and water not backing up in your yard,’’ Riddle said. “The cleaner you keep the streets, the better everything works.’’

    Some people may choose to mulch their yard waste and use it on a home garden if they have one, Riddle said. Otherwise it’s best to make sure all yard debris is left in a trash can to be collected by the town. 

    “If you rake it up and put it in a (garbage) container, that’s the best way to get rid of it,’’ Riddle said. “Once you put it in that container, it’s not going anywhere but in the truck.’’

    Pictured: A catch basin adjacent to Hope Mills Lake with the kind of debris that can be swept from yards and cause problems for the storm drain system

  • 14 01 Sidewalks 1The goal of making the town of Hope Mills more accessible to pedestrian traffic by adding sidewalks came a step closer to reality recently as the town was awarded another grant from the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

    “We typically get a grant every year through them called the transportation alternatives grant,’’ said Chancer McLaughlin, development and planning administrator for the town.

    Work is already underway on sidewalks in the area of Rockfish Road near the town’s municipal complex.

    The new grant, which is $445,540, will extend sidewalks the length of Main Street starting at the intersection of Johnson Street/Fountain Lane and Main Street down to the intersection of Trade Street with Lakeview Road and Main Street.

    The grant covers 80% of the sidewalk cost with the town providing the other 20%.

    14 02 CrosswalkThere are existing sidewalks on the side of Main Street closest to the lake, but on the opposite side they stop at Johnson Street just past the railroad trestle.

    In addition to the new sidewalks, the grant money will help cover the cost of adding a new
    crosswalk about halfway between the two intersections as well as enhancing the existing crosswalk at the Trade and Main intersection.

    McLaughlin said the new crosswalk will be a so-called raised mid-block structure made of brick.

    The existing crosswalk will be modified in a similar matter.

    He described it as a “traffic-calming” structure, similar to a speed bump, but a little more decorative with brick construction material.

    The ultimate goal of the new sidewalks is to follow the guidance of the Southwest Cumberland Land Use Plan, which has specific suggestions for adding sidewalks in the Hope Mills area.

    McLaughlin said this will continue the aim of connecting the Town Hall and Municipal Park area on Rockfish Road with the restored Hope Mills Lake on Main Street to make it a pedestrian-friendly zone.

    The long-term goal once all the sidewalks are completed is to give those people who are interested and able the ability to conveniently walk from the municipal complex to the lake, thus hopefully decreasing the need for cars in what is already a highly congested area.

    “There is not much public parking at the lake, so we are trying to create a better balance between vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic while keeping it safe,’’ McLaughlin said.

    While work continues on the Rockfish Road sidewalk and is yet to begin along Main Street, McLaughlin said it’s too early to establish a definite timetable on when the entire project will be finished.

    Picture 1: The stretch of Main Street opposite Hope Mills Lake where sidewalks will be extended

    Picture 2: Raised crosswalks, similar to this one, will be added on Main Street but will be constructed with brick to be more decorative. 

  • 06 TONAPE Witnessing 2017 pastel on paper 19x19For anyone who sees the pastel drawings in this article, it’s obvious Vilas Tonape is an extraordinary artist in our community. A nationally and internationally known artist, Tonape is known for his masterful portraiture, still lifes, and non-representational paintings. Celebrated in his mother country of India since 1993, Tonape has returned to India each summer to teach workshops.

    This article will not only explore the strengths of Tonape’s works, but the end of the article will share information on how the public can attend an hour-and-a-half online portrait demonstration by Tonape in October, at no cost.

    Before the portrait demonstration, visitors to Rosenthal Gallery, on the campus of Fayetteville State University, will have the opportunity to see more than 25 works by Tonape in his one-person exhibit titled Ways of Knowing: Works by Vilas Tonape. The opening reception for Ways of Knowing is Sept. 23 from 6-8 p.m. If attending the public reception is not possible, visitors to the Rosenthal Gallery will be able to see the exhibit through Oct. 23.

    Tonape earned a B.F.A. in Painting at Sir JJ School of Art at the University of Bombay in Mumbai, India, and an M.F.A. in Painting at Texas Christian University at Fort Worth, Texas. Employed since 2015 at Methodist University in the Department of Art, other art related teaching positions include, but are not limited to, the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia., and a visiting artist at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida.

    Tonape’s exhibition record is extensive, his work is in many private and corporate collections, and he has received many honors and awards. In 2018, he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, First Friday Forum, Government Museum and Art Gallery in Ghandigarh, India.

    Most recently, he was interviewed and published in a 6-page article titled "Celestial Color" by John A. Parks, Fall, 2021, Pastel Journal Magazine.

    Another highlight in Tonape’s career is when he received a call from President George W. Bush’s manager in 2018. Bush had seen one or more of Tonape’s 11 YouTube instructional videos and was enthralled with his process — a private teaching session was eventually scheduled between Bush and Tonape.

    Looking at Tonape’s images can cause different reactions. Many will admire his skill and the beauty of his images. Tonape masterfully understands how to recreate the representational around him in pastels, watercolor and painting.

    One argument against realism is why an artist in the 21st century would choose to replicate reality when a camera is sufficient. What is the relevance and relatability of realistic art in the digital age?

    A second argument is that artists learn how to control materials and work from observation; then the artist will leave the realism nest and move in a stylized direction.

    Among the diversity of styles, I argue that realism is still relevant in the 21st century. Tonape’s realism convinces us that what we are seeing is how it looks — yet he actually creates a type of hyperreality. One of his greatest gifts is being able to broaden our ways of knowing by recognizing the transcendent qualities of a still life or a portrait.

    One of Tonape’s earliest works presented in the exhibition is “Moments of Gloria” from 2002. The 22” x 17” gouache on paper was created after Tonape graduated with an M.F.A. in 1996, and the year before he was employed as a visiting artist at the Ringling College of Art and Design. In this work, he allows the sitter’s essence to emerge from observation while mixing realism with abstraction.

    This painting, perhaps, is a pivotal moment in time and reveals Tonape’s future journey of exploration and love for both the human form and nonobjective expression.

    Whether it is figurative or a nonobjective work of art, “Gloria” is an example of how Tonape creates the experience of time for the viewer. We are drawn in by the burst of shapes and brilliance of color, but also have spaces of rest in the mimicry of push and pull, activity and rest in the pictorial space.

    While Tonape’s pastel drawings convey the feeling of effortless spontaneity, his process is never random.

    Viewers will discover his masterful way of using a piece of pastel or a dab of paint into an expressive image.

    Tonape gives evidence to the idea that material is integral to the overall meaning when he shared the following: “I leave marks in the borders of the paper on a pastel portrait and include them in the framing of the portrait — they are evidence of the process.”

    Tonape creates a story in both his figurative and nonobjective works, objects and the figures are placed in the composition for viewers to ponder the story.

    The pastel drawing, titled “Witnessing,” is a good example of an intentional story-telling composition. Three portraits are included in the 19” x 19” pastel drawing. The luminous, warm skin of the seated figure contrasts with her cool, stare — we sense her guarded gaze. A photograph of Frida Kahlo, a well-known artist and woman activist, is on her right. Tonape has painted himself into the background as an onlooker.

    After our senses acknowledge the skill of the artist, we then wonder about the relationship of the three portraits. Tension in the work emerges, Tonape’s use of emotion, space and a well-known iconic image leave us with questions to answer about the meaning in Witnessing.

    In addition to Tonape’s overall approach to building a composition, the way he performs in a specific medium also influences how we experience each work.

    For example, a pastel drawing in the exhibit titled “Moments of Gloria,” is evidence of his performance or the act of making: broad sweeping strokes of color are the result of paint as it leaves the brush onto a surface. Later, in his pastel drawings, the performance become a specific, focused, repetitive act of adding a multitude of points of color on the surface of the paper. In the words of Tonape, “the large shapes across the surface of a portrait became a mosaic of shapes.”

    It's easy to see that color is very important to Tonape, but his response to shape is also highly relevant. Tonape responded: “Color is structure. Shape without color, for me, does not mean anything … I think of the shape of color. When color seems to take over, shape is always the underpinning.”

    At the end of the interview, I asked Tonape what some of his influences have been that helped to shape his work as an artist.

    Tonape was quick to say, “the biggest influence is Picasso’s dedication and engagement as an artist, three of my undergraduate teachers and two of my graduate professors, being in America for 27 years, seeing works of art in museums and galleries, and just being around people.”

    Visitors to Ways of Knowing will need to spend time in the gallery to study the large body of work being exhibited and become aware of Tonape’s subtle and underlying formal structure.

    The exhibition includes figurative and nonobjective works next to each other to reveal underlying sources and influences — a stark reminder of the artist’s diversified knowledge.

    Anyone interested is seeing Tonape do a portrait demonstration will need to mark their calendar for the free online demonstration that takes place towards the end of the exhibition. On Oct. 19, from 5–7 p.m., Tonape will be doing a live online demonstration from a model. (The surprise model is a well-known member of the community). Before the event, the public is invited to log onto Fayetteville State University’s Fine Art Series Live on Facebook.

    Rosenthal Gallery is located at 1200 Murchison Road on the campus of Fayetteville State University.

    Ways of Knowing is open from Sept. 23 – Oct. 23. Gallery hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

    For information on the exhibit or the call 910-672-1057 or 910-672-1571 or email smartin@uncfsu.edu

    Pictured above: "Witnessing" by Vilas Tonape

    Pictured below: Artist Vilas Tonape conducted a private teaching session with President George W. Bush in 2018, after the former president watched one of Tonape's YouTube insructional videos. 

    07 BUSHtonape7

     

     

  • 09-04-13-ladies-power-lunch.gifWomen 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.

  • 09-17-14-friends-of-children.gifLast year a fewer than 7,000 infants were born at Cape Fear Valley Health and close to 10 percent of those infants were premature so that is why the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation presents the 19th Annual Friends of Children Golf Classic on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 7:30 a.m. at Highland Country Club.

    “The purpose of this signature event is to help our Friends of Children which is one of our Friends’ groups under the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation,” said Tara Hinton, events development coordinator of Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation. “That group provides car seats, gas vouchers, toys, blankets, teddy bears, clothing and all types of programs and services for children and families in need while they are receiving care at our facility.”

    Hinton added that the golf tournament plays an integral role in providing the funds for these programs and services and in the past, the golf tournament has helped purchase the first state of the art giraffe bed for the hospital. The giraffe bed mimics the womb of the mother for premature infants. They have since purchased 17 or 18 more giraffe.

    “The past few years the golf classic has chosen a project for funding,” said Rachel Richardson, programming development coordinator of Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation. “This year one of the projects for funding is a neonatal transporter for our level three Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.”

    Richardson added that Cape Fear Valley’s NICU currently has two transporters but there is great value in providing an additional transporter because if one transporter has any maintenance issue, their NICU team will still have two operating machines. It is also a great benefit when there are prematurely born triplets born at Cape Fear Valley and more often than not, sets of twins and triplets have a higher risk of being born prematurely. The transporter is mobile life support for premature infants and is how the babies are transported from labor and delivery to the NICU. The NICU serves 13 counties in the state of North Carolina.

    “With the current state of healthcare reform and the decreasing reimbursements, the foundation and this particular Friends of Golf Classic is able to provide to the children’s areas at Cape Fear Valley Health, which really helps bridge the gap for our hospital as far as needs for patients,” said Richardson.

    More than 60,000 children are seen as inpatients and outpatients a year at the Pediatric Emergency Department and the Children’s Center at Cape Fear Valley Health. The remaining portion of the proceeds is going to the Children’s Center renovations at the hospital. If your baby has been born at Cape Fear Valley Health, whether they have gone to the NICU or not, prior to discharge, and if they ever have to go back to the hospital again before they turn 18, they will receive care in the Children’s Center.

    “We just want to make sure that we are enhancing the patient environment for children so that they are not lost in the medical world while they are receiving treatment,” said Hinton.

    Sponsorship levels for the golf tournament range from $250 to $25,000. For more information and details, call Tara Hinton at 615-1434.

  • 8In today's fast-paced and digitally connected world, one might assume that loneliness and isolation would be rare occurrences. Yet an alarming epidemic of loneliness has gripped societies across the globe, with individuals of all ages and backgrounds falling victim to its insidious grasp.

    The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated this issue, leaving many feeling more isolated than ever before. However, there is hope. As we navigate this challenging terrain, we can uncover the keys to defeating loneliness and reclaiming the vital social connections that are essential for our health and well-being.

    The Loneliness Epidemic: A Silent Plague

    Loneliness is not just a passing feeling of solitude; it is a pervasive sense of disconnection from others, often accompanied by sadness and a lack of purpose. Its effects are far-reaching, impacting not only mental health but also physical well-being. Studies have shown that chronic loneliness can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, depression, anxiety, and a weakened immune system.

    The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the problem. Lockdowns and social distancing measures forced many to isolate themselves physically from friends and family. The absence of social gatherings, face-to-face conversations, and physical touch took a toll on mental health. A global survey by the United Nations found that one-third of respondents reported experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety during the pandemic.

    According to the 19th and 21st U.S. Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, loneliness and isolation harms both individual and societal health. The Surgeon General Advisory calls the American people’s attention to urgent public health issues and provide recommendations at /www.SurgeonGeneral.gov/Connection.

    He calls attention to the importance of social connection for individual health as well as on community-wide metrics of health and well-being, and conversely the significant consequences when social connection is lacking. In his advisory titled, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community states that,

    “People may lack social connection in a variety of ways, though it is often illustrated in scientific research by measuring loneliness and social isolation. Social isolation and loneliness are related, but they are not the same. Social isolation is objectively having few social relationships, social roles, group memberships, and infrequent social interaction. On the other hand, loneliness is a subjective internal state. It’s the distressing experience that results from perceived isolation or unmet need between an individual’s preferred and actual experience.

    The lack of social connection poses a significant risk for individual health and longevity.”

    The Importance of Social Connection

    It is crucial to understand the significance of social connections for individual health and well-being. Human beings are inherently social creatures; our ability to form bonds and maintain relationships has been essential for our survival as a species.

    Strong social connections provide numerous benefits:

    • 1. Mental Health: Engaging in social activities and forming meaningful relationships can reduce the risk of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
      Social interaction stimulates the release of oxytocin and dopamine, which promote positive emotions.
    • 2. Physical Health: A robust social network is linked to better physical health. It can boost the immune system, reduce the risk of chronic diseases and even increase lifespan.
    • 3. Emotional Support: Having a support system in times of crisis or stress can make all the difference. Knowing there are people to turn to can alleviate emotional burdens and provide comfort.
    • 4. Enhanced Quality of Life: Sharing experiences, hobbies and memories with others enhances the quality of life. It provides a sense of belonging and purpose, contributing to overall life satisfaction.

    Victory Over Loneliness: The Path Forward

    • 1. Reach Out: Breaking free from loneliness often begins with taking the first step—reaching out to others. Call a friend, send a text or schedule a virtual meetup. Small acts can have a significant impact.
    • 2. Embrace Vulnerability: Acknowledging loneliness can be difficult, but it's essential. Vulnerability is not a sign of weakness; it's a strength that allows for authentic connections. Share your feelings with trusted individuals.
    • 3. Volunteer: Helping others is a fulfilling way to combat loneliness. Volunteering allows you to connect with people who share your values and provides a sense of purpose.
    • 4. Limit Screen Time: While technology can connect us, excessive screen time can also foster feelings of isolation. Set boundaries for screen time and prioritize face-to-face interactions when possible.
    • 5. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Loneliness is a common human experience, and it doesn't define your worth. Treat yourself with the same compassion you'd offer a friend. Communities and governments have a role to play in addressing the loneliness epidemic.

    The following initiatives can foster social connections and help individuals overcome isolation:

    • 1. Community Centers: Expand and support community centers that offer a range of activities and services to promote social engagement.
    • 2. Mental Health Awareness Programs: Raise awareness about the importance of mental health and offer resources for those in need.
    • 3. Peer Support Programs: Implement peer support programs that connect individuals who have experienced loneliness or isolation with those currently struggling.
    • 4. Accessible Mental Health Services: Ensure mental health services are accessible and affordable, allowing people to seek help without barriers.
    • 5. Education and Training: Provide education and training to healthcare professionals, teachers, and community leaders to recognize and address loneliness effectively.

    The Road to Victory: A Collective Effort

    Defeating the epidemic of loneliness requires a collective effort. It involves individuals reaching out to one another, communities providing support,and governments implementing policies that prioritize mental health and social well-being.

    By recognizing the importance of social connection and taking proactive steps to combat loneliness, we can create a world where no one feels alone. In the words of Mother Teresa, "Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty." Let us join hands and work together to eradicate this silent plague and build a society where loneliness finds no fertile ground to take root.

    Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with loneliness or mental health issues, please seek help from a mental health professional or a trusted individual in your life.

  • 6Charlotte and Raleigh certainly have their problems — as discussed regularly in, among other places, this very spot on the opinion page! But as someone who grew up near Charlotte and now lives near Raleigh, I will also say there’s still more going right than going wrong in our state’s two most-populous communities.

    Consider the findings of a new report from the California-based Pacific Research Institute. It ranked America’s 50 most-populous cities on a variety of policy measures related to economic growth and opportunity.

    The top three cities on the PRI list were Fort Worth, Austin, and Colorado Springs. Raleigh and Charlotte tied for fourth place.

    The study used seven bundles of data: marginal state and local tax rates, average state and local tax rates, the regulatory burden, the business environment (including the quality and availability of labor), affordability (consumer prices compared to median income), quality of life (including crime rates and the availability of high-quality services), and poverty (homelessness and other measures of material deprivation).

    As should be readily apparent, many of these factors aren’t under the direct control of city policymakers — or of any policymakers, for that matter.

    One reason Charlotte and Raleigh fare well in the study, for example, is that the North Carolina General Assembly has spent the past dozen years reforming and reducing state tax and regulatory burdens.

    That’s why the Tax Foundation ranks our business tax climate 10th in the nation, a vast improvement from where we were before the legislature enacted its first round of tax reforms in 2011. We also do a better job than most ­— of building and maintaining transportation assets — which in North Carolina is primarily a state responsibility, not a local one.

    According to a study by the Reason Foundation, North Carolina ranks second in the cost-effectiveness of our expenditures on highways, behind only our northern neighbor, Virginia.
    Still, when the leaders of Raleigh and Charlotte do make critical policy decisions, they usually make wiser ones than their competitors do.

    It’s easier to build new homes in our cities than in theirs. Our quality of life is higher. Our homeless populations, though challenging to manage, are smaller and less injurious to public order and safety.
    I bet you can guess most or all of the lowest-ranked cities in the PRI study, but here’s the bottom 10, in descending order, just to make it official: Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Long Beach, Baltimore, New York, Los Angeles, and Oakland.

    While each of these places retains some economic vitality, stable neighborhoods, and beautiful places, they are clearly in relative decline.

    Moreover, their decline is not wholly, or even mostly, a consequence of forces beyond their control. The leaders of their state and local governments routinely make foolish decisions that squander the money, freedom, and trust of their residents — many of whom are, in turn, voting with their feet.
    Among those 10 lowest-ranked cities in the PRI study, the average population change from 2020 to 2022 was a 3.4% drop. For the top-10 cities, it was a 1.6% increase. The population growth for Charlotte was, in fact, third in the country by this measure. Raleigh’s was eighth.

    San Francisco and New York posted the biggest declines. Of the 14 cities posting significant population growth, three were in Texas. North Carolina, Florida, and Arizona were each home to two. The rest were in Nevada, Oklahoma, Colorado, Washington (Seattle), and California (Bakersfield).

    “Many factors inform people’s location decisions,” wrote the study’s author, Wayne Winegarden, but most desire “cities that are affordable, foster economic opportunities, and offer residents a high quality of life. The cities offering families these attributes are growing while the cities that are unaffordable and offer a declining quality of life are losing families.”

    Can we make Charlotte and Raleigh better places to live, work, play, rear children, and create new enterprises? Of course! But they could also be much, much worse. Just ask some of their newly arrived residents.

  • coverFor 27 years, the Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper has served residents, visitors and guests by providing timely, accurate and trustworthy news, views and relevant community information to enhance the quality of life in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

    The Best of Fayetteville initiative recognizes those people, businesses and organizations who have gone the extra mile by investing their time, passion and financial resources into defining value and excellence in our community. Annually, we receive thousands of ballots and painstakingly record the comments and sentiments of our dedicated readers.

    The Up & Coming Weekly Best of Fayetteville reader’s survey is not scientific, but it is an informal, well-executed and documented survey that has proven incredibly reliable. Its longevity, popularity and success bear this out.

    It is imperative that Up & Coming Weekly’s Best of Fayetteville survey not be confused with other local advertising, marketing and promotional programs. Our readers decide the merits of our winners by their survey entries.

    We do not accept nominations; no person, business or organization is required to purchase advertising space, sponsorships or event tickets to find out who the winners are. Best of Fayetteville does not award or recognize 2nd or 3rd place finishers or honorable mentions.

    We use well-defined, regulated voting guidelines that ensure and elevate the value, honor and prestige of the Best of Fayetteville designation. There can be only one Best of Fayetteville winner for each category.

    We celebrated the occasion with our annual Best of Fayetteville Awards Party at the Crown Coliseum Complex on Sept. 26 to recognize and honor these outstanding people, businesses and organizations. Up & Coming Weekly, Transworld Business Advisors, the UPS Store, and the Greater Fayetteville Chamber hosted the event.

    Our community, like our newspaper, has changed over the last 27 years. However, our Best of Fayetteville survey and our commitment to our readers have not. We continue to accentuate the “Best of the Best” aspects of the community. And, we thank you for being part of it.

    The Up & Coming Weekly Best of Fayetteville edition you are holding in your hands will serve you well throughout the year. It is a valuable visitor’s guide, service directory, event and cultural resource. In print and online, the visitors bureau, the City, County and Chamber will use this special edition throughout the year to promote the Fayetteville community and the people, businesses and organizations that define it.

    Since the first ballots were cast more than two and a half decades ago, Up & Coming Weekly has proudly told the Best of Fayetteville winners’ stories. With your votes and support, we are incredibly proud to share this year’s Best of the Best winners. Please join me, the Up & Coming Weekly staff, and all our 2023 Best of Fayetteville winners and sponsors as we begin this year-long celebration.

    This special edition will be posted online at www.upandcomingweekly.com with 24/7, 365-days-a-year access to the Best of Fayetteville winners directory. While on the website, sign up for your free electronic subscription to the Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper and receive it on your home or work computer.

    I want to thank our sponsors for their support and participation in making this year’s BOF a success. Nat Robertson, President of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, and Debbie and the late Steve Milburn of The UPS Stores in Westwood Shopping Center, Hope Mills, and Fort Liberty, for their support and the creation of the beautiful Best of Fayetteville awards. Ashley and Thomas Kelsey, owners of Transworld Business Advisors, make their living providing expert information and consulting on all aspects of business success. Every legitimate survey needs the oversight of a competent CPA, and we have the best. Lee Utley of Utley & Knowles CPAs has partnered with us for over two decades. His services have been invaluable in maintaining the integrity of the survey. General Manager Seth Benalt and Assistant Manager Dorothy Strahley of the Crown Coliseum Complex did an outstanding job coordinating and setting up the Awards Party.

    Last but certainly not least, a very special thank you to Don Garner and the entire Up & Coming Weekly staff, who have spent months working tirelessly on this major undertaking. Best of Fayetteville is our most significant and challenging event and the most popular and most-read edition of the year. With pride, they have gone above and beyond their duties to produce this award-winning publication. Keep it handy and refer to it often.

    We sincerely thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly and supporting this community newspaper.

  • 19As you go through life, you’ll have various financial goals — and to achieve them, you’ll need to invest. But just recognizing the need to invest is not as useful as matching specific types of accounts or investments with specific goals. How can you make these connections?

    Let’s look at some common goals and how they could possibly be met with appropriate accounts and investments:

    • Saving for a down payment on a house – When you’re saving for a down payment, you want a certain amount of money available at a certain time — so, for this goal, you won’t want to take too much risk. Consequently, you might consider investing in certificates of deposit (CDs), which will pay you regular interest payments and return your principal when the CDs mature. CDs are issued in a range of maturities, from one month to 10 years. Other vehicles you might consider are money market accounts or other cash equivalents.

    • Saving for a child’s education – If you have children, and you’d like to help them pay for some form of higher education, you may want to consider a 529 education savings plan. Any earnings growth in a 529 plan is federally tax free, provided the withdrawals are used for qualified education expenses, and you may also receive state tax benefits. A 529 plan can be used for college, approved trade school programs, student loan repayments and some K-12 costs. And if the child you’ve named as a beneficiary chooses not to continue their education, and doesn’t need the money in a 529 plan, you can generally switch beneficiaries to another immediate family member.

    • Saving for retirement – This is the one goal that will remain consistent throughout your working years — after all, you could spend two or even three decades in retirement, so you’ll need to accumulate as many financial resources as you can to pay for those years. Fortunately, you likely have access to several good retirement-savings vehicles. If you work for a business, you might have a 401(k) plan, which offers you the chance to put away money on a tax-deferred basis. (If you have a Roth option in your 401(k), your withdrawals can be tax free, although, unlike a traditional 401(k), your contributions won’t lower your taxable income.) If you work for a public school or a nonprofit organization, you may be able to participate in a 403(b) plan, which is quite similar to a 401(k), and the same is true if you work for a state or local government, where you might have a 457(b) plan. And even if you invest in any of these plans, you can probably also contribute to an IRA, which gives you another chance to invest on a tax-deferred basis (or tax-free basis, if you’re eligible for a Roth IRA). Try to take full advantage of whatever retirement plans are available to you.

    Here's one final point to keep in mind: While some investments and accounts are appropriate for certain goals, they may not necessarily be suitable for your individual situation — so keep all your options in mind and take the steps that are right for you.

  • 7College and university rankings are a Massive Deal, as Regina George might say — and not just during football season.

    U.S. News & World Report was once a weekly newsmagazine. Now its primary business is to publish rankings of college and university programs, as well as hospitals and other institutions. It has many competitors, as the demand for rankings is both broad and deep. Young applicants and their parents use them to make momentous decisions. So do many employers, donors, and policymakers. The schools themselves sift through the rankings to find flattering statistics for their marketing campaigns.

    I’ve never put stock in rankings based on inputs such as revenues or endowments. Nor do I find it useful merely to look at completion rates or average salaries of graduates, since such measures may reflect the policy choices of institutions — grade inflation and admissions strategies, respectively — more than they do the true value of the education delivered.

    In recent years, I’ve used studies from the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity to assess the return on investment for dozens of North Carolina colleges and universities. Today I’ll discuss two new studies that reveal valuable — and sometimes awkward — truths about some familiar names.

    First, the Wall Street Journal has just published a revamped set of rankings for 400 institutions. For 70% of the score, the Journal and its partner, the survey firm College Pulse, compared the net price of attendance (tuition, fees, and charges after subtracting financial aid) to an estimate of income gains after graduation. The rest of the score reflects surveys of students and recent graduates as well as measures of student diversity.

    Among the 400 colleges and universities studied, North Carolina’s highest-ranking institutions were Duke University (16th), Davidson College (30th), UNC-Chapel Hill (83rd), Wake Forest University (85th), and North Carolina State University (106th). Closer to the middle of the pack were UNC-Greensboro (215th), Elon University (232nd), UNC-Charlotte (235th), East Carolina University (248th), and Appalachian State University (289th).

    Also this month, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) released a new study of free speech on campus. In another partnership with College Pulse, FIRE used student surveys as well as its assessment of institutional speech policies to rank 248 colleges and universities.

    North Carolina’s highest-ranking institution in this study was UNC-Greensboro (9th). Four other institutions — N.C. State (11th), UNC-Charlotte (21st), East Carolina (24th), and Appalachian State (36th) — had above-average scores. Davidson (64th), Wake Forest (88th), and Duke (124th) fell in the middle tier. UNC-Chapel Hill (174th) got a below-average score.

    Nationally, FIRE concluded that the campuses mostly friendly to free speech were Michigan Tech, Auburn, University of New Hampshire, Oregon State, and Florida State. The least friendly were Fordham, Georgetown, University of South Carolina, University of Pennsylvania, and — dead last with a zero score — Harvard. (Six additional “warning” campuses don’t even pretend to prioritize free speech, as Harvard does.)

    I have some reservations about both studies. The Journal doesn’t adequately adjust for the likelihood that students admitted to highly selective institutions are likely to earn substantial wage premiums over non-college-graduates regardless of the quality of the education received. If we want to measure the value added by university courses and programs, there really is no alternative but to make use of formal tests or other assessments administered upon admission and then again after graduation.

    As for the FIRE rankings, they primarily reflect the perceptions of students who are not themselves randomly distributed. In other words, university leaders may truly believe in free speech, and even do a reasonable job of fostering constructive engagement across the political divide, and yet rank poorly because the political divide happens to be deeper among the students who choose to attend.

    Neither objection is sufficient to reject these studies outright, though. They convey important information — such as the fact that only 23% of students at Chapel Hill, my alma mater, say it’s “never acceptable” to shout down speakers to keep them from speaking on campus.

  • 6And just like that, our breezy summer schedules are gone, and routine has returned with a vengeance. Students, parents and educators settling into a new school year with all the promise it brings. While most of us are looking forward to cooler temperatures, many adolescents and older teens experience warmer and warmer libidos as they greet old school friends and make new ones. Many of us remember that time in our own lives, even through the mists of time.

    A quick Google search finds that 30 states, including North Carolina, mandate some form of sex education in public schools. Our schools begin this process in the 7th grade, about the same time many adults recall such instruction in our own youth. But there are wide gaps in what is being taught. The emphasis is on reproductive health and safety, important information for our young people, and abstinence is taught as the standard for school age children. As a mother of 3 children—now thoroughly adult, I agreed with the abstinence message for them and continue to agree with it for today’s teenaged students. As in my day, not much besides abstinence is part of the state mandated curriculum.

    Abstinence, however, is not a realistic message for all students. It was not for my generation or for my kiddos’ generation, and it is less realistic than ever in the age of social media where absolutely anything and everything goes. Our young people are bombarded with highly conflicting messages.

    Parents counsel and school instructs them to be abstinent, also suggesting ways to achieve that goal. At the same time our larger culture glamorizes all sorts of sexual behavior with all sorts of people, blasting them with ideas and images even adults struggle to understand.

    No wonder so many young people are confused and feel pressure from parents and educators on one side and the world around them on the other.
    If we teach our young folks that honesty is the best policy, then we must be honest with them. While abstinence may be the best option as North Carolina school mandates maintain, it is not the only option as most of them know well. Not to provide them with accurate information in a safe school setting is a disservice to our students.

    Knowing about contraception is a safeguard, as is the knowledge that sexual preferences and practices are different for different people. Those of us who are parents know how long and hard that job is, and young people should know how too-early-sexual experiences and parenthood can derail their life plans and their dreams. So can associated medical conditions, both physical and mental that can come with early sexual activity.

    It is simply a disservice to provide accurate but limited information about human sexuality and reproductive health to young people, many of whom may already be sexually active and physically mature enough to reproduce.

    Parents who disagree can already opt out of sex education for their children under the recently enacted Parents’ Bill of Rights, and some parents do. Many public school parents, however, are grateful that our schools provide accurate information about human sexuality and would welcome an expanded curriculum.

    These parents understand that what their children do not know can and does change the trajectory of their lives permanently, and not for the better.

  • 5bFor far too long I have followed local politics where it appears that decisions are made which are not fiscally responsible or well thought out. I am very committed to our City witnessed through my work with nonprofit Public service organizations such as Care Clinic and Better Health thus, rather than complain I am willing to roll up my sleeves and work for change.

    How can Fayetteville be the "Can Do City" if we don't have A "Can Do City Council ." The issue of downtown paid parking is just one of many issues which have hurt our businesses while we are losing about a million dollars a year in costs. Not a proper use of taxpayer dollars nor a productive solution.

    I hope to fight for more inclusion of the taxpayers in City decisions, Transparency, Reliable representation, Accountability of tax dollars and Equitable and Fair treatment for all.

    Though I have not held public office, I have done the work of a public servant and feel I am competent to contribute to do a better job for our citizens due to my active work in the business and arts community as a professor at UNCP and my cooperative work at FSU, FTCC and Methodist as well as with The Arts Council of Fayetteville, The Lafayette Society, Gilbert Theater, Heritage Square Historical Society and many more deserving service organizations. I am a local business owner.

    I would be Honored to receive your vote and Promise to deliver.

    Gail Morfesis,
    District 2 Fayetteville City Council

  • 5aYes, it is back to school time for our children.

    However, Rep. Richard Hudson sorely needs lessons in economics, integrity, and justice. It is quite clear that President Biden has been putting in the work, giving the American Economy the medicine it needs.
    He continues to bring in hundreds of thousands of jobs to America every month, keeping the economy viable and solvent, despite Inflation still hanging around.

    How many Jobs have YOU created, Rep. Hudson?

    Rep. Hudson is still trying to convince You and I that trickle-down economic, or Reaganomics, as it was once called, worked before, and will work now, or ever. Dead Wrong! President Biden has been giving We the People A chance to make A better future for ourselves; And There is verifiable proof of his progress.

    The Facts are out there, Rep. Hudson; How about You take your blinders off and face reality.

    Oh, But, Rep. Hudson, Kevin McCarthy, and House Republicans are continuing to waste millions upon millions of OUR taxpayer dollars in VAIN attempts to save Donald Trump from facing accountability for his crimes against the United States Constitution; All of those efforts are doomed to fail.

    People of North Carolina, DO NOT be deceived.

    In 2024, We, the people intend to put A stop to the Forcing of Socio-Fascism and Corruption on the American People. No amount of voter suppression or subversion is going to stop us.

    Keith Ranson
    Fayetteville,NC

  • 8What would you do with an extra $700 in your pocket each month?

    Unfortunately, that is the cost of “Bidenomics” and inflation—but it shouldn’t have to be that way.

    The opportunity to work hard and pursue a better life for your family has always been at the bedrock of our nation. However, inflation continues to make it difficult for hardworking families to make ends meet and afford goods and services.

    Did you know the average American household now spends $709 more a month than they did two years ago for the same goods and services? Average monthly mortgage payments are 92% higher than one year ago, while ​​real wages are down 3% since President Biden took office. President Biden continues to ignore the real impacts of his failed economic policies, and I share these frustrations with you—especially as a fellow parent preparing my child for a new school year.

    As school resumes here in the Sandhills, it is estimated that parents will spend an average of $890 per household on school supplies due to continued high levels of inflation. Binders and folders cost 48% more than they did last year, and crayons and highlighters are up an average of 18.6% from last year. Enough is enough, and House Republicans are working to get our nation and your quality of life back on track.

    In addition to increased financial stress, the start of a new school year for many parents also represents uncertainty of what is being taught in their kids’ classrooms. Earlier this year House Republicans introduced and passed H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights, to strengthen the role of parents in the education of their children by guaranteeing the right to full transparency on what is being taught in schools.

    Bottom line: your family shouldn’t have to pay the price for President Biden’s and Washington Liberal’s failed financial policies and woke education agenda. However, Senate Democrats continue to delay any actions on the real solutions passed by the House—which speaks volumes about their priorities for Americans.

    No matter what your politics are, your hard earned money and quality of your children’s education should not be treated as a political chess match. Parents deserve a seat at the table when it comes to their children's education, and I am proud to fight for parents' right to know what their children are being taught.

    From passing legislation to get our economy back on track to standing up for parents—House Republicans have delivered results on the promises we made in our Commitment to America. As your Congressman, I’m fighting back against reckless spending and promoting common sense solutions that make life easier—and more affordable—for you and your family.

  • 7Citizens of Hope Mills,

    As your full-time Mayor, I dedicate my time and efforts to the residents of Hope Mills by networking and facilitating the town's vision and strategic plan. My days are long, and my calendar is full, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

    I serve Hope Mills because I love Hope Mills, its history, culture, and, most importantly, its citizens. Our Hope Mills staff and Board of Commissioners have worked together for three successful terms to move Hope Mills forward. We are incredibly proud of our achievements and successes, proving we are better together!

    As your Mayor, I remain committed to building a talented and enthusiastic team that will include partnerships inside and outside of Hope Mills to continue improving our quality of life, planning for strong economic growth and development, improving our town's infrastructure and recreational resources, and providing a safe and secure environment for all Hope Mills citizens. Working for and advocating for the Town of Hope Mills is a full-time commitment, not a political stepping stone.

    Below are a few examples of what I, the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners and staff, accomplished in just two short years. However, there is still so much left to do. We will get it done! I would appreciate your support and your vote in the upcoming election.

    #1. Infrastructure: Hope Mills has encumbered more project funds than ever in history.

    Here is the breakdown: The NC Department of Public Safety funds $3,650,000, the NC Department of Environmental Quality $650,000, NC Office of the Governor $680,000. Federal Government ARPA Funding $5,050,036. Main Street Lake Park pedestrian walkways and crossing approximately $800,000.

    #2. Completion of: Public Safety Building, Thomas Oakman Chapel, restrooms and parking lot, new municipal parking at Town Hall and Parks and Recreation buildings, new sound system in Board room, and digital marquees at the lake and municipal park to improve communication with our citizens, opening of new basketball court, all-inclusive playground and splash-pad, and relocation of our Dog Park.

    And to start additional parking for Veterans Memorial Park with a recent grant from Federal EPA Community Project Funding of $350,000 to start and complete Heritage Park.

    #3. Traffic Solutions: Resolution with Fayetteville City Council to change Highway 59 designation to Main Street and Hope Mills Road, thereby GPS to direct through fare traffic to Highway 162 and I-295 to bypass Hope Mills. I-295 will give our growing housing developments another route to other parts of our county (Fort Liberty especially) rather than Main Street and its arteries such as Rockfish, Golfview, and Camden Roads.

    Our Multimodal Congestion Plan was developed with DOT to widened traffic patterns for better and safer access for our citizens.

    #4. Teamwork: Team Hope Mills's partnership with United Way for the Meal Packing Event 2022 won the Spirit Award for Most Participants. We participated in their Packing Meals this year at the Crown on August 24th. Child Advocacy Center partnership 2023 brought the first Pinwheel Event to Hope Mills, planting 1000 pinwheels at Town Hall.

    The Child Advocacy Center also trained town staff in Stewardship for Children. High school students were interns in our Planning and Parks and Recreation Departments. Hope Mills police department and Alms House partnered with Cumberland County Continuum of Care. Hope Mills Ministerial Association now meets regularly to plan Easter Sunrise Service at the lake, the National Day of Prayer, Thanksgiving Community Service, and Town Board Invocations. For staff development and to build a solid, harmonious team, the Fayetteville Cumberland County Human Relations Department facilitates our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training.

    #5. Planning: Our Budget Process starts early and includes all departments for 2021, 2022, and 2023. We developed a balanced budget meeting our town's needs without increasing property taxes. We continue to discuss with FAST bus lines, Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and FAMPO, to have a bus line to Hope Mills with stops at various locations so our citizens can travel within Hope Mills and a line to areas outside Hope Mills.

    The Development of an MIA Plan (municipal influence area) to include an update of the Southwest Cumberland County Land Use Plan (or a new land use plan) to address the growth not expected in the writing of the 2010 SWCLUP, which extends to 2030, is underway.

    #6. Leadership: Appointed by Cumberland County Commissioners as Senior Tarheel Delegate to the General Assembly and as an elected Mid Carolina Council on Aging member. I serve as Chair of the Mayors Coalition, which meets quarterly to discuss ways to support each other and Cumberland County. Former 2021-2022 chair of FAMPO –Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

    We aim to develop plans that provide the safest and most efficient transportation while protecting and enhancing our environment.

    Please Vote Early October 19 thru November 4th or on November 7th.

    Thank you—
    Moving Forward Together,
    Jackie Warner

  • 6How healthy is our economy? If you’ve just returned from the grocery store or gas station, you may be inclined to rate it poorly. Although prices aren’t rising as fast as before, that phenomenon is properly called disinflation. It isn’t the same thing as deflation. The cost of living remains much higher than it was a couple of years ago.

    Still, we have yet to experience the recession many economists predicted when the Federal Reserve began to tighten the money supply. And our labor market, at least, shows signs of continued health.
    I recently downloaded data from two federal agencies, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, to compare North Carolina’s performance to that of other states. On some measures, it’s unexceptional. On others, it’s distinctive.

    According to the latest unemployment data, for example, our state’s headline jobless rate was 3.3% in July, down from 3.7% a year ago. Neither the rate nor its recent trend was significantly different from the national average.
    This U-3 rate, as it’s officially labeled, counts only working-aged individuals who are both unemployed and actively looking for work. BLS provides other estimates that include folks so discouraged at their job prospects that they’ve given up looking (U-4), folks who’ve stopped looking because of family responsibilities or other personal reasons (U-5), and those who are working part-time but would rather have full-time jobs (U-6).

    For North Carolina, those labor-market measures were, respectively, 3.7%, 4.3%, and 6.6% for the latest 12-month period. Again, the rates were statistically indistinguishable from the national norm. Thirteen states, including Florida and Virginia, were lower than average on all BLS measures of unemployment. Only New York, California, and Nevada were higher than average.

    In terms of employment, North Carolina added some 108,000 net new jobs from July 2022 to July 2023. That’s a growth rate of 2.2% — solid but not stellar. Florida (3.2%), Texas (3.3%) and Nevada (3.8%) were the national leaders in job creation. (The fact that Nevada had the fastest job growth as well as higher-than-average unemployment serves to illustrate why it’s important to look at more than one statistic at a time!)

    On the broadest measure of economic activity, gross domestic product from the BEA, North Carolina’s performance has been exemplary in recent years. From 2021 to 2022, for example, our GDP expanded by an inflation-adjusted 3.2%.

    That was the sixth-fastest growth rate in the country. Only Idaho, Tennessee, Florida, Nevada, and Texas posted higher growth rates.

    During the first quarter of 2023, however, North Carolina’s GDP grew at an annualized rate of only 1%. That was one of the lowest rates in the country.

    The BEA also measures personal income. In 2022, our average income was $57,416 per North Carolinian. That’s about 88% of the national average. On this measure, our growth rate exceeded that of most states from 2021 to 2022 — but again, our performance was weaker during the first quarter of 2023.

    A statistical fluke? Perhaps. But I think caution is clearly warranted.

    For the General Assembly, that means ensuring that the state budget deal likely to be voted on next week leaves sufficient money in reserve to protect taxpayers and core state services in the event of a sudden downtown in economic activity and state revenue. For counties and municipalities, there is also a good argument for prudence. Although the onset of the COVID pandemic in 2020 didn’t create the fiscal problems that many observers predicted — Congress borrowed and allocated far more money to states and localities than was truly needed, in retrospect — I hope policymakers haven’t gotten used to expecting only good news from their revenue officers.

    There are other trouble signs, after all. While the Eurozone does not appear to have slid into a full-fledged recession yet, growth there was essentially flat during the first three months of 2023. Other trading partners are looking wobbly, too.

    Let’s hope for the best but take precautions against the alternative.

  • 5How is your love life? Everything going smoothly? No issues? Maybe a few bumps along the road? Want to feel better about the romance in your life? It could be worse. Light up the old Schadenfreude lamp to consider the troubled love affair between our old pals, Cupid and Psyche. It will make you feel better about your own situation when you consider their troubles. The path of true love occasionally does not run smoothly.

    Begin by considering the words of the great philosopher Connie Francis who wrote the song “Stupid Cupid” which includes the lines “Stupid cupid you’re a real mean guy/ I’d like to clip your wings so you can’t fly/ I’m in love and it’s a crying shame/ And I know that you’re the one to blame/ Stupid Cupid, stop picking on me.”

    Cupid and Psyche show up in Roman mythology. Psyche is the uber beautiful mortal daughter of a King. She is so good looking, people stop worshipping Venus and worship Psyche instead. This does not sit well with Venus who is used to being the Love Goddess. Venus sends her son Cupid to wreak revenge on Psyche. Cupid is supposed to shoot a Love Arrow into Psyche that will make her fall in love with a loathsome dragon beast. Cupid is so smitten when he sees Psyche that he scratches himself with the Love Arrow so he falls in love with Psyche.

    Meanwhile Psyche’s Daddy consults an oracle who advises that Psyche is fated to fall in love with a dragon which will destroy the Earth. Her Daddy dresses Psyche up in a funeral outfit. He sends her to the top of a cliff where he expects the dragon will come to sweep her off her feet. It’s a buy one get one free arrangement – a wedding and funeral rolled into one. Zephyr, the West Wind picks up Psyche and drops her down into a meadow where she falls asleep. She wakes up and wanders over to an empty mansion where a feast serves itself to her. A voice tells her to go into a darkened bedroom where an invisible somebody makes whoopee with her. Instead of a dragon, it’s actually invisible Cupid who is boinking Psyche.

    This goes on for several nights, resulting her getting in a family way. Does this sound like the plot of “Rosemary’s Baby”? Psyche doesn’t know who her Baby Daddy is.

    Because she thinks she has been sleeping with an invisible dragon, one night she hides a knife and lamp so she can find her reptilian lover and kill him. With the lamp she sees Cupid who is studly. She sticks one of his arrows into herself and falls in love. Cupid, who has commitment issues, wakes up and flies out the window to get away from her.

    Psyche sets out on a quest to find Cupid. Psyche has to ask Venus for help to locate her sweetie. Venus, who is still cranky, assigns Psyche to be supervised by two of her minions named Worry and Sadness to torment Psyche. Venus demands Psyche perform difficult tasks. She has to sort out a bunch of different grains which would be impossible but for the help of some friendly insects. Always be kind to bugs, for a bug may be somebody’s mother. Psyche also has to retrieve wool from maladjusted sheep.

    Lastly, Psyche must go to the Underworld to get a magic box. A friendly talking tower tells her to take some cakes and carry two coins in her mouth when she goes South. She gives the cakes to distract Cerberus the Three Headed Dachshund so she can slip into the Underworld. On the way back out she gives the coins to Charon the Ferry Dude who takes her back to the surface world. Topside, she opens the box and immediately falls asleep under a spell. Cupid escapes from his Mom’s house and flies to find her sacked out. He removes the sleep from her eyes putting it back into the magic box. Cupid takes Psyche and the box back to Venus to complete her quest.

    Cupid goes to see Zeus to get permission to marry Psyche over his Mom’s objections. Zeus agrees that if Psyche helps Zeus procure mortal maidens for him, the marriage can go on. Zeus tells Venus: “Back off Boogaloo" from being an interfering Mother in Law. She has to leave Cupid and Psyche alone. The Gods get together for a big wedding feast for the happy couple. Zeus gives Psyche a wedding gift of ambrosia which makes her immortal like the other Gods.

    There our story ends. The couple lives happily ever after. Now don’t you feel better about your own romantic situation? Odds are you never had to get wool from violent sheep to find true love. Ignore Connie Francis, love the one you are with.

  • 4Youth curfews have been a topic of debate for decades.

    While some may think curfews have some value and benefit, there are many reasons why they are considered unhealthy for the community of Fayetteville. This publication agrees with City Councilmen Hondros and Benavente that the plan by Fayetteville Police Chief Kemberle Braden on implementing a youth curfew is not well thought out and only serves as a diversion from addressing the real crime problem.

    From our perspective, curfews are trying to do what parents are failing to do and are a violation of young people's rights. It inhibits their freedom of movement and association with their peers, which is essential for natural personal development. It also can lead to subjective and unnecessary criminalization of young people and actually introduce them to the criminal justice system for minor violations. Then you have the racial and socioeconomic disparities that will undoubtedly become an issue as the curfews disproportionately affect low-income minority neighborhoods. And, what about the effect curfews could have on young people's social lives, and how will it affect those with late-night jobs?

    Basically, I think curfews will only exacerbate the problem. With restrictions on nighttime movement and activities, young people could feel persecuted, causing them to rebel, leading to more crime, violence, and complex mental health issues.

    The Fayetteville-Cumberland County community (law enforcement and elected officials) should not embrace punitive measures but spend more time doing their jobs and addressing the underlying causes of local youth crime and delinquency, such as lack of policing, scarce recreational job opportunities, poverty, and dysfunctional family issues.

    Chief Kemberle Braden is doing a decent job with the resources he has. He needs more. Instituting laws to remedy conditions and situations that local law enforecement fails to control is NOT the answer. Sensible alternatives to addressing local youth crime in Fayetteville are within their purview, but youth curfews are not the answer. I will close with this sentiment: the child's behavior is the parent's responsibility.

    If an underage child is apprehended breaking the law, the negligent parents (or parent) need to be held responsible. Fayetteville car thefts, gun violence, and property crimes can only be curbed through effective law enforcement and social reforms. Crime reduction cannot be legislated. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 19During the last 25 years, the U.S. and the world experienced two major economic upheavals. First, the Great Recession from 2007 to 2009 took about ten years to recover from completely. Then there was the financial crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown. As a result, the term “recession-proof” has become quite common — whether among those in business and finance or even among regular people.

    According to the Federal Reserve History, the Great Recession began in December 2007 when the economy peaked. The decline in overall economic activity, while modest initially, came to its lowest point in the fall of 2008. In that almost-year span, the U.S. gross domestic product fell by 4.3%, and the unemployment rate more than doubled, from less than 5% to 10%.

    During the pandemic, job losses peaked at 13%, but by July 2022, the unemployment rate had returned to 3.5%. Transworld’s Main Street Market highlighted that many people had opted to leave corporate America and pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams due to the Great Recession. Thanks to COVID-19, even more individuals are seeking to own their own businesses and focusing on industries with a greater chance of surviving the next economic downturn. So, what are the top industries for those seeking to buy or start a company?

    Top industries by closed transactions

    New and existing entrepreneurs want to invest in a company with solid potential now and in the future. While there is no crystal ball that can predict what will happen in tomorrow’s economy, Transworld’s Main Street Market Report offers insight into which business categories have been trending upward in recent months. The top five industries are:

    Restaurants — 34+% increase from 2021 to 2022

    Construction — 38+% increase from 2021 to 2022

    Beauty/Personal — 46+% increase from 2021 to 2022

    Automotive— 38+% increase from 2021 to 2022

    Medical-related — 18+% increase from 2021 to 2022

    So why should someone consider selling a business now? More people are looking to start their own businesses, making now a great time to sell. The five industries listed above have proven to be more recession-proof than others, making them more appealing to potential buyers.

    Industries on the move

    Looking ahead, which industries offer continued growth? By deal volume, the best-performing industries were:

    Restaurants

    Construction

    Beauty/Personal Care

    Automotive

    Medical-related

    Meanwhile, industries that appear to be declining include liquor-related businesses, those connected to real estate, business services and ice cream/yogurt shops. For liquor-related businesses and ice cream/yogurt shops, people have simply reduced their consumption of these items. Meanwhile, the decline for the other industries may have thrived during the pandemic, but as life has returned to normal, the demand for them has diminished. Additionally, some industries trending down may be related to increased mortgage rates.

    More people than ever appear to be interested in owning a business and being their own boss. When they select a business from an industry that has proven itself able to weather economic ups and downs, it helps to mitigate some of the risks that come with entrepreneurship.

    If you think now might be the right time to buy or sell a business contact a professional advisor to make the next step in your future.

  • 7 a and bI'm Johnny Dawkins, and I am running for re-election to the city council seat for District 5. I am serving in my fourth term on the city council, and I have been a part of many success stories in our city. I was born at Highsmith Hospital (that fact probably dates me!), and I reside on Millan Drive, off of N. Virginia Avenue. I'm happy to show anyone my NC Driver's License, and I'll show you my checkbook with my Millan Drive address, if you want to see that! My platform goals are to continue to provide Leadership, Experience and Vision as the District 5 councilmember on the Fayetteville City Council.

    It took my Leadership to make the council motion for PWC to forgive the millions of dollars of debt on the ASOM, so that the US Army would take over the ASOM, in perpetuity. I gathered the votes, and I got it passed. The ASOM represents our "ocean" in our city, it is a beautiful jewel for our citizens and our visitors. Whether it was working our Baseball Stadium through all of the hurdles to get it built, I was there, and I helped get it done. Whether it was our Homeless Day Center or the forthcoming Homeless Shelter, I provided leadership, and I'm getting those projects done.

    Whether it is dealing with the NC Dept of Transportation, and getting roads widened or intersections made safer, or getting License Plate Reader cameras approved, I was there, and I am helping get all of that done. If it is supporting our Police and Fire First Responders, I am there, and there is no stronger supporter on council for Public Safety.

    If it is using my 42 years of business Experience, owning and operating two successful businesses, started from scratch, I have done it. Experience matters, and I provide experience every day I serve. If it involves helping manage our Stormwater system, and fighting for improvements, I led the Council Stormwater Committee for five years as Chairman, and the fruits of that labor are now happening: Mirror Lake Dam restoration, and the Drainage Assistance Program for our citizens are just two examples. I continue to serve on the Council Stormwater Committee, and FEMA just awarded the city $14 Million for stormwater improvements, which will begin next year, in our city.

    During my time on council, thousands of new jobs have been created for our citizens; Amazon "Last Mile" Facility, Amazon Distribution Facility, hundreds of new home construction projects approved, hundreds of new apartments approved near Ft. Bragg/Liberty, and existing business and industry expansion has occurred. It takes Vision, and I provide that vision for our citizens.

    I also work hard to protect our neighborhoods, and when citizens call or email or text me with a problem, I get the right city staff involved to provide direct help.

    Going forward, it is very important we support our neighbor, Ft. Bragg/Liberty in their mission to protect our nation. I have done that, and I promise to continue to do that. It is very important we protect the safety of our citizens, and I promise to always support our Police and Fire Departments. It is also important we continue to grow our economy to be able to provide good jobs for our citizens. I promise to use my business experience to help grow our economy. I ask for your vote for Johnny Dawkins for City Council District 5. Primary election date is October 10, and General election date is November 7. My campaign email is Dawkinsforcouncil@gmail.com. My city email is johnnydawkins@fayettevillenc.gov .

    Thank you for your consideration.

    —Johnny Dawkins,
    Councilman, District 5
    City of Fayetteville, NC

  • 7 a and bThe heart-wrenching loss of a child to gun violence is an unimaginable tragedy that no parent should ever endure. As a mother who has suffered the devastating loss of a son to a senseless attempted robbery, I have chosen to channel my grief and anguish into action by running for Fayetteville City Council, District 2. I am now a member of a club that I wish no other parent would ever have to be a member of.

    Our government's chief job is to keep us safe. They have failed me, my son, and many other mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters in our city.

    My mission is clear: to be a voice to spearhead a combination of solutions that address the multifaceted issue of crime and gun violence that will make our community safe for all.

    To combat crime and gun violence effectively, a multifaceted approach is essential to recognize that the issue is complex and deeply intertwined with socio-economic factors, mental health concerns, and public awareness. One critical component is investing in community outreach and support programs. By bolstering educational and mentorship initiatives, we can offer at-risk youth a way out of the cycle of violence. By creating diversion programs, we can teach young adults viable skills that will not only deter them from engaging in criminal activities but also foster a sense of belonging and self-worth.

    Our entire Fayetteville City police force has taken de-escalation classes; if we implement a younger community watch, these classes given to each community watch meeting would not only enhance safety but emphasize conflict resolution over resorting to violence. Fostering trust between police and the city residents is integral for the officer to better understand the unique challenges each neighborhood faces.

    I also want to prevent families from experiencing the loss and displacement of becoming homeless. While the county bears the primary responsibility for this matter, it is a shared effort that requires everyone's involvement. We are a community, and our shared responsibility is to work towards becoming better together. A pivotal aspect of my strategy to reduce homelessness involves investing in an affordable housing initiative. By continued collaboration with developers, non-profit organizations, and county agencies, we can increase the availability of affordable housing units, giving individuals and families a stable foundation to rebuild their lives.

    One of the core tenets of effective governance is the ability to listen and respond to the voices of its citizens. I recognize Fayetteville's progress hinges on its residents' diverse perspectives and experiences. When elected to the Fayetteville City Council to represent District 2, I pledge to establish open lines of communication, ensuring everyone has a platform to express their opinions, share their ideas, and voice their concerns. I plan to do this by holding a town hall twice a month to empower citizens to actively connect with me to foster a more informed and engaged community.

    My journey, which includes facing adversity and overcoming challenges, has instilled a deep sense of empathy in me. I understand the policies and decisions made at the city level have real-life implications for individuals and families. By taking time to listen to the stories and experiences of our citizens, I can make informed and compassionate choices that address their needs and reflect the realities, and have a more profound positive impact.

    My aspiration to become a Fayetteville City Council member is driven by a genuine desire to create positive change and represent our citizen voices authentically. I am confident in my ability to work collaboratively with the community to forge a path toward progress. I look forward to serving the citizens of Fayetteville and, more specifically, the citizens in District 2.

    —Laura Rodrigues-Mussler
    Candidate for Fayetteville
    City Council District 2

  • 6 If current surveys are taken as predictive, the Democratic Party will nominate President Joe Biden for reelection next year, the Republican Party will nominate former President Donald Trump, and whoever wins will begin his term in 2025 as one of the most disliked politicians in American history.

    How can this be? As I’ve previously argued, our system of presidential primaries is broken. It needs a major overhaul. But even if we were able to shuffle the primary deck — allowing states other than Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina to go first, for starters — I’m not sure we’d get a different outcome.

    Some partisans of The Big Guy™ or The Perfect Caller™ claim the public isn’t really so sour on the frontrunner they champion, that it’s all a mirage, and that the political polls suggesting otherwise must be biased or misinterpreted.

    Their claims are without merit. In a just-released Civitas Poll, my John Locke Foundation colleagues clarified the matter by posing a straightforward question to 600 likely voters in North Carolina: who would they like to see take the oath of office for president in 2025? Respondents were presented with five alternatives: Biden, Trump, another (unnamed) Democrat, another (unnamed) Republican, or someone from another party (also unnamed).

    The “winner,” in a sense, was Trump. A plurality of 29% said they wanted to see him returned to the White House. Only 18% favored reelecting Joe Biden. As for the rest, 18% wanted a different Republican, 20% a different Democrat, and 8% the standard-bearer of another party. The remaining respondents were unsure.

    So, just 47% of likely voters say they want either Trump or Biden to be our next president. If these two men are the major-party nominees on next year’s ballot, most North Carolinians will be unhappy — a finding that makes me prouder than ever to be a native of the Tar Heel State.

    Neither man possesses the honesty, temperament, and judgment to run the executive branch of the federal government. There is no need to hazard guesses about this matter. Both men have already demonstrated their inadequacies in the office.

    Still, given that Trump currently retains enough support among likely primary voters to get the GOP nomination, and that Biden faces only token Democratic competition, the matchup most voters disdain appears to be the matchup they may well get.

    For months now, the No Labels movement has been preparing for this eventuality. Led by a gaggle of former Republican and Democratic officeholders and activists — including those with North Carolina ties such as former Gov. Pat McCrory and former NAACP leader Ben Chavis — the organization states that if Trump and Biden are the major-party nominees, it is likely to place an alternative ticket on next year’s general-election ballot.

    If so, North Carolina will be one of the states offering such an option. After some awkward foot-shuffling, the State Board of Elections voted earlier this month to approve No Labels as an official political party. Voters were already likely to see Libertarian and Green alternatives next to the Democratic and Republican nominees for president. Will they also be able to vote for, say, current U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia or former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman as the No Labels pick?

    No one really knows — though many Democrats are certain that if No Labels exercises its “insurance policy” and supplies a presidential slate, that will guarantee a Donald Trump victory by pulling voters disproportionately from Joe Biden.

    I’m not certain of this, though I have my own reservations about No Labels. I don’t fault the intentions of its leaders, some of whom I know and respect. But when I examine its stated principles and goals, I don’t see a coherent policy agenda for a potential administration.

    The United States of America remains the greatest and most powerful country on the planet. It deserves a better president than Biden or Trump. Alas, how that can practically be accomplished remains unclear to me.

  • Football 01The annual Region 4 meeting of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association was held this past Monday at the Educational Resource Center here in Fayetteville.

    I’ll have a more detailed report on the meeting in next week’s print and online editions of Up & Coming Weekly, but I wanted to share one important piece of news here, especially for football fans.

    NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker and staff shared news of a growing crisis in the area of high school officials available to call games, particularly in the sport of football where the biggest number of officials is needed for a single contest.
     
    In some states like Tennessee, the official shortage has gotten so bad they’ve had to schedule football games on multiple nights of the week to have enough referees available to call games.
    Many officials are quitting because they are tired of the verbal and in some cases physical abuse heaped on them by coaches and fans.

    Yes, officials do make mistakes, but there are ways to register your objections through the proper channels instead of attacking officials personally while a game is going on.

    The average age of officials in the state of North Carolina is 59-60. It doesn’t take a lot of thinking to realize those folks don’t have a lot of active years left.

    So if you’re a former high school athlete or the parent of one who still has some pep in your step and a desire to help out, consider becoming an official in one of the many sports offered by the NCHSAA. 

    To get started calling games locally, contact the Southeastern Athletic Officials Association. Visit their website at saoanc.org or drop a letter to them at P.O. Box 41441, Fayetteville, NC, 28309.
     
     
     
    The record: 29-9
     
    I’m still performing at a respectable if not spectacular pace. Last week’s record was 6-2, running the count for the season to 29-9, 76.3 percent. 
     
    Overhills at Cape Fear - To paraphrase the song from the old TV show Hee Haw, if it weren’t for bad luck, Cape Fear would have no luck at all.
    The Colts are a far better team than their 1-2 record indicates. I think they’ll show signs of that Friday against Overhills.
    Cape Fear 24, Overhills 14.
     
    Douglas Byrd at Pine Forest - A couple of weeks ago this would have been an easy pick, but Pine Forest has been somewhat inconsistent this year and appears to have major problems on the defensive side of the football.
    That said, this still should be a win for the Trojans, but the final score might be closer than I would have originally thought.
    Pine Forest 21, Douglas Byrd 12.
     
    Gray’s Creek at E.E. Smith - A frustrating season continues for E.E. Smith against a Gray’s Creek team that had a solid rebound last Friday against Pine Forest.
    Gray’s Creek 31, E.E. Smith 6.
     
    Scotland at Jack Britt- The dress rehearsal is over for Britt. The Buccaneers have gotten off to a great start in Coach Brian Randolph’s bid to restore order for his program.
    But this is a chance for Britt to make a big statement in a home Sandhills Athletic Conference duel with Scotland and Coach Richard Bailey, the guy who built the Britt football program from scratch. 
    I said last week I was still drinking the Britt Kool-Aid that Randolph is serving. I haven’t given it up. 
    Jack Britt 14, Scotland 13.
     
    Seventy-First at Pinecrest - I haven’t seen Pinecrest but I’ve spoken to those who have, and they’re unanimous on one thing. They’re surprised the Patriots aren’t getting any attention in the Associated Press 4-A football poll. 
    Friday’s game with Seventy-First could change that. 
    Pinecrest 21, Seventy-First 14.
     
    Westover at South View- South View seems to have fully recovered from that season-opening overtime loss to undefeated Jack Britt.
    South View 24, Westover 6.
     
    Terry Sanford at Rolesville - This is what you call a trap game for the Bulldogs. They’re coming off a huge conference win against a big rival in Cape Fear. Rolesville is a team the Bulldogs have no history with and it would be easy for them to overlook this one.
    I think the Terry Sanford coaching staff will do everything it can to prevent that from happening. 
    Terry Sanford 28, Rolesville 14.
     
    Other games:Cary Christian 22, Fayetteville Christian 20; Trinity Christian 27, Ravenscroft 12.
  • 5I don’t know about you, but this summer has been the hottest, most humid in my memory.

    Meteorologists confirm that is correct. In fact, July was the hottest month since people have kept records of such things, bringing with it fires, floods, homes and businesses destroyed. And, yes, this summer’s weather has brought death to people the world over from infants to centenarians in ways few of us want to imagine. So far, 2023 is poised to be the 3rd hottest year ever, and there is still time for it to claim number 1 status. The word “apocalypse” is heard in media and in private conversation.

    “Apocalypse” is also being used in terms of what is happening to public education in North Carolina. Frustrated and heartbroken educators have used it, as have parents watching their children’s educations being hijacked and systematically dismantled by right-wing legislators in Raleigh. Then, there are state taxpayers whose hard-earned dollars are being siphoned to private schools all over North Carolina, many of them with religious bents and little accountability for the public funding they are receiving.

    Two cold, hard facts are worth remembering. Despite the advent of charter schools (loosely regulated public schools) and taxpayer-funded vouchers to private institutions, most North Carolina K-12 students are and will continue to be educated in traditional public schools. And, North Carolina is sitting atop a budget surplus in the neighborhood of $3B, with little indication that legislators will allocate a significant amount of that to public schools. In fact, they seem to be hoarding it for future use at the same time they are keeping public schools on a starvation diet.

    I have to ask. What is more important to North Carolina’s future than the education of the majority of our young people? Why are the legislators in absolute control of our state targeting traditional public education?

    Legislators, like other elected officials, are responding to and actively participating in, our nation’s virulent culture wars. They are pandering to extreme elements in our society—those who want all manner of services, educational and otherwise, but do not want to fund them, and to those who want to ban books and other materials that, at best, do not suit their world view, and, at worst offend their sensibilities. Some of this is done under the banner of “parental rights,” but whose parental rights? Certainly not those of parents who believe that learning, even learning unpleasant or frightening realities, is an important part of maturing and becoming competent adults. As a friend once told me when I was trying to shield my children from toys I found offensive, “Margaret, you cannot protect your children from their culture.”

    Legislators are also pandering to the wealthy, both individuals and businesses, who dislike paying their fair share of taxes and would like the enormous surplus to protect them. One has to wonder why those same people and entities who have enjoyed a productive workforce for more than half a century are going to feel when our poverty-stricken schools turn out less-than-prepared workers. Legislators may be sacrificing not only the futures of millions of young people but the long-term health of North Carolina’s economy.

    Apocalypse is not a word to be tossed around lightly, but it is impossible not to see how it applies to climate change and to North Carolina legislators’ retreat from public education.
    The silver lining in both cases, if there is one, is that we can slow both disasters down and perhaps reverse them, if we muster the political will.

    Stay tuned.

  • 20 01 Marissa Morris copyMarissa Morris
    Terry Sanford• Cross country, track • Junior
    Morris has a weighted GPA of 4.375. This is her third year on the varsity cross country and track teams. Her activities include National Honor Society, Tri Chi and Key Club. She attends dance practice and is in her 11th year of dance. When she is not running or dancing she likes to hang out with friends.
     
     
    20 02 Morgan WilliamsMorgan Williams
    Terry Sanford• Volleyball, track• Junior
    Williams has a weighted GPA of 4.235. This is her first year on the varsity volleyball team and will be her second year on the varsity track team.  She is the junior class secretary, member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and in the global studies program. She aspires to be a Kentucky Wildcat.
     
  • 4CEO/President Nat Robertson of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce hosted last week's annual State of the Community luncheon at the Crown Coliseum Complex. This was the first major event hosted by the Chamber since he took the leadership helm several months ago.

    With several hundred local business owners and elected officials in attendance from the city, county, and State, this event sold out twice, making it one of the biggest and most significant Chamber-sponsored events in its 124-year history. The audience included Fayetteville city, Cumberland County, state officials, business leaders, and public school administrators.

    MC'd by the quick-witted Chairman of the Chamber board, Gary Rogers introduced the lineup of distinguished speakers that brought the audience up to date on the status and health of the community: the local Real Estate industry presented by Melissa McKinney, president of Longleaf Pine Realtors' board of directors, City of Fayetteville by Mayor Mitch Colvin, Cumberland County by Commissioner Toni Stewart, Cumberland County Education by Dr. Marvin Connelly, on local healthcare Daniel Weatherly, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health, updated everyone on the progress and expansion and future of health care in Cumberland County.

    However, to the Chamber's credit, they saved the best for last. Guest speaker Josh Dobson, the North Carolina Department of Labor Commissioner, concluded the program by talking stern "truth to power". It was unexpected, refreshing, and the first time I had ever seen or heard an elected official use a public speaking platform to admit that government, public service, and politics are all trending in a wrong and dangerous direction. I have written about this several times over the years, comparing our current political climate, policies, and procedures with that reminiscent of Dell comic's Bizarro World, where everything is the opposite of its intended nature. i.e. Good is bad, Bad is good, etc.. Dodson sees nothing productive coming from partisan and divisive politics. He references the term "normal" to describe what the political processes were traditionally when he first engaged in politics and what they ought to be, then stated, "….what used to be normal is not normal anymore." After his first term as Labor Commissioner, he will be out of politics because of this divisiveness and growing political abnormality. But really, will he be out of politics altogether? Personally, I doubt it. He walks and talks like a man with courage, conviction, and intestinal fortitude. We'll see what the future holds. His message resonated and surprised many of the audience members, ending the program on an extremely high note.

    Our Fayetteville Chamber is apolitical. However, first and foremost, they are an "Advocacy for Businesses". Dobson is correct; reversing political divisiveness, locally, state, and nationwide, is imperative to having and maintaining a prosperous economy and a healthy and happy "State of the Community."

    Again, I congratulate Nat Robertson, the Chamber Staff, and their Ambassador volunteers for executing such a worthwhile and value-added event. We are proud to represent them in our community newspaper, for which we thank you for reading!

  • 19 Jimmy TeagueThe Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas announced rosters for this year’s game last week, a move that caught some people by surprise. In past years, the announcement has been held until closer to the end of football season.
    Ronnie Blount, who is general chairman of the game and lives in Cumberland County, said there was logic behind the decision to move the announcement date up a month.

    Nominations were opened on July 15 this season and closed on Labor Day he said.

    The main reason for the advance was because of challenges getting football uniforms to fit an assortment of players. This year’s Shrine rosters have players as short at 5-foot-9 and as tall as 6-foot-7.

    Blount said the Shriners had encountered problems getting equipment delivered in time with the late announcement date. The vendor who provides the uniforms needs 90 days to turn the orders around he said.

    Another plus of moving the date up was that coaches had some free time over the summer to work on nominations, resulting in more nominations than in past years.

    This year’s game is scheduled Saturday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m. at Wofford College’s Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C.

    The head coach for the North Carolina team has Cumberland County ties. Jimmy Teague, veteran coach at Reidsville High School, is a former assistant coach at Pine Forest High School.
    • Lacrosse continues to grow in Cumberland County and the region. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has announced the new conferences for boys and girls lacrosse and county schools will no longer be in the same league with teams from the Raleigh area.

    The new league for boys includes Jack Britt, Cape Fear, Pinecrest and Terry Sanford.

    For girls, the league members are the same four schools plus Union Pines.

    Lacrosse practice begins Feb. 12, 2020, with the first matches on March 2.
     
    • The next Region 4 Emergency Fund Golf Tournament will be held Sunday, Oct. 13, at Gates Four Golf and Country Club. Rain date is Oct. 20.

    The tournament raises money for the coaches and officials emergency fund, which provides monetary support to individuals and families in the area during a time of crisis.
    There are slots for as many as 32 teams in the fall tournament.

    Those registering before Oct. 6 pay $75 per golfer. After Oct. 6, the cost rises to $85 per golfer.

    For more information on the tournament, including how to register, visit www.regionfour.org.
     

    Pictured: L-R Former Pine Forest assistant football coach Jimmy Teague, Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas general chairman Ronnie Blount and Dean Boyd of York Comprehensive High School in York, South Carolina announce this year's Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas teams live on Facebook. Teague is head coach at Reidsville High School and North Carolina head coach this year. Boyd is the South Carolina head coach.

     

     

     
  • 18 01 TaurienneWestover linebacker Taurienne Freeman was the only Cumberland County football player chosen to this year’s Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.

    The annual all-star football game, the oldest of its kind in the United States, is scheduled Saturday, Dec. 21, at Wofford College’s Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

    The game annually pits the top senior football players from North Carolina and South Carolina to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for burned and crippled children.

    Freeman, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior, is being recruited by numerous major and mid-major colleges according to Westover head coach Ernest King. He has yet to make a commitment to play for any school.

    King called Freeman both a hard-working player and a good student in the classroom. As far as his playing style, King said Freeman is an old-school, downhill type of player who reminds him of stars he coached at E.E. Smith High School like Aaron Curry and Jordan Stocks.

    18 02 Ernest King“He’s very aggressive, doesn’t take any plays off,’’ King said. King coached in the Shrine Bowl last year as an assistant coach and said it’s an honor to have Freeman representing Westover High School, Cumberland County and the state of North Carolina in this year’s game.

    Freeman said he was shocked at first to hear he had been chosen for the North Carolina team but said he is ready to compete for a chance to start and play in the game as one of seven linebackers chosen. “I know how to compete,’’ he said. “I can read the offensive line. I feel I can get the starting spot if I work hard enough.’’

     
    Freeman said he may try to add a little weight before the game in December and continue eating healthy and keeping in top shape.
    “It’s a big honor for me,’’ he said. “I know I’ll represent the area well.’’

    King said he was surprised Freeman was the only player from Cumberland County picked for the game.
    “We have a lot of talent in this county,’’ he said. “I think it’s kind of being overlooked.’
     

    Pictured from top to bottom: Taurienne Freeman, Ernest King 

     
  • 17 Que TuckerReprinted with permission from The Stanly News & Press


    The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has put the North Stanly High School cheerleaders on probation for the rest of the football season for their part in holding up a Trump banner during the Aug. 30 game against Piedmont.

    The Aug. 30 incident happened before the game began, when some of the North cheerleaders and a couple other individuals gathered for a photo. A cheerleader and a young male held up a banner that read “Trump 2020 ‘Make America Great Again.'” The photo circulated on Facebook after a North teacher posted it.

    After talking with the central office, and since the incident appeared on social media and caused people to feel uncomfortable, the NCHSAA took a greater look at it.

    “One of the rules we have is that every contest should be conducted in a wholesome, athletic environment,” North Carolina High School Athletic Association Commissioner Que Tucker said. “We take that to mean that it’s in an environment where good sportsmanship is shown, where people feel safe … that respect for all people participating is being shown.”

    Due to the fact the incident caused concern for many and helped create a negative athletic environment, according to Tucker, the NCHSAA decided to reprimand the cheerleaders by putting them on probation.

    Superintendent Dr. Jeff James said Dean Shatley, of Shatley and Campbell law firm, reviewed the NCHSAA’s decision and felt it was appropriate.

    James said the school system did not discipline any of the students because there were no violations of the student code of conduct. He said school officials will likely update the code to include rules against political campaigning on school campuses during sporting events.

    Following multiple media reports about the North Stanly incident and a letter sent to the NCHSAA from Congressman Richard Hudson regarding the matter, Que Tucker, NCHSAA Commissioner, released the following clarification:
    While the NCHSAA does not have a specific policy prohibiting the display of political advertisements at athletic events, the behavior was contrary to the NCHSAA’s “Philosophy of Cheerleading” in the NCHSAA Handbook. This philosophy emphasizes the cheerleader’s important role in representing the school to its fans and others in attendance in a positive manner, while eliciting appropriate support for their team in accordance with the spirit and letter of NCHSAA and local school policies and expectations.

    It is our understanding that Stanly County Schools has a policy against political advertisements on campus or at school events. It is also our understanding that Stanly County Schools does not make political endorsements. As the district officials related in their release yesterday, ‘Because the cheerleaders were in uniform and were acting as representatives of the school, the display of the sign could be perceived as the school or school system endorsing a political campaign."

    NCHSAA probation, in and of itself, is not a punishment. It serves as a notice of behavior or action that is against NCHSAA Handbook Policy or contrary to expectations of sportsmanship and proper behavior. Should infractions occur during a probation period at a member school or within a team at a member school, additional sanctions such as fines or suspensions could be implemented. In the aforementioned instance, opportunities for participation were neither eliminated nor limited.

     The decision to place the cheerleaders on probation was made to highlight the NCHSAA’s philosophy of cheerleading as well as Stanly County Schools’ local district policy on political endorsements by individuals representing the school. The NCHSAA has no comment on the letter released by Representative Hudson.”

    Editor's Note: Late Friday afternoon, the Stanly County Schools announced that because of new safety concerns in the wake of the school’s cheerleaders being placed on probation, Friday’s Sept. 20 home football game with China Grove Carson was postponed to Saturday morning, Sept. 21.

    Pictured: Que Tucker

  • earl vaughan srForgive me for a personal indulgence today, but it’s a milestone moment in the life of someone extremely special to me.
     
    I’d like to take a few moments to wish a happy 90th birthday to my father, the Rev. Earl Vaughan Sr. There is not enough space in all the databanks everywhere to thank him for everything he’s done for me through the years.
     
    The United States Army brought him to Fort Bragg from his native Missouri. During his Army days he met and eventually married my mother, the late Peggy Blount Vaughan, a hometown Fayetteville girl. I joined the party in 1954 and nine years later dad decided to enter the ministry. He earned his ministerial credentials at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. We returned to North Carolina where he served pastorates in Bryson City, Cleveland, Leland and Warsaw before retiring and moving back to Fayetteville with mom.
     
    He’s still preaching every so often and loves finding bargains, interacting with people and doing the Lord’s work.
     
    Thank you dad for being there for me everyday I’ve been on this earth. Have a super birthday.
     
    The record: 23-7
     
    I survived Friday the 13th with a 5-2 record, which is far better than it could have been given the difficulty of the predictions. The season total is 23-7, 76.7 percent. 
     
    Cape Fear at Terry Sanford- The Battle of the Blues is a big Patriot Athletic Conference matchup for both teams. I’m worried about Cape Fear being a little rusty. The Colts are coming off an open date and have only played two games this year since their opener with Clinton was canceled by the weather.
    But Terry Sanford lost to Jack Britt and had a tough time with E.E. Smith after an open date the previous Friday.
    This will be the first “home” game for the Bulldogs as they move to their temporary headquarters at Reid Ross Classical High School’s John Daskal Stadium. I’ll be interested to see just how homey things are for the team and its fans.
    Cape Fear 21, Terry Sanford 20.
     
    South View at Douglas Byrd- The Eagles got a big win against Westover last week but they will face a stiff test from the versatile South View offense Friday night. 
    South View 28, Douglas Byrd 14.
     
    E.E. Smith at Overhills - The Golden Bulls came close against Terry Sanford last week but weren’t able to seal the win.
    I’m worried about an emotional letdown against Overhills this week after getting up for a big rival like the Bulldogs.
    Overhills 22, E.E. Smith 17.
     
    Pine Forest at Gray’s Creek - The big concern here is which Pine Forest team is going to show up. The Trojans have been a little inconsistent early in the season and defense has been a problem. Gray’s Creek is much improved, but I think the Bears will have a tough time containing Pine Forest’s offense.
    Pine Forest 24, Gray’s Creek 18.
     
    Goldsboro at Westover - Here’s hoping home field will give Westover enough of a boost to get its first win of the season.
    Westover 22, Goldsboro 20.
     
    Jack Britt at New Hanover - Call me crazy, but after three weeks Brian Randolph had me drinking that purple Jack Britt Kool-Aid. I think the Buccaneers are for real and they’ve got a chance to make a statement Friday against a solid New Hanover team.
    Jack Britt 28, New Hanover 27.
     
    Open date: Seventy-First.
     
    Other games: Fayetteville Christian 14, Rocky Mount Academy 12; Trinity Christian 21, Metrolina Christian 14.
  • 21 01 Courtney CyganCourtney Cygan

    Gray's Creek • Junior
     
    Cygan has a weighted grade point average of 4.3125. She competes in tennis, softball and swimming. She is active in Future Business Leaders of America, yearbook and National Honor Society.
     
     
    Garrett Harbison

    Gray's Creek • Senior
    21 02 Garret Harbison
    Harbison has a weighted grade point average of 4.33. He was a regional qualifier in cross country last year and a state qualifier in track. He is the senior class vice president and is active in Future Farmers of America, yearbook, Academy of Scholars and National Honor Society.
     
  • 20 toolsA Friday night high school football stadium packed with fans watching two teams battle has the potential for disaster if bad weather should suddenly develop.

     
    Fortunately for fans at North Carolina High School Athletic Association events, procedures are in place to make sure there is a coordinated plan for getting athletes and spectators to safety.
     
    The NCHSAA has something called the Pregame Emergency Action Plan Report. It’s put together by the athletic trainer for the home team and provides an assortment of critical information to help guide game personnel through the needed steps to ensure everyone’s safety.
     
    Sheri Squire, who has been an athletic trainer at Terry Sanford for the past seven years, said the report is designed to provide specific information about the location where the game is being played that can be shared with both the visiting team and the officials who are calling the game.
     
     
    “It’s basically so we know exactly what’s going on at that site during that event so we have an emergency plan in place,’’ Squire said.
     
    Emergency plans are typically posted at schools, but this one is more specific since it deals with the exact venue of the athletic event and is shared in person with those who need the information.
     
    The report includes contact information for the game-day administrator, the athletic trainers or first responders of both teams along with the name of the head of the officiating crew and the names of any medical personnel who might be attending the game.
     
    For outdoor events, there is additional information on where the safe shelter is located and what the route to get there is.

     

    Aname is also provided for the person who is monitoring weather conditions, including lightning and the wet bulb temperature, which determines whether it’s too hot for play to continue.

    Squire uses a handheld device called a Kestrel Heat Stress Tracker to find the wet bulb temperature before the game starts and record it on the form. If it’s 88.9 degrees at kickoff special precautions have to be taken. If it’s 92 or above, the game may have to be stopped or suspended until it gets cooler.

     
    A lightning detector is usually monitored by the game administrator or someone else to make sure the stadium is cleared before lightning gets too close to the field to strike someone.
     
    In addition to the form, Squire and other athletic trainers have a badge provided by the NCHSAA that includes a checklist for things to watch out for at all events and especially outdoor events.
     
    “I like the fact it’s all in one place,’’ Squire said. “You ask the important questions. Now it’s going to make everybody be on the same page. It helps you keep your I’s dotted and T’s crossed.’’
     

    Pictured: A copy of the pregame emergency report rests beneath the Kestrel heat stress device and the NCHSAA pre-game checklist badge. 

     
  • 19 BrittThroughout the preseason, Jack Britt head football coach Brian Randolph has preached a two-word motto to his team.

     
    Restore order.
     
    To Randolph, the message to players and coaches alike is for everyone associated with the Buccaneers to be on the same track and in the same frame of mind of being from Jack Britt, a place people respect and a team that other schools don’t want to face.
     
    “They know when they play us, it’s going to be a tough match,’’ Randolph said. “It’s not going to be an easy game. It’s something you have to prepare for and work for in order to get a victory.’’
     
    As the Buccaneers headed into their open date last week, they were sporting a 3-0 record, all three wins coming against the top three teams in last year’s Patriot Athletic Conference standings: champion Pine Forest and runners up South View and Terry Sanford.
     
    Randolph said in all honesty, he didn’t see his team going 3-0, but he knew it was possible and he’s happy to be here.
     
    One of the biggest reasons for the Buccaneers’ early success is the passing combination of quarterback Kevin Sentell and wide receiver Anthony Fiffie.
     
    Through three games, Sentell leads the Cumberland County Schools with 564 passing yards and eight touchdowns. He’s completed 39 of 66 passes with only two interceptions.
     
    Fiffie is the leading receiver with 15 receptions for 303 yards and five scores.
     
    During a film session last week, Randolph told him Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Rothlisberger will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day because of his ability to extend plays.
     
    Randolph said Sentell has the same skill. “It’s really hard to guard someone for six or seven seconds,’’ Randolph said. “That’s what Kevin Does really well. He gets his feet separated, keeps his eyes down the field, just looking for that big play.’’
     
    Randolph added that Sentell is smart and makes plays instead of mistakes.
     
    For his part, Randolph said Fiffie is a great route-runner with excellent body control who seems to be able to slow things down when the ball is near him so he can focus on making the catch.
     
    “He does a great job of embracing contact,’’ Randolph said. “He’s not the fastest guy in the world, but if you get close to him, he’s able to position his body in a way that if the ball is near him he’s going to catch it or make a good play on it.’’
     
    Sentell said he and Fiffie have excellent chemistry and have been working together for five years.
     
    “He runs great routes and gets open most of the time,’’ Sentell said. “It makes my job easy.’’
     
    Fiffie said he’s playing with more confidence this year and has greater confidence in his teammates.
     
    He credits much of his success with Sentell to the numerous offseason workouts they’ve had.
     
    “We practice working on routes, catching the ball and getting our timing down,’’ Fiffie said. “I believe we caught people off guard, really turned their heads.’’
     
    While Britt’s recent return to winning may be something new to the current players in the program, Randolph has vivid memories of getting off to fast starts during his days playing for Bob Paroli and Mike Paroli at Douglas Byrd High School.
     
    That’s helped him take a measured look at what Britt’s 3-0 record means as he reflects on lessons learned from the Parolis.
     
    “It’s one game at a time, one play at a time,’’ he said. “You think you’ve arrived somewhere and that’s when you set yourself up.’’
     
    Bob Paroli had a favorite saying about that. He called it dropping your candy in the sand.
     
    “We have our candy in our hand right now,’’ Randolph said, “but we could easily drop it in the sand and mess up everything we worked for so far.
     
    “This off week we’re going to work on fundamentals and getting back to basics. Just focus on one play at a time.’’
     
    Pictured from L-R: Anthony Fiffie, Kevin Sentell
  • 18 RefInappropriate adult behavior at high school athletic events throughout the country has reached epidemic proportions.

     
    When more than 2,000 high school athletic directors were asked in a recent national survey what they like least about their job, 62.3% said it was “dealing with aggressive parents and adult fans.”
     
    And the men and women who wear the black and white stripes agree. In fact, almost 80% of officials quit after the first two years on the job and unruly parents are cited as the reason why. As a result, there is a growing shortage of high school officials nationwide, and in some sports like wrestling, swimming, and track and field, the shortage is severe. No officials means no more games.
     
    If you are a parent attending a high school athletic event this fall, you can help by following these six guidelines.
     
    Act your age. You are, after all, an adult. Act in a way that makes your family and school proud.
     
    Don’t live your life vicariously through your children. High school sports are for them, not you. Your family’s reputation is not determined by how well your children perform on the field of play.
     
    Let your children talk to the coach instead of you doing it for them. High school athletes learn how to become more confident, independent and capable—but only when their parents don’t jump in and solve their problems for them.
     
    Stay in your own lane. No coaching or officiating from the sidelines. Your role is to be a responsible, supportive parent — not a coach or official.
     
    Remember, participating in a high school sport is not about getting a college scholarship. According to the NCAA, only about two percent of all high school athletes are awarded a sports scholarship, and the total value of the scholarship is only about $18,000.
     
    Make sure your children know you love watching them play. Do not critique your child’s performance on the car ride home. Participating in high school sports is about character development, learning and having fun — not winning and losing.
     
    Purchasing a ticket to a high school athletic event does not give you the right to be rude, disrespectful or verbally abusive. Cheer loud and be proud, but be responsible and respectful. The future of high school sports in our nation is dependent on you.
  • The first Associated Press state high school football rankings came out earlier this week. The news was not good for Cumberland County. With potential to have teams ranked in either the 4-A or 3-A polls, not one team from the county got a mention, not even in the teams receiving votes category. Our best candidates for ranking were the 3-0 teams, Gray’s Creek in 3-A and Jack Britt and Seventy-First in 4-A. Not a vote for any of them.
     
    There were some Cape Fear region teams mentioned. In 4-A, Richmond Senior, coached by former Terry Sanford and Cape Fear coach Bryan Till, is No. 3 and got two first-place votes.
    Former Jack Britt coach Richard Bailey has his Scotland team ranked sixth. Lee County, which has already handed losses to E.E. Smith and Douglas Byrd, is No. 6 in the 3-A poll.
    Clinton, which had its game with Cape Fear canceled the first week of the season, is No. 8 in 2-A. 
     
    Rankings of course mean absolutely nothing when it comes to determining state playoff berths or state champions, but they are a valuable barometer of how the rest of the state feels about the status of football in your area.
     
    We’ll keep watching as the weeks pass and see if any of our teams get some love.
     
     
     
    The record: 18-5
     
    I had my best week of the young season, going 7-1 to improve the total for the year to 18-5, 78.2 percent.
    Now let’s brace for a scary batch of projections for this Friday the 13th.
     
     
    Douglas Byrd at Westover - This is one of those dreaded coin flip games. I’ll give Westover a slight edge because they’re playing at home.
    Westover 18, Douglas Byrd 16.
     
    Terry Sanford at E.E. Smith - Coming off a loss to Jack Britt and an open date, look for Terry Sanford to make a point in this annual battle of old city rivals.
    Terry Sanford 28, E.E. Smith 12.
     
    Gray’s Creek at South View - Another coin flip game. I’m leaning toward South View for a couple of reasons. The Tigers have played a tougher schedule than the Bears and I think their offense is more balanced. Home field also counts for something in this annual Battle for the Bridge.
    South View 20, Gray’s Creek 18.
     
    Overhills at Pine Forest - I know Overhills is unbeaten, but I have a hard time seeing Pine Forest lose three in a row. This is the Trojans’ first Patriot Athletic Conference game, so I expect D.J. Jones back in the lineup after being held out as a precaution for the last two weeks. 
    Pine Forest 20, Overhills 13.
     
    Southern Durham at Seventy-First - This is Seventy-First’s final non conference game before an open date and the start of Sandhills Athletic Conference play at Pinecrest. It’s important for the Falcons not to get complacent after a 3-0 start to the season.
    Seventy-First 21, Southern Durham 14.
     
    Open dates- Cape Fear, Jack Britt.
     
    Other games: Trinity Christian 30, Harrells Christian 8; Grace Christian 20, Fayetteville Christian 12.
  • 19 01 Susan BradySusan Brady is in her first year as girls tennis coach at Terry Sanford High School. Even though she hasn’t been there long, she appreciates the school’s rich tradition in the sport, with multiple singles, doubles and state team champions.

    “There’s always pressure,’’ said Brady, a veteran of United States Tennis Association league play through Highland Country Club where she’s competed for state titles and beyond over the last 12 years.

    But her biggest concern is making sure she can handle the basics of coaching with this team when it’s needed, teaching players who need structure or help with groundstrokes or other shots.

    Fortunately for Brady this team is pretty sound fundamentally, as it earned the No. 7 ranking statewide in the North Carolina High School Tennis Coaches Association first 3-A poll of the season.

    Playing No. 1 singles is senior Katy Beasley, who is also a captain. Brady calls her steady and a motivator for her teammates. “One of the things I love about her is she doesn’t give up,’’ Brady said. “She digs deep no matter what. She has this fight in her that’s essential on the court.’’

    Beasley feels her strong points are a slice that catches a lot of her opponents off guard and her ability to move her opponents around the court. As for her being labeled a fighter on the court, Beasley thinks that comes from her refusal to accept a match is ever over. “You can turn it around at any point,’’ she said. “I think that’s a good part of how I play. I play for the point rather than the whole match.’’

    19 02 Katy BeasleyAt No. 2 singles is MaryAnna Stiles, a sophomore. While Brady called Stiles one of the sweetest young women she’s ever met, she said she brings an intimidating game face to the court and never loses her cool. “She’s incredibly consistent and fun to watch,’’ Brady said.

    No. 3 is Lauren McDonough. McDonough’s game is marked by great groundstrokes and good placement. “She is a good tennis thinker,’’ Brady said. “I can see her setting up shots. Her goal is she wants to win her match and be the first one off the court.’’

    The No. 4 player is Caroline Beasley. Brady calls her the life of the tennis party with her bubbly personality. “She keeps us laughing and on our toes,’’ Brady said. But on the court, Beasley takes no prisoners, Brady said. “Her groundstrokes are some of the hardest I’ve ever seen,’’ she said. 

    At No. 5 singles is Emily Stone. Brady said you can tell from watching Stone she played tennis from a young age. “Her strokes are great and she’s very solid,’’ Brady said. “She brings a lot to the court.’’

    The Bulldogs are 3-0 this season through Tuesday, Sept. 3. 

    Pictured from top to bottom: Susan Brady, Katy Beasley

  • 18 01McKayla DaffinIt only took Jack Britt’s Daffin sisters, McKenzie and McKayla, two seasons of varsity golf to place among the top 25 players in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s state 4-A golf championship.

    As they enter their third season with the Buccaneers, the duo is aiming even higher.

    “I have no doubt come the end of the season both of them are going to be in contention,’’ said Ray Musselwhite, girls golf coach at Jack Britt. “They are working hard to improve their games everyday.’’

    That work includes the tough competition the sisters face in the Sandhills Athletic Conference. “Week in, week out, we face such a tough opponent in Pinecrest,’’ he said.

    The Moore County school just a stone’s throw from national golf capital Pinehurst has long been known for producing top high school players.

    “I’m not afraid to put these two young ladies against their best two any day of the week,’’ Musselwhite said.

    18 02McKenzie DaffinAt this point in their development, Musselwhite said neither sister has a lot of weaknesses. “They would both probably tell you their iron play is something they continually want to improve,’’ he said. “Off the tee and around the greens they are solid.’’

    A key for both players, he said, is managing emotions and the mental side of the game. “I think we are going to be familiar with the courses we have to play in the regionals and states and so on,’’ he said. “It’s a matter of laying out a game plan and executing.’’

    McKayla said the two help each other in practice and on the course. “Sometimes if I have trouble hitting a shot she’ll help me out and kind of give me some advice,’’ McKayla said. “If she’s struggling with a different part of her swing or a certain club, I’ll tell her what helps with my swing, especially our wedge play.’’

    Both sisters think they have a shot at the state title this year, but McKayla said she doesn’t want to put pressure on herself. “That just makes you play worse,’’ she said. “Mostly I’m trying to shoot lower scores and keep practicing.’’

    McKenzie’s big concern is consistency. “I’ve had plenty of tournaments where I’ve been under a couple on one nine and over a couple on another nine,’’ she said. “I’m trying to stay consistent and focus on one shot at a time.’’

    McKayla agrees with McKenzie on the importance of focus. “I think as long as our mental game is strong, we should be okay,’’ she said. “The skill is definitely there. As long as you can keep your cool, keep your head in the game and don’t stress ourselves, I think we’ll be okay.’’

    Pictured: McKayla Daffin, McKenzie Daffin

  • 09-12-12-fantasticks.gifThe world’s longest running musical is coming to Fayetteville. The Fantasticks is on stage at the Gilbert Theater from Sept. 20 through Oct. 7. Show times are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

    This 1960s musical tells the moving story of two young lovers whose fathers plot to trick them into falling in love. They discover the deception and go their own ways, only to find love with each other once the bumps and bruises of life mature their notions of love.

    This well known musical, with music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics and book by Tom Jones, has been performed more than 17,000 times in the last 42 years. The score includes familiar songs such as “Try to Remember,” “Soon It’s Gonna Rain,” and “Much More.” It is played with a small cast, a two to three-person orchestra and minimalist set design.

    This will be the first show for Robyne Parrish, new artistic director for the Gilbert Theater. Says Parrish, “I saw the show when I was 16-years-old in New York City with my father. It is the longest running musical in the world for a reason. This is the kind of magic the Gilbert has, and what better way of carrying on the tradition than having the Fantasticks be my first show as Artistic Director here at the Gilbert.”

    The Gilbert Theater was founded in 1994 in the basement of Lynn Pryer’s home, and over the years operated in several locations around Fayetteville. The theater’s current home is 116 Green Street. On the corner of Green and Bow streets located near the Market House, the theater’s entrance is on the Bow Street side of the building.

    The Gilbert Theater is a semi-professional, community-oriented theatre company and conservatory serving Fayetteville, and the surrounding area. The theater produces up to six plays and musicals per year as well as a full slate of theater-oriented classes for students of all ages in its Gilbert Conservatory and Gilbert Glee initiatives. The theater prides itself on committing itself to the continuous improvement of its community of local artists through training, collaboration with professionals in the field and meaningful production experience.

    An exciting first for the Gilbert Theater, the cast will be joined by union actor, Patrick Riviere from Los Angeles. He will spend five weeks in Fayetteville just to play the lead part of El Gallo.

    “The theater is very proud to be evolving in such a way that hiring a professional Equity guest artist seemed like the next step in raising the stature of the theatre — a theater that prides itself on quality presentations,” said Parrish.

    Tickets cost $15 for all shows, with discounts available for large groups, military members and students. Call the box office for more information. Tickets can be purchased online at www.gilberttheater.com. For reservations, call (910) 678-7186 or e-mail the box office at boxoffice@gilberttheater.com. Doors and box office open one hour before start of show, although seating is not guaranteed without reservations.

  • 17 01 Trojan Challenge MedalThe second annual Trojan Challenge to raise money for college scholarships on behalf of the Gary Weller Foundation is scheduled for Oct. 12 at the Sturtz Family Farm in Linden.

    Last year’s event was successful enough to allow the foundation to award two $1,500 scholarships to students from Pine Forest High School.

    The scholarships go to Pine Forest students who have overcome some kind of challenge in their lives and have gone on to excel not only in their chosen sport but in the community at large. Nominations are made by coaches at Pine Forest High School and a special committee picks the winners.

    Cumberland County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe, a Pine Forest alumnus, said the challenge draws its inspiration from former Pine Forest football coach Gary Weller, whom the foundation is named for.

    Weller was the victim of a horrific accident years ago, when the driver of a stolen vehicle ran him over multiple times while Weller was out running. Weller battled back through numerous surgeries and remains active both in local 17 02 Trojan Challenge Posterbusiness and athletic circles.

    Keefe said the challenge is a tribute to Weller’s resilience. “When Gary had his incident, he had to overcome a lot of obstacles,’’ he said. “We want to challenge others to overcome obstacles that they may have and be successful.’’

    Keefe said this year’s challenge will feature a tier-one obstacle course with 20 to 22 different obstacles. 

    There will also be a Trojan in Training challenge, a scaled-down course for younger participants and older ones who don’t feel up to the full-scale obstacle course.

    The event will begin at
    9 a.m. and will end around noon.

    Keefe said the field would be limited to 200 participants. The cost to compete in the Trojan Challenge is $65 per entrant. The fee for the Trojan in Training course is $40. General admission to watch the event is $5.

    The deadline for entries will be a week before the event is held.

    Children are welcome to take in the challenge, but those age six or younger need to be accompanied by an adult supervisor.

     In addition to the obstacle course, the event will feature food, drinks and music with the assistance of the Pine Forest High School Booster Club.

    For further information on the challenge or to sign up for this year’s event, visit
    www.trojanchallenge.org.

  • 16 01 CHIP BISHOPA pair of familiar faces to the Fayetteville Academy family will become the two newest members of the school’s athletic hall of fame.

    Athletic director and coach Chip Bishop and longtime booster club president Emily Schaefer will be honored at an induction ceremony the night of the school’s annual J.L. Dawkins Alumni basketball games Tuesday, Nov. 26.

    Bishop and Schaefer were selected for induction by a special committee that includes representatives of the school from various areas.

    Head of school Ray Quesnel said as the Academy celebrates its 50th year, the school couldn’t have two better honorees joining the hall of fame.

    Bishop had been nominated some years ago but declined to be considered for induction until this year.

    “With him, it was obviously not a question of if but when,’’ Quesnel said. “He’s been at the Academy for over 30 years.’’ During that time the Eagles have won numerous state and conference titles in a variety of sports. Quesnel said Bishop is respected within the school as well as at the state and local levels.

    16 02Emily Schaefer“He means so much to his former players who come back and see him all the time,’’ Quesnel said. In addition to his work at Fayetteville Academy, Bishop has been a football official for the Southeastern Athletic Officials Association and NCAA Division III. For years, he volunteered at the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

    While at the Academy, he won two North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association boys basketball championships.

    Bishop said he delayed being considered for induction because he wanted to make sure two architects of much of the school’s success in soccer, Andrew McCarthy and Jimmy Maher, were named to the hall before him.

    “This is a special place as far as I’m concerned,’’ Bishop said. “It’s a great honor for me to go in. It’s an honor to be associated with these types of people.’’

     Schaefer was chosen to the hall of fame in the recently-added category of booster. Quesnel said she has served as booster club president for seven of the last eight years. “She’s the glue that holds it all together,’’ Quesnel said. “She organizes all the chairs of the booster organization, makes schedules and leads people.

    “She does so much in a humble way and she doesn’t do it for credit. She just does it because she knows it needs to be done.’’

    Schaefer called her induction an honor and said it was touching for people to realize all the things behind the scenes that she took care of. She called the hall of fame an elite group she felt honored to be part of.

  • Hurricanes would be bad news during any season of the year, but they are an annual plague on high school football coaches and fans during the fall in North Carolina.
     
    Even before Hurricane Dorian’s arrival in the state, Cumberland County Schools officials took the wise precaution of closing school Thursday and Friday and postponing all athletic events both days, including Friday night high school football. The big concern for everyone is avoiding serious damage to life and property as the result of high winds, heavy rain and potential flooding.
     
    For football coaches, once the weather has finally cleared, there are a host of concerns. First, they need to check on all of their athletes and their families to make sure everyone got through the storm all right.
     
    Then comes the challenge of rescheduling games. Was your field or the field of your opponent rendered unplayable? What’s your schedule for next week? Often at this stage of the season teams are moving into conference play. No coach wants to move a Friday game to Monday in a week when they’ve already got a conference game set on the next Friday.
     
    The perfect situation, which rarely happens, is when both teams have an open date at the same time later in the season and can move the game there. Cramming games too close together cuts down on recovery time and increases the risk of players being injured. I wish we could will hurricanes to a time of the year when they would be less a problem for everybody, but I guess that time truly doesn’t exist.
     
    Here’s praying everyone in our area comes through our latest stormy encounter with the least possible harm and things return to order as quickly as they can.
     
     
    The record: 11-4
     
    Another decent week with a 5-2 record, pushing the season count to 11-4, 73.3 percent.
     
    Cape Fear at Lumberton - Talk about mixed messages. Cape Fear opens its season a week late and loses a nail-biter to a strong Seventy-First team. Meanwhile, Lumberton gets routed by Terry Sanford in a game that included a running clock, then turns around and stuns defending Patriot Athletic Conference champion Pine Forest on its home field.
    I’m thinking the Lumberton win was an aberration since Pine Forest was without University of North Carolina commit D.J. Jones.
    I’m going to lean toward Cape Fear in this one.
    Cape Fear 28, Lumberton 14.
     
    Lee County at Douglas Byrd - A good night is not likely for Byrd against Lee County, one of the strongest teams in the Cape Fear region this year.
    Lee County 35, Douglas Byrd 12.
     
    Seventy-First at E.E. Smith - Duran McLaurin brings his Falcons to his former place of employment and gets Seventy-First’s third win of the young season.
    Seventy-First 32, E.E. Smith 6.
     
    West Johnston at Gray’s Creek - The Bears look to get their third win ahead of next week’s Battle of the Bridge with South View.
    Gray’s Creek 34, West Johnston 6.
     
    Pine Forest at Jack Britt - Every season there’s one team I seem to have trouble picking correctly. So far this year, it’s Jack Britt. I’m 0-2 calling the outcome of Buccaneer games. Last week’s win over Terry Sanford has made me a believer, so I’m going with Britt in a big match with Pine Forest this week.
    Jack Britt 21, Pine Forest 20.
     
    South View at Purnell Swett - South View didn’t want to play Monday and face two games in one week as the Tigers open Patriot Athletic Conference play next Friday against rival Gray’s Creek. Unfortunately with the threat from Hurricane Dorian options were few.
    The day the game is played won’t influence my prediction. I’m going with South View.
    South View 28, Purnell Swett 14.
     
    Hoke County at Westover - This is one of those dreaded coin flip games that could go either way. I’m leaning toward Hoke because they seem to be playing a little better, plus Westover is coming off an open date and it’s sometimes tough for teams to regain playing rhythm after a break.
    Hoke County 14, Westover 13.
     
    Open dates: Terry Sanford.
     
    Other games: Trinity Christian 31, Sandhills Titans 14; John Paul II Catholic 31, Fayetteville Christian 6.
     
  • 20 01 Jonathan WoodJonathan Wood got a nice present as he took over the Pine Forest tennis team as head coach this year. 

    His returning squad includes Kelcie Farmer, who was the Patriot Athletic Conference tennis player of the year last season and winner of the 4-A half of the league’s singles title.

    Wood is in his first year coaching tennis, but it hasn’t taken him long to be impressed with Farmer’s tenacity and work ethic.

    “I know she gets a lot of private lessons,’’ he said. “She gets to travel around and see a lot of pro events. She learns from what she watches.’’

    Wood called Farmer a dynamic and powerful player in her ground game and with her strokes. “She’s an all-around great player and great teacher to the other girls,’’ he said.

    As returning conference player of the year, expectations are obviously high for Farmer, but Wood said she’s not burdened by the pressure of dealing with that.

    20 02 Kelcie Farmer“She knows her abilities and skills,’’ he said. “I think it’s just a pressure she’s naturally born to conquer no matter what. I don’t think it’s a pressure to her. She hasn’t dropped a game yet.’’

    Wood said the key this season is for Farmer to focus on what she needs to bring to the court to help her teammates. “She’s our No. 1 for the fourth year in a row,’’ Wood said. “She can’t get too ahead of herself, just keep a humble mind and continue to live off the skills she’s been able to produce over the last three years.’’

    Farmer feels she’s grown into a leadership role on the Pine Forest team and can help her teammates out.

    She feels her serve has gotten stronger over the last few years but is still a work in progress.

    “I’m making sure I’m getting more first serves in play,’’ she said. “That’s what starts your points. Without a good serve, it’s kind of hard to get into groundstrokes and volleys. Everything starts with the serve.’’

    Farmer thinks the Trojan team is in a rebuilding year as many players from last season either graduated or are attending school elsewhere.

    “We look at each game as if it’s going to be a state championship,’’ she said. “We’re going to try our hardest and have fun at the end of the day.’’

    Pictured from top to bottom: Jonathan Wood, Kelcie Farmer

  • Methodist University’s David McCune Art Gallery is showcasing the “Rembrandt: The Sign and the Light" exhibition through Nov. 18. The exhibition displays a series of 59 etchings by the well-known Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn and is a part of the gallery’s 10-year anniversary celebration.

    “One of the things that’s very attractive about this show is Rembrandt's way of storytelling,” Silvana Foti, Art Director and Curator of McCune Gallery said. “The way he captures human quality, almost seems like his subject matter was staged, they're extremely theatrical.”

    Rembrandt was a 17th-century Dutch artist who established himself as one of the greatest storytellers in art history through his ability to render people in his work. Rembrandt’s work is known to approach "real life" through theatrical transposition.

    Foti described the etchings to have a psychological emotional drama that's connected between the images when looking at them.

    The etchings on display offer a variety of subjects, including religious figures, scenes, portraits, figure studies and famous beggars from Rembrandt’s 35-year career. The name of the exhibit is derived from the technique used by Rembrandt in the etchings that are on display.

    “There will be some etchings that are very dark, and when you begin to examine them there will be sparks or light that will just illuminate,” Foti said. “A kind of technique used by Rembrandt known as Chiaroscuro, creating a strong contrast between light and dark.”

    Each visitor is provided with a magnifier to witness the details in Rembrandt's etchings.

    Most people think of Rembrandt as a painter and are surprised by his etchings that profoundly changed the course of art history, Foti said.

    “It would be an awful shame to not be able to see this exhibition in person, this is a once in a lifetime for many people,” she said.

    The David McCune Art Gallery is known to host two shows per year, a regional show and an international show. Shows are planned a year or two in advance. The different exhibits are selected based on things like familiarity with the artists' names, different time periods, different styles and likes, Foti said.

    "The Sign and the Light" exhibition is a part of the gallery’s 10-year anniversary celebration. The gallery has brought some well-renowned names like Picasso, Rodin and Chagall, among others, to exhibitions in the past.

    “I think we have been a pretty big gem here in Fayetteville, offering art not just to the university but community,” Foti said.

    The gallery has attracted many art lovers from across different states like New York, Georgia, Virginia and more who are surprised to see such shows come to a small university like Methodist University, she said.
    Senior graphic design major Tom Gore said that it was amazing for him to see these great pieces of art, right here at Methodist University, without having to travel to New York.

    “Methodist sets itself apart from other universities in many ways, but for a university to bring in master artist exhibits such as Picasso, Rodin, Chagall and Rembrandt year after year is just unheard of,” said Bradley Johnson, director of Marketing & Communications at Methodist University.

    He said he toured the exhibit with his wife last Friday, and there were visitors in the gallery from Nebraska.

    “With Methodist allowing in guests to see original, 17th-century works from Rembrandt at no charge, it is truly a gift to the Fayetteville community and beyond," Johnson said.

    The museum has attracted fewer visitors due to the pandemic. The ticketing and limitation rules in place may be the issue since people are usually more impromptu and didn’t have to commit to a time and date in the past, she said.

    Foti emphasized the importance of witnessing the exhibit in person and not just virtually to experience and understand the talent, details and technique of Rembrandt’s etchings.

    “The main thing is you’re going to be surprised by the etchings, the amount of detail and the way that Rembrandt has the ability to capture your human quality and the world around him,” Foti said.

    The exhibit is free to the public but with reserved days, times and face covering requirements due to COVID-19 restrictions. Visitors can go to https://davidmccunegallery.com to reserve a date and time and to access the free ticket.

    The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends from noon to 4 p.m. The gallery will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.

    For more information about the gallery, exhibit and to access the free tickets, visit https://davidmccunegallery.com

     

    01 01 Aurie and Edward Parker of Wake Forest

    01 02 Debbie Stewart of Fayetteville

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Pictured: (Left) Aurie and Edward Parker of Wake Forest visit the Rembrandt exhibit at Methodist University's David McCune Art Gallery. (Right) Debbie Stewart of Fayetteville views an etching by Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn.

     

  • 19 01 Bruce McClellandForgive the Terry Sanford football team if it foregoes the nickname Bulldogs this season and opts for Road Warriors instead. They’re doing it with good reason.

    Because the school’s aging football stadium was demolished earlier this year in preparation for construction of a new one for the 2020 season, Coach Bruce McClelland and his team won’t play a single game on their campus.

    They will be moving to Reid Ross Classical High School’s John Daskal Stadium on Ramsey Street, which hasn’t hosted high school regular season games since Ross was closed as a traditional senior high school in the mid-1980s.

    McClelland said the group he feels is making the biggest sacrifice are the seniors on this team and their parents. “They’ve spent so much time giving to the program, and it’s their senior year and it’s kind of like you’ve been displaced,’’ he said.

    That’s where the Road Warrior mindset kicks in. “We’ve taken that Road Warrior mentality, tried to pump them up with that,’’ McClelland said.

    This year, Terry Sanford was scheduled to play five home games and six on the road. They elected to flip the 19 02 John Daskal Stadiumhome-and-home arrangement with Jack Britt to allow as much time as possible to get the Reid Ross field up to date.

    The Bulldogs won’t play their first varsity game at Ross until Sept. 20 when they host Cape Fear. They got in a trial run last week as they were scheduled to play a junior varsity game with Britt at Ross.

    McClelland said the current plan is for the Terry Sanford staff to take care of lining and painting the Ross field for varsity games.

    He’s also enlisted the help of baseball coach Sam Guy to make sure the surface of the field at Ross is in the best shape possible.

    “Sam has been real instrumental in taking good care of the field over here,’’ he said. “His baseball field looks so good.’’

    McClelland said Terry Sanford plans to treat each visit to Ross much like it would a road trip to neighboring E.E. Smith High School.

    The players will eat a pre-game meal at Terry Sanford, dress and go through their walk-through on Friday before taking the short bus ride to Reid Ross.

    The home stands will be the set of bleachers closest to Ramsey Street.

    One good thing about Reid Ross is it has press boxes on both sides of the field, so the Bulldogs should have no trouble finding space for print and electronic media to have seats along with the crews from both schools that videotape the game. 

    There should actually be more on campus parking than at Terry Sanford. McClelland said the school hopes to make some money off that by selling season-long parking passes for $30, which will come down to $10 per each of the three home games that will be played at Reid Ross.

    Terry Sanford’s final home game with Pine Forest will be at Fayetteville State’s Jeralds Stadium when the Bulldogs will celebrate Senior Night.

    In addition to the parking in front of the school, there is a rear parking lot behind the visitors stands that can be accessed by a residential street at the end of the stadium furthest from the school itself.

    Tickets will be sold on both sides of the stadium.

    McClelland hopes Terry Sanford will be able to visit the stadium Thursdays and have a brief practice on the game field to get used to it.

    The tentative plan is for the team to enter the field through a small group of trees outside the rear entrance to the gymnasium at the main school building.

    The schools plans a major outreach to alumni and boosters in the next couple of weeks to
    make sure everyone knows where to go and where to park. 

    “Safety of the kids is the most important thing to me,’’ McClelland said. “All the other stuff is luxury. My responsibility is to the parents and the kids and their safety.

    “That playing surface is the No. 1 thing.’’

    Picture 1: Bruce McClelland

    Picture 2: A view of what will be the home bleachers when Terry Sanford plays its varsity and junior varsity football games at John Daskal Stadium at Reid Ross Classical High School this season

  • 18 01 Que TuckerAlthough we’re a few weeks into the 2019-20 high school year, it’s not too late to hear some words of wisdom shared by Que Tucker, commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Tucker and several members of her staff visited Fayetteville in August to attend the annual Cumberland County Schools Football Jamboree banquet held at Gray’s Creek High School.

    I spoke with her briefly and asked if there were any hot-button issues facing the NCHSAA as the school year opened. She said there weren’t, but added there are some topics that never go out of style with the NCHSAA.

    “It’s always just about sportsmanship and behavior,’’ she said. “We want our young people to recognize the importance of good sportsmanship, winning with class, being victorious and excited about winning but respecting the fact the other team did lose and practiced and prepared just as hard.’’

    Health and safety are always big issues for the NCHSAA, especially in the game of football where the concern of how concussions are handled remains paramount.

    Tucker said the NCHSAA continues to stress to schools the need for preseason meetings that deal with topics like where the automated external defibri18 02 Cynthia Miller Jenkinsllator is kept, who the game day administrator is or who’s in charge if a thunderstorm hits during a game.

    In the end, it’s all about the student-athletes. “It’s all about educating our young people to be good citizens,’’ Tucker said. “If we can do those things, I think we will have accomplished much.’’

     • Speaking of Que Tucker, she and members of the NCHSAA staff will be back in Fayetteville on Monday, Sept. 23, at 8:30 a.m., for the annual meeting of school officials from the NCHSAA’s Region 4, which includes schools from Fayetteville, Cumberland County and surrounding counties. The meeting will be held at the Educational Resource Center.

    Last year’s regional meeting was canceled because of Hurricane Florence.

    The regional meeting gives the NCHSAA staff a chance to have face time with local school officials and to share news about important topics statewide.

    Cumberland County will have a larger than normal contingent on the NCHSAA Board of Directors for the next few years.

    Brian Edkins, who joined the board as principal at Scotland High School, is now at Cape Fear High School and continues to represent Region 4 until 2022.

    Gray’s Creek High School athletic director Troy Lindsey is new to the board from Region 4 and will serve until 2023. 

    Also new to the board is Vernon Aldridge, student activities director for the Cumberland County Schools. He joins the board as an affiliate member representing the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association for an unspecified term.

     • Cynthia Miller-Jenkins has been named the varsity girls basketball coach at Riverside Christian Academy in Stedman. The announcement was made by Riverside superintendent Dr. Lin Wheeler.

    Riverside is a member of the Carolina Athletic Association of Schools of Choice and played for state titles in 2017 and 2018.

    Jenkins was head coach at Northwood Temple Academy from 2005-15, winning three conference titles and one North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association state title.

    Her career record there was 106-73. Last year she was an assistant coach at Methodist University.

    Pictured from top to bottom: Que Tucker, Cynthia Miller-Jenkins

  • 17 01 Toni BlackwellCape Fear golf coach Todd Edge said it seems like yesterday when senior golfer Toni Blackwell began her career on the Colt team.

    “Time flies when you’re having fun,’’ Edge said, and Blackwell’s performance has definitely made coaching her and the Cape Fear team plenty of that for Edge.

    Blackwell has b een a three-time conference player of the year in golf and was the medalist in last year’s 3-A regional tournament.

    Blackwell hasn’t rested on her laurels over the last few years, Edge said, using practice to improve her overall game.

    “She’s played a lot of tournaments and is tournament golf ready,’’ he said. “She hits the ball further than she did three years ago. She’s improved her chipping and putting and her scores have improved because of that.’’

    Blackwell’s improvement hasn’t gone unnot17 02 Todd Edgeiced by people outside Cape Fear. She’s committed to play college golf at UNC-Pembroke.

    Edge said Coach David Synan will be getting a player who will fit in well with the players he’s already recruited.

    But Blackwell has one more high school season to go, and she and teammate Gaby Bynum, who placed third in the final Patriot Athletic Conference individual standings a year ago, return to lead an otherwise young Cape Fear team on the course this season.

    Edge expects Blackwell and Bynum will again lead Cape Fear in scoring, while the pressure to produce a third competitive score in the weekly matches will fall on one of the untested new players on the team.

    As for the rest of the conference, Edge isn’t sure where the main competition in the Patriot Athletic Conference will come from until Cape Fear plays its first match this season.

    “We take every team very seriously and we are going to try and play to the best of our abilities every time we go out,’’ he said.

    The Colts got off to a good start in last week’s first Patriot Athletic Conference first regular-season match at Stryker Golf Course at Fort Bragg. They fired a 266 as a team to win the match, with Blackwell taking medalist honors with a 75.

    Blackwell said she’s been working on hitting more greens in regulation and trying to stay consistent with her game after winning the Patriot Conference regular-season title with a 79.3 average last season. She was the only player in the conference to break 80 for the season.

    She hopes to motivate her younger teammates while bracing for the unknown against conference opposition.

    “I’m just trying to work on staying focused, not getting distracted and making smart plays,’’ she said. “I want to win regionals again and I want to win a state championship, keep around an even par average.’’

    She placed seventh in last year’s North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A state meet. She’s fully recovered from a broken middle finger on her right hand that forced her to play with a splint over the summer months.

    “I couldn’t grip with it and didn’t play my best all summer,’’ she said.

    Edge feels Blackwell has the potential to be among the top two or three golfers in the state this year.

    The key he said is putting together back-to-back good days at the two-day state tournament. “You can’t lose any strokes,’’ he said. “The double bogey is the big thing she’s got to eliminate. If she plays her par-birdie golf, maybe a bogey once in awhile, I think she’ll be there.

    “That’s her goal.’’

    Pictured from top to bottom: Toni Blackwell, Todd Edge

  • 09-21-11-harley-davidson.jpgBy now it is no secret that bikers have big hearts — especially our local bikers. On Oct. 8, come out to Cape Fear Harley-Davidson and help support Harley’s Heroes, an event sponsored by the Harley Davidson Foundation and the Disabled American Veterans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 09-11-13-rent.gifAs 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.

  • 09-05-12-ribbit.jpgLast year the Cape Fear Botanical Garden was invaded by larger-than-life bugs for several months as the Big Bugs exhibit entertained and educated garden visitors. On Sept. 1, Ribbit the Exhibit opened featuring, you guessed it, frogs — metal frogs that are full of whimsy and wonder and created by Andy Cobb.

    These outgoing amphibians aren’t hiding under rocks or croaking from the depths of the swamp. They are dancing, watering the garden, mowing the grass and more. The exhibit features 10 to 13 unique sculptures located throughout the garden.

    Cobb’s frogs are made from fl at sheets of copper that are shaped, textured and welded together around a steel frame so that the sculpture will last for years. When a piece is complete, a patina is added to give it a unique fi nish. Cobb has been working with copper for more than 15 years. One of the things he loves best about working with copper is that “… it moves, it’s malleable, it feels like skin.”

    Cobb usually works on commission, but for this show he stopped taking orders and spent fi ve months working seven-days-a-week to put together this exhibit. It gave him the opportunity to create a few pieces he has wanted to work on for a while.

    “The three musicians were a lot of fun for me,” said Cobb. “I think I captured what I was looking for, which is passion. They are right in the middle of playing and they are having quite a time.”

    The other two are a frog version of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing.

    “He is in tails and she is in a little dress, and they are going full swing,” said Cobb. “Those are five frogs that I have wanted to do for a while and I was able to do them for this exhibit.”

    Cobb explained that while many artists claim to create for themselves and then hope to fi nd buyers for their work, his career is built on creating work from other people’s ideas.

    “The majority of my work is commission work, so I am usually doing a piece for somebody … periodically they will say ‘do what you want,’ but usually it is someone buying a frog with someone else in mind. It is fun for me to hear their idea and I try to execute in a way that they like. It is fun.”

    Cobb’s first frog was inspired by Old Toad from the book Wind in the Willow.

    “I read that book later in life and really liked it,” said Cobb. “This idea of an old toad in a morning coat and with a watch fob intrigued me. The reaction to that first frog was so extreme that I was motivated to do a few more, and it just caught on.”

    His work is such a big hit with so many of his clients that Cobb often receives cards during the Christmas season with pictures of the frogs dressed up for the holidays.

    Frogs from this exhibit are available for sale and can be purchased through Cape Fear Botanical Garden. The exhibit runs through Nov. 30. Admission is free for garden members. Regular admission applies for nonmembers: Adults $8, Military $7, Children 6-12 $2.50 and those under 5 are admitted free. Cape Fear Botanical Garden is located at 536 N. Eastern Blvd. in Fayetteville.

  • 09-19-12-john-huske-ii.gifThis year marks the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, commonly known as America’s second war for independence and often referred to as the forgotten war. So as not to forget the sacrifices made by the veterans of this war, the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum is planning a special tribute that will pay honor to Fayetteville’s veterans of the War of 1812.

    This program will be conducted on Saturday, Sept. 22 in Cross Creek Cemetery Number One, located on North Cool Spring Street. Official War of 1812 bronze markers will be unveiled at the graves of four veterans buried in the cemetery. The veterans to be recognized include a general officer, a commissioned officer, a noncommissioned officer and a private soldier. Brig.Gen. Thomas Davis (1764-1822) was Fayetteville’s ranking offi cer emerging from the War of 1812, and commanded the First Brigade of the North Carolina Militia. Both Lieutenant John Eccles (1763-1833) and Sergeant John Huske II (1786-1848) served in the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry. Militiaman John Powers (1794-1881) served in the N.C. Militia and his headstone proudly proclaims that he was a soldier in the War of 1812.

    The F.I.L.I. Color Guard, accompanied with bagpipes and drums will be posting the colors. During the War of 1812, the F.I.L.I. Company was deployed for coastal defense.

    Opening and closing prayers will be delivered by the Reverend Robert Alves, rector, St. John’s Episcopal Church. The Reverend Alves, who is descended from Brig. Gen. Davis and Lt. Col. Dickson Schaefer, who is descended from Sgt. John Huske II, will unveil the War of 1812 markers at their ancestor’s graves.

    The ceremony will include a musical program conducted by the Army Ground Forces Band, featuring music from the period. Brief remarks will be made by David Brook, J.D., Ed.D., director, N.C. Division of Historical Resources and Committee Chair, N.C. War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee.

    Mayor Tony Chavonne will read a proclamation designating Sept. 22nd, 2012 as a day of tribute and remembrance to those soldiers from Fayetteville who served in the War of 1812. Military and civilian dressed War of 1812 reenactors will also be present to provide historic interpretations. At the conclusion of the ceremony everyone is invited to the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum, 325 Franklin St., to join Fort Bragg historians Lee Hartford, Chris Ruff, and Jason Wetzel, from the Office of Army Reserve History, who will bedressed in period military uniforms and will provide a living-history program that will focus on weapons and equipment carried by soldiers in the War of 1812.

    Also staff historians Bruce Daws, Jim Greathouse and Heidi Bleazey, from the Transportation and Local History Museum will provide a guided tour of the new War of 1812 exhibit and answer questions. This free event begins at 10 a.m, Saturday, Sept. 22, in Cross Creek Cemetery on North Cool Spring Street, across the street from Heritage Place Retirement Home. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact museum staff at 433-1457, 433-1458 or 433-1944.

    Photo: John Huske is one of the American soldiers who will be honored during the ceremony to honor Fayetteville’s soldiers who fought in the War of 1812.

  • Don't Foget Yourself

    Being a caregiver is a tremendous responsibility. Not only should you consider the health and well-being of your senior, but also of yourself.

    Take some time to consider these points:

    • How stressed are you?
    As stresses build one upon another, you may also lose ability to help your loved one. Ask yourself what you can do to reduce the stress on yourself.

    • Get others to help.
    If you are the primary caregiver, make it clear to others that if you have to do the job all alone, over time you may break down (and possibly drop responsibility for Mom or Dad altogether). It’s not easy, but try to develop a procedure, a couple of key phrases, perhaps, that you are comfortable with that enable you to ask for help.

    • Protect your Body and Mind.
    Surveys indicate that caregivers are less likely than non caregivers to practice preventative self-care, including health care.

    • Confront your Emotions.
    Research indicates that people who take an active role in dealing with caregiving issues (and solving related problems) are less likely to feel stressed than those who simply worry or feel helpless.

    Here are eight ways to help yourself!

    1. Workout: Exercise and enjoy something you like to do (walking, dancing, biking, running, swimming, etc.) for a minimum of 20 minutes at least three times per week.

    2. Meditate: Sit still and breathe deeply with your mind as quiet as possible whenever things feel like they are moving too quickly or you are feeling overwhelmed.

    3. Ask for help: According to a national survey by Home Instead Senior Care of adults who are currently providing care for an aging loved one, seventy-two percent do so without any outside help. Reach out to others for aid.

    4. Take a break: Make arrangements for reliable fill-in help (family, friends, volunteers, or professional caregivers) and take single days or even a week’s vacation. When you’re away, stay away. Talk about everything but caregiving and that book you haven’t been able to get to.

    5. Eat well: Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins including nuts, beans and whole grains.

    6. Take care of yourself: Just as you make sure your loved one gets to the doctor, make sure you get your annual checkup. Being a caregiver provides excuses for skipping many chores. Don’t skip your checkups.

    7. Indulge: Treat yourself to a foot massage or manicure; take a walk, rent a movie, have a nice dinner out or take in a concert to get away from the situation and to reward yourself for the wonderful care you are providing to your aging relative.

    8. Support: Find a local caregiver-support group that will help you understand that what you are feeling is normal for someone in your position.

    Photo: Exercise is just one way to take care of yourself so you can take care of others.

  • 13 SMOKE LORE“You shouldn’t be so worried about the transition in the barbecue world.”

    Jim Auchmutey was trying to reassure John Shelton Reed and me about our loss of old-time barbecue restaurants, including Wilber’s in Goldsboro and Allen & Son in Chapel Hill.

    Auchmutey wrote for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for almost 30 years, specializing in stories about the South and its history and culture. His new book, “Smokelore: A Short History of Barbecue in America,” is a must-read for barbecue fans and social history students. Retired UNC-Chapel Hill professor Reed is one of North Carolina’s barbecue gurus and co-author of “Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue.”

    Auchmutey understands how we are grieving the loss of our barbecue icons, but he urged us to consider some positive developments. “Young people who have been on the barbecue contest circuit have learned the science of heating and cooking meats. They are better than some of the old masters, and they are opening up restaurants where the barbecue is more consistently good than some of the old masters.”

    He pointed out that the young restaurant owners are expanding their menus. And not just with ribs and beef briquettes. They are experimenting with wood-fired dishes from all over the world, adding opportunities for expanding the palate.
    Reed and I conceded that there are some fine new restaurants, such as Picnic in Durham, where young owners have delivered outstanding results, thanks to careful sourcing of the meats and consistent cooking methods.

    But, we told Auchmutey, there is a problem. The new places have to charge higher prices to cover the increased rent, new cooking equipment, loan payments and compliance with new construction and environmental requirements.

    Higher prices and fancier menus mean we do not get the same mix of construction workers, white collar people, students and folks of modest means. Reed held out Stamey’s in Greensboro as the ideal, where a simple barbecue sandwich with fixings can be within the lunch budget of almost everybody who works for a living.

    These newer places, Reed said, don’t give us a place where people from all walks of life can come together for a good meal at a modest price.

    Something like what is happening to barbecue restaurants here in North Carolina is happening to other diners across the country according to a story by Steven Kurutz in The New York Times last month.
    Kurutz describes the Oakhurst Diner in Millerton, New York, as “a living time capsule.”

    “Housed in the original 1950s Silk City dining car, it screams classic diner: crimped stainless-steel facade, Formica counter with stools, pink-and-blue neon sign, specials scrawled on chalkboards.”
    “But,” he writes, “the nods to midcentury nostalgia mostly end there.”
    He explains that the menu includes a bowl of seaweed and brown rice, kimchi, and a hamburger made from “grass-fed and grass-finished” beef. That fancy hamburger costs $16.

    It is the “same look and vibe as the classic steel original, but the food has been upgraded to reflect current tastes.”

    “And,” mourns Kurutz, “So was born the greasy spoon serving avocado toast and deconstructed chicken potpie.”

    Kurutz introduces and quotes Richard J.S. Gutman, author of “American Diner Then and Now,” who explains the current appeal of the old diners. “You feel at home in the diner whether you’ve been there dozens of times or it’s your first time. There’s a buzz inside. There’s a kind of energy when you’re sitting stool to stool, cheek by jowl, asking for the ketchup. That feeling, that place you’d go with your grandpa or your auntie, where is that anymore? There’s something so democratic about diners. They’re part of the community. I think that’s what people are craving.”


    It is also what Reed and I are craving and what we are missing as our old-time barbecue places bite the dust.

  • 11 01 Profile Series 9In contemporary art, the subject for an artist can range from the decorative to the political, the profane to the sublime, or stark minimalism to excessive detail. For local artist Cornell Jones, “the works are an extension of myself — a record, a reflection. Making new work answers questions for me and keeps me constantly in the mindset of observing the world around me.”

    In his one-person exhibition titled Small Things that Fit... Works by Cornell Jones, opening Oct. 1 at Gallery 208, visitors to the opening reception will preview a body of work that reveals Jones’ sensibilities to the world around him.
    Raised in Alabama, he attended Troy State University and then spent time in New York City, working in art organizations, social work agencies and community organizations after earning a Master of Fine Arts in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York. He later returned to our region and presently works as an elementary art teacher in Fayetteville and an adjunct member of the faculty at Fayetteville State University.

    Jones distinguishes himself as a Southerner and an American of African descent. He noted: “My cultural identity influences both my artwork and the process through which I create. It is extremely important to me that I reflect my community, experiences and beliefs in the work that I present.” What the artist does not state is how the idea of identity is the common thread throughout the works in the exhibit.

    Although Jones’ heritage is fixed, meaning in each work is fluid, and he leaves us room for interpretation. The exhibit conveys conditions for abstracted circumstance, change and influence. In most of the works, the figure is totally obscure or partially obscured, allowing the viewer to re-examine the identity in each work. Is the figure you, someone you know or a stranger?

    How the artist would like us to see something about his “community” is subtle and influenced by his history. Although we do not need to know influences on the work, knowing the influences does alter our perception of meaning, and we are able to connect to the artist; we are able to understand something about his “community” in the works.

    Jones described the influences from his childhood: “My process of exploring materials is directly inspired by the time I spent with my great-grandmother as she made patchwork quilts. Often, as a young boy, I found myself threading needles and sorting through her bags of colorful fabric scraps. I still enjoy searching, but the fabric has been replaced with hand-painted and found papers.”

    11 02 Profile SeriesKnowing his history of watching his great-grandmother select parts of fabric to create a whole, we can easily understand how according to  Jones, “discarded or fragmented pieces are assembled to create something new into my artistic practice, whether it be drawing, painting or collage. The traditions, rituals, landscape and memories of my Southern upbringing are deeply rooted in my process and product.”

    Within Jones’ busy schedule and his many responsibilities, he still finds time to be a practicing artist. A testament to the creative impulse within him, Jones noted he creates new works because he is curious. “I study things that I might have overlooked, and I enjoy the process of developing or growing an idea from a sketch to a finished piece to a body of work. As a teacher, I also find it necessary to continue creating so that I can talk to students from a place of current experience. I stay active in the creative process by making, learning new skills and researching the ways other artists perceive the world that are outside the way I think about it.”

    Jones is not only an excellent educator and a family man, but he continues to share his work with the public in exhibitions. His work has been included in exhibitions in New York and North Carolina. Most recently he was selected to exhibit in 2017 at the Arts Council in Fayetteville/Cumberland County for the 10:10:10 exhibit.  Jones’ works have also been exhibited at the Delta Arts Center in Winston-Salem, the Greenhill Center for North Carolina Art in Greensboro and Ellington White Contemporary Gallery in Fayetteville.

    For Jones, due to his professional and personal obligations, the greatest challenge is setting up a routine he can follow to create new works. Although his creative time is often interrupted, he noted how he still tries to be consistent and routinely returns to the studio to create new work.

    The routine of making time to continue to be an artist may have been influenced by his upbringing and watching his great-grandmother making quilts. One cannot imagine a clearer view of his creative impetus, he is still the innocent child at the table with his great-grandmother, exploring and assembling materials. For Jones, like his great-grandmother, the creative experience is “following ideas … artmaking is an exploration in materials and concepts. I reflect. I record. I draw. I paint. I cut. I assemble,” said Jones.

    Everyone is invited to meet Jones at the opening reception of his exhibit, “Small Things that Fit... Works by Cornell Jones,” Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Gallery 208, at 208 Rowan St. in Fayetteville, between the hours of 5:30-7 p.m. The artist will do a short presentation at 6 p.m. and share insight with everyone about his process and the content of the works in the exhibit.

    For anyone not attending the opening, the exhibit will remain up until Dec. 15. For information call 910-484-6200.
     
  • 09 paintingBeautiful art. Live music. Light bites and beverages. Home is Where the HeArt Is, an art auction fundraiser for Connections of Cumberland County, combines a fun evening out with support for a good cause. The event will be on Sept. 26 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Studio 215 in downtown Fayetteville. 

    Guests to this third-annual event will have the opportunity to bid on original works of art by local and regional artists during live and silent auctions. Art auction items will include paintings in acrylic, oil, pastel and plein-air, charcoal sketches, handmade jewelry, pottery, photography, basket weavings and mixed media. A live painting created at the scene will also be up for bid that night.

    A portraiture experience valued at over $5,000 donated by internationally recognized artist and Methodist University art departmentChairman Vilas Tonape will be a live auction exclusive. Other well-known local artists also contributing include Greg Hayes, Greg King, Shari Jackson Link, Stephanie Bostock, Suzanne Frank and Wick Smith.

    Jennifer Fincher, 2019 art auction chair and CCC board member, expects this year to exceed the totals in both ticket sales and donated art from last year’s event. The highly attended 2018 fundraiser saw 54 local and regional artists donate 86 items. According to Fincher, the event moved this year to a new venue to accommodate its growth and increasing popularity.

        “We look forward to this year’s event being bigger and better than ever,” Fincher said. “We are so grateful for all the support that sponsors, artists and patrons have given us in the past. The auction is the single fundraiser all year for Connections of Cumberland County and raises a large part of our annual budget. We invite everyone to come out to the event, have a glass of wine, mix and mingle, view some great art or buy a piece to take home, and support the mission of Connections of Cumberland County.”

        Connections of Cumberland County operates the only nonprofit day resource center for homeless women and children in Fayetteville. Its goal is to provide life-changing links though comprehensive case management services to women and children who are homeless or facing homelessness. The agency collaborates with other vital community resources to help clients become safe and self-sufficient.

        The nonprofit started from research conducted by the Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County on the basic needs of local women and children. When results revealed alarming statistics on homelessness, a committee was birthed from the Women’s Giving Circle to start Connections. The agency relies on proceeds raised from the art auction, grants, and community donors, as well as the service of volunteers. Connections celebrated five years of success in Cumberland County this year.

        Connections is accepting sponsors at five recognition levels. The 2019 presenting sponsor is Patty Collie, senior vice president and financial advisor with Morgan Stanley of Fayetteville. The auction committee will accept art through Sept. 11. Sponsors and artists interested in donating can call the agency office at 910-630-0106 for information. Reserve tickets at www.connectionsofcc.org for this HeArt-felt event.

    Pictured: one of the paintings that will be auctioned off at the Home is Where the HeArt Is art auction 

  • 18There are few things more delightful than a child’s smile and few things more heart wrenching than a child who can’t smile because of dental pain.

    Sadly, one out of every four kindergarten-aged children in North Carolina suffers from untreated tooth decay. When left untreated, tooth decay can lead to severe pain, oral abscesses, and depression, and in extreme cases, untreated tooth decay can even cause death.

    If you are concerned about your child’s dental health or if you just want a fun educational activity that will encourage your child to get excited about staying healthy, we have great news. Fayetteville Technical Community College can help you and your child.

    Please join us for the second annual Dental Health Fair at Fayetteville Technical Community College, courtesy of the United Way’s Youth Trust Stock Fund.

    When: Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

    Where: Tony Rand Student Center, 2220 Hull Road, at the Fayetteville campus of FTCC

    Who: This event is primarily for children ages 3 to 12, but children of all ages are welcome to attend and to participate in all the day’s great activities.

    Activities will include:

    • Oral Health Screenings: Conducted by FTCC Dental Hygiene Students and Faculty
    • Microscope Station: Children can view plaque samples
    • Art Activities: Arts and crafts available at each activity station
    • Dental Instruction: Children will learn how to care for their teeth

    This event is free. There is no charge for the event or any of the fun activities. In addition to helping your child get or keep a great smile, this event will also help children realize that science can be great fun!
    Questions? We are eager to help your child get and keep a beautiful, healthy smile.

    Jessica Jones, Dental Hygiene Instructor
    Email: jonesj@faytechcc.edu
    Phone: (910) 678-8552
    Office: Health Technologies Center, Room 101A

    Michelle Ping, Chair of the Dental Department
    Email: pingm@faytechcc.edu
    Phone: (910) 678-8575
    Office: Health Technologies Center, Room 101D

  • 17When it comes to things to do in Cumberland County, there is no shortage. A growing list of niche groups from comic book fans to the great outdoors proves there is something for everyone.

    Life's A Trip Adventure Club is one of the newly formed groups in the county. It was established in 2022 by founder, local photographer and adventurer, Keith Sykes. Skyes started the group because of his “love of travel and adventure” and sharing that with others.

    The adventure club wasn’t created on a whim. Skyes had received encouragement to start the group three years ago, but lacked the time.

    “Honestly, I was a little intimidated about what it would take to put it together and run it,” Sykes said.

    Thankfully he took the leap and created a Facebook page with the sole intention of bringing people together outside in nature. Life’s A Trip Adventure Club now boasts a membership of almost 800 people. There are planned events and meet-ups just about every weekend.

    Saturday Strollz is the group’s weekly meetup at Jordan Soccer Complex. Members meet at 6:30 a.m. and walk the path at the soccer complex. Some “strollz” include yoga sessions. This meetup is completely free and offers a space for members to encourage one another in their health and wellness journey.

    Life’s A Trip Adventure Club wouldn’t be an adventure club without the adventure. While there are plenty of local events to participate in with the group, they also travel. On the schedule are several events. The group's calendar is filled until the end of the year with one-of-a-kind experiences for local adventures.

    October alone will be a busy time for the group. They have trips planned to the NC Seafood Festival, a train trip to Washington D.C. for a weekend, as well as Saturday Strollz. In December they will head to the Biltmore to explore the grounds during the festive Christmas season. The most anticipated trip is the one to Greece next September.

    Sykes looks forward to the future of the group and to “give more individuals access to a community of positive people
    and adventurous opportunities.”

    “I have been privileged enough to hear stories of the positive impact the group has made on many of the members,” he said.

    Even though he is the founder of the group, Sykes recognizes that Life’s A Trip Adventure Club has many members who have contributed to its success and cultivating a safe and healthy atmosphere.

    “Angela Lewis is a positive and spiritually uplifting personality. She has invited many people to the group, and she is the perfect representative. Genise Price overcame her fear of heights. She joined the group in the beginning stages and has been another recruiter who has brought other positive individuals into the fold,” Sykes said.

    “Belinda Wilkerson has been a role model for healthy living and someone who constantly shows others that they can do it. Her bright smile and positive attitude are infectious, and it is motivating to the group. Mary Hinton is an encouraging spirit. She has recently joined the group, but she is one of our most uplifting members. She is constantly pushing others to give it their all, and she does it all with a smile.”

    Life’s A Trip Adventure Club is a positive group that is continuing to grow not only in its number but in its impact.

    To join the club, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/5735624283194004/.

  • 16Home is a sacred place where families can build memories, find comfort and create a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to experience the joys of owning a home.

    Connections of Cumberland County’s mission is to help families realize their dream of "home sweet home" by providing the necessary resources and support.

    They are an active lifeline for many families in the area, and offer tailored stabilization plans for each family, recognizing that every family is different. Their focus is on single women with children facing or at risk of homelessness, a demographic that is often overlooked. A team of professionals conducts one-on-one assessments to create personalized stabilization plans that cater to each family's specific requirements.

    To assist these families, various empowerment groups, budgeting workshops, computer labs, mail services, hygiene closets and birthday/reward closets are provided.

    Connections of Cumberland County offers a minimum of 12 months of case management services to ensure long-term improvement. The level of support and aid a family receives is determined by their specific needs, with an average of $600 to $750 allotted to each family.

    Connections of Cumberland County believes that everyone deserves a place to call home.

    They are committed to making this a reality for families by offering education on home maintenance and repair, financial management, and community resources to help families maintain their homes and improve their quality of life.

    All of these great opportunities are not available without the active community support. On Oct. 5, at Studio 215, Connections of Cumberland County will be holding one of their most significant fundraising events of the year.

    Their 6th Annual Art Auction, "Home is where the HeArt is" will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., and the community can be a part of it.

    The auction will feature original works of art donated by local and regional artists, which will be available for both live and silent auctions. It is an excellent opportunity to own a unique piece while also contributing to a good cause. All the proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards supporting CCC's mission of providing vital services to those who need it most.

    Apart from the auction, guests will also be treated to delicious hors d'oeuvres, refreshing beverages and live music that will keep the atmosphere buzzing all night long. The event promises to be an enjoyable experience for everyone.

    To learn more about Connections of Cumberland County's case management services, support resources or to visit the Day Resource Center, feel free to do so by visiting https://www.connectionsofcc.org/.

    By attending the art auction, the community can help make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Join the community in supporting a great cause on Oct. 5.

    Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to come together as a community and help those in need. Let's make Home is Where the HeArt Is an event to remember.

    For more information, visit https://www.connectionsofcc.org/annual-art-auction

  • 12bOktoberfest is a time for celebration and camaraderie, and this year, military servicemembers are invited to join in on the fun. The Oktoberfest on Fort Liberty will be held on Sept. 30 at the Iron Mike Conference Center. It will feature all of the traditional Oktoberfest activities, including live music, dancing, food and beer.

    “We're looking to have a variety of alcohol and food. We have a certain amount of German beers as well as domestics. For the food, we're going to have our Jumbo pretzels with our world famous beer cheese sauce, and also Schnitzels, brats... all the German style food,” said Keith Rigby, Deputy Director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

    The kick off to Oktoberfest will be a Volksmarch (non-competitive walking). The Volksmarch will start and end at Iron Mike Conference Center beginning at 11:30 a.m. Food, beer tents and bounce houses will open at 12 p.m. A live polka band will be playing two to three sessions throughout the day. There will also be a raffle going on throughout the afternoon and evening, giving out prices once an hour.

    The Fall Market will be open during the afternoon as well. The market will be located inside the Iron Mike Conference Center. There will be at least 13 vendors on-site offering different items, perfect for anyone wanting to get holiday shopping done.

    “There will be a variety of vendors in there. Selling anything from popcorn to laser engraving, to Oktoberfest goods, as well as crafts and supplies,” Rigby said.12a

    For those who love to dress up, there will be an Oktoberfest costume contest. There will be three categories: 12 and under; 13 to 17 years old and 18 and over. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each category. The costume contest starts at 4 p.m.

    For those who want to attend Oktoberfest closer to the evening, there will be a free German meal to the first 250 people in line at 5 p.m. Following dinner, the atmosphere will be focused more for adults only. There will be a DJ and a Stein Holding contest. The first 20 men and the first 20 women to sign up will be able to showcase how long they can hold a full stein of beer. The contest starts at 7 p.m.

    Oktoberfest is the kickoff event for the fall season on Fort Liberty. Col. John Wilcox, the Fort Liberty garrison commander, told Up & Coming Weekly that MWR and Fort Liberty plan on holding more events throughout the season for families and for soldiers.

    “We are going to focus really heavily, especially getting into the fall season, on making sure that there's plenty of events for families and our soldiers, sailors and the Marines and Space Force guardians to go do on the installation. The focus has been to provide soldiers opportunities to come on post and enjoy themselves,” Wilcox said.

    12Fort Liberty’s Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Seymour wanted to ensure families that this is not only a family-friendly event, but there will be plenty of security as well.

    “This is a safe environment. There will be security. [Military police] will be patrolling around so it, it will be a very, very safe event,” Seymour said.

    Everyone organizing the event all agreed they hope people come out and have a good time. Last year was the first time Oktoberfest was celebrated on Fort Liberty, and there was a good turnout, despite there being hurricane-related weather. The hope is that the sun will be shining on Saturday and people can come out and enjoy themselves.

    Oktoberfest starts at noon and will go through 10 p.m. The Fall Market will run from noon to 6 p.m. Entrance is free, but there will be items available for purchase. The event is open to the public. Non-DOD ID cardholders will need to get a visitor pass at the All American Gate Visitor Center. This can be done in person or folks can pre-register for gate access by going to https://home.army.mil/liberty/application/files/6816/8372/2450/FORT_LIBERTY_VISITOR_PASS_REQUEST_USING_ONLINE_PRE.pdf.

    For a list of vendors at the Fall Market, go to https://liberty.armymwr.com/calendar/event/fall-market/5959929/65056. For more information about the event, go to https://liberty.armymwr.com/calendar/event/72037 or call (910) 907-2582.

  • 11aOn Saturday, Sept. 30, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation is hosting the Mogadishu Mile 5K, a poignant event dedicated to paying tribute to the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of Mogadishu. Also known as ‘Black Hawk Down' or Operation GOTHIC SERPENT, the Battle of Mogadishu occurred 30 years ago.

    Legacy and Lesson Learned

    In the annals of modern military history, the Battle of Mogadishu, remains etched as a tragic and heroic event. The battle, which took place on Oct. 3 and 4, 1993, was a harrowing clash between the U.S. and United Nations forces against Somali militias and armed civilians in Mogadishu, Somalia.

    This operation sought to capture key lieutenants of the Somali National Alliance and restore order to a war-torn city. However, what transpired was a grueling firefight that resulted in significant loss of life and countless injuries. Operation Gothic Serpent was part of a larger United Nations peacekeeping mission, UNOSOM II, aimed at stabilizing Somalia, which had descended into chaos following a civil war.

    On the fateful day of Oct. 3, 1993, a group of U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force operatives set out to capture several high-ranking lieutenants of a Somali warlord, Mohamed Farrah Aidid. The mission, however, took a perilous turn when two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by RPGs.

    The unexpected downing of helicopters and the subsequent intense urban firefight changed the course of the mission, resulting in unforeseen consequences. The heroism and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in Mogadishu are immortalized in military history. Their bravery, resilience and dedication to their fellow soldiers continue to inspire generations of military personnel and the broader public.

    In memory of those lost, we honor their sacrifice and reflect on the lessons learned from this tragic and pivotal event in American military history.

    The Mogadishu Mile’s 5K Objective

    The "Mogadishu Mile" refers to a route traversed by U.S. Army Rangers and Special Forces soldiers from a helicopter crash site to a designated rally point held by the 10th Mountain Division on National Street during the Battle of Mogadishu, Oct. 3, 1993.

    This heroic journey served as the inspiration for the impactful 2001 movie, Black Hawk Down. The MOG Mile 5K is a symbolic event and is not a timed race. It is devoid of prizes or recognitions for the top finishers.
    Age groupings have not been considered, allowing participants to traverse the route at their own pace. Registration cost for this event is $40.00, plus a $3.40 service fee. This event is open to individuals aged 18 and above.11

    Children under 18 can join at no cost, provided they are accompanied by a registered adult. The registration period will close at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 28th. The location for the event is the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville.

    Sign-up at https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/NC/Fayetteville/MogadishuMile5K For those who wish to contribute without participating in the race, there is an option to "Sleep In and Donate." By choosing this option, participants will still receive a Mogadishu Mile T-shirt. Interested individuals can share their preferences by emailing info@asomf.org.

    Join in honoring the brave individuals who demonstrated unparalleled courage and sacrifice in the face of adversity during the Battle of Mogadishu. Let us stand united as a community to pay tribute and commemorate their valor.

  • 17Behind the bustle and rumblings of the busy streets, beyond the neon lights of the nightlife, lies the secret heartbeat of the city. Small, intimate venues set the scene for most events, patrons find places to settle before the show starts.

    Poetry nights are not new to Fayetteville, but they are slowly becoming more popular, as more businesses open their doors for the words to flow.

    Anyone looking for a night of good poetry can find a multitude of places and poets to fit any palate. Fayetteville hosts an array of poets from every background, all with their own unique flow and style.

    If you want to know anything about what's going on in the city, there’s only one person to talk to, LeJuane Bowens, better known as “El’Ja,” pronounced L.J.

    Like a lot of Fayetteville residents, El’Ja got here by way of the military, originally hailing from Lima, Ohio by way of Detriot, Michigan. While his style and flow are eclectic, from Freewrite to Tankas to spoken word, there is always a story being told.

    If you want to hear him perform, you are in luck. El’Ja hosts multiple monthly events in Fayetteville. Every third Thursday is T.A.P at Winterbloom Tea, located at 203 Hay Street.

    Arts Meets Life, an event in conjunction with The Sweet Palette, is every first Friday at Blanc Coffee Roasters, located at 103 Person Street. He also hosts poetry workshops, for schools, universities and nonprofits.

    Booking can be done online at www.poetrynmotionnc.com. As for the future of poetry in Fayetteville, El’Ja says he hopes for “more recognition and the city having a Poet Laureate.”
    Another staple in the poetry scene is Andre Sansbury, also known as “Suavethepoet.” Raised in Fayetteville, he has been writing since 10th grade when he was introduced to Haikus.

    “I picked the pen back up as a senior in high school when I was going through challenging times and I never put it back down,” he said.

    A true performer, Suavethepoet doesn’t claim a particular style of poetry, he just performs his work from his heart. Heavily influenced by Just Mike the Poet out of Philiphedia and Raleigh’s own,Nick Courmon,

    Suave considers his poetry a healing experience for audience members, a sentiment he said drives his passion to write and perform. He can also be found in multiple venues around Fayetteville hosting poetry events.

    Trap N Paint: Poetry Paint is every second Thursday at 402 E. Russell Street, and Sessions with Suave: Open Mic is once a month. The date of the event can be found on his Instagram page, @suavethepoet2.0.

    He is working on a third monthly location on Ramsey Street. More details will be coming soon.

    “I just want to see poetry continue to grow and the support to get better… We are doing something positive and trying to change the dynamic of entertainment,” said Suavethepoet.

    “I am constantly thinking of ideas with my brother Poetic Zae on how we can do events that will catch people's attention. I just want people to experience the magic of poetry.”

    There are other monthly poetry events scheduled around town, hosted by other talented poets.

    The Sip Room holds a poetry event the last Wednesday of the month hosted by Poetic Zae, and Word Playis held every second Friday hosted by Nick Courmon. Fayetteville will be hosting two major poetry slams as well.

    Southeastern Regional NC Poetry Fest will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Fayetteville Arts Council. Tickets are $10, and doors open at 7:15 p.m. The show starts at 8. Suavethepoet is hosting a Youth Poetry Slam in October. Those interested are encouraged to contact him via email andresansburyjr@gmail.com.

  • 09-18-13-woof-stock.gifAnimals have always been loving companions to humans. Where would people be without the unconditional loyalty of a dog or the aloof intellect shown by cats? To ensure that animals who have been neglected or abandoned get a chance to find their forever home, join the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society as it hosts the Second Annual Woof Stock.

    As Cumberland County’s only nonprofit, no-kill animal adoption center, FAPS’ sole mission is to save, rehabilitate and retrain the homeless animals in our community. Its entire center is dedicated to preserving the lives of these animals that need our support the most. In order to do this, they are hosting a celebration.

    The festivities are on Sept. 27, from 6 to 10:30 p.m., on the banks of the Cape Fear River at the home of Beegie and Bob Caviness, located at 3489 Wilmington Hwy. Sponsors for this event include Mercedes-Benz and Village Family Dental. The event promises to be the purrfect night of fun and entertainment for all. With a 50/50 raffle, beer and wine, musical acts and delicious food from Hogzilla and a massive BBQ pit from Mac’s Speed Shop, the Second Annual Woof Stock will be the event of the weekend. Tickets cost $50 before Sept. 15, and only $60 Sept. 16 and later. All proceeds go to help FAPS continue its mission.

    The event organizers urge people to attend. The entire purpose for operating FAPS is to shelter and protect defenseless animals left abandoned and forgotten. Without the help of FAPS, many animals would not have been able to find loving homes with owners who provide warm hearts and beds. FAPS serves domestic animals that would otherwise be euthanized. The organization’s funds are comprised entirely from grants and donations from companies that want to make a difference in the lives of these animals.

    Cassy Peterson, shelter director and Jackie Stickley, office manager/bookkeeper, strongly believe in the mission of FAPS.

    “It is extremely important.” Peterson said.

    With a strong background in veterinary practice management, she found herself working with the organization because it allows her to bring together her career with her passion for caring for animals. Stickley is suited for her position as well. Recently out of college, she is a Business Management graduate and active animal lover who fell for the organization her Ѐrst day. Both of these well-qualified ladies are helping to bring the Second Annual Woof Stock to the community.

    Come out to Woof Stock and celebrate with other animal lovers who enjoy a good time. Party on the river and enjoy great food, music, beer and wine. Not only will you help to provide animals with a good home, you will help a worthy organization continue its mission to provide shelter for the needy cats and dogs in the community. For more information, call the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society at 910.864.2077.

  • 16aThe Fayetteville Woodpeckers are hosting their 5th annual Pecktoberfest at Segra Stadium on Saturday, September 30th, from 5 p.m. to
    9 p.m.

    There will be over 20 breweries with over 40 cold beers to sample, food served on the field, live music performances by Blazin' Keys Dueling Pianos, a Woodpeckers' Kids Zone and additional activities.

    Tickets for adults 21 and over are $35 per person and include 15 drink sampling tickets. One drink sampling ticket can be exchanged for a three ounce sample, and five drink sampling tickets can be exchanged for a 16 ounce pint.

    Additional drink tickets will be available on site for $1 per ticket. Children two years old and younger enter for free. Adult tickets that do not include alcohol are $20.

    Tickets for children between the ages of 3 to 12 are $5 per person, and tickets for ages 13 to 20 are $20 per person. All ticket prices will increase on the day of the event by $10.

    Southern Pines Brewing Company is presenting an exclusive VIP experience for $75 per person.

    This VIP experience includes early entry at 4 p.m., a 2-hour buffet, unlimited samples of VIP exclusive beers, a Pecktoberfest gift and access to a private area. The VIP tickets without alcohol are $50 per person.

    Tickets are available and can be purchased at https://www.milb.com/fayetteville/tickets/promotions or by visiting the Truist Box Office at Segra Stadium.16b

    Military discounts are available. Current or former military can use the CANarch Brewing Military Discount, available through GOVX at https://www.govx.com/tickets/entertainers/260557/pecktoberfest. GOVX provides exclusive discounts for current or former military, first responders and law enforcement.

    The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are a local Minor League Baseball team, part of the Carolina League, and a Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.

    Pecktoberfest offers  an opportunity to experience a variety of beers while enjoying food and a live music performance. Pecktoberfest has it all. Don't miss out on this year's Pecktoberfest hosted by the Fayetteville Woodpeckers.

  • 09-24-14-spams.gifI was introduced to Monty Python in college. It wasn’t really the kind of humor my family would have found funny. But I did. Ridiculously so. I can quote a lot of lines and often, when the ridiculous pops up, find myself thinking them. So, I was excited to see Spamalot announced as part of CFRT’s season.

    I had not seen the musical before, and wondered if it would truly get the spirit and creative genius of the Monty Python sketches. Knowing Tom Quaintaince, the artistic director of the CFRT, I should not have been worried. But the proof is in... well the seeing of the thing.

    I have what most would consider an average (to me superior) 14-year-old son. I thought he might appreciate the humor in the show. Minutes into the show, he was laughing uncontrollably, and I heard him singing the “Not Dead Yet” song in his room. So, I knew Quaintance and crew captured not only the hilarity of Monty Python but also the spirit.

    The musical takes bits and pieces of classice Monty Python skits and weaves them together into a tongue-in-cheek poke at Broadway. Broadway loved it, and so did I. I think you will, too.

    The show appears to have a really large cast. But it doesn’t. There are simply a few extremely talented folks who tackle a lot of roles and they do it brilliantly. From the ensemble to the main characters, the cast gets into the spirit of things delivering the subtle and sometimes ridiculous humor that is an earmark of Monty Python with perfec-tion precision. Throw in the singing and the dancing and you have a show that is well worth seeing — more than once!

    Staying in the spirit of things, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre staff found a way to shamelessly promote their upcoming production of The Three Muskateers throughout the show. It was classic.

    If it would not be weird, and people would not think I was a stalker, I would wear an “I Heart Ken Griggs” T-shirt. But somehow, I think it would be weird and people would think I was a stalker.

    Griggs, a veteran of the CFRT, simply rules the stage thoughout the performance. Playing King Arthur, Griggs is hysterical. There are some actors you see who always act the same in every show they are in. There is the aging, but perky debutante, the world-weary matron, the sauve, but tired gentlemen, etc. No matter what show the actors are in, they play that same type — even if it isn’t what the character is supposed to be.. Griggs takes a type, blows it apart, reinvents it and makes it brand new every time. He breathes life into the character he is playing and makes it his own.

    As King Arthur, he is a sensation. Of course, long-time CFRT patrons know that Griggs has a marvelous voice — even while singing the ridiculous.

    Come to think of it, I might get that T-shirt after all!

    Lisa Jolley, a newcomer to the CFRT stage, plays the Lady of the Lake. In a recent interview, Jolley noted that she never gets to be “the girl.” In the case of Spamalot, Jolley not only is the girl, she rocks it. Her range is incredible and the way she puts sarcasm into each note is well, unbelievable. I par-ticularly loved her rendition of “What Happened to My Part?”

    Together, Jolley and Griggs have great chemistry. I would love to see more of them both on the stage.

    Michael Thrash, as Patsy, King Arthur’s ever present sidekick, is a master of subtle comedy. His deadpan delivery of one-liners and his mastery of physical comedy are divine. And, his prowess at playing the coconut, well, it is not to be missed.

    The Knights of the Round Table, com-prised of Jeremy Fiebig, Matt Lamb and Jacob Barton, skillfully add humor to the show and leave you in stitches as they break every stereotype anyone has ever had about the noble knights of long ago.

    A shout out to the ensemble is in order. They moved the show forward quickly, and, quite honestly, had some of the funniest parts.

    Spamalot was all I hoped it would be and more. If you want a good laugh and want to enjoy theatre at its finest, it’s a don’t miss.

    The show runs through Oct. 18, so you have plenty of time to check it out. For tickets, visit the CFRT website at www.cfrt.org.

  • 09-25-13-professional-bull-riders.gifSaddle up and join Professional Bull Riders Inc., as it comes to the Crown Arena Oct. 4 through 5 for the Fort Bragg Wounded Soldier Foundation Invitational. This event promises be an adrenalin-fueled competition between man and beast presented in bursts of 8-second thrill rides. Come see if these cowboys have what it takes to hold on for the ride of their lives while they entertain and amaze with great physical feats.

    Not only are these men well-trained bull riders, they also happen to be the top 35 riders in the nation. This event comes to Fayetteville for two reasons. The first is because this is the second to last event for the riders before they compete in the World Finals. After Fayetteville, they will head to Hollywood, Fla., before the big show in Las Vegas. The second reason is, of course, for our troops. PBR Inc. is presenting the Fort Bragg Wounded Soldier Foundation Invitational, which will raise money to help soldiers who have been wounded in service to our great nation. The military has always been an important part of PBR Inc., and that tradition comes full circle with a show in the All-American City.

    PBR Inc. began in 1992. A group of bull riders from the rodeo circuit understood that they were the main draw at many events and wanted a better experience with their skills. In order to do that, these men risked $1,000 each and wondered if their investment would pay off. After becoming partners with Spire Capital in New York City, they each received multi-million dollar returns on their investment and PBR Inc. became the huge source of entertainment that we all know today. Today, the company pays it forward with its goal of bringing the best up-and-coming bull riders to the mainstream.

    Denise Abbott, senior director of public relations for PBR Inc. wants everyone to know that this event is not exclusive to the military, but is very much open to the general public as well.

    “It’s not the rodeo,” said Abbott. “It’s eight seconds of entertainment and we are proud to have the Fort Bragg Wounded Soldier Foundation be the beneficiary.”

    Also, if you are concerned about whether or not the bulls are treated humanely, Abbott said, “We treat them better than we do our riders!” PBR Inc. knows exactly where their bread is buttered. The bulls themselves are worth a lot of money and are fed a very healthy diet which includes a lot of protein. In fact, PBR Inc.’s own Bushwacker was featured in ESPN The Magazine’s July edition of “Baddest Body in Sports.”

    As for the riders, they understand that it is very important to stay fit and limber. With a mix of physical maintenance including lifting weights, yoga and ballet, these athletes keep their bodies toned and their minds in peace in order to prepare for each event. Come out and see these world-class riders and bulls as they entertain in Professional Bull Riders Incorporated presents The Fort Bragg Wounded Soldier Foundation Invitational. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, call the Crown Arena at 910.438.4100.

    Photo: Bushwacker, pictured above, was recently featured in ESPN The Magazine’s July edition of “Baddest Body in Sports.”

  • 11Stanton House and the Pork Butt Festival share the concept of hospitality. The root word for hospitality is hospitalitas.

    Hospitalitas is defined as receive as guest. The Pork Butt Festival is hosting a fundraiser for the Stanton Hospitality House on Saturday, Oct. 7. The Pork Butt Festival offers the hospitality of charcoal, barbeque, beer, country music, meat and a tee shirt. It is a party with a purpose.

    Stanton Hospitality House is a “home away from home.” The mission statement of this private, non-profit organization is that it provides home away from home to families of patients and outpatients receiving medical treatment in the area hospitals.”

    It is a temporary residence for those living outside of Cumberland County. People have the option to bathe, to prepare a meal, to wash clothes, to rest and to reduce stress.

    “For the past ten years, we have provided so much help for those in need. We see so much pain and grief but also love and joy. We provide a home away from home. We provide accommodations for those receiving treatments such as cancer and surgery,” said Martha Brock, executive director, Stanton Hospitality House.

    Danisha is an example of such care hospitality. She resided there for two months during her father’s illness.

    Elizabeth, another resident, experienced a residency of five years. She was fourteen, unable to walk or talk and was diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer. She experienced recovery. She can now speak and walk.
    Elizabeth graduated Terry Sanford High school and will be attending college.

    The Pork Butt Festival is adding the fun component to the Stanton House fundraiser.

    The Pork Butt Festival is receiving the community as guests to a public event. Beer and country music are a cultural legacy, and both will be represented at the festival.

    Featured country music artists are Bobby Gilstrap, Brooke McBride, KasCie Page and Dalton Davis. Healey Wholesale and Craft Brews from Heckler Brewing Company are providing the beer for this festival. Attendees have a choice of craft and regular beers.

    Pork Butt has an American story. The colonial New England butchers packed inexpensive cuts of meat into large barrels called “butts” for storage and transportation. The shoulder meat packed in these barrels became known as “pork butt.” Pork butt is a meat cut from the upper portion of a pig’s front shoulder.

    The shoulder is slow cooked over coals or wood. The meat is seasoned with custom-designed spices and sauces. Southern Coals will be providing the pork butt for the event. The Pork Butt Festival features cornhole, kid-friendly activities and a tee shirt.

    The Pork Butt Festival is a complete day of entertainment. The event is Saturday, Oct. 7, at 4058 Legend Road. The festival will be held from noon to 8 p.m. The music begins at 12:30 pm. Ticket price is $45 per person.

    The ticket price includes admission, food, tee shirt, and two beer tickets. Children five and under are free. Event and ticket information are available at www.stantonhouseporkbutt fest.evenbrite.com

  • 9Fayetteville Technical Community College is inviting community members to “swing” by the annual FTCC Foundation Golf Tournament on Sept. 28, with proceeds going toward scholarship opportunities and emergency assistance for its students.

    “It’s just an opportunity for folks to come out and interact with our students, our faculty and our staff and raise money for a good cause,” said Sandy Ammons, executive director of the FTCC Foundation.

    The tournament will begin at 9 a.m. at Gates Four Golf & Country Club and feature meals from Chick-Fil-A, Jersey Mike’s and a breakfast sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway, Ammons said.

    “It will be a beautiful day of golf. We will have lots of food and refreshments throughout the day,” Ammons said.

    The FTCC Foundation Golf Tournament has been around for over 25 years, Ammons said, and has raised more than $1 million for students over this time.

    Ammons said the golf tournament remains a great way for community members to meet Fayetteville Tech students, socialize and enjoy the sport.

    Many community members throughout Cumberland County have ties to FTCC, Ammons said, and the tournament provides an opportunity for folks to give back to support students who continue to prepare to enter into the workforce.

    “Really just about everybody in Cumberland County is either an alum of FTCC or works with or knows an alum of FTCC,” Ammons said. “We graduate so many students in so many different fields and I think people really appreciate the workforce development that we do.”

    Ammons said she hopes at the conclusion of the tournament that those participating have had a pleasant time mingling with members of the FTCC community and can enjoy having supported those seeking an education in their county.

    “I hope that they take away that they have done a good thing to support students who are seeking an education and just realize how much they enjoyed interacting with our staff,” Ammons said.

    Cape Fear Valley Health and Mercedes-Benz of Fayetteville remain sponsors of the event. Those seeking more information on the event may call 910-678-8441 or email Foundation@faytechcc.edu.

  • 8aIt’s that time of year again for art, gardens and philanthropy. The 10th Annual KidsPeace Auction presented by Re-Store Warehouse is set for Thursday, Sept. 21st at 5:30 p.m. at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens.

    The price of admission is $75 and tickets can be purchased at the KidsPeace office by calling 910-223-0949, online at www.kidspeacefayettevilleauction.com, or at the door while they last. Those who purchase tickets online can pick them up at the door on the day of the event. KidsPeace has the perfect evening planned for those attending. There will be a live and silent art auction. Mr. Bill McMillan will be the MC and auctioneer for the evening. The live auction will feature art that received the top votes online and all other art will be a part of a silent auction. “Peaces” to be auctioned off were created by local artists including children currently in foster care.

    Photos of “peaces” have been on display around Fayetteville at local businesses courtesy of Raul Rubiera of Rubiera Studios, located Downtown.
    A live DJ and 360 photo booth will be onsite to keep attendees entertained as well as beer, wine and spirits, as they walk around and choose their favorite art pieces to bid on. Heavy appetizers and sweet treats will be served until 7:00 p.m.

    The annual KidsPeace Auction features art created from old items such as chairs, tables, and windows.

    “What do chairs, tables, and windows have to do with KidsPeace,” you might ask?

    “These chairs come to us a lot like the foster kids do… Torn, tattered, scuffed up, banged up, bruised, and broken. The “restoring” of these chairs, tables, and windows represents the foster families helping the kids. Providing a little love, care and special attention can go a long way. We sell these chairs to raise awareness and to put something once jaded back into the world with a new beginning.”

    There are currently six vendor spaces available. Spaces are $300 and come with 2 tickets to the event. Vendors are asked not to make any sales, as this is a fundraising event. This is a great opportunity for potential vendors to get visibility and give out information. Those interested should contact KidsPeace by phone or by email.

    KidsPeace is a private charity organization, focusing on the behavioral and mental health needs of children, families and communities. KidsPeace Fayetteville offers Foster Care, Outpatient Counseling, Intensive Alternative Family Treatment, Therapeutic Foster Care, Psychiatric Services and Enhanced Therapeutic Foster Care.

    There are a host of sponsors for this year's event that KidsPeace would like to recognize.

    Hope Sponsor: Continental Tax.

    Help Sponsors: Longleaf Pines Realtors, and Haymount Institue.

    Healing Sponsors: Steve Foley of Bragg Mutual Credit Union, Guardian Property Management, American Security Mortgage, and Addison Ridge Apartments.

    Paddle Sponsor: Melissa McKinney of Everything Pines Partners.

    Photo Booth Sponsor: CTS Cleaning.

    Beer Sponsor: Southern Pines Brewing Company.

    Wine Sponsor: Healy Wholesale.

    Liquor Sponsor: BGS Services.

    Food Sponsors: Walk-Ons, Dorothys Catering, Southern Coals, Burney’s, Bubbas 33, and Shannon’s Sweets.
    For more information call 910-223-0949 or visit online at https://www.kidspeacefayettevilleauction.com/annualauction.

  • 17Seafood and blue crab lovers rejoice! You are not going to want to miss this event. The Livery Cigar Emporium and The Southeast Crab Feast are putting on another one-of-a-kind event, right in the heart of downtown Fayetteville. The Cigar and Crab Feast is set to take place September 16th at 3:00 p.m.

    Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online at eventbrite.com or southeastcrabfeast.com.

    The event is listed on both sites as, Cigar and Crab Feast. Ticket purchase includes all you can eat blue crabs, one side of fish and chips and a complimentary beer or glass of wine of your choice.

    For attendees who want to have a smoke with their meal, there are $50 tickets available, that include a complimentary cigar. Those attending can expect a “family-friendly event” with “great food and lots of fun,” crab-themed drink specials, music, and giveaways.

    Coolers are not allowed but Rick Yates, owner of The Livery Cigar Emporium says, “Bring your appetite, and possibly an extra shirt, crabs can be messy.” Crab enthusiast are encouraged to also bring their mallets and favorite homemade or store-bought sauces. Crabs and seafood will be cooked in the traditional Low Country Coastal way, outside, a perfect setup as patrons will be able to enjoy their seafood, drinks and cigars on the patio.

    The Livery, located at 147 Maxwell Street, is a hub for local cigar enthusiasts. Providing a wide range of cigars and accessories, The Livery provides a curated laid-back ambiance and experience from the time you walk through the doors until you leave. A jewel of Downtown Fayetteville.

    The Southeast Crab Feast is a non-profit organization, based out of Charlotte, North Carolina. Born out of the love of North Carolina seafood and “the heritage of eating ocean fresh seafood such as Blue Crabs and Fish“ the non-profit supports “cancer research and treatment organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, along with other non-profits.”

    They host several all-you-can-eat blue crab feasts up and down the East Coast, including, Columbia and Savannah, using Atlantic Ocean Blue Crabs. Dedicated to ensuring healthy fishery off the coast, they support local watermen in NC, SC, GA, and FL and also source locally for the seafood used at events.

    They promise, “perfectly seasoned fresh blue crabs and fish.” A promise they keep, as tickets to all of the events sell out quickly, no matter the city.
    Rick Yates hopes to bring one more Cigar and Crab Feast to downtown Fayetteville before the end of the year if the weather holds out, as this event is popular and always has a great turnout. The Livery Cigar Emporium’s next scheduled event is the Fayetteville State University Homecoming tailgate, a popular event for them and the after-party.

    The Southeast Crab Feast’s next event is September 19th in Charleston, South Carolina. Make sure to follow both on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all events.

  • 16aFall provides plenty of opportunities to celebrate. For people of Hispanic and Latino descent, the weeks between mid-September to mid-October can be exciting and proud times to commemorate their unique heritage. That’s because National Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) occurs from September 15 to October 15 each year.

    Here are eight facts that offer insight into the Hispanic population across the country.

    1. HHM started out as a week-long recognition.
    In 1968, the U.S. originally observed the event as “Hispanic Heritage Week.” It was later extended to a month-long commemoration in 1988.

    2. HHM celebrates independence.
    HHM is celebrated between mid-September and mid-October because those weeks correlate with the independence day celebrations of several countries with large Hispanic populations. Such nations include Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15; Mexico on September 16; and Chile on September 18.

    3. HHM recognizes special Hispanic contributions as well.
    HHM also honors contributions such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day that is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

    4. The 2023 theme is: “Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America.”
    Hispanics have made significant contributions to the economic, social and political growth of the U.S. This theme focuses on these contributions and the representation of Hispanics in these key areas.

    5. Millions of people comprise the demographic.
    The U.S. Census Bureau says that more than 60 million people identified as Hispanic or Latino in 2020. That figure represents a 25 percent increase since 2010. Hispanics and Latinos now comprise about 18 percent of the U.S. population.

    6. There are many different celebrations.
    HHM is celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and many other unique and festive events.

    7. Mexicans are the largest Hispanic group in the U.S.

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health notes that, among the 62 million Hispanics and Latinos living in the U.S., those who trace their heritage to Mexico ranked as the largest demographic at 61.6 percent, followed by those of Puerto Rican descent (9.6 percent as of 2020).

    8. More and more companies are celebrating HHM.

    In 2022, many different companies of varying sizes and in an assortment of industries celebrated HHM. These included Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, Samsara, Nestlé, Google, United Health Group, and many more. 

    National Hispanic Heritage Month remains a popular time to spotlight Hispanic and Latino contributions to the country and the heritage of this influential demographic.

  • 14Dancing Without Sin Fitness, LLC will be hosting their 7th Annual Health and Fitness Cancer Awareness event on September 16.. The annual event is to increase awareness about cancer -related issues, and encourage individuals within the community to take proactive measures towards prevention and early detection. Cancer awareness and survival is close to the heart of Stephanie Kegler, whose mother, Georgia Brooks Askew, has been cancer-free for 25 years. Stephanie has witnessed the effects of cancer through her loved ones, including aunties, siblings, cousins, friends, and co-workers.

    She firmly believes that health and fitness can bring communities together while having a positive impact on everyone involved. By promoting physical activity, fostering a supportive environment, and supporting charitable causes, Stephanie knows that when a community comes together, it can have a significant impact on the individuals affected by cancer.

    This event has the mutual benefit of giving survivors and their families a fun-filled time while raising funds for local charities. All proceeds are donated to a charity chosen by the event founder, Dr. Lisa Wright, is herself a cancer survivor and founder of FIGHT 4 CURE. The charity will use the funds raised to support individuals undergoing chemotherapy and other related treatments.

    The theme this year revolves around nostalgia. Participants get to go back to where it all began with performances by a group called the Da'Ville Girlz. Various other groups from the local area, Georgia, and Kinston NC will also showcase their routines. DJ NATE will be in charge of spinning tunes, and energizing the atmosphere. Local small businesses will set up booths, and bartenders will serve healthy drinks and shots, ensuring that the event aligns with the concept of

    "Dancing Without Sin" where there will be no alcohol or smoking.Participants are sure to be immersed in an atmosphere of love and support.

    Stephanie Brown Kegler, the Founder and CEO of Dancing without Sin Fitness LLC, has dedicated her career to making a positive impact on people's lives through health and fitness. As a registered Zumba and group fitness instructor since 2009, she has helped individuals achieve their fitness goals and improve their overall well-being. Stephanie is also known as the "Movement Minister" and holds the title as a registered trademark.

    In addition to her work in the fitness industry, Stephanie serves as a Property Manager on Fort Bragg, providing housing for military service men and women. Her passion for changing lives led her to pursue health and fitness as a means to make a significant impact. In 2015, she received a divine revelation and heard the words, "Help my people," which inspired the creation of Dancing without Sin.

    The primary goal of DANCING WITHOUT SIN is to promote movement and allow the Lord to work through Stephanie, evoking expressions of praise such as shouting "Jesus" and "Hallelujah."

    Stephanie's efforts in changing mindsets and promoting a healthy lifestyle have recently expanded with the opening of the Dancing Without Sin Movement Center. This brick-and-mortar facility offers a range of amenities, including a full kitchen, workout areas, a massage room, and a prayer room. Stephanie's vision for the center is to extend health and wellness benefits to individuals, encompassing their mind, body, and soul.

     

  • 12Fayetteville’s International Folk Festival will be infused with cultural based foods, music, art and more for the 45th annual event that goes from September 22 to 24.

    According to Robert C. Pinson, President/CEO of The Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County, the mission of the festival is to celebrate the diversity of our community. He said that everyone is human and, although we may appear different, we are still people with both happiness and sadness in our lives.

    “The festival also reminds us that we 're always stronger when we work together,” Pinson said.

    Pinson has been living in Fayetteville for 34 years and he remembers when the festival used to be a six hour festival with arts and crafts, food and the international parade. He said it used to be held on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. and after church, people would take their families to the festival.

    Even though Pinson has been in Fayetteville since the 80s, he’s been working the festival in different roles since 2011.

    Military Influence

    Pinson highlighted that over the last 80 years, America has been involved in different wars or conflicts where American soldiers married women from different cultures or racial groups and settled in America. He said many American soldiers of World War II did this.

    Pinson said over the last 45 years of the festival, many of the World War II veterans and their families have marched in the International Folk Festival’s parade representing many European countries.12a

    “As a country, over the last 20 years, we’ve been in the Middle East and you see their cultures now in our community and in the festival’s parade,” he said.
    Because of this, in recent years he’s seen Lebanon, Israel, Iraq and Egypt represented in the parade. He also noted that the top three languages spoken in Fayetteville are English, Spanish and Arabic.

    Cultural Identity

    There are so many people in the area that are first or second generation Americans, and the goal is to ensure that their cultural identity is still intact.

    He added many may have been raised in a different country, but they have children now and they can educate the children on their native country and culture at the festival.

    Pinson said as the generations go on, there should not be an erasure of identity.

    “We hope that with a festival this educational, cultural learning is not just seen through the three-day festival, but to continue that dialogue, bond and work together,” he said. “That’s what our world and local community needs.”

    Pinson also said this is the longest running festival in Fayetteville that is arts and family focused.

    The Food

    12bWhile there will be vendors out there for cotton candy or drinks, the different food samplings from other countries are a hit.

    Pinson said many cultural groups in the city are typically nonprofits that are integral to the festival. He said because of this there have been many citizens of the area that have “grandma’s recipe” as the food offerings. One of his examples is meals from Thailand being served where the Fayetteville citizen from Thailand still remembers their family’s recipe.

    He said for many years folks have asked for an International Folk Festival cookbook.

    Pinson joked, “People won’t release grandma’s recipe.”

    Pinson said the attendees have asked for smaller portions of food. Because the different international food stations give such a large portion of food, attendees felt they could only sample one or two international food stations.

    With the smaller portions, Pinson said attendees should be able to sample three or four cultural dishes in an afternoon.

    The Arts

    This would not be an Arts Council festival without the arts infused in the festival. There will be arts and crafts at the festival, large art, live art and a Kids World of Wonder. This latter entertainment opportunity may include character appearances and strolling performers like a magician, a mime and international storytelling like Japanese, Latino, African and Native American stories.

    To engage the public, the Earthball will be featured in front of the Arts Council Building. According to Pinson, the 16 foot Earthball obtains the youths’ attention.
    Speaking of spherical objects, there will be a hot air balloon on site September 23 and 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The tethered hot air balloon has limited rides, but throughout the festival there will be raffles for people to get free rides. The balloon does not fly over the city, but does leave the ground.

    Arts Council Information

    From the Council’s website: “Founded in 1973, the Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County has served as a link between artists, arts and cultural organizations, and the greater community by administering programs in partnership with a variety of local agencies to help advance community and economic growth, stimulate tourism, reinforce child education through the ARTS, and enhance the cultural identity of the arts and entertainment district.”

    For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.wearethearts.com/iff2023.

  • 11AThe Cumberland County Public Library will be bringing back a popular, family-friendly, one-day mini-convention to celebrate all things fandom – Librari-Con.

    Librari-Con first started in 2007 and quickly became an annual event. However, due to COVID-19, Librari-Con went virtual in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, the library put the event on hiatus.

    But this year, it is back. Samantha Belmont, a Youth Services Librarian and Project Manager of Librari-Con, says she is excited to bring this event back with the help of Friends of the Library.

    “It’s a really great intergenerational program that brings families of all ages together and individuals from the community as well,” Belmont said.

    There will be panels, activities, themed story times, costumes, and more.

    The 501st Legion, a Star Wars Cosplay group, will be coming back, as they have done every year since 2007. They are hosting a panel called: Behind the Mask- Secrets of Professional Star Wars Costuming.
    Other panels include discussions from The Carolina Manga Library, adaptations of mangas and books into movies and TV shows, and a discussion of how pop culture has influenced theater with Sweet Tea Shakespeare,

    For those who love more hands-on activities, there will be plenty. A Dungeons & Dragons one-shot adventure, Nerd Slam trivia, Avatar the Last Airbender-themed Jasmine Dragon Tea Brewing, an Artemis Spaceship Bridge Simulator, and Pokémon Card Game Raid Battles with Game On! All of these activities will be happening throughout the convention.

    For those who have smaller kids, there will be activities for them as well in the Chibi Corner. They will have self-directed crafts and room to play. Papercraft stations include a Mario pop-up toy, Ninja Turtle puppets and paper plate Pokéballs. There will be two separate story times as well. At 10:30 a.m., there will be a story about the Super Mario Bros., and later on, at 2:30 p.m., there will be a Dragon story time with songs and other dragon-related activities.

    The Librari-Con will close out with a Cosplay Runway at 4 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters from anime, video games, television and film. Registration for the runway starts at 3 p.m.

    “I want them to experience that sense of community. It wasn’t too long ago that being a nerd or a geek was something that made you an outcast,” Belmont said.11

    “But now we can all come together and even find new passions if you are not part of that community, and really feel like you are part of something that is bigger than yourself. And we love to do that in the library, bringing the community together and providing those experiences.”

    The Librari-Con will be in-person and free to attend at the Headquarters Library located at 300 Maiden Lane from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 16.

    For more information about Librari-Con, the Cumberland County Library has put together a LibGuide that has the complete schedule, cosplay rules and a gallery of previous Library-Cons. The LibGuide can be found at
    https://cumberland.lib.nc.libguides.com/.

  • 9While the Southeastern Regional North Carolina Poetry Festival will not be returning to Fayetteville this fall, the annual poetry slam will be.

    LeJuane “El’Ja” Bowens, founder and CEO of Poetry-N-Motion, helped create the slam eleven years ago with other poets, like Neil Ray, from the community who wanted to bring recognition to Fayetteville poetry because they had been doing it for so long.

    “It seemed like Fayetteville was not getting recognized for poetry across the state or just abroad. So [Ray] wanted to do something to show that recognition. So he came up with the idea of going to do something like a poetry weekend,”
    Following that, Bowens decided to turn the whole weekend into a festival that has been running for the past ten years.

    Now, Bowens is returning back to SERNC roots by just having the poetry slam once again.

    “Just let everybody know the slam is still here. We're still going to bring poets from across the country to come compete here in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and we're still going to have a good time. Still a great competition. Just that we're not doing the festival aspect any longer of it.”

    The slam will be a competition between 14 poets who are coming from across the country.

    “And this year I believe is the most diverse group of poets that we have coming because we have poets not only from North Carolina, that's gonna be here, obviously a few from Fayetteville, but we also got poets coming from Ohio, New York, Florida, South Carolina and I wanna say Virginia,” Bowens told Up & Coming Weekly.

    “So this will probably be the most diverse group of poets we've had since the inception because we have them coming from a lot of different states, which makes it even more exciting to have this happen.”

    The winner of the slam will receive an award of $1,000.

    The rules of the slam are simple: each poem must be original, each poet gets three minutes to read one poem, and the poet may not use props, costumes or musical instruments. There will be five judges. Of the scores the poet receives, the highest and lowest scores will be dropped, and the middle three will be added together, giving the poet a total score ranging from 0 to 30.

    Bowens does warn that the performances will cover a range of topics, including social issues and personal experiences, so think twice about bringing children.

    “So if anyone does come to the event and they decide to bring their children, they should be prepared that there may be some strong content or language that may be produced at this slam. Nothing too vulgar or nothing too demeaning towards any race, religion, creed or anything of that nature, but there will be language involved probably in some of the poems.”

    The slam will take place at the Arts Council of Fayetteville on Saturday, Sept. 23. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m.

    General admission tickets are on sale now for $10. Tickets can be bought at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/11th-annual-southeastern-regional-nc-poetry-slam-tickets-695006121017.

  • 18The 16th Annual Lafayette Birthday Celebration is an observance of the birthday of American Revolutionary War hero Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette was a famous French man who traveled to America to help American patriot forces defeat the British and gain independence. The celebrations take place from September 7th to the 9th.

    Lafayette was born on September 6, 1757 in France.

    In 1783, Fayetteville was named in honor of the French war hero of the American Revolutionary War. Lafayette played a significant role in helping the American patriot forces during the war. Fayetteville has the distinct honor of being the first American city named in his honor. Lafayette visited what was formerly Cross Creek (which had merged with Campbellton) on March 4th and 5th, 1825, during his tour of the United States.

    The first event to celebrate Lafayette's birthday is on Thursday, September 7, at 7 p.m. inside the Haymount United Methodist Church sanctuary at 1700 Fort Bragg Road in Fayetteville. The event will feature a French music concert by Gail Morfesis and Friends and selections from Bizet's opera Carmen and its Broadway and movie adaptation Carmen Jones. Tickets can be purchased at the door and online at http://www.lafayettesociety.org/events. Tickets can also be purchased in person or by phone from City Center Gallery & Books at 112 Hay Street in downtown Fayetteville. Their phone number is 910-678-8899. Prices are $15 for general admission and $10 for students.

    There are two events on Friday, September 8.

    The first event, a lecture, is at 1 p.m. at FTCC on Hull Road in the Multipurpose Room of the Tony Rand Student Center. FTCC and Dr. Daniel Stewart are hosting the lecture by Dr. Lloyd Kramer, History Professor and Director of Carolina Public Humanities at UNC Chapel Hill. The lecture is titled, “Why is our City called Fayetteville? Lafayette's Life, Ideas, and American Tour of 1824-25.” Admission is free.

    The second event of the day will be held at Methodist University beginning at 6:30 p.m. Arleen Fields, Archives Librarian at Methodist University, will host the Lafayette Legacy Program at the Davis Memorial Library. At the reception, guests can view the extensive collection of arrowheads spanning 10,000 years of local Indigenous culture. These arrowheads had been collected on campus in the late 1960s by student Howard Arden.

    At 7 p.m. Dr. Jamie Mize, Associate Professor of History and American Indian Studies at UNC Pembroke will hold a talk titled, “From Oneida to Creek: Lafayette's Relationships with Native Americans.” Admission is free. For more information, call 910-630-7412.

    There are three events on Saturday, September 9.

    The first event, held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., is the guided Lafayette Trail Tour. The event begins at 8 a.m. with coffee and croissants at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Museum on Burgess St. in downtown Fayetteville. On the tour, guests will see the actual carriage that Lafayette rode into town and the places he visited in 1825. The tour includes riding the Coldwell-Banker Trolley and some moderate walking. Reservations are required, space is limited to only 33 participants. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online at https://www.lafayettesociety.org/lafayette-society-online-payment/, or in person or by phone from the City Center Gallery & Books.

    From 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Cross Creek Park on Green St. will hold a Lafayette birthday celebration and family-oriented activities. At 1 p.m., General Lafayette will join everyone as they sing Happy Birthday. Free cupcakes will be available while they last. Admission is free.

    The final event will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at SkyView on 121 Hay St. with the Lafayette Grand Birthday Ball & Soirée. According to the Lafayette Society website, "You are cordially invited to party like it's 1825! Dance the night away with waltzes and reels called by a Regency dance master, try your hand at the card tables, participate in some Regency games (dominoes, skittles, and more), get your portrait taken, your silhouette painted, your fortune read, and test your ballroom etiquette.”

    Tickets begin at $95. For more information, visit www.TheLafayetteBall.com.

    For more information about Lafayette, the Lafayette Society, and the upcoming events, visit https://www.lafayettesociety.org/.

  • 17As summer blazes on in Fayetteville, so does the Rock’n on the River Summer Concert Series. Greg Adair, the organizer of the outdoor music event, said the series could help add enjoyment to concert-goers' lives in a world wrought by the pandemic.

    “It’s time that we live life,” Adair said. “We saw what 2020 brought — nobody wants that to happen and a lot of people were mad that it did happen— so it’s time to get out and live. You only live once, you only come through here once. You might as well have some fun.”

    Adair helped start the event five years ago in 2018 due to the dearth of similar events in the area, he said.

    “Free concert wise, there was not really a lot going on,” Adair said.

    Since its inception, the event has only grown with time thanks to attendance and the accumulation of great sponsors, according to Adair. The concerts take place monthly throughout the summer behind Deep Creek Outfitters on Person Street. The picturesque location features foliage and a view of the Cape Fear River.

    “I think that people love the location,” Adair said. “It's got some shade, it’s got some trees out there that are bordering the river itself. It’s a beautiful setting.”

    Adair said the scenic outdoor venue, located next to the rolling river, provides a great area for attendees to enjoy music while taking in the beauty of the surrounding nature.

    “It’s really relaxed,” he said. “It's a really chill place.”

    The next concert, to be held on Sept. 15, will feature opening band Autumn Tyde and headliners Women N Children First, a Van Halen tribute group.

    The final concert of the series on Oct. 20 will host Mötley Crüe tribute band Mostley Crüe and feature an opening act by Shoot to Thrill, a women’s ACDC tribute group. The concert features fresh food and soft drinks from Deep Creek Grill as well as water, beer and wine from main sponsor Healy Wholesale.

    Admission begins at 5 p.m. with openers taking to the stage at 6 p.m. After a brief intermission at 7:30, the headlining bands will take to the stage at 8 p.m. and play until around 10 p.m., Adair said.

    This year’s series has gone well so far, Adair said, though the heat and threat of rain has deterred attendance slightly.

    The most attended show so far was July’s performance featuring bands Reflections II and Rivermist, a band for which Adair performs. The show garnered around 500 audience members.

    Admission to the concert remains free, but event parking costs a flat rate of $10. Adair encourages concert-goers to bring chairs and to be prepared for bag searches for safety purposes. Outside containers and coolers are not permitted and only service animals are allowed to attend. Security will be present at the event to promote a safe environment, though Adair said they haven’t seen any problems yet.

    Partners for the event include Healy Wholesale, Up & Coming Weekly, 96.5 Bob FM, Sandy’s Automotive, Darling Ingredients, Boose and Stewart Law Offices, Cumberland Insulation and Karen Chandler Trust.

    Karen Chandler Trust offers funds to cancer patients to provide transportation to medical appointments, payment of utility bills and more, Adair said. Half of beer sales will benefit the trust.

    “It’s good to have that kind of partner,” Adair said.

    The concert series is held generally from May to October each year.

    “Just come on out here and have fun,” Adair said.

  • 16Book Black Women is at it again, with another epic production for the culture.

    Trap N Paint will go down on September 16th at Volta Space located at 116 Person Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The show starts at 7:30 pm. Audience members can expect a “90’s Def Comedy Jam” vibe, says organizational founder Ayana Washington.

    Seven poets will battle it out on stage for the opportunity to win a $1,000 cash prize and bragging rights. The judge's panel doesn’t lack talent, boasting big names from Fayetteville and surrounding areas. Sunny Delite, Sunny Days Entertainment, Raleigh; Mary Kate Burke, Cape Fear Regional Theatre; Tiffany Haywood, http://TheMrsTee.com; the incomparable Marcus Doss, Marcus Doss Salon; and the always funny and always live, ShaDonna “Mo” McPhaul,The Mo You Know Radio Show, WIDU; will decide who takes home the cash and the ego.

    The battle is only the beginning of this one-of-a-kind event.  Attendees can also expect the lyrical stylings of featured poets Poetic Zae, Suave The Poet, Nick Courmon and El'Ja, and performances by local vocalists, musicians and painters. DJ Yodo will be on the ones and twos keeping the crowd moving and the vibe “Afro-centric and bold.”

    There are two VIP options available for those who want an elevated experience. Bistro seating VIP seats 2 to 4 people and includes a complimentary bottle of wine. Standard VIP includes a table for 4, a complimentary bottle of wine, and light hors d’oeuvres provided by event sponsor Pretty Stickie. Other sponsors include Harden House, Trash http://Out.Biz , Vetrepreneur Visions, Celfie 360 Photobooth and Rentals, The Black Canvas, Sweet Tea Shakespeare, YaYa's Nail Candy and No Longer BOund Entertainment.

    Trap N Paint is the first of four events funded by the Cumberland County Project Support Grant through the Arts Council of Fayetteville.

    “My goal for this event and all of my events is to showcase a marginalized group of people, black women,” said Washington. “I have also fallen in love with showing Fayetteville that you do not have to leave the city to have phenomenal experiences. So I guess I am looking forward to meeting both of those goals”

    For those who would like to be a part of this event, there is still time and opportunity. There are currently 3 vendor spots available. For more information about vendor opportunities and upcoming events visit http://www.bookblackwomen.org . Those interested in donating to Book Black Women and the mission of this series of bringing “cultural diversity to downtown Fayetteville and offering safe spaces for a marginalized group to express and share their artistry with the Cumberland County community,” can do so at https://donorbox.org/book-black-women-inc-presents .

    The next event in the series, R&B in the the Park, a music festival at Festival Park, is set for sometime in October.

  • 15Bring your appetite, dancing shoes, laughter, and smiles to the Fayetteville Greek Festival at Sts Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church on September 16, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and September 17, from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

    Religion and food have a complex interaction. Food can be a bridge between the ancestors and spiritual forces. Religion and ethnicity are social markers for tradition.

    Greek Orthodoxy can be defined as religious traditions grounded in the preservation of Greek identity. The Fayetteville Greek Festival is a celebration of Greek identity. The festival consists of feasting, dancing, music and food. Sharing food creates a feeling of attachment. Unity is experienced within the dance. Music is the experience of joy of being alive.

    Purvi Raniga expresses the wisdom of the Fayetteville Greek Festival, “Festivals are there to teach us that life is a celebration, each festival teaches us to bring positivity, joy and happiness in our thoughts which reflect our lives.”
    Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, the host of the Fayetteville Greek Festival, has a noteworthy regard for Saints Constantine and Helen.

    Constantine was born to Helen and Constantius Chlorus in 272 A.D. His father died in 306 A.D. Constantine became Emperor of Rome in 324 A.D. He dreamed Jesus would empower him in battle. Jesus’ message stated, “by this sign you will conquer.” The sign was the Cross. Constantine changed the legion banners to Jesus Christ and the Cross. Constantine was victorious over his enemies in battle, and Christianity became the religion of the Roman Empire.

    Helen was humbly born. She married Constantius Chlorus, but he divorced Helen for political reasons. Constantine, as Emperor of the Roman Empire, granted Helen the imperial title of Augusta. She received the responsibility of finding the True Cross in Jerusalem.

    She traveled to Jerusalem and aided in the establishment of churches on holy spaces. She provided financial assistance to impoverished persons. She has been revered for her efforts to find the True Cross. Her extended title is St. Helen, Mother of Emperor Constantine, Equal to the Apostles.

    According to U.S. News & World Report, a team of twenty-five nationally recognized health professionals found the Mediterranean diet to be number one in the world. The foundation of the Greek diet represents fruits, feta cheese, vegetables, whole grains, fish, chicken and lean protein. The non-meat protein sources are beans and legumes. Olive oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. It has lower saturated fat than butter. This diet is supportive of reducing inflammation, chronic diseases, and to lower Body Mass Index.

    Greek dishes have an antiquity aspect. Trakahana is one of the oldest foods in the Mediterranean. It was the mainstay diet for Greek and Roman foot soldiers during conquests. Olives and olive oil have been staples in the Greek diet for centuries. Olive trees are abundant on the Greek Islands.

    The traditional ingredients in Greek cuisine are olives, olive oil, yogurt, honey, garlic, tomatoes, vegetables, Feta cheese, walnuts and spices. The spices are oregano, mint, fennel thyme, and lemon. The seafood options are small fish, octopus and shrimp.

    Lean and red meats such as chicken, pork, veal, beef, lamb, rabbit and goat are used. Fruits are featured in salads with a range of apricots, figs, raisins, apples, dates, grapes, pomegranates, green olives and quince. Grains are a source of plant protein, barley, bulgur and wheat berries.

    The food processes are varied as the ingredients, such as fried, breaded, sautéed, simmered, stewed, boiled, braised, baked, roasted grilled, pureed and preserved. The concise list of dishes prepared with these food processes are Moussaka, Tzatziko, Baklava, Stifado, Soutzoukalia, Pastitsio, Souvlakik, Tomatokeftedes, Koliokithokeftedes, Kleftiko and Fasolada.

    The Fayetteville Greek Festival consists of feasting, food, music, and dancing. The dance is one of the ways to feel connection to the home country, ancestral roots, Greece. The common factor of music and dancing is the organization around rhythmic patterns. The Srytos and Kalamatiano, dances often seen at festivals and weddings, have identical steps. Srytos has 4/4 beats. Kalamatiano has 7/8 beats.

    Srytos is an ancient chain dance with origins in Crete. It was described by Lucian 125-190 A.D. The rhythm is a slow three beat, quick two beat and quick two beat. The dancers are in a curving line, holding hands, and facing right. The lead dancer is on the right end of the line.

    Kalamatiano has the variation of the lead dancer, and the second dancer holds either side of the handkerchief. The second dancer performs mesmerizing dance movements. The roots of this dance can be traced to Homer in the lliad.

    There are depictions of three performances made around the spear of Achilles. Xenophon describes the dance when a woman leads a man to the dance with a handkerchief.

    The musical accompaniment for Srytos and Kalamatiano are lycra, violin, outi, santouri, bouzouki, and bass guitars. The wind instruments are pipzia, cornermuse, clarinet, avlo, gaida, karmaoodza, zurn, and askamandoura. The percussion section instruments are daovli, bells, triangles, defi, krotata, kymbal.

    Narendra Madi conveys the viewpoint, “our culture is our strength, be it music, dance, poetry, or anything, and these are very precious.”

  •     For the past several weeks, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre has seemed more like clown school than a theatre.     The students, the cast and ensemble of Barnum, have been busy learning how to juggle, ride unicycles, tumble and spin in the Spanish webs. But what else can be expected when you’re staging a show about the greatest showman on earth?
        Barnum, based on the life of showman P.T. Barnum, covers his life from 1835 through 1880, while he was touring America with his performers. The production combines elements of traditional musical theater with the spectacle of the circus. The characters include jugglers, trapeze artists and clowns, as well as such real-life personalities as Jenny Lind, General Tom Thumb and Susan B. Anthony.
        In order to do justice to the man, the show had to be full of the spectacle that was P.T. Barnum. So the theater is pulling out all of the stops to stage this show — one the fearless Bo Thorp, the artistic director of the CFRT, admits to always being afraid to stage.
        {mosimage}Directing, choreographing and starring as the man himself, is Dirk Lumbard. Lumbard performed the role on Broadway, and he’s bringing his unique talents to Fayetteville for this show. You’ll remember him from his stellar performance in 12 Angry Menand his staging of Singin’ in the Rainduring last season. Of course, Fayetteville theatre goers have yet to see him on the tight rope, but they’ll get their chance during Barnum.
        Cary Burman, the actress cast as Jenny Lind in the show won’t be teetering on the tight rope, but she will be doing her share of tricks. Burman is not a stranger to Barnum. It was the first role she played after graduating from the conservatory. A follow-up role in Les Miserables kept her busy until she was offered the role of Lind at the CFRT.
        “It’s exciting to revisit this role,” she said. “I’m looking at her as a totally new character.”
    That fresh perspective may be influenced by the talented cast that is surrounding her — a cast she terms “wonderful.”
        “The people here are just so wonderful, there’s no other way to explain it,” she said. “They have been so welcoming and accommodating. This is the best cast I can ever imagine for this show; they are all so hard working and talented.”
        Burman’s praise is also high for the show’s director. “I am just honored to share the stage with Dirk,” she said. “I just love his directing style. He is so willing to be collaborative with artists. He’s open to new ideas in everything from the music, to the blocking, and he’s willing to look at things from another angle. It is very exciting for me, as a young artist, to be able to have this kind of input and to be able to share my opinion.”
        That’s about the only constant you’ll find in the performances of Barnum. The cast is always trying to find ways to surprise the audience. “It’s a circus. It’s a spectacle and it’s all about who can top whom,” she said. “All of the tricks are going to be pulled out — especially during the finale. It’s going to be amazing.”
        Burman stresses that this is a show for the whole family. “I would sit backstage and the clowns would be on stage doing their thing, and I could hear little kids say, ‘Wow mom, I want to do that.’ And you could just see the sparkle in their eyes. It’s a very fun show.”
        “I’ve always done theatre. The first show I was in was in a theatre a lot like this one when I was 12 years old, and I did it all through high school,” explained Ken Griggs, who will be playing Barnum’s partner, Bailey.
    Griggs is a well-known face on the CFRT show. He’s done about 20 shows; although the first time he tried out things didn’t work out. Medical school and his residency had put something of a dent in Griggs’ acting career, so the day he passed his boards, he went down and tried out for South Pacific. He didn’t make the cut.
        “Bo doesn’t make mistakes,” he laughingly said, adding, “For a long time, Bo introduced me as one of her singers. Over the past couple of years, she’s introduced me as one of her actors — that was a great transition.”
    Griggs explained that his character helps to lead the audience through the show. Instead of going to black, and scene changes, the ringmaster comes out and gives a little speech, while circus people do circus people stuff. The play inside the circus is about Barnum, the rest is just fun.
        While Griggs admits the train-up for the show left him taking a lot of Motrin and sleeping like a baby, he said it was a wonderful experience. “No tricks were assigned to any given role, so we all learned the tricks. We all learned the webs. We all learned to juggle and to tumble, and to build pyramids. It was worse than basic training.
    “It was a lot of work, but it was so incredibly fun,” he continued. “None of us had any experience with this stuff. Now we are all juggling balls, pins, knives, fire, baton twirling — it’s pretty incredible to see how everyone has grown.”
        The hardest of the tricks for Griggs to master was the unicycle. “I have to say one of my speeches on the unicycle. It only takes about 30 seconds, but I must have fallen about 500 times,” he said. “It took my three weeks to do it. My thighs are tore up, I almost bashed my head a couple of times, but a few nights ago, I was ready, so I leaned up, went across the stage, out the door and into the hallway before I fell. Now I’m a unicyclist. When it first started out, I was wondering whether I was going to get to do some cool stuff, now I’m  saying, ‘Please, I’m doing too much cool stuff.’”
        He describes the show as an “extravaganza.”
        “There’s going to be stuff on that stage that people have never seen there before. There are going to be people twirling over the audience. There’s going to be a lot going on to keep your attention.”
        When asked how he felt about the circus growing up, Griggs said, “Loved it. But I was scared of the clowns.”
    Weren’t we all?
        Barnum opens Sept. 19 and runs through Oct. 5. The Champagne Opening is on Saturday, Sept. 20. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8:15 p.m. Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday shows are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range in price from $14 to $20. For more information, visit the theatre’s Web site at www.cfrt.org or to order tickets call the box office at 323-4233.


     
     
     
     
     
     


  • 14The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post number 670 sits behind the Fayetteville Regional Airport. Just down the thickly wooded twists of Doc Bennett road, on the backside of the airport’s runway, sits a medium-sized bricked building with a large American flag flowing out front. In the colors of the American flag is VFW with Post 670 printed just below it. Today, it is buzzing with energy — a meeting has just happened regarding the post’s 90th anniversary coming up in September. Small clusters of men are gathered here and there throughout the post, chatting, catching up and sharing smiles.

    Outside the post is a line of black chairs with red buckets beside them, the word “butts” printed in large capital letters. Just inside the entry of the building are pool tables and a “canteen” — a non-profit bar lined up with stools and a few tables and chairs. From a cursory glance, this is no different than some bars and joints around Fayetteville. The crowd, however, is varied in both age and appearance and “brothers” hug each other as they say goodbye.  Some of the members would describe it as “diverse” but there is a tie of service that can only be found during years spent in the military.

    On one of the far walls, in a quieter corner of the building, is a board full of shiny, silver dog tags. Each one is for an active member of the post. They hang on the wall, a striking tribute to service members who still give back to their community. This time it’s on their own land. As of this year, they have almost 500 members.

    VFW Post 670 is not what it appears. The history is thicker. The ties are lifelong.

    Out of the back room where both the stage and dance floor are located, walks Mike Baker, the post commander. Baker speaks fast and looks around as he talks. He is straight forward and calm. He introduces parts of the post, citing it as one of the oldest posts in North Carolina. At the state level, Baker says, they are trying to figure out if it may be the oldest. Baker is proud of his second home — a place where he and other veterans can get involved in the community and host a variety of events.

    “You name it … if there is an event we can do, we do,” Baker said.

    Coming up is VFW Post 670’s 90th anniversary. To celebrate and help raise funds, the members of the post are hosting a concert with local band, Rivermist, raffles for goods, a speech by Baker and saluting the colors.

    “Last year we did $200,000 in community donations,” Baker said. “Veterans are first and foremost, then families and children.”

    The post adopts a unit on Fort Liberty and often leans on them to find what they can do to support the soldiers and community. It's the veterans' way to still be involved in their country but in a very different way than they once were while in the service. Baker only has one rule he tries to go by.

    “The quicker we turn around the donations, the better.”

    Baker has seen some fluctuations in his membership at the post since COVID. One of his big missions is to help get membership up and veterans in the community active.

    “I wouldn’t want to call it a struggle but it’s a constant back and forth,” he said.

    The post sponsors the APA, American Poolplayers Association, as well as World Tavern Poker on Sundays and Wednesdays. They also give room for Fayetteville Sound to practice their music on Thursday nights and of course the hall is available for renting for weddings, parties and other events.

    Baker is hoping for a large turnout on the post’s 90th anniversary on September 8th and 9th. Tickets for the event will be $25 for one day or $40 for both and open to the general public. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Rivermist will play at 5 p.m. on the 9th. Drinks will be available at the canteen and food will be for sale from a food truck.

    Baker and the other members invite anyone to buy a ticket, participate in the raffle and enjoy some music. For more information about the event the post has both a facebook page or visit vfw670.org.

  • uac091714001.gif In 1998, Up & Coming Weekly Publisher Bill Bowman came to his young editorial staff with a great idea.

    “We are going to celebrate the best that this community has to offer,” he explained.

    For those of us on staff, we were a little bewildered. We thought that was what we did every week. But Bill had a bigger plan, and over the next several weeks, planning for the first Best of Fayetteville Reader’s Poll went into overdrive.

    To say that we were a little daunted is an understatement, particularly when Bill pulled out the original ballot. Compared to this year’s ballot, that one was pretty small; to us, it seemed mammoth. So we toiled for hours on end to produce that issue. Was it the best we have ever done? No, but it was a beginning.

    Since that first issue, we have become more enamored with celebrating the people, organizations, locations and businesses that represent the best of the place we all call home.

    I would like to say it has become a little less daunting, but that would be a lie. Remember, the ballot has grown exponentially, and the competition has become fierce. The number of ballots grows by leaps and bounds every year, and with last year’s addition of online voting, the growth has been even more phenomenal.

    So while, we, as an editorial staff, have a sort of dread at this time of the year, it is overcome by our excitement. The Best of Fayetteville is truly an opportunity to recognize and recommend those people, places, organizations and businesses that make our community so unique. That makes the work worthwhile.

    So enjoy this year’s edition. Peruse it. Save it.

    Remember the folks who won and then pay them a visit. Let them know that you appreciate their commitment to making our community better. Let them know you saw it here. And keep your eyes open so you know who to vote for next year! Thanks for reading, thanks for voting and thanks for being part of what makes our community the best of the best.

  • 12Have you ever watched a regency-era film or show and thought, I would love to go to a ball like that; be a part of group dances, flirtatious fanning, fortune telling, and insidious gossip about the local social and political scene? Guests can expect all of that and more at the upcoming Lafeyette’s Grand Birthday Ball and Soiree.

    Rebecca Russell, owner of Beespoke Vintage, is a lover of history and historical fashion. The idea of hosting a ball started out as just hosting a few sewing workshops teaching people how to make their own Regency-era clothes. The recent t.v. show, Bridgerton, along with the everlasting love of Jane Austen, has kept people’s interest in fashion of the early 1800s.

    Russell thought, “Why not host a ball where people can wear the clothes they just learned how to make?”

    “The ball took on a life of its own and got bigger, well, much bigger, than the workshops. As I was researching ideas and putting the ball together, I discovered that Fayetteville had a Lafayette Society. And what do you know, there's a big bicentennial thing coming along, which I didn't even know about when I first started planning it.”

    Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, was a French aristocrat, freemason, and military officer who volunteered to join the Continental Army led by General George Washington in the American Revolutionary War. Fayetteville was the first city to be named in his honor in the United States, and the Marquis visited the town in March of 1825. The Lafayette Society promotes awareness of Lafayette’s significant contributions to mankind and freedom by conducting events, programs, and educational activities. They also host a weekend full of events in honor of Lafayette’s birthday.

    The birthday ball will start at 7 p.m. at the Skyview on Hay Street. The First Dance Set will begin at 7:30 p.m. The second dance set will be at 8:20 p.m. Birthday toasts, followed up with cake cutting, will be at 9:15 p.m. The third dance set will be at 9:45 p.m. and the ball will start closing out around 10:30 p.m.

    “We'll have a dance mistress who will call those dances out to explain how they work and then we'll have the dances run. It'll be a lot of fun. A lot of [the dances] were basically equivalent to maybe the Macarena today, or the electric slide or something like that,” Russell said. “Basically get everybody out on the dance floor and in a fun, social way.”

    If dancing isn’t your thing, there will also be regency-era games.

    “Whist was a very popular card game. It appears often in Jane Austen novels. There will be whist playing in the back. There will also be nine-pins, which was akin to bowling today, but just smaller little wooden pins, kind of like lawn bowling. We'll have that in the back as well for entertainment.”

    For an extra fee, there is also a fortune teller available. Fortune telling was very popular at parties. However, this fortune teller won’t be Mr. Rochester dressing up trying to understand Jane Eyre’s psyche. This is an actual fortune teller who will be set up in the old bank vault inside Skyview.

    There will also be an exhibit in one of the backrooms that will showcase historical clothes, educational banners and military uniforms.12a

    For Russsell, this event will also host a personal moment for her.

    “I'll be giving a toast to Lafayette. I will also be giving a toast to my son who turns 19 that same weekend,” she said. “Lafayette was 19 when he joined our forces during the Revolutionary War. It’ll be sort of a toast to the heroics and energy of youth in general. I'll be giving a toast to the military and veterans. I'm honoring Lafayette as a military veteran, but also, of course, Fayetteville.”

    Tickets start at $95 (Gentry Level) and go up from there. Each level elevates your "social standing" and provides you with more included experiences.

    The Gentry ticket includes a souvenir dance card for women and a souvenir event card for men, access to the selfie garden walk and a slice of the birthday cake during the toast to Lafayette.

    The Baron/Baroness tickets, $145 each, includes seating at Peerage Tables, one free signature cocktail ticket, one free souvenir cockade or sandalwood fan, a tote bag, and such guests will be announced to the room upon arrival.

    The Royalty tickets, $275 each, include exclusive seating at the Head Table (with the hostess, the Marquis, and other Royalty), assortment of tableside snacks, one free souvenir glass of choice, two free drink tickets and one free fortune telling session.

    The Duke/Duchess tickets are sold out at the time of publication.

    Extras that can be purchased at any level are professional photography, silhouette sketching, fortune telling and carriage rides.

    The goal for Russell is to sell 150 tickets. At the time of the interview, 102 tickets have been sold.

    It is recommended to attend in Regency era, or at least black-tie attire. While it may be too late to order a complete set of Regency ball gowns, inspiration can be taken from the silhouettes. Russell has created an entire guide on her website about how to put together a “regency-inspired” look. She also has guides on how to do hair for the time period, how to play card games, and what types of dances to expect. To be in-the-know before the event, her website, The Lafayette Ball (beespokevintage.com, has all of the information.

    Russell hopes people can enjoy the event, not just as a historical moment, but to experience another way of having fun. She hopes to plan more historical reenactments like these in the future.

    “I plan to put on some other events in the future and changing up the time frame each year so that there will be something a little different each time. Maybe we'll do a repeat of this one if people really like this, since Fayetteville is named after Lafayette and it's his birthday every year.”

    After planning this event, Russell tells Up & Coming Weekly that she has learned so much about the Fayetteville community and has loved being able to learn about the Lafayette Society, the local art scene, and the many resources available here.

    “I'm really excited about having people come here and experience this …people who already live here who haven't really gotten into all of the cool things we’re putting on,” Russell said.

    “I want [people] to walk away and be like, ‘that was really cool. I would never have thought that would have been so fun.’”

    The ball will take place on Sept. 9 at the Skyview on Hay Street. Tickets can be purchased at Lafayettes Grand Birthday Ball and Soiree Tickets, SkyView on Hay, Fayetteville, September 9, 2023. Lafayette's Grand Birthday Ball and Soiree https://allevents.in/fayetteville/

  • 10bOver the past 6-7 years there has been a huge surge in this family fun, hour long adventure. If you’ve never been to an Escape room, it can seem like a slightly scary thing to do for fun, but with the vast variety of themes and levels of difficulty that they have to offer, people of all ages have been known to enjoy them.

    Though every Escape room is different, they generally go something like this; you have 60 minutes to make it out of a locked room that’s usually fit to a particular theme, there are several puzzles and clues that you must figure out that will help you unlock the door and complete the challenge.

    Most rooms require or suggest having anywhere from 2-10 players to work as a team to escape the room. This activity has been known to surprise many people once they’re done with the experience. Escape Rooms have been used as a team building exercise for businesses, fun bonding time with family and friends, and even friendly competitions to see who can escape a room in the fastest time.

    In the early internet days, there were a ton of online games you could play through various websites. Around 2005-2006 there was a spark in simple point and click escape games that challenged you to escape things like jails, closets, and bathrooms. In 2008 a Japanese company called Real Escape Games decided to be the first company to bring the niche Escape Room world to life and that quickly spread to different countries including the U.S.

    Speaking with the manager of Escapology Rochelle Gore, she speaks on her experience of working at an Escape Room. She says, “It's honestly really fun. You get to observe different types of personalities and how people communicate.

    It's honestly allowed me to learn a lot about myself and how I communicate with my staff members. We play them as a staff for fun and every time we put out a new room, we have to play it to learn it.”

    Fayetteville is home to three unique Escape Rooms that are almost perfectly scattered locally across the city. They all have a different and special selection of rooms to experience.  Themes for these escape rooms can range from a Scooby Doo Mystery adventure to catching a killer clown.

    For any of those willing to test thinking skills at one of these great locations, here are the addresses and hours of these amazing Escape Rooms across Fayetteville.

    Escapology is located at 2770 Freedom Parkway and is open from 10:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Sundays. For more information visit http://www.escapology.com or call 910-302-6981.

    Xscape Factor is located in Downtown Fayetteville at 136-A Bow Street, open from 3:00 to 9:00 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. On Fridays they’re open from 12:00 to 10:00 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays they’re open from 12:00 to 9:00 pm. They’re closed on Tuesdays. For more info call 910-676-8926.

    Escape Room Fayetteville is located at 3639 B. Sycamore Dairy Road and is open 3:30 pm to 9:00 pm on Thursdays, 3:30 pm to 10:30 pm on Fridays, 12:30 pm to 11:00 pm on Saturdays and 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm on Sundays. They’re closed Monday through Wednesday. For more info call 910-920-1781.

  • 11“No, Florence, no, not another one of your episodes,” Jonathan Judge-Russo says.

    Judge-Russo, dressed in a vest over his street clothes and knee pads, stands at the edge of the rehearsal space at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Amber French flutters over to him, mid-panic attack that her character Florence is supposed to be having. Judge-Russo digs into his pocket and reveals a small, silver tin for pills, the kind that men might have carried at the turn of the century and might still be found in old ladies’ purses. He pops it open and grabs an imaginary pill.

    “Here, take one of your pills,” he says, two of his fingers pinched together. He picks up his hand and pretends to throw a pill into French’s mouth. She walks back to the middle of the room, falls to the floor and screams hysterically until she calms down.

    “Well done, Florence. There, there.” Judge-Russo says.

    Director Laura Josepher stands looking over the binder containing her script. She gives directions to Judge-Russo and French. She wants to see more of a reaction from French and a visual moment of her swallowing the tiny pill just chucked into her mouth.

    “The reaction is good, but just to help me know, it got in there,” she says to French. French and others laugh a little. She mimics a mouth open and, suddenly, a very visible swallow. With a nod, she and the others begin the scene again with no less vigor than the first time.

    In a short time, from September 7 to 24, The Play That Goes Wrong will take the stage at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, and each of the actors wants to make sure they get it going wrong in precisely the right way. Judge-Russo is playing Thomas Colleymoore and also Robert, an actor playing Thomas. French plays Sandra, an actor playing the character Florence Colleymore. This is a play within a play, Josepher explained.

    In the rehearsal room, Josepher moves from the pill scene to another play segment. This time, Mitchell Stephens, playing both Chris the actor and his character Inspector Carter, enters the rehearsal space. Stephens has the unique job of being both the actor of this play within a play and the fight/movement coordinator for the show.

    The Play That Goes Wrong is about a play, The Murder of Havershsam Manor, going from “bad to utterly disastrous” and gives the comedic vibes of Gene Wilder with accident-prone actors and a corpse that has a hard time remembering to play dead. Stephens’ coordinator role is integral to the comedic timing.

    “Every moment has to be pretty live,” Judge-Russo says. “… I think everybody has shown up from moment one … and brought their game real hard.”

    All the other actors shake their heads in agreement. That game is one of farce and comedic timing. Stephens, very vocal and comedic in his own right, speaks about the genuine collaboration and power of the actors in the play.

    “We then all celebrate every laugh that happens,” Stephens says. “Instead of it being each one of us jockeying for who gets the biggest laugh or the best one, it now becomes a laugh as something to celebrate... getting super not precious with our bits and our gags.”

    Stephens says each actor will strip out jokes to serve the collective laughs in the play better. Each one creates what they call a true ensemble to bring comedy to the Cumberland County community.

    “Farce is hard,” Josepher says. “It is such specific timing. There’s so many moments in the show … the world is a tough place that [it’s nice to have] an evening of just laughing.”

    Tickets for the play are available at CFRT.org and include special pricing for the military on September 13 and Teachers on September 15. The folks at the theatre will also host a Welcome Back Bash on September 7 and Murder Mystery Trivia on September 8. Visit www.CFRT.org for more details.

  • 09082010chairmen.gifIt’s been a long, hot summer. Thankfully there has been plenty to do around town and the fall looks just as busy. As the Fayetteville Museum of Art finishes up its concert season, Fayetteville After 5, we can all relax and enjoy the music of Chairmen of the Board as we bid summer goodbye.

    The weather is cooling off, (if only by the tiniest fraction of a degree) and what better way to send off the dog days of summer?

    “This will be the grande fi nale for the 2010 concert series,” said Mac Healy, FMoA president. “We have enjoyed presenting the performing arts concerts for thousands of spectators to relax in the atmosphere of the park and take in the sights and sounds of each performance.”

    In addition to the great tunes, the Ford Fiesta Little Big Tour will join the crowd with big giveaway promotions and fun activities for everyone. There will be two 2011 Ford Fiestas on static display, lots of giveaways, the chance to win a $500 Apple gift card, interactive activities/games — one of which will give participants the chance to win a $500 Best Buy gift card and the chance to win a 2011 Ford Fiesta. The winner will be chosen at the end of the tour.

    There will be the usual vendors and activities and, of course, the performers — The Chairmen of the Board.

    The Chairmen of the Board are no strangers to Fayetteville. They’ve graced the stage at Festival Park (and before that at the Fayetteville Museum of Art) for years performing at Fayetteville After Five concerts.

    “Nearly forty years after crashing onto the pop and soul charts with the hit “Give

    Me Just A Little More Time,” the Chairmen of the Board continue to satisfy their audience,” said Healy.

    Based out of Charlotte, this band performs that distinctive and flavorful Carolina beach music that the local community has come to love. With an award winning play list of songs like “Want Ads,” “Somebody’s Been Sleeping,” “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show,” “If You Dance To The Music,” “You Pay To The Piper,” “Bring The Boys Home,” “Stick Up” and “Patches,” the Chairmen of the Board are real crowd pleasers who will have you dancing on the promenade and in the grass at Festival Park.

    This is the 13th season for Fayetteville After 5. The proceeds directly benefi t the Fayetteville Museum of Art, which had to close its doors on May 31. There is still hope that the museum will reopen in the future, which makes this event not only a good time, but also an easy way to support a great cause.

    “It has been a privilege to work with our generous sponsors,” said Meredith Player Stiehl, concert coordinator. “Their meaningful contributions support the Museum and at the same time allows for these events to be free to the public.”

    Come on down to Festival Park on the evening of Sept. 16. The park opens around 5:30 p.m. There will be food and beverage vendors. It’s free. To find out more, call 485-5121.

  • 09-29-10-spelling-bee.gifDo you remember being 11 or 12 years old? Think hard. Do you remem-ber all of the emotions that were running through your body? The doubts about the way you looked. The worry about whether or not you were good enough. The hormones!!

    Do you remember all of that, and the embarrassment you felt at any given mo-ment? If you do, pick up the phone and call the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, be-cause this is a chance to laugh at all those moments, to let them go, and in fact, to celebrate them. And you get to do it all at the Putnam County Spelling Bee.The show, which officially opened on Saturday night, is the fi rst in the theatre’s 49th season. This season is, as Artistic Director Bo Thorp terms it, a warm up for the 50th anniversary of the theatre. If that’s the case, than next season will blow your socks off.

    Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Kappy Kilburn, is a musical that tells the story of six pre-teens who face off in the annual spelling bee. But they aren’t just ruminating over the spelling of some really tough words, they are also deal-ing with what seems to be monumental problems of growing up.

    The audience can identify with these characters because at some point and time in our lives we were wrestling with the same issues. It reminds us of where we were and hopefully reminds us to give thanks that we made it through that time.

    Leading the cast are local favorites Cassandra Vallery, who plays Rona Lisa Perretti, a former spelling bee winner and announcer for the event, and Ken Griggs, who plays the role of a convicted con art-ist (Mitch Mahoney) pulling community service as a comfort counselor for those students who are elimi-nated from the bee.

    Vallery and Griggs have performed in a number of productions together and work together like a well-oiled machine. Their timing is impeccable and their voices blend beautifully throughout the play, but nowhere more so than in a duet where they are double cast as the parents of Olive Os-trovsky (played by Griggs’ daughter Molly.) “The I Love You Song” lets a less than important daughter deal with her issues of abandonment and with her dreams of the perfect parental relationship.

    I’ve seen the elder Griggs in a num-ber of shows over the past several years, but I have to say that his performance of “Prayer of the Comfort Counselor” is per-haps the best I’ve ever seen. The song was written for his voice and the energy he brings to it makes you feel like you want to get up and dance with them, possibly even yell “Glory!”

    Robbie Gay, an Alabama native, who left the audience laughing in the aisles through his portrayal of Smee in last sea-son’s Peter Pan, plays the slightly unstable vice principal, who is the co-commentator with Vallery. The two trade witty barbs with the contestants, and in the case of the show I witnessed, ad libbed a number of comments with the audience.

    That is what is unique about this show. The audience isn’t just an audience, they are roped into the play and are asked to participate. I coerced two of my friends to go on stage as guest spellers, and while they were put out in the fi rst round, the experience made the play all the more fun for them, and for the audience as a whole.

    In upcoming shows look for local celebrities to join the talented cast on stage – even though it might only be for a minute.

    While I loved the entire show — be-lieve me, it is laugh-out-loud funny — Dane Agostinis, playing William Barfee, won my heart. Barfee is the kid that gets picked on in the halls. He’s more than eccentric, and a little rude to those he interacts with. The rudeness stems from his longing to just be a part of the group. He’s the underdog, and we all love to root for the underdog.

    But more than that, he is hysterically funny. His singing of “Magic Foot” left the audience in tears and rolling in the aisles. It also brought about a great Broadway finale-type number to the stage

    .This play has it all: great singing, great comedy, great dancing and a great back story. You’ll leave feeling 12-years-old — only without the angst.

    The show runs through Oct. 10. Make your reservations now!

  • Don't be Afraid of the Dark (Rated R) Three Stars09-14-11-movie-revue.jpg

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • When Seniors Say “No” to Help

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

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

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

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

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

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

    In the study, family caregivers also stated that their own personal health and job were affected by09-14-11-senior-corner.jpgcaregiving. Fifty-eight percent say they are getting ill more frequently and that caregiving is taking a toll on their jobs. Furthermore, 81 percent say their loved ones’ needs are becoming overwhelming compared with 73 percent who thought so just four years earlier. That’s what makes countering that resistance to assistance so important. Many times family caregivers make assumptions but never ask: “Mom, I’ve noticed that every time I bring up hav-ing someone come in to assist, you don’t want help. Why is that?” Sometimes the parent doesn’t realize they’re being resistant. Also, reassuring a senior loved one that you have the same goal in mind will help. Start with: “My goal for you is to be in-dependent, too. You know I can’t be here all the time. A little extra assistance will help you stay at home.”

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

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

  • 08 Sweet TEa Those who have been to Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s quirky, musical shows are familiar with the usual setup on the grounds of the 1897 Poe House. But the company’s got another trick up its sleeve that pops out once per season – the venue-traversing LIT show. LIT plays off the word “literature” and the millennial term “lit,” which refers to having fun and/ or getting drunk. For 2018-19, it’s “OthelLIT,” a show that’s as irreverent as it is true to Shakespeare’s classic tragedy “Othello.” The show opens Oct. 4 and runs through the 30th. 

    “We do the original ‘Othello’ text but cut it down,” said director Marie Lowe. “It’s really just the essential plotlines. To that, we then add drinking games, improv comedy, ’80s and ’90s novelty pop songs. We add fun.

    “I particularly enjoy doing this with a tragedy. I think it’s funnier doing it with a tragedy.”

    For LIT, STS chooses well-known works so that most audience mem-bers will walk in already having a basic knowledge of the story. Past LIT shows include “HamLIT” and “As You Like LIT.” 

    “But what they don’t know, with the LIT series, is exactly how we’re going to turn it on its ear,” said “OthelLIT” actress Tohry Petty. “How are we going to light it up?” 

    She said acting in a LIT show is “like going to the best game night ever at your friend’s house.”

    Petty performs two primary roles in the show. As the host, she helps audience members follow the shenanigan-filled narrative. As an actress, she doubles as Emilia – maidservant to Othello’s wife and wife to Othello’s traitorous ensign, Iago – and the Duke of Venice. Taj Allen plays Othello, and Nathan Pearce plays Iago. A few other company members, with a little help from the audience, create the rest of the story’s characters. 

    “Audience members are able to volunteer for minor roles,” Lowe said. “Night to night, it makes the show entirely different, depending on who the audience members are and what they bring to it. You could see a LIT show four or five or six times and really get a different experience every time.” 

    Stage manager Hanna Lafko will guide everyone through their many opportunities to participate in the fun. 

    “I think it’s always good for the audience to know that there is some-one who’s there specifically to help them know what to do,” Lowe said. “You have to volunteer, and then we take very good care of you. And if you don’t want to be on the stage, you won’t be. If you don’t want to drink, you don’t have to. It’s a lot of fun, and we want the experience to be great for everyone.”

    Getting a show LIT also involves shaking up the venue. “OthelLIT” will play locally at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom, Paddy’s Irish Pub, and the Arts Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County. The boisterous troupe will also travel to Hugger Mugger Brewing Company in Sanford and Fainting Goat Brewing Company in Fuquay-Varina.

    Tickets cost $17.50 in advance, with military, senior and student discounts available, or $25 at the door. For a list of dates and locations, and to purchase tickets, visit www.sweetteashakespeare.com.

  • 07 fso For more than 60 years, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has educated, entertained and inspired the Sandhills with great music, fun events and educational and outreach opportunities. As the organization heads into the 2018-19 season, it shows no sign of slowing down. The first concert of the season, “The Music of John Williams,” is set for Saturday, Oct. 6.

    His name may not sound familiar, but chances are you know Williams’ work. With an extensive list of film scores and compositions stretching back to the 1950s, some of his well-known pieces are featured in “Gidget goes to Rome,” “The Rare Breed,” “Valley of the Dolls,” “Heidi,” “The Poseidon Adventure,” “Jaws,” the Star Wars movies – includ-ing “Star Wars: Episode IX” to be released in 2019 – “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Superman,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “E.T.,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” “Jurassic Park,” “Schindler’s List,” several of the Harry Potter movies and “The BFG.”

    “He is one of the greatest living composers,” said Christine Kastner, FSO president and CEO. “He is so well-known you easily recognize his music. He’s had such a long career. We try to open the season with a family friendly concert. I am sure the Music Nerd (Joshua Busman, who speaks at the beginning of FSO concerts) will have lots to talk about; there is so much on this variety in the music.” 

    Symphonic music can seem intimidating to some. The FSO works hard on many levels to make its performances engaging and fun for everyone. From preconcert chats with the Music Nerd to interactive experiences and free concerts, every interaction is designed with the audience in mind. For example, at the Oct. 6 concert, the Star Wars reenactors of the 501st Legion Carolina Garrison are scheduled to attend. The 501st Legion is an all-volunteer fan-based Star Wars costuming organization. The Legion celebrates the saga through costumes and props, especially ones from the Galactic Empire. 

    “We do have a commitment from them,” Kastner said. “Hopefully, Hurricane Florence will not change those plans.”

    This season, the concerts are vast and varied. “We have something for everyone,” Kastner said. “One of the things we want people to realize is that we play a variety of music. Even if you don’t like certain things, there is something we do that you will enjoy. We go from John Williams to Brandenburg (Nov. 15).... When we did a couple (of those) concertos a few years ago, we sold out the church we were playing in. Then, we go to a holiday swing/big band concert performance (Dec. 1). We have a New York City jazz vocalist and songwriter coming for that. 

    “I think it will be fun season.” 

    “Magical Mozart” continues the season Jan. 17, 2019, followed by “Love is in the Air” Feb. 9. A trib-ute to the armed forces, “FSO, March!” takes place March 9, and the season concludes with “Ode to Joy” April 13.

    Special events this year include Bachtoberfest on Oct. 18. It will feature tastings of 10 craft beers, games and tasty food, including German potato salad and bratwurst. Nov. 9, the FSO will host Friendsgiving Brewery Tour with Bright Light 

    Brewing Co., Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom, Mash House Brewing Company, World of Beer and Paddy’s Irish Pub. 

    “The Music of John Williams” takes place Oct. 6 at Fayetteville State University’s Seabrook Auditorium. The preconcert Music Nerd chat starts at 6:45 p.m., and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org for tickets and information.

  • 01 coverSome people simply love going to the movies. Others dream of making films themselves. Many in both camps want to explore stories and genres they can’t find at mainstream theaters. Fayetteville has its own film festival that creators Pat Wright and Jan Johnson debuted in 2016 for just these reasons. Indigo Moon Film Festival returns to downtown Fayetteville Oct. 12-14, offering a chance to meet many of the filmmakers responsible for the more than 70 films that will be shown. The films represent local, regional, national and international talent. 

    The festival kicks off Friday, Oct. 12, with the opening night film and reception. Watch Susan Kucera’s docu-mentary “Living in the Future’s Past” at Cameo Art House Theatre from 7-9 p.m. Narrated and produced by Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges, “Living in the Future’s Past” explores concepts about humankind and Earth’s inhabitants in relation to the past, present and future. Then, stroll over to SkyView on Hay to mingle with filmmakers and enthusi-asts while enjoying drinks, light fare and live music. 

    Saturday is the longest and fullest day of the festival. Over the course of about 13 hours, 70-plus films will be shown at various locations in downtown Fayetteville. The films range from 2 minutes to 2 hours long and include a wide range of genres. Categories are narrative feature or narrative short, documentary feature or documentary short, student and animation. 

    “It was very difficult this year because we had so many great submissions,” Wright said. “We got (submissions) from around the world: the Russian Federation, (former) Yugoslavia, India, Greece, Romania.”

    Films at the festival from North Carolina-based creatives include “27 West,” “Almost Cured,” “Birds of the Sky,” “Calcutta Mercy,” “Facing Navassa,” “Ground Zero Goldsboro,” “Introduction,” “Learning Man,” “Robeson Rises,” “The Maestro,” “This Time It’s Shopping” and “Lens Flare.” Many of these films involve state-specific stories, themes, social issues and locations. 

    Directors of many of the films will be present for 30-minute Q&A sessions following the screenings. “That’s one of the cool things about a film festival; you’ve got the filmmakers on-site talking about why they made the decisions or how they got that shot or what their motivation was,” Wright said. “You can ask any question you want.” Nearly all the North Carolina-based filmmakers are planning to be present for the Q&A sessions, along with others who will travel from out of state and out of country. 

    “Last year,” Johnson said, “We had 44 filmmakers come and had only built in 15 minutes for Q&A. People were wanting to stay and ask more and more questions. And we felt like this was the really special thing about film festivals, so we wanted to add more time.” 

    She and Wright won’t be sure of how many directors will attend this year until about 2 weeks before the festival, but she added that films’ editors, cinematographers and actors sometimes attend as well.

    In addition to the Q&A sessions, festival-goers and casual passersby alike are invited to attend free “Out Takes” on Saturday, half-hour sessions where film industry professionals share insight on various topics. At Revolutionary Coworking (the Sustainable Sandhills office) is “How to Change the World Through Film” from 12:15-12:45 p.m. and “Coal Ash” from 5:45-6:15 p.m. 

    At SkyView on Hay is “Doing Distribution” from 12:15-12:45 p.m. and “Why Every Director Needs a Producer” from 5:45-6:15 p.m.

    All festival venues are within easy walking distance of each other, inviting attendees to make a day of it and browse downtown’s shops and eateries in between viewings. Wright and Johnson said they’re proud of the event’s walkability. “We’ve become a certified Green Festival,” Johnson said, referring to a designation given by the NC GreenTravel Initiative. “It’s really critical in this day and age that we all do everything we possibly can to reduce our carbon footprint.” She added that the opening night film “is all about what we all can do to save our beautiful planet.” 

    The festival, which partnered with PWC and Sustain-able Sandhills in going green, will rely on recycling and composting for waste disposal. There will also be a Green Demonstration Area adjacent to Revolutionary Coworking, the film’s “Green Venue” that will specifically host films relating to environmental concerns. Visit the Green Demonstration Area to get information and freebies from environmental groups across the region. 

    Sunday, come back to celebrate and reflect at the Awards BBQ Banquet. At 11:30 a.m., at SkyView on Hay, enjoy a barbecue meal with vegan-friendly options, then watch the presentation of audience awards and jury awards for each film category. Audience awards come with a $200 cash prize. Juried award winners receive a beautifully designed trophy along with the coveted laurel leaves. Laurel leaves are visual markers on trailers and posters for award-winning indie films. Throughout the rest of the day, three encore screenings at the Cameo will include the juried winning entries along with the opening night film. 

    It’s not too early to start planning to submit for next year’s festival. This year’s submission period ran from March-May 2018 and into July for late and extended deadlines. Notification of acceptance went out at the end of August. 

    “More support by local filmmakers makes a better festival,” Johnson said. Her and Wright’s efforts represent just one example of local visionaries helping to build a community that brings creatives in rather than forcing them to seek opportunities and growth elsewhere.

    IMFF film screening venues are the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County at 301 Hay St.; Cameo Art House Theatre and The Loge at 225 Hay St.; Hay Street United Methodist Church at 320 Hay St.; and the Sustainable Sandhills office at Revolutionary Coworking at 100 Hay St. Parking is free in the Franklin Street Parking Deck or in the Maiden Lane lot across from Cumberland County Public Library Headquarters Branch. Street parking is also free after 5 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. 

    The Rainbow Room at 223 Hay St. serves as box office, logo merchandise sales and volunteer check-in. For $100 ($90 for military, student or senior), the VIP All-Access Pass grants entry to all the festival’s films and events. Tickets to the opening night film and party are $25. Individual tickets to any film or shorts block except the opening night film cost $10 ($9 for military, student or senior). Tickets to the Awards BBQ Banquet are $15. 

    Purchase tickets online at https://squareup.com/ store/indigomoonff. Click “Shop” and “Tickets & Festival Events.” Pick up online purchases during box office hours of Oct. 11, noon-6 p.m.; Oct. 12, noon-7 p.m.; Oct. 13, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Oct. 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Passes and tickets are non-refundable. 

    Visit www.indigomoonfilmfestival.com for a full list of films and showtimes and for more information.

  • 11 godspellKicking off the Gilbert Theater’s 25th season, “Godspell” the musical tells the story of Jesus Christ as portrayed through the New Testament, with a few twists. 

    “The (play) is about the book of Matthew and this group of people who use creative ways to tell parable stories,” said Artistic Director Matthew Overturf. The story is told through a collection of diverse tunes, dances and games, with a healthy dose of comedy. Despite its playful tone, the life of Christ is por­trayed in a reverent manner. 

    “It may come off as satirical, but it’s not intended to be,” said Overturf. “The play … really does take a respectful take on the stories, but it is always done in a creative way, with a lot of creative, funny ways of telling the stories.” 

    The lighthearted nature of “Godspell” emphasizes the human nature of biblical characters. “This is a show that talks about a group of people that … learned how to become a community. They learned how to love each other,” said Overturf. 

    Overturf spoke of the jovial relationship portrayed between Christ and his followers: “He’s very fun … not a stoic Jesus.” More than that, the production recognizes love and grace, even in its darker themes. Overturf, who plays both Judas and John the Baptist in the production, commented on the relationship between Jesus and Judas: “Everyone thinks Judas was the great villain of history. For me, it’s finding the heart of who he is and trying to understand what his motivation might’ve been.” 

    One of the most powerful aspects of the produc­tion is the way it will immediately draw viewers into the story, according to Overturf. Most of the show’s actors use their real names dur­ing the performance to encourage a real-life connection to the audience. Overturf commented on this practice: “It bridges the gap between old and new – we can still learn something from these stories.” 

    Overturf emphasized the accessibility of the play, saying that anyone can relate to the plot and the characters and find some truth in the story. “We live in a world where love isn’t necessarily number one on people’s mind, and this is a show that asks how can we help people try to love other people a little better.” 

    With this kind of love, “you can legiti­mately change the world a little bit,” added Overturf. The cast look forward to inviting the audience into their own lov­ing community. 

    “Godspell” runs Sept. 21-Oct. 7. Tickets are $16. For more information or to order tickets, email the Gilbert Theater at boxoffice@gilberttheater.com, call 910-678-7186, or order online at https://gilberttheater.com.

  • 09 music citySept. 19 through Oct. 7, Cape Fear Regional Theatre debuts the world premiere of “Music City.” CFRT has enlisted the talents of a dazzling cast and crew, whose passion for the project brings the story to life. 

    “Music City,” written by Peter Zinn, is an authentic imagining of the perseverance it takes to fulfill one’s destiny. Featuring five No. 1 Country Billboard hits written by J.T. Harding, the show intimately investigates the journeys of three songwriters as they navigate the difficult choices one makes while pursuing success. 

    CFRT Artistic Director Mary Kate Burke directs the musical story of harsh realities and dreams realized. “The American dream is that, if I work hard, I can improve my circumstances,” Burke said, regarding the struggles of the main characters and the relevance of the show. Burke continued, “We want people to know it’s of the now; it’s set in 2000, but it feels very palpable to the issues of today.” 

    Much of the story’s action is set in the Wicked Tickle, a chaotic country bar where our leads find each other. Choreographer Tyce Diorio said he strove to emphasize the integrity of storytelling with authenticity. His effort to make the story tangible by finding the story’s heartbeat created an atmosphere of honesty that reverberates throughout the entire program. Diorio is an American dancer and choreographer best known for his work on the hit television show “So You Think You Can Dance.” 

    To further enhance the experience of attendees, CFRT has removed the theater’s first several rows of seats, put tables, chairs and sofas in their stead and will be having live music before the show. 

    “When you walk into the theater, we want you to have an experience,” Burke said. “It’s like you’re going to be entering this little snow globe of Nashville… and you’re going to be able to come into the theater an hour before showtime and get a drink from the bar onstage.” 

    It’s details like these that create “Music City’s” cohesive vision that has come to fruition right here in Fayetteville. Jonathan Judge-Russo, who plays Drew, one of the lead musicians, shared, “The most humbling thing about being... in Fayetteville is (that) we are in a town … devoted to service. This is a place where people … serve a higher purpose. They’re doing something profoundly important and maybe, just for a couple hours, we get to serve them.” 

    “Music City” encourages audience members not to get in their own way and to be bold. Kaylyn Marie Scardefield, who plays a young singer named 23, said of her character, “This character is calling me to be someone I want to be – someone who is more courageous. … I feel like I’ve been given a huge invitation to be a more courageous extension of myself.” 

    The brilliant cast and crew invite Fayetteville to join them in exploring what it means to be brave. “Music City” opens for previews Sept. 19-Sept. 21 at $17 a ticket and will continue to run through Oct. 7, with tickets ranging from $25-$32. To learn more, visit www.cfrt.org or call 910-323-4233. 

  • 10 Three MusketeersGivens Performing Arts Center will open its 2018-19 season with “The Three Musketeers” Thursday, Sept. 20, and Friday, Sept. 21, at 8 p.m. The show is sponsored in part by Wesley Pines Retirement Center of Lumberton and is directed by Jonathan Drahos, director of theater at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. 

    “The Three Musketeers” follows D’Artagnan, who travels to Paris in hopes of becoming a musketeer, one of the French king’s elite bodyguards. He discovers the corps have been disbanded by conniving Cardinal Richelieu, who secretly hopes to seize the throne. 

    Athos, Porthos and Aramis continue to protect their king and refuse to lay down their weapons. D’Artagnan joins the rogues to expose Richelieu’s plot against the crown. 

    The play will feature sword fights, romance, dancing, rolling-in-the-aisles comedy and high adventure. 

    “This production has an epic spirit – sword fights, romance, dancing, rolling-in-the-isles comedy and high adventure!” said Drahos. “It’s going to be a fun night in a great space.”

    The second performance of GPAC’s season, “Jessica Jane & Niels Duinker’s Magic Show,” is Friday, Sept. 28, at 8 p.m. The show is sponsored in part by the Pembroke Activity Council, a division of Campus Engagement and Leadership, and is part of UNC Pembroke’s Family Weekend Events. The duo entertains audiences with juggling acts, grand illusions, dangerous escapes and more. 

    “We are excited to present a magic show with such high caliber performers as Jessica and Niels,” said James Bass, director of GPAC. “If you like high-energy shows that keep you on the edge of your seat, you’ll love this show.”

    Jessica was born into and grew up in the world of magic. Her mother was a magician’s assistant for several illusionists, and her father designed magic tricks. At the age of 12, Jessica was being cut in half as a stage assistant. Her first real job was as a roving magician, and she has performed in Europe and around America. She has appeared on Penn & Teller’s “Fool Us” TV show. She currently lives in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where she regularly performs “Jessica Jane’s Magic, Comedy and Variety Hour.” 

    Niels Duinker holds seven Guinness World Records for juggling. He is a three-time winner of the International Magician’s Society Award, a three-time National Juggling Champion in The Netherlands and a Gold Medal Winner of the 2009 Taiwan Circus Festival. He has worked all over Europe and Asia. He was voted Best Corporate Entertainer 2018 by Corporate Vision magazine and has appeared at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Harrah’s Hotels and Casinos and on several cruise ships. 

    GPAC is located at 1 University Dr. on the UNCP campus. Tickets for “The Three Musketeers” cost $21 and $26 for adults and $5 for children and students. 

    Tickets for the magic show cost $16 for adults and $5 for children and students. 

    For more information, call 910-521-6361. 

  • The Apparition(Rated PG-13) 2 Stars09-12-12-movie.jpg

    The Apparition(86 minutes) isn’t as bad as everyone is making it out to be. At the end of the day, yes, it sucks hardcore, just not as bad as everyone says. Clearly the picture had no studio backing since it was released in the August dead zone, and the flaws show pretty clearly. But this movie could have been really good. If only Todd Lincoln had a little more experience as a writer and/or a director. If only Ashley Green could actually act. If only Tom Felton’s British accent didn’t sound so fake! Which, wasn’t he born in England? He didn’t pile it on this much in Harry Potter.

    What we have here is the redheaded stepchild of Poltergeist and Insidious, with a smattering of Paranormal Activity. If the movie had spent some more time exploring the premise hinted at by its tagline (“If you believe, you die.”) we would be in full-on famous original Nightmare on Elm Street territory, where forcing yourself to disbelieve in the monster that is trying to kill you might save you — or might not. That would have been cool. I wanted to see that movie. Instead I was forced to sit through this one. In which belief in the thing that is coming to get the characters has nothing to do with whether or not you die. Stupid, misleading tag line.

    We begin with a completely nonsensical scene, shot in classic Dark Castle scratchy flashback style. Six people are conducting an old-school parapsychology experiment. What does this have to do with what happens later? Nothing whatsoever. It is cheap and gimmicky filler designed to add a few precious minutes to the barely feature-length running time.

    Moving into the next scene, three college students named Patrick, Ben and Lydia (Felton, Sebastian Stan and Julianna Guill) are mumbling some nonsense about how capturing their attempt to contact the dead on film will “prove” that ghosts exist. Yes dears, and watching The Avengers proves that super-powered beings are battling aliens from another dimension. Anyway, that doesn’t go well. I bet it would be really exciting to see the aftermath of the failed experiment. The writer doesn’t agree, and we move onto the next scene.

    Kelly (Green), Ben’s girlfriend, has moved into her parent’s house in an almost deserted neighborhood (nice nod to how the bottom dropped out of the housing market). There is at least an attempt to build some suspense, as mysterious burn marks and mold stains begin to appear all over the house. It gets downright ominous, leading Ben to start installing security cams. One would think he might return the increasingly frantic calls from Patrick regarding the ghost experiment, or at least tell Ashley that she might want find a couple of priests, but no.

    Predictably, when things get super-duper spooky the cat gets let out of the bag, and poor, stupid Kelly kicks Ben out. So she can face the nasty, mean, spirit thingy alone without knowledge or assistance. A real sharp cookie is our Kelly. That particular New Year’s resolution lasts until Mr. Vaguely-human-shaped-scary-thing shouts Boo! into her fancy heat sensitive camera; then Ben is back in the game!

    Patrick reappears and the power of his British accent seems to banish the ghost back into the ether. Or does it? I would tell you to go see for yourself, but you probably shouldn’t spend any of your hard-earned cash encouraging Todd Lincoln to make any more movies.

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

  • uac091912001.gif There are many cities that claim to be international. Few of them celebrate it like we do. For more than three decades, Fayetteville has spent one weekend a year focused on the beauty and diversity of the local population. This year the International Folk Festival runs Sept. 23-25. Come ready to learn, try something new and be entertained. It is a chance to see the world without ever leaving town.

    There are more than 30 cultural groups that participate in the event each year. Although each person travelled a unique path to get here, the members of these groups are excited to share their culture with their adopted hometown.

    “Something people may not realize is that these are our friends and neighbors representing these cultures, and they are representing them in many different ways,” said Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County Marketing Director Mary Kinney. “At the festival you see people in the parade and then in the afternoon they are cooking for us — and they are cooking what they would cook for their families; and they are selling arts and crafts. On Sunday, those same friends and neighbors are performing. They are showing us traditions and dancing in their native dress. There are at least four different ways that they are celebrating with us and for us.”

    The fun kicks off on Friday, Sept., 28. Enjoy a celebration of culture during the 4th Friday activities. There is plenty to do downtown, with different entertainment, programs and gallery openings. The Arts Council exhibit, The Figure: Likeness and Presence is scheduled to hang through the festival and the Arts Council will be open throughout the festival.09-19-12-cover-story.gif

    On Saturday, head downtown to see the Parade of Nations. Take in the colors and sounds of the world as Fayettville’s diversity is showcased through the center of downtown. Groups from different countries don their native garb and step into the spotlight to share their heritage with the city. It is a chance to learn a bit about our friends and neighbors and appreciate what they add to the community.

    From noon until 10 p.m., Fesitval Park is the place to be. There will be live performances, authentic cuisine, arts and crafts booths, a children’s area and more. The stages in the park will rumble nonstop with the dancing, drumming and singing of songs from all corners of the globe as performers entertain and interact with the crowds.

    As part of Fayetteville’s 250th birthday celebration, R&B singer Aaron Neville is scheduled to sing on Saturday, Sept. 29, in Festival Park at 8 p.m. With a new album scheduled for release in Jan. 2013, Neville has been hard at work. The album My True Story, revisits many of his favorite songs. Some of the tracks include “Money, Honey,” “Gypsy Woman,” Be My Baby,” “Tears on my Pillow,” “Under the Boardwalk” and “This Magic Moment.”

    With more than 50 years in the music industry, Neville knows how to woo a crowd. He’s been nominated several times for Grammy Awards in categories like Best Traditional Sould Gospel Album, Best Jazz Vocal Album, and Best Engineered Album – Non-classical.

    While you are at Festival Park check out the handiwork of the international groups. There will be jewelry, art, crafts and more. View the craftsmanship, ask questions and listen to the stories about the processes and history that go in to each item.

    09-19-12-folk-festival-logo.gifWho can resist a good meal? At the International Folk Festival you don’t have to — come hungry and try cuisine from all around the globe. With so many groups participating, there will be plenty of flavorful concoctions to go around.

    If you can’t make it on Saturday, the festival continues on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

    “It looks like one big melting pot — and we truly are,” said Kinney. “When you stop and think about how many ways cultures are showcased in the festival, what is so special about it is being able to experience so much in so many ways — and it is our friends and neighbors who are doing this for us.”

    While it is a wonderful treat to spend the weekend savoring the diversity of the community, there are several diverse and historic offerings in the community on a regular basis. Don’t restrict yourself to one weekend a year. Enjoy any of the 15 Cultural Heritage Trails including the International Cuisine Trail or the Patri-Arts & Gardens Trail.

    Find out more about the International Folk Festival at www.theartscouncil.com or by calling 3213-1776.

    Photos: The International Folk Festival is a great place to learn about Fayetteville’s diversity and to enjoy the many cultures that make up our community.

  • Editor’s note: This edition of the Hope Mills calendar may be affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. Please check to see if events are still scheduled before attending.

    Meetings 

    For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Most meetings take place at Town Hall or the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation center.

    Veterans Committee, Thursday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. Luther Meeting Room at City Hall

    Activities

    Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club at Sammio’s, second Tuesdays at noon and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For details, call 910-237-1240. 

    Acrylic painting for seniors Thursday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. until noon or 1-3 p.m. Supplies are $5, and only 10 spots are available. Sign up at the reception desk at the recreation center. Painting will take place in the small activity room. 

    Ole Mills Day 2018 Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more details and vendor in-formation, contact Parks and Recreation Director Kenny Bullock: 910-426-4107 or kwbullock@townofhopemills.com.

    Pumpkin decorating for seniors Tuesday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m.-noon in the small activity room of Parks and Rec. No fee, but advanced sign-up is required. Only 20 pumpkins available. Prizes will be awarded for the best three pumpkins.

    Ghostly Gala for seniors Wednesday, Oct. 31, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Parks and Rec community room. Advanced sign-up at the reception desk required. Costumes are preferred but not required. There will be a costume contest and pumpkin decorating contest. Potluck social. Bring main dish, side dish or dessert.

    Promote yourself: Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 10 dam Hope Mills town officials borrowed a little advice from former President Ronald Reagan when dealing with the recent arrival of Hurricane Florence and the threat it posed to the newly constructed dam.

    As Reagan warned in dealing with the former Soviet Union, “Trust, but verify.’’

    That philosophy was applied to the dam, which appears to have held up well in the face of record-setting rainfall that drenched the state for days.

    Mark Landis, the engineer of record and project manager for the dam for Schnabel Engineering, received regular updates from Hope Mills officials so he could monitor the amount of rainfall the town was getting and how the structure was holding up.

    “I can’t say we weren’t worried, but part of me wasn’t worried as well,’’ Landis said, referring to concerns the dam would hold up during all the rain.

    “We could probably have taken on a little bit more,’’ he said, in reference to the rain. “I’ll feel much better when I get to the site and see if there was erosion or scouring.’’

    Scouring is when water erodes areas around the dam, especially the parts of it made of earth.

    The biggest concern for the new dam was from what Landis called tail water. This is when the water flowing out of the dam and downstream is pre-vented from getting away from the dam and actually begins to back up and put pressure on the side of the dam away from Hope Mills Lake.

    If that had happened this time, Landis said, the dam itself, the bridges over it and part of the town of Hope Mills would all have been underwater.

    Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner made regular visits to the dam during the hurricane, posting video updates on Facebook to keep the community apprised of what was going on.

    “I kept getting calls at night that it had a crack in it or that it was broken,’’ Warner said. Nearly every time she visited, Warner said, there was a crowd of specta-tors or media representatives or both on the scene.

    The hurricane experience helped Warner to learn even more about some of the protective measures built into the dam, like the canals on the side opposite Hope Mills Lake that allow water to drain into them and serve to equalize the pressure com-ing from the rising lake waters on the other side.

    “I can’t even imagine how much pressure has been put on that dam because the water was moving so fast and it was so continuous,’’ Warner said. “I’m confident it’s going to be fine.’’

    Town manager Melissa Adams said the town had a good plan in place to watch the dam and keep readings on what was happening during the storm.

    “I think this was a big test for (the dam) and it performed exactly as it should,’’ she said. “Throughout the whole thing, I had full confidence in it, and I believe Mr. Landis did too. Yes, we were con-cerned, but we weren’t concerned about the integ-rity of the structure.’’

    Adams said the town leaders will have an after-action meeting to discuss how their emergency plan for the hurricane worked and suggest changes for the future.

    “There is always room for improvement,’’ she said. “I think overall we were very well-prepared. The team operated seamlessly.’’

    After having endured two major storms in barely two years, Warner thinks the town knows what has to happen moving forward.

    “I think you just have to stay on your guard,’’ she said.

  • shred eventEditor’s note: Due to Hurricane Florence this event has been cancelled.

    The annual fall litter sweep for the town of Hope Mills is scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 22. 

    The town is seeking volunteers to fan out from Town Hall on Rockfish Road and either pick up roadside trash in their own neighborhoods, or if they prefer, visit a location identified by the town as an area in need of a good cleanup. 

    The parks and recreation department previously handled the event, but Beth Brown and the storm water department now oversee it. 

    Brown said volunteers of all ages are welcome to come out and take part in the sweep. Younger children are welcome to assist, but they need to be accompanied by an adult. 

    All volunteers need to come to Town Hall the day of the sweep at 8 a.m. and sign up and pick up some items they’ll need to take part. 

    Among the things the town will pro­vide are reflective vests, trash bags, devices to pick up the trash with and gloves. Water will also be provided to the volunteers. 

    Once each person has finished col­lecting trash, the bags can either be left in the area where they were collected for roadside trash pickup or brought back to Town Hall. 

    Brown added that the emphasis is on gathering roadside trash and that volun­teers shouldn’t wander off into wooded areas and definitely need to avoid going near a waterway. 

    In addition to the litter sweep, the town will hold a shredding event on Saturday, also at Town Hall. 

    Town residents can bring all types of personal documents to be shredded. 

    The documents will not be shredded on-site, Brown said. They will have bins for people to bring their material to shred, which can include CD’s. 

    Folks can bag or box their documents to bring them down and deposit them in the collection bins, Brown said. 

    If anyone has questions about either the litter sweep or the shredding event, they can contact Brown or Tyler Riddle at 910-429-3516 or 910-429-3517.

  • 15 hope mills food bankSince coming to South View High School as the school’s ROTC advisor, retired Sgt. Maj. Ruby Murray became aware of a problem. 

    “I noticed there were a lot of kids that weren’t getting nutrition, not getting any food whatsoever,’’ she said. 

    She was referring to students who did not qualify for either a free or reduced lunch, but still had problems finding enough to eat. 

    Murray shared a vision originally pushed by South View’s principal, Dr. Tonjai Robertson, of finding a way to help out those undernourished students who fell through the cracks. 

    Over the summer, Murray said she had the idea of coming up with a food pantry created from public donations. 

    Now she’s on the way to achieving that goal. 

    “Basically, donations will be non­perishable food, stuff for breakfast and lunch,’’ Murray said. The plan is to store the food in a pan­try at South View, then Murray and par­ent volunteers will prepare pre-packed breakfasts and lunches and give them to students who qualify. 

    Murray is hoping to get donations from the general public and is also lining up donations from commercial vendors. 

    Anyone interested in making a dona­tion to the program can drop off food at South View during regular school hours, or call the school and make arrangements for Murray to come and pick it up. 

    For those who would prefer to give monetary donations so Murray can go and purchase the food directly, those will be accepted as well. 

    It’s hoped that the program will be up and running by the end of the month. Murray said they are still working out the kinks that will determine which stu­dents at the school will be eligible for the free meals. 

    For further infromation on the program, contact Murray at South View at 910-425-8181.

    Photo: Retired Sgt. Maj. Ruby Murray

  • Editor’s note: This edition of the Hope Mills calendar was compiled before the arrival of Hurricane Florence. Some or all of these events could be affected by the storm. Please check to see if they are still scheduled before attending. 

    Meetings

    For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Most meetings take place at Town Hall or the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation center. 

    • Mayor’s Youth Leadership Monday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m. 

    • Board of Commissioners Monday, Sept 24, 7 p.m. 

    • Appearance Committee Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. 

    • Veterans Committee, Thursday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. 

    Activities

    • Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club at Sammio’s, second Tuesdays at noon and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For details, call 910-237-1240. 

    Ole Mills Days 2018 Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more details and vendor informa­tion, contact Parks and Recreation Director Kenny Bullock: 910-426-4107 or kwbullock@townof­hopemills.com. 

    Pumpkin decorating for seniors Tuesday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m.-noon in the small activity room of Parks and Rec. No fee, but advanced sign-up is required. Only 20 pumpkins available. Prizes will be awarded for the best three pumpkins.

    Ghostly Gala for seniors Wednesday, Oct. 31, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Parks and Rec community room. Advanced sign-up at the reception desk required. Costumes are preferred but not required. There will be a costume contest and pumpkin decorating contest. Potluck social. Bring main dish, side dish or dessert. 

    Promote yourself: Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • uac090512001.jpg A champion of the American Revolution from a young age, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, is not only our city’s namesake. He is credited with playing a big part in winning the war. Lafayette was just 19 years old when he came to America in 1777 and joined the colonists in their quest for freedom, fi ghting with and leading American soldiers. He contributed fi nancially as well, spending much of his personal treasure on the war and persuading the king of France to send soldiers and money to the colonies.

    In 1783, our fair city became Fayetteville, N.C. It was the fi rst of several towns in America to honor the Frenchman by taking his name, and the only one he ever visited.

    “When Lafayette came to visit in March of 1825, he was a celebrity,” said Hank Parfi tt, a Lafayette Society spokesperson. “It was like when the Beatles visited the United States in the ‘60s. People were really excited about him visiting Fayetteville. He was a very popular fi gure — he was not a distant historical fi gure in a town-hall meeting. The common man absolutely loved him. When he came to visit Fayetteville, the town was practically empty because everyone was lined up at the river where he came in.”

    His influence is still recognized today and on Sept. 7-8, the Lafayette Society invites the public to join in the celebration of Lafayette’s birth.

    On Friday, Sept. 7, meet historian and Lafayette author Marc Leepson as he discusses his book Lafayette: Lessons in Leadership from the Idealist General. The book explores how Lafayette infl uenced America’s formative years and how he contributed selfl essly to the founding of our country.

    “Leepson’s book is part of the world general series,” said Parfitt. “McMillan Publishing had authors write about seven different military leaders through the ages and what made them successful. Leadership groups are invited to discuss the book. Leepson is going to talk to the Chamber of Commerce and the freshman class at Methodist University while he is here, but the public is invited to come and hear him at the Market House.”

    Leepson is scheduled to speak on the second fl oor of the Market House at 7 p.m. The event is free, but space is limited, so reservations are recommended. Make a reservation by calling 678-8899. Books will be available for purchase at the event.

    On Saturday, join the day-long celebration and participate in one of the many activities. It starts at 7 a.m. with the Lafayette French Toast Breakfast Fundraiser. For just $7 you get French toast (or pancakes) and a side of bacon or sausage. It’s at Horne’s Café and lasts until 3 p.m. For every plate sold $2 will be donated to the Child Advocacy Center.

    At 9 a.m., the Lafayette Parade of Pooches takes place at the corner of Anderson and Hay streets. Call the Dogwood Festival to register your dog. It costs $5 to enter your dog in the parade.

    Meet at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Museum on Burgess Street at 9 a.m. and enjoy a guided tour of the Lafayette Trail. The event begins with coffee and croissants and a viewing of a documentary about the 250th LaFayette Birthday Celebration.

    “The Lafayette Trail is always wonderful,” said Parfi tt. “Last year it was sold out.”

    Although the trail involves some walking, there is an air-conditioned bus that is used for part of the tour. At the end of the tour, enjoy lunch at the Market House. Tickets are $30 per person and include the food and the tour of the trail. There are 30 spots available, and registration is recommended. There may still be a few spaces left — call 678-8899 or visit City Center Gallery and Books for details or to register.

    If you are looking for something with a bit of a faster pace, join the Lafayette Birthday 3k Dog Jog and 5k Road Race. Participants meet at the Medical Arts Building on the corner of Hay Street and Bragg Boulevard. The event is sanctioned by USA Track and Field. Proceeds benefi t the Child Advocacy Center of Fayetteville. Call Julio at 578-9680 for more information.

    With so many fun things going on downtown, don’t miss the sidewalk sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Merchants will set up along the sidewalk and offer great deals in honor of Lafayette. Don’t miss the unique merchandise and chance to grab a great find.

    From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the All-American Fencing Academy hosts the 4th Annual Lafayette Open Fencing Tournament. Lafayette himself served as a member of the Black Musketeers, an elite unit in service to the French king upon which The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas was based.

    This year the fencing tournament includes competition in epee as well as the foil. This event is sanctioned by the North Carolina Division of the United States Fencing Association. Guests are welcome to visit the academy’s studio at 207B Donaldson St. to enjoy the action. Call 910-644- 0137 or go to info@allamericanfencing.com for more information.

    The Festival of Yesteryear is a big part of the day’s activities. It is held at the Museum of the Cape Fear and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival highlights North Carolina’s Colonial and Revolutionary War history. There will be military reenactors, an artillery canon and fun activities like rebus puzzles, a tricornered hat project and interactive toys and games. Professional storytellers will tell exciting tales that bring the past to life. Visit www.museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov or call 437- 2603 for more information.

    After visiting the museum, head to Cross Creek Park for cake and ice cream (while it lasts). Arlene Fields has been coordinating the party for three years now and she really enjoys the idea of people of all ages having a good time and learning a little in the process.

    “A lot of people don’t know that Fayetteville is named for the Marquis de Lafayette. What better way to share that than to have a party?” said Fields. Cross Creek Park is the perfect place for the party, she added “… there is a beautiful statue of Lafayette on the grounds and the landscape is interesting with a good layout.”

    Admission is free. It’s the perfect place to take a break and have lunch. There will be a special kids area with crafts, games, face painting, bounce houses and more. This year the party hats are different colored French berets, which will be for sale while supplies last. Look for Kidsville News!own Truman, who will be on hand to celebrate the city’s namesake. Enjoy some bluegrass music. There will be barbeque for sale, so come hungry. The barbeque plates cost $7 each.

    Fields first came to the Lafayette Society through her job at Davis Memorial Library at Methodist University where she is the archives librarian. Part of her job is to oversee the collection of letters written by Lafayette that are on fi le at the Library.

    “We have letters written by Lafayette and the Lafayette Society has provided funding to buy many of them, so it makes sense for me to be involved with them,” said Fields.

    The letters provide a peek into the everyday life of Lafayette.

    “Some of them are mundane. One is from a person who wants an introduction and Lafayette says ‘I can’t introduce you to the king of Peru — because I don’t know the king of Peru,’” said Fields. “My personal favorite is a letter he wrote to his friend ‘…you made a promise … to return my books in two weeks’ time and the time has far expired,’” she added.

    The letters have all been scanned and translated and are available online at www.methodist.edu/library/archspec/ lafayette/lafayet.htm or at the library.

    Find out more about the Lafayette Birthday Celebration — and Lafayette — at www.lafayette250.com.

  • 14 oktobeerfestEditors Note: Due to Hurricane FLorence this event has been cancelled. 

    A touch of Germany is coming to Hope Mills later this month as the Boarding House Treasures & Tea Room on Ellison Street holds its first ever Oktoberfest Beer and Brat Bash. 

    Owner Carla Welsh got the idea for the event after frequent visits to the town of Helen, Georgia, which she said is built around German culture and even includes German architecture, shops and food. 

    “It’s about as close as you can get to the real Oktoberfest,’’ Welsh said. “They start Oktoberfest in Munich on Sept. 15 and it goes a month and a half. We’re doing this in the last weekend of September.’’ 

    Welsh has scheduled her event for Saturday, Sept. 29, from 6-9 p.m. 

    Because of limited seating, only 25 people inside the tea room at a time, call ahead and make a res­ervation. The cutoff is Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. After then, you can try to take part, but it will be first come, first served after the folks with reservations are taken care of. 

    If the weather’s nice, Welsh said there is limited outdoor seating available. 

    Obviously, beer will be a featured attraction at the event. Welsh will offer an assortment of domestic and foreign beers. The list of domestics includes Bud and Bud Lite and Coors and Coors Lite along with Yuengling. The foreign selection includes Corona and Corona Lite, Blue Moon, Guinness Stout and a Dirtbag Mocha Porter. 

    Prices for the beers are $3, $4 or $5, Welsh said. 

    The main course food items will be bratwurst braised with onions and beer or hot dogs for those who aren’t fond of bratwurst. 

    There will be an assortment of sides, including German potato salad, red cabbage with apples, beer cheese and hard pretzels. 

    You can put together a meal with bratwurst and one of the main sides for $12, or for $10 you can get a hot dog or bratwurst with the beer cheese or pretzels. 

    At press time, Welsh was working to get a live band to play German music during the event, but said that failing that, German music would be pro­vided in some format. 

    In addition to the Oktoberfest, Welsh’s husband, Mason, will also be having a sale of the various antiques, collectibles and gifts that are located on the premises. There will be a 20 percent discount on all items available for sale. 

    Welsh added that reservations for the Oktoberfest are $10 per person in advance and are not refundable. 

    For further information on the event, visit the Facebook page, Boarding House Tea Room. 

    To make a reservation, call 910-527-7455.

  • Signature partnerships enrich a culture of excellence09-12-12-methodist.gif

    I have often said there has never been a great university without a great community. From its founding, Methodist University has been fortunate to benefit from so many community members who have taken special owner-ship of this institution and its success. This has varied from individuals who have volunteered or contributed financially to ensure the well being of the institution, to organizations that have forged relationships with MU for the betterment of both institutions.

    A Culture of Excellence

    Perpetuating a “culture of excellence” is one of the fundamental principles of the University’s cur-rent strategic plan. Such a culture is characterized by signature people, programs and facilities. It is also enhanced by signature partnerships that have never been more critical.

    The MU Journey

    This past spring, we launched what we refer to as the “MU Journey,” which provides students with four different pathways that will allow them to complement their academic experience with ex-periential learning. These pathways include lead-ership, community engagement, global education and undergraduate research and creativity. The first two of these pathways will require the creation of partnerships as students become in-volved in special projects. We have also placed a special emphasis on internship opportunities for all MU students, so this initiative, too, will require more community partners.

    The Monarch Network

    A third initiative calls for the creation of the Monarch Network, which mobilizes MU affinity groups and other volunteers to serve as partners to areas of greatest need. This extends our community initiative well beyond the Cape Fear region and embraces Methodist University alumni, parents and friends in our quest to provide the very highest quality experiences for our students, and ultimately, brings these partnerships to life.

    The Year of Partnerships

    Our goal with all partnerships is to align them with our strategic priorities. Since we have spent the past year identifying our priorities, we begin this new academic year with a commitment to expand our reach, extend our partnerships and explore many more opportunities that will make a Methodist University education a unique experience for every student.

    The year 2012-13 will be “The Year of Partnerships,” in which we will identify and celebrate these relationships and put them to action. These partnerships will come from every sector, including health care, business, education, the arts, not-for-profits, military and religious organizations, among others. Furthermore, we will bring “experts in residence” from each of these sectors to campus to help us maximize the benefits from these partnerships.

    A “culture of excellence” at Methodist means taking programs and initiatives to the next level. Our community partners will ensure that we meet this expectation and deliver the very highest educational experience to our students.

  • 13 hope mills opinionIn the spring of this year, Hope Mills Mayor Pro Tem Mike Mitchell proposed making a drastic change to the town’s charter, suggesting the commissioners serve four-year staggered terms instead of the current two-year terms. After prolonged discussions, it was agreed to put the issue on the November ballot and let the citizens of Hope Mills make the decision. 

    Many citizens are leery of extend­ing that much power to a board of commissioners that’s struggled to accomplish, well, anything. Just weeks before the four-year term issue, the board discussed and then awarded themselves substantial raises and benefits packages. The commissioners each received a 53 percent increase in pay. Mitchell received a 48 percent increase and Mayor Jackie Warner received an 84 percent increase. Additionally, they each received a $30 stipend toward their cell phone costs, a $100 stipend to cover travel expenses, and dental, vision and life insurance. It was their last notable “accomplishment.” 

    The board has waffled back and forth on a $28,000 partnership with Up & Coming Weekly. In March, Commissioners Jerry Legge, Meg Larson and Jessie Bellflowers voted to end the partnership once it terminated in September, but Commissioners Pat Edwards and Mitchell wanted to keep it. 

    Ironically, during an August meeting, it was Mitchell who suggested the board end the agree­ment. While the partnership is described as a gentleman’s agreement and no official contract was ever signed, Mitchell has since used social media and local AM radio stations to announce the board’s decision to “terminate” the contract. 

    In reality, the board paid the contract in full and let it lapse without renewal a week ago. Mitchell took to social media again last week to blast the previous board for entering into the agreement. Citizens should be asking why he voted to keep it during the March vote if he felt the partnership wasn’t advantageous to the town. He seemingly wasted a good deal of taxpayers’ money on some­thing he claims was a detriment. 

    Likewise, the board has squabbled back and forth on the second phase of the lake bed project. While the previous board voted and approved a working model, this board has systematically voted to undo everything the previous board accomplished. Ten months into their administration, they’re still asking for changes to the already-approved plans. Amongst other issues, they’re still debating whether they want one or two ladders in the swimming area. As of Sept. 11, they haven’t made a single decision but have asked for dozens of revisions. 

    All of Cumberland County is aware the board voted to end negotiations with the Lone Survivor Foundation after asking for an official financial offer. But not everyone is aware that a number of the town’s citizens have formed an unofficial organiza­tion in support of LSF. 

    Those citizens scheduled a public rally for Aug. 16. The rally was hosted in a local church and was an effort to bring the veteran community together to discuss ideas to help LSF sway the board. One day prior to the rally, Legge sent an email to town staff referring to the rally as a protest. 

    “It is my understanding that some may want to stop the food truck rodeo that is supposed to be a family event,” Legge said. He also implied some town staff and elected officials were planning to participate in the protest. His email included a request for an ordinance review. Hours were wasted as town staff reviewed dozens of ordinances to appease Legge. 

    Grilley Mitchell, who works at the Alms House in Hope Mills, worked tire­lessly to schedule and advertise that rally. Grilley Mitchell is a known sup­porter of the Alms House, the organiza­tion the Hope Mills Food Truck Rodeos benefit. I don’t know why Legge would think Grilley Mitchell would schedule a protest to disrupt the Food Truck Rodeo, and in turn hurt the Alms House. As of today, Legge has not responded to my inquiries about the email. 

    These are just some of the many issues that have halted the board’s progress and prevented the “Team Hope Mills’ mentality Mike Mitchell cam­paigned for. The board has allowed egos and inferi­ority complexes to hinder their decision-making to the detriment of the whole community. 

    Each week, I’ll be posting an article on hopemills. net, highlighting the failures of individual board members and stressing the importance of voting “No” to four-year terms. For now, I challenge each of you to review the minutes and video from this board’s meetings and decide for yourselves if this board deserves longer terms.

  • Celebrate Halloween at the Poe House 09-19-12-halloween.gif

    Halloween is the night for revels! The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex invites the public to experience a Victorian Halloween at the 1897 Poe House throughout the month of October. All month long the 1897 Poe House will be decorated with traditional Victorian and early 20th century Halloween decor. Participants in the 1897 Poe House tours will learn about the history of Halloween and how it was celebrated during the Poe’s time in Fayetteville.

    Is the Poe House haunted? Find out the answer by taking a Victorian Halloween-themed tour during the month of October. 1897 Poe House tours are given at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. on weekdays and on the hour on weekends.

    Mark your calendars for Halloween Revels Night Tours of the Poe House on October 19-20 and 26-27 from 6 to 10 p.m. The Museum of the Cape Fear has partnered with the actors of the Gilbert Theater to bring this Gothic Eastlake Victorian home to life after dark. Actors will portray members of the Poe household and their friends as they prepare for a night of Halloween revels. You may even see some Arsenal ghosts wandering the grounds of the Museum Complex. “We wanted to offer the public something different than the traditional haunted houses and tours at Halloween. This is a great event for families with just the right amount of spookiness created by the actors and the Victorian decor, without all the screaming and gore. It also works for those on a budget because it is one of the only free events in town,” says Megan Maxwell, 1897 Poe House education coordinator. The cost is free, but you must sign up for a tour time. Tours will depart every 20 minutes beginning at 6 p.m. with the last tour at 9:40 p.m. Tour space will be limited to 20 participants per tour.

    As part of the Halloween programming, the museum will also host a Jack-o’-lantern contest. Carve your own Jack-o’-lantern at home and bring it to the museum to be displayed at the Poe House during our Halloween Revels Night Tours. Entries will be accepted beginning on Oct. 18, and the fi nal deadline for entries will be Oct. 27 at noon. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative design, the scariest design and the most historical design. The contest winners will be announced during the Poe House Trick or Treat Program on Oct. 27.

    Finally, the annual Poe House Trick or Treat on Oct. 27 from 1-5 p.m. features a costume contest, scavenger hunt and traditional Halloween carnival games for the kids. Learn how to make tasty Halloween treats in the Poe House kitchen, have your fortune told and gather around to hear a ghost story. Family fun for everyone!

  • 02 pub penJackie WarnerEDITOR’S NOTE: This article was written in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Florence last week to alert Hope Mills residents on the best way to contact the town in the event of problems following the storm.
     
    The town of Hope Mills, with painful recent experience from Hurricane Matthew, has taken extra precautions to deal with the potential aftermath of Hurricane Florence.
    Days ahead of the arrival of the storm in North Carolina, Mayor Jackie Warner declared a state of emergency.
     
    Assuming people still have power and access to the internet, Warner said they can visit www.townofhopemills.com or go to her mayor’s page on Facebook to report problems or get pertinent news from the town about any non-emergency issues resulting from the storm.
    If the internet is down or power is out and those sources are not available, Warner said town staff will be manning the switchboard at town hall of field non-emergency calls from townspeople regarding any issue the town needs to be made aware of. The main number at town hall is 910-424-4555.
     
    Folks facing genuine life-threatening situations should still call 911 first.
    Warner also assured the residents of Hope Mills that town officials, with the support of the Army Corps of Engineers, are monitoring the level of Hope Mills Lake and doing everything necessary to lower the lake as needed with the expected onset of heavy rain from Hurricane Florence.
    “We are on top of things,’’ Warner said.
     
    Photo: Mayor Jackie Warner
  • 09-26-12-ftcc.gifThe 2011-2012 academic year was quite memorable for the Health Technology Simulation Labs of Fayetteville Technical Community College. The commitment to “teaching with best practices” using high-fidelity human patient simulators has been an ongoing part of the curriculum for more than three years, but there were several exciting new developments this past year.

    First, our original “family of five” high-fidelity manikins welcomed three new additions to the team. The Emergency Medical Science Department purchased Sim Man 3G and the Associate Degree and Practical Nursing Programs acquired the birthing manikin Noelle and her newborn baby, Hal. It is truly incredible that students entering each of the Health Technology programs at FTCC now have a total of eight high-fidelity manikins to support their learning process.

    The number of visits by health students to the high-fidelity simulation lab has also grown tremendously – from 350 visits during the 2010/11 school year to more than 900 during the last academic year. Evaluations are completed by students following each simulated clinical experience, and the overwhelming majority of comments are positive. Some comments from students include, “This really helped me pull all the pieces together,” and “I feel so much more confident in my ability to prioritize the care for my patient.”

    In the fall of 2011, FTCC added a new state-of-the-art control room that allows faculty to be completely removed from the area as students are developing their assessment techniques, communication and critical-thinking skills, and are deciding what action is the next right step. An audio-visual sim-capture program records all the events of the simulated clinical experience which can then be reviewed during the debriefing discussion between the faculty and students. Throughout this active learning process, the faculty members act as facilitators to assist each student to self-recognize things done well and areas needing improvement.

    In the spring of 2011, the National League of Nursing, the organization that provides accreditation for schools of nursing, accepted hundreds of applications for their “Leadership Development for Simulation Educators” program. Mitzi Averette, FTCC Sim Lab coordinator, was chosen as one of only 20 people from across the nation to participate in this year-long opportunity. FTCC supported her attendance at four national-level conferences this past year as well as time to complete projects associated with the program. Averette was also elected vice-chairperson for the North Carolina Nurses Association Simulation Council. In addition, during the 2011-12 school year, she applied for, received and administered a Perkins Grant for faculty development related to Teaching with Best Practice: Debriefing Techniques.

    Fayetteville Tech continues to demonstrate an incredible commitment to teaching with the latest technologies not only through the purchase of equipment but with the addition of personnel as well. One clear example includes the addition in July of the Health Division’s new Instructional Technology support position to assist not only in the high-fidelity simulation lab but also with all health faculty incorporating new technologies in any lab, classroom or online setting. For more information about any program offered through the Health Technology division, please visit http://www.faytechcc.edu/areas_of_study/HealthPrograms.asp.

    Photo: Fayetteville Tech continues to demonstrate an incredible commitment to teaching with the latest technologies not only through the purchase of equipment but with the addition of personnel as well.

  • 15 ALMSHOUSE signIt’s time to dust off those hippie sandals in the back of the closet and dig out the tie-dye T-shirt you’ve got in mothballs. Saturday, Oct. 6, the Members Credit Union office in Hope Mills holds its second annual Peace-Love-Walk benefit for the ALMSHOUSE of Hope Mills.

    Jon Hamby, member relations coordinator with MEMCU, said a focus of the credit union’s involvement in a community is to help with community events and community-based charities.

    “We already had a connection with the ALMSHOUSE, and when we were looking to add something else, we had the idea of the walk,’’ he said.

    The walk’s name is borrowed from the thrift shop operated by the ALMSHOUSE.

    “Most of the time when you go to a thrift store, you usually find older clothing,’’ Hamby said. Using that theme, the walk was tied to the era of the ’60s and ’70s, and the watchwords of that era, peace and love, were added.

    MEMCU is covering the complete cost of promoting the walk, from advertising and banners to free T-shirts that will be given to all the paying participants and sold at a discount after the walk is over.

    Hamby stressed the walk is totally noncompetitive. “It’s an hour walk,’’ he said. “You can walk one lap, ... five laps, however many laps you can get in.’’

    This year’s walk will be held somewhat in conjunction with the move of Members Credit Union’s Hope Mills office from Trade Street to a new location in the old Bi-Lo Shopping Center.

    The move should be complete around the middle of this month, and the grand opening is scheduled for Oct. 5, the day before the Peace-Love-Walk.

    The walk will take place at Hope Mills Municipal Park Oct. 6. Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the actual walk begins at 8:30 a.m.

    At 9:45 a.m., a fashion show will be held for those who’ve decided to come dressed in their best ’60s or ’70s clothing.

    There will also be a bounce house, face-painting and a live DJ with music. Activities do not have a set ending time, but Hamby said things usually begin to die down around noon.

    There are multiple divisions for people to enter. Children up to the age of 12 can register for $5 and will receive a certificate.

    Adult registration by Oct. 5 is $20 and includes a free T-shirt. Registration the day of the event is $25.

    Honor registrations to have someone’s name listed on the official walk T-shirt are $100. 

    “One of the founding principles for credit unions is concerns for our community,’’ Hamby said. “We want to give back to them and that’s what this does for us, helps us stay within our founding principles.’’

    To register online for Peace-Love-Walk and for more information, visit the website: www.memcu.com/peace-love-walk.

  • 14 Grays Creek FFA wining fair boothThe Gray’s Creek chapter of Future Farmers of America was recently recognized at the Cumberland County Fair for having the best booth put together by an educational group or organization.

    Tara King, who has been the FFA advisor at Gray’s Creek since the school opened in 2003, said students with the Gray’s Creek FFA chapter began working on their entry over the summer.

    “(The judges) just want your students to interpret the theme for this year’s fair,’’ King said. This year’s theme was “Thrills, Squeals and Ferris Wheels.’’

    King said the Gray’s Creek FFA chapter used their booth to tell the story of the various projects their group is working on.

    “It gives us exposure,’’ King said. “There are thousands of people who walk past that booth. Any chance we can get for that message, we’re all about doing.’’

    One of the biggest parts of the FFA program at Gray’s Creek is the raising of sheep and goats, which is part of the school’s animal science curriculum, King said.

    Students actually raise the livestock at Gray’s Creek, working all summer to prepare them for show at the county fair.

    The booth at the fair displayed pictures taken over the summer of the students working with their animals.

    King said an animal may be on public display at the fair for about five minutes, but it took up to 50 hours of preparation time for those few minutes.

    “If people take a few minutes in the booth to read the descriptions, they walk away with a better understanding of what it takes to get an animal ready for that kind of show,’’ she said. “It’s not as simple as putting a halter on them and walking them around the ring.’’

    At one time, King said, Gray’s Creek had upwards of 40 sheep and goats at the school. The students were in charge of raising and breeding them, monitoring the progress of pregnant ewes and eventually helping with the birthing of their offspring and giving them vaccinations.

    Fairs are a longstanding tradition with FFA students, King said. “I think it’s a place for people at the end of the growing season, the end of the summer, where they are bringing out the best they’ve gotten,’’ she said. “It’s a celebration in a way.’’

    She feels the fair is a teachable moment both for the students and the general public. 

    For the students, especially, King likes that it’s an opportunity to understand the importance of getting organized, putting a plan together and carrying it out.

  • Meetings

    For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed,call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Most meetings take place at Town Hall or the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation center.

    • Board of Commissioners Wednesday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m., Special Meeting, William “Bill” Luther and Doris Luther Meeting Room. Called to conduct a closed session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3) to discuss matters relating to attorney-client privilege and to conduct a Closed Session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (6) to discuss personnel matters.
    • Lake Advisory Committee Tuesday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m.
    • Mayor’s Youth Leadership Monday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m.
    • Board of Commissioners Monday, Sept 24, 7 p.m.

    Activities

    • Hope Mills Citizens Academy is designed to help citizens gain insight intohow local government works and promote open lines of communication. The sessions began Sept. 6. For more information, call Jane Starling at 910-424-4902 or email jstarling@townofhopemills.com.
    • Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club at Sammio’s, second Tuesdays at noon and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For details, call 910-237-1240. 
    • Hope Meals Food Truck Rodeo Thursday, Sept. 6, at the parking lot between Town Hall and Parks & Rec Center. 5 p.m.
    • Registration open for the 4th Annual Miss Hope Mills Cotton Pageant Applications are now being accepted at Hope Mills Parks & Recreation. Registration Deadline is Friday, Sept. 14. The pageant is for ages are 3-22 years old. Visit www.townofhopemills.com/375/Miss-Hope-Mills-Cotton-Pageant and see applications for rules and important information for contestants. The pageant takes place Oct. 5 for ages 3-9 and Oct. 6 for ages 10-22.
    • Ole Mills Days 2018 Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more details and vendor information, contact Parks and Recreation Director Kenny Bullock: 910-426-4107 or kwbullock@townofhopemills.com.
    • Pumpkin decorating for seniors Tuesday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m.-noon in the small activity room of Parks and Rec. No fee, but advanced sign-up is required. Only 20 pumpkins available. Prizes will be awarded for the best three pumpkins.
    • Ghostly Gala for seniors Wednesday, Oct. 31, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Parks and Rec community room. Advanced sign-up at the reception desk required. Costumes are preferred but not required. There will be a costume contest and pumpkin decorating contest. Potluck social. Bring main dish, side dish or dessert.

    Promote yourself:Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • Meetings

    For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Most meetings take place at Town Hall or the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation center.

    • Board of Commissioners Wednesday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m., Special Meeting, William “Bill” Luther and Doris Luther Meeting Room. Called to conduct a closed session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3) to discuss matters relating to attorney-client privilege and to conduct a Closed Session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (6) to discuss personnel matters.
    • CANCELLED: Board of Commissioners and Festival Committee Monday, Sept. 10. 
    •  Lake Advisory Committee Tuesday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m.

    Activities

    • Registration underway for the next Hope Mills Citizens Academy, which is designed to help citizens gain insight into how local government works and promote open lines of communication. The next Citizens Academy sessions begin Thursday, Sept. 6. Register online at www.townofhopemills.com. For more information, call Jane Starling at 910-424-4902 or email jstarling@townofhopemills.com.
    • Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club at Sammio’s, second Tuesdays at noon and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For details, call 910-237-1240. 
    • Hope Meals Food Truck Rodeo Thursday, Sept. 6, at the parking lot between Town Hall and Parks & Rec Center. 5 p.m.
    • Registration open for the 4th Annual Miss Hope Mills Cotton Pageant Applications are now being accepted at Hope Mills Parks & Recreation. Registration Deadline is Friday, Sept. 14. The pageant is for ages are 3 - 22 years old. Visit www.townofhopemills.com/375/Miss-Hope-Mills-Cotton-Pageant and see applications for rules and important information for contestants. The pageant takes place Oct. 5 for ages 3-9 and Oct. 6 for ages 10-22.
  • 14 grafittiA need to increase security at Hope Mills Municipal Park has led the town to add cameras that will aid park staff and law enforcement in keeping an eye on potential lawbreakers.

    “In this day and time, we can’t be everywhere,’’ Mayor Jackie Warner said, referring to the Hope Mills police department as well as first responders.

    “This helps them investigate things that happen and also gives them a look at maintaining what is going on in our parks.’’

    With the continuing increase in the population of Hope Mills, Warner said usage of the Municipal Park area has increased dramatically.

    “I don’t know of a day you can go up there when there aren’t people everywhere,’’ she said. “We have more people using the park, not just the walking trails but the ball fields and the picnic areas.’’

    Kenny Bullock, who heads up the parks and recreation department for Hope Mills, said the goal is to cut down on vandalism and to improve the overall safety of people who use the parks.

    Although it’s more of a preventative measure, Bullock said there have been some real problems, including graffiti on the dugouts at the ball fields and on the bleachers and playground equipment.

    There have also been fights and other issues at the outdoor basketball court. In extreme cases, they’ve had a shooting and some drug deals.

    Police have increased patrols of the park area, Bullock said, but the cameras will help to bolster security when there’s no physical police presence.

    The town has purchased four digital cameras that can be viewed on a monitor while also recording activity and storing the video digitally.

    Bullock said the four cameras can be moved around to different locations in the park.

    “Some are going to be set up randomly and some where we are having issues,’’ Bullock said. “We should be able to pull up each day’s recordings.’’

    Bullock indicated both recreation department staff and law enforcement officials from Hope Mills will be able to access the video and review it.

    Representatives of the company installing the camera equipment will come in for a single day of training for those who will be using it, Bullock said.

    He’s hopeful the entire system will be up and running by the second week of September.

    “Hopefully it will deter some of the activities going on in the park that shouldn’t be going on in the park,’’ Bullock said.

    Warner stressed that most of the activity the cameras hope to monitor is the malicious mischief that can go on when no one’s watching.

    “We’ve been very fortunate,’’ she said, adding that there have only been a few serious incidents in the park during her term as mayor of Hope Mills.

    “Usually, we’ve found it’s not people from Hope Mills,’’ she said. “For the most part, the kind of things we’ve seen are some graffiti or loitering, especially around the basketball courts. The assumption is it might be drug buys, or they might be seeing if they can create some issues.’’

    In addition to possibly catching those who are trying to cause problems, Warner hopes the cameras will give those who use the park for legitimate purposes a greater sense of security.

    “In the early dawn hours when people are walking or at dusk in the evening, this is another way of making them feel safer,’’ she said. “If something takes place or somebody is out there that shouldn’t be, hopefully they’ll be able to target it.’’

    Warner encouraged citizens who see something out of place to do their part and let someone know about it.

    “If you see something you don’t think is right, you need to notify the police,’’ she said. “I get phone calls or emails from people when something doesn’t look just right. You can report stuff on our website too.’’

    To report suspicious activity via the web, visit www.townofhopemills.com. On the homepage, click the link labeled “Report a concern.”

    Warner added citizens can be confident their reports will remain anonymous. “The police have been really good about taking a tip and not alerting anybody where it came from,’’ she said.

  • 13 Hope Mills OpinionEditor’s note: A much longer version of this article was originally published online at the author’s blog, hopemills.net/2018/08/25/we-are-one-team. The article has been condensed, edited and reprinted here with permission.

    By visiting https://clyp.it/pa1ztkra, you can listen to a 20+ minute Aug. 23 interview of Commissioners Meg Larson and Mike Mitchell by Goldy of WFNC. What follows is an abbreviated transcription of the interview and my commentary in italics.

    0:48 Goldy: Since Hope Mills pulled a $28,000 contract from a Fayetteville publication – the publication has just become – in my opinion -a mean, viscous, vindictive attack weapon.

    The Hope Mills Board didn’t actually “pull the contract” (from Up & Coming Weekly). The contract was for a finite amount of time, and it ended with the publication having fulfilled its obligation. The Board chose not to renew the contract. 

    1:37 Goldy: Was this land (referring to Lake bed #2, land the Lone Survivor Foundation would like to purchase from Hope Mills) ever up for sale?

    Mitchell:No, it was never for sale – in fact, we’ve been working on a comprehensive parks and recreation plan and we spent, at this point, over $100,000 for all of our properties to be looked at.

    This isn’t accurate. During the June 4 meeting between the Board and LSF Executive Director Terry Jung, Mike Mitchell threw out a price point to sell the land. Jung stated this in an interview I did with him in early August, and this was confirmed by three members of the Board. Jung was surprised at the quote and said it was quite high, comparable to a price tag on 60+ acres, when LSF was only asking to buy 3-4 acres. And, an email to a representative at Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation clearly shows the Board was excited to move forward with the sale and wanted to coordinate the next steps and see official financial offers as of June 5. Two other emails prove the $100,000 study commissioned to McAdams Group never included Lake bed #2; it was added by Larson and Mitchell sometime between July 30 and Aug. 1. Screen shots of those emails can be found on the original version of this article at HopeMills.net.

    4:25 Goldy: My understanding is that you were brought into a meeting on June 4 – I’ve seen some accounts where it says you were herded through a back hall of city hall into a meeting. Were you blindsided by this, Mike?

    Mitchell: Yes, sir. It was a closed session.

    Goldy: Why was it a closed session? A lot of people are asking that – why this was a closed session?

    Mitchell: I believe because it had to do with the tendering of property and economic development. We had no control over it – I guess the closed session was put on their (the agenda) by the mayor.

    Three members of the Board have confirmed the closed session on June 4 took place in the exact same way as all closed sessions – and in the exact same place. Much has been made of the presentation taking place in a closed session, when in fact that’s standard operating procedure. Land acquisition and personnel issues are always discussed in a closed session. 

    4:56 Goldy: One of the other things that I have read is that there may be some – let’s call them hard feelings – between the Board and the mayor – because her son Teddy Warner kinda facilitated this whole thing. The Board has some hurt feelings the mayor apparently knew about this before the Board of commissioners did.

    Mitchell: Yeah, we just thought it might have been more appropriate if we had known ahead of time – when you go into a meeting and the mayor’s son is there we were just kind of taken aback a little bit. There’s not a conflict of interest – we’ve asked about it – it just seemed inappropriate or uncomfortable for us. I just asked our town manager and our whole team that when there’s a request made to partner or to buy property – that’s not for sale especially – that they inform the Board of Commissioners.  We are one team.  If any organization asks you to keep something secret from your Board of Commissioners – that should be a red flag.

    Teddy Warner is the director of business development for the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation. He has an impressive resume and works with a respected company. He also happens to be the mayor’s son. We live in a small town. This Board is going to do business with relatives and friends – it’s inevitable. 

    And Mitchell’s implication that this presentation was purposely kept secret from the Board is ridiculous. Jung addressed the allegations that the presentation wasn’t handled correctly in our interview: “I’m confident they’re wrong because we’ve dealt with two other cities in the Cumberland County area (Godwin & Fayetteville), and that’s exactly the procedure we have followed.”

    It’s not just wrong, it’s incredibly insulting to the entire staff of FCCEDC, the Hope Mills staff and to the Warner Family.

    In an ironic twist, Mitchell recently admitted on social media that he’s been approached multiple times since July 24 with offers from nonprofit groups wanting to buy land. He also admitted that he did not relay the offers to the town manager or to the Board... as he’s insisted they do. He simply told the nonprofit groups the land was not for sale. 

    11:49 Goldy: I think that everyone on the BOC thinks that the LSF is an outstanding organization – there is nobody that doesn’t think that this is a worthy organization, and you would love to have them in your town – just not on this piece of land.

    Mitchell:

     Exactly. Jessie Bellflowers is actually working to find an alternate location for them as we speak.

    There is no reason to find an alternate piece of land. Lake bed #2 was abandoned by the town for more than 50 years. It wasn’t even included in the initial parks and rec survey being conducted by the McAdams Group. It stands to reason that if LSF hadn’t approached the town with an offer to purchase the lake bed, it would never have been included in the survey, it wouldn’t have been developed, and it may have been neglected for another 50 years.  What would have happened if LSF had approached the town in November... well after McAdams had concluded its survey? Mitchell and Larson couldn’t have included it at that point, and their argument would have been invalid. 

    And LSF has expressed a willingness to lease the land or purchase it with a buy-back clause, ensuring Hope Mills would have it if needed at some point in the future... which means we’re not conflicting with the 2030 plan they quote so often. 

    On an ending note: I’ve maintained a strict standard of providing tangible evidence to coincide with each article I post, and links to everything I’ve referenced in this printed edition can be found on my blog. Commissioner Mitchell has blocked me from commenting on his social media. He has a long tradition of blocking dissenting views. 

    To the commissioners – Within my original online post are links to evidence proving that nothing you said on the radio was truthful or accurate. If you have tangible evidence to contradict any of this, I welcome it. I’ll retract any statement you can disprove and gladly share your evidence. 

    If not, then I suggest you reevaluate your position on the LSF proposal... but also your position on the Board.  You’re meant to represent all of the people, all of the time – not just people who agree with you.

  • 09-11-13-ballroom-dancers.gifUsed 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

  • 09-18-13-little-prince.gifTom Quaintance, the artistic director of the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, doesn’t like to sound cliche, but he risked it in his excitement for the upcoming opening of The Little Prince.

    “This may sound like a cliche, but this is truly a story for all ages,” he said. “I came across the story when I was a kid. My sister, who was taking French, read it to me. I was transported by the illustrations. It is an extraordinary tale that is well-known and loved. It is a fanciful story for kids, but adults love the fact that it is a beautiful, poetic look at life. It has an enduring quality to it and truly has something for the entire family.”

    Kicking off the Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s season, Quaintance wanted to find a play that had the broad appeal of The Little Prince, particularly as the next play. Sweeney Todd has such an adult theme.

    In order to stage the show, the CFRT installed a lift in the floor of the stage. The lift gives height and dimension to the stage, which Quaintance says has been a lot of fun, but quickly adds that while it is a fun new tool in his director’s kit bag, it is a tool that lends itself to the strong story-telling, which is a signature of the theatre.

    While The Little Prince is not a musical, music gives the play a rhythm and a heartbeat that Quaintance and the cast feel assists in the storytelling. The music for the show was composed by Sean Powell, who is also a member of the ensemble and winner of the Best of Fayetteville Best Actor.

    “The play is better for the music Sean is composing,” said Quaintance. “A lot of the instruments we are using are very spiritual like the Tibetan singing bowl and the Native-American flutes. The addition of the music brings a deeply spiritual feel to the show.”

    Steven Minnow is playing the aviator who is one of the main characters of the story, but also serves as the narrator throughout the play.

    “Going into the process of the play, it was weird to be in the story and tell it,” said Minnow. “Finding that balance has really been a challenge.”

    Quaintance noted that in the telling of the story the audience finds itself immersed in the journey, which has many facets.

    As a child, Emily Grosland, who is playing The Little Prince, saw the journey focusing on friendship and the need to pay attention to things. While preparing for the role, she found that in order to be The Little Prince, she had to open herself up to emotions like children do. “I had to allow the play to happen to me and embrace the innocence of the story.”

    Minnow added that the play invites you to forget the challenges of the every day little stuff and see what really matters is all the stuff and people who are in your life.”

    The play is running Sept. 19 through Oct. 6, with tickets to the show ranging in price from $12 to $25. Tickets can be purchased online at www.cfrt.org or at the CFRT Box Office during its regular business hours.

    Photo: The Little Prince will be at CFRT through Oct. 6.

  • uac092513001.gif Ever seen a woman cut in two? Or one that levitates off of a table? How about someone pulling a rabbit out of their hat? If so, you may have been to a typical, average, run-of-the-mill magic show. But during the first week of October, the Crown becomes magical as Truman’s Mystical, Magical Adventure comes to town.

    Sure, magic has tantalized the public for generations providing entertainment and wonder for millions across the globe, but this show adds a twist to the event. It brings education into the mystical world of magic. As most people know, “A good magician never reveals his secrets.” Kidsville News! is changing that constant, with its new take on magic shows. Don’t misunderstand — the show will be packed with amazing illusions along with a solid message about the importance of education.

    Kidsville News! and the Kidsville News Literacy & Educations Foundation are partnering with the Crown Center 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 and marketing consultant, said, “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 be attending the magic show.

    “He will be greeting everyone as they walk in to the show and he will actually be on stage assisting the Amazing VanDoren,” Sykes said.

    “This show is fun and interactive all the way through,” said The Amazing VanDoren, who promises to wow the audience at the great adventure.

    “We’ve written this show so that the entire family will enjoy it and a few will even be shocked at some of the illusions that we perform.”

    While he was reluctant to reveal too many secrets, VanDoren did mention a few of the things the audience can look forward to seeing.

    “I am going to make my assistant vanish — while she is floating in the air,” he said. Assuming that she can be found after that …

    “I will put her in a 12 inch box, that’s right, 12 inches, and run the box through with swords. Then she will emerge in an entirely different costume — unharmed.”

    Because VanDoren is so passionate about magic, he spends a lot of time building, designing and tweaking his illusions to make the show as magical as it can be. In the end, what he really wants is to entertain the crowd and to see them get excited about magic.09-25-13-vandoren.gif

    “Magic is perception, and in this show I take you from reality to your imagination and make your imagination real,” he said. “I love seeing the excitement on people’s faces, not just kids but everyone whether they are 80 or 8. To bring that type of magic to someone’s face, there is nothing better than that!”

    For schools, shows will take place Oct. 3-4. There will be 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 are $8 per student. Principles, 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 from Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, Lee, Sampson and Robeson counties.

    There will also be performances offered for the general public, including 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 by calling 484-6200.

    All tickets for family shows can be purchased by calling 484-6200 or through ticketmaster at http://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 Coliseum, 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 5th grade that is distributed to schools across the nation. Currently, 1.4 million people are reached by Kidsville News!every month.

    Photo: Come prepared to be entertained at Truman’s MysticaL Magical Adventure.

  • 09-18-13-kiwanis-care.gifThe 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

  • 09-25-13-ftcc.gifA Head Start for High

    School Students at

    Fayetteville Tech

     

    On Monday, Aug. 26, Fayetteville Technical Community College welcomed nearly 600 high school students to campus for their first day of college. Most of these students are currently enrolled in the Cumberland County School System, although many of them also attended local private or home-school organizations. They arrived on campus ready and willing to take advantage of the tuition-free courses provided to them through FTCC’s High School Connections program.

    High School Connections is the local branch of North Carolina’s Career and College Promise initiative, which allows current high school students to enroll in certain college classes without paying for tuition. Locally, FTCC recruits and enrolls high school juniors and seniors in a variety of college-transfer and/or career and technical education programs.

    Students can choose to take college-transfer classes in the areas of Business and Economics, Humanities and Social Science, Engineering and Mathematics or Life and Health Sciences. These programs include the areas of English, math, science, history, psychology, economics and so forth. As outlined in the state-wide articulation agreement, these classes are all guaranteed to transfer seamlessly to any UNC school.

    For the CTE programs, High School Connections offers more than two dozen choices for students. Some of the more popular programs for 2013-2014 include Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Science, Simulation and Game Development and Criminal Justice/Latent Evidence Technology. FTCC was pleased to offer several new HSC programs this year also, including Fire Protection Technology, Computer Programming, Basic Computer-Integrated Machining, Introduction to Criminal Justiceand Social Media. All of the programs available culminate in a college certificate upon completion and also offer the students a chance to “graduate” from FTCC prior to their high school graduation.

    Students often jump at the chance to take college courses before finishing high school, and parents are generally impressed with the automatic tuition savings. Some families see the benefit in their student achieving early career training through the CTE programs, while others enjoy shaving off a few free credits here and there as their student contemplates that future doctorate degree in physics. Local high schools can reap the benefit of the program as well, since the students who attend classes at the college free up seats in over-crowded classrooms. Additionally, FTCC has the ability to offer course options that many local schools do not have the resources to provide, thus helping to meet the diverse and ever-changing needs of our younger population. It goes without saying that the college itself enjoys increased enrollment, which often leads to increased awareness of its own full-time programs. In the end, the situation is a win for everyone involved.

    When the high school students flooded FTCC’s campus on Aug. 26, it was the culmination of several months’ worth of hard work and planning on the part of many local counselors and administrators, as well as college staff and faculty. Recruitment for spring 2014 classes will be gearing up soon, so interested families are encouraged to visit the High School Connections website at www.faytechcc.edu/highschool_connections/index.aspx. Students can also follow us on Facebook (High School Connections) or on Twitter (@FTCCHSConnect) to get more information.

  • uac092414001.gif The weekend of Sept. 26-28 marks the 36th Annual Folk Festival. That’s nearly four decades of celebrating the cultural diversity that makes the greater Fayetteville area so special.

    The festivities include a sampling from many different aspects of the more than 30 cultures that participate in the event. Visi-tors can taste and smell the flavor of other lands in the foods that are available; hear the rhythms and songs of different nations in the music and dances; and see the colors and heritage of the world displayed in the costumes and dances that are part of the majesty of the International Folk Festival.

    “Friday, September 26 is the kick-off,” said Mary Kinney, mar-keting director of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County Mary Kinney. “There will be cultural performances all through downtown.”

    The Downtown Alliance has “4th Friday International Pass-ports” available. Stop by the Downtown Alliance office or the Arts Council and get one. Then visit stores, galleries and res-taurants to collect stamps for the passport and register to win a grand prize.

    On Saturday, the Parade of Nations kicks things off at 10:30 a.m. More than 1,000 participants have signed up to participate. Come and enjoy the pageantry and customs of the different nationalities in the community. Each nationality in the parade will carry their nation’s flag. There will be dancers wearing native costumes, music and good cheer. The Army Ground Forces Band is set to lead the parade and perform on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

    “In an effort to make the parade information more accessible, the Arts Council will provide an interpreter on the stage at the corner of Hay Street and Ray Avenue to interpret the parade announcements through sign language for those with hearing chal-lenges,” said Kinney.

    Festival Park opens at noon and closes at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27-28. That is plenty of time to get out and sample the delicious fare and enjoy the many entertainment stages, arts and crafts, vendors and other activities scheduled throughout the weekend.

    “We are excited to partner with Fayetteville State Univer-sity this year to bring Malaysian09-24-14-folk-festival-1.gifsinger/songwriter Yuna to the main stage on Saturday,” said Kinney.

    Yuna blends contemporary pop, acoustic folk and R&B. She is recognized internationally as a talented performer and is gaining popularity in the United States. The concert starts at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday. Prior to the Yuna concert, the Army Ground Forces Band will perform. Hawaiian dancers, Aloha Kanaka Ohula Halau and Russian performers Moscow Nights are also set to grace the Main Stage on Saturday.

    On Sunday, The Army Ground Forces Band returns. Belly dancers from Shadows of Fire will perform, too. Check out the Miami-based Spam Allstars at 2:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. This group was so popular when they visited in 2011 that the Arts Council teamed up with South Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts to bring them back to Fayetteville. “The artists are widely known for their use of improvisational electronic elements and turntables with Latin, funk, hip hop and dub to create what they call an ‘electronic descarga,’” said Kinney.

    Not only is this group entertaining, they are sticking around to offer work-shops on Monday. The workshops are for the visually impaired participants of the Vision Resource Center.

    While these main-stage events are sure to be a blast, there is plenty to see and do all over Festival Park throughout the weekend. Linear Park will host members of the Lumbee Tribe’s Native American Cultural Showcase. Here, visitors can learn the elements of pow-wow.

    Saturday, on the International Stage, Carolina Klezmer will perform. Their musical repertoire includes music that is a mix of Russian, Czech, Polish, Turkish, Middle Eastern, German, Greek, French, Spanish, Italian and music of the Americas. Also on the International stage, the Belfast Boys will perform a traditional Irish set of jigs, reels, polkas and songs.

    Look for cultural performances by local community members and groups on the International stage throughout the day on Sunday.The Children’s Area Stage has some real treats lined up for the weekend. Performers include Sean Gaskell, The Healing Force, Mountain Marionettes and Criss Cross Mangosauce. What makes these performers even more fun is the extras before and after the shows.

    09-24-14-folk-festival-2.gif“We have three artists performing on kids stage,” said Kinney. “They are also doing interactive workshops when they are not on stage. Shawn Gaskill and The Healing Force are going to have interactive workshops throughout the week-end. He plays traditional music of Africa and the songs tell the stories of war and hardship as well as accomplishments and joy. Some of the songs are 800 years old. I think that is going to be fun for kids and adults alike.”

    Last year, the Kindness Corner in the Children’s Area was a big hit. This year the activities are just as fun and kind-hearted. “There will be several maps where people can indicate where they have lived or visited and what they love about that destination. Then there will be an art project where people can paint on a small canvas to make art that will be abandoned in the park. You make something and leave it for someone else to find and then it is theirs to keep. There will be a tag on the abandoned art that explains what it is. These pieces of art will be in the park for people to find and keep.”

    The International Folk Festival is an event that the community looks forward to all year long. It’s a chance to celebrate the community and its diversity. “We are excited about getting people to bring their friends and neighbors,” said Kinney. “We want everyone to experience the entire world this weekend — we expect to see 100,000 people or more at Festival Park.”

    Find out more about the 36th Annual International Folk Festival at www.theartscouncil.com.

  • 09-03-14-director\'s-eye.gifOn a hectic Friday afternoon, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre is a bee-hive of activity. On the main stage, the stage crew is occupied with building the set for the upcoming production of Spamalot! In the lobby, everyone from the serious buyer to the looky-loos are perusing the wide array of props and costumes that are on sale during the theatre’s yard sale to clean out its costume and prop room. Volunteers are busy planning the upcoming fundraiser in the Cape Fear Botanical Garden and measur-ing actors for costumes. Orchestrat-ing all of this controlled madness is Tom Quaintance, the artistic director of the theatre.

    Quaintance, who is in his third year at the theatre, takes it all in stride. He has earned a few more gray hairs since his arrival in Fayetteville, but the wisdom he has gained in those three years not only about the theatre, but also about the community makes them well worth-while.

    “I’m as busy as I have ever been,” said Quaintance, who took a break from rehearsals for Spamalot! to sit down with Up & Coming Weekly. “I am better at the job now, but it’s still a lot.”

    Quaintance, who moved to Fayetteville from the West Coast, tackled two big jobs when he arrived in Fayetteville. The first, of course, was take the reigns of a successful and growing the theatre. The second was becoming a dad.

    “I look at those two as being a lot alike,” he said. “The responsibility of running a theatre and the respon-sibility of being a father are both extremely rewarding and exciting.”

    They are both also both the hard-est jobs Quaintance has ever had to tackle — and the most rewarding.

    Quaintance said the responsibility required for each is overwhelming.

    “But at the end of the day, when it all comes down, I’d rather be the guy responsible,” he noted.

    About two months into his job at the CFRT, Quaintance had his first “we’re not in Kansas” anymore mo-ment while sitting in a meeting at the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumber-land County.

    “I was in a meeting with local and state leaders. They were talk-ing about the role of the arts in the state, and it hit me that I had to pay attention to what was being said, to what was going on. It was up to me to engage and be a part of this very important conversation,” he recalled. “I had come up with a way for the theatre to partner with these agen-cies. In the past, when I was teach-ing, I would go to a faculty meeting and kind of blank out because it wasn’t about me, but all of this is.

    Quaintance is taking that role seri-ously and is working closely with local and state leaders to position the CFRT as a leader in not only the region, but the state and the nation.

    His efforts are not going without notice, as the theatre has received two National Endowment of the Arts grants (the first for the staging of The Parchman Hour) and the most recent, an unsolicited grant to use to engage the local audience. The theatre also receive a national grant to stage the upcoming Voices from the Homefront.

    The engagement piece is what Quaintance has being struggling with since coming to Fayetteville. His first observance was that the theatre served a limited part of the commu-nity, and over the past three years, through not only play selection, but also outreach programs to engage the community, he has tried to broaden the reach of the theatre by making it appealing to all members of the community.

    “We have been working very hard to reach into parts of the commu-nity that we have not served,” he said. “And that will continue to be our focus, as well as bringing well produced, designed and acted plays to the stage.”

    The theatre and its board is in the beginning stages of creating a strategic plan for the growth and success of the theatre. Quaintance is excited about the possibilities, and is encouraged by the increase in atten-dance to shows. All of which he at-tributes to the hard work of the staff, who he says has thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the changes he has made and who have worked tire-lessly to improve the theatre.

    “This theatre will live up to its name, we will take some risks with play selections and we will tackle some tough issues, but we will continue to produce quality theatre,” he said. “And I believe, we will be a leader for the arts in our community, the state and the nation."

    Photo: Tom Quaintance

  • 09-10-14-fort-bragg-invites.gifRenaissance reenactment is an excit-ing way to involve friends and family in the history and culture of the past. The Fourth Annual Fort Bragg Renaissance Fairee will be held on Sept. 20 and 21 starting at 10 a.m.

    Renaissaince Faires include a number of activities that engage performers and audiences to interact with one another. Activities will include: Paragon Jousting, which actually pits warriors against each other on horse-back. If the joust gets your blood stirring, you can participate in swordsmanship classes. If, on the other hand, fighting isn’t your thing, you can stroll through the Marketplace, where you will find handcrafted clothing, candles and jewelry, hand-forged medieval cloak pins, ladles, cutlery sets, chainmail and fire pokers.

    The Faire runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. At 4:30 p.m., there is a masquerade ball, followed by a Pub Sing. On Sunday, activities will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. There is an “Are you smarter than a royal?” competition at 4 p.m., also followed by a Pub Sing.

    During the Faire, attendees are asked to refrain from using cell phones on site and encouraged to dress the part if able. This creates a more realis-tic environment and adds to the fun.

    The absence of technology gives everyone a chance to experience life as an everyday person during the time period. This also is an educational opportunity for children to learn about history and to delve into the event without distraction.

    The Faire will offer roasted turkey legs, beverages and treats while magi-cians, musicians and dancers entertain the public. To reenact this age, the Medieval Fantasies Company travels statewide so everyone can experience and be involved in rebirth.

    Chris and Mia Pugh founded the company in 2003 where they conduct a number of medieval and renaissance themed services.

    “We are dedicated to offering family-friendly events filled with appropriate entertainment and educational opportunities. While our Faires are not strictly living history, we strive to offer performers that provide high quality historical demonstrations,” said Chris Pugh.

    After doing some digging into his family tree, Pugh found that his family was actually a part of the Renaissance and the Middle Ages.

    “We are shaped by those who have come before us — our values, talents and faults are as much a part of us as they are of our ancestors. It is our responsibility to pass on this history to those who follow us. Not only for our children, but those who we meet everyday,” he said.

    Renaissance Faires are outdoor events held to enlighten the commu-nity about the rebirth stage, which occurred roughly from the 14th to the 17th century. The Dark Ages were an era of war and disease before the re-birth period. Before the people where given the rebirth of their freedoms they suffered through times of oppres-sion. The Renaissance period brought forth more freedom and access to art, religion, science and music.

    “I am a United States Air Force veteran, and as such, I know how important programs such as the Faire are for our service members and their families,” he said. “It is an honor and a privilege…to provide a place for them to set aside their cares and respon-sibilities for a short while. To enter a world where they can relax, have fun and truly enjoy their time at Fairee is our ultimate goal.”

    The Renaissance Faire is at the Smith Lake Recreation Area, 1200 Honeycutt Road. Entrance to Smith Lake Recreation Area is accessible off of Honeycutt Road onto Smith Lake Road. The access road off of Murchi-son Road is now permanently closed. Admission is $ 5 per carload. For more information, visit the Fort Bragg MWR website at www.fortbraggmwr.com or www.medievalfanta-siesco.com.

  •     {mosimage}The Blue Jean Ball, scheduled for Sept. 27 at the Highland Country Club, wasn’t always a kid friendly party. In fact, last year was the first time youth were included. And they were included in every aspect of it, with great success.
        “The Blue Jean Ball is kind of two parties in one. It’s multigenerational,” said Sandy Ammons, event coordinator. “What that means is we’ve got one party for the kids with a deejay and food and dancing and they have a great time.” 
        The kids portion of the program is scheduled to be held in the ballroom of the country club. The Blue Jean Ball is a fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center.
        “In the lounge and the other area you’ve got the adult party,” said Ammons. “We have a reception and we have a silent auction. We’re all together but it is kind of two separate parties.”
        According to Ammons, the kids plan all aspects of their party — they pick the music, the food, and help stuff the invitations.
        “Last year my kids were in middle school and it is a very social time when they are going to parties,” said Ammons. “They are so smart and so creative and when we talked about this fundraiser we thought wouldn’t it be fun if this were an event we could take our children to. So we just started brainstorming.”  
        The adult planning committee had no idea how enthusiastic the youth would be. 
    “Last year at the planning committee we thought we would have to pull the ideas out of them, but no … they wouldn’t stop talking, it just grew and grew,” said Ammons. 
        The kids are also making a banner to present to the Child Advocacy Center, a pledge to do all they can to help prevent child abuse.
        The silent auction promises exciting items for people to bid on. Several chairs and stools of different styles ranging from children’s chairs to Adirondack chairs are being painted by local artists. Some local officials are participating in the cause, too.  
        “We have Mayor (Tony) Chavonne; we have some city council members and county commissioners, the registrar of deeds … A couple of our judges are participating,” said Ammons. “It’s really neat to see. We don’t give them any instructions. There is no theme that they need to stick with so it is really great to see what they come up with. That is the exciting part.” 
        The chairs will be posted on the Web site in mid-September so they can be viewed prior to the auction. There will also be other auction items like painted tubs and other creations from local artists. Ammons noted that they are expanding on last year’s auction which included travel packages, wine, food and tickets to sports activities.
      With two successful years behind them the planning committee hopes to see an increase in attendance as well as funds raised. “Last year we had around 300 (people), we are hoping to grow that,” said Ammons. “Last year we raised $43,000. This year we hope to maybe take it up to 50.”
        All proceeds go to the Child Advocacy Center Child Abuse Prevention Program, and partners and services for the children who do come to the center. 
        “The interesting thing about the CAC is we don’t charge for our services,” said Ammons. “Everything is supported through donations and grants, so we have to have fundraisers like this to support those programs.”
    Tickets are $25 per youth and $50 per adult. Heavy hors d’ oeuvres will be provided. The fun starts at 7 p.m.

  • 15KingLearSweet Tea Shakespeare and Honest Pint Theatre Company present “King Lear” Sept. 28–30 at 7:30 p.m. at Seabrook Auditorium on the campus of Fayetteville State University.    

    “The play is considered to be one of Shakespeare’s masterpieces, and it is a long play with a really challenging role of King Lear,” Jeremy Fiebig, artistic director of Sweet Tea Shakespeare and director of “King Lear,” said. “Some people consider it the Mount Everest of Shakespeare’s work in terms of a role to be performed.”

    Fiebig added they have partnered with a company out of Raleigh called Honest Pint Theatre. He met with the artistic director and discussed an eager actor who wanted to play the lead.

    “King Lear” is a Shakespearean tragedy in which the king decides to retire and divide his kingdom among his three daughters. Two of his daughters go along with the plan, and one does not. “King Lear becomes more insane as the play goes on and his daughters engage in war — and the play attracts all of that,” Fiebig said. “King Lear will be an indoor performance, but we are bringing the outdoors inside with it, so there will be a picnic table, a grass patch, trees and lighting that really invites us to think about what the outdoors is like.” 

    Sweet Tea Shakespeare was founded in Fayetteville in 2012. The group sees opportunity for humor in tragedies, and the result is a production that will scratch a lot of different kinds of itches regarding what audience members will see. Sweet Tea Shakespeare performs throughout the year with a mix of indoor and outdoor performances.

    “We present classic plays throughout the year in Fayetteville, and we travel to Raleigh,” Fiebig said. “We have a series that goes to local craft breweries, vineyards and bars that does that sort of irreverent take on Shakespeare as well.”

    Fiebig added that the group has a house band. So, when there is a show, it is wrapped in music. Audiences are welcome to come 45 minutes before the show to enjoy the music. There is also music during intermission and throughout the play.

    Ticket cost is $15 for the general public, $13 for seniors and military and $8 for students and kids 6-12 years of age. Tickets available at www.sweetteashakespeare.com and www. honestpinttheatre.org.

  • 11DreamgirlsThe Cape Fear Regional Theater knows how to kick off a season — music, dancing, singing and the story of a dream. A few dreams, actually. Effie, Deena and Lorrell are The Dreams, a trio of singers aspiring for fame in the Motown era. The women find that success requires compromise and may cost them their friendship.

    With love lost and found along the way and some friendships broken and mended, “Dreamgirls” is a roller coaster of emotion that the talented cast handles beautifully. CFRT Artistic Director Mary Catherine Burke said the entire cast has a passion for performing. You won’t doubt that when you see the show.

    The cast includes leads Nattalyee Randall as Effie White, Diamond Essence White as Deena Jones, and Stephanie Rocio as Lorrell Robinson. Kwame Remy is Jimmy “Thunder” Early, Marktavious Patton is Curtis Taylor, Jr., and Darius Jordan Lee is C.C. White. All but Patton (who played the Tin Man in last season’s “The Wiz”) are making their CFRT debut with “Dreamgirls.”

    Randall brought the audience to a standing ovation with her powerful performance of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.” Her raw emotion made me feel every bit of sadness, disappointment and anger the character was feeling. Randall’s energy was evident and definitely a highlight of the show. But it was her performance of “I Am Changing” later in the show that really displayed her talent and range. As frenzied and raw as the former song was, the latter was balanced and calm, yet gripping.

    Another musical treat is when Patton, Lee and Remy lead the company in “Steppin’ to the Bad Side.” The performance, early in the show, lets us know that we are in for a talented range of vocals and fun dance moves.

    Director Suzanne Agins brings the music, emotion, costumes and dance together with motion. The constant motion of the actors and props brings the stage alive with energy and excitement. With a live band onstage throughout the show, it feels like we are getting a peek backstage for the musical numbers. Although much of the story is about performing onstage, it still felt very intimate and personal.

    Of special note is the work of Lighting Designer Maranda DeBusk. It happened before I realized it, but the lighting itself became a supporting character, adding not only colors and hues, but changing tone and emotion as the performers sang and danced.

    “Dreamgirls” book and lyrics are by Tom Eyen, and the music is by Henry Krieger. The show is choreographed by Randy A. Davis.

    “Dreamgirls” runs through Oct. 8, so get your tickets now because this is a show you don’t want to miss. For ticket information, call the box office at (910) 323-4233 or visit www.cfrt.org.

  • 11EvilDeadThe Gilbert Theater is known for its eclectic seasons. No two shows are similar; instead, they reach many different demographics within Fayetteville. To kick off the 2017-18 season it has a truly unique show running from Sept. 22 to Oct. 8.

    “‘Evil Dead: The Musical’ is based on the original Sam Raimi film that was released in 1981,” Matthew Overturf, the Gilbert’s artistic director, said. “A group of college students travel for a spring break getaway to a creepy cabin in the woods. There, they find a mysterious book, which when read unleashes horrors and hilarity beyond imagination. It’s a fun, campy send up of the original film.”

    As the show is based on the Raimi film, there are many tongue-in-cheek references that are recognizable to fans of the film. That said, seeing the original film is not necessary to enjoy the show, as it has a fun and engaging story of its own. “Evil Dead: The Musical” is based on a horror movie, but it’s not the same as watching a horror film. “Horror can definitely be intimidating for some,” Overturf said. “But I want to be clear that this isn’t just a horror musical, it’s a funny and hilarious show with some horror and gore mixed in. If you are a fan of ‘Rocky Horror,’ you will enjoy ‘Evil Dead the Musical.’ One other important thing to note is that this is definitely not a show for children. This campy, raunchy, horror tale is full of fun and hilarity for adult audiences. Leave the little ghouls at home on this one.” 

    The show is challenging in many ways. The actors must walk a thin line between comedy and being deathly serious. There is also a musical aspect of the show that may present a new challenge to many. It covers several different musical styles, but it has a strong focus on rock, which requires a certain vocal quality that is not prominent in live theater. There are also tremendous technical aspects to this performance.

    “This is a highly technical show,” Overturf said. “From a severed hand and head (to) phenomenal makeup and costume changes, this show presents some unique challenges. This will definitely be an interesting show for audiences that love the spectacle of great effects.”

    The rest of the Gilbert season features performances of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Venus in Fur,” “Antigone” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”

    “I truly am excited for every show this season,” Overturf said. “We are offering a vast array of options for Gilbert audiences, and I think that people will not be disappointed. In my first full season as artistic director, my hope and desire was to bring a season that hearkens back to the types of shows audiences expect from the Gilbert while also bringing new and innovative works to the stage. I firmly believe this season does that.”

    For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.gilberttheater.com.

  • 19FSO bbqPicnic at the Hollow on the evening of Sept. 21 is the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s fall fundraiser. It features legendary barbecue as well as jazz performed by the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra in the beautiful Fox Hollow. Fox Hollow is the private home of Kathy and Daniel Fitch.

    The picnic is the kickoff for this year’s North Carolina-themed season. “We were trying with our fall event to tie it into our North Carolina-themed concert series,” Christine Kastner, president and CEO of the FSO, said. “When we started talking about that, it seemed natural to do barbecue. Many of us happen to know Wyatt Dickson, and so while we were brainstorming, we decided to bring him home. Dickson has a restaurant in Durham called Picnic that has received local and regional attention for their barbecue.”

    Fayetteville native Wyatt Dickson is specifically known for his woodsmoked, whole-hog barbecue. Barbecue is a ubiquitous experience in the south. It’s delicious, relatable and everyone has had some. It is for everyone. For Kastner, this represents something important about the FSO as well.

    “One of the reasons we are doing this theme is to show that the symphony is approachable,” she said. “You don’t have to be formal to have a relationship with the symphony. It is available to all people.”

    According to Kastner, the decision to make this season’s theme North Carolina came organically. When the new music director, Stefan Sanders, came to visit the area, he naturally asked a lot of questions. As they began to discuss all the wonderful and unique things that North Carolina has to offer, it seemed natural to celebrate it with music this year.

    “Our first concert is titled ‘Cape Fear,’” Kastner said. “It focuses on our pirate history, the coast and oceanthemed music. We are inviting people to come in costumes because it is in October. Dress as pirates, or kids can wear whatever their Halloween costumes will be.” This concert will take place Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Huff Concert Hall at Methodist University.

    Fundraising is important for the FSO. Each year, the organization does much more than its regular concert series. Currently, it is working on bringing concerts into neighborhoods. The Thursday before Picnic at the Hollow on Sept. 21, there will be a free concert in Westover Park, which is the first concert in this new outreach program.

    The FSO is also well-known for the tremendous amount of work it puts into music education in the community. The symphony has a youth orchestra, hosts summer music camps and works closely with many Cumberland County schools. Continuing these programs requires funding, and that is what the funds raised as Picnic in the Hollow will support.

    Admission is limited for this event and costs $50 per person. More information and options for paying this fee can be found at www.fayettevillesymphony.org/events. Fox Hollow is located at 2418 Sunnyside School Rd.

  • The struggle to return to normal after Hurricane Florence continues with a long weekend of games stretching from Friday until Monday night.
     
    For teams like E.E. Smith, Douglas Byrd, Westover, Pine Forest, Overhills, Gray’s Creek and Cape Fear there will be the challenge of playing a second game in a short week.
     
    For Terry Sanford, it’s going to be a battle of shaking off rust, as the Bulldogs haven’t played since their Sept. 7 road loss to Sandhills Conference rival Cape Fear.
     
    Terry Sanford has practiced, of course, but that’s still three weeks plus removed from the atmosphere of a real game.
    Of course, we in Cumberland County can be very thankful when looking at what’s going on in other counties in the southeastern corner of the state.
     
    Near the coast, Brunswick and New Hanover county schools aren’t likely to get back in session until after Oct. 5. Duplin County schools just go word they are barred from even going onto their campuses until school officials can determine it’s safe.
    Delays continue in neighboring Robeson County where the flood damage from Hurricane Florence was more severe.
    The N.C. High School Athletic Association extended the football season one week to make it a little easier to reschedule games and get back on course, but those areas that can’t return to schedule until the first week of October or later may be looking at changes in the way their conference determines a champion to complete the season.
     
    It may take some real outside the box thinking on the part of coaches and athletic administrators to sort it out.
    The first concern for them, of course, is to get life back to normal after the damage from the hurricane. The fate of high school football is a small headache by comparison.
     
    The record: 32-13
     
    I was a perfect 4-0 in the games that were played Tuesday and Wednesday, running the season record to 32-13, 71.1 percent. Here are the picks for the long weekend.
     
    Lumberton at Jack Britt - Britt put things together in its win over Southern Lee. Let’s see if they are able to survive the layoff and keep on winning against Lumberton.
    Jack Britt 18, Lumberton 16.
     
    Hoke County at Seventy-First - Bad timing for Hoke to be playing a Seventy-First team that will want to make a statement after its disappointing loss at Southern Durham before the hurricane arrived.
    Seventy-First 35, Hoke County 12.
     
    Douglas Byrd at E.E. Smith - This one is a tough call. Both teams are struggling, but Byrd has been a little more consistent offensively with Earlee Melvin providing a needed spark. I’m taking the Eagles in a close one.
    Douglas Byrd 19, E.E. Smith 18.
     
    Westover at Pine Forest - Pine Forest survived a scare with Douglas Byrd Tuesday and will need to be a lot sharper this weekend to get past a Westover team that’s got some skill players.
    Pine Forest 22, Westover 12.
     
    Overhills at Terry Sanford - Overhills got hammered by a Cape Fear team than beat Terry Sanford. The Bulldog defense may have trouble slowing Overhills down, but I think the Bulldogs can score on the Jaguars.
    Terry Sanford 28, Overhills 14.
     
    Gray’s Creek at Cape Fear - Cape Fear’s win over Overhills adds credence to the belief the Colts are headed for a showdown with South View for the Patriot Conference regular-season title. But Cape Fear better avoid a letdown coming off the Overhills win because this is not the Gray’s Creek team of last season.
    Cape Fear 28, Gray’s Creek 18.
     
     
    Other games: Ravenscroft 32, Fayetteville Christian 6; Village Christian 20, Wake Christian 6; Trinity Christian open.
  • 13RenaissanceMedieval Fantasies Company in cooperation with the Fort Bragg Family, Moral, Welfare and Recreation Department presents the 7th annual Fort Bragg Renaissance Faire Saturday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Smith Lake Recreation Area adjacent to Fort Bragg.

    “This is a celebration of the time period in the Middle Ages of the Renaissance,” Chris Pugh, owner of Medieval Fantasies Company, said. “All of that entails shining knights, ladies and food and entertainment that goes along with that.” Pugh added this is the seventh year of the faire that serves troops, families and the surrounding areas.

    This is one of the many events that the company produces while traveling around the country. The company puts on educational programs as well.

    The event will feature classic favorites including turkey legs, the king and queen, a royal knighting ceremony, magician Flabbergast the Wizard, performers Thunder and Spice, Their Majesties The Blackwolfs, The Welsh Corgi Show and Henry Culpeper the Minstrel, The Queen’s Jewels belly dancers, musicians, sword swallower Master David and a full combat jousting by Round Table Productions. Some of the activities include flying hooves archery, live field demonstrations, mounted combat and archery and unicorn pony rides.

    “We will have a variety of wonderful merchants offering all kinds of exciting and exotic wares for the faire,” Pugh said. “We will also have living history that includes the Hanseatic League.”

    Other free activities include chess, Enchanted Unicorn/Mystical Nightmare Ring Toss, Bouncy Dragon, Bouncy Castle, stocks and crafts by Frame and Design Arts. The Masquerade Ball is Saturday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. 

    “We are inviting everyone to come out to participate in this fun event,” Pugh said. “It is a family-friendly event and is a wonderful way to spend the weekend.”

    All patrons are welcome. Period and modern weapons are not permitted. No alcohol, coolers or pets allowed. The cost is $10 per car load. Smith Lake Recreation Area is located at  1200 Honeycutt Rd. For more information, visit www.medievalfantasiesco.com/FortBraggRenaissanceFaire.htm or call (540) 294-1846.

  • 12RomeoOn Sept. 14, “Romeo and Juliet” will take the stage at the Givens Performing Arts Center. This is a onenight-only performance directed by Jonathan Drahos and performed by a professional cast. “Romeo and Juliet” has seen many adaptations before, and it will be reimagined again on the GPAC stage.

    “I am setting it in the 1950s,” Drahos said. “I’m doing this because I want it to resonate with the post- World War II ethos in America. That was the last bastion, last decade of innocence in America. It was pre60s and 70s where we had scandals and political factions. The feeling of the 50s in urban areas had issues with immigrants and factions becoming territorial. Families have consternation based on ethnic divisions and cultural differences that were very real. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ resonates with the xenophobic aspect that we are perhaps seeing today as well.“

    Drahos’ love for Shakespeare began when he was 16. He played a soldier with a single line in a production of “Richard the II,” and that was enough to inspire him to make Shakespeare his life’s work.  He loved the language and its rhythm.

    “In the modern age we are starting to devalue language, and it is important to elevate and celebrate language,” he said. “When we devalue language, we devalue communication. The danger is that when we devalue communication, we may start to devalue each other. Shakespeare elevates language and challenges people to communicate creatively.”  

    While Shakespeare is a mainstay in English classes, it can still be intimidating to study his work. However, watching a live Shakespeare play is an entirely different experience. Drahos explained: “Ninety-five percent of the words that Shakespeare used we still use today. It’s the way that they are put together that makes them what I call a rhetorical scramble. Our job as artists is to unscramble them.” Drahos and the cast constantly question whether their work transforms the unfamiliar language into familiar problems and emotions. 

    “We have the opportunity at GPAC to offer Southeast North Carolina a professional production of a modern interpretation of Shakespeare,” Drahos said. “I implore people to think of that as important to our community and our culture. I implore people to come out and support it.”

    This year’s season at GPAC is full of a variety of high-quality productions. September will feature “Extreme Illusions & Escapes” and the musical group Derik Nelson & Family. October has martial artists and acrobats of Tianjin and “Who’s Bad: A Tribute to Michael Jackson.” In November, GPAC hosts “Cirque Dreams Holidaze.” December brings the 9th Annual Holiday Extravaganza. January features Well-Strung, a string quartet. March brings “Amazing Grace: The Musical” and “Wizard of Oz: The Musical.”

    There is something for everyone this year. Call (910) 521-6000 for tickets and more information.

  • The 2018 high school football season in Cumberland County is going to have a lot to do with that famous line from the movie Forrest Gump.
     
    Life, and football, are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.
     
    That’s especially true as local teams return to the field this week after the prolonged delay caused by Hurricane Florence, the slowest storm in history.
     
    When it finally departed the state some days ago it left a ton of devastation and uprooted lives behind.
     
    Now our local coaches are trying to restore some degree of order after schedules have been disrupted and in some cases players and their families forced to relocate because of storm-related damage.
     
    Here’s hoping everyone can return to normal life as quickly as possible. The biggest problem for the coaches and the players will be getting back into football shape and sync after the long delay. Don’t be surprised if execution isn’t razor sharp and conditioning a little suspect in the early games on the revised schedule.
     
    That said, here’s a look at the Tuesday games this week. I’ll hold off on picking the next round of makeup games until these contests have been played.
     
    The record: 23-13
     
    The week before the hurricane arrived I had a terrible record, 5-4, putting the season total at 28-13. We’ll see if I can improve on that debacle.
     
    Cape Fear at Overhills - The folks at Overhills have been complaining about being ignored after a 3-0 start. Yes, the Jaguars are unbeaten, but they’ve failed to mention they have wins over three winless teams and Brian Simmons of simmonsratings.com ranks the Overhills schedule as the weakest among all 77 4-A teams in North Carolina.
    I think the Jaguars are going to get a rude awakening against Cape Fear.
    Cape Fear 28, Overhills 14.
     
    Pine Forest at Douglas Byrd - The Trojans got a big win over a much-improved Gray’s Creek team and should continue their success against a Douglas Byrd squad still trying to put things together.
    Pine Forest 30, Douglas Byrd 14.
     
    E.E. Smith at Gray’s Creek - I look for the Bears to rebound against a Smith team that is still seeking its first win.
    Gray’s Creek 22, E.E. Smith 12.
     
    South View at Westover - The unbeaten Tigers should remain that way against a Westover team that is playing pretty well.
    South View 32, Westover 8.
  • 11LafayetteFayetteville has a unique relationship with Marquis de Lafayette, the Frenchman who served as a general under George Washington during the Revolutionary War. We were the first city named after him and the only namesake city that he visited when he toured the country in 1825.

    Lafayette was a remarkable man. As described by Hank Parfitt, the president of the Lafayette Society, “He was a defender of freedom and equality for all men. He was a vocal opponent of slavery his entire life. It is cool that we are named after a man with such liberal views toward equality.” 

    Sept. 8-9, Fayetteville holds its annual citywide celebration of its namesake.

    “It really started in 2007 with Lafayette’s 250th birthday,” Parfitt said. “That’s a huge milestone. We have to celebrate that with the unique relationship that we have, being the first city named after him. We got 20 organizations in the community, from schools, the library, the Arts Council and the paper involved. We planned for two years and had a phenomenal yearlong celebration. It was such a tremendous success that we decided to have an annual celebration on a small scale.

    “We designated the weekend after Labor Day as the official weekend. It is recognized by the North Carolina House of Representatives and the U.S. Congress. Fayetteville is where North Carolina officially celebrates Lafayette’s birthday.” 

    Methodist University plays a large role in the celebration. Sept. 8, Friday night, there will be Arias and Artifacts. Starting at 5:30 p.m. there will be a reception with heavy French hors d’oeuvres. “Arleen Fields will talk about the Lafayette collection at Methodist University,” Parfitt said. “It is the 50th anniversary of the collection. Nineteen original letters written by Lafayette were donated, and since then more have been added, including valuable artifacts related to the 1824/25 visit. They will also be unveiling a letter that is a new acquisition.”

    After the new letter is revealed, there will be a concert of French music in Hinsdale Chapel starting at 7:30 p.m. The concert is organized by Dr. Gail Morfesis and is a short walk away from the library. Trumpet fanfare will guide the way. Tickets cost $10. The musicians and vocalists are a mix of professionals and talented students.

    One of the highlights of the Lafayette Birthday Celebration is the Lafayette Trail Tour on Sept. 9, Saturday morning. The tour takes participants along the path that Lafayette would’ve taken when he visited Fayetteville. “The Lafayette Trail Tour starts at 8:30 in the morning with coffee and croissants at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Museum where participants will get to see the carriage that Lafayette used,” Parfitt said. “The rest of the morning is touring the sites that Lafayette would have visited by foot or by bus. Lunch is included, and there is a gift bag for everyone.”

    Tickets for the tour are $30, and advanced registration is required. They can be purchased by calling (910) 678-8899. “Major Bruce Dawes of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry will be leading the tour,” Parfitt said. “It is one of the best tour’s I’ve ever taken. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of this time and Fayetteville. You’ll also learn about what was happen-ing in America at this time.”

    Another event is created in partnership with the Museum of the Cape Fear; it is The Festival of Yesteryear on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be re-enactors who demonstrate daily life for average civilians and militia members during the Revolutionary War period. They’ll demonstrate day-to-day tasks like cooking meals and playing children’s games. There will also be Life as Art Productions demonstrating African spirituals and freedoms prayers in addition to wine tastings, talks and side walk sales downtown.

    Find out more at www.lafayette-society.org.

     

  • 12 XaveaCrumpXavea Crump

    Seventy-First

    • Cheerleading • Junior

    Crump has a 4.0 grade point average. In addition to being a varsity cheerleader, she participates in Student Government 

    Association, National Honor Society and Delta Gems.

    12 TroyMilesTroy Miles

    Seventy-First

    • Cross country/basketball • Senior

    Miles has a 3.2 grade point average while splitting his time between cross country in the fall and varsity basketball in the winter. 

  • 11 cape fear sport The winds and rain from Hurricane Florence hadn’t even arrived before some students and athletes from Cumberland County Schools began mobilizing to reach out to displaced victims of the horrific storm.

    At Cape Fear High School, students in the classes of assistant football coach Joe Grates came up with the idea of doing something to help hurricane victims quickly after the storm passed.

    “We first started talking about it late last Monday (Sept. 10) when real information about the strength of the hurricane was com-ing to us,’’ said Ben Elliott, a senior on the Cape Fear soccer team. “We decided to make relief kits we could get to people who had been displaced, then we made a list of items that could be donated.’’

    With donations they were able to gather, a group of about 20 student volunteers from Cape Fear quickly assembled almost 40 boxes of food and personal hygiene items they could share with those who needed them most.

    Austin Hunt, a member of the Cape Fear football team, said the students distributed the boxes to the shelter at Mac Williams Middle School, as well as to the shelter at Pine Forest High School.

    They met a second day to make more boxes and were going to deliver them to the shelter at South View High School.

    “This shows the school system is willing to help,’’ Hunt said. “After a hurricane, everybody is going to need each other.’’

    Rev. Mark Knight, pastor at Fayetteville’s Epicenter Church, had the same feeling some years ago after parts of the community were devastated by Hurricane Matthew. Knight came up with the idea for a ministry called Ways2LoveFayetteville. The goal, Knight said, was to get people across the community to vol-unteer hours to perform random acts of kindness and work with other agencies and ministries to find ways to serve the community, find needs and fill them.

    Following Hurricane Florence, members of the Terry Sanford football team decided to partner with the Epicenter ministry to help in cleanup from the storm locally.

    Terry Sanford football coach Bruce McClelland felt it was important for his players to have firsthand experience of the damage the storm did locally and not just experience it by watching on television.

    “Being a part of helping has always made me feel good,’’ McClelland said. “To have that feel-ing to help somebody else when they support you, I think it’s a very important part of life and growing up.’’

    McClelland said the Bulldog football players had already been to neighborhoods in the area, cutting down trees and cleaning up yards. They also donated meals to the emergency shelter at South View High School.

    “We’re just trying to plug holes,’’ McClelland said. “We owe it to go back into the community to give back to these people.’’

  • 17 student athlete

     

    Kayden Antonson 

    E.E. Smith • Volleyball • Senior 

    Atonson has a 4.26 grade point average and is currently ranked No. 1 in her graduating class. She’s a two-year captain and a four-year starter on the E.E. Smith volley­ball team. She’s also vice president and historian of the National Honor Society. She’s a member of the E.E. Smith Math and Science Academy, Academy of Scholars, Science Olympiad and was part of the Fire Science and Technology Academy at E.E. Smith.

     

     

     

    17 student athlete 2

     

    David Platt 

    E.E. Smith • Soccer/ wrestling • Sophomore 

    Platt has a 3.75 grade point average. He is a two-year starter for the Golden Bull soccer team. He is a member of the E.E. Smith Gaming Club. 

     

  • 18 Known as Total Body Resistance Exercise, TRX is a specialized form of resistance training. It was developed by former U.S. Navy Seal Randy Hetrix. The suspension training uses body weight to develop balance, flexibility, core strength and stability actively engaging all or some of the body groups together.

    The concept of TRX is void of the traditional weight machines and lifting. A TRX training device is a heavy-duty strap suspended from the ceiling with two handles that are designed for the feet and hands with interlocking devices that adjust the straps for different heights.

    The straps are attached to a secure anchor point with five length adjustments for exercises that incorporate the upper and lower body as well as the chest, arms and back. It is an easy gym to carry because the strap can be easily secured to any structure that will hold weight including the back of a door. The support weight of a strap goes up to 1,300 pounds.

    TRX trainers have worked with personal trainers, coaches, athletes, first responders and service members.

    On Oct. 15, I will be taking a preliminary course on the foundation elements of teaching that will be the beginning of my continued education in comprehensive courses. The preliminary course has a detailed hand reader of 50 pages to bring to the nine-hour class, which is the introductory training course for strap positioning, cueing and techniques. It is meant to be a continuing program with functional training incorporating different modalities in a variety of training sessions. It incorporates strength, balance, endurance and stability.

    TRX training engages the fitness level of people training and instills the ability to progress at the beginner level as well as the advanced levels that engage the exercises for intensity, duration and strength. The system focuses on movement, allowing different body parts to be mobile while other areas remain stable.

    It is suitable for all levels from beginner to athlete because of body positioning for level challenges. It is a good workout for strength, balance and flexibility as well as cardio endurance. The low-impact movements do not put much stress on your joints with less chance of injury.

    TRX can be an excellent training tool for older adults, people that sit all day and people with injuries.

    An example may be the execution of a squat which requires stabilization, balance, quadriceps and glutes. The handles of the system help to split the weight distribution between the upper and lower body. The participant may be able to perform a squat while gaining confidence in the ability which leads to progression in performance.

    It is also an excellent training tool with balance exercises because the participant can eliminate the fear of instability.

    Older adults may resist trying one-leg balance exercises without the aid of a wall or rail. The system provides a dynamic point of stability without fear of falling over.

    It is also a good system to mobilize joints and improve flexibility allowing gravity for ease of movement.

    A health professional may recommend TRX for you as a functional exercise to develop a strong core, back pain, to deal with a knee or balance issue.

    As an example, one that has difficulty getting off the floor can gradually gain confidence as they progress with a suspension system.

    There are hundreds of TRX exercises, and many traditional classes have found their way into the platform such as yoga, pilates, barre, high intensity and cardio circuit. I personally like to use TRX as an extension of the barre classes that I teach and love the increased range of motion.

    Live, love life and TRX.

  • 18 scholarshipThis year marked the fifth anniversary of the death of Seventy-First football player Evan Raines. But his memory lives on in the form of the Evan Raines Dream Foundation, an organiza­tion put together by family members that awards a $1,000 scholarship to a local high school athlete each year. 

    This year’s winner was Jonathan Everett, a basketball and cross country participant from Pine Forest High School who currently is studying computers at UNC-Charlotte. 

    Rodney Raines, father of Evan Raines, said the purpose of the scholarship is to encourage a student-athlete, male or female, to continue their educational pursuits and dreams with the help of the scholarship in his son’s memory. 

    “It’s been driving itself,’’ Raines said of the $1,000 figure. “We have a few benefactors who make sure they send contributions. We do want to expand it at some point in time.’’ 

    The scholarship is available to both male and female athletes, but Raines said, so far, no females have applied for it. 

    Most of the promotion for the scholarship has come from word of mouth and through posts on the Facebook page for the Evan Raines Dream Foundation. 

    Part of the problem with growing the scholar­ship and getting news to a wider audience is that the sudden passing of Evans remains an emotional subject for all of his family that are involved with the scholarship. 

    “It’s taxing to revisit it,” Raines said. “All the meetings become a tear fest, talking about what we lost. It reminds us and keeps it real fresh.’’ 

    Any athlete from a public or private school within a 25-mile radius of Cumberland County is eligible to apply for the scholarship, Raines said. 

    The requirements are the student must be committed to attend a specific col­lege and must be involved in athlet­ics and community activities. They also must have a minimum unweighted grade point average of 2.5. 

    The student does not have to be a member of a school team to qualify as an athlete, Raines said. Participation in recreation league athletics or church league athletics also qualifies. 

    Raines said he’s been moved by the young men who have applied for and won the scholarship. 

    “I get to see Evan in some of them,’’ he said. “I see them fulfilling some of their dreams. For a couple of the boys, this was the first generation of their family going to college.’’ 

    Everett, this year’s winner, said he learned of the scholarship from a friend. He wrote a 1,000-word essay describing how sports had affected his life. 

    “I feel this will allow me to be more success­ful and show what Fayetteville people can do,’’ Everett said. 

    He added it’s important to keep Evan’s memo­ry alive. “The family is doing something positive, to help others that need money to go to college,’’ he said.

    Everett will apply the scholarship to his tuition at UNC-Charlotte. His goal is to get a job in the internet technology field and to remain in the Charlotte area to work. 

    For further information on the scholarship, email evanrainesdreamfoundation@gmail.com.

    Photo: Rodney Raines, right, presents the check for this year’s Evan Raines Dream Foundation $1,000 scholarship to Jonathan Everett.

  • 17 As Department Chair of the Systems Security & Analysis Program at Fayetteville Technical Community College, I often receive a common question from prospective students and members of the community: What is cybersecurity?

    As a society, we have integrated technology into practically every aspect of our daily lives. We have technology integrated in our homes (smart TVs, doorbell cameras and smart speakers), vehicles (self-driving, collision mitigation and automatic braking), medical services (devices to gather your health data, virtual doctor visits and real time pacemakers), and in our places of work (laptops, tablets and cloud resources).

    Many of us use wearable tech, such as fitness trackers or smart watches. When is the last time you met someone who does not have a smartphone? How many folks complete financial transactions from their smartphones?

    The point to consider related to all this technology is striking: For every piece of technology meant to improve our quality of life, there is an inherent risk.
    Although these technological devices were designed for specific purposes, outside threats often try to use technology to gain access to sensitive information.

    Why would someone do this? There is a large spectrum of reasons that cyber incidents or “hacks” take place. Many hacks are performed in order to achieve financial gain, either through direct access to identity and banking information or ransomware that locks down your technology and requires a ransom to be paid to regain access.

    Additionally, hacks can be perpetrated by other governments looking to steal intellectual property or attack a country’s infrastructure as part of a military campaign.

    Fayetteville Technical Community College offers a two-year degree in Systems Security & Analysis that provides students with 800-1,000 hours of hands-on, skills-based training.

    While in the program, students will work with multiple operating systems in both the desktop and the server administration. Students learn how to configure Cisco network switches and routers, and we have a class dedicated to learning Palo Alto firewall configurations. Our program has won several national awards with Red Hat, as students learn how to configure and maintain their systems. FTCC is one of the few schools in the nation that provides Ansible training for automation.

    FTCC is a Center of Academic Excellence in cyber education, recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency.

    FTCC is also one of only 16 community colleges in the nation to work with the U.S. Cyber Command in their collaboration with academia. We often host guest speakers and technical workshops with partners who work in the industry.

    Our students have a club devoted to cybersecurity and actively participate in several cybersecurity competitions. All of these programs — both curricular and extra-curricular — are offered to ensure FTCC students are prepared for the growing, ever-changing and essential job market in cybersecurity.
    Learn more at faytechcc.edu or contact me at herringc@faytechcc.edu. Fall 8-week classes begin Oct. 13.

  • 16 sporstEditor’s Note: This story was written prior to the arrival of Hurricane Florence in the Fayetteville area the weekend of Sept. 14. 

    High school football coaches are used to analyzing film and formulating game plans for each opponent throughout the annual football schedule. 

    But Cumberland County coaches were dealing with a host of unknowns recently as they awaited the approach of Hurricane Florence to see how it would impact both their teams and the remainder of the 2018 high school football season. 

    Up & Coming Weekly reached out to the coaches of a handful of teams who are near the top of their standings headed into what some were concerned might be a lengthy delay in the season. 

    16 sports 4The biggest concern for all of them was the safety and well-being of their fellow coaches and athletes as they braced for a storm some experts suggested could be the worst one ever to strike the region. 

    Duran McLaurin of Seventy-First voiced the main concern of all the coaches, worrying for his players who might be displaced by the storm and how the wind and water could do damage to their homes. 

    “I’ll be happy to have them back, make sure they are all fine; then we can get back to football,” he said. 

    The potential delay is especially frustrating to McLaurin as the Falcons are coming off their first loss of the season, 36-32 at Southern Durham. Prior to that game, Seventy-First had risen to a No. 10 ranking in the first Associated Press state 4-A high school poll of the season. “Having to sit around and wait only makes me ponder on the mistakes we made in the last game,’’ he said. 

    16 sports 5But headed into the break, McLaurin’s focus was on safety. “We’re... focusing on things that are important, just looking out for one another,’’ he said. 

    South View coach Rodney Brewington, who has the only unbeaten team left among Cumberland County Schools at 4-0, said his players have pledged to run on their own to try and stay in shape if they are away for an extended time following the storm. 

    “Football is really secondary and we are hoping nobody loses their homes and everybody can be made whole again,’’ he said. 

    His worry when the team does return is what he calls football jet lag. “Tt doesn’t take you long to get out of football shape,’’ he said. “It’s like a kid coming off an injury. He’s a step slow. 

    16 sports“When you’ve got your whole team away from it, you’re limited as far as what you think you can do.’’ 

    Terry Sanford coach Bruce McClelland said routine is critical to success in a high school football team and being out of school unexpectedly is a major disruption. McClelland said Terry Sanford is dealing with multiple injuries of key players and had hoped to spend most of the week of the storm taking advantage of a bye week and giving some younger players work in practice. 

    “Not having them on the field to focus is a big concern,’’ McClelland said. But the safety of all the players is the biggest concern, he added, saying several players lost their homes in Hurricane Matthew. 

    With big wins in its last two outings, Cape Fear had built some momentum, but Colt coach Jake Thomas and his team are now forced to wait and watch. 

    16 sports3“We tell the kids you can’t worry about things out of your control,’’ he said. “That’s our mindset going ahead. We won’t know anything until this has passed through.’’ 

    Thomas hopes his players will go home, watch videos of previous games on the HUDL video service, and possibly, if it’s safe, get outside and practice on their own. But he said the first thing he told them was to go home and ask their parents what they needed to do to secure their homes. 

    After player safety, Pine Forest coach Bill Sochovka is concerned how much time all of the teams will have to practice when they return before having to play a game. 

    “It was one thing when we were supposed to play on Wednesday,’’ Sochovka said, referring to a plan that had the schools playing the games of Sept. 14 two days earlier before they were postponed indefinitely. “We had two days to practice and we had been practicing all summer,’’ he said. “Now these kids could be sitting, hopefully not a week. Trying to get them back into a groove is somewhat difficult.’’ 

    Sochovka was also concerned some of his players weren’t grasping how bad the storm could be. 

    “They are waiting to see what happens, to see if it’s for real, and that’s what worries me,’’ he said. 

    Photos Top to Bottom: Duran McLaurin; Jake Thomas; Bill Sochovka; Rodney Brewington; Bruce McClelland

  • 01cover

  • 7 I’m currently in the last few months of my fifth and final term serving Hoke and Cumberland Counties in the North Carolina Senate. I count the ten years that I have served in this capacity an honor and privilege. My plan was to retire from elected office and find other ways to serve in my community. Watching the incumbent congressman actively participate in an insurrection against this nation changed my thinking.

    To hear him call it his “solemn duty” to perpetuate a knowing lie that Joe Biden lost the election, without a shred of evidence and despite more than 60 court rulings to the contrary left me outraged.
    To see him take the side of an angry and violent mob over the law enforcement officers who tried valiantly to fend them off to protect his life was more than enough to make me rethink my plans for retirement from elective office.

    For months, when people asked me why I was running, that was the reason I gave. I’m a retired Air Force officer with 20 years of service that include three tours in Europe working alongside our NATO allies to defend democracy at home and abroad.

    You can take a patriot off active duty, but you never take the sense of duty from the patriot.

    While the threat persists, and is real, and is imminent; over the past few months a different but no less serious threat has emerged with stunning clarity — the Republican War on Women.

    Hudson and the Republicans are fully prepared, if they take the Congress, to roll back the clock on women’s freedoms, women’s safety and security, and women’s economic opportunity.

    I’m fully prepared to do my best to stop them.

    For ten years in the NC Senate I fought for and won expanded healthcare access for women, tax breaks for women-owned businesses, birth control without an unnecessary prescription, reopening of the schools so moms and caregivers could rejoin the workforce, and opportunity scholarships for low-income women to have the same access to school choice for their kids that middle class and wealthy families already enjoy for theirs.

    In Congress, I’ll continue to fight for women’s health, education and economic opportunity. America’s prosperity shouldn’t leave women behind!

    It’s clear that many women know what’s at stake in November. From the emails I receive, to Democratic Women’s Clubs across the district doorknocking like there’s no tomorrow, to the energy and optimism around

    Cheri Beasley’s campaign, there’s no doubt that women are paying close attention to the Republican war that’s being waged against them and their freedoms.
    But for those who may not know or be able to weed through all the noise and rhetoric and yelling and talking points and fear mongering, here’s what happens if Republicans win the Congress:

    Republicans plan to severely curtail Social Security benefits for 38 million women. They’ve made no secret about this. In their “11 Point Plan to Rescue America” it clearly states, “Eliminate federal programs that can be done locally. Any government function that can be handled locally should be.” Republicans are on record with plans to eliminate or privatize the Social Security you’ve worked your whole life for.

    Republicans plan to raise taxes on poor and working-class women because, as Republican Senator Rick Scott said, “All Americans should pay some income tax to have skin in the game, even if a small amount.”

    The federal minimum wage for a full-time worker is $15,080 per year. Scott — the richest member of Congress — believes $15,000-a-year workers should kick in a few bucks so that they have “skin” in the game.

    Why can’t Republicans understand, this isn’t a game; it’s real life and nobody earning the federal minimum wage each year has a nickel to put in so that someone worth $260 million can take a nickel out.

    Republicans will pass a national abortion ban. John Roberts’ Supreme Court will uphold it. Women will be forced to carry a child to term if the child has a heartbeat — but no skull.

    Please don’t fall for Republican attempts to tone down their radical, far-right rhetoric one month before the election. Hudson sponsored H.R. 705, which forbids the termination of a pregnancy if a heartbeat is detected, even if the baby has no head! And no chance to live outside the womb. That’s not just cruel; that’s barbaric!

    Last month, Democrats capped out-of-pocket healthcare costs at $2,000 per year and insulin costs at $35 per month for 22 million women on Medicare. Hudson voted no; every congressional Republican in NC voted no. Every congressional Republican in the country voted no. How could they make their priorities any clearer? Republicans don’t believe women’s taxpayer dollars should be returned to women to help keep women’s healthcare costs low.

    Democrats do; I do.

    With a few more seats in Congress, Democrats can finally pass equal pay legislation over Hudson’s and Republicans’ objections. It should go without saying that women should be paid the same money as men for the same day’s work!

    Over the past few months, Hudson and the Republicans have opposed women’s right to contraception, women’s right to marry the person of their choice, women’s paid family leave and women’s childcare assistance. And they voted no to a monthly child-tax credit that — for the few months it was in place — lifted 4.7 million children out of poverty and extreme hunger.

    If that’s not compelling enough for you — consider this: Hudson voted no to funding an alert system that would let the authorities notify women of an active shooter at their kids’ school.

    My friends, that’s a Republican War on Women.

    Every woman — and everyone who loves a woman — should get mad, should get up, should get engaged, should get to the polls and send Republicans home.
    The future of our country depends on it.

    Editor's note: Sen. Ben Clark has served since 2013 in the NC Senate representing Cumberland and Hoke counties. He is running for the NC 9th Congressional District, which consists of all of Chatham, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Randolph and Scotland and parts of Cumberland, Harnett and Richmond counties. The 9th is also home to Fort Bragg. Clark was born at the old Womack Army Hospital on Fort Bragg. His father was a helicopter pilot; his mother a teacher. Clark grew up in Hollywood Heights and graduated from Seventy-First High School.

  • 18 Shavonne SpellmanShavonne Spell

    South View • Volleyball •

    Junior

    Spellman has a 4.3 grade point average. She’s in the International Baccalaureate Academy and is a member of National Honor Society and Key Club.

     

     

    18 Jason Garcia

     

    Jason Garcia

    South View • Soccer • 

    Senior

    Garcia has a 4.1 grade point average. He’s a member of the International Baccalaureate Academy at South View. He’s also active in his church youth group and plays piano and violin.

  • 4 I did not actually know Queen Elizabeth II — Queen by the Grace of God, Queen of this Realm and of her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith — whose subjects comprise almost one third of the people on earth, but I thought I should.

    Growing up in the Haymount section of Fayetteville, I saw her children as potential chums who might want to come over to play and she, as a mother, very much like my own.

    My delusion sprung from my father’s military service in World War II as a medical worker during the D-Day invasions, after which he boarded for a time in the home of an English widow, a Mrs. Fox. Surely, she had a given name, but I never heard it.

    My father, a courtly and personable Southerner, struck up a friendship with Mrs. Fox, which endured by mail until she died. The two young families, the Queen’s and my own, were in the same stage of life, and Mrs. Fox sent us many photographic books about the British Royal Family.

    They were PR efforts to portray the Royal Family as almost regular folks, much as the Kennedys did with their family. I pored over pages of charming photographs of the Windsor family and little text.

    The Windsor children were in England doing the same things we were doing in Haymount, swinging, playing with our dogs, and getting into occasional mischief. They were, I must admit, considerably better dressed and a lot cleaner than we were.

    I loved those books so much that I nagged my father to write Mrs. Fox to invite the Windsor children to visit us in Fayetteville. I think my desire was prompted by the acquisition of a new backyard wading pool.

    Needless to say, the Windsor children never showed.

    Queen Elizabeth’s death has generated worldwide respect for her and the institution she embodied, for her perseverance and wry sense of humor, and for the family trials and tribulations she endured with the unbelievable antics and worse of her now thoroughly grown children and their wacky spouses.

    We all live through some of that. The difference is that the Windsors played out their troubles and their joys on the world stage. The rest of us can keep at least our troubles close to the vest.

    Queen Elizabeth II presided over the final days of the once global British Empire, knew every U.S. President since Harry Truman except Lyndon Johnson who did once throw a White House party for the Queen’s glamorous younger sister.

    She met weekly with Prime Ministers from Winston Churchill to the brand new Liz Truss.

    Family She rarely showed emotion in public, and famously so, because she was loath to indicate an opinion on any matter.

    In her private life, she was said to be warm and engaging, with a quick wit, a woman who loved her dogs and horses, who enjoyed her toddies, including a glass of champagne before bed every night, and whose grandchildren called her “Granny.”

    Queen Elizabeth did all this and more with dignity and a constant and unwavering hairdo that could have been styled in a downtown Fayetteville beauty parlor in 1965.

    Most people on earth have not lived a day without the reassuring knowledge that the Queen was somewhere in the world calmly carrying on, pocketbook firmly in hand.

    She had no real legal or political power, but her presence was felt by her billions of subjects and the rest of us.

    Hers was a life well lived and a job well done.

  • 17 shot clock 2846843 1920There’s an ancient idiom that says a man is known by the company he keeps.

    That idea can be applied to other things, too, and it’s at the center of my ongoing argument against North Carolina high school basketball adding a shot clock to the game.

    Langston Wertz, veteran high school writer for The Charlotte Observer, has long been a proponent of the shot clock and recently wrote a story about how the clock is going to go through a couple of trials in season-opening tournaments this year in North Carolina.

    One is the Carmel Christian Tip Off Classic in Charlotte Nov. 9-10. The other is in Greensboro in the National High School Showcase Nov. 16-17.

    Both tournaments will feature some top teams, the Charlotte tournament in particular drawing the famed program from Oak Hill, Virginia.

    But here’s the interesting part. Both tournaments are being sponsored by a regional scouting service that, according to Wertz’s story, is footing the $3,000 bill for two wireless shot clocks.

    Who are some other proponents of the clock? Well, there’s Bobby Lutz, former head coach at Charlotte and assistant at North Carolina State University.

    Another backer is Sue Doran, director of athletics for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

    Paul Biancardi, a recruiting analyst for ESPN, is also in favor.

    Do you see a pattern here? I certainly do. Scouts. College coaches. People from metropolitan areas.

    All of these folks have a common ground. They focus on metropolitan areas with bigger schools, more talent to draw from and more college prospects.

    These folks need to drive out of the city and attend some games in rural areas and at smaller schools where the number of college prospects is considerably smaller.

    My point has been and remains that the push for the shot clock in high schools is coming from one group, the group that only sees big-time prospects play on a consistent basis and has no appreciation for the vast number of schools in North Carolina that don’t have a four- or five-star athlete on the roster and aren’t likely to in the near future.

    I hope you checked that price tag for shot 

    clocks for these two tournaments in November. 

    It was $1,500 per clock. We’ve got teachers buying supplies for their students on a regular basis in North Carolina. I don’t think we need to strap athletic budgets any further by tacking on the cost of a $1,500 shot clock and then finding the money to pay someone to run it.

    By the way, I ran a scoreboard clock in my high school days at West Rowan, and it was a pain to monitor. I can only imagine the headaches involved with a shot clock and getting it right every Tuesday and Friday night.

    I agree totally with one person quoted in the Langston Wertz article, Kevin Garner of the Missouri State High School Activities Association.Wertz said of the nearly 1 million athletes who play boys and girls high school basketball in this country in 2017, 3.4 percent of boys and 3.9 percent of girls play in the Collegiate Athletic Association

    As Garner put it, “Should we make the high school game like the college game to help less than four percent of the players?”

    My reply remains a resounding no.

  • 09-15-10-spelling-bee.gifThe Cape Fear Regional Theatre has been celebrating imagination for almost 50 years. What better way for the theatre to begin its 49th season than by staging a musical that is all about the celebration of imagination? And, according to Kappy Kilburn, the director of the show, that’s what The Putnam County Spelling Bee is all about.

    “During this run, we are going to ask the audience to play along with us,” said Kilburn, a Los Angeles-based director who is working with the theatre for the fi rst time. “We are going to ask them to not sit back in their chairs and watch. There is going to be some audience participation, and we are going to ask them to let their imaginations run free with us during the show.”

    As its title suggests, the musical is about a spelling bee in, you guessed it, Putnam County. Held in the local school gym, the spelling bee brings 10 competitors together to test their spelling abilities. Six of those spellers are cast members, while four of the spellers will be a mix of “celebrity” spellers and members of the audience.

    “It is a musical about kids being kids and growing up and finding who they are and who they want to be during a spelling bee competition,” continued Kilburn.

    “It is a wacky, very eclectic mix of kids between the ages of 10 and 11 years old,” she explained. “It’s that crazy period when their bodies shoot up eight inches and their hormones kick in. It’s that time when you really need your mom’s guidance, but she’s off at an ashram for nine months trying to fi nd herself, and you have to fi gure life out for yourself.”

    Kilburn calls the production “the most fun, best music I’ve heard in a while.” She added that there are a couple of ballads, and some really rocking numbers coupled with a lot of dancing and goofi ng off in the school gymnasium. The song “Pandemonium” lives up to its title, she added. “That’s where it all breaks loose.”

    Just as this is Kilburn’s fi rst visit to the CFRT stage, it’s also her fi rst production of The Putnam County Spelling Bee.

    “I saw the show in LA when the Broadway cast stepped into the tour for a few weeks and loved it,” she said.

    While Fayetteville won’t get the Broadway cast, Kilburn says the CFRT cast is not too shabby.

    “This is the most brilliant cast. They have been phenomenal to work with, and have been absolutely wonderful and welcoming to an LA outsider coming in,” she said.

    While Kilburn may have lived in LA for the past 16 years, she is a southern girl at heart.

    “My mother is from Atlanta, Ga., and my brother lives in Wilmington, N.C. My parents retired to the Washington, D.C., area, so I know about the south,” she said. “Coming to Fayetteville was a little bit of a culture shock, but in a good way. It is so much better here. There is a family environment — a graciousness that you don’t see in Los Angeles.

    Part of that graciousness will be on display by community notables and audience members who elect to participate in the spelling bee with the cast.

    “At each performance there will be four guest spellers that will join our regular six spelling bee contestants,” she said. “We have been pre-scheduling some notable Fayettevillians to join us, but we will also be plucking some unsuspecting people from the audience to play along with us.”

    If you are interested in being a part of the cast, you can sign up in the lobby before the show starts.

    “They don’t have to worry,” said Kilburn. “They are not going to have to dance or sing, just spell. We will coach them through it. It’s all about having fun with us.”

    Kilburn said audience members should leave the show feeling uplifted.

    “It is very a very uplifting show. It’s a way of us remembering the joy of us being kids. It’s about our fearlessness in the midst of our confusion in discoving who we are and what we are doing.”

    If a speller is eliminated, it’s because they have taken a step forward in discovering who they are. So it’s always fun. I believe that we only grow old when we stop dreaming and this show is a nice reminder of that ideal,” she said.

    The show opens Thursday, Sept. 23 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 10. For pricing and show times, visit the website at www. cfrt.org. To purchase tickets, call 323-4233.

  • 7Once upon a time there was a Babylonian god named Marduk. Not Daffy Duck, not Donald Duck, but Marduk. You don’t need a Mesopotamian god to know which way the wind blows. Climate change, who needs it? It’s fake news. When a talking head on cable says it’s fake news, I believe it, and that settles it. Remember the complaint: Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it? Well, here is something you can do about it. It’s time for you to get some of that old time religion. Climb on Mr. Peabody’s Time Machine to return to ancient Mesopotamia.

    Today we visit Marduk, the Babylonian King of the Gods. Marduk first showed up in the 18th Century B.C. For the mathematically challenged, that is about 4000 years ago. In addition to having a really cool name, Marduk was in charge of bad weather. More on this later.

    When Willard Scott, with or without his toupee, was in charge of making the Earth’s weather on the “Today Show,” we never had all this bizarre weather. There were four seasons, neatly stacked on top of each other. We knew what to expect and when. Now things are messed up.
    Current TV weather persons delight in regaling us with stories of floods, heat waves, giant wild fires, drought, melting ice caps, rising sea levels and mafia murder victims popping up on the shores of shrinking Lake Mead. Forget all that stuff. It’s not really happening. Who are you gonna believe? Me or your lying eyes?

    Now, back to Marduk and his impact on the weather. Many moons ago in the Euphrates valley there were two gods, Ea and Enlil. Ea was Marduk’s daddy. Ea ciphered that Marduk was a better god than he was. Ea cheerfully handed his crown to Marduk, putting him in charge of humanity. Enlil faded into obscurity as Marduk’s star rose during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar.

    The Mesopotamian gods were always having a ruckus among themselves as to who would get to be Boss God. Rodney King would have been greatly disappointed in them, as they just could not get along. Marduk was young and studly. He volunteered to lead his team of gods against the other team. If Marduk whupped the other team of gods, he would be promoted to NCAA Champion Head Mesopotamian God.
    To get ready for the Royal Rumpus, Marduk rosined up his bow, made a bunch of arrows, collected a passel of lightning bolts, and ate a Thai salad that turned his body into flame.

    Culinary Aside: Thai salads have been famous for being peppery hot for over 4000 years.
    The leader of the other gods was an ocean-going lady dragon named Tiamat. Tiamat was a mean critter, not like Beany’s friend, Cecil the Sea Sick Sea Serpent. Oh no, Tiamat, like Shaft, was one bad... (shut your mouth).

    Marduk's battle plan used strategery. To catch Tiamat, Marduk made a giant net to trap her. He made the four winds blow Tiamat into his net. To keep her in the net, Marduk invented seven brand new really ugly winds which included his Super-Duper Wind — the Rain-Flood. He charged into battle riding his chariot on the Rain-Flood (which we now call hurricanes) pulled by four evil horses who had mouthfuls of poison. Marduk did not mess around. He caught Tiamat in his net and proceeded to kill her with an arrow to the belly.

    Next up, like Sherman on his march to the sea, Marduk killed Kingu, Tiamat’s top general. Kingu had been wearing the “Tablets of Destiny” which Marduk liberated from him to wear like a championship belt from the WWF. Undefeated, Marduk gets to be Boss God.

    After his glorious victory, Marduk settled into a life of ease drinking Bloody Marys by the cement pond. He created humans to do all the work so the gods could just lay around the shack waiting for the mail train to come back. To keep himself amused, Marduk had his own pet dragon named Mushussu. Four millennia later, Mushussu was the inspiration for Falkor the fuzzy dragon in the movie “Never Ending Story.”
    So, how does this mishmash of a column tie together? Frankly, not very well. But here is the point, such that it is. If you don’t believe in climate change, don’t want to do anything about climate change, and are sick of hearing about climate change; then start imploring Marduk to intervene and fix the weather. Praying to Marduk to calm weather events might not work, but it’s better than doing nothing. Besides, saying Marduk out loud is fun. Imagine if when Goober imitated Cary Grant he had said: “Marduk, Marduk, Marduk”, instead of “Judy, Judy, Judy.” Say Marduk loud and there’s music playing. Say Marduk soft and its almost like praying. Try it.

    You’ll be glad you did.
    No Babylonian gods, sea serpents or Mesopotamians were harmed during the writing of this column.

  • 16 Bill YeagerBill Yeager, veteran assistant football coach at Terry Sanford High School, remembers it like it was yesterday.

    A local dentist asked if he’d like to play golf on Sunday afternoon.

    Yeager explained he couldn’t because he had to review film from the previous Friday’s game and then review film of the next opponent to formulate a game plan.

    The dentist looked at 

    Yeager and said, “Wow, you guys take this stuff seriously, don’t you?”

    For 50 years, since he was a freshman at old Alexander Graham Junior high in downtown Fayetteville, Yeager has taken football seriously.

    You can still see him on the practice field at Terry Sanford and on the sidelines on Friday night, coaching, cajoling and cheering on another generation of young men playing the game.

    For Yeager, 64, the reasons are simple. “I still love the game and love working with young people, watching them develop and grow as young men,” he said. “I’ve seen so many of them take their places as productive citizens in the Fayetteville area, and (I’ve) become good friends with a lot of them.’’

    Alongside him for 42 of those 50 years has been his wife, Chris Yeager, a veteran educator for Cumberland County Schools.

    Chris said coaching football is what her husband was born to do. “He gets along with kids and relates to (them),’’ she said.

    But it goes beyond that, extending to the relationship with his fellow coaches. Chris called it a fraternity, an in-the-trenches kind of mentality.

    “They work all week and then they stand and everybody questions what they are doing on the sidelines,’’ she said. “You put your life in the hands of 16- and 17-year-old children. You make decisions and things happen and they have to support each other.

    “Winning is a big deal, but the character of the young men is really what they are focused on.’’

    Chris said she has to be committed to her husband and what he does because the demands of the job are extreme. Countless times she’s sat in the stands and heard fans yelling at her husband, questioning every decision he makes. 

    “It’s difficult to sit and listen to it when you know how much they put into it and how hard it is to hear that,’’ she said. 

    Chris has been behind her husband at the many stops he’s made in those 50 years. His winding route through local football has taken him to head coaching positions twice, at Terry Sanford and Gray’s Creek. He’s made stops as an assistant at Terry Sanford, South View, Pine Forest and UNC-Pembroke, returning to Terry Sanford in 2011, where he’s been ever since.

    He’s now serving under Bruce McClelland, who was the quarterback for the Bulldogs in the mid-1980s when Yeager was an assistant coach for first Len Maness and then John Daskal.

    McClelland said having a coach with Yeager’s experience and knowledge is invaluable.

    “He’s seen it all,’’ McClelland said of the offensive and defensive alignments Yeager has used and coached against in his career. “I demand my staff to hold me accountable. I don’t want yes men.’’

    Yeager is anything but that, McClelland said. “When he’s in the room, he’s going to speak up.”

    One thing Yeager said hasn’t changed is the goal every week, to figure out a way to effectively move the football.

    “It’s just like a chess match almost,’’ he said. “You move your pieces, and hopefully you move them in the right place to be successful.”

    For the last several years, his job at practice and on Friday nights has been coaching the Bulldog receivers. That was the position he played at Reid Ross High School under John Daskal, starting at tight end and eventually moving to wide receiver when he completed his college education at Appalachian State.

    He revels in seeing his players run routes correctly and work hard to get open. But he’s just as pleased when Terry Sanford runs an option or a sweep and one of his receivers makes a key block to spring a runner.

    The one thing he still tries to sell his players on that dates back to his beginnings as a coach is the importance of work ethic, knowing the job you have to do. “Do your part to help the team, whatever that might be,” he said. “Special teams. Offense. Defense. Quarterback. Whatever it is.’’

    Trey Edge was the quarterback at Terry Sanford in 1984-85. Yeager was his offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. These days, Edge watches Yeager from his perch in the press box as play-by-play announcer for the DK Sports Network’s weekly broadcasts of Terry Sanford football on WFNC 640 AM.

    Edge said the thing that impresses him most about Yeager is he doesn’t have to be out there coaching at this stage in his life, but he does it because he can’t walk away from something he loves this much.

    “He had a passion that was at times addicting and at times hilarious,” Edge said. “It’s all about helping 

    kids and teaching the game of football to kids.’’

    When asked if he’s ready to give it up, Yeager said no. “Really and truly, I’ve never looked at football as a job,” he said. “It’s been something I wanted to do.’’And after 50 years, he’s still doing it.

    Photo: Bill Yeager

  • uac092910001.gif There is nothing quite like being a homeowner. The sense of pride and ac-complishment that comes with being master of your own kingdom, whether it is a starter home on .10 of and acre or an estate consisting of many acres is hard to beat and the Homebuilders Association of Fayetteville (HBAF) knows it. They’ve been promoting home ownership for more than 45 years.

    “The Parade of Homes debuted in Fayetteville in 1963, which was the same year that the HBAF was chartered,” said Natalie Woodbury, of the Homebuilders As-sociation. “The Parade of Homes promotes home buying and home owner ship.”

    The HBAF sees home ownership as a way to adds strength to the community, improves the quality of life, and increases the sense of pride within a family, according to their website. This event focuses on new construction and allows participants to see a cross section of new homes available in the local market, specifi cally Cumberland, Hoke and Harnett counties.

    This year, the Parade of Homes will be held over two weekends, Oct. 2-3 and Oct. 9-10. The homes on display range in price from $550,000 to $163,000. They are all new construction, and each home will have a realtor on site to answer any ques-tions that may come up. It is free and open to the public.

    “We are very proud of these builders and appreciate their support,” said Woodbury, adding that there is always something new to see from year to year in the homes on parade. “I think that my favorite part is seeing the new trends — what is different from last year, the different floor plans and the newness of having it every year. That is what makes it exciting.”

    To keep it simple and user friendly, there are no meeting points or bus rides, no scheduled tours and no guides.09-29-10-poh-map.gif Just take a copy of the map and wander from home to home. You don’t have to go in order, and you don’t have to go to every home, or visit all 27 of them if you like.

    Woodbury noted that the last house on the tour is a Habitat for Human-ity home. Habitat for Humanity has been a part of this community since 1998. The mission is to “work in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with people in need by building and renovating houses so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which every person can experience God’s love and can live and grow into all that God intends.” Ending poverty and homelessness is the ultimate goal. Habitat for Humanity homeowners work side by side with volunteers to build their structure.

    “The 27th home is a Habitat for Humanity home,” said Woodbury “And we are doing that to make the community more aware of Habitat and that it is there, and the good work that they do.”

    In addition to promoting home ownership and healthy communities, the HBAF and the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County have partnered to include the arts and local artists in this endeavor.

    A few months ago a call for art went out to local artists seeking a work to represent this year’s event. “This was the second annual competition. A.J. Rog-ers won this year,” said Woodbury. “His piece is titled Welcome Home. It is on all of our marketing material and on the tour guide. This part of the event is exciting because it pairs both of our associations (HBAF and the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County) together — and it is a really pretty piece of artwork.”

    For a complete listing of homes by location and price, as well as other infor-mation about the Parade of Homes,09-29-10-parade-of-homes-logo.gifincluding the map, visit the website at www.fayettevilleparadeofhomes.com.

    The welcome mats are out, stop by any of the homes on the fi rst two weekends in Oct. and take a gander at what the local homebuilders have been up to. Homes will be open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 12-6 p.m. on Sunday.

  • 5 In late August, the government of California gave its residents two additional, and interrelated, reasons to consider moving elsewhere.

    First, the state’s Air Resources Board announced plans to phase out all sales of gas-powered vehicles in California by 2035. A few days later, state officials instructed Californians not to lower their thermostats below 78 degrees and not to charge their electric vehicles during the peak hours of 4 to 9 p.m. Otherwise, they said, Californians may experience blackouts.

    Here in North Carolina, our electrical system is much more reliable. It’s one reason why some disaffected California families and businesses may well find their way here. If some public officials and utility executives in our state get their way, however, the flow of energy refugees may reverse itself in the not-too-distant future.

    Under the terms of a 2021 law enacted by large, bipartisan majorities in the General Assembly, North Carolina is required to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions significantly over the next few decades, reaching complete “carbon neutrality” by 2050. The law attracted its broad legislative support because it also includes strict criteria for reaching this goal by the “least cost path” while maintaining “the adequacy and reliability of the existing grid.”

    The state’s primary electricity supplier, Duke Energy, has now filed its plan to achieve the law’s goals, which include a reduction from the 2005 emissions baseline of 70% by 2032. All four of Duke’s proposed power portfolios, however, rely so heavily on intermittent sources such as solar and wind that the reliability of our grid will be imperiled.

    According to an analysis published this summer by my colleagues at the John Locke Foundation, North Carolinians would reach a point by 2032 in which our electricity needs in peak months would exceed the total output of dispatchable baseload generation.

    In other words, we’ll be relying on solar, wind, batteries, and various conservation tactics to keep the lights on and critical machines, appliances and HVAC systems running. That’s too risky.
    By 2050, the Locke study concluded, North Carolinians could face the very real prospect of rolling blackouts during summer months — in other words, the California scenario.

    In a filing to the North Carolina Utilities Commission, the Locke analysts proposed a better solution: making greater use of nuclear power to provide both clean and reliable electricity to our growing state’s households and businesses. Although this plan would require delaying the 2032 goal a bit (a tweak the law does allow) it would fully achieve the 2050 goal, including a phase-out of coal and natural gas.

    It would be also be less expensive than any of the Duke plans, which require the construction of extra production capacity to kick in when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow. Nuclear plants run continuously, their fuel is domestically sourced and plentiful, and they last up to 80 years, vs. 20 years for the average wind farm and 25 years for the average solar plant.

    Our conversation about North Carolina’s energy future is occurring within a broader national and international context in which policy makers who used to be skeptical about nuclear power are coming around to its many benefits. Leaders of energy-hungry countries in Europe and Asia, for example, are realizing that overreliance on natural gas from Russia or rare-earth metals from China poses a threat to their national security and economic vitality.

    And in California itself, Gov. Gavin Newsome has proposed extending the life of the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant through 2035. Although he used to think otherwise, Newsome now believes the state can’t wiggle its way through the next decade if Diablo Canyon, which generates 9% of California’s electricity, closes as scheduled in 2025.

    Better late than never, but North Carolina can do better than that. Our carbon-dioxide emissions from electricity generation are already down 40% since the beginning of the century, largely due to natural gas replacing coal. Now let’s enact a sound energy strategy today that will pay dividends for many decades to come.

  • A few observations as we come to the end of nonconference play in Cumberland County and the Patriot Athletic Conference teams begin league wars tonight.
    Seventy-First got statewide recognition as the county’s best team so far when it was voted No. 10 in the first Associated Press 4-A poll this week.
    The Falcons have looked good on both sides of the football and should head into their open date next week unbeaten and ready for a tough test in the Sandhills Athletic Conference.
    I’m still waiting for somebody to show they are clearly leading the pack in the Patriot Athletic Conference. South View is the lone unbeaten but the Tigers don’t look too strong on defense.
    The loser of this week’s Terry Sanford-Cape Fear game will be battling back much of the rest of the season. There are still some questions about both Gray’s Creek and Pine Forest, and the loser of their game Friday will also be having to scramble to stay in the playoff race.
    Player wise, Donovan Brewington is performing as expected at quarterback for South View while newcomer Davidjohn Herz has quickly developed into a major pass-run threat for Terry Sanford.
    Emery Simmons, the Penn State bound receiver from South View, is living up to expectations. Dorian Clark of Terry Sanford and Andre Allen of Gray’s Creek are the only running backs currently averaging 100 yards rushing per game.
    Good luck to everyone starting conference play tonight, and for the rest, enjoy your last tuneup before the wins and losses really start to count.
     
    The record: 23-9
     
    I had a decent showing of 7-3 last week, pushing the season total to 23-9, 71.9 percent. Hopefully we can bump that number up this week.
     
    Terry Sanford at Cape Fear - I’ve got multiple dilemmas with this one. Terry Sanford appears to have a problem playing defense. Cape Fear is the reverse, with a spotty offense.
    Cape Fear woke up a little last week, but got a lot of help from its defense in scoring 33 points against New Hanover. On paper, that looked like a good win, but it’s pretty clear New Hanover isn’t the team that won a state title a year ago.
    I’m tempted to go with Cape Fear at home, but I think Terry Sanford may be able to outscore the Colts so I’m leaning in that direction. Look for it to be close either way.
    Terry Sanford 20, Cape Fear 18.
     
    Douglas Byrd at South View - The road gets tougher for the Eagles as they take on their neighborhood rival, unbeaten South View.
    South View 35, Douglas Byrd 12.
     
    Overhills at E.E. Smith - I think Smith is going to be the best team Overhills has seen so far this season, but I think the Golden Bulls are suffering from an assortment of problems that will make the visiting Jaguars the favorite Friday night.
    Overhills 22, E.E. Smith 12.
     
    Gray’s Creek at Pine Forest - This is another tough one. Gray’s Creek has looked good so far this season, but so had Pine Forest until it ran into a buzz saw in Rockingham last week and lost to Richmond Senior. I feel like the Bears have a little more momentum headed into this one.
    Gray’s Creek 18, Pine Forest 16. 
     
    Jack Britt at Southern Lee - I think Britt has played a tougher schedule than Southern Lee, but the Cavaliers still get the edge in this one.
    Southern Lee 19, Jack Britt 12.
     
    Seventy-First at Southern Durham - Seventy-First hits the road to see if it can hold or better its new state ranking.
    Seventy-First 21, Southern Durham 6. 
     
    Other games: Village Christian 30, Harrells Christian 8; Trinity Christian 30, Sandhills Titans 14;  North Wake Saints 20, Fayetteville Christian 8, Westover open.
  • 4In its wisdom (or lack of) the Fayetteville City Council is about to launch a marketing campaign for three bond referendums totaling $97 million that will appear on the November ballot in less than 60 days.
    This is not much time for citizens to dig into the actual unintentional consequences and hardships this increased tax debt will impose on Fayetteville citizens.

    City Council members under the leadership of Mayor Mitch Colvin have proven to be oblivious to fiscal responsibility, impervious to allegations of “conflict of interest” and the appearance of profiting from spending Fayetteville citizens' tax dollars. This has become somewhat of a team sport for Mayor Colvin and Fayetteville-PWC Bond Counselor Attorney Jonathan Charleston. Their mantra seems to be: Sell, Sell, Sell! Sell PWC. Sell the Airport. Sell citizens bogus (ShotSpotter) technology, and sell them on approving bond referendums that will burden them financially for decades.

    Our unsophisticated and inexperienced City Council is their mechanism for hatching and executing these schemes. Though Colvin and Charleston's assault on our pocketbooks may not be illegal or corrupt, it certainly borders on being unethical, inappropriate and reeks of conflict of interest. It saddens me that several responsible, intelligent, honest and ethical members of the Council remain silent about this situation and are reluctant to speak out for fear of being labeled racist and targeted by Cancel Culture.

    As for the $97M Bond Referendums — Fayetteville does not need this kind of tax burden, nor does it need what they promise the money will provide. Past councils have adequately provided services and infrastructure improvements without increasing the ad valorem tax rate on citizens. Need proof?

    $60 Million for Public Safety: Really? Previous city councils failed twice in saving taxpayers money and improving public safety when they failed to cooperate with Cumberland County officials on a partnership agreement to build a Joint 911 Call Center. Why? Ignorance, laziness, greed and it didn't fit into their political agendas.

    Under previous Councils with competent leadership, Fayetteville built four new fire stations and financed a fifth station without raising taxes or floating general obligation bonds. No one argues the need for additional fire stations and upgrades to outdated and non-ADA-compliant fire stations. However, other options include putting proposed fire stations up as collateral while the city continues to cash-fund-as-they-go and receive a decent finance rate based on market trends.

    These options should not require a bond referendum to raise our property taxes for decades. Mayor Colvin, Charleston and council members have conveniently ignored these options or have failed to research them. Again, this demonstrates they are irresponsible stewards of taxpayers' money. Here's more proof:

    $12 Million Housing Bond: Vote No! This is Socialism at its worst. Ad valorem taxpayer money should not be used to help others get housing. Socialism is when you tax everyone's personal property and then redistribute that money to a small and select group of people from which others cannot benefit. Sound familiar? Our City Council and staff want to spend 12 million dollars on home-ownership programs and Fayetteville's critical housing needs when neither can define, qualify or quantify the need. This clearly illustrates the definition of insanity and stupidity.

    $25 Million Public Infrastructure: Vote No! Here is another example of poor leadership. Mayor Colvin and council members are asking residents to vote blindly on significant financial obligations before they have any insight or knowledge about how the money will be spent. And, who will be making the decisions? Fayetteville residents must be cautious. If this referendum is allowed to pass, it will tax city residents for 20 years and have money flowing into the city's coffers before any final list of the prioritized projects are determined.

    Currently, the city only funds sidewalks along major NCDOT throughways. It receives matching funds for a portion of the NCDOT-approved road improvement plan. At best, we should be aware of planned projects before we ask citizens to vote to increase their taxes. And, what about stormwater? There has been no mention of this significant city need.

    The City Council and staff will have less than two months to educate the Fayetteville electorate on the projects they plan to pursue with the proposed $12 and $25 million. We have not seen any referendum details to date, so we suggest you vote against ALL the purposed bond referendums on the November ballot.
    Previous councils financed and built the Keith Bates swimming pool at College Lakes Recreation Center, the Westover Recreation swimming pool, and the Lake Rim Park swimming pool. All without a tax increase or floating bond referenda to increase everyone's real property taxes across Fayetteville.

    The devil is in the details. During City Council's Aug. 8 meeting, it was disclosed that borrowing $97 million at 4.5% interest would add almost another $46 million to the total price tag, for an all-in cost of about $143 million over 20 years. Since then, the interest rate has increased and is projected to grow more before Fayetteville can borrow the money. That means the tax increase and borrowing cost to Fayetteville property owners will rise above what the City Council and staff say.

    The way I see it, the City of Fayetteville has a double-barreled opportunity to get the community on the right track, and both come Nov. 8.
    Vote No! on the $97 million referendum and Vote Yes! for the Vote for 6 referendum. This will restructure the voting districts and provide ALL citizens a much larger voice in choosing its leadership. Under this voting program, every voter gets six choices rather than the two we receive now.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 17 Techiera Matthews17 Jeff Bruner17 Lauren AdamAs good as Cape Fear was in volleyball last season, coach Jeff Bruner doesn’t think it’s being too optimistic to say his Colts could be even better in 2018.

    After a record-setting 2017 campaign that saw Cape Fear roll to a 26-4 record and advance to the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs, the Colts are off to a 5-2 start this season, including 4-0 halfway through the first round of games with league opponents.

    What makes Bruner so positive about this season is he’s got five seniors on the court, one of the most experienced teams he’s ever fielded.

    “We are molding the girls together and we really like our look,’’ he said. “Our goal has always been to improve each year. Last year, we made the third round (of the state playoffs). This year’s goal was fourth round or more.’’

    Anchoring the middle for Pine Forest this season are seniors Lauren Adams and Techiera Matthews.

    Adams was the Patriot Athletic Conference Player of the Year last season. She led the public schools in Cumberland County in kills with 363 and was third in aces with 86.

    “She does it all for us,’’ Bruner said. “She’s the complete player. Once again, we’re trying to figure ways to use all her talents this year.’’Adams is picking up a new role for the Colts this year, helping out at the setter position. The setter in volleyball is like the quarterback in football or the point guard in basketball. All the offensive plays run through the setter position, so communication and coordination with the rest of the team is critical to success.

    “We had a pretty successful year last year, so we have to connect and get everything back rolling on the good path like we have,’’ Adams said. “We all have strong points.” She summarized that she and her teammates are focusing on taking advantage of the team’s various strengths while also working to improve weaknesses.

    Another key returner is senior Techiera Matthews. Matthews is the sister of former Cape Fear football standout Chris Matthews. Last season, Matthews was second in the county in kills with 302 and fourth in blocks with 63.

    Matthews plays in the middle for Cape Fear and has become one of the team’s most dominant players. “When she’s on, she really has become the person the team is looking to right now to get a kill,’’ Bruner said. “She’s become a student of the game and more of a leader.’’

    Matthews said the team is trying to reconstruct itself as it gets used to Adams and Margie Horne at the setter position.

    “Losing a setter is big for our team,’’ Matthews said. “We’re trying to find the groove we were in last year and get us back to where we were.’’

    Winning the conference again won’t be easy. Although they are unbeaten in league play so far, Cape Fear has four conference opponents, Gray’s Creek, Pine Forest, E.E. Smith and Terry Sanford, just one game behind them in the loss column.

    “To get to the next level, we’re going to have to work harder,’’ Matthews said. “With six seniors, we feel we have a strong team, a very developed team. I feel we can go farther with as much leadership as we have.’’

    Although Bruner feels good about the way the team has started in conference action, he knows nothing is guaranteed since they’ll face the whole league for a second time through the schedule.

    “As long as we’re putting our best foot forward, we’re happy with the result,’’ he said. “I don’t think we’re there yet. We have a lot of room to improve the next go around.

    “We’re looking for and striving for a conference championship. Every time we practice, we’re practicing for the fourth-round (playoff ) type teams.”

    Bruner thinks what defines a championship team is identifying its weakest link. When you reach a point that a weakest link can’t be defined, that’s when he feels you know a team is championship-ready.

    His other goal for this Cape Fear team is not to be predictable. “We don’t want another team to come in and know what Cape Fear is all about,’’ he said. “We want them to come in and be confused, feel like they are getting hit from all directions. When we get to that point, we’ll be happy with whatever result comes.’’

    Photos L to R: Techiera Matthews, Coach Jeff Bruner, Lauren Adams

  • 23 This year Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) will be celebrated at the end of September, ushering in the year 5783 (according to the traditional Jewish biblical calculation).

    Superficially there appear to be similarities between the celebrations of the secular and Jewish new years. Folks get together with others to eat, drink and share good times. We reflect on the year that has passed and look ahead to the one to come. Noise makers are blown, though on Rosh Hashanah it’s a Shofar (ram’s horn). We even talk about making changes in the new year. Yet, notwithstanding these similarities, it is all too apparent that these celebrations are radically different.

    Joy is a part of both, but the secular new year tends to be celebrated with frivolity, fun and often excess, while the Jewish New Year has a sense of gravitas and deep satisfaction. New Year’s Eve is spent drinking champagne and carousing with friends and strangers; ending with a countdown focused on the ending year. Rosh Hashanah eve is traditionally spent at synagogue worship before sitting down amongst family and friends around a dinner table filled with sacred rituals, such as Kiddush (sanctifying the Festival with a benediction over wine, often sweet concord grape), the Motzi blessing (over round, crown-shaped Challah bread, acknowledging God as the source of all sustenance), and the dipping of apple slices into honey (rather than hors d’oeuvres into sauces) as a wish for a sweet new year.

    The secular New Year’s Day is characterized by sitting back at home and watching others march in parades or play college football while we drink beer and eat pizza or barbecue. Rosh Hashanah day is a time of personal involvement marked by worship at hours-long services (which praise the creator of the universe and encourage personal soul searching), followed by more festive dining with family and friends, before symbolically emphasizing our resolve to cast our sins away through the Tashlich ritual of tossing pieces of bread into a natural body of water.

    The most sobering tradition of the secular New Year is that of a New Year’s resolution which typically involves the good intention to improve a single aspect of our lives. In contrast, Rosh Hashanah involves beginning the process of doing Teshuvah (repentance) which culminates ten days later on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), and concerns striving to make ourselves better human beings who live ever more moral and holy lives.

    I do enjoy a sip of bubbly and a spirited countdown followed the next day by watching the Tournament of Roses Parade and some college football. This traditional way of celebrating the secular New Year is a little frivolous, but so what? This New Year doesn’t claim to be anything more than a somewhat randomly chosen day to mark the earth’s circuit around the sun.

    As the anniversary of the creation of humanity and completion of the world on Genesis’ sixth day of creation, the traditional way of observing Rosh Hashanah requires more. It reminds us of our place in the divine scheme and seeks introspective soul searching as we renew our commitment to God’s plan. Even the blowing of the Shofar requires skill and training to awaken us to Teshuvah and God’s majesty, unlike New Year’s Eve kazoo-style noisemakers intended to be just a bit of ephemeral fun.

    We all know the old adage, “with great effort comes great reward.” Not everyone needs to be Jewish, but we all can learn from each other’s traditions. Perhaps the Jewish New Year can teach the value of setting aside dedicated time each year to remind ourselves of reinvesting in the deep values of our own traditions, with the faith that they will bring us a more blessed life.

  • 16 Charles DavenportNeil Buie, regional supervisor of football officials for the Southeastern Athletic Officials Association, said you can notice something different about Charles Davenport in his striped official’s shirt when he’s running down the field during a play.

    “A lot of us run down the field,’’ Buie said of himself and other football officials. “He seems to glide. It’s like he’s on skates.’’

    Of course, there’s a reason for that. Davenport was a star player in his high school days at Pine Forest before going on to earn All-ACC honors at North Carolina State and land a spot on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster for a few seasons.

    Now he’s in his third year giving back to the local athletic scene as an umpire on high school football officiating crews Friday nights.

    Davenport, who works with an agency that licenses foster parents over a nine-county area, had taken a stab at coaching for a few years after leaving the NFL but decided three years ago to give football officiating a try.

    “I want to be close to the game and I want to be able to participate in a positive way,’’ Davenport said. “I do work with young people in my day-to-day business, but it didn’t afford me the opportunity to be around athletics the way I really wanted t o   b e .’’

    Oddly enough, Buie sometimes has a difficult time getting ex-athletes like Davenport to become officials, and he thinks there’s a reason for it.

    “One of the problems we have in recruiting former players is they’ve been told since their first day on the football field that the guys in the striped shirts were the enemy,’’ Buie said. “When they finish their playing days, they say, ‘Wow, I don’t want to be a part of that. Those are the bad guys.’ Overcoming that perception is part of the problem.’’

    Davenport agreed that sentiment held him back initially from getting involved as an official. Now he regrets the delay.

    “I really wish I had gotten involved right out of the NFL,’’ he said. “It would have been great.’’

    Any lingering problems he had with officials disappeared as soon as he got on the field again, he said. He now realizes the best officials are the ones who enter and leave the field for each game without causing anyone to remember them because they did their job efficiently and with no controversy. 

    “I’m starting to see this side of the game better and better each year,’’ he said. “It’s really a great opportunity to get back on the field and be part of the game I do love.’’

    Davenport tries to bring a player’s mentality to his role as an official, watch as plays develop and see opportunities for educating the athletes he’s working with while he’s calling the game.

    His role in most games he’s called has been as the umpire. In high school football five-man crew mechanics, the umpire works with the referee and is in charge of controlling play along the line of scrimmage.

    Davenport said he enjoys the interaction between himself and the offensive and defensive linemen. It’s not uncommon for him to tell a player or players they are using good techniques and to keep doing it. But he’ll also offer gentle critiques, reminding players to keep their hands in and to clean up minor mistakes in their play. “You can talk more to players about the flow of the game so they don’t hurt their own team,’’ he said.

    He does this partly to help the players but also to prevent himself and his fellow officials from having to throw penalty flags. “One thing I hate to see is a bunch of flags on the field,’’ he said. “It messes up the flow of play. Clean things up early and let them play.’’

    He also encourages coaches to spend more time studying the rules of high school football so they can understand it better both for themselves and their players.

    “Coaches who do understand the rules are very successful,’’ Davenport said. “There are a lot of coaches who know the X’s and O’s but don’t understand the rules of the game. A lot of times, that’s where they lose a game every year.’’

    Someday, Davenport said, he’d like to be the head of an officiating crew, but for now he’s glad to be on the field involved with football again.

    “This is a win-win,’’ he said of the opportunity to be working in high school football and getting paid at the same time. “I just want to get better at what I do. I just like to work with all the different guys and learn their backgrounds.’’

    Buie said having someone like Davenport as an official is an asset to the program.

    “It’s a learning process, and Charles has done a good job with that learning process,’’ Buie said. “It helps he has knowledge of the game.

    “People realize who Charles Davenport was and that he was an athlete.’’

    Now he’s making a new mark for himself as an official and giving back to high school sports at the same time.

  • 22 Those words ring loud and clear in a commercial that dramatizes someone falling and the inability to get up. The commercial is targeted toward the sale of an alert system.

    It can be frightening as we age with the fear of falling and not being able to get up and many times it can cause a person to become immobile. Unless we have a chronic condition or injury that causes us to become sedentary, actively keeping the muscles engaged in the process of sitting, standing and getting up from the floor is as important as having good balance.

    The primary muscles that are used to sit and stand are your leg and hip muscles which are your quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes. The secondary engaged muscles are your abdominals and other core muscles. Core muscles are deep within your back attaching to the spine or pelvis. Your calf muscle also assists in standing, sitting and rising from the floor. Your leg muscles are responsible for bending, lifting, straightening and flexing as you sit or stand. Other muscles involved in seated and standing movement are your biceps if you push from a seated position and your back muscles to lower you to a seated position.

    Sustained inactivity or a lot of sitting can cause the muscles to become weaker, affecting your everyday movement patterns.

    The muscles involved in getting up from the floor include the leg, hip, abdominals, core and some upper body. The muscles include the shoulder, core, chest glutes and hamstrings. Weak legs are one of the main reasons people may struggle with getting up from the floor.

    As a personal trainer, I often hear a client say “I need to improve my balance.” Balance is important for all movement patterns and day-to-day functions. We are not born with the natural ability to balance; it is a continuous process in life, especially as we age. You may see people that have good balance and others not. Genes may be a part, but the bottom line is that you must work at it.

    The following exercises can help improve your balance and strength, remember to begin slowly.

    Balance

    Balance exercises can help your ability to get off the floor or help if you need assistance with seating and standing. You can work on balance with the assistance of something stable such as a railing or counter. Begin by holding your foot off the floor in all three directions and count the holding time as you add more seconds. Practice until you are comfortable with a minute in each direction. You can achieve this by practicing and adding arm movements to challenge your balance. Progressions for balance exercises include unstable surfaces, longer holding patterns and variations in movement.

    Strength

    Wall pushups are done with your hands pressed against the wall. Step back far enough to lower and rise. Begin with 8 repetitions and progress by stepping further back or raising one leg at a time.
    A wall plank is done with arms straight, palms flush to the wall with fingers spread, lean in with the back straight.

    To perform a wall sit, place your back against the wall with your feet forward. Lower within your range of motion. Gradually increase the time.

    To perform lunges, begin with your hands on the wall or stable chair. Step back with your right or left foot bending the knee. Repeat and hold each repetition for up to 10 seconds.
    Seated knee raises are performed by raising each knee towards your chest eight times, two sets on each leg.
    Live and love life with mobility.

  • 15 Britt SoftballIt wasn’t the easiest challenge to accomplish, but a little over a week ago, Jack Britt’s softball team got its biggest recognition for winning the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4-A softball title as the players and coaches were presented championship rings by the school.

    The ceremony took place at halftime of Britt’s second home football game of the season against Terry Sanford.

    Jack Britt athletic director Michael Lindsay said the toughest thing about raising the money to give the players rings was the timing of the championship.

    “Literally a week after we won the championship, school was out,’’ Lindsay said. “We didn’t have the day-to-day contact with the parents, kids or community. Teachers and staff were gone. We had a tough time reaching out to the community.’’

    When the money was raised and the rings were finally secured, the next problem was scheduling the ceremony at a convenient time so all the players could be there. That wasn’t a problem for the underclassmen, but for the seniors who’d left to go to school, there were some issues.

    One of the biggest challenges involved Savannah Roddey, who had already traveled to the West Coast where she was in the process of moving to Clackamas Community College in Oregon to play softball.

    “Her mother said early on if we gave them plenty of notice when the date was, she would try to get back,’’ Lindsay said. Roddey was able to make it.

    In addition to making the ring presentation to the girls, special recognition was given to Jane Britt, the wife of the late Dr. Jack Britt, whom the school is named for. Dr. Britt passed away last December.

    Mrs. Britt was presented with a game ball used in the state championship series that was autographed by all the players and coaches. They also gave her one of the state championship individual medals presented to each player by the NCHSAA.

    “Since the building opened, she and Dr. Britt have been huge supporters of Jack Britt High School,’’ Lindsay said. “We felt it was most appropriate to honor her.’’

    Lindsay said it was also a fitting tribute for the whole team, which really hadn’t gotten to celebrate much in front of their peers because the championship came right at the time school was closing for the year.

    “This was an appropriate way to start the school year off and remind everyone what Jack Britt softball did in June,’’ he said.

    For her part, Buccaneer softball coach Sebrina Wilson just enjoyed seeing the girls get their rings. “It put the icing on the cake for the season and the accomplishment they achieved,’’ Wilson said.

    Wilson also praised principal Scott Pope, Lindsay, the school’s athletic boosters, team parents and the Buccaneer community for coming together to make the whole presentation ceremony special.

    She also thanked Debbie Jones of Hope Mills Plaza Florist. When the team arrived at Jack Britt after winning the state title in June, Jones was in the parking lot to hand out flowers to the players. She showed up at the ring ceremony to do it again.

    “Everybody was trying to make it extra special,’’ Wilson said. “(The players) were super happy for what they got.’’

    Wilson said she’s been asked multiple times if being state champion has sunk in for her. She admitted she’s not sure it ever will.

    “As a coach, you work so hard and want your kids to do so well,’’ she said. “I just wanted to sit back and watch their faces when they opened the boxes (and) see the smiles and surprise on their faces. It’s a moment not very many have and that they’ll remember the rest of their lives.’’

    Meanwhile, the celebration of the title is about to end as Wilson and the returners from last year’s team start work on the 2019 season.

    There will be a team meeting this week, then Wilson will check the eligibility of all her players before starting off-season practice.

    “We’re going through fundamental things,’’ she said. “It’s what we did last year. When the season gets here, we focus on the bigger picture.’’

    The Buccaneers won’t have any problem setting goals for next year. While they won the state championship, they suffered three losses to Richmond Senior, which wound up as the Sandhills Athletic Conference champion, but was eliminated from the state playoffs by the same South Caldwell team that the Buccaneers beat in three games for the state title.

    Wilson is hopeful the fact her team peaked at season’s end may help prevent opposing teams from putting a big target on their back.

    “I think there are so many other teams that have so much more hype,’’ she said. “We went under the radar most of the reason. I’d rather relish that role than have the spotlight on us.’’

    As for chances of repeating as state champion, Wilson doesn’t want to look that far ahead. “We’ve got to play within ourselves,’’ she said.

  • 5 In what had once been a land of opportunity and progress, the state had grown large and oppressive. Its leaders lost their way. Its people nearly lost their freedom.

    How oppressive had the state become? No matter how you chose to make your living, government officials made constant demands on you. Every major transaction was taxed, at escalating rates. If you couldn’t pay the taxes, your goods and property were seized. In many cases, you had to have special permission from the state to enter your chosen occupation.

    How did the government grow to be so oppressive? It didn’t happen overnight. Instead, the encroachments were gradual, each one too small on its own to provoke large-scale opposition. Many of the taxes were originally enacted as “temporary” measures, in response to emergencies, but then lingered on in seeming perpetuity.
    It was a great deal for the political class — at first. In earlier times, state revenues had been used primarily to fund critical infrastructure and maintain law and order. But as the money poured in, bureaucrats hired other bureaucrats, which boosted their power and stature. Government didn’t just pay them directly. Precisely because government had become so burdensome, corruption was rampant. It was cheaper for merchants to pay off public officials than to comply fully with the taxes and regulations.

    Over time, however, the abuses of the political class proved counterproductive. To the extent land confiscation moved taxable property into government ownership, the tax base shrank. To the extent government made it harder to start and run businesses, there were fewer businesses generating revenues and employing people — which led to financial problems for the state as well as idleness and discontent among the population.
    Finally, a new leader emerged. He was honest and ethical. Most importantly, he was observant. He recognized that the expansion of government had discouraged private enterprise and bred public contempt. He resolved to fix the problem.

    The new leader slashed taxes. He eliminated regulations, and the jobs of regulators who had enforced them. He ended abusive confiscations of land, reserving that power for parcels the state truly needed for infrastructure. He fought public corruption and ensured that rich, powerful interests did not receive special treatment when the state adjudicated legal disputes.

    The government didn’t wither away. Instead, the new leader refocused its attention on law and order. He codified and simplified the legal code. He increased penalties, particularly for violent offenses. Crime rates dropped, which made existing residents feel more secure about starting new businesses and encouraged new people to immigrate to the area.

    Care to hazard a guess about the identity of this political reformer and the state he led? No, I’m not talking about an American state, or recent events in a foreign land. The leader’s name was Urukagina. He ruled the Sumerian state of Lagash, which included a capital and several nearby towns, more than 2000 years before the birth of Christ. The site is in what is now southern Iraq.

    The official chronicle of Urukagina’s reforms contains the first recorded use of the word “freedom.” The Sumerian term was “amargi,” literally “a return to the mother.” The idea being conveyed was that human beings were naturally born into a state of freedom, not a state of subservience. Another way of saying it is that humans are endowed by their Creator with certain rights that are not lost — alienated from them — just because they live in societies with governments.

    Urukagina returned his people’s birthright to them, their freedom. It worked for a time. Unfortunately, he didn’t tend sufficiently to a core function of government, national defense. Lagash fell prey to invaders. But his tale wasn’t forgotten, then or now. In 1960, the founders of the Liberty Fund in Indianapolis chose the cuneiform version of “amargi” as the centerpiece of their logo.
    When it comes to expanding freedom, there have been plenty of modern innovations. But there’s nothing new about the underlying concept. It’s ancient, and essential.

  • 4 Yellow buses are rolling across North Carolina as kiddos return to school for the first “normal” school year since 2018-2019.

    But wait! “Normal” is not the correct word, because thousands of students, including some in Cumberland County, will find themselves in classrooms without certified teachers.
    Teachers have been resigning and retiring in droves, again including teachers in Cumberland.
    The reasons, of course, are unique to each individual educator, but there are many commonalities.

    Teachers are increasingly stressed, and with good reason. The pandemic shut down schools almost three years ago, sending teachers and students into virtual learning scenarios, ready or not. The result has been thousands of students performing below grade level and teachers now expected to “fix it.”
    In addition, staffing shortages mean teachers must cover for each other as well as for other school employees who have also left for greener pastures. It amounts to less support and more work.

    But wait! There’s more.

    In the early 2000s, North Carolina’s teachers were looking at rising salaries and growing respect for their work as professionals. Not so today. North Carolina’s teacher pay ranks 34th out of 50 states, according to the National Education Association’s annual report.

    This, according to the Economic Policy Institute, is almost 25% below what the average teacher would earn in the private sector, the so-called, “teacher wage penalty.”
    And, like everyone else, teachers are also losing out to inflation.
    In all honesty, would you put up with that from your employer if you had a choice?

    And, if all that were not enough to send teachers running for the door, layer on the Republican-controlled General Assembly’s latest proposal for teacher pay based on performance as judged by student test scores, student surveys and principal and peer evaluations.

    Really? Even when student performance depends on far more than teacher input and when evaluations can be highly subjective, not to mention vindictive?
    Included in the proposed plan as well are provisions to allow individuals to enter the teaching profession without an education degree.

    Top off all the proposed changes with the reality that Republican legislators are accusing teachers of indoctrinating students with facts and ideas about race and gender that the right wing does not agree with, transforming classrooms into political battle fields with students as cannon fodder.

    Even if we assume there may be merit in some of these ideas, the stressful fall of 2022 is hardly the time to press for them.
    There are no easy remedies to these complicated issues, but adequate pay and professional respect would go a long way, especially since the General Assembly is sitting on a $6 billion surplus stockpiled by cutting taxes on the upper income earners and corporations.

    The General Assembly is almost literally and personally walking teachers out the door.
    It is high time for legislators and would-be legislators to put their money where their mouths are and pay teachers what they are worth and show them professional respect.

    It is also high time for voters to consider such reckless and damaging decision-making on the part of legislators when we go to the polls on November 8th.
    Really.

  •     The floor of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina is full of pallets of bottled drinking water. Unfortunately, the shelves are nearly empty of the one commodity the facility on Deep Creek Road needs the most: food.
        David Griffin, the food bank director, says the demand by hungry folks seeking emergency supplies of food has increased 59 percent over the past two years — a hike he lays squarely on the shoulders of a faltering economy and high gas prices.
        “Those factors have made it tough,” said Griffin as he surveyed the warehouse’s empty pallets and the bare freezers of a facility that serves seven counties. “In addition, our seven counties are mostly rural and they’ve lost a lot of jobs, especially in Robeson County. A lot of people just can’t make it with the increasing cost of food.”
        {mosimage}Griffin says that the ever increasing poverty rate contributes mightily to this perfect storm of hunger. He adds that Cumberland County alone has 51,000 folks listed as subsisting below the federally mandated poverty line — many of them children.
        “It’s heartbreaking to see someone with small children needing food,” said Griffin. “It really takes something out of your heart. People don’t just ask for food unless they really need it.
        “As long as I am director here, I will make sure people have plenty of food,” said Griffin. “But we need help.”
        That help is on the way in the form of the 2008 Cumberland County CROP Hunger Walk. The event — scheduled for Oct. 19 — is sponsored by Church World Service and has taken place off and on since 1980, with county residents soliciting sponsors to fund their walk for the hungry and provide money that is distributed locally and nationally — 25 percent of that money goes to the food bank.
        Michele Bedsole, the crop walk’s coordinator, said the 10K walk — which had more than 325 participants last year — raised $16,000 in 2007; however, she says this year’s walk is seeking a 59 percent increase in money raised — the exact amount the food bank says requests for food have increased.
        “We’re still looking for participants and sponsors,” said Bedsole. “So far, Methodist University, Fayetteville State University and Fayetteville Technical Community College have agreed to participate, as has Cape Fear High School. The more people and sponsors we get, the more money we raise for the food bank.”
        The walk has 2-mile and 6.2-mile options and will begin at 3 p.m. at Haymount United Methodist Church. Some runners will compete, but they will start before the walkers. 
        Bedsole says the walk is mostly symbolic, with participation by families pushing strollers and even senior citizens.
        “We had one lady who was 84 walk last year,” said Bedsole.
        Griffin says he is appreciative of any help the crop walk can provide the food bank.
        Even though the food bank, which is part of the Cumberland County Action Committee, Inc., is helped out by a long list of sponsors such as Food Lion, the Campbell Soup Company, Wal-Mart, Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Sam’s Club, more help is needed.
        “The demand continues to rise,” said Griffin.
        Griffin says the food bank generally provides food through the various organizations that identify families in need, though anyone showing up at the facility on 406 Deep Creek Road needing food will not be turned down. For more information on the food bank or to donate, call 485-8809.
        If you would like to participate in the crop walk or make a donation through that organization, check out the Web site at www.crophungerwalk.org. You can also call Bedsole at 484-6896 or contact the Rev. Laura Lupton at laura@techtutors.org.

    Tim Wilkins, Associate Editor
    COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 105 or tim@upandcomingweekly.com


  • 8It's more than obvious that Ms. Terryberry is feeling the desperation that conservatives are experiencing now.
    Her wild and preposterous speculations about the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 are very transparent and laughable.
    It's more than obvious that Democrats are continuing to put in work to benefit the American people; In the meantime, what have conservatives done in the past year and a half?

    Nothing but whine, obstruct and offer nothing more than rhetoric-filled excuses.
    That will no longer work in the real world. The American people have had enough of Republicans doing nothing but blocking progress and attempting to drag America backwards.

    Case in point: This Spring, when a bipartisan committee was formed to tackle the inflation problem, not one Republican even showed up, much less offered a workable solution. It's more than obvious that conservatives only care about millionaires and billionaires who put money in their pockets, while the American working and middle classes, who keep the economy going, are ignored and excessively taxed.

    Here's the reality: After Democrats win a historic victory in the November midterm elections, they will be running the tables for the next decade, possibly beyond. Progress and prosperity will happen, and conservatives can thump all the bibles they want after the fact.

    There will be a higher minimum wage, voting rights, abortion rights, and strengthening of social security and Medicare. Our nation's crumbling infrastructure will finally and realistically be dealt with. Much needed gun control laws will be in place to protect our school children so they can have a proper education without fearing for their lives.

    Oh, teachers will be allowed to teach, without the conservative dogma.

    As the late President John F. Kennedy once said: A great change is at hand.

    And conservatives will no longer hold back America from the future and promise it deserves.
    It's not about a BIG government, it's about a BETTER government — one that will benefit all Americans, instead of a privileged few.

    —Keith Ranson, Fayetteville

    Editor's note: The referenced article by Paige Terryberry ran in the Aug. 24 issue. It can be found at https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/views/8968-five-ways-the-inflation-reduction-act-harms-americans
    Paige Terryberry is the Senior Analyst for Fiscal Policy at the John Locke Foundation.

  • 6For several years, I have been extremely disturbed by various actions of our city council. However, the Council’s 6-4 vote on Aug. 22 not to authorize a referendum on the Vote Yes Fayetteville petition has sent my disgust and distrust to a level beyond description.

    In my estimation, the six council members who voted not to put this referendum on the ballot simply followed the pattern of recent councils.
    Dictatorship governments must be peacefully challenged.

    That is, they are and — if not challenged — will continue to be a dictatorship government. An unattributed online definition says this is “a type of government in which a single person — the dictator — or party has absolute power. This means that the ruler or party has complete control. The rights of the people are typically suppressed in a dictatorship, sometimes to a great degree.”
    I forthrightly contend that this is an accurate description of the recent past and current majority of Council, in general, and relating to the handling of the Vote Yes Fayetteville petition in particular.

    In a CityView TODAY article headlined “City Council votes 6-4 against referendum on Vote Yes Initiative,” Michael Futch explains the Vote Yes effort as follows:
    The Vote Yes initiative would restructure the election process for City Council members. Instead of electing all nine members by district, four members would be elected at large and five would be elected from districts.

    The mayor would continue to be elected citywide.
    Against that backdrop, consider how this council processed the referendum petition. The decision as to whether the issue would appear on the November ballot as a referendum rested with the Council and their decision had to be made no later than Aug. 22.

    The matter was tabled in two earlier meetings because there was a question as to whether the group leading the petition drive had done all the required steps.
    The final sticking point was whether General Statute 163-218 applies to this type of petition. The statute is copied below:

    Article 19. Petitions for Elections and Referenda. § 163-218. Registration of notice of circulation of petition. From and after July 1, 1957, notice of circulation of a petition calling for any election or referendum shall be registered with the county board of elections with which the petition is to be filed, and the date of registration of the notice shall be the date of issuance and commencement of circulation of the petition. (1957, c. 1239, s. 1; 1967, c. 775, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)

    In their Aug. 8 meeting, Council tasked City Attorney Karen McDonald with getting clarification regarding the Statute 163-218 question.
    In the Aug. 22 meeting, McDonald reported that she had written to the Cumberland County Board of Elections regarding this issue. Copied below is the section of her letter that shows what information was requested:

    I have been directed by the city Council to formally request (1) a copy of the filed notice of circulation and the date of registration as required in General Statute 163-218 and (2) whether the citizen-initiated petition is a valid petition since the provisions of 163-218 have not been met.

    After stating that she had written to the Board of Elections and received a response, Attorney McDonald said, “At this point, Mayor, it appears, particularly based on the response, that there remains a question regarding the validity of the petition that was submitted to the City Council for consideration.”
    Immediately after that statement, Council member Mario Benavente made a motion that the City Council not put the referendum on the November ballot. The motion was seconded by Council member Derrick Thompson.

    Before the vote, Mayor Pro Tem Johnny Dawkins asked some questions of the attorney. At the end of their exchange, Dawkins said, “So, we don’t know that the statute applies to the petition. Is that your guidance?”
    Attorney McDonald responded by saying, “No, my guidance is that when you look at 163-218, it says that ….” (She quotes the statute as it appears above.) After quoting the statute, McDonald says, “Because we have not received that, the Council has not received that, it appears to me to be a legitimate question as to the validity of the petition.”

    The vote was taken and the Benavente motion carried 6-4. Voting in favor was Mayor Mitch Colvin, Council members Shakeyla Ingram, Mario Benavente, D.J. Haire, Derrick Thompson and Courtney Banks-McLaughin.
    Voting in opposition to the motion, and wanting a referendum, were Council members Deno Hondros, Brenda McNair, Kathy Jensen and Johnny Dawkins.

    The letter from Angie Amaro, Interim Director of Elections, does say that a notice of circulation was not received by her office; however, the letter goes beyond that acknowledgement.
    What she writes makes it crystal clear, in my estimation, that she does not believe that this petition required a notice of circulation and she contends that the Fayetteville City Council has sole responsibility for determining the validity of the petition. The body of the Amaro letter is copied below:

    I respond to your request for a document and an opinion as follows:
    The North Carolina State Board of Elections maintains information and guidance on filing petitions on its website. The only petition form provided on that website is a North Carolina Petition Request. Neither the State Board’s website nor the Petition Request form mentions a notice of circulation. I am not aware that any such form exists. Neither a document identified as a notice of circulation, nor a North Carolina Petition Request was filed in my office for this petition.

    I supervised the verification of the signatures attached to the petition that was presented to my office and June 13, 2022, notified Bobby Hurst that 5,009 names of the 5,721 signatures were qualified. That is my certification of the petition. This petition is to the Fayetteville City Council, not the Board of Elections. I am advised by the counsel to the State Board of Elections and the county attorney that whether the petition is valid is a question for the city council, citing G. S. § 160A-104.

    Critical considerations from what is presented above coupled with some other points not mentioned there are summarized below:

    From Attorney McDonald’s letter to Ms. Amaro: (1) the city was notified on March 18, 2022, of the petition initiative; (2) June 13, 2022, the city received notification that the petition had been certified.
    The matter was tabled twice by the Council after June 13 and not acted on until the last permitted day. Council had some 68 days in which to act on this petition, but waited until the last possible day.
    In the letter from Angie Amaro, Interim Director of Elections, to Attorney McDonald, she presents reasons for concluding that there is not a requirement for submission of a notice of circulation. This input from Amaro was not mentioned in the Aug. 22 meeting.

    Every indication is that Amaro is correct in stating that, under G.S. § 160A-104, it is City Council’s responsibility to determine validity of the petition.
    It reasonably follows that where over 5,000 registered voters were verified to have legitimately signed the petition, Council members should have protected the process no matter their individual objections to the petition.

    That is, in fairness to citizens, council should have early on identified the concern and tenaciously worked to clarify the situation and advise the Vote Yes Fayetteville leadership.
    What is presented here indicates that Council made no serious effort to deal fairly with those of us among the 5,000 plus signers.

    The bottom line is that everything here points to a majority of the most recent and present Fayetteville City Councils intentionally managing the petition process in a fashion that achieved their desired outcome of defeating it.

    In doing so, they clearly suppressed the rights and the will of over 5,000 citizens. I submit that this is a dictatorship government that abuses citizens, disregards individual rights and will take this city to an unimaginable low point of existence. We cannot allow this to happen.
    Fayetteville citizens must faithfully gather information, think clearly, be informed voters who focus on issues and refuse to have their thinking controlled by skin color or self-interest; in the end, stand up for what is right, for what is Godly.

    To the Vote Yes Fayetteville leadership, please tell me: (1) that there is a definite plan for challenging Council’s action in this matter; (2) how to financially support that plan; (3) what else I might do to help.

  • 5Are you ready to imitate Jim Morrison and break on through to the other side? Ever wonder what awaits outside this vale of tears? You are on the road to find out.

    John Lennon wrote a delightful little ditty called “She Said, She Said” containing the cheerful line: “I know what it’s like to be dead.”
    A Russian proverb says: “If you wake up and you are not in pain, you know you are dead.”

    Today we consider my recent near-death experience at the hands of a local financial institution. Come along and muse on the semi-finality of Mr. Death.
    It was a sultry day. The heat index was waxing in the triple digits. It was also time to make a bank deposit. The lobby was cool and clear. All seemed merry and bright. Due to some bizarre corporate decree, the bank no longer used deposit slips. You walk up to the teller to present a bank statement and a check. Usually after consulting the computer, the nice lady takes your money. But not today, Bucko.

    I had been using the bank for years without incident. This day was different. I presented my check. The teller began hitting computer keys when suddenly a strange expression clouded her face. She asked me my address. I knew it. She asked me for the last four digits of my social security number. I knew that, too. So far so good.

    Her expression became colder. She called another teller to look at her computer screen. Teller #2’s wide smile suddenly morphed into anxiety touched with a tinge of fear. Uh oh. “This cannot be good”, thought I. No explanation was forthcoming.

    Teller #2 then retrieved a bank manager to come over to ponder the screen. The manager’s face changed from a happy Chamber of Commerce “glad to meet you, look” to “holy mackerel, what fresh hell is this?” look as she perused the screen.

    I still had received no explanation for what was happening during the usual mundane task of giving someone my money.
    Suddenly, scenarios like sugar plums began to dance in my head. Had someone erroneously deposited $1 million into my account? Had an identity thief absconded with the balance? Had the IRS issued a double secret levy and emptied my account?
    I verbally suggested all three possibilities to the trio of bankers silently frowning at the computer screen.

    To misquote Julie Andrews in “Camelot”: “The silence at last was broken/ The Bank flung wide its prison doors.”
    Finally, bank manager said: “According to the computer you are dead. You died in 2006.”

    This was news to me. Of course, the decedent is usually the last one to know. No one had bothered to tell me I was dead.
    I leapt at the chance to finally quote Mark Twain who had a similar experience of being erroneously reported as dead, I replied: “Like Mark Twain, reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
    The manager’s explanation was that someone had mistakenly hit the bank’s death key back in 2006, but no one had noticed it until now — August 2022.

    I felt some kinship to dead people in Chicago. I had been voting in many elections since 2006 despite being dead. It was a good feeling. My widow Lani had not remarried in the 16 years that I had been dead. She must really love me. My dogs still treated me as if I was alive. That was a plus.

    We all had a good laugh at my return from the land of the dead to the material world. Then wanting to spoil the mood, I suggested darkly that like in the movie “Sixth Sense” perhaps they saw dead people.
    Maybe the computer was right and I really was dead. Their laughter developed a nervous tinge. I threatened to come back from the dead to haunt them if they didn’t fix their computer.

    They promised to tell their computer that like sweet Molly Malone in Dublin’s fair city who cried: “Cockles and Mussels that I was alive, alive, Oh!”
    We parted strangers, thoughtless and free. They went back to banking. I went back to doing whatever ghosts do when they are not making bank deposits. I walked out through a wall, because as you know, ghosts don’t need doors.

    Post script: In my incorporeal ghostly form I went to pet poor Freya the 1300-pound walrus who had been entertaining people in Oslo, Norway, this summer.
    Freya had been climbing on fishing boats in the town harbor to sun herself.

    Like the moron tourists in Yellowstone who get too close to buffaloes, the moron contingent in Oslo kept getting too close to Freya who could have done them serious bodily harm.
    The Norway Fisheries Directory decided in order to save the morons from themselves, that Freya had to be killed. She was dispatched by government decree.

    I asked Freya about this turn of events. She looked at me with very large sad walrus eyes and said “All I wanted was some herring and a place to sun myself.”
    Rest in peace, Freya. We’ll meet again. Don’t know where. Don’t know when.

  • 4Finally, common sense prevails.

    Unfortunately, it had to be mandated by Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons.
    Ammons ruled on Sept. 1 that the Vote Yes Fayetteville referendum be put on the November ballot for voters to decide whether or not they want to change the structure of the Fayetteville City Council.
    It's crazy. In my lifetime, I have never seen such aversion and reluctance to allow Americans to vote and have a voice in their government.

    However, I do understand human nature, and when unscrupulous people get into positions of power, the only way they can maintain their foothold is to stifle transparency and derail the democratic process.
    Unfortunately, Fayetteville's city government is a textbook example of these shenanigans.
    When council members prioritize personal agendas over what is best for citizens, they are stifling this community and suffocating its growth and quality of life.

    The Vote Yes referendum is vitally essential to the survival of this community.
    Citizens must be allowed to vote on whether or not to break this Council's cycle of secrecy, incompetence and corruption.

    If the Vote Yes Referendum fails after it's presented on the ballot, so be it. Then we will ultimately get the type of government we deserve.
    For those who may have been on Mars for the past year, the Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative changes how our City Council members are elected.

    Currently, the Mayor is the only elected official that is elected citywide. Districts elect the other nine members of the Council.
    Vote Yes, if approved, would give Fayetteville voters six votes (four at-large, one precinct vote and one mayor vote) rather than only two.

    I've always said, "What's not to like about that?" Six is always better than two, and every citizen gets the same opportunity. Make sense? Fair? Not to those who fear the outcome of a real democracy.
    Well, the madness continues. After Judge Ammons announced his ruling, the Fayetteville City Council immediately called an emergency meeting the next day to analyze and discuss the litigation.

    After such a logical ruling, one would think the Council would accept the decision and move on to more pressing issues in our community. Issues like the roving band of downtown vagrants peeing on my office storefront, ravaging my trash dumpster, and turning my parking lot and city sidewalks into a disgusting and embarrassing image of our city.

    No. Not this group of ne're-do-wells. They would lose too much power and privilege if the people were allowed to vote for competency and transparency.

    In a vote of 4 to 3, the Council voted to appeal Judge Ammons' decision against their own attorney's advice, all the while clinging to Mitch Colvin's false narrative that creating at-large districts would dilute representation and create hardships financially for minority candidates. Well, the Mayor is wrong on both assumptions.

    First, at-large members would increase representation (six votes over two votes), and second, Fayetteville's Black population is no longer the minority — 50% vs. 35%.
    In a typical and arrogant motion, with little hope of reversing Ammons' ruling, Mayor Colvin, Derrick Thompson, D.J. Haire and Mario Benavente voted to spend $25-30K of taxpayer money in a final desperate attempt to salvage their political futures.

    Maybe by the time you read this, the courts will have made their final decision.
    Let's hope so. In the meantime, I want to say "thank you" to the dozens of people who worked diligently getting us this far in the process and the thousands (5,009) of Fayetteville citizens that stepped up and signed the Vote Yes petition in the spirit of freedom and democracy.

    Stay tuned, and thank you for reading the Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper.

  • uac090711001.jpg Philoxenia. It means friends of strangers. It’s a Greek word that perfectly describes the Hellenic community, specifi cally the Fayetteville Hellenic community. Just ask Kelly Papagikos. She is married to Father Papagikos, who serves the Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church on Oakridge Avenue.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    There will be dancing both inside and outside this year, which is a big change, but one that the event organizers think will add to the event.09-07-11-greek-fest.jpg

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 09-14-11-huske.jpgWhile the music scene can be competitive and frustrating for performers, songwriters quite often have even fewer oppor-tunities to shine locally. Some innovation, can-do spirit and a down-right tenacious attitude can go a long way in making strides in a songwriter’s career. Throw in some encourage-ment and support from local music venues and, oh yeah, some cash, and sud-denly the possibilities are endless.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • uac092111001.jpg Bringing the World to

    Our Backyard

    Fayetteville, much like the United States, is a melting pot. The city’s population is drawn from all 50 states and countries from all over the world. This diversity brings a rich fabric to the life of our community. It creates a tapestry of customs, ideas and cultures. It intoduces us to new ways of doing things, new music, new food, new ideas. Unlike other communities that struggle with diversity, Cumberland County embraces it, even more, it celebrates it.

    For 33 years, the county residents have come together to experience the cornucopia of cultures that make up their community, and it’s one party you are not going to want to miss.

    The 33rd Annual International Folk Fesival kicks-off on Friday, Sept. 23 during the monthly celebration of 4th Friday. While 4th Friday is always a visual delight, this month’s activities will be beyond belief. Join the crowds along Hay Street as our neighbors and friends bring the Parade of Nations to the heart of the city at 7 p.m.

    The parade is a time-honored tradition in Fayetteville, and is one of the big draws of the weekend. Groups representing more than 30 countries will march through the city center in costume with banners, music and dancing. The spirit of the parade embodies a quote from a Trinidad poet that is often associated with the International Folk Festival — “When we dance in the streets, we dance together, regardless of color, race, status, enjoying ourselves and sharing a love for great music, food and fun!”

    Mary Kinney, the marketing director at the Arts Council is excited about bringing the Parade of Nations to 4th Friday.

    “This is a really big change for us,” said Kinney. “In the past, the Parade of Nations has been on Saturday morning and kicked-off the event. By integrating it with 4th Friday, we are really building the excitement.”

    “There is so much pageantry and color to the parade,” she said. “It’s very high energy, and people look forward to it every year.”09-21-11-folf-fest-1.jpg

    This year, the Army Ground Forces Band will lead the parade. The band made the move to Fayetteville as part of BRAC and is quickly integrating itself into the community. The band is very large but is divided into smaller elements. Kinney said the Dixie Land band will play during the festival on Saturday and Sunday.

    On Saturday, the festival goes into high gear as activities move to Festival Park. The festival opens at noon, with six full hours of music, dance, art, food and fun.

    According to Kinney, there are four performance stages and there will also be strolling artists throughout both days of the festival. All eyes will be on the International Stage as performers from the cultural groups will take the stage to share their culture through music and dance.

    New this year to the festival is an expanded area for children. Kinney explained that all of the artists performing on the children’s stage are from the artists in the school program.

    “Adjacent to the performance stage is a tent for the children to do hands-on, interactive art projects,” said Kinney. “The artists will rotate from the stage to the tent, so there will be several educational components going on simultaneously.”

    Another new event is an area that is dedicated to Native-American crafts. This component is supported by the Cumberland County Schools’ Native American Program. This activity will complement the Native American Cultural Showcase in Linear Park that focuses on the element of pow Wow.

    Once you’ve taken in the sights and sounds, you might want09-21-11-folk-fest-3.jpg to get a taste of the festival at the International Café. The café is a unique way for the community’s cultural groups to showcase their cuisine, but also raise money. So come hungry and prepare for a smorgasbord for your taste buds.

    You will probably have worked up a thirst along with your appetite, so you can stop by the beer tent, which is featuring North Carolina brews.

    And don’t forget that the festival is a great place to shop. Vendors will display arts and crafts with an international flair.

    “The festival itself is free,” said Kinney. “But you are going to want to bring money to eat the delicious food and to shop.”

    The festival runs from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit www.theartscouncil.com.

    09-21-11-map.jpg

  • 09-28-11-us-army-soldier-show.jpgThe carnival concept of the 2011 U.S. Army Soldier Show will take audiences on a globe-spanning journey to more fun-fi lled venues in 90 minutes than some folks experience in a lifetime.

    From a boardwalk to a fun house to a circus to a county fair to a time machine, Soldier-entertainers will take their guests on a song and dance tour of carnivals across America and beyond.

    “It’s an opportunity to actually take the audience on a journey with us,” Soldier Show director Victor Hurtado said. “And not just to the continental United States — we have a great international scene.”

    Africa, Samoa, Latin America, Nepal, with influences from India, Thailand and China, are represented in the song-and-dance extravaganza that plays to the strengths of cast members from several countries. Each international scene will feature authentic music from that locale.

    This Soldier Show cast features strong instrumentalists on the violin, drums, guitar, keyboards and bass who will keep the performers on the move as they dance from scene to scene. One central character will help keep the show moving by introducing each scene.

    “There are a lot of dancers, a lot of movement in the show,” Hurtado said. “But there are some great voices as well. And great stage presence. We have some great rapper and spoken-word guys, so we have quite a bit of that driving the show.”

    Patriotism is woven throughout the show that does not so much resemble a military production.

    “With MWR, we’re in the business of taking Families and Soldiers away from the trials and tribulations of what they’re going through, so I think this will definitely inspire the patriotism, but really help you escape and take you to places you wouldn’t go, all in one day,” Hurtado said.“You wouldn’t go to the circus, a boardwalk, a country fair, a fun house — in four different areas of the world — and a Fourth of July celebration, all in one day.“

    You could never physically do that, but you’re going to be able to do that at this show.”

    “Entertainment for the Soldier, by the Soldier” is the working motto of Army Entertainment Division, which will launch the 106-performance Soldier Show tour from Fort Belvoir, Va., to 61 installations, garrisons and other venues around the United States, Germany and Korea.

    “As a group, they’ve really become very cohesive,” Hurtado said. “We’ve really been able to get the show together quickly. They’ve been very engaged. It’s pretty amazing where they are already, as far as rehearsals go.”

    The 2011 U.S. Army Soldier Show’s eight-month tour is made possible through sponsorship support provided by Army G-1’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program (SHARP) and Navy.

    The Soldier Show will be at the Crown Center Theatre in Fayetteville on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. Admission to all shows is free on a first-come, first-seated basis. For more information visit www.atthecrown.com or call the box offi ce at 438-4100.

    Photo: The 2011 U.S. Army Soldier Show’s Admission to all shows is free on a first-come, first-seated basis.

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

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

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

    As this fine institution celebrates 50 years of education and meeting the community needs, they’ve got a year-long celebration planned.09-14-11-ftcc.jpg

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • staff report1Purple Door Productions is a community theater based in Robeson County. Its goal is to enrich, educate and entertain Robeson County and the surrounding communities. For both actors and audiences, this theater is always looking for ways to engage in creating meaningful and diverse productions for children and adults. On Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 1-2, don’t miss Purple Door Productions’ showing of Neil Simon’s California Suite at the A. D. Lewis Theater at Robeson Community College in Lumberton.

    Neil Simon’s play California Suite originally opened at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in April 1976. By June of that year, the play opened on Broadway and played at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre until July of 1977.

    The story takes place in Suite 203-04 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Four totally different and unrelated stories unfold throughout the performance. The only thing they have in common is that they all take place in suite 203-04. In one story line, a mother flies in from Manhattan to pick up her daughter from the girl’s screenwriter father. The two are trying to workout living arrangements for their daughter.

    Another scene features a Philadelphia businessman who wakes up in the suite next to a prostitute. His wife is on her way up to the suite as he panics to cover up his indiscretion. Next an Academy Award nominee from London, along with her newly-outted husband, struggles with what people will think when they find out her marriage is a sham. Two rich couples from Chicago stay in the suite as well. They come as friend, but things fall apart fast when one husband accuses the other of intentionally injuring his wife.

    The play was made into a movie in 1978 starring Alan Alda, Michael Caine, Bill Cosby, Jane Fonda, Walter Matthau, Elaine May, Richard Pryor and Maggie Smith.

    The play is produced in partnership with the Robeson Community College Foundation. The RCC Foundation provides scholarships to students who might not otherwise be able to attend RCC. The foundation offers a variety of scholarships, including funds that come with opportunities to serve throughout the community and on campus 

    Robeson County Community College was founded in 1965 as part of Fayetteville Technical Institute. There were six full-time employees. Three years later, it became independent and was renamed Robeson Technical Institute. It is now Robeson Community College. The school’s focus is vocational, technical, college transfer and continuing education programs. The college currently has almost 200 full-time employees and close to 300 part-time teachers. 

    Showtime on Sept. 29-30 is 7:30 p.m. On Oct. 1-2, the curtain rises at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for students; and $5 for RCC staff and students. For tickets or reservations, call 258.0787. Find out more about RCC and the RCC Foundation at www.robeson.edu. 

  • coverSean Kenney used to work in an office on Park Avenue. He worked as cartoonist, a graphic artist and a web designer. And every night when he got off work, he’d let his inner child out to play, and often still in his suit, Kenney would build and create the things hidden in his imagination during the day. Now, Kenney uses LEGOS to create sculptures of high-profile clients, businesses and other venues around the world. On Sept. 30, his latest work, Nature Connects Art with Lego Bricks opens at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden for what will be a three-month exhibit.

    Using more than 500,000 LEGOS, “there will be more than 27 sculptures arranged in 24 or 25 displays,” said Meg Suraci, Cape Fear Botanical Garden director of marketing. “As an example, there is a bison and her calf and a bird. The bird is sitting on the bison’s back that is three sculptures, but one display. The garden’s board of directors and staff are all excited to bring this exhibit to Fayetteville. Some of us have seen it firsthand already and are familiar with how amazing these sculptures are and we are excited to blend the art and nature and education in the garden. It will be a fantastic experience.”

    The colorful sculptures spaced thoughtfully throughout the garden are not only intriguing to look at, each also has a related interpretive panel that makes a connection between exhibit and the natural world. The exhibit also includes activities for kids as well as grown up kids, hand-on building stations and design competitions, too. “I am excited to see the sculptures in our garden and that there will be other activities throughout the term of the exhibit,” said Suraci. “On opening weekend we will have LEGO mania in the Orangery. Also during the exhibit, we will have community building competitions. We will have a military-themed building competition as well as a nature-themed building competition. That will be fun for people to bring their work in. There will also be user groups coming and teaching some of the tricks of the trade.” 

    It’s been more than 10 years since Kenney stood up from his desk in a 40-story New York City skyscraper, took off his tie and walked out of the office in the middle of the day to go home and build with LEGOS. And he hasn’t looked back once. 

    Sure, LEGOS are fun. The bright colors and many interlocking shapes make just about anything possible. But there for Kenney, it is more than that. “I love that whether a 2-year-old child or a professional master builder snaps two LEGO pieces together, the end result is exactly the same... The final product is visually identical. I think this lowers the bar for entry and makes it more accessible, but also shows people that mastering the medium is more about using your brain and having creative ideas than about eons of honing a physical technique.

    “I also love the whimsical nature of the results. The bright fun colors, the cartoonish nature of the final piece. There’s just something about LEGO that makes people smile.”

    With structures list a hummingbird that hovers eight-feet in the air, a giant monarch butterfly with and eight-foot wingspan, a five-foot tall bumble bee and a seven-foot rose the sculptures invite visitors to used their imaginations make connections. “Fundamentally the show is about connections. Much as LEGO pieces connect, everything in nature is connected in an intricate balance. It is important to me that each individual sculpture attempt to illustrate some of these ‘connections’ found in nature, whether it’s a fox hunting a rabbit, a hummingbird feeding on a trumpet flower, baby ducklings following their parents on a walk, or squirrels raiding a bird feeder as the birds stand by helpless to stop them. Others showcase the beauty of nature … like a five-foot praying mantis. There’s also a life-sized lawn mower that visitors often mistake for the real thing... which is good for a laugh, but also shows humankind’s connection to nature.”

    Like many artists, Kenney finds inspiration in all kinds of places and each piece is unique from inception to creation. He noted that the hummingbird sculpture popped into his head when he heard someone mention a hummingbird during a conversation. “I immediately had this vision of something that you could actually walk under, suspended as if by magic. Creating a spindly little nose and paper thin wings built out of chunky LEGO pieces seemed like a wonderful challenge and, if done right, something that would look amazing,” said Kenney. 

    He spent four weeks designing and planning the piece, researching images of hummingbirds in nature choosing the perfect colors and designing the internal steel reinforcements, then about five or more weeks building it. Kenney is proud of the fact that his sculptures are not computer generated. “When I’m designing a model, I gather as many photographs or drawings of the subject as I can, and then use graph paper or a computer model to plan out the basic shape and size,” said Kenney.

    After that, he starts building a prototype with LEGO pieces, using his plans as a guide. He noted that there’s a lot of visualization required, and he often has to step back and examine the model from all sides as it’s coming together. Sometimes that means taking sections apart and re-building them. “Once I have a prototype that I like, I’ll rebuild it, glued, using the prototype as a template,” send Kenney. “Depending on the size of the sculpture, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. And if the model is something that needs to be uniquely recognized, I spend a lot more time making sure it’s perfect,” Kenney added. 

    The exhibit runs through Jan. 8. Suraci noted that “It is free with regular garden admission,” said Suraci. “Anyone who is a member gets free admission. A membership, if you plan to come once or more, will pay for itself pretty quickly.”

    Find out more at www.capefearbg.org or call 486.0221 for more information.

  • GPACPolitics can be a touchy subject, particularly when it is as heated as this election process has been. Unelectable You faces the election process head on. The 90-minute show is a combination of sketch, improv, music and multi-media. The Second City utilizes these multiple performance styles to approach the same complicated and incredibly relevant topic: The American election process. On Sept. 29, the show stops at Givens Performing Arts Center for a night of laughs.

    Ian Owens performs in the show “It is partnered with Slate Magazine … coupled with Second City. You are getting a lot of policy wonks — people who are really in the know — helping to shape the show,” he said. “We couldn’t make base jokes about candidates, which would have been easy. They wante us to make a smarter show. We could just talk about Hilary’s emails or Trump’s outrageous comments, but we try to make it more nuanced. We make it appealing to a more informed audience,”

    The central theme of the discussion is frustration, a feeling that many Americans share. For many this election is not about choosing the best possible president or the best candidate. Instead, it has devolved into voting against the worst candidate. This creative performance takes an unbiased look at all aspects of this ridiculous election. This includes discussing the candidates at length, exploring the media’s role in the election, considering the role of the public at large in the debacle and in total defining what it means to be electable. 

    While current politics are divisive, Owens promises this is not what the show is about. “Early on in the show people realize we aren’t there to change minds or reinforce opinions. We are just trying to come up with something smart and funny to say that hasnt’ been said before,” He added that “We are going to say terrible things about both sides … if you think we are harping on your candidate, just wait. We will do same to the other, too. There is nothing to fear here. You are in a safe place. We are going to laugh. A lot. You won’t leave any smarter, but mabe there will be more nuance to your political views.”

    The show is born from collaboration between The Second City and Slate. The Second City is a Chicago theater that opened in 1959. It is one of the world’s most popular and well-known comedy clubs. It was founded by Bernard Sahlins, Howard Alk and Paul Sills. It also functions as a theater and a school of improvisation. They use techniques developed and originally taught by the Sill’s father Viola Spolin. The school of improvisation has taught some of the funniest and most talented performers in the world. The list of notable alumni is incredibly long, but here are just a few of the most recognizable: Stephen Colbert, Joan Rivers, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Steve Carell and Tina Fey. Many of the performers and the creative minds behind the creation of Unelectable You are deeply involved with or have been through The Second City. 

    The other group involved with the show is Slate. This is a daily magazine founded in 1996 that is published specifically on the Internet that can be accessed by the public at no charge. The goal is to offer a smart and funny interpretation of serious and relevant current events. Topics covered include politics, news, business, technology and culture. The magazine has earned awards for their work such as the National Magazine Award for General Excellence Online.

    Everyone involved with this production; both performers and the creative team have long resumes beyond their work with either Slate or The Second City. It is impossible to list all of the accomplishments that each artist has earned, but it is important to recognize that each member of this team is already recognized as an incredible performer. Their months of hard work and talent are what makes this show such a hilarious, engaging and electric show every single performance. 

    Unelectable You is on Thursday Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. The show takes place in the Givens Performing Arts Center located at 1 University Dr. in Pembroke. The fast-paced show is recommended for viewers 16 and older. 

    Tickets range from $31 to $35. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 910.521.6361. For more information, visit http://www.uncp.edu/giving/advancement/givens-performing-arts-center/broadway-and-more-series. 

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  • Folk FestivalIf Fayetteville is anything it is diverse and that is something to celebrate. And celebrating is something the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County knows how to do. It’s hosted the International Folk Festival for 37 years now. This year, the 38th International Folk Festival runs Sept. 23-25.

    The event starts with 4th Friday in Downtown Fayetteville. Galleries and stores stay open late and there are activities throughout downtown. Enjoy international music in front of the Arts Council and then head inside to take in the Contemporary Art Forms by America’s First People. This exhibit features graphic art, paintings, pottery and photography by North Carolina artists with Native American roots. From there “travel” through Downtown with a Downtown Alliance “International Passport” and collect stamps from the many restaurants and businesses. Register your passport to win a prize. Passports are available at the Downtown Alliance at 222 Hay St. from 7-9 p.m. on 4th Friday.

    On Saturday, Sept. 24, the festivities kick off with the Parade of Nations. The parade features representatives from the many cultural groups in Fayetteville. You’ll see a variety of traditional cultural costumes and revel in the customs of the many different nations represented there. More than 1,000 participants march in the parade showcasing their heritage and national pride. The Army Ground Forces Band leads the parade and will perform in Festival Park on the main stage throughout the weekend. Festival Park opens at noon and closes at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

    The stages stay busy all weekend with performances by local groups as well as international performers. Nano Stern is a Chilean singer/songwriter. He’s toured with Joan Baez among other well-known artists. Stern takes the stage on Saturday. Easy Playboys brings Cajun, blues and rock to the stage as well. The New Orleans-based group brings a distinct sound to the stage. This returning New Orleans-based band performs both days.

    While the Arts Council is careful to keep all the festival favorites like the international food, the demonstrations, the dancing and music, there are a few features that festival goers likely have not experienced yet

    “There are some different things this year. One of them is that the stage is moving to the Festival Park lawn. It allows us to expand programming on the stage,” said Mary Kinney, Arts Council Director. “There are groups that are usually there on Sunday only, but now they can start on Saturday. It gives them more time and it is a way that more cultures can be represented. This is giving groups more time and more opportunities to showcase international performances early in the day on Saturday.”

    Food and music are wonderful ways to connect with each other, but they are not the only ways. Technology plays a big part in daily life and this year the festival gives a nod to the role technology plays in today’s world. Stop by a “Selfie Station” for a photo with recognizable images from around the world.  Or visit the Global Tech Café and use tools from the Cumberland County Schools’ ESL Program to break down language barriers. Get a taste of There will be virtual reality and visit different locations around the world using live feeds with Google Cardboard. Take advantage of phone charging stations while you are there.

    This year the Arts Council is proud to partner with Compare Foods for the International Folk Festival. “Compare Foods is a grocery chain with several stores in Fayetteville. This is an international grocery store that has foods representing so many countries,” said Kinney. “It is an excellent source for ingredients for making dishes from all over the world.” 

    Find out more about the International Folk Festival at http://www.theartscouncil.com/

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  •     As Fourth Friday approaches, the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County is planning an exhibit that is sure to inspire. Unity in Our Community is a juried photo competition that, according to Arts Services Coordinator Calvin Mims, has been remarkable in its popularity and scope. 
        “We initially threw the call out for photo shots of unity in our community and we left it up to each individual photographer to make the interpretation of what unity is to them,” said Mims. “The response really resulted in some unexpected surprises with some just incredible shots that are very, very emotional.”
        The artists submitted works ranging from soldiers departing/returning home to pictures of young people playing together and adults dancing together at Fayetteville After Five.
        “There are incredible shots of people enjoying themselves across this entire community,” said Mims. “It will be a fun show to come and identify landmarks from around town and the outskirts of town as well as to sort of identify with some of the fun events that happen in and around town.”
        {mosimage}Once the word got out about the show, the Arts Council started receiving requests from some of the schools and young people wanting to make sure they could get in.
        “We got such a great response and terrific work that we thought we would go ahead and extend (the contest) so we could get some of our students to participate,” Mims noted. “It is wonderful, beautiful work. There is an awful lot of talent here in our area.”
        Speaking of a lot of talent, just around the corner and a few steps down the street at 124 Maxwell St., Olde Town Gallery had such a yummy response to its Second Annual Food Show last month that the gallery is holding it over for anyone who may have missed it. Artists and co-owners Allana Goodyear, Sandy McFarlane and Sherry Young work out of their studios at the gallery, but the front room also houses a new show.
        “Most of the time it is every month,” said Young. “Occasionally we will keep a really good show for two months, which is the case with our food show.”
        Pieces include watercolors, acrylic, oils, glass, wire sculpture and colored pencil renderings.
    “We have a wide variety,” said Young. Everything from pancakes to fruit and still life... vegetables... oranges. We’ve got a beautiful box of Godiva chocolate.”
        The works will be on display until Oct. 22, and are available for sale.
        Besides the food exhibit, Olde Town Gallery is also hosting jeweler Wanda Croteau, a custom jewelry designer and creator of Wanda’s Wonders.
        “She does a lot of beading and custom work,” said Young.
        There will be samples of Croteau’s works available and possibly the opportunity to place an order.
        “You can say I want a blue with pink and make it very simple or make it very elaborate and she will put it together according to what your choice is,” said Young. 
        Olde Town Gallery is on Maxwell Street next to Gregg’s Pottery Shop. The fun starts at 7 p.m. Check out the Arts Council’s Web site at www.theartscouncil.com for a complete listing of all Fourth Friday activities

    Contact Stephanie Crider at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 

  • 33 Miles Working on New CD09-12-12-33-miles.gif

    This week in The Buzz we will get caught up with the band 33 Miles, Mark Schultz will share his thoughts on his new album, and we will share a recipe from mother and artist, Sara Groves.

    What has the band 33 Miles been up to lately?

    After touring with Mark Schultz last year, 33 Miles is working on a new CD and heading out on a new fall tour. Jason and Chris — that’s right, 33 Miles is now a duo — released the CD Today last fall and the single “What Grace Looks Like” to radio just a few months ago. They are now working on a new album that is all about worship. We don’t yet know the title or release date, but we do know some of the songs will be original worship songs and some will be their favorite covers. Expect a few of these worship tunes to make their way onto the band’s live set. Look for the fall tour Scars to Grace with Jonny Diaz at a city near you.

    Mark Schultz talks about his newly released CD

    “I once read a quote from theologian Frederick Buechner: ‘The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.’ ‘All Things Possible’ means something different than when I was first starting out as a musician,” said Schultz. “When I first got signed, I thought that if 10 people bought my record, that would be ‘all things possible.’ But today, using this platform for myself to sell more records is not as inspiring to me. I can only accomplish good things if God is in them, and God shows up. I want to pray those prayers.”

    A tasty treat from the kitchen of Sara Groves

    Groves says, “I don’t know where this recipe originates from... but this is a Groves family favorite!”

    Ingredients:

    • 1 unbaked Pillsbury pie crust
    • 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella, divided into half cups
    • 4-5 ripe medium tomatoes
    • 1 cup of chopped basil
    • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
    • 1/2 cup of mayo
    • 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

    Directions: 1. Bake pie crust 10 min at 450 degrees. 2. When crust is cooled, place 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese on bottom of pie crust. 3. Place sliced tomatoes on top. 4. Top with chopped garlic and basil. 5. Mix mayo and Parmesan cheese and spread on top of tomatoes, basil and garlic. 6.Put 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top. 7. Bake @ 375 degrees for 30-35 min. Sara is about to embark on her first ever tour of the UK next month.

  • 03-21-12-4th-friday.jpgOn Sept. 28, downtown Fayetteville will once again come alive for a local favorite tradition, 4th Friday. At this family-friendly event, the shops downtown stay open late and arts and entertainment flood the streets and galleries creating a fun atmosphere unique to Fayetteville.

    Fascinate – U, the children’s museum will participate in the festivities with fun kid-friendly activities. Not only will they be open late for families to enjoy, admission will be free. Kids can enjoy a craft that goes along with the International Folk Festival theme. It’s one more way to teach children to appreciate the cultural diversity in Fayetteville. Youngsters will be able to participate and learn how to make Japanese origami. Fascinate-U will be open from 7 to 9 p.m. for this event and is located at 116 Green St.

    The Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum will provide a historical aspect to 4th Friday. In commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum opened Fayetteville and Cumberland County in the War of 1812, on May 1. The museum is now honored to host the National Museum of the United States Navy’s traveling, mini-exhibit: War of 1812: A Nation Forged by War. Visitors will recognize how well the two exhibits complement each other and paint a more complete story of the War of 1812. Both exhibits will run through the bicentennial.

    War of 1812: A Nation Forged by War highlights the prominent role of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service in bringing Great Britain to the negotiating table and forcing European recognition of a truly inde-pendent United States. The exhibit tells the stories of heroic U.S. Navy crews in battles on the oceans and Great Lakes, as well as the contributions of sailors in celebrated land battles from Canada to Louisiana.

    The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum’s exhibit, Fayetteville and Cumberland County in the War of 1812, highlights the military, political and social history of the era. National events such as the inspiration for our National Anthem, the burning of the White House, and Battle of New Orleans set the stage for events affecting North Carolina. Learn about the state’s defense measures and the British invasion along our coast. Explore the weapons and tactics of Napoleonic warfare and gain a greater understanding of the war’s impact on the home front in Fayetteville and the surrounding area. The museum is located at 325 Franklin St. and will be open from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

    For those who like art, there are numerous galleries in downtown Fayetteville that will be open late for 4th Friday. Gallery One13 located at 113 Gillespie St. will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. The artists whose work is displayed here are all local.

    Another place to explore the work of local artists is Cape Fear Studios. This gallery has many different mediums of art, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. This month, a new exhibit about glass opens on 4th Friday.

    Glass blower David Goldhagen is the featured artist. As a visiting artist, Goldhagen’s work will show and be available for sale through the holidays. Other artists included in the show are Kathy Oda and several CFS artists: Lois White, Connie Bennett and Jaylene Nordgren. The show is called “...and then there was glass!”

    Cape Fear Studious is located at 148 Maxwell St. and will be open on from 6 to 9 p.m.

    There are plenty of other things available at 4th Friday celebrations, too. Downtown Fayetteville boasts 37 places to shop and 28 places to eat. Most of these businesses will participate in the festivities by staying open late and some even offering free refreshments for patrons. 4th Friday provides the citizens of Fayetteville with a safe and fun environment to enjoy the town after hours. It is a family-friendly place to enjoy everything the town has to offer, from shopping and food to art and history.

    Find out more about 4th Fridayat www.theartscouncil.com.

  • uac092612001.gif There are few things sweeter than a new baby — and few things more heartbreaking than a baby in crisis. Thankfully, the March of Dimes is there to advocate, educate and assist in these situations. Each year, the March of Dimes–Cape Fear Division hosts a Signature Chefs Auction to raise money for the March of Dimes and to raise awareness about its mission and the services it provides.

    This year the event takes place on Oct. 7 at the Embassy Suites Fayetteville/Fort Bragg’s Richard M. Wiggins Conference Center. Chefs from several of the community’s finest restaurants come together to create an unforgettable evening of fine dining. Chef Russell Neff from Highland Country Club,Chef Julio Camberos Jr. from Embassy Suites, Chef Beth Shearin-Smith from Hilltop House, Chef Joey Meyers from Blue Moon Café, Chef Mustafa Somar from Sherefe´, Chef Tommy Randall from Hilton Garden Inn, Chef Bill Pannhoff from B&B Catering and Event Planning, Chef Daniel Fair from Pierro’s Italian Bistro and Chef Tommy Hinshaw from Morgan’s Chop House have accepted the challenge and are ready to impress dinner guests with their culinary skills.

    Some of the meals include pan-seared fillet medallions, shrimp chowders with toasted baguettes, beef short ribs and a raspberry dessert. The chefs are competing for trophies (provided by Trophy House) and bragging rights for the title of best appetizer, best entree´, best dessert, best overall and people’s choice. While it’s not required, Catherine Heindselman, March of Dimes-Cape Fear Division director said that many of the chefs are in fact preparing all three courses for the event.

    The theme this year is Bon Apetit for Babies. “This is a purple tie event,” said Heindselman. “The purple is for preemies and the dress is semi-formal.”

    The evening starts at 5 p.m. with cocktails; food tasting begins at 5:30 p.m.

    The evening also includes a silent auction. Up for bid are a ZipQuest adventure, a necklace valued at $5,000, along with other jewelry, a week at a cottage in Holden Beach, N.C., several musical instruments including a guitar and a drum set, a golf bag and accessories, a basketball signed by Shaquille O’Neal and a package from Shelton vineyards. Perhaps the piece de resistance of the auction is the culinary experiences hosted by the signature chefs. The chefs have put together fabulous dining packages for the auction. B&B catering will come into your home if you like, the package includes a seven-course dinner for six with wine pairing. Dinner at Highland Country Club and Hilltop House, complete with several courses are also offered by the respective chefs.

    “The businesses in this community are incredibly generous,” said Heindselman. “They have given so much in support of this cause.” 09-26-12-chefs-auction.gif

    The event usually sells out, but there are a few tickets left. With 250 guests expected, Heindsleman hopes to raise $70,000 or more for the March of Dimes. While the March of Dimes is a national09-26-12-group-chefs.giforganization, the money raised here does come back to support the community. “Last year in North Carolina March of Dimes raised $5 million,” said Heindselman. “And $5.7 million came back to us. The money comes back here. Locally we fund programs at Womack Army Medical Center and Cape Fear Valley. We have a regional-programs coordinator who does education and tutoring to healthcare providers. We also have a high-school program.”

    Many of the preconception programs funded by the March of Dimes focus on making sure that women are in good health before they conceive to help ensure a healthy baby.

    This year’s ambassador family for the March of Dimes-Cape Fear Division is the Cooper family. Beverly delivered twins Brendan and Cameron four months early and both boys had serious hurdles to overcome, including a collapsed lung for Brendan and a ruptured intestine for Cameron. The boys fought hard, and today they are healthy and happy. Brendan and Cameron are 2 now. “They were born at 23 weeks. They were so, so early,” said Heindselman. “They had some struggles and spent five or six months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Today they are doing amazingly well.”

    Their parents Laurin and Beverly credit the March of Dimes for helping to make it possible. The Cooper family will be there the evening of the event sharing their story.

    In 1938, President Franklin Roosevelt created the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The foundation supported research for the vaccines that Dr. Jonas Salk and Dr. Albert Sabin developed, which effectively ended polio in the U.S. Next the organization turned its focus to the prevention of birth defects and infant mortality.

    Through research, education and support, the March of Dimes helps thousands of families every year. About 1 in 8 babies are born too early every year. In the majority of cases, no one knows why. A woman can do everything right and still not carry to term. “Our biggest challenge now is figuring out why this happens,” said Heindselman. “We are hoping to be able to fulfill our mission again and put and end to pre term deliveries.”

    The encouraging news is that there has been a decline in the premature delivery rate in recent years. “There is still a long way to go,” said Heindselman. “One of the things we are excited about is that every single state and Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia have signed the challenge by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials to reduce pre-term birth by 8 percent by 2014. That will be minimum of 21,150 babies who will then be born full term instead of coming too soon.”

    Heindselman sees this event as a way to have a great time and make a difference. To find out more or to purchase tickets, call 9104833691 or email cheindselman@marchofdimes.com or visit www.marchofdimes.com.northcarolina/events. Tickets are. $75 each or a VIP table for eight costs $1,000.

  • 09-05-12-kids.jpgGive Kids the World is a story that began with a simple wish by a little girl and one man’s desire to make that wish come true. The little girl’s name was Amy. Amy had leukemia and her one wish was to visit the theme parks in Orlando. To facilitate Amy’s wish, the request of a complimentary stay was made to a respected hotelier. As he had done many times before, the hotelier gladly obliged and Amy’s wish was that much closer to being realized. Sadly, the remainder of Amy’s travel plans took too long to arrange and her wish was never granted because she died. Time simply ran out.

    This unfulfilled wish inspired a man, the hotelier, to make a vow that no child in need would ever be failed again. That man was Henri Landwirth and his desire to ensure that Amy’s story would never repeat itself resulted in the creation of a village that is represented by Give Kids the World.

    Today the village is a 70-acre resort complete with more than 140 villa accommodations, entertainment attractions, whimsical venues and fun specifi cally designed for children with special needs. With your help and the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids the World has welcomed more than 115,000 families from all 50 states and more than 70 countries. With the support of local communities a memorable magical, no-cost experience can be provided to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

    No child in need has ever been turned away — and no child ever will. Give Kids the World is a place where families fi nd joy, laughter, serenity and a lifetime of memories. Through the tireless support of volunteers, employees and generous partners, each and every day is dedicated to these special families.

    A child with a life-threatening illness between the ages of 3 and 18, whose one wish is to visit any of Central Florida’s best-loved attractions, may have their dream vacation come true by fi rst being identifi ed by a doctor as a child with a life-threatening illness.

    The child is then teamed up with one of more than 250 partnering wish-granting organizations from around the world, who then refer the eligible wish child and their family to GKTW Village.

    Once a wish has been approved and recommended by the wish child’s local wish-granting organization, their Give Kids The World wish includes:

    • Accommodations on-site in one of 140 villas. • Donated tickets to all three major theme-park resorts (SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World)

    • Transportation

    • Meals in our Gingerbread House Restaurant and Katie’s Kitchen; and ice cream all day in the Ice Cream Palace

    • Many other fun surprises

    On Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Candlewood Suites in conjunction with Cape Fear Harley-Davidson is hosting a Charity Ride/Block party. Various levels of sponsorship and participation are available. To support the event, contact Michelle Williams at 868-0873 or send an email to csffsales@gmail.com.

  • How to Preserve Family Memories

    09-12-12-homeinstead.gifPreserving family memories for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias is important for several reasons.

    Memories can help bring much happiness and joy to that older adult.

    Preserving memories helps establish an important legacy for future generations.

    Capturing and preserving memories can happen in a number of ways. It might entail turning on a favorite 1940s big band hit, spreading photos out on the coffee table, intentionally creating a list of questions to ask and sitting down in the living room together to record the thoughts your loved one shares. Or reminiscing might occur more spontaneously during a family gathering. If so, make sure you have a notepad or video camera handy.

    To accommodate your family member’s cognitive ability level and make sharing memories in any situation a positive, meaningful experience, keep the following considerations in mind:

    • Do involve other family members; don’t put the person with Alzheimer’s on the spot.

    • Do look at photographs together; don’t expect the person to recognize everything.

    • Do share your own thoughts as they relate to the memories your loved one shares; don’t monopolize the conversation.

    • Do ask specific, personal questions; don’t interrogate.

    • Do ask good questions and record the discussion; don’t expect a fivehour session.

    • Do focus on general memories and emotions; don’t focus on exact facts and details.

    The goal is to give your family member with dementia the opportunity to share cherished memories with the people he or she loves. You don’t need a precise journalistic account of the person’s life.

    Activities to capture and preserve memories with your family living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias should focus on what that person can and wants to remember. You can help to minimize frustration by paying attention to your loved one’s limitations and adapting opportunities for reminiscing accordingly.

    Photo: Capturing and preserving memories with a loved one can happen in a number of ways.

  • 09-19-12-republican.gifWith the election season in full swing, things are hopping at the Cumberland County Republican Party Headquarters. The stakes are high this election and it has motivated the local GOP to invite all of the Republicans across the state who are running for offi ce to visit Fayetteville, meet the voters and get out their message. On Sept. 29 at the AIT building on Hay Street, join the Republican Party from 4-7 p.m. for a Potluck and Pink Slips for Democrats meet and greet. Tickets cost just $20 and food is provided.

    Mikele Haywood, the events chair and others in the party are concerned for the future of the country and are looking to make a difference.

    “I love being a factor in helping Republicans win office and getting out their message of conservatism and smaller government,” she said. “Our government is so big and bloated — it just has to stop somewhere. My fear is that we are so large. I am afraid we are almost to the point of no return. I don’t want to end up like Greece and that is where we are headed. People from every political party should be terrified by this.”

    The event coincides with the International Folk Festival, and with good reason. Haywood sees the festival as an opportunity to inform people and connect voters with the candidates. Since the festival is so much fun, she is expecting a good turn out.

    “I’ve held events down here during previous festivals and it has always turned out well,” said Haywood. “It’s a festive environment, it should be a lot of fun and we will have a 50/50 raffle, which means that someone will be taking home some money. The last time we had a 50/50 raffle the winner took home more than $500.”

    Judges who are running for a seat on the bench and for reelection are expected to attend the event, too. “We invited everybody across the state,” said Haywood. “Justice Paul Newby is invited. He holds the court in balance right now, without him it will be a liberal court so we want to make sure that people get to meet him and talk with him about issues that are important to them.”

    The party is hoping for a good turn out, especially since many of the memebers see this election as a pivotal point in America’s history. “Hopefully most of the candidates will be making an appearance,” said Haywood. “This will be the only event the Cumberland County GOP is doing this fall. It is the last event where voters can actually come in and ask questions before the election. That is why it really important.”

    In addition to meeting the candidates, attendees can stock up on election items like T-shirts, bumper stickers and yard signs. The Cumberland County Republicans have already made and sold out of several items. “We’ve had Romney/Ryan T-shirts made in pink and royal blue and I have already sold out of the pink and had to reorder,” said Haywood. “We are expecting yard signs to come in soon. We get calls about that everyday and people coming in asking for them.”

    Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the republican candidates and to have your voice heard by the republican candidates.

  • 09-14-11-celebrate-the-arts.jpgLooking for something fun to do with the family? Well, don’t worry about gassing up the car or packing your bags; you can enjoy a ‘stay-cation’ right here in Fayetteville.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • uac092811001.jpg It has been a stellar year for the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. The new 33,000 square foot visitors pavilion opened in April and has been a real boon for the community.

    “All along our plan has been for the visitors center to serve as a platform to expand our programming,” said Botanical Garden Executive Director Jennifer Sullivan. We’ve been fortunate that it has worked out like we had hoped it would.”

    In addition to an upscale gift shop, the center is available to rent for events like wedding receptions and business conferences.

    Big Bugs is an exciting part of the new expanded programming that Sullivan mentioned.

    It is an exhibit featuring just what the name implies, big bugs — really big bugs. A 1,200 pound praying mantis and three 25 foot-long ants are among the giant insects that can be found in the garden through Dec. 31.

    The exhibit debuted at the Dallas Arboretum in 1994. Since then it has been seen nationwide, including the Denver Botanical Garden, Disney’s Epcot, New York Botanical Garden and the U.S. National Arboretum.

    Artist David Rogers created the sculptures using combinations of whole trees found standing or fallen dead, dry branches and other forest materials. It is the wide range of materials that gives the bugs their distinctive character.

    The exhibit is sponsored by Terminix. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to sponsor David Rogers’ Big Bugs at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Visitors will have a fun filled opportunity to come face to face with some of nature’s most fascinating creatures,” said James Haugh, president of Terminix.

    “We’ve actually been planning this exhibit since 2007,” said Sullivan.“It has been a long time in the making and we are excited to see our efforts payoff.”

    Taking full advantage of the nationally known exhibit, the garden is hosting several bug-themed events, for kids and grown-ups alike, through the end of the year, in addition to the regularly scheduled events. Build-A-Bug craft stations will be available daily in the Children’s Classroom for youngsters to celebrate their bug love. Be sure to schedule a visit to the Café Cart for a Bug Munch brown bag lunch. Activities are also scheduled on Saturdays from 12-3 p.m. Registration is not required; children are encouraged to drop by. Visitors are invited to check out all the offi cial bug detective gear and merchandise at Cape Fear Botanical Garden Gift Shop.

    On Oct. 2, come to the garden and enjoy not only the Big Bugs exhibit, but take in the Heritage Festival and celebrate life in the 19th century. There will be live bluegrass music, barnyard animals, agricultural exhibits and activities for all ages. Look for the demonstrations featuring how food was prepared in the 1800s. There will also be displays and demonstrations of traditional crafts. Stick around for a moment or two and play a game of hopscotch or marbles.09-28-11-botanical-2.jpg

    Oct. 20, don’t miss An Evening with the Big Bugs and BackBeat, a Beatles’ tribute band. The event runs from 6:30 – 10 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on and enjoy the family friendly outdoor concert. Ticket information is available at www.capefearbg.org.

    It is a great deal — for the price of a regular visit to the garden, visitors can see the Big Bugs exhibit and enjoy the Heritage Festival.

    Not only is the exhibit a good thing for Cape Fear Botanical Garden, but it promises to be good for the entire city.

    “It is fantastic that Fayetteville is going to host this nationally recognized exhibit,” said John Meroski, president and CEO of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It will really put Fayetteville on the map, and is going to introduce visitors from all over to the beautiful botanical garden and our great city.”

    Find out more about the garden at 486-0221 or www.capefearbg.org and learn about the Big Bugs exhibit at www.big-bugs.com.

    Photo: Big Bugs is an exciting part of the new expanded programming at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Cover photo and story pictures courtesy of Julia Vetrinskaja ( Julia V. Photography).

  • 09-05-12-paranorman.jpgYou would do well to consider Paranorman (93 minutes) as a gateway movie, the first step a child takes on a long road filled with the living dead and other creepy crawlies. As a family movie it works very well and is a good example of the right way to do a children’s film. As a horror film, especially one designed to appeal to children, it is surprisingly sophisticated. Having said that, this is exactly the sort of film that gets social conservatives in a twist. Not only are there casual references to everything they hate clearly placed in the no big-deal zone, there are also real moral issues filled with shades of grey as opposed to neatly delineated categories of good and evil.

    The film is set in New England, so right away you have all that rich history of women who stepped outside the norms of their gender and were hanged as witches. The opening scenes establish that a boy named Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is able to both see and speak with the dead. His family (Jeff Garlin, Leslie Mann, and Anna Kendrick) are not as supportive as they might be, which leads to Norman feeling isolated at home and in school.

    The determined efforts of Neil Downe (Tucker Albrizzi, who is really reminding me of Gordon Crisp from Freaks and Geeks) to become friends with Norman remind him that there are good people out there even though I question if pre-adolescents are ever really that poised. Their friendship grows in part because they are both tormented by the same bully (Christopher Mintz-Platz).

    While walking home with Neil one afternoon, his Uncle Prenderghast (John Goodman) stops him to spout crazy nonsense about visions and rituals. During a rehearsal of the school play commemorating the 300-year anniversary of the execution of the town witch, Norman has a vision that is part ghostly daydream and part history lesson, revealing that his Uncle might not be as crazy as everyone thinks.

    After a bit of consideration, Norman decides that it is his duty to carry out the ritual as instructed by his Uncle. Unfortunately, as so often happens, the instructions turn out to be a bit on the sketchy side and lacking all sorts of important details. He puts his best foot forward and makes it as far as the graveyard before the bully throws a wrench in the works. As it turns out, when the ritual isn’t properly completed, the dead rise from the grave and chase after the one person who might be able to put them back to bed.

    Meanwhile, back on the other side of town, Norman’s sister (Kendrick) enlists the aid of Neil and his brother Mitch (Casey Affleck) to track down Norman. At this point the plot slows down a bit, and the movie wanders offplot and onto a variety of increasingly boring chase scenes. The citizenry forms into an angry mob complete with torches and egg beaters, but all is not as it seems.

    Finally, it has a very distinctive look, and almost all the backgrounds highlight an incredible use of color and movement. I can’t claim to be a huge fan of the way they conceptualized the human form but production company Laika did one heck of a job of creating a real sense of humanity in the stop motion figures. Their ability to inject real human emotion into what are essentially clay figures is refined to an incredible degree by two of the best child actors working today, Smit-McPhee and Ferland. And anyone who wants to challenge that statement should go see The Road and Tideland immediately.

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

  • 09-04-13-building-america\'s-bravest.gifForrest 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.

  • 09-26-12-methodist.gifThe 39th Annual Economic Outlook Symposium will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 25, at Embassy Suites of Fayetteville. The symposium is presented by the Center for Entrepreneurship, part of the Methodist University Reeves School of Business.

    The keynote speaker will be Dr. Joel Naroff, president and founder of Naroff Economic Advisors, a strategic economic consulting firm. According to his website, naroffeconomics.com, he is a nationally recognized economic forecasting expert and has received numerous honors, including the National Association for Business Economics Outlook Award in 2007 and 2011. In 2008, he received both the Lawrence Klein Award as the top Blue Chip forecaster and the Bloomberg Business News’ top economic-forecaster award. He was MSNBC’s top forecaster in 2006.

    Naroff received bachelor’s degrees in economics and chemistry from Stony Brook University and a doctorate in economics from Brown University. He was also a tenured professor in the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

    Each year, several awards are presented during the symposium. The Economics and Business Alumnus of the Year is awarded to a graduate of Methodist University who has shown promise for a successful career. Business Person of the Year is given to an executive who makes great contributions, not only to the successful operation of local business and industry, but also to the civic and cultural life of the community. The Greater Good Award goes to a professional who has shown kindness, charity, humanity, love and friendship to his/her associates. Entrepreneur of the Year is presented to a risk-taker in the free-enterprise system: a person who sees an opportunity and then devises strategies to achieve specific objectives.

    Methodist University is an independent four-year institution of higher education with more than 2,400 students from 41 states and 53 countries. Methodist University offers more than 80 majors and concentrations, 100 clubs and organizations, four master’s degree programs and 19 NCAA III intercollegiate sports. All attendees must RSVP in advance by Oct. 10. Registration and sponsorship costs vary and include dinner at the event. For more information, or to RSVP, visit methodist.edu/cfe, email cfe@methodist.edu or call the CFE at 910.630.7642.

    New Exhibit at McCune Art Gallery

    A new exhibition, Exotic Encounters, is open at the David McCune International Art Gallery in the Bethune Center for Visual Arts at Methodist University. The show features paintings from the safaris of artist Paula Fitzpatrick, an active member of The Cape Fear Studios in Fayetteville.

    The exhibit will run through Oct. 24 during regular gallery hours. This semester, the gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. There is no cost to visit the gallery.

    For many years, Fitzpatrick has been painting African animals that she observed in private parks and public zoos, but in 2004 she visited Kenya and Tanzania to see the animals in their natural habitat. She took her art supplies with her, and returned with inspiring memories. From that trip, the works in Exotic Encounters were born.

    “After returning home with visions of animal herds walking through my head as I slept, I began a new style of animal paintings,” she said. “The landscape played a more important part of the design than previously. As the collection grows the animals have become a smaller part of the artwork, with emphasis on portraying the place and emotion of the moment I am remembering.”

    Wildlife has been the most prominent feature in Fitzpatrick’s artwork for many years. Her love of the outdoors and animals has promoted her active involvement with many non-profit and wildlife organizations.

    “As I paint, I can still recall the air, smells and the excitement of being just feet away from a phenomenal creature that still invokes excitement,” Fitzpatrick said. “Emotion often dictates the manner in which portray I a specific subject. I want you to feel the tension, excitement and sheer joy as I still feel it.”

    “I was thrilled to be asked to show my work in the new art museum at Methodist University,” she said. “I have participated in many exhibits over the years, but this will be my first solo museum exhibition. I met Professor Silvana Foti at Cape Fear Studios, where she became familiar with my work several years ago.”

  • 09-11-13-step-back-in-time.gifThe 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.

  • 09-25-13-folk-festival.gifLike many places in America, the people who make up our community come from many different countries and regions. Every year, the community’s diversity is celebrated by the International Folk Festival, which is designed to celebrate the cultural diversity of our great community by putting it on display in beautiful and engaging ways thoughout an entire weekend.

    This is the 35th year that the community has come together and hosted this celebration.“The Arts Council’s International Folk Festival is everybody’s favorite trip around the world! Live performances celebrating colorful cultures, taste bud-tempting aromas, artists and craftspeople exhibiting, demonstrating and selling their work,” said Mary Kinney, the marketing director of the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

    The festival officially begins on Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. and lasts until 9 p.m. This coincides with the celebration of 4th Friday, so there will be many businesses, performers and artists filling the streets of downtown Fayetteville with excitement and life.

    For children, Fascinate-U, located at 116 Green St., will be open from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and offering free admission and a fun craft that celebrates cultural diversity. Children will be making “Kente Patterns,” which are geometric patters that have specific meanings for the Ashanti people of Africa.

    For art lovers, the Arts Council galleries will remain open until 9 p.m., showcasing Unique Visions: The Gift of Folk Art.The works of folk artists such as Peter Loose, Rob Manchester, Theresa Gloster and Roderick McClain among others will be on display.

    On Saturday, Sept. 28, the International Folk Festival will really erupt into full swing with the Parade of Nations, which begins at 10:30 a.m. along Hay Street. During this parade all of the different countries represented in our community will march down Hay Street in traditional garb. Some groups may even perform traditional dances and music as they march. The parade is a glimpse into the many different and beautiful cultures of which Fayetteville is composed.

    “The festival grows in presentation and participation every year. What started out as a one-day Sunday-on-the-Square event has blossomed into a three-day festival that welcomes more than 100,000 people,” Kinney explained.

    For those who wish to learn even more about the cultures on display at the parade, live performances will follow on multiple stages in Festival Park. Performances will range from martial arts demonstration to traditional dances and songs performed by people representing many cultures, such as the Native-American Showcase. A children’s area at the park will include crafts and traditional storytellers.

    Admission to the festival is free, but there will be many things to purchase at the festival. Vendors will offer beautiful and often functional works of art. Many of these mediums have years of history behind them and these unique arts and crafts serve to showcase both the history and culture of the artist. On the path leading up to the entrance of Festival Park, scores of vendors will offer a taste of their country as they offer traditional cuisine. This is unique in that the food is actually cooked and offered for sale by local community groups. Some of the fare may be familiar and some may be exotic, but all is delicious.

    The festival will end on Saturday at 6 p.m., and continue for one final day on Sunday, Sept. 29 from 12 to 6 p.m. For more information, visit the website http://www.theartscouncil.com/iff.php or call 323-1776. Admission is free.

    Photo: The Parade of Nations kicks off the International  Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28 on Hay Street. Photo by Wick Smith.

  • 09-17-14-gpac.gifMath and sciences are invaluable for explaining the world in terms of facts, but it is only the arts that can attempt to explain the human experience. Music and theatre explore emotions and express what it means to be human. Part of being a whole community and a whole person is having access to the arts. The Givens Performing Arts Center at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke provides that sense of community for many in the region.

    “The center attracts world-class talent from around the world. From the Celtic sounds of master fiddlers, Natalie MacMaster and Donell Leahy, to the Chinese National Acrobats, this season will bring engaging acts to our community,” Chad Locklear the director of marketing said.

    The GPAC is one of the “premier destinations for arts, culture and entertainment” in the area and it provides a staggering number of opportunities for the community to come and experience.

    “We host more than 125 events a year, including UNCP student productions and community events,” Locklear noted.

    These opportunities still remain one of the most economical choices for enjoying such high caliber artists.

    “For the price of a single ticket on Broadway, you can enjoy an entire season of exciting productions here at GPAC,” said Locklear.

    Having this stellar reputation, it comes as no surprise that this year they are again offering the community a star-studded season.

    “We’re offering more shows this season than last, so audiences can expect a greater variety of entertainment, like the popular musical Mamma Mia and the standup comedian, Michael Ian Black. We’re also bringing back some favorites: the North Carolina Symphony and the National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China have been well-received here in the past and will return with all new shows.

    “Donnell Leahy of the Canadian folk group, Leahy, will return with his wife, Natalie MacMaster and their children in a Celtic concert called Visions from Great Breton,” he continued.

    “We’ve also got a few holiday shows this year: an all-new production of the musical, Jekyll & Hyde comes to GPAC right before Halloween and American Big Band: Home for the Holidays is our Christmas-themed show,.”

    Local talent also has a place in the season at Givens Performing Arts Center. Threefifty performed at GPAC on Sept 12. The band is usually a duo, but for the first time they performed with a total of eight other musicians just for the show at the GPAC. Band member, Brad Parnell, is from the area.

    Givens offers a variety of special programs including the Broadway and More and the Distinguished Speaker Series.

    This year’s Broadway and More Series will feature: Broadway Rox! on Saturday, Sept. 20; The National Acrobats From the People’s Republic of China on Monday, Oct. 13; Jekyll and Hyde on Monday, Oct. 20;Home for the Holidays on Friday, Nov. 21; Million Dollar Quartet, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015; North Carolina Symphony on March 21, 2015; Natalie MacMaster and Donell Leahy on March 24, 2015 and The Great Gatsby on Saturday, April 25, 2015.

    The GPAC Annual Fundraiser, a golf tournament, is slated for Tuesday, Oct. 7 at Pinecrest Country Club. To register, call 910-521-6634. The Annual Casino Night and Silent Auction is on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 at the University Center Annex.

    Tickets for the entire season are on sale now. Another incredible option to even further enhance the experience at a performance is the Diners Club, which is $30 per person and includes a wine and cheese reception beginning at 6 p.m. and dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required and dinner tickets are available throughout the season. For more information visit www.uncp.edu/gpac or call 521-6361.

  • 09-18-13-soni-martin.gifUnique Visions: the Gift of Folk Artat the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Arts Council is an invitational exhibit celebrating the self-taught artist. Planned as a prelude to the upcoming International Folk Festival, the artists in Unique Visions fall within the classical folk genre; several artists also fall into categories within the genre — visionary and outsider artists.

    When viewing the paintings by folk artists Sam Ezell, Eddie Hayes, RavenFeather, and Theresa Gloster, it is easy to see how their works fit the classical definition of what folk art is — a style that is the result of the self-taught artist expressing themselves in ways that convey meaning and values within their culture. For visitors to the exhibit, an added dimension is the text panel next to the artist’s work; the panel includes a quotation from each artist about their work and influences.

    Eddie Hayes was raised in Atkinson, N.C. His personal story and history is re褀ected in the titles of his mixed media drawings “Church Social,” “Tobacco Talk” and “Hog Killing.” Hayes explained he was “raised by his grandparents and an uncle, and began helping out with farm chores at a very early age.”

    Hayes, a 2012 recipient of the Regional Artist Grant, said, “I have always loved drawing and painting, even as a child. Since I grew up on a farm I paint mostly from memories from a long time ago and sometimes from my dreams.”

    Hayes’ memories are rendered in highly detailed drawings, mixed with watercolor, of special people and places in his lifetime.

    Sam Ezell, an artist from Hillsborough, N.C., is also a classical folk artist. The two paintings, one of Duke’s Mayonnaise and the other, a bag of Sugar Cane sugar, both reflect his southern roots.

    Many of Ezell’s paintings are created with small repeating shapes that move across his work creating rhythmic patterns. In contrast, other works are created by reducing his subjects to large shapes, devoid of detail.

    Ezell’s personal story is interesting.

    “I became friends with Bernice Sims. Shortly after I met her, I asked her what I could do for her and she asked me to paint a picture for her. Well, I didn’t paint, but I went ahead and painted a picture and gave it to her. Later she told me the painting sold and asked me to paint another one. I have been painting ever since and continue to sell a lot of work,” he said.

    The subject of Theresa Gloster’s paintings is very different than Ezell and Hayes. Colorful, fanciful and filled with innocence, Gloster’s paintings are filled with children at play. Inspiration for her paintings is her childhood memories and she calls herself “a memory artist” and “hopes her work will preserve the past.”

    Born in Filbert, W.V., Gloster’s grandfather was a coal miner. Her grandmother raised her along with their 12 children. At age 47, Gloster, a hair dresser, started painting after watching an artist paint on TV; she said to herself, “I can do that.”

    The subjects of RavenFeather’s paintings are everyday life — joyful. What is particularly distinct in the exhibit are her handmade dolls. Made from yarn and fabric, her dolls represent charming female personalities within the African-American community.

    RavenFeather’s interest in the arts evolved from, watching her father sketch cartoon characters.

    “He inspired my sister and me with the love of art. I love it when someone tells me that my art reminds them of their childhood, or if it creates some other memory,” she said.

    Self taught is one key component of all the artists in the Unique Visions, whether they are a folk, visionary or outsider artist. The mixed-media work by William Hodges titled “Milky in the Yard Next Door” is a wonderfully crafted mixed media, a close up painting of a dog, the painting is wrapped in fencing!

    Highly effective as an artist, Hodges said he was only 7 when he remembers seeing an artist sketching children in a park when he lived in New Jersey.

    “After receiving the Young Artist of Trenton award in my elementary school, my dad made a special frame for it. Looking back, I realized I was inspired by an artist at the age of 7. Now, as an adult artist, my goal is to continue to touch the senses of people. I was inspired by the artist in the park on that warm summer day back in New Jersey.”

    Before becoming a fulltime artist, Peter Loose worked for the state park service at the Athens Sandy Creek Nature Center in Georgia. His works meet the criteria of a visionary folk artist and can be viewed as someone who has a strong belief in their vision and a strong impulse to reveal a belief that is often spiritual. Through his paintings, his love of animals is transferable — uplifting, colorful and whimsical. The subject of birds reflects his lifestyle since he and his wife live with a menagerie of animals — dogs, chickens, pigs, goats and an iguana.

    He said, “I paint because it makes me happy. I paint because I love all the creatures of the earth. Painting can make you happy, too.”

    Rob Manchester, for me, also falls into the visionary folk-art genre. A veterinarian by profession, Manchester lives in Raleigh, N.C. The titles of Manchester’s paintings are indicators as to what inspires his humorous and quirky works. “All Cooped Up” is a black and white stylized portrayal of an eccentric chicken in her coop. “Don’t Eat the Queso (Cheese”) is a fun, colorful painting of mice and mouse traps with cheese as bait.

    Like, all the artists in Unique Visions, Manchester is a story teller.

    “During meetings, I find myself sketching and doodling the same animal or people characters you see in my work. I became a veterinarian because I have a love of animals; so when I began to paint the09-18-13-soni-2.gify were a likely subject for me.”

    The paintings of one artist, Roderick McClain from Durham, N.C., fall into the outsider folk-art category. Common characteristics of the outsider artist can be discovered in work that is more edgy then the classical folk or visionary; often unfinished in execution, but masterful in content.

    McClain’s paintings are created on discarded boards, often weathered. Coated in layers of thick gesso to craft a smooth painting surface in which to apply ink and pastel, he tells a story using thought provoking characters and text. McClain’s explanation about his work is just as thought provoking as his work.

    “I’m working on a novel, but painting is another way to tell a story. A phrase comes to mind and I become interested in what the characters would look like so I begin scribbling out the image. I feel as if the painting is a snap shot of a much larger story — there are always suggestions of other people in the conversation,” he said.

    There is one quilt maker in the exhibit — Portia Hawes. Sending a positive message through design and layout, Hawes stated, “As a child I was an oddball. I was obstinate. I didn’t want to walk that straight path.”

    Her roots are deep in Warren County, where she lives in the same house in which she was raised. Proud of her heritage, her father was a mechanic and one of the first African-Americans in North Carolina to own a used car dealership. One of Hawes’ great-grandfathers on her mother’s side was born in slavery and rose to be a United States Congressman.

    All of the artists in Unique Visions share personal insight into their history or their passion. Whether it is folk, visionary or outsider, all three styles are collectible genres in contemporary art; many of the works by these artists are already collected, they are represented in galleries and are part of museum collections.

    An endearing and inspirational exhibit, Unique Visions: the Gift of Folk Art is open to the public until October 19. For hours of the Arts Council, call 910-323-1776 or visit the website at www.theartscouncil.com.

    Photos: Unique Visions is on display at the Arts Council through Oct. 19. 

  • 09-24-14-givens-performing.gifThe Givens Performing Arts Center is a theatre located at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. It brings incredible shows from around the world both to the students at Pembroke and the surrounding communities. Every year the season is not only star studded, but incredibly varied. There is something here for everyone. This October the Givens Performing Arts Center will host two very different, but equally entertaining shows.

    The first show of the month is The National Acrobats of The Peoples Republic of China. This show promises to be breathtaking. Hailing from Berlin, the traveling troupe is composed of the best 500 acrobatic students and 150 acrobatic resident performers from the Institution for Acrobatic Schooling, Training and Repertoire, which the company owns. The group was founded in 1951, and since then has developed a reputation for its dazzling costumes and daring acrobatics. They are the premier acrobatic troupe from China, and since their inception has continued to evolve in their performance. Some of their most notable acts include “Aerial Bungee Tumbling” and “Diving Through Moving Hoops.” The group has received awards both as a troupe and for individual members. Since it’s inception 200 of the company’s members have won either gold or silver awards from various acrobatic and circus festivals both nationally and internationally. The show will be held on Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Givens Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $16 to $36.

    The second show of the month is the musical based on the classic Robert Louis novel, and is called Jekyll and Hyde. It begins in Victorian London. A doctor, Dr. Henry Jekyll, desperately struggles to find a way to cure the medical problems that plague mankind. He is passionate and romantic, but after testing his chemical concoctions on himself he releases something terrible. Mr. Hyde, the alter ego and embodiment of Jekyll’s inner demons, is released by these medical experiments. He is a vicious madman that wreaks havoc across London creating an epic battle between good and evil, all within one man. To further complicate things, two beautiful women both fall in love with this man and are unaware of the dark secret that he harbors, his alter ego. This epic struggle between the forces of good and evil is set to pop rock music from Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn and two time Oscar and Grammy-winning artist Leslie Bricusse, including the ever popular hit “This Is The Moment.” The lively music serves to capture the passionate and enthralling nature of the classic story. Audiences all over the world have delighted in this evocative and ever relevant story exploring the duality of man. Tickets range from$16 to $41. The show will be held In the Givens Performing Arts Center on Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m.

    The Givens Performing Arts Center is located at 1 University Dr. in Pembroke. For more information visit http://www.uncp.edu/student-life/involvement-opportunities/givens-performing-arts-center/broadway-and-more-series or call 910-521-6287. For tickets, the box office is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and for one hour prior to performance. The box office can be contacted at 910-521-6361.

    Photo: The National Acrobats of The Peoples Republic of China is set to perform at Givens on Oct. 13.

  • 16On a muggy Friday night at Cape Fear Regional Theatre a man stands on another man’s bass while playing guitar. The crowd’s energy is buzzing. They are up on their feet on occasion. They are clapping along.

    They break out into a cheer. They are singing parts of songs back to the tall, slender guy in a suit with dark-colored framed glasses. These frames are almost as iconic as some of the songs. While this may sound like a rock'n'roll concert as opposed to a play, it's actually somewhere in between — shining with the best of both worlds.

    “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” performances have begun at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. With it comes a lot of music, laughter, a few tears and a rip-roaring good time. For a minute, the audience may have forgotten just exactly where they were as they become enthralled in the story.

    “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” covers the last 18 months of singer Buddy Holly’s life. The guitar strumming, glasses-wearing Texan is played by Keaton Eckhoff.

    Eckhoff embodies a stunning Buddy Holly — both his look and his voice being a great match for the rock'n'roll legend.

    As Buddy Holly, Eckhoff often stole the show, as is only right when watching a play about Buddy Holly. His rendition of “That’ll Be the Day” or “Everyday” is as close to hearing the real musician as one might get these days. Eckhoff seems like not just a talented actor but a talented musician, too.

    The Crickets, played by Julian James, Cason Day and Bennett Petersen, were a great showcase of talent.

    Each actor played their own instruments and bounced around on stage as if they were throwing a real concert. The banter between the actors provided great comedic relief and left you interested in the story the whole way through.

    Another great addition to this play was Hipockets performed by Mikey LoBalsamo. LoBalsamo had the perfect voice for a radio host and was charismatic in all his scenes.

    While most plays might take a downturn when straying away from a scene with the main character, LoBalsamo’s quirky character was always welcomed by the audience. LoBalsamo himself is no stranger to the stage at CFRT and his personality carries well in just about any role he’s played.

    What is most impressive about this production is the use of all the live, real music and the extraordinary amount of instruments.

    The stage is often littered with all sorts of different instruments and beautiful voices to fill the rest. Most of the actors in the play are both actors and musicians so the songs played to the audience are played right before their very eyes. The only recordings played are those the theater records with Eckhoff to help between transistions. The show tangos between a play and a concert.

    While the story of the real Buddy Holly ends in a tragic way, the folks down at CFRT help bring it back around, leaving the audience feeling good as they leave.

    At the end, the performers give what is like a mini-concert. And ultimately, on this night and probably all the other nights too, the audience cheered for an encore.

    There are not many cons to running down and buying a ticket to this show. It was enjoyable. It had great, engaging moments of acting. It gave stunning musical performances. To purchase tickets visit www.cfrt.org or call the Box Office at 910-323-4233.

    For this production, it seems Buddy Holly was right, it’s so easy to fall in love.

  • hurricane City officials continued to keep a keen eye on Tropical Storm Ian as the storm pounded Florida and was forecast to move toward the Carolinas.

    In anticipation of heavy rain, Cumberland County Schools said Thursday that students will be in remote learning on Friday, Sept, 30.
    According to online news reports, the storm left more than 2 million Florida residents without power. Ian has downgraded to a tropical storm but is expected to strengthen over the next day.

    South Carolina is under a hurricane warning as Ian was forecast to approach its coast in the Charleston area before moving inland.
    Scott Bullard, emergency management coordinator for Fayetteville, said city workers have checked and prepped about everything that can be to prepare for whatever comes this way.

    “There’s not a lot more we can do. We’re used to this process,” Bullard said. “We still have the scars from (Hurricanes) Matthew and Florence. We’re just kind of waiting for more data on the track of this thing.

    “We know it’s going back out over the water and coming back ashore in lower South Carolina,” Bullard said. “Just looking at the arrival of the wind and the rain.”
    Based on National Weather Service reports, Bullard said, residents here can expect tropical-storm-force winds early Friday morning.

    “That could be even before we wake up or even see an edge of it,” he said. “And they’re saying we could have some (wind) gusts certainly over 35 (mph), but I don't foresee anything as high as 50. There again, you may have one (gust) that didn't read the book.”

    In terms of potential rainfall, Bullard said, “They just reiterated on the rain (there's) still that broad swath of 2 to 6 inches, just depending on where you’re going to be at. That’s over the whole course of this thing. It’s not a one-day thing; it’s more a three-day process. And I think as dry as we are, we can take the rain.”
    Major flooding is not expected along the Cape Fear River, he said.

    “They’re paying lip service to flash flooding, which we can have that on a good old August summer day,” Bullard said. “I think the key is just going to be to get where you need to be on Friday and get off the roads if it does get kind of rough and get on with life.”

    Gene Booth, director of Cumberland County Emergency Services, said the county has been monitoring the storm since it developed.

    "We always plan for the worst and hope for the best," he said.

    The county, Booth said, laid out plans early should an emergency shelter and emergency operations center be necessary along with making contact "with all partners in emergency and disaster response."

    That included making sure that all county equipment is ready if needed.
    He said the county will be closely monitoring the progress of the storm throughout the day on Friday.

    "This is no Matthew. This is no Florence," he said, referring to a couple of major hurricanes that wreaked havoc in the Fayetteville area in years past.

    "It's always good to be prepared," he said. "There could be some power outages. They could be eight, 12 hours (to get to); just depends on how long it takes for utilities to get out there and when it's safe for them to get out there. There's a potential for some downed threes. It could cause some power outages."

    Should residents be concerned about Ian?

    "I would pay attention to localized flooding," Booth said. "Don't travel if you don't need to travel. If you come to an area where there's flash flooding — the typical hot spots if you come to those — don't ever drive through water. Turn around. Find another way. We're looking at heavy rain at times and gusty winds at time during the day."

    Booth suggested that residents should sign up for Cumberland Alerts on the county website, which provides weather-related updates from the Cumberland County Emergency Services.

    Jonathan Blaes, a meteorologist with the Raleigh office of the National Weather Service, said about 12:45 p.m. Thursday that the storm system had left Florida and been downgraded to a tropical storm. It was expected to intensify over the Atlantic Ocean and become a minimal-strength hurricane later Thursday. Based on Thursday’s projections, the storm will make landfall again in coastal South Carolina at midday Friday, Blaes said.

    That, he noted, will be in the vicinity of Charleston.

    “The center of the system will then track north to northwest out to the North Carolina mountains by Saturday,” he said.

    Fayetteville “certainly will not be the heart of the storm,” Blaes said.

    “There certainly will be some nasty weather there,” he added. “There will be some spotty showers that move into the area this afternoon and into the evening. Later tonight, a little bit steadier rain is expected to move into the area where the rain becomes steadier and heavier (Friday) morning.”

    Friday afternoon and evening, “it’s likely to be pretty nasty with periods of heavy rain, gusty winds and a threat for some localized flooding in the flood-prone, low-lying areas,” Blaes said. “Also, with the winds there could be some localized power outages, as well.”

    The worst conditions for this area will be on Friday afternoon and evening, he said.
    There is a possibility of an isolated tornado late Friday afternoon, said Blaes, but the greater threat for tornadoes would be east of the area out toward the coast.

    “So, the morning commute tomorrow won't be that great,” Blaes said. “The afternoon commute tomorrow will be nasty. We’re looking at wind gusts reaching 40- to maybe 45-mph range, maybe a little stronger. Doesn’t look like it will be total chaos, but there will be some hazards with that. We expect 3 to 6 inches of rain in that area. That could result in some flash flooding in some areas, low-lying creeks and that kind of stuff.”

    Conditions should improve noticeably by Saturday morning, Blaes said. By Saturday afternoon, weather conditions should have settled with a little breeze and scattered showers.

    Because of relatively low rainfall amounts, he said, the Cape Fear River is not expected to be a concern. Smaller creeks and streams might be a bigger issue, he said.
    Carolyn Justice-Hinson, a spokeswoman for the Fayetteville Public Works Commission, did not immediately respond to a phone message Thursday.
    The city's Bullard said his main concern is for people who might drive a little faster than they should under the weather conditions — especially those who are not familiar with the area.

    “If you don’t know more than one way to get to where you’re going, then that kind of applies to you,” he said. “I think ultimately, we just want patience. Slow down. And we always repeat the ‘Turn around, don’t drown.’ For whatever reason, if you run across some water, don’t go through it.”

    As for the potential for an isolated tornado, Bullard said, “Well the graphic that they just showed (about noon), all of that looks like east of I-95 and the river, and Fayetteville would be on the extreme western edge of that line that they drew. When you say anything is possible, I think there’s a slight, tiny chance, but I think that’s what it is on this go round.”

    The city has a flood awareness page with information about stormwater at Flood Awareness Map (arcgis.com). City residents can post their address to see if their property has been prone to flooding in years past.

  • 15"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," the Gilbert Theater's first show of the season, is a classic western with modern themes and an optimistic view of what's to come.

    The play, directed by Chris Walker, is every bit as gritty and gripping as you'd expect a western to be. Clear-cut archetypes: the naive scholar, eloquent villain, reticent cowboy, and street-wise queen come together to tell an old story in a fresh, unique way.

    The stage, designed as a charming and spot-on wild-west saloon, is a capable backdrop to the goings-on in Two Trees, the town where this story takes place.

    For those with an affinity for westerns — this story has it all. There are plenty of gunslingers, cowboy hats, denim and plugs of whiskey to get the bells of nostalgia ringing. Still, for audiences searching for a story with a bit more substance than yee-haw, "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" delivers, and then some.

    Ransome Foster (Dan Adams) breezes into town with a sack full of books and a head full of ideas about justice and the importance of learnin'. Left for dead after running afoul of the titular Liberty Valance (James Dean), Foster is picked up by the grumpy Burt Barricune (Michael Ormiston) and delivered to saloon owner Hallie Jackson (Claudia Warga-Dean) and her faithful negro companion, Jim Mosten (Quentin King).

    As Ransome heals and makes a place for himself, his charm and love for the written word bewitch Hallie and Jim. Soon, word travels that an outsider is bringing education to women and negroes, and that just don't sit right with certain folks in Two Trees, namely, Liberty Valance.

    Just as the story's central romance finally unfolds, Ransome's earnest attempt to better those around him ends in tragedy, and he's forced to become what he hates to protect what he loves.

    The play is well-paced, and the necessary arcs reveal themselves in a natural way — like the audience is experiencing life along with the characters as they grow and change.

    The central drama, a slow-rolling but very obvious love triangle between Hallie, Ransome, and Burt, is thoughtful and restrained, allowing the audience to see Hallie as Foster and Barricune do — all wiseacre quips and fierce independence played to perfection by Warga-Dean. Her treatment of Hallie's singularity — a modern woman who knows who she is and what she's worth, isn't pushy or preachy. It comes across as authentic and relatable in 2022. Adams and Ormiston do an excellent job as reluctant rivals drawn together to deal with the often unpleasant nature of "men's things." "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" boasts a fabulous supporting cast, and I'd like to especially point out the chilling performance of James Dean as the purely evil Liberty Valance. His name is thrown around the play like that of a boogeyman, a looming menace who throws a dark pall over the happy developments on stage, but his presence, encompassing only two scenes in the entirety of the performance, is captivating.

    Vicki Lloyd, who wears both the Assistant and Technical Director hat for this production, creates a space ripped from the pages of history through lighting and set design. The hazy sepia-toned stage looks exactly right for the period and context. Sawdust floors and the swinging doors of the wood-paneled saloon work fully to support the subtle but effective costume choices of Elizabeth Andrews.

    "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" demonstrates how artfully the Gilbert Theater handles sensitive topics and uncomfortable subject matter.

    Director Chris Walker clearly understands how to tell a story truthfully; the audience must sometimes travel to places they'd prefer not to go, but he makes the journey worth it. What could be another superficial look at an educated man with a white savior complex, unaware of his ignorance or the destruction it causes — is instead a powerful look at people grappling with the weight of their choices in their quest to become better people.

    "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" will run until Sunday, Oct. 2. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.gilberttheater.com/.

  • cumberland co schools In anticipation of inclement weather conditions that may impact our region and with the safety of our students, employees, and families in mind, Friday, Sept. 30, will be an asynchronous remote learning day for Cumberland County Schools students.

     During an asynchronous remote learning day, students work independently on assignments that are uploaded to the Canvas learning management platform. Elementary and middle school students will have five days to complete and submit their assignments, and high school students will have three days. Students enrolled in classes at Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Technical Community College and College Connections should contact their instructors for additional guidance.

     The district’s Prime Time Before & After School Program will be closed on Friday. All athletic events and after-school activities scheduled for Friday have been canceled or rescheduled. All weekend activities are canceled.

     District offices and school buildings will be closed on Friday and employees will work remotely.

     CCS’ inclement-weather plan focuses on the safety of students and staff. Visit the district's website and social media pages to receive updates

  • 11a I'm one of those people who, based on no other evidence outside of my imagination, assumes I'll be pretty good at something the first time I try it.

    I sit on my couch with a wry smile and watch as the people on my television build pools in their backyard, reupholster furniture or compete in triathlons. I think to myself: I could probably do that.

    In my quest to try new things around our fair city, I've been looking for an opportunity to put this theory to the test.

    I was recently taking a stroll around my Facebook neighborhood and came upon a local business I'd never seen before: Fahada Bellydance.

    Oh, I could definitely do that, I foolishly thought to myself.

    Her clean, minimalist website invited the user to “Discover Your Inner Dancer,” and I, for reasons unclear, decided my inner dancer was in desperate need of discovery. Besides, I had a belly, right? How hard could it be?

    Fueled by visions of Shakira and I dancing side by side on the global stage, I booked an intro class through Fahada's website and waited for greatness.

    I showed up to my Tuesday night class around ten minutes early to give myself time to check out the space. Fahada's studio is inside Bloom Apothecary at the bottom of Macpherson House on Hay Street. The intimate space and small class size instantly made me feel safe.

    Fahada, who has been teaching belly dancing for around five years, was immediately welcoming. I felt myself relax as she led us through an easy warm-up.

    Next, I was gifted my very own hip scarf, and I can honestly say my heart lit up. I selected a deep blue scarf adorned with gold coins and intricate embroidery. The charms’ musical jingle filled the little studio as I tied the scarf low on my hips, and in my head, I became Princess Jasmine from “Aladdin.”

    Spoiler alert: I am no Princess Jasmine.

    11 To say belly dancing is deceptively hard is an understatement. Everything I thought I knew about my hips, knees, and “abs,” and how they all work together to make me move around gracefully, were thrown completely out the window.

    Fahada teaches Raqs Sharqi, a modern Egyptian belly dance, and wow, what a workout. Belly dancing can burn anywhere from 300-400 calories in an hour-long session, so you definitely feel it. Working step by step through hip shimmies, snake arms, and hip pops that likely have a fancier name, Fahada was patient, encouraging, and honestly a great teacher. Figure eights, a technique I won't dare attempt to explain here, posed the greatest challenge for me during the hour-long class, but at no point did I feel frustrated. Fahada's gentle positivity only made me feel more motivated. This is a great class if you're the kind of person who needs one-on-one help in a low-pressure atmosphere when learning something new.

    The exotic sounds of Baladi Traditional Egypt Rhythm by Mizan Project played quietly in the background, and for a full hour, I wasn't even in Fayetteville anymore.

    As we worked through the moves, I felt really connected to my body and was surprised at the sweat I'd worked up. Sure, I wasn't quite the belly dancing prodigy I assumed I would be, but I was correct: I could do this.

    The end of class was a spirited review of all the moves put together. I found myself smiling as I tried my best to mimic Fahada's more elegant gesticulations. One thing I did enjoy about the space was the absence of mirrors. Without an image to critique or feel embarrassed, I had to trust my body and Fahada's professional opinion of my progress. Honestly, it felt good to move around without the added pressure of noticing myself.

    By the end of our cool-down, I'd completely abandoned the idea that belly dancing was a.) easy and b.) that I was somehow “good” at it. What I could focus on, however, was how great I felt.

    I returned home, still wearing my hip scarf — I had certainly earned it, after all — and booked myself another session. I don’t mind being one of those people who's really great at something the second time they try it.

    Fahada's studio is open for Beginner Bellydance Classes on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sessions are $15 for a one-hour class. To book, visit fahadabellydance.com.

    Editor's note: Up & Coming Weekly is sending our staff writer Ashley out and about in the local area to try new things. She will report on her experiences to help readers decide if they want to try the adventure, too.

  • hurricane Officials at Fayetteville’s public utility expect Hurricane Ian to weaken to a tropical depression before reaching North Carolina but still bring strong winds and heavy rains.

    In a quick rundown about preparations for the storm, the chief operating officer of the Fayetteville Public Works Commission said forecast models released Wednesday morning predict winds lower than 35 mph and from 4 to 6 inches of rain.

    “And we could see winds up to the 39- or 40-mph range,” said Jon Rynne during PWC’s regular monthly meeting Wednesday morning.

    Interim CEO and General Manager Mick Noland cautioned that the forecast could change over the next few days, but he added that the outlook for the Fayetteville area seems to be encouraging at this point.

    Rynne said PWC is prepared for bad weather.

    “For the electric utility, that means typically scattered outages and things of that nature with the possibility of flooding, which could affect the underground systems,” he said. “So, what we’ve done so far to prepare for this is put more of our line crew in an on-call position for Thursday night into Friday, and we will continue that depending on what impacts are Friday night into Saturday.”

    Based on the latest hurricane updates, Rynne said, Ian should pass through the area during the day on Saturday and into Sunday morning.

    “So, we will have those resources and contact resources here in our service territory to respond if we have damage,” he told members of the PWC board.

    PWC has been contacted by the ElectriCities public power co-op about mutual aid among utilities, including the possibility of providing help in Florida should the storm’s impact in North Carolina be limited.

    “Also, we’ll be calling upon some of the other resources from PWC to help handle the possible volume of customer inquiry calls that come in,” Rynne said.

    Noland said PWC’s water crews are on “a similar track” in storm preparations and will be ready to answer calls for help.

    “We do have on standby the vendor that we use to supply meals for folks who are working,” Noland said.

    Hotel rooms also are on standby.

    Noland said it’s likely the storm will topple some trees because the ground will be abnormally wet.
    The utility has fuel for its generators and tanks are topped off in case of delivery problems, Noland said.

    “We don’t think that’s going to be a problem, but we do have tanks topped off as much as we can, given the circumstances, to ride out whatever comes through,” he said. “Of course, on the construction side, the flooding events — the biggest potential there is if there is any damage or overflows. We’ve got 85 lift stations, depending on where the power outages are. That’s one of the initial tasks we have when the heavy rain comes in.”

    Lastly, Noland said PWC will try to keep its customers updated as much as possible.

    “What we try to do is have an update every hour rather than having a bunch of people calling in and asking, ‘What’s the latest?’ Give it 30 minutes, and everybody will get the same information at the same time,” he said.

    For updates and resources, go to Hurricane Information at visitfayettevillenc.com.

  • 18Latinos United for Progress proudly announces Fayetteville’s first Fiesta Latina. The Latin community has participated in many heritage events, such as the International Folk Festival, but this is the first time the Latin community will get to showcase their heritage and culture as a stand-alone event.

    Latinos United for Progress welcomes all to attend and participate in this heritage celebration, a family- friendly event, on Sept. 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests are welcome to don Latin attire and colors representing different countries.

    As a family event, there will be 3 hours of shows, including live Latin singing, drum circles, performance entertainment and cultural dancing. In downtown Fayetteville, there will be a stage in front of the Arts Council building, and street dancing around the Market House featuring entertainment simultaneously. Even the downtown trolley will be decorated in the spirt of Fiesta Latina and will host entertainment.

    With the celebration of Latin heritage, there will be over 50 vendors showcased at Fiesta Latina. There will be a variety of food trucks and Latin restaurants boasting with the flavors of different countries. From Caribbean jerk chicken to Mexican empanadas and Brazilian saffron rice, the Latin community is eager to share their cuisine with diverse populations. Latin communities will be selling a variety traditional product, including folk crafts, jewelry, and native costum-
    ing. From Colombia, there will be a vendor with decorations and leather goods.

    Fiesta Latina is being presented by Cool Spring Downtown District’s 4th Friday and is partnered with Latinos United for Progress and the Arts Council of Fayetteville. Local nonprofits will also be represented to share awareness and celebrate their opportunities for Latin communities. There is still room for more vendors. Thanks to Cool Springs Downtown Alliance and in collaboration with Latinos United for Progress, nonprofit organizations are welcome
    to participate at no cost.

    As a charitable nonprofit organization, Latinos United for Progress stands as a liaison for the Spanish speaking community of Cumberland County and surrounding areas. Their mission is to advocate for the progress and well-being of the Latino community through programs and projects that promote education, leadership, development, and cooperation. Their services include legal aid and security for Latinos. They also have services and events dedicated to Latina women as well as youth programs.

    This is an all-volunteer organization. Claudia Zamora is the current President of Latinos United for Progress, and she is eager to share these resources with the community.

    “Fiesta Latina will celebrate diversity and inclusion through honoring Hispanic culture,” Zamora said.

    Located in the downtown district of Fayetteville, Fiesta Latina will be held on Friday, Sept. 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. during the 4th Friday celebration.

    For more information, visit latinosunitedforprogress.org or follow on Facebook @latinosufp.

    If you would like to volunteer, per- form on stage, or sign up as a vendor please fill out the form at https://visitdowntownfayetteville.com/events/7672/ or call 910-223-1089.

  • ncdot logo People can learn more about local projects in the N.C. Department of Transportation’s draft 10-year transportation plan for 2024-2033 next week in Fayetteville.
    The plan, called the State Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP, is the state’s long-range plan that outlines how and when transportation projects are expected to be funded.

    Cumberland County is in Highway Division 6, which is based in Fayetteville. The division also includes Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Harnett counties.
    Darius Sturdivant, the division’s planning engineer, will be available to meet with the public and discuss the draft plan Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 558 Gillespie St., the state DOT said in a release. He also may be reached at 910-364-0600 or by email at ddsturdivant@ncdot.gov.
    People can also submit their comments about the draft STIP online and participate in an online survey to indicate which projects matter most to them, the release said.

    The state DOT unveiled its proposed funding and construction plan in May, then revised it in August to reflect new sources of revenue, the release said.
    Projects scheduled in the first five years are generally considered to be committed, while those on the latter half of the schedule are subject to be re-evaluated when the next STIP is developed, the release said.

    The Transportation Department plans to use the public input to help produce a final draft plan that will be considered for adoption by state transportation officials next year, the release said.
    More information on the STIP process can be found on the NCDOT webpage.

  • 16Runners, walkers and volunteers will unite on Saturday, Oct. 1 for the second annual launch of Ray’s Run, a 5k benefitting upgrades at The Lodge.
    Operation InAsMuch runs The Lodge as part of its Able-Life program. The Lodge is a dedicated facility serving homeless men with a desire to change their lives. This year’s race will be in-person, a change from the inaugural and virtual race of 2021.

    Opened in 2017, The Lodge typi- cally houses twelve men who have committed themselves to leading a drug-free life while on the path to employment and independence. According to Community Engagement Coordinator Kanesha Bryant, a typical day at The Lodge requires the residents to maintain the upkeep of the facility and attend training sessions to ensure a positive outcome as they move forward in their lives.

    During the day, those who haven’t yet reintegrated into the workforce.

    “Spend time in case management and building life skills,” Bryant said. “This ranges from resume building to job searches to financial literacy, to learning how to build relationships.”

    For those who have already gained employment, the staff is available for coaching on continued success in the workplace. The 2022 Ray's Run 5k will raise
    funds for The Lodge’s kitchen to be renovated in order to better pre- pare daily meals for its residents. By upgrading the kitchen to commercial quality, The Lodge will be able to serve nearly 50 meals per day. When the late Ray Helton served as Executive Director of OperationInAsMuch, he envisioned creating a launchpad for men to re-enter the workforce using services provided by The Lodge.

    Today, The Lodge also offers in-house training and community service opportunities. Future plans point to a full-service recovery program with various therapists on staff.

    “Our Lodge brothers aim to complete the program within two months and either transition into independent living, or become a candidate for Frink Street housing,” Bryant explained.

    Frink Street allows further fine tuning to what the men have learned at The Lodge. The length of time men stay in the program varies from person to person, depending on their progress. The staff's goal is to ensure that no one moves on from the Operation InAsMuch programs until they are fully ready for success.

    Registration is open until Sept. 29 with an entry fee of $30 per adult and $20 per child. The race will begin at Methodist University near Matthews Ministry Center (Parking Lot J) on Oct. 1 at 8:30 a.m. For those who want to participate by volunteering, click Ray’s Run Volunteer. Donations to Operation InAsMuch can also be made, at any time, via FAOIAM.

    For more information visit https://www.faoiam.org/raysrun/. Whether you opt to participate as a runner or volunteer (or offer a donation), you will do so knowing that the residents of The Lodge appreciate your support.

  • For 26 years, the Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper has served residents, visitors and guests by providing accurate and honest news, views and relevant community information that make living and working in Fayetteville and Cumberland County fun and enjoyable.

    We provide insights into the people, businesses and organizations that have gone the extra mile and invested time, passion and financial resources into making our community pleasant and unique.

    Our Best of Fayetteville readers survey is also unique. Annually, we receive thousands of ballots and painstakingly record the comments and sentiments of our readers. Our dedicated readers pride themselves on making sure they define and determine who deserves to be honored as Fayetteville’s Best of the Best.

    The readers survey is not scientific, but it is a well-executed and well-documented informal survey proven highly accurate and incredibly dependable for 25 years. We make no claims otherwise.

    The Up & Coming Weekly Best of Fayetteville should not be confused with other local marketing programs. Our readers decide the winners by their survey entries. No person, business or organization is required to buy ad space to be considered or buy tickets to the party to see if they won. We use defined and enforceable voting guidelines that have elevated the honor, prestige and value of the Best of Fayetteville designation. Many of the winners do choose to advertise with us to thank readers for voting them the Best.

    Following two years of COVID-19 restrictions, social distancing, mask-wearing, and an overall lack of social interaction, area businesses and organizations are returning to operational normalcy. This year’s celebration has an added special meaning for those who survived the ordeal but also excelled in service and quality despite it. Now, that’s something to celebrate!

    To recognize and honor this community’s outstanding people, businesses and institutions, we are celebrating the occasion at the Crown Coliseum Complex on Sept. 27. This is when the Best of the Best will congregate to celebrate their achievements and contributions to our All American City.

    Our community has changed over the last 25 years, as has our newspaper. Our Best of Fayetteville survey and our commitment to our readers haven’t changed. We continue to reflect on the best aspects of the Fayetteville community.

    The Up & Coming Weekly Best of Fayetteville edition you are holding in your hands will serve you well throughout the year. It is a valuable visitor’s guide, service directory, and cultural and event resource. Please share it with your friends.

    Since the first ballots were counted more than two decades ago, Up & Coming Weekly has successfully told the Best of Fayetteville winners’ stories. With your votes and support, we are incredibly proud to share this year’s Best of the Best winners. Please join me, the entire Up & Coming Weekly staff, and all our 2022 Best of Fayetteville winners and sponsors as we begin this year-long celebration.

    This issue will be posted on our website www.upandcomingweekly.com — giving you 24/7, 365-days-a-year access to the Best of Fayetteville winners list.

    While you are on our website, sign up for the free electronic subscription and receive the Early Bird edition of Up & Coming Weekly every Tuesday, the day before it hits stands around Fayetteville, Cumberland County and Fort Bragg.

    I want to thank Seth Benalt and Karen Long of the Crown Coliseum for their help and support in setting up our party.

    I also want to thank Steve and Debbie Milburn of The UPS Store in Westwood Shopping Center for their design and creation of the beautiful acrylic Best of Fayetteville awards.

    Of course, every legitimate survey needs a competent CPA, and we have the best. Lee Utley has supported and partnered with us for nearly two decades, and his services have been invaluable.

    We also appreciate the photography services of the multi-talented Kriss Ward.

    Last but certainly not least, a special thanks to the entire Up & Coming Weekly staff. This is our biggest edition and most challenging event during the year, and they have done a tremendous job.

    We hope you enjoy this special edition. Keep it handy and refer to it often. We sincerely thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly and supporting this community newspaper.

  • 15After the stresses and busyness brought on by the week, leader of the Fayetteville Ukulele Club Mary

    Hill said she and her group members find relief as they strum their ukuleles, an instrument Hill calls “cheerful.”

    “This is a time when we just sit down and nothing else matters, we just play the music, we just sing and all of the stresses melt away,” Hill said.

    Now members of the club and the community can learn more about this musical form of stress relief in an upcoming workshop hosted by ukulele player David Remiger, also known as Ukester Brown. The Ukester Brown Workshop will be held at The Sweet Palette in downtown Fayetteville on Sept. 25 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    The main focus of the workshop will be learning more about efficient chord building and how players can make the transitions between chords easier.
    Registration for the event will cost $10, with ukuleles available to rent for $5. The workshop will also feature door prizes and a raffle for a ukulele. Sweet treats will also be available at The Sweet Palette, Hill said.

    “Of course there’s cupcakes, because the Sweet Palette has the best cupcakes in town,” Hill said.

    Following the workshop, Ukester Brown will hold a small concert followed by a jam session, free to all those in the Sweet Palette. Hill, a mostly self-taught ukulele player herself, also considers herself a self taught leader, forming the group, which will celebrated it’s third anniversary on Sept. 17, out of
    her own desire to play with others.

    “When you play with other people, you get better, you learn because people have different styles and I wanted that so bad so I just decided, evidently no one else was going to do it, so I should do it,” Hill said.

    The club’s first meeting exceeded Hill’s expectations, with eight people showing up to participate. The group continued to grow and meetings continued through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic via Zoom. The group meets each Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to play together at The Sweet Palette.

    The music helped bring participants together, helping to fill the hole left behind by the pandemic, Hill said, allowing them to share music together.
    According to Hill, many group members were strangers prior to meeting through the club. As they joined they also bonded through their love of making music.

    “These people did not know each other,” Hill said. “They come together and play every week and they're friends. So I put these people together and they became friends so I think that's really cool.”

    The Ukulele remains an attractive instrument for many, Hill said, for its portable size, and for how easy it is to learn. Despite its accessibility, Hill emphasized that the ukulele is not an instrument to overlook.

    “I don’t want to discount it by saying it’s easy to learn and things like that,” Hill said. “It is easy to learn and to get to a certain level, but you can play complicated pieces on it as well and it can hang in there with guitars and things like that. It can definitely be whatever you want it to be.”

    Those registering for the Ukester Brown Workshop can send an email to 1happyukulele@gmail.com, noting if they need to rent a ukulele. Bring the family, bring chairs, and relax to some great music.

  • 9 On Saturday, Sept. 17, people from around the country gathered in Washington, D.C., to demand action from national leaders on the spike in fentanyl deaths. The event was organized by a group called Lost Voices of Fentanyl, and among those gathered were about 20 members of the Forgotten Victims of North Carolina, a state-based grassroots group of mostly mothers whose children were lost to fentanyl poisoning.

    Patricia Drewes, who is part of Lost Voices of Fentanyl and is also the organizer of Forgotten Victims of North Carolina, told Carolina Journal on Sept. 19 that about 700 marched from the National Mall to the White House. Drewes daughter, Heaven Leigh Nelson, died of fentanyl poisoning in 2019.

    During the day of action, Drewes said she met with multiple congressional leaders and their staff. Drewes said they wanted to meet with members of both parties, but Democrats were more hesitant
    to meet.

    Drewes and her group are advocating for harsher penalties on fentanyl distributors and for China and the Mexican cartels to be held responsible, policies that may be less palatable to Democrats. The staff of retiring Rep. David Price, D-NC04, was an exception, and Drewes spoke with them on the issue.

    Drewes and other leaders from around the country were then hosted by the Republican Study Committee at a roundtable event regarding how to address the fentanyl crisis. Four of the nine guest speakers and participants were from North Carolina.

    At the RSC roundtable, Drewes said she prepared a short audio but that it wouldn’t play.

    “I’ll tell you what it was,” Drewes recalled telling them. “It’s the sound of a mother screaming that just saw her child being taken out in a body bag that was poisoned by fentanyl. I made that same cry or scream on Jan. 28, 2019. Every mother in this room has made that same God-awful scream. 108,000 American mothers made that scream in the United States last year alone. How many of us have to scream? How many of us have to bury our children before you heard us?”

    Drewes also presented the RSC with a large box of obituaries from those that were lost, which she had collected from across the country.

    “I told them, ‘I was going to mail this to the president. But I knew that he would probably never receive them. I knew that he would never receive them. So I am entrusting you to see to it that he gets these.’ So Jim Banks [a congressman from Indiana who serves as the chairman of the Republican Study Committee] is the one that actually took the obituaries to see to it that the president got them.”

    She said that the committee agreed with the group that more has to be done and announced that they are working on a bill to address rainbow fentanyl, which is directly marketed to children and looks like candy.

    “We want fentanyl labeled as a weapon of mass destruction,” Drewes said. “We want the Mexican cartel labeled as terrorists, because that’s what they are.”

    Drewes said that she had been scheduled for an interview on FOX News but that the death of Queen Elizabeth bumped her segment. She joked that the media was apparently more interested in a queen’s death overseas than tens of thousands by fentanyl on our own shores.

    “But kudos to FOX News,” she said. “They did cover us all day on Saturday.”

  • 14aThe Child Advocacy Center is excited to present the Pinwheel Masquerade Ball and Auction to Unmask Child Abuse Oct. 1 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
    With prizes and the chance to win “Best Of” in three separate categories — male, female and couples costumes — the Pinwheel Masquerade Ball is the Sandhill’s “premier” fundraising event to “help the Child Advocacy Center protect children and stop abuse.”

    The Pinwheel Masquerade Ball is one night when the CAC steps away from its role as the Sandhill’s nexus between trauma focused child advocacy, law enforcement and institutional support systems to thank all of the people, businesses and organizations that play such a pivotal role in bringing the CAC to life.

    A few years ago, the CAC decided it wanted a “more elegant affair” than some of its past fundraisers, said CAC Executive Director Roberta Humphries.

    “And that’s where the idea for the Pinwheel Masquerade Ball came up.”

    Pinwheels for Prevention

    Every April, during National Child Abuse Month, on its grounds, the CAC plants dozens of silver and blue shining pinwheels representing each child the CAC served that year. Thanks to the CAC’s many benefactors and sponsors, hundreds of pinwheels greet visitors all over Fayetteville in the spring. The Pinwheel Masquerade Ball is designed to dovetail the official pinwheel planting.

    “The pinwheels are a symbol for child abuse prevention [and] basically represent the bright future that all children deserve,” Humphries said. “So, we decided to carry them over to our fundraiser event in the fall.”
    The CAC offers pinwheels directly to its “Partners in Prevention,” kits of 25 pinwheels and a yard sign that people can plant at home, a vase with eight pinwheels and a ribbon, plus more “pinwheel gear” that is available for purchase beginning in March at the CAC’s website, Humphries said.

    “Basically, the best thing is for people to check back [to] our website as it gets closer to [spring 2023] for pricing on pinwheel items,” Humphries added. “It’s like a once-a-year [promotion] for child abuse prevention month.”

    The Pinwheel Masquerade Ball and Auction to Unmask Child Abuse is a semi-formal affair. Black ties and masks are optional. However, what’s the fun of a masquerade ball with no mask?

    The CAC moved the Pinwheel Masquerade Ball to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden because it offered more room than some of the other locations it used in the past, Humphries said.

    "We can do activities inside the garden’s pavilion and utilize the “garden itself by having a tent [with] people outside, as well.”

    Guests at the Ball can look forward to a photo booth and saxophonist in the lobby, a DJ and dance instructors, plus an artist who will create a painting to be auctioned during the Ball. Wine, beer and specialty drinks are $5 per drink. Cigars and spirits are $10 per item. Seating will be available for all guests.
    Culinary sponsors include Carrabas, Southern Coals, Dorothy’s Catering 2, The BarBQue Guy, Bees and Boards Charcuterie Company, Carrots Juice Bar and Café, Nona Sushi, Blue Pineapple Bakery, Harris Teeter, Superior Bakery, The Sweet Palette, Blue Moon and Pierro’s. Cape Fear Distillery will sponsor spirits.

    Discounted early bird ticket purchases are complete. Tickets may now be purchased for $100 per person, $175 per couple and $1200 per table of eight. One ticket gets each guest two free drink tickets, access to “culinary delights, live and silent actions,” and a “celebratory atmosphere you won’t soon forget.”

    Child Advocacy Center Mission

    The Child Advocacy Center is a nonprofit organization run by a troupe of women professionals “whose vision is [of] a community where children live in a safe and nurturing environment free from sexual and physical abuse. The center works in tandem with communities like law enforcement, the Department of Social Services and Child advocates to “alleviate the trauma children experience once a disclosure of sexual abuse or serious physical [harm] occurs.”

    Though the work the CAC does isn’t easy, it is absolutely vital to the well-being of abused children and their families in Fayetteville and surrounding areas.
    Tickets can be purchased online at CACFayNC.org, or directly from the Child Advocacy Center, which is located at 222 Rowan Street in Fayetteville.

    For more information about the Pinwheel Masquerade Ball and Auction to Unmask Child Abuse, please visit Facebook.com/PinwheelMasquerade. To learn more about the CAC’s pinwheels, how to donate and/or become a benefactor, CacFayNC.org will be your guide.

    When you come down to show support for abused children, the CAC and the women that run it, do not forget your mask, Oct. 1, 7 to 11 p.m. at the Fayetteville Botanical Garden.

     

  • spring lake logo The Spring Lake Board of Aldermen is expected to swear in Dysoaneik Spellman as the new police chief during the Sept. 26 meeting.
    The town in August announced Spellman as the next police chief after a two-month search. He was appointed interim police chief when former chief Troy McDuffie retired for the second time in 2021.

    Spellman, who has 23 years of law enforcement experience, has been with the Spring Lake Police Department since 2014.
    The board also is expected to swear in Patricia Hickman as the interim town clerk.

    The board meets at 6 p.m. at town hall.
    The board also will hear a finance report from the Local Government Commission. The financial report will reflect the first two months of the 2022-23 budget year.

    According to the commission, the staff has been diligent in getting the proper paperwork to establish purchase orders in a timely manner for the beginning of the fiscal year.

    The Local Government Commission also says the transition of the Spring Lake Parks and Recreation Department to the Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation program is expected to be finalized in October. The commission said it will need to rework some elements of the budget for that transition.

    The board is expected to hear about a program called Operation Green Light, which shows support for veterans of all military conflicts with a special emphasis on veterans of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Residents and businesses can participate by changing an outside light bulb to a green bulb. The board will be asked to consider a resolution to honor those individuals.

    The board is still looking to hire a town manager. It interviewed candidates on Sept. 22 and Sept. 23 and is expected to name a new town manager shortly.

  • 13Before Brian Dreier worries about defending his title in the Cumberland County Golf Championship in October, he has to be the best player in his own family.
    Dreier won the CCGC for the second time at Gates Four Golf & Country Club last year with a 54-hole score of even par 216. Meanwhile, his son, 16-year-old Sutton, won the junior division, and his father-in-law, Gary Robinson, an eight-time CCGC champion, tied for sixth in the championship division.

    “It's awesome to see our family do so well,” Robinson said. “We've been very blessed in our family to be so successful. I'm very proud of everybody.”
    Recently, Robinson won the club championship at King's Grant, a course he co-owns, with Sutton finishing second and Brian in third place. It marked the first time Sutton had beaten his father in golf.

    “We kept it all in the family — win, place and show,” Brian Dreier said. “I'm proud of Sutton's progression. He's maturing and his game is improving across the board.”
    Since Sutton turned 16, he is eligible to play in the championship division and he will compete against his father and grandfather this year.
    Dreier, who won the county match play title in the spring, held off another eight-time champion of the event, Billy West, to win last year by one stroke. Dreier said he was stressed out on the front nine in the final round, wondering how Sutton was playing.

    “When I made the turn, I found out how he did and it actually relaxed me for the back nine,” he said. “It kind of took some of the pressure away from me. To be able to share that with him was just amazing.”

    The 54th annual CCGC will be held Oct. 7-9 and will feature some changes. The most significant change will add handicap divisions for men and women. The tournament has always been a gross-score competition.

    “We want to get more people involved in the Cumberland County Championship tournament itself,” said Bill Bowman, tournament director and publisher of Up & Coming Weekly.

    “We've had a lot of requests from people who want to play in the tournament, but because it's gross-score, they are hesitant to participate. They want to compete using their established handicaps.”
    Another major change in the tournament this year is King's Grant Golf Club will host the first round of the Championship on Oct. 7 instead of playing all three rounds at Gates Four Country Club. King's Grant also will host the opening Champions Reception and Pairings Party on Oct. 6 in the Phoenix Grill of their newly renovated Clubhouse.

    “We're happy to have it,” Robinson said. “We'd like to showcase what we've been doing. The greens will be similar in speed probably to Gates Four. The transition from one course to the other won't be a problem for anybody.”

    The improvements at King's Grant since Robinson and his partners bought the course include converting the greens to Bermuda grass, remodeling the clubhouse, adding a veranda and improving and changing the parking lot. King's Grant will present a different challenge to the players than Gates Four. “It's a little tighter there,” Robinson said. “It definitely tests you. It's not long but you've got to be accurate.”

    Dreier is the former pro at King's Grant and has been a member there since 2003.

    “I think King's Grant is more difficult of a golf course,” he said. “It has a lot more trouble. You're not going to win it out here but you can certainly lose it with the way the back nine is set up with the water hazards.”
    West has won the CCGC title three times at King's Grant.

    “I'm looking forward to being back out at King's Grant,” he said. “I don't hit the ball very far, particularly as I get older, and King's Grant puts a little more premium on accuracy. Of course, Gary and Brian are comfortable out there. I'm sure they're looking to get a low round but I'm excited. I like when the courses rotate.”
    West and Robinson, who are tied for the most CCGC titles with eight each, will renew their battle to see if one of them can get to No. 9.

    “I hope I get there quick,” said Robinson, who will turn 64 the week after the tournament. “I feel like I'm running out of time. He [West] has a lot more opportunities but I have an opportunity this year. If I play well, I should be able to contend.”

    Robinson comes into the tournament in good form. He recently tied for third in the Carolinas Senior Amateur championship.
    West, 48, marvels at Robinson who won his first CCGC title in 1982.

    “I have so much respect for Gary and his game,” he said. “To me, the most amazing thing about Gary is his ability to compete at the highest level as a senior player. He still hits the ball a very long way. I joke with Gary that I have two goals each year — for me to try and win and make sure he doesn't. It's a fun rivalry and we've become really good friends.”

    West is building quite a record of longevity in the tournament, too. He won his first title in 1994 and has missed the event only once since he turned 16. He had a chance to win last year, leading by one in the final round with four holes to go. But a pair of bogeys cost him coming in and he finished as runner-up.

    “I've always said it's my favorite tournament,” West said. “I star it on the calendar every year. What to me is neat about the tournament, it has sort of followed me through my life. I played in it when I was 16 and I remember how anxious and nervous I was to play with the older players I had looked up to for years.”

    “Now, I'm one of the senior statesmen of the championship division. It's come full circle. My best golf memories have come from playing in the Cumberland County Championship.”

    Other contenders for the title include Thomas Owen, who has two wins and four top-3 finishes since 2016, and Jack Keefe, who led after each of the first two rounds last year.

    Bowman, who is in his fifth year of running the tournament, introduced the CCGC Youth Division for boys and girls last year, and he views it as the future of the tournament. It includes a division for middle school players, ages 12-14, and high school players, ages 15-18.

    “We want to grow our youth participation so we can develop the CCGC champions of tomorrow,” Bowman said. “By having multiple divisions, we're going to be able to nurture these young people and get them involved and acclimated to this level of competition.”

    Robinson is helping with the effort.

    “I'm excited about the addition of the junior golf,” he said. “I've tried to take on a role and get this thing off the ground so we can keep golf going in the county. I'm in touch with some of the coaches in the area, trying to get their kids to sign up and play.”

    West believes that several of the top junior players in the county could change the face of the competition.

    “The players today are better than when I came through,” he said. “When I was 16, I was hoping not to embarrass myself. But high school kids now are out there to win it and they're ready to win at a young age.”
    There also will be divisions for women, men's open, senior men and super seniors.

    “It's the oldest continuous running golf tournament in North Carolina,” Bowman said. “And, it's definitely the most prestigious one here in Cumberland County. We are proud to be hosting this great event on its 54th anniversary.”

    For entry details, go to cumberlandcountygolfclassic.com.

  •     When the Gilbert Theater opens its season next month, the cast will be doing more than putting on a performance. They will be celebrating the Gilbert’s 15th season of producing quality plays in the community. To celebrate that milestone, the theater has planned an outstanding season of performances, which begins with Assassinson Oct. 2.
        When the Gilbert first formed, the plays were produced in founding director Lynn Pryor’s house. The group performed at Pryor’s house for eight of its 15 years, producing 49 plays during that time. As the Gilbert’s popularity grew, and the numbers of people attending the plays grew, the company outgrew the space, so they began looking for a new home.
        Their temporary home was at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, where they performed for three seasons. During that time they produced the groundbreaking Vagina Monologues. That was one of the only plays the company actually brought in an outside performer.
        “We had a famous Hollywood actress in that show,” said Pryor. “Everyone else is unpaid — everyone is local.”
        The theater found its latest home three years ago in the old city council chambers above Fascinate-U Children’s Museum on Green Street. Pryor recalled that once the theater made the move to the space, he had a conversation with Monroe Evans, a former Fayetteville mayor, and one-time volunteer with The Gilbert. “Monroe said he knew that room very well,” said Pryor. “He said the room had always been full or drama and we could continue it.”
        And for the past three years, that’s what the company has done. Last year, the theater wowed the community with the staging of Cabaret, and they look forward to having the same impact with the upcoming plays.
        On Oct. 2, Assassins will come to life on the Gilbert Stage. Assassins is not your usual, run-of-the-mill musical. Written by Stephen Sondheim, the musical, based on a book by John Weidman, tells the stories of the nine Americans who assassinated or tried to assassinate the president of the United States. The musical starts with John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, and ends with Lee Harvey Oswald’s killing of President John F. Kennedy and the death of Camelot in our nation. The show’s music style ranges from folk to ragtime to ‘70s rock.
        {mosimage}Marcela Casals, a veteran of The Gilbert, is directing the play. “It’s very funny, but it’s very dark,” said Casals. “Sonheim is very good at putting two things completely opposite each other together.”
        She said the play gives the audience the opportunity to see inside the heads of some very mad individuals. “In some instances these individuals were very depressed and confused, in others, they thought they were being very patriotic,” she said. “Through this musical, you get to see inside their heads and see how they got to that point. There is a lot of humor, even though there is a lot of darkness.”
        She noted that each of these individuals thought they were going to change the course of history. For some, like Wilkes Booth and Oswald, their names have become pieces of the American lexicon. For others, they simply had their five minutes of fame and then slipped away.
        She said that she had gathered a “fabulous” cast of men and women to fill the ensemble and the leads. “Their voices just blend beautifully,” she said. “They just sound fabulous.”
        She cautioned that the play does have some offensive language, but hopes that it does not put people off from coming to a performance. “It’s a part of our history,” she said. “And we hope that high school students and others who have a love for history will come and see the show.”
        The play runs through Oct. 19, with performances Thursday — Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for musicals and $10 for non-musicals.
        On Nov. 28, The Gilbert will mount its annual production of A Christmas Carol, which will be directed by Elysa Lenczyk. The show, which runs in conjunction with the Arts Councils’ Dickens’ Christmas, is the classic retelling of Charles Dickens Christmas classic.
        All of your favorite characters, Marley, Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, will be on hand to remind viewers of the true meaning of Christmas. The play runs through Dec. 14.
        On Jan. 29, Cassals will be back at the helm directing References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot. Written by Jose Rivera, the play is “thoughtful and raw,” and tells the story of Gabriela, a young Latina woman searching for answers amidst a sometimes fantastical setting where the moon and wild animals come into play.
        The play may resonate with Fayetteville residents, as it tells the story of a husband/wife who are dealing with putting their lives back together following his return from the Gulf War. The play runs through Feb. 15.
        On the Verge, by Eric Overmyer, will be directed by Paul Wilson. The play has been called “a joyfully feminist play.” It tells the story of three Victorian lady explorers who set out on an adventure that takes them through different times as well as different locations. The play opens on March 19 and runs through April 5.
        The final show of the season will be directed by Pryor. Exits and Entrances is an autobiographical play about the life of the author, Athol Fugard. The play chronicles the friendship between a young, idealistic playwright and an older actor struggling to find meaning and dignity in his fading career. The play, according to Pryor is set in the dressing room of the theatre. “I love plays about theater, and when you can find them, I like to bring them to the stage,” said Pryor. “This play tells you what it is like to be a classical actor working with amateurs. It follows his career from the beginning to the end, and you see his life through that time frame.”
        Pryor added that while the theater will be celebrating its past this year, they will also be celebrating its future.
        “We at The Gilbert want to continue to be great storytellers,” he said.
        The play opens on May 28 and runs through June 14.
        As is the case with Assassins, all Gilbert plays run Thursday through Sunday with Thursday-Saturday shows at 8 p.m. and all matinees at 2 p.m.
        To purchase tickets, call The Gilbert at 678-7186. For more information, visit the Web site at www.gilberttheater.com.










  • fayetteville nc logo The Fayetteville City Council on Sept. 26 will revisit the execution of a contract for a gunshot detection system for the Police Department.

    Reconsideration of the contract is listed under other business on Monday's regular meeting agenda. The council meets at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.

    On Aug. 22, the City Council voted 8-2 to spend nearly $200,000 a year to execute the contract with ShotSpotter, a high-tech gunshot detection system that is intended to determine where and when shots have been fired and help law enforcement to dispatch response teams more effectively.

    Council members Mario Benavente and Shakeyla Ingram opposed the agreement. Since then, another council member has said he may want to reconsider his vote.
    In other business, the City Council will consider approval for the city manager to execute a contract with Muter Construction for the planned Mazarick Park Tennis Center building.

    The proposed center, which will be available for players of all ages and ability levels, would feature a championship court with spectator seats. The courts will feature covered changeover stations, and participants will be able to visit the on-site pro shop.

    Indoor meeting space will be incorporated into the facility.

    The council also will consider a budget ordinance amendment to appropriate $50,000 of the city's general fund balance for the Fayetteville Forward General Obligation Bond Information and Education Campaign.

    Three bond packages will be on the Nov. 8 ballot for Fayetteville residents. The $97 million in proposed bond packages would spend $60 million on public safety projects, $25 million on infrastructure improvements and $12 million on housing opportunity programs.

    The city has launched a marketing campaign to educate the public on the bond initiative.

    The Mazarick Park Tennis Center contract and the bond campaign are part of the council’s consent agenda.

    Gunshot technology

    Law enforcement agencies across the country have implemented various technological tools to help reduce gun violence. One of those tools is the acoustic gunshot detection system, which is intended to detect, verify and automatically notify police dispatchers and officers.

    During the dinner meeting ahead of the Sept. 12 City Council meeting, Councilman Deno Hondros said he was interested in reconsidering his vote regarding ShotSpotter.

    The council took several procedural actions to put the item back on the agenda.

    “So, I wouldn’t necessarily say that I changed my mind,’’ Hondros has said. “I would say I was torn on the decision the night of the council meeting where it came up. It was the first council meeting for the newly-elected — what I call freshmen — council members. That item was on the consent agenda."

    The gunshot technology is being used in about 135 cities around the country, according to Ron Teachman, the director of public safety solutions for ShotSpotter Inc., whose corporate headquarters are in Fremont, California.

    The technology has been criticized by those who say it's no more beneficial than making a 911 call. Teachman said he ended 32 years of law enforcement work to join the company, and he says the technology "absolutely" makes a difference for law officers.

    "The council will decide whether it wants to reconfirm its past action and move forward or stop and direct me not to sign the contract or provide direction," City Manager Doug Hewett has said of the possible options for the council.

  • 12bAll American Week is fully back this year after several delays. This will be the first time since 2019 that the 82nd Airborne Division will hold an entire week of events.
    Last year, the week was shortened to a few special days because of a deployment to Afghanistan.

    All American Week 2022 was initially scheduled for May. Due to the deployment to Europe, it was delayed until September. But, Lt. Col. Brett Lea, the Public Affairs Officer of the 82nd Airborne Division, said that All American Week is back and they are excited to celebrate as a Division.

    “As a Division and as an Army, we want to be together, and we're stronger when we're together,” Lea said. “I think that All American Week has traditionally always been about current and former paratroopers and family members coming together and celebrating what it means to be All Americans. And this year, more than any, we're able to actually celebrate being able to be together again. We're coming off our historic mission in Europe, where we demonstrated our strength of our alliance with our European allies. And we're coming home and showing the strength of us all being together here at Fort Bragg again.”

    “It's a really exciting moment for the division. We're thrilled to be able to do it again.”

    The theme of this year's All American Week is "Stronger Together.”
    The week of celebration gives paratroopers, past and present, a chance to celebrate their service in America’s Guard of Honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
    Throughout the week, paratroopers will compete in a series of competitions to see who can claim the title of best of the best. This will include boxing, combatives, soccer, flag football, functional fitness and tug-of-war, as well as a culinary competition.

    Family members and the public are also invited from Sept. 26 through Sept. 28 to the U.S. Army Advanced Airborne School. Visitors get the opportunity to learn about airborne operations and exit the 34-foot tower, which simulates exiting a military aircraft during an airborne operation.

    “We're kicking it off with the division run like we do traditionally,” Lea said. “We're inviting back all the veterans to be part of that.”

    The 82nd Airborne Division Run will happen on Monday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 a.m. on Long Street. The run will feature the entire Division in an esprit de corps event for current and past paratroopers and their families. Many people bring signs and will cheer the Division from the sides of Long Street.
    Following the Division rRun will be a breakfast at the 2nd Brigade Combat Team’s Falcon Cafe. New paratroopers will pair with older paratroopers to be able to talk about how being in airborne units has changed over the decades.

    On Tuesday, Sept. 27, there will be four separate events. The first will be the All American Week 10-Miler at Simmons Airfield. This will kick off at 6:30 a.m. The second event will be a Prayer Breakfast at the Iron Mike Conference Center. The Division Chaplain will kick this off at 7 a.m.

    At 11 a.m., the 82nd Airborne Museum on post will host the 82nd Airborne Division Memorial Ceremony. This ceremony will honor paratroopers who made the ultimate sacrifice in combat or during training in the past year.

    The day will end at 7 p.m. during the Family Fun Run. This run is open to paratroopers and their families to run a 5K down Ardennes Street.

    On Thursday, Sept. 28, nine people will be inducted into the 2022 All American Hall of Fame Class. Those inductees include Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, Lt. Gen. Raymond Mason, Cpt. John B. Sauls, Cpt. Gerald A. Wolford, 1st Lt. Waverly Wray, Command Sgt. Maj. Wolf Amacker, Command Sgt. Maj. Bryant Lambert and Cpl. John S. Gilbertie.

    Inductees were selected based on their service within the 82nd Airborne Division. Nominees have been awarded the Medal of Honor or served a minimum of two years within the Division. The ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m. on Ardennes Street.

    All American Week will wrap up on Friday, Sept. 29 with the 82nd Airborne Division Review, the first since 2014. During the Review, the entire Division will be arrayed in formation on the field to conduct a “pass in review” in front of a crowd of thousands. They will also recognize the Jumpmaster of the Year and the All American Week competition winners.

    “In the past, we did the airborne review at Sicily Drop Zone. So this will be new bringing that back. There's a lot of tradition with putting the Division out on Pike Field and making a show of the Division and its unity and its strength. And I think that's a great way for us to have the first All American week we've done since 2019,” Lea said.

    The review will be at 10 a.m. on Pike Field.

    Visitor Passes

    Those with access to Fort Bragg can attend All American Week events. For most events, visitors without military identification will need a visitor’s pass that can be obtained at the All American Visitor’s Center located at 3550 All American Freeway.

    Visitors can go to the kiosk as long as they have a form of I.D., proof of insurance and registration for their car to get a pass for up to 30 days, Lea said.

    “And we highly suggest that people do that at least the week before All American Week because if you're trying to do it that the morning of an event, you're going to have a lot of trouble getting there on time. So we encourage people to stop by the gate ahead of time to get that pass.”
    Lea says that All American Week is a must see for those who have never attended the event before.

    “It's something else to see the thousands of paratroopers and former paratroopers and their families and kids, to see the Division in its entirety running up and down Long Street, to see the division marching on Pike Field. It's really an inspiring sight,” Lea said. “So if you haven't come, there's something for everybody to do. And if you have been here before, you need to come back because it's now an opportunity for us to get together in person and enjoy the camaraderie of what it is to be an All American.”

    For more information on the event, go to www.facebook.com/82ndAirborneDivision.

  • fayetteville nc logo An information session to talk with residents about the three bond packages that will be on the Nov. 8 ballot for Fayetteville residents drew a small crowd Friday, Sept. 23.

    The education and information sessions are part of the city’s marketing strategy to promote the general obligation bonds, The sessions are scheduled through Oct. 12. Friday’s session was at the Westover Recreation Center.

    Referendums on the three plans that are part of the Fayetteville Forward Bond proposal will be decided by voters in three separate ballot questions.

    The $97 million in proposed bond packages would spend $60 million on public safety projects, $25 million on infrastructure improvements and $12 million on housing opportunity programs.

    Only three residents attended Friday night’s information session, which city Budget and Evaluation Director Kelly Olivera said was comparable to previous sessions earlier in the week.

    Turnout for those, she noted, also “has been on the light side. I’m really wanting to get the word out from the meetings so that residents will be able to make an informed decision at the polls.”

    The purpose is to move the city forward with life needs and transformative efforts, Olivera said.

    To pay off the bonds, the property tax rate for Fayetteville residents would increase by 4 cents in 2024, Olivera said.

    "The 4 cents would never go up," she said. "The value of your house might change, but the 4 cents would never go up."

    The owner of a $100,000 home in the city would see an estimated annual increase of $40 in his property tax rate. A home valued at $200,000 would generate a property tax rate increase of $80 a year, Olivera told those who attended.

    Olivera said city representatives are not trying to encourage people to support or oppose the bonds, they are only trying to educate residents on what the bond money would mean to the city in terms of proposed projects.

    “This place should have been packed,” Jose Cardona, a 71-year-old who lives in the Devonwood subdivision, said of the sparsely attended event at Westover.

    "This place should be packed,” Olivera said, agreeing with Cardona.

    She urged those who attended to talk to other people from their neighborhoods and other areas of the city.

    The three who attended later said they do not support the proposed bonds.

    “This is just a dog and pony show,’’ Cardona said after leaving the meeting. “The mayor’s not here; the city council is not here.”

    And his reason behind a thumbs down on the bonds: “Because, again, this could be handled by the city and (Fayetteville) PWC,” he said. “They just have a little extra money to have projects.”

    Juanita Hayans, who is 71 and lives in the New Ponderosa subdivision, said the meeting proved beneficial to her. Sarah Miller, who is 72 and lives near Hayans in the New Ponderosa neighborhood, agreed that the city did a good job getting the information out at the meeting.

    “I had come with questions because of previous money and where it went,” Miller said, adding that there are lower-income areas like Murchison Road and Yadkin Road that never seem to receive city funding while places in north Fayetteville and along Ramsey Street always seem to get the financial assistance needed to improve their corridors.

    “I need more proof of where that money is going,” Miller said. “Before it’s passed, let people know what they’re going to do with it and get it approved by the public.”

    The bonds would support specific projects, including a new 911 call center, fire station renovations, more sidewalks, street improvements, new bike lanes and housing initiatives.

    The estimated savings over other financing options would be about $2.5 million, the city has said.

    The city has scheduled other sessions where voters can learn more about the three bond packages. Residents may attend any of the meetings. The remaining sessions are scheduled for:
    Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 5:45 p.m. at Smith Recreation Center;
    Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at Pine Forest Recreation Center;
    Sept. 30 at 5:45 p.m. at Tokay Senior Fitness Center;
    Oct. 4 at 5:45 p.m. at Stoney Point Recreation Center;
    Oct. 5 at 5:45 p.m. at Massey Hill Recreation Center;
    Oct. 6 at 5:45 p.m. at Fayetteville Senior Center;
    Oct. 12 at 5:45 p.m. at Lake Rim Recreation Center.

    Any additional sessions that are scheduled will be listed at FayettevilleNC.gov/BOND.

  • 11aThe region's longest-running multicultural event is back after a two-year hiatus to bring people together to celebrate cultural diversity. The Arts Council of Fayetteville & Cumberland County invites everyone to gather as one community for its 44th Annual International Folk Festival.

    The anticipated three-day event will take place from Friday, Sept. 23 to Sunday, Sept. 25 at Festival Park and historic downtown Fayetteville.
    The International Folk Festival will act as a grand stage to display the heritage of over 30 cultural groups as they share their art and cuisine.
    Historically, the event has drawn thousands of attendees due to its impressive offering of cultural festivities, unique performances and a wide selection of culinary discoveries.
    In a world where headlines often highlight divisive attitudes and agendas, the International Folk Festival creates an opportunity for unity and appreciation amongst those eager to celebrate the remarkable differences that exist between cultures and people.

    “Our festival has always brought the community together to interact with different cultures and celebrate what makes us unique,” said Bob Pinson, interim president and CEO of the Arts Council. “Our festival reminds us that we are stronger together and will accomplish more than we will ever do as individuals.”

    The festival kicks off on Friday, Sept. 23 as part of downtown Fayetteville's long-standing Fourth Friday tradition.
    Saturday, Sept. 24 will introduce the Parade of Nations, regarded as one of the more fascinating aspects of the International Folk Festival. From 9 a.m. until noon, representatives from over 30 nations will proudly don traditional clothing and wave their nation's flags to thousands of onlookers. Colorful displays and traditional dances offer guests a one-of-a-kind travel opportunity without even having to purchase a ticket.

    After the parade and on Sunday, Sept. 25, a literal world of possibilities awaits attendees as they travel from country to country, sampling a little of each through the art of their culture. Let's Tour the World Together will be from 12 to 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy the perks of a festival done right as they peruse a generous bounty of food and entertainment options available throughout the day.

    This year will feature around 30 food vendors, 20 of them international. Offering everything from Thai Tea to Deep Fried Oreos, the festival will deliver on its promise to have a little something for everyone. Haiti and Azerbaijan are new to the culinary stage this year and will be sharing their nation's cuisine at the International Folk Festival for the first time this year.

    As guests enjoy food from all over the world, they'll also be able to witness spectacular displays of culture through live entertainment and performance art. From the festival's many stages, attendees can take in the steel drums and exotic headdresses of the North Carolina Brazilian Arts Project, get carried away by the beat of Africa Unplugged and experience many other amazing performances from all around the globe.

    An extremely family-friendly event, the International Folk Festival's “World Of Wonder” will be a creative space to foster Cumberland County's young atists. Fun activities and crafts that facilitate cultural education make this an ideal event for homeschool families or parents looking for something fun to do with the kids over the weekend.

    Up & Coming Weekly spoke with local homeschool mom Cari Piatt about her thoughts on the festival and its value to the community.

    “As a homeschool parent, I'm excited to introduce my kids to new cultures and experiences,” Piatt shared. “It's incredibly beneficial to our curriculum and our family life. We live in a diverse community— it's important for my kids to learn cultures and ways of life that are different from our own.”

    Staying true to its commitment to enriching Cumberland County residents' lives, the festival will also include several opportunities for attendees to experience, create or observe art as it's created.
    The festival's Arts Market will feature over 30 arts and crafts vendors with booths of handmade creations and other wares for purchase throughout the festival. Art installations and life-size murals will also be displayed to create a truly immersive experience. As a thoughtful and interesting touch, chalk artists, bleach artists, and other live art performers will be on site to show guests art in real time.

    The International Folk Festival not only serves as a place for people to meet and engage with cultures from all over the world, but it also makes good on the Arts Council's promise to "support individual creativity, cultural preservation, economic development and lifelong learning through the ARTS.”
    Founded nearly 50 years ago, the Arts Council serves the citizens of Cumberland County by working with various cultural organizations to shine a light on artists and arts education in support of downtown Fayetteville's thriving arts and entertainment district.

    The Arts Council's subsidiary, We Are the Arts, works to create spaces that allow the community to interact with an impressive roster of artists in and around Fayetteville. In addition to events like the International Folk Festival, We Are the Arts houses exhibits for public viewing, commissions public art displays to bring character to the city and hosts events like the upcoming BlackLit Book Fair.
    It is important work and a vital service to the community.

    The soul of a community or that of a nation — what it's been through, what it values, and what it aspires to be is often in the art it produces. The desire to create music, dance and the symbolic representation of its story, is an urge shared by every society on earth. Thomas Kinkade, famed 20th century “Painter of Light,” once said: “Art transcends all cultural boundaries.”

    Events like the International Folk Festival suggest that he's absolutely right.
    For more information regarding the festival, visit www.wearethearts.com.

  • 9City Council member Courtney Banks-McLaughlin was elected to City Council in November of 2019.
    She is now serving on her second term and plans to prioritize quality of life, public safety and finding a solution to help with homelessness.

    Quality of life is a prime concern for the council member. Having updated recreation centers and parks where kids and families can visit, and places where teens and young adults can stay busy so they don’t get in trouble is a big focus.

    “I'm hoping to start out working on projects like the recreation centers. I want to expand our youth program. To me, when it comes to our city, we want to be able to try to keep kids from gangs and drugs because there's been an uptick in the city as far as youth [trying] drugs. So I want to try to put something together through our Parks and Recreation Centers,” Banks-McLaughlin said.

    Having a positive impact on the city’s youth could have a positive impact on economic development.
    Keeping people interested in the city would help the effort of keeping them here and working in the city rather than leaving in search of better opportunities elsewhere.
    Banks-McLaughlin also wants to start community watch meetings again in her district. They were previously suspended, but she believes these community meetings were a prime resource for citizens to learn about resources, talk about issues and inform their council member about what they want as a district.

    “To me that's important because it's for the citizens. That's giving them an opportunity to know what resources are out there. It's no escape for what's going on in our community,” Banks-McLaughlin said.

    “And for me, that's a great way to be able to stay connected and be able to provide information [to] our residents. And when they have concerns... that's where those suggestions come from, people connecting together and expressing their concerns.”

    Public safety is wrapped inside the issue of having a good quality of life. Banks-McLaughlin recognizes that the Fayetteville Police Department needs to hire more officers, and there should be better communication with residents about public safety in their own neighborhoods.

    Banks-McLaughlin previously co-chaired the homeless advisory committee and believes that there is still a lot to do regarding tackling homelessness.
    She is proud of the city’s efforts to create a day resource center and partner with Manna Church to have a men’s shelter, but she believes more collaboration with the county would uplift this issue.

    “So, the city, we're doing our part when it comes to homelessness, but it seems we need to work a little bit more with the county, [because]the county needs to... help contribute a little bit more so that we can alleviate some of that homelessness,” Banks-McLaughlin said.

    “I understand the county gets the funding but it comes at a point where if the county is not holding their bargain, [does] the city not do anything? I'm not saying that we're not doing anything because we are, but I've always looked at it like we feel we still have to play a major role in ensuring that because it’s in the city.”

    There are steps being taken right now to build a county-run homeless shelter, but Banks-McLaughlin says that during this process, there are people who do not have anywhere to go.
    She is hoping the GO Bonds pass in the November election. She thinks this will help get the funding needed to support quality of life, public safety and help with the housing shortage.

    When it comes to the North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center, Banks-McLaughlin was one of the council members who voted against it. She believes that the county and the city could collaborate on bigger issues like school staffing shortages.

    “We have some major issues that need to be prioritized before we decide to spend that much money on a history center. And then as far as with the resolution, as far as the city is supposed to [give] a certain portion to the county and the state, that’s expired,” Banks-McLaughlin said.

    In last week’s City Council meeting, Banks-McLaughlin voted to not delay the appointment of a city council representative to the Public Works Commission. However, she believes former council member Ted Mohn, a man she has run against in the past, is the right person for the position.

    “He's been active in the community; he understands PWC, he has a connection with the people in the community. I think he'll be a great fit for that position,” Banks-McLaughlin said.
    But whoever gets the appointment, Banks-McLaughlin believes it should be sooner rather than later due to the upcoming search for a new CEO for PWC.

    “I hope that we go ahead and can appoint somebody to that position because still, the longer we wait, things still need to be addressed,” Banks-McLaughlin said. “We need to put somebody in that position, although we have someone in there currently, but let's shift and put somebody in there that we believe would do [a good job for] the city and our utility service.”
    For District 8 residents, she aims to represent them the best way she can and ensure she gets residents involved and knowledgeable about what is happening in the community.

    “I will continue to stay engaged and connect. I will continue to represent, and I'm always going to do what's right in my heart, and I appreciate them for giving me the opportunity to fight for them again,” Banks-McLaughlin said.
    The next Fayetteville City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m.

  • 20 After a long, hot summer, the Gilbert Theater's 2022/2023 season is finally here. Opening this year's lineup with a bang, the theater's production of “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” will run from Sept. 16 through Oct. 2.

    The play, a classic western, is billed as a story of “good vs. evil, the law vs. the gun, and one man against Liberty Valance.”
    A long-time actor with the company and Gilbert Theater board member, Chris Walker, will slip into the director's chair. He is especially excited to bring this compelling and unique story to the Gilbert stage.

    “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” a tale of “love, hope, and revenge set against the vicious backdrop of a lawless society,” was originally a short story written by Dorothy M. Johnson in 1953; it was adapted for the stage in 2014 by Jethro Compton.

    The story received its widest recognition from the 1962 film starring John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart.
    The Gilbert's production will lean more heavily on Compton's adaptation than the movie's, keeping a focused eye on the story's female lead, Hallie Jackson, played by Claudia Warga-Dean.
    Keeping the play female-focused and female-driven was extremely important to the production. Walker feels Warga-Dean's treatment of Hallie Jackson is integral to the play.

    “[This has] turned into such a beautiful project because of Claudia,” he said. “It speaks to the way the character is written in the story. The humor comes from that character; she drives much of the play's emotion.”

    Jackson's predicament — a woman caught in a love triangle between a taciturn cowboy and a worldly lawyer — may seem old-hat in a media environment saturated by such affairs. Still, the play's larger themes go hand in hand with the Gilbert's penchant for powerful story-telling.

    The importance of education, the idea of power promoting ignorance, and the complexities of race are all touched upon in this play.
    Walker, a fan of westerns from a young age, also finds the genre a perfect playground for telling morality tales and blending fantasy with history.

    “I've been dying to work a western on stage,” Walker confessed. “This is a fairly recent adaptation, so it has a modern sensibility. Westerns have a sense of fantasy nowadays — even though it's historical. You get to play with modern ideas while dressing up, and the costumes... are really fun."

    A wild-card choice for the start of the season, “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” is but a taste of the bold productions to come this season.

    Patrons should ready themselves for a season of familiar classics and provocative new stories.
    The Gilbert Theater's commitment to the craft of theater is a major draw for directors like Walker.
    He especially credits the dedication and professionalism of the actors for such a positive experience as the play has developed from auditions to rehearsals and, soon, opening night.

    “I love the collaboration,” Walker said. “You're going to run into a lot of egos in theater, but the people here understand it's about the art.”

    Showtimes are 8 p.m. on Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. General admission tickets are $20. Discounts for students, senior citizens and the military are available.
    To purchase tickets, visit www.GilbertTheater.com or call 910-678-7186.

  • 8 The city is contributing $450,000 for a planned Black Voices Museum downtown.

    The Fayetteville City Council authorized the appropriation at its meeting Monday night, Sept. 12.
    Organizers say the museum would spotlight the rich history of African Americans in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

    The Learning Together Co., which is promoting the proposed museum, has asked for a total of $895,000 from the city and the county.
    In April, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted 5-1 to set aside $450,000 for the museum. That would cover half of the cost of the initial phase of the proposed project.

    “Half from the city and half from the county,” Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin said Tuesday. “We voted last night to give them $450,000. What that is for (is) the planning, the design. … They’ll be back once they come back from that.

    “It was a pretty thorough memorandum of understanding entered with them,” Colvin said of the museum planners. “I think we can use a similar model when talking about the N.C. history center.”
    The agreement is among the museum planners and the county Board of Commissioners, the city and the Community Development Foundation.

    The N.C. Civil War & Reconstruction History Center has been a controversial idea from the start. Critics say the center would not be the right move for Fayetteville because of the racial implications of its subject matter.
    Earlier this month, the City Council delayed voting on a request for $6.5 million for the history center.
    Colvin said he would support similar conditions on funding for both projects.

    The city is requiring the Black Voices group “to establish a committee acceptable by the City Council who will handle content selection and curating,” Colvin said in a message to the City Council.

    “I believe we must be equitable and consistent,” he wrote.

    Robert Van Geons, president and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corp., has frequently supported Black Voices organizers when they have pitched the idea to the City Council and county Board of Commissioners.

    "One of the biggest things we want to do is engage to collect and borrow the actual documents," Van Geons said of museum reference materials. "A big part of that is cataloging, connecting, engaging with local historians and bringing on board people that can do the research. That's the first step.

    "I think what we've got is an early stage of concept that continues to resonate with everybody we have spoken to," he said. "We need to tell this very important story."
    Dauv Evans, the project director, and William Cassell, the project coordinator, have been having discussions for the past few years about building a museum in Fayetteville to acknowledge the achievements of the area's Black community. As proposed, the museum would tell the story of how Black culture has shaped Fayetteville and Cumberland County, from the founders of Fayetteville State University to the present-day social justice movement.

    Sir David Adjaye was selected to design the museum. Adjaye is perhaps best known for designing the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington.
    On Monday night, Mac Healy made another pitch to the City Council on behalf of the Civil War History Center. Healy is chairman of the center's board of directors.

    Healy said he had received some calls from members of the council and wanted to try to answer some questions.
    He said one of the center's projects is to procure 100 historical stories from each county in the state.

    “The question was, were we going to be committed to diversity and inclusiveness in those stories?” Healy told the council. “We are committed to diversity, race, religion, men and women, everything in those stories. As we collect our stories, you have our word we will commit to being inclusive and diverse in the stories that we have in our record."

    Another question, he said, was about governing boards.

    “We have an advisory board right now,” he said. “And unlike a lot of museums and history centers in the state of North Carolina, we set this up so there would be a local advisory board for input. This board will advise the state and programming and exhibits. It's different from a lot of places. This is an advisory board set up. We welcome participation on that.”

    At 7 p.m. Oct. 10 and 10 a.m. Oct. 11, Highland Presbyterian Church, at 111 Highland Ave., will host a community forum on the history center as part of its organizers’ public outreach. The center's design team will display storyboards that will be the beginning of the content of the history center, according to Healy.

    “This will be left for a week for citizens, at their leisure, for a walk-through and (to) make suggestions, corrections and give any input they want on those,” Healy said. “We'll take those back and get with the historians.”
    Mayor Colvin said Tuesday he is unsure what the council’s next step would be on the Civil War & Reconstruction History Center.

  • 19 Keaton Eckhoff walks around on stage around a skeleton’s version of props that adorn it — some chairs, a phone on a bench and a variety of musical instruments are set up. From off stage, the production stage manager, Martha Beggerly makes the sound of a phone ringing. Eckhoff walks over to the chair and picks up the pale yellow rotary telephone. He pretends to talk to someone on the other end of the line.

    “That’s good. Let’s do it again but just look off stage as though you hope the phone hasn’t woken her up,” Suzanne Agins, the director of Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s production of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” says as she walks up onto the stage to show Eckhoff.

    “Ahh yes, that’s great. Awesome,” Eckhoff says, speaking as himself and restarts in his original position. He repeats it but this time, takes a long glance off stage as he picks the phone up. Agins nods in approval.
    Eckhoff is tall and slender with a head full of curls. He makes a convincing Buddy Holly. The singing and guitar playing he will do in the theatre’s upcoming version of "Buddy Holly," will be all him. Once, years ago, another actor suggested he play this part — he had the look. He had the talent. The last thing he will have to do is figure out whether he is dying his red curls.

    The actors move around the stage and Eckhoff moves into place for his next scene. Agins gives directions as she moves about the first few rows of the auditorium. After a few moments Eckhoff picks up his guitar and begins a serenade, in Buddy fashion.

    Eckhoff has been an actor for years, like his parents, and played Holly in the touring version of the play. He also spends time in other productions or takes jobs as an actor on cruise lines. He originally auditioned for this position off a zoom call from a cruise ship.

    “The connection was poor,” Eckhoff laughs. “… but we were able to make something happen.” Agins cracks a big smile at the retelling of the audition.

    On stage, the actors continue to shift to another scene, this time it’s a musical number. During this production, there will be 26 live songs, with actors singing live and playing all of their own instruments. Even in rehearsals the back of the stage is littered with musical instruments.

    “This show has incredibly specific demands of its performers,” Agins said. “There are also some songs that we’ll hear recordings of that function as a transition in-between.”

    All of those recordings, Agin says, will be recorded with Eckhoff as the voice of Buddy Holly. The play covers the last 18 months of Buddy Holly’s life which include ties in to Ritchie Valens, played by Paul Urriola, and the Big Bopper, played by Michael Jones.

    For Urriola, this is a returning trip to Cape Fear Regional Theatre and the Fayetteville area. He originally received the part of Ritchie Valens back in 2021 but had about a year to wait for “the world to ruffle out a few of its feathers.” Urriola shares more than just the ability to sing and play the guitar with his character, he too, does not speak Spanish.

    “For me growing up as a Latin man who doesn’t speak Spanish, he has been a role model to me, to still be a part of this community,” Urriola says.

    “Paul has done really well,” Agins says. “He learned this song just like Ritchie Valens did, phonically.”

    Balancing all of the variety of musicians and instruments and live performances within a performance has been a big technical challenge for Agins and the other members of the production. The show will feature guitars, bass, piano, drums, accordion and even a washboard. The crew will have to make sure to take care of all the sound requirements while trying to tell the story.

    Next on stage, more than 10 performers come and take their places behind musical instruments. In black Chuck Taylor’s, Jones, playing J.P. Richardson Jr., known by his moniker the Big Bopper, holds a microphone. He gives a few deep practices of “Hello Baby.” The tone hits on par with the 1950s singer and DJ. Off to the side, taking control of this scene is James Dobinson, the musical director.
    Dobinson gives some instructions, listens as the performances begin “Chantilly Lace.” He runs backstage to adjust the lead vocals. Even though Jones is deep and loud, the sound of the instruments are louder in this rehearsal.

    “The sheer volume of cable is pretty extraordinary,” Agins says with a chuckle.

    Dobinson heads back to the front and they begin again.

    “If you want to have really fantastic two hours of music and insane talent, then this is the show for you,” said Ashley Owens, marketing director for Cape Fear Regional Theatre.

    “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” will play from Sept. 15 to Oct. 9. Tickets range from $22 to $37 each. Cape Fear Regional Theatre will host a preview night, military appreciation night and teachers appreciation night with discounted ticket rates.

    For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.cfrt.org or call the Box Office at 910-323-4233.

  • virus Raynard Washington, the Mecklenburg County health director, takes umbrage when he hears people say the monkeypox vaccine clinic staged at the Charlotte Pride celebration last month fell short of expectations.

    In mid-August, Mecklenburg Public Health worked with the state Department of Health and Human Services to administer the Jynneos vaccine at the Pride events through a pilot program offered by the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    The pilot program had set aside 50,000 doses of the vaccine from the Strategic National Stockpile, vials that had been reserved to fight potential smallpox outbreaks. Monkeypox is related closely enough to smallpox that the vaccine can be used to prevent either disease, even though monkeypox is a much milder infection that rarely causes death.

    Mecklenburg County received enough vaccine to inoculate 2,000 people from monkeypox that weekend. The county health department had more supply than takers at the two-day event.

    Nonetheless, Washington chooses to put a different spin on the large-scale vaccine event than some in the national media.

    “I definitely would not call vaccinating 540 people not a success,” Washington said during a phone interview with NC Health News. “That pilot that we did with the CDC and the feds was literally organized the week of.”

    A little more than a week before, the Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization for Jynneos, changing how the vaccine could be administered. Before then, the vaccine was administered subcutaneously, in the layer of tissue between the skin and the muscle below, in two doses four weeks apart.

    The Mecklenburg County health department had not planned to do a large-scale event because supply was limited before the FDA decision on Aug. 9. That allowed administration of the vaccine intradermally, just under the skin, similar to how tuberculosis tests are given. Changing the administration method stretches the supply because only one-fifth of a five-milliliter vial is required per dose, meaning vaccine administrators could get five shots from a vial instead of one.

    With a couple thousand vials en route, Mecklenburg, which had the highest number of cases at the time, did a lot of scrambling days before the Pride events.

    “So in context, certainly we would consider it a success that we were able to mobilize so quickly, and to get so many people engaged,” Washington said. “We have been since the beginning of our response activities, sort of managing both a broader outreach campaign and a very targeted campaign, specifically at the Black and brown community to assure that access was available.

    “We noticed very early on that there was a divergent in our case demographics and our vaccine demographics, where we were seeing more individuals of color with cases and fewer, a lower proportion that were getting the vaccine.”

    The health department worked with party promoters, nightclubs and an inclusive church to get the word out and provide monkeypox vaccination opportunities during the Pride celebrations.

    In a trend that mirrors what has happened elsewhere across the South, the larger events have not drawn as many vaccine-takers as Jynneos vials allotted to the events. Some attribute it to people not wanting to interrupt the party. Others question whether people are vaccine weary because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some say, such public settings turn people off. Public health advocates have shifted the vaccine strategy to smaller, more targeted events.

    “We started working with the party promoters several weeks before Pride and actually and even participated in Black Pride — Charlotte has a separate Black Pride, which a lot of people don’t know about — and so we started working closely with them,” Washington said. ”Even in one weekend where at just a couple of parties, we were able to vaccinate 200 people, and you know the majority of them are Black, and so we had been working the ground prior to Pride, and Pride got a lot of national attention.

    “Our campaign efforts have been going on before and after that, vaccinating individuals,” he said.

    Engaging the community
    Monkeypox cases in North Carolina and across the country have largely been confined to men who have sex with men, or MSM.

    As of Sept. 15, 446 cases of monkeypox had been reported in North Carolina, according to DHHS. Ninety-eight percent of the cases were in men. Ten women have contracted the virus, according to the dashboard.

    So far, North Carolina has vaccinated at least 16,042 people to protect them against monkeypox. The shots are available to anyone older than 18 who has had close contact with someone infected with the virus within two weeks.

    The shots also are recommended for people who have had sexual contact within the past 90 days with gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men or transgender individuals. People who were diagnosed with syphilis in the past 90 days or people with HIV or taking medications to prevent HIV also are encouraged to get a vaccine.

    In North Carolina, where nearly 70 percent of the cases have been among the Black population, they represent only 27 percent of the people who have been vaccinated. Kody Kinsley, DHHS secretary, highlighted that a week and a half ago when he went to N.C. Central University, an HBCU in Durham, and got a vaccine to highlight partnerships that DHHS wants to continue to build with HBCUs.

    At a White House briefing on Sept. 7, Demetre Daskalakis, deputy coordinator of the White House Monkeypox Response team, said building partnerships at the ground level with county health departments and community organizers would be key to virus containment efforts.

    “It’s not about just the vaccine allocation,” Daskalakis told reporters, “It’s about that intense community engagement that happens on the ground because, ultimately, public health is a local event. And so, giving the tools that people need to be able to sort of reach health goals is what we’ve been doing. And the support of organizations that serve Black and brown people have been pivotal in really turning the tide in what I think you’re going to see, the new vaccine numbers emerging over the next few weeks.”

    Erika Samoff, who heads up HIV/ STD surveillance for the state’s Division of Public Health, said the plan is to recruit and deploy more community health workers to help attack the spread of monkeypox.

    “Which I think is a really smart way to spend public health funds, to employ people who are coming from the populations that are sometimes most affected by disease,” she said. “I think that’s something new that we haven’t had before.”

    Rebby Kern, director of education policy at Equality North Carolina, agrees that a successful campaign against monkeypox will require open lines of communication between state leaders and a collaboration of LGBT advocates. They have set up an educational site at poxvirusnc.org. They’ve had two virtual town halls since the first case was reported in North Carolina on June 23 and have plans for a listening session on Sept. 29.

    The response thus far
    David Wohl, an infectious disease specialist at UNC Health, spoke recently with NC Health News about the federal response to monkeypox compared to its response to COVID-19. Public health advocates complained in May, June and July that the demand for vaccine vials outpaced the supply.
    “We’ve all become armchair epidemiologists and procurement specialists,” Wohl said. “I do think that there were problems with the monkeypox response but they are at a different level of magnitude compared to what happened with COVID-19 during the previous administration.

    “These are two very different outbreaks. These are two very different fumbles, if you will. So while the current administration was slow off the block in things like procuring vaccine and getting therapeutics out there, to their credit, testing was never a problem as far as capacity.”

    There was no scramble to get reagents and stand up testing sites. Health care workers were not waiting for personal protective equipment.
    “There was a cogent message,” Wohl said. “You might not have always agreed with the message, but one part of government wasn’t saying one thing, another part saying another thing, and there wasn’t denial, saying, ‘Oh this is nothing. It’s going to go away.’ It’s a completely different response and we’ve all become very cynical and jaded.

    Nonetheless, some things frustrated Wohl.

    “But it is a tenth or a hundredth of the incredible mismanagement that we saw during COVID-19, for months on end, that continues to reverberate,” Wohl said. “Those miscues and misinformation from our own government continue to reverberate in the fact that people don’t want to do things like wear masks, not all the time, but some of the time, or take a vaccine.”

    Wohl treats people with monkeypox and has not gotten a vaccine himself.

    “I don’t think I need to be vaccinated against monkeypox because of my occupation because I’m careful,” Wohl said. “I don’t think that I’m going to catch it. I think the PPE we have, the protective gear, does protect us. So I’m not really feeling that I’m at risk sufficiently to take a vaccine.”

    It’s too soon to know whether the federal government and state will be broadening the scope of who needs a vaccine in the months and years ahead. Will pediatricians be giving vaccines once supply is readily available?

    “I think it depends,” Wohl responded. “You don’t want to do this unless there’s some indication that there’s a need. If we start seeing this in wrestlers and field hockey players and we’re seeing this in kids, then we might think about who else should we give this to. But at this point, while we do not have all the vaccine that we want, I think we should focus on those most at risk.

    ”Just here in North Carolina, in the last few days, the criteria for getting vaccinated has basically expanded to if you’re a man who has sex with men and I would hopefully put into that, also I would add if you’re a transgender woman who has sex with men, we should consider vaccinating you. I think sex workers of any type should get vaccinated,” Wohl added. “I think if we can start expanding to the people who really are at greatest risk, then if we start seeing any indications that we should be expanding this more broadly, then we should do it.”

    At this point, Washington and his Mecklenburg public health team and their community partners are focusing sharply on the parties, nightclubs and events where they know they might find people at risk of getting monkeypox but less likely to seek out a vaccine on their own.

    “Our general philosophy is we’ve got to meet people where they are here and do so in a way that honors and respects their identity and culture so we’ve been working to do that and make sure we bring vaccine into the community and let the community help us drive our response,” Washington said. “I think so far we’re making good progress. I look forward to putting this outbreak behind us.”

    This article first appeared on North Carolina Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

  • 15 Music makes the world go round. A certain song can play on the radio and it can take you back to a certain time or place in your life. Music can inspire you, uplift you or just simply put — make you feel good. There are some artists that have the magic touch on everything that they sing and one of those bands is Earth, Wind & Fire.

    The Crown Complex presents the mighty elements of the universe Earth, Wind & Fire Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Their “Miraculous Supernatural Tour” with Carlos Santana began in June 2022. Tour stops are from Arizona to New York with many cities in between.

    The band is known for its kalimba sound, compelling horn section and high-powered stage presence. They have established a reputation for their mesmerizing live shows that feature elaborate costumes, grandiose stage props and funkadelic musical energy.

    The iconic band was founded in 1969 in Chicago. The critically-acclaimed founder and leader of the band, Maurice White, transitioned in 2016 at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 74. Before his death, White saw his group reach international success.

    White named the group after the three elements on his Sagittarius astrological chart.
    The band members were jazz musicians who played across the musical genres: soul, funk, gospel, blues, jazz, rock and dance music.
    Maurice White was known for his baritone voice, Philip Bailey was known for his falsetto voice and the two of them created inspirational music that warmed the soul. Described as an innovative band, the group’s members have changed over the years to include Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, B. David Whitworth, Myron McKinley, John Paris, Philip Bailey Jr., Morris O’Connor and Serg Dimitrijevic, Gary Bias, Reggie Young and Bobby Burns Jr.

    Honoring their musical roots

    Maurice White was introduced to the kalimba in the late 60s and he immediately purchased one, learned how to play it and fell in love with it. The kalimba is an African thumb piano that consists of a unique sound and a simplicity to play. For White it was an expression of his African roots that Earth, Wind & Fire expressed through their percussion sounds and rhythms. White bought the trademark for the kalimba and launched Kalimba Productions which was later named Kalimba Records. He wrote the song “Kalimba Story” with his brother, Verdine White.

    Decades of music

    Earth, Wind & Fire have earned more than 50 gold and platinum albums and have sold more than 90 million albums worldwide earning them a place on the list of best-selling music artists. They are the seventh best-selling American band of all time.

    Their expansive repertoire of classic hits include “Reasons,” “September,” “After the Love Has Gone,” “Fall in Love with Me,” “Shining Star,” “Keep Your Head to the Sky,” “That’s the Way of the World,” “After the Love Has Gone,” “Fantasy” and many more.
    Two of their classic songs, “Shining Star” and “That’s The Way of The World” have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The inspiration behind “Shining Star” was from thoughts that Maurice had during a walk under the star-filled skies that surrounded the mountains around Caribou Ranch, Colorado, which was a popular recording site for artists in the 70s. The single was included in the "That’s The Way Of The World" movie.

    Their latest single, “You Want My Love” featuring Lucky Daye debuted in 2021 and was produced by the legendary Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.
    Through the decades their songs have been covered by Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, D’ Angelo, the Jerry Garcia Band, Tupac, MC Hammer
    and more.

    Worldwide accolades

    Having received 20 Grammy nominations, their musical awards entail seven Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards and the first Black performers to receive to receive the Madison Square Garden Gold Ticket Award for selling more than 100,000 tickets and the Columbia Records Crystal Globe Award for selling more than 5 million albums in foreign markets.

    They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
    Earth, Wind & Fire received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, the Entertainer of the Year Award, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Soul Train Legend Award, ASCAP’s Rhythm and Soul Heritage Award, the Congressional Horizon Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, and many more.

    Maurice White, Phillip Bailey, Verdine White, Al McKay and Larry Dunn were inducted in the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.
    Maurice White and Philip Bailey received honorary doctorates from the Berklee College of Music. The band received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995. The Los Angeles City Council declared Sept. 21 as Earth, Wind & Fire Day as the first lyric of the band’s iconic song, “September,” is “Do you remember the 21st day of September.” The single has been featured in TV shows, movies, commercials, sporting events, video games and a movie was named after the song. President Obama invited the band to perform at the White House for the first social event of the new administration.

    Touring

    The top-shelf musicians went on hiatus in 1984 and CBS Records convinced Maurice White and Philip Bailey to reunite the group. They returned with the successful album, "Touch the World" in 1987 and releases such as “Heritage,” “Millennium” and “In the Name of Love.”

    In 2000, Earth, Wind & Fire reunited for one night only in honor of their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The documentary, "Earth, Wind & Fire: Shining Stars" contains historic video footage and interviews with the band members.

    Today, the band still continues to tour and the lineups have changed throughout the group’s career, and the only original members are Bailey, White and Johnson.
    Tickets can be purchased at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/2D005CEEDD2266D3.

  • IMG 8558 Fayetteville staff presented a plan this week to implement a new ordinance that grants the city more authority in removing homeless encampments.

    At a meeting Aug. 8, the City Council passed the ordinance 8-2, with council member Courtney Banks-McLaughlin and former council member Yvonne Kinston voting against the measure.

    The ordinance, which is similar to others in major urban centers across North Carolina such as Charlotte and Raleigh, will allow the city to clear encampments on any city-owned property, including rights of way, which are public lands usually used for roadways and utilities.

    It’s something that the city has worked on for several months as the City Council directed staff to formulate policy in May, Carolina Public Press reported.

    “The core point of this is to protect the health and safety when we find concerns where encampments have crossed the threshold to where they are a public health or public safety concern,” Chris Cauley, Fayetteville’s economic and community development director, said in May.

    The ordinance does make an exception. If there are no beds available at local homeless shelters, officials will not clear the encampment unless the camp “poses a danger to the person who is there or the public,” said City Manager Doug Hewitt at the Fayetteville City Council meeting on Monday.

    How it will happen
    Brook Redding, the city’s special projects manager, laid out how the city will implement the ordinance over the next several weeks, detailing three phases of the plan.

    The plan started Monday and will end Dec. 5, when the ordinance will be in full effect.

    Starting on Monday, city staff began engaging with homeless people at identified encampments with the purpose of education about the new ordinance. No clearing or citation has begun yet.

    “We conduct street outreach. We go and engage those encampments periodically. We inform them that the ordinance has been adopted. We let them know what that looks like in terms of the rule and the law,” Redding said.

    Starting Oct. 10, the city will shift to the next phase. Staff will continue education, but police officers will start verbally warning people they are in violation of the law. City staff will also begin classifying encampments based on public health risk.

    “We’ll have conducted a risk assessment. We will have stacked that information together and begin to triage those encampments that are quantified as high risk,” Redding said.

    The final phase will begin Nov. 7 when officers will begin issuing citations. Education about the ordinance will continue as it did in the first two phases.

    Full enforcement will start Dec. 5.

    Area homelessness
    The PIT count, conducted on one day every year, measures the number of homeless people in a given community. In Fayetteville, that count decreased from 515 in 2016 to 297 in 2020. Due to precautions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of homeless individuals not in shelters was not counted in 2021. The preliminary count for 2022 increased to 475, though that is subject to change pending confirmation from HUD.

    Banks-McLaughlin, who voted against the ordinance, said at the Aug. 8 meeting that while she understood that “tents are eyesores,” she was concerned about where the homeless people would go once the camps are cleared.

    “We need to consider that these individuals don’t have anywhere to go. We have a shortage of shelters in the city,” she said. “Right now, it is premature to vote on something like this.”

    Cape Fear Valley Health and Cumberland County are in the early stages of bringing a new homeless shelter to the area, CityView Today reported in March. But that project is not yet complete.

    “How can we basically run them off the streets with nowhere to go?” Banks-McLaughlin said. “Where will these people go? Do we have an answer for that?”

    In response, Mayor Mitch Colvin pointed out that the ordinance largely only grants the authority for removal if there are no beds available in homeless shelters.

    “We are encouraging the circumventing of the system that we are talking about wanting to invest more in,” the mayor said. “We’re giving the option to sleep beside a dangerous highway.”

    Council member D.J. Haire stressed the need to remove encampments along exits of major highways such as those along Gillespie Street south of downtown.

    “We all have a passion for our homeless and how we can better serve them, but also at the same time, we want to help protect those that are in these dangerous areas,” he said.

    Council member Shakeyla Ingram encouraged the public to reach out to other elected officials, such as the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and representatives in the N.C. House and Senate, with concerns about providing aid for those that are homeless.

    “We are exhausting all that we possibly can to help out our homeless community,” Ingram said.

  • 14b Cumberland County Public Library is set to host its first Local Author Showcase since 2019 on Saturday, Sept. 17 from noon until 2 p.m.

    The event, held at Headquarter’s Library, allows local writers to showcase their work to the community. Held annually since 2008, the Local Author Showcase, sponsored by the Friends of the CCPL brings recognition to the accomplishments of local authors wanting to share their work.

    This year’s showcase will feature 23 authors representing fantasy/sci-fi, poetry, memoir, biography, Christian literature, self-help, conflict-management and YA literature. The criteria for submission into the showcase are simple: fill out an application, be local to the Sandhills region, and books must be published traditionally or independently (which includes self-publication). While not all books are accepted, in a push to support local writers, the library makes an extraordinary effort to approve as many applications as possible.

    “It can be difficult for self-published and first-time authors to compete with larger publishers, and the showcase gives them a platform to reach readers they may never have reached before. We want our readers to connect with the writers of their community while discovering their next good — or great — read,” Adult Services Librarian, Casey Ausborn told Up & Coming Weekly.

    The two-hour event is yet another way the Cumberland County Public Library strives to bring relevant and engaging events, opportunities and activities to the citizens it serves.

    “A common phrase in libraries is, ‘every reader their book; every book its reader,’” Ausborn shared. “We hope to connect readers with stories and writers that will impact them, whether through seeing themselves represented in a story or successful author or through the sharing of thoughts and ideas.”

    Another avenue for connection between local authors and their potential fan base is the circulation of their books. The Headquarters Branch also houses the library system’s Local Author Collection, which is entirely populated by North Carolina writers. The uncataloged collection of books is available year-round and works on an honor system for check-out.

    “Before the book is placed on the shelf, a review card is placed in it,” Ausborn explained. “Patrons... are encouraged to fill out the card and return it with the book. The library may elect to purchase a copy of a book for inclusion in the circulating collection if it receives positive reviews.”

    This practice is an excellent opportunity for patrons to directly contribute to the thoughts, ideas, and stories circulated within the library and out into the greater community.
    In addition to providing a platform for local authors, the event will also provide resources for aspiring authors. Two writing groups: Off the Page and Write On, Right Now, will be onsite during the event to offer resources for those just starting their writing journey.

    Ausborn and CCPL hope the event encourages everyone to come out and support their friends, neighbors and family members as they courageously push their creations out into the world. The event is meant to bridge the stories people tell and the stories people need to hear.

    “This event is open to everyone,” said Ausborn. “By supporting these events, the library opens the door for a two-way connection between our local authors and readers. It’s for anyone looking for their next good read or looking to start their writing career!”

    The Local Author Showcase is free and open to the public and will be held in the Pate Room of the Headquarters Library at 300 Maiden Lane. For more information about the Cumberland County Library and its events, visit www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/library-group/library.

  • open sign Fayetteville is receiving nearly $40.5 million in federal pandemic aid to help the city recover from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and $5 million of that will go to businesses that were burdened by the economic effects of the virus.

    The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act, known as ARPA, was passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in March 2021. The purpose of ARPA is to help municipalities, counties, states and tribal governments recover from the pandemic.

    According to guidance from the U.S. Treasury, ARPA recipients can use the aid to fund public health initiatives; recoup private and public economic loss from the pandemic; pay for workers in critical industries who are exposed to the virus; and invest in infrastructure related to water, sewer and broadband.

    All funds received from ARPA must be allocated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026.

    Fayetteville’s ARPA portion was split into two parts valued at about $20 million each. One part was received in May 2021 and the other a year later.

    While the most recent payment to the city has yet to be allocated, the $20 million portion from May 2021 will be spent on business, housing and infrastructure needs, each receiving $5 million. This allocation was made official by the City Council in April, Carolina Public Press reported.

    The remaining $5 million will be spent on administrative costs, according to city officials.

    Infrastructure will primarily be used for drainage improvement and City Hall renovations, and the housing portion will be used on a housing affordability trust fund.

    Here’s how local businesses can benefit from the remaining $5 million.

    How business portion will be spent
    Among the funds being spent on recovery for local businesses, $3 million has been set aside for Fayetteville’s ARPA-funded Small Business Relief Grant Program. Businesses with 200 employees or fewer are eligible to apply for the program.

    Another primary eligibility requirement, among others, is that the business is located within a qualified census tract. These tracts make up most of downtown and northwest Fayetteville.

    If not in one of those tracts, the business must commit to hiring or keeping employees of low to moderate income.

    Certain businesses are not eligible under the program. These include franchised stores, liquor stores, vape and hemp shops, national or regional chains, child care centers and financial institutions, among others.

    Businesses that have seen a net revenue growth of 10% or more are also not eligible due to federal regulations associated with ARPA.

    Any business that existed before the pandemic began and meets the revenue growth requirement is eligible under ARPA if it can show decreased net revenue, costs to the business from COVID mitigation efforts and challenges with affording payroll, rent or mortgage and other operating expenses.

    Any amount awarded, which has a maximum of $50,000 per business, can be spent on payroll, mortgages, rent, assistance with business planning or any costs associated with the pandemic.

    Among the business portion, there is also $500,000 for the Commercial Corridors Improvement Grant. This grant, which also has a maximum of $50,000 per business, can be spent on rehabilitation of commercial properties, exterior improvements, security and landscaping, among other items.

    Under this grant, businesses must also be in one of the qualifying census tracts. Unlike the other grant program, even businesses with a growth rate of 10% or more, as long as they are located in one of the census tracts, are also eligible.

    The remaining $1.5 million will be spent on business assistance loans and child care assistance.

  • 14a Kalos orsisate means “welcome” in Greek. And Fayetteville’s Greek community is pleased to kalos orsisate the region back to the Fayetteville Greek Festival, the weekend of Sept. 17 and 18 at the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, located at 614 Oakridge Avenue.

    The Fayetteville Greek festival isn’t just a virtual journey to the Acropolis of Athens; Mount Olympus, the Home of the Gods; Thermopylae, the ancient sulfuric spring where Sparta fought Persia to death; or some better-known landmarks. It’s about the “cultural traditions” of an entire country, said festival spokesperson Lia Hasapis, who is in Greece on a research trip.

    Greece is a peninsula situated at the southeastern tip of Europe, at the bottom of the Balkan Mountains, stretching in to the Mediterranean, Aegean and Ionian Seas via a countless number of islands. Connected to Turkey by a strip of land in the northeast, the country was a pivotal crossroad between Africa, Asia and Europe that has been inhabited by modern human-beings thousands of years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
    Centered by Athens, its most powerful city-state, between the years 323 B.C. and 31 B.C., Greece was the “cradle of western civilization,” the epicenter for the beginnings of democracy, historiography, philosophy, literature, architecture and astronomy, as the world remembers them.

    “The Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church is a small [Greek] community made up [of people] from all regions of Greece, from the mountains of Evrytania to the Sea of the Peloponnese... all the way to Macedonia, and not to mention all the beautiful Greek isles,” Hasapis said.

    The Fayetteville Greek Festival is free to the public. However, though the menu is authentic, food and drinks are not free. Greek spirits, domestic beers and soft drinks will be offered, and, please remember that dessert is the biggest portion of the festival’s menu.

    The legendary Greek culture, hospitality and food “is what... the Greek community... would love for you all to experience,” Hasapis added.
    Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church will give free grounds tours. The festivities will be in the “Hellenic Room” between the hours of 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, and from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18.

    This year’s Greek Festival will be the first in-person Greek festival since the beginning of the pandemic, and Fayetteville’s very own Greek community couldn’t be happier to showcase the best of what makes the southeastern European nation the cradle of western civilization.

    Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church is at 614 Oakridge Avenue, at the end of Oakridge, if you’re coming from the top Haymount Hill. Bear in mind that Oakridge Avenue begins at the Hay Street intersection, directly across Hay Street from the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Note that Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church is at the end of the Oakridge, on the right.

    To find out more about the 2022 Fayetteville Greek Festival, its menu and mission, surf the internet on over to www.FayGreekChurch.com or Facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-organization/FayGreekFest.

  • vote by mail The midterm elections are coming, and there are a few ways to vote in North Carolina from early voting to casting your ballot on Election Day.

    But if those don’t work for you, voting by mail is an option.

    Any registered voter in North Carolina, for any reason, can request an absentee ballot to complete and mail to that voter’s local board of elections by Election Day. Here are the details for the mail-in voting process in North Carolina.

    How do I request an absentee ballot?

    Before you can request a mail-in ballot, you have to register to vote. A detailed, step-by-step walk-through for voting registration from Carolina Public Press can be found here.

    The deadline for registration in North Carolina is Oct. 14. If you’re not registered by then, your only option is same-day registration during the early voting period from Oct. 20 to Nov. 5. Once you’re registered, you can request an absentee ballot either online or on paper, available in English and Spanish.

    When requesting an absentee ballot, you must provide your date of birth and either your driver’s license number, your official N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles identification card number or the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity.

    The request must be signed by the voter, the voter’s near relative or a legal guardian. Paper requests can be mailed or submitted in person at your county’s board of elections. Requests must be made by Nov. 1, a week before Election Day on Nov. 8. If you make a mistake on your absentee ballot, you can contact your local board of elections to request a new one.

    You can track your mail-in ballot online through BallotTrax.

    How do I fill out my mail-in ballot?

    Once you fill out your vote on the mail-in ballot, you must either have two people or one notary public witness you marking your ballot. The witnesses do not need to see how you vote.

    Once filled out, seal your ballot, and nothing else, inside the return envelope provided.

    Then sign your name on the back of the envelope. Your witnesses will then sign and print their name, along with their addresses.

    Anyone 18 years or older can be a witness unless that person is a candidate. Exceptions include if the candidate is a near relative or guardian or if the voter is a patient with a disability at a hospital, nursing home or some other medical facility requesting help from the candidate due to the disability.

    If you received assistance due to a disability, the assistant must also sign and print their name along with their address.

    If you need assistance, here’s who can help

    If you need assistance with your ballot, typically only a near relative or a verified legal guardian can assist you.

    If a voter is unable to read or write, and a relative or guardian can’t assist, another person can help the voter with the ballot. That assistant, however, must fill out the assistance section on the absentee ballot request form. If you have a disability, however, anyone that you choose can assist you in filling out the request form.

    Patients in a hospital, nursing home or some other medical facility can request a multipartisan assistance team, or MAT, from the county’s board of elections to assist them in the mail-in voting process. If the patient does not have a disability, it is illegal “for any owner, manager, director or employee of the facility other than the voter’s near relative, verifiable legal guardian or member of a MAT to request an absentee ballot on behalf of a voter,” according to N.C. State Board of Elections.

    If a relative or guardian isn’t available or a MAT is unable to assist within a week of a request, anyone not affiliated with the facility or a political party can assist the patient through the voting process.

    When should I mail by absentee ballot?

    An absentee ballot must be postmarked by Election Day, which is on Nov. 8 this year, and received no later than 5 p.m. Nov. 14. The N.C. State Board of Elections recommends that voters mail their ballots well before Election Day. You can also return your absentee ballot in person to your county’s board of elections office or to an early voting site during the early voting period.

    You can also take it to your board of elections office on Election Day, but you must do so by 5 p.m. You cannot submit your absentee ballot at a voting site on Election Day. Only you, a near relative or a legal guardian can mail or submit your ballot in person.

    If you have a disability, however, anyone of your choosing can deliver the absentee ballot as long as they sign the voter assistant certification on the back of the sealed envelope.

    How do I know my ballot will count?

    Every ballot that is properly filled out, returned and postmarked by Election Day on Nov. 8 will be counted. If an absentee ballot is rejected for some reason, your local board of elections will contact you.

    Your ballot can also be tracked online at BallotTrax.

    In all North Carolina counties, results from all ballots, those cast by mail and in person, are tabulated and reported on Election Day.

    Is mail-in voting secure?

    Following the 2020 general election, during which there was a spike in mail-in voting due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation spread about mail-in voting, particularly from former President Donald Trump, who lost the 2020 election to current President Joe Biden.

    But there are many safeguards in place to ensure the security of mail-in voting in North Carolina, according to NCSBE.

    Voters must be registered to request a mail-in ballot. They must provide their driver’s license number and the last four digits of their Social Security number when requesting.

    Ballots must be marked in the presence of two witnesses or one notary public. The voter or a relative or legal guardian are the only ones who can submit the mail-in ballot. The only exception is if the voter has a disability.

    Once a ballot is accepted, the voter is marked in the system and will not be able to vote in person if an attempt to do so is made.

    NCSBE also has an investigations division that investigates “credible allegations of elections fraud and refers cases to prosecutors when warranted by the evidence,” according to NCSBE.

    NCSBE also audits election results after Election Day several times to ensure there are no inconsistencies.

  • 27The first-ever Carolina Core Real Estate Summit will be held Sept. 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Wicker Civic & Conference Center in Sanford. The summit is hosted by 12 local REALTOR® associations from across the NC Core.

    The Carolina Core brand was announced in 2018 by the Piedmont Triad Partnership. What many considered to be an audacious goal was set then for job creation — 50,000 office/industrial jobs to be created in the Carolina Core by 2038. That goal is well on its way to being surpassed. In only four years, more than 35,500 office/industrial jobs have already been announced.

    “This meeting is open to everyone interested in learning more about the Carolina Core,” said Zan Monroe, CEO of Longleaf Pine REALTORS®, Inc. “We invite commercial and residential realtors, business leaders, economic developers, government officials, builders, investors and the media to join us.”

    The Carolina Core region is a 120-mile stretch of central North Carolina along U.S Highway 421 stretching from Interstate 77 to Interstate 95.
    The keynote speaker at the summit will be Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. He will speak on “The importance of regionalism, what it takes for the Carolina Core, or any region, to work well in economic development.”

    The summit aims to inform leaders in real estate, in other business sectors and in government positions about the recent economic development successes and to understand what is needed to prepare for the region’s short-term and long-term future.

    “Economic growth creates jobs, housing needs, and development potential, and it helps everyone in the area prosper,” said Mike Barr, CEO of the Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Association and the Greensboro REALTORS® Commercial Alliance.

    Robert Van Geons, the President of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation, is scheduled to speak about the use of a grant that helps retiring soldiers from Fort Bragg enter the regional workforce.

    Other presenters at the summit will address the importance of regional approaches to economic development. Those speakers include the chairman of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, the former mayor of Sanford, the former mayor of Greensboro and the president of the North Carolina Association of REALTORS®.

    Mike Fox, president and CEO of the Piedmont Triad Partnership, said, “The Carolina Core has proven itself to be North Carolina’s third economic engine along with our adjacent neighbors in the Research Triangle and metro Charlotte regions. A big reason for the Carolina Core’s recent impressive economic development announcements has been an unprecedented amount of cooperation across county and city lines.”

    The Carolina Core is a thriving region in central North Carolina. The region’s counties include Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Cumberland, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Harnett, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin. The largest cities in the Carolina Core are Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, High Point, Burlington, Thomasville, Asheboro, Sanford, Kernersville, Clemmons, Lexington, Mebane and Pinehurst.

    Wicker Civic & Conference Center is located at 1801 Nash Street in Sanford. To register for the event, go to: https://nccarolinacoresummit.com.

    The Carolina Core Real Estate Summit is hosted by 12 real estate associations: North Carolina Association of REALTORS®; Longleaf Pine REALTORS®, Inc.; Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Association; High Point Regional Association of REALTORS®; Mid-Carolina Regional Association of REALTORS®; Orange-Chatham Association of REALTORS®; Winston-Salem Regional Association of REALTORS®; Johnston County Association of REALTORS®; Durham Regional Association of REALTORS®; Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS®; Triangle Commercial Association of REALTORS®; and the North Carolina chapter of CCIM.

  • redistricting 1 Driving south down Owen Drive in Fayetteville is a roadway experience much like any other in the city.

    There are businesses and restaurants on either side of the road. There are homes tucked in neighborhoods off side streets.
    Nothing apparently significant divides this community along Owen except a few lanes of traffic.
    But come election time this upcoming November, this roadway will serve as a border between elected federal representatives and the people who vote for them.

    The intersection of Owen and Village drives next to the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center splits North Carolina’s 9th and 7th U.S. Congressional Districts.
    Everything immediately west of Owen and north of Village at the intersection is in the 9th, while the 7th is to the east and south, cutting Fayetteville and Cumberland County roughly in half. The split is significant in multiple ways, including that it divides up communities that support Fort Bragg, the most-populated military post in the United States.

    This political barrier wasn’t chosen locally. It was decided dozens of miles north in Raleigh after a monthslong battle between the state legislature and the courts.

    “People choose to draw a line through our community,” Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin said. “It increases confusion. It dilutes representation.”

    Congressional district maps are typically redrawn once a decade, as redistricting occurs to account for new census data that is collected every 10 years.
    In North Carolina, however, districts were redrawn three times from 2010-19, due to court cases that considered previous drawings to be cases of gerrymandering, a political practice committed by both Democrats and Republicans, that forms maps in a way that favors one political party over another. It has a long history in North Carolina, including in 1881 with the formation of Vance County to the northwest.

    Two of the maps in the 2010s split Fayetteville. Those drawings, including the map for the 2022 election, split the city along Hay Street, a major downtown business corridor.

    Statewide, the new maps are projected to be more evenly divided between the two parties with seven polled toward Republicans, six to Democrats and one toss-up.

    But locally in Cumberland County, it’s a different story.
    According to the latest voter registration data from Cumberland County, registered Democrats in the county outnumber Republicans by nearly 39,000.
    Despite this, both the 7th and 9th districts are projected to go red, according to polling data analyzed by FiveThirtyEight.

    “The dilution of our voice and our voting power,” Councilman Mario Benavente said. “There really isn’t any other word for it other than gerrymandering.”

    redistricting 2 Communities of interest

    Jim Morris, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10630 in Hope Mills, went to vote in North Carolina’s primary election in May.
    Much to his surprise and disappointment, he didn’t recognize the candidates on his ballot.

    “None of the people that I thought I was going to vote for was on the ballot,” Morris said. “I wondered if I had gotten the correct ballot.”

    Morris was accustomed to voting in the 8th Congressional District, as he did in 2020 when Cumberland County was in one district.
    Now, Morris lives along the district border just inside the 7th Congressional District. Candidates that he was expecting in the 8th are now running in the 9th on the western side of Cumberland County.

    “They split the area in half. I don’t understand why they had to do it that way,” he said. “A town should be in one district. A town shouldn’t have to (say), ‘Hey, I live on this side of the street. I’m on this side.’”

    The confusion for Morris was the political process that played out in the months preceding the primary.
    Due to new population data from the 2020 U.S. census, the Republican-controlled state legislature redrew the congressional maps in late 2021.

    Those maps heavily favored Republicans, so anti-gerrymandering groups filed a lawsuit. After appeals, the N.C. Supreme Court ruled 4-3 in February that the districts were too partisan and ordered a redraw.
    After the state legislature submitted another map, the Wake County Superior Court wasn’t satisfied and implemented its own interim map in March, about just two months before the state’s primary.

    All parties to the case appealed, but the state Supreme Court did not grant a hearing.
    Republican N.C. House Rep. John Szoka, who represents the area surrounding Hope Mills in southern Cumberland, has long advocated for the Sandhills region of southeastern North Carolina to have its own district revolving around the military installation of Fort Bragg and the surrounding area.

    He was one of only two Republicans in the N.C. General Assembly to vote against the legislature’s second drawing of the maps. He was against the map cutting off portions of Fort Bragg in northwestern Cumberland.

    He’s not a fan of splitting Fayetteville either.

    “The community of interest around Fort Bragg … active duty who work there, civilian employees who work there, retirees who have a tie to it, and all the businesses that have business relationships,” Szoka said.

    Aside from Charlotte and the Research Triangle surrounding Raleigh and Durham, he said he considers Fort Bragg to be the largest community of interest in the state.

    “It should all be together,” Szoka said.

    Asher Hildebrand, a researcher at Duke University who studies various aspects of U.S. democracy, said that – strictly from the perspective of partisan proportionality – the statewide congressional map for the upcoming election is probably the fairest in the history of the state.

    This fairness sometimes requires splitting cities, he said.

    “There are times when splitting a community might serve other interests that many voters agree with, for example, the interest in having an overall map that fairly reflects the partisan breakdown of the electorate,” Hildebrand said.

    Some largely populated urban areas, like the Triangle and Charlotte, require a split due to the large number of people in the community. Congressional districts are required to have about 750,000 people in them.

    But for Fayetteville, with a population of about 210,000, congressional division isn’t required.
    Hildebrand said that the city’s political and municipal boundaries could have aligned while maintaining a similar level of partisan fairness statewide.

    “There’s a long-standing, small-d democratic principle that, insofar as possible, municipal boundaries, existing political boundaries should be respected,” he said. “The idea is that people who live in a community like Fayetteville and have issues or interests that are aligned on a range of issues should have the opportunity to vote together in that in a legislative district.”

    Fayetteville’s mayor said splitting the community makes it more difficult to achieve common policy goals on the federal level.

    “As it relates to the city, it is easier for me to advocate and to express our needs to federal representatives if there’s one,” Colvin said.

    Benavente said the division makes it more difficult for voters to voice concerns to representatives.

    “Legislators can therefore be less responsive to (their) community, which sort of puts the onus back on the voter to say, ‘I’ve got to be that much more engaged. I got to be that much more organized. I’ve got to be that much louder with my voice because the rules have been made to make it difficult for me to be heard,’” Benavente said.

    Future of NC congressional maps

    Over the summer, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to hear a case, scheduled for next summer’s court session, that could allow for state legislatures to have more power in the redistricting process.

    The case ties directly to North Carolina as the state’s two top Republican lawmakers, Tim Moore and Phil Berger, petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case following the legal battles with the state Supreme Court.

    In the case, Moore and Berger are pushing a legal theory known as independent state legislature doctrine.
    The legal theory is a narrow interpretation of constitutional law that gives the state legislature the sole power to write federal election law, with no involvement from other branches such as the state’s courts.

    “It will only inflame partisan gerrymandering,” said Michael Bitzer, a professor of politics and history at Catawba College.

    “If one party gains power and wants to hold that power for a decade, if not longer, they can use the redrawing of districts to solidify and cement that control. … You’re going to get the kind of environment we see before us, if not worsened.”

    Photos by Ben Sessoms, Carolina Public Press

  • 25United States Air Force retired Col. Quincy Collins will be speaking at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Sept. 15, as part of the museum’s Distinguished Speaker Series. Collins, a 91 year old veteran, served during the Vietnam War. He was held as a prisoner of war for seven and a half years.

    ASOM began the Distinguished Speaker Series in January of 2020. U.S. Army Veteran Kurt Muse spoke of his time as a captured soldier in Panama in 1989. The talk was a huge success.

    “We filled the auditorium with people from the community who had not been here for a program in years,” said Renee Lane, executive director, Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation. “Everybody thought it was so great we had an evening program you could come to after dinner. People were just amazed that the museum was open at night.”

    With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum decided to continue the fledgling Distinguished Speaker Series, pushing programs out online via zoom. James Patterson and Matt Everson spoke during one such zoom session about their book, “The Walk.” During another installment of the series, a member of the National Archives spoke about museum work and some of the behind-the-scenes things they experienced working for the National Archives.

    Collins will be the first in-person speaker since the beginning of the pandemic.

    “With the pandemic lifting a bit we feel we can bring [the series] back to full speed in person,” Lane said. “Col. Collins will be here on the eve of national POW MIA Recognition Day.”

    The timing of his talk is significant. Collins spent seven and a half years as a prisoner of war by the North Vietnamese. Collins had been flying with his squadron out of Thailand in September of 1965 when he was forced to eject from his plane. He was captured when he hit the ground. During his imprisonment, he and his cell mate, the late senator John McCain, worked to keep each other’s spirits up. In an interview with Spectrum News in 2021, Collins mentioned forming a choir and singing “Oh Holy Night” as a way to help bolster hope within the prison camp.

    Collins was released in 1973 as part of Operation Homecoming and retired from service in 1974. He was awarded two Silver Stars and two Purple Hearts.

    “He has unbelievable stories and the heroic actions he had taken as an Air Force pilot during Vietnam... If you come and hear him, you won’t believe he’s alive to tell these stories,” said Lane.

    Lane said the museum has plans to continue the Distinguished Speaker Series and is looking forward to the next few months.
    In October, the talk will center around a current exhibit at ASOM regarding the Holocaust and the courageous actions of the Bielski Brothers. Lane is working in conjunction with the Florida Holocaust Museum regarding the speaker of the event.

    “The more we do this, the more routine it will be for the public to think “oh hey what’s going on down at the ASOM?” This is no small undertaking for us, but we feel it’s important for the public,” Lane said.

    “We have plenty of free parking, we have a beautiful building and a nice auditorium. We have to use it as much as possible to bring the community in, let them know what we are doing.”

    The Distinguished Speaker Series featuring Collins will be held Sept. 15, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the ASOM’s Yarborough Bank Theater.
    Collins will also be signing copies of his memoir, "Into the Blue," during the event. Tickets are $10 for active military, $15 for civilians.

    Books are also available for pre-purchase with the price of admission for $40 for existing Museum Friends and $50 for those who do not yet have a Museum Friend membership.
    Tickets can be purchased at https://shop.asomf.org/quincy-collins/.

     

  • 6 The Fayetteville Police Department has identified the man who was shot and killed Tuesday night, Sept. 13 outside a Fayetteville apartment.

    Nicholas Antonio Bobo, 22, had multiple gunshot wounds when officers found him outside his apartment, the Police Department said in a release. He died at the scene, police said.

    Officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Enclave Drive at 11 p.m. in reference to shots fired, the release said. Enclave Drive is not far from Pamalee Drive.

    Police said that after the shooting, the man’s vehicle was taken.

    “This does not appear to be a random act,’’ the release said.

    The Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating.

    Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective S. Shirey at 910-751-3009 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

  • 24Recollecting when she lived in Daytona, Florida, Demetria Murphy recalled seeing a house made out of glass from top to bottom.
    The notion of the house made her realize that all individuals live in glass houses, she said; though actions can be observed, the full truth behind those actions can not be heard.

    Some things which remain unheard could possibly push young people to join gangs, Murphy said.
    Murphy seeks to curb the often unheard issues that can cause violence with an event of which she is an organizer, Heal the Ville. The event is designed to educate and connect community members with resources to reduce violent crime in Fayetteville while also bringing awareness to gun violence.

    Heal the Ville originally took place last year, a gathering that Murphy said brought out over 200 people.

    This year's event will serve the community with resources for housing, employment, treatment for substance abuse, religion and mental health, Murphy said.
    A key takeaway Murphy said she wants to see is employment, as a steady income can help prevent crime. Additionally, Murphy said she wants the event to empower the youth in the community to feel important and willing to walk away from harmful influences.

    “I want children walking away from there feeling very strong and that their voices are important and that they have the solution to help fix some of what’s going on,” Murphy said.

    Vendors will also be present at the event. A simulated crime scene will serve as an additional feature of the event, demonstrating the horrific effects violence can have for those in attendance to see.
    Murphy said she hopes the event helps motivate people to get involved in efforts to stop violence before they become affected by it.

    Michelle Ford, one of the workers and supporters for Heal the Ville, said she hopes the event inspires positive action in addition to discussion.

    “I’m hoping instead of just talking about the problem that we can start focusing on trying to change things here in Fayetteville,” Ford said.

    This year, Murphy said she wants the event to educate the community on the impact violence has on children. Though deaths caused by violence affect community members, the trauma doesn’t fade for the families affected.

    “When the dust really clears, we go back to our normal,” Murphy said. “We go back to work, we go back to doing whatever it was that we were doing, but that family still has that hole, that loss. So making people aware that that pain does not stop for that family.”

    Ford said she believes the event could cause tangible change in the community by reducing the number of deaths caused by violent crime.

    “If we can at least begin the dialogue and then begin to understand why we do what we do or why we shouldn’t do what we have been doing all these years, and then start working toward changing everything around. I think if we can key on those issues during this event [then] this time next year we won’t be seeing the same high numbers that we do now,” Ford said.

    Heal the Ville will take place on Sept. 10 at Festival Park in Fayetteville starting at 12 p.m.

  • fayetteville nc logo The Fayetteville City Council on Monday, Sept. 12, voted 6-4 to delay its appointment to the Public Works Commission.
    The action took place during the council’s regular monthly meeting at City Hall.

    Voting for the delay were council members Deno Hondros, Kathy Jensen, Johnny Dawkins, Mario Benavente, Shakeyla Ingram and Courtney Banks McLaughlin. Those opposed to the delay were Mayor Mitch Colvin and council members Derrick Thompson, D.J. Haire and Brenda McNair.

    The council set no date to consider the appointment again.

    Banks-McLaughlin said she wanted to nominate former City Councilman Ted Mohn to be the council’s representative on the board of the city’s public utility. Councilman Dawkins, a member of the appointments committee, said Mohn would be considered among other potential appointees.
    Last week, Councilwoman Ingram asked for a delay on the appointment in a message directed to members of the appointments committee, Mayor Colvin and other City Council members.

    “My interest and request come as I am now a member of the appointment committee with the potential to participate in the selection on a nominee and concern of ensuring a seasoned commissioner is well-equipped to be a part of the selection of the new president and CEO for our utility,” Ingram wrote.

    In a past appointment cycle, Ingram wrote, the appointments committee and full council supported a delay of a commissioner’s term being extended to support the search for a new CEO. That CEO, Elana Ball, recently resigned and returned to Texas.
    The committee and council also supported having the full council review candidates for the PWC appointment, she wrote.

    The appointments committee has voted to recommend former City Councilman Chris Davis for the position. If Davis’ appointment is approved, he would have a vote on choosing a new CEO.
    The council accepted several other recommendations by the appointments committee for various vacant positions. Those were all accepted by a vote of the full council.
    Haire pulled aside the PWC appointment.

    “I think the spirit of the boards or commissions is to make sure we have as much community involvement as possible from folks that are not typically the usual suspects that get involved with community leadership,” Benavente said during the discussion. “I think it’s important that we reconsider moving forward our policy on appointing former elected officials to the board or commission to maximize the number of community members to be able to gain some experience and to gain leadership opportunities. I think every time that we keep going back to those same wells, we limit those opportunities, which is not in the spirit, I think, of these boards or commissions.”

  • Friends of live music, chilling out and having a good time, Rock’n On The River is proud to present KISS ARMY and Reflections II on Sept. 16. The concert will take place at the Deep Creek Grill, located at the Campbellton Landing of the Cape Fear River, about two miles east of downtown Fayetteville.

    “The first band, Reflections II, will begin at 6, and KISS ARMY will be approximately 8:30 to just after 10 p.m.,” said Greg Adair, organizer of the Rock’n On The River concert series.

    23aKISS ARMY

    Self-described as the “coolest band in the world,” KISS ARMY is from Kentucky, but performs once or twice a week in hometowns all over the country. Wearing the iconic KISS masks and garb, KISS ARMY provides an uncanny look at KISS’s 1970s line-up.

    "When we go out there, we try to make people think it's KISS. That's the whole point to being a tribute band,” said Jim Seda, who has performed as the “Demon” for over 30 years.

    For the uninitiated, according to KISS lore, each member has a persona. And each persona is important to what makes KISS special.
    KISS’s 1970s era is considered vital because in 1980 the original four-piece phenom splintered, sending lead singer Paul Stanley (“Starchild”) and bassist Gene Simmons (“Demon”) to reform themselves, replacing drummer Peter Criss (“Catman”) with Eric Carr (“Fox”) in 1980, while officially replacing Ace Frehley (“Spaceman”) with Vinnie Vincent (“Egyptian Warrior”) in 1982.

    “That's the difference between being a tribute band and a cover band. . . . With a cover band, you can add your own flair to it. People say, 'Man, you're giving me flashbacks.' [A tribute band] gives them that feeling of how it was the first time they saw Kiss [in the 1970s]," Seda said in an interview with the Chicago Tribune.

    In 1983, KISS decided to “unmask” themselves, ending what was considered the “real” KISS in favor of a more contemporary 1980s look, sound and vibe. However, beginning in the late 1990s, KISS reformed for a series of worldwide goodbye tours as the original band.

    When KISS reunited for the first farewell concert, with the four original members, the demand for KISS skyrocketed, and his band was called upon to perform shows when KISS could not, Seda explained.

    However, “when KISS is off and not doing anything, people [still] want to see them, so it works both ways.”

    23bReflections II

    Opening the night will be Reflections II, which is a North Carolina-based variety band led by keyboardist / multi-instrumentalist Mike Donald, who is the owner of JML Pianos.

    “We are a true variety band. We are a three-piece band, and we play live. We don’t do any pre-recorded stuff or anything like that, [which] a lot of small bands do,” Donald said.

    JML Pianos has been in business since 1980. However, back then it was called “Costal Music” and located at the beach in Moorehead City. In 1986, JML opened in Fayetteville, where they have been selling musical equipment ever since. JML stands for “Jim, Mike and Linda,” named after father Jim, mother Linda and son Mike.

    Mike Donald has run the family business since 2013. In fact, the first iteration of Reflections II was started by Jim and Mike back in 1980, as well.

    “[Playing music is] kind of like a paid hobby to us,” said Donald. “Me and my members all have full time jobs and careers.”

    23Rockin' On The River

    Rockin’ On The River opens at 5 p.m. Parking is $10 no matter the size of the vehicle or the number of people inside.

    The stage will be set up right behind Deep River Grill, literally rockin’ next to the Cape Fear River.
    Beer is sponsored by Healy Wholesale, and food will be provided by Deep Creek Grill. Food and beer sales will begin at 5 p.m.

    No outside coolers or containers will be allowed. And no animals are allowed other than documented service animals, Adair said.
    Deep Creek Grill is located at 1122 Person Street, on the eastern side of Fayetteville, just over the Person Street Bridge. There is a juncture of highways 24 and 53, and Clinton Road at the first intersection coming from the other direction. Note that at this intersection, Person Street changes to Clinton Road, where it heads deep in to eastern N.C.
    Vice versa, Hay Street becomes Person Street right around the Market House circle.

    For more information about Rock’n On The River, check out Facebook.com/pages/category/Live-Music-Venue/Rockn-On-The-River.
    To learn more about JML Pianos, please visit JMLPiano.com. JML Pianos is currently open by appointment only. To contact JML Piano by phone, use 910-977-0809.

  •     The military has, for good or bad, changed the face of Cumberland County. From blending driving styles to music, the diverse group of people who call Cumberland County home makes our community unique. In celebration of that diversity the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is sponsoring the 30th International Folk Festival.
        The event, which draws crowds to the streets to celebrate their heritage, is scheduled for Sept. 26-28. A big part of the event will be the September 4th Friday. In celebration of our community’s diversity, the Arts Council is asking: How does Unity in Our Community look from your perspective? Actually, how does it look through your lens?
        Share your photos through this juried photo competition at the Arts Council. Individuals may enter up to four photos with awards totaling $1,000. There are three separate categories for entries: black and white, color and digital/mixed-media. Winners will be announced on Sept. 26, with the photography remaining on display through Nov. 22.
        Photos may be submitted to the Arts Council, 301 Hay St., on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; and Saturday, Sept. 13, from noon to 4 p.m. Entry fees are $20 for up to two entries ($15 for Arts Council members) and $25 for up to four entries ($20 for Arts Council members.)
        The competition is open to residents in Cumberland, Bladen, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson and Scotland counties as well as Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. Entries must be framed with wire attached to the back. Sawtooth, loop or tag hangers will not be accepted.
        Entries must be original and not previously entered into any Arts Council exhibitions. Photographers will be notified by email of the juror’s selection. Declined entries may be picked up on Sept. 18, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
        In addition to the photography show, there will be an outdoor concert in front of the Arts Council building featuring the Heritage Bluegrass Band.           
        For more information call (910) 323-1776, or download entry forms at www.theartscouncil.com.

    Janice Burton,
    Associate Publisher
    COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or
    editor@upandcomingweekly.com


  • fort fisher The Fort Fisher Recreation Area, operated by the Air Force and Army National Guard, is among the latest round of suggestions for a name change by the Congressional-appointed Renaming Commission tasked with eradicating all remnants of the Confederacy in Department of Defense assets.

    The commission on Tuesday announced its recommendations for assets not addressed in two reports released earlier this summer. The commission held a virtual news conference to discuss some of its recommendations.

    The recommendations will be detailed in the forthcoming third and final part of the commission’s report to Congress, which is due by Oct. 1. Retired Army Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule, the commission’s vice chair, said the commission will provide the final report to Congress ahead of the Oct. 1 due date.

    He also said that after 19 months and 32 meetings, the commission finished its task before the deadline and under budget, and will return $1.7 million to Congress. Congress established the commission’s budget at $2 million.
    The commission was mandated by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act to identify installations and assets whose names commemorate the Confederacy.

    The first part of the report on Aug. 8 recommended names for nine Army posts, and the second Aug. 29 report dealt with Confederate assets and heraldry at the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy. In the first report, the commission recommended renaming Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty and estimated the price for renaming the post at $6.2 million.

    The third part of the report covers all other categories, including memorialization and naming processes; inactive, decommissioned or obsolete assets; gifts, awards and scholarships; heraldic items; civil works; and assets that may be identified in the future, according to a news release published shortly before the news conference.

    The Fort Fisher Recreation Area is managed by the Air Force, Army National Guard and the Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point. It is just north of Fort Fisher State Park and the aquarium and south of the Fort Fisher historic site. The federally-owned area provides recreational activities and lodging as well as training events for DOD-eligible groups. It is located between Kure Beach and Fort Fisher Boulevard.

    The adjacent historic Fort Fisher is the site of a major Civil War battle won by federal land and amphibious forces that closed the last Confederate port at Southport. It is named after Col. Charles Fisher of Salisbury, a Confederate officer killed in action in 1861, thereby recommended for renaming.

    The third part of the report also includes recommendations specifically for the Army, Navy and Air Force. The report suggests the Army focus on several of its vessels and the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, along with previously announced recommendations for heraldic items at the service academies.

    It will also include more detailed information on the commission’s decision, published in its first report, to not make a renaming recommendation for Fort Belvoir, Virginia, while encouraging the Department of Defense to conduct its own review of the base for potential renaming.

    Renaming recommendations for the Navy in the third report will include the USS Chancellorsville and USNS Maury. For the Air Force, the primary recommendation will be to rename the Fort Fisher Recreation Area in North Carolina.

    The commission looked at the USS Chancellorsville because it is named after the Battle of Chancellorsville, a major Confederate victory in 1863. The ship also had portraits of Confederate generals Lee and Jackson. The USNS Maury is named after a Virginian and long-time U.S. Navy commander who resigned his commission to join the Confederacy.

    The commission did not recommend names for the ships because the secretary of the Navy historically is responsible for naming ships, according to commission members.

    The commission also recommended the Army remove the top portion of a Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1900, Congress authorized Confederate remains to be reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery. A Confederate memorial was erected there in 1914. Grave markers of Confederate soldiers will not be removed, according to the commission’s director of public affairs.

    “The memorial at Arlington is NOT a grave marker, so it is not exempt from removal or modification. The surrounding grave markers near the memorial will not be disturbed,” Stephen Baker wrote in an email.

    Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has up to a year to implement the recommendations once Congress has reviewed the final part of the report.
    The final cost estimate for all commission recommendations is nearly $62.5 million. This includes $21 million for all of the recommendations in the first report, $451,000 for the recommendations in the second report, and nearly $41 million for all of the recommendations in the third report, according to the commission release.

  • 21SiStars Girl Talk’s 3rd Annual Sista Soul Fest is set to take place at Spring Lake Recreation Center on Sept.18.

    Aje Noire Creations has the honor to host the event which was started in Des Moines, Iowa, by a group of women called SiStars Girl Talk.
    SiStars Girl Talk is a nonprofit organization that consists of a community of women journeying to and through their healing together. While providing monthly meet-ups to support holistic wellness, spiritual growth and emotional relief, SiStars Girl Talk aims to decrease feelings of isolation and dissatisfaction with care and support.

    The SiStars Girl Talk mission is to shift the experiences of women mentally, spiritually and emotionally. The goal is to transform themselves and each other using their own gifts and experiences.
    The Sista Soul Fest event offers a way to celebrate local women-owned businesses and bring a thriving event to the city.
    The Sista Soul Fest's purpose is to create a space for women to offer, sell and showcase their talents and businesses. It also allows women to come together as sisters to network and help build each other up as Queens should, especially women of color.

    So far, businesses such as food trucks and holistic companies have registered to attend this year’s Sista Soul Fest.

    As the host for the 2022 Sista Soul Fest, Aje Noire Creations is in search of hair and clothing vendors. Aje Noire Creations plans for those who come out for this event to have the opportunity to acquire holistic treatments, a good bite to eat, and a fashionable new top.
    Aryeka Plowden, the founder of Aje Noire Creations, is the director of Sista Soul Fest this year.

    As with Aje Noire Creations, Plowden is excited about hosting exhibitions and making business cards and flyers.
    Plowden also helps growing businesses ensure that they are running a legal and successful business.

    If a local business is in need of a service provided by another local business but they are not sure who to go to, Plowden can help them find someone. Through her time building Aje Noire Creations, Plowden has acquired an extensive network of references and is eager to share what she has learned through solid, profitable business relationships.
    Sista Soul Fest organizers are looking for volunteers and sponsors. As a volunteer, participants should expect to complete tasks such as setting up the tables for vendors and taking down those tables once the event is complete.

    Any business, from a family-owned restaurant to a movie theater, is welcome to become a sponsor for this event. If you would like to take part in Sista Soul Fest, visit the links below.

    Registration Link: tinyurl.com/SSFNC

    Volunteer Link: tinyurl.com/SSFNCVolunteer

    Sponsor Link: tinyurl.com/SSFNCSponsor

    Sista Soul Fest will take place Sept. 18 from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Spring Lake Recreation Center, which is located at 245 Ruth Street in Spring Lake.
    For more information call 910-644-0698.

  •     The essence of the International Folk Festival in Fayetteville is the celebration of diversity in customs, foods and artistic expression. Gallery 208, on Rowan Street, heralds in the festival weekend with the opening of an exhibit by Japanese artist Etsuko Komori on Thursday, Sept. 25.
        Arriving in Fayetteville several days before the opening, Komori’s first trip to the United States will open with an exhibit of her pressed flowers and foliage fine art constructions. From a representational spin to the abstract, Komori’s constructions give us examples of a highly popular art form in Japan.
        We all know the collecting of flowers and leaves as a keepsake takes many forms. A forget-me-not flower is sealed in clear epoxy and hangs as a delicate charm on a bracelet or necklace. Maybe it was an elementary school assignment — identify and collect the different leaves that fall in autumn, and then iron them between wax paper in the process of making a reference book for science class. Perhaps it was a rose from a loved one, pressed between the pages of a book as a keepsake.
        From the simple pressing of a rose as a keepsake, the techniques of pressing nature has evolved into finished works which maintain their color and form for many years. With new techniques, the pressed flower as simply a botanical specimen emerged into a new form of decorative arts in Japan and abroad.
       {mosimage} The pressing of nature has become a very marketable and sophisticated way to celebrate nature and art at the same time. Evolving from a culture which traditionally views nature in a very different way than Western aesthetics and lifestyle, the pressing of flowers is an art form which expresses the harmony of human creativity and nature that has been distinctly Japanese.
        It was Etusko Martin’s annual trips back to Japan which resulted in the high art of pressed flowers being exhibited in Fayetteville. It began with Martin bringing an example of Komori’s work back from one of her trips to share with the museum. During the past several years Martin has coordinated with the Fayetteville Museum of Art to bring the exhibit here. The museum decided the approaching opening would be perfect timing for the celebration of the international festival. 
        Martin, a local artist herself, shared with me her thoughts about the constructions visitors to Gallery 208 will be seeing and how Komori found her way to Fayetteville.
    “I always go to galleries when I go back home to Japan and noticed the art of pressed flowers was very popular,” said Martin. “In the galleries, Komori’s work was particularly distinctive — highly complicated, some constructions appear representational, while others are abstract. All are framed and held in place by the pressing of the material against the glass. Change the frame and you change the design. Her work was much more complicated than others, and very different.”
        Etsuko Martin translated Etusko Komori’s artist statement: “My works of art started simply with a love for flowers. Freshly colored flowers give a strong impression but still the flower humbly blooms by the edge of the path. I then started collecting different plants and flowers. I feel very special because I often feel as though the flowers and plants are speaking to me, as if to say, ‘Look at me, I am here.’ In that moment, I see the most beautiful things on this Earth.”
        Komori’s work involves only using elements she collected from nature. Any color in her work, even the watercolor effect, is from the stain of a plant. She stated: “I think the most important fact in my artwork is that I am using these flowers when they are still alive and fresh, recalling the moment of joy when I met them. However, this makes finding the right material for my art difficult. No two plants, no two flowers, though of the same kind, are the same. Perhaps the sap color of one flower is different to the other. When I combine these natural elements in my art material the beauty of nature is complimented and flourishes.”
        In a similar way, Komori responds to nature, “The surrounding attraction of nature’s beauty, it pulls me into a world of creation, transfixes me in it.”
    Visitors to the exhibit will find joy in her works. Seeing the work of Komori reminds us of the continued potential of nature as a work of art, the possibilities of material and style.
        The exhibit is a refreshing relief from the drama of local and national politics and news; it does what art has the potential of doing — transporting us aesthetically to a different place. In this case, it is a place of harmony and beauty.
        Not only will visitors to the opening meet the artist, but Komori will be doing a demonstration during the opening. Etusko Martin will be there to translate in English the answers to questions and the explanation of the process. The opening reception is at Gallery 208, which is located in the offices of Up and Coming Weekly at 208 Rowan St., Thursday, Sept. 25, 5:30-7 p.m.
        The exhibit will remain up for several months. If you aren’t able to attend the opening, then you can visit the gallery during regular business hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information on the exhibit call Up and Coming Weekly at 484-6200.

    Soni Martin can be reached at editor@upandcomingweekly.com

  • 13 After weeks of planning and hectic last-minute preparations, the fourth annual Lanning’s Lemonade and Colton’s Cookies fundraiser ended on another successful note.

    The dynamic team of entrepreneurial brothers Lanning Kistler, 9, and Colton Walters, 8, recently presented a $4,524 check to the Child Advocacy Center.
    It was the second time the boys opted to give proceeds from their fundraiser to the Child Advocacy Center. Including this year’s event, which was Aug. 20, the boys have raised $7,099 for the center.

    Roberta Humphries, executive director of the Child Advocacy Center, said the money will go into the general operating budget to help fund the many services provided by the center for abused children.
    Humphries said the center benefits from several “third-party” fundraisers, but this is the first organized by children.

    “It’s the only one child-driven,’’ Humphries said during a telephone interview. “It’s their idea and choice of whom they give the money. That’s kind of unique.”

    Along with earning money from selling lemonade, which Lanning spiced up this year with a secret ingredient that he refuses to divulge, and the sale of M&M-laden cookies prepared by Colton, the boys also raised money through sponsorships and online donations.

    “Everyone loved our new recipe,” Lanning said in an email. “People kept telling us it was the best lemonade they ever had,” he stated.

    Not to be outdone, Colton also faired well with his cookies. “My cookies were also popular. We sold out of them and we made like 200,” he wrote in his email. “We have to make more next year.”

    Sponsors included Firehouse Subs on Glensford Drive, the UPS Store in Westwood Shopping Center, City Center Gallery and Books on Hay Street, Maidens and Monsters Face and Body Art, and Meraki Creative Agency. State Sen. Kirk deViere and his wife, Jenny, and Randy and Ann Gregory also sponsored the fundraiser.

    Except for the first year, the boys hold their fundraiser at the entrance of VanStory, in an opening just off Morganton Road, but change may be on the horizon.
    Dad John Kistler said the event may be partnered with a large community organization in an effort to garner more sponsors and more aggressively promote the fundraiser.
    Kistler said expanding the activities might help draw sponsors, which made this year’s event so successful. He envisions more activities for younger customers such as bounce houses, and perhaps the sale of local art, and music for adult attendees.

    “Basically, we’re considering anything that can help bring in donations for the Child Advocacy Center,’’ Kistler said. “We are open to any ideas from community members to make it an event people would want to attend and give money to a very deserving and much-needed organization.”

  • 16 Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette may not ring any bells today, but a little under 200 years ago, he was one of the most famous men in the world.
    Known simply as Lafayette on American shores, the French nobleman fought in the Revolutionary War as an enthusiastic nineteen-year-old. He would later achieve military glory in his home country — thus becoming: “The Hero of Two Worlds.”

    The weekend after Labor Day, the Lafayette Society will host its 15th Annual Lafayette Birthday Celebration to honor the man, after which Fayetteville is named, in a three-day event beginning Thursday, Sept. 8 and ending Saturday, Sept. 10.

    Born on September 6, 1757, in Auvergne, France, Lafayette felt unsuited to the life of a nobleman inside the palace of Versailles and hungered instead for the glory of battle.
    Lafayette considered colonial efforts against the British worthy enough to purchase his own ship, voyage to the New World against the wishes of King Louis XVI, and then join the Continental Army as a major general under George Washington.

    Though Lafayette proved himself a capable soldier and military leader, he was sent back home to request French military support, which he was able to secure.
    Lafayette and General Washington worked closely during the war, and as the “physical embodiment of the Franco-American Alliance,” Lafayette was considered a key figure in important battles such as Rhode Island and Yorktown.

    Lafayette went on to achieve political and military success in his home country and was an outspoken advocate for natural law and the rights of man.
    In 1824, President James Monroe invited Lafayette to America to embark on a grand tour where his status as the Hero of Two Worlds would command crowds of up to 100,000 in some major cities.

    During his historic tour, Lafayette visited Fayetteville, the first city in America named after him.
    Lafayette died in 1834 and is buried in France under a sprinkle of earth from Bunker Hill. Today, over 80 cities and counties in the United States are named for him as a testament to his bravery and loyalty to the then fledgling country.

    The Lafayette Birthday Celebration, instituted in 2007 for what would have been Lafayette's 250th birthday, is an event that not only honors the man's birth but a life dedicated to military service, inquiry and action. The three-day celebration is an opportunity to see Fayetteville as he would have seen it, learn about a few of his contemporaries, and experience art and music from another world.
    Now back to full form after two years of COVID-19 restrictions, the celebration will kick off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8, with a special concert at First Presbyterian Church on Ann Street. The French Music Concert, a popular staple in the Lafayette birthday tradition, is performed by Dr. Gail Morfesis and Friends.

    The concert is a celebration of the strong alliance between France and America that still exists today. Tickets are $15 per person or $10 for students and can be purchased at the door, though advanced purchase is recommended.

    16a“Our Lafayette birthday concert will be a special treat,” Morfesis told Up & Coming Weekly.

    “As always, it will include members of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, but this year half of our program will be a tribute to the French contributions to American Jazz. We will highlight the works of Claude Boling,” she said.

    This year’s concert is supported by the NC Arts Council and the Sandhills Guild of Organists. Three organists from the Sandhills chapter will also be featured.

    “I know that classical music and jazz lovers alike will have a wonderful experience. There is a reception to follow with the artists,” Morfesis said.
    Dr. Hank Parfitt of the Lafayette Society agreed. “There are six or seven different musical numbers, and it moves along quickly. It's a great chance to experience classical music in a fun environment. It's classical music for people who don't like it,” he joked.

    Friday's event is a lecture hosted by Dr. Daniel Stewart and Fayetteville Technical Community College.
    Dr. William Link will discuss his book on “Frank Porter Graham and the Rise of Modern North Carolina.”
    A liberal Southern educator, Graham advocated for equality in education and believed, much like Lafayette, in equal rights for all humankind. Graham later became President of the University of North Carolina and worked as a consultant for President Franklin Roosevelt as he constructed the New Deal.

    Dr. Link, retired Professor of History at the University of Florida, will have copies of his biography on Graham at the event. Guests may also purchase the book in advance at City Center Gallery & Books. The lecture starting at 2 p.m. is free to attend and will be held at the Tony Rand Student Center at Fayetteville Technical Community College. On Friday at 7 p.m., archives librarian Arleen Fields will showcase “The Lafayette Legacy” at Methodist University in the Davis Memorial Library.

    Beginning at 6 p.m., a reception, complete with North Carolina barbecue, will take place before the presentation. Considered a “rock star” during his age, Lafayette's historic visit to the United States as “The Nation's Guest” will be viewed through artifacts, memorabilia, and merchandise generated by his tour.

    Saturday at 8 a.m., guests are invited to take a trip back in time to see Fayetteville as Lafayette would have seen it in 1825. The Lafayette Trail Tour will treat guests to coffee and croissants as they embark on a journey beginning at the Museum of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry (F.I.L.I.) and ending around 11 a.m. at Lafayette Plaza in Cross Creek Park. Led by city historian and F.I.L.I Commander Bruce Daws, visitors will have an opportunity to see the original carriage Lafayette rode into town during his historic visit, ride downtown's Coldwell Banker Trolley, and end the day with cake.

    16bTickets are $20/person and are limited to 30 participants, so advanced purchase is necessary.
    The Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry is the nation's second oldest independent militia, founded in 1793. President Washington encouraged cities to form militias to protect against attacks from foreign agents. When Lafayette visited Fayetteville in March 1825, the F.I.L.I. acted as his official escort.

    On Saturday's Lafayette's Trail Tour, visitors will get a chance to experience Commander Dawes outfitted in the same uniform as the F.I.L.I. during that historic time.
    As the crowning event of the three-day celebration, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 pm, “Camp Lafayette” will be set up for guests to take a step right into the pages of history.

    In partnership with the Fayetteville Local History Museum, Camp Lafayette will be in Cross Creek Park between Green Street and Ann Street.

    Both sides of “the creek” will have activities for the whole family. Musket demonstrations, tomahawk throwing, historical re-enactments and food trucks will make for a day of immersive historical fun.
    The present can seem all-consuming with the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

    “We’re so busy, we don't stop to think about the incredibly rich history we have here in Fayetteville,” Parfitt explained.

    “This is a fun, educational opportunity for the whole family. You learn about history, and it's a chance to be with friends. The weather is usually nice this time of year — overall, it's a fun way to involve the community and the people who have a passion for history.”

    Ultimately, this is a celebration for everyone. It's a way to sing a song for this country's brave formation and shine a light on an important man. Aside from being the city's namesake, Lafayette upheld beliefs long before his time and spoke to ideals still dear to this day. He opposed slavery and oppression in all forms, felt strongly about the advancement of women’s rights, and opposed capital punishment.
    Parfitt, organizer of the event since its debut fifteen years ago, said, “there’s something in this celebration for everyone.”

    “I hope people realize that we have more things in common than we do things that separate us — we’re all the same people. You can learn, through history, that we’ve had struggles living together on this planet, but we’ve always found a way through it. I hope this celebration is uplifting and helps build our sense of community.”

    Tickets for the French Music Concert with Dr. Gail Morfesis and Friends may be purchased online at www.lafayettesociety.org/events.
    Tickets for the Lafayette Trail Tour are limited to 30 participants and may be purchased online at www.lafayettesociety.org/events.

    To purchase tickets in person or by phone, visit City Center Gallery & Books at 112 Hay Street or call 910-678-8899.

  • 12 So many of America’s soldiers sign on to serve, kiss their families goodbye, and deploy to far-away destinations and uncertain futures.

    While the threat of danger, harm, and even death may be part and parcel of the uniform, many soldiers return with few resources to reintegrate into civilian life. Incidents of mental illness and substance abuse are particularly high within this demographic, making them vulnerable to housing instability and homelessness.

    According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, there are currently around 38,000 homeless veterans in America. However, that number has decreased dramatically since 2010. North Carolina has also seen a major decline in its homeless veteran population, still, the fight to place veterans in safe, accessible housing continues in Fayetteville.

    In support of those continued efforts, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers have donated $10,000 in sponsorship of The Big Tiny Project, an initiative created to help veterans in crisis. Lowes, Wells Fargo, the All-Veteran Group, U.S. Veterans Corps, Window World, and ServiceSource are all sponsors of this special project as well.
    Off-Road Outreach, a nonprofit organization based in Fayetteville, conceived The Big Tiny Project as a tiny-home community that will serve as temporary housing for at-risk veterans before they move on to more permanent housing.

    “No Veteran Left Behind,” Off-Road Outreach’s motto, echoes throughout their efforts to provide resources and care for Fayetteville’s homeless veteran population. Offering mobile showers and laundry services to homeless vets from the back of their jeep, Off-Road Outreach creates opportunities to restore dignity and respect to a demographic often overlooked by society.

    Up & Coming Weekly spoke with Kristen Nett, community and media relations manager for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers about the organization’s involvement with the project.

    “We have been working with Off-Road Outreach since I landed in this position,” she explained. “Off-Road Outreach is an incredible organization that helps homeless and low-income veterans with physical, social and mental needs.”

    The Woodpeckers Foundation and the Community Leaders Program’s donation of $10,000 will cover renovation costs for three 290-foot tiny homes in which veterans can live for up to 180 days free of charge.

    In addition to housing services, The Big Tiny Project will offer on-site support for veterans as they navigate access to their benefits, identification services, and referrals for mental and physical health. Financial, transportation, and employment help will be available. Veterans will also have access to a food pantry and community garden.
    Involved in several endeavors aimed at supporting the community, the Woodpeckers’ latest partnership with Off-Road Outreach seems especially on-brand for the charitable organization.

    “The Woodpeckers are proud to support military initiatives,” Nett shared. “With Fort Bragg being so close, it only makes sense that we do everything we can to support those who sacrifice so much for us.”
    The Big Tiny Project, scheduled to conclude at the beginning of 2023, is designed to take a holistic approach to the issue of veteran homelessness. The initiative not only gives these brave men and women the keys to a house, but the tools necessary to create a home.

    For more information on the Woodpeckers Foundation and Community Leaders Program, please visit www.fayettevillewoodpeckers.com.
    For more information on Off-Road Outreach, visit https://offroadoutreach.com/.

  • 11 Military capabilities are important, but new capabilities mean little if the troops fielding those weapons don't know how or when to use them.

    The United States, NATO allies and partners are working together to train Ukrainian military personnel on new systems and the tactics and techniques that make those weapon systems so effective.
    This is a continuation of the training the Ukraine military has received since Russia first invaded the nation in 2014, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a press conference Sept. 6.

    “Tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have received training since 2014, and that pace has accelerated following Russia's unprovoked invasion in February. U.S. service members are providing Ukrainian soldiers with training on various weapons systems that we're providing to Ukraine,” Ryder said.

    This includes maintenance and logistics training to ensure the systems stay operational, he said.
    The United States has provided more than $11 billion in aid to Ukraine since January 2021. This includes systems like the Javelin anti-armor system, the Stinger anti-aircraft weapon, unmanned aerial systems, grenade launchers, howitzers, helicopters, tactical vehicles, counter-artillery radars, armored personnel carriers, high-mobility artillery rocket systems and millions of rounds of ammunition.

    Russia began its war on Ukraine with an incredible edge in men and materiel. Ukraine's will and resilience was such that the Ukrainian military drove Russia away from its attacks on the capital of Kyiv and brought Russian advances in the Donbass region in the eastern part of Ukraine to a standstill. Now Ukraine has launched an offensive in and around Kherson Oblast, and Ryder said there are indications that the Ukrainian military is pushing forward.

    Ukraine is being resupplied. Since replacing Soviet-era weapons systems, their capabilities are better now.

    Meanwhile, "we do have indications that Russia has approached North Korea to request ammunition,” Ryder said. “I'm not able to provide any more detail than that at this point in time, but it does demonstrate and is indicative of the situation that Russia finds itself in, in terms of its logistics and sustainment capabilities as it relates to Ukraine.”

    Last week, Russia also bought unmanned aerial vehicles from another rogue state: Iran.
    Logistics and sustainment have never been a long suit for the Russian military, “so the fact that they're reaching out to North Korea is a sign that they're having some challenges on the sustainment front,” the general said.

    Training is responsible for Ukraine's greatest advantage over the Russian invaders. The Ukraine military ditched the old Soviet style of tactics and began emulating the West, and that included building a competent and empowered non-commissioned officer corps.

    “Working with the Ukrainians in terms of NCO leadership is something that we have done,” Ryder said. “This is a strategic advantage in a lot of ways of the U.S. military and many Western militaries.”
    Small Ukrainian units led by sergeants are making a difference on the battlefield. These units move faster and do more than the Russian enemies.

    The Ukrainian military — even in the exigencies of war — continue to stress NCO training, U.S. officials said.

  • Brenda McNair City Council member Brenda McNair is a family woman at heart. This is the first public office McNair has held. She ran on a platform of change and envisioned becoming more of an advocate for the people. She is an ordained minister and owns several businesses, including an air conditioning company.

    McNair beat out long-term council member Larry Wright Sr., who has been on the council since 2013. McNair won by 20 votes — less than 1.5%.
    However, her start to the City Council has been shaky. She recently voted against future discussions of the North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center when she was actually in support of it.
    She tells Up & Coming Weekly that she didn’t realize she voted against the historical center until the morning after the work session. Her vote against the center led to a deadlocked council, 5-5. That vote jeopardized the center’s future as the county depended on the City of Fayetteville to move forward.

    “I guess my understanding of what I voted on wasn’t clear,” McNair said. “I think [the North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center] is a really great opportunity for the city and for our community to partake of and to bring growth to the city of Fayetteville.”

    Regarding another controversial topic, the Vote Yes Referendum, McNair wasn’t able to make it to an emergency meeting earlier this month where the majority of the council appealed the decision to have the referendum appear on the November ballot.

    The Vote Yes Referendum would restructure the current City Council to include at-large members.
    McNair said that if she had been present at that meeting, she would have voted against the appeal. She says it does not matter if she supports the referendum or not, rather it only matters what the citizens vote for.

    “I feel that the people should have the right to vote. I'm not going to say I'm for it. I'm not going to say I'm against it. But my thing is they should have the right to vote,” McNair said. “If we believe in democracy, then give the people the choice and fear should not have any place in this. I feel we should not fear what is going to happen if you put it on the ballot. If people don't want it, then don't vote for it. So we do have the option.”

    McNair says she doesn’t want to make party-line decisions because her job is nonpartisan. She wants to make sound decisions that are based on the welfare of the people. She also wants to stay true to herself.

    “I'm not afraid of anything that I say. People are going to have their opinion. Enjoy your opinion. I don't care what you say or do. You’ll make some people happy. You'll make some people mad. And some people are just going to be outright confused,” McNair said.

    One of McNair’s top priorities includes informing her constituents about resources they have access to but may not know about.

    “I want to reach out to them to better inform them that they have a representative ready to take them to the next level. They may be doing well, but I've found out that there are so many resources that the city of Fayetteville is not aware of,” McNair said.

    Some of those resources include job training, first-time home-buyer workshops, the urban ministry, the fair housing committee, community safety micro-grants and the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development.

    “We have all this information that a lot of people are not taking advantage of,” McNair said.

    Another priority for McNair is mental health. Mental health issues run in her family and she has seen firsthand its impacts. She believes that by addressing the mental health crisis, the city could also address the homeless population simultaneously.

    Gun violence is also a personal priority for McNair. A few weeks ago, McNair lost her 35-year-old cousin to gun violence. She thinks this trend with young people about getting guns because they look cool is very dangerous.

    “My cousin was just in a store. This young man came up, shot him twice in his chest because they had a few words,” McNair said.

    She hopes to look into having a rehabilitation center for young people instead of sending them to jail for small crimes, especially when these young people don’t have role models to set them up for success.

    “It's almost like a boot camp. Instead of sending our young people off to prison and keeping them locked up in jail. I want to work on a facility to retrain or to train these young people about livelihood, on how to obtain a prosperous life without crime if they're capable,” McNair said. “But just sending them to prison because they make one mistake... they go out, they're trying to find themselves and they get in trouble.”

    Another project McNair wants to work on is a state-of-the-art senior center for those who may not have access to one otherwise. Ideally, this would be for retirees but people who are still able to function and don’t need 24/7 care.

    “They could have activities in the same facility. They can communicate with each other. They can have a restaurant inside their facility, a nice restaurant, a nice swimming pool, a nice day center in there so people can come in and speak to them and things of that nature. I know there are assisted living homes, but this takes it to a different level,” McNair said.

    For her District 7 residents, she aims to represent them the best way she can. She wants them to know who their representative is, what district they are living in, who their community watch leader is, who their HOA president is, and to be aware of their community — positives and negatives.

    “I want them to know that they have a representative here. I am ready to work hard for them so that we can iron out some of the issues that they have. I know we're not going to iron out everything, but the things that we can work on, I want to be able to work on, all the issues that we can improve and direct them to the staff that can handle a lot of the issues that they're having,” McNair said.

    The next Fayetteville City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m.

  • Queen Elizabeth II died Thursday at the age of 96. After 70 years on the throne, she was the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

    The news came hours after Buckingham Palace announced that the queen was under medical supervision at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Her funeral is traditionally to be held 10 days after her death at Westminster Abbey, with private burial at St. George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle, alongside her husband Prince Phillip, who died in April 2021, her sister Princess Margaret, and father King George VI.

    On Friday, Britain’s Accession Council is expected to formally name her son Charles, Prince of Wales, to be the new King Charles III. Before her passing, the queen had directed that his wife, Camilla, be called Queen Consort when he becomes king.

    U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had ordered the American flag over the Capitol lowered to half-staff in honor of the late monarch.
    North Carolina’s senators expressed their condolences to the royal family and noted the queen’s special impact on the relationship between the United States and Great Britain.

    “My thoughts are with our friends in the United Kingdom, and all those across the world, who are mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth II,” said Sen. Richard Burr in a statement Thursday. “Throughout the decades, she was a stalwart leader for her country and a steady global presence. She met with 13 of the last 14 U.S. presidents, helping to foster the special relationship between our countries. She will be remembered for a long life dedicated to duty, honor, and service – principles she lived by example.”

    North Carolina’s dedication to Britain’s queen, the Queen Elizabeth II ship, floats in Roanoke Island Festival Park, drawing thousands of visitors each year to the Manteo waterfront in the Outer Banks. The ship was built in Manteo and was modeled after sailing vessels that sailed to Roanoke Island in 1584 and 1587 under the reign of Elizabeth I.

    6a UNC Tar Heel football also has a unique connection to Queen Elizabeth. During a trip to the United States, she and Prince Phillip watched the Tar Heels play football against the University of Maryland at Byrd Stadium in College Park on Oct. 19, 1957. N.C. Gov. Luther Hodges represented the state at the game and presented the queen with a small trophy of Sir Walter Raleigh. Prince Phillip was given a football that day for the couple’s son, Charlie, or Prince Charles.

    Today, a 1971 oil painting of Queen Elizabeth II hangs in the N.C. Museum of Art, given to the state by the Burroughs-Wellcome Foundation.

  • guns The Fayetteville Police Department will host a gun buyback program next weekend.

    The program will be Saturday, Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kingdom Impact Global Ministries, 2503 Murchison Road.

    The program allows firearms to be surrendered anonymously with “no questions asked,’’ the Police Department said in a release.

    The program is “an effort to address gun violence in our community and create a safer place for everyone,’’ the release said.

    People who turn in handguns will receive $100; those who turn in rifles or shotguns will receive $150; and those who turn in assault weapons will receive $200, the release said. There is a maximum of $600 compensation per person, the release said.

    BB guns and pellet guns will not be accepted.

    The Police Department outlined several guidelines that need to be followed in order to receive payment. They are:
    People should place unloaded weapons in the vehicle’s trunk, truck bed, cargo area or backseat before leaving home and heading to the event.
    People should remain in their vehicles at all times. An officer will remove the gun from the vehicle.
    Once a gun is determined to be a working firearm, compensation will be provided. People will be asked to “leave a mark’’ indicating they are surrendering a weapon to the Police Department in order to receive compensation.
    People should not touch any of the weapons.
    People attending the event should approach the church via Murchison Road. Officers will direct vehicles to designated areas, the release said.

  • symphony The North Carolina Symphony will perform music that celebrates African American culture in a concert Thursday night, Sept. 15 at Fayetteville State University.

    The Freedom Celebration Concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Seabrook Auditorium at FSU, according to a news release from the symphony. Tickets are free but reservations are requested. Click here for tickets to the N.C. Symphony concert at FSU.

    The concert will feature music created and influenced by African Americans, including spirituals, ragtime, jazz, and classical music. Associate Conductor Michelle Di Russo will lead the orchestra.

    Guest soloist Micaela Bundy will join the orchestra to open the concert with a performance of the hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Bundy, a mezzo-soprano, teaches choral music and theater at Eastern Alamance High School.

    The program also will feature “Spirituals of Liberation,” a commissioned work by symphony composer in residence Anthony Kelley. The three movements the piece explores are the conditions of forced labor, feelings of loss and hope by the enslaved, and African Americans’ embrace of freedom, the news release said.

    Also on the program are pieces by William Grant Still and George Walker and arrangements celebrating jazz greats Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.
    The program premiered at Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on June 18 in commemoration of Juneteenth. It will be presented at Elizabeth City State University on Sept. 16.

  • fayetteville nc logo The Fayetteville City Council on Monday, Sept. 12, is expected to hear a presentation on the education campaign for a three-part bond package that will go before voters in November.

    The council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

    The $97 million in bond packages include $60 million for public safety, $25 million for public infrastructure and $12 million for housing needs. The bond package will be on the Nov. 8 ballot for Fayetteville voters.

    The city plans to use a variety of resources as part of its education campaign, including social media, community and civic engagement, printed materials, videos, radio and traditional media, according to information in the council agenda package.

    If the bonds are approved, the city has identified several projects for the funding, including updating the 911 call center and several city fire stations, street and sidewalk improvements, and affordable housing programs.

    A maximum of $60 million would be used to support key public safety projects to provide enhanced safety and emergency services to Fayetteville residents.

    Those projects would include land acquisition, relocation, and construction of new fire stations, the construction of a logistics center, renovation of existing fire stations and a police call center.

    The $25 million for public infrastructure would be used to support critical investments in public infrastructure directly affecting safety, security and livability. These projects could include sidewalk improvements and bike paths and lanes, among others.

    If the bonds are approved, the city property tax rate would likely need to increase up to 4 cents, city spokesman Jodi Phelps said Friday. The new property tax rates would not go into effect until fiscal 2023.

    If the tax rate went up by 4 cents, the owner of a $200,000 home in the city would pay an additional $80 a year, Phelps said.

    The $12 million for housing would support initiatives to make Fayetteville a more desirable place to live for all residents.

    “The three referendums are the least expensive way to fund projects, with the lowest interest rate, and could potentially save the city and taxpayers higher financing costs associated with borrowing money to address the needs,” the city says.

    Those projects could include a housing trust fund, homeownership programs, new housing initiatives and innovative solutions to meet the critical housing needs of the community.

    Also on Monday, the council will consider recommendations for various board and commission appointments. This includes an appointment to the Fayetteville Public Works Commission.

    The City Council’s appointments committee on Wednesday recommended that former Councilman Chris Davis be appointed to the PWC.
    Councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram had written to her fellow council members asking that the appointment be delayed until a new PWC chief executive is hired. Elaina Ball, who had been the CEO and general manager of the public utility for less than two years, announced her resignation on Aug. 26. Her last day on the job was Sept. 2.

  • 6 A shooting Friday night left one man dead and another seriously injured, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said.

    Deputies were dispatched just after 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 9 to a shooting near the 3600 block of Spike Rail Drive.

    The Sheriff’s Office said in a release that two men with gunshot wounds were taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. One of the men was pronounced dead at the hospital, the Sheriff’s Office said in a release. His name has not been released pending notification of his family.

    The other man was listed in serious condition Friday night, the release said.

    “This shooting was not a random incident, as all parties involved are known to one another,’’ the Sheriff’s Office said in the release.

    The Homicide Unit is investigating.

    Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit at 910-321-6592 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

  • fayetteville nc logo For more than three decades, the city of Fayetteville’s 911 call center has operated from the same space at police headquarters downtown.
    Over those 30-plus years, the population has grown and communications technology has evolved. For those reasons and others, city officials say, it’s time for modernization.

    Updating the 911 center and several city fire stations are important keys to providing public safety in Fayetteville, city officials said Friday as they led reporters on a tour of city facilities that they hope will benefit if voters approve a three-part bond package in a November referendum.

    Reporters toured the 911 center, Fire Station No. 2 in Haymount, and outside the Fayetteville Police Department.
    Along the way, the theme for city officials leading the tour was how a $97 million bond package could be spent to address public safety, infrastructure and housing needs.

    “There will be three separate questions on the ballot,” said Jodi Phelps, a city spokeswoman and chief of staff. “The first will be public safety for $60 million. The second will be public infrastructure, which is streets and sidewalks, for $25 million. The third question will be $12 million in housing opportunity initiatives.”

    Phelps said the public safety needs are “relatively self-explanatory.”

    “There’s a list of possible projects that we have available,” she said. “Those have been prioritized. Those are long-identified needs.”
    At the top of the list are several fire stations that need to be replaced, upgraded or expanded, Phelps said. Also important, she said, is a new police communications center.

    “I think those projects go to the heart of being able to provide public-safety services to residents who may need them the most. (The 911 center) is the first call — the first line of defense that deploys our first responders," she said.

    The 911 center at police headquarters has been in use for 32 to 33 years, said Lisa Reid, manager of 911 communications.

    “We handle all the calls for the city of Fayetteville,” Reid said. “When we came over, I’m sure they didn’t expect us to stay here that long. We’ve expanded our space. We started smaller. We don’t have room for expansion.”

    Reid said the current Emergency Operations Center is about 5,600 square feet, and she would like to at least see that space doubled.

    “It’s time for us to modernize,” Phelps added. “Especially in advance of hurricanes, the 911 center has to continue functioning.”

    The bond package could pay for a brand new 911 center, Reid said.

    “We’re talking about building from the ground up,” she said.

    Several fire stations could be prioritized for upgrades, Phelps said.
    The City Council will decide what projects will be funded should the bond packages be approved in November.
    Plans for infrastructure improvements include streets, sidewalks and connectivity, Phelps said.

    “We have street resurfacing pavement plans that have been done. This $25 million will go toward our street resurfacing and pavement preservation projects because people want their potholes fixed,” she said. “It will go to sidewalk improvements. We have a pedestrian plan that has been in place that tells us where sidewalk gaps exist.”

    The goal, Phelps said, is to make the city pedestrian-friendly.
    Plans also include the opportunity for more bicycle lanes.

    "We want to make sure that transportation and mobility are throughout the city," she said. "Funding will likewise go to safety and security for the residents and also make Fayetteville attractive and a nice place to live."

    The city maintains about 750 miles of roads, according to Byron Reeves, the stormwater manager for the city. The infrastructure bonds would allow the city to accelerate its resurfacing program, he said.

    Lee Jernigan, the city traffic engineer, said the bond money would provide that five years' worth of sidewalk plans could be accomplished at one time.
    About $7.5 million of the proposed $25 million for infrastructure would go toward sidewalk construction, Jernigan said. That would encompass about 15 miles at a cost of roughly $500,000 a mile.

    “It really is across the city,” Jernigan said. "It would not fill the total need. It would focus on thoroughfare streets and connecting gaps between sidewalk openings.”

    The money also could pay for intersection improvements, he said.
    The housing initiatives “really goes toward driving the economy in the region,” Phelps said.
    The city has identified three main areas of interest:
    Development of single-family and multifamily homes that might come in the form of incentives for builders and developers.
    Support for the city’s homeownership programs.
    Rehabilitation of neighborhoods, which would allow many families to “age in place” and not be pushed out of the housing market.

    “This is really to create housing opportunity for all residents,” said Phelps. “A housing study we have recently done said we need 20,000 (affordable) units in Fayetteville to meet the housing needs. … Certainly, it might not address all the needs of Fayetteville, but it will really accelerate our ability to move forward.”

    Should the bond packages be rejected, she said, the projects would remain priorities. But they would come at a higher cost down the road, she added.
    Phelps said city officials have estimated a savings of $2.5 million using general obligation bonds rather than traditional financing.
    Phelps stressed the investments all tie into safety, security and economic growth for Fayetteville.

    “And it moves us forward,” she said. “It really helps us accelerate our ability to address these really long-identified needs. Every one of these possible projects has been noted as a council priority, a staff priority and, importantly, are at the top of the list every time we do a residents survey. Residents tell us these are the things we want you to invest in.”

  • vote yes3 copy The N.C. Court of Appeals on Friday denied the city of Fayetteville’s appeal of a judge’s order that it schedule a referendum on a plan that would add at-large seats to the City Council.

    The ruling by Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons last week mandated that the council move forward with a November referendum on the proposal by the Vote Yes Fayetteville advocacy group to reshape the way City Council members are elected.

    “Judge Ammons' order is in effect as of right now,” said Lonnie Player, the Fayetteville lawyer who is representing the Vote Yes committee.
    On Sept. 1, Ammons ruled that the referendum be placed on the November ballot to allow voters to decide if they want to change the way the City Council is structured.

    Despite Friday's ruling, Mayor Mitch Colvin said, questions remain about whether the correct procedures were followed to circulate the petition calling for the referendum.

    "I respect the 2-1 decision of the Court of Appeals to let the referendum proceed to the voters while the court decides whether the petition was valid," Colvin said in a prepared statement issued Friday. "The City Council was faced with an unprecedented legal issue and had a duty to follow state law as written. As the court's split decision shows, serious questions remain, and we will await the decision regarding the petition about whether the petition is valid."

    After delaying action on the issue at two previous meetings, the City Council voted 6-4 on Aug. 22 against calling a referendum on the Vote Yes initiative.

    During that regular meeting of the council, City Attorney Karen McDonald said questions persist about the validity of the petition calling for the referendum that was submitted by Vote Yes. McDonald said the council had directed her to contact the county Board of Elections to inquire about whether petition organizers followed the rules.

    The Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative calls for electing four City Council members at large and five from districts. The mayor would still be elected citywide. Currently, all nine council members are elected by district.
    The city’s appeal reiterated arguments that the Vote Yes group did not follow all procedures when it circulated a petition call for the referendum.

    “A local board of elections should not be forced to print ballots that are invalid,” the city’s appeal read. “Yet that is precisely what the trial court’s decision mandates. …

    “This change would significantly alter how Fayetteville’s citizens have been represented at the local-government level for over two decades,” the appeal read.

    Proponents of the plan — including the Vote Yes Fayetteville group — say it would give voters more representation on the City Council because each voter would help choose the mayor, four at-large council members, and a district representative.

    CityView TODAY publisher Tony Chavonne, a former mayor, is among the supporters of the initiative.

    Opponents — including Colvin and five other members of the current council — say it would dilute representation by increasing the size of the districts and creating hardships for minority candidates who would have to run their campaigns citywide at a higher cost to them.

  • PWC logo A City Council committee has recommended that a former council member be appointed to the Fayetteville Public Works Commission despite a current council member’s request that the decision be delayed.

    The appointments committee on Wednesday recommended that former City Councilman Chris Davis be appointed to the PWC.
    Councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram had written to her fellow council members asking that the appointment be delayed until a new PWC chief executive is hired.

    Elaina Ball, who had been the CEO and general manager of the public utility for less than two years, announced her resignation on Aug. 26. Her last day on the job was Sept. 2.

    Ball has taken a job in her home state of Texas, according to a PWC statement.
    In a Sept. 6 message to members of the City Council's five-member appointments committee, Mayor Mitch Colvin and other City Council members, Ingram wrote that she wanted to delay the PWC appointment.

    “My interest and request (come) as I am now a member of the appointments committee with the potential to participate in the selection of a nominee and concern of ensuring a seasoned commissioner is well-equipped to be a part of the selection of the new president and CEO for our utility," she wrote.
    Ingram said Thursday evening that she had expected the appointment process to proceed.

    "I can't say that I was (disappointed). I kind of already knew what was going to happen considering the makeup of the new appointments committee,” she said. “That is why I was kind of adamant that I submitted a letter to the committee and to the council."

    For a previous PWC appointment, Ingram said in her message, the appointments committee and full council supported a delay on extending a commissioner’s term during the search for the outgoing CEO.

    “The committee/council also supported conversation to have the full council review candidates, interview and vote on the PWC appointment, as it (has) been said, ‘It’s the more important appointment,’” Ingram wrote.

    “Nevertheless, I think we as a body and committee would be good stewards of our utility to delay the PWC appointment until the search and acceptance of a new CEO has been completed,” she wrote.

    The full City Council is expected to vote on the nomination Monday night during its regular monthly meeting. Davis will need a majority vote to get the PWC seat.

    Councilman Johnny Dawkins, a member of the appointments committee, said all the names of perhaps 200 people who applied for various city appointments will be available to the entire City Council.

    "The entire council can choose whoever they want to choose," Dawkins said. "The PWC one will be an interesting one because Chris Davis was the liaison (with the city) for 11/2 to two years. The committee recommends that he be the one chosen."

    If his nomination is approved, Davis would replace restaurateur Wade Fowler on the PWC.
    In December 2020, Ball became the utility’s first woman CEO and general manager. She previously worked for El Paso Electric in Texas.
    PWC Chief Operations Officer Mick Noland was named interim CEO and general manager until the position is filled full time. Noland has overseen the Water Resources Division of the utility since 1993, according to PWC.

    Meanwhile, City Council newcomer Deno Hondros has been named the new liaison between the city and PWC, a nonvoting role with the utility.
    If Davis is chosen as a PWC commissioner, he would have a vote as one of four members of the board.

    "Those four commissioners will decide the next CEO who will replace Elaina," Dawkins said.

    PWC members are appointed by the City Council to serve four-year, staggered terms, the utility says on its website.

  • fayetteville nc logo The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Thursday, Sept. 8 is expected to decide whether to consider a request to fund the proposed N.C. Civil War & Reconstruction History Center.

    The issue is on the agenda for the board’s agenda-setting session. If the board agrees to the proposal, the item will be placed on the board’s Sept. 19 regular meeting agenda.

    Also on Thursday, the board will consider funding for the T.J. Robinson Life Center in Hope Mills.
    At the June 9 agenda session, center director Charlotte Robinson presented information about the T.J. Life Center and the programs it provides. Robinson asked that the county provide $5,000 a month for 10 years to fund center programs, which include midnight basketball, showers for homeless students, special needs sports programs, and a juvenile diversion program.

    The board at that meeting directed County Manager Amy Cannon to put the item back on the August agenda session. Cannon recommends the board consider the funding request.

    Mac Healy, chairman of the history center foundation’s board of directors, also made a presentation and updated the commissioners on the history center project. Healy and the history center committee are asking the commissioners to commit to the $7.5 million the board previously designated for this project through a resolution. That original resolution of support expired on Dec. 31, 2020, according to Cannon.

    In a letter to the board, Healy states, “Our intent is to ask for a reconsideration of the January 17, 2017 resolution in which the Commission offered support for the History Center project. We recognize that the resolution documenting the County’s commitment of $7.5 million to the project had several requirements that the History Center Foundation was required to meet. Due to the State of North Carolina not having a budget for over two years some of the requirements are associated with dates that have expired.”

    In his letter, Healy went on to say that the county’s and city’s commitments to the project — an expected $7.5 million from each — allowed the committee to convince the state legislature to provide nearly $60 million in major support in the current state budget toward the center’s development.

    “We have now met or exceeded all the requirements,” Healy wrote.
    In her memorandum in the agenda packet, Cannon recommends the board consider the funding request.

    A group supporting the history center appeared before the Fayetteville City Council during a work session Tuesday night pushing for the city’s financial support.

    Because the city agreed to provide land and Civil War-era buildings for the project, its proposed allocation has been reduced to $6.5 million.
    The City Council was deadlocked Tuesday night on whether to move forward with funding, but councilwoman Brenda McNair has since said she misvoted on the issue. Because it was a consensus vote during a work session, City Manager Doug Hewett said Wednesday that he plans to place the issue on the council’s Monday night agenda.

    The commissioners also are expected to go into closed session to consider acquiring real property and for attorney-client matters.

  • Brenda McNair Newly elected City Council member Brenda McNair says she intended to vote for a motion to put funding for the N.C. Civil War & Reconstruction History Center on the agenda for the council’s next meeting.

    Instead, her vote was recorded as a “no” vote and resulted in a 5-5 tie Tuesday night, Sept. 6. That would mean the issue would not be on the agenda for the council’s Sept. 12 meeting.

    The council has previously pledged $6.5 million toward construction of the history center, which would be built on the remnants of a Confederate Army arsenal on Arsenal Avenue in the Haymount Historic District.

    The total cost of the center is estimated at $80 million. The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has pledged to contribute $7.5 million, and the state legislature has approved $60 million in its latest budget.

    Had McNair voted as she says she intended, she would have made the vote 6-4, which would have placed a final vote on the funding on the Sept. 12 agenda.

    McNair said Wednesday she had no additional comment on the vote.

    But in an email to her fellow council members Tuesday night, she said she meant to vote “yes” in support of funding the history center.

    “As such, I will call the city attorney and city manager (Wednesday) to find out how to have this item reconsidered even through the vote was for consensus. I regret any confusion this causes, but I want my support to be accurately stated,” she said in her message to the City Council.

    On Wednesday, City Manager Doug Hewett said the issue will not be on the council’s agenda for Monday’s meeting unless the council approves adding it.
    Voting at Tuesday’s meeting to put the issue of funding on Monday’s agenda were council members Johnny Dawkins, Kathy Jensen, Deno Hondros, Mario Benavente and Derrick Thompson. Opposing the motion were Mayor Mitch Colvin and council members Courtney Banks-McLaughlin, Shakeyla Ingram, D.J. Haire and McNair.

    Both the city and Cumberland County have proposed overall allocations of $7.5 million for the center. Because the city has provided land and Civil War-era buildings for the project, its proposed allocation was reduced to $6.5 million from its initial 12% pledge approved in 2016.

  • In 1920, a group of “20-odd young vital businessmen” gathered to listen to a representative of Kiwanis International. A week later, that num-ber grew to more than 75 as the men gathered to charter their club and hand out membership applications. Since that time, the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville has gone about the business of improving the community one child at a time, living up to the Kiwanis International motto, “Serving the Children of the World.”

    On Sept. 18, the club will take another step toward helping Cumberland County’s children by sponsoring the Kiwanis Club’s Annual Care for Kids Golf Tourna-ment to benefit the Child Advocacy Center. The tourna-ment, held at Cypress Lakes Golf Course, in the Gray’s Creek Community, is one of many fundraising events the club holds throughout the year. In 2013, the tour-nament raised more than $25,000 and organizers hope to meet or exceed that amount this year.

    The Child Advocacy Center is a 501C-3 nonprofit whose purpose is to alleviate the trauma children experience once a disclosure of sexual abuse or seri-ous physical abuse occurs by creating a community of collaborating advocates.09-10-14-kiwanis-golf-tournament.gif

    They do this through a number of programs that stress education and prevention to change the community, but also include therapy and other help for children who have been abused. The work of the center is truly a community activity, as a multidisciplinary team from across the community works together on the various programs and to meet the needs of abused children.

    The center, located on Ray Avenue, is a safe and child friendly facility that supports the prevention, investigation and prosecution of child abuse.

    None of this would happen without the generous support of individual donors, grants and work by organizations like the Kiwanis who give self-lessly to support the mission of the organization.

    The donations given to the center will not only help the children and families that suffer from abuse, but also assist in keeping the center in operation.

    “The center uses the donations to help the families in any way possible. We buy food, clothes, school supplies and provide psychological care. The center also helps the families figure out the next steps for their children,” said Roberta Humphries, the executive director of the CAC.

    “The donations collected from July 2013 to June 2014 aided 616 children. In the past year the CAC has seen a 37 percent increase in t services provided to children,” continued Humphries. “Law enforcement and the Department of Social Services refer the majority of the families that benefit from CAC services.”

    Donations also help inform the public about pre-venting, noticing and protecting children from abuse. Abuse can be defined as emotional, physical, sexual and neglect.

    The Darkness to Light (D2L) Stewards of Children is a class held by the CAC to teach adults how to prevent child sexual abuse. Adults are the fundamental part to counteracting child abuse because kids are in the attention of adults. The program is also helpful for organizations that monitor or care for children.

    In addition to the Caring for Kids Golf Tournament, the club also hosts many other events throughout the year such as: Reading is Fun, Kiwanis Talent Night, Terrific Kids program and Salvation Army Bell Ringing.

    Check in for the tournament is at 11:30 a.m. at Cypress Lakes. Registra-tion is $100 for individuals and $400 for teams of four. Entry fee includes: golf cart and green’s fees with an amenities bag and dinner after the tournament. There is a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. For registration forms or more information, visit www.fayettevillekiwanis.org.

    Photo: The Kiwanis Care for Kids Golf Tournament rais-es funds to support the Child Advocacy Center.

  • vote yes3 copy The city of Fayetteville has appealed a judge’s order that it schedule a referendum on a plan that would add at-large seats to the City Council.
    The ruling by Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons last week mandated that the council approve a November referendum on the proposal by the Vote Yes Fayetteville advocacy group to reshape the way City Council members are elected.

    The decision was appealed to the N.C. Court of Appeals, according to City Attorney Karen McDonald.
    She declined further comment on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
    Mayor Mitch Colvin also declined to comment.

    Lonnie Player, the Fayetteville attorney who is representing the Vote Yes group, said the city has asked for a stay that, “in the midst of back-and-forth with the city,” would delay implementation of Ammons’ ruling until the Court of Appeals has more thoroughly reviewed the case.

    Ammons ruled on Sept. 1, in a suit brought by members of the Vote Yes group, that the referendum be placed on the November ballot to allow voters to decide if they want to change the way the City Council is structured.

    Attorney Edwin Speas, who represented the city and the Cumberland County Board of Elections in the civil lawsuit, had told Ammons that the city would work with the county Board of Elections to begin the process to put the referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot.
    Bobby Hurst, one of the organizers of the Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative, said the delay is a waste of money.

    "Only seven council members were present on a specially called meeting to vote on whether to appeal the ruling by Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons," Hurst said. "The action of a very slim majority is continued misuse of taxpayer money in an effort to take the people's voting rights away. It is easy to sue and spend mounting legal fees when you are spending someone else's money."

    The Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative calls for electing four City Council members at large and five from districts. The mayor would still be elected citywide. Currently, all nine council members are elected by district.
    The city’s appeal reiterated arguments that the Vote Yes group did not follow all procedures when it circulated a petition calling for the referendum.

    “A local board of elections should not be forced to print ballots that are invalid,” the city’s appeal reads. “Yet that is precisely what the trial court’s decision mandates, and in the absence of a temporary stay and writ of supersedeas, that is precisely what will occur. …

    “This change would significantly alter how Fayetteville’s citizens have been represented at the local-government level for over two decades,” the appeal reads. “The underlying dispute arose when the Cumberland County Board of Elections confirmed to the Fayetteville City Council that one of the statutory requirements for the ‘Vote Yes Fayetteville’ petition was not met. A valid initiative petition must meet certain statutory requirements.”

    Proponents of the plan — including the Vote Yes Fayetteville group — say it would give voters more representation on the City Council because each voter would help choose the mayor, four at-large council members, and a district representative.

    CityView TODAY publisher Tony Chavonne, a former mayor, is among the supporters of the initiative.

    Opponents — including the mayor and five other members of the current council — say it would dilute representation by increasing the size of the districts and creating hardships for minority candidates who would have to run their campaigns citywide at a higher cost to them.

  • immunization The wait for a COVID-19 booster shot that covers the omicron variant may soon be over in North Carolina.

    Last Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved updated shots for recently the original and newly evolved variants of COVID-19.

    Nearly 500,000 doses will arrive in North Carolina over the next two weeks, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

    Almost half of those doses will go to pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens.

    When and where will vaccines be available?
    The booster shot for people age 12 and older was to be available first, possibly as early as Tuesday, Sept. 6, according to NCDHHS. That booster is produced by Pfizer-BioNTech, according to the FDA.

    You can find a list of vaccination sites at vaccines.gov. You can also call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

    Which vaccines are available for the new booster shot against omicron?
    Both Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are available as boosters.

    Who is eligible to receive this booster?
    According to the FDA, anyone age 18 or older is eligible to receive the updated Moderna booster shot as long as it has been at least two months since either the last booster shot or the final shot in their primary vaccination regimen for COVID-19 was received.

    Those age 12 and older are eligible for a single-dose booster shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine if it has been at least two months since either a booster shot or their primary vaccination for COVID-19 was received.

    Who cannot receive a new booster shot?
    Anyone younger than age 12 cannot receive the new booster shots yet, and the FDA plans to “evaluate future data and submissions to support authorization of bivalent COVID-19 boosters for additional age groups as we receive them.” 

    What is different about these vaccines?
    They are both considered “bivalent” vaccines, which means they protect against two strains of coronavirus: original strain of COVID-19 as well as the more recently evolved omicron variants.

    The original boosters, which do not protect as well against recently emerged strains of coronavirus, are no longer recommended for people age 12 and older.

    What are officials concerned about with the omicron variants?
    The World Health Organization labeled BA.2, also called omicron, as variants of concern late last year. It is the dominant variant circulating globally, and it has an increased risk of reinfection.

    Like the original vaccines, the bivalent version will protect against the most serious outcomes, which require hospitalization or cause death.

  • 14Theater companies, music groups, museums and other arts programs recently received grants from the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County, many to support their 2022-23 performance seasons.
    Other nonprofit groups and individual artists received “mini grants” for arts projects through December.
    Bob Pinson, interim president and CEO of the Arts Council, said in a news release that the funding is being channeled to a broad spectrum of arts organizations.

    “… We are reaching deeper into previously underserved areas of our community as evidenced by the many new applicants this year,” Pinson said.
    In 2021-22, the Arts Council distributed almost $1 million in grants to Cumberland County arts and cultural nonprofit organizations, artists and municipalities, according to the release.

     

    Theater companies

    14aThe Gilbert Theater received a $30,000 grant to support its new season. The shows scheduled for 2022-23 are “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” “The Sound of Music,” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” “All in the Timing,” and “[title of show].”

    “As we sprint toward our 30th season, I can only hope that we are able to secure and expand the legacy left to us by Lynn Pryer,” Artistic Director Lawrence Carlisle III said in a news release.
    Pryer was the founder of Gilbert Theater.

    14bSweet Tea Shakespeare received a $27,500 grant for its new season. The funding, according to a news release, includes Green Tea, a Shakespeare company for youths.
    Sweet Tea’s upcoming season includes “Richard III,” which will run in October in Raleigh; “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” set for January in Fayetteville; “Twelfth Night,” set for June in Fayetteville; “Jane Eyre,” June in Raleigh; and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” July in Raleigh.

    The Cumberland County Public Library received a $9,000 grant for its 14th annual Cumberland County Storytelling Festival, scheduled March 1-31.

    “Storytelling and music allow for listeners of all ages to use their imagination as they explore, discover and learn,” library director Faith Phillips said in a news release.

    Museums and galleries

    Cape Fear Studios was awarded a $7,200 grant to help with a 32nd season of art exhibitions that include the National 2D competition, Alpha Romeo Tango call for military artists and Cabin Fever, among others.

    14c A $3,500 cultural tourism grant will support “Courage & Compassion: The Legacy of the Bielski Brothers,” a temporary exhibit at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum.

    “On loan from the Florida Holocaust Museum, ‘Courage and Compassion’ is a multimedia exhibition showcasing the heroic efforts of three brothers who helped save more than 1,200 people from the Nazis during World War II while taking refuge in the forests surrounding Novogrudok, Belarus,” says Renee Lane, executive director of the downtown museum, in a news release. “The Bielski brothers led the group in acts of sabotage and defense against the Nazis and through their leadership the group survived starvation, harsh winters and the threat of Nazis and their collaborators.”

    The exhibit is on loan until Nov. 3.

    “Given world events in eastern Europe,” Lane says, “it is very timely.”

    14dThe Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex Foundation was awarded an $11,000 grant to support its “History LIVE! at the 1897 Poe House” series, which includes historical re-enactments, artist demonstrations, musical performances and live theater. In addition, the museum was awarded $5,000 for its monthly “History-to-Go” kits, which are free for children who visit the museum.

    “The Arts Council grant makes it possible for us to provide engaging historical entertainment by incorporating living historians, artists and performers representing the diversity of our community and our collective history. Grant funds and other donations allow us to offer this programming for free or at minimal cost to the public,” History LIVE! coordinator Megan Maxwell said in a news release.

    Other museum programs supported by the Arts Council grant include “Hallowe’en Revels: Night Tours of the 1897 Poe House,” scheduled Oct. 20-22 and 27-28; “Trick or Treat at the Poe House,” Oct. 29, featuring a magic show, hayrides and carnival games; “Holiday Jubilee,” Dec. 4, with the Coventry Carolers and Cross Creek Chordsmen; and a new program, “A Night of Mystery,” to be presented in April 2023 in partnership with the Gilbert Theater.

    Music ensembles

    14e Cumberland Choral Arts’ 31st season, “Connections,” received a grant of $8,000, according to a news release.

    “Ongoing support from the Arts Council throughout these 31 years has made it possible for CCA to continue our mission of bringing outstanding choral music to Fayetteville and the surrounding Sandhills region,” CCA President Sandy Cage said in a news release.

    The choral group performs four concerts annually at local venues and extends its reach throughout Cumberland County through its affiliated Campbellton Youth Chorus.
    Concerts scheduled in the coming year are “The Sacred Veil,” Oct. 15; “The Messiah” with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Dec. 10; “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” in February; “Ear Candy! It’s What We Do,” March 24; and “The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass,” May 20.

    An additional grant of $3,500 was awarded to support the Campbellton Youth Chorus program for ages 9-14 in Cumberland County.
    The chorus gives young singers an opportunity to learn about and perform music with children from other neighborhoods, schools, traditions, and denominations, according to a news release from Cumberland Choral Arts.

    Cultural groups

    The Culture and Heritage Alliance received a $12,150 grant to support the sixth annual African World Peace Festival, scheduled Sept. 9-11 in Cool Spring Downtown District. In a news release, the group says it celebrates all cultures with an emphasis on Africa through music, dance, food and art exhibitions.

    The festival will run from 5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 9, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 10, and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 11. A 5k/10k Peace Run will begin at 7 a.m. Sept. 10 downtown; advance registration is required. The festival will include four activity areas: Kids Zone with games, puzzles and a climbing wall; an arts and crafts area with artisan vendors and workshops; music
    by local bands and African drummers; and a food court.

    Film festival

    14gGroundSwell Pictures received an $11,700 grant to support the seventh annual Indigo Moon Film Fest, scheduled for Oct.7-9 in historic downtown Fayetteville. The festival will feature more than 60 films, filmmaker question-and-answer sessions and special events, organizers said.
    "We are so grateful for the support of the Arts Council, especially this year,’’ said Jan Johnson, the co-founder of the festival. “We are planning for a great in-person post-pandemic festival, and with the support of the Arts Council, IMFF will be back in person again with the excellent programming and events for which it has become synonymous.”

    ‘Mini-grants’ cycle

    In July, the Arts Council awarded $31,801 in grants to six nonprofit organizations and nine individual artists in Cumberland County for local arts projects scheduled through December.
    A total of 43 applications were submitted requesting more than $80,000 to fund arts, culture and history projects. An artist panel chaired by Kenjuana McCray reviewed the applications and recommended awards of 15 grants.

    The $31,801 total is the largest amount awarded in a single mini-grant cycle, said Sarah Busman, arts education manager for the Arts Council, in a news release.

    “These projects demonstrate the artistic excellence and innovation we hold as two of our core values,” Busman said.

    The mini-grant program, created in 2019, awards $500 to $3,000 to arts programs and is supported in part by the city of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the N.C. Arts Council. The next application deadline is Sept. 15.

    Nonprofit mini-grant projects approved in July include:
    · Fayetteville Dogwood Festival’s Fayetteville After Five summer concert series, supporting the July 15 Throwback Collaboration Band performance.
    · First Nations Tribal Youth Development Corp. for its Native Arts Youth Class at Stoney Point Recreation Center. The weekly class teaches youths about indigenous culture and arts. The grant will buy art materials for its drum-making class.
    · Holy Trinity Episcopal Church’s Middleground Art Series, which features concerts, visual art installations, and dance performances.
    · Latinos United for Progress for the launch of the video culture series “Historias Latinas en Fayetteville” It will feature cultural stories from Fayetteville’s Latino community.
    · Lafayette Society of Fayetteville for its annual Lafayette French Music Concert, scheduled Sept. 8.
    · ServiceSource for its Bloom art therapy program that helps adults with disabilities foster creativity and self-esteem.
    Contracted artist mini-grants approved include:
    · All American Jazz Collective, for its Aug. 6 “Jazz and Art Concert” showcasing jazz musicians and vocalists.
    · Vocalist Frances Ellerbe, who leads a weekly community choir rehearsal at the Fort Bragg Main Post Chapel that will culminate in a performance on Nov. 6.
    · Author Mary J. Ferguson, who will lead a two-hour poetry reading and class on creative and autobiographical poetry based on her poem “2020.”
    · Angelicia Hicks, a theater artist who will present a reading of original monologues.
    · Matthew Jackson, a producer who is starting the monthly Fayetteville Comedy Night featuring local comedians.
    · Tatiana Pless, an actress and theater specialist who will use her connection to the Fayetteville Cumberland Reentry Council to start The Fourth Wall, a theater company for formerly incarcerated people.
    · Joanice Serrao, a designer who will use her fashion collection “Coal Miners” to teach a six-course community sewing class.
    · Meredith Talian, a visual artist who is producing “The Fayetteville Little Art Box,” a free mini-gallery that mimics the Little Free Library program.
    · Ayana Washington, who organized the Book Black Women’s “The Blueprint” concert on Aug. 13.

  • 09-07-11-cape-fear-regional.jpgIn 1962, a group of Fayetteville actors got together to put on a show. Much like the movies of old, the whole gang got together and staged the courtroom drama The Night of January 16th. They performed the play at the old Fayetteville Courthouse. Everything from props to lights was borrowed. And from that humble beginning, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre was born.

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

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

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

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

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

  • 12Steve Foley, CEO/President of Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union, has been named CEO of the Year by the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions.
    Elected by the NAFCU Awards Committee which consists of a nationwide panel of Credit Union CEOs, Foley is being recognized for his vision, leadership and management that has led to 107% growth from 2018 to 2022.

    “We knew when we hired Steve four years ago, we had someone who would lead our credit union to new levels of success,” said Bragg Mutual Chairman John Szoka.

    “His dedicated efforts are reflected in the continued success of Bragg Mutual FCU demonstrating thoughtful leadership skills, as well as developing new ideas that are beneficial to our organization's growth.”

    Leading the Fayetteville-based credit union with $110 million in total assets, Foley is being recognized as CEO of the Year among credit unions under $250 million in assets.
    Under Foley’s direction, the credit union upgraded digital banking services, expanded the Field of Membership, diversified the loan portfolio, reduced expenses and placed a stronger commitment to compliance.

    Furthermore, the credit union has seen a greater focus on employees, from quality education and training to an emphasis on outstanding member service to fostering a culture of teamwork. As a result, the credit union has seen record loan and asset growth during the past two years.

    “Steve has led our credit union into becoming one of the fastest growing credit unions in our state,” Szoka said. “To be selected as the national award winner by his credit union peers reflects his exemplary services on behalf of our members.”

    Bragg Mutual is now the 23rd largest credit union in North Carolina.
    Earlier this year, the credit union expanded to serve 301 census tracts throughout the Carolinas and also opened a fifth location in Kenansville, North Carolina.

    “Our team here at Bragg Mutual has tremendous spirit, dedication and servant hearts, which is how we’ve achieved the success we’ve experienced over the past four years,” Foley said. “I am truly grateful to have a team that is looking to improve the lives of many in our region.”

    Foley will be honored during NAFCU’s Congressional Caucus in Washington, D.C., Sept. 11-14, and will be featured in the September-October edition of The NAFCU Journal magazine.
    Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative providing financial services to approximately 11,400 members with three offices in Fayetteville, one in Spout Springs, and one in Kenansville, North Carolina.

    It is the fourth oldest active Federal Credit Union in North Carolina celebrating its 70th year of service to the people in the state. Membership is open to those who live, worship, work (or regularly conduct business in) or attend school in, and businesses and other legal entities located within various census tracts of 33 counties in the Carolinas. To find out more visit www.braggmutual.org.

  • 09-28-11-author-discusses.jpgCultural diversity is just one of the things that makes the Fayetteville area so unique. We are fortunate in that we share our city with people from all over the globe. With them, they have brought us colorful fashions, interesting languages and delectable cuisines, but how much do we really know about them, and, the countries they’ve left behind?

    The Southeastern North Carolina Asian India Association (SENCAIA), the Friends of the Library and the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, together, are giving us a rare opportunity to better understand the past and present struggles, growing pains and relationships that have molded, and continue to shape modern day India.

    Anand Giridharadas, columnist for both the New York Times and International Herald Tribune, will speak at the Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center’s Headquarters Library, 300 Maiden Lane, on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.

    Giriharadas, who was born in the United States, will discuss what it’s like to live between two different cultures, and, of his experience returning to his parent’s native land as a young adult.

    His topic, “The Age of the Fusionista: Understanding the New Class that is Stitching our World Together” is his interpretation of how ancient customs and changing attitudes are being woven together to create new beliefs in the country of his ancestors. Following his lecture, Gririharadas will host a question and answer session, then he will sign copies of his book, India Calling: An Intimate Portrait of a Nation’s Remaking. If you don’t have a copy, not to worry, copies of the book will be available for purchase on the night of his lecture.

    Kellie Tomita, marketing and communications manager for the library, when asked about the importance of understanding other cultures, explained, “As we learn and share our experiences and perspectives, we deepen our acceptance of one another.”

    She said that this program is the result of a generous contribution and that the goal of SENCAIA is to promote awareness of the culture and lifestyle of the Indian population.

    She added, “Their donation funded, not only the visit from Giriharadas, but also enabled the library to increase its print and digital collections.”

    When asked about the term fusionista, Tomita responded, “Fusionista is an intriguing term, isn’t it? How Giriharadas defi nes it is at the heart of this program, which is why we hope those who are curious will join us to fi nd out just what Giriharadas means.”

    Reservations are not required for this event, nor is there a charge. For more information about this, or any of the library’s other upcoming programs, visit the website at www.cumberland.lib.nc.us or call 910-483-7727.

  • 11Council member Johnny Dawkins, now Mayor Pro Tem, is nowhere near a new figure in local politics. Dawkins was first elected onto City Council in 2003. He was voted out in 2006 but rejoined in 2017.
    He also previously served as a former chairman of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.

    The first act of the new City Council was to approve Dawkins in the Mayor Pro Tem role. Dawkins says this position is usually given to the council member who has served the most amount of time. D.J. Haire and Kathy Jensen previously served as Mayor Pro Tems.

    As Mayor Pro Tem, Dawkins steps into the role of leading City Council meetings when the Mayor isn’t able to be there.
    He also meets with the Mayor once a week as part of an advisory council — along with the City Manager and the City Attorney.

    One major priority for Dawkins is to continue the improvements in stormwater drainage. Dawkins previously served as the chairman of the stormwater advisory committee and continues to serve on the committee.
    He says they have gained some progress on the long list of projects that need to get done, but there are still quite a few more.

    “I’ve got over $10 million worth of projects right now going on, which is going to have some impacts. The problem is that, well, we really need to spend about $200 billion and there's no telling what that number is going to be by the time we get them done,” Dawkins said.

    When it comes to public safety, Dawkins says that’s also a topic to focus on. This term will be important as the city chooses a new police chief to replace current Police Chief Gina Hawkins.
    Another focus of public safety he wants to enforce is noise ordinance laws.

    “Our noise ordinance has not been enforced for four or five years now, and that needs to change,” Dawkins said. “I get more complaints about noise, I get 2 to 3 complaints a month for noise across our city. So I want us to enforce our noise [ordinance].”

    Dawkins says there is little the city can do regarding the homeless encampments, as they primarily happen on DOT property.

    “We physically can't take down the encampment unless the person is a known felon or if there's an all-points bulletin for a person's arrest that has occurred in the last month, and we were able to arrest someone who was camping on the property,” Dawkins said.

    However, there is a plan for the city to have its own daytime shelter. This homeless day resource center will support and centralize resources for citizens experiencing homelessness.
    The day center will be located at 128 South King Street. The day resource center will also be utilized for emergency shelter purposes when needed.

    “The feds were not happy that the county was not moving quickly on assisting the homeless. So the money was sent to the city after we agreed to accept. It was over $3 million. So that's going to be spent on, I call it Person Street extension. It's just a building we're renovating. And that's going to be our homeless day center and emergency shelter,” Dawkins said.

    “I do think you're going to see movement these next 15 months on an agreement with the city and the county on this homeless shelter. We've got to work together to try to save money, even though it's not a constitutional responsibility of the city, for homeless people. However, the Mayor wants it to become more of a priority for the city. So that's going to be coming out of our city tax dollars. We do not get federal or state money for homelessness in our city.”

    Economic development is another focus for Dawkins. He says the Amazon warehouse is a big step, but focusing on military contractors and subcontractors will be a plus for the community.
    Dawkins looks forward to the General Obligation Bonds vote, and hopes it passes in order to get money for infrastructure.

    Dawkins will be leading the infrastructure committee which will help allocate funds to repair and build new streets, sidewalks and roads.
    He will be serving on the audit committee, the appointment committee and will be leading the Cumberland Liaison Committee.

    He will also be on a few new boards the Mayor is bringing in this year. One is a military advisory committee. The other is the Unified Development Ordinance.

    “This affects our builders and developers in the city, whereas they have to have required green space, they have to have sidewalks, they have to have retention ponds. If they are more than three lots being developed, there's lots of regulations on builders, what they can build in the city,” Dawkins said.

    When it comes to the Vote Yes referendum — a proposed change to have at-large members on the council — Dawkins voted in favor of the issue being on the ballot. In the emergency meeting Sept. 2, Dawkins voted against appealing Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons' decision to have the referendum appear on the November ballot.

    “My position is I want people to vote yes or no on whether to have at-large seats,” Dawkins said. “The decision should be left up to the voters.”

    The North Carolina Court of Appeals should be releasing a decision on Sept. 9 on the referendum.
    For District 5 residents, Dawkins wants them to know that they can reach out to him at any time and to know that the city is continuing to grow. This includes parks, senior centers and more job opportunities.

    “I want everybody to enjoy their life journey and I want them to be successful in their careers. And I've found that if you have more grain in your back pocket, you're happier, and you're able to do more things for your family.”

    The next city council meeting will be on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.

  • pexels Crime tape A Fayetteville man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon, Sept. 3, after firing a weapon inside his home while his wife and adult son were inside, the Police Department said in a release.

    At approximately 1:12 p.m., officers responded to the 6900 block of Woodmark Drive in reference to a domestic disturbance involving an “intoxicated subject firing his weapon inside of the residence,’’ the release said.

    When officers arrived, they got a woman to safety and made contact with the “intoxicated, combative subject.’’

    The man was uncooperative and resisted officers as they tried to detain him, the release said. An officer deployed his Taser and the man was taken into custody without incident, the release said.

    The preliminary investigation revealed that during a domestic disturbance, the man fired multiple shots from a rifle into the ceiling. The man’s wife and adult son were not harmed during the incident, police said.

    The man was identified as Emilio Crespo, 45. He was charged with discharging a firearm within an enclosure to entice fear. He is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center with no bond, the release said.

  • pedestrian A three-vehicle crash at Cliffdale and Bunce roads Saturday afternoon left one driver dead and a passenger with non-life threatening injuries, Fayetteville police said.

    Officers responded to the crash just before 3:15 p.m.

    Police said one of the drivers died at the hospital. A passenger from another vehicle was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The drivers of the other vehicles were on the scene, police said in a release.

    The Police Department’s Traffic Unit is investigating the cause of the crash.

    Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Officer J. Smith at 910-987-4510 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

  • 6 Fayetteville police are investigating after a man was found dead behind a dumpster on Raeford Road Saturday morning, Sept. 3.

    Officers were dispatched to the 7700 block of Raeford Road at 9 a.m. in reference to a deceased man behind a dumpster, the department said in a release.

    Officers and emergency medical personnel found the man when they arrived. In the release, police said the body was in “advanced stages of decomposition.’’

    On Saturday night, police identified the man as 58-year-old Roger Eugene Johns, who was homeless.

    “This does not appear to be a random act,” police said in the release.

    The department’s Homicide Unit is investigating.

    Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective D. Arnett at 910-929-2565 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

  • 09-15-10-4thfri_train.gif4th Friday is always a good time, but this month it is going to be extra special. The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County has plenty going on as they kick off the International Folk Festival.

    “We will host the opening of our Cultural Expressions exhibit on the evening of 4th Friday,” said Arts Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County Marketing Manager Mary Kinney.

    The exhibit is made up of pieces created by the different cultural groups participating in the International Folk Festival. The call for art included everything from 2D art to sculpture and mixed media.

    Several artists will be demonstrating their skills as well.

    Participating artists will showcase jewelry design and creation, painting, loom weaving, stenciling and more — including a live performance by Ghanian pop singer Ofori Amponsah.

    “He will perform at Friday evenings festivities as well as on the Rainbow stage on Saturday,” said Kinney. “The Arts Council events are really enhanced this month in celebration of the International Folk Festival.”

    The downtown shops and galleries will be open late in anticipation of the crowds that routinely fi ll the streets on the fourth Friday of every month. If you are near the Market House check out the Art Guild’s juried exhibition Contemporary Compositions featuring the work of N.C. artists created in 2-D and 3-D including photography, jewelry, pottery and more.

    The Cotton Exchange Express will be giving free train rides for kids and their parents. Don’t forget, there is lots of great shopping inside the Cotton Exchange after the train ride!

    Sharpen your Ninja skills at Fascinate-U. The Bite Training Center will be doing some martial arts demonstrations and teaching some cool moves, too. It’s free.

    At the n2 gallery space at 106 Hay St., Pulitzer Prize-nominated photojournalist Chris Hondros’ works will bedisplayed. The exhibit is entitled “The Current Wars: Images from Iraq and Afghanistan, 2001-2010.”

    Hondros has traveled frequently to both countries since 2001 and is one of America’s leading war photographers. His work captures the brutal realities of war as well as the beauty and serenity that can so09-15-10-general-petraeu-2007.gifmetimes be found in the more quiet moments in the lives of the soldiers and natives facing such horrors.

    “This exhibit really looks at the wars in a very personal, intimate way. I don’t pull any punches on this. Any war is brutal .The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have their share of brutality and some of that is included in the show,” said Hondros. “There are also lighter moments that people might not expect — things that I think are often missing in the coverage of Iraq and Afghanistan — the normal moments of life in these places. Life does go on under any conditions and there is more day to day normalcy in life there than people sometimes realize.”

    You may have noticed painters around town last month during the Cape Fear Studios paint out days. The artists captured scenes from around town and will be exhibiting their works in the Plein Air Show through October 20th.

    The Headquarters Library always has something interesting going on and 4th Friday is no different. It is hosting a panel discussion with Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants from Fayetteville State University. There will be visiting scholars from China, Kenya, Nigeria and Kuwait talking about their life experiences and what America means to them. A question and answer session will follow.

    “We’ve got some really big events planned this month,” said Kinney. “There is plenty going on downtown for the public to enjoy.”

    To find out more, visit www. theartscouncil.com or call 323- 1776.

    (Photo top left) July 4th Friday Cotton Exchange train entertains the crowd.

    (Photo right)  A photo of General Petraeus taken before the surge of 2007. Taken by Chris Hondros.

     

  • vote yes3 copy Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons ruled Thursday, Sept. 1, that a referendum on the Vote Yes election plan be placed on the November ballot to allow voters to decide if they want to change the way the City Council is structured.

    “I’m ordering that this measure be put on the ballot,” Ammons said. “This is important.”

    He then told Cumberland County Attorney Rick Moorefield to “get the order done today.”
    Attorney Edwin Speas, who represented the city of Fayetteville and the county Board of Elections in the civil case, said the city will work with the Board of Elections to have the proper wording completed in time to print the ballots.

    The Fayetteville City Council has called an emergency meeting for 9 a.m. Friday to discuss the litigation, according to a notice sent by the city Clerk’s Office.

    On Aug. 22, the City Council voted against putting the proposal on the ballot after some council members raised questions about whether Vote Yes Fayetteville followed the rules on circulating a petition.

    Members of the advocacy group filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the city and the county Board of Elections asking that the referendum be put before voters on the Nov. 8 ballot.

    The Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative calls for changing the way City Council members are elected.
    Currently, the mayor is elected citywide, and all nine council members are elected by district. If passed by voters, Vote Yes would change the makeup to five single-district seats and four members elected at large. The mayor would still be elected at large.

    Proponents of the plan say it will give voters more representation on the City Council because each voter would help choose the mayor, four at-large council members, and a district representative.
    CityView TODAY publisher Tony Chavonne, a former mayor, is among the supporters of the initiative.

    Those who oppose the initiative — including Mayor Mitch Colvin and five other members of the current council — say it would dilute representation by increasing the size of the districts. Opponents also say it creates hardships for minority candidates who would have to run their campaigns citywide rather than by district at a higher cost to them.

    “I’m real happy for the people to have a chance to vote,” Bobby Hurst, a leader of Vote Yes Fayetteville, said after the hearing Thursday.

    Fayetteville attorney Lonnie Player Jr., who represented Vote Yes in the case, said he was pleased with the outcome.

    “(Judge Ammons) read the statutes clearly and correctly and arrived at the proper result,” Player said.

    Player said there is little case law on the issue.
    Player represented the three plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit: Hurst, Karl Merritt and Suzanne Pennink, who were asking for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.

    Speas, on his way out of the courtroom, declined to comment on the decision.
    Moorefield and Karen McDonald, the attorney for the city, said they had no comment.
    Earlier, Ammons questioned why some city officials opposed putting the issue to the voters.

    “I’m wondering why the city is fighting this, to tell you the truth,” he said in court. “I wonder why they are incessant to delay the people to decide this issue that apparently — due to the plaintiffs — has been properly done.”

    Moorefield responded: “I think the City Council is interested in complying with the law. If the City Council — if it receives a valid petition — will clearly put it on the ballot.”

    Robert Hunter, who represented the plaintiffs challenging the City Council’s decision, told Ammons that federal and state constitutions both guarantee a right to petition.

    “Both constitutions have a provision as part of due process,... and the state constitution has a right to vote and a right to petition for the address of grievances,” Hunter said. “In addition to that right to petition and right to grievances, the N.C. legislature codifies specific statutes — which your honor has said he has read — which allow citizens and municipal corporations to place a ballot measure on the ballot to change the structure of the election.
    "In this particular case, over 5,000 citizens of Cumberland County were led by the group Vote Yes Fayetteville, who began to gather signatures in March of 2021,” Hunter continued. “They went to the Board of Elections here to receive guidance and, in doing so, they were informed they had to form a political committee, and they were not given any other forms (that were) necessary to begin a petition drive."

    The City Council received verification of the petition signatures from the county Board of Elections, Hunter said, but it delayed action “for reasons that haven't been explained, from our viewpoint."

    Hunter told Ammons that with the petition signatures verified, city officials had no discretion to refuse to call a referendum.
    Speas argued that state law must be applied as written.

    “We would like for this petition to be dismissed,” Speas said, adding that the petitioners could begin the process again since it had been more than a year since the first petition was initially circulated.

    But Ammons said the petition process was completed within a year's time in compliance with state law.
    In delaying action to call a referendum, some city officials had argued that Vote Yes Fayetteville failed to file a “notice of circulation.” But Moorefield said in court Thursday that the Board of Elections has no such notice required to circulate petitions.
    Ammons said the City Council’s decision "appears to me to be self-serving."

    “The City Council has failed to call for a special election, which is required by the statute," Ammons said. “That the plaintiffs had the clear right to this action that would comply with the statutes.... There's no legitimate right for the City Council to object to putting this measure before the people. …
    "This measure needs to be included on the ballot," he added.

  • Soldier Show 27.0, the 2010 U.S. Army Soldier Show, an “entertainment for the Soldier, by the Soldier” song-and-dance production revolves around the current social-media phenomena. You can catch it on Oct. 1-2 at the Crown Coliseum Complex.

    09-29-10-soldier-show.gif“It’s the 27th year and it’s a new version, just like a new version of a computer program, but it’s built on the foundations of all the past versions,” Soldier Show Production Director Victor Hurtado said. “Basically, it’s like a computer screen. When you walk in, you’ll see the desktop, and all of the transitions are like Facebook or Google with a PDF.”

    Soldier Show regulars might recognize a few familiar-looking faces because three siblings of 2004 Soldier Show performers are among this season’s cast: Spc. Philip Plasterer, Spc. Brian McAleese-Jergins and 2nd Lt. Katherine Melcher. And Sgt. Kevin Cherry, another 2004 performer, returns for his second go-round with the Soldier Show.

    In addition to much ado about keeping it all in the family, the 2004 and 2010 themes somewhat resemble each other. The previous show revolved around how deployed Soldiers kept in touch with loved ones via cellular telephones and electronic mail. Those communication devices have since been supplemented by faster-moving and farther-reaching social-media tools, many of which the Army has embraced.

    Hurtado was quickly impressed by this year’s Soldier Show performers.

    “When I hear them sing together, it’s like the most glorious choir,” he said. “People are going to be just shocked by how good they are.”

    Soldier Show founder Irving Berlin would not have wanted it any other way. The Soldier-performers, in turn, will honor the founding father of Army Entertainment.

    “There’s some great historical content with Irving Berlin,” Hurtado explained. “We have much better video technology this year with moving projectors. We’re going to be able to use that during the show for a lot longer lengths of time, so we have voiceovers with Irving Berlin and some of his work.

    ”The show will open with Disturbed’s heavy metal anthem “Indestructible,” which was written to inspire Soldiers headed for battle.

    “It’s meant to be something that would make them feel invincible, take away their fear, make them strong,” Disturbed lead vocalist David Draiman said.

    As always, the troops will deliver several genres of music and dance, complete with Soldier-musicians on guitar, bass, keyboard and drums.

    “We have an incredibly trained male ballet dancer,” Hurtado said. “Pfc. Andrew Enriquez brings an incredibly masculine [Mikhail] Barysh-nikov style. He’s really good, and we’re using him throughout the show.

    ”And, of course, there’s a tribute to the late Michael Jackson.

    “With the Michael Jackson segment, we’re just making use of what he left behind,” said Hurtado, who revealed the medley will include “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” “I’ll Be There,” and “Jam.” “I don’t want to give too much away, but the very last piece is something that you’ll defi -nitely recognize,” Hurtado added while moon-walking backwards.

    “The most important thing about the show this year, the finale is being written by the cast,” Hurtado said. “As a group, they are writing an original song, and it’s really coming together beautifully. It’s going to have to do with resilience and the inspiration of bouncing back.”

    The U.S. Army Soldier Show has exhibited those qualities for 26 years, and likely will do so again — along with brothers and sisters and a few old friends – for “Soldier Show 27.0.”

    The event is free and open to the public. Shows are at 7 p.m. on Oct. 1 and at noon on Oct. 2. For more information, visit www.atthecrown.com

  • classroom Cumberland County Schools administrators on Thursday heralded the news that 15 schools in the district were removed from the state’s list of low-performing schools based on end-of-grade and end-of-course test results.

    The report on school performance for the 2021-22 school year was released Thursday by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.
    The report said that the district’s student achievement results are beginning to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels.

    The results are based on an analysis of end-of-grade (EOG) and end-of-course (EOC) tests, which are used to assess proficiency in English language arts and reading and mathematics and the science.

    At a news conference to discuss the test results, Superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr. was joined by Kim Nash, executive director of data and accountability; Jane Fields, associate superintendent for school support; Stacey Wilson-Norman, chief academic officer; and John McMillian, principal of Lewis Chapel Middle School.

    Lewis Chapel was among the middle schools with the greatest composite gains.
    The state’s accountability report includes performance and growth data for schools and districts across North Carolina. Nash defined growth as the actual performance of a student versus the predictions of how well a student will perform based on a number of factors, including tests.

    In his opening remarks, Connelly said the district has overcome incredible challenges, from the disruption caused by the pandemic to teacher shortages. And, because of COVID-19, the accountability report is the first since the 2018-19 school year to include all the state’s accountability framework.

    “Test results are only one of many ways that we measure the progress we are making in our district,” Connelly said.

    But, he added, the accountability results demonstrate the “incredible work” happening in Cumberland County Schools.
    Nash highlighted the major results of the report. In reading, English, math and science, various grades in the district had an increase in proficiency over last year but did not surpass proficiency levels reported in 2018-19.

    For example, in 2018-19 — before the pandemic — the district’s performance composite was 54.7% in grades three through 12. In 2019-20, the scores dropped to 36.8%. In 2021-22, those scores rose to 47.3%.

    In grade-level proficiency for grades three through five, the composite reading proficiency (combined grades) rose from 36.6% to 43.1%. In 2018-19, the composite reading proficiency was at 55.3%. For math, the composite proficiency scores were 45.1% in 2021-22 compared with 28.9% the previous year.

    The math composite score was 54% in 2018-19.

    Fifth-grade science proficiency scores were 73.3% in 2018-19, 45.9% in 2020-21, and 62.2% in 2021-22.
    The trend continued for middle schools. Grade-level reading proficiency scores in grades six through eight were 47.1%, up from 42.6% in 2020-21. The 2018-19 score was 53.9%.

    The composite math score for middle schools was 46.8% in 2018-19, 28.9% in 2020-21, and 36.8% for 2021-22.
    The grade-level proficiency rating in high school grades nine through 12 includes biology, English 2, and Math 1 and 3. For years 2018-19, 2020-21, and 2021-22, the composite scores were 58.5%, 36.7% and 50.8%, respectively. For English ll, the scores were 56.9%, 53.9%, and 55.7%, respectively. For Math 1, the scores were 41.6%, 19.2%, and 35%. And for Math 3, the respective scores were 43.2%, 29.6%, and 50.9%.

    High school ACT scores for 2021-22 were lower than in both previous years. Nash said the University of North Carolina system raised the standard from 17 to 19, resulting in a lower percentage of students reaching the new benchmarks. Also, graduation rates decreased during the past three years. The district’s 2021-22 four-year graduation rate dropped to 82.8%, compared with 84.2% in 2020-21.

    Schools that showed the greatest composite score gains include:
    Elementary schools: Warrenwood, Ponderosa and Mary McArthur.

    Middle schools: Reid Ross Classical, Lewis Chapel and Luther “Nick” Jeralds.
    High schools: Cape Fear, Pine Forest and Douglas Byrd.

    “While we have much more work to do, we need to pause and celebrate the accomplishments of teachers and students,” Connelly said.

    On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Education reported that reading and math performance saw the steepest decline in decades. The report cited the pandemic, classroom disruptions and violence, and a shortage of teachers as the causes.

  • vote yes3 copy The Vote Yes Fayetteville advocacy group is suing the city and the Cumberland County Board of Elections seeking to have its plan to reshape City Council elections put before voters in a Nov. 8 referendum.

    The civil lawsuit, which asks for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, was filed Tuesday, Aug. 30 in Cumberland County Superior Court.
    Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons is expected to hear the case and rule on it at 10 a.m. Thursday.
    A leader of the group said city officials and the Board of Elections are both aware of the suit.

    “The issue of protecting citizens' right to vote (is) too important not to pursue,” said Bobby Hurst, one of the Vote Yes organizers. “City Council’s actions are just an example of why the state’s general statutes give voice, through the petition process, to protect citizens' rights when their government refuses to listen to them.”

    The Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative calls for changing the way City Council members are elected.
    Currently, the mayor is elected citywide and all nine council members are elected by district. Vote Yes would change the makeup to five single-district seats and four members elected at large. The mayor would still be elected at large.

    “I would say our attorneys are pretty confident that citizens will be able to vote on this this November,” Hurst said. “The goal is to have this done quickly and have it on the ballot in November. We think we can have this wrapped up and get it on the 2022 ballot.”

    Fayetteville lawyer Lonnie Player Jr. will represent Vote Yes in the courtroom.
    The three plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Hurst, Karl Merritt and Suzanne Pennink, all residents of the city.

    “The Vote Yes Fayetteville committee believes that there is a good-faith basis to prevail and request to have the referendum placed on the ballot in November,” Player said.

    Tony Chavonne, publisher of CityView TODAY, is one of several former council members who started the Vote Yes drive.
    Proponents of the plan say it will give voters more representation on the City Council because each voter would help choose the mayor, four at-large council members, and a district representative.
    Those who oppose the initiative, including Mayor Mitch Colvin, say it would dilute representation by increasing the size of the districts.

    “As you know, I'm limited as to what I can say,” Colvin said Wednesday. “I'm looking forward to getting to the bottom of this.”

    In the introduction comments, the lawsuit against the city and county Board of Election says it was filed on behalf of the Vote Yes committee and city residents who signed the Vote Yes petition “for violation of plaintiffs' federal and state constitutional and statutory rights to petition and to vote."

    The lawsuit says: “Plaintiffs are citizens and electors of Fayetteville who have successfully petitioned the City Council in accordance with North Carolina law for a ballot referendum posing the question whether certain members of the City Council of Fayetteville be elected at-large rather than from separate districts as is currently the practice."

    The lawsuit adds that “the legal requirements for a petition were satisfied and the Cumberland County Board of Elections certified plaintiffs' request.”
    After delaying action on the issue at two previous meetings, the City Council voted 6-4 on Aug. 22 against calling a referendum on the Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative.

    During that regular meeting of the council, City Attorney Karen McDonald said questions persist about the validity of the petition calling for the referendum that was submitted by Vote Yes. McDonald said the council had directed her to contact the county Board of Elections to inquire about whether petition organizers followed the rules.

    “I did that on Aug. 9,” McDonald told council members that night. “I did receive a response from the interim director for the Board of Elections on Aug. 16. And to this point, there appears to be — based on the response — that there remains a question regarding the validity of the petition that was submitted to the City Council for consideration.”

  • pexels Crime tape The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a man died following a shooting in a neighborhood near Hope Mills early Wednesday, Aug. 31.

    Deputies responded to a shooting near the 400 block of Scipio Court around 1:15 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office said in a release. Scipio Court is off Spinnaker Drive, not far from Legion Road.

    A man with a gunshot wound was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center before deputies arrived, the release said.

    The Sheriff’s Office later Wednesday identified the man as 24-year-old Jaquon Jamario McCoy of Hope Mills. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, the Sheriff’s Office said.

    “The preliminary investigation revealed that this shooting was not a random incident, as all parties involved are known to one another,’’ the Sheriff’s Office said in the release.

    The Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit is investigating.

    Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact Senior Sgt. C. Zwan at 910-677-5503 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

  • pexels tim mossholder 942304 City and county government offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 5 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
    The city of Fayetteville released this schedule for government offices and services:

    Police Department: The main lobby and records until will be closed Monday. Many police reports are available online at faypd.com.

    Solid Waste Division: Monday’s garbage and yard waste will be collected on Wednesday; Monday’s recycling will be collected on Sept. 5.

    Fayetteville Regional Airport: Administrative offices will be closed Monday, but all other operations will be on the regular schedule. Airline contact information is available at Visit flyfay.com.

    Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST): Buses and other transit services will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday.

    Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation: Pools and splash pads will be open on Monday, the last day of the season for pools. Splash pads will remain open through September. All other public recreation facilities will be closed Monday, but parks, trails and green spaces will remain accessible.

    Cumberland County government offices and the court system will be closed Monday for Labor Day, a county news release said. That includes Animal Services, the Ann Street landfill, the Wilkes Road yard debris site and all Solid Waste container.
    All branches of the Cumberland County Library System will be closed Saturday through Monday in observance of Labor Day.

  • A seven piece orchestra, 38 performers and 10 video screens. “This show is big,” said Tom Quaintance,09-26-12-jesus-christ-superstar.gif artistic director at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. “I think this is the biggest project I’ve taken on.”

    Jesus Christ Superstar opens at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre on Sept. 20 and runs thought Oct. 7. While the original version looks at the story of Jesus through the lens of 1970s hippie counter-culture, this version takes a different spin.

    “I’ve wanted to do a version of this show for about 20 years,” said Quaintance. “I was watching a news show and the news anchors were talking about what it would take for a third party to win an election. They came to the conclusion that there is no one who could pull that off. No one who could unite the country … and I immediately thought ‘No one but Jesus. I bet Jesus could do it.’”

    The production does not change the dialogue or music in any way, but by changing the context Quaintance believes this production will bring a fresh perspective to an age-old story that will both please and entertain the audience.

    Centered in the world of politics, the story would not be complete without the media, because as Quaintance says “What is politics without the media?”

    Indeed. Twitter feeds, Facebook posts and bloggers all share their views on the screens as Jesus becomes more and more popular. Eventually social media translates into mainstream media and Jesus is arrested on live television.

    “We draw parallels and contextualize who everyone is in the story. Herod becomes a modern Internet queen along the line of Perez Hilton. Pilate/Rome is the main stream media,” said Quaintance. “This is a musical that asks you to imagine this world. I hope people don’t just think of this as clever, but as a new perspective on the show.”

    While Quaintance is careful not to make fun of the story of Christ or be irreverent, he considers it a confirmation of the life of Jesus. A show this big draws big talent. With actors from Britain, Lumberton, New York, Southern Pines and Fayetteville, there is plenty of talent to go around.

    Gill Brady, who has an impressive resume ranging from theater to film, television, print work and stand-up comedy, portrays Jesus. Past performances have been hailed as high-energy, remarkable, charming and witty.

    Emelie Thompson, also from New York, portrays Mary Magdalene, while Lumberton native Kendrix Singletary is Judas. Singletary is no stranger to the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. He was in last season’s production of Miss Saigon.

    While this show is a big undertaking, Quaintance noted that like so many other areas in life, finding a balance and rhythm in the season plays a big part in being successful in the theatre.

    “This is a big show, and this is a lot of fun, but we care about smaller intimate stories, too. We are not always trying to top ourselves, other than doing our best,” said Quaintance. “Our tagline is great stories told here. What better story is there than the story of Christ?”

    Find out more about show times and ticket prices at www.cfrt.org.

  • pedestrian The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft of 84 street signs from 42 intersections earlier this month.

    The signs were taken on Aug. 12 and Aug. 13, the Sheriff’s Office said in a release.

    The signs were removed from intersections in the Eastover area to the Wade-Stedman area, the Sheriff’s Office said. The Sheriff’s Office was alerted when it responded to a larceny call at the Cumberland County Sign Shop on Aug. 16, the release said.

    It cost an estimated $20,000 to replace the signs, the release said.

    “The sign shop worked diligently and swiftly to replace all the stolen signs from the reported locations,’’ the Sheriff’s Office said in the release.

    The Sheriff’s Office is asking people who live in the area where the signs were taken to check their surveillance and doorbell cameras to see if they may have information about the signs.

    Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective R. Tyndall at 910-677-5499 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

    The Sheriff’s Office said signs were taken at the following intersections:

    1. Magnolia Church Road at Maxwell Road
    2. Pooh Avenue at Wade-Stedman Road
    3. Tobacco Road at Baywood Road
    4. Hayfield Road at Maxwell Road
    5. Roebud Road at Jake Road
    6. Morning Glory Drive at Wade-Stedman Road
    7. Collier Road at S. River School Road
    8. Boyces Landing Road at S. River School Road
    9. Oak Grove Church Road at Bainbridge Road
    10. Saddleback at Wade-Stedman Road
    11. Mary Mccall Road at Bainbridge Road
    12. Bridle Ridge Lane at Kennel Road
    13. Kennel Road at Wade-Stedman Road
    14. Kennel Road at S. River School Road
    15. Stone Crossing Lane at S. River School Road
    16. Bun Brady Road at Murphy Road
    17. Irrigation Drive at Draughon Road
    18. Travis Road at Draughon Road
    19. Landover Drive at Draughon Road
    20. Produce Lane at Draughon Road
    21. Hollowman Drive at Murphy Road
    22. Lake Gordon Drive at Murphy Road
    23. Glamorgan Road at Murphy Road
    24. Gobbler Lane at Baywood Road
    25. Mistletoe Court at Baywood Road
    26. Wolvey Road at Baywood Road
    27. Autry Road at Clinton Road
    28. Stallion Drive at Clinton Road
    29. Harvestgrain Drive at Mary Mccall Road
    30. Mccall Drive at Oak Grove Church Road
    31. Wishing Lane at Huckleberry Road
    32. Piglet Place at Tigger Trail
    33. Pooh Avenue at Piglet Place
    34. Ping Court at Bobby Jones Drive
    35. Titleist Drive at Bobby Jones Drive
    36. Maxwell Road at Murphy Road
    37. Cherrybark Drive at Deerview Drive
    38. Eastfield Avenue at Deerview Drive
    39. Altitude Drive at Final Approach Drive
    40. Final Approach Drive at Baywood Road
    41. Sandy Acres Loop at Baywood Road
    42. Creek Bottom Trail at Murphy Road

  • pexels anna shvets 5965198 The city is moving forward with plans to build a $9.4 million fire station on Bragg Boulevard.

    The new Fayetteville Fire Department Station 4 will replace the one on Stamper Road that opened in 1960, according to a news release from the city.
    City officials and firefighters broke ground for the new station Tuesday morning, the release said.

    The state-of-the-art station, located at 4210 Bragg Blvd., will be centrally located to improve response in high-demand areas, according to the release. Officials expect it to become the busiest fire station in the city because it will be readily accessible to several major roads and have three bays for firetrucks.

    The 18,433-square-foot facility will include storage space for fire equipment, spare vehicles and office supplies. It will accommodate as many as 10 firefighters on duty with 10 bedrooms and five restrooms, the release said.

    Fire Chief Mike Hill thanked members of the City Council for approving the new station.

    “The investment in this long-awaited project illustrates the council’s commitment to the community and to the staff of the Fayetteville Fire Department,” Hill said. “It also has the potential to facilitate one of the greatest service enhancements I have witnessed in my career.”

    Construction is estimated to be complete within 18 months, the release said.
    The new station will have decontamination equipment to remove exhaust from the air as well as washers designed to reduce contaminants on uniforms, according to the news release. A space to store turnout gear will be a first for Fayetteville, giving firefighters room to store pants, boots, coats and gloves separate from living and working areas.

    A community room will be available for Neighborhood Watch meetings and public-safety classes, the release said.
    Plans for more fire station renovations and expansions are part of a $60 million public-safety infrastructure bond package that will be on the ballot in November.

  • Food Truck CBC 2 Central Baptist Church in Dunn wants to celebrate Labor Day with neighbors near and far. All are invited for the semi-annual Food Truck Fest Sunday, Sept. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m.

    The line-up includes Catering by Alex & Family, Sisters II Ice Cream, TAL Dreams and Big B’s Southern Kitchen – all at reasonable prices.
    Catering by Alex & Family will serve a choice of taco plate, fajita plate or BBQ plate with sides. TAL Dreams serves a variety of burgers, hot dogs and sausages. Big B’s Southern Kitchen boasts a “gourmet on the go” menu of seafood and soul food, most famously known for its “Meatloaf Melt.” And of course, Sisters II Ice Cream will bring the sweets with plenty of sundaes and shakes.

    Bring your friends, families and neighbors to enjoy the beautiful weather and delicious food. Find the event on Facebook to receive updates and detailed menus. Be sure to bring a lawn chair to sit, eat and relax with friends new and old.
    Central Baptist Church is located 4 miles south of Dunn on Highway 421 at 6050 Plain View Highway, (exit 73 off I-95). For more information call 910-892-7914 or visit www.cbcdunn.com.

  •     {mosimage}My wheels can take me around; they can also take me down. That is what happens in “the dead spot.” Sounds like a pitch to a movie, but I just wanted to make a point. The place I am talking about is the place you learn about in driver’s ed called the blind spot; however, for a motorcycle it is really the dead spot.
        Fayetteville is heavy with traffic. Every day, thousands of people enter and leave the base and they have a lot on their minds. People are picking up or dropping off their kids. Fayetteville is a town in motion. It seems everyone is distracted and not paying attention to vehicles around them or the drive home. Reilly, Ramsey, Raeford roads, the mall area and everywhere is congested with heavy traffic. As a motorcyclist you have to not only know what you are doing on a bike, you have to anticipate and know what others are doing as well.
        So what is a blind spot? The blind spot is an area of the vehicle that the driver cannot see around or into. This includes the back, back left and back right surrounding areas of the vehicle. If you are in someone’s blind spot and you are on a motorcycle you are in a very dangerous place. This spot is so big that you could be located beside the vehicle thinking the driver knows you are there, when he doesn’t. If the driver cannot see you, he will hit you if he moves over into your lane. Cars hit other cars all of the time. If a car’s blind spot is so big that it cannot see a car, they certainly cannot see a motorcycle. Same goes for 18-wheelers, but they have more surface area and therefore, more dead spots to content with.
        So, what is your best defense? Never let yourself get into a spot in which the other driver cannot see you. As you come along the side another car, the opposing driver’s blind spot runs from the front of your tire along their vehicle to your left or right rear bumper. The driver is limited by his right, left, or rear view mirrors; his blind spot is your dead spot. The heavier the traffic the more likely a driver is to maneuver suddenly, so be alert and careful. If you find yourself in someone’s blind spot then move forward or drop back. Just get out of it and become visible to the other driver.
        As the driver of the motorcycle you too have blind spots. You can only see what is behind you by your left and right mirrors — you cannot see directly behind you. You may be limited by a passenger, your helmet, or other obstacles. Look before moving into another lane. Don’t trust your mirrors. Turn your head. Use your turn signals at least 500 yards before you turn. Use hand signals before the turn.
        Know your surroundings. You are the only one that can protect you. If you get hit by another car it doesn’t matter whose fault it is. It will be you that will pay. Protect yourself. Remember: stay alert, stay alive.
        If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, please send your comments and suggestions to motorcycle4fun@aol.com. RIDE SAFE!

  •     Man’s best friend now has a big playground in Fayetteville. The Riverside Dog Park, operated by Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation, is now open. The park is located at 355 N. Eastern Blvd, also known as U.S. 301, across from the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
        {mosimage}Dogs can roam within 6 feet high fenced areas at the 5-acre park. Small dogs under 25 pounds have a playpen of their own with three benches for owners. Larger K-9s have two sections to gallivant in, one with six benches, another with three.
        Parks staff constructed and landscaped the park, which includes two bridges, one connecting the parking lot to the park and another between the two large dog spaces.
        A committee, called Bark for a Park, raised approximately $20,000 for the park construction. The committee did research on rules and regulations and the setup of the park.
        Judie Stoddard, committee chair, thanked Liliana Parker, the original committee chair and current committee member, for her work and said a petition signed by 900 people helped give the dog a bone, so to speak. The committee presented the petition to the Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation advisory board along with their proposal.
        To get to the park: Citizens coming from downtown or western Fayetteville will access the park from N. Eastern Blvd/U.S. 301/Interstate 95 Business by turning right onto the service road at the entrance to the botanical garden and going under the bridge and around the U-shaped service road.
        Residents coming from the other direction, from Eastover, Wade and Godwin, turn right onto the service road and then make a left.
        Rules — When you get to the park, remember to abide by these rules:
        • The hours are from dawn to dusk;
        • All dogs must be legally licensed and have current vaccinations. Tags must be securely attached to the dogs collar;
        •Owners are liable for any injury or damage caused by their dog and are fully responsible for the actions of their dog;
        •Dogs must be at least four months old;
        •Dogs in heat or that are sick or injured are prohibited;
        •No animals other than dogs may be brought into the dog park;
        •All dogs outside the enclosed fenced area must be on a six-foot maximum leash;
        •Dog owners must carry a leash and remain inside the fenced area within view and voice command of their dogs at all times;
        •Dogs showing aggressive behavior must be removed immediately. Owners must immediately leash their dog and leave the park;
        •Excessive barking is prohibited. Dogs barking excessively must be removed from the dog park;
        •Owners must collect and dispose of all dog waste. On-site containers are provided;
        •Smoking and food are not allowed in the park;
        •No more than two dogs per person are allowed on any single visit;
        •No spiked, pronged, pinch or choke collars are allowed in park;
        •Children accompanying dog owners must be strictly supervised and at least 12 years old to be allowed inside the dog park. Spectators should remain outside the fenced area;
        •The small dog enclosure is for dogs weighing less than 25 pounds;
        •Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation staff has the authority to close the park for maintenance, weather related problems, emergencies and special events;
        •For emergencies, call 911.
        For more information about the park, call Stoddard at 484-6619.
  •     The Fayetteville Museum of Art has been making a lot of headlines recently, but they’d rather people focus on their mission rather than the headlines. With that in mind, the museum is hosting a premier party on Friday, Sept. 12, for a new sculpture exhibit titled Sense of Place.
        Sense of Place features the sculptures of three East Carolina University professors: Carl Billingsley, Jodi Hollnagel and Hanna Jubran. The large-scale sculptures not only take up a great amount of space, they also require viewers to reinterpret their Sense of Place.
        Billingsley was born in Oklahoma and spent his formative years in a variety of locations as his father, a sergeant in the field artillery, was transferred from post to post. Three years in Germany made an indelible impression on Billingsley and he has returned to Europe as an adult many times. Billingsley teaches sculpture at the School of Art & Design, and has a very active exhibition schedule. Billingsley’s work can be found in collections and sculpture gardens from North Carolina to Wisconsin. He has permanent public sculptures in Norway, Israel, Estonia, Japan, China and Brazil.
        {mosimage}Billingsley’s recent works have focused on a renewed interest and exploration of color. “Having made numerous sculptures which were intended to maintain as direct a relationship to the process and material as possible and which were therefore not painted, I decided to change my focus from the material to the dynamic of color in the public realm,” said Billingsley in an artist statement. “I strive to utilize color as phenomenon and to bring the attention of the public to the many ways that color changes as the light changes and as the environment around the sculpture affects both the form and the color of the sculpture. Color is not a static, passive element in these sculptures.”
        Billingsley will be joined by his fellow instructors, who have something else in common. In addition to their art and academic pursuits, Jodi Hollnagel and Hanna Jubran are married. They own and operate J&H Studio Inc. Their lives are dedicated to art by teaching at East Carolina University, making and exhibiting their art and traveling around the world participating in international sculpture symposiums.
        Hollnagel has works on display both nationally and internationally. Some of her accomplishments include: a 22’ wing-spanned bronze eagle for the Jesse Helms Archive Center in Wingate; an 11’ bronze wildcat at Davidson College; a 12’ bronze Scotsman at Presbyterian College in South Carolina; a 13’ bronze Pirate at East Carolina University in Greenville; and a monument to a Century of Flight in Kitty Hawk. She is currently making a life-size bronze figure and bas-relief work for a Veteran’s Memorial in Asheville.
        Jubran’s work addresses the concepts of time, movement, balance and space. Each sculpture occupies and creates its own reality influenced by its immediate surroundings. The work does not rely on one media to evoke the intended response, but takes advantage of compatible materials such as wood, granite, steel, iron and bronze.
    He received his M.F.A. in 1983 in sculpture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is currently a sculpture professor and sculpture area coordinator at ECU. One of his most recent commissions can be found on the campus of Fayetteville State University. It is a nine-segmented concrete sculpture and reaches 11 feet in height.
        While you visually take in the sculptures at the premier, you can also listen to the eclectic sounds of the Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers, a band based out of Chapel Hill. The band has become something of a fixture at the museum’s openings, and will delight you with its delicate blend of acoustic guitar, keyboards and electronic mixing. Folksy and introspective, the band is in perfect compliment to the museum’s evening.
        The opening party begins at 6 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged and, according to museum officials, they are “happily accepted.”

    Janice Burton, Associate Publisher
    COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or
    editor@upandcomingweekly.com

  •     The ShowArt at Stein Mart, an art show featuring local artists, is all about dignity — dignity you wear.
    Or rather, Dignity U Wear.
        The art show, scheduled to run from Sept. 21 through Oct. 4 with displays at the Stein Mart at 2800 Raeford Road, contributes 30 percent of the show’s proceeds to Fayetteville Urban Ministry — a nonprofit organization that provides clothing for the poor and homeless, along with other services. Fayetteville Urban Ministry buys much of its clothing at a greatly reduced rate from Dignity U Wear — a Florida-based national nonprofit that provides brand new clothing to men, women and children in need. The organization receives donations of new clothing from manufacturers and retailers and distributes it through a network of 300 recipient nonprofit agencies in 30 states. Nationally, the organization has provided more than 4.1 million pieces, valued at $71 million, to more than 354,000 people.
        {mosimage}Annette Smith, a marketing rep with the local Stein Mart, says the art show — in it’s third year — is a way for Stein Mart to give back to the community.
        “This helps provide the homeless with clothes, as well as help furnish school uniforms for kids,” said Smith. “There are at least 35 schools in the county that require the students to wear uniforms, and with gas and food and other expenses it’s hard to find the money for clothes.”
        Rusty Wong, executive director for Fayetteville Urban Ministry, says the organization is grateful for all the help it can get, as the number of homeless and families seeking clothing has increased as the economy has gotten worse.
    “Over the last 18 months we’ve seen a pretty significant increase in folks coming in needing clothing,” said Wong. “We’re the only place in town that provides school uniforms for children.”
        Open since 1974, Fayetteville Urban Ministry provides other services as well, such as an adult literacy program, a construction and repair service for the economically disadvantaged, an emergency food pantry, and a Find-A-Friend program for children.
        “Fayetteville Urban Ministry is a wonderful program and we are so excited to be able to help them,” said Smith.
    Smith said the art show not only provides funds for a great cause, but also shines a light on local artists. This year’s contributing artists include watercolorists Mary Nan Thompson and Gail Gilbert; potter Greg Hathaway; Kelly Wallace, whimsical wine glasses; and, Grace McGrath, fused glass jewelry.
        All art will be on display at the Stein Mart and the art show is open to the public. Prints as well as the original artwork will be available. There will be a drawing at 5:30 p.m. on the opening day of the show, with the artists giving away door prizes.
    “This is a great way to help provide clothing for those in need as well as help support the local arts,” said Smith. “And you will be able to purchase some great art.”


     
     
     
     
     
     


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    “We’ve also had photo booths there that were free for folks to take candid pictures, and in July, because it was so hot, we had water slides for the kids,” says King. While the event and the activities are free of cost, there will be food vendors on site with food and beverages for purchase.09-07-11-fay-after-five.jpg

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

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

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

    Originally produced on stage in London, Rocky Horror became a cult hit after the 1975 release of the fi lm starring Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon. Part rock opera, part horror movie, part sci-fi flick, Rocky Horror rolls a lot of personality into one story.09-14-11-rocky-horror.jpg

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Bernard is a lonely American living in Paris. His friends don’t like to see him lonely, so they09-21-11-boeing.jpgintroduce him to some nice ladies. The ladies in question are all stewardesses. So what happens when a lonely American in Paris begins juggling three jet-setting ladies of the air? Pure comedic genius, or at least that’s what Bo Thorp, the director of Boeing, Boeing, hopes happens as the Cape Fear Regional Theatre brings this French farce to stage this month.

    Boeing, Boeing by Marc Carmoletti “shines with slamming doors, delicious innuendo and spectacularly improbable situations,” all designed to tell the story of how much can go wrong in just a short time.

    As mentioned, Bernard is something of a Lothario. His chaotic love life is guided by the flight schedules in and out of Paris, and his maid, played by the ever entertaining Patricia Cucco, is the air-traffic controller who keeps it all going.

    R. Bruce Connelly, a well-known visiting actor, plays Bernard’s American friend who comes to visit just when everything falls apart.

    “I arrive from Wisconsin early in the first act,” explains Connelly. “I play a very shy man — the kind who has never been kissed — who comes to visit his good friend. I am surrounded by these beautiful women. I am not a player, not a liar, but I’m left all alone when all this action starts happening. So my character is the the one who is left to invent the stories and keep the women separated. It all falls apart and goes crazy very rapidly.”

    Connelly is not a stranger to the production, having done it earlier this year with his co-star Gil Brady. He is excited to be reprising the role.

    “I got the call about a week and half ago to do the show, and we’ve been here about a week in rehearsals,” he said.

    Brady explained that the show is more of a dance than a play in the sense that it is very complicated and it all has to do with timing.

    “This is kind of unheard of to put up a show this diffi cult in such a short period of time,” he said. “The good news is we’ve done it before; Bo knows what she is doing — and she was smart enough to cast a great cast.”

    “Rehearsals have been great so far. We are still in early stages of working out timing and relationships. I’ve been trying to communicate to everyone that it’s more of a dance than a play. It’s so intricate,” he explained. “Boeing, Boeingis easily one of the most technical plays I’ve done in my life. Bo is taking it in a different direction than in the last production I did. What’s great is we are going for more of the emotional truth, while the last one was more zaney/mad cap

    .”He said he was “happy for the change.”

    “There really is no challenge to go into the theatre and do carbon copy of a play you’ve done before. It is very unsatisfying for an artist. I did Grease four times and by the end, you sort of go on autopilot and collect your paycheck.”

    That won’t be the case when you see Boeing, Boeing look for a great night of laughs interspersed with some emotional truths.

    For tickets, times and reservations, visit the website at www.cfrt.org.

    Photo: When you see Boeing, Boeing look for a great night of laughs interspersed with some emotional truths.

  • If laughter is the best medicine, then the doctor is in the house on Friday, Oct. 14, when the Royal Comedy Tour comes to the Crown. The tour looks to be a must see show this fall, if it is anything like last year’s tour which, sold out shows across the country during its 20 city tour.09-28-11-royal-comedy-tour.jpg

    Sommore, a comedian, is this year’s headliner. She is known for her quick-witted sarcasm and has an impressive track record to back her up. With air-time on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Live From LA, Showtime at the Apollo, The Hughley’s, The Parkers and Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, it is no wonder fans are coming out in droves to hear her perform.

    Bruce Bruce, another peformer on the tour, was rewarded for his comic talent with the highest ratings ever as host of BET’s 10th Anniversary Comic View for two seasons, and promises to deliver a side-splitting experience for the audience.

    Mark Curry, the star of television’s Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, has countless hours of night-club entertaining under his belt and really shines on stage. With shows like Coming to the Stage and ESPN’s Cold Pizza on his resume, Curry has earned a place in the hearts of those who love to laugh.

    Damon Williams has appeared on BET’s Comic View several times as well as performing at Showtime at the Apollo and Jamie Foxx Presents Laffapalooza. Williams can be heard on the Tom Joyner Show in “Seriously Ignant News.” He’s a crowd favorite in the comedy clubs and sure-fire favorite for the Royal Comedy Tour.

    Tony Rock is the brother of Chris Rock, but he has made his own mark in the world of comedy and easily keeps audiences in stitches. His list of performance venues includes the Comic Strip, Caroline’s, The Comedy Store and The Improv. He’s had roles in All of Us, Hitch, Three Can Play that Gameand Life Support. He’s a busy guy and a big part of the comic synergy that the Royal Comedy Tour is so well known for.“

    The Crown Center is excited about having one of the most high-spirited, hilarious comedy tours in the country featuring one the hottest headliners and well-known female comedians in the comedy world, Sommore,” said Interim Director of Marketing and Sales at the Crown, CaroLyn Swait. “The tour features some of the funniest comedians around. We look forward to bringing a variety of different shows to our diverse community for the 2011-2012 season.”

    This show opens at 8 p.m. and will only be in town for one night, so order those tickets early to ensure a good seat. Visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.atthecrown.com to get your tickets. They are also available at the Crown Box Office or by calling 438-4100.

    Photo: Comedienne Sommore headlines Royal Comedy Tour at Crown.

  • It’s the place where the Nile river flows. The pyramids stand there as a monument to ingenuity and creativity. Africa. It is a place of promise and political struggle. It is known as one of the prominent cradles of civilization.

    Through the years, its history has traveled through wise oracles passing on the legends of the land. Africa is a place where the rhythm of drum beats, the roar of lions and the cadence of stories are carried through the wind of time.

    Jon Onye Lockard captures the beauty of the land and its culture in his exhibit Africentricity, which is on display as a part of the Fayetteville State University Fine Art Series weekend of events. This exemplary art is an examination of socio-political Black art aesthetics. The work illuminates historical revelation and is a visual reflection of African society.

    The Rosenthal Gallery will display Lockard’s work from Sept. 22 through Nov. 3. An opening reception will be09-19-12-afrocenticity.gif held on Sept. 22 from 1-3 p.m. Lockard will attend the reception and will also be available to speak with students on Thursday and Friday prior to the reception.

    Lockard’s world view, which stems form urban life and political struggle, is woven into his work in a refreshing way. His more than 50-year career span as an artist, muralist, portraitist, illustrator, educator and historian brings wisdom and enlightens his work.

    According to Lockard, “My art regenerates my spirit and renews my continuing curiosity of life. The existence of my people reflects a long, rich history of images that I have learned to immerse my spirit in, to give me visions of regeneration.”

    “Those Who Learn, Teach” is the theme for the Africentricity exhibit, and Lockard has been both a student and a teacher. He is the senior lecturer at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. He is the former president of the National Conference of Arts and is currently a member of the board of directors. He is the associate director for the Society of African Culture & Aesthetics, and was part of the coordinating team that worked with sculptor Lei Yi Xin on the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial project. Lockard is truly making his mark in time and teaching through his art. Africentricity is an emotionally electric melody of African culture, challenge and contribution.

    Rosenthal Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and you may contact Dwight Smith at 910-672-1795 for more information.

    Photo: The works of Jay Onye Lockard are on display as part of the Fayetteville State University Fine Art Series. at the Rosenthal Gallery on the campus of FSU.

  • UAC09292101 Wow! For over two decades, our community newspaper has provided residents, visitors and guests insights into the people, businesses and organizations that invest extra time and effort into making our community unique.

    Our Best of Fayetteville survey is also unique. Our dedicated readers pride themselves on making sure they are the ones who define and determine who Fayetteville’s Best of the Best are. No nominations, no ballot stuffing. Only well-defined enforceable voting guidelines have elevated the honor and integrity of the Best of Fayetteville designation.

    However, the survey is not scientific. It is an informal survey, and we make no claims otherwise. However, it has proven to be highly accurate.

    Following a frustrating year of staying at home, social distancing, vaccine confusion, mask-wearing, and an overall lack of social interaction, we are slowly beginning to get our lives back to normalcy. So, now, let’s celebrate!

    As our faithful readers know, Up & Coming Weekly’s biggest celebration of the year is recognizing and honoring our community’s outstanding people, businesses and institutions. This year we are celebrating the occasion at the Crown Coliseum, one of our newest Best of Fayetteville sponsors.

    Here is where the Best of the Best will congregate to celebrate their achievements and contributions to our All-American City.

    Over the past 25 years, our community and our newspaper have changed immensely. However, the Best of Fayetteville readers survey has not. It continues to reflect the best aspects of the Fayetteville community. Annually, we receive thousands of ballots and painstakingly record the comments and sentiments of our readers.

    This process allows us to get to know who, what and why they value our community members. It is these people, businesses and organizations we want to showcase and introduce to Fayetteville, Fort Bragg and Cumberland County residents as they continue to work hard year after year to improve, impact and elevate our local quality of life.

    The Up & Coming Weekly Best of Fayetteville edition you are holding in your hands will serve you well throughout the year. It is a valuable visitor’s guide, service directory and cultural and event resource.

    Please share it with your friends. The format and guidelines for this sanctioned, time-tested survey have been designed and audited to provide residents, local businesses and organizations the recognition they deserve for their ethics, dedication and perseverance in their quest for excellence.

    Since the first ballots were counted more than two decades ago, Up & Coming Weekly has successfully told the Best of Fayetteville winners’ stories. With your votes and support, we are extremely proud to share this year’s Best of the Best winners with you. Please join me and the entire Up & Coming Weekly staff and all our 2021 Best of Fayetteville sponsors as we begin this yearlong celebration.

    For 24/7, 365-days-a-year access to the Best of Fayetteville winners, visit www.upandcomingweekly.com. While you’re there, sign up for our FREE electronic subscription and receive the Early Bird edition of Up & Coming Weekly every Tuesday
    afternoon.

    I want to thank Mac Healy of Healy Wholesale and Jim Grafstrom of the Crown Coliseum for their help and support. I also want to thank Jimmy Keefe of the Trophy House for creating the beautiful Best of Fayetteville plaques they designed and his service as a Cumberland County Commissioner. Of course, every legitimate survey needs a competent CPA, and we have the best. Lee Utley has supported and partnered with us for nearly two decades, and his services have been invaluable.

    Again, we hope you enjoy this special edition of Up & Coming Weekly. Keep it handy and refer to it often.

    We sincerely thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly and supporting your only locally-owned community newspaper.

  • EarlVaughan
    You may have heard that the N.C. High School Athletic Association is going to use MaxPreps rankings to help break ties for berths in this year’s state football playoffs.
    I support the idea because the rankings are computerized, don’t rely on human emotion and provide a results-based yardstick to put the teams in some sort of order.
    Unemotional, yes, but entirely accurate not so much.
    Here’s an example. As of Wednesday, you know who the No. 386 football team in the state of North Carolina was according to MaxPreps?
    Fayetteville Academy.
    The Eagles have NEVER had football since the school’s opening in the 1970s, although athletic director Chip Bishop was a good player in his day at Terry Sanford and once ran a pass back 102 yards for a touchdown.
    I spoke with N.C. High School Athletic Association commissioner Que Tucker about glitches like that earlier in the week and she said the association is aware of them.
    “If people are looking at MaxPreps and see things like this, which I hope the membership will do, I hope they’ll call us,’’ she said. “We need to work through things but they’ve been good partners when we bring things to their attention.’’
    At No. 386, it’s not likely the Academy’s ranking will influence the standing of any real schools that are jockeying for playoff berths, but it’s still good to be aware of mistakes like this to make the process as accurate as possible.
    And if they are No. 386 with no team, imagine how good Fayetteville Academy could be if they really had one?
     
    The record: 43-10
     
    Missed on a couple of big wins by Pine Forest and Seventy-First to drop the record for last week to 7-2. That ran the season total to 43-10, still above the 80 percent threshold at 81.1 percent.
     
    Douglas Byrd at Cape Fear - Another haves vs. have nots encounter. The Colts keep rolling while Byrd seeks that elusive first win.
    Cape Fear 31, Douglas Byrd 8.
     
    Westover at E.E. Smith- This is way more than the traditional battle of the bands between the schools. Smith is on a hot streak while Westover has fallen short in some nail-biters. Smith gets the edge but can’t afford to overlook the Wolverines, who have a potent offense.
    E.E. Smith 28, Westover 21.
     
    Gray’s Creek at Terry Sanford- I don’t like the Bears’ chances of getting their first win against a good Terry Sanford team.
    Terry Sanford 30, Gray’s Creek 10.
     
    Jack Britt at Lumberton- The Buccaneers should be able to rebound from the lopsided loss to Scotland last week.
    Jack Britt 29, Lumberton 12.
     
    South View at Pine Forest - This is basically a playoff game as both teams need to beat all their 4-A opponents in the Patriot Athletic Conference in order to clinch a playoff berth. I think South View’s passing is going to be a problem for the Trojans.
    South View 24, Pine Forest 18.
     
    Seventy-First at Hoke County- The Falcons need to avoid coming into this one flat after a big win at Pinecrest last week.
    Seventy-First 29, Hoke County 12.
     
    Open date- Trinity Christian.
     
    Other games
     
    Village Christian 22, Wake Christian 7.
     
    Raleigh Ravenscroft 30, Fayetteville Christian 6.
     
    -- 
    Earl Vaughan Jr. 
    Sports editor
    Up and Coming Weekly 
    NCHSAA Hall of Fame 2017
    Two-time winner NCHSAA Media Award
    Fayetteville Sports Club Hall of Fame 2012
     
  • 02 Pitt IMG 8588Watching the news with its escalating daily death count from the ravages of the Rona got me to thinking about mortality.

    Dionne Warwick sang: “What’s it all about Alfie/ Is it just for the moment we live/ What’s it all about/ When you sort it out, Alfie.” Since Alfie is not available, I will explain one of the mysteries of life, the little matter of death.

    Class, open your laptop. This will be on the final exam. If you are reading this blot on world literature, by definition you are alive. However, at some point you will slip off this mortal coil and break on through to the Other Side. As the late Jim Morrison once said: “No one gets out of here alive.” It is unclear if Jim is aware he remains popular.

    Our version of human beings is called Homo Sapiens. Mr. Google reports that Homo Sapiens appeared about 50,000 years ago. The Population Reference Bureau estimates since the appearance of Homo Sapiens about 107 billion people have lived.

    Currently, the world population is estimated to be about 7.6 billion people. That means that roughly 100 billion people have already died giving us a ratio of 15 dead people for every living person today. So, death is pretty common. As Elaine once said to Jerry Seinfeld in another context, death has been done to death. We should not be surprised when it happens.

    Poets, philosophers and song writers have all grappled with the concept of death. Let’s take a look at some of the colorful ways four famous people have gotten into Charon’s boat and crossed the river Styx into the land of the dead. Why did Casper the Friendly Boy have to die to become Casper the Friendly Ghost? Some questions do not have answers.

    Our old friend and Greek playwright Aeschylus departed in a colorful manner. Aeschylus was a famous dude in his time. He was born around 525 BC. He is generally credited as being the father of Greek tragedy. He wrote about 80 plays with only seven of his plays surviving. An oracle told Aeschylus he was going to be killed by something falling out of the sky. Being a cautious sort, Aeschylus social distanced from the sky by mainly staying indoors. Fate will not be cheated. When your time is up, it’s up. One day in 456 B.C., Aeschylus broke his rule against being outside and went on a walkabout. Bad idea. Aeschylus was bald (another reason I like him, he is the godfather of all bald men). While he was out walking, an eagle flying overhead mistook his bald head for a rock. Ordinarily an eagle with presbyopia is not a danger to humanity. But this particular eagle was carrying a tortoise in his claws. Eagles have figured out how to get to the good stuff inside the tortoise shell by picking up the critter and dropping it on a rock below. The tortoise shell cracks open and voila! It’s tortoise tartar for the hungry eagle. The eagle dropped the tortoise on Aeschylus’ bald head. Lights out for the father of Greek tragedy.

    Billy the Kid was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1881 in Lincoln County, New Mexico. Various legends have grown up about Billy and the number of people he killed. His burial site has been vandalized so many times by souvenir hunters that a metal cage had to be built around it to keep the fans from destroying his tomb stone.

    Singer Dave Stamey sympathetically channels Billy’s ghost and sings an excellent song about Billy’s death called “The Skies of Lincoln County”. The chorus goes: “And the skies of Lincoln County were as blue as blue could be/ And the sun that shines on you, well it used to shine on me/ And I knew the smell of wood smoke and I liked the taste of beer/ The only difference now, is I’m not here/ I’m in New Mexico and it’s 1881.” I commend this song for your listening pleasure. We will all join Billy one day and miss the smell of wood smoke.

    The late great song writer Warren Zevon wrote a cheery little ditty called “Life’ll Kill You” in which he ponders the mystery of death. I saw Warren perform in Chapel Hill at the Cat’s Cradle when he was not well. He suggested to the audience that avoiding the doctor was not a good plan. His song included the lyrics: “From the President of the United States/ To the lowliest rock and roll star/ The doctor is in and he’ll see you now/ He don’t care who you are/ Some get the awful, awful diseases/ Some get the knife, some get the gun/ Some get to die in their sleep at the age of a hundred and one.”

    So what have we learned today? Life is fleeting. Enjoy it. Do you know what happens the day after you die? Everything. Politicians promise. Traffic jams. Lunch is eaten. Birds fly. People get married. Socks get lost. The only difference is you’re not there.

    Pictured: Aeschylus' time was up when an eagle flying overhead mistook his bald head for a rock.

  • 22anna boyetteAnna Boyette Terry Sanford

    • Senior

    • Volleyball

    Boyette has a weighted grade point average of 4.6250. She is active in student government, the Friends Club, 12th Man and the Key Club.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    23Andrew EasterlyAndrew Esterly Gray’s Creek

    • Senior

    • Soccer Esterly has an unweighted grade point average of 4.0. He is a defending conference champion in wrestling, plays tennis, is active in student government and attended Governor’s School.

  • 01 ManPointingGunHC1607 sourceNorth Carolinians were horrified by not one but two school shootings earlier this month — at least I hope
    we were.

    The first was in Wilmington where a 15-year-old student at New Hanover High School was charged with attempted murder in the wounding of another student in his leg. Officials released few details because of the accused’s age, but his mother said the boy was new to the school and that his family had been concerned about his safety in the new setting. She said she had spoken to school administrators about those concerns.

    Days later a student at Mount Tabor High School in Winston Salem was shot dead at the school, and a suspect, believed to have been a fellow student, was later apprehended.City and county authorities have been even less forthcoming with information about the second shooting in a single week, presumably because of the age of the person taken into custody.

    At a time when students are just returning to classrooms after more than a year of COVID shutdowns, these shootings are shocking and deeply disturbing. Questions that pop up immediately include these.

    Where did the guns involved come from and how did the shooters get their hands on them?

    How did they get them into schools, supposedly safe places for learning, both academically and socially?

    What should parents do when they fear their children are walking into unsafe situations when they are entrusted to others in charge of our schools?

    These are questions to which there are answers, whether we like them
    or not.

    We may find that the shooters took licensed weapons from another person without permission. We may find they smuggled them into school in backpacks, somehow bypassing school resource officers or even metal detectors. We may find that schools have procedures for parents to voice concerns and channels to pursue if they feel administrators are not listening to them. Law enforcement officials across the nation are voicing concerns about young people and guns, among them North Carolina’s Attorney General Josh Stein. Stein has contacted Facebook regarding gun sales on its platforms, including Instagram, especially to underage buyers.

    More difficult are the larger, less specific questions, these among them.

    How did we become a nation whose culture embraces firearms, with all their attendant dangers and losses? How did we become a nation where my right to own a gun supersedes your right to be safe in my presence? How much more gun violence among both adults and children are we willing to tolerate?

    When twenty 6- and 7-year-olds were gunned down nearly a decade ago at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, millions of Americans thought, “Surely, murdering kindergarteners will shock us into facing the magnitude of our gun violence problem, something no other developed nation on earth faces.”

    But that did not happen.

    The carnage, both small and large, continues in churches (Charleston, South Carolina), in concert venues (Las Vegas), in schools (far too numerous to enumerate), in businesses, in homes, on roadways and hiking trails. It happens to people of all ages, from infants to the elderly.

    Name a place in the United States, and odds are that someone has been shot there — or will be.

    Often the shooter is someone disaffected from his community and/or family, striking out at people he believes have wronged him somehow. Some times he is taking aim at strangers for reasons known only to himself.

    Whatever the situation, it is increasingly apparent that Americans have lost our capacity to be shocked by violence — that the lives lost and the people who took them are now part of the wallpaper of our culture, even when they are too young to have their names made public.

    My guess is we feel that way until it happens to someone we love.

  • 21RobertsThe physical distance between Douglas Byrd and South View High Schools is only a few miles. But the challenges Jerry Roberts faced in making the trek have been huge.

    Just over a week ago, Roberts made his debut for the South View football team, carrying 18 times for 116 yards and scoring from five yards out with 39 seconds left to seal a 29-26 win over Westover.

    The victory kept South View unbeaten at 5-0 as the Tigers head into a critical Patriot Athletic Conference game this Friday at Pine Forest.

    It’s quite a difference from where Roberts was this time last year. He was injured in his third game of the season with Douglas Byrd, and he would not return to the field for the Eagles.

    Off the field, he was beset by personal issues beyond his control. His football future appeared in doubt until his former head coach at Douglas Byrd, Scott Barbour, and his wife Ashley, opened their home to Roberts and took him in.

    “Coach Barbour and his family were an excellent support system for me,’’ Roberts said. “I want to thank everybody who’s worried about my condition and athleticism and helped (get) me through it.’’

    South View coach Rodney Brewington didn’t know anything about Roberts and his football pedigree until he enrolled at South View. “Every year you get transfers in and out,’’ Brewington said. “When I laid eyes on him I was like, ‘Wow.’”

    With good reason. Roberts is a solid 5-feet-10, 190 pounds. A classic power running back, he bench presses 350 pounds and squats 400.

    But that’s not the end of his impressive statistics. He’s strong in the classroom, where he carries a 3.9 grade point average.

    Brewington said South View school officials were careful to consult with the central office of Cumberland County Schools to make sure Roberts’ transfer was completely proper. “Any time you get a kid that comes from another school there is a protocol you have to follow,’’ Brewington said. “We went step by step. It was a rigorous process.’’

    Roberts finally became eligible to join the South View team the Tuesday before the Westover game. But now he faces another challenge.

    “He’s picked up the system as far as the plays we have designed for him, but as far as the entire system he’s weeks behind,’’ Brewington said. “Every week we try to give him a new wrinkle.’’

    The good news for Roberts is South View had an open date prior to this week’s game with Pine Forest, giving him a little extra time to get up  to speed.

    When he has time, he sits down with Brewington and his son, Tiger quarterback Donovan, to go over plays and learn more about the entire South View offense.

    “I want to be the person that if I have to put the team on my back and carry us to a win I can bring the whole team with me,’’ Roberts said. “Friday night we formed a bond. The whole team came together.’’

    Brewington knows it will take that same kind of unity this week against Pine Forest. “We know other teams are going to be able to out-athlete us,’’ Brewington said. “Our biggest thing is playing team ball and doing our assignments. Our thing is to figure a groove and work it so hopefully we can come away with a victory.’’

     

    PHOTO: Jerry Roberts and Coach Rodney Brewington

  • 11 N1502P37008HIt may not cross our minds, but balance is essential and a prerequisite for movement and motor skills. When new participants come to class and I ask what is important to you, I often hear I need to work on my balance. Balance is related to our overall mobility, and we need balance for activities which include movement such as walking, crawling, getting out of a chair or leaning over to pick up an object. Studies have shown that a sizable percentage of ER visits for seniors are due to falls and a substantial number admitted to the hospital. Other factors that can affect balance are vision, hearing, medication, injuries, neuropathy and chronic ailments. Although falls may result from age, they are not an inevitable part of aging, and you can do something about it.

    Balance training strengthens the muscles that help you keep up right and promote stability for your core. All muscles work together in balance training to promote joint stability. Training also improves your reaction time, agility, coordination and concentration. Balance exercises become embedded in your memory and could be the reason that you do not fall when that unexpected obstacle or unstable surface comes your way. Beneficial exercises for balance training include resistance training, core, legs, glutes and back. As you progress your confidence increases as you add more time, movement and unstable surfaces which all help your focus and concentration. Another factor that effects our balance is flexibility and strength in our ankles. A large majority of injuries for sprains and breaks are a result of inflexible and weak ankles. Foot exercises that include pronation, supination, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion are beneficial by improving flexibility, strength, stability and are an important addition to your training.

    An article caught my attention with a bold headline that read “Balance Test.” It began with a duration of a minute standing on one leg which I thought was a lofty challenge and could be discouraging for someone beginning to work on balance skills.

    Balance is not always about a pose or how long you hold it. It is how your body supports stability and movement in everyday activities.

    Working on your balance can begin in your home. A chair or counter offers stability to practice at any time and you can do it while you are brushing your teeth or working at the kitchen sink.

    Begin while standing on one foot and then the other. See how long you can hold it or begin by holding for five seconds and you may also notice that balance is better on one side than the other. Soon you will begin to see your time increasing, less need to hold on and confidence to practice on unstable surfaces, movement and direction. There are other opportunities to practice balance other than home or the fitness center. I have found that waiting in line at a store or the grocery store with the aid of a cart can be fun to do by standing on one leg and then the other.

    You can search for balance exercises online that include standing and seated and a good start for you to begin in your home. Fitness centers are another opportunity for balance classes with group fitness, personal training and classes such as yoga and tai chi. Balance training increases our awareness in how we move with more confidence. The bottom line is no one wants to fall and balance training along with exercise can help reduce the odds of falling and sustaining fall-related injuries.

  • 20MonteeJoe Grates spends most of his time teaching English and coaching football at Cape Fear High School, but once a week he sheds both those roles and moves into a completely different arena: media star.

    For the second year, with the help of a cast of student assistants, Grates puts together the weekly “Montee and Joe and the Jam” Cape Fear football show on YouTube.

    The idea originally came from Cape Fear athletic director Matt McLean, who sent Grates a link to a production being done by students at Greenville Rose High School. “He (McLean) kept pushing it and said this is doable,’’ Grates said. McLean encouraged Grates to get students involved under his guidance.

    Last year, Julia Polk was the student who handled the production end of things while Montell “Montee” Moore of the Colt football team joined Grates as the on-air host of the show.

    “It started off with me and Montee just interviewing a different person each day,’’ Grates said. They did one special show for the annual powder puff football game, going out onto the field and creating a Sports Center- type desk and doing interviews there.

    When Cape Fear made its run to the state 4-A title game, Grates did a segment where he walked the halls of the school the week before the game and interviewed students and faculty.

    There are plans down the road to take the show further. “Matt had mentioned doing it yearlong, moving into basketball, baseball and softball and of course doing interviews,’’ Grates said. “We have a green screen in the library we want to use, pushing the boundaries of what we do.’’

    Moore graduated in June, so he’s been replaced by a pair of injured members of this year’s football team, Chris Matthews and Austin Hunt.

    The rest of this year’s crew includes director Ashlyn Hall, production assistants Elizabeth White and Kelsie Mullins and visual effects specialist Jacob Cole. Also lending a hand are Cassie Griffin and Nature Gore.

    Griffin said she loves video production and thought working on the show would be fun. Gore said she’s been a student of Grates’ for two years.

    “He’s just the best teacher,’’ she said. “He’s fun and enjoyable and makes class not seem like class.’’

    A number of the students are in Grates’ classes and cite his influence as a big reason they volunteered to help out.

    Grates said he didn’t realize what kind of reach the show had until he went to a local restaurant to pick up food for the state championship game. The restaurant manager recognized him from watching one of the shows on YouTube.

    “It’s fun and I love that the spotlight is on the kids,’’ Grates said. “It’s a feel-good type of thing.’’

     

    PHOTO: Second row: L-R Cassie Griffin, Elizabeth White, Kelsie Mullins, Nature Gore, Ashlyn Hall  First row: L-R Chris Matthews, Coach Joe Grates, Austin Hunt

  • 01 service pnp cwpbh 03100 03132vWell, who would have ever thought the U.S. Congress would take on the task of trying to rewrite history, or maybe I should say erase history. Yes, it's distressing to most Americans, but that doesn't seem to matter to the woke minority. Crazy as it may seem, we are living in a nation of gross "hypocrisy." Yes, our proud and mighty Fort Bragg, along with many other military installations that bear the names of Confederate heroes, has been mandated by Congress to be renamed. Look it up. The National Defense Authorization Act.

    Now they are authorizing and organizing virtual town meetings, asking the general public to comment, and making them feel that they are actually participating in the process of renaming the traditional and proud home of the 82nd Airborne Division and the U.S. Army's Special Operations Command. Again, the hypocrisy of this arrogant woke style of national thinking is frustrating and distressing to most Americans. That is if they are thinking at all.

    How do you declare a word like Confederacy taboo, socially unacceptable and obscene, not unlike the N-word or the C-word? Then we have to ask ourselves: Where does this end? Indeed, not just with military bases. There are literally thousands of institutions, schools, roads, businesses and organizations named after some aspect of the Confederacy. Here in our community of Fayetteville, Murchison Road was named in honor of a local wealthy plantation owner, Duncan Murchison. He not only owned slaves but had three sons that served in the Civil War. It gets better: Two of the Murchison boys, John R. and Kenneth, were commissioned officers in the Confederate Army. So, what we have here is a "twofer." The Murchison's were both slave owners and Confederate soldiers. So, as the NDAA mandate dictates, will they embrace Fayetteville's historical past or strip our community of the Murchison name that has meant so much to so many in our community and rename Murchison Road? I think not. And, I hope not.

    This newspaper is on the record advocating with Grilley Mitchell. Mitchell is a U.S. Army veteran, VFW member, program coordinator for ALMS House in Hope Mills, and candidate for the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners. Mitchell is a voice of reason representing the Cumberland County Veterans Council. They put forth their common sense recommendation: The installation should be renamed after Edward Bragg, Braxton Bragg's cousin, a Union officer in the Civil War. He put forth this recommendation on behalf of the CCVC, stating, "That's the decision that we also believe that belongs to the men and women that have served this nation, as well as their family members because they paid the price to have that choice to make that decision."

    There are numerous common sense reasons that Fort Bragg (and Murchison Road) should remain Fort Bragg. Trying to change history is futile. And, trying to change history selectively is divisive and destructive to our nation. Again, when and where does the canceled culture and hypocrisy end? When will America again start focusing on the real issues facing our country? It's idiocy to concentrate on changing streets signs when Americans are abandoned and being slain in Afghanistan. Why mandate vaccines and threaten American citizens with fines and punishment when 40 thousand illegal and unvaccinated immigrants cross into the U.S. every week? Hypocrisy and setting priorities — two of America's biggest challenges.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    Pictured above: Many are calling for Fort Bragg to be renamed Fort Bragg in honor of Union General Edward S. Bragg. (Photo courtesy Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division)

     

     

  • 19 TypicalPart of the magic of Friday night high school football is you never know when history might be made.

    There was already a ton of history at E.E. Smith’s D.T. Carter Stadium when Xeavier Bullock and his Golden Bull teammates took the field against Gray’s Creek recently. But Bullock wound up creating his own memorable night by throwing eight touchdown passes in the 53-34 win.

    Bullock finished one scoring pass short of the state record of nine, which was set in 2012 by Raleigh Wakefield quarterback Connor Mitch.

    Bullock shares second place on the all-time list in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association record book with five other quarterbacks.

    Another former quarterback, Trey Edge of DK Sports, Inc., handled radio play-by-play of Bullock’s game and came away impressed. Edge played quarterback at Terry Sanford and led the Bulldogs to the state 4-A finals in 1983.

    “They attacked outside and short and got the ball to their guys in space,’’ Edge said. “Once he got the defense loosened up, he started flinging it 30 and 40 yards down the field. It was the greatest performance I’ve ever seen.’’

    Bullock completed 22 of 31 passes with no interceptions for 287 yards. His scoring throws covered 35, 34, 23, 21, 19, 15, 5 and 3 yards.

    Jurrod Hall caught three of the scoring passes, Bryan Davis and Rahsaan Young two apiece and Toshiro Spivey one.

    E.E. Smith offensive coordinator Jeremy Priebe said passing figured to be important for Smith going into the game. “Gray’s Creek has a real tough defensive line,’’ he said. “I thought we could attack them through the air, get some quick passes in.’’

    Bullock said the Golden Bulls sometimes have a problem starting slow. He was anxious to avoid that. “I want to execute and do whatever we can to put it in the box,’’ he said. “We executed and moved the ball down the field. I give all the props to my teammates.’’

    While Bullock said he’s honored to be thought of in the same company as former Smith quarterback legends like Jimmy Raye and Charles Baggett, he added one big game isn’t going to change him.

    “Mostly I want to stay humble,’’ he said. “I don’t want to get too excited about having a winning record, because last year we didn’t do so good. We want to stay focused and continue executing like we did.’’

    Asked if Bullock’s big night might put pressure on him to repeat the performance, Smith head coach Deron Donald said there is no pressure on Smith, just expectations. “We have expectations and work hard every day to make sure we meet those expectations,’’ he said. “Xeavier accomplished it, but the whole team — the offensive line, receivers, running backs — everybody did their part to make it a reality.

    “We expect great things to happen because of the work they put in.’’

     

    PHOTO: Assistant coach Jeremy Priebe, Xeavier Bullock and head coach Deron Donald

  • 03 8d44b05a65200c0ac782d378c5491fb0America lost a great man this summer, a man who rivaled Ben Franklin, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford in inventiveness: the incomparable Ron Popeil. Ron passed away in July leaving us alone and friendless. Readers of a certain attenuated age will recall his many contributions easing the way in which Americans encountered life’s vicissitudes in the last quarter of the 20th century. Ron was the King of late-night TV, the impresario and inventor of the Informercial, the founder of Ronco, the purveyor of gadgets to the masses. What was so rare as a Ron Popeil invention? Let me count the ways. Would a Kitchen Magician Food Slicer by any other name smell as sweet? Nay, a thousand times nay. I am not just saying that because I have been taking pumpkin spice Ivermectin to ward off the Rona. My personal physician, Dr. Mr. Ed the Talking Horse asked me to request both my readers not to buy ivermectin from the farm supply as the shortage of ivermectin is causing horses to walk around full of parasites. But I digress.

    Allow me to return to Ron Popeil. To misquote Marc Antony at Caesar’s funeral oration: “Friends, Romans, Cumberland County countrymen, lend me your ears and Visa cards, I come to bury Ron Popeil, not to praise him. The evil men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.” Let not the great and good inventions left behind by Ron be forgotten. We should cherish them, honor them, and hold them up as a bright light against the darkness that currently enfolds us. Is it not better to use a Chop-O-Matic hand food processor than to cut off your thumb slicing tomatoes? Opposable thumbs are all that separate humans from banana slugs. We must preserve our opposable thumbs as well as our precious bodily fluids. Without opposable thumbs mankind and womankind, (note: gender sensitivity on display here) humans would be condemned to compete with banana slugs eating moldy bananas and be unable to text while driving. The horror, the horror as Colonel Kurtz would say.

    Consider some of the Ronco products which made life in the 1970’s more tolerable. The 70’s were a hard time for everyone. Disco was popular then creating a bleak time for anyone who had ears to hear. Ronco commercials were a light in the gloom of the post-midnight forest of television when only 3 channels were available. Who can forget the happiness that GLH-9 Hair Spray in a can brought to millions of bald men? Spray on hair was the bee’s knees. The GLH stood for Great Looking Hair. No one could tell your bald head was covered in black paint. The Chop-O-Matic begat the Bass-O-Matic on Saturday Night Live as sold by Dan Akroyd. Ponder the wonderful Electric Food Dehydrator from
    Ronco. To quote Sir Walter Scott: “Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own native Electric Food Dehydrator!” Wouldn’t it be great to dehydrate a rutabaga by merely dropping it into your Electric Food Dehydrator?

    If you give a man a fish, he can eat for one day. If you give a man a Ronco Pocket Fisherman he can eat for the rest of his life. He will always have a food source for an endless supply of Bass-O-Matic protein shakes. How many times have you been trying to crack an egg to scramble it only to have the egg shell splinter into tiny pieces in the frying pan? You futilely try to fish out the egg shells with a spoon only to have the slippery little devils evade capture. Ultimately you stick your fingers into the frying pan to get the shell out thereby burning your fingers and endangering your all-important opposable thumb. Ron knew of this silent kitchen tragedy and invented the Inside-the-Shell-Egg-Scrambler. The scrambler inserted a pin into the egg, swirled it around, thus producing a perfect scrambled egg every time. Ron must have shouted “Eureka” just as Archimedes did when he discovered buoyancy while bathing. After the invention of the Inside the Egg Scrambler, the yolk was on anyone who was foolish to try to scramble an egg the old-fashioned way.

    Ron brought us possibly the greatest invention since Turok the Caveman invented the wheel- the amazing Mr. Microphone. Mr. Microphone allowed teen age boys to drive around yelling sweet nothings at teen age girls. Who can forget the immortal lines from the commercial when a carload of boys uses Mr. Microphone to yell: “Hey Good Looking! I’ll be back to pick you up later.” According to the commercial this was a surefire way to pick up girls. Results may have varied in real life.

    As my readership becomes older and grip strength declines, who wouldn’t want the Cap Snaffler? Hard to open caps came off in a jiffy. It “snaffles caps off any size jug, bottle, or jar.” Who among us wouldn’t delight in spending an afternoon snaffling the caps of every container in the kitchen, including those jars of pimentos which have been sitting in the back of the cabinet since the first Bush Administration? Snaffle away America, your opposable thumbs will be safe.

    Have we learned anything today? Finally, the answer is yes. Ron Popeil was a great man. We shall not see his like again. As Marc Antony concluded: “Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Ron. And I must pause till it comes back to me.”

    Pictured: Ron Popeil was an inventor, pitchman and television star who popularized the phrase “But wait, there’s more!” He introduced Americans to the infomercial.

  • 21Ritika ShamdasaniRitika Shamdasani

    Terry Sanford • Junior • Tennis

    Shamdasani has an unweighted GPA of 3.94.

    She is proficient in four languages, has studied

    computer programming and is active in

    the Terry Sanford Student Government Association.

    She ranks in the top five in her class.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    22Saurav MallSaurav Mall

    South View • Senior • Soccer

    Mall is a member of the Key Club, the Academy of Scholars,

    the National Honor Society and Tiger Stripes.

    He has an unweighted GPA of 4.0.

  • 02 NC flagiconStatistics can be cold and clinical to the point that we put them aside.

    Not so for the stats coming out of the COVID-delayed 2020 U.S. Census. These numbers continue the fascinating story of a still relatively young nation as it grows and matures. The numbers are critical, because they determine how and where federal dollars are spent and how much representation communities have in Congress and in state legislatures.

    The U.S. Constitution requires a census, a count of our nation’s population, every decade and a census is now conducted in the years ending with a 0. The first census in 1790 was taken by U.S. Marshals, the young nation’s total population was estimated at just under 4 million people. Over the next two centuries-plus, census data has expanded so that we know more about the people who live in our nation than just how many of us there are.

    Here is some of what we know in 2021.

    We are now a nation of more than 331 million souls, more than 10 million of whom live in North Carolina. The U.S. population is more diverse than it has ever been, with large increases in people who identify themselves as Hispanic, Asian, and more than one race. People who identify as non-Hispanic white remain the largest demographic group, but that group has shrunk from 69% in 2010 to 58% in 2020. More and more Americans live in metropolitan areas, while our smaller, more rural areas are losing population. More and more of us live in the South and West, while there is less growth in the Northeast and Midwest. The United States does continue to grow, but our growth is now at its second slowest rate since counting began in 1790 because of less immigration and a declining birth rate.

    Here is what is happening in our neck of the woods.

    Fayetteville has grown since 2010, but not as dramatically as other cities. It has dropped from North Carolina’s 4th largest to 6th. Cumberland County grew by roughly 15,000 people. Charlotte, on the other hand, grew by nearly 20%. Raleigh grew as well, and Wilmington and Asheville are also booming.The metro areas surrounding cities are expanding, attracting younger and often highly educated people more likely to have births than deaths. Together the Charlotte and Raleigh metro areas account for almost 39% of our state's current residents.

    Rural areas have less happy news. Half of North Carolina’s 50 counties lost population over the decade, mostly in the eastern part of the state. Tyrell, Hyde and Northampton have each lost 20% or more of their residents since 2010. There has even been talk of combining several of those shrinking counties into one larger one. Jim Johnson, a demographer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says deaths exceeded births in 23 Tar Heel counties. Our neighbor, Bladen County, lost nearly 10% of its people over the same period. Our metro gains and rural losses mirror what is happening in many other states and are worrisome for all.

    On balance, the 2020 census looks like good news for North Carolina. Our state is now the 9th largest in the union, just behind Georgia and ahead of Michigan. Our gain of another Congressional seat — we will have 14 in the next redistricting cycle — means we will have more clout in Congress and in the Electoral College. And our size, thriving economy, educational, cultural and natural resources paint a portrait of a state not without problems but also poised for a successful, even thriving, decade ahead.

     

  • 20BishopFayetteville Academy athletic director Chip Bishop was recently honored for his years of service to the school when he was named the winner of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Chuck Carter Athletic Director of the Year Award.

    Bishop is only the fourth recipient of the honor, which is named for the retired longtime head of the NCISAA.

    Bishop was hired as basketball coach at Fayetteville Academy 36 years ago and was elevated to athletic director 22 years ago by former head of school Ben Crabtree.

    He now oversees a total athletic program that offers a variety of sports for boys and girls from the high school to the middle school level, all under the same roof at the school sandwiched between Morganton and Cliffdale Roads.

    Bishop said the responsibility involved with running the athletic program has grown over the years because the student-athletes likely spend more time on the Academy campus than they do at home.

    “They might leave home at 7 a.m. and return at 9 or 10 p.m. at night if they have a game,’’ Bishop said. “We have a lot of responsibility, me as an athletic director and also our coaches, to guide and direct these young people.’’

    Bishop said the parents of Academy student-athletes have high expectations for the school, both athletically and academically, and he feels that has increased the challenge of the job.

    “Fifteen years ago I might have told you coaching was more demanding,’’ he said. “It’s not even close anymore.’’

    But Bishop doesn’t see it as a burden.

    In fact, he feels the combination of academic and athletic success available to students at the Academy makes him glad to work there.

    Unlike some in his job, Bishop said he relishes chances to work closely with students at the school and not just leave that task to his coaches.

    “I think I have a good relationship with the majority of the young people at the school,’’ he said. “Being a small school, it enables you to get to know the young people better.’’

    Bishop thanked his family, wife Beckie and daughters Jenna Graves and Megan Bishop, for being helpful and supportive and making it possible for him to “survive’’ the job.

    Looking to the future, Bishop hopes to continue the school’s tradition of academic and athletic success. “It sometimes complicates things, but we’ve proven you can do both,’’ he said.

     

    PHOTO: Left to right: Chip Bishop; Chuck Carter who the award is named for; and Beckie Bishop, Chip’s wife.

  • 01 Jackie Warner Hope Mills MayorThe following editorial is written for those who love living and working in Hope Mills. It reiterates the age-old adages "seeing is believing" and "believe in what you can see and not what you hear." The Town of Hope Mills is a model community in our state, and there are many good reasons for this. History has dictated that Marxists, Socialists, fascists and communists all object adamantly to the Free Press (newspapers), media in general and free speech concepts. The first thing one must determine if objecting to this editorial is which category do they fall into. Dissenting opinions are encouraged and welcomed — but only if the writer takes ownership of it. We do not acknowledge anonymous comments or points of view. We'll leave that to the unsavory Facebook trolls. Thank you and enjoy. — The Publisher

    Hope Mills' progress reflects the dedication and leadership of Mayor Jackie Warner.

    Being Mayor of Hope Mills is a full-time job and Jackie Warner will say it has been a blessing and the highlight of her career. Serving the residents of the Hope Mills community is a passion, honor and privilege and watching her hometown grow and prosper is anything but work for this dedicated public servant.

    Being Mayor of a thriving and growing community like Hope Mills is much more than showing up for public functions, networking and ribbon cuttings. It takes heartfelt dedication, organization, planning, forethought and teamwork to protect the interests of 17,000 residents. Warner is the catalyst for why Hope Mills is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in North Carolina.

    It takes hard work and full-time dedication to keep up with the ever-changing laws and regulations that impact residents. Many of these things take place behind the scenes outside Hope Mills proper and the general public's view. Warner's decade of involvement and leadership in organizations like the Mayor's Coalition has saved Hope Mills over one million dollars yearly after negotiating the Sales Tax Distribution agreement. More importantly, her leadership and Mayor Cliff Turpin of Falcon have all Cumberland County municipalities working together in solidarity and cooperation.

    Another example of the Mayor's investment in countless hours of study that benefited Hope Mills is her involvement in the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. She is also chairman of the Transportation Policy Board. Hope Mills benefited from the Multimodal Congestion Plan and governmental grants for community sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks. A joint resolution was signed by the Hope Mills Board and Fayetteville City Council to change the designation of Highway 59 to Main Street (Hope Mills Road), moving trucks and other commercial vehicles going from Raeford Road to Highway 162 as a by-pass. The new configuration of the Highway 59 bridge completion came sooner than expected, along with better access on and off-ramps to Business 95. Warner is a participant with state and national DOT's which have designed and planned significant road improvements in and around Hope Mills — two I-295 interchanges that will assist in alleviating traffic congestion.

    These are only a few of Mayor Jackie Warner's tireless but essential tasks in a working day. I could go on if I wanted to mention her involvement with:

    *Mid Carolina Area Agency Advisory Council as a Senior Tarheel Alternate Delegate that works to establish and advocate "Legislative Priorities" for seniors with the NC General
    Assembly

    *National League of Cities — Community and Economic Development Committee with discussions related to economic development and recovery after COVID

    *American Rescue Plan Act virtual meetings with Congressional representatives and Cumberland County Commissioners and Legislators. Warner appointed a Hope Mills Tier I Committee seeking funding for the town's most vulnerable populations, including seniors, veterans, youth and special needs residents. She spearheaded developing partnerships that will benefit the community like FTCC, YMCA, Cumberland County Schools, Cumberland County Commissioners, Advocacy Groups and the Department of Commerce, to name a few.

    Warner also serves on the Gateway Study Committee, Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, promotes arts and culture in Hope Mills by advocating and grant writing and working with the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Arts Council. Warner established the Mayor's Youth Leadership Council in 2015 with membership from Grays Creek, Jack Britt and Southview High Schools and received State Youth Council Charter in 2021.

    She actively supports our veterans and Hometown Heroes by working with the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau to support the Heroes Homecoming annual event. As a small business owner, she advocates for business and is involved with the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce.

    As a wife, mother of two, grandmother of five, a former teacher and principal, Warner has made a heartfelt commitment to make Hope Mills a better town and community for future generations.

    The ever-improving environment, image and reputation of this former "sleepy" little town have the indelible fingerprints of Jackie Warner's relentless public service. The citizens of Hope Mills are the beneficiaries of Warner's outstanding leadership. She is a doer! Honesty, integrity and work ethic is her trifecta for success. Jackie Warner is an authentic "public servant," and Hope Mills is a better, safer and more prosperous community because of her.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    Pictured above: Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner

  • 19Keely Warren headshotDuring her days as a cheerleader at Terry Sanford, Keely Warren has memories of being on the sidelines on wet Friday nights, cheering at one of the dirt tracks that surround the majority of senior high football fields in Cumberland County.

    They’re not pleasant.

    “When there’s mud on the track, that kind of messes things up for you,’’ said Warren, who went on to cheer at East Carolina and served one season as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes Storm Squad. Complicating the problem was the frequent use by schools of golf carts and other small vehicles to deliver various equipment to the sidelines.

    “They would leave huge divots in the track,’’ she said. “That’s a safety precaution for us.’’

    It’s still a worry for Warren, who teaches English at Cape Fear High School and assists head coach Michelle Johnson working with the school’s cheerleaders.

    “I don’t want my girls to be at risk in those spots of a rolled ankle,’’ Warren said.

    Another problem is the large mats the cheerleaders drag out to the track for football games. “They’re expensive and already getting dirty with the sand,’’ she said. “I didn’t want to deal with a wet, stinky, muddy mat.’’

    Woes of the cheerleaders are just another reason county high school athletic officials would love to get their tracks fitted with rubberized surfaces. Currently only three county tracks are equipped that way: Pine Forest, Reid Ross Classical School and New Century Middle School.

    South View has a paved track while the other senior highs are still dirt.

    The problem is the money to make it happen is hard to come by. Vernon Aldridge, student activities director for the Cumberland County Schools, said the cost of a  rubberized track is from $150,000  to $200,000.

    About 10 years ago, the budget for capital improvements for the county schools was slashed from $9 million to $3 million annually.

    “We haven’t gotten anymore money from the state,’’ Aldridge said. “As far as athletic capital outlay, I get $75,000 a year for 24 schools. That doesn’t go far.’’

    Schools have to look elsewhere for the money, and unless they catch a break like Cape Fear did, paying for a new track is tough.

    Matt McLean, Cape Fear athletic director, said the school will soon start construction on its track thanks to a couple of generous donors.

    Over the past year, Cape Fear got separate $75,000 donations from the Rachel Horn and Grayson F. Bean fund and the Billy and Faye Horne fund, McLean said. That money was used to upgrade the school’s weight room and will pay to start the work on the track at Cape Fear, with McLean hopeful the school can get additional funding next year.

    McLean said a track is essential to the total school program as it is used in physical education classes as well as for competition and offering people in the community a place to walk and run.

    “Being able to have (the surfaced track) for students and teachers  is important,’’ McLean said. “It’s  a classroom.’’

    Aldridge and McLean said city and county government officials have talked with the schools and are willing to explore options for trying to make surfaced tracks at all the schools happen, but so far no one’s found an answer.

    “Right now we don’t have the funds,’’ Aldridge said. Which means Warren and her cheerleaders will be seeing more mud puddles and divots in the near future.

    “I don’t think we should second-guess something that would be a safer alternative,’’ Warren said.

     

    PHOTO: Keely Warren, Assistant Cheerleading Coach at Cape Fear High School.

  • 12 N1807P38007HMost of us can probably remember our first trip to the fair. Holding tightly to mom or dad's hand as the exciting sights and sounds swirled around us.

    Teenagers darted around the midway as carnival barkers beckoned them closer and food vendors offered meals and treats of every kind.

    I love to visit the place the fair holds in my memory. It's full of music and family and sweet aromas that remind me of a time when life was simpler.

    Now that I'm a father and a grandfather, I realize the fair is far more than the things that excited me as a kid.

    It's a celebration of farmers and artists, an opportunity to compete and recognize the accomplishments of our friends and neighbors, and even to
    reward those we all agree was the most impressive of all with a cherished blue ribbon.

    And most of all – above the nostalgia, the competition and the celebrations – the fair is about community.

    The Cumberland County Fair is only one of dozens of gatherings which went unmet in 2020. From concerts to holidays, church to business meetings, we were encouraged by those we put our collective trust in to stand a little further apart and, indoors or out, to keep our groups a little smaller.

    That's only part of what makes the return of the County Fair on September 3rd something worth celebrating.

    From Sept. 3-12 the grounds and buildings that comprise the Crown Coliseum Complex will turn into an exciting emporium of fun.

    You may be wondering “In a world filled with iPhones, X-Box, Facebook and Netflix, does a county fair still matter?”

    It does. Maybe now more than ever. Not for the games. Not for the rides, not for the exhibits or the pig races. But for community.

    If we've learned nothing else in the past 18 months, we've learned how important we are to one another.

    Leveling the ground around us and knocking down the walls between us is as important as it's ever been, and while it may be unfair to hang that much expectation on a County Fair, it's a great place to start.

    When we come together to celebrate the same things, we can begin to erase the things that keep us apart.

    And as we get close enough to smile and laugh together, we'll quickly find ourselves on the road to healing. As individuals, as families, as neighbors and as a community.

  • 18Brian RandolphTwo games into his first season as head football coach at Jack Britt High School, Brian Randolph was searching for answers.

    The Buccaneers started 0-2 and were sputtering offensively, with one touchdown in two games. They were moving the ball but couldn’t seem to find the end zone.

    So Randolph tried a trick in practice after the loss to Terry Sanford.

    “We put a big emphasis on finishing,’’ Randolph said. “We started everything from the 20-yard-line going in. Every time you touched the ball you had to score.’’

    It apparently worked. In the next game against Gray’s Creek, the Buccaneers hit a number of big plays early and rolled to their biggest offensive output of the season, a 41-12 win.

    “That motivated us to finish drives,’’ Randolph said.

    A week later against Southern Lee, Britt used its new confidence to rally from a 10-point deficit against the Cavaliers and pull away for a 38-24 win.

    “We came into the third quarter and kicked off to the end zone, got a touchback and a safety in two plays, then on the first offensive play we scored,’’ Randolph said.

    “Those guys showed me and the other coaches they want to win and are not accepting defeat, which is always a great thing,’’ he said.

    Britt had an open date last week, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. It gave the team a chance to savor its two-game win streak and begin to focus on the start of conference play in the tough Sandhills Athletic Conference.

    Britt’s respite will be short-lived as the Buccaneers return to play Friday at home against their former coach, Richard Bailey and his Scotland team that was the preseason choice to win the conference.

    Two players Randolph will be counting on heavily against the Scots are center Marcus Sanders-Johnson and linebacker Erick Martinez.

    Sanders-Johnson may seem undersized for the position at 5-feet-9 and 215 pounds. “He’s one of the strongest and most aggressive players we have,’’ Randolph said. “He has eight pancake blocks.  He’s an awesome player and leader on our team.’’

    “We’ve definitely picked it up in practice,’’ Sanders-Johnson said. “We’re working hard, grinding  and stuff.’’

    He added it’s been a boost around school when classmates tell the players they’re doing a good job. “It keeps our confidence up as we get ready for Scotland,’’ he said.

    Randolph said Martinez has recorded 41 tackles and two sacks in four games. “He’s really aggressive and a hard worker,’’ Randolph said. Like Sanders-Johnson, Randolph called Martinez a  great role model.

    When the offense was having its problems in the first two games, Martinez said the defense didn’t get down on them. “We had their back,’’ he said. “We knew they were going to pick it up. We had to get them right.’’

    Martinez said the key to continuing playing the way the Buccaneers are now is simple. “We just have to stay focused,’’ he said. “Focus on our jobs, keep doing what we’ve been doing and try to adjust to Scotland.’’

    Randolph added that winning by itself cures a lot of problems. “It’s a whole lot better going into the conference 2-2 instead of 0-4,’’ he said. “We have some momentum, if we can keep that going through the bye.’’

     

    PHOTO: Head Football Coach, Brian Randolph, from Jack Britt High School.

  • 04 IMG 8290Jack once said: “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” t is possible that Jack came up with his admonition about the proper use of a club after hearing the nursery rhyme about Little Bunny Foo Foo. If you haven’t read “Call of the Wild” in the last 40 years, read it again. Excellent book filled with Alaskan gold rushers, city slickers falling into crevasses, mean dogs and wolves. Discover what Buck the Dog has been doing since 8th grade. Rumor has it that in the most recent edition Buck set sail on the Pequod with Ismael to chase Moby Dick. Maybe this time the whale will lose. Captain Ahab might win with the help of Buck.

    Now to refresh your recollection of Bunny Foo Foo. “Little Bunny Foo Foo/ Hopping through the forest/ Scooping up the field mice/ And bopping them on the head/ And down came the Good Fairy and said: / Little Bunny Foo Foo/ I don’t want to see you/ Scooping up the field mice/ And bopping them on the head/.” The Good Fairy then threatens to turn Bunny Foo Foo into a Goon. Undeterred, Bunny Foo Foo continues mice head-bopping behavior.

    What are we to make of this situation? A homicidal rabbit armed with Jack London’s club engaged in the serial killing of rodents. Why does the rabbit take this hideous action? What did the mice do to warrant such vengeance? Who appointed the Good Fairy as judge, jury and executioner of Ms. Foo? Why did generations of adults recite this murderous ode into the innocent ears of pre-school children? Ms. Foo gets her just comeuppance when she is transmogrified into a Goon. Given the choice between being a cute little homicidal bunny or a creepy goon, clearly the Good Fairy has imposed harsh punishment on Ms. Foo. This leads to the question of what is a Goon? Read on, MacDuff.

    Take Jack London’s club and head down another road less taken. Ride on Mr. Peabody’s Way Back Machine into the land of 1950’s cartoons. “Popeye” was the first cartoon character to take on the Goons. Attend to what Mr. Google has to say about Goons. Unsurprisingly, Goons live on an uncharted isle called Goon Island. The Goons originated on the moon but somehow came to Earth. The details of how they got here remain murky. Goons are tall, somewhat human in appearance, and have well developed chests like steroidal NFL players. Their arms and legs are quite thin. They have bald heads and fur covering their naughty bits. The Head Goon is a female named Alice who fought Popeye. Being a gentleman, Popeye stopped fighting her once he discovered Alice was female. It is lost in the mists of time whether Little Bunny Foo Foo and Alice the Goon are the same being.

    While pondering ancient cartoons let us consider a few more classics. The first cartoon I can recall was “Crusader Rabbit” and his pal, Rags the Tiger. Crusader wore a suit of armor and fought Dudley Nightshade and his evil helper Bilious Green. If you can personally remember Crusader Rabbit, then you probably should not drive at night. Another classic cartoon was Tom Terrific who appeared on the “Captain Kangaroo” show. Tom wore a funnel hat on his head. His faithful but dumb companion was Mighty Manfred the Wonder Dog. The animation was primitive but Tom made up for it by fighting Crabby Appleton and singing a really fine theme song. “I’m Tom Terrific/ Greatest hero ever/ Terrific is the name for me/ Because I’m so clever/ … When there is trouble/ I’m there on the double/ From Atlantic to Pacific they know Tom Terrific/” This ear worm song will stick in the head of someone out there. You can thank me later.

    “Winky Dink” was an interactive cartoon. You sent off for a piece of plastic to stick to the TV screen and some magic crayons to write on it. When Mr. Dink came to a place he needed a ladder, you drew the ladder on the screen and he would climb up your ladder. Many kids got into trouble by drawing directly on the TV without the plastic cover. I deny doing this.

    Undoubtably, the creepiest cartoon of that period was “Clutch Cargo,” his boy side kick Spinner, and his dachshund Paddlefoot. Clutch was a pilot who fought a lot of pirates. The weird thing about Clutch was the cheapness of the animation. Most of the time the background didn’t move. When Clutch and the other characters talked, the animators just inserted real human mouths into the face of the characters. The moving lips in frozen faces was disturbing but not in a good way. Even Paddlefoot the dog had a human mouth.

    So, what have we learned today? Sadly, almost nothing. All this blot on world literature has produced is the regret of having wasted a few moments of your lives reliving useless information from decades ago.

    However, if you can now recite the “Ballad of Bunny Foo Foo” or sing the “Tom Terrific” song to irritate your significant other, then perhaps it is not a total loss. Blame Jack London. Or you can blame it on the Bossa Nova. Just don’t put the blame on Mame.

     

  • 21Bruce McClelland Terry SanfordThe new combination 3-A/4-A Patriotic Athletic Conference has created a headache for the league’s football coaches. They’ve got one less non-conference game to play with, which means one less game to evaluate players before making final decisions on starting lineups.

    One game might not sound like a big deal, but listen to Terry Sanford first-year coach Bruce McClelland explain it. 

    “That can mean 30 to 40 snaps easy for a kid,” McClelland said. “If I’m evaluating someone on 80 snaps, I’m comfortable.”

    The trick for McClelland and his staff was to figure where to get extra snaps to replace the lost game.

    Terry Sanford added an extra preseason scrimmage with St. Pauls and additional  preseason 7-on-7 passing skeletons.

    Once full contact began during August practice, McClelland had the practice sessions videotaped so player performances could be evaluated from that film too.

    “The only thing we haven’t evaluated is that biggame atmosphere and rivalry, how they are going to play,” he said.

    South View coach Rodney Brewington said there’s another reason lineups need to be determined as soon as possible this season. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association will use MaxPreps rankings when determining seeding for this year’s football playoffs.

    The rankings are based on a complex formula. “With strength of schedule being a factor, you want to be in a position where you are making a strong showing and scoring points,” Brewington said.

    Like McClelland, Brewington relied heavily on watching practice. South View also got in extra scrimmage time at Campbell University and added extra 7-on-7s.

    Brewington said regular attendance by Tiger players at summer workouts also helped. “When you go through the whole summer, you have an idea of who’s who,” he said.

    The process of evaluating talent was complicated at Cape Fear this fall when a rash of injuries at linebacker forced coach Jake Thomas to make a number of unplanned adjustments.

    “Typically if conference is further down the road you can rest those guys so they can heal for conference play,” Thomas said.

    Thomas had to promote reserves to starting roles and elevate players originally destined for the junior varsity to the varsity.

    “We’ve got six sophomores starting now,” he said. “When you’ve got sophomores and young guys in there, they are going to make some mistakes.

    “But they’ve got the tools to work with and you understand there will be a learning curve.”

    Thomas said Cape Fear continues to plug leaks and put its puzzle together. “Hopefully you will coach them up,” he said.

  • 01 USMA DVIDSI spent 33 years in Special Operations as both an active duty soldier and civil servant. My son also served in Special Operations and did five tours between Iraq and Afghanistan. I have been trying to follow the chaos and the situation changing hour by hour in Afghanistan. Folks, as of the writing, it is not good lucking for anyone. Therefore, Americans are angry, perplexed and confused about how our President, Vice President, the intelligence apparatus, the State Department and military leaders have made so many miscalculations.

    A few years ago, on Veterans Day, I was at Buffalo Wild Wings. I looked over and saw a veteran and his friends. They were drinking, eating and laughing. As I looked at this man, his legs were gone, scars and burns were noticeable on his hands and face. At that moment, my heart was happy because this veteran was being the best he could be, having a good time and enjoying every moment he could.

    On September 18, 2001, President George W. Bush signed the Authorization for Use of Military Force, or AUMF. It states: "That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons."

    December 2009: President Barack Obama spoke about Afghanistan, "As we know, these men belonged to al Qaeda a group of extremists who have distorted and defiled Islam … After the Taliban refused to turn over Osama bin Laden — we sent our troops into Afghanistan."

    May 2, 2011: Osama Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan by the U.S. military.

    December 2018: To deliver on his longtime pledge to exit from "endless wars," President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to withdraw about half of the 14,000 U.S. troops currently deployed to Afghanistan. In November 2020, President Trump ordered the Pentagon to accelerate a drawdown of U.S. troops to 2,500.

    April 14, 2021: U.S. President Joe Biden announces that all troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan by September 11, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
    He accelerated his timeline to August 31.

    May 4, 2021: The Taliban launches its first major offensive on the Afghan military in Helmand and surrounding provinces.

    July 2, 2021: The U.S. quietly withdraws soldiers from Bagram Air Base, which was their main military base throughout the war.

    August 13, 2021: The Taliban took Kandahar, Afghanistan's second largest city.

    August 14, 2021: U.S. President Joe Biden puts out a statement confirming the deployment of approximately 5,000 U.S. troops to help with the evacuation from Afghanistan.

    August 15, 2021: Kabul is seized by the Taliban. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani leaves the country. The U.S. embassy is evacuated.

    As the images of Afghan people hanging onto airplanes flooded the news, Americans realized that something was still happening in Afghanistan. For Fort Bragg, Fayetteville and hundreds of
    thousands of military personnel and their families, the wars for the past 20 years have been part of their lives.

    For many Americans, the decision to pull out of Afghanistan was way overdue. For most, it was not the pulling out of Afghanistan that has the world baffled; it was the stupidity of it.

    After the killing of Bin Laden, many thought that the authority under the AUMF was complete. Still, every president has used it to continue to neutralize bad people around the globe to keep terrorist groups from growing and bringing their terror here.

    President Biden left an estimated 10,000 – 50,000 Americans in that country to fend for themselves and the embassy. Didn't he learn anything about Benghazi (he was V.P. at the time)?

    Somewhere in the military, some Specialist is getting an Article 15 for losing a pocket watch, and we left C-130s, A-29s attack aircraft, UH-60 Black Hawks, and other helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. We left thousands of armored vehicles, HMMWVs, MRAPs, night vision goggles, and yes, we left drones. The State Department left their helicopter, for crying out loud. It appears that the only published report of any guidance came from a Washington Post article which reported that a leaked memo to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul read "destroy items which could be misused in propaganda efforts, which included American flags."

    I heard the President's speech about how they did not think the Taliban could take Kabul so quickly, but it did come out that they knew it would happen within a month or more. To be honest, it is hard to put a date on something when it is evident that people are just trying to spin a bad decision. Or was it a bad decision? If you knew the Taliban were already on the move, then why would you leave all the goodies unless you intended to give the Taliban a modernized army and air force.

    They knew the Taliban was going to be in power. Those reports came out under Trump's administration. We watched the Taliban leaders do a press conference announcing their place on the world stage as the new government of Afghanistan. We knew some of them because President Barack Obama released five of those leaders because they were Taliban commanders from the Guantanamo Bay prison in exchange for American deserter Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in 2014. At the time, President Obama assured the public that the dangerous enemy combatants would be transferred to Qatar and kept from causing any trouble in Afghanistan. They didn't know that much of the Taliban was hanging out in Pakistan. It has been the back door the whole time we have been in Afghanistan. With all of the intelligence services we have out there, yet no one knew that there was an offensive coming?

    It has been tough to comprehend this mess. I know that a lot of military and their families are mad as hell. I know a lot of civil service people are mad as hell. I know the families of their fallen soldiers and the contractors who have died there are mad as hell. As of April this year, 2,448 American service members have been killed in Afghanistan, and an additional 3,846 U.S. contractors also lost their lives." That is a total of 6,294 lost. It is hard to find out how many U.S. personnel have been wounded in Afghanistan, but it appears to be over a million when you count the post-war physical and mental issues, and sadly, the suicides.

    We do not account for the hardships on the families. The lonely nights. The single parent who is trying to keep things together. The joys, difficulties and emotional roller coaster ride when they return from war. For the fallen, the nightmare of the parents, spouses and children cannot be measured. Nothing can fill that void.

    So how do we comprehend this? For everyone mad as hell, you have every right to be mad as hell. For all of those who have friends or family left behind over there, you have every right to be mad as hell.

    You may question. Why? What was this for? What about all of those precious years wasted? What about all the lives and destruction? You have every right to ask those questions.

    But I would like to remind you of a few things. It was not you that threw the first punch. You joined the military and did your job. For 20 years, Americans and other countries provided a generation of people freedom from a tyrannical regime. You gave little kids a chance to grow up. You gave some people a chance to see a better life. You have let them see a different way of life. You gave them medicine and healed their sick. They heard the music they would have never heard. They have read books they would have never seen. You will be in their minds for their lifetime, and you gave them a vision of a better life. That is a lot to be proud of!

    For those still in the military, continue whatever your orders are and do it well. The American people still need you. We are proud of your service, your sacrifices and for always being on guard for us.

    Although it is tempting to be mad as hell, try to focus on your well-being, enjoy your family, your friends and your freedom. Please do not let this be an excuse to mess up your life. Be the best you can be, have a good time and enjoy every moment you can. From all of us, to all of you: thank you again for all that you do every day, and may God keep watch over you.

    Pictured above: U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command, provide assistance at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 21. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla)

  • 20ColtCrossCountryBefore the recent Jungle Run night cross country race at South View High School, host coach Jesse Autry predicted that Cape Fear’s young squad could pose a challenge to other teams in the new Patriot Athletic Conference.

    The results of the race proved Autry right.

    The Cape Fear boys placed second in the developmental race behind Chapel Hill, scoring 44 points to 22 for the winners. Juan Alvarado and Colton Danks were third and fourth in the race for Cape Fear, Alvarado with a time of 18:07.27 and Danks 18:23.02.

    Cape Fear was third in the girls’ developmental race, led by Adriana Alvarado in seventh place with a 22:29.73. In the girls’ championship race, Cape Fear’s Beth Ketterman placed 12th with a time of 19:45.12.

    Cape Fear boys’ coach Matthew Hanes felt his team had the potential to do well this year. “We had three of the top five ninth grader times last year,” Hanes said. “Two of my top five times from last season were soccer players who converted full-time to cross country this season.”

    Emily Freeman, who coaches the girls, was equally impressed with her squad’s showing in the Jungle Run. “Beth (Ketterman) did a personal best,” Freeman said. “We gave her a goal of breaking 20 minutes.”

    Ketterman said the whole squad has been focused during workouts along with staying motivated and training hard. “I want to make the state meet,” she said. “It’s the highest level I can achieve in the sport in high school.”

    Juan Alvarado was hoping to break 18 minutes in his race but fell just seven seconds short. “I’ve been focusing on workouts and getting mileage in,” he said. “I feel as a team we’ve worked harder and been getting better, focusing on higher goals.”

    Hanes said running a 5K like the Jungle Run to start the season is a great early evaluator and gives the whole team valuable experience at big competitions to come later in the year.

    “No matter what you do or how you train, you really don’t know where you stand until you get that race under your belt,” he said. “That’s especially true for those who haven’t run a 5K before.”

    Hanes said the Colts are in a better position to start this season than they were this time last year.

    “If they progress at the same rate they progressed last season, I really expect us to have a shot to run at the state meet for both the guys and the girls,” he said.

  • EarlVaughanI spent a good portion of this past weekend wallowing in self-pity as I struggled to deal with a left hand and wrist wrapped in a cast as a result of surgery. The chore of simple tasks like pulling on pants or screwing the lid off a jar one-handed proved aggravating. And then I saw the closing minutes of the Southern Cal football game on Saturday. And I cried. If you're one of the few who missed it, you missed the incredible story of Jake Olson.
     
    Olson has been a Southern Cal football fan since he was a kid, and some years ago he was adopted by the team and hung out at practice. This was before a brain tumor forced the removal of both of his eyes, costing him his sight.
    But last Saturday, Olson was on the football field for the Trojans, wearing a uniform and lining up as the deep snapper on an extra point. He flipped the ball back to the holder, without the aid of sight, and the extra point was made. To celebrate, he took a turn at leading the Trojan band while still wearing his uniform.
     
    All of a sudden, my little arm issue seemed awfully small, and so did I for feeling put out by it. During a post-game interview, Olson was asked about how he dealt with the bad hand life had dealt him. This was his answer. "If you can't see how God works thing out, then I think you're the blind one." Amen Jake. We could all do with that kind of faith.
     
     
     
    The record: 24-5
     
    I had another strong week, going 9-1, but totally blowing the Jack Britt-Gray's Creek game.
    The season total is 24-5, 82.8 percent. 
     
    Cape Fear at Terry Sanford Christian Jayne and Andrew Jayne have entered the record books at Terry Sanford High School as the most prolific quarterback-receiver combination in school history. Meanwhile, injuries have decimated the Cape Fear defense and left the Colts vulnerable to air assault.
    It doesn't take a genius to call this one.
    Terry Sanford 29, Cape Fear 12.
     
    South View at Douglas Byrd  Two teams headed in opposite directions. South View shouldn't have much trouble getting its first Patriot Conference win.
    South View 31, Douglas Byrd 6.
     
    E.E. Smith at Overhills  With Xeavier Bullock's status in doubt for the Golden Bulls, I have to lean toward Overhills in this one.
    Overhills 22, E.E. Smith 6.
     
    Pine Forest at Gray's Creek  Frustration is going to end for someone tonight. I think it will be the Trojans.
    Pine Forest 21, Gray's Creek 12.
     
    Southern Lee at Jack Britt  Britt broke into the win column in a big way last week, but will be facing tougher opposition this time.
    Southern Lee 27, Jack Britt 20.
     
    Southern Durham at Seventy-First  The Falcons step outside of their conference to get a win.
    Seventy-First 28, Southern Durham 18.
     
    Other games
     
    North Wake 22, Fayetteville Christian 14
     
    Trinity Christian 31, Sandhills Titans 8
     
    Village Christian 18, Harrells Christian 16
  •     Chris Kastner is new to downtown Fayetteville’s artist co-operative, Cape Fear Studios. She found them by happenstance, which looks like it will work out well for her and the studio. {mosimage}
        “I happened to see an ad in the paper and it intrigued me” said Kastner. 
        Her expertise is more administrative than artistic, but that’s what made her such a good fit for the administrator position. She is no stranger to nonprofit organizations, and brings years of experience from serving on and chairing the boards of Fayetteville Academy and the Cumberland County Medical Alliance Society, which is a physicians’ spouses group. “I was president of that (Cumberland County Medical Alliance Society) when we rewrote bylaws and restructured our organization and things like that,” said Kastner. “So I have a lot of leadership experience in nonprofit work.” 
        Even so, the organization has proven to be more than Kastner realized. “I didn’t really know that much about Cape Fear Studios, and I told them in my interview that to me that was one of the problems with the organization is that they’re just not that well known for all the things that they do,” said Kastner. And that is something she plans to change.
    “We’re just starting to look at doing some kind of annual campaign in the fall. We have classes here during the week, some of the instructors at Fayetteville Tech are members and their actual courses at FTCC are taught at CFS on Tuesdays.  There are all kinds of things that I never knew went on in addition to having a new artist every month for 4th Friday,” said Kastner. 
        “There is an annual pottery competition that’s coming up in September and they invite potters from all over the state to participate. The studio also gives a $500 scholarship to a local art student, and they are going to start a national competition for painters,” she added. 
        The first one of those will be in the spring of 2009. Artists from Cape Fear Studios also give classes at a local nursing home and host a children’s program at one of the transitional housing developments in town as well as participating in Santa’s Workshop in December.
        Pointing out that Cape Fear Studios has been in business for 17 years, she noted, “They were here back when Hay Street was still Hay Street, as the members like to say.”  
        One of Kastner’s goals is to get the word out about all the great programs and other activities going on at the studios, and bring in as much support as she can to help increase visibility. “I think our location is great with all the downtown renovation stuff but we need to get people to come off Hay Street during 4th Friday,” Kastner noted. “I hope that that changes as our name gets out there a little more; that we’ll become more of a destination.”
        The position is part-time right now but Kastner hopes the studio will grow enough to eventually take on some support staff. Currently, the artists provide the bulk of the support for all of the programs. 
        “Yes, they want to give their time here but they are also professional artists. My job is to help balance that,” said Kastner. “Yes, they can give their time but they need to let me support them so that they can still have time to do their art.”
        With seven artist studios in the building, anyone can walk in and watch an artist creating, check out the retail items sold by the members, take in the creative energy and ambiance and hopefully become inspired or moved by what they find there. “I just am amazed because I am not a creative person. I am an organized, logical kind of person. To wander through here and watch them creating is amazing to me,” said Kastner.
        Cape Fear Studios is located at 148 Maxwell St., downtown.
  • 19Murray Duggins JrFormer cross country coach Donna McCollum and former basketball star Murray Duggins Jr. are the members of the latest class of inductees into the Fayetteville Academy Athletic Hall of Fame.

    McCollum and Duggins will be honored at a banquet and induction ceremony scheduled for Nov. 21 at the school, the same evening as the annual alumni girls’ and boys’ basket-ball games.

    All inductees are enshrined with plaques that include highlights of their athletic career and a picture. The plaques are on display in the lobby of the Fayetteville Academy gym.

    McCollum was primarily a cross country and track coach at Fayetteville Academy from 2002-15.

    She has an incredible personal story separate from her days at the Academy. She is one of only eight American women to have climbed the tallest peak on each of the seven continents, including Mount Everest, Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Denali.

    The cousin of former American Olympic running star Mary Decker Slaney, McCollum was a candidate to be a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic swimming team until the boycott of that year’s games was announced by President Jimmy Carter.

    When she first attended a Fayetteville Academy cross country meet as a spectator, she saw runners unable to complete the race without walking.

    She agreed to coach for one year, but when her players asked her to stay, she challenged them. “There are going to be sacrifices made along the way,’’ she said. “It’s not going to happen overnight. It will take us about four years to do this.’’

    In 2007, her boys’ and girls’ teams at the Academy made N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association history as they were the first school to take both championships at the 2-A level in the same season.

    “To take 14 teenagers and have them all be on was more than I had expected,’’ McCollum said. “We were just a little private school where most of the runners couldn’t finish three miles without walking. When they said they wanted this, they kind of woke up the schools in the area.’’

    McCollum called working at the Academy a privilege and said her induction into the hall was a fitting way to end a 32-year coaching career.

    Duggins Jr., a 1995 graduate of the Academy, was a member of the 1992 state championship boys’ basketball team at the school and was named conference player of the year as a senior in 1995.

    He thanked former Eagle coach and current athletic director Chip Bishop for giving him a chance to play on the varsity as a freshman. “He’s one of the most accomplished basketball coaches in the state and an even better person,’’ Duggins Jr. said. “This is something I’m going to treasure.’’

    Duggins Jr. said he still misses the faculty at the Academy, along with the competition and the camaraderie with his teammates. “We had four really good teams,’’ he said.

    His advice to the players of today is the same that Bishop gave him when he was a player. “Always try as hard as you can,’’ Duggins Jr. said. “Never give up.’’

     

    PHOTO: Murray Duggins Jr. stands in front of some of the plaques recognizing members of the Fayetteville Academy Athletic Hall of Fame.

  • 18Fred McDanielThe second of two annual Region Four Coaches and Officials Emergency Fund golf tournaments is scheduled Oct. 15 at Gates Four Golf and Country Club.

    Fred McDaniel, retired student activities director for Cumberland County Schools and one of the original organizers of the tournament, said the event is doing everything it can to raise money for a good cause after the organizers tried to spread charity a little too far.

    At one time, money from the fund went to anyone facing a personal crisis due to health or other concerns, McDaniel said. They even sent money to high schools whose athletic facilities had been damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

    But as the account balance dropped and the annual tournaments didn’t replenish the money already given away, McDaniel said the fund had to change directions. “At the moment, we’re back to where we just help coaches and officials,’’ he said. “We had to go back to the people we were looking to start with.’’

    The fund began when the coaches and officials united to help former coach Mark Heil, now retired, deal with the expenses his late son incurred in dealing with serious health problems.

    The first tournament was a success, but as the organizers were congratulating themselves, McDaniel said former Pine Forest and E.E. Smith football coach Dean Saffos spoke up. “He said, ‘Fellows, we need to do this all the time, every year, to look after our own,’’’ McDaniel said. “He said if we don’t look after ourselves, who’s going to do it?”

    The result was a union between coaches and officials to hold the golf tournaments annually as fundraisers for the cause.

    “We can’t make everything well, but we can make it better,” McDaniel said.

    This year’s tournament will follow the format of past tournaments. There are slots for 32 teams. Check-in begins at 11 a.m. with lunch at 11:30 and play beginning at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start. The entry fee is $75 per golfer before Oct. 10 and $85 after. The entry fee covers a round of golf, lunch, beverages and prizes.

    For further information on the tournament and how to enter, go to the official tournament website, www.regionfour.org.

     

    PHOTO: Fred McDaniel

  • 16swain jerseySome high school athletes have a difficult time picking a single highlight of their athletic career.

    For me, it’s never been a problem. My magical moment happened on a November night in 1969 in Bryson City, North Carolina. And what happened then helped plant the seed that led me to telling the stories of future generations of coaches and athletes.

    I was a sophomore at Swain County High School. I lived there with my parents while my dad was serving as pastor at Bryson City Presbyterian Church. I was good friends at church with a young man named Max Witt who was a rabid University of Tennessee football fan and who helped encourage my own growing interest in the sport.

    In the fall of 1969, I was enthralled by the book “Instant Replay,” the autobiography of Green Bay Packer great Jerry Kramer, and went totally overboard. I decided to go out for the Swain County football team.

    Our coach, Milton Barden, was incredibly kind to someone who had a better chance of being first to land on the moon than he did of being a football player. I finally realized I was woefully out of my league and eventually asked Coach Barden if I could be the team manager. He accepted.

    So I was still around and felt like a part of the program. We got off to a 6-0 start and were looking good, then we hit the meat of our schedule and went 0-2-1 against the three teams we absolutely had to beat to make the state playoffs.

    And that’s what led to that magic night. Our last game was with Towns County, Georgia. A new, struggling program that only had a handful of guys and could barely field a team.

    Coach Barden decided if we couldn’t make the playoffs, maybe we could make history. He dressed every player we had, varsity and jayvee, for the game, and handed me a No. 88 jersey and said I could suit up.

    This would be my first and only high school football game. Coach Barden’s plan was simple. We’d play our first team on offense and they would score with relative ease and try to allow a number of players to set some school records. As an example, our star running back, Larry Beck, rushed eight times for 427 yards. Nat Watson, my sophomore classmate and wide receiver, had three touchdown catches to give him a total of 15 for the season.

    Defense was a different story. Guys of my talent level and only slightly better spent much of the night on the field. That way, Towns could score too and wouldn’t get beaten to death.

    The final score was 81-46. I had a hand in two plays that led to the 46. I got totally burned on a kickoff return where the ballcarrier zipped by me. And I made my best tackle of the night on a two-point conversion try. Trouble was, the ballcarrier was five yards into the endzone at the time.

    If you want to take the trouble, you can find this game listed in the online NC High School Athletic Association record book as one of the highest-scoring football games in state history. And unlike some games on that list, we set our records in regulation, without the benefit of overtime.

    I was nostalgic now because this week I got a very special piece of mail from Swain County. It was a big envelope containing a Maroon Swain home jersey with the No. 88 on it — not THE jersey of course, but still my number from my one and only football game.

    What does this have to do with being a reporter? Well, someone took the time to get the information on that game to Asheville’s The Citizen-Times. The following week, a reporter called coach Barden and did a column, and I got my name in the paper on the sports page for the first time in my life.

    I’ve tried to make that same experience happen for young people in the 45 years I’ve been doing this. It’s also a reminder of why it’s important to make sure and tell someone in the media about what your athletes are doing. You never know when a magic moment will happen — and when history will be made.

  • Chances are you know of someone that has Lupus or has been affected in some way. Or perhaps you have only heard of the disease in passing and feel that the subject in general has nothing to do with you personally.09-07-11-lupus.jpg

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

    That’s an awful lot of people.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 17Chris Matthews Cape FearOn the first day of school last week, Cape Fear’s Chris Matthews was getting around campus with the aid of a four-wheeled scooter. It’s not because he’s reverting to childhood or because he lost a bet.

    His high school football season is over. Matthews was injured when Cape Fear played in the High School OT football jamboree at Cardinal Gibbons High School.

    Two defenders fell on his leg, and the three- year starter at linebacker for last year’s Eastern  4-A champions immediately knew something  was wrong.

    “I felt a pop and I started getting upset and angry,’’ Matthews said. “I knew it was going to be something bad.’’

    Colt head coach Jake Thomas said Matthews suffered a clean break in the tibia in his left leg. Complicating the injury was damage to ligaments in the ankle, plus the ankle was displaced.

    Add it all up, and Matthews is looking at eight weeks in a cast and up to three months or more trying to rehabilitate the injury.

    “All the thoughts went through my head of not being able to play, senior year being snatched away before you’re able to play the first game,’’ he said. “That’s why I’m rolling around on the tricycle.’’

    Matthews has already had surgery on his damaged leg, and he’s listening carefully to the advice of his orthopedist, Dr. Christopher Barnes at Fayetteville Orthopaedics.

    But he’s also practical, and he’s still trying to make as big a contribution as he can for Cape Fear, but in a sideline role. He missed Cape Fear’s season-opening win at Clinton as he was home recuperating from surgery on his leg. But he was back on the sidelines and in the pre-game huddle with the team as it won its home opener against Cumberland County rival Seventy-First.

    “You could see him when the captains go out on the field,’’ Thomas said. “He’s been a three-year starter. He was visibly upset.’’

    But he knows there are other things he can do for the Colts. “He’s going to fulfill the role of helping coach the other guys,’’ Thomas said. “Now that he’s back, he’ll be around at practice, take on more of a coach’s role.’’

    He’s also going to branch out into multimedia, joining Cape Fear assistant Joe Grates to co-host the second season of the Cape Fear High School football show, which will be posted weekly on You Tube.

    Not that there was any chance of it happening, he won’t be forgotten by his teammates. “They want to dedicate the season to him,’’ Thomas said. The school has already ordered stickers with the No. 40 on them. As soon as they arrive, Thomas said each player will add one to his helmet.

    Despite the injury, Matthews isn’t giving up on the hope of playing college football next season. That will be the focus of his rehab, he said. But the good news for him is he prepared for the possibility of injury in advance by focusing on academics and assuring himself that football alone won’t be his ticket to a college education.

    “I listened to those warnings,’’ he said regarding the advice to always take care of his grades first. “It’s a contact sport and everybody is open to injury. That’s why it’s important for every athlete to keep the academics up.’’

    Matthews begins his senior year with a 4.6 grade point average. He was an Up & Coming Weekly scholar athlete last season.

    “Nothing will keep me down,’’ he said. “There’s a lot of negative I could look at, but as long as you focus on the positive you can get through anything and come back stronger.’’

     

    PHOTO: Chris Matthews, Cape Fear High School

  •     {mosimage}Faster than a speeding musket ball... More powerful than a company of Hessians... Able to leap a battalion of bayoneted British soldiers in a single bound. Look... in the sky... it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s... LaFayette!
        The marquis de LaFayette was a real-life hero  — a French nobleman and officer who came to the aid of the 13 colonies during the American Revolution and from whom Fayetteville takes its name. Much is written in the history books about the Frenchman’s contributions to our national freedom; and now, thanks to a group of graphics majors at Fayetteville State University and the backing of the LaFayette 250 Committee, the school children of Cumberland County will also learn about LaFayette... the superhero.
        In an attempt to reach and teach children through alternative forms of education, a graphic novel — that’s a souped-up comic book to all you baby boomers — will be distributed throughout the school system. Illustrated by four FSU students — Stacey Robinson, Shakeam Campbell, Rebekah Holland and Robin Powell —  LaFayette: Hero of Two Worlds will be passed on to the county’s 8,000 middle and high school students in recognition of LaFayette’s annual birthday celebration to be held here Sept. 4-6, as well as giving students a valuable history lesson in a medium most children find more enjoyable than the sometimes dry and staid content of history texts.
        LaFayette: Hero of Two Worlds, edited by FSU art professor Jonathan Chestnut and Museum of the Cape Fear Director David Reid, is a loving nod to the old Classics Illustrated comic books which many a child used as a literary shortcut back in the day — reading the condensed and illustrated comic book adventures of Robinson Crusoe and Frankenstein rather than slogging through the novel.
        “When we were designing this graphic novel we talked about those Classics Illustrated comic books of the ‘50s,” said Chestnut. “They were reprinted in the ‘70s and ‘80s, so most adults know about them. We thought that by telling LaFayette’s story in comic book form we could hook some students who otherwise aren’t all that interested in history books.”
        Chestnut said the project was very close to his own heart for two reasons: he was — and remains — a huge comic book fan; and, he was one of those “special” students who was behind his classmates in scholastic achievement, building much of his vocabulary and firing up his imagination via the old brightly colored panels of Marvel and DC Comics.
        “I guess I just never outgrew those comic books,” said Chestnut.
        The project began a year ago and was started at the urging of the LaFayette 250 Committee. Each of the four graphics majors contributed to the illustrations, putting their own unique mark on LaFayette’s story.
        The book was bankrolled by the LaFayette 250 Committee, along with a substantial contribution from Piedmont Natural Gas. The Arts Council of Fayetteville /Cumberland County was also instrumental in the project.
    Dr. Hank Parfitt, president of the LaFayette 250 Committee, came up with the idea for the comic book and says he couldn’t be more pleased with the finished product.
        “We didn’t tell the students how to draw the story,” said Parfitt. “They had pictures but used their own imagination to portray LaFayette.”
        The graphic novel will be distributed to students beginning Sept. 5 as part of the LaFayette birthday celebration. About 40,000 will be printed to serve students over the next five years, said Parfitt, who added that the Cumberland County Schools sanctioned the distribution of LaFayette: Hero of Two Worlds.
        The four FSU students who drew the graphic novel are scheduled to be at a public reception Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. at City Center Gallery and Books on Hay Street. They plan to autograph the comic books that will be on sale to the public for $2.50 each.

    Tim Wilkins, Associate Editor
    COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 105 or tim@upandcomingweekly.com


  • Rocking chairs, reclining chairs, lawn chairs: you can learn a lot about a space — and the people in it — by the chairs it contains. For generations, chairs have meant more to society than just a place to sit. They represent everything from social status to hierarchy to punishment. At the Blue Jean Ball and Chair-ity Auction, chairs take on an entirely different meaning. The chairs at this event represent community and hope. For six years this informal charity auction has raised money to benefit the Child Advocacy Center and the abused children of our community by auctioning beautifully hand-decorated chairs.

    There will be 30 chairs available at the auction this year. Each one is unique and hand-decorated by local artists. Roberta Humphries the executive director of the Child Advocacy center explains the chairs by saying, “It’s all local people, artists or just people who are artistic and enjoy painting different things. There are all different kinds of chairs to be auctioned as well; there are wooden children’s chairs, adult chairs, rocking chairs, metal garden chairs and even a kid’s table.” 09-26-12-blue-jean-ball.gif

    Chairs are not the only things that will be auctioned at the chair-ity fundraiser. Through many generous donations from community members, the auction will have many quality items available for bidding. “Our other items available are spa packages, restaurant gift certificates, jewelry and beautiful designer purses that have been donated for bidding. We have a lot of different items that will be in the auction,” Humphries says.

    While the auction is undoubtedly the center of the ball, it is far from all the event has to offer. “We have separate parties for adults, and there is a party in another room at Highland Country Club for youths between the fifth through eighth grades. For kids there is a DJ, so there will be dancing. There will be face painting and food that the kids like,” said Humphries.

    In the adult area there will be a live band — Toucan Jam will perform. There will also be the silent auction going on with both the hand painted chairs and other items that are available for bidding. Then there will be a photo booth for everybody, so that adults and kids can get a souvenir photo taken for the evening.

    The most important part of this ball is not the fun and exciting activities for both children and adults — or the beautiful hand-painted chairs — but the funds raised to help the community’s children. For Humphries the most rewarding part of being involved in this event is, “knowing that the money raised goes to help child victims in our community to help them heal and hopefully have a better future.”

    Tickets cost $60 for adults and $30 for youth. They are available for purchase at Holmes Fine Gifts, the Pilgrim and Grapes and Hops. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.childadvocacycenter.com or by calling (910) 486-9700. The ball is schedulds for Oct. 6, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Highland Country Club, 1105 Highland Country Club Dr.

  • 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 other09-04-13-colt-ford-country-music.gifoutdoor 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.

  • 09-25-13-earth-wind-fire.gifThroughout the years, many bands have come and gone, but only a select few stay relevant and popular for many years. Earth Wind and Fire is one of those great exceptions. Maurice White started the group in Chicago in 1969 and since then it has reached international fame, and on Oct. 1, the band will perform in Fayetteville.

    This Earth, Wind and Fire is a unique mix of R&B, soul, funk, disco, jazz and rock that has allowed them to transcend generations with their universally pleasing music and universal message of love. The use of the Klimba, or African Thumb Piano, which appears in all of their albums also adds an African flare to the music. By mixing so many genres together in their style of music Earth, Wind and Fire has appealed to a broader spectrum of the listening public than any band has before. Their fusion of pop and R&B has appealed to listeners of all places in life, and has bridged many of the gaps that often occur in music.

    Earth, Wind and Fire has received numerous awards over the years, including multiple Grammys, Grammy nominations, and American Music Awards. They also broke racial barriers by being the first African-American performers to receive Madison Square Garden’s Gold Ticket Award, which is given to performers who sell more than 100,000 tickets. These are but a few examples, there are many other awards for which the band has received or been nominated. They are truly remarkable in the music they create as well as the skill level that it takes to create it.

    Adding to their power as a band is the great individual skills of each musician. White, the founder began his love of music by singing in the church choir at the age of 6. This love eventually blossomed into a career, and White worked professionally first with Booker T. and then with many stars such as Etta Jones, Frontella Bass and Billy Stewart. He moved back to Chicago in 1969 and formed the “Salty Peppers” with his friends Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead. The band had marginal success until it moved to L.A. and changed the name to Earth Wind and Fire. White is no longer part of the band’s touring group, but he is still highly involved as the composer and producer.

    This amazing opportunity to see these music legends is provided to the Fayetteville Community through Community Concerts. Community concerts is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to bringing “top-notch entertainment to Fayetteville and the Fort Bragg/Cumberland County Community,” which they have done for more than 77 years.

    Earth, Wind and Fire will perform at the Crown Coliseum, 1960 Coliseum Dr., on Oct. 1at 7:30 p.m. The band will perform songs from its most recent album Now, Then & Forever. Tickets are available for purchase via ticketmaster.com or by calling the Crown Box Of褀ce at 438-4100. For more information, visit www.community-concerts.com/2013/06/14/earth-wind-fire/ or www.crowncoliseum.com/community-concerts-presents-earth-wind-and-fire.

    Photo: Earth, Wind and Fire is set to perform at the Crown on Oct., 1.

  •     {mosimage}Last year, more than 45,000 men, women and children walked through the turnstiles at the Cumberland County Fair at the Crown Coliseum Complex, indulging in funnel cake and candy apples, testing whether those contents would stay in their stomachs on dozens of carnival rides, showing off their gaming skills on the ring toss and attempting to pluck the elusive winning duck from a tepid tub of water in hopes of winning an overstuffed teddy bear or perhaps a Justin Timberlake poster.
        This year, Fair Manager Hubert Bullard expects even more people show up over the 10 days of the fair, and he says those folks are in for the biggest and best fair experience in the history of Cumberland County.
    “A lot of soldiers were deployed last year so I do expect an even bigger crowd this year,” said Bullard. “And while we don’t have the big name musical acts we’ve had in the past, I do believe we’ve got more family-friendly entertainment than we’ve ever had.”
        The fair, scheduled to kick off on Thursday, Sept. 18, and run through Sunday, Sept. 28, boasts more than 30 carnival rides, vendors offering everything from grilled sausage to barbecue to banana pudding, and the ever popular agricultural exhibits — after all, the stated mission of the fair is to “to showcase and preserve the history and legacy of the agricultural communities in Cumberland County.”
        This year’s fair also promises to be one of the most diverse ever, with a number of days dedicated to different groups and causes, including Motorsports Weekend, Kindergarten Day, Paraglide Military Appreciation Night, Cargill Hunger Relief Day and Hispanic Day.
        Speaking of Hispanic Day, internationally known Latin entertainer Marlon, who recently played to a crowd of more than 10,000 in South America, will bring his singing talents to the fairgrounds.
    “They’re calling him the new Marc Anthony,” said Bullard.
        Bullard says the fair will also feature contemporary Christian music superstars Building 429, a couple of kids who started out with humble beginnings while attending Campbell University and are now among the hottest Christian acts in America. Their song “Glory Defined” topped eight separate charts and was declared BMI’s Christian Song of the Year, while the group went on to capture the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year.
        In addition to great music, the fair offers a number of special events, including the always hilarious Toddler Training School; the Cumberland County Invitational Step Show, featuring middle school, junior high school and high school step and dance teams from three states; the Cape Fear Regional Cheerleading Championships; a demolition derby; Al the Artist, who will drive around the fairground drawing caricatures of fairgoers free of charge; the Great American Frontier Show, a  tribute to the frontier people and animals that built America, featuring demonstrations of natural animal behavior, wildlife and environmental conservation; the No Joe Clown Circus, a group of clowns who are deadly serious about donating their proceeds to  nonprofit, charitable organizations; and, Buffalo Barfield & Unheard of Entertainment, a troupe of entertainers that performs pop, bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll, country, Motown and beach music, mixing in stage props and slapstick comedy.
        For all you thrill seekers, Bullard says there will be three new rides this year: the Himalaya, Fireball and a new swing ride.
        There will also be numerous tents housing vendors, exhibits and arts and crafts.
        Bullard says an army of about 500 will be working the fair, some of whom labor all year long to put on the event.
    “These folks work all year to provide a 10-day event that we hope to make as memorable as possible for the residents of Cumberland County,” said Bullard. “I think it will be the best fair ever.”
        Admission is $6, kids under 2 are free. For schedules and information, check out the Web site www.cumberlandcountyfair.org.

      










  • 09-05-12-golf.jpgThe nonprofit Fayetteville Area Hospitality Association (FAHA) comprises a group of area businesses committed to promoting “Hospitality and community awareness and involvement” in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. That commitment to community is underscored by FAHA’s hosting of its 11th Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, Sept. 14, at Cypress Lakes Golf Course. Tournament format is four-person captain’s choice, with registration and breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Deadline for registration or sponsorship is Monday, Sept. 10.

    Proceeds from the tournament, sponsored by International Minute Press, Miller-Motte College, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, R. A. Jeffreys Distributing Company, LLC and Up & Coming Weekly, will benefit the Falcon Children’s Home and Kidsville News! Literacy and Education Foundation.

    “We started this series 11 years ago as a charity fundraiser,” said Ramona Moore, president of FAHA. “Groups that have benefited from the tournament in the past include the Fayetteville Police Foundation, the Stanton Hospitality House, The Cancer Center, the Boys and Girls Club, Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project.

    “We made a five-year commitment to Falcon Children’s Home a few years ago. We have built such a rewarding relationship with Joey Leggett, the director of the home. Falcon shows such appreciation to any group that helps it,” Moore said. “We just love them. And Kidsville News!wanted to partner with us to grow the tournament and benefit their program for the children.”

     

    For more than 100 years, the Falcon Children’s Home has opened its doors to children needing out-of-home placement. Its programs include the Mothers and Babies Program, which assists teen mothers with education, parenting skills and life-skills for independent living.

    Nationally acclaimed Kidsville News! of Cumberland County is an award-winning literacy and educational resource newspaper provided free each month to all K-6 children in Cumberland County and Fort Bragg.

    According to Moore, 92 participants helped raise $10,000 during last year’s tournament. FAHA hopes to exceed those numbers this year, with a goal of 120 participants. Various levels of sponsorship and participation are available for the tournament, including Individual Golfer, Hole Sponsor, Four-member Team and Team Sponsor (foursome and Hole Sponsor). Donations are tax deductible.

    ”You can buy a sponsorship for $100, and we display your sign on the tee boxes so you get good coverage there,” said Jack Stultz of Kidsville News! Title sponsors’ names will appear on a banner over the picnic hut where the trophies will be on display.

    The tournament offers prizes for first-, second- and third-place teams, the longest drive, closest to the pin and hole-in-one, as well as door prizes.

    “We have a lot of prizes,” Stultz said. “A tremendous amount, from local restaurants and including trips, free rounds of golf on other courses and gift certificates.”

    After the tournament, participants will enjoy lunch catered by Olive Garden Italian Restaurant. It is the second year the restaurant has provided the meal.

    “We believe it is a good cause,” said Moe Kong, general manager of the restaurant. “We encourage everyone to come out and support it.”

    The tournament is well received — and well known — throughout the community.

    “We’ve been doing this tournament for a long time,” said Michelle Williams of FAHA. “It’s very, very successful. It always amazes me that when I am an attendee at other tournaments, people recognize me and say, ‘Aren’t you part of the Hospitality Association tournament? That’s a great tournament!’ We want people to come out and donate time, prizes, anything that can help make it more successful for a great cause.”

    Participants and sponsors are encouraged to sign up by Monday, Sept. 10.

    “We certainly need and welcome people’s support,” Stultz said. “We have a great time. I think if they come out, they’ll join us again next year as well, and many years to come.”

     For more information or to sign up as a sponsor or participant, please contact Moore at (910) 922-8737 or Jared Ostendorf, Golf Committee chair

  • uac091510001.gif It is that time of year … (slightly) cooler weather, shorter days, back to school, and the county fair.

    The folks at the Crown Center Coliseum Complex are hard at work preparing for the more than 45,000 visitors who come out each year to check out the exhibits, contests, rides and of course the food.

    This is the 20th annual Cumberland County Agricultural Fair, and it is scheduled to run from Sept. 16 to Sept. 26. There is a lot going on this year so mark your calendar — you may want to make more than one trip just so you can take in as much of the fun as you can.

    Cumberland County Livestock Association, the Cumberland County School System, the Cooperative Extension Service, the local Farm Bureau and several other business and media representatives, along with other volunteers who just have the love for a county fair in their hearts, started working on this year’s fair as soon as last year’s adventure ended.

    All of the favorites will be there — the rides, the fair food (think funnel cakes, cotton candy, candy apples and more), the games, the exhibits and competitions.

    “I’d like people to know how hard the committee has been working all year long on planning the fair,” said Event Coordinator Hubert Bullard. “There is a ton of entertainment and special attractions — all free once you get into the fair (except the concerts). We have the largest interactive petting zoo in the state, and that includes the state fair. We have several new things this year — the trout fi shing pond is new. Folks can fi sh till they catch a trout. The Star Family Circus is new this year too.”

    There are some pretty amazing events lined up too that you won’t want to miss. This year’s event, according to Bullard, features two nights of motor cross racing, professional wrestling, two nights of professional bull riding and each night is full of entertainment showcasing the talents of local singers, dancers and karate groups.

    Don’t miss the livestock shows and demonstrations and a sanctioned poultry show. The Cape Fear Cheerleading Championships and the Cumberland County Fair Step Off competition will also be held during the fair.

    WKML is working with event organizers to host a country concert that will feature Guy Penrod, the former lead09-15-10-fair-wheelgongola.gif singer for the Gaither Vocal Band, and Joey and Roy, an act that is gaining popularity in the country music scene.

    Daily entertainment will include Star Family Circus, Eudora Farms, helicopter rides, trout fi shing — catch & release, bumblebee monster truck rides, chain saw carving demonstrations, toddler driving school and camel and pony rides.

    Special events will include Hispanic Day (Sept. 18), Senior Day (Sept. 24) along with Motorcross Weekend (Sept. 17 - 18), Diaper Derby and Parent Olympics (Sept.18), Fair Queens Pageant (Sept. 18), Ring Wars Carolina Professional Wrestling (Sept. 21), Cape Fear Cheerleading Contest (Sept. 16), Cumberland County Invitational Step Show (Sept. 25) and bull riding championships (Sept. 19 & 25).

    “We change up our entertainment and add new things every year,” said Bullard. “We also have a number of live stock shows and hundreds of livestock exhibits, too.”

    Honestly, there really is something for everyone at the fair, and Bullard and the other fair organizers look forward to seeing their efforts pay off once the fair opens and the crowds start pouring in.

    “My favorite thing is seeing folks have a good time — especially the children.” said Bullard. “To see their smiling faces and know that people leave the fair with a warm fuzzy feeling — then we’ve achieved our mission.”

    They are even making it easier than ever to avoid the crowds at the gates by offering advance ticket sales to the public. The $20 entry fee includes admission, unlimited rides and more than $25 in coupons for free food and drinks at the fair.

    Tickets can be purchased until close of business on the day before the fair begins at local ticket outlets around the city and county and at the Crown Coliseum box offi ce. For the first time this year, tickets can also be purchased from Ticketmaster. Call 438-4100 for additional information. Look for special discount days too. Students get in free on Sept. 22, the military (and military family members) get a discount on Sept. 21 and on the last day of the fair patrons who bring a church bulletin will get in free, too.

    To find out more, visit www.cumberlandcountyfair.org or call 309-5785.

    Photo: The fair runs through Sept. 26. Don’t miss it!

  • 09-22-2010-gilbert-1-4r.gifFor those of you who never knew it, or for those of you who have forgotten, and even for those of you who just need your fi x of Sci Fi, rock and roll, horror and pure musical bliss, get ready, because Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show is coming to Fayetteville next week.

    From Sept. 23-Oct. 10, the Gilbert Theater will be hosting this internationally recognized cult classic, fi rst released in 1975, to mixed reviews. The rock and roll musical spoof is the story of Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, a young pair of lovers who after attending a marriage ceremony are quickly inspired to become engaged and have their own wedding. Afterwards, Brad and Janet, on their way to visit an old high school teacher, find themselves lost with a flat tire on a cold and rainy, late November evening. They seek help in a nearby castle, and are greeted by handyman Riff Raff, a hunched back butler and a maid. They also very quickly find out they have arrived on a very special night, the night of the Annual Transylvanian Convention in the castle ballroom. Brad and Janet watch in disbelief as the Transylvanians, servants, and a tap dancing groupie, Columbia, dance the “Time Warp,” the film’s signature song.

    Things only get stranger as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the master of the castle, appears and claims to have discovered the “secret to life itself” and in a scene inspired by the classic Frankenstein films, his creation, Rocky Horror, a very well built young man, is brought to life in the castle laboratory.

    Dr. Gail Morfesis, musical director for both Sondheim’s Assassins and The Rocky Horror Show at the Gilbert, says that a wide range of people are sure to enjoy the performance. “This play has the same appeal to a younger audience as Hair or Jesus Christ Superstar did, in the way that they aren’t just observing, but get a chance to participate in the production. Older audiences members will defi nitely associate this with the classic Science Fiction movies and television shows from the ‘50s and ‘60s.”

    For those in the know, The Rocky Horror Show is something of a cult classic, and is usually very interactive. Audience members are invited to come in costume; however, leave your props at home. For those who know what we are talking about, don’t despair! Prop bags will be on sale at the theater so you can still have as much fun as you ever had at a midnight matinee.

    The Gilbert Theater, founded in 1994, is located in historic downtown Fayetteville at 117 Green St. Performances for Rocky Horror Show are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 at the door and parental guidance is suggested due to language and mature content.

    Tickets may be purchased at the box offi ce, which opens one hour prior to show times. Groups of 10 are more should make advance reservations. Groups of 10 or more eligible for discounts and require non-refundable, pre-paid reservations. Military and student discounts are available for all Thursday performances. For more information call 910-678-7186 or email gilberttheater@aol.com.

  • News pundits are announcing “the recession is over,” but if you live in North Carolina, you might not be too sure of09-29-10-job-fair-at-crown.gifthat. North Carolina has a 9.7 percent unemployment rate, and while latest figures for Cumberland County show a drop in unemploy-ment, the rate is still at 9 percent. But don’t despair. Employers are hiring, and here’s a great way for you to get in touch with them.

    On Wednesday, Oct. 6, the Cumberland County Department of Social Ser-vices, in conjunction with other agencies, will host its annual Fall Into Work Job Fair. The fair will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Crown Expo Center located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. in Fayetteville.

    There will be more than 100 employers on hand to discuss the various opportunities available in each of their prospective companies. Robert Relyea, employment coordinator for the Cumberland County Department of Social Services Work First Program, says that the opportunities available range from “entry level to professional employment.”

    According to Relyea, this year’s fair will feature job-readiness workshops. The workshops will cover a variety of topics such as: interviewing skills, re-sume writing, application processes, as well as how to apply for positions on Fort Bragg. In addition, the Educational Opportunities Center, housed at Fayetteville State University, will lead a workshop that will instruct attend-ees on how to go about getting money to pay for college.

    Along with the CCDSS Work First Pro-gram, the fair is presented in partnership with Cumberland County WorkForce Development Center, Fayetteville Technical Community Col-lege, City of Fayetteville Community Development Department, Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. and the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. This year’s business sponsors are Fayetteville PWC and Hardee’s.

    The employers on hand will be hiring in a variety of fi elds including: education, govern-ment, distribution, child care, food service, hospitality, healthcare, business professional and customer service

    .Relyea suggests that potential applicants dress in attire appropriate for the positions they are seeking. He also urged attendees to bring along plenty of resumes, black ink pens and information needed to fill out applications such as a listof references with contact information. Relyea also reminds applicants to turn off cell phones when speaking with com-pany representatives.

    The job fair is free and open to the public. For more information call 677-2222 or 677-2177.

  • 09-03-14-8-ways-to-use-honey.gifHoney is one of those amazing things that nature and bees provide. The golden sweet-smelling stuff doesn’t just taste great, it also contains a wealth of health-promoting properties. Its minerals, vitamins and antioxidants make honey a wonderful topical treatment for healthy skin and hair. Check out some of these uses below. Whenever possible, purchase locally produced honey that is raw, meaning it hasn’t been heated, which can kill its active ingredients. Most farmers’ markets offer local, raw honey.

    Pimples and acne. The naturally occurring antibacterial benefits of honey can help kill bacteria and work to quell inflammation. Apply raw honey to freshly washed pimples and leave on overnight.

    Intense pimple treatment. The UK Honey Association offers this treatment for pimples: Blend 2 teaspoons honey, ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt and 1 teaspoon turmeric to a thick paste. Apply only to the pimple and leave overnight. Wash your face as usual.

    Minor wounds. Honey actually emits bacteria-killing hydrogen peroxide and has other wound-healing properties. Try applying honey to clean cuts and scrapes and cover with a bandage.

    Shiny hair. Mix ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 cups of water. Apply to clean hair and leave on for at least 5 minutes. Rinse. You can follow with conditioner if necessary.

    Simple honey mask. Honey’s moisturizing and antioxidant properties make it a wonderful beauty mask. It also gently exfoliates. Apply a generous layer of raw honey to clean skin; relax for 30 minutes and rinse.

    Honey bath. This is a luxurious treat that requires 1 cup of honey. Add the honey to bath water and enjoy the light scent while it gently moisturizes your skin. Take a shower first so that you don’t need to use soap.

    Honey scrub. Mix a small amount of honey with ground almonds for a body and face scrub that exfoliates and moisturizes.

    Lip moisturizing. Simply apply honey to your lips and the skin around them for a moisturizing effect that also tastes good. Leave on for 15 minutes or so and apply moisturizer after.

    The Apple Crate offers a wide variety of honey options from regional honey to honey from as far away as New Zealand. Each one offers their own unique benefits, tastes and textures. The Apple Crate staff will be happy to help you choose the right honey for any beauty emergency.

    Photo: There are many practical uses for honey that can make you look and feel better. Raw local honey is usually the best bet when it comes to choosing which type of honey to purchase.

  • 09-10-14-ribbonwalk_logo.gifThe 9th Annual Ribbon Walk & Ride will take place in downtown Fayetteville on Sept. 20. Proceeds from the event benefit the Friends of the Cancer Center and will directly benefit local patients who are fighting cancer. The Friends of the Cancer Center helps to provide hundreds of cancer patients and their families with emotional support, information resources, food supplements, assistance with wigs and turbans and emergency needs funding.

    Tara Brisson Hinton, development coordinator for the Cape Fear Valley Foundation explained, “Our event keeps the funds in our community helping local cancer patients right now as they go through treatment at Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center. This is our ninth year with the 5K walk and motorcycle ride that continues to grow, as our patients needs continue to grow.

    “Our mission is to support our patients right here at home through Friends of the Cancer Center by helping them through a profoundly emotional time and to improve the quality of our patients’ lives,” she continued. “This event plays an integral role in helping us provide financial assistance, wig vouchers, transportation assistance, our Oasis Complimentary Medicine program, resource centers, free mammograms and many support programs. This event allows us to help people right now in our community at the same time walking or riding in honor and in memory of our loved ones who have had to fight the battle of cancer.”

    New, at this year’s race, is an honorarium and memorial wall for people to purchase a frame from the Cape Fear Valley Foundation office for a $15 donation. The frames can be decorated and turned back in by Sept. 8 for display at the respective wall during the event.

    The team that raises the most money will take ownership of The Crystal Ribbon Trophy until next year’s event. In addition, the top three teams raising the most money will receive recognition at the Foundation Board of Directors Annual Meeting, a certificate of appreciation and a thank you letter from the Board of Directors of the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation.

    The Survivor Reception is Sept. 19 at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church from 7-9 p.m. for survivors and a guest. Registration is $25, $30 the day of and survivor registration is only $15. Survivors will receive a special T-shirt. Register early because shirts are limited. You can register at www.ribbonwalkforcancer.org or call 615-1434 or stop by the foundation office at 101 Robeson St. The reception is a fun night of celebration to honor survivors and those who survive within our hearts.

    Hinton continued, “Without our volunteers, participants and community support we would not be able to help as many cancer patients as we do through the annual Ribbon Walk & Ride for Friends of the Cancer Center,… you never know who you may be helping.”

    The event is presented by Stanley Steamer, PDQ and Community Home Care & Hospice. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Late registration will open at 7:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies, hosted by Don Chase of WKML and Nicole Carr of ABC 11 News, begin at 8:30 a.m. The bike ride begins at 8:45 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. Due to the popularity of the event, this year’s race is returning to Festival Park from the Medical Arts Building. For more information, or to register for the race, please visit http://www.ribbonwalkforcancer.org.

  • School is back in session, the weather is cooling off (sort of) and the days are getting shorter. That can only mean one thing — it’s time for the Cumberland County Agricultural Fair. Opening Sept. 15 and running through Sept. 25, the fair promises a good time for everyone.09-07-11-fair.jpg

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Buy in advance, and get an even better deal.

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

    Visit www.cumberlandcountyfair.org for more information.

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

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

    09-14-11-renaissance-fair.jpgThere will be a lot of different things that are all Renaissance and Elizabethan era themed,” says Price. Watch live Paragon jousting tournaments, go on a Unicorn or Warhorse ride, and get educated with the living history exhibits and role players. There will also be armor and combat demonstrations by knights, belly dancing shows, live musicians and games such as axe throwing and archery. Some of the child-friendly events will include knighting ceremonies, and some arts and crafts where they can make their own shields and head pieces.

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

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

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

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

  • The Debt  (Rated R)  Three Stars09-28-11-movie-review.jpg

    The Debt(113 minutes) is a remake of a 2007 Israeli film never released in U.S. theaters. It’s not bad, but since there are no zombies, plagues, explosions, offensive humor or Harry Potters, it is a little outside my normal preferences. I guess it was okay. A little boring and hard to follow, but Helen Mirren is a good actor, and Jessica Chastain does this really cool hand-to-hand combat thing.

    For those who haven’t been keeping track, Mossad is the Israeli version of the CIA. The events of the film take place half in 1966 and half in 1997. One drawback is figuring out which 1966 character grows up to be the 1997 equivalent. It is fairly obvious that Chastain grows up to be Mirren, but figuring out which one David is (Sam Worthington/Ciaran Hinds) and which one Stephan is (Marton Csokas/Tom Wilkinson) becomes a bit of a challenge. The problem exists due to some poor camera work and weirdly timed flashbacks that don’t re-veal details needed in the beginning of the film.

    Drawback number two is the complete lack of moral com-plexity developed in the villain. Sure, Nazis make great villains because they are an obvious evil. The problem is creating believable Nazis whose dialogue is more complex than repeating various sections of Mein Kampfverbatim. I guess Dieter Vogel (Jesper Christensen) starts off believable, he just ends up as a caricature. And I refuse to believe he could get the better of either Chastain or Mirren, even on a bad day.

    In 1966, Mossad agent Rachel Singer (Chastain) arrives in East Berlin. She is met by David Perezt (Worthington) and Stephan Gold (Csokas). They are assigned to capture Dieter Vogel, Surgeon of Birkenau and bring him back to Israel alive to face trial. Mixed in with this vitally important mission, Rachel works on getting a boyfriend. Because women make bad secret agents because they get emotional and stuff and distract men from doing secret agent missions with their big eyes and need for love. And then the men fall in love with them and blow the mission trying to save them because women are not capable of get-ting out of tight situations even with their presumably intense training. Or something. The subplot was distractingly annoy-ing and unnecessary so I tried to tune it out.

    Vogel is currently working as an OB/GYN, and the plan is for Rachel to pose as David’s fertility challenged wife. By the third visit things have gotten as creepy and inappropriate as they possibly can, so Rachel takes him out with a sedative injected into his neck. Posing as ambulance drivers, David and Stephan scoop up Vogel and attempt to smuggle him out of the country.

    That works out just as well as it ever does in action mov-ies, so the three drag Vogel back to their apartment and hide out. Personalities end up falling along the continuum of care about how you would expect (guess which characters want to jam food down his throat and who respects the human dignity of the prisoner). And guess who is watching the prisoner when he makes his big move?

    The years pass, and the agents have gone their separate ways. Rachel’s daughter Sarah (Romi Aboulafia) writes an account of the 1966 events. The book’s account serves as a Macguffin of sorts, spurring the characters to action.

    Overall, if you like this sort of movie you’ll get caught up in the good parts while finding it easier to ignore the bad parts.

  • 09 231473471 4449228905096548 1698743334211822553 nThe Gilbert Theater comes from humble beginnings. In 1994, Lynn Pryer started the theater in his backyard and basement in Haymount. The theater is now located at 116 Green St., above Fayetteville’s Children Museum. The entrance is on Bow Street.

    “COVID-19 forced us to lessen our capacity,” said Lawrence Carlisle, artistic director. “(The theater) holds 100 people. Since 2020, no more than 50 seats in the house.” Patrons, staff and, sometimes, performers wear masks. Temperature checks are conducted at the door.

    The Gilbert is featuring “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels — The Musical” Oct. 1-17. Two con men, a beautiful woman and the elite of the French Riviera collide in this sexy and irreverent farce.

    It is based on the 1988 movie by the same name starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine.

    In the exotic French Riviera, Lawrence Jameson makes his living by smooth talking rich, single women out of their money. He has been in the trade for many years and has got his technique down to a tee. But then he bumps into Freddy Benson. Freddy takes a humbler, more laid back approach, swindling women with emotional lies about his grandmother's failing health and his own economic struggles.

    The two men initially decide to form a double act but their egos soon clash and the French coast isn't big enough for the two of them. To settle their rivalry, they agree on a bet: the first to swindle $50,000 from the latest young heiress in town, Christine Colgate, can stay and the other must leave town. However, is Christine really all she seems? Hilarity and confusion ensue as the two men pull out all the steps to prove they are the best con man in town.

    Actors were selected by open auditions. Lawrence is played by Chris Walker, who Carlisle calls a talented singer and actor and comedically well-versed. Freddy is played by Dan Adams. “Dan just blew us out of the water,” Carlisle said. The female lead, Christine, is played by the very funny Megan Barnes. There are about 10 people in the show.

    Linda Flynn, assistant artistic director at the Gilbert Theater, is making her debut as director of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.” Flynn joined the theater in 2017 as an actor in the show, “Evil Dead the Musical,” and became an employee in February 2020. “I have always had a great passion for theater. In my position I have learned a lot about every aspect of the theater. I get to do every job there is in theater and I enjoy every aspect.”

    Having been both actor, and now, director, Flynn explains the difference. “Acting you don’t see everything that goes into a show. You focus on lines and blocking and how you are coming across to your audience. Directing, you focus on everything. Find ways to make the show look good. Everybody looks good and knows where they need to be and what they need to do.”

    “The most rewarding feeling directing ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels — The Musical’ is watching my vision come to life with this particular production,” Flynn said. “It is more than I hoped for and it makes me proud.”

    Carlisle hopes the audience will have fun at the show. “The goal for all shows is for the audience to have fun and come away thinking that was really funny. Let’s do it again.”

    The show runs from Oct.1 to Oct. 17. Shows are Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 with some discounts available.

    For more information call 910-678-7186 or visit www.Gilberttheater.com and www.facebook.com/gilberttheater.

  • 08 ws11WoofStock, Fayetteville Animal Protection Society’s pet fundraising event, is slated for Friday, Oct. 1 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. It will take place at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. There will be dinner, drinks, live bands, swag to take home and a few new surprises will be featured.

    Fayetteville Animal Protection Society, Inc., or FAPS, is the only Cumberland County no-kill, non-profit animal shelter supported by volunteers, grants and individual contributions. FAPS receives no state or federal funding to operate and relies solely on the community to support its mission in rescuing and successfully placing companion animals in their forever homes. Currently, there are 79 animals housed at the facility that need to be adopted.

    While stores, restaurants and businesses came to a halt due to COVID-19, there was still a need for safe havens for animals. Despite missing out on their normal fundraising efforts and major changes in operating protocols, FAPS has continued to give second chances to discarded and abandoned pets in our community. Jackie Peery, Executive Director of FAPS said, “2020 was a difficult year financially without our major fundraiser. WoofStock is very vital to FAPS’s mission.”

    In lieu of WoofStock, last year FAPS hosted an online silent auction. “We got a lot of stuff for the auction,” Peery said. “It was a great to have something of no value to you be something that someone else could use.”

    COVID-19 also affected people at the organization. FAPS was not open to the public and staff hours were reduced. Volunteers helped out.

    “This is WoofStock’s ninth year,” Peery said. “Five hundred people are expected at WoofStock this year.” Proceeds help FAPS to continue their mission to not only spay/neuter, vaccinate and microchip each pet, but also provide food, shelter and veterinary care while under the care of FAPS.

    The event is strictly for adults. As much as all involved love their pets, they will not be at the event. If you want to adopt an animal, the hours the facility is open to the public is Friday from 1-5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. FAPS will operate by appointment Tuesday-Thursday.

    There will be a variety of food at the event. Little Taco will be making taco boxes. Also, hot dogs and sausages will be available. A baked potato bar will also feed attendees. Dirtbag Ales is a sponsor. They are donating 3 beers – Blood Orange Kolsch. Old-Brew Mocha Porter and Crispy Boiz Seltzer - included with the ticket price. It is an open bar, but tips are appreciated. There will be fun activities with lawn games such as corn hole and Jenga.
    There is no dress code. Some people wear tie-dye etc. Don’t have anything tie-dye? There will be a station where attendees can dye their own shirt.

    All CDC social guidelines will be followed. While there will be indoor seating, WoofStock will primarily be outside. Tables will sit four to six people and will be spaced out to meet social distancing guidelines. With its groovy attitude and laid-back atmosphere, WoofStock is an event with a cause which is to continue to help our community’s homeless animals find forever homes.

    Check out FAPS on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fapspet or on their website at www.fapspet.org for more information on WoofStock
    and FAPS.

    Pictured: The WoofStock fundraiser for FAPS is scheduled Oct. 1. (Photo courtesy FAPS)

  • 10 mask winnersTickets are on sale now for the 7th Annual Child Advocacy Center’s Pinwheel Masquerade Ball and Auction to Unmask Child Abuse. The event is scheduled for Oct. 2 from 7-11 p.m. at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens.

    The Pinwheel Masquerade Ball is one of the CAC's signature fundraising events and the public is invited to participate.

    The CAC was founded in 1993 by a group of concerned local professionals seeking to coordinate services provided to child abuse victims and their families. The CAC provides a safe and child-friendly environment where professionals from community agencies come together to interview, investigate and to provide support for abused children and their families.

    This results in a collaborative approach of professionals from Child Protective Services, the District Attorney’s office, law enforcement, Guardian ad Litem, Military Family Services, social workers, victim advocates as well as medical and mental health professionals to provide a coordinated, comprehensive response to victims and their caregivers.

    By having a collaborative approach, the CAC reduces the number of interviews for child victims of abuse by providing specially trained professionals to conduct forensic interviews in a centralized location. National research has determined that this type of coordinated approach can help alleviate trauma for children, increase the prosecution rate of perpetrators, and be fiscally beneficial to the community.

    CAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded through the generosity of corporate, state, organization and foundation grants; corporate and individual donations; in-kind contributions; and event sponsorships. There is no charge for services provided to child victims of abuse referred to the CAC.

    Organizers for the Pinwheel Masquerade Ball invite everyone to don a mask and enjoy a gala evening of dancing and food and drinks from our culinary sponsors. Entertainment will include a DJ, dance demonstrations, photo booth fun, live and silent auctions for amazing prize packages, and mask contests.

    Standard pricing is $100 per person or $175 per couple, and reserved tables of 8 are $1200. Tickets and tables can be purchased in person at the CAC or order online at www.cacfaync.org/.

    If you are unable to join this year’s Pinwheel Masquerade Ball and Auction, you can still help to provide healing and hope to the children at the CAC. Donations are always welcome and very much appreciated and can be done online or in person at the CAC.

    Attendees at this year’s Ball are offered the chance to get a “Trip of a Lifetime.” It is a chance to give now and travel later as winners will have three years with no blackout dates to enjoy their prize.

    A sampling of this year’s trips include:
    The Wine, Wonder and Romance of France
    The excitement and beauty of Paris and the romantic chateaux and vineyards of the finest wine region of France.

    The Pleasures and Treasures of Tuscany
    For food, fun and laughter, there’s no better place than Tuscany where, on your seven-day trip, the two of you will see incomparable treasures and art in Florence and learn to be spectacular chefs during your cooking class in an authentic Tuscan kitchen.

    Sedona Spa Getaway
    Get away from it all, unwind and relax during your four-day, three-night spa retreat in breathtaking Sedona, Arizona. Along with your day trip to the Grand Canyon, this oasis of personal pampering will refresh your mind, body and spirit.

    Iceland — The Land of Fire and Ice
    Discover wild wonders in the land of the Vikings! Glistening glaciers, therapeutic hot springs, thundering waterfalls and amazing wildlife make Iceland the “Land of Fire and Ice.”

    Spain
    The best of Spain — Barcelona a cultural hub — rich in history, fashion, architecture, food, music and dance. Then you are off to the island of Mallorca, known for its breathtaking landscapes, sun drenched beaches and exciting cultural experiences.

    Alaskan Cruise
    As America’s last frontier, exploring Alaska is an adventure you’ll treasure forever. Ten thousand-year-old glaciers, as well as whales and polar bears, are some of the sights and sounds of Alaska that will thrill you! Our winning couple will jet to Seattle where you’ll begin your cruise with a comfortable outside cabin, creating memories of an adventure as big as Alaska itself!

    This annual fundraiser for the CAC could not happen without the hard work and dedication of many people in the community. This year’s event is co-chaired by Jackie Davis and Julie Lee-Jacobs. Committee members include Jennifer Britt, Tim Edwards, Beth Lee, Chris Lee, Juelle McDonald, Robin Hurmence, Lucy Jones, Mary McCoy, Sharon Mozingo, Jennifer Taft and Christina Quantock. This energetic committee has been working diligently to ensure that this is a not-to-be-missed event.

    Organizers are thankful for all of the Pinwheel Masquerade Ball Event Sponsors, Culinary Sponsors and Corporate Benefactors as their support helps the CAC to continue to provide hope, help and healing to victims of child abuse.

    Platinum Sponsors: 5-Star Entertainment; Debbie Bender Designs; Healy Wholesale; A New Leaf Therapeutic Services PLLC

    Gold Sponsors: Up & Coming Weekly; Saam’s Party Tents, Inc.

    Silver Sponsors: The Law Office of Robin Weaver Hurmence

    Blue Sponsors: Berkshire Hathaway All American Homes; Callahan & Rice Insurance Group; Clerk of Superior Court-Lisa Scales; District Attorney Billy West; Gift of Dance & Photography; Firehouse Subs Glensford Drive; Healing Minds Therapeutic Services PLLC; James H. Cooke, Jr., Attorney at Law; TRP Sumner, PLLC; Valley Auto World; Valley Radiology; Valley Regional Imaging; Williams Printing & Office Supply

    Other sponsors include: Timothy D. Edwards, Attorney at Law; Hardin Law Firm PLLC; Beaver Courie Law Firm; Hatley Law Firm; Le Bleu Central Distributions; Keller Williams Realty; Movement Mortgage; Cape Fear Distillery; AmFund

    Culinary Sponsors include some of the best restaurants and shops in town: Aisha’s; The BarBQue Guy; Burney’s of Fayetteville; Carrabba’s Italian Grill; Dorothy’s Catering 2; Metro Diner; Elite Catering; Southern Coals; Bees and Boards Charcuterie Company; Nona Sushi Asia; Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux; Blue Pineapple Bakery; Harris Teeter; Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar; Superior Bakery and The Sweet Palette

    For more information about CAC’s Pinwheel Masquerade Ball, to purchase tickets or become a sponsor visit www.cacfaync.org/.

    08 pinwheel ball09 Group 3

  •     Dear EarthTalk: How can I measure — and then improve — my overall “carbon footprint?” What are the major areas of one’s daily life that one measures?       
                             — Andy Fusco, Passaic, N.J.


        With global warming dominating so many headlines today, it’s no surprise that many of us are looking to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases our activities produce.
        By assessing how much pollution each of your individual actions generates — be it setting your thermostat, shopping for groceries, commuting to work or flying somewhere for vacation — you can begin to see how changing a few habits here and there can significantly reduce your overall carbon footprint. Luckily for those of us who want to see how we measure up, there are a number of free online carbon footprint calculators to help figure out just where to start changing.{mosimage}
        One of the best is the University of California at Berkeley’s Cool Climate Calculator. The free Web-based tool takes into account daily driving mileage and grocery and electricity expenses, among other factors, to assign a carbon score, which users can compare to similar households across the 28 largest urban areas in the U.S. Some of the results are surprising. For example, residents of eco-aware San Francisco tend to have bigger carbon footprints than those in more conservative Tampa, Fla. The reason: San Francisco has a higher cost of living and colder, wetter winters (requiring more fossil-fuel derived heat).
        Another great carbon footprint calculator is available at EarthLab.com, an online “climate crisis community” that has partnered with Al Gore’s Alliance for Climate Protection and other high-profile groups, companies and celebrities to spread the word that individual actions can make a difference in the fight against global warming. Users just take a three-minute survey and get back a carbon footprint score, which they can save and update as they work to reduce their impact. The site provides some 150 lifestyle change suggestions that will cut carbon emissions — from hanging your clothes to dry to sending postcards instead of letters to taking the bike instead of the car to work a few days a week.
        “Our calculator is an important first step in educating people about where they are, then raising their awareness about what they can do to make easy, simple changes that will lower their score and positively impact the planet,” says Anna Rising, EarthLab’s executive director. “Our goal isn’t about convincing you to buy a hybrid or retrofit your house with solar panels; our goal is to introduce you to easy, simple ways that you as an individual can reduce your carbon footprint.”
        Other green groups and corporations, including CarbonFootprint.com, CarbonCounter.org, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy and British Oil Giant BP, among others, also offer carbon calculators on their Web sites. And CarbonFund.org even allows you to assess your carbon footprint—and then offers you the ability to offset such emissions by investing in clean  energy initiatives.

        CONTACTS: Cool Climate Calculator, http://bie.berkeley.edu/calculator.html; EarthLab, www.earthlab.com; CarbonFootprint.com, www.carbonfootprint.com; CarbonCounter.org, www.carboncounter.org; Conservation International, www.conservation.org; The Nature Conservancy, www.nature.org; BP, www.bp.com.

        GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php.
  • 14 rockn logo jpegThe next Rock’n On The River concert on Sept. 17 will feature Cool Heat and Bad, Inc. at Campbellton Landing (1122 Person St. behind Deep Creek Grill). The concert is free, but parking costs $5 per person. Parking begins at 5 p.m. and the music begins at 6 p.m.

    Cool Heat is a variety cover band playing rhythm and blues, soul, funk, beach and classics from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Members grew up listening to R & B which is prevalent in their music.

    Donnie Egan, a member of Cool Heat, says, “Old school music is the greatest era of music, and we love to keep old school going.”

    The local area band includes: Chris Imber on lead guitar; Richard Warren on percussion and trumpet; Allen Jones on bass and vocals; lead singer Ron Warren on keyboards; and Egan on drums.

    Bad, Inc. is known as the ultimate Bad Company tribute band. Based in Raleigh and composed of some of the state's most accomplished musicians, Bad, Inc. is a national touring act, wowing audiences up and down the east coast with their recreation of one of the most iconic British supergroups.

    The group is lead by Neil Wells on vocals, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Bad Company front man Paul Rodgers, both in sound and looks. For decades, Wells has been a successful lead singer with a passion for paying tribute to one of his singing idols.

    Members of Bad, Inc. — Kevin Segrist, Amy Hall, Jack Getz, LP Hitzigrath and Wells — have won musical awards, including "Best Tribute Band," and have performed on television.

    The band has opened for Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson, Scotty McCreery and Mother's Finest. The band has also played such prestigious venues as House of Blues, The Fillmore, Rams Head, Jannus Live, as well as festivals, weddings, private parties, and casinos from New York to Florida. For more information on the band visit their band at https://badincnc.com/.

    Rock’n On The River is a free live concert series sponsored by Healy Wholesale, Bob 96.5 FM radio and Up & Coming Weekly.

    Guests should bring chairs for lawn seating. Pets, coolers and outside food are prohibited at the event. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Healy Wholesale and Deep Creek Grill.

    The event is first come first serve, as the venue can only host 1200 to 1400 people. For more information, visit the Rock’n On The River’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Rockn-On-The-River-271048666818630/

  •     It’s too easy to focus on what’s wrong with our schools, so the people in the Westover School District are taking time to celebrate what’s right with their schools and their students. On Saturday, Oct. 4, Westover High School will host the 7th Annual Westside Festival from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  {mosimage}
        “The Westside Festival was started by John Smith, who was the principal of Westover High School before me,” said Mark Smith, the current principal. “The purpose of the event is to get the community involved by celebrating the successes of all the schools in the Westover School District.” 
    Smith added that the event was not held last year and his students questioned him about why the event was not taking place.
        “It is an event that they like and enjoy,” said Smith. “It was heartwarming for me to hear this from them.”        
        Community officials, Cumberland County school board members and political candidates will be in attendance at the event. The Board of Elections will register voters for the upcoming election. Health professionals will be onsite to check blood pressure and blood sugar levels.       
        “My goal is to let everyone in Cumberland County know that Westover is a positive place,” said Erica Fenner, administrative intern at Westover High School. “Our students and dedicated staff are highly involved and we have great things going on at our school.”  
        Vendors will be on hand to sell their food and wares. Westover’s school clubs will also have tables set up with face painting, storytelling and games for the children. Popcorn, snow cones, homemade items and candy will be for sale.  
    The Westover High School marching band and cheerleaders will also be performing at the event.
        {mosimage}“Singing acts scheduled to perform include David Leathers Jr., Westover students, recording artist Quenita Todd along with the group, Truly Anointed and Westover’s gospel choir,” said Fenner. “The Westover students will have a talent show at the festival.” 
        Poet Val Jones will read poetry. The Pink Kat cheerleaders and a group of recreational cheerleaders are also slated to perform. Raffle tickets will be sold and the winner will receive a brand new car.   
        “Our goal is to build a family collegial atmosphere,” said Smith. “We invite Cumberland County and the surrounding areas to come out and have a good time with the Westover District.”   
        The vendor fee is $40. There will be a mandatory vendor meeting on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. in the Westover High School Auditorium. For more information call 864-0190.
  • 11 Arianna Mclawhorn at gates Four Country ClubWhen the 53rd annual Cumberland County Golf Championship tees off in October, it will have a new look.

    A youth division for players in middle and high school has been added for the tournament at Gates Four Golf & Country Club.

    “The reason we created it is to grow and develop the champions of tomorrow,” said tournament director Bill Bowman.
    “I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback. Everyone thinks it’s a great idea and they have been very supportive.”

    There will be divisions for boys and girls in age groups of 12 to 14 (middle school) and 15 to 18 (high school). The CCGC will be held Oct. 15-17 at Gates Four. The youths will play the final two days for a 36-hole event. The entry fee is $145 which includes the Champions Reception & Pairing Party, a practice round, range balls, food and on-course beverages and the CCGC Winners Reception.

    Billy West, an 8-time champion of the CCGC, first played in the tournament when he turned 16 and became eligible.

    “I am very excited to see the CCGC add a junior division,” he said, “When I was a junior golfer growing up in Cumberland County, I could not wait to turn 16 so I could compete in the CCGC. I admired and looked up to local golfers such as Gary Robinson Gene Howell, Mike Williford, Gary Moore and David Hinkamp. I dreamed of one day having my name on the CCGC trophy.”

    Bowman and West hope the addition of a Junior Division will develop players for the main CCGC tournament in the future.

    “I think the addition of a Junior Division will not only help grow junior golf in our area but also will help sustain the adult divisions for years to come,” West said.
    “We have many great junior players right now in Cumberland County who are some of the best players in the state and country in their age divisions. I hope they will compete in the CCGC Junior Division.”

    Bowman added “the talent is out there. We just need to groom it. I think the kids are going to have a good time. I think they can learn a lot by watching some of the veteran players we have signed up.”

    Anthony Carstarphen, the golf coach at South View High School and a teaching pro at Gates Four, is helping Bowman get the project off the ground. He believes interest in the Junior Division will be high.

    “I had kids trying to sign up before the site was even up,” he said. “So, we definitely have got the interest.”

    There are players in the county to tap into. Gates Four, Cypress Lakes, King’s Grant and Highland Country Club all have junior golf programs — not to mention the many high school golf teams in the county.

    “It’s going to give us players for the future,” Carstarphen said. “That’s what will allow this tournament to keep going.”

    Kevin Lavertu, the general manager at Gates Four, said he had discussed with Bowman about adding a junior division for a few years.

    “We thought we would take a shot at it,” Lavertu said.

    Bowman said he is limiting the Junior Division field to 30 players this year.

    “We have to be able to manage the field and get our hands around it,” Lavertu said. “We host U.S. Kids Golf here two times a year and we get 80 to 100 players. If it gets to that point, maybe we need to have a Cumberland County junior tournament that would take place in the summer when the kids are out of school.”

    The 53-year-old main CCGC tournament has struggled in recent years since losing its major sponsor. Bowman, the publisher of Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper, took up the mantle in 2017 and has led the effort trying to rebuild the event. With the support and encouragement of businesses like the Richardson Law Firm, Healy Wholesale, Fastsigns and dozens of other local businesses who realize how important it is to maintain this golfing tradition in Cumberland County for future generations.

    “We want to start the kids young in tournament play and hopefully build the county tournament back up,” Lavertu said. “It used to be 200-plus people playing multiple golf courses.”

    Junior players who are at least 16 years old can still choose to play in the main tournament instead of the Junior Division. Spencer Oxendine won the CCGC in 2018 when he was a senior at Jack Britt High School and Toni Blackwell won the women’s division in 2019 when she was a senior at Cape Fear.

    “This is kind of a test in the water and see what the interest level is,” Lavertu said. “We’ll evaluate it and assess it and see what makes sense moving forward.”

    If junior players need any encouragement to sign up, they can listen to West.

    “For me, there has been no greater honor in my golf career than winning my county’s golf championship,” he said. “I hope our local junior players will feel the same way about the CCGC. It is a special tournament and always has been the most important to me from the age of 16 to present.”

    Junior players must reside in Cumberland County and must sign up by Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. Players can register online at cumberlandcountygolfclassic.com or by returning an application to Kevin Lavertu at Gates Four Country Club. Application forms are available at all local golf courses. Players who register by Sept. 30 will receive a free round for a foursome at Gates Four, Baywood, Stryker and King’s Grant.

    James Sherrill local businessman and owner of sweetFrog premium frozen yogurt thinks this a great opportunity for developing young athletes, and has signed on to be the Title Sponsor for the CCGC Junior Division.

    Local businesses and organizations can support the Junior Division by sponsoring players. All sponsors are invited to the champion’s reception and pairings party and the awards and trophy presentations. They also will have their name and logo on youth commemorative shirts and promotional materials.

    To sponsor a child or for more information, contact Bill Bowman at 910-391-3859 or email bbowman@upandcomingweekly.com.

    Pictured above: Arianna Mclawhorn prepares to tee off on Hole #1 at Gates Four.

  • 13 USE in AD 014RS Live 08 8x12cAfter the 2020 COVID hiatus, venues around Fayetteville and Cumberland County have begun to rebound and the 2021 season of music and entertainment is off to a promising start.

    Last week, The Isley Brothers kicked off the 86th season of Community Concerts. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performers delivered a stellar show and set the tone for the rest of the season.

    “The goal of the Community Concerts program is to bring quality entertainment to the more than 400,000 residents of Cumberland County and neighboring counties of the Cape Fear Region,” said Bill Kirby Jr., the president of Community Concerts of Fayetteville.

    Jim Grafstrom, the general manager of the Crown Complex, calls the Community Concerts line-up a “great season.”

    Next up is Rick Springfield on Oct. 2 at the Crown Theatre.

    As a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, musician, actor and best-selling author, Springfield is a man of many talents. For many, he is the image of the 1980s rockstar. He has sold 25 million albums and scored 17 U.S. Top 40 hits including “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “An Affair of the Heart,” "I've Done Everything for You,” “Love Somebody,” and “Human Touch.”

    As an actor, Springfield has an impressive list of credits. Although he had several guest spots on American TV in the 1970s, Springfield’s acting career gained momentum in 1981 when he became Dr. Noah Drake on daytime television’s “General Hospital,” a role he has revisited over the years, much to the delight of fans of the show. More recently, his credits include starring opposite Meryl Streep in “Ricki and the Flash,” a performance as Dr. Pitlor in the HBO drama “True Detective,” a portrayal of Lucifer on the CW hit “Supernatural” and as Pastor Charles on “American Horror Story.”

    As if making music and performing for more than five decades isn’t enough, Springfield is also a New York Times best-selling author, and collaborates with his friend and fellow rocker Sammy Hagar in the rum business with Beach Bar Rum.
    Springfield is sure to deliver a high-energy show. The show starts at 7 p.m. The opening act for the Rick Springfield concert is Fayetteville-based band Rivermist.

    “Not every concert has an opening act, but Rivermist is a local group with talented musicians,” Kirby said. “We could not be more pleased that they will be a part of the Rick Springfield concert. It’s an added bonus for the concert.”

    Rivermist’s Greg Adair said the band is looking forward to the experience. “It will be our first time playing in the Crown Theatre,” Adair said. “It’s on our bucket list.”

    Fans of Rivermist know they do a good job on a few Springfield covers, but “it’s hard to find a local band that doesn’t play ‘Jessie’s Girl,’” Adair said.

    “I’ve always been a fan,” he said, adding that he saw Springfield in concert a few years ago in Raleigh.

    “We are looking forward to opening for him and his band,” Adair said. “We have eight songs in 35 minutes, we hope to make the whole show better.”

    Rivermist includes Adair, Doug Bass, Cliff Bender, Tony Harrison and Allen Pier.

    Tickets for Rick Springfield range from $40 to $100 and can be purchased on www.crowncomplexnc.com. Face coverings for staff and guests are required in the Crown Theatre.

    After the Rick Springfield show, Community Concerts will welcome Straight No Chaser on Nov. 4. Styx will perform on April 23, 2022. “Jersey Boys” is scheduled for April 28, 2022.

    The final show of the season will be the Oak Ridge Boys on May 13, 2022, a show rescheduled from last season.

    “The Oak Ridge Boys is the only repeat performance from the previous season, and we are grateful these musicians kept their promise to perform,” said Kirby.

    With such a variety of accomplished performers lined up for the 86th season, Kirby said he is pleased and grateful for all those who worked to make the season a reality.

    “I have to give credit to Cape Fear Valley Health and City View magazine as our new Master of Ceremonies lead sponsors,” Kirby said. “This 86th season likely would not have come to fruition without support from Mike Nagowski, chief

    executive officer of CFVH, and Tony Chavonne, our former city mayor and publisher of City View.”

    Kirby also thanked The Arts Council, the Riddle family, and the support of community leaders like Ralph and Linda Huff, Lonnie Player, Dr. Dave Dickerhoff, Dr. Gary Jones and many others.

    Kirby said the board of Community Concerts dedicates the 86th season to the late Tony Ragan, the Crown Complex production director, who died in April.

    “This difficult season took more than a village,” Kirby said, “This difficult season took a community.”

    2021-2022 Season
    Community Concerts will welcome Straight No Chaser on Nov. 4. The a cappella group makes music through the captivating sound of nine human voices, with a sense of humor. The group has sold more than 1.6 million albums and has made numerous national TV appearances. The audience can expect to enjoy a pitch perfect night of hits and Christmas favorites from the group that has become an a cappella world-wide sensation.

    Styx will perform on April 23, 2022. The American rock band from Chicago became famous for its albums released in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They are best known for melding hard rock guitar balanced with acoustic guitar, synthesizers mixed with acoustic piano, upbeat tracks with power ballads, and incorporating elements of international musical theatre.

    The band established itself with a progressive rock sound in the 1970s, and began to incorporate pop rock and soft rock elements in the 1980s. Styx is best known for the hit songs “Lady,” “Come Sail Away,” “Babe,” “The Best of Times,” “Too Much Time on My Hands,” “Mr. Roboto” and “Don’t Let It End.”

    Styx has had 16 Top 40 singles in the U.S., eight of which hit the Top 10.

    “Jersey Boys” is scheduled for April 28, 2022. The Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical is directed by Des McAnuff. “Jersey Boys” is written by Academy Award-winner Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.

    The musical is the behind-the-music story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard and the radio just couldn’t get enough of them. While their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story — a story that has made them an international sensation all over again.
    The show features all their hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What A Night,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “Working My Way Back To You.”

    The Oak Ridge Boys will perform on May 13, 2022. The group has one of the most distinctive sounds in the music industry. The four-part harmonies and upbeat songs have created dozens of country hits and a #1 pop smash. The group has earned Grammy, Dove, CMA and ACM awards and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades.

    Their string of hits includes the pop chart-topper “Elvira,” as well as “Bobbie Sue,” “Thank God For Kids,” “American Made,” “I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes,” “Fancy Free,” “Gonna Take A Lot Of River,” and many others.
    The group has had more than a dozen national number one singles and more than 30 Top Ten hits. Having sold over 41 million albums, the Oak Ridge Boys were also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

    The Oak Ridge Boys have earned 5 Grammy Awards, 2 AMA Awards, 4 ACM Awards, 4 CMA Awards, 11 Dove Awards, 5 Billboard Awards, 8 Cashbox Awards, and many others.

  • 11 Picture1The 4th Annual Lumbee Film Festival returns with 18 new films directed by indigenous filmmakers screening over two days at the Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub on Main Street in Pembroke. This year’s festival is scheduled for Sept. 17-18 and is presented by the North Carolina Museum of Art and includes live music, film, food and fellowship.

    “Each year the Lumbee Film Festival gets better and better,” said festival Founding Director Kim Pevia. “I am so excited about this year's line-up of short and feature films. Some are traditional and some have us thinking out of the box. Some are local and some are far away. Just like in real life. Something for everyone. Come join us. You will be glad you did."

    The festival witl begin with an outdoor screening of “RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World,” an electrifying look at the Native American influence in popular music despite attempts to ban, censor and erase Indian culture.

    The film reveals how early pioneers of the blues and jazz had Native American roots, and how artists like North Carolina’s own Link Wray helped to define its evolution and forever changed the trajectory of rock 'n' roll.

    Before the film, Robeson county native and Lumbee Tribe member Charly Lowry will perform a mix of her songs. Lowry appears in “RUMBLE” along with mentor Pura Fé and many other well-known Lumbee musicians. Lowry first gained international recognition as a semi-finalist on “American Idol” in 2004, but has since built a following for her energetic and captivating performances. She is also active as an advocate for Native rights and women’s rights.

    The festival is organized through a partnership between the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and the Cucalorus Film Foundation with the goal of showcasing films made by American Indians while raising awareness about the legacy of indigenous artists. The festival creates a platform for emerging Native artists, especially those working in the Southeastern United States.

    Three shorts blocks will screen at the Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub on Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. with the “The Sun Shines, The Water Flows” shorts block which includes films by Lumbee youth like “Climate Change” made through the Unlocking Silent Histories project as well as films from the Wapikoni Mobile collective from Canada who use media to raise awareness about Indigenous cultures, issues and rights.

    The “Roots Run Deep” shorts block starts at 3:30 p.m. and includes the poetic and observational documentary “Concrete 49” by LFF Alum Justin Deegan. The short is a subtle and effective examination of the lives of indigenous people living in New York City. The “All My Relations” shorts block brings together five dramatic works to close out the afternoon’s survey of short form indigenous cinema.

    A special screening of “The Trancscenders,” a feature film by Montana Cypress (Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida) will be screened immediately following an awards ceremony at 8 p.m. on Sept.18 at the Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub. The film follows the struggles of two brothers who find a remedy that promises to “transform their primitive behavior” as they transition from life in the city which differs greatly from their upbringing on the reservation.

    For tickets, passes and the full festival schedule visit www.cucalorus.org/lumbee-film-festival/.

  • 10 familyAs summer winds down and the kids head back to school, many families start thinking about the fall … cooler weather, football games and, of course, the Cumberland County Fair!

    The Cumberland County Fair has been a constant in the lives of many families in Cumberland County for several generations. Held at the Crown Coliseum Complex, this year’s theme is “Agriculture, Food and Rides! Oh My!” While many people visit the fair for the rides and the yummy fair food, it’s important to note that the Cumberland County Fair is rooted in the agricultural heritage of Cumberland County.

    That being said, one of the big draws to the fair annually, is the agricultural competitions that see kids of all ages vying for Blue Ribbons and accolades. According to organizers of the fair, there will be livestock shows and exhibits every day. If it’s been a while since you were in FFA (Future Farmers of America for those of you not in the know) or FHA (Future Home Makers of America), it’s not too late to pull your old blue corduroy jacket out of the closet or pull out your favorite recipe for pickles of jams and join in the fun.

    Of course, the fair is more than that. There are fun events like the interactive petting farm. Some of these animals are cute and cuddly and some are slippery and slimy. If you like to live dangerously, you can also check out the toddler driving school, which, if done correctly, could morph into a demolition derby! If that isn’t something that gets you excited, let’s be honest: Who doesn’t want to see the mayhem created by toddlers driving while hyped up on cotton candy?

    If toddlers crashing around isn’t your idea of fun — there is still more. Cumberland County citizens of all ages submit various works of art for the annual arts and crafts show. Beautiful baskets, paintings and pottery are just some of the works of arts you will see on display - and yes, the artist can win a ribbon! If you have a talent you would like to share, it is not too late to enter it into the show.

    The Cumberland County Fair is also known for great music, and this year promises to entertain. Music is on tap throughout the fair’s run, and includes a variety of musical genres.

    Reflections II band is a Fayetteville-based band that plays a variety of music that leaves their fans asking for more. Playing mostly cover tunes, one of the band’s fans noted, “Great guys … awesome talent, great set list. Top shelf entertainment.” You might want to do what one fan suggested — get on your dancing shoes and boogy on down at the fair.

    •The Throwback Collaboration Band plays the best of rhythm and blues, dance and old school music.

    •If you are a little bit country, the Steel County Express has something for you. The band plays modern country and some rock and roll.

    Rivermist, also a Fayetteville-based band, started its musical journey in 2014. Rivermist is a variety, party band that plays a little something for everyone. They have a great local following and a number of kudos such as several Up & Coming Weekly Best of Fayetteville awards.

    Another kind of talent will be on display at the Fair, and it includes some of the most beautiful people in the county. The Cumberland County Fair Pageant is Sept. 4. There are 10 pageant categories for contestants from birth to ages 20 and up.

    Of course, we saved the best for last: Rides, lots and lots of rides! Bumper cars, ferris wheels, scramblers, etc. Anything that spins, turns, goes upside down and back up again will on be center stage at the fair. so, grab your sweetie and lock into the ferris wheel and check out the view from the top — or get on a rollercoaster, and let your stomach drop.

    With all of the amazing things to do, you won’t want to miss it! So, review the schedule with daily specials listed below.

    Admission is $8 per person (adults and children ages 3 and up). Single ride tickets are $1.25; unlimited ride wristbands are $25. Residents can purchase tickets in advance at CapeFearTix.com, Fort Bragg Leisure Travel Services and in person at the Crown Complex Box Office. The fair schedule and special ticket prices are listed below:

    Sept. 3: Gates open at 5 p.m. Free admission for healthcare professionals. Children ages 3 - 12 get in for $5. Admission is $8 for all other individuals ages 13 and older.

    Sept. 4: Gates open at 1 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and children 3 years of age and older.

    Sept. 5: Gates open at 1 p.m. Day of Giving. Free admission with six non-perishable food items. One free ticket for every six items donated. Admission is $8 for adults and children 3 years of age and older.

    Sept. 6: Gates open at 1 p.m. Pay One Price Night $15 admission and rides are unlimited.

    Sept. 7- 9: Gates open at 5 p.m. Pay One Price Night $15 admission and rides are unlimited.

    Sept. 10: Gates open at 5 p.m. Free admission for school personnel with valid ID. Admission is $8 for all other individuals ages 13 and older.

    Sept. 11: Gates open at 1 p.m. Free admission for military and first responders with valid ID. Admission is $8 for all other individuals ages 13 and older.

    Sept. 12: Gates open at 1 p.m. Admission is $8 for all individuals ages 13 and older

    For all indoor events at the fair, masks must be worn.

    For more information about the Cumberland County Fair, including entertainment and exhibits, go to cumberlandcountyfair.org.

  • 09 DSC 0593Each September, The Lafayette Society and the City of Fayetteville celebrate the birthday of the Marquis de Lafayette, the city’s namesake. This year, focus will be on the popular French music concert and a ribbon-cutting and dedication of the new Lafayette Plaza East.

    The Lafayette Society’s Hank Parfitt said the annual celebration promotes the significance of Lafayette’s contributions to Fayetteville while educating and entertaining the public through music and the arts. The events are made possible mostly by the efforts of volunteers.

    “I am proud of our board, as well as our general membership, for their time, energy and enduring support of our mission as a civic as well as an historical organization,” Parfitt said.
    On Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m., Dr. Gail Morfesis and Friends will present “L’ensemble de la Famille: Musical Families and their Historical Significance” at Hay Street United Methodist Church in downtown Fayetteville.

    Morfesis has been organizing and performing in concerts as part of Lafayette celebrations since 2014. She organized this year’s concert with a grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the North Carolina Arts Council awarded to help promote music in the community.

    “The concert is basically performed in French,” she said, “we try to educate the audience about Lafayette and French musical traditions.” There will be translations and notes in the program.

    This year, Morfesis wanted to recall an era before electronic devices to highlight the tradition of families entertaining themselves with music — singing and playing instruments and “making music in
    their homes.”

    “I want to point out that during COVID, because families were at home together, we saw a resurgence of a tradition — families creating and entertaining themselves with music” Morfesis said.

    The concert will showcase the talents of professional musical artists from eastern North Carolina and will include married couples, a father-daughter duo, and two groups who are “just like family.”

    This lively, fast-paced concert will appeal to a broad audience, Morfesis said. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased at City Center Gallery & Books on Hay Street or online at www.lafayettesociety.org/events. CDC precautions will be observed with safe distancing in the sanctuary but attendees are asked to wear masks.

    On Sept. 12 at 2 p.m., the Lafayette Society will be joined by the Mayor and members of the City Council and County Board of Commissioners to dedicate the new Lafayette Plaza East. The existing brick plaza and stage with seating walls on the west side of the Lafayette statue was funded by the Society and dedicated in 2013.

    This past year, the Society’s Park and Statue Committee worked with the City to develop a performing stage on the east side of the statue with new landscaping. This created an outdoor amphitheater downtown suitable for concerts and other performances. It also made the entire park more attractive as a place for recreation and gathering.

    The Camp Flintlock Fife and Drum will be there to help Mayor Mitch Colvin, Commissioner Glenn Adams, and District 2 Councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram with the ribbon cutting. Lafayette himself will also make an appearance, thanks to re-enactor Stanley Seay.

    Pictured above: City officials will help The Lafayette Society dedicate the new Lafayette Plaza East on Sept. 12. (Photo by Dylan Hooker). The music concert will be Sept. 9 at Hay Street United Methodist Church.

  • 09-26-12-gordon-lightfoot.gifSeptember – the month of changes — closes with a concert by a man who has changed the landscape of music over the past five decades. Gordon Lightfoot will perform at the Crown Coliseum on Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. He is the complete package — singer, songwriter and musician. He learned piano in his teens and taught himself percussion and the guitar.

    Lightfoot’s publicist noted that the iconic performer is excited about performing at the Crown, “Mr. Lightfoot has been looking forward to playing in Fayetteville for a long time, but it has always been a questions of logistics. He is glad that the venue and his schedule were able to come together.”

    When one thinks of Gordon Lightfoot, three songs immediately come to mind, “If You Could Read My Mind”, “Sundown” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”. His discography spans 50 years and has been covered by Bob Dylan, Toby Keith, Jimmy Buffet, Dan Fogelberg, Richie Havens, Elvis Presley, Judy Collins and a host of others.

    “If You Could Read My Mind” speaks to a relationship that once flourished but hit rocky times. We hear the questioning in his voice wondering whether the relationship could be saved as he mourns for what once was but will never be again. “Sundown” relates the plaintive desire for a woman who is just out of reach. When he finally captures her, regret fills his soul.

    After reading a Newsweek article in November 1975, Lightfoot penned “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” The song tells the tale of the tragic last voyage of the S.S Edmund Fitzgerald. The ship was caught in a winter storm in Lake Superior and all 29 crew members perished. The lyrics were drawn from facts that surround the tragedy. To this day, Lightfoot visits family members of those that perished when his touring schedule allows.

    Lightfoot has weathered his own storms as well. The life of a touring musician took its toll on several relationships. In 1972, he contracted Bell’s palsy and experienced temporary paralysis but continued to write music. In 2002, he suffered an abdominal aneurysm and was in a coma for six weeks and eventually had a tracheotomy. His indomitable sprit prevailed and by late 2003 he was back in the studio rehearsing. His 20th album, Harmony, was released in 2004.

    A native Canadian, Lightfoot was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2003. It is the nation’s highest civilian award. He has also been nominated for five Grammy awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012.

    Regardless of the instrument played, Lightfoot weaves music and words telling a story that has the listener nodding in appreciation — for the life lived and the life shared. September — the month of changes. Be prepared for an evening of moving moments and memories.

    Tickets can be obtained by visiting www.crowncoliseum.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

  •     Be young, be happy... go see the fabulous Tams  on Sept. 18 at Festival Park and witness a band that’s been bringing it for 46 years.
        The show is part of the Fayetteville After Five concert series — one of the chief fundraisers for the Fayetteville Museum of Art. As always, admission is free, though the experience is often priceless. For this particular show you’ll be treated to a band formed way back in 1962 that has ridden the crest of the beach music wave for these 40+ years.
        The Tams are famous for such golden oldie radio staples as “What Kind of Fool,” “Hey Girl,” and, of course, “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy.” However, despite striking gold later in their career and eventually being named “The Beach Band of the Decade” and earning an induction into the Georgia Hall of Fame and Atlanta Hall of Fame, times were tough in the beginning as the band played gigs for as little as $1.25 a night; the miniscule wages couldn’t cover the ornate stage costumes so many bands wore at the times, so they bought inexpensive Tam O’Shanter hats, from which the group earned its name.
        They’ve worn those trademark “tams” for all these years, and one band member — Charles Pope — has been there every step of the way. Pope, 72, is still going strong on the stage, though he has a successor branching off from his family tree. Band member L’il Redd, 39, — billed as having the “fastest feet in the South” — is Pope’s son, and he’s been singing and dancing with the Tams since he was 7.    “My Dad put me up on the stage when I was a little bitty thing and I’ve been doing it ever since,” said L’il Redd. “And I wouldn’t have had it any other way. It’s been the most fun you can imagine having.”
        {mosimage}And don’t be fooled by his father’s advancing years — L’il Redd says it’s harder and harder to get the elder Pope — the only original Tam in the group — off the stage.
        “You can’t tell how old he is when he’s performing,” said L’il Redd.
        L’il Redd says the Tams have performed in Fayetteville “countless times” over the years, including last year’s Dogwood Festival; he says the crowds have always been “great.”
        “There are a lot of beach music fans in Fayetteville and they really get into the music at our live shows,” said L’il Redd.
        But it’s not just beach music that folks will groove to at Fayetteville after Five. Though they have a lot of older fans, the Tams also attract a young following as well, so the group will mix in more contemporary songs such as “Love Train” by the O’Jays, Motown standard “Higher and Higher,” and the Isley Brothers’ “Shout.”
        “We have a high energy show with a lot of audience participation,” said L’il Redd. “So the folks that show up, I guarantee we’ll get ‘em dancing.”
        Fayetteville After Five features food vendors and purveyor’s of adult beverages, as well as other artists on site. The event runs from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket to relax on the lawn as the Tams take you back 40 years to the days of shagging all night long on Ocean Drive.


  • 18 chopped firewoodI recently added a new table to the WCLN studios. Nothing fancy. It was crafted from rough and flawed pieces of walnut boards I picked up somewhere. I decided to leave many flaws untouched and even finish it with raw steel hairpin legs as a nod to my oldest son — an artist whose chosen media was metal, before passing not long ago. Seeing the table each day has caused to me think about what craftsmanship means to me in the first place.

    Like many people I know, my life is busy. My calendar would be full of gatherings of all shape and form if I dared to keep one. In fact, not acting surprised when I'm reminded of a birthday, anniversary, dance recital or social gathering I should have remembered is something I've developed into almost an art form. And as much as my wife and I are able to participate, we do. But I love to retreat, too.

    More often than not, a retreat for me doesn't mean a getaway to the beach or the beautiful North Carolina mountains. Instead, it's more likely to involve an invitation for the family dog to join me on the short walk to the workshop behind our house.

    In that calm respite from the busyness of daily life, I create things. Sometimes I work in the quiet with just my thoughts, and other times, I'll turn the music up to drown them out. I work with a number of materials, but wood is easily my favorite medium. The wood in my shop is comprised largely of castoffs. From exotic hardwoods to common lumber, I gather small or otherwise insignificant pieces from industries that see no need for them. To others they are scraps — one step away from firewood — but to me, each piece is a treasure.

    More than a hobby, woodworking has become a reflection of the life I've been given to live. Occasionally, I'll make something on commission, but I rarely sell what I create. The whole idea changes the game. Woodworking is about seeing the individual beauty and usefulness of each piece of wood — large or small — and starting a process of preserving, preparing and giving that piece a new purpose. In short, it's about redemption.

    Without the grace and redemption I found in Jesus Christ, my life would be nothing. I was probably considered a castoff by many when Jesus found me, but he saw something useful and has been preparing and preserving me since 1981, and even in the times when I feel I have nothing to offer, He assures me there is a greater purpose for my life. For every life.

  • 14 money puzzle WashingtonYou’re probably aware this is an election year. During the next several weeks, the candidates will discuss issues that should greatly interest you as a citizen. But as an investor, how concerned should you be with the results of the presidential and congressional elections?

    Maybe not as much as you might think. At different times, the financial markets have performed well and poorly under different administrations and when different parties have controlled Congress. And after all the votes are counted, outcomes in the investment markets can be unpredictable.

    Consequently, you’ll be helping yourself greatly by not making big moves in your portfolio in anticipation of new legislation or political moves down the line.

    Of course, that’s not to say that nothing emerging from Washington could ever have an impact on your investment decisions.

    For example, if a future president and Congress decide to change the capital gains tax rate, it could affect some of your choices, such as which stocks and stock-based mutual funds you should buy, and how long you should hold them.

    Overall, though, your investment results will ultimately depend on actions you can take, including these:

    • Making changes for the right reasons — While the results of an election may not be a good reason to make changes in your investment portfolio, other factors can certainly lead you to take steps in this direction. For one thing, as you get closer to retirement, you may want to shift some — though certainly not all — of your investment dollars from more growth-oriented vehicles to more conservative ones.
    Conversely, if you decide, well in advance, that you might want to retire earlier than you originally thought, you may need to invest more aggressively, being aware of the increased risk involved.

    • Following a long-term strategy — In pretty much all walks of life, there are no shortcuts to success — and the same is true with investing. You need to follow a long-term strategy based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, and you need the patience and perseverance to keep investing in all markets — up, down and sideways.

    • Avoiding mistakes — Many people think of an investment mistake as failing to “get in on the ground floor” of some company that ultimately grew to huge proportions. But it’s pretty hard to become an early investor in companies like these, many of which start out as privately held businesses without any stockholders.

    Furthermore, companies with shorter track records can be much more unpredictable investments. However, you do want to avoid some real mistakes, such as chasing “hot” stocks. By the time you hear about them, they may already be cooling off, and they might not even be appropriate for your needs. Another mistake: failing to diversify your portfolio. If you only own one type of asset, such as growth stocks, you could take a big hit during a market downturn. Spreading your dollars over a wide range of investments can help lower your risk exposure. However, diversification by itself can’t guarantee a profit or protect against all losses.

    After Election Day, regardless of the outcome, you can help keep your portfolio on track by not playing politics with it.

  • 05 podium speakersWhat is more interesting than the debates between candidates for major political offices?

    Of course, it is the debate about the debates.

    Some friends, well-informed and experienced in political activities, say the importance of such debates is vastly overrated. For instance, one said the recent first debate between North Carolina U.S. Senate candidates Republican Thom Tillis and Democrat Cal Cunningham was meaningless because nobody was watching.

    They reminded me about the 1992 U.S. Senate televised debate between Terry Sanford and Lauch Faircloth. Most viewers agreed that Sanford won the debate with sharp authoritative responses to questions while Faircloth fumbled. But Faircloth came out on top when it counted.

    Republican campaign consultant Carter Wrenn strongly disagrees. He thinks debates are critically important. Undecided voters are the key to winning elections.

    To win their votes, they have to see a difference between the candidates on an issue that is important to them or on a difference in the way they handle themselves under pressure.

    Wrenn is a legendary expert on developing hard-hitting campaign materials such as the ones Jesse Helms used to defeat Jim Hunt in the 1984 U.S. Senate race.

    In a recent radio interview with Wrenn, I agreed with him about the importance of televised debates. Citing the 1960 presidential debates between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon, I argued that demeanor of the candidates is a key factor.

    Kennedy looked calm, cool, and collected, while Nixon was nervous, sweating, and fidgety.

    A candidate who appears authoritative, courteous and nice has the edge, I said.

    But Wrenn does not go along with my reasoning.

    He says a debate is the place to take advantage of your opponent, to show the differences on matters important to potential supporters, to set traps and jump on the opponent who falls into one.

    It is a battle, not a beauty contest, he said.

    In their first debate, Tillis turned the tables on Cunningham and tried to trap him for saying that he would be hesitant taking a coronavirus vaccine if one were available by the end of the year.

    Tillis called that irresponsible.

    “We just heard a candidate for the U.S. Senate look into the camera and tell 10 million North Carolinians he would be hesitant to take a vaccine. I think that that’s irresponsible.”

    In the next two debates Cunningham will have the opportunity to push back on the issue of irresponsibility of the Republican president’s campaign organizing coronavirus-spreading rallies in North Carolina.

    These Cunningham-Tillis events are a warm-up for the presidential debates, beginning Tuesday, Sep. 29.

    Wrenn took me back to his work in the Hunt-Helms race in which Helms overcame a 25% early lead by the popular Hunt. Wrenn remembers discovering inconsistencies in Hunt’s views on controversial issues. Then the campaign developed ads and debate themes in which Helms set out his positions on the then-current issues such as the Martin Luther King holiday, busing, school prayer and the Panama Canal "give away." Then Helms would ask, “Where do you stand, Jim?”

    Wrenn said again that debates give candidates the opportunity to tell voters where they differ from their opponents.

    Carter Wrenn and I do not agree on lots of things, but I think he wins the debate with my friends who say candidate debates do not matter.
    Debates are gold mines and minefields for candidates and important for voters searching for candidates whose views and character are worthy of their support.

  • 04 Timmons Goodson headshotI owe a tremendous debt to the military. I am the proud daughter of a veteran, an Army 82nd Airborne Ranger, who was twice deployed to Vietnam. Early on in life, I learned the value of service and honor because I saw it up close in my father, who instilled those values in me. The military also became a support system that cared for my family after my father passed away and provided me with opportunities that changed the trajectory of my life. It’s because of this debt that I’ve dedicated my life to public service, giving back to my community here in Cumberland County, and why I’m running to represent North Carolina’s 8th Congressional district.

    It is not fair for our country to ask for the kind of sacrifices required of our service members and their families, and then fail to uphold our promises to them. Time and time again, our leaders in Washington have failed to deliver on their promise, but I will put our military community’s needs at the forefront of my agenda.

    The Veterans Affairs Department, an organization that my father depended on, currently has about 50,000 personnel vacancies. These staffing shortages make delivering quality, timely services to veterans more difficult during regular times, and has crippled the institution during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of late-September 2020, there were more than 3,000 active COVID-19 cases in the VA, with more than 3,300 deaths (including 56 employee deaths). It is absolutely unacceptable that the brave men and women who’ve risked their lives abroad are now dying at home because of failed leadership that’s kept their health care system understaffed and undersupplied.

    But it’s not enough to just care for our veterans and active duty service members. Growing up with a father who was twice deployed to Vietnam, and with a mother who served as the primary caregiver, I know that when a service member serves, their family serves with them. Far too often, I meet military families who are struggling with the stress and challenges of having an active duty service member while also juggling the challenges of work responsibilities and child care needs brought on by the pandemic. Military families from all over Cumberland County need leaders who understand their struggles.

    The voters of Cumberland County have my commitment that I will champion a well-staffed and well-funded Veterans Affairs department that: expands mental health services, addresses the alarming rates of suicide among our veterans, and receives COVID-19 funding that is specific to its needs. I will also always fight to make sure that our military families have access to high-quality healthcare, and that the educators of military children are well-equipped and well-trained to understand the unique experiences these children face.

    It doesn’t stop there. Our veterans and military families will need a partner in the White House that respects and honors them, someone that knows from personal experience what it means to have a member of your family be deployed. We need a Commander-in-Chief that recognizes the heroism of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, not one that calls them “losers” and “suckers.” Joe Biden is the right person for the job, for this moment.

    This year has been tough on everyone, but it’s been especially tough for the thousands of families in Cumberland County who have been left behind and disrespected by leaders who simply don’t care to understand their reality. I grew up right here in Cumberland County, and I know the struggles and the resilience of this community. It’s time to bring change to Washington, and for our county to be represented by leaders who keep their promises.

    Pat Timmons-Goodson is a former associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court and served on the United States Commission on Civil Rights. She is now running for Congress for North Carolina's 8th Congressional District.

    Pictured: Patricia Timmons-Goodson

  • 03 Ruth Bader Ginsburg official SCOTUS portrait croppedIn the days following her death, we have all been reminded of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legal legacy — championing of women’s rights in all areas of American life. By the time she arrived on the U.S. Supreme Court in 1993, she had already wiped more than 200 discriminatory laws — many gender-based — off the books, and she authored some of the most powerful dissenting opinions in American judicial history. She even wore a special collar on her robe when one of those dissents was coming.

    Very personally for millions of American women, we now hold credit cards in our own names only because Ginsburg sued to remove formerly mandatory names of husbands and fathers. Born during the Great Depression and living well into the 21st century, it is more than fair to say Ginsburg’s steadfast and brilliant legal work changed the lives of women and families across our nation. She was an intellectual prize fighter disguised in the body of a tiny woman.

    Historians will debate her legal legacy for generations, but it is important to understand that Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a working wife and mother, and later grandmother, facing and knocking down the same challenges as other women of her generation. Even as a graduate of an Ivy League law school, she could not find work as an attorney because she had a young child. She was helped more than many of her contemporaries by a strong and supportive husband and enjoyed and happy 56-year marriage and remained close to her children and grandchildren until her death. In her later years, she unexpectedly became a pop icon, the notorious RBG, nicknamed after a rap singer, and she used her status to speak to generations of younger Americans.

    Pundits are writing about RBG nonstop in the days since her death, but the Justice herself spoke about her life and career. It cannot be said that she did not understand exactly what she was doing and why.

    On her career, Ginsburg made these observations.

    “Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

    “Don’t be distracted by emotions like anger, envy, resentment. They just zap energy and waste time.”

    “I don’t say women’s rights — I say the constitutional principle of the equal citizenship stature of men and women.”

    “I am sometimes asked ‘When will there be enough (women on the Supreme Court)? and my answer is ‘When there are nine.’ People are shocked. But there have been nine men, and nobody’s ever raised a question about that.”

    “I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she has to do her work to the very best of her ability.”

    On life in general and her life in particular, Ginsburg commented. “My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.”

    “Women will have achieved true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation.”

    “I remember envying the boys long before I even knew the word feminism, because I liked shop better than cooking or sewing.”

    “Every now and then it helps to be a little deaf. … That advice has stood me in good stead. Not simply in dealing with marriage, but in dealing with my colleagues.”

    “If you have a caring life partner, you help the other person when that person needs it. I had a life partner who thought my work was as important as his, and I think that made all the difference for me.”

    Ruth Bader Ginsburg spent her life, both public and private, making sure that “we, the people” includes all of us, men and women of all colors, backgrounds, and experiences.

    Hers was a life very well lived.

     

  • 02 gavel on flagPublisher Bill Bowman yields his space this week to former Up & Coming Weekly contributor Karl Merritt. This article first appeared at www.karlmerrit.com.

    I am watching with sadness, but with a higher level of hope, as the wheels of government churn to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. My sadness regarding the general state of our country is not new, but this higher level of hope for America is a rare experience for me in the context of the past few years.

    I suppose my hope comes from the fact that Republicans in the Senate have apparently awakened to the truth of something former President Obama said to a group of them years ago.

    In a meeting with Republican Congressional leaders during 2009, then President Barack Obama said to them, “Elections have consequences and at the end of the day, I won.”

    This was a time when Democrats had a majority in the House and Senate.

    Then came 2016 and a Supreme Court vacancy during the last year of Obama’s second and final term. Republicans held the majority in the Senate. President Obama nominated Merrick Garland. Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader (Rep), said there would not be a vote on a nominee until the next president was in office. Democrats were outraged. Trump won the 2016 presidential election, nominated Neil Gorsuch, and he was confirmed by the Senate that still had a Republican majority.

    Now comes the current vacancy and McConnell says when President Trump submits a nominee, there will be a vote prior to the 2021 inauguration. Democrats are outraged again because they say this is hypocrisy on the part of Republicans.

    As of 25 September, it appears Republicans have the votes to confirm a person nominated by Trump.

    Democrats are making all kinds of threats as to what they will do if this nomination goes forward. These threats are being made even though Trump has a constitutional right and responsibility to put forth a nominee. One threat is to impeach Trump again and, by so doing, slow the confirmation of a justice. Beyond that, they are threatening to, if they win the presidency, House and Senate, add seats to the Supreme Court (making it more political); ending the filibuster (requires 60 votes to stop debate on some issues) in the Senate; making the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico states because they are very heavily Democratic areas.

    As I finish this post, several Democrats are backing away from some items in this threat package and moving to talking about how health care and some other issues, by Democratic priorities, would be adversely impacted by a Trump nominated justice.

    In the face of these threats, I would expect Republicans to “roll-over” and do as the Democrats say.

    Apparently, enough Senate Republicans recognize that elections have consequences and they won. Beyond that, they understand that if Trump loses and Biden gets to nominate the Ginsburg replacement, it will be a liberal who believes he or she gets to make laws according to their views rather than simply interpreting the Constitution and laws legitimately passed by legislative bodies.

    Forthrightly examining the facts and adjusting course is not hypocrisy. In this case, that means looking at the destruction brought on America by liberal justices making laws instead of interpreting laws that have been, by proper procedure, put in place.

    Be advised, there are at least two Republican senators who apparently do not understand this argument that says there are times when one must stand up and do what is right for the country. They are Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine. These two senators hold that the next president should make the nomination. Under pressure from Democrats, I expected this kind of response from more Republican Senators. So far, surprise-surprise.

    Here is a closing question: Who out there believes that if Democrats were faced with the opportunity to appoint a Supreme Court justice under the conditions now faced by Republicans, that Democrats would leave the selection to the next president?

  • 16 InheritanceWe are now on the threshold of another Civil War; one misfire, one wrong word, or a suspicious look can ignite a conflict. This is not the world I want my children or children's children to inherit. We have turned our backs on our integrity and humanity. Our Declaration of Independance recognized that the Creator gave us our liberty, but we have legislated it to the point that many want the document burned.

    The Creator gave our Founding Fathers the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to be this land's law. A few have used these documents to remove the Creator from our vocabulary. Removing the Creator from the foundation that America is built upon is now making her collapse. Today, we find our country divided like a torn-up photograph.

    Our country is not moving towards a perfect union but destroying justice and hijacking domestic tranquility. Our justice system, which is supposed to be blind, is now making judgments based on the color of our skin and blurred by the colors of blue and red.

    Our country is not providing a common defence, nor promoting the general welfare of the people. There is no safety or defence when thugs are allowed to kill, destroy and burn the blessings of liberty and the posterity that our brave military and people have fought for over the centuries.

    Many leaders no longer lead by democracy but rule by the hegemony pack because they believe their ways are the best. All of this, while other Americans are quietly arming themselves, biting their tongues and clenching their fists readying for if the government cannot or will not govern.

    Broken families, population issues, poor decisions, economic hardships, addictions and misguided road maps to success have confused our abilities to seek what is righteous and sound. We have let our feelings and emotions run our lives, and we mistake the feelings of happiness with satisfaction that joy brings.

    Once the "right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances," is no longer "peaceful," or done by "petition," it violates the law, and we are wrong for allowing and condoning it, no matter the issue.

    Mayors and governors have handcuffed law enforcement officers who have sworn to protect us and sworn to enforce the rule of law. Many leaders have ordered their police to step away and watch while criminals assault, kill, rob, destroy property, and loot businesses. Worse, our police officers, politicians and citizens have been beat, spit on, sued, cancelled and killed by mob rule.

    When those in power and who serve in high places view the world by race, ethnicity or political affiliation, they no longer serve "We the People" because their actions show us that they are the racist, the prejudice and the partisan political puppets. These actions manifest themselves by evil hearts and self-serving people who are destroying our way of life.

    We need strong leaders. We need heroes … not cowards. We need more of Sherriff Buford Pusser and less Officer Derek Chauvin.

    America has not hit perfection. We continue to struggle with that part of the Declaration of Independence that states that "All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator." Yes, America does get sideways at times, but our system lets us try to correct wrongs.

    Our Constitution gave us the greatest gift of all humanity. The ability to use our minds. The mind provides us with the wisdom to provide for our physiological needs — safety, belonging, self-esteem and the ability to achieve self-actualization and to improve our lives according to our abilities.

    Unlike wars of the past, there will be no uniforms because there is no one side, no leaders, no geographical boundary because there is no end goal. We are faced with those who believe that education is more important than an honest day's work. Those who think that they deserve something that they have not worked for. There are those who think that invisible cash is better than real money. Some believe that a counter-revolution demanding a free ride is nobler than buying goods and services at the counter of a store.

    For this, we compromise our self-accomplishments, our abilities for what is right, fruitful and honorable. We compromise our prosperity for those not willing to earn theirs. Politicians deceive us by making us believe that a strong government is better than a strong person.

    We allow our pop-culture media to tell us what we should think instead of thinking for ourselves. We compromise not for man's good but to destroy our self-worth as we blindfold our own eyes and handcuff our own mind.

    I ask you what is the price of war? Violence, destruction, starvation and disease? The first Civil War took one million people.

    World War I was ignited over the assassination of one man. Nine million combatants and 13 million civilians died.

    Furthermore, World War I brought an additional 500 million people who died from the 1918 influenza pandemic. Worldwide, this was about one-third of the world's population.
    World War II had approximately 85 million fatalities. Tens of millions of people died during the conflict due to genocides — including the Holocaust, starvation, massacres and disease.

    In 1994, the president of Rwanda was assassinated, and unrest occurred. The United Nations pulled its peacekeepers out (the same as un-funding the police), and genocide followed, killing about 850,000 souls.

    History has shown us that once the law is gone, the justice system fails, the economy collapses and the food supply chain is broken, war, both urban and countryside, will follow.

    I do not want another war, another wasteland, another lost generation in my lifetime. I do not want us to repeat the horrors of our past. For those that do want war, who are you willing to sacrifice, bury and starve for these things?

    I believe restoring order in our land is our fastest way to peace. The government at all levels must restore law and order because they are the only ones with the capacity and means to do so. Yes, people are wrongfully killed every day, and those who commit a criminal act should be brought to justice.

    But we also have many more good people, good citizens, who are willing to help those less fortunate. But they do so because they want to help, not by force or wealth redistribution but because they find joy in doing so.

    We must ensure that everyone has the right to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." We must be reminded that happiness is a pursuit and not a right in itself. We should remember to respect one another as ourselves for harmony and peace of the land. It would be good for us to remember to practice mercy, forgiveness and love, which are the virtues we desperately need. However, we must remind ourselves that for those who cannot abide by the rules of the land, that justice must be served.

    I pray that my children and my children's children never see a war on our homeland. I pray for a country abundant with beauty, opportunity and peace, for this is their inheritance.

  • 15 employ benefitsIt’s that time of year again, where, if you work for a medium-to-large employer, you’ve got some decisions to make because it’s open enrollment time. Of course, depending on your situation, you may have been working remotely for a while, but, even so, you will likely have the opportunity to review your benefits package and make changes. And you’ll want to make the right moves because your choices can have a big financial impact on your life.

    So, take a close look at these key areas of your benefits program:

    Health insurance — Think about your health care needs over the coming year — will you or someone in your family be coping with a chronic illness or facing a surgery? Will you need to at least consider testing and possible treatment for COVID-19? In any case, make sure you’re choosing the right plan for your needs. And pay close attention to any changes in your health insurance, such as whether the plan’s provider networks have changed — you may want to make sure your own doctor is still in-network. Also, check to see if you can reduce your health care premiums by taking part in a wellness program or health-risk assessment.

    Life insurance — Your employer may offer a group life insurance policy for free, or for a small amount. It’s probably worth your while to take this coverage, but it may not be enough for your needs. If you only had this group policy, but your family situation has recently changed through marriage or the addition of a new child, you may well need to add some private insurance.

    Disability insurance — In addition to offering group life insurance, your employer may provide short-term disability insurance. Like group insurance, this disability coverage may not cost you anything, but it may not be adequate — typically, short-term disability only replaces part of your income for three to six months. And while you may never need to miss work for an extended period of time, you never can tell — after all, more than one in four 20-year-olds will become disabled before they retire, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration. You may want to consider purchasing your own long-term disability policy on top of the coverage offered by your employer.

    Retirement plan — You can probably make changes to your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan at any time, but why not look at it now, when you’re reviewing all your benefits? If you can afford to increase your contributions, you probably should, because a 401(k), with its tax advantages and ease of contribution through paycheck deductions, is a great way to save for retirement. At a minimum, put in enough to earn your employer’s match. You’ll also want to review your 401(k)’s investment mix. Is it still providing you with significant growth potential within the context of your individual risk tolerance? You may need to make some adjustments, either because an investment is underperforming or because you’re getting close to retirement and you need to reduce your risk exposure. In any case, it’s a good idea to check up on your 401(k)’s investments at least once a year.

    Your employee benefits are an important part of your overall financial picture — so do what you can to get the most from them.

  • 05 Szoka engaging public masksNorth Carolina is a great state, and I enjoy working for the residents of Cumberland County as their District 45 representative.

    We have much to be thankful for. Just this month we remembered and honored the brave citizens and first responders that lost their lives on September 11th. Let us never forget the everyday sacrifices made by our military men and women, local firefighters, EMS and law enforcement officers who dedicate themselves to protecting our lives and our freedoms so Americans we never have to live in fear, and forever continue the tradition of life, liberty and the pursuit of
    happiness.

    To secure our freedoms, we must exercise our right to vote. There is still time for citizens to register and a number of ways to cast their ballot.

    There are less than 30 days until one stop early voting begins. Early voting is available from Oct. 15-31. To find your nearest early voting site visit https://vt.ncsbe.gov/ossite/.

    Many people choose early voting to avoid crowds, pick their polling location, or enjoy the convenience of registering and voting all at one stop.

    Commonly known as “early voting,” one-stop absentee voting allows voters to register and then immediately vote, unlike on Election Day when voters must have already completed registration.

    On Election Day registered voters can only vote at their specific precinct, but one-stop voting allows registered voters to vote at any one-stop absentee voting site in the county.

    Voter resources including information on voting in the 2020 General Election can be found at https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting.

    Other important dates to remember:
    Voter registrations ends Oct. 9
    The deadline for absentee ballots is Oct. 27
    The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
    I'll see you at the polls!

    Representative John Szoka serves North Carolina House District 45 which encompasses Fort Bragg and much of southern Cumberland County including the Town of Hope Mills, parts of the City of Fayetteville and the Gray's Creek area. He is a retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. And has owned and several successful small businesses in Fayetteville. For more information about Rep. Szoka visit https://szokafornchouse.com/.

    Pictured: Rep. John Szoka engaging a constituent.

  • 04 Resized 20200913 1008171347Do you believe in Corn Dogs in a young tree’s heart? Apologies to the Lovin’ Spoonful. The world is full of wonders if you know where to look. Many wise men have said this better. Yogi Berra said: “You can observe a lot by just watching.” The 18th Century English poet William Blake wrote, “To see the world in a grain of sand/And a Heaven in a wild flower; Hold infinity in the palm of your hand/And Eternity in an hour." The baseball player Satchel Paige opined: “Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.” Today’s stain on world literature will ponder what you can see if you stop watching Netflix to pay attention to the wide world around us.

    A friend of mine who shall remain nameless (John Bantsolas) sent me a picture of a Corn Dog in a tree. Someone had sent the picture to him. John’s friend did not know how the Corn Dog got into the tree but he realized it was something special. He immortalized it with his handy smart phone. And now you, Gentle Reader, will also get to marvel at the spectacle of a Corn Dog sitting in a tree.

    The Corn Dog in the tree raises more questions than it reveals answers. How did the Corn Dog get there in the first place? Can Corn Dogs climb trees? Did someone put it there? If so, why didn’t he finish eating it? Had the Corn Dog escaped from a county fair and run away to the country to socially distance from other Corn Dogs who might have The Rona? How long will the Corn Dog remain in the tree? Do the semi-eaten remains of a Corn Dog prove there some things that even Turkey Vultures won’t eat? Will it be there until the end of time? Had the Corn Dog been placed there by Ozymandias, the King of Kings of the desert? Did Ozzie put the Corn Dog in the tree and recite the words of Percy Shelley’s poem chanting: “Look on my Works, (My magnificent Corn Dog), ye Mighty and despair!” Did Ozzie think the Corn Dog would be an eternal monument to his greatness? Who knows? But we shall try to puzzle out why the Corn Dog was in the tree and what it may mean to we poor inhabitants of the ugly year 2020.

    First a bit of Corn Dog history to set the stage. The origin of the species of Corn Dogs is shrouded in the mists of time and conflicting folk tales. According to legend, Corn Dogs originated millennia ago in the lonely plains of the Dakotas, when a native warrior stuck a deer sausage on a cat tail to cook it over an open fire. The warrior fell asleep and dropped the cat tail/sausage into a puddle. Upon hitting the water, the cat tail/sausage spontaneously generated and became the first Corn Dog. A phenomenon like when a horse hair falls into a puddle and morphs into a snake. The Corn Dog rolled away from the warrior’s camp into the night. Fun Fact: Corn Dogs do not have legs; they can only move by either rolling on the ground or curling up and stretching out like a Slinky. Once safely away, the Corn Dog reproduced itself into the millions of Corn Dogs that you can still see growing in gently undulating fields along the High Plains and Bad Lands of the Dakotas. Modern agricultural methods have revealed that annual crop rotation between Corn Dogs and Dental Floss will keep the land arable and the yield of both Corn Dogs and Dental Floss profitable.

    As JFK said: “Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan.” This is evident with the many cooks claiming to have invented the Corn Dog. Boring tales of the origin of Corn Dogs from Mr. Wikipedia credit German sausage makers with inventing the stickless Corn Dog consisting of a sausage dipped in corn meal deep fried in oil. In 1926, Albert Barth marketed in his restaurant supply catalogue a “Krusty Korn Dog” baking machine. A U.S. patent was issued in 1927 for a “Combined Dipping, Cooking, and Article Holding Apparatus” for cooking this tasty snack. Carl & Neil Fletcher birthed Corn Dogs at the Texas State Fair in the late 1930s. Mr. Wikipedia says the “earliest known preparation of Corn Dogs was in 1937 during a high school baseball game in Iowa when the ballpark vendors ran out of hot dog buns in the third inning. Roger Newman took the remaining hot dogs and breaded them in cornmeal, which he had prepared for a fish fry.”

    Another pretender claimed to invent Corn Dogs as the Pronto Pup at the Minnesota State Fair around 1941. A culinary genius at the Cozy Dog Drive-In claims credit for being the first to put Corn Dogs on a stick in 1946. The rest is Corn Dog history.

    So, what have we learned today? A Corn Dog by any other name would smell as sweet. Ask not for whom the Corn Dog in the tree tolls, it tolls for thee. Never look a gift Corn Dog in the mouth. Beware of trees bearing Corn Dogs. One Corn Dog makes you larger/And one Corn Dog makes you small/And the Corn Dogs that Mother gives you/Don’t do anything at all. A Corn Dog is only perfect for a very short time. Carpe diem — seize the Corn Dog.

    As Joyce Kilmer once almost wrote: “I think that I shall never see/A Corn Dog sitting in a tree/Corn Dogs are made by fools like me/But only Roger Newman can bread a hot dog.”

    Pictured: The Corn Dog in the tree raises more questions than it reveals answers.

  • 03 student maskThey did.

    The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect every aspect of our daily lives—who we see, where we go, what we do or do not wear, what activities feel safe to undertake.

    For North Carolina families with school-age children, the upheaval and uncertainly is magnified many times over by concerns over education.

    Initial virtual education efforts were well-intended but largely a mess, because schools were unprepared for the sudden shift.

    Educators and families have mixed feelings about the current virtual and occasional on-site learning efforts as COVID continues, but the consensus appears to be that the fall is more organized and will be more effective than the spring.

    Truth be told, though, our schools were in trouble long before COVID struck.

    Education Week, a news and analysis organization covering K-12 education in the United States earlier this month ranked North Carolina 33rd out of 50 states, with a solid “C” for the quality of our educational efforts. This is despite the fact that our state Constitution guarantees that every child have access to a “quality” education.

    What is more, Ed Week ranks North Carolina 44 of the 50 states in school funding, which translates into an embarrassing “F” for our funding efforts.

    It has not always been this way, and it does not have to be now. North Carolina has traditionally been considered a leader in public education, particularly in the South, but over the last decade, we have squandered that reputation.

    Since 2011, the General Assembly has systematically cut public education funding, shifted public education dollars to private schools, including private religious ones, and put a greater funding burden on counties. This shift has resulted in inequitable schools, with high-wealth counties like Wake and Mecklenburg spending far more per pupil, and low-wealth counties like Cumberland and most rural counties spending far less.

    This funding inequity was the basis of the long-running Leandro lawsuit which went on for the better part of three decades and in which Cumberland County was a plaintiff. Courts finally ruled that, yes, school funding in North Carolina is unfair, but remedies remain elusive.

    Layer COVID and virtual school on top of an already problematic public education system, and we have what one of my former neighbors, an educator herself, would call a “pluperfect mess.”

    Even if you do not have school-age children, you likely know that schools are woefully short of nurses, counselors and other support personnel, that “frills” like art, music, and physical education are long gone from many schools. You have likely heard that we now expect our teachers to buy their own classroom supplies. The General Assembly actually considered a $500 stipend for this purpose.

    The decline of public education over the last decade, crowned by the plague that is COVID, is an exacting lesson in “elections have consequences.” Our General Assembly has betrayed the people of North Carolina with its mean-spirited and stingy approach to education. Its short-sighted and tight-fisted decisions are hurting our state’s more than 1.5-million public school students and damaging our state’s economic potential well into the future.

    As you ponder your votes for members of the North Carolina General Assembly this fall, look carefully at who and which political party moved us down to C, D, and F territory in public education and who and which party wants to lift us back up.

    Vote accordingly.

  • 02 manning johnsonWith the national election only a few weeks away, many Americans feel antsy about the possible outcomes. Many of the people I have talked with represent a cross-section of Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians and Independents from all backgrounds, religions and ethnicities. They have one thing in common: they want a civilized and peaceful outcome that will provide the leadership that moves our nation forward.

    Yes, there are significant issues under consideration with this election. The economy and the coronavirus pandemic being the two biggest concerns. Now, with the passing of the highly respected liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the results of this election will have an even more significant impact on America.

    With this being the case, I feel compelled to share a few thoughts with you about the hostile dialogue, riots and devastating destruction in over a dozen major cities. I believe that we need to be more sensitive to the needs and concerns of our minority populations. I also think we have a few bad cops and perhaps some questionable restraining and apprehension tactics that need to be reviewed and corrected. However, do I think we need to disband the police force and eliminate law and order? No. Should criminals go free without bail, a hearing, a fine or punishment? Of course not! Just the thought is nonsensical. What is the logic and where are the demands coming from? These are questions I can answer and debate with anyone.

    I believe that the unrest and destruction plaguing America today have little to do with race, social injustice or debate about what lives matter the most. I believe demonstrators marching peacefully in the streets are exercising their Constitutional rights. However, peaceful protests are now being hijacked and infiltrated by paid hoodlums and mobsters whose only objectives are to disrupt, loot and destroy property and our American way of life. Antifa and Black Lives Matter are not about justice. They are political organizations that are all about disrupting our government, our American way of life, and turning our country into a Socialist, Marxist and Communist nation.

    Socialism and the Communist Party have been active in the United States since the 1930s. We published the entire Communist Manifesto in the July 22 issue of Up & Coming Weekly and outlined in red their successful accomplishments to date. It is scary and should concern all freedom-loving Americans. This document was copied directly out of the U.S. Congressional Record. Need more proof that Marxist and Communist influences are in play? Read on.

    Few people have heard of Manning Johnson (1908 – 1959). He was a unique, intelligent and influential Black man from New York who was successfully recruited by the American Communist Party at a very young age. His job as a communist community organizer was to convince Black Americans that white America would continue to suppress them and that their lives would be so much better under a Socialist/Marxist/Communist government. He was very good at his job, and rose fast through the ranks of the Communist Party until he held one of the highest positions on their National Committee. There he was trained to disrupt cities and towns, organize mobs, incite riots, attack police to include how to strategically and tactfully “throw a brick and hide.” Does all this sound familiar? It should.

    Miraculously and mostly because of his Christian upbringing, Johnson had a revelation and realized the communist strategies, tactics and lies were not at all beneficial to Black Americans and only causing more hardship and suppression. He saw the deception and how the rejection of traditional American values and contempt of Christianity lowered the value of humanity and quality of life. This is when he turned government witness opposing Socialism and Communism.

    Many people are not familiar with this American patriot who preceded Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Johnson loved America and loved his people and, like Dr. King, ultimately gave his life spreading the word, educating and warning Black Americans of the cruelty and diabolical strategies used by the angry liberal left in their attempt to hand over the U.S. to the Socialist and Communist Party. This was Johnson's mission and passion until his untimely death in 1959.

    Johnson testified before Congress several times about the Communist plot to take over America. His testimony is a matter of record. His testimony and the threats to our democracy are as relevant today as they were then. After he left the Communist Party in 1940, he authored an amazing book titled “Color, Communism and Common Sense.” This book could have been written yesterday. He details his experiences with communist leaders and the liberal left conspiracy and the sordid tactics they use. Ending democracy and capitalism will never bring us peace and prosperity. No one can name even one country where socialism has been successful. Manning Johnson's 1953 government testimony is available:

    https://unconstrainedanalytics.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Manning-Johnson-1953-HUAC-Testimony.pdf

    I encourage everyone to read Manning Johnson’s book and listen to his Farewell Speech online. Remarkable! He was a great, great man. This book is extremely relevant and could have been written yesterday. Nothing happening in America today is new. Socialism and Communism are NOT a good thing for America, and in the end, the Constitution of the United States will endure. Americans will unite together regardless of religion, race, color or political affiliation. Together we will reject these un-American attempts to disrupt and dismantle our country. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 04 harriet jacobsYou surely recognize the name Frederick Douglass and know the major role he played in American history after escaping his enslavement in Maryland in 1838. You may even know that the publication of his memoir — "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave" — was a turning point in American letters.

    But do you recognize the name Harriet Jacobs?

    She also emancipated herself through acts of courage and determination. She also wrote a widely read memoir of her enslavement and liberation. And she was a North Carolinian, one of the many of our state’s heroes who deserves memorializing in the form of monuments, statues or other works of public art.

    Harriet Jacobs was born in 1813 in Edenton, one of three children born to her mother Delilah Horniblow. After Delilah died in 1819, Harriet came under the care of her white owner’s daughter, who fatefully taught Harriet how to read and write.

    Her next owner, Dr. James Norcom, was a cruel man who soon made his lustful intentions clear. With few options available to protect herself, Harriet initiated a relationship with another prominent Edenton citizen, Samuel Sawyer, a University of North Carolina-trained lawyer later elected to Congress.

    Harriet had two children by Sawyer, fending off Norcom’s advances for a while, but eventually Norcom was able to remove her to a more-remote location and threatened to subject her children to great suffering if she didn’t do what he wanted.

    She refused, and this is where her tale took an even more remarkable turn. Escaping first to a swamp, and then to her grandmother’s house, Harriet Jacobs hid in the attic’s crawl space — only nine feet long, seven feet wide and three feet high — for nearly seven years.

    Finally, in 1842, she escaped to a ship, then to the North, where she found a home in New York. Her brother John Jacobs had made it to freedom, as well, and she took refuge with him in Boston the following year when James Norcom came hunting for her in New York.

    Both Harriet and John Jacobs became active in the abolitionist movement. During the 1850s, white and Black friends alike urged Harriet to tell her own story, as Frederick Douglass had done. But Harriet worried that readers would condemn her morals for initiating the affair with Samuel Sawyer in order to escape Norcom’s advances.

    Finally, after several false starts, "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" was published in 1861. Although presented as a novel with names and places changed, it became widely known that Jacobs had written her own story in its pages.

    Contrary to her expectation, readers across America and beyond admired her fortitude and perseverance amidst great suffering — among other things, her seven years hiding in the crawl space had permanently impaired her health.

    During the Civil War, Harriet first toured the Northern states as a speaker and fundraiser, then plunged into relief work in the South, cofounding a school for freed slaves in Alexandria and, later, in Savannah. She lived to be 84 years old, dying in Washington.

    One of my favorite passages of the book describes a visit Harriet makes to England with the orphaned daughter of a white friend. After a dinner in a London hotel, she and the girl retire to their room. “For the first time in my life I was in a place where I was treated according to my deportment, without reference to my complexion,” she writes. “I felt as if a great millstone had been lifted from my breast. Ensconced in a pleasant room, with my dear little charge, I laid my head on my pillow, for the first time, with the delightful consciousness of pure, unadulterated freedom.”

    Pure, unadulterated freedom is what she and so many other North Carolinians were long denied. Pure, unadulterated freedom is the goal for which so many fought, sometimes paying the ultimate price. By commemorating Harriet Jacobs, we can honor and advance that freedom for future generations.

  • 03 01 President Trump Official PortraitWe Americans talk a big game about voting, but we have not always and do not now walk the walk. When our nation was founded in the late 18th century, the only legal voters were white tax-paying or property-owning men, estimated at about 6% of the new country’s population. Gradually, voting qualifications loosened to include nonproperty owning white men. North Carolina was the last state to do this in 1856 and later included Black men after the Civil War. With the struggle for civil rights in the middle part of the 20th century, and especially the Voting Rights Act of 1965, women of all colors were the cow’s tail of voting, achieving suffrage only 100 years ago, in 1920.

    It is no exaggeration to say that Americans fought and died for the right to vote, as have people in other countries. So, to say that I was offended by President Donald Trump’s remarks in North Carolina about voting twice — once by mail and once in person — is no exaggeration. Voting is nothing to make light of, make fun of, or test the waters with. Voting, in my mind at least, is a scared responsibility for every American, every adult’s right to participate in guiding our nation in the path we find most appropriate for us and the rest of humanity.

    Trump suggested that North Carolinians and other Americans vote more than once — for him, of course, and what he was actually saying is “commit a felony.” In doing so, he cheapened himself, his office and us, the American voters.

    ********************

    While we are on politics, North Carolina recently received a big fat “D” for women’s participation in the political process. The NC Council for Women and Children and the Institute for Women’s Policy Research finds that only 25% of our legislators are women, as are only two of 13 members of Congress.

    And why should we care? Women are not necessarily better legislators than men — some are, and some are not. We are different legislators with different life experiences and different priorities. Our points of view need to be at the public policy table when decisions are made.

    U.S. Senator and former presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar says flatly, “Women are held to a higher standard.”
    Brianna Wu, a candidate for Congress from Massachusetts, agrees. “…men are given the most generous interpretation possible about who they are and what they want to do, and women are held to the most skeptical, cynical standard possible.”

    This is a real phenomenon. So is male privilege.


    ******************

    03 02 N2009P35006CEveryone — man, woman and child — has COVID-19 fatigue. We are tired of confinement and not spending time with the people we care about. Conversely, we are also tired of spending time with the same people day after day, of working remotely and of shepherding our children through virtual school. We are tired of worrying about the pandemic’s economic effects, not only on our own families but on our state, nation and the rest of the world. That we are having occasional meltdowns and urges to “be free” is no surprise.

    That said, we are also having a great time with the amazingly creative and funny side of confinement. Being cooped up has brought out the wacky observer in many of us, and the rest of us are enjoying it. There is the at home COVID-19 test involving sniffing and tasting one’s favorite adult beverage to determine whether those senses remain operational. One friend said she took that test seven times one evening and planned to take it again the next day. My current favorite is an impersonation of a school administrator. Dena Blizzard bills herself as One Funny Mother, and that she is. Check her out for a good laugh, especially for teachers and parents trying to navigate virtual education.

  • 02 cuties netflix 918x612 1 e1599759200697It is sad and somewhat ironic that at a time when here in Fayetteville we are celebrating Marquis de LaFayette, the French aristocrat and American Revolutionary War hero who lead American troops into battle and successfully assisted our young nation in winning its independence, the French, with their American accomplice Netflix, would introduce us to the motion picture “Cuties.”

    It is a pathetic movie exploiting and sexualizing very young girls that has Netflix scrambling to conjure up a socially acceptable defense justifying what many parents, grandparents and concerned American citizens are categorizing as disturbing child porn and blatant adolescent exploitation.

    On the surface this film is without any redeemable social value. And, even if the French movie maker, Ms. Maïmouna Doucouré, intentions were to make a pertinent social statement about the social pressures and challenges facing young girls today she missed the mark disgustingly on many fronts. Actually, she would have been better off hiring liberal activist Michael Moore to do a legitimate documentary on the subject matter. Regardless of Doucouré’s intentions, there was no mistaking the intentions of the California based Netflix Corporation after they released a sexually explicit poster sensationalizing and exploiting the innocence and sexuality of these very young girls.

    This movie was released on Sept. 9 and the storyline follows an 11-year-old girl named Amy who with her newly found 11-year-old friends form a dance group. They refine their moves by dancing and mimicking the adult sexually provocative and suggestive chorography they see on social media. They dance to sexually suggestive music with pelvic thrusts, twerking, touching themselves and gyrating around in skimpy outfits while broadcasting their own sexual immaturity and attracting enablers who lure and direct such innocents into a world of human slavery and bondage. Yes, it’s a pedophiles dream come true!

    Well, now people are outraged and rightfully so. Netflix is experiencing tens of thousands of cancelations that are costing them hundreds of millions of dollars. This is bipartisan outrage and disgust as it should be. Sexual exploitation of young children has no bias. It has no advocates. What concerns me and should concern all God-fearing Americans is the gross hypocrisy that accompanies these outrageous assaults on children and how these deplorable acts coalesce into our culture negatively transforming our communities and corrupting our way of life.

    Only we the people can stop this transformation of our country and deplorable acts such as the suggestive, overly sexual depiction of young girls. I said people … not Sheeple! (Sheeple defined: those who are uninvolved and apathetic to the world around them. They keep their heads down and prefer not to voice their opinions regardless of their convictions. Sheeples have no resolve or intestinal fortitude and are apt to be mindless followers without question or resolve.)

    I could opine for days on this subject, however, I will conclude with these thoughts. It was only a few weeks ago when the Fayetteville community gathered at a successful and heartfelt awareness rally about human trafficking and
    missing children. I heard several speakers call out appeals for assistance in searching out and finding these victims. I heard one person yell out “…children, we’re coming for you! We’ll find you. We will bring you home!” This was just days after celebrating the rescue of 39 young children from deviate criminals in Georgia and surrounding states. Yet, it will be the Sheeple who will allow movies as corrupt, disgusting and influential like “Cuties” to exist only to empower criminals and deviates.

    Worst of all, while the Sheeple are voicing their sentiments and lame bravado behind the anonymous screens of social media their young and vulnerable children and grandchildren are in the next room being victimized utilizing the same unsupervised social media conduits. Social media becomes their teacher, their parents and, their role model. A young girl’s life is now judged by anonymous critiques and her worth as a human being is measured by how many “Likes” she can accumulate. No wonder suicide rates among teenage girls age 10-14 are rising at a rate of 12.7% per year. This is 5.5% higher than boys. Google it!

    Netflix is making big, big money. Many prominent Americans are associated with Netflix and they too are making big, big money. So, don’t expect things to change anytime soon. However, what you can do is encourage people to stand up and speak up for American and Christian values. Secure and defend what they believe in. Don’t become a Sheeple. America and our freedom will depend on this. We need more loyal patriotic Americans standing up for what is decent and right. “Cuties” is not decent or right, yet it is the near perfect example of what we are up against in the 21st century.

    Sheeple cannot and will not protect or children, our freedom or our country.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 17 littel white and green canoeThe little canoe my wife and I like to paddle across Hope Mills Lake is far from what I'd call a boat, a ship or anything else. I'm not a sailor. But in addition to the myriad shows I've watched, I have listened closely to the stories of those who set sail in larger craft on deeper waters.

    Here's one thing I learned: On the surface, the winds can sweep across the sea at stunning speeds, bringing with them blowing rain, lightning, thunder and an ominous darkness. Waves can grow to 20 or 30 feet high.

    During a storm like this, a ship can be tossed around like a toy boat. It’s not uncommon for an oceangoing craft to be lost in such storms.

    But underneath the surface, just 100 feet down, there’s no storm. All is perfectly still. No sound. No tumult. Not even a ripple.

    Let me take an intentional side journey and apply those verifiable facts to the people like you and me, caught in the tumultuous events that occurred (and are still occurring) in our city, nation and world.

    If you observe closely, there is a clear view of those who react much like the surface of the water in an ocean storm. They're tossed around, at once gathered and scattered, dissipating their own strength as the wind of another change blows them where it will.

    Then there are those who seem largely unaffected. Same sea, same storm, just more calm. The difference for those people is very much the same as the ocean — there's more depth.

    My family has endured some ridiculously weighty circumstances in our short time on earth. Probably not unlike you, I expect. Maybe different storms, but we've all been tossed around in one way or another during our lives.

    I've been surprised by the peace I had as we walked through some of the worst storms imaginable.

    So let me share what I know about peace — it's tied to something Jesus said as recorded in John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

    Author and apologist Ravi Zacharias tells of an Indian proverb that says, "whatever you are overflowing with will spill out when you're bumped. It has in mind, a village woman carrying a port or an urn of milk or water or something on her head. And it's right to the brim. And suddenly as some careless lad runs across her path and she stops for a moment and whatever is up to the brim there, begins to spill out.

    "It is intended to convey what your real character is about. Whoever you are in your character, that characteristic will spill out when somebody annoys you or cuts into your path.”

  • 14 71C4RqYdxtLHe had to tell me that my beloved Uncle Remus was not coming back — ever. Randall Kenan was jovial, kind and wise, not unlike the Uncle Remus he was taking away from me.

    Kenan, died last week at a much too early 57. Like Uncle Remus, he was an expert on trickster stories, mainly based on legends from Africa and about animals and mischievous creatures who were cunning and smart and had an ability to somehow get around the powerful and the oppressive by tricking them.

    That, I said, is just like Br’er Fox who tricked Br’er Rabbit into hitting and getting stuck in a tar baby figure.

    Then the rabbit told the fox he could do anything with him, but “Please don’t throw me in the briar patch.” So, of course, the fox threw the rabbit in the briar patch, where the rabbit called out happily, “I was born and bred in the briar patch.”

    I told Kenan that I loved these stories told by the old African American man to the young white boy, the son or grandson perhaps of the owner of the farm where Uncle Remus spent his life.

    Kenan explained that the African-based trickster stories had been appropriated by a white man, Joel Chandler Harris, who put the stories into the mouth of Uncle Remus, who was a caricature of a subservient and happy black man, content with his subservient condition.

    I tried to persuade Kenan to take the trickster tales and repurpose them. Reframe them, I said, so that current and future generations would have the same benefit of the wisdom that I had found in the Uncle Remus stories.

    Kenan did not preach to me about the underlying racism in the Uncle Remus stories. He just smiled, shook his head, and said simply, “I don’t think I want to do that.”

    Kenan had multiple other projects that worked better for him. In 1989, he published his first novel, “A Visitation of Spirits.” In 1992 came a collection of short stories, “Let the Dead Bury Their Dead.”

    In 1999 he published “Walking on Water: Black American Lives at the Turn of the Twenty-First Century,” a much admired account of his journey to African American communities across America.

    A book of his short stories, “If I had Two Wings,” came out just a few
    weeks ago.

    Most important for him, he had his students at UNC-Chapel Hill to care for.

    I liked him best when he wrote about food. In 2016, he edited “Carolina Table: North Carolina Writers on Food,” a beautiful set of essays about food in the South.

    His essay in that collection was based on the foods served at funerals in his native Duplin County, specifically what neighbors brought when his great uncle died.

    “People showing up heavy-laden with food to the homes of the recently deceased. Hams, fried chicken, oven-baked barbecue chicken, pork chops smothered in gravy, dirty rice, Spanish rice, potato salad galore, slaw, sweet potato casseroles, candied yams, hushpuppies, cornbread, soup, chopped pork barbecue, collard greens, pound cake, chocolate cake, coconut cake, pineapple cake, red velvet cake, sweet potato pie, lemon meringue pie.”

    Kenan appeared on North Carolina Bookwatch twice and was guest host two other-times.

    Those four programs are worth watching just to see the cheerful smiling twinkling eyes shining from his dark face.

    At another time he could have passed for a younger Uncle Remus, but his wisdom, quiet intensity, and commitment to racial justice always shone through on Bookwatch whether he was asking or answering questions.

    Thanks to his wise counsel, I have learned to live without Uncle Remus. But I am not sure how I am ever going to learn to live without Randall Kenan.

  • Back in 1984 when I was running for Congress, I ran into older people who explained why they could not support me, saying, “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. It left me.”

    Even in those days, the Democratic Party still had many conservatives who were loyal adherents. They had grown up in the times when the Democratic Party was more conservative than the other party. Some of those older Democrats were slow to give up their heritage and break away from the group in which they grew up.

    But as the support in the Democratic Party for school desegregation, voting rights, Civil Rights, equal treatment in the workplace, and expanding the role of government in providing public resources to meet the needs of poor and underserved communities were viewed with skepticism by once loyal Democrats.

    Republicans responded with a “southern strategy” that played to these concerns and, more and more, as time passed, former Democrats left their party. “I didn’t leave my party. It left me.”

    Even after more than 35 years I remember that refrain.

    Today, in the age of Trump, some North Carolina Republicans are, with regret, leaving their party, explaining, “I didn’t leave my party. It left me.”

    In the Aug. 24 edition of The New Yorker, Peter Slevin wrote about three Republican members of the Transylvania board of commissioners who have given up their party affiliation.

    Forgive this personal aside. One of the happiest summers of my life was spent in that mountain county in 1958, when I was a counselor at Camp Carolina near Brevard. On overnight hikes I told my campers ghost stories about Dracula. I had them believing that there was a connection between Dracula’s home in Europe’s Transylvania region and the Transylvania County where they were camping.

    The three commissioners party change began when the commission’s chair, Mike Hawkins, heard about President Donald Trump’s speech at East Carolina University on July 17, 2019. The president attacked four Democratic congressional representatives and women of color, saying that they were “hate-filled extremists” and “You know, they don’t love our country.”

    In response to the president’s attack on Representative Ilhan Omar, the crowd at ECU chanted, “Send her back!”

    According to Slevin, at the next board meeting, Hawkins “called out the president saying that what happened was racist. It’s important that people identify hate for what it is—a poison to our state and to our country. And I wanted to say in a very public way that for whatever time I have remaining as an elected official, I will oppose this poison every way I can.”

    After Hawkins, two other Republicans on the board, Page Ives Lemel and David Guice, offered words of support. Five months later, all three resigned from the Republican Party.

    They could have been saying, “We didn’t leave our party. It left us.”

    Guice had been a long-time active Republican and served two terms in the General Assembly.

    Page Lemel owns and runs Camp Keystone near Brevard, as did her late father, Bill Ives, whom I knew when he served in the General Assembly in the 1990s. Bill Ives was conservative, public-spirited, open-minded and open-hearted, like his daughter.

    Another prominent Republican in the mountains, former North Carolina State Supreme Court Justice Robert Orr, has broken with the president. He spent his life supporting the party and working for good causes until 2016 when he could not support Trump’s candidacy.

    This year he is working hard against Trump, but refuses to leave his party. Obviously, he thinks he is more of a real Republican than the president.

    Lemel says she has no intention of reversing her decision. That, Slevin writes, raises questions about the future of the GOP. History and logic suggest that the Party must pivot toward the center to remain viable in the years ahead.”

    Or others will be saying, “We didn’t leave our party. It left us.”

     

    Pictured Left to right:  Mike Hawkins, Page Ives Lemel, David Guice.

    17 01 Hawkins Mike

    17 03 David Guice 517 02 Lemel Page

  • 05 fayetteville police departmentIt has been reported that over 40 arrests have been made so far in the destruction and looting of the Walmart store located on Skibo Rd. during the violent protests and riots that raged in Fayetteville on May 30.

    More arrests are expected as the Fayetteville Police Department continues its ongoing investigation as to who was involved in the looting and destruction of personal property in downtown Fayetteville and the attempt to burn down Fayetteville’s National Historic Landmark Market House.

    The protest that began in downtown Fayetteville moved swiftly that evening to Cross Creek Mall, where J.C. Penney and other stores were looted and damaged.

    City residents were able to watch the melee on televison and the internet as glass doors were broken and items such as televisons, electronics and clothing were carried out of stores.

    Forty arrests are just the beginning of this enormous undertaking.

    Fayetteville law enforcement officers are working diligently sifting through hundreds of videos and photos trying to identify the suspects.

    Even with overtime and the publics assistance, it will likely take months to complete the full investigation.

    A myriad criminal charges could result from the rioting, breaking and entering, larceny and destruction of public and private property.

    Penalties for these crimes could draw up to two years in prison depending on a person’s criminal record.

    Many local residents and business owners are curious to find out whether these criminal perpetrators were local residents or outside agitators like Antifa brought in to cause chaos and mayhem in support of the emerging Marxist/Socialist movement.

    According to local news sources, District Attorney Billy West is on the record as being committed to handling each case individually to assure the rule of law is applied evenly and fairly to keep the process free of political influence.

    Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin agrees. “While the city is committed to the First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceful protest, this sends a clear message that we are equally committed to holding those accountable who chose to engage in riotous and unlawful activities in our great city.”

    These are reassuring words to Fayetteville citizens who are witnessing in real time the rioting, destruction, devastation and chaos taking place in cities where crime is ignored, police and law enforcement are disrespected, criminals go unpunished and crime victims are ignored as collateral damage.

    It is refreshing to know that our mayor, police chief, district attorney and the men and women of the Fayetteville Police Department are working diligently together to pursue justice and keep our community safe and out of harm’s way during these very trying times.

  • 04 IMG 3238Has the world been too much with you lately, Binky? Social isolation and mask fights with total strangers getting you down? Can you remember B.C., the time Before Corona? Recall those thrilling days of B.C. when you could go to a restaurant without worrying the patron who coughed was going to send you into the tender arms of a ventilator to enjoy chemically induced coma dreams. We are now living in A.T., or the After Times. The Rona, like the Force, is with us. Times are frustrating if you believe in The Rona.

    What if you don’t believe in The Rona? You are just as frustrated. In your world, the Rona talk is just fake news and fake dead people. Americans believing in Rona are sheeple to be scorned, or worse. You know the truth, and they don’t. The After Times is double-plus ungood because you are surrounded by dummies. According to Mr. Google, the QAnon believe “that a cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles running a global child sex trafficking ring is plotting against Donald Trump, who is battling them.” That’s a pretty dark place in which to live. No wonder you are upset.

    One subset of Americans believes in A, and another subgroup believes in Not-A. This might not work out well. With the shutdown of much of the economy, many Americans are spending time binge-watching their personal cable news silo and social media feed, leaving little time for interaction with Americans who don’t believe as they do. If you don’t talk to people with different beliefs, it is easy to believe that your team is righteous, and the other team are evildoers who should be
    locked away.

    As the column ‘Can this marriage be saved’ in Ladies Home Journal used to ask back in the 1950s, can the American marriage be saved? Sure, it can. We need to find something both sides can agree upon. Like Merlin the magician, I have the answer to bring us together again. It is too much to expect both sides will like the same thing. Positivity is so 20th Century. If we can’t find something both sides like, admire the other side of the coin to find something both sides can dislike.

    Negativity, like Bit O’ Honey candy’s old slogan, goes a long, long way. Hate will bring us together.

    So, what should we hate collectively? Can’t be the Russians, as one side admires Putin’s strongman tactics. I pondered this question for at least five minutes before coming up with the answer. Like John Prine once said, “I’ve got muscles in my head that have never been used.”

    Suddenly, a muscle in my head twitched. Imitating Archimedes in the bathtub, I yelled” Eureka!” I found the solution. Obnoxious TV commercials were the answer. These ads show up on Fox and CNN. They reach both audiences in America.

    Everybody hates certain ads. Everybody sees them. Hate is all you need to reunite the country. As someone once said about the boxer Riddick Bowe, I had a spasm of lucidity which might save the country from Civil War 2.

    Ponder the Navage Nose Cleaner ads for a product that will make your sinuses so clean that you can eat off them. It has salt pods. It has powered suction. It will suck the dust mites and cooties right out of your head with a device that resembles the space creature from the movie “Alien.” Remember that great scene in “Alien” where a critter jumps out of a space egg and attaches itself to John Hurt’s helmet and then into his sinuses? Every time I see the Navage ad, I think of a hungry space alien yearning to suck out my brains. It would not be much of a meal. But it is an ad that Don Draper of Sterling Cooper would be proud of because it is as obnoxious as it is unforgettable.

    Another product which could unite Americans in dislike is “Pure Zzzs,” which Vicks advertises as Kidz Melatonin Gummies. It is a blend of “botanical essential oils, including lavender and chamomile,” which will put little Jimmy to sleep naturally without drugs. The ad says Zzzs are “natural berry-flavored gummies. Convenient and great tasting gummies that kids love — so you both will be looking forward to bedtime.” Remember candy cigarettes that tobacco companies used to push to get kids started on the sophistication of smoking? Mom, Pop and the little tyke will all look forward to Junior taking a hit of melatonin gummies to go to sleep and stop whining. It’s a win-win situation for everyone, particularly for Vicks. What could go wrong with a product that tastes yummy and puts kids to sleep? Kids would never think to dose themselves with what they think is candy would they?

    Hate will keep us together. Think of commercials you can’t stand. Call up a former friend you stopped speaking to due to their political views. Tell them about commercials you hate. Renew “Auld Lang Syne.” Sing them some modified love songs substituting “Hate” for “Love.” Ask them to sing along with you. Here are some suggestions: The Bee Gees “How Deep Is Your Hate?” Otis Redding’s “Try a Little Hatred.” Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Hate.” Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in

    Hate.” Sinead O’Conner’s “Nothing Compares to Hate.” Celine Dionne’s “The Power of Hate.” Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Hate You.”

    You get the idea. All you need is hate to make America united again. Find an ad you despise and share it with a former friend. Instead of hating each other, hate commercials. It’s the American way.

  • 03 01 PWC FHUIn spite of COVID-19 and Gov. Roy Cooper’s expansion to Phase 2.5, Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin and I had an in-depth conversation last week about the many opportunities (and challenges) facing our community.

    We both agreed we had much to be thankful for and even more to look forward to in the near future. Despite COVID-19, Market House debates and Proud Boy infiltrators, there are good things happening in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

    Recently, the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation, under the leadership of CEO Robert Van Geons, announced that Dansons, a manufacturer of BBQ pellet grills and related equipment selected Fayetteville as their newest location for a distribution and customer service call center.

    The facility will be located on Technology Drive and will create an estimated 118 full-time jobs for our community as well as a $10 million investment with growth potential two and a half times that. This is great news! Kudo’s to Mr. Van Geons, for shepherding this project through by working closely with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

    Other key partners assisted in the recruiting and coordinating efforts by securing $400,000 from North Carolina’s “One NC Grant” and, a $175,000 job creation grant from our Cumberland County Commissioners.

    In addition, the North Carolina Community College System provided a $91,000 training grant which will be managed by Fayetteville Technical Community College. This is a near perfect example that “it takes a village” to develop and secure successful economic development projects. It also takes dedicated leadership, keen minds and vision for what we want Fayetteville and Cumberland County to be for future generations.

    Another recent example of leadership and vision was the action taken by the management team of our hometown utility PWC with its responsive customer service and quick reaction in assisting local customers dealing with the financial hardships created by the pandemic.

    In March Gov. Cooper issued an executive order governing billing and utility cutoff procedures statewide. On July 29 these restrictions on billing and disconnects were lifted making normal utility usage payments due. Anticipating the difficulty and hardships some customers would experience in paying their bills, PWC automatically implemented special payment terms on past due balances extending payments over a six month period for all their customers. This was no small task since it affected nearly 30,000 local PWC customers and represented millions of dollars in past
    due fees.

    In addition, PWC has made customer service representatives available to counsel and direct those customers who still have difficulty with their payments to local resources and agencies for assistance. By being proactive and coming to the aid of local residents, PWC demonstrates the kind of dedication, commitment, talent, business leadership and vision that builds and maintains prosperous communities. It is doubtful that many utility companies across the country operate or respond to their customers like Fayetteville’s hometown utility.

    I admit these are crazy times for everyone. COVID-19 and this annoying pandemic won’t last forever. Neither will the masks! No doubt this community has the resources, people and talent to attract organizations and great industries like Dansons. By working together (city, county, media), communicating with one another, sharing ideas, visions, and encouraging dynamic leadership, Fayetteville can be one of North Carolina’s greatest cities. Agree? Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

     

  • 09-22-10-pink-chair.gifLeave the fancy ball gown and tuxedo in the closet, don your favorite pair of jeans and pull up a chair –– better yet, make a bid on a chair –– at the 4th annual Blue Jean Ball and Chair-ity Auction, Saturday, Oct. 2, from 7 - 10 p.m. at the Highland Country Club, 2381 Raeford Road, Fayetteville.

    “Last year was our biggest year yet,” said Carolyn Zahran, who has been on the ball committee for four years and has co-chaired the event with Martha Spires for two years. “I’ve seen it change, and each year I think it’s improved. Last year Avery Cameron came on board to handle the chairs. It originally started with the chairs just being wooden chairs. The CAC would buy those little ladder-back wooden chairs or straight-back chairs, and then they’d pass them out to local artists — 10 or 15 of them. Last year, when Avery came on board, and she’s artistic in her own right, she said, ‘Let’s recruit these local artists and ask them to do their own chairs.’ The chairs were awesome.”

    The more than 30 chairs for the silent auction included one designed by art students at Seventy-first High School, a high chair done in a French motif and a salon chair (by Cameron) called the Diva Chair.

    “People were fighting over it,” Zahran said.

    The Blue Jean Ball is actually a two-party affair. In the ballroom, children in grades 5 through 8 will enjoy dancing to the DJ talent of Five Star Entertainment, a photo booth complete with props and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Meanwhile, adults will partake of heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages in the lounge and on the terrace during the silent auction. The chairs are the highlight of the auction, which will also include a variety of upholstered pieces donated by furniture stores, as well as other items painted by local artists, fine wine, art, gift certificates, jewelry and sports packages. In the past three years, the Blue Jean Ball has raised more than $85,000 for the CAC.

    “We have great sponsors,” Zahran said. “And the Youth Committee held their carwash to raise money, and they will help set up on the day of the event. Last year they made goody bags. This year they are buying fleece to make blankets for kids who come to the center. The party is really for them. It gives them an opportunity to become involved in community service and aware of the CAC.”

    Tickets for the event are $50 for adults and $30 for children, and proceeds from the event will benefit the child abuse prevention and outreach efforts of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC).

    For more information about the Blue Jean Ball and to purchase a ticket, visit the Child Advocacy Center online at www.childadvocacycenter. com or call 910-486-9700.

  • 16 N1403P46004HMusic. It can transport us to forgotten places or treat us to the opportunity to sit with someone who's long since left this world.

    Can you remember the song that played the day you had your first real kiss or as you pulled in the driveway after your parents first let you take the car out on your own?

    During a visit a few years back, my wife and I drove my parents to the mountains of western North Carolina to enjoy the colorful beauty of the fall.

    In her latter years, my mother would often complain about music — mostly the volume, but I decided to try something.

    As we were driving, I turned on the satellite radio to channel 4, which, at the time, played top hits and big band favorites from the 1940s.

    To my surprise, my mother sat with a quiet smile on her face, and my step dad sang along with nearly every song that played.

    From the melancholy sentiment of "You'll Never Know" from Vera Lynn, to lyrically twisted novelty classics like “Mairzy Doats,” the audience in the back seat seemed content to ride and reminisce.

    Whether providing an escape or connecting us more intensely to someone we're holding close, music is powerful.

    It's common as we honor a nation, celebrate a birthday, express adoration for someone we love or sing praises in worship to the very God who created us all.

    One of the greatest joys we have in radio is finding songs to connect with people throughout any given day.

    We owe much to the artists and writers who allow us the use of their deepest thoughts backed by melodies that stick in people's heads as they turn it up and sing along.

    In the process of reviewing new music just before Thanksgiving, I was listening to a song called “Run to the Father” from Cory Asbury. With the Christmas holiday music season upon us, I knew the song would be a hit, but likely wouldn't start airing for another five or six weeks.

    I paused as the lyrics reminded me that I wasn't alone and that I was never meant to carry the weight of the world and its problems by myself.

    I was encouraged to take the burden of my heartache, my struggles and my pain to God, who created us all.

    The song arrived the morning after the single most devastating event in the life of my family. Our oldest son, Chris, had been murdered the afternoon before.

    I was reviewing music after a mostly sleepless night because I didn't know what else to do.

    And every time I hear that song, I'm taken back to that moment, where a simple song from a barely known artist touched me in a way nothing else could.

    I didn't want it to be 'my song', but it is.

  • 09-29-10-cape-fear-botanical.gifThings weren’t always this complicated and fast paced. Just a few generations ago, folks spent their time tending to the fields and farm animals, spinning wool for their clothes and quilting blankets for the winter. They’d sit on the front porch when they had a few minutes, sing songs, play music and chat about the day.

    Today’s families are likely to eat dinner in the car out of a fast-food bag and spend the evening plugged in to either the TV, computer or some other electronic gad-get — and an evening spent on the porch talking and singing songs while daddy strums the guitar and mama mends clothes — yeah right.

    On Oct. 3 Cape Fear Botanical Garden is hosting Heritage Day. It is a celebra-tion of life at the turn of the 19th century, a tribute to nostalgia and to our heritage — an opportunity to remember the good old days and to show a younger generation some of the finer things of days gone by.

    “Heritage Festival is a great way for kids to learn about agriculture and life at the turn of the 19th century. Kids can experience what is was like to grow up in this time period through crafts and games. This festival allows the Garden to offer an educational experience in a fun and unique way!” said Cape Fear Botanical Garden Director of Events Sharon Osborne.

    Kids and adults alike will be enter-tained with games like hopscotch, egg races marbles and corn husk dolls. There will be pony rides and horse shoes, too. When it is time to take a break, have a seat and enjoy the music of The Parsons, a traditional bluegrass band and local favorite.

    Mitch Capel, who is considered the “national interpreter” for works by poet laureate Paul Lawrence Dunbar (1872-1906), will perform as Gran’daddy Junebug. A native of Southern Pines, Capel comes from a family of story tellers. His dad used to entertain Capel with stories of his youth. Capel’s website says “Gran’daddy Junebug has been described as ‘a national treasure’, ‘a transformer of lives’, ‘unexpectedly powerful’ and ‘a word magician’...he coined the term ‘sto’etry’ to describe his stories recited po-etically. Continuing his family tradition of preserving culture and teaching through stories, Gran’daddy Junebug teaches personal responsibility and respect for self and others through the African oral tradition of call and response. He utilizes audience participation to share his wisdom on being true to self, fi nding your right path, coping with peer pressure and always doing the best you can. The stories are developmentally appropriate for all ages, or as he likes to say, ‘from the day care to the rest home.’”

    While you are there take a peek at the progress being made on the new visitors complex. “Our garden is growing and festival attendees will see that with the construction taking place at the Wyatt Visitors Pavilion Complex. The growth that we are experiencing will enable us to offer even more programming like Heritage Festival. Our goal is to serve as many people in this region as possible!” said Jennifer Sullivan, executive director of the garden.

    Artisans and crafters will showcase traditional crafts like dutch-oven cooking, basketry, pottery, weaving, quilting and even tatting (the art of lace making). There will also be souvenirs and items for purchase if you find something that tickles your fancy.

    The garden opens at noon and will celebrate Heri-tage Day until 4 p.m. Visit www.capefearbg.org for more information or give the garden a call at 486-0221.

  • 04 Galloway AbrahamWhether Democrat Yvonne Holley or Republican Mark Robinson wins the 2020 race for lieutenant governor, North Carolinians will be electing the first African American candidate to that post.

    But the victor won’t be the first Black North Carolinian elected to a Council of State office. That was Ralph Campbell, the longtime Raleigh city councilman elected state auditor in 1992. Even before that, Henry Frye became the first Black member of the North Carolina Supreme Court, having been appointed in 1983 and then elected statewide in 1984.

    If you follow state politics closely, you already know all that. But do you know the name of the first African-American to appear on North Carolina’s statewide ballot — and win?

    It’s a bit of a trick question, I admit, because the election I’m talking about wasn’t, strictly speaking, for public office. The answer is Abraham Galloway, whom voters chose as one of North Carolina’s presidential electors in 1868.
    Galloway is one of the most intriguing figures in the history of our state — and another North Carolinian who, in my opinion, deserves to be honored with multiple statues and monuments.

    Born a slave in what is now Southport, Galloway became a skilled brick mason and joined a thriving community of Black craftsmen, sailors, and activists in antebellum Wilmington. He escaped to freedom in 1857 in the cargo hold of a schooner bound for Philadelphia. Making his way via the Underground Railroad to Canada, Galloway soon became an active abolitionist.

    When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Abraham Galloway performed another brave act: he returned to the South to work as a spy, and later as a recruiter, for the Union Army. In his 2012 book “The Fire of Freedom: Abraham Galloway & The Slaves’ Civil War” historian David Cecelski does a masterful job of relating Galloway’s exploits during the war — or, at least, the exploits for which there is a historical record, as Galloway was himself illiterate and narrated only some of his experiences to others after the fact.

    Cecelski uses a particularly dramatic scene to kick off the book. A New England abolitionist and federal agent named Edward Kinsley arrives in New Bern in 1863 with a mission to recruit African Americans into the Union Army. It soon becomes clear, however, that he’ll have no success unless he bargains successfully with Galloway, already a leader of the local Black community.

    Galloway demands equal pay and fair treatment for Black soldiers, as well as a pledge that the Union will fight for abolition, not just to reassemble the Union. Only after Kinsley agrees do Black recruits step forward — first in the hundreds, eventually in the thousands.

    After the war, Abraham Galloway helped organize the new Republican Party in North Carolina, played a key role at the 1868 convention that drafted a new state constitution, and won election to the North Carolina Senate several months later, all the while “defying nightriders and assassins,” as Cecelski put it.

    During his brief but momentous political career — Galloway died abruptly of natural cases in 1870 at the age of 33 — he not only championed the rights of Black North Carolinians but also fought for women’s suffrage and educational opportunity. If you’re a progressive, you’ll appreciate Galloway’s advocacy of new labor laws. If you’re a conservative, you’ll appreciate his advocacy of gun rights and deep suspicion of the state-subsidized railroad company.

    While unyielding in his quest for justice, Galloway sought to build bridges and conciliate former adversaries whenever possible. Picked to give the opening address at the founding convention of the state GOP in 1867, he insisted he spoke as “neither Republican Black man nor Republican white man” but for the party as a whole. “A man may be a Dutchman or an Irishman, a Yankee or a Southerner, and I tell you I will give him a hearty shake and a warm welcome upon the Republican platform,” he said.

    Whatever your politics, Abraham Galloway can and should be one of your heroes.

    Picture: Abraham Galloway

  • 03 EPA RoundtableFrom Cabarrus County to Cumberland County, our region is a special place with unique challenges and opportunities. This week, I was honored to welcome two of President Donald Trump’s cabinet officials to highlight some of these important issues for our community and state.

    On Tuesday, I invited Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler to come to Fayetteville to discuss ways we are addressing PFAS chemicals like GenX in our water. When it comes to GenX, people in our community are angry, they are afraid, and we want answers. I first invited the EPA to Fayetteville in 2018 so they could hear directly from our community on this issue. This week’s bipartisan roundtable discussion continued that dialogue and allowed our local representatives to engage directly with the EPA Administrator.

    I urged the EPA to complete a final toxicity assessment of GenX and discussed my most recent efforts to combat PFAS chemicals, including GenX, through two amendments I secured in the latest appropriations bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. These amendments would study the relationship between PFAS exposure and COVID-19, and provide $2.4 million for the EPA to develop regulations to control discharge of PFAS in surface waters.

    Also at the roundtable, Administrator Wheeler announced the new Innovative Ways to Destroy PFAS Challenge, a partnership between federal and states agencies seeking detailed plans for a non-incineration method to destroy PFAS in firefighting foam. I am happy to see the EPA pursuing this initiative as part of the PFAS Action Plan — the most comprehensive cross-agency plan ever to address an emerging chemical of concern. It was great to have Administrator Wheeler in Fayetteville to discuss how we can continue to combat GenX and clean up the Cape Fear River.

    Also last week I invited HUD Secretary Ben Carson, a champion of efforts to make housing more affordable, to Kannapolis to talk about how we can improve housing in our community. Secretary Carson leads the Trump Administration’s White House Council of Eliminating Barriers to Affordable Housing, which was created by an executive order signed by President Trump to engage with state, local, and tribal leaders across the country to identify and remove obstacles that impede production of affordable homes. I also discussed legislation I am working on to modernize the low-income housing tax credit to make it more flexible and easier to use.

    Secretary Carson has also done a lot of work on Opportunity Zones, a program I supported in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. North Carolina has 252 approved Opportunity Zones, with 18 of them right here in our region. These zones incentivize economic growth in economically distressed communities, with an expected $100 billion in investment throughout the country.

    I sincerely appreciate both Administrator Wheeler and Secretary Carson making the time to visit our community at my invitation. I hope these visits will continue the great partnerships I have forged with the Trump Administration to tackle issues affecting our communities and I look forward to continuing to work together.

    Picture: Rep. Hudson hosts a roundtable in Fayetteville with EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and members of the community.

  • 02 Jeff Pub PenWe seldom get to acknowledge a journalistic colleague that has come to mean so much to our organization and to the entire Fayetteville community. This is why we have chosen to recognize Jeff Thompson, a dedicated and talented news media professional whose journalistic talents and expertise have touched every aspect of the media industry. Truly, Jeff has forged his way through decades of an ever-changing media landscape, forcing him to recast and reinvent himself umpteen times to succeed in the highly competitive and cutthroat industry of radio news broadcasting. Fifty years! Jeff went from spinning records at Steve’s Tower in the Sky as a rock n roll disc jockey in the 70s to mastering almost every aspect of media. Radio, TV, and yes, in his later years, even daily and weekly newspapers.

    Margaret Dickson, Up & Coming Weekly’s senior contributing writer and one of Jeff Thompson’s biggest fans has written a wonderful and heartfelt feature introducing our readers to Jeff and honoring him for his 50+ year career in the media industry. To infer that Jeff’s style of news reporting was “old school” would be an understatement compared to the coverage we have today. For decades, as WFNC’s news director, Jeff would tackle the most critical, spirited and controversial issues facing Fayetteville, Cumberland County and North Carolina. However, the difference between then and now was Jeff meticulously made sure the subject matter was covered fairly and accurately. If Jeff reported it, you could rest assured you had the whole story. This was Jeff Thompson’s legacy.

    Full disclosure: The Up & Coming Weekly newspaper is celebrating its 25th year serving Fayetteville, Fort Bragg and Cumberland County. Our mission in January 1996 was the same as it is in 2020 — to showcase, accentuate and promote the assets and amenities that make the Fayetteville area a great place to live, work and play. In other words, if something was good for the Fayetteville community, we were going to support it, write about it and promote it. If something was not good for Fayetteville and we perceived it as detrimental to the community, we were going to take a stand against it. By 1998, our biweekly publication had been accepted and welcomed by the community, and it successfully took root — especially with the neglected cultural arts community. To this, the daily newspaper, The Fayetteville Observer, adamantly objected. Admittedly, as hard as I tried, I was no match for the multimillion-dollar publishing company and resolved that I was defeated.

    So, in a final act of defiance, I contacted Jeff Thompson, who at the time was news director of WFNC — Fayetteville’s local and most trusted voice in news media — and Margaret Highsmith Dickson, who at the time was at the helm of the WFNC editorial board. The intrepid request I made to them when we met for lunch, and to which they reluctantly agreed, is why Up & Coming Weekly exists today.

    I asked if I could appear exclusively on Thompson’s radio show the day we published an explanation as to why we were being forced out of business, along with an article on The Fayetteville Observer’s surreptitious tactics used to undermine our newspaper to eliminate competition and maintain its media monopoly — to the detriment of local businesses, organizations and community agencies. Jeff and Margaret allowed us to tell our story on the air to the adamant and arrogant denial of Fayetteville Observer management.

    But it was too late. Jeff Thompson and WFNC’s local audience, at that time, was the heart and soul of the Fayetteville community. Despite The Fayetteville Observer denials, Fayetteville residents and businesses were aware of the tactics and knew the allegations had substance. The community rallied in support of our newspaper. Twenty-five years later, and without changing our mission or mandate, we are extremely proud to include both Jeff Thompson, as our senior news reporter, and Margaret Dickson, as our senior and longest-running contributing writer at over 19 years, as part of the Up & Coming Weekly family. Both have made significant contributions to the success of our organization.

    Enjoy Margaret’s feature about Jeff Thompson, as she introduces you to one of her dearest friends and mentors. Continue to follow them both each week in Up & Coming Weekly. Neither has shown any sign of slowing down any time soon.
    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. Please join our staff and me in congratulating Jeff Thompson for his first 50 years in media and his service to the Fayetteville community.

    Pictured: Jeff Thompson

  • 17 Gilbert Theater Ad barefoot 092320 475X587 1 2Local actors are returning to the stage to deliver the fun and creative performances we’ve been missing since the pandemic closed curtains and theater doors in March.

    This month, the Gilbert Theater brings “Barefoot in the Park” to stage Oct. 2-18 with limited seating and social distancing in effect. There will only be 25 seats sold per performance, in order to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines for public gatherings.

    “‘Barefoot in the Park’ is a classic Neil Simon comedy,” said Larry Carlisle, the show’s director and the Artistic Director for the Gilbert. “It’s about two newlyweds who move into a tiny apartment in New York City and deal with being newlyweds, weird neighbors and mothers.”

    Simon, who died in 2018, was a playwright, screenwriter and author. In his lifetime, he received more combined Oscar and Tony award nominations than any other writer. Widely considered to be a Broadway icon, Simon wrote more than 30 plays, including “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” “Biloxi Blues” and “The Odd Couple.” Simon won the Pulitzer Prize for “Lost in Yonkers.”

    The “Barefoot in the Park” cast includes Tanisha Johnson and Gage Long as newlyweds Corie and Paul; Deannah Robinson as Corie’s mother; Gabe Terry as neighbor Mr. Velasco; and James Merkle as the telephone repairman. Carlisle will also have a small role as a deliveryman.

    Despite performing to a quarter of the theater’s capacity, Carlisle and the cast agree that producing the show is worth the effort.

    “Everyone’s gotten stir crazy,” Terry said about closures due to the pandemic. “The show’s a lot of fun to do.”

    Providing live entertainment is something the performers enjoy, no matter the crowd size, Carlisle said. With COVID-19 restrictions, the cast and crew have been able to explore some interesting ways to adapt their performances.

    “I’m just excited to get back to stage,” Robinson said. “Granted, it will be limited capacity.”

    Safety precautions in place will include masks for theater attendants, hand sanitizer stations, no-contact concessions, temperature checks upon entry and cleaning between performances.

    “For all the performances we’re asking all patrons to wear a mask and practice social distancing,” Carlisle said.

    Preparing for the masked performances has been a fun challenge for the cast.

    “It is interesting because there’s so much (in the story) that involves intimacy,” Terry said.

    Robinson added, “We’re working around it, having fun with it, even with the mask.”

    The team at the Gilbert is optimistic that the audience will attend and enjoy the show, if only for a short respite from the daily headlines.

    “It’s two hours to take your mind off your trouble, don’t worry about everything going on outside,” Carlisle said. “It’s a light breezy sitcom-esque
    comedy.”

    Johnson added, “Come out and laugh, have a good time.”

    Recognizing that some patrons might not be comfortable even with all those precautions, Carlisle said there will be two performances where the actors will also wear masks. Those shows are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

    The Gilbert Theater is located at 116 Green St. in downtown Fayetteville. There are several discounts available including student, military and first responder. Contact the box office for more info on the show or to purchase tickets at boxoffice@gilberttheater.com.

  • 16 HOW day campHis Outreach Worldwide Ministry will host a BBQ Fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 3, to support the construction of a school building in Tamu, Myanmar. The barbecue will be held at the ministry's "log cabin," located at 2770 Breezewood Ave., from 1-5 p.m., for takeout or a picnic on the grounds. The food will be priced at $10 per plate.

    “We are praying we will have a huge turn out, we need at least $5,000 for the school, and it has to be finished by January,” said Lynne O’Quinn, president of H.O.W. “We are really needing this funding now and needing it quickly.”

    The barbecue will benefit over 100 children in the Tamu area attending His Outreach Worldwide School, the only government-licensed English-teaching school in the area.

    The event will offer great food by Hopkins Barbeque and great music on the patio by Currie Wayne Clayton Jr., O’Quinn said.

    The ministry is excited to have the accomplished musician Currie Wayne, who has played with the rock band Molly Hatchet in the past and has won many musical championships.

    O’Quinn said she believes the fundraiser will be a great event that will be outdoors, and a lot of people are looking forward to it, especially since the pandemic.

    “We'd love for people to come that day, purchase tickets, enjoy the entertainment and just have a great day,” she said.

    H.O.W., a Christian ministry, was founded in 2008 in Fayetteville by O’Quinn and supports several activities around the world, including providing funds, food, clothes and more. The faith-based organization is founded on prayer and God’s word.

    “In a nutshell, God woke me up one morning and wrote a book through me sharing Jesus to children around the world,” O’Quinn said. “That one little book is what founded this worldwide
    ministry.”

    The barbecue is one of its many fundraising events, including an annual 5K, which was cancelled this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

    "We are praying for a great sunny, fall day and attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs to comply with social distancing and have a picnic on the grounds," O'Quinn said.

    “Bring your own chair, grab a plate of barbecue, sit here and have great entertainment and fellowship,” she added.

    For more information about H.O.W. or the BBQ, visit http://hisoutreachworldwide.org/

    Pictured: His Outreach Worldwide Ministry President Lynne O'Quinn entertains children at a H.O.W. project at a day camp in Brno, Czech Republic.

  • 15 electric car plugged inSustainable Sandhills will host its second annual "Drive Electric" event Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum.

    The event, which is a part of the National Drive Electric Week, will feature various opportunities for drivers to learn about electric vehicle options in the region.

    “The goal is to provide awareness to the community about electric vehicles and the benefits they have — like improving air quality, reducing our dependence on foreign petroleum, and just showing people that ‘EV’ can be very fun to drive,” said Joenelle Kimbrough, executive director of Sustainable Sandhills.

    There will be multiple Teslas available at the event for the public to test-drive. Visitors can sign up online for 15 minute test-drive slots and register at https://sustainablesandhills.org/driveelectric2020/.

    If anyone owns an electric vehicle, they are welcome to bring it to the car show and talk to people about the experience of driving an electric vehicle and the value of its ownership, Kimbrough said.

    The family-friendly event will see food trucks and activities for children like a "build your own car" craft and a book signing by local children’s book author Alison Paul Klakowicz, author of "Mommy’s Big Red Monster Truck."

    The "Drive Electric" show will comply with COVID-19 health precautions. The cars will be wiped and sanitized between each user, there will be mostly touch-free activities and children will each get their own set of crayons.

    “We would love to have you come out and learn about electric vehicles and benefits they offer our community — see how fun they are to drive,” Kimbrough said.

    The event will host community partners involved with "EV" infrastructure, incluuding the Fayetteville Public Works Commission, The Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Central Electric Membership Corporation, which will inform the attendees on where to find chargers for their electric cars, and of new technologies regarding "EV" that are out on the horizon, she said.

    All of these organizations have charging stations throughout the area or they have electric vehicles in their fleets.

    Kimbrough said the two-fold motivation behind the event was that Sustainable Sandhills is the “air quality program manager” for the region and the second being the national drive electric week.

    “Electric vehicles are important to air quality because they don't use gasoline; they help cut out on emissions which can help improve the area's air quality,” she said.

    Based in Fayetteville, Sustainable Sandhills started about 15 years ago with the mission of creating resilient environmental, economic and social resources. The organization has a nine-county reach, serving about 1 million people.

    “Our goal is to connect with people and help them understand how natural resources affect their lives and vice versa,” Kimbrough said. “We just want people to understand that we need to be responsible with our resource use now in order to have what we need for the future generations.”

    The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum is located at 325 Franklin St. in downtown Fayetteville. For more information about Sustainable Sandhills and the event, visit https://sustainablesandhills.org

  • 11 KindredKindred Ministries announces a partnership with Cape Fear Regional Theatre and its Passport Series, with the help of a grant of $2550 from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

    "Kindred Ministries is so grateful to have received this grant from the Arts Council,” said Dr. Scott Cameron, founder of Kindred Ministries.

    “It will enable our community of adults with and without intellectual disabilities to access an incredible arts program at CFRT!"

    Kindred Ministries exists to create opportunities for adults of all abilities to grow in friendship, primarily through the avenue of a daytime program.

    A valuable component of that daytime program is the Passports Series with CFRT. Throughout the course of the Series, participants gather weekly to create, write and eventually perform an
    original story.

    The community is then invited to the performance, encountering a stage where people typically pushed to the margins are at the center.

    Much of what Kindred does is dependent upon the gracious support of grants and other outside funding sources.

    “The Arts Council is pleased to partner with Kindred Ministries in support of the partnership with CFRT for the Passport Series," said Bob Pinson, interim president and CEO of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

    “Project Support Grants for 2020-21 will help fund 20 projects facilitated by 15 nonprofit organizations.

    These projects help strengthen our communities through festivals and concerts, youth education programs, art exhibitions and workshops, and more.”

    Project Support Grants increase opportunities for access to arts, science, cultural and historical programming in Cumberland County.

    The grants are awarded to nonprofit agencies in Cumberland County that demonstrate financial and administrative stability.

    Kindred Ministries exists to create a community where our friends with disabilities are at the center and, as a result, everyone thrives.

    It is built on the foundation of mutuality: that we can help each other, that we can learn from each other, and that when you really get to know each other, you might just encounter a kindred spirit.
    The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County serves more than 330,000 residents of Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

    Since 1973, the Arts Council has ensured growth in our children’s education, our community’s cultural identity and our economic progress.

    The Arts Council’s grants, programs and services are funded in part by contributions from businesses and individuals and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the North Carolina Arts Council, with funding from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.

  • The middle of September ushers in the unofficial beginning of fall, a time of year when many feel reenergized by cooler temperatures and are eager to spend more hours outdoors enjoying all the local area has to offer. Whether one is collecting leaves, picking pumpkins, exploring corn mazes, or biking one of the many trails, autumn is full of fun opportunities that can make the season that much more enjoyable.

    Fayetteville Cumberland Parks and Recreation offers a number of outdoor activities for the whole family, from a community garden, bike and jogging trails to the new skate park. Although COVID-19 restrictions have closed many facilities, all parks, trails and the Rowan Street Skate Park are open. Playgrounds reopened earlier this month. Basketball courts at all parks remain closed. Recreation centers remain closed. The pools and splash pads have been closed the entire summer due to COVID-19 restrictions.

    FCPR posts updates to hours and restrictions on its webpage and Facebook page. For more information on specific locations, visit www.fcpr.us/ or www.facebook.com/fcpr.us, or call the administrative office at 910-433-1547.
    Gardening can be a fun and educational activity for all ages and can be physically and mentally engaging. The potential benefits are endless.

    The Fayetteville Community Garden is a five-acre area with plots available for planting vegetables, flowers and herbs. Plots are raised beds about 20 feet by 20 feet. Patrons rent space, and FCPR supplies garden boxes, compost and water. The garden is organic in nature, therefore no chemicals or synthetic herbicides, insecticides, fungicides or fertilizers are allowed. Plots may be rented for $25. The garden is open year-round during daylight hours. The garden is located at the intersection of Vanstory and Mann Streets.

    Clark Park and its Nature Center join the Cape Fear River Trail and Moses Mathis “Bicycle Man” playground/trailhead to form a complex suited to hours of enjoyment and education. The city’s second largest regional park remains a natural area dedicated to preserving the environment, educating the public about nature, and providing the only camping in the area. The Nature Center's museum features displays and free viewing of live animals.

    Visitors can picnic overlooking the woods and one of the highest waterfalls east of the mountains. For those interested in walking or jogging, the park has its own set of unpaved trails and also serves as a trailhead for the paved CFRT. Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome on trails as long you clean up after them.

    Clark Park Nature Center offers nature and recreation programming for educators, groups, individuals and families. You must preregister for all programs. Contact the park office at 910-433-1579 for program information or visit www.facebook.com/fcprnature.

    The Cape Fear River Trail is a 10-foot-wide paved path for walkers, joggers and bicyclists. It winds for nearly 5.3 miles, one-way, through a beautiful blend of trees, plants and wildlife with views of the river. The terrain can be flat or slightly hilly. In addition to wooden bridges, including one covered bridge, there is more than 1,000 feet of boardwalk through the marsh and wetlands along the trail.

    Along the trail are signs explaining the wildlife and plant life found in the area. There are more than 700 species of plants and trees and 150 species of birds. Frogs, lizards and turtles are common sights, with an occasional deer. The River Trail area is home to an unusual combination and diversity of hardwood trees.

    The Cape Fear Mountain Bike Trail is a feature of the Cape Fear River Trail/Clark Park area with just under three miles of trail accessible off the CFRT. Access is located 1 mile north of Clark Park, traveling towards Methodist College (not far from the intersection with Eastwood Avenue). It consists of two sections on opposite sides of the trail. The first half mile is more technical with tighter turns and rollers, suitable for experienced riders. After crossing the CFRT it becomes a meandering woodland trail for beginners.

    The trails are open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. Parking is available at Clark Park. Restrooms are located at the Jordan Soccer Complex and at the Clark Park Nature Center during Clark Park’s operating hours.

    For those interested in agritourism, Gillis Hill Farm is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

    The Gillis family has been farming the same land for nine generations, starting in the timber business, moving to traditional row crops and agritourism over the years.

    For the price of an ice cream (or a $3 ticket), visitors can go on a self-guided tour of the working farm.

    Gillis Hill also offers school and group tours that run twice daily at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday through Friday. Group tours consist of a "Farm Life" movie showing what it’s like as a kid growing up on the farm, a historic walking tour, a wagon ride, animal feeding and a seed kit to take home.

    The farm is located at 2701 Gillis Hill Rd. in Fayetteville. To schedule a tour or find additional information, call 910-867-2350 or visit https://ghfarm.square.site/.

    A visit to Gross Farms offers fun and entertainment for the whole family with sites and activities including a 10-acre corn maze, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a play area and a picnic area. Visitors can purchase a combo ticket for access to everything or buy tickets for individual activities. Military and group discounts are available.

    Gross Farms is located at 1606 Pickett Road in Sandford. For information, call 919-498-6727 or visit www.grossfarms.com.

    Hubb’s Farm is another agritourism destination with activities to entertain the whole family, including a corn maze, pumpkin patch, animals and a long list of attractions. In addition to being a year-round venue to book parties and events, the farm offers school and group tours.

    In addition to regular farm activities, there are a number of seasonal events scheduled.

    Sunflowers Galore is scheduled to open today with opportunities Sept. 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25. Sunflower stems can be purchased and visitors can take photographs in the sunflower field.

    The Fall Drive-In Movie Series begins Sept. 26 and runs every Saturday in October. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the movie starts at 8 p.m. Movie titles will be posted on the website.

    The corn maze and pumpkin patch will run Sept. 26 through Nov. 7 on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1–6 p.m. Weekday hours are yet to be set.

    The Flashlight Maze will be open 7-10 p.m. on Friday nights in October. Visitors can navigate the maze under the stars. Fire pits can be reserved.

    Hubb’s Farm is located at 10276 US Hwy 421 North in Clinton. For more information call 910-564-6709 or visit www.hubbsfarmnc.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/HubbsFarmNC/.

    18 01 hubbs farm sunflower

    18 02 Gillis Hill Farm Halloween from their Facebook18 03 CF Bike Trail

     

    Pictures left to right:

    Sunflowers Galore opens Sept. 16 at Hubb's Farm. For a small fee, visitors can pose for photos in the field, or purchase stems to take home.

    The Cape Fear Mountain Bike Trail is accessible off the Cape Fear River Trail. It offers areas for beginners and experienced riders.

    Gillis Hill Farm is open for self-guided walks or group tours through the farm.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • 02 02 VFNC groupThe Veteran’s Farm of North Carolina, Inc. will host its inaugural “Boots to Roots: A Farm Tasting” at the Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom in Hope Mills on Sunday, Sept. 20.

    After receiving a National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant in May from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the VFNC began organizing the launch of the Veterans Agricultural Training and Education Program.

    The VATEP is a new initiative designed to provide 60 military veterans with hands-on vocational training on a farm in the agricultural industry.

    VFNC Executive Director and Marine Corps veteran Robert Elliott will launch the organizations first VATEP class this fall, in a partnership with Fayetteville Technical Community College.

    "VFNC's ultimate goal is to train, network and equip veterans, allowing them to easily transition into the agricultural industry to further serve our country while experiencing a life of peace," Elliott said in a release announcing the upcoming farm tasting event.

    The VFNC is striving for program sustainability through efforts such as the “Boots to Roots” series of fundraiser events.

    The “Boots to Roots” events are collaborations with other veteran-owned businesses who will facilitate and host the farm-to-table tastings. The goal is to raise money to assist the VFNC with funding to support and expand its
    mission.

    Transitioning from the military to civilian life can be challenging. The VFNC strives to assist veterans with training and networking while equipping them with a toolbox of skills needed to transition into the agricultural industry. North Carolina is home to many veteran-owned businesses, including veteran farmers. Creating a support network between these businesses and the general public is a win-win for the local community and veterans alike.

    Kicking off this VFNC series of events is veteran-owned favorite Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom, affectionately known as DBA to locals. This first “Farmer-Veteran Celebration” will be held under the DBA outdoor pavilion.

    Brewmaster Vernardo “Tito” Simmons-Valenzuela will serve up signature craft beer flights paired with the small plates created by Brian Graybill, veteran owner of the DBA on-site restaurant, Napkins.

    Graybill takes his inspiration for the fall-inspired tasting menu from the produce, meat, seafood and other products all grown, raised and produced on farmer-veteran farms in North Carolina.

    The menu includes fall bruschetta, autumn salad, empanadas de chorizo, catfish croquetas, lamb bulgogi, beef barbacoa and bisteca con chimichurri. Ingredients for the menu are being provided by Watson Sanders Farm, Pappy’s Urban Farm, CATHIS Farm, Cedar Creek Fish Farm, Purpose Driven Family Farm, Green-Eyed Farms and Spartan Tusk & Feather Livestock.

    Featured farmer-veterans will be located at various stations around the tent during the event. Each will serve attendees their featured small plate created by Napkins as attendees rotate from station to station.

    Ernesto Rivas, veteran and acoustic guitar player, will provide live music. Guests will have a chance to win harvest baskets donated by local veteran artisans and business owners in a 50/50 raffle.

    All staff and servers will wear masks and adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. Guests are asked to wear masks when not seated, drinking or eating.

    This farm-to-table event will be split into two seatings with the first from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the second from 7-9 p.m.

    The cost is $65 per single ticket or $120 per pair, which covers food from Napkins, a flight of 5-ounce beers from DBA and live music.

    No refunds will be issued, but tickets may be transferred to others. The event is open to adults, 21 years and older. DBA is located at 5435 Corporation Drive in Hope Mills.

    For tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boots-to-roots-a-farm-tasting-tickets-114750521900

    Pictured: The Veteran's Farm of NC, Inc. is a farm designed and dedicated to instructing and training servicemembers on all aspects of agriculture.

  • 15 fam friendly outdoorsChildren who spend a lot of time outdoors benefit from exposure to nature in myriad ways, some of which may surprise even the most devoted outdoorsmen.

    According to a study published in the journal Human Dimensions of Wildlife, fifth graders who attended school at a local prairie wetlands where lessons in science, math and writing were integrated in an experimental way had stronger reading and writing skills than peers who attended more traditional schools.

    Another study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that holding a class outdoors one day a week significantly improved the daily cortisol patterns of students, reducing their risk of stress and improving their ability to adapt to stress.

    In the era of coronavirus, outdoor adventures can offer a break for students and their parents.

    Parents who want their children to reap the rewards of being exposed to the great outdoors can encourage educators to incorporate nature into school curriculums and also embrace these family-friendly outdoor activities.

    Nature treasure hunt: A treasure hunt can keep kids engaged on family hiking excursions and provide an excellent opportunity for parents to teach children about the assortment of plants, birds and wildlife that live in the parks and along the trails near their home.

    Outdoor art class: Families don’t even need to leave their properties to spend quality time together outside. Pick a pleasant or mild afternoon and set up an outdoor painting station, encouraging everyone to paint what they see. Regular outdoor art sessions can add variety as each season can offer new landscapes and wildlife activity.

    Bonfire: Outdoor activities need not be limited to daylight hours. A post-dinner backyard bonfire can entice everyone outside, where families can tell scary stories as they make s’mores.

    Stargaze: Stargazing is another way families can spend time outdoors and learn a few things. Some blankets, a thermos and a chart of constellations can provide the perfect complement to a sky full of bright stars. If visibility is compromised in the backyard, find a local spot where everyone can get a clear view of the night sky.

    Fruit picking: Depending on the availability of farms in your area, fruit or vegetable picking can provide a fun and educational activity. Visit a local farm during its harvest season, teaching children about how the foods they love are grown and eventually make it to the family dinner table.

    Parents can expand on these ideas to offer outdoor learning even after students return to the traditional classroom.

  • 09-07-11-blues-showcase.jpgClaudia Swartz is many things, but chief among them, she is a music lover, a performer and a promoter. Since 2005, she has organized the local Blues Artist Showcase. Every year, folks gather in the Pate Room at the Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center and listen to local talented artists sing the blues.

    The event draws more than 450 people per performance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Contagion (Rated R) 5 Stars09-21-11-contagion.jpg

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  •     When it rains, it pours. There was some truth to that old saying this past week at the Up & Coming Weekly offices at 208 Rowan St. As the remnants of Fay made their way across the region, our office began to fill with water, lots of water.
        It was pouring through the ceiling, rushing through a closet and into our lobby and graphics department. Our staff was so busy trying to stop the flood; they didn’t have time to think about its cause. I was on the phone with Publisher Bill Bowman telling him about the flood situation when he pulled into the office parking lot. One glance at the building gave Bill the answer.
        Sometime during the previous night, thieves had paid a visit to our office. They didn’t kick in doors or break windows. Instead, they climbed on the roof and ripped the decorative, but functional, copper trim, gutters and downspouts off of the building’s façade. In doing so, their feet were as heavy handed as their deed damaging the seams and integrity of the roof. This caused the water to pool, and without any way to drain the only way was down.
        The thieves wasted no time in disposing of their take, hauling it only a mile away to Cohen & Green Salvage Company located on Glidden Street. They made a few dollars off the copper — not even 1/10 of its value. But in their grab for quick cash, they did more than $20,000 damage to our business. {mosimage}
        Unfortunately, this isn’t a new story or rare occurrence. It’s happening all over the country. You’ll be hard pressed to find a building contractor or air conditioning company who has not dealt with the issue. Copper is in demand and salvage yards are all too obliging to receive it. After all, all the thief has to do is steal it and the money is not bad.
        Unfortunately for these guys, they made a huge mistake. The copper on our building, unlike common copper wiring from AC units or plumbing, was pretty distinctive. Fayetteville Police officers knew exactly where to go to find it and “sure enough” they found our copper. However, by the time they got there, it was crushed — no longer functional or decorative.
        Salvage companies are now being held to stricter standards. In North Carolina, the legislature requires all scrap-metal dealers to keep detailed records of whom they buy copper from, including driver’s license and vehicle tag numbers. The legislation also prohibits the sale of scrap metal by minors and requires dealers to provide receipts to the police.
        Cohen & Green Salvage Company, which gets its share of stolen copper, has gone a step further. They videotape every transaction and share this information with the police. Their assistance had warrants issued for the thieves who helped themselves to our copper.
        Salvage companies need to do more to protect their fellow businesses and residents. The legislature needs to do more. Maybe the only people who should be able to sell scrap metal should be licensed contractors: Contractors, who if caught dealing in stolen metal, would lose their license. Or maybe the salvage companies should hold all copper for at least 48 hours to check recent police crime reports. Had that happened in our case, the copper taken from our building could have been recovered and repositioned on our building.
        This crime is not just about what they took physically from us. They took away the feeling of safety we have in our facility. They violated what we have built for our business and this community. We made the move downtown because we wanted to be a part of Fayetteville’s rebirth. Our building, although not on Hay Street, is an asset to the downtown community. Our partnership with the Fayetteville Museum of Art, the art sculptures and meditation garden all add to our city and quality of life.
        Our presence downtown, like the presence of other downtown businesses, says this is our community. It says come walk our streets, visit our gardens, feel safe — don’t be afraid. This is a new day. It’s a new way! Forget about barred windows and gated store fronts. We want to create a new face for Fayetteville — a safe place.
        People, like those who paid a late night visit to our building or who litter our streets and parks don’t respect this new day or new way. That’s their problem and that’s just too bad.
        We’ll weather this storm and put our building right. This is our city, and they can’t have it back.
  •     The International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) paid tribute to the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival on Sept. 10, during the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards ceremony held at the IFEA’s 53rd Annual Convention & Expo.
        The Dogwood Festival garnered five awards in the prestigious competition. Awards were won in the following categories, for events with budgets: $250,000 - $749,000: {mosimage}
    •Gold — Best Organizational Web site;
    •Silver — Best Press/Media Kit;
    •Bronze — Best Sponsor Solicitation Package;
    •Bronze — Best Ad Series;
    •Bronze — Best Radio Promotion.
        Sponsored by industry leader Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, the professional competition drew 1,428 entries this year from among the world’s top festivals and events. 
        “We would like to congratulate all of our Pinnacle winners for their outstanding entries into this year’s competition,” said IFEA President & CEO Steven Wood Schmader. “The IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards represents the hallmark of excellence in the festivals and events industry. Entries in every budget category, from every corner of the globe, allow us to recognize the best in our business while raising the standards and quality of media promotions and events across the board.”

    UNITED WAY CONDUCTS COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT
        United Way of Cumberland County (UWCC) will enlist community leaders to conduct an assessment of the health and human service needs present in Cumberland County. The information gained through focus group meetings and mailed surveys will help guide United Way volunteers to focus their funding decisions on agencies and programs that will address community issues. 
        The methodology committee, made up of professionals from health and human service organizations, will compile the survey instrument. A second committee will distribute the surveys to neighborhood resource centers and libraries, and will mail them to randomly selected households throughout Cumberland County.
        Ten focus groups will also be held in neighborhood recreation centers across the county to acquire information from those who may have missed the survey. Topics covered in the focus groups will be community economics, education, health care, military, public safety, recreation and cultural activities, and social environment. To find a focus group in your area, go to www.unitedway-cc.org.
        Focus group schedule (all focus groups will be held from 6-8 p.m.):
    •Sept. 25: Hope Mills Recreation Center, 5766 Rockfish Road, Hope Mills;
    •Sept. 30: Cliffdale Recreation Center, 6404 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville;
    •Oct. 2: Myers Recreation Center, 1018 Rochester St., Fayetteville;
    •Oct. 7: Smith Recreation Center, 1520 Slater Ave., Fayetteville,;
    •Oct. 14: Fort Bragg-Nijmegen Neighborhood Center, 2 Douve Place, Fort Bragg;
    •Oct. 16: College Lakes Recreation Center, 4945 Rosehill Road, Fayetteville;
    •Oct. 23: Eastover Recreation Center, 3637 Pembroke Lane, Fayetteville;
    •Oct. 30: Stedman Recreation Center, 175 Circle Drive, Stedman
  •     There’s a sorry old saying: “Those who can’t do, teach.”
        Well, Karen Koonce, Cumberland County’s 2008 Teacher of the Year, burns that ugly proverb down to the water line by involving students, parents and fellow teachers in a learning process that is certainly “can do.”
        “She is a really, really hard worker,” said Betty Musselwhite — Koonce’s boss, principal and “mentor” at VanStory Hills Elementary. “She soaks up everything that is around her to help students, and she shares with fellow teachers.”
        {mosimage}Koonce, who teaches third grade at VanStory Hills was chosen from a group of eight finalists last week at a ceremony held at the Crown Coliseum, where she said teaching is all about “empowerment.”
        “When we empower teachers, we empower children,” Koonce told an audience of educators and their families.
        Despite reaching the pinnacle of her craft, Koonce didn’t figure out she was going to be an educator until late in life. She attended Wake Forest University believing she wanted to become a pediatric oncologist. But then, she hit a wall... a wall made of test tubes and beakers and autoclaves.
        “I thought I would be an oncologist,” said Koonce, “but then I took an introductory chemistry course and changed my mind about following a career in medicine.”
        While studying education, Koonce said a pair of professors impressed her so much that she decided to teach elementary school. She later obtained a master’s degree in education leadership from George Mason University.
        Koonce, who has earned her certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standard,  began her journey as a teacher in Prince George County, Md., where she figured out from the start she had something in common with her students: “I realized I had a lot to learn. But it didn’t stop me... I just worked harder.”
        Koonce and the other 84 candidates for teacher of the year assembled portfolios and were interviewed by a selection committee that included last year’s winner, Vickie L. Ferguson, a math teacher at Seventy-First High School.
        Before the award presentation, Superintendent Bill Harrison had encouraging words for all the teacher-of-the-year candidates.
        Harrison said he can remember the names of all of his teachers from his school days in suburban Philadelphia, however, “I can’t for the life of me remember who the superintendent was,” he joked.
    But Harrison said teaching is much more difficult than when he broke in as a student teacher back in 1974 — coincidentally enough, at VanStory Elementary.
        “We didn’t have children coming to school with the baggage that they do today,” Harrison said. “We should celebrate what you do every day.”
        Koonce will move on to a regional competition, with an eye toward the awarding of North Carolina Teacher of the Year laurels next spring.
        As the Cumberland representative, Koonce will receive $500 from the county school system, another $200 from the county education foundation, a gift certificate to use at Cross Creek Mall, a commemorative ring, a plaque and flowers.
        First runner-up was Heather Kurtz of Cape Fear High School and second runner-up was Richard Bailey of Jack Britt High School.
        But perhaps the greatest prizes endowed up on Koonce are the love and respect of her students.
        “We had so much fun the day after I won the award,” said Koonce. “I gave them a homework pass and we had doughnuts and decorated the classroom. It was great.
        “I was just shocked by this award,” added Koonce. “And I love teaching here at Vanstory... I’m in the place every teacher deserves to be.”
  • 14 After The RideA few weeks back, I wrote about riding to Sturgis, some of the preparations I did beforehand and some ideas to help make your future rides more comfortable and enjoyable. Today, let us talk about after the ride.

     For Sturgis, we rode over 4,500 miles. When I returned, I unpacked and let her sit for a few days. My bike, named Traveler, was pretty dirty. A few days later, I washed her off and then brought her into the garage and broke out my cleaning supplies and my tool kit.

     I usually start from the top to bottom. I remove the windshield and set it aside. Then I apply Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish around the bike to give a sharp-looking polish and clean. I have used this product for years. More recently, I have bought it by the case on Amazon. It does a beautiful job of cleaning my bike, plus it makes me touch every square inch of the bike.

     As I go over every inch of Traveler, I take my tools and ensure that every nut and bolt is tight. During your travels, something will inevitably start to come loose. This little preventive maintenance will save you a lot of time and money down the road if something pops off.

     As I use my bike's tool kit, I am also checking to make sure that I have every tool I need for it. This trip, I discovered I was missing a #4 metric Allen wrench. Having a couple of bikes, I also put colored tape around each of my tools to make sure that I have the right tool for the right bike.

    I use window cleaner on the windshield and replace it on the bike.

    Lastly, I take the GPS off and download my route and any extra waypoints I saved and clear up my GPS's memory.

     Once the bike is finished, I know she is ready for our next adventure.

    If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, you can contact me at motorcycle4fun@aol.com. Ride safe!

  •     I first learned about motorcycles when I was a youngster. My next door neighbor had bought an Indian motorcycle. I would look at it with amazement. My father quickly instructed me that I was to “never get on one of those things.” Soon, my neighbor had purchased his wife and son a bike. Raymond was my age and had a Honda 80cc bike. They took off on weekends and did family rides. At that time in Tennessee people didn’t seem to care much about age and the vehicle laws when it came to motorcycles. Timmy Ward was riding a motorcycle to school in the sixth grade.     Timmy is the guy who taught me how to ride. I still remember the bike — a purple Yamaha DT 100. Oh happy days!
         Today, riding is still a family affair. One of the guys at work told me that he and his son have 15 motorcycles in the shed and spend the weeks competing at the track. John Glebus is 14 and has been riding for six years. He started off with a Honda 80cc motorcycle and has now progressed to a Yamaha YZ250. His sister Johanna rides as well. I enjoy watching them pack up their bikes on the weekend as the family heads over to Wide Open motor cross track in Raeford.{mosimage}
        Like John, most young riders learned how to ride off-road from a family member or friend. For riding on the road, things are not that easy. In North Carolina you must be at least 16 to operate a bike on the road. You must have a full provisional driver’s license, a regular or commercial license issued by the DMV. If you are younger than 18, you must have your parents or legal guardian sign for you. Not only do you need a motor-vehicle license but you must also pass four additional tests: vision, traffic signs, motorcycle knowledge and a road test.
        Somewhere along the way you need one additional thing. A motorcycle! This is one of those subjects I get a lot questions about: What would be a good first bike for my kid. I tell the questioner there is no right answer because everyone has a different vision of what they need or want their child to operate. Some will want something that will get them around town or to school. Some want something that is street legal but will also go off-road. It just depends on what bike best meets your child’s needs, so take some time to analyze your situation.
        Size matters. I personally don’t think a Yamaha R1 is a good idea for a new rider regardless of his/her age. One slight twist on the throttle and you’re airborne or off the road. There is simply too much power for a new rider.
    New or used? Used is good because it is his or her first bike. Chances are it’s going to hit the ground. There are additional costs to remember, including maintenance, taxes and insurance.
        If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, please send your comments and suggestions to motorcycle4fun@aol.com.
    RIDE SAFE!

  • uac092210001.gif If the United States is a melting pot, than Fayetteville is melting bowl. The city is known for its culture diversity and has celebrated it each fall for the past 31 years with the annual International Folk Festival. This year is no exception as the Arts Council of Fayetteville- Cumberland County proudly invites you to dance in the streets during the 32nd Annual International Folk Festival.

    The fun begins on Friday, Sept. 24 at the September 4th Friday from 7-9 p.m. in downtown Fayetteville.

    At the Arts Council, 301 Hay St., Cultural Expressions, an invitational art show, will be on display. The exhibit features unique impressions of culture through art, artifacts, handmade crafts, textiles, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography and mixed media. Morris Cardenas and the Borderland Trio will be on hand to entertain you as you view the exhibit, and as always, refreshments with an international flair will be available.

    Once you’ve visited the Arts Council building be sure to stroll the streets and watch artisans at their craft on Maxwell Street from 6-10 p.m. during Arts Alive.

    Outside on Maxwell Street, the Panamanian dance group Conjunto Típico Raíces Istmeñas will give visitors to Arts Alive a preview of their performance scheduled for later in the weekend at Festival Park.

    Arts Alive will also feature these artists selling and demonstrating their work: Aurora Crowell (jewelry), Shannon Davis (glasswork), Kevin Gregory (painting), Pamela Kelly (loom weaving), Sylecia Johnston (mixed media/paintings), Feral Art Collective (stenciling and painting), Deborah Crandall (jewelry), Kelly Green (pen-andink and clay).

    Be sure to catch free rides around downtown on the Cotton Exchange Express. Be sure and get a good night’s rest before you venture back out on Saturday, Sept. 25, when the fun starts on Hay Street and then transitions to Festival Park.

    One of the highlights of the International Festival has always been the Parade of Nations. Seen by many as the real “kick-off” of the event, the parade begins at 11 a.m. on Hay Street. Each year cultural groups from around the world vie to create the best display as they parade through downtown, bringing the world to our backyard.

    You can’t help but want to join them as they dance in the streets. Listen to the pounding of the drums, the rhythm of Latin beats, the sounds of the orient and much more. If you’ve never taken the time to watch the parade, you definitely want to put it on your calendar this year.

    It is a colorful site that is a delight to all of your senses. Once the parade winds its way down Hay Street, you are going to want to follow them on to Festival Park where the fun continues.

    The festival gets into full gear at noon within the confines of Festival Park. While there, you can enjoy authentic cuisine at the International Café, unique arts and crafts, an expanded children’s area and more! Live entertainment in five performance areas, including a Native American Cultural Showcase, starts at 1 p.m.

    A favorite of many festival goers if the International Cafe, which features food from all over the world. Whether you are looking for German, Italian, Thai or Caribbean food, you can find it all in the cafe.

    The fun begins again in Festival Park on Sunday, Sept. 26 from noon-6 p.m., with live entertainment, authentic cuisine at the International Café, unique arts and crafts, children’s area and more!

    Admission to the festival is free; however, if you want to eat or purchase anything from vendors you’ll need to bring your wallet. For more information, visit www.theartscouncil.com.

  • 09-29-10-falcon.gifFor the past eight years the Fayetteville Area Hospitality Association has sponsored a charity golf tournament benefi tting an organization in the com-munity. At 9 a.m. on Oct. 1 at Cypress Lakes Golf Course in Hope Mills, the FAHA is hosting the 9th Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefi t Falcon Children’s Home.

    Sign up as an individual for $75 or as a team (four players per team) for $300. The team registration fee includes sponsorship of one hole. The game format is Captain’s Choice and includes mulligans. The fun begins at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start.

    The FAHA is made up of organizations through-out the community that strives to serve its members, its customers, its associates and the community. The Fayetteville Area Hospitality Association is a nonprofi t organization of committed businesses promoting tour-ism, social welfare and quality of life by improving the quality and variety of food, lodging and recreational areas for travelers and local residents in the Fayetteville area of North Carolina.”09-29-10-falcon-golf.gif

    Falcon Children’s Home is just a short drive up I-95, and has been changing the lives of children for more than 100 years. The home was founded in 1909 as a small fa-cility designed to take care of children in the community. In 1909, there were two children who entered the doors. They wouldn’t recognize the home today.

    The campus has grown to almost 300 acres of property with eight cottages/halls, athletic fields, gymna-sium, large swimming pool, activity building (containing several classrooms, computer lab, library, skating rink and movie theater), administrative offi ces, lake and camping area, chapel and a central dining facility.

    Falcon Children’s Home is a ministry of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. Those working at the home take great pride in their Chris-tian ministry and strive to serve the mind, body, spirit and soul of each and every child that comes through the doors.

    Falcon offers several programs and approaches to help make kids in their care successful and happy, with pathways like independent living, on campus individual and family counseling, campus chaplain, recreation and activities, visiting resource program and after-school academic enrichment.

    Funds received from the golf tournament will be used for the Mothers and Babies program.

    “We are redoing one of the cottages that is going to house the mothers and babies,” said Marketing and Public Relations Director for Falcon Children’s home Michelle Williams. “We are unable to take the mom’s while they are pregnant. Once their babies are born, we take children from birth up. Since so many of the mom’s are teens we are able to take them in and their babies as well.

    ”Once the moms and babies are at Falcon Children’s home they stay together in the cottage.

    “We make sure that the mom continues her education and we provide daycare for the babies so that she is able to do that,” said Williams. “We also help the moms with employ-ment and we work with them to teach them how to be good moms. This is really a great, great things for us to benefit from this charity.”

    Lunch is included in the price and will be served after the tournament. For more information or to preregister, call Pamela Sise or Lisa Web-ster at 868-9005.

  •     {mosimage}Robert Barefoot, director of parks and recreation since 1988, announced his retirement from the City of Fayetteville effective Nov. 1. He has been with the department for more than 25 years.
        A native of Fayetteville, Barefoot graduated from Terry Sanford High School and East Carolina University. His first recreation job in 1975 was as a summer part-timer in Fayetteville, working with the Summer Fun Caravans.  This program took recreation into neighborhoods in a colorfully painted U-Haul trailer. That same year he became director of the Harnett County recreation department in what he called a “one-man operation.” Following that he moved to the town of Wake Forest and returned to his hometown as parks superintendent in March of 1983. Five years later he became the department director.
        “I didn’t intentionally work at coming back to Fayetteville, but that’s how it turned out and it’s been a good career,” he said.
        There have been many changes since he has been at the helm. He noted the replacement recreation centers that were built in the mid-1990s, the renovation of Myers Recreation Center, the Cape Fear River Trail, Linear Park, Festival Park, the Transportation Museum, additional neighborhood parks, athletic fields and playgrounds. The school-park partnerships created opportunities for recreation by constructing centers on school property (often co-located with a school) in exchange for meeting space and physical education classes, according to Barefoot. 
        Clark Park and Nature Center on Sherman Drive off Ramsey Street is one project that he believes put the department on the right track. He said the park had a poor image in the community and a reputation as a bad area for crime and drug use. The park became one of the gems of Fayetteville’s system with the early 1990s construction of the Nature Center and staffing with park rangers who created displays, programs and camps, he added. 
        On July 1, 2004 the city and county parks and recreation departments consolidated, becoming Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation and Barefoot was named director. There are currently 18 recreation centers that include two senior citizen facilities and one dedicated to therapeutic recreation. There are approximately 765 acres of parks and open space throughout the city and county. In reflecting on his career with the City he said, “No one person gets it all done.  It’s a team effort and we have a good team at Parks & Recreation.”
        City Manager Dale Iman said, “Robert should be extremely proud of the accomplishments of the Parks and Recreation Department during his watch.  Throughout his career he has been dedicated and fully committed to the goal of improving the parks and recreational opportunities for the residents of Fayetteville.”
    Barefoot said he will miss many people he has worked with over the years including advisory board members, Milton Mazarick, Ronnie Chalmers and Harry Shaw, all of whom had an impact on the department, and many other citizen advocates that have been part of the team that helped create and continue the growth of the department.
        “I have loved working with people of vision, commitment and passion,” Barefoot added.
    Barefoot said he plans to stay in Fayetteville after retiring. There are other things he is interested in doing when he no longer works full time, such as volunteering, traveling and outdoor projects. He would like to see the national parks and spend time with his family, including his new grandchild. He has things to do and places to go while he is he is still young and healthy, he added.   
  •     {mosimage}Down on the Cape Fear River, the staff at Campbellton Landing is gearing up to make its first big event the first of many memorable events at the historic landmark. The landing, which was created by the late Sol Rose, was purchased earlier this year by Kevin Summers, a Raleigh restauranteur. Summers has big plans for the property and he plans to unveil them this month.
        Campbellton Landing includes a restaurant, outdoor store, grill and amphitheater. Summers will put all of those assets to use when he unveils Truman’s Pumpkin Patch on Saturday, Oct. 4, and the restaurant mid-month.
    Truman’s Pumpkin Patch is a collaborative effort between Summers, the corporate offices of Kidsville News! — whose mascot Truman lends his name to the event — Cumberland County Communicare and Docks at the Capitol.
    The event, which is open every weekend throughout the month of October, is designed specifically for families, according to Summers.
        “It is a family-friendly event,” said Summers. He added that there are going to be multiple activities going on throughout the day — pony rides, inflatable bounce houses and slides and a hay ride. Each child who purchases a ticket will also receive a free pumpkin. In addition to the children’s events, there will be a farmer’s market offering the obvious pumpkins, other fall produce and mums.
        If you spend the day at the river and find yourself hungry, there will also be food on hand. “We will be serving burgers and hot dogs, snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn throughout the day,” he explained.
    Burgers and dogs are also on the menu at The Riverside Grill, which is a new addition to the property. The grill, which is located inside The Riverside Outdoor Store, will be opening within the next week. The grill will serve breakfast and lunch and an early dinner. Summers said the fare will be fresh and simple.
        While you’re taking a break from the activities, you can sit a spell in the amphitheater and listen to the entertainment that will be on stage daily. Music ranging from country to blues to folk will be an integral part of the pumpkin patch, and every day at 3 p.m. there will be a Pumpkin Carving Contest. The winner of the contest will receive a gift certificate to Dock’s at the Capitol.
        Summers said the hay ride will give folks a pretty good view of the development. The ride, about 15 minutes in length, will parallel the river down to Lock’s Creek, where it will wind around the creek before ending at the amphitheater.
    “We’re doing a lot to beautify what’s already here,” said Summers. “We are building a nature trail and clearing some areas. Our goal is to get people outside to enjoy the river with entertainment and family-friendly events. We believe this project is going to be a really great addition to the community.”
        Summers said he and his supporters see the project, which is only in its initial development, becoming a centerpiece for Fayetteville. “We think it will help grow the east side of downtown and give the community something to be very proud of,” he added.
        The word community comes quickly to Summers’ lips. That’s why he sought out community partners for this event. Cumberland County Communicare is the event’s nonprofit partner. The agency is selling tickets and is keeping a percentage of ticket sales to help fund its work in the community. “What they do in our community — for children who are in need of guidance and support — made a lot of sense to us, and we wanted them to be a part of this event,” said Summers.
        The partnership with Docks made a lot of sense as well. The two companies share a common audience, families, and a common mission, entertainment. “Docks wanted to get involved and they were willing to donate a $5 game card for every ticket purchased,” said Summers. “We see that as a great value, because families are really getting their tickets for $3 with the game card for use at a later date.”
        Valerie Jackson, of Docks, is excited about the event and the partnership. “This event is really exciting because it is for children. It’s for families and we are a family entertainment center,” said Jackson. “This is a way for us to reach out to our community. And we are glad to support the efforts at Campbellton Landing and happy to see them join our community.”
        Summers said this is only the first of many events at the landing. There will also be a Christmas-themed festival later this year. Next year, when the site is up and running, local residents can expect to see a full calendar of events at the landing with everything from concerts to plays to festivals. In all, organizers are expecting to put on 30 to 35 events.
        The event runs Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of October. On Saturdays, Truman’s Pumpkin Patch is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased in advance at the Riverside Outdoor Store, Docks or through Communicare.
        For more information, call Docks at 423-6257.

    {mosimage} 

  • Conan the Barbarian(Rated R)  Two Stars09-07-11-movie.jpg

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 10 Charlie and Snoopy copyThe Gilbert Theater opened the 2019-2020 season with “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” based on the comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz. The show, which launched its 26th season, brings the familiar fun of Charlie Brown and his friends to a new audience, while thrilling the inner child of older audience members with a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The show runs through Oct. 6.

    Linda Flynn, the stage designer, kept things simple with a sunny background, reminiscent of the original comic look. The actors carry the few props they use in and out of each scene as necessary. But they didn’t skimp on tradition. Schroeder’s piano, Lucy’s psychiatric advice booth and Linus’s blanket all feature prominently throughout the play.

    The production also stayed close to tradition with the costumes. Lucy is in a blue dress, Sally wears pink and Charlie Brown is unmistakable in his iconic yellow tee shirt with brown zig zags. Their characters are as familiar as a childhood friend.

    The cast dazzled the audience. 18-year-old Dan Follett was irresistible as Charlie Brown. He plays the anxiety-ridden character perfectly and has the audience in tears as he pines for the ‘red-head girl’ from beneath a brown paper bag.
    Jennifer Czechowski is the delightfully bossy, Lucy. She bounces back and forth between know-it-all psychologist and lovestruck schoolgirl pining away for Schroeder with ease.

    Gage Long plays Schroeder, the tortured artist who’s more infatuated with Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” than Lucy’s attention-seeking moves. His character seems hopelessly out of place when he’s not banging on his beloved keyboard.
    Caryn Festa plays Sally. Her platinum ringlets and fluffy pink dress notwithstanding, she’s the most adult-like character in the bunch with an innate ability to manipulate everyone from the teacher to Snoopy.

    LeeAnn Valcarcel is Snoopy, America’s most beloved pet. Whether she’s lounging on top of the doghouse or chasing rabbits with Sally, she’s delightfully sarcastic and always manages to appear cooler than the humans.

    And finally, Quentin King steals the show as Linus. His lispy line delivery juxtaposed with his four-syllable dialogue were charming. Who else could deliver a five-minute dissertation on the psychological similarities between a security blanket and an adult’s hobby? And he truly believes he can walk away. “It’s a cozy sanctuary but it’s far from necessary, ‘Cause I’m just as self-reliant as before. As a simple demonstration of my independent station, I will go and leave my blanket on the floor.” Until he realizes he can’t.

    The entire cast warbles through each song, slightly off key but with the enthusiasm only a school-aged child could deliver. And they bounce from one scene to another, staying only long enough to remind you of some long-forgotten conversation, maybe on the playground or in your best friend’s back yard. And then they’re off again, bouncing around your childhood memories and hitting all the hot spots.

    For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.GilbertTheater.com.
     
  •  09 Heritage FestivalAs its name implies, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s annual Heritage Festival, to be held Oct. 5 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., is a throw-back to earlier and perhaps less complicated times. Held in the McCauley Heritage Garden and featuring a fully restored 1880 farmhouse and general store, the festival celebrates life on a turn-of-the-century farm. 2019 marks the 16th annual Heritage Festival, CFBG’s oldest annual event.

    This year, the Garden is partnering with the Cumberland County North Carolina Cooperative Extension Office to produce the festival, which will be sponsored by Ed’s Tire and Auto Service and Holt Oil Company.

     In keeping with the period, according to Sheila Hanrick, director of marketing and events for CFBG, “Activities (will) include butter churning, pumpkin decorating, corn husk doll making, beeswax candle making, games, crafts and more. We will also have a scarecrow-building contest that attendees can enter for prizes. Some of the activities will require an additional fee. The Garden will be selling roasted sweet potatoes, along with all the trimmings like butter, cinnamon sugar, marshmallows and more.

     “Vendors of handmade crafts and food items will also be a part of Heritage Festival. And we will have two food trucks participating: My Daddy’s BBQ and Cedar Creek Fish Farm. James Creek Cider House will be on-site selling cider and hard cider.”
     On hand will also be a petting zoo from Carolina Fun Factory and ax-throwing by Axes and Armor. Keeping the crowd entertained throughout the event will be the bluegrass band, Cumberland County Line and the Young Warriors Praise Team Native American Dancers from Robeson County as well as cloggers from Kerry’s Dance Beat in Eastover.

     According to Hanrick, CFBG focuses on educating the community and helping people reconnect with nature. “All proceeds raised through our public events, including the Heritage Festival, go back into supporting our education programs,” said Hanrick. “Our vision is to transform people’s relationship with nature and help them connect with the natural world. We are a beautiful green space for people to leave stress behind and come reconnect.”

     To that end, CFBG hosts over 7,000 school children each year. It also sponsors a Therapeutic Horticulture program that serves people of all abilities in partnership with the U.S.O. of N.C, Wounded Warrior Program, CFV Cancer Center, Service Source, Vision Resource Center and several long-term care facilities in Cumberland County. CFBG also provides adult education classes and various horticultural workshops yearly.

    “Heritage Festival is a fun event that provides an opportunity to step back in time,” said Hanrick. “Come out and play a game of checkers on the front porch, sip some cider, enjoy some food and listen to great music.”

     Heritage Festival admission is free for members of CFBG. General admission for nonmembers is $5 for adults and $3 for children 6-12 with children five and under admitted free. Special note should be made of the 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. festival time as it differs from past years. For further information, visit the CFBG website at www.capefearbg.org.
     
  • The Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County will host the 41st International Folk Festival Sept. 28 and 29. IFF packs an amazing amount of diversity into the two-day festival.


    The longest running festival in the region gives the Arts Council an opportunity to introduce Fayetteville to the unique variety of original artistic traditions from dozens of diverse cultures. Fort Bragg brings many people to our community from all over the world so many of these cultures are represented in the Fayetteville community.


    The festival kicks off Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with the Parade of Nations on Hay Street. Experience the distinct and vibrant cultures of more than 30 nations as representatives parade down Hay Street wearing their native dress.


    Following the parade, head to Festival Park and take in seven unique cultural performance areas with craft and food vendors. Enjoy authentic cuisine, live performances, arts, crafts and vendors from around the world.


    Saturday night’s festivities include Rocksplosion! — the ultimate rock star tribute show. It is one band with four distinct performances, representing Madonna, Tina Turner, Bon Jovi and Jimmy Buffet.


    Sunday’s events begin at 1 p.m. with Praise in the Park, a performance of 10 praise and worship dance groups and 10 faith-based choirs. It concludes with the 6 p.m. performance of gospel sensation, Yael Hilton. Hilton, a Fayetteville native, has a powerful voice reminiscent of Nina Simone.


    In addition to the cultural performances, the schedule includes live demonstrations from area artist, mimes, aerialists, drum circles, performance art, belly dancers, storytelling, fiddle players, magicians, balloon artists, painters, fire dancers and traditional American blues performances.


    This year, the Art Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County has teamed up with the Grandstand App to provide attendees with the best festival experience. Download the app through your app store to find maps of the performance areas, lists of vendors and show times. The app lets you share information through your social media accounts, add to your list of events and add events to your personal calendar so you don’t miss a single thing. It’s available for iPhones at  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grandstand-events/id1196052305 and for Android devices at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grandstand.grandstandfa. For more information about the International Folk Festival visit http://www.theinternationalfolkfestival.com

  • 13 01 HamLITFayetteville is a unique place, so when Up & Coming Weekly Publisher Bill Bowman decided to resurrect the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre after a more than 35-year hiatus, he knew it would have to be something special.  And is it ever. Each event includes much more than dinner and a show. From music to prizes, games, a meet-and-greet reception and much more, the FDT offers an experience like none other in the area — and all for the benefit of area theatergoers and Cumberland County education. FDT supports the Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation, a 501c3 that provides reading and educational resources to local children and teachers. The second show of the 2019-2020 season, “HamLIT,” runs Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28.
     
    “Our local residents shouldn’t have to drive to Greensboro or Raleigh for good dinner theater entertainment,” said Bowman. “That’s why we’ve gone out of our way to make this a very special and unique experience people will want to
    come back to  time and time again.”
     
    To accomplish this, Bowman has partnered up with some of the community’s most prestigious businesses and organizations to bring this production to fruition. Sponsored by Worldwide Wellness LLC and Up & Coming Weekly and hosted by Gates Four Country Club,  “HamLIT”  is performed by local theater troupe Sweet Tea Shakespeare.
     
    13 02 DSC 8534 “HamLIT” is Shakespeare with a twist and brings great theater, hijinks, games and more to theater audiences. It’s definitely Shakespeare but with a few hearty toasts, period games, improv, lively music and lots and lots of humor thrown in for good measure. Bowman described it as “bold and irreverent with notes of tragedy balanced only by uproarious hilarity for adult audiences.”
     
    “Expect a little craziness and a lot of fun,” said Nathan Pearce, one of the show’s three directors. “We take it down to the bare bones of the plot and fill it with improv and games. … We really like to have audience interaction. We want the audience to feel like they are part of the story, that they aren’t just watching it. We want them to join in the fun. We want them to sing along — we will do songs everyone knows. It is like a big party.”
     
    Taj Allen is also on board as codirector and Hamlet, with codirector Traycie Zapata also playing the part of Gertrude. Pearce fills several roles, including codirector, Claudius and The Ghost. Brandon Bryan is Polonius, Nelson Soliva plays Horatio as well as a musician, and Jacqueline Nunweiler plays Laertes as her first role in an STS production. Mary Gainer Mariyampillai plays Ophelia for her STS debut, and Dean Dibling has the role of musician.
     
    Ed Wiens, owner of Worldwide Wellness LLC,  is proud to support the endeavor. “Friends and acquaintances throughout history have found common ground in theater entertainment,” said 13 03Wiens. “Though times and technology have certainly changed, the gathering of community members around the ‘watering hole’ of good theatrical entertainment is an enduring part of the human experience. (My wife) Rebekah and I are pleased to enhance that experience for our fellow Fayettevillians. … Though our business is global, we live in Fayetteville and want to do all we can to enrich the lives of people in our community.”
     
    The Fayetteville Dinner Theatre experience includes a preshow reception with hors d’oeuvres; a full-service cash bar and wine tasting, a duel entrée dinner with two sides, a salad and rolls; and coffee, tea and specialty desserts at intermission.
     
    The 2019-2020 season opened May 31 with “’M’ is for Mullet, ” a whodunit written and directed by Elaine Alexander and featuring  The Hot Mess players with special guest KasCie Page.
    “It went quite well,” Gates Four general manager Kevin Lavertu said of the first production of the year. “It was very interactive. Members and guests took part in it, and there was a tremendous amount of positive feedback, which is why we are excited to continue hosting the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre.”
     
    Gates Four Golf and Country Club
     
    13 04 HamlitBuilt in 1968 and owned by the same family since 1974, Gates Four is a residential and golfing community beautifully located between Hope Mills and Fayetteville. It hosts a challenging 18-hole championship golf course that includes both new bent-grass greens and renovated bunkers. It features a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse, a first-class restaurant, two USTA tennis courts, an outdoor pavilion, a 10-acre park with walking and fitness trails and an Olympic-sized pool. 
    “As we continue to grow, we are always looking for opportunities to provide high-quality events and entertainment options to residents, members and their guests,” said Lavertu. “We are glad to be a part of the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre and look forward to our partnership in 2020 and beyond.”
     
    Sweet Tea Shakespeare Company
     
    Inspired by Shakespeare and the early modern spirit, Sweet Tea Shakespeare serves up accessible, imaginative and magical theater along with music, familiarity and fellowship. Unlike other local theaters, STS does not have a permanent venue or building to perform in — and they kind of like it that way.
     
    “Half of our season takes place outdoors,” said STS general manager Jennifer Pommerenke. “We also try to make our shows more of a party. … We play live music before every show. It’s basically like a backyard barbecue where a play breaks out. We try to really connect with our audiences and bring them into the show, make them a ‘character’ almost.” 
     
    Dinner parties lean toward friends and family coming together to have a good time, a fun time, a memorable time, making STS a perfect pairing for the FDT. “You have the music in the background, the food and beverages, and you simply enjoy being in the same place together,” said Pommerenke. “I believe our shows create that atmosphere. Our shows are beautiful and fun to watch. We try incredibly hard to make these beautiful classic stories authentic and relevant and delightful.”
     
    “With an awesome show, talented actors, a reception, a great dinner, door prizes and entertainment — all culminating with a post-show meet-and-greet — we strive to provide a very unique dinner theatre experience” said Bowman. “It’s all about providing local theater audiences what they pay for — awesome entertainment at a great value.”
     
    Tickets range from $75/$85 per person with special discounts for Seniors 65+ and active-duty military. Group discounts are also available. To learn more about the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre, make reservations or check show dates and times visit www.fayettevilledinnertheatre.com, all social media formats or call 910-391-3859.
     
    “HamIT” offers games, songs, great theater and more.
    Photo Credit: Ben Walton
  • 12 Charlie BrownThe Peanuts characters come to life in Clark Gesner’s adaptation of Charles M. Schultz’s classic comic strip in the musical, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Audiences will enjoy the regular Peanuts storyline with the ever-bossy Lucy, who is still trying to get Schroeder’s attention regardless of whether or not he notices her. Then there’s Sally who’s still picking on her crush, Linus, who of course doesn’t go anywhere without his blanket. And finally, there’s Snoopy and Charlie Brown. Snoopy still has his doghouse and still lives out his dream of being the Red Baron, and Charlie Brown is, well, his lovable self. And they will all be at Gilbert Theater Sept. 20-Oct.6. 

     
    The role of Sally Brown is played by Caryn Festa. When asked why she wanted to audition, she said, “I haven’t been on the stage since high school, and I love performing.” She was ecstatic to learn she got the role of Sally. She is grateful for the support of her family and hopes everyone that comes to the show thoroughly enjoys it!
     
    The role of Linus is played by Quentin King. King has played in multiple performances at the Gilbert. Being in this musical reminds him of his childhood and how he used to watch the cartoons and read the comics. It’s definitely nostalgic. He thanks his family for their never-ending love and support.
     
    Lucy is played by Jennifer Czechowski. Jennifer has been a part of Gilbert productions in the past, and with the encouragement of her mom, husband and best friend, she decided to audition for this musical. It’s family friendly and fun.

    Gage Long plays the Schroeder. Long is thrilled to be in this production because it’s fun and the cast is great. He’s excited to bring the character of Schroeder to life.

     
    LeeAnn Valcarcel plays Snoopy. Valcarcel said this has been her favorite show for a long time. It was the first musical she put on at Fayetteville Academy, where she is the choir director. “This show has a bright spot, and I hope the audience experiences that when they watch it,” she said.
     
    Valcarcel is grateful for the support she receives from her family and friends, especially her children.
     
    Dan Follett is Charlie Brown. Follett is a freshman at Fayetteville State University and has been a fan of this show for as long as he can remember. He feels he is growing as a performer, and he loves his fellow cast members, plus the amazing directing team. He wants the audience to know that this show has a wonderful message about happiness. “That even when life is particularly hard, you can find happiness in the simple things that surround you,” Follett said.

    The production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” runs Sept. 20-Oct. 6. Ticket prices range from $14 to $16, or $10 with groups of 10 or more. Visit www.gilberttheater.com for tickets and information.

  • 11 RivermistMusic and food trucks? Yes, please. Especially after a long week of adulting. Get your planners out now and mark Sept. 20 as a night out — either with friends and family or just by yourself. The Dogwood Festival’s Fayetteville After Five is the perfect place to spend a Friday night, being entertained while eating some great-tasting food truck fare. Gates open at 5 p.m., and food trucks will begin serving food at 5:30 p.m. The opening band, Throwback Collaboration Band, begins playing at 6 p.m.

     
    Local favorite, Rivermist, is the headliner for the show. Up & Coming Weekly had the opportunity to chat with Greg Adair, drummer and back-up vocals for the band, and he shared what being a part of the Dogwood Festival Fayetteville After Five event means to the band.
     
    UCW: Is this your first time being the headliner for Fayetteville After Five?
     
    GA: Yes. No local band has ever headlined. According to Dogwood’s Curtis Jordan, it was due to our success fronting bands there the last couple of years and a large following of 3,700 people.
     
    UCW: What’s your favorite thing about performing in Fayetteville? 
     
    GA: The Festival Park Stage is a huge platform. All of our friends, and even families, can see us locally — and on the greatest stage Fayetteville offers.
     
    UCW: What’s the schedule of the performance for the evening?
     
    GA: The band playing ahead of us, Throwback Collaboration Band, is an R&B band from Fort Bragg. They played at the Dogwood Festival in the spring. They will start the evening off at 6 p.m. and play until 7:30 p.m. We will take the
    stage around 7:45 p.m. and play until around 10:15 p.m.
     
    UCW: What is it about Fayetteville that keeps you and the band here?
     
    GA: All of us, but one, are from the Fayetteville area. Cliff Bender, the guitar player, was from Ohio but has been here more than 20 years. Allen Pier, the singer-keyboard player, and I graduated from Cape Fear High School. Doug Bass, also a singer-keyboard player, graduated from South View. Bassist Tony Harrison graduated from Pine Forest and then University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a music major and owns Cape Fear Music downtown.

    Plus, we are all family men. Our wives and families are friends. They go with us on as many trips as possible. We are huge advocates of our military and first responders and tend to sing the National Anthem in many of our shows, acapella. We love to sing harmonies as a hobby.

     
    We are in partnership with Healy Wholesale, 96.5BobFM and with Boose Law Offices. We will have almost 70 shows — mostly festivals and After 5-type events — across three states by the time 2019 ends.

    I do the booking and contracts and am a full-time musician. We are booked through three agencies as well. We are always thankful for what we’re blessed with and are very receptive to fans everywhere. As far as genre, we play everything from Eagles and Journey to Earth Wind & Fire and Bruno Mars.
     

    Check our updated schedule at “http://www.rivermistband.com/tour-dates”  www.rivermistband.com/tour-dates.

     
    Call 910-323-1934 to find out more about Fayetteville After 5.
  •     OK, I give up. I met a guy online. He said I was very pretty (and I actually look like my pictures). We talked several times, and had lots in common, so I took a train to where he lives and he drove us to a baseball game. Let me be clear: At no time did it seem he wasn’t enjoying himself. We laughed and flirted. He even mentioned a second date. Then it happened. In the eighth inning, after we’d each had four beers, he went to the bathroom. The ninth inning starts, and he’s not back. The game ends. He’s still gone. He left this voicemail on my phone: “Hey, I’m across the street at a bar called...” I call him a few times. No answer. So, I text him, “What kind of person leaves a woman stranded at a baseball game?!” He responds, “A bad one.” Sigh. I’m always attracting losers. What the hell did I do to deserve this one?
                                      —Stunned


        At baseball games, a lot of people cut out early to beat the rush. Maybe this guy drank so much that he did that — and then, at the bar, remembered, “Oh, crap, I was on a date!”
        What kind of person leaves a woman stranded at a baseball game? “A bad one,” sure. Beyond that, my guess? A thrifty drunk. Maybe he needs to be hammered to feel OK on a date, or maybe his one true love is a girl named Bud. At stadium prices, eight beers (assuming he bought yours) could approach 60 bucks. And maybe because he was only halfway to Hammertown, and you’re a near-stranger from the Internet, he found it easier to exercise casual cruelty. The devil on one shoulder said, “Can’t wait till this night’s over and I dump her off at the train station!” The devil on the other snapped, “Why wait? To hell with her, we’re going to the bar!”
        There’s an ideal time to find out a guy’s all “Every day’s an alcoholiday for me!” and it isn’t when he’s your ride back to the train. On a first date, you should always have a getaway car. First dates should be short, easy on the wallet, and local — a couple hours for coffee or drinks as opposed to dinner or a deep-sea fishing trip.
        Any woman can trip over a man with problems. When you do, do you keep him? That’s a problem. If you’re drawn to men with problems, that’s a problem. If you just aren’t paying attention, you have to start. People usually give you clues as to who they really are — in conversation and online. Do your best to spot them, but don’t take it personally when dates turn out to be duds.
  • 10 Vision Resource CenterThe Vision Resource Center, Cape Fear Eye Associates and Systel present the Seventh Annual “Out of Sight” Night at the Park, Saturday, Sept. 21, from 6-10 p.m. at Segra Stadium on the VIP deck.

     
    “The purpose of the event this year is to help us reach our birth-to-13-years-of-age population of kids,” said Terri Thomas, executive director of The Vision Resource Center. “The state does not take on kids until they are 14 years of age, so this money will be going toward building that program.”
     
    Thomas added they want to be able to work more with the families and equip them with the tools they need so that, as their kid gets older, they will be able to handle life’s stresses and be there for them without the fears and lack of knowledge that many of the parents have.
     
    The event will have heavy hors d’oeuvres. The dress code is cocktail attire. Kelvin “The Greek” Culbreth will be the master of ceremonies for the event. The Guy Unger Band will provide entertainment. Quince Lanford, known as DJ “Q,” will be the DJ for the evening.
     
    “We are going to have a few vendors on-site,” said Thomas. “We will have Quintex Low Vision and Visual Eyez Future Technology. They will be there showing different low vision aids for people to try on to see what it is like to have visual impairments.
     
    “Hollywood Java will be there for coffee tasting. We are going to have people put on blindfolds and taste different coffees,” said Thomas. “We will have them pick their favorite coffees based on taste and smell.”
     
    She added that there will be a variety of experiences at the event. “We will have blindfolds out there, but we will have simulation glasses, too. So guests can experience different simulations of what it is like to have diabetic retinopathy and other types of eye diseases.
     
    They will simulate different vision-related disease in the glasses. “You won’t be completely blind,” said Thomas. “It will show and educate people that just because you say you have a visual impairment does not mean that you are black blind, or completely blind.”
     
    Participants will have an opportunity to play the “Game of Chance” at the event. Some of the prizes include N.C. State/Carolina game tickets, spa packages, a trip to Vegas, family fun nights, cruises and more.
     
    “With the Game of Chance Raffle, you will purchase tickets that are $10 apiece,” said Thomas. “We are going to start with the lowest valued prize, and all during the night, we will pull raffle tickets. As that raffle item is called, we will go to the next one, and you will have a few minutes  to purchase your $10 ticket for the next item that is up for grabs.”
     
    The goal is to raise $30,000 for the whole event and $10,000 the night of the event.
     
    “My main goal is to teach individuals what visual impairment is not and that it doesn’t mean you are completely blind,” said Thomas. “We want people to walk away with a better awareness of what it is like to be visually impaired.”        
     
    “Systel is going to allow us to use their back parking lot for the event,” said Thomas. “We will  provide a courtesy shuttle service from the parking lot to the event. The event this year is not going to be a formal sit-down affair like before. It will be low-key. There will be a lot of mingling and people learning more about the Vision Resource Center.”
    Tickets cost $75. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 910-483-2719 or visit www.visionresourcecentercc.org.
  • 09 Donna Dynamos GuysThere is a party happening here in Fayetteville that you do not want to miss! Rising to the challenge yet again, Cape Fear Regional Theater, under the auspices of Artistic Director Mary Kate Burke, kicked off the 2019-2020 theater season with “Mamma Mia!” easily rivaling last year’s “Music City” opener.
     

    Among the night’s outstanding performances were those turned in by Scenic Designer Sarah Harris and Scenic Artist David Rawlins, who managed to make an entire Greek island resort, including the surrounding sea, come breathtakingly alive. The movie version’s soundstage didn’t do it any better. And the movie version didn’t offer theatergoers an onstage bar, which really got the party going.

     With music and lyrics by Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Stig Anderson and a book by Catherine Johnson, credit the able direction of Suzanne Agins, along with the choreography of Ryan Migge, and the sterling performance of Zeek Smith and his orchestra for keeping the show fast-paced, lively and fun. Along with the accessible bar, using the theater’s aisles to help stage several dance numbers further engaged the audience as active party participants. And those ABBA songs never grow old, some of them being a party unto themselves.

     
    “Mamma Mia!” tells the story of Sophie, a 20-year-old who invites three men from her mother’s past to her wedding with the hope of discovering which one of them is her father. Alexa Cepeda, making her CFRT debut, played Sophie, and hers was consistently the strongest voice of the evening. In addition to her vocal talent, she infused her character with sparkling charm.

    Joanne Javien played Donna, Sophie’s mother, with the dramatic passion one would expect from the lead of Donna and the Dynamos, her throw-back 70s trio. Her rendition of “The Winner Takes It All” was superb. Heather Setzler played Tanya, the seductive member of the trio, and had fun with her “Does Your Mother Know” number. Nicki Hart played Rosie, the third Dynamo, and managed to be funny, sexy and a little bit vulnerable as she propositioned Bill, one of Donna’s former lovers, to “Take a Chance on Me.”

    Graham Stevens, Brent Schraff and Jock Brocki, playing Donna’s past loves and Sophie’s prospective fathers, worked well in the backup male roles as did Simon Schaitkin, who plays Sophie’s fiancé. The Ensemble, composed of multitalented players, delivered stellar vocal backup and dance moves.

    The entire production consistently drew cheers and thunderous applause, and the finale had the entire theater audience up and dancing in their seats.

    “Mamma Mia!” runs through Oct. 6 with both evening and matinee performances scheduled. Also, there will be bonus preshow features such as Greek Night, 70s Nights and discounts for Military and Teacher Appreciation Nights. For bonus and discount details, as well as a schedule of performance times, dates and ticket prices, visit www.cfrt.org.

  • 11 CCGOLFCLASSICLOGO2019RichardsonlogoOne thing is certain about this year’s 51st edition of the Cumberland County Golf Championship. New winners will be crowned in both the men’s and women’s divisions of the tournament. That’s because last year’s champions, Spencer Oxendine for the men and Angelique Seymour for the women, are competing at the college level. Congratulations to 2018 Cumberland County Golf Championship champion Spencer Oxendine, who has good reason for being unable to defend his title this year. Oxendine, a freshman on the golf team at North Carolina State, has earned a spot on the Wolfpack’s traveling team in his first year playing golf there. Oxendine is at North Carolina State and Seymour is at UNC-Pembroke. Both have commitments the weekend of the tournament, Sept. 13-15, that will prevent them from defending their titles.

    But the golfers who were closest to them in the final scores all return to hopefully face a challenge that was denied last year’s field when bad weather forced the tournament to be rescheduled and cut to two days.

    This year’s three-day event will open at Fort Bragg’s Stryker Golf Course for the first time and conclude with two rounds at Gates Four Golf and Country Club. “Everybody is excited about going out to Stryker,’’ said Up & Coming Weekly publisher Bill Bowman, the tournament’s director since 2016. “It is going to be at Stryker this year, and we hope it will be at other courses next year.’’

    Bowman said work is continuing to build participation in the women’s division, which attracted eight participants last year.

    To help boost the women’s field, Bowman said play was cut to 36 holes again, while adding a separate age division for more experienced golfers and shortening some of the holes. “The important thing is we carry on the tradition of recognizing the best golfers in Cumberland County,’’ he said. “I would say very few communities in the country can brag on the fact they’ve got a golf tournament that’s 51 years old.’’ 

    Stryker

    Stryker Golf Course professional Jeff Johnson said the Fayetteville community has always been welcome to play at the course on Fort Bragg, but adding it to the Cumberland County Golf Championship will make the course and its regular players feel like a part of the golfing community in Fayetteville.

    Johnson said he hopes the tournament will showcase the Stryker course and encourage people to play it and Fort Bragg’s other course, Ryder.

    For those not familiar with Stryker, the course is a 1946 Donald Ross layout that plays about 6,625 yards normally. It features Cumberland County’s longest hole, the 625-yard par-five fourth hole, which Johnson said won’t play that long for the tournament.

    The biggest difference for golfers at Stryker will be the greens, which are Bermuda, compared to the bentgrass at Gates Four.

    Johnson said the speed of the Stryker greens will be slower than what golfers experience at Gates Four. They will also have to take grain into consideration when chipping and putting.

    For those who have never been to Stryker, Johnson said you head north on Bragg Boulevard and keep going until you dead end in the Stryker parking lot on your left.

    There are no security gates to pass through to enter the course, Johnson said, as the Army intentionally left the golf course and the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds outside the containment area when security was tightened after 9/11. 

    Gates Four

     Gates Four general manager Kevin Lavertu agreed with Johnson that moving from the Bermuda to the bent grass greens at Gates Four will require the players to make adjustments.

    “More than 50% of the strokes in a round of golf are taken on the greens,’’ Lavertu said. “The ball reaction speed of the greens and adjusting will be key.’’

    He said the players who adjust the quickest will be the ones moving up the leaderboard.

    After a hot July, Lavertu said Gates Four is in excellent shape for the tournament. He added the course has undergone few changes in recent years and has been kept in a maintaining mode. He’s hopeful the course will be dryer and not as tough as it was for last year’s tournament.

    “The course will play a little bit shorter day one and day two at both places,’’ Lavertu said. “That’s just a product of trying to set the same yardage at both courses for round one and two to get a good baseline of players.’’

    Last year, Oxendine won the men’s division with a two-day score of 74-72-146. Lavertu is hopeful this year’s winner will be able to shoot from 6 to 8-under par if the weather is good. 

    Men’s Championship

     Familiar names were among the top contenders for last year’s men’s title, and they will return again this season to see if they can continue to be among the best in the field.

    Gary Robinson and Thomas Owen tied for second place behind Oxendine last year, both shooting a 151 total for the two-day tournament. Billy West was alone in fourth one shot 

    back at 152.

    Owen has finished second for two years in a row. If he has a concern about this year’s tournament, it’s his lack of familiarity with Stryker. “I haven’t played Stryker since I was 10 or 12 years old,’’ he said.

    He likes the idea of competing on two different courses, calling it a tougher test that will see the best players rise to the top.

    “Two different courses might test different parts of your game and how you can manage around a different golf course,’’ he said. “It makes you make adjustments, and usually the better players make those adjustments.’’

    Owen said he hopes to borrow a page from former champion Billy West, who consistently avoids making bad decisions early in the tournament.

    “You begin conservative and make smart plays,’’ Owen said, “not always whipping out your driver and trying to hit the miracle shot. Just kind of plug away being smart, and you’ll find a chance to win.’’

    Gary Robinson, like Owen, hasn’t played Stryker recently, going back some 30 years to his college days at Fayetteville State. “I’m not familiar with the grass, but I’m familiar with the layout,’’ he said. “Going from Gates Four to Stryker to Gates Four would be more of an adjustment than playing Stryker the first day.’’

    He said it could be a challenge for people not familiar with Bermuda grass to make the switch from Stryker to Gates Four.

    Robinson is normally upbeat about the county championship but said he’s only played about four tournaments this year compared to 15 most years. “The hardest thing for me is when you’re expected to do well,’’ he said. “A lot of times when I’m not expecting things is when I do better.’’

    Billy West has played amateur golf at the local, state and national level, but the Cumberland County Golf Championship remains his annual favorite. “At the gas station the next morning or at work, everybody is congratulating you or saying, sorry to see you lost by a couple of shots,’’ West said. “I think that’s one of the things that makes it special.’’

    Now 45, West has been playing the CCGC since he was a teenager. He likes the challenge of playing on multiple courses over three days and thinks it produces the best champion.

    He has played Stryker some but never in a tournament. “It’s got some shorter holes,’’ he said. “There are some places where it can be kind of tight off the tee, and you can get into trouble.’’

    He said there’s a definite contrast between this year’s two courses. “At Gates Four, they’ve got larger greens, but they are kind of undulating, and they can do a lot with pin placements,” he said. “With it being in September, hopefully we get a little cooler weather and the greens are a little firmer and faster.’’

    He added putting and wedge play around the greens will be critical. 

    Women’s Championship

    Toni Blackwell has enjoyed a brilliant high school career for the Cape Fear girls’ golf team. With Angelique Seymour not playing in this year’s tournament, Blackwell is the top player back from 2018.

    “I’m looking forward to playing with the different women,’’ Blackwell said. “I get to learn from them and what they do. They enjoy the game.’’

    While there are a few holes at Gates Four that can be challenging, Blackwell thinks she’ll fare okay this year.

    “I think I can win,’’ she said. “I’ve got to play one hole at a time and stay focused.’’

    Dee Dee Jarman thinks the addition of a senior division for women 50 and over is a positive for the tournament that will help draw players.

    “Women’s golf is declining in this region,’’ she said. “It’s just hard to find women to play golf. Hopefully, this will help the numbers.’’

    Jarman said her game is not good right now, but she plans to play to support women’s golf in the county. “It’s all about keeping women involved in the game of golf,’’ she said.

    Patricia Joyce has been playing golf some 50 years she said, and winning also isn’t her No. 1 concern. “I play golf for the camaraderie and the fun,’’ she said. “I like to compete, but I like the socializing, too, and I think the other women do, too. It’s a fun, fun time.’’

    Joyce thinks the two-day format for women is good because the tournament is limited to the weekend and no one has to take time off from work. 

    She also was glad the holes were shortened at Gates Four.

    Joyce said she’s fairly consistent with her driver and irons but has problems with putting. “I’d like to break 90 both days,’’ she said. “I think I’ve got a chance in both divisions.’’

    Win or lose, Joyce will enjoy the weekend. “It’s nice to meet people, see people and maybe make connections you’ll play with down the line,’’ she said.

    For more information, call Bill Bowman at 910-391-3859 or visit https://www.cumberlandcountygolfclassic.com/.

  •  08 Mamma Mia 2Get ready to have those upbeat ABBA disco ditties rollicking around in your head once again as Cape Fear Regional Theater brings “Mamma Mia!” to town … with a twist. Opening Sept. 12, and running through Oct. 6, the production promises to be a party for all. With music and lyrics by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson and the book by Catherine Johnson, “Mamma Mia!” will be directed by Suzanne Agins and choreographed by Ryan Migge. 

     Audiences can look forward to a few twists — and some bonus content — in CFRT’s production of the story of a soon-to-be-married 20-year-old who writes to three men from her mother’s past, inviting them to her wedding to find out which one is her father. “When ‘Mamma Mia!’ was first performed in 1999, 20 years ago was the 70s,” said Agins. “Twenty years ago now is the 90s.” 

     This will be Agins’ third time directing a CFRT production, having previously directed “Dreamgirls” and “Memphis.” “It is such a joy to form these relationships over time,” Agins said of her experience working with CFRT casts, which also include many local actors and actresses. 

    Migge is a self-styled “Cape Fear virgin” as this will be his first time choreographing a CFRT production. “I am especially excited to be teaching Waterloo,” Migge said, referring to Megamix Night Sept. 9, from 6-7 p.m., when theatergoers will have the opportunity pre-show to learn the choreography for the show’s finale so that they can “dance in the aisles with the cast.”

     “We are bringing back the onstage bar featured in ‘Music City,’” said Agins. “It was such an immersive experience with the audience, which made the energy level so high, and it carried over to the show.”

     Joanne Javien will play Donna, the bride’s mother. She studied opera in college in New York and has been acting for over 15 years. Nicki Hart will play Rosie, Donna’s friend. Hart came to Fayetteville as a military spouse in 2000 and has appeared in CFRT productions ever since, her most recent appearance being in “Music City.” Heather Setzler will play Tanya, another friend of Donna’s. Although she worked in TV news for 20 years and has appeared in Wilmington and Raleigh theater, this will be her first appearance on the CFRT stage. 

     Sarah Harris, costume designer for “Annie,” will design the set for “Mamma Mia!” Costumes will be designed by Claudia Stephens, who was CFRT Artistic Director Mary Kate Burke’s professor at Southern Methodist University and previously designed the costumes for “Sense and Sensibility.” Costume associate, Janice Rabian will assist Stephens. Zeke Smith will direct the same band of local musicians who played for last season’s “Memphis.” 

     In addition to Megamix Night, there will be other events associated with “Mamma Mia!” For Greek Night on Sept. 12, from 6:30-7:15 p.m., patrons are encouraged to wear their letters and enjoy complimentary wine tasting before the show. For 70s Night, on Sept. 13 and 27, from 6:30-7:15 p.m., come dressed in 70s attire and enjoy the onstage bar and some groovy tunes. Opening Night Dance Party takes place on Sept. 14, beginning after the show at 10 p.m. Sept. 18 is Military Appreciation Night and Sept. 20 is Teacher Appreciation Night; both feature a 25% ticket discount with appropriate ID. 

     Don’t miss “Mamma Mia!” — the party that kicks off CFRT’s 2019-2020 season. For performance dates, times and ticket prices, visit the CFRT website at www.CFRT.org. 

  •  12 Greek FestThe Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church present the 29th Annual Greek Festival Friday, Sept. 13, through Sunday, Sept. 15, at 614 Oakridge Ave., in the heart of Haymount. 

    The festival will take place Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday from noon-6 p.m. 

     Greece is a country that is rich in history, culture, traditions and religion. Greeks are proud of their rich culture and take pride in the contributions they have made to the world. “The purpose of the Greek Festival is to share our Greek culture with Fayetteville — it is our way of giving back to the Fayetteville community,” said Dina Goodson, co-chair of the Greek Fest. “We have a long relationship with the Fayetteville community that has been phenomenal, and they have been very supportive of our church and every endeavor we’ve ever undertaken.” 

     12 02 Greek festival copyGoodson added the festival is a way for the Greek Orthodox congregation in Fayetteville to share their faith, food, culture, music and everything that is Greek. And it is a way for the community to learn about and enjoy Greek culture, food, traditions and more.

     “We believe so strongly in making the most of every day, of enjoying life to the fullest and sharing with one another whatever it may be,” Goodson said. “I am going back to simple times of my parents’ generation of sharing a glass of water, a piece of bread and when people believed in helping one another through life.” 

     She continued, “We enjoy good times, and we are with those when they are going through difficult times. We are just a loving and warm community that wants to lend a helping hand when needed.”

     Easter is the biggest and most important holiday in the Greek tradition. “Our church is the center of our life. That is how important our church is to us,” said Goodson. “The two main things that are important to us are religion and the family unit, so we instill those values in our children’s lives.” 

     The Greek diet is one that nutritionists have touted as healthy. It’s delicious, too. 12 03 20180909 144946And there will be plenty of it at the Greek Festival. The most popular Greek food is the gyro. Greek food and drinks are known for both their quality and taste.

     “We can enjoy our food and have a glass of wine or beer without it being a problem,” said Goodson. “People are most familiar with our fun food such as gyro sandwiches, Greek lamb plates, chicken lemonato plate with Greek rice, spanakopita, eight different pastries and foods you have not heard of. Nearly one half of one side of our church hall is going to be devoted to our Greek pastry area.”

     The Greek community loves to dance and perform traditional dances. This is a fun a lively component of the Greek Festival each year. “Two children’s dance troupes will be in full authentic Greek costumes and they will perform the traditional Greek dances,” said Goodson. 

    Authentic Greek music brings the island atmosphere to the event. “We are going to have our outside band, Nick Trivelas and A Night in Athens Trio, perform this year,” said Goodson. “They are a dynamic, exciting and energetic band who puts on a good performance. They will be outside in the main tent.”

     The most famous musical instrument from Greece is the bouzouki. “Inside there 12 04 Greek Festival cooking copywill be a bouzouki player,” said Goodson. “He has his own band, but he is coming by himself to be a soloist.” 

     The festival will host church tours led by Father Alexander Papagikos. There will be a raffle for two round trip tickets to Greece and cash prizes. There will be various vendors as well as a children’s area called the Athenian Playground, featuring a train that will travel around the perimeter of the church parking lot. There will also be bounce houses and more. 

    Gusts over 21 can enjoy authentic Greek wines and beers. Another favorite that Goodson is excited about is the ever-popular cooking classes If Greek cuisine is something you want to learn more about, there will be one class on Friday evening, two Saturday and one Sunday afternoon.

    If shopping sounds like a good time, don’t miss the vendor area. “There will be many vendors, and we will have a nationally known Greek artist who does beautiful paintings of the mainland and especially the islands,” said Goodson. “A lot of us have his paintings in our homes because his pictures are phenomenal. We are so excited to have him back.” 

     Goodson also noted that on the church patio, which is known as the plateia, there will be an alternate dining area for individuals to enjoy from 6:30-10 p.m. “So people can choose to take their food from the main tent,” said Goodson. “This is an area where we will be serving appetizer plates and the music is quieter.” The appetizer plates include spanakopita, feta cheese, dolmades, tzatziki, Kalamata olives, tomatoes and pita bread points. 

     “We will also have a Greek grocery store called a bakaliko,” said Goodson. “We are going to sell all kinds of items. We have added about 20 new items to the store.”

     Goodson added they will also have icons for sale such as the Saints, Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary. “Every year, we normally have three Greek vendors inside. This year, we have doubled it to six vendors,” said Goodson. “We are going to have a lot more going on inside. People will see jewelry, paintings, cards and all types of Greek souvenirs.” 

     The proceeds from the festival will be donated to various organizations. “Among the charities that we give to (are the) Autism Society, Boys and Girls Club, The Red Cross, Operation Inasmuch, The Vision Resource Center and The Salvation Army,” said Goodson. “Some of our proceeds will also go towards our building renovation project, which is currently underway.

     “We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy our Greek festival,” said Goodson. “We just want to give back to the city of Fayetteville.” 

     The festival is free and open to the public. For more information, call 910-484-2010. 

  • 11 blindboysSeptember is a busy month at the Givens Performing Arts Center in Pembroke, with two first-rate performances. The 2019-2020 season opens with the Blind Boys of Alabama on Sept. 12 followed by Extreme Illusions & Escapes Sept. 20.

    The Blind Boys of Alabama have been singing together for seven decades. In that time, America has experienced World War II, the civil rights movement and the Summer of Love; the moon landing, Vietnam and the fall of the Berlin Wall; John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X; the invention of the jukebox, the atomic bomb and the internet. And the Blind Boys have been there through it all, influencing music in the South and helping to shape musical culture that bridges two millennia. 

    The original band members met as children at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind and performed their way to the White House, entertaining three different presidents. The Blind Boys released their debut single “I Can See Everybody’s Mother But Mine,” in 1948. Since then, they’ve won five GRAMMY Awards, plus another recognizing them for their lifetime achievement. 

    According to the band’s website, The New York Times said that they “came to epitomize what is known as jubilee singing, a livelier breed of gospel music,” adding that “they made it zestier still by adding jazz and blues idioms and turning up the volume, creating a sound … like the rock ‘n’ roll that grew out of it.” TIME Magazine raved that “they’re always hunting for - and finding - the perfect note or harmony that lifts an old tune into the sublime,” while The Washington Post praised their “soul-stirring harmonies” and “range of cross-genre collaborations,” and The New Yorker simply called them “legendary.”

    “When the Blind Boys started out, we weren’t even thinking about all these accolades and all that stuff,” founding member Jimmy Carter told NPR. “We just wanted to get out and sing gospel and tell the world about gospel music.” 

    The Blind Boys of Alabama will be at GPAC Sept. 12. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Call 910-521-6361 or visit https://www.uncp.edu/resources/gpac/professional-artist-series/blind-boys-alabama for tickets and information.

    Extreme Illusions and Escapes fist came to GAPC in 2017. A raving hit two years ago, Josh Knotts and Lea are back with brand new acts. Winners of the 2016 Merlin Award and the 2016 Fair and Festival Entertainers of the Year Award, the pair will bring Las Vegas-style performances to the Sandhills.

    The high-energy shows, skillful escapes and large-scale illusions keep audiences spellbound.

    The Sept. 20 show at GPAC starts at 8 p.m. VIsit https://www.uncp.edu/resources/gpac/professional-artist-series/extreme-illusions-and-escapes to purchase tickets.

    Season tickets are available. Go for an upgrade and join the Act 1 Diner’s Club. The Diner’s Club includes dinner before specific performances, for just $35. 

    Menus include dinners like port wine poached pear, petite beef medallions with shrimp risotto, grilled asparagus and a red wine demi-glace, and New York- style cheesecake.

    The dinners are served in the Chancellor’s Dining room in the James B. Chavis Center. Order meal tickets at tickets.com, or call 910-521-6361. 

    Visit https://www.uncp.edu/resources/gpac/act-1-diners-club to learn more about Act 1.

  • 10 N1904P33007CThe CARE Clinic presents its 25th Annual CARE Clinic Golf Charity Thursday, Sept. 19, at Gates Four Golf & Country Club at 11 a.m. 

    “The Care Clinic is a nonprofit. We receive no government assistance,” said Cynthia Deere, development and marketing director of the Care Clinic. “It takes about $44,000 a month to keep our doors open, and we receive funds from grants, private donations, business donations and sponsorships from our three major fundraisers each year.”   

    Deere added the CARE Clinic’s biggest expense every month is pharmaceuticals because when someone comes in for high cholesterol, diabetes, sinus or a urinary tract infection, they are given the medication at the clinic at no cost. 

    “Last year was the first year that we did the Texas Scramble, and it was very well received because we were doing something different,” said Deere. “We have all of the contests that we have had in the past, such as Closest to the Pin, Hole-in-One, a Luigi’s Putting Contest and a Par 3 Poker Challenge.”   

    Deere added there will be a dinner and the awards will immediately follow the tournament. 

    The CARE Clinic provides free quality dental and medical healthcare, based on household income, to eligible uninsured, low-income adults who live in Cumberland County and the surrounding areas.     

    Registration for the tournament begins at 9:30 am. Each player will get a Titleist player pack. The cost for an individual to play is $300. A team of four individuals is $1,000. Sponsorships are available for purchase. For more information, to participate or to make a donation call Cynthia Deere at 910-485-0555, or email care@thecareclinic.org.

  • 09 LAF TRAIL AT RIVER MOST CROPPEDBy proclamation of the General Assembly, Fayetteville is “Where North Carolina celebrates Lafayette’s birthday.”

    The party this year takes place Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6 and 7. Sponsored by the Lafayette Society and the Transportation and Local History Museum, the celebration unfolds every year at several venues across the city the weekend after Labor Day. 

    The Marquis de Lafayette sailed from France in 1777 to fight for American independence as a major general under Gen. George Washington. He was given command of the Army of Virginia, and he was instrumental in the defeat of Cornwallis in the decisive battle at Yorktown in 1781. After returning home, Lafayette continued to fight for “government by the people” in the French Revolution and remained a steadfast advocate for human rights, especially the abolition of slavery. 

    Fayetteville is the “first and only” when it comes to Lafayette. It is the first city in the nation named for him — in 1783. And it is the only namesake city he actually visited — in 1825. 

    The birthday festivities begin Friday evening with “Arias and Artifacts” at Methodist University in Davis Memorial Library. “Friends in War, Friends in Peace” will honor two young men, separated in time by 200 years, who were determined to fight for liberty on foreign soil: Frenchman Marquis de Lafayette and Fayetteville native Pfc. William Mitchell “Billy” Shaw. A free program about these patriots of the American Revolution and World War II begins with refreshments at 5:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., the celebration moves to the Matthews Center on campus with “An American in Paris,” a lively hour of music highlighting composers who studied at the Conservatoire Américaine de Fontainebleau. Tickets for the concert cost $10 and may be purchased at the door or in advance at City Center Gallery & Books by calling 910-678-8899. 

    On Saturday, the Lafayette Trail Tour in downtown Fayetteville starts at 8:30 a.m. with coffee and croissants at the Museum of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry. On the tour, guests will see the places Lafayette visited in 1825. The expert narration by FILI Commander Bruce Daws will paint a picture of what the visit, with all its pageantry and celebrations, would have been like. Guests will have the rare opportunity to tour inside the historic Phoenix Masonic Lodge where Lafayette, a Free Mason, was entertained. A light lunch will be served at the lodge. The cost of the all-inclusive tour is $30 per person, $25 for students and teachers. Reservations are required — visit City Center Gallery & Books, or call 910-678-8899. 

    Also on Saturday, the Museum of the Cape Fear will celebrate Lafayette’s birthday and the American Revolution with the annual Festival of Yesteryear: Revolution on the Cape Fear, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Arsenal Park. In addition to numerous fun and educational activities for the whole family, this year’s event features professional actor Stephen Seals of Colonial Williamsburg portraying James Armistead Lafayette, an enslaved African American who served in the Continental Army as an aide under the Marquis de Lafayette. Admission is free, and there will be a Lafayette birthday cake-cutting at 1p.m. with free ice cream and cake at “Camp Lafayette” as long as it lasts. 

    The weekend celebration ends Saturday night with “Party Like You’re in Paris,” a free wine-tasting party at The Wine Café at 108 Hay St. from 6-8:30 p.m. There will be a variety of excellent but affordable French wines for tasting and purchase. This “virtual tour” of France has become a social highpoint of the summer for many people. 

    For more details about the Lafayette Birthday Celebration, visit www.lafayettesociety.org. 

    The Lafayette birthday celebration includes a Lafayette Trail tour hosted by Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Commander Bruce Daws.

  • 08 Color runRunners and walkers and people who just love bright colors are in for a treat. FTCC’s Department of Health & Fitness Science is hosting the Trojan Fit 5K color run on Saturday, Sept. 21. 

    Larzaris Butler, the department chair, explained that the money from the race will go toward scholarships. “It’s an inaugural run for the health and fitness science department. The money will go toward scholarships for people in the health and fitness science programs,” he said. Eventually, the department hopes these scholarships will grow into an endowment. The goal is to raise $5,000 at this year’s race. 

    While Fayetteville Tech has held 5Ks for other organizations, such as Relay for Life, in the past, this is the first race the college has sponsored.

    The race is going to be a color run, which means a safe powder that comes in a variety of colors will be thrown as the participants go through the route. It’s common for runners to wear clothes that are light colors or white so the colors will show more on the clothes. The colors mostly wash out, although it is suggested by seasoned runners to wash the clothes worn at the race sooner rather than later and to wear clothes that you don’t mind being stained, just in case. To keep the colors in your clothes as a memento from the event, it helps to spray the clothes with vinegar after the race, allow them to dry, iron them, wash them in cold water and dry them in a dryer. The process helps to set the stain. 

    Joseph Davis, an instructor in the health and fitness science department, said that the 5K race is not just open to students — it’s open to the whole community. “We really encourage people of all activity levels to come out and have some fun. We’ll have a running category, a walking and jogging category and a family one for parents with kids and strollers and wagons. It’s a community event,” Davis said.

    “It’s something that brings everyone together,” Butler said. “In a typical week, we are working, attending church events and participating in a variety of other activities. We don’t have time to sit down and socialize with our neighbors and the people who live and work beside us. Events like this bring us together from all walks of life to do something fun. We want (the 5K) to be something that’s fun for the community and beneficial for them health-wise.”

    The fun doesn’t stop when the race is over; the department will have a unique kind of award ceremony as well. “This isn’t a traditional race, so our awards are a little nontraditional, too,” Davis explained. 

    “Keeping in the spirit of having fun, we’re going to have awards that have jokes to them,” said Butler. “Right now we’re thinking that the youngest runner will get a golden baby’s running shoe. The oldest runner will get a silver running shoe.” These are just a couple examples. 

    Butler is excited for the opportunity for the department to host the race, especially because he knows the hard work that his staff has put into the event. “We started working on this thing a year ago,” he said. “They (the staff) have outdone themselves on every aspect on all of it.” 

    The event is one that will celebrate community and wellness while also promoting a great cause. “Fayetteville Tech is a community college and being the health and fitness department, we feel it is part of our goal to promote wellness and physical activity. So we are trying to promote positive change in that way,” Davis said. 

    The race will be held Sept. 21. Runners will begin at 9:30 a.m. Walkers will begin at 9:33 a.m. and families or anyone with a stroller or wagon will begin at 9:36 a.m. Visit https://www.active.com/fayetteville-nc/running/distance-running/trojan-fit-5k-color-run-2019 to learn more information or to register for the event. 

  •     While some would argue that Fayetteville is still battling race issues, the city certainly has no problem in celebrating its diversity. For 30 years, one of the biggest parties in town has been the International Folk Festival, an event designed specifically to share the myriad of cultures that have assimilated into our community and to celebrate the unique aspect each brings to our community.
        This year, the 30th anniversary of the festival, promises to be one of the biggest and best events ever. And that’s saying a lot, as the three-day festival has been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Festival for the past three years.
        {mosimage}“When I think back 30 years ago — back to the ‘70s — it was a time of turmoil, the war was going on, but our community recognized that people from all over the world lived here. They were all proud of where they came from, but they were also proud of where they were and how they functioned in our community,” said Debra Mintz, of the Arts Council.
    That dedication and pride has enabled the festival to last 30 years. “It’s really quite extraordinary,” said Mintz. “They are always fussing at the United Nations, but folks from these 30 or 40 countries come together year after year to work hard for the community.”
        In years past, a nation has been designated as the host nation; but this year, in celebration of the 30th anniversary, the committee elected not to have a host nation, but rather to celebrate all of the nations, with a theme of “Unity.”
    The party will kick off on Friday, Sept. 26, as part of the community’s annual Fourth Friday event. Ground zero for this portion of the festival will be at 301 Hay St., or the building we all know as the Arts Council. The council is hosting a special juried photo competition designed to showcase “unity in our community.” Photographers were asked to take their cameras to the streets and bring in their best photos of the diverse, but unified nature of our community. After you take a look at the art, spend some time outside listening to the traditional sounds of the Heritage Bluegrass Band. The band will be set up on Hay Street, so you can continue to hear their dulcet sounds as you stroll the rest of downtown visiting other participating businesses. Mintz said Hay Street will be closed off, and the band will feature “good old mountain music — a music that is based in our nation’s roots.”
        Now that you have a picture (sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves) of the diversity of our city, come on out and take a walk on the wild side on Saturday, Sept. 27, when Fayetteville hosts its own version of carnivale on Hay Street. The annual parade of nations will begin at 2 p.m., and if past celebrations are any indication, there will be dancing in the street. Of course, that’s really the point of the whole celebration.
        The Arts Council keeps as one of its mantras for this festival a quote from a Trinidad poet: “When we dance in the streets, we dance together, regardless of color, race, status, enjoying ourselves and sharing a love for great music, food and fun!”
    So, with that in mind, even if you aren’t in the parade, let the music get into your soul and if the urge takes you — dance!
    “The parade is going to pretty spectacular to see,” said Mintz. “People from all over world in native costumes will proudly go down the street in their native costumes.”
        Mintz said over 1,000 people participate in the parade every year.
    The parade will be followed by a free concert in Festival Park at 5:30 p.m. the concert will feature the local band B.I.G. and then go international with the Spam All Stars. B.I.G is a Funk and Rhythm and Blues Band, while the Spam All Stars, will put the rhythm in you when they bring their Latin sounds to the park. If the mood to salsa or mambo hits you, don’t hold back.
    Mintz explained that the Spam All Stars performed during one slot last year, but that they received such a warm welcome that the Arts Council immediately booked them to headline the Saturday concert.
        {mosimage}Sunday, Sept. 28 is the big festival day. Running from noon-6 p.m., the festival will offer food, art, fine crafts and entertainment on multiple stages  in Festival Park and its surrounding area. Mintz explained that Ray Avenue will, in fact, become a second promenade into the park. There will be entertainment stages set up down the avenue, as well as vendors. “We found last year, that having only the bridge access into the park caused a bottleneck,” she said. “So this year, you can go to the left or to the right and find fun and entertainment.”
        The event is huge, so you may want to come early and stake out your place. The event will carry the flavor of all of the various cultural communities that make up our community. There will be art from Africa, next to food from the Caribbean, next to German beer. You see where we’re going with this. This is a one-day, all-out cultural palooza designed to highlight the very best of our community. Don’t miss it.
        For more information, visit the Arts Council Web site at www.theartscouncil.com/International_Folk_Festival.html.

    Janice Burton can be reached at editor@upandcomingweekly.com

  •     Dear EarthTalk: I’ve suddenly been seeing a lot of those tiny “Smart Cars” around. Who makes them and what is their fuel efficiency? And I’m all for fuel efficiency, but are these cars safe?
                                     — David Yu, Bend, Ore.


        Originally the brainchild of Lebanese-born entrepreneur/inventor Nicolas Hayek of Swatch watch fame, Smart Cars are designed to be small, fuel-efficient, environmentally responsible and easy to park — really the ultimate in-city vehicle. Back in 1994, Hayek and Swatch signed on with Daimler-Benz (the German maker of the venerable Mercedes line of cars) to develop the unique vehicle; in fact, the company name Smart is derived from a combination of the words Swatch, Mercedes and the word “art.”
        When initial sales were slower than hoped for, Hayek and Swatch pulled out of the venture, leaving Daimler-Benz full owner (today Smart is part of Mercedes car division). Meanwhile, rising oil prices have driven up demand for Smart vehicles, and the company began selling them in the U.S. earlier this year.
    Measuring just a hair over 8 feet long and less than 5 feet wide, the company’s flagship “ForTwo” model (named for its human carrying capacity) is about half the size of a traditional car. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the car’s fuel efficiency at 33 miles per gallon (mpg) for city driving and 41 mpg on the highway (although actual drivers report slightly lower results). Three For Twos with bumpers to the curb can fit in a single parallel parking spot.
        And with soaring gas prices, the cars have been selling like hotcakes in the U.S. The company’s U.S. distributor is working on importing an additional 15,000 cars before the end of 2008, as its initial order of 25,000 vehicles is almost depleted. Some four dozen Mercedes Benz dealers across the country have long waiting lists for new Smart vehicles, which sell for upwards of $12,000.
        {mosimage}As for safety, the ForTwo did well enough in crash tests by the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to earn the group’s highest rating — five tars — thanks to the car’s steel racecar-style frame and liberal use of high-tech front and side airbags. Despite such good safety performance for such a tiny car, IIHS testers caution that larger, heavier cars are inherently safer than smaller ones.
        Beyond safety concerns, some analysts bemoan the ForTwo’s price tag as unnecessarily high given what you get. The cars are not known for their handling or acceleration, although they can go 80 miles per hour if necessary. The Web site Treehugger.com suggests that eco-conscious consumers might do better spending their $12,000 on a conventional sub-compact or compact car, many which get equivalent if not better gas mileage not to mention likely faring better in a crash.
        But for those who need a great in-city car for short errands and commutes, today’s ForTwo might be just the ticket. Environmentalists are hoping Smart will release the higher mileage diesel version of the ForTwo, which has been available in Europe for several years, in the U.S. soon. And they are keeping their fingers crossed for a hybrid version which could give the hugely successful Toyota Prius — which looks almost huge in comparison — a run for its money in terms of fuel efficiency and savings at the pump.

        CONTACTS: Cool Climate Calculator, http://bie.berkeley.edu/calculator.html; EarthLab, www.earthlab.com; CarbonFootprint.com, www.carbonfootprint.com; CarbonCounter.org, www.carboncounter.org; Conservation International, www.conservation.org; The Nature Conservancy, www.nature.org; BP, www.bp.com.

        GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com
  •  It's here folks... Our biggest issue of the year: The Best of Fayetteville, as voted on by you the readers. Enjoy 

    {mosimage}Best Place to Commune With Nature
    Cape Fear Botanical Garden
    536 N. Easter Blvd., Fayetteville
    910.486.0221
    www.capefearbg.org

        The Cape Fear Botanical Garden has been a quiet sea of serenity for our community for a number of years. This past year, the garden’s board elected to expand the garden and make better use of its assets, launching a capital campaign to build a visitor’s center and meeting area.
        While the new facilities will offer more room for events and activities, it won’t take away from the beauty of the garden. Its design is restful and seems to flow with the rest of the park. They say gardening is a great form of relaxing. It seems our readers think it’s also a great place to relax in the environs made by professional gardeners, as well.


    Best Local Festival
    Dogwood Festival
    Liberty Point Building
    145 Person Street, Fayetteville
    910.323.1934
    www.faydogwoodfestival.com

        There are many categories in this survey that should probably be retired — this being one of them. Since the inception of the Best of, the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival has topped this category.
        The festival, which was founded in 1982, is probably one of the biggest events during the year. The weekend event keeps downtown hopping with everything from barbecue, to antique cars to rock ‘n’ roll. This past year’s thousands of people poured into Festival Park to take in the events. From sun up to sunset, the park was hopping and a good time was had by all — well just about all.
        This year’s festival garnered a little bad press – the result of the festival’s board choosing to exclude churches from the vendor list. But, the board has always listened to the wants and needs of the community, and in the coming year the churches will be welcome members.

    Best Change to Fayetteville in 2007/Best Use of Local Tax Dollars
    Recycling
    www.ci.fayetteville.nc.us/recycle

        If you listened to all of the rhetoric leading up to the implementation of curbside recycling in Fayetteville, you would have thought the very idea was sacrilege. But Fayetteville residents let those who wanted to talk talk, and let their actions do their talking for them. That’s why in the opening weeks of recycling more than 90 percent of the city’s residents filled their blue cans and rolled them out to the curb.
        During the first four weeks of the curbside recycling program 655 tons of recyclables were collected. City officials felt that the overwhelming response was an indication from the local citizenry that recycling was not only good for the city; it was a good investment of tax dollars. Our readers concur.


    Best Local Landmark
    The Market House

        While Fayetteville has many symbols, The Market House, located downtown is one of its most enduring. The Market House was built in 1832 on the site of the old State House, which was destroyed by fire in 1831. It was within the walls of the State House that North Carolina had ratified the Constitution of the United States in 1789 and chartered the University of North Carolina.
        For those not in the know, The Market House is located in the center of the intersection of Green, Gillespie, Person and Hay Streets. For decades meat and produce were sold beneath its arches by local farmers, while the second floor was the town hall. In recent years the second floor has been used as a public library, chamber of commerce offices, and an art museum. Many distinguished visitors have spoken from its balconies — in fact last year in celebration of the Marquis de Lafayette’s 200th birthday a faux Marquis rode through the city streets and then addressed the crowd from the balcony.

    Best Little Known Attraction
    Paddy’s
    2606 B Raeford Rd, Fayetteville
    910-677-0055
    www.paddygibneypub.com

        “The Irish — be they kings, or poets or farmers, they’re a people of great worth, they keep company with the angels, and bring a bit of heaven here to earth.”
        That’s an old Irish quote, but it seems to fit in this case, as Paddy’s has been named the Best Little Known Attraction. In years past, the winners in this category have tended to be places of quiet reflection — places like the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens or the River Trail. Never in the 10 year history of this survey has it ever been a bar.
        Of course, Paddy’s isn’t your run of the mill bar. Paddy’s, located just off Raeford Road, is an Irish Public House, or to use the vernacular, it’s a pub. A great pub. You can find great music and great people at Paddy’s every time the door is open.
        For those who have been in the area for some time, Paddy Gibney is not a stranger. He’s been on the Fayetteville musical landscape as long as Up & Coming Weekly has been in existence. You can usually find him with his good friend Bill, and you can always find them on stage at the pub every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and some Saturdays. If Paddy’s not on the stage, then some other band is.

    Coolest Place Downtown
    The Keys Piano Bar & Restaurant
    102AB Person St., Fayetteville
    910.483-3854
    www.thekeyspianobar.com

        It’s been awhile since people have stood in lines to get into a downtown bar, but with the advent of The Keys Piano Bar downtown nightlife has experienced a rebirth.
        The restaurant/club offers live entertainment every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. For those who are unfamiliar with The Keys, the entertainment centers around two dueling pianos. Every week or so, the club flies in new piano players, which keeps the audience coming back for more.
        While the piano players set the mood, club owners want people to remember that the audience is what makes the show. Audience members are encouraged to “clap along, sing along, stomp along, drink along and have one hellava good time.”

    Best Thing to Show Out of Towners
    Airborne and Special Operations Museum
    100 Bragg Blvd., Fayetteville
    910-643-2766
    www.asomf.org

        Some might say, and we would be included in that some, that the construction of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum was truly the beginning of the revitalization of downtown.
        Some people, not us, didn’t really think the museum would have that big of an impact on the city, but they were wrong. One of the first things it did was bring people downtown. It made downtown a destination when family and friends come to visit. Its location downtown generated the construction of restaurants (after all, those visitors have to eat), and it beautified the area that had been nothing but a line of dark bars (anybody remember the 7 Dwarves?).
        If you’re a Fayetteville resident and you still haven’t made a visit to the museum, here’s what you’re missing. In the main exhibit area, you’ll find exhibits focused on the early airborne, World War II, Korea and the Cold war, Vietnam and contingency operations and training. In addition to these standing exhibits there is also a special exhibit gallery that hosts rotating special exhibits. In recent years exhibits have included Special Forces at 50, Soldiers: The Global War on Terrorism and Vietnam: A War Remembered. The current exhibit focuses on The OSS, which was a precursor to modern special operations during World War II
        And, if you think history is boring, you can make a stop in the museum’s movie theatre and simulator to get a more exciting look at history.


    Best Things to Hide from Out of Towners
    Bragg Boulevard

        It’s official. This category is retired. We’ve been doing the Best of Fayetteville for 10 years, and every year, Bragg Boulevard has won this category. Everyone wants to talk about the littler, the rundown buildings, the strip clubs that moved off Hay Street and on to the boulevard. The complaints have, over the years, appeared to fall on deaf ears, but in the near future, that may change.
        The City of Fayetteville is working vigorously to beautify all of its gateways. Projects are already underway to impact portions of Bragg Boulevard near downtown and Murchison Road. And that’s a good start. But the city can’t and shouldn’t do everything.
        Local business owners have got to step up to the plate and start taking some pride in their property. There’s nothing that says you can’t have a tasteful strip club or car repair service or even flea market. A little paint, a little landscaping and some garbage cans will go a long way to improve the look of the area.
        Another thing that will help is a new sign ordinance recently adopted by the city. That ordinance will do away with a lot of the over-sized signs, and those flashing moveable signs that dot the landscape. The sign code will make things uniform, so the boulevard won’t look like such a hodgepodge.
         So, the city’s doing its part — now it’s our turn.

    Best Live Theatre
    Cape Fear Regional Theatre
    1209 Hay St.. Fayetteville
    910.323.4233
    www.cfrt.org

        Since 1962, Cape Fear Regional Theatre has been not only a beacon of storytelling in Cumberland County, but also a center of culture and entertainment whose incandescence has shone throughout the state. Known as one of the finest theatres in North Carolina, CFRT had humble beginnings, founded by a small group of local actors which performed its very first production, The Night of January 16, in the Fayetteville Courthouse.
        Under the leadership of the grand dame of local theatre, Bo Thorp, and with the community’s support, the CFRT renovated the old courthouse and incorporated two additional buildings to form a three-story complex with a 327-seat main stage.

    Best Local Actress
    Bo Thorp

        Bo Thorp seems to have this award locked up. And why not? One of the founders of Cape Fear Little Theater, Thorp has been instrumental not only as a star and supporting player in countless CFRT productions over the years, but is also the CFRT’s artistic director. Whether playing the lead in Driving Miss Daisy or contributing her skills to an ensemble cast in Lunch at the Piccadilly, you can always count on Thorp to “break a leg” with style and grace.
        Those who know Thorp know that drama is in her blood. Her rich laugh, sense of humor and perfect delivery of every line make her the grande dame of the community theatre, but they also makes her one of the city’s cultural icons. To say that we have something of an affection for Thorp is to put it mildly. We’re glad that the community has the same excellent taste that we do. Thorp is the heart and soul of theatre in this community.

    Best Local Actor
    Greg King

        Greg King knows drama. If you ever had any question about that, then y ou should not have missed Company at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre last season. King, an area businessman, electrified the stage with his tender, yet humorous performance in the musical. But that’s just one of the many shows he’s done over the years. But it was enough to win him this coveted title.

    Best Play This Season
    Cabaret at The Gilbert
    910.678.7186
    www.gilbertheater.com

        The wonderful adaptation of the musical Cabaret debuted at the Gilbert Theater on June 5. The performances were exhilarating and grand, especially the characters of Master of Ceremonies (Timothy Lee Lloyd) and Sally Bowles (Alexis Chieffet). Despite the surface gaiety of the musical, the production was laced with an undercurrent of tension and darkness, because as the boys and girls danced gaily and drink and loved passionately at the Kit Kat Club, a storm of epic death and destruction is tap-dancing on the horizon.
        This is a first for The Gilbert, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the opening of its upcoming season. The Gilbert, based in the old city hall off Green Street, performs its plays in a black-box theater. All of the actors and directors are local and no one is paid. It is community theater in its most basic form, but in the case of The Gilbert, it pushes the envelope producing not the run-of-the-mill plays.

    Best Local Poet
    Sam Silva

        Though internationally known, poet and author Sam Silva makes Fayetteville his home. A prolific writer, Silva often composes three, four or more pieces every day.
        His well-received collection of verse and prose, Eating and Drinking, is available at booksellers everywhere. He has published more than 150 poems in print magazines including, but not limited to Samisdat, The ECU Rebel, Sow’s Ear, The American Muse, St. Andrews Review, Dog River Review, Third Lung Review, Main St. Rag, Charlotte Poetry Review, and Parnasus.

    Best Gallery/Art Venue
    Fayetteville Museum of Art
    839 Stamper Rd., Fayetteville
    910.485.5121
    www.fayettevillemuseumart.org

        Despite the recent controversy over the proposed relocation to Festival Park, one cannot look past the fact that the Fayetteville Museum of Art is our capital of culture. Founded in 1971, its present site was the first building in the state designed and built as an art museum. In addition to the modern facility that includes two galleries, classrooms, studio space, an art reference and slide lending library, and a museum store, the museum’s 5.8 acre grounds and pond offer Fayetteville a little slice or tranquility amid the bustling city life.
        At Up & Coming Weekly, we are proud to be the museum’s downtown annex, hosting Gallery 208, The Leonard McLeod Gallery and a sculpture garden in our corporate offices on  Rowan Street, across from Festival Park. This partnership puts the works of national and local artists on display year-round for free viewing (and we also throw an awesome opening party, which is free and open to the public.)

    Best Movie Theater
    Cameo Art House Theatre
    225 Hay St., Fayetteville
    910.486-.633
    www.cameoarthouse.com

        An homage to the elegant bijous of the past, the Cameo Art House Theatre is a place to enjoy independent “art” films, as well as mainstream fare, relaxing in one of its 125 crushed velvet seats while enjoying its Dolby digital sound and projection system, four film screening formats and a lobby lounge where patrons can enjoy a glass of wine, imported beer, cup of coffee or cappuccino.
        The building was home to one of Fayetteville’s first motion picture theatres: the New Dixie. Veteran moving picture man S.A. Lambert first bought out the original Dixie in 1908. He moved across the street to the Southside of Hay Street in 1914 and called it the New Dixie. The present Cameo Theatre Building then hosted many local businesses, most notably Dixie Billiards and Eddie’s Music. Chris & Nasim Kuenzel and Eric Lindstrom acquired the building in 1998, opening as the Cameo in October of 2000.
        The Cameo has screened more than 200 art, independent, foreign and classic films.

    Best Video Rental
    Blockbuster

        Sometimes, bigger is better. Blockbuster is the undisputed king of the video rental market, both in Fayetteville and abroad. The largest chain of DVD and video game rental stores in the world.

    Best Place for Family Entertainment
    Fun Fun Fun
    3729 Sycamore Dairy Road, Fayetteville
    4670 Cumberland Road, Hope Mills
    910.487.8585 or 910.864.1307
    www.gofunfunfun.com

        What’s in a name? Everything if your business is called Fun Fun Fun.
        Since opening on July 4, 1990, Fun Fun Fun has dominated the “fun” factor in Fayetteville, offering 125 games, rides and laser tag to the legions. There is also a full snack bar offering everything from nachos, ice cream and pizza, to Asian-style fare like, Kim Chee, egg rolls, fried rice, chicken and bulgogi.
        With locations in Fayetteville and Hope Mills, Fun Fun Fun offers the perfect place for a birthday party, or is just right for entertaining the kids on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

    Best Local Band
    Paddy and Bill

        Advertising their music as “Shamrock and Roll,” acoustic duo Paddy and Bill (Paddy  Gibney and Bill Ayerbe) got together in 1998, performing their Celtic brand of music to packed houses across the Carolinas. The duo can most often be found performing at Paddy’s self-named pub right here in Fayetteville.

    Best Place for Live Music
    Jesters Pub
    6577 Fisher Rd., Fayetteville
    910.423.6100
    www.jesterspub.com

        With the motto “It Ain’t No Joke,” you just know Jesters takes itself and its music seriously. Fayetteville’s premier spot for live music, as voted by the county’s music fans, has hosted many nationally-known acts in the past and just keeps the famous names rolling with scheduled future performances by such rock heavyweights as Clutch and Sevendust, and, coming in October, country’s wildest outlaw, David Allan Coe.

    Best Jukebox Tunes
    Fubar
    3319 Raeford Rd., Fayetteville
    910.677.9900
    www.fubarfayetteville.com

        Sporting perhaps the best acronym in perhaps the history of bardom, Fubar also, according to our readers has the best selection of discs in its jukebox. Owned and operated by Roy and Kelly Parker, the bar is also known for its large bar and energetic live acts, remember to bring a fistful of quarters next time you visit this jukebox haven.

    Best Bar and Best Bartender
    Thee Backdoor/T.J.
    3446 Raeford Rd., Fayetteville
    910.864.3974

        Where everyone knows your name. Thee Backdoor bills itself as “a regular bar that’s very chill, where all types of people come and hang out. There are darts, pool tables, a juke box, awesome bartenders who won’t make you wait,  a great atmosphere, and lotsa good drinks and fun people.” People like T.J. For the second year in a row, T.J., a West Virginia native, uses her “country road” personality to make patrons fill at ease as she eases their worries and concerns with the best in liquid libations.

    Best Biker Bar
    The Doghouse
    3049 Owen Drive
    910.826.9761
    www.thedoghousegroup.com

        If you feel naked without your leathers and would rather ride a Harley than a Hyundai, then the Doghouse is for you. With good food, live music and an outdoor patio (the better to keep an eye on your chrome horse), this is the hot spot for all you easyriders and Peter Fonda wannabes. So, vroom on over.

    Best Beer Selection
    Mash House
    4150 Sycamore Dairy Rd.,  Fayetteville
    910.867.9223
    www.themashhouse.com

        Forget that pale imitation of pale ale you can buy at the local supermarket — if you want to truly experience beer the way it’s supposed to be, find a designated driver and motor over to the Mash House where they make their own lager. Some of their superbrews include the award-winning India Pale Ale, fruit beers (raspberry, peach, strawberry, blueberry and cherry), and stout. And because some misguided people think man can’t live by beer alone, the Mash House also offers a fine selection food.

    Best Local Politician
    Tonzi Collins

        It’s a bit unusual for a Hope Mills politician to take top billing in this category. Last year, Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne won this category. Following in his footsteps, Collins, a former police officer, got the nod.
        Like Chavonne, Collins has had his share of press the past year — not all of it good. Most recently, Collins is involved in a lawsuit against the city to win his job back at the Hope Mills Police Department. While some folks find that a difficult place for a city councilman to be, a vast majority of Hope Mills residents supports him in his efforts. And, naming him the top politician, goes a long way to show their support.

    Best Local Scandal/Biggest Waste of Local Tax Dollars
    Ticketgate

        Finally, the Big Boom Annexation has fallen out of favor in this category. Unfortunately, for the City of Fayetteville, their leadership was still at the center of the storm surrounding Ticketgate.
        Ticketgate for those not in the know, revolved around a wreck on Gillis Hill Road. Wait a minute that area was in the Big Boom Annexation, so maybe it really didn’t fall out of the running.
        If the area hadn’t been annexed, Fayetteville Police would not have been patrolling the area. The mayor would not have had any authority to call on the city manager, who called on the police chief to get officers to take a second look at who really deserved the ticket. So maybe the Big Boom Annexation is still at the top of the list, or at least, at the root of it.
        Ticketgate saw much media coverage. It created a task force through the district attorney’s office to reinvestigate the investigation, and ultimately led to the creation of an ethics committee that has recently decided to investigate Ticketgate.
    Hence, it became the Best Local Scandal and the Biggest Waste of Local Tax Dollars. We know, its complex, and we’re really glad it’s over.

    Best Local Community Program/Civic Club
    Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville

        For 88 years, the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville has been a driving force in the community. The club, founded on Nov. 10, 1920, has a membership that includes many of the movers and shakers in the community. Over the years, a number of the community politicos have gotten their start in the ranks of the Kiwanis and local business people thrive in the club.
        Over the course of a year, the organization sponsors a number of programs – all designed to impact the lives of children in our community. Reading is fun puts 4,000 books in the hands of children enrolled in the Head Start and Chapter One programs, while sponsorship of the Dixie Youth Baseball league puts bats in the hands of youth, while teaching them about teamwork and sportsmanship. Of course, you can’t talk about the club, unless you mention the Kiwanis Talent Night. The annual spring event lets talented youth compete to perform in the BIG SHOW.
        And, of course, we have to talk about the money. Each year, the club gives $100,000 back to the community through its projects. In recent years grants have been given to the Boys & Girls Home of North Carolina, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre and The Child Advocacy Center just to name a few.

    Best Local Nonprofit
    Blood Donor Organizations

    One of the greatest gifts you can give someone is the gift of life. Here’s the Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Give Blood
    5. It doesn’t cost you anything.
    4. You get great treats like cookies or donuts after you’re done.
    3. You have an excuse not to exercise for 24 hours.
    2. People are nice to you.
    1. You can save a life.

    Best Local Station, Best Local Traffic Reports, Best Local DJ
    WKML 95.7
    508 Person St., Fayetteville
    910.486.4114
    www.wkml.com

        Having lost its place in the Best of standings last year, WKML brought its A-game this year to earn all three of the radio-related awards.
        WKML, a member of the Beasley Broadcasting Group, is the voice of country in our community. The station has some of the best games and contests around, and its deejays are not just a disembodied voice on air — their family.
        Don’t believe us? Why do you think Uncle Don (that’s Don Chase) is such a hit. Chase, named the best local DJ for probably the gazillionth time, is the man a lot of Fayetteville women wake up to. Now don’t worry, he’s on the air — they are at their houses, but he is the guy who gets their day started right. From sharing close family stories to even talking about his weight, Chase let’s his listeners into his life, and they let him into theirs.

    Best Local Columnist/Writer
    Shanessa Fenner
    Up & Coming Weekly
    208 Rowan St., Fayetteville
    910.484.6200
    www.upandcomingweekly.com

        It’s always somewhat shaming to have a writer for a competing publication win this category. And, until the past couple of years, that was the case. We, being the classy establishment we are, would do the walk of shame to hand out awards to our competitors.
        But that stopped last year when our own Shanessa Fenner took top billing. Shanessa, a middle school principal, radio host and writer, has again won this category. We couldn’t be prouder.
        Shanessa keeps a schedule that would drive most people insane, but she stays on top of everything, and in fact, spends some time reminding us when she hasn’t gotten her assignment.(She particularly likes to remind us around 6 a.m.) Entertainment and education are some of the topics she likes to cover, but she’s covered a little bit of everything from business to liposuction.
        Wait, we could be prouder. When the votes were in, the Up & Coming Weekly writing crew took the top three slots. In slot number two was our own Bill Bowman, who’s known for his call-it-like-it-is editorial pieces. Bill isn’t afraid to tell it like it is — in fact; it’s one of the things he does the best.
        Coming in third was Stephanie Crider. Stephanie has been a contributing writer for the past three years, and has really grown in her talent and ability to tell a good story. She is becoming well-known in community circles for not only her writing, but her glasswork as well. A military spouse, Stephanie throws everything she has into the community and it shows in her articles and in her beautiful family.
        (Side note: As the editor of Up & Coming Weekly, I’d like to take a little credit for their success, but I won’t they work hard and they deserve all of the kudos. Great job team!!! Oh, and you other guys who didn’t make the cut this year, just keep looking up because you won’t see this award any time soon.)


    Best Picnic Area, Best Tennis Courts, Best Place a Bike Ride, Best Place to Walk the Dog, Best Local Fishing Hole
    Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation
    121 Lamon St., Fayetteville
    910.433.1547
    www.fcpr.us

        The people of Cumberland County are proud of their parks and recreation program. And they should be. Someone would argue that Fayetteville has more parks than you can shake a stick at, but the serenity of the parks — not to mention the sound of children playing or competing in team sports that resound the parks sometimes make it seems like there aren’t nearly enough. Because our parks and our green spaces are part of what makes this community so unique. They add to the quality-of-life of its residents, and to its beauty.
        The community has three regional parks; four community parks; nine neighborhood parks; three linear parks; six special use parks; three sports complexes; and 17 recreation centers. With such a large networks of parks, it only makes sense that the Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation would rule the outdoors and recreation category.
        The Cape Fear River Trail, which is one of the jewels of the parks system, brought home honors as the Best Place to Ride a Bike and Walk a Dog. We wouldn’t recommend trying to do both at the same time.
        Lake Rim Park is the destination for picnicking and fishing. You can do both of those things together, but make sure you keep your eye on your line. You wouldn’t want to miss a nibble while you are taking a bite.
        And if you’re not too tired from riding your bike and walking your dog and not too stuffed from your picnic, you can always head over to Mazarick Park where you can hit the tennis courts for a quick game, then maybe have a dinner picnic and check out a softball game or try your hand on at disc golf.

    Best Golf Course
    Cypress Lakes
    2116 Cypress Lakes Rd., Hope Mills
    910.483.0359
    www.cypresslakesnc.com

        Located a little less than 3 miles off I-95, Cypress Lakes challenges and delights the most avid golfers. At Cypress Lakes, fast, championship style greens await your full concentration. You’ll find the best conditioned course in these parts, tough enough to keep you on your toes and fairly designed for any level player.
        Cypress Lakes makes the leap from good to a great because the staff has spent the last 10 years transforming the greens into a championship style course. Eighteen holes, Par 72 and 7,240 yards of Hybrid 419 Bermuda grass, stand ready to test your skills.
        The course’s Penncross A-4 bent grass greens lay down like smooth carpet. Precision growth and management techniques ensure the best possible chance of making par. And for a golfer, anything less than par is just really not acceptable.
    An extremely fair course to play, you can take it on as aggressively as you desire. And because it has no blind spots to the greens, you won’t be forced into extremely challenging shots unless you want them. Whether you play it assertively or safely, Cypress Lakes uniquely tests every caliber player at their own level.

    Best Basketball Court
    Fayetteville YMCA
    2717 Fort Bragg Rd., Fayetteville
    910.323.0800
    www.fayettevilleymca.org

        With the large number of basketball courts in our community (schools, colleges, rec centers), it’s quite a prize for the YMCA to take these honors. The YMCA’s court is home to adult and children’s leagues. Of course, for our money, there’s nothing better than watching 4-year-olds, run, slide and tackle each other all in the name of basketball. We can’t help but think their slides help keep the floor in such good shape. Of course, they are also much easier on nets. We’ve yet to see any 4-year-old hang from the hoop.

    Best Bowling Alley
    Lafayette Lanes
    3313 Raeford Rd., Fayetteville
    910.484.0113

        Lafayette Lanes is a perennial favorite in Fayetteville. The bowling alley is always filled. Whether playing in leagues or among friends, bowlers go to Lafayette Lanes to knock down the pins. Of course, while they are there, they just might knock back a few adult beverages, burgers, fries and nachos. But that’s not what it’s really about. It’s really about Zen. That’s right, Lafayette Lanes is a place where you can become one with the ball, and once you’ve achieved that Zen state, you let it fly. That strike earned you another adult beverage. And, it earned Lafayette Lanes another Best Of Fayetteville award.

    Best Pool Room
    Fat Daddy’s Market & Grill
    1918 Skibo Rd., Fayetteville
    910.864.1300

    Fat Daddy’s Market & Grill has owned this category for so long, that we really just don’t know what to say anymore. So here goes. Fat Daddy’s: good pool, good food, good people.

    Best Sporting Goods Store
    Dick’s Sporting Goods Store
    2051 Skibo Rd., Fayetteville
    910.867.8566

        The year was 1948. Eighteen-year-old Dick Stack was an energetic salesman at a small Army and Navy store in Binghamton, New York. One day, the store owner asked Dick, an avid fisherman, if it would be a good idea to sell fishing gear in his shop. Dick offered to develop a plan.
        After working tirelessly on a business plan over a succession of sleepless nights, Dick nervously approached the owner with his vision. The response was stinging. Dumbfounded, Dick was told that he didn’t know what he was doing and “would never make a good merchant.”
        That evening, frustrated and dejected, Dick retreated to his grandmother’s home. She listened quietly as he recounted his story. When he had finished, she rose silently and went to the kitchen. Removing the lid from her cookie jar, she extracted $300 of her hard-earned savings and pressed the bills into Dick’s hand.“ Dick, always follow your dreams,” she advised.
    Today, Dick’s Sporting Goods helps Fayetteville residents follow their dreams - whether its learning how to make a fly for fly fishing, getting the perfect pair of shoes for soccer or the perfect piece of workout equipment to help you get your body in perfect shape. If you dream it, Dick’s can help you make it happen. All you have to do is open the door and your wallet and you’re halfway there.

    Best Live Music Club, Club DJ,  Place to Dance, Club Overall, Pick-Up Bar, Sports Bar
    IT’Z Entertainment City
    4118 Legend Ave., Fayetteville
    910.826.4635
    www.itzentertainmentcity.com


        IT’Z Entertainment is “it”  for all your extracurricular activities.
        The Fayetteville nightspot won six first place awards in Up & Coming Weekly’s  2007 Best of Fayetteville contest, gaining the gold for the following categories: bBest Club for Live Music; Best Club DJ; Best Dance Club; Best Club Overall; Best Pick-up Bar; Best Sports Bar.
        Harold Ingles, IT’Z self-described “party engineer,” says the club’s versatility is what sets it apart from the meat-market crowd.
        “We’ve got so many choices,” said Ingles. “If you get tired of the dance club you can go relax in our cigar bar, or if you’re sports-minded, you go to our sports bar and sit out on the patio and watch the game. Football is starting up and we have a loyal group who patronize our sports bar.”
        A virtual entertainment conglomerate, in addition to a sports bar, cigar bar and dance club, IT’Z offers a full menu at its bar and grill, a comedy club and catering service.
        Ingles says another aspect of IT’Z that sets it apart from other clubs is the atmosphere. “Each room has a different ambiance,” said Ingles. “Our clientele is very diverse. And we really maintain the club well, keeping it clean and exciting to keep those people coming.”
        A big winner in the past — IT’Z earned five first-place designations in Up & Coming’s 2007 Best of Fayetteville Contest —     IT’Z refuses to rest on its laurels. Ingles says the club is planning to add a VIP section to its already successful formula.
        IT’Z opened its doors seven years ago and is owned by Joey Monsour.
        “He’s the man,” said Ingles. “This is all his vision of what a night club should be.”
        The club is open 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week, 364 days a year — the staff does take Christmas day off.
        Ingles gives much of the credit for the club’s success to the staff, which includes a huge bartending crew of around 20.
    “They are very professional,” said Ingles. “We’re all about providing as good an atmosphere as possible for our patrons. They’re the ones truly responsible for our success. We are very gracious and appreciative that so many folks voted for us as the best.”

    Best Overall Restaurant, Wait Staff, Restaurant for a First Date, Outdoor Seating
    Pierro’s
    217 Hay St., Fayetteville
    910.679.8885

        “Pasta, wine and romance,” those are words the owners of Pierro’s used to describe their restaurant in November 2007. It seems they were on the money with the romance, as one of the four awards taken by the restaurant includes Best Restaurant for a First Date.
        And it’s easy to see where the romance comes into play. One has to only walk into the restaurant, with its hard wood floors, and warm brick walls, muted lighting to know that romance is in the air — well, along with the pasta, garlic, tomato and all sorts of comforting smells that make you feel like you’ve just come home.
        For the past four years, Pierro’s has been a downtown destination. It was one of the first full-service restaurants to successfully integrate sidewalk dining into the downtown landscape, which would be why it also qualified for Best Outdoor Dining. If you want to sit outside, it’s best to come early and to be prepared for the passers-by who gaze longingly at your food.
        Of course, when you couple the romance and the great pasta with a wait staff that is very attentive to your needs, you have a winning combination. There’s nothing worse than sitting down to what appears to be a wonderful meal, only to have your waiter disappear on you, leaving you parched throughout the remainder of your meal. You don’t have to worry about that at Pierro’s because if your waiter pulls a Houdini, someone else is more than willing to step in. The wait staff at Pierro’s is also quick to fill your glass, grind pepper or grate cheese to make your dish even more appetizing.
        With all of these things going for the restaurant, it’s easy to see why our readers have voted Pierro’s the Best Overall Restaurant.

    Best Place to Buy Used Books and CDs
    Edward McKay
    3720 Bragg Blvd., Fayetteville
    910.868.1001
    www.edmckay.com

         For 34 years, Fayetteville residents have been buying, selling and trading used books at Edward McKay Used Books.
    And while the store’s merchandise has changed over those three-plus decades — the Bragg Boulevard retailer now offers CDs, DVDs, video games and mp3 players — one thing hasn’t: the store’s commitment to providing the best product at the best prices.
    “We try to keep on top of what our customers want as far as what we keep in stock,” said Assistant Manager Kristi Jones. “We also have a special section for children with books, DVDs and CDs — all for kids.”
        That attention to customer care recently paid dividends as the store won two first place awards in the Up & Coming Weekly’s 2008 Best of Fayetteville contest, garnering first for best place to buy used CDs and best place to buy used books.
        Founded in 1974 by Phil Jacobsen, Edward McKay was originally located just off Yadkin Road, but relocated to a bigger store on Bragg Boulevard about a year ago. Since its inception, Edward McKay has branched out, opening stores in Raleigh,  Greensboro and Winston-Salem — each of which boast more than 10,000-square feet of merchandise.
        Jones says that while the business was started mainly to sell used books, DVDs have really pushed to the forefront of sales.
        In addition to selling books, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, games, audio books, mp3 players and various other electronic gadgets, Edward McKay will also buy your used items or offer you a trade amount to open in the store.
    Bring your items in boxes or bags — no trash bags. No appointment is necessary.  The store utilizes a  first-come, first-served basis, so expect some waiting time if there are others ahead of you. You’ll usually get more in trade credit than in cash. Trade credit never expires and can be used at any of the stores.
        If you’re selling items for cash, you must have a picture ID with you — preferably a driver’s license or state-issued ID. You must be 18 to sell items for cash.
        Edward McKay pays cash for the following items: DVDs, unscratched CDs, video games and hardware, current textbooks, some vinyl records, some nonfiction, some classic fiction, audio books on CD, iPods. In-store credit is given for most fiction, children’s books, VHS tapes, scratched CDs, audio books on cassettes.
    Jones adds that the store has recently started granting store credit for DVDs.
        Edward McKay stands behind its products, offering a seven-day return policy.

    Best Day Spa, Tanning Salon, Nail Salon, Hair Salon, Leg and Bikini Waxing, Best Health Club
    The Renaissance Day Spa
    860 Elm St. or 1534 Purdue Dr., Fayetteville
    910.484.9922 or 484.2111
    www.renaissancedayspa.com

        If pampering is your game, then the name to call on is Renaissance European Day Spa.
        The wellness, health and beauty Mecca of Cumberland County won an impressive six first place awards in Up & Coming’s 2008 Best of Fayetteville competition, including: best health club/gym, best hair salon, best leg and bikini waxing, best nail salon, best tanning salon, and best day spa.
        “We are committed to providing an overall wellness program for our clients,” said Kathy Henson, the facility manager for the Eutaw Village location — Renaissance Spa also has a location on Purdue Drive.
        The parent company of the Renaissance European Day Spa, the Spa Fitness and Wellness Center, opened its doors in Fayetteville back in 1975. The company has grown exponentially over the years, opening the Purdue Drive location in 2006 and increasing it’s original staff of 18 to more than 200.
        The Renaissance European Day Spa offers the most complete list of health and wellness services in Cumberland County: a fully outfitted gym, swimming pool, nail and hair salon, body waxing, juice bar, aerobics and aqua aerobics, massage, kick boxing, tai chi, tanning, yoga, line dancing and non-surgical facial rejuvenation. A salsa dancing program will be offered in October. During that same month, the spa will initiate a program aimed at teaching teenage girls how to apply makeup and fix their hair, as well as teach them about the changes occurring to their bodies.
        “We are a one-stop shop for health and wellness,” said Henson.
        And while a membership is required for many of these services, the general public can take full advantage of the spa, which includes various packages, including the popular  European Sampler: a deep cleansing facial, a Swedish massage, a spa lunch in the garden lounge followed with a spa manicure and pedicure.
        If you want the full monty, the spa offers the Ultimate Renaissance Retreat — a  day-long retreat that combines aromatherapy massage and an aromatherapy salt glow; a water healing body treatment; a spa lunch; a Renaissance deep-cleansing facial; a make-up application, haircut and style.
        The gym is equipped with the latest Cybex equipment and a Johnny G spin program; more than 90 fitness classes are offered.
        “We have coed workout areas as well as a ladies only gym,” said Natalie Spencer, the spa’s general manager. “And we have a day-care for clients who use our services. You can’t get that kind of service anywhere else in Fayetteville.”
        Apparently, our readers agree.













     



     

     

     









  •     A new day may be dawning for Shaw Heights.
        A dawn that, for the residents of that community, follows a decades-long night of urban decay and neglect.
        At last week’s meeting of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, the board unanimously agreed to follow the recommendations of the county’s planning staff and bring renewal and restoration to Shaw Heights in the form of a park, recreation facilities, sewer and water lines and other improvements to the oft-flooded area that depends on the vagaries of ancient septic tanks — plus a plan to relocate Shaw Road to help pump life back into the stagnant neighborhood.{mosimage}
        Several residents, including Joseph Tolley, who has lived inside the community for 48 years, said it’s about time someone did something before the old neighborhood becomes just another faceless subdivision inside the city limits of Fayetteville.
        “We need this sewer,” said Tolley. “I have been told we have been neglected because we have no tax base. You have got to help us get some sewer out there before the city takes it.”
        Tolley also said that requests for upgrades to the community, which is home to about 1,300 people, fell on deaf ears when past commissioners were asked to do something.
        “Twenty years ago none of us were sitting here,” objected Cumberland County Commissioners Chairman Breeden Blackwell. “But we understand your frustration.”
        The area addressed by the Shaw Heights Land Use Plan is on the edge of the Fayetteville city limits and is bordered by Fort Bragg on three sides. Shaw Heights contains about 340 acres and is a quilt of 100 individual properties — each parcel with an individual owner. Seventy-two percent of the parcels are residential, while 8 percent are commercial and 21 percent are unoccupied; 89 percent of the structures in Shaw Heights were built before 1969. According to statistics compiled by the county, the community is a predominantly lower-income neighborhood with an older population that is shrinking — from 1990 through 2000, Shaw Heights’ population decreased 42 percent and the total number of houses decreased 17 percent. More than half of the properties are rentals and 65 percent of the community’s residents are ages 20-64.
        In a survey conducted by the county, residents of Shaw Heights said these are some of the areas  they would like addressed:
    •No more manufactured homes
    •Attractive permanent housing
    •Sewer
    •County funded garbage collection
    •A recreational park for children
    •No old trailer parks or houses
    •Improved lighting
    •Litter free streets
    •A community watch
    •Sidewalks
        In one positive aside, it was pointed out that the crime rate has declined 87 percent in the community. However, Tolley gave a not quite so rosy rebuttal to that statistic.
        “The crime has gone down because there are 200 fewer families living there,” said Tolley.
        There is no time line set for implementing the changes, especially when it comes to needed sewer lines; in a catch-22 of sorts, the plan calls for the construction of sewer lines to upgrade the community — but sewer lines can’t be built until upgrades are made, because it’s not known how the upgrades will affect the layout of the properties. Caught in this same umbrella of uncertainty is the future of Shaw Road. The land use plan calls for straightening the road in order to compensate for an especially dangerous curve running through Shaw Heights. However, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has not funded the project, and it will not be considered for funding until after 2015.
        Sherry Osteen, who has lived on that dangerous curve for years, says she’s seen too many die there.
    “Recently, I had one young fellow drive through that curve and tear down my retaining wall,” said Osteen. “If it hadn’t been for a tree, he would’ve come right into my bedroom with his car.”
        Osteen said she has asked for a signal light to be put there for years, but to no avail.
        “I know it was his fault, but nobody deserves to die,” said Osteen. “I’ve seen too many die there.”
        Blackwell said the county would look into immediately placing reflectors on the dangerous curve to warn drivers.

    AIRPORT REQUEST
        In other action, the county also unanimously approved the demolition of the Town & Country Motel, which burned about a year ago. According to Cumberland County Inspector George Hatcher, the motel — located at 935 Hollywood Blvd. — would have required about $300,000 in repairs to make it suitable for human habitation.
        The motel’s owner, Manoj Patel, voluntarily agreed to the demolition, as she doesn’t have the money to restore the building.
        The first motion by the commissioners was to have the motel demolished in 60 days, but County Commissioner Vice Chair Jennette Council asked if it could be done sooner, since the property, located off Hwy. 301, is a “gateway” to Fayetteville.
        After Hatcher told the board he had a demolition crew ready to start “tomorrow,” the commissioners unanimously agreed to the demolition beginning within 15 days.

    Tim Wilkins can be reached at tim@upandcomingweekly.com

  • It all started with a garden.
    Former Fayetteville resident Dr. Kenneth Hill was recognized last week as Cumberland County’s top volunteer, winning the N.C. Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service and the Medallion Award — the latter presented to the person whose volunteer service most enhances the quality of life for North Carolinians.
    Hill — the former pastor at Fayetteville’s Harvest Temple Church, now living and working just outside Washington, D.C., — gave the credit for his recognition to his grandparents... and that garden.
    “I was raised by my grandparents down in St. Mary’s, Ga., from the time I was 6-weeks-old,” said Hill. “My grandfather was a pastor and both my grandparents taught me the importance of giving to and helping out other people. It’s all about the spirit of giving back to the community.
    “That message was driven home when I planted a vegetable garden,” added Hill, “and we gave away all the produce I grew to the needy.”
    {mosimage}In addition to his former work as a pastor in Fayetteville, Hill belonged to numerous charitable and community service organization is Cumberland County, including the Partnership for Children in Cumberland County, where he served as president for the 2007/2008 fiscal year. Before gaining the presidency of that organization, Hill was the Evaluation Committee chair, as well as serving as board secretary. Hill led the committee and board through strategic planning sessions that resulted in “more focused and strategic planning assumptions and priorities,” according to a press release issued by the partnership.
    “I wish we could clone him,” said Maureen McKeon, communications director for PFC. “He is just so valuable and such a wonderful man. He’s continued to work with us even though he no longer lives here... I just can’t say enough about him.”
    Under Hill’s leadership, PFC began the Early Childhood System Report Card which critiques the early care and education system in Cumberland County, keeping residents apprised of the system’s strengths and weaknesses.
    Hill has also contributed his own money to the PFC, as well as contacting faith-based child development centers around the county to educate them on the More at Four Program and the need for additional classrooms.
    Bri Kay, the PFC events/volunteer coordinator, lauded Hill’s contributions to the organization.
    “It is an honor to have Bishop Hill volunteer for our organization,” said Kay. “His influence has changed daily practices, motivated change and inspired others to help move early care and education needs to the front line. He has done and will continue to do, great things for Cumberland County and North Carolina.”
    Each county may submit five nominees for the award. The nomination process is conducted at the  county level and then submitted to the state commission for approval. Selection is based upon the nominee’s volunteer efforts, accomplishments and impact. A statewide panel, under the direction of the N.C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, evaluates the nominations for the Medallion Award. 
    Hill is now eligible to be named the top volunteer in the state.
    “That would be wonderful... to win that award,” said Hill. “I was surprised to win anything. I am honored and humbled to be considered.
    “If I win I have to give credit for it to the Lord,” added Hill.

    Tim Wilkins can be reached at tim@upandcomingweekly.com

  •     The Fayetteville City Council’s Museum Task Force held its first meeting last week, electing a chairman, determining the scope of its mission and deciding what type of information it needs to begin its task.
        The task force, appointed by the city council, was tasked with identifying the scope of the building project to be considered, in size and cost, by reviewing the fiscal capacity and sustainability of the Fayetteville Museum of Art; reviewing all potential building sites in the Municipal Service District of the downtown area; and identifying the best option that meets sustainability requirements; and reporting back to the city council by Dec. 15.
    That charter was questioned at the outset of the meeting by Meredith Stiehl, one of the museum’s appointees to the task force and a member of its board. Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne was on hand to help launch the task force and responded to Stiehl’s queries on the scope of the group’s work by noting that the scope of the task force was spelled out in the council’s motion to appoint it.
        Stiehl countered that 90 days was a short time to try and work through all of the issues surrounding the proposed construction of the museum in Festival Park, noting that the charter seemed a bit “ambiguous.”
    She added that the committee would be asked to “change the scope/size of the building project,” something she said was “clearly the job of the museum’s board of directors. Other members of the task force concurred that ultimately, it is the museum board’s decision on how they proceed with the project, but noted that the charge from the city was clear.
        Dave Wilson, a city appointee to the council, noted that the museum board can either listen to the task force’s recommendations and if they see wisdom in it, use those recommendations in determining how they proceed — or not. “We can’t fit our actions into the board’s decisions or we will be stifled before we begin,” he said.
    Stiehl countered that the task force was treading on dangerous ground as it had “no right to dictate” to the museum.
    Linda Devore, another city appointee, added that the task force would only make recommendations, but she added if there were not problems with the project, the task force wouldn’t be in existence.
        Wayne Riggins, an appointee from the Arts Council, said the task force’s mission was not difficult. He said the task force must first take a look at the current fiscal management of the museum to see if it adequate; then they must take a look at the project and see if it is doable; determine whether or not it is appropriate to put the project on public land; and if so, where do you put it.
        {mosimage}Stiehl again questioned whether or not the task force had the expertise to make those decisions, noting the museum had been exploring the project with professionals for more than five years.
        Riggins responded that there were people on the task force – a banker, a member of the N.C. Arts Council, and other business people who could look at the information, noting that the project had to “pass the smell test.”
    Scott Baker, the newly-elected chairman of the task force, said, “Let’s not limit the scope. Let’s work through the initial steps.”
        For Baker, that’s a lot of ground to cover. Baker moved to the community in June of this year, and has little or no knowledge of the museum or the project. He thinks that might give him an edge on the task force because he “doesn’t have any baggage.”
        The group also tackled the question of what information they needed to move forward. The initial request for information includes: the past four years of audited financial records; the feasibility report for building in Festival Park; the contracts between the city and the museum; correspondence between the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County concerning audit problems; complete plans for the proposed museum; and the museum’s sustainability report.
        Ralph Huff, a local builder, and an appointee to the task force by the museum, noted that no matter what happens throughout the process the task force needed to come to a consensus. He said that if a consensus is not reached, the community will not accept the finding of the task force. He also noted that many people on the task force already have an opinion on what should happen, but they must put those opinions aside.
        One other issue addressed by the task force was the issue of information the task force put out to the public. Several members of the task force are frequent contributors to local publications on community issues, while Devore has her own blog, where she frequently discusses the museum. The board voted that no members of the task force would speak publicly about the work of the task force unless it was in the confines of the public meetings. Devore was the only member of the task force who voted against the motion, noting that the public had a right to know. Three media outlets, The Fayetteville Observer, WFNC and Up & Coming Weekly, were on hand to cover the meeting.

    Janice Burton can be reached at editor@upandcomingweekly.com
           





  • There is so much going on at the Crown Center these days that it can be hard to keep it all straight.

    With the Cumberland County Agricultural Fair in town, there are even more opportunities for fun and entertainment. You’ll get more than just rides and exhibits there — there are concerts and other events you won’t want to miss, too.

    On Sept. 25 come check out the Invitational Step Show. 09-22-2010joey-and-rory.gif

    “The Cumberland County Agricultural Fair “Invitational Stepshow” is a great opportunity to come out and support local elementary, middle and high schools compete to qualify for the North Carolina Championship Stepshow,” said Crown Center Marketing Director Janine Lewis.

    Kids of all ages will be performing and strutting their stuff for the audience as they compete to win cash and prizes. The event starts at 5 p.m. and costs $9 at the door.

    Another “can’t miss” event — the country music sensation, husband and wife duo, Joey and Rory will be performing with Guy Penrod, former lead singer from the Gaithers on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.

    “The Crown Center and WKML are proud to present the husband and wife country duet, Joey & Rory, winners of the 2010 Academy of Country Music Award for Top New Vocal Duo, during the 2010 Cumberland County Agricultural Fair,” said Lewis.

    Joey and Rory got their start on CMT’s hit series Can You Duet in 2008 and quickly became favorites on the show, building a strong fan base that continues to give them success in the country music world. Their music has a classic country sound that is big on harmony and traditional country sounds.

    Their version of “Cheater Cheater” was met with wild enthusiasm and went on to become an Internet sensation. “The Life of a Song” was another fan favorite.

    The couple is excited about their visit to the fair.

    “We are super excited about it,” said Joey. “We are going to sing some songs off our new record, some off our our old record and some songs off the top of our head.” Fame wasn’t something they expected. “We didn’t really ever expect to go on a TV show and to be a singing duo traveling the country and singing country music together,” continued Joey. “We never saw any of that stuff coming, but we are so thankful that it did. We are really thankful that we get the opportunity to be doing this together. We work so well together; we are best friends already and it just makes sense for us to share in this. It also brings a different kind of atmosphere to the stage by us being a married couple. It is like our life is unfolding in front of you. We are sharing a piece of our life and our relationship through stories and song and music.”

    For Rory, who has written a lot of well-known songs for other artists, their big break brought his wife, Joey into the spotlight.

    “I’ve been a song writer for a long time and my wife has been here at home supporting me and my goals. I’ve been very blessed that she has been sitting in the sidelines for all that time. But while we were doing that she would sing at the kitchen table, and I was well aware of her dreams. She is so talented. We always believed and hoped that someday she would have a chance to be out there performing for people, and now it is here. My favorite part of singing together is that I get to be there as the whole world discovers how great she is.”

    Penrod spent 14 years as lead singer with the Gaither Vocal Band before pursuing a solo career. His first solo album, Breathe Deep is meant to bring a new perspective to country music’s best attributes while focusing on his deep roots in faith and family. Fans of the Gaither Vocal Band are sure to enjoy seeing this musical icon on the stage again. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, at the Crown Center Box Offi ce or by calling (800) 745-3000.

  • 09-28-11-boeing.jpgAfter interviewing the visiting artists performing in Boeing, Boeing at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, I knew it was a show that had the potential for great comedy. I am happy to say, they didn’t disappoint.

    Boeing, Boeing is the story of an American in Paris who is looking for love amidst the airline timetables. The premise is that Bernard, played by veteran actor Gil Brady, is an architect working in Paris. Bernard, a man-about-town, makes friends with a man who works for the airlines. His friend helps him fi nd lonely stewardesses who are also looking for love. Instead of fi nding love ever after, Bernard fi nds love with whoever is on the ground — winding up with three fiancées.

    The fiancées are played by veteran CFRT performers Nicki Hart and Rebekah MacCredie, and West Hollywood-native Case Kalmenson. The three are Italian, German and American, respectively. Each brings a unique dimension to the performance, but MacCredie, a Hope Mills kindergarten teacher, had a particularly strong performance on opening night.

    Patricia Cucco, who may very well be the leading funny lady of the CFRT family, rounds out the female cast, playing Berthe, Bernard’s maid and social director. It is up to Berthe to make sure that the apartment is ship-shape when each of the fiancées arrive. She does everything from changing out pictures and flowers to cooking favorite meals. Cucco’s comedic timing is sheer perfection, and her physical comedy adds much to the performance.

    Brady, as Bernard, brings a bit of Jim Carrey to the stage as he struggles to hold all the pieces of his life together when all of his fiancées arriveat once.

    While the cast as a whole shines, R. Bruce Connelly steals the show. Connelly, who has played Jim Henson’s Muppet dog Barkely on Sesame Street since 1993, was absolutely brilliant.Connelly plays Robert, Bernard’s visiting friend. As the never-been kissed, Wisconsin introvert, Connelly draws you in, and then leaves you laughing in the aisles with a mixture of physical comedy and dead-pan timing.

    The CFRT made a great choice in staging Boeing, Boeing as the fi rst performance of its regular season. Bo Thorp, the director of the show, picked an excellent cast, and when you understand they put the show together in just under two weeks, you realize what marvelous talent these six actors possess.

    The show runs through Oct. 9, so book your ticket now. For tickets and times, visit www.cfrt.org.

    Photo: Boeing, Boeing is the story of an American in Paris who is looking for love amidst the airline timetables. 

  •    Death Race 2000 (Rated R) Rated: 4 stars

        The original Death Race 2000 was an exploitative Roger Corman classic, featuring a very young Sylvester Stallone and David Carradine. Death Race (89 minutes) the remake, helmed by Paul W.S. Anderson of Event Horizon fame, is a fun B-movie that highlights all the violence and explosions of the first movie, without the campy over-the-top theme costumes. In a clever nod to the source material, an uncredited David Carradine does the voiceover work for the character he played in the 1975 version, Frankenstein. Much like The Running Man and Series 7: The Contenders, Death Race extends the modern trend of reality television to its most extreme form; a reality show in which the death of the participants is the highlight of the show. 
        {mosimage}The film begins in a future United States suffering from a complete economic breakdown. Prisons have become privatized and inmates compete against each other in car races for the chance at release papers. Machine Gun Joe (Tyrese Gibson) is fighting it out with Frankenstein (voiced by Carradine) when something goes wrong, and Frankenstein’s navigator (Natalie Martinez) ejects while Frankenstein’s car flips and explodes. Meanwhile, Jensen Ames (Jason Statham), an out-of-work steel worker, is sentenced to the Terminal Island prison for a crime he did not commit. Once there, the warden of Terminal Island, Hennessy (Joan Allen), convinces Ames to participate in the Race. When he agrees, he is provided with a pit crew, including Coach (Ian McShane!  He’s punk rock!) and Gunner (Jacob Vargas). In stage one of the race, several drivers are killed and the ratings skyrocket. In stage two of the race, Jenson takes the initiative, challenging the rules of the game. Finally, in stage three of the race, he must make the choice to play the game and reap the reward or challenge the system and risk everything. 
        Not much from the original made it into the remake. First, as in the original, the “death race” is televised. Second, the murderous drivers are paired up with scantily clad navigators. Also similar to the 1975 original, the contestants’ personas are distilled to nicknames, such as Machine Gun Joe. While there is a shady authority figure, it is not the president. Instead, the remake introduces the character of Hennessey to play the evilly-motivated antagonist to Statham’s hero. Allen, as the warden of the prison colony Terminal Island, seems to channel a combination of Hilary Clinton and President Roslin from Battlestar Galactica. She will shoot (or airlock) first and ask questions later. Fans of the original should be reassured by the references to the original, but those who missed the first version will not find it difficult to figure out what is going on. 
        No, this film will not go down in history as the greatest movie ever made. But, it certainly is a fun little remake, heavy on the fiery explosions, bloody decapitations, and crunching metal. There is even some social commentary. The soundtrack is a good mood setter, the eye candy abounds, and the acting is amazingly sincere. This is an action film that rises above the rest because of the overall quality of its lead actors.   

  •     The Other “Fight Clubs” Are for Sissies: At the August Dog Brothers “Gathering of the Pack” in Southern California, it was “(A)nything goes,” according to one warrior (looking to fight with “blunted knives”). A Reuters reporter witnessed two men without padding beat each other with heavy sticks and two others fight with electrically charged knives. The latter duel ended when, during a wrestling hold, one slipped a hand free and planted a 1,000-volt surge. The action seems exhilarating. Said one, “I’ve never felt better than when I’m doing this.” Another: “Honestly, I wish I could find a church with the same spirit of support and love (as I feel here).” Said “Crafty Dog” Denny, it’s “higher consciousness through harder contact.”

    THE CONTINUING CRISIS
        Florida’s nation-leading epidemic of mortgage fraud was facilitated by state regulators who permitted 2,200 people with finance-crime records to become professional “loan originators,” part of the total of 10,000 with rap sheets allowed to work in the industry over an eight-year period, according to a July investigation by The Miami Herald. At least 20 registered brokers kept their licenses after fraud convictions. A 2006 state law required criminal background checks for broker licensing, but fewer than half were ever done, reported the Herald. And the crisis continues, according to a Virginia research firm, which found in August that almost one-fourth of new mortgage fraud in the U.S. emanates from Florida (mostly on scams exploiting people who face foreclosure).

    GOOD VIBRATIONS
        Charlie Van Wilkes Jr., 31, was arrested in Danielsville, Ga., in August and charged with possession of drugs and burglary tools. The arrest report noted that Wilkes had a “large lump in the front of his blue jeans, with wires running from inside his pants and hanging down dragging the ground” as he walked. Wilkes explained that he was wearing a “homemade vibrator,” hooked to a battery. Wrote the officer, “(A) small motor had been removed from an item and placed inside a pill bottle, and then wrapped in a piece of pipe insulation before being placed inside (Wilkes’) pants for a pleasurable sensation.”
  •     I’m a 25-year-old woman who spends an exorbitant amount of hours daydreaming about this 28-year-old guy I met nine months ago. We’re both musicians, and both tired of the games men and women play. He tells me I’m an absolute catch, and leans in when we talk in the hall like he’s trying to get closer. He has said he’s timid with girls he likes, plus I told him, “When I really like a guy, I tell him so.” Oops. I later backpedaled, explaining that I wait till the last possible moment. I’m just aching to reveal my feelings, but have only made hints while we’ve both been drunk, and I don’t think they’ve registered. Oh, yeah, did I mention he’s my roommate? What if he isn’t interested? What if I lose a tenant and a friend? How can I broach the topic of taking our friendship to the next level without scaring him away?
                  —Mooning for my Roomie


        Just get in bed with the guy and see if he complains. Say something only vaguely explanatory. Like “I saw a bug.” Or “I had a bad dream.” Or “Whoops! There was a lot of fog in the hallway, and I guess I got lost on the way back from the bathroom.”
        The worst thing you could do is lay your feelings out like a big, dead carp. Guys normally aren’t huge fans of the old “Can we talk about the relationship?” They’re particularly icked out by hearing it from a woman they have yet to even feel up. Plus, if you spell out interest that isn’t reciprocated — “I’ve spent nine months festering with lust for you!” — there’s no taking it back. An unreciprocated move, on the other hand, can be pretended away: You were drunk. You don’t know what came over you. Maybe it was the fog!
        You can spend the next nine months following the guy around the apartment with a little curl of drool hanging from your mouth — or decide it’s worth it to you to risk losing a tenant and a friend. Actually, if he is into you, you should lose a tenant, since it’s ill-advised to move in together before the first date. As for losing a friend, OK, not super-fun, but surely there are more where this one came from. Finally, let’s say he doesn’t share your feelings. Maybe you can stay roomies and friends — if you can accept, without going all weird, that he’s never going to ask if you, uh, wanna see his etchings. In fact, like one half of some old married couple, you may eventually become convinced your head will explode if you have to ask him one more time to pick his etchings up off the living room floor.
  •     The North Carolina State Fair is one of the most anticipated events of the fall season. For two weeks, North Carolinians celebrate their farm heritage with rides, food and entertainment — lots of entertainment.
    The 2008 N.C. State Fair entertainment lineup will bring a mix of country music stars, an R&B singer, Christian rockers, a television chef, and a North Carolina native to the stage in Dorton Arena.
        From Oct. 16 to Oct. 26, some of the world’s biggest music names will descend on North Carolina to provide the nightly entertainment at the fair.
        Kicking off the two weeks of entertainment is country singer Josh Turner. He will be joined later in the week by other country music stars, including Jason Aldean, Bucky Covington, Rodney Atkins, Joe Nichols and country mega stars Montgomery Gentry.{mosimage}
        Other performers include Christian rapper Toby Mac, Lady Antebellum and Heidi Newfield and Bobby Flay.
        Contemporary Christian singer Toby Mac will hit the stage on Saturday, Oct. 18, and will perform some of his biggest hits.
        World-renowned chef Bobby Flay will add some extra spice to the entertainment mix on Monday, Oct. 20. The host of  Throwdown! With Bobby Flay and Boy Meets Grill with Bobby Flay will be cooking up some culinary treats on stage in Dorton Arena.
        Rockingham native and American Idol finalist Bucky Covington will show his unique country-rock flair on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Covington will perform hits off his debut album, including “A Different World” and “It’s Good to Be Us.”
        Smooth R&B singer Mario, who appeared on Dancing with the Stars this year, will perform Thursday, Oct. 23, and Christian rock groups Skillet and Leeland will take the stage Friday, Oct. 24.
    All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 6:30 p.m.
        Tickets to the concerts, held nightly in Dorton Arena, range in price from $10 to $32. Tickets can be purchased oneline only at  www.ncstatefair.org through the start of the fair. Any concert tickets remaining after the start of the fair can be purchased at the Dorton Arena box office. Remaining tickets will likely be limited, so purchasing online and in advance is recommended. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
        If you decide to take in one of these great concerts, plan on making a day of your visit to Raleigh and enjoy all of the wonders of the fair. This year’s fair is bigger and better than ever.
        Tickets to the fair are $7 for adults; $2 for children 6-12; children 5 and under are free; senior adults (65-years-old and up) are also free. Tickets for the midway are $1 per ticket. Sheets of 18 tickets are $10.
        For more information, visit www.ncstatefair.org.
  •     If you’re a man who cringes at the word “ball,” don’t worry... this is one ball you’re going to be more than happy to accompany your spouse or significant other to. The 3rd annual Blue Jean Ball and Chair-ity Auction is a fun, laid back family event that will keep you in good graces all year long.
        The Blue Jean Ball, which benefits The Child Advocacy Center, is slated for Saturday, Sept. 27, at Highland Country Club. And, the event is exactly what its name implies. To attend you don’t have to dress up or even wear a tie. Simply climb into your faded jeans — the more faded the better — grab your family and head over to the club for a night of food, music, dancing and art — lots of art.
        “All families are welcome,” said Sandy Ammons, a volunteer with The Child Advocacy Center. “This is the third year of The Blue Jean Ball. It has grown tremendously since last year, when we went from making $3,000 to $43,000.”
        Ammons said the community is already buzzing about the event. “What’s so great about this event is that you can do it with your children,” she said. “A lot of events are either geared toward children or they are geared toward adults. This is both. The children will have their own party with a deejay, dancing and food, and adults will have the same, as well as the auction.”
        The auction, like the event, is unique. It showcases chairs that are actually pieces of art.
        The number of artists participating in the event has more than doubled this year. In addition to the chairs, artists will also be offering paintings, clay pots, metal tubs and more. And the chairs will also be as eclectic. There will be the traditional straight-back chairs, Adirondack chairs, stools and much more.
        In addition to the more well-known artists in the community, there will also be some celebrity artists. Mayor Tony Chavonne as well as other members of the Fayetteville City Council will create works for the auction. County Commissioner Breeden Blackwell is contributing a different kind of art — a backyard barbecue grill.
        “As you can see, it has grown tremendously in a lot of different ways,” said Ammons.{mosimage}
        One thing that has not changed is the involvement of volunteers in the planning of the event. A group of 20 middle school children have been working furiously to plan the event. According to Ammons, they’ve decided everything from the food to be served to the invitations. They are also creating works of art for the auction. But more importantly, they are becoming advocates for abused children in our community. “They’ve learned how to reach out to those children in our community who have been abused,” said Ammons.
        The event is chaired by Ginny Breece and Martha Spires.
        Tickets for the event are $25 per youth and $50 per adult. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Child Advocacy Office at 486-9700 or by downloading a ticket request from the Web site at www.childadvocacycenter.com.

    Janice Burton, Associate Publisher
    COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or
    editor@upandcomingweekly.com


  •    Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Rated R) - 3 stars

        {mosimage}If you are willing to approach The Clone Wars (98 minutes) as a movie primarily for kids, you will have a lot more fun with it. Politely ignore all the plot holes, visual mistakes and narrative inconsistencies because the entire movie is a set-up for the television series debuting in October. This film, the first animated theatrical release in the Star Wars series, is set between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, so Anakin isn’t Darth Vader yet, the Jedi are still friendly with the Boba-clones and Count Dooku is still leading the Droid army against the Republic. While George Lucas did produce the movie, he neither wrote nor directed. Directing credit goes to Dave Filoni, who along with first credited screenwriter Henry Gilroy will work on the series.
        In a move clearly designed to be kid-friendly, the usual opening text crawl is replaced by a voiceover explaining the events so far. The Separatists (led by the evil Count Dooku, voiced by Christopher Lee) have cut communication and blocked travel, stranding Republican forces in the Outer Rim. Rotta, the son of Jabba the Hut (Kevin Michael Richardson) has been kidnapped by the Separatists in a slightly confusing plot to manipulate the Hutts (powerful gangsters) into rejecting the Republic and working with Count Dooku. 
        Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi (James Arnold Taylor) and Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter) battle a droid army and wait for reinforcements, which arrive in the form of young Padawan, Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein). Master Yoda (Tom Kane) has decided that Anakin needs a disciple, but she is so determined to prove herself that she sometimes acts before she thinks. Though at first Anakin is reluctant to take on the responsibility, eventually he decides to accept the inevitable and is sent with his new Padawan to rescue Jabba’s son from Count Dooku and his assassin, Asajj Ventress (Nika Futterman).
        In the “B” plot, Senator Padme Amidala (Catherine Taber) is determined to assist the Jedi in their negotiations with the Hutts. Though she is captured soon after she discovers the details of a plot against Jabba, she manages to signal C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) for assistance.
        The animation is heavily influenced by video game graphics, which work on the sweeping space shots. Unfortunately, the facial features and close-up details shots suffer from lack of attention, and seem rushed. George Lucas is not renowned for his stellar dialogue, but he is worlds above Henry Gilroy whose screenwriting in this instance is utterly clichéd and stale. The light sabers look fantastic, which is good because there are about hundred extended battles between Jedi and droids. The pacing seems off, with the film lasting about 20 minutes more than it needed to. Of course, in a film designed to introduce audiences to a new television series, a film that reads like a really long TV episode should not be a surprise. 

  •     According to police in Bethlehem, Penn., four kids (ages 9 to 14) grabbed a donation box in August at RiverPlace park (contributions to an organization that maintains the park’s portable toilets) and ran for nearby woods, with several police officers in pursuit. Three boys were caught, but the other made it a little ways into the woods before falling into a manure pit built by homeless people at their encampment.
        About 10 years ago, reported LA Weekly in July, Southern California was awash with hysteria over household “toxic mold,” in which lawyers convinced jurors that a wide range of illnesses was caused by fungi that previously had been minor irritants controlled by ordinary cleansers. (Centers for Disease Control maintains there is no basis for such hysteria and that the only at-risk people are a tiny number vulnerable to specific fungi.) Among the mold alarmists then was announcer Ed McMahon, who famously received a multimillion-dollar settlement by claiming that mold killed his beloved dog. Recently, McMahon even more famously publicly lamented his potential bankruptcy, in large part because no one wanted to buy his house (although the reason now seems more the mortgage credit crisis than the home’s alleged toxicity).
     
    COMPELLING EXPLANATION
        Jonathan Williams, 33, was convicted of cocaine possession in England’s Guildford Crown Court in July, as jurors rejected his explanation that the pants he had on (containing the cocaine) were not his.
        That explanation also failed in August in Naples, Fla., for Richard Obdyke, 19, when police found a stolen debit card in his pants. (In both cases, the men said they had no idea whose pants they were wearing.)

    RECURRING THEMES
        The Texas criminal justice system continues to astonish. In August, federal judge Orlando Garcia of San Antonio ordered a final-hours’ stay of execution for Jeffrey Wood based on serious concerns about his sanity, that the Texas state courts had somehow summarily dismissed. Judge Garcia said substantial evidence supported at least holding a hearing on the issue but that state law seemed to require the inmate to prove his insanity first in order to obtain a hearing on whether he is insane. That, said Garcia, is “an insane system.”
  •     Murder always makes for a fascinating story. It’s even better when it fleshes out some of America’s sordid history. Gilbert Theater’s opening production takes a look at those devilish folks who use guns rather than pens as a means of making history, i.e., the assassins of the Presidents of the United States of America.
        {mosimage}From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, creators Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman bend the rules of time and space, taking us on a rollercoaster ride in which assassins and would-be assassins from different historical periods meet, interact and ultimately inspire each other to harrowing acts in the name of the American Dream. In exploration of the dark side of the American experience, Assassins is bold, surreal, scary, yet still ridiculously funny.
    Director Marcela Casals is pleased with the outcome of the production. The feeling is that though the subject matter is dark, just when you think the play is belly up (pun intended) it slices a smile across your face from its sick wit.
        Originally, Sondheim and Weidman intended to explore the lives of assassins throughout history beginning with Brutus and Julius Caesar. Considering the massive number of murderers in history, they became overwhelmed and realized it better to shorten their scope. As the project developed, their task soon became clear — to dramatize the unpopular thesis that the most notorious killers in our culture are as much a product of that culture as the famous leaders they attempt and successfully murder.
        Casals noted that “It’s very funny, but it’s very dark,” said Casals. “Sondheim is very good at putting two things completely opposite each other together.”
        She said the play gives the audience the opportunity to see inside the heads of some very mad individuals. She explained that many of these individuals were either depressed or confused, while others thought they were doing a service to the country.
        “Through this musical, you get to see inside their heads and see how they got to that point. There is a lot of humor, even though there is a lot of darkness.”
        She noted that each of these individuals thought they were going to change the course of history. For some, like Wilkes Booth and Oswald, their names have become pieces of the American lexicon. For others, they simply had their five minutes of fame and then slipped away.
        She said that she had gathered a “fabulous” cast of men and women to fill the ensemble and the leads. “Their voices just blend beautifully,” she said. “They just sound fabulous.”
        She cautioned that the play does have some offensive language, but hopes that it does not put people off from coming to a performance. “It’s a part of our history,” she said. “And we hope that high school students and others who have a love for history will come and see the show.”
        Tickets for the show are $12. The play opens Oct. 2-19. The theater is at 116 Green St., above Fascinate-U Children’s Museum. Call 678-7186 or e-mail gilberttheater@aol.com for more information.
  • 03 VapingLook down, look down that loathsome road and decide today’s question: Are e-cigarette companies worse than heroin pushers? At least with heroin, the first shot is free. Ponder this issue for a moment to divert you from deciding whether having to buy the ACC network from cable vision is a rip-off or merely an abomination. First, a brief tour through the candy-flavored mists of vaping history. In 2006, a Chinese company brought out an e-cigarette called the Ruyan V8. It was billed as a way to help people stop smoking tobacco. The Ruyan V8 sounds like either a vegetable health drink or a snazzy sports car that James Bond might have driven.

    Gentle reader, perhaps you are curious about what vaping involves. The Ruyan began with simple tobacco flavored e-juice. This tobacco juice proved. E-cigs soon begat a variety of flavored e-juices. There are some pretty funky ingredients in e-juice.

    Consider the components. E-juice contains sweet-tasting glycerol, which is also used in explosives and antifreeze. It has propylene glycol to create the beautiful and sophisticated clouds of vapor. Oils both natural and unnatural flavor the e-juice. Nicotine rounds out these taste treats. Nicotine provides the bracing addicting element that keeps vapers coming back for more. Fun fact: One e-juice pod is about the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes. The final ingredient is benzoic acid, a food preservative that has the added benefit of increasing the potency of the nicotine.

    The ingredients in e-juice could have come from Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. Recall the witches hanging around the stew pot mixing up their own e-juice chanting: “Double, double toil and trouble/Fire burn and caldron bubble/Fillet of a fenny snake/In the caldron boil and bake/ Eye of newt, and toe of frog/Wool of bat, and tongue of dog/Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting/Lizard’s leg, and owlet’s wing/For a charm of powerful trouble/Like a hell-broth boil and bubble/Double, double toil and trouble/Fire burn and caldron bubble.” I would take my chances with the witches’ brew before an e-pod.

    Smokers put e-juice into the internal combustion engine of the vaporizer to impregnate their lungs with the deeply satisfying molecules of nicotine and the other delicious chemicals. This process of inhaling witch’s brew of e-juice by the addicted vaper is reminiscent of the scene in “Silence of the Lambs” where Buffalo Bill tells the captive lady in the pit: “It puts the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again.” The vaper puts the e-juice in his lungs, or else he gets the nicotine shakes again.

    Vaping is big business. “The Wall Street Journal” reports $7 billion of vaping went on in 2018 by 8 million adults and 5 million children. Unsurprisingly Big Tobacco is all over e-cigarettes. The Altria Group, which used to be named Phillip Morris, owns 35% of Juul — the leading seller of e-cigarettes. Juul runs full-page ads in “The Wall Street Journal,” saying it doesn’t want children to buy its product. Similarly, I, as a UNC fan, don’t want North Carolina State to get rid of a bad basketball coach, either.

    Debate remains about whether the various e-cigarette companies are sincere about not selling their product to children. If you go on an e-cigarette website, you have to click on a box that says you are over 21 to buy e-cigarettes there. It’s the honor system. Clicking on the box is as effective as the old stickers on cigarette machines that said minors could not buy cigarettes from the machine. Consider the names of some flavored e-juices that various vaping companies used to entice underage buyers to purchase their products. I am not making these flavors up: Cool Mint, Mango, Crème Brûlée, Cool Cucumber, Fruit Medley, Chocolate, I Love Donuts- Blueberry, I Love Cookies, Vanilla Custard, Cinnablaze, Corn Flake Tart, Blueberry Jam, Baby Clouds, Blueberry Cobbler, Peanut Butter Cup, and Custard’s Last Stand. There are hordes of manly men out there wanting to smoke Baby Clouds e-cigarettes.

    Here actual ad copy on an e-cigarette web site that doesn’t appear to be aimed at adults. To wit: “Many smokers who switch to vaping start out with tobacco flavors and move on to find delight in these sugary e-liquids, which are also available in seven or more nicotine levels. Many of these e-cig dessert flavors are available in our high-VG Ultimo Vapor E-Juice, including Napoleon’s Fave. When you vape it, it feels like you’re devouring a cone topped with a triple-scoop of vanilla, strawberry and chocolate ice cream that never melts! Vapers and former smokers can also find e-cig indulgence in our prefilled e-cig cartridges, where these dessert e-juices are among 150 flavors that come loaded up and ready to deliver you pure vaping pleasure.”

    As Macbeth’s witches said: “Scale of dragon; tooth of wolf/ Witches’ mummy; maw and gulf/ Of the ravin’d salt-sea shark; Root of hemlock digg’d in the dark; Sliver’d in the moon’s eclipse/ Nose of Turk and Tartar’s lips/ Make the gruel thick and slab;/ Add thereto a tiger’s chaudron/ For the ingredients of our cauldron/ Cool it with a baboon’s blood/ Then the charm is fine and good.”


    Take a puff; it’s summertime. Enjoy the pure vaping pleasure of the hell-broth.

  • 02 RocksPublisher’s Note: There’s always something to do in Cumberland County! This past week was a perfect example of the diverse activities that are happening. We have theatres, festivals, car shows and even events celebrating the accomplishments of service organizations in our community. The Vision Resource Center, over the weekend, brought the community together in Downtown Fayetteville to thank them for their support and to raise money for the continuation of their relentless service to our blind and sight-impaired population. This kind of activity is popping up all over the county. I am yielding my space to Earl Vaughan, Jr. who has discovered an emerging cultural organization in Hope Mills. Their projects are aimed at enhancing the arts and cultural awareness in Hope Mills as well as the quality of life for its citizens. Without a doubt, Hope Mills ROCKS! Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    It could be said that the Hope Mills Creative Arts Council is off to a rocky start. Fortunately, it’s in a positive way.


    The newly created arts council recently got the help of a couple of local Girl Scout troops to introduce itself to the Hope Mills area and recruit more artists and volunteers to grow the organization.


    This past weekend, the council held a rock-painting event to create miniature works of art that will be given away at the upcoming Ole Mill Days at Hope Mills Municipal Park.


    “We were trying to come up with something we could do to announce our presence and be a small part of Ole Mill Days,’’ said Elizabeth Blevins, executive director of the council and a contributing writer to Up & Coming Weekly.
    “We have a small budget so we invited Girl Scout troops to come paint rocks,’’ Blevins said. “Painting them and hiding them in parks is a big thing at the moment.’’


    The arts council provided the Girl Scouts from troops 1147 and 2147 the rocks and the paint to create the miniature art works.


    Blevins said the council has also teamed up with other civic organizations that will work with the members of the arts council the night before Ole Mill Days on Saturday, Oct. 5 and hide the rocks around Municipal Park on Rockfish Road where most of the Ole Mill Days activities will be held.


    “They will be able to find the rocks and this will let them know we are there,’’ Blevins said.


    The public is welcome to keep the rocks or hide them again for someone else to find at a future date.


    Blevins said one of the rocks she’ll be hiding was one she and her husband Jim found during a recent visit to Calabash. “Sometimes it’s about moving them from place to place, the joy of having found them and being able to distribute them,’’ she said.


    For further information on the Hope Mills Creative Arts Council, visit its Facebook page of the same name. The staff is working on a website and will provide the name of it on the Facebook page as soon as it’s available.


    “We are always excited to hear from artists, musicians, performers, volunteers and people who just want to be involved,’’ Blevins said.


    To contact the group directly, email to hopemillscac@gmail.com or call Blevins at 910-853-4539.

  • 14 WorshipThe secret to eternal youth is a lot simpler than we make it. It's not found in some rejuvenating elixir or dietary plan. The only remedy to growing old is to simply stop waking up. Because the fact of the matter is that every time we wake, we are certain to have aged — at least a little.

     
    As I crossed the threshold of a landmark birthday this summer, I found myself surprised at how quickly it actually got here. When I was a young man, I thought by this time in my life I'd be creaking around, sitting in a rocker on the porch randomly yelling at neighborhood kids to get off my lawn. But no. Growing old and aging aren't necessarily the same.
     
    On a recent weekend, I put in some earbuds and headed out to mow the lawn and selected a playlist that caused me to be excited not only for my age, but also for the generations coming behind me. Warning: the rest of this will probably seem decidedly Christian to some, but what do you expect? I run a Christian radio station, which is more an extension of who I am than it is has ever been a job.
     
    The playlist I selected was called, “Praise and Worship Hotlist.” It treated me to dozens of songs ranging from energetic pop to reflective anthems  — all with a focus on inciting a deeper relationship with God in the listener. The experience led me to recall the cliché phrases we hear from those aging around us like, “They call that music?” But that's not how I felt. Instead, I thought it was beautiful to hear such lyrical and poetic thoughts wrapped in musical packages that completely reflected a generation I can only observe from the outside.
     
    The young songwriters and musicians spoke to the realities of their world. And while we hear many people complain about the same things, they offered them to God, and declared he was the one who would strengthen them to endure and eventually change them. All the more poignant, most of the songs were recorded live, and you could hear the echoes of a great crowd around them.
     
    We often hear about the number of young people walking away from the church. We're told they hold nothing about their parents' faith dear. They even call them the “nones.” No preference. No faith. Nothing. What we hear less about is the burgeoning faith and devotion of the same generation who didn't leave. Or the ones whose faith came fully alive as they entered adulthood.  For the former — the nones — perhaps they didn't walk away at all. More likely they only went
    through the motions of faith because that's where their parents took them or where  their limited social circle centered.
     
    Genuine Christian faith is not something you walk into and out of. It becomes more an extension of who you are than a place you go or a thing you do. And to those demonstrating that faith: I like your music. Walk on my lawn any time.
  • 04 TrumpOver the past week, I received comments from three readers regarding two of my recent columns. They raised questions and challenges that some other readers likely share. Consequently, I will respond in this column.

     
    The first two emails addressed my column titled “When the selfish quest for power alienates reason.” One reader countered my positive comments regarding President Trump by contending that no president has been more corrupt and fundamentally evil than Trump. He stated that the president has no interest in religion.  Apparently, in support of that argument, he assesses Trump as publically reading Scripture in a fashion that shows lack of familiarity with the Bible. Then comes the conclusion that Trump’s behavior is abhorrent to all who believe. In light of my being Christian, he then wants to know why I support the president. That question is followed by him accusing me of “unrelenting allegiance” to the Republican Party. On the last statement, I am registered as unaffiliated.
     
    Like the first respondent, the second reads my column frequently and often gives feedback by email. In the case of this column, he reiterated, correctly, that I spend a substantial amount of ink challenging the conduct and policy positions of Democrats. He says I favor Republicans,  and that doing so is unfair and unproductive. This reader also argues that my thinking and policy positions conflict with the will of God and the call of Scripture. My support of Trump troubles him, too.
     
    Then there was an email sent to the Up & Coming Weekly editor by a lady who identified herself as being black and a veteran. The text of that email was addressed to me and commented in response to my column titled “Leonard Pitts, Jr. assigns honorary whiteness.” She opened by stating that she had no idea that there were still black men in America as clueless as me. After commending my call for decision-making through thoughtful assessment of facts, she states that I fail to see the truth when it comes to accurately assessing Trump.
     
    She says these are some of the truths I am missing with regard to Trump: He is only for rich, white, straight men. He does not care about people in America who are any shade of brown. He raped the school lunch healthy eating initiatives for schools (majority black/brown) that have lower-income children. He gives veterans anything they want, and most of them are white. His moral compass is nonexistent, and he encourages and incites hateful acts on people of color.
     
    A bit later, she excoriates me for trusting Dr. Ben Carson’s contention that Trump is not a racist. In closing, the writer says that I am not addressing the issues that affect people, not being a voice for those who need one because Up & Coming Weekly does not allow me to do so. She says they give me the biggest page not to inform people of anything, but to make a fool of me. This writer ends her email by saying she does not want to receive a response from me.
     
    Taken as a whole, these readers challenge the appropriateness of how faith influences my decision-making, question the validity of my substantial criticism of Democratic strategy/tactics/policies and seek to suppress my thinking that does not conform to liberal orthodoxy.
     
    Regarding my being Christian, a person of faith, while supporting Donald Trump, start with my understanding of the gospel and how God deals with humankind. I believe the creation account. The human condition was and is that we have an inclination to sin. That is, sinning is a natural response in human beings. Dr. R.C. Sproul, in an article titled “Jonathan Edwards: We Are Inclined to Sin” confirms this human condition when he writes: “Why can we find no societies in which the prevailing influence is to virtue rather than vice? Why does not society influence us to maintain our natural innocence?”
    Sin separates us from God, sours our relationship with him. We reestablish that relationship by believing the gospel and, in response to our believing, having the Holy Spirit come to dwell in us. That presence of the Holy Spirit directs and strengthens us for saying “no” to sin and “yes” to godly living. A key component of this process is God’s forgiveness of sin. In an article titled “What Does the Word ‘Gospel’ Mean in the New Testament?” R.C. Sproul writes this:  “The gospel is about Jesus — what he did, his life of perfect obedience, his atoning death on the cross, his resurrection from the dead, his ascension into heaven and his outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church.”
     
    What does this God, gospel, and forgiveness stuff have to do with my support of Donald Trump? Despite his sometimes seeming offensive and attacking words, the charges of marital infidelity and the ardent search by so many for reasons to impeach him, I look at him in light of the offer of God to us in our sinfulness and separation from Him. I find it hard to believe that Trump is able to, with high energy and focus in the midst of all-out efforts to literally destroy him and his family, accomplish all the good he is doing. It has to be that he is on this journey to forgiveness, repentance and a right relationship with God.
     
    Surely, some readers will find all of that hilarious. As you laugh, be reminded of King David from Scripture. First Chronicles 18:14 says, “So David reigned over all Israel; and he administered justice and equity to all his people.”
     
    Now this from a Bible study titled “The Life of King David.”
     
    “Unfortunately, many of David’s problems are self-inflicted. His illicit affair with Bathsheba, the arranged murder of her husband and attempt at covering up his sins cost him grief, dishonor, the life of a child and trouble within his household.
     
    “The sin of taking a census to determine the size of his army, instead of trusting God, cost the lives of more than 70,000 Israelites. His lack of discipline in his own house contributed to his son Absalom rebelling against him and another son Adonijah seeking to inherit the throne instead of Solomon.”
     
    The bottom line is that, time and again, like with King David, God uses imperfect and improbable people to do extraordinary things. It looks to me as though Trump might be one of those cases.
     
    Further, the “love one another” interpretation that is repeatedly presented to me by many who disagree with my thinking on political, social and religious matters, apparently only applies to people who differ with them. Their “love one another” interpretation causes outrage at Trump when he speaks in seemingly harsh terms toward others. However, they are silent when boycotts are called against business owners for supporting Trump or his staff members are harassed in public places or the names of donors are published so that they may be ridiculed and somehow punished. Supporters are verbally attacked and bullied in their workplace while liberal media focuses on Trump’s destruction. Seeing and experiencing this one-sided approach inclines me even more to support Trump. The God I serve abhors hypocrisy and hatred of others.
     
    Then, in this moment, I cannot think of a Trump policy initiative with which I disagree. Sure, there are issues such as climate change and mass shootings that I wish we could, as a nation, address in a nonpolitical and productive fashion. I think Trump is trying to do what is good for America and that he loves this country. Being focused on what is good for and loving the country are getting to be rare qualities in America. Given the rarity of these qualities, I will take my chances with Trump.
     
    As for my frequent opposition to Democratic policies and actions, I confess. I do not have space to give the list, but I believe that just about every policy and action being pursued by Democrats is foolhardy and dramatically jeopardizes the very survival of this nation. I do not say much about Republicans because, especially in Congress and with a few exceptions, I see them as a bunch of wimps who let Democrats bully them into doing nothing. In the meantime, Democrats promise, manipulate voters, and also do nothing of positive consequence. For more on this thinking, see my column titled “U.S. Congress: Far too many bullies and wimps.”
     
    All three of these readers, but especially the third one, challenge my capacity for assembling facts, fairly examining them and reaching supportable conclusions. On this point, I find it interesting that not one of them specifically countered the detailed arguments that I put forth in those columns. Instead, they challenge my faith and my ability to reason. Granted, the female reader wrote off Dr. Ben Carson, but with no support for why, she said his assessment of Trump not being a racist should be disregarded. Couple this lack of specific responses to the points in my column, with her all-out verbal assault on me, along with a refusal to receive a response from me, and you see the primary liberal strategy. I find that strategy repulsive and just more reason to give Trump a fair look.
     
    My thanks to these readers for giving me reason to rethink my support of Donald Trump. No change!
     
    Merritt’s columns mentioned above are available at http://www.karlmerritt.com/category/articles.
  • 03 gunAmerican business — big, small and in between — is rarely seen as a force of political liberalism. In fact, business interests are more often than not conservative, as political money given by both business executives and business entities demonstrates. Business helps itself by lobbying for less regulation and lower taxes and often contends these positions help everyone else as well — proverbial trickle-down economics.

     
    That is why last week’s open letter by 145 chief executives of some of our nation’s best-known corporations to leaders of the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate gave whiplash to more than few Americans. The letter directly and urgently asked senators to support expanded background checks for all firearms sales and stronger “red flag” laws aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of individuals considered potentially violent. The House has passed some gun control legislation, and the executives want the Senate to act on that legislation. Their letter suggests that requiring background checks on all gun sales is a “common-sense solution with overwhelming public support.”
     
    What? Captains of industry urging gun-control?
     
     
    Yes, indeed.

    The business leaders, representing companies including Levi Strauss & Co., Lyft, Gap Inc., Royal Caribbean and a financial operation founded by Jared Kushner’s brother, wrote this to senators. “Doing nothing about America’s gun violence crisis is simply unacceptable, and it is time to stand with the American public on gun safety.”

     
    The letter comes after 31 people were killed last month in about 24 hours in separate mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.
     
    Have we reached a tipping point on the issue of gun control?     
     
    Recent polling indicates a high level — perhaps as much as 90% — of public support for increased gun control measures in the wake of last month’s shootings. But we have had such waves of public sentiment before, notably after the Sandy Hook school shootings almost seven years ago and the Las Vegas concert massacre, which took 58 lives two years ago with no congressional action taken. With mass shootings seemingly becoming more frequent and deadlier, are we finally ready to address them as a nation?
     
    While American business interests have become more vocal during the Trump presidency on all sorts of issues including immigration, affordable health insurance, climate change and white supremacy, it is interesting to note which chief executives did not sign the gun control letter to senators. Among the absentees are CEOs of some of our nation’s largest and most influential financial and technology institutions, including Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Apple, Google and Facebook. Some companies acknowledge that their leaders discussed the issue internally, and some say they are simply sticking to their business duties, thank you very much.
     
    Senators have been largely close-mouthed about the letter, so Americans of all political persuasions will have to watch and wait for a response — if any. If history is an indicator, the Republican-controlled Senate has been generally responsive to the wishes of business leaders, and business interests have rewarded Republican senators with generous campaign contributions. It has been a cozy and comfortable arrangement when dealing with business issues but less so when social questions arise.
     
    Here again, if history is an indicator, not much is going to move Republican leaders on gun issues. Dead first graders, dead concert-goers, dead high school students and dead Walmart shoppers have not moved them. It remains to be seen if distressed Chief Executive Officers can make any difference.

     

  • 02 PubnotesWill Fayetteville get a new North Carolina state-operated North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center? That’s a good question. Basic logic would dictate it’s a no-brainer for a community like ours that is working hard to attract business and industry to Cumberland County. As the General Assembly readies itself to approve $46 million for the Civil War Center, the appropriation hinges on Cumberland County and the city of Fayetteville both supporting the project with financial commitments of $7.5 million each. At this moment, both have tentatively committed their support. Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin is waffling, though, stating that more public input is needed and suggesting there may be more pressing needs to address as Fayetteville rallies to shake its Tier 1 status.
     
    Education and awareness are essential for peace and tranquility. The proposed Civil War Education Center offers both. For those in the city who think the $7.5  million in tax dollars could be spent on more pressing needs, we ask: What can be more important than education and awareness to future generations?  Where is the vision? More importantly, where is the logic?
     
    This is an $80 million-plus state-funded project for which the city and county would both invest $7.5 million.  That’s a 0.094% buy-in after the museum foundation has raised over $10 million in donations and $15 million in pledges. Using community support and donations to evaluate and monitor this mandate, I’d say the Fayetteville community is pretty much in favor of the project. So why the hesitation on the part of the city at this late date? Personal political maneuvering? Mind games? Who knows?  However, if it’s a game, it’s a gamble with stakes so high that a loss here would be so devastating that  the consequences to the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community would be felt for decades. 
     
    Need proof? Look east of Fayetteville about 5 miles, where millions of vehicles travel both north and south along Interstate 95 each day, avoiding our community.  The interstate was predicted to be an economic boom for Cumberland County in the late 70s and early 80s, promising decades of growth and prosperity. Nearly four decades later, only one of the 11 Cumberland  County exits have been developed — exit 49. A bad decision made in the 70s has stifled, and continues to stifle, the progress and development of this community. Why? Because of political self-interest and a lack of vision. We can convene all the public hearings we want. The location of Interstate 95 was the topic of several such public hearings. Public hearings do not substitute for intelligence, logic or leadership. And, in the case of championing the History Center here is a project that would pay big dividends to the Fayetteville community indefinitely.
     
    By the numbers:
    1. The Museum is a state-funded operation. In other words, once it’s built, the state maintains it. There is no cost to local residents.
    2. The Museum will create hundreds of new jobs.
    3. It will have a $20 million annual economic impact on the community.
    4. It will attract 100,000+ visitors annually to our community.
    5. It will make Fayetteville a statewide destination point.
     
    In closing, I know both our Fayetteville city councilmen and women and our Board of County Commissioners have a sincere and heartfelt passion for doing what is in the best interest of local residents. Escaping the grasp of our Tier 1 designation can only be obtained with honest, objective leadership and vision. We don’t need another Interstate 95 fiasco that has netted us zero over the past four decades. We need to partner with the state of North Carolina, this time, in building a highway to prosperity that leads directly to Fayetteville and  Cumberland County. The  N.C. Civil War & Reconstruction History Center is that master plan.
     
    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.
     
    A History Center will bring millions of dollars to our community and create hundreds of new jobs.
     
     
     
     
  • 04 PlagueDoctorIt’s the most wonderful time of the year — the presidential election of 2020 has arrived full-blown, even before the pre-Halloween Christmas decorations show up at Walmart. As Frank Costanza once said, the presidential election campaign has risen like a Phoenix from Arizona into full mushroom-cloud status. Political ads are now looming everywhere above the fruited plains like a hangover from overconsumption of Mad Dog 20/20 Electric Melon wine. 

    One of the hot topics in the coming election will be the future of health care in America. There is a wide variety of options from Democrats from the plan to outlaw private insurance and have Medicare for all to Biden’s improved Obamacare. On the right, the Republicans want to abolish Obamacare to bring back pre-existing conditions. They have a Double Secret Plan for as-yet-undescribed medical Vapor Care. Thinking about health care got me pondering the good old days when doctors made house calls. That thought drove me back to medieval times when doctors wore scary bird mask outfits to cure the Black Death. Precious memories. How they linger. 

    As the Republicans haven’t proposed their replacement for Obamacare, allow me to suggest they resume making medical care great again with Vapor Care. Vapor Care sounds perfect in the abstract when Dear Leader tweets. Vagueness counts. Mix together some warm, fuzzy words like “lower premiums and deductibles,” “far less expensive and far better,” and “block grants” and pretty soon you have the basis for Dear Leader’s replacement for Obamacare — new, improved Republican Vapor Care. 

    In returning to Medicine’s Golden Days of Yesteryear, what better place to start than to require medical providers of Vapor Care to wear the Plague Doctors’ bird-head black costume? Take a walk down Memory Lane to consider how these costumes will make medicine great again. When the Black Death was stalking Europe, no one knew what to do about it. The Plague Doctors’ Bird of Death costume was a humdinger. Plague Doctors’ — PD for short — jobs included treating and curing victims of the plague and burying them when the cure didn’t take. Being a PD meant you had to be around plague patients and the plague cooties that the patients gave off. The PD’s uniform was designed to keep the doc safe as he practiced Vapor Care. A dude named Charles de l’Orme is credited with inventing the Plague Doctor bird outfit in about 1619. Chuck was the Dr. Phil celebrity doc of his day, including three French kings and the Medici family in Italy as his patients.

    The PD wore a black leather cowboy hat. Beneath that, he wore the well-known bird mask. There was some belief that the plague was spread by birds, so the giant bird mask might scare away the disease-carrying birds. The beak of the mask was stuffed with flowers and sweet-smelling herbs because another theory was that the plague was spread by bad air. With the PD breathing the sweet smell of excess in his beak, the bad air cooties could be warded off. This left the PD to heal the sick unafraid of getting the Black Death himself. The PD wore a long, black overcoat from his head to his feet to protect his skin from the plague demons. To keep the demons from sticking to the overcoat, the PD would slime the overcoat with animal fat. 

     Greasing up the overcoat was done for several possible conflicting reasons — the grease would keep the plague cooties away from the PD, or it might draw the plague gremlins away from the patient and onto the overcoat. If any yucky plague secretions oozed off the body of the patient, the gruesome juices would slide off the grease-covered coat, thereby protecting the PD. One can imagine the healing effect of a giant bird figure covered in smelly grease on a hot day in Italy on a patient suffering bubonic plague. If the patient lived, he would remember that event forever. To complete the outfit, the PD carried a wooden cane to be used for poking the patient during examination or defending the PD from the patient if the patient became freaked out by the appearance of a giant smelly bird messing with him during his death throes. 

    The advantage of dressing people in Plague Doctor Bird Suits to apply Vapor Care is that the PD doesn’t need a medical degree. Just a bird suit. No expensive medical doctors need apply. No medical malpractice cases will exist because the patients will all die, and the PD can’t be identified because of the Bird Suit. This all keeps down the costs of medical care. 

     The late, great singer Warren Zevon predicted Vapor Care with his immortal lyrics in his song “Life’ll Kill You.”

    “From the president of the United States/ To the lowliest rock and roll star/ The doctor is in and he’ll see you now/ He don’t care who you are/ Some get the awful, awful diseases/ Some get the knife, some get the gun/ Some get to die in their sleep/ At the age of a hundred and one/ Life’ll kill ya/ That’s what I said/ Life’ll kill you/ Then you’ll be dead.” 

    Remember to vote early and often. The life you save may be your own.

  • World’s funniest Wilmingtonian, syndicated columnist Celia Rivenbark, recently published a column on — of all things — thank you notes. She is all for them. Celia says, “Point is, this is still the South the last time I looked and if you receive a gift, you need to say thank you with some pretty stationery and a stamp that has flowers on it.”

    The gold standard of thank you notes is exactly what Celia says — nice stationery or note cards, with an engraved monogram if you are really fancy and schooled into traditional propriety. Notes should be handwritten with lovely and highly legible penmanship unless the writer is manually disabled and should touch all bases — how kind of the giver to remember the occasion and how much you appreciate the thought and look forward to using the special gift. Those are the basics, and beyond that formula, a creative thank you note writer will wax on eloquently, drawing connections among kith and kin, describing the gift as nothing short of the Mona Lisa itself, and the bond between giver and recipient is eternally forged.

    Having written and received a zillion thank you notes myself, I do know that things have changed over time. I still have monogrammed — though not engraved — note cards, and use them for thank you notes, condolences and sometimes just howdy dos. Times have changed with technology, though, and I am not above a thank you email or even a text, especially to a younger person who might find a handwritten note card arriving by snail mail akin to a missive from Mars.

    03 helloquence OQMZwNd3ThU unsplashBut there are definite limits to what passes as an acceptable thank you, and I have had a few of those myself.

    Most notably was a preprinted fill-in-the blank card that read something like this. The filler-in-the-blanks was a recent bride. The card arrived in a computer-addressed envelope with meter bulk mail postage, no doubt from the meter in her parents’ office.

    Dear ____,

    Thank you for the lovely____________. Aloysius and I will enjoy using it/them for many years and will think of you every time. We are grateful for your thinking of us at this special time in our lives.

    Love,

    Anastasia


    This thank you note was wrong in oh-so-many ways. I can only imagine Anastasia filling out cards as she watched “Orange is the New Black,” so no wonder she lost track of what she was doing. 

    She thanked me for lovely napkins, when we had given the happy couple embroidered pillowcases. And Anastasia did not love me for a single second, as I am a friend of her mother’s and have not laid eyes on her since she was a baby. There was nothing personal or sincere about this assembly line thank you. The bride was merely checking the boxes of what she thought she should do, perhaps even knocking them all out during one great binge-watching session.

    Times have certainly changed, and all of us are busy, busy, busy but not so much that a canned thank you note or group email or text mentioning only a “lovely gift” pass for genuine gratitude. The point here is not that the giver receives an acknowledgment of effort made and money spent but that the recipient expresses sincere gratitude that someone, even an old lady, long ago friend of her mother’s wished her and her husband well as they began their lives together.

    Contrast Anastasia’s note with one I received from a young cousin to whom we gave a toy on an early birthday. The boy, about six or seven, wrote a note on lined paper with what could only have been a # 2 pencil. It read, “Thank you for the truck. It made me happy.” I know his mother made him sit down and write, but his note was simple and sincere, and those qualities will stand him in good stead all his life.

    Celia put it this way, “It’s not about being thanked. It is about thanking. It’s about being grateful enough to spend a few minutes to reflect on someone’s generosity. That’s never a bad thing.”

    Amen.

  • Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch Official PortraitA good question with no simple answer. However, better days are on the horizon. The Hope Mills political discourse is just a mini reflection of the crazy leadership style germinating in Washington, D.C., and negatively influencing governments at all levels. 

    It’s the trickle-down effect from the nation’s capital to North Carolina to Fayetteville and yes, even to lovely and quaint communities like Hope Mills. Unfortunately, at all levels of government, communication and conversation has become cheap and mean-spirited. We are dealing with all this discourse instead of our elected officials serving the people, enforcing the law, solving problems, upholding the Constitution and protecting American values. 

    Not to oversimplify this serious situation, but my theory is that it all comes down to incompetent and lazy leadership. It’s a toxic political phenomenon that has impregnated all political parties. In other words, political opportunists figured out the “how” to getting elected to office, but beyond that, they are ignorant and unqualified and have no idea what their responsibilities or obligations are. Nor do they care. 

    As a result, instead of problem-solving, innovative thinking and civility, these political leadership posers have only one agenda and modus operandi — to remain in office by destroying their enemies at all costs. Logic be damned. Truth be damned. Humanity be damned. 

    This reckless and inflammatory rhetoric is accelerated by the fact that too many of these political ne’er do wells and opportunists have no answers or solutions to the problems they are charged with addressing. Even more alarming is that they have no plan, vision or targeted objective except to get elected and reelected. And, that is exactly what is taking place in Hope Mills. 

    Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner is one of the most respected, accomplished, competent, effective and transparent public servants Hope Mills and Cumberland County have ever seen. Her dedication to the Hope Mills community and success as a prominent public servant are all a matter of public record. However, a few of her political detractors obsessed with notoriety, vanity, power and control have declared war on Hope Mills’ native daughter —a woman who, as a Hope Mills teacher and principal, was responsible for the education, character and moral development of thousands of local children.

    These same distracters try to discredit and destroy this newspaper — the only media source that dares to celebrate the Hope Mills achievements and values they seem to despise. Yes, we push back. And we will continue to do so as long as they stand in our way of doing what’s best for the community. We support the Hope Mills community and support those who support the community. In addition, we will strive to adhere and operate as closely as possible to Associate Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch’s two main rules that he imposes on his freshmen law clerks: Rule No. 1 — Don’t make it up. Follow the law. (Tell the truth.) Rule No. 2 — When everyone around you is yelling at you and asking you to “make it up” (tell a lie) or condemning you for not making it up, refer to Rule No. 1. These are great rules to live by.

    In closing, I have one final message to all the Hope Mills, Mayor Jackie Warner and Up & Coming Weeklynewspaper distracters: Refer to Rule No. 1.

     Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

     

  • 13 jeremy thomas O6N9RV2rzX8 unsplashI don't have any school-aged kids in my house, but in my mind, as soon school starts it's time for fall. I'm ready for cooler weather, rusty-colored leaves, warm cups of coffee in the middle of the day, football games and “Happy Fall, Y'all” signs in yards.

    Maybe I'm weird, but I can smell it approaching. There's something in the air that feels different. It might be the return of routine or earlier sunsets, or maybe my dog getting fluffier for the winter — I can't put my finger on it, but it's palpable. It's time for change, and the earth is speaking it.

    My son started day care recently, so although he's not school-aged, it definitely felt like it was back-to-school time. We got "school” supplies, a couple new outfits and a new pair of tennis shoes. The first few mornings of taking him, I found myself thinking about what it was going to be like to actually send him to school. Would he want to talk about his day? How do I get him to volunteer information about what's going on in his life? I want good conversation. I want him to know he's loved and that I care about what's going on in his world. How do I teach him to care about what happens in others' lives? How do I get a deeper answer than “My day was fine?" Okay, okay, I realize he's not even two yet, but I want to be intentional. I don't want to waste a minute.

    Maybe it starts by asking better questions.

    Recently a friend of mine came up with a list he called “After School Questions” — questions that require more than a one-word answer that you can ask on the way home from school or when the kids get home from school. I'm tucking them away for the day my son can actually talk, but maybe you could add a few to your arsenal right now.

    • What was your day's high and low?
    • Who was an encouragement to you?
    • Was there a way you were an encouragement to someone else?
    • What was the hardest rule to follow?
    • What was the best part about lunch time?
    • Who'd you sit next to at lunch?
    • What did you do during recess or break?
    • Did you do anything different today?
    • What's the most interesting thing (teacher's name) did in class?
    • Did anything happen that annoyed you?
    • What are you grateful for today?
    • Who in your class is most like/unlike you? What do you appreciate about them?
    • Did anyone wear something you thought was awesome-looking?
    • What teachers would you pick for your team in a dodgeball game?
    • What about tomorrow are you already looking forward to?
    • These are just a few questions, sure. Some are random, some are pointed, but they all have the potential to reclaim the small amount of down time we spend with our kids and change our family dynamic. It only takes a little effort sometimes to make a big difference.

    As the leaves are changing, so can we. Come on fall, we're ready for a new start!

  • 03 MargaretMy sense is that most of us realize something is really wrong with our climate these days — more heat, more violent storms, too much water in some places and not enough in others, and the list goes on and on. Even those unwilling acknowledge climate change, and outright deniers of it, acknowledge the importance of preserving our climate as best we can. In other words, most of us want and try our best to do the right things to protect our Mother Earth.

    But what are the right things? Are some actions “righter” and “wronger” than others? And if so, what are they?

    Project Drawdown is a 5-year-old organization according to its website “that reviews … and identifies the most viable global climate solutions and shares these findings with the world.” It was founded by noted environmentalist Paul Hawken, and it recently released a quiz about what we as individuals and as public and private sectors can do to reduce our negative impact on the earth. The survey ranks actions by individuals, companies and policymakers, but we will concentrate on individuals because that is where each of us can play our own part. I found the questionnaire both interesting and challenging.

    Regarding our food, which of these four actions can have the biggest effect on reducing climate change? Rank most to least, realizing that individuals can affect each of these.

    1. Cook over clean stoves

    2. Throw away less food

    3. Eat a plant-heavy diet

    4. Compost your waste

    Regarding moving people and goods, rank most to least, realizing that individuals may not affect all of these.

    1. Invest in high-speed trains

    2 Fly less … and on fuel-saving planes

    3. Drive an electric car

    4 Ship goods more efficiently

    Regarding our homes and cities, rank most to least, realizing that individuals may not affect all of these.

    1. Switch to LED lights

    2. Design more workable cities

    3 Install green roofs

    4. Use smart thermostats

    Regarding materials and waste management, rank most to least... you know the rest.

    1. Increase household recycling

    2 Build with “greener” cement compounds

    3. Clean up chemicals in our refrigerators and air conditioners

    4. Use water more efficiently

    Regarding the empowerment of women, rank most to least important.

    1. Educate girls

    2. Close the gender gap in small-scale farming

    3. Increase access to family planning

    And, finally rank Project Drawdown’s top five solutions for reducing climate change.

    1. Manage refrigeration chemicals

    2. Restore our tropical forests

    3 Eat more plants and less meat

    4. Install onshore wind turbines

    5. Cut down on food waste

    Note your answers to each question most effective to least effective to compare them with the correct rankings listed by Project Drawdown. 

    Project Drawdown’s questionnaire includes a couple of questions not listed here, because individual actions have little impact on the solutions, which require actions by governments and large companies. Individuals can — indeed must — pressure governments and private industry to do the right things, just as we try to do in our own households. 

    Read on to see what actions make the biggest impacts in curbing climate change, noting especially those that we can take as individuals. I was surprised by some of them and suspect you may be as well. It is clear we all have roles to play in rescuing our planet.

    Answers to Project Drawdown questionnaire

     All answers are correct to some degree and are listed from most effective in curbing climate change to less effective in curbing climate change.

    Regarding our food. Individuals have effects in each of these areas.

    1. Throw away less food 

    2. Eat a plant heavy diet

    3. Cook over clean stoves

    4. Compost your waste

    Regarding moving people and goods.

    1. Drive an electric car. Individuals impact this.

    2. Ship goods more efficiently

    3. Fly less... and on fuel-saving planes. Individuals impact this.

    4. Invest in high-speed trains

    Regarding our homes and cities.

    1. Switch to LED lights. Individuals impact this.

    2. Design more walkable cities

    3. Use smart thermostats. Individuals impact this.

    4. Install green roofs

    Regarding materials and waste management.

    1. Clean up chemicals in our refrigerators and air conditioners. Individuals impact this.

    2. Build with “greener” cement compounds.

    3. Use water more efficiently. Individuals impact this.

    4. Increase household recycling. Individuals impact this.

    Regarding empowerment of women.

    1. Educate girls. Individuals impact this.

    2. Increase access to family planning.

    3. Close the gender gap in small-scale farming

    Project Drawdown’s top 5 solutions for reducing climate change.

    1. Manage refrigeration chemicals. Individuals impact this.

    2. Install onshore wind turbine

    3. Cut down on food waste. Individuals impact this.

    4. Eat more plants and less meat. Individuals impact this.

    5. Restore our tropical forests

    Project Drawdown is a 5-year-old organization according to its website “that reviews … and identifies the most viable global climate solutions and shares these findings with the world.” 

  • 04 man with mcdonaldsHardly a day passes that I do not see or hear something that makes absolutely no sense to me. I came close, very close, to concluding that this was a rare condition, that I was pretty much alone in having this experience.

    Then, on Thursday, Aug. 15, I heard Troy Williams’ comments at the start of his radio show. He is a member of The Fayetteville ObserverCommunity Advisory Board; a legal analyst and criminal investigator. Williams is the cohost of a show on WIDU radio. Across the years, Troy and I have seriously disagreed on some political and societal issues. Consequently, it was a source of relief to hear what he had to say. He, like me, appears to struggle in making sense of so much of what appears to be senseless. I understood Williams to, maybe not in those exact words, say as much.

    I was headed to a meeting and only heard his first example of senselessness. There was a post seen on Facebook calling for a boycott of several businesses due to their support of President Trump’s re-election. He pointed to McDonald’s as one company on the list and went on to explain that this is a franchise arrangement where individuals or entities below the corporate level own and operate locations. Therefore, boycotting McDonald’s could adversely impact people who have not, and do not, support Donald Trump. Bottom line, for Troy and me, is that calling for a nationwide boycott makes absolutely no sense. 

    Now that Williams has assured me that I am not alone in this struggle to understand so much that seems senseless, let me pursue this topic a bit further. What shows through in the McDonald’s example is the lack of fact gathering and thoughtful examination. Be aware, McDonald’s is not the only business on the list of those proposed to be boycotted. Some others are: Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, KFC and Pizza Hut. The list goes on. As best as I can determine, every company on the list is, for the most part, franchise based. That means Williams’ senselessness argument applies in each of these cases.

    How, then, is it that there would be people on Facebook, and elsewhere, calling for a boycott that makes absolutely no sense? I would contend that the primary reason is that we do not, any more in America, consciously teach or encourage thoughtful examination of facts and reaching of sensible conclusions.

    The truth of that statement is all around us, but here is one example that points to that truth. The following is from an article by Sarah Taylor titled, “Students sign petition to remove oppressive white stick figure from crosswalk signs: ‘We are told by the symbol of a white man when it is OK to cross’ the street.”

    “Campus Reform’s Ethan Cai recently visited George Washington University in Washington, D.C., to ask students to sign a petition supporting the motion to change the ‘offensive’ and ‘oppressive’ white stick figure in LED crosswalk signs. 

    “Cai visited the university undercover, urging students to sign the outlet’s fake petition. 

    “The petition urged the university ‘to consider changing the crosswalk signs,’ because a white man telling students when it is OK to cross the street is oppressive. 

    “’As we students cross the street,’ the petition read, ‘we are told by the symbol of a white man when it is OK to cross. Many students from diverse backgrounds, including individuals of color, gender fluid individuals, and LGBTQA+ individuals, feel oppressed by this.’ 

    “Many students were in favor of the petition. One educator was also on board with the proposed change. Just one student voiced dissent, saying he was ‘ideologically opposed’ to the idea of making the crosswalk sign more inclusive.” 

    What might thoughtful consideration of facts and consequences lead to in this situation? Suppose the white stickman were changed to black? OK … not black, since that would be difficult, if not impossible, to see. Remember, too, that there are white lines and lights all around. This proposal seems senseless to me, but was taken seriously by students at this prestigious university, even by a faculty member. Thought seems absent even in this higher education setting. Please view the video of the petition responses at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daRHqlBhucU to get the full impact of what this says about the lack of teaching and encouraging thought.

    Since the petition-signing was an exercise with no consequence, one might put it aside and move on. However, this lack of thinking through carries over to real life with horrendous consequences. Consequently, that exercise should not be dismissed. The real-life indicators of thoughtlessness are all around us and the condition cries out for attention. 

    A prime example is what happened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Aug. 14, when a man barricaded himself in a house and shot and wounded six police officers. This from an article by Madison Dibble titled, “Anti-Cop Hecklers Harassed Philadelphia Police ‘in the Midst of the Gunfire’ During Recent Shooting: Report.”

    It read, “Anti-cop hecklers harassed members of the Philadelphia Police Department in the middle of an active shooting against officers, according to reporters at the scene.

    “On Wednesday night, a gunman locked himself into a seven-hour standoff with police from his Philadelphia, Pennsylvania home. Six officers were wounded when the shooter opened fire into the crowd of officers attempting to coax him out of the house.

    “During the seven-hour standoff, anti-cop hecklers harassed police as they tried to negotiate with the gunman to get him out of the house safely.

    Alexandria Hoff, a reporter with CBS-Philadelphia, took to Twitter to express her ‘disappointment’ that a group would harass officers while they were in the middle of a gun battle.

    “’I mentioned this at 10 and since I was harassed during that live shot, I’ll mention it here too. A major moment of disappointment this evening was watching a crowd of people taunt police officers, laughing and yelling at them in the midst of the gunfire. #PhiladelphiaShooting

    — Alexandria Hoff (@AlexandriaHoff) August 15, 2019’”

    In that last paragraph of the quote above, Hoff is saying this stuff is senseless. One has to ask what good did these hecklers expect to result from their disrespecting and interfering with police officers who were putting their lives on the line to protect those very hecklers. It is senseless.

    Sadly, I could go on and on with these examples of senselessness. The possibilities are seemingly endless: Proposals for open borders; sanctuary city/state policies; free health care for illegal migrants; the push for socialist policies in America when they are failing around the world; federal government borrowing at a rate that will devastate the lives of young people who are alive today; giving more attention to the needs of people who break into America than to American citizens; re-electing politicians who do absolutely nothing by way of addressing the serious problems facing our nation. Again, the list is seemingly endless.

    The point of all this is to say that we, as a nation, are inundated with senselessness at a level that should terrify and alarm every American. This is a call for all of us to recognize the senselessness that is all around us, see the causes, join together and defeat what is a colossal threat to the continued existence of this great nation.   

  • 02 01 DSC01825Well, Hope Mills held its first Community Roundtable last Thursday, sponsored by the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce and Up & Coming Weeklycommunity newspaper. Harmony at Hope Mills, the town’s newest assisted living community, hosted it. This meeting launched the first in a series of roundtable forums specifically designed to engage and inform residents about the future of the Hope Mills community. 

    Under the theme “Your Town, Your Future” residents came together to share their experiences, thoughts, comments and ideas. The evening started with an informal “Meet & Greet” hosted by Melannie Armstrong, director of marketing at Harmony. She and the staff did an excellent job bestowing “Harmony hospitality” on all the forum attendees. The meeting began promptly at 7 p.m. as we officially greeted the audience, made introductions and, literally, got to know every person in the room. We explained that the Hope Mills Community Roundtable is not a political venue; it’s not a place to gripe and complain, dump grievances or attack fellow citizens. The sole purpose is to provide a public forum where citizens can talk freely about the community and openly share thoughts and ideas while meeting the people, businesses and organizations that impact their town and their quality of life. 

    02 02 pointing manJan Spell, president of the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce, opened the forum by discussing the Chamber’s vision, mission, events and accomplishments. She made sure everyone understood the Chamber is committed to working in partnership with the town and growing and developing local businesses while aiding town officials in attracting new economic development opportunities. 

    She was followed by Cumberland County Commissioner Michael Boose, who did an excellent job bringing everyone up to date about what’s going on in the county and current issues and challenges and how they affect Hope Mills. Boose generated such positive energy and excitement into the meeting that he became the personification of the intent and purpose of the forum. One important point he made was that Hope Mills, one of the largest municipalities in the county, needs to be more involved with the county’s business. He suggested that Hope Mills residents sign up to represent the town on county boards and standing committees. From education to economic development, Boose provided and shared relevant information and insights that affect Hope Mills and its residents.

    Then, the floor was opened for comments. I started the conversation by squelching the rumor that the Hope Mills YMCA was leaving the community. Alex Lewis, the Hope Mills YMCA director was on hand for that assurance. From concerns for our veterans and supporting organizations to the emergence of a Hope Mills cultural arts renaissance and the formation of the newly formed historical society, there is no doubt this town is on the move — and in the right direction. 

    The audience was receptive and engaged, and the forum’s atmosphere was professional, friendly, fun and relaxed. Questions were answered, rumors were dismantled and, most importantly, new friends were made. And, even though the Hope Mills Community Roundtable is not a political venue, we certainly appreciate the elected officials (and elected wannabes) who cared enough to come out to see and hear firsthand how their constituents feel about the community and the job they are doing. 

    Dates for the next two Hope Mills Community Roundtables, which will again be hosted by the wonderful folks at Harmony at Hope Mills, are Sept. 26 and Oct. 24. Mark your calendars and make plans to attend. 

    For more information contact the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce at 910-423-4314, or call me at 910 391 3859. Hope Mills: Your voice, your town, your future. 

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly, Hope Mills’ community newspaper.

    Picture 1: Under the theme “Your Town, Your Future” residents came together to share their experiences, thoughts, comments and ideas at the Hope Mills Community Roundtable. From concerns for our veterans and supporting organizations to the emergence of a Hope Mills cultural arts renaissance and the formation of the newly formed historical society, there is no doubt this town is on the move — and in the right direction. 

    Picture 2: Cumberland County Commissioner Mike Boose generated such positive energy and excitement into the meeting that he became the personification of the intent and purpose of the forum. 

  • 07 Cumb Cty SchCumberland County Schools recently received the "Outstanding Website" award from the 2021 WebAwards.

    The webstie was evaluated based on its design, ease of use, copywriting, interactivity, use of technology, innovation and content. A judge lauded the website for excellence in every category.

    "The amount of diversity of the families within the school system (military market/federally connected) with 75 countries and 89 languages is a challenge to master... WELL DONE!"

    Since 1997, the WebAwards have been recognized as the premier industry-based Website Award program in the world.

    The WebAwards include sites from 97 industry categories which go head-to-head with other sites from their categories.

    Check out the district's award-winning website here: https://www.ccs.k12.nc.us/.

  • 06 Tobacco FieldCumberland County’s Tobacco Research Referendum will be held at the County Cooperative Extension Office Nov. 18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    The office is located at the Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center on E. Mountain Drive.

    The referendum is being held so tobacco farmers can decide if they wish to continue a self-assessment program of 10 cents per hundred pounds of flue-cured and burley tobacco produced in North Carolina.

    A two-thirds favorable vote by growers will mean they are willing to continue supporting tobacco research and education.


    The law requires updated referenda every six years. Extension professionals in all 100 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee provide educational programs specializing in agriculture, youth, health, and the environment, according to Lisa Childers, Cumberland County Extension Director.

    For more information on the referendum, please call 910-321-6880.

  • 05 CityOfFay Logo Slide WBCFayOrgThe City of Fayetteville has vacancies for some advisory boards and commissions including the Board of Advisors for the Woodpeckers Capital Reserve Account, the Fayetteville-Cumberland Economic Development Board, Joint City and County Appearance Commission and the Stormwater Advisory Board.

    Applications will be accepted through Oct. 13. All qualified applications will be presented to city council’s appointment committee.

    City Council is expected to approve new members at its meeting in November. Applications can be made at www.fayettevillenc.gov. Residents should click on city council, scroll down to boards and commissions, and click on vacancies.

  • 04 09 Chief Hawkins FPDFayetteville Police Chief Gina V. Hawkins presented 400 Nightlock® door lockdown devices to Cumberland County School Superintendent Marvin Connelly, Jr. earlier this month in support of Cumberland County schools’ safety and security project.

    CCS began installing the devices last year with money provided by the State of North Carolina.

    The donation from the FPD brings the total number of devices installed in local school classrooms to more than 3,400.

    “We all know, what's really important to us is our children, and making sure they're safe all the time," Chief Hawkins said.

    The police department used $20,000 of grant funds to purchase the door locks to assist in plans to respond to potential active shooter situations.

    “We appreciate Chief Hawkins and The Fayetteville Police Department for their continued support of Cumberland County Schools,” said Superintendent Connelly.

    For information about the CCS Safety & Security program visit their website- www.ccs.k12.nc.us/domain/1630.

  • 09 music city With “Music City,” Cape Fear Regional Theatre proves once again that audiences don’t have to travel far to get top-notch entertainment in Fayetteville. The season opener delivers a fun show full of song and dance, with a talented cast and crew. 

    Written by Peter Zinn with music and lyrics by J.T. Harding, the show is directed by CFRT Artistic Director Mary Kate Burke.

    Featuring five No. 1 Country Billboard hits penned by Harding, “Music City” is the “Mamma Mia” of country music. 

    Set in 2000, “Music City” is the story of brothers TJ and Drew (Dez Duron and Jonathan Judge-Russo), who perform every Friday night at the Wicked Tickle bar, working hard to become the next Nashville sensa-tion. Eager to make enough money for a demo recording for a record producer, they make some bad choices and become indebted to a local drug dealer.

    When the brothers meet a young singer named 23 (Kaylyn Marie Scardefield) at open mic night, TJ falls head over heels, and the trio form a group they call Dickerson Pike. TJ joins the National Guard to earn money to repay the drug dealer. Then, just as Dickerson Pike is on the edge of reaching their dreams, the attacks of 9-11 happen and TJ is deployed overseas.

    “Music City” is a love story, but it also navigates the challenges faced when trying to protect, and eventu-ally forgive, loved ones battling their own demons. From beginning to end, “Music City” is a good time, even when your heart is breaking for the characters. 

    Burke rounded up some incredi-ble talent for this production. These folks could be singing the recipe for gravy and biscuits and it would sound fantastic. There is twang, to be sure, but it is fun, unique and utterly amazing.

    If you are not a big country music fan, not to worry. The lyrics and music so superbly support the story, it doesn’t matter which genre they come from. Although Harding’s hits have been recorded by the likes of Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Blake Shelton, the performances in “Music City” rival even those coun-try music icons. 

    There were crowd pleasers that got feet tapping and hands clapping like “Y’allsome,” “Friday Night,” and “We Are Young.” Also included were “Somewhere with You,” “Sangria” and “Different for Girls.”

    Duron and Scardefield brought down the house with “Smile.” The heartbreaking “For This Town” sung by Catherine Porter, playing 23’s mother Tammy, was perhaps the most emotionally powerful tune in the show.

    Director Burke brought in Emmy-winner Tyce Diorio of “So You Think You Can Dance” fame as choreog-rapher. Diorio’s work is fresh, ener-getic, artistic and full of emotion. The choreography is a character all its own in “Music City.” The beauti-ful and at times sentimental shadow ballet of “Somewhere in my Car” was a highlight of the show for me. 

    Also commendable is the ensemble cast lead by local stage veterans Greg King and Nicki Hart. They add personality and flair to the group of talented performers, which includes Demetrius Jackson, Tishmone,’ Sydney Moss, Tuck Sweeney, Sean Patrick Grady and Stephanie Feeback.

    “Music City” runs through Oct. 7. There are a few scenes with strong language and drug use. For more information, visit www.cfrt.org or call 910-323-4233.

  • 03 IMG 2909 Brave ClubMembers of Fayetteville Academy’s BRAVE (Bringing Real Adolescent Voices Empowerment) club recently held a book drive to benefit Connections of Cumberland County and the Fayetteville Police Department Foundation.

    Books for both children and adults were collected. The children’s books were donated to the Fayetteville Police Department Foundation and will be shared with the FPD Youth Services Unit. Some of the books will be given to children who are victims of abuse and some will be shared with the Human Trafficking Division for juvenile victims.

    The books for adults were donated to the single women’s Day Resource Center operated by Connections of Cumberland County.

    The BRAVE club has a service focus and works to spread kindness and acceptance among the Fayetteville Academy student body and the community with different activities throughout the year working to promote a welcoming and supportive environment while giving back to the community.

    Fayetteville Academy is an independent, college preparatory school that encourages students to achieve their full potential by offering exceptional opportunities in academics, fine arts and athletics.

    Pictured left to right are: Officer Sway Rivera, seventh grader Austin Taylor, Capt. Todd Joyce and Sgt. John Benazzi. (Photo courtesy Fayetteville Academy)

  • 12 rockn on the riverFor years, Campbellton Landing was home to concerts as well as Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s annual River Show. The open space, the shade trees and the Sol Rose Amphitheater nestled on the banks of the Cape Fear River give it a special feel­ing. Greg Adair intends to bring that venue back to life starting Oct. 19 with Rock’n on the River, a concert series featuring local and regional musicians. 

    “Rock’n on the River is a project that I have been wanting to do for a few years,” Adair said. “It will be free music … and it will be a little smaller than Fayetteville After Five, but just as much fun.” 

    Adair is no stranger to Fayetteville’s music scene. He’s been playing here for years. He’s currently in the band Rivermist, which plays a variety of music genres. The band recently underwent some chang­es, and Adair said the band is doing well. “We have something for everyone now,” he said. Prior to 2106, the band played mostly classic rock. He credits the band’s love of people along with its new format with making the experience fun. “We have a really good rapport with people. We genuinely love people.” 

    Adair envisions Rock’n on the River to be a family friendly venue where people can bring their own chairs and blankets and enjoy high-quality music under the stars. He has bands lined up through next year and is excited about growing this event. 

    “I want to do this every third Friday, March through October,” he said. “The first one features the Guy Unger Band at 6 p.m. and Rivermist at 8:30 p.m.” 

    The area where the concerts will be held accom­modates 400-500 people, but Adair is planning for a day when the Sol Rose Amphitheater is back in operation and the crowds swell to more than 1,000. “I have played several shows there as a band, and Campbellton Landing is a fantastic place,” he said. “It is a feel-good property. I have visions that include let­ting boats come to the dock and anchor there. I would love for them to be able to drive up and get food and drink orders, too. The shade there makes it different.” 

    Adair plans for just one con­cert this year – Oct. 19 – but has a full slate lined up for next season, starting in March. He’s partnering with R.A. Jefferies for beverages, and Deep Creek Outfitters and Grill will be open as well. “There will be portalets and the Mosquito Squad will spray ahead of time – and Bud Light will be there,” Adair said. 

    The concert starts at 6 p.m. and runs until 10:30 p.m. No outside coolers or containers are allowed. The event is free. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Campbellton Landing is located at 1122 Person St. Search Rock’n on the River on Facebook to learn more.

  • 05 FOrt Bragg signFort Bragg will be renamed and officials are seeking input from community stakeholders on recommendations for a new name. Officials are working to compile a list of possible new names that will be submitted to DOD for consideration.

    According to a release from the Fort Bragg Public Affairs Office, Congess is mandating the renaming and removal of all Department of Defense items that commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served voluntarily within the confederacy. Fort Bragg is one of ten Army posts identified as requiring a name change.

    The U.S. Army post Fort Bragg was first stood up as Camp Bragg on Sept. 4, 1918, as an artillery training center. Fort Bragg was named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg for his actions in the Mexican-American War.

    “We’re amplifying the opportunity for the community to be involved with the name-changing process,” said Col. Scott Pence, Fort Bragg Garrison Commander.

    “We are engaging the community to solicit their feedback on name recommendations. We want to ensure our stakeholders, soldiers, families, civilians and members of the community have the unique opportunity to provide a name recommendation for our installation.”

    Per the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the other nine military installations set to be renamed are Camp Beauregard, Louisiana; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Gordon, Georgia; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia; Fort Lee, Virginia; Fort Pickett, Virginia; Fort Polk, Louisiana; and Fort Rucker, Alabama.

    Information about the base renaming is available on the following podcast episode.
    Podcast Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-57-renaming-fort-bragg/id1547996961?i=1000534546046

    For more information about the Naming Commission or to provide your name recommendation, visit the following links:

    Fort Bragg Naming Commission Facts and name-recommendation survey: https://home.army.mil/bragg/index.php/fortbragg-renaming

    Naming Commission website:
    https://www.thenamingcommission.gov/

    Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/fbncgarrisoncmd (Note: Survey is pinned to the top.)

  • 10 folk festivalIn the late 1970s, John Malzone was asked to plan a parade for a local festival that would celebrate the many ethnic and cultural groups that make up Fayetteville’s community. He did so, and he also emceed the festival hosting the parade. That event was Fayetteville’s very first International Folk Festival; it was 1978. In a few weeks, Sept. 28-30, the IFF will cel­ebrate its 40th anniversary in downtown Fayetteville – and Malzone will return as emcee. He’s never missed a year since doing it for the inaugural event. 

    This year’s 3-day celebration kicks off with the Arts Council’s Bon Temps Ball on Friday from 7-9 p.m. Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience, a Grammy-winning musical group, will bring the spirit of New Orleans-style Mardi Gras onstage at the intersection of Hay Street and Ray Avenue. Simien’s band will also perform Saturday at 1:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. 

    The parade Malzone created all those years ago, which is today known as the Parade of Nations, takes place Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. on Hay Street. Local people will proudly represent more than 30 countries or cultures, wearing traditional clothing and costumes and sometimes playing instruments. 

    One local who will play an instrument – bagpipes, to be specific – is Jackie Morgan. “When I first came to America, I didn’t think I’d ever see a Scottish flag again,” said Morgan, who immigrated to the U.S. as a young adult. “Then I came to Fayetteville, and I was walking downtown (during the IFF) and I saw (a Scottish flag), and I was like woah! I got excited. And so I’ve been a part of (the IFF) ever since.” 

    Saturday at 2:30 and 5 p.m., Canadian band Mélisande [électrotrad] will bring centuries-old Quebecois songs to the Festival Park stage. There’s a twist hinted at in the group’s name, though. Mélisande uses electronic instruments, pulsing drums, fiddle, flute, jaw harp, banjo and bass to create a new sound for the traditional tunes. 

    At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, the 11-piece Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra will serenade the Festival Park stage crowd with swelling, sultry covers of Indie rock tunes, from Arcade Fire to M83 to the Black Keys. 

    Immediately following their performance, the IFF will see its first fireworks, sponsored by Hale Artificier. 

    Mélisande [électrotrad] will play again to finish the IFF at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. 

    Throughout the weekend, visitors can also enjoy the International Cafe, storytellers, more than 50 arts and crafts vendors, a mime, a jug­gler and more. 

    Malzone summed up what the IFF is all about. “When I look out on the crowd, I see all the different people … I see their faces, I see all the different shades of skin, I see all the different styles of hair, all the different styles of clothing – and you realize that that is America,” he said. “That is really America.” 

    To learn more, visit www.theartscouncil.com/ things-to-do/international-folk-festival or call 910-323-1776.

  • 04 teacher of year CCS facebook"One of my personal responsibilities as an educator is to never stop being a student," said Daniel Smith, the Cumberland County Schools' 2022 Teacher of the Year.

    When faced with the limitations of virtual learning, Smith seized the moment and opened the door to an entire world of opportunities for himself, his students and his peers, said a spokesman for the school district. Smith serves as chairman of the Social Studies Department at Westover High School.

    “I listen to my students; they often have more insight than we give them credit for,” Smith wrote in his nomination portfolio.

    The announcement of Smith as this year’s Teacher of the Year winner was made during the district’s virtual celebration event, themed: The Great Comeback: Defying All Odds to Educate Each Child. Smith started his teaching career with Cumberland County Schools in 2014 after graduating from State University of New York (SUNY) at Old Westbury.

    Pictured: Daniel Smith (center) from Westover High School, was named the 2022 Teacher of the Year. (Photo courtesy CCS)

  • 11 Tracy MorganComedian Tracy Morgan will be live at the Crown Theatre Saturday, Sept. 22, at 8 p.m.  

    This is one of many stops on his standup comedy tour that will continue throughout the fall of 2018. 

    Morgan has an impressive track record and a gift for making people laugh. He was first introduced to television audiences in his role as Hustleman on the hit series “Martin.” From there, he joined “Saturday Night Live” in 1996, where he appeared for seven seasons and created the memorable characters Astronaut Jones and Brian Fellows. 

    After leaving “Saturday Night Live,” Morgan went on to star in his own comedy series, “The Tracy Morgan Show,” and voiced Spoonie Luv on Comedy Central’s “Crank Yankers.” His other film credits include “Cop Out,” the remake of the British film “Death at a Funeral, First Sunday” opposite Ice Cube and Katt Williams, “The Longest Yard” opposite Adam Sandler, “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” “Head of State,” “Son of No One,” “Why Stop Now” and “Fist Fight.” 

    Morgan has starred for seven seasons on NBC’s Emmy- and Golden Globe Award-winning “30 Rock.” He is currently starring in and producing a TBS show, “The Last O. G.” The show has been picked up for a second season. 

    In 2016, he headlined a nationwide standup tour titled “Picking Up the Pieces,” and in May 2017, his standup special “Staying Alive” was released globally on Netflix.       

    Morgan has been a part of some of the most successful animated films in recent years. He made his animation debut in 2009 for Jerry Bruckheimer’s “G-Force,” a combined animated/live-action film. The film opened No. 1 in U. S. box offices and was celebrated by audiences worldwide. In 2013, he starred as bulldog Luiz in the film “Rio” and again in April 2014, when he reprised his role in “Rio 2.” 

    Morgan received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the 2016 class. 

    He has received an Emmy nomination in the supporting actor category and has been nominated multiple years for the Supporting Actor NAACP Image Award. The “30 Rock” cast has won The Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Morgan also received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2016 for hosting an episode of “Saturday Night Live.” 

    Next, Morgan can be seen alongside Aldis Hodge, Wendi McLendonCovey, Max Greenfield and Taraji P. Henson in the Paramount Players comedy “What Men Want,” which is set to open Jan. 11, 2019. 

    Tickets for the Sept. 22 show at the Crown cost $35, $50, $75 and $100, and can be purchased online at www.CapeFearTix.com or by phone at 888-257-6208.  

    Photo: Tracy Morgan

  • 03 Social Media Posts 4Cape Fear Regional Theatre is resuming a near-normal schedule of activities in the 2021-2022 production year. Professional theatre performances and a variety of educational and outreach initiatives are programmed thanks in part to a $250,000 grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. Ticket sales account for less than 40% of CFRT’s funding.

    “We are deeply grateful to the Arts Council for its incredible financial support; this funding is essential to our operations and enables us to produce high-quality productions and enriching education programs,” said Ella Wrenn, CFRT’s Managing Director.

    CFRT is committed to presenting an annual series of plays, performances and special events. Marketing Director Ashley Nicholl Owen says since 1962, CFRT has strived to tell the stories that resonate with all members of our diverse community and be a place for the entire community to come together to laugh harder, think deeper, share experiences, and grow as a community.

    CFRT is a three-story complex in the heart of Haymount. It has a 300-seat main stage and contracts actors, writers and designers from throughout the country. CFRT’s six-show season and education programs serve over 49,000 audience members of all ages and varying socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds including nearly 22,000 school students.

    Mainstage productions will resume in the 2021-22 season in a new, fully renovated auditorium. Patrons will enjoy deeper rows of seats, wider chairs, improved accessibility, a custom sound system and a new, fresh-air heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

    The theatre’s 60th Anniversary will be highlighted in December with a production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” The season will also feature “The Wizard of Oz” in January of 2022, “Welcome to Arroyo’s” in March, “Clue” in April, and “The Color Purple” in May and June.

    “Since the onset of COVID-19, CFRT has adapted to the changing health landscape to create safe and innovative ways to serve our community,” added CFRT Artistic Director Mary Catherine Burke. “We look forward to another season of collaboration with the Arts Council as we continue to serve the community with award-winning productions and nationally recognized education initiatives.”
    CFRT notes that it made the most of unique and changing circumstances throughout the pandemic to include education programs and outdoor/open-air theatre productions. Enrollment in CFRT’s Winter Studio classes grew by 89% over the previous year.

    “Cultural Organization Resource Grants support the backbone art organizations of Cumberland County," said Bob Pinson, Interim President and CEO of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “The Arts Council is proud to partner with Cape Fear Regional Theatre as a C.O.R.E Grantee.”

    In the fiscal year 2020-21, the Arts Council distributed $1.1M in grant funds and allocations to Cumberland County arts and culture nonprofit organizations, artists and municipalities. The Arts Council’s grants, programs and services are funded in part through contributions from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the N.C. Arts Council.

     

  • 12 Motorcycle Article Deep Creek ATV ParkFinally, there is a place close to Fayetteville that is built for ATVs and dirt bikes. 

    A few weeks ago, my friend Matt put out a call to go to the new Deep Creek ATV Park. 

    The morning of the trip, the weatherman said it was going to be a nice, cool day. The plan was simple. We were to meet at Hardee’s on Ramsey Street, eat breakfast and head out. I met my friends Rick and Ryan there, but as usual, Matt was a no show. Yes, I just dimed Matt out in print for not showing for his own event. 

    As we pulled into the park, I was impressed with how much land there was. We went into the office and met Susan, who signed us in and gave us maps and information about the park. The park has camping, showers and a concession stand. 

    Our friend Bill had trailered his dirt bike there, and we went to join him. The clouds began to turn dark, and rain began to fall. Ryan was new to off-road riding and decided that with his street tires on his dualsport bike, this could be a little more ambitious than his ability, so he decided to head back home. 

    After gearing up, we headed out. We quickly came to the tunnel that goes under Slocomb Road. The tunnel had water in it, but the floor of the tunnel was perfect for riding through. As we came out of the tunnel, we hit the trails. The trails were wide and well-marked. Areas were clearly marked with stops and various areas with cool names like Cook Pits, TT’s Sand Bar, Peanuts Peak and 5/30 Pit Stop. 

    The rain began to pour, and my helmet began to fog up. The trails began to fill with water as the landscape dropped down to the Cape Fear River. 

    Being the only riders dumb enough to be out in that downpour, I think we had the park all to ourselves. I loved having lots of trees around me. We spent a few hours out there, and to be honest, it was considered one of the best riding days we had had in a long time. 

    The park is located on Slocomb Road in Linden, just north of the Goodyear plant.

    For more information, call Deep Creek ATV Park at 910-929-0658 or visit www.deepcreekatv.com.

    If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, you can contact me at motorcycle4fun@aol.com. RIDE SAFE!

     

  • 08 N1507P22019HCumberland County Public Libraries no longer charge late fees for overdue items like books and DVDs. The library will also not charge for long overdue or lost fees on these items. The goal is to increase access to library services for previously blocked customers, particularly young borrowers. The change does not include laptops, hotspots or Playaway Launchpads.

    The library system charged $.20 per day per item with a maximum of $5 per item charged. Borrowers were blocked from checking out materials if they had $10 in late fees. Approximately one-third of library card accounts are inactive, with fees preventing those cardholders from using library resources.

    Public Library Director Faith Phillips requested the change to the County Board of Commissioners, who approved dismissing charges in their August meeting. Phillips told the board that library systems that have gone late-fee free have experienced a huge return of customers, broken down barriers to access, increased the community members they serve, experienced a huge amount of good will within the community, ensured their practices meet industry standards and been fiscally responsible.

    Phillips estimated that late fees generate about $33,600 a year in revenue for the library system and that the County could recoup that funding by no longer paying a collection agency to recover lost materials and by seeking grant opportunities.
    September is National Library Card Sign Up Month and Cumberland County Public Library is inviting all residents to join the library. This card will give you access to technology, resources and services to help encourage expression, enlightenment and exploration.

    For more information about signing up for a library card, returning long overdue items, or in-person and virtual programs at the library, please visit cumberlandcountync.gov/library and follow them on social media.

  • 10 yesteryearEvery year in early autumn, Fayetteville celebrates the birthday of its namesake, the Revolutionary War hero Gilbert du Motier – the Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette defied French King Louis XVI’s orders and sailed the Atlantic to assist the American rebels in 1777. Though many cities have been named after him, Fayetteville is the only namesake city the young Frenchman ever visited.

    Birthday celebration activities take place all over Fayetteville Sept. 7-8, and one mainstay is the Festival of Yesteryear. Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., visit Arsenal Park downtown to get a taste of life during the Colonial and Revolutionary eras. Re-enactors in full Colonial attire will be performing daily tasks of the late 18th century, including woodworking, spinning and militia drills. 

    This event focuses on history you can experience. “We like to demonstrate Colonial life for people in the community so they can... see what life was like (back then),” said Megan Maxwell, director for the 1897 Poe House at the Museum of the Cape Fear. 

    The Festival of Yesteryear showcases several perspectives on the Colonial era, including those of patriots, loyalists, slaves and Native Americans. Both the Highland Regiment militia group, representing the loyalists, and the Wilmington District Minutemen, representing the patriots of Moore’s Creek battlefield, will set up camp and welcome visitors throughout the day. 

    In the morning, the Highland Dancers will march alongside the Cross Creek Pipes and Drums at 10:30 a.m. for a performance of traditional Scottish music and dance. “This event is included because Fayetteville was founded by Scottish highlanders and loyalists,” Maxwell said.

    Returning this year is the “The Death of Blackbeard” puppet show performed by the living history group Shades of Our Past at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The group will also offer silhouette drawings for a fee. 

    Also returning is Life as Art Productions’ April C. Turner as she performs “African Spirituals: Freedom Prayers” at 2 p.m. According to Maxwell, this 40-minute performance has more to it than just a good time. “Turner reveals what life was like for an enslaved person during the early days of Colonial North Carolina through songs and dances,” she said. 

    New to the festival this year, a historian will share about Native American hunting practices and perspectives on Colonial life. Musket and cannon firings will take place at 10 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. 

    Various other performers, groups and artisans will participate in the event as well, including Camp Flintlock, the North Carolina Highland Regiment, woodworker Thomas Tucker and musical historian Simon Spalding. 

    Stop by Apprentice Alley, where children can enjoy crafts and other trades taught by re-enactors. Learn to make Betsy Ross stars, tricorn hats and mob caps, and even try your hand at quilling, a popular paper-cutting craft from colonial days. Take pictures with the pillory, a wooden framework used to punish criminals. Don’t forget to visit the brewmaster for a few tips on ale, the Colonists’ favorite drink!

    Free cake and ice cream will be served at 1 p.m. while supplies last.

    “I’m excited about a lot this year – we always try to expand the festival with something new,” said Maxwell. 

    Admission is free. Arsenal Park is located at 215 Myrover St. Call 910-486-1330 or visit museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/Eventsfor more information.

  •     For the past two years, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has been operating outside the box. The symphony, under the direction of Fouad Fakhouri, has been reaching out to the community to try and introduce a new audience to the joys of symphony music.
        To date, the symphony has performed outdoors in Festival Park, gone into the schools and performed at a variety of special events in this effort. In a new venture, the symphony is asking its followers to have dinner with the orchestra at J. Wesley Vineyards and to attend a chamber concert
        The ultimate dinner and chamber concert evening is offered Friday, Sept. 19, and  features music by a talented trio of FSO Musicians: Robert Burkett (oboe), Rachel Harmatuk (violin) and Randy Ward (cello). Fakhouri, and the musicians, will be on hand offering guests a rare occasion to enjoy personal conversation outside of the traditional concert auditorium.
        {mosimage}A new piece, The Seductress, by Boston composer John Lawless will be premiered by the FSO trio. Additional musical selections include: London Trio II, George Fredrick Handel; Serenade, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; The Gift of Love, American folk tune arranged by Robert Burkett; Pie Jesu, Andrew Lloyd Weber arranged by Robert Burkett; and Duo K496A, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, also arranged by Robert Burkett.
        Continuous tours of the vineyard and wine tasting will begin at 6 p.m. Dinner prepared by The Invisible Chef will be served at 7 p.m., offering a choice of London Broil or Chicken Champlain.
        J. Wesley Vineyards will also be offering a 15 percent discount on wine purchases made the evening of the concert.
        Dinner/Concert tickets ($75 single tickets; $125 couple tickets) may be purchased by calling J. Wesley Vineyards at (910) 321-9463. Also visit them online at www.jwesleyvineyards.com.
        On Sunday, Sept. 14, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra will offer another free chamber concert at the Beth Israel Synagogue at 2204 Morganton Road, before their 52nd Subscription Concert Season, A Tour Around the World, opens in October. The concert begins at 4 p.m. with a reception to follow. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. Along with a selection of chamber pieces, the orchestra will feature the following works: The Hebrides Overture, Op. 26, by Felix Mendelssohn, and, Overture on Hebrew Themes, Op. 34, by Serge Prokofiev.
    Marvin Feinsmith, one of the newest additions to the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, will make his debut performance with the orchestra.
        Feinsmith’s extensive performing experience includes principle bassoon with the Indianapolis Symphony, the Mozarteum of Salzburg and the Brooklyn Philharmonic; bassoon with Symphony of the Airand the Little Orchestra Society of New York; assistant bassoonist with the Denver Symphony Orchestra; and, co-principle bassoon with the Israel Philharmonic.
        Also a composer, Feinsmith’s music is profoundly influenced by his Jewish heritage. His Hebraic music includes two symphonies — Peerkay Avot-Ethics of the Fathers(Denver Symphony 1975 and 1976) and Isaiah(Kansas City Philharmonic 1979). He also has several film scores to his credit.
        Marvin Feinsmith is a native of New York City and attended the Julliard and the Manhattan School of Music as a scholarship student of Simon Kovar, graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
        Fakhouri noted, “I am extremely proud that the FSO is attracting such experienced talent from all over North Carolina and beyond. That we continue to draw highly talented professional musicians is a credit not only to the FSO but also to the continued growth and high standard of the arts and the cultural life of Fayetteville.”
        This free concert is funded through a Community Grant from the Cumberland Community Foundation.
        For more information please call the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra at (910) 433-4690 or visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

  • 05 N1704P59004HCumberland County Animal Services is participating in the nationwide “Clear the Shelters” event from Sept. 13-18.

    During this week, adoption fees will be waived for all shelter pets.

    The shelter is located at 4704 Corporation Drive in Fayetteville and will be open for adoptions from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-5 p.m. on Saturday.

    Adopters must have a photo ID and be at least 18 years old.

    All adoptions will be on a first-come, first-served basis and up to two pets can be adopted per household.

  • fall festivalMelissa Pittman remembers one moment of last year’s North Carolina Fall Festival vividly. 

    On the phone with her mom late at night after a long day working at the festival, she watched an emotional Facebook video that centered on a young boy in his wheelchair clapping with the utmost excitement as floats went by during the festival’s popular parade. 

    “This is why we do this,” Pittman expressed in that moment.

    Returning this year Sept. 11-15, the North Carolina Fall Festival will be packed with a variety of activities and events. The festivities encourage residents of Raeford and out-of-town guests to usher in the fall season Hoke County style. 

    With a bingo tournament for seniors to participate in on Senior Day, a trackless train ride that families can hop on for free all day Saturday, and a gospel concert featuring Winslow Ratliff Jr. scheduled for closing night, there is a little something for everyone to enjoy, no matter what age. 

    One newer event gives local artists the opportunity to showcase their work throughout the duration of the weeklong festival at the Parker House, which is located on Hoke County’s Museum grounds.

    Of the activities and events that take place throughout the week every year, Pittman said the parade on Raeford’s Main Street is the most loved by the community’s families and festival-goers. 

    “We have all of our schools participate. All of the businesses in Raeford participate, and the streets are lined on both sides before the parade actually starts,” she said.

    This year’s parade is scheduled to take place in downtown Raeford Thursday, Sept. 13, at 5:30 p.m. Like the annual parade, returning festival-goers will have some other favorite events to look forward to, including the Card Tournament, the Stuffin’ and Stompin’ Dinner and the Turkey Bowl. 

    Pittman’s desire is that every person who attends or participates in some part of the festival will walk away knowing how loving, welcoming and wonderful Raeford is and what Hoke County as a whole has to offer. Besides the fall season, communal support is the theme Pittman hopes attendees will experience firsthand throughout the week of the festival. 

    From the banners and street signs to the food to the vendors’ products, most everything seen at the festival is created locally, right in Hoke County. 

    “If it can be done in Hoke County – in Raeford – that’s where we do it, and that’s another way we support our community,” Pittman said. 

    Ultimately, without Raeford’s community – its volunteers, its sponsors and the citizens who come back and support the event each year – the North Carolina Fall Festival would not be able to go on, Pittman said. 

    “There would be no festival. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes a community to host a festival,” she added. 

    To learn more about this year’s North Carolina Fall Festival, call 910-904-2424 or visit www.facebook.com/ncfallfestival.

  •    The Mentalist Badgers a Bad Man

        In The Mentalist (Tuesday, 9 p.m., CBS), Simon Baker stars as Patrick, a psychic who helps the police solve crimes. Patrick isn’t a real psychic, but a showbiz type who’s good at faking it. The key to his act — and his crime-solving ability — is his keen sense of observation. He picks up on cues to figure out when someone is lying. Then he makes a smug accusation and sends the perp into a paroxysm of defensive lying. “I didn’t kill my daughter!” a man screams at Patrick during one such confrontation. “NOW GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!”
        {mosimage}I love The Mentalist. It’s the best new series of the fall season. NOW GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!

    TOP DESIGN
    Sunday, 8 p.m. (ABC)
        This new sitcom may as well have been called Horny Hotel. It’s set at an inn where the employees have only one thing on their minds, and it’s not complimentary shampoo. That’s not necessarily a bad premise, but Do Not Disturb does nothing with it. The writers seem to think that using crude sexual slang is enough to get a laugh.
        If the series is a hit, we’ll know they’re right. And then all of us can be the life of any party simply by repeating the words “laid” and “nailed.”

    GOD VS. SATAN
    Sunday, 8 p.m. (History Channel)
        The History Channel previews Armageddon: the battle between good and evil as described by Judaism, Christianity and Islam. One can only assume that World Wrestling Entertainment is working to secure the television rights to this ultimate smackdown.

    VALENTINE
    Sunday, 8 p.m. (CW)
        The Valentines are a family of Greek gods living in contemporary Los Angeles. Poseidon is a movie mogul and Dionysus a barkeep, with Aphrodite and Eros helping foolish mortals fall in love.
    Speaking of foolish mortals, how low will the CW stoop for a series concept? Later in the season, Valentine won’t be canceled so much as turned into a laurel tree.

    DANCING WITH THE STARS
    Monday, 8 p.m. (ABC)
        Dancing with the B-List Stars returns with 82-year-old actress Cloris Leachman, boy-band has-been Lance Bass and reality-show exhibitionist Kim Kardashian. Olympic beach volleyball champ Misty May-Treanor participates as well, but she infuriates her partner by slapping his palm after every dip and twirl.

    OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
    Tuesday, 8 p.m. (ABC)
        Warning: A game show has broken out of a Burbank studio to roam the countryside, looking for unsuspecting victims. Opportunity Knocks brings its production right to American neighborhoods and sets up shop on a family’s lawn. The host knocks on the door, informs the residents that they are contestants, and drags them outside to play a family-trivia game with all their neighbors watching.
        Now that TV shows are attacking us in our very homes, no one is safe. Note to self: Buy a deadbolt lock.

  • 06 franThis month is the 25th anniversary of Hurricane Fran, the 3rd most powerful storm to strike North Carolina since record keeping began. In 1954, Hurricane Hazel set the standard by which others have been compared.

    Hurricane Fran formed from a tropical wave that emerged from the west coast of Africa in mid-August of 1996. In early September, the category 3 hurricane struck North Carolina near Cape Fear. The Tar Heel state got the worst of the storm, and therefore experienced the worst of the damage.

    The highest wind gust of 137 mph occurred at Wilmington. The Kure Beach Pier was destroyed along with the Emerald Isle fishing pier. Storm surge in North Topsail Beach created a 100-foot-wide inlet. Swansboro and New Bern experienced 10 feet of storm surge, causing many waterfront businesses to be destroyed.

    Fran remained at hurricane strength as it moved inland. The eye of the storm passed over Clinton, 30 miles east of Fayetteville. Raleigh and Fayetteville each reported wind gusts of up to 79 mph.

    According to Associated Press reports, Fran was responsible for 37 deaths. Most of the deaths were caused by flash flooding in the Carolinas, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Of those deaths, 21were in North Carolina. Wind damage and power outages were widespread. Rainfall exceeding 7 inches caused flooding along the Cape Fear River. Fran caused an estimated $2.4 billion in damage in 1996 dollars, or about $3.65 billion today.

  • Burn After Reading (Rated PG-13)   4 Stars

        {mosimage}Burn After Reading (96 minutes) is a worthy follow-up to the Coen Brothers’ Academy Award winning No Country for Old Men. Unlike the latter film, which was good but not great, the ending to this movie actually makes sense.
        At its heart, the film is a twisted spy caper movie in the same way that Fargo was a criminal caper movie. All the elements are there, but the plot is a little bit to the left of what you would naturally expect. The highlights of the movie include the fabulous ensemble cast and the dialogue, which, despite all the criticism, the Coens’ excel at writing.
    We open with a cinematic plunge towards a building, where CIA analyst Osbourne Cox (John Malkovich) is threatened with demotion, resulting in his subsequent resignation. Once home, his wife Katie (Tilda Swinton) is outraged at his unemployment, and consults with a divorce lawyer while Osbourne decides to write his memoirs rather than look for another job.
        It turns out that Katie is having an affair, and this leads into an exploration of her relationship with Treasury agent Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney) and his wife Sandy (Elizabeth Marvel).
        Meanwhile, the files the divorce lawyer copied from Osbourne’s computer are found at a local gym, where the employees’ misinterpretations lead Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt) into a series of misadventures. These misadventures culminate in a trip to the Russian Embassy with unexpected consequences. At the same time, Linda is obsessed with an Internet dating service where she meets the aforementioned Harry, who has clear issues with fidelity.
        Osbourne’s discovery of his wife’s divorce action leads him to ever-escalating violence, but his former employers the CIA are too busy playing catch-up to intervene in his rampage (other than to cover it up). We end on a hilarious note, with a CIA official (David Rasche) summing up the final toll from Osbourne’s break with the social compact for his unnamed superior (J.K. Simmons).
        Overall, it was a very enjoyable movie that I am still thinking about.
        Even so, there are issues with the acting, and not everyone will respond so positively to it. While it is nice to see the Coens’ return to their darkly comic roots, the film is a smidge short for such a complicated plot. While most of the acting is spot on, The Clooney overacted just a tad in his introductory scenes, and Swinton (who earned my undying devotion with her 1992 role as Orlando) does not quite manage to achieve the nuanced character she was trying for, instead coming off as a caricature. Her lack of clear motivation probably stemmed from her lack of screen time, understandable in an ensemble cast such as this.
        Interesting to note is the lamentable fact that of the main cast, Tilda Swinton is the only actor whose character was not written for her specifically. According to several interviews, the Coens’ actually wrote the characters specifically for Malkovitch, McDormand, Clooney and Pitt to play.
        Another disappointment, this one on a purely personal level, stems from the failure to have Rasche speak to his gun as to an old friend. No, I do not think he should be inextricably identified with his 1986 role in Sledgehammer for the rest of his career, but this is a movie that plays up the gun violence to the extent that a longing glance at a gun would not have been out of place.
        As with other Coen movies such as Raising Arizona and Fargo, this one is a story of self-important people too wrapped up in their own self-aggrandizement to look realistically at the world around them.

  • 04 N2107P21007HAcross Cumberland County Schools there are more than 4,600 employees in the classroom who are dedicated to helping students succeed. To support teachers and help those who are interested in seeking leadership opportunities, CCS is beginning its third year of CCS Talent Pathways. The pathway, which is part of the district’s strategic plan, will offer fully licensed teachers an opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to assume leadership roles.

    Employees can choose to begin preparations to become assistant principals, instructional coaches, national board-certified instructors, or impact instruction through the Instructional Assistants Pathway.

    “We have an amazing staff in our district who are positively impacting our students every day,” said Dr. Theresa Perry, director of Professional Development. “Through this initiative, we are offering them a chance to reach beyond the classroom and impact even more students and educators throughout the district.”

  • TOURS MAR 2017 1Explore our city’s rich history from a new angle – in a horse-drawn carriage. The second Saturday of each month, Cool Spring Downtown District offers a 45-minute carriage ride through downtown Fayetteville. The next historic tour is Sept. 15.

    “This is the third year we’ve done the tours, and it is going very well,” said Hank Parfitt, carriage tour organizer. “(The carriage) holds 8-10 people and is covered with a canopy.” 

    The tours include several stops. “We cover the history going back to early 1700s through the beginning of the 20th century,” Parfitt said. “There were a lot of changes after we were connected by railroad to other cities in North Carolina in 1890. There are a lot of old buildings in downtown that date to that era. We talk about why Fayetteville was important in the Revolutionary War, even though there were no battles here.” 

    In addition to providing a unique avenue to learn about Fayetteville’s past, Parfitt said, the rides are fun because they typically have a mix of locals and out-of-town visitors. 

    “Over a third of the people who take the tour are from out of town,” he said. “Of that number, two-thirds are from out of state. Last time, we had a lady from California here for her daughter’s wedding and a couple from Mass who retired in Aberdeen.

    “It is one of the best things I have seen that we have to showcase Fayetteville to the outside world. We were sold out last Saturday by 11 a.m. and we had to turn a family away.”

    Parfitt noted that the carriage owners are always mindful of the health and well-being of the horses. “The horses are draft horses; they are bred to pull things. These horses are happiest when they are pulling and can go all day long. The owners are very meticulous about caring for them. It is why we run in the mornings in the summer, including in September – to keep them from the heat.”

    In September, tours take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tours depart from the Cool Spring Downtown District office at 222 Hay St. across from the Cameo Art House Theatre. Tickets are $25 for adults or $20 with a military ID and $15 for children under 12. When booking a large group tour for an organization, school or church, ask about special discounts. 

    Tickets are available at 222 Hay St. on the day of the event, but advance reservations are recommended. Call 910-678-8899 to purchase tickets or to learn more about the rides. 

  •     {mosimage}The Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s fifth annual Heritage Festival will take place on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 1–4 p.m. in the Heritage Garden Complex of Cape Fear Botanical Garden come rain or shine. 
    “The purpose of Heritage Festival is to educate visitors on typical farm lifestyles from 1880-1920,” said Angela Dennis, marketing and development officer of Cape Fear Botanical Garden.  “It helps us meet our mission of education and promoting the enjoyment of nature.”  
        The community festival includes a “travel back in time” theme that features exhibits and demonstrations depicting typical farm life from 1880-1920. With an expected attendance of 1,000 people, the festival has been a tremendous success the last four years.  Other activities include hands-on games and activities for all ages, hay rides, pony rides, barnyard animals, exhibits of farm machinery and agricultural demonstrations including corn, tobacco and peanuts. There will be tours of the 1886 farmhouse, old general store, old corn crib and tobacco barn. These historical buildings were donated to the gardens from a family in Eastover. 
        The games include checkers, an egg race, marbles, jump rope, rolling candles from beeswax, digging for peanuts, corn husk figure making, finger cotton spinning, washing clothes on a washboard and other activities that add to the fun of the festival. The children get to make things from the materials from this time period and take them home.         
        The most popular part of the festival is the pony rides.
        “We ask for a $1 donation for the pony ride,” said Dennis. “The kids  love to ride the pony.”
        Typical farm animals will be on display for the children to pet. Families will also have the opportunity to enjoy a hay ride around the garden.   
        The crafts of sewing, tatting, spinning and basketry will also be on display. Vendors will have their displays set up to teach the public about these different crafts.
        “They will teach the students how to do basketry,” said Dennis.
        The Parsons, a local group, will perform live bluegrass music for the event.  Hot dogs, chips, popcorn and soda will be for sale. 
        “This is a great family activity,” said Dennis. “It is an opportunity to teach children about farm living.”            
        Cape Fear Botanical Garden is on 79 acres located at 536 North Eastern Blvd. Founded in 1989, the garden now boasts more than 2,000 varieties of ornamental plants and has several specialty gardens, including camellia, day lily and hosta gardens. 
        Admission is $3-$5 for adults and free for children under 12. Garden members, AAA members and military personnel admission is $3. For more information or to volunteer for the event call 486-0221 or visit www.capefearbg.org. 
  • 10 Red Cross Emergency KitThe American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina urges everyone to plan for emergencies by making preparedness a priority this September during National Preparedness Month. We have recently seen emergencies impacting people who don’t usually experience a major disaster or extreme weather, while other communities are going through the devastation of disasters multiple times a year.

    “Disasters can happen anywhere, anytime. We urge people to prepare now and be ready if an emergency occurs in their home or in our local community,” said Barry Porter, Regional CEO, American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina Region. “Helping people during disasters is at the heart of our mission. Help keep your loved ones safe — get Red Cross Ready today.”

    Help keep your family safe by taking three actions to 1) Get a Kit. 2) Make a Plan. 3) Be Informed.

    First, build your emergency kit with a gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, supplies for infants or pets, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information.

    Next, plan what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and what to do if you have to evacuate. Coordinate your plan with your child’s school, your work and your community’s emergency plans. Don’t forget to include your pets. Know in advance which pet-friendly hotels are in your area, and where your pets can stay in an emergency situation.

    Finally, plan to stay informed by finding out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders.

    Depending on your household’s needs, there might be additional considerations to take into account as part of your emergency planning. For example, older adults or people with mobility, hearing, learning or seeing disabilities may need to create a support network of people that can help during an emergency.The Red Cross recommends creating a plan that considers each person’s capabilities, any help they may need and who can provide it. This is especially important if evacuations are called for or if the power goes out for several days.

    Disasters can be scary for children. It’s important to talk with your kids about preparing for common emergencies, how to stay safe and what to expect before a disaster happens. The Red Cross has free programs and tools to help, visit redcross.org/youthprep for more information.

    National Preparedness Month is also a good time to take steps to help your community get prepared for emergencies of all sizes. By volunteering, donating blood or learning lifesaving skills, you can be ready to help your loved ones and neighbors when needed. Visit redcross.org to learn more.

    Red Cross volunteers play several critical roles in their local communities, including providing aid after disasters and educating people about home fire safety. People can also support local military members, veterans and their families, or volunteer as a blood donor ambassador or a blood transportation specialist to be the critical link between blood donors and recipients.

    Blood can take up to three days to be tested, processed and made available for patients, so it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps to save lives in an emergency. To help prepare your community, make an appointment to donate blood or platelets and help save lives.

    Learn lifesaving skills so you can help people in a crisis until medical professionals arrive. Sign up for a first aid, CPR or other classes available online or in-person.

    Pictured: Learn what to pack in an emergency kit at https://rdcrss.org/3tolVEv (Photo courtesy American Red Cross)

  • 01 coverOne of Fayetteville’s most popular cultural celebrations, the Greek Festival, has been offering free admission every year for 28 years now. That’s fitting, as the spirit of the event is one of sharing. This weekend, Sept. 7-9, members of Fayetteville’s Greek community invite the greater area to share in their food, dance, music, traditions and sense of family. The fest is created and hosted by Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. Events take place on the church grounds and inside the air-conditioned Hellenic Center.

    The delicious food is one of the festival’s biggest draws. Who can resist the smell of gyros and lamb shank? And who would pass up the chance to try spanakopita (spinach pie), pastichio (Greek lasagna), souvlaki (skewered meat and vegetables) or dolmades (stuffed grape leaves)? Of course, you’d need to finish your meal off with handmade baklava or loukoumades (Greek donuts with honey and walnuts) and Greek coffee.

    Kelly Papagikos, who’s helped with the festival for a decade and is married to the church’s pastor, said food is an important element in cultures and communities because it brings people together. “It’s so heartwarming to watch in the kitchen a (first-generation) great-grandfather and grandfather and son,” she said. “The best place in the Greek community is in the kitchen. That’s where all the action is.” 

    Throughout the festival, there will also be Greek music played live, children and greeters dressed in traditional Greek clothing as well as god- and goddess-wear, and folk dance demonstrations with opportunities for audience participation. An Athenian Playground, a marketplace full of Greek goodies, the first annual Baklava 5K Walk/Run, and church tours and services round out the festival’s offerings.

    The music, a blend of traditional and contemporary Greek songs, will be played by Paschalis, a band that’s been together about 20 years. Greece is home to over 200 cultural dances, each representing a region, village or island. The church’s Hellenic Dance Troupes are comprised of kindergarden- to high school-aged students; they grow up dancing, Papagikos said. The troupes will dance at several points throughout the weekend, wearing traditional costumes. The dancers give educational demonstrations and also perform routines that include inviting guests to join in the fun. The performances will take place in the Hellenic Center and outside under a large tent. 

    The Athenian Playground, located at the back of the property, includes slides, cotton candy, bouncy houses and a mini train track – “everything a child could ever want,” Papagikos said. An added bonus this year will be the adjacent Night in Athens hangout spot for adults. This will be a relaxed area to enjoy the sights and sounds in a spot away from the direct center of activity. Papagikos said it’s the element she’s personally most excited about debuting. 

    Another debut this year is the first annual Baklava 5K Walk/Run. It starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday and will wind around the residential area surrounding the festival grounds. Registration is $25 and includes a T-shirt and voucher for a small meal. Participants will be handed a celebratory piece of baklava upon completing the course.

    Attendees can also pick up authentic ingredients and spirits at an on-site pop-up Greek grocery store. Papagikos gives free Greek cooking lessons all three days of the festival, twice a day. “Because we’ve gotten so many people wanting to learn how to cook Greek meals, we’re going to be selling a lot more (ingredients) this year,” she said. 

    The shopping opportunities do not end with ingredients, though. Vendors from all over the city will set up an “agora,” modeled after a Greek marketplace. Papagikos said they’ve got more vendors this year than ever before. Items for sale will include jewelry, leather, knick-knacks, music, embroideries, rugs, clothing, folk art and icons. The event’s press release sums it up: “Buy a Greek fisherman’s hat and a belly dancing coin belt and you will fit right in as an authentic Greek! OPA!” 

    Throughout the weekend, visitors can tour the Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church sanctuary. Times are listed at the Hellenic Center entrance. The history and faith of the Eastern Orthodox Church will be explained, and there will also be an opportunity to attend the regular church service the Sunday of the festival. 

    Finally, don’t miss out on your chance to win $2,000 or a round-trip ticket to Athens, Greece, by purchasing raffle tickets for $5 each. The drawing will be held on Sunday, and you do not have to be present to win. 

    The Greek Festival is great fun, and it takes a village to make it happen. 

    Nobody knows that better than the army of 15-20 ladies of the church who are responsible for the mounds of made-from-scratch Greek pastries each year. 

    Also bonding in the kitchen are restaurant owners from all over Fayetteville – Papagikos said about 90 percent of the city’s restaurants are Greek-owned. She said these people come together every year to cook for the festival, putting their own businesses aside. The primary and long-serving leaders of festival kitchen operations are Greg Kalevas, owner of Chris’s Steak & Seafood House; Jimmy Hondras, who works with Kalevas; and Tony Kotsopoulos, head chef at Luigi’s. Kotsopoulos helped start the conversation about bringing the community together for a Greek festival in Fayetteville in 1988. All three men have helped in many capacities since the festival’s inception in 1991.

    The chair of this year’s festival is Steve Goodson.

    “For me, it is such a great fulfilment of joy,” Papagikos said. “The sense of community that is there when I see non-Greek people coming to our festival is so beautiful. Our culture is so rich. Our passion and our lives, our community and family ties, are so rich that people want to come and share a little piece of that with us. And that makes me very happy.” 

    Credit cards will be accepted at many areas in the festival, but three ATMS will be on-site for purchasing from vendors who only accept cash.

    The church and festival grounds are located at 614 Oakridge Ave. Parking is located in front of the church property and in the Educational Building parking lot. Street parking on Woodland Drive and the surrounding residential area is also available, but make sure to allow room for residents to enter and exit their property. Saturday, enjoy free parking at St. John’s AME Zion Church or at Synder Memorial Baptist Church on Westmont Drive.  

    Events run Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7 and 8, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 9, noon-6 p.m. 

    For more information, call the church at 910 484-2010, email fayorthodox@gmail.com, or visit stsch.nc.goarch.org/greek-festival.

  • 08 PONDEROSA2Residents of the new Ponderosa community off Bonanza Drive and city leaders were on hand for a neighborhood ribbon-cutting last month.

    Residents, officials of the city’s Economic and Community Development Department and Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation worked to refurbish the community entryway. The program fosters neighborhood pride in moderate income communities by providing funding for erection of neighborhood signs, landscaping and placemaking.

    The objective is to create quality neighborhoods. Residents interested in learning more about the Neighborhood Beautification Program should contact the Economic and Community Development Department at 910-433-1590. Additional information: www.fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/economic-community-development/neighborhood-resources.

  • 09 cleanupOn Sept. 18, community cleanups will take place in Fayetteville, Hope Mills, Spring Lake and unincorporated areas of Cumberland County. The goal is to combat health, environmental and economic harm caused by litter.

    At the Fayetteville Beautiful cleanup, volunteers will be given free t-shirts and other giveaways. You can choose to clean around your school, street, church or other faith organization, or right in front of your home. Cleanup teams can enter a photo contest for a chance to win milkshakes for every team member, donated by Duck Donuts.

    Fayetteville Beautiful is organized by the city of Fayetteville and the nonprofit Sustainable Sandhills. It is a bi-annual city-wide cleanup, held to raise awareness about litter prevention and help residents take pride in their city and neighborhoods. In Fayetteville, litter has been measured at a 14-year high, and litter crews pick up more than two tons of litter each week.

    Litter is not only harmful to wildlife, but it is costly for businesses and city litter crews to clean up. It can also lower property values by around 7%. Wind and rain can also wash litter into and pollute waterways such as the Cape Fear River, which is a source for drinking water.

    On Sept. 18, Fayetteville Beautiful volunteer team leaders can pick up supplies in front of Segra Stadium between 8 and 10 a.m., and then join their team to clean up the area they are registered for. Volunteer registration and more details are available at fayettevillebeautiful.com. All cleanup supplies will be provided.

    Fayetteville City Council Member Yvonne Kinston is one of the event organizers. “Sign up online now to participate in this wonderful event,” Kinston said. “Clean up with friends and relatives or do this yourself to show that you care about the place we call home. The big win is that we’re helping ourselves, our futures and the earth. I challenge you to show up in a big way.”

    "We want to go beyond cleaning up litter, and also convince people not to litter in the first place," says Jonelle Kimbrough, executive director of Sustainable Sandhills.

    Kimbrough hopes that large community cleanups like Fayetteville Beautiful can help bring awareness to the problem and reach people with the message to not litter.

    "Reducing disposables is also part of the solution," says Kimbrough. "That's why it's so important to use reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and grocery bags."

    Fayetteville Beautiful partners include Duck Donuts, Beasley Media, Fayetteville Public Works Commission, the Rotary Club of Fayetteville, 4imprint, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, Dunkin' Donuts, Biscuitville, Starbucks, Lidl and Navy Federal.

    Pictured above: Volunteer registration and details on how to sign up for the Sept. 18 cleanup event in Cumberland County are available at fayettevillebeautiful.com. (Photo of previous cleanup courtesy Sustainable Sandhills)

  • 06 MilitaryGravesHC1405 sourceThe attack last week at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, claimed the lives of 13 service members including 11 Marines, a Navy corpsman and an Army soldier assigned to a unit from Fort Bragg.

    Several Marines were wounded in the attack, said Marine Corps spokesman Maj. Jim Stenger. The attack was one of the deadliest of U.S. forces in the 20-year history of the war in Afghanistan.

    “Freedom comes at a cost,” Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger said while visiting Camp Lejeune, N.C. “I think the best that we can do from where we sit here in North Carolina is send them our prayers,” Berger added. “These fallen heroes answered the call to go into harm’s way to do the honorable work of helping others. We are proud of their service and deeply saddened by their loss.”

    There were more than 2,000 Marines in Kabul, Afghanistan. They had been rushed to the airport to aid in the evacuation of U.S. citizens and Afghans attempting to flee the country. They mostly came from the Central Command’s 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

  • 05 SSG Ryan KnaussStaff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, a soldier assigned to Fort Bragg’s 9th Battalion, 8th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) died as a result of wounds sustained from an attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport, where he was supporting non-combatant evacuation operations Aug. 26 in Kabul, Afghanistan.

    “We share in the tremendous grief over the loss of Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, and we stand in support of his wife and entire family during this tragic time,” said Col. Jeremy Mushtare, commander of 8th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne). “Ryan was the embodiment of an Army Special Operations Forces soldier, a testament to the professionalism of the non-commissioned officer corps, and a steadfast husband and teammate. His loss is devastating to our formation and Army family.”

    Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tenn., joined the Army in May 2016. Following Initial Entry Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., Knauss was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, and deployed to Afghanistan in 2017 as an infantryman. Upon returning home he attended and completed the Psychological Operations Assessment and Selection Course and the Psychological Operations Qualification Course. Upon graduation, Knauss was assigned to 9th Battalion, 8th POG (Airborne).

    Staff Sgt. Knauss’s military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Psychological Operations Assessment and Selection Course, Psychological Operations Qualification Course, and Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course (Level C).

    His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Action Badge, and the Army Basic Parachutist Badge.

    U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), Fort Bragg's Congressman, released a statement Saturday that read "Renee and I join our country in praying for the family of Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss, including his wife in Pinebluff and his extended family in Tennessee and Florida. His loss is felt by our entire Fort Bragg community and our nation will never forget his sacrifice, as well as that of all of our fallen service members. They put their lives on the line to save our fellow citizens and allies in harm's way. They are heroes."

    Pictured: Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss (Photo courtesy 1st Special Forces Command)

  •    A Tutor Navigates High Society in Privileged

        In Privileged(Tuesday, 9 p.m., CW), a literary type named Megan (JoAnna Garcia) gets a job tutoring two spoiled heiresses in Palm Beach. At first glance, Megan looks like a standard character in a standard 14-to-29-demo drama: the neurotic jabbermouth beauty. But there’s more to her than that, and more to Privileged, too. The series offers Gossip Girl-style fun, with just enough substance to make it more than a guilty pleasure.{mosimage}
        Megan is delightfully quirky, and her charges can be delightfully bitchy. “It’s gonna be super-fun,” one of them tells Megan sarcastically, just before making her life a living hell. The pilot is chock-full of such snark, along with enough bonding and betrayal, sexy swimwear and sincere speeches to give the 90210 area code a run for its money.
        Privileged is gonna be super-fun.

    KITCHEN NIGHTMARES
    Thursday, 8 p.m. (Fox)
        In last season’s Kitchen Nightmares, mean British chef Gordon Ramsay vented his ire on struggling restaurants around the U.S. “Your food is crap,” he sneered at tearful owners. He screamed at the chefs, cursed at the waiters and, as a grand finale, made a show of vomiting.
        It was, I have to admit, an entertaining act. A year later, Ramsay returns to the restaurants to see how they’re doing. Some have improved greatly — a triumph for them, a tragedy for us. Because a happy Ramsay is a boring Ramsay. He hugs the newly successful owners, compliments the chefs and even asks for recipes. “I owe it all to Chef Ramsay,” one owner says in a segment that’s about as compelling as a Hallmark card.
        Please, bring back the vomit.

    SAMURAI GIRL
    Friday-Sunday, 8 p.m. (ABC Family)
        A Japanese girl named Heaven (Jamie Chung) has been raised in seclusion by her wealthy Tokyo family. She goes to San Francisco for an arranged marriage, but samurai warriors crash the ceremony and kill her brother. Heaven goes on the run, trains as a samurai and embarks on a quest to learn her family’s secrets, all while wielding a sword called Whisper of Death.
    Obviously we’re not in a realistic universe, but Samurai Girl gives artifice a bad name. Though Japanese, Heaven speaks with a suburban mall-rat accent. She takes time out from eluding assassins to giggle about cute boys. She doesn’t talk so much as disgorge large chunks of exposition. She conveys about as much mystery and allure as a bowl of lukewarm miso soup.
    Now that you mention it, that’d be a more appropriate name for her samurai sword: Whisper of Lukewarm Miso Soup.

    FRINGE
    Tuesday, 8 p.m. (Fox)
        This new series is about government agents investigating fringe phenomena, and it has a scary-cool opening scene. Airline passengers experience strange symptoms en masse, their skin melting and their jaws falling off.
        But Fringe quickly goes from scary-cool to silly-foolish. One of the agents is infected himself, and his beautiful partner-lover has a brilliant (read: stupid) idea for saving him. She springs a mad scientist from the loony bin and agrees to let him insert a probe into her skull so she can enter her beloved’s memory and “see” the villain who spread the infection.
        For some reason, this requires her to be immersed in fluid in her bra and panties.

  • What was once a gentleman’s hobby among a few dozen enthusiasts at the turn of the 20th century,” wrote The New York Times in July, “has evolved into a multimillion-dollar industry,” namely, collecting strands of hair of famous people. Mastro Auctions of Chicago sells $100,000 worth of hair a year, and in October, a tuft of Che Guevara’s went for $119,500 (and John Lennon’s recently for $48,000). Westport, Conn., Americana dealer John Reznikoff (who owns strands of Lincoln, Washington, Napoleon and Beethoven) appraised Britney Spears’ locks (after her 2007 head-shaving) at “only” $3,500. Reznikoff told the Times that, while he advertises his trade in books and autographs, the hair is low-key: “I’m concerned clients might not take me seriously if they see me selling a lock of Charles Dickens’ hair.”

    THE CONTINUING CRISIS
    As Denton, Texas, Pizza Patron employee Stephanie Martinez complied with a disguised robber’s demand for money at closing in July, a co-worker jumped the man, knocked him down, and began beating on him. As the robber’s sunglasses and wig fell off, Martinez recognized him: “Don’t hit him again! That’s my dad!” Police later charged Stephanie’s father, mother and husband with the attempted robbery, concluding that Stephanie had been kept completely in the dark about the heist.

    MADE FOR ‘LAW AND ORDER’
    David Steffen was convicted in Cincinnati in 1983 of murdering a 19-year-old woman and sentenced to death because the jury found that he also raped her, a violation that was an added devastation to her parents. Steffen confessed to the killing but vehemently protested for almost a quarter century that he did not rape her, and, finally, a 2007 DNA test of semen backed him up, disturbing the family even more (and calling Steffen’s death sentence into question). In July 2008, the prosecutor learned that the DNA belonged to 55-year-old Kenneth Douglas, who is not a suspect in the murder but who was a morgue assistant in 1982 when the woman’s body arrived and, said the prosecutor, had sex with it. Though the statute of limitations likely prevents prosecuting Douglas, the woman’s parents seemed somewhat comforted that, after all, their daughter was a virgin. 

  •    CD Review: The Kings of Leon / Only By The Night

        Don’t bring Don McLean’s “American Pie” with its ode to Buddy Holly ‘round here.
        Every son and daughter of the South knows that Oct. 20, 1977, was the true day the music died. That’s when the plane carrying Lynyrd Skynyrd crashed and burned on the hard, red clay of a Mississippi glade, effectively ending the greatest Southern boogie band of its generation. (My apologies to the current, reformed version of Skynyrd, but it’s really nothing more than a ghost of the group, a tribute band performing “Free Bird” five nights a week to middle-aged guys in faded Confederate flag T-shirts and graying ladies in too-tight tube tops.){mosimage}
        Yes, the kings of the South are dead and gone. Long live the new kings... the Kings of Leon.
    On its fourth studio album, Only by the Night, the quartet from Tennessee shows why they’re the heir apparent to the Southern rock crown.
        The Kings — made up of the three Followill brothers: Caleb (guitar), Nathan (drums), and Jared (bass), as well as first cousin Matthew Followill (guitar) — pound out their rhythms with an abandon and a Southern-fried swagger that conjures a Dixiefied version of the Sex Pistols... except these guys can actually play their instruments.
        The Kings had a lot to live up to coming off the beautifully ragged 2007 release Because of the Times, which marked these sons of a Pentecostal preacher as the true evangelists of Southern rock ‘n’ roll. And while Only by the Nightdoesn’t quite match the raw beauty of Because of the Times, it still paints an aural portrait of all the Kings’ usual props: lust and love and sin, soaked with a tumbler of Southern Comfort and a smidgen of axle grease from  a jacked-up ‘69 Camaro.
        Fans of the Kings may be put off by the album’s opening track, “Closer,” which sounds a little like U2 on the skids (the band did tour with U2 in 2005, hence the Celtic rockers’ influence), but the music quickly gets back to its Reconstruction roots on “Crawl,” with its fuzzed-out guitar and “hell yeah” lyrics that I interpreted as a sly swipe at Islamic terrorists and other bad actors who have burned the flag and killed our countrymen — fanatics who “never went to Sunday mass,” who vilify the “crucified USA.” Your interpretation may vary, perhaps wildly.
        The train keeps a rollin’ on the album’s obvious first single, “Sex on Fire,” which smolders slowly, like that first great summer kiss in the parking lot of the Winn-Dixie — young lust that explodes with the inevitable “Hot as a fever / Rattling bones / I could just taste it, taste it.”
        Things get plaintive on “Be Somebody,” a song about loneliness — a shy guy or girl aching to win the homecoming king or queen’s favor for at least one moment: “Given a chance, I’m gonna be somebody / If for one dance, I’m gonna be somebody / Open the door, it’s gonna make you love me / Facing the floor, I’m gonna be somebody.”
        If you’ve never listened to the Kings of Leon and want a condensed, Cliff’s Notes version of what the band is all about, check out the album’s fifth track, “Manhattan,” which rings with the Kings’ trademark greasily glorious guitar work and the Southern singsong drawl of vocalist Caleb Followill, who has perhaps the most unique set of pipes since Rod Stewart. It’s a song about a hedonistic hillbilly gone to the big city, a fish out of water, but still living it up in the big pond — a transplanted King of New York in full rebel yell, proclaiming “These avenues and these reservoirs / We gonna show this town / How to kiss these stars.”
        The whole album percolates with a brew of the obvious old school influences — Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers, the Faces — as well as some fresh takes on the genre that make the Kings of Leon a sort of Southern version of the Strokes — only more sensual, more  introspective, just... more.
        If you are the type who needs to know what theme runs through an album, I’d say that when you get down to the bones, Only by the Night is about seizing the moment, grabbing lust and love by the throat and holding tight like a drunk grasping his last glass of scotch... because you never know if you’ll ever have a grip on it again.
        Long live the Kings.

  • The Amazing Race is Nowhere Near as Exciting as its Score
       

        The new season of The Amazing Race (Sunday, 8 p.m., CBS) begins with edge-of-the-seat excitement. Eleven pairs gather in Los Angeles to kick off the race around the world. The host reveals their first destination — Brazil — and they’re off! Accompanied by a soundtrack of deafening drums and screeching brass, the pairs jump in their cars and speed off to the airport! But they’re slowed by L.A. traffic! And the airline ticket lines are excruciatingly long! Then they endure the endless flight to Brazil as the soundtrack reaches a fever pitch!{mosimage}
        Hold on. In reality, there’s nothing very exciting about inching forward in traffic, waiting in line and taking a long intercontinental flight. The deafening drums and screeching brass just make us think it’s exciting. With that kind of soundtrack, I bet even this blurb would be a heart-pounding thrill ride.

    SURVIVOR: GABON
    Thursday, 8 p.m. (CBS) 
          Last season’s Survivorwas stunning, thanks to  a wily group of women who blindsided all the men. Week after week, Amanda, Parvati, Natalie and Cirie seduced their teammates into a false sense of security before lowering the ax. It was wonderful to watch them spin their webs, to the point where not even dudes holding an immunity idol were safe.
        The cast for this season’s premiere has already been announced, but I won’t be surprised if Amanda, Parvati, Natalie and Cirie blindside the producers and show up in Gabon unannouncedsexual slang is enough to get a laugh.

    PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
    Friday, 9 p.m.
        I watched the national conventions, so I have a pretty good idea of how the first presidential debate will go. Democrat Barack Obama will say that the country is in terrible shape, that the Republicans are responsible, and that we need a change. Then Republican John McCain will say the same thing.
        I know there’s a logical flaw in there somewhere. I just hope that, with the aid of a slide rule and blackboard, I can figure it out before the Nov. 4 election.

    THE SIMPSONS
    Sunday, 8 p.m. (FOX)
        In the season premiere, Homer becomes a bounty hunter, armed with a Taser. “Finally,” he tells his partner Flanders, “a practical use for electricity.” Homer tucks the Taser into his pants, despite the fact that it keeps shocking him in a very bad place. “It looks cool,” he explains to Flanders. Crackle. “D’OH!”
        The economy is tanking, the war is dragging on, and the presidential election is getting uglier by the minute. At least we have The Simpsons.

    COLD CASE
    Sunday, 9 p.m. (CBS)
        There’s nothing flashy about this series, in which detectives look for fresh leads on stale cases. No actor particularly stands out; none of them are babes. The director doesn’t try to get our attention with zippy editing, an overbearing score or gruesome corpses. Instead, Cold Case emphasizes solid TV storytelling.
        In the season premiere, a new clue comes to light in the murder of a college football star in 1973. The detectives track down the suspects one by one, looking for holes in their stories. Nothing special about that, but you have to give Cold Case credit for involving us in the mystery, and even touching our hearts by the end.
        My only quibble is that the bad guys are a bit too easy to spot.

    PARIS HILTON’S MY NEW BFF
    Tuesday, 10 p.m. (MTV)
        Paris Hilton lives most of her life on reality TV, so it makes sense that she’d use this MTV series as a way to search for a new best friend. But if I were the winner, I wouldn’t be too smug. Paris is just as likely to drop her in a 2009 series called You Know What You Did.

  •     Ghastly ghouls, murder trials and legendary ghosts … Yes, it’s that time of year again. The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival is kicking off its annual fundraiser, Historic Hauntings: A Ghastly Ghost Tour. Tour dates for this year’s historic hay ride will be Oct. 16, 17, 18 and 23, 24 and 25. Tractors will depart at 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on all six nights.
        Board the hay ride at Liberty Point — 145 Person St., and prepare to explore downtown Fayetteville’s eerie past. {mosimage}The hour-long tour features ghostly reenactors and storytellers highlighting the history of Fayetteville and the spooky legends of our past. This year’s hay ride includes stops at many of Fayetteville’s historic sites, including the Transportation Museum, the Market House and Cross Creek Cemetery. After the winding tour through downtown Fayetteville, you will return to the boarding site for the finale, which takes place in Fayetteville’s oldest commercial building, Liberty Point.  This hay ride is safe and exciting for passengers of all ages.
        Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance. Tickets will be on sale during 4th Friday and at the International Folk Festival for a reduced rate of $13 — just look for our booth at both events.

    Hallows Eve Cemetery Walk
        This year will also feature a onetime Cemetery Walk through Cross Creek Cemetery on Thursday, Oct. 30.  City Historian Bruce Daws will take those who are interested in learning more about the people and events that have happened in the cemetery on an hour-long walking tour. Tickets for this event are sold separately by calling the Dogwood Festival office at 323-1934 and specifying the Hallows Eve Cemetery Walk. Tickets for this event are $10 and walking tours begin at 7 p.m., with the last tour at 9 p.m. All proceeds for this particular event go to the restoration of Cross Creek Cemetery.    
        The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival is a community organization committed to providing a variety of family-centered activities held downtown and around town. This is done to entertain, promote new business, enhance a positive community image, attract visitors, share cultural and recreational opportunities of our community, encourage unity through the celebration of our diversity, promote the education of our rich history and foster civic pride.
        For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Zack May at 323-1934 or visit the Web site: www.faydogwoodfestival.com.
  •     I first learned about motorcycles when I was a youngster. My next door neighbor had bought an Indian motorcycle. I would look at it with amazement. My father quickly instructed me that I was to “never get on one of those things.” Soon, my neighbor had purchased his wife and son a bike. Raymond was my age and had a Honda 80cc bike. They took off on weekends and did family rides. At that time in Tennessee people didn’t seem to care much about age and the vehicle laws when it came to motorcycles. Timmy Ward was riding a motorcycle to school in the 6th grade. Timmy is the guy who taught me how to ride. I still remember the bike — a purple Yamaha DT 100. Oh happy days!                                                                                            Today, riding is still a family affair. One of the guys at work told me that he and his son have 15 motorcycles in the shed and spend the weeks competing at the track. John Glebus is 14 and has been riding for 6 years. He started off with a Honda 80cc motorcycle and has now progressed to a Yamaha YZ250. His sister Johanna rides as well. I enjoy watching them pack up their bikes on the weekend as the family heads over to Wide Open motor cross track in Raeford. {mosimage}
        Like John, most young riders learned how to ride off-road from a family member or friend. For riding on the road, things are not that easy. In North Carolina you must be at least 16 to operate a bike on the road. You must have a full provisional driver’s license, a regular or commercial license issued by the DMV. If you are younger than 18, you must have your parents or legal guardian sign for you. Not only do you need a motor vehicle license but you must also pass four additional tests: vision, traffic signs, motorcycle knowledge and road test.
        Somewhere along the way you need one additional thing. A motorcycle! This is one of those subjects I get a lot questions about: What would be a good first bike for my kid. I tell the questioner there is no right answer because everyone has a different vision of what they need or want their child to operate. Some will want something that will get them around town or to school. Some want something that is street legal but will also go off-road. It just depends on what bike best meets your child’s needs, so take some time to analyze your situation.
        Size matters. I personally don’t think a Yamaha R1 is a good idea for a new rider regardless of his/her age. One slight twist on the throttle and you’re airborne or off the road. There is simply too much power for a new rider.
        New or used? Used is good because it is his or her first bike. Chances are it’s going to hit the ground. There are additional costs to remember, including maintenance, taxes and insurance.
    If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, please send your comments and suggestions to motorcycle4fun@aol.com.
        RIDE SAFE!
  •     When America fell in love with Alan Jackson, they fell in love with his humorous, good time music like “Chatahoochee.” Eleven albums later, America is still in love with Jackson, but they’ve seen all sides of his music, from his ballads like “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” to traditional country like “Murder on Music Row.” On Thursday, Oct. 2, Jackson fans will get a chance to take a stroll down memory lane when he brings his Good Time tour to the Crown Coliseum.
        Jackson, one of country music’s greatest voices and most accomplished artists, will share the stage with Trace Adkins, another bigger than life country music star. The double-barrel pairing of two of country’s most exciting performers is sure to bring country music fans of all ages to the Crown for a night of honky-tonk madness.
        {mosimage}Three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and most nominated artist in CMA Awards history Alan Jackson is “one of country music’s true masters” writing songs that ‘make life’s mundanities carry emotional heft and make it look easy.” (USA Today) He has sold more than 49 million albums and topped the album and country album chart this year with Good Time, which produced two number one singles, “Small Town Southern Man”  and “Good Time,” bringing Jackson’s career total of number ones to 33, 23 of which were written by the Grammy-winning songwriter.
        Jackson’s early music was carefree and paid homage to the honky tonks of days gone by. When his music took a on a more serious vein, he noted that while his fans enjoyed the music, they still looked forward to hearing the whimsical music which gave him his start. Good Time is a return to that music.
    While Jackson’s music has grown over the years, one thing has not changed. He has remained committed to his country roots. While others in the country music arena let their music move toward the mainstream, Jackson held on to traditional country — paying homage to country greats like Hank Williams.
        His song “Murder on Music Row,” a duet with George Strait, criticized the state of country music. The song raised the question whether or not traditional country music was actually dead. The duo was invited to open the 2000 Academy of country Music Awards with a performance of the turn. Rolling Stone noted, “if Garth and Shania have raised the bar for country concerts with Kiss-style production and endless costume changes, then Alan Jackson is doing his best to return the bar to a more human level.”
        Since releasing his platinum debut album in 1996, the Louisiana-born performer, musician, author and actor Trace Adkins has recorded seven studio albums, which netted him 24 singles on the Billboard chart.  His latest chart-topping CD, American Man: Greatest Hits Vol. II includes the multi-week number one single “You’re Gonna Miss This.” After his strong showing on NBC’s hit reality series, The Celebrity Apprentice, Adkins is turning to the big screen. He’ll soon appear in the feature film American Carol, an irreverent comedy directed by David Zucker. He is set to release his next studio album this fall.
        Tickets are $48 to $58. Additional fees may apply. Tickets may be purchased at the Crown Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 910-223-2900. The Crown Center main box office is located at the Crown Coliseum and is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.









  •     I’m an attractive, 42-year-old single mom with a 13-year-old son. I’ve been widowed for three years, and I’m finally ready to date. I’ve found myself increasingly attracted to this man (actually, I’m yearning to jump his bones), but he’s only 32. I sense the attraction may be mutual. The problem is, I’m the queen of mixed signals. If a good-looking guy checks me out in the grocery store, I scurry to another aisle and kick myself later. After this guy went out of his way to call to say he wished our conversation hadn’t been interrupted at a party the night before, I told him, “I’m just needy; I’ll talk to anyone who’ll listen.” Please don’t tell me to find a man my age. They don’t give me the time of day — except for the ones who creep me out. What I can say or do to let this man know I’m interested without coming off as a desperate older woman?
                          —Own Worst Enemy


        You’re right to worry about coming off as a desperate older woman. You probably do sound desperate — desperate to get rid of the guy: “I’m just needy; I’ll talk to anyone who’ll listen.” Should he call back, maybe add, “You’ll do, since the suicide hotline guys started hanging up on me when they realized I don’t want to kill myself, just bore them to death.”
        Your signals to the guy might be mixed, but they’re coming through loud and clear to me: You want a relationship; you’re just too terrified to have one. You’re probably scared of both success and failure: What if Stud Boy likes you? What if he likes you, then leaves you?! And you’re sure the grocery store guy, upon closer appraisal, will realize he’s made a terrible mistake, so you scurry away like a bug after the lights come on: “Yes, yes, I look like a woman, but I’m really a giant cockroach wearing a lot of Better Separates.”
        There’s something in you that doesn’t think all that highly of you — the part that suspects this guy’ll see you as some ridiculous old bag. Wowee, a whole 10-year age difference. (Any excuse’ll do!)
        When you do meet a guy who creeps you out, your old insecure-speak should come in handy. Nothing usually makes a man on the make want to bolt like the words “I’m needy,” except maybe for the announcement “I’m off my meds, I’ve got a loaded gun in my purse, and what a cool coincidence that the back of your shirt looks so much like a bullseye.”
  •     On a recent road trip, I found myself scanning my XM radio channels. There’s really only so many times you can listen to the same songs over and over and XM offers such a wide variety you really can’t get bored. {mosimage}
        I found a channel that seemed to have some potential, and after a couple of songs, a new song (at least to me) caught my attention. The name Hank Williams Jr. flashed across the radio, but I knew that wasn’t Hank all by himself. My friend Becca and I thought it was a new duet featuring Hank and his good friend Kid Rock, but it wasn’t. It was Hank with the Georgia-based band Rehab, and the song, “The Bartender Song,” was hysterical.
        It’s right up there with the perfect Country and Western song. It talks about prison, Chevys, love lost in the trailer park and drowning your sorrows at the bar.
        “I’m sittin’ at a bar on the inside, waiting for my ride on the outside. She stole my heart in the trailer park, so I jacked the keys to her daddy’s car, then I crashed that Chevrolet and I stepped away.”
        After hearing the song, I had to learn more about the band, so I downloaded their 2008 re-release of Graffiti the World, and got a little more than I bargained for. Rehab’s music is a mix of southern rock, dirty south rap, reggae, alternative and rap/rock think Limp Bizkit. So there is a mix of music on the CD — a little rap, a little rock and a mixture of both; however, the lyrical melodies of “The Bartender Song” were replaced by-in-large by a booming rap beat on the majority of the tracks.
        Let me be upfront, I am not a huge rap fan, so I was a little taken aback; however, I stayed the course and listened to the whole CD, and I liked it. There were a number of tracks that made it worth the price of the download.
        Of particular note, “Red Water” tells the story of a kid who watches with envy his next door neighbor who seems to have a perfect life. That illusion is shattered when the man’s beautiful wife finds him sitting in a tub overflowing with red water. The song is about the overworked, overstressed, perfect lives that people seek to lead, and the truth that sometimes lurks underneath the pretty picture.
        The title track “Graffiti the World” is rap, but it kind of reminded me of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” It talks about the damage we do not only to our Earth, but to our children and our society. The song touches on just about every aspect of our lives from religion to pollution to politics to terrorism.
        The song “This Town” talks about the band’s roots in a small Georgia town, and how the way they were raised, and the people they grew up with remain with them wherever they go. It should make their home town proud.
        Other than “The Bartender Song,” my other favorite is “Last Tattoo.” Much like “The Bartender Song,” “The Last Tattoo” talks about love gone wrong, except in this case, rather than drowning his sorrows, the man decides to ink her memory away with you guessed it — “The Last Tattoo.”
        There are two versions of this CD available for download, the cleaned-up version and the explicit version. I downloaded the cleaned-up version, but they really didn’t do the best job cleaning it up. So keep that in mind if you want to listen to it and children are around.
        Also, after you listen to it, let me know if you found some of the raps a little too much — on a couple of songs I kept thinking about Brad from the movie Malibu’s Most Wanted. But maybe that’s just me.
  •      Gossip GirlWrestles With The Big Problems

            The new season of Gossip Girl(Monday, 8 p.m., CW) heats up as the beautiful young Manhattanites make messes of their privileged lives. This week’s episode hinges on an explosive plot point: Should Vanessa call Nate? Or, conversely, should she, like, not call him? Jenny, the blonde would-be designer, comes up with a brilliant solution based in syllogistic logic: “You like him, he likes you, so just call him!” But Vanessa remains torn, uncharacteristically so. “I am so not the whiny should-I-call-him girl!” she whines.
        {mosimage}The philosophical questions become only more perplexing. Should Serena and Dan get back together? Should Blair have a quickie with Chuck? I can’t decide if Gossip Girlis the most enjoyable show on TV, or the silliest, or both. And that’s weird, because I am so not the whiny should-I-pan-this-series TV critic!

    TOP DESIGN
    Wednesday, 10 p.m. (Bravo)
        Project Runway makes fashion design compelling, and the same goes for Top Chef with cooking. But Top Design can’t pull off the trick with interior design. There are no vivid personalities in the new season, either among the judges or the contestants. Despite the stress of competition, most of the designers get along pretty well. “We know what we have to get done,” one of them says happily during a challenge, “and we’re going to work as a team to pull it off.”
        Well, that’s just great, but it means we have to sit there watching people paint and saw with very little underlying drama. For many of us, matching the drapes with the bedspread is not a scintillating payoff for an hour of TV viewing.

    COCO CHANEL
    Saturday, 8 p.m. (Lifetime)
        Shirley MacLaine affects thick red lipstick and an even thicker French accent as legendary designer Coco Chanel. This TV movie flashes back to Chanel’s upbringing in an orphanage, followed by her success with jersey dresses and perfume. Despite the abundance of Chanel No. 5, the movie stinks, indulging in every inspirational biopic cliché. The only real drama is whether MacLaine will tip forward or backward from the weight of her enormous hat and horn-rim glasses.

    ENTOURAGE
    Sunday, 10 p.m. (Fox)
        HBO’s masterpiece shows no signs of decline in season five, setting the standard for inside-Hollywood satire. At this point in the story, budding star Vince (Adrian Grenier) and his horndog entourage hit the bad side of the town’s boom-and-bust cycle. Vince’s last movie flopped, and nothing feels right with sex or society life. “You’re in movie jail until the stench from Medellin clears,” declares his subhuman superagent, Ari (Jeremy Piven).
        As always, Piven steals the show with his portrait of a man who would sell his soul to the devil for a deal — if he had a soul, and if the devil had access to a major studio. Ari is our ticket to the sick side of Hollywood, repulsive even when he’s trying to be reassuring.
        “You can come back stronger than ever,” he tells Vince. “Like Lance Armstrong, but with two balls!”

  •     Curt Taylor, guitarist for Atlanta-based metal/rap band Primer 55, describes his crew’s music as “heavy rock with a hip-hop feel.”
        Yeah, heavy like the circus fat lady after she’s eaten a pan of lead-filled cookies; heavy like the Hindenburg after that lead zeppelin crashed and burned in a New Jersey field; heavy like the band’s biggest influences — NWA, Rancid, Ice T, Soulfly.
        {mosimage}And if you want to catch this “heavy” act that has sold more than 750,000 CDs around the world, you need to float on over to The Rock Shop on Sept. 26 and weigh the band’s talent for yourself.
    “People try to describe our sound all the time,” said Taylor, “saying we sound like this band or that band. But in the end, we just sound like Primer 55.”
        Primer 55 was formed in 1997 in Memphis, Tenn. After gaining some word-of-mouth fame for its brutally intense live shows, the band released its self-titled debut CD in 1999 on the independent label Propellant Transmissions. Shortly after this release, the group was offered a contract with Island Def Jam, releasing Introduction to Mayhem in 2000. The band has issued two CDs since, and is working on a new recording for major label My Family Records that will hit the shelves by the end of the year.
        Band members include Taylor and Bobby Burns on guitar and bass, vocalist Donny Polinski, and Mikey Terito on drums. Burns also plays guitar with the phenomenally successful Soulfly, serving as a musical foil to guitarist extraordinaire, Max Cavalera.
        “It’s an extremely tight unit as far as musicianship goes,” said Taylor. “When we do a live show it’s like a well-oiled machine.
        “And even though we’re classified in the metal genre, we’re really not guys playing detuned seven string guitars,” added Taylor. “We play low, groove oriented rock.”
        You can check out some sound samples on the band’s Web site, www.myspace.com/primer55rocks. The songs provided are all intense, metal/rap songs — sort of the alien love child of House of Pain and Slayer — except for the standout acoustic tune, “My Girl.”
        The Web site also contains photos and testimonials from Primer 55’s fan base — a group Taylor says is among the most enthusiastic in rock.
        “Our fans are some of the rowdiest, craziest out there,” said Taylor. “And we’re especially looking forward to playing Fayetteville because it’s known as being a town that really supports heavy rock. And it’s a military town and we know how rowdy soldiers can get — we’re huge supporters of the military and everything they do for this country.”
        The Primer 55 show will get started on Friday, Sept. 26, at The Rock Shop at about 8 p.m., kicking off with opening bands Slamhandle and Abydos. Tickets are $10 and $12. For more information, call 321-ROCK, or check out the Web site, www.therockshoplive.com.

  •     The New York Post spotted several Manhattan businesses that tried to appeal to nudists this summer with special events. Among the most challenging were John Ordover’s monthly dinners at selected restaurants (such as the Mercantile Grill), where about 50 diners eat and drink naked (served by the restaurant’s regular, clothed staff), and the Naked Comedy Showcase at People’s Improv Theater in the Chelsea district, where once a month, naked comedians perform (and a section in the audience is reserved for naked patrons).
     
    Weird Science
        In July, microbiologists writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported that the Malaysian pen-tailed tree shrew subsists on a diet of fermented palm nectar that is roughly the equivalent of 100 percent beer. “They seem to have developed some type of mechanism to deal with that high level of alcohol and not get drunk,” according to one researcher, who hoped further study could help with human cases of alcohol poisoning (and other rare instances in which people ingest alcohol for purposes other than getting drunk.) 

    Intelligent Design
        Among the photo exhibits at New York City’s Museum of Sex in July was the display of the genitalia of the spotted hyena, which was described by Bloomberg News: “(B)oth the male and female have penises. The female, it turns out, has a scrotal sack, too. For reproductive purposes, the male transfers his sperm through the female’s penis, which doubles as her clitoris.” Other exhibits included “Gay Dolphin Blow-Hole Sex” and a “Deer Threesome,” featuring a “Bambi” with two stags. Said the museum’s curator, the exhibit simply compensates for museums’ traditional animal exhibits in which depictions of genitalia are suppressed. 

    It’s Good to be a British Prisoner
        Ian Brady, now age 70 and perhaps the most famous British murderer of the 20th century, complained recently that the psychiatric inmates housed with him in Ashworth Hospital still qualify for government allowances up to the equivalent of about $200 per week whereas prison transfers like him receive “only” one-fourth that amount.
  •    Babylon A.D. (Rated PG-13) One Star

        When Babylon A.D.(90 minutes) was first advertised, it looked good. It looked liked a thinking person’s movie, a dystopian take on a near future with a Russian aesthetic and some pretty, pretty lead actors. Then, rumors of conflict between director Mathieu Kassovitz and Fox Studios developed, and everyone started busting on the film before it was even released. Additionally, a substantial amount of footage is missing from the U.S. cut against the director’s wishes. The Internet Movie Database reports a loss of more than 70 minutes, but I couldn’t verify that amount. What I can verify is at least 15 minutes missing from the U.S. studio release, enough to completely change the character of a film. Think that 15 minutes can’t change a movie? Let me direct your attention to the theatrical versus the director’s cut of The Descent.   
        {mosimage}Kassovitz’s wrote, directed, and starred in 1995’s controversial La Haine(The Hate), and starred as Amelie’s love interest in the French Amelie (2001). His stateside work includes the notoriously stinky Gothika and a brief appearance in The Fifth Element. This movie might have been his big break into quality science fiction. Instead, the film American audiences are seeing is chopped up beyond all hope of quality, and a more sophisticated film is lost on the cutting room floor, sacrificed to the PG rating gods.
        The film centers on a U.S. military veteran turned mercenary, Toorop (Vin Diesel). He is recruited by a wealthy man named Gorsky (played primarily by Gerard Depardieu’s nose) to escort a sweet young thing from a monastery in Kazakhstan to New York. While escorting Aurora (Melanie Thierry) and her guardian (Michelle Yeoh, who used to make good movies), he discovers that Aurora is capable of some pretty odd intuitive leaps, among other unusual traits. They make their way across a heavily guarded border despite the menace and confusion surrounding them. Eventually, Aurora’s fate is balanced between science and religion, with only Toorop privy to the secret that can rescue her. About here is where I usually start to worry about giving away the ending, but this version really doesn’t have an ending. Things start blowing up, and we see about five minutes of confusingly edited scenes, which quickly lead into the credits. But sincerely, I have only the vaguest conception of the finale. It was abrupt and left many questions unanswered.
        I have nothing personally against Vin Diesel, The Pacifier notwithstanding. I enjoyed him in Pitch Black, and I am even eager to see his take on the famous Carthaginian general Hannibal. Here however, he seems to sleepwalk though his lines. All the major players are poorly used and move through the film with apology in their eyes. The cinematography is atrocious, the fight choreography childish and uninspired. 
    There are far too many holes in the plot. For example, at one point the merry crew tries to evade motion sensing robots. Our hero offers to draw them off, but his companions continue to move…why would the robots chase the hero but not the other moving targets? That’s just bad storytelling.
        Honestly, there is nothing like a good sci-fi action movie. Unfortunately, this truly is nothing like a good action movie…instead it is just awful and dumb.  

  •     “There’s a sucker born every minute,” or at least that’s what P.T. Barnum believed. The self-titled “Prince of Humbug” wasn’t satisfied with just putting on a show, he had to be put on a great show. That’s something the Cape Fear Regional Theatre seems to have in common with Barnum. The CFRT, in its production of Barnum, has pulled out all of the stops to pay homage to the greatest showman on earth.
        Since the CFRT announced its season, I have been looking forward to the opportunity to see this production. My excitement was, in part, sparked by that of Bo Thorp, the artistic director of the theatre. Thorp spoke with great animation of the show, and the gleam in her eye promised the show would be something not to miss. Thorp was right.
        {mosimage}The musical, which tells the story of the life of P.T. Barnum, is really a play within a circus. In each scene we get an inside look at the man, and then we get an up-close look at the spectacle he created, but more importantly, loved. And from the start of the show until the last bow of the cast, it’s a rollicking good time.
        Broadway and CFRT veteran Dirk Lumbard shines as the man himself. Lumbard, who played the role on Broadway, not only performs the lead role, he also directs the play. To say he’s breathless by the end of the show would be an understatement but he never slows down, and he never misses a beat. In this musical, he shines.
    I’ve seen Lumbard in a couple of productions, and I have to say that to date, Barnum is his shining moment on the CFRT stage. Not that Lumbard wasn’t good in the other productions; they simply didn’t let his joy come through. I saw this from the opening notes of the production. He simply radiated joy, even in the more somber moments of the play. He captured the spark that drove Barnum to greater heights. Lumbard gave a dynamic performance in last year’s 12 Angry Men, but it didn’t truly highlight the true range of his talents. And, to my way of thinking really didn’t let us see his genius. Barnum is a horse of another color.
        Susan Cella, another Broadway performer, plays the perfect foil to Barnum, as she brings to life his straight-laced wife Chary Barnum. Cella’s resume is long, having played numerous roles on Broadway, traveled extensively with touring companies and having several television credits to her name. Chary Barnum was her husband’s conscience; you might say his north star. Cella does a fantastic job of fulfilling that role.
        Keri Burman, an Oklahoma native, played the role of Jenny Lind, an opera singer who caught Barnum’s eye for a while and brought a degree of respectability to Barnum’s shows, which were rife with bearded women, fat ladies and others more commonly referred to as sideshow freaks. Lind’s time on the stage was brief, but she added a lot of humor to the show. Her heavy accent and comedic delivery were spot on.
        Fayetteville resident Ken Griggs, serving as the ringmaster/narrator, also put in a solid performance. Griggs has been in numerous shows at the CFRT, and his presence on stage was nothing short of great. And, kudos to Ken, he spent weeks learning the numerous tricks of the trade including how to ride a unicycle, and after weeks of bumps and spills, he made it across the stage, reciting his lines without a fall.
        The tricks of the trade are also part of what made the show such a spectacle. The CFRT performers spent weeks learning circus skills like juggling, stilt-walking, tumbling and acrobatics in the Spanish webs. Their dedication to their craft resulted in a lot of bumps and bruises, but their hard work paid off in the performance.
        The talented cast danced, sang and tumbled their way right into the audience’s heart. So grab your family, grab your friends and head over to the circus. You’re going to love it.

    Contact Janice Burton at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 
     
     
     
     
     


  • Even The Spirits Seem Confused in The Ghost Whisperer

        {mosimage}In The Ghost Whisperer’s season premiere (Friday, 8 p.m., CBS), Jennifer Love Hewitt returns as a woman who solves supernatural mysteries by talking to spooks. Why this is best accomplished in skimpy negligees I’ve never known. This week, Hewitt’s Melinda helps a psychologist who died in a fire along with a sexy patient. Then the psychologist comes back to life. The patient doesn’t, but he can hear her ghost talking to him. Melinda can both hear and see the ghost, and she hopes to ask it who started the fire. But that won’t be easy, not the way the damn thing keeps disappearing at dramatically convenient moments.
    “Ok,” says the skeptical psychologist. “Let’s just pretend for a minute that this whole thing isn’t nuts.”
    I tried pretending for a minute, but I only got as far as six seconds. This whole thing is nuts.

    GARY UNMARRIED
    Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. (CBS) 
        The scenario feels familiar: A slob (Jay Mohr) is recently divorced from his prissy wife (Paula Marshall), raising kids who have one character trait apiece. The script is full of non-punchlines from the lazy-sitcom-writer’s handbook: “I haven’t seen you this freaked out since that swan chased you at Disneyland!”
        But wait. Mohr and Marshall are solid comedians, and Ed Begley Jr. adds a welcome dose of eccentricity as the ex-wife’s egghead fiancé. Despite the mediocre script, I detect signs of chemistry among these actors. I haven’t laughed at Gary Unmarried yet, but I expect to sometime before the end of ’08.

    STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS
    Friday, 9 p.m. (Cartoon Network) 
        George Lucas milks his Star Wars franchise in this animated series. Sadly, The Clone Wars takes its cue from the last three Star Wars films rather than the first three. It’s heavy-handed and humorless, lacking the charm that made Star Wars a force (or Force) to be reckoned with in the 1970s and ‘80s. The characters speak in grave tones about matters of great importance — to them, not us. Yoda is trotted out for the umpteenth time to utter wise words with inverted syntax: “Tragic are these losses. But prevent more we must.” You’d at least expect stunning visuals in a Lucas production, but the animated characters look like escapees from a PlayStation 1 videogame.
        Stupid is The Clone Wars. Star Wars post-1983 I hate.

    SANCTUARY
    Friday, 9 p.m. (Sci Fi)
        A forensic psychiatrist (Robin Dunne) investigates a routine murder that, on closer inspection, looks anything but routine. A boy with strange powers accidentally kills three people with a squishy tentacle that grows out of his body.
        The psychiatrist follows a trail that leads to a fantastical mansion presided over by a kindly British doctor (Amanda Tapping). It houses mermaids, flying creatures and other “abnormals” who are feared and misunderstood by regular folk.
        Sci Fi’s new series is a little too much like X-Men, though it can’t match the movie franchise in terms of emotion or excitement.
        I’m going to stick with it, though, having long been a sucker for squishy tentacles.
  •     On the release of The Game’s third full length album, LAX, a myriad of questions await the man named Jayceon Taylor on his self-proclaimed “last album.” What’s The Game talking about on this album? Who is he working with? Is this his last album? Even with these burning questions from onlookers, The Game pushes all of his old controversy and recent speculation to the side and delivers his project to the world.
        Even though some naysayers might say that he might not have much to talk about on this album or the South is on top right now and doesn’t have room for The Game’s West Coast sound, with LAXhe’s out to prove them wrong. {mosimage}
        See, The Game is used to being an underdog and what he does have going for him is a menacing delivery and incredible flow; respect from his peers in the industry; and a keen ability to write songs and make hits. It’s also interesting to note that while The Game is a West Coast artist, his sound accompanies more of an East Coast flavor which gives him a wider audience (along both coasts) than many other artists could accommodate.
        The album begins with a spirited sermon by none other then Earl Simmons (yes, DMX), and follows with the opener, “LAX Files.” This is not a spectacular opening song, but not a bad one either. “State of Emergency,” featuring Ice Cube, is a riot-inciting track with that signature West Coast sound and Cube’s barking on the hook, welcoming back a rejuvenated vigor reminiscent to his days of classic albums Death Certificate and Lethal Injection.
        The Game also brings out another rap vet, Wu-Tang’s Raekwon for “Bulletproof Diaries,” and rides with neo-soul singer Bilal on “Cali Sunshine.” The anthemic “Big Dreams” produced by Cool and Dre with its epic horns and booming drums should be one of the radio singles off the album and “House of Pain” is also a trunk banger.
        With all of theses highlights to offer, The Game flies even higher with the feel good anthem of “Angel” featuring Common and a melodic driven beat by Kanye West. The closing musical track is the moving “Letter to the King” featuring Nas. On the latter, Game laments on Dr. Martin Luther King and his respect for the “first Braveheart.”
        “If Dr. King march today would Bill Gates march?/I know Obama would Hillary take part?/great minds think great thoughts the pictures I paint make the Mona Lisa look like fake art/da pain I feel is like Nelson Mandela ‘cause when it rains it pours I need Rihanna’s umbrella……”
        Introspective indeed. As strong as this quote is, one of The Game’s greatest strengths is also one of his greatest weaknesses. Many have accused his style of being “namedropitis” where he fills his verses with too many bars of celebrity’s names and aliases like “my competition is stiffer than Ronald Reagan” or “I keep a Cannon (Nick) like Mariah.” Sometimes his style is refreshing and entertaining while other times it can be annoying and redundant. As brilliant as a song like “Angel” is, he sounds generic and boring on “Touchdown.”
        Fortunately for The Game, these mistakes are minor, and with LAX, he has arguably produced one of the best hip-hop albums of 2008. While Nas’ Untitledis on another level lyrically and Lil’ Wayne’s The Carter 3 sold the most albums this year, commercially and artistically, LAX might be the sleeper hit of 2008 for rap fans. The Game shows his versatility by being introspective and personal with songs like “My Life,” keeping it gangsta on “Let Us Live,” and showing his sensitive side to the ladies on “Gentleman’s Affair,” all without sounding forced and being 100 percent The Game. The production is A+ with everyone from Scott Storch to J.R. Rotem to DJ Hi-Tek delivering some of their best work, and The Game shows a balanced chemistry shining (but not overshadowing) alongside every guest. If this is his last album as he says it is, we are truly witnessing one of this generation’s greats retire while still in his prime — at a time when he is truly at the top of his “game.”
  •      {mosimage}With cooler weather forecast for our region, more people are going to start looking for outside activities. How does a relaxing evening down by the river — complete with great food and smooth jazz — sound? If it sounds tempting, you don’t have to look far, as WFSS 91.9 FM will host its third annual Jazz on the River event at Campbellton Landing on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m.  Gates will open at 5 p.m., rain or shine. 
        “This event is part of our fall fundraising effort,” said Janet Wright, program director of WFSS 91.9 FM. “The station used to only do on-air fund drives and we felt that we should do something a little more creative.” 
          The performers for the event are jazz keyboardist Alex Bugnon from Montreaux, Switzerland; jazz guitarist Nick Colionne from the south side of Chicago; and electric violinist Ken Ford from Atlanta, Ga.      
          “We have people coming from Atlanta and Maryland to see the show,” said Wright.
    “There has been a request from fans to do this event more than once a year.” 
          Wright said that it feels good to see the event grow yearly and know that people enjoy it.
        WFSS is owned by Fayetteville State University and has been on the air for 31 years. It started out as a 10-watt station and currently has 100,000 watts serving 13 counties in southeastern North Carolina. The station streams its signal on the Internet so deployed soldiers and other listeners can follow the programming online.
    “We mainly feature news and jazz music,” said Wright. “On the weekends we play blues, bluegrass, gospel, African, Latin and folk music.”  
          WFSS airs several radio shows, including: Chat with the Chamber, Community Health and The Arts Connection.  
          The purpose of Chat with the Chamber is to keep the community aware of businesses, economic developments and opportunities. Community Health talks to local physicians regarding the latest developments in medicine and informs local citizens about health services that are provided in the Fayetteville community.
          The Arts Connection focuses on events that are taking place in the world of the arts. The program guide can be viewed at www.wfss.org.    
        Proceeds will be used for operating expenses for WFSS. An on-air fundraising drive is scheduled for this October. 
    “We are public radio and we do not air commercials,” said Wright. “Therefore we have to raise our money in different ways.” 
         Food vendors will be onsite for the concert event. WFSS will sell alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Coolers are not permitted. 
         “People are invited and encouraged to bring a lawn chair,” said Wright. “It is going to be a fun and successful event with great music.”   
         Campbellton Landing is located at 1122 Person St. on the banks of the Cape Fear River. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the gate. For more information or to purchase tickets call 672-2650 or 672-1381. Tickets can also be purchased at Fort Bragg MWR Tickets & Tours at 396-8747.

    Contact Shanessa Fenner at editor@upandcomingweekly.com





     
     
     
     
     
     


  •     Over at Cape Fear Harley-Davidson, the retailer’s All Harley Drag Racing Association team (AHDRA) — in just it’s first full season of competition — has ridden 125 horses to second in the overall points standing in the AHDRA’s Super Sport division.                                                                                                                                                                            {mosimage}And the four-person team is chomping at the bit for first.
        Steve Lowery, who, when he isn’t tinkering around in the guts of engines in the service bays of Fayetteville’s only authorized Harley-Davidson dealer, tears down the quarter-mile track aboard a 99 cubic-inch rocket that reaches speeds of 128 mph on the straightaway.
        And on the weekend of Oct. 10-12, Lowery hopes to spur that steel stallion on to victory at Rockingham Dragway in Richmond County and inch the team closer to the Super Sport championship.
        “We really want to be number one,” said Andre Mitchell, the team’s coordinator. “That’s what it’s about.”
    The AHDRA — which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary — sanctions and promotes drag racing events across the United States. What began as a club racing organization in the late ‘70s has expanded into a hugely popular motor sport boasting 16 different classes ranging from 224-mph Top Fuel bikes to the aforementioned Super Sport division. Currently, the Cape Fear Harley-Davidson team, formed last spring, sits atop the Eastern Division points standings and trails the overall leader by just 79 points with one race to go — the Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Nationals at The Rock.
        “Sam was racing on his own and we decided that we would form our own race team,” said Mitchell, who, like the other team members, is employed with Cape Fear Harley-Davidson. “Sam had purchased a frame before we started the team and then we bought an engine. We were in three races — Bristol, Richmond and Rockingham — last year at the tail end of the season. But this is our first full season.”
        The team has rocketed to success in it’s inaugural season, challenging for the Super Sport championship despite missing several races (Mitchell says the high cost of gas kept the team from traveling to several races out West). Lowery rode the stripped down Harley — no lights and no charging system on a bike he has to almost lay down on to ride — to the victory circle in the   Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Bike Week Nationals in  Gainesville, Fla., on the weekend of Feb. 29, tearing down the track in a hide-peeling 10.390 seconds.
        The unprecendented success of the first-year team has not only left other teams gasping in the wake of Lowery’s exhaust, it’s also brought out a little bit of the green monster in some of the Cape Fear team’s more established rivals.
        “They’re a little bit jealous,” said the team’s crew chief, Mike Bradley. “At this last race (the S&S Jim McClure Nationals in Dinwiddie, Va.) the team that’s actually in first place, when we went out were actually jumping up and down, glad we were gone.
        “Despite that, it really is a tight-knit community of racers,” added Bradley. “Everybody, knows everybody, and everybody helps everybody … Your opponent will lend you spare parts.”
        And unlike some other motor sports, this one is extremely fan-friendly, says Mitchell.
        {mosimage}“The pits are open,” said Mitchell. “You can go right in the pit and hang out. You can watch the guys tuning up their bikes … You can walk just about up to their bikes.”
        Mitchell says the team is also good for Cape Fear Harley-Davidson’s business.
        “It goes a long way for advertising,” said Mitchell. “If we can make horsepower on the track, we can make it for you.”
        The team, which also includes Cape Fear Harley-Davidson’s service manager, Billy Lawton, (he directs the racing operation) isn’t exactly filling its pockets with cash from all its success — if the team wins the points championship it will take home just $3,000 in prize money.
        “We do it for the advertising it brings Cape Fear Harley-Davidson … and the thrill of winning,” said Mitchell. “It’s costs about $1,200 a race for us, counting travel and putting fuel in the bike. We earn the money to pay our expenses. We do have sponsors … but we sold raffle tickets for $3,500 in parts and labor that the dealership was nice enough to let us buy at cost.
        “Harry Hawks won the raffle back in May,” said Mitchell. “We raised almost $10,000 and that’s what we’ve raced on this season, plus help from our sponsors.”
        The team’s sponsors include Cape Fear Harley-Davidson, Valley Auto World Inc., Dale Harris CPA and Smoking Gun Tattoos.
        The team — which has finished in the money in five of its eight races — will go for the points championship Oct. 10-12 at Rockingham Dragway, which is 10 miles northeast of Rockingham. The gates will open at 8 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, with qualifying at 4 p.m. Gates will open at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday; there will be qualifying runs all day and the  Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Shootout kicks off at 5 p.m.     On Sunday, Oct, 12, gates open at 8 a.m., with the Cape Fear Harley-Davidson team (hopefully) going for the gold beginning at 12:30 p.m.
        For information and ticket prices, you can call The Rock at (910) 582-3400, or check out the Web site at www.rockinghamdragway.com.
  •     The Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center and the Lafayette Society are sponsoring a lecture and book signing at the Headquarters Library, 300 Maiden Lane, on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. for historian Alan R. Hoffman.
        Hoffman’s translation of Auguste Levasseur’s Lafayette In America In 1824-1825 was published in 2006.     The book is the first complete translation into English of the detailed journal kept by the Marquis de Lafayette’s private secretary during Lafayette’s Grand Tour of the United States on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.{mosimage}
        The program will begin with a showing of Vive Lafayette, a short documentary on Fayetteville’s celebration of Lafayette’s 250th birthday in 2007. Copies of Lafayette In America In 1824-1825 will be available for purchase.
        This program is one of many events planned for Sept. 4-6 as part of the Lafayette Society’s annual celebration of Lafayette’s birthday. For a listing of all events, or to learn more about Lafayette, visit www.lafayette250.com.
        Hoffman, a trial attorney in Boston, received his undergraduate degree in history at Yale and graduated from the Harvard School of Law. He spent three years translating Levasseur’s journal from a copy he discovered in a bookstore in Cambridge.
        Lafayette first came from France to America as a 19-year-old nobleman to fight in the Revolutionary War against England. His heroics at Brandywine and Yorktown, coupled with his fervent support of equal rights for all men after he returned to France, later earned him the title “Hero of Two Worlds.” Invited by President James Monroe in 1824 to visit the country he helped to found, Lafayette was greeted by enthusiastic crowds and elaborate receptions everywhere he went.
        Levasseur was a young French officer who had participated in a conspiracy against the Bourbon monarchy in the early 1820s. His journal not only traces Lafayette’s year-long tour of America, but also provides eyewitness accounts of intimate visits with presidents Monroe, John Adams, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.
        Hoffman will highlight the portions of Levasseur’s journal describing Lafayette’s reception in towns in North and South Carolina, including Murfreesboro, Camden, and Fayetteville — the first American city named for Lafayette and the only namesake city he actually visited.
        The book shows how Lafayette, long an outspoken critic of slavery and advocate for its abolition, attempts to address the issue during his tour. Levasseur includes information enthusiastically gathered regarding the history, climate, commerce, and other characteristics of the states and cities they visited. Through the eyes of Levasseur, the reader in 2008 has a remarkably clear vision of life in America in the early 1800s.
        Levasseur’s journal reveals aspects of Lafayette’s character that help explain his popularity in America at that time. As Hoffman notes, “Lafayette had star quality. He was self-effacing, charming and charismatic. For a man who was raised as a member of the nobility, he definitely had the common touch.” In his introduction, Hoffman says, “I hope that by spreading the story of Lafayette on his farewell tour — as well as the Revolution as told in Levasseur’s flashbacks — this book will help to highlight his unique place in American history.”

    Tim Wilkins, Associate Editor
    COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 105 or tim@upandcomingweekly.com


  •     Great Moments in Capital Punishment: Prosecutors in Portland, Ore., took the death penalty off the table for Tremayne Durham in July, accepting a minimum-30-year prison term for an “aggravated murder” over a business deal. Durham agreed to plead guilty when prosecutors relented to his additional demand of two pig-out meals (featuring KFC, Popeye’s and Haagen Dazs right away, and pizza and lasagna on the day the judge accepts the plea). Prosecutors said they hated appearing to cater to the whims of a murderer, but eyeing the expense of a long trial and lengthy appeals, as well as the turmoil for the victim’s family, they agreed. In August, the judge accepted the deal.]

    CAN’T POSSIBLY BE TRUE
        Though it has been on national cable TV since mid-July, ratings have not been spectacular for the G4 channel’s show, Hurl!, leaving many Americans unaware of precisely how far standards of taste have fallen. Hurl! contestants are forced to gorge themselves, then are purposely, rapidly, twirled and shaken on carnival-type rides, with the last player to retain his stomach contents declared the winner. Wrote a Washington Postreviewer, it’s “for people who found Fear Factor much too nuanced.”

    TOO BUSY PARENTS
        A Dallas entrepreneur recently created a programmable device for those busy, busy parents who actually need to be reminded that they brought their tots with them in the car (lest their child become one of the several hot-car deaths a year in America). Provided that they’re not too busy to set the system up, an alarm alerts them if they exit the car without the baby. Said one Texas woman interviewed by NBC News, “As a mom, you can get really distracted.”

    OH YEAH, TOUGH GUYS!
        Lamont Cooke was arrested by a SWAT team in Vernon, Conn., in July after spending the last year on the run from Philadelphia and Maryland authorities, who wanted him for charges of kidnapping and murder. According to the arresting U.S. marshal, Cooke surrendered quietly, except that he wet his pants.
        A police task force in Orem, Utah, arrested a 21-year-old gang member in June, catching him riding a tricycle that he had just stolen from a little girl.

    COPYRIGHT 2008 CHUCK SHEPHERD
  •     The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra (FSO) is pleased to announce the new addition to the family, bassoonist Marvin P. Feinsmith. 
        “I am extremely proud that the FSO is attracting such experienced talent from all over North Carolina and beyond,” said Fouad Fakhouri, conductor and director of the FSO. 
        Feinsmith is a native of New York City and attended Julliard and the Manhattan School of Music as a scholarship student of Simon Kovar, graduating with a bachelor’s and master’s degree. He was first bassoonist at both institutions. The musician has done additional graduate study at New York University and the University of Colorado.         
        {mosimage}Feinsmith has extensive performing experience including playing the bassoon in an Army band in San Francisco, principle bassoonist with the Indianapolis Symphony, the Mozarteum of Salzburg and the Brooklyn Philharmonic; bassoon with Symphony of the Air and the Little Orchestra Society of New York; assistant bassoonist with the Denver Symphony Orchestra; and co-principle bassoon with the Israel Philharmonic.
        The bassoonist is also a composer whose music is influenced by his Jewish heritage.
        His Hebraic music includes two symphonies: Peerkay Avot-Ethics of the Fathers and Isaiah.
     “Isaiah is an homage to my father and mother, Samuel and Rachel,” said Feinsmith. “He played with the New York Philharmonic and was my greatest teacher.” 
        The composer added that the dedication is very important to him because they both have passed and he likes to keep their memory alive. Feinsmith has also written several film scores. 
        “I’m playing in several movie films and orchestras in New York,” said Feinsmith. “I did the soundtrack for Age of Innocence with Michelle Pfeiffer.”
        Feinsmith added that the other soundtracks include Carlito’s Way with Al Pacino and Mad Dog and Glorywith Bill Murray and Robert De Niro.
        The FSO serves the community in various ways. It performs free concerts,
    provides music for small ensembles, donates free concert tickets, serves as a resource for local music teachers and donates music stands to Cumberland County Schools.   
     “I look forward to playing with the FSO this season with a very fine conductor,” said Feinsmith. “My wife and I like North Carolina and we are very impressed with the people.” 
        For more information, call 433-4690 or visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org

    Contact Shanessa Fenner at editor@upandcomingweekly.com





     
     
     
     
     
     


  •     Igor (86 minutes) goes above and beyond the standard animated fare, thus begging the question, where has director Anthony Leondis been hiding himself? Even more importantly, why hasn’t writer Chris McKenna done anything besides this and American Dad scripts? For two relative unknowns like Leondis and McKenna, creating the first animated movie out of a new production studio, the work is doubly impressive. The dialogue is unexpectedly clever, the characters compelling, the humor sly and sophisticated. For what initially seemed like a Tim Burton wannabe picture, Igor stands on its own as an animated film with adult appeal.
        {mosimage}Once upon a time, there was a fantasy world named Malaria. A change in climate caused the entire economy of this once beautiful land to revolve around being evil, under the guidance of King Malbert (Jay Leno). In this Brave New World, the upper-class becomes the scientists, and those born with humpbacks are forced to serve as Igors, trained as bootlicking stereotypes. 
        Even our hero Igor (John Cusack) is forced to hide his brilliance and serve a master named Dr. Glickenstein (John Cleese). Despite his conformity to social expectations, Igor fiddles around with mad science on the side, giving Scamper the Rabbit (Steven Buscemi) immortality, and keeping a Brain (Sean Hayes) alive in a robotic jar.   
        A series of unfortunate events leads Igor to create a Frankenfemale, filled with pure evil. Sadly, his plans go awry and instead of a killing machine, Eva (Molly Shannon) is a sweet and cuddly doll. Despite Igor’s attempts to turn into a force for calamitous destruction, Eva refuses to change. 
        Meanwhile, the evilest of all evil madmen, Dr. Schadenfreude (Eddie Izzard, brilliant as always) is trying to cheat his way to victory in the upcoming Mad Scientists Fair with the help of Jaclyn (Jennifer Coolidge). All the wackiness culminates in a revelation that most of the audience probably saw coming, but was satisfying, nonetheless.   
        Of course, if you wanted to get intellectual and search for philosophical themes amongst the cuteness, this is the film for you. On the surface, this is a nice update of the Frankenstein story with a subversive vent, making the Igor the hero instead of the scientist. The film also easily illustrates Marxist themes, with the Igors serving as the oppressed proletariat to the mad scientists’ exploitative bourgeoisie. Scamper the Rabbit, who totally steals the show, is a tribute to the basic existential dilemma. Though he is essentially immortal, he kills himself over and over again, only to return to a life made meaningless by that very same immortality. This is a movie with something for everyone.
        Although music is used in a very clever way, I was not completely on board with all the selections. As rife with irony (and therefore hilarity) as it may be to have blind orphans dancing to “I Can See Clearly Now,” it’s still a missed opportunity to offer a more subtle brand of humor, which the filmmakers manage to do in almost every other area. 

  •     I’m 42 and in love for the first time. I live in a beautiful house with the most kind, generous, sweet and gentle man imaginable. Unfortunately, he’s a slob, and it’s making me crazy! The worst is walking downstairs in the morning and facing the mess. Aaarrrgh!! It can make me irritable/angry/depressed all day. I’ve begged and cajoled. Most embarrassingly, I’ve even thrown a fit. When I pick up after him (I have to — his stuff gets in my way) I feel angry and resentful. He claims he doesn’t like the mess either. On the rare occasion he does clean, he’ll do one small area and immediately begin trashing it. Should I just accept that my living room will always look like a garbage dump?
                                   — Besieged

                                      
                                      
        Little girls play house. Little boys play war. War is messy, okay? Like, when you’re in the foxhole, nobody’s complaining, “You left shells everywhere again, and you never pick up the fresh flowers when it’s your turn!”
        The irony is, probably the neatest guys out there are those who’ve been in the military. And sure, there are plenty of women who have to bring in a disaster cleanup company just to find the telephone. But, as I’ve written before, many straight men just don’t have the eye for clutter that women do. It’s a hard-wired biological thing, and no, I don’t mean biological warfare. Studies show women and gay men seem to have a better eye for ultra-local detail, and straight men seem to have better distance vision; as in, “Hark! There’s a wildebeest on the horizon. Let’s go spear it!”
        Yes, it would be great if he could become as fastidious as some archetypal gay decorator, or if you could say to yourself, “Sure, I hate a mess, but seeing his underwear hanging off the curtain rod where he tossed it four days ago reminds me how lucky I am to have the most kind, generous, sweet and gentle man imaginable.”
        This mess you’re in probably started when you visited the home of the man you love and saw him missing the bowl, the sink, the trash can, and the dumpster, and tried to believe, “Oh, it’ll be different at my place.” And it is. Now, he’s missing your bowl, your sink, and all the rest. And here you are, angry and resentful, and for what? It’s cute that he claims to be as disturbed by the mess as you are, but there’s a good chance he’s one of those guys who never cleans, but just moves when the bacteria-to-human ratio starts to reach CDC alert levels.

    Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA  90405, or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol.com (www.advicegoddess.com)

  •     A pair of heavy metal heavyweights hope to deliver a knockout punch to Fayetteville music fans on  Oct. 15 when Taproot and Sevendust play Jesters Pub.{mosimage}
        Both bands are highly regarded by critics and fans alike, with Sevendust having topped the independent album charts with three of the group’s eight albums, while Taproot has reached as high as No. 33 on the Billboard charts; also, Taproot was hailed by Rolling Stone as “the next contenders for the new metal-crown.”
        In addition to its chart success, Sevendust has a local connection, with Cumberland County’s own Clint Lowery providing guitar and vocals for the Atlanta-based band.
    Sevendust is famous for its incendiary live shows — a fact not lost on Taproot’s lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Stephen Richards.
        “They’re one of the best live bands I have ever seen,” said Richards. “They’ve got me shaking.”
    Taproot, based out of Ann Arbor, Mich., is touring in support of a new album, Our Long Road Home, which Richards says is aptly named as Taproot gets back to its “roots.”
        “Over the course of our four albums we’ve really matured as men,” said Richards. “We’ve all came back home to Ann Arbor and some of us have families. So we’ve changed... Our music has changed.”
        Richards acknowledges that some hardcore Taproot fans may be put off by the new album, which is more melodic and not quite as heavy as previous CDs, especially the band’s debut on Atlantic Records, Gift.
        “Some fans wonder why we didn’t simply recreate the heavier music from Gift,” said Richards. “But what they don’t realize is that when that album came out, most of the songs on it were three years old.
        “We’ve changed and so has our music,” said Richards. “But the new album (released Sept. 16) has gotten good word of mouth on the Internet and on our Myspace page. After one week we had already sold 7,700 copies and were in at 65 on the Billboard charts.”
        Despite being more polished than past Taproot efforts, Richards says there are still plenty of “heavy” songs on the CD.
        “The album’s first track, ‘The Path Less Taken,’ is not only heavy, but I think it’s the best song Taproot has ever recorded,” said Richards. “And there are several other songs that would probably qualify as being in the ‘heavy’ class.”
        Sevendust is also pushing its newest album, Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow, which is a sort of “home brewed” affair — the songs were worked out in the home of guitarist John Connolly.
        “It was very exciting to work that way,” Connolly said on the band’s Web site. “With a lot of songs, we’d sit there and go, ‘oooh, it’s not the strongest in the bunch.’ And then all of a sudden we’d get all the pieces in the puzzle and finish it up and everyone would say, ‘Wow, that’s our favorite song on the record.’”
        Drummer Morgan Rose also expressed his happiness with the intimacy of the living room CD.
        “It was a good way for us to work,” Rose said. “We were able to get away from the record for a little while, then periodically revisit it while we were on the road, and let other people hear a little bit of what we had done and then go back in the studio to get back to business.”
        The album also features an appearance by Chris Daughtry of American Idolfame and a cameo by former Creed guitarist Mike Tremonti.
        These high-profile collaborators led to a quilt work of different music styles and sounds that leave the highly regarded album sounding much different from previous Sevendust offerings.
        Tickets for the Oct. 15 show are $25. For more information, call 423-6100, or email jesterspub11@hotmail.com.
  •     {mosimage}Scarred for Life is a relatively new band on Fayetteville’s musical landscape. Made up of Kyle (Toadie)Thorp on vocals, Kevin Spencer on guitar, Tim Spencer on drums and Timothy Roberts on bass, the band hopes to bring its energy to clubs and venues near you.  
        Up & Coming Weekly is always excited to hear about new talent, so we took some time to find out about Scarred for Life.
        UCW: How did the band get its name?
        Scarred for Life: It refers both to a childhood experience shared by the guitarist and drummer and is a general reference to the things we’ve all faced growing up that shapes our development as adults.
        UCW: How would you describe the type of music you play?
        Scarred for Life: Hard edged rock with a touch of metal and pop!
        UCW:Is there any band (famous) that you relate to or that people compare you to?
        Scarred for Life: So far I haven’t had anyone compare us to anyone else, but I’m waiting!
        Who is your biggest musical influence?
        Scarred for Life: Everyone in the band has different influences and they all come together beautifully. The guitar player is into Ozzy, Guns ‘n Roses, Pink Floyd and a lot of those classic rock and metal bands. The singer is more into contemporary rock like Atreyu, Killswitch Engage and the newer stuff. Our rhythm section is into Slipknot, Five Finger Death Punch and stuff like that. We all love Bobaflex and WE ALL LOVE SEVENDUST!!!!!
        UCW: Is music your only gig or does everybody have a day job and how does that affect the band?
        Scarred for Life: Guitar player is a concrete finisher and the vocalist works in food service. Bass player doing music full-time right now and so is the drummer.
        UCW: What is the weirdest gig you’ve ever played? What has been your favorite?
        Scarred for Life: Kill the Pig in Parkton was weird for us but it was a great time. It was outside and we were freezing!!! The PopEvil show at Jester’s Pub was probably our best show ever!
        UCW: Do you perform any original stuff and who writes it?
        Scarred for Life: We are an all original band and we all have a hand in writing. Some songs may fall more onto one member over another, but in the end it all goes into one big melting pot.
        UCW: How long has the band been together and where do you see the band six months from now?
        Scarred for Life: That’s hard to answer, it’s kinda’ complicated. The drummer and guitar player are brothers. We’ve been a team for a long time. We started playing with Tim Roberts, our bass player about 10 years ago. The three of us had played on and off in that time and we recently started playing together again,three years ago. We needed a vocalist and a good friend of ours named Jeff Brown of the band, Waist Deep Madness, put us in contact with Kyle. That was last August. We did our first show last October. So I would say that was when we became a band. So,we haven’t been at this long!
        UCW: How would you describe the Fayetteville music scene?
        Scarred for Life: I think it’s the best it’s ever been! There’s something for everyone here. The venues are great too. You don’t have to look far for a great band to listen to. You just have to get out and go see ‘um!

  •  BOFAwardsPartyTuesday, Sept. 19, we celebrated the best of the best people, businesses and organizations in Fayetteville at our Best of Fayetteville Awards Party at the Ramada Plaza. Congratulations to all the winners!

  •  

    01coverTwenty years ago, Billy West won the Cumberland County Golf Championship Classic at Gates Four Golf and Country Club. Two weeks ago, on Sept. 15-17, he shot the same three-day total on the Gates Four course as he did in 1997 — even-par 216 over three days — and earned his seventh CCGCC win.

    West, who serves as Cumberland County’s district attorney, named two pivotal moments that determined his victory. The first was at the seventh hole on Friday, in the first round of the tournament. West was one under par through the first six holes.

    “And then I came to the par-3 seventh hole and hit a shot a little to the left — my tee shot — and it plugged up under the lip of the bunker,” he said. “I’ve been playing in this championship for 26 years, and it was the worst break that I’ve ever had. If I would’ve hit 10,000 balls, I could not have gotten it to go up under the lip of the bunker like that.”

    It took him three shots to get the ball out, and he ended up posting a triple bogey. At that point, West, said, it could have all been over. “But I really had a good focus and determination all weekend, and I said,... ‘let’s not let this hole define the tournament. I didn’t want to look back and say 2017 was the year I had the triple bogey in the first round and that was the end of the tournament for me.’” He bogeyed again on the next hole, which he attributed to trying too hard, and then he played 3-under-par for the rest of the tournament.

    He ended with a 74 for the first round while last year’s champion, Thomas Owen, led with 70. Owen continued his lead on Saturday. It was in the final holes on Sunday that West’s second pivotal moment came.

    “Years down the road, it’s the one I’ll remember,” he said. West caught up to Owen early in Sunday’s round, and they were back and forth all day. West led by one coming into the par-3 15th hole. He again hit his tee shot into the left bunker, which is where he’d hit it when he made the triple bogey on Friday.

    “My bunker game ironically had been really good all weekend aside from that shot on Friday,” West said. “I ended up making the bunker shot for a birdie. I’ve been playing competitive golf for 35 years, and I don’t know that I’ve ever made a bunker shot in a pressured situation.”

    West and Owen both made par on the last three holes, which meant West maintained his twoshot lead and took the championship title with a finalround score of 72.

    West said this win was particularly special to him for several reasons, the most significant being his family. He said his father Bill has been there for every single one of his wins, and his wife Suzanna for almost all of them. But this was the first year he’s been able to share a win with his whole family — including son Will, 8, and daughter Lila, 4.

    “My daughter was not even born (the last time I won) in 2011, and to be able to win this year, … and for us to be able to experience it as a family was very special,” he said. “To be honest, it was an opportunity I didn’t know whether I would have or not.” He cited his age and the fact that he’d finished second in four out of the five tournaments between now and his last win as reasons he’d been unsure.

    “The seventh victory seemed to be elusive,”  he said.

    Another factor was the course itself. The CCGCC rotates location but has been held at Gates Four several times since West’s win there in 1997. West had placed second a couple of times but hadn’t managed to win again at that course until now. “Gates Four, because it is a very long, 7,000-yard-long golf course, is not traditionally the best setup for me,” West said. “For me it was probably the least likely place to pick up my seventh win, particularly at 43 years old. You just never know in golf; that’s what makes it such a great game.”

    Twenty-eight-year-old Owen finished second in the tournament with a final-round score of 77 and a total score of 218. “I was really pleased with the way that I played, … but kind of towards the end I got outplayed by Billy,” he said. “He’s a great friend and a great competitor.”

    Owen called the tournament a learning experience. “We always joke around that if we could combine our games into one, we’d have something pretty special because we both have different strengths.” Owen said he definitely has a length advantage over West, which helped on the Gates Four course.

    As for Wests’ advantage? “I feel like he just has this level of focus that is unmatched,” Owen said. “When you’re playing in a three-day golf tournament, 54 holes, it’s kind of a marathon. He understands that. He knows the shots you hit on the first day are just as important as the shots you hit on the last three holes of the tournament when it comes down to the wire and everybody’s watching. Maintaining that level of focus is a lot easier said than done, and I think that’s ultimately where he got me.” 

    West was frank in his remarks about Owen: “I said it after the tournament, and I don’t mind saying it: I think day-in and day-out, Thomas is a better player than I am now. I was just a little bit better on Sunday. … Thomas and I are good friends, and I’m... humbled that he looks at me as a bit of a mentor with his golf game. I’ve finished second to Thomas six or seven times (at other local tournaments) in the past three years.”

    Matt Hudson, a consistently competitive  CCGCC player, finished third at 225. Gary Robinson, who holds a record eight CCGCC wins, tied with Ryan Hull for fourth at 228.

    This year saw the first time three former CCGCC champions were grouped in the final round: West, Owen and Robinson.

    Juan Sanders won the Open Division at 230, Chuck Mohn won the Senior Division at 226, and Ron Thompson won the Super Senior Flight at 233.

    Angelique Seymour, a 16-year-old junior at Liberty Christian Academy, won the inaugural Women’s Division by 53 shots at 227. Seymour is no stranger to accolades in athletics. She placed in the top three of her division in the 2012 USA Taekwondo National Championship in Dallas, Texas, when she was just 12 years old. A yearlater, after receiving her black belt, she changed course and began to focus on golf. Her dad had suggested she try it out as a good possibility for getting college scholarships.

    “At first I was a little bit hesitant, but … I fell in love with the game,” she said. She said she plays an emotional game, which she knows “isn’t the best idea,” but that it’s just part of who she is.

    Seymour said she definitely plans to enter again next year and that she hopes to talk some of her friends into entering as well.

    DeeDee Jarman, Methodist University’s deputy athletic director, assisted tournament coordinator Bill Bowman in implementing the Women’s Division. “What a performance Angelique put on (for) the three days of the championship,” Jarman said. “She is an incredible young lady, and she has a very promising future in golf.” Jarman hopes to use word of mouth to grow the division from its first-year showing of four women.

    Scooter Buhrman, Gates Four PGA professional, has helped with the tournament for years and won the champion title in 2007. “ I think this was a great tournament,” he said. “We had 87 players, about 25 more than last year. So it did grow, and we’re hoping next year with the 50th anniversary we can get 100 to 120 players.”

    The 50th CCGCC will again be held at Gates Four and will see a revival of the Past Champions’ Dinner, a tradition that lasted 20 years until it was last held in 2009. The dinner occurs the week of the tournament prior to the competition and invites all the tournament’s past winners to enjoy a meal together.

    “That will be special to see some of those people that are no longer competing but can still come out and share some of the stories of the heyday of the tournament,” said Kevin Lavertu, general manager at Gates Four. “When you start building events that go on for 20, 30, 50 years, … it means a lot to many of the players in the community. Many will tell you that they play a lot of tournaments throughout the state and nationally, and this tournament is one of the ones they hold most near and dear and most look forward to playing in, year-in and year-out.”

    “The fact that it is 50 years old is pretty remarkable,” Owen said. “Think about it. That’s something local here that’s been going on for 50 years.” West agreed. “I have a love and a reverence for the history of the tournament. … The 50th anniversary (is) an opportunity to celebrate the history and tradition of the tournament and what it’s been through the years. I think it kind of comes at a perfect time, as we move forward with the tournament, getting it back to the prominence it once had.

    “Probably half of the people in the championship division I hadn’t played with before or didn’t know, and for many years, that was not the case. … We definitely have got a young group of golfers coming through.” 

    West has been playing in the tournament since 1991, and he won his first CCGCC title in 1994 when he was 19 years old.

    Visit CumberlandCountyGolfClassic.com to see a full list of scores from the 49th CCGCC. To learn more about the 50th anniversary tournament, call (910) 425-6667 ext. 224.

     

  •     If you’ve ever met Patricia Fields, you know she is an optimist. On a recent Wednesday morning, when the rest of the community was covered in rain, Fields’ outlook was sunny, and grew only more so as she talked about the upcoming season at the Givens Performing Arts Center.
        “This has got to be one of the best seasons we’ve ever had — it’s definitely one of the most diverse,” she said.
    Fields knows what she’s talking about. The 2008-2009 season at the center has a little bit of something for everyone. “We have everything from Broadway to ballet, from puppets to football players,” she said. “We are really doing great things this season.”
        At the top of the list of things Fields wants to talk about is the Broadway and More series. This year the series will bring eight phenomenal shows to the stage.
        “We are very fortunate to do things that are kind of on the curve of what’s happening in the main stream,” said Fields. “Last year we did Hairspray, right on the heels of the movie, and introduced a whole new generation to live theatre. They saw the movie and then decided it would be a good idea to see the play. We’re doing that again this year with Sweeny Todd. I have had several ladies whose husbands have seen the movie, but would never have thought about coming to the theatre, say they want to come see it on stage.”
        The Broadway and More series kicks-off in October with the classic Oliver! on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. But that’s just the beginning:
    Ain’t Misbehavin’
    Tuesday, January 13, 2009
    The 30th Anniversary Tour of the Fats Waller Broadway Musical starring 2003 American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard and his Idol Cast mate, Frenchie Davis. The outrageously prodigious comic and musical soul of 1930s Harlem lives on in this rollicking, swinging, finger-snapping revue that is still considered one of Broadway’s best well-crafted revues of all time.

    The Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra
    Tuesday, January 27, 2009
        Founded in the mid 1800’s, The Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra, together with the Royal Irish Academy of Music, represented the pillars of Irish classical music life at a time when Dublin, after London, was considered the most vibrant and distinctive city in the British Isles. 

    Sweeney Todd
    Friday, February 6, 2009
        This triumphant new cutting-edge production of Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway tour de force will take your breath away. The 2006 winner of two Tony Awards and four Drama Desk Awards has stunned theater goers as never before. The legendary demon barber, hell-bent on revenge, takes up with his enterprising neighbor in a delicious plot to slice their way through England’s upper crust…literally! Justice will be served-along with lush melody, audacious humor and oh yes, there will be blood!

    Sleeping Beauty: The Russian National Ballet Theatre
    Tuesday, March 10, 2009
        The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded in 1989 when legendary principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet Sergei Radchenko sought to realize his vision of a company which would bring together the highest classical elements of the great Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies in an independent new company within the framework of Russian classic ballet. 

    To Kill a Mockingbird
        Harper Lee’s Pulitzer-Prize winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, now celebrating the 50th anniversary of its publication, was brought to the screen in an Academy Award-winning adaptation by Horton Foote in 1962 and was later adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel. Though over 35 years old, this stage adaptation continues to compel and delight viewers worldwide with its warmth, wit, and wisdom. 

    Movin’ Out
    Monday, April 27, 2009
        Five-time Grammy winner Billy Joel and legendary director/choreographer Twyla Tharp have joined forces to create this spectacular musical.  Winner of two 2003 Tony Awards, Movin’ Out brings Billy Joel’s classic hits to electrifying new life as it tells the story of five life-long friends over two turbulent decades.  It all adds up to one unforgettable Broadway musical.

  • 14WIDUThe WIDU Anniversary is back and includes several events spanning two weeks from Oct. 1-14.

    Located in Fayetteville, the WIDU 1600 AM radio station anniversary celebration includes performances, prayer rallies, inspirational gatherings and more. WIDU provides its listeners with all that a station entails, with a primary emphasis on gospel music. Looking back to when it all started in 1958 and fast forwarding to now, WIDU has maintained a highly respectable reputation by staying true to its mission and continuously promoting “inspiration and information” through news and music.

    The WIDU Anniversary is is packed with chart-topping and record-breaking gospel artists, live and concert-style gospel music, educational and motivational conferences, empowerment services, prayer breakfasts and so much more. The two-week celebration is designed to uplift, encourage and change lives. Every day from Oct. 1-14 features a special event.

    Oct. 1, the Day of Prayer and Prayer Rally will be held at Faith Tabernacle Christian Center in St. Pauls, North Carolina. This rally serves as the official kick-off for the anniversary. WIDU administrators request churches and people to join together to pray for the attendees of the WIDU Anniversary. It begins at 6 p.m. 

    Saturday, Oct. 7, is a free youth concert held at the John D. Fuller Recreational Complex in Fayetteville. The title of the concert is Red Revolution. Starting at 6 p.m., this event features artists such as Julius Witherspoon, Generation Joshua, Brian “Young Saint” Carter and many more. 

    There will be a stage play Oct. 9 at Kingdom Impact Global Ministries in Fayetteville. Titled “Daddy’s Boys,”  the play is presented by GDavis Productions. This event is set to start at 7 p.m.

    Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. is a Unity Service at Fayetteville’s Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Seven years running, the worship service serves the purpose of gathering all church denominations under one roof. The aim is that though everyone comes from different backgrounds, attendees can still come together to worship Jesus Christ.

    The next day at 7 p.m. is the Together as One event. This is when WIDU artists minister through songs at local churches in the community.

    The next three days feature the celebration’s biggest events.

    On Thursday, Oct.12, at noon, the Crown Expo will host the Women’s Empowerment Luncheon featuring pastor Ruby Holland and Grammy-nominated singer Kelly Price.

    Following this at the Crown Coliseum at 6:30 p.m. is the annual Carolina’s Best competition. The categories include soloists, choirs/groups and quartet groups. Those who attend will have the chance to win various cash prizes. Finalists will be judged by Grammy-nominated singers including Travis Greene, Kim Burrell, Kelly Price and JJ Hairston. The opening concert is JJ Hairston and the closing concert is Travis Greene.

    Friday, Oct. 13, at the Crown Expo, is the Prayer Breakfast with Bishop Rudolph McKissick Jr. and gospel singer Maranda Curtis. Later that evening at 5 p.m. at the Coliseum, the Traditional Gospel Night event will feature notable artists such as Rev. Rance Allen, Harvey Watkins, Lisa Knowles-Smith, John P. Kee and more.

    The last day of the WIDU Anniversary, Oct. 14, is the celebration. Grammy award-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin is set to take the stage and close the event. However, he will not be the only one onstage. Joining Franklin will be gospel artist Tasha Cobbs-Leonard and other surprise guests. For more information, visit www.widuanniversary.com.

  • 13FayLipMelissa M. Reed is on the board of directors for the Autism Society of Cumberland County, or ASCC. Two years ago, she wanted to do something fun and exciting for the community. But she also wanted to do something different. As a result, we can now look forward to The Fayetteville Lip Sync Battle. The event will take place Sept. 30 at the Crown Ballroom, 1960 Coliseum Road.

    The ASCC took inspiration from the television show “Lip Sync Battle,” which has roots in an exceptionally popular segment on the “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” show. Like the show that inspired it, the Fayetteville Lip Sync Battle has quickly grown into something much bigger and more entertaining than originally expected.

    When talking about the lineup of contestants, Reed said, “Even outside of their performance, they have a lot of personality.” In particular, the group from the Cape Beard Follicles of Freedom, a beard and mustache oriented club, has left an impression. Reed said, “They are doing a boy band kind of performance and really have their stage down.” They will be making artistic use of a fan, though Cape Beard wouldn’t give Reed the details of their performance.

    Audience votes will decide the battles,  and the competition has already begun. Even now, the Fayetteville Lip Sync Battle website is active and allows fans to vote for contestants. A donation of $5 gives one vote for your favorite performer, and a donation of $20 gives five votes. There will also be opportunities to vote at the event, but Reed noted that if you know a competitor, you shouldn’t wait.

    Competition will be fierce. A performer from Impressive Tresses Salon is slated to lip sync “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper, and Reed said, “I expect her to challenge the Cape Beard guys more than they have expected.”

    After the competition is over and Fayetteville has a new lip sync champion, there will be a dance and celebration at the venue. The competition starts at 7:30 p.m. but, for those interested, there will be a VIP cocktail reception at 6 p.m. Regular tickets sell for $65 and VIP tickets for $75.

    All proceeds will be used by the ASCC to help parents and caregivers with family members who have been  diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Tickets and voting will be available both at the venue and on the Fayetteville Lip Sync Battle website, www.faynclipsyncbattle.com.  Those interested in competing can call (910) 826-9100.

  • 12PoolCape Fear Vineyard & Winery presents “An Evening with a Champion” Saturday, Sept. 30, at  6 p.m. Allison Fisher is the woman of the hour, and she is the most accomplished female pool player in the history of cue sports.  

    “Allison Fisher started at a very young age playing Snooker, and by the time she was 17, she won her first world championship,” said Jeff Martin, marketing director for Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery and Allison Fisher. “When she was in her 20s, she made a decision to pack a bag and bought a one-way ticket to Charlotte, North Carolina.”  Martin added that Fisher travels around the world and is an ambassador for cue sports.     

    Allison’s story is motivational and inspiring. What motivates her?  The word “No.” Allison was only seven years old when she first picked up a cue. She was watching Snooker on TV with her dad and asked for a pool table for Christmas. She received that table and fell in love with the game. That passion drove her to pursue all kinds of awards and titles for her skills and expertise in the sport. 

    A few of Fisher’s many awards include a Gold Medal, 4 World Championships (WPA), 8 U. S. National Championships (WPBA), more “Player of the Year” titles than any other sports star, 2 ESPN championships and many more major titles. 

    The Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery event features dinner, Allison’s story, a trick shot exhibition, challenge matches, a question and answer session and special guests 12-year-old Joey Tate and 14-year-old Joshua Shultz. Tate and Shultz both live in North Carolina and recently earned the right to compete at a world event in Moscow.

    “If you have millennials who are still living at home in their 20s and waiting on a job to arrive at the door, bring them to hear Allison speak,” Martin said. “If you have children who feel they are entitled to live with their parents and spend every waking moment on their cell phone or iPad, Allison Fisher will motivate them to put those items down.”

    Martin added that we live in a world where you work hard if you are a worker, and you may not necessarily be where you want to be in life but you get by. You can either let the word “no” crush you or let it light a fire in your belly.                  

    Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery is located at 195 Vineyard Dr. in Elizabethtown, North Carolina. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the website www.corkroomdining.com.

  • 15Whats• Sept 25 Notice of public hearing on piers, dock and Bulkhead Ordinance. 7 p.m. in the Hope Mills Town Hall, 5770 Rockfish Rd.,  Room 120. For more information, call (910) 4264113 or visit www.townofhopemills.com.

    • Sept. 25 Notice of public hearing on Business Registration Ordinance. 7 p.m. in the Hope Mills Town Hall, 5770 Rockfish Rd., Room 120. For more information, call (910) 426-4113 or visit www.townofhopemills.com.

    • Oct. 1 Cruise – Into – Paradise at Paradise Acres, 1965 John McMillan Rd. Come out and bring your shiniest car, motorcycle, truck or even tractor to display while enjoying BBQ, fried chicken and the fixins. Kids will love the train ride, jumping castle and playground. Free admission, food prices ranging from $2-8. Details: www.paradiseacres.biz or (910) 424-2779.

    • Oct 7. Peace, Love and Walk in Hope Mills. Meet at 3770 Rockfish Rd. Contact ALMS HOUSE at (910) 425-0902 for details.

    • Oct 9. Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon 12:30 p.m. at Hope Mills Parks and Recreation, 5770 Rockfish Rd.  $10 per guest.

    • Oct 13. Kiwanis BBQ Fundraiser in the grassy area between the Hope Mills Main Street
    Wal-Mart and Food Lion across from gas station.  10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monies raised will go toward ALMS House, Shop-with-a-Cop, Bicycle Presentation for Terrific Kids, Boys and Girls Club of Cumberland County, Boys and Girls Homes of Lake Waccamaw, and many other community services.  Call (910) 426-7256 for  more information.

    • Oct. 20-21 Ole Mill Days Festival Celebrate the Mills Way! Ole Mills street dance from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20. Saturday, Oct. 21 runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Municipal Parks 1 and 2. Family fun to include: tractor pull, kids’ corner, movie night, food, vendors, craft vendors, and a Mills workers reunion.  Details: (910) 429-4109.

    • Oct 21. Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce’s Chili Cook-off as part of Hope Mills Ole Mills Days from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Municipal Ball Park, 5770 Rockfish Rd.

    • Nov. 4-12 Heroes Homecoming V at the Hope Mills Public Library. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 4 is the first day of a 9-day ceremonious event to honor veterans. On this day, the focus will be on Vietnam Veterans. Visit www.heroeshomecoming.com for more information. The event is free and open to the public.

  • 08KidsPeaceEvery day we are presented with countless opportunities. What to wear, what to eat, how to spend our time, who to spend it with … We take these moments for granted without a second thought. Yet for children in the foster care system, circumstances far from their control hinder their opportunities.

    Nelson Mandela said, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” In the United States, KidsPeace is one organization that tirelessly works for the benefit of kids who do not have a biological home. KidsPeace will host the 4th Annual Chair-ity Auction Thursday, Sept. 28, at 5 p.m. The event will showcase 50 chairs for auction that have been transformed into art by exclusively local artists.

    KidsPeace celebrated its 135th founding anniversary last week. Its mission is “to give hope, help and healing to children, adults and those who love them.” This includes educational services, therapeutic treatments and providing basic human needs such as clothing for foster children.

    As a private charity, it relies heavily on donations and volunteers to provide its services. But the local chapter in Fayetteville has devised a truly creative way to bring in money for its Foster Care Children’s Fund.

    According to Fayetteville’s KidsPeace program manager Jennifer Lescaleet, the event has grown significantly over the years from roughly 12 chairs to the now standard 50 chairs, which are on display throughout downtown’s local businesses.

    “I love working with the people I work with, the kids, the families and the community,” Lescaleet said. “The support over the last few years, especially toward this event, has been amazing because it all goes back to our kids.”

    Last year alone, the Chair-ity Auction raised roughly $44,000. The group hopes to surpass that goal this year.

    Lescaleet said, “Every chair started out as a chair somebody put on the curb or didn’t want anymore because they got a new one or tossed it away. So I can see how every individual or group (of artists) put time, effort, energy, love and support into doing each chair. It ties into what we do at foster care. For me, it’s a symbolic connection.”

    The Foster Care Children’s Fund provides many necessities for children in the area. According to Lescaleet, educational improvement is a huge part of the fund’s allocation. Specifically, the organization funds the support of private school education, getting school supplies and clothes that fit and make children feel good on their first day of school.

    “We’re seeing a lot of kids as they transition and move around a lot,” said Lescaleet. “It’s very difficult for them to stay within a school setting, and so we try to support whatever we can as far as getting them the education they need.”

    The Children’s Fund also allows for the KidsPeace Winter Gala every year, where foster care families can join in solidarity to have fun, dance and get prizes.

    “One of the nice pieces to this puzzle that makes it complete is that when we come together, everyone will bring something different to make sure that each year this charity auction is an amazing and successful event, raising funds for our kids in care,” Lescaleet said. “You don’t have to be a foster parent to support kids, families and the foster care world.”

    The Chair-ity Auction will take place at the Metropolitan Room at 109 Green St. General admission is $25 per person. Vote online for your favorite chair. Tickets can be purchased at www.charityauction.com/events/.

  • 02PubPenNo doubt about it — starting today, it’s another yearlong celebration of Fayetteville and Cumberland County’s best of the best. Good things last, and Up & Coming Weekly’s Best of Fayetteville readership survey is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It’s a proud tradition of honoring the people, businesses and organizations that have proven themselves to be this community’s finest.

    Each winning entity has distinguished itself within the community by reinforcing our values, defining our community’s personality and contributing to our quality of life. You need to know these people, businesses and organizations. They are the ones who will continue to impact our community. They are the ones who leave a positive and indelible impression of pride on us and future generations of residents,  visitors and guests.

    The Up & Coming Weekly Best of Fayetteville edition you are holding in your hands will serve you well throughout the year. It is a valuable visitors’ guide, service directory and cultural and event resource. Every page touts the best of the best of what the Fayetteville and Cumberland County community has to offer.

    The rules, format and guidelines of this sanctioned, time-tested survey have been designed and audited to provide residents, local businesses and organizations the recognition they deserve for their dedication and perseverance in their quest for excellence. Every category winner has achieved the highest level of excellence in what they do. For 20 years, we have successfully told their stories and revealed their secrets without a single regret or complaint.

    There is no ballot stuffing, pay-to-play shenanigans, presale gimmicky advertising packages or dubious mischief designed to sway the result. Each winner is distinguished in its own way. There is no faking it when the community consensus selects you as the best in your field. This being the case, why not have your business or organization recognized as the best? After all, in a competitive world and tight economy, only the best (and the strongest) survive. This is why we are proud to be associated with and supported by with the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau. To build a better community, real leaders know that success comes from building on a sound foundation. Here, that foundation is this community’s best of the best people, businesses and organizations.

    So, please join me, the staff of Up & Coming Weekly and the Best of Fayetteville sponsors as we begin this yearlong celebration. Pick up an extra copy of this special edition of Up & Coming Weekly at any one of our 500 countywide locations, or stop by our corporate offices at 208 Rowan St.

    For 24/7, 365-day access to the Best of Fayetteville winners list, visit www.upandcomingweekly. com. While you’re there, sign up for our free electronic subscription and receive the Early Bird edition Tuesday afternoons. I promise you will be in the know and stay in the know. I also want to welcome Mark Pezzella and Five Star Entertainment as a corporate sponsor of Best of Fayetteville as well as thank Jimmy Keefe of the Trophy House and CPA Lee Utley for nearly two decades of supporting and partnering with us in this valuable endeavor.

    Remember, the next time you hear someone say, “There’s nothing to do in Fayetteville.” Hand them a copy of Up & Coming Weekly and say, “BUSTED!”

    Enjoy! And, as always, we sincerely thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly and making us your only locally-owned newspaper.

  • 18UpComing• Oct. 1 Cruise – Into – Paradise Come out and bring your shiniest car, motorcycle, truck or even tractor to display while enjoying BBQ, fried chicken and the fixins. Kids will love the train ride, jumping castle and playground. Free Admission, food prices ranging from $2-8. Details: www.paradiseacres.biz or (910) 424-2779

    • Oct. 20-21 Ole Mill Days Festival Celebrate the Mills Way! Ole Mills street dance from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20. Saturday, Oct. 21 runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Municipal Parks 1 and 2. Family fun to include: tractor pull, kids corner, movie night, food, vendors, craft vendors, and a Mills workers reunion. Details: (910) 429-4109.

  •     The Temple Theatre picked a proven crowd-pleaser to kick off its 25th season. A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline has graced the stages of community theaters across the nation. Showcasing 20 of Cline’s top hits, the show blends theatre and music together for an evening at the theatre that appeals to people of all ages.
        The show was first put on stage by Dean Regan in Vancouver. Following a run of sold-out shows across Canada, the show was first staged in Boston, Mass., and has since enjoyed successful runs all across the nation. It is the only Patsy Cline production that is sanctioned by the Patsy Cline estate.
        The play is a celebration of Cline’s brief, but full, life and career. Cline is one of the legends of country music. She had her first audition for the Grad Ole Opry at the age of 16. She was a consummate professional, who made it her business to promote herself. Her star started to rise following the release of “Walkin’ After Midnight,” which was released 10 years after she started her career. That was only the first of a string of hits for the first lady of country music: “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams” and “Faded Love” were among some of her hits. {mosimage}
        Cline’s life was cut short when her plane crashed on March 5, 1963. Like many of the greats, her death only brought her greater acclaim, so that even today her music tops the jukebox playlist. It is that legacy that is celebrated in A Closer Walk.
        Lisa Dames, an Ohio native, is set to star in the show. Dames has been involved in numerous productions of shows based on Cline’s life, and has performed in A Closer Walk in several states. She first appeared in a Cline show in Greensboro after receiving a call from an old college friend.
        “I told her I’d never done anything like that and that I didn’t sound like Patsy Cline. She said, ‘I know, but I think you can do it,’” she recalled.
        “It’s funny, but portraying Patsy Cline is what helped me to develop my own style,” says Dames. “While most of the other actresses who were doing these shows were so focused on sounding just like Patsy, I was focused on the emotion she put into her songs. And that’s how I try to sing everything. Without the emotion, it’s just a bunch of words. Patsy knew this. That’s why she’s timeless.”
        The Temple Theatre is located in downtown Sanford. The theatre has been bringing quality shows to the community for 25 years, and this year, in celebration of its 25th season, it has added a black-box theatre to its facility, which has allowed the company to expand its season.
        A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline will be on stage at The Temple through Sept. 28. Show times are Thursday at 2 and 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m.
        Adult tickets are $20. Thursday night show tickets are $16, as are tickets for active duty soldiers, Lee County educators and groups of 10 or more. Children’s tickets are $10. Tickets can be purchased through the Temple Box Office, which is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and  Friday from 2-6 p.m. and Thursday from 2-5 p.m. The box office can be reached by calling (919) 774-4155 or via e-mail at boxoffice@templeshows.
  • 01CoverThis year’s NC Fall Festival is set for Sept. 8-16. It’s nine days of fun-filled events culminating in a full day of shows, entertainment and more. Once known as the NC Turkey Festival, the NC Fall Festival brings the community together for a week of activities.

    The festival opens with the Turkey Bowl as the Hoke High Bucks take on the Lee County Yellow Jackets at Raz Autry Stadium. The pregame show starts at 7 p.m. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

    On Sept. 9, a Sip & Paint is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Beans Gone Wild. “Sip & Paint is a fundraiser for the festival,” NC Fall Festival Executive Director Melissa Pittman said. “The facility will hold 60 people. (The painting you will make) is a cute picture of a fence at night with a black cat sitting on the fence and with pumpkins in front of it. People can sign up on our Facebook page.”

    Monday, Sept. 11, There will be a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at the Hoke County Courthouse. “The ceremony is a very short and sweet time to remember those we lost as well as the first responders who suffer from injuries and illnesses sustained on 9/11,” Pittman said. “It is also to honor our first responders here because they run in (to harm’s way) when everyone else is running out. We acknowledge law enforcement and the military community, including wives and children, because those families give up so much for us to have the freedom to do things like have a festival.”

    At 5:30 p.m., it’s Manic Monday Music at The Wing Company. The concert is free. “Manic Monday Music is like a street dance,” Pittman said. “If you have those Monday blues, come out to (have) wings in Raeford on the corner of Harris and Main Street. The music is free, and we have three bands: Violent Smoke, Trigger and Nations Band. The music starts at 6 p.m. and will last till 10 p.m. All the groups involved in the fair have roots in Hoke County.”

    The Raeford Civic Center will host a card tournament at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12. It costs $7 per person. “You can have as many at the table as you like and play any game you like,” Pittman said. “People play bridge, rummy, phase 10, you name it. Throughout the night, we give out prizes for game winners and door prizes.”

    Pittman noted that the tournament started 30 years ago as a fundraiser for the Raeford Woman’s Club. It was so popular that when the club disbanded, the event organizers decided to keep the tournament. Call (910) 904 2424 to sign up. “There are finger foods and different snacks and tea, water and lemonade for everyone to drink,” Pittman said.

    Wednesday, Sept. 13, is Senior Day and will be held at the Raeford Civic Center. The fun starts at 10 a.m. with bingo. It costs $5 per person. There is a 100 person limit. “We have a guest speaker who will speak about exercises that are safe to do in chairs, for people who are afraid of falling and have balance issues,” Pittman said. “We also serve a bagged lunch: a sub, chips and dessert. Then we play bingo for prizes. We try to make sure no one leaves empty-handed. This event is for seniors over 55. Call (910) 904-2424 to register.

    On Thursday, Sept. 14, there will be a parade on Main Street at 5:30 p.m. “The parade is one of the biggest events of the festival,” Pittman said. “Every school in the county has a float in it. We have five bands in it and 75-90 entries.”

    Friday’s schedule includes a Stuffin’ and Stompin’ Dinner from 5-8 p.m. at West Hoke Middle School. The dinner costs $8 per person. Pittman said the dinner was started years ago by Clara Pope to raise money for the now-defunct Raeford Woman’s Club. “Now, we partner with nutritional services,” Pittman said. “We split the proceeds with them.”

    The dinner includes turkey dressing, green beans, yams, cranberry sauce and crusty rolls. “The rolls are to die for,” Pittman said. “I think people come for that. Our child nutrition employees cook and prepare the meals.”

    The final day of the fair, Saturday, Sept. 16, includes a Corn Hole Tournament at 10 a.m. in the grass lot beside the main stage. Registration for the tournament starts at 9:30 a.m. At 11 a.m., there will be a car show on Main Street. Registration and sign in are at 10:30 a.m., and judging starts at 11 a.m. The Be Our Guest Kids Zone opens at 9 a.m. It is located near the library stage and closes at 4 p.m. There will also be pony rides from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. near the library stage.

    “We will also have a scavenger hunt going on,” Pittman said. “Anyone can participate. Pick up a map at the festival tent. There are 10 locations in the festival ready to stamp maps/passports.”

    Main Street will be lined with Festival vendors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pittman noted that that are more than 30 food vendors offering everything from collard green sandwiches to egg rolls to funnel cake, brisket, hot dogs and more. More than 100 vendors selling crafts and commercial items will be at the fair as well. “It’s mostly handmade items this year,” Pittman said. “We will also have information booths for different organizations.”

    The Library entertainment stage has a full schedule of entertainers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Events open with a prayer and Carlton and Wanda Barber. Performers scheduled throughout the day are:

    • 10 a.m. Jason and Michelle Melton

    • 10:30 a.m. Holding Strong

    • 11 a.m. Sheeniah

    • 12 p.m. Rooster Roo

    • 12:30 p.m. Break/announcements and Rooster Roo

    • 1 p.m. Winslow Bartlett Jr.

    • 1:30 p.m. Megan Judd

    • 2 p.m. Dowdy Boys

    • 2:30 p.m. Genesis

    • 3 p.m. Men in Christ

    • 3:30 p.m. JPC

    The main stage, beside the Raeford Chamber of Commerce, opens with Glory Rain at 9 a.m. The schedule for the rest of the day includes:

    • 10 a.m. Violet Smoke

    • 11 a.m. GraceLyfe

    • 1 p.m. Black Velvet

    • 2 p.m. Bill and Paul

    • 2:30 p.m. Trigger

    The fair concludes with the Fight Durty Concert Saturday evening in Armory Ballpark. Gates open at 7 p.m. The concert honors those who have fought and won against cancer and who struggle with chronic illnesses. The fair will donate $1 for each ticket sold to Liberty Hospice and Home Care for Hoke County residents. At 7:25 p.m., the All Veteran Group Parachute Team will sky dive into the concert. At 8 p.m., The Sand Band will perform. Tickets cost $10 per person. Concessions will be available for purchase. This is a rain or shine event. No glass containers are permitted on the premises. Concertgoers are invited to bring lawn chairs and coolers. 

    Call (910) 904 2424 or visit www.facebook.com/ncfallfestival to learn more.

  • 12IFFThe Arts Council’s 39th International Folk Festival with Compare Foods is a three-day festival beginning Friday, Sept. 22. During this festival, community members demonstrate and celebrate their different cultures through food, music, dance and crafts.

    This year, the festival kicks off on 4th Friday with a street dance. “Sirius.B is performing,” said Mary Kinney, marketing director for the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “They are actually based out of Asheville, and they have an eclectic sound that they describe as ‘absurdist gypsy folk funk punk.’ They will perform Friday on a stage in the middle of the street on the corner of Ray Street and Hay Street. They will also perform Saturday... on the main stage.” 

    Saturday, Sept. 23, kicks off with one of the most popular events every year, the Parade of Nations. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. and will wind its way through downtown Fayetteville. “This is where our friends and neighbors proceed down Hay Street wearing their cultural clothes, playing their traditional music and dancing,” Kinney said. “It is celebrating all of the different cultures, and 30 cultures will be represented.”

    The parade is expected to last about an hour and a half, which makes it convenient to walk over to Festival Park at noon to enjoy the rest of the International Folk Festival. The park will be filled with performers, food vendors, musicians and arts and craft vendors. “It is every color of the rainbow, every taste you can imagine on a plate and sounds from around the world,” Kinney said. “It activates all your senses, and it is truly global. You can really have egg rolls and ox tail on the same plate. It is very authentic. The people cooking, performing, and selling arts and crafts are all people from our own community. They are celebrating their cultures in a way that we can experience.”

    This year, the festival’s hours are longer. On Friday, the festival will be open from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday starts at 10:30 a.m. Festival Park opens at noon and extended hours mean it will remain open until 8 p.m. These longer hours allow for a special performance by Mystic India, an internationally acclaimed Bollywood dance spectacular. Mystic India will perform from 6:30-8 p.m. on Saturday on the main stage in Festival Park.

    On Sunday, Festival Park will be open to continue the festivities from noon to 6 p.m. 

    The International Folk Festival is always a rain-or-shine event. This year, 100,000 participants are expected over the weekend. There is no admission cost, but according to the Arts Council, it is a good idea to bring some cash to purchase food, beverages and crafts from the local vendors. There will be an ATM, but it often generates a long line. This is a family-friendly event, so strollers are welcome, but dogs should be left at home. “Just bring yourselves. We will be selling beer, wine, water and coke products. Everything you need will be there,” Kinney said.

    Find out more at www.theartscouncil.com.

  • 11DreamgirlsCape Fear Regional Theatre will kick off its 2017-18 season Sept. 14 with “Dreamgirls,” the Tony Awardwinning Broadway musical that follows the rise of The Dreams, a singing trio, in the 1960s.

    Some audience members may be more familiar with the 2006 film version starring Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce than the Broadway show decades before starring Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Loretta Devine.

    The story is based loosely on Diana Ross and the Supremes and other girl groups in the Motown era who found that stardom often came with compromises, said Mary Catherine Burke, CRFT’s new artistic director. Every character has a compromise to make to achieve their dream.

    “It’s a film onstage,” Burke said. Director Suzanne Agins does “an exquisite job of changing the perspective of the audience with constant motions.”

    The progression of time from the ’60s R&B era when The Dreams are discovered to the ’70s disco era will make the production fun for the audience with a variety of music, dance and costume changes, Burke said.

    “The thing that is most exciting,” Burke said, “is 20 people singing their faces off with a live band of nine onstage.”

    The large cast of 14 local and six non-local performers is indicative of one reason CFRT has been so successful and still thriving after 55 years, said Leslie Flom, marketing director for CFRT. “The whole cast, mostly young, are representatives of local, regional and national artists working side by side,” she said.

    Many in the cast said being in “Dreamgirls” was on their bucket list of shows.

    “The underlying theme of the show is that dream of performing,” said Ricardo Morgan, who plays Tiny Joe Dixon. A local performer and veteran of several CFRT productions, Morgan said it resonates with the audience because “everybody, no matter what walk of life, has a dream.”

    Darius Jordan Lee, from Charlotte, said playing C.C. White “is one of my dream roles. Since I was a kid growing up in my grandfather’s church, I knew I wanted to be a performer.”

    For cast member Marktavious Patton, who plays Curtis Taylor Jr., performing onstage is a dream he relates to his own life. From Newark, New Jersey, Patton is facing his own compromise to reach his dream of entertaining audiences like he did last year as the Tin Man in CFRT’s production of “The Wiz.”

    Despite having a master’s degree in technology management and a pending job offer working for Amazon in Arizona, Patton said his ultimate dream is to make a name for himself and his family from the stage.

    “I am from a poor family, I was the first to graduate college, and I faced prejudices,” Patton said. Although grateful for his opportunities and the pending offer for a “solid career,” he said, “my compromise is that it is not what I want to do.” On the heels of what he believes will be a successful run in “Dreamgirls,” Patton has given himself a time limit to book another show before his deadline to report to Arizona. “If I book a show, I’m gonna go for my dream.”

    The entire cast has that kind of passion for performing and is very talented, said Burke. The cast includes leads Nattalyee Randall as Effie White, Diamond Essence White as Deena Jones, Stephanie Rocio as Lorrell Robinson, Kwame Remy as Jimmy Early, and Wilson J. Randall as Marty.

    “Dreamgirls” book and lyrics are by Tom Eyen, music by Henry Krieger. The show is choreographed by Randy A. Davis.

    “The cast is phenomenal,” Burke said. “You’ll leave here singing.”

    “Dreamgirls” runs through Oct. 8. There will be a Military Appreciation Night on Sept. 20 with childcare and a pre-show reception. Girls Glam Night will be Sept. 22 with a pre-show hair and makeup party.

    For ticket information, call the box office at  (910) 323-4233 or visit www.cfrt.org.

  • 14FilmSustainable Sandhills presents its Sustainable Saturdays Film Series showing of “Before the Flood” Saturday, Sept. 9, at 11 a.m. at the Cameo Art House Theatre. 

    “‘Before the Flood’ follows Leonardo DiCaprio on his journey concerning climate change throughout the world and his participation in the U.N. climate talk,” said Denise Bruce, environmental outreach manager of Sustainable Sandhills. “He is considered a U.N. ambassador on climate, and he has been a celebrity that has been representative of a number of vital issues before he was famous in the movie ‘Titanic.’” Bruce added that DiCaprio visits communities in India and Miami. The film sums up what will happen to the planet if we do nothing. We need real, actionable policy from the United States and other countries, Bruce added. 

    “Before the Flood” presents the dramatic changes occurring around the world now due to climate change as well as the actions individuals can take to prevent this disruption of our planet. It urges viewers to push their elected officials in supporting the use of alternative sources such as solar and wind power. 

    The United States produces more greenhouse emissions per capita than any other country in the world. “What we are going to talk about is how our community here and other North Carolina communities will respond to climate change,” Bruce said. “That includes a climate change resiliency plan, and some communities are willing to do their own policymaking in terms of emission reduction and carbon capture and things like that outside of any federal policies.”

    Bruce added that they are hoping to have a couple speakers come in who have a background in climate science to talk about how incidents like Hurricanes Matthew and Harvey will become a more regular occurrence along the coast.

    There are many scientists who assert that the planet is in fact warming, and it is because of human activity. Luckily, Bruce said, we are in a place technologically that we can reduce the amount of fossil fuels that we burn while continuing on the track of economic growth and prosperity.

    Sustainable Sandhills is an environmental nonprofit that aims to save the planet and preserve the Sandhills’s environment through education, demonstration and collaboration. The Sustainable Saturdays Film Series includes a screening of a film along with subject matter experts who attend and speak on the topic.

    “Climate change is an issue beyond our community and is something our community definitely needs to engage in,” Bruce said.     

    Doors open Sept. 9 at 10:30 a.m. and the show starts at 11 a.m. For more information, call (910) 484-9098.

  • 13CARRIAGE1Explore local history in a whole new way. The Downtown Alliance and the city of Fayetteville host monthly historic tours by horse and carriage lasting about 45 minutes each. “The tours cover Fayetteville’s early history,” said Hank Parfitt, founder and former president of the Downtown Alliance. “It covers colonial times, highland and lowland Scots immigrating here, the Revolutionary period, the 19th-century introduction of the railroad and some Civil War history. It is heavier on the earlier history because we really want people to understand that Fayetteville has a rich and storied past.”

    This month, the tour coincides with the Lafayette Birthday Celebration, and it is a special tour. There will be a guided exploration of Cool Spring Tavern. The tavern is named after Cool Spring, an actual spring that provided water for the original town.

    “The spring was where many people from all levels of society would go to get water and to socialize,” Parfitt said. “So it’s pretty perfect that the new arts district is named the Cool Spring Downtown District. For those of us that really bought into the downtown revitalization, we saw downtown as a place for people of all social classes to come and socialize.”

    The tour is a rare opportunity to look inside one of the most historic buildings in North Carolina. While the interior and exterior are close to the original look of the building, it is currently being rented by Connections of Fayetteville for use as a training center to help reintegrate homeless women into the community. “The docent will be Lulie Harry,” Parfitt said. “The house has been in her family since 1860. She will talk about the history of the building, share her family history and tell some family stories. It is a fun and educational tour that no one should miss. She is a great storyteller and a great teacher.” The tour of Cool Spring Tavern will last around 25 to  30 minutes.

    All the tour guides are rigorously trained, but because of the success of the tours, there is a need for more. “We have grown a lot in our second year,” Parfitt said. “We are interested in getting some more tour guides trained up. If anyone is interested, they should contact me at (910) 6788899. We have a training program. It is not very hard to be a tour guide if you like talking to people and love history. It’s a lot of fun.”

    The historic tours are popular among locals and visitors alike. Advanced reservations are recommended. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at City Center Gallery Books at 112 Hay St. or by calling (910) 678-8899. There is a military discount, and tickets for children between 3 and 12 years old cost $15.

    The tours run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and last about 45 minutes. The tours will depart from 232 Hay St.

  • 01COVERgolfLocal golfers of every skill level who share two commonalities — a competitive spirit and a desire to network — have been waiting for September to tee it up. This month marks the 49th anniversary of the area’s oldest and most prestigious golf tournament, the Cumberland County Golf Championship Classic. This year the champion will be determined at Gates Four Golf and Country Club on Sept. 15 -17.

    The Tournament

    The CCGCC is a three-day, 54-hole stroke-play event and offers an incredible value. The entry fee is $165 and grants one practice round at Gates Four and three rounds of play in the tournament division of one’s choosing. In addition, each contestant receives five free foursome rounds to be played at Gates Four or three other popular Cumberland County golf courses, Cypress Lakes, Stryker and Baywood. Participants also receive free range balls, a commemorative gift and on-course snacks and beverages provided locally by Healy Wholesale.

    Historically, the event has been dominated by male golfers. This year it debuts a new Women’s division. DeeDee Jarman, Methodist University’s deputy athletic director, is assisting tournament coordinator Bill Bowman in implementing the new division. “DeeDee knows golf and she sees the potential in offering women a competitive tournament venue,” Bowman said. “She is extremely talented, and I am excited about working with her.” Bowman went on to say that the first year is always a challenge, but he feels with Jarman’s leadership it will be extremely popular and also give Cumberland County female golfers something to look forward to each year. Jarman said she will first focus on building local women’s participation. “I would like to grow it as large as the men’s division, but, first we have to recruit women and get them involved,” she said.

    The Women’s division joins the other four traditional tournament divisions: Open (for all golfers regardless of age or skill level); Senior (ages 50 and up); Super Senior (ages 66 and up); and the Championship division for those seeking the title of Cumberland County’s best golfer. Each division will have its own winner, but only those in the Championship division will be in competition for the title. In addition, the top 15 finishers from the Championship division and the top eight finishers in the Senior and Super Senior divisions automatically qualify for the Cumberland County Match Play Tournament at Highland Country Club in the spring. The Match Play has a 20-year history and is the second most prestigious golf tournament in the county.

    This year, the CCGCC will implement the five new rules the U.S. Golf Association plans to activate in January 2018. These rules are designed to speed up the game and make it both more competitive and more enjoyable. They include elimination or reduction of “ball moved” penalties, relaxed putting green rules, relaxed rules for penalty areas, relaxed bunker rules, an increased reliance on player integrity, pace-of-play support and a simplified way of taking relief.

    The Boose Law Firm is also sponsoring a $10,000 hole-in-one prize on hole #11.

    The Pre- and Post-Parties

    The Champions Reception and Pairing Party, preceding the tournament, is set for Thursday, Sept. 14, from 6-8 p.m. and is hosted by Gates Four Golf and Country Club and the Richardson Law Firm. The Champions Reception is free for tournament participants and $15 for guests. Here, entrants will renew old friendships and meet and greet past Cumberland County champions like Thomas Owen, Mike Williford, Gary Robinson, Billy West and Brian Dreier.

    There will also be local dignitaries in attendance, including city, county and state officials. Rep. Billy Richardson (D - District 44) and Sen. Wesley Meredith (R - District 19) plan to be in attendance to wish the competitors well.

    The trophy presentation following the conclusion of the tournament will be around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17. A short celebratory reception will follow to recognize and congratulate all the winners and to present CCGCC donations to three local organizations: the Kidsville News! Literacy and Education Foundation, Kay Yow Cancer Fund and First Tee of the Sandhills.

    The tournament will conclude with a preview of the 50th Anniversary event in 2018 and the awarding of the biggest door prize of the tournament: A three-day, two-night stay in one of the beautiful lakeside cottages at Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery of Elizabethtown. All tournament participants are eligible to win but must be present to win.

    The History, Community and Competition

    The first CCGCC was played in 1969. PGA Tour professional and local Fayettevillian Chip Beck won it in both 1974 and 1976, before he turned 20 years old. The tournament has a history of providing an experience you just can’t find in other local tournaments, giving golfers the chance to prepare for whatever their golfing aspirations may be while ranking themselves against the local competition.

    Local businessman Thomas Owen was the 2017 CCGCC champion. Owen said it’s the relational aspect of the tournament that has kept him competing over the years. This was Owen’s big win. Prior to winning the CCGCC, he qualified for and won the spring Match Play tournament at Highland Country Club three times.

    “The level of competition this year is really strong,” he said. “The last few years we’ve had some of Cumberland County’s best golfers unable to play. It looks like this year is shaping up to have some of those players come back. And we’ve got some great local golfers here — probably better than most people realize.”

    One of those top players to return is Gary Robinson. Robinson is a Fayetteville native, local businessman, and winner of the most CCGCC titles — eight in total, with his first win in 1982. Last year at this time, he was committed to the U.S. Senior Men’s Amateur Golf Championship in St. Louis, Missouri. But he’ll be back this year. Robinson said he hasn’t been playing in as many tournaments this year as he usually does — only five or six compared to his usual 15 — but he’s been practicing, and he said he’s ready. “I’m excited; I always look forward to playing in this golf tournament,” he said. “This is where I live, so I want to make my hometown proud.”

    Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West is another talented local golfer with six wins at the CCGCC. He’s been playing in the tournament since 1991. “I say every year that this is my favorite golf tournament,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to play local, statewide and even national tournaments. But this one has a uniqueness unlike any other. People stop you in the grocery store and gas station to congratulate you if you win or play well. As far as competition, this should be the strongest field we’ve had in years. Even though I’m getting older and have less of a chance to win than I used to, I’m still excited. Thomas Owen is an obvious favorite to win. J.C. McFadyen finished second last year, tied with me. Chris Holland is a former champion who’s played well this year. Matt Hudson has been near the top of the group every year.” 

    Robert Wilson Jr. of Cypress Lakes, Jeff Johnson at Stryker and Scooter Buhrman at Gates Four are all local PGA professionals who are familiar with the tournament and have worked on it for years. Buhrman won the champion title in 2007. They all agree that it will be a dogfight in the end and probably come down to about five players battling it out with Owen, Robinson and West as frontrunners. Buhrman of Gates Four added that one wild card player to watch is 16-year-old Spencer Oxendine. “He already has scholarship offers from NC State and other schools,” Buhrman said. “And this is his home course. He’s young and doesn’t have a lot of experience, but he’s a very good player, and I think he has a chance.”

    Johnson of Stryker Golf Course first played in the CCGCC when he was 16, and he agreed with West that Chris Holland and Matt Hudson were players to watch this year. He added, “Even if you don’t think you have a chance to win, there are still many reasons to compete. Just because you don’t make top 30, it’s a badge of honor if you’re in the seventh flight one year and you make it your goal to be in the sixth flight the next.”

    Wilson Jr., Johnson and Buhrman agreed that the tournament is headed in a good direction and that they hope to see it return to the level of participation and camaraderie-driven competition that it saw in its prime. “I remember playing back in high school, and they had so many players we played on two courses,” Buhrman said. “I’d like to see it back up to that level.”

    Register for the Cumberland County Golf Championship Classic by Sept. 13 at 6 p.m at any Cumberland County golf course or by visiting CumberlandCountyGolfClassic.com. For more information, call (910) 425-6667 ext. 224.

  •     {mosimage}

        Gyros. The Olympics. Jennifer Aniston.
        That’s pretty much the extent of most Americans’ knowledge of Greek tradition and heritage. However, from Sept. 12-14, area residents will have the opportunity to learn about all things Greek as the 18th Annual Greek Festival is held in Fayetteville.
        The festival — hosted by Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church — will feature live bands, traditional Greek dance, vendors, arts and crafts and Greek foods and desserts. The Cumberland County Library van will also be there registering children for library cards — so they can check out books on Greece — and the Fayetteville Fire Department will have trucks on hand for kids to scramble on and into, as well as giving the kiddies a chance to aim a fire hose at a simulated fire wall; additionally, children will be treated to a trackless train, two large bouncers, two large inflatable slides and assorted games and activities. For the adults, there will be appearances by Mayor Tony Chavonne; beauty queens from the Dogwood Festival and Miss North Carolina; three Greek dance troupes from Sts. Constatine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church; Greek vendors providing religious and cultural jewelry, antiquities and art; and, there will also be a raffle, with the winner receiving two round trip tickets to Athens, Greece.
        Speaking of the “old country,” Athena Sarantoulias came to Fayetteville 39 years ago, and for years operated the old Monticello Restaurant on Gillespie Street with her husband, George.
        The restaurant was a downtown landmark and favorite hangout of judges and lawyers who worked at the nearby Cumberland County Courthouse. These judicial officials helped Sarantoulias learn English, while a thriving Greek community welcomed her with open arms and fresh bacalava — despite her geographic origins.
        “I am from the southern part of Greece and was welcomed by many from the rival northern part of Greece,” said Sarantoulias. “This was really a big deal.
        “The American people welcomed me the second day I came to Fayetteville,” said Sarantoulias. “They supported me, and my husband, all the years we operated the restaurant.”
        Sarantoulias has helped repay the kindness of strangers by helping bake pastries for the Greek Festival. She is part of a team that will bake about 60 trays of Greek desserts such as bacalava, finiki and koulakia for the 10,000 or so hungry festival goers expected to show up for the weekend.
        Litsa Derosa, secretary at Sts. Constatine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, said the pastries will be baked at the adjacent Hellenic Center. She also says that some Americans have a hard time wrapping their taste buds around the sweet treats.
        “Especially bacalava,” said Derosa, who came to Fayetteville from northern Greece 14 years ago following her husband, who is now retired from the military. “It has syrup and most are surprised at just how sweet it is. It’s not what they expected.”
        However, Derosa adds that most novice tasters love the taste of finiki and koulakia — Greek versions of cookies.
        In addition to Greek desserts, there will be plenty of other Greek specialities, including shish kabobs and gyros.
        “There will be a lot of lamb,” said Derosa. “If you haven’t had Greek food before you are in for a real treat.”
        But there will be so much more than great Greek food. Musical tastes of all genres will be sated by the Greek band Zephyros from Baltimore. Derosa is particularly excited about the performance by Zephyros, which performed at last year’s festival to much acclaim.
        “They are so popular that we had to book them for this year’s festival immediately after last year’s festival,” said Derosa. “They are more than just music — the emcee tells Greek stories and explains each song. Everybody likes them — Greeks and Americans.”
        This blending of Greek and American is the very heartbeat of the festival. While the approximately 150 Greek-American families that live in Fayetteville are as American as Freedom Fries and apple pie, they still want to honor their heritage.
        “It (the festival) means everything to me,” said retired Father Chrysostom Manuel of Sts. Constatine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. “It is my very entity, my culture... music wise, art wise. For those of us who were born there, it reminds us of the old country.”
        Sarantoulias, who sold 1,000 tickets to the event this year — the most by any individual — puts it even more succinctly.
        “I love America,” said Sarantoulias, “but I also still love Greece.”
        The Greek Festival is a major fundraiser for Sts. Constatine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, located at 614 Oakridge Ave. — the other major fundraiser being the church’s famous spaghetti dinner which will be held on Nov. 19, also at the church. The festival will be held at Sts. Constatine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church during the following hours: Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.

    Tim Wilkins, Associate Editor
    COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 105 or tim@upandcomingweekly.com


  •     Fayetteville has a lot to offer its citizens. And each year Up & Coming Weekly likes to put the spotlight on the best of the best that Fayetteville has to offer. The Best of Fayetteville has come to be one of the most anticipated issues of the year. So it is with baited breath that readers are awaiting the release of the 2008 Best of Fayetteville in the Sept. 10 issue of Up & Coming Weekly.
        As in years past, we have been meticulous in our counting, and our writers are already at work putting together what we hope will be an entertaining and informative issue. You can wait by the racks to get your copy and peruse it at your leisure, but you can also join us for the Best of Fayetteville Winners Party on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at IT’Z Entertainment City.
        “The Best of Fayetteville is always a great issue,” said Bill Bowman, publisher of Up & Coming Weekly. “It gives our readers a chance to let us know who’s going the extra mile in the community.
        “It’s important for us as a quality-of-life publication to be able to recognize those businesses, people, services and products that make our community unique because of their exceptional quality and presence in our community,” he continued.
        {mosimage}Bowman likened the Best of Fayetteville issue to a compass, noting that it gave readers the direction to head when they are looking for goods and services. “We go through great pains to be able to present our readers this list of the best,” he said. “Our readers depend on and trust our publication. It stands to reason that we do this and we do it right.”
        Another thing that Up & Coming Weekly does very well is throw a great party, and this year’s Best of party will be just that.
        “We’ve always had some sort of party to recognize our winners,” Bowman explained. “This year, we’re pulling out all of the stops.”
        The party, hosted by IT’Z will feature great food, music and prizes. WKML,  a station that has been known to take home more than a few Best of awards, will be on hand to spin the music during the party. And IT’Z, which has also been known to win, will provide the food.
        During the event the winners will be announced and awards will be presented. The event is open to all Up & Coming Weekly readers. After the main event, there will be an after party featuring The Embers, one of the nation’s best beach bands. “This is going to be one party you are not going to want to miss,” said Bowman.
        Bowman said that while much of the issue is fun, there are some categories that he finds of particular importance. “The categories that I look forward to seeing are the ones that reflect how the people feel about our county and city and the issues affecting it,” he said. “ I think the community is going to be pleasantly surprised when they find out how people feel about the events that are taking place in our community.”
        So grab your Up & Coming Weekly on Sept. 10, and then make tracks over IT’Z for a party that is sure to be the Best of.
  • 04 pittEverybody talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it. Someone out on The Internets said that the prolonged waiting for Hurricane Florence to hit was like being stalked by a turtle. I would give them credit for the phrase, but I can’t remember where I saw it, so I will steal it instead. 

    As you may have noticed, we have had a bit of weather lately. We are now having 100-year storms every two years. Like Bob Dylan wrote, “Something is happening here/ And you don’t know what it is/ Do you, Mr. Jones?” 

    These repeated weather events are getting old. Back in the good old days, when Willard Scott was in charge of the weather while wishing happy birthday to 100-year-old ladies, we never had hurricanes like Florence and Matthew. Willard needs to be recalled to active duty to take control of the weather again. 

    The day before Flo hit, I made my daily walk through the FTCC campus. The usual flock of 50+ geese that hang out there was gone with the wind. Magically, the geese knew it was time to get out of town before Flo arrived. Geese are not bird brains. They don’t need a weather forecaster to know which way the wind blows. 

    Watching the Flo news in the days before she darkened our doors was borderline depressing. The TV talking heads on the national networks were beside themselves with glee, warning us we were all going to die, and they were going to get great ratings. The local TV anchors were visibly upset as they were talking to viewers who were their neighbors. The network talkers were here for the drive-by gawking to poke at our misery and then leave town. 

    The night before Flo hit, I turned off the news and watched the greatest Andy Griffith episode ever made – “Aunt Bea’s Pickles.” Watching Andy and Barney stuffing down Aunt Bea’s kerosene cucum-bers in order not to stomp on Clara’s dream of winning the best-in-show pickles for the 12th time at the County Fair was greatly calming. 

    The boys replace Bea’s bad pickles with store-bought pickles so they won’t have to eat Bea’s abominations. After hearing Andy rave about her pickles, Bea decides to enter the pickle contest, not realizing that her zombie pickles have been replaced. Andy and Barney think this is funny at first until Andy hears from Clara how much winning the pickle contest means to her. 

    Andy realizes that he can’t let Aunt Bea’s store-bought pickles beat Clara. Andy explains a great truth: “What is small potatoes to some folks can be mighty important to others.” The boys eat the store-bought pickles. Aunt Bea makes a new batch of her homemade pickles, which lose to Clara. All is right with the world as a result. There is no better way to go into a hurricane than after watching Andy Griffith. 

    After our power went out, the internet was ablaze with people who had power but were complaining because their cable was out. I was not sympathetic to the fortunate but cable-deprived upper crust. Our street had power at both ends while we remained an island of darkness in a sea of lighted homes. Without power, we were plunged back into the 13th century. Living in a world lit only by fire, our matches were all soaked. And yet, we had a house and were alive. All over North Carolina, tragedies were unfold-ing as people lost their lives, homes and livelihoods. Grousing about a lack of electricity paled in comparison to the flood of real sorrow in North Carolina. 

    The first morning after Flo hit was caffeine-free at our house due to no power. Fortunately, Waffle House was open. The federal government uses Waffle House reopening as a measure of how bad a disaster is. Waffle Houses are designed to function off the grid. There was a large and very wet but polite crowd waiting for Waffle House delica-cies. Armed with two large cups of coffee, I was prepared to meet the day. 

    We whiled away the daylight hours sitting on the front porch watching cars go by, hoping to see an out-of-state license plate. Our basement collected knee-deep slimy water, which I waded into to set up a sump pump. I fully expected to see the Loch Ness monster charge out of a dark corner of the basement. 

    You find out who your friends are in a hurricane. We got invited to eat and to use showers at the homes of Kiwanis members who had electricity. My political leanings are well to the left of the people who invited us in, and yet we were welcomed. A hot shower may be small potatoes most of the time. But like Androcles and the Lion, I will always remember who pulled the thorn out of my wet paw during Flo. 

    It’s going to be a long recovery. Do what you can to help out. As Andy Griffith said, “What is small potatoes to some folks can be mighty important to others.”

  • 03 MargaretHurricane Florence remains a nightmare for millions of North Carolinians, thousands of us in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Florence was deadly to some, including a young child swept from his mother’s arms by floodwaters. Florence’s name and memory now rank with those of Hurricanes Hazel and Fran.

    Imagine being a homeless woman with children to provide for facing Florence without shelter.

    The sad and reprehensible fact is that there are fewer shelter beds in our nation and our community for women than for men, and fewer still for women with children. Many factors contribute to this sad reality, including high rates of assault and sexual abuse of women in shelters. A local group of caring and committed women decided to do something about homelessness of women and children in our own community.

    An outgrowth of the Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County, Connections of Cumberland County was born in 2014 to provide not only food and shelter connections but solid footing for a productive future. It operates on the philosophy that feeding, clothing and sheltering people in need is well and good, but providing the skills for them to do so themselves is the gift that keeps on giving.

    In addition to meeting urgent needs for food and shelter, Connections offers a one-stop day resource center. Clients can access technology necessary for job applications, collaborate with other service agencies to meet needs such as school placements, work to stabilize lives that have become chaotic, and plan for their futures, all while their children are safe and protected. Several program areas, including case management, internships and an online store, help clients build personal accountability. 

    One Connections veteran has completed a master’s degree and is now employed full-time with a local nonprofit, giving back what was given to her, often crediting Connections.

    Another Connections client I will call Stephanie, a single mother of four, described her experience with Connections far better than I can.“I came into Connections last year (2017) needing financial assistance with my rent. … Considering the ability to remain financially stable is predicated on the ability to practice good money management skills, I was given in-depth advisement on how to manage my money. I was given a personal advocate/adviser named Peggy that calls me every Saturday and sometimes during the week to check on me."

    “The most helpful resource that I have utilized from Connections is their funding, (which) allowed me to continue to seek therapy through ‘Thrive’ counseling. … I take full advantage of the resources Connections provides."

    “With counseling, … meetings and my personal adviser, I have been able to successfully remain financially, emotionally and mentally stable. Currently, I am a senior at Fayetteville State University studying social work. I graduate with my Bachelor of Social Work in May 2019. I have been working on my credit for nine months. I am pleased to announce that my credit score has improved, and I am now in the market to purchase my own home.”

    Stephanie is a young woman and committed mother who is righting her own ship with the support and guidance of Connections, a group of local women – and several men – who have committed themselves to her and other women in similar circumstances. 

    Connections is locally funded and welcomes com-munity support, not only our treasure, but our time and talent as volunteer adviser/coaches like Stephanie’s friend, Peggy. If you are moved to help, you can reach Connections at 910-630-0106 or through its website at www.connectionsofcc.org.

    Connections is a confidential organization, so we do not know of women who sought its help during Hurricane Florence. Whether they come during a driving rain or in the bright sunshine, Connections is a light at the end of a dark tunnel for many who desperately need that beacon.

  • 02 pub penSometimes I wonder if I have too much time on my hands to think. Perhaps I have not matured enough to understand the nature of things – or maybe I’m just too stubborn to accept them. At what point does a person stop being curious and stop asking questions? Why are things the way they are? I find it difficult to truly understand the whys of the world. 

    For example, nationally, why has 

    our two-party system of govern-ment become so combative and downright nasty? Unfortunately, this self-serving and contentious divisiveness has taken priority over serving the American people. It’s also difficult to understand why high-ranking politicians and feder-

    al employees found guilty of committing crimes and abusing and misusing their government office escape prosecution and never go to jail. 

    Why do government officials give credence or credibility to anyone, man or woman, who makes criminal accu-sations against another human being without proof, witnesses, credible col-laboration or the slightest evidence of a pattern of behavior? The case of Dr. Christine Ford versus Brett Kavanaugh comes to mind – especially since her allegations are coming 37 years after the claimed incident. If this were attempted locally, the person or persons making such an accusation would be either sued for defamation of character, laughed out of the police station or charged with filing a false police report. Or, if the case got to court, the judge would rule that the case was frivolous and throw it out. Why would they even allow themselves to go down that rabbit hole? Try it your-self. Pick any date 37 years ago and try to remember where you were and who you were with. 

    Has our nation become so politically polarized, insensitive and irresponsible 

    that we have abandoned our pride, honor, integrity and common sense? 

    Here in North Carolina, with all the computer technology, GPS and mapping devices at our disposal, why can the state lawmakers not create congressional dis-tricts that are fair and equitable? We see blatant, unapologetic partisan politics hindering the state’s ability to effectively address and solve problems. And it is all at the expense of our citizens – especially when it comes to poverty, education, attracting economic development and protecting and preserving our environ-ment and natural resources. 

    Why is it that the elimination of pov-erty here and throughout North Carolina is basically considered a Democrat-in-clined initiative? What? Really? Repub-licans don’t care about the poor and underserved? I doubt that. I was invited to a reception next month sponsored by the NC Justice Center, honoring one of Fayetteville’s most respected and re-sponsive citizens – Dr. James Anderson, chancellor of Fayetteville State Univer-sity. Anderson is a great leader and is de-serving of recognition. I appreciate the invitation, and I intend to be there. How-ever, reading the invitation and seeing 

    who the event organizers and spon-sors were made me wonder: Where are the Republicans? Are they not in favor of creating an economy that works for everyone? Are they not for economic and social advancement that endorses inclusive policies that advance equity and opportunity? Of course they are. So why are so many prominent Republicans not part of this recognition? It will be interest-ing to see who attends. 

    Why is it that only in a time of extreme heartbreak and tragedy like the devastation of the Twin Towers on 9/11 or Hurricanes Matthew and Florence do we demonstrate our natural instincts for charity, toler-ance, love and compassion for our fellow man? Why is it that American 

    compassion, cooperation and resilience only emerge in times of desperation when help, patience, love and generosity are in the greatest demand? In situations like these, it does not matter what race, color or sexual orientation you are or what political affiliation you champion. Yet, without such tragedy or disaster looming over us, we seem to care little about the virtues of humanity and think mostly about our self-serving and politi-cally charged selves. 

    So many whys and so few answers. Maybe we have some answers but no real solutions – at least none that would be politically prudent. One thing is for certain. In the end, we will all come to understand the importance of the contributions (or lack of them) we have made to humanity. Our children will live with the consequences, good or bad. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    Photo: Brett Kavanaugh with family

  • 05 SmithfieldFarmers and agriculture communities are the backbone of our great state, and every time I see a billboard proclaiming, “Thank a Farmer Three Times a Day!” I wholeheartedly agree. Our farmers are the reason each of us has food to eat and clothes to wear. More specifically, hog farmers in our state work day and night, with little time off, to put food on all of our tables. They do so with limited resources. Meanwhile, our General Assembly willfully ignores the needs of our farmers and agricultural communities, failing to provide them with necessary financial resources to convert antiquated open-air hog waste lagoon systems to environmentally sustainable waste management systems. Ignoring this issue pits farmers against their neighbors rather than constructively solving the dilemma to serve the best interests of everyone in our agricultural communities.

    Hog lagoons are open-air pits, the size of a football field or larger, where hog waste is stored before it is sprayed onto surrounding land – so the lagoons do not overflow. As anyone who has been near one of these large hog farms can attest, the stench can be overpowering. The vast majority of the hogs creating that stench are owned by Smithfield Foods, now a Chinese-owned entity; that is the company that some neighbors have sued for the nuisance Smithfield has caused by continuing to use an antiquated waste-disposal method. Sadly, Smithfield refuses to use superior technology, identified by scientists at North Carolina State University, that’s been deemed operationally and technically feasible. In other states, such as Missouri, Smithfield has been forced to adopt superior technology. Refusal to act both by Smithfield and by our state government has caused our farmers’ neighbors to desperately seek relief from the courts. As a result, three juries have returned verdicts to force Smithfield’s hand. 

    So far, there have been three trials, and each respective jury unanimously decided that not only has Smithfield unreasonably caused a nuisance for these neighbors, but also that Smithfield should be punished – to the tune of more than $500 million – for using antiquated waste-disposal methods when better, cleaner methods are available. Instead of heeding these juries’ advice, Smithfield decided to attack the court system! 

    Smithfield-backed politicians and other industry representatives have falsely claimed the judge and jurors have a bias against farming – despite all evidence pointing to the contrary. In fact, the judge was born and raised on a farm in the heavily agricultural Robeson County. The three juries collectively consisted of 34 Eastern North Carolina citizens, many from leading agricultural counties and with varying political and economic backgrounds. Yet still, all 34 jurors agreed on one thing after hearing all the evidence: Smithfield must clean up its act.

    Not only has our veto-proof General Assembly ignored this problem, it recently passed legislation prioritizing the financial interest of Smithfield, a Chinese-owned corporation, over the safety and welfare of rural North Carolinians. The sweeping legislation was passed, over Gov. Cooper’s vetoes, stripping citizens of their constitutional property rights and destroying over 200 years of North Carolina’s law on nuisance. The law effectively bans North Carolinians from suing bad actors, such as Smithfield, for nuisance, enabling Smithfield’s continued use of outdated waste practices for the foreseeable future regardless of harm caused to our agricultural communities. 

    Smithfield claims that forcing it to make changes on these farms will force Smithfield out of North Carolina and force family farmers out of business. This is nothing more than a scare tactic to make its own employees, farmers and even jurors fearful that Smithfield will leave. Actions, however, speak far louder than words, and Smithfield’s actions include a $100 million expansion of the Tar Heel processing plant in 2017 as well as adoption of new technologies in other states, all while remaining operational and profitable. They have no intention of leaving North Carolina – nor should they. Not with folks like Tom Butler raising hogs.

    Tom Butler is a 77-year-old hog farmer in Harnett County. Once he became aware of the extent to which his operation was harming the environment and his community, he took matters into his own hands. He installed lagoon covers and other improvements – despite receiving no financial backing from the hog industry. After his lagoons were covered, his neighbors reported to him that it was as though the farm and its odors practically disappeared. Smithfield continues to ignore the problem, and solutions, putting its bottom line before the welfare of North Carolinians. 

    Last year, Smithfield made $1 billion in profit on the backs of our North Carolina farmers and paid nearly $250 million to just four of its executives from 2010-15. Yet our underappreciated and underpaid farmers have not seen meaningful increase in revenues for years. Our farmers simply cannot afford to improve or correct our hog lagoon waste problems, but Smithfield can. Smithfield must.

    Since the good citizens of Cumberland County returned me to the General Assembly three years ago, I have become painfully aware that, as a body, we are quick to blame and short on solutions. It seems we would rather play political football with issues of vital importance than fix those issues and actually improve the lives of our people. Simply put, we must have a clean environment in which to live, and we must also support our farmers. Smithfield knows this and continues to use its time-honored scare tactics to push our farmers and the General Assembly into acting irrationally.

    I plan to formally request Gov. Cooper to make this a top priority item in his budget and to back our introduction of the bill in the Nov. 27 session of our General Assembly. If Gov. Cooper or legislative leaders call a session earlier, I will request the governor call for its passage at that time. Simply put, our agricultural communities and wonderful rivers and streams are too stressed to delay action. Specifically, I propose that the state and Smithfield equally share the costs of covering the lagoons and installing innovative waste management systems. The state would fund this public-private initiative using a portion of the state’s $1.8 billion “Rainy Day” fund. Smithfield’s costs are feasible given it is merely a small fraction of just one year’s profits. Doing so would give much-needed relief to our environment as well as to the families living in our agricultural communities. As Mr. Butler said in the cover story of the most recent Campbell University magazine: “I just want to do the right thing. If we don’t do the right thing – as an industry – people are going to suffer.... We don’t have the right to make anyone suffer while we profit.” 

    A clean environment and a strong, sustainable agricultural industry are both essential to North Carolina’s future and are not mutually exclusive. Attacking our court system is an excuse, not a solution. While I realize my solution would use our citizens’ precious tax dollars, I can think of no better use than to preserve both our environment and the farmers who feed us. 

    Near the end of his last term in office, knowing that the industry had to change, Gov. Hunt called for a 10-year lagoon conversion plan. That was nearly 20 years ago. Since then, not only has no conversion taken place, the conversion process hasn’t even started! As 34 impartial Eastern North Carolina jurors have now unanimously agreed, Smithfield’s “kick the can” strategy must end.

    I welcome a healthy, civil debate. 

  • 04 Karl merrittI find it more and more difficult to be hopeful regarding the future of America, this country that I love. Despite so many positive indicators, such as low unemployment, high consumer confidence, a booming economy and stock market, a greatly diminished nuclear threat from North Korea, a stand against other countries exploiting us in trade, and the list goes on, there are those among us who seem determined to drive the country toward collapse. Alarmingly, they seem to be making progress.

    The situation described above is more than sufficient to challenge my ongoing quest for hope. However, added to this is my deep sadness and concern as I watch the dismantling of what was once a strong, close-knit, self-sufficient black population in America. That condition has become a treasured memory from many years ago. Even more distressing and hope-defeating is how we have come to this extremely low point against the backdrop of a proud history of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

    The prevailing mode of operation from the black community has become one of calling on others to fix all that adversely affects us, and when that is not done, the claim is racism coupled with the constant contention that we are being denied the financial and other support to which we are entitled. I say “prevailing” because there are some of us who do not adhere to this mode of operation.

    What should be viewed as frightening is how we transitioned from that strong, close-knit, self-sufficient community to the mode of operation reflected in the preceding paragraph. It was the result of thought manipulation. There has been an ongoing effort by many in this country to convince black Americans that we are victims of white America – of the wealthy – and that racism lurks around every corner. If one accepts that argument, it opens them to processing every decision in the framework of those beliefs. Doing so opens one up to having their thoughts controlled by anyone who understands how to present issues and make promises in a manner that is acceptable to, and supportive of, that way of thinking. In summary, a particular mindset is formed in people by others who then manipulate thought by sending messages that drive people to actions that benefit the controllers of thought. 

    This manipulative process is rampant across America. A recent case-in-point is how the Florida governor’s race started. The candidates are Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis. Gillum is black and a Democrat, while DeSantis is white and a Republican. Gillum’s website states he “would focus on making college debt free and encouraging businesses to share responsibility for educating the workforce they want to hire.” He also supports Medicare for all and contends that access to healthcare is a right. He calls for a $15-per-hour minimum wage and wants to raise Florida’s corporate tax rate to pay for his state-level initiatives. 

    Some refer to Gillum as a socialist. Others rebut that label by saying he does not fit the precise definition. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines socialism as “any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.” At present, Gillum’s aims might not fit the pure definition of socialism, but they do have undertones of it. That is, he is pursuing greater governmental administration of critical economic elements, such as healthcare and funding of college education. 

    With that bit of context in place, consider the following segments from an article by Brendan Farrington of The Associated Press, titled “Florida governor’s race turns ugly in aftermath of primary.”

    “Racism immediately became an issue in the Florida governor’s race Wednesday as both nominees made predictions: The Democrat said voters aren’t looking for a misogynist, racist or bigot, while the Republican said voters shouldn’t ‘monkey this up’ by choosing his African-American opponent.

    “Meanwhile, on Fox News, DeSantis called Gillum an ‘articulate’ candidate, but said ‘the last thing we need to do is to monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting this state. That is not going to work. It’s not going to be good for Florida.’

    “Democrats immediately decried DeSantis’ comment as racist.

    “’That was more than a dog-whistle,’” said U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, a West Palm Beach Democrat. ‘That was absolutely a racist, disgusting statement. I don’t think there’s any other way to interpret it.’”

    Note that in the first segment, Farrington did not quote “by choosing his African-American opponent.” Those are the words of the writer. The second segment reflects exactly what DeSantis said and includes nothing regarding Gillum’s race. What is reflected in Farrington’s article is a prime example of the mode of operation for manipulating black thought, which was explained earlier. There is the conditioning to have one’s thoughts and decisions driven by racial considerations. With that piece in place, messages such as the one presented above are regularly deposited in this fertile soil.

    As I have watched this process prove successful across the years, my hope for a rebound to independent thinking on the part of so many people caught in this cycle has constantly declined. 

    Then came the eulogy that Rev. Jasper Williams Jr., senior pastor of Salem Bible Church in Atlanta, Georgia, recently did for Aretha Franklin, one of the great singing voices of any era. Rev. Williams addressed some issues and made statements that I knew would bring volleys of negative responses. Consider these segments from an Associated Press article titled “Old-school eulogy at Aretha Franklin funeral ignites wrath.”

    “He also blamed integration and the civil rights movement for ripping the heart out of black micro-economies that once relied on black-owned small businesses such as grocery stores, hotels and banks.

    “As for black women, he preached that ‘as proud, beautiful and fine as our black women are, one thing a black woman cannot do, a black woman cannot raise a black boy to be a man.’

    “Williams described as ‘abortion after birth’ the idea of children being raised without a ‘provider’ father and a mother as the ‘nurturer.’

    “He negated the Black Lives Matter movement altogether in light of black-on-black crime, falling back on a rhyming pattern of yore: ‘It amazes me how it is when the police kills one of us we’re ready to protest, march, destroy innocent property,’ Williams began. ‘We’re ready to loot, steal whatever we want, but when we kill 100 of us, nobody says anything, nobody does anything. Black-on-black crime, we’re all doing time, we’re locked up in our mind, there’s got to be a better way, we must stop this today.’”

    Initially, I was seeing, on social media and in various articles, overwhelming condemnation of Williams’ eulogy. The comments said he demonstrated misogyny, bigotry, lack of proper consideration for the occasion and broke Franklin’s trust. This list could go on. Sprinkled in with all the opposing views were many (far more than I would have expected) comments in support of the pastor. I even saw supportive Facebook posts from black individuals who, given their social and political stance, I never would have expected them to see Williams’ comments as necessary or true. 

    Mary J. wrote the following in response to a blog post by Jacqueline J. Holness titled “Seven Reasons Why I Approve of The Rev. Jasper Williams Jr.’s Eulogy at Aretha Franklin’s Funeral.”

    “It’s never a right time to speak words that the masses don’t want to hear. But based on history shared with me by my black family, our churches were once the first place you heard truth whether you liked it or not. Change rarely grows out of comfort and status quo. You must shake things up and dare I say, Pastor Williams really caused quite a stir.”

    Maybe, just maybe, there is hope.

    Photo: Aretha Franklin

  • 03 margaretAs I write this, Hurricane Florence is inching across North Carolina with the speed of oozing hair gel, as a much-diminished Category 1 storm. The extent of her damage remains unclear, perhaps even yet undone, but it is evident that parts of North Carolina are taking serious hits. As is always the case with hurricanes, coastal residents and property owners watch the storms with resignation, knowing they are on borrowed time.

    Hurricane Hazel in 1954 continues to be the benchmark hurricane for Baby Boomers. For millennials, the benchmark is Hurricane Fran in 1996. They are in the pantheon of epic storms, including Andrew, a Cat 5 storm that set Florida on its heels. One friend who survived it still describes her life as BA (before Andrew) and AA (after Andrew).  

    In 2005, Katrina, another Cat 5, decimated the Gulf Coast, displaced thousands and overwhelmed organizations trying to help. 

    The deadliest hurricane in American history predates naming and categorizing and is simply called the Great Storm of 1900, probably as what we would now term a Cat 4. It struck Galveston, Texas, without warning and is believed to have taken between 6,000 and 12,000 lives, the greatest natural disaster in our nation’s history. As significant as hurricanes can be, technology now allows us to know what is coming and to prepare, an advantage the people of Galveston and countless other places facing natural disasters did not have.

    North Carolinians love our hurricane stories, some of which include hurricane parties. The morning after Fran passed through Fayetteville, the Dicksons and every other family on our one-block Haymount street were out in our yards surveying the damage, which was abundant. More than half of the 15 houses on our block had trees through their roofs, and one house had two – one from the front yard and one from the back – crashing into the vacant bed of a school-age child. TV crews filmed that house so often that we neighbors were convinced they were trying to hire the property owner. Parents were frantically trying to keep children away from downed but still live power lines spanning the narrow street. 

    Our neighborhood was without power for six long days in sweltering humidity, but we were luckier than many on that score. I remember turning onto our street on the sixth day and meeting a Florida utility truck whose crew had just restored our power. Thrilled beyond measure, I blew kisses to those kind men in full daylight in front of God and country. 

    Fran took the lives of 24 North Carolinians and caused more than $11 billion in damages to homes, businesses, infrastructure, crops and timber. She covered two-thirds of our state with winds and rain and cut new inlets along the coast. She reminded hurricane veterans and newcomers alike that when Mother Nature goes on a tear, there is not much to do but hunker down as safely as possible and watch with our fingers crossed. 

    In the 22 years since Fran struck, other hurricanes, including the recently departed Florence, have come and gone. No one knows what the rest of hurricane season 2018 will bring, but keep this in mind – in 1996, North Carolina’s population was 7.5 million people. Today, we are the 10th largest state with almost 10.4 million residents, many of whom have never experienced a hurricane at all, much less a Fran or more. North Carolina has not been hit with a Cat 3 or higher since Fran, which does not mean a three, four or five will arrive this season. It does mean that, statistically, North Carolina has been riding a long lucky streak.

    The odds of that streak lasting indefinitely are slim to none.

  • 02 pub penEditor’s note: Publisher Bill Bowman and the staff at Up & Coming Weekly look forward to celebrating our Best of  Fayetteville winners every year. The excitement, the party and the memories we make each year are an integral part of our company’s identity. Hurricane Florence has other plans for us this year, though. We are still celebrating the Best of Fayetteville winners, but the party is off. And we are devastated – for the community and the destruction Florence has wrought. Below is the text from a press release announcing Bill’s decision to cancel this year’s Best of Fayetteville party as the community turns to rebuilding and recovering.

    For 21 years, Up & Coming Weekly has celebrated the very best in this community with a reader survey followed by a Best of Fayetteville celebration. This year’s celebration was scheduled for Tuesday, Sept.18. Due to flooding and other damage by Hurricane Florence, the party has been canceled indefinitely. 

    “We are devastated and heartbroken over the catastrophe facing our community and our neighboring counties,” said Up & Coming Weekly Publisher Bill Bowman. “However, we are a resilient and caring community. Hugo, Fran, Matthew and now Florence  were all unwelcome guests that came and went, leaving paths of destruction in their wake and changing our lives forever by testing our mettle and strengthening our resolves. It is unfortunate that we face these challenges at a time when we are celebrating and congratulating our Best of Fayetteville winners. Now, it’s time to focus entirely on putting families and lives back together and rebuilding our homes and businesses.” 

    The Best of Fayetteville readership and community survey is sponsored by Up & Coming Weekly, the Greater Fayetteville Chamber and the Better Business Bureau. It is a comprehensive and rigorous process where local residents write in votes for their favorite people, businesses and organizations. Thousands of readers cast their vote each year. Once the ballots are counted and validated, the winners are announced and honored at a free celebration hosted by the sponsors. 

    The Best of Fayetteville winners also receive feature write-ups in the Best of Fayetteville edition of Up & Coming Weekly. This is the largest and most-read edition of the year and is used year-round to introduce newcomers to the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community. This edition also remains online all year at www.upandcomingweekly.com. All winners have hyperlinks back to their websites.

    “Winning Best of Fayetteville is a really big deal,” said Best of Fayetteville Program Manager Don Garner. “The winners deserve to be recognized, and we will be contacting each winner in the coming weeks to make sure they are properly congratulated.”

    Up & Coming Weekly is much more than aweekly community newspaper. Since its creation in 1996, its mission and focus has been to accentuate and illuminate the quality of life enjoyed here in Fayetteville, Fort Bragg and Cumberland County.

  • 05 to the editorAs law enforcement officers were order to stand-down, outside criminal radicals draped the monument with curtains. Over the course of 1 1/2 hours, criminals when to work on the statue with a blow torch and tools to detach it from its pedestal. With the monument covered and no law enforcement effort to stop the radicals, a tow rope was attached and the monument was toppled from its pedestal. The next day, Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue emailed his officers and thanked them for their efforts.

    So far, UNC-Chapel Hill has NOT produced emails and text messages from UNC Campus Law Enforcement and the Administration. All media requests for information MUST be honored under North Carolina’s Open Records Law WITHOUT delay. More to come! We will not rest until justice is served. All who committed these acts of violence and property destruction or were complicit in the illegal activities WILL be held accountable. The monument will be reinstalled within 90 days from the date it was toppled under North Carolina General Statue Section 100-2.1).

    View the August 20th play-by-play documentation of the toppling of the Boy Soldier Monument on, as UNC Campus and Chapel Hill Police do nothing: https://youtu.be/4azmlIsLxJs

    – Thom Goolsby

    Editor’s note: The following two submissions are in reference to Up & Coming Weeky’s Aug. 28, 2018, Publisher’s Pen.

    Bill,

     I have to agree that everyone should pay an increase in the food and beverage tax, be it either one percent or preferably a quarter of a cent, which our mayor recommends.  I am tired of property owners always having to have to pay, and pay more. This always hurts seniors more and more who have paid for their homes and then property taxes go up.

    Thank you.

    – Barbara Braig Ward

    Mr. Bowman 

    Kudos for allowing Mr. Talbot to use your space for this excellent article.

    (It) shows a lot of class to allow citizens (however learned) to share insight into the workings of the government using this media. I thoroughly enjoyed the article and Mr. Talbot’s comments were spot on. 

    He was expressing changes that a lot of citizens in this county have been discussing and would like to see implemented.

    – Tim Cannon

    Editor’s note: The following submission is in reference to Up & Coming Weeky’s Aug. 22, 2018, Publisher’s Pen.

    Good article, Bill.

    I agree with you on the NFL. Being from the Pacific Northwest, I was a big Seahawk fan since its inception in the mid ’70s.  No more. Didn’t watch one NFL game last year and don’t intend to start again. I record a good college game on Saturday and watch it Sunday afternoon.

    I now see what goes on at the Purple Heart Dinner. Sorry I missed that. Maybe see you at the next one. I have a Purple Heart from an exciting incident on June 8th 1969 when I was part of the Scout Platoon in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam. 

    See you next year. 

    – Mike Brown

  • 04 Pitt dickeyToday’s blot on world literature will take another walk down memory lane. We shall visit our old friends Antony and Cleopatra in their dust-up with Octavian at the naval battle of Actium, which occurred in September 31 B.C. 

    Replenish your caffeine level by popping a handful of No-Doze, eating a giant Hershey chocolate bar and drinking a huge cup of Bojangles’s coffee to stay awake while having some Roman history tossed in your direction. Our old philosopher buddy George Santayana once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” Another of our buddies, Bluto in “Animal House,” started a food fight with the evil Omegas listening to Sam Cooke’s song “Wonderful World,” which included the lines “Don’t know much about history/ Don’t know much biology/ Don’t know much about the French I took.” 

    I am unsure if Santayana’s warning and Bluto’s imitation of a pimple means that if you don’t recall the Battle of Actium that you, gentle reader, are doomed to be defeated by a Roman Emperor in a naval battle or to be chased around a college dining hall by a bunch of evil preppies. But why take a chance? You have already read most of the first few paragraphs. You are invested now in avoiding becoming a galley slave of a Roman Emperor or an Omega pledge. You might as well finish the rest of this column.

    Once upon a time, Julius Caesar had a funny thing happen to him on the way to the forum. After being ventilated by a number of sharp objects held by some Roman senators, Julius expired, leaving a vacuum at the top of Rome. Three would-be emperors took over, Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus. 

    The plan was to divide up the Roman Empire with each taking a slice to rule. This did not work out so well, as the boys had not learned to share in kindergarten. Mark Anthony got the section of the empire that included Egypt, which was ruled by Cleopatra. Cleo was a major babe and political strategist in her own right. She had beguiled Julius Caesar, providing him with a son named Caesarion, which meant in Latin, “You are going to be a target for any other Roman leader.” 

    Mark sent word to Cleo to come see him because he thought she was helping his enemies. Cleo got herself gussied up and came down the Nile in the Royal Yacht dressed as Venus, the goddess of love. Mark was so smitten by Cleo’s false eyelashes that he became a fool for love. He hooked up with her and began making whoopee. 

    Word in Rome was that the other two Emperors were not happy with this turn of events. 

    After a winter of content with Cleo, Mark left Egypt and went back to Rome. In an effort to show he was a team player, Mark married Octavian’s sister, Octavia. Alas, the marriage to Octavia could not last. Mark had left his heart in Alexandria. Mark took Route 66 back to Egypt to hang with Cleo. In his absence, Cleo had produced a life insurance policy in the form of twins for whom Mark was the Baby Daddy. 

    Octavian was not amused at this affront to his sister. He declared war on Cleo and Mark. Near Actium, off the coast of Greece, Octavian’s, Cleo’s and Mark’s navies lined up for the Naval Rassle Mania Battle of the millennium. 

    After a mighty ruckus, Octavian’s fleet whupped Cleo’s and Mark’s navy. Recognizing that the battle was lost, Cleo and Mark skedaddled back to Egypt – where, like today’s politicians, they blamed others for their loss. 

    Octavian eventually had a final land battle with Mark, defeating him once again. After Cleo heard about this loss, she went to the mattresses in the tomb she had built for herself. Mark received fake news that Cleo had killed herself. Distraught, he fell upon his sword, mortally wounded but alive enough to learn from a second messenger that reports of Cleo’s death had been greatly exaggerated and she still lived. Mark managed to get to Cleo before he died. He asked her to try to make peace with Octavian. 

    Cleo dolled herself up, intending to seduce Octavian as she had done with Julius Caesar and Mark, but Octavian was having none of it. 

    Scorned by Octavian, Cleo clutched an asp to her bosom and expired rather than become a high-profile prisoner. Like a mafia Don, Octavian cleaned up the rest of the family by having Cleo’s son Caesarion terminated with extreme prejudice. Egypt then became part of the Roman Empire. Octavian changed his name to Caesar Augustus, renamed the eighth month August, and ruled Rome for the next 41 years. 

    So, what have we learned today? Bluto didn’t like the Omegas any more than Octavian liked Mark Antony. If warned to beware the Ides of March by a soothsayer, you better beware. Cleopatra may have been the first woman to have been a victim of #MeToo. Marrying and then dumping the sister of a Roman Emperor may not turn out as well as you hope. The grass on the other side of the pyramid is not always greener. Roman emperors played for keeps. Or finally, as Jim Morrison once said: “Nobody gets out of here alive.”

  • 03 margaretA decade ago, the United States experienced a financial “correction” that eventually turned into the Great Recession. It affected not only our own economy but rippled across many of the world’s other developed economies. Economists continue to argue about its causes, one of which was surely the unbridled bundling and selling of mortgages destined for default, and its effects, among them getting the millennial generation off to a delayed and perhaps crippled start.

    Ten years later, our economy has recovered – some would even say boomed. Psychological scars remain, however personal and private they may be, but publicly, our economy is on a roll.

    What we need now is a political correction. 

    American politics have always been rough and tumble, not for shrinking violets or the faint of heart. The last decade, though, has brought partisan division unlike any in our history. Talking heads chat endlessly about the very real decline in civility among leaders at all levels of government. What we hear about less often are changes in the unspoken rules of government through which one branch respects and honors the work and responsibilities of other branches.    

    Americans have just witnessed the confirmation hearings of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brent Kavanaugh, a political spectacle if ever there was one. U.S. senators chewed each other out on live television – perhaps because of live television – and protestors shouted opposition as they were dragged out of the hearing room. Grandstanding was the name of the game.

    Compare that to the confirmation hearings of Antonin Scalia, nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 and widely regarded as among the most conservative justices ever to sit on our nation’s highest court. He was confirmed by a vote of 98-0, meaning that he was supported by both Republicans and Democrats because the U.S. Senate has historically abided by the Constitutional advise and consent authority given to presidents to appoint Supreme Court justices. Until now.

    In their recent book, “How Democracies Die,” Harvard political scientists Steven Levisky and Daniel Ziblatt examine failed democracies in Europe in the 1920s and ’30s and in South America in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. They identify common threads in populist leaders who took their nations away from the balance of powers that mark democracies into autocracies, even dictatorships. In some countries, the shift was obvious, sometimes violent. In others, it was more of a slow, lazy slide that many people did not see until it slapped them in the face.

    The authors refer to governmental customs and traditions within and between various branches as “guardrails,” safety features not enshrined in constitutions or in law, but very real and accepted practices that keep democratic governments operating. In the U.S., the authors assert, many factors, including presidential primary system changes in both parties in the 1970s, changing demographics that make some Americans feel like our country is leaving them behind, and highly partisan hardball politics are weakening our guardrails. As for our own state, the authors say North Carolina is now without guardrails at all – a state hijacked by intense partisanship – and much the worse for it.

    The pendulum has always swung back and forth in American politics. When it goes too far in one direction – left or right, it reverses itself and heads toward center. It is now time for a political correction, just as it was time for an economic correction a decade ago. 

    Many talking heads agree that correction could and should come in less than two months in the November elections. The midterms are an opportunity to say “enough” to intense and corrosive hardball partisan politics, to divisive policies and rhetoric, to incivility, and to begin repairing the guardrails that have been our safety net for more than two centuries. 

    Let the healing begin.

  • 02 no fake newsThere seems to be a lot of attention given to fake news lately. In our neck of the woods, Methodist University conducted a panel to discuss it, The Fayetteville Observer is writing about it, and Jeff Goldberg (Goldy), the host of WFNC 640 AM’s morning show, recently criticized our newspaper for creating fake news about local events. Most recently, the best article about fake news was written by The Fayetteville Observer’s Sandspur stringer Lisa Carter Waring of Hope Mills. It was well-written and insightful, considering her involvement in Hope Mills issues – specifically, the ongoing controversy involving the Lone Survivor Foundation, which is trying to locate a $1.5 million military veterans retreat center in Hope Mills. 

    Waring’s article “Fake news isn’t anything new,” which ran Sept. 4, reads like a hybrid of an admission and a self-indictment of her own campaign conspiring with Hope Mills Commissioners Mike Mitchell and Meg Larson. The three of them have disseminated inaccurate and misguided information, seemingly for the sole purpose of undermining the progress and achievements of Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner and any project, person or organization aligned with Warner – including this newspaper. Equally egregious is that Waring, Mitchell and Larson found another willing partner to pile on the Warner smear campaign in Goldy. Waring is using her trusted position with The Fayetteville Observer, along with her private and selectively restricted Facebook group, Hope Mills Chatter, to perpetrate her own fake news. And she’s doing it under the guise of being a concerned Hope Mills resident looking out for the town’s best interests. 

    What we have been concerned with here at Up & Coming Weekly is the fact that such influential people like Waring, Goldberg, Mitchell and Larson intentionally dismiss the truth and ignore the facts to accommodate and enhance personal agendas. This is unethical in regard to trustworthiness in media, and, for the commissioners, at least, it disregards the sworn oath and obligations of elected Hope Mills officials. It reflects poorly on the integrity and character of each person involved. 

    Here are the facts.

    1. Goldy spent 20 minutes interviewing Mitchell and Larson Aug. 23 about the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners’ rejection of and objections to LSF’s request to purchase property on Lake bed #2 in Hope Mills.

    2. Elizabeth Blevins of Up & Coming Weekly and Hopemills.net provided portions of that radio interview transcript along with a link to the entire interview in the Sept. 5 edition of Up & Coming Weekly, where she rebutted specific points with documented proof – all of which is a matter of record.

    3. Aug. 28, Warner was interviewed on the same radio show, by the same person. Warner did an excellent job explaining the LSF’s mission and objectives as well as her position on the matter. She did this gracefully and professionally while refuting her detractor’s allegations that “the fix was in” and that proper protocols were not followed.

    4. Up & Coming Weeklydispels fake news. In all cases, our name, titles, credentials and photos are on every article we pen. We own our content and are responsible for it. In addition, we return all our calls and respond to texts and emails. More importantly, concerning the Hope Mills controversy, both Blevins and I included in our articles a direct challenge and open invitation to all the parties involved that if they found anything in our articles that was misrepresented, inaccurate or not factual, we would get it corrected immediately.

    5. The challenge went unanswered. We have not heard from anyone. No public rebuttal, no phone calls, no emails or text messages. Why? Because Larson and Mitchell have found themselves in indefensible positions when it comes to providing facts and being truthful. 

    Here’s the takeaway: Goldy will not have me on his show because he knows I have command of the Hope Mills situation and I will speak from a base of absolute facts as I know them, as Blevins has documented them, and as Warner has articulated them on Goldy’s own radio show. 

    Mitchell and Larson will continue undermining the mayor’s efforts. They want to obstruct Warner’s effectiveness and impede her progress while trying to damage her credibility in the process. They will resist contributing to or participating in anything constructive, even if it benefits the town of Hope Mills and its residents, if they feel such actions will reflect positively on the mayor, or worse, further endear her to the Hope Mills community. 

    Waring, who writes for The Fayetteville Observer and commands her private Chatter Facebook group, will continue to struggle with her own credibility issues. 

    Here is what we know for sure: All these people have issues, and they all have access to media. This doesn’t mean that everything (or anything) they say, write or post on social media is accurate. However, everything you read in Up & Coming Weeklycan be substantiated. And, in response to Goldy’s allegation that I only print one side of an issue, the policy at U& Coming Weekly for 23 years has been that we will provide the space for anyone to respond to or opine on any subject or topic discussed in our publication. Up & Coming Weekly welcomes and supports the sharing of all viewpoints. 

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly!

  • Dear Editor,

    I’m sick and tired of how our government in Washington, D.C., as well as many of our state and local governments spend our tax dollars. I’m so angry I just don’t know where to start, but here I go.

    Health care costs over $3 trillion a year here in the United States, and $1 trillion of that is fraud. And you wonder why we pay so much for health care? That in itself would pay our current budget deficit.

    According to David Hyman M.D., J.D., and Charles Silver, M.A., J.D., both adjunct scholars at the Cato Institute, one out of every three dollars that passes through the system is lost to fraud, wasted on services that don’t help patients or are otherwise misspent.And to make matters worse, the American Medical Association, one of the biggest unions in the country, and organized by physicians, is setting the prices we pay for every Medicare procedure done in this country. Is that not the fox guarding the hen house? To make matters worse, all the health care insurers base their prices off Medicare billing.

    I used to know a local surgeon in town who would intentionally take the hardest cases; using old-school techniques, he would literally do as many procedures as he possibly could – simply to beef up his billing. I remember the anesthesiologist(s) used to hate to work with him because they get compensated not for the length of the procedure but for the procedure itself. He was eventually run out of town, and in my opinion, should have never been able to practice medicine again. This is simply one story of many. It’s time we cleaned up the fraud and waste in our health care system.

    Welfare and Medicaid cost taxpayers 50 percent more due to fraud. A few years back, I shared a scenario where an unmarried couple with two children could qualify for $50,000 a year in welfare benefits. Please tell me what incentive this couple has to be gainfully employed. You got it, there is none! The average family of four in the United States earns approximately $52,000 a year. Hell, you can stay at home and earn $50,000. Isn’t it about time we reformed our welfare program to mandate work or a job skill program?

    There is an entire subculture in this country doing nothing but gaming the system to get free government handouts. For example, a nurse from a maternity ward once told me she was bringing a newborn to see her mother, sitting across the room was the grandmother who said to the nurse she (the new mother) is the breadwinner of the family. You see she has the baby then gives the baby up to another relative, and that relative receives $500+ a month for taking care of the child. This is not an isolated situation. This nurse tells me she sees this every single day.

    I am sick and tired of people who can work just as good as you and I claiming and receiving disability. Now don’t get me wrong, we should take care of someone who is truly disabled. How many times have you gone to the grocery store to see somebody occupy a handicapped parking space, get out of the car, and physically run into the store? Man, that ticks me off!

    Through the Karen Chandler Trust, I have worked with cancer patients for the last 20 years. Are some of these patients deserving of long-term disability? Absolutely! For the most part, they need assistance for the period they are being treated for cancer. Chemo takes a tremendous toll on one’s ability to function. To my knowledge, through the SSI program, there are no short-term benefits.

    Here again people are simply gaming the system costing taxpayers billions of dollars.

    Today, some congressmen are actually considering a guaranteed minimum income for all Americans. Really! Where do you think that money is going to come from?

    Then of course we have our favorite whipping boy 

    of the year, (immigration). We take in illegal immigrants, and in many cases, we clothe, we feed, we educate and we take care of their health care needs – and we have been doing this for many years because Congress cannot pass immigration reform.

    Let’s say someone from off the street came into your home, sat down on your couch, refused to leave and mandated you feed and clothe them. What would you do?

    To add some irony to this, let’s look at the great city of Seattle, Washington. It appears they have been inundated with a fast-growing population of homeless folks. In fact, many of the cities all along the West Coast are experiencing this problem. San Francisco, California, may very well be the granddaddy of them all. Did you know because of the cost associated with the homeless the mayor and the city council are considering giving them one-way plane fare to anywhere they want to go. All the cities I refer to, coincidentally, are openly declared as sanctuary cities and are welcoming illegal immigrants with open arms. Furthermore, they are aiding and abetting felons and hindering the pursuit by federal agents. In fact, they want to completely dismantle Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

    I got up this morning and the first thing I hear is Congresswoman Waters telling the world she was sent by God to get rid of President Trump. The second story that I hear, California is considering making the delivery of a plastic straws by a waiter to a patron as a class B misdemeanor, punishable by six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. In the state of California, that is the same penalty you would receive for assault and battery or a prostitution conviction.

    Finally, because of the way he handled a press conference in Helsinki, Finland, with President Putin from Russia, it is declared that Trump is guilty of treason – a felony that carries that the death penalty as his punishment.

    Folks, this world has gone mad, and our country is leading the way. Do we need to drain the swamp? You’re damn right we do! And it’s time that we as Americans stood up to take our country back. Someone told me a long time ago to lead, follow or get the hell out of the way. If we don’t lead, we deserve what we get. It’s time we showed some common sense and fairness in how we govern. I’m not saying don’t be compassionate and helpful for those in need; I’m saying have no patience for those perfectly able to be productive citizens who steal from the hard-working tax paying citizens of this country.

    Break up the monopoly in health care, and jail all of those fraudulently billing Medicare and Medicaid. Fix the welfare and disability system so it lends a helping hand to those truly in need and force those gamers to get a damn job. And for crying out loud, do something about immigration.

    To all you lowlifes in Washington, i.e., congress, I say it again, lead, follow or get out of the way. Apparently, leading and following are not in your job description. Therefore, get out of the way.

    My name is Mike Chandler, and I am mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore.

    – Mike Chandler

     

    Dear Editor,

    I agree 100 percent with Margaret in her op/ed piece, Acosta Accosted, that:

    “... We do not have to like the information reported, but it is critical that we love, respect, and support information and opinion in all their diverse forms.”However, she left one thing out; ACCURATELY:

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/trump-says-only-the-fake-news-are-the-enemy-of-the-people/. Fake news strikes again!

    – Randy Scott

     

    Dear Editor,

    I read with disdain the article by Margaret Dickson in the most recent Up & Coming Weekly (June 27).

    Her liberal bias is in full bloom to defend the previous POTUS’ First Ladies complaining about the “ILLEGAL” immigrants and their children. These are tough issues indeed but trying to push this agenda on our present POTUS is hogwash! He inherited their mess to start with and they were not strong enough to make those hard decisions.

    Donald Trump is trying to straighten out the mess both of these ladies’ husband’s were not able to do and he has had to make some hard choices in doing so. 

    (It) seems like every media source has an issue with standing up for our president and takes the popular path, which is to downplay and criticize instead of standing for the American citizen when it comes to the immigrant invasion.

    – Tim Cannon

     

    Dear Editor,

    After reading your comment referring to the clowns of the NFL, I am a 22 year retired Veteran who happens to be black, I served so that Americans would have the right to legally protest their grievances. Just because you and other Americans think differently does not make it wrong. Let me bring to your attention that you being white, you will never understand, and for the most part the “Star Spangled Banner” was never written for African-Americans in the first place. It was written by a slave owner lawyer who spent his career fighting against the rights of African-Americans; nor was the Declaration of Independence or many of the other Bill of Rights. We just happen to be caught up in the middle of what white America thought and still thinks we should be. Yes, possibly the players could have used another venue to protest – although as usual no one pays any attention.

    The mere fact that the players are using a venue that cannot be ignored is, in my opinion, outstanding because in spite of your feelings, the NFL and owners will not miss a nights sleep and any other financial lost (sic) will be made up somewhere else. The NFL will not go under because a few Americans disagree I can assure you. Professional sports have much more impact in this country than to be affected by a few disagreeable Americans.

    Furthermore, my belief is that the only reason our president is making such a big deal about NFL players in protest at all is because the NFL refused to allow him to be a NFL team owner.

    – Robert Johnson

     

    Hey Bill, 

    Loved your article about the NFL bozos and the true American heroes honored at the Purple Heart dinner. Don’t slow down and don’t quiet down brother! Hopefully the silent majority is still the majority! God bless America.

    – Andy Anderson

     

  • 05 silent samHe is like the houseguest who stays too long, and then when he’s finally gone, you miss him a little bit.

    I am talking about Silent Sam, the Confederate memorial statue whose 100-plus-year presence on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ended recently. 

    On the Monday night before the opening day of classes, a large crowd gathered to continue the ongoing protest of the statue’s prominent presence on the campus. Police were there to keep order, and, as they have done for months, protect the statue from damage. But before the evening was over, Silent Sam had been pulled to the ground, and campus officials had removed his remains to an undisclosed location.

    For the protestors and many students and faculty, the statue represented the glorification of the slave-based society that Confederate soldiers fought to defend and the white supremacy culture that prevailed when the statue was erected in 1913.

    Others throughout the state argued that the memorial to the fallen soldiers was simply that, a respectful tribute and reminder of the glory and the horror of brave people who gave their lives in wartime conflict.

    Writing for the Raleigh News & Observer the day after Silent Sam came down, retired editor and Pulitzer Prize winner, Ed Yoder, explained his attachment to the memory of his great-grandfather, who died in battle in 1864, “has little to do with racial pride (or)... accord with the Confederate cause as it would have been understood... For a remote descendant the satisfaction... lies in a sense of rootedness... a continuity with the history of a nation so largely shaped by conflict.”

    For Yoder, Silent Sam was “a remembrance of duty and self-sacrifice that I have known as an unoffending visual companion since boyhood. Perhaps that is why its mob destruction is like the severing of a limb. And it hurts.”

    On the other hand, an Aug. 23 editorial in the WilmingtonStar News set forth the following: “African-American students at UNC, which refused to admit black undergraduates until a federal court intervened in 1955, should not be greeted at the campus doorsteps by a prominent symbol glorifying the cause of white supremacy. While some people want to brush off the power of the statue’s symbolism, our nation’s ugly history on race doesn’t provide such a luxury.”

    The statue has been for many students and faculty a part of a hostile campus atmosphere and something they believed should have been removed long ago. University officials, however, declined to act, asserting that state law prohibited the removal or relocation of the monument.

    A few days before Silent Sam came down, Hampton Dellinger, an attorney for the Black Law Students Association, a faculty member, and several other students wrote to UNC officials demanding Silent Sam’s removal, threatening a lawsuit and asserting that the memorial fostered a racially hostile environment, which would be a violation of federal civil rights laws. 

    Dellinger contended, “Because of UNC’s overriding obligation to comply with federal anti-discrimination laws, UNC is not only free to remove Silent Sam in order to adhere to federal law, it is legally obligated to do so.”

    No doubt Dellinger will use these arguments in the coming debate about whether to reinstall the monument.

    I admit that I miss him. He was part of the familiar and comfortable campus landscape. Like Ed Yoder, I do not believe that my affection for and pride in Southern culture is racist.

    But the better part of Southern culture is concern for the comfort and well-being of our neighbors. If Silent Sam projected racism to them, it is better that he does not come back.

  • 04 Ben Carson official portraitI have finally reached the point that nothing, no matter how senseless, surprises me. Consequently, the content of an article by Juliet Linderman titled “In the city that claims him, Ben Carson falls from grace,” was no exception. Baltimore, Maryland, is the city where Dr. Ben Carson spent years as a renowned pediatric neurosurgeon. Rising to that level of professional achievement was quite an accomplishment. His achievement is even more amazing and instructive because he grew up poverty-stricken in a home headed by his single mother. 

    Now, as secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Trump administration, Carson is under attack by some citizens of Baltimore. The article referenced above clearly indicates that most, if not all, of the criticism is from black citizens of the city. 

    Carson’s support of the Make Affordable Housing Work Act, which requires congressional approval, embodies much of what underlies his fall from grace in Baltimore. The act is summarized as follows in an article by Juliet Linderman and Larry Finn titled “Analysis: HUD plan would raise rents for poor by 20 percent.” It states, “The ‘Make Affordable Housing Work Act,’ announced April 25, would allow housing authorities to impose work requirements, would increase the percentage of income poor tenants are required to pay from 30 percent to 35 percent, and would raise the minimum rent from $50 to $150 per month. The proposal would eliminate deductions, for medical care and child care, and for each child in a home. Currently, a household can deduct from its gross income $480 per child, significantly lowering rent for families.” Beyond Carson’s support of this legislation, his serving in the Trump administration is also a source of opposition. Linderman’s “Fall from grace” article referred to in the first paragraph includes the following: “The Trump virus is weakening Ben Carson’s image,” said Bishop Frank Reid, a former pastor at Baltimore’s Bethel AME Church who met Carson at Yale, where both received their bachelor’s degrees. Carson is still respected, Reid said. “But he is no longer the hero he once was.”

    Linderman reports several incidents and comments that reflect the depth of Ben Carson’s rejection by black citizens of Baltimore. Some appear below:

    • Alicia Freeman, principal of Archbishop Borders School, moved a portrait of Carson from a very public area of the school to the Ben Carson Reading Room – a far less visible space. Of the principal, Linderman writes: “‘The doctor’s inspirational message now feels hostile,’ she said.”
    • Boateng Kubi, a rising second-year student at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, is quoted: “‘It feels like he’s neglecting the communities he came from, the people who grew up admiring him, who might not have all the money in the world,’ he said. ‘I no longer speak of wanting to be the next Ben Carson.’”
    • “Shaun Verma, a Ben Carson Scholarship recipient from Georgia, says Carson’s use of his story of hard work and determination to justify scaling back the safety net for the same communities that raised and revered him ‘is really disappointing.’

     ”The writer goes on to detail other actions and attitudes among Baltimore’s blacks that show Carson’s fall from grace. It is stated that Carson declined to be interviewed for the story but sent a written statement that is presented in the article as follows: 

    “I understand what it means to be poor because I grew up poor,” the statement said. “I was fortunate to have my mother who was my compass – always steering me on course, helping me to see beyond our circumstances. That’s what I hope to do for the millions of low-income families HUD serves.”

    As I read and process Carson’s statement, my thought is that here is a black man who found his way through poverty, and any hindrances because of his blackness, to absolute greatness and success. Given this fact, the question to be asked by those in poverty, and those who claim to want to help them, should be: “How did Carson make it and what might we learn from his journey?” 

    Instead, the response is to attack and seek to punish him for, in attempting to move people out of poverty, supporting actions and policies that are consistent with what he learned along his journey from poverty to financial independence.

    Given that there is so much opposition to the Carson approach, the other reasonable question is what should we expect if we stay on the current course that is so totally supported by those who oppose Carson’s method? Even though the article by Kay S. Hymowitz titled “The Black Family: 40 Years of Lies” is from the summer of 2005, the segment below provides a crystal-clear framework for answering the expectation question:

    “Read through the megazillion words on class, income mobility, and poverty in the recent New York Times series ‘Class Matters’ and you still won’t grasp two of the most basic truths on the subject: 1. entrenched, multigenerational poverty is largely black; and 2. it is intricately intertwined with the collapse of the nuclear family in the inner city.

    “By now, these facts shouldn’t be hard to grasp. Almost 70 percent of black children are born to single mothers. Those mothers are far more likely than married mothers to be poor, even after a post-welfare-reform decline in child poverty. They are also more likely to pass that poverty on to their children. Sophisticates often try to dodge the implications of this bleak reality by shrugging that single motherhood is an inescapable fact of modern life, affecting everyone from the bobo Murphy Browns to the ghetto ‘baby mamas.’ Not so; it is a largely low-income – and disproportionately black – phenomenon. The vast majority of higher-income women wait to have their children until they are married. The truth is that we are now a two-family nation, separate and unequal – one thriving and intact, and the other struggling, broken, and far too often African-American.”

    A graph at https://www.statista.com/statistics/205114/percentage-of-poor-black-families-with-a-female-householder-in-the-us/ shows the following poverty rates for households headed by a single black female: 1991– 51.2 percent; 2000 – 34.3 percent; 2014 – 37.2 percent; 2016 – 31.6 percent. Looking back to 1991, as compared with recent years, there is impressive improvement. However, the more recent picture says we need a far more productive response to poverty than has been the case. 

    All Americans, not only those black citizens in Baltimore who oppose Carson, need to thoughtfully assess poverty in America and reasonably come to grips with causes and effective solutions. A step forward in that process would be to hear Carson with an open mind and appreciate him for what the lessons learned along his journey from poverty allow him to bring to the table.

    Photo: Dr. Ben Carson

  • 03 margaretEditor’s note: This column, aside from the first paragraph, originally ran in the April 6, 2011, issue of Up& Coming Weekly.  

    Nostalgia struck hard in August when I cleaned my yoga mats, recyclable shopping bags, various post office receipts and lost CDs out of Station Wagon No. 7 and kissed my trusty friend goodbye after more than 153,000 miles and many happy times together.  In her place is shiny new SW No. 8, and we are just beginning to get acquainted. Who knew cars now come with iPads in their dashboards? All of which made me remember the following homage I wrote to all the cars I’ve loved before when SW No. 7 arrived in 2011. I hope it brings back memories for you as well.

    Like any parent, I am excited by the arrival of my latest baby – Station Wagon No. 7!  

    I suspected she – all my wagons have been shes, except the last one, which was definitely a he – was coming when SW No. 6 was well into six-figure mileage and needed a set of large and expensive new tires. Instead of committing for another 50,000 miles or so, I left him forlornly on a car dealer’s lot and drove away in my new baby, sad about leaving behind what felt like a dear old friend but anxious to get to know my new one.  

    I know now that I will meet my maker as a station wagon owner for two simple reasons. I love being able to pop open the back door and toss in my belongings, and today’s popular SUVs are a bear to crawl in and out of if one is wearing a skirt. 

    The only real question is what number it will be.

    I have not always been a station wagon girl, though.

    I got my first car at 16, not so much because my parents were wildly generous as because my mother worked in the family business and needed me to drive my sister around. It was a used, lemon-yellow Corvair, the car Ralph Nader called “unsafe at any speed,” because it had the motor in the trunk and nothing in front but space. 

    I loved it! But I could not drive the darn thing. It had what was called “four on the floor” with a clutch so sensitive everyone who ever drove it leapt for several blocks. My long-suffering father tried to teach me to drive it, but he finally gave up in exasperation on a quiet Haymount street with these words: “Margaret, I love you, but I cannot stand it anymore. I am going to walk home and call your best friend to come get you.” 

    He did and she did. 

    She eventually taught me how to drive my Corvair during one long Sunday afternoon in a deserted parking lot.

    The next car, which lasted through college, was a giant lemon-yellow (again!) convertible, mercifully equipped with an automatic transmission. I loved this one, too, because I could cram in five or more friends, but it also had an issue. Sometimes it would not turn off, even when you took the keys out. The world must have been a safer place in those days because I often just got out and left it running. No one ever took it, but it did once run out of gas. 

    Post-college, I had a blue Cougar with a white vinyl roof. By this time, cars were less exciting and more functional, and this one was fine, although I did not love it. I particularly did not love it when it was stolen on a New York City street. New York’s finest assured me that it was “parts” within minutes of its departure, but they were wrong. It turned out to be one of the few stolen vehicles recovered that year and dirtier than any car I had ever seen. We picked it up from a Brooklyn impoundment lot, and within 24 hours, the motor went up in flames. 

    Needless, to say, I traded it as soon as I could. In succession came an Audi Fox (my first new car!), a Honda Civic and a diesel Rabbit. By that time, I was a mother, so enter SW No. 1, a diesel Oldsmobile, not representative of General Motors’ finest work. It was so loud, a friend once asked what was wrong with it. 

    Then came SW No. 2, an Army Corps of Engineers blue Chevrolet, huge but with no pickup. That car self-combusted in front of VanStory Hills Elementary School, a surefire way to make a spectacle of oneself.

    SW No. 3 was a white Oldsmobile bought at an auction, followed by my all-time favorite, a Buick Roadmaster that had fake wood paneling and was big enough to move Ringling Brothers. By that time, the Precious Jewels were acquainted with the concept of “cool,” which SW No. 4 definitely was not. I tried to convince them that it was really a Corvette since it had the same engine, but they were not buying that.  Apparently, everyone else thought they were uncool, too, since those wonderful cars are no longer made.  

    SW No. 5 and I had adventures too numerous to recount here, including a theft despite a legislative license plate, a concrete angel with a red bow around its neck shoved through the passenger window, and a final fiery meltdown and demise in rural Canada.

    The recently departed SW No. 6, my only boy, is memorable because I did not fit his demographic.  Observers expected the driver to be Mr. T – complete with gold chains – and were universally startled when the driver turned out to be a middle-aged woman in faux pearl earrings. 

    So, welcome, SW No. 7.  

    We are still getting to know each other, but I look forward to many happy miles together.

  • 02 pub penJackie WarnerOn Aug. 28, Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner was interviewed by Jeff Goldberg (Goldy), the morning radio host on WFNC 640AM. It was a follow up interview to Hope Mills Commissioners Meg Larson and Mike Mitchell’s discussion with Goldy on Aug. 23 about the status of the Lone Survivor Foundation’s attempt to build a $1.5 million facility in Hope Mills to treat veterans suffering from PSTD and other war related disorders. 

    In contrast to Larson and Mitchell’s stammering through their interview, interrupting one another and faltering midsentence, Warner came across as confident, articulate and knowledgeable about the Lone Survivor project. She was remarkably polite and diplomatic. She was the near perfect example of grace under fire. Even when she was prodded to the more salacious side of the issue, Warner maintained confident and credible control of the conversation.

    Commissioners Larson and Mitchell have pushed a biased and one-sided version of the LSF situation since mid-July, ignoring public sentiment and insisting that the land this nonprofit organization would like to purchase – or lease – from the town is not for sale, and that it’s needed for a future potential multipurpose reservoir. 

    Not true. 

    Warner effectively debunked these notions with facts and statistics. She also dismissed allegations of possible collusion and conflicts of interest that arose due to the fact that her son, Teddy Warner, is employed as the director of business development for the Fayetteville. Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. The FCEDC’s mission is to recruit businesses, organizations and institutions that contribute to the economic development of all cities and towns within Cumberland County, including Hope Mills. Warner reminded Goldy that as mayor, she doesn’t even have a vote in the matter and is in no way in a position to profit financially from the LSF partnership.  

    And, while some commissioners on the board were offended because they thought they were being kept in the dark about the LSF project, Warner reassured everyone that all proper local government protocols were followed. And, as the mayor of Hope Mills, Warner is the head of the board of commissioners and serves as the leading ambassador for the town. In this position of leadership, she is responsible for looking after the best interests of the town and all its residents. 

    Warner pointed out that inquiries of this nature are a typical occurrence.  Hope Mills is frequently approached by individuals, businesses and organizations wanting to partner with the town. All inquiries are properly vetted by the town manager and then channeled to the relevant person or department. Warner noted the necessity of developing strong partnerships with large-scale businesses, organizations and institutions when trying to successfully develop and grow a community. Referencing Hope Mills’ limited financial resources, she made the point that partnerships with organizations like the LSF allow Hope Mills to do considerably more with its assets than the town could afford to do otherwise. In this case, the LSF is offering to develop Hope Mills land for recreational use at the foundation’s own expense, then lease or sell the land back to Hope Mills should the town need it in the future – a $1.5 million win-win-win scenario, you would think. 

    While there is no logical downside to this partnership, there could be considerable long-term consequences for the town 

    if the board doesn’t yield to public sentiment and reconsider its position on the LSF proposal. Future economic development opportunities for the town would be difficult if not impossible to attract once the business development community learns that Hope Mills is illogically difficult to work with. After all, the LSF is a well-respected and well-funded organization that the FCEDC brought forth in good faith to the town of Hope Mills. It is an amazing opportunity for the town to serve the community, its residents, Fort Bragg and all the military veterans of Cumberland County and the nation.

    These are all factors that neither Commissioner Mitchell nor Larson have taken into consideration. It makes you wonder what their real motivation is for their objection to the LSF project. One thing is for sure, it does not concern any of the people mentioned above who stand to benefit from this project.

    Check out page 25 of this issue for a play-by-play rebuttal by Elizabeth Blevins of Goldy’s Aug. 23 interview with Commissioners Larson and Mitchell.

    Stay tuned, and thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly and HopeMills.net.

    Photo: Jackie Warner

  • 13 holley robinson debate“I don’t consider myself to be a Black leader. I consider myself to be a leader in N.C. who just happens to be black.”

    That’s how Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Mark Robinson introduced himself at a debate hosted by the N.C. Institute of Political Leadership and Spectrum News.

    The two candidates running to become North Carolina’s first African-American lieutenant governor have dramatically different views on race, law enforcement, education, economic policy and the role of government.

    The election pits Rep. Yvonne Lewis Holley, D-Wake, a liberal, against conservative gun-rights activist Robinson. Both stand to make history. Both are unapologetic about their views. Both highlight contrasting visions of race in America and what it means to be an American.

    If Robinson wins in November, he will become the first Black Republican elected to any major statewide office since the 1800s. He describes himself as a successful businessman who grew up as the ninth of 10 children in a poor family.

    Robinson says he doesn’t believe in systemic racism. For him, many problems afflicting Black communities result from lawlessness, and police are part of the solution. Defunding the police, he said, is “a ridiculous idea.”

    “Systemic racism is not the problem,” Robinson said. “We have far too many communities that are ruled by lawlessness. We need to take a good long look at that, stop putting the police under the microscope, and start putting the criminals under the microscope.”

    Holley disagreed.

    “We need to start protecting people, as opposed to policing them,” Holley said. “We have other ways we can do things that are less restrictive and less bullying than going in all the time with a gun and the only resource is to arrest and physically restrain and harm people.”

    But the two clashed at a more fundamental level. Holley sees a world riddled with “rampant” systemic racism. Robinson doesn’t. He eschews “so-called race relations.” Where Holley decries differences, he promotes similarities.

    “Every day, someone reminds me that I’m Black,” Holley said. “We’ve come a long way. But what is happening now is systemic racism that has kept us from economic development, kept Black and brown people from safety on the streets. We’re in fear of our lives from just getting a traffic stop.”

    But Robinson harks back to the idea of America as a melting pot — ditching the more modern metaphor of the American salad bowl, where distinct cultural and racial identities co-exist. When identified as a Black leader, he bristled.

    “The best thing we can do for racial relations in this nation is stop calling ourselves by different races,” Robinson said. “We’re all one race, the human race, and one nation, America. We start calling ourselves human, American, and I think we’ll see a lot of those issues go away.”

    Robinson flipped the normal dynamic of these debates.

    While conservatives often find themselves defending the past, Robinson stood for the future. He aggressively reframed questions into optimistic quips. Fear became courage, the minimum wage became “maximum talent” — always with a heavy emphasis on progress.

    “North Carolinians aren’t afraid. They’re courageous, and they’re ready to move on in this state under some real progress,” Robinson said. “They’re ready to get past these issues, ready to work through this [corona]virus, and ready to see violence in the street ended.”

    Holley found herself holding up the burden of history. She was a child of the civil rights era, one of the first African-American students to desegregate Raleigh’s Enloe High School. She argues that she has the experience of the past and the will to create a better future.

    That vision of a better future differs dramatically from Robinson’s.

    Holley supports stricter gun-control laws, including red-flag laws tagging people thought to be possible threats, higher taxes on corporations, more taxpayer subsidies to the poor, and Medicaid expansion. She opposes the Opportunity Scholarship Program, though she praised charter schools as an alternative for parents. And she rejects any voter ID requirements.

    The Holley-Robinson debate was the first of this election’s IOPL Hometown Debate Series. It took place Sept. 20 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The series continues Oct. 4 with a labor commissioner debate featuring Democrat Jessica

    Holmes and Republican state Rep. Josh Dobson. The final debate is scheduled for Oct. 11, with incumbent State Treasurer Dale Folwell, a Republican, facing his Democratic opponent Ronnie Chatterji.

    None will have studio audiences, because of COVID-19 restrictions.

  • 12 pharmacyDiabetic state employees soon won’t have to swallow the rising cost of insulin.

    State Treasurer Dale Folwell waived co-pays on insulin prescriptions for members of the State Health Plan, starting Jan. 1, 2021. Folwell hopes to save members $5 million.

    Insulin has become a flashpoint in the debate over drug pricing.

    The cost of the drug has nearly tripled since 2002, forcing patients to start rationing their insulin. Some have died. Others have gone blind.

    More than a million North Carolinians suffer from diabetes. Some 12,000 state employees use insulin, and they’re paying an average $467 out of pocket each year for brand insulin. But that price tag can rise as high as $1,000.

    The State Health Plan Board of Trustees voted to nix insulin cost sharing earlier this year.

    It hopes to prevent patients from rationing insulin and putting themselves at risk for expensive and potentially life-threatening complications.

    “This is a good investment by the State Health Plan,” Folwell told Carolina Journal. “Insulin adherence saves lives and saves money. We all don’t want the cost of insulin to be a barrier.”

    Insulin was prohibitively expensive for some families, says Ardis Watkins, executive director of the State Employees Association of N.C. She has talked to patients who rationed their insulin, saying that their diabetes hurt family finances.

    “It’s a huge deal, what just happened,” Watkins told CJ. “Insulin can mean life or death. It’s immoral for those medications to make the difference of the family’s budget every month.”

    Folwell has long railed against the rising cost of health care. The Republican treasurer forged an unlikely alliance with SEANC after he started a war with hospitals over medical billing transparency.

    The State Health Plan risks going broke within four years. It faces some $35 billion in unfunded liabilities.

    Folwell wants to save the plan by linking prices to Medicare payments. The plan now faces a significant risk of overpaying or wasting tens of millions of dollars, based on a report by the state auditor. Folwell has described the current system as a blank check.

    Folwell hoped to usher providers into the Clear Pricing Project — his plan to drive down costs with billing transparency. But the plan sparked a feud with local hospital systems, who refused reforms.

    But enrollment has reopened for providers. Folwell seems to be focusing on recruiting independent providers to join the plan. They can’t charge patients as many fees as hospitals do.

    “We’re having fantastic negotiations, especially with independent providers of health care that are excited for the first time that someone recognizes that they exist,” Folwell said.
    “We want independent, profitable, accessible, high-quality health care providers.”

  • 11 online schoolSchool districts can allow elementary grade students to return to the classroom next month, Gov. Roy Cooper announced during a Sept. 17 news conference, but middle and high school students won’t have the same opportunity.

    The announcement — allowing local school districts to provide in-person instruction full-time to younger students — comes a day after Republican leaders urged the governor to offer that option at all levels statewide and let parents decide.

    The move is a step in the right direction, Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, said in a Thursday news release, but the governor should have gone further with his decision.

    “His new plan ignores the needs of low-income and exceptional students in middle and high schools for in-person instruction,” Berger said.

    On Sept. 16, Berger, along with Lt. Gov. Dan Forest and Catherine Truitt, the Republican candidate for state superintendent, called for schools to fully reopen. A handful of parents took part in the news conference to share their desperation with the remote instruction plans.

    Cooper said the move wasn’t connected to Wednesday’s news conference at the General Assembly.

    Over the summer, the state told school districts to create three reopening plans, from most to least restrictive. Plan A had the fewest restrictions, allowing in-person instruction with minimal social distancing of students and staff. Plan B required more stringent social distancing and fewer people in the school building. Under Plan C, schools could use only remote learning.

    On July 14, Cooper announced school districts could either use Plan B or Plan C. No school district was allowed to offer Plan A, regardless of the COVID-19 metrics in the area.

    But now, starting on Oct. 5, school districts can switch to plan A for kindergarten through fifth grade, but older grade levels must stay on either plan B or C.

    “We are able to open this option because most North Carolinians have doubled down on our safety and prevention measures and stabilized our numbers,” Cooper said.

    Face masks and social distancing are still required under Plan A, but unlike Plan B, schools won’t have to reduce the number of students allowed in the building at the same time.

    Neither Cooper, nor Mandy Cohen, the secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services, gave a timeline for when middle and high schools grades can return to classrooms full-time.

     

  • 10 PrismaticaAn internationally celebrated exhibit of 25, 6-foot tall, pivoting prisms will be staged in some outdoor areas of downtown Fayetteville as a part of an effort to draw visitors downtown to play, shop and dine. The unusual displays will be posted during October. The Cool Spring Downtown District is partnering with Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission to present "Prismatica."

    The Toronto-based, architectural firm RAW Design is responsible for the conception and execution of this art project, in collaboration with ATOMIC3. Prismatica made its debut in 2014 at the Place des Festivals in Montreal, where 50 pivoting prisms transformed the outdoor space into a giant kaleidoscope. Since then, "Prismatica" has been on a world tour, lighting up 26 cities in five countries, to include Fayetteville, Houston, Jerusalem, Israel, London, Lugano and New York City.

  • 09 i 95 exits 13The N.C. Department of Transportation is seeking public feedback on plans to widen a 9-mile section of Interstate 95 in Robeson County. DOT proposes to increase the number of travel lanes to four in each direction from Exit 13 to just south of Exit 22 in Lumberton. Three interchanges (Exits 17, 19 and 20) will be significantly upgraded, and bridges that cross the Lumber River and CSX rail line will be replaced. A presentation of what the improvements should look like was given during a recent virtual meeting. People will find videos and other project information on DOT’s project webpage.

    Questions or comments on the project may be submitted by Oct. 15. The project has an estimated $418 million construction cost, and the department is scheduled to award a design-build contract next summer.

  • 08 Fay FirefightersThe Fayetteville Fire Department has been awarded a $2.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The grant will fund all salary and benefit costs for 18 additional firefighters for three years, after which the city will be responsible for funding the employees. “We currently staff a minimum of three fire fighters on all fire engines and ladder trucks,” Fire Chief Mike Hill said. Five of the department’s 15 fire stations house single units — stations 2, 12, 16, 15 and 19. The new positions will be assigned to these stations so they will have a minimum of four firefighters on their respective engines. “This ensures that we provide a minimum of four firefighters on the initial arriving response force,” Hill said.

    “This is much safer for the firefighters and more efficient as they initiate critical tasking elements” prior to the arrival of additional engines. Hill told Up & Coming Weekly he hopes to have the new positions on board for training in December and available for assignment by July 2021.

  • 07 County Commissioner logoDuring its regular board meeting on Sept. 21, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners amended an economic development incentives agreement with Campbell Soup Supply Company and approved contracts for Workforce Development Services and Sheriff’s Office uniforms.

    Commissioners approved extending the deadline by one year to Dec. 31, 2020, for the company to add at least 100 new employees. The company requested the extension because construction on its new distribution facility in the Cedar Creek Business Center was significantly delayed by hurricanes. The company projects it will have hired 112 employees by the deadline. The board also approved an associated budget amendment for $248,000 for the economic incentive payment due in March 2021 based on the contract terms of reimbursing the company 75% of the county tax.

    The board also approved contracts for workforce development services for fiscal year 2021. Two Hawk Workforce Services, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company headquartered in Lumberton, was selected by the Workforce Development Board to be the provider of both program delivery and one stop operator services. Each of these contracts commences October 1, 2020, for a term ending June 30, 2021, with an option for two one-year extensions.

  • 06 little girl book bagFayetteville Technical Community College has been chosen for a project aimed at better preparing early childhood education teachers to meet the needs of children in their communities.

    The project focuses on helping instructors with associate degrees to be better prepared to assist young children, including those with diverse cultures, languages and abilities, and their families. It’s guided by the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and supported by a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

    Beginning next spring a team from FTCC will work with the FPG Child Development Institute to enhance the department’s courses to ensure they provide practical experiences, diversity and inclusion for all students. Instructor Karly Walker will lead FTCC’s team.

    “We are overjoyed in being selected to participate,” said Dr. Rondell Bennett, chair of the Early Childhood Education Department at Fayetteville Tech. “This opportunity will further enhance what we are already doing.” FTCC is one of three North Carolina community colleges selected for participation in the employee development plan.

  • 14 remote meetingThe financial crisis of little more than a decade ago masked a technological revolution, and everyone shelled out small fortunes for smartphones. The scientific fantasy embodied in "Star Trek’s" tricorder had become everyday overnight.

    Today, the revolution has been digital rather than technological. This time, the revolution is coming for your job and staging its coup in your home. And it’s happening faster than we originally predicted. Only a decade ago, we were still struggling with what to call the phenomenon of working while not being at work. Telecommuting? Teleworking? E-work? Flex work? Virtual work?

    Eventually, what the job market collectively settled on calling “remote work” was something that 44% of global companies didn’t allow as recently as 2018. Contemporary predictions estimated that by 2020, around 50% of the United States workforce would clock their hours from home. An UpWork study from 2017 postulated that more people will work remotely than not by 2027.

    Little did they then know that their predictions would be realized before the end of 2020’s Q1. According to a Gallup study, by midMarch, 49% of workers in the U.S. reported having worked from home in the past seven days. Mere weeks later in April, that statistic leapt to 63% — even while some states announced plans to reopen.

    Shortly thereafter, several companies announced that they would be shifting most if not all of their workforces to remote or in-office/remote hybrid arrangements.

    This means that if your role is a good candidate for remote and flexibly-scheduled work, then you’re potentially competing against 7.8 billion other people for the job. Potential employers will be sizing you up online well in advance of ever offering an interview. Here are three skills to become a digital-based, remote working master and maintain an attractive digital portrait:

    Mastering Communication Channels
    If nothing else, the sudden shift to remote work has illuminated how time-intensive, in-person meetings could be replaced by a well-written email. There are now means far beyond email for keeping up (Slack, Zoom, Google Meetings, Jira, even video games like Red Dead Redemption), not to mention calendar, content and project management platforms.

    Knowing When to Switch Platforms
    When it comes to the platforms, apps or software you use to do your work, one size rarely fits all. This became clear to me when my students and I had to make the shift from face-to-face classes to “online-only.” Blackboard served us very well for some remote-based learning but not for everything or everyone. In the end, we added several other digital platforms as satellite learning channels to Blackboard. We shifted to an environment where coursework could be completed as long as you had an internet connection. Our virtual classroom worked because we took stock of what needed to be learned and achieved and then asked what tools work best for achieving those goals.

    Designing Your Digital Self to become Discoverable
    Search engines favor accounts which publish frequently and regularly. Engagement via likes, shares and external links is also important. To appear in the first page of a search engine’s results involves an amalgam of algorithms, web crawlers, cross-linking, keywords and content.

    Maintain your dominance by picking a topical lane (or two) and staying in it. Be consistent, use the same photo for each online account, find a reference guide for what types of content perform best, and make meaningful connections with others online.

  • 12 N1601P38005CIs it safe to donate blood right now? Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH, chief medical officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, said not only is donating blood safe, it’s essential. “People are scared to go to the doctor’s office right now and I really think that’s an unfounded fear.” At most doctor’s offices, you sit out in your car until you’re texted and told you can come in, so nobody’s in the waiting room. “I would think that blood donation sites are in a position where they can adopt those exact same kinds of measures,” he added.

    The Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center, in cooperation with Up & Coming Weekly and Carolina Specialties International, is conducting a mobile blood drive Sept. 30 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Up & Coming Weekly’s rear parking lot at 208 Rowan Street. Donors will receive free COVID-19 antibody tests and gift bags. Residents who pre-register will be eligible to win a door prize.

    The Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center is a community program that serves patients in Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett and Bladen Counties through donations made by individual donors, community organizations and businesses. Dianne Carter, Cape Fear Valley’s Mobile Recruitment Coordinator, said our area is critically low in blood supplies and has been for several months. Donations from local high school students stopped abruptly in March as the result of the coronavirus pandemic. Students have historically provided 40% of the blood donated in our area, Carter said.

    To qualify as blood donors, individuals must be at least 16 years old with signed parental consent. Teens 17 years of age do not need that consent. Prospective donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Positive proof of identification is required. Be sure to eat a nutritious breakfast or lunch. Donors should be well hydrated in the days before and after a donation. Avoid caffeine. Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can be easily rolled up above the elbow.

    According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatments, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care begins with one person making one donation. In our community the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center receive and distributes blood units, not the Red Cross. All donations made here stay here. “It is very important for the people in our community to donate to maintain a safe, sufficient supply of blood to save lives locally,” Carter said. “It can literally mean life or death.”

    The American Cancer Society says more than 1.8 million people nationwide are expected to have been diagnosed with cancer this year. Many of them require blood, sometimes daily, during chemotherapy treatment. “Roughly 38% of Americans are healthy enough to donate and the national average shows only 10% of them are donating,” Carter added. “In our community, only 2%... are donating at least once a year. We need the other 98% of the community to step up.”
    Officials say this area requires 1,200 units of blood per month to meet the needs of Cape Fear Valley Health System patients. The blood type most often requested is type O. Under normal circumstances, “We struggle to collect 900 units of blood a month,” Carter said. But currently only 300-400 units are contributed on average. Carter told Up & Coming Weekly the health system purchases the rest of the blood from other blood banks, but donor centers across the nation are experiencing shortages.

    On the day of donation, individuals will complete a brief health questionnaire. Some donor contributions may be temporarily delayed. Tattoos and body piercings received from licensed North Carolina parlors are acceptable, if the tattoos have healed. Tattoos and piercings received outside our state will result in a 12-month deferral. Having a cold or flu or recent surgery or being under a physician’s care will result in delay. Recent or current diagnosis of cancer could result in a delay. Pregnant women have to wait six weeks after delivery to donate.

    Some people are permanently rejected: Anyone who has lived in Europe between 1980 and 1996 for periods totaling five years or more or specifically traveled to or lived in the United Kingdom for more than three months between 1980 and 1996 is ineligible. Members of the U.S. military or their dependents stationed six months or more between 1980 and 1990 in Belgium, Netherlands or Germany or six months or more between 1980 and 1996 in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece or Turkey will be denied.

    Anyone with questions about eligibility, can call the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center at 910-615-LIFE or visit www.savingliveslocally.org.

  • 11 N2011P47007CSpeaker of the House Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, says nearly 50 N.C. Democratic House lawmakers and candidates have backed a dangerous pledge to defund the police, but House Minority Leader Darren Jackson, D-Wake, says that’s a lie.

    During a Monday, Sept. 14, news conference, Moore attacked Democrats for signing a pledge to accomplish a list of policy goals by 2030 as outlined by the left-leaning advocacy group Future Now. Joining Moore’s news conference were Rep. Carson Smith, R-Pender; Rep. John Faircloth, R-Guilford; and a handful of county sheriffs who shared Moore’s concerns for what they considered a radical agenda.

    Future Now’s Pledge to Achieve America’s Goals includes promises to provide affordable health care, boost education spending and ensure equal opportunities for all. Dozens of N.C. House Democrats and Democratic candidates have signed the pledge since 2018.

    While the pledge doesn’t explicitly call for defunding the police, such a proposal can be found under the subsection for “Equal Opportunities For All” on the America’s Goals website. Included is model legislation to create a commission to study taking money from police departments and giving them to other community programs like youth shelters.

    “Right now, law enforcement officers across our nation are being targeted and attacked,” Moore said. “I consider signing this pledge a direct attack on North Carolina law enforcement too.”

    Rep. Marcia Morey, D-Durham, told Carolina Journal that when she signed the Future Now pledge in 2018, defunding the police was not part of the stated goals. She told CJ the police proposals must have been added this year and she doesn’t support defunding law enforcement.

    Carolina Journal sent an email to Jackson asking him if he would pledge his support today now that a proposal to defund the police is listed on the America’s Goals website. Jackson didn’t respond.

    Instead, Jackson sent out a news release challenging Moore’s statements.

    “Speaker Moore has given us another set of blatant lies. No, we didn’t pledge to defund the police but we did pledge to invest in quality Health Care and Education for all North Carolinians,” Jackson said.

    If House Democrats don’t agree with the proposal to defund the police then they should come out and disavow Future Now, Moore said. They can also give back the money that Future Now gave them.

    Future Now has given thousands to Democratic candidates in 2020, including incumbent Reps. Christy Clark, D-Mecklenburg; Sydney Batch, D-Wake; Joe Sam Queen, D-Haywood; and Ray Russell, D-Ashe.

    While some House Democrats may have signed the pledge in 2018, Democratic candidates running in 2020 likely signed this year. Future Now has given money to challengers, too: House Democratic candidates Nicole Quick, Kimberly Hardy, Brian Farkas, Aimy Steele, Dan Besse, Frances Vinell Jackson, and Ricky Hurtado have received campaign donations from Future Now.

    The America’s Goals pledge is not an endorsement of any specific bill, Future Now Executive Director Daniel Squadron said in a news release following Moore’s news conference.

    Future Now funds America’s Goals, which on its website says it is a policy library with model legislation, 50 state report cards, and everything needed to turn a bill into a law.

  • 10 health plex poolFayetteville’s largest health and wellness center is up and running again. New, temporary hours and safety precautions are in place at Cape Fear Valley’s HealthPlex off Skibo Road because of COVID-19. Hours of operation are 5 a.m.–8 p.m., Monday – Friday.

    The pool closes at 7:30 p.m. Saturday hours are 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Temperature checks are performed at the main entrance as members check-in. The rear entrance is closed. Members are required to wear face masks when not exercising, and physical social distancing is requested. Modified group fitness classes have resumed with limited capacity. Massage services have been suspended. Pool lanes provide for one swimmer at a time for a maximum of 45 minutes. Whirlpools and steam rooms are off-limits.

    Learn more about new safety precautions at www.capefearvalley.com/healthplex/index.html.

  • 08 Thomas PayneGunfire ripped through the air and explosions rattled the ground as then-U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Patrick Payne peered into a burning building where dozens of ISIS hostages were locked in cells in the northern Iraqi city of Hawija. He knew he had to act or the hostages would die. Payne entered the building, exposing himself to machine gun fire. He used bolt cutters to free the prisoners. For his actions in the Oct. 22, 2015, raid, which ended with the first American service member killed by ISIS since the U.S. return to Iraq in late 2014, now-Sgt. Major Payne, 36, was presented the Medal of Honor by President Trump. The award is an upgrade of the Distinguished Service Cross that Payne initially received in 2017.

    He is “one of the bravest men anywhere in the world,” Trump told an audience in the East Room of the White House, which was filled with senior Pentagon officials and Payne’s family.

    Master Sgt. Joshua Wheeler, who was killed by enemy fire during the raid, posthumously received the Silver Star for his actions that day. Payne received the Medal of Honor on the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the primary event that convinced him to join the military, as thousands of other Americans did.

    In 2007, Sgt. Major Payne joined the Army’s most elite unit in Special Operations at Fort Bragg. He has since served several deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq and in support of counterterrorism operations in Africa. Payne is now an instructor at Fort Bragg, having earned numerous valor awards for battlefield heroics. He is also a Purple Heart recipient.

    “I still want to serve to this day,” Payne said. “We're still a nation at war, and I still want to serve my country.”

    Pictured: President Donald Trump presents the Medal of Honor to Sgt. Maj.Thomas Payne.

  • 07 Nicole Rivers 2Nicole Rivers, an English teacher at Gray's Creek High School, is Cumberland County Schools’ 2021 Teacher of the Year. From creative assignments to starting a poetry club, Rivers goes above and beyond to form authentic connections with her students.
    “My job as an educator is not to just get what I deem as valuable information into the minds of my students,” Rivers wrote in her nomination portfolio, “but how to effectively and responsibly use their words to change the world around them.”

    A 15-year veteran educator, Rivers graduated from Fayetteville State University. As the 2021 Teacher of the Year, she received a trophy and flowers from Cumberland County Schools, $300 from the Cumberland County Board of Education, $500 from Olde Fayetteville Insurance and Financial Services, $3,000 from Lafayette Ford-Lincoln — $2,000 for use at her school and $1,000 for her personal use — a commemorative custom Teacher of the Year ring from Jostens, an engraved desk clock from Herff Jones and a gift basket of edibles from Zazzy Treats.

    Pictured: Nicole Rivers

  • 06 N2008P23005CThe Cumberland County Board of Elections is in urgent need of voters who are registered as unaffiliated or Republican to work at precincts during the Nov. 3 General Election and the early voting period in October.

    The General Assembly has allocated additional funding to the State Board of Elections to increase election day worker pay by $100, and precinct officials’ unemployment benefits will not be affected by the compensation received for working the polls during the 2020 General Election.

    The Board of Elections will follow state guidelines to protect the health and safety of election workers and voters.

    Social distancing measures and routine cleanings will be put into place and precinct workers will be provided appropriate personal protective equipment. Duties include setting up and breaking down voting enclosures, checking in voters, issuing ballots and assisting voters upon request.

    Interested individuals must be registered voters in Cumberland County and available to attend required training.

    You may check your registration status at https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/. To register to vote, go to https://www.ncsbe.gov/Voters/Registering-to-Vote.

    Precinct workers are compensated for attending training and for working during early voting and on Election Day. Interested registered voters can complete the online application by going to electionready.net.
    State Employees Can Get Paid Leave to Help During Elections

    The N.C. Office of State Human Resources announced on Sept. 10 that State employees may use up to 24 hours of Community Service Leave (CSL) to serve in roles needed by their County Board of Elections during Early Voting (Oct. 15-31) and on Election Day (Nov. 3). For additional information about using CSL to volunteer as a poll worker, please review the FAQs posted to the Office of State Human Resources website or contact your Agency Human Resources Office.

    Absentee Ballot Requests
    Absentee ballot requests must arrive at the Board of Elections office by 5 p.m. on Oct. 27. On Sept. 4, the Board of Elections mailed more than 14,800 absentee ballots to voters who had requested them.

    To obtain an absentee ballot you must complete an Absentee Ballot Request Form, which can be printed at www.ncsbe.gov. If you have any questions or are unable to print an application, please call the Board of Elections Office at 910-678-7733 to receive one in the mail.

    The State Board of Elections announced on Sept. 11 that North Carolina voters who vote by mail can now track the status of their absentee ballot with a new online service called BallotTrax. The service is available through links on the State Board of Elections’ website, NCSBE.gov.

    For more information, go to co.cumberland.nc.us/election-board. The Board of Elections is located at 227 Fountainhead Lane. The office is now open to the public. You may call 910-678-7733 or email boardofelections@co.cumberland.nc.us Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for assistance.

  • 01 02 IMG 0314When Billy West is not prosecuting cases as the district attorney of Cumberland County, he is trying to win golf tournaments.

    When Gary Robinson is not building houses or working at the golf course he co-owns, he, too, is seeking victories on the links.

    West, 46, and Robinson, 61, have been the two best amateur golfers in Cumberland County for decades. They have each won the county golf championship eight times, far more than anyone else.

    They will renew their friendly rivalry when the 52nd annual Cumberland County Golf Championship is held Oct. 9-11 at Gates Four Golf & Country Club.

    Time would appear to be on West's side to eventually win the most titles since he is 15 years younger than Robinson.

    “I hate the fact I'm 61 and he's 40-something,” Robinson laughed. “It's not a fair fight. I've enjoyed playing with Billy throughout the years. He's a great competitor and it means as much to him as it does to me. We might both say the proper things but we both want to win more than the other guy. I want to have the most titles and I'm sure he feels the same way. I need to get one or two more because I know Billy is going to.”

    West shrugs off the age difference.

    “Gary is kind of ageless,” he said. “He still hits the ball a tremendous long way and the rest of his game is solid. I would love to win this year and break the tie but I'm very aware that Gary may not be finished adding championships either.”

    Robinson holds the amazing record of winning the county championship in four different decades. He won it the first year he played in the tournament in 1982. He added titles in 1987, '89 and '90.

    Then he didn't play in the event again until 2001 and, naturally, won again. He added titles in 2002, '13 and got his last victory in '15. Five of his championships have occurred at Gates Four.

    “I have an incentive this year to win in five different decades,” Robinson said. “That's a pretty lofty goal. That would be something special. I still feel I can be competitive. I wouldn't play if I didn't think I could win.”

    West said, “One thing that has made Gary so fantastic is winning titles in four different decades. He certainly has the game to win it in a fifth decade. He is one of the best senior players in the Carolinas.”

    To reinforce that, Robinson shot 3-under to tie for third place in the Carolinas Senior Amateur Championship early in September.

    If West wins this year, it would give him county titles in four different decades, as well. He first played in the event in 1990 and won his first title in 1994 at the age of 19. His other wins came in 1997, 2004, '05, '10 and '11, '17 and '19. He has won five of the last 10 county tournaments including last year with a 7-under total of 209. Twice, he has won back-to-back titles. Three of his wins have come at Gates Four.

    He has missed only one county tournament since he started playing in them 30 years ago. That came in 1993 when he was a golfer at N.C. State and he had to play in a collegiate tournament.

    “I hate that I missed it,” West said. “I regret that kind of broke my streak.”

    The tournament clearly means a lot to West, who has lived in Cumberland County his whole life.

    “For me, this is my favorite tournament,” he said. “It's always the one that meant the most to me through the years. If you win it, you are your county's champion for a year.”

    The tournament is recognized as one of the longest running county golf championships in the state. Its most famous champion is Chip Beck, who went on to a storied career on the PGA Tour. He won in the early years of the tournament in the late 1960s.

    “We've always had great players, great champions and a great history,” West said. “It's always been the most special tournament to me. It's been the one I've always wanted to win the most. One reason is the tournament has kind of followed me through my golf life. When I won it in 1994, I was a young 19-year-old kid. When I won it last year, I was 45 years old with a wife and two kids.”

    West holds the distinction of winning the tournament at all four public golf courses in the county where the tournament has been held. Besides the three titles at Gates Four, he has won three times at King's Grant and once each at Baywood and Cypress Lakes.

    For West, the tournament is about more than golf. It's about friendships made and the sense of community that he feels by playing in it.

    “Life has changed a lot but one thing that hasn't changed is competing every year against the same group of golfers who I became very close friends with,” he said. “I really believe it's the premier county championship in the state. It has a special feel to it that other tournaments don't have.

    “I often say when I'm in the drug store or the grocery store the week after the county tournament, everybody's going to say, 'Hey, Billy. I saw where you played well or I saw where you came up a little short.' There's not another tournament all year where you get that kind of reaction from the public. A lot of people in the community follow it year to year and that's what makes it special.”

    Another strong contender is Thomas Owen, who won the title in 2016 and has finished second the last three years. Originally, Owen had decided to skip this year's tournament because a jammed fall golf schedule caused by COVID-19 would have forced him to be away from his family for six straight weekends.

    “I just had to pick and choose which ones I'm playing in,” he said. “It's just a matter of balancing everything between golf, family and business.

    “Coming in second three years in a row leaves a bad taste in your mouth. I need to get back out there and see if I can Billy and Gary a run for their money. I like my chances. I'm playing pretty well, I've just got to make more putts.”

    Owen has won the county match play championship for the last five years and is ranked among the best players in the Carolinas Golf Association.

    West and Robinson know that at some point their stranglehold on the tournament will end and they both feel the 31-year-old Owen may be the player to take over.

    “I think Thomas Owen is the guy,” Robinson said. “He's the guy who is going to play in the most number of them if he doesn't move. He definitely has the game. He's got a couple of bad breaks the last couple of years where he finished second. He's just got to get comfortable in that last round.”

    West likes Owen's chances to be their successor, too.

    “Thomas has been incredible,” he said. “He's either won or been the runner-up the last four years. Thomas is not only one of the best players in the area but he's one of the best in the state. He doesn't have any weaknesses. He hits the ball a long way and he has a good mental game. He's going to win many more county championships.”

    But whoever takes over as the best golfer in Cumberland County won't do it overnight. It will take decades for anyone to beat West and Robinson's accomplishments.

    “It's going to take some serious golf over quite a bit of time to catch up to what they've done,” Owen said.

    Robinson agreed.

    “There will be somebody to come along at some point to beat us,” he said. “But they're going to have to play for a long time. You don't win eight, nine or ten times by just playing in it eight, nine or ten times.”

    One top player who will be missing from the field is Spencer Oxendine, who won in 2018 when he was a senior at Jack Britt High School. Now, he is a sophomore on the golf team at N.C. State. Although the Wolfpack fall season has been cancelled because of COVID-19, Oxendine still has team activities and school work that will prevent him from playing.

    This marks the fourth straight year the tournament will be held at Gates Four. Bill Bowman, the publisher of Up & Coming Weekly and a major sponsor of the event, took over as tournament director in 2016 and has staged it at his home course.

    Gates Four has a large clubhouse to host the pre-tournament Champions Dinner and pairings party and an outside pavilion for the awards presentation after the tournament. Of course, the pre-tournament events have been cancelled this year because of COVID-19 and the awards ceremony has been scaled back.

    “We're going to do everything virtual for the awards on Sunday,” said Gates Four general manager Kevin Lavertu. “We don't encourage everybody to hang around and we're taking all the precautions like trying to provide single-rider carts.”
    Bowman is attempting to build up the tournament participation to where it was years ago when nearly 200 golfers played and two courses were used to accommodate them. Last year, there were 88 players.

    Lavertu is hoping for at least 100 players this year.

    “Because of Covid there hasn't been the event fatigue like we've had in years past,” he said. “People have not been traveling and playing in a lot of events so I'm thinking registration and participation might be up. The rounds are up all over the county this year because golf is one of the only things you've been able to do during the whole pandemic.”

    West and Robinson like the Gates Four course but they would like to see the tournament rotate to Cypress Lakes, King's Grant and Baywood as it has in the past.

    “I think Gates Four is a great competitive test, particularly from the back tees,” West said. “But I would like to see it rotate. Each course presents its own challenges. I think that is one thing that makes the tournament special, the fact that it has moved around. Gates Four has been a great host while we have gone through a transition period with some of the other courses doing some renovations.”

    Robinson is a co-owner of King's Grant and said he would like to host the tournament “but not every year.”

    “I've won a lot of tournaments at Gates Four and I think it's one of my favorite courses in the county, other than King's Grant,” he said. “ But holding the tournament in one place is not how the tournament was founded and I don't think that's how it should be. I think it should be spread around at all the courses and let them enjoy it.”

    Lavertu said, “King's Grant and some others have shown some interest so I don't know what the future holds. I think some of the players would still like to see it rotate around, so whatever works the best for everybody.”

    The tournament was pushed back from September to October this year because of COVID-19 and Lavertu thinks that will make playing conditions at Gates Four even better.

    “We've always played the tournament the second week in September, historically, but that's really the worst time for the golf course coming out of the heat of summer,” Lavertu said. “We've usually just aerified and it takes two or three weeks for the greens to heal. The green speeds will be up a little bit. It actually worked out better this year to have a delay with all the uncertainty. It seemed to be a natural fit. It should be a tough challenge for three days.”

    Any golfer who lives in Cumberland County and is at least 16 years old is eligible to play. There are divisions for championship, men's open, senior men and super senior men (65 years old and up), women's open and senior women (age 50 and up). The super seniors and women will play 36 holes on Oct. 10-11 and the entry fee is $145. All other divisions are 54 holes and the entry fee is $175. The deadline to enter is Oct. 2 at 5 p.m.

    Players can register online at cumberlandcountygolfclassic.com or return an application to Lavertu at klavertu@gatesfour.com.

    Toni Blackwell won the women's title last year when she was a senior at Cape Fear High School. But she will not be able to defend this year. She is now a freshman on the UNC Pembroke women's golf team and their season starts in October.

     

    Pictured above: Gary Robinson and Billy West

     

    01 01 IMG 0117 Robinson

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Gary Robinson playing in the U.S. Amateur Fourball at Winged Foot

     01 03 IMG 3898 Robinson

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     Gary Robinson

    01 04 IMG 1928

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Billy West

  • The Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville and the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex in Haymount are doing business again. Both museums had been closed since March because of COVID-19 restrictions. The ASOM is now open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Weekend hours will be phased in gradually. Museum of the Cape Fear hours of operation have also changed temporarily. The new hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Attendance is limited at both facilities. Visitors are expected to wear face masks and maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet from one another. Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the buildings. Anyone experiencing symptoms of illness or who have recently been in contact with people who tested positive for COVID-19 are asked to postpone their visits.

    No tours of the 1897 Poe House are being provided for at least 30 days after reopening.

    At the ASOM, water fountains are off, but visitors may bring clear containers of water. Food is not permitted. Reservations can be made online. Upon arrival, visitors should scan the QR code at the museum entrance to complete guest registration. The gift shop is limited to five visitors at a time. Only debit and credit cards will be accepted for payment. Donations to support museum operations can be made online or during checkout in the gift shop.
    Some areas of the Museum of the Cape Fear remain closed to the public. They include the steamboat exhibit, the Civil War soldier teaching corner and the general store. Visitors will be able to view these areas but not enter them. Residents can keep up to date by visiting the museum’s website at www.museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov. The facility is located at the corner of Bradford and Arsenal Avenues and is operated by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

    In 2007, the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex Foundation received a planning grant from the North Carolina General Assembly to perform a benchmarking and assessment study to determine whether a new museum should focus on the Civil War and Reconstruction period in North Carolina. Because of the existing museum’s location on one of North Carolina’s most important Civil War sites, consultants recommended that a new facility replace the existing regional museum with a major statewide history center. Much of the planning has already been done.

    According to the history center’s website, planners concluded that the entire state’s story is the most compelling one. A feasibility study validated this finding, demonstrating that the completed project will attract wider attention and stronger support by reaching beyond Fayetteville to tell the larger story. The result is an $80 million project involving a phased, multi-year approach to both fundraising and the history center’s overall development.

    The site will include a 60,000-square-foot visitor center built just outside the Fayetteville Arsenal’s archaeological footprint, protecting the remnants of the asset seized by Confederate forces in 1861 and leveled by William T. Sherman army four years later. The existing 1896 E. A. Poe House and three Civil War-era structures will comprise “History Village” and are incorporated into the larger, interpretive plan.

    13 01 ASOM

    13 02 Ghost Arsenal Tower

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Picture left: ASOM is now open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Weekend hours will be phased in gradually.

    Picture right: Museum of the Cape Fear is set to reopen. The new hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

     

  • 12 N1506P39009CSome N.C. felons who have finished their active prison time will be able to cast ballots in the 2020 election, based on a 2-1 ruling from a state Superior Court panel.

    The court’s order applies to any felon who is out of prison but still must pay fees or fines before his criminal sentence is considered complete.

    The ruling in Community Success Initiative v. Moore represents a partial victory for the “Unlock Our Vote Campaign,” led by an advocacy group called Forward Justice. The group’s lawsuit filed in November 2019 aimed to restore voting rights for almost 60,000 convicted felons not serving active prison time. Supporters argued that state laws regarding restoration of voting rights for felons violate the N.C. Constitution.

    The Sept. 4 ruling in the case offered plaintiffs mixed news. The judges refused to strike down voting restrictions for all felons who have completed active prison sentences. But two members of the panel — Judges Lisa Bell and Keith Gregory — agreed that money-related requirements for post-release felons create unconstitutional restrictions of voting rights.

    “As Defendants correctly argue, the express words of [the challenged state statute] do not in and of themselves create different classifications of persons convicted of felonies — all such persons remain disenfranchised until they have been ‘unconditionally discharged,’” the judges wrote. “However, by requiring an unconditional discharge that includes payments of all monetary obligations imposed by the court, [the statute] creates a wealth classification that punishes felons who are genuinely unable to comply with the financial terms of their judgment more harshly than those who are able to comply.”

    Bell and Gregory agreed to grant a preliminary injunction allowing those felons to cast ballots this year. The judges limited their injunction to felons now prevented from voting “solely as a result of them being subject to an assessment of fees, fines, or other debts arising from a felony conviction.”

    Felons on probation or parole with no outstanding fees or fines would not be affected.

    The third judge in the case — John Dunlow — agreed with his colleagues only in the parts of their ruling that rejected plaintiffs’ arguments. Dunlow would have thrown out the entire lawsuit and ruled in favor of the defendants.

    “The Plaintiffs, throughout their complaint, briefs, filings, and arguments, complain of North Carolina’s ‘disenfranchisement scheme,’ ‘disenfranchisement statute,’ and ‘disenfranchisement of citizens,'” Dunlow wrote. “The disenfranchisement of which Plaintiffs complain is in no way attributable to [the challenged statute]. No reasonable reading of the plain language of [the statute] could be interpreted to disenfranchise any person. Rather, the sole purpose of [the statute] is to provide a mechanism whereby individuals who have been convicted of a felony offense may be re-enfranchised.”

    The N.C. Republican Party responded to the ruling. “It is outrageous for these judges to change the rules for an election when absentee ballots have already started going out and voting has begun,” N.C. GOP Chairman Michael Whatley said in an emailed statement. “This is yet another example of why we need to elect Conservative Judges who will apply the law rather ran re-write the laws they don’t like.”

  • 10 N1310P59003CMothers Against Drunk Driving, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of its founding on Saturday, Sept. 5, has released a new survey that measures the American public’s attitudes and knowledge about the impact of marijuana on traffic safety.

    According to the survey, one in eight U.S. adults admits to having driven under the influence of marijuana. And as more states legalize marijuana use, it’s no surprise that 76% of the American public believe that incidents of driving after consuming marijuana will increase.

    The alarming new findings came just ahead of Labor Day weekend, one of the most dangerous times for travel on America’s roads. Nearly 40% of all traffic deaths on Labor Day weekend in 2018 were caused by drunk driving. While traffic deaths caused by marijuana and other drugs are not yet tracked with the same consistency as alcohol, law enforcement officers have reported a steady rise in marijuana-impaired drivers, which increases the risk of more preventable tragedies.

    “MADD has spent 40 years changing the culture so that drunk driving is now unacceptable in America. Over that time, we have seen drunk driving fatality rates cut in half due to our efforts, and yet we still see major spikes in traffic deaths during busy travel weekends like Labor Day,” said MADD National President Helen Witty, whose 16-year-old daughter Helen Marie was killed by a drunk and marijuana-impaired driver. “We are deeply concerned about the combination of alcohol consumption and other drugs such as marijuana increasing the risk of tragedies on our roads.”

    To keep our nation’s highways safe, MADD is embarking on a broad initiative to educate all U.S. drivers of the dangers of driving under the influence of marijuana. Through program enhancements, public outreach and corporate alliances, MADD will continue its fight to eliminate drunk and drugged driving.

    In February 2020*, MADD commissioned IPSOS, a global leader in market research, to conduct a nationwide study of adults 18 and older. The research was aimed at understanding the attitudes and awareness related to driving under the influence of marijuana, along with knowledge of the laws that surround it.

    “With two-thirds of the states now allowing some form of legal use of marijuana, MADD is concerned that a clear lack of understanding about the risks of marijuana-impaired driving threatens the safety of our nation’s highways,” Witty said. “The survey highlights the confusion that exists and the shocking number of people who are consuming marijuana and driving.”

    Additional findings include:
    • 27% recall a friend or family member driving within two hours of consuming alcohol sometime during the past three months.
    • 26% think that driving after recent consumption of marijuana is “not too concerning” or “not at all concerning”.
    • 31% of parents and grandparents report discussing the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol “often”. While 43% of parents and grandparents surveyed reported “never” broaching the subject of driving high with the next generation.
    • There is uncertainty whether it is legal to drive impaired by marijuana: 40% view this as a serious crime, 27% say it is only a minor traffic offense, 4% think it is legal, and 27% are unsure.
    • 41% are unsure or incorrectly believe that people who regularly use marijuana are generally not impaired, making it safe to drive.

    “This survey is critical to directing our outreach and education programs as we look to the next 40 years of our mission and our strategies to stop these 100% preventable and violent crashes, deaths and injuries caused by driving while impaired by marijuana and other drugs,” Witty said. “MADD is grateful to State Farm© and General Motors for their support in funding this important project. We thank them for their dedication to our shared mission to stop these tragedies that destroy families and devastate our communities.”

    To review the survey results, visit https://www.madd.org/the-solution/drugged-driving-prevention/

    *This survey was conducted February 14–18, 2020, before widespread impacts of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. It is viewed as a baseline of perceptions and attitudes.

    About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
    Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped save more than 390,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50% and promote designating a nondrinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP (877-623-3435). Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD (877-275-6233).

  • 09 Military Working Dog 2After more than a year’s separation, a Fort Bragg soldier has been reunited with a former partner. Army Sgt. Nicholas Milano got a big surprise when he arrived at his Nash County home the other day for a birthday party. A surprise gift was hidden among the well-wishers. But it didn’t take long for “Lion” to bolt from the crowd into Milano’s arms. Lion is a retired military working dog. He and Milano traveled the world in the Army for almost seven years. The pair even went to war together, serving two deployments in Afghanistan. The 10-year-old German Shepherd is in retirement now and gets to live on the couch.

    “And he’ll be sleeping in bed with me and you,” Milano laughed while looking at his wife.

    “I had zero idea, this is crazy,” Milano said of the surprise. “His [Lion’s] job was either to bite people, which he never had to do, or find bombs and weapons.”

    When Milano got orders for Fort Bragg, they parted ways. He had to leave Lion at the base in Germany. “This dog has saved my husband’s life, more than once, along with others,” said Kristy, Milano’s wife.

    Kristy secretly adopted Lion upon his retirement. She worked with Mission K-9 Rescue to make the dog’s adoption happen. The nonprofit paid to fly Lion from Germany to Houston, Texas. Once he arrived in Texas, a staff member drove 20 hours to reunite him with Milano in North Carolina.

  • 08 Paratroopers in the middle eastThe U.S. will send about 2,200 troops home from Iraq by the end of this month, CENTCOM Commander and Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie announced from Baghdad.

    President Trump made the formal announcement. "That announcement will be followed by another one in the coming days on a further reduction in U.S. forces in Afghanistan," Reuters reported.

    This would be the first big reduction of U.S. troops deployed to the Middle East since the ISIS war started more than six years ago.

    The 82nd Airborne Division was among the first military units mobilized in response to the escalation of tensions in the middle easy earlier this year. Four thousand 82nd troops deployed to Kuwait and Syria as the result of Iranian threats.

    Actions by the Iranians and the U.S. increased tensions in the region not seen since before the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

  • 07 N1804P17007CThe Cumberland County Tax Administration office is mailing tax bills to property owners. Residents and business owners have until Jan. 5, 2021, to pay taxes with no interest charges. After that, unpaid tax bills incur a 2% interest charge the first month and .75% interest charge each month after that.

    The tax collector’s office is closed to the public because of COVID-19. Still, the county can assist taxpayers by telephone and email Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Tax bills may be paid online, by mail, by phone or by using the dropbox located outside the tax administration’s customer service office on the fifth floor of the county courthouse.

  • 06 James McConville 2President Donald Trump used to refer to military commanders as “his generals.” Recently, he claimed that “the soldiers are in love with me.”

    U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville has pushed back on Trump’s assertion that Pentagon leaders go to war to please arms manufacturers. “I can assure the American people that the senior leaders would only recommend sending our troops to combat when it’s required for national security and as a last resort,” McConville said during an interview with Defense One online. Trump told White House reporters that “the top people in the Pentagon” don’t like him “because they want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy.”

    McConville made a point of saying he was not responding to Trump’s claims. A recent Military Times poll found that Trump’s support among active-duty service members has fallen over the past year. The Atlantic magazine this month reported that Trump disparaged U.S. service members as “losers” and “suckers,” allegations that have been confirmed by the Associated Press, CNN and other news organizations. The White House has vehemently denied the allegations.

    Pictured: U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville

  • 05 N1809P26001CMany of us do not know life without social media, cell phones, texting, Facebook posting, tweeting, etc. As a baby boomer, social media, let alone cell phones, did not exist when I was a teenager or even in my 20s. One thing that is clear, however, is that no matter what age bracket you may fall into, everyone who uses social media tends to forget the permanent nature of it. While we have many reasons for posting, tweeting, etc., some of which includes getting likes, loves, cares and comments from our friends, what we have, after the fun and/or comfort fades, is a post, tweet, or picture that lasts forever … on the internet.

    Let’s put this into the context of litigation. When you bring a civil lawsuit as a plaintiff or are being sued as a defendant, your social media activity will be something that insurance adjusters, lawyers and paralegals on both sides will want to review extensively. There is a process in civil litigation called “discovery,” where both sides are entitled to seek documents, information and ask written questions that require written answers from each other. This process also includes “depositions,” where the other side’s attorney can ask you questions under oath before you ever get to court. Part of this discovery process will include asking you about your social media posts that are or may be related to the claim and/or litigation. If you put the information out there, you may have to explain it and answer questions about it and, possibly, watch and listen to the other side use it against you.

    I often advise people to limit their social media to “friends only,” which at least can help prevent someone who is not your friend from freely rifling through your content at will to use it against you. In the setting of litigation, however, the discovery process (or a judge) may require you to produce your social media content — or at least any content that may be related to your claim — to the other side. “Post regret” is not a good thing to have when it comes to litigation.

    If you are involved in litigation or an event from which you may bring a claim or end up in litigation, keep these three social media tips in mind:
    1) Do not post anything about it.
    2) If you are going to post something, do not post anything that you would not want the other side or a judge or jury to see.
    3) Really, do not post anything about it.

    It is far too easy to overshare information that, at first, seems innocent, but that can be used, misconstrued or misinterpreted against you later. The best course of action is to keep all information about any claims or litigation off social media.

  • 16 cyber safetyPeople rely on the internet every day. In recent months, reliance on digital technology was pushed even further as social distancing measures had the world going online for school and work and to maintain relationships with friends and family.

    A report from Pew Research Center indicated that nearly 25% of young adults in America reported being online almost constantly.

    Common Sense Media says teens spend an average of nine hours a day online, compared to roughly six hours for those between the ages eight and 12 and 50 minutes for kids younger than eight.

    Students must exercise caution when spending time online.

    Connectivity can be empowering, but it also puts students at risk from others and even their own, sometimes irresponsible behaviors. Staying safe online should remain a priority for students who must spend more time on the internet and using digital education tools.

    These are some tips for maintaining cyber safety.

    Exercise caution when sharing information like your name, address, phone number, and other personal data online.

    Check with a trusted parent or teacher before sharing private data.

    Report any online activity that makes you feel uncomfortable, scared or confused, whether it is directed at you or a classmate.

    Think carefully before you post comments online. Data remains online indefinitely, and your words and actions today can greatly affect your future.

    Respect others online by refraining from demeaning or bullying comments.

    Do not try to get around firewalls and blocked websites set up by school administrators. These limitations are there for your protection.

    Stick to school-sanctioned assignments and internet browsing when using school-issued devices.

    Administrators may have the right to monitor student activity without students’ knowledge and you can easily get yourself in trouble.

    It is easy to hide or fake one’s identity on the internet, so never take someone you meet or speak with online at face value.

    Never meet up with someone you do not know or only met online.

    Talk to your parents or educators about extortion and ransomware that tries to trick you into providing payment in some shape or form to prevent a perpetrator from releasing private information about you, advises the Readiness and Emergency for Schools Technical Assistance Center.

    Various steps can be taken to promote cyber safety among students, parents and administrators.

  • 15 remote learningAn increased reliance on virtual home instruction has many students rethinking their organizational strategies and daily school schedules.

    Learning at home is different from being in a traditional classroom environment, but with some effective strategies, students can persevere without missing a beat.

    Stick to a schedule. Many students are successful because they follow a schedule. The Center for Social and Emotional Foundations of Early Learning says that routines and schedules are important because they influence a child’s emotional and cognitive development. Children feel secure with schedules, which may help them recognize what’s expected of them.

    When learning at home, students should strive to maintain as consistent a schedule as possible, including bedtimes, wake times, hours devoted to learning and time to get outside or engage in downtime activities.

    Connect live if possible. There are many free tools and resources available that enable teachers to provide live video lessons or to record them so students can watch them later.

    Similarly, social networking apps and virtual meeting programs enable students to connect digitally. This can be helpful for collaborative learning assignments or just to see a familiar face.

    Stick to tools that work. Once students find apps or systems that work, they should stick with them, offers Khan Academy, an educational tutoring resource. There are many factors outside of one’s control during virtual instruction, but maintaining consistency with tools and schedules is one way to feel more confident and secure.

    Check student accounts frequently. Just like students, teachers may be learning as they go in regard to remote learning strategies.

    Students should be sure to check school email accounts or other places where teachers post assignments a few times per day so that they stay on top of all assignments and are aware of due dates.

    Reach out to instructors. Allegheny College suggests students contact their teachers if they are unsure of how to participate in remote learning environments.

    Ask questions about assignments, get clarification on key topics and be sure to tune into any remote chats or virtual “office hours.”

    Stay in touch with guidance, if needed. Remote learning is a new experience for many students, and there may be certain struggles or road blocks. It can be easy to grow frustrated with equipment failures or lack of in-person interaction.

    Schools employ qualified therapists and guidance counselors who are just a click, call or email away if issues need to be talked through.

    Students should utilize all resources made available to them.

    Virtual home instruction can be made even easier with some extra assistance and guidance.

  • COVERThere is a new name being engraved on the 2016 Cumberland County Golf Championship trophy. Now in its 48th year, the three-day tournament took place Sept. 16-18 at Cypress Lakes Golf Course, bringing many returning long-time participants as well as new players eager to compete for the title of Cumberland County’s best golfer. In the end, it was 26-year-old Thomas Owen who won the title with a score of 210. 

    “It felt great. It was the fifth time I have played this tournament. I got a little better every year, and last year, I came in fifth. It is a big boost to my confidence,” said Owen. “I won match play last year, but to win stroke play — it was a boost to know I can do it. I am honored to have my name on the trophy with guys I have looked up to for years — people like Billy West, Gary Robinson and Chris Holland. I have played with them and admired them for years, and to have my name added to that list of champions feels great … It makes me want to play more and win more.”

    The Cumberland County Golf Classic Championship is District Attorney Billy West’s favorite tournament. He’s won the title six times. West has played against Owen before and knew Owen would be a tough competitor. West finished in second place tied with J.C. McFadyen, both carding 214. “I really think golf is a gentleman’s sport. It is a sport where you compete, and you certainly try to win, but there is great camaraderie among the players. It is a social sport because you are out there for hours. Doing that over the years, you develop friendships and learn about the other players. You become friends. I told Thomas, obviously, I wanted to win, but, I was really excited to see him win. He is very deserving. It was about the only thing not on his resume. I almost ended up playing with him, and it seemed that he was maybe feeling some pressure and really wanted to win it. My hat is off to him. I remember when I had yet to win a Cumberland County Golf Championship, and it is like a monkey on your back until you get that done.”

    Eight-time winner Gary Robinson was unable to compete this year, which Owen and West both agreed changed the dynamics of the tournament. “I think Gary is coming back next year … I look forward to his return,” said West. “I regret that he missed this year. When he plays, he has a good chance to win, but then again, we all want to win it.”

    For Owen this win is an important stepping stone to reaching other goals. He calls himself a late bloomer saying he was pretty good as a youngster, but he chose baseball over golf in high school. He returned to golf in college and started entering competitions. “I played a lot in college. That is where I got better at the game mentally. I remember thinking a few years ago that I knew my game was getting better, but I wanted something to show for it. I want to compete at the state level and even the U.S. Amateur. I knew I needed local success, and now, I did it.” 

    Under new management, the tournament underwent some changes in direction and format this year. In the past, the hosting golf course had to shoulder the responsibility for coordinating the tournament. This year, Cumberland County’s five local golf courses worked together forming a planning committee with shared responsibilities under the direction of Bill Bowman, founder and publisher of Up & Coming Weekly. Kevin Lavertu, general manager of Gates Four Golf and Country Club is set to host the 2017 tournament. He kicked off the 2016 event with an elegant Opening Ceremony & Pairings Party, inviting contestants, sponsors, local dignitaries and special guests that included major supporter Mac Healy of Healy Wholesale, Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson, Cumberland County Commissioners, State Representative Billy Richardson and N.C. Senator Wesley Meredith. Courtney Stiles, representative for First Tee of the Sandhills was also present and was invited to say a few words about their youth development program, which they hope to establish in Cumberland County. There was much fun, laughter and excitement in the room as the competitors sized up their competition. Each player received a commemorative gift bag with a very special surprise of a free round of golf (for four) at each of the five participating courses. “I think it was a great idea to get everyone together ahead of time. It really built up a sense of camaraderie among the players and generated excitement,” Lavertu said. Gates Four hosts well over 80 tournaments each year. It’s something Lavertu enjoys and he is excited about showing next year’s Cumberland County Golf Classic Championship Classic participants a good time. “We keep the golf course in good playing condition, which of course, is important, but we also look forward to showing everyone hospitality and making sure everyone feels special - like they are a member here — for that weekend.”

    The pre-tournament party was new this year, but it’s not the only change in the works for this Cumberland County tradition. According to organizers the CCGC will add a Women’s Division to the tournament. It was announced that Dee Dee Jarman, head basketball coach and senior athletic director at Methodist University, will assist in coordinating that effort. 

    Robert Wilson is the PGA Pro at Cypress Lakes Golf Course in Hope Mills, which hosted the tournament this year. There was some pressure being the first to host with so many changes in the works. However, he was impressed with the changes. “The other area golf pros came out and helped, and that made a big difference in the quality of tournament. The main thing is that now that the golf courses are all working together, it will be run consistently each year — and that is a big deal. Now, we will be able to provide the golfers more fun and value for their money … a more competitive experience each year... and other perks they can use.” He added, “The golf course was in good shape and set up fair. We heard nothing but positive comments from the players. We will look forward to next year and plan to spread the word to our friends about the tournament so they can come out and enjoy it, too.”

    Fort Bragg’s Stryker Golf Course PGA Pro Jeff Johnson spent a good part of the tournament at Cypress Lakes. He was pleased that Stryker, and the area’s military golfers, have been invited to join the tournament’s rotation. “I would like to see more military members sign up since we will be the host of the Cumberland County Championship Classic in 2020. I think there is a lot of potential for growth here. We joined a little late in the game, so there wasn’t a lot of time to get the word out. Going forward, it will be easier to promote,” said Johnson. “For the first time of the new format, I think it was wonderful. Seventy-seven players was a good start, and I think we can get more than 100 next year. I heard nothing but positive feedback about this year’s changes. The golfers loved the gift bags … they got their money’s worth and then some. I think the pros working together is going to be good for the tournament. The new committee format lets them know they are not alone.” 

    Several local businesses and sponsors provided food and beverages all three days of the tournament, including Healy Wholesale, Chick Fil A, Huske Hardware, Kinlaw’s and Scrub Oaks from the North Side. This was also a tournament first. 

    Billy West added, “This was unique from other typical amateur golf tournaments. Everything from the Pairings Party, which I thought was a unique and good way to get things started, to the breakfast and lunch and snacks there. These are the things that build camaraderie.” 

    So, congratulations to the 2016 Cumberland County Golf Classic Champion Thomas Owen and to the other three CCGC Division Winners: Andy Palma-Open Division Champion, Rick Goforth-Senior Division Champion and Larry Robertson-Super Senior Champion. No doubt, they all will be returning to defend their titles in 2017. 

    Up & Coming Weekly is proud to be associated with this event. Owen’s name will be added to the Legacy Trophy that will be on display and showcased at his home course, Highland Country Club, for the next year. Here, you can see all the champions dating back to 1969. No doubt, 2017 will be one for the record books. Get ready and plan on being at Gates Four next year. Anyone interested in participating in the 2017 CCGC, volunteering to help or be an event sponsor may contact Bill Bowman directly at: bbowman@upandcomingweekly.com or 910 391 3859.

  • 18 IT professionalThere are many reasons why one should consider Information Technology as a field of study. Information Technology includes many different areas you can choose from. The job market is constantly growing and a fundamental Informational Technology knowledge-base opens the door to pursue a vast number of different careers within the field. There will always be a demand for technology specialists, as new advancements are continually on the horizon and the financial reward is great.

    FTCC offers an Information Technology degree in PC Support & Services as well as Database Management. This curriculum prepares graduates to work in the Information Technology field as Help Desk Technicians, Technical Support Specialists, Field Service Technicians, System Support Specialists and a number of other positions.

    Students will learn about computer hardware and software in order to troubleshoot and solve problems. Students also learn the fundamentals of other areas in Information Technology like Programming, Networking, Security and Virtualization.

    Education and training in Information Technology can be an asset for an individual’s career. We are not limited to only those individuals who are seeking an associate degree.

    For those who are seeking that additional career training, we have several certificate programs that are condensed, focusing on one particular area of interest.

    FTCC also offers education opportunities for high school students. There are many certificates available to High School Connections and Cumberland Polytechnic High School students.

    Anyone interested in the program may apply to FTCC from the homepage www.faytechcc.edu by clicking on Apply Now.

    There is no application fee and everyone is accepted. During the admissions process, you will be able to indicate your area interest. You can select the Information Technology/Database Management or Information Technology/PC Support & Services program at this location in the process.

    Once the admissions process is complete, you can begin registering for classes right away. Students can begin their major courses their first semester.

    Interested individuals may also contact Tomica Sobers, at 910-678-7368 or email at sobersto@faytechcc.edu.

    Registration is currently open for Fall 8-week classes. Classes begin Oct. 15. New students can schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor or email admissionscounselors@faytechcc.edu for assistance with admissions, counseling and registration.

    FTCC offers over 280 curriculum programs of study where some academic credits transfer to some four-year colleges/universities and also offers a wide range of Corporate and Continuing Education (noncredit transfer) classes and programs of study.

    For convenience of study in a safe learning environment (online, virtual or traditional classroom), affordability, student club/organization experiences and a high-quality education, make the smart choice for education—Fayetteville Technical Community College.

  • mash houseFall is in the air and school is in session. In addition to Friday Night Lights, it’s homework and carpooling season. For educators that means testing, teaching and mentoring students — and more. Reuben Stocks is the master brewer at The Mash House, and his wife used to be an educator. 

    “They are such a big part of the community. Educators do so much to help kids. Most people who haven’t been involved in education don’t realize how much they do,” he said. 

    So when The Mash House management started thinking about how to give back to the community, honoring educators and the work they do seemed like an obvious choice. On Saturday, Oct. 1, The Mash House, in partnership with the Cumberland County Schools, will host a parking lot party. Admission is free and open to the public.

    Food and drink tickets are $2 each. The menu includes burgers (two tickets per burger) and beer (one ticket per beer).  Tickets are available for purchase at the door. Educators, though, get four free tickets. “This event is open to the public to come and celebrate teachers and other people who work in the school system, so we will have some free tickets for educators to have a meal on us. We’ll also have live music and corn hole games,” said Stocks. “There will be a TV set up outside for people to keep up with how their team is doing, too. There will be a lot going on. It should be a lot of fun.” 

    Attendees can look forward to prizes and giveaways throughout the day as well. The John Dupree Band will provide the live music throughout the day.

    Cumberland Count Schools Beginning Teacher Support Coordinator Tina Chapman noted that everyone is invited. It is a great way to show local educators that they have the support of the community. “We’ve invited the assistant principals, principals.” Chapman noted, adding that Cumberland County Schools Board members are also invited. “I have also invited Todd McCAbe, our teacher of the 2016/2017 school year to say a few words.” Mayor Nat Robertson and CCS Superintendent Dr. Frank Till are also scheduled to attend, along with other local dignitaries. 

    Beer connoisseurs, come thirsty. Stocks plans to serve the eight staples the Mash House serves; however, expect something new. 

    “We will release our Oktoberfest that day. We will also have our Mash House Blonde and IPA for the hop heads that show up.  We will do our red ale, which is a style to fit for those that don’t care for the other three,” he added.

    While the party is outside, this is the perfect chance to take a peek at the newly decorated Mash House interior. “We renovated the main dining area. We have new lights and fixtures and new paint and carpet. It has a nice ambience,” said Stocks. “We have a new semi-private dining room to host private events. We are excited about that because previously we could only do that on our patio — and as you know, North Carolina weather can be up and down.”

    While the event is a celebration of community educators, Chapman pointed out that public attendance is a big part of the event. “It gives teachers the feeling they are appreciated and valued here. Building relationships with community helps the public to know what the teachers do every day in the classroom and let them know they are valued. The teachers and administrators definitely walk away feeling good about their role in the community and feeling appreciated. This truly is one of the biggest feel-good events of the year for us. Helping to plan things like this is my favorite part of my job.” 

    The fun starts at noon and runs through 4 p.m.  Call 867.9223 for more information.

  • 16 logoThursday, Sept. 17, The CARE Clinic hosts its 26th Annual Golf Charity at Gates Four Golf and Country Club. This annual event raises funds to help the clinic provide free basic medical and simple dental extraction services to eligible uninsured, low-income adults. By making it a no-frill tournament, the clinic can make sure the most of every donation and registration dollar benefits those in need. Breakfast, beverages and prizes are all donated.

    The CARE Clinic does not receive any government funding and relies solely on the generosity of donors, grants and fundraisers. The charity golf tournament is one of three major fundraisers The CARE Clinic hosts each year.

    The next Care Dinner is set for Feb. 6, 2021 at 7 p.m. Hosts provide the space, beverages and hors d’oeuvres. The CARE Clinic provides the meal.
    May 6, 2021, the annual Toast of the Town Wine, Beer and Spirits Tasting and Silent Auction will take place at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. To purchase tickets, or to find out how you can support Adult patients who qualify for The CARE Clinic services, may receive, free of charge, any of the following services.
    • Basic Medical Care
    • Dental Extractions
    • Chiropractic Care
    • Laboratory Tests
    • Additional Diagnostic Testing
    • Pharmacy Service
    • Health Education
    • Community Resource Information
    • Social Services
    • Referrals to Specialists

    To be seen in The CARE Clinic you must: be an adult resident of Cumberland County or surrounding areas; have no insurance, including Medicaid; meet an income requirement. Proof of household income required; and have a valid, NC DMV issued picture ID card or Driver License showing your current address where you are residing.

    Clinics are primarily staffed by volunteers. Medical clinics are every Tuesday, Thursday and the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Dental clinics are every Tuesday and second and and fourth Wednesday. All appointments are made on a space available basis. Patients are given the opportunity to make a donation at the time of
    their visit.

    The CARE Clinic does not take walk-ins. Appointments are made only by phone.

    For information about how to make an appointment, call 910-485-0555.

    The CARE Clinic also provides a page of excellent resources at https://www.thecareclinic.org/other-resources/

    To learn more about The CARE Clinic, visit www.thecareclinic.org.

  • hollerinIf you are wondering what all the “hollerin’” is about, then you obviously have not heard that the North Carolina Hollerin’ Contest in Spivey’s Corner ended last year. Those in the hollerin’ community did not take that news quietly. Instead, they raised an alarm that a cultural tradition could be lost, and their voice was heard all the way up to New York City. 

    Hollerin’ champions from the past made a visit to The Late Show, which hosted its first Hollerin’ Contest. The attention garnered from that and other media events convinced Robbie Goodman, a former Army paratrooper, to put on his boots and get to work organizing the Worldwide Hollerin’ Contest on Oct. 8 at Paradise Acres in the Gray’s Creek community.

    Goodman and other champions from the Hollerin’ Contest came together to save the event, which represents a fine southern tradition. Forming a board and a non-profit organization wasn’t the easiest thing to do, but the group succeeded and is planning a party that you won’t soon forget.

    The original event was launched in 1969, putting Spivey’s Corner on the world stage. The first contest was held in June 1969 at Midway High School, and it fast became a summer tradition for many. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, when there were people like Tom T. Hall and Dolly Parton singing at the contest, it hosted upwards of 5,000 people and extended to almost a week.

    Goodman was 10 years old when he brought out his trademark siren and hollered his lungs out in Spivey’s Corner to the delight of the judges, who crowned him the junior champion. That was in 1978. Now, nearly four decades later, Goodman is taking the lead to save the event.

    “Hollerin’,” a traditional form of communication used in rural areas to convey long-distance messages, is considered by some to be the earliest form of communication between humans. “Hollers” exist for virtually any communicative purpose imaginable. The hollers featured at the World Wide Hollerin’ festival fall into one of these four categories: distress, functional, communicative or pleasure.

    The multi-year teen champion of the National Hollerin’ Festival, Ivy Hinson, hails from Fayetteville. For a great sampling of hollerin’, watch her in the 2009 competition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUShkSKAMPg.

    The World Wide Hollerin’ Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 8. Admission is $3 per person, and visitors are invited to bring their chairs, blankets and coolers and enjoy the contest on the 12-acre Paradise Acres facility. Music, food, contests, crafts and more are on the agenda for this special day.

    Entertainment will be provided by Cumberland County Line Bluegrass. From the Piedmont Region of North Carolina and with a style reminiscent of the old bluegrass groups of the past, Cumberland County Line bluegrass offers a mixture of traditional Bluegrass and gospel music. Between playing great music and telling a few tall tales along the way, the group does its best to stir up memories, cause a laugh or two and lift your faith in Jesus Christ. 

    Eighty percent of the proceeds from the event are donated to Wags4Tags, an organization that matches trained shelter dogs with veterans suffering from psychological and emotional injuries. More information: www.Wags4Tags.org

    For more information on the festival, go to www.WorldwideHollerinFestival.org or call 910-633-4735.

  • 15 Stair ClimbThe Fayetteville 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Segra Stadium is scheduled for Sept. 12 from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. to honor and remember the FDNY firefighters, police and EMS who selflessly gave their lives so that others might live on 9-11-2001.

    Each participant pays tribute to an FDNY firefighter, police officer or EMS by climbing the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Your individual tribute not only remembers the sacrifice of an FDNY brother, but symbolically completes their heroic journey to save others.

    Through firefighter and community participation we can ensure that each of the 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, and 10 EMS are honored and that the world knows that we will never forget.

    All monies raised fund the programs provided by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support the families of local fallen firefighters and the FDNY Counseling Services Unit.

    Participants must register online no later than Sept. 10. You can register as an individual or as part of a team. Donations can also be made on the site.

    For more information visit http://events.firehero.org/site/TR?fr_id=2186&pg=entry

  • golf and tennisThe unavoidable truth is that medical care is often costly. However, maintaining health is important not only for individuals, but for the community as a whole. Recognizing this challenge, Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation was created in 1995 as a philanthropic offshoot of Cape Fear Valley Health. Since its inception, the funds raised by CFVHF have been used to support programs and services that Cape Fear Valley Health provides for the community.

    One of the reasons that the Foundation is so valuable is that 100 percent of donations are used to make real, concrete improvements in available healthcare. In the past CFVHF has used funds to provide equipment to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, emergency financial needs for cancer patients and new EKG equipment on EMS vehicles. Cape Fear Valley Health continues to grow, and as such, the foundation tries to keep pace by making sure that the larger facilities still provide quality healthcare for the community. Budgets are limited, but thanks to CFVHF the communities’ health comes first. 

    In order to fund expanded programming, this year the Foundation will host the 21st annual Friends of Children Golf and Tennis Classic. The proceeds of this fundraiser will go to supporting children hospitalized at Cape Fear Valley Health. Specifically, they will provide the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with two new Giraffe Bed Care stations. This equipment creates a womb like environment that significantly increases chances for survival for the more than 600 pre-term infants that the NICU staff cares for every year. The beds provide stable temperatures, protection and safe mobility for access to immediate care.

    Both the tennis and the golf tournaments take place on Oct. 6 at Highland Country Club. The golf tournament is presented by Rick Hendrick Toyota, and Lafayette Lincoln is presenting the tennis tournament. Golf sponsorships range from $500 for a player sponsor, which features one dinner ticket and one golfer spot, to the $25,000 community sponsor which includes 12 golfer tickets, 12 dinner tickets, a VIP dinner, event promotions and event recognition. Golfers also receive a premium player gift package, lunch, beverages and access to the beer and wine tasting. The gift package includes a golf shirt and a $100 certificate at the Highland Country Club Pro Shop. 

    Sponsorship levels for the tennis tournament begin at $250 with the ball sponsor that includes one player entry, a name on the banner and two wine/beer tastings and dinner tickets. Otherwise it is $60 per player. Alternatively, tickets for just the wine and beer tasting and dinner can be purchased for $50. To register, visit www.capefearvalley.com/golf/. 

    In a fun twist on the game, tennis players will compete in tennis poker. For every game that is won the player will randomly choose a card from a deck. Each card corresponds to a specific number of points. At the end of the day the player with the most points is the winner!

    There will also be a raffle. Tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100. Purchasing $100 or more in tickets will also include two admissions to the beer and wine tasting dinner. The prizes for the raffle are a choice between five fantastic trips for four. The options include the Master’s Tournament, Sonoma Wine Country, any college sports game, a golf trip to Bay Hill in Orlando, Fla., or a tennis trip to the U.S. Open in New York. For more information, visit www.cfvfoundation.org. 

  • In an age when the most sensational tweet gets the most attention, the truth can get overlooked. Opinion and ‘alternative facts’ often become the message, so it’s not surprising that misinformation and conspiracy theories about 9/11 are still circulating. But it’s important that people know how to distinguish fact from fiction.

    The attacks of 9/11 were carried out by 19 men who hijacked four fuel-loaded American commercial airline jets that were bound for destinations on the west coast. These individuals were militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda. Three planes reached their targets. The fourth crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.

    The first point of impact was the World Trade Center’s North Tower, located in downtown New York City. American Airlines Boeing 767 left a gaping, burning hole in floors 93 through 99 at 8:45 a.m. Many people were killed instantly, and hundreds more were trapped on floors above the 99th floor. The plane crash was initially thought to be an accident. However, when a second Boeing 767 crashed into the South Tower shortly after the first crash, it became apparent that America was under attack and the first crash was no accident.

    This was not the first terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. A bombing occurred in 1993 in the building’s parking garage, killing six people. However, the events of 9/11 have since been deemed the worst terrorist attack on American soil.

    According to DoSomething.org, on a given workday, up to 50,000 employees worked in the Twin Towers, and an additional 40,000 people — including tourists — passed through the complex and underground shopping mall.

    Hijackers aboard Flight 77 that departed from Dulles International Airport crashed that Boeing 757 into the western facade of the Pentagon building at 9:37 a.m. Fifty-nine people aboard the plane and 125 military and civilian personnel inside the Pentagon lost their lives.

    According to History.com, after passengers and crew members aboard hijacked Flight 93 contacted friends and family and learned about the attacks in New York and Washington, they attempted to retake the plane. In response, hijackers deliberately crashed the plane into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, killing all 40 passengers and crew aboard.

    Amid rumors that other high-profile buildings were being targeted, by 10 a.m. the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all flights over or bound for the continental United States. Various buildings were evacuated as well.

    The South Tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m., and the North Tower collapsed at 10:28 a.m. CNN reported that 2,753 were killed in lower Manhattan alone.

    Only 18 people were rescued from the WTC rubble. Many victims were never identified, even after intense DNA analysis of remains.

    Locally:

    The Fayetteville 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Segra Stadium is scheduled for Sept. 12 from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. to honor and remember the FDNY firefighters, police and EMS who selflessly gave their lives so that others might live on 9-11-2001.

    Each participant pays tribute to an FDNY firefighter, police officer or EMS by climbing the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Your individual tribute not only remembers the sacrifice of an FDNY brother, but symbolically completes their heroic journey to save others.

    Through firefighter and community participation we can ensure that each of the 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, and 10 EMS are honored and that the world knows that we will never forget.

    All monies raised fund the programs provided by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support the families of local fallen firefighters and the FDNY Counseling Services Unit.

    Participants must register online no later than Sept. 10. You can register as an individual or as part of a team. Donations can also be made on the site. For more information visit http://events.firehero.org/site/TR?fr_id=2186&pg=entry

    Pictured:Reflection pools now reside in the footprints of the felled World Trade Center North and South towers in lower Manhattan.

  • highland games Every October the Highland Games bring people from all over the state to participate in a fantastic exhibition of true Scottish culture in Laurinburg. Founder and chairman Bill Caudill describes the Scotland County Highland Games as, “like a day-long visit to Scotland without having to fly.” These games are particularly special because of their connection to the local history. “Being in this region, which was the largest Highland Scottish settlement in North America until well into the 19th century, there is a lot of Scottish identity and Scottish-American history in this area. This is one of very few, if any, Scottish Games that are truly held in a region that was important in the history of Scottish settlement in the USA,” Caudill explained. The event is scheduled for Oct. 1 at the John Blue Home and Historical Complex in Laurinburg.

    It all begins with the opening ceremonies. “My own favorite part is the opening ceremonies. To see all the pipe bands on parade for the massed pipes and drums, the Scottish clans marching by with their banners and tartans waiving and to see the crowd assembled,” Caudill said, “As the founder and chairman of the event, it still gives me chills to see the dreams which I had — which were shared by volunteers who make the event happen — come to fruition. There’s no festival event like it in our region that has this much color and pageantry!”

    In the past years, attendance has reached upwards of 5,000. It is easy to see why the event is so popular when the schedule is packed full of incredible things to do and experience. One of the most exciting displays is the athletic and artistic competitions. “Some may know of the athletic events that are traditional in the Highlands of Scotland, however for those who have not seen a burly man (and some women) try to throw what looks like a small telephone pole then, this, you gotta see. There are also several dozen Highland Dancers and solo pipers and drummers who will be competing for prizes during the day — the first thing one will hear on exiting their car will be the sound of bagpipes in the distance. Fourteen pipe bands will be competing for prizes in the afternoon’s pipe band contest,” Caudill said. 

    There is even a place for children to try out their skills on miniature version of the adult athletic competitions. The fairgrounds will also be packed full of Clan Societies willing to share the histories of their clans and assist others in finding their Scottish roots. There are also vendors offering everything from kilts, to Celtic Jewelry to even the classic culinary favorite - Haggis. There will also be the familiar meat pies, pizza, burgers and hotdogs. Entertainment continues at 6 p.m. with the Celtic Rock group “Seven Nations”.

    The Highland Games is truly focused on the audience. The entire family can come and enjoy a whole day of music, culture and fun. The Highland Games will be held at the John Blue Historical Complex, which also offers a great glimpse into the Scottish-American heritage of the region as it features historic homes and agricultural buildings that all have ties to Scottish-American families. For more information, visit www.schgnc.org/index.html.

  • 13 GovOn Aug. 26, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper proposed a $25 billion General Fund budget to expand Medicaid, increase unemployment benefits, give teachers higher bonuses, and cut funding to Opportunity Scholarships.

    Republicans immediately blasted Cooper’s spending plan, calling it a risky “spend now, pray later” proposal. His budget proposal comes four months late, they said.
    Cooper says his plan won’t require new taxes. But the state would take out almost $5 billion in new debt, only $1 billion of which won’t need taxpayer approval, said Joe Coletti, John Locke Foundation senior fellow.

    “It’s the least serious of the governor’s budget proposals, and that’s saying something,” Coletti said. “It’s not sustainable.”

    Among other things, Cooper’s budget proposal would expand Medicaid, increase unemployment benefits to $500 a week and double the maximum time to 24 weeks, and take out almost $1 billion in bonds for health care infrastructure. The plan would also place a $4.3 billion bond on the November 2021 ballot to borrow $2 billion for school construction, $800 million for water and sewer infrastructure, $500 million for UNC System facilities, $500 million for the community college system, and $500 million for affordable housing.

    In the education area, the governor’s budget would take $85 million from the Opportunity Scholarship Program in a one-time budget cut while spending $360 million to give teachers and principals a $2,000 bonus, support staff a $1,000 bonus, and community college and university employees a $1,500 bonus. North Carolina’s public elementary and secondary schools would receive $132 million for other needs.

    In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the plan would spend $175 million for health services, including testing, tracing, prevention, mental health support, and increasing access in marginalized communities. Related provisions would spend $49 million to develop a state stockpile of personal protective equipment, $50 million to expand access to broadband, $200 million to assist cash-strapped local governments, and $27.5 million for small business mortgage, rent, and utility support.

    Cooper says his budget invests in North Carolina to help people get back on their feet. Republicans say his budget is unrealistic and unbalanced.

    Legislative leaders say Cooper is wrong to rely on $457 million from the state’s unappropriated balance. After the state moved the deadline for income tax filing from April 15 to July 15, it collected more taxes than expected. The state’s budget staff warned the amount could be a false gain.

    “When my small business’s accountant tells me some money on the balance sheet might disappear next month, I don’t run out and spend it,” Sen. Warren Daniel, R-Burke, said. “Gov. Cooper’s ‘spend now, pray later’ proposal could very well result in teacher layoffs next year. That’s exactly what happened to former Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue.”

    After the Great Recession, tax collections plummeted. The Democratic-led General Assembly and then-Gov. Perdue had to balance the budget by raising taxes and furloughing teachers.

    Cooper disagreed with lawmakers’ assessment of the estimated $457 million windfall. He argued his proposal is a balanced budget that won’t require future cuts.

    Cooper called the state’s current unemployment compensation “meager, bottom-of-the-country benefits.” He argued for Medicaid expansion, but didn’t say the General Assembly would support it.

    Republicans attacked Cooper’s plan, especially a move to axe funding for the Opportunity Scholarship program. Cooper says his budget cut won’t affect students who already have scholarships.

    “It strips low-income children, many of whom are black, from the chance to choose the education that best suits their needs,” said Sen. Deanna Ballard, R-Watauga. “Under the governor’s ‘equity’ plan, only the wealthy can attend private school.”

    This is the first time a governor failed to present a budget update before the beginning of the fiscal year since North Carolina began using biennial budgets, said Coletti.

    The governor normally sends a budget to the General Assembly by May during even-numbered years, according to the Office of State Budget and Management. This gives the legislature time to revise, negotiate, and pass the annual update before the new fiscal year begins on July 1.

    “The governor is supposed to present his budget to the legislature before the fiscal year starts — because they’re supposed to pass a budget before the fiscal year starts,” Coletti said.

    Cooper blamed the delay on Congress, saying he was waiting for additional relief money to come to North Carolina.

    “We all thought Congress was going to act,” Charlie Perusse, the governor’s budget director, told Carolina Journal. “We’ve been waiting patiently for the last couple months … We have about $500 million in General Fund money, slightly less than $1 billion in coronavirus relief money, and we’re on the clock to spend it.”

    North Carolina usually passes a budget that lasts two fiscal years and edits the budget in even-numbered years. But the budget stalemate and the pandemic threw a wrench in that process.

    North Carolina is operating on the budget from 2018 and a series of mini-budgets. Last year’s budget sank after Cooper vetoed the 2019-20 budget over Medicaid expansion. Republican legislators passed the budget out of the House with a surprise veto override, but the budget remained stalled in the Senate.

    Cooper has vetoed three budgets sent to him by the Republican-led General Assembly. Republicans overrode the first two vetoes, but they lost their veto-proof supermajorities in the November 2018 election.

    North Carolinians should prepare for another budget fight between the governor and lawmakers, said Coletti.

    “They’re not going to agree,” Coletti said. “Cooper wouldn’t allow teacher raises this year because he thought that was more helpful than agreeing to the lower Republican raise.”

    Pictured: Gov. Roy Cooper

  • nc outreachSometimes life gets overwhelming and you just need a hand. That might mean access to information or a resource that can provide services to fill in a gap during a rough patch. Patriot Outreach is in the business of connecting people, specifically veterans and first responders, and resources. Its mission is to provide private and confidential access to simple and effective resources to those troubled or suffering as a result of stressful or traumatic experiences while in the service of our nation. And to provide a forum whereby concerned and experienced professionals can share their expertise and experience. To promote better understanding of the needs of our noble warriors among our military, health professionals and government leadership …to improve mission readiness and to provide hope to the guardians of our nation. On Oct. 1, the organization is set to host Patriot Outreach Day at Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Tony Rand Center. 

    Mike Baker is the event organizer, and he takes giving back seriously. He’s been there. “Being a vet myself if it wasn’t for a nonprofit giving me support I needed, I would not be where I am today,” said Baker. “That is important to me. I was in the weird transition place in my life. It was actually at the opening of the N.C. Veterans Park that a fellow marine pulled me aside.” 

    The day’s events include, an information fair, a concert, a car show and an appearance by NASCAR’s Christi Edelbrock. Mayor Nat Robertson will be in attendance and local survivalist celebrity E. J. Snyder will speak.

    Baker says there are about 35 vendors scheduled that include organizations like the USO, the Fisher House, Gold Star Mothers and the American Legion as well as smaller organizations. 

    “This is a way for all of these organizations to be in one location where they know there will be vets. It is a way to get their services recognized by the vets in the community,” Baker said. “Only about 10 percent of vets and first responders get the help they need. We are trying to reach the other 90 percent. We do it by having events that people can come and have fun.”

    And that means making it fun as well as informative, which is what the Warrior Jam is about. “We have three music acts,” said Baker. “Jamie Pridgen is a country music singer from the Rocky Mount area. Gil Charles is a military wife and singer who does pop and country music. And Ryan Daniel is our national spokesperson and headliner. CMT just picked a video for one of his songs. He is an Air Force vet and is a good singer.” 

    NASCAR fans can chat with Christie Edelbrock, who will be on site promoting her Rev’ved Up 4 Kids program. “The program offers and opportunity for kids to get hands on training with an actual engine and tear it apart and rebuild it,” said Baker. “She comes to support us and we appreciate it.” 

    While all the activities are a lot of fun, what makes the event worthwhile for him is helping people. “We’ve helped 38 people this year. That’s 38 people that needed a hand and someone else didn’t reach,” said Baker.

    The event runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is at the Toney Rand Student Center. Call 705.6093 for more information.

  • 12 logoThe public’s input is wanted to help shape and direct the future of transportation in Cumberland County. The North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Mid-Carolina Rural Planning Organization recently launched an interactive survey that will help develop the Cumberland County Comprehensive Transportation Plan.

    This will be the first Comprehensive Transportation Plan for the entirety of Cumberland County, which includes the FAMPO and Mid-Carolina RPO planning regions. The plan focuses on conditions, safety and ease of travel for all transportation modes using a horizon year of 2045 so that today’s transportation concerns can be addressed and prioritized for the future.

    FAMPO wants you to evaluate the importance of modern roads, emerging technologies, shorter travel times, growth and development, and public or private transit.

    “This transportation plan can only be successful with the input of the community,” said Joel Strickland FAMPO executive director. “You drive our roads. You know where the areas of concern are. This survey will tell us what matters to you and what the recommended transportation plan should focus on.”

    Cumberland County residents and those who commute through the area can participate in the development of this plan by taking a quick online survey at https://cumberlandfampo.metroquest.com/. The survey is available in Spanish and English (La encuesta está disponible en español e inglés).

    There are questions about pedestrian and biking infrastructure, as well as mass transit and traffic congestion. A map feature allows survey takers to identify specific areas of concern using drag-and-drop icons.

    The survey is open until Sept. 25. FAMPO and NCDOT will use the confidential results to begin drafting the plan. After the plan is compiled, the public will have opportunities for review and for further comments before presentations to the local boards and the NCDOT.

    Follow the plans’ progress virtually at fampo.org/plans.

    FAMPO was established in 1975 as a result of the Federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1973. Any urbanized area with a population greater than 50,000 is designated as a Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization includes portions of Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke and Robeson counties.

    For more information on FAMPO, visit fampo.org or call 910-678-7614.

     

  • cfrtThe Cape Fear Regional Theatre opens its 2016-2017 season with Million Dollar Quartet, a co-production with Theatre Raleigh, of the Tony award-winning Broadway hit. The story recounts a true event from December 4, 1956, when four future iconic music-makers (Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis) gathered at Sun Records in Memphis. The result was an impromptu jam session.

    Fayetteville audiences are in for a treat. Million Dollar Quartetis a rompin’, stomping, clapping, snapping good time! If you thought CFRT’s Ring of Fire was good last season (and I do), be prepared for the cast and crew to take the musical party to the next level. CFRT and director Tim Seib are to be commended. The show is fantastic. The performers are top-notch. The music is excellent. 

    The show offers a sampling of music from all four performers and ranges from rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly and blues to gospel. It kicks off with “Blue Suede Shoes” and ends with “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” with a great mix in between. The cast sings all the music and plays all
    the instruments.

    It is hard to choose just one or two favorite songs from the show. While the individual performances highlight the actors’ talent, the ensembles highlight their range and the festive atmosphere of the show. Joe Boover as Elvis was terrific on Dean Martin’s “Memories Are Made Of This.” As Cash, Ted Bushman killed it on “Sixteen Tons.” Despite the rousing audience appeal and participation in the ensembles “See You Later Alligator” and the closer “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” my favorite of the night was “Down by the Riverside.” For me at least, the soulful performance reflected the professional and personal trials of the real-life men, who despite fame and fortune, seemed to always be searching for the internal peace the performers sing about. 

    While the crowd always did and seems to still go crazy for Elvis and Cash, Ian Fairlee and Michael Kennedy gave noteworthy turns as Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Quite frankly, Fairlee stole the show with his energy. Kennedy’s solid portrayal of Perkins and his musical chops on the guitar were the backbone of the show. 

    Those who only associate the jam session with the four legends are in for a surprise. Fayetteville-based actress Taylor Kraft portrays Dyanne, Elvis’ gal-pal who was with him that evening at Sun Records. Kraft heated up the entire audience with her rendition of “Fever.” Her last turn on the CFRT stage was in last season’s Ring of Fire.

    Kudos to Jon Rossi and Jason William Steffen. Steffen played the double bass. Rossi served as the music director for the production and played the drums. Both were able to showcase their musical talent and give a nod to often overlooked studio musicians.

    Throughout the show, we get a glimpse inside the music business during that era from Sam Phillips, played by David McClutchey, a regular at Theatre Raleigh. Phillips gave each of the quartet their starts in the business by encouraging and showcasing their individual styles. Through McClutchey’s portrayal, we see that success is sometimes due not only to talent, but also business acumen.

    There are no weak links in Million Dollar Quartet.It is a first-class show all the way around. Don’t miss it.

    The show runs through Oct. 2. For tickets and information, visit www.cfrt.org or call the box office at 323-4233.

  • 11 Lafayette II Copy 2The American Revolutionary War was initiated by the 13 original colonies against the kingdom of Great Britain over their objection of Parliament’s direct taxation and the lack of colonial representation. The war of independence was not a brief conflict. It lasted for eight years (1775-1783).

    Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roche Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, was born into a family of noble military lineage September 6, 1757, in Chavaniac, France. He was only 20 when he fled his home country during the French Revolution. Lafayette regained prominence as a statesman before his death May 20, 1834. Inspired by stories of the colonists’ struggles against British oppression, Lafayette sailed to the newly declared United States in 1777 to join the uprising.

    He was initially rebuffed by colonial leaders, but he impressed them with his passion and willingness to serve. He had inherited significant wealth and agreed to serve without pay. In America, he served the Continental Army with distinction, providing tactical leadership while securing vital resources from France. Lafayette was named a major-general in the Continental Army.

    His first major combat duty came during the September 1777 Battle of Brandywine, when he was shot in the leg. Gen. George Washington requested doctors to take special care of Lafayette, igniting a strong bond between the two that lasted until Washington’s death. More troops fought at Brandywine than any other battle of the American Revolution. It was also the longest single-day battle of the war, with continuous fighting for 11 hours.

    Following a winter in Valley Forge with Washington, Lafayette helped draw more French resources to the colonial side. He had travelled to France to press Louis XVI for more aid. Lafayette assumed increased military responsibility upon his return to battle. As commander of the Virginia Continental forces in 1781, he helped keep British General Lord Cornwallis’ army pinned at Yorktown, Virginia, while divisions led by Washington and French forces surrounded the British and forced a surrender in the last major battle of the Revolutionary War.

    The Lafayette Society of Fayetteville was founded by Martha Duell (1924-2015) in 1981 to raise funds for a statue of Fayetteville’s namesake to be erected in Cross Creek Park. The statue was dedicated in 1983 as part of Fayetteville’s bicentennial celebration. The organization has funded scholarships for high school and college students and supported the establishment of the Lafayette Room in the Methodist University library. The carriage used by Lafayette during his visit to Fayetteville in 1825 is in the local library.

    Some members of the Lafayette Society also belong to the American Friends of Lafayette, an historical and patriotic association dedicated to Lafayette’s memory and to the study of his life and times in America and France. The organization was founded at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1932. The library at Lafayette College has a collection of over 2,000 items related to Lafayette.

  • comicconA celebration of pop culture — specifically all things cool and geeky. That’s what Michael Chaudhuri set out to bring to Fayetteville last year with the inaugural Fayetteville Comiccon. And did he ever. More than 8,000 people showed up. This year, the family-friendly event is poised to eclipse last year’s stellar showing. Comiccon takes place at the Crown on Oct. 15 and 16.

    “Fayetteville deserves a first rate Comiccon,” said Chaudhuri. “We are longtime geeks and we felt the demand and interest was there. We thought it was one of the best place that didn’t have a Comiccon yet and wanted to bring that to the community.”

    While many Comiccon’s are themed for specific audiences, this one touches on most every genre. “Our con features a little bit of everything,” said Chaudhuri. “If it’s geek, we’ve got it. We do more than most conventions in the country.”

    Fans of comics, cosplay, gaming, collectible toys, anime, cool TV or movies, Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, The Walking Dead and/or horror won’t want to miss it.

    Guests include Sam Jones of Flash Gordon fame, Power Rangers Steve Cardenas and Jason Faunt, Scott Tepperman from Ghost Hunters International, horror movie actor Jim O’Rear, voice actors Veronica Taylor, Barbara Goodson and Kerrigan Mahan. Comic book creators in attendance include Michael Golden of The Hulk, Arthur Suydam cover artist for Marvel Zombies, Kelly Yates of Doctor Whocomics, Wayne Van Sant of Nam comics, Kirk Lindo of Vampress Luxura, Richard Case from The Doom Patrol, Russian comic bood artist Konstantin Komardin, Back Issue editor Michael Eury, Vampirella artist Louis Small, Jr., Marvel colorist and editor Renee Witterstaetter, Herc & Thor author Dan Johnson, artist Rodney Bennett, and Al Bigley ofThe Power Rangers. The Walking Dead Reunion Part Two features The Walking Dead actors Ben Bladon, Santiago Cirilo, Melissa Cowan, Gregory French, Adam Minarovich, Michael Mundy, Kent Wagner, and Veronica Wagner. 

    Chaudhuri noted that the impressive guest list will yield two days of panels on a wide array of topics. “The panels are always a good time and cover a little bit of everything,” said Chaudhuri. “In addition to the guest panels, we have Cosplay 101; Using Fabric in Cosplay; Cosplay and Disabilities; Comic Book History; Supernatural discussion; Military SF; Indie Film Making; How to Get your Comic Book or Novel Published; a NerdSlam and even SCIFI Speed Dating.”

    For cosplay fans, there are two competitions on the main stage. The junior level competition (for ages 15 and under) is on Saturday. The grand prize is a Dell laptop. The senior level competition takes place on Sunday. The grand prize is a Dell laptop.

    Gamers, the gaming alley that was so popular last year has been expanded and will have tournaments galore. Cardz-n-things is set to host Magic the Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh tournaments. Video game competitions include Super Smash Brothers. HeroClix and the Pathfinder Society and the World Beyblade Organization are all a part of gaming alley. 

    “We say this is a geek event — and it is — but families and non gamers will have a great time, too,” said Chaudhuri. “This really is for everyone. We have a kids zone, aerialists, live tattooing, martial arts demonstrations, sword play demonstrations, live magic demonstrations, show cars, door prizes … we even have a nerd harp.”

    If the entertainment and panels aren’t enough, come for the vendors. “We’ll have all kinds of collectible toys, cosplay accessories and accoutrements, anime, jewelry, Star Wars and Doctor Who collectibles, DVDs, vintage video games, and, well, who knows what else you might find,” said Chadhouri. “We also have a large Artist Alley, with some of the best artists from Cumberland County and across the Carolinas.”

    Advance tickets are $15, but weekend passes are $25. No discounts at the door. Active duty military get a $2 discount on all advance ticket purchases. Tickets at the door are $18 or $30 for a weekend pass. Tickets are available at http://www.crowncomplexnc.com. Doors open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

  • 10 Business ResourcesThe Cumberland County Community Development agency is operating a new grant cycle to assist qualified local businesses that have suffered economic hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Small Business Resiliency Program targets small businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees, providing grants up to $10,000. As part of an earlier cycle, 18 local businesses received notice of awards. Several more businesses are pending final review.

    The Small Business Resiliency program is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. To be eligible, businesses must operate within the Cumberland County geographic service area outside the city of Fayetteville, which has its own program.

    To learn more, visit the Small Business Resiliency Grant Program link on the Community Development page of the Cumberland County website at co.cumberland.nc.us.

  • farmlandSustainable Sandhills does a lot of things. One of them is educate people. But learning doesn’t have to be boring. And that is what the organization proves time and again with its Sustainable Saturday’s series. Once a month, Sustainable Sandhills presents movies that focus on sustainability and environmental issues. These films are free to the public and take place at the Cameo Art House Theatre. The events always start at 11 a.m. Usually, experts in fields that relate to the movies come and host discussions following the films. Some of these may directly affect the community; some may focus on a larger scale. Last month, River Run: Down the Cape Fear hit close to home, while previous showings like More Than Honeyand Black Gold dealt with bigger picture issues.

    The next Sustainable Saturday is on Sept. 24 and features the film Farmland.The movie focuses on the huge disconnect between the majority of the American people and the people that produce the food they eat. The documentary follows six young farmers and ranchers in their twenties and illustrates the high-risk/high-reward lifestyles they lead. It is a story about passion and about evolution. Farming is in many cases, tradition, but these new young farmers bring a fresh new perspective to their work. They are driving change and this film is a first hand look at their work. It grapples with controversial issues like genetic modification, animal welfare and antibiotics in animal feed. It comes from award winning director James Moll. As a point of awareness, it was funded by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance

    However these once a month screenings are not the only time that environmentally concerned films are available. Sustainable Sandhillls has a significant library of green films. Volunteers are invited to host their own screening for friends and family with at-home screening. Those wanting to experience these films with friends need only contact Sustainable Sandhillls to arrange a rental. For those looking for even more reach there is also the option of volunteering for a living room social Sustainable Sandhills will supply the film and registration and hosts provide the living room and the popcorn. These socials are generally planned three weeks in advance based on dates chosen by the host. Businesses are also invited to sponsor films and host green film socials.

    Sustainable Sandhills is a local non-profit that traces its roots to the sustainability initiative that Fort Bragg leadership started in 2000. In 2002 the Sustainable Fort Bragg program was formed and its success in work like identifying its environmental footprint has inspired leaders to continue the progress beyond the Fort Bragg boundaries. In partnership with Fort Bragg and the NC Department of Environment local community leaders and stakeholders created the Sustainable Sandhills Initiative in 2003. The steering committee defined success as not relying on nonrenewable resources, not systematically increasing non biodegradable synthetic products, not degrading natures services and meeting all basic needs. Since 2005 the initiatives include eight counties: Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, Moore, Richmond, Scotland, Lee and Montgomery. 

    Sustainable Sandhills has translated the initial goal of the organization set out by the steering committee into four core program areas: clean air, clean water, green schools and green business. Their efforts to achieve these goals focus on youth empowerment, combating climate change, documenting the environment and demanding stronger protection for it. Their tools are education, demonstration and collaboration. Find out more about Sustainable Sandhills at http://www.sustainablesandhills.org/

  • 09 child anxiety Copy 2Cumberland County Schools’ student services hotline has been reactivated and will remain available while the district is providing remote pupil instruction.

    Officials have anticipated that some students may experience difficulties because of anxiety or stress related to illness or school closure.

    The hotline number is 910-475-1950. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. This service is provided for CCS students in need of social-emotional support. Calls are answered by school-based review consultants and military family and youth liaison associates.

  • GILBERTBeginning Sept. 23 and running through Oct. 9, the stage at the Gilbert Theater will transform into northwester Louisiana for a production of Steel Magnolias. The hardship and triumphs of six women are on display here as they live their lives in small town southern America. “I think this story is 100 percent about women. STEEL Magnolias. Strong women who suffer and come through the other side of things by walking THROUGH the pain, “ artistic director Robyne Parrish explained. 

    For many, this is a familiar story. It made its stage debut in 1987 and was later adapted into a movie in 1989. For any other theater these previous performances may be intimidating. The Gilbert Theater excels in creating unique and fresh interpretations of classic stories. 

    “It is certainly iconic and is attached to an award winning movie with major actresses at the helm. The actresses must make the work their own and we hope to bring something new to the production,” Parrish says, “The play takes place in Truvy’s salon. There is only one set. There are also no male characters in the show. The script remains fairly intact. People familiar with the film and not the play will recognize many, many lines. “

    The success of this story in many ways lies in its often-painful realism. The problems that these characters face are not fantastical, they are real and the characters are powerfully relatable. Because these characters are so relatable as people the gendered aspect of the show does not serve as a limitation. Male and female audiences can connect to the story. “I just played M’Lynn at Theatre Raleigh this summer and so I relate the most to M’Lynn. But I think I can identify with almost every character in the show and I think our audiences will too — both male and female,” Parrish said. 

    While the cast and the focus of the show is entirely on women, the story here is really universal. This is a show about humanity and about over coming adversity. Everyone faces challenges. “Bring the whole family. And all the guys. This is a brilliant script and a wonderful story of family, love and loss. Everyone can get something amazing out of it,” Parrish said. “Our cast is brilliant and we know the whole community will enjoy what they have to offer!” Tickets can be purchased and more information can be found at www.gilberttheater.com. 

    Just as Steel Magnolias focused on transitions, this season is also a transition for the Gilbert Theater. This season is the final season for the Parrish as the Gilbert Theater’s artistic director. 

    “I am excited about this season. it is an incredible line - up. Of course I will be leaving midway through and Matthew Overturf will be taking over as Artistic Director with Meghann Redding coming on as Executive Director. I just know my final season is going to be a wonderful one and I am so excited about the team that will be taking over after my departure in February,” she says. 

  • 08 Opioid overdose Copy 4The National Institutes of Health classifies the misuse and addiction to opioids as a national crisis. A mayoral proclamation issued last week observed that people who have substance addictions can accidentally overdose on prescription opioids.

    Opiates include morphine, heroin, fentanyl, tramadol and methadone. Overdose symptoms include breathing problems and unconsciousness. Fayetteville police and firefighters have used naloxone nasal spray to treat opioid emergencies, saving hundreds of lives over the last four years.

    Naloxone, also known by the trade name Narcan®, is given right away but does not take the place of emergency medical care. Emergency help is needed right away after a dose of the nasal spray is administered, even if the person wakes up, as symptoms may return.

    Opioid overdose information is available at www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdf/patients/Preventing-an-Opioid-Overdose-Tip-Card-a.pdf or by calling 911 if you suspect someone is overdosing.

  • yesteryear The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex will celebrate Lafayette’s birthday with its annual  Festival of Yesteryear: A Celebration of Early America on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Arsenal Park. 

    It’s in conjunction with the Lafayette Society’s celebration that starts on Sept. 9 and goes through Saturday Sept. 10. The Festival of Yesteryear is a fun way to get an up close and personal look at what life was like during the Revolutionary War. Adults and children can all learn a thing or two and have a great time in the process.

     “The festival is part of the Lafayette birthday celebration and we celebrate colonial North Carolina,” said Megan Maxwell, education coordinator for the Poe House. “We have re-enactors come and demonstrate all kinds of daily life activities, military demonstrations, musical performances and Mark Schneider will perform as the Marquis de Lafayette.” 

     The event demonstrates various aspects of daily life such as cooking, politics, medicine, music, toys and games, spinning and militia drills. 

    “We have several groups that have been coming for years to this event including Camp Flintlock which is a family business,” said Maxwell. “We have the Apprentice Alley activity which is basically a craft station for the kids so they can do hands-on activities and make creative things.” 

    Maxwell added that the North Carolina Highland Regiment comes every year and their uniforms are Scottish Highlanders. They will do a Muscat demonstration and drill for the public throughout the day. There will be volunteers from Moore’s Creek National Battlefield that portray colonial militia and there will be cannon firing demonstrations a few times throughout the day. Photos can be taken in the pillory which is a wooden frame with holes for the head and hands that was used as punishment in colonial days. Musical acts include April C. Turner performing African spirituals, the Tryon Palace Fife and Drum Corporation and musical historian Simon Spaulding. 

     “We look forward to everyone coming to our family friendly event,” said Maxwell. 

     The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex is located on the corner of Bradford and Arsenal Avenues. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. 

     Admission is free. Concessions  will be available for purchase. For more information call 486-1330. 

  • 07 web design development Copy 2Beginning Oct. 1, the city of Fayetteville’s Development Services Department will be operating digitally. All development projects and plans will be serviced electronically through a new web portal, which will serve as a one-stop-shop for information developers need. The department oversees planning and code enforcement, zoning and rezoning, special-use and building permits as well as inspections, plus city engineering and infrastructure assignments. It’s a means by which city officials can be more transparent and accountable to its customers.

    “It also saves them time, money and headaches tracking down what is happening to their plans,” said Development Services Director Gerald Newton.

    In 2019, the city’s Development Services and Information Technology Departments caused the new portal for site plans to be submitted and reviewed electronically. To learn more about Fayetteville’s development rules and future land use plans, visit https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/development-services.

  • CFRTWhen artists gather together, sometimes magic happens. And that’s what happened on Dec. 4, 1956, when four music icons – Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Sam Perkins and Johnny Cash -  met at Sun Studios in Memphis and decided to jam. That infamous jam session was covered by a reporter from the Memphis Press-Scimitar who titled his article about the event “The Million Dollar Quartet.” Fast forward to today, The Million Dollar Quarter, the musical, is wowing audiences all over the world, and on Sept. 9, the show will open at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre as the opening of the season.

    Tom Quaintance, the artistic director of the theatre, is excited about the show, which is a co-production with Theatre Raleigh. Quaintance explained that Theatre Raleigh was closing its season with the show while the CFRT was opening its season. It was a great opportunity for the two theatres to work together and literally move the show – cast and all – from one theatre to the other. 

    “The show is a single set show and we were able to get a great group of people to do the show in both places. Here we are, at the CFRT, a week out from the opening, but we have already seen it in Raleigh. It was nice collaboration,” said Quaintance.  

    He went on to note that if you liked the theatre’s production of Ring of Fire, you are “going to love The Million Dollar Quartet.” 

    “This is a great time at the theatre,” said Quaintance. “It’s not only great music, but it’s also a great story. It is really unbelievable that these guys came together for this great jam session. It is wildly entertaining, while it tells a really cool story that ties all of the music together. We get a glimpse into these characters that we feel like we know. We get a chance to peek behind the curtain and look at what goes into making an artist’s career. This story looks at how they came together and what ties them all together. Sam Phillips, of Sun Records, found, cultivated and developed some of the greatest musicians of the century. This show gives us a peek behind the curtain at what started them on their path.”

    As was the case with Ring of Fire, the theatre wasn’t just looking for good actors, it was looking for good musicians as well. The actors/musicians who play the roles of Presley, Cash, Lewis and Perkins will not only sing all of the music, they will also play all of the instruments. And, the music will get the house rocking with hits like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Walk the Line” and more including gospel songs that were very important to each artist. 

    Ian Fairlee is Jerry Lee Lewis in the show. “The character of Jerry Lee Lewis really draws me,” said Fairlee. “He was one of the most intense musicians. I’ve played piano for 17 years. Musical theater has always been my first love, but to find something where I can literally destroy a piano is a real treasure. This character especially is kind of different side of who I am as a person. He is very cocky, arrogant – not something I’m used to, but it’s a lot of fun.”

    As was the case with each of the actors in the show, Fairlee took the time to read Lewis’ biography. “As crazy as he was, Jerry Lee Lewis was very religious. He had a legitimate fear that his music was causing him to be sent to hell for stirring up rambunctiousness in the community. He struggled with it his entire life,” explained Fairlee.

    The same can be said of Johnny Cash. Ted Bushman, who plays Cash in the musical, loved the Americana cowboy that Cash personified. 

    “It’s fun to be the John Wayne of rock and roll. Cash is not swaggering, but he has a mysterious, wanderer quality that I think is so exciting to portray,” said Bushman. “I’ve been reading Cash’s biography and he was so spiritual and humble as an older man. I want to portray this timeless Johnny Cash. Johnny’s life became part of people’s consciousness and became a friend to them.” 

    “I have enjoyed getting to know who Elvis was before he was the icon,” said Joe Boover. “Of course when I got this role, I was intimidated. But I started reading his bio and getting to know who he was… getting to know his insecurities. One of the things I found was that throughout his life, he always worried that the audience was making fun of him. Those leg movements that he became famous for were really a nervous tick. Sam Phillips gave him confidence and his tie to his family kept him going through all of the craziness – and that’s something I can connect to.”

    Michael Kennedy had a bit more studying to do when it came to playing the role of Carl Perkins. He couldn’t find very much about him, which took the pressure off and gave him the freedom to imagine how things may have happened.

    “We know he loved to write, play guitars and his family,” explained Kennedy. “One of the most important things he and his wife did was set up a foundation for abused children. He loved the people with whom he played. He loved jamming, recording and making new types of music and being around great people. People looked up to him and he was humbled by that.”

    One of the people that looked up to Perkins was Cash. They were very good friends. Perkins would often play backup at Cash’s concerts. “Cash hated that,” said Kennedy. “He always wished that Carl would have been more recognized.”

    The show runs Sept. 9 through Oct. 2. For tickets and information, visit ww.crft.org or call the box office at 323-4233.

  • 06 ballot request large Copy 2“No special circumstance or reason is needed to vote by mail in North Carolina. All registered voters in North Carolina may request an absentee ballot for the November 2020 general election,” the state board of elections says on its website.

    Three voting options are always available to registered voters — absentee voting by mail, voting at one-stop early voting sites across the county and Election Day voting at assigned polling places. The state elections board says North Carolina is the first state to send out ballots for the 2020 general election.

    The vote-by-mail process was initiated on Sept. 4, two months ahead of Election Day. Ballot requests can be made through an online Absentee Ballot Request Portal. Or voters can fill out absentee ballot requests by mail and turn them in to their county board of elections office.

    A voter’s absentee ballot request information is not a public record until the ballot is returned or until Election Day. Ballot request information will not appear in voter records through the Voter Search Tool. After a ballot is requested, allow a week to 10 days for it to be sent.

    When your ballot is accepted by your county board of elections, that information will be posted in your voter record. Absentee by-mail voting is safe and secure in North Carolina. Officials are encouraging voters to request absentee ballots as soon as possible. The cutoff date is 5 p.m. on Oct. 27.

  • 14 vaccineInfectious diseases can strike at any time. Some of them cause relatively minor interruptions to daily life and often can resolve of their own accord when the body’s immune system mounts a successful defense. Other diseases can cause serious, even life-threatening, symptoms or spread rapidly, which makes it essential for medical professionals to help slow down or stop the transmission.

    Herd immunity refers to the indirect protection from infectious diseases that occurs when a large percentage of the population has become immune to that disease. The term has taken on renewed significance as the world has been battling COVID-19.

    If enough people are resistant to the cause of a disease, whether it is a bacteria or virus, that disease has nowhere to go and the spread stalls, according to WebMD.

    There are two ways that herd immunity can occur. The first is when resistance develops naturally when the body is exposed to the virus or bacteria. At this point, the immune system will produce antibodies to fight off the infection. After recovery, these antibodies are still circulating, and should exposure to the same disease occur again, the body can defend against another infection.

    Another way that herd immunity occurs is through vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that when the majority of people are vaccinated, it creates the same disease lockdown, fewer people get sick and fewer germs are able to spread from person to person.

    Diseases are different and herd immunity is reached based on the pathogen’s reproduction number, or R0 (R-naught).

    The R0 tells the average number of people that a single person with the virus can infect if those people aren’t already immune.

    The higher the R0, the greater number of people will need to be resistant to reach herd immunity. Measles, which is very contagious at an R0 of 12 to 18, requires 93 to 95% of the population to be immune for herd immunity to be reached.

    The World Health Organization estimates the R0 for COVID-19 to be between two and three. This means between 40 and 70% of the population will need to be immune to halt the spread.

    In the case of COVID-19, it’s still unclear whether anyone can get re-infected, and whether antibodies produced for one strain can fend off another strain of this novel coronavirus.

    This reinfection mystery is what makes herd immunity, both through a vaccine or through natural exposure, challenging for epidemiologists in relation to COVID-19.

  • 13 job huntingThe economy has struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many people are concerned by what the future may bring, particularly regarding their careers. Some fields may continue to scale back while others may increase operations. There is much uncertainty for those looking for new work or considering changing jobs.

    Even though the coronavirus may slow down the process of hiring and make it even more competitive, job seekers must avoid the notion that they should throw in the towel and try to wait out the lull. Many people have found new jobs during the pandemic, and these strategies can help men and women do just that.

    Many people may think that resume writing is a “one and done” process, but that’s not the case. The Balance: Careers says a resume should be updated and tweaked each time a person applies for a position. Keep a generalized outline for your resume, but be sure to modify your skills and accomplishments as they pertain to the specific job for which you’re applying.

    In many instances, a functional resume format, which emphasizes skills over linear job experience, is a good choice because it can gloss over gaps in the resume or frequent job changes. Remember to fill the resume with the same verbiage used
    in the job posting. If scanning software is used to cull resumes for key words, yours will have the right words and phrases.

    If you use a social media application like LinkedIn, Plaxo or Jobster to network, be sure to keep your profile current. It also may be helpful to join industry networking groups and organizations at this time, as they may have an ongoing aggregator of job openings in particular fields.

    While travel, hospitality and event planning have been hit hard due to COVID-19, other industries like online shopping, delivery, healthcare, grocery stores, cleaning services, and more, have experienced growth. Many industries also have revamped operations and may need a consultant or expert to help them change over their business formats. Do not assume that the pandemic has stalled all job prospects.

    Even after businesses have reopened, remote interviews will likely be the norm. Set up an interview spot in your home with good lighting, a neutral background, limited distractions and a desirable camera angle. Practice being interviewed digitally. Master various meeting applications by downloading necessary software in advance so that technical difficulties will not derail the process. The interviewer sees only your background, so utilize a paper or whiteboard in front of you with notes or talking points. A job search may be complicated by the coronavirus, but there are steps to make it easier to find a job. With patience and positivity, the odds can be in job-seekers’ favor.

  • 12 the ride academy NOfBhUOA79g unsplashOn Aug. 9, 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant was shot and killed while riding his bicycle outside his home in Wilson, North Carolina. Within days, the tragedy became national news, and people across the nation rallied to show support to the Hinnant family by way of messages, prayer vigils and charity events. When a local Hope Mills woman heard the news, she organized a local charity ride to raise funds for the Hinnant family. The Benefit Ride for Cannon Hinnant is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5, starting at Fort Bragg Harley-Davidson on Sycamore Dairy Road in Fayetteville.

    “I am a mother, and it broke my heart,” said Angela Sajko. “I wanted to do something to show support.”

    A motorcycle enthusiast herself, Sajko has been riding for 22 years.

    “In the biker community, we do a lot of benefit rides,” she said.

    The ride is scheduled to end at the Nash County Community College in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Sajko said the original end-point was advertised as the Wilson Fair Grounds, then changed to Middlesex Elementary School, but law enforcement officials have changed it again to accommodate the number of riders expected. She has received interest from several out-of-state motorcycle clubs, including riders from Kentucky, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and Texas.

    Any future updates to the route and/or destination will be posted on the Facebook page, she said.

    The route leaves Harley-Davidson and travels down Morganton Road to Glensford Drive then to Hope Mills Road. The ride will hit I-95 and travel to the end point, she said.

    The benefit ride will have a law enforcement escort the entire route to include Fayetteville Police Department in town, Highway Patrol while on I-95 and local police off the exit.

    Members of the Hinnant family will greet riders in Wilson, Sajko said. “We will be able to meet his mom and grandparents,” she said, “but there are no official remarks or guest speakers scheduled.

    “This is about showing support to the family, to let them know that other parents and grandparents are grieving with them.”

    The Sept. 5 Benefit Ride for Cannon Hinnant will begin at Fort Bragg Harley-Davidson on Sycamore Dairy Road in Fayetteville and end at Nash County Community College in Rocky Mount.

    Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and kickstands are up at 11 a.m. “Registration costs $20 for anything that is street legal,” Sajko said, noting that motorcycles will lead the way for cars and trucks. All proceeds from the $20 registration fee will be donated to the Hinnant family. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/fortbraggharley.

  • 11 N2007P46002CUniversity of North Carolina leaders, students and faculty are blaming each other for the growing number of COVID-19 cases on campuses.

    But it’s unclear where the fault lies. Plenty of fingers were pointed at the UNC System, who left the blueprints for reopening with campus officials. Others blame the campus leaders for trying to squeeze too many people — socially active young adults — into confined spaces with inadequate safeguards. Some university leaders blamed students for holding large parties.

    Or perhaps the confusion was inevitable as tens of thousands of students, faculty and staff members tried to reopen bustling campuses as a pandemic rages.

    As of Monday, Aug. 24, four UNC campuses had scrapped plans to open the school year with some in-person instruction. Other schools in the system may follow.

    Weeks after moving into campus housing, thousands of students at UNC-Chapel Hill, N.C. State University and East Carolina University are packing their bags and heading home, while UNC-Charlotte students, originally set to arrive on campus in early September, have seen their move-in date pushed back several weeks.

    UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State announced the switch to remote learning last week after a handful of COVID-19 clusters were identified in residence halls.

    “The decision to switch to remote instruction was made in consultation with state and local health officials, Carolina’s infectious disease experts, and the UNC System,” UNC-Chapel Hill’s media officials told Carolina Journal.
    The campuses appear to be calling the shots.

    Carolina Journal sent questions to the UNC System to clarify the roles the system and the UNC Board of Governors had when deciding how campuses would operate.

    Did the UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State chancellors have to get permission from the UNC BOG or UNC system to move all undergraduate courses online? Did the UNC system prohibit universities from starting the fall semester with remote instruction only? Did the UNC system require universities to have full capacity in on-campus housing?

    “Any decision to modify campus operations will be made by the president, with each chancellor, in consultation with the leadership of both boards of trustees and the board of governors, and always grounded in reliable public health data and prevailing local health conditions,” Josh Ellis, associate vice president for media relations at the UNC System, told CJ in an email.

    Marty Kotis, a BOG member, told CJ last week the system’s board has taken some unwarranted heat.

    “We are blamed for [students] going back to school, we are blamed for [universities] closing,” Kotis said. “But there has been no BOG vote on either one of those issues. We didn’t vote for how they will reopen, or if they’re to reopen.”
    But Kotis thinks the board should get more involved.

    He offered four recommendations for UNC schools:
    Conduct more frequent testing of the entire student population, faculty, and staff, especially for high risk populations.
    Develop a contact tracing app that respects privacy but helps officials keep track of infections on campus.
    Create a data dashboard to track COVID-19 on campuses compared to the general population.
    Reconsider charging students fees for services and amenities they can’t enjoy while off-campus.

    Earlier this month, the board rejected proposals to refund tuition or fees.

    Meantime, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services issued updated guidance on Friday, Aug. 21, for higher education institutions.

    It included limiting on-campus housing, expanding the space between students and instructors in classrooms and banning large social gatherings as well as enforcing a mandate to wear masks. Closing game rooms, laundry facilities and lounges in dormitories and other communal settings. Closing or reducing the capacity of communal dining halls. Setting aside more space to quarantine students who tested positive for COVID-19 or who were exposed to others who are infected.

    Early lessons point to the virus spreading in communal living settings and social gatherings on and off campus, as well as with athletic teams, the updated guidance reads.

    “Since the pandemic began, we have listened to and collaborated with leading public health officials while closely monitoring changing conditions across the state,” UNC System President Peter Hans said in response to the updated guidance.

    “We will continue to do so because health and safety is our priority.”

    On Monday, East Carolina reported new clusters at two dormitories, The News & Observer reported.

  • 10 Fayetteville fire enginesThe Fayetteville Fire Department is equipping its fire engines and rescue vehicles with 60 automated external defibrillators. Each new AED costs $2,500. The department received a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for $137,000 to purchase the equipment. The city’s cooperative share is $13,700. The new AEDs will replace old ones that are carried on all fire department vehicles.

    “In the past five years, Fayetteville firefighters responded to nearly 2,000 cardiac arrest calls,” said Fire Chief Mike Hill. “An AED provides the greatest chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest and is the only effective tool for certain dysrhythmias.”

    According to the American Heart Association, early CPR and defibrillation can more than double a victim’s chance of survival. Since 2002, the Fayetteville Fire Department has won more than $1 million from the program, which was established after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

  • 09 Fort Bragg SchoolThe U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity operates nine schools at Fort Bragg, serving students living on post in grades pre-K through 8. Students in grades 9 – 12, and those living off post, attend local county schools. Fort Bragg schools have a combined enrollment of about 5,000 students. Since Aug. 24, classes have been conducted remotely. When virus trends improve, the schools should start shifting students back to in-person classes. Parents who opted to enroll their children in the Virtual Academy administered by the Defense Department will continue online learning when other students head back to the classroom. Since learning from home has become the new normal for students, officials want to make sure they receive nutritionally balanced meals. “We try to promote a recipe that they would enjoy,” said Veronica Lee, Fort Bragg’s nutrition clerk. Three drive-thru feeding sites are providing both breakfast and lunch for all students up to age 18. According to foodservice staff, that equates to about 2,700 meals a day and nearly 19,000 meals a week.

  • 08 Dogwood Festival CrowdDogwood Festival officials asked the city of Fayetteville to give it $50,000 and forgive $1,000 in rent to allow the organization to continue to put on shows. City Council formally declined the request Aug. 24 but agreed to pay the organization $27,000 in previously budgeted funds. The city also said it would forgive $1,000 in Festival Park rental fees. Council agreed to a staff recommendation to spend $15,000 the city had budgeted last fiscal year that was never allocated to the festival, as well as another $12,000 it was planning to contribute to the organization this fiscal year. City funds will be donated only if a festival takes place held sometime in the coming year. The Dogwood Festival was canceled earlier because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • 07 hello i m nik dq7K3BywKOI unsplashFayetteville’s first skate park has been completed at Rowan Street Park. The skateboard park was built where the hillside amphitheater used to be. Voters approved a $35 million parks and recreation bond referendum in 2016, and about $1 million of it was devoted to this facility. Team Pain Skate Park Design & Construction of Winter Springs, Florida, built the park with an in-ground concrete design to cater to both novice and advanced skaters. The park features banks, ledges and humps. It has a concrete bowl for skaters to ride rapidly up and down to do tricks. There also is a large street skate area with ramps and fixtures to simulate skateboarding on public streets. The facility provides for open skating plus lessons, exhibitions and team competition.

  • 06 600x375 q75The final touches are being completed at Fort Bragg on its first subterranean range, which will simulate the difficulties of underground combat. The new range provides service members with unique training experience to help prepare them for the 21st-century battlefield. The tunnel complex ties into an existing urban terrain facility.

    Urban warfare often includes fighting in underground tunnels and caves. There is a long history of underground fighting stretching back to biblical times. For at least 3,000 years, embattled populations have used them to hide from and strike at stronger enemies. Archaeologists have found more than 450 ancient cave systems in the Holy Land, including many that were dug into mountainsides, which the Jews used to launch guerrilla-style attacks on Roman legionnaires. The Romans faced the same tactic, around that time in their fight in Europe, against Germanic tribes who would dig hidden trenches connected by tunnels and then spring out of the ground to ambush the Roman soldiers. That tactic was used regularly by the Viet Cong during the war in Vietnam.

  • 05 N1909P21002C A generation or so ago, people didn’t just retire from work — many of them also withdrew from a whole range of social and communal activities. But now, it’s different: The large Baby Boom cohort, and no doubt future ones, are insisting on an active lifestyle and continued involvement in their communities and world. So, what should you know about this “new retirement”? And how can you prepare for it?

    For starters, consider what it means to be a retiree today. The “2020 Edward Jones/Age Wave Four Pillars of the New Retirement” study has identified these four interrelated key ingredients, along with the connected statistics, for living well in the new retirement:

    Health — While physical health may decline with age, emotional intelligence — the ability to use emotions in positive ways — actually improves, according to a well-known study from the University of California, among others. However, not surprisingly, retirees fear Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia more than any physical ailment, including cancer or infectious diseases, according to the “Four Pillars” study.

    Family — Retirees get their greatest emotional nourishment from family relationships — and they’ll do anything it takes to help support those family members, even if it means sacrificing their own financial security. Conversely, retirees lacking close connections with family and friends are at risk for all the negative consequences resulting from physical and social isolation.

    Purpose – Nearly 90% of Americans feel that there should be more ways for retirees to use their talents and knowledge for the benefit of their communities and society at large. Retirees want to spend their time in useful, rewarding ways — and they’re well capable of doing so, given their decades of life experience. Retirees with a strong sense of purpose have happier, healthier lives and report a higher quality of life.

    Finances — Retirees are less interested in accumulating more wealth than they are in having sufficient resources to achieve the freedom to live their lives as they choose. Yet, retirees frequently find that managing money in retirement can be even more challenging than saving for it. And the “unknowns” can be scary: Almost 70% of those who plan to retire in the next 10 years say they have no idea what their healthcare and long-term care costs will be in retirement.

    So, if you’re getting close to retirement, and you’re considering these factors, how can you best integrate them into a fulfilling, meaningful way of life? You’ll want to take a “holistic” approach by asking yourself some key questions: What do you want to be able to do with your time and money? Are you building the resources necessary to enjoy the lifestyle you’ve envisioned? Are you prepared for the increasing costs of health care as you age? Have you taken the steps to maintain your financial independence, and avoid burdening your family, in case you need some type of long-term care? Have you created the estate plans necessary to leave the type of legacy you desire?

    By addressing these and other issues, possibly with the help of a financial professional, you can set yourself on the path toward the type of retirement that’s not really a retirement at all — but rather a new, invigorating chapter of your life.

  • 01 01 Jeff with news vehicle Jeff Thompson was my first boss.

    I was a teenager, thrilled beyond measure to be in a real newsroom and nurturing journalism dreams in my young heart. Maybe I had a small salary, but since I was a blank sheet when it came to reporting, I was essentially an intern.

    Jeff was almost certainly less enthusiastic about my summer job than I was since he did not hire me. I landed in his newsroom because I was the first child of the ownership of Cape Fear Broadcasting Company, where we worked, and there were six more siblings/cousins in line behind me for station jobs when they got a little older. But Jeff was game, though he cut me no slack, at least in my young and inexperienced mind.

    Jeff Thompson came to Fayetteville in the mid-1960s from upstate New York the same way thousands of others have come — courtesy of the U.S. Army. Once here, he worked part-time spinning records and broadcasting live from a glass tower above a local drive-in restaurant, the Tower in the Sky. Although he did not know it at the time, Jeff had found his home — in Fayetteville, in radio and at Cape Fear Broadcasting. A glib and good-looking DJ, Jeff became what was later known as a chick magnet, and in short order, he met and married a local girl, Jean Musselwhite, who was blessed with a large extended family. He and Jean started their own family, eventually including Jay, Phil and Angie. They left Fayetteville only once for a TV stint in Charlotte, but Jeff and Jean were homesick, so back they came. The same cannot be said for Jeff’s tenure at Cape Fear Broadcasting, which he left several times over the decades for competing radio stations and at least once to sell cars.

    Eventually, Jeff settled in, as did I, my family members and a handful of other treasured friends, to make our own little Cape Fear Broadcasting family, both related and created. Over time, we laughed together, cried together, celebrated together, got mad at each other, watched other people come and go and spent the better part of our working lives together.

    Jeff’s primary responsibilities revolved around news gathering and reporting, and he was — and remains — a force to be reckoned with if you find yourself standing between him and a story.

    Paul Michels, another young soldier who found his home in Fayetteville and at Cape Fear Broadcasting, had this to say about Jeff’s devotion to local news. “Jeff lived and breathed radio news. He had police scanners going in his office, his car and his home (not sure how Jean tolerated that). Sometimes on weekend nights, Jeff would ride around with police officers while they were patrolling the city. Jeff’s dedication to covering the news was never more apparent than the night of Aug. 6, 1993. That was the Luigi’s Restaurant shooting, when Fort Bragg solider Kenneth French killed four people and wounded six others. Because Jeff had that police scanner blaring away in his home, he knew instantly that something major was going on. He was at the restaurant within minutes, getting reactions and interviews from people who were there. I can imagine he was moving around the crime scene, getting his audio before the yellow tape was even up. He had enough content to put together a long-form feature about the crime on both of our stations the following morning. The news gathering that night was the epitome of a local radio newsperson doing his job.”

    Hannah Dawson Gage, who eventually ran Cape Fear Broadcasting’s operations in Wilmington, worked with Jeff and me in news for several years. She, too, has great respect for Jeff’s news abilities.

    “Jeff was an earlier version of the information highway. He knew everybody worth knowing and everything about them. His range of friends was vast, stretching from elected officials to court reporters to highway patrolmen and sheriff’s deputies to coroners and the guys running the 7-11 on Ramsey Street. He not only knew those people, he knew their individual stories. At some point, they had passed through one of this stories and had later become a source or a friend.

    “Jeff understood the tapestry of people that wove Fayetteville together; he had a deep understanding of all the moving parts and how things worked. I learned things from Jeff that they didn’t teach at UNC’s Journalism school.

    “As a cub reporter, Jeff was a wonderful teacher and mentor because he was absolutely fearless in his pursuit of a good story. He encouraged intrepidness. He was naturally curious about everything. He had cataloged stories about every important person and elected officials he’d ever met and, from time to time, would share those stories in the newsroom at the end of the week, the kind of stories that would ruin lives and could never be aired … but were enormously entertaining. He had dirt on everybody, but he never used it.

    “He understood that there was more power in not using everything you knew. I would put him up against any journalist across the state and bet on Jeff. He was that good.”

    Like most people, especially those in family enterprises, Jeff wore more than one hat. John Dawson, general manager of Cape Fear Broadcasting’s Fayetteville operations in its later years, finds Jeff’s versatility remarkable. “The thing that always amazed me about Jeff was that he started out as a very good DJ in the early 60s during the British Invasion days, then he slowly but surely morphed into a very good newsman. Most people know that about him. What they don’t know is that he was a good radio advertising salesperson. When I started at WFNC in sales, we tagged along with different salespersons to experience different styles. I shadowed Jeff on many days and learned a lot just watching him interact with his clients. So back then, his day went something like this: Donning his news director hat, he gathered the news from 4-6 a.m. At 6 a.m., off came the news director hat, and on went the talk show host hat. He wore that until 9 a.m. At 10 a.m., off came the talk show host hat, and on went the salesperson hat. Even riding in his car during sales calls, the scanner was always on. It was the definition of multitasking, back in the day.”

    Jeff’s partner on the morning talk show was Lynda “Wendy” Riddle, a talented radio personality and frequent performer in what we now know as Cape Fear Regional Theatre. As the saying goes, they go way back.

    “I met Jeff in the early ‘70s when I had just started on the air at WFBS in Spring Lake. Jeffrey McDonald was very much in the news, and I always counted myself fortunate to have had access to Jeff’s coverage of that grisly story. My respect for his abilities as a newsman sprang from those early days. But it was not until I made the move to WFNC … in 1977 that I really got to know Jeff. By the fall of that year, we started ‘Top of the Morning’ and began a partnership that lasted until 2003, when Cumulus took over and fired us all.

    “… Jeff and I squabbled in our early morning marriage, for you cannot be locked up in a small room the size of a walk-in closet every morning for your first five or six waking hours for years without noticing you’ve spent more time together than you spend with your own husband or wife each day. Sometimes our mornings were great, but there were times we would raise our voices and have a good old verbal knockdown drag out … off the air, of course. I remember fondly the year that, at the station Christmas party, we received the “loving couples” award from the staff and management. I was always aware when our battles got out of hand by the sound of doors closing up and down the hall as everyone tried to block us out.

    “One of Jeff’s favorite memories on the air with me was the time when he was trying to explain to the audience that he had no knowledge of computers. He couldn’t find the right words and kept asking me what it was that you called person like him. I answered, ‘technically challenged.’ And he’d say, ‘No, no.’ And I would say, ‘Computer illiterate.’ He’d say, ‘No, no, that’s not it.’ To which I said, ‘moron.’”

    “‘That’s it!’ he proclaimed happily. He has told that story a million times, saying ‘Remember when you called me a moron on the air?’ He thought it was wonderful.

    “His love for his children was undeniable and unending, and I have deep affection for Jeff for that. Actually, I have deep affection for him, period.”

    Radio, like most media, attracts creative people. Work was generally fun, and there were plenty of jokes to go around — some of Jeff’s instigation and some at his expense. Sales manager Steve Harden remembers that in an expansive burst of News Department pride, Jeff had the department’s one news vehicle painted with “Unit 1” on one side and “Unit 2” on the other, an effort to make us look bigger than we really were. Later, there were two identical vehicles, an actual Unit 1 and Unit 2.

    Steve also remembers a trick Chief Engineer Terry Jordan played on Jeff, which Jeff apparently never realized. Says Steve, “I remember the episode of ‘the pneumatic switch.’ Terry Jordan put out a memo saying that the pneumatic switch had been ordered, then played this trick to the max. Another memo said the switch was on backorder etc. The switch was bogus, and Terry let the rest of us in on the scheme, but JT had no clue. Finally, another memo announced the arrival of the switch. Jeff, by the way, had asked no one what a pneumatic switch was. Another memo informed everyone that the switch had been installed and was fully operational. Terry had installed a small light in the control room with a toggle switch that turned it on and off. That’s all the switch did! I don’t think JT wanted anyone to know that he, a veteran broadcaster, did not know what a pneumatic switch was.”

    Jeff is not shy. Human resources director Ann Highsmith remembers the day Jeff alerted her to what we now call a wardrobe malfunction. “I was standing at the sink in the small kitchen at CFBC. News Director Jeff Thompson’s office was directly across from the kitchen. My back was to him. What I didn’t know at that moment was that my professional dress was badly compromised as I had inadvertently tucked my skirt into my pantyhose, exposing my backside to Jeff and his guest that morning, Sheriff Moose Butler.

    “Jeff took notice and did the right thing in letting me know something was amiss. The way he let me know left a lot to be desired. He yelled across the hall, ’Hey, Highsmith, your rear end is showing.’ Embarrassment left me dumb; I don’t remember what I did next. I either ran out of the kitchen or untucked my skirt as I stood at the sink. Either way, it is not one of those professional moments I care to reminisce about too often.”

    Like many good things, life at the radio station as we knew it came to an end. Cape Fear Broadcasting was sold in 2001, and the cast of characters who had, in many cases, grown up together and came to love each other, scattered. Weyher Dawson, who ran another section of the company, says Jeff has “had a great career. I think his post-FNC career has been interesting and really kinda blossomed five or six years ago when” other local media were “flat and little WIDU slipped in their version of a news/information format that featured Jeff and Wes Cookman and Troy Williams and so on. They were really doing a good job reaching into the ‘mainstream’ and had some really good shows. … Jeff got involved in Up & Coming Weekly with Bill (Bowman), which has also been a late-career blossom. … All said, pretty remarkable from the Tower in the Sky, WSOC-TV, WFLB, WFNC, WFBS, WIDU, Up & Coming.”

    As for me, I feel so fortunate to have had Jeff as a boss, a teacher, and now a dear and precious friend. I still call him Boss, and he calls me Scoop. He and I have covered the news, written many an editorial, fought over politics, endlessly discussed the peculiarities of our community, celebrated our successes, mourned our losses and, generally, moved through life together. Jeff is a remarkable person who knows and loves our community, with all its attributes and its warts.
    It has been a joy to write this and to focus on one of my oldest friends and others in the extended Cape Fear Broadcasting family. To Jeff and everyone else, keep on keeping on, lots of love and Godspeed!

    Pictured: Jeff Thompson

     

     

     

  • 17TshirtsLuis Cordova and his family took a leap of faith in 2014 and opened a small printing business in Hope Mills off Highway 301. It’s not your ordinary print shop. When one walks in, he or she automatically notices the relaxed, down-to-earth atmosphere. The Cordovas believe in building relationships and helping the customer feel at ease throughout the process. With pictures of Paris and Venice lining the walls of a small sitting area, T-Shirt Printing Express allows for relaxation while you wait.

    “I mainly grew up in Bladen County,” Cordova said. “(I) went to West Bladen. My brother began working in a print shop in Elizabethtown, and he was really good at it.”

    His older brother, Otto, is the second of three brothers who own the business. He, along with Luis and their older brother Jose, meticulously manage every detail to make sure customers receive exactly what they ordered. Otto runs the press and designs the graphics while Luis and Jose answer the phone calls and emails for orders. However, each brother is trained to do all the tasks. Jose is stationed in Kentucky with his wife who is in the Army. He works every day, answering calls and emails from customers, new or existing. Each brother is dedicated to helping one another and the business to grow.

    Worldwide

    “I see us growing to the point to where we have to get a bigger building,” Luis said. “But I know that will take time. Our biggest client is the military. But we do a lot for businesses around Cumberland County.”

    The brothers also service places in Japan and the U.S. military in Afghanistan and Iraq. “Our name is being seen across the globe,” Luis said.

    Process to Perfection

    “We don’t just print T-shirts; we do promotional and business items as well,” Luis said. The shop prints pens, koozies, banners, tents and more.

    It all begins with a request from a client. The process can take anywhere from two to five hours from beginning to end. The turn-around time is a week or less, depending on product and quantity.

    Family Ties

    Felix Cordova is the kind and humble patriarch of the family. An immigrant from Guatemala, he moved to Connecticut along with Otto in the early 2000s while his wife, Carmen, stayed behind and took care of Luis and Jose.

    Because of living expenses in the north, Felix decided to relocate to Bladen County. Once settled, he moved his wife and other two boys to North Carolina. Because of the long drive from Bladen County and back every day after the shop opened, the family decided to move to Cumberland County.

    “It was too much money for gas and too much time wasted in cars,” Luis explained.

    Felix is retired now and helps by folding shirts and doing other light activities around the shop.

    “My dad worked hard all his life. He raised us, and he deserves to relax and enjoy his retirement,” Luis said. “We even hung a hammock back there for him.”

    “Mama Carmen,” the loving matriarch of the family, cooks every day for her husband and boys.

    “We never have to eat out,” Luis said. “She makes sure we are fed. She cooks it and brings it to us every day.”  

    In return, the sons look after Mrs. Cordova by helping with house repairs and other things requested.

    The family is close and takes care of one another. This carries through in their business with the quality of service, warmth and professionalism.

     

    PHOTO: Luis, Felix and Otto Cordova

  • 16FirstDaySo, it’s been a while since I’ve been to school. It’s a good thing I’m a quick learner. On Thursday, Sept.14, I participated in my first class of the Hope Mills Citizens Academy. I must admit, I was a little nervous. And rightly so, considering I was beginning a week late. However, Deborah Holland, the town clerk, welcomed me with a warm greeting.

    After grabbing my tasty lasagna from Zorba’s (oh yeah, the class was catered), I sat down between a senior from one of the local high schools and a young veteran. I noticed the variety in age and background of the participants, and I realized that everyone could learn from these sessions.

    Chancer F. McLaughlin took the first hour to teach us about his many duties as the development and planning administrator for the Town of Hope Mills. We learned about zoning, variances, the importance of community engagement and many other planning details that help the town grow while maintaining order amongst its residents and new businesses.

    The best part was a mock hearing based on rezoning land from residential to commercial. Some of us were the developers. Some were chosen to be opposed while others were assigned to be supportive of the rezoning effort. Some of us were the commissioners. And of course, we had a mayor.

    What intrigued me were the many different viewpoints on both sides. It was interactive, and I have a deeper appreciation for the roles of the commissioners. They literally must make decisions that can forever alter the history of this community.

    McLaughlin was quite thorough and helped everyone understand what goes on behind the scenes at Community Development. So, the next time you ride down a street in Hope Mills and you see a house being built or a new business that will be coming, remember and appreciate that it took a detailed process for that resident or that business owner/developer to get permission to build in Hope Mills.

    For the last hour, the class learned about what it takes to be an inspector for the Town of Hope Mills. Ray Reeves (chief building inspector), Kenny Tatum (building inspector), Clara Hines (permitting specialist) and Emily Weidner (code enforcement officer) each explained the importance of their jobs. They are each trained and licensed to inspect the homes and buildings in which we live and work, give permits for building extensions or even for serving alcohol and enforce the laws and ordinances governed by the town of Hope Mills. Each building is inspected for mechanical soundness, electric, plumbing and of course, building safety issues to make sure it is within the guidelines set forth by the government. Without the town’s inspectors, buildings could fall on us, easily catch on fire or flood.

    You want to have a pool in your yard or build a deck? Make sure you call the Hope Mills Inspection Department. Emily Weidner is the only code enforcement officer in Hope Mills. Her job is to make sure buildings and yards are safe and not cluttered. Part of her job is to condemn buildings if she finds them inhabitable. However, she does depend on local citizens to help report any areas that could use a once-over from her.

    Inspectors Reeves (level 3) and Tatum (level 2) are constantly making sure homes and businesses, as well as new construction, are within guidelines. They believe in going by the book and will not give a permit if they deem the building not up to par. Please note, these permits are based on safety guidelines, not on aesthetics.

    Hines knows what she is talking about when it comes to what is needed for a permit to be given. From installing pools to adding extensions on homes to changing plumbing or electrical wires, Hines is the one who oversees the permits. If you have doubts about a contractor, she will look up their credentials and let you know if the contractor is credible or even licensed.

    Everyone from the inspections department emphasized safety. They do what they do to help keep the citizens of Hope Mills safe.

    All-in-all, it was a great learning experience. I have a newfound perspective on the Town of Hope Mills and what it takes to operate this municipality. All speakers eagerly answered questions with detail.

    Learn more about the inspections department at http://nc-hopemills.civicplus.com/176/ Inspections.

  • 06jackie warnerIt’s that time again and yes I am running for re-election as Mayor of Hope Mills!

    I pledge to continue to give my all and best for our community.

    Proud, Strong, Determined and Dedicated:

    STRONG in Governmental stability — using tax dollars wisely and balancing our budgets.

    STRONG in Accountability and transparency in our governmental process.

    STRONG in preservation of traditional family values.

    STRONG in Public Safety and security.

    PROUD of Progressive direction, while keeping community traditions that give Hope Mills its small town family atmosphere.

    PROUD of Community Involvement in suggestions for our town direction and growth.

    PROUD of establishing our Gateway signs of our town.

    PROUD of our Sidewalk plan and goals to make Hope Mills a walk-able community.

    DETERMINED to provide responsible, accountable town government and leadership.

    DETERMINED to develop Strategic Planning for future growth.

    DETERMINED to preserve our town History and Traditions.

    DETERMINED to listen to our community voices and react to our community input.

    DEDICATED to completion of a long awaited restoration of our Hope Mills Lake.

    DEDICATED to preservation of our History through completion of our museum and Heritage Park.

    DEDICATED to planned recreational opportunities at former Hope Mills Golf Course. I value your support and vote.

  • 05ted donovanWhy am I running for city council. to reduce the tax burden and ordinance laws on the private property owners. The property owners are the ones that are paying for these parks and recreation and the high paying salary of the top employees of Fayetteville. Also to reduce the corporate taxes and regulations on local business. To help bring to the area high paying jobs. The one thing the city council and mayor know how to do is to grow the local government, rise your property taxes and create more ordinance laws to off set property taxes thru fines,  for the last 10 years. But have wasted your tax dollars on things like baseball fields and parks. That have nothing to do with your quality of life, like high paying jobs.  I am not seeking pay or donation for the city council seat to make Fayetteville a better place to live for private property owners and business.

    Thank you city council district 2.

     

    PHOTO: Ted Donovan

  • 04HighHoI have seen the future in California. It comes wreathed in clouds of smoke. On a recent fact-finding trip to the Left Coast, we spent one night in Mendocino, a beautiful small town on the northern California coast. The main cash crop in Mendocino County seems to be marijuana. For the record and any DEA agents, let it be known that I did not try anything stronger than coffee out west.

    Mendocino has a long relationship with pot. It was immortalized in the song “Mendocino” by the Sir Douglas Quintet in the late 1960s. Sir Doug serenades his girlfriend by warning her about “Fast talking guys with strange red eyes/Have put things in your head/And started your mind to wonderin’/Please stay with me in Mendocino.”

    After visiting a town I like, I will read the local newspaper online for a while after I get back. The local paper announced that a neighboring town, Willets, is going to host the first ever Mendocino Cannabis Job Fair. The job fair is to have 25 to 30 employers/ exhibitors to allow the employers and job seekers to network. A survey of more than 40 local pot farmers found that the jobs they most needed to fill were those of trimmers and farming/gardening laborers. The jobs on the pot farms are mostly seasonal, part-time gigs and will be paid as independent contractors.

    Other jobs that the pot farmers were seeking to fill include “sales/ marketing, accountants and bookkeepers, administrators, executive assistants, delivery drivers, chefs, human resources, retail budtenders, extraction technicians, lab technicians and security.” I learned a new word, “budtenders,” which I surmise is the cannabis equivalent of a bartender.

    California is serious about legalized recreational marijuana. Proposition 64 passed last year with a Jan. 1, 2018, effective date for the issuance of state licenses for recreational pot sellers.

    In San Francisco, the coming Pot Apocalypse is in full evidence as shown by billboards and ads on the sides of buses in the city by the bay. The pot ads are quite colorful. The ads remind me of the golden days of cigarette advertising wars. Korova is a brand of legalized pot that has an ad showing a threeeyed cow wearing a rakishly angled derby hat.

    One Korova ad boasts that its product has “Unrivaled potency. Medicate responsibly.”

    Flow Kano brand pot aims for snob appeal. It is a San Francisco brand that proclaims, “That’s cannabis, the California way.” Flow Kano provides “organic, sustainable, small batch, boutique marijuana strains from independent pot farmers in the Emerald Triangle.”

    We are left to wonder if Flow Kano is gluten-free. Its advertising campaign is on 75 buses and 200 billboards. One Flow Kano ad shows an arty picture of green mountains with the words, “Appellations, Boutique Genetics, Exclusive Varieties.” Sounds like an ad for a fine wine. You should hold up your pinky while smoking a Flow Kano joint.

    A less classy but more direct billboard from Green Life Recreational Marijuana announced, “Got Weed? 9 miles ahead, Left on Easy Street.” A mysterious ad for pot with only one word, “Dispensary,” shows a beautiful, fully-clothed young woman lying back with her eyes closed and a Mona Lisa smile, surrounded by a marijuana fronds. It is clear that her use of Dispensary marijuana has taken her far from the mundane world of toe fungus, North Korean nukes and The Donald.

    Whatever she is thinking about, it is clear that Dispensary pot, like Calgon, has taken her away.

    I can hardly wait to see the marijuana television ads. Jesse Helms will be turning over in his grave. Attorney General Jeff Sessions will be having a prolonged hissy fit. If those two things happen, legalized pot can’t be all bad.

    As a beer ad once told us, “This bud’s for you.” Smoke ’em if you got ’em.

  • 03RankingStudents get graded. Employees get reviewed. US Presidents get ranked, and in their case, it all depends on who is doing the ranking. Liberals will have one list with a president like Franklin Roosevelt or Lyndon Johnson toward the top, and conservatives will have an entirely different one, likely favoring Ronald Reagan.

    Blessedly, more neutral groups also rank US Presidents, and C-Span, the “just-thefacts, ma’am” network covering our federal government, has conducted three presidential Historians Surveys, one in 2000, one in 2009 and one in 2017.

    No need to wait by your phone for the next survey, as you and I are not likely to get a call. Those doing the ranking are more than 90 writers and historians at leading colleges and universities throughout the nation, including Douglas Brinkley and Larry Sabato, both of whom comment on presidential issues often in various media.

    The academicians rank presidential effectiveness from 1-10 on measures including Public Persuasion, Crisis Leadership, Moral Authority, International Relations, Relations with Congress and Pursued Equal Justice for All. Each category carries equal weight in the rankings. Sitting presidents are not ranked, meaning that George W. Bush did not show up in the 2000 survey, and Barack Obama was in neither the 2000 nor the 2007 survey. Donald Trump is not ranked at all.

    So, who are C-Span’s experts’ top  presidents?

    Abraham Lincoln was No. 1 all three years, which is not surprising since he is the president who saved the Union. George Washington, the father of our country, was No. 2 in 2009 and 2017, although Franklin Roosevelt claimed that spot in 2000, a ranking he earned by leading us out of the Great Depression and shepherding the Allies through World War II.

    Roosevelt was a solid No. 3, followed by his cousin Theodore Roosevelt at No. 4. Dwight Eisenhower was No. 5 in 2017, but lower in earlier years. Harry Truman also placed at No. 5 and 6, followed by Thomas Jefferson, a solid No. 7. John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Lyndon Johnson and Woodrow Wilson rounded out the top 10 in all three surveys.

    After that, the presidents are mostly “historical” in the sense that we know them only from books, along with several more recent White House residents. Barack Obama ranks highest among recent presidents, coming in at No. 12 this year. Bill Clinton is ranked 15, 15 and 21. George H.W. Bush receives 20, 18 and 20, while his son George W. Bush received much more modest No. 33 and 36. Our only other father-son presidential team was more closely ranked. John Adams received 19, 17 and 16, while his son, John Quincy Adams, was respectably nearby at 21, 19 and 19.

    Bringing up the rear are presidents most of us would not know if they walked in our front doors. These include John Tyler, Warren G. Harding, Franklin Pierce, Andrew Johnson (born in Raleigh in
    1808 and a tailor by profession) and James Buchanan.

    None of this is surprising.

    The presidency of the United States of America may be the most challenging job on earth, but the men who have held it have been chosen for all sorts of reasons having little to do with their own capabilities. And, like any job, some people are better at it than others. Also, being at the right place at the right time plays a role. Franklin Roosevelt established work programs to see Americans through the Great Depression, but many a historian believes that it was his unwavering, sunny optimism that carried people through those dark days. These are among the reasons Lincoln, Washington, and Roosevelt consistently rank in the top five, and whatever-their-names-were are consistently at the bottom.

    It is also true that historians revise their thinking over time, and individual presidents rise and fall in the rankings as time puts their achievements, or lack thereof, into perspective. John F. Kennedy was a popular president, in part because of his youth and attractive family, but over time his presidential star has tarnished a bit. Although he is in the top 10 in the C-Span surveys, other scholarly surveys have ranked him in the middle of the pack or below. Two-termers have more time to get a handle on the job than one-termers, and top-rated Franklin Roosevelt served three terms and change before a constitutional amendment limiting presidential service to two terms. Conversely, two-termers have more time to bungle the job, but no finger pointing here. Several presidents died so early in their terms as not to be ranked at all.

    Not a historian? Then whether you or I love or loathe a president makes no difference. These historian assessments are performance reviews, not popularity contests.

    I can hardly wait for Donald Trump to get his reckoning — er, ranking.

     

  • 02ShamefulMore and more I hear comments from ordinary citizens about how frustrated they are with Washington and our “do nothing” Congress. Their frustration and disappointment are warranted. With Republicans controlling both the House and Senate, their lack of communication, cooperation and progress in advancing major legislative initiatives only amplifies the lack of leadership and vision provided by our nationally elected officials. It also exposes their misplaced priorities of putting their personal and political agendas above the health and welfare of the Americans they represent.

    Of course people are frustrated and scared. And because leadership — both good and bad — comes from the top, I’m afraid this kind of selfish and self-centered governance is having a negative trickle-down effect on North Carolina, our city and our county.

    Case in point: the serious situation we have in our community and in eastern North Carolina concerning GenX, C8 and other various and potentially harmful pollutants threatening our local drinking water and the health and future of the Cape Fear River.

    Both the Republicans and Democrats are accusing each other of playing politics with these serious issues when they both are. Shameful. This begs the question: When will the needs and concerns of the citizens be addressed? We’re talking about drinking water here! We’re talking about leadership that is systematically cutting environmental funding and protection and knowingly and willingly creating their own Flint, Michigan, style catastrophe.

    Water is the lifeblood of human existence, and our General Assembly in Raleigh is playing a game of “political gotcha.” This politics over people scenario is sad and scary. One pathetic example of this comes with the introduction House Bill 56, which Governor Cooper recently and rightly vetoed. Among other things, HB 56 would appropriate a measly $435,000 to locally research the possible dangers of chemical pollutants like GenX contaminating the Cape Fear River and our drinking water. This would have come in place of the $2.6 million Cooper requested to purchase equipment, hire scientists, chemical experts and professional researchers to pursue testing in the quest of finding out the true cause and source of the contamination in an effort to protect the health and welfare of North Carolina citizens and the future of the Cape Fear River.

    Protecting our environment, rivers and water supply should not be a partisan issue. Another example of North Carolina’s politics over people approach is the request to repeal the 2009 ban on plastic bags on the Outer Banks, overruling the objections of local leadership. The Dare County Board of Commissioners, Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and dozens of area towns and municipalities wrote letters to protest the repeal resolution, citing many tangible and successful beautification and environmental outcomes.

    Why would the politicians so blatantly go against the people’s wishes to maintain the plastic bag ban? Answer: Politics before people. The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association is a powerful lobbyist and a big donor to those in political office in Raleigh. Why not throw them a bone to keep the money flowing, even if means betraying a trust or knowingly destroying the environment?

    I’ll close with this: If our North Carolina leadership cannot come together to protect our rivers, wells and drinking water, they are not protecting the people. So, I wouldn’t spend too much time being concerned about fracking, coal ash, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, global warming or North Korean missiles. Without clean drinking water, it won’t matter.

    Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 12small townHave you noticed how our town is growing? Have you noticed that it’s growing for the better? Think about it. Hope Mills is a bustling town of approximately 16,000 people. We live, work and go about our daily lives in a fashion unlike most cities and towns. Other towns and cities may be nice and have  fancier malls, skyscrapers and the like. That’s great. But they don’t have that hometown feel. 

    You know, the feeling you get when you walk into Sammio’s and know they have been a staple within the community for over 20 years. Or what about Big T’s at Hope Mills Lake? Summer isn’t summer without a Sno-Ball from there. Robin’s on Main is another one. The list goes on. 

    No matter how much we grow or how fast, the people of Hope Mills stop and say hello when you see them at Wal-Mart. They’ll help you change a tire if you get a flat. Offer to pay and they refuse. They’ll let you cut in line on Main Street because they know the frustration of the construction right now. They pay it forward when you are in line at one of the fast food restaurants. 

    They love and appreciate the U.S. Military. Our veterans are a beautiful and wonderful part of our town and have helped to create the history of Hope Mills by passing down their stories.  

    And our first responders are some of the best in North Carolina and, dare I say, the nation. You can ride down Main Street, or any street for that matter, and see the local police department and/or the fire department checking on various things throughout the day to ensure our safety. They’ll wave at you from the fire truck or the cruisers and give a smile of reassurance that they are on top of things. 

    Hope Mills comes together in times of crisis. Hurricane Matthew is a prime example. During the hurricane, many homes were flooded and many families lost so much. We came together via neighbors, first responders, churches and local nonprofits to help provide for these families.  

    Aesthetically, yes, we are growing. Our streets are changing. We have new businesses. We have new families. We lose terrific citizens every day also — whether to a change of location or a sad loss such as our former Mayor Al Brafford. But through it all, the citizens of Hope Mills, while encouraging economic and population growth, maintain the heart of a small town that welcomes you and invites you to church or to special events and believes in feeding and providing for those in need.

    Change is inevitable. But Hope Mills is true to its word when it calls itself the place “Where Families Live and Grow.”

     

  • 04LateKenny was late almost every year. It became almost comical to those who knew him. I think it was a curse.

    Kenny was a high school Sunday school teacher in a church I once served. He was a great guy. He had a wonderful wife and two beautiful girls. Everyone loved good ole Kenny.

    You might call it the curse of Daylight Saving Time. It happens every year. It always happens at the same time. But every year, lots of people miss its coming.

    It was advertised on the TV. It was announced at church. It was the rumbling of conversation for days leading up to it. But it didn’t matter; he would miss it.

    As a high school Sunday School teacher, Kenny was expected to be at church and lead the boys’ class. The clock would strike, but there would be no Kenny. We’d wait … and wait … and wait. In fact, one year, Kenny was scheduled to sing a solo in the early worship service. But you guessed it: He was a no show.

    Now don’t get me wrong. Kenny wasn’t lazy. He wasn’t lacking in smarts. In fact, Kenny sincerely forgot. Every year, Kenny felt sorry for missing it. But in the end, he still missed it.

    In the end, we learned to adjust to Kenny’s curse of Daylight Saving Time. We just knew not to schedule him to teach or sing that day. And today, all is well.

    But, the Bible tells us of a coming date when Jesus Christ will return. When that date arrives, it will matter if you miss it.

    In Matthew 24, Jesus is asked about the signs of his coming and the end of the age. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in “end time” events because of all the recent natural disasters such as hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Jose, an earthquake in Mexico and more.

    But whether the end of the world is tomorrow or in 50 years, the real question is whether you will be ready, whether you will have “set your clock” spiritually.

    The Bible tells us that “it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Whether your end comes by way of death or comes by way of Christ’s return, will you be ready?

    Why not take steps today to prepare for eternity now?

    I have a rather strange habit when it comes to Daylight Saving Time. I set my clock ahead on Saturday morning. Then, I go through that whole day one hour ahead. Why? So I’ll not miss the clock change that night. “Why?” you might ask. Because as a pastor, I don’t want to be late to Sunday worship.

    Guess what? When the end comes, you have an even more important date with the Lord God Almighty. Why not start today in preparing for tomorrow? Give your life to Jesus Christ today. Don’t be late to your most important date.

  • 03RevI am in the midst of a revival of hope and unexpected direction for my life. The past nine years or so have been extremely difficult for me. By no means am I, or have I been, suicidal; however, there have been times when I found relief in the certainty of death and eternity in heaven.

    This condition of despairing and profound lamenting was the result of watching what I see as the deterioration of America … this nation that I love, believe in and appreciate beyond description. This time of despair and lament was compounded by my response to approaching 70 years of age and feeling it. That combination produced thoughts of just taking life easy. That is, playing golf and not making any effort to assertively help address the ills of our society. In the end, I could find no peace in that approach. Every day became a time of struggle as I tried to do what I believed to be God’s will for me. It was a miserable time.

    Then, along came this young preacher, Reverend Robert M. James Jr. For a little over one year, he has been the pastor at First Baptist Church (Anderson Street) in Fayetteville. I am a member of that church.

    To my surprise, James is an exceptional preacher and pastor. My commendation of him should not be read to mean James agrees with my social, political or theological positions. My intent here is to share the very positive impact of his preaching in helping me start to, amazingly, break free of my despairing and lamenting. For me, he is proving to be “a messenger of encouragement and instruction.”

    Let me explain the “to my surprise” statement in the preceding paragraph. Consider the following: I spent my teenage years listening to the preaching of my father who was a master sermon-crafter and presenter; have heard some of the great preachers of years past; earned a seminary degree; served as a pastor. Beyond this, my experience as a member of various churches has been where older, seasoned individuals were pastor.

    All of that has shaped my conception of meaningful worship. Not for a moment do I contend my concept of worship is the only one acceptable to God. What I have seen recently by way of contemporary music in worship is often an atmosphere that reminds me of a place of entertainment and sermons that neither solidly encourage nor instruct. I was afraid this 32-year-old would bring that to this church where we still sing from hymnals. Finally, I did not expect a powerful and profound preacher at such a young age.

    I was not in town when James and his family came for his “candidacy weekend.” He preached, and there was an event that allowed for interacting with the congregation. When I returned, all the reports regarding the weekend were glowing. Even though I was not there for the weekend, the Pastor Search Committee had provided information on the candidate. At some point, I knew he was a graduate of Wake Forest University and Yale Divinity School. Given my greatly diminished confidence in institutions of higher learning, due to the overwhelming majority of them being controlled by staunchly liberal adherents, I did not give much weight to  his education.

    In my absence, the membership voted to call James as pastor. Some weeks later, he walked to the lectern and started his first sermon as such. Five minutes into that first sermon, I realized God had provided — and the First Baptist Church membership had called — an extremely mature and gift- ed preacher.

    Over this year of listening intently to his sermons, I knew the effect on me was positive. In part, because of those sermons, my periods of despair and lament were occurring less frequently. Instead of procrastinating and justifying it by my advanced age and some physical limitations, I found myself getting back in the struggle to help make America a better place. Not only was I getting back in the struggle, but I also was not giving up in the face of difficulty, challenges or unwarranted opposition.

    I saw all of that in the first year of James’ preaching. However, it was near the end of his sermon Aug. 27 that I realized the positive impact on me of his preaching was far greater than I had recognized. That’s when I knew I had to write about his tremendous effectiveness as a “messenger of encouragement and instruction.”

    The title of that Aug. 27 sermon was “Missed Miracles: God’s Helpers.” The Scripture reference was Exodus 17:8-13. The pastor opened by explaining that Moses was leading some 2.5 million people from slavery in Egypt to freedom in a land God promised. Leading this group was not easy for Moses. He had to deal with recurring complaints, whining and various demands from the people. In this passage, the Amalekites come to fight with Israel. Moses sends a group out to battle. He then goes to the top of a hill with Aaron, his aged brother, and Hur, a young man not shown in Scripture as popular. Watching the battle, Moses realizes that when he keeps his hands raised, Israel wins. When he lowers them, they lose. The arms of Moses get tired, and he is unable to keep them up consistently. Recognizing the situation, Aaron and Hur seat Moses on a rock and, with one on each side, support his arms. Because they helped Moses without being asked, Israel won the battle.

    Rob James shared a personal experience that so powerfully burned the point of his sermon into my mind that it brought me to tears. He talked about, as a young fella, falling a lot. Falling was such a frequent occurrence that he did not get new jeans because the old ones were too small, but rather because his falling wore holes in the knees of jeans. He then recounted how, when he would fall, the huge hand of his father would, time and again, take hold of his small hand and help him get up and move along. There were also times when that huge hand of his father caught him during a fall.

    Then the time arrived when James’ father became ill and needed his son’s hand. That loving father with the huge hands died when this future preacher and pastor was just 16 years old. In those 16 years, the circumstances of life allowed father and son to help each other.

    The sermon closed with a call to action on our part to be helpers and open to being helped by others. Nearing the end of the sermon, James said “We don’t have to be powerful to do what God is doing. We don’t have to be or think we are as able-bodied as we used to be. Aaron is an old man, and he is able to help here. We don’t have to be somebody that is well-known. Who knows anything about Hur, other than this story? We just have to be willing to listen, to see and to try. And God can handle the rest.”

    This young preacher is playing a major role in God’s process of getting me back to listening, seeing and trying to help build a better world. A reasonable question is how does a person take on, like Rob James, those qualities that make it possible to influence others for good? A 3 year-old at Wake Forest Baptist Church answered the question. She said to her mother, “Reverend Rob really loves God.” The good news is that this life-changing relationship with God is available to each of us through Jesus Christ.

  • 16Mayor WarnerHow do you feel about the new partnership between the Town of Hope Mills and Up & Coming Weekly?

    I’m excited about the opportunity to share what we’re doing with all of Cumberland County. I think that’s the big thing; Up & Coming Weekly covers all of Cumberland County. But the other thing is I think it’s important that we have focused news for Hope Mills. And now we have an opportunity to share in advance before things take place.

    What are you most excited about when it comes to Hope Mills as a community?

    Right now, it’s the fact that we’re growing by leaps and bounds. It has happened quickly. People want to live here. Hope Mills has that smalltown feel, but the numbers are quickly growing. We’ve got nice homes, nice schools, and our community and recreation facilities just can’t be beat. I’m very excited about the new businesses that we have coming in, too, and the fact that we have opportunities with our new golf course to make a nice recreational facility to attract even more families. I think that’s the key, that we’re a family-based community.

    Where do you see the town headed over the next five years?

    We have a positive direction. We do have a facilities plan and a strategic plan for our growth. When I was first elected, I didn’t see that. It was very hard to get people to look further than just today. Even the Town Hall — it was built for the time. Now, we’re planning for the growth. Over the next 5 years, you’ll see that with our plan we’re using tax dollars more wisely, and we’re planning not just for the next five years but for the next 30 years. It will be with the idea that Hope Mills is growing and that we want to meet those needs down the road.

    What do you consider the town’s biggest accomplishment in recent years?

    The fact that we’re starting to work with the other municipalities and the county. Years ago, it was almost like Hope Mills was an island. We didn’t participate or do a good job of sharing our ideas with the rest of the community. Now, we are. We’re getting grant money and DOT money that we probably wouldn’t have gotten if we had stayed isolated. We’ve also accomplished a lot by negotiating and winning a lawsuit for the dam. Even though it’s a process that’s taken a long time, we’re looking at the culmination of that because the (new) dam’s almost complete, and so the centerpiece of our town (Hope Mills Lake) will be back. And so I think that will again draw more people.

    We also have a multi-modal congestion plan that’s being worked on so we can be more pedestrian-friendly and more bike-friendly. Once those plans are complete, we’ll be able to get more grant money to make this a more walkable community.

    What is Hope Mills’ biggest asset?

    Most people would want to say that it’s the lake or it’s the parks and recreation facilities. But I think it’s the people that live here. It’s our citizens. A lot of them have been here their entire lives. Those who have come back here or retired here are what make this community what it is. It has a small-town feel; people know each other and look out for each other.

    What are your closing thoughts?

    The most important thing right now is that with growth comes some change, and what we’re looking at now is change for everyone. But we’re planning that change. We’re being proactive, and we’re looking at what we know we need instead of having developers tell us what we need. We’re planning, and we’re going to keep Hope Mills feeling small-town while also accommodating the new growth.

  • 14HopeMillsCommunityHope Mills is full of up and coming events for residents and our neighbors to enjoy. We are working on plans to improve our services to the residents. We are developing a history of Hope Mills museum and a new shared training facility for our fire and police departments. We are in the process of developing a master plan for the old golf course, and our lakefront park master plan aims for optimum recreational use of our lake area. And, as always, our parks and recreation center is buzzing with activity for all, ranging from youths to seniors.

    The Town of Hope Mills has activities for everyone. Whether you are a resident or you want to visit and check us out, all are welcome. We have a variety of road races throughout the year, parades on at least two occasions, Christmas and Fourth of July, the Hope Meals Food Truck Rodeo beginning the first Thursday of the month and the Miss Cotton Beauty Pageant. Ole Mill Days has many festivities over the course of two days to include an Ole Mill reunion. We have Trunk R Treat in our Municipal Park, multiple events for the Christmas holiday with visits from Santa, Valentine’s dinners, St. Patrick’s Day dinner and multiple events for Easter with a visit from the Easter Bunny.

    We honor our fallen heroes on Memorial Day and Veterans Day with commemorative services. Of course, the Fourth of July is a big holiday for us as well, with all kinds of fun things for the entire family, including fireworks. If you haven’t gathered as much so far, Hope Mills is a family-oriented community, and our services are geared to keeping that our priority.

    Our staff has developed a Citizens Academy that started again on Sept. 7. The academy is free of charge and exists for all citizens who would like to expand their knowledge of the workings of our town. It is an excellent avenue for anyone seeking potential service to the community in either elected or volunteer positions. There are interactive demonstrations throughout the eight-week course. At the first board of commissioners meeting in November, graduates of the academy will receive certificates to acknowledge their commitment to and completion of the program. There will also be a small reception to celebrate their outstanding accomplishment.

    Hope Mills is a growing community with a wide range of diversification, and we are making every effort to include everyone in the celebrations and joyful events we sponsor.

    Over the last year, Hope Mills formed a committee to help raise funds with matching sponsorship from the Cumberland Community Foundation. We not only reached our goal for the year, we surpassed it and are now on the way to having one of the few playgrounds that’s compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act for children in the county through Reid’s Journey. We are also contributing to the Alms House Backpack for Children program and helping with the beginning stages of the South View High School Arboretum.

    Hope Mills is definitely on the way to bettering its community and making this an awesome place to live. We are proud of our community and encourage you to visit us for one of our many events. Who knows, you might find yourself looking at real estate.

  • 07KirkIt is time to change the conversation in this city. And to change the conversation, you must change the leadership. For Fayetteville to become a stronger more progressive city it must represent the priorities of the entire city and not just certain areas. I have worked over the last two years to reduce the inequalities that will hinder our future growth in District 2 and I am ready to work to reduce these inequalities throughout Fayetteville.

    We have heard across the city that the change people want for Fayetteville is not reflected in its current priorities of our current mayor. Other city leaders say they also care about the inequalities we see but what have they done to help change this issue other than talk about what they could do. When we have 25 percent of our city living in poverty and these same leaders are barely having conversations about it, helping our people is clearly not their priority. When leaders say they are “bringing jobs” to Fayetteville, knowing these jobs pay less than a living wage, perpetuate generational poverty and forego innovative growth possibilities, then they aren’t seeing the big picture because they aren’t bringing the right kinds of jobs to Fayetteville. When leaders aren’t working to revitalize our overlooked and blighted neighborhoods, they aren’t focused on the right priorities. If city leaders aren’t actively partnering with our military, county and educational institutions to transition our workforce, they don’t have the right priorities. And unfortunately, our current leader is not having these conversations at all. It takes hard work to create the type of change we want in our city. I have rolled up my sleeves, working alongside many of you, to improve Fayetteville and I am ready to continue. This is not rhetoric. Please look at my track record of hard work in our community over the last 17 years — elected office or not.

    I will continue to champion the work already in progress to achieve our shared vision for Fayetteville. It is work on collaborative initiatives like our Innovation Corridor that positions us to leverage statewide projects like BRIGHT Futures (www.ncbrightfutures. org) and grow our economy in the markets of cyber security and innovative next generation markets in partnership with local universities/colleges and private businesses. Our work includes an initiative to address poverty called “Pathways for Prosperity” (www.pathwaysforprosperity.org) that is creating a community conversation along with a series of action steps with a goal of changing the generational poverty we see in our city. We are continuing the efforts and concepts of “My Brother’s Keeper” to enhance collaboration and grow a community youth mentorship program. These initiatives, coupled with the current city council’s success in building new parks and recreation facilities, increased downtown capital investment, our new baseball stadium, use of local contracting, and Murchison Road development all align to move Fayetteville on a path toward this shared vision.

    We need an innovative and driven mayor that can lead our city’s transformation and understands we all grow stronger when the county, school systems, and other municipalities grow with us and have a shared vision. We need a mayor who will stand committed to changing the future of Fayetteville. We deserve a leader who believes in collaboration and construction, not confrontation and obstruction. I am asking for your vote and I am asking you to join me if you believe that we still have work to do in creating a stronger city. I may not have been born here. I may not have gone to high school here. But Fayetteville is my home, it is my wife’s home, it is our new son’s home and it is your home. Let’s make it  better together.

  • I feel like an ocean liner at full speed ahead trying to make a sharp right turn. It’s not happening fast, but slow and steady the turn is coming thanks to an hour-long chat with a guy named Ralph Huff. More about him later.

    I’m talking about my take on this baseball stadium that has consumed the Fayetteville City Council and many of the downtown supporters this past year. I was never against it, but I had my doubts. I want to say it’s the realist in me when in fact it could be the curmudgeon in me.

    You see, I’ve witnessed many projects that were supposed to catapult our downtown to that higher level of livability. While each added something to making downtown a purposeful destination, none brought it over the top.

    I was there as a Fayetteville Observer city reporter when they moved the Stein Library (now Arts Center) into the new and modern downtown Cumberland County Public Library, complete with public art and a hospitable lobby for the homeless. The library on Maiden Lane replaced an automobile dealership.

    I was there when they tore up Hay Street and put in the $7 million Transit Mall, consisting of beautiful pavers, landscaping and Hurley pots. The Feds paid for most of it, and the deal was no cars on the mall, only buses. City Councilman Milo McBryde coined the term “Hurley pots” in jesting honor of downtown revitalization champion and then-Fayetteville Mayor Bill Hurley. Not everyone supported the transit mall. In fact, McBryde and his father moved their optometrist shop from Hay Street to Bragg Boulevard. He and some merchants argued that taking away on-street parking directly in front of their stores would hurt business.

    I was there when they razed Hay Street’s infamous 500 block, killing off the Seven Dwarfs and a dozen other seedy watering holes.

    And I served as the city’s spokesman when it refurbished the former Highsmith Rainey Hospital (turned into a 1960s Woolworths) for a City Hall. Oh, they renovated the nearly vacant Prince Charles Hotel into a historic showpiece as part of the City Hall project. It didn’t last.

    Each was a spark in downtown revitalization but never a sustaining flame. Apparently, none of the sparks were big enough to ignite revitalization.

    The heck with sparks. Here comes 67-year-old Ralph Huff with a flamethrower. He’s a former realtor, company manager, company owner, homebuilder, real estate developer, and now an apartment and commercial builder. He nurtured 1990 pocket change into wealth that lets him support a variety of civic and cultural programs that he says will make Fayetteville a better place to live.

    Two years ago, he and about 100 friends raised $65,000 to promote the city’s parks and recreation bond referendum that pledged a tax increase to building and upgrading recreational facilities. The passing of the referendum spurred him and those friends to form Vision 2026. It’s a committee of about 125 people committed to making Fayetteville a better place to live.

    The committee has a plan: build a baseball stadium in the right place, renovate the Prince Charles Hotel into a 60-unit apartment complex with a first-class hotel next door, support the Civil War History Center and build a performing arts center.

    “The day we pay off the Crown Coliseum mortgage, we ought to be laying the cornerstones of the performing arts center,” Huff said.

    But first, the baseball stadium. Huff finagled the City Council to move the stadium from what he called “the wrong location” to the area adjacent to the Prince Charles Hotel.  He wrangled them one by one and showed them the site behind the Prince Charles, describing how the stadium would fit on the site and in the greater scheme of things.

    “I told them that the business community would not back a baseball park that was not walkable from downtown,” he said.

    Maybe this time it will be more than a spark. Maybe it’ll be a home run.

  • 05Only100That’s right, friends and neighbors; this week will break the century mark for getting your Christmas shopping done early. Time to get on board the old anxiety wagon about what to get your significant other for Christmas. As a public service, this week’s column will serve as the Gentleman’s Guide for Appropriate Gifts for the Little Woman.

    Christmas is a time of tradition. What better way to figure out what tradition is than to look at Christmas ads from the mid-20th century? It was a kinder, gentler time, back when America was great. The Little Woman could be overjoyed with the gift of kitchen appliances. Ponder the gifts that once warmed the cockles of the hearts of ladies of the 1950s.

    My favorite ad is for Hoover, which shows a ’50s lady in a flowered dress lying on the floor, admiring and caressing her new bow-bedecked vacuum cleaner. The ad says, “Christmas morning she’ll be happier with a Hoover.” She’s reading a thoughtful card from her husband contemplating the many happy hours she will spend vacuuming rugs as she tidies up the cottage for her man to come home to after a long day’s work. Not to be outdone, husbands can tickle the fancy of their wives with America’s most distinctive toaster, the 1948 Proctor Automatic Pop Up toaster. It’s “the ideal gift... durable … dependable, the toaster with Color Guard.” Hubby is smiling by the Christmas tree, proudly holding up the toaster as if it were his firstborn child with the caption, “Ways to please a lady.” The toaster is “guaranteed to bring a truly heart felt Thank You... there’s no extra charge for hugs and kisses.” Bring back the old spark to your marriage by giving her a toaster.

    A Bird’s Custard ad features a creepy-looking Snowman holding a flaming custard with copy saying, “Everybody knows Christmas pudding is always better with Bird’s custard.” Who knew? The Tupperware ad has Wifey sitting in a yoga pose dressed in a Mrs. Santa outfit admiring a stack of Tupperware she is balancing in her hand. The ad says, “Gee, how she’s going to love this Tupperware. Who wouldn’t love these beautiful plastic food containers?” Which raises the existential question, is there anyone with a soul so dead that they would not love a beautiful plastic food container? If there were anyone so insensitive about beautiful plastic food containers, then Ronald Reagan had just the right gift for such a lout. The gift of Christmas-wrapped cartons of Chesterfield cigarettes. Ron is smoking and saying: “I’m sending Chesterfields to all my friends. That’s the merriest Christmas any smoker can have.”

    If you can’t love plastic, then off with your head, have a cigarette.

    Mutual of Omaha suggests the perfect gift is “Easy Mind” health insurance. Dad is in the toy store pushing Little Billy in a metal car. Billy thinks Santa will bring him the car. Imagine Billy’s surprise when he opens his present and finds a health insurance policy inside. 7-Up shows Christmas carolers in the snow about to enjoy a frosty 7-Up. “Merry Christmas to all from the All Family Drink! So pure... so good... so wholesome for everyone... including the tiniest tot.” Christmas is the perfect time to get those tiny tots hooked on 7-Up.

    We all associate Reynolds Aluminum with Christmas. Reynolds’ ad shows a cheery mom decorating an aluminum Christmas tree surrounded by aluminum kitchen appliances. “Here’s a Merry Christmas combination for this year — a glittering, permanent Christmas tree of aluminum with light, bright, and lasting aluminum housewares and utensils around it.” Nothing says remember the birth of baby Jesus like an aluminum Christmas tree.

    It wouldn’t be Christmas without Betty Crocker fruitcake featuring the spicy old-fashioned version or the dark deluxe mutation fruitcake. Other than roaches and Twinkies, the only thing that will survive a nuclear attack by the North Koreans will be fruitcakes. Imagine the festive fun you will have gnawing on a fruitcake in the crawl space of your house while waiting for the all-clear to sound as the radiation dies down to an almost survivable level.

    The Rid Jid Knee Room Ironing table claims approval by Mrs. Santa Claus, who is sitting comfortably at her ironing board reading letters to her. She proudly announces that the ladies are unanimous, “They all want the same thing, Santa... My Ironing Table.” God rest ye, merry gentlemen if you give your wives appliances for Christmas. Ye shall be resting in the dog house. Be wise. Ignore this column. The wife you save, may be your own.

  •  

    04BudgetsDear Editor: Any chance the editor can pass along to Karl Merritt that Trumps fiscal year and budget does not start until October? He seems to be unaware of either that and what that might entail, in this article where he complains about the media unfairly condemning Trump.

    To explain like Karl is five years old: With Trumps fiscal budget not even being a factor this year (due to this starting in October) in regards to our low unemployment numbers and strong stock market means that this is the product of Obamas presidency. Not Trumps. 

    A correction should be made in your publication, because that type of mistake is just embarrassing and the result of fake news. Please have your contributors research their “facts” and provide sources in the future.

    Thank you.

    — Cassie (Last name withheld upon request)

    Dear Editor: The comments here are in response to a letter to the editor of Up & Coming Weekly from a reader whose first name is Cassie. She took issue with statements I made in my recent column titled, “Searching for Why America is Off-Course.”

    The objection appears to be to my giving President Trump credit for the lowered unemployment rate and record high levels in the stock market. She contends that credit should go to former President Barack Obama.

    Regarding both these objections, I contend that the record is clear that Trump’s agenda and his actions are the drivers of lower unemployment rates and the stronger stock market. In the matter of the stock market, consider the following quote from an article by Eshe Nelson, May 25, titled, “Six months later, the ‘Trump trade’ is over.” “To be fair, currency traders were never as pumped by Trump as stock traders were. Trump’s pledge to cut taxes, spend big on infrastructure, and slash regulation sent stock markets surging to record highs—the “Trump trade,” as it came to be known.” This statement reflects the assessment rendered time and again by various sources.

    As to reduced unemployment rates, Cassie does not deny gains or that the outlook is good. She challenges attributing this positive outlook to Trump.  Again, support for my position is plentiful. One source is an article by Paul Davidson, March 14, titled, “Trump’s agenda spurs CEOs’ hiring and spending plans.” It states:“The nation’s top CEOs stepped up their hiring and investment plans in the first quarter amid a burst of confidence over President Trump’s pro-business agenda, showing no signs that early political roadblocks had dimmed their optimism.

    Forty-one percent of CEOs plan to increase hiring in the next six months, up from 35 percent in the fourth quarter, according to a Business Roundtable survey. Just 18 percent expect to reduce employment, down from 30 percent late last year.

    And 46 percent of the top executives intend to increase capital spending, up from 35 percent. Just 13 percent plan to rein in such investment, down from 21 percent.”

    As Cassie contends, I have heard others say that our improving economy is due to the actions of Obama. Obviously, I disagree and hold that information referenced above is representative of a body of commentary in support of my position. The bottom line is that Trump’s actions, along with his agenda, created an atmosphere conducive to improving the economy. I find it amazing that progress has been made in spite of Democratic obstruction and the multitude of ongoing efforts to destroy Trump’s presidency.

    To this point in my response, I have not addressed Cassie’s contention that Trump not having submitted his first budget is a relevant consideration in her objection to what I wrote. I have not addressed it because I did not mention “budget” in my column and nothing presented above references the budget process. Items in Trump’s agenda will be affected by budgeting, but I do not see how that is relevant in this discussion.

    As for her “To explain like Karl is five years old” statement regarding budgeting and the fiscal year arrangement, I served 21 1/2  years in the U.S. Navy as a Supply Corps officer. In two assignments, I was comptroller. My responsibilities included budgeting for and expending millions of dollars. I understand budgeting and fiscal years.

    I appreciate feedback regarding what I write, whether that feedback agrees or disagrees with me. My aim, however, is to prompt thoughtful, productive examination of issues so that problem-solving civil discourse results. A major destructive force to this process is when the feedback is lacking in fact-based reasoning and/or conveys personal insults. In my estimation, Cassie employed both of these destructive tactics. I suppose the tactics are intended to intimidate me into silence. We are, in part, disintegrating as a society because far too many people in America use this approach. Those who will inherit this country from us deserve much better.

    — Karl Merritt

     

  • 03NamingAs I write this, Labor Day has come and gone. School is back in session, families are settling into normal school year routines, sportscasters are talking about Friday night football, and students in shorts and T-shirts wearing backpacks walk down my street every afternoon.

    All of this brings memories of my student days in the old Fayetteville City Schools system and the Precious Jewels’ days in its successor, Cumberland County Schools, from the perspective of a parent. The three decades that separated these experiences brought significant changes in education, including subject matter, teaching techniques, classroom design and function, greater diversity among both students and educators, not to mention what we used to call “school clothes.”

    But much was the same, too.

    Most of my generation and those of the Precious Jewels attended the public schools to which we were assigned. Our curricula were standardized for the most part, with some electives available in middle and high school. The experience was not exactly “one size fits all,” but there was not much variety in academic offerings. Some teachers were willing to help students pursue an area of special interest, and some were not, so most students had similar academic and social experiences during our school years. Anything outside those we explored on our own.

    Things are changing in American education and changing fast. All over our country, and certainly in North Carolina, families have expanding educational options. In my day, the only children not in public schools were probably not there because of an illness or disability. There were a few independent and religious schools, but no one I knew had ever heard of charter schools, magnet schools, much less home schools where parents do double duty as moms and dads as well as teachers and athletic coaches.

    Most of us, including this columnist, believe that choice is a positive development, but there are downsides. A big one is that many public school systems are losing students to the various options, including charter schools, which taxpayers also fund. Also, North Carolina offers taxpayer-funded vouchers for private schools, including religious ones, which further lessen funding for public schools.

    Teachers are different as well. In my day and to some extent in the Precious Jewels’ day, women had fewer career options, with teaching remaining a popular one, in part because of its traditional calendar year and state-sponsored benefits. Today, women have far more career choices and are taking them in droves. More men are also in classrooms, but, generally speaking, teaching has become a less attractive option. Enrollment in college and university teaching programs is way down, with some schools actually closing. While Americans, including we North Carolinians, pay homage and loud lip service to the professionalism of teachers and how much we appreciate them, we pay them such low salaries that many are forced to take second and thirds jobs to support themselves and their families. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, North Carolina teacher pay adjusted for inflation has dropped 13 percent over the last 15 years, ranking 47th in the nation in the school year 2013-14. If we were honest with ourselves, we would admit that many of our best and brightest, even those who yearn to teach, are choosing other careers out of economic necessity.

    All of which brings me to a nagging worry that sometimes keeps me awake at night.

    As the United States follows Western Europe in becoming more diverse and more secular, the “glue” of common experience that has historically bound us as a people is fraying.

    Vastly different from the millions of veterans who were drafted into service in earlier generations, volunteer military service has resulted in well-educated, well-trained and dedicated personnel, but far fewer of them. Today, only about one-half of 1 percent of Americans are on active duty, making military service a rare rather than common national experience.

    Millions of us are active in our faith, but religious diversity means this is also a less than common national experience. And, while most American children still attend public schools, more options mean that, too, will become a tie less binding.

    All are reminders that the decisions we make for our own families, multiplied by millions, impact all of us and our understanding of what it means to be an American.

  • 02VoteIt was a long and hard-fought path to the “Rock the Vote” campaigns and dismal voter turnout of recent years.

    In the early days of our country, voting really was a privilege, one reserved for property-owning or tax-paying white men over the age of 21.

    In the 1790s, the Naturalization Act gave men born outside the U.S. who became citizens the right to vote, and various states started dropping the property requirement.

    In 1870, the 15th Amendment gave nonwhite men and freed male slaves the right to vote, although several states continued to suppress this group of voters.

    Native American men were granted citizenship in 1887, giving them the right to vote, but only if they would disassociate themselves from their tribes.

    It was 1920 before the 19th Amendment passed, giving women the right to vote. By 1924, Native Americans, regardless of tribal affiliation, won the right to vote.

    It was 1943 before the Magnuson Act granted Chinese immigrants a voice in American politics.

    In 1964, the 24th Amendment declared voting cannot be denied “by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax” for federal elections.

    It wasn’t until 1965 that the Voting Rights Act guaranteed protection of voter registration and voting for racial minorities.

    In 1971, thanks to the 26th Amendment, the voting age changed from 21 to 18.

     

    Today, the voting requirements are:

    • Be a U.S. citizen

    • Be at least 18 years of age

    • Reside in the county and election district in which he or she presents to vote

    • Not be serving an active sentence for a felony conviction

    In just over a week, on Sept. 21, onestop voting begins for the Fayetteville primary election. It includes candidates vying for mayoral and city council/commissioner/alderman positions. Voting ends Oct. 10. One-stop voting starts for the municipal winners Oct. 19 and ends Nov. 7.

    Find out more about local candidates and voting policies at www. co.cumberland.nc.us/election_board/ voter_info/guide.aspx#.

    Also, we are proud to debut our Hope Mills News & Views section in this week’s paper. Check it out on pages 22 and 23. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • About 30 percent of North Carolina’s 6.8 million registered voters are Republicans. So how in the world do Republicans ever win election in the Tar Heel State?

    Be careful how you answer that question. GOP candidates have done quite well in recent election cycles. Yes, Republican margins in the North Carolina House and Senate are padded by favorable district maps. But they’ve still won a majority of the statewide vote for legislature in every election since 2010. By contrast, during the previous decades, Democrats often won seat majorities despite losing the “popular vote” for legislature statewide. Republicans also hold a majority on the Council of State, composed of executives elected statewide, as well as on the state court of appeals.

    Obviously, GOP candidates can’t win with registered Republicans alone. They have to get other voters to cross over. So do state Democrats, who make up 39 percent of the electorate. Almost all the remaining voters are registered as unaffiliated, with about half a percentage point consisting of registered Libertarians.

    To say that 30 percent of North Carolina voters are unaffiliated is not, however, to say that 30 percent of North Carolina voters begin each election as truly undecided and then “swing” to one or the other major party. Careful studies of voting behavior identify only about 10 percent to 15 percent of the electorate as true swing voters in today’s polarized politics.

    A new survey commissioned by the Civitas Institute of unaffiliated voters in North Carolina offers additional support for this model of the electorate. Of its random sample of 400 unaffiliated voters, about a third said they identified more with the Republican Party than the Democrats, a comparable percentage opted for Democrat over Republican, and the remaining third were truly independent of party preference.

    Those fully up-for-grabs independents, then, constitute about a tenth of the North Carolina electorate. Add a few points of registered Democrats and Republicans who aren’t strongly committed to their parties anymore, and you have a reasonable estimate of the swing-voter population in an average election.

    Democratic registration has been falling for many years, with Republican registration roughly flat and unaffiliated registration way up. Nevertheless, Democrats still outnumber Republicans. The latter have to win a sizable majority of unaffiliated and mildly Democratic voters in order to be competitive.

    We know it’s quite possible to do that, since Republicans have won many (although obviously not all) statewide contests in recent cycles. One reason is that unaffiliated voters, on a whole, are somewhat more amenable to Republican messages than they are to Democratic ones.

    Again citing the Civitas poll, unaffiliated voters are more likely to identify as conservative than as liberal, are much more likely to identify as fiscally conservative
    rather than as fiscally liberal, live mostly in suburban and rural areas, favor capital punishment, overwhelmingly favor either outright or partial repeal of Obamacare, and overwhelmingly favor a photo-ID requirement to vote.

    On the other hand, unaffiliated voters are more split when it comes to social issues such as abortion. And at present, they are souring on the Republican Party as a brand. They disapprove of President Donald Trump’s job performance by a 53 percent to 43 percent margin, while approving of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s job performance by 56 percent to 27 percent. Their favorability ratings of the Democratic Party are mixed. Their ratings of the Republican Party are not, at 28 percent favorable to 50 percent unfavorable.

    This is probably a Trump phenomenon, not a larger, lasting realignment. The 2018 midterms also remain quite a ways off. In 2013, for example, a comparable Civitas poll of unaffiliated voters had Democrats up 10 percentage points over Republicans in the generic ballot for legislature. As we know, that edge didn’t stick through 2014. On the other hand, that cycle occurred under a somewhat-unpopular Democratic president. The 2018 cycle may well occur under a more-unpopular Republican one.

    I’d describe the survey’s findings as good news for Democrats — with the usual admonition against counting unhatched chickens.

  • 08CCBSRecently, I had the privilege of listening to some Carolina College of Biblical Studies alumni reflect on what motivated them to persist in their journey to earn a Bible degree, and it all came down to relationships. They all commonly agreed that relationships factored heavily in their overall persistence to graduate. Critical to every attitude, experience and persistence factor was a relational link. Relationships incrementally endeared and bonded graduates to the administration, faculty and staff so that a drive to finish grew stronger than the initial and ongoing challenges.

    Relationships are emphasized distinctly, tying all experiences together. Daniel (all names are pseudonyms) is grateful for that “one-on-one personal engagement (which) made a big difference during my matriculation — that personal touch making us feel like we’re part of family.”

    Zion agreed saying, “It’s the relationship, I mean, from top to bottom. It’s the relationships you live for that you had in college.”

    Nathan was quite passionate as he expressed the relational aspects: “The faculty was so proactively involved in relationships professionally that it kept me academically sharp. The interaction I had with the professors was great, and it continued... The relationships would drive me.”

    The connections among our graduates’ experiences created a sense of belonging, which provided another motivational experience, overcoming various fears and apprehensions. They felt an immediate sense of belonging within a welcoming environment. This grew into a campus connectedness that served as a protective factor against dropping out of school.

    Zion’s initial impression drove the stakes deep: “My experience here at the college was amazing because you enter as such a skeptic … So when I got here, what made this college so amazing (is) … they make you feel so welcome.”

    Isaiah was also very personal in his convictions, stating, “Coming into school, after being (out of college) so many years was so difficult. But it was a great environment. When you come in, the receptionist would always greet you and call you by name.”

    Joseph affirmed that “I enjoyed being around the people here. It’s a good atmosphere to be at, to learn and to interact with people.”

    All the fears associated with the prospect of re-entering college were put to rest with the serendipitous experience opposite of what the applicants expected.

    As graduates noted, cultural apprehensions were met with a sense of belonging through unconditional acceptance of all ethnicities. Initial re-entry fears were eliminated when the students witnessed a loving, caring and welcoming spirit from administrators, faculty and staff. Being well-received opened the door for spiritual formation resulting in a wholesome satisfaction.

    An appreciation for the relational aspects of college life is not surprising considering the New Testament “one another” commands appear over 70 times. Jesus initiated this relational ministry in John 13:34-35. A mandate to love one another is the mark of Christ-followers to the entire world.

    Thankfully, Jesus serves as the model of how to biblically love. Relational love is a powerful tool in the hands of our Lord. We have certainly experienced it at CCBS as evidenced by our students. Relational love provides a sense of belonging, encouragement and motivation, all of which transcends our college experience.

    A sense of belonging: We are family.

  • It is amazing how events can change one’s perspective on things. First, there was the tragic shooting of an African American male in Charlotte, North Carolina, several months ago, which brought about numerous protesters who blocked roadways in exercising their First Amendment rights.

    So, the extreme right of the Republican House, which has wrestled control of its party — seizing on the raw emotion of the moment and appealing to its far-right base — forced through the House (of Representatives) a bill called House Bill 330. It’s titled “Qualified Immunity for Hitting a Pedestrian during a Protest on a Public Street or Highway.” (Editor’s note: According to this bill, a driver can drive through a protest or demonstration that is blocking traffic, and as long as the driver exercises due care, the driver cannot be sued.)

    Immediately, the bill had serious opposition — to include me. The Bill had little, if any, serious scrutiny through the committee process, and the bill as written was fraught with peril. It was not vetted and was so rushed that, like the recent gun bill that allowed purchases of handguns without training or mental background checks and carried great risks to the health and well-being of our citizens, it passed.

    Last month, a car driven by a white supremacist, in Charlottesville, Virginia, slammed into a crowd, killing one and wounding several others.

    Those who voted for House Bill 330 are now in quite a dilemma. They now must explain why they voted for a bill that would make such egregious conduct potentially free from suit. Can there be any legitimate reason that the person driving in Richmond should not be charged with murder? That is the principle behind this bill. It potentially exonerates a driver who plows into people.

    In this era of divisive hatred and malicious conduct, we can ill afford to send any signal other than that such conduct will not be tolerated. That is not what our state legislature is doing. We ignore the fact that our schools are failing our children.

    We ignore our water quality and its rapid decline. We have vast pollution in two of our major rivers — so much so that they are two of the top seven most polluted in the country. We ignore the fact that there is a pending opioid crisis in this state, and that we have four cities that fall in the top 20 in the nation for such abuse.

    But the extreme right does far worse than stick their heads in the sand. Instead, they appeal to the worst fears of our nature by passing extreme laws, which further induce problems, such as cutting our Attorney General’s budget, which protects our citizens.

    The events in Charlottesville should clarify for our Senate what the far right in the House of Representatives failed to see. You simply cannot permit a driver of a car to plow into any crowd. Yes, it may be inconvenient to wait for a crowd to disburse, but this pales in comparison to the protections of the First Amendment rights guaranteed our citizens under the Constitution.

    Even more importantly, we must restrain ourselves from the temptation to use such a situation to divide us just to win an election. To quote one of our famous forefathers, Patrick Henry, “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” If ever there was a time, it is now. If we truly love our country, we must exercise restraint and tolerance. If we truly believe in our state, we must defeat House Bill 330 and other such legislation, and we must exercise wisdom and constraint and tolerance in our legislature and our legislative process. It is time for all good men and women to step up and become citizen statesmen and less partisan and less intolerant. We must be the leaders and examples to show our citizens how we can best live together and not rip each other apart over our differences that are, when it’s all said and done, baseless.

    As John Kennedy once said, “We all inherit the same land, we all breathe the same air, we all want what’s best for our children, we are all, after all, mortal, and we all need to live together.”

    It is time that we heed those words and start living in this country in a more tolerant and loving way.

  • 07CurtisBrownI am running for City Council District 1 because I believe it is time for a new vision, a new leadership and a renewed relationship with voters. My top priorities are the following: Crime prevention and public safety, better quality of life, job creation and economic/industrial growth.

    If elected to the office of City Council District 1, I will work hard on crime prevention and public safety by working with community watch groups and law enforcement. I will work to develop an organized plan to improve our neighborhoods and the overall appearance of District 1 (i.e. Ramsey Street and Bragg Boulevard — both are gateways into Fayetteville with exits off of I-295). I will work with NCDOT and local DOT on the need for highway noise barriers around all of our neighborhoods in District 1 adjacent to I-295 (i.e. back area of King’s Grant, Greystone Farms, Ultris Patriot Park, and College Lake just to name a few).

    In collaboration with our elected mayor, I am committed to keeping taxes low by voting to cut government waste, ensure our city lives within its means and increase our revenue through business growth. I will work to create a job-friendly business climate by working with the elected mayor to reduce burdensome regulations on small businesses and promoting smart economic and industrial growth. I will invest in our children because they are our future. I will work to support our teachers and empower school boards to do their jobs. 

    I served more than 25 years in the U.S Army, retired as a Senior Chief Warrant Officer and continued service to our great nation as a GS14 DA civilian and /or contractor. I know the importance of service — forward and critical thinking, which are essential for sound decision making and leadership.

    My wife, Vanessa, and I have been married for over 40 years and my service in the military has allowed us to live in and call Fayetteville our hometown for over 22 years. As a current business owner and former Army Warrant Officer, I have the drive and dedication to lead District 1 in the right direction to help improve the city of Fayetteville.

    My vision for District 1 and Fayetteville is a growing and vibrant world-class District/City — proud of its diversity and full of life with amenities and activities. I envision a community of cooperative inclusion (Government and Citizens), a community that is flourishing economically with a pristine environment, where all people are safe, healthy and have equitable opportunities for success and happiness. 

    Let’s revive District 1 together. It’s time 4 change.

     

    PHOTO: Curtis Brown, District 1 City Council Candidate

  • 06JohnnyDawkinsHow do we create a better city, grow our economy and produce a city in which our children and grandchildren will want to return to live, work and raise a family? We do it by focusing on job creation and economic development.

    The city has to become more efficient in delivering services to our citizens, to our existing businesses and to our new businesses. We must cut any red tape hindering business expansion, and incentivize our local businesses to grow, to take risks, and to double down on Fayetteville. As a former City Council member and successful businessman for over 35 years; I have the leadership, the vision and the job creation experience to help lead this effort on the City Council.

    We have the available land, the natural resources (river), the infrastructure (PWC water/electricity), the schools (K-12, FSU, FTCC, Methodist University) and the location on I-95 to be an ideal site for new manufacturing. Our peers in South Carolina have provided the blueprint — just look to Greenville-Spartanburg with the BMW plant or Florence with the Honda plant or the Boeing plant in Charleston. Yet, we’ll only achieve similar breakthroughs if the state, the county, the city of Fayetteville, and the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation work together as a unified front.

    We, also, must remain laser-focused on public safety. None of our economic efforts will succeed if the basic safety of our residents is in question. Stronger neighborhood-police relations will benefit us all. Initiatives, like Fayetteville Beautiful or Community Watch meetings, or National Night Out events, all complement our efforts to provide places in which people feel safe while walking or biking, or meeting their neighbors.

    Hurricane Matthew proved that we have underinvested in stormwater management. Stormwater management is one of the least exciting aspects of local governance, but repairing damaged, city-owned dams needs to happen as quickly as possible. We must build a closer relationship with federal and state authorities, so that funds flow more quickly to the city to cover infrastructure repairs. We must take responsibility and budget wisely, when considering our city-owned dams. Property values (and property taxes to the city) are much higher when a lake is filled with water!

    On the subject of water, I am concerned that Fayetteville is on track to becoming the retention pond capital of North Carolina. We need to take another look at our development ordinances, as many developers are finding it easier and less expensive to build in the surrounding counties, instead of complying with our regulations. We want economic development to occur
    inside our city limits.

    I promise to be your voice on City Council to work to bring new industry and revenue to our city, to hold the line on property taxes, to continue to reduce crime, to work to create good jobs, and to be a watchdog of our city finances. I’m Johnny Dawkins, and I ask for your vote for Council District 5.

    One Stop Early voting begins Sept. 21, and the Primary election is Tuesday, Oct. 10. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 7. You can contact the Board of Elections at (910) 678-7733, if you have questions about when or where to cast your vote for Johnny Dawkins for Council District 5, during the upcoming Municipal Elections.

     

    PHOTO: Johnny Dawkins, District 5 City Council  Candidate

  • 04FailingI am very sorry and extremely saddened by the recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia. Protesters clashed, a young lady was killed and others injured when a man, apparently intentionally, drove into a group of people. Further, two law enforcement personnel who were monitoring the protest from a helicopter both died when the helicopter crashed. Then there was the tension and violence between the group that had a permit to protest the pending removal of a Robert E. Lee statue and a group wanting to stop that protest. I extend profound sympathy to the family and friends of those who were killed.

    The great challenge in moving on from this tremendous tragedy is to do so in a fashion that advances America along a path to being a far better country … a country united in love and peace. Dr. Ben Carson, referring to the uproar over President Trump’s comments on what happened in Charlottesville, is quoted in an article by Lisa Rein titled “Ben Carson Calls Criticism of Trump’s Charlottesville Response ‘Little Squabbles’ Being ‘Blown out of Proportion:’”

    “When he talks about the fact that hatred and bigotry and these things are unacceptable,” Carson said of Trump, “he’s talking about everybody. … You’d think he was saying that hatred and bigotry are unacceptable except by neo-Nazis. We really have got to begin to think more logically and stop trying to stir up controversy and start concentrating on the issues that threaten us and threaten our children.”

    Carson is on point. It troubles me beyond description that there seems to be very little logical thought happening in America or in the world. I realize that is a rather bold statement. Consider the facts in the Charlottesville disaster: A group gets a permit for, and organizes, a march to protest the planned removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee, Confederate general who was commander of the Army of Northern Virginia and who was later given command of all the Southern armies. The permitted group included members of some organizations that clearly promote hate, racism, anti-Semitism and other beliefs that have no place in America.

    What happened in Charlottesville, and the followon, demonstrates the truth in Carson’s statement. Actions and reactions, to this point in time, say our response as a nation is failing. It is failing in great part because rational thought is a rare commodity in America and in the world.

    Consider what the primary focus has been since the Charlottesville events of Aug. 12. It has been statements made by President Trump regarding that horrific situation. In his first statement, he referred to “hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides.” There was a condemning outcry from politicians, many in the media and just about anybody who had access to a microphone or social media — or the ability to call a talk show. The major complaint was that the president did not call known hate groups by name. In a second statement two days after the first, he named the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and white supremacists and declared them “repugnant.” That statement was better received, but characterized as being made too late. The third statement came in a news conference during which the president returned to his contention that there was “blame” on “both sides.” His response in that news conference heightened the outcry. The demand was that he only assign blame to the groups that marched with a permit. That would have placed no responsibility on those persons who, without a permit, showed up in Charlottesville to protest the protesters.

    On the matter of blame, it seems to me that President Trump spoke truth, but did so in an atmosphere where any truth contrary to the liberal agenda is simply not allowed. Consider that on that Saturday in Charlottesville, there were counterprotesters who confronted protesters in a threatening manner. Some screamed derogatory words, as did the protesters. There were violent, physical encounters between members of the two groups. When Jason Kessler, organizer of the statue protest, attempted to hold a press conference on Sunday, counterprotesters forced him from the park where that press conference was to be held. He was escorted from the park by law enforcement personnel.

    The following Saturday, a small group of people gathered in Boston for a “Free Speech Rally.” Approximately 40,000 counterprotesters showed up. Because of their presence, the rally was ended early and the few attendees were transported from the area in police vans. In an article titled “After Media Calls Boston Rally Peaceful, Police Department Sends Out Tweets Telling Different Story,” Justen Charters of the Independent Journal Review wrote:

    “An elderly woman had her American flag ripped from her hands. But it didn’t end there. She was dragged by a protester and got knocked to the ground. Also, members of antifa cursed out a Trump supporter wearing an Afghan War veteran hat as he talked with the media.”

    Various sources reported that Boston police confirmed that people were throwing urine, bottles, rocks and other projectiles at officers. These would have been counterprotesters.

    These incidents and others say to me that President Trump is correct in contending that the blame for what happened in Charlottesville extends beyond those groups he listed in his second statement. What alarms and disgusts me is that the focus is almost totally on his statements and hardly any attention is given to why Charlottesville even happened. Where are the thoughtful efforts to answer that question? I must have read 30 articles and scanned many more in gathering information for this column. I only saw a few lines that gave the question any attention. One was an article titled “What Are the Facts Behind Donald Trump’s Claims about the Charlottesville Violence?” posted at www. telegraph.co.uk:

    The organizer of the rally, a local right-wing blogger and activist, has said he initially was spurred because of the city’s decision to remove the statue. But he has also said the event, dubbed “Unite the Right,” came to represent much more than that. Jason Kessler said last week before the event that it was “about an anti-white climate within the Western world and the need for white people to have advocacy like other groups do.”

    Let me be crystal-clear. I abhor what happened in Charlottesville on Aug. 12. However, my call, like that of Carson, is for thoughtful evaluation of what happened and why. Only then can we move to resolve these issues and be a unified country. One does not have to look very far to find conditions that very likely feed Kessler’s claim of “an anti-white climate” and the “need for white people to have advocacy.” The list is almost limitless: Ferguson; Baltimore; the shooting of Republicans on a ballfield in Virginia; police officers gunned down in Dallas and elsewhere; Black Lives Matter stoking the fires of racial hatred and division; a mob unlawfully destroying a statue of a Confederate soldier in Durham, North Carolina. Where was/is the outrage in these instances?

    America and the world need people who will speak truth and act on it. Newt Gingrich made a statement regarding the push to remove statues and memorials that some people find offensive. I think his comment describes a destructive malady that not only explains the general response of supposed leaders to the statue crisis, but their usual response any time speaking unpopular truth is required. As reported by Joe Crowe in an article titled “Gingrich: Mayors Who Remove Confederate Statues Are ‘Pandering,’” Gingrich is quoted as saying: ‘“Mayors in cities with majority-black populations who order the removal of statues that note Confederate history are ‘pandering’ in the wake of the Charlottesville, Virginia, violence.”’ This has become the political rule in America. That is, in the face of societal pressure, forget truth and what is right for people; go with what is expected to win elections.

    We are failing to respond appropriately to Charlottesville. It is because people who engage in reasoned thought and have the “guts” to speak and act on the resulting truths from that process are rare. Not only are they rare, but they are also an endangered species. Carson is right: We really have got to begin to think more logically and stop trying to stir up controversy and start concentrating on the issues that threaten us and threaten our children.

  • 03NamingA recent New Yorker article, “Identity Crisis,” caught my attention because it addresses a longtime interest: what names we give those dearest to us, our children, and how we come up with those names. It was penned by Lauren Collins, a young woman from Wilmington who has made her mark in the New York publishing world and whose career I have followed. “Identity Crisis” details her struggle to find a name she and her husband could agree on for the son coming their way.

    Expectant parents know the names they bestow on their little ones can shape their lives positively or negatively, and most take that seriously. What would-be parents may not realize is that names, like fashion, can be trendy. A quick visit to the Social Security Administration website, which has tracked the most popular baby names in America for more than a century, confirms this.

    Mary and John were the most popular baby names in the 1910s, but by the 2010s Emma and Jacob topped the lists. The lesson here is that if you do not want your child to be one of a large tribe of Emmas and Jacobs in the kindergarten class, a little more naming consideration might be in order. And don’t even think about an overly creative name involving a number, a hyphen, or an acute accent that will burden your bundle of joy all his or her life.

    So how do people decide what to name their children?

    Collins has some enlightenment on this point. She, her French husband and her daughter (Claudia) live in Paris, so she sees some naming trends not part of our culture. In Switzerland, Collins reports, an enterprising “baby-naming consultancy” will “‘create a new and independent name for your child’ for around the cost of a car.”

    She also notes grandparents are now offering cars, businesses and cold hard cash in exchange for naming rights for their future grandchildren. Incredibly, some prospective parents are turning to social media to ask for naming suggestions, a proposition that makes my blood run cold to think of what might be posted, and — heaven forbid! — adopted.

    The law is not much help, according to University of California law professor Carlton F.W. Larson who told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that “naming your child is an expressive action. And the idea that you get to name your child, not the state, is a fundamental right.” Larson was reacting to a Georgia legal battle in which parents gave their child the last name
    “Allah,” when Georgia law says the surname must be one parent’s or the others or some combination of the two. Some states offer no legal guidance on baby-naming, and it often falls to hospital personnel or local record-keepers to talk parents out of some ill-advised name, like Adolf Hitler Jones.

    According to Collins, “more than 600 Americans answer to Ikea,” and I know of an Alexus, apparently named for a car. Then there are all those K-loving Kardashians. These parents should have slept on it.

    While I once met a student named Chandelier, we Southerners seem to be traditional namers. Ancestors are often our first resource for options unless their names are too much for even the most traditional among us. Think early Puritan names like Humiliation, Desire, Unity, Prudence, Purity, Chastity — you get the idea.

    In my own little family, one Precious Jewel is a junior, one named for my mother, and one named for my father. Many Southern babies are given names that began as surnames resulting in boisterous first-graders answering to dignified Smiths and Clarks. Collins herself notes that her surname, Collins, is, in fact, the 647th most common name for girls in the United States, more common than her daughter, Claudia’s, name.

    Not much creativity there, but such adherence to tradition can have strange consequences. One of my grandmother’s best friends was a lovely Southern lady, John, named after her father who had no sons. Southern children are often given double names — think Mary Elizabeth and Billy Joe, which can be a mouthful to explain to people from somewhere else. Finally, let’s don’t even start on the custom of Big Susan and Little Susan and Big Bob and Little Bob when the real “Little” one is actually bigger than the real “Big” one.

    Faced with naming a baby, “first, do no harm” seems like good advice. In a naming dilemma, Collins referenced the advice of a thoughtful friend. “‘I would say that it’s essentially a matter of selfconfidence,’ he’d concluded, suggesting that any name we chose could go in any direction, depending on how our son embodied it. He was right. We had no idea if the particular individual we were bringing into the world would be sensitive to sticks and stones or schoolyard taunts if his name could ever hurt or help him. … Your child’s name is what you want to be, but what he is is really up to him.”

    What name did Collins and her husband finally choose?

    A very traditional Louis.

  • 02PubPenPublishers note: This article is reprinted with the courtesy of The Washington Post.

    Community newspapers offer insight into the heart of communities like no iPhone, Android or social media platform ever could. The article below is relevant and explains why extinction is inevitable if change does not happen.

    They wrote about rock music and marijuana, when those were actually daring things to write about. They used profanity sometimes, when even sometimes was rude and shocking. In the back, past the ads for head shops, porn theaters and escort services, there were classified listings that featured a strange code of longing and desire: “SWM seeks SWF for LT relationship, light S&M.”

    “Alternative” weeklies flowered in the 1970s in just about every American city, large and small. They were the alternative to the straitlaced establishment press and the successors to the ragtag “underground” papers that had raged against the Vietnam War. Less angry and more professional than their forebears, they still raged against authority when a new edition dropped outside the coffeehouse or club.

    Free-distribution alt weeklies — all those New Timeses and Real Papers — aren’t quite dead yet, but the fraternity is in some distress. The Boston Phoenix checked out in 2013. The San Francisco Bay Guardian went under in 2014 (revived online in 2016). The Philadelphia City Paper shut down in 2015. The Baltimore City Paper said last month that it will close, too.

    The news on Tuesday was another downward leg on the patient’s chart: Facing declining revenue, the Village Voice — the hipster granddaddy of alt weeklies — said it would end its print edition and publish online only. And so, after 62 years, the Voice will no longer beckon from newsstands and street-corner boxes, tempting the sophisticated or the merely curious. Henceforth, cosmopolitanism will come only on a computer screen.

    Alt weeklies pioneered what the Smartphone Generation now takes for granted. They wrote about things that the mainstream media (before it was ever called that) was indifferent to or ignored. They covered nightlife, criticized the arts, hectored the newspapers and TV stations about their reporting. They wrote about politics from a subjective and unapologetically partisan perspective, almost always a lefty one. They sometimes exposed wrongdoing and malfeasance in their midst; the alt weekly Willamette Week in Portland, Ore., won a Pulitzer Prize in 2005 for revelations about Gov. Neil Goldschmidt’s molestation of a 14-year-old girl 30 years earlier.

    Much of that is available on a screen now, of course. But unlike their digital children — the HuffPosts, Jezebels and Slates — the alt weeklies offered one important difference: They focused on their towns, not everyone’s.

    They were intensely local, riffing on a city’s politics, environment, culture and people. They offered what no national news sites now does — consideration of a common municipal space. It might be Greenwich Village, Logan Circle or Silver Lake, any of the urban neighborhoods across America where gays, feminists, punks, greens, rappers and activists crossed and consorted. The places where the music and drug scene, political movements, and the sexual revolution were quaking long before the waves radiated to places colonized by Walmart and Applebee’s.

    For suburban teens growing up in the 1970s and ’80s, the alt weeklies were a passport to the vibrant and mysterious adult scene happening just a few miles down the interstate.

    The alt and underground press of the early 1970s “opened my eyes to a world I knew nothing about and wasn’t part of,” said Dan Kennedy, a longtime Boston Phoenix writer who became a journalism professor. “The counterculture of music and left-wing politics — those were appealing to me. They gave me a wider perspective, albeit a left-wing one.”

    Patricia Calhoun, who still edits the alt weekly Westword in Denver 40 years after she founded it, says she started the publication “with the premise that Denver was a more interesting city than the mainstream media made it seem and that it would be easier to start a paper than to get a real job.” She now reflects: “We were right about the first part, but not the second.”

    At their peak, Calhoun says, alt weeklies served as a kind of community bulletin board for their young readers. Copious entertainment and restaurant listings were a staple early on. The classifieds were today’s neighborhood email lists. Need a roommate, a bass player, a girlfriend? Go to the dense black type in the back pages. “If you wanted an apartment in Chicago in the early 1980s, you had to get the Chicago Reader the minute it came out,” she said.

    Over the years, alt weeklies evolved from their shaggy roots to incorporate the consumerist innovations of “city” magazines — the lists of best hamburger joints and bars and such. But their innovations were in turn co-opted by the mainstream. Newspaper writing became more discursive and narrative-driven, aping the style of the long stories that anchored each alt-weekly issue.

    Often, the journalism that alt weeklies produced was top-shelf. The Voice published columns by its co-founder, Norman Mailer; jazz and media criticism by Nat Hentoff, and the muckraking work of Wayne Barrett, who chronicled the rise of a brash New York real estate developer named Donald Trump. The Phoenix’s music critic, Lloyd Schwartz, won a Pulitzer for his work in 1994. The L.A. Weekly’s Jonathan Gold won one in 2007 for restaurant criticism.

    And after The Washington Post had to give back the Pulitzer it won for a fabricated story by Janet Cooke in 1981, the award went to . . . Teresa Carpenter, a writer at the Village Voice.

    Given their attention to the new and overlooked, the scrappy papers could play an outsize role as tastemakers. The most famous and perhaps most important piece of rock criticism
    came from one of them — Jon Landau’s 1974 column in the Boston Real Paper in which he declared, “I saw rock and [roll’s] future and its name is Bruce Springsteen.” Landau’s critique became a promotional prop for Springsteen’s record company and is widely credited for boosting him to mega-stardom (a year after publishing his piece, Landau became Springsteen’s manager and a co-producer of his breakthrough album, “Born to Run”).

    As the alt weeklies have faded, their journalists have seeded large parts of the media landscape. Among others, MSNBC host Chris Hayes started at the Chicago Reader; New York Times writer Mark Leibovich and the New Yorker’s Susan Orlean came from the Boston Phoenix. The alumni from Washington’s City Paper include Jack Shafer of Politico, Jake Tapper of CNN, Erik Wemple of The Post and the late David Carr of the New York Times. (Long ago, The Post stocked its new Style section with writers plucked from the weeklies, such as music critic Richard Harrington and TV critic Tom Shales, another Pulitzer winner.)

    It’s too simple to say that the Internet undermined the alt weeklies, but it largely did. By the late 1990s, they had begun to lose their lucrative classified ad base to Craigslist and other free sites. Chain stores invaded cities, blowing away a cadre of local alt-weekly advertisers. Thanks to social media, the remaining momand-pop shops in town could soon self-advertise, bypassing the City Papers altogether. The revenue drain was devastating.

    A more nebulous question concerning the fate of alt weeklies is the one posed by Kennedy, the journalism professor. “I can remember many heartfelt conversations when I was at the Phoenix [from 1991 to 2005] where we asked ourselves, ‘In what way are we really alternative?’ Because it wasn’t really clear any more. We knew in some ways that the Globe was to the left of us.”

    Westword’s Calhoun isn’t troubled by that existential matter, however. “It’s our goal to keep corrupting the youth of America into the pleasure of reading and questioning authority,” she says. “We still think we’re winning at that.”

    Marc Fisher and Hank Stuever contributed to this report.

     

    The original article can be found at: http://wapo.st/2vRheUn.

  • 12 NCMBCThe Department of Defense’s $7 billion boom in new, major construction projects on bases in North Carolina is now history. However, new construction at Fort Bragg, Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point and other installations remains strong — the third highest in the country for fiscal year 2020 at $616.3 million. Military installations are also turning to operation and maintenance funding to execute additional sustainment projects on existing facilities, and hurricane recovery work may drive military-related construction spending to new highs.

    '
    Sustaining, restoring and modernizing existing infrastructure will be a primary strategy for bases in North Carolina to address their facility needs for the foreseeable future. Operation and maintenance-funded work provides new opportunities for North Carolina construction-related businesses capable of executing small, mid-size and even large sustainment, restoration and modernization projects either as prime, also called general, or sub, also called specialty, contractors. 


    Additionally, the destruction caused by Hurricanes Florence and Matthew in 2018 provided additional opportunities for the construction industry. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic recently announced a $1.7 billion program to restore Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point due to these hurricanes. The impact of Hurricane Dorian — either in new damage or exacerbating old damage — has not yet been determined. 


    To connect businesses in North Carolina to these opportunities, the offices of Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C.,  and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.,  and the NCMBC will co-host the 2019 Southeast Region Federal Construction, Infrastructure & Environmental Summit at the Wilmington Convention Center on Oct. 23-24. The Summit is the premier, best-established and most-recognized federal construction event in the Southeast — businesses that are already engaged or want to perform in the federal market should attend.


    The Summit brings together over 700 representatives of the Corps of Engineers, NAVFAC, Fort Bragg, Marine Corps Installations East, Seymour Johnson AFB, other Army, Air Force, Navy and USMC installations, the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Veterans Affairs, General Services Administration, other federal agencies and construction-related contractors from throughout the Southeastern United States.


    Attendance is encouraged for general and specialty contractors, design firms, construction supply firms and companies  provide facility-support contracts. The businesses must work in Virginia, N.C., South Carolina, Georgia and/or Florida.  Current federal contractors seeking partners and suppliers are also welcome.


    For more information on The Summit, visit: https://summit.ncmbc.us or contact the North Carolina Military Business Center (www.ncmbc.us).


    The North Carolina Military Business Center is a business development entity of the North Carolina Community College System, headquartered at Fayetteville Technical Community College. The mission of the NCMBC is to leverage military and other federal business opportunities to expand the economy, grow jobs and improve quality of life in North Carolina. The NCMBC’s primary goal is to increase federal revenues for businesses in North Carolina. The Department of Defense has an annual impact of $66 billion and is the second largest sector of North Carolina’s economy at  — 12% GDP.  With six major military bases, 116 National Guard and 40 Army Reserve facilities and the third highest number of uniformed military personnel in the country, the state of North Carolina created the NCMBC to leverage opportunities with these installations, DOD commands and federal agencies operating worldwide.

  • 07 FloodingHurricane Florence was a powerful and long-lived Cape Verde hurricane that caused extensive damage in the Carolinas in September 2018, primarily as a result of freshwater flooding. Florence dropped 35.93 inches of rain in Elizabethtown, becoming the wettest tropical cyclone recorded in the Carolinas, as well as the eighth-wettest overall in the contiguous United States. The first major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, Florence originated from a strong tropical wave that emerged off the West Coast of Africa. The system became a tropical storm on Sept. 1 and fluctuated in strength for several days over open ocean. Rapid intensification occurred on Sept. 4–5, culminating with Florence becoming a major Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.


    As forecast models indicated an increasing threat to the Southeastern United States, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency on Sept. 7. Transportation rules for farmers were waived to enable faster harvesting. President Donald Trump declared an emergency in North Carolina, granting the state access to federal funds. Strong wind shear then tore the storm apart, and by the evening of Sept. 13, Florence had been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, though the storm began to stall as it neared the Carolina coastline.


    An overnight curfew was established in Lumberton for the duration of the hurricane. Early on Sept. 14, Florence made landfall just south of Wrightsville Beach and weakened further as it slowly moved inland. Despite making landfall as a weakened Category 1 hurricane, Florence still had enough wind speed to uproot trees and cause widespread power outages throughout the Carolinas. A ridge of high pressure over eastern North America stalled Florence’s forward motion for several days while making landfall.


    This led to Florence moving forward at only 2–3 miles per hour; the storm continually dumped heavy rain along coastal areas from Sept. 13, when the outer rain bands first began to be felt, to Sept. 15, when the storm was still stalled out only a few miles west of Wilmington. Coupled with a large storm surge, this caused widespread flooding along a stretch of the North Carolina coast, from Wilmington to New Bern. As the storm moved inland, from Sept. 15 to 17, heavy rain caused widespread inland flooding in Fayetteville, Lumberton and Smithfield as major rivers, including the Cape Fear and Lumber, spilled over their banks.


    Most major roads and highways in the area experienced some flooding, with large stretches of I-40, I-95 and US Route 70 remaining impassable for days after the storm had passed. The city of Wilmington was cut off entirely from the rest of the mainland by floodwaters. At least 54 deaths were attributed to the storm. Property damage and economic losses in the United States reached $24 billion. Estimated insured losses ranged between $4.8–5 billion. One preliminary estimate for North Carolina was nearly $17 billion, more than the damage from Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Floyd combined.

    The first major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, Florence originated from a strong tropical wave that emerged off the West Coast of Africa.

  • 05 City of Fay brandingThis year’s Fayetteville City Council primary may be the most lackluster election in modern memory. Only two of the 10 seats are contested — Districts 2 and 6. Fayetteville’s primary election is Oct. 8, with early voting underway through Oct. 4, at the Cumberland County Board of Elections office. The general election for the city and local towns is set for Nov. 5. The dean of city council, William Crisp, chose not to seek re-election after serving six consecutive terms as the District 6 representative. Three newcomers have filed to succeed him: Christopher Glenard Davis, Mary Johnson Ferguson and Carlos Swinger. Councilmember Daniel J. Culliton was appointed to represent District 2 on the city council on June 25, 2018. He decided not to run this year. His seat is also being sought by a trio of candidates: Janene Marie Ackles, Arnita Mace Bristol and Shakela Matrice Ingram.
    Fort Bragg commanding general returning home

    The latest leadership turnover within the U.S.-led coalition battling Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria has taken place. Lt. Gen. Pat White assumed command of Operation Inherent Resolve from Lt. Gen. Paul LaCamera in a ceremony in Baghdad on Sept. 14. White commands the Army’s III Armored Corps, and LaCamera leads the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg. Both units have been trading off command of the coalition for the past several years. Both headquarters have “created an unstoppable momentum” in the anti-ISIS fight, said Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, who presided over the ceremony.

    LaCamera and his 400 headquarters paratroopers assumed command of the coalition a year ago and led the alliance of 76 countries and five international organizations during a period that included the ouster of the terrorist group from its last stronghold in Syria this past March. The unit’s soldiers returned home Sept. 15. During LaCamera’s tenure, the coalition trained nearly 60,000 Iraqi and Kurdish security forces troops to secure the region, the Army said in a statement.

    LaCamera thanked service members and coalition partners for their dedication to the mission.
     
    Seat belt safety project

    A unique program that seeks to educate people about the dangers of not wearing seatbelts starts this month in Robeson County. The program allows people cited for not wearing seatbelts to have the tickets dismissed by the Robeson County district attorney if they complete a free, two-hour course at Southeastern Regional Medical Center called “Saved by the Belt.”

    Robeson County officials are hopeful the program will reduce the number of people killed because they weren’t wearing seat belts during a crash.  Drivers will learn the physics behind a crash, the causes of most crashes, North Carolina laws and myths about seat belt use.

    “We want people to realize how deadly not buckling up can be if you’re in a vehicle crash,” said Skyla Pryor, the program coordinator for Southeastern Health.

    In Robeson County, 82 people who did not buckle up or use child car seats were killed in crashes between 2014-18. In May, the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program awarded Southeastern Health a $44,740 grant to launch the safety classes. Interested residents can register by going to southeasternhealth.org and looking under the “calendar of events” tab.
     
    E-cigarettes or vapes

    Service members are being told to avoid vaping after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the habit may be linked to hundreds of cases of severe lung disease, and at least six deaths, in dozens of states. The Army Public Health Center issued an alert last week warning soldiers and family members to avoid all electronic cigarette and vaping products, “particularly those sold off the street or modified to add any substances not intended by the manufacturer.” Soldiers and their loved ones may want to discontinue using products including e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, vape pens and electronic nicotine delivery systems until the CDC completes its investigation, the Defense Health Agency said in a post.
     
    Musical festival scheduled

    The All-American City Jazz Festival is the first city-sponsored event to be held at Segra Stadium following the end of baseball season. It will be held Friday through Sunday, Oct. 25-27. The festival will be presented by the Sandhills Jazz Society and Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council. Friday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m., the BlackWater Band and the Embers featuring Craig Woolard will perform. On Saturday, Oct. 26, at 4 p.m., jazz stars Willie Bradley, Avery Sunshine, Julian Vaughn, Eric Darius and Brian Culbertson will hit the stage. And Sunday, Oct. 27, at 4 p.m., local high school and college jazz students will honor legends of the same genre with musical performances.
    “The Arts Council is pleased to partner with the city of Fayetteville in support of the All-American City Jazz Festival,” says Greg Weber, president and CEO of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.
    A $7,500 Project Support Grant was given to the city to fund the jazz festival.
  • 04 state leadersThe state of the political discourse was lousy. “Laws are no longer made by a rational process of public discussion,” wrote one longtime columnist. “They are made by a process of blackmail and intimidation, and they are executed in the same manner. The typical lawmaker of today is a man wholly devoid of principle — a mere counter in a grotesque and knavish game.” The same writer observed that, compared to “a state legislature in session,” a visit to the local zoo would be “informing, stimulating and ennobling.”


    His name was H.L. Mencken. He was writing about the contentious politics of 1930, not the contentious politics of 2019. And Mencken was grossly exaggerating.


    Our political process is under tremendous pressure, no question. In North Carolina and beyond, politics has been overly coarsened, polarized and trivialized. But the system isn’t irreparably broken.


    Lawmakers continue to draft important bills, recruit bipartisan support and make substantive arguments for or against enactment. Political leaders still engage each other without constantly resorting to schemes or insults. North Carolinians of differing views haven’t stopped talking to each other.


    We don’t do these things enough, of course. We must do more. But cynicism about our civic dialogue is premature. There are positive examples out there, examples that deserve attention and emulation.


    The North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership has been doing this kind of work for decades. I have long been on its faculty and currently chair the board of directors. Its signature program is the IOPL Fellowship. Twice a year, IOPL selects a class of promising leaders — North Carolinians aspiring to be public servants in some capacity — and provides extensive training to prepare fellows to fill those roles effectively.


    The participants, faculty, and board of IOPL are carefully balanced by party, ideology and other characteristics. Fellows learn the nuts and bolts of political campaigns, to be sure, but they also learn how to govern wisely, in either elective or appointive office, as well as how other institutions such as associations, interest groups, think tanks, and media outlets help to shape political events and issues.


    Four years ago, IOPL decided to take its message to a larger audience by cohosting a series of hometown debates, along with local chambers of commerce. During election years, the series focuses on statewide offices or referenda. In nonelection years, IOPL and its partners assemble panels of elected officials and policy practitioners to debate critical issues facing North Carolina.


    The 2019 series of hometown debates  began on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the 119 West Third Event Center of the J. Smith Young YMCA in Lexington. Former Rep. Nelson Dollar, R-Wake, and former State Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, current chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, joined two other panelists to discuss Medicaid transformation and expansion.


    On Oct. 1, Rep. Carla Cunningham, D-Mecklenburg, and Sen. Carl Ford, R-Cabarrus, will headline a panel at the Norvell Theater in Salisbury on health insurance issues. On Oct. 8, Sen. Jim Perry , R-Lenoir, and Sen. Don Davis, D-Greene, will be part of a debate at East Carolina University’s Black Box Theater on how to improve health care access in rural areas. Finally, on Oct. 17, Reps. Maryann Black, D-Durham, and Donna White, R-Johnston, will discuss issues of health care delivery at the Civic Center of Vance-Granville Community College.


    All four one-hour debates begin at 7 p.m. and will be moderated by Loretta Boniti, senior political reporter for the cable channel Spectrum News. Each will be broadcast on the Spectrum website and, in edited form, as an episode of Boniti’s weekly public-affairs show “In Focus.”


    Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, the North Carolina Association of Health Underwriters and the North Carolina Rural Center are among the series sponsors. If you want to elevate the political conversation, attend or watch the hometown debates — and help organize similar projects in your community. We all have a part to play in improving the practice of self-government in the state we proudly call home.

    The 2019 series of hometown debates  began on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

  • 08 Hoke HospitalEvery year, more than half a million people in the United States undergo joint replacement surgery because of painful arthritis that has greatly limited their activity. With the enhanced technology and surgical techniques available today, joint replacement surgery has become a routine procedure for orthopedic surgeons. There are two hospitals in the area that provide full service orthopedic surgical care: Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville and Hoke Hospital near Raeford. They represent Cape Fear Valley Health System’s ongoing commitment to bring comprehensive health care to all residents of southeastern North Carolina.

     
    To help patients achieve success, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and Hoke Hospital have developed the Joint Replacement Club. Prospective patients enroll in this club even before they have surgery. It starts with a special three-hour class taught by a physical therapist. About 90-95% of patients experience a good to excellent result with relief of most, if not all, of their pain. However, rehabilitation after surgery is the key to a better life. This means patients must be prepared to put a lot of effort into their rehab, especially in the first few weeks after surgery.
     
    Most hospitals that routinely perform joint replacement surgery offer some type of program that includes preoperative education and standardized protocols to ensure that patients receive the right care at the right time during and after their hospitalization. At Hoke Hospital, the Joint Replacement Club is in a separate wing on the second floor. This keeps other hospitalized patients with serious illnesses separated from the orthopedic wing to reduce the risk of infection. Hoke Hospital rehab methods are patterned after established protocols at the parent medical facility in Fayetteville.
     
    The Joint Replacement Club has adopted a horse racing theme, called the Race 2 Recovery. Following surgery, patients sit up in recliners for breakfast and then attend group physical therapy for an hour in the morning and again in the afternoon. Participants are also encouraged to walk when they are not in therapy. In the hallway, distances are mapped in feet, and participants track how far they walk each day. The Joint Replacement Club has been shown to improve outcomes, increase patient satisfaction and reduce length of stay. Patients find the experience is just more enjoyable.

     

    Race 2 Recovery prepares patients for their release from the hospital. Joint replacement surgery complications can arise if plans are not in order before leaving the hospital. To be discharged, a patient must be able to enter and exit a bed and a chair without too much assistance. He or she must be able to go to and from the bedroom, kitchen and bathroom as well as be able to walk with the aid of crutches or a walker. A hip replacement surgery risk or a knee replacement can both be devastating without the proper subsequent care. That is why physical therapy is imperative to heal completely. A good home care agency can help meet these needs.

    To help patients achieve success, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and Hoke Hospital have developed the Joint Replacement Club

  • The U.S. soldier who died earlier this month in Afghanistan from wounds in a bomb blast was a compassionate leader whose troops say he always encouraged people who are struggling to ask for help. Now those soldiers are grappling with the loss of Sgt. 1st Class Elis A. Barreto, 34, from Morovis, Puerto Rico. He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, the Pentagon said in a statement Friday. He left behind a wife, two sons and a daughter. His family resides in nearby Cameron.
     
    Barreto, described as a “mainstay” in his unit by his leadership, died in a Taliban suicide bomb explosion and became the 16th U.S. combat fatality this year in Afghanistan as the Pentagon prepares to draw down its forces there after nearly 18 years of war. “This guy touched so many people’s lives,” a soldier in his company, Sgt. Tylar Sieck, 24, told Stars and Stripes.
     
    Barreto taught soldiers it was OK to say when they needed help, Sieck said. “Everyone is trying to act like we’re fine because that’s what we do as paratroopers, but at the end of the day, we know we’re struggling. We’re hurting, I’m hurting.”
    This was Barreto’s second deployment to Afghanistan. The U.S. military currently has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan, alongside international troops, to advise and assist Afghan defense forces and to fight extremist groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaida.
     
    Local blood products are in short supply
     
    The Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center has been short on blood supplies for three months now. The center is open daily at 3357 Village Dr. in the Bordeaux Shopping Center. The local blood bank has been suffering from a critical shortage since June 18, according to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center spokeswoman Janet Conway.
    The center needs an adequate supply of blood for local patients at Cape Fear Valley. Type O positive and type O negative blood types are especially needed, as they’re currently in short supply. The Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center is a community blood program that serves the needs of patients in Cumberland, Hoke and Bladen counties through donations from individual donors, community organizations and businesses. It is open for donations Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     
    Dealing with gerrymandering
     
    A three-judge panel recently ruled that Republicans unconstitutionally gerrymandered two North Carolina congressional districts by race. But redrawing districts to benefit the political party in power is nothing new and has been going on for years.
     
    How voting district lines are drawn has been a perennial issue since our country’s founding. Political partisans have declared that what is starkly clear is that our current process — rife with partisan gerrymandering — is dangerously broken. In North Carolina, honest brokers on both sides of the aisle have known for years that we must reform our redistricting process. Republican stalwarts like John Hood and former Rep. Skip Stam called for reform when Democrats were in power, and Democrat stalwarts like Tom Ross and former state Sen. Margaret Dickson are calling for it now as Republicans hold power. “I am thrilled about the three-judge panel ruling,” said Dickson. “The ruling is the first step toward returning elections to the people of North Carolina — to allowing voters to select their legislators instead of legislators selecting the voters.”
    Dickson is on the board of North Carolinians for Redistricting Reform.
     
    2020 College rankings
     
    Choosing one of the thousands of colleges and universities across the nation can be overwhelming for students and parents. Families consider academic quality, price, size, location and several other things when making one of the most important decisions in their lives. Each year, U.S. News & World Report publishes rankings to help students and their families narrow the search for the right school. Duke University was North Carolina’s highest-ranked national university at No. 10 in the country. UNC-Chapel Hill ranks 29th overall. Here’s how some of the private and public schools around North Carolina stack up in the U.S. News 2020 Best Colleges Rankings.
    There were ties in several categories. Among regional universities in the south, Fayetteville State ranked 87th overall and 23rd among all Historically Black Colleges and Universities. UNC Pembroke ranked 87th overall and 19th most innovative. NC Central ranked 54th overall, 44th best value and 24th for undergraduate teaching. It also ranked 21st among public schools. Appalachian State University was ranked sixth overall, second-most innovative, second for undergraduate teaching, second for veterans and 17th best value. Western Carolina ranked 23rd overall, 12th for veterans, 14th best value and 24th for undergraduate teaching. Its undergraduate engineering program ranked 97th among nondoctorate schools. Winston-Salem State University: Winston-Salem State ranked 61st overall and 17th among all historically black colleges and universities. Methodist University was not listed.
     
  • 07 Teacher of the year“Early in my teaching career, one of my coworkers told me that my kids would never care to learn until they learned how much I care,” Cumberland County Schools’ 2020 Teacher of the Year Maureen Stover wrote in her nomination portfolio. “In my 10 years in education, I have found that one of the most important parts of being a teacher is the relationships I form with my students.” The teacher of the year presentation took place at the Embassy Suites’ Richard M. Wiggins Conference Center.

     
    Stover is a science teacher at the Cumberland International Early College High School. She expressed special thanks for her nomination to her principal, Maria Pierce-Ford, her colleagues and her students. The school is located at 1200 Murchison Rd. Total enrollment is 261. Eighty-one percent of the students are minorities. Stover is one of 13 full-time teachers. She received her bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and went on to serve as an Air Force intelligence officer. She later became a science educator through the Troops to Teachers Program.
     
    Stover will receive her Master of Arts degree in secondary science education from Western Governors University in December. She wrote that as a high school student, she had two extraordinary teachers who inspired her to enter the teaching profession. “Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Mueller... demonstrated that their students were the center of their classrooms and their No. 1 priority.”
     
    Within her first few weeks of teaching, Stover realized that each of her students had the potential to be successful in her class if she could find a unique way to help them learn. “I found ways to make science. I also went to my students’ games, concerts, competitions, and activities outside of our classroom.”
     
    Her students responded by looking forward to her lessons each day. “I know my students beyond my classroom, and this helps me develop strategies that help my students learn based on their personal strengths,” she said.

    Stover received an award and flowers from the Cumberland County Schools, $300 from the Cumberland County Board of Education, $300 from the Communities In Schools of Cumberland County, $3,000 from Lafayette Ford Lincoln — $2,000 of which is for use at her school and $1,000 for her personal use — a commemorative custom-designed CCS’ Teacher of the Year ring from Jostens, an engraved clock from Herff Jones, season tickets to Fayetteville Marksmen hockey and a free weekend stay at Embassy Suites.

    Other winners were first runner-up Katelyn Lovette from Gallberry Farm Elementary School, who received an award and flowers from the CCS, $100 from CISCC, and $200 from the CCBOE and second runner-up Tracy Hill from Douglas Byrd High School, who received an award and flowers from the CCS, $100 from CISCC, and $100 from the CCBOE. As Cumberland County’s teacher of the year, Stover advances to compete for the regional title.

    Cumberland County Schools Superintendent  Marvin Connelly Jr. and  Cumberland County Schools’ 2020 Teacher of the Year Maureen Stover.

  • 06 DanConservative Republican Dan Bishop won this month’s special election for an open North Carolina House of Representatives seat in Congress, averting a Democratic capture of a predominant Republican Party district. But the narrow victory did not erase questions about whether President Donald Trump and his party’s congressional candidates face troubling headwinds approaching 2020. The special election has two storylines:

     
    First, Democrat Dan McCready, 36, was banking on the 9th District’s suburban moderates to carry him over the top. He narrowly trailed in an election for the seat last November that was later invalidated after evidence surfaced of vote tampering. McCready won suburbanites in the eastern outskirts of Charlotte, where about 25% of the 9th District’s eligible voters live. The rest of the district stretches along the rural South Carolina line to Bladen County in the east, where Bishop was a big winner. Voters in the other large city, Fayetteville, are mostly in the eighth district.
     
    The second storyline reflects what has become known as voter disenfranchisement, confusing voters with constant change. North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District has been centered in Charlotte for decades. It was reconfigured to include portions of Robeson, Cumberland and Bladen counties when Republicans took control of the state Legislature in 2010. Over the last 60 years, greater Fayetteville has been chopped up to be part of the 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th and 9th Congressional Districts.
     
    Most of that time Cumberland County was part of the 7th District, which stretched from Wilmington to Lumberton and Fayetteville. Democratic members of Congress Alton Lennon, Charlie Rose and Mike McIntyre represented the district from 1957 to 2015. Rose served for 24 years. McIntyre succeeded Rose when he retired and served for 18 years. Rep. David Rouser became the 7th District’s first Republican member of Congress since Reconstruction. But by 2012, Cumberland County was no longer part of the 7th District.
     
    Congressman David Price’s 4th District became more heavily Democratic as a result of 2012 redistricting, in which the more Republican areas of western and southern Wake County were removed, along with northern Orange County and most of its share of Durham County. They were replaced by heavily Democratic portions of Alamance, Cumberland, Harnett and Lee counties. It was a significant Democratic party gerrymander. In 2010, the Republican Party had taken control of both the North Carolina House and Senate — the first time it had held a majority in the Senate since 1898.
     
    The Republican Party was abetted in their victory by the man dubbed “The Third Koch Brother” — Art Pope, who heads up both the family-owned Variety Wholesalers and the $150 million Pope Family Foundation. Pope’s organizations poured $2.2 million into 22 state legislative races, winning 18 for an 82% return on his investment. The Republicans’ big win happened just in time for redistricting, allowing them to consolidate their gains. Republicans took full advantage
    of the opportunity, gerrymandering the state map to pack as many Democrats and African American voters as possible into three congressional districts.

     

    Those efforts paid off in the 2012 congressional elections. North Carolina’s congressional delegation changed from majority Democratic (7-6) to majority Republican (8-5), a pickup of two seats. The drama continues as the general assembly deals with court orders to stop racial gerrymandering.

  • 12 FTCC YESFayetteville Technical Community College recently reinstated the Male Mentoring Success initiative, or MMSI, and Y.E.S., which stand for You+Effort=Success, initiative. MMSI is an empowering and engaging coaching program intended to provide diverse male students with support and guidance and a system-wide effort to enhance and strengthen male student outcomes by encouraging participation and collaboration among student participants and institutional departments within the North Carolina Community College System. The primary goals of MMSI are to increase success of male students, maximize student and campus activities participation and increase program effectiveness and efficiency. 

     FTCC’s goal for MMSI is to close the educational attainment gap for the under-represented and underserved male population through a student-centered early alert and advising system model. This strategic and systematic approach incorporates mentoring and coaching to enhance access, achievement and success among underrepresented male students. Mentoring provides potential that can benefit males, particularly in higher education, when they may need social and academic support. Students have opportunities to acquire academic skills, values and behaviors as well as form relationships with adults and peers who can profoundly affect their personal and academic development. Students who are first-generation college students and who have few or no family members who can relate to their college experience can benefit from mentoring and coaching. The Y.E.S. initiative is successful in meeting these objectives. 

     Male Mentoring Coach Roderick Gooden has been instrumental in forging and sustaining meaningful relationships with students. Roderick facilitates a holistic, multidimensional deliberate coaching initiative with his efforts, providing curricular and co-curricular events aimed toward encouraging student learning and addressing unique academic and psychosocial needs of underserved and underrepresented students. The Y.E.S. initiative at FTCC has allowed students to participate and attend student-centered support meetings and workshops, college tours at four-year institutions, dress-to-impress events, college-sponsored activities and events and national summits. 

     Through the Y.E.S. initiative, FTCC promotes a successful student learning experience for underserved student populations. Improving the persistence and graduation possibilities of the college’s male population is a priority that can lead to students achieving their academic goals and pursuing a career. “It is incumbent upon me to promote a successful college experience for male students that will provide opportunities for them to become productive members of our community,” said Roderick Gooden. 

    Dr. DeSandra Washington added, “The Y.E.S. initiative gives students opportunities to be supportive, cultivate relationships with fellow peers and receive resources to navigate their educational journeys. It is refreshing to witness the growth and maturity of students associated with this program. This is becoming one of the most beneficial initiatives at FTCC — to help improve the overall life of male students, not only academically, but socially and emotionally.” 

    Fayetteville Tech is pleased to implement the Y.E.S. initiative as a means of being proactive in responding to the needs of students and addressing potential barriers that may impede academic progress or cause a student to give up. For more information, visit the Fayetteville, Spring Lake, or Fort Bragg campus locations or
    www.faytechcc.edu. 

  • 10 IMG 5137It was two years ago in August that Jimmy Blackmon began having problems with one of his hands. Later, he lost control of the left side of his body, then the right. The diagnosis was Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS.

    The disease advanced, upending life for Blackmon’s family and putting him a risk of not being able to see his daughter, Taylor Blackmon, walk across the stage next year at Cape Fear High School and get her diploma.

    But that all changed because of a series of events involving caregivers, counselors and hundreds of people Blackmon and his family don’t even know.

    Susan Tally, a nurse with 3HC Hospice who has been helping care for Blackmon, approached Cape Fear guidance counselor Kimberli Mayo. Tally told Mayo of the situation Jimmy Blackmon was facing and his desire to see Taylor graduate.

    Mayo went to Brian Edkins, who is in his first year as principal at Cape Fear after previously serving at South View and Scotland High Schools.

    The story touched a heartstring with Edkins, who lost his mother in August of his senior year in high school. “I said, “Man I wish my mother could have seen me graduate,’” Edkins said. Edkins requested a meeting with Cumberland County Schools superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly Jr., himself a recent cancer survivor.

    He told Connelly the story about Blackmon’s battle with ALS, about having a daughter with superb academic standing who might not be able to have her dad watch her graduate.

    Edkins wanted permission to hold a mock graduation, or graduation practice, whatever Connelly would like to call it. “I give Dr. Connelly credit,’’ Edkins said. “He didn’t bat an eye. He didn’t hesitate.’’

    Once he had permission, Edkins had no trouble pulling the event together. “As we started to plan and talk to people, it continued to grow and grow,” he said. The love ofthe school and community for a Cape Fear family member caused everyone involved to want to make the night special.

    Band director Michael Williams and choral director Jason Britt got behind it, as did the Cape Fear Naval JROTC detachment. Marty King, a Cape Fear teacher who does professional makeup on the side, did Taylor’s makeup for the evening. King lost her mother to ALS at a young age.

    Edkins sent out emails inviting members of the Board of Education and the Cumberland County Schools cabinet. To his surprise, 80% of them, including Dr. Connelly, showed up. Edkins also invited Taylor’s senior classmates. At least half of them showed up.

    Adding a further boost to the crowd in the Cape Fear auditorium that Thursday evening about two weeks ago, Colt athletic teams who were practicing outdoors cut their workouts short and came into the auditorium for the ceremony. The Cape Fear cheerleaders also assembled and sat together.

    “We presented the colors, the band played the national anthem, we recognized the board members, we gave them the whole graduation,’’ Edkins said.

    A carnation is given to graduates to present to someone who helped them reach their goal. Taylor gave one to her mother and one to her dad. “It was amazing and special, standing back and watching her dad receive his carnation,’’ Edkins said. 

    Angela Blackmon, Jimmy Blackmon’s wife, was also impressed. “It was amazing the outpouring of what he was able to accomplish in a week,’’ she said of Edkins.

    She was also moved by Connelly, who attended the ceremony and gave a lengthy speech. “People say that’s the most he’s spoken in a long time,’’ she said of Connelly, who only recently returned to full-time work after beating throat cancer. “That he went to those lengths to give a speech like he would at a regular graduation was very sweet,’’ Blackmon said.

    Angela Blackmon said her daughter plans to attend UNC-Pembroke and study nursing. But her graduation from Cape Fear next year will be hard-pressed to top the one she had earlier this month.

    “I’m so grateful and thankful they put that together for him (Taylor’s father) so he could see her in her cap and gown,’’ Angela Blackmon said. 

  • 07 deathrow mctcampusNorth Carolina’s Supreme Court has heard from six death row inmates who say a repealed law on race and capital punishment should let them be resentenced to life without parole. Justices are reviewing testimony heard late last month. Four death row inmates, convicted in Cumberland County, were briefly resentenced to life without parole when the general assembly approved the Racial Justice Act in 2009. The law was passed by a Democratic-controlled legislature. Most of the 150 death row inmates at the time applied for relief under the new law. Pending cases, however, were voided when the RJA was repealed in 2013 by a Republican-majority legislature. Justices also heard from attorneys representing two other death row prisoners whose RJA claims were not decided before the law’s repeal. The short-lived RJA prescribed that condemned men and women could seek life sentences by using statistical data to show that their trials were tainted by race. 

    One of the death row inmates who received a life sentence that was reversed is Quintel Augustine. He was convicted of fatally shooting Fayetteville police officer Roy Turner, Jr. in 2001. James Ferguson II, an attorney for Augustine, said the cases before the state Supreme Court present an opportunity for justices to highlight their responsibility to correct the racial injustice that’s been going on for so long in capital cases. He said to truly understand the disenfranchisement of black defendants, justices needed to “stand back and take a long view” of the history of capital punishment. Changes to the system were always met with resistance — sometimes subtle, sometimes not — but the law, he said, showed clear-cut evidence of racial discrimination in jury selections. 

    “What then is the role of the judiciary?” Ferguson asked. 

    Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Gregory Weeks re-sentenced Augustine to life in prison. Weeks’ ruling in the case and three others were part of a larger effort to root out racial bias in jury selection and eliminate racial discrimination altogether from capital cases. “The Racial Justice Act represents a landmark reform in capital sentencing in our state,” Weeks said in Fayetteville. “There are those who disagree with this, but it is the law.” 

    The question before the court is whether the enactment and repeal of the RJA impairs defendants’ constitutional rights to relief. Weeks retired soon after his rulings were made.

    “Never before has a state done what North Carolina has attempted to do here,” said Cassandra Stubbs, director of the ACLU Capital Punishment Project. “Now that the RJA is repealed, the state’s position is to forget all the evidence of racial bias.” 

    The Supreme Court has to decide if Augustine and the three others granted relief from the death penalty were properly resentenced to death without a hearing following the RJA’s repeal. Justices also have to decide if the other death row inmates who had RJA cases pending at the time of repeal are entitled to the same relief. 

  • 06 District Man Protest copyBecause the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled federal courts aren’t the place to settle partisan gerrymandering disputes, opponents of North Carolina’s district maps took their case to state courts and won. The state Democratic Party persuaded a three-judge panel that Republican-drawn General Assembly districts discriminated against Democrats based on their political beliefs and voting history. They argued that gerrymandered district lines violated the North Carolina Constitution, not the U.S. Constitution.

    With the panel’s ruling last week, Tar Heel political maps for the state legislature are unconstitutional and must be redrawn before the 2020 elections, the court decided. Cumberland County is among the districts likely to benefit from the change. The judges found that “The North Carolina Supreme Court has consistently held that ‘our government is founded on the will of the people,’ that their will is expressed by the ballot.” The district maps were drawn in 2017 to replace maps drawn in 2011, that had also been ruled unconstitutional. Both sets of maps were drawn by North Carolina’s Republican-led legislature. That fact helped the judges conclude that the revised district lines violated the state constitution because “it is the carefully crafted maps, and not the will of the voters, that dictate the election outcomes in a significant number of legislative districts.”

    The decision may be the final word in this lengthy legal battle because at least one top Republican lawmaker said he doesn’t plan to appeal the ruling. 

    “This is an historic victory for the people of North Carolina,” said Bob Phillips, executive director of Common Cause North Carolina, one of the groups that sued to overturn the maps. “The court has made clear that partisan gerrymandering violates our state’s constitution and is unacceptable.” 

    The panel, which consisted of two Democrats and a Republican, was unanimous in its ruling. 

    After the loss, Republican Senate leader Phil Berger said he wouldn’t appeal and would instead start drawing new maps. “Nearly a decade of relentless litigation has strained the legitimacy of this state’s institutions, and the relationship between its leaders, to the breaking point. It’s time to move on,” he said. Wayne Goodwin, chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party, criticized Republicans for the maps, which were overturned on partisan grounds, as well as the 2011 maps that were overturned on racial grounds. 

     “From targeting people based on their race to dividing them based on their political beliefs, Republicans for a decade have rigged our state and silenced voters to cling desperately to power,” he said.
    The court gave the legislature until Sept. 18, to draw new district maps. The judges told lawmakers they would reschedule the elections in 2020 if the legislature can’t come up with new maps in time. “The Court retains jurisdiction to move the primary date for the General Assembly elections, or all of the State’s 2020 primaries, including for offices other than the General Assembly, should doing so become necessary to provide effective relief in this case,” the ruling said.

  • 05 01 reenlistThe Army is offering larger bonuses to soldiers who reenlist under its selective retention bonus program to fill critical career fields. This most recent military personnel message is significant in that it raises the maximum bonus from $72,000 to roughly $81,000. “If a soldier wants to reenlist for only three years, they’re actually going to get less money” than before, said Sgt. Maj. Mark Thompson, the senior Army career counselor. “We’re still giving them an incentive, but they’ll get more if they give more.” 

    The Army is offering the maximum reenlistment bonus to qualified soldiers in Special Forces, cyber operations, intelligence and explosive ordnance disposal. “A good example is a tier-three 11B Infantryman,” said Lt. Col. Junel Jeffrey, a spokeswoman for the Army’s assistant secretary of manpower. 

    According to a service release, a cavalry scout sergeant used to get $7,800 for a six-year reenlistment. The new bonus is $9,900. A soldier in the 18X Special Forces series of career fields with 6-12 years on active duty with the rank of staff sergeant or sergeant first class who reenlists for 60 months or more, could receive the $81,000 lump-sum bonus. Although retention is at a historic high — with 82% of eligible soldiers having already reenlisted this fiscal year — the Army still needs to fill certain fields, the service said in a news release. 

    Fort Bragg combat victims honored for their bravery 

    05 02 dustin wright The Silver Star medal was presented last month to the parents of Green Beret Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright, who gave his life to protect his comrades while outgunned and under fire during an Oct. 2017 ambush in Niger. Showing disregard for his personal safety, the 29-year-old crossed open terrain under intense enemy fire to protect and recover two fallen comrades. “His courage and dedication to his team were unmatched,” said Capt. Rick Dickson, a spokesman for 3rd Special Forces Group, reading the citation in a public ceremony at Wright’s hometown about 80 miles west of Savannah’s Hunter Army Airfield. 

    The head of 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) Maj. Gen. John Deedrick presented the medal. Wright, along with Staff Sgt. Bryan C. Black, 35, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah W. Johnson, 39, and Sgt. La David Johnson, 25, all with 3rd Special Forces Group, were killed outside a rural West African village near Niger’s border with Mali. “He was the epitome of a Green Beret,” Deedrick said of Wright. “He gave his life protecting his teammates.” 

    More than 100 fighters ambushed the team of some 40 Green Berets, support soldiers and Nigerien troops. The Pentagon announced it would award nine valor medals for heroic actions undertaken during the six-hour firefight, in which two other U.S. soldiers were wounded and four Nigeriens killed.

    FTCC provides business start-up courses 

    05 03starting a businessA veteran-to-CEO course, which began Sept. 3 at Fayetteville Technical Community College, covers key steps for business startup and highlights specially funded franchise opportunities available exclusively to veterans through the Veteran’s Entrepreneurship Loan Program. Participants who complete the program will have an opportunity to pitch their business ideas during competition planned for Nov. 1 and 2. Also, the FTCC Small Business Center has joined with the Brian Hamilton Foundation and the Greater Fayetteville Chamber to provide MilSpouse Starter U, free online training for military spouses interested in starting a business. “We are excited about the opportunity to be involved in presenting these classes at no cost to our veterans and military spouses who pursue entrepreneurship,” said FTCC President Dr. Larry Keen. 

    “By building a business that can move with them, military spouses minimize the disruption of important financial contributions to the family,” said Kent Hill, Director of the Center for Small Business at FTCC. 

    A prime catering service has evolved into Fayetteville’s newest venue: The Vine 

    05 04 Two BrothersBrad McLawhorn and Kelley McLawhorn are brothers. They love to cook. A few years ago, they went into business together and formed Two Bothers Catering. The McLawhorns cater everything from country breakfasts to hand-cut prime rib. Sept. 11 was the grand opening date of The Vine, the newest wedding and banquet facility to open in Fayetteville at 806 Katie St., which is off Owen Drive just beyond Cumberland Road. Its service area also includes Pinehurst, Raeford and Hope Mills. The Vine, along with Two Brothers Catering, is a premier full-service provider. The Vine specializes in weddings, social events, parties, school and company events. The venue provided a free lunch buffet for first responders plus active duty and retired members of the armed forces on Sept. 11. 

    Rural fire department building new firehouse

    Gray’s Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Cumberland County Station 18, has begun construction of a fire station to replace its 47-year-old building. There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 5 to 05 05 Fire Enginecommemorate construction of the new station across from the current facility at 7010 Fire Department Rd., off NC-87 southeast of Fayetteville. The new 16,000-square-foot building will sit on seven acres of land. It will be three times the size of the existing firehouse. The fire department received a $2 million, 40-year loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development fund to finance the building, which is expected to be complete by March 2020. 

  • 07 BacktoschoolThe traditional 2019-2020 school year is underway in Cumberland County. After three months of summer vacation fun, more than 51,000 students returned to class Aug. 26. As students stepped onto campuses across the county, community members were on hand waiting to cheer them on to a successful school year. Members of the Fayetteville Police Department and various sorority and fraternity members joined Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr. at Luther Nick Jeralds Middle School to greet students. The scene was similar across town at Montclair Elementary School, where undergraduate students from Fayetteville State University greeted the boys and girls. At Long Hill Elementary School, athletes from Methodist University’s Varsity Football Team welcomed students. Numerous local and state leaders also took time out of their schedules to cheer on students at Westarea Elementary School.

    “We want the children to know someone cares about them,” said Annette Evans, a member of the Zeta Pi Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., said. “We want them to be excited about school and learning because they are our future leaders, future teachers and doctors.” 

    The school district’s Strategic Plan 2024, adopted by the board of education in June, identifies a committed community as one of the district’s priorities on its road map to success for all students. 

    To ensure the continued safety of students and staff, and the security of facilities, the Cumberland County Schools system has implemented the School Angels Volunteer Program. This program offers the community the opportunity to become involved at the school level and for individuals to help keep children and schools safe. Volunteers are asked to give a couple of hours a day to become involved in the project. CCS says the objective is to safeguard employees, students and visitors who attend, work or visit Cumberland County School campuses by making students and staff aware of the importance of safety and security on school campuses. The program is patterned after neighborhood watch efforts. Volunteers will monitor activity on school grounds and report unusual goings on.

    Cumberland County School district has 87 schools, making it the fifth largest of North Carolina’s 115 public school districts. The system is the second-largest employer in the county, second only to the military, with more than 6,000 full-time workers, including 3,046 certified teachers, with an annual operating budget of $417,980,341. An estimated 51,000 pupils are enrolled. Seventy-five percent of them are eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Four hundred thirty-six school buses travel 1,400 miles a day, picking up and delivering more than 25,000 students to school. CCS said 45% of the student body is African American; 29% is white and 13.5% is Hispanic. The remainder consists of students of mixed ethnicity, Asian, native American and Pacific Islanders.

    The Private School Review said last year that there were an estimated 34 private schools in Cumberland County, serving 5,447 students. 68% of those schools are religiously affiliated. Student body minority enrollment was 28%.

  • 06 law technologyA Fayetteville woman has gained a lot of attention because of a lawsuit she filed and won. Elizabeth Ann Clark is one of the original beneficiaries of a new state law dealing with revenge porn. The federal government and numerous states, as well as the military, have passed laws growing out of digital technology like smartphones. Clark won $3.2 million in a libel and revenge porn lawsuit against her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. 

    A jury sided with Clark in her case against U.S. Army Maj. Adam Clark and Lt. Col. Kimberly Rae Barrett. Elizabeth Clark said her ex posted revealing photos of her online and spread lies about her. Related misdemeanor crimes are still pending against Adam Clark. 

    The new law that went into effect Dec. 1, 2016, makes it a Class H felony for anyone to post sexually explicit photos or videos of a person without their consent, with the intent to harass, extort or intimidate. 

    The state law also addresses punishment for minors, making this crime a Class 1 misdemeanor for anyone under the age of 18, so as not to impose harsh punishment for teens who may have made bad decisions. “We are concerned about kids who do stupid stuff and are slapped with a felony at a young age,” said Senator Gladys Robinson, D-Guilford. 

    The state law has been amended a couple of times since it was adopted , most recently in 2015.

    Earlier this year, the Uniform Code of Military Justice was updated to modernize some of its provisions. The UCMJ is the federal law system that applies to the U.S. Military. It defines the military justice system and lists military criminal offenses. “Whether it’s in the barracks or on the internet, degradation and intimidation of our service members is a serious crime that threatens good order and discipline, and we’ve got to give our military the tools it needs to treat it that way,” said former U.S. Sen. Clare McCaskill, D-Mo. 

    According to the United States Army, the changes include redefining offenses, adjusting maximum penalties, standardizing court-martial panels and creating new computer-crime laws. 

    Before the recent changes in the UCMJ went into effect, there had been a lot of high-profile debate about the current state of military justice. Much of the discussion dealt with the scandal of active duty marines sharing nude pictures of female colleagues in 2017. Military officials responded that military regulations at the time did not specify sharing nude photos of colleagues without their permission as a crime. Since the spring, all the services have updated their codes of conduct to better define punishments for the activity. Congress has been particularly concerned about revenge porn and other crimes of a sexual nature in the military.

    The federal government and numerous states, as well as the military, have passed laws growing out of the emerging technology of portable devices sometimes referred to as smartphones. 

                                       

  • This month, U.S. Army Special Forces candidates are participating in the annual Robin Sage training exercise held across south-central North Carolina as the final test of their qualification course training. The exercise is scheduled to continue through Sept. 12. Robin Sage is a two-week field maneuver. Participants are students of Fort Bragg’s John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. The exercise spans 21 counties, including Hoke, Lee, Harnett and Moore. Candidates occupy the fictional country of Pineland in an environment of political instability characterized by armed conflict, forcing soldiers to analyze and solve problems to meet the challenges of real-world training. Throughout the exercise, Special Forces candidates and Robin Sage role-players not only conduct training missions such as controlled assaults and key-leader engagements, but they also live, eat and sleep in civilian areas. Military and civilian support personnel, as well as community volunteers, participate in and provide support each year. Robin Sage movements and events have been coordinated with local public safety officials in the communities hosting the training in hopes of ensuring there is no risk to persons or property. Residents will hear blank gunfire and see occasional flares.

    Early voting ending

    One-Stop Voting for the open 9th Congressional District seat wraps up Sept. 6. Early voting takes place at the Cumberland County Board of Elections office downtown and the East Regional Branch Library. Remaining early voting dates and hours are:

    Board of Elections, 227 Fountainhead Ln., Sept. 3-6, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    East Regional Branch Library 4809 Clinton Rd., Sept. 3-6, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    The 9th Congressional District covers most of eastern and southern Cumberland County. It extends from Bladen County in the east to Charlotte in the west. Earlier this year, the State Board of Elections voted unanimously to order a new election for the 9th Congressional District after determining that election irregularities occurred to such an extent that they tainted the results of the outcome and cast doubt as to its fairness.

    Downtown bridge repairs completed

    A new bridge has reopened Ann Street downtown to traffic. It was closed for six years while the city of Fayetteville figured out how to pay to rebuild it. City spokesman Nathan Walls said the cost of the project was $1.6 million. The old bridge was on the Historic Bridges Registry, being nearly 100 years old. That likely will no longer be the case since a completely new structure replaced the previous bridge, which was built in 1923. It carries Ann Street over Big Cross Creek and connects Grove Street with Bow Street, providing direct access to First Presbyterian Church and Heritage Place Assisted Living. The bridge was damaged by fire in August 2012, and a subsequent fire a year later, making the bridge structurally deficient. Authorities determined street people living beneath the bridge started the fires. The city said it began reconstruction in May 2018, but delays prevented it from reopening until this month. 

    Free school supplies for teachers

    Nearly 150 beginning Cumberland County school teachers took advantage of a free shopping fair for classroom supplies. The first-year teachers had vouchers to select 10 free items at the Cumberland County Schools Beginner Teacher Store. A steady flow of freshman teachers with less than six-months experience stopped by the store at the school system’s Driver Education Building. They chose from bulletin board borders, cut-outs, storage bins, math manipulatives and more. 

    “Shopping at the store was a wonderful experience,” said General McJimson III, an American History teacher at Seventy-First High School. 

    Teacher Support Coordinator Kari Grates said dozens of others echoed McJimson’s comments about the store. They were “excited, thrilled and appreciative for items to get their classrooms ready,” said Grates. “The first days of school and preparation for students is daunting, even for veteran teachers.” 

     A store providing classroom supplies gets teachers better prepared, she added.

    State road map now available

    Road maps have almost become a thing of the past, given the availability of digital navigation capability on smartphones. But the new 2019-20 North Carolina State Transportation Map is now available to the public free of charge. The map is funded and produced by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and is distributed by VisitNC, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. The cover of the new map features North Carolina’s seasonal scenery, including a canopy of trees at the top of the mountains in the fall and waves crashing on the beach near Surf City. The map can be ordered online at visitnc.com/statemap or by calling 1-800-847-4862. They are also available at welcome centers, rest areas and NCDOT offices across the state. North Carolina has one of the largest highway systems in the nation, and the new map details the more than 106,975 miles of public roads that span the state. A full-size PDF of the map is also available online.

  • free fallOn Saturday, Oct. 29, Fayetteville residents will have the opportunity to avail themselves of a unique adventure: a tandem free fall with members of the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights. The chance comes with the opportunity support research into a rare form of cancer: Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

    The event, hosted by Kevin and Shawn Grullon, local realtors, honors their memories of their son, Zach, who died from the disease on Jan. 28, 2012. Those who knew Zach refer to him as energetic, adventurous, outgoing and strong-willed. A graduate of Jack Britt High School, Grullon dreamed of serving in the United States military and considered a tandem jump with the U.S. Army Golden Knights a dream come true.

    All of that changed in 2010, when he was diagnosed with Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma. The disease, which primarily attacks teens and young adults, is a rare liver cancer. Annually, 200 young adults die from this disease. Some 72,000 teens and young adults are diagnosed with various forms of cancer every year, according to a 2010 Wall Street Journalarticle, of that number, 10,000 die. Until 2008, little research was done in the area of Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma because it is so rare, but that changed when Tucker Davis, the founder of the Firbrolamellar Cancer Foundation, was diagnosed with the disease.

    Davis founded the foundation with the hope of finding a cure for this often fatal disease. The foundation’s mission is threefold: Find a cure and treatment options; raise awareness of the disease; and bring attention to teen and young adult cancers.

    Grullon’s parents, Kevin and Shawn, have been contributing to that mission since Zach’s death. Zach was diagnosed with FHC in March 2010. He had been dealing with severe stomach pain and nausea for a couple of months. Friends and family didn’t think much of the pain because Zach worked out so hard. After numerous tests and scans, a grapefruit-sized tumor was found on his liver. In April 2010, he had a liver resection, but the cancer had already spread to his lymph nodes. Zach began an intensive round of chemotherapy, but he didn’t let it stop the way he lived his life. He continued to work out and play sports. And, in August 2010, just a couple of months after his high-school graduation, he jumped with the Golden Knights.

    The memory of that jump inspired his parents to host the first Free Fall to Fight Cancer on Saturday, June 2, 2012. The event gave individuals the opportunity to perform a tandem jump with former and off-duty members of the Golden Knights, who volunteered for the cause. It was so popular that the Grullons have continued the event and this year, the event is slated for Oct. 8 at Skydive Paraclete XP, located at 132 Airport Drive in Raeford, at 9 a.m. For a $350 donation, individuals will get to jump with the world-famous team and receive a video and photos of their jump to share with friends and family. If you are only interested in the jump and not in having a record of the event, the tandem jump without video or pictures is $225. Those interested in participating in the fundraiser must be at least 18 years of age and weigh less than 235 pounds.

    All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Firbrolamellar Cancer Foundation. To register, or for more information, contact Kevin and Shawn Grullon at 910-257-3027 or 910-229-1100 or email grullonteam@gmail.com.

  • FFIt’s late on a weekday night. You’ve gotten stuck at the office trying to finish up that big project. As you leave the building, you realize that you are the only person there. The parking lot is empty except for your car. Until that moment, you never realized how dark the parking lot was or how many bushes are situated around it. As you walk quickly, you hear a noise … panic starts to rise. You see a man standing between you and the safety of your vehicle-what do you do?

    That’s a scenario that women all across America may face at some time or another. It might not just be you by yourself. It might be you and your small child or you and your teenaged daughter. Knowing how to act when faced with danger is important. If you don’t have a plan before you come face to face with it, you probably are going to freeze and then the unimaginable can happen.

    Candy Sugarman, a California native who now calls Fayetteville home, doesn’t want any woman to find herself  in that position. To that end, Sugarman has organized Feminine and Fierce: A Self-Protection & Defense event on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the AIT Building at 421 Maiden Lane in Downtown Fayetteville. 

    Surgarman, who is also a member of the Gun Powder Gals, an area shooting organization for women, realized that many women may not feel comfortable with guns and may want another alternative for self-defense. That idea had Sugarman looking for a way to educate and inform women on how they can protect themselves.

    “For the last several months I’ve been working on putting this event together,” said Sugarman. “A lot of women don’t want guns or they can’t take them the places they have to go like to Fort Bragg. So there has to be a means to teach women how to defend themselves so they are not wandering around defenseless.”

    Sugarman becomes passionate when she talks about the need for women to be able to defend themselves. She sees too many women who, by lack of information, make themselves victims. The event is not going to focus only on the physical means women can defend themselves, but also the common sense steps they can take to ensure their own safety.

    “Something as simple as looking under your car before you walk up to it is a big deal,” said Sugarman. “I had a friend tell me she refused to do that because she refused to spend her life being afraid.”

    Sugarman believes that recognizing that the world is a dangerous place and taking common sense steps to protect yourself is not living in fear, rather it is taking control of the situation. And that’s what she hopes to achieve with the upcoming event. She wants to give women common sense ways to keep themselves from becoming a victim.

    She noted that there is no one size fits every situation response. One solution is not very often the answer to a problem. Women need multiple methods of self-protection and defense, such as martial arts or physical self-defense, non-lethal forms of defense such as knuckles and stun guns, firearms training, information about situational awareness, home defense and even identity theft.  That really gave root to the idea of the upcoming event that brings together various methods of self-protection, defense, situational awareness and home protection. To do that, she has pulled together a number of community resources. On tap to present at the event are:

    North Carolina Concealed Carry Firearms Group who will discuss using firearms to protect and defend your home

    The Range Complexdiscussing the importance of training and practice using a firearm for defense

    Damsel in Defense by Misty (Independent Damsel Pro)who will share non-lethal ways of self-protection (stun guns, etc.)

    Jackie Carter of Legal Shield who will talk about ways to protect yourself from identity theft. 

    Personal Defense Concepts are covered through the Refuse to Be A Victim program that is sponsored by the NRA.

    Gill Security Systems Incwill cover securing your home via cameras and alarm systems.

    Academy of Christian Martial Arts will teach women that their body is their weapon by teaching women what they can do to get away or protect themselves from an attacker

    The Fayetteville Police department will be on hand to talk about the current crimes that are committed against women and girls.

    Tickets for the event can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feminine-fierce-a-self-protection-defense-event-tickets-26523604816Fe. Individual ticket are $67 and groups with more than 20 members can purchase tickets for $58. 

  • jeff2jeff3The two most experienced members of the City of Fayetteville’s senior management team are being terminated. Senior Deputy City Manager Kristoff Bauer and Deputy Manager Rochelle Small-Toney have resigned effective September 30. They would not comment when questioned by Up & Coming Weekly. They would neither confirm nor deny reports that they had been asked to step down or be fired. Interim City Manager Doug Hewett declined to confirm that he had asked for their resignations, citing North Carolina’s personnel laws. 

    Mayor Nat Robertson said he had no direct knowledge of the dual terminations. 

    “I’ve not been notified of any change of status,” he said. “Mr. Hewett is the city manager. I have the utmost confidence that he’ll do what’s best for the city and its residents,” Robertson added. 

    Up & Coming Weekly learned of the deputy managers impending departures from sources with direct knowledge of the situation. It’s believed the Fayetteville City Council spoke of issues pertaining to Bauer and Small-Toney in a closed meeting earlier this month. Council members Bill Crisp and Ted Mohn are said to have objected, fearing the body was skating on thin ice by evaluating city employees. Under the council/manager form of local government in North Carolina, elected bodies hire, evaluate and fire only their chief executives and attorneys. In Fayetteville, Bauer and Small-Toney serve at the pleasure of the city manager. Termination notices involving Bauer and Small-Toney are said to have been pending for at least 90 days. Small-Toney submitted her resignation and has already cleaned out her office in city hall. Bauer reportedly will stay on as a consultant to Hewett for an undetermined period of time. 

    Bauer, 50, became deputy city manager seven years ago. He was hired Aug. 8, 2009 by then-City Manager Dale Iman. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees, an MBA and a law degree, all from the University of Washington. His annual salary was $175,193. Small-Toney, 60, was hired by former City Manager Ted Voorhees on Mar. 3, 2013. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was paid $171,566.

    Ironically, Interim City Manager Hewett has Small-Toney to thank for his return to Fayetteville in the summer of last year. He had worked as an assistant manager here under Iman until 2012 when both left. On Small-Toney’s recommendation, Voorhees brought Hewett to Fayetteville in a temporary capacity to head up a reorganized Permitting and Inspections Department. Last Spring, City Council passed over Bauer and Small-Toney when it tapped Hewett to succeed Voorhees who had been fired. Small-Toney has been on the job market since getting her notice, but recently withdrew an application to be city manager of Petersburg, Virginia, a city on the verge of financial collapse. Despite his talents, Bauer has irked several community leaders because of his caustic personality. Police Chief Harold Medlock had considered resigning because of Bauer’s management style. Hewett removed Bauer from the chain of command when he became interim manager, and assumed management oversight of the police department. Medlock has since decided to retire, and coincidentally does so Oct. 1.

  • pittOne of the great moments of this, or frankly of any presidential campaign, occurred last month when Hillary Clinton appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel Showto perform a feat of strength by attempting to open a pickle jar. It was Festivus in August. Any year you have Festivus more than once is a very good year. In keeping with the Festivus theme, Hillary’s Grand Opening was followed by the Airing of Grievances by Republicans. They bitterly complained the jar lid was loosened to allow Hillary to free the pickles. The Donald complained Picklegate was just another example of Hillary playing fast and loose with the truth. Unmoored from his campaign staff and his meds and unshackled from his teleprompter, he riffed comparing the Clinton Foundation with George Costanza’s fake Human Fund, “Money for People.”

    Hillary replied to The Donald’s Picklegate charge stating that “nothing could be further from the truth” that someone had loosened the jar lid. Politicians and their Facebook supporters constantly attack their opponents by using the phrase “nothing could be further from the truth” to disparage an opponent’s statement. This got me thinking about quantum physics and Aunt Bea’s pickles. Ponder the phrase “nothing could be further from the truth.” How is it possible for more than one thing to be furthest from the truth? If the truth is a single point on a straight line, then only one thing can be furthest from it. Yet politicians keep telling us that things said by their opponents are the furthest from the truth. It doesn’t make geometric sense.

    When The Donald says that he never led the birther charge that Obama can’t be President because he was born on the planet Venus, Democrats will say nothing could be further from the truth. If Hillary says the private email server was for convenience only, the Republicans will say nothing could be further from the truth. How can birtherism and emailgate both be further from the truth than the other? Only one can be further from the truth. As the King of Siam once told Anna, “Is a puzzlement.”

    If instead of the truth being a point on a straight line, what if the truth is a point in the middle of a circle surrounded by political lies? Then multiple false statements can appear on the diameter of the circle. Each political lie , if not further from the truth than the other lies, would at least be equidistant from the truth with the other political lies. Sort of like the Knights of the Round Table. This truthian geometry makes my head hurt.

    Instead of thinking about Hillary’s pickle jar, let us ponder Aunt Bea’s pickles. This was the classic Andy Griffith episode. Aunt Bea had many fine qualities but making pickles wasn’t one of them. She made 18 jars of pickles that tasted like kerosene cucumbers. Kind hearted but gastric sensitive, Andy and Barney, unable to hurt Aunt Bea’s feelings or eat her pickles, switch out her pickles with store bought pickles. They rave so much about how good her pickles are that Aunt Bea decides to enter her pickles in the county fair. Aunt Bea is unaware she is about to enter store-bought pickles. At first Andy figures they will just not tell Aunt Bea about the pickle swap because its just a county fair contest and it really doesn’t matter who wins.

    Then the moral dilemma arises. Aunt Bea’s best friend Clara has won the last 11 pickle contests at the fair. Clara drops by Andy’s office and tells him how much it means to her to win the pickle contest. Andy , conscience stricken, has a great quote when explaining to Barney why they can’t let Aunt Bea’s store-bought pickles win over Clara’s homemade pickles. “What’s small potatoes to some folks can be mighty important to others.”

    In order to keep the contest fair, Andy and Barney eat all of Aunt Bea’s store bought pickles leading Aunt Bea to make a whole mess of new kerosene pickles. Aunt Bea’s real pickles lose to Clara at the fair. Clara is happy. Justice and honest pickles prevail. Aunt Bea is so thrilled that Barney and Andy liked her pickles that she makes 18 new jars of kerosene pickles for them to eat.

    Today’s moral: Nothing could be further from the truth than entering store bought pickles in the county fair. Or as Shakespeare almost said, “Would a kerosene pickle by any other name smell as sweet?” 

  • jeff1If you’re a soldier you’ve probably figured out how to get to work at Fort Bragg and home again each day, despite the new system of roads. But, if you haven’t driven to Fort Bragg or Spring Lake from Fayetteville in a while, you’ll likely get lost. Take it from this reporter! I’ve lived in Fayetteville for 50 years. I’m impressed with the new system of limited access highways and overpasses that have sprung up around Fort Bragg. And we all know why. 

    For decades the Army has lobbied state government for a faster, direct route to I-95 so officials can move mechanized units more quickly to North Carolina seaports. Since 911, the need has been more urgent, and, the state has accelerated its road building in the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg area. The future I-295, also known as the Outer Loop, is now open from I-95 to Fort Bragg. Construction continues along the corridor, and by Christmas it should extend all the way to the All American Expressway. State DOT officials believe at that point, the federal Department of Transportation will allow the state to officially designate the loop as I-295.

    But, I digress! I decided to see if I could traverse the new system of roads without getting lost (keep in mind I should know my way around). I chose to take an easy route during the pre-dawn hours when most soldiers go to work. I knew Bragg Boulevard had been closed, and that I’d have to turn onto the Airborne and Special Operations Highway to get over to Murchison Road. No problem. So far so good. I was looking for signs that would direct me to Randolph Street, a main entrance to post. I ignored getting off the highway at Honeycutt Road. Big mistake … I ended up in Spring Lake. 

    I did a U-turn at Spring Avenue and headed back toward post. Someone who hadn’t been here in a while would be surprised to see Bragg Boulevard no longer exists as you leave Spring Lake. Road construction along N.C. 87 in town sends traffic directly to the new Murchison Road. As I left town,  I was still looking for Randolph Street. I noticed many of the cars ahead of me were turning right onto a long ramp so I followed. It was not marked. That was at 6:43 a.m. Three lanes of one-way traffic stalled along the ramp. Hundreds of cars were at a dead stop, occasionally inching forward. Half an hour later, I crossed Bragg Boulevard and realized I was on Randolph Street. No signs anywhere! 

    I turned around at the gate and headed back toward Fayetteville. I took the next exit onto well-marked Honeycutt Road. Signs indicated a welcome center. Traffic wasn’t nearly as bad and before long I reached the Honeycutt gate. I asked the M.P. where the welcome center was. He said I’d have to go to the All American gate across town…that there is no welcome center on Honeycutt, despite what the signs said.

    I wondered about the contradiction and why so many other signs were vague or non-existent. So I asked. “Thank you so much for your observations,” said N.C. DOT Division 6 Engineer Greg Burns. “I will ask our staff to investigate and coordinate with Fort Bragg staff on ideas to improve signing,” he added. 

  • MARGARETBefore I wrote columns for Up & Coming Weekly, I wrote editorials for our family broadcasting business, one of the few broadcasting companies in the country to share its opinions regularly. Another is Capital Broadcasting in Raleigh, parent of WRAL.  I have also spent decades exchanging political opinions in public and in private with all sorts of people, those who agree with me and those who do not.

    This is a long way of saying the First Amendment is not theoretical to me.  It is incorporated into my daily life and has been since I first remember talking politics with my contemporaries, other junior high school students at the old Teen Club on Rowan Street.  The First Amendment was woven into my soul in 9th grade civics, a course that although I did not know at the time, would shape my adult life to this very moment.  The First Amendment is as fundamental to me as food, clothing and shelter. 

    It is also why the story of Lee Francis, a teacher at Massey Hill Classical High School, snagged my attention immediately.

    Francis is a history teacher at a rigorous school with many accelerated students who applied to be there and who are college bound and beyond.  In teaching a lesson involving a First Amendment case, Texas v. Johnson, Francis illustrated the point that free expression is not necessarily just verbal or written by putting his foot on an American flag.  He apparently tapped his foot on the flag more than once, at which point at least one student left the classroom.

    A public firestorm ensued with some saying Francis was not only making a First Amendment point to his students but also exercising his own rights as an American citizen.  Others said he desecrated our American flag and did so in front of a classroom of impressionable high school students.  The Cumberland County School System initially suspended Francis, with pay, and later added a 10-day non-paid suspension.  In the meantime, Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West said his office would not prosecute Francis because he was acting within the protection of the First Amendment.

    Talk about a teachable moment in a year when campaign ugliness and name calling have reached heights even long-time political observers have trouble stomaching, First Amendment rights not withstanding.

    My own first reaction to this local brouhaha was “thank goodness we have teachers like Lee Francis.”  

    No need to dwell on what we all know about North Carolina teachers.  Our state has gone from the national average in teacher pay to the bottom of the national barrel, and our teachers are fleeing in droves north, south and west to states that pay them better.  Then there is the reality that most teachers are and have traditionally been women.  A man standing before a classroom is a statistical oddity, and we need more of them not only to teach but to model for our children.  Whatever your feelings about the Massey Hill flag incident, it is hard not to be thankful that teachers like Lee Francis are in our classrooms helping our children understand what it means to be an American.

    That being said, could Francis have made his point in a way that did not offend others and in a way that did not involve his foot on the American flag?

    Certainly he could have.

    But would his point made as powerful an impression as did his foot did?

    We cannot know for sure, of course, but I doubt it.  Our mothers told us that actions speak louder than words, and our mothers were right.  The point Francis was attempting to make — and did make in my opinion, is that our Constitution and specifically the First Amendment allow us to share our thoughts and opinions whether those on the receiving end like or agree with them or not.  This was a novel concept when our forebears adopted it in the late 18th century, and it has served our nation so well for more than 200 years that other nations have modeled their Constitutions on ours.  Our right of free expression is ours no matter what our government, the Cumberland County School system or you and I think about what is being expressed.

    What happened in a Massey Hill Classical High School history class earlier this month was indeed a teachable moment for everyone — Lee Francis, his students and the rest of us.  I am grateful that from time to time we have such moments to remind us of what a great nation we all call home.

  • Pub PenAmendment I

    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

    Being a journalist, the 1st Amendment to our Constitution is mighty important to me. I have often found myself having to bite my tongue when I see or hear something that goes far beyond the pale, but do so because I know that it is that individual’s right to express themselves in ways that do not make sense to me, that do not make me comfortable.

    As a journalist, I very much buy into the idea that “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Although, sometimes, that is not easy. Such was the case this past week in Cumberland County. By now, everyone has heard that  Lee Francis, the Massey Hill teacher who attempted to teach his students about the 1st Amendment by stepping on the flag, has been suspended  for 10 days for his object lesson. So that’s old news. But maybe, there is something that we all have missed.

    Francis, who has been very vocal with the media — local and national — over the past week, has made no bones of the fact that he believes what he was doing was right and that the students, parents and community are the ones who are out of step. I disagree. I believe that Francis is the one out of the step.

    There is no doubt that Francis has the right to disrespect our flag. Our Supreme Court ensured that. There is also no doubt that Francis, as the teacher, has the right to set the rules of his classroom. But what Francis cannot demand, but what he must earn, is the respect of his students, their parents and our community. 

    This is where, I believe, he has failed miserably.

    Before one moves into a community, they should learn about the community. They should learn the social mores, the beliefs, the attitude of the community. If what they believe is at great odds with that community, then perhaps it is not the place for them to be. 

    You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to recognize the type of community that exists in Cumberland County. Cumberland County is a military community. There are more heroes in this community than you can shake a stick at because we are, after all, the Home of the 82nd Airborne and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. There are probably more kids in our schools with dads and moms deployed than there are with them at home. There are also many families who have lost loved ones in the wars over the past 16 years — families who have lost friends and neighbors during the wars. So calling our community The All-American Community is a pretty good indicator about how people feel about their country and its symbols.

    This is something that Francis, who chose to move to this community, should have understood when he began teaching the community’s students. Francis should have learned about his students. He should have known how many of them have family members serving. He should have considered that there may be kids in his school whose parents came back home covered in an American Flag. If he understood all of those things, he would have understood that his action, was much like the person yelling fire in a movie theater. His action was inflammatory. He has acknowledged that. He was trying to make a point. When you go out of your way to make a point through inflammatory activities, then you can’t be surprised that you get burned. It’s called using sound judgement, something that I think was missing from his object lesson and definitely from his actions following the event.

    If Francis, in fact, was trying to teach an object lesson, than he should not have been surprised by some of  his students reactions or the community’s. You see, another great tenet of democracy is civil disobedience, which is a refusal to obey governmental demands or commands, especially in a nonviolent and usually collective means of forcing concessions from the government. That’s what the two students who walked out of class and took the flag with them did. They exercised their right to challenge their leader (teacher) who had demanded something from them that they simply could not stomach. Those students and parents who made their voice heard could not stomach a teacher, someone who is supposed to act wisely, doing the contrary. Yes, he had the right to do what he did — and they had the right to let him know they did not agree.

    Superintendent Till also had the right to look at the kind of judgement Francis used in the classroom, and, like many in the community, he found it lacking. So Francis earned a 10-day suspension. His first cry was for the student who sent out the picture to be punished. That student was exercising their right of free speech to say they did not agree. 

    Francis has had his 15 minutes of fame. Now maybe he can get serious about teaching.

  • I recently read a column by Myron B. Pitts, Fayetteville Observernewspaper columnist, which added to my already tremendous mental and emotional pain regarding the condition of black Americans. The title is “Myron B. Pitts: Donald Trump is ‘birther’-in-chief.” Pitts makes the case that because Donald Trump persisted in questioning whether Barack Obama was born in America, he will get very few black votes. Pitts is right and, therein, is the source of my pain. What I say here is not about supporting Trump. It is about the implication made in the thought process of far too many blacks, reflected in the truth of what Pitts writes. What shows here is described well by the saying, “cutting off your nose to spite your face.”

    The meaning of that saying from grammarist.com: “The idiom to cut off your nose to spite your face means you shouldn’t do something out of spite or revenge that will end up causing more harm to you than to the person with which you are angry. In other words, do not let your overreaction lead to self-harm.” 

    I remember a situation in which I almost did what this idiom advises against. I was being treated by a doctor whose bedside manner bothered me. He was very much to the point, all business, and seemed distant at times. I considered changing doctors but made the effort to assess this man and the quality of the medical care he was providing. I kept him as my doctor. Over the years, he identified a serious illness in me and successfully treated it. At some point, he and I recognized a career experience we had in common. From that day forward, his approach shifted to one of continued outstanding medical care, but in a much more pleasant atmosphere. I benefited greatly by avoiding “cutting off my nose to spite my face.”

    KARLWhat Pitts presents in his column is a solid manifestation of this error on the part of many black Americans. Trump paints a clear picture of the dire condition of a substantial number of black Americans. The next three paragraphs give a feel for some components of that picture. 

    An article by Aaron Bandler titled, “7 Statistics You Need to Know About Black-on-Black Crime” states in part:

    1. “Blacks committed 52 percent of homicides between 1980 and 2008, despite composing just 13 percent of the population. Across the same timeframe, whites committed 45 percent of homicides while composing 77percent of the population, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.”

    2. “Blacks are 10 percent of the population in Los Angeles, California, but commit 42 percent of its robberies and 34 percent of its felonies. Whites make up 29 percent of the city’s population, and commit 5 percent of its robberies and 13 percent of its felonies.”

    3. “There were almost 6,000 blacks killed by other blacks in 2015.”

    Then comes unemployment among blacks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ “The Employment Situation — July 2016” includes this summary statement: “Among the major worker groups, unemployment rates in July were little changed for adult men (4.6 percent), adult women (4.3 percent), teenagers (15.6 percent), Whites, (4.3 percent), Blacks (8.4 percent), Asians (3.8 percent), and Hispanics (5.4 percent).”  With the exception of teenagers, black unemployment was substantially higher than every other group. What is presented in this summary does not speak to the number of people who are not counted as unemployed because they have given up looking for work. Add to this the even higher unemployment rates for blacks in large cities and the picture is grim.

    Blacks in poverty are another piece of the picture. An article titled, “Poverty in Black America” at blackdemographics.com says:

    “According to the 2014 U.S. Census Bureau ACS study 27 percent of all African American men, women and children live below the poverty level compared to just 11 percent of all Americans. An even higher percentage (38 percent) of black children live in poverty compared to 22 percent of all children in America. The poverty rate for working-age black women (26 percent) which consists of women ages 18 to 64 is higher than that of working-age black men (21 percent).”

    “Poverty rates for black families vary based on the family type. While 23 percent of all black families live below the poverty level only 8 percent of black married couple families live in poverty which is considerably lower than the 37 percent of black families headed by single women who live below the poverty line. The highest poverty rates (46 percent) are for black families with children that are headed by single black women. This is significant considering more than half (55 percent) of all black families with children are headed by single women.”

    The picture painted by these minimal facts regarding crime, unemployment and poverty among black Americans make it clear there are serious issues demanding attention. These horrible conditions have not been given real attention across decades. However, blacks have remained faithful to the Democrat Party at a rate over 90 percent for 50-plus years. That loyalty has been rewarded with devastating financial hand-outs and good-sounding promises not kept.

    I recently spent a couple of days in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While having lunch one day, I got into a conversation with a black man sitting near me. We talked about where we grew up and similar non-controversial topics. Out of nowhere, he said something that indicated he favors Hillary Clinton. In response, I asked him if he realized Clinton supports allowing illegal immigrants to stay in the country, even though illegal immigration adversely affects black employment. Without even acknowledging my question, he went back to the safe topics. No matter the facts challenging his doing so, this man is controlled by a Democrat-only attitude. 

    Along comes Donald Trump, painting this picture of the black circumstance with facts and figures, while asking black Americans to allow him a chance to take on correcting the situation. For the kind of reason Myron Pitts explains, far too many blacks are like that man in Winston-Salem and will not even hear what Trump has to say. Given this general response, I find it a bit baffling that Pitts and others complain that Trump started his outreach to blacks while speaking to basically all-white audiences. I attended a Trump rally in Fayetteville a few weeks ago. I am black. Nobody stopped me from attending. There might have been five blacks in the crowd. A basic truth of successful living is to go where information for wise decision-making can be gathered. 

    The masses of blacks do not want to hear the Republican message, but then complain when Republican candidates do not give us special attention. Add to this what happened when Donald Trump did, on Sept. 3, which is go to the heart of a black section in Detroit. From an article titled, “Trump Tells Black Churchgoers in Detroit Visit Is ‘to Learn’” by Jill Colvin and Corey Williams, this is Detroit: 

    “Detroit is about 80 percent black, and many are struggling. Nearly 40 percent of residents are impoverished, compared with about 15 percent of Americans overall. Detroit’s median household income is just over $26,000 — not even half the median for the nation, according to the Census.”

    Instead of creating an atmosphere that might foster understanding and progress, protesters were at the church. Not only were they protesting Trump’s visit, but they tried to rush past barricades being manned by police and church security personnel. They also yelled “sellout”, referring to Bishop Wayne T. Jackson, pastor of Great Faith Ministries International, who hosted Donald Trump. The good news is that there was a sizable audience that received Trump with respect and apparent appreciation.

    Black Americans would do well to consider the thought process of Dwayne Wade, a standout professional basketball player with the Chicago Bulls. His cousin, Nykea Alridge, was recently killed in a Chicago crossfire shooting while pushing her child in a stroller. Given his attention to crime against and among blacks, Trump tweeted: “Dwayne Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!” Trump was roundly criticized. During an interview, Wade was asked by George Stephanopoulos about Trump’s tweet. His response:

    “On one hand, your cousin’s death is used as a ploy for political gain. I was grateful that it started a conversation, but on the other hand, it just [left] a bad taste in my mouth because of what my family is dealing with.”

    With justification, Dwayne Wade has a “bad taste” in his mouth but does not because of Trump’s seeming politically-motivated tweet reject the truth of crime among black Americans urgently needing attention. It is past time for many black Americans to rethink their approach to political decision-making. Be careful of “cutting off our nose to spite our face.” If you seek to punish Donald Trump, he loses the election but goes on being a billionaire and living the good life. Very likely, many black Americans go on suffering as pictured above…or worse.

  • MargaretRecently I ran into an old friend who was widowed about six years ago and who has struggled to rebuild her life with a move to a new home and new activities. She looks wonderful, and I told her so at which time she introduced me to her “best friend,” a charming man of appropriate age and circumstance.  My friend said she and he have been friends since high school and have dinner together every Saturday night.  

    Our chance meeting was on a Monday evening, and they were very much together.

    Several days later, I stumbled across a study done at the University of Wisconsin, asking the age old question:  Is it really possible for men and women to be “just friends?”  

    Hmmmm…?

    The study findings sound to me like somewhere along the lines of  “sort of,” “well, maybe” and “probably not.”

    It seems that for most of our time on earth, being friends with members of the opposite gender has not been much of a problem. Men were busy out with each other slaying dinner and more recently bringing home the bacon from jobs in offices and factories. Women were at home in caves and then houses tending children, cooking the bacon, and generally keeping the home fires burning. In other words, we led pretty different lives with little opportunity for friendships with anyone but those in our own orbits and our significant others.

    Then came the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century when women, and unfortunately, some children found themselves in the workplace, at first just with each other but later in mixed company. Women also began seeking more and more education, again breaking traditional barriers, and the question of actual friendships between men and women arose. It is still lurking large today in our world of few gender restrictions, North Carolina’s HB2 notwithstanding.  

    Think of what goes on in our own workplaces, and you get the picture.

    So what do the researchers at the University of Wisconsin say?

    In research speak, platonic male-female friendships are referred to as “cross-sex” friendships, a term that sounds a tad unsettling to me. 

    Researchers found that — surprise! — men in cross-sex friendships are generally speaking more attracted to their female friends than vice versa. In other words, women generally think we can have cross-sex relationships while our male buddies are hoping for something more romantic even though the women had no such thoughts. As usual, Venus and Mars are on different wavelengths, or to quote Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally, “men and women can’t be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.”

    It is really more complicated, though.

    Children have no problem with cross-sex friendships, and that seems pretty well true through high school and into college, although we all know exceptions to that rule. Things get trickier in young adulthood as couples form, un-form and form again. And, once we couple with someone, friendships with the opposite sex are tricky indeed. Chances are the other partner in our couple will not be particularly interested in our hanging out, however platonically, with our cross-sex friend. And, once we are married, most couples would say, “forget that.”  Expressions like “playing with fire” come to mind.

    Cross-sex friendships are possible, though.  I know a man and woman, both married to other people, who declare each other their best friend and who spend time together and with their respective spouses. It is worth noting that one of them is gay.  I also know many men and women who are clearly good friends, though most of these relationships are work-related and do not involve spending time together outside that context. These relationships seem a positive to me.  They teach us how the other half looks at the world and can make us more perceptive and understanding in our own relationships. Additionally, many a solid friendship has led to a solid long-term partnership, even marriage. Friendship, after all, is probably a stronger foundation than physical attraction.

    The bottom line seems to me to be that — yes — some women and some men can be friends and can keep it on that level to the benefit of both. Some cannot, and trouble may ensue when they cannot keep it on the friendship level even when another sort of relationship may be wildly inappropriate. Like all human interactions, friendships can be complicated and fraught, and we should proceed with caution and deliberation but still knowing that friendships are among our most meaningful relationships.

    That being said, I am not going to keel over if I receive an engagement announcement from my old buddy and her “best friend.”

  • PUB PENThe 48th Annual Cumberland County Golf Championship Classic is over for this year and Fayetteville resident Thomas Owen finished the weekend with a 210 to become the 2016 Cumberland County Champion. Congratulations!  

    It was a beautiful weekend at Cypress Lakes Golf Course  -  the host of the the 54-hole event. Other winners included: Larry Robertson, Super Senior Division; Rick Goforth, Senior Division; and Andy Palma who took first place honors in the Open Division. Owen received the 1st Place Cumberland County Golf Classic crystal trophy and a $300 gift certificate. He designated his home course,  Highland Country Club, to house and showcase the CCGC  Legacy Trophy throughout the year. Depending on who wins next year, the trophy could stay at Highland or could move to one of the county’s other golf courses.  The Cumberland County Golf Classic has been a Cumberland County golfing tradition since 1969. 

    This is the biggest community undertaking Up & Coming Weekly has taken on in its 21 years of publishing. It seems fitting that the county’s only locally owned newspaper is now the sponsor of this homegrown tournament. It is also one of the most rewarding projects we have collaborated with the community on – and there have been many!

     In just nine short weeks, people, businesses and community organizations stepped up to preserve this Cumberland County tradition. Many new dimensions were added to this year’s tournament like the Opening Ceremony & Pairings Party and the on-course food and beverages; however, the three biggest changes were:

    Fort Bragg’s Stryker Golf Course has been added to the Cumberland County Golf Classic rotation and will, in the coming years, host the tournament at its facility. The tournament is supporting literacy through a donation made to Cumberland County’s Kidsville News! Literacy and Education Foundation (501c3 nonprofit). And, the really big news: The Cumberland County Golf Classic is going to incorporate a Women’s Division and name a Cumberland County Women’s Champion in 2017. Dee Dee Jarman, the senior athletic director and basketball coach at Methodist University will head up this endeavor. Pretty exciting, huh? 

    Again, I want thank Robert Wilson, PGA Pro at Cypress Lakes and Mac Healy of Healy Wholesale for being such gracious hosts and to this awesome and generous community who know how to party and to keep a good thing going.

    See you again next year on Sept. 15-17 of 2017!  Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • jasonAs an American citizen, San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick had the right not to stand during the playing of the National Anthem at a recent NFL football game. He was right.  But the NFL … well, it was and is hypocritical.

    I didn’t like his antics. I figure someone with a ton of money could choose a different platform to voice his displeasure of a country that enables him to make at least $11.9 million for playing a game … actually sitting on the bench.

    I must insert a disclaimer here. I didn’t like Kaepernick in the first place, and it doesn’t have anything to do with him. I’m  a tepid 49ers fan going back to the days of Steve Young and Joe Montana. Then, Coach Jim Harbough disappointed me by replacing Alex Smith with Kaepernick because of an injury. But that’s professional football.

    I’m also biased about his actions for another reason. I’m conditioned to stand during the National Anthem. It’s a customary tradition instilled in me while growing up on Army posts.

    We stood any time the anthem played: in school assemblies and at ball games. And we stood at the movies. Yes, at the movies.

    Every movie started with the playing of the National Anthem. And, if you happened to be walking down the aisle with your bag of popcorn when the anthem started, you stood in place. There was plenty of time to find your seat during the previews. That was my upbringing, and it stuck.

    In August 1983, I was a journalist writing about the military at Fort Bragg. There, a Green Beret captain made a remark I’ll always remember. I paraphrase because it’s been 33 years. He said that he might not agree with everything I say, but he would defend with his life my right to say it. I don’t remember his name, but I remember his passion for defending our Constitution. 

    So, with bile in my throat, I agree with those who say Kaepernick has the legal right to disrespect his country. But it’s too bad that he did so in a way that fostered more divisiveness than understanding.

    He picked a debatable topic; one that paints all police as racist executioners. He also lampooned presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. I didn’t know where he was going with that.

    Kaepernick’s biological father abandoned him and left his mother destitute. It forced her to put him up for adoption and he was raised by a white family. 

    Thus, he could champion the positive attributes of two-parent families. Or, he could call for more adoptions of impoverished children. He could use his platform to call for an end to black-on-black violence — especially since this Labor Day weekend’s highest yet gun-related deaths in Chicago.

    Instead, he donned those now famous blue socks that depicted pigs in police uniforms. Then wore them during televised football practice. He claims his position of not honoring a nation that oppresses black people and people of color is a political statement. His coach supports him as does the team. Even the NFL stated through its spokesman that players are encouraged but not required to stand during the anthem.

    Many fans support Kaepernick’s position. Among them veterans who say they’ve fought for his right to show disrespect to the flag. Since his on-camera actions and later interview, his jersey is the best selling item for the 49ers, according to the team’s website.

    But with freedom of speech, especially inflammatory rhetoric, comes consequences. People are burning his jersey on social media, and the Santa Clara police don’t want to provide security for 49er games. Those actions too are covered by the First Amendment.

    Yet, I am confused by the NFL’s position on the matter. Earlier, the Dallas Cowboys wanted to honor the five fallen Texas police officers killed in an ambush in July by wearing a decal on their helmets. The NFL said no. Apparently, there’s no freedom of speech and expression for the Cowboys.

  • PITT( Please sing along to the tune of the theme song of The Beverly Hillbillies) “Come listen to a story about a gal named Heather/A poor CEO barely kept her company fed/And then one day she was looking for corporate honey/ And up from the EpiPen came some bubbling money/Epinephrine/Medication gold/Loathsome lucre/Well, first thing you know ol’ Heather’s a multimillionaire/Wall Street said, “Mylan move away from there”/Said that the United Kingdom is the place you ought to be/So she loaded up the company and tax inverted to Carnaby/Street that is/Bobbies on bicycles/Less taxes/More profit.”

    Unless you have been boycotting television to avoid The Donald and Hillary show, by now you are familiar with how Heather Bresch, CEO of Mylan jacked up the price of EpiPens from about $57 a shot to $300 a shot. EpiPens are used to inject children and adults who have severe life-threatening reactions to bee stings or food allergies. EpiPens were not invented by Mylan. The price was stable for years until 2007 when Mylan bought the EpiPen injector from Merck. Then the proverbial adrenalin hit the fan and the price went up, up and away.

    Right now you might be asking yourself, what kind of person jacks up the price of a life saving drug by 500 percent. Consider if you will, the curious story of Heather Bresch, the CEO of Mylan. Heather is a real sweetheart. She claimed she earned a master’s from West Virginia University while her daddy was governor of West Virginia. An investigation revealed some high-level funny business took place at WVU because Heather was well connected. Her fake MBA was rescinded by WVU. Heather had not earned an MBA. The President, Provost and the Business School Dean of West Virginia University all resigned in the wake of Heathergate.

    Undeterred by a sense of shame or human decency, Heather raised the price of EpiPens multiple times and scored herself a salary of over $18,000,000 a year for her good works for Mylan. A dose of Epinephrine costs about $1 to make. The injector is extra. Parents of children dependent on EpiPens are not happy by the price gouging Heather hath brought.

    Heather displays sensitivity that would make a block of granite blush. Heather complains she is a victim. When questioned about the price leaps, after blaming insurance companies, she whined that “No one’s more frustrated than me.” Despite Heather’s sense of self pity, the parents of children with life threatening allergies are a bit more frustrated than Heather. She went on to justify the price increases by telling the press that: “The price has changed over time to better reflect the value of the product provided.” 

    This is an interesting theory. Let us apply it to other products.

    If Mylan and Heather got their teeth into America’s water systems, what price would Heather charge for a gallon of water? The value that water provides is that it is necessary for life. Under Heathernomics theory of pricing that should justify charging $300 a gallon for water for starters. What do you think Heather could charge if she was able to buy chemotherapy medications? What if Heather got control of chocolate? French fries? Air? The mind boggles.

    How do you solve a problem like Heather? How do you gouge masses of allergic children and pin them down? How do you hold an overpriced EpiPen in your hand? Some people say she should be put on one of those exploding Tesla Space X rockets. She could be sent to this week’s newest Exoplanet Proxima Centauri which NASA says may support life. The Proxima Centaurians undoubtably will need EpiPens which she can take with her to create a new profit center of allergic aliens. Proxima Centauri is only 4.2 light years from Earth. Sitting alone like Spaceman Spiff on her way to Proxima Centauri should give Heather a chance to rethink her value system of pricing. As our fastest rockets only travel 25,000 miles per hour at best, Heather will be away from the Earth for quite a while.

    Once she gets to Proxima Centauri may she live long and prosper. Or to modify Tevye’s prayer for the Czar in Fiddler on the Roof, “ May the Lord bless and keep Heather, far, far from here. “Well, now it’s time to say good-bye to Heather and all her EpiPens/And they would like to thank you folks for kindly buying their pens/You’re all invited back next week to this locality/To have a heapin’ helpin’ of their gouging hospitality/Wall Street that is. Set a spell. Take your shoes off/Inject yourselves./Ya’ll come back now, y’hear?”

  • MargaretThe Dicksons spent Labor Day weekend at the beach with the first part of the holiday consumed by what was left of Hurricane Hermine. Winds blew more than a breeze and less than a nor’easter, but there was plenty of water hitting windows and pooling on low beach roads. A friend texted in a panic that her daughter was heading our way in a low-slung sedan and could not get where she was going because of standing water. I texted back that a Precious Jewel was headed to the rescue in a giant pickup, but the daughter had already been rescued by a cousin.

    Such is the stuff of storms — hurricanes and otherwise — that strike North Carolina in the fall.

    The weekend also brought back memories of Hurricane Fran, which cut a wide swath across the Tar Heel state 20 years ago this month, and which is remembered in our neck of the woods as the storm of a generation. The day before the storm struck, half a million people evacuated North Carolina’s barrier islands, just in the nick of time. Fran came ashore at the mouth of the Cape Fear and ultimately covered about 225 miles in our state, devastating much in her path, including our one-block street in Haymount. More than half of the 15 houses on our street had trees through their roofs, and one next door to us had two — one from the back yard and one from the front. Our neighbors across the street did a neighborly thing and sent a cooler of ice over to the two-tree family, only to realize later that they had dispatched their teenaged son on this errand across live PWC wires brought down by the storm.

    The Dicksons were spared a tree through the roof, although we did lose a huge magnolia branch that later had to be chopped up and hauled away. The Precious Jewels’ babysitter, who spent the long night of Fran in our basement praying with her own daughter and several foster children took full credit for our good fortune. In her assessment, the reason the Dicksons escaped a tree through the roof and the neighbors did not was because the babysitter next door — her friend and sometime rival — simply did not pray hard enough!

    Our power went out about midnight and was out for six long days in sweltering humidity, but we were luckier than many who were powerless longer. I remember turning onto our street on the sixth day and passing a utility truck from Florida and realizing its crew had restored our electricity. I blew those men kisses in full daylight in front of God and country.

    The Dickson family beach house, which had survived Hurricane Hazel —t he 1954 storm of its generation, came through Fran as well, but far from unscathed. The new roof and porch are now 20 years young, and that old house barely noticed Hermine.

    Fran took 37 human lives, 24 of them in North Carolina, and causing $11billion in today’s dollars in damages to homes, businesses, infrastructure, crops and timber. At one point in the storm, radar images showed Fran’s winds and rains covering two-thirds of our state. She cut new inlets along the coast and reminded older North Carolinians and taught newer ones that when Mother Nature goes on a tear, there is not much to do but watch and keep our fingers crossed, hopefully from afar. Three years later, Hurricane Floyd flooded much of eastern North Carolina and was deadlier, but Fran remains one of the worst natural disasters to hit our state.

    Other storms have come since Fran, of course, but none so destructive. In the intervening twenty years, North Carolina has changed as well. Brunswick County at the mouth of the Cape Fear where Fran rolled in has almost doubled its population since 1996, and about 1 million people now live in the 18 counties along North Carolina’s ocean and coastal waterways. 

    Remember, too, that our little tree-struck street was not in a coastal county, proof that hurricanes do not always stay along the coast. That street is in central Fayetteville in Cumberland County. Wake and other Piedmont counties suffered with Fran as well. In 1996, North Carolina’s population was 7.5 million people and today we have more than 10 million residents. Many of those people have never experienced a Hermine, much less a Fran, something that rightfully keeps North Carolina’s emergency responders awake nights. 

    No one knows what the 2016 hurricane season will bring post-Hermine, but here is some food for thought. North Carolina has not been hit by a Category 3 or higher storm since Fran, twenty years ago. That does not mean, of course, that a Category 3, 4, or even 5, will arrive this season, but it does mean that statistically, North Carolina has been on a long lucky streak. 

    The odds of that streak lasting indefinitely are slim to none.

  • pubpennewWow! No doubt about it, starting today it’s a yearlong celebration of Fayetteville’s best of the best. Good things last and Up & Coming Weekly’s Best of Fayetteville readership survey is a 19-year-old tradition recognizing and honoring the best people, businesses and organizations in the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community. 

    These entities have distinguished themselves by defining our community’s personality and contributing to our quality of life. You need to know these people. They are the ones who continue to impact our community. They are the ones that leave a positive and indelible impression of pride on us and future generations of residents, visitors and guests.

    Yes, the Up & Coming Weekly Best of Fayetteville edition you are holding in your hands today will serve you well throughout the year. It is a  valuable visitors guide, service directory and cultural and event resource. Every page touts the “best of the best” of what the Fayetteville community has to offer. 

    And, why not? The rules, format and guidelines of this sanctioned, time-tested survey have been designed, tested and audited to provide residents, local businesses and organizations the recognition they deserve for their dedication and perseverance in their quest for excellence. Every category winner has achieved the highest level of excellence in what they do. For 19 years, we have successfully told their stories and revealed their secrets without a single regret. 

    No ballot stuffing here, no popularity contest or dubious chance to sway the end result. Each winner is distinguished in its own way. There is no faking it when the community consensus selects you as the best in your field. This means you are performing at the highest level of excellence as recognized by your peers. This being the case, why not declare the business or organization the best? After all, in a competitive world and tight economy, only the best survive.

    In building a better community, leaders know that success must be built on a sound foundation. Here, that foundation is our community’s best people, businesses and organizations all striving for extreme excellence.

     So, please join me, the staff of Up & Coming Weekly and our Best of Fayetteville event sponsors and local leaders as we begin this year-long celebration. Pick up an extra copy of this special edition of Up & Coming Weekly at any one of our 500 countywide locations, or stop by our corporate offices at 208 Rowan Street. For 24/7, 365-day access to The Best of Fayetteville winners go to www.upandcomingweekly.com. This is a year-round celebration! And, as always, we sincerely thank you for reading Up & Coming Weeklyand making us your only locally owned newspaper.

  • coverThis year marks the sixth annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Last year’s walk was the biggest yet with 800 people participating. The event raised $81,000. Since its inception, the Fayetteville Walk to End Alzheimer’s has raised more than $250,000 to support the Alzheimer’s Association. Event organizers are hoping for an even bigger turnout this year. On Sept. 24, at 9 a.m., join the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at J.P. Riddle Stadium. 

    Pat McKee and his wife Julie Russo have been a part of the Fayetteville Walk to End Alzheimer’s since the first one in 2011. “Pat’s dad, Joe Mckee, died from complications related to Alzheimer’s in 2010. So, Pat went to the Alzheimer’s Association and told them we wanted to help make a difference. We hosted the first walk in 2011,” said  Russo adding that there were about  200 people at the first walk.

    The event begins at 9 a.m. with registration and activities. All participants are encouraged to register online at http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2016/NC-EasternNorthCarolina?fr_id=9130&pg=entry.After that, the fun begins. “We will have a dance troupe perform right at 9 a.m., so early birds get to see a couple performances. We are going to have “Carolina Selfie Stand,” owned and operated by Jennifer Brooks, there, which we’ve never had before,” said Russo. “It is a really cool photo booth… you can walk away with a picture and/or get it texted or emailed to you when they are done. She is donating her services to us. We are going to have Champion for the Children — another volunteer group that dresses up as princesses and super heroes and does face painting. I was a big hit last year. We will have bounce houses, too.”

    One of the most meaningful and poignant parts of the day is the promise garden ceremony. “Once you register, you get a flower affiliated with your connection to Alzheimer’s — whether you have the disease, or lost someone to it or care for someone or if you are an advocate, and you can write something on each petal about who you want to honor.  During the ceremony, each group raises their flower to symbolize all this affected by the disease.” Next, Victoria Huggins, Fayetteville native and reigning Miss Wilmington will sing the National Anthem. She is also the event emcee. “The opening ceremony is at 10 a.m., and the walk starts at 10:30 a.m. We are done walking by 11 or 11:15 a.m.”

    While there is indeed a walk, it is a short one at less than a mile. That is because it’s important to Russo that everyone is able to participate. This event is about so much more than the walk, and that is something that Russo says is important to the spirit of the cause. This is about building a community of support and raising money for Alzheimer’s support and research. “Seventy-eight percent of all the money raised goes to care and research. The Alzhiemer’s Association is a national organization, but there is much happening in North Carolina as well as in the Fayetetteville area. “We have a caregiver support group at Carolina Assisted Living. Caregivers can go here and talk to others in the same situation. This group is supported by Peggy Best, LCSW, associate director of programs and outreach, Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter. Dr. Ben Barr at UNC Pembroke is an Alzheimer’s researcher, and he is working right here in the area. I am pleased to be working with an organization that both supports us locally, but also has a national presence. Because the Alzheimer’s Association is a national organization, it  brings with it some hefty power. I joined a team of advocates in March of this year and we went to Congress to ask for $400 million to advance research, and in June they appropriated those funds. This experience was life-changing for me.”   

    Securing funding for research is vital. The challenge here is twofold according to Russo. “Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death right now. Scientists working on this say the cure is out there but we only have the funding to research 13 percent of the viable plans that scientist have to search for a cure. Because of the aging population, in the coming years, the government is going to spend a huge amount on care in Medicare and Medicaid. We really need to spend more money on research. What the government spends now on research is a fraction of what we spend on care. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease may nearly triple, from 5.2 million to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure the disease.”

    In the meantime, while fundraising and research continues, Russo maintains that there are many reasons to be hopeful.” We have an opportunity to come together and empower caregivers and people affected. They often feel helpless. When we come together at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s we have 1,000 people in the same space willing to say the ‘A’ word and talk openly about it.”

    Educating people about the disease is another component to making progress against Alzheimer’s. “Early diagnosis is so important,” said Russo. “The sooner you get diagnosed, the sooner you can plan out how you want to be cared for. As the disease progresses, one’s ability to make decisions like this diminishes. Early on, you can have a say in what you want to happen.”

    There are other ways to make a difference, too. There are clinical trials the Alzheimer’s Association does. “They are always looking for people to participate,” said Russo. ”Go to alz.org to sign up. They also have a hotline that is available 24/7 1.800.272.3900. It is staffed with licensed clinicians, which is a great support to caregivers. You can call at 3 a.m. with an issue and there is someone there to help talk you through it.”

    Find out more about Alzheimer’s at:

    http://www.alz.org/facts/overview.asp

    Find out more about the Fayetteville Walk to End Alzheimer’s at https://www.facebook.com/Fayettevillewalktoendalz/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf.

  • We live in a time when the word “narrative” is used repeatedly in discussing or analyzing events and conditions in our nation and world. What follows is a warning that citizens of the world, and especially America, must be alert to the thought control that happens by way of narrative manipulation. 

    Miami University gives this definition: “A narrative is some kind of retelling, often in words... of something that happened (a story). The narrative is not the story itself but rather the telling of the story... While a story is just a sequence of events, a narrative recounts those events, perhaps leaving some occurrences out because they are from some perspective insignificant, and perhaps emphasizing others.” From this definition, it is clear the elements of a story which will be included in a narrative is driven by the desired result from presenting that narrative. This result-driven process also allows for controlling development of the story so that the resulting narrative accomplishes the desired response among hearers or readers. 

    MargaretFollowing is an example of how input to a story is managed so that the follow-on narrative supports a given position. For months, there were reports indicating intelligence regarding ISIS was being adjusted to support President Obama’s claims of success in our fight with that group. In an Aug.15, interview on Fox Cable News’ “The Five,” U.S. Army Brigadier Gen. (Ret.) Anthony Tata revealed information he received relating to this matter. Fox News Insiderstates: “Tata revealed that a source verified to him that he was directed by an individual from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, who conducts the president’s daily briefing, to stop producing “products of record” that did not fit the administration’s narrative of a defeated al-Qaeda and a non-threatening enemy in ISIS.”

    “Tata said that the president’s briefer told this individual to call him on a secure line if he had any intelligence that portrayed ISIS in a stronger light than what the president had characterized to the public, which would not leave a paper trail.”

    Tata’s reporting shows how input to a story can be adjusted to allow for a narrative that supports a particular position and attracts belief in that position. This manipulation of narratives to control thought is heavily present where strained race relations provide opportunity for manipulation. Consider “Mothers of the Movement” being invited to speak at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. These are eight black mothers who each had a child killed by a police officer, or died in some other highly publicized situation, such as that of Trayvon Martin. The mothers made it clear that they support Hillary Clinton. Doing so is their right and I fully respect their choice. The problem is that they were used by Democrats to fuel a false narrative which says white American society in general, and white police officers in particular, oppress and treat blacks unjustly. Among others, this false narrative comes through in the statement made at the convention by Lucia Bath, mother of Jordan Davis, who was shot and killed by a white man over playing loud music and arguing when asked to turn it down. The quote is from an article by Lucy Clarke-Billings titled “Full Transcript: Grieving Mothers of the Movement Speak at Democratic Convention.” 

    “I lived in fear my son would die like this. I even warned him that because he was a young, black man, he would meet people who didn’t value his life. That is a conversation no parent should ever have to have. Hillary Clinton isn’t afraid to say black lives matter. She isn’t afraid to sit at a table with grieving mothers and bear the full force of our anguish. She doesn’t build walls around her heart. Not only did she listen to our problems, she invited us to become part of the solution.”

    These mothers were used by Democrats to promote the false narrative, stir the emotions of black Americans along with others who embrace this narrative, then make the claim that Hillary Clinton cares and will work to correct the situation.

    Sad, and even dangerous for society, thought control through narrative manipulation is not limited to the realm of government or politics. It is rampant in journalism. Journalists are supposed to find the truth and report it in a fair and balanced fashion. That is, not favoring anybody or a particular position. This kind of reporting is nearly non-existent. A prime example of media bias, failed journalism and narrative manipulation shows in reporting by CNN anchor Carol Costello on the shooting death of Sylville Smith in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Smith, a 23-year-old, black man, was shot by a police officer at a traffic stop. The incident was followed by rioting, burning of businesses and attacks on both cops and white citizens. There was chaos and lawlessness. 

    In the midst of this situation, Costello shows a clip of Sylville Smith’s sister, Sherelle Smith, talking to a crowd of protesters. An article at www.cnncommentary.com titled “CNN anchor offers apology for shortening of Milwaukee clip” indicates the report shows Smith saying, ‘“Burning down sh-- ain’t going to help nothing!”’ Ana Cabrera was the on-scene reporter and indicated the sister was calling for peace. When a full tape was made available, it showed, as reflected in the article referenced above, Sherell Smith said the following: ‘“Y’all burning down sh—t we need in our community. Take that sh—to the suburbs. Burn that sh—down! We need our sh—t! We need our weaves. I don’t wear it. But we need it.”’ This was not a call for peace everywhere. 

    CNN edited the comments to support a narrative of a grieving black sister calling for peace. Doing so presents a picture of oppressed people simply wanting peace and fairness. The full tape tells a totally different story. Smith is calling for violence in other than black neighborhoods. The edited and unedited clips may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZSif2FRP_8. CNN apologized for this episode.

    Narrative manipulation is also accomplished by media simply not reporting stories that contradict their desired narrative. A glaring example of how this happens shows in the very limited attention given by media to a statement by Patrick Smith, father of Sylville Smith who was killed in Milwaukee. Smith expressed support for some form of gun control and the need for blacks to conduct ourselves in a fashion that does not encourage dangerous responses from others. Beyond this, an article by Scott Morefield titled “Father of Milwaukee man whose death started riots takes responsibility: ‘I’d like to apologize to my kids’” quotes Patrick Smith as follows:

    “I had to blame myself for a lot of things too because your hero is your dad and I played a very big part in my family’s role model for them. Being on the street, doing things of the street life: Entertaining, drug dealing and pimping and they’re looking at their dad like ‘He’s doing all these things.’ I got out of jail two months ago, but I’ve been going back and forth in jail and they see those things so I’d like to apologize to my kids because this is the role model they look up to. When they see the wrong role model, this is what you get.”

    What Smith says here does not fit with the narrative that all the difficulties plaguing Black Americans are caused by and must be solved by people and entities external to that community. Consequently, very few media outlets reported his comments.

    What is described above is only the “tip of the iceberg,” but says all of us must be on careful watch for those who would control another’s thinking through manipulation of narratives. From government, politicians, media or anybody take nothing at face-value. Investigate issues, gather facts and objectively evaluate your findings while being careful of the influence of emotions. 

  • BILLIf you are a decent, God-fearing American, perhaps sitting in church with family and friends listening to a good sermon expounding the importance of obeying and adhering to the golden rule, it really doesn’t matter what religion, race or political affiliation you are: Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Southern Baptist, a Democrat, Republican, black, white, Asian or Hispanic. It is here that American values are nurtured and reinforced and compassion for humanity and things that matter consume your senses. 

    This is humanity and the basis from which civilizations are formed. Unfortunately, over the last decade or so, it seems these homegrown values of compassion integrity, decency and honesty have been severely compromised by slick, deceiving, dishonest and manipulative career politicians who, over the years, have learned to use their elected positions for their own personal gain. 

    Also, fueling this sad scenario is the feeling of helplessness that results in apathy and fuels the trend of extreme political correctness. Many Americans are scared. Many Americans feel our country is out of control and heading in the wrong direction. Why? Because facts, justice, honesty and truth just don’t seem to matter much anymore. Think about it: 

    Black-on-black murders continue to grow at alarming rates. It Just Doesn’t Matter. (IJDM)

    The IRS (our government) targets and harasses conservative Americans with impunity. (IJDM)

    Innocents are dying. In Chicago, black-on-black murders since 2008 outnumber the total of American lives lost in both Iraqi and Afghanistan wars. (IJDM)

    Black Lives Matter organizers refuse to acknowledge inner-city carnage or the plight of the poor. (IJDM)

    The NFL advocates, supports and encourages 49er Colin Kaepernick’s anti-America, anti-police behavior. Role model??? (IJDM)

    Inner-city poverty, crime and black-on-black homicides are at an all-time high after eight decades of democratic governance. (IJDM)

    “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” is an extreme lie still being legitimized. (IJDM)

    “Green Energy” is a $535 million loss of taxpayers’ money on the bogus Solendra solar panel project. No remorse. No apology. (IJDM)

    $400 million ransom paid to Iran for hostage release. And, still in denial. (IJDM)

    Dozens of sanctuary cities disrespect the U.S. Constitution, ignore federal laws, protect and harbor criminals and murdering illegal immigrants. (IJDM)

    VA hospitals are in shambles and veterans’ medical care is despicable with no relief in sight. (IJDM)

    Republican presidential candidates take a pledge to support the presidential nominee then totally renege on their oath. (IJDM) 

    Barack Obama plays golf as a natural disaster devastates Louisiana and kills residents. (IJDM)

    Secretary Hillary Clinton lies to bereaved Gold Star mother of Benghazi victim. (IJDM)

    Susan Rice lies to the entire nation (five times) about Benghazi tragedy. No apology. (IJDM)

    I could go on and on, but, for what purpose? You get the message. American’s must wake up and start speaking out against these blatant, unpatriotic, un-American, unhealthy trends before apathy, dishonesty and political correctness transform our country into something our grandchildren will not recognize as the democracy of the United States of America. Just one man’s opinion.  

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 06 news Natural disasters like Hurricane Florence often bring out the best in people despite the misery of thousands. Hundreds of Fayetteville-area residents were forced into shelters during the height of the storm last week. Many still have no other place to stay as they recover from the floods that inundated Cumberland County and rural eastern North Carolina. Local residents, businesses and organizations took the lead helping victims of the storms, especially those displaced from their homes.

    Cape Fear Flooring and Restoration is one of those businesses. Owners Thomas Foldesi and Amie Crouter began receiving calls even before Florence struck. Both are veterans and responded immediately with disaster-related services, answering hurricane questions and assisting with damage restoration. Business Relations Director Casey Schaffer said, “We have the tools, equipment and know-how to help, and (we) want to make sure our community is safe and taken care of. A lot of what we do is getting people dry to prevent further damage.” The company donated some services to local residents during the hurricane.

    In downtown Fayetteville, the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau teamed up with Papa Murphy’s of Cumberland and Wake counties to feed those in need. Thursday, Sept. 20, Papa Murphy’s was on location at the Person Street Visitor’s Center handing out free pizza and bottled water donated by the Wake County Community. 

    “We have seen firsthand the hit that the Cumberland County com-munity has taken during Hurricane Florence, and … we have partnered with Papa Murphy’s Cumberland County locations to give citizens a warm meal and clean water,” said Angie Brady, director of tourism/cli-ent relations at FACVB. 

    The Highlands Chapter of the Red Cross in Fayetteville depended on local caterers to help families who were temporarily homeless and living in half a dozen shelters throughout the county. One of the participating companies was Two Brothers Catering, which prepared a thousand meals the first day the shelters were opened. Red Cross vol-unteers picked up the meals at Two Brothers’ kitchen, and with the help of dozens of volunteers, distributed them among the shelters. 

    Brad McLawhorn and his brother Kelley own Two Brothers. As of this writing, they have prepared more than 8,000 meals made up of hot dogs, pasta, and chicken nuggets with mashed potatoes and green beans. 

    The Red Cross subsidizes the cost, which doesn’t begin to cover the total expenses for food and prepa-ration. However, it doesn’t matter to the McLawhorns. “It’s a Godly obligation to assist those in need,” Brad said. 

    The McLawhorns began their catering business 12 years ago. They opened a 6,000-square-foot catering, event and banquet facility on Katie Street about a year ago. It’s called The Vine and now serves as their base of operations. Besides hurricane relief, they intend to host local special events such as weddings, reunions, parties and holiday festivities. 

    Stories of outreach, rescue and kindness in the aftermath of Florence could fill this entire publication. We live in a community that cares about its residents and takes care of them, and where PWC, city and county first responders work diligently to-gether in a coordinated effort to keep people safe.

    Photo: Brad (far left) and Kelley (far right) McLawhorn of Two Brothers catering were two of many business owners who stepped up to help fellow citizens during Hurricane Florence. They were aided in their efforts by Sen. Wesley Meredith (center).

  • 05 news digest Homestead

    In September 1945, the Homestead Hurricane caused widespread damage in coastal North Carlina. What then became a tropical storm system produced heavy rainfall over the state, peaking at 14.8 inches in Rockingham in the period Sept. 13-18. The storm led to drenching rainfall, which saturated grounds. The Cape Fear River came out of its banks after cresting in Fayetteville to a record height of 68 feet, causing massive urban flooding along Person Street to Market Square. Fort Bragg soldiers used Army boats to make rescues. 

    Hazel

    On Oct. 15, 1954, Hurricane Hazel made landfall near the North Carolina/South Carolina border with a 40-mile eye. Landfall intensity was estimated at 140 mph, or a Category 4, on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The eye of Hazel was tracked across sev-eral communities in North Carolina, including Fayetteville, as the system continued northward. The storm proceeded through Virginia and Maryland to Pennsylvania and the southern tier of New York. Ha-zel is the benchmark by which hurricanes have been measured in eastern North Carolina, until now.

    Unnamed storm

    On Sept. 15, 1989, a localized, violent cluster of severe thunderstorms stalled over the city of Fayetteville. Intense rainfall – as much as 7.2 inches in six hours according to the National Weather Service – fell in parts of the city. The resulting runoff severed gates at the Clark Pond dam and breached dams at Country Club Lake, Evans Lake and Lock-wood Pond, resulting in flash floods that struck much of the city without warning. A dozen earthen dams were also breached. Two small children drowned when they and five others tried to abandon their stalled minivan on Morganton Road. 

    By the time the water receded, 925 acres in the city along Cross and Blounts Creeks and their tributaries had been inundated. It was the most extensive flood in Fayetteville since 1945, with much of the damage resulting from flooding of the Cape Fear River. The event occurred one week before Hurricane Hugo struck the Carolinas.

    Fran

    Hurricane Fran occurred in September 1996. Fran peaked as a 120 mph, Category 3 hurricane Sept. 5. She weakened slightly before making landfall near Cape Fear, North Carolina. The eye of the storm passed over Clinton, 30 miles east of Fayetteville. Local winds were recorded at 80 mph. Rain of up to 16 inches deluged interior North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Overall, 27 fatalities and $5 bil-lion in damage was attributed to Fran. In North Carolina, 1.3 million people were left without power, including thousands in the greater Fayetteville area. 

    Matthew

    On Oct. 3, 2016, the governors of Florida and North Carolina declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Matthew approached. The next day, South Carolina’s governor ordered an evacuation of residents living within 100 miles of the coast. Twenty-five people died in storm-related incidents across North Carolina. More than 680,000 North Carolinians were without power at one point. Sec-tions of Interstate 95 in the tar heel state had to be shut down for several days as a result of hurricane flooding. Just as happened in the fall of 1989, one week before Hurricane Matthew, 10 inches of rain had drenched Cumberland and adjoining counties. Matthew dumped another 14 inches. The Lumber River reached a record 24 feet in Lumberton. 

    Florence

    Were it not for the Jordan Dam opened 35 years ago on the Cape Fear River in Chatham County, this month’s flooding of the river in Fayetteville would likely have equaled or exceeded that of 1945. The river rose to within a foot of the Person Street bridge in downtown Fayetteville. Cross Creek and Blount’s creeks came out of their banks, flooding nearby ar-eas. Most reports indicated that Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission restored electricity to its service area faster than other power providers that serve some areas of Cumberland County. 

    The city and FEMA this week began collecting storm-related debris. Residents are asked to be patient with storm debris pickup; it may take weeks to be completed. The Jordan Dam and Lake can be traced to the Homestead Hurricane, which became a tropical storm that struck the Cape Fear River Basin 73 years ago. Construction began in 1967, and con-gress named the project in 1973 in honor of B. Everett Jordan the former Senator from North Carolina.

  • FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., Sept. 16, 2018 ­– For 21 years, Up & Coming Weekly has celebrated the very best in this community with a reader survey followed by a Best of Fayetteville celebration. This year’s celebration was scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 18. Due to flooding and other damage by Hurricane Florence, the party has been canceled.

    “We are heartbroken about the catastrophe faced by our community,” said Up & Coming Weekly Publisher Bill Bowman. “We congratulate each of the Best of Fayetteville winners wholeheartedly, but now is a time of rebuilding and putting lives and businesses back together.”

    The Best of Fayetteville readership survey is a rigorous process where Up & Coming Weekly readers vote for their favorite businesses, people and organizations. Thousands of readers cast their vote each year. Once the ballots are counted, the winners are honored with write-ups about them in Up & Coming Weekly’s largest edition of the year. This edition remains online all year long at www.upandcomingweekly.com.

    “Winning Best of Fayetteville is a really big deal,” said Best of Fayetteville Program Manager Don Garner. “The winners deserve to be recognized, and we will be contacting each winner in person in the coming weeks to make sure they are properly congratulated.”

    Up & Coming Weekly is much more than a weekly newspaper. Since its creation in 1996, the mission and focus of the publication has been to accentuate and illuminate the quality of life enjoyed here in Cumberland County. 

  • 08 jnews fraternizationA former 82nd Airborne Division first sergeant has been demoted and reassigned for having an affair with a lower ranking enlisted soldier. Sgt. 1st Class Chase Usher was previously assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team. He was removed from his leadership role and given a staff job with another unit, according to reporting by the Army Times.

    By early 2017, female recruits began taking basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia’s infantry school, where some of them also completed jump school and were assigned to the 82nd. Usher allegedly began an affair with one of the first woman graduates shortly after she reported to his newly integrated unit late last year. Both have been punished for their actions. 

    Female soldiers have been members of the Fort Bragg division, but until 2017, they were not integrated into combat infantry companies. The Army rolled out a leadership plan as the Defense Department lifted the final restrictions on women serving in direct-combat jobs in early 2016. 

    An investigation into the affair found Usher was an enthusiastic infantryman, and the relationship didn’t cause any questions of favoritism in the unit. But rumors about the two caused a lot of suspicion among the soldiers he was meant to lead. An Army investigator concluded that the affair had a “corrosive” effect on the unit, the Army Times reported. Usher did not respond to multiple requests for comment through email and Facebook messaging. 

    The woman in question arrived at Fort Bragg in August, according to the report. Dozens of soldiers in the company were aware of her September-October relationship with Usher, either because he had talked about it, they’d seen the two in public together or they’d heard rumors about the situation. Investigators said that early this year, the 82nd’s leadership had possession of a photo of the two making out outside Paddy’s Irish Pub in Fayetteville. The photo had already made the battalion rounds, thanks to a group text message. 

    Investigation witnesses included three women, who all agreed that Usher treated them as equals in the company. “In a work environment he treats both fairly from what I can tell,” one soldier said in a statement. To some, the relationship seemed out of character for the veteran NCO. Usher had personally led the training to prepare the unit to bring in women. But the investigator itemized graphic details of Usher’s private life. 

    A female platoon sergeant said Usher told a group of her colleagues that he was going to be Thor for Halloween but wouldn’t need to carry a hammer. “At multiple safety briefs, (redacted) encourages the company to ‘get (laid)’ and comments that he will be doing so over the weekend.” 

    Usher denied the relationship, as well as any past incidents of inappropriate behavior, in his sworn statement. Though the 82nd Airborne declined to provide details of the punishments handed down, Usher is no longer in a position of authority. 

    “This behavior does not exemplify the dedicated professionals of the 82nd Airborne Division,” spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Osorio said, adding that the division is committed to fostering trust and respect as the Army works through gender integration. 

  • 07 news genderFayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin said city council is in no hurry to amend a city ordinance governing Fayetteville’s human relations commission. The advisory commission has suggested adding gender identity and sexual orientation to its mandate. The proposal was deleted from the agenda of council’s last meeting. Some observers suggest that the longer the city puts the issue off, the more difficult it will be to deal with it. 

    The issue was discussed briefly during a city council dinner session that preceded the regular meeting. “Discrimination is unacceptable,” said Councilman Jim Arp. A couple dozen residents attended the meeting prepared to talk about the issue and did so during a public forum. Many of those who spoke identified themselves as members of the LGBT community. They urged council to adopt the proposed amendment. 

    Two months ago, the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission voted unanimously to ask council to make the change. The ordinance as structured decades ago allows the commission to investigate complaints of discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability and age. The change would add “sexual orientation, gender identity and veteran status” to the list.

    Tammy Fitzgerald of the North Carolina Values Coalition said the group has a petition with 329 signatures, 223 of which were those of people from Fayetteville. She urged council not to change the ordinance. The group believes it would violate state law, which prohibits cities and counties from changing local laws regarding public accommodations and private employment practices. 

    City Attorney Karen McDonald said, however, that the ordinance amendment would not violate the law since the Human Relations Commission does not have regulatory authority. It serves only as an advisory agency to local government.

    Members of Fayetteville Pride, which has a mission to embrace diversity, urged the city to make the change. “I’m very proud of who I am,” said Ashley Williams, who identified herself as a transgender woman who is a Christian. “Thirty-two percent of transgender North Carolinians report being fired, denied a promotion or not hired because of their gender identity or sexual expression,” Williams added. Several others spoke in favor of the proposed change.

    City Council created the Fayetteville Human Relations Advisory Commission and Human Relations Department in 1968 to provide channels through which racial tensions could be reduced and cooperation could be obtained. Cumberland County Commissioners also created an advisory commission that year. The city’s initial advisory commission was composed of 11 members representing a racial, ethnic and economic cross-section of the citizens of Fayetteville. 

    As a governmental body, the commission was subjected to the same supervision, personnel management, operation and budget procedures that applied to other city departments. Rep. Elmer Floyd, D-Cumberland, was an early director of the department. The commission’s task was to study problems of discrimination in various areas of human relationships and to encourage fair treatment and mutual understanding among all racial and ethnic groups in Fayetteville. Vacancies on the commission were filled by city council.

  • 06 news digestFayetteville’s mayor said he will establish a city council committee to develop a proposal for county commissioners on the future of sales tax distribution. Both local governments had agreed to settle the issue by next year. Council members hope to renew the current sales tax distribution agreement based on population.

    Mayor Mitch Colvin’s idea is to cap the percentage of revenue distribution through 2026. County government by law decides how to distribute the millions of dollars in state sales tax receipts returned to the community by the state. 

    The current inter-local distribution agreement will remain in effect until June 30, 2019. The towns of Spring Lake, Hope Mills, Stedman, Wade, Falcon, Godwin and Eastover are also parties to the arrangement. They’ve agreed to the current allocation made on a population basis, as well as a 50 percent rebate of city sales taxes to the county in areas annexed by Fayetteville in recent years. 

    The rebate is the heart of the issue. City council wants to phase it out and retain all sales tax proceeds received via the population method. 

    “I hope that as we approach this, we don’t even let ad valorem enter the vocabulary,” county commission chairman Larry Lancaster said recently. It’s the other method the county could use to allocate funds.

    World War II hero dies

    Former Staff Sgt. Russell Brown was one of the legendary paratrooperswho made every combat jump during World War II, forever cementing his place in the history of the 82nd Airborne Division. Brown passed away Aug. 31, at the age of 96 in Georgetown, Kentucky, according to his obituary. 

    A spokesman for the 82nd Airborne confirmed the Purple Heart recipient was one of the soldiers who parachuted into Salerno and Sicily, Italy, as well as Normandy, France, and Nijmegen, Holland.  

    Brown’s story was featured in “Four Stars of Valor: The Combat History of the 505th Parachute Infantry” and “All American, All the Way: The Combat History of the 82nd Airborne Division,” nonfiction accounts by Phil Nordyke, who told the story of his time as a mortar squad leader with Brown. After the Army, Brown went to work as an explosives technician at DuPont and Co. He is survived by two daughters, 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, according to his obituary.

    New police cars

    The city police department will soon be replacing about 16 percent of its fleet of cruisers. Unlike many law enforcement agencies, the FPD has avoided switching to SUVs. Chief Gina Hawkins said the department can purchase additional patrol cars with the savings. City council just authorized the purchase of 46 Dodge Chargers at a cost of $1.375 million from Performance Automotive Group of Clinton. It was the low bidder of three dealerships that submitted bids. For several years, the Fayetteville Police Department has been phasing out Fords in favor of Dodge Charger Pursuit models with 5.7-liter Hemi-V8 engines.

  • 06 news digestsMany Cumberland County thoroughfares have undergone a major transformation in recent years with the elimination of center turn lanes and the installation of medians. The North Carolina Department of Transportation says it’s in the interest of highway safety. 

    A major project already funded includes the planned upgrading of Raeford Road. DOT plans to install center medians from Robeson Street in the Highland Village area to south of Raeford Road’s intersection with Cliffdale Road in 71st Township. 

    Another regional project not previously announced includes Robeson Street from Blount Street near downtown to Raeford Road. The roadway will be reduced to four lanes with the elimination of the center lane and installation of a dividing median. Sidewalks will be installed on both sides of the street, along with bicycle lanes.

    More Hurricane Matthew recovery funding

    ReBuild North Carolina has awarded more than $286,000 to 22 families whose homes were damaged during Hurricane Matthew. The grants come through North Carolina’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funding. The families are in Cumberland, Robeson, Edgecombe and Wayne counties. The money will be used to repair their homes and to reimburse homeowners for work that is already completed. This funding is in addition to over $743 million already on the ground for small business recovery, public infrastructure repair and direct payments to homeowners including over $98 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency individual assistance. 

    “Recovery is picking up steam with more repairs getting underway and more families getting money back for home repairs,” said Mike Sprayberry, director of North Carolina Emergency Management. 

    The state is awaiting federal guidelines that will outline the use of an additional $168 million. Cumberland, Robeson, Edgecombe and Wayne counties have all had mandatory areawide environmental reviews approved allowing grant funds to flow. 

    ReBuild North Carolina has completed 483 home damage inspections and begun or completed 574 site-specific environmental reviews. CDBG-DR funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development is available to help low-to-moderate income families and individuals repair or rebuild following damage from Hurricane Matthew. 

    Service members beware

    Military men and women could be at risk of losing their security clearances if they don’t keep their personal finances in good shape. That’s because of changes in rules for the security clearance process, according to advocates. Under new guidelines, officials will conduct continuous monitoring of federal employees who have roles in national security, including service members. 

    Historically, individuals were up for periodic reviews every five to 10 years, depending on the type of clearance. The new, continuous evaluation will include a system that automatically pulls data on workers’ financial and criminal records, and eventually, data from social media. 

    “This new process might impact your DoD security clearance and prevent you from being deemed deployable, which could greatly impact your military career unless you can prove to DoD that you were the victim of identity theft, fraud or a mistake, and that you’re currently living within your means and are making a good-faith effort to resolve your unpaid debts,” stated a recent blog from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

    Under the new system, military members are going to have to face the consequences of those late payments or missed payments quicker than they would have.

    Renowned fashionista coming to Fayetteville

    Fashion designer Dorothy Grant will be in Fayetteville Saturday, Sept. 15, to present a runway show at the Arts Council gallery on Hay Street. Grant, an international designer who is Kaigani Haida from Alaska, is recognized for her Haida-inspired womenswear and menswear, scarves and leather accessories. 

    “Dorothy Grant is an artist, designer and visionary whose creations have graced the red carpet at the Oscars,” said Deborah Martin Mintz, executive director of the Arts Council. 

    The event is being staged in conjunction with the current exhibition “Contemporary Art Forms by America’s First People.” It includes portrait paintings, pottery, baskets and textiles by some acclaimed American Indian artists. 

    Grant will be available to meet the public at the Arts Council event, which will include a Champagne toast. The event will run 4-6 p.m. Sept. 15 at 301 Hay St. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at www.theartscouncil.com, or by calling the Arts Council at 910-323-1776. Proceeds go toward funding Native American make-and-take crafts at the 40th International Folk Festival on Sept. 28-30 in downtown Fayetteville.

    PWC celebrates

    Oct. 4 has been declared PWC Day by the city-owned utility. Events include tours of the Butler-Warner Generation Plant in Eastover as well as tours of Public Works water and wastewater plants.  

    “We’ll also have an up-close look at the power restoration, water main rehabilitation, PWC’s customer call center, emergency operations and new initiatives that will impact your utilities services,” said PWC representative Carolyn Justice-Hinsons. 

    The day will begin at 8 a.m. at the PWC Operations Center at 955 Old Wilmington Rd. Lunch and transportation to the various PWC facilities will be provided. Justice-Hinson said transportation will be available during the day should visitors need to leave at any point.

  • 13 Rev. KretzuThe town of Hope Mills recently joined the city of Fayetteville in establishing a law prohibiting citizens from engaging with panhandlers seeking donations from pedestrians or people in motor vehicles.

    This is a sensitive issue for many people, especially those who feel genuine compassion for those who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own and are seeking assistance until they can get back on their feet.

    But the problem in roadside requests for help is determining whether they are genuine or coming from someone who wants money to feed a drug or alcohol addiction.

    Rev. Bob Kretzu of Hope Mills United Methodist Church is familiar with the problem. Before coming to Hope Mills, he served pastorates in different communities and saw how those communities tried to offer real assistance to those in need.

    “One part is compassion, and another part is obedience, if you’re a Christian,’’ Kretzu said. “Nobody likes to be taken advantage of.’’

    Kretzu has been on the receiving end of numerous requests for assistance during his time as a minister. He tries to track each of them down and sadly reports it’s been his experience that nine out of 10 calls he has gotten for help over the years weren’t genuine.

    He recalled one experience when he was in Goldsboro helping with a relief effort following the devastation of Hurricane Floyd.

    At one benefit event, he said, a man walked in and began yelling, “I’m here for the free stuff.’’

    Kretzu said he is pleased when he comes to a community like Hope Mills where there is an existing cooperative ministry like ALMSHOUSE. Similar ministries exist in Fayetteville with Fayetteville Urban Ministry and the Salvation Army.

    The purpose of the ALMSHOUSE is helping families reach goals of sufficiency, along with feeding the hungry, clothing the needy and providing counseling and financial assistance. The town supports the ALMSHOUSE by holding regular collections of food in conjunction with its Food Truck Rodeos.

    “There, you feel like your compassion is satisfied,’’ Kretzu said of a community-based charity like the 

    ALMSHOUSE. “Your sense of obedience to care for those in need is satisfied, and your safety is preserved. You know the majority of (the benefits) are going to be used for a really redemptive purpose and not to support somebody’s addiction or other choice.’’

    The safety of the public is a major part of the problem with panhandling, Kretzu said. He previously worked in Durham, where over a period of eight years, the number of people panhandling on street corners and at intersections doubled.

    “It got to a point where they were fighting each other over the prime locations,’’ Kretzu said. “You worry about the safety of passengers in cars and interrupted traffic patterns.’’

    One person Kretzu worked closely with was actually pushed into oncoming traffic by a “homeless’’ person.

    That is one reason Kretzu is glad to work with an organization like the ALMSHOUSE in Hope Mills, which offers tangible support for people who have been identified as being in genuine need.

    “To me, it’s a win-win,’’ Kretzu said. “It’s a more redemptive use of my time to support a ministry like that than to try to meet the needs of individuals that come by the church. I love when I go into a community and one is already established.

    “I really believe in cooperative ministries.’’

    Photo: Reverand Bob Kretzu

  • 12 FTCCJust when you think the marketplace can’t get more competitive, some company ups the ante or changes the rules. If you don’t believe me, ask the people at Toys R Us, Blockbuster or Kodak. 

    Other than failure, the common denominator amongst these former titans is their complacent acceptance that “good” was good enough. 

    What they failed to understand is the innate human condition that I call “The Inflation of Expectations.” No matter what we have, we always want more, better, cheaper and quicker. It’s only natural. 

    Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, summed it up best when he said, “It’s impossible to imagine (that) a customer comes up and says, ‘Jeff, I love Amazon, I just wish the prices were a little higher, or... I just wish you’d deliver a little more slowly.’” 

    If you are not moving forward at a pace that’s faster than your key customers, you’re losing the race – even if you appear to be the leader.

    You’re probably thinking, great... I’m barely getting by in this dog-eat-dog marketplace, and this Kent Hill guy wants me to do more, cheaper, better and quicker. He’s nuts! If you are thinking that, you’re right on both counts: As George Bernard Shaw said, “Nothing great was ever accomplished by a reasonable man.”

    But what if there were a way to realistically improve your business? What if you had the tools to map and navigate your route from good to great? 

    Based on years of trial and plenty of error, FTCC’s Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Small Business has put several proven business tools together in a unique way to help companies grow from good to a sustainable great. It’s called the Profit Exceleration Program.

    In the first 10-week segment of the Profit Exceleration Program, participants distill their businesses to the essential elements through an adaptation of the Lean Business Model Canvas. Then they assess and chart their company’s current situation using The GrowthWheel, an innovative approach created by a successful Danish serial entrepreneur who realized that starting, growing or improving any business can be reduced to a set of critical decisions and actions. The 

    GrowthWheel helps users prioritize, decide and take action to improve those areas that are essential to the success of their enterprise.

    The next step is to begin transferring the GrowthWheel output into LivePlan, an online resource to fine-tune, communicate and administer a plan.  

    With this and some viability testing, participants are ready to move to the second 10-week segment of the Profit Exceleration Program: the implementation, funding, analysis and standardization of their progress. The Profit Exceleration Program is effective for existing companies and start-ups.

    Each of the two 10-week segments costs $180 and includes The GrowthWheel, LivePlan and QuickBooks Online, one-to-one business coaching plus some proprietary extras.  

    The first cohort of ten business owners will begin in mid-September.  For more information, write down a brief description of your business, your goals and the biggest obstacles you see in between. Email this to innovationcenter@faytechcc.edufor more information about the program. There are no shortcuts on the journey from good to great, and there is no guarantee of a safe arrival. But using proven tools and methods can make the trip a lot smoother and more rewarding.

    If nothing else, remember that good enough today is not good enough tomorrow.

  • 09 firemanSome veteran firefighters are asking why it took so long. The Cumberland County Fire Chiefs Association recently purchased ballistic protective gear for volunteer firemen as part of its active shooter response plan. 

    “Unfortunately, we are seeing increasing numbers of active shooter situations across the country,” said County Fire Commissioner Jimmy Keefe. “Our emergency responders are preparing should the unthinkable happen here,” he added. 

    All 19 rural county fire departments are being issued the equipment. Firefighters have been receiving specialized training in mass casualty life-saving, which integrates fire department and emergency medical personnel with law enforcement to rapidly extract and care for injured victims.

    Stoney Point Fire Chief Freddie Johnson is Fire Chiefs Association president. “Based on research from active assailant incidents, emergency responders needed to change the active shooter response model to save more lives,” Johnson said. “We must be prepared to move in and get the victims out.” Johnson cited the North Carolina Active Assailant and Mass Violence Work Group White Paper released in 2017. 

    Until now, fire department protocol in the city and county has been for rescue personnel to lay back while law enforcement officers deal with active shooter situations and clear the scenes. In many mass shootings across the country, heroic personnel have been found dead when they tried to help others and got no help themselves. 

    The Fire Chiefs Association spent approximately $90,000 for the equipment. Funding was appropriated by county commissioners from the 1.25-cent fire district tax receipts from Cumberland County’s unincorporated volunteer fire districts. The protective gear includes Kevlar helmets and ballistic chest and side bullet-resistant vests with striker plates capable of stopping high-velocity ammunition. 

    Purchasing the equipment became a priority because of increasing hostile fire incidents, according to Johnson. “Cumberland County Fire Service reached another milestone as we begin the process to equip all our volunteer fire departments with protective equipment that will allow our firefighters to enter an active shooter scene or mass-casualty incident in order to extract the injured as part of a rescue task force,” he said.

    Rescue teams consist of firemen or EMS personnel who are shielded by police officers in human extraction situations. 

    “We recognize a new chapter in public safety and the important role the fire and emergency service personnel have in our community,” Keefe said.

    The City of Fayetteville Fire Department was not included in the distribution of the protective gear. Its 17 fire stations are funded directly by city property tax receipts. “We are working to find financial resources to equip our firefighters with the equipment,” said Fire Chief Ben Major. 

  • 08 Around townIf you park your car on Person Street adjacent to the county courthouse, you might pull into a spot that indicates two-hour parking. You’ll do a double take at another sign on the same pole that says no parking. A closer look discloses that a small slot between two parking spaces has been carved out for access to a fire hydrant. 

    Sometimes, things stand out like a sore thumb. A drive along Hay Street reveals something never seen before: a massive high-rise construction crane next to the old Prince Charles Hotel building. 

    Downtown Fayetteville’s skyline will soon be quite different. Deputy City Manager Kristoff Bauer said the crane will be in position for the next couple of years for construction of an eight-story hotel and office complex that will be built on top of a five-floor parking garage. 

    With 13 stories, it will become downtown’s tallest structure. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat defines skyscrapers as those buildings which reach or exceed 490 feet in height. 

    The parking deck should be completed next spring when the minor league baseball stadium opens for business. But Bauer said it will be another year or so after that for construction to be completed on the entire project.

  • 07 surveryThree times since 2013, Fayetteville City Council has commissioned surveys that asked residents what they think about city government and the services provided. ETC Institute of suburban Kansas City, Missouri, has conducted the surveys every other year and included in its findings short-term increases and decreases in citizen satisfaction. 

    ETC has found that residents generally have a positive perception of Fayetteville. “The survey results helped to identify areas in which we are doing well and areas in which we need to improve or place additional emphasis,” City Manager Doug Hewett said.

    Residents report overall satisfaction with city services. Eighty-five percent of respondents gave high marks to fire protection and rescue services. Sixty-eight percent spoke highly of police protection. Other municipal services with the highest levels of satisfaction included solid waste (trash) collection, curbside recycling, the courtesy of city employees and the ease of reaching city employees. 

    Seventy-seven percent of the respondents said they feel safe walking alone in neighborhoods during the day. Parks and recreation programs and facilities are well-regarded across the city, which partially explains the success two years ago of a $35 million bond referendum. 

    The biggest complaints are unhappiness with traffic flow and lack of adequate maintenance of city streets. Most residents who answered the survey were neutral with traffic flow. The 43,000 citizens of West Fayetteville who were annexed 15 years ago are still unhappy with traffic issues. 

    Other areas with the lowest level of satisfaction included lack of bike paths, the slow removal of abandoned vehicles and the inadequacy of public parking in the downtown area. Thirty-one percent of the people said the city seemed unprepared to manage development and growth, something that caused council member Larry Wright to question whether people understand what the city does. “Our citizens are not really aware of all that we’re doing,” Wright said.

    ETC Institute Project Manager Jason Morado said the purpose of the biennial surveys is to gather input from residents so that the findings can serve as a benchmark for the future. The seven-page surveys were mailed to 4,000 randomly selected citizens. The goal was to receive at least 600 responses in return. Morado said 696 surveys were returned. Many of the respondents were also surveyed by emails. The margin of error was calculated to be +/- 3.7 percent.

  • 01 coverEditor’s note: Check the Up & Coming Weekly Facebook page for updates on rain dates due to Hurricane Florence.

    History. Prestige. Family.

    Those are words heard over and over again when you talk to golfers, sponsors and friends of the Cumberland County Golf Championship.

    The long-running staple of the golfing community in Fayetteville and Cumberland County marks its 50th anniversary this weekend, Sept. 14-16, at Gates Four Golf & Country Club with the 54-hole flighted competition for men and the revamped 36-hole edition for women.

    Here’s a preview of this year’s tournament, looking at the history and sharing the thoughts of some of the best players and major sponsors as to why this event has been a must on the calendar of the county’s golfers for so many years.

    The history

    Chip Beck has competed in some of the biggest golf tournaments in the world, including the Masters and the U.S. Open. But some of his fondest memories on the golf course were back in the late 1960s when he took part in the earliest days of the CCGC. 

    “It was one of the most fun events I played in all year,’’ Beck said. “It wasn’t very expensive to get in, and it had the biggest trophies I ever saw. I think they were the biggest trophies I ever got.’’

    What made it extra special for Beck was the competition, going head-to head with friends like Jim Adams, Ernie Massei, David Canipe, Andrew Stiles and Chris Newman.

    “It was like (being) king for a week,’’ he said of winning. “You got to be king amongst your buddies. We had a lot of fun with it.’’

    Beck said golf has always held a special place in both the state of North Carolina and in Cumberland County, which are among the reasons he thinks the county championship has survived all these years, even through some lean periods.

    “What better way to spend time with your friends,’’ he said. “It’s nice to see how you compete on the city and county level.’’

    It was those early experiences in the county championship, Beck said, that helped motivate him in his pursuit of a career on the professional tour. “You have a sense of... that relaxed concentration and joy that comes from playing a high level of golf,’’ he said, “Playing with your friends, playing in your community. I just felt it was the emotion and feeling I’d like to have and that I tried to carry on through all my golf. If you don’t want to be there, it’s not going to happen for you.’’

    Robert Wilson, currently the golf pro at Cypress Lakes, remembers a time when the county championship was held on two courses at the same time. There were leaderboards on the course and people were kept updated on how the field was doing.

    He praised Up & Coming Weekly publisher Bill Bowman for his recent involvement in the tournament and an effort to restore the event to the glory days of the 1980s.

    “The better golfers in each division in Cumberland County mark it on their calendars and wouldn’t miss it,’’ Wilson said. 

    The sponsors

    Billy Richardson of The Richardson Firm and Mac Healy of Healy Wholesale are both strong supporters of the Cumberland County Golf Championship and cite similar reasons for their commitment.

    Richardson said he grew up watching golfers play in the CCGC every year, citing Chip Beck, Chris Newman, Billy West and Mike Williford as people he watched hone their skills in the tournament.

    “The quality of golf here (and the rivalries through out the years) for a community of this size is amazing,” he said. “It’s such a good thing for the community. Being a small part of reviving the tournament, and especially of celebrating 50 years of it, is our privilege. As long as Up & Coming Weekly is sponsoring and participating in it, we plan on being a sponsor as long as they ask us to.”

    Healy’s business has been in Fayetteville since 1978. He said his family always watched the CCGC with great interest and that he was glad to be approached about being a sponsor because of the tournament’s great tradition. 

    “Part of it is giving back to the community,’’ he said. “This is amateur golf as its best. These guys are businessmen or lawyers or sell insurance or whatever the case may be. To all get together in a great fellowship once a year like that, it’s a thing you want to be involved in from a business standpoint. It’s what Fayetteville is all about. The locals have an opportunity to showcase their wares.’’

    Healy said there is great golf opportunity available here, with good public and private courses. “The community has always embraced golf,’’ he said. “We don’t have to pay the Pinehurst No. 2 rates to get out and play a round of golf here. That’s what makes it so appealing to everybody.’’

    The Everyman concept is a big part of the success of the CCGC, Healy said. “The guy bagging groceries is as likely to win the darn thing as a guy that practices every day and has lessons.”

    Wally Hinkamp, who owns Hinkamp Jewelers, has feelings about the tournament that are deeply personal. His brother, the late David Hinkamp, was a former champion of the CCGC, and Wally said it held a special place in his brother’s heart.

    “He was a pretty good athlete, but golf was his passion,’’ Wally said. David got his first golf lesson from the late Julius “Jack” Willis back at the old Green Valley Country Club in the early 1970s. “From that day forward, he was in love with the game of golf,’’ Wally said.

    David won the tournament in 1986, and Wally said it remained a special memory for David until his untimely passing. “He knew all the guys in the tournament,’’ Wally said. “They were all buddies and played together all the time. It was like getting a big group of friends (together) on a Sunday and playing against each other. That’s the reason it was so special. It was people they personally knew and not just strangers.’’

    Wally said he hopes Bowman and the many other sponsors of the CCGC will continue to work to make it the great event it once was. “It’s always been a well-run event, and it’s held a special place in my family’s heart all these years and will continue to,’’ he said.

     

     In previous incarnations of the CCGC, a separate competition was held for women at a different time and location.Since last year, the women have been competing on the same dates and course as the men. That will continue this year with one major change. The women will play 36 holes versus 54 for the men.

    DeeDee Jarman, deputy director of athletics at Methodist University, suggested the change to 36 holes for the women to Bowman in an attempt to increase participation. “The average age of the female golfer these days is 50 and above,’’ Jarman said. “Some women may not be able to withstand the heat and physical demands of playing a three-day tournament.’’

    Jarman added that it makes logistical sense for the women to play at the same time and location as the men. “The committee is not doing double work and it’s a big showcase for area golfers,’’ she said. “I think it’s a big draw that both are being held at the same time. This being the 50th year – it’s going to be a great event.’’

    She also saw it as an opportunity to continue bringing the women’s tournament back while giving them a chance to share the spotlight with the men.

    “I would like to see the females be just as strong,’’ she said, referring to the men marking the 50th anniversary of their tournament. “We want to make sure the women feel involved and connected, not (like) just tagalongs. Let’s get the field as strong as we can and support this tournament.’’

    The players

    Billy West and Thomas Owen represent both the old and the new in CCGC history. Owen graduated from Terry Sanford in 2007 and put up a fierce battle with West last year before West took the title.

    It was a special win for West, who won the tournament 20 years earlier and wasn’t sure if the time had passed for him to have another opportunity at taking the championship.

    “This is my home golf tournament,’’ said West, who serves as district attorney for Cumberland County. “I said it when I started playing it when I was 16, almost 30 years ago, and I’m still saying it. I think it’s because of the exposure... and the recognition you get among your family and friends and coworkers. It’s really different than any other tournament you play in.’’

    West used to be active in tournaments on the state and national level, but there’s still something about the Cumberland County Golf Championship that sets it apart from everything else. “There just wasn’t the same recognition you get from playing well in the county championship,’’ West said. “That always made it special. My favorite tournament has followed me through my lifetime.’’

    A hallmark of the tournament for West is the camaraderie that comes with it. He considers himself one of the older guys in the field now, joining a long list of names like Jon Riddle, Gene Howell, Mike Williford, Gary Robinson and Gary Moore who have been in the field for upwards of 30 years.

    But he said it’s not just a tournament for veterans. “The new folks like Thomas Owen have embraced and understand how significant it is to the golfing community,’’ West said. 

    West said he’s hitting the ball well and playing decent coming into this year’s event and hopes he’s got a chance at victory. “Anybody will tell you it comes down to getting a few breaks and putting well,’’ he said. “Getting the ball in the hole. That’s the big unknown. You won’t know until you get into the weekend.’’

    West said he never tires of that final round on Sunday, being in the hunt for the championship. “There’s nothing quite like it,’’ he said.

    Owen said this will only be his fifth time playing in the CCGC, but it already means a lot to him because of the deep tradition in Fayetteville golf going back to legends like Chip Beck and Raymond Floyd.He also has a strong connection to West. “As a kid, I looked up to Billy,’’ Owen said. “He’s become a great friend and kind of a golf mentor to me.’’

    Owen feels he’s had better success in match play competition than stroke play, but he’s hoping experience in tournaments like the CCGC will improve his efforts in stroke competition. “I’m glad to see this championship revitalized by Bill Bowman and Up & Coming Weekly,’’ Owen said. “When (hearing) stories about how there used to be hundreds of people in the tournament on different golf courses, you wish you were a part of that.’’

    After a good summer of tournament golf, including the Carolinas Amateur and the North Carolina Amateur, Owen feels he’s ready for another try at the CCGC title. “Golf is a fickle game,’’ he said. “For me, a lot of it comes down to driving and putting. You’ve got to put it in the fairway and make some putts.’’

    The course and format

    Kevin Levertu, general manager at Gates Four Golf & Country Club, said this year’s participants and spectators won’t be seeing any major changes in the tournament. The entry fee for the flighted tournament will be $175 for men and $145 for women. 

    The entry fee includes range balls, a commemorative gift, trophies, prizes and an invitation to the pre-tournament pairings party on Thursday in the main ballroom at Gates Four. 

    “This is the biggest event of the year,’’ Levertu said. “People pull out of other events to make sure they are geared for this event. People want their name on that trophy. It continues to push forward and thrive with the resurgence of Up & Coming Weekly coming on board to make sure it’s around another 50 years.’’

    Despite the blistering heat in recent weeks, Levertu said the course is in great shape for the tournament. “We need to continue irrigating and make sure we keep the greens from drying out,’’ he said.

    Spectators are reminded that they will not have access to carts during the tournament, and they are asked while walking the course to adhere to the rules and stay on the cart paths.

    For those who don’t want to walk to watch the golfers, Levertu said there are areas around the new pavilion at the clubhouse where they can sit and view action on multiple holes. “That would be a good place to see some good golf,’’ he said.

    Giving back

    There will be a ceremony recognizing the winners in the pavilion after the tournament. During the ceremony, Bowman will make a donation to the Kidsville News Literacy & Education Foundation and the Kay Yow Cancer fund. 

    Founded in 2011, The Kidsville News Literacy & Education Foundation is a recognized nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation under the laws of the state of North Carolina and provides free reading and educational resources to Cumberland County and Fort Bragg schools.

    In addition, the foundation awards grants to qualified organizations for the purpose of promoting education and improving literacy among America’s youth. 

    The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was founded in 2007 from the vision of Kay Yow, former N.C. State University head women’s basketball coach. 

    “It was DeeDee Jarman who advocated for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund,” Bowman said. “She thought it would tie in nicely while developing the CCGC Women’s Division.”

    Chasity Melvin is a former Lakewood High School and N.C. State basketball star who led the Wolfpack to the North Carolina Athletic Association Women’s Final Four and played 12 seasons in the Women’s National Basketball Association. She was inducted in the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. She is currently the coordinator of development for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. 

    “The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a homegrown, nonprofit organization here in North Carolina, started by our late, great mentor, hall of fame coach, N.C. State’s Kay Yow, who was extraordinary,” Melvin said. “She had a vision to raise money for all cancer research affecting women. Even though she battled breast cancer most of her coaching career, she didn’t want to just fund one cancer. She wanted to fund all research affecting women with all cancers and serve the under-served. 

    “She didn’t care. Small, big, multi-billion-dollar companies, she was all about uniting communities for a common cause. She really felt like whenever someone wanted to participate or sponsor the cancer fund, she was really adamant about getting the community involved, uniting them and spreading awareness.

    “I... want to just say a special thank you to Bill Bowman for really taking charge and bringing more awareness back to this golf tournament. Personally, from my own standpoint, working in a nonprofit organization and working at the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, I know how challenging it can be to get people onboard. Once they really learn what the cause is they’re supporting, you can’t help but want to be a part of it. I’m glad he sees the big picture. It’s so much more than golf. It’s so much more than money. For him to get behind the cause that affects many women in North Carolina, especially rural areas outside of Fayetteville, this is really great.’’

    Register for the 50th CCGC online at www.cumberlandcountygolfclassic.com.Email klavertu@gatesfour.com or call 940-425-6667 with questions

  • 09 John Chapman 2Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, 36, was killed soon after military action began in Afghanistan following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Chapman died in combat March 4, 2002. Sixteen years later, the Pope Air Field special operations airman received the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

    Why did the honor take so long?He was alone atop an Afghan mountain suffering from bullet wounds to his legs and surrounded by hundreds of al-Qaida militants. Chapman used his final moments of life to make sure other American troops had a chance to survive a battle in which they were significantly outnumbered. Chapman – believed dead when his comrades fled the mountaintop amid heavy fire – awoke from unconsciousness and fought off enemy attackers for an hour while a helicopter carrying an assault force of Army Rangers approached.

    Chapman, from the protection of a chest-high bunker, did the unthinkable – charged forward, turning his back on an enemy machine gun, and fired on two fighters preparing to launch rocket-propelled grenades at the incoming Chinook, killing them both. He was mortally wounded by the machinegun fire. For that action on the night of March 3 through the morning of March 4, 2002, President Donald Trump presented his family the Medal of Honor encased in a shadowbox earlier this month.

    Chapman had been attached as an Air Force combat controller to the Navy’s SEAL Team 6. He and fallen SEAL Petty Officer Neil Roberts had been left behind on the mountain. Early evidence about Chapman’s final hours was that a SEAL NCO incorrectly declared Chapman dead during the attack, The New York Times was the first to report. SEAL team leader, Master Chief Petty Officer Britt Slabinski, had ordered his outgunned and heavily bloodied team to withdraw. 

    Slabinski, who received the Medal of Honor for his own actions earlier in that battle, credited Chapman with saving the lives of his teammates and endorsed him for the Medal of Honor. 

    Chapman was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, the second highest Air Force award for valor. 

    For many years, some Air Force officials believed Chapman deserved the Medal of Honor. But until a lengthy two-and-a-half-year investigation into Chapman’s heroism was completed, that went unproven. 

    Chapman was assigned to the U.S. Air Force 24th Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Field. It is an Air Force component of Fort Bragg’s Joint Special Operations Command. Combat Controllers are skilled battlefield airmen who are often assigned individually to special operations teams to provide expert battlefield airstrike control and communications capabilities. 

    Evidence compiled in 2016 by a team of 17 Air Force special operators proved Chapman had indeed lived longer than originally reported. He continued to fight and likely intentionally gave his own life to give others a better chance to survive. New technology used in an examination of videos from aircraft flying overhead indicated that Chapman killed the two al-Qaida fighters before “dying in an attempt to protect arriving reinforcements,” The New York Times reported. 

    The review also relied heavily on video recorded by a predator drone overhead throughout much of the fight, according to an Air Force special tactics officer who was involved in the investigation. What the team found was “awe inspiring” and left little doubt that Chapman’s actions deserved the military’s highest honor for battlefield valor, the officer said.

    Along with Chapman, six other Americans died during what became known as the battle of Roberts Ridge. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis made the recommendation to upgrade Chapman’s Air Force Cross earlier this year. 

    Photo: John Chapman

  • 08 defense tech firmGreater Fayetteville is the beneficiary of a Department of Defense realignment of analysts and consultants. This summer, the Pentagon announced that in the future, all strategic analysis will be outsourced to private corporations. Defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.is replacing tens of thousands of strategists across the Department of Defense with a much smaller number of consultants.

    Booz Allen Hamilton is an information technology consulting firm headquartered in McLean, Virginia. It announced that it is doubling its Fayetteville workforce of 200 employees already employed at its offices on Morganton Road. The company has been chosen to assist the Pentagon and its subordinate commands in disbanding their strategic plans and policy staffs, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said.

    North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced at a news conference that the company will hire another 208 employees locally. The announcement was made at the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation office. Booz Allen Hamilton plans to expand its local operation over the next five years in exchange for more than $2 million in state and local tax incentives. 

    The state’s Economic Investment Committee unanimously approved a job development investment grant for the company minutes before the local announcement was made. Fayetteville City Council and Cumberland County Commissioners awarded tax rebates of up to $89,000 each. 

    Cooper said Booz Allen picked Fayetteville because of Cumberland County’s workforce, which is strengthened by veterans and military spouses who live here. The company emphasizes employing military veterans. 

    “The majority of these new jobs will be IT focused, and Booz Allen knows we have the IT talent and training resources to deliver so they can continue tackling the complex military, business and government challenges of today and the future,” Cooper added.

    Booz Allen Hamilton has 14 offices around the country and a total global workforce of 24,600 employees. 

    “The creation of these high-quality jobs confirms our status as a defense and innovation hub and brings important new career opportunities to our community,” said Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin.

    Booz Allen Hamilton plans to hire mostly IT specialists, data scientists and engineers – at an average salary of $64,000, according to County Commission Chairman Larry Lancaster. The company also plans to make more than $5 million in capital improvements to its Fayetteville offices in the three-story building at the corner of Morganton and Sycamore Dairy Roads.

    Booz Allen Hamilton will roll out its expansion in two phases, with the first involving moving new offices into 6,000 square feet of additional space on the ground floor of the building – space made available by the recent relocation of the Richardson Law Firm. The company’s existing offices take up 11,000 square feet on the second and third floors of the building. When the current lease is up in 2020, the company plans to relocate to accommodate future growth.

  • 07 first respondersShowing off its new logo and symbol of pride, the 2018 Campaign of Honor continues to pay tribute to Cumberland County’s first responders in remembrance of September 11, 2001. This week, Fayetteville and Cumberland County Law Enforcement and area fire departments were at the center of attention. Sen. Wesley Meredith, friends and colleagues  visited the city and county fire departments, Hope Mills and Fayetteville police departments and the Cumberland County Sheriff ’s Department. 

    Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins welcomed Meredith and those with him to the department with introductions to her key staff and an update on the successes of community crime prevention programs.

    Hope Mills Police Chief Joel Acceiardo introduced the visiting group to his key officers and explained some of the interactive community awareness programs that have been successful in controlling crime and creating safe neighborhoods. 

    At the county level, Sheriff Ennis Wright welcomed everyone to the Law Enforcement Center, and Chief Deputy Richard Jenkins gave a tour of the downtown facility. 

    While on this tour, Meredith said, “I’m very impressed and encouraged at the extraordinary efforts being made by local law enforcement to encourage and implement proactive community awareness programs that have resulted in forging trust and invaluable partnerships with the residents of Cumberland County.  

    “Cooperation, communication and teamwork between these law enforcement professionals are what make Cumberland County communities safe places to live and work. Very impressive.”  

    All the entities visited offer a variety of ongoing awareness programs, including citizens academies designed to educate the public and provide a better understanding of the challenges and conditions that law enforcement officers face each and every day. 

    Next stop was the Fireman’s Association meeting in Stedman, where Meredith and associates extended their appreciation to the professionals of the Fayetteville and Cumberland County fire departments for their dedication to public safety. Meredith and the members of the 2018 Campaign of Honor extended everyone a personal invitation to the First Responder’s Reception that will be held Sept. 11 in downtown Fayetteville. 

    The highlight of the reception will be the introduction and recognition of  Fayetteville resident Bettye Glenn. Glenn was a survivor of the North Tower 9/11 terrorist attacks. She shared her amazing and touching experience with Meredith and colleagues at the Stedman Fire Department. As Glenn was escaping down the stairwell from the 24th floor, she came face to face with a young fireman heading upward. 

    “Honestly, I will never forget the look on his face,” she said. Ever since then, Glenn said, she has been a strong advocate for all firemen. Her interview and story have been documented on film and will  be available to view on local social media networks soon.

    The Sept. 11 First Responder’s Reception will be held at The TapHouse, located at 411 Hay St. in historic downtown Fayetteville, from 5:30-7 p.m. The event is being hosted by Eben Concepts, Up & Coming Weekly, Williford Hollers Crenshaw Boliek & Frangakis LLP, Huske Hardware House and other local businesses and organizations.

  • 06 news digestNorth Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement special agents arrested 226 people on alcohol, drug and other charges during an operation Aug. 24 as part of a statewide crackdown. During the operation, ALE special agents in Fayetteville intervened during a disturbance outside a Food Lion on Rosehill Road. 

    “Agents were checking ABC-licensed businesses, of which the Food Lion is one,” State Bureau of Investigation representative Patty McQuillan said. They heard a gunshot and responded to the scene. “A man was shot in the stomach area, and an ALE and SBI agent applied pressure to the wound and kept the suspect conscious during the event.” 

    Fayetteville police said a man later identified as Marquel White, 26, was walking toward his vehicle in the parking lot with his 2-year-old daughter in his arms when a male subject began following him yelling expletives at him. After White put his daughter in the car, he was attacked by the male subject, who brandished a knife. 

    “White fired a handgun at the man, striking him in the abdomen,” said Fayetteville police spokesman Lt. Gary Womble. Police have not released the name of the man with the knife.

    More Hurricane Matthew relief

    Hurricane Matthew environmental reviews have been approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Cumberland, Edgecombe and Wayne counties. They will provide hurricane repair funds from Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery. 

    “Many residents in these three counties have been waiting for this approval so repairs and reimbursements can move forward for them,” said North Carolina Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry.” He added that the pace of HUD-funded repairs will accelerate quickly. Once homeowners formally accept their CDBG-DR awards, home repairs and reimbursements can follow.  

    Homeowners who have already completed repairs and are seeking reimbursements will receive their reimbursement checks at closing. 

    Congress initially appropriated $235 million in CDBG-DR funds to help residents in North Carolina recover from Hurricane Matthew. HUD has designated 80 percent of that funding to be used in the four counties hit hardest by Matthew: Cumberland, Edgecombe, Robeson and Wayne. Congress has identified an additional $168 million in CBDG-DR funds for North Carolina, and those funds will become available to the state once guidelines for their use appear in the Federal Register.

    Soldier killed in out-off-state plane crash

    A Fort Bragg soldier was among four victims killed in a small plane crash in Georgia earlier this month. The U.S. Army parachute team, the Golden Knights, said Staff Sgt. Aliaksandr Bahrytsevich, 31, was killed in the crash in Swainsboro. Bahrytsevich was originally from Belarus. He was off duty at the time of the crash. 

    “Alex was extremely passionate about the sport of skydiving and always sought opportunities to coach and mentor other members of the team,” the Golden Knights said in a statement. “Alex served the U.S. Army with distinction and pride.” 

    The Federal Aviation Administration said a Cessna 182A aircraft crashed just after takeoff from East Georgia Regional Airport. According to reports, a fifth person was badly injured and was in critical condition. 

    Arts Council director to retire

    Deborah Martin Mintz, executive director of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, says she will retire in early 2019. Mintz has worked with the Arts Council for more than 24 years, serving as executive director for 17 of them. “I am honored to have served this community through the arts and Arts Council for over two decades,” Mintz said. 

    A national search is underway to fill Mintz’s position. “Deborah’s many years of progressive leadership, vision, management and operation of the Arts Council has firmly established the organization as a premier nonprofit arts agency in our community and one of the best in the state of North Carolina,” said David Phillips, president of the board of trustees of the Arts Council. 

    A Dickens Holiday, 4th Fridays, the International Folk Festival and numerous popular events and programs were started or expanded during her tenure. The organization was founded in 1973 and is located at 301 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville.

    Cumberland County Fair

    The Cumberland County Fair is well underway on the grounds of the Crown Complex. Ticket prices are $7. Unlimited carnival ride wristbands are $25. Individual ride tickets and wristbands are sold separately. Admission prices vary from day to day. Children under 2 years old get in free. 

    The annual event celebrates the county’s agricultural heritage and combines family fun and entertainment with exciting rides and fair food. The exhibit hall features commercial, educational and informational booths as well as agricultural exhibits. 

    Events include an interactive petting farm; Great American Timber Show; World of Wonders Show; Escape Explosion Show; Ring Wars Carolina Wrestling; racing pigs; toddler driving school; family and consumer sciences education; home, craft and agricultural exhibits; and a wide range of performances on the entertainment stage. 

    Tickets can be purchased by phone at 1-888-257-6208, on the web at CapeFearTix.com, or in person at the Crown Box Office.

  • uac090810001.gif This week marks a couple of anniversaries. They aren’t the kind that you celebrate, rather the kind that you look back on and probably shed a few tears over and then give thanks that you or your family or your friends made it through.

    I’m sure you have figured out by now that I am talking about the anniversaries of 9/ll and Katrina. Both impacted our nation in very real, very painful ways and both found our nation unprepared.

    I look back on pre- 9/11 days and marvel at the total lack of security we had in our communities. Think about it: Fort Bragg had just started putting up gates a year or so prior to 9/11, and none of them were staffed. I wasn’t at Fort Bragg’s command center the evening of 9/11, but I know it had to be chaotic. Within a few short hours, Fort Bragg became a veritable fortress.

    As I tried to get to work on Sept. 12, I was met with a parking lot on All American. I left my home at 6:30 a.m. and drove to my baby’s daycare on Morganton Road. I got on All American at a little after 7 a.m., and I didn’t walk in the doors of Womack Army Medical Center, where I worked at the time, until after 5 p.m. Everything was stymied. No one really knew what to do, and none of us knew what to expect.

    I did not expect to spend a whole day on the All American. I didn’t expect to field phone calls from the hospital’s PAO office all day on my personal cell phone, but I did. Imagine my surprise when I got my telephone bill and it was more than $300.

    To me, having my vehicle searched by armed soldiers at the checkpoint for the post, and again at the checkpoint for the hospital, was like something out of a movie. That didn’t happen in our country. Not in my America. But when the Towers fell, our innocence was ripped apart, and the things that we saw on newsreel from foreign countries became our reality.

    As I inched my way to post that day, I knew that our lives were forever changed. As a military spouse, I expected my husband to go on training missions and to be gone for a few weeks at a time. Never, in my wildest dreams did I ever think that the infant I dropped off that morning would grow to a 10-yearold, and have his dad deployed to war for more than five of those years.

    That morning, as I grumbled about the wait, I couldn’t begin to perceive the loss of talented, caring people who havehurricane.gif made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation. That wasn’t our America. But it is now.

    None of us expected 9/11, but we have adapted because of it. We have changed. And it has made us stronger.

    Katrina had a different impact on us. For some, the devestation of the storm shook their faith in our government’s ability to respond to us in crisis. I remember vividly watching the devestation in New Orleans through the lens of news reporters. They brought the hopelessness and the misery into our homes. We couldn’t think about being those people. They were our neighbors, even though they were miles away.

    Like New York stood back up in the days and weeks following 9/11, New Orleans staggered to its feet and in its finest tradition thumbed its nose at chaos and chose to come back to life.

    If the anniversary of these two events is to be more than sadness, it should be a celebration of the strength of our nation. A testament to our unfaltering ability to get back up when we are knocked down, and a witness to the way we care for one another.

  • The Possession  (Rated PG-13) 2 Stars09-19-12-possession.gif

    The Possession(92 minutes) is like every other movie about demonic possession you ever saw. But get this. Instead of drawing on Christianity for its backstory, it draws on Judaism. Instead of the stars being non-practicing Christians, they are non-practicing Jewish people. The idea that the father, at least, is Jewish is advanced very subtly via mention of Wagner. You see he is divorced, and when his ex-wife mentions that she is attending a Wagner concert with the new boyfriend, he smirks. I think it is a credit to Jeffrey Dean Morgan that he manages to convey the anti-Semitism of Wagner with a mere quirk of the lip and raised eyebrow, while also sneering at the subconscious rejection of his beliefs inherent in his ex-wife embracing a new-found love of Wagner. Or maybe Wagner is just Wagner and I was groping for something interesting to write about.

    The film opens with a True Story disclaimer that conveniently explains the timeline of events as a 29-day period. As a framing device it adds nothing to the plot and has no significance to the story. It comes off as a cheap and gimmicky attempt to capitalize off the popularity of documentary-style, shaky-cam films. That, in turn, not only turns me against it before it even begins, but sets up audience expectations that are not fulfilled.

    The first scene begins with a woman trying to destroy an intricately marked up box. Since the audience knows the box is somehow a source of evil no one is surprised when the woman strokes out and ends up as a limp ball on the floor. Her son finds her and in fairly short order begins to liquidate her assets via the ever popular yard sale. Clearly he is a bad son who is just itching to put his mom in a home, as evidenced by the way he grabbed things at random out of her house to sell from her yard. Too bad for the unsuspecting passersby that the demonic items are priced to sell, as the recently divorced Clyde (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and his two kids Emily and Hannah (Natasha Calis and Madison Davenport) sadly discover.

    Emily, a naïve, optimistic adolescent going through her vegetarian phase, is quick to succumb to the seduction of the dark side. It turns out the box her loving father purchased for her is home to a dybbuk, a demon by any other name. Em makes friends with the spirit, and endures increasingly lengthy episodes of its possession. At first the young actor does a pretty good job with the possession scenes, but she loses track of the difference between acting and overacting in short order.

    Even after consulting with a professor of some kind Daddy Dearest isn’t able to convince his wife (eternally young Kyra Sedgewick) of the need for some serious intervention before a hag-ridden Emily manages to convince everyone that he is a Bad Daddy. A couple of contentious court hearings and one restraining order later, Clyde has headed for New York’s Jewish district to get some answers and recruit some dude to exorcise his daughter.

    Anyway, if you have seen The Exorcist you probably don’t need to bother with this one. The young spiritual guy trying to exorcise the tricky demonic being, the male screaming “Take me! Take me!” and the little girl growling out “Em’s not here” while twitching … it’s been done. And as it is presented here, these tributes to other, more original, possession movies come off as borderline parody. The only really scary bit is watching the little girl leap onto full grown adults like a feral animal — and that gets old quickly. Overall, if you have never seen another movie about exorcism, you might get some cheap thrills out of this one. Just don’t buy your ticket expecting any major scares.

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

  • Last spring I watched The Long Way Round box set. This DVD set is a mini-series by the BBC featuring actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman riding around the world from England to New York. They were riding dual09-15-10-motorcycle.gif sport or what some people call adventure riding. It gave me an appreciation for a new type of riding and made me realize the world is a big a place with lots of places that I have not explored. I wanted something that would push me and to experience something new on my bike. I found it at the annual Miller’s Adventure.

    This years’ Miller’s Adventure is Sept. 18 & 19 at Steel Creek Campground in Morganton, NC. The event is challenging and requires a streelegal dirt or dual-sport bike. The event navigates you on- and off-road zig zagging across the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail through North Carolina and Tennessee. The event is hosted by Ron Miller. He does not give out the route until you get there and receive your “roll chart” directions.

    Roll chart are not maps but rather give you distances and turning instructions as you proceed from one point to another. The charts give you distances and turn information (right or left). This method forces you to navigate from start to finish. As I arrived at the event last year, I met up with Rick Lee and we decided to ride together. We took turns on navigational duties with one leading and the other double checking our progress. At each stop we would stop a moment to make sure we was on course. Last year’s trip took us about 120 miles the first day and 100 miles the second.

    To prepare for the event I emailed Ron for some advice to see what I was getting into. I asked questions like what experience level do I need, what tires I should have, what equipment I should bring, etc. He was very nice and gave me very detailed suggestions including where to stay.

    The event was attended by all ages, even a few in their late 60s. As we rode, Rick was giving me pointers along the way but I was having so much sensory overload with everything going on that I just wasn’t getting what he was saying. It wasn’t until that night while talking with Rick and other riders that I started my education. I say started because I am still learning. With a vast variety of experience present, I was in listening mode to hear advice on such things as tire pressure, body position, weight distribution and equipment needed for dual-sport riding. With so many different bikes and configurations there was only one common detonator I could find. That was the rider and the rider’s experience.

    The next day I lowered my tire pressure, changed my riding position, lightened my load and was more mindful of my bike. I truly had to become one with the bike and started focusing on technique (more to follow on this subject).

    After the event I was hooked. Up until that point, I had not had that much adrenal pumping in my veins since my jumping days. I felt more alive with every mile I traveled. If you are looking for something new and want to enjoy a challenge and the mountains you can contact Mr. Ron Miller at millerron@ bellsouth.net.

    If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, please send your comments and suggestions to motorcycle4fun@aol.com. RIDE SAFE!

    (Photo) Miller’s Adventure at Steel Creek Campground in Morganton., NC offers a challenging, but good time.

     

     

    (Photo) Miller’s Adventure at Steel Creek Campground in Morganton., NC offers a challenging, but good time.

  • Bragg Boulevard: A Love/Hate Relationship09-28-11-pub-notes.jpg

    I fielded an interesting phone call at the offi ce this week. The caller didn’t leave his name, but based on our conversation I am confident that he owns a business on Bragg Boulevard. The caller asked why in the world we would have a category called “Best thing to Hide from Visitors” in our Best of Fayetteville edition when Up & Coming Weekly works so hard all year to promote small businesses and lift up the best in our community.

    After he hung up I thought about it and I have to admit, condemning an entire street, one that is 15-miles long and a main thoroughfare in our community does seem a bit counter-productive to the mission of our publication.

    Our publisher maintains that the Best of Fayetteville serves many purposes. It provides valuable information and insights into the Fayetteville community. Reporting with credence and credibility what is NOT the best in our community also lies within our mission and is valid, and I respect that.

    It was our readers though, who voted and awarded this title to Bragg Boulevard. This is not the first time that Bragg Boulevard has won this dubious distinction. In fact, it has held the title for a number of years. It makes me wonder if it has become such a tradition that people really don’t really think too hard about it when they see this space on the ballot. But maybe they do.

    The caller pointed out to me that several of our Best of Fayetteville winners are located on this supposedly wretched road. He’s right.

    Thai Pepper won Best Thai Food and they have a location on Bragg Boulevard that stays quite busy. MiCasita won Best Mexican/Best Burritos and they have a location on Bragg Boulevard, too, as does KFC who won Best Fried Chicken. M&M Leather and Custom Cycle is our readers’ choice for Best Leather Store, New and Nearly New Thrift Shop is the Best Place to Buy Used Furniture. Edward McKay won Best Used Book Store. They are all located on the boulevard.

    The Trophy House, which is one of the Best of Fayetteville sponsors, calls this street home. The Renaissance European Day Spa won several categories, just like they have in years past. They took Best Day Spa/Nail Salon/Leg and Bikini Wax/Massage Therapist and Best Health Club/Gym. Where are they located? Right behind Eutaw Shopping Center, which is on, you guessed it, Bragg Boulevard. Perhaps one of the biggest contributors to our community in both dollars and population — Fort Bragg — has several gates on Bragg Boulevard.

    The N.C. Veterans Park was voted Best Change to Fayetteville and rests on the downtown end of the Best Thing to Hide From Visitors, right next to the Airborne Special Operations Museum, which also won several categories in our Best of Fayetteville edition — Best Little Known Attraction/Best Thing to Show Out-of-Towners and Best Museum.

    Did you miss that? The Best Thing to Show Out-of-Towners is on the street that won Best Thing to Hide from Visitors.

    Our readers know what’s good in this town, they tell us every year and have proven to be right time after time. Why they voted this particular street a disgrace when it holds some of our best treasures is something I can’t answer. Does it have some establishments that are not family friendly and are even a bit shady? Yep. So do several other streets in town, and somehow they escape our reader’s scrutiny. Are the businesses that line the road aesthetically pleasing? Is it a place you would feel comfortable walking at night? We have to say no.

    Could it be? Can Bragg Boulevard turn itself around the way downtown did a decade or so ago? Are the businesses that our reader’s love best organizing themselves and working together to change their corner of the world?

    What I gleaned from this caller is that the business owners, maybe not all of them, but many of them, know this and are working every day to bring more and better goods and services to our community. They are trying to meet the needs of their customers, provide for their families and contribute to the community just like the businesses downtown, Sycamore Dairy Road, Raeford Road, Morganton Road, Reilly Road and all the other roads that are home to the thousands of small businesses in the community that play a part in making Fayetteville the All-America City that we call home.

    They are succeeding in that aspect. But think about this: Maybe the boulevard gets this vote so often because our readers see so much potential here. They are willing to eat, shop, workout, get pampered and do business on this road, many of their favorite places are here — but there is still a lot of work to be done.

  • uac091212001.gif The Best Is Getting Better

    The Best is still getting better. You are reading our most popular special edition of the year. It’s the most read and sought after issue of the entire year: The 15th Annual 2012 Best of Fayetteville.

    Every September for the past 15 years we have honored and recognized the “best of the best” people, businesses and organizations that have shaped, impacted and defined our community’s unique, awardwinning quality of life. So, enjoy! Save this special edition all year long and use it as your personal reference for where to go to get the best professional services, shop, dine and play. The complete edition will be available 24/7 on our website at www. upandcomingweekly.com with hyperlinks to the websites of the 2012 winners. Get to know them and become familiar with proven, local businesses and organizations that have, by their actions and attention to detail, shown they have mastered the art of quality workmanship, superb service and good ole-fashioned southern hospitality. To all of the winners, we want to say thank you and congratulations on your achievements!

    Winning a Best of Fayetteville award is a cherished honor. I want to thank our loyal and long-time sponsors for supporting this event and helping us maintain the program’s prestige, integrity and legitimacy. In large part that integrity is owed to Lee Utley and Dale Knowles of Utley & Knowles, CPAs. Serving this community since 1986 Utley & Knowles assisted in counting, validating and verifying the ballots.

    Jimmy Keefe and Steve Driggers of Clark’s Sporting Goods/ The Trophy House are our partners every year in creating the beautifully designed award certificates and plaques.

    Rob Kallmeyer, owner of Brainbox Development, designed and implemented our first-ever Best of Fayetteville online ballot. It worked perfectly.

    To Josh and Tonya Collins and the great staff at Wet Willies, we give thanks for hosting our 15th Annual Best of Fayetteville Awards Party.

    And, last, but certainly not least, we want to thank our newest sponsor Mac Edwards and the great community radio stations of Beasley Broadcasting. They were magnificent in getting the word out and getting the votes in. Wow! What a line up of great community partners. Without their help, understanding, support, assistance and expertise Up & Coming Weekly would not be able to maintain this important program. As you travel throughout the community, look for the Best of Fayetteville plaques and certificates on display at the businesses you frequent. Look for our logo in their newspaper and TV ads. Listen for it to be mentioned in their radio commercials or appear as a symbol of excellence posted on their websites.

    This issue is a labor of love for the professional staff of Up & Coming Weekly. At a time when traditional newspapers nationally are tasked with maintaining their relevancy as a media source and many struggling for survival, community newspapers like Up & Coming Weekly continue to grow and prosper. Why? Because our dedicated and professional staff stay in touch with the community and make telling Fayetteville’s story our #1 priority. Nobody does it better. T

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

  • 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!

    09-04-13-pub-notes.gifHowever, 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.

  • 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.

    09-11-13-window-cling.gifDon’t miss it!

    09-11-13-bof-2013-logo-use.gifThis 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:

    09-11-13-party-invite-ad-1-2v.gif

  • uac091813001.gif 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.

  • Cumberland County’s Fair: County Tradition — Awesome Fun

    I’ve heard people say that Cumberland County should not be in the coliseum and event business. Yes, I agree. However, I have also heard some say that Cumberland County should not be in the county fair business. Are you kidding me?

    This, is an absurd notion. Actually, it is the kind of event our county should support, nurture and actively involve itself in. The Cumberland County Fair has been in successful existence serving our community for more than 50 years. And, this year’s theme “A Family Heritage” spoke volumes of the tradition, hospitality and economic vitality the Cumberland County agricultural community contributes to our quality of life. Ahhhh! The sights, sounds and smells of this year’s fair will remain with me for a long time.

    09-25-13-pub-notes.gifI have no idea how many people attended this year’s 11-day event but, I will bet that Fair Manager Hubert Bullard and Fair President Lynn Tollett and their dozens of community volunteers will post record numbers. People came from all over the Cape Fear Region to participate in this traditional annual celebration and recognition of the products grown and produced by our local agricultural community. My guess would be that many of the people attending the fair didn’t even know we have an agricultural community.

    I write about this only because our Coliseum Complex is in transition. This is a good thing. A new private-management firm is slated to take over shortly with a plan to revitalize the Crown Complex into a valuable community asset so it can better serve the entire community. This task is very doable and I think the Coliseum Board has made an excellent choice in the Philadelphia-based Global Spectrum Company. However, a word of caution is appropriate here. In this transition, as in many past Cumberland County transactions and transitions, we undoubtedly will have people scrambling behind the scenes and standing in the shadows ready to wield power, influence and trump up expertise in hopes of directing and influencing the decision of this new company. And for what? Personal gain. It seems to be in Cumberland County’s DNA. It is my hope that the powers that be will not let this happen and the best and most current example just may be the controversy over our Cumberland County Fair. Here we have a documented North Carolina State Champion AAA Fair, a nationally acclaimed and recognized Champion of Champions Fair and, most recently, a national 2012 Premier Agricultural Fair.

    The Cumberland County Fair has a long tradition and a rightful place in our community. It is a unique community asset that should be treasured and preserved and its future should not be dictated by people who cannot distinguish a parking lot carnival from a certified, licensed agricultural fair.

    Again, many thanks and kudos to Ms.Tollett and her loyal volunteers; Hubert Bullard for his leadership and perseverance and to the tens of thousands of men, women and children who came to experience the fun and excitement of our own agricultural fair midway. See ya next year!

  • The Fury in Ferguson: Quest and Question of Justice

    Sometimes events happen in faraway places that impact how we live and how we feel in our very own hometowns. All eyes have been focused on Ferguson, Mo., as millions of Americans try to figure out what the 21st century definition of “justice” really is. To this point, I yield my space this week to someone who can speak to that subject.

    Ferguson, Mo., erupted onto the American conscience on Aug. 9, when an unarmed 18-year-old, Michael Brown, was shot and09-03-14-pub-notes.gif killed by Darren Wilson, a police officer with the Ferguson Police Department. That Brown was black and Wilson is white, arguably, is no less important to the narrative than the facts leading up to Brown’s killing. That is true in part because of the existing poor relations between the black public and their police department at the time of Brown’s death, and made worse after white police officers let Brown’s dead, blood-soaked body remain on full display, in the middle of the street, for several hours, while concealing for a week the identity of the white officer who had killed the teen after shooting him six times, twice in the head. The racial flames were further fanned by the account of several eye witnesses who said the unarmed teen had raised his hands in the universal symbol of surrender, while pleading with Officer Wilson not to shoot. And notwithstanding the relevance and importance of those accounts, inexplicably, the Ferguson Police Department chose not to interview the alleged witnesses regarding their statements.

    Understandably, not unlike the citizens of Ferguson, every other reasonable, rational person on the planet would be hard-pressed to reconcile why investigators would not, well, investigate, which, by definition, would have to include speaking with every person who may have seen or heard anything concerning the cause and circumstances that resulted in Brown’s death. That no such reasonably hoped-for investigation occurred only solidified in the minds and hearts of Ferguson’s already disaffected black citizenry that there would be no justice. And, correctly, the Ferguson Police Department reasonably anticipated there would be no peace, but, as a precaution, incorrectly made containment a priority rather than transparency and due process

    .What followed were the unconstrained emotions that can and often do flow from the feeling of being yet again violated, devalued and victimized by a long-term foe, in this case, the police. Blacks and their historical relationship to police brutality necessarily conjures up the painful 1960s images of Birmingham’s so-called Commissioner of Public Safety, Eugene “Bull” Connor, police attack dogs, night sticks and powerful fire hoses that conspired, with impunity, to terrorize black men, women and children. The anticipation of perennial impunity for perceived police misconduct is the fuel that precipitates — though it does not excuse — the violence and property damage that often occurs during these tragic times.

    Ferguson’s blacks and whites comprise 63 percent and 33 percent of the population, respectively. And yet, there are only three black officers out of the 53 commissioned officers on the Ferguson Police Department. That blacks account for 86 percent (12percent for whites) of all traffic stops, and 92 percent of all arrests (7 percent for whites) creates more than enough suspicious fodder that white police officers target black drivers (and in Brown’s case, pedestrians) and reserve for them a special brand of policing, which almost a 100 percent of the time leads to their arrest (and in Brown’s case, death).

    While not a failsafe, diversity in such important entities as police departments can indicate the presence of equality and justice, or at least, the potential for it. And such diversity can, as amongst the police and those they pledge to protect and serve, boost morale, trust and a willingness to work collaboratively to solve common community concerns. Conversely, where, as here, the disaffected black community does not perceive even an appearance of equality and justice, common to all, and where, as here, there is not even enough of a diverse police workforce to achieve plausible deniability around the question of unequal treatment under the law, each inevitable citizen and cop conflict will only be aggravated and inflamed by the understandable lack of confidence those citizens will have in law enforcement’s capacity and willingness to resolve conflicts transparently and fairly.

    Finally, whether or not the fury in Ferguson will reside or rage on, or whether or not the intense quest for, and question of justice will be realized, remains to be seen. But whatever the revelation, it will be “social-vized” on Facebook and Twitter. As such, the world will know the truth, but the truth will make no one free, unless, good men and women affirmatively refuse to allow evil to further triumph.

    Photo: Michael Brown

  • It’s a Party and You Are Invited

    In just a few days one of the biggest parties of the year is going to happen — and, you are invited. Yes, that’s right. We want you to help us celebrate. So grab your party clothes, bring your horns and confetti. On Tuesday, Sept. 16, Up & Coming will unveil the winners of the Best of Fayetteville. You aren’t going to want to miss it!

    Celebrating one of Up & Coming Weekly’s biggest and most celebrated editions and events of the year — The 17th Annual Best of Fayetteville Awards — has become a tradition in Fayetteville. Each year it gets a little bit bigger and better and this year is no exception. So mark your calendars and plan to be our guests at It’z Entertainment City from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. as we celebrate the people, businesses, services and organizations that have been recognized by our readers and the Fayetteville community as being the “Best of the Best”.09-10-14-pub-notes.gif

    Join us for the music, food, fun, prizes and surprises as we honor those who have helped shape and define our community. Join special guests Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson, Doug Peters of the Fayetteville Regional Chamber of Commerce, Cumberland County officials, and, of course, our winners, as we come together in recognition of these local assets that impact our everyday lives.

    This very special edition of Up & Coming Weekly is our biggest, most popular and most read edition of the year. From a credibility and reliability point of view, we describe the “Best of” edition as a local Fayetteville resource that combines the attributes and characteristics of JC Powers, the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List. This is why we post the Best of Fayetteville edition online and use it year round to showcase Fayetteville and Cumberland County to our guests and visitors.

    If you can’t attend the party make sure you pick up a copy at any one of our 500 locations across Cumberland County. Make sure you get it early, because these issues don’t stay in the stands long. In fact, they fly off them. Once you’ve read the issue and found out what businesses have earned the trust and respect of your neighbors, take time to pay them a visit. Look for the colorful window decals or the prestigious gold and white plaques that designate a business or organization as the “best of the best” and congratulate them on the accomplishment. The party celebration is not just to recognize and celebrate the winners of the 17th Annual Best of Fayetteville reader survey. It is to also thank our readers and community leaders for their commitment to enhancing our community and our quality of life.

    This survey and the event itself is always a huge undertaking with lots of moving parts. It would be impossible to execute it without the help and assistance of many people who practically guarantee its success. This includes our sponsors, our staff of talented and dedicated writers, editor’s, designers, marketing consultants, distribution drivers and administration. To get out the Best of Fayetteville, it truly takes a village.

    This is a very exciting time of the year for us. Please note that Up & Coming Weekly is extremely proud to be Fayetteville’s community newspaper. We cherish every moment we are allowed to bring to the forefront those people, places, businesses, services and organizations that make this community a great place to live, work and raise a family. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. We look forward to seeing you and celebrating with you on Sept. 16.

  • Best of Fayetteville: The Tradition

    Continues 09-17-14-bof-window-cling.gif

    No doubt about it, starting today it’s a yearlong celebration of Fayetteville’s Best of the Best. Good things last and Up & Coming Weekly’sBest of Fayetteville readership survey is a 17-year-old tradition recognizing and honoring the best people, businesses and organizations that have greatly contributed to defining the quality of life and personality of our community.

    They are the ones who continue to impact our community by leaving a positive and indelible impression of pride and success on this and future generations of residents, visitors and guests. Yes, the Up & Coming Weekly Best of Fayetteville edition you are holding in your hands today will serve you well throughout the entire year as a valuable newcomers guide, service directory or cultural and event resource. Every page touting the best of the best of what the Fayetteville community has to offer.

    And, why not?

    The rules, format and guidelines of this sanctioned, time-tested survey have been designed, tested, monitored and audited to provide residents, local businesses and organizations the recognition and tribute they deserve for their pride, dedication and perseverance in their quest for excellence. Every category winner has achieved the highest level of excellence in what they do. For 17 years, we have successfully told their stories and revealed their secrets without a single regret.

    No ballot stuffing here, no popularity contest or dubious chance to sway the end result.

    Each winner is distinguished in its own way. There is no faking it when the community consensus selects you as the best in your field. This means that you are preforming at the highest level of excellence as recognized by your peers. This being the case, why not declare the business or organization the best? After all, in a competitive world and tight economy, only the best survive.

    In building a better community, leaders know that success must be built on a sound foundation. In this case, that foundation is the community’s best people, businesses and organizations all striving for extreme excellence.

    So, please join me, the staff of Up & Coming Weekly and our Best of Fayetteville event sponsors and local leaders as we begin this year-long celebration. Pick up a copy of this special edition of Up & Coming Weekly at any one of our 500 countywide locations or stop by our corporate offices at 208 Rowan Street. For 24/7, 365 access to The Best of Fayetteville winners go to www.upandcomingweekly.com and click on the Best of Fayetteville. This is year round celebration!

    Speaking of celebrations, Up & Coming Weekly celebrates its 20th anniversary next year. Wow! Now, that will really be a party! Stay tuned for the details. In the meantime, thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • Cumberland County Leadership Turns Chicken

    Wow! What a turn-a-round. How disappointing. They say silence is golden. Well, in the case of bringing Sanderson Farms’ $113 million chicken plant and its 1000+ jobs to Cumberland County, the silence (and the advocacy) has been deafening.

    Where is the political and economic-development leadership? Where are the advocates and voices for the local poor and unemployed? Where are the voices of the pro economic/industrial development majority? Where is their offensive “ground game?” Where are the pro-chicken plant development yard signs? Where are the pro-economic development sound bites? Where are the pro Sanderson Farms editorials and letters to the editor?09-24-14-pub-notes.gif

    Well, it is the observation and opinion of many well-versed, educated and respected members of the community that these aspects of a fine-tuned and expertly executed offensive campaign in favor of Sanderson Farms has been nonexistent. Hey, don’t shoot the messenger.

    These are the comments and questions that are coming up far too frequently from local residents who are not in the N.I.M.B.Y. (Not In My Backyard) category.

    This vocal majority obviously can be ignored; however, they cannot be easily dismissed. They are residents who want to see our community seize the opportunity to grow inclusively and economically with the potential of lifting thousands of Cumberland County residents out of poverty and into a more enjoyable quality of life.

    What’s not to like about that? This is why the question continues to come up: How can a few hundred people affect the lives, future and well being of several thousand county residents? This is extremely confusing, disappointing and puzzling. Unless, that is, you understand the dual concepts of the “haves and have-not’s” and “money talks and bull walks!”

    So, where is the leadership? Is it true that the majority of our locally elected public officials and the wannabes are more focused and concerned in securing their future campaign support and donations rather than prioritizing the growth and development of our community along with the well being of their 327,000 constituents?

    For many, this is the most talked about theory and suspicion on how and why the majority of our Cumberland County Commissioners have turned their backs on their own initial judgments and the sentiments of the majority of local residents, many of whom would appreciate the opportunity to get off the welfare roles and secure a decent job, with a good company, that pays a fair wage and provides health benefits. Many are already saying “shame on them” for yielding to several hundred loud, wealthy, liberal/conservative and politically connected residents at the expense of the nearly 25 percent of Cumberland County households that are currently living (surviving) at or below the poverty level.

    Where is the logic? Shame on the pro-Sanderson Farms contingency for their defensive stance and for lack of aggressively making their case or their findings known. Double shame, on those leaders who have been M.I.A. during the entire process. Believe me, your absence and silence has been conspicuous so the community knows who you are.

    Finally, I want to say that as an American, I have no earthly idea when attacks and criticism became so harsh and venomous toward people who are simply exercising their First Amendment right of free speech. Having an opposing or dissenting opinion on any issue seems to come with a wrath that is ugly and personal. Whatever happened to stating your platform, standing by your word and, if need be, having a free spirited open debate on issues? Now, dissenting opinions are met with hostile personal attacks, attacks on your family and business and, in some cases, references to who your daddy was. Unacceptable.

    This is local politics at its very worst. Believe it or not, I’m not an advocate of the chicken plant. However, I am an advocate for the 1,000 jobs that can raise countless numbers of Fayetteville and Cumberland County families out of poverty. I advocate due diligence in comparing what is good for 327,000 Cumberland County residents vs. the demands of several hundred privileged residents.

    I am an advocate of expecting all our elected officials to do their jobs with honor and integrity and stop acting like a bunch of Weebles. They need to take a stand and make decisions that they can defend and articulate regardless of what side of the issue they are on. That is what the people elected them to do and that is the only way our community will grow and prosper. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. Oh, yeah, “Weebles Wobble but They Don’t Fall Down.”

  •     Victim. It is not something most people aspire to. In fact, most of us do what we can to avoid being victims. In general, we do what we can do to reduce risk and keep ourselves safe. 
        What about our kids? Who keeps them safe? That falls squarely on the shoulders of the grown-ups responsible for these youngsters. Let’s take a quick look at how well that is working.
        According to the 2006-2007 Child Advocacy Center’s annual report, nationally, one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before age 18; every six hours a child is killed by abuse or neglect; effects of abuse increase the likelihood of drug and alcohol dependency, eating disorders, teen pregnancy, delinquency and violent crimes for these children; 1,200 to 1,400 cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome are reported each year; and one in four will die and the other three will need medical care for the rest of their lives.
        Here are some numbers that hit closer to home: Cumberland County has: 8,450 children that were reported to the Department of Social Services as abused and/or neglected from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006; Cumberland County has the highest rate of children murdered by their parents or caretakers in N.C. from 1985-2000 — twice the rate of children who died as a result of abuse or neglect compared to the rate for all of N.C.; 55 children were killed by their parents or caretakers from 1985-2004.
        “A lot of times people try and link it to the military,” said Stacy Pendarvis, prevention coordinator at the Child Advocacy Center located in downtown Fayetteville. “Our military  families and nonmilitary families equally experience abuse.”
         “I think another thing that the community does not realize is that we do have a serious problem in this community,” said Jackie Davis, the case data financial manager. “It’s not just in this neighborhood or that neighborhood, or this school or that school — it’s everywhere.”
        The Child Advocacy Center does not only record heartbreaking statistics — they take action, not just to help the victims of child abuse and their families, but to train the professionals who work with the kids and their families and to educate the community on child abuse prevention. Tammy Laurence, the executive director, uses a three-pronged approach to stop child abuse in its tracks — prevention, intervention and reducing trauma to children.
     
    PREVENTION 
        Even children from stable, loving, well-adjusted families can become victims of abuse. That fact is not lost on the Child Advocacy Center. It is the cornerstone of one of its outreach programs called Darkness to Light, which focuses on teaching adults seven steps to preventing, recognizing and reacting responsibly to child sexual abuse. 
    The organization also provides information to new moms about preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome. Resources and literature are available to anyone in the community about topics ranging from Internet safety to learning how to recognize and report child abuse. Also, speakers are available for club and group presentations on a variety of topics.
     
    INTERVENTION
        “What I’ve always heard since I got here is ‘Child abuse is a community problem and it requires community solutions,’” said Pendarvis. “We can’t solve the problem alone. We’ve got to have a buy-in from our partner agencies; we’ve got to have support from the community.”
        With professionals from the Department of Social Service, mental health, forensic pediatricians, the district attorney’s office and more as their partners, the Child Advocacy Center works hard to keep these organizations trained and current on abuse issues.

    REDUCING TRAUMA
         “We also serve as the hub for several agencies who work with children who have been abused,” said Davis. “We also have a victim’s advocate that works with the families.”
        With brightly painted interview rooms and office space for officials from law enforcement, medical facilities and the judicial system, the Child Advocacy Center conducts interviews with children and families and then coordinates with other agencies to share the information. This helps the kids feel safe and keeps them from having to tell and relive their stories over and over. 
        All the work that the Child Advocacy Center does benefit more than just abused kids and their families.
        “We saved the community last year almost $960,000,” said Laurence.  
        To find out how you can help, give them a call at 486-9700.

     
     
     
     


  • 09082010jacket.gifRecently my wife and I bought neon-yellow motorcycle jackets for better visibility on the road. We were on the Blue Ridge this week and had our jackets on. Two different people asked us if we were dressed like this because we were going hiking. I was kind of speechless and could only think to myself “No, I want to be seen by people who don’t have a clue — like you.” On the positive side we were noticed and that is the point of this article.

    Motorcycle season is about to pick up in the Carolinas. The fall is a beautiful time to explore our beautiful area and state. Above everything, safety has to be your biggest concern when riding. I have come to the conclusion that I cannot compete against the clueless. These are the people on their cell phones, emailing, texting or updating their MyFace post. When I am on my motorcycle I am constantly scanning my surroundings for danger, ever changing road conditions and situations.

    When I see someone near me with their head down I know they are doing anything but looking for me. I want these people as far away from me as possible. The problem is that I can’t see everyone around me. So I need to do everything possible to increase my imaginary force field. I want to create distance around me. I started by adding additional front lights. On my K1200LT is a light kit that goes on the front forks. For my R1200GS I just replaced my PIAA lights for the new Denali’s LED lights. They are 2” square and are like laser beams when looked at directly. On the rear and side of my bike, I’ve added reflective tape that is visible at night. My neighbor Bob recommended that I add some blue license-plate holders. He added them to his Harley and said that when people got too close to him they back off because they think he is a police officer. I picked up a set at CycleGear and they seem to work.

    I switched my black helmets to white. White helmets are supposed to be the most noticed color for a motorcyclist. After attending a few bike rallies I noticed some people with neon jackets. Out of hundreds of motorcyclist my eyes zoomed in on these people. I don’t really care to be sticking out like firefly in the daytime but these jackets catch your eyes. At that point I decided being seen is more important than being cool. I purchased a couple of Olympia Motor Sports jackets for both summer and winter riding. They come in both men’s and women’s styles. The jackets have a fair amount of protective padding for the back, shoulders and arms. I would not use them on a track or for high speed riding but for the average rider they are sufficient. They also come with a waterproof insulated jacket liner which can be worn alone for a rainy day or chilly nights.

    No equipment or clothing will replace people’s responsibilities on the road, but everything you do to increase your visibility and distance from the clueless is an investment in yourself.

    If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, please send your comments and suggestions to motorcycle4fun@ aol.com. RIDE SAFE!

  • North Carolinians outside the Research Triangle region (“Triangle”) envy its economic suc-cess and cultural assets.

    But don’t get too jealous.09-28-11-rtp.jpg

    The very success of the Triangle brings chal-lenges that, if unmet, will topple the Triangle’s place as North Carolina’s capstone example of successful economic development.

    The Triangle’s dilemmas are the focus of The Research Triangle: From Tobacco Road to Global Prominence, a new book by William Rohe, director of the Center for Urban & Regional Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill.

    The story of the Research Triangle Park is a part of the state’s defining his-tory or myth, just as much as the Lost Colony or the Wright Brothers’ first flight.

    You know the short version. In the 1950s North Carolina’s visionary gov-ernment and business leaders saw the pending demise of the state’s traditional low-wage industries and the potential for using the resources and reputations of Duke, N.C. State, and UNC-Chapel Hill to attract research-related businesses to an open area of worn-out farmland near all three universities. Thousands of acres of land were acquired and, over time, the research-related business filled them. In less than a generation, the Triangle moved from economic laggard to national leader.

    This “myth” is mostly true. There were a few bumps in the road. Lots of tenacious people fought through roadblocks and disappointments before the Triangle achieved the success that makes it widely admired and envied.

    Rohe tells in rich detail how the Research Triangle Park (“Park”) came about, including the 200 years of history of the region that put it in position to take advantage of the opportunities the Park made possible.

    Rohe enthusiastically catalogues the benefits the Park brought to the region, including the high-value businesses, the high paying jobs, and the leveraged eco-nomic activity that results from them.

    However, Rohe’s most important message to North Carolinians is like that of Professor Hill in The Music Man, who asserted to complacent townspeople, “We got trouble right here in River City.”

    Much of the trouble in the Triangle is a result of the region’s success. The low-density sprawling housing patterns and crowded traffic routes cannot sustain the projected population growth of the re-gion. ”It’s so crowded, nobody goes there anymore,” the saying attributed to Yogi Berra, could be pro-phetic for the Triangle region.

    These kinds of problems face every growing metropolitan region. Rohe details a long list of strategies and tactics that could be used to absorb the projected growth without destroying the region’s quality of life. For example, Rohe suggests for consideration:

    • More high-density housing, even within the Park itself.

    • Light rail connections to get a substantial number of cars off the highways, but Rohe concedes that much more high-density housing has to be in place be-fore rail can be successful.

    • Limiting new residential development by requiring, before approval of a new project, a showing of the readiness of the community or region (schools, roads, and other infrastructure) to accommodate the proposed additional popula-tion.

    Even if these kinds of approaches would work if they were applied region-wide, getting a coordinated approach in the region is almost impossible. Rohe says that there are 43 jurisdictions in the region that have some responsibility for land-use and transportation planning. Getting even one government to adopt such restrictions would be ambitious. Getting 43 of them to act in a unified man-ner would be a miracle.

    Various regional organizations that coordinate activities of governmental or planning units have been successful in many areas. But it is unlikely that any of them could gain enough power to bring about the kind of trans-portation and housing development plans that Rohe says are needed.

    Without a unified approach in the Triangle, Rohe says, like Professor Hill, “We got trouble.”

  • 10military suicide 300x192Once every hour and 12 minutes  — that’s how often U.S. military veterans kill themselves. About 20 veterans committed suicide each day in 2014 — the year for which the most recent statistics were available, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

    VA Secretary David Shulkin referred to this national tragedy as “an unacceptable statistic,” in an interview with The Hill.

    “We’re reaching out to community groups, to academic groups,” Shulkin was quoted as saying. “We’re trying new therapies and treatments. And I certainly hope that we can have a big impact on this problem.”

    There were 71 suicides among men and women on active duty, 20 suicides of reservists and 31 National Guard suicides in the first quarter of 2017, according to the Defense Suicide Prevention Office. Officials are evaluating a series of factors that have been developed as a profile. Suicide risk factors include being male, Caucasian and having psychiatric trauma, said Dr. Craig Bryan, executive director of the National Center for Veterans Studies at the University of Utah.

    Fort Bragg authorities typically do not publicly acknowledge soldier suicides. “(Department of the Army) holds those records and does not allow each installation to release them,” said Fort Bragg spokesman Tom McCollum. The media section of Bragg’s Public Affairs Office routinely releases news of what it describes as unspecified deaths on post. Army authorities use a news release template. Media inquiries are referred to Army Criminal Investigation Command Headquarters where news outlets are told the cases are under investigation.

    “We readily admit that our death investigations take time due to our thoroughness and the fact that we investigate all deaths to a standard of homicide,” said Chris Grey, chief of public affairs for the Army Criminal Investigation Command. Routinely, confirmed suicide deaths are added statistically to quarterly reports of the DSPO.

    For both post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide, “part of the issue is not necessarily combatrelated,” Dr. M. David Rudd, the co-founder and scientific director of the National Center of Veterans Studies, told Fox News. He cited the “stress of being in the military during wartime,” saying there’s an intensified operations pace for those both deployed and at home.

    Military men and women who enlisted since 2001 have known they would likely be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The military, Dr. Keita Franklin, director of the DSPO, explained, has been trying to distance people at risk of suicide from methods that could be used to harm them like by giving them gun locks. Most military suicides involve personallyowned weapons, Franklin said. “We’re not trying to restrict their weapons,” she added, instead stressing that it’s a risk reduction method. Other resources available include the website Military OneSource, military family life consultants, a peer support line and embedded behavioral health providers for units.

    Treatment facilities are also an option. Cognitive behavioral therapy is “the gold standard” Franklin explained, which “helps people kind of unpack their current beliefs. What’s right for one person isn’t right for another.” The therapy involves 12 sessions instead of years of treatment. In a study published in 2015, active-duty Army soldiers at Fort Carson, Colorado, were given either regular treatment, or regular treatment along with cognitive behavioral therapy. Rudd, Bryan and others found that soldiers in CBT were approximately 60 percent less likely to attempt suicide during follow-up than soldiers in treatment as usual. A Military Crisis Line is available for service members and veterans who can also text for help. Service members and veterans can also participate in online chats with Veterans Affairs responders.

  •  

    09TeacherThe Hope Mills area produced this year’s Cumberland County Teacher of the Year — Leslie Seals. To be eligible for selection as a teacher of the ear, the State Board of Education requires that a person must hold a Standard Professional 2 license, be employed full-time and spend at least 70 percent of his or her time in direct instruction of North Carolina public school students.

    Locally, candidates are selected by their schools. “Each school selects their nominee differently, e.g., faculty vote, principal choice, etc., but state eligibility criteria must be met,” according to Cumberland County Schools representative Renarta Clanton Moyd.

    Once a teacher is selected at the school level, his or her name is submitted for districtwide judging. “Each teacher of the year candidate, usually about 86 of them, submits a portfolio for review and is interviewed by a team of three attendance area judges and a facilitator,” Moyd added.

    Winners from each attendance area are selected, and those 10 candidates are interviewed by a panel of five judges, among them the current local teacher of the year and principal of the year, plus community partners and selected retired educators. Once a county winner is determined and announced at the annual banquet, the winner’s name is submitted to the NC Department of Public Instruction for competition in the region, and then the state.

     

  •  

    08nat robertsonCounty Commission Chairman Glenn Adams led off State of the Community speeches by cautioning those in attendance to “not believe everything they read or hear in the media.” Moments earlier, in an interview with Up & Coming Weekly, Adams said essentially the same thing while defending disagreements county government has with the city of Fayetteville. Adams characterized them as discussions, but later in his address, he admitted that “there are disagreements.”

    Mayor Nat Robertson alluded to Adams’ remarks, saying, “We are not always compatible, but we are respectful.” He noted Fayetteville is ranked No. 1 in the state and eighth in the nation in fiscal strength among 116 American cities with a population of more than 200,000, according to the Fiscal Health Index compiled by the California Policy Center.

    Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner spoke of the town’s battle following Hurricane Matthew to deal with floods that briefly cut the town off from the rest of the county. Noting that Hope Mills is famous for water, she said contractors were pouring cement for the new Hope Mills Lake dam as she spoke. Warner said she hoped the town would be able to impound water for the lake by Election Day.

    Other speakers represented Spring Lake and Fort Bragg. Board of Education representation was noticeably absent.

     

    PHOTO: Mayor Nat Robertson

     

  • 09-05-12-donkey-[converted].jpgDon’t look now, but North Carolina seems to have survived a significant reduction in the duration of the state’s legislative sessions.

    According to the official count, the 2011-12 biennium of the Republican-led General Assembly convened on Jan. 26, 2011 and adjourned for good on July 3, 2012. In-between those dates were two regular sessions — the “long” session in 2011 and the “short” session in 2012 — plus several special sessions devoted to redistricting, veto overrides or other matters.

    If you add up all the days in which the General Assembly held session over the past two years, you get 138 days. That’s 103 legislative days in 2011 and 35 days in 2012.

    There’s another way to count session lengths, however. Rather than counting the number of days the state legislature conducted business, you count the number of calendar days between the time a session starts and the time it concludes, regardless of whether the legislature met on those days. By that measure, you get 224 calendar days — 167 in 2011 and 57 in 2012.

    I happen to think that the North Carolina Legislature can conduct its legitimate business in an even-shorter time than 138 legislative days per biennium. I favor imposing a formal length on legislative sessions. Virginia has a constitutional limit of 60 calendar days in even-numbered years and 30 calendar days in odd-numbered years. Florida’s constitutional limit is 60 calendar days. Georgia’s is 40 legislative days.

    Overall, 39 states impose some kind of formal session limit, most often via their state constitutions. North Carolina doesn’t. That’s a mistake on our part. Even factoring in special sessions that may not count against the limits, these state legislatures are compelled to use their time more efficiently. That makes it easier to balance members’ public service with their other professional or personal responsibilities, while saving tax dollars and reducing the damage that lawmakers can do by hanging around the state capital too long.

    All that having been said, the North Carolina Legislature under new management is at least moving in the right direction. In terms of legislative days, the 2011-12 biennium was the shortest since 1979-1980, when the count was 123 days. If you look at calendar days, the 2011- 12 biennium was the shortest since 1985-86, when the count was 208 days.

    While most state legislatures operate under session limits, and some North Carolina politicians and political activists have long advocated them, the idea does have opponents. Previous Democratic leaders of the General Assembly have argued that the legislative business of a growing state simply can’t be done without spending lots of time in Raleigh. Uh, do they really believe that North Carolina is better governed than, say, Virginia?

    Critics have also argued, more persuasively, that a session limit by itself would serve to alter the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches of state government. If the General Assembly isn’t in town to keep an eye on the governor and other state officials, an09-05-12-elephant-[converted].jpgimportant check on executive power would be lost.

    I have two responses to this argument. First, North Carolina’s governor remains fairly weak by national standards. Because there is good reason to believe that strengthening executive power has salutary effects on the cost of state government, I think that session limits would have net benefits for taxpayers even if enacted on their own.

    However, I also think that it would be reasonable to tie the enactment of session limits to other constitutional amendments that would increase legislative oversight of the executive branch. For example, perhaps the North Carolina constitution should require governors to receive legislative confirmation for certain high-profile appointments, such as those filling vacancies on the state appellate courts. Or the constitution could codify the rule that executive agencies must cite specific statutory authority before spending money or issuing rules.

    Over the past two years, the new Republican leadership shifted the legislature back a bit towards its original part-time status. Let’s continue the trend.

  • 07NewsDigestEarly voting for Fayetteville’s 2017 municipal election is underway. Early primary voting ends Saturday, Oct. 7. There’s one ballot for the citywide primary race for Fayetteville mayor. There are also primary races in six of the city’s nine city council districts.

    Primaries are necessary for those races where there are more than twice the number of candidates for a given office. They include council districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7. In districts 2, 3 and 5, incumbents are not seeking re-election. District 5 Councilman Bobby Hurst is retiring. Districts 2 and 3 incumbents, Kirk deViere and Mitch Colvin, are running for mayor. So, there will be at least three new members of the council come December.

    Citizens who are not registered to vote may register during the early voting period if they show documents that list their current names and addresses in Cumberland County. A list of acceptable documentation is available online at co.cumberland. nc.us/elections.aspx. Early voting is held at only one location, the Cumberland County Board of Elections Office at 227 Fountainhead Ln., Fayetteville.

    Teacher of the Year

    The announcement of the 2018 Cumberland County Schools’ Teacher of the Year was made during an annual dinner where 86 candidates for the honor had gathered. Rockfish Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Leslie Seals was the winner. During her eight years in the classroom, she has also taught students in Richmond and Beaufort counties.

    “When we create a real difference in a student academically, emotionally or behaviorally, I feel we have accomplished what is sometimes not recognized by others but is more valuable to the future of our communities and world than a test score,” Seals said.

    She was influenced to become a teacher by her mother and stepfather, who were both former administrators in Harnett County Schools. Seals likes to use small-group instruction to help “create a real difference” and meet the needs of each student.

    “My students know I care when I meet with them... I am also able to see the needs of my students more clearly when working with them in small groups,” she said. Seals earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina University. As the 2018 Teacher of the Year, she received: $300 and flowers from Cumberland County Schools; $300 from the Communities in Schools of Cumberland County; a one-year car lease from Powers-Swain Chevrolet; a commemorative customdesigned Teacher of the Year ring from Jostens; an engraved clock from Herff Jones; and an award from the Cumberland County Board of Education.

    Beaver Dam Fire Protection

    Imagine a fire station with no firefighters. That’s been a persistent problem for the Beaver Dam Fire Department for years. The rural Cumberland County fire department built a second station and equipped it to serve the large district better but could not afford to staff it. The district is considered low wealth because of its rural tax base. The problem was “a lack of volunteers during daytime hours,” said Assistant Cumberland County Manager Tracey Jackson.

    Both Beaver Dam fire stations are located off NC Highway 210 not far from the Cumberland/Sampson/Bladen County line. County Commissioners, at the urging of Fire Commissioner Jimmy Keefe, agreed to provide the Beaver Dam department a $75,000 budget supplement to staff its Turnbull Road station with two firefighters cross-trained as EMTs. The funding will get the department through the balance of the fiscal year. The Joint Public Safety Task Force is studying potential ways of permanently solving the funding problem.

    Sunday Brunch with a Beer

    Cumberland County Commissioners have approved a local ordinance allowing restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages as early as 10 a.m. on Sundays. The North Carolina General Assembly gave cities and counties the authority to adopt local bills. The ordinance is identical to one passed earlier by Fayetteville City Council.

    Commissioners had to take the matter up a second time because the initial vote was required to be unanimous. It was not. Commission Vice-Chairman Charles Evans voted against it. On second reading, a simple majority was all that was required. Evans voted no again, but it didn’t matter. Most bars and restaurants in the county are in Fayetteville, but eight of them are in unincorporated areas. The ordinance also allows grocery stores to sell beer and wine Sunday mornings.

    Sprint Joins Cumberland County Schools at Phone Fair

    Sprint and the Cumberland County School system are teaming up to participate in Sprint and the Sprint Foundation’s 1Million Project.

    Participating local high school students will receive 1,180 free smartphones or laptops and free wireless service as part of an initiative to help close the homework gap. Seventy percent of high school teachers assign homework to be completed online. More than 5 million families with children do not have internet access at home. That’s why Sprint created its 1Million Project.

    CCS is one of eight school districts in North Carolina taking part in the project. The 2017-18 school year marks the first year of the five-year initiative involving more than 180,000 students in 1,300 schools in 30 states. In each of the next five years, hundreds of thousands of high schoolers who lack internet access at home will benefit from the 1Million Project.

    Congressman Pittenger Opens Fayetteville Office

    Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-N.C., unpacked boxes and hung pictures in his permanent Fayetteville office. It’s on the third floor of the J.L. Dawkins Federal Building and post office on Green Street. The facility had been closed since October because of flooding from Hurricane Matthew. “We are excited to finally unpack,” the congressman said. “At the same time, we recognize there are still families in Cumberland, Robeson and Bladen Counties waiting for necessary Federal Emergency Management Agency or HUD assistance to rebuild or repair their homes.” 

    Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though constituents are encouraged to call ahead as staff will regularly be out of the office at community meetings. For more information, call Jake Cashwell at (910) 303-0669 or email him at jake.cashwell@mail.house.gov.

  • Foot In Mouth Disease

    I have a pretty thick political hide after many years as a campaign volunteer and eventually as a political candidate and then as an elected offi cial. Mine was a deeply rewarding political career that culminated in being portrayed by a political opponent as a prostitute on national television, an ad which CNN’s Anderson Cooper featured among the worst political ads in the nation that campaign season.

    In other words, I often view comments made by politicians as distorted, self-serving, stupid or all of the above. Rarely do I get excited by politicians’ words and particularly not during an election year that almost always results in style over substance.

    That being said, Todd Akin of “legitimate rape” infamy really got under my skin.

    The notion that a woman’s body somehow shuts down when a rape is “legitimate” is not only insulting but reveals astounding scientifi c ignorance, not to mention an odd attitude toward women. What on earth would be “illegitimate” rape, and who on earth would make that call? Todd Aiken, who — if you can believe this! — is a member of the House Science Committee?

    We in North Carolina cannot be too smug about this dimwit, however. 09-12-12-margaret.gif

    We had our own version of Congressman-would-be-Senator Aiken almost 20 years ago in the form of a General Assembly member named Henry Aldridge, a highly trained Pitt County dentist by profession. Representative Aldridge, like his soulmate Aiken, caused quite a stir with this unbelievable remark, which he never quite disavowed, made in public to the House Appropriations Committee.

    “The facts show that people who are raped — who are truly raped — the juices don’t flow, the body functions don’t work and they don’t get pregnant. Medical authorities agree that this is a rarity, if ever.” “Truly” must mean the same thing as “legitimate …”

    Well, Mr. Aiken and Dr. Aldridge, medical authorities do not agree with that at all.

    According to 1996 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology women get pregnant about 5 to 6 percent of the time, and it makes no difference whether conception occurs snuggled under the covers of the marital bed or during an unwanted, abhorrent act of violence. Another large-scale study found that rape victims actually have a slightly higher conception rate than women consenting to sex, but the reason for that is not known. It is known, however, that a woman involved in a relationship can consent or not, while a rape victim does not have that option.

    Biology is biology is biology.

    Aiken and Aldridge zoomed to national ridicule for their absurd remarks because they held elected offi ce, and they were justifi ably skewered for them.

    My disgust with both of them, though, is not political. Aldridge is long gone from the public scene and Aiken will have a long road ahead to get past this politically.

    My disgust with them is far more personal.

    In the late 1970s and early 1980s, I was part of the group which founded the organization that is now the Rape Crisis Volunteers of Cumberland County. In those early days, there was no money and no offi ce. Records were kept secure in car trunks and under beds. What there was, were dedicated volunteers with the support of local law enforcement and the district attorney’s offi ce. We took calls every day of the year, which usually meant long hours at either Cape Fear Valley or Womack as rape victims, usually, but not always women, submitted to physical examinations and underwent law enforcement questioning.

    I have held hands with women as they endured the “rape-kit” exam, a necessary procedure but one which often feels like a further violation. I have scrounged around to fi nd clothing for a woman to wear home from the hospital as her own clothes had become evidence in a criminal investigation. I have cried with women who are devastated and terrifi ed by what has occurred to them. I have raged with women who are angry beyond measure. I have watched, bewildered, as a 15-year-old, who was raped outside of a skating rink, chalked it up to “the way things are.” I have sat beside a woman who was charged with manslaughter because she shot her rapist. I have been to court with women who need moral support as they testify against the rapist who is in the courtroom with them.

    So, yes, the remarks of Mr. Aiken and Dr. Aldridge before him, did and do get under my skin.

    Rape is not an issue to be tossed around as a partisan political football. It is a profoundly personal attack from which some women never recover and all never forget.

    Shame on all who try to use it for partisan political advantage.

    Photo: Representative Todd Aiken recently came under fire for remarks he made about rape.He was not the first politician to make inaccurate comments about the subject. 

  • 17ChapHillA monument to a treasured past came down in Chapel Hill last week. No, the Silent Sam statute of a Confederate soldier still stands. The lost monument came from the death of 94-year old Dickson Phillips, the former UNC Law School dean and longtime judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

    Phillips’ distinguished career spanned an era of important changes. His role in facilitating those changes and helping us adjust to them makes his passage monumental.

    But his death also brought to a close an important North Carolina institution known as the Class of 1948 Study Group. More than 70 years ago in the winter of 1946, a group of World War II veterans enrolled in the class of 1948 at UNC Law School. They formed a study group that had a positive influence on North Carolina’s history in the second half of the 20th Century.

    Phillips was an important member of the group that also included William Friday, president of the UNC System for more than 30 years and host of UNC-TV’s “North Carolina People;” Bill Aycock, beloved chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill; William Dees, chair of the university’s governing board; John Jordan, former state senator and also chair of the university’s governing board; and Terry Sanford, North Carolina governor and Duke University president.

    Before his death, William Friday talked about the Study Group on UNC-TV in response to a question from Don Curtis, who asked Friday why he decided to go to law school after the war. “Well, you get into an experience like that war put us all in, you were thrown with so many different people from all over everywhere, not only (the) United States, but foreign countries. And you realize how much you need all the education you can get. I came back here with Terry Sanford and Bill Aycock and John Jordan and William Dees and Dickson Phillips, a legendary group of people. We all went straight through and stuck together ever since, worked on things in this state.”

    The members of the Study Group spent the rest of their lives supporting each other’s efforts to serve the state. Philips and Sanford were law partners before they took on public positions and remained close through the years. Friday persuaded Aycock to take on the chancellor’s job when he would have preferred to continue teaching law. Each was ready and eager to help each other and to serve the state.

    Speaking to a group of lawyers shortly before his death, Friday explained how the members of the Study Group were part of the World War II veterans that Tom Brokaw described as The Greatest Generation. Friday said, “We grew up in the depression, and after four years in the military, we knew we were the lucky ones that got to come home … and we just decided to contribute.”

    Then, Friday looked out over the group of lawyers and said that North Carolina lawyers, like the ones in the Study Group, were part of a profession with a long tradition. “There is an added ingredient. We must do something extra to leave this place a little better.”

    About them and other returning World War II veterans, I wrote a few years ago: They came back from the war with more maturity, energy, confidence, practicality, open-mindedness, discipline, love of country and competitiveness than any generation our country has ever seen. Then the country gave them advanced educational opportunities never available to so many Americans before. With that mixture of healthy traits and education, they caused an explosion of economic growth that underpins our country’s continuing prosperity and success.

    The veterans of World War II are a generation to cherish, to thank and to learn from. With Dickson Phillips’ death, the Study Group’s living monument has come down.

     

    PHOTO: William Friday, Dickson Phillips, William Aycock, John Jordan and William Dees, all members of the Class of 1948 Study Group.

  • 16FTCCThe Fayetteville Technical Community College Financial Aid Department is excited to share some updates with you. Our goal is to make your financial aid application process understandable so that you can use financial aid to help you achieve your educational goals. By providing information from the Department of Education on financial aid news and from FTCC on our current services, we hope to educate current and prospective students about the options they have for help with financing.

    Federal Financial Aid Updates:

    • The 2017-18 Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the correct FAFSA version to use for the current school year (fall 2017, spring 2018 and summer 2018 semesters). Students should use 2015 tax information when completing the FAFSA. The 2017-18 FAFSA marks a change since it is the first FAFSA to use two-prior-year tax information. This means students will use year-2015 tax information on this FAFSA and save year-2016 tax information for the 2018-19 FAFSA.

    • The 2018-19 FAFSA will be available in October. Students can apply for financial aid for the 2018-19 school year early and use year-2016 tax information to complete this FAFSA. We encourage students to file their FAFSA applications this fall for next year to allow plenty of time to supply any needed documentation. 

    • Many students will be excited to hear that the Department of Education has announced the return of yearround Pell Grant funds beginning with the summer 2018 semester. Formerly, students who had attended full-time in the fall and spring semesters on Pell Grant funds did not have any Pell Grant eligibility remaining in the school year for the summer semester. Starting with summer 2018, however, eligible students who have not exhausted lifetime eligibility for Pell Grant funds will have the opportunity to use Pell Grant funds in the summer — even if they have already attended full-time during fall and spring.

    FTCC Financial Aid News:

    • The FTCC Financial Aid Office is located in Room 2 of the Tony Rand Student Center at the Fayetteville campus. Normal operating hours during the school year are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, we are open on Tuesdays until 7 p.m. to accommodate students who work during the day. Tuesday evenings are a great time for students to speak with a financial aid technician, and we would love to serve more students during this time.

    • The Financial Aid Office has launched a new campaign — All Techs on Deck Financial Aid Nights — to educate students about financial aid processes. We held our first All Techs on Deck night Aug. 1. Students watched a demonstration on how to access their financial aid information in self-service, enjoyed snacks and drinks and spoke one-on-one with technicians for assistance. The next All Techs on Deck night will be coming soon; watch the FTCC website for details.

    • FTCC has multiple fall semester class start dates, and it is not too late to file the 2017-18 FAFSA and start fall classes! Remember, the 2017-18 FAFSA pertains to the fall 2017, spring 2018 and summer 2018 semesters, and many fall 2017 classes are still available.

    Visit us at the FTCC Financial Aid Office at the Tony Rand Student Center, and let us help you start your financial aid application process and journey at Fayetteville Tech.

  • 13KiwanisThe Hope Mills Kiwanis Club is full of members who volunteer their time to help with local schools and nonprofits in order to benefit children and families who are in need. I had the pleasure of being Kiwanis Club Treasurer Jan Spell’s guest to the club’s monthly meeting at Sammio’s. Each member who attended welcomed me with a warm embrace — not the side hug from strangers. No. These generous people each greeted me with a loving hug that let me know they care about this community and giving back. They are passionate about their commitment to this community. 

    The Hope Mills Kiwanis help with ensuring children have school supplies. They help the ALMS HOUSE of Hope Mills feed over 400 children each week. The list of generous and compassionate deeds is continuous. 

    With 31 members thus far (and counting), the Hope Mills Kiwanis Club has grown three-fold, and it’s looking for more members. Each member I met comes from a different career background. Teacher. Commissioner. Military. Retiree. And now myself — a marketing consultant/writer. 

    The Hope Mills Kiwanis Club has a full agenda that keeps its members busy and also entertains, feeds and — most importantly — gives back to the community. The Kiwanis will be in full support of the “Peace, Love and Walk” presented by Members Credit Union, which benefits the ALMS HOUSE in Hope Mills.  Donations made to the walk-a-thon will go towards helping those in Hope Mills who have incomes below the poverty level. For more information, visit www.memcu.com/ peace-love-walk or call Delores or John at (910) 425-0902. The walk will be on Oct 7.

    Also, everyone knows that North Carolina loves its barbeque. On Oct. 13, the Kiwanis Club will host a BBQ fundraising event. Proceeds from this event will go towards providing for the Kiwanis-connected school clubs, those less fortunate and other service projects. 

    The schools have different clubs depending on the ages of the child. For elementary students, the K-Kids Club participates in service projects around the community that benefit not only those in need, but the children themselves. Children in middle school and junior high will have a chance to engage in service projects and will also learn about and improve self-esteem and grow in leadership. The Key Club is for high school students who desire to give back and want to learn more about being a leader. Circle K is the university-level club and also claims to be the largest leadership organization in the world.

    One of the best things about Kiwanis is that it does not leave anyone out. Adults with disabilities also have an opportunity to give back through service projects in the Aktion Club. The Aktion Club is the only service club where these individuals can learn more about leadership skills. 

    Contact the Kiwanis of Hope Mills at (910) 426-7256 for more information about becoming a member.

  • 09naacpThe National Association for the Advancement of Colored People presents its 29th Life Membership Banquet Friday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. at J. D. Fuller Recreational Complex. The theme is “Steadfast and Immovable.” The event includes a meal, and entertainment will be provided by Bertha Elliott and her sisters.

    “This is an annual event and fundraiser that we have each year, and we honor the NAACP life members that have just received their plaques for the year,” Jimmy Buxton, Fayetteville Branch president of the NAACP, said. “We also like to honor those who are already life members.”  

    The keynote speaker is Reverend Curtis Gatewood. He is the past director of HKONJ, which stands for Historic Thousands on Jones Street. Gatewood has an organization called “Stop Killing Us,” which references black people being killed and gunned down by the police.

    Buxton emphasized that the plight of Black America has gotten worse. “We are now going back into the ’60s, and if you take notice, you have an Attorney General appointed by 45, whose name I will not say, and has taken the laws that were passed years ago and going back to reestablish those laws to try to keep blacks and minorities back,” said Buxton. “The most important thing is coming up in 2018, which is the election. If we don’t get people out to register and vote the people out who are now making our laws in the state and federal government offices, we will be back to living like the 1950s and 1960s because they are determined to take us back and take this country back.”        

    The NAACP’s office space was destroyed last year by Hurricane Matthew, and the organization lost everything. “We are hoping to fill this place up, and it seats 500,” said Buxton. “We are starting back new in the office, and we are hoping that we can get as many people to come and buy a ticket and take part (in) this fundraiser.” Buxton added that in order to fight against racism, it takes money, and right now is the time for everybody to help keep this fight going.

    Doors open at 5 p.m. Ticket cost is $45 for adults and $25 for youth ages 17 and under. For more information, call (910) 484-6166.

  • 07PathwayHalf a century ago in his first State of the Union speech, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a “War on Poverty.” Making poverty a national concern set in motion a series of bills and acts, creating programs such as Head Start, food stamps, work study, Medicare and Medicaid, which still exist today. The programs initiated under Johnson brought about real results, reducing rates of poverty and improved living standards for America’s poor. But the poverty rate has remained steady since the 1970s. Americans have allowed poverty to fall off the national agenda, said Sheldon Danziger, a professor of public policy at the University of Michigan.

    The city of Fayetteville and county of Cumberland are collaborating to address poverty in the greater Fayetteville area through a project called Pathways for Prosperity. It’s an initiative of District 2 City Councilman Kirk deViere to improve the economic lifestyles of area residents. “The district I represent includes some of the poorest households in the nation, and it’s time we gather as many resources and people as possible to move the needle on poverty,” deViere said. “It’s our duty, our responsibility.”

    Pathways for Prosperity got underway with a widely-distributed community survey and will be followed up with a summit to be held Nov. 18. Feedback from the survey will be reviewed, and current
    poverty data will be analyzed to hopefully identify areas in need and resources available to help people. After that, a community revitalization task force will be formed to study and produce a comprehensive action plan to help the destitute within 90 days.

    Dealing with poverty is also on the mind of County Commissioner Glenn Adams. “Cumberland County is happy to partner with the city of Fayetteville on the Pathways for Prosperity initiative,” said Chairman Adams, who is also a leading advocate of Pathways for Prosperity. He cited virtually the same poverty concerns in his inaugural address early this year when named chairman of the board. “I am hopeful that this working partnership will result in a reduction of poverty in our community and will help empower residents on their path to a more prosperous future,” Adams said.

    Adam Svolto, a Deputy Director of the North Carolina Justice Center, is serving as a consultant and is excited about the promise it represents. “I see a real sense of urgency and boldness, and I’m optimistic not only to see how P4P plays out in Fayetteville and Cumberland County but how this process may inform other communities dealing with similar issues,” Svolto said.

    The Justice Center’s partnership with the initiative will be supported by a three-year grant administered by the North Carolina State Bar. Anyone interested in learning more about the project or partnering with Pathways for Prosperity can visit www.PathwaysforProsperity.org.

  • 06InternsFor a generation now, Cumberland County parents have been unable to persuade their sons and daughters to return home after college. The post-college student flight results from the belief that 20-somethings don’t see much of a future working in their hometown. The allure of opportunities in Raleigh, Chapel Hill and other points north and west is the apparent culprit. Indeed, Cumberland County’s population has not grown significantly in more than two decades. The city of Fayetteville came up with an idea that may help reverse, or at least slow down, the trend.

    The city’s innovative Youth Internship Summer Program introduces young people who are still in high school to local career opportunities that may entice them to come home after college. The fledgling project focuses on STEM fields: science, technology, engineering and math. The program began last fiscal year with five city interns, nine Public Works Commission interns and three students in the private sector. It was expanded this summer with the city hiring 10 high school seniors, PWC 10 and the private sector two. “I’ll be working with Christine Michaels, new Chamber CEO, to help promote the program to our private sector employers,” said Assistant City Manager Jay Reinstein. “At a minimum, I would like to have at least 10 private sector commitments next year.”

    The City and PWC pay their 20 interns $8 an hour or approximately $1,536 each for the six-week period they’re employed. To encourage more private sector involvement, city government agreed to subsidize local businesses by paying 50 percent of the cost, or approximately $750 per student. The total investment in the lives of 22 young people was $31,258.

    Reinstein called it money well-spent: “This program exposes our youth to local government opportunities and provides them with career options they may not have considered if not for these summer internships.”

    Students were referred by Cumberland County Schools and interviewed by city, utility and private sector staff before being hired. Reinstein said this year was very competitive. Of the nearly 50 students who applied, almost half of them were hired. Reinstein’s hope is that city council will be able to fund additional students next summer. City hall interns worked in engineering and infrastructure, finance, human resources, parks and recreation, transit, the airport and information technology. Some of the tasks and projects included: Billing, clerical work, data entry, website applications and FAST scheduling.

  • 05NewsDigestThe Military Times has ranked Fayetteville a disappointing 44th in the nation among medium-sized cities as best places for veterans to live. The paper used data from numerous sources to compare locations in three broad categories: veteran and military culture and services, economic indicators — some veteran-specific and some not — and livability factors such as crime, health, school quality and traffic.

    Specific factors considered were cost of living, employment, health and school ratings and proximity to top-ranked colleges and companies. “The issues in the piece are schools, jobs and health care … all of which are not status quo,” John Meroski, CEO of the Fayetteville Convention and Visitors Bureau, said. His agency has worked hard over the years to raise the military’s profile in Fayetteville.

    Like Fayetteville,  many of the cities on the “Best Places” list have veteran representation in local government, which gives the veteran community an opportunity to weigh in on local government decisions. Six of Fayetteville’s 10 city council members are veterans. “I tend to take ratings with a grain of salt as a lot of the writers don’t bother talking with the community or the industries represented, so data is flawed or inaccurate,” Meroski added. 

    Best Universities

    U.S. News & World Report has named Princeton University the top college in the land, but North Carolina colleges have plenty to brag about in the magazine’s latest listing. The 2018 “Best Colleges” ranking comes as high school seniors start the process of applying to college. The ranking doesn’t change much from year to year. Among large national universities, Princeton has won the No. 1 position for seven straight years. Duke University again was in the top 10. UNC-Chapel Hill ranked 30th nationally, but fifth among public universities for the 17th consecutive year. NC State University had a significant jump, moving up 11 spots on the national list.

    Other schools moved up or down a few spots. The magazine rates universities based on hundreds of data points and what it says are 15 measures of academic quality. It compares the schools in several categories to be fair. U.S. News breaks down universities and colleges based on mission or regional focus, best financial value or certain academic disciplines. The best regional universities in the South are the schools that offer undergraduate and master’s programs. Few of them have doctoral offerings. Elon University was first in the South; Campbell University 27th; Methodist University 85th; UNC Pembroke 102nd. The rankings have been criticized by some for fueling a competition that puts too much emphasis on elite colleges in the United States.

    PWC to the Rescue

    Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission is among hundreds of power companies in Florida working to restore electricity to millions of Floridians. PWC is part of statewide and national mutual aid networks, which depend on each other in time of need. Fayetteville benefited from mutual aid in the wake of Hurricane Matthew when crews came from Wilson to help with local power restoration. Also in Florida is ElectriCities coordinator Steve Blanchard, a retired PWC CEO.

    Two PWC six-man utility crews with three trucks each marshaled at Fort Meade, Florida, according to PWC representative Carolyn Justice-Hinson. A contract tree trimming crew accompanied them. Over 20,000 municipal power line workers are expected in Florida. Among them are municipal electricity agencies from Greenville and New Bern. 

    Walkability Lacking in Fayetteville

    Unlike other large cities in North Carolina, Fayetteville has grown out, not up. It’s called urban sprawl by the experts. Fayetteville lacks skyscrapers but is the state’s second-largest city in land area with 148 square miles. Mayor Nat Robertson notes that’s one reason the city doesn’t have the sidewalks some say it should.

    A new study by WalkScore, a consultant commissioned by the city, concludes Fayetteville is ranked last in America for walkability. The study noted that for every 5 miles of roadway, there is only 1 mile of sidewalk in Fayetteville.

    Fayetteville’s population growth to nearly 205,000 residents resulted from the annexation of 50,000 people 10 years ago. Those suburban areas lacked sidewalks then, and still do. City council is considering a plan that would identify concentrated areas of pedestrian traffic to prioritize sidewalk construction going forward.

    Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil

    The last three homicide victims in Fayetteville died during violent domestic arguments. A candlelight vigil to raise awareness of domestic violence will be held Sept. 22 at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of the Cumberland County Courthouse, 117 Dick St.

    Cumberland County Family Court, the CARE Center Family Violence Program, U.S. Army Family Advocacy Program, Fayetteville Police, Hope Mills Police and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office are among the agencies co-sponsoring the “Remember My Name” vigil in memory of victims of domestic violence homicides. The names of victims of family violence over the past year in North Carolina will be read aloud at the vigil. The event will also serve to highlight community resources for domestic violence victims.

    Fire/Smoke Alarms Free to All

    Residential smoke alarms are still available from the Fayetteville fire department. And the local Red Cross is also offering them. Officials say smoke alarms should be positioned outside each bedroom. The Red Cross says a representative will come to your home and install new ones for free.

    More information is available at (910) 867-8151, ext. 27. Neighborhood Fayetteville fire stations also install smoke alarms at no cost. Anyone wishing to have their smoke alarm checked or to have one installed is encouraged to call the Fire Prevention Office at (910) 433-1730. “It is our determination that everyone within the city should have some form of detection and warning device,” said Fire Marshall Michael Martin.

  • 17ExtraGreetings from Up & Coming Weekly, Hope Mills’ Community Newspaper.

    Wow! I love the sound of that. Actually, we have been a part of the Hope Mills community since our weekly community newspaper began publishing in 1996. As a marketing company, we have never strayed from our mission and mandates of focusing on all the positive quality-of-life aspects of living in Cumberland County.

    Hope Mills has always been a part of our success. Starting today, we are taking our presence in your town to a new level. More papers, more newspaper racks (look for the bright yellow boxes) and a lot more Hope Mills coverage. Yes, the Town of Hope Mills will now have its own community section in Up & Coming Weekly. Pick up a copy every week to read about Hope Mills-related news, views, people and events as well as the many other great things happening in Cumberland County. We will also be marketing, profiling and promoting local businesses and organizations.

    We will be working closely with Jan Spell and the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce to market and promote “Shop local, Shop Hope Mills” as we invite newcomers, visitors and guests into the community. We are excited and pleased to have this opportunity to tell Hope Mills’ story to everyone in the county, including Fort Bragg.

    And, we want to hear from you, the residents of Hope Mills. So, send us your editorials, comments, opinions, stories and events to hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

    In closing, I want to thank the Town of Hope Mills for its vote of confidence. Specifically, Mayor Jackie Warner, Town Manager Melissa Adams, Deputy Town Clerk Debbie Holland, the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners and Jan Spell, president of the Hope Mills Chamber. Their combined leadership, vision, dedication and commitment to excellence will give us plenty to write about in the future.

  • 15MissCottonThe 3rd Annual Miss Hope Mills Cotton Pageant is set for Friday, Sept. 29, and Saturday, Sept. 30, with contestants 3-9 years old competing Friday and 10-22 years old competing Saturday. The pageant starts at 6:30 p.m. each evening at South View High School at 4184 Elk Rd. Here are the details to assist you in enjoying this annual event.

    Age groups: Contestants are between the ages of 3 and 22 years of age. They are broken up into appropriate age groups based on ages: Wee Miss (3-5), Jr. Miss (6-9), Young Miss (10-12), Teen Miss (13-16), Miss Cotton (17-22).

    Awards: The pageant is judged in divisions based on participant’s age group. A trophy, crown and banner are awarded to the winner in each category. First, second and third runnerups in each category are also awarded a trophy.

    Sponsorship Award: A sponsorship award is given to the top contestant who raised the most sponsor money overall. This person receives a crown, trophy and banner. The other top four in this category also receive a trophy.

    Judges: Judges are from the surrounding area. Contestants are judged based on the criteria of the pageant. The judge’s decision will be final. The judges’ score sheets will not be given to contestants on the night of the pageant; however, they can be picked up on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at the Hope Mills Recreation Center. The score sheets will be destroyed on Friday, Oct. 20, if not picked up.

     

    Photographer: There will be a photographer on-site to take pictures. A Miss Photogenic is named the night of the pageant by the photographer and receives a trophy. 

    Interviews: Contestants in the age groups 13–16 and 17–22 have an onstage question that will be added to their score. Questions may come from the pageant application or from other sources chosen by the pageant committee.

    People’s Choice Award: Vote for your favorite contestant by purchasing a flower and placing it in the vase provided with the contestant’s name. The winner will be announced on Saturday night. The People’s Choice Award winner will receive the flowers from the vase plus the cash of the amount of flowers purchased in their vase only. Other contestants will receive their vase and flowers.

    Admission: Admission to the pageant costs $5 per person when paid at the door. You may purchase advance tickets at the Hope Mills Recreation Center up until Wednesday, Sept. 27, by 8 p.m. Each contestant is given one ticket for a parent or friend.

    For more information, call (910) 426-4109.

  • 10CorpsOperation Inherent Resolve continues in Iraq, but the Army’s 3rd Armored Corps has taken over the fight against ISIS.

    Fort Bragg’s 18th Airborne Corps Headquarters element has returned home. Most of the unit’s 450 paratroopers came back over the last few weeks. Their commander, Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, and the last 40 members of the outfit, arrived last Wednesday evening. They were met at Pope Field’s green ramp by family and friends.

    “Our Soldiers and units are skilled, tough and stand ready around the clock to defend America,” Townsend said before his group deployed in August of 2016. “I could not be prouder of any organization I’ve served in,” he said upon their return.

    Townsend’s Combined Joint Task Force was an international coalition of 73 nations formed three years ago to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The general told news reporters gathered to greet the soldiers, “It’s not over yet, but we put a huge dent in ISIS.”

    None of the Corps’ soldiers lost their lives during the 12-month deployment but 13 members of the Coalition were killed. Townsend said the Corps’ mission was to help Iraqi and Syrian forces defeat the enemy by enabling them in five ways: supplying equipment, training, intelligence, precision air and ground fires and combat advice.

    “In 2014, they were broken and defeated,” Gen. Townsend said of Iraqi troops. He now says that over the past three years the Coalition has made significant progress. It has trained more than 120,000 partner forces, and 80,000 square kilometers, which were once held by the enemy, have been reunified. And 5.6 million people in Iraq and Syria have been liberated from ISIS control. Townsend said Iraqi security forces lost 10,000 troops in the fight.

    In July 2017, the Iraqi city of Mosul was recaptured by security forces backed by the U.S. “In Mosul we saw the toughest fighting anyone has seen since World War II,” Townsend told reporters. He noted this is not typical warfare. War fighters had to overcome ISIS’ use of chemical weapons, explosive-laden drones, suicide missions, armored car bombs and the use of civilians as human shields. “Every victory against ISIS in Iraq and Syria makes us that much safer here at home,” Townsend said.

    The Corps transitions back to Fort Bragg to reset, refit and begin training for the next mission. “It is not the nature of Paratroopers to sit on their hands. We will train hard to ensure we are ready to answer the nation’s call,” Townsend said.

    Returning paratroopers enjoyed a four-day weekend. Asked what’s next for him, Townsend said he’s not looking beyond commanding 18th Airborne Corps. The 56 year-old three-star general has been the Corps’ commander for two years, which is the typical length of a tour for Fort Bragg’s commanding general.

  • 09SouthernWhat do Southern U.S. Army posts have in common? They’re named after Confederate officers. The man for whom Fort Bragg was named was a military leader. Camp Bragg was established in 1918 as an artillery training ground and honored native North Carolinian Gen. Braxton Bragg, who also happened to be a slave owner. He commanded the Army of Tennessee in the Civil War and later was given command of the Department of North Carolina by Jefferson Davis. History records that he was loathed by his fellow generals. Author Earl Hess titled his most recent biography “Braxton Bragg: The Most Hated Man of the Confederacy.”

    There are nine other posts named for Confederate generals and a colonel, including the head of the Army, the reported Georgia chief of the Ku Klux Klan and the commander whose troops fired the opening shots of the Civil War. Both the Army and the South are tradition-bound entities that revere their pasts. The naming of the posts came long after the Civil War.

    Army Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, has said there is “no discussion” to rename the installations. That should put to rest the anxiety of Southern heritage traditionalists. “Every Army installation is named for a soldier who holds a place in our military history,” Brig. Gen. Malcolm Frost said. “These historic names represent individuals, not causes or ideologies.” Critics point out that with a rich history of American military leaders to choose from, it’s ridiculous to keep the names of Confederate generals.

    In its outline of the history of naming Army installations, the Army notes, “It was common for camps and forts to be named after local veterans with a regional connection.” All 10 of the bases located in the South honor ranking officers who served in the Confederacy:  Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, honors Louisiana native and Confederate Gen. Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard (1818-93, West Point class of 1838). He led the attack on Fort Sumter.

    Fort Benning, Georgia, honors Brig. Gen. Henry Benning (1814-75), a Georgia lawyer, politician, judge and supporter of slavery. Fort Gordon, Georgia, honors Lt. Gen. John Brown Gordon (1832-1904). He was reported to be the leader of the state’s Ku Klux Klan and has “become for many Georgians, and southerners in general, the living embodiment of the Confederacy,” according to a Georgia Historical Society publication.

    Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, honors Virginian Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill (1825-65, West Point class of 1847). He had a frail physique and was frequently ill, attributes which some historians believe are linked to the gonorrhea he contracted while on furlough from West Point.

    Fort Hood, Texas, honors Gen. John Bell Hood (1831-79, West Point class of 1853). Hood was wounded at Gettysburg. He led his troops in a massive assault during the Battle of Chickamauga, suffering wounds that led to the loss of his right leg.

    Fort Lee, Virginia, honors Virginian General Robert E. Lee (1807-70, West Point class of 1829), the South’s commanding general by the end of the War Between the States.

    Fort Pickett, Virginia, honors Maj. Gen. George Pickett (1825-75, West Point class of 1846), a Virginia native. Pickett’s 1863 charge at Gettysburg has been called “the high-water mark of the Confederacy” before ending up a Union victory.

    Fort Polk, Louisiana, honors Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk (1806-64, West Point class of 1827), an Episcopal bishop born in North Carolina. His immediate superior was Gen. Braxton Bragg.

    Fort Rucker, Alabama, honors Tennessee native Col. Edmund Rucker (1835-1924) who was often called “general” but never attained the rank.

  • 08NewsDigestFayetteville’s murder rate is on pace to match the city’s all-time high of 31 homicides recorded last year. Twenty people have been killed thus far in 2017, eight of them since mid-August. On Friday, Sept. 8, just before 7 p.m., police found two individuals dead when officers made entry into a home on Yellow Brick Road off Hoke Loop Road in West Fayetteville. Police spokesman, Lt. Todd Joyce, said a third person and a child were in the home when officers arrived, but had not been hurt.

    This was the second double homicide in Fayetteville in a week. On Sept. 5, police found two men shot in a car parked in the Smokey Bones Bar & Grill parking lot on Skibo Road. One of them was dead; the other near death. He died three days later at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Twenty-four hours earlier, a female passenger in a car was killed in a drive-by shooting on Kennesaw Road. The driver was unhurt.

    These most recent murder cases remain unsolved, and police ask that anyone with information notify them. Fayetteville/Cumberland County Crime Stoppers is offering cash rewards. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 483-TIPS. Anonymous information can also be submitted online at fay-nccrimestoppers.org or by downloading the free P3 Tips app available on Apple and Android devices.

    Fayetteville Resident Dies in House Fire

    A raging fire in a home on St. Paul Avenue in Fayetteville claimed the life of the resident over the weekend. Fayetteville firefighters found the home in the Evergreen Estates neighborhood fully engulfed in flames just after midnight on Saturday, Sept 9. A car was also on fire. Two firefighting crews entered the house to fight the blaze. “One of the crews located the victim in one of the back bedrooms,” said Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Morgan. Ambulance paramedics from Cape Fear Valley Medical Center declared the resident dead on the scene.

    Firefighters battled the blaze for approximately an hour before it was fully extinguished. “Damage was done to the entire home with the bulk of the fire damage in the living room and carport area,” Morgan said. “Damage to the structure, its contents and the car was estimated to be $150,000.”  Cause of the fire and manner of death have not been determined. The origin of the fire was the living room of the home. A joint investigation involving the FFD, Fayetteville Police, ATF and SBI is underway.

    North Carolina Sues Chemours

    State officials have ordered Chemours to stop releasing all fluorinated compounds into the Cape Fear River and began legal action against the company to suspend its permit for discharging wastewater into the river.

    The state of North Carolina initiated a lawsuit against Chemours in Bladen County Superior Court. Acting on behalf of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, attorneys with N.C. Department of Justice are seeking a court order against Chemours Fayetteville Works plant on the Bladen County line. In a separate letter, DEQ notified Chemours that the state has begun the process of suspending the company’s wastewater permit for failure to adequately disclose the release of GenX into the Cape Fear River.

    Without the permit, the company cannot release any wastewater into the river. “Protecting people’s drinking water is our top priority, and we’ve put Chemours on notice that it must stop discharging these chemicals into the Cape Fear River immediately,” said Secretary Michael Regan of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. In June, DEQ and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services began investigating the presence of GenX, a chemical made at Chemours’ Fayetteville plant, in the river.

    In a letter to the company, DEQ wrote: “We have found no evidence in the permit file indicating that Chemours or DuPont (Chemours’ predecessor) disclosed the discharge to surface water of GenX compounds at the Fayetteville Works.” DuPont operated the Fayetteville Works facility that produces GenX until 2015 when Chemours was created as a spin-off company.

    911 Center Negotiations Continue

    City of Fayetteville and county of Cumberland officials still do not agree on who should run a planned joint emergency dispatch and call center. Some city council members are ready to move forward as originally planned with the city operating the system. But the council agreed last week to have Deputy City Manager Kristoff Bauer and Assistant County Manager Tracey Jackson continue their negotiations.

    At issue are operational standards and funding. Bauer told city council some progress had been made. The ultimate decision regarding which entity of local government operates the system hinges on whether the county is willing to match the city’s operational standards. The City Communications Division is nationally accredited; the county’s is not.

    Police and Public Working Together

    The police will tell you that one of their biggest weapons in the fight against crime is community. Detectives have arrested a pair of men in a string of armed robberies that occurred during the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, Sept. 3, and officers are crediting the public. 

    Police said active social media outlets, shared public information and phone tips led to the successful identification and apprehension of the suspects. “Providing anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers, statements and sharing information with others is a key component of community policing,” said Police Chief Gina Hawkins. “We are grateful for the relationships that have been established in our community to work together to make it safe,” she added.

    Thomas Eugene Skipper, 26, and Jason Allen Gates, 28, fled to Mount Olive, North Carolina, according to police. Detectives received information of their whereabouts once their photographs were shared across social media. The FPD violent criminal apprehension team along with Mount Olive and Duplin County authorities located and arrested Gates and Skipper without incident.  They’ve been jailed, charged with robbing a customer of a Raeford Road grocery store, a patron of a local tavern and an employee of a bowling alley. The public can contact the police via Crime Stoppers by calling (910) 483-TIPS.

    Wilkes Road Yard Debris Dump Reopens

    The county has reopened the Wilkes Road Compost Facility at 771 Wilkes Rd., following a pesky mulch fire that closed the facility Aug. 27. No equipment or buildings were damaged in the fire.

    The facility is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Wilkes Road facility accepts residential yard waste and commercial land-clearing debris. Vegetative debris is treated and sold for boiler fuel and is also used to create screened compost and mulch. Residents can purchase the screened mulch Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  • 06CindyBlackwellMay2017Cindy Blackwell announced this week that she changed her party affiliation to Republican. She plans to actively seek the GOP nomination for Cumberland County Clerk of Court in 2018.

    “When I first registered to vote in Cumberland County, I was a young adult working for an elected official,” she said. Her family was Republican, Blackwell noted, but an acquaintance persuaded her not to register with the GOP — the friend was concerned that Blackwell’s party registration might affect her job.

    Blackwell said she has always voted for the candidate she considered most qualified, regardless of party, and that she believes voters will look at her qualifications and experience and choose her for Clerk of Court.

    “In light of recent events in our courthouse, I just couldn’t go along with the ‘status quo’ politics. So, I made my choice and switched party affiliations. I  feel good about my decision to join the Republican delegation. It feels right,” Blackwell said.

    “The race for Cumberland County Clerk of Court should be about who is the most qualified candidate and who has the knowledge, experience and knowhow to serve the people. I intend to run a fair, hon
    est, respectable, but, aggressive campaign to personally meet and introduce myself to both Democratic and Republican voters across the county,” Blackwell said. “I believe the Courthouse belongs to the people. No single political party owns it, and it’s no place for partisan politics that places personal political favor over competency, qualifications and an honorable and documented track record.”

    She went on to say that the average person dreads going to the courthouse in Fayetteville, because the place is slow and frustrating to deal with and that the current system just promotes the status quo.

    “They’re not trying to make the courthouse work better for average folks,” she said. “I want people to know that things can get better — that voters will actually have a choice this time around. I want them to decide who is the most qualified to be the next Clerk of Court.”

  • 15FTCC mentorThe Mighty Male Mentoring Program is a goaloriented program designed to support the educational and professional aspirations of minority males (also known as mentees) at Fayetteville Technical Community College. The 3M Program seeks to increase completion of developmental and curriculum courses, retention, graduation rates and rates of transfer to a UNC four-year institution. To accomplish this, the program increases exposure to academic and financial aid advising and to educational, professional and civic opportunities.

    It’s uncontroverted that minority males face many personal challenges and obstacles when it comes to college education program admittance, financial resources, job skills, job placement, stereotypes, low grade point averages, low Accuplacer test scores and a sense of future direction, to name a few. This is where the 3M Program steps in with mentors and academic advising.

    Advising students includes bimonthly meetings that identify some of the challenges and obstacles mentioned above in order to improve students’ knowledge and decision-making skills as well as to increase awareness and identify opportunities for active engagement. The design of bimonthly meetings also helps to increase students’ team building, communication and leadership skills.

    Mentoring students involves developing a more personal, one-on-one relationship between student and advisor/mentor. Some of the mentor’s duties include coaching students on a particular skill, facilitating growth by sharing knowledge and challenging students to take risks and move beyond their comfort zone. Regular contact — at least twice a month — allows students to bond and identify with their mentor.

    The 3M Program is more than just worthwhile — it’s a game changer.  That’s because its benefits are permanent. By matching students who have demonstrated a desire to succeed with dedicated faculty and staff members who serve as mentors, relationships are forged that create win-win situations.  Not only do the mentees reap tremendous rewards, but also the mentors benefit greatly.

    The process begins with potential mentees filling out an application that memorializes their commitment to improve both as students and as male members of their communities. Upon acceptance, the mentees complete a contract with their mentors wherein they attest to a plan of action. Mentors are pre-screened to identify their areas of expertise and level of commitment. The bimonthly plenary meetings ensure program participants stay motivated and augment any individual meetings between mentor and mentee. In addition, numerous activities are available that reinforce the program’s mission, purpose and expectations. 

    FTCC’s 3M Program continues to grow, and FTCC hopes to make significant strides this school year. The Links Inc. and a group of dedicated volunteer mentors support the efforts of the program.  Equally encouraging has been the caliber of the mentees who have been participating. 

    Young men who participate in the program will explore who they are as individuals, establish goals and identify resources necessary to help them reach those goals. It is the making of a better man. Learn more about the unique, life-changing opportunities available at FTCC by visiting www.faytechcc.edu or by visiting the  Fayetteville, Spring Lake or Fort Bragg campus locations.

  • 10AfghanWarFor months, Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr. made the case for an expanded U.S. military commitment to Afghanistan. And for a brief time, it appeared President Donald Trump might relieve Nicholson because Trump didn’t want to hear that.

    Nicholson believes the faltering Afghan war is an urgent matter of American security and that Afghan defense forces need more time and U.S. support to become self-sufficient.

    Last month, the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan got his wish; Trump publicly committed himself to a strategy closely identified as the plan Nicholson and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani hammered out in dozens of meetings this spring and summer.

    Nicholson, 61, has spent more time in Afghanistan than any other senior commander, and he now must deliver on what many observers say may be an impossible mission. The aim is to help Afghan forces turn around a stalemated conflict with the aid of a few thousand extra advisory troops. Fort Bragg’s 82nd Airborne Division will reportedly contribute to the 4,000 additional troops for what some are calling the second Afghan war.

    Nicholson is intimately familiar with America’s Guard of Honor. His first five years of service were in the 82nd Airborne. From October 201214, Maj. Gen. Nicholson served as commanding general of the 82nd. He still wears the AA combat patch on his right shoulder.

    Before his 82nd command, the four-star general spent more than three years in Afghanistan in multiple command positions. He has also served on the immediate staffs of the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army. Nicholson took command in Afghanistan in March 2016 for a tour of duty that typically does not last longer than two years. But several recent commanders have served shorter tours for a variety of reasons. It’s widely believed Defense Secretary James Mattis and Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, support Nicholson staying in his role.

    Trump and Nicholson do not know each other, and the general said last week that he communicates with administration officials through the military chain of command. He reports directly to the U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida.

    At one White House meeting to discuss Afghan policy, Trump reportedly threatened to fire Nicholson out of frustration at the stumbling war effort, stunning his aides. In a recent Stars & Stripes interview at his headquarters, Nicholson declined to discuss that episode. Asked if he now believes the president supports him, Nicholson paused, smiled and answered, “Yes.” Asked to elaborate, he smiled again and shook his head.

    Nicholson made a very public pledge to defeat and eliminate the local Afghan branch of ISIS known as ISIS-K, promising to do so by the end of 2017. To that end, he authorized use of the MOAB bomb, the most powerful non-nuclear weapon in the U.S. arsenal. It was a decision that made headlines while inviting some to wonder whether Nicholson considered the political impact such a decision might have. He heaps praise on the Afghan special operations forces, which will be doubled in size and trained by U.S. and NATO advisers under the new military plan.

     

    PHOTO: Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr. and Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs  of Staff.

  • 09NewsDigestThe city of Fayetteville and county of Cumberland are at an impasse as members hash out differences about day-to-day operational control of the proposed $30 million joint 911 center.

    Up & Coming Weekly obtained a copy of a secret email distributed only to city council members during a closed meeting. In the memo, Deputy City Manager Kristoff Bauer said that “the city has demonstrated its ability to operate an effective PSAP. The County has not.”

    A PSAP is a Public Safety Answering Point responsible for receiving emergency 911 calls for police, fire and ambulance services. Bauer noted that county commissioners, if granted control, have not agreed to operate the PSAP at city standards, which are higher than county 911 standards.

    Fayetteville’s emergency communications division, managed by the police department, is nationally accredited. Fayetteville City Council Committee members Bill Crisp and Jim Arp insist, therefore, that the city should run the facility.

    Up & Coming Weekly reached out to County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe but did not hear back from him. He has been outspoken in support of county control of the 911 center.

    Fayetteville’s 15th 2017 Murder

    Four homicides occurred in Fayetteville during a two-and-a-half-week period between Aug. 10 and 26. In the most recent instance, officers responded to a report of a shooting in the parking lot of Carlie C’s Supermarket at 690 South Reilly Road.

    They found a man and a woman had been shot. The male victim has been identified as Nisier Nuriddin, 20. He was dead on arrival at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. The female victim is Tontaria Lunsford, 20. She suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.

    Detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department’s homicide unit are actively investigating the homicide. No one has been arrested. Police noted that the number of homicides is fewer than at this time last year. What they didn’t say is that 31 murders in 2016 was a record high.

    New Local Baseball Website

    FayettevilleOnDeck.com is a new web portal sponsored by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber to serve as a resource for information on development in Downtown Fayetteville. The site is designed to locate information on bids, requests for proposals, construction, road closures and all things relating to the new ballpark, Prince Charles redevelopment and other important projects downtown.

    “We wanted to help our members, residents and local businesses find real-time information on the redevelopment efforts downtown,” said Christine Michaels, Chamber president and CEO. Website features include a video walkthrough and flyover of the stadium, renderings of the stadium’s appearance, minutes from the city baseball committee meetings, press releases, a construction timeline and other pertinent information.

    Contributors to the site include the Houston Astros, the city of Fayetteville, Prince Charles Holdings and general contractor Barton Malow. Inquiries can be directed to FayettevilleOnDeck@gmail.com.

    Happy Birthday, Fort Bragg

    Fort Bragg has launched a yearlong campaign in recognition of its 100th anniversary.  During the celebration, each month will be designated to recognize different decades and the founding of Special Forces and the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the only all African-American World War II parachute regiment.

    During September, the post is focusing on Fort Bragg’s early years from 1918 to 1919. Birthday shout-outs will be posted to Fort Bragg’s social media platforms and webpage each month. The USO, local media, the community relations team, the Greater Fayetteville Chamber and Fort Bragg’s protocol office are helping to spread the word to celebrities, sports teams, business leaders, elected officials, retired commanders, veterans and family members.

    American Red Cross Aid

    From the Department of Homeland Security: “The compassion and generosity of the American people are never more evident than during and after a disaster. It is individuals, nonprofits, faith- and community-based organizations, private sector partners, and governmental agencies working together that will most effectively and efficiently help survivors cope with the impacts of Tropical Storm Harvey.”

    The American Red Cross has mounted a massive relief effort to aid victims of the most devastating rainfall and flooding event in U.S. history. Thousands of people are spending nights in more than 50 Red Cross shelters across the Gulf Coast.

    “This is the time for folks to come together to support one another,” said Brad Kieserman, vice president of Disaster Services Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. The Red Cross has mobilized hundreds of trained disaster relief workers, truckloads of kitchen supplies and tens of thousands of ready-to-eat meals. Trailers full of shelter supplies including cots and blankets — enough to support more than 20,000 people — are in Texas. The Red Cross is working in close collaboration with government officials and community partners in Texas and Louisiana to coordinate response efforts.

    The Red Cross depends on financial donations to provide disaster relief. Help people affected by Hurricane Harvey by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

    NC Highway Patrol on Alert

    The State Highway Patrol is focusing on safety in and around school zones.  Motorists should be aware of an increase in school traffic and familiarize themselves with school bus stop locations. There will be more teen drivers on the road as some will be driving to and from school for the first time. And motorists should also expect an increase in pedestrian traffic in and around school zones.

    “Ensuring the safety of students as they travel to and from school is a responsibility shared by everyone,” said Col. Glenn McNeill Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. Troopers are monitoring school bus routes to ensure that motorists stop for school buses as they pick up and release students.               

                               

    NOTE: Regarding the downtown baseball stadium, Up & Coming Weekly reported last week that “Deputy City Manager Kristoff Bauer noted the rear of the property has to be elevated because it’s in a flood plain. It’s the general area where two railroad lines form an inverted V... contractors will have to raise the rear section of the former Sears parking lot, which locals may remember from decades ago.” Bauer has clarified that the furthermost area near the railroad tracks will remain a deep water collection area for rain and storm runoff. The zone in front of that collection area will be elevated a few feet to provide depth and level ground for the stadium.

  • 05HitsMissesHIT:  The Baseball Stadium is officially under construction in an area of downtown Fayetteville that has gone undeveloped for 45 years.

    The city of Fayetteville and Houston Astros broke ground Aug. 21 on the $33 million ballpark, which is expected to take 18 months to complete. It will open for the 2019 baseball season.

    MISS: The FAST Transit Center will finally open in the month ahead, 16 months behind schedule.

    The impressive terminal in the block bounded by Robeson, Russell, Winslow and Franklin Streets will serve the Fayetteville Area System of Transit, Greyhound and Mega Bus.

    HIT: Chief of Police Gina Hawkins has been sworn in. She’s Fayetteville’s eighth police chief since 1949 when the city adopted its council/manager form of government. Hawkins is Fayetteville’s first female chief. She’s also our first biracial minority. Her father was black. Her mother is Panamanian.

    MISS: The Ray Avenue Fountain’s water has been turned off by PWC. The water feature was built and paid for by businessman Paul Lawing. City officials said there are no plans to eliminate the fountain to make way for the stadium, and they have no idea why the water was turned off.

    HIT: A Splash Pad has been formally opened at the Kiwanis Recreation Center. A similar splash pad at Massey Hill Recreation Center will open any day now. They’re the first projects authorized by voters in last spring’s parks bond referendum to be built. A third splash pad is under construction at Myers Park Recreation Center in Savoy Heights.

    MISS: Traffic Cops are in short supply. Chief Hawkins needs to figure out how to redeploy more officers from their current assignments to the traffic enforcement division. They could help reduce red light running, which the video cameras have done little to accomplish.

    HIT: The Rowan Street Bridge progress is apparently ahead of schedule. General contractor S.T. Wooten Corporation of Wilson, North Carolina, is reputed to finish major jobs well ahead of schedule.

    The new $23 million bridge and realignment of Bragg Boulevard, Murchison Road and Rowan Street was initially projected by DOT to take three years.

  • 090915_chicken.jpg

    Move over turkey and make room for poultry. For 30 years, Hoke County has held the Annual North Carolina Turkey Festival, drawing thousands of people to partake in the festivities. This year, they have stirred things up, but don’t worry, it’s the same fun event but with a new name this year. The 1st Annual North Carolina Poultry Festival begins on Friday, Sept. 11 and runs through Saturday, Sept 19. 

       “The Poultry Festival is one of the largest events that goes on in Hoke County,”said Melissa Pittman, executive director of the festival. “For a county of our size that is a wonderful thing because 50,000 people will participate.” 

       The event, themed “Hatchin up Some Fun,” kicks off with the Turkey Bowl on Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in Raz Autry Stadium at Hoke County High School. The events for Saturday, Sept. 12, include a 5K Pajama Run, a tennis tournament, a cornhole tournament with a cash prize of $500, a car show, a dog show, a $7 per-plate sale with leg quarters and barbecue and The Rivermist Band of Fayetteville, who will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. for a concert at Armory Ball Park. For Sunday, Sept. 13, a tennis tournament is slated at Hoke County High School. The cost is $20 for one event and $30 for two events.  

    The opening ceremony is on Monday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. at the L. E. McLaughlin Senior Room, where sponsors are recognized and refreshments are provided. A card tournament will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Raeford Civic Center and the cost is $7. Each table will win a grand prize and other prizes will be awarded throughout the night. Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m., residents over the age of 55 are invited to attend “Senior Day” at 10 a.m. at the Raeford Civic Center. Health screenings are scheduled and a speaker will discuss women’s care for diabetics and the elderly. A Subway bagged lunch is planned followed by bingo. The cost is $5. 

    On Thursday, Sept. 17, the Poultry Festival parade will start at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street. Friday, Sept. 18, a “Fitness at the Festival” is planned at the FirstHealth Fitness Center. Demonstrations of equipment and walk-throughs of everything that the center has to offer the residents of Hoke County are available.

    A three-on-three adult basketball tournament is set for Saturday, Sept. 19, at 9:45 a.m. at Hoke County High School. The fee is $45 per team. A three-on-three youth basketball tournamentis scheduled at 10 a.m. at McLaughlin Park. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 9. First and second place winners will receive trophies and T-shirts. Entertainment begins at 10 a.m. Food, crafts and informational and commercial vendors are on site from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. There will be a children’s corner where children can make crafts and ride ponies at 9 a.m. A cooking contest with any kind of poultry product takes place on Sept. 19 at 9 a.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners.  

       “We want everyone to come out and enjoy the fun,” said Pittman. Ticket cost for the rain or shine concert is $10. The cost of the 5K pajama run is $20 early registration and $25 the day of the event. For more information call 904-2424. 

  • Sarah Palin reminds me of Marge Simpson on steroids. Wholesome but cranky in a ‘roid range sort of way. I loved the Republican convention. The delegates looked like the membership committee at a country club. That was one pale bunch of dudes and dudettes. They must use a lot of SPF 2000 sun block to stay that white or maybe they are vampires. It won’t matter if the arctic ice cap melts, as we will always have a sea of Caucasian delegates at Republican conventions to remind us of what a blizzard of white looks like. Clint Eastwood would have been proud of all the Pale Riders in SUVs pulling up to convention center.
        Sarah gave a dandy speech. It was steak tartar for the huddled masses at the convention yearning to keep tax breaks for the very wealthy. With Sarah, what’s not to like if you like the way things are going? She made fun of the poor and middle class folks who have to rely on “community organizers” to try to get the system to respond to them. The effluent affluent have “community organizers” called lobbyists making the system respond to them. If the non-rich would hire their own K street lobbyists, Sarah wouldn’t have to make fun of them.
        Her experience as mayor of Wasilla will prove useful if she gets to be VP. As mayor, she tried to fire the city librarian who refused to censor library books if Sarah asked her to do so. Censorship by the government is always a great idea. The government should decide what we can read and think. Consider Saudi Arabia’s Committee for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. It keeps the chadors long and reading choices limited. With Sarah as President of Virtue and Vice of the United States, we won’t be troubled with differing opinions. Towing the party line will be fun. Bucking the party line, not so much fun. Lots more room on library shelves once Sarah gets rid of the books that don’t meet her personal standards.
        She’s doing everything right to fit into the Washington Bushworld culture. Relying on her experience canning the Alaskan Public Safety Administrator who refused to fire her highway patrolman ex-brother-in-law, she will be able to step right into the fine Bushian tradition of firing U.S. Attorneys who wouldn’t prosecute Democrat office holders for political reasons. If you can’t use political power to get even with your enemies, what’s the point in having it? She’ll be making a list of who’s naughty and nice and checking it twice. She’s all lawyered up to stonewall the Troopergate investigation by the Alaskan legislature until after the presidential election.
        She flip-flopped on the Bridge to Nowhere like John Kerry windsurfing off Massachusetts. Sarah was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it. She finally opposed the bridge when the late TV night comedians shamed Congress into canceling it. She didn’t get her bridge but she kept the bridge appropriation for $200+ million for Alaska. She’s not only the queen of moose burgers but she’s the queen of pork as mayor and governor. She’s grabbed umpty millions of lower 48 states’ tax dollars in earmuff marks for her constituents which she now opposes.
        The whole Sarah phenomenon has a certain Alice In Wonderland quality that is pretty cool. Her foreign policy experience consists of being governor of the closest state to Russia. We don’t know enough about Obama after two years of campaigning, but we know enough about her after a 40 minute speech to make her VP for the oldest president ever to take office. You have to admire the Through the Looking Glass gloss of McCain’s campaign.
    It was fun watching the various speakers at the convention fuss that McCain was going to bring change to D.C. They had severe cases of acute convenient amnesia that President Bush has been in charge for the last seven years and the Republicans controlled Congress for six of the last eight years. Bush wasn’t in charge when the housing market tanked, the stock market crunched, jobless rates reached a five year high and more Americans found themselves without health insurance. He was in Crawford, not his fault, not our fault. But as McCain chanted “Change is coming! Change is coming!”{mosimage}
        The conventional theory is when you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging. McCain’s theory is “Elect me and we’ll have new shovels for everyone.” Like the old saw about new wine in old bottles, the Republicans are pledging new shovels in old holes. Can you dig it?
        I can hardly wait for the next mukluk to drop.






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

    09-07-11-pub-notes.jpgFor most of us, up until 9/11, bombs exploding in our streets were a foreign concept. We went about our business in a somewhat protective cocoon believing those kinds of things only happened in dusty cities in the Middle East. We watched it play out like a movie in our evening news. It was not our reality.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    He was right.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 09-21-11-acap-job-fair.jpgDust-off those resumes and break out the business suit, there is a job fair at the Fort Bragg Club on Sept. 28. The Army Career & Alumni Program (ACAP) along with the ACS Employment Readiness Program are teaming up to host the semi-annual Fort Bragg Employment and Career Fair, and you don’t have to be affi liated with the military to attend — it’s open to the public.

    Both ACS and ACAP are in the employment readiness business. Between the two organizations, they help soldiers who are retiring or separating from the Army and their spouses. The job fairs are open to the public though, because it’s clear to the event organizers that having a strong work-force is good for everyone.

    “Of course, one of the purposes of ACAP is to decrease the unemployment rate among retirees and those leaving the service. This fair is also one of the things Fort Bragg does to help combat the local unemployment rate, so anything we do to combat that is good,” said ACAP Counselor Morgan Kirby. “Besides, if employers come and hire people and find the perfect person for different positions, they are more apt to come back next time. There is not a target population for this event, we just want to help people find jobs.”

    The prospects are looking good with more than 50 employers coming out to court the attendees. Look for government agencies, members of the healthcare industry, intelligence careers, aviation careers, federal contractors, information technology, security agencies, law enforcement, human resources, retail, financial services, school systems and colleges among the vendors at the job fair.

    “Bring your resumes — a number of different copies and business cards if you have any,” said Kirby. “Wear your best business attire, however, if you are in the military it is acceptable to wear your ACUs.”

    A typical turn out for these job fairs is about 3,000, according to Kirby. Since they’ve joined forces with ACS, it could be quite a bit more this year.

    It’s no secret that the economy hasn’t been the best lately and matching up people with employers is something that Kirby really enjoys. A lot of the soldiers who come through ACAP have been in the military for several years, even decades, so a lot of them don’t have experience with job fairs.

    “So we put on a job fair preparation seminar and we sit down and talk with them about their resumes and the interview process. You see how excited people are and start getting excited for them,” said Kirby. “We go over how to present themselves, and things like that. To see people excited to fi nd jobs outside the military, and then actually fi nd something, is very rewarding.”

    There is still time to get ready. Visit the ACAP website at www.acap.army.mil or the ACS Employment Readiness website at www.fortbraggmwr.com/erp.php to find information about resume writing and other resources that are available to help prepare for the big event.

    The job fair starts at 9 a.m. and lasts until 2 p.m. Find out more at 396-2227 or 396-1425.

  • Turning Resistance into Assistance

    The Senior Corner topic in the Sept. 14-20, issue of Up & Coming Weekly was “When Seniors Say ‘No’ to help”. We shared many reasons why a senior might say they do not want help in their home.

    When there are concerns about safety, it is reasonable for family caregivers to express the desire for assistance for their loved one. Safety issues might involve poor nutri-tion, eating expired foods, mismanagement of medications, opening the door to strangers, unwelcome phone solicita-tions, being a fall risk or many other issues. Having con-cerns are always the reason help in the home is offered to a senior.

    09-28-11-senior-corner.jpgFollowing are strategies from Home Instead Senior Care and Dr. D’Aprix, a family caregiver consultant, to help family caregivers turn resistance into assistance.

    • Understand where the resistance is coming from. Ask a senior parent or loved one why he or she is resisting.

    • Explain your goals. Remind an older adult that you both want the same thing. Explain that a little extra help can keep them at home longer and will help put your mind at ease as well.

    • Bring in outside help. If a relationship with a senior is deteriorating, ask a professional, such as a geriatric care manager, for an assessment. A third-party professional can provide valuable input.

    Also, go to www.4070talk.com for tips on how to talk with a loved one. If you are having problems getting through to your older adult, consider asking an-other family member or close friend to intervene. If you’re not making headway, perhaps there’s someone better to talk to that older adult.

    • Research options to find the best resources for a senior in the community. The local Area Agency on Aging or geriatric care managers are great community resources.

    Or go to www.homeinstead.com and click on the re-sources tab for The Home Care solution, a guide for family caregivers to help them find the best in-home care for their loved ones. If you decide outside help is needed, reassure your parents and tell them you have researched caregivers and you are confident you have found the best you can find to come into the home to help.

    • Respect a senior’s decisions. Sometimes you won’t agree with an older adult’s decisions and that’s okay — as long as that senior is of sound mind, he or she should have the final say.

    Please remember that if a senior has dementia, a doctor or geriatric care manager should be consulted. Using logic often will not work with the senior so other strategies must be used.

    Once again, unless a senior has dementia, he or she has a right to make the final decision about care, even if a family caregiver or professional doesn’t agree. The flip side is that family caregivers have the right to suggest limits on behaviors that they think are risky.

    Without additional resources and education, the desire to be a perfect fam-ily caregiver can lead to burn-out. Perspective can come from friends, support groups and professional or informal support networks.

    The battle to turn resistance into assistance can be fierce, like seniors who call police when a professional care-giver shows up. Education can help arm family caregivers with the tools they need to cre-ate a win-win everyone.

    Photo: When there are concerns about safety, it is reasonable for family caregivers to express the desire for assistance for their loved one. 

  •     Scam artists and other dishonest businesses try to take advantage of consumers of all ages, but seniors can be special targets because they’ve built up a lifetime of savings and may be more trusting. One of the worst kinds of scams pressures seniors into spending their savings on living trusts and annuities that many of them don’t even need.
        My office recently won court orders against two companies that ran a living trust and annuity scheme in North Carolina. American Family Prepaid Legal and Heritage Marketing and Insurance of California are now banned from selling to North Carolina consumers.
        These companies targeted seniors and used tricky sales practices to sell them living trusts and annuities. The two companies worked together, visiting seniors at home and pressuring them to pay $1,995 for a living trust by preying on fears about the costs of handling their estates.
        {mosimage}Once the paperwork for a living trust was finished, a sales agent delivered it and tried to convince the consumer to buy insurance products such as annuities. Some seniors were talked into putting their entire life savings into annuities, a poor investment choice for most seniors.
        For example, a sales agent convinced one Charlotte couple to cash in their investments and put all of their savings into an annuity he told them would earn 7 percent interest. But the agent never told them the interest rate was guaranteed for only one year and that they would pay steep penalties of nearly 20 percent if they needed to withdraw their money.
        A senior from Cary got talked into cashing in an IRA worth tens of thousands of dollars to purchase an annuity. She told the sales agent that she depended on monthly payments from the IRA to cover her living expenses. The sales agent failed to tell her that switching to the annuity would cut her monthly income from $1,700 to less than $300.
        We’ve stopped these two companies from preying on any more North Carolina seniors but there are other scammers out there using some of the same tricks. Here’s how you can keep yourself and your loved ones from being hurt by any similar schemes.
        Never buy anything you don’t understand.
        Don’t make a quick decision about investment offers or changing insurance policies. Ask an independent professional and read all forms completely before you agree to sign.
        When a loved one dies, don’t be pressured into making major financial decisions or purchases right away.
    Be wary if a sales person says “it’s a special opportunity but you have to keep it secret,” or urges you to “act now” while using phrases like “limited offer,” “risk free” or “tax-free offshore investments.”
        When considering a living trust, check with an attorney first to see if a living trust meets your needs.         Living trusts are not one-size-fits-all documents, so before committing to any financial opportunity or agreeing to cash out your investments, consult with a trusted professional adviser, such as a lawyer or an accountant.

    If you or a loved one has been a victim of a scheme to take seniors’ savings, let us know about it. Call my Consumer Protection Division toll-free in North Carolina at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
  • In the weeks since the political comet we know as Alaska’s Governor Sarah Palin blazed into view at the Republican convention, our nation has been consumed by family issues trailing in her fiery wake. It is past time to have these national conversations, even though they make us testy with each other and sometimes with ourselves.
    More than two decades ago when Geraldine Ferraro became the first woman nominated for vice president on the Democratic ticket, and more recently when Hillary Clinton came close to getting the Democratic nod for president, mothering was not much of a political issue. Both women are mothers, of course, but by the time they ran, their children were out of the nest, making hands-on mothering less of a daily responsibility. In Palin’s case, however, her family of five children is young. Only one of her children is over 18, and the youngest is a special-needs infant. Her young family has ignited a debate over whether a mother in such circumstances can, or perhaps should, become vice president of the United States, only one breath away from the presidency.  It is an uncomfortable debate for many of us, including a legion of working mothers.
        {mosimage}Most American mothers are employed outside their homes today for many reasons, usually to support their families. It is a tough road, though, and many a working mother will confess to struggling to balance family needs and responsibilities with those of her job, no matter what that job may be. When I was a young working mother, I often felt at the end of a long day that I had not done either of my jobs — the one in the office and the one at home — as well as I could or should. Other mothers have told me they felt the same way.
        There is no “answer” to this issue, of course, and the issue itself is different for every mother and for every working and family situation. It is, however, a conversation we should be having as a nation about the nature of work and family in our new century. As the conversation unfolds, it has been interesting to me to note, most unscientifically, that younger mothers both in the media and in personal conversations seem to feel that, yes, mothers can, should and are effective both in the workplace and in their family circles. Older mothers who are nearing or have completed the intense phase of motherhood are not so sure.
        This may be merely a generational divide, but this working mother is glad we are talking about it.
    Another reality Palin’s young family has dropped on America’s doorstep is teenage pregnancy and all its associated issues and complications.
        Age-old conversations are being rekindled about a situation that occurs in many families, not always with positive outcomes. We all know that early motherhood is a strain on young parents, most often the mother. If she marries her child’s father, as Sarah Palin’s daughter says she plans to do, both mother and child are generally better off emotionally, physically and financially than if she does not, even though more young marriages end in divorce than marriages between older, more mature partners. What are the roles of the parents of the soon-to-be teenage parents in situations like this? Is the abstinence-only sex education curriculum mandated in most public schools, including those in North Carolina, adequate to prevent teenage pregnancy and all its many and varied complications, or should we provide our young people with factual information as well as moral directives?
        Early parenthood can be successful, and we all know instances when it has been. We all know, too, that many times it shortchanges and compromises the futures of both the young parents and their children by limiting educational options and lowering earning potential.
        I have to smile to myself about how my grandparents, born at the end of the 19th century and whose lives spanned the first 75 years of the 20th century, would marvel at all the “firsts” of this presidential cycle. The first bi-racial presidential candidate. The first woman who was almost a presidential candidate and the second woman who is a vice-presidential candidate. The first presidential candidate to acknowledge that he cheated on his first wife and married his second shortly thereafter, and now a publicly pregnant teenage child of a vice-presidential candidate. 
        I doubt my grandparents could have imagined all these sweeping social changes in less than a quarter century.
    None of us have magic solutions to balance work and family in the infinite situations dealing with it, and none of us can completely prevent unplanned pregnancies among young people who are really children themselves. None of us can predict with certainty who is going to be our next president and vice president either.
        Whatever the future holds for Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin, her stunning arrival on the American political stage is generating long overdue conversations about issues we have ignored for a long time.
        That, in itself, has got to be positive.


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

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

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

    Times four.

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

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

    How do I know all this?

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

    Now it is morphing again.09-07-11-margaret.jpg

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • uac091411001.jpg You are now reading one of the most sought after and enjoyed editions of Up & Coming Weekly. It’s our biggest and best read issue of the entire year: The 2011 Best of Fayetteville.

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

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

    As you travel throughout the community, look for the Best of Fayetteville plaques and certifi cates on display at the businesses you frequent. Look for the BOF logo in their ads or as a symbol of excellence posted on their websites. Speaking of websites, this year Up & Coming Weekly is showcasing the entire BOF issue on our website and in every electronic online edition atbof-2011-logo.jpg www.upandcomingweekly.com. The Best of Fayetteville edition will be sent out with every edition of Up & Coming Weekly for the entire year. Each winner will be linked back to their home website for easy access to valuable information. Read it, use it and send it to a friend with confi dence. After all, you are sending them the best of the best.

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

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

  • Doing the right thing means making difficult choices.

    American history is full of examples. Whether it be the impositions of the Stamp Act, the injustices of slavery or the intrusions of eugenics, Americans have had to decide how best to respond to tyrants in power — and sometimes to tyrants next door.

    Far too many people have made the wrong choice. Afraid to sacrifice their reputations, their ambitions, their property or their personal liberty, they have chosen to look the other way.

    Here in North Carolina, for example, the state operated a eugenics pro-gram for decades that sterilized thousands of North Carolinians against their will — on the grounds that their mental or physical infirmities made them unfit to reproduce. Rather than speak out against this practice, many of the state’s most-influential citizens either ignored or participated in it.

    The 18th century Virginia planter and Quaker leader John Pleasants chose differently when faced with his own era’s injustices. As early as the 1760s, John Pleasants and his son Robert had concluded that the institution of slavery was abhorrent to God and inconsistent with the principles of a free society. They resolved to do something about it.

    On the matter of slavery, John and Robert Pleasants were not bystanders. They were among the biggest slaveholders in Virginia’s Henrico County, near Richmond. Their Curles Neck Plantation was home to hundreds of slaves. Although the Pleasants family had long treated their slaves kindly, as they thought their Quaker faith demanded, it wasn’t until sometime in the 1760s that they fully embraced abolition.

    The problem with “doing something about it” was that at the time, it was illegal for Virginians to manumit, or free, their slaves. If John Pleasants had simply declared the workers at Curles Neck free and sought to pay them, he would have been subjected to punishment and his workers to re-enslavement.

    Perhaps such an act of civil disobedience might have advanced the cause of abolition a bit, but at great cost — particularly to the slaves themselves.

    Pleasants had other options, however. He could have attempted to take his slaves out of Virginia and then free them elsewhere. Or I suppose he could have attempted to organize a broad-scale insurrection against the Virginia government. But neither option had much prospect of success.

    Pleasants opted for a different course. Recognizing that there was growing sentiment among influential young Virginians such as Thomas Jefferson to at least limit the scope of slavery by prohibiting importation of new slaves and legalizing manumission, Pleasants rewrote his will. It now contained a provision that would free all of his slaves if Virginia ever legal-ized manumission.

    Pleasants died in 1771. His son Robert Pleasants then became one of the founders of the abolition movement in Virginia. He wrote frequent letters to prominent citizens such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry exhorting them to support manumission, the education of slaves and freed blacks and the legal abolition of slavery itself.

    Right after the American Revolution, there was a burst of anti-slavery sentiment in Virginia. It didn’t last, unfortunately, but a 1782 law legalized the manumission of slaves for a time. Robert Pleasants immediately liberated the slaves he had inherited from his father, and built one of the first schools for free blacks. The Gravel Hill community soon grew up around the school — one of the first communities of free blacks in the South.

    But other relatives refused to follow suit. So Robert Pleasants, the execu-tor of his father’s estate, went to court in the 1790s to carry out his father’s wishes. His attorney in the resulting case of Pleasants v. Pleasants was none other than John Marshall, the future chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

    They were successful. In 1799, the slaves at Curles Neck were freed, and joined the growing Gravel Hill community.

    John Pleasants was my sixth great-grandfather. When faced with injustice, he chose a middle course — to challenge it through moral suasion and the courts, rather than ignoring it or resorting to insurrection.

    What would you do?

  • 090915_faire.jpg

    Life wasn’t always so convenient and easy going. What would you do without electricity? Plumbing? The Internet? For most it’s a scary thought; for those who grew up during the Middle Ages it was normal. And though things were different, life was still good and fun and worth celebrating. At the Fort Bragg Renaissance Faire, the public has a chance to get a peek at what life was like back then. The fair brings history to reality through reenactment, food, music and more. Don’t miss it  Sept. 12–13 at Smith Lake.  

    This is the 5th Annual Renaissance Faire, and it looks to be a great time. Take the challenge, leave your digital devices at home and come enjoy a day much like a typical day in the 1500s. 

    “The faire offers the opportunity to learn about history in a fun, family-friendly setting. A time to forget one’s worries and step into another time where things are more as they should be — filled with laughter, song and magic,” said Chris Pugh.

    Renaissance Faires include a number of different activities that encourage performers, as well as participants, to interact with one another. Performers are dressed as if it is the 16th century and fair goers are encouraged to dress the same. 

    Activities during the faire include: paragon jousting and swordsmanship classes, handcrafted clothing, candles and jewelry, hand-forged medieval cloak pins, ladles, cutlery sets, chainmail and fire pokers.

    “Last year we added a great bouncy dragon, which was a delight for the children. This year there will also be a castle,” said Pugh.  

    To reenact this age, the Medieval Fantasies Company travels across the state. 

    “Handing out gifts to the children and meeting everyone coming to the faire, the knighting ceremony and the masquerade ball, are all great fun,” said Pugh.

    Chris, Mia and the extended Pugh family conduct a number of medieval and renaissance-themed services and have done so since 2003. 

    “We are indeed a family business. Our older daughters participate with us when they can. Our eldest is the fairy face painter! Our youngest still is at home and is very active in the company. It is a matter of heritage, I am Welsh and my lady is Swedish,” he said.

    “I began my involvement in all things medieval at an early age and we began this company more than 12 years ago. We feel there is so much from this time period that is needed today. The concepts of chivalry and the importance of learning can be rediscovered in the Renaissance,” said Pugh.

    The dark ages were an era of war and disease before the rebirth period. The Renaissance period brought forth more freedom to create art, practice religion, pursue science and indulge in music.

    This year’s fair will be held at the Smith Lake Recreation Area on Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a masquerade ball from 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. followed by the pub sing. Sept. 13. The fair runs from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and includes “Are You Smarter Than a Royal” from 4- 4:30 p.m. followed by the pub sing. Admission is $10 per carload.

  • 090915_cover.jpg

    Tony Kotsopoulos hasn’t always lived in Fayetteville. In the late 1980s, he lived in New York. The Greek Festival there was a lot of fun. The food, the dancing, the camaraderie, the music — it all resonated with him. The way it showcased the beauty and unity of the Greek community and so openly shared the culture and customs of his people just felt right. It reminded him of another tight-knit community, one that didn’t have a Greek Festival but probably should. 

    “When I came to Fayetteville in 1988, I asked my father-in-law, the late Pete Parrous, why there was no Greek Festival here,” said Kotsopoulos. “He said ‘I don’t know; no one ever brought it up.’ So we brought it up and started talking about it. We got together with the Greek community and the community leaders and decided to jump. There were so many people involved in getting it started. Everyone worked hard to make the festival happen.” 

    In the fall of 1991, the congregation of Sts. Helen and Constantine whole-heartedly invited the entire greater Fayetteville area to come and break bread with them and enjoy the hospitality of the Greek community. And they have done it every year since then. 

    This year, the Greek Festival takes place on Sept. 11-13 as part of a fun-filled weekend that includes both the Greek Festival and the Lafayette Birthday Celebration. It’s an opportunity to learn about two significant parts of the Fayetteville community.

    The Greek Festival starts at 11 a.m. on Friday Sept 11. 

    “This is a really special day for us because not only do we open the festival, we also have festival field trips for schools,” said Greek Festival co-chair Vince Higgins. “They come out and we give them a tour of our church, they get a history lesson, a geography lesson and learn about our church and iconography. They get lunch and see dancing and dance some, too.” 

    On Saturday, Sept. 12, the gates open at 11 a.m., with the opening ceremony at 12:30. 

    “We will have 82nd Airborne Division Chorus at the opening ceremony and they will perform the ‘National Anthem’,” said Higgins. “We will have Dr. Gail Morfesis sing the Greek national anthem and we will have a few words from Mayor Nat Robertson and then the dance troupe will perform.”

    This year’s festivities include all the favorites and a few new things, too. 

    “We always try to involve the military because the military is a big part of Fayetteville. There are many people who support and appreciate the armed forces but there are some that are not familiar with what they do. They just know they (the service members) are there,” said Higgins. “So in addition the having the 82nd Airborne Division Chorus, there will be military attractions including Artillery and a Humvee static display. This is our first year doing this — hopefully it is something we can grow later.”

    Get a taste of the islands at the many food vendors at the festival. Enjoy classic dishes like gyros, spanakopita, souvlaki and more. Save room for Greek pastries.  Foodies and aspiring chefs won’t want to miss the cooking classes and wine tastings. Pick up a few items at the Greek grocery, too. 

    Take a guided tour of the church and learn about the beliefs, customs and iconography of the Greek Orthodox faith. 

    Enjoy Greek music by the Baltimore band Zephyros. Specializing in Greek and American music, Zephyros has entertained audiences for more than 19 years with their lively music. And what is music without dance? The Sts. Helen and Constantine dance troupes will perform throughout the event as well, showcasing traditional Greek dances.

    Take home a memento from one of the many vendors at the festival and enjoy the many activities offered by Fayetteville’s finest. 

    “We’ve got so much going on. We have kids activities including community outreach by the Fayetteville Police Department, the Cumberland County Sheriff, the State Patrol and Fayetteville Fire Department, which includes static displays,  K-9 demos and robot demos  for bomb disposal,” said Higgins. “The Cumberland County Library will be there registering kids for library cards. The blood donor vehicle will be there, too.”

    Valley Auto World BMW and Volkswagen will be in attendance with several BMW and Volkswagen models. Guests can get a sneak peek at the all-new all electric BMW i3 as well as 2015 North America Car of the Year, the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

    Enter for a chance to win a trip to Greece. Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Each ticket offers the chance to win either $2,000 or two round trip airfares to Athens, Greece. Purchase of a raffle ticket also includes a chance to win one of the many hourly drawings.

    Though the festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, don’t look for things to slow down anytime soon. “We are not changing things but adding on. Provided we have good weather, we expect anywhere between 15,000 to 25,000 people throughout the weekend,” said Higgins. “I am proud to be a part of this community. This festival isn’t just for us but for everyone and it is great to see how everyone looks forward to it and how they come and enjoy themselves.”

    Kotsopoulos agrees. 

    “My favorite thing is working the festival and tasting the food and meeting the people. It’s good seeing the people come and enjoy themselves and have good time. They bring their families and it is a festive time — a great time — for everyone. We all need a festive time once in a while.”

    The Greek Festival takes place at the Hellenic Center and Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church at 614 Oakridge Ave. Entrance is free. For more information, visit www.stsch.nc.goarch.org/or by calling 484-2010. The festival runs from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Sept. 11-12 and from noon – 6 p.m. on Sept. 13. 

  •     Texas was the target of Hurricane Ike last week. And while the storm was a half a country away, it wreaked havoc on the lives of regular citizens of the Southeast, particularly in the Carolinas and Tennessee. And unless you haven’t left your house in the past week, you know that I’m talking about the unexplained, unnecessary sharp rise in gas prices the day before the hurricane hit.
        {mosimage}Here in Fayetteville, you could say we were in the middle of the storm. Driving into work, I thought to myself, “Self, you should get gas, because you know they are going to stick it to the man (or in this case, the woman.)” But I didn’t listen to self, I kept driving and passed numerous gas stations.
        Later in the day, I, like a lot of other people, was kicking myself in the pants. Gas had jumped at a minimum 30 cents. Some stations went to the extreme and jumped as much as 50 cents on the gallon. All of this amidst the governor’s call for people not to panic, and strong words about price gauging.
        Anybody notice the prices dropping?
        Most of the stations that upped the ante were still pumping gas that they had purchased at the lower price. They were hedging their bets — recouping money on profits that they may have lost over the coming days. Somehow, that seems not quite right.
        Now with Ike having passed, analysts are saying that the rise in gas prices should not last long. But no matter the length, there has been no rhyme or reason in this increase. It’s a man-made increase, not one caused by actual lack of supply.
    The federal government, over the past two days, has loaned large amounts of oil to the oil companies. That’s right — they’ve taken oil out of the strategic reserve and given it to the oil companies for their use — so they can stick it to we regular Joes, and reap a huge profit. I mean, when your profits are in the billions, you don’t want to lose one cent. Does anyone have a problem with that?
        So here we are paying $3.99 a gallon, while the folks in the middle of the actual storm were paying $3.79. The day before the storm, our prices jumped at a minimum 30 cents — theirs jumped 4.8 cents. In neighboring states, prices are around $3.70. North Carolina’s high gas taxes are part of the reason our prices remain high.
    Somewhere, somehow, something has got to give.


  • Our Common Bonds09-14-11-margaret.jpg

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

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

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

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

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

    The Secretary never showed.

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

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

    Near chaos reigned on the sidewalk outside.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • I had to read the news story twice, and then I scanned it again.09-21-11-margaret.jpg

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 090915_margared.jpg

    We are all guilty at times. 

    We encounter a person who is clearly compromised in some way. He is strapped to a chair because of a physical disability. She is mentally incapacitated and cannot communicate with others, or perhaps she talks incessantly, communicating only with herself. We see these people but we do not really see them. We do not think of them as people like us.

    We see them as “others.”

    Oliver Sacks thought no such thing.

    Sacks, a British neurologist who lived, taught, practiced medicine, contemplated the human condition and wrote about it all from New York City for 50 years, died late last month at 82. Remarkable is not an adequate word to describe Sacks’ take on life and on humanity, however damaged we might regard certain individuals. Sacks respected the people he treated, whomever they were and whatever conditions they suffered, as complex human beings with strengths and weaknesses — just like you and me.

    Said Sacks, “I love to discover potential in people who aren’t thought to have any.”

    As a physician and scientist working in some of the most prestigious and elite universities in our country, Sacks became well known to the general public through his writing. Awakenings was a 1990 movie starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro based upon Sacks’ book about patients in catatonic states from sleeping sickness — some for decades — whom he treated with an unconventional drug. His treatment revived them, restoring his patients to individuals desperate to resume the sort of normal lives you and I share. In the movie as in life, though, the patients slipped back to wherever they had been no matter how much medicine they were given.

    Sacks was a physician all of us would want if we found ourselves with a neurological condition, but his gift, mission, calling — however we choose to describe it — was not only to treat people with little-known neurological and mental conditions, but to understand and respect them as human beings. 

    Then he shared what he had learned about his unusual patients with everyone else.

    Sacks’ writings include: The Mind’s Eye, a recounting of how people with brain injuries compensate, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, the story of a man whose brain lost the ability to understand what he was seeing and Seeing Voices, an account of how deaf people perceive language. Sacks also studied, treated and helped us understand people with migraines, Asperger’s Syndrome, colorblindness, Tourette’s Syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, amnesia, hallucinations, and, in a book about his own muscle surgery, A Leg to Stand On, the chemical and neurological mysteries of our bodies and minds.    

    A skilled pianist, Sacks believed music fundamental to human beings, hard wired into our brains and cited as evidence music’s ability to reach even the most demented among us. Said Sacks, “I think we are an essentially, profoundly musical species… for all I know, language piggybacked on music.” 

    He noted that chimpanzees do not dance.

    Oliver Sacks was not without his critics. 

    Some found him heavy on anecdotal evidence, light on actual science, large on ego and commercial. Tom Shakespeare, a disability rights activist, referred to Sacks as “the man who mistook his patients for a literary career.” Strict scientific researchers found him all over the place.

    Maybe so.

    Many of us live with common conditions of our era — heart troubles, lung difficulties, diabetes among them, conditions well understood and well managed with conventional treatments. Sacks worked in a murky world inhabited by small numbers of patients, human beings who suffered nevertheless. He treated and wrote about people coping with and adapting to neurological conditions involving perception, memory and individuality that, blessedly, few of us will ever encounter.

    His legacy is that he helped us understand and have empathy for people who suffer conditions we will never know.

    Oliver Sacks, who at 81 still swam a mile a day, died of a rare variety of melanoma. As a physician, he understood exactly what was happening to him and shared his thoughts in the New York Times earlier this year.

    “I cannot pretend I am without fear. But my predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved. I have been given much and have given in return. Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure.”

     Sacks explored what he called “many strange, neuropsychological lands — the furthest arctics and tropics of neurological disorder.” 

    None of us want to visit these lands, but we are fortunate and grateful that he did and that he told us about them. What Sacks learned might not help many of us, but for those it does, his efforts and what he shared about consciousness and the human condition is profound.

  • Dear EarthTalk: What’s the story with animal cloning? Is the meat industry really cloning animals now to “beef up” production?                                  — Frank DeFazio, Sudbury, Mass.

        Cloning has been controversial ever since Scottish scientists announced in 1996 that they had cloned their first mammal, a sheep they named Dolly. While Dolly lived a painful, arthritic life and died prematurely, possibly due to the imperfections of cloning, industry nonetheless began seeking out ways to capitalize on the new technology. Meanwhile, critics bemoan cloning as immoral and a potential health and safety risk, given the as-yet-unknown consequences of eating foods generated in this way.{mosimage}
        In January 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the sale of cloned animals and their offspring for food, despite fierce opposition from animal welfare and consumer advocacy groups, environmental organizations, some members of Congress and many consumers.
        “Our evaluation is that the food from cloned animals is as safe as the food we eat every day,” said Stephen Sundlof, the FDA’s chief of veterinary medicine. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has asked that producers withhold cloned animals, but not their offspring, from the food supply while farmers, processors, grocery stores and restaurants decide how they will respond to the FDA’s landmark decision.
        Unsurprisingly, industry groups also argue that beef and milk from cloned animals are safe to consume. They cite a 2005 University of Connecticut study, which concluded that beef and milk from cloned cows did not pose any health or safety threats to people consuming it. But critics say that the oft-cited single study was far too limited to yield any meaningful conclusions: Milk and beef was taken from just six cloned animals, and the study did not take into account whether clones were more susceptible to infection or other microbial problems, as many scientists suspect. Other researchers have noted severe deformities in many cloned animals, as well as a higher incidence of reproductive, immune and other health problems.
        The Washington, D.C.-based Center for Food Safety, in a petition it filed in late 2006, declared: “The available science shows that cloning presents serious food safety risks, animal welfare concerns and unresolved ethical issues that require strict oversight.” The group announced on September 2, 2008 that 20 leading U.S. food producers—including Kraft Foods, General Mills, Gerber/Nestle, Campbell’s Soup and Ben and Jerry’s—will not use cloned animals in their products. “The move by these companies represents a growing industry trend of responding to consumer demand for better food safety, environmental and animal welfare standards,” the group said in making the announcement.
        Given the FDA’s green light, consumers’ only hope of avoiding cloned animal products may be to appeal to businesses directly not to peddle such items. The Pennsylvania-based American Anti-Vivisection Society, which opposes all forms of animal research and testing, has mounted a campaign to urge McDonald’s to forego cloned animals in its 30,000 restaurants worldwide.

        CONTACTS: U.S. Food & Drug Administration, www.fda.gov; Center for Food Safety, www.centerforfoodsafety.org; American Anti-Vivisection Society, www.aavs.org.

        GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/
  •     News flash: You’re all rubes.
        At least, that is, every American who doesn’t drink the far left, liberal Democratic brand of socialist Kool-Aid and froth at the mouth indignantly about the lack of governmental experience and general incompetency of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
        That’s the scoop according to the media — the overwhelming majority of whom are registered (if registered at all) Democrats.
        How do I know most members of the media are Democrats? Because I am a card carrying member of that pack of journalistic jackals who fancy themselves king makers and king breakers. In my 20 years of working in newspapers, attending journalism conferences, and drinking hard whisky in seedy bars with my brothers and sisters of the fourth estate, I’ve found Republican reporters to be about as common as attractive females at a convention of the National Organization of Women.
        Did you know that in journalism school aspiring reporters are taught to write copy at a fourth- to fifth-grade level so the readers can “get it?” That’s what the media elite thinks of everyman’s ability to grasp such difficult concepts as “What the definition of is, is.”
        Celebrities are another group who believe anyone not fawning over Barack Obama like a 12-year-old girl worshipping at the altar of the Jonas Brothers is a by-God, gun obsessed, Bible slinging yokel with an IQ measured in single digits.
        {mosimage}Recently, intellectual titan and spokesman savant for PETA and the Democratic Party, Pamela Anderson-Kid Rock-Lee, flexed her silicone … uh … muscles by slamming Palin with the following erudite barb: “I can’t stand her! She can suck it!”
        Bravo, Pam. Simply brilliant. Those seven years spent earning your bachelor’s degree at the Nancy Pelosi Community College and Home for Wayward Internet Porn Sensations is really paying off.
        Another celebrity who has taken Palin to task for her inexperience and “radical” views (Oh my God! The woman actually believes in God! She owns guns! She supports our military!) is thespian Matt Damon, who, when he’s not earning his living making films featuring the latest in submachine guns and rocket launchers, is enlightening and educating the illiterate, unwashed masses about such left wing talking points as the need for stricter gun control laws. Uh, Mr. Damon, sorry to interupt today’s lesson, but you’re needed on the set to kill about a million or so Ruskie spies with an unregistered Tec-9.
        Actress Annette Benning also dissed Palin, in between flying with hubby Warren Beatty around the globe in private jets, attending film premiers via a fleet of de rigueur limousines, and hitching a ride in Barbra Streisand’s Hummer — all so she could join Michael Moore and George Clooney for the latest lecture/rant by Al Gore about how we can reduce our carbon footprint by reducing America’s dependence on fossil fuels.
        Yes, folks, the media and celebrities are much smarter and much more enlightened than you and I when it comes to making decisions on who should be our political leaders — don’t take my word for it, just check out the nightly liberal love fests emceed by Katie Couric or Keith Olbermann under the guise of “real news.” Or, give a listen to economics wonk Paris Hilton, who reportedly recently reviewed every morsel of Obama’s campaign platform … all three lines of it … before exclaiming, “Like, you know, that Sally Palintino lady would be, like, a really bad choice for … uh … whatever she’s running for.”
        So, fellow rubes, break out your voting guide and go ahead and pencil in the Obama/ Biden ticket without examining their pasts or their past voting records (or lack thereof) — Lord knows the media’s not going to delve into the bone yard that’s rattling around in Barack’s or Tailgunner Joe’s closets. So relax and park your little brains in front of the tube for another episode of The Real World and ignore the real issues that are taking America down faster than Teddy Kennedy can knock back a tumbler of scotch.
        It’s just the right thing to do … stupid.
  • jeff10Fayetteville’s proposed $33 million Single-A baseball stadium will be built on city-owned property behind the former Prince Charles Hotel without a residential property-tax increase. The ballpark’s construction cost is tied to several funding sources as shown in the pie chart to the right. The Fayetteville City Council will own the facility, which will be operated under contract with the Houston Astros. Both parties have agreed to a 30-year lease. “The private development will be outlined in the master development agreement with the city and private developers,” said City Councilman Kirk deViere. He chaired the subcommittee that came up with the plan. 

    The funding model for the stadium includes investment from the city, county and private sector. County Commissioners unanimously approved their participation in the project last week. 

    “This is a great example of how the city and county can work together for economic growth. This project will have an annual impact of over $7 million dollars and over $20 million dollars during construction,” deViere added. 

    City and County governments will use tax increment financing of revenues earned from new construction added to the tax rolls in the specified district adjacent to the stadium

    A major part of the overall project is renovation of the former Prince Charles Hotel behind which the stadium will be built. New owners of the hotel plan to spend $15 million in renovations to build 62 apartments and a luxury penthouse on the eighth floor. PCH Holdings also has a memorandum of understanding with the city to develop property immediately surrounding the ballpark.

  • The City of Fayetteville is taking a new approach to gutter clutter. The Parks and Recreation Department’s landscaping division now has three two-man crews charged with right-of-way maintenance. Each crew is assigned a pickup truck with trash picker-uppers and weed eaters. “Their job is to patrol major and minor thoroughfares and gather up roadside trash,” said Director Michael Gibson. They head out each morning to pick up debris that motorists have tossed out their windows. The city contracts with a temp agency to provide full-time seasonal workers 38 weeks out of the year. They take off the late winter, early spring period, according to Gibson, who says these crews come in from a day’s work with truckloads of debris. “We’re cleaner than most other cities,” declared Gibson. The new program was funded this fiscal year by City Council.

     

     

    jeff5Airport Wins Federal Grants

    Fayetteville Regional Airport has received the first of three $10 million grants to expand the terminal building. The grant is part of an overall $30 million project to renovate and upgrade the terminal at the airport, according to Director Brad Whited. The terminal building was built in 1969. The last major renovation cost about $7 million and was done in three phases, which were completed in 2006. The new grant is provided by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program. The “Airport and Airport Commission are very excited to be awarded $10 million in 2016 from the FAA’s discretionary funding for non-hub airport terminals,” said Whited. He says the multi-year project will transform the 47-year-old terminal by updating the look and functionality to modern standards. Fourth District Congressman David Price (D-NC), Ranking Member of the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, made the announcement. The $30 million upgrade of the terminal will be paid for mostly by the federal government with the rest coming from airport revenues. The renovation project will be done in phases and includes replacement of Concourse A and expansion of the passenger screening area. Completion is scheduled for the summer of 2019.

     

     

     

    jeff6Suspect Government Fraud?

    The City of Fayetteville’s Office of Internal Audit is conducting a “Doing What’s Right” campaign in an effort to uncover fraud in city government. A city news release says the project is intended to “reduce incidents of fraud, waste and abuse that affect the City of Fayetteville.” The news release did not indicate what prompted the campaign. Residents and employees are encouraged to report suspicious activity by calling the fraud hotline at 1-877-339-4715. Examples of city-related fraud include: theft of city property, using city property for personal use, payroll or timekeeping scams, fictitious invoices for goods and services and accepting bribes, kickbacks and illegal gratuities. The city also suggests that suspicious activity in the private sector be reported to appropriate law enforcement agencies.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff7First Amendment

    A Fayetteville high school teacher is being criticized for desecrating the American flag to illustrate the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Massey Hill Classical High School history teacher Lee Francis’ first choice was to burn the flag, but when he asked if any of his students had a cigarette lighter, no one responded. So, instead, he dropped the flag on the floor and stomped on it. At least that’s the account of Sara Taylor, the parent of a student at the school. She posted a photo of the crumpled flag on Facebook and the response was predictable. Schools Superintendent Dr. Frank Till said there are better ways to teach students about freedom of speech. “There are a lot of examples in archives we could use that were appropriate,” he said.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff8Early Voting Next Month

    Early voting for the Nov. 8 general election begins Thursday, Oct. 20 and ends Saturday, Nov. 5. Citizens who want to take advantage of early voting, but are not registered to vote, may do same-day registration during the early voting period if they provide acceptable documentation. The changes are the result of federal court intervention overturning restrictive state laws. Early voting is at the Cumberland County Board of Elections Office and nine other locations across Cumberland County. The revised schedule results from action taken by the N.C. Board of Elections when the Cumberland County Elections Board declined to act. Remote early voting locations include Cliffdale Recreation Center, East Regional Branch Library, E.E. Miller Recreation Center, Gray’s Creek Recreation Center, Hope Mills Recreation Center, Kiwanis Recreation Center, North Regional Branch Library, Smith Recreation Center and Spring Lake Community Center. 

    Hours at the Elections Board Office in downtown Fayetteville are:

    Oct. 20-Nov. 4 (Monday through Friday) 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

    Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 (Saturdays) 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Oct. 30 (Sunday) 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

    Hours of operation at most remote locations are:

    Oct. 20-Nov. 4 (Monday through Friday) 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

    Oct. 29 & Nov. 5 (Saturdays) 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Oct. 30 (Sunday) 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

    Spring Lake early voting doesn’t begin until Oct. 27:

    Oct. 27-Nov. 4 (Monday through Friday) 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

    Oct. 29 & Nov. 5 (Saturdays) 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Oct. 30 (Sunday) 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

     

    jeff9Firefighters and EMS Workers Honored

    Cumberland County Emergency Services, the Fayetteville Fire Department and the Fire Chief’s Association of Cumberland County will conduct an annual memorial service Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. to honor firefighters and EMS workers who have sacrificed their lives serving the people of Cumberland County and Fort Bragg. The service will be held at the Emergency Services Memorial on the campus of Fayetteville Technical Community College next to Cumberland Hall. Names of first responders listed on the memorial are: Joseph E. Boles, Paul I. Boyer III, William I. Capps, Luther P. Horne, Ferrell D. Hood, Jesse M. Jones, Steve E. Russell Jr., David C. Sharp II, Jesse U. Shockley Jr. and John C. Tyner. Persons wishing to purchase memorial bricks or have bricks placed on the memorial walkway will find information at BravetheFire.com. 

     

     

     

     

     

  • jeff7 Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette was educated at the Collège du Plessis and the Versailles Academy. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Musketeers of the Guard on April 9, 1771. At age 19, the young Marquis was an adventurer at heart. He believed the American Revolution needed the advantage of direct French support. The impetuous nobleman defied the king and decided to visit America. Benjamin Franklin dispatched a letter to General George Washington asking him to accept the young Frenchman as an aide-de-camp. Lafayette purchased a ship and headed for America on April 20, 1777. He landed near Charleston, S.C., on June 13, and proceeded to Philadelphia where he offered to serve without pay. 

    Lafayette first saw action at the Battle of Brandywine where he was wounded in the leg. It was his first of several engagements with British Lord General Charles Cornwallis. Lafayette did not seek treatment until an orderly retreat was organized. For his actions, Washington cited him for bravery and recommended him for divisional command.

     He rejoined Washington at Valley Forge. Lafayette was promoted to Major General and was assigned to Major General Nathaniel Green. Washington ordered the army from Valley Forge to pursue the British across New Jersey. In the Battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778, Green and Lafayette met the enemy in a hard struggle in which Greene was cited for conspicuous service. During the night the British retired and eventually reached New York. In July, Greene and Lafayette were dispatched to Rhode Island to expel the British from the colony. 

    Lafayette was given leave to briefly return to France where he was granted 6,000 men under General Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau. He returned to America and conducted operations against the traitor Benedict Arnold. In March, 1781, A 2,100-man British force commanded by Cornwallis confronted Green’s 4,500 Americans at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina. The victory went to Cornwallis, but the British Army lost a considerable number of men during the battle with estimates as high as 27 percent. Such heavy British casualties resulted in a strategic advantage for the Americans. It was the largest and most hotly contested battle of the American Revolution’s southern campaign. Lafayette shadowed Cornwallis’s army as it moved north from North Carolina. They next met in Virginia at the Siege and Battle of Yorktown. Lafayette was with Washington on October 19, 1781, when Cornwallis surrendered his 8,000 troops to end the war.

    Sailing home to France in December, the marquis was promoted to field marshal. Again, Lafayette returned to America, and in 1824 began a lengthy tour of the country. The tour was one of the greatest American public events of the 19th century. From August 1824 to September 1825, Lafayette visited all 24 states of the Union. He came to Fayetteville on March 4 and 5, 1825. It was the first city to be named in his honor in the United States, and was the only namesake city he visited. Lafayette died in 1834.

    Every year Fayetteville’s Lafayette Society celebrates Lafayette’s birthday with various events in downtown Fayetteville.

  • Jeff1Assistant Fayetteville Chief of Police Anthony Kelly has been named Acting Chief upon the Sept. 30 retirement of Chief Harold Medlock. Kelly is one of three assistant chiefs. He headed the Fayetteville Police Department’s patrol bureau since January of last year. Kelly has been with the department for 22 years. “Interim Chief Kelly has shown exceptional leadership as an Assistant Chief,” said Interim City
    Manager Doug Hewett. “I am confident that he will do an excellent job of leading the Fayetteville Police Department during this transitional period,” he added. His staff has analyzed crime trends and developed structured goals to reduce crime with a holistic approach. Kelly holds a bachelor of science degree from Fayetteville State University and attended the West Point Leadership program at Methodist University and the FBI National Academy.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Jeff2A New Brand for the FPD

    Fayetteville Police have introduced a new website (FayPD.com), which Chief Harold Medlock says better represents the agency in its relationship with the community. “The website is much more user-friendly,” said Medlock. It provides real-time information in six basic categories: community policing, police reports, crime information, recruiting, social media and an open data portal for other city sites. The department no longer depends on a single web manager. “Division managers can input information from their desks,” added Medlock. The new site provides “breaking news” which is also made immediately available on social media. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff3Need Benefits? Make a Call

    The system hasn’t been tested yet, but military veterans can apply for VA health benefits over the phone. The Department of Veterans Affairs now allows former service members to complete health care applications by calling 877-222-8387. The phone line is manned by VA employees who provide callers with information on co-payments and third-party insurance. Until now, veterans had to apply in person at a VA medical center or submit an application to the department. After the VA inspector general disclosed a backlog of nearly 900,000 applications that stretched back 15 years, the department removed a provision that required applicants to physically sign the necessary paperwork, meaning they had to apply in person. If they prefer, veterans can continue to apply for benefits in person as well, according to the department. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff4Treatment Rather than Jail 

    This month the Fayetteville Police Department, in partnership with the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office and other agencies, is launching a program designed to divert low-level drug offenders into treatment rather than jail. It’s seen as a partial solution to what’s been described as an opioid epidemic in Fayetteville. Last year alone more than 500 people were arrested for drug possession in the city. Under the new Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program (LEAD), police officers are able to divert drug offenders arrested with less than four grams of drugs to treatment providers and social services. “Over the years I have made my share of arrests for drug-related charges,” says Fayetteville Police Chief Harold Medlock. “My decision to start LEAD came down to recognizing the futility of the way law enforcement has been doing business for decades.” 

    District Attorney Billy West notes that the project “allows our office to focus on prosecuting dealers and concentrating our resources where they are best utilized.” Alliance Behavioral Health and Coastal Horizon’s Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities are providing participants with crisis stabilization services, drug detox, employment support services, short-term rental assistance, short-term emergency housing and a range of substance use and mental health services. 

     

     

     

    jeff5Teacher of the Year

    “I want all the children I teach to become productive members of society,” said Cumberland County Schools 2017 Teacher of the Year Todd McCabe, an 8th-grade social studies teacher at John Griffin Middle School. 

    He was named during an annual dinner at the Embassy Suites Hotel. McCabe was chosen from among more than 80 candidates. He credits a former teacher of his for instilling in him a desire to turn his life around from what included “numerous poor choices.” McCabe is a military veteran.

     “An advantage of teaching social studies is that the topics we discuss from the past resonate into the future as well,” he said. 

    The veteran educator said he makes a point of developing a rapport with his students. McCabe received his undergraduate degree in history from Fayetteville State University. As the 2017 Teacher of the Year, McCabe received $300 and flowers from the Cumberland County Schools, $300 from the Communities in Schools of Cumberland County, a one-year lease of a 2016 Chevy Cruze from Reed-Lallier Chevrolet, a commemorative custom-designed CCS’ Teacher of the Year ring from Jostens, an engraved wrist watch from Herff Jones, a plaque from the Board of Education and a celebratory weekend in the Presidential Suite of the Embassy Suites Hotel. 

     

     

    Emergency Call Center 

    Urgency is the byword as Cumberland County Commissioners and Fayetteville City Council decide when and where to build a joint 911 Emergency Call Center. They’ve agreed to consolidate operations, and are being advised to build a facility outside the urban area to make it less vulnerable to terrorist attack. Two likely sites have been identified; a city-owned tract on Fields Road and the county-owned business park on Cedar Creek Road. Consultants have told both boards the current grant cycle ends in April 2017, for awards made in August. The estimated cost of a 40,000 sq. ft. hardened facility is $30 million. Commissioners and council members met last week to hear updates on the project and agreed to meet again the first of the year. Current 911 operations centers are located in the county courthouse and city hall. 

     

  • jeff6What began three years ago as a cooperative transportation relationship between the Fayetteville Area System of Transit and Fort Bragg’s Transportation office has all but fizzled out. The City of Fayetteville had been approached by former Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Col. Jeff Sanborn to evaluate the on-post bus service. An idea that grew out of that evaluation, according to Deputy Fayetteville City Manager Kristoff Bauer, was for FAST to operate the Army’s shuttle service. “We could have provided a much higher level of service,” said Bauer. “Garrison commanders have been very supportive of improving transportation on post,” he added. But the Installation Transportation Office apparently wasn’t as enthusiastic. There is a public perception that the Garrison Command is responsible for installation housekeeping and internal operations at Fort Bragg. But, there apparently are exceptions to the rule. When asked about resistance to change by transportation officials, Sanborn declined to comment. The current Deputy Garrison Commander, Justin Mitchell, agreed to answer questions but then withdrew the offer. The problem at Fort Bragg “is that change is real hard for them,” said Bauer. “It’s very disappointing that my expectations were too high,” he added.

    In 2013, an agreement had been reached allowing FAST buses on post. A Fort Bragg news release boasted at the time that “the connection is part of the continuing process of improvements to create a more sustainable community, a plan researched and orchestrated by Timothy Shea, transportation chief, Directorate of Logistics.”  Shea called the agreement historic, saying “the last time a commercial bus was on Fort Bragg was in 1986, 27 years ago; it’s kind of amazing to think about that.” FAST Director Randy Hume met recently with Shea and Mitchell only to find that times have changed. “The meeting did not go well,” Hume said. He had proposed an improved circulation plan on the reservation so city buses could sync up with post shuttles. Shea did not agree to the suggested FAST circulation plan. As a result, city buses and Army shuttles still do not coordinate scheduling, sometimes resulting in long wait times. Shea felt any change would violate the Army’s agreement with the post bus contractor, Hume said. 

    In addition, shuttle buses which used to begin operations early in the morning no longer do so. FAST provided an express coach from downtown Fayetteville to deliver soldiers and civilian employees in time for work. But about six weeks ago Hume learned that installation shuttle bus hours of operation had been changed. The city wasn’t notified. Now, the entire shuttle system doesn’t begin daily operations until 10 a.m., which effectively eliminated the need for an early morning FAST connection. The city consequently discontinued the innovative route. The change wasn’t because of a lack of interest on Fort Bragg’s part, officials said. The early morning shuttles had been funded with money designated for the wounded warriors program, according to Fort Bragg Garrison spokesman Thomas McCollum. “The shuttles’ early runs were initially intended to get our wounded warriors around post to meet their appointments and conduct daily military activities. Others were allowed to ride the shuttles.” said McCollum. Completion of Fort Bragg’s Wounded Warrior Complex consolidated most of the transportation needs for early medical appointments, McCollum added, and a “side effect of this caused us to lose funding for our early shuttle runs.” Without the special exemption, the installation reverted to army regulations that only allow the post transit system to operate between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

  • jeff5This statute has been invoked by Fayetteville City Council virtually every time it or members of its Baseball Stadium Committee have met to discuss the proposed ballpark in the last several months. Members have voted to exclude the public and press from the meetings citing an allowable exception in order to discuss an economic development issue, ostensibly the future of a minor league baseball stadium in downtown Fayetteville.

    This is the preamble to General Statute 143-318.9: “Whereas the public bodies that administer the legislative, policy-making, quasi-judicial, administrative, and advisory functions of North Carolina and its political subdivisions exist solely to conduct the people’s business, it is the public policy of North Carolina that the hearings, deliberations, and actions of these bodies be conducted openly.”  

    N.C.G.S. 143-318.10 states that “all official meetings of public bodies are open to the public. Except as provided in certain exemptions, each official meeting of a public body shall be open to the public, and any person is entitled to attend such a meeting.” The statute provides that “every public body shall keep full and accurate minutes of all official meetings, including any closed sessions. Such minutes may be in written form or, at the option of the public body, may be in the form of sound or video and sound recordings. When a public body meets in closed session, it shall keep a general account of the closed session so that a person not in attendance would have a reasonable understanding of what transpired. Such accounts may be a written narrative or video or audio recordings. Such minutes and accounts shall be public records within the meaning of the Public Records Law, provided however, that minutes or an account of a closed session may be withheld from public inspection so long as public inspection would frustrate the purpose of a closed session.”  

    N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 Permitted Purposes for Closed Sessions: “A public body may hold a closed session and exclude the public only when a closed session is required.” The section of the law cited repeatedly by Fayetteville City Council and its stadium committee states in part that public bodies may meet in closed session “to discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body, including agreement on a tentative list of economic development incentives that may be offered by the public body in negotiations.” The subsection concludes with “any action approving the signing of an economic development contract or commitment, or the action authorizing the payment of economic development expenditures, shall be taken in an open session.”

    N.C.G.S. 143-318.13 Acting by reference

    This little known section of the Open Meetings Law is relevant because of the advent of emails since the statute was adopted. The subsection says “members of a public body shall not deliberate, vote or otherwise take action upon any matter by reference to a letter, number or other designation, or other secret device or method, with the intention of making it impossible for persons attending a meeting of the public body to understand what is being deliberated, voted, or acted upon.” Council members routinely communicate via email whose contents are rarely made public.

  • jeff4Up & Coming Weekly had an opportunity recently to spend some time with outgoing Fayetteville Police Chief Harold Medlock. He recently announced his retirement from police force because of a nagging shoulder injury. Chief Medlock has scheduled surgery for damage to his right shoulder rotator cuff and bicep - surgery he put off twice before this year because of his devotion to duty.

    U&CW:  No one saw this coming, Chief. You had said at the outset of your appointment almost four years ago that you’d be here for the long haul.

    Medlock: I feel like I’ve done seven years of work in three-and-a-half years. When I arrived, there was a sense of urgency, and it became a seven-day a week job. To do the job right, it took a toll on me.

    U&CW:  Some say you’re abandoning the community and the PD, a relationship you’ve worked hard to develop.

    Medlock: Frankly, they don’t need me anymore. The assistant chiefs, captains and lieutenants, literally all the men and women of the department, are up to the task. Our commanders have got it. They’re engaged in the community. The Fayetteville Police Department has become a national leader in law enforcement. I’m serving with the best police department in North Carolina.

    U&CW: You invited the Justice Department to evaluate the department after you’d been here a couple of years.

    Medlock: We have accomplished 90 percent of the 76 recommendations they made to improve the department. We deployed our body cameras in 45 days after receiving a half million-dollar federal grant. Most departments that received that grant have not even begun the process. I’ve promoted three young men to assistant chiefs and have a lot of confidence in them.

    U&CW: People were so shocked at your unexpected decision to retire that they still find it hard to believe.

    Medlock: I’m done! When I take this badge off for the last time, I’m through being a police officer. I don’t have any prospects and nobody has talked to me.

    U&CW:  It will be hard to find a replacement for you.

    Medlock: There are so many people in the nation positioned to be a police chief now, and it would pay the city to look around.

    U&CW: You had twice before planned to have surgery. Why did you keep putting it off? 

    Medlock:I’ve been shaking a lot of hands, smiling through the pain. I scheduled surgery in July, having cancelled an earlier appointment. My plan was to be out for seven days and return to work with my arm in a sling. Then came the massacre of the officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, and I cancelled the second surgery. I felt I had to be here. It wasn’t the right time to be away.

    U&CW:  Are you sure the timing is right, now?

    Medlock:The agency is fully equipped to deal with any contingency, with event operations in place for whatever occurs. I’ve been a stickler about preparing for anything. I feel like the department and community are better connected now. They just don’t need me anymore. I feel like I’ve done my job.

    U&CW:  Will you continue to live here, or move back to Charlotte?

    Medlock: I don’t know if we’ll keep our home here. We have a condo at Oak Island and plan to spend a lot of time there. We love that beach. Gloria and I have families in Charlotte and we’re still trying to figure out what we’ll do.

    U&CW: Are you looking forward to a change in lifestyle?

    Medlock:It will be nice to have a little more control of my day. I have a hobby of restoring old motorcycles so I’ll tinker with those. I love to read and haven’t been able to. This community is in a good place. I can’t tell you what an opportunity it was to be this city’s police chief. God brought me here. He brought me here for a season and now I know it’s time to move on.

  • jerff1Cities across the U.S. have experienced a surge in homicides in 2016, continuing a grim rise that began last year. Murders are up in roughly 30 big cities nationwide so far in 2016, according to data released by the Major Cities Chiefs Association. Nearly a dozen metropolitan areas — including Chicago, St. Louis, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, and San Antonio — have had sizable increases. Mid-size cities like Fayetteville have not been immune. Homicides here so far this year are up 30 percent over 2015. Nineteen murders were recorded in Fayetteville last year. There have already been 25 homicides this year.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff2School Proficiency Improves    

    The state reports that Cumberland County Schools have shown overall proficiency improvement for the third consecutive year as did many of North Carolina’s school districts. Eighty-five precent of Cumberland County Schools met or exceeded growth expectations. Statewide, schools 73 percent of schools met or exceeded growth expectations. 

    “I am pleased with the results,” said School Superintendent Dr. Frank Till. The local high school graduation rate rose minimally, and remains just under 82 percent. The state high school graduation rate reached a new high of nearly 86 percent. Only four of Cumberland County’s 16 high schools scored a 100 percent graduation rate, and all of them are academic magnet schools. They are Reid Ross Classical High School, Cumberland International Early College, Cross Creek Early College and Howard Health & Life Sciences High School. 

     

     

     

     

    jeff3Fayetteville’s Hospitality Industry               

    Visit N.C., a public/private state agency, evaluates the economic impact of travel and tourism in North Carolina annually. The studies are prepared for Visit N.C. by the U.S. Travel Association which prefers to use the word travel rather than tourism because of the latter’s vagueness. The most recent figures indicate that travelers through and to Cumberland County generated over $504 million last year. That can be attributed in part to Fayetteville’s strategic location on I-95, the main east coast interstate corridor and Fort Bragg. Travel expenditures in Cumberland County generated state and local tax revenues of $37.84 million, which the report indicates represents $116.83 in tax savings to each county resident. The tax savings is calculated by taking total local and state tax revenues collected from travelers and dividing them by the number of residents in Cumberland County, according to John Meroski, Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO. The tax receipts are primarily those from sales taxes as well as hotel/motel room occupancy taxes. “Travel spending in Cumberland County has grown steadily for the last 15 years,” said Meroski. 

  • jeff1Cypress Lakes Golf Course celebrates its 50th anniversary in two years. Best known as home of the Floyds, it’s the site of this year’s 48th annual Cumberland County Golf Championship. This is the course where PGA Hall-of-Famer Raymond Floyd learned to play the game from his father, the late teaching pro L.B Floyd. Ray Floyd won 22 PGA tour events including four majors. He played on eight Ryder Cup teams.

    Long-time Cypress Lake PGA Professional Robert Wilson says the course is in great shape. 

    “I don’t see anything but positives coming from the way we are doing things this year,” said Wilson. 

    It’s a feeling that pervades Fayetteville’s amateur golf community. Local golfers are determined to bring the county championship back to the prominence it once enjoyed. “It is great to see the community support and resurgence of this event as it has always been the marquee event in the area,” said Kevin Lavertu, general manager of Gates Four Golf & Country Club. 

    Pre-tournament events are at Gates Four. The Cumberland County Championship Pairings Party will be held the evening of Thursday, Sept. 15. It’s the only time the entire field of participants get together. “We will have the main ballroom along with the outdoor patio set for seating,” said Lavertu. Light hors d’oeuvres will be available at various food stations with a cash bar. All players are welcome at no charge. Entry fees include the pairings party this year. “There will be a putting contest as well, so bring your putter,” added Lavertu. Gates Four is hosting next year’s CCC Championship.

    Revitalizing the tournament is a goal of Up & Coming Weekly and other sponsors. “If the local TV and print media followed Up & Coming’s leadership and covered the tournament, it would likely raise participation and the stature of the tournament,” said six-time winner Billy West Jr. He would like to see all players in the men’s amateur division compete from the same tees the first two days with the top two flights playing the championship tees on Sunday. West points out “this was the tournament format for 25 years from 1980-2005 and seemed to garner more participation from the players in the 5-15 handicap range.”

    Improved participation is the goal of event sponsors including local PGA professionals who’ve rallied to make this year’s events special. Given his many years of experience, West was asked about other amenities that might make the tournament successful again. “Leaderboards on the course made the tournament unique, in that most if not all local amateur tournaments do not have leaderboards,” he noted. They haven’t been used in this event in several years. West notes that from 1980 through 2000 the county championship was played the weekend after Labor Day which tended to attract the most participation. Another idea he offers is the creation of new divisions for junior players and ladies. “This may increase participation and interest as traditionally the junior county championship and the ladies’ championship have not been held in conjunction with the men’s and senior’s championships,” he added.

    The 54-hole stroke play event will be staged over three days, Sept. 16-18.

  • 09-14-11-pittdickey.jpgOnce upon a time I foolishly believed that I was smarter than Gayle, my GPS. I am not. Never, ever turn off your GPS when in Utah. Not only will you get lost, but you will make your GPS mad. She Who Must be Obeyed will then send you to the land of cannibals. It was early August, our biennial collection of cousins had broken camp in Yellowstone and scattered like dust in the wind to go back to what passes for reality. My wife and I headed to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for an evening of western culture. The town square of Jackson features four arches consisting solely of interwoven elk antlers that tower about thirty feet in the air. It gives the town a certain boney feel with a touch of weirdness that leads you to believe that the movie Cowboys and Aliens was based on actual events.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Hard to find dirt on this politician09-21-11-martin.jpg

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 090915_pubpen.jpg

    This is it: Your personal invitation to Up & Coming Weekly’s  biggest community celebration: our 18th Annual Best of Fayetteville Awards Party. 

    Join the staff and management of Up & Coming Weekly, along with special guests Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson, Cumberland County Commissioner Chairman Kenneth Edge and Jimmy Keefe, Fayetteville Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman George Breece, John Meroski, president of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Mac Edwards and Don Chase of Beasley Broadcasting, as we meet and greet those people who and businesses and organizations that have gone the extra mile to establish themselves as Fayetteville and Cumberland County’s Best of the Best. 

    For 18 years we have been recognizing and honoring hundreds who have contributed to Fayetteville’s honor, integrity and quality of life. 

    This is not only our biggest event of the year, but as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary as Fayetteville’s community newspaper the Best of Fayetteville is our most cherished contribution to the community. For this we are very proud and extremely grateful. 

    So, let’s party!!!! 

    Fun, Food, prizes and surprises. It’s all happening on Tuesday Sept. 15 from 5:30 - 8 p.m. at the newly renovated Kagney’s Night Club near downtown on Bragg Boulevard. 

    This is your personal invitation. Put it on your calendar and bring your friends!

    Join us for the Best Party In Town!

    And, thank you for allowing Up & Coming Weekly to serve the best community in North Carolina as your community newspaper!


  •     Dear EarthTalk: Everyone knows we should recycle metal, glass and plastic cans and bottles, but what about all the lids, tops and caps?  I see people recycling plastic bottles, for example, with their caps on, but I’ve always been told to thrown them out. Is that wrong?
     — Stefanie Gandolfi, Oakland, Calif.

     
        Many municipal recycling programs throughout the U.S. still do not accept plastic lids, tops and caps even though they take the containers that accompany them. The reason is that they are not typically made of the same kinds of plastics as their containers and therefore should not be mixed together with them.
        “Just about any plastic can be recycled,” says Signe Gilson, waste diversion manager for Seattle-based CleanScapes, one of the west coast’s leading “green” solid waste and recycling collectors, “but when two types are mixed, one contaminates the other, reducing the value of the material or requiring resources to separate them before processing.”
        {mosimage}Also, plastic caps and lids can jam processing equipment at recycling facilities, and the plastic containers with tops still on them may not compact properly during the recycling process. They can also present a safety risk for recycling workers. “Most plastic bottles are baled for transport and if they don’t crack when baled, the ones with tightly fastened lids can explode when the temperature increases,” says Gilson.
        Some recycling programs do accept plastic caps and lids, but usually only if they are off their containers completely and batched separately. Given the many potential issues, however, most recyclers would rather avoid taking them altogether. Thus it is hard to believe but true: In most locales the responsible consumers are the ones who throw their plastic caps and lids into the trash instead of the recycling bin.
        As for metal caps and lids, they, too, can jam processing machines, but many municipalities accept them for recycling anyway because they do not cause any batch contamination issues. To deal with the potentially sharp lid of any can you are recycling (such as a tuna, soup or pet food can), carefully sink it down into the can, rinse it all clean, and put it in your recycling bin.
        Of course, the best way to reduce all kinds of container and cap recycling is to buy in large rather than single-serving containers. Does the event you’re holding really require dozens and dozens of 8- to 16-ounce soda and water bottles, many of which will get left behind only partly consumed anyway? Why not buy large soda bottles, provide pitchers of (tap) water and let people pour into re-usable cups?
        The same kind of approach can be taken with many if not all of the bottled and canned grocery items we buy routinely for the home. If more people bought in bulk, apportioning out of larger, fewer containers, we could take a huge bite out of what goes into the waste stream.

    CONTACT: CleanScapes, www.cleanscapes.com.

    GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/
  •     September is a big month for fashion and beauty magazines — literally.
        These editions are whoppers, packed with page after page of carefully designed and often provocative advertisements for the latest in fashion and beauty. Sometimes it is not altogether clear just what product is being advertised, but the images are invariably striking. Tucked among all this fashion and beauty commerce are photographs of fall fashions. The fabrics are rich and luxurious, sometimes even exotic, such as reptile skins and bird feathers. Sometimes prices are noted, often in the range of a house payment. If the cost is truly stratospheric, the copy will discreetly note, “Price available upon request.”
        Some of the magazines actually have a bit of editorial content as well.
        After a recent airplane trip involving both layovers and a rental car, I wound up with an armful of September issues, five in all. Just for fun, I plopped them all on the Dicksons’ bathroom scale. They weighed in at a collective and impressive 10.7 pounds. My first thoughts when I saw that number were how many trees died for fashion and how thankful I am that none of the three junior Dicksons weighed that much upon arrival!
        {mosimage}Vogue is the venerable grand dame of fashion mags. The September issue’s cover boasts about its “798 pages of brilliant fall fashion” including “73 wildly romantic dresses for evening, 92 statement-making accessories, 76 clean, lean looks for day,” many draped over the perfect and willowy bodies of either impossibly beautiful or arresting young women, some teenagers. I would be satisfied myself to simply look clean, and, especially, lean every day, but that is a different issue. Inside, you can read about lace dresses, yoga studios in big cities but not in Fayetteville, and the cover story features actress Keira Knightly in many different outfits that are so expensive no prices are listed. There is, however, a strange pair of two-piece, lace-up boots with stiletto heels which will set you back $1,800 plus tax. Editorial contents include a profile of actor Warren Beatty and an interview with author Candace Bushnell of Sex in the City fame. 
        InStyle is the next fattest magazine in my September collection, with 486 pages and actress Uma Thurman on the cover. Few models here, though. Instead the women in gorgeous clothes — most far more wearable than those in Vogue — are movie stars and other entertainers whose wardrobes seem to consist mainly of, as we say in the South, “dress up” and evening clothes. I have heard of some of these young women and have even seen a few of their movies, but others have escaped me entirely. Minka Kelly? Emmanuelle Chriqui? Cassie? Ginnifer Goodwin? In Style has a handy little section about how to put different items of clothing together to wear for different occasions and times of day, but since I doubt many of us have all the pieces needed to complete a “look,” we might find that section a tad frustrating. I was put off by the pocketbooks, albeit good-looking ones, for $1,990 and $2,450 respectively, but I felt better when I found a section called “Deals and Steals” in which most of the items were under $150, something a mother who shopped for a family of five for years finds most appealing. I was unable to find any editorial content not dealing with some aspect of beauty or fashion. 
        More is aimed at women like me — mature. The cover girl is actress Felicity Huffman, 45, and no one featured seems to be under 40. I read about the perfect little black dress, or LBD, and most of the beauty tips, both commercial and otherwise, tend toward anti-aging. It does not have the impressive advertising pages of Vogue and InStyle but does have editorial content clearly geared toward, well, moi. I was engaged by an article on the woman founder of Gymboree, whose business and personal life fell apart, and who at 61, now owns yoga studios. Then there is a piece entitled, “Are Younger Women Trying to Trash Feminism?”, which I plan to read soon. There are even a few recipes and eating tips for those of us in the over 40 set.
        And, finally, one more from my fashion mag stack: Lucky, a 382-page entry into the crowded fashion magazine field I had not encountered, is perhaps the most straightforward. It makes no claims to be anything but what it is: “The magazine about shopping and style.” There are plenty of photos of clothes and accessories and tips on what to wear with what. It is blatantly about consuming, with one feature entitled “what I want NOW!” including a “truly versatile little dress with intriguing sculptured tiers” and some purple satin high heels at a mere $550. 
    I come from a family business background, and I like clothes and the rest as much as any other woman. But some of this worshiping at the altar of fashion and beauty is a bit over the top.
        Please tell me I don’t sound like Andy Rooney.

    Margaret Dickson,
    State Representative and Contributing Writer
    COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or
    To reach her directly, call 919-733-5776 or email MARGARETD@NCLEG.NET

  •     Last week at the dedication of a new school building, Davidson Mayor John Woods was doing one of those things that small town mayors everywhere are expected to do: He was making a short speech to congratulate the officials of Woodlawn School on their success.
        There is more to the connection between Mayor Woods and the school — a poignant story that I will tell you at the end of this column.
        Woods’ father was a much-loved family doctor in Davidson. Although he has worked hard to earn his own spurs, he would tell you that his family connections have been a big plus.
        R. D. McMillan represented the University of North Carolina before the state legislature for many years after a successful career in elective politics.
        {mosimage}McMillan was also the son of a beloved small town doctor. Like Woods, he acknowledged that his father’s reputation was a big help when he ran for mayor of Red Springs and won.   
        After celebrating his victory on election night he went back home, tired, happy and ready for a good night’s sleep and a few days to rest up after the campaign.
        His good night’s sleep was interrupted about 2 a.m. by a phone call.
        “There is a dead cow in the road in front of my house,” the caller said.
        “I am so sorry,” the ever polite and gracious McMillan replied. “But why did you call me about it at this hour?”
        “Well,” said the caller, “you’re the mayor, ain’t you? You said you’d take care of us. So when are you going to get the cow out of the road?”
        McMillan had not even been sworn in, but some people already expected him to take care of everything immediately.
        Small town mayors work on people problems from beginning to end of their times of service — solving problems, adjusting differences of opinion and working out ways to improve town life within the confines of a limited budget. Often, they are amazing political creatures.
        The past few days, American voters have begun to ask, does being a small town mayor prepare someone to be a president of our country?
        Probably not, I would say. But, neither does being a U.S. Senator, an effective community organizer, a brave member of the armed forces or the governor of a state. All these are good experiences, but they are not, by themselves, sufficient to prepare a person to be our president.
        On the other hand, I bet there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of small town mayors who would make good presidents. They would make good presidents for the same reasons they are good mayors: hard working, sensitive to the conflicting aspirations of their constituents, and patient and persistent in working to meet their goals; they have good judgment, a sense of humor, a keen and practical intellect, good character and a feet-on-the-ground stability.
        There are governors, senators, representatives, governors, former members of the armed services and many other able bodied Americans who have these qualities, too. Most of them would make pretty good presidents. 
        Of course, experience on the firing line in government or other places where these qualities are tested can provide some good training for a potential president. More important, how the candidates handled these challenges can give voters an idea about which of these important qualities the potential presidents have.
    So during the next few weeks before the election, we should be looking not so much at the candidates’ resumes as what those experiences show about their presidential qualities, or the lack of them.
        Back to Davidson Mayor John Woods. The building being dedicated at Woodlawn School is named for Woods’ brother (and my childhood friend) Jimmy. Officially, Jimmy was Major James B. Woods. His career as an army officer was tragically cut short when he was killed in Vietnam.
        Mayor Woods, by the way, would make a great president someday, as would Maj. Woods, had he lived. 

  •     Remember the old joke about Mrs. Lincoln after Honest Abe had his unfortunate meeting with John Wilkes Booth? “Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?” U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is asking America the same thing now. “Other than that, Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer, how did you like financial deregulation?” Are you enjoying watching the stock market, your retirement and various financial institutions tumble into a black hole of deregulatory fun? Hank is singing the old Limbo song, “How low can you go?”
        Nobody knows the trouble Wall Street has seen. Nobody knows the sorrow. Except for Hank. He knows because he’s from the Planet of a Major Investment Bank and is a creature of Wall Street. He wallows in credit default swaps, hedge funds, short sales, dark matter and charmed quarks. The Wall Street Wizards live in a parallel world that we mere mortals cannot hope to understand. The Wizards are better than us, smarter than us and unmoved by human emotion or ethics. We should trust them. Only they know how to unravel the large ball of poo into which they have driven the American economy. Do not think of Charlie Brown trying to kick the football that Lucy always pulls away at the last minute. Trust the Wizards. {mosimage}
        In Hank’s world when a corporate CEO drives his company off a financial bridge to Chappaquiddick, that’s OK. Pucker up America. You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss. While the taxpayers are not going to get kissed by Bush’s bailout bill, they will experience another form of love that dare not speak its name in polite society.
        According to the Bush Administration, the event horizon of deregulation is going to suck the entire U.S. economy into it in 72 hours unless we give $700 billion and some groovy new superpowers to Hank Paulson to bail out his Wall Street buddies. Hank wants $700 billion of your dollars to spread around as good-bye gifts from the Bush Administration to the Greedheads of Wall Street. He wants superpowers to go with the pile of cash. Section 8 of the Administration’s Money Dump bill provides, and I quote: “Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.”
        This means that Hank can spend all of our money anyway he wants to and no one can say diddly boo. Section 8 enables Hank to speak ex cathedra on how he spends the money. Pope Hank, I will be infallible on financial matters. Like Richard Nixon once said, “When the President does it, that means it’s not illegal.” When Pope Hank blows the taxpayers’ money on his Wall Street buddies, that means it’s not illegal.
        Section 8 is an advance pardon for whatever Hank decides to do. Normally, pardons are issued after the wrong doing. Curiously, Section 8 issues the pardon in advance. That’s a pretty nifty superpower. Wouldn’t it be great to do whatever you want and no one could call you on it because you were protected by a Section 8 Force Field? Wall Street contends that Section 8 is necessary to save us from the mess the Wizards and the Bush Administration got us into. Some people will contend that Section 8 is a sanity test. If Congress just says no to Superpowers, it passes the sanity test.
        Section 8 once was what the armed forces used to discharge military folks who were deemed to be mentally unfit for service. There are no coincidences. Calling the Superpowers Section 8 of the bailout bill is just Hank Paulson’s idea of a little joke to go with his $700 billion going away present to Wall Street. The $700 billion is just the first estimate of what the bailout will cost. When was the last time the government’s first estimate of the cost of a project was accurate? The memory of man runneth not to such a time.
        Next time you’re at the Walmart buy up a whole bunch of Mason jars. Put your money in the jars. Bury the jars in the back yard. Be like Mrs. Lincoln, try to enjoy the play.
  • 090215_naked-and-afraid.jpg

    A few weeks ago, Up & Coming Weekly caught up  and spent a little time with Hakim Isler in the mountains of North Carolina. You may or may not have heard of him, but Isler is on Discovery Channel’s Emmy-nominated Naked and Afraid and Naked and Afraid XL survival series. Isler, an Army veteran, owns Elevo Dynamics Martial Arts Studio and Gym at 110 Person Street in downtown Fayetteville.. 

    Isler mastered his survival on Season 3 by surviving 21 days in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains of India. This season, he joined 12 other survivors in the jungles of Colombia, South America. 

    Of course, the question that is on the tip of everyone’s tongue is “Why Naked and Afraid?” Isler’s reasoning behind is participation is sound, and it is wound up in his life story.  

    At 21, Isler moved to Ohio to attend ninja training under the American Bujinkan Ninjutsu Master Stephen K. Hayes, winner of the Century Martial Arts Lifetime Achievement Award. With a second degree blackbelt in his ruck, Isler joined the Army. There, he attended the Army’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape  School. From there, he continued his wilderness survival skills and discovered that inter-survival was just as important as physical survival.  

    Moving back to Fayetteville, Isler opened his “DOGYM”, a 24-hour family gym and martial arts facility.

    One day, a friend of his asked him why he never saw any African-Americans on survival shows. That grabbed Isler’s entrance, so he took a look at the shows and decided on  Naked and Afraid. He applied and became the first African-American on any survival show. Honored, Isler saw this as an opportunity to inspire other African-Americans to get involved in survival, which he believes has happened since he appeared on the show. 

    In Season One, Isler went 21 days with his female teammate Phaedra Brothers. There, his inter-personal strength was challenged by working better as a team than as an individual. Each contestant is allowed to bring one item to help them survive. Isler showed his ingenuity with his “Tengu Ono,” which he designed specifically for wilderness survival. Today, Isler has a patent on the tool and it is produced and sold by RMJ Tactical.

    This season, the Columbian jungle proved more challenging. Physically, Isler began to experience intense muscle spasms and cramps. The medical personnel on the show told him that he was dehydrated. Isler said that he was well hydrated, and instead believed that he was over-hydrated.  

    At first, Isler and his teammates thought he would be okay, but as time passed, he began weighing what life would be like after the show. 

    As symptoms of cramps manifested, he thought about his business, family and his students. On day seven, he and his teammates agreed that he should quit the show. After returning to Fayetteville, his physician and others told him that he made the right choice.  

    When Up & Coming caught up with Isler, he was in the mountains conducting “Mountain Quest.” There, Isler and another martial arts expert, Stephen K. Hayes, tested black-belt candidates. Surprisingly, many of those candidates where young ninjas. 

    Isler gets joy from teaching kids and teenagers. Nijitsu teaches them self-discipline, respect and self-control. Isler said that the word “ninja” means “one who perseveres and endures.” He is also proud that he teaches them to “think inside the box, outside the box and to ask what it was like before the box and who made the box.” 

    Isler continued, “Ninja self-protection is above all about flexibility and adaptability. You have to know how to change the game and become what is needed to succeed.” 

    He said on Naked and Afraid the choice of leaving the show was his way of changing the game because his priority was not television entertainment but higher priorities of life here and his overall health. 

    Fayetteville actually has two veteran survivalists on Naked and Afraid XL. Although the episode of Isler leaving the show has already aired, he and Fayetteville resident E.J. Snyder (who is still on the show) will appear on the “Dirty Dozen Return” episode on Sunday, Sept. 6. Snyder is a contractor who works on Fort Bragg and lives in Hope Mills.


  • 090215_cover.jpg

    While people don’t like to talk about the agony of watching someone they love suffer, it happens — a lot. 

    Alzheimer’s is an especially brutal illness because it steals the very essence of who you are. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia. It affects memory, thinking and even behavior. It can be hard to spot at first and the symptoms usually develop slowly. In fact, the brain starts changing years before any symptoms appear. 

    Once someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, there are three stages: mild, moderate and severe. Many people consider it a disease that only affects the elderly;  while many senior citizens do develop Alzheimer’s, it is not a normal part of aging. Once someone is diagnosed, they live, on average, four to eight years. 

    Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and is the only one of the top 10 causes that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed. Close to two-thirds of American’s with Alzheimer’s are women. 

    Doctors and researchers are working towards a cure, though. Because of its progressive nature, time is of the essence. Sept. 12 offers an opportunity to make a difference. The 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer’s opening ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the home of the SwampDogs,  J.P. Riddle Stadium, known affectionately to many as The Swamp.

    The funds raised at this event will go to support the Alzheimer’s Association. Founded in 1980, the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through promotion of brain health.  

    McKee Homes, a long-time Alzheimer Association advocate, has planned an event that is sure to be a good time as well as one that will make a difference in countless lives. Julie Russo, co-chair for the event, is looking for a great turn out. 

    “We’ve got a lot going on during registration, which starts at 9 a.m.,” she said.  “We have Pine Forest High School Band coming to perform. Fayetteville Champions for the Children will be there, too. They dress up in superhero costumes and paint people’s faces. Victoria Huggins, the second runner up for Miss North Carolina, will be there, too. She is also going to sing the “National Anthem”.”

    Russo noted that there will be plenty of children’s games and other activities as well. 

    “There is just a short window of time to enjoy this though, because the opening ceremony starts at 10 a.m..”

    The ceremony features the four faces of people affected by Alzheimer’s: someone who has Alzheimer’s and is currently living with it; someone who cares for someone with Alzheimer’s; someone who has lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s; and someone who has no experience with the disease, but is an advocate for the cause. They each write a narrative that is read by the emcee. 

    “We want it to be uplifting and to let people know that it is okay to talk about it. It’s okay to be uncomfortable but we need to talk about it,” said Russo. “People are living with Alzheimer’s and managing it and it is okay for people to see what that looks like.”

    Unlike other walks, this one is less than a mile and that is by design. The event organizers wanted to make sure that everyone would be able to participate and finish the walk. 

    “The event is more about coming together and not as much about the walking,” said Russo. “The ceremony happens, then everyone gets a flower that represents one of the four speakers.” 

    “We have a promise garden and the attendees plant the flowers before the walk starts.  So at the end of the walk, they come around and see the flowers in the promise garden.”

    The walk concludes with recognition of the number of walkers that attended and an accounting of the money that was raised. “Then we end with the “Wobble Baby.” It is a line dance,” said Russo.

    Walkers can turn in their money on Friday, Sept. 11 from 4-6 p.m. during Bank Night at
    The Swamp.

    Anyone who raises more than $100 will receive a T-shirt. Register online at alz.org or on the day of the event. 

     

  •     What serious question for North Carolinians can there be in a new legal thriller novel written by a Virginia judge?
        This judge almost lives in North Carolina. His home in Virginia’s Patrick County is a few miles from Mt. Airy and Winston Salem. Judge Martin Clark has other North Carolina connections, including a Davidson College degree.
        The serious question in his new book, The Legal Limit, is not limited to Virginians or North Carolinians. Nor does it get in the way of the lively “page turner” story and vivid characters that Clark serves up to his readers.  
        First, a little bit about the story; then some thoughts about the serious question.{mosimage}
        In the story, we know from the beginning the crime and who committed it. The leading character, Mason Hunt, watches his brother Gates kill a man. Then he helps Gates cover up the crime. Gates is a ne’er-do-well who later winds up with a drug-related conviction and a 45-year prison sentence. On the other hand, Mason becomes the highly regarded district attorney in Patrick County.
        Many years later, based on the imprisoned Gates’s accusations, Mason becomes a suspect in the earlier crime and is indicted for murder.
        Mason uses all the tricks he knows, legal and ethical or not, to try to defeat the effort to connect him to the crime. He persuades others to breach their public responsibilities in order to help him. The author had this reader pulling for Mason to beat the charges against him.
        Mason’s willingness to “stretch the law”— to achieve some results that he judges to be more important than what the law demands — raises the serious question that underlies the book.
        For instance, in addition to his cover-up of his brother’s crime, Mason and his assistant DA rough up criminal defendants who they suspect are threatening Mason’s family. Then they lie about the facts when they swear out a warrant against their victims. The assistant DA delivers a colorful rationalization for their actions. “Justice ought to be a bottom-line proposition. …[I]t’s misguided when we worship musty old words in a text at the expense of innocent people’s suffering…. We should be concerned with how the soup tastes and not so damn worried about the particulars of the chef’s hat.”
        So, the question Martin Clark puts before us is this: How far do we expect our public officials to go beyond the rules we have set for them — when they are seeking a better result, a “better justice”?
        In a recent interview reported by the Jackson Mississippi Clarion-Ledger, Clark suggests that a judge cannot do the right thing if he always rigidly follows all the applicable law. In Virginia, Clark says, if a convicted felon is caught carrying a gun, there is a mandatory multi-year sentence. A 67-year-old man, convicted of the felony of moonshining about 40 years ago, was caught hunting deer with a black power rifle, a musket and brought before Judge Clark.
        “Do you want me to follow the law and put him in the penitentiary for two years or do you want me to make an exception?” Clark asks. His answer was to find the man guilty only of disorderly conduct and fine him $100.
        “…. [T]hat’s the sort of things judges face every day,” Clark says. “And I hope when people read (The Legal Limit), they will understand that everything is always not black and white, right or wrong.”
        It is hard to argue with Clark’s pragmatic approach to the old moonshiner. But that example should not persuade us to put aside those “musty old words” that bind public officials to follow the letter of the law.
        When does “stretching the law” to achieve a “good result” become breaking the law that must be punished? 
        The Legal Limit raises this serious question. It does not answer it.
        But it tells a great story. No question about that.
  • “Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.”
                                                                     — Winston Churchill


        Seems like lately that has been the theme of both the Fayetteville City Council and the Fayetteville Museum of Art. How many times have elected and/or appointed public bodies or agencies in Fayetteville and Cumberland County left in their political wake public projects, agendas or programs that  have become an irritant to the electorate. Is it because those decision makers fail to remember why the previous projects remain a constant target of derision and disdain? 
        Every time something goes wrong in city hall or the county offices there are letters to the editor that somehow incorporate the most recent political debacle such as the Crown Coliseum, Ticketgate or the Big Bang annexation (to name a few) as part of whatever ails the writer. These issues thus take on a negative life of their own like a never-ending story.
        {mosimage}Have you ever considered the common denominators of these decisions? They are typically accompanied by egos and personal agendas that far outweigh the need for a decision that is in the best interest of the community. 
    Our decision makers many times fail to agree to disagree, make a democratic choice based on the facts, and then forget who won and who lost that particular vote at the next meeting or election. The best example of how to do it right is a zoning case. I have seen some bitter, embroiled debates over rezoning cases, but in the end the vote is based on what is best for the property and the surrounding area. Once the vote is taken, the disagreements are forgotten.
        In regard to the location of the new Fayetteville Museum of Art, I am afraid the train left the station with egos and personal agendas still on board when the city council decided to appoint the task force last month. Whatever the task force recommends, unless the decision makers make their decision based on the facts found and hopefully sound recommendation of the task force based on those facts, nothing will be gained, more time will be lost and the museum will be even further behind in its fundraising efforts. I don’t know when the architect ran his numbers on the estimated cost, but by the time bids are let, does the phrase “We’ll have to go back and cut some frills,” ring a bell?
        What more information and facts are needed to decide the location based on anything other than what is in the best interest of the community? Was the contract approved over a year ago not the result of that process? And we wonder why economic development agreements with the corporate world are so hard for this county to come by! 
        This community will be well-served by a first-class museum facility located DOWNTOWN. Just ask the Airborne and Special Operations Foundation. As long as the decision makers continue to decide its location by swatting at gnats, writing letters to each other that do nothing but result in name-calling and who-shot-who when, we will have forgotten our history and the project will be doomed, and added to the list when someone writes a letter to the editor.
    How frustrating …. and how inevitable.

    Bob Cogswell, Contributing Writer
    COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 
    editor@upandcomingweekly.com

  •     For the most part, the just-completed Democratic and Republican national conventions presented profound policy differences to American voters, on issues ranging from taxes and Iraq to education and abortion. I found it interesting, however, that several prominent speakers in both Denver and St. Paul harkened back to the welfare reform of the 1990s as a symbol of successful government reform.
        {mosimage}The story fits the bill in several ways. Welfare reform got its start in the states, not in Washington, with innovative governors such as Wisconsin’s Tommy Thompson. In the early 1990s, they experimented with time limits, employment requirements and other policies designed to transform a culture of dependency into a culture of (subsidized) work. The results didn’t take long to spot — dramatic declines in welfare caseloads, in part because the new rules made benefits less attractive to some potential applicants and in part because the work rules acted as a bridge to the job market for some recipients who had previously lacked significant work experience.
        Washington noticed. After the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994, GOP lawmakers immediately sought to enact federal laws endorsing and expanding the welfare reforms underway in some states. President Clinton opposed the original bill, but later signed a reform bill in 1996 (Dick Morris, his former political aide, credits this event for Clinton’s easy reelection).
        As a bipartisan compromise, the welfare-reform bill attracted criticism from both sides of the ideological spectrum. The Left screamed bloody murder, predicting massive increases in homelessness and destitution. The Right warned that reforming welfare was not the same thing as ending the welfare state, but would instead replace a cash dole with work-support programs such as day-care subsidies.
        The apocalyptic predictions from the Left were clearly wrong. According to a new Heartland Institute analysis of welfare-reform efforts across the U.S., the poverty rate declined from 1996 to 2006, though not in every state. North Carolina actually fares poorly on this measure, ranking 48th with a net increase in poverty. However, as with all such comparisons, it is critically important to remember that the two populations being compared — state residents in 1996 and state residents in 2006 — differ in ways unrelated to public policy, most critically the presence of tens of thousands of low-income immigrants from other lands (who almost certainly increased their standard of living by entering the U.S., but have the effect of pulling down average incomes and pushing up poverty rates).
        Overall, the Heartland study gives North Carolina a rank of 17th, combining measures of welfare-reform policies and results. The state ranked ninth in the rate of decline of cash-welfare recipients, 16th in the decline of teen births, and 30th in the rate of workforce participation.
        The Right was correct to point out that welfare reform would not necessarily reduce the size and cost of government. It was worth doing on its own terms, however, because the previous system was destructive of families, personal responsibility and the work ethic. Given that sweeping changes in the size of the federal welfare state were beyond their power to accomplish, surely it was reasonable for Washington conservatives to practice the art of the possible.
        As long as one recalls that its goals were modest, not revolutionary, the legislation should be seen as a success. Bill Clinton deserves credit for signing the bill. The Republican Congress deserves credit for writing the bill. Previous Republican and Democratic governors deserve credit for pioneering the idea.
  •     Is there anything old North Carolina political wisdom can teach Barack Obama as he responds to John McCain’s choice of a running mate?
        Here is a summary of some good advice I have heard over the years from North Carolina political old timers.
        1. The Battleship Rule — set your course stay on it. Your campaign is like a warship that has an assigned mission. If you try change direction every time an enemy ship fires a shot across your bow, you will let your enemy set your course for you. And your enemy will not be leading you where you need to go. Translation: Do not let the shots from the Sarah Palin phenomenon turn your campaign away from its demonstrated strengths of hope, change and strength for our country.
        2. The Sanford Rule — respond with speed and strength. Back in 1950 when a young Terry Sanford was trying to help Frank Graham win a U.S. Senate election, he saw Graham ignore his opponent’s substantive negative messages. Graham lost. So, in Sanford’s own campaigns for governor in 1960 and the U.S. Senate in 1986, he responded quickly to every important negative message against him. His response always took the opponent’s claim and turned it around into something that showed Sanford’s positive message. He showed that he was a fighter, but he did not violate the “Battleship Rule.” Sanford always fired back quickly but did not change course. Were Sanford in Obama’s shoes today, he would be pounding McCain for his weak, impulsive, careless choice of a running mate. Nor would Sanford bow to the whines of Republicans that Palin is being unfairly treated by an examination of her record. I can hear him saying, “Since McCain forgot about vetting Palin, somebody has to do the job for the American people.” 
        {mosimage}3. The Sheriff’s Rule — don’t despair if the sheriff is for your opponent. In the old days in North Carolina, sheriffs had great power on election day. Therefore every candidate wanted the sheriff’s support. However, the Sheriff’s Rule reminded candidates that, no matter how popular the sheriff was, he also had lots of enemies. Those enemies would be good prospects to be supporters of anyone the sheriff was against. The message for Obama in the Sheriff’s Rule is this: While Sarah Palin is gathering supporters for McCain, she is also making many enemies. These people are waiting for Obama to rally them.
        4. The “Never Act Like a Victim” Rule — never hang your head down like somebody is beating you down. People don’t like their political leaders to play the “victim’s” role. They want their leaders to show a fighting spirit and respond to every adversity with personal optimism and cheer. (See the Sanford Rule above.)
        5. The “Pay Attention to Your Base” Rule — never forget the importance of keeping your core base energized. John McCain had this rule in mind when he chose Palin. Obama needs to tend to his base, but not pander to the base as McCain did.  (See the next rule.) Obama’s supporters deserve to get the information, positive about their candidates and negative their opponents that give them the spirit to work enthusiastically.
        6. The “Remember the Middle” Rule — elections are usually decided by the “persuadable” voters. Usually they are moderates. A candidate who is perceived as too far to the left or to the right loses those voters.
        7. Finally, the “Keep Your Sense of Humor” Rule — stay cheerful and upbeat and tell jokes that make a point.

  •     {mosimage}Like many Americans, I spend an impressive number of hours in my car, although I have to confess that I do monitor that time more zealously given today’s pain at the pump.
        I spend my car time in several ways — talking on the phone, with an earpiece, of course. I also listen to the radio, mostly NPR, oldies and the occasional book on CD. After growing up in a family of radio broadcasters and learning Motown along with their nursery rhymes, my children are encouraging me to broaden my musical horizons, and they are probably right, though old habits do die hard.
        Sometimes I just drive along and think.
        I also read every bumper sticker I can get close enough to see.
        We Americans may be tightlipped about our personal finances, but beyond that we wear our hearts on our sleeves and on our bumpers. Our bumpers celebrate our pride in our children by telling the world they are “Terrific Kids” and “Accelerated Readers,” and bragging about our grandchildren, who if we had only known how wonderful they were going to be, we would have had them first. We also crow about our favorite vacation spots at the beach with decals announcing WB, TI, HH, OBX, MB, BHI and MB. Most of us do brake for animals, but I have seen at least one Fayetteville bumper sticker advocating human consumption of cats. One of my favorites decorates the bumper of a member of my church — it reads, “Not so close. I am not that kind of car.” Another is not really a sticker per se, but the back of a motorcyclist T-shirt functioning as one. It reads, “If you can read this, she fell off.” 
        We Americans also wear our politics on our bumpers. I suspect this has been around since we have had cars to have bumpers. I have always liked these stickers and remember particularly the hot pink ones reading only “LURA,” which were the signature design of former State Senator Lura Tally.
        I have been a bit disappointed this political season, though, by the quality of campaign stickers. I have seen plenty of plain McCains and simple Obamas which now seem to be morphing into Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin without other comment. The closest I have seen to clever is “Jesus was a community organizer.”
        I have also been somewhat surprised by the  number of old, faded, and dated political stickers still riding the roads, particularly from the 2004 Presidential campaign. I see several variations of the discreet “W. The President” on both bumpers and windows. I also see a few red and blue Kerry/Edwards riding around forlornly. There are candidates from lesser races still holding on as well. Promoting those particular candidates is no longer an issue, so why do folks continue to show their undying support?
        Though it pains me to say so, I think our refusal to set aside partisan feelings from a bygone election reflects not only deep political divisions among our fellow Americans but deep social and cultural ones as well. These stickers tell us more about the people inside the cars than they do about the candidates they once supported, and drivers of those cars want the rest of us to get the message. It is all about perception, not persuasion. We are trying to say that not only our politics but our values are the same as those of our chosen candidate, and we want everyone else to know it.
    The same is true this political season, perhaps more so. The McCain/Palin stickers and the Obama/Biden ones demonstrate the driver’s support for their candidates but they also speak to values shared with their candidates, or at least the perception of shared values by both the person who put the sticker on the car and those who see it.
        {mosimage}Bumper stickers are without question a form of protected free speech, a right to be cherished. But I have to wonder as well, are they fanning the flames of partisan divisions, especially when they are left to ride around for months and years after an election — long after any political persuasion value has passed.
        We Americans are blessed to live in a country where we can express ourselves politically without fear of retribution. We are blessed to work within a political system in which campaigns are hard fought but eventually someone wins and someone else loses, leaving some Americans happy and some distressed. The point is, though, that the contest is over and it is time to look ahead to the next opportunity.
        We are going to be gripped by highly partisan politics for another few weeks in a political season made more vivid by the unprecedented financial uncertainty which has overtaken us. Rhetoric and negative ads will be with us until this election is over, even though pollsters tell us that most of us have already decided on our candidate for president.
        My fear is that whatever Nov. 4 brings, Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin are going to be on the roads with us for the foreseeable future.
  • 090215_golden-knights.jpg

    In 1959, the Strategic Army Command Parachute Team was formed by 19 Airborne soldiers from various military units. Brigadier General Joseph Stilwell Jr. gathered the Soldiers with the intent of competing in what was then the new and Soviet dominated sport of skydiving. That year, the all U.S. Army team began representing the United States on the international competition circuit, as well as performing their first demonstration in Danville, Virginia. In 1961, the unit become the United States Army Parachute Team, and by 1962, the team earned the nickname the “Golden Knights” on the competition field of battle. Golden, signifying the gold medals the team had won; Knights, proving that they were world champions and alluding to the fact that the team had “conquered the skies.” 

    On Saturday, Sept. 12, local residents have the opportunity to conquer the skies alongside the Golden Knights at the 4th Annual Free Fall to Fight Cancer event, which has a two-fold purpose: to raise funds for the Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation and to keep the memory of Zach Grullon alive.

    The event, organized by Zach’s parents, local realtors Kevin and Shawn Grullon, is not a memorial, but rather a celebration of Zach’s life.

    Zach was an adventurous, strong willed and lovable young man. He graduated from Jack Britt High School in 2010 and was looking forward to a military career. In March 2010, Zach was diagnosed with FHC. He had been dealing with severe stomach pain and nausea for a couple of months, but  it was dismissed because of his intense workouts. After numerous tests and scans a grapefruit size tumor was found on his liver.

    A liver resection in April 2010, was unsuccessful because the cancer had spread to many of his lymph nodes and it was inoperable. He then started a rigorous routine of chemotherapy for 8 hours a day every 2-3 weeks. Zach would still continue to work out, live life, play sports and even sky-dived with the world famous Army Golden Knights. After battling for two years, Zach passed away on Jan. 28, 2012.

    On the Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation website, Zach is quoted, “I may have got cancer because God needs me to be a Warrior for Heaven. I don’t take any pity, I am proud of everything I have been through.”

    It is that spirit that his parents have taken to fight the disease that took their son. The annual fundraiser is their way of working to make sure that other parents do not have to face the battle their family did; however, they wanted it to be something that would reflect their son’s spirit and skydiving fits the bill. 

    During the event, which is at Skydive Paraclete XL on Doc Brown Road, attendees will have the opportunity to skydive attached to a Golden Knight. You can get a full video and pictures of your jump to share. All Knights participating in the event are off duty or retired and are volunteering their time to this worthy cause. 

    Tandem jumps with video are $350 and tandem jumps without video are $225. While waiting on your jump, or simply watching the action, you can participate in number of fun activities, including live music and a deejay, water slides and jump houses for kids, food, a silent auction and raffles for great prizes. 

    The event kicks-off at 9 a.m. To reserve a spot on the plane, sign up prior to Sept. 12 by contacting Kevin or Shawn at grullonteam@gmail.com or by phone at 910-257-3027. 

  •     Bev Perdue needed a ladder. Instead, she brought a shovel.
        Having dug herself deeply into a political hole over the past couple of weeks on the issue of offshore drilling for oil and natural gas, Perdue came into the Aug. 19 TV debate with Pat McCrory needing to offer a more coherent position. She needed to explain how she could go from being “100 percent opposed” to drilling off the North Carolina coast last month to being, well, for drilling this month if Congress and a governmental panel say it’s okay — maybe. And she needed to perform better than in her first TV debate with McCrory back in June.
        {mosimage}During the hourlong forum on WTVD, the Triangle’s ABC affiliate, Perdue did herself few favors.
        Both candidates had some important rhetorical goals going into the debate. McCrory needed to tie Perdue to an unpopular Democratic administration in Raleigh while keeping the discussion focused on issues where he believes he enjoys an advantage, such as energy and crime. Perdue needed to tie McCrory to an unpopular Republican administration in Washington while making him look risky, unproven, or indifferent to middle-class anxieties about college affordability and health care.
        McCrory accomplished his appointed tasks smoothly. After Perdue proclaimed herself “the healthcare leader in North Carolina for the past eight years,” McCrory referred several times to the failures of “this administration in Raleigh” over those eight years, on healthcare and other matters. Basically, she set herself up. His policy on energy was straightforward and easy to remember: drill, build new power plants, and reinvest the proceeds of oil and natural gas exploration in coastal infrastructure.
        Perdue did what she was supposed to, as well, but it was as though the two were in a footrace, McCrory was leaping effortlessly over the hurdles, and she kept knocking them down in a furious effort to keep up. Her convoluted discussion of drilling just sounded shifty and insincere. It didn’t have to be. John McCain flipped his position on the issue, too, but simply explained that $4 a gallon gas had changed his mind. That’s what Perdue should have done.
    Instead, the lieutenant governor boasted and bludgeoned. I lost count of the number of times she began her sentences in the first person. “I’m so good at this,” she said at one point, referring to her coalition-building skills. “I’m shameless,” she said when touting her Web site.
        Then there were the attacks. Someone advised Perdue to go after McCrory for being against “child health insurance,” without bothering to explain what that could possibly mean or citing any evidence. Someone told her to say her energy policies were “responsible not reckless” and that she was for “safety first,” so she repeated the phrases several times, sounding a bit like George H.W. Bush — or perhaps Dana Carvey’s impersonation of Bush — saying “message: I care” back in that infamous 1992 debate.
        I’ve debated Pat McCrory before, on a policy — rail transit — where we have continued to disagree. I came away with a healthy respect for his manifest ability to frame issues and craft messages, as well as the sense that whatever vulnerabilities he had lay in pushing him hard on details. Perdue, a longtime state legislator, should have challenged his knowledge of state issues while exhibiting a command of substance and detail, underlining the “risky and unproven” message her campaign and out-of-state allies are trying to sell.
        That’s not the strategy Perdue chose. She chose to preen and peddle meaningless soundbites. And it cost her.
  •     Most people look forward to Christmas the way I look forward to the Best of Fayetteville season. Seeing the way Up & Coming Weekly readers perceive our community is a great big present for me. Up & Coming Weekly has always had its finger on the pulse of this community. Each year this event measures and illuminates our readers’ deepest insights into our community, which serve as a barometer of our quality-of-life. So, it is no wonder this is the most popular, anticipated and most read edition of the year. Hence, my excitement.
        But I’m not the only one who gets excited about this. The community gets excited. Residents, local businesses and organizations all know what is at stake here. They know this is the time of year when Up & Coming Weekly reports on how well they met the needs of their customers and constituents throughout the community. For 10 years they have realized that being recognized in the BOF survey is a testament and measure of their success in bringing quality products and services to the community. They want to measure their impact on the community.  Winning a category says “you are making a difference” in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. This is why you will see Best of Fayetteville plaques displayed all over the city. They earned it!
        This honor is not a gimme, nor is it automatic. Matter of fact, we go to a great deal of work and expense to ensure that the readers survey is fair and honest and that every “legal & legitimate” vote is counted. Notice I said “legal & legitimate.’’  To that end, when we first embarked on this venture in 1998, we put some stringent participation rules and guidelines in place to make sure the survey maintained its integrity in the eyes of the community. Not an easy task.
        {mosimage}Believe me; our strict guidelines are not infallible. However, judging by the number of ballots we receive every year and the increased number of disallowed ballots we have every year, two things are certain: 1. More and more residents, businesses and organizations have come to recognize and accept the annual BOF readership survey as a valid measurement and excellent reflection of goods, services and quality of life venues in this community. And, 2. People, businesses and organizations will go to great lengths to position themselves in contention just to have a chance of winning BOF recognition. Well, sorry folks! No ballot stuffing here. Simply put, with this event “you can’t fake it, till you make it.”  We are confident that we have done everything we possibly can to ensure a pure reflection. Here are a few:
        First, only one ballot per person and you have to record your telephone number. If the ballot appears doctored, faked, duplicated or “iffy” in any way we have been known to call the participant to validate the entry. A “what ballot?” response is an obvious call to action.
        Second, each participant must complete at least 15 categories on the ballot. This takes some thought and some effort and prevents opportunities to cheat while providing us great information. After all, this is what we want.
        Third, the ballot has to be mailed in, walked in or faxed in. At present we do not have online or anonymous voting. Next year, if we can create a way to assure the integrity of the survey, we will have online voting. Remember, it is a “reader’s poll.”
    Fourth, ballots counted are reviewed and inspected. Again, all suspicious and duplicated ballots are invalidated.
        Fifth, ballots are sent directly to the local firm of Utley & Knowles, CPAs, PA. They validate each ballot, verify and confirm the tallies. Once this process is complete and they have signed off on the winners, we start preparing for the biggest and best Up & Coming Weekly issue of the year. In addition, we prepare to host a Best of Fayetteville Reception where we will recognize and congratulate all the 2008 winners. This is not the biggest event of the year but it is one of our most important.     The marketing and promotion of the event, the rules, regulations, the counting, checking, double checking of ballots, verifications, designing certificates and plaques, publishing the BOF edition and hosting the recognition reception takes a great deal of time, effort and commitment.  It’s all worth the effort because Up & Coming Weekly is a quality-of-life publication.     Our mission is to talk about the good stuff and shine a light on the accomplishments of this community and its residents. By showcasing what our readers think is the best, then we are providing them the confidence and a roadmap on where to go and what to do in this community.
    S    o, study this issue, congratulate the winners and if I don’t see you at the party tonight I’m sure I will see you around town. Keep in mind that this is our annual BOF issue. Every Wednesday we bring the daily and weekly scoop on the Best of Fayetteville and it is always “up & coming.”
        Thank you for making us your community newspaper. Because you are well read, so are we.
        Thanks for reading.

  •     The national party conventions are over, the polls are bouncing, the candidates are racing down the homestretch, and I’m grumpy.{mosimage}
        As a grumpy think tanker, I’m not alone. Back in April, a coalition of Washington policy nerds called the Brookings-Heritage Fiscal Seminar released a sobering document entitled “Taking Back Our Fiscal Future.” The authors spanned the ideological spectrum, including analysts from the Right (Heritage Foundation & American Enterprise Institute), and the Left (Urban Institute and Brookings Institution). The upshot was that this year’s political candidates aren’t saying much about the biggest domestic problem facing America: entitlements.
        “When the next president and Congress take office in January 2009,” the seminar participants observed, “they will face one crucial question that has been largely absent from the current election campaign: how to narrow significantly the enormous gap between projected federal spending and revenues.” With Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid spending largely on autopilot, and slated to dominate future spending, the ability of any politician to address other domestic priorities will be severely constrained.
        Think that the United States has inadequate and deteriorating infrastructure in need of modernization? You’re right, but prospects for more investment are dimming. Think that major tax increases to finance skyrocketing entitlement benefits will discourage entrepreneurship and capital formation while squeezing household budgets?
        The Bush administration didn’t help matters with its overspending and the addition of Medicare Part D. Earlier, the Clinton administration missed an opportunity to enact significant entitlement reforms during the 1990s.
        In their paper, the Brookings-Heritage folks exploded some of the myths sometimes voiced on the Right or Left to downplay this long-term fiscal crisis. Although pro-growth policies, restraint in discretionary spending, and health-care reform could ameliorate future deficits a bit, they won’t eliminate them. Tax hikes could reduce the deficits a bit, too, but both accounting and economic realities intrude. “Raising taxes will not address the underlying forces – population aging and health care cost growth – driving spending and revenues apart in the coming decades,” the authors wrote. “Even raising revenues as a percent of GDP to European levels – levels that are unprecedented in the United States — will not be sufficient.” I might add that burgeoning entitlements don’t just pose fiscal challenges. They also signal a troubling change in familial and social relationships. Seniors ought to be cared for primarily by their families and communities, not by impersonal federal programs that transfer dollars from those who don’t have older living relatives to those who do.
        Of course, many citizens have made life-altering decisions on the basis of the promise of perpetual Social Security benefits, full Medicare coverage, and Medicaid financing of nursing-home care (an issue that intrudes into state budgeting here in North Carolina and elsewhere). Sudden, wrenching changes would be unfair and impossible. The Brookings-Heritage think tankers make no such proposal. Instead, they recommend that the next president and Congress enact explicit long-term budgets for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid that are sustainable, limit future increases, and require congressional review every five years.
        Beyond general principles, the coalition outlines some specific ideas that could be part of a broad-based entitlement reform, including progressive indexing and other means-testing methods, mandatory personal savings accounts, changing the tax treatment of benefits, encouraging private long-term care insurance to reduce reliance on Medicaid, and replacing payroll-tax financing with some other federal tax levy.
  • Dear Editor:
        After reading Mr. Dickey’s column in your magazine, I’m not sure I ever want to read your magazine again. Of course, his (Sarah) Palin bashing was probably found to be very humorous by yourself and your staff, but how about printing the other side and telling the truth about Sarah Palin? And how about some truths about Mr. Obama that have not made it into your paper.{mosimage}
        Sarah Palin did not try to censor books at the Public Library. She has stated that again and again in the press conferences and one-on-one reports she has done with many of our liberal press members. And as for her foreign policy experience, apparently Pitt doesn’t read anything that doesn’t agree with his point of view, or he would know she leads the Alaska military and has to know what’s going on over the border in Russia and elsewhere, because Alaska is the site of one our first-line defenses.
        Has Pitt heard anything about his Obama taking millions from Fannie Mae? Maybe that’s why they had to be bailed out. Has he heard anything about Obama’s relationships with people who really hate America? That’s a great qualification for our Commander-in-Chief, to be anti-American, as is his wife, Michelle, who is only just now proud of her country. 
        Do you really think that leftist-leaning (perhaps a socialist?) is going to get us out of a mess that our Congress and past leaders have gotten us into? There are so many people who have come here from socialist and communist countries to get away from that kind of regime — why are we allowing it on our soil?
        What ever happened to personal responsibility and people taking care of their own? If parents had a child who became pregnant or who caused a pregnancy, it used to be up to the parents to deal with the problems. Not anymore. Now it’s everyone else’s problem. At least Sarah’s family is taking care of their daughter personally, along with the baby’s father, and not putting her on welfare for everyone else to take care of. That is what is going on in this country. Nothing is anyone’s fault anymore. Why should we bail out people who made stupid loans that they couldn’t afford? Years ago, when purchasing a house, we hadn’t investigated thoroughly into what all of the closing costs would be, and we got caught short. We almost lost the house, but borrowed money, finally, from a family member, whom we had to pay back. We didn’t expect the government to bail us out. It was our fault and our responsibility.  Borrowers know that the interest rate on an ARM loan will go up, and if they don’t, they need to read their paperwork better. And, of course, the banks are going to lend them money with the knowledge that they may make more money when the rate does go up. Where have all these people been? Living underground? A variable interest rate means the INTEREST WILL CHANGE, maybe down, usually up. Why is that everyone else’s fault?
        But it is the way our entire society is going. The few who work have to constantly bail out those who think it’s easier to live off of everyone else. What is wrong with people being well-off if they have worked hard to earn it? It’s OK with me.
        And just so you don’t think I am one of those wealthy people, at this point I am 64 years old and through circumstances, have no health insurance and live on $13,000 a year. Could you do that? But I have to make my own way, and I don’t expect everyone else to take care of me or my problems. That is what this country was built on and the way it should be. I don’t mind helping those who try to help themselves, but I do mind helping those who blame everyone else for their problems and they need to get off their duffs and help themselves.
        Lois Croxton, Autryville

    Stop Picking on Palin
    Dear Editor:
        Today I read the article in the Up & Coming entitled, “Palin Is More Of The Same Washington Politics.” I was so appalled by it that I was compelled to write. It left me so shocked that I immediately grabbed a highlighter and started to mark everything I thought was obscene and unnecessary.
        So, let us begin.(And yes, I do expect this entire email to be read and responded to.)
        You started your article, saying, “Sarah Palin reminds me of Marge Simpson on steroids...” Why was this needed? It was not. Just because you are against a certain party member, does NOT mean you can go and reference them to a fictional character on “steroids.” Where did that come from? Steroids of all things? I find it horrible that you actually could stand yourself putting down another person like this!
        Next.
        You now go on to say how “white” the Republican convention was.
        WHAT!?
        What does that have to with politics? Just because they don’t have an African-American representative standing there does not mean anything! Also... Look at yourself! You are also Caucasian. Perhaps you are stuck in a dream where the world is perfect and all have the same skin color. Perhaps in your dream world, these “Republicans” are the odd ones out, and have snow-white skin!
        “It won’t matter if the arctic ice cap melts, as we will always have a sea of Caucasian delegates at Republican conventions to remind us of what a blizzard of white looks like.”
    Wow, that took some guts to say.
        So, let’s look at some Democrats: Kerry — white; Edwards — white; Biden — white; Clinton (both) — white.
        I could go on. My point being you cannot judge an entire party by the color of their skin! Just because Barrack Obama is black, does not mean that every other politician has to be!
        Now, onto the subject of lobbyists, censorship, the Bridge etc. Sarah Palin is indeed in a pickle about these subjects. Remember, she has not answered all the questions behind these subjects. Perhaps she doesn’t because she doesn’t want to raise publicity, or maybe she’s afraid the answer will not be want the people want. Whatever her reasons are, the point is that she HASN’T settled these debates. So, do not go and speak of these matters as if you know for a fact that you know the answer.
        I shall now go onto a subject that I hate in any party — the invasion of personal lives.
        “Queen of moose burgers?”
        Might I say that Alaskans are very used to hunting for moose. Why do we make such a deal out of this? My explanation: We do not hunt for moose.  Because we are from a different environment when anything out of our regular lives comes into play, for some reason we have to go insane! I felt as if this could’ve been left out.
    “Change is coming! Change is coming!”
        You complain about his chanting of this saying. Tell me sir... What politician hasn’t? Obama says, “America will change.”
        “The conventional theory is when you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is to stop digging.” That is true, but if you’re in a hole... you can’t get out. You either struggle crawling up the sides, only finding that you will only fall back down in a pitiful fail — you use your shovel and start digging up the sides of the hole you created, trying to fix it.
    Stop making references to John McCain’s age! Reagan was up in his years when he became president, and he became one of the greatest leaders this country has had!
        I could go on, telling of my resentment towards politicians because of how they do nothing but eat each other alive. I could go into my beliefs of how elections should be handled, but I won’t. I won’t lower myself down to your level. Can you dig it?
        Yours Truly,
    Sarah Brown, 14 years old, Fayetteville

    IT’S OBAMA TIME
    Dear Editor:
        I will vote for Sen. Barack Obama for president on Nov. 4. His policies are fine. He has enough experience — as much as John Kennedy in 1960. What seals the deal for me, though, is simple yet intangible: He inspires me and I believe he will inspire this country. This candidate effortlessly weaves the Preamble to the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and Lincoln’s first Inaugural Speech into his message to us.
        At the heart of Sen. Obama’s message are these values of America itself: that government is of the people, by the people, for the people; that we journey together to aspire to a more perfect Union; that these truths are self-evident, that all men are created equal, they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and that government is instituted to secure these rights; that we must respect each other and seek common ground despite our differences.
        Our country has turned away from these uplifting sentiments in the last eight years. This administration has cut corners with Constitutional rights. It ran up a reckless trillion dollar deficit with boondoggle after boondoggle to buy votes in Congress. It mangled its response to the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina when incompetent cronies at FEMA let anarchy reign until New Orleans was ravished. It lied about whether Iraq had weapons of mass destruction to justify a useless, endless war that has killed too many Americans to prop up a people and government that do not respect us. It used illegal political loyalty tests in hiring at the Department of Justice and fired U.S. Attorneys deemed politically unreliable. It censored scientific opinion at regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Securities and Exchange Commission to fit a slanted political agenda. It worsened the energy crisis by cozying up to Middle East potentates and Big Oil and failing to provide incentives for conservation measures that are the most economical way to reduce our oil addiction.
        I hear Sen. Obama urging us to get away from government for special interests and lobbyists, to turn away from government that divides us and turns us against each other. He offers government that can provide a safety net and not be our enemy. We cannot be selfish and ask how government can stuff our wallets. President John F. Kennedy said “If a society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.” Every American should be entitled to a good job, a decent home, a safe neighborhood, health care, food and a sound education.
        I will close with a perhaps less familiar passage from Lincoln’s First Inaugural: “By the frame of the government under which we live, this same people have wisely given their public servants but little power for mischief; and have, with equal wisdom, provided for the return of that little to their own hands at very short intervals. While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in the short space of four years.”
        I have had enough of folly these last eight years. On Nov. 4 I will vote for Sen. Obama for President of the United States of America. I trust he will lead us to sunlit upland meadows. God bless America, land that I love.
        Grainger Barrett, Fayetteville

    SUPPORT CROP WALK
    Dear Editor:
        A teenage girl celebrating her birthday after asking all of her guests to bring along canned goods for Second Harvest Food bank.
        A young girl in Parkton inviting her little friends to collect money and walk in the Oct. 19 CROP walk.
        Young soldiers driving out to Second Harvest to ask how they can help feed the hungry.
        What do these and many other heartwarming stories have in common? They’re all in response to Tim Wilkins’ excellent Sept. 3-9 article, “Travel a Mile in Shoes of Hungry During CROP Walk.”
        And did I mention that Tim volunteered to walk and invite donations from his friends and coworkers? When Tim Wilkins talks the talk he — literally — walks the walk. (To sponsor Tim, please call Up & Coming Weekly at 484-6200.)
        As for the “other” paper in town, while they have reported our region’s food crisis, they still haven’t reported on strategies to solve the problem. Once, they gave an incorrect number for CROP Walk, and twice they omitted the the phone number and address of Second Harvest. Thank God for Up & Coming!
        In terms of increased requests for food assistance, Fayetteville has the third largest food bank crisis in the nation. At 59 percent, we rival Katrina-ravaged New Orleans’ rate of 63 percent. Veterans, single mothers with small children, old folks... indeed, all kinds of folks are hungry.
        A community-wide attack on hunger is urgently needed. Faith groups, businesses, fraternal organizations, schools, military units, politicians and all individuals with a heart for the hungry have to take a strong, compassionate action.
    To help immediately with donations of food, money, or your time, please contact David Griffin or Denise Giles at Second Harvest Food Bank, 406 Deep Creek Road, 485-6923, or www.ccap-inc.org.
        To join 1,000 of our neighbors in our Oct. 19 walk to fight hunger here and around the world, see crophungerwalk.org., or call Michelle Bedsole at 401-5653 or the Rev. Laura Lupton at 868-8293. Our goal is to give Fayetteville the biggest percentage increase in CROP Walk results in the entire nation. Up & Coming is certainly doing its part. Now, it’s up to us. Let’s defeat hunger NOW!
    Jeffrey Brooke Allen, CROP Walk Planning Volunteer, Fort Bragg





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    Some are more diligent, effective and far-reaching than others, but most mothers teach their children basic manners and help their little ones — and sometimes their big ones — understand that manners are the glue that holds society together. Without them, we could all do and say exactly what we want, no matter how we affect those around us. If we grew up in the South, manners likely involved the words “sir” and “ma’am,” and they certainly involved sensitivity to the comfort and feelings of others. 

    Manners are executed by following certain rules, some of which may seem unnecessary and antiquated to some folks. For example, I learned and taught the Precious Jewels that unless he is injured or handicapped, a polite man stands when a woman enters the room. My father developed an instant dislike for an early high school boyfriend, because his mother had not taught him this rule and he subsequently failed to stand for my mother.

    But I digress.

    We all received guidance when we learned to speak and write, but who knew that we would require rules about polite use of our new technologies? What is more, we have texting police — in my case a Precious Jewel who pointed out my many texting offenses, which I had no idea I was committing. 

    Lest I become an habitual offender, I promptly researched texting etiquette on that font of all knowledge, the Internet, and, indeed, there are rules about how to text politely. Boy! Did I ever get screensful of texting “do’s” and “don’ts,” the equivalents, I suppose, of always bringing a hostess gift and not drinking out of the finger bowl.

    In case you are as blank as I was on texting etiquette, here are a few of the basics.

    1. Group texting is fraught with danger. You might say something you do not want everyone on the text to know, maybe because you did not realize a certain someone was indeed there. And if you find yourself in a chat with only one of the people on the group text, the rest of the people are also seeing the conversation and their phones are beeping up a storm for no reason. (Full disclosure. Group texting and “blowing up people’s phones” has been my main offense, but I am working on it.)

    2. No texting overnight. You may be wide awake, but not everyone is, and no one wants their phone dinging in the middle of the night. Nor do most of us want to wake to a screen full of texts from people with insomnia.

    3. Sexting is a thoroughly bad idea whether you are a teenager or an octogenarian. Truth be told, no one really wants to see what you are made of, and you do not want public exposure (forgive me!) when your supposedly private text goes viral. Just contain yourself until you see your sweetie in person.

    4. Like talking loudly or taking a phone call in a movie theater, texting is not appropriate everywhere. Do not do it where you would not engage in those other activities — say, at dinner with your boss or meeting your boyfriend’s parents for the first time.

    5. Always, always proofread what you are about to text. If your phone has autocorrect, it could change what you intended to say into something you might be horrified to say. Even simple four letter words can and do morph into words charged with all manner of expletives. I know several people who have been mortified on this score.

    6. Private and confidential matters are best left untexted. You never know what the person on the receiving end is doing when your text arrives or who else might see it. This is particularly true if you ignore rule # 3, and share your body parts. Someone’s grandmother might glance at the phone when it lights up with your text and keel over.

    7. Since people cannot see you to read facial and body cues, be polite when texting. Use words like “please” and “thank you” which may keep you from sounding rude or short when you really meant to be concise.

    8. Speaking of short, keep it that way. If it takes more than 30 seconds or so to type your text, it is probably too long and will be difficult to read on a tiny phone screen. Put your message in an email and then text to say you have sent that email.

    9. Unless you are texting with someone with whom you do so regularly, sign off as you do on the telephone. This lets your texting companion know the conversation has ended so he is not left staring at the phone waiting for your next pearl of wisdom.

    We all goof on manners from time to time, and I am sure I will make more texting faux pas before I master texting etiquette, but I am trying. In the meantime, I wonder what is coming next in the “who knew” department.

    Etiquette for spying on one’s neighbors with drones?


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    When Up & Coming Weekly Publisher Bill Bowman came to me in late 1999 with what he considered to be a wonderful idea, I did what I always do when talking to Bill. I tried to ground him.

    It has been said many times over the years that Bill is the idea guy who keeps floating great ideas, and I am the person with the string who reels the balloon in. There is probably a lot of truth in that statement, more than I want to acknowledge. But I digress.

    When he came to me with the idea of the Best of Fayetteville, his excitement was palpable. He was so excited and so passionate about it. So I had to listen, and, I have to say, it has turned out to be a good idea.

    Bill was enamoured with the idea — not because of the money — but because of what it signified. The Best of Fayetteville is a means to honor and pay tribute to those businesses and organizations that contribute to making Fayetteville an amazing place to work, live and raise a family. Listening to Bill talk about his plan, I saw the goodness of allowing local residents to honor those folks who made life better in our community.

    Having said that, it was not without its problems.

    The first thing we had to tackle was ensuring that the voting was fair and that the ballot box was not stuffed. We spent quite a bit of time and energy talking to and listening to other media sources that had similar programs in their communities. We took the best practices and wrapped them all together to ensure that our Best of Fayetteville was as legitimate as possible.

    That’s why we have several rules. You must fill out a percentage of the ballot for it to count. There has to be legitimate addresses and phone numbers on the ballot. We look at the handwriting to ensure that the same person didn’t fill out a gazillion ballots. Then, we even go a step further and have the ballots audited and verified by a CPA.

    Some folks think we take it to the extreme, but why pretend that we are talking about the best of the best if we aren’t?

    Once we were satisfied that the ballots were legit and our categories were right, we started doing our research and looking at what kind of information we could share with the community about our winners.

    I will not lie. The weeks surrounding the Best of Fayetteville are far from my favorite. They are in fact, weeks that make me want to run screaming into the night. But, in 15 years I haven’t done that — yet. But it’s always an option I keep open and hold over Bill’s head.

    Going from 36 pages to close to 90 in one week is a challenge. Not only does it mean a lot more writing, it also means a lot more layout. And, or course, a lot more of everything. More arguments with the sales staff over deadlines. More arguments with Bill over those last 15 ads he wants to place and more arguments with the printer who wants it all yesterday. 

    By the time the Best of Fayetteville Party rolls around, I am too tired mentally, physically and emotionally to do more than stand and smile with a glazed look in my eye. That’s why my annual assignment at the party is to be nice. It can be a chore.

    Having said all of that, my favorite thing about the Best of Fayetteville is what I learn about our community. I’m not just talking about the winners, but also about the folks who vote. Seeing how others look at our community, what they like, what they dislike, how they view things in the community is eye opening every year. And, I will admit, that sometimes I am really surprised. 

    What’s the biggest scandal? Who is the most respected politician? What’s the biggest waste of money? These are all questions that can bring about a diverse number of answers; although sometimes everyone is on the same page.

    While the Best of Fayetteville might not bring out the best in me. It is probably one of the best ideas Bill ever had. But, do me a favor, don’t tell him. I will never hear the end of it.

  •     {mosimage}‘Tis the season to be fake. You can tell that the presidential election is getting close by watching the tadpoles of craziness metamorphosing into full-blown frogs of fakery in America’s political ponds. The rip in the time/space continuum has unleashed a phalanx of phonies onto the Earth. In short, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. If you are bored with reality, consider our candidates for Fake of the Year. Ponder this year’s worthy charlatans.
        How do I love fakes? Let me count the ways. The first nominee for the coveted Fakey trophy is Joyce McKinney. Joyce is the delightful lady who spent about 50 grand at a South Korean lab to clone Booger, her dead pit bull. Why anyone would want to clone a dead Booger is beyond the scope of this column. Let us just accept that Joyce did it. She has cloned pit bull pups who are cuter than Madonna’s bunions. There was a lovely picture of Joyce in all the papers holding up a Booger clone. With fame comes unintended consequences.
        An eagle-eyed reader contacted British law enforcement after noticing a startling resemblance between Booger Cloner Joyce and fugitive Mormon Kidnapper Joyce. Way back in 1971, alleged Mormon Kidnapper Joyce was overcome with passion upon seeing a 21-year-old Mormon dude wearing a white shirt and skinny black tie. Joyce allegedly kidnapped Mormon dude and made him her sex slave complete with mink-lined handcuffs in a quaint little cottage in England. At first, Booger Joyce denied she was Mormon Joyce. Eventually she admitted it. Joyce was charged criminally but was never convicted as she left England before the trial could be held. According to Joyce it was all a misunderstanding. The Mormon dude consented to whatever they had done. British authorities have declined to extradite Mormon Joyce.
        Unfortunately, even more troubles arose for Joyce due to the Booger clone picture. Joyce had a third secret identity as Three-Legged Horse Owner Joyce. TLHO Joyce had been charged in Tennessee with planning a burglary with a teenage boy to raise money to buy an artificial leg for her three-legged horse. Tennessee authorities are still deciding whether to try TLHO Joyce. The three-legged horse did not return numerous telephone calls for comment.
        For the first time there are joint nominees for the Fakey. Consider Matt Whitton and Rick Dyer who brought us Bigfoot on ice in August. The boys claimed they had found a dead Bigfoot in Georgia. They had him chilling like a case of Pabst Blue Ribbon on ice. At a press conference they produced a picture of Bigfoot which showed our hero looking a bit peaked with some of his internal organs grooving outside his skin. America gasped a collective “yuck,” but like Scully and Muldar we wanted to believe it was really Bigfoot. Unfortunately, when Bigfoot was thawed out, he turned out to be a rubber gorilla suit. What a gyp. Matt and Rick went missing. Once again we’re collectively disappointed that Bigfoot had escaped our grasp. Extra style points are awarded Matt and Rick for using the old gorilla suit gag.
        The third nominee for the Fakey is the government of the People’s Republic of China for having one little girl sing and another little girl lip sync at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. The People’s Bureau of Childhood Personal Attractiveness determined that while 7-year-old Yang Peiyi could really belt out the chart topping “Ode to the Motherland,” Yang Peiyi wasn’t cute enough to appear on camera. How does Yang Peiyi’s self esteem recover from being officially certified as too ugly to sing? Lip synching Lin Miaoke was attractive enough to meet Chinese government cuteness standards but couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket of river eels. Perhaps the South Korean cloning lab could mix some of Yang’s vocal chromosomes with Lin’s cuteness chromosomes and create a Chinese Shirley Temple to sing at the London Olympics. As evidenced by the Chinese women’s gymnastics team, Chinese little girls grow up so fast it would be no problem for a 2008 model cloned Yang/Lin to be 16 at the 2012 Olympics.
        The nominees for the 2008 Fakey award are all outstanding. It is a difficult to pick the biggest fake of the year from our three highly qualified contenders. Each one seems more artificial than the next. However, this is the 21st century and choices must be made. The envelope please.
        The winner of the 2008 Biggest Fake of the Year award goes to John Edwards and his alleged baby momma Rielle Hunter. See you on Father’s Day.
  •     Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard that increasing eco-awareness around the world has now extended itself to the afterlife, whereby burials can even be “green.” Is that true?
       — Mary Lewis, Duxbury, Mass.


        Modern western-world burial practices are arguably absurd, all things considered: We pack our dearly departed with synthetic preservatives and encase them in impenetrable coffins meant to defy the natural forces of decomposition that have been turning ashes to ashes and dust to dust for eons. And in the process we give over thousands of acres of land every year to new cemetery grounds from coast to coast.
    According to National Geographic, American funerals are responsible each year for the felling of 30 million board feet of casket wood (some of which comes from tropical hardwoods), 90,000 tons of steel, 1.6 million tons of concrete for burial vaults, and 800,000 gallons of embalming fluid. Even cremation is an environmental horror story, with the incineration process emitting many a noxious substance, including dioxin, hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, and climate-changing carbon dioxide.
        But increasing demand for more natural burial practices has spawned changes in the industry, and dozens of funeral homes and cemeteries across the country have started to adopt greener ways of operating. Many of these providers are members of the nonprofit Green Burial Council, which works “to make burial sustainable for the planet, meaningful for the families, and economically viable for the provider.”
    The organization partners with land trusts, park service agencies and the funeral profession to help consumers get the greenest burial experience possible. Its network of approved providers is committed to reducing the industry’s toxins, waste and carbon emissions. Many of the group’s member cemeteries — you can find a directory on the Green Burial Council’s Web site — offer clients the option of burying loved ones in more natural landscapes uncluttered by headstones and mausoleums. In place of a traditional headstone, for example, a tree might be planted over the grave.{mosimage}
        And instead of conventional wood and steel coffins, clients can bury loved ones in more biodegradable wicker or cardboard, or in a casket made of wood certified as sustainably harvested by the nonprofit Forest Stewardship Council. Advocates of such greener burials say that people take comfort in knowing their bodies will decompose and become part of the cycle of nature.
        Likewise, dry ice is becoming a popular, non-toxic alternative to embalming. According to Greensprings Natural Cemetery in Newfield, N.Y., “No state in the U.S. requires embalming, though some may require it if burial doesn’t take place within a set amount of time — usually 24 or 48 hours.”
        Even the practice of scattering ashes at sea has a new wrinkle. Florida-based Great Burial Reef will place urns with cremated remains within 100 percent natural, PH-balanced concrete artificial reefs placed at the bottom of the ocean. And Georgia-based Eternal Reefs will mix your ashes with the cement they use to create “reef balls” — hollow spheres that resemble giant Wiffle balls that are sunk offshore. Loved ones equipped with the GPS coordinates can boat or even dive to visit the site of the remains.

        CONTACTS: Green Burial Council, www.greenburialcouncil.org; Forest Stewardship Council, www.fscus.org; Greensprings Natural Cemetery, www.naturalburial.org; Great Burial Reef, www.greatburialreef.com; Eternal Reefs, www.eternalreefs.com.

        GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com.
  •     Ever heard of the “sin of the desert?” A preacher was in the Middle East and was trying to witness to his Arab guide. The Arab guide just was not interested in talking about Jesus. The preacher continued until the Arab became upset and said, “I don’t want to hear anymore.”
        Finally, the preacher succumbed and said, “I just want you to know that I am sharing Jesus Christ with you, because I love you and I want you to go to heaven.” The Arab didn’t say anything for a while.
        Finally the Arab said, “I’m sorry. I understand that you just didn’t want to commit the ‘sin of the desert.’”
    The preacher looked a little puzzled and replied, “I’m not sure I know what that means, but it sounds pretty bad.”
        {mosimage}The Arab said, “The sin of the desert is to know where there is water, but not tell anyone else about it.”
        On Oct. 5, Green Springs Baptist Church is taking strategic steps to tell the people in our community where there is living water. We are having “My Friendship Connection” Sunday in which we are hoping every person in our church will invite and bring a friend to hear about the good news of the Bible.
        If you have not been invited, consider this a personal invitation to come and check it out. Jesus Christ is the living water (John 4:10) that can quench the thirst of any person, and He is the bread of life (John 6:35) that can quench the hunger of any person. Join us Oct. 5 to learn more.
        Green Springs offers a blended worship style with Bible-based, life application preaching at both 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. every Sunday, with childcare at both services.
        And, if you find that you’ve made a connection at our church or already have a connection somewhere else, we also invite you to join us for our annual Harvest Day Sale on Saturday, Oct. 11.
        This annual “in-gathering” brings old friends and new together for a fun day of fellowship featuring our famous barbecue and chicken salad plate sale, as well as a country store and auction. This fun event has been ongoing for years and is a much anticipated event in the Gray’s Creek community.
        If you’ve never attended the event, try to make the time to come out this year. In addition to great cooks, our church also has very talented individuals whose handcrafts will be on sale.
        Again, if you haven’t been invited, consider this your invitation.For more info, visit us online at www.greenspringsbaptistchurch.com or call (910) 425-8602.
  •     “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” More than 200 years ago, the French writer Voltaire expressed that thought. 
        I agree whole heartedly. That thought should be the mantra of every journalist and every newspaper in our country. If it isn’t, then they have missed the boat. And I can tell you, there are a lot of journalists standing out on the dock wondering where the boat is.
        {mosimage}We are the Fourth Estate and it is not our job to decide the issues. It is our job to report the issues. It is not a reporter’s job to slant an issue, make assumptions or add in their opinion. A reporter’s job is to report the facts. Just the facts and nothing but the facts. That seems to have gotten lost somewhere along the way.
    Over the past few months, we have taken much criticism from readers who think we should go further in reporting a story. They want us to take conjecture and hearsay and incorporate it into a story. That’s not going to happen. Not under my name and not on my watch.
        If you find an opinion in this paper, it’s going to be clearly labeled under the header Opinion or it’s going to be here in the publisher’s notes. That’s where it belongs. And, in the confines of those opinion pages, you’re going to read a lot of stuff you might not agree with. I know I do.
        It is not our job to silence that opinion — but rather to give it voice. And we’re happy to do so. The ideal that Voltaire communicated so clearly 200 years ago is alive and well at Up & Coming Weekly.
        Over the past two weeks, we have come under a firestorm of criticism for allowing  contributing writers to express their opinions about the upcoming election — most notably columns that have been less than complimentary to Sarah Palin. We’ve been called a “liberal rag,” we have had folks tell us they won’t read our newspaper anymore and we even had one business owner remove our rack from his business.
        Good. We’re doing our job.
        In a free society, one of the greatest ways for an individual to express his thoughts and opinions is through the editorial pages of a newspaper. Again, those thoughts and opinions, by design, fall under a heading that reads “Opinion.” Up & Coming Weekly has built its reputation on being Fayetteville and Cumberland County’s community newspaper. We are the people’s alternative voice. We are the communities “other side of the story.” We have been your voice for more than 13 years. We don’t take sides, and we welcome contributions from all sides of the political spectrum. We have never refused to accept articles from individuals because of race, religion or political affiliation.
     If readers want to read more conservative opinion pieces rather than the recent liberal point of views then write it and send it in. Then, if we don’t put it in the newspaper then you can call us a “liberal rag.” To date, we have only heard from one side.
        Do you have an opinion? Then share it with us as long as it is not libelous or slanderous. We love hearing from you and invite your letters and opinions. Our address is on almost every page of this publication. Let me give it to you again — send any letters, opinions, features and articles to me personally at editor@upandcomingweekly.com.
    I look forward to reading and printing them. There’s a chance that I may not agree with your opinion, but I surely support your right to have it and express it.
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    Recently, I sent a letter to the Fayetteville City Council concerning my opinion (and that of many others) about the  possibility that the city would consider eliminating the Market House from its logo.  Along with the letter I sent them several photos showcasing the Historic Market House as a symbol of our city.  I’m not sure they realize how many iconic images of the Market House are in our city or the significance of this nationally recognized historic structure. 

    Erasing history is never easy. Actually, it is impossible. First of all, the Civil War was not [all] about slavery. Taxation without representation comes to mind as a reason for the Civil War. Those who find the Market House offensive should read more about Fayetteville’s history and not just pick and choose those things that fit their bias and misguided debate. Matter of fact, eliminating history for others also means eliminating your own history.  

    The Market House (or State House) is vital and significant to Fayetteville’s heritage and, in my opinion,  should remain a symbol of our city because of all the significant and historic  events that took place there.  The Market House for true history buffs is a hallmark for Fayetteville and our own historic treasure.  Sure, it has been acknowledged that slaves were sometimes sold or traded there, but, it is also true that it was never a “slave market,” per se. The history books tell us that slaves were sold or traded in numerous other places in and around the city including the courthouse. This being the case, it seems senseless to try to eradicate one specific building.  Why not the entire city? What’s next and where does it stop? 

    Are we to ask the Veterans Administration to remove the Market House likeness from the top of the Veterans Hospital on Ramsey Street? Or disavow our two recognitions as an All-America City just because the Market House is adorning the logo?  It’s borderline silliness. 

    Many are not aware that the Market House, built in 1832, was built by  black tradesmen. Do we want to diminish their legacy? And, why would we want to diminish our legacy? Can we not take great pride in the fact that it was here in Fayetteville, in the Market House that North Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution, chartered the University of North Carolina and actually ceded western territory to create the state of Tennessee?

    My goodness!  It is the only national landmark in Cumberland County and there are only 40 such designations  in the entire state. 

    Political correctness is destroying this city as well as America and by trying to eradicate our history, we are needlessly and senselessly disrespecting all Fayetteville citizens, especially the black residents in our community. Think about this: In the Market House hangs a plaque honoring Charles W. Chesnutt (1858-1932).  An Afro-American writer, educator and scholar, Chesnutt was born the son of free blacks who had emigrated to Fayetteville. He worked part-time in the family grocery store while getting his formal education. In 1880, he became principal of the Fayetteville State Normal School for Negroes; now, Fayetteville State University. In 1928, the NAACP honored him with the Spingarn Medal for his pioneering work on behalf of the Afro-American struggle. Today, Charles W. Chesnutt is recognized and remembered as an important contributor to the de-romanticizing trend in post-Civil War southern literature and the singular voice among turn-of-the-century realists. A plaque in the Market House honors and commemorates this man. Shall his work and contributions to the black community be taboo, disrespected and written off as “collateral damage?” I think not.  

    His quote “We shall come up slowly and painfully perhaps, but, we shall win our way,” serves as a reminder that progress is constantly being made and hard work, perseverance and courage  are the keys to accomplishment.  Even the words engraved on the plaque serve as compelling and motivating directives. “They [slaves] endured the past so the future could be won for freedom and justice.”  

    Why would we want to disrespect and disavow such a shrine to humanity? We really need to think this situation out carefully and unemotionally. In the meantime, we need to get on with doing important municipal  business, solving and preventing crime and improving our city’s quality of life and quit dilly dallying with history that we certainly cannot change. Let’s continue the dialogue and certainly acknowledge our historic past, but, the Fayetteville Market House Logo should remain in place to anchor, record and legitimize our city’s historic past while making sure everyone is invited to participate in Fayetteville’s future. 

    Let’s move on with things addressing the greater good of the community and avoid those who only want divisiveness. Concerned residents should contact the Fayetteville City

    Council with their views on retaining the logo of the Market House. I appreciate Publisher Bill Bowman for yielding his space for this editorial opinion. 


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    It is easy to talk about change. Talking about change and taking action to make  a change are two very  different things. Wes and Sandy Cookman are about making change — change that matters. Wes and Sandy own WIDU 1600 AM. The couple, along with their sponsors and church, business and media partners, works diligently throughout  the year to have a positive impact on their corner of
    the world.

    The radio station programming includes news, talk radio, church services and gospel music. But keeping listeners informed and entertained is just the tip of the iceberg. For the Cookman’s, using the airwaves to reach the community and keep the listeners informed is serious business and they designed the station’s programming to reflect their priorities.

    “The Fayetteville Morning News Hour” was launched in 2011. The show features regular contributors that include Margaret Dickson, Troy Williams, Sara Vanderclute, Nancy Shakir, Chris Fitzsimon and Carin Savel. This program is the only local news program that is feature-length. While local news reports are aired throughout the day, The Fayetteville Morning News Hour offers local news in addition to editorial commentaries and local news reports and weather.

    Weekdays from 8-9 a.m. “What’s Going On” features local guests who discuss a variety of important issues that impact Fayetteville and the surrounding area. Some topics that are routinely covered on this show include public education, crime and punishment, religion, government and social justice.

    The “Wake Up” show is an important part of the station’s broadcast lineup. It offers listeners locally produced news and talk. The programming is relevant and engaging. The entertaining cast of radio personalities, ministers, public officials, journalists and community-minded citizens cover a variety of topics. The WIDU website describes the show by saying “… Wake Up truly believes that people will make the right decision if given timely, accurate information, and it lives by the motto every day — Knowledge Based, Issue Driven.” The show runs Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    In addition to programming, the team at WIDU, along with sponsors and partners, believes in being active in the community, working for positive change and making a difference. Their efforts recently raised $25,000 for a homeless shelter. 

    Each year WIDU hosts an anniversary celebration that features worship services, prayer breakfasts, concerts, motivational speakers and more. This year, the WIDU Anniversary celebration runs Oct. 3-10. It is a spiritually powerful event that continues to grow each year. Entertainers include The Williams Brothers, Tasha Cobbs, Bishop Marvin Winans, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Tim Rogers and The Fellas, LeAndria Johnson, Doc McKenzie, Luther Barnes, Lisa Knowles and so much more. Motivational speaker Les Brown is slated for a business empowerment breakfast.

    Find out more about WIDU and its programs throughout the community at www.widuradio.com. Find out more about the WIDU Anniversary Celebration at www.widuanniversary.com.


  •     {mosimage}Joe Biden? What does he know about North Carolina?
        Some North Carolinians are asking this question this week as they assess Biden’s vice presidential nomination.
    I have a partial answer, coming from some personal memories. You see, I am responsible, at least in part, for one of Biden’s early political visits to our state.
        Back in 1986, I was the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress in a district that had been represented by Republicans for many years. The race was close. Lots of senators and members of Congress came to campaign with me. I loved hobnobbing with famous political personages like Jim Wright, Claude Pepper and Charles Rangel-and future presidential candidates Bill Bradley, Dick Gephardt and Gary Hart. But these visits often drove our campaign volunteers crazy trying to figure out how to readjust our campaign schedule, develop an “appropriate” program for them and gather respectable crowds to greet them.
        One of these visitors was Joe Biden. His staff gave our campaign scheduler Marcia Webster only a day or two to prepare. She called some of the loyal supporters who never said “no” even to the most challenging requests.
    One of these, Brenda Barger remembers that she and her husband Hugh hosted a small group at their farm near Davidson. Davidson Mayor Russell Knox and College Union Director Shaw Smith came to meet Biden and hear him tell about a run for president someday.
        Amy Steele, whose ability to organize campaign operations was unexcelled, took on the task of gathering a group of supporters to meet Biden in Statesville. She got a young couple, David and Sally Parker, to host an event.
    But, as Sally Parker remembers now, they had planned a trip with their children that day to Carowinds in Charlotte, leaving Amy and her crew to prepare. Sally says, “Amy had a magic wand.” When the Parkers returned and Biden arrived, their home and garden were full of fresh flowers and a big crowd.
        Biden was charmed. So were the Parkers.
        Later, Sally quizzed Biden about his views on capital punishment. She remembers his thoughtful listening and response to her concerns. Biden was a hit with the Parkers. A few months later, soon after the publication of a photo of Donna Rice on Gary Hart’s knee ended Hart’s presidential campaign, the Parkers ran into Biden again. “What happened to that photo?” Biden asked them, smiling but maybe just a little worried that it could be misunderstood. “Don’t worry,” the Parkers told him, “the photo did not turn out.”
        The Parkers remain Biden fans to this day. David Parker is a convention “super-delegate.”  He says “if it had not been for John Edwards’ candidacy, I would have supported Biden’s presidential campaign this year. And I am glad I can vote for him this week in Denver.”  
        Our campaign manager Henry Doss remembers Biden’s visit to campaign headquarters where Doss’s 5-year-old daughter was visiting and drawing a picture of a red dog. She told Biden a story about that dog. “For that moment,” Doss says, “he was really interested in what Elizabeth was telling him and giving her his full attention. I think one of Biden’s greatest strengths is his ability to engage from moment to moment. This builds on his authenticity. He is what he is, and that’s what makes him powerful.  I’ve always been in awe of his grasp of world affairs, and his comfort level around power. But his encounter with Elizabeth illustrates his rare ability and desire to connect with people. Maybe he even learned something about the red dog.”
        Great memories for me. And for Biden, some North Carolinians who remember him well.


  •     A friend of mine dropped by recently and told me she has registered to go back to college in the spring semester. Like so many other North Carolinians, about 800,000 every year, my friend is enrolling in a state community college. She will matriculate at Fayetteville Technical Community College in the General College program. Most of her courses will be taught online, though she will have to go to campus for classes involving labs.
        My friend is not a contemporary of my young adult children, who are still in school and are still searching for themselves. She is the bright and energetic 40-something mother of four active children, all still at home. She owns her own small business. She volunteers in her children’s schools and spends substantial time overseeing homework, mediating social issues and ferrying children around to their various activities. Only one of her precious gems has a driver’s license. This is definitely a working woman, both in her job and at home.
        {mosimage}When she told me her plans, I felt like putting on my cheerleading outfit and shaking my pompoms. I am delighted for my friend on so many levels. First of all, she knows she needs more education than she has now. She recognizes that to keep her family on stable financial footing, she must have training and job skills that employers want now and into the future when her children move on and she is no longer behind the wheel of the family minivan for hours a day, juggling her own working hours. My friend understands that in the long run she, and her children, will be competing in the workplace not just with others from our community but with people from all over the world. China and India, in particular, are educating their people to compete with others from across the globe, and if our people, like my friend, are not prepared, they will lose in the race for economic opportunity. When I was growing up, an adult could make a reasonable living using his or her hands and body — as my grandfather used to say, “by the sweat of his brow.” My friend has absorbed the new reality that the jobs of the future will be done with one’s head and intellect, and she is preparing herself for that. 
        The other reason I am so pleased by my friend’s decision is the message it sends to her children and to other young people who cross her path. It says more clearly than words can that education is the key to a more productive future and a better quality of life. It says “I have tried life without education, and having an education is better. It is important enough to seek not just early in life, but anywhere along life’s journey.” 
        My friend has told her children, even the 8-year-old, that when she goes into her study room and shuts the door, she is working and not to be disturbed in the same way they would not disturb her at her workplace. She knows, just as you and I do, that going back to school in mid-life will have its challenges. I have not thought about algebra or physical science in a while, and neither has she. I have juggled home and work for most of my adult life, but I have yet to throw college courses and study time into that mix. I have taken a course here and there for pleasure at FTCC, but completing a curriculum program over a period of years is a much bigger mountain.
        People delay their educations for all kinds of reasons. My friend is typical of women who do so. She married and had a child, divorced, remarried and had three more.  She is as attentive a mother as I know, and she has put her family — husband and children, and their needs before her own. When we visit, I hear much more about them than about her school issues, health concerns, field trips, college planning and the in-law with a serious medical condition.         
        It may be that my friend considers her recent decision just another way to take better care of her family, and in some ways, that is true. Continuing her education will make her eligible for jobs that pay better than her own enterprise does, and I have no doubt at all that her increased prosperity will be shared generously with her family. What she may not have factored in is the pleasure she is going to find in intellectual stimulation and in the company of others seeking education themselves. She may not know yet that education feeds on itself, that the more you know, the more you want to know.  She may not understand just yet how one question leads to another and what a delight it can be to follow such a path of inquiry. 
        I am going to look for my pompoms right now so that when I see my friend next week, I can properly say, “You go, girl!”







  •     On Sept. 12, tens of thousands of North Carolinians, panicked by incessant press coverage of a hurricane headed towards Texas oil country, rushed out to top off their gas tanks. Many found their local stations were already out of gas. Others found huge gas lines clogging rush-hour roadways and wasting both time and fuel.{mosimage}
        Frustrated North Carolinians probably thought Ike caused it all. But here are two other names that will forever be associated with this disastrous episode: Mike and Roy.
         That’s Mike Easley and Roy Cooper, whose irresponsible threats of prosecution deterred some service stations from pricing their scarce gas stocks rationally. As reports of rising pump prices proliferated throughout North Carolina, these two “leaders” hurried in front of the press to urge consumers to report instances of “price gouging.”
    Cooper added helpfully that there was no good way to define what his office would deem to be illegal pricing.     “It’s one of those things where you know it when you see it,” he said.
    Imagine that you own or manage a service station, and just heard this obscene little bit of political demagoguery. Would you take the risk of incurring a $5,000 penalty per violation of a state law even that its own enforcer can’t explain or define? I wouldn’t. I’d leave my price low enough to avoid adverse publicity, even if it fell far short of replacement cost and generated long lines, and let my pumps quickly run dry.     That’s what many stations did. They reacted rationally to an irrational government. As a result, motorists had no incentive to purchase only a gallon or two of suddenly expensive gas if their cars were truly empty. Instead, those who arrived first at the station filled up, a form of hoarding. The lines grew long. And the gas ran out.
        Prices are signals. They convey information. They aren’t arbitrary, or wishful thinking, or technicalities that can be brushed aside with the wave of some ignorant politician’s hand. In a highly competitive business such as gas retailing, where prices are posted in enormous neon lettering, the information changes quickly as thousands of people — managers, suppliers, meteorologists, and customers – make predictions based on the best-available information. Faced with the possibility of supply disruption, if you price your existing stock too low, you’ll run out quickly (meaning that you’ll lose the in-store sales that actually earn your profit) and lack the revenue to replace your stock with tomorrow’s more-expensive supply. Price your existing gas too high, and you’ll lose revenue to your competitors as desperate consumers, mindful of even small differentials, drive right past your station.
        It’s hard enough at such times for managers to get their pricing right. Even if Easley and Cooper had managed to keep their mouths shut, there would have been some lines and empty tanks. But by threatening businesses owners with thousands of dollars in civil penalties just for running their businesses, they made a difficult situation far worse.
        Products have no inherent “reasonable” price. When circumstances change, perceptions and preferences change — and these determine the price. A bottle of water is worth more in the desert than at the lake. When you artificially reduce the price of water sold in the desert, it will run out more quickly, and few will have an incentive to transfer water from the lake to the desert to satisfy the higher demand.
        I’m not saying free enterprise engineers perfection. There is no such thing on this Earth. Human beings will always make mistakes. But in general, allowing prices to rise in anticipation of a shortage encourages consumers to purchase only what they immediately need and businesses to bring more supply to market faster (because they expect to earn a higher return than on an alternative investment of resources). The process may be messy, but it works.
        What doesn’t work is for politicians to blunder into the picture with clubs and threaten to bludgeon people.     That’s what Mike Easley and Roy Cooper did last weekend, an error for which they certainly deserve condemnation and ridicule.
  •     Responding to new data this week from the U.S. Census Bureau on income, poverty and health insurance, some politicians and commentators noted that North Carolina posted improvements but still had far to go to reach the national average.
        That’s mostly true, and worth chewing on a moment, but later I’ll suggest that there’s an even more-important message in the new statistics.{mosimage}
        A troubling characteristic of North Carolina’s political culture is what I like to call the “Blarney Tradition.” Over the past century, our leaders have shown themselves to be excellent marketers. But they haven’t been as skilled at delivering the goods. There’s been a gap between the talk and the walk.
        Here’s a fact you won’t see trumpeted in press releases and political speeches: since the mid-1990s, North Carolina’s economic performance has been lackluster. In some measures and time periods, we’ve lagged the national average. On others, we’ve matched or slightly exceeded the average but been outpaced by regional rivals such as Virginia and Florida.
        Take income. While the new Census report studies median household income, that measure is affected not just by earnings but also by changes in household composition. On the purer measure of income growth, average income per resident, only six states had a worse showing from 2000 to 2007 than North Carolina did. As for unemployment, since July 2000 there’s been only one month — January 2005 — when North Carolina’s jobless rate was not higher than the average for Southern states. During most of these months, our jobless rate also exceeded the national average, as it did in July 2008. Now, there’s plenty of room for public-policy debate about causes and solutions. Advocates of cutting taxes and shrinking government budgets can point to states such as Florida and Texas that outperform North Carolina and have substantially lower tax burdens and marginal tax rates. Advocates of more spending on education and social services can point to the better-than-average growth experienced by big-government states such as New York and Maryland.
        The data show that poverty is highly correlated with three variables: education, family structure, and work. Those who drop out of high school, have children out of wedlock, and fail to place at least one family member into full-time, year-round employment have a high risk of being poor. About two-thirds of families headed by single parents who don’t work full-time are poor. High-school dropouts are twice as likely as high-school graduates to be poor.
        On the other hand, parents who graduate, marry, and work full-time have a low incidence of poverty. Among married families with at least one full-time worker, the poverty rate is 3.8 percent. If both parents work full-time, the rate is less than 1 percent.
        This is not to say that public policy has no role in affecting individual decisions about education, marriage, and work. For example, our public schools fail to impart basic skills to many youngsters, placing them years behind their peers, and then fail to provide good options to high-school students who don’t see themselves as college-bound. But before political partisans get carried away blaming specific policies or politicians for broad economic trends, they should take seriously the idea that government’s ability to determine social outcomes is limited.
        Many fateful decisions are made by individuals when they are young, inexperienced, and uninformed. The goal should be to help them make better decisions. That’s a difficult enough task without expecting government to plan our way to economic utopia.
  • The governor’s mansion, Juneau, Alaska, 9 a.m.
    Doorbell rings.
    {mosimage}Sarah: Why Karl Rove, what a surprise. Do come in. We are just finishing up breakfast.
    Karl: Thank you Gov. Palin. I just need a few minutes to go over some issues.
    Sarah: Why heck yes Karl, let’s go into the study.
    Karl: Governor, perhaps we should start with the college thing. Now, did you in fact take six years to obtain an undergraduate degree in journalism?
    Sarah: Oh, I think college is such a rewarding experience. I enjoyed every minute.
    Karl: Yes I’m sure you did, but six different schools in six years. Why so many and why so long?
    Sarah: How many years did you go to college Karl?
    Karl: That’s not the point. Well let’s move on. Do you think that creationism should be taught in public schools?
    Sarah: Of course I do. Some children don’t go to Sunday School. How else are they going to learn about how God created heaven and Earth? Don’t tell me you buy into all of that evolution nonsense?
    Karl: Actually I do, but you see teaching creationism is the job of the church, not public schools. The Constitution requires separation of church and state.
    Sarah: Maybe in the lower 48, but not in the great state of Alaska.
    Karl: Governor, do you feel that sex education should be taught in public schools?
    Sarah: My goodness no. Children can learn what they need to know when they are old enough to learn, and their parents can teach them.
    Karl: How old would that be, in     your opinion?
    Sarah: I think for girls 18 and boys 20.
    Karl: You realize that young people are sexually mature at much younger ages?
    Sarah: Well maybe, but if they get proper instruction at home to wait for marriage it should not be a problem.
    Karl: Let’s change the subject. Your husband was a member of the Alaska Independence Party for seven years. Is that correct?
    Sarah: So?
    Karl: You see, actively engaging in efforts to secede from the union of states is sedition. That’s a serious crime.
    Sarah: Not in the great state of Alaska.
    Karl: (sigh) All right, we’ll talk about something else. It is claimed that your priorities are in this order: God, family and country. Is this true?
    Sarah: Oh, Karl, that is so absolutely true. I always will have those priorities — especially if I should ever become president.
    Karl: But you see, in order to be president, you would have to take an oath to put country first.
    Sarah: Well, I just might be the first to change that.
    Karl: That would not be possible Gov. Palin.
    Sarah: I guess you haven’t heard of a barracuda     with lipstick?
    Karl: I think you are a little off script. Your speech writer had you refer to yourself as Barracuda Sarah.
    Sarah: Well what about the lipstick thing? I know I said something about lipstick.
    Karl: That was a reference to a pit bull.
    Sarah: Why would anyone put lipstick on a dog?
     Karl: What are the greatest threats, as you see to the United States of America?
    Sarah: Karl, I am so glad you asked me that. That is such an easy question for a Christian. The two greatest threats are, first abortion and second is gay marriage.
    Karl: You don’t see radical Islam or the new aggression by Russia or the possibility of Iran having nuclear weapons or our dependence on foreign oil as more serious threats?
    Sarah: First of all Karl, we have nuclear weapons, don’t forget, and we can use them if Russia or Iran or South Korea get smart-alecky. Also, we have ANWR. We can tell those camel herders where to get off anytime we want. Besides they aren’t Christians so why should we do business with them anyway?
    Karl: Governor, I think you should not stray off script ever. If you do, Secret Service agents assigned to you will wrestle you to the ground.
    Sarah: Do they know I am a barracuda with lipstick?
       Dave Wilson can be reached at davedeepse@aol.com.
  •     {mosimage}Many people find it easy and convenient to use credit and ATM cards. But what do you do if you lose a card or a thief steals it from you? There are steps you can take to limit your financial loss in the event that your credit or ATM card becomes lost or stolen. Follow these tips:
        • Report the loss or theft of your credit and ATM cards to the card issuers as quickly as possible. Many companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with such emergencies.
        • Follow up your phone calls with a letter. Include your account number, when you noticed your card was missing, and the date you first reported the loss. Send the letter to the address provided for billing errors and keep a copy for you records.
        • If you report the loss of a credit card before it is used, the card issuer cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized charges. If a thief uses your card before you report it missing, the most you will owe for unauthorized charges is $50 per card.
        • Review your next billing statements carefully. If they show any unauthorized charges, send a letter to the card issuer describing each questionable charge and reminding the card issuer when your card was reported lost or stolen.
        • If you report an ATM card missing before it’s used without your permission, the card issuer cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized withdrawals made on the card.
        • If unauthorized use occurs before you report the loss of your ATM card, the amount you can be held liable for depends upon how quickly you report it. If you report the loss within two business days after you realize it is missing, you will not be responsible for more than $50 for unauthorized use. If you wait more than two business days, you could lose up to $500. If you fail to report an unauthorized withdrawal within 60 days after your bank statement is mailed to you, you risk losing all the money in your account and the unused portion of your line of credit.
        • If unauthorized transactions show up on your bank statement, report them to the card issuer as quickly as possible. Once you’ve reported the loss of your ATM card, you cannot be held liable for additional amounts, even if more unauthorized transactions are made on the card.
        • To protect yourself from card theft, loss and fraud, know where your cards are at all times and keep them secure.
        • For ATM card protection, it’s important to memorize your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and keep it a secret. Don’t use your address, birth date, phone or social security number as your PIN.
  • 0923_cvoer.jpg

    It’s a wonderful thing to love your job — and if that means helping people in the process, so much the better. Jennifer Lescaleet is the program manager at KidsPeace and one of the things she loves most in the world is helping the foster kids that KidsPeace serves. The organization’s mission is to give hope, help and healing to children, families and communities and it’s something Lescaleet takes seriously. 

    As with many nonprofits, there always seems to be a shortage of funds and a long list of needs. That doesn’t stop the staff and board at KidsPeace from doing everything in their power to help the children in their care. On Thursday, Oct. 1 the KidsPeace Second Annual Chairity Auction is set to raise funds and provide hours of fun in the process.

    “We are so excited about the auction,” said Lescaleet. “Last year we were thrilled to have 18 chairs to auction off. This year we are up to 47 chairs. That just says so much about this community and how caring and supportive people are here.”

    Thanks to generous donations from the Restore Warehouse and New and Nearly Thrift Shop, the chairs were provided to the artists at no charge. 

    “We tried to get wooden chairs that were similar to each other,” said Lescaleet. “When you hear of a foster child you often hear about them being scuffed up and bruised emotionally and sometimes physically, too. We relate these chairs to that … “

    There is a parallel here that works beautifully for the KidsPeace cause. The artists represent the foster families and the chairs represent the children. The artists taking in the chairs represent the foster families that give so freely to their foster children.  

    “When families take in foster children they don’t always know where the kids have been, what they have been through and what they are getting,” said Lescaleet. “We wanted to connect the fundraiser into what happens here. After you put some love and help and healing into someone … it symbolizes exactly what we do — just like the artists that put effort into the chairs. They took something that was bruised and a little banged up and turned it into something beautiful and unique. That is what happens when children are matched with the right foster parents.”

    The chairs up for auction are as unique and beautiful as the children and families that KidsPeace serves. Lescaleet noted that some of the chairs are more works of art than utilitarian, and as each one has been dropped off she has been unable to choose a favorite. 

    “They are all just so different and beautiful,”
     she said.

    Leading up to the event, the public is invited to visit www.ChairityAuction.com to vote for their favorite chair. The night of the event, the 20 chairs that received the most votes will be auction in the live auction at the end of the evening. The rest of the chairs will be auctioned off in the silent auction that runs throughout the evening.

    The festivities kick off at 6 p.m. and include food, drinks and live entertainment by Fayetteville’s own Erik Smallwood. 

    “Erik played at last year’s auction and he was a big hit,” said Lescaleet. “We were delighted that he agreed to come back this year.” 

    While Lescaleet and the staff and board at KidsPeace are excited about the auction, what they are most excited about is being able to help the kids in their care. 

    “At the end of the day, all of this goes to the kids,” said Lescaleet. “It is one thing to place a foster child into a home where they will be loved and accepted, but it is another to be able to invest in them and enhance their skills and strengths.”

     Some kids that come to KidsPeace have never known what it is like to be loved. So if Lescaleet finds out that they like writing or reading or music or drawing, that is an opportunity to reach out and make the child feel special. Some of the KidsPeace kids have never experienced the joys of Christmas, so every year the staff puts on a Christmas gala where the children can get dressed up and feel special. Other kids don’t know how to interact safely with other children and public school is not an option for them at first. 

    “We invest in them and put them in a private school setting and transition them to public schools,” said Lescaleet.

    While there is a big need for foster parents, KidsPeace is serious about making sure that foster children are matched with families that suit them. This helps build bonds and encourage loving relationships. 

    “The fewer disruptions in a child’s life the better off they are,” said Lescaleet.  “If we can keep them in a safe and loving home consistently that is better for them in the long run. Whatever we can do for them, our kids are our family. We take great pride in making sure they know that.”

    It is not uncommon for KidsPeace families to adopt the kids that are placed in their homes. 

    “There is integrity behind this and we are doing what we can to impact children’s lives in a positive way. We love the idea of being able to have funds on hand to make a difference,” said Lescaleet. “Not everyone can or wants to be a foster parent, but by attending this auction or decorating a chair or going to the website and voting, you are making a difference.”

    Tickets for the KidsPeace Chairity Auction are $20 at the door and $15 in advance. Find out more about KidsPeace at kidspeace.org or by calling 223-0949. Tickets are available at www.kidspeace.org/events/kidspeace-2nd-annual-charity-auction.

     

  •     Like many Americans, I have been glued to the Dickson television sets lately, taking in the excitement and pageantry of the Democratic National Convention. I expect the National Republican Convention to be similarly riveting for Americans, though for a decidedly different demographic slice.
        At any rate, I have been struck by the participation of women in this year’s process.{mosimage}
        Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and a number of lesser-known and what we think of as “normal” American women have been front and center in this year’s political process. Both of North Carolina’s candidates for the United States Senate are women, and two North Carolina women, one a survivor of the Pillowtex plant closing in Kannapolis which cost more than 4,000 factory jobs in a single day, addressed Democratic convention goers. I will be interested to see the participation of Republican women as well.
        Watching all this sent me back to a small paperback book I purchased during an unexpected, unwelcome and long layover for a delayed flight earlier this summer. Entitled Great Quotes from Great Women and compiled by Peggy Anderson, my little book buy could have been an example of people buying anything to stave off airport boredom. I find most of the quotations fascinating, though some are comforting and familiar, while some are novel and thought-provoking. They come from politicians, writers, entertainers, scientists and humanitarians, and each is a pearl of its creator’s experience and wisdom.
        A sampling from women unafraid to shake up the status quo as they saw it:
        Eleanor Roosevelt, a wise, compassionate and much-admired first lady left us with many such pearls, these among them. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” and “It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.”
        American Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson shared her take on inner strength. “It is easy to be independent when you’ve got money. But to be independent when you haven’t got a thing, that’s the Lord’s test.”
        The English writer Agatha Christie was thinking about money from the opposite end of the spectrum when she said, “Where large sums of money are concerned, it is advisable to trust nobody.”
        Helen Keller, perhaps our nation’s most famous example of overcoming personal disabilities, said this, “I thank God for my handicaps, for through them, I have found myself, my work and my God.”
        Our first First Lady, Martha Washington, also believed in making our own happiness. She said, “I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances.”
        Our entertainers share advice as well, both lighthearted and serious.
        “Sex appeal is 50 percent what you’ve got, and 50 percent what people think you’ve got.”
    — Sophia Loren
        “I don’t know anything about luck. I’ve never banked on it, and I’m afraid of people who do. Luck to me is something else: hard work — and realizing what is opportunity and what isn’t.”
    — Lucille Ball
        “Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.”
    — Janis Joplin
        “I’m not a has-been. I’m a will-be.”
    — Lauren Bacall
        “Careful grooming may take 20 years off a woman’s age, but you can’t fool a long flight of stairs.”
    — Marlene Dietrich
    “Hungry people cannot be good at learning or producing anything, except perhaps violence.”
    — Pearl Bailey
        “It’s the good girls who keep the diaries; the bad girls never have the time.”
    — Tallulah Bankhead
        These pearls come from one of my favorites, Katharine Hepburn. “Plain women know more about men than beautiful ones do,” and “To keep your character intact, you cannot stoop to filthy acts. It makes it easier to stoop the next time.”
        Here are several random quotes which resonate with me. “Parents have become so convinced that educators know what is best for children that they forget that they themselves are really experts.”
    — Marion Wright Edelman
        “Death, taxes and childbirth:  there’s never any convenient time for any of them!”
    — Margaret Mitchell
        “We’re all in this alone.”
    — Lily Tomlin
        “Sometimes it takes years to grasp what has really happened to your life.”
    — Wilma Rudolph
        “In passing, also, I would like to say that the first time Adam had a chance, he laid the blame on a woman.”
    — Nancy Astor
        “I’m having trouble managing the mansion. What I need is a wife.”
    — Former governor Ella Grasso
        “I don’t know that there are any short cuts to doing a good job.”
    — Sandra Day O’Conner
        “We can do no great things — only small things with great love.”
    — Mother Teresa
        “We are living beyond our means. As a people, we have developed a lifestyle that is draining the earth of its priceless and irreplaceable resources without regard for the future of our children and people all around the world.”
    — Margaret Mead
        And finally, this reality check from former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, who said, “You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.”
        Maybe a long layover is not such a bad thing once in a while.
  •     “A fascinating and complicated story of regional identity,” wrote New York Times film critic A. O. Scott earlier this month in praise of a North Carolina film that opened in the Big Apple earlier this month.
    Although we like to think of our state as a “film friendly” place, successful homegrown productions are still rare, and unabashed praise from the New York establishment is noteworthy.
        The film, Moving Midway: A Southern Plantation in Transit, is now showing in selected theaters in North Carolina. It is noteworthy for reasons other than the favorable reviews of a New York critic.
        Moving Midway’s creator, Godfrey Cheshire, is well known as a writer about films, though not as a filmmaker. A Raleigh native and graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, he now lives in New York. He has earned a national reputation as a perceptive observer of films made by other people.{mosimage}
        For some time, he has wanted to find a project that would give him a chance to turn his critical knowledge of the art into practice. That opportunity came when he learned that his cousin, Charles Hinton Silver, planned to move his family’s pre-Civil War plantation home away from the increasingly crowded outskirts of Raleigh to a more pastoral setting in keeping with its original setting.
        Documenting the mechanical and engineering challenges of picking up a gigantic house and moving it a long distance could, by itself, make for an interesting story.
        But Cheshire had more of a story in mind. He wanted to capture the family members and their memories of their experiences in the old house. He knew that some of them would have mixed feelings about detaching the house from the land and its surroundings. The Hinton family had owned and occupied this land since pre-Revolutionary times, and there were the spirits of ancestors to deal with.
        The saga of the move combined with the extended Hinton family’s reactions to the house’s relocation would, thought Cheshire, make for a poignant story if he could capture it on film.
    After the project was underway, something happened to make the Moving Midway story even more moving for the viewer.
        t turned out that the extended Hinton family was even more extended than Cheshire first thought.
    Shortly after he began work on the Moving Midway project, Cheshire ran into another Hinton in New York. Robert Hinton, also a Raleigh native, is a Yale trained historian. His grandfather had been born on the Midway Plantation — in the slave quarters. Coincidentally, Robert Hinton is a scholar of North Carolina history, focusing on the region’s transition from slave to free labor.
        Other African-American Hintons appeared and became a part of the project, some tracing their ancestry to a union between a Hinton plantation owner and an enslaved cook.
    By the end of the film, the various branches of the Hinton family come together at the relocated Midway Plantation house.
        Today’s North Carolina is so different from that represented by the past days of the old Midway Plantation that it is sometimes tempting to minimize or disregard our history. But our future can be much better if we learn how our past influences who we are and will be.
  • parking-lot-party.jpg

    Summer is always a time for fun and all things country; country music that is.

    WKML 95.7 has stuck by the slogan “Today’s Country” for more than a decade. On July 16, the  station is set to host its first New Artist Showcase in the parking lot of the Crown Complex. Artists such as country duo LoCash, Drake White and the band Outshyne will be perform, bringing the sounds of summer to Fayetteville. This is the first in a series that will bring a new round of entertainers to the area while showing the community a good time.

    Locash is a country music duo consisting of Chris Lucas and Preston Brust. The pair co-wrote Keith Urban’s single “You Gonna Fly” and Tim McGraws single “Truck Yeah.” Drak White debuted on the charts with his 2013 song “It Feels Good.” Not just a singer but a song writer, too, White has opened up for acts like Eric Church, Luke Bryan and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Outshyne was formed in 2007 when a group of high school friends got together to sing. Their debut album Startin’ Over  is currently receiving rave reviews from critics. Outshyne continues to put out singles that climbs the charts.

    While music is at the center of this event, there will be plenty of activities and vendors to make the day memorable. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the fun with games and multiple food trucks. Other activities include dancing and onstage contests that fit the good natured and entertaining spirit of WKML. 

    As the community’s country music station, WKML is always looking for ways to engage the community and bring that sweet country sound its listeners love a little closer to home. \

    Ashley Wilson, radio personality at WKML said, “We just want to remind people we can have a great time locally. I love country music and I especially enjoy it when I don’t have to travel far for a great time.” 

    Bringing fresh talent to the area is something the station sees as an opportunity not just to have a good time but to reach out to listeners and make the entertainment a little more personal. 

    “With this being the first of our summer series we are using this as a test run. We hope to make this an event something we have every year,” she said. 

    Don’t let the warm weather slow things down. There will be refreshing activities and entertainment throughout the event that will keep the audience cool no matter how hot the music gets. 

    “This event, although a showcase, we are also calling it a parking lot party or beer garden. We are expected to have different activities to help cool off due to the hot weather,” said Wilson.

    The parking lot parties will be apart of a series of events each month of summer leading into fall. Each parking lot party, of course, will have a different twist and be led by WKMLs signature slogan “Todays Country.”

    Tickets are $10 and are on sale now. The gates open at 6 p.m., and music will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for all-access members of WKML and Crown Insiders. Tickets are available at the Crown Complex Box Office or online at www.crowncomplexnc.com. Find out more about this event at http://wkml.com/events/wkmls-parking-lot-party.

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    The Cirque du Soleil has stayed in the headlines for years. Local residents will get a taste of the stunning and daring circus-style gymnastics that make Cirque due Soleil so successful as the Givens Performing Arts Center bring Cirque Montage to its stage.

    This show is unlike any other. It has the stunning and daring circus style gymnastics of Cirque du Soleil but joins them with theatrical aspects like those of a more traditional play. 

    “Patrons should expect to experience a theatrical circus show. This is not the typical circus, it actually has a lot more actual theatre aspects, a story line, a lot of comedy and audience participation,” explained Michael Manzanet, the producer and creative director of the show. 

    Manzanet, a former performer with Cirque du Soleil, is excited to bring the show to the area. While with Cirque du Soleil, his act involved leaping and swinging from a trapeze with bungee cords secured around his waist. He describes soaring out over the audience at dizzying heights, all while managing his fear of heights. He called it both terrifying and invigorating. Manzanet moved more towards performance arts. 

    “There is a lot less rigging and a lot more theatrics. The focus is on the performers, not so much on the technology,” he says. 

    The focus on the actors does not mean that the show is any less gasp worthy. When asked to describe his favorite moment in the show Manzanet said, “There are lots of wow moments. There is this moment at the end when Reagan, a character in the play who eventually finds her way that is very moving. The audience follows her the entire show and then realizes that she never gave up on her dream.“

    Putting on such an incredible show takes a massive amount of work. Touring adds a special level of complication. There are certain pieces that each performer needs for their gravity defying acts. Constantly moving all of theses pieces to new and different venues takes a lot of work. 

    “We have to get really creative. Every venue is unique. We have to individually modify the set to fit any venue. Each setting is different but the show is very flexible, we can make it fit any height. Our free aerial apparatus is a key piece for our show and the apparatus can go up and down to fit any height. The set is made of a stretch fabric 50 feet wide and 10 feet high. The entire set can break down to fit into pieces to fit any theatre but provide the feel of a larger venue, which makes it easier to move.“ 

    He added that all of hard work is worth it to see the joy and excitement of the audience. 

    The Givens Performing Arts Center located at the University of North Carolina Pembroke is bringing some amazing performances to the community. The 2015-2016 season features We are The Music Makers!, En Vogue, Menopause, The Musical, Flashdance: The Musical, David Benoil: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Ailey II, The Hit Men and Once. All of these incredible shows encompass many different styles of performance. There is truly something for everyone this season. 

    Cirque Montage is on stage at the Givens Performing Arts Center on Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $36 to $21. Tickets for all shows can be purchased by calling 910-521-6361. For more information, visit www.unco.edu/giving/advancement/givens-performing-arts-center. The Givens Performing Arts Center is located at 1 University Drive in Pembroke. 

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    Warning: This column, while gluten free, contains terribly cheesy puns. If you are offended by low and unsuccessful attempts at humor, kindly go  directly to the crossword puzzle.

    Vlad Putin has cut the cheese. Then he cut the Spanish ham and the  Polish apples out of the Russian diet. Vlad has blacklisted products  from Europe and America in retaliation for the ongoing sanctions imposed by the West after his Ukranian invasion. 

    What kind of guy hates innocent cheeses? As a wise man once told me about someone else, “The man ain’t got no God in him.” 

    Vlad is an anti-Cheddarite. He is a natural-born cheese killer. Perhaps as a child he was abused by a Gorgonzola cheese. Vlad’s deep seated dairy fears cause him to see Muenster cheese as a monster threatening Mother Russia. Clearly, Vlad suffers from Post Traumatic Cheese Disorder.

    Vlad exudes serious food issues. It wasn’t enough for Vlad to eat the Crimea and swallow the eastern Ukraine. He is binging and purging western food products to show the decadent capitalists he can’t be swayed by the West’s puny sanctions. Vlad is taking out his wrath on guiltless cheeses and cheese smugglers who have dared to bring Edam into the Eden that is Russky territory.

    As Willie Nelson would say, “Mammas don’t let your babies grow up to be Russian cheese smugglers.” The Russian secret police, the FSB, recently proudly announced it had crumbled a “criminal cheese ring” that had smuggled in more than 500 tons of cheese worth more than $30 million on the Russian blue cheese black market. 

    Before the smugglers could yell “Cheese it, the cops,” the FSB arrested six Cheese Heads of the Gorgonzola crime family. These cheesy criminals are now facing up to 10 years in the slammer with no expectation of early release for Gouda time.

    In early August, Vlad ordered a bulldozer to crush a giant pile of cheese near the town of Belgorod, Russia. To make his point to his loyal Western-imported cheese-hating Russian citizens, he had the cheese squashing televised nationally. Vlad’s Anticheese League spokeswoman, Svetlana Zaporozhchenko was quoted as saying, “The destruction has been completed, and after it (the cheese) is destroyed it is buried.” 

    Perfectly good cheese, tortured and then buried alive. Vlad has become the ISIS of Parmesan, mindlessly destroying innocent cheeses. After the offending cheeses were buried, Putin presented the world with a Feta accompli. The UN Security Council has denounced Putin’s war against cheese as acts of fromagicide and culinary crimes against humanity. This situation is double plus ungood for Russian cheese lovers who are having to use inferior Russian cheeses to make their pizzas. The horror. The horror.

    Rudolpho Asiago, chairperson of the European Union’s People for the Ethical Treatment of Cheese (PETC) has issued a strongly worded statement condemning Vlad’s Cheese Pogrom as “violating all international standards of dairy product decency.” Mr. Asiago called for a worldwide movement to condemn Russia to stop the exploitation of cheeses and “Give cheese a chance.” 

    Mr. Asiago urged the world community to remember that “Cheeses have rights, too. Russia must stop all acts of cheese cruelty and comply with the standards set by the International Cheese Liberation Front. Only prejudice allows us to deny to cheeses the rights we expect for ourselves. Whether the cheese is based on cow, sheep, or goat milk, prejudice against cheese is unacceptable. If you wouldn’t eat Limburger cheese, why eat Monterrey Jack, Swiss or Brie? “

    Let us consider the words of Monty Python as applied to the cruelty that is Putin’s anti-cheese campaign. “Every cheese is sacred/Every cheese is great/If a cheese is wasted/Mozzarella gets quite irate/Every cheese is wanted/ Every cheese is good/Every cheese is needed/in your neighborhood.”

    You can turn the page. Or you can adopt a cheese today. Don’t let the cheese stand alone. Only you can prevent fromagicide.

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    The culture of the South is rich with history and influences from around the globe. This culture is often expressed through music, but in a rapidly expanding and merging world, there is a danger that this precious expression of unique histories may be lost. 

    The Music Maker Relief Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1994 to “preserve the musical traditions of the South by directly supporting the musicians who make it.” Their main fights are against poverty and time. So rather than just offering money, they offer artists opportunities and document their performances. They create the space to revitalize the people so that the music can come freely.

    The foundation has numerous programs to help struggling artists in every way imaginable. The most vulnerable, and in some ways most valuable, are often elderly musicians. They carry fading traditions. Through the Musician Sustenance program the MMRF provides grants to help with medical bills, food, housing and emergencies. 

    The Musical Development Program focuses on increasing artist’s earned income by providing opportunities for growth like shows and recordings. This not only helps the artists, but also often revitalizes interest in the community when artists perform at prestigious theatres. 

    The work the MMRF does affects the community on a very personal level and on a larger scale. It brings culture and tradition to the forefront of people minds for exploration, appreciation, self-reflection and preservation. Artists under 55 or Next Generation artists are also assisted in developing professional careers to keep the traditions alive. 

    This year the Givens Performing Arts Center  is partnering with MMRF to present the We Are the Music Makers photography exhibit from September through October. This exhibit has traveled around the nation after debuting in 2014 at the New York Public Library and at the Lincoln Center. Photos of musicians and Southern musical culture are joined by stories of Southern musicians and the culture they live and perform. The exhibit opens on Sept. 19, and is accompanied by a live performance from the Music Makers Blues Revue including artists John Dee Holeman, Pure Fe, Ulali Project, Deer Clan Singers and Lakota John and Kin. 

    Pura Fe, who performs solo as well as with the Ulali Project, is a Tuscarora singer and slide guitarist. When asked what inspires her unique mix of contemporary and native music she says, “Everything! I was raised around music and singers, many generations on my mother’s side. It is like my first language. It includes everything going on in the world and traditions — musical traditions from around the world. Blues or native music. Everything, I grew up around, my mother was an opera singer. My grandmother sang the blues and I grew up around native music.”

    For her, music is a way to connect with others, a bridge into other lives and histories. 

    “Music is the spirit of a culture. It speaks to you. It is a language. Every culture speaks and records their history through their music,” she explains. And that is why it is so desperately important to preserve it. 

    The exhibit is on display from Sept. 19 through Oct. 16 in the GPAC lobby open to the public from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Blues Revue Concert is Sept. 19 at 8 p.m.  The GPAC is located at 1 University Dr. Tickets for the concert are $10 and are available by phone at 910-521-6361, by mail or in person at the GPAC Box Office. For more information visit www.musicmaker.org
     or  www.uncp.edu/giving/advancement/givens-performing-arts-center.




     

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    The Gilbert Theatre is kicking off another exciting season this year, with some big changes and big shows debuting.  

    The shows this season span a wide range of genres. Young Frankenstein is on stage through Oct. 4 and promises to deliver a quirky and entertaining time for the audience. 

    There is truly something for everyone at the Gilbert
    this season. 

    “The Gilbert has a strong tradition of presenting material that is edgy and outside-the-box — so to speak,” said Robyne Parrish, the artistic director and co-education director at Gilbert Theater. 

    Young Frankenstein is dark and satirical — in keeping with our Gilbert vibe. But it is still a fun musical that can be enjoyed by the whole family! It’s a Wonderful Life is of course a family favorite, but it deals with many dark issues and is a wonderful character study of what it means to be human and the exploration of the human condition, at its very core, is one of our biggest objectives when selecting plays.Titus Andronicus is one of Shakespeare’s bloodier plays and the Gilbert does not shy away from such material. Many of our shows this season have strong roles for women: Hedda Gabler, Women of Manhattan and the Vagina Monologues... Women of Manhattan is a wonderful dark comedy by one of my personal favorites…It has a Sex in the City feel to it - and like Vagina Monologues — deals with the struggles women face on a day to day basis.”

    With a lineup like that, it is hard to pick a favorite because each show is
    special in its own way, but one that is near and dear to Parrish’s heart is the
     holiday production.

    “This season is jam packed with amazing shows. Probably the most exciting for me is to see how It’s A Wonderful Life turns out as we will be bringing this show to the community for the first time in Fayetteville history. After 10 years of A Christmas Carol, it was time for a change and the audience was polled to see if they, too, would like a new experience. They chose It’s A Wonderful Lifehands down. I am also personally directing this show. I am familiar and in love with the film and can’t wait to see the stage version come to life. Ken Griggs will grace the Gilbert stage for the first time in the role of George Bailey,” said Parrish.

    With such varying productions it will be intriguing to see how the directors choose to use and interact with the unique space that the Gilbert Theatre offers. 

    “The intimate space provides the audience with a most personal experience. You feel as though you are enjoying a play right in your own home. With no wing or fly space to speak of, we have to put on our thinking caps and get extra creative which always leads us to make exciting choices in regards to staging and scenery.  This generally produces innovative, edgy and never seen before theatrical elements and design,” Parrish explains. 

    The change to the holiday play this year is exciting for the entire community. Despite the change in tradition, Parrish thinks that it will be easy for local audiences to emotionally identify with It’s a Wonderful Life

    “I think it will be exciting for our audiences to see these well loved films come to life on stage. Alive and in color! It’s a Wonderful Life in particular is probably something most of our Fayetteville community can connect with. Bedford Falls is a small town with local business struggling to keep afloat and the whole town has to come together to ensure
    the success of such a lifestyle. I think we can all see the connections in this,”
    Parrish said. 

    For more information, visit www.gilbertheater.com

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    Listening recently to members of both the Republican and Democratic Parties, the public seems to be getting fed up with career politicians and their do nothing “business as usual” attitudes at all levels of government. Most of the displeasure is coming not from what our elected officials are doing, but rather what they are not doing: being honest and working hard to serve the people and not themselves. 

    This behavior is becoming the new normal... and that’s scary. Example: Sure, the North Carolina General Assembly finally passed the budget, but, at what cost? Coming in nearly three months over due at a cost of $50,000 per day makes you wonder where their priorities are. Do the math. How many low wealth North Carolina counties could have been helped with the distribution of several million dollars? No, this is not responsible governance on the state level. I would recommend that the July budget deadline be enforced allowing for only one temporary spending law to be passed. 

    After that, except for basic expenses, they should not be paid. The system, as it is, only rewards bad behavior at taxpayers expense.

    On the local level, we need to hold our elected officials accountable. We, as voting residents, need to get energized and start asking the tough questions and stop settling for ambiguous promises short on actual facts and details. We need to get more vocal in calling out politicians who continuously do the wrong things for the wrong reasons.

    The Fayetteville community needs real leaders in place to move us into the 21st century. Leaders who motivate and inspire people and desire to make Fayetteville a better community. 

    We know who they are, so get ready to vote.  

    On a side note, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a true American hero, Fayetteville native Ed Reeder. Reeder, a graduate of Pine Forest High School, went on to play football at Appalachian State University and then entered the U.S. Army. While in the Army, Reeder was part of the elite Army Special Forces, leading troops throughout Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. 

    Reeder is thought to be the foremost expert in the Army on Afghanistan and has built relationships that few could have. Throughout his time in the Army, he has continued to call Fayetteville home, and along with his wife, Adrienne, have been wonderful citizens of our community.

    Last Wednesday, Reeder, now a three-star general, retired at Fort Bragg. His ceremony was attended by a veritable Who’s Who in Army special operations, where heroes abound. All of them came to honor our hometown boy. Eddie, we are proud of you and wish you nothing but success in your future and look forward to what you continue to contribute to our community!

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

     

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    Four hundred years ago, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra wrote two novels, the first was El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha, which was published in 1605. The second, El ingeniosco caballero don Quijote de la Mancha was written in 1615. Known collectively, as El Quijote, the novels have stood the test of time and remain a beloved classic not only in print, but also on the stage.

    To celebrate Cervantes, North Carolina is hosting the I am Quixote: Don Quijote De La Mancha Festival throughout the month of September. The festival, which is a collaborative project is open to all artists, art organizations, schools, libraries, universities, art advocates, cultural groups and others who are interested in celebrating the life and work
    of Cervantes. 

    While the majority of the festival will take place in the Triangle Area — think Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill — events are scheduled throughout the state. A key event in the festival takes place in Fayetteville at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, as Man Of La Mancha opens the CFRT season Sept. 17 through Oct. 15.

    First produced in 1964, Man of La Mancha is a musical with a book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh. It was originally adpted from a non-musical teleplay I, Don Quixote, which was inspired by Cervantes’ books. 

    The play opens with Cervantes serving time in prison during the Spanish Inquisition. While in prison, Cervantes shares the story Don Quixote, who put the night on trial. So the play is really a story within a story and is told through the eyes of the prisoners.

    Tom Quaintance, the CFRT artistic director, is at the helm of this production. Quaintance noted that while the book is a classic and that most people think of the play as a musical, it is actually much more.

    Quaintance looks at the play through a different lens. “It really comes down to the core philosophy, can one man really make a difference,” explained Quaintance.

    When Quaintance decided to add the show to the season line-up, he went to New York looking for cast members who could bring the story of chivalry and trials and triumph to life. He returned with Patrick Oliver Jones, who plays Don Quixote and Leenya Rideout, who plays Aldonza, Quixote’s love interest.

    Both of the actors have worked on the show before, and both found the experience quite life changing. 

    Five years ago, Rideout had the opportunity to perform in the production. It wasn’t a show she was particularly excited about and it had never made her bucket list of shows in which she would like to perform. When rehearsals started, Rideout determined to dive in and really concentrate on the show. At that point, it became life changing for her - not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Recalling that time in her life, made Rideout particularly excited to work on the production again. 

    For many, the principal song, “The Impossible Dream,” is a beloved standard, one which has inspired others to keep trying, to not give up. 

    The principles are joined by local artists, Jeremy Fiebig, Taylor Kraft and Paul Wilson.

    The show starts on Thursday, Sept. 17 for two preview nights, both of which begin at 7:30 p.m. and are $15 per person.The opening night party with the cast is on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $28. On Thursday, Sept. 24, the theatre will host a community night at 7:30 p.m., with tickets also costing $15. The show runs through Sunday, Oct. 11. The show is suggested for individuals 15 years of age and up.

    For tickets and information, visit the theatre website at www.cfrt.org or call the Cape Fear Regional Theatre Box Office at 323-4233.


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    I know I am going where others fear to tread, and, believe me, I do so with great trepidation.  

    But here I go anyway, diving headfirst into the roiling waters of defining marriage, what it is and what it is not. This turns out to be a more complicated topic than any of us might have thought, one
     that has interested people throughout recorded history and an institution that has evolved over time.  

    The latest fervor of interest erupted surrounding the US Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year that the legal protections and benefits of marriage cannot Constitutionally be withheld from same-gender couples.

    Several years ago, I read Stanford scholar Marilyn Yalom’s excellent and readable look at marriage in the Western world primarily from a woman’s point of view, A History of the Wife.  She also wrote the equally compelling History of the Breast, but that is another column entirely.  

    On marriage, Yalom rightly notes that for most of human history, marriages were made for reasons other than romantic love. From the very earliest unions centuries ago, marriage conveyed property and power, executed mergers of familial interests, provided heirs to carry on family names and resources, and guaranteed homemaking and other services to men. They were business deals, not sacred unions. Religion entered the marriage arena somewhat later.

    Yalom’s book jacket asks these questions.

    “How did marriage considered a religious duty in medieval Europe become a venue for personal fulfillment in contemporary America? How did the notion of romantic love, a novelty in the Middle Ages, become a prerequisite for marriage today? And, if the original purpose of marriage was procreation, what exactly is the purpose of marriage for women today?”

    What indeed?

    Study after study tell us that men benefit more in marriage than do women, that men are happier in marriage than women, and that women—and increasingly in our country older women—seek divorce more often than men. What does all that tell us about marriage in our culture?

    It tells me that each marriage is different and that none of us know what is going on in anyone’s marriage but our own. It also tells me that the institution of marriage continues to evolve. My grandmothers’ marriages were different than my own, and I expect my children to have marriages encompassing different roles and responsibilities as well. Marriages involving multiple wives are not unusual in many cultures and were once legal in our own, courtesy of America’s homegrown religious denomination, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in which the practice still exists, albeit underground these days. My grandmothers probably never heard of a woman who did not take her husband’s family’s surname, while my children’s generation views that as a choice for women, not an obligation.

    Yalom largely skirts same-gender marriage issues, which were not as publicly pressing when her book was published in 2001 as they seem in 2015. Many others have weighed in, though, including our nation’s highest court. Many of those who have point out that while different religious traditions have their own takes on what marriage should be, it is also a secular legal institution which must treat all individuals equally. In other words, legal marriage’s protections and benefits are available to all adults who seek them regardless of skin color, religious beliefs, national or ethnic origin, or gender. Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, herself a veteran of four marriages, recently thought her beliefs outweighed the law of the land as defined by they US Supreme Court, and we all saw what happened to her.

    Whatever one’s beliefs and experiences with marriage may be, marriage has always been and remains a deeply and profound personal experience.  Each union is unique, and the experiences of the two people within a marriage are, for better or worse, theirs alone.  Almost everyone who has ever been in a marriage reports that some days, some weeks, some years are better than others and that over time marriage soars to great highs and falls to sad and painful lows.  

    And still, the institution endures for all sorts of reasons, and
    human beings marry each other every day in our country and throughout the world. 

    Romantic love is clearly a large factor, but so are the desire for companionship, the need for physical and financial stability, the yearning for children, religious and cultural protection, and reasons private and known only to those entering marriage. Marriage is a uniquely human creation designed to give structure to our desires and stability to our common life together.  However flawed as the institution may be, it endures because we want to bind ourselves to each other.


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    The International Folk Festival is an annual celebration hosted by the Arts Council of Fayetteville that celebrates the beautiful diversity in the community. The festival features food, music, dance and many other traditional celebrations of culture. It is a fantastic way to learn about both traditions around the world and your neighbors that keep these customs alive. 

    The International Folk Festival starts on Friday, Sept. 25, with music and a presentation by North Carolina artists with Latino and Hispanic roots in front of the Arts Council, which is located at 301 Hay St. The festival focuses on education and appreciation. It provides a platform for the many different cultures represented in Fayetteville to share their beautiful traditions.  

    Saturday, Sept. 26, the event begins at 10:30 a.m. with the Parade of Nations. The parade takes place on Hay St. 

    “We expect the entire parade to be live-streamed by WRAL. Last year we had people, family members, all over the world watching the parade,” Mary Kinney, marketing director for the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County said. 

    The streets will be flooded with bright traditional dress and lively music. Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th, Festival Park opens at noon and closes at 6 p.m. Visitors can look forward to food, crafts, music and dance from all over the globe. There are also special presentations for children. The parade, all presentations and entrance to the festival are free to the public.

    This year the International Folk Festival has a strong focus on technology. In addition to the returning WRAL Global Scavenger Hunt there is an entirely new area. 

    “We are introducing an area called the Global Tech Café. This is hosted by the Cumberland County School System English as a Second Language  program. The students, parents and staff from ESL will share tools and resources that they use. The tools may include iPads and periodically live video streams from around the world. They will also be demonstrating apps and websites that they use themselves,” Kinney explained. 

    This focus on technology is embraced throughout the entire festival. 

    “We will have selfie stations, which will represent places all around the world like Big Ben. It’ll be a lot of fun, people can take pictures of themselves as if they are in Africa. These are scattered around the park and we encourage people to take selfies and share them on social media,” Kinney said, “The world is connected with technology. It only makes sense that the Arts Council’s International Folk Festival be just as connected. We need to recognize the roll of technology culturally. “

    In addition to all of the new exciting aspects of the festival, the beloved favorites are here to stay. There is music, dancing, vendors, artistic presentations and, of course, food. 

    “Something that you can’t do every day of the week is have egg rolls and ox tail on the same plate. I love the blending of cultures. You can cheer for Belize one moment and then Indonesia the next. You can listen to African drumming and a few steps away is bilingual storytelling … it is amazing the sense of the range of cultures represented,” said Kinney. 

    For more information, visit www.theartscouncil.com/iff.php or call 910-323-1776. 

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