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  • 17Alex Scruggs E.E. SmithIf anyone was worried about transition issues when Trinity Christian School basketball star Alex Scruggs transferred to the E.E. Smith’s girls basketball team this year, Scruggs has quickly put them to rest.

    Coming out of an unexpected break in the schedule caused by the recent snow and ice, Scruggs has quickly moved to the top of the heap in the individual statistics for Cumberland County Schools’ girls basketball.

    Through the most recent update of Jan. 19 at ncprepsports.net, Scruggs leads the county in both scoring and rebounding with 28.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.

    She’s also tops in 3-point baskets with 28 and second in free-throw percentage at 73.0, hitting 120 of 164 from the line.

    None of this is a surprise to veteran Smith head coach Dee Hardy.

    “We’ve been knowing her family from when she was young,’’ Hardy said. “I knew from when she was younger she had ability that was going to take off. I just didn’t know how far.’’

    Her numbers so far this season indicate she’s met and maybe exceeded Hardy’s expectations from days gone by.

    Hardy didn’t expect Scruggs to have any problems transitioning from Trinity to Smith, and she hasn’t.

    “My biggest concern was just her being in the school building, the specifics of that, our guidelines, rules and regulations versus what she was accustomed to coming from a private school,’’ Hardy said.

    She knew her team would quickly welcome Scruggs. “Our girls are pretty open,’’ Hardy said. “We’ve never had a difficult time with anyone transitioning into the team as well as the building. Our kids are normally the ones that meet the new kids and show them around to welcome them.’’

    Scruggs said her only concern coming to Smith was that’s she’s shy by nature and was a little worried about developing on-court chemistry with her new teammates.

    “I’ve been working hard to make sure I can do the best I can making the transition,’’ Scruggs said.

    Her biggest surprise in moving from private school to public school play is the aggressive play, especially on defense. “It’s faster paced,’’ she said.

    One thing that hasn’t changed for Scruggs is her on-court play. She thrives on driving to the basket, drawing fouls and rebounding.

    Hardy agrees. “She loves to attack the basket and she’s been pretty successful with that,’’ Hardy said. As for rebounding, Hardy said Scruggs just has a knack for finding a way to be in the lane at the right place to pull them down.

    At 5-foot-9 1/2-inches tall, Scruggs can be plugged in at multiple positions on the court, and Hardy has taken advantage of that.

    “She’s a guard, shooting guard and power forward,’’ Hardy said. She thinks Scruggs’ college future will be on the perimeter but that she could play either guard position or a forward.

    Which college she’ll be attending is something Scruggs has yet to decide. She won’t make that decision until the time comes closer, she said.

    “I’m looking for a school with a family-type environment, looking for coaches to bond with,’’ she said. She’s leaning toward a major in sports medicine but hasn’t made a final decision on that either.

    Whoever gets her will be getting a special talent, Hardy said.

    “She’s a really nice young lady,’’ Hardy said, “just her demeanor and personality. She’s a very smart student.”

    Now that the snow break appears to be over and Smith can finally get back on the basketball court, Hardy said the goal moving forward is the same for Scruggs and the rest of the team.

    “We want to keep our focus and make sure we haven’t had a brain dump on things we worked on before the days out,’’ she said. “Keeping our intensity and conditioning, that’s very key for us.’’

    Photo: Alex Scruggs

  • Many remember Styx as a band of the 1970s and ‘80s, but the reality is that Tommy Shaw, James “JY” Young, Lawrence Gowan, Todd Sucherman and Ricky Phillips (along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo), have performed more live since ’99 than all of the previous years of its career combined, according to the band’s website www.styxworld.com.

    On Jan. 19, Community Concerts is bringing this legendary group to the Crown for a one-night event. Known for hits including “Come Sail Away,” “Renegade,” “Blue Collar Man” and “Fooling Yourself,” the band has a fan base that crosses generations.01-09-13-styx.gif

    Marshall Perry director of sales/booking at the Crown Coliseum Complex is excited about hosting the band.

    “This is going to be probably one of the greatest shows folks in this area will have ever seen in their lives. There is not a bad seat in the theater,” he said. “You are talking about a band that has been around for many years and their sounds just gets better and better as they go along. They’ve put together a sound that is fantastic. It is always fresh.”

    At the beginning of their career in the early 1970s, Styx was influenced by Emerson, Lake & Palmer and the Moody Blues, but it was their single “Lady” that first got the group national attention. In the mid-’70s, tour guitarist John Curulewski left and was replaced by Tommy Shaw. Things really clicked for the band after Shaw arrived and most of their releases went platinum after that.

    In 1981 Paradise Theater was released and turned out to be the group’s biggest hit yet and the fourth consecutive triple-platinum album for Styx — a historical first for any band at that point.

    After the release of Caught in the Actin 1984, the band took a break as members and tried their hands at various solo projects. By 1996, the band was back together — with new drummer Todd Sucherman — for a reunion tour. In 1997, they released Return to Paradise.

    With releases (including several recordings of live performances) every year from 1999-2006 and another in 2009, and a tight touring schedule that would make lesser bands flinch, Styx continues to deliver exactly what their fans are looking for — a rockin’ good time. The band has more than half a million fans on Facebook and You Tube is filled with their music. Clearly, this is a group with staying power.

    Known for bringing great entertainment to Fayetteville, Community Concerts is in its 77th season and still going strong. So far this season concerts have included Gladys Knight and Martina McBride. Still to come are shows featuring Kool & the Gang on Saturday, Feb. 23 and Ricky Skaggs on Friday, April 12.

    Find out more about community concerts and all they have to offer at www.community-concerts.com.

    Photo:  Community Concerts presents Styx at the Crown on Jan. 19.

  • Fizzy Friends "Cali lives on the edge," Cheyanne Campos, 15, said laughing.

    Her younger sister and business partner, Cali Rai,13, stands at a heavy bath bomb compressor, packing hot pink bath bomb material into the cylindrical mold. Once she is done packing it, she picks up a toy or "treasures," as they call them and pushes it into the middle of the material.

    Cali Rai is carefree and outspoken. She loves a good laugh. As she stands, quickly pulling the lever to compress another bath bomb, her mother, Andrea Campos, reminds her that she needs to release the compression with two hands, "technically."

    "That's too much work," Cali Rai laughs.

    Cali Rai takes another bath bomb out of the cylinder and gently lets it drop into the round molds, where it'll sit for 24 hours while it hardens. On the other side of their mother's dining room table, which is covered in toys and raw materials, Cheyanne places the bowl of their KitchenAid mixer back on its stand. After each use of a bowl or cup, she cleans them. Cheyanne is orderly and precise.

    She has a place for each thing and steps she follows to the T during the production of their bath products. She keeps them both on task. The girls' workspace is what was once their family dining room.

    Large bags of baking soda sit among 50 pounds of citric acid and shea butter in the corner. Big cartons with dozens of bath bombs in each container are underneath tables and chairs. Surrounding one side of the room are large stands for events. Three baskets on each stand hold hundreds of brightly colored neon bath bombs.

    "It's taken over my whole house," Andrea said.

    The sisters both glance up and smile at each other before continuing. They are sisters who became best friends and eventually became business partners, all to help children.

    Their business, Fizzy Friendz, started about five months ago. In these last five months, they have sold $26,000 of bath products, and 100% of their proceeds go to their charity — Giving Back Warm Hugs. The girls see no part of the money from all their hard work.

    And hard work it is. The girls will wake up around 5 a.m. to start making more bath bombs or bath products and continue without many breaks until about 2 p.m. At this time, their mother says she has to pry them away to do homeschooling and kick them out of their makeshift studio. At some point in the evening, they'll return to the table. In their minds, every two bath bombs sold represents another pair of shoes for a child.

    "We are really doing this for the kids. It just shows how much you can do for the community," Cheyanne says.

    Through Giving Back Warm Hugs, the girls provide school supplies, shoes, socks and even haircuts for kids who may not be able to afford these things.

    This charity started long before Fizzy Friendz became a business. Cheyanne and Cali Rai earned money from modeling and acting and often used a portion of that money to be charitable in the community, an act fostered by their parents.

    They also provided meals for the homeschool, gave away thanksgiving meals or knit hats for cancer wards after their grandmother was diagnosed with cancer.

    "Somebody gave my mom the funniest pink hat, so they thought why not give that gift to someone else," Andrea said. "… they've just done a lot."

    But in the future, the girls would like to continue to run Giving Back Warm Hugs. The charity currently benefits children within Cumberland County, but eventually, they'd love to see it nationwide. They say this is what they hope to do when they "grow up," and hopefully, they'll find like-minded people with "the same heart."

    "We want to work in our own backyard before we go out," Cali Rai said.

    The plan for this year is to continue to do their events, including weekends at Dirtbag Ales Brewery's Markets, and in November, they want to throw a Christmas party for 500 children at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

    This event will include food, activities, presents and Santa. When the girls talk about this upcoming event, they do so with barely contained excitement. Cali Rai immediately rattles off all the different ideas they have for the event.

    "We are going to do so much. We want to give bikes. Every kid should have a bike," Cali Rai said. "We are going to give them toys and have little segments to make it educational as well."

    The girls want to do more and more events and eventually have a profound impact within the community. This event in November 2022 will be just the start of their plans for other events and a wider spread impact for children living in the area.

    Fizzy Friendz's Bath Bombs come in 31 different scents with toy surprises in each bomb. There are also soaps, lotions, "dragon snot," "unicorn fluff," and other products for sale. All their products are organic or vegan and made for sensitive skin. They accept local pickup at A Bit of Carolina, as well as online shipping options.

    All proceeds from sales of their products will go to Giving Back Warm Hugs.

    "The amazing thing is they haven't lost themselves … to be able to be sisters and do this is incredible… to be able to laugh and joke. At their age, I was out riding bikes or playing with Barbies," Andrea explained.

    She looks at both her girls and around the room, then continues. "I never saw this coming."

    The girls looked at one another for a moment and smiled. A non-verbal conversation had just taken place.

    Just as quickly as they started making bath bombs in the room just an hour ago, they began again.

  • Liberty Park Liberty Park, Fort Bragg's newest park, will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 19 at noon. The 117-acre park is situated on an old section of Bragg Boulevard that used to be a public thoroughfare that ran through the installation. That part of Bragg Boulevard was closed off with the opening of the I-295 Murchison Bypass in 2016.

    "We had a great opportunity to do something with the section of road instead of just leaving it there as an abandoned section. We thought, now that we have this asset and opportunity, what do we do with it?" said Brian Vesely, Directorate of Public Works architect and chief of design and project management.

    In 2019, the idea of a park for the area began to emerge. After brainstorming and discussing the park concept, that idea morphed into a more ambitious project. Eventually, the parks in Fort Bragg will all be interconnected with a trail system called the "Liberty Trail." The eventual 14-mile trail system will loop around historical sites around Fort Bragg, including the Iron Mike statue on Randolph Street and the All-American Chapel on Ardennes Street. Liberty Park is the first phase of that project. Vesely estimates that Fort Bragg will complete Liberty Trail in five-to-six years.

    Liberty Park touts 2.8 miles of unpaved trails and 3.4 miles of paved paths. In support of Fort Bragg's sustainability mission, the park's paved trails utilize the old asphalt from the section of Bragg Boulevard the park currently sits on. Fort Bragg built benches set up in areas along the paths, with wood milled from trees taken from the park.

    Along the park's paved trails, visitors will find twenty-five physical fitness stations. The unpaved trails meander through the conifer forest that originally lined Bragg Boulevard. Guests can enjoy walks through the forest and wildflower groves. Four new pavilions have also been built for families to enjoy. Two churches in disrepair are in the park's boundaries and will see facelifts through the coming months. The plans are to transform the churches into community centers.

    "It's a stretch of road that could have been a blemish. It was left in disrepair," said Col. Scott Pence, Fort Bragg Garrison Commander. "And now the new renovation turns it into a point of beauty that can raise and enhance people's mental health as they interact with it."

    In addition to creating the park for families to enjoy, designers also had storm resiliency in mind. Pence explained that designers constructed the park to help safely and mindfully direct flooding from thunderstorms and hurricanes.

    Following the opening ceremony, volunteers will plant azalea bushes as part of the Fort Bragg Directorate of Public Works Arbor Board mission. Vesely said he is excited about the azaleas and how the park will look in the spring.

    "I envision it as this amazing bloom of flowers that will draw people to the park. You'll have this amazing... bloom of hundreds of azaleas and hundreds of dogwoods. It will really be a neat event every spring when all these flowers will come out. It will be this sort of beautiful tapestry all along the park," he said.

    Vesely is proud of the project and the improvement it represents to Fort Bragg's livability.

    "It'll be a point of pride for me when I see people out there actually enjoying the park in the way I hoped and envisioned they would enjoy it. I [want to] enhance the quality of life for people on Fort Bragg," said Vesely.

  • Millers Crew Sign Miller's Crew has become a staple at many events around Cumberland County. The food truck serves hot dogs, fries, grilled cheese and tried and true food favorites, offering simple but delicious lunches.

    Behind the counter and cash register is a leader who has been working for the past five years to make sure young adults learn the skills they need to be successful.

    For 26 years, Kim Molnar worked at Cumberland County Schools as a speech-language pathologist and specialist. She noticed that children with developmental disabilities, particularly high school students, weren't given much-needed resources to qualify for jobs in the community. She saw this within the schools and with her son, who has autism spectrum disorder.

    "After high school, it was unclear what was out there for him," Molnar said about her son, Miller. "We started Miller's Crew based on frustration and lack of resources in our community for adults."

    Miller's Crew, named after Miller Molnar, was established in 2016. The Miller's Crew goal is to provide job training, apprenticeship programs and employment opportunities for young adults with developmental disabilities.

    Their first goal was to create vocational work labs in high school special needs classrooms. Miller's Crew met their initial goal in just three and a half years.

    Now Miller's Crew is in Phase Two - the food truck.

    "With the food truck, we are able to take adults with special needs and train them with skills that they can use in some kind of employment," Molnar said. "We use our food truck as a training lab. We serve really good food, and we love being out in the community."

    The food truck launched in June, and since then, Molnar says they have been booked several times a week and are regulars at popular food truck sites. They will be serving their fare at the second annual MLK Dream Jam Basketball Tournament on Jan. 15 and 17 (read more about this event on page 13).

    When they launched, two crew members with developmental disabilities worked with them. One has since moved to Kentucky and is now working in a cafe. A local Jersey Mike's hired the other. These success stories increased the number of people interested in training at Miller's Crew.

    "We have six crew members right now that are waiting to get on our truck and train," Molnar said proudly.

    The food truck serves another purpose: to get out in the community and show local businesses what these young adults could do for them as employees.

    "We have a strong belief that connecting with the community is vital to our program," Molnar said. "Eighty-seven percent of adults with special needs are unemployed."

    But Miller's Crew wouldn't be what it is without Molnar. Molnar was one of four recipients of last year's Community Impact Award and is the driving force behind Miller's Crew.

    "I'm the one on the grill; I'm the one doing the training. I'm back there burning my fingertips because the grill's hot, so I don't get a lot of time to think," Molnar said. "But when I wake up in the morning, all I can think to myself is you have to follow your heart when you feel something as strongly as I do about your purpose. I did the right thing, based on what my heart was telling me."

    What's the plan for Miller's Crew for the future? The first goal is to get to Phase Three, which means opening their own Crew Cafe and Training Center. This building would be a fully functioning training center that would expand opportunities to help individuals train with different skillsets. Miller's Crew would then partner with local businesses and organizations that would hire these young adults after they finish training.

    The center would also serve as a hub for families to connect and get help and advice when their children are diagnosed with developmental disabilities and special needs.

    "It is a life-long process. Once you have a child with special needs, there is nothing in that process that is stagnant," Molnar says. "We want them to see the big picture right when they walk in our doors."

    To find out more about Miller's Crew, where you can find their food truck, or how to get involved, visit their website at millerscrew.com.

  • ftccFayetteville Technical Community College has compiled data reflecting that in FY15, FTCC ‘s total impact on the Cumberland County economy was
    $697.4 million in added income, which is equal to 3.4 percent of the region’s Gross Regional Product. A regional economic impact analysis was conducted by Economic Modeling Specialist International based in Moscow, Idaho. It examined the impact of FTCC on the local business community through increased consumer spending and enhanced business productivity.
    The results were measured in terms of added income, and were organized according to three effects: 1) impact of college operations; 2) impact of the spending of students who relocated to the county, and; 3) impact of the increased productivity of alumni who were employed in the regional workforce during the analysis year.
    Impact of college operations: In Fiscal Year 2015, the college employed 1,501 full-time and part-time faculty and staff. Payroll at FTCC amounted to $57 million, much of which was spent in Cumberland County for groceries, eating out, clothing and other household goods and services. The college spent another $46.2 million in support of its day-to-day operations. The net impact of college payroll and expenses in Cumberland County during the analysis year was approximately $69.9 million in added income.
    Impact of student spending: Approximately 16 percent of students attending FTCC came from outside the county. Some of these students relocated to Cumberland County. In addition, some students would have left the county if not for FTCC. These relocated and retained students spent money on groceries, transportation, rent and more at local businesses. Their expenditures during the analysis year added approximately $28.5 million in income to the Cumberland County economy, the study concluded.
    Impact of alumni productivity: Over the years, students who studied at FTCC entered or re-entered the workforce with newly-acquired skills.
    Thousands of these former students are employed in Cumberland County.
    Their accumulated contributions amounted to $599.1 million in added income during the analysis year. That’s the equivalent of 7,517 jobs .
    “Approximately 88 percent of FTCC’s students remain in North Carolina upon completing their education goals,” said Dr. Larry Keen, FTCC President. “As our students earn more, they and their employers pay higher taxes through increased output and spending. Over the students’
    working lives, state and local government in North Carolina will collect
    $227.6 million in the form of higher tax receipts,” he added. Keen noted that “employers will earn more as their businesses become more productive.” It’s estimated that over their working lives, FTCC’s student population will generate a present value of $2.6 billion in added income in North Carolina.
    Fayetteville Area Industrial Education Center was established in 1961, two years before the statewide community college system was formally established. It became Fayetteville Technical Institute (FTI) in 1963 and was renamed Fayetteville Technical Community College in 1988 to broaden the public image of technical and vocational postsecondary education and job training opportunities. Today, FTCC is the fourth largest school in the system serving over 40,000 students annually by providing over 200 occupational, technical, general education, college transfer, and continuing education programs. For more information visit FTCC’s website at www.faytechcc.edu.

  • Debbie Best head shot Edward Jones is celebrating their 100th anniversary, and Financial Advisor Debbie Best has scheduled the opening of her downtown Fayetteville storefront to coincide with this momentous occasion Friday.

    "I am excited to be opening an Edward Jones office in downtown Fayetteville because we see a need for the type of service we provide," Best said.

    "This firm concerns itself with the needs of individual investors and small-business owners, and I'm happy to be bringing that kind of personalized service to this community."

    Finding just the right location was a challenge compounded by supply chain issues, but Best feels, in the end, they have gotten it just right.

    "I am very excited about our office," Best said.

    "It has been a long time coming due to the difficulty finding a location that would suit our needs, as well as the lag time of the buildout with Covid.

    "It has all turned out amazing, and Tiffany, my business office associate, and I love coming in! It is a beautiful place to work."

    Best is no stranger to Fayetteville. It is her home.

    "Fayetteville has been my home for 28 years. I have raised my children and built my career here, as well as developed many close friendships and business relationships over that time," said Best.

    "Fayetteville is a community that has many non-profits and organizations committed to making our city and downtown a better place to live. I believe deeply in giving back and being a part of this transformation in a personal way. This has made Fayetteville a natural fit for me to open my new branch office."

    Best offers a wide variety of financial services to her clients.

    "I help clients with portfolio and wealth management solutions strategies, look at tax-efficient investing, retirement and estate strategies, business retirement strategies, insurance, long-term care and 529 plans to name a few," explained Best.

    Best aims to help serious, long-term individual and business investors achieve their financial goals by understanding their needs and implementing tailored solutions.

    "My clients include successful business owners and professionals," Best said, "as well as retirees focused on income and wealth transfer strategies."

    Best hopes that folks will come out and see all that she and her new location have to offer.

    Various activities are planned, including a Ribbon Cutting and Edward Jones 100 Year Anniversary Celebration.

    Guests will have an opportunity to tour the new office. The event will take place on Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. at her office at 228 Winslow St., Fayetteville.

  • RonaldGrayNowCondemned Former Soldier Runs Out of Appeals A former Fort Bragg soldier who killed four women and raped others more than 25 years ago is again headed for execution. This time Ronald Gray has no further recourse. He lost his final appeal last month. Gray’s execution would be the first by the U.S. military in 55 years. Only the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, can approve the execution of a death sentence. President George W. Bush condemned Gray on July 28, 2008. He was convicted in military court in 1988 for two murders and three rapes while stationed at Fort Bragg. He pleaded guilty in Cumberland County Superior Court to two other murders and five separate rapes that occurred off post and was sentenced to life in prison for crimes committed in the civilian domain. Gray is being held at the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The Army initially scheduled his execution for Dec. 10, 2008, at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. The president upheld the death sentence following completion of a full appellate process. Two petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court were denied during the appellate processing of Pvt.
    Gray’s case.RonaldGrayThen

    Child Fatality Task Force
    Cumberland County Health Department Director Buck Wilson has been re-elected co-chair of the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force.
    Wilson, who was first appointed to the task force by Gov. Pat McCrory in 2013, was elected to the leadership position by members of the task force. The Child Fatality Task Force is a legislative study commission that makes recommendations to the General Assembly and governor on how to reduce child deaths, prevent abuse and neglect and support the safe and healthy development of children. Recommendations are based on data, research and evidence-based practices and reflect hundreds of hours of volunteer input.

    Impaired DrivingImpairedDrivingImage
    Traffic Fatalities resulting from impaired drivers are down 19 percent in North Carolina. In its 22nd year, the Booze It & Lose It education and enforcement campaign has created increased awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as the penalties associated with driving while impaired. The governor’s Highway Safety Program has awarded grants to DWI Task Force teams that work nightly to catch impaired drivers. The teams are in Cumberland, Brunswick, Buncombe, Forsyth, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Robeson, Union, Wake and Wayne counties.

  • This week, two events in Cumberland County will highlight Martin Luther King, Jr. as a civil rights activist and the relevance of his teachings, which still inspire people today.

    Spring Lake MLK The Town of Spring Lake will host a virtual commemorative meeting in honor of King.

    The Spring Lake Ministerial Alliance and the Town of Spring Lake came together and developed a plan for a commemorative breakfast. The annual event had to be canceled last year due to COVID-19. In 2020, the breakfast had a turnout of over 75 people.

    Zefrim Lewis, Town of Spring Lake Interim Director, hopes people will attend as he feels it is worthwhile.

    "Due to COVID numbers surging, the MLK event is now a virtual event there will be no breakfast serving for the public to attend," Lewis said.

    Reverend Jeffery Saffold Sr., the pastor at Manna Life Center, will be the key speaker at the event.

    The breakfast at Spring Lake will be held virtually on Jan. 14 at 9 a.m. The event is free for the public to attend. The zoom link is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85238845296.

    Fay MLK Brunch The 29th Annual MLK Brunch will be held this year at the Crown Complex in Fayetteville. This year's theme is "Still, I Rise." The Fayetteville/Cumberland County Ministerial Council (FCCMC) will highlight and celebrate Historically Black Colleges and Universities and "Education and Humanity through Community Service."

    The key speaker at the event will be Fayetteville State University Chancellor Darrell Allison.

    Other speakers at the event include FCCMC Vice-President Allen McLaughlin, Morray's EBF Label CEO, Trevonne Carlise, Founder of the Group Theory Youth Extravaganza, Kevin Brooks, and FCCMC President Pastor Sharon Thompson-Journigan.

    After the brunch, Group Theory Inc has planned and organized a Youth Extravaganza.

    Organizers want to assure young people in Fayetteville that the community cares about them despite the challenging times in their communities, schools and homes.

    The event will highlight resources and organizations dedicated to serving and assisting children and teens.

    The Youth Extravaganza will highlight art, music and talent from children of all ages. Masks will be required at the brunch, and Centers for Disease Control Guidelines and social distancing will be enforced.

    The 29th Annual MLK Brunch and the Youth Extravaganza, which will take place on Jan. 17, will be live-streamed. Tickets to attend the event in person must be purchased in advance and cost $25.

    Tickets are available at the Crown Box Office, FSU, Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Simon Temple AME Zion, Manna Church, WIDU 1600AM radio station, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and New Life Bible Church.

  • Wynonna Judd is one of country’s brightest lights, and on Friday, Jan. 23, she will bring her unique sound to Fayetteville. 01-21-15-wynonna.gif

    Judd was born Christina Claire Ciminella in Ashland, Ken. After living with her family in Los Angeles, she returned to Kentucky. She learned to play guitar and fell in love with the country music that her mother loved. The pair moved to Nashville in 1979 in hopes of pursuing a career in the music industry that they loved so dearly. Their skill, passion and talent was quickly noticed, and the mother/daughter duo The Judds was created.

    Wynonna then branched off into her solo career in 1992. She has dabbled in other ventures since, but her primary focus is once again on music with her show Wynonna and Friends: Stories & Song”.

    Wynonna has a unique and powerful voice. When she sings it is captivating. During her tour, she is joined on stage by a three-piece band. One member of her band is her husband, producer and drummer Cactus Moser, who is an award-winning artist himself. On this tour, Wynonna chose not to visit major arenas, but rather to play in smaller venues throughout the United States.The show is intended to be a small, intimate affair filled with passionate music and an exploration in the travels and journeys that Wynonna has experienced during her extraordinary life.

    This show is unlike anything that Wynonna has done before. She is not only focusing on her music, but on her life experiences.

    “I have shared the stage with some of the greatest singers and musicians in the world and I have recorded with artists from all genres of music,” she said via the Crown Complex. “It has been an amazing journey for me. I’m an ordinary woman that extraordinary things have happened to because I choose to continue to suit up and show up where I am called.

    “I am more passionate now than I have ever been about my life, my gift, my faith, hopes and dreams, and I want so much to share my story and my songs with my fans,” she continued. “I have experienced so many personal and professional highs and lows on this journey, and having been on the road for 34 years now, I am so grateful for the wisdom and experience I have gained throughout all that has happened on and off stage. I’m looking forward to sharing my message with others, to celebrate this time in my life with the fans that have supported me all these years, as well as connect with new fans.”

    This show is perfect for those who already love Wynonna and those who have yet to discover her. The music will be as exciting, powerful and enchanting as all her previous works. The stories bring an entire new level of understanding and beauty to her work. For those who already love her it is enlightening. For those who are new, it is enthralling.

    Wynonna and Friends: Stories & Song is at the Crown Theatre on Jan. 23, at 8 p.m. Ticket prices vary from $30 to $65. Tickets are available at ticketmasters.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, and in person at the Crown Complex Box Office. The Crown Coliseum is located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. For more information, visit http://crowncomplexnc.com/events/wynonna-friends-stories-songs or call 910-438-4100.

    Photo: Wynona Judd has been a bright light in country music for a number of years. On Friday, Jan. 23, she brings her unique sound to the Crown.

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  • 17 Why aren’t more North Carolina books made into movies? We ask ourselves even though the film, “Where the Crawdads Sing,” based on the popular book set in North Carolina was a great success last summer.

    Thanks in part to the movie, the book’s sales continue to make the best-seller list. According to a July 14, 2022, article by Carrie Wittmer and Elizabeth Logan on the glamour.com web site, “as of January 2022, the book sold 12 million copies, making it one of the best-selling books of all time.”

    But we miss the days when every Nicholas Sparks book and every John Grisham book was made into a blockbuster film. Sparks lives in New Bern and Grisham has close family connections to Raleigh and Chapel Hill.

    Both authors rank high on the list of “The Living Authors with the Most Film Adaptations” compiled by Lit Hub (https://lithub.com/the-living-authors-with-the-most-film-adaptations/). Sparks with 11 was topped only by Stephen King with 34. Grisham had nine and was topped only by John le Carre (10), Ian McEwan (10), and tied with J.K. Rowling (9).

    Why are not more North Carolina books turned into movies? One of the reasons is explained by Jen Doll in an article republished on the Atlantic web site.

    “But any way you look at it, the movie version of a widely successful book is bound to go wrong. Has any book lover ever truly been fully satisfied with the big-screen adaptation? The relationship we have with the book is personal and special; the relationship we have with the movie is more distanced from that, more passive, and certainly less demanding of us. We sit back and watch it play out, and we do so with a changed eye, having read the books. We're not going in as innocents but as experts; we know how the story goes, and we know what we expect. If we were more naive, new to the plot and characters, things might be different, but since we've read the books, and read them emphatically, possibly more than once, we can't know that for sure. We can only compare to what we do know, and already love.”

    Acknowledging these difficulties, I would still like to see more North Carolina books made into movies. At the top of my list would be Wiley Cash’s recent novel, “When Ghosts Come Home,” set near Wilmington in 1985. The action begins at 3:11 a.m. when Sheriff Winston Barnes and his wife hear an airplane crash at the nearby airport. He rushes there, finding only a deserted airport, a crashed airplane, and the body of a young Black man shot in the chest. No fingerprints or other clues can be found, but almost certainly drugs were involved.

    Race, small town politics, and international drug trafficking plus the common problems of ordinary people drive a mystery that captivates and leads to a completely surprising ending that would have movie goers holding on to their seats.

    A book by respected North Carolina author Nancy Peacock, “The Life and Times of Persimmon Wilson,” had me holding on to my seat just the way a great movie would. The story begins, “I have been to hangings before, but never my own…”

    Beloved North Carolina author Lee Smith explains the power of the book, “From this riveting beginning to the last perfect word, Nancy Peacock grabs her reader by the throat and makes him hang on for dear life as the action moves from a Louisiana sugar plantation to life among the western Comanches, bringing to blazing life her themes of race and true love caught in the throes of history. ‘The Life and Times of Persimmon Wilson’ is as deeply moving and exciting an American saga as has ever been penned.”

    What a wonderful movie this story would make.

    There are many more action-packed North Carolina books. Think of your favorites and how you would adjust them to make great movies.

  • 15 The new exhibit at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is showcasing Black Joy in all of its forms. In this partnership with Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery, artists of African descent showcase a celebration of cultural heritage while also looking toward the future of Black popular culture.

    The exhibit is called “Soul & Spirit: Celebrating Black Joy.” The exhibit will be on display through March 4.

    This unique national exhibition was curated by two nationally acclaimed artists and educators, Shirley Woodson and her son Senghor Reid. Woodson is an American visual artist, educator, mentor, and art collector most known for her spectacular figurative paintings depicting African American history.

    Her work spans a career of 60 years and counting and can be found in the Detroit Institute of Arts collections, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and the Studio Museum in Harlem, among other institutions. Woodson was named the 2021 Kresge Eminent Artist.

    Her son, Reid, develops figurative paintings and films that explore the connections between culture, art, the social sciences and the conservation of our natural environment. He attended the internationally recognized Marathon program at the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture.

    One of the artists featured in the exhibit, David Lee Black, told Up & Coming Weekly that showing Black pride in his piece is very important to him.

    “Art is supposed to be a mirror of the world, representation matters and Black pride builds communities. Our society needs to see more color and hopefully, in my own individual way, the vibrance and mystery in my photograph,” Black said.

    His photograph, “Guardian,” showcases a man and a woman looking off to the side. Black said that the shoot originally featured just the female model, who was powerful, beautiful and compassionate. But, at some point during the shoot, the bartender from the hotel pub walked by and Black asked him to pose.

    “The backstory is, shortly after this shoot, he was tragically lost from us but his spirit remains,” Black said. 15a

    “We humans are rather clever animals. We've managed to teach ourselves how to express ideas, as well as emotions through art. It really is amazing to think about. Perhaps the takeaway from this exhibit (and most good art), will be to embrace the emotion felt by the exhibiting artists that worked hard to encode through color, shadow and harmony to be decoded and experienced by the observers.”

    Black History Month events

    The Soul & Spirit exhibit is part of the Arts Council’s Black Culture Experience series in recognition of Black History Month. The Arts Council is committing to several events that recognize the achievements and talents of local and nationally renowned Black artists from the past, present and future.

    The first event will take place on Feb. 4. They will show the almost hour-long film, “Talking Black in America: Roots.” This program showcases the enduring imprint of African heritage on Black American culture, language and identity. Before the film screening, there will be a Spoken Word performance from 3rd Rail from Black on Black Rhyme Carolina. Following the screening will be a discussion and a Question and Answer segment with the producers, Tracey Weldon, Neal Hutcheson and Walt Wolfram. The event starts at 2 p.m.

    El'Ja Bowens, the event's moderator, says visitors should expect to see art and history displayed in one of its most natural forms — the art of storytelling.

    “I hope that people take away a few things from this. One thing is that I hope they take away the rich history of the African culture and how that culture has been brought to America and still continues to be a part, not only of African history, but American history as well. I also hope that everyone appreciates the efforts that the producers have went through producing this series as this is only one of four films that covers this topic of importance,” Bowens said.

    On Feb. 11, the Money Box Workshop aims to engage and teach children about money and the concepts of money. Crystal McLean and co-host Kishanna Heyward, two local best-selling financial literacy authors and advocates, have partnered to educate, empower, and enrich their community.

    While the children are creating money masterpieces in their own workshops, parents and guardians can learn about financial concepts, such as credit establishment, budget creation, debt management, and more. This event, scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m., is geared toward children seven to 14 years of age and the parents/guardians of those children. Admission is free, and Black-owned Southern Experience Catering and Meal Prep will provide food.

    McLean’s goal is to “transform African American Communities one child at a time.” By investing in programs to help children, particularly those of the African American community, those children can invest in their future with the appropriate tools to be successful.

    On Feb. 18 there will be a Vibe & Create Beauty & Horticultural arts workshop from 5 to 8 p.m.

    For more information about Black History Month events at the Arts Council, visit www.TheArtsCouncil.com/ or call 910-323-1776. The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is a nonprofit organization based in Fayetteville that supports individual creativity, cultural preservation, economic development, and lifelong learning through the ARTS. They are located at 301 Hay Street in downtown Fayetteville.

  • 12aCape Fear Studios will be holding their annual, non juried exhibit, Cabin Fever Jan. 26 through Feb. 21. An open reception will be held Jan. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the studio in downtown Fayetteville.

    “Cabin Fever was set up to be a show after the holidays, after the hardest part of winter is over and everyone has been locked in their house because of the cold,” said Steve Opet, Cape Fear Studios board president.

    Opet has been involved with the studio for eight years, and is an artist himself. He has submitted his own work to previous Cabin Fever exhibits. Opet said the studio has been holding the exhibit every January for around ten years.

    Cape Fear Studios has been a part of the Fayetteville community for 33 years. The non profit artist co-op holds a new exhibit every month, with gallery receptions coinciding with Fourth Fridays. The receptions are always open to the public, as is the studio throughout the week.

    “When visitors come into the studio, they are not only welcome to view the current art show but they are welcome to walk into the actual artist studios,” Opet said. “Most days we have several artists working in their studios. People are allowed to see the artists at work and ask questions and interact.”

    The gallery is entirely run by the artists, each donating their time to run the front desk and take care of administrative tasks. Grants from the Arts Council of Cumberland County help allow the gallery to have their monthly exhibits.

    “The Arts Council help support us, and keep us going,” said Opet.12b

    Opet said he is excited for this year’s Cabin Fever.

    “Usually for the main gallery a big show is about 40 pieces. For Cabin Fever we get between 25 to 40 pieces. Hopefully we get 40 pieces this year,” he said.

    Cabin Fever opens Jan. 26. The show can be viewed during gallery hours, Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    The studio is located at 148 Maxwell Street in downtown Fayetteville, next to the Fayetteville History Museum. The exhibit is open for all local residents 18 and over to enter. Artists can submit up to two pieces.

    A People’s Choice award will be given during the reception on Jan. 27. Attendees can vote for their favorite pieces, and the winner will be announced before the reception is over.
    Call 910-433-2986 or visit www.capefearstudios.com and click on the “call for art” tab to view the show’s prospectus for more information.

  •     Aggressive police questioning of a weak-willed suspect can produce an occasional false confession, but experts now believe that six men in a single case, and four in another, confessed to group crimes they did not commit, even though some described their roles in vivid detail. Recent DNA evidence in a 1989 Beatrice, Neb., murder case implicated only a seventh man, and similar evidence in a 1997 Norfolk, Va., murder case implicated only a fifth man, who insists he acted alone. (Governors in both states are currently mulling pardons for the men.) It is still possible that the six, or the four, are guilty as charged and that the DNA was left in completely separate attacks on the victims, but the more likely explanation, say psychologists, is that people with low self-esteem or mental problems, or who are drug- or alcohol-addled, are more easily convinced of fantasy.

    The Continuing Crisis
        Australia’s Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission announced plans in December to create a third official gender for government identification: “intersex,” for transsexuals, whether or not they have had surgery. Immediately, activists from Sex and Gender Education Australia called the proposal inadequate, demanding a fourth gender, also, for people who feel that “gender” is either “undefinable” or subject to daily changes of attitude.
        Maryland lobbyist and former state assemblyman Gilbert Genn was attacked by a deer outside his home in November, butted to the ground and repeatedly stabbed by the buck’s antlers in the chest and groin. Genn told WTOP Radio that after finally realizing he was in a life-or-death struggle, he managed to subdue the animal by the antlers long enough to tire it and cause it to flee. Bleeding badly, Genn said he disregarded his wife’s admonitions to get to the hospital and instead dressed the wound himself and headed off for a scheduled meeting in Annapolis with Speaker of the House Michael Busch. He told the reporter, “There was no way I could miss this meeting.” Only afterward did he report to the emergency room.

    Yikes!
        Officials in South Africa, where government only recently came to accept the connection between HIV and AIDS after years of denial that provoked the country’s epidemic of cases, revealed in December that supplies of retroviral drugs are being used recreationally as hallucinogens smoked by schoolchildren. Health officials told BBC News that the drugs are prescribed to those at risk for AIDS, but are not taken seriously by symptom-free, HIV-diagnosed South Africans who are just now starting to understand the decades-old disease.to get out.


  • 15When Brendan Slocumb sat down to write his debut novel, “The Violin Conspiracy,” in the summer of 2020, he had but one goal: He hoped at least one person liked it.

    Over a year since its publication, “The Violin Conspiracy” has garnered rave reviews, was named by Penguin Random House as a “Must-Read Book” of 2022, and was selected as a Good Morning America Book Club Pick. It’s safe to say his furtive goal has been met and exceeded — a fact the Fayetteville native still can’t quite believe.

    “I am 100% floored at its success,” he told Up & Coming Weekly with a laugh. “The fact that it's found such a varied audience is incredible. I’m just geeking out over how many people write to me that relate to the story, had no idea this world existed, or have had their minds changed because of my book — it’s amazing.”

    “The Violin Conspiracy” tells the story of Ray McMillian, a young, Black, classical musician whose dreams of becoming a world-famous violinist are stymied by the rampant racism within the fine arts realm and the theft of his great-great grandfather's priceless Stradivarius the night before the most important competition of his career.

    It’s a niche subject but one the newly minted author knows well. A multi-instrumentalist, Slocumb, much like his character Ray, has dedicated his life to the pursuit of musical excellence. Since earning his degree in music education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Slocumb has taught in both private and public schools and performed with orchestras throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

    On Sunday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m., the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library will host Slocumb at Headquarters Library as he returns to Fayetteville to discuss his work. Following discussion and questions, Slocumb will sign copies of his book, which will also be available for purchase.

    “We are excited and honored to host Mr. Slocumb at Cumberland County Public Library. The Violin Conspiracy is an absolutely riveting read, and I encourage everyone in the community to join us for this exciting program,” said Cumberland County Public Library Director Faith Phillips in a press release.

    Slocumb, too, is excited about his return to Fayetteville. He credits the town and its proximity to Fort Bragg with enriching his life with so many different types of people. Fayetteville is also where Slocumb found classical music — a discovery he credits to saving his life.

    “The strings program was a complete blessing,” he said. “Without that program, I wouldn't be here; I’d probably be in prison. I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, the people who helped me, and all the support I received from the community in general — it was life-changing. I appreciate my time there and am proud to say I'm from Fayetteville.”

    The book’s protagonist, Ray, like Slocumb, is from a town in North Carolina and must choose between following his dream or wasting his talent by following paths charted by others. He’s a character drawn from Slocumb’s own lived experience, but he represents millions of other talented young people of color who are so often left out of narratives that delve into the world of high art.
    Moved by the tragedy of George Floyd as it played across the world stage, Slocumb felt the time was right to bring the idea of Ray, a Black man burdened with a beautiful gift, to the forefront of contemporary literature.

    “Ray is a lot of people, mostly me, but there are thousands of Ray McMillians out there,” he shared. “I think people are waking up to the fact that he exists in many forms, and they're giving this character a second look — seeing him with different eyes.”

    While holding up his character as an object for inspection, Slocumb hopes that Ray's story invites and creates a meaningful dialogue around the unspoken racism and institutional bias within the world of classical music.

    Historically, classical music is a European art form — originating in the mid-18th century in countries like England, Austria, German, France and Italy. However, it’s move across the Atlantic to American shores has done little to move the diversity needle. Even today, the genre remains overwhelmingly white. Less than 2% of classical musicians are African American, and only about 4.3 % are conductors.

    The lack of diversity within professional classical music sends a clear message to minority youth that their access to that world is limited, and their dreams of one day being a part of it are impractical. With his novel, Slocumb hopes to bring some sorely needed visibility to the Black musicians quietly waiting for their turn in the spotlight.

    “There is one Black person on stage at the New York City Philharmonic,” Slocumb stated. “That’s not at all representative. I know discrimination in classical music is common, but I think it’s out of sight, out of mind. I hope my book shines a light on the real instances of racism and discrimination in classical music and gives a voice to people who wouldn't have one otherwise. I’m really proud of that.”

    Slocumb’s next novel, “Symphony of Secrets,” is slated for release in April, and the writer/musician is just excited to be along for the ride and interested in wherever this journey leads.

    “I’m just open to anything that comes along,” he said with a smile in his voice. “I’m not looking for anything, but not going to let anything pass me by. I’m writing book three, and I’m just thrilled to be riding this wave of classical music.”

    Visit www.cumberlandcountync.gov/library or call 910-483-7727 for more information about the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library, Inc. and the library programs they support.

    To learn more about Brendan Slocumb, visit his website at https://www.brendanslocumb.com/.

  • 12Gallery 208 opens its first exhibit of the new year with States of Mind: Paintings by Angela Stout on Jan. 19.

    A painter, printmaker and sculptor, Stout is an artist who chooses to investigate the portrait as a subject in her work. Visitors to the exhibit will experience a less obvious theme as the likeness of each individual dissipates into moments of discovering our humanity — one portrait at a time.

    Seeing a body of work by Stout is a palatable experience, a contradiction between the physicality of paint and illusion — feelings are conjured. We experience each work as a comprehensible moment; although abstracted, the artist evokes an emotion, something familiar.

    Stout practices the art of camouflage. We are enamored by the skills to create a likeness, yet a feeling emerges from the artist’s manipulation of material, illusion and the physical. An image on canvas or paper has the potential to evoke a type of certainty, often a dichotomy.

    In the painting titled “Deterioration,” a fair-haired young woman looks intently at the viewer through the lens of a yellow-green filtered pictorial environment.
    The surface of the 36”x 36” painting on canvas has been deliberately scratched, the surface marred in a way that the flat illusionistic layers of paint physically separate away from the painted surface.
    The marred mark-making begins to move across the figure — color and paint are released from the surface — the figure remains motionless. A feeling emerges as we experience the physicality of the paint in contrast to a transfixed illusionary figure suspended in spatial disorder.

    Seeing “Deterioration” viewers will have their own interpretation of meaning. For me, Stout has created a situation, and I find myself responding with empathy to the fixed figure in the painting, I feel moved to say “just breathe.”

    In comparison, the artist limits herself to the talent of illusionistic painting to evoke meaning in the blue painting titled “O.” Duality is present. Stout has masterfully created hard and soft at the same moment.

    We experience the hardness of cold in contrast to the soft supple flesh of the individual. The figure exists in a state of contrast: grace and hardship, obscurity and specificity, flatness and texture.

    “O” is an example of how the artist balances the theoretical and the emotional. The artist explained how she created a technical problem to resolve. 12a

    “In this painting, it was to focus on balancing the achromatic with the chromatic, without it being noticeable. Since emotion is central to my work, it was important to create a feeling of coldness, an emotional or physical aspect of being cold.”

    We naively enjoy Stout’s work without knowing a process has always taken place to resolve a complicated technical order. If we look closely at the painting titled “Suppression,” the order is more obvious. A male figure stretches the edge of an American flag across his face just below his eyes. As he gazes upward the softness of the flag hangs below his clenched hands.

    Examining the technical, we see that the young man is painted in tones of grey, whereas the flag is painted in saturated colors. The red and blue are in strong contrast to the greys. The implied diagonal movement of the stripes and arms directs us to the eyes as a focal point. The white of the background, stars and stripes are flattened patterns. Without spatial reference, the white is strategically used as composition, but also holds the figure between foreground and background.

    An extensive exhibition record, “Suppression” was exhibited in an international online competition in Milan, Italy, in 2020. Collaborating with photographer Neysa Wellington, the M.A.D.S. Milano competition call for art was to celebrate the art of photography and how photography is a resource for painters.

    In the exhibit, Wellington’s photograph was exhibited with Stout’s interpretation of Wellington’s photograph. The result for Stout was the painting titled “Suppression.”

    At the height of COVID, Wellington and Stout’s submissions were accepted; both were part of the online exhibition, their works projected outside the gallery on monitors during the epidemic. Visitors to States of Mind will see a body of work by a well-known local painter but also an artist who regularly creates prints.

    12bOriginally from Warren, Ohio, Stout is a disabled veteran who lives in Broadway, North Carolina, and has soared to success after completing a four-year art degree in 2020. After earning an Associate Degree in Visual Art from Fayetteville Technical Community College, she completed a Bachelor of Art in Studio from Fayetteville State University.

    Upon leaving the university, Stout had already developed a clear path for the direction of her works of art.

    She stated: “All my art focuses on evoking feeling. I focus on the portrait, but they have underlying social themes. In addition to the philosophical concerns in my work, I maintain a romantic view of beauty in the world around me.”

    After completing six art history courses in her program of study, Stout was also clear on those artists, living and deceased, who would influence her own work.

    Stout commented, “I am connected to modern and historical art methods. My love of painting is inspired by Baroque artists Michelangelo Caravaggio and Rembrandt. Other major historical influences are Henry Ossawa Tanner and John Singer Sargent. Modern influences are Gerhard Richter, Kehinde Wiley, and Cindy Sherman.”

    The newest works by Stout are regularly exhibited at the Cape Fear Studios in Fayetteville.

    Stout teaches what she has learned about painting and clay modeling in the continuing education program at Fayetteville Technical Community College. In her filled painting classes, students learn what visitors to Gallery 208 will see: Stout understands the properties of color and how to apply them in a work of art. The public is invited to attend the opening reception for an artist whose work always tells us something about ourselves and the world around us.

    When visitors to the Gallery spend time with the work, they will come to understand how the paintings by Stout go far beyond a relative or exact likeness of an individual. Stout’s work, like any good work of art, is in the work’s potential to tell us something about our culture in an enlightening and collective context.

    States of Mind: Paintings by Angela Stout opens on Jan. 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Gallery 208. The exhibit will remain up until March 24. The Gallery is located at 208 Rowan Street in Fayetteville. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 910-484-6200.

  • 16Let’s take a culinary trip across North Carolina. Our leader will be food expert and retired UNC-Chapel Hill professor Marcie Cohen Ferris. Our guidebook will be her latest book, “Edible North Carolina.”

    For many years I traveled across our state searching for old-time country cooking eateries and simple barbecue restaurants, places where locals meet to catch up with community news.

    Ferris and the group of food experts she assembled for her book have taught me that I missed a lot about our state’s foodways. They are changing and there is a growing awareness of conflicts between the goals of low-cost food productions, fair compensation of food workers, and protection of the environment.

    Ferris’s experts show how the state’s food scenes are changing. They explain the challenges that will face those who work for food equity and justice.

    For instance, food writer Andrea Weigl explains how some barbecue restaurants have been transformed from modest places serving ‘que and a handful of sides and sweet tea to restaurants with “full menus with appetizers and desserts, table service, cloth napkins, a full bar and even valet parking.”

    Back to the coast where Harkers Island advocate Karen Amspacher explains how the state’s commercial fishermen work to meet the demands of customers “who want fresh, local, sustainable seafood.”
    She worries that “campaign contributions, lobbyists, and media campaigns assure well-funded recreational user groups that allocations of finfish in particular, a public-trust resource, will be dedicated to those who have the time and money to fish for leisure rather than those who fish for a living and provide North Carolinians with the state’s best, freshest seafood.”

    Durham chef and Saltbox Seafood Joint restaurant owner Ricky Moore was recently named Tar Heel of The Year by The News & Observer. He supports Amspacher’s efforts, and believes that local, seasonal fish taste superior, offers more diversity, and, most important, supports North Carolina fisherfolk.

    “My guests at Saltbox want to know where to purchase their seafood. My advice is to go to your local fish market. At your neighborhood restaurants, do they serve regional fish? Where do they source their fish? Do not assume that all North Carolina restaurants get their seafood from our coast. Ask questions. What part of the North Carolina coast does the seafood come from? Is the fish in season? How do they acquire their seafood, where and when and from whom?”

    Former UNC Chapel Hill and current Emory University professor Melinda Maynor Lowery takes readers to Robeson County where her Lumbee Indian kin introduce us to fried cornbread and collard sandwiches, food traditions they share with non-Indian rural neighbors.

    Durham resident and N.C. State community food system outreach coordinator Shorlette Ammons “grew up Black and Country, and honestly, I have never had a strong desire to be anything else.”
    Her description of the annual hog killing contrasts with the “environmental cost of industrial hog farming.” Struggling “to work effectively within institutions that historically perpetuated racial injustice requires a fair amount of soul searching,” she says.

    But, she continues, “Food, farming, family, freedom--and the audacity to confront the contradictions they muster--are inherent to our history these stories are weighted by ancestry and remembrance, like the heaviness of wet tobacco leaves.”

    These examples and many others demonstrate how Ferris’s authors give recognition to North Carolina’s admirable food resources and the challenges that accompany them.

  • 14aAre you an art lover? If so, come check out the Cumberland County High School Juried Art Exhibition. This public event will be hosted by Fayetteville Technical Community College.

    “The High School Student Art Exhibition reflects Cumberland’s heritage as an arts community and showcases our county’s strong school art programs,” says Katharine Morrill, Director of the Art Gallery at Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Paul H. Thompson Library.

    Morrill went on to say, “High school students throughout Cumberland County will exhibit original works of art showcasing their creativity and artistic talent. The exhibition will be reviewed by esteemed juror Kayla Coleman, director of the nationally acclaimed Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh. She will also serve as the curator for the Arts Center’s Spring Exhibition.”

    The Cumberland County High School Juried Art Exhibition will launch on Jan. 20 and run through Feb. 24. The opening reception will be on Feb. 2 from 4 to 6 p.m. The awards ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. that day. The Art Gallery is located in the Paul H. Thompson Library on the Fayetteville Technical Community College campus.

    Contestants of the Art Exhibition can come in first, second, or third place. First place goes to the Juror’s Choice for best submission among Cumberland County students. Second place will go to the Juror’s Selection for Best in Show. Third Place will go to the artist who has received the most votes by the public.

    Visiting Author Lecture Series

    FTCC will also host an “Artist Talk” with Sherrill Roland this month as part of the Visiting Artist Lecture Series.14

    Roland was formerly incarcerated for a wrongful conviction and since his release and exoneration, his art has been exhibited on a national platform regarding his experience with the justice system. During the lecture, Roland will talk about his artwork and the evolution of “The Jumpsuit Project,” which aims to raise awareness of the social issues of mass incarceration.

    Roland's artwork has been exhibited nationally in cities such as Los Angeles and New York.
    The lecture is free and open to the public. This event will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Tony Rand Student Center Multi-Purpose Room.

    For more information on the High School Art Exhibititon or the Roland lecture, visit www.faytechcc.edu.

  • 17 For paranormal romance writer Krista Masotto, the idea for her first book came from a rather unexpected source — a place where the absurd and the “could-be” walk confidently hand-in-hand.

    “I was going through a huge ‘Bachelor’ phase,” she admitted. “I’d binge-watch that show until it eventually grew into a bigger world that was fun to hang out in.”
    Masotto, who writes under the name K.M. Rives, has taken the idea of women vying for the attention of one gorgeous, mercurial man and transformed it into a world of vampires, fiery witches, and other figures of fantasy in her series “A Culling of Blood and Magic.”

    “It’s a paranormal romance that starts with a vampire prince finding his queen,” Rives explained. "As you read, the story devolves into a world of war, mystery and the supernatural —with some spice sprinkled in.”

    The saga of vampire prince August Nicholson and doomed twin Emery Montgomery begins with “The Replacement,” which recently held the #1 spot on Amazon’s Vampire Romance and its Fantasy/Futuristic Romance lists and is followed by “The Intended,” and “Hybrid Moon Rising.”

    Book four, “The United,” is the series’ final installment and was released on Dec. 6 — just in time for Christmas. Early reviews suggest it will be as popular as its predecessors and a fitting end to “The Culling” saga. It's been a long journey with these characters, first conceived in 2018, but Rives feels their story is over, and she's ready to write new adventures.

    “It’s such a bittersweet moment for me as an author, but I am so excited for everything that comes next! Enjoy every minute of August and Emery's journey to happily ever after!” she told her fans via Facebook on release day.

    With several irons in the fire, her trusty laptop always open, and two or three notebooks overflowing with ideas, the military wife and mother of two girls never saw herself as a professional writer.

    “I’ve always loved writing,” she shared. “I was that kid in high school that loved writing letters to my friends, always had my head in the clouds with ideas, and was always an avid reader. I didn’t start writing fiction or taking myself seriously as a writer until 2019.”

    Seeking advice from other authors in her writing group, Rives set out to create a story with characters in which she, herself, could invest within a genre she was already familiar. “I wanted to write something I knew and enjoyed reading,” she said.

    As any “Twilight” fan can happily tell you, vampires have been seducing audiences for centuries. Stoker’s Dracula never fails to draw in readers with each new interpretation of the source material — not too shabby for a book published nearly 130 years ago. So while vampires and the women who love them are nothing new, something about Rives’ slick, stylish world-building brings fresh blood to the evergreen content. Her penchant for spice and her electric turns of phrase make for a wholly satisfying read for anyone looking for a searing romance novel with some bite to it.

    Though she’s comfortable in the world of immortals, Rives is excited to explore other genres and keeps her mind open to new story ideas no matter how unlikely the inspiration may be.

    “I have a duet planned — an extension of this world,” she recently shared with Up & Coming Weekly. “It will be about gods and the realm of mythology from characters you already know, with some surprises thrown in.”

    Rives is also ready to try her hand at contemporary romance. This sub-genre and romance as a whole have seen an incredible rise in popularity and revenue due to social media and the persuasive power of #booktok posts. Now a billion-dollar industry, it’s one of the highest-earning genres across fiction.

    With so many avenues to publication, global publicity through social media, and a built-in audience that consumes, on average, one new book a week — it’s an exciting time to write exciting prose.

    As a military wife, the Hope Mills resident understands how easy it is to get lost in the shuffle of deployments, moving trucks, and the demands of military life; Rives knows how fortunate she is to have not only a satisfying career but a legacy to pass down to her daughters. And while the commitment to serve her craft every day is sometimes difficult to meet — her motto: “write the words,” keeps her on track.

    “Sometimes I get up early or stay up late — whatever it takes,” Rives explained. “Both of my kids are in school, so that helps. I utilize any downtime I get, and it helps that I have an incredibly supportive husband,” she beamed.

    When not writing, Rives is a rabid sports fan and can often be found at nearly every Woodpeckers game with her family during the team’s regular season. She’s also maintained the same fantasy football league with the same group of friends for nearly ten years. With her long hair dyed in her trademark kaleidoscopic range of blues, greens, and purples — Rives somehow manages to be exactly and not at all what you'd expect of a romance writer.

    Despite her rock star looks and surprising knowledge of who’s on first, Rives’ talent as a writer is apparent, and she's optimistic about whatever’s next.

    “I love all the people I get to meet,” she shared when asked what she enjoys most about being a writer. “Other military spouses, authors and readers from all walks of life have opened up so many opportunities and doors for me — it’s been amazing.”

    All four books of “The Culling of Blood and Magic” series are available to purchase or download on Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CN39SDZ?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1670475233&sr=8-3&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn.
    You can follow K.M. Rives on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kmriveswritesbooks.

  • 010610 ftccart.jpgFayetteville Technical Community College has received a $35,000 gift from The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation. Jerry Dean, senior vice president and market president of Wachovia Community Banking, presented the check at FTCC on Dec. 1 to FTCC President Dr. Larry Keen and Susan Ellis, department chair, FTCC Dental Hygiene Department.

    The money will be used in support of the Dental Hygiene Department’s Equipment Plan.

    “Fayetteville Technical Community College is honored to receive this generous gift from The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation. We are also gratifi ed by the trust and confi dence that The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation has placed in FTCC as evidenced by their contribution. With the fi nancial help of our corporate citizens, our community colleges can achieve goals at a higher level, with the end results being the ultimate benefi t of our students and the communities we serve,” said Keen.

    FTCC’s graduates from the past eight Dental Hygiene classes have achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Dental Hygiene Board Exam. FTCC graduates have also enjoyed exemplary pass rates on the state/national licensing exams as well as high job-placement rates following graduation.

    Spring 2010 Registration Ends Jan. 9

    The Spring 2010 Registration cycle at FTCC is quickly coming to a close for classes that begin the week of Jan. 11.

    Current students can register for classes from Jan. 6-9:

    • Use Web Advisor (www.faytechcc.edu)

    • Contact Faculty Advisor (Jan. 6-7

    • Open Registration (Jan. 6-9)

    Newly approved students can register for classes from Jan. 6-9:

    • Contact Faculty Advisor (Jan. 6-7)

    • Open Registration (Jan. 6-9) Open Registration is available from Jan, 6-9, at the Tony Rand Student Center on Main Campus, at the Spring Lake Campus and at the Fort Bragg Soldier Development Center, as follows:

    • Jan. 6, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

    • Jan.7, 9 a.m. -6 p.m.

    • Jan. 8, 12-4 p.m.

    • Jan. 9, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Main Campus/ Spring Lake Campus)

    Fayetteville Technical Community College was established in 1961 and serves more than 34,000 students annually by providing150 affordable occupational, technical, general education, college transfer and continuing-education programs to meet students’ needs and desires as well as the needs of the community.

  • On Tuesday, February 9, Methodist University will hold its annual012710mc041006_0666.jpg
    Loyalty Day fund drive for student scholarships. Volunteers from
    throughout Fayetteville will be calling and knocking on doors to ask for your
    support.


    "Loyalty Day is a long-standing tradition in the Fayetteville/
    Cumberland County community that both represents the original
    vision and commitment of early Fayetteville leaders in establishing an
    independent four-year college here, and continues the involvement of a
    broad cross-section of our community in soliciting support for our
    educational mission," said Lauren Cook Wike, director of Annual
    Fund and Alumni Affairs for the University. "Over the next month,

    Loyalty Day Volunteers will be calling on more than 600 businesses
    and individuals to ask them to support student scholarships at

    Methodist, which is our most critical need."


    More than 90 percent of the 2,183 students at Methodist
    University receive some form of fi nancial aid or scholarship. With
    state cuts in the N.C. Legislative Tuition Grant and the elimination
    of the Earned Scholarship, contributions to the scholarship fund are
    needed now more than ever.


    "Methodist University has been a jewel in our midst for more than
    half a century," expressed Margaret Dickson, 2010 Loyalty Day Chair
    and N.C. State Senator. "What is so impressive about Methodist is
    that is accomplishes its mission with relatively little state investment as
    compared to our public universities. Though our state budget does not
    allow us to support private universities at the same level as public, our
    36 private universities are vital in educating North Carolina students."


    For more information about Loyalty Day or Methodist University,
    visit www.methodist.edu or contact the Development
    Offi ce at 910-630-7200.

  • 17 Parish House doorFew people are more qualified than Hope Mills commissioner Bryan Marley to speak on the situation involving the future of the town’s Parish House.

    In addition to being one of the newest members of the Board of Commissioners, Marley has dedicated his life to the job of firefighter, going back to 1991 when he joined the Pearce’s Mill fire department as a junior firefighter.
    From there, he moved on to jobs with the Hope Mills fire department and Cumberland County Emergency Services.

    Today, he works in Hoke County as emergency management director and fire marshall.

    Marley was one of three commissioners who recently voted to accept an offer from a demolition firm to raze the Parish House and free up the property for other pursuits he considers more viable for the town
    to pursue.

    His reasons for removing the Parish House, which although it is located in the Hope Mills historic district is not specifically listed in the National Registry of Historic Places as some claim, are rooted in fact, not politics.
    “In my opinion, the building is structurally unsafe,’’ Marley said. “It’s a life safety issue.’’

    Marley’s reasons to get rid of the Parish House go beyond the problems with the structure. He’s read all the reports that have been done by town staff and by people hired by the town to examine the structure.
    “There are reports of mold growing in the building,’’ he said. “That’s a respiratory hazard.’’

    The reports also indicate the structure is in danger of collapse.

    While he doesn’t think there’s an immediate threat to the town or its people, should the building fall or burn on its own, he called it an eyesore that does nothing to improve the aesthetics of the area where it’s located.
    To those who consider the building historic, Marley shares his personal experience as a resident of Hope Mills since his youth. “I’ve never heard of anybody talk about the historic Parish House,’’ he said. “I don’t see the great historical value there.’’

    But the price tag for making it usable is high, and Marley thinks the town has more critical projects that need town money than a building with questionable history.

    “We’ve got a new police and fire complex that we are trying to get off the ground,’’ he said. “We are looking at that being a $16.5 million project.’’

    There’s also a need to use the land where the Parish House is located to help with the parking situation downtown, especially for events at Hope Mills Lake and the long-planned Heritage Park.

    Something else Marley said people need to consider is the figures that have been quoted on the restoration of the Parish House are superficial, and will likely go higher should workers get inside the building and look for other problems.
    “If they find asbestos or lead paint, they’ve got to mitigate that,’’ he said. “Once you get into a project like that, the price goes up.’’

    Marley wouldn’t be surprised if the final number for bringing the Parish House back to life soared closer to $ 1million. “That’s a million dollars the town is taking out of the general fund,’’ he said. “They have to put that money back eventually.’’

    The only way to do that, Marley fears, is to increase taxes, and that’s something no elected official wants to discuss. “That conversation hasn’t come up,’’ he said, “but how are you going to recoup that money and be able to carry on the same level of service to the citizens that we are doing now?’’

    Marley stressed that he is not against preserving town history, adding that he’s fully committed to saving the Christ Episcopal Church building adjacent to the Parish House. He thinks the town can save the money it would spend on the Parish House renovation and use a smaller portion of it to complete repairs on the church, which is in far better condition.

    He thinks it’s a doable option to finish work on the proposed town museum and the church and have both ready for the town’s citizens to use by summer.

    “I’m not against town history or preservation,’’ he said. “We’ve just got to think common sense.’’

    Marley thinks the negativity about the history of the Parish House has gotten out of hand. He’d like to see people discuss the matter like adults. “I agree it’s an old building,’’ Marley said. “We just can’t sit here and continue to go like we’re going. It’s never going to get anything accomplished.’’

    He said that includes efforts some would like the town to pursue with Preservation North Carolina, which would reportedly restore the Parish House without costing the town valuable taxpayer money.

    But Marley doesn’t think the entire story is being told. “They take your building and property and market it for you,’’ he said. “They find private investors or companies to come in and they purchase your property.’’

    Once that’s done, Marley said the town no longer has direct control over the building or the property. Marley doesn’t want to surrender town use of a piece of premium property in the downtown area.
    “All the citizens I’ve talked to, the greater majority if they even know about the Parish House do not care and want to see it gone,’’ Marley said.

    “I’m trying to put the dollar figures out there and let people know. That’s my point. If you’re going to say one side of the story, say both sides of the story.’’

  • 16 town hall For the fifth consecutive year, the town of Hope Mills is preparing to conduct its annual Citizens  Academy program. Designed to teach town citizens the basics of local government and administration, it was created by current town manager Melissa Adams.

    This year’s sessions will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 11, and continue for eight consecutive weeks, with the final session scheduled for Thursday, March 17. That’s the only session that won’t be on a Tuesday and was necessary to mesh with the fire department’s schedule.

    After the opening session, which will introduce the participants to all the department heads from the town, each session will deal with a specific area of town administration or government. The initial session will include an explanation of the town’s council-manager form of government and the roles of the members of the Board of Commissioners.

    The departments involved include police, fire, parks and recreation, planning and zoning inspection, infrastructure and public works, finance and budgeting, stormwater and town hall administration.

    Most of the classes are held at the department being studied that week, with hands-on opportunities to work with some of the equipment like the police and fire departments use, among others.

    In the session on town finances, each participant will get a chance to craft a budget for the town.

    All those interested in taking part need to complete the online registration form at www.townofhopemills.com and email it to town clerk Jane Starling at jstarling@townofhopemills.com. It can also be faxed to 910-424-4902. The program is limited to a maximum of 15 people to allow more individual attention and to make touring the various locations where the class is held easier.

    The usual cutoff for applications is the Friday before the first class, which this year will fall on Feb. 7.

    A graduation ceremony for all participants is scheduled on Thursday, April 2, at a meeting of the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners. Each member of the class will receive a plaque from the town for completing the course.
    If you have questions about the program, call Starling during regular business hours at 910-426-4113.

  • 15 valentinesA Hope Mills tradition, the annual 55+ Valentine’s Day luncheon, will be held Friday, Feb. 14, in the community room at the Hope Mills Recreation Center.

    The time will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and the cost is $8 per person.

    All those interested in attending need to come to the front desk at the Hope Mills Recreation Center during regular business hours to sign up. This year’s event will be limited to 100 participants.

    “It’s an opportunity to come celebrate the holiday with music and a fully catered meal,’’ said Kasey Ivey of the Recreation and Parks department. Ivey said there is not a designated cutoff date for signing up for the luncheon, but those planning to attend are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible to avoid not being able to attend.

    The registration fee covers the meal, which will include two main dishes, two sides, rolls, desserts and drinks.

    The music will be provided by a disc jockey.
    This year’s event will feature a new catering service, Ivey said. After years of using Fred Chason’s Grandsons Buffet, which Ivey said has been wonderful, the Valentine’s Day luncheon will be changing to A Catered Affair by Chef Glenn and Company. Chef Glenn also operates The Diner in the former Becky’s Cafe, as well as two popular food trucks.

    Ivey said Chef Glenn has done several events for the town, including an event held after the swearing in of the new Board of Commissioners last December. Chef Glenn has also catered the Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

    Ivey said the new arrangement with Chef Glenn will include a carving station where people will be served as they go through the line instead of the self-service format from past Valentine’s Day luncheons.
    “I hope they will enjoy that,’’ Ivey said.

    If anyone has questions about this year’s 55+ Valentine’s Day Luncheon they can call the main number at the Hope Mills Recreation Center, 910-426-4109.

  • 17 01 Parish House doorIt’s times like these that I deeply miss my late friend, former Hope Mills Mayor Eddie Dees.

    As the debate continues to rage over the fate of the Parish House in Hope Mills, I so badly wish I could go for one of our regular rides in Eddie’s pickup and talk about local politics and the future of the town as we often used to do.
    I respect his memory, and would never drag him into this debate without permission. So I made a phone call last week to a young lady I’ve known almost as long as I’ve called Fayetteville home, Eddie’s widow, Susan Faircloth Dees.
    Susan gave her blessing to the words I’m about to write, before some of my harsher critics accuse me of desecrating Eddie’s name.

    One thing I can tell you for sure about Eddie Dees is he was a man of common sense and practicality. He also loved Hope Mills and had a deep appreciation for its history.
    That was what led him to write a book in 1991, Hope Mills Heritage, an illustrated history of his beloved hometown.

    I’m proud to say I helped with the editing of the book, something he gratefully thanked me for in the book’s acknowledgements.

    Of the 112 pages in the book, there are two devoted to the history of the Christ Episcopal Church. One paragraph on those pages deals with the Parish House, noting that in 1910, the bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Carolina instructed the Rev. Norvin C. Duncan to build a parish house to serve as rectory and community center.

    For those who don’t know, a rectory is the house an Episcopal minister lives in. In other faiths it’s called the manse or parsonage.

    Many of those who support saving the Parish House argue that it’s a historic building.

    17 02 Eddie DeesLet’s clarify that. Technically, every building in the downtown historic district that’s on the National Registry of Historic Places is a historic building. That’s because of the geography of the district, not the actual age of the buildings or their role in the history of the town.

    The original inventory of buildings in the Hope Mills historic district included a gas station and a vacant lot, which count as historic not because of real history tied to that location, but simply because of where they are on the map.
    Reminds me of a sign I saw at a gift shop one time that read something like, “In 1829 on this spot, absolutely nothing happened.” The same is true of many so-called historic buildings in downtown Hope Mills.

    But let’s get back to the Parish House. It’s been well documented that for whatever reason, the house has fallen into disrepair. How long that took to happen and who is to blame really aren’t issues. This is a building with a lot of age, and not a lot of real Hope Mills history, that’s in bad shape.

    If you haven’t taken a close look at the front door of the Parish House, there is a CONDEMNED sign on it. Right next to it is a red sign with a big white X. That means it’s unoccupied and has been for some time.

    I’ve seen official reports from town staff stating that it could cost in the vicinity of six figures of town money just to stabilize this building and make it safe for entry, not to mention what would be needed to make it serviceable.

    And if it is restored, what would it be used for? The town is already working toward a permanent museum near Trade Street, which is the true heart of the town’s mill village history with its collection of old storefront shops and its proximity to the textile mill.

    History is great, and where possible it should be preserved. But the elected leaders of this town have a finite budget to deal with, and they are called on to make tough choices.

    One of those involves the town’s future. Right now, there’s a pressing need for a new headquarters for the town’s police and fire departments. Work is scheduled to begin shortly on that facility, which is going to be an expensive but much needed building.

    It will benefit both the police and fire staff who will occupy it, and it will be an asset to the town for years to come.

    I posted something on Facebook recently regarding this whole situation. This is what I wrote. “How soon we forget. Old and historic are different words with different meanings.’’

    There’s another word I’d add to the mix. Sentimental. Just because a group of people have sentimental feelings for something doesn’t mean that it should be preserved at taxpayer expense.

    I feel sentimental about a lot of things, like cars I’ve owned or homes I’ve lived in, but time passes, and when my life circumstances changed, I didn’t continue to invest my income in their upkeep, I moved forward to something new.

    The elected leadership is doing that in the case of the Parish House. This was a tough decision I’m sure, but I respect the fact that they’ve researched it and in their honest opinion are doing the right thing for the town of Hope Mills and its citizens, who put them in office to make the wisest possible use of the tax dollars they are entrusted with spending for the benefit of the entire town.

    If you really support Hope Mills history, give the town’s elected your support in finally getting Heritage Park up and running. It will celebrate the town’s mill heritage while adding a source of revenue with the amphitheater that is proposed to be included in the park.

    So far, the goal of this new group of elected officials is moving forward from two years of negativity. Regardless of what the naysayers will tell you, the motto on the town sign is accurate. “A proud past, a bright future.’’

  • 16 Peggy Hall Friends and professional acquaintances of the late Peggy Hall mourned the death of the former Cumberland County Board of Education member and praised her as a person with deep concern for the students and teachers she worked to serve.

    Hall, 78, died on Jan. 8. A career vocational education teacher with  30 years of experience, she made her first bid to run for the school board when her late husband McKinley “Mackey” Hall, himself a career educator, decided not to seek re-election to the board for health reasons.

    Dr. Marvin Connelly, superintendent of the Cumberland County Schools, released a statement on the death of Mrs. Hall.

    “Mrs. Peggy Hall was an extraordinary educator and a dedicated school board member who always put students first,’’ he said. “Her many contributions to Cumberland County Schools will never be forgotten. The field of education has lost a great advocate for children and public education. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones during this difficult time.’’

    Hall was elected to the Board of Education in the November 2016 election to fill the District 6 seat on the board which covers schools in the Hope Mills area of Cumberland County where her late husband Mackey called home.
    Peggy Hall stepped down from the board last June because of health and personal reasons.

    Greg West, who currently serves as vice-chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Education, said Mrs. Hall brought 30 years of experience as a vocational education teacher to
    the board.

    While her late husband focused most of his energies as a board member in the areas of school facilities and athletics, West said Mrs. Hall placed an emphasis on the students in the classroom.

    “She was always polite and respectful,’’ West said. “She and Mackey wanted what was best for Cumberland County. She was a great lady. They are together again.’’

    Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner taught with Mrs. Hall on the faculty at Douglas Byrd High School years ago. The two continued their friendship through the years when Mrs. Hall married Mackey and they lived in a home on South Main Street in Hope Mills, across from the furniture business operated by Warner’s husband, Alex. Warner said her relationship with Mrs. Hall goes back 40 years, even before she met and married her husband Alex.

    “I always had a lot of respect for her,’’ Mayor Warner said of Mrs. Hall. “She was always an advocate for children. I don’t know a harsh word that was ever spoken about her. People that worked with her liked her. She was good with parents and good with kids.’’

    Hope Mills Board of Commissioners member Pat Edwards got to know Mrs. Hall through her friendship with Mackey Hall. “She was a very delightful person, very caring,’’ Edwards said. “She supported everything Mackey did. She was a beautiful person, inside and out.

    “She loved Hope Mills and she loved the school system. She was proud to live here.’’

    Edwards said both Mrs. Hall and her late husband Mackey were the kind of people who would do anything for you.

    Carolyn Thompkins, another longtime friend of Mrs. Hall, also got to know her initially through her friendship with Mackey Hall.
    “She was an amazing woman, an amazing teacher,’’ Thompkins said. “She was like a little bumblebee, all over doing everything, pleasing everybody. She was one of the people I put on a pedestal. She earned the right to be up there.’’
    Thompkins said Mrs. Hall was especially articulate, and had the ability to speak to people of any station in life on their own level. “She could escalate up or down,’’ Thompkins said. “She was so empathic, so caring.

    “She was just a shining star. She’s an asset to heaven and a loss to us.’’

    Susan Dees said she and her late husband, former Hope Mills mayor Eddie Dees, would drive to Horry County in South Carolina with Mrs. Hall and her late husband Mackey to enjoy the oyster roasts there.

    “She loved Mackey Hall and grew to love Hope Mills,’’ Dees said. “She enjoyed being on the school board. She had a passion for children and the schools.’’

    Margaret Ledford, wife of the late Randy Ledford, longtime football and baseball coach at South View High School, knew Mrs. Hall through her relationship with Mackey Hall when he was assistant principal and athletic director at South View High School.

    “She’d call me once in awhile and we’d talk on the phone,’’ Ledford said. “She was so easy to talk to, friendly and caring. She was a very sweet lady.’’
     
  • 17 01 Brower park sign One of the busiest times of the year is in progress for the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department as parents are signing up youngsters from the town and beyond for the various youth sports teams offered during the spring.
    Registration began last week at the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department headquarters on Rockfish Road and will continue for the most part through the month of February.

    Maxey Dove of the Parks and Recreation staff encouraged parents to sign up early and avoid the last-minute rush caused by folks who wait until the final days of February to get their children enrolled in the program.
    “We get 70% of our registration the last two or three days,’’ Dove said. “Until we close the doors on that last day it’s hard to project how many teams we will have.’’

    The sports offered in the spring include baseball, softball, indoor soccer and wrestling.

    All registration is required in person at the recreation headquarters. Dove said the town is continuing to work on offering online registration and hopes to be able to offer that by the fall.

    Any youngster who has never played in the Hope Mills recreation program before is required to provide a copy of a birth certificate and proof of residence, which can be done with a utility bill.
    People outside of Hope Mills can sign their children up to play, but there is a difference in the fee charged. It’s $30 for Hope Mills residents and $40 for non-residents.

    Times for registration are 8:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday.

    Baseball and softball are the most popular of the two spring sports, Dove said.

    Categories for baseball include T-ball for age 5, junior pee wee age 6, coach-pitch ages 7-8, minor baseball ages 9-10, major ages 11-12 and Dixie boys ages 13-14.
    Softball is the Darlings at ages 7-8, Angels at ages 9-10, Ponytails ages 11-12 and Belles ages 13-15.

    Last season, four Hope Mills teams won state titles and advanced to regional competition in Dixie Youth play. A fifth team supported by the town won the state Lady Legion softball championship, with several of the players on that team former competitors in the Hope Mills youth sports program.

    Soccer has an instructional level for ages 5-7 and individual teams for ages 7-12. Wrestling is divided both by weight and age from 6-12.

    Dove said if there are specific questions about any sport or registration call during regular business hours at 910-426-4109.

  • 21 01 Jaden FordJaden Ford
    Westover • Basketball• Sophomore
    Ford has a grade point average of 3.51. She averages 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds for the Westover girls basketball team. She has made 14 3-point baskets.




    21 02 Harmony MartinHarmony Martin
    Westover • Basketball/soccer• Freshman
    Martin has a grade point average of 3.75. She averages 12.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Wolverine girls basketball team. She has made 10 3-point baskets.

  • 16 studioEarlier this fall Sue Moody was looking at some pictures taken by children of her friends that were posted on Facebook when she came up with an idea.

    While the pictures were good, Moody wondered if the youngsters might be able to benefit from some expertise provided by people trained in the art of photography.

    She spoke with Elizabeth Blevins of the Hope Mills Creative Arts Council and worked with her to schedule a series of presentations for budding young photographers. The classes are scheduled to meet from February until May at The Studio on Trade Street at a cost of $10 per student.

    There is a limit on class size so anyone interested needs to sign up as soon as possible by calling 910-853-4536 or emailing HopeMillscac@gmail.com.

    Moody said response to the initial class sessions will dictate whether plans are made for other events in the future. She said there has been discussion of sessions for adults.

    “We know there is a need in our community,’’ Moody said. “Other artists are affiliated with the Creative Arts Council. We just want an inventory to find out what the community wants. We hope people will register soon so we have everything in place and are prepared for them.’’

    All classes for the sessions with students ages 12-18 will be from 6-8 p.m. Following are the instructors for the initial series of classes and the dates they will be teaching:

    Cherri Stoute, Tuesday, Feb. 11 — Stoute owns The Studio on Trade Street. Stoute is a film school graduate who has worked in a variety of roles. She’ll study cameras and smartphone cameras with the students and discuss editing.

    Elizabeth Blevins, Tuesday, March 10 — Blevins is a member of the N.C. Press Association and the U.S. Press Association. She’s been a staff member and contributing writer to four regional publications including Up & Coming Weekly. Her topics will be perspective and photography fads.

    Michelle DeHetre, Tuesday, April 21 — For the last five years, DeHetre has worked as the operations manager at The Studio on Trade Street. Based out of Greensboro, DeHetre has a background in portrait photography. Her workshop will cover the topics of composition and improvising backdrops.

    Bill McQueen, Tuesday, May 12 — McQueen has called Hope Mills home for 31 years. He is the owner of Response Marketing Group, which offers consulting services to large and small businesses around the country. His topic will be thinking outside the box and putting into practice the instruction students have received during the class.

  • Here are the results from the Patriot Athletic Conference Cheerleading competition held on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Douglas Byrd High School.

    Overall champion

    Gray’s Creek

    Nonbuilding champion

    Westover

    Building champion

    Gray’s Creek

    Game Day champion

    Terry Sanford

    All-Patriot Athletic Conference
    The following cheerleaders were chosen All-Conference

    E.E. Smith - Jasmine Myrick, Mikayla Staten, Connieyah Polk
    Douglas Byrd - Navaeh Owens, Na’Lyssia Walls
    Westover - Jak’yah Bozier, Martina Simms, Serenity Spraill
    Cape Fear - Nakiyah Wright
    Pine Forest - Julia Sanders, Cynara Cooper
    South View - Asa Moore, Mya Bartell
    Gray’s Creek - Cailyn Fontaine, Mackenzie Neasbitt, Blakelyn Mote
    Terry Sanford - Avery Schenk, Ella Lewis, Isabel Chavis

    Coach of the year

    Jamila Parks, South View

    Cheerleader of the year

    Avery Schenk, Terry Sanford

    NCCCA All-Region
    The following cheerleaders were selected to the All-Region Cheer team chosen by the North Carolina Cheerleading Coaches Association:
    South View - Mya Bartell, Valencia Williams
    Terry Sanford - Avery Schenk
  • 15 master plan croppedThe citizens of Hope Mills have spoken on which direction they’d like the development of the Heritage Park master plan to take. Now, it’s just a matter of getting the final pieces in place and securing grant money to begin actual work on the project.

    Lamarco Morrison, head of the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department, said there were no major surprises when citizens responded to a request for input on the master plan at a meeting held in mid-December.

    As expected, some people expressed strong opinions on the fate of the Parish House, which has fallen into disrepair since being donated to the town. The Board of Commissioners was expected to continue discussion on the Parish House at its regular meeting last week, which was held prior to the writing of this article. (Editor's note: Since the writing of the article, the board voted to demolish the Parish House.)

    All three of the proposed plans for Heritage Park depict the Parish House as still standing.

    Morrison said he told the design team to show the Parish House on all the plans but not to include it in anything yet to be developed as action is still needed by the board on what will happen to it.
    There were four areas of concern the citizen input focused on. They were park character, amenity needs, program needs and criteria for prioritization.

    Historic and cultural preservation were tops in two of the four categories, earning 26% under park character and 24% under criteria for prioritization. Also a high priority was adventure at 25% under the program needs category.
    Leading the way under amenity needs were nature trails at 24%.

    The only other item that hit the 20% mark was sustainable at 21%  under the park character category.

    Items that reached 15% or better were educational under park character at 16%, amphitheater at 15% under amenity needs and concerts at 17% under program needs.

    The version of Heritage Park most people preferred keeps the main parking area near the intersection of Lakeview Road and Lakeshore Drive. It also allows for about 15 more parking spaces than either of the other two plans.
    Called Concept C, Morrison said it has the least impact on the existing sewer line and takes advantage of the natural layout of the land.

    “It preserved the most open space and took into account a lot of the site features we need to be aware of,’’ Morrison said.

    Even though Concept C was preferred, Morrison said the town is still taking input from citizens. All three site plans are available on the Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
    Anyone who would still like to comment on which plan they prefer is welcome to contact Morrison directly via email at lmorrison@townofhopemills.com.

    Morrison said one of the big advantages of using Concept C is it keeps the parking area away from potentially flood-prone portions of the proposed park.

    While some of the walking trails in the park would be able to survive occasionally being flooded, Morrison said it’s not good planning to put the parking area in a space that could be subject to frequent flooding.
    Morrison said many of the favorable comments were in support of the trail system because it takes advantage of what is called pedestrian circulation.

    The preferred plan will also allow the town to use a piece of property it already owns on South Main Street and install an overlook, Morrison said.

    “That was a pleasing feature not only for the park, but for the people driving by,’’ he said.

    The next big step will be to apply for a Park and Recreation Trust Fund.

    "It’s a 50-50 match,’’ Morrison said. “You can get up to $500,000 but we’re probably going to go after $300,000 to do a phase one of Heritage Park.’’

    Morrison has worked in other municipalities that received PARTF grants. If there are no further delays in the project, Morrison said Hope Mills could be awarded the grant as soon as August of this year, and work on phase one of Heritage Park could begin as late as the end of this year or sometime early in 2021.

    “We are excited and ready to get phase one started, regardless of which way we go,’’ he said.

  • 01-15-14-communityconversations.gifSometimes a good idea or a solution to a problem never makes it to the right person. It’s not because anyone intends it to be this way, but because the person with the idea or solution doesn’t know who to contact or how to get in touch with them. This month, the community has a chance to be involved in a forum to change that. On Monday, Jan. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Ministerial Council and the City of Fayetteville, in partnership with local organizations and institutions, will host Community Conversations Kickoff.

    Volunteer and Chairperson for the Fayetteville Cumberland Human Relations Commission, Cathy Waddell believes this is an opportunity the community will not want to miss. The commission has put a lot of thought in to when and where to hold the event to make it easier for anyone who would like to attend. “Because Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day on rather than a day off we thought it would be an ideal time to do some things that make a difference,” said Waddell. “We felt it was a great time to schedule this because people will be there (at the prayer breakfast) so people who want to participate can stay after.”

    The facilitators will ask attendees:

    • What is being done to improve ways that citizen and resident input are included in the City’s decisions and plans for bettering Fayetteville?

    • How can we make sure that the community’s needs are listened to and addressed appropriately?

    • In what ways can residents, city leadership and local organizations and institutions work together to help our city become a healthier, more vibrant, inclusive and sustainable major North Carolina city?

    • What is your vision of Fayetteville in 15 years?

    “This is the initial community conversation,” said Waddell. “The information we get will generate the other conversations. The information will be given to the mayor and other members of City Council and we hope they will take it to help make decisions about things in the community."

    The format and process used in the Community Conversations is a continuation of previous Study Circles and will continue throughout the year.

    Space is limited for the Jan. 20 kickoff, so pre-registration is required by contacting the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Department during normal business hours at (910) 433-1696. Citizens can also engage in the Community Conversations Online by visiting FayettevilleOutFront.com.

  • 19 Super Bowl logo Here are the Cumberland County Schools head football coaches’ forecasts for this weekend’s Super Bowl LIV game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.

    Brian Randolph, Jack Britt — I like Kansas City, 37-34. Kansas City has a wealth of skill and speed on offense, and I love the Honey Badger (defensive back Tyrann Mathieu) on their defense.

    Mike Paroli, Douglas Byrd  — I think Kansas City will win 41-38. The 49ers had a great running game and pass rush against the (Green Bay) Packers, but Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid will find a way to win.

    Jacob Thomas, Cape Fear — Two evenly matched teams. Kansas City has the edge at quarterback, but I feel that San Francisco is a better team in all three phases of the game and this seems to be their year from start to finish. Forty-Niners in a close one.

    David Lovette, Gray’s Creek — Chiefs, 35-28. The Chiefs have so much speed on offense and (quarterback Patrick) Mahomes is a difference maker.

    Bill Sochovka, Pine Forest — Kansas City by two touchdowns. Their offense is so explosive and has a lot of weapons. Very tough to stop.

    Bruce McClelland, Terry Sanford — Great matchup. Speed vs. power. Old school vs. new school football. I like San Francisco being more physical — running game and pass rush getting home without having to blitz. San Francisco 34, Kansas City 28.

    Duran McLaurin, Seventy-First — Chiefs will win, 34-21. Slow starts haven’t seemed to hurt the Chiefs because their opponents have struggled to maintain offensive execution and special teams play. Just too many weapons and an underrated defense will be too much for the 49ers.

    Rodney Brewington, South View — San Francisco, 31-21. San Francisco has a very special defense. The defense has the ability to rush and hurry the quarterback with only four defensive linemen. They have a strong running game and a solid quarterback.

    Ernest King, Westover — I feel the teams are evenly matched, but I give the edge to San Francisco. They have a great running game and a whole lot of weapons, three running backs and a receiver corps that can score anytime. A defense that really gets after it and the team has enthusiastic pride about what they do.

  • 16 01 greenway signKasey Ivey of the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation had already been talking with Rebecca Skiba of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission about coming to Hope Mills to discuss nature programs the town might be able to offer.

    That was before Dec. 3, when a member of the town’s maintenance staff spotted a coyote on the newly-opened Golfview Greenway Walking Trail at the old municipal golf course.

    When Ivey posted the news on the Parks and Recreation Facebook page, she was surprised at the response.

    “It sparked 56 comments and 187 shares,’’ she said. When Skiba came to Hope Mills for a scheduled visit on Dec. 9 to tour local nature-related sites around the town, Ivey shared with her the news about the coyotes at the golf course. Skiba, who is the outreach education specialist for the southern coastal region of the state, said she would be available to make a presentation on co-existing with coyotes.

    So Skiba will return to Hope Mills on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m. at the community room at the Hope Mills Recreation Center to talk about coyotes.

    There is limited space, so people interested in coming to the presentation need to reach out to Ivey as soon as possible. Her email address is kivey@townofhopemills.com.

    Ivey wants to make sure enough people are interested in the meeting to make Skiba’s trip to Hope Mills worth her time, since she travels a great deal and covers such a large area of the state in her job.

    Both Ivey and Skiba stressed that the presence of coyotes at the new greenway is not a cause for panic, and people who plan to use it shouldn’t be fearful or jump to any conclusions about the animals.

    Skiba has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Georgia and has worked in North Carolina for the past four years.

    She said the biggest problem with coyotes is that people don’t know a lot about them and they tend to be afraid of what they don’t know.

    16 02 coyotesCoyotes are present in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties, Skiba said, adding it is difficult to regulate the population. One of the main aims of her presentation will be to educate the public on the difference between a perceived threat a real one.

    The primary rule of thumb with coytotes, she said, is live and let live. “We’ve never had a case in North Carolina where a coyote has attacked and harmed a human being,’’ she said.

    But that doesn’t mean that every living thing is safe around coyotes. They are omnivores, Skiba said, which means they eat everything from vegetables to bugs to fruit. And, unfortunately, some small animals.

    That’s why any greenway walkers with pets, especially small ones, need to either leave them at home or keep them on a leash, as they could be potential prey for the coyotes.

    If a human sees a coyote, it’s fairly easy to shoo them off and go about their business. “They don’t stalk you,’’ Skiba said.

    It is possible for a coyote to be rabid, but unlikely, Skiba said. Wild animals at the top of the list to develop rabies are raccoons, skunks and foxes, Skiba said. “Coyotes aren’t really high up on the list.’’

    In the event anyone encounters an animal exhibiting odd behavior, they should contact local animal control authorities immediately.

    Skiba said typical early onset rabies behavior in animals includes being disoriented or appearing in public places while making no attempt to hide or protect themselves. “Not all rabies is the foaming at the mouth phase,’’
    she said.

    For her presentation in Hope Mills, Skiba said she plans to discuss the history of coyotes in North Carolina, the ecology involved and how they affect other species in the state.

    She will also present different options of coyote management, but added that her presentation will not be dealing with any kind of program the town as a whole can put into place, just things to be done on an individual basis.

    “This is a general information session to dispel myths and fears that are out there,’’ Skiba said, “also to bring up certain things that people can keep in mind to make sure they are not attracting coyotes if they don’t desire to have them.

    “We go about our daily lives and we don’t consider the ways we impact or attract wildlife. I’m just trying to bring those up as well.’’

    If anyone has specific questions about coyotes or other wildlife in the Hope Mills area the best way to reach Skiba is via her email at rebecca.skiba@ncwildlife.org.

    There is also a Wildlife Helpline at the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission which allows callers to speak to a trained biologist and ask specific questions about wildlife behavior, wildlife-related damage or injury and co-existing with wildlife. The number is 866-318-2401.

  • The Fayetteville Sports Club has announced its Hall of Fame class for 2020.

    The new list of inductees includes four voted into the traditional Hall of Fame and two added as members of the Legends category, which was introduced for the first time last year to honor candidates who had been considered for some time but had not been inducted.

    The four members of the regular class include veteran high school official Neil Buie, former Terry Sanford High School and Elon football standout Brent Sexton, three-sport high school star and UNC-Pembroke volleyball All-American Melanie Grooms-Garrett and former E.E. Smith boys basketball coach Roy McNeill.

    The two Legends selections were longtime minor league baseball player Bob Spicer Sr. and the late Jimmy Edwards Jr., standout dirt track racing driver.

    Here are brief biographies of each honoree.

    Neil Buie

    A 1965 graduate of Fayetteville High School, Buie has been involved in various levels of officiating since 1967. He was a baseball umpire for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association from 1967-98. He umpired five high school state championship series.

    He also called seven American Legion state title series plus a dozen area championships.

    Buie also worked at the NCAA Division I, II and III levels calling baseball.

    In addition to baseball, Buie called high school football. He was involved with six NCHSAA regional championship games, two state championships, the 1993 North Carolina Coaches Association East-West All-Star game and the 1996 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.

    Buie has served as regional supervisor of baseball officials from 1998-2019 and has done the same for football officials from 2013 to the present.

    He has won a number of awards from the NCHSAA including the Golden Whistle Award, the highest award given to officials, along with the Special Person Award and the Distinguished Service Award.

    Jimmy Edwards Jr.

    Better known by his nickname "Porky," Edwards was one of the most successful dirt-track racers in North and South Carolina.

    He began his career in the lower levels of both dirt and asphalt racing in 1975, then advanced to the popular Late Model division in 1976. Edwards claimed more than a dozen track titles and took his 400th career win in July of 2007 at the Fayetteville Motor Speedway.

    In 1979, he won 40 races. In 1983, he won 24 times in only 35 starts.

    He competed head-to-head with NASCAR stars like Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt and David Pearson in short track competition.

    Edwards died at the age of 57 in 2011.

    Melanie Grooms-Garrett

    Grooms-Garrett was one of the most versatile and outstanding athletes in the history of South View High School.

    Her senior year with the Tigers, she was the athlete of the year in three different sports, volleyball, basketball and softball.

    She enrolled at UNC-Pembroke and continued her athletic success there, becoming the only player in school history to be named an NAIA All-American in the sport of volleyball.

    Grooms-Garrett also played softball for the Braves and was All-Carolinas Conference from 1991-92 and All-District her senior year.

    She returned to UNC-Pembroke to serve as head coach of the volleyball and softball teams.

    She coached softball for two years, nearly tripling the school’s win total from the first season in her final year as softball coach.

    She was inducted into the UNC-Pembroke Hall of Fame in 2003.

    Roy McNeill

    During his stint as head basketball coach at E.E. Smith, McNeill compiled a record of 185-62. He coached from 1993-1999 and earned one Holiday Classic championship, two conference titles and three sectional championships.
    Those are impressive numbers considering he inherited a team his first year that went 4-22 in the previous season.

    He ended his career with six 20-win seasons, nine consecutive state playoff appearances and nine straight winning seasons. His prior head coaching stops included Northwest Halifax, Wilson Hunt, Lumberton and Littlefield.
    He was voted Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year in 1999.

    McNeill played college basketball at Fayetteville State and was inducted into the Fayetteville State Hall of Fame in 1993.

    Brent Sexton

    Sexton was a football standout at Terry Sanford High School before going on to star on the football team at Elon University.

    He earned All-American recognition at Elon in 1974 and was elected into the Elon Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.

    Sexton was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1975 and played three seasons with the organization, winning a Super Bowl ring in 1975 when the Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X by a score of 21-17.
    Sexton was the third-highest player drafted in Elon history, taken in the fifth round. The only players who went higher were Rich McGeorge, a first-round choice of the Green Bay Packers in 1970 and Jimmy Smith, who was taken in the fourth round by the Washington Redskins in 1984.

    Sexton set an Elon record in 1971 when he intercepted five passes in one game vs. Gardner-Webb.

    Bob Spicer Sr.

    Spicer, a native of Richmond, Va., and a longtime Fayetteville resident after his baseball career was over, was among a trio of players drafted by the old Philadelphia Athletics before they relocated to Kansas City.
    During his high school days he played on a two-time state championship basketball in Newport News, Va. He later played semi-pro football in the Dixie League.

    Spicer made appearances with teams in Lumberton, Fayetteville, Macon and Springfield before spending a number of seasons in the Pacific Coast League with Los Angeles. His best pitch was a screwball, complemented by a knuckleball and a slider.

    One of his teammates in Los Angeles was the actor Chuck Connors of "The Rifleman" fame.

    One of his best years was with Macon in the South Atlantic League in 1949 when he compiled a 20-6 record with an earned run average of 2.73. He struck out 119 batters.
    In his lone season in Fayetteville, 1948, he was 18-4.

    In 1958, he won the Rawlings Silver Glove Award for his fielding.

    Spicer was also a successful billiards player who competed against legends like Willie Mosconi and Rudolf Wanderone Jr., better known as Minnesota Fats. In golf he was a one handicapper.
  • 15 grays creek studentsA group of students from Gray’s Creek High School recently earned statewide recognition from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association for participating in a contest to help raise money to provide food for those in need.
    The NCHSAA in cooperation with United Health Care sponsored the annual Turkey Bowl, which invited NCHSAA member schools to compete in a statewide fundraising effort.

    The contest was held Nov. 4-8, and the participating schools were free to choose how they wanted to take part in collecting food or money for the project.

    They could either raise money to donate to an actual food bank or collect food for an on-campus food pantry.

    LeAndra Barriage is a biology teacher at Gray’s Creek and also serves as the school’s Student Government Association advisor. She learned about the Turkey Bowl from Gray’s Creek athletic director Troy Lindsey.

    The SGA at Gray’s Creek is composed of the class and student body officers at the school. Barriage enlisted the officer corps to take part in the competition.

    Annually, during the month of November, Gray’s Creek has long been involved in something called Bears Giving, where the school collects food to give away to the Gray’s Creek Christian Center.

    For the Turkey Bowl, Barriage said the students decided to raise money to give away to the center by doing something the school calls Minute to Win It.

    The plan was to hold a one-minute period of donations during the daily announcements at Gray’s Creek.

    To promote the event, members of the SGA, as well as some members of the Gray’s Creek faculty and staff, got free T-shirts from the NCHSAA and wore them around school prior to the morning of the fundraiser, as well as on the day of the event.

    They also made announcements to promote the upcoming event and posted signs around the school.

    The morning of the fundraiser, a song was played for one minute over the intercom, and every class in the school contributed money during that time period. The class that raised the most money was treated to a free breakfast.

    When it was over, Gray’s Creek had raised $800, which ultimately earned it second-place in the statewide NCHSAA competition.

    The school later presented a check for that amount to the Gray’s Creek Christian Center.

    Barriage said the school likes to support the Center because it serves anywhere from 75 to 100 families in the Gray’s Creek community on a weekly basis.

    “I think it’s good for the kids to think beyond themselves and realize they are just a part of the community,’’ she said. “It is important to kind of give back to those who might be having a difficult time.

    “At one point or another in our lifetime, we’re all probably going to be in that position where we need a little help. I think it’s truly important to recognize when we have the ability to help we should do those things.’’

    While $800 might not seem like a tremendous amount of money, Barriage said the students were told that every dollar donated in the fund drive represented four meals, which means the money raised by the Gray’s Creek SGA paid for 3,200 meals for those in need.

    “I think that was kind of awe-inspiring,’’ Barriage said. “A little goes a long way.’’

    Carlisle Eley and Mary Ledford, two of the Gray’s Creek students who took part in the fundraiser, agreed participating in the event was meaningful to them and their classmates.

    “The more we donate to them, the more it helps our community,’’ Eley, a junior, said of the Gray’s Creek Christian Center. “I was really surprised by how much money we got.’’

    Ledford, a freshman, thought the donation of money was a good combination with the existing Bears Giving program at the school. “We thought adding the money would be another way to give back,’’ she said. “It directly affects students who go to our school and directly affects everyone who lives in our immediate community.’’

    While Ledford appreciated the statewide recognition from the NCHSAA, she added that wasn’t the most important part of the project. “It went to our community center,’’ she said. “That is the best part.’’

    Pictured from left to right. Back row: Carlisle Eley, Hunter Stewart, Gray's Creek
    Principal Lisa Stewart, Kim Ellington of Gray’s Creek Christian Center, Helen Thomas, Kayla Mady
    Front row: Garrett Harbison, Kylie Aldridge

  • 20 01 isaiah Bridges copyIsaiah Bridges

    Westover • Basketball• Senior

    Bridges has a grade point average of 3.5. He is the starting point guard on Westover’s boys’ basketball team. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Successful Students mentoring program. As of this writing, the Wolverine basketball team is 14-0. Bridges currently averages 5.5 points, 3.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.

     




    20 02 Tyler StricklandTyler Strickland

    Gray's Creek• Basketball/baseball• Senior

    Strickland has a grade point average of 4.125. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Future Farmers of America. He played travel baseball for the Canes American team last summer. He is committed to play
    for the University of North Carolina at Wilmington on a baseball scholarship.

  • 19 basketballThe Cumberland County Schools have scheduled 10 Play4Kay basketball games this season in memory of the late Kay Yow, the longtime womens basketball coach at North Carolina State University.

    The Play4Kay games are held annually to help raise money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The games are held by both high school and college teams and are the biggest single source of contributions annually to the fund.
    The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was established on Dec. 3, 2007, by Yow during her battle with breast cancer.

    She fought the disease for the final 22 years of her life, finally dying in 2009.

    Since the Kay Yow Cancer Fund was created, it has given $7.53 million to a variety of programs involved in cancer research. Although Yow suffered from breast cancer, the money donated to the fund is used to help support all forms of cancer research.

    According to an article from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, Yow’s oncologist said her life was both extended and enhanced during her fight with cancer because of research on the disease that had been conducted as far back as 20 years or more prior to her death.

    Cumberland County Schools didn’t get seriously involved in the Play4Kay fundraisers until a couple of years ago when county student activities director Vernon Aldridge heard a presentation by Chasity Melvin at a state athletic directors conference.

    Melvin starred at Lakewood High School and went on to play for Yow at NC State, where she was a Kodak All-American and led the Wolfpack to the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 1998. She set an NCAA semifinal scoring record with 37 points in North Carolina State’s loss to perennial NCAA power Louisiana Tech.

    Melvin was the 11th player taken overall in the 1999 WNBA college draft. She spent 12 years as a standout player in the WNBA, playing for the Cleveland Rockers, Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky.
    She played in the WNBA All-Star game in 2001.

    In addition to her WNBA career, Melvin played professionally in Italy, Israel, Spain, Poland, Russia and China.

    At the time she made the presentation to the athletic directors, she was serving as the director of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. She moved on to an assistant coaching position with the Greensboro Swarm basketball team, which competes in the NBA’s G League. Last September she was hired as an assistant coach for the women’s team at Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland.

    Aldridge said that Melvin told the athletic directors that even though the Kay Yow Cancer Fund is based in North Carolina, the state was not the national leader in annual donations to the fund.
    Aldridge came back to Cumberland County and addressed the situation to the senior high school athletic directors.

    “We felt that was a shame,’’ Aldridge said, that the state wasn’t tops in donations to the fund.

    He presented the idea to the athletic directors and suggested their schools take a more active part in the annual Play4Kay fundraising drive.

    This year, the Play4Kay fundraisers are scheduled to be held nationally from Feb. 14-24. However, each school is allowed to schedule a fundraising date that is most convenient for the school and doesn’t have to strictly adhere to the dates announced by the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

    Cumberland County holds its games earlier than the scheduled Play4Kay dates because the local high school regular season ends on Friday, Feb. 14. The method used to raise the money for the fund is up to each school to decide.
    The fundraisers are generally held separate from ticket sales and involve a specific fundraising method that is the choice of each school.

    Aldridge said the fundraisers are usually held during both the boys and girls basketball games that are on the Play4Kay schedule.

    He said he’s seen county schools engage in a variety of activities to raise money for Play4Kay. Among the activities that have been used include selling T-shirts, baked goods or even passing the hat around the gym during the game designated as the Play4Kay event.

    Some schools involve the entire student body and hold fundraisers on campus during the days leading up to the Play4Kay contests. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund also encourages schools to honor cancer survivors at their fundraising events.

    “It’s up to each school how they raise funds,’’ Aldridge said. “They all do something different.

    “Cancer is a disease that I don’t think anyone in this country can say hasn’t affected someone they know.’ We felt this would be a great cause for us to take on.’’ Aldridge estimates that over the last two years, the county schools have donated $13,000 at its Play4Kay games.

    Following are this year’s Play4Kay games that will be hosted by the 10 Cumberland County senior high schools. If you have specific questions about the national Play4Kay effort or the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, call the fund’s office in Raleigh at 919-659-3301.

    SCHEDULE
    Jan. 22 - St. Pauls at South View.
    Jan.  24 - Pine Forest at Douglas Byrd.
    Jan. 28 - Douglas Byrd at E.E. Smith.
    Jan. 31 - Douglas Byrd at Cape Fear, Terry Sanford at Gray’s Creek.
    Feb. 4 - Purnell Swett at Jack Britt, Scotland at Seventy-First.
    Feb. 7 - Terry Sanford at Westover, E.E. Smith at Pine Forest.
    Feb. 11 - South View at Terry Sanford.

  • This is 40   (Rated R) 4 Stars01-09-13-movie.gif

    Director Judd Apatow might be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Increasingly, his films make me want to have a meal of raw cookie dough sprinkled with Prozac, served with a side of cheap liquor. This is 40(134 minutes) might have likeable and even realistic characters, but he lost some nuance in his attempt to transition to a more mature story.

    As supporting characters in Knocked Up, Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) served as a cautionary tale for Ben (Seth Rogen) and Alison (Katherine Heigl). In a stand-alone film we learn far more about them then we ever wanted to. For example, apparently (big surprise) they both have issues with their parents. Pete’s Dad (Albert Brooks) is remarried and mooches off Pete to support his stay-at-home wife and trip-lets (conceived through modern medicine). Debbie’s Dad (Jon Lithgow) has reentered her life after a prolonged absence, bring-ing her abandonment and control issues screaming to the surface just as her marriage is at a crisis point.

    It seems that Pete, in a bit of character consistency, is secretly a jerk. As pleasant and easy going as he can be, he lies all the time. And they’re huge lies that are destined to be found out, like the impending ruin of his business. Meanwhile, Debbie (who is by far the more sympathetic of the two) is trying to make their marriage work even in the face of her husband’s downright disinterest and petulance. He’s not happy but he is determined to fake it until the problem goes away. She’s not happy, but she can’t get it through to her husband that she is running out of things to try, which means he is running out of chances to meet her halfway. Yes, it’s supposed to be a comedy. I think.

    It is the approximately 3 million subplots that drag the film down the most. First, Debbie has a business now. It is some kind of boutique, and she employs Jodi (Charlyne Yi from Knocked Up) and Desi (Megan Fox, Ugh.). She thinks one of them is stealing and can’t figure out whom. Second, their two kids Charlotte and Sadie (Iris and Maude Apatow) fight a lot. Both subplots were utterly boring and could have easily been trimmed. Don’t work with family Apatow. It’s too hard to cut their crap scenes.

    Knocked Up and The Forty Year Old Virgin are some of the funniest modern comedies I’ve seen. There is a certain goofy sweetness to the leads in those pics. They may be long, but they are never bloated. Here, however, the plot does not justify the length. This is mostly a series of vignettes that lack an over-arching narrative. Like any other couple, sometimes they are happy and sometimes they are not. Sometimes they like their kids and sometimes they don’t. They are children of divorce and their respective fathers each started a second family, full of younger half-siblings that make for awkward get-togethers. Honestly, this comes off like a failed sitcom that got turned into a movie.

    Overall the strengths of the film balance the weaknesses. This is not going down in history as his best work, but I think it will age well. The central theme of the mid-life couple crisis is relat-able; it’s the trimmings that take away. I mean, I find it hard to muster any real sympathy for the characters when I am reminded that they are two relatively wealthy and attractive people in danger of aging and becoming slightly less wealthy. Oh no! Their daughter dropped an F-Bomb! Family crisis! Really, they fight and make up so often during the course of the movie, when we get to the kiss-and-make-up finale it is just one more up destined to roll down. This results in a lack of catharsis and a sense that five minutes after the credits rolled they headed to divorce court. But yes, there are some outtakes after the movie. Enjoy.

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

  • 18 NC STATEEditor’s note: This story is a departure for High School Highlights. We normally write about local high school athletic stars, but this is about a project that involves a former local athlete who has distinguished himself in the field of invention. Will Marsh was a starter on the Cape Fear High School baseball team during his days there. He’s moved on to North Carolina State University, where he was one of the team members involved in the invention of a new device that will make the baling of pine straw a lot easier. Thanks to Rebecca Nagy, science writer for the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at North Carolina State, for this story.

    Baling pine straw for landscaping use is a $250 million industry across the southeast, relying almost entirely on hand labor. Five alumni from the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering designed and built the first production-ready machine to remove sticks and pine cones from pine straw and cut labor costs by up to 80%.

    Starting as a senior design project in BAE, alumni Matthew Parker, Ben Cauthen, Alex Greeson, Ben Cranfill and Will Marsh created the Pine Bine to address labor problems plaguing the underdeveloped pine straw industry during a capstone senior design project in 2017. By graduation in 2018, they had developed a patent-pending machine capable of reducing industry labor requirements. The Innovative Agricultural Technologies, LLC “Pine Bine,” or pine straw combine, streamlines the pine straw harvesting process to make the industry more efficient and profitable.

    In 2018, the five alumni won first place in the AGCO student design competition at the American Society of Biological and Agricultural Engineers Annual International Meeting in Detroit, Michigan.

    Now the founders of Innovative Agricultural Technologies, LLC they were recently finalists in The Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge, a national business competition for U.S. food and agriculture startups. In addition to the judging portion of the competition, there was also a People’s Choice Award. Voting for that award ended last weekend.

    “Without the fantastic education we received at NC State and the support given to us by the BAE department both before and after graduation, we could never have developed our ideas to this level,” Parker notes. “N.C. State has truly given us the opportunity to pursue our dreams.”

    The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, awards $145,000 in startup funds to entrepreneurs who compete throughout the year, culminating at a live pitch competition at the AFBF Annual Convention. Startup funds for The Challenge are provided by sponsors Bayer Crop Science, Country Financial, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Farm Credit and John Deere.

    While deciding on a project for their senior design course, the team saw a need and an opportunity in the pine straw industry. Pine straw, a big part of the landscaping industry in the southeast, is hindered by an insufficient labor force.
    “One big problem in that industry is that labor is hard to come by,” explained Parker, who is currently a graduate student at Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law in Raleigh. “It’s hard to find people that want to go into the woods and separate pine straw from sticks and pine cones to get the best quality pine straw.”

    “Landscaping pine straw shields soil surrounding plants and their root systems from the sun, and holds moisture to promote plant growth, explains Greeson. “It also lasts a long time, is more cost-effective than hardwood mulch alternatives and provides a natural appearance to any garden. Pine straw is really nature’s mulch, but nobody wants their gardens littered with sticks and pine cones.”

    Then came the Pine Bine.

    “Our machine is the first ever machine to actually be successful at removing sticks and pine cones from pine straw,” Parker continues.  “And we designed it and built it right here as senior engineering students at NC State.”
    Shortly after graduation, the team formed Innovative Agricultural Technologies, LLC, and partnered with a small-scale rural equipment manufacturer in North Carolina and plans to release the Pine Bine in the general market in the next several months. 

    Parker expressed Innovative Agricultural Technologies’ goal that the Pine Bine will “revolutionize the pine straw industry and make raising longleaf pine trees profitable again.”

    Because of their unique growth habit, longleaf pine trees create an ecosystem found nowhere else on earth.  However, loblolly pines, which do not produce the same ecological benefits as longleaf pines, have largely overtaken the lumber market throughout the southeast because loblolly pines grow at twice the rate of longleaf pines.

    “If successful, the Pine Bine is positioned to help reverse this centuries-old trend of declining longleaf pine acreage throughout the southeast simply by doing its part to harness market forces rather than resorting to cumbersome state regulation,” notes Parker. “People will naturally want to protect longleaf pine ecosystems once it becomes more profitable to do so through the mechanization of the pine straw industry.”

    Parker noted the longleaf pine’s intimate connection with the history of North Carolina.

    “The North Carolina State Toast proudly declares, ‘Here’s to the land of the longleaf pine; the summer land where the sun doth shine; where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great; here’s to down-home, the Old North State!’” he said. “For our part, Innovative Agricultural Technologies wants to keep the significance of the longleaf pine alive in North Carolina and throughout the Southeast.”

  • jeff6.jpg

    The City of Durham’s police chief lost his job because of a growing violent crime rate. That’s a tough call for any city executive. Some would argue that you can’t blame law enforcement for crimes in a community. It’s difficult to prevent major crimes. Ask the mayors of Chicago, New Orleans and yes, Durham.

    Murder, in particular, is hard to prevent. 

    “Propensity to crime develops in stages associated with major psychological and sociological factors. The factors are not caused by race or poverty, and the stages are the normal tasks of growing up that every child confronts as he gets older,” says Patrick Fagan of the Heritage Foundation. “In the case of future violent criminals, the absence of the love, affection, and dedication of both his parents becomes perverse exercises, frustrating his needs and stunting his ability to belong,” Fagan adds.

    Statistically, some communities must be more fortunate than others for reasons that escape the experts. Fayetteville is thought of as a violent city. But last year, the murder rate was down from the year before, and the year before that. In 2015, only 17 homicides were recorded in Fayetteville, according to Police Lt. David McLaurin. Chief of Detective Katherine Bryant says one other case is pending…the violent death of a 3-year-old baby. Bryant says the state medical examiner has not yet determined the cause of death.

    Contrast that with 42 homicides in Durham last year. It’s a city of comparable size and demographic makeup. Fayetteville City Manager Ted Voorhees will tell you that’s where the similarities end, making the significant difference in murders remarkable. Voorhees was Durham’s Deputy City Manager before coming to Fayetteville three years ago. 

     

  • 01-23-13-monster-trucks.gifLoud noise, screaming fans, backstage passes. A rock concert? Absolutely not. Monster X Tours comes to the Crown Coliseum with a show guaranteed to please the most ardent supporters — or one new to the world of monster trucks. Shows are scheduled for Jan. 25 and 26, starting at 7:30 p.m.

    Monster trucks gained prominence when Bob Chandler’s “Bigfoot” was the first to drive over and crush cars. In 1981 he performed at the Silverdome in Detroit and introduced the bigger 66” tires. What had previously been a side-show at mud-bogging and truck pulling shows became a headlining event. Over the years modifi cations have been made to the trucks to ensure safety for the drivers as well as the audience.

    Noisy. Absolutely. The average decibel level produced by these 500+ horsepower behemoths is equivalent to a jackhammer or rock concert. Attendees will say their hearing wasn’t right for a couple of days following the event but a set of ear plugs will reduce the noise to a more comfortable level (highly recommended).

    Monster X Tours CEO Danny Torgerson stated, “Our show is at the pinnacle of this sport. We have an exemplary record for safety and quality and hold ourselves to the highest standards.” The Monster Truck Thunder will be provided by Project X, Scorpion, River Rat and Heavy Hitter. These 10,000 pound car crushing giants will compete in racing, wheelie contests and bring the house down with amazing freestyle competition.

    In addition, there will be a freestyle motorcross lead by X-Game medalist Justin Homan and others. Tricks will include roof-scraping cliffhangers, double grabs, superman seat grabs and the ever-challenging backfl ip. Not enough excitement yet? Purchase a Pit Party Pass and meet the drivers and get the ride of your life during the party or intermission.

    “We recently returned from an Eastern European tour. Monster X Tours was the first event of its kind to visit Moscow and we played to sold-out audiences. We also had events in Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. In an average season we will conduct 100 shows from coast to coast and will be appearing in Hawaii in May,” Torgerson said.

    The Pit Party starts at 6 p.m. and winds up at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. on both days. The show will be loud and exhaust fumes can be expected. No video recording or long lens cameras allowed. The show is not recommended for children under two years of age.

    Tickets and Pit Party Passes can be purchased online at www.Ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased directly from the Crown Coliseum by calling 910-323-5088.

    Photo: Monster Trucks are coming to the Crown on Jan. 25 and 26. 

  • 18 fireworks debrisWhen Cape Fear football coach Jake Thomas brought his son to club wrestling practice after New Year’s Eve, he was met by a disappointing sight on the school’s football field.
    Someone had used a small area near the baseball-field end as a launching pad for fireworks.

    Photos taken by Thomas showed a burned out spot on the turf of the Cape Fear field with the litter from the various types of fireworks used by whoever trespassed illegally on school grounds still there.

    Thomas said it certainly could have been a lot worse, and has been when he’s seen people who’ve driven vehicles onto athletic fields and left damaging doughnuts cut into the turf with the wheels of their trucks or cars.
    But seeing the Cape Fear field marred by the fireworks was not a pleasing sign for Thomas, who estimates he and members of his coaching staff spend in the vicinity of 200 hours a year doing everything to the field from cutting the grass, tending to the health of the soil and painting it for Thursday and Friday football contests during the season.

    “When I was first coming into coaching, you don’t appreciate how much time you spend on field maintenance, painting the field, all those things,’’ Thomas said. “You really don’t get a full understanding until you do it yourself.’’

    Thomas said the fans who show up on Friday night only get to see the end result and don’t realize the total amount of work that the football staff puts into making the field not only safe to play on but appealing to the eye.

    Beyond the work on the field, there are rules in place about who can and can’t use school practice facilities like the football field. Thomas noted that not even Cape Fear varsity and junior varsity athletes are allowed to be on school property working out without a member of the coaching staff being present with them.

    “There are liability issues,’’ Thomas said. Even in the school weight room, athletes can’t lift without having a coach there to oversee what’s taking place.

    Vernon Aldridge, student activities director for the Cumberland County Schools, said those who used the Cape Fear football field for shooting fireworks were guilty of trespassing.
    “If definitely has to do with safety reasons, but it’s also a liability issue,’’ Aldridge said, “having folks on our grounds if they are injured. The liability falls on us.’’

    Aldridge said high schools are not allowed to use fireworks at their games on Friday nights because it’s a fire code issue. While it used to be alright when Aldridge was a coach at South View in the early part of 2000, the fire marshal later ruled that it was not allowed.

    During its run to the state football championship in 1991, South View had a fan who brought a musket-like gun to games that was fired following each Tiger touchdown.

    Aldridge said that practice is also no longer allowed due to firearms restrictions on campus.

    Thomas said he did not make an official police report of the incident at Cape Fear but he has asked members of the Cape Fear community to help identify who was involved, especially if they were students, so proper discipline can be administered as needed.

    Aldridge said the county will likely not get involved and will let Cape Fear handle the matter at the school level, including any decision regarding offering a reward for identifying those involved.

  • 012016jeff-tax-sharing.jpg

    The local distribution of sales tax revenue has driven a wedge between Cumberland County Commissioners and the Fayetteville City Council. In the next few days commissioners will begin discussion of changing the method by which sales tax proceeds are divided between the county and the nine municipalities. If that happens, Mayor Nat Robertson has said he will cut city services to offset up to $4 million in lost revenue. Town governments are accusing the City of Fayetteville of looking after its own interest to the detriment of the small towns. Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson concedes the point, saying he has the obligation “to protect the interests of city taxpayers.” 

    For the last 13 years, the city and county have used a distribution method that shares sales tax revenues by population with a caveat. The city agreed to divide proceeds in a large area that it annexed. As the city’s population grew, the unincorporated area of the county shrank. Negotiators agreed it was only fair for the city to rebate the county one half of the new money it collected in those annexed areas. The towns got smaller shares of sales tax proceeds depending on their populations. The agreement between Cumberland County and Fayetteville has been renewed a couple of times and expires at the end of the current fiscal year.

    Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson and City Manager Ted Voorhees have proposed phasing out the 50/50 sharing of revenue taken in from annexed areas. The county is opposed because it would lose millions over the five-year phase out period.  Robertson and Voorhees believe it’s the city’s money to keep because roughly 90 percent of sales tax revenue is generated inside the city.

    The county is considering changing the method by which tax money is distributed to the ad valorem system or tax districts. The money would be divided, not by population, but by territories that each government unit covers. Cumberland County’s tax district is the entire county, which means it would get the lion’s share of tax collections. The city and towns would get much less money than which  they’ve been accustomed to. 

    Commissioners have given the city until the end of this month to agree to a continuation of the current tax-sharing arrangement. City Manager Voorhees says Fayetteville “is prepared to extend the current agreement,” with a caveat: The city and the Town of Spring Lake want to claim all tax money available under the current formula in areas of Fort Bragg annexed by Fayetteville and Spring Lake. 

    Commissioners have refused to negotiate a compromise with City Council, and have threatened in no uncertain terms to change the tax distribution formula on July 1. “Commissioners are not willing to serve on a sales tax negotiating team because the compromise has been on the table since 2013,” says County Commission Chairman Marshall Faircloth. “Further negotiation opens the door to the city’s desired phase-out of the agreement, putting county services at risk,” he added. The towns of Hope Mills, Wade, Falcon, Godwin, Stedman, Vander and Eastover would also suffer pro rata revenue losses. Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner accused Fayetteville of bullying, saying “We can’t fight the big dog…we have no voice.”


  • 21 01 Nyielah NickNyielah Nick

    Seventy-First • Basketball• Senior

    Nick has a grade point average of 3.6. She averages 7.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Falcons. She is also active in the school’s JROTC program.







    21 02 anijaAnija Borja

    Seventy-First• Basketball• Senior

    Borja has a grade point average of 3.7.

  • 012716-jeff-5.jpg

    A second and more expensive construction problem has arisen at the North Carolina Veterans Park in Fayetteville. It could cost nearly $100 thousand to correct. Last summer, a crack was discovered in a glass monument, which authorities are attributing to wind that rocked the tall glass structure. Engineers are still trying to figure out the best way of stabilizing the monument. The state of North Carolina funded construction of the park at a cost of $12 million. It opened on July 4, 2011, and was dedicated by then-Governor Beverly Perdue as the nation’s only state park dedicated to veterans.

    More recently, another problem was discovered. Walls of a pair of large underground vaults that house huge water pumps began to collapse. Recycled water is pumped to five fountains on the park grounds. The fountains are checked regularly. The walls of the vaults, or fiberglass cabinets, face a steep hill across Bragg Boulevard where rain water runs off underground. 

    “Over the last two years, we’ve encountered high runoff…six inches of water so far this year alone,” says Parks & Recreation Director Michael Gibson. 

    Asked if engineers had forecast the potential stress on the large vaults Gibson said, “I don’t know if any amount of calculation could have predicted the inordinate amount of rain that caused underground pressure” to disturb the walls of the cabinets. Construction crews are in the process of shoring up the two affected walls. The cabinets measure 20 X 10 feet and 50 feet deep.

    Metal plates are being installed alongside the walls. Then parallel concrete walls will be constructed to hold back the earth. Metal rods will connect the two, allowing space between them for rocks to be installed to serve as a sort of French drain. Cost of the project thus far is $88 thousand. The city has to absorb that cost even though it’s a state park because it’s responsible for maintenance and repairs to the park as part of an agreement with the state. 

    “We’re always looking for issues in regular maintenance monitoring,” says Gibson. No other problems have developed that he’s aware of, he adds.

    The State Veterans Park, 300 Bragg Blvd., honors North Carolina veterans from all branches of the military with flags and symbolic monuments. Walking paths, water features and sculptures are located throughout the park. The Oath of Service Wall displays bronze castings of North Carolina veterans’ hands, positioned at shoulder height as though they are taking the oath of service. Military history videos are shown in the visitor center, where a chandelier made of 33,500 dog tags hangs from the ceiling and a Service Ribbon Wall made of fused glass displays every service medal awarded since the Civil War. 


  • 20 Newtown 1Dates of some tragedies are etched in our memories forever. On Sept. 11, we pause to remember the thousands who perished in 2001 as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

    Many individuals remember where they were when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963 and/or when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was gunned down on April 4, 1968.

    Unfortunately, in the past 20 years, there are several dates stamped in our memories because of shootings in our nation’s schools, such as the ones at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, on April 20, 1999, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018.

    And on December 14, 2012, the nation wept when 26 people, including 20 children, were killed during the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. While this tragedy tore the hearts of people nationwide, it was profoundly personal to me.

    I was executive director of the Connecticut Association of Schools-Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference and, on that day, was attending a meeting with the Commissioner of Education and the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. The commissioner was interrupted to take a private call, left immediately, and shortly thereafter the news of a “school shooting” reached the nation.

    Suddenly, what previously was important became insignificant as we were all shocked at yet another senseless act of violence. As details of the shooting rampage were released, the incident became more and more horrific. The principal of Sandy Hook Elementary at the time, Dawn Hochsprung, was one of the six adults who perished that day. She was a personal friend of mine.

    So, like millions of Americans this past weekend, I was overcome with emotion when Newtown High School won the CIAC Class LL State Football Championship — seven years to the exact day of the Sandy Hook tragedy. Newtown won the state title on the last play of the game as Jack Street — a fourth grader at Sandy Hook in 2012 — threw a touchdown pass just as the fog lifted enough to be able to see downfield.

    Once again, high school sports and football in particular, was a unifying activity for a community. Amid the sorrow of the day, this incredible storybook finish by the Newtown High School football team gave everyone in the community — at least for a moment — the strength to continue the healing process.

    We have seen time after time when high school sports provided students, parents and those in our communities a means to come together, to band together and to rise above struggles arm in arm. This was but the latest example.
    The grieving process will continue for those people who lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook tragedy, but this amazing effort by these high school football players brought smiles and tears of joy to a community that has not had many of those emotions for the past seven years.

    Bobby Pattison, the Newtown High School football coach, had the following to say after the state title: “The great thing about football and sports in general, moments like this bring people together,” Pattison said.

    “These guys had an outstanding year. To win a state championship, to win on the last play, it’s been a tremendous accomplishment. And these boys deserve it. They’re a great bunch.”

    The value of high school football for communities across America? We would suggest what happened in Newtown, Connecticut, last month says it all.

  • 19 Karl MolnarKarl Molnar has seen the perspective of local high school basketball from the sides of a private school and public school coach, going back to his days at Fayetteville Academy and his current role as varsity boys coach at Terry Sanford.
    He’s keenly away there has been friction between the two groups in the past, but he also thinks  the coaches involved share a common bond that should help them pull together.

    “I hated there was distance between them,’’ Molnar said. “I like to think at the end of the day, your job as coach is to do the best you can.’’

    In an effort to bridge the gap and get everybody at the same table for a change, Molnar came up with the idea of the inaugural MLK Dream Jam, which will be held on this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 20, at the Terry Sanford gymnasium.

    The schedule will feature a mixture of Cumberland County Schools and local private schools playing head-to-head in both boys and girls basketball games, the action beginning at 11:30 a.m. and continuing through the final game of the day at 7 p.m. A total of six games are scheduled.

    Molnar said he tried to involve as many public schools as possible in the event.

    Some schools accepted quickly while some others weren’t able to commit to the tournament because they had prior obligations or their schedules for this season were already full.
    Molnar said a handful of coaches, who he didn’t identify, still didn’t want to take part in the event.

    In determining the matchups for the one-day event, Molnar said he tried to go by overall records and any head-to-head competition that had already taken place.
    He is hopeful that the level of talent in this inaugural competition will draw the interest of a number of college coaches.

    “We’ve heard from some coaches who are coming to see the talent in Fayetteville,’’ Molnar said. “The hope is as this event progresses over the years, we’ll have all the top public schools and all the top private schools playing in the same event.’’

    Admission to all games will be $10 Molnar said. Fans will be allowed to stay and watch as many games as they like on a single ticket.


    MLK Dream Jam schedule

    Here is the schedule for the inaugural MLK Dream Jam at Terry Sanford High School as of Tuesday, Jan. 7. The schedule is still subject to late changes:

    GIRLS
    11:30 a.m. -  Terry Sanford vs. Freedom Christian Academy
    1 p.m. - Richmond Senior vs. Village Christian Academy
    2:30 p.m. - Cape Fear vs. Trinity Christian School

    Pictured: Karl Molnar
  • 19 01 colin baumgartnerColin Baumgartner

    Jack Britt • Swimming/cross country/track• Junior

    Baumgartner has a weighted grade point average of 4.35. He is one of the captains of the swim team and is on the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Student Athletic Committee for Region IV. He ranks 19th in a class of 495 students.





    19 02 Anna MillerAnna Miller

    Jack Britt• Swimming• Senior

    Miller has a weighted grade point average of 4.34. She is a captain of the Jack Britt swim team and practices year round with the Fayetteville Aquatic Swim Team. She also coaches younger swimmers.

  • 18 01 Vernon Aldridge copyBeginning with the fall semester this year, incoming sixth graders and ninth graders in the Cumberland County Schools will get a clean slate when it comes to allowing them to participate in extracurricular activities at the school they’re attending.

    Cumberland County is one of a number of school systems around the state that holds students to a higher standard when it comes to allowing them to take part in things like athletics, band, chorus and school clubs.

    They must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better to be eligible for extracurricular activities.

    At a recent meeting of the Cumberland County Board of Education, board members voted to lower that requirement for incoming sixth graders and ninth graders, giving them a clean slate and allowing them to take part in all extracurricular events during their first semester at their new schools.

    Once the initial nine-week semester is over, if they haven’t managed to maintain a 2.0 average, the rule kicks in and they will be ineligible until their grades improve.

    Vernon Aldridge, student activities director for the county schools, along with board members Greg West and Susan Williams support the change as a way to help the incoming sixth and ninth graders deal with what is traditionally a difficult transition period by allowing them to become as fully involved in activities at their new school as possible.

    Aldridge said he meets with county high school football coaches every February, and they brought up the idea of allowing the sixth and ninth graders to be able to waive the 2.0 requirement.
    18 02 susan williams copy
    “They don’t lose a lot of athletes once they get them into the program and monitor their grades,’’ Aldridge said. “We know when kids belong to something, whether it’s athletics or arts, they do better in school.’’

    Williams, who taught choral music for 32 years, said there is research available that shows social and emotional outcomes of students improve when they are involved with the arts.

    “One of my biggest concerns is if they are not allowed to start those programs in the sixth and ninth grades, they may never get back there,’’ she said. “I’ve had students come back to me through the years and say, ‘Ms. Williams, if it hadn’t been for your class, I would have been struggling everywhere else.’ ’’

    She noted that ninth-grade band students get to spend a summer at camp with fellow band members and begin school in fall with as many as 100 or more new friends.

    “They have already been able to fit into the mold of that new school,’’ she said.

    West agreed with Williams that studies show the more engaged students are in all activities a school offers, the better they perform academically.

    “It’s extremely important to get plugged in when you’re at a new school for the first time,’’ he said. “If they don’t plug in early, they’re far less likely to plug in later.

    18 03 Greg West copy“The bottom line is they need more caring adults in their lives, not less.’’

    West said extracurricular activities give students more access to those kinds of adults. Giving them greater access to those activities is what needs to happen, he said, adding, “First semester sixth grade and first semester ninth grade are probably the two most critical thresholds for these kids to shape their middle and high school careers.’’

    Pictures from top to bottom: Vernon Aldridge, Susan Williams, Greg West

  • 17 01 Cumberland County had a good showing in the recently-completed Holiday Classic basketball tournament, with county schools taking championships in three of the four brackets.

    This was the second year of a major format change in the tournament that was instituted by Cumberland County Schools student activities director Vernon Aldridge.

    After years of the county schools facing each other as many as five times in one season, Aldridge instituted the change that divided the 10 county schools into four brackets and brought in outside schools to lower the chance county schools from the same conference would meet each other in the tournament.

    “We got a lot of compliments from the outside schools on how the tournament was run,’’ Aldridge said. One email from Eric Davis, coach at Wilmington Laney, called the tournament the best run event of its kind he had seen in his 19 years as a coach.

    Here’s a look at the three brackets of the tournament that were won by Cumberland County Schools.

    17 02 manasBoys
    Len Maness Bracket

    Westover’s boys downed Middle Creek, Laney and county rival Cape Fear en route to the championship.

    Wolverine head coach George Stackhouse felt his team’s depth allowed Westover to utilize different styles of play and maintain poise in a couple of games when they didn’t get off to a good start.
    Ma’Nas Drummond of Westover was named the Most Valuable Player of the Maness bracket, scoring 18 points in the title game to lead Westover to the win.

    “We felt confident he was going to be able to contribute a lot this year,’’ Stackhouse said of Drummond. “His teammates and everybody were very happy he was able to get MVP.’’

    Stackhouse said he feels his team is in a good place as it heads into conference play immediately after the holiday break. “We’ve still got a few things we need to work out,’’ he said. “I’d like halfcourt execution to be better.
    “We’ve got to get everyone playing up to their ability, playing together as a team, see if we can’t keep improving.’’

    Ike Walker Sr. Bracket

    Terry Sanford downed Corinth Holders, Pine Forest and Southern Lee en route to winning the Walker bracket. Coach Karl Molnar said he’s been impressed with his team’s ability to work hard and move the basketball all season, and that continued during the run through the tournament.

    17 03 David MolnarIf there was a shortcoming the team showed during the tournament, it was the inability to slow down individual opposing players who were on a shooting hot streak.

    “It’s hard to win much of anything without playing some good defense,’’ Molnar said. “We’ve not quite mastered how to shut down that one kid that gets going. But we’ve managed to keep our opponents quiet as a whole and put us in a position to move the ball around and be successful offensively.’’

    Molnar’s son, Davis, was chosen as the MVP of the Walker bracket, scoring 25 in the title game with Southern Lee.

    Molnar said he and his son have frequent basketball conversations on and off the court. “Davis knows as player-and-coach or father-and-son he can talk to me,’’ Molnar said. “He had a good run of three games, and they came at a good time.’’

    Molnar felt it was a good sign for county basketball that three of the four finalists in the boys’ brackets of the Holiday Classic were from Cumberland County.

    “It’s looking pretty strong for us,’’ he said of the county teams. T
    hings are looking good for the Bulldogs as well as they’ll enter into January’s conference schedule awaiting the return of football standout Ezemdi Udoh, who missed the Holiday Classic because of his participation in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.

    "
    We can’t wait until we get him on the same sheet of music,’’ Molnar said.


    Girls
    Gene Arrington bracket
    E.E. Smith’s girls served notice on the rest of the Patriot Athletic Conference that even though they are young, they’ve apparently recovered from the graduation losses suffered last season.

    Smith downed Corinth Holders, Westover and Wilmington Hoggard en route to the Arrington bracket championship.

    Ke’Onna Bryant won MVP honors for Smith, playing a critical defensive role for her team en route to the championship.

    Smith coach Dee Hardy praised Bryant for her aggressive play in the tournament and said she stepped up in key situations where Smith needed a steal or a rebound.

    In the 41-32 win over Hoggard in the tournament final, Hardy said she learned some things about her young team and its perseverance and ability to maintain focus.

    "We were able to get a lot of five-second counts and out-of-bounds plays,’’ Hardy said. “That was great to see.’’

    If there was one troubling result from the tournament it was the fact Smith was the only Cumberland County girls team to make the championship round.

    The next highest finishes from the county were third by Jack Britt in the Tom Jackson bracket and third by Westover in the Arrington bracket.

    Hardy said she hasn’t seen all the county teams yet so she really can’t say how strong the conference is. For now, she’s focusing on her team.

    “Our main focus will be trying to be disciplined and play self-motivated,’’ Hardy said. “We really need to fine tune some things and go back to some basics.’’

    Picture 1: Ke’Onna Bryant won MVP honors for Smith, playing a critical defensive role for her team en route to the championship.Photo Credit: Matt Plyler

    Picture 2: Ma’Nas Drummond of Westover was named the Most Valuable Player of the Maness bracket. Photo Credit: Matt Plyler

    Picture 3: Davis Molnar was chosen as the MVP of the Walker bracket, scoring 25 in the title game with Southern Lee. Photo Credit: Matt Plyler

     

     

     
  •     Change.
        As the Jan. 20 inauguration of this nation’s 44th president, Barack Obama, grows nearer and nearer, you can feel change in the air. It’s as present, as palpable, as that first cool September breeze cutting through the oppressive summer heat, signaling the start of another autumn.
        {mosimage}It’s a change that’s being felt across this nation and across Fayetteville, a shifting of history’s tectonic plates as the first African American readies himself for the Oval Office.
        It is a change that Helen Hooks Farrior, a former member of the Cumberland County School Board who will be traveling to Washington D.C. to see the inauguration firsthand, says has surely been a long, long time coming.
    “I feel disbelief that this has happened in my lifetime,” said Farrior. “I was born back when we didn’t have access to what we have now. There were so many doors that were closed to us … opportunities that were closed. I can remember the school bus passing me and we were walking. I can remember getting school books that were not new. I remember having to go to the outside of a restaurant and having sandwiches passed to you. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would have someone of African descent becoming president.”
        And the fact that the inauguration of a person of color is happening in conjunction with the celebrations of Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and legacy is not lost on Farrior. She sees the timing as something more than just coincidence … she sees it as something divinely ordained.
        “It’s sort of amazing that it would happen at this time,” said Farrior. “Someone said that it seems to have a religious aspect, not that religion is the cure all and the panacea for everything, but some are thinking that it’s an omen … something is most definitely happening.
        “I have a brother who says that God is in this thing,” said Farrior, “to which I have to say, ‘God is in everything.’”
        Just as Farrior thinks God is in everything, she — and many others at this crossroad in American history — believes that President-Elect Obama is walking in the footsteps of those who blazed the Civil Rights trail before him … a trail splattered with the blood, the sweat, the tears of those who believed that all men and women, indeed, are created equal.
        Another who believes Obama is following the path worn by Dr. King and Rosa Parks and Medgar Evans, is 77-year-old Illa Haire, who will be attending her first inauguration when Obama takes the oath.
        And like Farrior, she is also in a daze of disbelief at what has come to pass.
        And she too talks of the tide of “change.”
        “I never in my lifetime thought this would happen,” said Haire. “It didn’t look like it was ever going to happen. The country has come a long, long way. This is history right here. And all the things Dr. King and the rest went through … this makes it all so very worthwhile.”
        While Farrior and Haire share the historical perspective of this monumental change, having lived through the Civil Rights struggles, having seen the televised attacks by Bull Connor’s dogs and the loosening of  the fire hoses and heard the hateful vitriol of George Wallace, some see the change in a more immediate and contemporary way.
    Folks like Fayetteville City Councilmember Charles Evans, who has seen the change and the renewed belief in the political system Obama’s election has brought to a generation of young people. Evans will also be attending Obama’s inauguration.
        “Unlike Mrs. Farrior, I’m not amazed,” said Evans. “While I understand her amazement, I saw how energized the younger folks became over this man. So while I’m extremely excited, I’m not surprised.”
        {mosimage}“They (the young people) looked beyond the color,” said Evans. “They looked at the needs of the country. This man sang the praises of change, change, change and they embraced that. They’re seeing that they can make a very big difference on our future.”
        Someone else who sees and feels the change, the electricity of the moment sweeping across the country like a benevolent tidal wave, is Haire’s son, Fayetteville City Councilmember D.J. Hare, who will be alongside his mother for the inauguration.
        “I think it’s going to heal up a lot of wounds … not all of them,” said D.J. Haire. “We still have a long, long way to go and he’s got a lot on his shoulders. But I really think the country is pulling together.
        “This is an opportunity for black folks to stick their chests out … but now we need to go even further than that,’ said Haire. “ I tell people if their yard is not clean, clean up your yard; if you’ve got cars that aren’t running and broken down let’s fix them or take them to the junkyard. Those may sound like simple things but it’s sticking your chest out and having pride. I’m telling the young men ‘Pull your pants up. Take the earring out, do this, make this change in your life.’ Let’s make more of a significant change than just this. And I see it. I hear it in conversations. I think we’re going to see even more changes coming.”
        Even though Haire sees the inauguration as a chance for African Americans to stick out their chest, he says it’s also an opportunity for all people to feel pride and embrace change — after all, he points out, Obama is not only half black, but also half white.
        This sense of pride and excitement is most definitely shared by Haire’s fellow councilmember, Val Applewhite.
    Like all the others previously mentioned in this article, she is also attending her very first inauguration.
        “I am so excited,” said Applewhite. “It is very, very special. When he (Obama) came to Fayetteville to speak I looked around and there was such a mixture of people … a mixture that you don’t normally see in Fayetteville.
        “It’s all a reflection of Dr. King’s dream,” said Applewhite. “His dream that we could all come together … that we could change things for the better. I have no doubt that during the inauguration I will start crying … it’s just such an emotional thing.”
        When Applewhite cries they will be tears of joy that will undoubtedly mingle with the waterfall created by millions of like minded folks as they weep for what they see as a new age … an age of renewed equality … an age of change.

    Contact Tim Wilkins at tim@upandcomingweekly.com 

  • cover-01-15-14.gif Country music fans are in for a treat on Jan. 23 when Jason Aldean and guests Florida Georgia Line and Tyler Farr roll into the Crown for the Jason Aldean: 2014 Night Train Tour. The tour has rated 5-star reviews across the country and promises to be a night to remember.

    “We are more than excited to have both Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line coming to the complex,” said Jim Grafstrom, general manager of the Crown. “It is a show that essentially has two headliners. Both acts are highly acclaimed and are doing fantastic business. We are fortunate to have them on the same bill. It is going to be a great show.”

    A native of Macon, Ga., Aldean learned to play the guitar from his dad. He would visit his dad in the summertime and practiced all day while his father was at work. Inspired by George Strait, Hank William’s Jr. and Alabama, Aldean knew he wanted to be a performer when he was just 14 years old. After he graduated high school he continued to perform locally, and with bandmate Justin Weaver, began writing songs.

    When he was 21, Aldean moved to Nashville. In 2004 he signed with Broken Bow records and released the album Jason Aldean in 2005. “Hicktown,” “Why” and “Amarillo Sky” became big hits and in 2006, the Academy of Country Music Awards named him Top New Vocalist01_15_14-jasonaldean-2.gif of the Year. In 2007, he released his next album: Relentless, which raced to the top of the charts with “Laughed until We Cry” and “Johnny Cash.” The album Wide Open followed in 2009 and was also a chart topper with “She’s Country.” The singles “Big Green Tractor” and “The Truth” followed, netting Aldean three nominations at the CMT Music Awards that year. My Kinda Party was released and Aldean’s duet “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson went double platinum. The album also won him two CMA awards including the Album of the Year. His latest album, Night Train debuted at the top of the US Billboard 200 chart.

    Indeed, it has been a good year for the entertainer as the Night Train tour has sold out stadiums across the U.S., and fans have posted rave reviews about the high-energy shows.Florida Georgia Line, known for hits like “Cruise” and “Get Your Shine On,” bring additional star power to the show. Composed of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelly, Florida Georgia Line hit it big i01_15_14_jason-aldeano-3.gifn 2012 with “Cruise” and continue to pump out fan-friendly tracks.

    Hubbard and Kelly met at Belmont University in Nashville. The two attended the university and between classes they would write songs together. It wasn’t long before they were playing in local clubs and before they knew it, the duo signed on with Big Loud Mountain record label.

    Born and raised in Garden City, Mo., Tyler Farr is no stranger to the music stage. He’s a songwriter, authoring “Hey Ya’ll,” for Colt Ford. He’s been playing the guitar since he was 16 and is known for his hit single “Redneck Crazy.”

    The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are between $29.75 and $59.75 and are available at www.jasonaldean.com, www.ticketmaster.com or www.livenation.com.

    Photo top right: Jason Aldean, pictured above, is set to perform at the Crown on Jan. 23.  Photo bottom left: Florida Georgia Line, pictured above, is scheduled to perform with Jason Aldean as part of the Night Train Tour. 

  • uac012914001.gif There are just two shows left in this year’s Community Concerts season. If you missed Earth, Wind and Fire, Manneheim Steamroller and Honor Flight, there is still time to enjoy two outstanding shows. Kenny Loggins comes to the Crown Feb. 4 and Joan Rivers closes out the season on March 22

    .Community Concerts is in its 78th season. Each year the all-volunteer organization strives to bring “the finest in top-notch entertainment to Fayetteville, N.C., and the Fort Bragg/Cumberland County Community.” While the organization does just that each year, its reach goes far beyond the stage.

    Michael Fleishman, attractions director for the Community Concerts, is excited about this season. “It has been a fantastic season. Everyone has had a good time and we’ve had great audiences.”

    With Earth, Wind and Fire, Community Concerts hosted its biggest show on record. Honor Flight, while unconventional, was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event for many in the audience.

    Since 2004, Community Concerts has awarded scholarships to local high school graduates. Twenty-two scholarships have been awarded since the inception of this program.

    “We are most proud of Honor Flight,” said Fleishman. “We ended up having a lot of people come to this, and more importantly, a lot of World War II vets attended. The star of the show was the Honor Flight movie about what it means to be an American. It tells the stories of Worl War II vets.”

    This is significant because a lot of veterans are very reluctant to talk about their war-time experiences.

    “This captured it in a real way,” said Fleishman. “We had an a capella group and the all county band perform that night as well. This show fired on all cylinders. The stars were the vets that were able to attend. We just lost Dr. Ed Garber. I met him for the first time at the show, and that was probably one of the last things he did with his family.”

    In addition to some amazing World War II vets that attended, N.C. Governor Pat McCrory was there to present a $125,000 check to the Friends of the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery. This presentation was on behalf of the N.C. General Assembly, which pledged in July to match funds for the cemetery. Local business professionals, Ginny and Dean Russell, donated $125,000 to the cause as well.

    “It has been an unbelievable season so far. We have heard nothing but compliments on Honor Flight,” Fleishman said.01-29-14-kenny-loggins.gif

    Always looking for ways to promote the arts and connect local talent with opportunity, the organization showcases local artists as a way to involve the community in musical endeavors. During the 2012/2013 season, local music group Voices of the Heart opened for Gladys Knight, the Linda Kinlaw School of Dance performed with Martina McBride and Trae Edwards performed with country legend Ricky Skaggs.

    Fleishman is excited to have Kenny Loggins as a part of this season but this particular concert is special for another reason, too. There will be a new induction to the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame just before the concert kicks off. “This is a very different year — our Hall of Fame inductee is very special. It is our first group to be inducted. It is the 82nd Airborne Chorus,” said Fleishman. “It is kind of different, this year. We wanted to pay special tribute to them because they bring a lot to this community.”

    You may not consider yourself a fan of Kenny Loggins, but chances are that you are probably familiar with his work. For well over three decades, Loggins has entertained on a variety of levels. He has written songs, and performed them, too, and covered several genres along the way. In the early 1970s, Loggins was a guitarist for the Electric Prunes. He wrote songs for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, one of which was “House at Pooh Corner.”

    In 1972 he released Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina Sittin’ In. The album was a big hit and Loggins and Messina spent the next several years recording and touring together. The pair split in 1976, but Loggins set out on his own, recording the albums Celebrate Me Home, and Nightwatch featuring “Whenever I Call you Friend” with Stevie Nix, Keep the Fire, which included the hit “This Is It” and High Adventure.

    Blending jazz, rock and pop, Loggins made a name for himself in the industry winning Best Male Pop Vocal Grammy for “This Is It.” He continued to write songs as well and won the Song of the Year at the 1979 Grammys for co-writing “What a Fool Believes” with Michael McDonald, of the Doobie Brothers.

    Loggins really hit his stride in the 1980s writing movie theme songs including “I’m Alright” (from Caddyshack), “Footloose” (from Footloose), “Danger Zone” (from Top Gun), and “Nobody’s Fool” (from Caddyshack II). In the 1990s he released Leap of Faith, which included “Conviction of the Heart,” a song that Al Gore claimed as the “unofficial song of the environmental movement.”

    He released two children’s CDs in 1994, The Unimaginable Life in 1997, a Christmas album in 1998 and It’s About Time in 2003.

    “Kenny Loggins is a great entertainer and he always puts on a good show,” said Fleishman. “You are going to know every single song this guy sings. This is a favorite — he plays all his hits and is very engaging.”

    Find out more about Community Concerts and purchase tickets at www.community-concerts.com.

    Photo: Community Concerts brings musician Kenny Loggins to the Crown on Feb. 4, as the fourth production in a five-show season.

  • 2010 marks the beginning of a new decade that will be one of the most important periods of time since Fayetteville’s birth nearly 250 years ago. We have the opportunity to not only grow and prosper but to transform the culture and economy of our community and improve the lives of future generations.

    This is truly Fayetteville’s time. During this traditional time of making New Year’s resolutions let us resolve to enjoy these special times and to be thankful for the many blessings we have as well as ensuring we seize the opportunities in front of us.

    010610 cofay.jpgThe signs of positive change are clear and all around us. It only requires that we pay attention to the subtle but unmistakable signs of a community transforming itself into a culturally diverse and economically vibrant city that is poised to lead North Carolina.

    In the past several years, the growth in our local economy received national attention with Fayetteville now ranking 13th out of 366 urban areas in the entire country for growth. Our housing market led the entire nation and was even recognized in Parade magazine. Our school system had the highest percentage of schools meeting federal benchmarks among North Carolina’s largest school systems. Newsmax magazine ranked Fayetteville among the 25 cities in the country that best express American values. The number of passengers departing and arriving at our airport saw double-digit increases, in spite of a national business recession. A higher percentage of people had jobs in the greater Fayetteville area than most places in the entire state and nation.

    Local taxes and fees in Fayetteville ranked 27th among North Carolina’s largest cities according to state reports. We were ranked among the best mid-sized cities in which to locate a business. Fayetteville’s per-capita income grew by 7.7 percent, ranking us Number 1 in North Carolina and 12th in the entire United States. We’ve opened military contracting offices for new names like Boeing and Booze Allan Hamilton and grown our own with K3, RLM and the Logistics Company. Hundreds of our local citizens got involved in helping position this community for well-planned growth. We saw young professionals move here or return home in increasing numbers and begin to take their roles in leading us forward.

    And the new year looks just as exciting as we break ground on the $15 million North Carolina Veterans Park and the Hope VI project with its projected $113 million investment in our city. We will begin to see the arrival of the first wave of well-paying Department of Defense jobs with the relocation of the U.S. Army Forces Command and the U.S. Army Reserve Command. We will continue to address the visual blight and rebuild our city. And we will see our beloved military come home to their families and to the community watching over them.

    We, as a community, will have to find solutions to our challenges. We won’t have the funding in place to build all the schools and roads we need. Parking is a growing issue in our downtown. We still too often see the plight of poverty and the homeless. Crime continues to challenge even our best efforts. We still wrestle with the challenges of rapid growth and the impact of a tightening state budget. And there is never enough money to do all that needs to be done.

    But we have been so richly blessed, and we know the great things happening here are not happening in other cities around the country.

    Perhaps Fayetteville’s greatest blessing is that we have come to a true understanding of what we are and an even greater appreciation of what we can become.

    We are in the midst of a cultural and economic transformation unmatched in our proud history. It will require our best efforts, yours and mine, to make sure we take full advantage of the many opportunities coming our way. I encourage you to get involved in our journey to an even greater city. Volunteer for a board or commission, help a child, reach out to feed the homeless, thank a military family, tell friends about the great city we are becoming, and pray for God’s continued blessings on each of us.

    Ten years from now people won’t remember who the mayor or city council was, but they will know that this city changed and that those changes improved the quality of life for all of our citizens for generations to come.

    May God bless you during this New Year season and may God continue to bless our great city.

  • uac012710001.jpg A lot has changed since Dr. M. Elton Hendricks took the helm of
    Methodist College (now Methodist University) as its president in 1983.
    Enrollment has gone from 771 students to more than 2,000. They've
    grown from 110 employees to 545, the operating budget used to be just over $3
    million, now it is more that $48.5 million. There were 19 academic programs
    27 years ago compared with more than 70 majors and concentrations today.
    That is quite a difference from when Hendricks came on board.


    "A lot of wonderful things have happened over the years," Hendricks
    recalled. "When I fi rst came to Methodist people would ask me ‘Is the college
    going to make it?' No one has asked me that in 20 years. We've positioned
    ourselves well."


    As Hendricks prepares to leave campus this summer, his heart is with the
    school and its leadership as they continue to position Methodist University and
    its students for further success.


    "I hope the school will continue to grow
    fi nancially and in their service to the community,"
    said Hendicks. "Given the tradition out of which
    we've come, our intention is not just the training
    of the the mind. We are concerned with the kind
    of human beings that our students become... it's
    been a pleasure to be at Methodist and I've come
    to cherish the friendships of the university and
    personal friendships as well. Nothing has been
    more meaningful to me than to be able to help
    shape the minds of the future."


    It is just that philosophy that has led to many of
    the successes that the college has experienced lately.


    Every decade the institution goes through
    a two to three year accreditation process. The
    school is scrutinized at every level from its
    fi nances to its curriculum. There is the off-site
    committee looking through all of the paperwork,
    then the on-site committee reviews the off-site
    committee's fi ndings and comes to the campus
    and looks in every nook and cranny to make sure
    that things are running well. Both committees
    offer up suggsetions for improvement and, of
    course, if there are any serious issues those are
    dealt with, too. Methodist University recently
    fi nished up this process.


    After peeking into every corner, and
    inspecting the minutae of how the university is
    run, neither committee had any recommendations
    for Methodist University. While that is not
    unheard of, according to Director of University Relations Pam McEvoy, it is
    not all that common either.


    "No reccommendation; that meant we didn't have to fi x anything," said
    McEvoy. "That was big. I think that speaks to the quality of what we are doing."


    In addition to being inspected inside and out, the reaffi rmation also requires
    a plan of action for the future called a Quality Enhancement Program (QEP).

    "That is really hard," said McEvoy of the QEP. "You have to do it and test
    it through the next 10 years (where it will be examined in the next accreditation
    process). Our QEP is to develop a culture of reading on campus."

    Granted, with things like the Internet, ipods and all the other distractions
    - electronic and otherwise - there is a portion of the population that is not
    drawn to reading books the way that past generations have been. People like
    things that are fast and interactive.

    Methodist University is out to change that. Its QEP slogan is "Get between
    the covers: Develop a culture of reading." It is campus wide and faculty, staff and
    students are all invited to participate. Thousands of books have been donated and
    the administration has gone out of their way to make reading appealing.

    "There are around 2,000 books that you can just take and read," said
    McEvoy. "And we've developed nooks inside and outside on campus - places
    that are cool to read. In addition, this year we have put in reading circles."

    The reading circles are technically classes, but the students can pick their
    genre. They end up reading about fi ve books through the course and the group
    meets to have discussions.

    "The plan is that when you come in as a freshman you get this test and
    as a senior you get one and hopefully comprehension is better," said McEvoy.
    "So we send you out into the world as a better reader and you hopefully will be
    more profi cient at what you do."

    While the outreach programs that Methodist University sponsors range
    from their women's basketball team raising money to fi ght breast cancer,
    to partnering with the March of Dimes to hold a fundraiser on campus to
    the Social Welfare department adopting Pauline Jones Elementary School,
    which is one of the poorest in the community, to high quality concerts and
    performances, they haven't lost sight of academic commitment either.

    With some help from the government, Methodist University has the only
    disaster simulator in the nation. It is a virtual reality simulator where students
    can get training in different disaster scenarios.

    "One scenerio is that you are out in the country and there is a dairy farm
    and these cows start falling over, there is another one
    where there is a chemical spill and there is a hole in
    the ground and what is cool is that you have to deal
    with this disaster but you don't get hurt so you can do
    it over and over until you get it right. We have another
    grant coming up for methamphetamines - that is not
    just for educators but is for law enforcement as well,"
    said McEvoy.

    A school that is strong on science, students at the
    university are not only on the leading edge in higherlevel
    education, their foundations are strong.

    "Some of the degrees that we offer are very cutting
    edge. Probably something that people don't know is
    that our largest degree program is in biology," said
    McEvoy. "That is really good because it is science
    and that can lead to a lot of different job possibilites.
    We have such a sound science department - that
    is probably why we have the best PA (Physician's
    Assistant)program in the state. We just got certifi ed to
    expand that. We are going from 34 people that we can
    get in a group to 50 people."

    There are two new buildings going up on campus
    to support the quick growth, an anatomy lab and a
    teaching center. McEvoy credits a partnership with the
    Veteran's Administration Medical Center as the reason
    the students can get such outstanding experience and
    support in their clinicals, which in turn leads to more
    well rounded and better PAs at the end of the program.

    In the next year or so there are hopes of adding
    another medical program to the curriculum.

    "We've always had pre-dental and pre-med
    programs," McEvoy noted. "We are going to meet with the nursing board and
    they are going to decide if we can have a nursing program. We think we can
    do a good job because of our PA program which is basically science and they
    (nursing students) will be in a science environment."

    If all goes well, the program will start in August.

    The Professional Golf Management program at Methodist University is
    known nationwide. Not a surprise since it is the largest in the nation and is
    PGA endorsed. With two teaching labs, (golf courses) the program teaches
    every aspect of golf management from turf, to pro shop management and golf
    lessons. Students of this program are routinely placed in internships at courses
    like Pebble Beach and other top-of-the-line golf communities.

    McEvoy expects that the new art building, which will open in February,
    includes an art gallery, will be a boon for the community. It will support the
    graphic design degree that was started two or three years ago.

    A small school that offers lots of opportunity and a chance for success,
    there is growth and momentum in most every area of the campus according,
    to McEvoy. SAT scores of new freshmen are up and enrollment is up in every
    category. The leadership at Methodist University has created
    a world-class institution that is ready to send the next
    generation of leaders into the world not only educated, but
    also engaged, enriched and
    empowered.

  • On Jan. 11, the Friends of the Library will host their annual meeting in the Pate Room at the Headquarters Library in downtown Fayetteville. And while some business will be discussed, the highlight of the evening will be a reading and a discussion of her works by noted Southern author Sharyn McCrumb.

    McCrumb is an award-winning Southern writer, whose novel St. Dale, is the story of a group of ordinary people who go on a pilgrimage in honor of racing legend Dale Earnhardt, and fi nd a miracle. This Canterbury Tales in a NASCAR setting won a 2006 Library of Virginia Award as well as the AWA Book of the Year Award. Once Around the Track, again set in NASCAR, is a nominee for the 2007 Weatherford Award.

    McCrumb has been named a “Virginia Woman of History” for 2008, an annual designation honoring eight women — past and present — who have made important contributions to Virginia and to America in the arts, law, education, politics, etc.

    McCrumb is best known for her Appalachian “Ballad” novels, set in the North Carolina/Tennessee mountains. Her novels include New York Times Best Sellers She Walks These Hills and The Rosewood Casket, which deal with the issue of the vanishing wilderness, and The Ballad of Frankie Silver, the story of the fi rst woman hanged for murder in the state of North Carolina; The Songcatcher, a genealogy in music; and Ghost Riders, an account of the Civil War in the Appalachians. A fi lm of her novel The Rosewood Casket is currently in production, directed by British Academy Award nominee Roberto Schaefer.

    McCrumb’s honors include: the Wilma Dykeman Award for Literature given by the East Tennessee Historical Society; AWA Outstanding Contribution to Appalachian Literature Award; the Chaffi n Award for Achievement in Southern Literature; the Plattner Award for Short Story; and AWA’s Best Appalachian Novel. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and received her M.A. in English from Virginia Tech.

    McCrumb, whose books have been translated into more than 10 languages, was the first writer-in-residence at King College in Tennessee. In 2001 she served as fi ction writer-in-residence at the WICE Conference in Paris, and in 2005 she was honored as the writer of the year at the annual literary celebration at Emory and Henry College. McCrumb has lectured on her work at Oxford University, the Smithsonian Institution, the University of Bonn, Germany, and at universities and libraries throughout the country. 01-05-11-noted-author-speaks.gif

    McCrumb’s great-grandfathers were circuit preachers in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains a hundred years ago, riding horseback over the ridges to preach in a different community each week. It is from them, she says, that she gets her regard for books, her gift of storytelling and publicspeaking, and her love of the Appalachian Mountains.

    “My books are like Appalachian quilts,” says McCrumb. “I take brightly colored scraps of legends, ballads, fragments of rural life, and local tragedy, and I piece them together into a complex whole that tells not only a story, but also a deeper truth about the culture of the mountain South.”

    Her latest novel, Devil Amongst the Lawyers, is the story of a pretty young schoolteacher charged with murder in 1930s Appalachia. The national press uses it as an excuse to sell newspapers — and to demonize the region, raising issues that go far beyond the fate of one defendant.

    McCrumb’s lecture follows a short Friends of the Library business meeting where the results of the executive board elections will be announced. The event begins at 7 p.m., and is open to the public.

    Photo: Sharyn McCrumb

  • uac011211001.gif Martin Luther King Day was signed into law in 1983 by Ronald Reagan. It was first observed in 1986. Because some states resisted observing the holiday or combined it with other holidays it was not officially observed in all 50 states until 2000. Since then, it has become more and more a day about individuals giving back to their communities rather than just having a day off work, and according to Dr. Larry Wright Sr., president of the Fayetteville/ Cumberland County Ministerial Council (FCCMC) and senior pastor at Heal the Land Outreach Ministries that is just the way Dr. King would have preferred it.

    “When they awarded this holiday, Dr. King’s wife, Coretta Scott King, came out and made a statement that she would rather this be a day on than a day off (because of all the work that was put in and all the suffering and things they went through during the civil rights movement) instead of just going to the breakfast and eating and then going home and going to sleep,” said Wright. “I feel that would be an injustice to the legacy of such a great man who worked so hard for equality for all mankind.”

    That is just what the FCCMC has in mind this year. They’ve registered with the National MLK Day of Service, which will be held on Jan. 17, and they aim to reach out and touch the community in a variety of ways.

    One of the easiest ways to help it to bring nonperishable food items to the breakfast.

    “Second Harvest, will be there with containers and a truck to collect the donations and use them to restock,” said Wright. “We are also doing a community clean up on Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway. We are doing a blood drive, there will be a group visiting the veterans home and possibly some other homes where we can spend time with retirees. We’ve also got a letter writing campaign going where people will be writing letters of thanks and encouragement to deployed military members.”

    Vikki Andrews is the Cumberland County Day of Service chair/coordinator. Not only is she taking registration for volunteers for events that are already planned, she is also ready to add any groups or volunteer organizations to the Day of Service event.

    “If there are any groups out there that maybe were planning to volunteer or have an event on a different day but would be willing to change it to Jan. 17, they can email me and I’d be glad to register them with us in the National Day of Service Registry,” said Andrews. “Or if they want to plan something right now they can contact us and we’d love to have them join us.”

    Get involved at cumberlandcountydayofservice@gmail.com.

    While Martin Luther King Jr. is a great inspiration and volunteering a few hours of time in his honor is commendable, Wright and the FCCMC are aiming to keep the momentum going throughout the year.

    In fact, they are already working on the homeless problem in the area and are also reaching out to the local schools.

    “This year we did a thing called Hunger and Homeless Stand Down. We, and sever01-12-11-leadership-shake.gifal other organizations that we partner with, helped about 800 people in November — which is national homeless month — and we did a great event at the VFW on Ramsey Street,” said Wright. “We also hope to partner with the schools for churches to adopt schools to help in any way we can as far as mentoring and being there for support for children. We have a lot of kids in our schools who are homeless and don’t get the proper food and nourishment they need, you have kids with no father figure in their lives, no role models. We want to meet them at their point of stress or concern and help motivate them and see if we can do anything to get that child inspired to do better in school.”

    There are so many good causes, so many in need and so much work to be done that Wright is putting out a call to ourcommunity’s Christian churches to step up, pull together and overcome their differences in the interest of bettering this particular corner of the world.

    “It is time for us to get out of our comfort zones, to get up off our seats and to get out into our community. I believe that God is a God of action and I know he is a God of results and a God of passion,” said Wright. “I make an appeal to all of our community leaders, politicians, business people and clergy to begin to look to see what areas in our community that you can be involved in and have a positive impact in. Partner with them. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel and we don’t have to stop doing what we are doing but I think we can have a greater impact if we are doing it together. Let’s put aside our differences in our doctrinal beliefs and come together for the greater cause of humanity. Now is the time. Now is the season. If we don’t’ do it now, then when? If you don’t do it, who is going to do it?”

    The 18th Annual Prayer Breakfast in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is on Monday, Jan. 17 from 7:30 -10 a.m. at the Crown Expo Center and will be followed immediately by the National Day of Service activities. A $20 donation is requested at he door. Billy Taylor, executive manager of Goodyear Corporation, Fayetteville will be the keynote speaker. Visit www.ministriescouncil.net to find out more.

     Photo: People working together to better their community is what the National Day of Service is all
    about

  • Judas "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot" is a new take on an old story, according to Matt Gore, the director of the latest Gilbert Theater production.

    "'The Last Days of Judas Iscariot' is a reconfiguration of a lot of New Testament dogma in a way that is new and fresh," said Matt Gore, who also plays the character Satan in the play. "It is a reconsideration of the entire case of Judas Iscariot."

    Matt Gore added that Judas is in the lowest circle of hell, the ninth circle, and he has been there for a long time. In purgatory, they are retrying his soul to see if he deserves to stay there for eternity or if he deserves forgiveness.

    The author of "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot" is Pulitzer-prize-winning playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis.

    "It is basically a courtroom drama, but it deals with metaphysical religious questions of free will, forgiveness, culpability and are we responsible for our own actions," said Lawrence Carlisle, artistic director at the Gilbert Theater and he plays the characters Judge Littlefield and Caiaphas, the Elder in the production.

    "I found the play to be incredibly well written, and I thought it was an interesting way to do it as in a courtroom."

    He feels the play's content appeals to everyone, not just those who are religious.

    "I am not a particularly religious person, but I thought that a lot of the questions it asks and the ideas it puts forth are kind of universal," said Carlisle. "It does not matter what religion you are, and if you are no religion, these are all questions and things that concern the human experience."

    The play features several interesting and prominent characters.

    "I read the script a little over a year ago, and everybody wants to be Satan when they read the script, but I wanted to be Judas," said Justin Gore, who is the character Judas in the play.

    "I think Judas is one of the most interesting characters from a lot of different perspectives, but mostly Judas calls into question the entire premise of what God is capable of because if everything is pre-ordained, is Judas wrong for what he did or did he actually have free will and he deserves his punishment?"
    Justin Gore added, "I did not do that much preparation for the role besides watch a couple of different movies, read the script and talk to the director."

    "There are lawyers from hell trying this case, and the judge is from purgatory," said Carlisle. "We call witnesses that include Mother Theresa, Sigmund Freud and Satan himself."

    "This is a very interesting and challenging play to direct because it really requires you to think outside of the box, and it requires you to tackle various things that are not altogether easy to tackle," said Matt Gore.

    "From a religious standpoint, it does ask questions that are difficult, but at the same time, I think a lot of people who are religious and a lot of people that might not be anymore, still have those questions and this play asks them and those things are important to me."

    He added, "The message is don't be afraid to ask the hard questions and if you don't find an answer, keep searching until you do."

    Carlisle hopes that people will broaden their horizons and leave behind preconceptions.

    "I would love it if people would leave their emotions at the door and really just take the play for what it is," said Carlisle. "I want people to think because the main purpose of art is to make you think and feel something."

    The play will run from Jan. 28 to Feb. 13. and is rated R as it contains a fair amount of adult language and themes and is for audiences 18 years and older.

    Tickets cost $18, but there is a discount for students, the military and groups. Tickets can be purchased at www.gilberttheater.com. For more information, call 910- 678-7186.

  • Middleground The focus on the Black experience as a source of light and inspiration is fueling the 2022 Middleground Arts Series (MAS) festival.

    MAS launched in November 2020 to create new, electric experiences in the middle ground between divergent communities.

    MAS began in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic with collaborative festivals, including the communal painting of a large triptych led by Kellie Perkins in November 2020. Additional events followed that included a jazz concert by Skip Walker & Friends, classical duets such as Duo-Cellists Paul and Diana Kirkpatrick and Darrin Thiriot with Scott Marosek, Kirtan Bliss Band, meditation events, a speaking presentation from Buddhist speaker Heiwa No Bushi, collaborative writing workshops led by UNCP Professor Laura Hakala, an Americana blues concert with Aaron Alderman, a piano and electronic music concert with Yaroslav Borisov and more.

    MAS plans to focus on celebrating and space-making in the arts in 2022. They are working on "creating moments of integration, connection and community through the arts," according to their website. MAS describes themselves as being "located in a shared space -- the high ground of the Sandhills and Fayetteville's Historic Haymount district, the low country of Eastern North Carolina, the overlapping territories of the sacred, secular and natural worlds -- MAS sits at the intersection of diverse artistic forms, political ideologies and interests."

    On Jan. 27 to 28, MAS is holding their latest festival, "The Idea of Freedom (TIF)."

    "We try to hold a major event each fall or Spring and then smaller events throughout the year. This is scheduled to be our main event for 2022," Nan Cekuta, Rector of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, said.

    MAS is creating a new experience to bring artists together to express themselves. TIF is a mix of performance, audience interaction and experiential installation. What is fresh about this event is that artists will be paired up to create new art inspired by the artists and the attendees.

    There will be three groups of two artists coming together. During the two-day event, the groups will create two projects. At the end of the festival, the six works will be combined with an attendees' piece, so there will be seven artworks total.

    The plan is to experience a journey along with three different spaces. The artists and attendees will have truly up-close experiences with light, sound and most importantly, art.

    The event will occur at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 1601 Raeford Road. The event will also be streamable at www.holytrinityfay.org/middlegroundartsseries.

    Folks interested in attending can find the schedule for the festival on the Holy Trinity website. MAS will be held from Jan. 27 to 28, from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. each day. Registration for the events is available at holytrinityfay.org/middlegroundartsseries. Donations of $10 per person are recommended, and organizers ask larger groups contribute $3 per person.

  • Military Art Art is a celebration of life, intended by the artist to put the spectator in touch with the divine.
    – Joseph Plaskett, Canadian painter

    Have you ever wanted to create art to express yourself? Cape Fear Studios is offering the opportunity to do just that to military-affiliated members of the community. The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County has awarded funding to Cape Fear Studios to offer classes to military personnel, their spouses, and their children through Creative Arts and Military Outreach (CAMO).

    CAMO launched in 2018, employing a coordinator who works with military and military-adjacent organizations throughout Cumberland County. The initial phase of CAMO served as a needs assessment – reviewing arts, culture and history opportunities available specifically for members of the military and their families.

    Initially funded for the first two years through a Military and Healing Arts grant from N.C. Arts Council, CAMO also had private funding from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

    COVID-19 brought a realignment of funding priorities for N.C. Arts Council, which eliminated the Military and Health Arts grant program in 2020. For the past two years, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County has funded the initiative through internal fundraising efforts.

    Pre-COVID-19, CAMO enrollment benefited as many as 150 people per quarter. The visual arts and pottery classes taught now by local artists at Cape Fear Studios will support learning for around 70 individuals through May 2022.

    All military and military-affiliated individuals are welcome in CAMO classes regardless of their skill level.

    CAMO serves active-duty soldiers, veterans and family members looking for therapeutic and enjoyable ways to develop their artistic skills. And especially family members of deployed active-duty soldiers and veterans with past deployments.

    Cape Fear Studios provides a safe and accommodating space where military members and their families can commune and connect. The idea behind bringing the military community together in a creative space is to provide them with an outlet for quality time not directly related to their work or home lives. Cape Fear Studios will begin their CAMO partnership by offering a variety of classes, including drawing classes with Sara Jane Lee, painting classes with Angela Stout, and pottery lessons with Guy Jencks.

    Cumberland County has a lot to offer in terms of art, culture and history," said Kennon Jackson, Jr., Executive Vice President of the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Arts Council. "The Arts Council fully supports its military community."

    CAMO provides military members and their families a no-cost option to enjoy a creative outlet that otherwise may not be available to them. Through CAMO, the Arts Council also seeks to capitalize on the expertise and value in its partnerships with nonprofit arts organizations like Cape Fear Studios.

    The plan is to spread the word through Facebook, including Facebook groups for military wives and families, word of mouth, and the Cape Fear Studios Website. Classes offered as part of the CAMO program will be free. For additional information, visit www.capefearstudios.com or artgallery@capefearstudios.com.

  • All About That Brass The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra's unofficial home at St. John's Episcopal Church enhances the intimacy of performances. The upcoming performance, "Too Hot to Handel," will be performed in its intimate setting at St. John's.

    "We will be performing at St. John's on Jan. 21, [the performance is] entitled 'Too Hot to Handel' featuring music by the great English-German baroque composer, George Frideric Handel, the composer of the famed Hallelujah Chorus," said Stefan Sanders, Music Director at the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. Sanders is a graduate of the Julliard School, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Interlochen Arts Academy.
    Baroque Era music dates to approximately 1600 to 1750.

    Handel received his training in Halle and worked as a composer in Hamburg before settling in London in 1712. Handel's compositions include 42 operas, 25 oratorios, more than 120 cantatas, trios and duets, numerous arias, odes and serenatas, solo and trio sonatas, 18 concerti grossi and 12 organ concertos.

    The range of Handel's music inspired the upcoming "Too Hot to Handel" concert. While he wrote a lot of sacred music, as well as purely instrumental music, and operas the latter two will be the focus in this program.

    The highlight of the program is Handel's "Music for the Royal Fireworks."

    Bronwen Pence will perform as the soprano soloist for "Too Hot to Handel." Pence has a bachelor's degree in vocal performance specializing in opera from the University of Michigan. She has performed in numerous operas, operettas, musicals and choirs over the years. She currently is a member of Cumberland Choral Arts and a member of the Cross Creek Chorale.

    "I am looking forward to collaborating with such an expressive and talented conductor and ensemble to present the fullest expression of these songs," Pence explained. "I have performed Handel's work before but only with Piano accompaniment. It will be a joy to perform them with full orchestra."

    Pence explained that the music in this program is for everyone.

    "Live music from talented performers is an uplifting experience," said Pence. "You do not have to be an expert or a musician to enjoy the works."

    Sanders also touts the approachability of the program for all listeners and his favorite part of the program is the diversity in style and genres in which Handel wrote; the selections in the "Too Hot to Handel" program highlight this.

    "If someone has never been to see and hear the symphony, I encourage them to come with an open mind and an open heart," Sanders said. "Classical music is for everyone and does not require anything from the listener other than their attention. Anyone that enjoys live musical performances should attend this program."

    To purchase tickets, you may contact the symphony office at (910)433-4690 or you may purchase online through the website https://www.fayettevillesymphony.org/.

  • Faces of Homelessness How often do we encounter people impacted by homelessness? Do you know they are there? Or have you trained yourself not to look at them? You may remember, if you think on it, where someone homeless hangs out, panhandling day after day, maybe with a sign that reads “God Bless You.”

    The newest Arts Council of Fayetteville Cumberland County (ACFCC) exhibit, "I AM SOMEBODY ­– Faces of Homelessness Exhibition: Works by Dona Marlowe," is on display until Jan. 22. Individuals interested in seeing the show can do so at The Arts Center located at 301 Hay St. in historic downtown Fayetteville.

    “These images must be seen to be felt,” Marlowe explains. “Getting to know the people depicted in my photographs, I invited them to participate in my artistic representation of them — including a welcomed invitation to visit this exhibit.”

    The idea for the exhibit came to Marlowe when she realized that when she encountered the homeless, she always averted her eyes, pretending not to notice these individuals. She wondered what it must be like to be unseen.

    This realization caused Marlowe to think about how the unhoused community is around us but not acknowledged, and certainly not with us.

    “How must it feel to be excluded by most, if not all, of society,” Marlowe asked.

    She decided to create photographs and mixed media portraits, but she didn’t do it herself. She had help. Stacey Buckner, the owner of Off-Road Rescue, introduced Marlowe to the homeless community and another helper also helped find an additional two people to participate.

    Sam Robbins’ song, “Hard to Hate,” was adapted for the show to play during the exhibit.

    Fifty percent of the proceeds from all sales of the photographs will be donated to Off-Road Outreach.

    Marlowe’s portrait of an individual named William, featured in this exhibit, was selected for the 2021 Annual Juried Exhibition by the Artist Collective in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She sees “I AM SOMEBODY - Faces of Homelessness” as the first of many projects on her journey as a photo activist.

    She uses her art to fight for unseen, unheard, forgotten or powerless people.

    She hopes that the masses will open their eyes to those struggling and do what we can to help them.

    ACFCC, who are hosting the exhibit, are a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization based in Fayetteville. They support individual creativity, cultural preservation, economic development and lifelong learning through the arts.

    Founded in 1973, the ACFCC 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 stimulate economic growth, reinforce child education through the arts and enhance the cultural identity of the arts and entertainment district.

    This event is free and open to the public. For additional information visit, www.WeAreTheARTS.com/iamsomebody or call, 910-323-1776.

  • Most everyone knows who William Shakespeare is — not only because of his works, but also because he inspired so many other artists. The Sweet Tea Shakespeare organization is one such group of artists. The group makes live performances fun, inviting and educational to the community of Fayetteville. With help from Fayetteville State University and many other local organizations, Sweet Tea Shakespeare is able to host a diverse body of productions. 01-07-15-sweet-tea.gif

    The Winter’s Tale is a well-known story complete with romance and drama. It’s not surprising as Shakespeare is known for works that include a forbidden love that ends in the tragedy of heartbreak. This play was one of Shakespeare’s last works, published in 1611.

    The Winters Tale is Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s 10th main stage production. Its cast has a diverse group of actors. Jeremy Fiebig, the artistic director, said, “We started winter productions last year and had great success with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. We think The Winter’s Tale is a great fit, both for the time of year and as a great story after the rush of the holiday season.”

    Shakespeare’s writing, like all 16th century writing, is written in old English. The English language builds with time and learning his works can help youth learn to express themselves, not only though writing but also in speech.

    The three goals of Sweet Tea Shakespeare are:

    1. To vitalize the performance of Shakespeare and other dramas.

    2. To foster community and fellowship around the enterprise of theatre in outdoor and other beautiful spaces.

    3. To provide exceptional avenues for artists and audiences of all backgrounds.

    Sweet Tea Shakespeare encourages participation from all ages, recognizing that the involvement of children in theater is a great way to encourage creativity, while building the kind of confidence and self-esteem that come from being on stage.

    The majority of the performers are from Fayetteville, with many of the actors being students at FSU.

    “Last year’s winter show was one of our highest attended. We have a total of 11 showings over three weekends and look forward to a healthy crowd to join us at the Capitol Encore Academy building downtown,” said Fiebig.

    “We have a small budget that’s generated from ticket sales and the generosity of the Arts Council and other donors,” Fiebig explained. “We put together our productions with these resources and with help from FSU and other local arts groups, volunteers and friends.”

    Sweet Tea Shakespeare‘s house band, The Suspenders, will perform live music and refreshments will be served prior to the show’s beginning and during the brief intermission.

    Tickets are $12 for general admission. To purchase tickets in advance, visit http://sweetteashakespeare.com or call (910) 672-1724.

    Performances are Jan. 9-11, 16-18, 23-25 at 7 p.m. Matinees are on Jan. 17 and 25 at 2 p.m. All performances are at the Capitol Encore Academy, 126 Hay St.

  • wiz logo When Kiara Hines speaks of Dorothy Gale, she practically glows. She bounces in her seat, her hands elegantly floating about and collapsing to her chest as she talks almost reverently of the little girl from Kansas — the hero who defeated the Wicked Witch of the West, exposed the major corruption happening in the Emerald City and who so desperately wanted to return home. Hines's infectious energy is apparent even before she steps into her blue and white gingham dress and ruby red slippers. And for Hines, Dorothy has returned her home.

    Hines grew up in the area and now lives in New York City. But in one week, she will step onto the stage at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, as Dorothy, Toto in hand and alongside her three lovable companions — the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man — in search of home, truth and of course a heart, brains and courage. Hines's parents, who still live in the area, will be eagerly watching in the audience. For her, playing this iconic character from one of her favorite movies growing up is an honor. When she speaks of Dorothy, it's as if she is real.

    "Dorothy is someone who is not afraid to say what she wants, and she is not afraid to tell the adults that you need to love me better. She's not afraid to tell the people in her life you've got to do better 'cause I'm a kid here, and I'm going with what you are giving me. There is so much bravery and courage in that … to say what you feel. It means so much to me. I'm learning so much from Dorothy," she said.

    Hines auditioned for this same role many years ago, here, in Hope Mills as a teenager attending Jack Britt High School. Back then, things didn't go exactly according to plan.

    "I did not get Dorothy because I was a shy girl back then," Hines laughs.

    Her statement also sparks a laugh from her courage-seeking companion, Nick Pearson, who will play the Lion in this production. Pearson's personality is robust and seems to lack any timidness, a far cry from his character's humble beginnings. He sits confidently and dawns a hefty beard that Pearson says he has been growing since the summer when he heard he'd be playing the Lion. Pearson previously starred in a touring production of "The Wizard of Oz."

    "For the first year of the tour, I was a munchkin. I took over as the Lion during the second year of the tour," Pearson said.

    This time, Pearson read lines for the Tin Man, explaining the character has a clean slate and can evolve in many ways. But as luck would have it, he was given the role of the Lion.

    "The lion will always have my heart," he said.

    This "The Wizard of Oz" production was initially slated for the 2020-2021 CFRT season, just before COVID-19 shut the country down. For the administrative workers at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, this has been two years in the making.

    "We always knew we wanted to do it," said Ashley Owen, marketing director at CFRT. "It'll be our first main stage show since March of 2020. Really, it's our first big musical since 'Shrek.'"

    Hines, Pearson and their director Tiffany Green were all members of the "Shrek" production in January 2020. The three live in New York City and seem like the oldest of friends, a kinship that must have developed during that first production.

    The friendship, kindness and laughter shared between them are fitting for the story they are telling — that of Dorothy Gale and her journey with the oddest of characters who become the dearest of friends.

    "For us, this is like getting the gang back together in a way. These are incredible humans, incredible talents," said Green.

    Green knew the performers she needed once she was named director. She wanted to bring back Hines to play Dorothy.

    Hines played Gingy in "Shrek," and Green notes the "light and energy" she brings to a production. Playing the role was also a no-brainer for Hines, having auditioned for it during high school and Dorothy being a character she idolized.

    Hines grew up memorizing the lines to The Wizard of Oz.

    This time not only was she Dorothy, but she was Dorothy in a way she had never seen growing up.

    "I'm a Black girl and being able to play a character who is iconically white. It's a dream come true, and it's going to brighten the hearts of so many Brown and Black girls. I'm really excited to represent them," Hines said.

    The production will have 32 actors performing at each show, pyrotechnics, tons of technology and LED lighting systems and their very own Toto. Rolo, an energetic Morkie, will be playing the role of Toto. The "pint-sized" dog is full of personality. For the actors, this has brought a lot of joy, laughs and challenges, in the best way they say.

    Pearson laughs as he demonstrates and recounts his favorite portion of the play, where the Lion has to explain Scarecrow's plan to Toto. Pearson's thick beard protrudes from his profile as he pretends to hold up a dog to his face. He laughs again and then returns back to his seated position.

    "You just never know what a dog is going to do on stage. I cannot wait to get him in the scenes. It's going to be the cutest thing ever," he said.

    On the other hand, Hines says her favorite part of the production is one of the last lines of the play. She will be saying goodbye to all the friends she made along her journey, and then she comes to the Scarecrow.

    "I think I'll miss you most of all," Hines recites her line and then pulls her arms into her chest. "I know the final performance we'll all be boohoo-ing."

    This sentiment is the real heart of the show according to the actors. It is the story and the message that lies underneath it all.

    The lines that are "so beautifully written," as Hines recounts several times, — that people make a place a home.

    "That last line — there's no place like home. I think home is where you put your heart. Within this show, there is a lot of heart. I think having that message in a time like this is so pertinent and important. I couldn't be happier to be one little element of it all," Pearson said.

    When they interact, the performers also know that the real home is each other, and there's just no place quite like it.

  • 01-21-15-eargazm.gifThere’s nothing like music to warm the soul and set the mood for an evening of love and romance, which is why Headliners Live is taking Eargazm Volume 1, featuring Brian McKnight, Eric Benet and Tevin Campbell across the country.

    The concept of the tour is to provide pure unadulterated musical ecstasy from beginning to end. The tour is hosted by comedian Kevin Simpson who will keep the show moving and keep the audience in stitches with his shoot-from-the-hip style of humor.

    The entertainers will perform their greatest hits and other hits that inspired them to embark on their musical careers. The lineup includes solo as well as group performances and duets.

    Brian McKnight is an accomplished singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. He has had 16 Grammy nominations and sold 20 million albums worldwide. The Buffalo, N.Y., native grew up in a family where music came naturally and he had a gospel upbringing in the church. Over time, McKnight explored other genres of music and began writing and learned how to play several musical instruments.

    Eric Benet has released six studio albums and is known for his melodic love songs. Eric grew up in Milwaukee, Wis., and is the youngest of five musically talented siblings. Eric has also ventured into the role of actor and starred in his first lead role in the feature film Trinity Goodheart.

    Tevin Campbell was a popular teen singer in the ‘90s who had great hits on his platinum albums T.E.V.I.N and I’m Ready. The Texas native’s roots began in the church at a very early age. Throughout his career, he earned five Grammy nominations and sold an estimated 3 million albums worldwide. Campbell has experienced the world of acting as well performing in the Broadway musical Hairspray.

    Eargazm Vol. 1 was originally scheduled make a stop in Fayetteville on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 8:30 p.m. at the Crown Coliseum. The concert has been moved to Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 8:00 PM.

    Tickets for the January 31, 2015 Eargazm Tour Volume 1 Tour will be honored for the rescheduled date of March 14, 2015. Tickets are $55, $65, $75 and $80. Groups of ten or more can save $7. For more information, call 438-4123.

  • The gifts have been opened, the parties hosted and the New Year toasted. Now it’s time to take down the trees, pack up the decorations and get about the business of making 2013 a prosperous and happy year.

    Being a good steward of resources is not a bad way to start. It’s easy, practical and useful — and in these parts, it’s just as much a part of the holiday season as Christmas lights and eggnog. Every year the City of Fayetteville, PWC, Progress Energy and Cape Fear Botanical Garden partner in recycling live Christmas trees. It’s called the Grinding of the Greens, and this year it takes place on Jan. 12 at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. The best part is that you don’t have to be present to make this program a success or to participate — although volunteers are always welcome.

    Instead of sending trees to the landfill, donate them to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Each year, thousands of trees are ground into mulch and spread throughout the garden. It not only saves space in the landfi ll, it benefits the plants at CFBG and all the people who visit it each year. Trees are accepted at the garden up until the day of the event.01-02-13-pwc-grinding.gif

    Once the trees are ground up, the mulch is spread throughout the garden along the paths and in the flowerbeds. It takes dozens of volunteers to make the Grinding of the Greens happen, but thousands benefit all year long. For weeks afterwards, the grounds at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden smell of evergreens. It is a treat for employees, volunteers and garden visitors alike.

    Starting Monday Jan. 7, Fayetteville residents can put trees by the curb for collection. From Jan. 7-11, the City of Fayetteville will make special pick-ups to get the trees. These pick-ups are for trees only, not yard waste, trash or recycle items. Please make sure all decorations and lights have been removed. You don’t have to live within the city limits to make a difference. If you miss a pick-up or live outside the city limits, the garden accepts drop-offs — just make sure to get it there before Jan. 12. To drop-off trees, bring them to the garden entrance. The garden is accessible even though the Cape Fear River Bridge project is underway.

    Mayor Tony Chavonne will be on hand to start the event, which begins at 8:30 a.m. To volunteer at the Grinding of the Greens, call Cape Fear Botanical Garden at 486.0221.

    Photo: The grounds of the Cape Fear Botanical Garden get their lush look in part from the rejuvenation from the Grinding of the Greens.

  •     The guy I’ve been dating for three months has only had one relationship, lasting a year. On the continuum of Friends With Benefits and serious dating, I told him I was generally more toward the serious side, and he said he’s in the middle. He does sweet things for me and treats me really well, but he’s (SET ITAL) never (END ITAL) verbal about his feelings or where he sees things going. I complained, and he said I “deserve better,” but said he didn’t want to say anything right then because it would be forced. Still, nothing’s changed. His friends assure me he’s “head over heels,” but I’d like to hear it from him. He’s the most solid guy I’ve met in years, but I’m a 38-year-old woman who wants kids, and I don’t want to waste time in a dead-end situation.
    — Edgy


        There’s a reason they don’t put women in your position on interrogation duty at Guantanamo: “Why won’t you tell me your feelings? Where do you see us next year at this time? Don’t you love me? I’m 38, and I want a baby!” Sure, this is torture to a guy, but not the kind that’s gonna make him talk.
        {mosimage}I’m guessing your guy actually was “verbal” about how he’s feeling. When you asked -- and asked and asked -- he probably told you “I dunno.” And that’s probably the truth. You know how girl parts are kinda different from boy parts? Well, girl brains and boy brains and hormones aren’t exactly alike, either. Brain imaging studies show that men tend to have less brain matter for processing and verbalizing emotion, like a smaller orbital frontal area, says neuropsychologist Ruben C. Gur, “related to the ability to regulate and contextualize emotional experience.” Research by Gur suggests that men’s knee-jerk emotional response tends to be physical -- like socking somebody -- where women’s is likely to be verbal. All in all, as Gur said to tell you, “some of the blunting of emotional expression in (your) boyfriend is part of being a biological male.”
        By the way, what’s “the serious side of dating”? You sit around together in Amish shoes looking grim? A guy keeps seeing you because the fun outweighs the unfun. Any guy, even one who’s looking to get serious. Of course, you should mention early on how much you want kids -- winnowing out men who can’t picture themselves saying “Come to daddy” to anyone who isn’t wearing a sequined g-string.
        This guy has been telling you a lot, just not in girlspeak. He told you he’s had a single one-year relationship -- which suggests his determination to marry and make babies may pale in comparison to yours. Still, he shows you in lots of ways that he’s into you, he has some integrity, and he doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. If you’d like that to continue, work harder to figure out what he’s saying his way instead of stamping your feet and demanding he talk like a girl. Maybe consider vitrification, a new process for freezing your eggs, which might help you stop accessorizing for dates with a stopwatch. Dinner and a movie are more likely to lead to future dinners and movies (and then some) if you aren’t spending the entire time silently screaming at your date, “My eggs are aging by the minute! After this movie, they’ll be a whole 92 minutes older, and that’s not counting the previews!”


  • uac010814001.gif It was summer 1988. Nat Robertson was in Gainsville, Fla., on a visit. While on a blind date, he met the perfect girl. Unfortunately, she wasn’t his date.

    She was his best friend’s date. “At the end of the evening, he told his friend that if he didn’t marry me and take me back to North Carolina, he was a fool,” recalled Kim Robertson, during an interview in the Robertsons’ Haymount home.

    Fortunately for Robertson, his friend didn’t take him up on the suggestion, and, with his friend’s blessing, he began calling and later visiting Kim. Following a courtship that saw Robertson driving up and down I-95 every other weekend, the couple married and Kim made the move to Fayetteville.

    That was 25 years ago, and over the ensuing years, the couple has worked hard to fulfill their dreams and goals. For Robertson, that meant a partnership with his father in the family jewelry store and ownership of his own businesses, as well as a life of public service, which led him to run for Fayetteville’s top office — mayor.

    The campaign, which resulted in his election, was grueling. But it wasn’t anything new. The first year the couple was married, and while Kim was pursuing her teaching degree at Fayetteville State University, Robertson ran for, and was elected to, the Fayetteville City Council. At the age of 26, he was the youngest person ever elected to the council.

    “We’ve been on this journey for quite some time,” said Robertson. “I don’t know at the time that I had any goal to be mayor. I was just happy to be on the team.”

    For three terms, he served on the council under the leadership of J.L. Dawkins. Twice he was elected to the at-large seat, and served one term on the district seat now held by Bobby Hurst.

    “My interest has always been local,” he explained. “I want to make sure that my home folks are taken care of.”

    When he left the council in 2001, he remained active in the community serving on a number of boards and commissions. His most recent service prior to his election was on the Civic Center Commission, a post that he was appointed to by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. He said his time on the commission has been great, noting that the commission was not willing to accept the “same-old, same-old.”

    “There were a lot of fresh ideas, which can go a long way,” he noted.

    Those ideas led to the privatization of the Crown under the management of Global Spectrum last year, which over time, should result in significant cost savings for the county and allow monies used to fund the Crown through hospitality taxes to be moved to other areas.

    Having watched her husband serve over the years, Kim was not surprised by his desire to run for mayor.

    “When we began talking about it, I said, ‘Let’s go.’ Service to the community is in his heart and it always has been,” she said. “He has always supported my endeavors without hesitation — always. We make a good team and complement each other. We both see our roles as servant leaders.”

    Those who know Kim see that every day as she serves in the county school system. Her passion for the children of the community is evident in everything she does and says. It is a palpable thing. That being the case, her service as Fayetteville’s first lady may revolve around the city’s children.

    “I have a very good measure of what I can do,” she explained. “I am the principal of a very large elementary school with 720 students.”

    As the principal of Elizabeth Cashwell Elementary, Kim is confronted with many of the problems that Roberts will confront as mayor. About 70 percent of her students are on free or reduced lunch. Their families are impacted by the poor economy. Their community has a high crime rate. Finding ways of meeting the needs of her students is more than a full a time job, but it is one she relishes.

    “It is important that my students feel welcomed and that they are at a place where they are going to be taken care of. It’s important that we meet their needs so that they can be successful,” she explained. “These kids who don’t have a lot, have such hope. They are smart and as long as they know we have their best interests at heart, they will work hard and come to school with a positive attitude.”

    At the end of hectic days, Robertson has been a sounding board for Kim.

    “He is a listener. He doesn’t try to give me advice or fix the problems. He just listens. That, in and of itself, is extremely helpful,” she noted.

    She sees that skill serving him well in his role as mayor.

    “If folks are active and concerned with the city, then Nat is going to listen to them and their concerns,” she said. “He will truly hear them.”

    “That’s really my job,” said Robertson. “I need to understand where they are coming from, because their problems are very real. And if someone comes to the city engaged and looking to solve a problem, then we are going to work on it.”

    That being said, the new mayor is going into his new role with a few key things at the top of his list.

    “Do you want to hear my Top 10 priorities for this year?” he asked. “Here it is: Crime and Economic Development. Until we take care of those issues, everything else is going to have to wait. The 2014 and 2015 budget is going to revolve around those two issues. If we resolve some of the issues associated with those two priorities, we will solve other problems in the city.”

    In the area of economic development, he noted that the community has done a great job of sending business away.

    “We have done a real good job of running businesses to Hoke County or Spring Lake. Fayetteville has made it very hard for people to do business here, and that has to stop,” he said.

    During his campaign, he made making the city operate like a business with its citizens being its customers a priority.

    “When someone walks into city hall, they should know their issue is important. We have to empower our city employees to take ownership of citizen issues and walk them through the system,” he said. “No one should get lost in the process.”

    Once the city makes doing business easier, Robertson believes the community can go after and successfully get more business.

    “Traditionally we have gone after the low hanging fruit, which is commercial/shopping businesses,” he said. “Those businesses will come to the community whether we recruit them or not because of the disposable income available in the community, which can be seen by the number of great businesses that are already here, but we have to become more focused on industry and manufacturing. We have to bring jobs here.”

    Economic developers will quickly point out key things that industries look at before considering a community. One key factor is the availability of a trained work force. Robertson believes we have that with the number of soldiers who leave the Army each year, but choose to remain in the city. Industries also look at education facilities and the ability of the populace to access it. With a public education system that is improving exponentially, and the presence of higher education facilities like Fayetteville Technical Community College, Methodist and Fayetteville State University, the city should be regarded positively. Add in quality of life, which includes great parks and community organizations, and Fayetteville should be a shoe-in for business relocation.

    But a major detractor is the city’s crime rate, which is why Robertson has put it at the top of his list.

    To combat crime and to actively seek economic development, Robertson has already begun building consensus throughout the county.

    “There are a lot of walls in place that impede the community from working together,” he said. “I want to tear those walls down. I want to bring everyone to the table to tackle these important issues from the state to PWC to the schools to the county commissioners.”

    He explained that crime cannot be looked at in a vacuum. It must be addressed from every angle and by every agency/body that can help address it. To that end, he is working to put together a Crime Summit to tackle the issue. That will be followed in June by an Economic Summit.

    By opening lines of communication, he believes the community can begin to move in the same direction.

    “I am a communicator. I want to bring people in and let’s talk it out,” said Robertson. “Together, let’s come up with the best way forward. When people who have a heart for this community come together, then there is plenty that we can do to make the community better.”

    Photo: Fayetteville’s new mayor, Nat Robertson, and his wife Kim. Photo Credit: KCC Photography

  • The life insurance industry has the best IRS-approved retirement savings plan today — and most investors know nothing about it. This retirement savings vehicle is not a pre-tax qualified, 401(k)-type plan, a Roth IRA, an annuity or whole life insurance. It is the financial industry’s No. 1 secret — Indexed Universal Life (IUL). 01-28-15-cutting-out-tax-man.gif

    The ugly truth is that the 401(k) is a lousy idea, a financial flop, a rotten repository for our retirement reserves. The solution: a new type of insurance. Retirement savings, it turns out, are exactly the type of asset for which we need insurance. Insurance protects against risks that can’t be predicted, for instance, when the market collapses and investors can’t afford to recover from it on their own.

    People insure nearly every other aspect of their life: their health, their home, their vehicles. Why not protect a safe, comfortable retirement against the risks that can’t be predicted and that investors can’t afford to recover from on their own; and why not cut out the tax man in the process? These are all legal, and totally above board, established life insurance principles. It may sound too good to be true, but it’s just what life insurance is and does. Yet the general public — and even many financial advisors — have absolutely no idea that a tax-free, market-risk-free, gains-locked-in, congressionally-approved solution has been sitting right under their noses for 14 years. Let’s lay out the basic principles of Indexed Universal Life (IUL).

    Indexed Universal Life’s basic principles:

    1. The money grows tax deferred, access to it is tax free and it does not affect taxation of Social Security. This alone can save thousands of dollars in taxes.

    2. It is guaranteed by contract never to lose money due to a market loss. IULs are not tied to the market but are linked to the market by a selected index and all gains (subject to a cap) are locked in.

    3. Historical returns, based on actual illustrations from the top carriers going back to the late 1980s, are usually somewhere between 7-9 percent, mean actual interest rates of return.

    4. The death benefit is paid out to the beneficiary — tax-free.

    5. Many parents use the cash value in the IUL to fund college.

    There are many more benefits to the IUL than those listed above.

    It looks like odds are good that Indexed Universal Life may offer roughly two to three times the amount of benefits over conventional investments, depending on the actual index returns and the investor’s tax bracket. This is a result of protection of principal against market losses, the indexing and legally cutting out the tax man. This is what Einstein called one of the most powerful forces in the universe: compounding interest.

    Sources: Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/02/22/legally-cutting-out-tax-man-in-retirement/#ixzz2eOvEEssz Gandel, Stephen (2009, October 9). Why It’s Time to Retire the 401(k). TIME. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1929233,00.html.

    Photo: It can be challenging to find effective ways to save for retirement.

  • jeff5.jpg

    Fayetteville City Council members met for seven hours to tackle half a dozen agenda items during its monthly work session last week. No votes or decisions are made during the monthly work session. 

    The monthly planning meetings are usually attended by staff and council; however, this month the meeting was moved to the Council Chambers because more than 20 people attended the meeting because of the agenda items. Those in attendance were exposed to an exhibition rarely seen by the public. It was a night of frustration for council members who had to deal with issues ranging from policy matters to appointing citizens to advisory boards, all of which were hotly contested by the members of the council. 

    One of the hot button issues members dicussed was garbage collection in a far reaching area of West Fayetteville, an area served by Councilman Bill Crisp. Environmental Services Director Jerry Deitzen briefed the council on a pilot project in which a private contractor would be paid to pick up the trash to see if it could do a better job than Deitzen’s crew. Recent studies concluded the city performs at lower cost than private firms. 

    Councilmen Jim Arp and Chalmers McDougald joined with Crisp to deride the plan that was approved by Deitzen and City Manager Ted Voorhees. The City Council decided the experimental trash collection project should be limited to Crisp’s district. The confrontation came because the council’s original directions were vague, according to Voorhees. Deitzen faced heavy criticism from the member of the council, with some challenging the validity of his report. McDougald went so far as to suggest he be fired. Voorhees came to Deitzen’s defense, pushing back in what continued to be a testy exchange between elected officials and their top administrators. 

    Later came a clash among council members themselves over how best to appoint interested residents to the city’s numerous advisory boards and commissions. Bobby Hurst has chaired the committee with that responsibility for eight years. But some new members including Mayor Pro-Tem Mitch Colvin want to change the process. Under the current process, the city lists board openings on its website. City residents who wish to volunteer their time to serve on the board fill out an online application for the positions, some of which require licensure. The applications are then reviewed by the committee and recommendations for appointment are taken before the council for a vote. 

    Hurst felt Colvin was questioning his integrity. Colvin questioned the process used by the committee to nominate citizens to the boards. Hurst and appointments committee member Bill Crisp got so angry they resigned from the committee. 

    At 11 p.m., council closed their work session and went into special session to discuss the upcoming parks and recreation bond vote. Although Councilman Kirk deViere, a former Army officer, now downtown business owner, is the newest member of the board, he guided his colleagues through the process. This was his first work session having just been elected in November. Prior to his election, deViere attended council meetings regularly and took notes, which allowed him to hit the ground running. 

    He sketched out the projects that council had chosen in an October planning session and reviewed those favored by residents who had responded to a survey. He led council to its final decision, which eliminated a proposed $3.2 million aquarium from the projects list and put to an end any further discussion of a $28 million multipurpose aquatic and senior center in order to avoid public confusion.

    The marathon meeting ended at midnight.

  • 012016parks-and-rec-012016.jpg

    Progress, Prosperity, Places to Play! That’s the theme of the City of Fayetteville’s outreach effort to educate the public about the upcoming Parks and Recreation Bond Referendum. Voters are being asked to approve a $35 million package for several projects during the March 15 North Carolina Primary Election. 

    A post on the city’s website (www.FayettevilleNC.gov/ParksBond) about the referendum reads: “A citywide bond proposal would enable us to build outstanding new facilities to provide city residents throughout the area with affordable, close-to-home options for recreation, sports and entertainment.”

    The website provides an outline of the proposed projects as well as voter and ballot information. A page of frequently asked questions is included. Missing, however, is an explanation of financial details such as an amortization timeline, projected interest and total tax cost. The tax increase necessary to fund all the projects is $0.0135 per $100 of assessed property valuation. That translates to $16.98 a year for a home valued at $126,000, or as the city tells it, the cost of a two-liter soft drink bottle per month. At the request of Up & Coming Weekly, city officials said the bond debt would be retired over 20 years at an anticipated 5 percent interest rate. That is not included in the information online. 

    The Fayetteville City Council came up with the list of projects after several weeks of discussions and utilizing the findings of a citizen survey. The bond package includes two senior centers, a tennis center, sports field complex, two skateboard parks, a Cape Fear River Park, seven splash pads and improvements to seven existing parks. All facilities are within the city limits. Here’s is a detailed explanation of the projects:

    Senior Centers. Two full-service facilities, one of which tentatively would be built on Lamon Street downtown. The other is to be located along Raeford Road in West Fayetteville. The city says exact locations have not been identified. Key features would include libraries, video rooms, classrooms, art studios, dance studios, a fitness space and a meeting room. The combined costs are estimated as $10 million.

    Tennis Center. It would be built at Mazerick Park for players of all ages and ability levels. It would include four clay courts and 13 hard courts, plus a tournament championship court with seats for 1,000 spectators and a 10,000 sq. ft. pro shop. The estimated cost is $6 million.

    Sport Field Complex. A multi-purpose complex to be located on city-owned property on Fields Road off Cedar Creek Road that would include two lighted youth softball/baseball fields, two lighted youth softball/baseball fields with synthetic turf, two lighted adult softball/baseball fields, two lighted adult softball/baseball fields with synthetic turf, five soccer/football fields, two soccer/football fields with synthetic turf, three picnic shelters with BBQ grills, two children’s playgrounds and an 800-meter walking trail. Also included is a proposed 10,000 sq. ft. clubhouse. The cost: $9 million.

    Skateboard Parks. One large in-ground concrete facility to serve the entire Fayetteville-Cumberland County region, and two mini parks. The larger park would provide a challenge for more advanced skate boarders. The mini-locations would be designed for novice skaters. The larger facility would include two parks at Robeson and Commerce streets for novice and advanced skaters. A novice park would be built at Westover Recreation Center. The total estimated cost is $1 million.

    Cape Fear River Park.An urban riverfront park near downtown to provide passive river specific recreational activities. The exact location is to be determined. The city says it would be on the Cape Fear River bordered by Person, Broad and Grove streets. The park would include a boardwalk, access to the riverfront, boat docks, picnic shelters, trails and public open space with an estimated cost not to exceed $5.2 million.

    Splash Pads. Six of them would be located at existing recreation centers, including Cliffdale Recreation Center, E.E. Miller, Gilmore Therapeutic Center, Kiwanis, Massey Hill and Myers Park Recreation Centers plus an additional location to be determined. One possible site could be Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville. 

    Each location would include 2,000 sq. ft. zero depth splash pads and several water features which use recycled water. The total estimated cost for all seven locations would be $3 million.

    Existing Park Improvements. Seven parks would be upgraded to include the renovation of some existing buildings and various park grounds. Among the projects are improvements to J. Bayard Clark Park & Nature Center, the Dorothy Gilmore Therapeutic Park building, Brentwood School Park, Massey Hill Recreation Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Mazarick Park and Seabrook Park. The estimated total cost is $800,000.

    The referendum form will not allow voters to pick and choose selected projects. It’s a yes or no, all or nothing proposition. The city says some of the facilities included in the bond proposal would be able to operate with little or no additional operating funds. But, says the city, it’s important to note that membership costs and entrance fees may be required. Memberships would be offered at different levels (family, couple, senior, etc.),  and daily passes would be available for those who go less often or could not afford yearly memberships. In addition, officials believe the new facilities would be available for school athletic programs as well as recreation activities. Also, the facilities would have the added economic advantage of job creation, and would provide other opportunities for generating revenue through tournaments, swim and track meets, and other rentals for a wide range of public or private events. Attracting competitions and other events would lead to additional revenue through hotels stays, restaurants, retail locations and local attractions.

  • 012716-jeff-4.jpg

    Not many companies could stay in business long if they collected only 55 percent of their billings. That’s what American Traffic Solutions of Phoenix, Arizona, is taking in from Fayetteville violators who run video-monitored red lights. An updated report prepared for Up & Coming Weekly indicates that 7,657 citations were issued since the program began last summer. 

    City of Fayetteville Spokesman Kevin Arata says the new data is for the calendar year ending Dec. 31. A total of 4,257 citations of $100 each were paid for a gross total of $425,000. Sixty-five percent of the proceeds or $276,000 goes to Cumberland County Schools, as provided by law. American Traffic Solutions keeps the rest. 

    “There is no cost to the city,” says Traffic Engineer Lee Jernigan. Jernigan estimates the school system can likely depend on about $800,000 a year in red light citation revenue.

    What about the 3,400 violators who haven’t paid the fines? They “are assessed late fees of $100 if they aren’t paid within a 30-day timeframe,” according to Arata. After that, the company would have to take the violaters to small-claims court. Because the citations are civil violations, no records of them are shown on drivers’ licenses or insurance reports. 

    Records provided by the city indicate three of the intersections monitored by the cameras have accounted for nearly 50 percent of the tickets. They are Skibo at Morganton Road, Ramsey Street at Law Road and South Reilly at Kimridge Road. Jernigan says it will take several months to determine whether the red light cameras are having the desired effect of reducing auto accidents.


    Fundraiser Set for Homeless Shelter

    Fayetteville’s Operation Inasmuch plans to begin construction of its new shelter for homeless men this winter with occupancy in the fall. The agency is promoting what it calls a “Drive-thru Fundraiser” for the shelter at Hillsboro and Chance Streets across from its ministry center on Jan. 31. Executive Director Sue Byrd says $200,000 has already been raised or pledged; the estimated cost of the shelter is $500, 000.

    The facility will be built “in keeping with the construction and finishes of the seven Frink Street homes” owned by the charity says Byrd. The fenced-on, 6,500 sq. ft. single-story building will front Chance Street as a limited-access facility with the main entry enabled with a security buzzer and security glass. The police department will install a surveillance camera that can be monitored 24/7. The shelter will also nclude an office or the police department’s homeless project police officer. The shelter will be staffed day and night with paid staff or volunteers.

    Byrd says the building will have beds for 40 men, with standard rest room facilities including two handicapped accessible rest rooms. A day room will have TVs and will provide space for group meetings. A laundry will include three clothes washers and three dryers. On life threatening, cold ‘white flag’ nights, the facility will serve an additional 15 to 25 men. 

    Typically the shelter will open at 6 p.m. to receive men who were pre-registered earlier in the day at the Operation Inasmuch Ministry Center, according to Byrd. “There will be no long lines of people waiting to get in,” she said. The nextday, residents must be up and out by 7:15 a.m. They will be served breakfast at Inasmuch across the street.

    Scholarships for Children of Veterans

    College scholarships are available for eligible high school seniors who are the children of North Carolina veterans. The scholarships are provided by the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the North Carolina Association of Veterans Services Officers. 

    The Military and Veterans Affairs Department manages scholarships for children of certain categories of deceased, disabled, combat or POW/MIA vets. They provide four years of tuition and fees at approved North Carolina state universities. Students who choose to attend private schools are given vouchers of $4,500 a year for eight semesters over eight years. Qualifications and applications are available online at www.milvets.nc.gov. 

    The scholarships from the Association of Veterans Services Officers were established to honor members. They’re open to graduating seniors whose parents are honorably discharged state residents. The scholarships pay $1,000. Applications are available at the Cumberland County Veterans Services Office at 301 E. Russell St. 


    Voter ID Required This Year

    For the first time in more than 100 years, North Carolina voters are required to show photo ID at the polls. Five years ago, the Republican-controlled North Carolina General Assembly changed voting laws that had been in effect since 1896. The Cumberland County Board of Elections says acceptable photo IDs include North Carolina driver’s licenses or ID cards, passports, military ID cards, Veterans Administration cards and certain tribal ID cards. Options for citizens who don’t have or are not able to obtain ID cards can be found online at voterID.nc.gov.

    The Board of Elections’ early voting schedule was created after receiving input from the public. Early voting times and dates are: 

    Board of Elections Office (227 Fountainhead Lane)- March 3, 4, 7-11 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; March 5 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; March 12 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Cliffdale Recreation Center, East Regional Branch Library, Hope Mills Recreation Center and North Regional Branch Library- March 3, 4, 7-11 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; March 5 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; March 12 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.


    Health Dept. Receives Grant

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has awarded the Cumberland County Health Department a $300,000 grant for the Adolescent Parenting Program . This program serves pregnant teens and mothers who are 19 or younger at the time of enrollment. The APP is a teen pregnancy prevention program developed to help prevent second pregnancies. It’s administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health and the Family Planning and Reproductive Health Unit.

     The goals are to increase self-sufficiency, increase high school graduation rates or completion of GEDs and improve the welfare of children of teen parents. APP also hopes to increase incidence of positive parenting and increase children’s physical well-being by creating safe home environments. 

    The Health Department will receive $75,000 annually for four years beginning June 1, 2016. Pregnant teens must be enrolled at any stage of their pregnancy and may remain in the program until they graduate from high school or complete a GED. The program is coordinated by a full-time public health staff member with an average caseload of between 15 and 25 participants annually. It includes home visitation and peer group education sessions. 

    Cumberland County was targeted for funding based on its five-year average teen pregnancy rate of 63.6 percent from 2009-2013, which ranked 12th highest in the state.


  • 01-12-11-true-grit.gifTRUE GRIT (Rated PG-13)      Five Stars

    Interestingly, this might serve as the first Coen brothers’ movie that works as a straight piece (as opposed to an exploration of bizarre characters). So many of their other films seem to focus on the massive flaws of the leads that True Grit (110 minutes) stands out for a kinder, gentler depiction of the characters. 

    Unlike the original, which started much slower, the remake collapses the intro to a short voiceover by Mattie Ross (Elizabeth Marvel) recounting the story of how Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) killed her father. The voiceover switches to a younger Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld, much less irritating than the 1969 version), who arrives to collect her father’s body. She spends the night in the morgue, and then sets out the next day to assert her Protestant ethic all over everybody. In the midst of dealing with the loose ends left by the death of her father, Mattie inquires about U.S. Marshals. When she hears that Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) is the meanest, she attempts to hire him.

    Apparently, even in the old west it is considered rude to approach someone about a job when they are in the outhouse, and Rooster rebuffs her first attempt. Meanwhile, Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Matt Damon, also less irritating than the 1969 version) arrives looking for Chaney. He proposes that the three work together, since the Marshal knows the territory and he knows Chaney.

    Mattie, Rooster, and la Boeuf have a difference of opinion over how best to pursue Chaney, and they set off in two separate parties. Mattie and Rooster set out. They find a hanged man being pecked by crows and a man dressed as a bear. This is not a dream sequence, and therefore it is highly amusing. They get information that sends them after Lucky Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper … and I know that Robert Duvall is old, but I bet he could have done a better job reprising his 1969 role than Barry Pepper. Because I don’t like Berry Pepper.) and his gang. They find a dugout cabin and plan an ambush to scoop up the gang, but their plans go afoul.

    Now reunited with La Boeuf, the three ride on into the plains towards the mountains, and their best chance for catching Lucky Ned. Of course, it is past time to address the “Rooster drinks too much” subplot, and so the Marshal starts drinking heavily. After drinking heavily, he randomly fires his weapon at some corn biscuits, while a straight faced La Boeuf occasionally takes a shot himself at the corn biscuits in order to…? Well, I’m sure he was trying to make some kind of point.

    Rooster continues to drink long in to the night, and finally calls off the whole expedition. Naturally, Mattie finds what she seeks the very next morning, meeting Chaney when she goes to get morning water. Some nifty horse riding and gun fighting follow some great confrontation scenes. The finale differs slightly from the 1969 version, with a return to adult Mattie Ross considering the history she shared with Rooster.

    Hailee Steinfeld manages to capture the single-minded composure of Mattie Ross without alienating viewers by presenting herself as too precocious. Jeff Bridges does an acceptable job with his character arc, encapsulating the gruff peacemaker who manages to meet Mattie on her admittedly uncompromising terms perfectly.

    It is a strength of the film that the action moves quickly without sacrificing the sincerity of the character development. Overall an excellent western that is also family friendly, if you can get past the random amputations and constant shooting.

  • 06 3Cape Fear Regional Theatre began its studio classes Jan. 25 for children between the ages of 4 to 19.

    The theatre is currently offering classes lasting seven weeks in musical theatre, acting, mini studio meant for 4 through 6-year-olds, and two new additions being the musical theatre dance and improv classes, Marc de la Concha, director of education for CFRT, said.

    “The classes are half process based and half product based,” de la Concha said. “It’s not just getting together and rehearsing a couple of songs for the end show, we try to teach the kids a lot of skills for working in the theatre that will help them when they join us for a summer camp or when they audition for a show on a main stage.”

    We try to give kids those skills which I believe add into their everyday lives like speaking in front of people, working as a team, reading skills and such, it’s a skill building and some product-based stuff meaning singing and dancing so you can show what you learnt throughout the class, he said.

    The mini studios meant for younger kids focus on skills like standing in one place for more than a couple minutes, speak loud enough, be heard from the stage and are taught by me, Ashley Owen, marketing director and instructor for CFRT, said.

    “This semester I am using Dr. Seuss books to teach them those skills and prepping them to go on to higher level classes,” she said.

    During the spring break the kids will do their spring break bootcamp, where we will have them in small groups and do a version of the “Wizard of Oz,” it’s for the kids and won’t be open to the public, he said.

    Owens said classes are once a week for an hour and half and cost $150 with the exception of the mini studio classes which are an hour long and cost $100.

    The theatre offers military, sibling and multi-class discounts. Class size ranges from 10 to 15 kids in each class.

    The class sizes are pretty small, so the kids get one-on-one instruction, and we keep it safe during the pandemic, de la Concha said.

    “Lots of hand sanitizers and everyone’s got a mask on all the time,” Owen said.

    Owens said it's been a tough year but they are lucky to have had great leadership at the theatre who put in the time to figure out things so kids could attend the summer camp program and these classes.

    “Performing arts are important, you know, because we are learning in a different way than in school, learning empathy, learning about other people’s experiences, different cultures in a different way and I think it's important for kids to learn those skills,” de la Concha said. “And some learn these skills better this way than sitting in a school setting, it helps with team building and getting away from a screen and having actual interpersonal interactions.”

    It’s been such a saving grace for me personally, I love the kids, getting to work with them, Owens said.

    “It's just been so nice to see appreciate being together in a way that they or people didn't before the pandemic,” she said.

    We are very excited for this year and anxiously waiting to be fully back in the theatre for education and for our mainstage season as well and hopefully we will be at the other end of this very soon, de la Concha said.

    For more information on the classes and times, visit https://www.cfrt.org/education/#studio-classes

  • 01 01 Printed Woman 8The new exhibit at Gallery 208, “Monument to Strangers: Photographs of Johanna Warwick”, opens Feb. 2 5:30 p.m. Visitors to the exhibition will see a body of work by an artist who utilizes a minimalist approach to comment on cultural history and how obsolete processes can inform and continue to shape perceptions about Americana.

    British born but raised in Canada, Warwick works and lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “Monument to Strangers” is the result of Warwick researching and recontextualized daily printed newspapers photographs from the 1880s to the 1960s. Visitors to the gallery will see large scale portraits which have been “recontextualized” to reveal Warwick’s truth, “images affect our understanding of cultural history.”

    “Monuments to Strangers” also includes smaller works inspired by the process of image making during an early period in the history of commercial photography and printing. Warwick noted, “it was the first time in history, images of reality could be reproduced on presses reaching the public, rather than an image interpreted and altered by hand.”

    We are fortunate in the area to be able to see works by a contemporary photographer who does not live in our region and an artist whose approach is conceptual. As with many conceptual works of art, visitors do not need to know the artist’s intent, but knowing the intent most often enhances a different type of experience than not knowing the meaning or purpose of the work. (For that reason, Gallery 208 always posts artist’s statements throughout the exhibit.)

    A prelude to visiting the gallery is best said by Warwick: “In this work, I utilize news images and materially re-contextualize them to emphasize the limitations of photography as an emotionally and factually accurate record of the time. I combine analogue and digital processes to underscore the ways in which news photographs have been produced and how that production affects our understanding of cultural history. The photographs look at the selective representation of the individual within printed daily newspapers from the 1880s to the 1960s.”

    Seeing the overly large portraits, 24” x 36,” viewers should be aware Warwick has been inspired by anonymity and through this body of work wanted to “ highlight how women and minorities were vastly underrepresented.” In creating this body of work the artist is “re-presenting these images in hopes to reveal and question our flawed history. The figures in the blocks are unknown, but they were at one point important, or significant enough, to have their image produced in this way. The images reveal how versions of history were presented publicly… I don’t seek to make a document as they were used before, but to photograph them as visual monuments. During this period in history, Men are photographed abundantly; women are few and far between.”

    The exhibit also includes exquisite traditional still-lifes, created by using the outdated blocks of commercial printing as a subject. In these small works the artist is showing us an antiquated process while using new technology. Warwick noted:

    “I am photographing them to present this historic process and lost imagery in a new way, using the technologies that made them obsolete. In re-photographing these images, my photographs are several iterations of light sensitive materials being exposed: the original photograph, the rephotographed negative, the photomechanical produced block, and my exposure. Each image thus goes from a positive, to a negative, recorded once again as a negative, then inverted to a positive. It is in this long chain of events, which traverses over decades, that the glow of light and color occurs. Together I strive for the photographs to describe the history of representation in American daily newspapers, as well as the history of photography.”

    Warwick’s minimalist approach and the medium of photography itself often seems to lend itself to hurrying us hurries through an exhibit, we move too quickly, without contemplation. Due to the elusive nature of photography, the opposite needs to take place. The illusive nature of photography is combining the complexity of a contemporary art in the form of photography with its lingering history, everyone has a camera on their cell phone, and the ever-present hierarchical judgment of photography against other traditional disciplines.

    The unfounded hierarchy and the fact the everyone have a camera on their cell phone only strengthens my revered respect for artists, like Warwick, who create remarkable photographic images equal to works of carved marble. The argument against the hierarchy in the arts is based on two facts. The hierarchical position has been outdated for some and each discipline is innately different and brings a particular way of seeing, ideating, and set of skills.

    An earlier series by Warwick titled “Between the Ground & Sky” supports the above argument. In this body of Warwick wanted to capture the changing landscape of the Danby Marble Quarry in Dorset Mountain, Vermont. (The Danby Quarry, used since the 18th century, is the largest underground marble quarry in the world.)

    She began photographing the marble because she was “curious about its use but eventually became charmed by the physical history carved into the space.” She states: “The heavy unyielding material takes a geometric form inside a huge organic landscape. I am fascinated by the constant metamorphosis of the space . . . Each method of removal has left an indelible impression on the mountain by destroying its natural state and creating a geometric and ordered new landscape. These are the qualities that I find both interesting and intriguing. I am fascinated by its now formal beauty.”

    The conceptualization and dexterity by Warwick to create her photographs should not be compared to the idea and carving of figure in stone. Each medium brings is own innate qualities and challenges. If anything, the history of photography is far more interesting than representational figure carving that has been repeated and practiced in western art for centuries. Or, as John Berger, in “Ways of Seeing,” summarizes: “unlike any other visual image, a photograph is not a rendering, an imitation or an interpretation of its subject, but actually a trace of it. No painting or drawing, however naturalist, belongs to its subject in the way that a photograph does.”

    Johanna Warwick graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and Design with an MFA in Photography in 2010, and from Ryerson University with a BFA in Photography in 2006. She has been an Assistant Professor of Art & Photography at Louisiana State University since 2015 and exhibited in New York, Toronto and other major cities across North America. She was exhibited in Fresh at Klompching Gallery in Brooklyn, NY, and was a selected artist by Lesley A. Martin as part of her Guest Room curating for Der Greif magazine.

    In all types of disciplines art has the potential to bring a truth to the viewer and “Monument to Strangers: Photographs of Johanna Warwick,” meets this criterion. “Monuments to Strangers” opens Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. and will remain up until April. The gallery is located at 208 Rowan Street in Fayetteville and is open Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For information call 910-484-6200.

  • Among the many good things in our community, Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation can be counted on to deliver fun, interesting and educational opportunities on a regular basis. Aside from the sports programs (and there are many), there are also boating trips, educational hikes and classes for things like canoeing, fishing, cooking and archery.

    On Jan. 7, Lake Rim Park is offering Stars and Constellations— a class on just that — the beauty and mysteries of the nighttime winter sky.

    It’s the perfect opportunity for star gazers of all stripes and colors from novices to hobbyists to professionals to come out and view the night sky, explore its wonders and learn about constellations and other celestial objects and the folklore behind them.

    Mike Morales is a park ranger at Lake Rim and helps out with this class on a regular basis. He noted that even though it is pretty chilly out there on winter evenings, the experience is absolutely worth braving the winter weather.

    “We do these classes mainly in the winter because that is when the sky is clearer,” said Morales. “So even though it01-05-11-stars-and-constellations.gif is really cold, this is the best season of the year to do astronomy. There is not as much pollution and ozone and smog clouding up your view either.”

    While attendees are invited to bring their own telescopes and binoculars, quite often members of the Fayetteville Astronomy Club come out and bring their high powered telescopes, and are kind enough to share their view (and equipment) for the benefi t of the group.

    “The astronomers have telescopes that you can punch in the coordinates and it will show you what you are looking for,” said Morales.

    And what exactly will they be looking for?

    “The constellations shift throughout the year,” Morales explained. “This time of year Orion, the Hunter, is pretty prominent. You can still see the Big Dipper, too. Of course, you can see the Little Dipper all year round, that is the constellation with the North Star in it. We’ve got Cassiopeia the Queen in the sky this time of year, too.”

    If the conditions are right, plan to see more than just the constellations. Morales said that other space entities are often visible as well, things like nebula, the Andromeda and the Milky Way as well as other galaxies.

    In the past they’ve seen not just Saturn, but the rings of Saturn, Jupiter, as well as three of its four big moons and the bands of Jupiter, too.

    Between the park ranger on duty that night and the local astronomy club, no one is left out in the cold, trying to fi gure what they are seeing or where to point their telescope to fi nd the secrets hidden in the night sky.

    “This class is just to get people interested in astronomy and get them looking up and maybe to teach them the basic stars and planets that you can see,” said Morales. “It isn’t just for astronomy buffs — although it is really nice to have the astronomy club out here because they have the technical know how to use their telescopes can show beginners who bring their own equipment how to properly use it, and they are always very nice and give people an opportunity to see things that they might not get to see otherwise. We also have some basic telescopes that we set up and let people use as well.”

    The class is free and runs from 6-8 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the park at 424-6134. It is an outside event so remember to bundle up.

    Photo: The winter sky offers a variety of constellations. Check out the Stars and Constellations class at Lake Rim Park.

  • 01-26-11-dr.-hancock-with-king-and-cheerleaders.gifDr. Ben Hancock, the new president of Methodist University, took some time recently to talk with Up & Coming Weekly about his new role and his vision for the university.

    UCW: Tell us a little bit about yourself, where are you coming from and why you consider Methodist University a good fit for you?

    Hancock: In terms of my personal background, I consider myself a dedicated husband and father, and I have been blessed with a wonderful family. We are very close and do many things together, even though our children are all adults and live in five different states. We have had some wonderful experiences that make for great stories around the dinner table during our many family gatherings. I am also a first generation college student, so I can identify with students and families who are also entering the higher education community for the first time. Methodist has a great opportunity to deliver on an educational promise to these individuals and help them realize their personal and professional goals. There are several primary reasons for my excitement about joining Methodist University and the Fayetteville community. First and foremost, since my very first visit this past fall, I have been overwhelmed by the people — both on campus and in the community. There is not only a tremendous sense of pride in what has been accomplished and the many assets available, but also a drive to continue to improve and provide the very best education possible to students within a caring environment. Our university theme of “Engage, Enrich and Empower” says it best. Finally, I firmly believe in Methodist’s mission and believe this is an exceptional time in the university’s history to join the community and move Methodist forward. There has been a successful track record in recent years, including a record enrollment this past fall, but everyone believes there is so much more we can do for current and future students to help them shape lives of meaning and purpose.

    UCW: What are your goals for the university?

    Hancock: My short-terms goals are to learn as much about the university and greater Fayetteville community as I can, and the best way to do that is to meet people and engage them in the life of Methodist University. I look forward to visiting with alumni, volunteers and community leaders to secure their input as we plan for the future of the university. We have recently approved a five-year strategic plan, so my other immediate goal will be to make sure that we are on track with reaching the annual targets that were set forth in that plan by the university leadership and approved by the trustees. In the long-term, we need to make sure we are continuing to meet the needs of our current and future students, and that can only be done by looking at additional initiatives in partnership with our on-campus community as well as the external community. “Collaboration, imagination, innovation and operation” will be the four keys to our success in these endeavors.

    UCW: What do you see as your biggest challenges at Methodist?

    Hancock: The greatest opportunity is to do a better job of telling Methodist’s story. We have so many positive things to share about our growth in facilities, programs and enrollment. There is a commitment to excellence at the university that is a part of everything we do, and we have such quality people from the exceptional board of trustees and other volunteer leaders to every faculty and staff member on the campus. All of this sets the stage at Methodist for us to believe enthusiastically that “the best is yet to be.” As we tell the Methodist story and as we develop more partners in the community, we will set a course to enlarge the University’s footprint and imprint. We need to serve a wider geographic area as well as develop innovative programs to meet the needs here in Cumberland County, whether they be first generation students, adult students or members of the military community and their families who would benefit immensely by making Methodist their university home. In terms of impact, we have the nationally recognized programs and faculty to enable these individuals to meet their educational goals and achieve success in employment and graduate and professional school.

    UCW: What do you want Fayetteville to know about you/your plans while you are here?

    Hancock: My plans for Methodist will grow out of a collaborative process with the internal and external community. There has never been a great university without a great community, and I also believe that the greatest communities have exceptional universities. National surveys ranking the “best places to live” consistently place university communities at the top of the list, and this is not by accident. It is based on the collective assets that both parties provide to enhance the quality of life for all members of the community. I also want Fayetteville to know that Methodist extends an invitation to visit our campus. If you have not visited us lately, you are in for a treat. In just the last few years there has been the addition of a new visual arts building, two new buildings for the P.A. program, and a new residence hall along with other improvements. And plans call for a new building for the nursing program and four new residence halls that will open this coming fall. But what you will most notice during your visit is not the facilities, but the warm hospitality each visitor receives. Methodist is a community resource and we will provide many more opportunities for community members to visit the campus and become engaged in the life of the University.

  • uac010913001.gif Now in it’s 10th year, the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh’s Chocolate Affairis truly an affair to remember. A buffet of decadent deliciousness, the event is scheduled for Jan. 26 in the Expo Room at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux.

    “This event has come a long way,” said Lisa Perkins, regional director of Catholic Charities. “For years this event was held in different social halls in local churches. It has grown both in size and participation.”

    The event includes both live and silent auctions as well as entertainment and, of course, scrumptious food and beverages. Wendy Riddle returns as the emcee and Ben Ammons is the auctioneer.

    While there is still time to donate to the auctions and to sponsor the event, there are already some fun items lined up.

    “For the silent-auction products we try to feature local businesses. There could be anything from art to pottery to a spa package,” said Perkins. “The silent auction usually has more things like a weekend at a beach condo. We always try to do some kind of a thrill package, too, — like a zip-line excursion or something of that nature. We also have locally made furniture this year.”

    The luscious desserts are provided by long-time favorites B&B Catering and The Chocolate Lady. New Deli is joining the cause as well this year. Not only will there be a buffet of chocolate goodness, there will also be feature tables where businesses can set up and showcase their best desserts.

    Adding ambience to the evening is local musician Reggie Codrington. Codrington has a long history in Fayetteville and has played at high-end venues including The Hilltop House and Highland Country Club. With several CDs on the market and a history of entertaining locals, Codrington’s smooth jazz will add just the right touch of sophistication to the event, according to Perkins.

    Perkins has been attending the Chocolate Affair for several years and looks forward to indulging, if only a little.

    “I love the chocolate. I have learned to pace myself over the years,” she said. “A great way to enjoy this event is to go out with friends or a significant other and have dinner and then come to us for01-09-13-chocolate.gif dessert and a good time,” she said. “With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it is a great opportunity to fi nd that special gift for your sweetheart. We auction off things like bouquets of roses that make great Valentine’s Day gifts. It’s an opportunity to get out and have a good evening with people you care about.

    ”While the evening is definitely intended to be fun, Perkins noted that it is a party with a purpose. All proceeds benefit the Catholic Charities. Specifically, the funds earned will support the local family-support program. This is a goal-oriented, case-management program that helps families to become self-suffi cient.

    The program offers assistance by:

    • Listening to families

    • Providing information and referrals for a variety of needs

    • Giving family assessments, with awareness of:

        o Family safety and health, including access to healthcare

        o Risks of family/domestic violence

    • Providing family casework/case management

    • Programs focused on enhancing economic stability:

        o Employment assistance o Budget counseling

        o Financial literacy• Educational programming

    • Pregnancy Services

    “We do anything from helping families and children cope with bullying to domestic violence. Our programs are offered bilingually, too,” said Perkins. “We do a lot of things like helping families who wouldn’t be served at other places. We have a tax program where volunteers are trained to do taxes and we do them for free in our community. We also have a food pantry and a clothing closet as well as counseling services.”

    The best part is that all the money stays in the local community. “All proceeds stay with the Fayetteville Catholic Charities,” said Perkins. “This is our only fundraiser, which makes it very important to us.”

    Last year the event raised more than $20,000. Perkins hopes this year’s event will meet that number.

    “We are a charity like any other. We do a lot to support ourselves,” said Perkins. “It is for a good cause and the money really does go right back into the community to help the poor and working poor among us. At the end of the day it is what is needed to have these services available. We never want to be in a position where we have to tell people no.”

    Tickets are on sale for $35 in advance and $40 at the door. They can be purchased through the Catholic Charities office, at and at the Poet Selection in Westwood Shopping Center and at the Chocolate Lady in downtown Fayetteville. The event runs from 7-10 p.m. For more information or to sponsor the event or make a donation, call (910) 424-2020 x 22.

    Photo: Chocolate Affair... to Remember is a fun way to raise funds to help local families in need.

  • A big event makes its return to the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville on, Thursday, Feb. 7. For those who01-23-13winter-jam.gifdon’t know or haven’t been to one, this year’s Winter Jam is not one to miss.

    According to Turning Point Newstoday, this is regarded as the top contemporary Christian tour and visits 44 cities along the way. There are a number of well-known bands on this bill. Nick Hall is the inspirational speaker for this major show.

    According to Marshall Perry, director of marketing and sales at the Crown, even though the show begins at 7 p.m., the pre-Jam party begins at 6 p.m. and that is also when the doors open. Expect to see Jason Castro, OBB and Capital Kings as part of the preshow. Marshall recommended “… you get in line early, because there is going to be a packed house. Also, there will be music playing from the start.”

    Audiences can look forward to amazing performances by Royal Tailor, Sidewalk Prophets, Newsong, Jamie Grace, Matthew West, Red and this year’s headliner Toby Mac. Mac is a Grammy winning multi-platinum recording artist who includes well-known hits as part of his set. A popular Christian music performer, Mac was part of DC Talk, which performed as a three-man group in the 1980s and 1990s. Newsong is the host & anchor band, which means they “welcome the groups,” according to Perry.

    Newsong is a founding member of the Winter Jam concerts. In fact, the group premiered the first Winter Jam Tour Spectacular in 1995. Last year, the concert tour “outpaced attendance for all other tours in the first quarter, including Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: The Immortal, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, The Black Keys, Jason Aldean and Brad Paisley, according to Pollstar’s 2012 Worldwide First Quarter Ticket Sales “Top 100 Tours” chart,” claims the event website.

    If you want to get a sneak peak of the show, and get a taste of what the performance will be like, Perry explained that additional background information is provided on the official YouTube channel of Winter Jam. Fans can also visit JamTour.com as well, for more information about this event.

    Although it costs $10 to attend, special privileges are given to people who become a member of Jam Nation. There are three different levels of Jam Nation membership: Individual Platinum, Group Premium and Group Basic. These group packages are available to groups of 10 or more people. Benefits of these VIP passes/platinum editions include early entry into the venue with an access pass and lanyard, select seating, early-bird onsite merchandise shopping, an official limited edition t-shirt from this event and an exclusive question and answer session with an artist. Jam Nation door time is 4:30 p.m.

    Visit www.jamtour.com or www.atthecrown.com for more information.

    Photo: Toby Mac headlines this year’s Winter Jam.

  • 01-11-12-king.jpgMartin Luther King Day is more than an opportunity to honor a great man. It is a chance to give back to the community and to build on the aspirations of Dr. King. It’s a chance to consider where the world and community are headed and move to influence the future.

    This year, there are several celebrations around Fayetteville that educate, motivate and celebrate in the name of Martin Luther King Jr.

    On Thursday, Jan. 12, at Bronco Square at Fayetteville State University, the Martin Luther King Jr. March and Vigil begins at 5:30 p.m. The march proceeds to MLK Park where a vigil is scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m.

    Hope Mills Branch Library celebrates with “I Have a Dream: Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” at the Hope Mills Meeting Room at the Hope Mills Branch Library on Friday, Jan. 13. The celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. and includes stories and crafts for children ages 3-5. Groups of 7 or more are encouraged to register by calling 425-8455.

    On Saturday, Jan. 14, head downtown and enjoy the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade. It starts at the courthouse and goes to the train station. While you are downtown, take a few moments to check out the galleries, shops and restaurants. The parade starts at 11:30 a.m.

    The Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast and Day of Service kicks off at 7 a.m. at the Crown Exposition Center. Now in its 19th year, the prayer breakfast welcomes keynote speaker Bobby Henry, Sr., Publisher and CEO of Westside Gazette Newspaper. After the breakfast, participants are invited to A Day of Service. Churches, organizations, agencies and individuals commit to four hours of community service. For more information, contact Bishop Larry O. Wright, FCCMC President at 494-8274. Find out more about the Ministers Council and purchase tickets to the prayer breakfast at http://ministerscouncil.net.

    If breakfast is out of the question, join the Fayetteville Martin Luther King Jr. Challenge Day of Service. Meet at 8:20 a.m. at the Center for Community Justice and Service Learning at 1047 Murchison Rd. and pitch in to make a difference. The event is free. Find out more by calling 672-2460.

    At 7 p.m. at Seabrook Auditorium on the Fayetteville State University Campus, the FSU Concert Choir and community ensembles perform at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16.

    This weekend is the perfect time to refl ect a little and learn a few things about local African American Heritage. The African American Heritage Trail chronicles the history, lives and experiences of African Americans who lived in the region. The Fayetteville CVB website www.visitfayettevillenc.com/culturalheritagetrails offers many several historical trails for visitors who would like to explore a little deeper into Fayetteville’s history.

  • uac020112001.jpgKatie Crenshaw and Aurora Alexander are passionate about ducks, — rubber ducks — not because they are cute and yellow and they bob around so playfully in the water, but because ducks change lives. Crenshaw and Alexander are the organizers of the Fayetteville Duck Derby, an event that sold more than 15,000 ducks and raised more than $120,000 for local nonprofi ts in 2011.

    Last year, the inaugural Duck Derby took the town by storm. Local restaurants created drinks and appetizers for the event and competed for the honor of being the official Duck Derby refreshment. Ducky was spotted at locations around town and pictures poured in showing his adventures. Nonprofi ts teamed up and supported one another in the community fundraiser, and local businesses and sponsors generously offered up some great prizes. The event culminated at Campbellton Landing where thousands of ducks were poured into the Cape Fear River and spectators were treated to a family friendly day of food, fun, music and Fayetteville’s fi st official duck race.

    “This event really brought awareness to a lot of local nonprofits,” said Alexander. “In fact, last year Fayetteville Urban Ministry’s Find-a-Friend program was on the chopping block due to budget cuts.”

    “It was money raised by the Duck Derby that saved the Find-a-Friend program,” added Crenshaw.

    The event was great fun indeed, and full of many high points for the two volunteers, but in the end it was watching nonprofi s get some much-needed exposure and funding that really touched them.

    “There were so many moments during the Duck Derby campaign that just left us in tears,” said Alexander. “The support from the community was amazing. This brought awareness to a lot of local non-profi ts. People didn’t just come to this event, they were excited to be there — and that meant so much.”

    This year looks to be just as exciting, maybe even more so.

    The campaign kicks-off with an invitation only Very-Important-Duck Party. Blue Moon, Chris’s Open Hearth Steak House, Hellas Restaurant & Sports Bar, Hilltop House, Huske Hardware Restaurant & Brewery, IT’Z Entertainment City, Mash House Brewery & Chophouse Restaurant, Pierro’s Italian Bistro and The Wing Company have all stepped up to compete for the honor of creating the offi cial appetizer and the offi cial Duck Derby Drink.

    Their menu items will be revealed at the VID party and then during the months of March and April, the community is invited to visit any one — or every one — of these eateries, try their specially created menu items and cocktails and then go to the Duck Derby website to vote for their favorite. The winner is announced at the event, which is May 5.

    Part of the 31 Day Salute, the Duck Derby is military friendly.

    “We are really happy about the connection we have with the military. They are such a huge part of the community,” said Alexander. “Our first unofficial ducks that floated down the river last year had a military escort. We also observed a moment of silence at the event. This year we are pleased to add another element; a military unit is going to bring a display to the Duck Derby, too.”

    Alexander and Crenshaw are looking to make this event fun, but just like last year, the real goal is to benefi t the community.

    “Learning about the local nonprofi ts and knowing that you are making a difference, is really a big part of this,” said Crenshaw.

    Last year, the two spoke with countless people and met with local captains of industry to get the campaign off the ground.

    “Even if we never raised a dime, everyone that we spoke with about supporting the event sat through our presentation, which talked about the organizations that would benefit from the Duck Derby.”

    Local organizations and businesses stepped up last year and are returning again to take part in the fun and make a difference too.

    “Really the biggest thing people can do now to help, is to go out and adopt a duck. The ducks are available online at the Duck Derbywebsite and can also be purchased at the corporate sponsors listed on the website. Keep an eye out for chances to adopt ducks at community events like 4th Friday and FireAntz games.

    When it comes time to adopt a duck, choose a t02-01-12-duck-derby-car.jpgeam (nonprofit) and they will receive some of theproceeds from this event. If you are feeling noncommittal, adopt a duck without choosing a team and the money will go to support Fayetteville Urban Ministry. There are 15,000 ducks waiting to be adopted, so the competition is stiff, but the prizes are pretty enticing.

    The grand prize, donated by Rick Hendrick Toyota, is a 2012 Toyota Scion TC; second prize is a Las Vegas getaway; third prize is a catered Cape Fear River Cruise; fourth prize is a set of tires from Good Year and fifth prize is a year membership to The Spa Fitness & Wellness Center and Renaissance European Day Spa Gift Certificates.

    Visit www.Fayetttevilleduckderby.com to adopt a duck or to find out more about the fun-filled event.

    Photo: The Duck Derby Committee — Back row:  Katie Glover, Ruthie Dent, Christy Short, Katie Crenshaw Front row:  SarahMarie Daughtry, Jenny Beaver, MaryJane Jones, Mandy McMillan, Aurora Alexander Not photographed:  Leonna Byrd, Melissa Reed, Juelle McDonald, Holly Vollor, April Pridgen. 

  • 11 Biggers HazelGallery 208 is privileged to start the new year with a selection of original works by the late American artist John Biggers. Best known for his narrative murals, John Biggers dedicated his work to the depiction of the human condition and the interdependence of family — from ancestry to the multigenerational. The exhibition, “John Biggers: The Lasting Legacy,” opens Jan. 14 at Gallery 208 in Fayetteville.

    Born in Gastonia, North Carolina, John Biggers (1924-2001) was the youngest of seven children. Cora Biggers worked as a housekeeper and Paul Biggers was a teacher, principal and minister. Both parents encouraged all their children to pursue an education. In 1941, John Biggers enrolled in Virginia’s Hampton Institute, now known as Hampton University. Biggers’ education at Hampton Institute, growing up in North Carolina, and his later travels to Africa, would become the underpinning for his success as an artist and an educator.

    At Hampton Institute, Biggers studied art under Viktor Lowenfeld and became friends with two fellow students: Charles White and Elizabeth Catlett  — both White and Catlett would become historically important African-American artists. In 1943, while still a student, Biggers’ mural, “Dying Soldier,” was featured in the landmark exhibition “Young Negro Art,” organized by Lowenfeld for New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

    Biggers followed his mentor, Lowenfeld, to Pennsylvania State University to study the art of mural painting. It was at Pennsylvanian State University that Biggers’ academic career unfolded; he earned a master’s in art education in 1948 and a Ph.D. in 1954. While still working on his dissertation, Biggers moved to Houston, Texas, in 1949 to start an art department at Texas Southern University, known as Texas State College for Negroes. Biggers became chairman of the art department and remained at the university until his retirement in 1983.

    Early artistic recognition included the first prize at the annual exhibition of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston for his painting, “The Cradle,” in 1950. A pivotal event occurred in 1957 when Biggers was invited to participate in a six-month fellowship in Africa — the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization tour. Biggers became one of the first African-American artists t to travel to the newly independent Ghana.

    Because of the UNESCO fellowship, Biggers and his wife Hazel were able to visit several countries: Nigeria, Togo, Dahomey — now the Republic of Benin, and Ghana. In Ghana, they met and became friends with scholar Patrick Hulede, who enlightened them about Ghanaian culture and history. Biggers’ experiences in Africa and his friendship with Hulede became  significant influences on Biggers’ view of the world and his personal history and shaped a lifetime of artistic pursuits.

    After receiving a second award, the Danforth Foundation’s E. Harris Harbison Award for Distinguished Teaching, Biggers and his wife were able to travel for an additional six months to other countries in Africa. But it was his first trip to Ghana, Nigeria and other parts of Africa that inspired Biggers to create an award-winning illustrated book titled “Ananse: The Web of Life in Africa.”

    By the 1960s, when Abstract Expressionism and Pop art were the fad styles, Biggers forged his style based on ancestral heritage, African art, Southern black culture, nature and his everyday experiences. In his creative pursuit as an artist, an educator and an activist, Biggers became a major contributor to American art and culture for the next 50 years. In 1995, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and Hampton University Art Museum organized his first comprehensive retrospective exposing the depth of his legacy.

    Best stated by gallery owner Michael Rosenfield, “John Biggers died in 2001, leaving behind a body of work that, as Maya Angelou stated, leads us through his expressions into the discovery of ourselves at our most intimate level.”
    Rosenfield also stated: “Biggers drew inspiration from African art and culture, from the injustices of a segregated United States, from the stoic women of his own family and from the heroism of everyday survival.”
    During his long-celebrated career and achievements as an artist, Biggers agreed to do a retrospective of his work at the Fayetteville Museum of Art in the 1980s. The museum exhibition and his work being exhibited locally during the past 15 years are the direct results of Biggers’ ties to family.

    Biggers’ niece, Andretta Hales, lives in Fayetteville and was instrumental in having her uncle’s exhibit at the Fayetteville Museum of Art. Hales worked with Tom Grubb, president of the Fayetteville Museum of Art, to bring the one-person exhibit of Biggers’ work to the community. Since then, Hales has worked with Calvin Mims of the Ellington White Contemporary Gallery in Fayetteville to exhibit his original works in local exhibitions.

    Past group exhibitions in Fayetteville include the Fayetteville Arts Council, and most recently, Hales worked with Fayetteville State University Professor Dwight Smith for the January 2019 exhibition at Rosenthal Gallery titled “Celebrating Heritage: Selected Works from the John and Hazel Biggers Collection of African and African American Art.”

    Hales, Smith and Mims have all been an integral part of Gallery 208 being able to exhibit Biggers’ work. The exhibit at Gallery 208 is part of a larger collaboration with Ellington White Contemporary Gallery and Rosenthal Gallery at FSU. Ellington White Contemporary Gallery on Gillespie Street is exhibiting National Black American Art Exhibition, Jan.15-March 14. “Works of Paper by Ben Jones” will be on exhibit at Rosenthal Gallery at FSU between Jan. 22 and Feb. 28.
    The public is invited to the reception at Gallery 208 of “John Biggers: The Lasting Legacy” on Jan. 14 between 5:30 and 7 p.m. During the opening, Andretta Hales will be introduced at 6:15 p.m. to briefly address her personal history with Biggers, his life and his work.

    “John Biggers: The Lasting Legacy” will remain at Gallery 208 until March 20 for visitors to be able to see work by a celebrated American artist — an artist from North Carolina whose works evoke the value and strength of family and heritage. Gallery 208, is located at 208 Rowan St. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Gallery 208 for information about the exhibit at 910-484-6200.

  • 01-29-14-pan-the-inside-story.gifThe Gilbert Theater’s first show of 2014 is a new spin on Peter Pan’s adventures in Neverland. It is written by local playwright, Jeremy Fiebig, and directed by Pittsburgh guest artist, Mellissa Hill Grande. Pan tells three stories: the childhood of Peter Pan creator J.M. Barrie and his inspiration for his classic Peter and Wendy stories; the story of a modern-day Wendy whose father is on deployment in Afghanistan and whose mother seems to be lost on the home front; and a new Neverland adventure — Peter and Captain Hook’s search for the Crimson Heart, a jewel of inestimable worth. Each of the stories collide, shatter and are stitched together again in a tale full of heartbreak, adventure, magic, mermaids and fairies.

    Jeremy Fiebig explains, “We chose to tackle Pan after considering doing Peter Pan as part of the season — in part because we wanted a show that featured some younger actors. In talks through the spring, we settled on an adaptation that would freshen the Pan story and which would be tailor-made for the space. In writing Pan, one of the considerations for me was that I didn’t want to do something that had already been done in Peter Pan adaptations already, including Hook, Finding Neverland and Broadway’s Peter and the Starcatcher. As I read the Pan stories and how they are centered around the idea of childhood, I wondered what the author’s childhood must have been like. I did some reading and found in J.M. Barrie’s childhood some inspiration for the Peter and Wendy stories and went from there.

    Local actress and mother, Marie Lowe, is playing the role of the mother whose husband is deployed. She provides us with an inside story of the action to include the challenges and rewards inherent in debuting a new work. “Pan takes three distinct times and places — the 19th century Scotland of author J.M. Barrie’s childhood, modern-day America and of course, Neverland — and weaves one story out of these seemingly disparate worlds. As a performer, it’s a treat to get to travel between worlds, families, costumes and accents — where else can you be a mother struggling with a family trauma and a lecherous, sauce-pot-wielding pirate all in the same night? I think the show will also appeal to the widest possible audience, as there’s truly something for everyone.

    The creative team behind Pan has done a wonderful job. The stage is filled with “found objects” that are used throughout the worlds, so a hockey stick in one world is a sword in another. It creates exactly the playful quality that Peter and the Lost Boys embody, and it engages the audience’s imagination and brings them in on the jokes. As a mother who’s read the story and seen the movie with my kids, I can’t wait for them to see Pan. My 11-year-old daughter has read the script twice, and is constantly asking things like, ‘What does Tinkerbell look like? How are they going to make that trick work? Will there be mermaids?’ And my whole family is working on a Scottish accent.”

    Pan opens on Jan. 31 and continues through Feb. 16, Friday – Sunday (Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.). Mild language, viewer discretion is advised. Tickets are $16 for general admission; ask about military and senior discounts. For more information or to buy tickets email the box office at boxoffice@gilberttheater.com or call 678-7186 or order tickets online.

    Photo: Paul Sunao Hovey, Sonja Sorady Shah, Madyson Lawrence and Marie Lowe rehearsing for Gilbert Theater’s upcoming production of Pan.

  • 01-02-13-fly-fishing.gifFor thousands of years people fished. It began simply as a way to hunt the food found in the water, but over the years it has developed into a sport — and for many an art form. Fly fishing is one such form of fishing, and it is arguably one of the most challenging. This winter, the John E. Pechmann Fishing Center offers several classes. The first class of the year is on Jan. 5.

    Fly fishing is a unique form of fi shing that requires specific movements for casting the line. The fisher uses a lure made to look like a fly. Through casting techniques the fisher simulates the landing and movements of a fly on the water. Often, fishermen tie their own lures out of strings and hair so that they resemble flying insects. Traditionally, fly fishing is practiced in cold mountain streams, but it can be practiced anywhere. Most all species of fish respond to the movements simulating flies.

    “That is one of the things we point out,” said Tom Carpenter, a program coordinator at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center. “Traditionally, when people think of fly fishing they think trout or salmon. What we show them is that you can fish farm ponds for blue-gill bass, you can fly fish warm water streams, you can fly fish at the beach for speckle trout … you are not limited to any particular species of fish. It is wide open to what you want to do with a fly rod.”

    It is never too late to learn a new form of casting, and with that in mind the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center offers several fly fishing classes for beginners. In this class, participants will learn the basics of casting and knot tying according to regulations and ethics.

    The Pechmann Center has revamped its fly-fishing courses for 2013, and Carpenter sees it as a good thing for students.

    “Our primary focus is the basic casting instruction,” he said. “We provide some instruction for knots and we also have some handouts that help students with fly selection.”

    After class, students put their new-found skills to use and head over to the two stocked fishing ponds on the property to practice their new skills.

    “We usually have quite a few people catch some trout when we take them to the ponds,” said Carpenter. One of the things that students appreciate about the course is that handling a fly rod is more of a challenge than reel fishing.

    “One of the things to remember about fly fishing, as with any sort of fishing, is that it is a life-long learning experience,” said Carpenter. “We have to understand what the fish feed on, what time of day they eat and how the weather might affect the fish. We learn all these things so we can become better fisherman. It gives you a better understanding of nature as well.”

    The class is taught with the help of several experienced volunteer instructors. Each class can accommodate 40 students and classes fi ll up quickly, Carpenter noted.

    The class requires preregistration and costs $5 per person. Registration begins Dec. 3 at Lake Rim Park. The fishing education center will provide all equipment, but it is advised that participants bring eye protection and a brimmed hat.

    The beginner classes will be held on Saturday, Jan, 5, Jan. 19 and Feb. 2. All classes will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The class is intended for participants aged 12 and up. The younger fishers must have a participating adult accompany them. For more information, call 433-1018. The fishing center is located next to Lake Rim Park at 7489 Raeford Rd.

    Photo: Local sportsmen can learn the art of fly fishing at upcoming classes.

  • 1-16-13-mlkk.gifDavid Jewell and his friends like to ride motorcycles. And most any biker will agree, after a long ride, nothing tastes better than some delicious comfort food and a cold brew, but the group of buddies had a problem. The riding part was easy. It was finding fresh, good tasting food and good beer that proved difficult. So in 2005, they opened the first Mac’s Speed Shop in Charlotte.

    “We absolutely expected to be out of business within a year. We were just trying to solve a problem for ourselves,” said Jewell.

    They hit the jack pot when they started planning the menu, though.

    “We knew a guy, a chef at a white tablecloth, fine-dining restaurant here in Charlotte,” said Jewell. “He had some really old family recipes that he pulled out and shared with us. I’m talking about things like BBQ, baked beans, banana pudding and things like that.”

    Eight years later, there are five locations throughout the state (including one on McPherson Church Road in Fayetteville) and Mac’s Speed Shop is getting rave reviews from the Charlotte Observer, Garden & Gun and the Washington Post. The restaurant has a competitive BBQ team that competes and routinely places in international competitions. Celebrities, foodies and politicos alike including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Zach Galifanakis, Anthony Bourdain, Nick Nolte, Michael Jordan, George Stephanopoulos and Madeline Albright have been seen eating at Mac’s.

    Until a year or so ago, Jewell didn’t have much reason to travel to Fayetteville, but then” … we heard in conversation that there were hour-long waits at chain restaurants there and we had high hopes that people would appreciate us. A traditional BBQ place might be open for lunch or dinner and they don’t usually have beer. We expanded the menu and we had hope that if there was that kind of demand for national chains that something as cools as what we were offering would resonate with Fayetteville.”

    What started out as beer, bikes and BBQ has grown into beer, bikes, BBQ, bands and even babies said Jewell. They owners work hard to make sure each establishment has an authentic feel that patrons can make their own. He knew they were on to something when “…one Sunday there were two outlaws in vests with patches eating and sharing a picnic table outside with what looked like an 80-year-old couple in their Sunday best. It was real and that’s what brings people together. You are just as likely to find a group of bikers as you are a family with young children or senior citizens here.”

    BBQ is a big player on the menu, but chicken, ribs, wings, salad and more are available. While food is the driving force at Mac’s, beer afficionados won’t be disappointed.

    “We have more than 50 different beers on tap,” said Jewell. “And we bring in the best beers we can find. We have some from North Carolina and a few from Michigan and Colorado, too.”

    While Mac’s Speed Shop is still a relative new comer to Fayetteville, the owners are serious about giving back.

    “We want to be a positive force in the community,” said Jewell. “We are not a national chain that comes in and throws open our doors and just takes money from people. We want to get involved in the community. We do a lot with Toys for Tots and we do things like poker runs to help people.”

    Find out more about Mac’s Speed shop at www.macspeedshop.com or stop by and see them at 482 N. McPherson Church Rd.

  • uac013013001.gif The Fayetteville Duck Derby is fairly new as a local fundraiser, but already it is one that the community looks forward to each year. There are plenty of fun ways to participate, even if it doesn’t involve Quacky.

    Typically, around March, local bars and restaurants compete in the Duck Derby Drink and Appetizer Competition to claim the honor of creating and serving the official Duck Derby Drink/Appetizer. For several weeks the public is invited to visit their favorite participating bars and restaurants to sample and compare the various treats and vote on their favorites. The votes are tallied and the winners are proclaimed at the Duck Derby, which is on May 4, giving the establishments bragging rights for a year. The local chefs and mixologists relish the challenge of offering creative food and drinks that the public can enjoy while supporting a great cause at the same time.

    In the weeks leading up to the event, people are encouraged to buy rubber ducks to enter in the race. The ducks are given computer-generated numbers and are randomly tagged.

    Quacky, the event mascot, makes appearances around town, and sometimes around the world, posting his adventures on Facebook. This season, he has already been spotted at the Fayetteville Christmas Parade and with visiting journalist Geraldo Rivera.

    On race day, thousands gather at the Cape Fear River, usually at Campbellton Landing, as 15,000 to 20,000 ducks are dropped into the river. In previous years, prizes have included a new car, beach and mountain get-away weekends, gift certificates to local spas and golf courses, silent auctions and more. This year, the grand prize is a 2013 Toyota Scion D. The day has also included music, food, kids’ activities and vendors — all the ingredients for a fun day, and best of all, admission is free.

    While the Duck Derby was originally established as a fundraiser for Fayetteville Urban Ministry, other nonprofits can get in on the action by registering as a team. Once a team is established, anyone who chooses to buy a duck — or several ducks — can choose which team will receive funding from the purchase. Teams have included everything from child advocacy groups to arts-related nonprofits to health-related charities and even corporate teams.

    Fayetteville Urban Ministry’s mission is “to show God’s compassion for our neighbors in need, and thus build our community together.” This is accomplished through several programs.

    The Emergency Assistance program was started in 1974. It provides food, clothing and financial assistance to those in crisis. In fiscal year 2010/2011, this program touched more that 5,000 family members and more than 300 homeless people.

    The Nehemiah project was founded in 1993. Volunteers from local churches repair ho01-30-13-duck-derby.gifmes of low-income home owners. It did not take long for this program to grow. In 1994 the emergency home-repair program that was run by the Community Development Department of the City of Fayetteville became a part of this program. Between 170 and 200 elderly and/or low income home owners receive help from the Nehemiah Project.

    Locally, 24 percent of adults read at lower than a fifth-grade level. Since 1976, the Adult Literacy Program has assisted adults in the areas of reading, writing, math, English and in computer skills. Literacy doesn’t just benefit the adult student; their family members benefit, too. Approximately 150-185 adults are served through this program each year.

    The Find-A-Friend Program was started in 1982. This program engages high risk kids with after-school activities and programs, summer camps and field trips. According to www.fayurbmin.org, “It costs taxpayers more than $100,000 per year to house one juvenile in confinement, and the cost to our community is limitless when a youth yields to the temptations of chronic truancy, crime and anti-social behavior. It takes less than $1,500 to sponsor a youth in FAF to participate in one year full of prevention services with a full Summer Achievement Camp.”

    More than 200 youth are touched by this program every year and Find-A-Friend boasts an 80 percent success rate.

    Find out more about Fayetteville Urban Ministry, visit www.fayurbmin.org. Learn more about the Duck Derby at www.facebook.com/fayettevilleduckderby. This year’s event is scheduled for May 4, so go ahead and mark your calendar.

    Photo: Geraldo Rivera and Johnny Wilson.

  • 01-08-14-ftcc-spa.gifAfter the holidays, take a break and spend some time relaxing from the stress that many times accompanies the hustle and bustle of the season. Fayetteville Technical Community College has an affordable option for you to consider for some de-stressing. The FTCC Cosmetology Department invites you to visit and receive new and exciting nail and skin care services! Hours of operation have been extended to include nights and weekends.

    The Nail/Technology clinic now offers many services including basic manicures and pedicures as well as advanced nail applications, such as gel nails, acrylic nails and nail art.

    FTCC’s state-of-the-art Esthetics clinic offers basic or European facials, all waxing services, chemical peels, and make-up application. We invite you to visit the Esthetics clinic for a quiet, peaceful spa setting and ultimate relaxation.

    FTCC advanced-level cosmetology department students perform the services under the careful direction of well-qualified instructors. The addition of Natural Nail Care is a new service that is coming soon to the Cosmetology Department.

    The Salon & Spa Services Educational Center’s growth has surpassed all expectations! Fayetteville Tech’s Salon & Spa Services Educational Center offers a 1,500-hour Cosmetology program, a 600-hour Esthetics Program and a 300-hour Nail Technology Program. All programs prepare graduates to take the North Carolina State Board Licensing Examination.

    The Salon Spa Service Educational Center offers both day and evening classes and is open to the public for client services.

    Don’t delay! Visit FTCC’s beautiful Salon & Spa Services facility located at 2817 Fort Bragg Rd. or call (910) 678-0158 for more information.

    Photo: FTCC’s state-of-the-art Esthetics clinic offers basic or European facials, all waxing services, chemical peels, and make-up application.

  • Meetings

    For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Until the Parks and Recreation building has been repaired following damage from Hurricane Florence, some meetings may be moved to Luther Meeting Room at Town Hall at regular dates and times. Those meetings are noted with an asterisk below.

    Board of Commissioners Monday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m., Luther Board Room, Town Hall

    Historic Preservation Commission Wednesday, Feb. 13, Parks and Recreation Center*

    Board of Commissioners Monday Feb. 18, Luther Meeting Room, Town Hall*

    Parks and Recreation Committee Monday, Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Appearance Commission Tuesday, Feb. 26, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Veterans Affairs Commission Thursday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Activities

    For more information on these activities, contact Meghan Hawkins at 910-426-4109.

    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.

    Promote yourself

    Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • On Dec. 4, 1956, something magical happened and rock and roll history was made. Sam Philips brought together Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for one of the greatest nights in rock and roll history. This is the only night that these four incredible musicians ever played together, and it was so magical that it has been memorialized for future generations through the Broadway musical The Million Dollar Quartet, which is coming to the Givens Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of North Carolina-Pembroke on Jan. 15.

    “First time viewers will be blown away, especially because all the actors are also the musicians,” said Colte Julian, a musician who plays the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in the show. “A lot of times people have the tendency to ask ‘Whoa! Are they really playing that?’ and the answer is yes. We are really playing the instruments, Johnny Cash really is playing the guitar and Jerry Lee Lewis really is playing the piano.”01-07-15-shake,-rattle-at-gpac.gif

    This is his first national tour, but he has performed with the Chicago show for four years.

    Julian has a very personal connection and understanding of Jerry Lee Lewis.

    “I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma and he grew up in a small town in Louisiana. We both started playing piano when we were little because we wanted to learn the instrument so we learned,” he said. “I played a lot of gospel in the church, and I love to play by ear. I loved to find the style of a musician, learn it, and then play a song in a new style, and that’s what Jerry Lee Lewis was really famous for. He took country songs and played them in a boogie style.

    “We had a difference in education; he, of course, became famous when he was 21. But as far as being a country boy who learned to play the piano because he loved to play and melding country songs with blues style, I did that as a kid before I even knew who Jerry Lee Lewis was,” he continued. “But as I’ve played this part and learned about him, I’ve really come to respect him and his style.”

    “I started learning piano when I was 9-years-old. My grandfather was a big fan of Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis and he introduced me to them,” Julian explained. “He said I was going to be the next Jerry Lee Lewis. I didn’t believe him, but here I am. “

    This personal understanding of Lewis coupled with his experience playing the part creates an incredible ability to not copy, but to become the rock and roll legend.

    “It was important that we (as a cast) don’t just mimic these men. We don’t say a specific word just because they said it, because they wouldn’t have necessarily done it the same way twice,” he explained. “Instead we have to find the essence of these performers and the style of that person.”

    With his regional and now national experience, some would wonder if he gets bored with the show. But Julian explains that the concert-like nature of the show provides a great amount of variety. No two shows are the same. Julian’s natural love for this style of music also aids in inspiring his performances and avoiding performance ruts. So no matter how many times people have seen it, “No one will sit still. They will all be dancing,” Julian says.

    Million Dollar Quartetis on stage one night only at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 15. For more information call 910-521-6287. Tickets range in price from $21 to $36. The Givens Performing Arts Center is located at 1 University Drive in Pembroke.

    Photo: Million Dollar Quartet is coming to the Givens Performing Arts Center stage on Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

  • 12Eel The Hope Mills Lake dam survived visits from two hurricanes this past year with one minor exception.

    The eel ladder, which allows American eels to gain access to Hope Mills Lake, suffered damage to a device known as the attractor pump. Now it’s time for town officials to begin the work of having the pump repaired and put back in working order.

    The attractor pump is located on the downstream side of the creek bed near the base of the dam.

    Don Sisko, who heads the public works department for the town of Hope Mills, said it’s directly below the two depressed soil areas on the side of the dam near Main Street.

    “You can’t see the pump unless the water is really low,’’ Sisko said. “The only thing you see is the eel ladder and some piping that runs off the pump that dumps near the water surface to provide the splash for the attractor.’’

    It’s that splashing water the pump creates that draws eels to the ladder so they can access the lake.

    The season for eel migration begins March 15, so Sisko is hopeful work on the pump can be completed well in advance of that date.

    Sisko said a local contractor has already been onsite to assess the damage done to the wiring for the pump. The contractor also looked at any changes that need to be made to better safeguard the wiring so more damage isn’t done to it in the future.

    In addition, the contractor looked over the location to see what will be required to gain safe access to the pump and actually perform the repairs.

    Sisko said he’s not sure how long the work to repair the pump’s wiring will take. “I’ve never been involved in pump repair in a running creek,’’ he said. 

    But he added this isn’t an overly complex job and it can be performed by any competent electrical contractor. “It’s not astrophysics,’’ he said. “It’s pretty basic work.’’

    Because the damage to the pump’s wiring was a direct result of the hurricane that struck Hope Mills, Sisko said the town is eligible to get money to pay for the repairs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Sisko said he doesn’t know if the ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government will cause any delay in Hope Mills being able to get that money, though.

    As for the dam itself, Sisko said representatives of Schnabel Engineering, the company that built the restored dam, have visited the site for a posthurricane inspection. Save for the damaged pump, he said, the Schnabel representatives saw no problems with the structure.

    They will be returning in the near future for a scheduled periodic inspection.

    Sisko remains confident of the dam’s status. “I tell folks that the dam was designed based on good science and built based on good construction practices,’’ he said. “There’s no absolute guarantees, but if you do (build on good science and sound construction), you stand a very good chance.

    “It was our first hurricane with the dam. It got a lot of attention, but it withstood the weather, both literally and figuratively, and we’re carrying on.’’

    Sisko felt the town’s public works department handled the challenges of the dam’s first hurricane well. “That’s what we’re here for,’’ he said. “We’re here to take care of the town, and we’re going to continue doing that.’’

  • uac011415001new.gif The Three Musketeers is a timeless story. It’s one that most people know whether it’s from the book, a comic book or one of the countless movies that have been made over the past century. With the Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s staging of this classic tale, Director Steve Rankin is staying as true to the story as possible.

    “This is a great story that instantaneously puts you in the middle of a sword fight, with men of honor fighting villains,” he said. “The way you make this story fresh is simply telling the story. When you start messing around with it, it’s the wrong thing to do. This is a story of bravery and camaraderie, of men coming together and bonding over a cause, which is something that is missing in this digital age.”

    Rankin, a New York-based actor, director and fight director, is excited to bring this story to the stage. It has been one show that has eluded him throughout his career. A longtime friend of Tom Quaintance, Rankin was invited to come as either the director or the fight director. He chose to do both.

    “I have staged fights all over the world. In this show, a large amount of stage time is sword fighting,” he explained. “It has been a challenge to make it work, but the gauntlet has been thrown and we are going forward.”

    There are 10 fight scenes during the two hour show, and several of the actors have never even held a sword. It is Rankin’s job to make them look like consummate swordsmen. The actors are in their second week of rehearsals and any free time they have is spent in rehearsing their sword play.

    Rankin is particularly excited about bringing a story of brotherhood to Fayetteville and its military community.

    “This play speaks to loyalty, camaraderie and about having each other’s back. This is what it is all about and it should speak to this community,” he said.

    He explained that in the first scene, D’Artagnan’s father sits him down to talk to him about becoming a Musketeer, and he basically describes what it means to be a Marine.

    “The only things these guys had was their honor and their name, which was as precious as a mutual fund portfolio. D’Artagnan’s father tells him to surround himself with the appropriate people. It was very important that he surround himself with men of honor and men of loyalty. This is something that will really resound with the military community — the idea of ‘all for one and one for all.’”

    The other idea that will resound is the idea of brotherhood, which is embodied in the spirit of the Musketeers.

    Porthos, who is played by Arthur Lazalde, brings to mind the Ghost of Christmas Present. He loves life and sees it as a banquet. He loves to fight. He loves women. He loves his brother musketeers and knows they will always back his play, even if he is wrong. While each of the musketeers are very different, they complement each other and make each other better. Each man serves a purpose, much like modern day Special Forces teams.

    Rankin explains that they use their honor to navigate the waters of their times. They also use their humor. There are a lot of plays on words, which makes even the most intense fight scene a little funny. It is not slapstick, but rather a more sophisticated humor.

    Athos, played by Shad Ramsey, is a wounded warrior. He knows that it is important to do the right thing, but also knows that there is a price to pay for doing that. Athos knows that you have to continue living but he lives with his pain. He doesn’t let it kill him, he goes on and keeps the code of honor, loyalty and bravery that is at the heart of the story of The Three Musketeers. The play opens on Jan. 22 and runs through Feb. 8. Tickets range in price. To purchase tickets, visit the CFRT website at www.cfrt.org.

     

  • 11Eddie Deese  Next month will mark the one-year anniversary of my editor, Stephanie Crider, asking me to take on the role of Hope Mills correspondent for Up & Coming Weekly.

    As I observe that milestone, I wanted to take a few minutes to share the backstory of my history with the town and why it is a special place to me.

    Although I was born in and spent the early years of my Up & Coming Weekly life in Massey Hill — which everyone with any history in Cumberland County knows to be the natural rival of Hope Mills on the athletic field — Hope Mills has been important to me since my youth.

    My late mother, Peggy Blount Vaughan, had many relatives in Hope Mills. As a girl, she’d catch the train in Fayetteville and ride out to Hope Mills on the weekends to spend time with her cousin, Mildred Starling.

    I temporarily lost contact with Hope Mills, and the entire Fayetteville area, when my family moved away from here in the mid-1960s so my dad, Earl Vaughan Sr., could begin his training as a Presbyterian minister. It was not until I graduated from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in 1976 that I came back to Cumberland County.

    During my days as a Seahawk, I met a guy who not only reconnected me with Hope Mills but showed me more about the town and its people than I had ever known. His name was Eddie Dees, and he became my best friend.

    Eddie and I had a lot in common. We both loved sports, we were both interested in writing, and, for a time, we were on the same career path. As college students, we were both employed by Fayetteville Publishing Company as correspondents in the sports department, Eddie with The Fayetteville Times and me with The Fayetteville Observer.

    He graduated college before I did and returned to Hope Mills as a teacher at South View High School. Months later, he would help me get an interim position as an English teacher at South View.

    It was there our career paths diverged. Halfway into my three-month interim job at South View, a full-time position opened at The Fayetteville Observer in sports, where I had been working parttime since the summer of 1972. I took it and stayed there until September 2016.

    Eddie remained at South View until eventually leaving and going to Gray’s Creek High School and later Freedom Christian Academy before contracting pancreatic cancer, which eventually took his life in June 2016, months before I retired from the newspaper.

    You could not spend any amount of time around Eddie and not get a strong sense of his passion for the town of Hope Mills. He lived there all his life — from the house on the hill near the railroad bridge as a youth, to his home on South Main Street as an adult, to the dwelling of his final years at the corner of his beloved Hope Mills Lake with wife Susan and daughters Carey and Casey.

    He would share his fondness for his town in a book he wrote, “Hope Mills Heritage,” a book I was honored to have a small part in helping him write.

    He loved Hope Mills. He loved its people. And he especially loved its beautiful lake.

    When the dam first failed and the town lost the lake, he was crushed. Restoring the lake was a primary factor in his decision to enter politics and successfully run for Hope Mills mayor.

    We used to spend hours riding in his truck as I gave him political advice before and after his election. I viewed myself as a poor man’s James Carville, and any bad decisions he made as mayor can largely be blamed on me because I knew way more about high school sports than I did politics.

    For any faults Eddie may have had, loving his hometown wasn’t among them.

    I’ve tried to adopt the same approach in my coverage of Hope Mills for Up & Coming WeeklyI’ve tried to tell the stories of the town, good and bad, with honesty and frankness, while sharing deep appreciation and respect for the thousands of people who call it home.

    I hope I’ve done that, and I plan to continue doing it. I want to thank everyone who’s worked with and supported both me and Up & Coming Weekly in our mission to cover Hope Mills the best way we know how.

    Thanks for reading what we’ve had to share, and here’s to another year of telling the stories of Hope Mills.

    Photo: Former Hope Mills Mayor Eddie Dees

  • Meetings

    For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Until the Parks and Recreation building has been repaired following damage from Hurricane Florence, some meetings may be moved to Luther Meeting Room at Town Hall at regular dates and times. Those meetings are noted with an asterisk below.

    Appearance Committee Tuesday, Jan. 22, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Veterans Affairs Commission Thursday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Parks and Recreation Committee Monday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Board of Commissioners Monday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m., Luther Board Room, Town Hall

    Historic Preservation Commission Wednesday, Feb. 13, Parks and Recreation Center*

    Board of Commissioners Monday, Feb. 18, Luther Meeting Room, Town Hall*

    Activities

    For more information about these activities, contact Meghan Hawkins at 910-426-4109.

    Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, Jan. 21— Town offices closed.

    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.

    Promote yourself

    Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 14 Hope Mills Lake The water level in Hope Mills Lake is not something town officials want to raise and lower with any kind of frequency. As Don Sisko, head of the town’s public works department, explained, it’s good structural practice to leave the lake at as constant a level as possible.

    That’s why he suggested to town manager Melissa Adams that the level be lowered just once in the weeks ahead to deal with two situations at the lake. First, lowering the lake will give owners of property on the lake the annual opportunity to do maintenance to their piers and docks. Second, it will allow the town to install a planned bulkhead on the lake bank.

    The actual date of the lowering of the lake won’t be determined until the town’s Board of Commissioners meets in late January and accepts a bid for work on the bulkhead and then establishes a date when that work will begin.

    The town will then notify lakefront property owners about which dates to expect the lake to be lowered. When it is lowered, the property owners will be able to work on repairs for things that would normally be underwater.

    Lowering the water level in winter also makes the lake healthier. The harsher weather kills exposed aquatic vegetation along the banks, including pond algae. A rapid increase of algae, or an algae bloom, can kill fish and remove oxygen from the water.

    While the town has tentatively planned for the lake level to be lowered for about two weeks, Sisko said that is not an exact time frame. It will likely be longer than that, he said, because of the work required to install the bulkhead.

    “The bulkhead is going to be installed on the opposite side of the boat ramp from the existing pier,’’ Sisko said.

    “Part of its function will be to serve as an erosion control measure. Along with the bulkhead, we’re going to change the slope of that embankment. That will give us the opportunity to put in some backfill and make that a more gentle slope.’’

    Sisko said the bulkhead will be made of specially treated wood, most likely pine.

    The challenge for Sisko and the public works staff while the bulkhead is installed will be monitoring the lake level and making sure it stays low enough for the workers to operate in a dry environment.

    “This is not an exact science,’’ Sisko said. “We’re not going to be able to keep the lake at a specific foot mark for any protracted period of time.’’

    The biggest challenge will be monitoring rainfall after the lake is lowered and dealing with problems that will be caused if the rain is excessive, which could cause the lake to refill and force the opening of the sluice gates to drop the level further.

    Sisko said people along the lake shouldn’t look for laborers to start work on the bulkhead until after bids are presented to the commissioners later this month.

    Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner is hopeful the bulkhead installation process goes without complication so everything will be in place in plenty of time for this year’s annual lake festival in late May.

    She doesn’t expect any problems regarding the homeowners and their repairs of their facilities since the water has been back in the lake for barely a year.

    If anyone has questions about the lake lowering and installation of the bulkhead, they should contact the Hope Mills Public Works office at 910-423-2777.

  • 13 Hope Mills flood

    Editor's note: This story was written before the official announcement of temporary hours at the Hope Mills Recreation Center. Please see linked press release for temporary recreation center hours. 

      The nightmare is almost over for Maxey Dove and the staff of the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department.

    After being forced out of their headquarters by Hurricane Florence in mid-February, Dove and his weary team are hopeful they’ll be back in place and running the town’s recreation program at full speed by early February.

    As early as the final hours of Hurricane Florence, Dove and the recreation department staff were on the roof of the building using tar to patch numerous leaks. But those leaks proved to be the least of their worries.

    Power went out to the recreation center the day after the storm hit. It wasn’t restored until the following Tuesday.

    By that time, all the leaks and the water that got inside the building had created a gigantic mess.

    Dove said there were no adequate words to describe just how bad it was inside the building by the time power was restored.

    “It stayed wet for four or five days,’’ he said of the building’s interior. “You could see moisture on the walls and floors. We could not get it to dry.’’

    That took a toll on a lot of things in the building. Dove estimated up to 80 percent of the building’s heating and air duct work had to be replaced, along with a large number of ceiling tiles and all of the building’s carpet.

    It wasn’t until power was restored that huge fans could be brought in to circulate air and dry the walls and floors.

    As many as four buckets of tar were used to patch leaks on the flat roof. The recreation staff recovered as many shingles as they could from around the building and put them back on the roof.

    In addition to work from the staff, help with repairs came from a rescue group from Lincoln, Nebraska, and some federal emergency workers who came to Hope Mills.

    Most of the athletic equipment stored in the building survived after being cleaned. A few exceptions were some cloth items, like chest protectors for baseball and softball, along with some mesh and canvas bags. A lot of paper products were soaked and had to be thrown out.

    Getting the building back in shape wasn’t the only problem for the recreation staff. They had to relocate their workspace to the Board of Commissioners meeting room in Town Hall.

    That meant setting up tables with laptop computers. On days when the commissioners met or some other group needed the meeting room, the recreation staff had to tear down their tables and chairs and move to a hallway.

    Now, finally, all the uproar is coming to an end. Dove hoped to move back into the recreation center by Tuesday, Jan. 22. But he doesn’t expect the building will be fully operational on that date. “We’re probably going to have to ease into it,’’ he said.

    The good news for the recreation staff is the gymnasium was spared some of the damage the main building suffered and has been open and in use since the second week of December.

    The doors connecting the gym to the main building are roped off. There are porta-potties outside the gym. People have to access the gym by a side door, but at least it has been available for activities.

    Dove’s main concern now is to get the fitness room ready and the court for a game called Pickle Ball usable again.

    Both Dove and Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner praised the recreation staff for dealing with making repairs to the damaged facilities while still doing their jobs and working out of temporary quarters in Town Hall.

    “They’ve worked like it was a regular work day,’’ Warner said.

    In addition to the regular activities of the recreation department, Warner praised the staff for handling the additional challenge of special events like Ole Mill Days, Breakfast with Santa and the annual Hope Mills Christmas Parade while being out of their natural quarters.

    “They’ve had to deal with adverse situations and they’ve done a great job,’’ she said. “They’ve been most pleasant and agreeable to whatever changes had to be made.’’

  • Meetings

    For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Until the Parks and Recreation building has been repaired following damage from Hurricane Florence, some meetings may be moved to Luther Meeting Room at Town Hall at regular dates and times. Those meetings are noted with an asterisk below.

    Appearance Committee Tuesday, Jan. 22, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Veterans Affairs Commission Thursday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Parks and Recreation Committee Monday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Board of Commissioners Monday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m., Luther Board Room, Town Hall

    Historic Preservation Commission Wednesday, Feb. 13, Parks and Recreation Center*

    Board of Commissioners Monday, Feb. 18, Luther Meeting Room, Town Hall*

    Activities

    For more information on these activities, contact Meghan Hawkins at 910-426-4109.

    Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, Jan. 21 — Town offices closed.

    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.

    Promote yourself

    Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 12flooding1 At the most recent meeting of the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners, town leaders began to take concrete steps toward dealing with a serious issue of flooding along streets near C. Wayne Collier Elementary School.

    A large number of trees that once stood on the property at the elementary school were removed not too long ago.

    A recent rash of hurricanes and increased rain has turned the roads surrounding the school into frequent sites of flooding, posing both a traffic hazard for people driving there and a regular flooding headache for people with homes near the school.

    “One inch of rain will puddle in those ditches,’’ Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner said of the situation. “If they have any amount of rain over a short period of time, there’s flooding.’’

    Warner said the loss of the trees on the property at C. Wayne Collier is the heart of the problem.

    When the trees were in place, the water running off from the property was absorbed by the roots of the trees and the ground.

    Without the trees, the water runs off downhill, toward the ditches and the road in front of the school.

    “We’ve had so much rain, it’s affected us more than it ever has before,’’ Warner said.

    At the last commissioners meeting, town officials were joined by representatives of Cumberland County Schools, including CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly. A representative of the North Carolina Department of Transportation was supposed to be at the meeting but was unable to attend.

    Warner said Hope Mills town manager Melissa Adams is quickly working to convene a committee that will seek both a short-term solution for the flooding issue and a long-term fix as well.

    Members of the committee will include someone from CCS and the DOT, along with town representatives, including Beth Brown, who is in charge of storm water, and Don Sisko, who heads the town’s public works department.

    Warner said having representatives from all three groups will help make it easier to find a solution rapidly.

    There is already a previous plan, drawn up in 2011, that could be modified to provide a solution to the flooding, Warner said. It needs to be explored to see if funding for dealing with the problem can come from DOT, the town of Hope Mills or the school system.

    There will also be a question for funding ongoing expense if a retention pond and filtration system are placed on the school property, Warner said. “We’ll let the committee make some recommendations and bring them back to the board,’’ Warner said.

  • 11Gary Dove2 By the time opening day for spring sports in Hope Mills rolls around on Saturday, April 13, there should be a sign honoring the memory of the late Gary Dove on the main building at the Brower Park athletic complex on Rockfish Road.

    The idea for the sign was first proposed by Jerry Legge of the town’s Board of Commissioners, one of many friends of Dove and himself a longtime proponent of youth athletics in the town.

    “The building at Brower Park is almost new, and we’re going to dedicate it to him,’’ Legge said.

    The multi-purpose structure, the largest of two buildings at the Brower Park athletic complex, is two stories and contains a concession stand plus rooms used for the cheerleading and wrestling programs. At various times of the year, the space is also used as a room for umpires to gather when they’re not on the field working.

    The second floor has space used by the Hope Mills Youth Association.

    Legge said it was only fitting to have a permanent recognition of Dove’s contributions to the town’s youth athletic program.

    “He didn’t meet any strangers,’’ Legge said of Dove. “He coached there for years, and he was president of the youth program for several years. He worked as a field supervisor for the last few years of his life.’’

    Legge said Dove was known by nearly everyone in town and was remembered by many for his smile and generosity.

    “I thought it was appropriate we did something in his honor,’’ Legge said.

    Town manager Melissa Adams said work should be completed shortly, if not by the time this story is published, on a sign that will be placed on the front of the Brower Park building facing Rockfish Road.

    “We’ve been in consultation with the family about designing it and the correct name they wanted,’’ Adams said. Although everyone knew Dove as Gary, his given name is Maxey, a name he shares with his son, who still works for the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department.

    Adams said an unveiling of the sign will be scheduled, again in consultation with the family. Members of the Board of Commissioners will also be invited to attend.

    Adams expects the unveiling of the sign will take place sometime by the end of this month or early February, well before the start of the spring sports season in Hope Mills.

    Maxey Dove said his father’s commitment to youth sports in Hope Mills was something dear to his heart. “He enjoyed the camaraderie with the kids, the teaching experience of seeing kids go from never having caught a ball before to potential all-star years down the road,’’ he said.

    “It wasn’t just the competition part, the wins and losses. It was more about building character, building future leaders.’’

    Adams said it’s important for the young people of the town to see permanent recognition of the kind of dedication that leaders like Gary Dove exhibited.

    “Hopefully that leads them to want to do the same,’’ she said. “Hopefully they can see the dedication and lifelong work that he did selflessly. He didn’t get paid for it. Hopefully, they can see that and they will want to give back as well.’’

    Photo: Gary Dove with his grandson Cameron and dog Maggie.

  •     So, you’ve just returned from deployment and have a little extra cash to spare. What to do? For many soldiers, the answer is purchasing a motorcycle. Before you make that purchase, it’s important to know the rules and regulations governing the riding of motorcycles on Fort Bragg.
        So, here’s a primer on all of the regs that might apply to you:
        {mosimage}Operators of Government–owned and privately owned motorcycles (both street and off–highway versions) on Army installations must be appropriately licensed to operate on public highways.
        Where state or local laws applicable to the installation require special licenses to operate privately ownedmotorcycles, motorized bicycles (mopeds), motor scooters or all–terrain vehicles (ATVs), such license requirements, ata minimum, shall be required for operation of those vehicles on Army installations.
        Motorcycle riders who operate motorcycles on or off post must comply with the skills training, licensing andpermit requirements of their state.
    Motorcycle Training
        Prior to operation of any motorcycle, Army personnel will successfully complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) or MSF–based approved motorcycle rider safety course.
        Anyone who operates a motorcycle on an Army installation, to include government–owned motorcycles, must successfully complete a MSF–based rider safety course, or present documentation of previous attendance.
        The Army standard motorcycle rider’s course is an MSF–based Basic Rider Course (BRC). There is also an Experienced Rider Course in addition to the BRC, but not in lieu of the BRC. The ERC is designed to provide additional highway safety skills for experienced motorcycle riders. Anyone who has documentation of prior completion of theERC will be in compliance with the Army standard for motorcycle training and will not be required to attend the BRC.
        Licensed motorcycle operators who have not yet completed the training requirements may operate their motorcycle to travel to the rider course training site. When the training is offered on an Army installation, the licensed operator may enter the installation for the sole purpose of attending the course. The rider will have documentation in their possession to show the date of the course.
        For more information about the course, visit the Fort Bragg Web site at  www.braggmotorcyclecourse.com


  • Meetings

    For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Until the Parks and Recreation building has been repaired following damage from Hurricane Florence, some meetings may be moved to Luther Meeting Room at Town Hall at regular dates and times. Those meetings are noted with an asterisk below.

    Special Meeting, Board of Commissioners Monday, Jan. 14, 7 p.m., Town Hall, Luther Meeting Room

    Lake Advisory Committee Tuesday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Appearance Committee Tuesday, Jan. 22, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Veterans Affairs Commission Thursday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Parks and Recreation Committee Monday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Activities

    For more information on these activities, contact Meghan Hawkins at 910-426-4109.

    • Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, Jan. 21— Town offices closed.

    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.

    Promote yourself

    Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 18HMfield1 The busy season has arrived for the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department as registration is underway for the youth spring sports season.

    The registration process began Jan. 2 and will continue through Feb. 23 for baseball and softball. Wrestling registration wraps up Feb. 2 because that season begins competition earlier, said Maxey Dove of the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department.

    “This is probably our biggest season,’’ Dove said of the spring sports program. Athletes are being registered in youth baseball for ages 5-14, youth softball for ages 7-15, indoor soccer for ages 6-12 and youth wrestling for ages 6-12.

    The outdoor sports will compete on a total of 13 fields; six at Municipal Park, two at Brower Park, two at Hope Mills Middle School, two at Baldwin Elementary School and one at South View Middle School.

    Indoor soccer, which has rapidly grown into a popular sport for the town, is held at the gym at the Hope Mills Recreation Center, with Hope Mills Middle School used for overflow practices.

    Dove said it’s important for parents to try and register their children as quickly as possible.

    “We’ve got to hurry up and wait for the last day of registration,’’ Dove said. “Seventy percent of our registration is on the last two or three days. There’s really not much planning and plotting and team forming you can do until you actually close the door on the last day of registration. That’s when the hurry up and wait comes in.’’

    Another reason it’s important to register early is every child who registers prior to the close of registration is assured a place on one of the town’s teams. Anyone who registers after the registration closes is placed on a waiting list and isn’t guaranteed of being able to play.

    The registration fee is $30 per child this year, Dove said. Parents must register in person and should bring along a birth certificate and proof of residency to verify they are within the boundaries for Hope Mills set by Dixie Youth Baseball, the governing body for most of the town’s spring sports, except wrestling. Dove said the town is working on having an online registration process available in the near future, but not this year.

    Once registration is finalized, teams are determined, coaches are chosen and the draft is scheduled so practice can begin as soon as possible.

    All coaches with the parks and recreation department are volunteers who go through background checks run by the department’s human resources division, Dove said.

    There will be one problem with registration this year. Damage to the Hope Mills Recreation Center caused by Hurricane Florence has not been repaired, so the recreation department staff is still in temporary quarters at Town Hall.

    Dove said it’s hoped the recreation center will re-open by mid-January. Until it does, parents will have to come to Town Hall to register. “(For) the last six weeks of registration, we’ll hopefully be back in our new building,’’ Dove said.

    There is also one big change in registration for Hope Mills this year. Dixie Youth Baseball altered its rules since last season and will now permit anyone in Cumberland County to play Dixie Youth Baseball in Hope Mills. “This opens up our boundaries so we can take in additional kids, which will help build our programs,’’ Dove said.

    Anyone with any questions about the youth spring sports program can call the recreation department at 910-426-4109.

  • 16Joe Riddle17HM pylon sign  Joe Riddle has no problem with Hope Mills trying to make itself the best possible community it can be for its citizens.

     But the longtime Fayetteville developer is concerned the town may be going too far as it tries to develop a sign ordinance for the city.

    Last month, the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners voted to table a decision on a new sign ordinance and scheduled a special meeting to hear public input on the sign question on Monday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m.

    Riddle, who spoke at the previous meeting, plans to share his concerns about the sign ordinance at the upcoming meeting.

    “If we continue to grow our codes to parallel these wealthier places, we’re going to run ourselves out of business,’’ said Riddle. “Everybody wants to be like Pinehurst or Cary. The problem is, everybody’s not a millionaire retired from the North with a lot of disposable income who plays golf, bridge and croquet every day.

    “Everybody is not an engineer with a Ph.D. who works at a Triangle park for a pharmaceutical company or other good company where the husband and wife are making $150,000 each a year.’’

    New sign rules like Hope Mills is considering mean signs have to be replaced. Those replacements tend to be costly, and that’s why Riddle thinks the rules could negatively impact businesses in Hope Mills.

    What has Riddle concerned is talk that Hope Mills may be considering the elimination of pylon signs. A pylon sign is a freestanding sign that sits apart from a building and has its own support structure that can include a base made of something permanent like brick or concrete.

    Fayetteville has a sign ordinance that Riddle describes as strict but reasonably fair as it strikes a balance between presenting a good appearance while also allowing a business owner to adequately advertise his or her business.

    If pylon signs are banned, Riddle said, the only option left for businesses would be monument signs. These include ground signs that are attached to a permanent foundation or base and are two-sided.

    Riddle said monument signs are fine for a single-tenant business, like a fast food restaurant. But for something like a strip mall or a shopping center, a pylon sign is preferred so all of the businesses can be displayed.

    That was the situation Riddle faced at the Colt Crossing shopping complex on old Highway 24 near Cape Fear High School.

    When the new Highway 24 bypass was created, traffic no longer passed in front of the shopping center but behind it. Riddle got permission from Cumberland County to build a large pylon sign on the new bypass that promotes all the businesses in the shopping center, including some he’s not affiliated with. Riddle said the sign cost between $60,000 to $65,000.

    The possible banning of pylon signs isn’t Riddle’s only concern in Hope Mills. He said there’s also been discussion of limiting signs promoting real estate to 2 feet by 4 feet.

    He noted that on a typical real estate sign, information includes the acreage available, the owner’s name and a phone number.

    Squeezing all that information on a 2-by-4 sign that people could read without having to pull off the road and come to a complete stop is difficult.

    “I don’t think anyone has looked at the size of the signs,’’ he said.

    Riddle thinks the people in Hope Mills need to realize their leaders are considering sign restrictions that would be the strictest of any town Riddle has worked with. That’s quite a statement considering he’s got projects as far flung as Raleigh, Rockingham, Lillington, Raeford, Spout Springs, Cameron and Southport.

    “They are definitely going to an extreme,’’ Riddle said. “It sounds like a train is going that I won’t be able to slow up.’’

    Riddle is afraid if Hope Mills continues on this track and opts to create other restrictions that will inhibit the growth of business in the town, it could drive some things away from Hope Mills.

    “I’ve got a grocer that wants to go to Hope Mills,’’ Riddle said. “I’ve got a Dunkin’ Donuts. I’ve got another full-service restaurant. They are all going to probably get hit with the new ordinance.

    “What else is Hope Mills planning to do? If they want to be Pinehurst or Cary, they could get real strict. Everybody isn’t going to want to go to Hope Mills if they get real strict. They’ll just bypass (the town).’’

    Riddle said he’s not arguing against Hope Mills developing some kind of stricter sign ordinance, but he thinks whatever is done needs to be within reason.

    “They’re going from one extreme to the other,’’ he said.

    Photo: Joe Riddle

  • 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. Until the Parks and Recreation building has been repaired following damage from Hurricane Florence, some meetings may be moved to Luther Meeting Room at Town Hall at regular dates and times. Those meetings are noted with an asterisk below.

    Board of Commissioners Monday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m., Town Hall, Bill Luther Meeting Room

    Festival Committee Monday, Jan. 7, at 6 p.m., Town Hall, Front Conference Room

    Lake Advisory Committee Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Appearance Committee Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Veterans Affairs Commission Thursday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center*

    Activities

    For more information on these activities, contact Meghan Hawkins at 910-426-4109.

    Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, Jan. 21 — Town offices closed.

    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.

    Promote yourself

    Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

    01-14-15-mlk-breakfast.gifI often wonder what Martin Luther King Jr. would say about recent events if he were alive today. His vision was for everyone to be treated equally and he wanted minorities to have a voice. This past year has been full of tragedies, protests and social injustices. The truth remains that we still have a long way to go and I wonder if we will ever get there.

    The Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council presents the 22nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast on Monday, Jan. 19, at 7:30 a.m. at the Crown Exhibition Center. The theme for this year’s breakfast is “Working Together for Unity in the Community.”

    “We focus greatly on promoting community unity and it is not just the black community,” said Mary C. Owens, president of The Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council. “We will celebrate the community as a whole with the idea of what King called the beloved community.”

    Dr. King’s beloved community is a global vision in which all people can share in the wealth of the Earth. In the beloved community, poverty, homelessness and hunger will not be tolerated. Racism and all forms of discrimination such as prejudice and bigotry will be replaced with a spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood.

    The keynote speaker at the breakfast is retired Maj. Gen. Rodney Anderson. Entertainment will be provided by the 82nd Airborne Division’s All American Chorus. The event will feature a youth summit and an MLK Vendors Exhibition following the prayer breakfast. Vendors will run until 5 p.m.

    A worship service is planned for Sunday, Jan. 18, at 5 p.m. at Simon Temple AME Church and the gospel messenger is Reverend Perry Irby.

    “We are going to try to capture some of the flavor of King himself,” said Owens. “We are going to utilize some of the songs that King loved in the worship service.”

    The event will also feature a summit, which will allow the voices of Fayetteville’s youth to be heard.

    “This year we are hosting a youth summit that will follow right after the breakfast in partnership with Fayetteville Human Relations,” said Owens. “We will provide a platform to hear from the young people and what is on their mind that concerns them.”

    Owens added that we may think we know what’s on young people’s minds but sometimes they speak a totally different language.

    “We are hoping that parents and churches will encourage their children to participate in the youth summit,” said Owens. “We encourage everyone to come out and support this event.”

    Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, New Life Bible Church, Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, Heal The Land Outreach Ministries and Mr. Zeke’s Shoeshine. For more information, call 670-5662.

    Photo: The MLK Breakfast will focus on Unity in the Community.

  • 08Mayor Warner and husband As the final days of 2018 passed, Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner discussed her hopes and dreams for what’s ahead for the town in 2019. Here is some of what she shared in an interview with Up & Coming Weekly.

    Interstate 295

    The one thing I see that we’ve got to work on is economic development. We have to start thinking ahead. The exits off Interstate 295 are going to be here before we know it. They are quickly moving to get that funded.

    You are looking at Black’s Bridge Road or Golfview Road out to 295, that whole corridor I see as becoming a new gateway for Hope Mills. Since we have an opportunity, we need to plan that. We don’t need to  let it be our gateway and be embarrassed by what people see when they come off at that exit.

    What we need in Hope Mills is (to) maybe start trying to recruit. That might be an area where we could get a hotel or some other business we’re not aware of that would like the fact it’s coming off a major artery that surrounds this area.

    Finish the lake park

    I want to see the lake park phase two and phase three completed. We’ve been working on the lake and the dam coming back for such a long time. It’s a trophy for us that the dam is working. I would like the lake park updated, parking updated, so when people come there it’s easy in, easy out and more accessible for everybody.

    The plans are in place. We’ve got to facilitate getting them completed. It’s going to take some figuring out where we get the funding, whether it’s grant funding or another means of funding. We need to put that in our forefront, that it’s something we want to accomplish and don’t let it linger any longer. My experience the whole time I’ve been mayor is if you can make those decisions and move on them, it’s less expensive. The longer you wait, the cost of labor, the cost of everything, goes up, and that’s kind of where we are.

    Phase three includes Heritage Park. Heritage Park has been on the plans since before the dam went out. It was much cheaper to complete those plans in 2008 than it is right now.

    Complete sidewalks

    I’d like to make sure the sidewalks we have received grants for, the ones on Rockfish Road and the ones on Johnson Street to Trade Street, are completed. Those have been in the works for a very long time, almost as long as I’ve been mayor.

    It’s just a matter of making sure we are being good stewards of grant money, staying focused on trying to push to get it done. We want to get this job completed so we can walk from the ballparks (near the Town Hall complex) all the way down to the lake.

    The crosswalks on Main Street would make it so we can walk right over to the lake and enjoy it. We can save cars being on the highway because we can park and walk, and it’s safer with those sidewalks in place. We’ll have a walking trail from the Town Hall and the gyms at Parks and Recreation all the way down to the businesses on Trade Street and the Lake. I think that’s important.

    Develop Hope Mills Golf Course property

    We need to take and use the plan we got from the  McAdams Group. We spent a lot of money getting that in order. I think that we are going to have to start looking at being a unified board when something like (that study) is completed and brought back. They’ve done surveys. They’ve talked to the community. They are the professionals.

    None of us (the mayor and members of the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners) are professionals when it comes to that kind of planning. We have got to take the “I” out of it.

    I know what I would like there, and I know each of the board members has something they would like there. But we’ve got to be realistic. For us to get the job done, we’ve got to start accepting the fact that many of our citizens may not have the same opinions we have, and that’s who we represent. I think moving into 2019 that’s going to be real important, to sit back and listen to what our community is telling us, either by way of these surveys or the input we get from our meetings or input we might get from other sources.

    The main thing is, if we listen, every board member has a good idea. But what happens is each of us has our own idea. We’ve got to somehow come to a unified board where we realize all of our ideas are outweighed by what our citizens want, and we’ve got to do what our citizens are asking. I think that’s what’s important when it comes to the golf course.

    It’s going to attract attention if we do it the right way. I’d like to see us at the point where we’re moving on that, not trying to decide and differ from what the McAdams Group is bringing back to us.

    Moving forward on Public Safety Building

    That’s a perfect example of the cost of something changing over time. When we first started looking at it, we were talking about 6 1/2 to 7 million dollars. What we (recently) heard was potentially this building could cost 12 million dollars.

    It may not be that high, but I’m glad to finally see us making a move. But I’m also thinking we are probably going to have to look at making a decision on other properties and doing it so we can take advantage of opportunities of different types of funding and also save cost.

    Closing Thoughts

    In 2019 we have to get focused on what Hope Mills looks like in 2020, what we are going to look like in the next decade. We need to start thinking about what we want to see in areas that are going to be opening up because of change of ownership of some of the homes on Main Street if they are changed to commercial.

    I want to say something about our board, our staff and our community and how important it is we all work together. That would be my goal for 2019, that we have a unified community moving forward. We are a good example of what a small, growing town looks like. I want this board to work together and be on common ground with the decisions we make.

    We all represent Hope Mills, and we’ve got to put our best face forward, as a team, this whole town. We want to give the very best impression to anybody who cares about us or sees us.

    Photo: Mayor Jackie Warner and husband, Alex Warner

  • 01-28-15-ftcc-fall-admissions.gifHappy New Year from everyone at Fayetteville Technical Community College!

    Even though it may seem early to begin thinking about fall, when it comes to college admissions, it is never too early to prepare. We at FTCC are currently accepting admissions applications for 2015 Fall Semester and encourage everyone to apply for financial aid as soon as 2014 income tax information is complete. Even though it may seem early, now is the perfect time to begin the fall admissions process.

    The most important admissions advice I would like to offer: “DO NOT WAIT.” Visit our website www.faytechcc.edu and click on the “Get Started” link located on the home page. This links directly with the free College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) application used by FTCC and many colleges. Once the application is complete, two things happen: (1) an email is sent directly to the email address used in the application, and (2) we at FTCC mail a letter to the physical/mailing address used in the CFNC application.

    The email outlines admissions steps and provides links to forms used for many purposes, such as to request a transcript from high school or other colleges, financial aid and the assessment and placement office. The email also provides a link to connect with an FTCC Admissions Counselor and to our Veteran’s Services and military websites, health counselor and the Spring Lake campus and Ft. Bragg Center.

    The letter provides log-in and password setup information for student email and WebAdvisor accounts. All FTCC student applicants receive a student email account and a WebAdvisor account, even before they are registered for classes. The email and WebAdvisor accounts are important because FTCC supports “green” initiatives and communicates with students via student email after the first hard-copy letter is sent. FTCC’s WebAdvisor is an excellent tool for applicants and students in managing financial aid, registering for classes, contacting an advisor, viewing grades, requesting transcripts and setting up a payment plan (for students who pay tuition and other expenses out of pocket).

    Even in today’s high-tech world, FTCC recognizes that face-to-face assistance remains important, and we are proud to offer this one-on-one, personal interaction. We encourage you to visit our beautiful campuses located in Fayetteville and Spring Lake and FTCC’s Fort Bragg Center located at the Bragg Training and Education Center. FTCC Student Services is currently located within the General Classroom Building (GCB) at 2817 Fort Bragg Road at the Fayetteville campus while building renovations are underway at the Tony Rand Student Center. Representatives are also available to assist at both the Spring Lake campus and Fort Bragg. I invite you to visit with us at the GCB for assistance with the CFNC application, to take the placement test, and to learn how to log in to your FTCC student email and WebAdvisor. Admissions representatives located at all three campus locations can assist with financial aid applications. And FTCC’s admissions counselors offer help with making career choices and registration for that very important first semester.

    Please begin the Fall Semester 2015 admissions process today, and thank you for making Fayetteville Technical Community College your school of choice!

    Photo: Now is the perfect time to apply to FTCC for fall admission.

  • 012710large_north-carolina-symphony-feb24-09.jpgThe 1700s and 1800s were a magical time in Vienna — musically speaking at least. While towns in Italy, Germany and other European countries were packing out the local opera houses, Vienna was relishing the magic that only an orchestra can deliver. Blockbuster personalities of that era like Franz Schubert and Johann Strauss Jr. brought entertainment that the masses just couldn’t get enough of — and Vienna was the place to be.

    William Henry Curry, resident conductor of the North Carolina Symphony, has taken a few of his favorites and put together an evening of entertainment called A Night in Old (and New) Vienna, that will be performed by the NC Symphony on Jan. 29 at Reeves Auditorium.

    “I chose the selections for this program — and I only select pieces that I am deeply in love with,” said Curry. “I’ve taken some of the lighter classics from the golden age of Viennese music. What is special about this is that the pieces are simple without being simplistic, they are light without going over the edge to triviality.”

    The program contains two works by Schubert, who is one of the maestro’s favorites.

    “When I am listening to (Schubert) I feel that all is right with the world,” said Curry.

    The “Overture” and “Ballet Music No. 9” from Rosamunde opens the concert. Lively and carefree, Rosamunde came about as Schubert was commissioned to write an overture for the play Rosamunde, Furstin von Cypren (Rosamunde, Princess of Cyprus) by Wilhelmine von Chezy. Unable to compose a new piece in time for the premier , Schubert borrowed from his Die Zauberharpe (The Magic Harp) a fantasy melodrama, which had been inspired by Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

    Johann Strauss, Jr. was known as the Waltz King back in his day. Because of his performance schedule he was well traveled and held international celebrity status according to Curry. “Morganblatter, Op 279” (Morning Papers) is the second piece in Curry’s night in Vienna line up.

    “While Strauss composed many of his waltzes for dancing, he eventually realized that people just liked to stand and listen to the music,” said Curry. “His music still has the charm and buoyancy of music meant for dancing.”

    “Strausianna”, the next composition for the evening, was written by Erich Korngold, the younger son of Julius Korngold, an infl uential 20th century music critic. Born in 1897, Korngold made his mark in the European musical circles, working at a young age as a performer and a composer and even as he served in the Austrian army. By the 1930s Korngold had settled in California and was working as a composer for the fi lm industry, winning two academy awards.

    “Straussiana” is made up of Korngold’s versions of three little-known pieces by Johann Strauss, Jr.: “New Pizzicato Polka” from Strauss’ 1893 operetta Furstin Ninetta (Princess Ninetta), where it was used as both a children’s ballet and an intermezzo; the mazurka Bitte Schön! (You’re Welcome!), based on a theme from Cagliostro in Wien (Cagliostro in Vienna) of 1875. It was one of his last works, and is considered one of his most signifi cant as well.

    As a musician, Schubert would often write orchestral pieces for amateur musical soirees. It was for one of those events that Symphony No. 5 in B-fl at Major, D. 485 was written. Curry winds up the evening with this sparkling symphony.

    “This piece was written for a small orchestra,” said Curry. “It is intimate in scale and does not include the trumpet or drums. It is a true musical gem.”

    The concert starts at 8 p.m. Call 919.733.2750 or visit www. ncsymphony.org for more info.

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    The Greater Fayetteville Chamber is officially reorganized as it heads into another year of business advocacy for its membership. It was previously known as the Fayetteville–Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce and the Fayetteville Area Chamber of Commerce.

    The numerous name changes reflect years of frustration, and what the Chamber once described as “an inability to articulate a unified vision for its future.” Organization leaders believe they now have “a clearer mission.” The Chamber’s new Chairman Brian Kent seems determined to grow the membership and exert its influence in the community. 

    The Chamber is on its own now having separated itself from the Economic Development Alliance. The Alliance is funded in part by city and county governments and serves as local governments’ industry hunter. Under the new arrangement, the Chamber is self-sustaining and receives no public funding. It’s beholden only to its members and the business community.

    Up & Coming Weekly spent an hour with Kent recently. Kent left the military in 2005, but elected to remain in Fayetteville. He bought the old Sears Warehouse on Cumberland Street three years later, and received a Chamber loan to rebuild the property. The new building opened in 2012 as K3 Enterprises, an “innovative global conveyor of information solutions and related services.”

    Kent joined the Chamber in 2011, and immediately emerged as a leader. He joined the board of directors in 2013. Last year Kent was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by Methodist University. K3 Enterprises is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business with 80 employees handling technology contracts primarily with the military worth more than $10 million a year.

    The Greater Fayetteville Chamber faces the challenge of recovering from a protracted membership slump which has seen its numbers plunge from 1,500 when David Jameson was president 15 years ago, to only 700 today. Kent would like to see chamber memberships become what he calls “structured sponsorships” offering networking, event-planning, training and business education. 

    Kent isn’t happy with local government. The Chamber “has become a scapegoat for city and county inefficiencies,” he said. He’s among those who charge that the City of Fayetteville does not operate “in a business friendly environment.” 

    Council members agree and blame city staff. Kent adds that government “must streamline their processes” to speed up regulatory requirements of the unified development ordinance. 

    The city’s new Director of Inspections and Permitting agrees. Doug Hewitt rejoined the administration recently after an absence of a couple of years. He told city council this month that his staff is being cross-trained to respond to developer needs faster. He stressed the need for computer enhancements in order to synchronize internal systems so they can better communicate with each other. “We have to have a technology system that works,” said Deputy City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney, which places the onus on city council to adequately fund the department.


  • 012016john-szoka.jpg

    Tax Increase?

    “There is a difference between a fee and a tax,” said State Rep. John Szoka. It’s a distinction that is arguable, but for the record “fees are charged to pay for the provision of a service and only for that service,” added Szoka. Republican lawmakers don’t like to raise taxes, but they apparently are not as concerned about increasing fees. The GOP controlled general assembly raised motor vehicle fees, which went into effect this month. One that you’ll notice immediately is the cost of renewing a car’s registration. According to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles, it went from $28 to $36. An 8-year driver’s license renewal is now $40 which is an $8 increase. A 5-year driver’s license renewal went up $5 to $25. The charge for a title certificate went from $40 to $52. The 30 percent overall increase is the first in 11 years. The updated charges are expected to raise $150 million for road and bridge improvements. Meanwhile, thanks to the political clout of North Carolina’s automobile dealers, the state’s low highway use tax on car sales will remain unchanged at 3 percent. “The distinction between fees and taxes may seem to be like splitting hairs but it is an important distinction,” said Szoka. 


     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    012016diane.jpg

    Trailblazing Female General

    The new Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy took command this month. Brig. Gen. Diane Holland is the first female officer to assume the responsibility for the military, physical, character and social development of more than 4,400 cadets. She’s a 1990 graduate of the school. Earlier in her career Holland served with Fort Bragg’s 20th Engineer Brigade as a battalion logistics officer and then as a company commander. After that, Holland earned a Master of Arts at Duke University and returned to West Point to teach. She also attended the Army Command and General Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies, where she earned a Master of Military Arts and Sciences. Holland most recently served as a Deputy Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division, a unit of the XVIII Airborne Corps, which is headquartered at Fort Bragg. It was another first for a female general officer. Lt. Gen. Robert Carlson Jr., the United Stated Military Academy’s superintendent, said “The Corps of Cadets is getting a great commander and an outstanding leader.” 


     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    CFRT’s New Administrator

    Fayetteville’s Cape Fear Regional Theatre has a new managing director. The board of directors this month named Beth Desloges the leader of CFRT’s administrative team. She is a 2011 graduate of South University in Savannah, Georgia, where she earned a Masters of Business Administration and worked as Executive Director of Susan G. Komen of Coastal Georgia. As Managing Director of  the CFRT, Desloges will supervise all operations while working alongside Artistic Director Tom Quaintance to keep the theatre moving forward. “She is a perfect fit for CFRT, and I am thrilled with the team that we have in place going into 2016,” said Quaintance. Desloges said she learned the value of theatre as a teenager in New Hampshire. “Many of the valuable life skills that have made me a successful adult derived from my days as a theater kid in a small New Hampshire community.”


    012016athletics.jpg

    Athletics at FTCC

    Fayetteville Technical Community College is establishing a competitive sports program. Mike Neal has been hired as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at FTCC. He comes to Fayetteville from Sanford where he served for 25 years as Athletic Director of Central Carolina Community College. College officials say Neal will be responsible initially for establishing men’s and women’s basketball and golf programs for the 2016-17 season. Neal is a 1986 graduate of Western Illinois University. FTCC will play its basketball games at the Crown Coliseum. The golf program’s home course will be Stryker Golf Course at Fort Bragg. FTCC will likely add other sports teams later, although President Larry Keen has said football would never be an option because of its expense. Fayetteville Tech will likely compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Division II.


  • 09doubt Gilbert Theater continues its season with “Doubt,” which will run Feb. 1-17. The play is by John Patrick Shanley. Gilbert Theater Artistic Director Matthew Overturf will direct it.

    “This play is set in 1964, and the playwright, John Patrick Shanley, writes in the prologue that when he wrote it, he thought about this time and it was as if the world was going through a giant puberty,” said Overturf. “There was so much change occurring during this time, such as The Civil Rights Act being passed. And John F. Kennedy had just been assassinated the year before.”

    Overturf noted that the Catholic Church had just gone through a significant change. The Vatican II Council was trying to become more open and welcoming and look a bit more like the communities it served, he explained. Everything was shifting and changing during this time.

    The drama involves Sister Aloysius, a Bronx Catholic school principal, who takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the parish priest, Father Flynn, of improper relations with one of the male students.

    As Aloysius and the Father face off, it brings out the worst in both of them and reveals weaknesses, humanity and doubt in so many things. The production deals with the struggle of faith and doubt, right and wrong, and the gray area in between.

    “The male student happens to be the first African-American student in the school because the school had just become desegregated,” said Overturf. “Basically, the play becomes about Sister Aloysius’ crusade against Father Flynn. She brings on Sister James, a fairly young nun, to kind of help in this because (Sister James) is the teacher of the student.”

    The play is called “Doubt” for a reason. “There are a lot of circumstantial things and a lot of ideas that Sister Aloysius has that may not necessarily be founded in facts or truths, but she has her suspicions,” said Overturf. “And those, to her, are just as important as any facts.”

    Overturf continued, “We have a phenomenal cast. It is an important play for me because I fell in love with it in college and always wanted to direct it. It is a hard-hitting play.

    “What I love about it is that it is guaranteed to cause you to leave and talk about it. People will be discussing it and what they believe the outcome is because it is a wonderful show.”

    For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.gilberttheater.com or call 910-678-7186.

  • 01coverUAC013019001 For Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra Music Director Stefan Sanders, programming concerts for holidays can be especially fun. The Feb. 9 “Love is in the Air” concert is no exception. It includes classic pieces sure to stir the soul as well as a performance by guest pianist Anton Nel, who will perform Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2.”

    “Concerts close to holidays offer an opportunity to program thematically, and love and romance and longing for someone are a major part of the human condition,” said Sanders. “Putting together a concert is like creating a menu. You want to put together things that pair well and accent each other and are palatable. Think about the songs we listen to on the radio. As people, we have strong feelings, and there is a lot of great music that is love-inspired.”

    And there will be plenty of them in this performance. Whether it’s romance or great music you are after, FSO has a well-programmed performance set for the weekend before Valentine’s Day. The playlist includes selections from Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet,” plus iconic music from “Casablanca” and “West Side Story.”

    “The symphony is going to play some incredible, beloved romantic music — some of the songs will be very recognizable,” Sanders said. “There is also a lot of music that has been used in TV and film so that the audience will hear it, and even if they don’t know it by name, they will recognize it.”

    Special guest Anton Nel has been an international performance pianist for nearly four decades. He is also an acclaimed harpsichordist and fortepianist. But it is not just his talent that makes him a great fit for this FSO concert. Sanders credits Nel with inspiring not just audiences but the performers with whom he shares the stage — a pleasure Sanders has had more than once.

    “Any time you work with someone, there are some unknowns,” Sanders said. “But just the rapport with someone you have worked with and can trust makes for a positive experience. And Anton is an incredible artist. He is renowned for his interpretation of certain composers. I think the other performers will enjoy working with someone of this caliber.

    “I have seen several performances with Anton and other greats where their artistry inspires everyone else on the stage to be their absolute best. Anton is one of those artists who brings out the best in other artists.”

    The piece Nel is playing is significant for more than one reason. It’s great music, but the back story is also something many people will be able to relate to and find hope in. It’s about mental health. Early in Rachmaninoff’s career, he wrote a symphony. When it premiered, the performance was abysmal. The audience hated it.

    “This threw him into a very deep depression,” said Sanders. “He was at the bottom. Thankfully, he was able to get help.”

    A therapist helped Rachmaninoff to get out of his deep depression. And Rachmaninoff did more than just survive. He started thriving. “He felt inspired to write a second concert,” said Sanders. “And he dedicated it to his therapist, Nikolai Dahl. It goes to show that the things people deal with today are similar to what people dealt with years ago.”

    With a mission to educate, entertain and inspire the citizens of the Fayetteville region as the leading musical resource, FSO is creative in its programming and outreach initiatives. The organization is built on the premise that great symphonic music should affordable and fun.

    One of the initiatives that aims to make the symphony fun and approachable to everyone is the “Music Nerd” preconcert talks. About 45 minutes before the concert begins, Sanders and FSO Musicologist Joshua Busman will take the stage. Sanders described the Music Nerd portion as a casual chat. “It is a way for curious minds to learn about the music and other interesting facts related to the programming,” Sanders said. “Often, people like to have more context than what a program note provides. It is a way for people to learn more about the music we are going to play.”

    FSO also provides program notes on its website so attendees will have a good idea about what the performance will contain. The program notes are available at www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

    Methodist University will host the concert at Huff Concert Hall, 5400 Ramsey St. The Music Nerd talk starts at 6:45 p.m. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org or call 910-433- 4690 for tickets and information.

  • 08 Sweeney Todd  As of this writing, seats for the remaining performances of Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” are selling fast. So, allow me to get right to the point: Call the box office at 910-420-4383 or visit www.sweetteashakespeare.com for tickets. The show runs through Feb. 3, and you don’t want to miss it.

    Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd” probably wouldn’t be your first choice for a post-Christmas/pre-Valentine’s outing, but it should be. The talented cast running around the Fayetteville Pie Company is the right mix of fun and madness to balance out the macabre tale.

    The story is about London barber Benjamin Barker, who is wrongly imprisoned by Judge Turpin, who wants Barker’s wife, Lucy. After 15 years, Barker returns, calling himself Sweeney Todd, and begins working as a barber over Mrs. Lovett’s meatpie shop on Fleet Street. Seeking revenge, Todd takes his razor to unsuspecting customers, biding his time until he can get the evil judge in his barber chair.

    You’ll find no sympathy for Judge Turpin in this story. After driving poor Lucy to suicide, the judge takes the barber’s young daughter, Johanna, as his ward. He locks her away, intending to marry her, and thinks she should be grateful for his kindness.

    Todd is a lunatic, for sure, but he has had 15 years in prison to plot his revenge, all the while growing ever more psychotic. Jeremy Fiebig, STS founder and artistic director, plays the title character with an eerie calmness — the kind that makes you a bit uncomfortable in your seat.

    Aiding Todd in his revenge plot is the widow Lovett, played by Marie Lowe. Lovett has fancied the barber since before his imprisonment and sees not only a monetary benefit but also a romantic one to helping Todd dispose of the bodies. It is her idea to bake the victims into her meat pies. The secret ingredient boosts her business and has her dreaming of a retirement by the sea — with Todd.

    Lowe steals the show with her upbeat and energetic delivery in a Cockney accent. She is so delightfully sinister, I found myself rooting for her character. But, in a tale about death, revenge and insanity can there really be a happily ever after? Not in this tale, which also  has a few twists. No spoilers here, but the ending makes plain that one cannot profit from revenge.

    Director Medina Demeter pulls together a fantastic ensemble cast and crew to bring to life the tale with horror, excitement and entertaining music. The cast includes Aaron Alderman, Jennifer Czechowski and Joyce Borum. Heather Eddy plays Johanna and Tyler Graeper is her love-struck beau, Anthony. Allison Podlogar is Tobias Ragg. Gabriel Terry, Jackie Rednour-Hallman and Tohry Petty complete the ensemble.

    The Fayetteville Pie Company in Westwood Shopping Center lends its multilevel restaurant as the stage. It is an intimate experience that allows the creative efforts of STS to shine. The restaurant also provides phenomenal pies to audience members for this production as part of the admission price.

    For more information on the show or tickets, contact the STS box office at 910-420-4383 or visit www.sweetteashakespeare.com.

  • 01 cover “Annie,” the family-friendly musical based on the “Little Orphan Annie” comic strip, debuted on Broadway in 1977 and has endeared itself to audiences the world over ever since with such crowdpleasing tunes as “Tomorrow!” and “It’s a Hard Knock Life.” In the play, Orphan Annie sets out to find her parents and meets many interesting characters, including millionaire Daddy Warbucks, along the way. Starting Jan. 31, Cape Fear Regional Theater brings “Annie” to town with a stellar cast, including Robert Newman in the role of Daddy Warbucks.

    Although he also starred in “General Hospital” and “Santa Barbara,” Newman is best known for portraying Joshua Lewis for 28 years on the soap opera “Guiding Light,” a role for which he earned two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

    “Everyone is excited that Josh, Reva’s husband, is coming to town,” said CFRT Artistic Director Mary Kate Burke, referencing Newman’s “Guiding Light” character.

    She added, “Our Ms. Hannigan will be Erin Fish, who just performed the same role on the national tour of ‘Annie.’”

    CFRT’s “Annie” will be directed and choreographed by Robin Levine.

    Backstage, the cast is no less professional. Be it the stark simplicity of “Miss Saigon” or the rollicking onstage bar of “Music City” or a romp through the medieval landscape of “Monty Python,” sets at CFRT productions have always been impressive. Designing the set for “Annie” is Charles Glenn Johnson, who also designed last season’s hit “Crowns,” according to Burke.

    Bringing Johnson’s design to life is the job of Master Carpenter Willie Burgess and Assistant Carpenter Terry Remer, under the direction of Production Coordinator Ken Blinn and Technical Director Adam Lindsay.

    Sarah Harris, who was associate costume designer for last season’s “Sense and Sensibility,” is designing “Annie’s” costumes. Once her drawings are finalized and approved by the director, Harris will consult with Andi Nicks, costume shop manager, to determine what can be pulled from CFRT’s costume inventory to bring Harris’ artistic renderings to life.

    After meeting with the director to discuss the desired mood and ambience of any given show, a professional lighting designer creates a lighting “plot” for each CFRT production and submits a detailed drawing of how the instruments should be hung and focused. “There are usually over 100 instruments that get hung in the air in different configurations for each show,” said Burke. Staff technicians at CFRT then run the lights according to the plot.

    Jillian Zach, a Julliard graduate, is the musical director for “Annie.” Local professionals comprise the band for the show. A piano accompanies the actors during rehearsals, but the entire band — along with all the designers and technicians — assemble for what is known as a sitzprobe, where the actors hear the actual instruments for the first time, and then a wandelprobe, which is a walk-through for blocking with the band.

    Once the sitz and wandel are completed to everyone’s satisfaction, there is a tech rehearsal followed by a final dress rehearsal before opening night takes place.

    “The whole show is mounted in only three weeks,” said Burke. “So, between the first rehearsal and the first preview, there are only 20 rehearsals and a total of 100 hours rehearsed.”

    “Annie” opens Jan. 31 and will run through Feb. 24 with show times at 7:30 p.m. and matinees on most weekends. Tickets cost from $17-$32. Visit www.cfrt.org for information about tickets and performance dates. “Annie” is so family-friendly that CFRT offers a special cast meet-and-greet and a sing-along and dance especially for community children. See the website for details.

    Meet Daddy Warbucks

    Newman is no stranger to North Carolina nor to the character he’ll portray in “Annie.” Some would say he has a heart just as big and just as soft as Daddy Warbucks’.

    In the summer of 2010, Newman played Daddy Warbucks for the North Carolina Theatre’s production of “Annie.” For that production, he partnered with St. Baldrick’s Foundation in its quest to raise money for childhood cancer research and let St. Baldrick’s publicly shave his head. The theater joined in the effort and gave 20 percent of ticket sales to the foundation, too. “We were able to raise a good bit of money for the charity,” Newman said. “After the fact, I was talking to my wife about maybe keeping my head shaved. She was not having it and quickly said, ‘Robert. Grow your hair back.’”

    When Burke reached out to the North Carolina Theatre about Newman, the staff there remembered him fondly. “They were so effusive about him. They said he’s an incredible actor and an even more amazing human,” she said.

    While Newman enjoyed playing Daddy Warbucks before, he said he is looking to bring something fresh to the experience at CFRT. “There is nothing worse than an actor who says, ‘I’ve played this role before. This is how it is supposed to be done,’” he said.

    “The last time I played Daddy Warbucks was nine years ago. I was a different person, it was a different time and place. I am looking forward to exploring this experience and the father-daughter relationship between Annie and Daddy Warbucks. As a character, Daddy Warbucks has everything as far as money goes, but he meets Annie and his world begins to change — and he begins to change,” Newman added.

    One of the things that makes acting so rewarding for Newman, he said, is the human aspect of it. When Newman was in college, he had plans to become a psychology major. In his third year, though, he found acting. “And I discovered the two are very similar,” he said. “They are both a study of the human dynamic.”

    Newman is impressed with the way the play as a whole is coming together. “Robin Levine is directing it, and I am excited about where she is taking this production,” he said.

    While “Annie,” which ran for almost six years on Broadway starting in 1977, is not a new story, it’s one that audiences love. It’s heartwarming. It will make you laugh, and it will make you cry.

    “It is the right time for a play like this,” said Newman. “There is so much divisiveness in the world today, and this is a place where the audience can leave that behind for two hours and come and enjoy a heartwarming story.”

    As for his other North Carolina connection, Newman has participated in several charity golf tournaments around the state. He calls golf his Zen time, when he can leave his worries behind and focus on something he is, in his words, “sometimes good at and other times not.”

    So far, his experience locally has been positive. “Everyone here is so nice. The people here are great. I have only been in town a few days, and I already love it here.”

  • 13Mo Town Supremes The Givens Performing Arts Center presents “So Good for the Soul: A Tribute to Motown Music” Saturday, Jan. 12, at 8 p.m. in Pembroke.

    “We are excited to start the new year with this nostalgic concert,” said Chad Locklear, marketing director of GPAC. “It will feature a cast of about eight veteran entertainers and their bands.”

    Locklear said some of the entertainers are former members of The Marvelettes, and some are past Broadway performers who have had leading roles in shows like “Dreamgirls,” “Porgy & Bess” and “Show Boat.”

    The show’s director, musical director, choreographer and costume designer have jointly won more than 25 of America’s most prestigious theater awards. Cumulatively, the cast members have performed on recordings with more than 30 million record sales and have more than 40 years of experience.

    “It is a very talented cast of performers, and it is a tribute to Motown music (with) a lot of the songs everyone will be familiar with because folks have grown up with them,” said Locklear. “They are iconic songs by performers that everyone will be familiar with like Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Temptations, Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and many more.”

    Locklear added that the show pays tribute to a lot of Motown performers and their songs throughout the 1960s and ’70s.

    “We try to do concerts that are nostalgic and will appeal to our older generation, alumni and a wider audience,” said Locklear. “This is one of those familyfriendly shows that any age group can appreciate.”

    Adding an extra bit of flavor to this show, there will be a themed meal before the performance. Tickets for the dinner will be sold separately.

    “There is going to be a soul food meal prepared by our chef on campus and it will be held in the Chancellor’s dining room,” said Locklear. “The dinner will begin around 6 p.m. We’ve got a grant from the Robeson County Arts Council, The North Carolina Arts Council and McDonald’s Rust Enterprises, and we are grateful that they are sponsoring us. We look forward to everyone coming out to enjoy the show.”

    Ticket cost is $21-$36. For more information, visit www.uncp.edu or call 910-521-6361.

  • 12Mozart Come join the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra for a magical evening of “Magical Mozart” at St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown Fayetteville. The concert, set for Thursday, Jan. 17, is the first concert for FSO in the new year. St. John’s Episcopal Church provides an intimate venue for listening to a sampling of works by the famed composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

    Mozart, a child prodigy who began composing music at the tender age of 5, authored more than 600 symphonies, concertos, operas and chamber music pieces designed for smaller venues, such as a palace chamber, before his death at age 35. Each selection at St. John’s will be discussed prior to the musicians playing it, so guests will know what makes each piece special.

    Many people are not aware of the reach of Mozart’s influence but have most likely observed his effects on modern culture. At some point, almost everyone has watched the Looney Tunes cartoon-opera “The Barber of Seville” where “The Marriage of Figaro” is the hilarious ending to the cat-and-mouse game frequently played by Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. Even the band Queen gave an open nod to Mozart in their classic mock opera “Bohemian Rhapsody.” And, of course, the 1984 movie “Amadeus” featured a fictional portrayal of Mozart’s life.

    The song “Rock Me Amadeus” by Falco is a historical pop song dedicated to the composer. Mozart’s works are also used in commercials, movies and TV shows today.

    According to FSO President Chris Kastner, the beauty of “Magical Mozart” is that it is set in a historical church with excellent sound quality in the heart of Fayetteville. “There is nothing better on a cold winter’s night than being enveloped with the sound of the music,” she said.

    St. John’s seats about 300 people, and the acoustics are perfect for chamber music concerts.

    FSO prepared a program to highlight Mozart’s three most popular operas, “The Magic Flute,” “The Marriage of Figaro” and “Don Giovanni,” as well as “Serenade No. 12 in C Minor,” to be played by eight wind instruments in this instrumental-only performance.

    “This program is great for high school students or others that may want to perform,” stated Kastner, “and small chamber concerts allow for novices to hear individual instruments where they typically cannot in a large orchestra setting.”

    Kastner also noted, “The intimacy of the setting allows attendees to appreciate how hard the musicians work during a performance.” Whether you are a seasoned classical music aficionado or a novice looking to expand your horizons, the FSO concert at St. John’s is a fantastic setting for listening to music by one of the world’s greatest composers.

    Tickets can be purchased online or at the door the evening of the performance on Jan. 17. Find out more at https://squareup.com/store/fayettevillesymphony-orchestra/item/magical-mozart-tickets.

    St. John’s is located at 302 Green St. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

  • 01-12-11-fireantz-logo.gifThe Fayetteville FireAntz have had a trying season thus far. They’ve battled injuries as well as a roster that has seen numerous changes. However, lately the team has taken great strides towards moving up in the standings and cementing themselves solidly in playoff position as they look to make another run for an SPHL Championship. This was evident in the FireAntz’s last two home games on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

    The FireAntz hosted the first place Huntsville Havoc at the Crown Coliseum both nights. It was a daunting task but the FireAntz proved to be up to the challenge.

    Friday, Dec. 31, was the first of the two consecutive contests against the Huntsville Havoc. They had played just three days before and the Havoc won 2-1. The FireAntz got off to a great start on a power play goal by Rob Sich. They would extend their lead, by the half way point of the game, to 3-0 on goals by Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn and Chris Leveille, on a penalty shot. Huntsville, however, battled back and made the score 3-2 with three minutes remaining in the game. Leveille would cap his four-point night by scoring an empty-net goal, providing the FireAntz a much-needed 4-2 victory over the Havoc.

    Saturday, Jan. 1, the FireAntz looked to gain a home sweep against Huntsville. The FireAntz again got off to a great start on the power play with Anthony Perdicaro giving the FireAntz a 1-0 lead going into the 1st intermission. The second period was full of fireworks as there were five goals, three by the FireAntz. Leading 4-2 entering the third period, the FireAntz received a scare when Huntsville narrowed the lead to 4-3 with 15 minutes still to play. But a power play goal by Jeff Borrows iced the game and the victory giving the FireAntz back-to-back home wins over the first place Havoc.

    Goaltender Travis Yonkman was spectacular both nights as he turned away 92 of 97 shots faced.

    Join in the excitement of FireAntz Hockey this weekend as they lace up the skates again for two home games Friday and Saturday nights at the Crown Coliseum. The pucks drop at 7:30 p.m. both nights.

    Travis Yonkman makes a spectacular glove save!
    Photo Courtesy: J. Shank

  • 01coverUAC010919001Works of art most often reflect what is important to the artist: beliefs, sentiments or ideas.

    For local artist Saundra “Sandy” Smith Rubiera, memory became the core of her inspiration. A personal story, a Southern cultural memory, Rubiera’s childhood in Fayetteville, North Carolina, frames the narrative in her mature body of work. Tuesday, Jan. 15, Gallery 208 will host an opening reception for her latest exhibit, “What Touches Us: Works by Sandy Rubiera” from 5:30-7 p.m. at 208 Rowan St.

    The beginning of Rubiera’s accomplished artistic career began when she attended East Carolina University as an art student. By the time she left the university, she had completed a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting with a minor in printmaking.

    She married a professional photographer (her son is a professional photographer as well) and they lived in Miami, Florida, for 25 years before she and her family returned to Fayetteville. A former educator, Rubiera has illustrated three published picture books and exhibits nationally, regionally and locally.

    Most recently, Rubiera was one of the artists awarded the 2016-2017 Regional Artist Grant. This grant is administered and funded by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County with support from the North Carolina Arts Council and the counties of Lee, Moore, Richmond, Robertson and Scotland, the city of Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

    Although the majority of works in “What Touches Us” are Rubiera’s most recent works in Prismacolor pencils, professional markers and acrylic paints, Gallery 208 will present a range of Rubiera’s work so visitors can see the span of her career, including several multi-colored relief prints she made while studying at ECU.

    After seeing the early work, visitors to the exhibit will readily recognize that Rubiera’s identity as an artist and what she values was present even when she was a young art student. Her early work evoked a sense of joy and celebrated simple pleasures. The early relief images are figurative and revel in the love between women and children.

    Experiences of joy, beauty and simple pleasures are central to Rubiera’s content. Her approach to composition and pictorial perspective was forever altered when, as a student, she climbed a ladder to change a light bulb and viewed her surroundings from above. All of her mature body of work combines a birds-eye viewpoint with bright colors, patterns and a flattened space.

    Rubiera is clear about her approach to imagemaking: “I have spent my life studying, teaching and making art. What inspired me to pick up a pencil, brush or pen and make marks on paper or canvas is the same now as when I first started out as an artist: color, pattern and flattened space.

    “Although I draw from life, I make a conscious effort to flatten the space in the picture plane by tilting it toward the viewer and altering the perspective. The objects looked stacked, one on top of the other, vertically, rather than one behind the other, horizontally.

    “For me, color needs to be intense and as bright as I can make it to be exciting, like opening a new box of crayons on the first day of school. My work is flat and decorative. I love patterns, texture and making marks on a surface. I like the movement they create in a drawing or painting and the way they activate the surface by breaking large shapes into smaller colored areas.”

    Memories, the core of Rubiera’s mature work, take the form of sensations, objects and emotions. Unlike in her early work, the figure is replaced with the still life as a subject. Embedded in the still life are memories — like being a small child at her grandmother’s house.

    “There is an element of storytelling in my work,” Rubiera said. “The objects I draw and paint are objects I touch or use every day — objects perhaps unimportant to others, but which have meaning for me beyond my finding them interesting or beautiful. These objects evoke stories from my own memories or sometimes stories I make up about them.

    “I find these stories funny or whimsical, sometimes sad, sometimes silly. We all struggle, I think, daily, with horrors in the news and difficulties in our own lives. In my drawings, there is no cruelty or violence, no war or hunger or pain. I am aware that this is not the real world, but I want the viewer to forget all that if only for a moment.”

    When reflecting on Rubiera’s body of work, I think about the greater meaning successful works of art can have for all of us who view it. While memory sensations have had a direct influence on the work, has Rubiera given voice to a varied and changing cultural landscape of identities and values? Rubiera is presenting her personal reflections and experiences. As an artist, has she left out enough information for us to construct our own meaning?

    Positive answers to the above questions relate to the success of Rubiera’s work. Although the image is crowded with objects, Rubiera’s formal choices leave us, the viewers, with enough room to complete the work with our own curiosity. If we let go of preconceived ideas about what a work of art should be, we can rethink the familiar.

    Works of art can express feelings and emotions in ways that speech does not. Rubiera successfully stimulates a type of joy that anyone, of any age, can appreciate.

    Overall, art reflects what it is to be human, and the cultural dialogue in art is many things. Rubiera brings to the table an important perspective: beauty and joy are still important to our wellbeing. Having knowledge of Rubiera’s career path as an artist, it is easy to see she is a creative role model who can inspire many people of all ages to enjoy art or become artists.

    Locally, Rubiera’s work is carried by Lisa’s Picture Framing in the Haymount area of Fayetteville. She also has a website: www.saundrasmithrubiera.com.

    The public is invited to attend the Jan. 15 reception of “What Touches Us: Works by Sandy Rubiera,” from 5:30-7 p.m. at Gallery 208, located at 208 Rowen St. The exhibit will remain in the gallery until mid-March. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. For more information, call 910-484-6200.

  • uac011911001.gif Do you remember with fondness a time when big hair was in, and non-competitive dance shows were all the rage? Even if you don’t remember those days with a certain degree of fondness, The Cape Fear Regional Theatre has a show that’s right up your alley — Hairspray!

    On Saturday, Jan. 22, an exuberant cast is going to Mashpotato, Pony and ChaCha their way into CFRT history with its stellar music, amazing dancing, laughout- loud comedy and thought provoking look at life in the ‘60s.

    For those not familiar with show, the year is 1962. Dancing on the Corny Collins Show is all the rage in Baltimore, and big hair is in. For Tracy Turnblad, who will be played by University of North Carolina at Pembroke student Amy Rowland, dancing on the show is her only desire, and when that dream comes true, she goes from social outcast to super star. Instead of basking in her new found fame, she takes the opportunity to vanquish the mean girls, win the heart of her crush and integrate a TV network all in one fell swoop. If the thought of doing that all at once leaves you breathless, wait until you see the energy packed show that is powered by the enthusiasm of the cast.

    “I have really high expectations for this performance,” said Tom Quaintance, the director of the show. “We have a fantastic cast that has been working very hard. It’s really a great show. It’s really well cast. I think the audience is going to love it.”

    For Quaintance and the cast, the show is still a work in progress. Rehearsals started during the holidays, which left Quaintance three and half weeks to put the show together.

    “We took a look at the schedule, and because it is such a big show, we arranged to have four or fi ve rehearsals for dance and vocal to give the folks who were local a leg up,” he said, adding that throughout the duration of the rehearsals, there has only been one day (for just fi ve minutes) that the whole cast has been at the rehearsal at once.

    Those early rehearsals did not include Rowland or Richard Pruitt, who is playing Tracy’s mother, Edna. Pruitt, the elder statesman of the cast, is the only member of the cast from New York.

    “Over the past few years, I’ve gotten used to being the oldest person in most shows that I am in,” said Pruitt. “Admittedly this is an extremely young cast. I remember saying a couple of nights ago to Molly’s dad, Ken Griggs (who is also in the play), ‘I guess I was that young once. I can’t remember it. I’m sure I was that young once, but never that energetic.”

    The majority of the ensemble has been cast from colleges across the state, although many members of the CFRT are in the cast, including Ken Griggs and his daughter, Molly. 01-19-11-harispray.gif

    “It’s fun to see people who are not jaded,” said Pruitt. “Sometimes in theater, especially in New York, you see a lot of people who are burned out. That isn’t the case here, it’s all very upbeat.”

    “One of the challenges of the show is that it’s a very heavy dance show. People are dancing as hard as they can and singing as hard as they can. People are really working hard and it’s paying off,” said Quaintance.

    Because the show is so demanding, the cast really does not get a break. Quaintance explained that as soon as one group goes off stage, they are singing in support of the people on stage.

    The show is choreographed by Todd Smith, a member of the original Hairspray Broadway cast. This show will also feature the original staging and choreography, which presents its own challenges in a theatre the size of the CFRT.

    “There are some challenges with the staging, but I love this space,” said Quaintance. “It’s a great size. With the size of this cast, you are really in the audience’s laps, so it’s so exciting.

    “I’ve long been a believer that the pinnacle of musical is not Broadway. The best expression of musical theatre comes from young people. Musicals succeed or fail based on the pure joy that the performers have on stage. That’s what its about,” continued Quaintance. “Being up there, loving what you are doing and meaning it. If you are able to do that with a young cast, and tap into that energy, and then have the kind of professionals like Richard that bring the stability, focus and craft that they have, it’s going to be justthrilling.”

    While the show is a comedy, it tackles some very serious issues.

    “At the end of the day, it’s a relationship play. It’s a musical about love and acceptance,” said Quaintance. “When we were doing ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’, it’s hard to get through. It’s so emotional. You can get lost in how much fun the show is while you are putting it together and miss the really serious social situation that the play is taking place under. We were able to step back and talk about racism and how it has affected all of us. I’m proud that people aren’t leaning into the wacky part of it, and losing those relationships.”

    “When we fi rst got into that big scene, we talked about it for a while, and made connections on how we would approach it,” said Rowland. “While we are singing that song, we aren’t just holding hands, we are connecting. It’s a very emotional process. We are experiencing it all together. We are not alone. It’s pure emotion.”

    CFRT’s production of Hairspray runs from Jan. 20-Feb.13. The box offi ce is open. Tickets are $12/14 – Preview on Thursday, Jan. 20 and Friday, Jan. 21; $27 – Fridays and $29 Saturdays; $22 – Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Show times are 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sunday evening. Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. CFRT’s traditional discounts of $1 are available for seniors 55 and older, active duty military and their dependants on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturday matinees. There is a Military Appreciation Night on Thursday, Jan. 27. All active-duty military members and their families will receive $3 off the regular ticket price. For more information, visit www.cfrt.org

  • 07Marquis Crowd 3  Our P.L.A.C.E., which stands for Passion, Lives and Creative Experiences, is an arts-based Fayetteville nonprofit. Its mission is to provide opportunity, education, funding and resources to artists to impact society. Under the Our P.L.A.C.E umbrella is a multitude of projects, workshops, events, community drives and more. The Marquis Slam, a poetry competition created and hosted by Eean Tyson, is the longest running program the nonprofit presents. It takes place the first Saturday of every month at the Arts Center.

    A poetry slam is a three-round competition where up to 12 poets perform their original work within a three-minute time frame and are then scored by five random judges in the audience. The highest and lowest of the five scores are dropped each round to get the poet’s score for that round. The three scores are then added after the final round to see who wins.

    Slam season is from September to August. Poets compete in the local Marquis Slam events September through March in hopes of making the official Marquis Slam Team in April. From there, the Slam Team competes regionally and nationally in June and August.

    Since its creation in September 2012, The Marquis Slam has been a monthly staple in the poetry community of Fayetteville. Month after month, people come from all across Cumberland County and surrounding areas to enjoy an evening of food, fun, music and, most importantly, poetry.

    At each event, The Marquis Slam features a poet before the slam to prime the audience. Poets from around the country have graced the stage and made The Marquis Slam an experience like no other in town.

    This month’s event takes place Jan. 5 and features Harlem’s own, Joan “Lyric” Leslie. Now residing in Atlanta, Georgia, Lyric is known for her works of self discovery and self-love, all while using humor and wit to captivate her audience. Her book “My Blackness Rhymes with Joy” showcases her journey through love, healing, justice and the reclamation of black joy.

    Ashlee Connors, a local poet, author and threetime Marquis Slam Team member, said each year on the team was different. Of her first year, Connors said, “Making the team — a team — for the first time ever was the reward. It’s a meeting of the minds that everyone speaks on. Every single year there has been a new member on the team, and that is rewarding by itself.”

    Of her second and third year, she said, “Once you make the team, that’s when the real work begins. Now you are challenged to write from different perspectives and be open to the critiques. The team overall wants to push you to be better”.

    The event’s creator, Tyson, not only hosts the show, he also coaches the Slam Team once it is formed. He leads them in competitions both regionally and nationally. For seven seasons, The Marquis Slam team, under Tyson’s leadership, has traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana; Greenville, South Carolina; Little Rock, Arkansas; Greensboro, North Carolina; Louisville, Kentucky; and San Antonio, Texas, to compete regionally at the Southern Fried Poetry Slam. The team has also traveled to Oakland, California; Decatur, Georgia; and Denver, Colorado; to compete at the National Poetry Slam.

    Every first Saturday, make your way to the Arts Center at 301 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville for an evening of poetry like no other in the city. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Admission in $10. Food is available for purchase.

    To learn more about Our P.L.A.C.E and The Marquis Slam, visit www.welcome2ourplace.org. Send inquiries to ourplacenpo@gmail.com or on Facebook and Instagram at Our P.L.A.C.E NPO and The Marquis Slam.

  • 01coverUAC010219001  Sweet Tea Shakespeare, Fayetteville’s traveling theater company, starts the new year off with a twist. The location for its latest production is not a museum or a church, it’s Fayetteville Pie Company — and for good reason. Jan. 17-Feb. 3, the troupe will present the delectably gruesome “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

    Production Manager Medina Demeter said that while the troupe is known for its Shakespearean productions, this is not the first time it has strayed from the bard’s work. STS’ previous non-Shakespearean productions include “Jane Eyre,” “Songs for a New World” and “Sense and Sensibility.”

    The character Sweeney Todd first appeared in literature in the 1840s. He was the villain in a Victorian weekly serial “The String of Pearls.” Stephen Sondheim’s 1979 rendition of Todd’s story, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” opened on Broadway in 1979 and won several awards, including Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score. Many other stories have been created with the basic premise and character of Sweeney Todd, but it is Sondheim’s tale that STS will portray.

    Shaking up the season with “Sweeney Todd” was an easy decision, Demeter said. “Sondheim is good any time of the year. The lyrics and melodies in ‘Sweeney Todd’ are particularly appropriate for those wishing to escape the commercialism of Valentine’s Day.”

    The play’s main character and namesake, Sweeney Todd, played by STS founder Jeremy Fiebig, is a barber. He is also a killer with a tragic backstory. He disposes of his victims with the help of Mrs. Lovett, played by Marie Lowe, who bakes the victims’ flesh into meat pies and sells them in her pie shop. In true STS fashion, the group has made the story its own.

    In addition to performing, Lowe is an associate art director and master of audience and LIT — the group’s drunken Shakespeare series. “We are a small troupe of company members who travel to different towns and venues, which is different than other theaters, but no matter what kind of show you see at Sweet Tea, some things are always the same: a focus on making great stories accessible to diverse audiences through great performances, music, fellowship and food,” she said. “One of my favorite things about Sweet Tea Shakespeare is that almost all of the people who have joined the company since I’ve been here came straight from the audience — including me.”

    STS performs at a variety of venues, both indoor and outdoor, and is dedicated to bringing shows to as many audiences as possible. Setting this production at the Fayetteville Pie Company was the obvious choice.

    “We are so fortunate to be working with the Fayetteville Pie Company — one of Fayetteville’s iconic eateries — for this production,” Demeter said. “With their help and the awesome staging possibilities in their restaurant, audiences can expect to feel like they are a part of the action.

    “I am really enjoying the way the space at the Fayetteville Pie Company is at once challenging and infinitely fun to create in. I am excited to see the audience’s reaction to the use of space.”

    Ticket price includes a savory pie, a sweet pie and a soft drink or tea. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

    “Try to carve out time to see this show,” said Demeter. “Getting tickets is easy as pie, and it’s guaranteed to not be crummy.”

    Lowe noted that audiences often leave STS performances feeling pleasantly surprised at the uniqueness of the experience. “Almost everyone who comes to see one of our shows, whether it’s a musical or a new adaptation of ‘Jane Eyre’ or a drunk ‘Shakes in a bar’ or a traditional Shakespeare play, says the same thing — ‘I didn’t think I would have such a good time!’ There’s music, food, beverages adult and non, fellowship, T-shirts and a lot of laughter. I’d encourage people to … just come have a good time.”

    STS’ mission is to celebrate the wonder of language, story and stagecraft by engaging a diverse community with accessible, imaginative, magical theater. STS work, inspired by Shakespeare and the early modern spirit, is heightened by music, presence, familiarity and fellowship.

    STS employs universal lighting, which was common in Shakespeare’s day. Universal lighting illuminates the actor, the stage and the audience so the actors can engage more fully with the audience.

    The company also uses large, movable set pieces instead of fixed sets. This not only keeps things simple, it emphasizes the actors and the performance. Many actors in STS productions assume the roles of more than one character in each production. In Shakespearean custom, cross-gender casting is also a part of STS productions.

    There are two shows remaining in the STS 2018- 2019 season — “Maid Marion,” which runs April 25- May 12, and “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” which runs June 4-23.

    Call the box office at 910-420-4383 or visit www.sweetteashakespeare.com for tickets and information. Tickets to “Sweeney Todd” cost $45. Performances are Thursday through Sunday, Jan. 17-Feb. 3. The show starts at 7 p.m.

  • “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” - Pablo Picasso 

    For 11 months of the year, the fourth Friday of each month (December excepted), downtown Fayetteville comes alive with art and artists of every stripe and color. Sometimes there are themes — November is special because of the Dicken’s holiday celebration which revisits A Christmas Carol and all things Victorian and Christmasy. In the fall, the International Folk Festival sets the tone for the 4th Friday celebrations not only at the Arts Council but all over downtown.

    This month, showcasing our community’s young artists at the Art’s Council and in conjunction with the school system’s Arts Education Program, is the 11th Annual Cumberland County High School Juried Art Exhibition.

    It opens at 7 p.m. and runs through 9 p.m. on Jan. 28, although the show will hang through Feb. 17.

    The exhibit includes drawings, paintings, sculpture and mixed media artwork. Each entry will be judged by an art professional with recognition going to fi rst, second and third place along with honorable mentions. All students submitting artwork will receive a certifi cate of participation.

    “We are in awe every year at the amazing work produced by our community’s tremendously talented high school students,” said Mary Kinny, marketing manager for the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “We really stress that this is not a ‘Come look at what these kids did’ kind of show. That is not the point of if it. These are students who are at the top of their class in terms of art and they’ve already been through a weeding out process in each of their schools to compete to be in this show. Then, this show is jured. It really is the best of the best i01-19-11-4th-friday.gifn terms of our high school students who are artists.”

    Not only is this show a treat for the public, allowing a peek into the hearts and minds of local young adults and future leaders, it also provides the students with an opportunity to learn and grow as artists. As supporters of the arts, the Arts Council is pleased to have the opportunity to make “it possible for students to learn the important skills of critical thinking, making connections, expressing diversity and solving problems creatively, which will serve them in all facets of life.”

    Don’t forget to check out the other exhibits, demonstrations and performances downtown, too.

    City Center Gallery & Books is hosting scrimshander Ken Baldwin. Scrimshaw art is the etching of pictures onto whale bone or teeth.

    Headquarters Library, on Maiden Lane is featuring blues band The Piedmont Rhythm Aces. We’re talking down-home music complete with string/washboard, guitar, mandolin and a fi ddle backing up the vocals.

    Speaking of old-fashioned and down home, the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum has a 1917 Model TT Ford truck – set up for moonshining – in the museum’s annex, alongside other artifacts of transportation from days gone by.

    An off-shoot of Fourth Friday, Arts Alive starts at 6 p.m. and runs through 10 p.m. Here you can see artists at work demonstrating their craft.

    This month, says Kinny, Kevin Gregory will sell and demonstrate his paintings, which range from colorful depictions of baby dinosaurs to dark and macabre monsters and zombies. Glasswork artist Shannon Davis will use a gasfueled torch to melt solid rods and hollow tubes of glass into figurines and jewelry. Deborah Crandall will sell handcrafted jewelry while Greg Hathaway and Nancy Edge demonstrate raku fi ring. Performance artists also provide entertainment for the crowd.

    Photo, top right: “Vagabond” by Terry Sanford High student Jasmin Nieves, got honorable mention in the drawing category during the 2010 Cumberland County High School Juried Art Show.

  • 01-26-11-fireantz.gifYour Fayetteville FireAntz return to action this Saturday night and will take to the ice in the middle of the muddied waters that are the Southern Professional Hockey League standings. There are only four points separating fourth place from seventh in the SPHL, with the top six teams qualifying for the playoffs.

    There is plenty of hockey to be played, however, as the FireAntz have 21 games remaining of the 56-game schedule. Of those, nine are at home where the FireAntz will look to capitalize on their home-ice advantage.

    As the FireAntz begin their push towards the playoffs they are looking to a few key players to lead the way. Two forwards, Chris Leveille and Rob Sich, are amongst the top four in scoring in the SPHL and have been near or atop the scoring list all season. Newcomer Anthony Perdicaro has been a tremendous spark for the offense as well, tallying a point-per-game that he’s been with the club.

    At the other end of the ice, the FireAntz have received tremendous play from two rookie goaltenders, Travis Yonkman and Mike Spillane. Each arriving since opening night, the two rookies have proven to be among the best the SPHL has to offer. Spillane, who was named SPHL Player of the Week on December 5th, was then quickly called up to the Greenville Road Warriors of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL.) Yonkman, who leads amongst goaltenders in the SPHL in save percentage is the other half of the dynamic goaltending duo for the FireAntz. He is also fourth in save percentage.

    Combining with the offense and goaltending the FireAntz continue to look to captain defenseman Craig Geerlinks to anchor the team’s defensive corps. The perennial leader in blocked shots as well as the all-time leader in games played in SPHL history, the veteran provides solid on and off ice leadership as well as being the consistent stalwart defenseman for the FireAntz.

    Join the FireAntz in their push through the remainder of the season as they look to get into playoff mode. There is sure to be riveting hockey action the remainder of the season. Kick it off this Saturday, Jan. 29th, as your FireAntz take the home ice against long time rival, the Knoxville Ice Bears.

    Photo: FireAntz Forward #7 Anthony Perdicaro. Photo Courtesy: J. Shank.

  • Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows(Rated PG-13) Three Stars

    Maybe it’s the Guy Ritchie factor, but I just don’t get why these films are popular. I like Robert Downy, Jr. and this film had like, 75 percent less Rachel McAdams, but I was just as bored watch-ing this as the original. At 129 completely unjustified minutes, why can’t even die-hard fans admit that Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is01-04-12-movie.jpg a bit on the lengthy side? 

    The first 30 minutes or so are a pretty big waste of time, what with all the non-sexual tension between Holmes (Downey, Jr.) and Irene Adler (McAdams). Since the entire set-up could have been done in 10 minutes the lengthy intro just to establish that Moriarty (Jared Harris) is the Big Bad seems padded. After wrapping up the nonsense (Elaborate fight scenes! Bombs! Poison darts! Moriarty can clear a restaurant!) we transition into something resembling the meat of a plot. It seems that Dr. Watson (Jude Law) is about to get married, and he has trusted Holmes to be his best man. Watson isn’t nearly as smart as he is supposed to be.

    Holmes and Watson hit the town, supposedly for a bachelor party, and Sherlock’s brother (Stephen Fry) goes along for the ride. I take a little nap, and when I wake up, Holmes is completely blowing off his best man duties to do some Sherlocking, which leads him into the parlor of a fortune teller. It seems that at some point, Holmes deduced that Madame Sim (Noomi Rapace) is being targeted by Moriarty for some vague, un-explained reason. At least we get a super cool chase scene out of it! 

    The next day, after the wedding, Holmes goes to visit Moriarty at a university. Since Moriarty is clearly such an evil genius, Holmes takes the opportunity to slip him some poison, and the movie ends. Except that doesn’t happen, and instead the two archenemies do some verbal sparring that involves announcing how much they respect each other, and that’s why they’re not killing each other, and blah blah blah. I do not share their admiration, since the smart thing to do involves a blunt instrument of some kind, and neither of them is stepping up.

    So, since Holmes knows that Moriarty is a sociopath, he intercepts Watson and puts him on his guard so he can effec-tively protect his new bride. Except that doesn’t happen either. Instead, he dresses up as a lady and prepares elaborate train urinal-based booby traps, finally blowing the train in half. Then, he drags Watson into a gypsy camp that in no way reinforces popular stereotypes.

    Reunited with Madame Sim, she feeds them clues about her brother, who is somehow involved in Moriarty’s master plan. I cross my fingers and hope that this is an elaborate set-up that will end with Sim partnered with Moriarty, laughing evilly at the ineptitude of a supposedly great detective. The trio follows the trail, which eventually leads them into Germany. Holmes confronts Moriarty, and once the Big Bad has neutralized him, he is killed and his body is dumped in a river. Except that doesn’t happen. Instead, Moriarty explains his whole elabo-rate plot and toys with Holmes, giving Watson time to save the day. Will Hollywood villains never learn?

    When the two meet for the final time, the setting is a pretty groovy castle in Switzerland, built into the side of a mountain and straddling an enormous waterfall. Pretty cool. Do you think that waterfall might be im-portant later?

    Frankly, I was bored. The plot was confusing, the dialogue mumbled, the camera work pretentious and the ending a great big cheat. To be fair, my husband said he really liked it.

    The film isn’t for everyone, but fans of the first will find more of the same and probably enjoy what they get.

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

  • 01-18-12-monster-trucks.jpgLadies and Gentlemen, start your engines and take off to Fayetteville’s 7th Annual AMP Tour’s Thunder Slam Monster Truck and Motorcycle Demolition Derby at the Crown Coliseum on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and 28.

    There will be a pit party at 6 p.m. and the show follows at 7:30 p.m. This year’s show features everything from high-flying freestyle BMX bikers, motorcycle destruction, monster truck rides and local Tuff Truck competitions.

    Since 2005, The AMP Tour, based out of Scottsdale, Ariz., has put on hundreds of shows in cities all over the United States. This 2012 tour means visiting 17 different cities in a matter of 13 weeks.

    “We are going to El Paso and San Angelo, Texas and then Fayetteville is our third stop on this tour,” says AMP Tour Manager Ron Leach.

    The AMP Tour is known for bringing 10,000 pound, 10-foot-tall, monster trucks with 2,000 horse power to a variety of different venues to captivate and thrill their audiences.

    “This year’s show is all new — never before seen in Fayetteville,” says Leach.

    Some of the most prestigious performers will also be returning to the Crown Coliseum; like Viper, Reptoid, Nail It, Country Boy and God, Guts and Glory. Watch these “masters of destruction” and more rev up their engines and crush cars with their oversized tires.

    Thunder Slam also features the Road Rage Rampage Motorcycle Demolition Derby, which consists of six dare-devil motorcyclists getting decked out in protective gear and going head to head in a full contact battle with one another. The show includes a team of six of the best freestyle BMX bikers fl ying through the air and performing gut wrenching and nail biting stunts that are sure to fascinate you. These professional ramp-to-ramp jumpers from Pinn-It FMX will bring the stunts of the X Games seen on TV to the Crown Coliseum.

    The show has a team of freestyle BMX bikers flying through the air and performing heart-stopping tricks. Also, if you’re feeling gutsy, compete in Thunder Slam’s Tuff Truck Challenge

    “This is where local competitors have the chance to come to the show in their work trucks and they can jump jumps and crash cars,” says Leach. “It’s a great time.”

    “We’re just going to be high and tight and have fun, there will be all new thrills and chills, a lot of excitement,” exclaims Leach. “There will be a lot of things happening that have never been seen in Fayetteville before.”

    Tickets to The AMP Tour’s Thunder Slam Monster Truck and Motorcycle Demolition Derby are available for purchase online or at the Crown Coliseum Box Office and other local Ticketmaster locations. Reserved tickets are under $20 and 30 percent off when bought in advance.

    Photo: The Amp Tour’s Thunder Slam Monster Trucke and Motorcycle Demoli-tion Derby will bring chills and thrills to the Crown.

  • Clusters, another original work, debuts at the Gilbert Theater to the delight of theatre aficionados. Performances are Feb. 2-19.

    The play, written and directed by Stephen Miles, focuses on senior citizens in a retirement home where they face health problems such as Alzheimer’s, aging and right-to-die issues. Even though Miles has written 13 plays in his lifetime, this will be the writer’s debut as a director and he is thrilled. The new director stated that this play is very close to his heart because he can relate to it on a deeper level.01-25-12-clusters.jpg

    “I’m not getting any younger myself, and I have seen friends of mine face the challenges of getting older,” Miles said.

    As people age, they are faced with challenges with their health. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia, accounts for about 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases. The majority of people with Alzheimer’s disease are usually 65 years and older. Cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease are common among Baby Boomers as well.

    Miles explained that Clusters is a very powerful play, but disturbing in a sense. The director is very excited to get feedback from the community on not only the performance, but his writing as well. According to Miles, the cast is currently working hard in rehearsal for the play and it is going well.

    Lynn Pryer, artistic director at Gilbert Theater, says the play hits close to home for many in the community, since having aging family members is a commonality. Anyone can relate to the play and be impacted by it, noted Pryer, who founded the theater in 1994. Pryer will retire in June.

    The Gilbert Theater, which was originally founded in the basement of Pryer’s home, has a mission of producing original works for world premieres. Diversity is vital in the Gilbert Theatre and the experience is brought throughout the community by providing a stream of different productions.

    From the features of many up-and-coming writers, children’s puppet shows, fundraisers, and even the production of A Christmas Carol, to name a few, it should come as no surprise why the theater is so cherished by many throughout Fayetteville.

    Clusters performances begin at 8 p.m., with the exception of Sundays, when the curtain rises at 2 p.m for a matinee show. Ticket prices are $12 and can be purchased through the Gilbert Theater website www.gilberttheater.com. Tickets for Thursday performances of Clusters are $10 for students and military.

  • A great display of music is brought to local residents and students by The University of North Carolina at Pembroke on a regular basis. One of the latest shows is the Tchaikovsky St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, which performs Feb. 9, at the Givens Performing Arts Center(GPAC)

    .The orchestra has a unique background that has made it popular throughout Russia. Founded during World War II, it has had the privilege of working in different musical genres and has received rave reviews throughout the former Soviet Union.

    Conductors from the St. Petersburg Conducting School,which was founded in 1862, regularly work with the orchestra. The group is home to Russian Romantic composers and 20th century classical composers alike, and has cultivated a devoted audience.

    The Tchaikovsky St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra offers more than great music — it makes a difference in the community by offering educational and charity programs that expose young audiences to a vast repertoire. The orchestra regularly performs at Young People’s Concerts in St. Petersburg, Russia. The group also tours around the world and has met with much success in Europe, China and Japan. It should come as no surprise that the GPAC is bringing this prestigious orchestra to perform for the community.

    David P. Thaggard, assistant executive director at GPAC, says that the performing arts center returned orchestra performances to the campus a couple of years back. “We felt that we were doing a disservice to the students due to less diversity,” Thaggard explained.

    Thaggard says the students at the university have the opportunity to learn something new by viewing all that the show has to offer. Both students and music lovers can relate to the symphony and possibly get some new insight. Audience members can expect to hear music that ranges from baroque compositions by Vivaldi, Bach and Handel to contemporary compositions by Schnitke, Banshikov, Desyatnikov and Kancheli.

    02-01-12-orchestra.jpg“You get to experience different performing art while still being in an educational environment,” Thaggard said.

    Going into its 36th year, the GPAC is one of the largest performing arts centers in all of Southeast North Carolina. The center brings in a wide variety of entertainment that is economically suitable for students and local residents. Thaggard explains that the mission of the center is to cater to the community and students. The GPAC, supported by student affairs and student programming, receives much of its support from the university. Some of the upcoming shows include Broadway favorites, ballet and distinguished speakers.

    “We have a big turnout with our shows,” Thaggard said.

    The curtain rises on the Tchaikovsky St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. The performance lasts about two hours with an intermission in between segments. To purchase tickets for the orchestra or any future performances, contact the box office at 910-521-6361.

    Photo: The Tchaikovsky St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Givens Performing Arts Center on Feb. 9.

  • 18 Situps work the front muscle in the torso called the rectus abdominis and the classic situp has been proven to be ineffective in the reduction of abdominal fat. We are unable to do any spot reduction exercise to make a difference. Situps provide strength in the abdominals but they do not provide overall core stability. Multiplanar exercises along with diet are beneficial for the overall core.

    What is the core? Your core is the central part of your body that includes the lower back, hips, stomach, pelvis, glutes and diaphragm, the muscle groups that are all interconnected.
    A conjunction of exercises in multiplanar movements are contributing factors to an overall fitness improvement with diet being a major factor to the elimination of abdominal fat.

    You can do hundreds of situps, but the fact is unless you integrate overall fitness regimen into your work out you will not get the deserved benefits.
    From a training perspective we do not perform situps the old fashioned way which is hands behind the head, elbows moving the torso into a forward flexion. The biggest mistake that I see on the gym floor is the situp with the head moving forward which puts strain on the neck and spine.

    When we do situps, they are with a ball to support the spine, the movement is minimal and the arms are in various positions. The Pilates situp is with the legs straight or in tabletop and a fluid motion of the entire torso with the back flat and flowing with the movement.

    Fat does not magically disappear with diet and your targeted areas may be the last to let go. There is no quick fix for a flatter stomach and you may have to put your exercise plan second on your list.
    Focus on your diet and begin to cut out foods that bloat or add fat that are high in sugar, salt or unsaturated fat. Begin drinking plenty of water to flush your system while eating foods higher in fiber such as fruit and vegetables.

    Diet in conjunction with cardio and core building will begin to strengthen and sculpt your body. The time that it takes to lose body fat varies from person to person and factors that play a role in reduction may contribute to age, sex, height, weight, diet and physical activity. Generally, a person needs to burn 3,500 calories to lose one pound of fat and this can be accomplished by starting to eliminate about five hundred calories per day from your diet or eliminating 250 calories and adding in cardio that burns about 250.

    This measure can aid in the reduction of body weight by approximately one pound per week or four pounds per month which is a healthy and sustainable approach to sustained weight.
    What are the best ways to engage the core for a flatter stomach with exercise?

    Planks burn more calories because they engage the arms, legs and back. Side planks engage the obliques, side core muscles, arms and glutes.

    Toe reaches engage the abdominal muscles.

    Up right bicycles in a seated position engage the abdominal muscles with a Bender Ball behind the back to decrease pressure on the spine.

    In order to see a difference in body composition consistency is the key with diet, strength training, flexibility, cardio and water intake. Patience is the key to success because our bodies did not get the way they are overnight. Sustainability is worth the effort.

    Live, love life with movement and fitness.

     

  • 6 North Carolina faces many challenges. You and I may disagree with how to rank those challenges, or what to do about them, but we share a belief that our state could be a better place than it is today.
    This reformist impulse is proper and useful. But we shouldn’t let it make us unduly and unrealistically dour. Few states can match what North Carolina already has to offer — which is why few states match or exceed our growth rate.

    The latest population data from the U.S. Census Bureau, for example, show that North Carolina’s population grew by some 133,000 last year, to 10.7 million residents. Only Texas (471,000) and Florida (417,000) increased more in population during the period. In terms of annual growth rate, North Carolina ranked 9th at 1.3%, with Florida (1.9%) topping the list.

    America’s fastest-growing states are primarily in the Southeast and Mountain West. That’s been true for some time now. Similarly, the places with the largest drops in population last year were also rather predictable. There were six-figure population declines in New York, California and Illinois. In percentage terms, the fastest-declining states were New York, Illinois and Louisiana.

    As for gross domestic product, North Carolina’s economy has since the beginning of 2020 posted a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%, adjusted for inflation. That’s significantly higher than the national (1.6%) and regional (2.1%) averages. Idaho (4.2%) ranked first in this category. Our state ranked 8th.

    Which states are slackers in economic growth? Well, Louisiana’s GDP actually shrank by an average annual rate of 3%. Other places with net negative growth since January 2020 included Alaska, Wyoming, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Hawaii, New Mexico, West Virginia and Maryland.

    As should come as no surprise to no one, I believe that the past decade of free-market reforms and fiscally conservative policies made North Carolina a more attractive place to live, work, invest and create new jobs. We went from having one of the worst-designed tax systems in the country to one of the best. Under laws already enacted by the General Assembly, our tax rate on personal income will decline to 3.99% by 2027. Our corporate tax will disappear entirely by 2029. I also credit infrastructure improvements and a series of regulatory-reform measures for improving North Carolina’s business climate.

    A Canadian think tank, the Fraser Institute, provides a handy way to track these changes over time. In the most recent iteration of its Economic Freedom of North America index, North Carolina ranked 9th. That represents a marked improvement from its 2010 rank of 19th.

    It is important to keep in mind, however, that government is not the primary driver of economic decisions — whether for good or for ill. All other things being equal, states with smaller, less-intrusive, and more-effective governments tend to grow faster than average. That’s the finding of most (though not all) academic studies published over the past several decades.

    Where the rubber meets the road, however, all other things are never equal. States differ significantly in geography, natural resources, population density and economic structure. Many factors that determine growth over time can only be modestly influenced by public policy, if at all.

    Look again at that list of states with shrinking economies. While some of them are “blue” states with relatively high tax and regulatory burdens, others such as Wyoming and North Dakota don’t fit that description.
    North Carolina’s economic portfolio is diverse — and becoming more so over time. Is there room for improvement? Sure. But we already have a lot to be thankful for.

  • 5 Americans of all political stripes were glued to our television sets during last month’s epic fight by California Republican Kevin McCarthy to fulfill his long-held dream of becoming Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

    It took the better part of a week and 15 rounds of voting with unknown concessions to right-wing representatives, but McCarthy finally dragged himself over the finish line.
    It remains to be seen what his overriding desire has cost him and the American people.

    That said, the whole process was riveting, because Americans have never seen anything like it unless we happen to be in the House gallery, where most of us have never been.

    Since there was no Speaker, no Chamber rules had been adopted. C-Span, a nonprofit network that airs various government proceedings, including what happens in Congress, was unconstrained in showing us what was really going on, the process of legislative sausage making.

    We saw Congressional parents babysitting their children on the House floor, liberal AOC of New York conversing with a House member from Arizona who once posted a cartoon of himself murdering her. We saw Democratic and Republican members conversing pleasantly, and we witnessed a fist fight on the verge of happening between a McCarthy supporter and a McCarthy opponent.
    Our own North Carolina Congressman Richard Hudson, himself a Republican, grabbed his aggressive colleague by the chin and held him back, averting actual fisticuffs.

    My personal favorite part was newly elected and newly disgraced New York Congressman George Santos not responding to the House clerk calling out his name for a vote — if Santos is indeed his real name since he did not seem to recognize it at all.

    The whole thing was quite a show, and Americans loved seeing the real action, not the sanitized version.
    Under normal House rules made by both Democrats and Republicans and in effect now that there is a Speaker, C-Span is limited to showing the rostrum, member orating on the floor, and panoramic views of the House with people walking around.

    Getting to see what really goes on has, historically, been an electrifying treat available only to those actually present. But now that we have seen it, we want more. Think “how ya gonna keep ‘em down on the farm once they’ve seen Paree?”

    To that end, Representative Mark Pocan (D-Wisconsin) plans legislation to allow just that, saying “one of the features of the new Congress that made this debate so compelling was the fact that cameras recording the U.S. House of Representatives were free to broadcast the full Chamber during votes and debates.”

    Good for him! Americans should be able to see their elected officials at work, even when they are making sausage. And while Democrats had a difficult time keeping the smiles off their lips during the days-long Republican Speaker voting, rest assured that the glare of public sunshine could and will cut both ways, and both parties will eventually embarrass themselves if C-Span’s cameras are allowed to let the sunshine in.

    Meanwhile, back in North Carolina, our own House of Representatives is apparently trying to pull a fast one. Republicans have adopted House rules that do not require advance notice of veto override votes. This means that should someone, likely a Democrat who supports the Governor’s veto on a piece of legislation, step out of the House chamber even for a necessary bathroom break, the Speaker could call for a veto override vote immediately, and that would be that — fair or not.

    Yet another argument for transparency in government, including allowing Americans to see the sausage getting made — blood, gore and all.

  • uac010412001.jpg If you had visited in Fayetteville in early 1997, you would not have found the bustling historic downtown you see today. You also would not have found many of the national businesses that have located here or the numerous restaurants that dot the city’s busy commercial corridor around the mall and on McPherson Church Road.

    Instead you would have found a derelict downtown, with dark bars with names like the Seven Dwarves, the Pump House and the infamous Rick’s Lounge. The city’s downtown was just beginning to come back to life, and the first conscious attempts were made to separate the city from its derogatory nickname of Fayettenam.

    Flash forward to today, and you find a community on the move. Over the past couple of years, the city has received numerous national accolades:

    • 18th on the 2010 Milken Institute’s Best Performing Cities Index

    • Second highest increase in the nation on per capita income in 2010

    • America’s Most Pro-Military Community, Time

    The results say that the community has done something right, but it hasn’t been by chance, but rather through careful planning and community involvement. That cohesive community effort paid off last summer, when Fayetteville earned its fourth designation as an All America City. The question begs to be asked: How did we get here in just 15 short years?

    The city answered that question best in its application to the All America City Award” “We believe that we are worthy of a fourth award, because we are addressing the city’s challenges through civic engagement and collaboration, a community-wide effort for inclusiveness and through creative leveraging of resources to complete projects that have dramatic impact in our community.”

    The city highlighted four key projects in the award:

    • Working together to move Fayetteville Forward

    • Improve the image of Fayetteville and embrace our military

    • Address sustainability through leveraging resources for innovative economic development

    • Embrace Reading Rocks! to benefit Fayetteville’s Youth

    Key to Fayetteville’s transition was the involvement of the community as a whole. That is best manifested in the Greater Fayetteville Futures project, which has been ongoing since 2000. The goal of Greater Fayetteville Futures, which continues to meet today, is to bring hundreds of Fayetteville citizens together for the purposes of transforming the community’s vision into innovative projects. More importantly, the group focused on one question: How can its citizens work together to move Fayetteville and Cumberland County forward?

    The initial effort was spearheaded by local business owners and the University of North Carolina’s Offi ce of Economic Development, and focused on three topics: How to diversify the economy; how to leverage the military presence to build a more dynamic local economy; and how to establish an identity that was a true refl ection of the city

    .The first two topics were closely related, and work in these areas has changed the face of the community, and is continuing to build the local economy. In 2001, Fayetteville’s per-capita income was stagnant. Jobs were not being created, and the community’s brightest and talented young adults were leaving to build careers in more progressive areas.

    Working with the leadership of Cumberland County, a concerted effort was made to consolidate the community’s economic development efforts to recruit traditional industries, while leveraging Fort Bragg’s presence in the community. That effort has resulted in all economic-development efforts falling under the auspices of the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. The efforts are funded to the tune of $1 million, which is contributed by the county, the city and the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. An additional $3.6 million was contributed to the economic-development funds through private businesses and individuals, with the most recent infusion coming through the creation of the Linda Lee Allan Legacy Fund.01-04-12-all-america-city.jpg

    The first fruits of the community’s labor began to be seen in 2005, with the creation of the N.C. Military Business Center, which assists businesses with obtaining military and other federal contracts. To date almost 600 contracts have been awarded, which has brought $2.7 billion to the state.

    2005 also saw the announcement of the BRAC commission to move the U.S. Forces Command and the U.S. Army Reserve Command to fort Bragg. That decision spurred the creation of the Partnership for Defense Innovation and the Defense & Security Technology Accelerator, with the later creating more than 150 jobs, securing 91 military contracts and infusing $31.8 million into the local economy.

    In recent years, more than 600 high-tech jobs have been secured in the community through the work of the PDI, including, Booz Allen Hamilton’s opening of a corporate offi ce in the city, L3 Communications, SAID and other military contractors. Home-grown entrepreneurs include RLM, K2 and The Logistics Company.

    Economic growth has continued through the investment of more than $120 million in downtown by the private and public sector, and a $113 million investment in the city through a Hope VI project, which is designed to revitalize blighted areas near the downtown area.

    Fayetteville residents may be more aware of the change in the way the city is viewed, but with the construction of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Downtown, followed by the N.C. State Veterans Park, Fayetteville has embraced its military heritage, and has leveraged it to become the military destination. Touting itself as a city of “History, Heroes and a Hometown Feeling.” Leaders felt the phrase captured the sentiments of how Fayetteville saw itself as it entered a new millennium. In 2001, America went back to war, and troops again amassed at Fort Bragg, but long gone were the bars and strip clubs that earned the city its unfortunate moniker. Instead, troops converging on the city found an emerging and growing downtown, and a community that was ready to not only support them, but embrace them.

    Fayetteville didn’t just pay lip service to its new slogan, its citizens lived it. The creation of a number of organizations that served the troops happened quickly. First was the creation of the Society of Patriots, which was comprised of community leaders representing the military, local governments, businesses and cultural organizations. The group created a community-wide plan to show the nation Fayetteville’s true colors. This was quickly followed by the creation of the 31 Day Salute, a month-long celebration honoring the military, veterans and their families. With this May celebration, the city, reaffirmed the pride it has in its military history and its commitment to supporting the troops.

    With BRAC came many challenges, chief of which was convincing families to make the move from Atlanta to Fayetteville. The community answered the call with the creation of the Army’s Army, a non-profit volunteer organization that worked tirelessly to educate, inform and make welcome those who would be making the move. That effort resulted in Fayetteville being named America’s First Military Sanctuary, and later being named by Time as America’s Most-Pro Military Community. Other organizations, like Fayetteville Cares ensure that Soldiers serving today are taken care of while they call Fayetteville home.

    In November, Fayetteville paid homage to its Vietnam-era history by hosting a Heroes Homecoming, the nation’s first welcome home for Vietnam Veterans. The two-week event brought Vietnam vets from across the nation to the community, many of whom reveled in the changes to the city, while affectionately recalling their time here.

    At the heart of all of these improvements has been the involvement of local citizens not only in Fayetteville Futures or in America’s Army or in packing care packages for the troops, but in creating a vibrant community that is alive with arts and culture, that embraces its green spaces as much as it does its businesses and that has found a way of keeping its most precious resource — its children involved, active and returning to the city to pursue their careers following the completion of their education.

    Fayetteville has come a long way in the past 15 years, and city leaders are continuing to craft a vision for a vibrant future, but they are the fi rst to acknowledge it takes the work of the entire community to continue the momentum. Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne probably said it best in an opinion piece that he wrote to launch the Greater Fayetteville Futures initiative:

    “Let’s agree to look back one day and say that 2001 was the time when we rolled up our sleeves and worked together to improve our community’s economic health, to restore our rightful place as an economical infl uence in the region and the state and to build a stronger economy and better life for everyone who lives and works here.”

  • 18Cardiovascular disease claims more lives across the globe every year than any other disease or condition, and many of those fatalities are credited to heart disease.

    Though the terms “cardiovascular disease” and “heart disease” are often used interchangeably, the National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute notes that, while all heart diseases are cardiovascular diseases, not all cardiovascular diseases are heart diseases.

    This is an important distinction, especially as adults discuss heart and cardiovascular health with their physicians. The NHLBI reports that more than one in 10 American adults have been diagnosed with heart disease, which underscores the serious threat posed by the various conditions that fall under the umbrella of the condition.

    Though NHLBI data indicates around 630,000 Americans die from heart diseases each year, many of those deaths are preventable. Education is one of the ways in which deaths due to heart disease can be prevented.

    That’s especially true when individuals learn to recognize warning signs of the disease and take prompt action once such indicators appear.

    Chest pain: Discomfort between the neck and upper abdomen is characterized as chest pain, which does not necessarily indicate the presence of heart disease. However, the experts at Mount Sinai indicate that chest pain is the most common symptom of poor blood flow to the heart or a heart attack. Chest pain may occur because the heart isn’t getting enough oxygen or blood.

    It’s important that individuals recognize that the intensity of pain in the chest does not indicate the severity of the problem. That means that even mild discomfort in the chest should be brought to the attention of a physician immediately.

    Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath can occur because the heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should, thus causing blood to back up in the veins that go from the lungs to the heart. Mount Sinai notes that this results in fluid leaking into the lungs, thus producing shortness of breath. Shortness of breath can occur at any time, including when individuals are active or at rest.

    Coughing or wheezing: Another indicator of fluid buildup in the lungs related to the heart is persistent coughing or wheezing. When coughing, individuals may spit up a pink or bloody mucus.

    Swelling in the lower legs: Mount Sinai notes that swelling in the legs, ankles or feet is another indicator of heart troubles. One of the by-products of a poorly functioning heart is slower blood flow, and that reduction in flow can cause a backup in the veins of the legs. That backup can cause fluid to build up in the tissues, which leads to swelling.

    Heart disease is a significant threat to public health. Learning to recognize signs of the disease can save an untold number of lives.

  • The Fayetteville FireAntz will be fighting for blood — off the ice — to help increase the community’s blood supply for the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center.

    January is National Blood Donor month and the FireAntz and the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center need everyone’s help. Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months due to holidays, travel schedules, inclement weather and illness. The community’s blood supply feels the impact of the shortage of donors, especially during January, so the FireAntz are urging people to take some time during this month to help give the gift of life.

    Approximately every two seconds, someone needs blood. Five million Americans would die each year without it and the only place to get this precious resource is from volunteer blood donors. All the blood donated to the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center stays in the community to save local patients with cancer and other diseases, organ transplant recipients, surgical patients, neonatal patients and accident victims.

    Every pint of blood donated saves up to three lives. This small act of kindness helps in such a tremendous way. In recognition of National Blood Donor Month, the Blood Donor Center is giving donors a fiery red tumbler, while supplies last.

    Every month, Cape Fear Valley Health transfuses about 1,100 units of blood to their patients. Sixty percent of people are eligible to donate blood but less than fi ve percent actually do. There is a need for additional healthy, volunteer donors to join the ranks of those who already give of themselves so generously. Donating blood is a safe, simple and an easy way to help your friends, family and neighbors.

    Friday, Jan. 13, is Blood Donor Night at the FireAntz game. The Blood Donor Center will be at the game giving out information and answering questions about donating blood or platelets. We will hand out the annual Blood Donor Center poster that night with some of your favorite Fayetteville FireAntz on it.01-11-12-fire-antz.jpg

    After the game, fans have a chance to meet and greet the FireAntz and get autographs from their favorite players, courtesy of the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center.

    The Fayetteville FireAntz will be at some of the different donation sites throughout the season. There will also be some of your Fayetteville FireAntz players at Methodist University on Wednesday, Feb.1 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come out either of those days to give blood, see your favorite FireAntz player and get entered to win tickets to a future Fayetteville FireAntz hockey game.

    It takes the entire community’s support to fight for our patients; team up with the FireAntz and the Blood Donor Center to fight for blood!

    Photo: Team up with the FireAntz and the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center.

  • 17In a perfect world, every entrepreneur would have ample time to prepare their business for sale. It’s a long, often complex process that demands our full attention — and ideally, assistance from professional brokers.

    After all, there are many factors to consider: Why am I selling? Is the market ideal? Do I have my legal and financial ducks in a row? (And more.)

    That being said, there are certainly times when a speedy sale is essential — or unavoidable. Life can change in a moment, and when an urgent situation demands your attention, it helps to know that there are business advisors available to help facilitate your business’s sale with haste and precision. This is especially applicable to the fast-moving market that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Why Sell Quickly?

    If you find yourself in a situation that calls for a quick sale, you’re not alone. Advisors have helped many clients accelerate the process — and for many different reasons.

    • A sudden change in personal circumstances. An unexpected illness or even a death in the family, divorce, and partnership disputes have compelled many clients to sell quickly.
    • Favorable (or unfavorable) market changes. Whether they affect your vertical as a whole or your business’s individual profitability, market changes frequently kick-start the sales process.
    • New (and potentially profitable) opportunities. Perhaps you’ve found an exciting new venture and need to hand off responsibility — or you need to find more capital quickly.
      Selling quickly is also just plain trendy. BizBuySell.com reports: “[the] median time to sell dropped 23% from its peak of 200 days in Q2 2012 to just 153 days in Q4 2014.” That’s the lowest sale time recorded since they began tracking in 2007.

    Time-Consuming Roadblocks

    With any business sale, there are certain steps that need to be taken to protect you and your business. With an expedited business sale, these steps are still essential — but now, with everyone moving twice as quickly, there’s more room for error. That’s where business brokers come in.

    • Brokers find and vet potential buyers. Once your business goes up for sale, you’ll likely receive a flurry of requests for more details. Advisors will field these requests and share only the essentials, all the while keeping your business’s important information confidential.
    • Brokers prepare your business for sale. While you do the important work of keeping your business running and profitable, we gather the information needed to value and list it confidentially — plus important documents regarding your financial obligations, legal obligations and due diligence. We work with your advisors to facilitate a successful transaction.
    • Brokers screen negotiations and paperwork. Don’t be taken in by a seemingly perfect buyer. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Advisors typically have decades of experience and know what’s normal in a deal, when to accept an offer, and when to die on a particular hill.

    Ways to Expedite Your Sale

    Having a trustworthy business broker at your side to facilitate a quick sale is the best thing you can do when time is of the essence. However, there are also many steps that entrepreneurs can take themselves to make their businesses attractive and speed up the process.

    • Target the most likely buyers. This seems obvious, but many clients forget to look in their own backyards. The best buyers for your business could be the people in your industry, old business connections, and maybe even former rivals and competitors.
    • When looking for buyers, cast a wide net. You never know where your buyer will come from. You may be surprised to find buyers in unlikely places. Keep an open mind and trust your broker’s reach, which usually includes a database of thousands of contacts.
    • Sweeten the deal by adding incentives for potential buyers. We don’t just mean lower prices (though everyone loves a deal). Try throwing in financing options, equipment, and other bonuses to attract interest and show you’re serious about selling your business quickly. Local business advisors have teams of knowledgeable, professional advisors who know how to structure deals to get the transaction completed.

    Conclusion

    If you need to sell quickly, you absolutely must have an experienced broker to facilitate the process. Errors can slow you down and waste your time and even lose a highly qualified buyer. Remember, a good deal dies when you don’t have the professional guidance needed to navigate the next steps. Don’t get caught without an advisor who knows their way around preparation, negotiation, and closing.

    Business advisors can help take the stress out of selling your business so you can focus on your exit — whatever that may look like for you. It’s impossible to put a price on the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re covered — financially and legally — as you see your business off to the next phase of its life.

    Editor’s note: Ashley Kelsey is a Business Broker at Transworld Business Advisors of Eastern North Carolina. For more information call 910-302-6447 or visit www.transworldeast.com.

  • 01-18-12-fireantz-logo.jpgThe Fayetteville FireAntz are excited to announce joint efforts with Highland OB/GYN to Paint the Rink Pink.

    Highland OB/GYN has been part of the Fayetteville community for more than 60 years. They pride themselves on excellence in the obstetrician and gynecologist fi eld and have a staff of stellar physicians, midwives and nurses.

    Dr. David Schutzer, MD, FACOG, has led Highland OB/GYN since 1997 when he fi nished training at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Schutzer has also served as Chief of Department of OB/GYN and Chief of Staff at Cape Fear Valley Health System.

    A recent addition to the practice is Kelly Saunders, a certifi ed midwife. Saunders graduated from The Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. She brings to the practice more than 10 years of experience providing care to women during various stages of pregnancy.

    Back by popular demand is Ladies Night! Four years in a row, the Fayetteville FireAntz have partnered with Highland OB/GYN for Ladies Night with the purpose of raising funds and bringing the spotlight to local agencies that provide medical care or services to women in the Cumberland County area. The highlight of this year’s Ladies Night, which is Friday, Jan. 20, includes an opportunity to be part of Paint the Rink Pink.

    Fans are asked to wear pink in support of the Breast Cancer Center of Cape Fear Valley. Hats, T-Shirts, jerseys and more … we are hoping for pink galore. Power comes in numbers and what a statement 3,000 plus fans creating a rink full of pink will make toward support of the Breast Cancer Center of Cape Fear Valley.

    Don’t have pink? The FireAntz organization will have on sale white and pink t-shirts at the event. All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Care Center. Players turn the ice pink with special pink jerseys, which will be auctioned after the game. Special ticket prices are also available to include $3 tickets, 30 tickets for $90 (10 for Jan. 20 and 20 for February 22.)

    Can’t join the festivities on Jan. 20? There is plenty more action to take advantage of this weekend. On Sunday, Jan. 22, the Fayetteville FireAntz will once again play host to the Mississippi Surge. Game time is 4 p.m.

    Additional specialty nights include Military Appreciation Night, Cram the Crown Public Safety Night and Systel FAPS Pet Adoption Night. Director of Game Day Operations, Richard Edge, shares “It is an honor to have an opportunity to put the spotlight on organizations that do so much good for our community!”

    For future games and times, a full 2011-2012 FireAntz schedule is available by visiting the FireAntz website at www.fireantzhockey.com. Do not forget to contact the FireAntz offi ce by phone at 321-0123. Gather your friends and family to come out and enjoy Fayetteville FireAntz Hockey where fire and ice unite! We will sell you the seat, but you will only need the edge.

    Photo: On Jan. 20, Fans are asked to wear pink in support of the Breast Cancer Center of Cape Fear Valley. 

  • 16Fayetteville Technical Community College works diligently to ensure that students receive a top education that will prepare them for their future endeavors. With programs like the Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program, or C-STEP, students can get one-on-one educational support to help with their success on campus and prepare them for their academic journey at UNC-Chapel Hill.

    The C-STEP office at UNC-Chapel Hill seeks to admit, identify, enroll and graduate high-achieving, low-to-moderate-income students transferring to Carolina from partnered community colleges, such as FTCC.
    C-STEP allows students to be a part of an Ivy League institute without having to go to Harvard or Yale. Loutricia Nelson works in the University Outreach department at FTCC and proudly works with the program and its participants to give academic advising, coaching and college program preparation to ensure the students’ success.

    In talking with Nelson, you immediately sense her pride in her job and students.

    Even after being accepted to UNC-Chapel Hill, students will continue to meet with Nelson who offers counseling to help keep them successful in their programs.
    Part of C-Step is to have students visit the campus to become familiar with building landmarks, their specific program areas, and faculty and staff. Students also participate in a shadow program where they shadow a current UNC student in their program to see the campus, experience college classes, and begin to network and make friends.

    Talking with some students in C-STEP at FTCC was enlightening. These students display tremendous confidence in their current studies and future success.
    C-STEP students not just work closely with Nelson but also build a community where they can support each other and develop friendships that can be carried with them to UNC-Chapel Hill. When talking with the students, some are in the same programs, so they can find support within themselves and help continue the study habits cultivated at FTCC.

    Nelson teaches these students individualized study habits, time management skills, and timesheet mapping so that they can succeed in their programs and eventually apply their skills with a lifetime career.

    C-STEP students understand the responsibility and dedication it takes to succeed academically as they transition from FTCC to UNC-Chapel Hill and beyond. C-STEP opens doors and opportunities for students to not just succeed on these campuses but also learn to be resourceful and continue to fuel their drive. C-STEP requires students to earn their associate degrees at a North Carolina Community College and then transfer to a Carolina College to complete their studies.
    If you are interested in learning more about C-STEP, please contact Loutricia Nelson at nelsonl@faytechcc.edu.

  • The Cumberland County Republican Party Ronald Reagan Day Dinner on Feb. 4 offers candidates an opportunity to share their views, to do some campaigning and to honor the late Republican President Ronald Reagan. While learning about candidates is an important part of the election process, the dinner is about more than speeches and elections, according to Mikele Haywood, Cumberland County Republican Party events’ chair. She said the dinner is a time to inspire people and engage them in meaningful discussions and activities involving issues that are shaping the nation.

    02-01-12-gop-candidate-1.jpg“The Reagan Day Dinner is not just a tribute to Reagan, he was a great man and it is a tribute to him, but it is also a kickoff point for the 2012 campaign,” said Haywood. “It is an important and exciting time. We have exciting candidates coming and it is a great excuse to get out for the evening and be involved.”

    Not only do people get a chance to hear what candidates have to say, Haywood pointed out that most of the candidates stay around and chat with attendees after the formal portion of the event. It’s educational and allows voters to make a personal connection with the people running for office.

    Some of this year’s scheduled guests are former N.C. GOP Chair Jack Hawke; Dan Forest, candidate for Lt. Governor; Illario Pantano, candidate for U.S. Congress District 7; N.C. Senator David Rouzer, candidate for U.S. Congress District 7; and U.S. Congresswoman Renee Ellmers.

    In addition to a meal, speakers and engaging discussions, there will be opportunities — lots of opportunities — to volunteer, to register to vote, to become informed, and more.

    “The Fayetteville Republican Woman’s Club is the sponsor and co-host for the dinner this year. They will have information there, too,” said Haywood.

    “We are also doing a 50/50 raffle. We’ve been selling tickets for $5 and hope to sell more at the dinner so that someone can leave with a nice chunk of change in their pocket.”

    Everyone who comes to the dinner will have a chance to vote in a presidential straw poll. “We will announce the winner toward the end of the evening. It is always exciting to see who wins,” said Haywood. “I can tell you that last January when we did a straw poll, Newt Gingrich was the winner here in Cumberland County.”

    Living as a conservative in a typically Democrat southern state, the importance of like-minded02-01-12-gop-candidate-2.jpgpeople gathering together to support each other in a common cause is not lost on Haywood. Educating people about issues and looking for ways to become involved and make important changes are a few of the benefi ts that come out of events like this. To Haywood, events like the dinner are about conservatives coming together and realizing that they are up against some serious challenges.

    “(With) the changes that have already taken place in this country, it is going to be devastating if we can’t come back from the abyss,” said Haywood, undaunted. “It all starts at the grass-roots level. This is where it all begins, with people coming together.”

    The dinner starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person; $75 per couple and $300 for a table of 8. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 850-3859 or 489-2055.

    Photo: Above left: Congresswoman Renee Ellmers and (Right) Illario Pantano, a candidate for Congress, are among the guest speakers at the Reagan Dinner.

  • 6Today class, we shall consider the concept of time. What is time? Can time be slowed down or speeded up? Many mysteries will be revealed by Mr. Science in this particular stain on world literature. Stay tuned for the time and space continuum.

    Depending on circumstances, time can indeed be stretched out or compressed. The old saying is “Time flies when you are having fun.” The converse is also true, time drags when you are not having fun. Yin and Yang. Light and Dark. Allow me to explain.

    For many years I thought that the longest period of time I had experienced occurred in the late 1970s. In a very hot August, my wife and I drove round trip from Fayetteville, North Carolina to Key West, Florida, in a Chevy Vega station wagon.

    Like Tipperary, it is a long, long way from Fayetteville to Key West. It is even longer in a Chevy Vega station wagon. For those of you too young to have experienced Chevy Vegas or too old to be able to remember Chevy Vegas, some background information may be needed.

    Vegas were some of the worst cars ever produced by Detroit. They were small, loud, uncomfortable and actually rusted sitting in Chevy show rooms. Naturally we bought one because that is the kind of car dummies we were.

    Our two-year-old Vega was a classic. The roof had already rusted leaving holes for rain water to run inside the car to collect in the wheel well where the spare tire lived. The water filled up the wheel well causing the spare tire to float like a large black rubber ball of bilious Ivory soap. When the car would make a turn, the spare would slosh and loudly bump against the side of the wheel well. When brakes were applied, the wheel would slosh and ram the wheel well.

    Vegas had very little acceleration. When the gas pedal was depressed the spare would remain quietly stable. The best part of the Vega experience was the exquisite smell of the spare marinating in brackish water redolent of rotting vegetation in the Great Dismal Swamp on a hot day after an oil spill.
    Imagine the fun of traveling 18 hours in a Vega to the end of the Sunshine State. We enjoyed multiple hours of interstate time, broken only by stopping at the occasional Stuckey’s for a pecan log and road trinkets.

    For decades I believed this was the longest period of any experience I had encountered. It turns out I was wrong. There is a slower period of time, even slower than Vega time. It is called Home Renovation Time.
    In the early 1980s while we were in our early 30s, we bought a house. It was a two-story house with the bedroom and bathroom on the second floor. When we bought the house, it never occurred to us that 40 years later we would be in our early 70s.

    Stairs are not currently an issue. But as Mr. Calendar marches on, it is inevitable the stairs will morph into mountains as we age.
    What to do? Kids are grown. Don’t need all this space. Most normal people enter their fourth quarter by downsizing. We scoff at conventional wisdom. Remember, we once owned a Vega. Let’s add more space.

    We decided to enter the wonderful world of home renovation by adding a bedroom and bathroom to the first floor.
    Construction began in March 2022, and finished in January 2023. Almost 11 months of rollicking fun times.

    Construction requires many decisions, large amounts of money, and a tolerance for chaos.
    All important decisions were made by my wife, thus granting me complete deniability. Delays are inevitable. Just say the magic words “Supply Chain Problem” and any delay is excused.

    Find an architect, a contractor, brick masons, carpenters, HVAC gurus, electricians, matching bricks, and appropriate fixtures, while learning to live in a black hole of compressed personal effects.
    All of the furniture in several rooms had to be jammed into remaining space. Objects piled up everywhere. Not even light could escape. It looked like the “Hoarders” TV show.

    A beautiful blue Porta John graced the front yard to the neighbors’ delight while serving as a haven for joggers struck by an urgent call of nature. The sweet smell of Porta John in the depths of summer wafted through the neighborhood.

    Giant trucks roamed the narrow street carrying magnificent mounds of bricks and boards. Skip loaders filled with cement crushed the grass and sprinkler system into oblivion. Mud abounded.

    Teams of workers wandered through the house at random periods. Each step in the process brought an exciting new fresh Hell.

    So, what have we learned today? Renovation Time is slower than Vega Time. The end result of renovation was dandy. As usual, my wife was right. Let the aging begin in earnest. We have built our own nursing home to remain in place as long as possible.

    But, if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn’t do it. I would rent a Vega, drive to California, and never come back.

  • 5It is a new year and the 118th Congress has begun. It’s an honor to continue serving you and our community representing North Carolina's new 9th District. This includes all or portions of Chatham, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Randolph, Richmond and Scotland Counties. I will continue maintaining a district office in Fayetteville, while also operating a new primary district office in Southern Pines. My office locations can be found on my website at Hudson.House.gov.

    Three counties I represented previously — Cabarrus, Stanly, and Montgomery — are now in North Carolina’s 12th and 8th Districts. It has been an honor to represent these communities throughout my time in Congress.

    Cabarrus County has also been home to me and my family for many years, and I am proud of all we have been able to accomplish together. My family and I are getting settled into the new home we purchased in Southern Pines.

    I look forward to serving the new 9th District and continuing to work on common sense solutions to challenges facing our entire region, Fort Bragg and our nation.
    Solving problems has always been my focus as your Congressman. Due in part to the misguided policies of Washington Democrats and the Biden administration, we have seen our nation weakened on many fronts.

    Across the country, families like yours have suffered the highest inflation in 40 years and record prices at the gas pump.
    In fact, North Carolina is experiencing some of the highest increases in gas prices in the country.

    We have also witnessed an ongoing humanitarian and national security crisis at our southern border, as record numbers of illegal migrants crossed into the country over the course of last year. This border crisis has threatened the safety and security of communities nationwide, including exacerbating the fentanyl epidemic robbing countless Americans of their lives.

    President Joe Biden has been in office for more than 700 days, but recently announced his first ever visit to the southern border.
    This crisis can no longer be ignored, and House Republicans are ready to pass solutions to secure our border and protect our communities.

    Washington Democrats have been largely unable, or unwilling, to address the many issues affecting you and your family.
    However, with Republicans now in the majority in the House, we have an obligation to address these issues and set things in the right direction.
    Our “Commitment to America” is a plan to do just that by implementing commonsense policies to create an economy that’s strong, a nation that’s safe, a government that’s accountable, and a future built on freedom.

    Last week, House Republicans hit the ground running to follow through on that agenda.

    I introduced my first bill of this Congress — the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. H.R. 38 is a key piece of legislation that will protect law-abiding citizens’ rights to conceal carry and guarantees the Second Amendment does not disappear when we cross invisible state lines.

    It has even been called “the greatest gun rights boost since the ratification of the Second Amendment in 1791.”

    I have introduced this bipartisan legislation each Congress and have promised to continue championing this measure until it becomes law.
    Additionally, House Republicans voted on legislation to stop the hiring of 87,000 new IRS agents to spy on your bank account, a bill to block the Biden administration from selling oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to communist China, and pro-life bills to protect babies who survive a botched abortion and mothers who rely on crisis pregnancy centers.

    We have a lot of work to do and it is an honor to serve as your Congressman.
    In this new year, and new Congress, I will never waiver from doing everything I can to fight for you and build a better future for your family.

  • 4aLast Thursday, Gallery 208 launched its 13th year of showcasing the art and the artists of our local community, region and state.

    Our opening exhibit, coordinated by Soni Martin, Professor of Art at Fayetteville State University, is titled States of Mind.

    It is a collection of paintings by Angela Stout, an extremely talented painter, printmaker and sculptor. Angela perfectly exemplifies how the Fayetteville community values, embraces and nurtures the cultural arts. A military veteran, Angela received her Associate of Visual Arts degree locally at Fayetteville Technical Community College and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Fayetteville State University.4

    The exhibit of her works in Gallery 208 is one you do not want to miss. Located at 208 Rowan Street, the Gallery is open and free to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
    The fine arts are the catalyst for a civilized society. With art comes insight, understanding and tolerance. With appreciation and respect for art and artists, there would be no need ever to mandate Diversity, Equality or Inclusion. Historically and traditionally, that’s what the cultural arts are all about. It is what Angela is all about and what Up & Coming Weekly is all about. Visit Gallery 208 and experience it for yourself.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 18In 2022, Americans spent $33 billion on a variety of weight loss products and diets.
    Marketers know the advantage of targeting the consumer, especially after a holiday season for sales. One commercial advertises a weight loss of five pounds per week. Extreme weight loss turns your system into a state that is not beneficial for long-term sustainability. any times, calories are dramatically cut to the point that the person is hungry all the time and lacks the energy for activities.

    A slow approach to calorie reduction with good food choices is a better way for weight loss and sustainability. Drastically cutting calories can be satisfying on the scale and the way your clothes fit, but dropping several sizes quickly can play havoc on your metabolism.

    It is hard to maintain the deficit when your body is not getting the fuel it needs for activities. In the long run, the drastic weight loss could end up with weight gain after the diet is over. Weight loss is not a one-time main event, it is a lifestyle change in conjunction with exercise.

    Health guidelines for weight loss suggest cutting your calories by a least 500 calories per day which should equal a one-pound-per-week goal that is safe and realistic.

    A registered dietician is a recommendation for guided weight loss, but taking a look at the consumption of what you eat during the day can be a good guideline for the start. Be honest with yourself about your overall consumption each day. Do you think your calories add up from sodas, sweets, chips and dip? They are good but they do not offer any nutritional benefits. Eating processed foods also adds calories to the diet as well as driving through the fast-food restaurant. You don’t have to go cold turkey and avoid everything in your diet.

    Punishing yourself by denying something that you enjoy is not the way to lose weight. Still enjoy that favorite burger or chicken but cut down on the number of times that you go to get that favorite sandwich or latte! Eliminating the amount of processed food will be a start to a healthier you.

    The American diet has increased in overall consumption of plate size over the past 10 years and has almost doubled in the amount that is served in restaurants.
    The old saying to eat everything on your plate in today’s environment can lead to weight gain and obesity. Overall, in 2022 the national range for all ethnicities was a staggering 41.9%. It is the second cause of health decline with cigarette smoking number one. As we gain weight it settles around our heart and lungs and is known as visceral fat and puts strain on our hearts, lungs and joints.

    What can you do to shave those calories without going on a drastic diet? Outside of beginning to shave the empty calories, portion control is a great way to begin. Make the plate serving on a salad plate instead of a dinner plate and avoid second helpings. Add more vegetables to your plate and add foods high in fiber such as apples, green beans, nuts and lean meats such as chicken and fish for your omega3. When dining out take half of your meal home!

    The bottom line is that starving yourself is not a healthy way to lose weight. There are many fitness apps available for monitoring your caloric intake such as My Fitness Pal, as well as the Dash eating plan.

    Live, love life with moderation and exercise.

  • 6Later this year, the U.S. Supreme Court will finally compel the University of North Carolina and the rest of American higher education to halt the pervasive practice of racial and ethnic discrimination in admissions.
    Academic leaders should have ended this obnoxious and counterproductive policy on their own, decades ago. It shouldn’t have required lawsuits by Edward Blum and his group Students for Fair Admissions to force universities to comply with federal anti-discrimination laws.

    But it did — and even now, the higher-education establishment is plotting to circumvent what it finally understands will be a definitive ruling from the nation’s highest court. One tactic will be to diminish the significance of academic ability and accomplishment in the admissions process while elevating the role of more-subjective criteria such as essays, interviews and extracurriculars.

    In this way, they hope to smuggle illegal preferences in the “back door,” so to speak, much as Harvard University already discriminates against Asian applicants by systematically giving them low ratings in interviews.

    This may be one reason UNC officials sought to extend a “temporary” moratorium on the requirement of minimum SAT or ACT scores for admissions.

    Originally introduced in 2020 as a pandemic-era measure, the moratorium will now last until 2025. High test scores shouldn’t be the sole or even primary criterion for university admissions, of course, but the best available evidence suggests that a combination of grade-point average and test score is a better predictor of college success than GPA alone.

    Another probable response to the end of racial preferences in admissions will be, if anything, more pernicious: universities will shift their emphasis from admissions to employment.
    It is already illegal, but nonetheless widespread, for institutions to take race or ethnicity into account when making decisions about hiring, pay and promotion.
    Infuriated by the end of admissions preferences, however, progressive faculty and activists will press university leaders to advance “social justice” (properly used, the noun needs no such modifier) by establishing explicit hiring goals and preferences based on both racial and ideological identification.

    One device for tracking the latter will be the use of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” statements. At many campuses and departments, including some here in North Carolina, individuals are already required to submit DEI statements when applying for jobs or even for admission to graduate programs.

    Here’s what the UNC-Chapel Hill medical school offered as a sample of the kind of DEI statement it wants from prospective faculty:

    “As I move forward in my career, I intend to continue to include issues of equity and inclusion in my bedside teaching. I commit to annually attending a seminar offered by the University Office of Diversity and Inclusion to learn more about the intersectionality of race, gender, and sexual orientation in clinical care and medical education, and to confront my own biases and the biases of our medical culture to improve inclusivity in my environment.”

    What if you are an experienced, accomplished and caring physician who sincerely believes you already treat everyone with respect and dignity and prefers to devote your professional-development time to other topics, such as the economics of health care or the latest innovations in your medical specialty?

    Better not say that if you want to get a job, or get ahead, at the medical school.

    Contrary to the strident claims of self-styled “anti-racism” advocates, the most-effective way to combat prejudice and expand opportunity in a free and open society is to make less use of crude racial and ethnic categories, not more use of them. It is to treat individuals as individuals, not as pawns in some political game or cogs in some social-justice machine. It is to respond to specific markers of personal disadvantage — offering scholarships to poor students, for example, or well-tailored accommodations to disabled ones — rather than to membership in some politically concocted class of preferred beneficiaries.

    Explicit admissions preferences will end. Then a broader debate, likely a very contentious one, will begin. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

  • 5 Our American culture swims in “isms,” and we assign values, positive and negative, to them.

    For example, capitalism and individualism are good. Racism, sexism, classism, sizeism, socialism, fanaticism, egoism — all bad. Others, including nationalism, skepticism, Americanism are more in the eye of the beholder — positive for some people and negative for others. Buckle up your linguistic seat belt as we are about to hear a lot in 2023 about another ism, ageism.

    At this writing, Americans have one declared presidential candidate for 2024, Donald Trump, who is staring down his 77th birthday. We have another presumed candidate, incumbent President Joe Biden, who celebrated his 80th in November. Clearly, neither man can be considered what my father always called “spring chickens,” but is that important, and if so, how important?

    The World Health Organization says ageism “refers to the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age.”

    We all commit ageism, mostly without thinking about it. We treat children differently than adults. We discount the views of many teenagers and young adults, assuming they do not have the knowledge or life experience of adults. And, like it or not, we too-often assume that elderly people are not as competent as they
    once were.

    I am not as old as Trump or Biden, but neither am I the mother of school-age children and working woman I once was. Increasingly, people I do not know, sales people especially, address me as “Miss Margaret,” something that did not happen in earlier years. I understand that it is meant to convey respect, but to me at least, it feels like a diminution based solely on age.

    At the same time, it is true that we all change as we age, certainly physically, and for many people, mentally. That reality is going to be a topic as we head into the 2024 presidential campaigns.

    Americans, including politicians, are living longer, and our elected leaders, particularly at the national level, are older than ever. In addition to Biden and Trump, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is 82, and widely considered among the most effective Speakers in American history. U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, a leader who keeps an iron grip on Republicans in that chamber, will be 81 next month.

    These geriatric politicians, like them or loathe them, are clearly competent, their ages notwithstanding. So, what should we demand from all our presidential hopefuls of all ages? At the very least, we must expect health records, not merely a blanket statement from some doctor that “this guy is healthy as a horse.”

    We should recognize that generally speaking, we are all healthier if we eat well and exercise our bodies regularly, and that certainly includes presidential candidates. And, because we do not know yet who will throw his or her name in the ring, it is worth remembering that statistically, women outlive men in the United States.

    American presidents have not been especially forthcoming about their health. Woodrow Wilson had a severe stroke while in office, and many historians believe his wife became the de facto president for the final months of his term.

    Franklin Roosevelt suffered from heart trouble and high blood pressure and was crippled by polio before his presidency, though he was rarely photographed appearing compromised. John Kennedy, our second youngest president and widely seen as healthy and vibrant, actually suffered from serious physical and occasionally life-threatening conditions.

    As we move toward the 2024 election, Americans have every right to expect candor about health from all our candidates, especially those who aim to be president. If they are asking for our trust and support, we should expect no less from them.

  • 4 In a community of our size that is deficient in attractive gateways, greenways, sidewalks and bike paths, the Fayetteville City Council has chosen to mimic the trendy ideas of other cities despite their documented hazards and dubious positive effects on the community.

    I’m referring to the Fayetteville City Council’s proposal for creating a shared transportation system utilizing electric scooters in downtown Fayetteville and other areas of the city. Yep, only our city leadership would advocate for an initiative that has a history of plaguing other metropolitan cities with the hazards and dangers of electric bicycles and two-wheeled scooters.

    Well, in this case, our Council may be putting the proverbial “cart before the horse.”

    First, “Micro-mobility” (B***S*** name for Mechanical Litter) may be more feasible in large cities and municipalities, however, Fayetteville is not Dallas, San Francisco or New York City. We’re not even on the level of Winston-Salem or Durham. And, though e-scooters may be perfect for short-distant trips, in downtown Fayetteville all trips are short trips.

    Second, alternative vehicles such as electric bikes and scooters operate best in areas with sufficient pedestrian pathways and adequate bike paths. Fayetteville has neither. Sure, the City Council has committed bond funds for creating more bike lanes and pedestrian walkways in Fayetteville but those plans are still on the drawing board, and no telling how long it will take to complete.
    Of course, organizations like the Downtown Alliance are most likely to be skeptical of the proposal because astute businesses are acutely aware of what negatively affects their business.

    In addition, downtown merchants are acutely aware of what messages come out of City Hall. They do not necessarily lie but most commonly are configured as ‘half-truths.’

    For instance, the city contends that downtown merchants really don’t understand the proposed draft ordinance and that they have misinterpreted what is proposed.
    After all, the city’s draft ordinance clearly states that electric scooters and bicycles would not be allowed to be ridden on sidewalks. Really? So, we are to believe that our City Council and staff are more knowledgeable about this subject than say Consumer Report, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the Consumer Product Safety Commission?

    Oh, and guess what? IIHS finds that riding on sidewalks IS dangerous for riders and pedestrians, and they have found that without a concrete plan of where and how e-scooters can be operated, they will pose safety risks for both riders and pedestrians.

    The rapid growth of this industry has left municipal leaders struggling to keep up with general traffic impact and rising safety problems. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, e-scooters resulted in an estimated 50,000 emergency department visits, and at least 27 fatalities between 2017 and 2019, with injuries and deaths rising every year.

    Our city officials would like to you think that other cities like Raleigh, Durham, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Greenville and Charlotte all have successfully implemented e-scooter programs and these serve as a positive endorsement that this is a good thing for our community. Wrong! That’s another half-truth.

    First of all, we are NOT Raleigh, Durham, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Greenville.

    Second, Fayetteville has one of the worst traffic accident records in the state and one of the highest motorcycle accident fatality rates. When the The Charlotte Observer reports in 2019 that statewide crash data shows 34 crashes resulting in serious e-scooter injuries and identifies them as 15 in Charlotte, 17 in Raleigh, and one each in Winston-Salem and Greensboro with another 17 crashes in these two cities that caused only property damage.

    And, in addition, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation, many e-scooter accidents go unreported. So, there you have it! I am not a fan of “Micro Mobility.”

    It is my hope the Council comes to its senses and fully understands the burden of liability it will take on if they issue permits for these types of vehicles.
    The city would be wise to follow the gut instincts of the residents, organizations and business stakeholders downtown. They are correct: e-scooter vehicles are dangerous, a nuisance, and a hazard to pedestrians, and will ultimately appear as unsightly mechanical litter on the streets of downtown.

    In closing, for Council members like Councilman Mario Benavente who favor finding positive ways to expand downtown, may I suggest you focus on homelessness, panhandlers, parking, crime, litter and of course, shopping carts!

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 14CoolIt If you are the mother or father of a high school athlete here in North Carolina, this message is primarily for you.

    When you attend an athletic event that involves your son or daughter, cheer to your heart’s content, enjoy the camaraderie that high school sports offer, and have fun. But when it comes to verbally criticizing game officials or coaches, cool it.

    Make no mistake about it. Your passion is admired, and your support of the hometown team is needed. But so is your self-control. Yelling, screaming and berating the officials humiliates your child, annoys those sitting around you, embarrasses your child’s school and is the major contributing reason North Carolina is experiencing a shortage of high school officials.

    It’s true. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Sports Officials, more than 75 percent of all high school officials say “adult behavior” is the primary reason they quit. And 80 percent of all young officials hang up their stripes after just two years of whistle blowing. Why? They don’t need your abuse.

    Plus, there’s a ripple effect. There are more officials over 60 than under 30 in many areas. And as older, experienced officials retire, there aren’t enough younger ones to replace them. If there are no officials, there are no games. The shortage of licensed high school officials is severe enough in some areas of the country that athletic events are being postponed or cancelled — especially at the freshman and junior varsity levels.

    Research confirms that participation in high school sports and activities instills a sense of pride in school and community, teaches lifelong lessons like the value of teamwork and selfdiscipline and facilitates the physical and emotional  development of those who participate. So, if the games go away because there aren’t enough men and women to officiate them, the loss will be infinitely greater than just an “L” on the scoreboard. It will be putting a dent in your community’s future.

    If you would like to be a part of the solution to the shortage of high school officials, you can sign up to become a licensed official at HighSchoolOfficials.com.

    In Fayetteville and surrounding counties, you can also contact www.saoanc.org, the Southeastern Athletic Officials Association.

  • 17This month marks 94 years since the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr. and 36 years since we have had a federal holiday dedicated to the highest values embodied by his legacy. Several of his speeches have gone down in the annals of American oratory.

    I would like to reflect on one passage from an address he gave on Feb. 10, 1966, at Illinois Wesleyan University and how it complements a teaching from a medieval Spanish sage of my faith tradition — Rabbi Moses son of Nachman, more widely known as (Moses) Nachmanides.

    Midway through this talk, Dr. King critiqued those who claimed that “legislation can’t solve the problem that we face in race relations because you can’t change the heart. And so we must rely on education to solve the problem and not even look to any legislation. Now I guess there is some truth in this, at least a half-truth. We realize that if the problem is to be solved ultimately, if we are to have a truly integrated society, men and women must rise to the majestic heights of being obedient to the unenforceable. And I would be the first to acknowledge that. So it may be true that you can’t legislate integration, but you can legislate desegregation. It may be true that morality cannot be legislated but behavior can be regulated. It may be true that the law cannot change the heart but it can restrain the heartless. It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, religion and education will have to do that, but it can restrain him from lynching me. And I think that’s pretty important also. And so that while legislation may not change the hearts of men, it does change the habits of men.”

    Coming from a faith tradition that puts great emphasis on the spirit, here Dr. King opines that there is yet a necessary place for the law, at least as an interim measure, even a regrettably excessive one.

    Traditional Judaism, of which Nachmanides was certainly a part, finds much of its expression through the idea of Torah — understood here not merely as the Five Books of Moses, but expansively as Jewish law generally — as detailed guidance in how to translate the values of Judaism, that is its spirit, into specific, concrete daily behavior.

    Nonetheless, Nachmanides taught the idea that it is possible for one to be a “scoundrel within the limits of the Torah.” Despite believing that Torah was given by a perfect God, Nachmanides nevertheless maintained remarkably that it is possible to follow all the technical requirements of Jewish law while still flouting its spirit.

    A clever individual, while still managing to avoid crossing any legal lines, even the boundaries of God’s Torah, can find ways to egocentrically serve oneself immorally at the expense of others.

    As a rabbi I certainly believe in the mandate of my tradition to live a life imbued with Torah. Accordingly, I appreciate the lesson from Rev. King that law is often necessary.

    Still, I think it is also important to learn from Nachmanides that our behavior will never be thoroughly righteous unless our conformity to the law also comes from a place of sacred values.

     

  • 15EJ E.J. McArthur

    Cape Fear • Basketball• Sophomore

    McArthur has a grade point average of 4.0. He’s a member of the Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Fear Factor and Distributive Education Clubs of America.

     

     

    16Amelia

     

    Amelia Shook

    Cape Fear • Swimming/ cross country/soccer • Sophomore

    Shook has a weighted grade point average of 4.5. She is a member of the Key Club, Fear Factor and the History Club.

  • 7Welcome back and Happy New Year to both of my readers. Mr. Science dropped by to unravel yet another mystery of the physical world. Today we shall examine one of the great scientific questions — Why do we have cotton candy? What is cotton candy? How can one get it out of his or her hair? Let us begin.

    January is Treasure Your Teeth month. As we all know, you only have to floss the teeth you want to keep. In keeping with our dental hygiene theme, we learn cotton candy was invented by a dentist. Credit for inventing this culinary delight goes to William Morrison, DDS who in 1897 with the help of his buddy John Wharton, a candy maker, brought forth on this continent a new candy, conceived in sugar, and dedicated to the proposition that Americans will eat anything sweet.

    The trigger for the birth of this sticky sensation was the 1908 World’s Fair which was held in Saint Louis. World’s Fairs attract lots of hungry people. The Google Machine reports over 20 million people attended the World’s Fair during its 1908 run. The average fairgoer has 32 teeth, 20 million attendees times 32 teeth calculates to 640 million cavity prone teeth. A dental bonanza.
    In keeping with his dental background, Dr. Morrison originally called his candy creation fairy floss. At some point, perhaps to deflect people from making the connection between fairy floss and increased dental income, they changed the name to cotton candy.

    Dr. Morrison cyphered he could generate two income streams from cotton candy. The immediate source of revenue would be sales at the World’s Fair. The secondary and more long-lasting income stream would be the cavities generated in unsuspecting prospective dental patients whose ingestion of his sticky sugar sensation coated their teeth forming the perfect medium for Mr. Tooth Decay to flourish.

    By now, you are probably asking yourself, “Self, how is cotton candy produced?” Does it fall from the skies like sugary manna? Is it sweetened blown right insulation? Is it millions of sugar-coated black widow spider webs? All of these concepts are plausible. However, Mr. Science explained that the boys invented a machine that heated sugar and spun it around like Mercury orbiting the Sun. Thus, fairy floss, alias cotton candy, was born.

    All this talk about cavities takes us back to those thrilling days of yesteryear in the 1950s and 1960s when toothpaste ads roamed free across the fruited plains of American TV. Who can forget Gardol’s invisible shield in Colgate toothpaste? This miracle secret ingredient guards your breath while it guards your teeth. The Gardol ad demonstrated its worth in protecting your teeth from cavities by showing a guy standing behind an invisible shield that stopped a baseball from conking him in the head.

    Colgate Dental Cream with “just one brushing would remove 85% of decay and odor causing bacteria, leaving you with a cleaner, fresher mouth all day long.”
    Stripe tooth paste featured cheerful red stripes perking up an otherwise boring white toothpaste. According to the jingle, Stripe had “Hexa, Hexa, Hexachlorophene.” The FDA banned Hexachlorophene for oral use in 1972 due to its carcinogenic qualities. Hey, nobody is perfect.

    Gleem was advertised for those on the go people “who can’t brush after every meal.” Too lazy or too busy to regularly brush your teeth? Gleem was the toothpaste for you.
    Using the right toothpaste guaranteed romance, marriage, children, eternal happiness and a white picket fence. A lady of the female persuasion who used Ipana toothpaste knows “Her breath is kissable-clean.”

    Close-Up toothpaste aimed for the ladies with the slogan “Bangles and beads might catch his eye. But a brilliant Close-Up smile and fresh Close-Up breath might even capture his heart.” Colgate played the bad breath card with an ad that said “if it’s kissin’ / You’re missin’ Check up on your breath.” The ad featured a woman looking forlornly at her feller who is frowning in her direction. She has him in a head lock but he ain’t buying what she is selling. Clearly her breath has put the kibosh on romance.

    Crest toothpaste added to Milady’s anxieties by its series of “Look Ma, No Cavities” ads featuring happy children holding up report cards from their latest dental checkup. If Mom didn’t buy the right toothpaste, she would clearly be a failure as a mother. She would be shunned by polite society due to her offspring’s cavity filled mouth. The shame. The shame.

    Finally, the burning question posed in the first paragraph must be resolved. How to get cotton candy out of one’s hair? Unfortunately, there is only one way to get rid of cotton candy infested hair; use a low yield tactical nuclear weapon to blast the offending confection out of your follicles. Otherwise, you will meet Saint Peter covered in a sticky pink cottony film.

  • 13SuperBowl Up & Coming Weekly polled the ten Cumberland County Schools senior high school football coaches on who they think this year’s Super Bowl winner will be.

    Deadline constraints forced us to contact them prior to the playing of the American Football Conference and National Football Conference championship games the weekend of Sunday, Jan. 30.

    The AFC finals had New England at Kansas City while the NFC game had the Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans.

    Super Bowl LIII will be Sunday, Feb. 3, at 6:30 p.m. at Mercedes- Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The game will be televised by CBS.

    Up & Coming Weekly gave the coaches the option of picking both conference championship games and choosing a Super Bowl winner or just picking a Super Bowl winner from all four teams.

    Here’s what they said, along with my prediction at the end.

    Rodney Brewington, South View — Brewington picks Kansas City over the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl. “Kansas City has better quarterback play,’’ he said.

    Deron Donald, E.E. Smith — “The best four teams are left,’’ Donald said. “I may have to go with experience over talent this time. Kansas City and Los Angeles are probably two of the most talented and explosive teams in a while. However, Drew Brees (New Orleans quarterback) and Tom Brady (New England quarterback) are proven winners and have excelled on the big stage multiple times. With that being said, New Orleans and New England in the Super Bowl.’’

    Donald’s score pick — New England 38, New Orleans 35.

    Ernest King, Westover — King picks the Los Angeles Rams. “I feel they have a good enough defense to put pressure on the opposing quarterback,’’ he said. “Offensively, they have a good running game and they throw the ball well enough to have a balanced attack.’’

    David Lovette, Gray’s Creek — New Orleans Saints. “I’m not real sure about my pick, but the Saints are as good as any,’’ Lovette said.

    Duran McLaurin, Seventy-First — McLaurin picks Kansas City over New Orleans.

    Bruce McClelland, Terry Sanford — “Young gun (Patrick) Mahomes (Kansas City quarterback) sneaks past Tom Brady and the (New England) Patriots,’’ McClelland said. “Drew Brees (New Orleans quarterback) and Sean Payton (head coach of New Orleans) squeak by the Los Angeles Rams in a high-scoring affair.

    “New Orleans Saints 31, Kansas Chiefs 30 in the Super Bowl. Brees and Payton get ring No. two.’’

    Mike Paroli, Douglas Byrd — Paroli picks the home teams in the conference championship games, Kansas City and New Orleans. In the Super Bowl, he likes the Saints over the Chiefs.

    Brian Randolph, Jack Britt — Randolph picks New England in the AFC and New Orleans in the AFC.

    “I am expecting two really explosive championship games, with all four teams lighting up the scoreboard,’’ he said. “I think in the end the Patriots and Saints will prevail and give us all a Super Bowl for the ages.

    “My team (Carolina) was eliminated long ago, so I am just hoping for a really good game between two well-coached teams.’’

    Randolph picks the New Orleans Saints to win it all.

    Bill Sochovka, Pine Forest —Sochovka likes the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl.

    “Any team but New England,’’ he said. “I would love to see Drew Brees get another Super Bowl ring. He is a great quarterback but an even better human being who gives back to the community.’’

    Jacob Thomas, Cape Fear — “Both games are very interesting matchups with high-powered offenses,’’ Thomas said. “I want to go with the new blood, flashy quarterback, but my gut says don’t go against (Bill) Belichick/(Tom) Brady (of New England).

    “New England beats the Chiefs in the AFC. I’m going with what I think gets the slight edge in quarterback-coach combination. The Saints outscore the Rams in the NFC.

    “In the Super Bowl, I’m going with the Patriots to win it against all odds.”

    And, just for fun:

    Earl Vaughan Jr., Up & Coming Weekly — The early odds favor New Orleans to win it all, but I’m going to let my heart overrule them. My dad’s family is from Missouri, with many of my relatives living near the Kansas City area.

    I think New Orleans is a tough out in the Superdome, so I’m picking them to win the NFC title while I’ll take Kansas City to get the most of home field and the play of Patrick Mahomes against the always-tough Patriots in the AFC final.

    For the Super Bowl, I’m pulling with my relatives for the Chiefs, along with long-suffering coach Andy Reid, who I would love to see finally get an NFL championship.

  • 5According to multiple media reports, there will likely be major efforts during the 2023 session of the North Carolina General Assembly to raise and reform teacher compensation and enact other public-education reforms while also expanding the state’s school-choice programs.

    Are such initiatives inconsistent? Not at all. One can be in favor both of improving public schools and of giving more parents a wide range of educational options. Indeed, I am strongly of the opinion that these policies are mutually reinforcing.

    For starters, even a welcome and net-beneficial change in how North Carolina funds public schools and pays teachers won’t please everyone. That’s impossible. Offering dissatisfied parents or educators alternatives such as magnets, charters, or lab schools can act as a safety valve to defuse tensions while also best serving the individual needs of students.

    At the same time, increasing parental choice and competition in education tends to make public schools more responsive and effective, not less so. That’s what a growing body of empirical research suggests. A recently published study of Ohio’s primary voucher program, for example, found that the academic performance of students in public schools was “significantly higher” than it would have been in the absence of vouchers.

    Earlier this year, a team of scholars from Northwestern, Emory, and the University of California-Davis released their own study of tax-credit scholarships in Florida. This program provides dollar-for-dollar tax credits to companies that donate to organizations that, in turn, give parents vouchers for private-school expenses. Their study, published in the journal EducationNext, examined the effects of the resulting competition on Florida’s public schools.

    “Our analysis finds consistent evidence that, as the scholarship program scaled up, academic and behavioral outcomes improved for students attending traditional public schools,” the researchers wrote.
    In districts with the most school competition, students scored 14.5% of a standard deviation higher in reading and math. Their suspension and absence rates also improved when compared to those
    in public schools facing less competition.

    “Our findings from this long-lasting early program show that in Florida, at least, it seems that a rising tide of competition has lifted many boats,” the professors concluded.

    There are dozens of other studies of competition’s effects on public education. Some have found benefits smaller than those in Florida and Ohio, to be sure, and a few found no benefits at all. But when scholars examine the overall effects across the country, they generally find them to be positive.

    Anna Egalite, an education professor at North Carolina State University, published a review of the data some years ago in the Journal of School Choice. Of the 21 scholarly studies she examined, nearly all found a positive effect of competition on public-school performance.

    More recently, University of Kentucky professor John Garen looked at the relationship between school-choice policies such as vouchers and education savings accounts (ESAs) and average state scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. He found “strikingly large test score gains” for states with school choice. “Though per-pupil spending on K-12 has a positive effect on test scores,” Garen wrote, “its magnitude is very small and is swamped by the effect of having a voucher or ESA program.”

    I realize longtime skeptics of the state’s choice programs will be sorely tempted to reject this evidence. And I realize activists who’ve tried for years to hitch the school-reform wagon to the Leandro-litigation horse are loath to give up their belief that only by appropriating billions of additional dollars to district-run public schools can North Carolina meet its obligation to provide the opportunity for a sound, basic education to every child.

    But they really ought to rethink their strategy for 2023 and beyond. In the midterm elections, voters essentially unhitched that litigation horse from the wagon. There will be no court-ordered financial settlement of Leandro. Forget it.

    If you seek significant pay raises for teachers, signal your willingness to couple them with school-choice expansions. That’s a package that might actually pass the General Assembly.

    Editor’s note: John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His latest books, “Mountain Folk” and “Forest Folk,” combine epic fantasy with early American history (FolkloreCycle.com).

  • 18 Tishera Owens Grays Creek  Tishera Owens

    Gray’s Creek • Junior • Basketball/volleyball

    Owens has a 3.94 grade point average while playing sports in the fall and winter for the Bears.

     

     

    17 Nicholas Quinn Grays Creek

     

    Nicholas Quinn

    Gray’s Creek • Senior • Wrestling

    Quinn, who wrestles in the 152-pound weight class for the Bears, has a 4.0 grade point average. Through Jan. 13, his record in wrestling this season is 14-11.

  • 4My dear friend Joy Cogswell has passed but leaves a legacy of extreme devotion to God, her family and her music. Bill Kirby of CityView Today has known Joy for decades. You will find his wonderful heartfelt perspective on Joy on page 10. His article first appeared online Jan. 3. What follows is my perspective.

    Joy, a stunningly beautiful woman with exceptional God-given musical talent, touched and influenced thousands of lives during her 45-year career at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church. The Bowman family represents three of those lives.

    In 2002, Joy became Snyder’s Music Director and head of the Snyder Music Academy. Even though she worked with many adults, it is incalculable how many young people owe their musical careers and success to her, too. I first met Joy at Methodist University in 1986 when we took our son Grady, then four years old, and enrolled him in her Kindermusik class. She was terrific at working with young children. She transformed the entire room into a symphony of love and patience as she gently transferred her passion for God and music in a way that would change their lives. We have always credited Joy’s influence on Grady as the genesis of his successful musical and theatrical career. A career that has carried him to Broadway and around the world, singing and dancing with Joy’s same enthusiastic penchant for dedication and creativity. She was the Musical Godmother of all her students and loved following their careers and celebrating their successes.

    After Grady graduated from Kindermusik I had little contact with Joy until I started Up & Coming Weekly in 1996. By this time, her reputation as a highly gifted pianist was commonplace, nearing celebrity status. That year she recorded and released her music on several cassette tapes that I willingly helped her market and promoted during the Fayetteville Junior Leagues' Christmas Holly Day Fair. Several years later, as Director of the Synder Music Academy, we discussed how unfortunate it was that the children she taught had few opportunities to showcase their talents. So, together we created a youth ensemble with a singing, dancing, and educational mission called: The Kidsville Kids! These young people and Kidsville’s Truman the Dragon became ambassadors for our literacy and educational resource, Kidsville News! We publish and provide Kidsville News! free of charge to Cumberland County and Fort Bragg teachers, parents and children K-5th grades. For years, this enthusiastic troupe sang and danced their way into the hearts of children and adults, promoting reading, education, and fun-healthy lifestyles. Joy was on the board and past president of the nonprofit Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation. Because of this talent pool, Joy took a leap of faith and decided to produce the children’s opera, “Tom Sawyer.” It was performed on the banks of the Cape Fear River. This was an ideal location for this outstanding performance. “Tom Sawyer” was a huge success, and Cogswell's children's opera became the first and only to be performed in Cumberland County.

    Joy came to Fayetteville in 1970 following her husband Bob, who got stationed at Pope Air Force Base. Like many others who arrive in our community temporarily, they found themselves enthralled with our friendliness and southern hospitality and found it hard to leave. The folks at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church had much to do with that. That church played a significant role in Joy and Bob's life. She called their Snyder family of nearly 50 years one of the most loving congregations she has ever known. And Bob is no doubt her biggest fan and advocate. In an interview with U&CW several years ago, she admits her career would not have been possible without her husband. “He has been so supportive; he even joined the choir and orchestra to see me. He has been my biggest supporter our whole marriage,” she said. “I love him dearly.”4a

    Those who knew Joy loved her dearly, and will miss her sweet and gentle spirit. However, we are all better off having had her in our lives. For me, her memory will be unforgettable, and I'll take solace in the fact that she made this a better community and world to live in. Her memory and influences will live on in the thousands of people she touched during her 50-year career and 75 years on this earth. So, move over Beethoven, and listen.

    That heavenly sound you hear is our girl, Joy.

  • 16 Pools The Patriot Athletic Conference will hold its annual postseason swim meet Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 4:30 p.m. at the Fayetteville State University swimming pool in Capel Arena.

    But more than a conference championship, it will also mark the celebration of a milestone in advancing the championship aspirations of Cumberland County’s high school swimmers.

    This year, Cumberland County’s swimmers didn’t have to take a two-week break from practice during the Christmas holidays.

    Fayetteville State traditionally closes its doors during the Christmas break, meaning the pool at Capel Arena isn’t available for practice. But thanks to the city of Fayetteville, the swimmers had an alternative to not practicing this year.

    Amey Shook, swimming coach at Cape Fear High School, said Fayetteville purchased two plastic bubbles to cover the outdoor pools at the Westover and College Lakes recreation centers. Since the pools at both locations are heated, the bubbles allow the swimmers to go inside and practice during the period the FSU pool is closed for the holidays.

    Even when the temperature outside the bubble is freezing, Shook said, the bubble is a workable alternative to not practicing.

    “Most days I can be comfortable coaching in a short-sleeved shirt,’’ Shook said of the atmosphere in the bubble. “When (the temperature) gets way down, I might wear a light jacket.’’

    Shook said both recreation centers have heated indoor dressing rooms where the swimmers can go and change before and after practice.

    “It’s a work in progress,’’ she said of the addition of a practice option for the county’s swimmers. “Each year we are gaining more and more support for the sport of swimming in the county. It’s going to change our results.’’

    Looking ahead toward the conference meet, Shook is expecting a competitive battle for top honors. From a team standpoint, she said Cape Fear, Pine Forest, Gray’s Creek and Terry Sanford have all had outstanding team and individual performances this year.

    Among individual swimmers, Shook said Zizhou Lu of Gray’s Creek has been almost unbeatable this season. Another top swimmer for the boys has been Brandon Chhoeung of Pine Forest.

    Lu is strong in multiple events, but his best include the sprint freestyles. Chhoeung excels in the distance freestyle events.

    For the girls, Shook said top competitors include her daughter, Amelia, and E.E. Smith’s Sarah Morton.

    Amelia Shook is strong in several events, including the backstroke, middle distances and the butterfly. Morton’s best events are the breaststroke and the sprints.

    Coach Shook said the key to success in the conference meet is a good effort from each team and swimming clean races. She said a number of county swimmers have already qualified for competition in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association regionals.

    “I think, countywide, we have some great shots at at least a half-dozen state qualifiers,’’ she said. “On my team, my goal is to double the number of state and regional qualifiers we have.

    “We have a lot of great swimmers in this county. They have worked hard all year. They are ready to swim fast.’’

  • 19 Not sure which one rescued the other. After making the rounds of all the shelters on a cold January day, I told Dorothy I really wanted to bring him home with us. There was something about the way he looked at me when I spoke to him.

    It had been less than two months since our son was killed; our 10- year-old Rottweiler mix had died suddenly just before that. Though surrounded by family, friends, and acquaintances, I was experiencing a general sense of loneliness.

    I think, in retrospect, it was simply grief. Whatever it was, this great big hunk of unruliness seemed to take the edge off it. We were quizzed, interrogated and even cautioned by the shelter that he might be too big and unmanageable for people ‘our age’, but I was adamant. This was my next best friend. And so he has become.

    Champ was full of personality from the first day he came into our home and family. Full of energy and enough curiosity for any five cats, at a whopping 90 pounds he could be a challenge for a couple ‘our age’ at times.

    But love. As his challenges were met by grace and love from his new family, we all began the journey of growing toward center. Just three years later, I can barely move from room-to-room without him wanting to be there. This dog, once deemed unruly and destructive and cast aside, has become one of the best friends I’ve ever had. It’s clear he simply wants to be near us, be loved, and experience life as one who is accepted.

    To a great extent, he defines my relationship with God.

    As a young man I was defiant and unruly, constantly looking for the boundaries I was not yet living on. Situations I could not control I lashed out against, and I found myself written off by even those who were closest to me. Perhaps especially by them. But God. God saw more in me than I saw in myself. He saw the look in my eyes as one person warned another I wasn’t worth the effort. He took me in, called me son, and my many challenges were met repeatedly by His patient grace and love.

    Today, when I see God moving, that’s where I want to be. Just as Champ sits at (or ON) my feet, I want nothing more than to be near my master and enjoy simply being together. In every situation, I pray I find myself resting in God’s favor, pleasing Him in all I do.

    Thank you, God, for showing me what rescue looks like and for transforming me into someone who sees the value you place in others regardless of their past, their hurts or defiance. Thank you for teaching me to look others in the eyes — whether two-legged or four — and respond with the same love you’ve shown me.

  • 15 Hall of Fame  The Fayetteville Sports Club has announced a class of six Hall of Fame inductees for 2019, including two to its newly created Legends class. The Legends class was created to recognize candidates from years past who may have been overlooked over time.

    The first two members of the Legends group are former Fayetteville High School football star William “Nub” Smith and former Fayetteville businessman and University of Miami, Ohio, Hall of Famer George Vossler.

    The other four Hall of Fame inductees are Pine Forest football star Charles Davenport, former University of North Carolina basketball player Dr. Joe Quigg, veteran athletic administrator Fred McDaniel and South View football standout Marcus Wall.

    This year’s induction banquet for the Hall of Fame will be held Thursday, Feb. 21, at Highland Country Club. Social hour begins at 6p.m., and the banquet is at 6:30 p.m.

    Tickets to the banquet are $50. To order tickets, or for further information, call Ashley Petroski at Noble and Pound Financial, 910- 323-9195. The physical address is 1315 Fort Bragg Rd.

    Here is a brief biography of each inductee.

    Charles Davenport

    Davenport was a multi-talented athlete at Pine Forest who starred for the Trojans in the late 1980s. He played football at North Carolina State University from 1988-91 as both a quarterback and wide receiver. He earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors at wide receiver in his senior year, catching 33 passes for 558 yards and four touchdowns.

    He went on to play three seasons in the National Football League with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

    Once he left pro football, Davenport returned to Fayetteville, where he briefly served as an assistant football coach at his alma mater, Pine Forest. He is currently working as a football official with the Southeastern Athletic Officials Association.

    Fred McDaniel

    McDaniel played college baseball at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke and began his coaching career at Terry Sanford High School in 1974 as head baseball and wrestling coach and assistant football coach.

    In 1988, he moved into administration as athletic director at Westover High school. In 1994 he took over the same position at Cape Fear High School.

    He spent the final 10 years of his career as an administrator as student activities director for Cumberland County Schools.

    He has been a leader in the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association.

    He was elected to the NCADA Hall of Fame in 2013. In 2011 he received a citation award from the National Federal of State High School Associations.

    Dr. Joe Quigg

    Quigg was a member of one of the most famous teams in the history of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels’ 1957 National Collegiate Athletic Association championship squad.

    That year, the Tar Heels finished the season 32-0 and defeated Kansas, led by future National Basketball Association legend Wilt Chamberlain, 54-53 in triple overtime in the championship game.

    In that contest, Quigg made two free throws to clinch the win then batted away a pass to Chamberlain in the final seconds.

    Despite missing his senior year at UNC because of a broken leg, Quigg was drafted by the New York Knicks. He never fully healed and elected to become a dentist, settling in Fayetteville with his wife, Carol Moser Quigg. He ran a successful dental practice here for many years before retiring.

    William “Nub” Smith

    Longtime Fayetteville residents who saw him play still claim Smith was the greatest high school football player in Fayetteville history. City councilman Johnny Dawkins said his grandfather drove to Alabama to bring Smith to Fayetteville in the late 1940s, promising him that the Dawkins family would take care of him and get him into Wake Forest University.

    Smith only played two years at Fayetteville High School, under the legendary coach Bill Dole. Many argue they were two of the greatest years in the school’s football history. The Bulldogs, led by Smith at running back, won state titles in 1947 and 1948. Fayetteville beat Charlotte 39-0 and Burlington 14-13.

    Smith went on to Wake Forest, where he set the school’s single-game rushing record of 246 yards against William & Mary in 1949. It still ranks as the third-best single-game performance in Wake Forest history. Smith went on to play briefly for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League.

    George Vossler

    Vossler, a 1930 graduate of University of Miami, Ohio, was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 1982.

    He was a triple threat fullback for the football team, earning All-Ohio honors. He was also a champion in the shot put.

    He was a three-time conference champion in the shot put, qualifying for the NCAA championships in 1929.

    After coming to Fayetteville, where he became a successful businessman, he became involved in officiating, calling both high school football and basketball games, as well as sports at Fort Bragg.

    Marcus Wall

    Wall is best remembered for his key role in leading South View High School’s Tigers to the school’s first and only state 4-A football championship when they defeated West Charlotte High School 10-7 in the 1991 North Carolina High School Athletic Association finals.

    Wall was the key to the Tiger offense of coach Bobby Poss with 2,501 yards and 27 touchdowns. In the championship game, he rushed 27 times for 178 yards.

    The game was played at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Kenan Stadium, and Wall caught the eye of then-Tar Heel coach Mack Brown, who recruited him. Wall still ranks among Tar Heel football’s best. He’s fourth in kickoff return yardage with 2,120 yards and fifth in punt return yardage average at 27.5.

    In recent years, Wall has returned to Cumberland County, where he serves as an assistant coach on the staff of his alma mater, South View. This past year, he was chosen as an assistant coach on the North Carolina Shrine Bowl staff for the annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas high school football all-star game.

  • 18 A common question after Christmas is about New Year’s resolutions. Common resolutions are joining a fitness center, weight loss,or simply wanting to get into shape.
    Healthy comes in all sizes and shapes and it is unfair to the consumer to think that you are going to look like the fitness model in commercials and print, or that you will have a flat stomach. However, it is important

    to know that you are doing something healthy for yourself and are able to continue enjoying an active lifestyle.

    If you are thinking about a lifestyle change to a healthier you, ask yourself why you are about to make a change and what has brought you to this decision. Is it weight loss, lack of balance, difficulty in getting off the floor, strength training, back hurting, blood pressure, shuffled walking, recovery from illness or injury, or if you feel it is time to do something for yourself?

    Sometimes people will tell me, “I do not like to exercise, I don’t have time to go to the gym, I can exercise at home, I do not like going to the gym or I can’t exercise because of.”
    When we are younger, exercise is more about looks and as we age, exercise is more about sustainability.

    I wish there were another word for exercise that brings a positive light instead of drumming yourself into extinction in a gym. Let’s remove the word exercise and replace it with wellness and forget the guidelines with what and how much you should do.

    When I have a new client my first question is “tell me about yourself and what you like to do.” The next question is “tell me about your previous work or injuries.”
    Both of those open-ended questions tell me what will motivate them and the reason they may be experiencing some difficulty with movement or limitations. A person beginning a fitness program will respond better if they are doing something that they like.

    Self-care is the first step in a wellness program and a valuable gift for yourself. There is nothing wrong with taking time for yourself and embarking on a wellness journey and fitting your workout into your schedule. Continue to give your time for family, friends, obligations, social engagements and charitable work, but also recognize that saying “that time is not convenient for me” is a powerful statement for you.

    There are a lot of reasons to join a fitness center and, outside of the wellness benefits, social engagement is just as important. You will make new friends and get to know people that share your interest.
    You will also find a community that is there for the same reason as you. It can also be beneficial to begin your fitness training with a personal trainer to show you the proper way to perform exercises, reducing the risk of injury and developing a plan to reach your goals.

    Sometimes, people are hesitant to go to fitness classes or join a gym because they feel uncomfortable with how they look or their ability to be a part of the group or do the exercises. All those feelings are normal but begin to dissipate as you start to see changes in yourself and your confidence grows.

    Live, love life and wellness for you in 2023.

  • 15Demauriea Nickelson

     

    Demauriea Nickelson

    Seventy-First • Senior • Basketball

    Nickelson has a 3.5 grade point average. In addition to playing basketball, he’s a member of the Academically and Intellectually Gifted program and Distributive Education Clubs of America.

    16JahHyrah McCain Seventy First

     JahHyrah McCain

    Seventy-First • Junior • Bowling

    McCain has a 3.6 grade point average. She’s a member of the bowling team and also a dancer.

  • 16 The financial disparities between male and female entrepreneurs are far-reaching. Women-led businesses receive lower valuations, less capital and fewer conventional small business loans than those led by men. Women entrepreneurs also pay themselves less than men and often take the brunt of balancing their family’s needs while growing their business. In spite of these challenges, women-led businesses of all types are thriving across the United States, thanks in part to initiatives offering tactical support and networking opportunities.

    Take it from Racquel Garcia, whose substance abuse recovery and life coaching business HardBeauty had substantial outside funding but needed guidance in becoming an efficient and sustainable operation. She applied to join the Milestone Circles program offered by the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center and funded by Wells Fargo Foundation.

    As part of Wells Fargo’s Connect to More program, the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center places women entrepreneurs from across the country into “circles” that receive virtual and in-person peer and professional coaching over 12 weeks, plus the support of a growing network of fellow business leaders. As of June 2022, the program has graduated more than 540 entrepreneurs in 47 states, with an aim of graduating another 1,000 women over the next 12 months. Built by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, the goal is to create space for women to step away from business pressures, identify goals and support each other’s growth.

    With the assistance of her program “sisters,” Garcia built two revenue streams that were less grant-dependent, growing her income by $200,000 in 12 weeks. But the impact of this support went beyond the business. For Garcia, who is one of the only women of color in her small Colorado town, the program was a rare opportunity to share her dreams with other women she would not have crossed paths with otherwise.

    “Many women entrepreneurs suffer from imposter syndrome. This confidence gap and the systemic financial barriers and pressures faced by women entrepreneurs are just some of the reasons I saw a need for this program,” says Jenny Flores, head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy at Wells Fargo.

    For Terriekka Cardenas, a sixth grade teacher, engineer and owner of Perceptive Engineering, having this support is what helped her embrace the title of CEO. “That was the first moment for me that I didn’t box myself in,” she says.

    Others, such as Ruby Taylor, who graduated from the first Milestone Circle in 2021, haven’t stopped meeting with their peers after the initial 12 weeks. In 2020, Taylor created a card game, LEGACY!, to teach people how to close the racial wealth gap and have fun doing it. Being able to craft a mission statement while enrolled inspired her to amplify her vision and found Financial Joy School, which coaches Black families on building generational wealth.

    “My circle is a tight-knit group that continuously supports each other when we get stuck. We’re just a telephone call away when we feel discouraged,” she said.
    While founding and growing a business comes with risks, support from peers and mentors can make all the difference, say program organizers. “When you’re able to show up authentically and say what you need help with — the real things, the hard things — and people can come around and provide support in an environment free of competition or judgment, that’s really game-changing,” says Flores.

  • 14PA I’ve been to a few high school basketball games over the years where the person keeping the scorebook at the courtside table wore a striped shirt like the ones the officials wear.

    I think that’s a good idea because the official scorekeeper at a high school game is in many ways as much a part of the officiating crew as the people who run up and down the court blowing their whistles.

    But I’d like to make a case for someone else at that table, and in the press box at high school football games, who might want to put on one of those striped shirts on game night: the publicaddress announcer.

    Before you call me crazy, listen to my case.

    I’ve been to several games where the announcer should have been wearing a completely different type of uniform. He or she would have been more suitably dressed as a cheerleader, because for the better part of the game, that’s mostly what they did on the loudspeakers — root, root for the home team.

    I know a lot of fans are going to disagree with me, but cheering is not the job of the PA announcer. PA announcers, like the officials calling the game, need to be neutral. There’s no reason to be totally vanilla behind the microphone. It’s okay to show some excitement when announcing a great play. But keep it to the basics. Give names and numbers. Statistics. That sort of thing. Don’t show favoritism for one team.

    Oh, and something else PA announcers shouldn’t do — criticize the officials.

    I was at a basketball game some years ago, and the announcer was getting a little too involved, calling play-by-play and making editorial calls on the officiating.

    Finally, after one situation, the announcer complained for all to hear that the officials had missed a “terrible” traveling call.

    The game was stopped, and the head of the officiating crew requested that the announcer be removed immediately and replaced.

    The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has a code of what it calls expectations for announcers that call postseason games. It is good rule of practice for announcers in regularseason games as well. Here are some highlights:

    • The announcer shouldn’t try to be bigger than the event and draw attention to himself or herself.

    • Announcers can have a big influence on the game. Cheerleading or inciting the crowd is out of line.

    • Always promote sportsmanship and treat the opposing team and its fans as welcome guests.

    • Know your job and the rules of the game you’re calling.

    In short, leave the cheering to the cheerleaders, and share information with the fans that may not be readily available to them.

    Treat everybody on both teams with respect and it will be a better experience for all involved.

  • 5 I’ve been on the redistricting beat a long time. Back in the early 1990s, I wrote numerous articles criticizing the collaboration among Republican and NAACP activists to maximize the number of Black-majority districts. After the egregious Democratic gerrymander of 2001, I cheered on the lawsuit that ultimately became the Stephenson v. Bartlett case, which overturned the gerrymander and enforced the state constitution’s rule against unnecessarily splitting counties in legislative maps.

    Later I endorsed and helped organize multiple coalitions to reform the process by amending North Carolina’s constitution. Just as the whole-county provision had acted as a check on gerrymandering in Stephenson, we argued that adding other redistricting criteria such as compactness to the constitution could erect additional guardrails against abuses.

    What I never believed is that North Carolina’s constitution already contained redistricting rules discoverable in such clauses as “all elections shall be free” and “no person shall be denied equal protection of the laws.” We had, after all, spent many years seeking to persuade state lawmakers to place a redistricting-reform amendment on the ballot precisely because the current state constitution did not contain the safeguards in question.

    Other reformers disagreed. More to the point, Republicans had won legislative majorities in 2010 — running in districts drawn by the other party, mind you — while a few years later Democrats regained a majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court. State and national Democrats decided they couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sue. Their federal litigation ultimately hit a dead end. The U.S. Supreme Court declared that similarly vague language in the federal constitution did not empower the federal judiciary to police partisan gerrymandering or supplant the role of state legislatures in drawing congressional maps.

    Their litigation in the state courts went a different direction, however. Back in February, the four Democrats on the state’s highest court ruled in Harper v. Hall that the North Carolina constitution’s general protections of free elections, equal protection, free speech, and free assembly did, in fact, constitute legitimate grounds for state courts to judge the fairness of districts drawn by the General Assembly — and even for judges to use their own consultants and resources to draw the maps instead.

    The practical effect was that the 2022 elections for General Assembly and U.S. House of Representatives were held within districts that were either drawn by court-appointed “special masters” or by legislators subject to a court order. Republicans still won a supermajority in the state senate and came within a seat of winning one in the state house.

    Both the Democratic plaintiffs and Republican defendants were dissatisfied. Both appealed separate elements of the decision. On Dec. 16, the North Carolina Supreme Court issued another decision in Harper v. Hall. Once again by a party-line vote, Democratic justices affirmed their original findings and even threw out the senate districts we just used in the election, ordering the legislature to try again in 2023.

    To my mind, the folly of the Democrats’ original decision is clearly exposed. By liberally construing the state constitution to prohibit what its text clearly does not, and then refusing to spell out specific legal and numerical criteria for lawmakers to follow, the Democratic justices have created an intolerable mess.

    Whatever happens next year, the defendants are likely to appeal to a new North Carolina Supreme Court with an originalist majority. The Harper v. Hall standard “is a dead man walking,” as my John Locke Foundation colleague Andy Jackson predicts.

    That doesn’t mean redistricting reform itself is dead. It just means we’ll have to do it the proper way: by amending the state constitution.

  • 13UNC story photo When Mack Brown returned to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill as head football coach last month, he had barely three weeks to jump-start the school’s recruiting efforts with North Carolina high schools during the early signing period for prospects.

    Thanks to the support of a couple of Tar Heel backers from Fayetteville, Brown was able to get a couple of major prospects to flip their commitments during his short time on the recruiting trail and dramatically improve the overall quality of his first class of recruits.

    Fayetteville developer Ralph Huff, a UNC graduate and longtime supporter of the Tar Heel athletic program, offered Brown the use of his private plane for a whirlwind swing around the state to visit a variety of recruits one Saturday last month.

    Trey Edge, who played football at both Terry Sanford and for Carolina during Brown’s first term as coach there, has strong ties to the state’s high school football coaching community through his years as the play-by-play announcer for Terry Sanford football.

    He and Huff accompanied Brown and members of the new Tar Heel coaching staff on that journey around the state.

    Edge remembers when Brown struggled through 1-10 seasons before getting his first Tar Heel football program established.

    “The one thing I saw even back then was his ability to sell the university and his ability to sell himself,’’ Edge said.

    Edge called Brown an incredible motivator. “His ability to instill hope and belief was what got this program to a top ten program,’’ Edge said. “He still has to instill hope today, and that’s what people are counting on.’’

    One of the biggest challenges for Brown will be restoring the connection between the Tar Heel football program and the high school coaches around the state. Edge said it was impossible to disguise the fact that the relationship between the North Carolina program and the high school coaches within the state had fallen off sharply in recent years.

    At the age of 67, and having been an analyst for ESPN for the last few years after winning a national championship at Texas, some might argue that Brown won’t be familiar to high school athletes and coaches in North Carolina. Edge disagrees.

    “He’s been on TV,’’ Edge said. “He was just inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.’’

    Edge said the key to recruiting success for North Carolina moving forward will be the relationships Brown and his new coaching staff plan to build with the state’s high schools.

    “They are crisscrossing the state, being visible in every high school,’’ Edge said. “They’ve divided responsibilities among the 10 assistant coaches. Every assistant coach will have a responsibility inside the state of North Carolina.’’

    The day Edge spent with Brown and several of his assistants, he said he was most impressed with the effort and energy they exhibited at the various stops they made.

    It showed in the fact the Tar Heel recruiting class was rated as low as the top 90 in the country when Brown began. Just three weeks later, after flipping stars like wide receiver Emery Simmons of South View from Penn State and quarterback Sam Howell of Sun Valley from Florida State, the Tar Heel class shot up into the 40s nationally.

    “It all begins with those guys willing to reestablish relationships within the state,’’ Edge said. “That’s what I’m most excited about.’’

    Huff graduated from UNC in 1972 and 20 years ago committed to give an annual football scholarship to the Tar Heel athletic program. He’d become frustrated by the fact Fayetteville and Cumberland County produced a number of North Carolina Athletic Association Division I football prospects over the last several years, but none of them wound up playing for the Tar Heels.

    Huff said he wasn’t a close friend of Brown during his first stint as Tar Heel football coach, but he quickly saw Brown’s skills as a recruiter during the trip they took together last month.

    “He is so warm and personable,’’ Huff said. “He was sitting beside me on the airplane, and when he talks to you he leans over, looks you in the eye, puts his hand on your knee and connects with you. That’s the kind of guy he is.’’

    Huff isn’t overly optimistic and isn’t predicting North Carolina recruiting will jump to the kind of levels national champion Clemson has enjoyed. But he’s confident Brown can get the Tar Heels to a level that will rival traditional Atlantic Coast Conference powers like Florida State and Virginia Tech in a short period of time.

    “Given a full year (to recruit), there’s no reason we can’t be No. 2 or No. 3 behind Clemson,’’ Huff said.

    Huff thinks it’s also important for North Carolina to show some tangible results on the field in Brown’s first season.

    This fall’s schedule will include games with South Carolina and Appalachian State in nonconference. Clemson returns to the ACC schedule, along with rivals Duke and Wake Forest, who both won bowl games last season.

    “We have a hard schedule,’’ Huff said. “We are clearly going to have to break even for people to think we’re headed in the right direction. If we can get to 7-5 or 8-4, everybody will be deliriously happy.’’

    Photo:  L-R: UNC-Chapel Hill assistant coach Tim Brewster, head coach Mack Brown, Ralph Huff, assistant coach Dre Bly, assistant coach Robert Gillespie, Trey Edge, and assistant coach Tommy Thigpen.

  • Kicking off the New Year

    We are kicking off the new year with a great variety of new music!

    Audio Adrenaline is back with a new lead vocalist (Kevin Max, formerly of DC Talk) and a fabulous new radio single. “Kings & Queen’s” is “just an incredible song about this idea of when we love the least of these, God wraps these little orphans in his majesty and they can become kings and queens,” shares Mark Stuart. “It gives you that idea that these are God’s favorites, these little kids who have been forgotten. It’s just a triumphant, majestic song that just connects so deeply with Hands & Feet and the message of Audio A right now.”01-09-13-the-buzz.gif

    So what is the Hands & Feet Project? Five years ago, the band gathered in Hawaii along with their biggest fans for what they thought was their last perfor-mance. Since that emotional finale concert, founding members Mark Stuart and Will McGinniss have tirelessly worked to raise awareness and support for 100 orphans currently being cared for in orphanages in Jacmel and Grand Goave, Haiti. The official music video was taped in Jacmel, Haiti at the Hands & Feet Project Children’s Village.

    Another veteran band with a new look is Hawk Nelson. New front-man Jon Steingard shares his thoughts on the newly released single from their upcoming project. “‘Words’ really speaks to the heart of what God’s been teaching us as a band over the past few months. The words we speak are a powerful testament to who we are and how we influence those around us. We truly have the power to either speak life into others or break them down depending on the choices we make. It’s been our prayer as a band to say to God that we want to be His light … that we want to speak His love into people’s lives every day. Whether that means being on stage and playing shows, or whether that’s with our wives, families or friends, we just want to be really intentional about speaking life into people. We were so honored that Bart from MercyMe agreed to be a part of this song as well. He was actually monumental in encouraging me to step up as the new lead singer for Hawk Nelson. It’s been really cool to see God directing the whole thing as it came around full circle and we’re stoked with how ‘Words’ turned out!”

    There is also another new thought-provoking tune from Sidewalk Prophets. Co-writer and lead vocalist Dave Frey says, “‘Help Me Find It’ was written after a conversation with a close friend of mine. We were talking about how hard it is to be patient in life, and how equally hard it is to go when God calls us to go…our fears of uncertainty and failure consume us. God is in control. We have to be patient and wait for God’s timing, and, in the same breath, we need to trust God enough to venture out and chase down life’s dreams when he calls us to go. ‘Help Me Find it’ is a prayer for God to give us the wisdom to know his great desire for our lives” J

    ust a few of the newest songs you’ll be hearing from some of your favorite artists in this new year.

  • 4 Our right to be offensive is increasingly being seen as this pesky, little symptom of the First Amendment that must be either begrudgingly entertained or reluctantly accepted. People will casually write off being offensive as uncouth or unbecoming of a civilized society; they are, however, mistaken. The ones who are annoyed by our right to be offensive are the same ones who are likely to be ignorant of the fact that we are where we are today as a result of individuals offending the orthodoxies of their day. They are also likely unaware of the consequences that limiting offensiveness can have.

    One might ask themselves whether it’s worth being offensive in today’s era of wokeism, microaggressions, and cancel culture. The answer should be (and always will be) a resounding and resolute yes. Below are three reasons why we must embrace, and continue, our tradition of being offensive.

    First, we owe it to all of those who came before us and who sacrificed so much in the name of giving offense. We owe it to those who were mocked and ridiculed, booed and hissed at, beaten or imprisoned, exiled and ostracized, and hanged or burned at the stake all for simply offending the doctrines and dogmas of their day. Literal blood, sweat, and tears were given by countless generations so we could be where we are today.

    Secondly, giving offense has been the main driver of change over (at least) the last millennium. As pointed out above, our society has gotten to the point it is at today because individuals thumbed their noses at the norms and orthodoxies of their day. Examples abound:

    •Copernicus offended Christendom when he said that the earth was not at the center of the universe, which eventually gave way to Galileo and his subsequent discoveries

    •Suffragettes offended the male-dominated society of the 19th and 20th centuries when they published literature and held demonstrations demanding the right to vote, and ultimately this led to women’s enfranchisement

    •Rosa Parks offended a whole segment of society when she refused to give up her seat in the front of the bus. By doing so she sparked a conversation about the inequality of the doctrine “separate but equal,” and a reversal of numerous Jim Crow-era policies ensued

    •The first openly gay magazine in the United States, ONE, offended norms and orthodoxies of the 1950s. But by doing so, and in its subsequent struggles with the authorities, ONE helped give change to obscenity laws and increased First Amendment right for the LGBT community in its landmark Supreme Court case One, Inc. v. Olesen

    One can only imagine where we would be today had these courageous individuals not dared to be offensive.

    Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it is imperative that we continue our long tradition of offending contemporary orthodoxies because the only other alternative is clamping down or dismissing speech and expressions that are deemed offensive. The notion that any idea that is legitimately expressed can be silenced or banned on the grounds that it is merely “offensive” is censorship, and as one of our greatest founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, put it, “Censorship is the handmaiden to tyranny.”

    So, if you are against tyranny, you have to be for offensiveness.
    As was stated at the start, the right to be offensive, which has been affirmed to us as citizens by various Supreme Court cases (RAV v. St. Paul, Texas v. Johnson, Snyder v. Phelps) is increasingly being portrayed as a thorn in the side of modern society; as if the only thing stopping us from achieving an idyllic society is our individual right to give offense. It is time that that misconception comes to an end and we start to view this inalienable right for what it really is: the heart and soul of the First Amendment.

  • 22Maya Johnson Westover Maya Johnson

    Westover • Senior • Volleyball, bowling, softball

    Johnson has a grade point average of 3.93. She is a member of National Honor Society and Westover’s Ladies of Grace.

     

     

    23Delsin Burkhart Westover Delsin Burkhart

    Westover • Senior • Cross country, soccer, football, track

    Burkhart has a 3.6 grade point average. He is a two-time state qualifier in cross country and was the placekicker for the football team. He is a member of National Honor Society, Academy of Health Sciences, and Brotherhood of Successful Students.

  • 01-23-13-star-gazing.gifOn cold clear winter nights the stars come alive. In the inky night sky the glimmering stars reveal not only their beauty, but to those who watch closely, their mysteries. The study of the matter of outer space is called astronomy. This scientifi c discipline has led to amazing triumphs of humanity such as discovering other earth-like planets and putting a man on the moon. This amazing science is not relegated to professionals however; amateur astronomers have made many important discoveries. All anyone really needs is a telescope and a love of the stars.

    On Jan. 31, anyone who has an interest in the stars will have the perfect place to share their passion and gain some more knowledge at Lake Rim Park. Participants will be able to gaze at the stars with fellow enthusiasts and learn about the constellations and many other celestial objects as well as the folklore behind them.

    Michael Moralis, a park ranger at Lake Rim Park, will teach the class, which consists of two parts. The fi rst part is an introduction to the night sky where participants will learn about the many interesting objects and systems that can be found throughout space, such as: planets, stars, nebula and galaxies.

    “I will talk about constellations as well, and the stars that are in them, the stories on how they got their names and how to find them,” said Moralis.

    Moralis advises participants to “bundle up, because it’s cold and the entire class is outside. Winter is the best time in North Carolina to watch the sky, because the weather is usually clearer this time of year. It is the best time of the year at Lake Rim because there aren’t any ball practices. When ball parks are lit up, the glare from the lights makes it harder to get a good view of the night sky. The introduction to the stars is outside under the picnic shelter and the actual star gazing is from the football field.

    “Attendees are welcome to bring telescopes and binoculars if they want to zoom in on something I’m talking about, but it is not required. I try to partner up with Johnny Horn and the Fayetteville Astronomy Club to make sure there are telescopes around,” said Moralis.

    Anyone who wants to participate should know that the event is free, but registration is required. The last day to register is Jan. 30. Be sure to dress warmly; hot chocolate would probably not be out of place. The event is scheduled to take place at Lake Rim Park on Jan. 31 from 6 until 7:30 p.m. Lake Rim Park is located at 2214 Tar Kiln Dr. For more information, or to register, call 424-6134.

    Photo: Explore the night sky at Lake Rim Park.

  • 21Play4Kay For a second straight year, Cumberland County Schools will join the work of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to raise money for cancer research through the Play4Kay program.

    The fundraiser encourages college and high school basketball teams to select a game on their schedule to use as a focal point for raising money. It pays tribute to the late North Carolina State University women’s basketball coach, Sandra Kay Yow, who was a victim of cancer.

    Vernon Aldridge, student activities director for Cumberland County Schools, first became interested in the Play4Kay program following a presentation made sometime back by Que Tucker, commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.

    Aldridge said Tucker told everyone at the meeting that day that the state of North Carolina was not ranked among the leaders in donations to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund — in spite of the fact Yow was a native of North Carolina and had a lengthy coaching career in the state.

    “With as much as she’s done for the state of North Carolina and the young ladies from North Carolina who have played for her, it doesn’t make much sense,’’ Aldridge said.

    Cumberland County had a personal stake in getting involved as well, Aldridge said, as Pine Forest High School athletic director Jason Norton is battling cancer.

    Last year, during the Play4Kay drive, Cumberland County Schools raised $5,600 for the fight against cancer. Pine Forest raised more money than any other school and received a plaque in recognition of that.

    It’s left up to each school to decide how to raise money on the night of its Play4Kay basketball game. They’re asked to pick a game on their schedule where they expect to draw a good crowd.

    Some schools just ask for donations from spectators or have a collection point at the ticket gate. Others hold 50-50 drawings. Some offer special Play4Kay t-shirts for sale, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each shirt are donated back to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

    Sometimes the competing teams incorporate pink into their uniforms, either using the jersey or something like pink socks, to raise cancer awareness.

    Following are the scheduled Play4Kay dates this year for each Cumberland County school. For specifics on what is planned to raise money at each game, contact the home school directly.

    Cape Fear — Jan. 8 vs. Pine Forest

    Seventy-First — Jan. 8 vs. Scotland

    Jack Britt — Jan. 25 vs. Scotland

    Gray’s Creek — Jan. 25 vs. Cape Fear

    Douglas Byrd — Feb. 1 vs. Terry Sanford

    E.E. Smith — Feb. 5 vs. Pine Forest

    Pine Forest — Feb. 8 vs. Cape Fear

    South View — Feb. 8 vs. Terry Sanford

    Westover — Feb. 8 vs. Overhills

    Terry Sanford — Feb. 12 vs. Pine Forest

  • 10 The Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Department, in partnership with the Vision Resource Center hosted a Dining & Dialogue event at Cape Fear Botanical Garden on Jan. 25 to raise awareness about challenges encountered by people that are blind or visually impaired as they navigate the community.

    With more the 110 people in attendance, the VRC emphasized the importance of the topic by having participants without visual impairment wear blindfolds or simulation glasses during lunch.
    The VRC’s Executive Director Terri Thomas said, “As people are eating, they will get an idea of what it’s like to be blind or visually impaired.”

    Thomas wants more events like this to raise awareness of the challenges and support needed for people experiencing life with limited to no sight to live more independently.

    “Hopefully, people leave differently than the way they came, wanting to advocate for people with any disability not just visual impairment,” she said. “I want people to think, ‘what can I do to be more inclusive.’”

    Dining & Dialogue is a lunch-and-learn style event where community members can learn from each other about different identities and cultures by having crucial conversations on difficult issues. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director Yamile Nazar, who leads the Human Relations Department, said raising consciousness of the experience of others is integral to the mission of the department and Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission.

    Nazar said, “Our number one focus is heightening people’s awareness around experiences that are not like theirs. Unless we are having the experience, we just don’t know what we don’t know.”
    She continued, “So, [with] heightening awareness comes sensitivity to someone else’s plight.”

    At the tables, the dialogues were led by community members who are living with visual impairments. Waleed Nuridin and Latasha Smith receive VRC services. They told their stories which included overcoming depression and learning how to re-enter their career.

    Other speakers talked about the lack of chirping sidewalk crossings and audible elevators, things that could help them lead more independent lives. Thomas presented the work of the VRC to the Human Relations Commission leading to the Dining & Dialogue on sight limitations.

    Semone Pemberton, chairwomen of the Human Relations Commission, is passionate about having conversations that raise awareness of community needs to city and county leaders. Additionally, they encourage community members to learn how to enhance interactions with one another.

    “The commission’s role is to facilitate dialogue and bring people together to make impactful change,” said Pemberton. 10a

    The VRC’s mission is to enhance the lives of adults and children living in the Cape Fear Region who are blind or visually impaired. As a part of that mission, the Dining & Dialogue was an impactful and educational experience for those not experiencing life without or with limited sight.

    “I hope the event urged people to think beyond themselves because that will help make our community and the world a better place,” said Thomas.

    Editor’s note: There are a number of ways to help support the Vision Resource Center through donations of time or money. For more information visit www.visionresourcecentercc.org/ or call 910-483-2719.

     

  • 20Erick Martinez Following are the Cumberland County players selected to this year’s All- Sandhills Athletic Conference football team chosen by the league’s head coaches:

    Defensive player of the year

    Erick Martinez, Jack Britt

    Offensive line

    Jack Britt - Justin Milliman

    Seventy-First - Benjamin Willis, Jai Harper, Alex Williams

    Wide receivers

    Seventy-First - Camari Williams

    Running backs

    Seventy-First - Sincere Bates

    Quarterbacks

    Seventy-First - Kyler Davis

    Defensive linemen

    Seventy-First - Thomas Washington

    Linebackers

    Jack Britt - Mike Matthews, Nico Perofeta

    Seventy-First - Devante Wedlock

    Defensive backs

    Seventy-First - Jah-kahri McLain

    Photo: Erick Martinez

  • 9 Mayor Jackie Warner read an apology for blocking people and deleting comments on social media pages she controls during a meeting of the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners on Jan. 23.
    The formal apology was part of a settlement agreement in a lawsuit filed against her. The town board met in City Hall. Several people who had been deleted from her social pages attended the meeting.

    “Those of you who have been deleted from my mayor’s social page, I thank you for coming out this evening,” Warner said.

    She then explained that she controlled three separate Facebook pages, “a mayor’s page, a Carleen’s of Hope Mills (gift shop) page, and a personal page.” Warner said she was under the impression that her Carleen’s and personal pages did not affect her mayor’s page.

    “However, we have determined that it does affect you,” Warner said.

    Warner explained that she learned that if she blocked a person on her personal page, that person also would not have access to her mayor’s page. The action was determined to be illegal because of Warner’s role as an elected town official.

    Duke University filed a lawsuit against the town and Warner. A settlement is now in progress. Part of the settlement requires that Warner was given a statement to read in a public setting, said Warner, who added that the statement was provided by her attorney.

    “Over the past several years, I have hidden and deleted posts and comments and blocked people from Facebook pages that I use as a forum to interact with citizens on issues related to the town of Hope Mills in my role as mayor,” Warner read from the statement.

    “As a result of my actions, a lawsuit has been filed against me.”

    Warner then apologized for her actions and gave her assurance that in the future, her personal Facebook pages would be properly distinguished from her mayor’s page, which will be used as an open forum for residents to freely interact on issues related to the town.

    “My statement has always been we’re moving forward in Hope Mills. This is behind us. We are moving forward. There’s a lot of things happening in Hope Mills,” said Warner.

  • 19Dallas Wilson Cape Fear Cape Fear High School’s wrestling team rolled Merry Christmas and Happy New Year into one over the holiday break with some outstanding performances in a couple of tournaments.

    Cape Fear’s Dallas Wilson was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler in the WRAL tournament en route to winning the 138-pound weight class. But the best was yet to come for the Colts in Charlotte’s Holy Angels tournament at Bojangles Arena.

    Wilson and 170-pound Jared Barbour were both individual champions and helped lead Cape Fear to the team title in the event that draws some 80 high school teams from both North and South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia.

    The success at WRAL and Holy Angels vaulted Cape Fear from unranked to No. 1 in the East and No. 2 in the state among 3-A schools in the NCMat.com statewide rankings that were updated Wednesday, Jan. 2.

    Cape Fear coach Heath Wilson said the performance of his wrestlers in the consolation rounds proved crucial in winning the team championship at Holy Angels. Cape Fear finished with 165.5 points to beat St. Stephens High School of Hickory with 149. St. Stephens is the No. 1 team in 3-A in the NCMat.com state rankings.

    Barbour’s win at 170 was especially crucial for the Colts. In the WRAL tournament, he lost a tough battle to Cael Willis of Wilmington Laney, the No. 1 ranked 4-A wrestler in his class in the state according to NCMat.com.

    Barbour, who is No. 1 in 3-A, rebounded and got the win in the Holy Angels tournament.

    Cape Fear returns from the holidays for a big Patriot Athletic Conference match at South View on Wednesday, Jan. 9, then goes to one of the state’s biggest regular season tournaments, the Sarah Wilkes Invitational at Eden Morehead High School, Jan. 11-12.

    That same weekend, Jack Britt holds Cumberland County’s biggest regular season tournament, the annual Boneyard Bash.

    ***********************

    December high school basketball is most often a blur and quickly forgettable when January rolls around. The boys are especially in flux because many teams are awaiting the arrival of players from football who got a late start because of the state playoffs.

    The blur continues into the early days of January. Now that the date for the semester break has changed, when Cumberland County returns to school Monday, Jan. 7, the students who have been academically reinstated for the second semester and the ones who lost eligibility because of inadequate academic performance in the fall will be known. Then, coaches can move forward with complete rosters for the rest of the season. 

    Looking back briefly at the Southeastern Athletic Officials Association Holiday Classic results, here’s who appear to be the top teams coming out of December.

    Seventy-First’s boys and Westover’s boys, finalists in the Ike Walker Sr. bracket of the Holiday Classic, look to be serious contenders in their respective leagues. Seventy-First won 57-54.

    For the girls, E.E. Smith is clearly the team to beat but finds itself playing in a strong Patriot Athletic Conference. Smith is 13-1, 6-0, but only beat Terry Sanford 57-54 in the Gene Arrington bracket finals. Terry Sanford is 9-1, 5-0, and has yet to play Smith in a league game.

    Record-wise, Jack Britt’s girls are the best of the county teams in the Sandhills Athletic Conference. Britt finished third in the Arrington bracket, losing 60-33 to E.E. Smith in the semifinals.

    Britt is 7-3 overall and 2-0 in the league.

    Photo: Dallas Wilson

  • 8 A lack of participation from the Black and Native American communities in planning for a Civil War history center sparked a discussion during a forum on the contents of its exhibits.

    The forum was held Monday morning, Jan. 23 by organizers of the $80 million N.C. History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction. Vikki Andrews of Fayetteville said she was vehemently opposed to the history center when she first heard about it. Andrews, who is Black, said Monday’s forum provided her with additional insight on the center, which has received a lot of criticism among some city residents.

    “Because I had heard lots of rumors,” Andrews said.

    “I made it my business to come to one of these ’cause I wanted to hear. I wanted to be fair,” said Andrews. “I’m happy to see some of these things I’ve seen around the room because it speaks to the mechanics of the center.”

    The forum was held in the multipurpose room at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 1217 Murchison Road. Panels outlining the content proposed for the history center were displayed on the wall at the church. A second forum was held Monday evening. The panels will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday at the church to gather written feedback from the public.

    “I said in the meeting, my concern is not necessarily with the mechanics, but who gets to decide the stories that are told,” Andrews said. “Everybody is not going to make that extra effort to find the information and what stories they get.

    “Who gets to decide?” Andrews asked. “For me, that’s a concern. There’s an effort in this country … an effort to change the past and make it more comfortable. There’s that effort there. When I hear that — when the architects and people in charge say some of the stories are difficult, and we may have to make some decisions — that says to me that’s a problem. We have to make that extra effort."

    The N.C. History Center’ exhibits will focus on the time period of 1830 through 1900. The conversation about opposition to the project in some communities started when former Fayetteville State University Chancellor James Anderson noted that American Indian stories are proving hard to gather.

    “It’s very difficult,” Anderson said. “All our local historians have made a tremendous effort. It’s hard, for example, to get Native American. American Indian stories.”

    Anderson said he is working with Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke to get first-person stories about Native Americans in history.

    “It’s just difficult,” he said. “There have been some politics involved in this evolution that we’re trying to overcome, I guess we can say it. And the politics are things that sometimes slow things up. And we’ve done a tremendous effort to try to overcome those politics.”

    Spencer Crew, the first African American director of the Smithsonian Museum of American History and a professor at George Mason University, said the center’s staff is talking to people in the community and gathering information. Cheri Molter, an author and research historian with the N.C. History Center, noted that the museum has acquired about 300 stories that are “exhibit worthy.”

    Molter was asked whether the center will offer an opportunity for Blacks to research their family history.

    “We know there’s been a lot of inequity in genealogical research,” Ann Ashford said.

    Molter said she has been gathering stories across the state since 2018.

    “All of them have value,” she said.

    She said in some communities, journals, diaries and letters have vanished.

    “So, what we’ve been doing is, we’ve been working to fill in the gaps whenever possible when someone wanted to share information with me,” she said.

    As he was leaving the church, former FSU Chancellor Anderson said he has taken heat for his support of the proposed center. He said he wants to make sure that people include the role of education, noting that Fayetteville State was founded in 1867.

    “So, it’s overlapping this discussion,” he said of the Civil War and its aftermath. “Making sure that we do not lose sight of the fact that secondary education, higher education — we’re the second-oldest state institution and (the University North Carolina at) Chapel Hill is the oldest. They’re very different in how Fayetteville State contributed to the development of this narrative vs. Chapel Hill. I hope that it’s reflected somewhere.”

    Anderson thanked Pastor Jamale Johnson and Mount Sinai church for stepping forward to become involved in the project.

    “You can count on us to make sure we’re still out here trying to get the stories,” said Anderson. “Trying to get first-person narratives, trying to make sure that the representation — multidiversity representation — is there. So, we’ll continue to do that.”

  • 13Shawn Newman Terry Sanford Shawn Newman

    Terry Sanford • Senior • Football

    Newman has a weighted grade point average of 3.44. He is an All- Sandhills Conference cornerback and started three years on the football team. He was also a team captain.

     

    14Jacob Knight Terry Sanford Jacob Knight

    Terry Sanford • Junior • Football

    Knight has a weighted grade point average of 3.8. He has started on the varsity football team for two years. He is one of the team’s most versatile players, playing five positions for the Bulldogs.

  • tax time N1804P17009H 1 Tax relief is available to qualified property owners, including exclusions and deferments for the elderly and disabled, according to the Cumberland County Tax Administration.

    The owners of qualifying agricultural, horticultural, forestry and wildlife conservation properties may qualify for a “present use” deferment, according to a county news release. The tax is assessed based on the value of the property in its current use rather than its market value. Approval is based on requirements that cover minimum production, acreage, and income, as well as other factors.

    The taxes are deferred, not exempted, and become a lien on the property, the news release said.
    Applications for 2023 must be submitted during the annual listing period, Jan. 1–31.

    Exclusions for the elderly or disabled are for the greater of the first $25,000 or 50% of the assessed value on a permanent residence, according to the news release. Applicants must be 65 or older or totally and permanently disabled with a combined 2022 income of $33,800 or less for the applicant and spouse.
    Exclusions for disabled veterans or a surviving spouse cover the first $45,000 of assessed value on a permanent residence, the release said. There is no age or income limits.

    The deadline to apply for the exclusion programs is June 1, the release said.
    Jan. 31 is the deadline for taxpayers to list property for 2023. Forms must be updated, signed and postmarked no later than Jan. 31 to avoid a 10% penalty.

    To request an application for tax relief, contact Cumberland County Tax Administration customer service at 910-678-7507 or www.cumberlandcountync.gov/tax. The email address for tax questions is taxweb@cumberlandcountync.gov.

    The county tax office is on the fifth floor of the Cumberland County Courthouse, 117 Dick St.

  •  UnknownWho’s going to win this year’s college football national championship? Up & Coming Weekly polled the 10 Cumberland County Schools senior high school football coaches for their opinion.

    Because of holiday deadlines, we had to get their choices before the two semifinal games on Dec. 29 were played that pit Clemson against Notre Dame and Alabama against Oklahoma.

    We gave the coaches the option of picking both semifinals and the championship game or picking one team out of the final four they thought would win. Here’s how they called it.

    Ernest King, Westover — Alabama. I feel they have two experienced quarterbacks to lead the offense. The defense plays good on a consistent basis. That gives the offense more opportunities to score.

    Bill Sochovka, Pine Forest — Alabama has a complete team, very impressive on defense, and it helps that your backup quarterback was your starter last year.

    Jake Thomas, Cape Fear — Clemson over Notre Dame because of their playoff experience and more firepower on offense. Both teams have tough defenses. Alabama over Oklahoma because of their defense. However, if Tua Tagovailoa doesn’t play, that will definitely affect Alabama’s ability to be balanced offensively.

    Clemson should win the national championship in a very close game. This team has gotten the job done all year, and they will find a way to do it again.

    David Lovette, Gray’s Creek — Alabama over Clemson. I just think Alabama has been overwhelming this year. But if any team can beat them, it’s Clemson.

    Rodney Brewington, South View — Clemson over Notre Dame because the Tigers have been there. Notre Dame is not quite ready to take that jump. Oklahoma is playing the best football, and with the Alabama quarterback banged up, Oklahoma gets the edge.

    Oklahoma should win the championship game.

    Brian Randolph, Jack Britt — Clemson will be the national champs. Clemson has built a very dominant team and program through absolutely phenomenal recruiting and outstanding player development, which will allow them to hoist the championship trophy again.

    Deron Donald, E.E. Smith — Clemson will beat Notre Dame because Clemson is more explosive, has more team speed and more experience in the big game. Alabama will beat Oklahoma because their defense is dominant and Oklahoma has not faced a defense like this all year. Alabama and Clemson in the championship game should be a great matchup. You’re talking about the two most dominant teams in college football over the last five years. I have to give a slight edge to Alabama because they just know how to find a way.

    Duran McLaurin, Seventy-First — Alabama over Clemson in the title game. There’s not a better big game coach out there than Nick Saban. His defense does such a good job of taking away your strength, and defense wins championships.

    Bruce McClelland, Terry Sanford — Oklahoma, because I’ve pulled for them since the Barry Switzer days, over Alabama in an upset, 44-43. Clemson over Notre Dame, 27-23. Oklahoma stuns the college football world and wins the national championship over Clemson, 43-34. Gotta believe!

    Mike Paroli, Douglas Byrd — I think Clemson will beat Notre Dame. Alabama will outscore Oklahoma. Clemson will upset Alabama in the title game.

  • 11Kemberle Braden will take over as the next Police Chief of the Fayetteville Police Department. Current Chief Gina Hawkins is set to retire Jan. 31.
    Braden has worked in the department for almost 27 years.

    “I’m excited about the opportunity to be able to provide for the officers working on the side; the opportunity we have to really make a change of some of the things and how we proceed in the community,” Braden said.

    Braden started out as a patrol officer in the field. In 2002, Braden was shot while investigating a tip about drug usage. Braden was shot at five times.
    The hardest moment for Braden, in his entire career at the Fayetteville Police Department was coming back to the job following being shot.

    “The thing that took really the most courage for me was coming back to work, putting the uniform back on. Everything after that was easy. But, coming back from being shot, coming back from being out of work for, I think it was close to eight months, there was a lot of fear, anxiousness, anxiety associated with that,” Braden said.

    “I’ve done a lot of things in my career. I’ve 22 years on the SWAT team. You know, I’ve been through a lot of doors, a lot of things that people would say were scary,” he said.

    “But probably the scariest, most anxious time I had was coming back to work because I had a lot of doubt in myself. There was a lot of [thinking about]whether I should do it, whether I can do it. It wasn’t that first day back, it wasn’t until several years down the road that you’d look back and say, okay, yeah, that was quite an accomplishment what I did there.”

    Since then, he has risen through the ranks and is now the assistant police chief who supervises patrol operations and investigations.
    When asked why he applied to the position of Police Chief, Braden says that partially it was a natural progression of the job, but mainly it was to have an influence on policies and changes within the community and the FPD.

    “We always said, ‘if I was in charge, this is what I would do,’ you know, and that was part of the motivating factor along the way as well. I had the opportunity to see my plans or my ideas were good enough to really do the things that I thought that I would be able to do,” Braden said.

    “And they weren’t always; sometimes I made mistakes and I had some failures along the way, but it was okay, and it sort of led me to where I’m sitting today.”

    Going into the role, Braden says he has no specific goals or plans at the moment.

    “I need to take some time and evaluate what is actually going on. I don’t want to rush into anything. I think I’ll get a better clear direction on where we need to go based on talking to individuals, both internally and externally. I think there’s some things that need to change internally within the department and get some feedback from the officers and the command staff, get their vision of what those changes could be,” Braden said.

    Braden didn’t clarify what he meant by what things he wanted to change internally but did say that on the community relations side, he wants to continue having open houses and getting feedback from the community. He primarily wants to establish what the community’s expectations are for the police department.

    “The best way to manage someone’s expectations is to know what those expectations are. You know, if I just go out there and say, ‘Hey, I'm giving you this.’ That’s not even on the list of your wants or needs, you’re never going to be satisfied with anything that I do,” Braden said.

    Looking at Gina Hawkins’ term as Police Chief, Braden says he respects the way she handled the well-being of the officers and made it one of her priorities.

    “I think she’s had a great emphasis and changed the police culture in regards to officer wellness. There’s been more efforts in officer wellness in the past couple of years than I’ve seen probably throughout my career. [Officers] have an opportunity to go seek counseling if that’s what the officer individual chooses to do or needs to do that, having that available to us as an option. I think many, many employees have taken advantage of that program. I think a lot of times we get so focused in on ‘what are we doing to address crime,’ we forget about the people that are actually the ones out there going to see the crime on a day-to-day basis. How we manage and deal with things that influence and affect us as individuals. We’re a sum of all of our experiences. You can’t just visually see trauma and pain on a day-to-day basis and not have an outlet for that,” Braden said.

    Police departments across America have been facing shortages in their staff. The Fayetteville Police Department currently has 30 officer vacancies.
    In recent years, the Fayetteville Police Department has tried several recruiting tactics, such as hosting a job fair in Puerto Rico and is now hosting a monthly orientation session for people to speak with recruiters.

    For Braden, the focus for him is on retention, which focuses on the well-being of officers.
    He says that if he can focus and solve some of the problems that people have, then recruiting becomes easy.

    “I’ve got to figure out why people are leaving, why people aren’t sticking around, stay and do in their thirty years, treating this like a profession and working towards a career. If I can solve some of those problems, make people where they want to come to work, they enjoy the job, they want to be the professional officer, you know, and have that professional image and be part of something bigger than themselves,” he said.

    Braden says he believes there are three things that tend to be successful in this career — confidence, competence and a little bit of charisma.

    “If I can instill those three things, I think cops will go back to work if they’re confident that the department, their community, will have their back if they know they’re doing the right thing. If they have competence, they know what the law and the policy says. They know the difference in right and wrong. And like I said, if they can treat people with kindness and be a likable person, I think we’ll see a difference. And we see cops becoming motivated, and [they] get excited about the job again and want to stay and have a thirty-year career.”

    Lt. Diana Holloway said that Braden is a “what you see is what you get” kind of man.

    “He’s a straight shooter. It’s not sugarcoating anything. If he has it and he knows it, he’ll tell you. If he doesn’t, he’s like, ‘hey, we’ll figure it out. We’ll find out how to make it happen.’ So he’s honest, and whatever he says, it is what it is,” Holloway said.

    Braden will assume the position on Feb. 1; however, an official swearing-in-ceremony has not been announced. Braden will be the 25th Fayetteville Police Chief.

  • 11Vernon Aldridge Next summer’s Cumberland County High School Football Jamboree will undergo one major change in format. Instead of having two scrimmages in progress during each session, the event will switch to a full-field format with only two teams competing at the same time.

    Vernon Aldridge, student activities director for Cumberland County Schools, decided to make the change after talking with coaches and officials and seeing the success of the format at the Battle for the Border scrimmage at Lumberton High School.

    “It kind of helps with wear and tear on the field, going full field rather than being on both ends the entire time,’’ Aldridge said. “It also allows them to get into more game-like situations and open up  their playbook.’’

    The dates for this year’s jamboree are Aug. 15 and 16, with the first day at Seventy-First High School and the second day at Gray’s Creek. Since only two teams will be on the field at once in the new format, the scrimmage will start at 5 p.m. with the final scrimmage starting at 9 p.m.

    Aldridge said he’ll schedule two Cumberland County teams in the final scrimmage so any out-of-town teams competing won’t be finished scrimmaging any later than 9 p.m.

    The format for each scrimmage session will call for 25 minutes of scrimmage time, a five-minute halftime, then a second 25 minutes, followed by a five-minute break before moving to the next scrimmage session. The 10 Cumberland County senior high schools will again all take part, with the rest of the field yet to be determined. 

    Pine Forest coach Bill Sochovka likes the new format for the same reasons Aldridge does. Another problem the full-field format will cure is the number of people who are on the field. In the old format, coaches were allowed on the field behind the competing teams.

    Going full field will put reserves for each team on opposite sides of the field, and the coaches will be there with them.

    “The sidelines were cramped (with the old format),’’ Sochovka said. “It’s better when you have one team on the sideline.’’

    The full field will also allow teams that prefer to pass to work on more of their plays.

    Neil Buie, supervisor of football officials for the Southeastern Athletic Officials Association, said the officials also don’t have to worry about coaches on the field when the action is full field.

    “Every time there was a change of possession, you had to blow the ball dead,’’ Buie said of four teams sharing the field. “With a turnover, the ball remains alive. It’s just like officiating a game, without the kicking part.’’

    Photo: Vernon Aldridge

  • cumberland county logo Frustrations among Cumberland County commissioners over the cost of affordable housing came to a head Jan. 17 when they were given a presentation recommending the spending of federal dollars for homeless services.

    The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners met in a packed Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse.
    Dee Taylor, the county’s Community Development director, briefed commissioners on a proposed Community Development HOME - ARP allocation plan and asked the board to conduct a public hearing to allow for public comment on the allocation plan. However, no one showed up to speak at the public hearing.

    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program grant allocated $1,435,021 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds to Cumberland County. The money is to be used for activities that benefit qualifying individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in other vulnerable populations.

    Before the county’s DSS can spend any of the HOME-ARP money, it had to prepare a plan that details how the money will be allocated for eligible services, which include building affordable housing, rental assistance, support services such as counseling and legal advice, and paying for a non-congregate shelter. The DSS had to consult with housing and service providers whose clients qualify for the services.

    Responses given by service providers and residents are being considered as to how to best use the HOME-ARP funds to meet the needs of the qualifying populations, according to Taylor.
    Taylor said DSS drew up a survey to get suggestions on how the funds should be used and identified priorities. The survey received 23 responses. DSS also held one-on-one virtual meetings with 10 service providers.

    The majority of the respondents, 44%, opted for construction of affordable housing, 20% recommended rental assistance, and 36% recommended the acquisition or development of non-congregate shelters. Non-congregate shelter is the term used for emergency shelters that provide accommodations such as motel rooms, and limits the spread of COVID-19 among the homeless.

    Community Development completed a draft of the plan and made it available to the public for comment and review between Jan. 13 and Jan. 27. A public hearing on Jan. 17 had to be held during the comment period. After the public has had a chance to review the draft, the final copy of the plan will be submitted to the Board of Commissioners at the Feb. 6 regular meeting, where the board is expected to approve the plan to be submitted to HUD.

    Commissioner Jimmy Keefe again brought up the subject of how much money the county spends on new construction of affordable housing. He suggested taking a new approach to providing homes for the homeless.

    “The old way of doing things is not working,” he told Taylor.

    “We’re spending a lot of money but not getting much of an impact to help the homeless. It doesn’t look like we’re making progress,” he told Taylor.

    Commissioners Veronica Jones and Michael Boose agreed. Both suggested buying existing housing or apartments and foregoing new and more expensive construction. Vice Chairman Glenn Adams suggested the creation of a committee that could help determine whether the county builds new or buys existing property.

    “I’d be happy to sit down and discuss this further,” Taylor replied.

    Rezoning cases

    The board also voted unanimously to grant a rezoning from A1 Agricultural District to RR Rural Residential/CZ Conditional Zoning District or to a more restrictive zoning district for approximately 106.75 acres located east of Hummingbird Place and west of Maxwell Road. The applicant is George Rose who is making the request on behalf of Astrakel International LTD, the property owner.

    The developers are planning to build 168 stick-built homes on the site. The first phase of the development includes 54 lots, and the second phase will be the remaining 114 lots. Initially, the builders wanted to have 232 lots measuring 15,000 square feet but opted for the lesser amount of 168.

    Rose and his attorney, Scott Flowers, spoke in favor of the rezoning; however, three area residents spoke against the proposed subdivision because of the lack of drainage surrounding the property.
    Robin Bridges, who lives on Stedman Road, said the soil on the property is not conducive for a large development and would result in flooding. She presented a petition with 283 signatures against the development. “It’s a poor site and poor plan,” she told commissioners.

    The Cumberland County Planning Board voted 6-3 to deny the rezoning request at the Nov. 15 meeting. However, the Planning and Inspections staff recommended approval of the rezoning because the request is consistent with the Eastover Area Land Use Plan, which calls for “Rural Density Residential” at this location. The planning staff also finds that the request is reasonable and in the public interest as the requested district is compatible to and in harmony with the surrounding land use activities and zoning. The planning board disagreed with the staff’s findings, according to the minutes of the meeting.

    The board also voted to rezone from A1 Agricultural District to R40A Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for about 4.01acres located at 2140 Rich Walker Road and an abutting parcel. Bertha Elliott is the owner making the application.

    In this case, the Planning Board recommended approval of the rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to R40A Residential District at the Dec. 20 meeting. The Planning and Inspections staff also recommended approval of the rezoning request. The Planning staff determined the request to be consistent with the Eastover Area Land Use Plan, which calls for “Rural Density Residential” at this location. Staff also finds that the request is reasonable and in the public interest.

    And the board approved the rezoning from CD Conservancy District to A1 Agricultural District or to a more restrictive zoning district for about 2 acres located on a portion of the abutting parcel east of 7632 Sim Canady Road. Bradley Allee and Lynne Gralewski are the owners making the request.

    The Planning Board recommended approval of the rezoning request at its Dec. 20 meeting. The Planning staff also recommended approval because the request is consistent with the South-Central Land Use Plan, which calls for “farmland” at this location. Staff also finds that the request is reasonable and in the public interest.

    The board also opted not to consider a funding agreement with Hillside - FMHA LLC for the rehabilitation of Hillside Manor Apartments. The county released a “request for proposal” in early spring of 2021 seeking applications from eligible agencies to provide public services (human services), public facilities / infrastructure, and affordable housing developments, according to Taylor.

    A departmental selection committee reviewed all proposals and Hillside – FMHA was one of the agencies selected to receive funding for substantial rehabilitation of 32 units at Hillside Manor, located at 1920 Rosehill Road. Community Development wants to enter into a contract with the agency for a funding amount not to exceed $441,020, according to Taylor’s memo. Development Block Grant funds are available for this project, according to Taylor.

    The staff recommended that the board approve the funding agreement with Hillside-FMHA in the amount not to exceed $441,020 for the rehabilitation of 32 units at Hillside Manor Apartments.
    However, some board members balked at the funding arrangement with Adams suggesting some of the money could be coming from the city of Fayetteville. “They get a whole lot more money than we do,” he said.

    Adams motioned to approve the funding agreement but could not get a second. Keefe countered with a motion to deny the funding request. The motion passed unanimously.

  • 10MariannaB Football players and coaches weren’t the only specially invited guests at the recent Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas all-star football game in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

    South View High School’s Marianna Blount spent the Shrine Bowl week working as a student athletic trainer with the North Carolina team.

    A senior at South View, Blount got into athletic training somewhat by accident when she missed out on cheerleader tryouts as a freshman at South View and wanted to find something else to pursue.

    Linda Buie, the athletic department secretary at South View, suggested Blount try athletic training, and it didn’t take long for her to get hooked.

    “I think the thing that drew me to it was learning new things and getting to meet new people while helping out people in the process,’’ said Blount.

    Samantha Colbourne, the staff athletic trainer at South View, said Blount has helped out with just about every sport the school offers in Blount’s four years there.

    “She’s learned how to tape kids, watched me assess injuries, watched me do rehab and helped with daily duties like getting water and putting stuff out when we have practice,’’ Colbourne said.

    Blount has also been to camps and clinics for student athletic trainers to learn more about skills athletic trainers need.

    “She’s very eager to learn,’’ Colbourne said. “She picks up all the skills pretty quick. She’s very personable and always asking questions.” Blount said being chosen to work at the Shrine Bowl was an honor and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    She said her favorite part of the week was joining the coaches and football players for the annual visit to the Shriners Hospital for burned and crippled children in Greenville, South Carolina.

    “Seeing the kids, the looks on their faces, they were so excited,’’ she said. “We were able to tour the hospital and meet with them and their parents. It makes your heart feel good, especially with Christmas coming up.

    “It was over the top. Amazing.’’

    Blount said she got valuable experience being around the certified athletic trainers at the Shrine Bowl, learning taping methods and getting to know the players and coaches.

    “The whole thing about the Shrine Bowl is it’s for a good cause,’’ she said. “It makes you feel good to know you are there, making a difference in these kids’ lives. That’s the main goal, to be there and raise money for them. It’s a great feeling to raise money for them to be treated.’’

    Photo: Marianna Blount  

  • 8 Renovations are underway on the former Stein Mart department store to make way for new retailers, including the relocation of Fleishman’s Tiny Town children’s store and an Ace Hardware store scheduled to open in March.

    Stein Mart closed all 281 of its stores in August 2020, and the space at Highland Centre on Raeford Road has been vacant since then.
    Tiny Town, located at 3015 Fort Bragg Road, opened in 1951, according to its website. It will settle into space adjoining the new Ace Hardware, said Highland Centre co-owner Alex Thompson.

    A third new tenant at the shopping center, School Tools, will move from its Robeson Street location near downtown to the east wing of Highland Centre, according to Thompson, who shares ownership of the property with his sister, Lisa Thompson.

    Harris Teeter is the anchor store at the shopping center, which also includes a Hallmark store, post office and Pet Supermarket.
    Lori’s Ace Home & Hardware is scheduled to open March 14 in Suite 24A, part of the Stein Mart space.

    “This community really deserves and needs an Ace,” said Lori Tracy Stobbe, who will own and operate the business with her husband, Nate Stobbe. “What Ace provides is that quality product but really great customer service and the convenience. We hope to build a really great, helpful team of employees.”

    The Stobbes plan to hire about 15 people for the store, including for the positions of store manager, sales associate and cashier. For more information on jobs, visit https://nowhiring.com/loris-ace/. A grand opening is planned for the first weekend in May, including grilling and power equipment demonstrations.

    The Stobbes relocated to Fayetteville from Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, in June.

    Before the move, Lori Stobbe worked roughly 25 years in marketing and public relations. Nate Stobbe has owned or run manufacturing companies after starting out as a journeyman carpenter. She said he has extensive knowledge of construction and manufacturing.

    “We started this venture together,” she said. “We came down here specially to open this Ace store here in Fayetteville.”

    In September, they opened Ace Handyman Services, also in Highland Centre. It will merge with the hardware store when that opens.

    The former Stein Mart space will provide the couple with about 18,000 square feet, plus an additional 5,000 square feet for a garden center, Stobbe said.
    Alex and Lisa Thompson's father, Joe Thompson, was one of the original partners in Highland Centre. The landlord is Thompson Properties.

    Renovations on the property are ongoing. Once the three new retailers are open, Alex Thompson said, about 6,900 square feet will remain available to rent.
    Lori Stobbe said she and her husband are often asked why they picked Fayetteville for their new business.

    “The first decision was North Carolina,” she said. “We wanted to move to a warmer climate and near the ocean. We felt like it was a comfortable place to land. People are all friendly. The climate is fantastic. Once we decided on North Carolina, then we had to figure what was going to be the best site to open an Ace Hardware store. That takes a while to find that sweet spot. You want to make sure it's a good fit. And that it fits into your financial model as well, of course.”

    She said they looked at areas around the state and found the old Stein Mart space in Fayetteville.

    “We walked through that and the space looked perfect. We were able to drive around Fayetteville a lot (and see) where the retail was and wasn't. It's a pretty large city,” she said. “This Raeford Road is very busy all day long, all evening long. This just felt like the sweet spot."

    Because Lori's Ace Home & Hardware will be a large store, she said, it will include sections for grilling and patio furniture; home decor and gifts; and toys and games for kids and adults.

    “We are local,” Stobbes said. “We live here; we are based here. We are not corporate-owned. We want … to have it be a good addition to the community. We’re going to be listening to what people want when they come in. ‘Is there something that you need that we don’t have?’ We’re going to be really open to that type of feedback.”

  • tax time N1804P17009H 1 The Cumberland County Tax Administration is reminding residents that Jan. 31 is the deadline for the 2023 annual property tax listing period.

     Listing forms must be updated, signed and returned and must be postmarked no later than Jan. 31 to avoid the 10% late listing penalty, the office said in a release.

    Listing forms may be obtained by going online to cumberlandcountync.gov and clicking on the “Tax’’ button. Download listing forms by clicking on “Forms & Publications.’’ Listing forms may also be obtained in person at the Tax Administration Office on the fifth floor of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse, 117 Dick St.

    Forms may be mailed to Cumberland County Tax Administration, P.O. Box 449, Fayetteville, NC 28302 or dropped off at Room 530 on the fifth floor of the courthouse, the release said.

    Tax listings and forms may also be dropped off at box beside the U.S. Postal Service mailboxes in the rear parking lot of the courthouse facing Cool Spring and Russell streets, the release said.

    Taxpayers may also make payments (checks only) using the drop box outside Room 530 near the customer service entrance of Tax Administration, the release said.

    For more information, call 910-678-7507 or visit co.cumberland.nc.us/departments/tax. The email address for tax questions is taxweb@cumberlandcountync.gov.

  • Town of Spring Lake logo The Spring Lake Board of Aldermen is expected to hear a financial update from the Local Government Commission during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Jan. 23.

    David Erwin, the town finance officer and accounting and financial management advisor for the Department of the State Treasurer, is slated to give the midyear report on the town’s financial status, including revenues and expenditures.

    The board hasn’t received an update on the state of the town’s finances since October.

    Alderman Raul Palacios said over the weekend that he is anticipating asking about the 2022 audit status and the 2023 budget timeline.

     Erwin told the board in the fall that the audit might not be completed by the Dec. 1 deadline because they were having to meticulously check records and had to bring on a third person to help the process.

    Taking ownership of financial matters, including completing the 2022 fiscal year audit and participating in the 2023 budget process, were among the goals for Alderman Marvin Lackman and Mayor Pro Tem Robyn Chadwick as well.

    The Local Government Commission took over Spring Lake’s finances in October 2021 amid concerns of potential budget deficits, longstanding fiscal disarray and an investigation of missing money.

     The Local Government Commission and the board have yet to set budget workshops for the new year.

    Also on the agenda is discussion of the interlocal sales tax agreement between the county municipalities and Cumberland County.

    The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has proposed changing the sales tax collection method from per capita to ad valorem, which would cost each municipality in the county tens of thousands to several million dollars a year. The current agreement, which has been in effect since 2003, expires on June 30.

    At the last board meeting, Mayor Kia Anthony said the mayors in Cumberland County would like to see the agreement postponed for another five years in order for towns to be able to prepare for potential money the municipalities will lose. She said the consensus among mayors is that no one is ready for the change and that Spring Lake would be positioned to lose $1.4 million in sales tax dollars every year.

    “This is a very big deal that is going to affect all of Cumberland County,’’ Anthony said at the meeting on Jan. 8.

    Anthony said the proposed change in the sales tax collection method does not account for a global pandemic and two significant floods in the last several years.

    The board is also expected to discuss abandoned properties within town limits and damaged/missing road signs as well as accept a donation of a generator from the town of Hope Mills.

    The board meets at 6 p.m. at the Spring Lake Municipal Building in the Grady Howard conference room.

  • 01-02-13-johnholloman.gifBreathing should be the easiest natural process a person can do, but for millions of people, it can be a struggle. The Respiratory Therapy program at Fayetteville Technical Community College equips gradu-ates with the skill to service patients of all ages who face respiratory breathing problems. Through lec-ture, laboratory and hospital clinical rotations, students learn the basic physiology of respiratory therapy needed for patient assessments, oxygen therapy, diagnostic proce-dures and ventilator management. Graduates will have an in-depth un-derstanding of the anatomy and pathology of the respiratory system for identification, treatment, manage-ment and rehabilitation of diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema and interstitial lung disease, just to name a few. Students will have the opportunity to enhance their critical thinking skills for troubleshooting and equipment manipulation.

    After earning an associate of applied science degree with a concentration in Respiratory Therapy at FTCC, students are qualified to take the required na-tional boards, the Certified Respiratory Therapist and Registered Respiratory Therapist exams. Graduates who successfully earn CRT certification may then apply to the state agency for licensure and begin work in most states. The advanced credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist involves a two-step examination process that may be attempted after the CRT certification is obtained. The RRT credential is not only a professional achievement but also a monetary benchmark. According to salary.com, a CRT’s median salary is $46,000, while RRT’s make about $8,000 more.

    If you are an ambitious problem-solver who is looking for a challenging, exciting and dynamic career in healthcare and are team oriented and enjoys helping others, then respiratory therapy may be the profession for you.

    Application deadline is Jan. 30, 2013, for fall semester 2013. Visit our website at www.faytechcc.edu to learn more about the Respiratory Therapy program as well as other opportunities available to you at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Email hollomaj@faytechcc.edu with questions about the training at FTCC that can lead to your future career in Respiratory Therapy!

    Photo: Make a difference, in your life and in the lives of others.

  • hope mills logo The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners on Monday, Jan. 23 is expected to hear a request to approve a change order for the new Public Safety building from architect Scott Garner.

     The board meets at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

    The change order, listed at $2,545, will be the building's 12th, according to material in the agenda packet. A memo states this is a period of adjustment in the new building and requires coordination. The Fire and Police Departments have moved in and occupy the building. The old firehouse was scheduled for demolition on Jan. 21.

    During the adjustment period, several items were needed, such as fail-safe hardware for doors and an adapter for the telephone system to interface with the intercom, the memo states.

     The cost of the adapter is $2,054 and the hardware for the doors is $2,156.

    A part of the change order covers reimbursement to the contractor in the amount of $1,835. The contractor was briefly responsible for the building’s utilities. Duke Energy has since transferred the account to the town.

    Originally, the total of the change order was $13,516. The department received a credit for TV brackets and the water and sewer taps were reused which avoided the cost of new tap fees, the memo states. As a result, a $10,971 credit was applied. This credit brought the total cost down to $2,545.

    The board also is scheduled to hold a public hearing on a voluntary annexation of the Crosspointe Church property at 7050 Rockfish Road. If the noncontiguous annexation is approved, staff would be authorized to begin the initial zoning process to designate the development under the C2(P) Planned Service Retail District.

    Under new business, the board is expected to discuss direction regarding the program for the chapel.

  • 1-16-13-mlkk.gifEvery generation produces a few incredible people. They see things in the world that they don’t agree with and they step forward and change them. They are the face of cultural movements, and they inspire future generations with the tales of their bravery. They are the people who are imprinted on our collective social psyche; Martin Luther King Jr. is one of these people. His dedication to the Civil Rights movement still impacts people today. He made the world a better place. In celebration of MLK Day, the community is honoring Dr. King with several events and activies.

    In honor of all the ideals that Dr. King upheld, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Technical Community College and Methodist University are collaborating with the Corporation for National and Community Service, to create an event that would make Dr. King proud.

    The CNCS is a government organization that supports community service. The organization is partnering with universities and colleges around the nation to honor Dr. King with a day dedicated to community service. This is the the fourth year for this event and it looks to be a remarkable experience for volunteers and beneficiaries alike. Melissa Lyon, program manager at the Fayetteville State University Office of Civic Engagement and Service Learning says the event “invites students, faculty/staff and community members to make Jan. 21 a “day on instead of a day off,” in the spirit of the event.

    Since 1994, when Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first named a national holiday by Congress, the CNCS has led the charge in making the Federal holiday a day of service that truly honors the legacy of Dr. King. Officials at the CFNC say, “Dr. King worked tirelessly for increased opportunity for all Americans. Now more than ever we need to create and support opportunities for Americans to strengthen their own and each other’s economic security. Service is a powerful way for citizens, nonprofits, the private sector and government to work together to meet critical needs and advance King’s dream of opportunity for all.”

    Over the years, CFNC has made a huge impact in the ways many Americans spend MLK Day. Across the country Americans will be giving back to their communities on their holiday, and this year is no exception. “The 2013 MLK Day of Service will include thousands of projects spread across all 50 states. Families, students, congregations, employees, and individuals of all ages and backgrounds will come together to celebrate MLK Day by making a difference in their communities. Projects will include delivering meals, refurbishing schools and community centers, collecting food and clothing, signing up mentors, supporting veterans and military families, promoting nonviolence and more, with many projects starting on King Day and lasting throughout the year,” CFNC officials report.

    Anyone in the Fayetteville area that would like to participate in the nationwide honoring of Dr. King through a day of service can register to volunteer at http://2013mlkday-eorgf.eventbrite.com. For more information about the nationwide event, visit www.mlkday.gov and for information on local events contact Melissa L. Lyon at 672-2484.

    Join the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Ministerial Council, Inc. on Monday, Jan. 21, at the Crown Exposition Center for the 20th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast followed by the 4th Annual Day of Service.

    The breakfast runs from 7:30-10 a.m. Kim D. Sanders is the scheduled keynote speaker. Entertainment will include the Fayetteville State University Gospel Choir under the direction of Dr. Brooksie E. Harrington and 2012 Piece Magazine Gospel Showcase Winner Pastor Donnell Peterson & Rhema Music Group based in Greensboro, N.C.

    Tickets are available in advance for an $18 donation or a $20 at the door. Find out more about this event and how you can participate at www.ministerscouncil.net, or by calling Bishop Larry O. Wright Sr. 910-568-4276 or Dr. Maxie Dobson 910-624-7785 and Reverend Mary Owens 910-670-9640.

    Photo: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

  • police car lights A traffic stop at Carson and Santa Fe drives Jan. 19 led to the seizure of more than 314 grams of methamphetamine, nearly 114 grams of fentanyl, and 142 grams of marijuana, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

    Kenneth Jerome McMillian Jr., 32, was in a black Dodge Charger when he was stopped by deputies about 2 p.m. Thursday, according to a news release. Colt, a Sheriff’s Office canine, alerted deputies to the presence of narcotics, the release said.

    Deputies seized 57 grams of methamphetamine and nearly 5 grams of fentanyl from the vehicle, the release said.
    The Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit searched two residences that are known to have been occupied by McMillian — one in the 400 block of Wilder Drive and an apartment in the 3600 block of Dornoch Drive, the release said. Narcotics agents seized nearly 257 grams of methamphetamine, 109 grams of fentanyl, and 142 grams of marijuana, according to the news release.

    McMillian was charged with possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana; two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine; and two counts of trafficking in fentanyl, the release said.

    McMillian was held at the Cumberland County Detention Center on a $125,000 secured bond. He was scheduled for a first appearance in court Friday afternoon.

    The Lee County Sheriff's Office and federal Department of Homeland Security assisted with the arrest.
    Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit at 910-677-5525 or CrimeStoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477) or http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org.

  • If ever there was something worth investing in, worth protecting, worth fighting for, it is our future — the01-30-13guardian.gif country’s next generation — our children. Most children are raised in well adjusted and loving homes that offer them the support and resources they need to succeed, and this is something over which to rejoice. For children who are abused, neglected and beat down by the ones they trust, betrayed by the adults who are supposed to build them up and keep them safe, what recourse is there? Thankfully, the children of Cumberland County have many advocates. Guardian Ad Litem is one of them. A voice for children in court, the Guardian Ad Litem program consists of two attorney advocates, four program supervisors, a program assistant, a district administrator and approximately 100 trained community volunteers. This group of dedicated professionals advocate for abused and neglected children who end up in the court system through no fault of their own.

    Jane Sutherlin has been a Guardian Ad Litem volunteer for almost four years. “We are the eyes and ears of the judges in the community,” said Sutherlin. “Our goal is to determine what is in the best interest of each child. Social Services has mandates they have to follow; we are not limited by the statutory stipulations. We get to think outside the box and think in terms of what is in the best interest of the children.”

    Sometimes though, good intentions are not enough and current resources only cover so much. Sutherlin, along with other volunteers and state officials are moving to form a 501c3 foundation that will help fill in the gaps.

    “When all other funding sources are exhausted we would look at the potential of picking up the costs. That might be things like special camps that are needed,” said Sutherlin. “If there is a child that is obese you won’t find a state agency that will pay to send them to a camp for overweight children. That is something we would look at funding. One of the primary things we would look at is making sure each child would have something for Christmas. Social Services does what they can and the Toy Drop that Fort Bragg runs provides gifts. It is wonderful when the military units are all here. When they are all gone things are sparse.”

    Thanks to other communities in the state that have similar programs, the local foundation does not have to reinvent the wheel. New Hanover and Wake counties both have similar organizations that are successful in making a difference for kids. Sutherlin hopes that Cumberland County is not far behind, as this is something dear to her heart. “I was very fortunate. When our son was 4 months old, I was given the opportunity to adopt him,” said Sutherlin. “And I look at these wonderful children and think ‘there but for the grace of God...’ He is 44 years old now and our lives have been so enriched by having him in our lives.”

    To find out more about the Guardian Ad Litem program, visit www.cumberlandcountygal.com or call 910.475.3291.

    Photo: The children of Cumberland County have many advocates. Guardian Ad Litem is one of them.

  • FPD logo Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a 1-year-old child Sunday morning, Jan. 22 on Blue Street, the Fayetteville Police Department said in a news release.

    Officers responded to the 700 block of Blue Street in reference to an unresponsive child at approximately 7:17 a.m., the release said.

    When officers arrived, emergency medical personnel were administering life saving measures on the 1-year-old inside an EMS vehicle. The child was pronounced dead at the scene and was taken to a local hospital, the release said.

    The cause of the child's death is unknown at this time and will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the release said.

    This is an isolated incident, and there were no other children in the home, the release said.

    Anyone who has information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective R. Vernon at 910-729-2525 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

     

  • JailCellDoors Anthony Willis is a free man now, almost 27 years after murdering Benjamin Miller, the owner of the former Uncle Ben’s Country Store on the outskirts of Fayetteville.

    Willis has been free since March 24, two weeks after Gov. Roy Cooper granted him and two others executive clemency. All three were juveniles when they received sentences of at least 20 years in prison. Willis was sentenced to life in prison without benefit of parole.

    Willis was just 16 years old in 1996 when he walked into Uncle Ben’s with a pistol in his pocket. He said he had no intention of killing Miller. He just wanted to rob the store so he could have enough money to get his speakers out of hock.

    But when Miller reached for something behind the counter, Willis fired his gun, hitting Miller in the head and leaving him to die. Willis was quickly caught, convicted and sentenced.

    Not long ago, it would have been almost inconceivable to believe that Willis would not die in prison. Two years before he was sentenced, the state approved the Structured Sentencing Act of 1994, which gave little to no leeway to any sentences imposed.

    The United States remains the only nation that sentences people to life without parole for crimes committed before turning 18. But recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings, buoyed by reams of studies about the development of the adolescent brain, have led to commutations and pardons for juvenile offenders in North Carolina and throughout the country.

    Duke University’s involvement

    Willis’ case has been at the forefront of the handful of juvenile sentences that have been commuted in this state.
    His prison release was largely made possible through the work of the Duke University School of Law; Duke professor Jamie Lau, who leads the NC Clemency Project; and Adelyn Curran, a former Duke law student who volunteered for the pro bono Clemency Project.

    Lau said Willis was brought to his attention by the late Anthony Spearman, former head of the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP. At that time, Lau said, he had been looking for prisoners to participate in the NC Clemency Project who had served considerable time and had shown a clear path toward rehabilitation. Now, he said, those prisoners find him.

    “When Rev. Spearman brought Anthony to my attention, a couple things stood out: One, I mean he had a record of rehabilitation unlike anything I've ever seen: (college) degrees, work within the prison walls that, you know, got him support of people who were officers involved in corrections that typically

    wouldn't support a person for clemency one way or another.

    “So given that history of rehabilitation, it was clear that he was someone that we wanted to get involved with and see if we could help out.”
    Willis becomes model prisoner

    Anthony Willis wasn’t always a model prisoner. When he arrived behind bars, he said, he was still a bitter teenager, filled with anger, fear and hate.
    Speaking by telephone from his new rental home in Charlotte, Willis said it took about three years, a newfound faith in God and encouragement from community prison volunteers to begin to find a path forward.

    It might have been easier not to try at all. What hope can a teenager find sitting in prison with a life sentence and no prospect of parole?

    But Willis persevered. He said he earned college degree after college degree — five in all — including a master’s. He learned sign language to assist a deaf prisoner. He volunteered to work individually with other prisoners. He held seminars and led plays. Other prisoners began to call him Smiley, because he was seldom seen without his big, toothy grin.

    The wisdom that the community volunteers had passed on to Willis was now being paid forward by a man who seemingly had nothing to gain but his own self-esteem.

    Although Willis didn’t realize it at the time, there was also another reason at play.

    “I listened to the advice because that's the No. 1 thing that allowed the governor to choose me for my release, Because if I would have done all those other things that everyone else around there were doing, I’d still be in prison today,” he said.

    Now on the outside, Willis dedicates much of his life to returning to prison and teaching others to follow a similar path.
    Cindy Cottle, a forensic psychologist in Raleigh who specializes in juvenile-sentencing cases, has never worked with Willis but is familiar with his story. Cottle is among those who think that the brain doesn’t reach full maturity until the mid-20s and that Willis’ outstanding record in prison suggests he has been rehabilitated.

    “Some people might say, ‘Oh, I'm going to participate in this program or this class or get this certificate so, you know, that will look good when I go to the parole board,’’’ Cottle said. “(Willis) didn't have that as an option. He just did it anyway. So without that — hope for that — it makes it more impressive.”

    Willis becomes first case

    Lau, the Duke professor and head of the NC Clemency Project, began working with Willis long before Cooper signed the Juvenile Sentencing Review Board into law in April 2021. Lau said Curran, then a Duke law student doing volunteer work for him, began preparing a packet that included more than 30 recommendations for clemency on Willis’ behalf.

    “As this packet was being finalized — it was literally in its near final form for the governor's clemency office — when the governor's executive order created the Juvenile Sentencing Review Board, which was kind of a glimmer of hope for us because we knew that he had been sentenced for a crime he committed as a juvenile and thought it would be an ideal case for review,” Lau said.

    Willis’ case received a number — JSRB 001 — as the review board’s first case.

    “It was reviewed and the recommendation was made to the governor by the Juvenile Sentencing Review Board to commute Anthony’s sentence, and he received that commutation in March of 2022,” Lau said.

    Willis on the outside

    Willis’ commutation follows a long line of Supreme Court decisions beginning in 2005 establishing that “children are constitutionally different from adults in their levels of culpability.”

    In 2018, Jim Ammons, Cumberland County’s senior resident Superior Court judge, responded to those rulings and resentenced Willis, making him eligible for parole. It would take four more years before his sentence would be commuted.

    When Willis got out of prison, he went to live with a pastor and his wife, Thomas and Sharon Burger, who helped him get a job and get on his feet. He now lives in Charlotte, in his own apartment. He just bought a new car.

    Willis said he has the equivalent of three jobs now. He works remotely full time as an administrative assistant for a telecommunications company. He said he works part time for a group called NC Cure, which advocates on behalf of prisoners. He also provides transportation to people going to and from a memory center. He said he also volunteers at a homeless shelter once a month, shares his story in churches, and returns to the prison where he last stayed to give encouragement to inmates.

    “It's so humbling because anytime I go back to the prison, although I can't go inside I can come to the gate, and they all stand at the gate yelling my name. And you're just seeing how grateful they are that they haven't been forgotten,” Willis said. “I don't do it for accolades. My goal is for them to see that once they're released, they can do the same thing. You don't have to forget those people.”

    Willis said his next goal is to start a nonprofit organization, which he plans to call the Smiley Vision Initiative. He said the organization will help people leaving prison re-enter society.

    ‘Adolescents are impulsive by nature’

    Cottle, the forensic psychologist, contends that research shows that a juvenile who has committed a horrendous crime is capable of change.

    “Adolescents are impulsive by nature,” Cottle said. “They are more emotionally driven, their decisions are based more on emotion, and that is directly related to the brain science.”

    Cottle said a juvenile’s frontal lobe is not as activated or used as efficiently as that of someone in their mid-20s. They are less likely to rely on rational decision-making and are more likely to be influenced by their peers, she said.

    “It doesn't mean that they're completely incapable of understanding what they're doing and are completely at the mercy of emotion or whatever,” Cottle said.

    “But it does mean that they are less capable of that type of reasoning than an adult.”

    In several U.S. Supreme Court cases, the justices have ruled that “children are constitutionally different from adults in their level of culpability” and that the severest punishment must be reserved “for the rarest of juvenile offenders, those whose crimes reflect permanent incorrigibility.”

    Little risk of reoffending

    In North Carolina, 95 juveniles have been sentenced to life in prison without benefit of parole, said Ben Finholt, director of the Just Sentencing Project at Duke University School of Law. Of those 95, 88 remain in prison.

    Only one North Carolina person has ever had a sentence of life in prison without benefit of parole overturned: Kolanda Wooten served 19 years for her role at age 17 in a Wayne County murder. Her sentence was commuted in December to time served.

    Willis had been resentenced to life with benefit of parole four years before he received his commutation.

    Research shows that Willis and Wooten are unlikely to offend again.
    A study by Montclair State University in New Jersey found that only six of 174 juveniles who were sentenced in Philadelphia to life in prison without benefit of parole were rearrested after their release. Of those six, four had their charges dropped.

    By comparison, the study notes, an estimated 30% of people charged with homicide offenses are rearrested within two years of release.
    Another study, this one by Finholt and other researchers in 2020, shows that North Carolina is among nine states that have imposed the majority of juvenile life-without-parole sentences.

    The study, titled “Juvenile Life Without Parole in North Carolina,” examined 94 juvenile cases in which life-without-parole sentences were handed down in this state. At the conclusion of the study, 48 remained sentenced to life without parole and 45 had been resentenced to life with benefit of parole.

    According to the study, 81% of those receiving a sentence of life without parole were Black, which the study called a “highly disparate” rate.

    The study also found that Cumberland County led the state in juvenile life-without-parole (JLWOP) sentences between 1994 and 2018. Such sentences in the state have rapidly declined, the study noted, partly because of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

    “In a time in which JLWOP sentences are not permitted in any other country in the world, and in which JLWOP sentencing has greatly declined in the U.S., it is time to reconsider the use of JLWOP where it remains, as many states have already done,” the study concludes.

  • Diamond Lynnette Hardaway Former President Donald Trump was among the approximately 600 people who attended a celebration of life for Lynette Hardaway on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Crown Theatre in Fayetteville.

    Hardaway teamed with her sister Rochelle Richardson as social-media and cable-TV commentators Diamond and Silk. Hardaway died on Jan. 8 at the age of 51.

    Trump entered the stage with Silk by his side. The place erupted at their presence.

    “This is one of the greatest tributes I’ve ever seen,” he said during an 85-minute speech. “You have a lot of people watching (remotely). The world has lost one of its brightest stars.”

    At center stage, a small table had been placed with a portrait of a smiling Hardaway and a pair of her golden shoes complemented by green plants and floral displays.

    Hardaway and her sister have been among Trump’s most ardent supporters since he launched his first presidential campaign in 2015, remaining faithful to their beloved president over the years since.

    Diamond and Silk, who are from nearby Hoke County, came to prominence as celebrities on the political right with their sassy, energetic videos and pointed political commentaries via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms.

    The 3 ½-hour service featured emotional words from members of Hardaway’s family, including her son, Paris; inspiring gospel music from the Everett Family Gospel Ensemble and the N.C. Rally Team Choir, the signature Leonard Cohen song “Hallelujah” as performed by Waylon Jennings’ son, Whey Jennings; personal testimonies from people from her inner circle; Lara Trump’s retelling of the Diamond and Silk story; and Trump’s speech that paid tribute to both Diamond and his own doings in the Oval Office.

    This was a fervent pro-Trump service made up of largely older people whose cellphones captured the moment.
    The audience loved it when organizers twice played a Diamond and Silk video from 2015 that made jokes about a presidential debate that was hosted by then-Fox anchor Megyn Kelly.

    It was a good example of their humorous but bossy ad-libbing schtick.

    “Leave my man Donald Trump alone,” Diamond blurted out.

    Another one of their videos poked fun at President Joe Biden when he fell off a bicycle.

    “This is not a sad day. This is a happy day. We’ll see Diamond again,” the fans inside the building were told.

    Throughout the service, those seated were told that Hardaway was intelligent, a great storyteller, intuitive, a talker, a giver, possessed with a stream of energy and penchant for rhythm and rhymes.
    Commentary from both Trump and Silk brought up what they said was a rigged election and that he was actually the current president.

    “So sharp. So smart. So cute,” Trump said of Hardaway.

    “Diamond was not afraid,” he said. “She was very wise. There was nobody like her.”

    He noted how the duo had taken a lot of heat over the years supporting him. Earlier, Silk said the criticism was largely from the Black community for their devotion to the former president.

    Unlike Trump’s previous trips to Fayetteville for political rallies, when demonstrators gathered to object to Trump’s appearance and his politics, only one protester could be seen outside on the grounds of the Crown Complex or inside the theater.

    The former president was scheduled to return to Palm Beach, Florida, following the service.
    North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson stirred up the audience with his words from the pulpit.

    “You know, I remember the first time I turned on my social media and I saw these young ladies speaking,” he said to exuberant applause. “I cannot tell you how proud I was. To see somebody who looked like me. Who believed like me. Who spoke like me. Who was unafraid like me. To stand up for truth. Stand up for righteousness. To stand up in the face of the ignorance we see today. Stand strong. So today we honor her. Honor her memory. I can tell you she lives on in the hearts and minds of those who loved her. Her voice will live forever.”

    Diamond’s son, Paris, said he was an only child and that his mother was a single parent to him. “Her legacy will continue to live out,” he said, before having to be comforted by the rest of the Hardaway family who stood behind him.

    He thanked Trump for “letting the light shine on his mother and his aunt, Silk Richardson.’’

    During his speech, Trump spoke of things he has previously discussed, including the fake media, his accomplishments in office, how inflation and immigration have gotten out of hand under Biden, and how he had built up the military and done so much for the African American community in the United States.

    “You’re bringing out the best in me,” he said to hearty applause.

    Before his departure, Trump said of his administration, “We had it right. We had it so right. We have to get it right. We have to get it so right.

    “We wouldn’t have been successful without Diamond and Silk.’’

  • SSG Smith Jimmy A 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) soldier was killed Jan. 18, in a shooting in Raeford, according to a media release from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

    Staff Sgt. Jimmy Lee Smith III, 24, was pronounced deceased by emergency medical services upon their arrival at the scene.

    Local law enforcement officials in Hoke County are investigating the case.

    “Jimmy was a tremendous teammate and paratrooper,” said Col. John D. Bishop, commander of 3rd Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne).

    “He was an outstanding culinary specialist and an absolute asset to 3rd Group. More importantly, he was a great human being. Like all members of 3rd Group, Jimmy and his family will always be part of the ‘The Tribe.’ Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with his loved ones, friends and teammates through this incredibly difficult time.”

    Smith’s leadership and camaraderie left an impact on his team.

    “Jimmy was more than just an NCO, he was a mentor, a shoulder to cry on, a comedian at times, but most of all a great friend,” said Spc. Roenice Todd, a Group Support Battalion member. “It was truly an honor to be able to learn from him.”

    Staff Sgt. Michael Zapata, a friend, added, “Staff Sgt. Smith was a leader, a go-getter, and a great friend. He was the example of what a paratrooper should be and touched the lives of hundreds of other soldiers and paratroopers in the process. Paratroopers don’t die, they simply slip away. See you at final manifest.”

    Smith joined the Army in 2016 and served in the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, and in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, before arriving to 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in March 2020.

    Smith served with distinction as a culinary specialist in the Group’s Support Battalion.

    Smith deployed to Jordan in 2020 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (with four oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with four oak leaf clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal (with one oak leaf cluster), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Korea Defense Service Medal, the Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Parachutist Badge.

  • NC history center logo Nationally known historians who are helping plan exhibits for the proposed N.C. History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction will return to Fayetteville next week to lead public forums to gain feedback on what content should be included.

    Gerard Eisterhold, whose firm was contracted to design the exhibits, will be joined by historians and professors affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, UNC Chapel Hill, and other universities.

    Forums are scheduled at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23 in the multipurpose room at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 1217 Murchison Road. The church is across the street from Fayetteville State University.

    Additionally, panels depicting exhibit designs will be on display next Tuesday through Friday at Mount Sinai for the public to review and leave written comments. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 24-28.

    In October, organizers held similar forums at Mount Sinai church and displayed panels at Highland Presbyterian Church on Hay Street.
    Using feedback from those sessions, history center organizers revised their plans for the exhibits.

    Feedback from next week’s forums “will be a continuation of that effort,” a news release said.

    Eisterhold’s firm, Eisterhold and Associates, is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

    His previous design work includes exhibits for the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis; the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro; the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir; and the Rosa Parks Museum and Children’s Annex in Montgomery, Alabama.
    Gerard Eisterhold will lead the two presentations on Monday. He will be joined by a team of historians who are working on the Fayetteville history center.

    Plans call for the N.C. History Center to be built on the grounds of the U.S. Arsenal at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex off Hay Street. It will use the site of the arsenal — which was destroyed by Union troops led by Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman in the closing days of the Civil War — as “a jumping-off point to examine the war as it affected all North Carolinians,” the release said. civil war reconstruction file

    Organizers say it will be a teaching museum and not a collecting’ museum.

    “It will use existing scholarship from universities, coupled with first-hand accounts of North Carolina families, to examine, for the first time, what an entire state faced as the result of the Civil War,” the news release said. “It will communicate that knowledge in person and online so that schoolchildren — and all of us — may learn from it.”

    The center is being built with funding from the state, Cumberland County and the city of Fayetteville.
    Once completed, the N.C. History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction will be owned by the state of North Carolina and operated by the History Museums Division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

    The historians scheduled to participate in Monday’s forums include:

    Spencer Crew, the first African American director at the Smithsonian Museum of American History; former interim director of the Smithsonian’s African American Museum of History and Culture; and professor at George Mason University.

    Harry Watson, Atlanta Distinguished Professor of Southern Culture at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who is the former director of the UNC Center for the Study of the American South. His research interests include the antebellum South and the relationship between race and class under slavery.

    Jeffrey Crow, former director of the N.C. Division of Archives and History and former deputy secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. He has written about and lectured widely on North Carolina history as it relates to the Civil War and is the author of “A History of African Americans In North Carolina.”

    Vernon Burton, professor of history at Clemson University and author of “The Age of Lincoln.” He is the co-author with civil rights lawyer Armand Derfner of

    “Justice Deferred: Race and the Supreme Court,” a survey of race-related cases in the U.S. Supreme Court. Burton also delivered the keynote address at the groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting of Phases 1 and 2 of the history center in June 2021.
    Marcus S. Cox, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Fayetteville State University. Cox joined the FSU faculty last summer, coming from New Orleans. He was a fellow at the National World War II Museum and associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and founding director of the African American and Diaspora Studies Program, both at Xavier University. Cox specializes in African American civil and military history, the modern civil rights movement, African American history and U.S. history post-1945.

  • Diamond Lynnette Hardaway Former President Donald Trump said in a video statement that he will be in Fayetteville on Saturday, Jan. 21 for a memorial tribute to Lynnette Hardaway, who teamed with her sister as social-media and cable-TV commentators Diamond and Silk.

    Hardaway, who was from Hoke County, died Jan. 10 at age 51. The cause of death has not been reported.

    Hardaway and her sister, Rochelle Richardson, have been widely recognized as ardent supporters of Trump.
    Hardaway was known as “Diamond,” and Richardson, as “Silk.” They used social-media platforms and appeared on cable channels including Newsmax and Fox, gaining a following in support of conservative political causes.

    “Diamond lived a life founded on her passion and love for all humanity,” Trump said in a video posted online. “They were with me from the beginning and never wavered.”

    The celebration-of-life ceremony will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Crown Theatre, 1960 Coliseum Drive. Doors will open at 3 p.m., and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, according to online accounts.

    Reservations can be made at Diamond Celebration of Life https://pss.nucleuspages.com/events/celebration-of-life-honoring-lynette-diamond-hardaway.

  • DR Kimberly Johnson Cumberland Family Academy, the district’s family engagement outreach arm, is kicking off the new year with a family fun night.

    Cumberland County Schools’ elementary school students, along with their families, are invited to attend “Family Reading Fun” with Nationally Renowned Children’s Author Dr. Kimberly Johnson, on Thursday, Jan. 19 at William H. Owen Elementary School. The school is located at 4533 Raeford Road in Fayetteville.

    Families can arrive at 5 p.m. for a pizza party and will have the opportunity to mingle and take photos with local school mascots. The reading session begins at 6 p.m.

    Dr. Johnson’s high-energy, interactive “Family Reading Fun” session will provide families with tips and suggestions on making reading fun while helping students become better readers. Families will leave with strategies to implement at home to help encourage a love of reading.
    Pizza, books and other giveaways will be provided while supplies last. Space is limited, so families are encouraged to register today: https://bit.ly/readingfunnight.

    A children’s author and educator, Dr. Johnson is passionate about education and literacy. Originally from Shelby, N.C., Dr. Johnson is currently a professor at Clemson University and has authored 18 children’s books. She visits schools throughout the U.S. speaking to children and adults about literacy and writing. She grew up in a household with grandparents who could not read or write, yet they encouraged her to be the best person she could be! Now, she has committed her life’s journey to “empowering our children to know that they can succeed, no matter what their circumstances are.” Learn more about Dr. Johnson here.

    About Cumberland Family Academy

    Cumberland Family Academy (CFA) provides FREE workshops and educational events for the families of Cumberland County Schools (CCS). As part of its strategic plan, CCS launched CFA during the 2020-21 school year. From research, we understand that students achieve more when families are involved in their education. The purpose of the CFA program is to provide families with tools to support the success of their children’s education and to bring schools, parents/guardians, families, and community organizations together as equal partners. For more information on CFA, visit www.familyacademy.ccs.k12.nc.us.

  • 11Cumberland County Schools’ Student Services department was recently awarded just over $5 million through the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program.

    The district applied for the grant in collaboration with RTI International. The award is administered through the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Supportive Schools. This year’s competition was highly competitive; more than 185 applications were received, and only 67 proposals were awarded.

    This grant will allow CCS to implement the Alliance for Leading and Learning (ALL) Program. The funding will be used to partner with Fayetteville State University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke to create a diverse pipeline of highly qualified school-based mental health professionals, meeting the needs of approximately 50,000 CCS students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

    “We are excited about receiving this grant and providing additional resources to meet the needs of the whole child,” said Dr. Natasha Scott, the district’s executive director of Student Services.

    “Through a robust collaboration with higher education partners, we look forward to increasing the number of school-based health professionals in the district, which will ultimately help our students thrive in the classroom and in life.”

    The program will allow graduate students from FSU’s and UNCP’s master’s programs in social work and students from UNCP’s master’s program in school counseling to provide mental health care while earning important experience and credit hours in a supervised environment.

    Additionally, this program will focus on recruiting individuals from diverse backgrounds. The ALL Program will promote inclusive practices by developing the knowledge, skills and dispositions of school-based mental health professionals to use practices that encourage inclusivity and remove unconscious bias.

    This will ensure that all CCS students receive the support they need, echoing CCS’ goal of providing a safe, positive and rigorous learning environment that prepares lifelong learners to reach their maximum potential.
    For more information on Cumberland County Schools visit www.ccs.k12.nc.us/.

  • 10 PerryDr. Anna “Theresa” Perry has been named the Executive Director of Academic and Instructional Systems for Cumberland County Schools.

    Following the recommendation of CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., the Board of Education approved the recommendation during a Board meeting on Jan. 10. With 27 years of experience in the field of education, Dr. Perry will lead the district's information technology curricula and systems in her new role.

    She will be responsible for the overall leadership and supervision of the Student Academic Systems for the school system.

    Areas of supervision for the position include digital learning facilitation, PowerSchool, student records and instructional materials.

    Dr. Perry earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Fayetteville State University in 1994, a Master of School Administration degree from Fayetteville State University in 1999, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University in 2010. She began her career in Cumberland County Schools as a teacher and has served as an Assistant Principal, Beginning Teacher Coordinator and assistant superintendent for Communications and Innovative Projects.

    Previously, she served as the executive director of North Carolina Teacher Corps for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. She most recently served as the Director of Professional Development for the district.

  • 10 WilsonDr. Stacey Wilson-Norman, Chief Academic Officer for Cumberland County Schools, is one of nine school administrators from across the nation named to the Chiefs for Change Future Chiefs leadership development program.

    Chiefs for Change is a bipartisan network of state and district education leaders. As a participant in the 18-month Future Chiefs program, Dr. Wilson-Norman will engage in collective learning on issues central to effective leadership and receive coaching and mentorship from members of the Chiefs for Change network.

    “Dr. Wilson-Norman is a phenomenal and innovative leader who is working diligently to transform the lives of students in CCS,” said Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., CCS superintendent. “She is a sterling example for others to emulate and is frequently called upon by educational leaders across the country for advice and guidance. I know this experience will strengthen her skill set, allowing her to make an even bigger impact on our school district and community.”

    Over the course of the program, Dr. Wilson-Norman will study systems management, shadow current chiefs, receive individual coaching, attend a variety of virtual and in-person sessions.

    “As a lifelong educator, I’m thankful for this opportunity to learn more about effective leadership,” said Dr. Wilson-Norman.

    “I’m excited to collaborate with other leaders as we work toward enhanced learning experiences and improving student outcomes across the nation.”

    Prior to joining CCS, Dr. Wilson-Norman served as the chief academic officer with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Additionally, she has served students and families as a teacher, principal, assistant and deputy superintendent.

    During her distinguished career as an educator, Dr. Wilson-Norman has received numerous notable accolades, multiple recognitions and served on various boards and organizations. She has been recognized as Principal of the Year for Durham Public Schools and Central Office Administrator of the Year by the North Carolina Middle School Association. She is also the recipient of PowerSchool’s North Carolina Excellence in Leadership Award.

  • 10 washingtonFayetteville Technical Community College recently announced that Dr. DeSandra Washington has been named Vice President for Academic Support and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Services.
    In this capacity, Dr. Washington will oversee several departments, including Library Services, the Student Learning Center, University Outreach, Parents for Higher Education and the Male Mentoring Success Initiative.

    She will also lead the newly established Diversity, Equity and Inclusion services.

    In this capacity, she will provide leadership over the implementation of DEI initiatives to facilitate a learning environment centered around equity, inclusive excellence and celebration of human diversity.

    Dr. Washington began working at FTCC in 1998 as the Basic Skills Counselor. Since that time, she has served in several roles, including Director of Counseling and Admissions, Dean of the Spring Lake Campus and Associate Vice President for Academic Support.
    Dr. Washington has served on several committees at FTCC including the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges tenth-year reaffirmation committee, the SACSCOC fifth-year reaffirmation committee, the Mighty Minority Male committee and the Student Appeals committee.

    Due to her work with serving and supporting minority students, Dr. Washington was selected as an Engaging Excellence in Equity Fellow, sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. To continue the practice of transforming lives, she was honored to be a part of the 2020-2022 William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations.

    In 2021, Dr. Washington was afforded the opportunity to complete the Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program through eCornell at Cornell University.

    Dr. Washington earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Master of Arts in School Personnel from North Carolina Central University. She earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at Fayetteville State University with a specialization in higher education.

    Dr. Washington is a dedicated community servant and says one of her greatest joys is helping others.

  • 9The new year is only two weeks old, and it didn’t take long for Methodist University to begin garnering national and international attention.

    Higher Education Digest, an independent higher education magazine with a wide-spread international audience, recently promoted Methodist University as one of 10 “must-watch” North American colleges and universities in 2022. MU was the only university from North Carolina on a list that featured Oklahoma State, San Diego State and three others from the U.S.

    “MU is honored to be featured on this well-respected list,” said Minnu Paul, director of MU’s Global Education.

    “Our University is constantly working to create an experience that engages, enriches, and empowers our students’ lives. The strong leadership from MU has led to a stout educational system that supports all of our students, especially our international students. This ranking solidifies the fact that we are a globalized campus.”

    The magazine’s writers point to a number of MU’s successes and attractions, including its thriving city atmosphere (nestled between the Appalachian Mountain Range and North Carolina coastline), MU’s ranking as the No. 1 most diverse university in North Carolina, the more than 80 types of undergraduate and graduate programs, and the top 16% ranking nationally
    in The New York Times for overall economic mobility.

    The story says Methodist University is “helping unleash the full potential of an individual’s mind... and committed to an ecumenical spirit that respects diversity and recognizes the dignity and worth of all human beings.”

    The Higher Education Digest also touches on why Methodist University is known as one of the top institutions for international students.
    Currently home to students from more than 50 countries and six continents, MU provides a dedicated Global Education staff who can support international students’ unique social and financial needs.

    The article goes on to highlight the University’s Campus Engagement Office and One Stop as additional staff resources for international students.

    “Plus, non-international staff and people in the Fayetteville community are welcoming and supportive of international students,” said Paul. “They donate in kind, monetarily, they pick up students from the airport, and they provide a home away from home in various ways.”

    To read the entire feature, visit www.highereducationdigest.com/december-2022-10-must-watch-north-american-colleges-universities-in-2022/

    About Methodist University

    Methodist University is an independent, four-year institution of higher education with approximately 2,000 students. MU offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs (including doctoral-level options) on campus and online. MU has been named the "No. 1, Most Diverse University in North Carolina," features 20 NCAA intercollegiate sports (with nearly 40 team national championships). To learn more about Methodist University visit methodist.edu.

  • 8The Fayetteville City Council approved, by a vote of 8-1, recommendations to amend the city’s waste collection ordinance at the Jan. 9 council meeting. Changes to the ordinance include limiting the amount of trash, recycling, yard waste and limbs that can be collected from people’s homes each week.

    The city will also no longer drive on private streets that are not regularly maintained and could damage city collection trucks. The city will determine a place to collect waste for those streets on a case-by-case basis.

    The changes to the city’s ordinance do not include an increase in fees for taxpayers in Fayetteville. The City Council will decide on fee schedules during the budgeting process in June. Mayor Mitch Colvin was the only public official to oppose changes to the ordinance. Council member Kathy Jensen was not present at Monday’s meeting.

    Now that the City Council has approved the recommendations to amend the ordinance, city staff will finalize the changes and start “a comprehensive education campaign about changes to ensure residents are aware and informed,” said Jodi Phelps, chief of staff for the city manager’s office, in an email.

    The changes to the ordinance will not go into effect until after the education phase is complete, said Daniel Edwards, assistant director of public services for the city of Fayetteville and head of the city’s solid waste division, during a presentation to the City Council at Monday’s meeting.

    Edwards said an exact date for when the changes will begin has not been decided. He said the changes could start as early as the new fiscal year, which begins on July 1, or as late as December.

    The changed ordinance will put collection limitations on the following:

    • •Trash: two 96-gallon rollout carts collected every week
    • •Recycling: one 96-gallon rollout cart collected every other week
    • •Yard waste: a combination of 10 items containing yard waste every week
    • •Limbs: a total of 10 cubic yards every other week

    The city-provided rollout carts for trash collection are 96-gallon bins that are either green or brown. The recycling rollout carts are the same size, but are the color blue. Yard waste can be collected in various containers including bins and plastic bags. Fayetteville defines yard waste as leaves, pine straw and grass clippings, among other small yard waste.

    The city defines limbs as tree trimmings, large shrubbery and large limbs that cannot fit in the city’s rollout carts. Previously, the city’s ordinance did not have consistent limitations on trash collection and limb collection was limited to 20 cubic yards. There were no limitations on recycling and yard waste collection. Edwards said the changes will put Fayetteville more in line with ordinances in other North Carolina cities such as Raleigh, Durham, Winston-Salem and Greensboro.

    Concern over recycling

    Mayor Pro Tem Johnny Dawkins said at Monday’s meeting that he was concerned about the new limitations on recycling.

    “I don’t want to do anything to discourage recycling,” Dawkins said.

    Edwards said that the one-cart limit on recycling is a contractual requirement required by the vendor that handles the recycling process for the city.

    “As part of the contract that we have with waste management, that is we’re in charge of one cart per house,” Edwards said.

    The city’s solid waste division serves 61,560 households in Fayetteville as of June 2021, according to a report from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. Of those households, about 4,000 have an additional recycling cart that they purchased from the city under a contract with a previous vendor, according to Edwards’ presentation to the City Council. The city will still collect from households that have an additional cart. Households with only one cart cannot purchase an additional cart under the current contract. Edwards said that the new contract saves the city money as the processing rate for recycling is cheaper than before.
    Dawkins, who voted for the changes to the ordinance, said that most households who want an additional cart probably already have one, but he did want a way for more households to purchase one if they wanted to.
    City Manager Doug Hewett said that the city could look into allowing households to purchase an additional cart.

    “We could come back to see if waste management or someone else would have some appetite to amend the contract,” Hewett said.

    Colvin, who voted against the changes, asked if the Council was going to amend the recommendation to allow for more recycling. No such recommendation was made.

    “The larger cans certainly encourage more recycling,” Colvin said.

    Raleigh, Durham, Winston-Salem and Greensboro allow for their residents to at least have two carts for recycling collection. Edwards said that if residents have any recycling over the one-cart limit, they can take it to the Ann Street landfill in Fayetteville for recycling. Recyclable materials can be taken to the landfill at no charge, according to the fee schedule from Cumberland County Waste Management, the entity that operates the Ann Street landfill.

    Changes for private streets

    The changes to the waste collection ordinance approved by the City Council Monday night also clarify where the city will not collect waste on private streets that are not well maintained and may damage city vehicles or harm city employees. According to the changed ordinance, which private streets that are considered unsafe for vehicles and employees will be determined by the solid waste division.

    “Unpaved, has potholes, and literally as we’re driving along, we’re doing damage to the road and damage to our trucks,” Hewett said, describing the type of roads the ordinance would affect. He said the city has received complaints of city trucks damaging private roads.

    The city will still collect on private streets that do not pose this risk, Hewett said.

    “This is not the private roads that are well maintained. This is the ones which are, again, not safe for vehicular traffic,” Hewett said.

    The city will work with residents on private streets deemed unsafe, on a case-by-case basis, to determine a pick-up location for waste, Hewett said.
    Council member D.J. Haire, who voted for the ordinance changes, said that working with residents on pick-up locations was better than forcing them to improve road conditions.

    “I think that’s much better than trying to put in an expense maybe, maybe when they’re not really ready to do the expense,” Haire said. “I like that better than trying to use a force by hand on the property owner.”

  • 7The Defense Department recently launched a 12-week paid fellowship program to expand employment opportunities for eligible military spouses.

    The Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot program provides spouses of currently serving members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force, to include active, reserve and National Guard components, with paid fellowships at civilian employers across various industries and locations.

    This program directly addresses DOD's Taking Care of Our People directive to expand spousal employment. DOD continually reaches out to the force to better understand their concerns and improve how we can best support them and their families on a broad range of issues. It also supports the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program's overall goal of providing information, tools and resources to assist spouses in finding meaningful career opportunities.

    "The military spouse career accelerator pilot is a game changer for career ready military spouses," said Patricia Montes Barron, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy.

    "The department has partnered with Hiring our Heroes to provide robust and meaningful fellowship placement that could lead to full-time employment. Military spouses have made it clear that meaningful employment is essential to their quality of life. We hope this program provides them a strong start to solid employment opportunities."

    Expanding Spousal Employment Opportunities

    Military spouses who are accepted into the program will be placed with host companies that match their location and work experience, among other factors. Spouses will receive in-person or professional training and mentoring. At the end of the fellowship, spouses who excel in the program may be invited to join the host company as a direct hire.

    This program will run for three years, and applications will be accepted throughout the length of the program, with new opportunities available each month. The first cohort of fellows will be placed with their host companies starting in January 2023.

    Spouses can find more information about eligibility and learn how to apply for this unique opportunity on MySECO, the website of the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program.
    https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/article/military-spouse-career-accelerator-pilot

    Connecting Employers With Skilled Talent

    By partnering with the fellowship program, employers gain access to a pipeline of military spouse fellows that are equipped with education, transferable skills and experience in a variety of roles and industries. They represent a diverse population faced with challenges finding and maintaining careers due to frequent relocations.

    Employers who are accepted into the fellowship program will receive the following benefits:

    • •Early access to a diverse pool of a highly skilled and educated workforce
    • •Free opportunity to connect directly with military spouses – the program is fully subsidized by the Defense Department and is free to employers to participate
    • •Recognition opportunities through promotional activities and social media engagement
    • •Opportunity to bring military spouses who excel in the fellowship on board as a direct hire after the program is completed

    Employers can apply to participate on a rolling basis throughout the length of the program. This program is provided at no cost to employers with the Defense Department providing compensation for all military spouse fellows.

    Employers who are interested in hosting a military spouse fellow may visit the Hiring Our Heroes website to learn more https://www.hiringourheroes.org/employers/hosting-a-fellow/mscap-host-interest-form/
    Spouse and employers with additional questions about the program can contact mscap@uschamber.com.

    About Military Community and Family Policy

    Military Community and Family Policy is directly responsible for establishing and overseeing quality-of-life policies and programs that help our service members, their families and survivors be well and mission-ready. Military OneSource is the gateway to programs and services that support the everyday needs of the 5.2 million service members and immediate family members of the military community. These DOD services can be accessed 24/7/365 around the world.

    About Spouse Education and Career Opportunities

    The Defense Department established the SECO program to provide education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide, offering free comprehensive resources and tools designed to help spouses meet their career and education goals. This program also offers free career coaching services six days a week. For more information visit https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/.

  • Cumb Co Schools Cumberland Family Academy, the district’s family engagement outreach arm, is kicking off the new year with a family fun night.

    Cumberland County Schools’ elementary school students, along with their families, are invited to attend “Family Reading Fun” with Nationally Renowned Children’s Author Dr. Kimberly Johnson, on Thursday, Jan. 19 at William H. Owen Elementary School. The school is located at 4533 Raeford Road in Fayetteville.

    Families can arrive at 5 p.m. for a pizza party and will have the opportunity to mingle and take photos with local school mascots. The reading session begins at 6 p.m. CCS Fam reading program

    Dr. Johnson’s high-energy, interactive “Family Reading Fun” session will provide families with tips and suggestions on making reading fun while helping students become better readers. Families will leave with strategies to implement at home to help encourage a love of reading.
    Pizza, books and other giveaways will be provided while supplies last. Space is limited, so families are encouraged to register today: https://bit.ly/readingfunnight.

    A children’s author and educator, Dr. Johnson is passionate about education and literacy. Originally from Shelby, N.C., Dr. Johnson is currently a professor at Clemson University and has authored 18 children’s books. She visits schools throughout the U.S. speaking to children and adults about literacy and writing. She grew up in a household with grandparents who could not read or write, yet they encouraged her to be the best person she could be! Now, she has committed her life’s journey to “empowering our children to know that they can succeed, no matter what their circumstances are.” Learn more about Dr. Johnson here.

    About Cumberland Family Academy

    Cumberland Family Academy (CFA) provides FREE workshops and educational events for the families of Cumberland County Schools (CCS). As part of its strategic plan, CCS launched CFA during the 2020-21 school year. From research, we understand that students achieve more when families are involved in their education. The purpose of the CFA program is to provide families with tools to support the success of their children’s education and to bring schools, parents/guardians, families, and community organizations together as equal partners. For more information on CFA, visit www.familyacademy.ccs.k12.nc.us.

  • 01-22-14-vienna-concert.gifOld-world charm and an award-winning orchestra grace the Givens Performing Arts Center Stage at UNC Pembroke on Tuesday, Jan. 28. This American debut performance will feature the Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra beginning at 8 p.m.

    The Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra has achieved international stature performing a subscription concert series at Vienna’s Musikverein for more than 20 years. Members of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra founded the Vienna Concert-Verein in 1987. Its repertoire ranges from orchestral works of the Viennese classical composers to contemporary Austrian music. The Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra’s collaboration with contemporary composers is unique in Austria. Since its inception, the Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra has given successful world-premiere performances of more than 65 works by contemporary Austrian composers in a high-profile concert series that has been running since 1993. The Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra’s CD releases are a tangible result of this duality in its programming.

    In 2005, the Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra’s Michael Haydn’s recording was nominated for the Amadeus Classic Award, category “Orchestra and Large Ensemble,” competing with recordings by the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras. This CD features music by Michael Haydn (Johann Michael Haydn was an Austrian composer of the Classical period, the younger brother of Joseph Haydn), Leopold Mozart, Reinhard Süss and Jean Francais.

    The orchestra has toured in Asia and Europe and is a welcome guest orchestra at music festivals and concert halls such as the Mozart Festival Würzburg, the Oldenburger Promenade Concerts, the Mozart Festival Augsburg, the Prague Autumn, the Vienna Klangbogen, the Haydn Festival Eisenstadt, the Santorini International Music Festival, the European Festival Weeks in Passau, at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and with the Berlin Philharmonie.

    “This will be the first time the Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra will perform on the Givens Performing Arts Center stage and we’re excited to host such a talented and prestigious ensemble during their American debut. The orchestra features Grammy-nominated pianist, Sebastian Knauer, led by renowned conductor, Philippe Entremont,” said Chad Locklear, marketing director, GPAC.

    Upcoming events at the performing arts center include: Peter Nero in Concert, Friday, Feb. 21, featuring the quintessential jazz artist in a once-in-a-lifetime concert appearance marking the 50th anniversary of the birth of Peter Nero’s recording career and the Russian National Ballet theatre presenting Giselle on Tuesday, April 1.

    Make the evening complete by joining GPAC for an exquisite dinner prior to each of these performances. Prepared by Sodexo, the dinners are served in the Chancellor’s Dining Room in the James B. Chavis University Center. Tickets cost $30 per person, which includes a wine and cheese reception prior to dinner at 6 p.m. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available through the GPAC office at 910-521-6287 or email: gpac@uncp.edu. Prices are $30, $25, $20 and $15 child or student /$5 UNCP Student / $15 Faculty or Staff/ $25 Alumni.

    Photo: The Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra is set to perform at Givens Performing Arts Center on Jan. 28

  • police lights A Fayetteville man has been sentenced to seven years and two months in federal prison on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.
    On Feb. 27, 2020, a shooting was reported in the parking lot of McDonald’s restaurant in the 500 block of Grove Street, according to a Police Department news release.

    Third-party witnesses said they saw a man — later identified as Kendale Tyrone Strange — pull into the rear parking lot and confront the victim, according to the news release. Strange struck the victim in the back of his head with a handgun, and the gun discharged, the witnesses told investigating officers. The victim fell to the ground and Strange drove away, witnesses told officers.

    A spent shell casing was collected as evidence, the release said.
    A parallel drug investigation by the Police Department’s narcotics unit showed drug-trafficking activity at Strange’s residence on School Street, the release said. On March 18, 2020, officers searched the home and found a 45-caliber Hi Point handgun in the trunk of Strange’s car. Ballistic analysis showed that the handgun was the same gun used in the assault in the McDonald’s parking lot, the news release said.

    Strange was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the release said.

    Strange was sentenced to seven years and two months on Dec. 28 in U.S. District Court in New Bern by Judge Louise W. Flanagan.

    The Fayetteville Police Department, FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler Lemons and Nicholas Hartigan prosecuted the case, according to the release.

  • 01-29-14-velveteen-rabbit.gifEvery year, Fayetteville State University’s Theatre Department puts on a children’s production for the surrounding Fayetteville communities and institutions. This year — its headlining performance is The Velveteen Rabbit. Based on Elise Kauzlaric’s adaptation, The Velveteen Rabbit is a retelling of the original story written by Margery Williams and published in 1922; in which toys come to life the minute humans leave the room.

    “It’s like the Pinocchio story,” said Dr. Ernest Lamb, chair, department of performing and fine arts. “You have this old toy — this velveteen rabbit that nobody plays with because of these newer toys, but because this velveteen rabbit has such great love for children, the nursery fairy grants him a wish so that he can become a real rabbit. It’s almost like Toy Story.”

    Performances for The Velveteen Rabbit will run in the Seabrook Auditorium from Feb. 13-15 at 9:30-11 a.m. on Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday. “We also have a fine arts series from the Imago Theatre called Frogz, where the performances are like the ones in Cirque du Soleil, but with these huge puppets,” said Lamb. Performances for Frogz will also run in the Seabrook Auditorium on Feb. 10 with a 10 a.m. show for children, and a 7 p.m. show for the general public.

    “We do the children’s show every year, and we’ve done shows from Aladdin to Pinocchio,” said Lamb. “We do it as a community outreach, for the fine arts series in general, and the tagline for the department in general is ‘building community through the arts,’ so we always try to have programming that’s attractive to the different segments of our community. These two events happen to be dealing with children.

    “We want to expose young people to theatre. Often times we find that at that age, they’ve never gone to a play. They may go to the movies, but to go to an actual play and see a live production of something with actors, and sets, and props; kids haven’t really seen all that, so we do this really to expose them to the arts.

    “In all reality, we look to target children of all ages, but usually our shows attract elementary and junior high school students, and it’s the same thing for the Imago Theatre: ages four on up, so it should be something interesting for families and children of all ages.”

    For ticket information, call the FSU Box Office at 910-672-1724. Tickets for The Velveteen Rabbit are $3. General admission tickets for Frogz are $10.

    Photo: The Velveteen Rabbit is a tale in which toys come to life. It opens at Fayetteville State University’s Seabrook Auditorium on Feb. 13.

  • crime scene tape The Fayetteville Police Department is investigating after an 18-year-old was found dead Sunday morning, Jan. 15 on Docia Circle.

    Just after 11 a.m., police responded to a call of a “suspicious subject’’ lying in the backyard of a residence on the 5300 block of Docia Circle, police said in a release.

    Officers confirmed the person was dead and had been shot, the release said.

    Police later Sunday identified the victim as Stephon Darius Links.

    The department’s Homicide Unit is investigating.

    Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective M. Waters at 910-635-4978 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

     

  • police car lights Two women are charged with trespassing on a school bus on separate days, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
    Deputies arrested Gianetta Yvonne Fredrick at 9:40 a.m. Jan. 9. She is charged with trespassing on a school bus, disorderly conduct at a school, and resisting a public officer, according to a news release.
    Just after 11:30 a.m. Jan. 11, Brittany Nicole Smart was arrested and charged with trespassing on a school bus, the release said.
    Fredrick and Smart were taken to the Cumberland County Detention Center. Fredrick was given a $5,000 unsecured bond and a court date at 9 a.m. Feb. 15. Smart was given a $2,500 unsecured bond and a court date at 9 a.m. Feb. 16, the release said.
    The Sheriff’s Office said that only school personnel and students are allowed on a school bus. Parents can walk their children to the bus, but they are not allowed to board a bus, the news release said.

  • arrest A St. Pauls man was arrested just after midnight Sunday, Jan. 15 and charged with driving his truck into an outdoor seating area at a Raeford Road restaurant and striking several patrons, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.
    He then put the white pickup in reverse, backed into the seating area and struck the victims again, police said.
    Joshua Caleb Hunt, 22, was charged with assault at Mikoto Japanese Restaurant & Sports Bar in the 7900 block of Raeford Road, according to a news release.
    Investigators said Hunt was involved in an altercation in the outdoor seating area before the incident. Two of the victims were taken to the hospital; a third victim declined transport, the release said.
    The incident was reported about 12:15 a.m. Sunday, the release said.
    Hunt is charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury; one count of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury; damage to real property; and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, the release said.
    He was given a $300,000 secured bond at the Cumberland County Detention Center.
    Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective B. Pleze at 910-676-2596 or Fayetteville-Cumberland County CrimeStoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477) or http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org.

  • classroom The Cumberland County Board of Education voted 6-3 on Jan. 10 to end uniform dress codes at three schools.

    Uniforms will not be required at Howard Hall Elementary, Pine Forest Middle and Sherwood Park Elementary in the 2023-24 school term.
    School board members who voted to drop the policy were Greg West, Donna Vann, Alicia Chisolm, Susan Williams, Jacquelyn Brown and Nathan Warfel.
    Carrie Sutton, Judy Musgrave and Deanna Jones voted to keep the dress code policy in place at the schools.

    Sutton, a staunch supporter of school uniforms, clasped her hands and dropped her head in silent disappointment after the vote.
    The principals of the three schools had said they were in favor of uniforms, but they also spoke of respecting the wishes of their respective stakeholders.
    At least 70% or more of the stakeholders at each school had voted to stop requiring uniforms.
    Earlier during the meeting, Sutton had asked that the agenda item on the uniforms be pulled from consensus vote for further discussion.

    The board approved her request.

    “I’ll just review what I said in committee last week," Sutton said. "Uniforms work. It’s shown in private charters, church schools that uniforms are for a reason. Especially in the early grades — elementary and middle schools — for attention span, concentration. And then the social stigma is removed from

    one student looking at a ‘have student’ and a student looking at a not-having student.

    “Here we are again. I’m asking all the board to consider how we are to support every one of our children and that’s to learn. … I’m asking that we not approve this.”

    The principals were then asked to come forward to give their views on the school uniform issue.
    Sutton said she had heard last week that the principals were in agreement to keep uniforms. "Has anything changed? I’m open to hearing it," she said.

    Jennifer Jasinski-McAdoo, the principal at Sherwood Park Elementary, said what she is in agreement with is what’s in the best interests of her students and stakeholders.

    “I thought it was my due diligence to follow through if (we were) going forth with this survey because it’s been at least a 10-year process since this happened before," she said. "I think it’s my duty as principal to listen to what the stakeholders are saying. According to these surveys and the survey results, that’s what the stakeholders are asking for.”

    Jasinski-McAdoo said she has seen research from both sides of the argument: “That they do work, and they don’t. There is no proof to show that it does increase academics or (improve) behavior …”

    Cornelius Felder said coming in as the new principal at Pine Forest Middle School, they were required to have the school uniform dress code. He was going to reinstate the dress code for the next school year but said he received a lot of concerns from the parents.

    Those, he added, included financial worries and the fact that uniform inventory was not in stock. Some parents wanted to do a survey.
    Whatever the survey determined, Felder said, “I was going to support the stakeholders of what it said. I was going to respect the process.”
    Erica Fenner, the principal at Howard Hall Elementary, said she had a lot of parents ask about conducting a survey on the issues, too.

    “We are a Title one (low-income) school. I am in favor of school uniforms,” Fenner said. “But I respect the vote of the majority of our stakeholders.”

    West then made the motion to consider the schools’ requests to drop their uniform policies.
    Warfel seconded the motion before the board as a whole gave it final approval.

  • 12Dr. Eric Mansfield, an ear, nose and throat specialist and a former state senator, will be the keynote speaker for the 30th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Brunch.

    The brunch is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Jan. 16 at the Crown Expo Center, 1960 Coliseum Drive.
    Mansfield served in the N.C. Senate from 2011 to 2013. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2020.

    The brunch will be followed by Youth Extravaganza from noon to 2:30 p.m. Kevin Brooks of ThegroupTheory, a nonprofit organization that works with youths, will lead the session.

    At 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 Pastor Archie Smith of Spread the Word Worship Center, will be the keynote speaker at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Worship Service at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 400 Campbell Ave.

    Tickets for the brunch and worship service are $25 for each and can be purchased in advance at the Crown Expo Center box office.
    Tickets also are available at Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church; Simon Temple AME Zion Church; Manna Church; Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church; New Life Bible Church; and WIDU radio.

    The brunch and the worship service are sponsored by the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Ministerial Council. For more information, go to the Ministerial Council website.

    Harnett County events

    In Harnett County, several events are planned for Monday, Jan. 16 including a breakfast, parade and downtown rally.
    The NAACP MLK Breakfast is scheduled for 8 a.m. at the Dunn Community Building on Jackson Road. Bishop Reginald Hinton will be the keynote speaker, organizers said.

    The parade is scheduled for 11 a.m. Lineup will begin at 10 a.m. on the 100 block of West Broad Street. Willis B. McLeod, chancellor emeritus at Fayetteville State University, is the grand marshal.

    The rally is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at City Hall. Retired Cumberland County Chief District Court Judge Ed Pone is the scheduled keynote speaker, organizers said.

  • 01-08-14-diet.gifWith a full year stretched out before you, January is the perfect time to jump-start healthy eating, the foundation for overall wellness. Like most goals, nutritional upgrades have endless variations; in fact, you could probably come up with one new, improved dietary habit for every day of the year. Instead of letting the possibilities overwhelm you, focus on these top five dietary changes most likely to create a healthy and vibrant body while reducing your risk for serious disease.

    Emphasize good fats-in particular, plant, fish and grass-fed animal fat sources, which contain profoundly anti-inflammatory omega-3s. Mounting research shows that chronic inflammation underlies most, if not all , chronic disease, including dementia, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids down-regulate inflammatory genes, reduce production of inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) and increase inflammation resistance. People who regularly eat omega-3 laden foods also have healthier skin, more comfortable joints, less depression and sharper minds.

    Add flaxseeds, chia, hempseed and nuts —especially walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts — to your morning cereal or shake. Enjoy sardines or hard-cooked, omega-3 enriched eggs for a snack. Choose fish or grass-fed meat.

    Color your plate. Plant foods contain more than 4,000 anti-inflammatory antioxidant flavonoids, pigmented compounds responsible for beets’ red, kale’s green, squashes’ yellow and blueberries’ blue. They stimulate immunity reduce cancer and heart disease risk, and support healthy joints and digestion.

    Aim for at least five different colors of fruit and vegetables every day, comprising half of your total food intake. Top cereal with berries; snack on celery, carrots and bell peppers; feature colorful salads, steamed greens, broccoli or green beans, seasoned tomatoes and pureed sweet potato at lunch and dinner; indulge with dark chocolate-covered cherries or pomegranate seeds.

    Opt for organic. Organics offer at least one undisputed advantage: significantly fewer harmful pesticides and herbicides, minimizing your exposure to cell-damaging toxic chemicals. Reducing pesticide load can increase immunity and decrease allergies and may support weight loss and fertility. Start by buying organic for the worst pesticide offenders (ewg.org/foodnews). Also consider swapping out conventional dairy products, in which pesticides concentrate.

    Fast Overnight. Portion control is an obvious way to cut calories; add in nightly fasting and you’ll also change your metabolism to contribute to weight loss.

    Even a relatively short time period without food can protect you against diabetes by causing stomach and intestinal cells to release the hormone ghrelin, which reduces insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and insulin resistance. It also combats cancer by inhibiting silent information regulator (SIRT1) gene activity, which in turn slows accelerated cell growth. By eating your last meal or snack in the early evening and not eating anything until breakfast , at least 12 hours later, you’ll have fasted for half the day — long enough to trigger these metabolic changes. The result: Chronic disease prevention from better cell-regulation and tighter control of sugar and insulin levels.

    Eat to nourish. Food is not just a mix of nutrients; food is also pleasure, appreciation, even love. This year when you eat, make it a point to sit down, put away your cell, turn off the TV and relax. When you’re relaxed, you activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn innervates your digestive tract so you digest food better. Increased parasympathetic nerve activity also encourages healthy blood pressure and heart function, promotes a balanced immune response and reduces chronic inflammation.

    This year, take the time to pursue the gift of health that will give not only to you, but your family, community and nation.

  • pentagon In a Jan. 10 memo, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin rescinded the Aug. 24, 2021 memorandum mandating that members of the Armed Forces under DoD authority be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the memorandum of Nov. 30, 2021, pertaining to the vaccination of National Guard and Reserve personnel. 

    This rescission requirement was established by the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023.
    The announcement was made in a media release from the Department of Defense.

    The release stated: “The health and readiness of the Force are crucial to the Department's ability to defend our nation. Secretary Austin continues to encourage all Service members, civilian employees, and contractor personnel to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 to ensure Total Force readiness.”

    The full rescission memorandum can be viewed at https://media.defense.gov/2023/Jan/10/2003143118/-1/-1/1/SECRETARY-OF-DEFENSE-MEMO-ON-RESCISSION-OF-CORONAVIRUS-DISEASE-2019-VACCINATION-REQUIREMENTS-FOR-MEMBERS-OF-THE-ARMED-FORCES.PDF

  • crime scene tape A former girls basketball coach at Terry Sanford High School was arrested Tuesday, Jan. 10 on charges of taking indecent liberties with a student, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

    Thurston Jackie Robinson, 60, is charged with nine counts of sexual battery and six counts of taking indecent liberties with a student, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.

    Robinson is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center under an $18,000 secured bond, the release said. His first appearance in court is set for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11 at the Detention Center.

    More charges may be forthcoming, the release said.

    According to a Cumberland County Schools spokesman, Robinson's coaching contract with the district has expired.
    He was the varsity girls coach from May 4, 2020, to Aug. 1, 2022. He also was a volunteer coach at E.E. Smith High School from 2019 to 2020.

    “We take this situation very seriously,” school district spokesman Lindsay Whitley said in an email Tuesday. “The safety and well-being of our students are always top priorities. Mr. Robinson’s status as a non-faculty coach was not renewed for the 2022-23 school year. When allegations of inappropriate conduct were brought to our attention, we suspended discussions about renewing Mr. Robinson’s contract while law enforcement investigated.”

    According to Whitley, Robinson had no other duties at Terry Sanford High.

    An interim coach, Roger “Dale” Paschall, is now leading the Terry Sanford girls team.
    Whitley said in his email that Cumberland County Schools routinely conducts extensive background checks on non-faculty coaches.

    Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Sgt. J. Mcleod at 910-677-5548 or CrimeStoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477) or http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org.

  • 09SeussicalThe team that brought local audiences “The Little Mermaid” last season will bring “Seussical The Musical” to the Cape Fear Regional Theatre Feb. 1-25.

    The show brings some of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters to life – to include The Cat in the Hat, Horton the elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie La Bird and JoJo – the tiniest resident of Whoville.

    With several special events planned for Dr. Seuss fans of all ages, CFRT Artistic Director Mary Catherine Burke said this is an adventure not to be missed.

    “The show is the most delightful kaleidoscope you can imagine,” Burke said.

    In collaboration with 2 Ring Circus, CFRT is bringing back many cast and crew members who helped make “The Little Mermaid” such a crowd-pleaser last season. Director Melissa Rain Anderson said the audiences will again see creative dance and circus choreography that take the production to another level.

    “To our knowledge, this is the first circus treatment of ‘Seussical,’” Burke said.

    While audiences can expect to see more aerial arts than in “The Little Mermaid,” the acrobatic elements are purposeful and serve to elevate the show, not overpower the story.

    “None of the circus ‘tricks’ are there just to be circus,” said Ally Ivey, who plays JoJo. “Everything is there to forward the story.”

    The story is a tale about the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community. Perhaps, most importantly, the story highlights that diversity of thought is a good thing and respect for that diversity makes communities stronger.

    The musical is an amalgamation of several books by Dr. Seuss and introduces us to Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing the Whos of Whoville, including little JoJo. JoJo is sent to military school for ‘thinking too many thinks.’ Horton must protect the Whos and an abandoned egg left in his care by Mayzie La Bird.

    While the plot points may sound familiar to Dr. Seuss fans, one need not be an avid reader of the books to appreciate “Seussical.”

    “You don’t need to have any knowledge of Dr. Seuss to enjoy this experience,” said Dax Valdes, who plays Wickersham. “Some kids will see themselves in JoJo or the bullies, and maybe they can come away changed.”

    Adults will enjoy the show, too, Burke said.

    “It’s amazing how much adults want to play and be creative and imaginative – they just need permission,” she said.

    “Seussical The Musical” runs Feb. 1-25 with special events for families and military, as well as a book drive, a VIP experience and a sensory-friendly performance. Tickets range from $17-$32. For more information, visit www.cfrt.org or call 910-323-4234.

  • hospital Health care in Cumberland County and surrounding communities takes a quantum leap Jan. 13 when Cape Fear Valley Health unveils the $33 million Medical Education Center & Neuroscience Institute.

    You can see for yourself.

    A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the five-story center on Owen Drive and adjacent to Melrose Drive at Cape Fear Medical Center. Facility tours are scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., including Simulation Center demonstrations.

    “In this facility, Cape Fear Valley Health is going to cultivate a new generation of physicians to transform the landscape of health care in southeastern North Carolina,” Mike Nagowski, chief executive officer of Cape Fear Valley Health, says in a news release. “Our country is facing a serious physician shortage, with a quarter of our region’s rural communities lacking doctors in many critical specialties. The Center for Medical Education & Neuroscience Institute will build our capacity to serve more patients, address physician shortages and ensure that we can continue to provide exceptional care to all our patients.”

    Groundbreaking for the building was Jan. 14, 2021.

    “The physician residents will transform health care in this entire region,” Nagowski was saying Monday. “Fifty percent of our residents have decided to stay. This will allow us to attract and train the very best. This takes us to a different level, and this Medical Education Center will be among the best in North Carolina.”

    The total cost of the center includes design, construction, medical equipment and furniture, according to Sabrina Brooks, vice president of the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation.

    According to the health system, funding included contributions from the state, including $15 million secured in 2022 by the Cumberland County legislative delegation of Marvin Lucas and Diane Wheatley and former legislators Billy Richardson, John Szoka, Kirk deViere and Ben Clark; Campbell University; the Duke Endowment; the Thomas R. and Elizabeth E. McLean Foundation; the Cape Fear Valley Health Volunteer Auxiliary; Cape Fear Valley Health Executive and Vice President Leaders; the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust; Systel Business Equipment; Tony and Ann Cimaglia; Jay and Charlene Wyatt; the Armstrong, Riddle and Williams families; Dr. Wes and Lucy Turk Hollis Jones; and Dr. David and Jenna Abbes Schutzer.

    Funding also came from the Golden LEAF Foundation as part of the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation's "Caring for the Future" fundraising campaign — led by co-chairs Virginia Thompson Oliver and Tony Cimaglia — that raised $7.85 million.

    “Having been involved with the CFV Health Foundation for many years, I am inspired and very excited with the forward movement of the Medical Education Center & Neuroscience Institute,” Tony Cimaglia says. “Our new state-of-the-art facility will greatly aid the positive growth of medical care advancements and assistance to the ever-growing growth of the Fayetteville area health care needs; recruitment of much-needed area neurologists to assist with the ever-increasing situations of area residents requiring their services and treatment; and with the adequate space and provisions provided for the training of 300-plus doctors in their areas of specialty residency.

    “All of this will dramatically impact the future of medicine in Cumberland County and surrounding areas and give hope and closeness of available treatment options. I am pleased to be a small part of this much-needed venture at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, and I have prayers and high hopes for the continuing success of medical advancement in our area meeting the needs of so many of us.”

    Ryan Aul is president of the foundation’s board of directors.

    “At the foundation, when the hospital has a project to promote a stronger, healthier community, we are there to fundraise for it,” he says. “This particular project will allow Cape Fear Valley Health to continue, and indeed expand, its ability to provide training for much needed physicians for rural communities in North Carolina. Many of these residents will stay in our communities and provide high-quality medical care to those we love.

    “The added neuroscience facilities are an incredible recruiting tool. We have amazing physicians at Cape Fear Valley Health, and this new facility will allow us to better care for those with neurological ailments.

    “The impact of this new building is profound in so many ways — economically and in improving health care in our community,” Aul says. “I am so proud of how our community philanthropists stepped up and supported the project. Cape Fear Valley Health is an important asset to our communities, and all our donors truly stepped up to enhance the value of that asset. We are so grateful.”

    Floor by floor

    The center is 120,000 square feet, the health system says, and will provide surgery; emergency and trauma treatment; labor and delivery; and intensive care training.

    The first floor will feature the Ellison Auditorium, a flexible space that seats 500 in one large space or can be divided into three smaller spaces, according to Brooks, of the health foundation. It also features state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities to accommodate a learning environment. The floor includes a food court that will open later in the year. The first floor connects to the medical center and includes outdoor seating and bricks inscribed with messages from donors to the project. The auditorium is named in memory of Elizabeth Ellison McLean and made possible by the generosity of the Thomas R. and Elizabeth E. McLean Foundation.

    The second floor will house offices of the Medical Residency Program and administration, a conference room, multiple classrooms, and teleconference rooms.

    The third floor includes the state-of-the-art Simulation Center for medical residents and clinical teams to train in all areas of health care. It includes a resident lounge, study and exercise room.

    The fourth floor is space for future growth.
    The Neuroscience Institute is located on the fifth floor for expansion of treatment of neurological conditions.

    “We are very fortunate to recruit high-quality surgeons and neurologists,” Nagowski says. “This facility will match their clinical capabilities.”

    Dr. Charles Haworth is director of neurology for the health system. He welcomes the top-floor institute.

    “It’s going to be sort of a visible headquarters,” Haworth says. “Kind of a landmark. It gives a sense of purpose. Before, we were tucked away in a little house on the corner. The whole idea of everything going in that building is a new chapter in the ongoing saga of the hospital. I’m hoping this will be a drawing card to draw other young neurosurgeons here to keep up the good and quality work we have established. It’s just taking things to another level. It’s an evolution.”

    The name of the institute will be announced Thursday evening, according to Nagowski.

    ‘A teaching hospital’

    Cape Fear Valley, in partnership with Campbell University’s Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine, launched its first postgraduate residency program in 2017 with a mission to recruit and retain doctors who would continue to practice in this region, according to the health system. The program has grown to include seven more residency programs and two fellowships at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

    There are now 274 residents in the health system and 130 medical students. The new facility will house these residency programs and more as the programs continue to grow.

    Dr. Don Maharty is vice president for medical education at Cape Fear Valley Health.

    “Studies show that 50% of physicians typically go into practice within 50 miles of the location where they complete their residency, and we saw that play out with our first graduating class of residents at Cape Fear Valley last year,” Maharty says. “Studies also show that health outcomes are higher in the areas surrounding a teaching hospital. Since we launched our first residency program in 2017, we have grown to over 300 approved positions in 15 residency and fellowship programs, with plans to keep growing.”

    The Medical Education Center, he says, will make a significant and profound future for health care.

    “This new building will impact our community for years to come through the projected increase in physicians and specialists who choose to continue their professional careers in our region and in our health system,” Maharty says. “Additionally, the residency program is expected to add more than 900 new jobs and generate nearly $580 million in economic impact in the region over the next 10 years.”

    Epilogue

    So, there you have it: a quantum leap for health care in this and surrounding communities to include Bladen, Columbus, Harnett, Hoke, Moore, Robeson and Sampson counties.

    “We are grateful to all of the people,” Mike Nagowski says, “who have donated so generously to this facility.”
    Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.

  • DGMartin book reviewSometimes, fiction is a better teacher than history books or newspaper columns. A powerful new novel set in Pinewood, North Carolina, a fictional modern foothills town, proves the point. 

    “No One Is Coming to Save Us” by North Carolina native and Lehigh University associate professor Stephanie Powell Watts has been cast as a reimagining of “The Great Gatsby” in a new setting. But its great strength is a rich portrayal of an extended African- American family.

    Family members deal with the town’s economic decline as its furniture manufacturing base fades away. The legacy of segregation and racism complicates and enriches their efforts to find places in life.

    JJ Ferguson, the book’s Gatsby figure, returns to his hometown with lots of money and to build a mansion on a hill overlooking the modest place where he grew up.

    His real purpose, it turns out, is to reconnect with his high school girlfriend, Ava.

    But Ava is married to Henry and has an established white-collar professional job. More than anything, she wants to have a child. Her every effort has been a disappointment.

    Ava’s mother, Sylvia, was like a mother to JJ when he was growing up. When he comes to visit, he teases Sylvia when she tells him she has not had time or money to put pictures on the wall of her small apartment.

    He says, “You’re going to have to get your black woman card revoked if you don’t get Barack on the wall.”

    She responds, “You mean my old black woman card, don’t you?”

    She continues, “Do you remember when all the barbershops used to have Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. pictures up? Is Barack up there with them now? He should be, I figure.”

    Sylvia clearly loves JJ, more so because her own son has been a disappointment. Also, her husband, Don, while charming, is another disappointment.

    Meanwhile, unknown to Ava, Henry has developed a relationship with a white woman, and they have a child named Zeke. When Ava sees Zeke for the first time, he looks just like Henry. Crushed by Henry’s disloyalty and by her inability to have Henry’s child, she is vulnerable to JJ’s efforts to reconnect.

    She goes with JJ to his new house. Watts writes that as Ava undresses, “She felt slightly erotic, slightly disgusted like she stuck her finger in the muddy soil of a potted plant. She had never cheated on Henry, not once.”

    She would have told JJ that fact, “but she didn’t want to ruin the moment by mentioning Henry’s name.”

    Watts continues, “She knew for a fact that her marriage was over. She was not sad for the fact, but for the knowledge of the fact.”

    Ava brings back the memory of making love with JJ years before and remembers thinking, as Watts writes, “She’d wanted a life, her life, but she’d had a small palpable, unreasonable hope that she would get pregnant and the hard work of planning and focusing would be taken from her, out of her hands, and bound up in a baby with this sad sweet boy.”

    There is no completely happy ending, but as The New York Times’ reviewer Jade Chang explains, “The novel’s intricately plotted relationships pay off satisfyingly in its final chapters. When Gatsby didn’t get what he wanted, the story could only end with his death, but Watts’s characters are people who have seen generations of dreams stymied and thwarted – for their kin, their community and themselves. Rather than giving up if the game doesn’t go their way, they do what they’ve always done: Forget the rules, shake up the players and turn Gatsby’s green dock light gold.”

  • 19 individual winnerOfficials with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission recently awarded the Lawrence G. Diedrick Small Game Award to both an individual and organization whose actions have significantly and positively impacted North Carolina’s small game populations and the hunting heritage associated with small game.

    Kathryn Rand Booher of Rocky Point and the Wake County Wildlife Club were the two recipients honored with the 2022 award.

    Booher’s actions and financial support have contributed to bobwhite quail conservation, including habitat improvements, greater public access, education and advocacy. She is a strong financial supporter and active volunteer of the Southeast North Carolina Chapter of Quail Forever and the South Carolina Bobwhite Initiative. She’s the liaison between the SENC and the Wildlife Commission, and with her assistance the agency created 7,000 acres of “Quail Trails” on Holly Shelter Game Land in Pender County. The trails have improved access to and the management of early succession habitat, which has enhanced small game hunting opportunities and benefited many non-game species.

    Booher has overseen efforts to manage a longleaf pine forest through thinning and prescribed burns on over 340 acres of her family’s land. The direct impact of this work has improved both the habitat and the quail population. Leading by example, she has encouraged other private landowners to effectively manage their own property to enhance habitat for bobwhite quail.

    G.W. Atkinson, Heather Hill and Jim Hudson of the Wake County Wildlife Club accepted the award on behalf of their 165 members who have worked tirelessly for decades to promote wildlife conservation. As a leader in conservation education, the WCWC has impacted young people who have gone on to pursue careers in the wildlife field and created conservationists with an appreciation for the natural world by highlighting the critical role that sportsmen and women play in the conservation of our wildlife resources.

    Best known for hosting the Dixie Deer Classic in Raleigh, the club’s impacts reach well beyond the annual big game event. Specifically, the club hosts countless workshops aimed at hunter safety, wildlife-associated recreation, education and diversity in hunting. The WCWC is also the primary non-governmental supporter of the Fur, Fish and Game Rendezvous held each year at Millstone 4-H Camp in Ellerbe. The club offers scholarships to send teenagers to this unique weeklong camp. Since 2014, they have sponsored 30 campers each summer.19 organization winner

    In addition to monetary support, club members volunteer as instructors to make this camp a success. The club’s efforts provide opportunities for many young adults to attend camp who otherwise may not be exposed to fishing, hunting and shooting sports.

    In 2020, club officials updated the forest management plan for their 191-acre Durham County property to include commercial thinning, pre-commercial thinning and prescribed burning. These initiatives will better educate visitors about the importance of habitat management and will also improve habitat for small game on the property.

    The Small Game Award is named in honor of Lawrence G. Diedrick of Rocky Mount, who served as a Wildlife Commissioner from 1993-2001. Commissioner Diedrick promoted efforts to address declining populations of bobwhites, and other species dependent on early successional habitat. Subsequent to his death in September 2002, a group of Commissioner Diedrick's friends made memorial contributions to the Wildlife Endowment Fund to support an annual small game award in his honor. The Wildlife Commission created this prestigious award in 2003. Nominations for the 2023 award will open March 1, 2023.

    Editor’s note: Since 1947, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use and public input. The Wildlife Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities.
    To purchase or renew a fishing, trapping or hunting license and renew a vessel registration, go online at www.ncwildlife.org. 

     

  • 01Riverdance coverFor 20 years, Riverdance has entertained and enthralled audiences, sharing traditions and telling the stories of the land of Eire with song, dance and joie de vivre – buoyant enjoyment of life. Tuesday, Jan. 30, Community Concerts brings Riverdance to the Crown Complex for an evening of energetic entertainment. Hailed by The New York Times as a phenomenon and by the Toronto Star as delightful, energetic and sexy, the show is one that’s sure to impress audience members of all backgrounds.

    “The success of Riverdance across the whole world has gone beyond our wildest dreams,” said producer Moya Doherty. “The fact that the show continues to draw and excite audiences is a tribute to every dancer, singer, musician, staff and crew member who have dedicated themselves to the show. This 20th Anniversary Tour is a thank you to our audiences and a celebration of what has been an incredible journey across two decades.”

    Amy-Mae Dolan from County Tyrone, Ireland, has been dancing since she was two years old. She joined Riverdance in 2016. She noted that the show’s reach is broad. Since it began over 20 years ago, Riverdance has traveled over 750,000 miles; that’s the equivalent of traveling around the world 30 times. It has had over 11,500 performances and been seen by over 25 million people in 47 countries, across six continents.

    “However, in my opinion, the best thing about Riverdance is the feeling it gives the audience members; they leave excited and full of joy, having just experienced something sensational and very unique,” she said.

    Riverdance originally stole the show as the interval act at the 1994 Eurovision song contest. The same elements that made it a hit continue to appeal to audiences worldwide. The Grammy awardwinning music by Bill Whelan, the chorus line of more than 20 dancers and the passion and energy that emanates from the stage keep this show on the road year in and year out.

    “The performers’ passion and energy are incredible,” Dolan said. “We all love what we do, and that excitement and elation are tangible onstage and throughout the audience. We treat every night as opening night; our pride and love for Riverdance allow us to bring our best to the stage every night.”

    Through music and dance, the show illustrates the journey of Irish people departing to a new world. The first half depicts their settling in Ireland and the myths and legends that appeared at that time. The second half presents their departure in search for a better life, their arrival to the New World and their interaction with new cultures. They return home with new ideas and new influences.

    “As a female principal dancer in the show, I dance in six extraordinary numbers in which I display both the delicacy and strength of the female Irish dancer,” Dolan said. “The show is a magical celebration of music and dance.”

    It takes 64 people to tell the tale of the Irish - 36 of them performers. Twenty-four of them are Irish dancers, one is a flamenco dancer, six are Russian dancers, two are American tap dancers, and there is a band of four musicians.

    Adding to the show’s appeal, the tour has seen some technical updates. Lighting, staging and the set have all been refined over the 20 years. So, it’s changed in some ways while remaining true to the original spirit of Riverdance.

    “Every new performer that joins the show brings something different and exciting, and so you never see the same show twice,” Dolan said. “We treat every night as an opportunity to improve; we are learning more and more every day not only how to improve our fitness and dancing but also our storytelling – the feeling behind our dancing – which really captivates the audience. There is an incredible new number added to the show titled ‘Anna Livia.’ It is an a cappella hard shoe number for the female Irish dancers. It is a tribute to the empowerment and grace of all female Irish dancers, highlighting their incredible strength. All the exciting changes and the growth of the show over the 20 years makes this the best the show has been.”

    A longstanding organization committed to excellence, Community Concerts has made bringing topnotch entertainment to Fayetteville its priority since 1935. The all-volunteer organization creates the opportunity to see some of the biggest names in entertainment at pocketbook-friendly prices. ZZ Top was scheduled as the season opener but canceled due to illness. “Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage” was the season premiere in November, leaving two shows after Riverdance to complete the season – The Commodores, which will perform in April, and The Illusionists, which wraps up the season in May.

    In keeping with the spirit of first-rate music and its importance locally, Community Concerts sponsors several initiatives that support local artists and music-related causes.

    It founded the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame in 2008, which recognizes and honors those who have brought musical distinction to the community. Previous inductees include, just to name a few, the 82nd Airborne Chorus; Cumberland Oratorio Singers founder Alan Porter; former Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra music director Harlan Duenow; local songwriters and recording artists Lynne O’Quinn and Doyle Wood; and Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra maestro Fouad Fakhouri.

    Those who aspire to music-related careers also receive support from the organization in the form of scholarships. The scholarship program was instituted in 2004. Since its inception, Community Concerts has awarded 28 scholarships.

    The local artist showcase program brings artists of all ages to the stage, including even the youngest performers. Through this program, local Christian powerhouse youth performance group Voices of the Heart recently opened for Gladys Knight, and children from Linda Kinlaw’s School of Dance performed with Martina Mc Bride.

    Community Concerts also gives certain groups the opportunity to attend concerts free of charge. Past groups have included senior citizens, the Vision Resource Center, Fayetteville Urban Ministry, The Sunshine Center, members of local fire and police departments, high school theater art classes, members of the military and more.

    For tickets and information, visit www.community-concerts.com.

  • 18Winter sports season is wildly popular. Sports such as basketball, hockey, swimming and track and field attract talented student-athletes each winter, making the season one of the most fun times of year for kids, their families and their classmates.

    During the winter sports season, student-athletes can take various steps to ensure they’re ready to compete.

    Ensure your academics are in order. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average to be eligible to compete. The winter sports season tends to overlap semesters in many school districts, so students preparing for the coming season must make sure their grades are good enough to allow them to compete, even if their sport begins mid- to late-semester. Students can work with teachers, coaches and academic advisors to ensure their grades won’t compromise their eligibility.

    Schedule your physical. A preseason physical exam is mandatory to compete in may scholastic sports, so student-athletes or their parents should schedule their exams early so they can compete for a spot on the team and, if they make the team, play once the season begins. Physical exams also can shed light on any issues that may require medical treatment prior to the start of the season, so the earlier students get their exams, the more quickly they can address any issues that may compromise their ability to compete.

    Speak with the coaching staff. Coaches may or may not conduct exit interviews upon the completion of a season. Such interviews can be a great chance for student-athletes to learn about what they can do to improve during the offseason. Student-athletes who didn’t get an exit interview or those who simply want a refresher can contact their coaches in advance of the season to discuss what they need to do to make the team and/or improve on last season’s performance.

    Get in shape. Multi-sport athletes may already be in shape to compete, which can ensure the transition from fall to winter sports season goes smoothly. Student-athletes who don’t compete in fall sports can use fall as a time to get back in game shape. Start gradually to reduce your risk of injury, ramping up as the body reacclimates itself to physical activity.

    Winter sports season is a fun time of year for student-athletes. Preparing before the season begins can ensure student-athletes compete at their highest level in the months ahead.

  • 09venusinfur splashKink, by definition, refers to sexual practices outside of what the public considers to be the norm. It’s thought of as separate or other, hidden in the shadows from mainstream culture. Only recently have phenomena like the “Fifty Shades of Grey” franchise – with all its whips, chains and the like – been able to chip away at that barrier. Yet kink is also transmuted in David Ives’ play “Venus in Fur,” which runs at the Gilbert Theater Feb. 2-17.

    The nature of theater is exhibition on a big scale, but what “Venus in Fur “deals with is the definition of discretion. The play promises an erotic power play that can, with the right two actors, thoroughly shock and entertain an audience.

    The play takes its name from the 1870 Austrian novella by Leopold von Sacher- Masoch. Ives’ play, however, reimagines the main two characters as existing in modern times. A director is casting for a theater production of “Venus in Furs” when Vanda Jordan walks in to audition for the lead female role. Her audition, and the subsequent plot of the rest of the actual play, is a rabbit hole of lost reality and parlaying dominance.

    On Broadway, Ives’ play garnered numerous nominations at the Tony Awards in 2011, including a win for Best Actress. It has been repeatedly staged across the world since its inception.

    The Guardian wrote of one adaptation starring Natalie Dormer on the London stage, in October 2017, “So begins a game of cat and mouse, an intricate two-step operating as a play within a play in which the power balance continually shifts.”

    The L.A. Times wrote of Venus in Fur in 2014, “The stage is a perfect medium for the investigation of this kind of fantasy role-playing.” Hopefully, on a more intimate stage like at the Gilbert, this level of volatile intimacy will ricochet off the walls.

    Artistic Director Matthew Overturf said, “This is a funny, sexy and ultimately poignant piece dealing with the many facets of different power relationships, specifically the actor and director relationship. Audiences should expect to laugh even while dealing with this titillating and challenging work. This is definitely a show for adults.”

    According to Overturf, this is the first time the Gilbert has produced “Venus in Fur.”

    “This show is a wonderful and challenging piece of theater that audiences are definitely going to enjoy,” said Overturf. “It fits squarely in the mission of the Gilbert to produce cutting edge work that really challenges audiences to think outside the box.”

    For tickets and more information, visit www.gilberttheater.com.

  • insert 2Talented public and private high school players across Cumberland County are gearing up to go head to head at the 3rd Annual MLK Dream Jam Basketball Tournament on Jan. 14 and 16. The tournament will again be hosted by Terry Sanford High School.

    Karl Molnar is the Head Coach of the Varsity Boys team at Terry Sanford, and organizer of the MLK Dream Jam. When asked about last years Dream Jam, he says, “It went very well! Both have been very successful and the turnouts are always good. The competition level is amazing, which is kind of why we started the tournament, because there’s so much talent right here in Cumberland County and it’s kind of spread out between the public and private schools.”

    Twenty teams will participate in this year's tournament. Eight girls teams will challenge each other on Saturday, Jan. 14, and 12 boys teams will compete against each other on Monday, Jan. 16.
    Cumberland County is special when it comes to how connected our communities are with each other. Talent intertwines here in Fayetteville, and Molnar enjoys getting the kids together in the gym, knowing they’re together already outside of it.

    “They all grow up in the same neighborhoods with each other. We don’t get to have public and private schools play throughout the season too often, so it makes for a good event to play your buddy on the other team.”

    Up & Coming Weekly got a chance to interview some of Molnar’s top Varsity players during a Tuesday morning practice, during the school's Christmas break.
    One player in particular, Brady Barns Jr., returned to Terry Sanford this past fall semester as a Junior, with hopes of rebuilding with his friends and returning to what makes basketball fun again.

    Brady says, “I had a good opportunity to play with a big AAU team in Jersey for a couple of years, but I never really got to play with my friends, so I wanted to come back to fill the pieces and be with them.”
    Brady continues,” I remember after I came back from Jersey, I came to our first couple of tournaments. I knew everybody, I played with them growing up, I’ve trained with them. We all worked out together.”

    When it comes to girls basketball, coaches and players agree there could be a lot more attention placed on these young ladies. The numbers for younger girl players around the city are low, and less girls games are being played this tournament.

    Miya Giles-Jones, a Senior on the Varsity girls team at Terry Sanford, and one of the top players overall in the state, is hopeful for the young talent in the city, and even feels like the girls games are more exciting to watch.

    “There should be a way bigger spotlight on the girls, there’s a lot of young talent out here that a lot of people don’t know about. You have to come out and see it for yourself. If you have a good team and good talent, it’s always fun to watch, we should get the same respect as the boys.” Miya says.insert 1

    When talking to Roger Paschall, Head Coach of the Varsity girls team at Terry Sanford, he feels that more events focused on girls basketball would help grow the girl basketball scene in the city.

    “We played in a showcase in the beginning of the year [2022], but it was teams from all over the country,” Paschall said. “If we can do some individual girl showcases locally, that would be great. It’s important for late elementary and early middle school girls, to come see teams like ours play, and be exposed to this kind of talent”.

    With the Terry Sanford girls team winning the Winter Classic, and their sights set on the state championship, they hope to use the Dream Jam as a stepping stone to grow stronger as a team and show how much more they can achieve.

    “North Carolina is considered a hoop state,” Molnar said. Fayetteville itself, is home to a lot of great basketball talent; the two most notable being Dennis Smith Jr., and J. Cole. Smith, who played for Trinity

    Christian, a private school in Fayetteville, now plays in the NBA for the Charlotte Hornets.
    J. Cole, who played for Terry Sanford, public school and home of the Dream Jam, the rap artist, never gave up on his hoop dreams after college and recently played in the BAL for the Rwanda Patriots and for the CEBL Scarborough Shooting Stars.

    With a couple of Fayetteville’s biggest stars being from a private and public school, Up & Coming Weekly wanted to see how the players used that as inspiration.

    A Junior on the Varsity boys team, Johnathan Higgins-Simmons says, “They both showed that there are different ways you can make it out the city. With Cole, he grinded, and put the work in on and off the court. If they can take that motivation for being a dog on and off the court, they can achieve their dreams.”

    Organizers agree that, from the coaches to the players, everyone is looking to the MLK Dream Jam to bring the community together and give the proper exposure to all the young talent that Cumberland County has to offer.

    Carlos Craig, a Senior at Terry Sanford says, “This tournament is showing that public and private schools can keep up with each other. It’s not about one being better than another, it’s all good competition.”

    The 3rd Annual MLK Dream Jam will be held at the Terry Sanford Gymnasium. For those planning to attend, tickets can be purchased at the door.

    Doors open on Saturday at 10 a.m. and tickets are $10 for the day. Monday’s match ups start at 8:15 a.m. and are $12 for the day. Four games are scheduled for Saturday and six games are scheduled for Monday.

    Miller’s Crew food truck, Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop and other vendors will be on site to provide food and refreshments.

  • 01Well Strung coverWell-Strung is a New York City-based singing string quartet that thrives on juxtapositions. Fusing classical music with pop is its claim to fame, and shaking up the stereotypical image of string instrument players adds a layer of fun. The quartet comes to the Givens Performing Arts Center Tuesday, Jan. 23.

    Edmund Bagnell (first violin), Chris Marchant (second violin), Daniel Shevlin (cello) and Trevor Wadleigh (viola) have been performing as a group since their debut at the Ars Nova theater in NYC in February 2012. When they performed again at a pub in Manhattan a few months later, they’d generated so much buzz that the show promptly sold out.

    The group was conceived by producer and manager Mark Cortale and Marchant. Cortale saw Marchant busking with his violin in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in the summer of 2010. At the time, Marchant was singing in a show at The Art House and was busking on the side for extra money.

    “He was really fantastic,” Cortale said. “The next day, I approached him... to discuss an idea I had for a solo show for him.” Marchant loved Cortales’ idea to do a show that combined pop and classical music but suggested expanding it into a quartet.

    The rest is well-documented history. Well-Strung has been reviewed by The New York Times, New York Magazine, Broadway World, The Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, “The Today Show,” CBS News and ABC News. They’ve also performed for President Barrack Obama.

    Up & Coming Weekly talked with Bagnell about the ins and outs of being a member of Well-Strung.

    Up & Coming Weekly: Who does the work of transforming existing songs into music uniquely composed for Well-Strung?

    Bagnell: We do about ninety percent of the arranging ourselves, and it’s split pretty evenly among the four of us. In many cases, one of us will get inspired and bring an arrangement to the group.

    UCW: Describe your approach to musical performance and entertainment with Well-Strung.

    Bagnell: We love music, and we like to have fun with music, and in that we bring a certain sense of humor to some of our pop/classical mashups.

    Above all else, we want our audiences to have a wonderful time at our show. We play a whole range of music from the 17th century all the way up to pop songs from this year, and we like to emphasize that good music is good music – no matter when it was written. … So, for instance, we’ll layer Aaron Copland with Taylor Swift, and Radiohead with Bach.

    UCW: What is one of the craziest or funniest things that’s happened to you while performing onstage?

    Bagnell: Luckily nothing too crazy has happened, but I will say that I seem to be the only one out of the four of us who consistently breaks a string on stage. About every four months I’ll have to run offstage during a show to go replace a string that broke.

    UCW: What is your favorite part of performing with this quartet?

    Bagnell: I love performing live with these guys. We’re like brothers, and we’ve done so many shows together I think we’ve become really good at reading each other onstage and being spontaneous musically. I also love that there are no rules to the music we play – if we want to play country music, we do it. If we want to play Mozart, we do it. It’s very liberating.

    James Bass, GPAC director, said it’s this mentality that makes him so excited to have Well-Strung on the GPAC stage.

    “We have to keep our season lineup diverse,” he said. “We have popular music, we have Broadway musicals, we have straight theatre, and we have large music ensembles. But what Well-Strung brings is something different – it’s a show that can satisfy hardcore music fans, pop music fans and people who just want to have a lot of fun with their friends.”

    The members of Well-Strung are not just varied in their music, they’re also varied in their talents. Marchant and Wadleigh competed as a team on CBS’ “The Amazing Race,” which was filmed this October and premiered Jan. 4, 2018. Visit www.cbs. com/shows/amazing_race/cast/215804/ to view their #TeamWellStrung profile.

    Visit uncp.edu/gpactickets or call 910-521-636 to purchase tickets for Well-Strung’s performance at the GPAC Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 7:30 p.m.

    Meet the bandmates

    Edmund Bagnell (first violin) comes from South Carolina where he attended the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and went on to attend New York University as music major. His senior year, he was cast as Tobias in the first national tour of “Sweeney Todd,” directed by John Doyle. He has performed as a violinist, actor, and singer in NYC and around the country. Credits include Charlie Brown in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and Tom Sawyer in “Big River” (Summer Theater of New Canaan).

    Chris Marchant (violin) grew up in Akron, Ohio, where he began playing violin thanks to his mother’s urging. Throughout high school, Chris was involved in school and regional orchestras and choirs. He received a Bachelor of Arts in music ministry from Malone College, where he discovered a love of musical theatre. Credits include Tobias in “Sweeney Todd” and “Spring Awakening” (both national tours). Follow him on Instagram and Twitter: @chrisjmarchant.

    Daniel Shevlin (cello) is originally from South Jersey and has been playing cello since he was ten years old. He moved to New York City at age 18 to pursue a career in musical theater. Since then, he has toured the U.S. and Asia in productions of “Rent” and “Cabaret” and has worked regionally as an actor and cellist in many theaters, including the Arvada Center (Colorado), Maltz Jupiter Theatre (Florida) and Mason Street Warehouse (Michigan). He studied musical theater at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and has been a member of Actors Equity since 2006.

    Trevor Wadleigh (viola) is a native of Kent, Washington, and began studying viola at age 17 under the tutelage of Joyce Ramée. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Puget Sound with major concentrations in business and music performance as well as a minor in comparative sociology. While completing undergraduate coursework, he studied concurrently with Burton Kaplan of NYC where he completed an Artist’s Certificate program at the Aaron Copland School of Music. He has served as principal and section violist of the Lake Union Civic Orchestra (Seattle, Washington); Yakima Symphony (Yakima, Washington); Brevard Music Center Orchestra (Transylvania County, North Carolina); and Nova Philharmonic.

  • 12Few individuals in American history have made an impact as sizable as Martin Luther

    King Jr. King wore many hats throughout his tragically short life, from minister to activist to scholar, leaving behind a legacy that is worthy
    of celebration.

    Though King was assassinated before he even reached his fortieth birthday, his life was filled with many notable events. Many of those events positively affected, and continue to affect, the lives of millions of others.

    The Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University notes that the following are some of the major events of King’s life.

    January 15, 1929: Now commemorated annually as Martin Luther King Jr. Day (in 2023, the holiday is observed on Monday, January 16), January 15 marks the day King was born in 1929. King was born in Atlanta, where his father was a pastor at the Ebenezer Church.

    September 20, 1944: Despite being only 15 years old, King begins his freshman year at Morehouse College. King was only a high school junior in 1944, but he was admitted to Morehouse College, where his father studied for his ministerial degree, after passing the school’s entrance exam.

    August 6, 1946: King’s letter to the editor of The Atlanta Constitution is published. The letter reflects King’s belief that Black Americans are entitled to the same rights and opportunities as White Americans. King’s father later admitted this letter was the first time he and his wife recognized their son’s “developing greatness.”

    February 25, 1948: Following in his father’s footsteps, King is ordained and appointed assistant pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in his hometown of Atlanta. June 8, 1948: King earns his bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Morehouse College.

    May 6-8, 1951: King graduates from Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania. He delivers the valedictory address during the graduation ceremony.

    June 18, 1953: King marries Coretta Scott near the bride’s family home in Marion, Alabama. Coretta Scott King would also become a vocal activist, advocating for peace and gay rights and expressing her opposition to apartheid in the 1980s. She would not remarry after her husband’s assassination.

    June 5, 1955: King earns his doctorate in systematic theology from Boston University. 12a

    December 5, 1955: King becomes president of the Montgomery Improvement Association after the organization is formed at the Holt Street Baptist Church. MIA is formed in response to the arrest of Rosa Parks five days earlier after she refused to vacate her seat for a white passenger.

    January 27, 1956: A threatening phone call late in the evening inspires King to carry on with his activism.

    January 30, 1956: King’s home is bombed while he is elsewhere delivering a speech. His wife and daughter are not injured in the blast.

    January 10-11, 1957: King is named chairman of what becomes the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which was an organization of southern black ministers working together to combat segregation.

    June 23, 1958: King and other leaders meet with U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Washington, D.C.

    September 17, 1958: Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story is published. It is King’s first book.

    September 20, 1958: King survives a stabbing during a book signing in Harlem, New York. During a surgery after the stabbing, doctors remove a seven-inch letter opener from King’s chest.

    April 16, 1963: King writes his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in response to criticisms of the Birmingham Campaign, a collective effort on the part of the SCLC and the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (ACMHR) to combat segregation in the Alabama city. The letter becomes one of King’s most famous writings.

    August 28, 1963: King delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

    January 3, 1964: King is named “Man of the Year” by Time magazine.

    December 10, 1964: King receives the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway.

    March 17-25, 1965: King helps to lead civil rights marchers from Selma to Montgomery.

    June 7, 1966: King and other leaders resume James Meredith’s “March Against Fear” from Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi. Meredith
    was unable to continue after he was shot and wounded.

    April 3, 1968: King delivers his final speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” as he returns to Memphis to lead a peaceful march of striking sanitation workers.

    April 4, 1968: King is shot and killed on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. He is buried in Atlanta five days later.

     

  • 10Music of the New WorldThis season, Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra fans have been able to celebrate the Carolinas through music under the direction of new music director Stefan Sanders. From East Coast pirates to Fayetteville’s French connection, every concert has embraced a different facet of the Carolinas. Thursday, Jan. 25, the trend continues with “Music of the New World” at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

    The second chamber concert of the season, this performance includes a mix of brass quintet and woodwind quintet music. A brass quintet is a small ensemble that consists of two trumpets, one French horn, one trombone and one tuba player. A woodwind quintet is another small ensemble that consists of one flute, one oboe, one clarinet, one bassoon and one French horn player. For this performance, all 20 performers are principal musicians, meaning they hold the first or second chair seats in their instrument section in the orchestra.

    “The one thing I wish everyone knew about the FSO chamber orchestra concerts is that the programs themselves are created through a conversation between me, our staff and the musicians,” said Sanders. “Once we agree on the repertoire, the musicians coordinate their schedules and rehearse completely on their own. Making music and putting together programs in this manner is what we call chamber music, and it is vital toward building healthy and effective communication between our musicians as well as giving them opportunities to hone their artistry and leadership abilities. … These intimate performances at beautiful St. John’s Episcopal provide music lovers with a closeness to the music and our musicians that only chamber music creates.

    “The music will predominantly be American themed – either composed by American born composers, or music that depicts the American nationality,” said FSO Director of Operations and Marketing Julia Atkins. “This music was chosen due to our ‘Gone to Carolina’ season. We typically do small chamber concerts halfway through our season at St. John’s Episcopal Church, and we figured an American themed chamber concert would fit our Carolina season.”

    At larger performances, the orchestra’s Music Nerd, Joshua Busman, typically speaks and then hosts a question and answer session prior to the concert. While Busman will not speak at this concert, Atkins said that “because this is a smaller venue with fewer musicians, the musicians themselves (will) speak with the audience during the concert to help give background on the music they will hear that evening.”

    She added that this is a great concert for firsttimers or people who want to learn more about the symphony or orchestral music. “Because it is a smaller venue, many concert-goers will get to learn a lot about classical music and hear some music they wouldn’t otherwise hear in a large concert hall,” she said. “It’s certainly a more intimate setting.”

    Stellar performances are one piece of the organization’s mission. “Our mission is ‘To Educate. To Entertain. To Inspire,’” said Atkins. “Outreach is essential in order to fulfill that mission – as well as to give back to the Fayetteville community. As a symphony, we do provide entertainment, but we also provide education and inspiration, and we want to be able to provide that to the Fayetteville community every day.”

    To this end, the Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra involves youth 13-21 years old and has more than 70 participants this year. The FSO also hosts a one-week summer music camp for advanced instrumental students. The orchestra also hosts an After School Strings Program to educate young children about basic music concepts.

  • 11aWhitaker Small Farm Group, Inc. is seeking veterans and their dependants interested in learning how to grow and maintain edible and inedible plants.

    The 18-month program aims to help soldiers transition from the military world to a lush environment of green lawns, healthy gardens, thriving houseplants and tasty produce.
    Initiated in the fall of 2021 by Charles Whitaker, President and C.E.O. of Whitaker Small Farm Group, Inc, the Veteran Farming Program offers military personnel and their spouses an opportunity to learn a new trade, subsidize their income and grow a healthy respect for the care and maintenance of their yards.

    WSFG, Inc., which has historically invested its time and resources in supporting emerging farmers and those socially disadvantaged, developed this program — their first aimed specifically at veterans — as a step toward creating opportunities otherwise unavailable to this population.

    Whitaker, who worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for more than 30 years, knows the value of being able to work the land and is committed to creating no-cost access to the skills that enrich lives and grow communities.

    "Many times veterans exit the military, and they aren't quite sure as to what they'll do with their futures," Whitaker shared. "This project offers them another window to look through."

    Up & Coming Weekly also spoke with Nancy Olsen, Air Force veteran and chief instructor of the program, about the desired outcomes for the project and the importance of horticulture.

    Horticulture, an aspect of agriculture, involves the small-scale maintenance and production of both edible and inedible plants. It can cover the cucumbers that just won’t grow in the backyard or the Peace Lily that refuses to thrive. Horticulture, as a practice, can be a relaxing way to pass the time, or integral to putting food on the table.

    “This kind of program is important for anyone with a yard or even a houseplant,” she said. “I teach people how to grow different types of plants and how to make them grow correctly to the best of the plant's ability.”
    Raised on a 4000-acre farm-ranch in Kansas, Olsen has farming and horticulture in her blood. Her father, a farmer, and her mother, a homemaker, taught her how to treat the earth with respect and patience in order to reap the benefits of its bounty.11

    “I guess growing up on a farm, I found a love for the land at a young age,” she shared. “When I was just a kid, I had a huge garden, and that was my first job. My mother would buy me all the seeds, use what she needed to feed the family, and I got to sell everything else. I was maybe nine or ten, and I’d haul my wagon and sell whatever was growing to the little ladies in town.”

    The pride that comes from being able to grow food to eat or food to sell is a feeling Olsen hopes to offer those who participate in the program. Though she left that Kansas ranch long ago, the lessons learned there have fueled a life-long passion and a career. Olsen, who has both a bachelor's and a master's degree in horticulture, has shared her knowledge and experience with students at North Carolina State University and Sampson Community College. She has a great deal more knowledge to share.

    The grant-funded Veteran Farming Program is free for participants; still, it offers valuable information, hands-on experience, and useful tips from an industry insider. Even for those not interested or unsure about their fitness for farming, the program also exists for those who just want a nicer lawn — a cause for which Olsen is in full support.

    “To me, everyone should have a nice yard,” she offered. “It’s just something nice to go out and enjoy. Most people abuse their yards and land — I want people to appreciate and work at having nice plants around their houses. I want to share how to get the most out of their yard, no matter how much or how little they have.”

    While “Best Yard on the Block” is a noble pursuit, the project does offer other incentives for those a bit more serious about a life or career in horticulture. The program is split into three six-month sessions, with six monthly class meetings. Each class typically lasts around four hours and focuses on agricultural technology, theory and food production.
    Participants are given a travel allowance to get to and from training and a small amount for expenses. Additionally, students can use the skills and knowledge gained toward work-experience credit when applying for an F.S.A. (Farm Service Agency) loan.

    For V. Williams and his wife, the program has been invaluable, particularly during this time of continued inflation which has seen over a 10% increase in produce in the past year. With a garden full of collards, eggplants, tomatoes, and other tasty vegetables — he had nothing but good things to say about the program.

    “I retired with disabilities, and I signed up for something to do to get out of the house,” he said. “I wanted to start growing my own vegetables instead of relying on the grocery store.”

    “The class gives a lot of information about the plants themselves, and once you know the basics, it's easy. During this last growing season, we grew about $13,000 worth of produce. It can be hard work — but the confidence it gives you goes a long way.”

    The program has already started for January, but Olsen hopes that won't be a deterrent for those interested in signing up. This month's meetings have focused on inoculating mushroom logs with mushroom spores, but — the more, the merrier.

    “People are always welcome,” Olsen assured. “Just come on in, and we'll educate as we go.”

    The program is free for military personnel, veterans, and military spouses.

    For more information about the program and Whitaker Small Group Farms, Inc., visit www.whitakersmallfarmgroup.com/, email at c.l.w.whitaker@comcast.net or call 919-412-4132.

  • 01coverJosephGallery 208 is pleased to introduce artist Joseph Begnaud to Fayetteville, North Carolina, in his first solo exhibition at a local gallery in this city. “Joseph Begnaud: Separate from the Natural World” opens with an artist’s reception Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Gallery 208 from 5:30-7 p.m. The exhibit will hang until March 15.

    Visitors will readily see Begnaud’s preference for placing a solitary figure in an environment that is equally important as the figure itself. In an exhibit that includes work produced during the last 12 years, the figure always appears theatrical – yet, depending on the year and scale, there is a striking difference in the way the figure is represented.

    For example, the larger works in the exhibit created 10 years ago in a series titled “fictional transitions” appear deceivingly descriptive compared to the abstracted smaller works in his series titled “small ones.”

    No matter what the scale is in Begnaud’s work, an underlying theme appears to be the figure in states of being and transformation. The figure is never separate from the environment. What changes is how the figures merge with and ultimately into the environment. The background, or environment, of the larger works is never still, never flattened but shifting and vibrating. In comparison, the environment in the small works is abstract and oozy.

    As well as a shift in scale, the artist’s approach to color and to painterly qualities to express meaning has changed throughout his body of work. In the paintings titled “Cockatoo Formal” (2004-2005) or “Untitled” (2005), Begnaud’s palette had already become more monochromatic than his earlier works. In moving past the narrative, one can see the pictorial form of his style relies on mass and shadow to create fluidity. Details depend upon color rather than line, and the viewer’s eyes move across the surface of the painting to see past the figure toward the essence of the painting.

    Subtle linear elements are always present in the artist’s works. However, in the later small works, Begnaud gives way to immerse the figure in a dominant, painterly environment of mark-making and color. The artist commented: “Working small is a relatively recent development. I find that the works on paper have a very different quality as objects than the larger work that relies on scale for effect. Their viewing space is more intimate, which places a greater demand on pictorial space just as it allows more range of appreciation for surface texture and mark.”

    Many visitors seeing an artist’s work are interested in the artist’s process. Begnaud refers to his paintings as dreams. He stated, “My paintings are dreams, not because they reference actual experiences or illustrations of a literal dream that I have had. Dreaming is a play of the mind that operates on a level of metaphor and emotion. References are derived from daily life but are in no way subject to reality’s normal laws. My painting process often begins abstractly, without a model, and projects images from memory and imagination directly onto the canvas. Passages of paint transform into sleepers and animals, and the narrative develops with the image.”

    The artist’s formal training and his experiences have had a direct influence on his style and his series of paintings. Begnaud earned a Bachelor of Fine Art in Studio from the University of Dayton, in Dayton, Ohio. While a student at the University of Dayton, he received a four-week study grant to live and work in Florence, Italy. The artist said, “This first international experience, which included excursions to Sienna, Rome and Pompeii, greatly affected my work, inspiring the ‘sleep series,’ which I began in the fall of 1995.”

    Directly after completing his BFA, Begnaud was awarded a full scholarship to Indiana University in Bloomington. He graduated with Master of Fine Arts in Painting. He lived and worked in New York for two years before working briefly in Saint Louis, Missouri, and Interlochen, Michigan, at the Interlochen Center for the Arts.

    In 2001, Begnaud moved to Portland, Maine, and joined the Artist’s Studio Community. For the last four years, he has resided in Warsaw, Poland, during the summers and studied art in the galleries and museums of Warsaw, Krakow and Wroclaw, all of which are in Poland, and Prague, the Czech Republic and Vienna, Austria.

    In 2006, he began a collaboration with Stefan Niedzialkowski and the actors of the Mimes Studio in Warsaw, which culminated in an exhibition of drawings at the Center for Mazovian Culture in Warsaw, in 2007.

    Presently, Begnaud is an associate professor of Art at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, in Pembroke, North Carolina. Some of his most recent solo exhibitions in North Carolina include the following: “Curious Company” at the SE Health Foundation in Lumberton, in 2015; “Portraits: Actual and Imagined” at the Bladenboro Art Gallery in Bladenboro, in 2014; and “Northern Stories” at Givens Performing Arts Center in Pembroke, in 2013.

    A short list of Begnaud’s most recent group exhibitions in 2016 includes: “In Your Dreams: National Juried Exhibition,” San Rafael, California; “tXtMe,” National Juried Exhibition at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art in Santa Ana, California; and “Words: A National Juried Exhibition,” in Lincoln, California.

    An accomplished professional artist, Begnaud noted how the metaphor is relevant in his work. Visitors to “Joseph Begnaud: Separate from the Natural World” at Gallery 208 will see how he has created a metaphorical, conceptual framework to simulate the viewer’s imagination for new ways of looking. The first opportunity to see his work will be at the opening and artist reception Jan. 9. The public is invited. The artist will speak at 6 p.m.

    Gallery 208 is located at 208 Rowan St. in downtown Fayetteville at the headquarters of Up & Coming Weekly. The gallery is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For information, call 910-484-6200 or visit www.upandcomingweekly.com and click on Gallery 208.

  • 10Let there be joyful hearts.

    And hymns of joy there were on this day of celebration for the life of Joycelyn “Joy” Walden Cogswell, the retired pianist at her beloved Snyder Memorial Baptist Church on Westmont Drive. No need for tears, she would tell us.

    “I am home,” Joy Cogswell would have us know. “I am home, with my Lord and savior, where heaven’s streets are lined in gold, and with God’s mansions with many rooms, and one just for me, just like the Bible told me so.”

    No need for sad faces, she would tell us. No need for sorrow. Every pew was filled Saturday, Jan. 7 in this church, circa 1949, from the lower sanctuary to the balcony above that looked down on the altar, where for 47 years parishioners found Joy Cogswell at the grand piano every Sunday until her retirement in 2018.

    “I believe God gave me a gift to be able to share his love through my hands,” Joy Cogswell said in 2018 before playing a final time for the Sunday service. “That’s always been my goal: to have people not look at me, but to hear what God is trying to say to them through the music.”

    She was a presence every Sabbath and dressed in her Sunday best. Her dark hair always coiffed, with every strand in place. She never missed a cue. She never missed a key. She never missed a note. Her fingers flowed gently and fluidly across the keyboard, and the sole of her shoe along the foot pedals, too. She accompanied every soloist, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and choral voice, from “Amazing Grace” to “How Great Thou Art” to “Holy, Holy, Holy” to “It Is Well With My Soul” to “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” to “There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in This Place.”

    She played for weddings and brought brides down the aisle. She played with such reverence for farewells of congregation members called home. And the church’s annual “Singing Christmas Tree” for 40 consecutive years, and at Carnegie Hall in the last year of Joy Cogswell’s life.

    “What struck me most about her was her genuine humility in spite of the fact that she was so gifted,” the Rev. John Cook, the church’s retired minister, would say Tuesday, after learning that Joy Cogswell succumbed to her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. “She was one of the greatest blessings to our congregation in our church’s rich history.”

    Joycelyn “Joy” Walden Cogswell died Monday evening, Jan.2. She was 75.

    “I love you,’” Bob Cogswell would say in her final moments. “I love you.”

    She would leave him, holding her husband’s hand.

    Sunlight breaking through

    “We are here today to celebrate the life and presence of her ministry,” Richard Suggs, the church’s minister of music, would say. “She was a gifted musician and educator. She played with heart and wanted to usher in the Holy Spirit in a powerful way from her heart’s relationship with God.”

    Joy Cogswell, he would say, had and left a “musically and spiritual fingerprint” in the sanctuary. There was a hush in the congregation as recordings of Joy Cogswell’s customized arrangements of “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” “Jesus Loves Me” and “It Is Well My Soul” played in remembrance of her musical talent.

    Her music resonated.

    Her legacy was alive.

    “She blessed us in so many ways,” the Rev. David Hailey, senior pastor at Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh, would say. Joy Cogswell often played piano at the Wake County church. “Her amazing gift of music had a way of bringing all of us a little closer to God. We are here to worship, and this is what Joy would have wanted. To be here for the glory of God.”

    Soloist Barbara Lawson later would sing “The Majesty and Glory of Your Name,” as Lawson had done so many times before with Joy Cogswell in accompaniment. And a granddaughter would lean on a grandfather’s shoulder. Sunlight from an overcast day would break through the church windows as Barbara Lawson sang.

    Giles Blankenship would offer “The Lord’s Prayer” a cappella, and Bob Haynes would later lead the sanctuary in the church’s adopted hymn of “There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in This Place” as every man and woman and child held one another’s hands.

    “It was Bob and Joy’s wish that we sing it today,” Haynes would say, “like only Snyder can.”

    Sara Barefoot, who donated a kidney to Joy Cogswell on Dec. 10, 2007, would sing “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me” near the end of the service.

    “I don't go a day without thanking God for her,” Cogswell once said. “I've always wanted a sister, and I have one now.”

    Barefoot’s presence Saturday was poignant.

    Steadfast in her faith

    “Things were not always easy for Joy,” Suggs would say.

    Still, her faith led her along life’s way.

    “Joy believed that loving others is what really mattered,” he would say. “The world lost a gifted musician this week. But she was more than a musician. We will never stop grieving today.”
    But we can handle our sorrow “by holding one another a little closer. Joy, we thank God for every remembrance.”

    Joycelyn “Joy” Walden Cogswell was the little girl who grew up on the east bank of the Pearl River in Columbia, Mississippi, and found the love of the piano from age 5 under her musician mother’s eye.
    “My love of music came naturally to me,” Joy Cogswell once said.

    She would attend Florida State University and earn her degree in music education with a piano principal degree and also find the love of her in Bob Cogswell, a young law school student. They married Sept. 19, 1970, and found Fayetteville and Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in 1971, where Joy Cogswell would direct the youth choir and become the pianist in 1974.

    Over the ensuring 47 years, she would leave an indelible mark teaching music to not only church youths and children but to aspiring piano students throughout the community, including at Methodist University and Fayetteville Academy.

    “Joy lived a life of gratitude,” the Rev. Hailey would say. “She was grateful for her friends, and if you were Joy’s friend, she loved you. Joy was thankful to God for all her friends she ever met along her way. Joy had an amazing life. She never stopped being grateful and never lost sight of God’s amazing grace.”

    Epilogue

    No need for tears, Joy Cogswell would have wanted us to know, in this sanctuary where she told so many for almost a half century there was a “sweet, sweet spirit in this place,” where Joy Cogswell loved and counted her blessings all of her days. No need for sad or solemn faces. No need for sorrow.

    “I am home,” Joy Cogswell would have us know. “I am home, with my Lord and savior, where heaven’s streets are lined in gold, and with God’s mansions with many rooms, and one just for me, just like the Bible told me so. I have touched the face of God. And it is glorious.”

  • 07French ConnectionAs a general and liaison for France, Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette played a pivotal role not only in the American Revolutionary War but also the French Revolution later. The name bespeaks a figure of tremendous political intrigue and triumph. Yet many are unaware that the city of Fayetteville, North Carolina, is so named after Lafayette – and was the first city in America to honor the Marquis in this way. More than 250 years ago, he even visited here. Lafayette was, essentially, the French champion for the idea of a United States of America. So, it is only appropriate that the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra put on a concert called “The French Connection” that pays homage to these roots. The Fayetteville Symphony String Quartet will perform Maurice Ravel’s “String Quartet” at St. John’s Episcopal Church Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m. This concert is the fourth in FSO’s Carolina-themed 2017-18 season.

    Ravel’s “String Quartet” is an interesting choice because it is not the obvious one. Ravel gained prominence around the same time as Claude Debussy, a contemporary who is perhaps better known today. However, both were regarded as trailblazers within the French impressionist movement. This movement parallels the art movement of the same name in that musicians were composing work that broke from tradition of the time. Following the era of romanticism, impressionists often substituted excess with restraint, abundance for blinding clarity.

    Though Ravel never received the Prix de Rome – a prestigious award for composers – as Debussy did, he is often regarded as the better composer rather than player. In fact, Arbie Orenstein once wrote in The American Scholar, “Ravel’s small output, emotional reticence and innovation within tradition were coupled with an unrivaled technical mastery of his craft.”

    Finished in 1903, Ravel’s “String Quartet” follows a classical structure of four movements and is modeled after Debussy’s “String Quartet” written 10 years prior. According to numerous sources, though, it’s Ravel’s experimentation with harmony that sets it apart from all others.

    Every year in January, the FSO hosts a chamber music concert at St. John’s Episcopal Church. According to Christine Kastner, FSO president and CEO, the location only seats 300 people, which contrasts greatly with the full orchestra concerts that seat upward of 1,000.

    “Because you’re so close, you can really see and appreciate each instrument,” said Kastner. “There will be four people playing, and you can really detect the sound of the individual instruments. It’s a neat setting for people who really want to have the chance to be up close and more personal and have that kind of intimate experience. It feels really cozy in January to be in there.”

    St. John’s Episcopal Church is located at 302 Green St. The concert runs for approximately an hour and a half. Tickets are available at www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

  • 9 This January, the American Red Cross and Pro Football Hall of Famer and blood donor Peyton Manning are asking people to score big for patients in need — while getting a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona — by giving blood or platelets.

    The start of the new year marks National Blood Donor Month — a time to celebrate those who generously roll up a sleeve to keep blood products stocked for hospitals providing critical care. As the busy holiday season winds down and the threat of severe winter weather and seasonal illness cases continue to rise, January can be a tough time for donors to make and keep appointments.

    Step off the sidelines and resolve to donate blood or platelets. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767).
    In partnership with the National Football League, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Jan. 1-31, will be automatically entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona, including access to day-of, in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Phoenix, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 10-13), plus a $500 gift card for expenses.

    To lead the offense against a potential winter blood shortage, Manning invites the public to join him in helping save lives.

    “If everyone does their part and we collectively commit to donating blood, we can stack up more wins for hospital patients who are counting on us. A single individual is certainly impactful, but a whole team of people coming together to donate has an even greater effect.”

    Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Cumberland County include:

    Fayetteville

    • Jan. 11: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., ABC11 Together FTCC Tony Rand Student Center, 2220 Hull Road.
    • Jan. 17: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., K9 Social Club of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Urban Ministry Youth Location, 601 Whitfield St.
    • Jan. 25: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., GAF and Superior Distribution, 3700 Murchison Road.
    • Jan. 30: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity inc, 1200 Murchison Road, Rudolph Jones Student Center Room 242

    Hope Mills

    • Jan. 24: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., YMCA Hope Mills, 3910 Ellison St.

    To donate blood, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit www.RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more info.

    All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.
    Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

    Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at www.RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

  • 8So long, Fort Bragg. Hello, Fort Liberty.

    The Naming Commission process is now over and the names of bases, posts, ships, streets and more named after Confederate soldiers will change.

    On Jan. 5, William A. LaPlante, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, directed all DOD organizations to begin full implementation of the Commission on the Naming of Items of the Department of Defense recommendations.

    LaPlante acted at the end of a 90-day waiting period that began after the Naming Commission released its third and final report in September. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III accepted the renaming recommendations in September.

    The services and other DOD agencies have until the end of the year to complete the process. Retired Navy Adm. Michelle Howard chaired the congressionally mandated Naming Commission. The commission's mission was to provide removal and renaming recommendations for all DOD items "that commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America."

    While Army bases are the most conspicuous examples, many installations have street names or buildings named after Confederates. Even Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia has a large Confederate Memorial, which is now being disassembled. The Navy will rename the cruiser USS Chancellorsville, which commemorates a Confederate victory, and the USNS Maury — named after a U.S. Navy officer who resigned his commission to fight for the Confederate Navy — will also be renamed. Battle streamers commemorating Confederate service will no longer be authorized.

    Some Army bases, established in the build-up and during World War I, were named for Confederate officers in an effort to court support from local populations in the South. That the men for whom the bases were named had taken up arms against the government they had sworn to defend was seen by some as a sign of reconciliation between the North and South. It was also the height of the Jim Crow Laws in the South, so there was no consideration for the feelings of African Americans who had to serve at bases named after men who fought to defend slavery.

    All this changed in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. Many people protested systemic racism and pointed to Confederate statues and bases as part of that system. Congress established the commission in the National Defense Authorization Act of fiscal 2021. Then-President Donald J. Trump vetoed the legislation because of the presence of the commission, and huge bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress overrode his veto.

    The commission issued its first report in May 2022, which addressed renaming Army bases. The commission finished their mission on Oct. 1 and there was a 90-day period for public comment. That has now expired and the renaming of the bases may proceed apace.

    Fort Benning, Georgia, will be renamed Fort Moore after Army Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and his wife, Julia Compton Moore. Moore commanded U.S. forces in the first large-scale battle of the Vietnam War. His book — "We Were Soldiers Once…And Young" was made into the 2002 movie We Were Soldiers.

    Fort Gordon, Georgia, is renamed Fort Eisenhower after General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower, the leader of the liberation of Europe in World War II, and the 34th president of the United States.

    Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, is renamed Fort Walker after Dr. Mary Edwards Walker — the first woman surgeon in the Civil War, and the only woman awarded the Medal of Honor.

    Fort Hood, Texas, is renamed Fort Cavazos in honor of Army Gen. Richard E. Cavazos, a Hispanic American hero of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Fort Lee, Virginia, is renamed after two soldiers and will become Fort Gregg-Adams. Army Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg was an African American soldier who rose from private to three-star during a career in military logistics. Army Lt. Col. Charity Adams was the first African American officer in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in World War II and led the first African American WAAC unit to serve overseas.

    Fort Pickett, Virginia, is renamed Fort Barfoot in honor of Army Tech Sgt. Van T. Barfoot, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions with the 45th Infantry Division in Italy in 1944.

    Fort Polk, Louisiana, is renamed Fort Johnson to commemorate Army Sgt. William Henry Johnson. Johnson was a member of the famous Harlem Hellfighters that fought under French Army command during World War I. Johnson belatedly received the Medal of Honor for an action in the Argonne Forest of France where he fought off a German raid and received 21 wounds in the hand-to-hand fighting. President Barack Obama awarded Johnson the medal in 2015, long after the soldier died in 1929.

    Fort Rucker, Alabama, is renamed after Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael J. Novosel. The chief was an aviator who flew combat in both World War II and Vietnam and received the Medal of Honor for a Medevac mission under fire in Vietnam where he saved 29 soldiers.

    Finally, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is renamed Fort Liberty.

  • Town of Spring Lake logo The Spring Lake Board of Aldermen is expected to declare almost two dozen vehicles and pieces of equipment surplus when it meets Jan. 9. The surplus items will be sold on govdeals.com.

    Interim Town Manager Jason Williams, who also serves as the town fire chief, said in order to sell the property it must no longer be needed for government use and it must be declared surplus by N.C. general statute.

    Williams has spent the last few weeks looking into missing cars and at broken equipment that has been neglected while trying to find opportunities to replenish the general fund.

    “We have also had cars that have been sold years ago, some of them for scrap that still had titles,’’ Williams said. “It’s unclear why we still had the titles, but we are documenting and moving forward. Some of what I’ve found is waste that can be sold.”

    The vehicles include vans, trucks and even a dump truck that have been out of commission for several years. Other pieces of equipment include a woodchipper, bush hogs, rollers, mowers and a leaf vac.

    Earlier this year, Alderman Marvin Lackman said he would like to see items like the wood chipper and roller replaced with better equipment to help beautify the town.

    Williams said one of his priorities has been to help clean the town and update equipment for staff in order to pay attention to the details of town buildings, streets and parks.

    “Declaring surplus hasn’t been done in a while, but we can use the money to replace equipment or help build the general fund back up,” Williams said.

    The board also is expected to discuss unattended donation boxes and parking semi-trucks and 18-wheel trucks in residential neighborhoods.

    Alderwoman Sona Cooper will be addressing both issues. Cooper said donation boxes have become a nuisance and contribute to the blight throughout the town.

    According to Williams, most of the current donation boxes are on private property and lots.

    “What (we) will have to do is look at eliminating or restricting donation boxes within town limits,” Williams said.

    The board will look at sample ordinances, including one from Folsom, California, to address donation boxes. The sample ordinance would require anyone wanting a donation box to get a permit from the town and would limit the types of donations.

    The other possible ordinance change is to restrict semi-trucks on residential roads, which, according to Cooper, causes potholes on residential streets, which were not constructed to support heavy vehicle traffic.

    According to the information on potholes included in the agenda packet, potholes are caused by weather conditions such as a freeze-thaw cycle and rain as well as heavy vehicles, or trucks with multiple axles, which cause surfaces of pavement to collapse.

    The board also is expected to go into closed session citing the N.C. general statutes for attorney-client privilege and personnel.

    The board meets at 6 p.m. at the Spring Lake Town Hall, 300 Ruth St.

  • cumberland county logo The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Jan. 10 is scheduled to get updates on its priorities, including the establishment of a county water supply system.

    Renee Paschal, the interim county manager, and various department heads managing the priorities will make the presentations at the board’s agenda session, scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. The session is slated for Room 564.

    In a memo from Paschal to the board, she reminded commissioners that in November the idea of a “90-day priority session” in early January was discussed among the board chairman, vice chair and former County Manager Amy Cannon.

    Among the priorities that commissioners will get updates on include:

    • Preliminary FY 2022 fund balances
    • Classification and compensation
    • Water supply development
    • Solid waste disposal options
    • Crown Event Center
    • Homeless shelter
    • ARP and broadband
    • Sales tax distribution method
    • General fund major revenue update
    • Debt models
    • Governmental services complex
    • Rhodes Pond
    • Internal priorities

    According to Paschal, the priority session’s first goal is to give commissioners updates on major projects the she and her staff are actively managing and to offer realistic expectations for what can be accomplished in the next 90 days.

    The second goal is for the board to confirm these priorities and provide guidance to the staff whether to work on other priorities between now and March 1.
     Among the goals is the establishment of a county water supply system to address the contaminated private drinking water wells in the Gray’s Creek community and other areas affected by the seepage of contaminants from the Chemours plant off N.C. 87 near the Cumberland and Bladen county line.

    Identifying a groundwater supply source has been the first phase of developing the proposed Cumberland County water system. Thereafter, groundwater resources will be developed to supply drinking water to residents with contaminated wells.

    “Funding is being sought from all possible sources for the initial phases of source water development,” according to a draft of the presentation that has been provided to commissioners.

    The next steps through March include:

    • Issuing a request for proposals for the required property acquisition,
    • Issuing a request for qualifications for hydro-geological services, and
    • Notification of grant status for a water supply study.

    Amanda Bader, the county’s Environmental Resources manager, is scheduled make the presentation on the proposed county water supply, as well as on another priority presentation: the future of the Cumberland County landfill on Ann Street. Bader has made several presentations to the commissioners stating that the landfill is expected to only last another eight years.

    Delores Taylor, Community Development director, is scheduled to update commissioners on the homeless strategic plan, to include the status of the proposed county homeless shelter. The county is waiting for geo testing and soil boring results, which will allow the county to choose a location.

    Tye Vaught, county chief of staff, is expected to update commissioners on the spending of Cumberland County’s American Rescue Plan allocation of $65,168,690. The federal dollars can be used to cover eligible costs incurred between March 3, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2024. However the money must be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024, and expended by Dec. 31, 2026.

    Under the ARP program, the county also is looking to expand broadband into under served areas of Cumberland County. The project is a partnership with the state of North Carolina’s Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT grant).

    Through a competitive “request for proposal” process, the county has chosen Brightspeed as its vendor and allocated $1,000,000 for the project. The county is also looking to expand broadband beyond the GREAT grant initiative.

    Debra Shaw, the county’s budget and performance manager, is scheduled to again update the commissioners on how the county and its municipalities split local sales taxes; whether on an ad valorem or per captia basis. Since 2003, the county has been in an agreement with its towns and cities to split the sales tax on a per capita basis. However, the agreement expires on June 30.

    The current per capita distribution mostly benefits municipalities. While the county’s sales tax shrinks, its state and federally mandated responsibilities remain the same. Counties may change the method in April; the new method goes into effect 14 months later.

    County staff wants to prepare commissioners for a decision on how sales taxes are distributed in Cumberland County. If the board changes the current method, it must vote to do so in April and send a resolution to the state within 15 days of adopting the new distribution method. Another option for the board is keep the current per capita distribution method but renegotiate the split with the municipalities.

    The county estimates its loss in fiscal year 2024 at about $9.6 million, based on per capita method without an agreement.

  • Fayetteville Logo Amendments to the city’s solid waste ordinance will be considered by the Fayetteville City Council on Monday, Jan. 9.
    The council will meet at 5 p.m. at City Hall. At a Dec. 5 workshop meeting, the council asked the city staff to provide additional information on proposed amendments that address service limits, enforcement and other ordinance revisions.

    The goal, according to the agenda for Monday’s meeting, is to “deliver consistent, predictable, financially responsible solid waste services that promote a safe, affordable, healthy and resilient community.”

    Daniel Edwards, assistant director of public services who oversees the solid waste division, will speak to the council on topics including service limits of household carts, recycling carts, yard waste, limb pickup and service on private streets.

    “That’s everything we’re going to talk about in a nutshell,” Edwards said.
    Edwards said he will seek council members’ direction on solid waste issues.

    “This is what we’ve been saying we need to do to be more efficient, better practices compared to peer cities," Edwards said.

    “It’s basically just how many carts do we want to pick up from a household? How many carts we’re going to pick up for recycling? How many combinations of containerized material (do) we want to pick up for yard waste per household?” he said.

    “For the private streets, the ability … to have a resident put that material on a regular street so we don’t have to go down some of these roads,” he added.

    “That’s kind of where we’re going.”

    Edwards said the last time the ordinance was amended was in 2013.

  • crime scene tape A man was killed Sunday afternoon, Jan. 8 in a shooting on Nutmeg Place, the Fayetteville Police Department said.

    Officers responded to a report of a shooting just before 1:30 p.m. on the 3500 block of Nutmeg Place, the Police Department said in a release.

    They found 20-year-old Julian Wright inside a home with a gunshot wound, the release said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

    “The preliminary investigation revealed the individuals involved were known to each other and were inside Wright’s residence,’’ the release said. “An interaction between the individuals led to Wright being shot.’’

    The Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating.

  • hope mills logo The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners on Monday, Jan. 9 is expected to receive the final report from the group working on the town’s overlay zoning initiative.

    The board meets at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

    Thomas Lloyd and Associates has been working with town staff on the overlay initiative.

    Commissioners adopted amendments to the Hope Mills Zoning Ordinance at the Dec. 5 board meeting. Those amendments concluded a six-month process that included three work sessions, consideration from the Cumberland County Joint Planning Board, final approval by the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners, and a moratorium that sunset on Dec. 31, according to a memo from Thomas Lloyd and Associates.

    The firm plans to present its recommendations to the board for updates to the Southwest Cumberland Plan. The Southwest Cumberland Plan is the town’s planning guideline for development, according to Mayor Jackie Warner.

    Warner has previously said it was time to revise the plan because of the town’s unprecedented growth.

    According to the memo from Thomas Lloyd and Associates to the board, Hope Mills is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the southeastern portion of the state.

    “The commercial growth, scattered along major entrance corridors, has led to a saturation of certain commercial uses which don't fit in with the overall harmony of the town and aren’t compatible with the desired vision for future development,’’ the memo states.

    The update for the Southwest Plan would call for “the prevention of uncoordinated commercial strip development,” according to the memo.

    The town hired the firm to help develop an overlay zoning policy after the town experienced a saturation of similar businesses. Overlay zoning is a regulatory tool that creates a special zoning district over existing zoning. It can include additional or different regulations that apply within the district.

    Last year, the board implemented a six-month moratorium that restricted certain businesses from filing a business permit.

    Businesses which specialize in motor vehicles parts and accessory sales; motor vehicle repair shops or bodywork; and tobacco stores and smoke shops were some of the businesses affected by the moratorium. The moratorium ends on Jan. 18.

    Other business


    The board also is expected to discuss amending the town charter to alter the terms served by the mayor and the Board of Commissioners to four-year staggered terms and setting a date for a public hearing.

    According to a resolution of intent in the agenda package, “At the regular municipal election in 2023, there shall be elected five members of the town board to fill the seats of those officers whose terms are then expiring.

    “The three members who receive the highest number of votes shall serve a four-year term, while the remaining two members elected shall serve a two-year term. Thereafter, in the 2025 election, there shall be elected two members of the town board to fill the seats of those officers whose terms are then expiring.

    “The two commissioners elected in the 2025 election shall serve four-year terms. In each election after 2025, board members shall be elected to fill the seats of those officers whose terms are then expiring and shall serve four-year terms in staggered biennial elections.’’

  • community The Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission is seeking nominees for its 2023 Community Awards, according to a news release from the city.

    The awards recognize “dedicated residents and organizations who are committed to the well-being and the promotion of positive human relations” in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, the release said.

    Nine awards are presented annually in these categories: youth; humanitarian; lifetime achievement; individual; industry and business; educator; military; religious leader; and organization.

    The deadline for nominations is Jan. 17, the release said.
    Nomination forms are available on the city’s website under the "Human Relations" tab.
    Award winners will be recognized at a luncheon at 11 a.m. Feb. 15 at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Blvd. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Human Relations Department offices at 225 Ray Ave., Suite 100. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 8, the release said.

    The money raised will support the higher-education scholarships for high school seniors.

    More information is at https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/human-relations-4154 or by contacting the Human Relations Department at 910-433-1698 or DionaCurtis@FayettevilleNC.Gov.

  • shopping carts City officials aim to round up a problem that shoppers encounter in retail parking lots everywhere: abandoned shopping carts.

    The problem is not only one of safety, officials said, but one that cost the city at least $78,000 over a period of two and a half years.

    The Fayetteville City Council voted 8-1 on Jan.3 to direct city staffers to develop an ordinance setting rules for businesses on retrieving stray carts on their property.

    Councilman Derrick Thompson made a motion calling for the ordinance, and Councilwoman Brenda McNair seconded it.
    Councilman Deno Hondros voted against the motion.

    No city or county in North Carolina has a similar ordinance, according to Brook Redding, special projects manager for the city manager's office.

    “This has been a project over the past three years that we’ve spoken about,” Redding told the council during a work session on Tuesday.

    Redding asked council members for direction on what the ordinance should address.
    Since August 2019, he said, Mayor Mitch Colvin has requested that the staff investigate the problems that errant shopping carts cause for pedestrians and drivers.

    Redding said he researched the problem that year to identify ways to track and manage the shopping cart problems and determine the city’s cost to collect abandoned carts. Over a 20-day period, Redding said, his staff identified more than 143 displaced carts citywide. They were found in residential areas and on street curbs, Redding said.

    In May 2020, with the help of the N.C. Retail Merchants Association, he said, the city entered into an agreement with big-box retail chains such as Walmart to manage the problem.
    That agreement expired in April 2021, but the city continued to collect data on abandoned shopping carts. From May 2020 to October 2022, city crews collected or found more than 1,000 abandoned carts across the city.

    Assuming that it takes about two hours of an employee’s time to locate, collect and dispose of abandoned carts, and to talk with the business, he said, since May 2020 the city has spent more than $78,000 picking up shopping carts.
    That cost does not include the equipment needed to collect the carts and disposal fees, Redding said.

    A state statute classifies abandoning a shopping cart as a misdemeanor, Redding said, but police officers can’t be expected to enforce that law when they are dealing with more serious crimest.
    Councilman D.J. Haire asked Redding whether his staff and the city’s legal team can craft an ordinance to address the problem.

    “It is a problem,” Haire said. “It is a concern, regardless if other cities don’t have ordinances in place.”

    Redding said he would need direction from the council on what the ordinance would cover.

  • 111The Annual Grinding of the Greens Christmas tree recycling program, a Fayetteville holiday tradition since 1994, continues in 2023. The annual program is celebrating its 29th year of protecting and enhancing the environment.

    Grinding of the Greens encourages Fayetteville residents to recycle their live Christmas trees and, since its beginning, has kept thousands of pounds of recyclable material out of our landfills.
    The long-standing partnership between Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Cumberland-Fayetteville Parks & Recreation and Duke Energy Progress turns cut Christmas trees into mulch for the Fayetteville Community Garden and other local parks.

    The Cumberland-Fayetteville Parks & Recreation will collect the trees from Fayetteville city residents in a special tree pickup beginning Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. Pickups are separate from yard waste, trash or recycle pickups and city residents should put their trees out for curbside collection by the morning of January 9 . All lights, stands and trimmings should be removed from the tree.

    Residents who live outside the city or those who miss the pickup, may drop off trees at the Fayetteville Community Garden, located at the corner of Van Story and Mann Streets, just off Old Wilmington Road, any day by Jan. 20. PWC and Duke Energy Progress volunteers will grind them into mulch at the Grinding of the Greens at the Community Garden on Jan. 21 following a ceremonial start at 8:30 a.m. For more information: www.faypwc.com/grinding-of-the-greens/.

  • 10 For many Cumberland County residents, the annual black-eyed peas dinner was a decades-old Southern tradition.
    Each New Year’s Day, thousands of people gathered at the Crown Expo Center to share bread — and the signature black-eyed peas and other fare — with others from the community.

    The dinner, which was free, hasn’t been held since January 2020 because of concerns related to COVID-19. After being put off for several years, organizers said this seemed like a good year to stop the event.

    “At this point, there are no plans to have the black-eyed peas dinner in the future,” Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West said.

    West and Cumberland County Register of Deeds Lee Warren have hosted the event for years, but its roots date back much further.

    “I kind of have mixed emotions,’’ Warren said Dec. 28. “It’s a phenomenal amount of work and a phenomenal amount of expense. Seems like with COVID, along January of this year and February, it seemed to be getting a little better. As the year progressed, it started getting worse. It’s kind of like a roller-coaster.

    “We can’t seem to get a grip on all of the illness. All the COVID,” he added. “We just don’t feel comfortable getting people together like we did. That’s a lot of people. We can’t risk making anyone sick.”

    The prevailing theme of the dinner evolved from a long-held belief that eating black-eyed peas would bring you good luck and prosperity for the coming year. Along with the black-eyed peas, participants were served such down-home country favorites as pork barbecue, candied yams and collard greens. You also would find dignitaries from the Fayetteville area. For many, it was the ideal setting to see and be seen.

    “We had Larry Chason who provided gospel music. We just always had such a nice time,” Warren said. “We had congressmen every year come. Occasionally, somebody from the senate. We had the lieutenant governor come before. It was just a good way to get together and renew old friendships.”

    The idea of a single black-eyed peas dinner came about when former Cumberland County Sheriff Ottis Jones and local attorney Willis Brown held separate New Year’s Day dinners, inviting their friends to come.
    Following years of that, everyone who had attended the separate functions gathered together for the one meal, Warren said. That ended in 1987 with the death of Jones. Warren, at the time a county commissioner, and Owen Spears, who was elected to the N.C. General Assembly in 1992, started the tradition again at the suggestion of Warren’s father.

    “Owen and I did them together,” Warren said.

    When Spears got out of the General Assembly, Warren partnered with District Attorney Ed Grannis. Eventually, West joined the hosts and carried on with Warren after Grannis died, the register of deeds said.
    “So, Billy and I had been doing it ever since,” Warren said.

    According to the old Southern superstition, eating collard greens on New Year’s Day will bring you dollar bills and eating black-eyed peas will bring you pennies throughout the upcoming year.

    “Many of the folks who helped us each year have either passed away or are not able to help us anymore,” West said. “After not having it because of COVID the last few years, we decided this was the best year to stop it. We will miss it. It was a great community tradition.’’

  • CPP logo The year 2022 took the nation through many economic, legislative and political twists and turns and North Carolina marched in step.

    The state started the year with a winter storm that dropped as much as five inches of snow across central NC; COVID-19 tests and vaccines continued to be rolled out and the state experienced the spread of new coronavirus variants as the pandemic left in its wake an economic upheaval.

    Later in the year, inflation surged across the nation, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned abortion rights in June and Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order to protect access to abortion; Hurricane Ian ravaged the coastal cities at the end of September, leaving thousands without power or homes and killing at least four people.

    Mass shootings increased, reaching epidemic levels, with a mass shooting occurring in October in Raleigh, North Carolina when a 15-year old went on a rampage in a suburban neighborhood — killing five and injuring two.

    Politically, North Carolina also made some turns in the road. The state gained a congressional seat, sitting congressman Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) lost the primary, and voters elected a new U.S. Senator. To wrap the year up, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a case, Moore vs. Harper, originating in North Carolina, that could change election law in the state and the rest of the country.

    Throughout the year Carolina Public Press reported on the in-depth stories that mattered to our communities. The stories for this end-of-year edition were selected based on human interest, impact and inclusiveness, relevance, timeliness, uniqueness and alignment with Carolina Public Press’ mission. We also took into consideration the readership of each of these stories. They have been arranged chronologically.

    Why NC legislators are arguing a legal theory that could upend US democracy (April)

    House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, tried out a legal theory in 2020 elections litigation that had the potential to change the balance of power between the state legislature and the executive branch.
    It failed at every level of state and federal courts.
    Now, they’re trying to apply that theory again with a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, this time over a disagreement with the other branch of government, the state courts.
    https://carolinapublicpress.org/53029/why-nc-legislators-are-arguing-a-legal-theory-that-could-upend-us-democracy/

    7 Pilot program brings sexual assault nurse training to historically Black university (May)

    By the end of summer, a handful of nursing students at Fayetteville State University will have started taking courses on how to care for sexual assault survivors. It’s a small start but one Sheila Cannon has worked toward for more than two years. The funding comes from the state legislature, which allocated $125,000 for a pilot training program in Cumberland County late last year.
    https://carolinapublicpress.org/53627/pilot-program-brings-sexual-assault-nurse-training-to-historically-black-university/

    Child’s death triggers new state response to Cherokee County DSS (May)

    The death of any child whose family was in contact with a county DSS unleashes a hurricane of bureaucracy. In North Carolina’s system of state oversight and county administration, state workers examine whether county workers followed law, policy and accepted practice.
    https://carolinapublicpress.org/54341/childs-death-triggers-new-state-response-to-cherokee-county-dss/

    What does Supreme Court action on abortion mean for North Carolina: An FAQ (May)

    This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court may overturn the nearly 50-year-old legal precedent upholding the legal right to an abortion. If that happens, North Carolina is one of the few Southern states where abortion would remain legal after six weeks.
    https://carolinapublicpress.org/53758/what-does-supreme-court-action-on-abortion-mean-for-north-carolina-an-faq/

    Judge orders Cherokee County DSS to turn over open case records (June)

    The Cherokee County Department of Social Services must hand over all documents related to all open DSS cases on the calendar, a District Court judge ruled at a Monday hearing. Last month, local attorney David Moore said he filed a subpoena for DSS records after learning that Cherokee County DSS was under investigation by the state of North Carolina yet again after a 5-month-old’s January death.
    https://carolinapublicpress.org/58454/carolina-public-press-top-stories-of-the-year/?utm_source=Subscribers&utm_campaign=2611f7a0ba-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1545d58992-2611f7a0ba-207707765&mc_cid=2611f7a0ba&mc_eid=ed69f794fd

    8 NC town set to cease existence as state treasurer calls for criminal charges (June)

    For the first time in North Carolina’s history, the Local Government Commission used a new law, Senate Bill 314, to vote unanimously to dissolve the town’s charter, which is scheduled to take place on June 30.
    https://carolinapublicpress.org/54987/nc-town-set-to-cease-existence-as-state-treasurer-calls-for-criminal-charges/

    Monkeypox cases spreading in NC (July)

    North Carolina officials have confirmed 11 cases of monkeypox, a disease caused by the monkeypox virus, in the state as of Wednesday. Of those cases, 10 involve North Carolina residents, and one involves a nonresident. At least 929 people in the United States — and over 7,500 people around the globe — have been infected with it since May 18, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    https://carolinapublicpress.org/55329/monkeypox-cases-spreading-in-nc/

    81 ‘Ghost forests’ are creeping across NC’s coast at an alarming rate. Researchers are trying to stop them (August)

    The spreading stands of dead trees are what’s known as “ghost forests,” a general term to describe contiguous areas of dead trees. And they are the focus of Duke University ecosystem ecologist and biogeochemist Emily Bernhardt’s research.
    https://carolinapublicpress.org/55902/ghost-forests-are-creeping-across-ncs-coast-at-an-alarming-rate-researchers-are-trying-to-stop-them/

    NC child welfare leader says system is ‘in crisis’ and state could be sued ‘at any point’ (September)

    The state’s child welfare system “is in crisis,” and “at any point there could be a massive class-action lawsuit,” the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services told county directors of social services departments during a presentation earlier this month.
    https://carolinapublicpress.org/56616/nc-child-welfare-leader-says-system-is-in-crisis-and-state-could-be-sued-at-any-point/

     Automated gunshot detection is coming to Fayetteville. The community is split on whether it’s the right fit for the city (December)

    Cynthia Leeks, 60, lives in a neighborhood off the Murchison Road Corridor in Fayetteville. She moved back to the area five years ago to be close to her aging parents. She is now the secretary of her local neighborhood watch. She loves her neighborhood, she said, even though it’s in a city where gun violence is commonplace. Even with the violence, Leeks doesn’t want police officers knocking on her door after a ShotSpotter gunshot alert has been sent to them.
    https://carolinapublicpress.org/58197/automated-gunshot-detection-is-coming-to-fayetteville-the-community-is-split-on-whether-its-the-right-fit-for-the-city/

     Editor's note: Carolina Public Press is an independent nonprofit news organization dedicated to nonpartisan, in-depth and investigative news built upon the facts and context North Carolinians need to know. Their award-winning, breakthrough journalism dismantles barriers and shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing the state’s 10.4 million residents.
    Ben Sessoms covers local government in eastern North Carolina, primarily in Cumberland County and the surrounding region. He can be reached at bsessoms@carolinapublicpress.org or 828-774-5290 extension 414.

  • 6 Kemberle Braden will be the next police chief for the city of Fayetteville. Braden, an assistant chief who has been with the department for 27 years, will replace Police Chief Gina Hawkins, who announced in July that she is retiring in January.

    “I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve the Fayetteville community, which I have called home for the past 45 years,” Braden said during a Dec. 28 news conference. “I want to thank City Manager Doug Hewett for his confidence in my ability to lead and giving me this opportunity.

    “I look forward to bringing what I’ve learned throughout my career to lead the Fayetteville Police Department as many others have done before me,” Braden said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I’m ready for this responsibility.”

    Hewett made the announcement during a news conference at City Hall. As the city manager, Hewett is responsible for the hire.
    He was flanked by Braden and Hawkins during the news conference. Assistant Chief James Nolette, who was the other finalist for the position, was in attendance during the announcement.

    “We are just a few days away from celebrating the new year,” Hewett said. “And now we can celebrate the selection of new leadership for our Fayetteville Police Department.
    ”... In particular, I’d like to say to the staff of the Fayetteville Police Department, ‘Thank you.’ Throughout this entire process you have been in my thoughts, and I’m very pleased to be able to make this selection and appointment today.”

    The appointment follows what Hewett called “an intense search process.”

    The final selection came down between the 49-year-old Braden and Nolette, the department’s 47-year-old commander of the Specialized Services Bureau. Braden has served as the Field Operations commander for the Police Department. In that role, he supervises patrol operations and investigations. He started his law enforcement career as a patrol officer assigned to the Murchison Road area. Braden is married and has two grown children.

    “We are truly fortunate to have identified exceptionally qualified candidates through the search,” the city manager said, “and making an internal hire exemplifies how well we cultivate and nurture talent from within.”
    Braden said he looked forward to working with Nolette and others in the community in the coming year.

    "There's a lot of work ahead of us as we prepare to close out 2022 with the New Year's Eve Spectacular this Saturday,” Braden said of the second annual event set for Festival Park.

    Hewett said the Fayetteville Police Department employs 605 members on a budget of more than $59 million.

    “We’ll start conversations and develop strategic plans that align our departmental strengths with the needs of our community," Braden said. "There will be many conversations concerning recruitment, retention and strategies to address violent crime.”

    Braden then thanked Hawkins for her leadership and service to the community for the last five years.

    “For me personally,” he said, “she has provided opportunities that have allowed me to grow as an officer and an individual. And prepare me for my time to lead. I’d like to thank her and wish her well in her retirement.”

    Hawkins then made a brief statement, initially congratulating her successor. She said the community should be proud.

    “Chief Braden, you should be proud. Chief Braden’s family, you should be proud," she added. "You have someone who has come from the city and is about to lead this department and this community into the next chapter. And I’m very proud. We will continue to transition for the next month as I continue my retirement. We are one city that’s going to move forward with the next chief.”

    Following the news conference, Hawkins called Braden “a good officer. He has experience, and he has the heart of the city embedded in him. He’s humble; he’s sincere," she replied when asked if he was a good hire.

    “The department is going to be in good hands,” she said. “I pray the community supports him and the department as they have supported me.”

  •     Bedtime Stories (95 minutes) is Adam Sandler’s first Disney movie.  Even though critics aren’t loving it, the screening I attended was packed with kids (carrying a whole lot of cold germs), parents (who covered their ears and cried a little when the Jonas Brothers concert was advertised), not-so-hip young people (who laughed when the trailer for Paul Blart: Mall Cop came on) and hip young people (who laughed ironically when the trailer for Paul Blart: Mall Copcame on). 
        I was predisposed to LOVE this movie however much it failed to entertain, because it was directed by Adam Shankman. After viewing his Prop 8: The Musical (funnyordie.com) I instantly forgave him his involvement with The Pacifier and resolved to love without question his next three projects, which means you can also look forward to stellar reviews of Hairspray 2 and Topperin 2010.
        Before we continue on to the actual film though, a note to its female stars is in order. Dear Keri Russell, you were in an awesome movie about pie, and people like you. Please note that your arms should be thicker around than a chicken bone. 
        {mosimage}Dear Courtney Cox, you are married to a very funny guy and laughing is meant to cause wrinkles. Botox is a toxic substance, and you should probably stop using it so that your facial expressions can return.
        Dear Xena: Warrior Princess, you look great, you did fine. When is Battlestar Galacticareturning?
        On to the review!  A man named Marty Bronson (Jonathan Pryce) had a dream. That dream was to raise his little family in his little motel in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, Marty didn’t go to business school, and when his motel begins to fail Barry Nottingham (Harry Potter’s uncle, Richard Griffiths) buys him out and promises that his son can run the new motel he is erecting in its place.  Marty’s son Skeeter (Adam Sandler) spends the next 20 years or so working in that hotel.
        One day, Skeeter’s sister Wendy (Courtney Cox) needs some long term childcare, so Skeeter splits the responsibility with Wendy’s friend Jill (Keri Russell), and since his sister doesn’t allow television or sugar in the house, he kills time by telling them bedtime stories. The next day, some elements of his story coincidentally occur and he immediately plans to take advantage of this newfound luck.  Of course, until he works out the rules for making fantasy into reality, misadventures abound. 
        Russell Brand (who is not as funny as he thinks he is) takes the role of Mickey, the best friend. An appropriately sleazy Guy Pierce plays Kendall, Skeeter’s first nemesis. The always fabulous Lucy Lawless rounds out the solid cast as his second nemesis, Aspen. The children are played by newcomers Jonathan Heit and Laura Kesling, who do a pretty good job of not being whiny while holding their own with far more experienced cast members.
        The bedtime stories are fairly well promoted in the trailers. There is the medieval story, the Old West story, the gladiatorial combat story and the sci-fi epic. In each story, the cast members get to play a small counterpart role.     Unfortunately, the bedtime stories are so cute they make the rest of the movie seem like filler. Overall, a fun movie with several genuine comic moments.

    Contact Heather Griffiths at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 

  • 16 Very few would say Valentine’s Day is on their list of favorite holidays. Between the overpriced flowers and the crowded restaurants, it's sometimes hard to feel the love. Ultimately, it does not matter if you had the most romantic evening. Sometimes all that matters is taking the time to say “I love you” to the people that mean the most.

    The CARE Clinic is a nonprofit organization that provides free, quality healthcare to the low-income, uninsured adult residents of Cumberland and surrounding counties. Once a year, near Valentine's Day, the clinic hosts a meal-sharing fundraiser event promoting neighborly love.

    People who have lived in Fayetteville for a while may be familiar with the event, while others may have never even heard of the clinic. While past participants may remember this event as the Evening of CARE, since the COVID-19 pandemic, the offering has morphed into the Week of Care — a new name and a new way to support The CARE Clinic.

    Fundraiser history

    While the Week of CARE event this month is the 26th annual Evening of CARE fundraiser, it is only the third “Week of CARE.”
    The CARE Clinic owes much of its success over the years to its connection with the Fayetteville community. When the need for fundraising arose in the clinic's early days, it was settled that opportunities to gather and bond over a shared cause were important.

    For the first 23 years of this event, folks opened their homes to guests; patrons purchased tickets for the evening and secured their spot at a dinner table in one of the hosts’ homes. It may seem strange to pay to visit a stranger's home, but it was a perfect opportunity to mix, mingle and meet new friends.

    The event today

    Since nothing brings people together like a good meal, it was important for the clinic to stick to a similar dinner format when redesigning the event post-COVID.
    Instead of offering the event one evening, the CARE Clinic runs the fundraiser for an entire week. Throughout January, participants order “Family Meals” from one of two partnering caterers, Luigi’s Italian Chophouse or Dorothy’s Catering Two.

    Not only do supporters choose what meal to order, but they also decide which day they want it. Then throughout the week of February 4-11, guests pick up their meals from the designated pick-up locations. Each meal is large enough to feed 6-8 people, depending on varying appetites. Whether for a special Valentine’s family gathering, a lake or beach trip, or to provide to the elderly who may need extra help, these meals are perfect for sharing with others.

    With limited staff, the clinic relies on volunteer involvement to pull off events like this. Fayetteville native Martha Wood has headed the fundraiser event committee for the last 21 years. Of her role, she said, “I learned as a child through my parents’ dedication to my family and community that we must not focus on ourselves but love all people and share our time, talent and treasures with those in need.” 16a

    This year she leads a committee of 11 women who have connections to the Fayetteville community.
    After 21 years, Martha continues to be enthusiastic about leading the group. Reflecting, she said, “I have been so blessed and realize daily just how fortunate I am to live in the wonderful community of Fayetteville.

    My life has been enriched through the countless wonderful people I have met who have cared as deeply as I do about helping others and giving back to the community.”

    Why the change?

    When it comes to an event that has stood as long and strong as this one, you may wonder why the committee changed the format three years ago. The simple answer is COVID-19. The more difficult answer is that because times are changing, so must we.

    COVID altered the dynamic of everyone’s lives. How could we ask people to gather in each other’s homes when we didn't know a thing about this virus sweeping the globe? Like most people, we had to get creative with our “new normal” following the lockdown. The committee brainstormed ways to keep the event’s spirit alive while promoting safe social-distancing practices. The Week of CARE was born.

    No one knew what to expect from the new event format, but the outcome was truly mind-blowing. The 2021 event yielded $50,198 to support The CARE Clinic.
    After finding such great success, the committee decided to continue with the new format into 2022 and 2023. Even though the world is out of quarantine, this new format still seems the best option.

    It is important to update the fundraisers over the years to accommodate busy families who are always moving, and a take-home meal is the best way to do that. The best part is that this event still holds to its purpose. The Family-Style meals allow people to gather in communion over a shared meal for a good cause.

    Besides the Week of Care, a golf tournament is held in autumn as an additional fundraiser. The 28th Annual Golf Charity Tournament at Gates Four Golf & Country Club was held on Sept. 9, 2022. Toast of the Town Annual Tasting & Silent Auction is another popular spring fundraiser held at Cape Fear Botanical Garden.

    About The CARE Clinic

    The CARE Clinic is a nonprofit organization located at 239 Robeson St. in Fayetteville, where it has been since its inception in November of 1993. Their mission is to provide free, quality healthcare to the uninsured adult residents of Cumberland and bordering counties. Services include primary care, simple dental extractions, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic labs and imaging, and referrals to outside sources.

    They provide all services at no charge to clinic patients. Since they receive no government funding, financial support comes entirely from grants, individual donations and fundraisers like our Week of CARE. The clinic is grateful to all the sponsors, participants and volunteers who have supported this event for 26 years. Organizers are eager to see where it goes from here.

    Learn more about the Care Clinic at www.thecareclinic.org

    Editor’s note: Tara Martin is the development and marketing director of The CARE Clinic. This article first appeared in the February issue of Women’s View Magazine.

  • 14 broscoe Keith Dippre, professor of music at Methodist University, would say Yolanda Rabun has high energy. She is a busy woman. From her photo, Rabun is dynamic and soulful, her tipped black hat is pulled over her face and she’s giving off a sort of Alicia Keys vibe. Rabun, who hails from Raleigh, is a jazz and gospel singer and is the next artist in the Friends of Music Guest Artist Series at Methodist University. During most days, however, Rabun is running her own law firm.

    Rabun is just one of a few strong, female artists coming to perform at Methodist through the Friends of Music Guest Artist Series. Her concert will take place on Feb. 10 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. As always, this concert, as well as others through the Friends of Music Guest Artist Series, will be free.

    “We want to serve the community that way and bring in quality guests,” Dippre says. “To have access in our community, we need to offer things that are free from time to time and educational. So that people, families and not just adults, but kids from every background can come and see music performed at a high level and see what it means to be at a high concert.”

    This year, and in the future, Dippre and the members of the board are hoping to reinvent what the series was before COVID. Like a lot of programs and businesses, they are rebuilding.

    “But strong and better,” he says. And this year, the focus has been on bringing female artists into the spotlight. According to Dippre, they have done quite a bit of that this year.

    They will also host performer Liz Broscoe, a dummer from Lake Tahoe. Broscoe is known for leading drum circles and “connecting through rhythm.” Typically the board will bring in more local artists. Dippre did not give mention as to why Broscoe was selected to come but admitted that it was unusual to have someone come from so far away. The board does aim for a variety of performers. 14 yolanda

    “We are trying to find a cross section of different artists. We are trying to find artists of all different backgrounds. We don’t want just one style of music,” he said. “We want to reach many different sectors of the population.”

    Part of the outreach for the Friends of Music Guest Artists Series is bringing the performers into the community and into schools before the event. Rabun, for example, will be visiting The Capitol Encore Academy before her concert.

    “We escort them to a local school so they can talk to and do a demonstration in front of young people.”

    Dippre and others are hoping that the unrestricted access to seeing concerts and performers will help stoke the love of music, and particularly live music, in the community.

    “People are less inclined to see live music. Everything is at home. Everything is on your phone. We are getting more and more like that,” he says. “The experience of seeing a live concert is something a lot of people miss out on.”

    The Friends of Music Guest Artist Series does this through using local grants and donations from the community.

    Rabun will perform Feb. 10 from 7:30 to 9:30 and Liz Broscoe’s concert will be on March 24 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Matthews Chapel. Admission is free.
    Visit www.methodist.edu/about-mu/arts/friends-of-music/ for more information.

  • 13 ABBA is a household name, and for a good reason. With over 400 million records sold, and with the help of the musical “Mamma Mia,” ABBA was and still is one of the greatest pop groups of all time.

    And while the band itself is not touring anytime soon, a tribute band from Sweden will be making their first stop in the United States here in Fayetteville. Direct from Sweden, The Music of ABBA takes nine of the best-performing ABBA tribute musicians and puts them together to have an all-star tribute cast.

    Todd Bartleson, the Senior Vice President for MPI Talent Agency, told Up & Coming Weekly that the show is 100 percent live and will be different from other tribute shows and productions since they want to continue producing these shows with familiar faces year after year.

    “It’s a fairly new show, but I was booking another show for 14 years and I'm just creating a different show with a different cast. That other show got too watered down with different cast members and stuff they put in. So I'll try to get more consistency with the show,” Bartleson said.

    The previous show, “ARRIVAL from Sweden,” sold out many venues since 2007. Members of the group have worked with the original band members of ABBA and have been cited as the closest live band to ABBA.

    This new tribute band will be made up of a majority of Swedes, with a few American performers as well. There will be solos, musical numbers and a complete live band with backup singers, all of which Bartleson says ensures an extra dimension unheard of in most similar productions.

    The show will feature the biggest hits of ABBA that trended the charts here in the U.S., such as ‘Waterloo,’ ‘Mamma Mia,’ ‘Super Trouper,’ and many more. The group will not be performing any of the new ABBA songs from 2021’s album, “Voyager.”

    Bartleson says that tribute bands are one of the best ways to experience the music of ABBA since it is fully live and ABBA doesn’t tour anymore.

    “For the most part, tribute bands have taken off in the last ten years. Before that, people didn't really want to go see tributes. They wanted to go see the real deal,” Bartleson said.

    The band has been touring Europe for the last few months and will be stopping in Fayetteville as part of their debut in the United States. Their next stop will be in Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL. The show is not tailored to just ABBA fans but to music lovers of all ages.

    “It’s a family show [so] they can bring the kids. It’s for all ages from, you know, younger kids all the way to teenagers. It's very family-oriented,” Bartleson said.

    “Everyone knows the songs. So every song is a hit. So it just builds and builds and builds and builds to the very end. When they do ‘The Dancing Queen,’ the people just go nuts. It's a really good, well-paced all-ages show for sure.”

    Tickets, which range from $38 to $78, are available at www.crowncomplexnc.com/events/detail/direct-from-sweden-the-music-of-abba. However, Bartleson says that tickets are starting to sell out, so he recommends buying them sooner rather than later.

    The show will be on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Crown Theatre. The show will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and will be roughly 90 minutes. It is part of Community Concerts, a local non-profit whose goal is to bring the finest in top-notch entertainment to Fayetteville.

    Direct from Sweden-The Music of ABBA, will be the second to last concert of the 87th Season of Community Concerts. For more information about Community Concerts, go to www.community-concerts.com/.

  • 01-14-15-quiz-bowl.gifSo you think you know about Carolina history? Then come out to the 14th Annual Civil War Quiz Bowl to show the town what you’ve got.

    The Museum of Cape Fear keeps the history of our great nation and local community alive by hosting several events throughout the year. The Civil War Quiz Bowl is one of them andit makes learning a fun engagement for all ages. While the event is sponsored by the Museum of the Cape Fear, it is hosted by the Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center. The quiz bowl, slated for Jan. 29, will have 20 constants who will be asked different questions covering all aspect of the war. For example: Name the runaway slave, born in Smithville, N.C. (later renamed Southport) who served as an intelligence agent for Union General Benjamin Butler.

    Prizes are awarded to two winners in the youth category (up to age 16) and the adult category, which includes ages 17 and up. The museum staff comes up with the series of questions that can often stump even the most knowledgeable person.

    “Those who learn history can hear the voices of so many. And we can learn stories about individuals as well as groups of people. There is importance in understanding the actions of people from the past and what their lives were like. I think it makes us better human beings in the present and gives hope to the future,” said Leisa Greathouse, the curator of education at Museum of the Cape Fear.

    Although many theorists and history buffs may have completely different thoughts about the Civil War, three important facts always come to mind President Lincoln, freedom and bridging the gap between North and South.

    “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” by Julia Ward Howe, speaks volumes about how American’s must have felt during the times of brutality and hardship. Like many other areas across the country, during the war, Fayetteville suffered food shortages and fear of what was to come. Women and children where left with farms to maintain and the future for the slaves depended on how the war ended.

    The country’s history shows that modern day America has made more than a few changes.

    “The Civil War was the beginning of a new paradoxical era. It freed the slaves but they were not accepted into the larger society. While the Freedman’s Bureau was the channel to acclimate the newly freed persons into the American society, former slaves and persons of color in general, had a tough go of it,” said Greathouse.

    The community of Fayetteville has deep roots within the history of the Civil War. Arsenal Park is where firearms where crafted for the war.

    “On the second floor of the museum is a Civil War exhibit. In commemoration of the Civil War’s 150th anniversary, three new exhibit cases were changed and allowed the museum to exhibit some unique artifacts. In one case there are artifacts recovered from the Modern Greece, a blockade runner that ran aground at Fort Fisher. In another case are four models of Fayetteville Rifles. Each of those weapons were constructed at the Fayetteville Arsenal. The rifles have ended back up where they were made,” she said.

    The civil war was fought from 1861 to 1865 to strengthen the union or either prove separation for the Confederates.

    The Northern states that fought for the Union had approximately 22 million soldiers compared to the 9 million Confederate soldiers.The confederates were joined by 3.5 million slaves.

    “There is importance in understanding the actions of people from the past and what their lives were like. I think it makes us better human beings in the present and gives hope to the future,” said Greathouse.

    The Quiz bowl will be held Thurs. Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Pate Room at the Headquarters Library 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville, N.C. 28301.

    For more information or to compete in the Quiz Bowl contact Leisa Greathouse at 910-486-1330, or email leisa.greathouse@ncdcr.gov.

  • 12 With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, love is in the air, and it’s being spread all over town by Fayetteville Sound.

    The Fayetteville Sound is a talented barbershop chorus, singing barbershop music all over Cumberland County. This Valentine’s day they’re doing “Singing Valentines,” where a quartet from the group comes to sing or record a video personalized for your sweetheart.

    Fayetteville Sound is the newest chapter of the Carolinas Barbershop Harmony District, which is 1 of 17 districts that make up the Barbershop Harmony Society.
    The group is full of diverse talent, with people from all walks of life. Music teachers, veterans, and everything in between travel to meet once a week on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. to sing polecats and different barbershop songs. They go all over the city singing at charity events, holiday celebrations, competitions and other events.

    The group was created back in 2015, and they were formerly known as the Cross Creek Chordsmen. It’s been gradually building ever since, and with the BHS allowing women and mixed harmony quartets since 2019, they’ve been able to expand the chapter with more diversity.

    They’re continuously looking for new talent to come join them and spread the love of singing. When talking to the president of the Fayetteville Sound, he defines a barber shopper as “anyone who likes to sing and use their God-given voices.”

    Barbershop music is unique in many ways. It’s a completely a capella, close harmony style of singing; meaning they don’t use instruments, besides an occasional pitch whistle. Most people are used to hearing three-part harmonies from church — Alto, Soprano and Tenor. A barbershop quartet is four parts, and every part has its position.

    There’s a lead, tenor, bass and baritone. When combined as four individuals or the four singing groups together as a choir, the results will blow you away just about every time. Another great thing about barbershop music is that they are usually singing polecat songs, which are top songs that most quartets learn and memorize all over the country. So, if you live in another state then relocate, you can find a chapter and fit right in because you know the same songs they do. They also use these songs to compete at competitions all over the world.

    History of Barbershop Singing

    The Barbershop Harmony Society was founded in 1939 by Owen Cash in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Cash wasn’t fond of the control that the government had over the country at the time and felt that his main source of liberation was ultimately barbershop quartet singing.

    He decided to put together a luncheon for 14 other gentlemen and their guests. Almost twice the number of guests showed up, they sang and harmonized together for several hours. They started having meetings consistently and the society was born.

    If you’ve never heard of barbershop music before now, we’re sure your grandparents probably have. The quartet singing style of music grew its roots in the black community between the 1880s and 1910s. African Americans would harmonize popular songs as well as spirituals and folk songs. They would sing in the streets, barbershops, near stores, in churches, among other places.

    Barbershop music is also related to early Jazz and is said to be a huge influence on the music, especially in New Orleans and down south. The sound became extremely popular, and started being performed by white minstrel performers, who used blackface, dialect from Black people, and musical inspirations to portray a caricature of a Black person and the Black culture. While the blackface form of theatrical makeup was used to entertain, it was typically demeaning to Black people.

    From there the sound grew, and many white male quartet groups, some still using minstrel performers, began flooding the recording studio scene. Black quartet groups didn’t have a lot of access to studios to be recorded. When they did get recorded, it was not often distributed to the public, which created a stereotype of its origins. The Black origins of barbershop music didn’t get full credit until 1992, when a professor named Lynn Abbott published an article titled "Play That Barber Shop Chord: A Case for the African-American Origin of Barbershop Harmony”.

    Women get their own society

    Women were not originally involved with barbershop music. Shortly after the BHS started, women formed their own society called Sweet Adeline’s International. Though the barbershop music community was progressing slowly, the country was still at a racial and equality divide, which is safe to say affected barbershop music as well.

    African Americans were not allowed into some societies until the late 1950s and early 1960s as the Civil Rights movement grew.

    In fact, some members of the SAI protested the women-only society because of their policy against women of color. A few members left the SAI and formed Harmony, Inc., which remained a women-only quartet society until 2013, when men were allowed to join.

    Heading in the right direction

    Today, barbershop music continues to head in the right direction. With BHS, and other societies allowing women in, creating the opportunity for mixed quartets, it gives the music a chance to thrive in ways that were not possible before.

    When interviewing a couple of women from the Fayetteville Sound, Up & Coming Weekly asked how they feel women contribute to barbershop music. Jessica Sheri says, “Vocally, there’s a different color and tone quality. I feel like women add a richness to it. It also forces guys to hear themselves differently and teach each other differently, when singing with women.”

    Watching and listening to a quartet sing in unison is truly amazing and seeing the growth over the years of barbershop music serves as a reminder that we are better as people when we are in unison with each other.

    Fayetteville Sound opens its doors to anyone who is eager to sing and be a part of this passionate group of people. On Valentine’s Day, Fayetteville Sound will be doing Singing Valentine’s from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    It’s the perfect opportunity to give your significant other a unique surprise they’ll never forget. If you’re anywhere within 30 minutes of Fayetteville, you can choose a location, and a quartet will come to you. Your sweetheart will receive a rose, candy and a picture of the occasion. The price of this package is $50.

    There is also the option for a virtual singing valentine for just $25. Your loved one will receive a personal message and get it emailed directly to them, so they can keep the memory forever.
    For more information call 910-676–1766. You can also follow them on Facebook at Fayetteville Sound Barbershop or email them at Fayettevillesound@gmail.com.

  • 01-28-15-encore-academy.gifElementary school is the gateway to learning. Reading, writing, math and science are the basic components to everything. But art is just as important. The study of the arts gives children the ability to dream. Art is not just painting or even music; it’s the embodiment of thinking. Through art a person has power to imagine, which is the idea that is not only embraced by The Capitol Encore Academy in Downtown Fayetteville, but which is played out through its curriculum.

    Capitol Encore Academy is one of two charter schools in the community. Charter schools receive public funding, but operate under their own independent jurisdiction. A charter school may have alternative ways of teaching compared to a traditional public school.

    Located in the building that once housed the Capitol Department Store, and more recently, Docks at the Capitol, the school pays homage to its heritage by maintaining its name.

    The building has since been well renovated by adding a dance room as well as a theater. Classrooms and other designated rooms are now where arcade games used to be. The building can be utilized as a place of learning as well as a place for fun.

    Capitol Encore Academy’s mission is to develop artists who inspire others with principles of design and artful thinking through the integration of academic excellence, virtuous character and disciplined artistry.

    “Enrollment is going wonderfully. We are currently full in almost all grades, with openings only in 3rd and 4th. The kids are doing some amazing things. We have their art displayed on Hay Street in our windows as well as all over the school,” said Joe Salisbury, office manager of the academy.

    The academy encourages its students to use their minds to focus on creativity by supporting a child’s hands-on learning in conjunction with artful thinking.

    The academy will eventually be open to grades K-12 following its grade expansion plan. It is expected that most of the children will be from Fayetteville and some surrounding areas. The school is adding 6th grade next year.

    “Businesses are now looking for Master’s of Fine Arts over MBAs as their utilization and understanding of computers is what is needed in an ever-changing technological world,” said Salisbury. “Also, being in a truly arts focused community helps as the students are involved in/exposed to a multitude of different arts and are able to take part in many functions,” said Salisbury.

    The school also offers classes with its Encore Kids College program that includes dance, music, theater, movement arts, visual arts/poetry and martial arts. These classes offer additional learning opportunities for students to focus on their talents throughout the entire school year. Students will enjoy sharing their talents with one another and have one-on-one time with teachers.

    “The biggest challenge is getting up and smoothly running. Luckily, we have an amazing educational service provider that helped get us started and gives us the resources needed to give the students a top-notch education. Also, the amount of parent support has been unbelievable,” he said.

    “The reason charter schools succeed is, ultimately, not the administration, but the teachers who work diligently every day to create a learning environment for the school,” said Salisbury.

    The academy will host Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s Sweet Words from Feb. 11-15.

    Open enrollment for The Capitol Encore Academy starts on Feb. 2 and runs through March 13. Parents who would like to enroll are asked to fill out the online application. The academy is currently open to grades K-5. For more information about the school and requirements visit www.capitolencoreacademy.org.

    Photo: The Capitol Encore Academy is one of two charter schools in Cumberland County. The Capitol focuses on the arts as the building blocks of education.

  • 11 Each February, the United States commemorates the impressive contributions of Black individuals. Black History Month traces its origins to 1915, 50 years after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.

    In that same year, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (later known as ASALH) was founded to promote the achievements of Black Americans and others of African descent.

    In 1926, a more formal holiday was established by Dr. Carter G. Woodson with a national Negro History Week, which evolved into today’s Black History Month.
    February was chosen because it coordinates with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass — two individuals who were essential to the fight for equal rights for Black people.
    Black History Month is loaded with opportunities to learn more about influential Black individuals. Local libraries, television channels and schools often focus on such individuals throughout the month of February, providing ample chances for individuals from all walks of life to learn more about people and events that have shaped the nation.

    Watch documentaries. During Black History Month, many networks feature documentaries on influential figures who made their marks in the Black community and beyond. Streaming services also may have documentaries or special interview series available that highlight certain Black figures.

    Visit a cultural center. Museums and other cultural or community centers emphasize Black history in February. Even in smaller towns one may be able to attend speeches or readings at local libraries.

    Watch movies. Curate a collection of films that were directed by Black directors or feature Black actors in lead roles. Films that chronicle the biographies of Black historical figures also can be educational.

    Learn about local Black history. There are specific Black individuals in our community's history, such as E. E. Smith, who are notable for their accomplishments. Many might be surprised to learn about other people and events that helped to shape Black history locally.

    Read MLK Jr’s famous letter. People can revisit the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. by reading his “Letter From Birmingham Jail.” The letter is considered vital for anyone hoping to understand the Civil Rights movement in the United States.

    Black History Month provides plenty of chances to learn about influential figures and historical events.

  • Fantastic Realm film fest FantasticRealm is a weekend-long event from Jan. 27-29, and features imaginative films from childhood. The films in the series include animated films like “Watership Down” and “My Neighbor Totoro,” fantasy films such as “Krull,” and sci-fi films like “Hidden Planet.”

    “The FantasticRealm films feature the most-cherished movie memories from your childhood,” says the Carolina Theatre’s Director of Film, Jim Carl. “These films are nostalgic, and joyous, and meant to be shared with your family and friends.”

    FantasticRealm is part of the theater’s Retro Film Series, which hosts double-features of classic films most Friday nights and includes several sub-series of film including Disney-Quest, featuring classic animated Disney films; MovieDiva, a series focused on strong female leads; RetroNoir, boasting classic hard-boiled crime films, mysteries, and whodunnits; RetroGothic, a gothic horror- based series; and Kaiju-Quest, a Japanese-genre focused on big monsters.

    The full series of FantasticRealm films and ticket can be found at carolinatheatre.org.

    About The Carolina Theatre of Durham: Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which manages the city-owned Carolina Theatre at 309 W. Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701. Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc. is dedicated to presenting vibrant, thought-provoking film and live performances that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Durham and the Triangle Region. More information at carolinatheatre.org.

  • By plane, train, automobile –– or “Big Green Tractor” –– country music fans will want to head on over to Fayetteville’s Crown Coliseum on Friday, Feb. 5, as Jason Aldean takes to the stage during his Wide Open tour, featuring special guest Luke Bryan.

    “We want everyone to come on out,” said Frank Zaccaro, director of Sales and Marketing for the Crown Center. “It’s going to be a wonderful show, and we’re tickled to have him as a follo012710jason-aldean-161007.jpgw-up to the 2010 Winter Jam, which was a phenomenal success.”

    Aldean, a native of Macon, Ga., sold 2 million copies of his fi rst two albums and is now on the second leg of his tour following the release of his third studio album, Wide Open, in April of 2009. His Gold-certifi ed single off the album, “Big Green Tractor,” held the No. 1 position on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for four straight weeks. “Big Green Tractor” is his third No. 1 song, following “Why” in 2006 and “She’s Country” earlier in 2009.

    As the title implies, Wide Open celebrates the unlimited opportunities life offers, while recognizing the all-too-familiar speed bumps along the way.

    “Wide Open is the only way I know how to live,” explains Aldean. “I don’t do anything half-ass, and you never have to guess on where I stand on things. I’m pretty much an open book. I understand there may be hitches along the way, but if I’m in, I’m in no matter what.”

    The song tells the story of a young waitress biding her time at a diner until she comes up with a better plan.

    “I like the underlying meaning of this song, that the world’s wide open and the possibilities are endless,” Aldean says. “I also like the line in the chorus, ‘Slingin’ eggs and bacon with a college education,’ because it is really vivid description of the situation she’s in. She’s doing what it takes to pay the bills for the moment, but there’s something bigger waiting on her.”

    Members of the Official Jason Aldean Fan Club, or the Aldean Army as it is known, have an opportunity to get up close and personal with the country music star. According to the artist’s Web site, www.jasonaldean.com, fans planning to attend the show may sign up for a chance to win a “meet and greet” with Aldean. But if you want to go to the show, Zaccaro advises folks to buy tickets as soon as possible. Seventeen of the shows on the fall leg of the tour sold out, and “the show is rapidly approaching a sellout,” Zacarro said.

    Tickets for the show, which starts at 7:30 p.m., are available for $34.75 and $29.75 plus additional fees and are on sale at the Coliseum Main Box Office, Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

     For more information, visit www.crowncoliseum. com or call 910-438-4100.

  • 19bThe Woodpeckers season begins April 7, but it is not too early to get the family ready for baseball season.

    Registration is open for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers official kids club for the 2023 season. Bunker’s Buddies Kids Club will have four tiers of memberships available for children 12 and under.

    Children in the Bunker’s Buddies Kids Club will enjoy perks at Segra Stadium. Each tier will offer a personalized ID card, one complimentary reserved or general admission ticket voucher for the child’s birthday, an end-of-the-year Bunker’s Buddies party, and newsletter updates. The tiers gradually increase in the number of perks. The top tier, ‘Home Run’ Membership, will have a member limit of 100 children.

    There are four membership levels available ranging in price from free
    to $75.

    The 2023 Bunker’s Buddies ‘Home Run’ Membership is $75. This level is limited to 100 members.

    • Personalized I.D. card and lanyard
    • Official membership goodie bag, club t-shirt, surprise specialty item
    • One complimentary ticket to 12 Sunday home games
    • One complimentary ticket for the child’s birthday
    • Discounted tickets for up to two parents or guardians for 12 Sunday home games
    • Two complimentary parent or guardian tickets. One on Mother’s Day (May 14) and one on Father’s Day (June 18)
    • Three special club events, plusthe end-of-the-year Bunker’s Buddies party
    • Kids Run Bases express lane access
    • The opportunity to be chosen to deliver game ball before a home game
    • $30 off a reserved birthday package
    • Newsletter updates

    The 2023 Bunker’s Buddies ‘Triple’ Membership is $50.

    • Personalized I.D. card and lanyard
    • Official membership goodie bag and club t-shirt
    • One complimentary ticket to seven Sunday home games
    • One complimentary ticket for the child’s birthday
    • Discounted tickets for up to two parents or guardians for seven Sunday home games
    • One complimentary parent or guardian ticket on either Mother’s Day (May 14) or Father’s Day (June 18)
    • Two special club events, plus the end-of-the-year Bunker’s Buddies party
    • Kids Run Bases express lane access
    • $20 off a reserved birthday package
    • Newsletter updates

    The 2023 Bunker’s Buddies ‘Double’ Membership is $25.

    • Personalized I.D. card and lanyard
    • Official membership goodie bag
    • One complimentary ticket to four Sunday home games
    • One complimentary ticket for the child’s birthday
    • One special club event, plus the end-of-the-year Bunker’s Buddies party
    • Kids Run Bases express lane access
    • $10 off a reserved birthday package
    • Newsletter updates

    The 2023 Bunker’s Buddies ‘Single’ Membership is free.

    • Personalized I.D. card
    • One complimentary ticket for the child’s birthday
    • End-of-the-year Bunker’s Buddies party
    • Newsletter updates

    Bunker’s Buddies Kids Club Sunday dates are April 9, 16, 30; May 14, 28; June 18; July 2, 16, 30; Aug. 6, 20; and Sept. 10. The Fayetteville Woodpeckers return to Segra Stadium for the 2023 season on Friday, April 7, playing against Carolina Mudcats.

    For more information about Bunker’s Buddies or to sign your child up, please visit www.milb.com/fayetteville/fans/kids.

  • 19aYes, the Fayetteville Stingers are a professional development team in The Basketball League that seeks to help their best players move up the pro ranks, landing spots on foreign rosters or perhaps make an NBA roster.

    But, during a press conference Jan. 17 at the Crown Coliseum, team officials emphasized connecting with the community as the first-year TBL franchise’s main priority.

    “This team has to be active for this community and its young people that has a family-friendly environment that people can come out and have fun with their kids,” said head coach Robert Brickey, a 55-year-old former E.E. Smith standout who played collegiately at Duke under Mike Krzyzewski. “The time we walk out in our uniforms, what we do in warmups, how we conduct ourselves on the floor and in the community, we want to be a class act.”

    “These are players you can touch.”

    The Stingers are scheduled to open their initial season on March 3 in Raleigh against the Firebirds. Their home opener is set for March 10 at the Crown Coliseum against the Central Florida Force.
    The Stingers will play a 27-game regular season with 12 home dates.

    “This league is really strong basketball across the country. There's a lot of entertainment bang for your buck these days. There's a great place to come here for non-basketball things,” said Brickey, who began his coaching career in 2000 and last coached the Raleigh Firebirds of the TBL from 2018-2021. “We want it to be fun for our fans. We want it to be great for our community.”

    Season tickets are on sale now. Single-game tickets are set to go on sale Feb. 1.

    Single-game tickets for the upper and lower levels are $15 and $20. Courtside back and front tickets are $85 and $100. Season tickets are available for $350. Tickets can be purchased through ticketmaster.com and www.fayettevillestingers.com.

    The TBL is in its fifth season, starting out as the North American Premier Basketball league in 2018 before changing its name to The Basketball League. The league started with eight teams. It now has 55, including 22 in the Eastern Conference where the Stingers will play, according to Stingers General Manager Raymond Phillips. The Albany Patroons won last year’s TBL championship, beating the Shreveport Mavericks 2-1 in the best-of-3 final series.

    Fayetteville is the third team from North Carolina in the league. They join Raleigh and Charlotte (Purple Jackets). Phillips said about 90% of the players on the team are expected to come from Cumberland County.

    “Our plan is to bring quality and affordable entertainment to the city of Fayetteville and its surrounding area,” Phillips said. “We look forward in 2023 to have the ability to bring the community together in a positive way far beyond basketball. In years to come, we’re looking forward to expanding our fan base and winning championships both on and off the court.”

     

  • 15Orchestra fans and music lovers, gather up, you definitely don’t want to miss this up and coming stellar event.

    The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra will present “One Song” on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Huff Concert Hall which is at Methodist University.

    Guests will be allowed in the venue beginning at 6:30 and the event will begin at 7:30 p.m. The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1956 and is a professional orchestra whose mission is to educate, entertain and inspire the citizens of Fayetteville, and surrounding counties. “One Song” is the Symphony’s fifth concert in their seven-concert series this season.

    The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra also has many free events and performances. Their mission to educate, entertain and inspire the community will be on full display with our annual side-by-side concert, where the Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra performs alongside our world class musicians.

    This exciting and collaborative program will feature a new work from North Carolina composer, Andrew Harris, titled “The Stars Above,” according to Meghan Woolbright, Marketing and Office Manager of The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra

    Also highlighted on this program is the 2021 Harlan Duenow Young Artist Concerto Competition Winner Zirui Yin. Yin will perform Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 3,” said Woolbright.

    Zirui Yin started playing the piano at the age of 6. He grew up in Shanghai, China, and is currently a first-year student at Duke University, potentially majoring in Computer Science and Music. He is now a student of Professor Ieva Jokubaviciute. His former instructor is Professor Setsuko Shima from Nanjing University of Arts.

    To learn more or purchase tickets, head over to www.fayettevillesymphony.org/. Middle and high school band/orchestra students can attend for free by redeeming tickets online, by calling 910-433-4690, or at the door the night of the performance.

  • 13aCallie Tisdale sits in the middle of the studio space at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Behind her are dozens of props adorning one side of the large room and on the opposite side chairs line the wall with adult actors watching rehearsals waiting on their own lines.

    On the floor, just in front of Tisdale is a well-worn spiral bound script book. She reads and rereads the lines. She is wearing a T-shirt with the icons of famous Broadway plays pictured across the front in the shape of a heart and behind her right ear, she’s tucked her fuchsia pencil that she’s using to make notes. She takes the process very seriously. She’s committed. Her mom was involved in theater too. When asked, she’ll say she wants to be an actress in New York one day.

    “I feel like it would be really fun. It would be a really cool experience to be on Broadway,” she says.

    This week, Tisdale will star on the Main Stage in a school uniform, standing against the cruelty of adults that surround her and having incredible super powers.

    “I always wanted to do ‘Matilda.’”

    Tisdale and Isabel Iatauro, another child actor in the community, will share the honor of performing as the main character, Matilda, in the CFRT’s upcoming production of “Matilda The Musical.” This show is a little different for the folks at CFRT as they have two youth casts playing the parts and will switch between them on the various showtimes.13b

    “I’m used to directing a large number of kids, that’s not out of the ordinary,” Marc de la Concha, the show’s director and an actor at CFRT, says. “But there’s a lot that’s involved with this. We have two companies of kids. It’s not a normal rehearsal process.”

    De la Concha crosses the room to Tisdale. They have known each other for a few years now. Both of the actors performed in “Shrek” together. They quietly discuss things in the script book amongst themselves. He gives her a little direction that she details in her book with her pink pencil. They discuss for a moment more than he walks off the rehearsal space to begin the scene again. The adult actors in this room have already done this scene with Iatauro. Now, it’s Tisdale’s turn.

    The actors begin again. The show meanders between the dark and the comical — a little mix of the Matilda of the 90s, the one in the book and the British play — all in an English accent.

    “We are balancing between them,” de la Concha says. “It has the potential to go [dark] but we are trying to keep it on the lighter side.”

    Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, played by Kevin David Stevens and Kelly Felthous respectively, take the stage. They dance around in a silly, comically aggressive manner until Tisdale’s line breaks into the scene and they suddenly stop. Now, comes the adult anger and the yelling at Matilda commences. As they finish the scene, Felthous comes up to Tisdale, reminds her that she’s amazing and tells her how great she did.

    Felthous loves to play the villain as long as she can remind the young actors of their great worth in-between her lines where she has to be mean to them. She even finds herself helping with homework on occasion.

    13c“After every scene we reconnect. We try to keep it as this is the scene and separating the two,” Felthous says.

    The actors fall out of the scene and others take their places. They are on to the next scene.

    “Up stage left, please,” de la Concha says to Tisdale. She nods and moves to her place on the floor. Tisdale is mild-mannered and intensely focused in her scenes. They’ll play out another scene involving Russian gangsters mixed with Matilda’s family.

    “This show is difficult to cast,” says Merrill Peiffer, who plays Trunchbull. “Not only do you need physical comedians but these roles are very specific.”

    For Peiffer, there is a thrill to be considered for the Trunchbull. In the typical stage versions of the play, the Trunchbull was played by a man. In the movies, however, women will play the role as there are ways to alter the look and feel of the female characters to make them more menacing, larger in stature. With the stage, this is harder to accomplish, Peiffer says.

    “It was cool to feel like they had the trust in me — that I was capable,” Peiffer says.

    “Men get a lot of opportunities to play roles and I don’t feel bad about taking this role away from them.”

    Peiffer’s illusion of the Trunchbull’s meanness reaches into even rehearsals. The children in the play, she says, often come to look at her before the start of a scene, checking to make sure she’s “human.” This gives her and other of the adult actors a good laugh.

    “ … I mean Miss Trunchbull can be scary sometimes. Sometimes. Sometimes. But she’s really, really nice,” Tisdale laughs.

    This gets a laugh from de la Concha as well.

    “I mean they would probably yell at me in real life if I dyed their hair green or stuck a hat to their head … but I know none of them are actually mean,” Tisdale says.

    The other challenge of the play was choreographing both groups of kids and involving the interactive portions of the play like the swings they use in some of the numbers. At one point, actors will be swinging on large swings that come out over the audience.

    “What is really wonderful about these kids is they want to be here. This is something that when you ask them — they want to be a part of this,” Charlie Sutton, the show’s choreographer, says. “They are choosing to spend 8 hours a day with us everyday.”

    This isn’t to say that Sutton has his difficulties.

    “It’s fun watching Charlie teach the kids. ‘Don’t run the other direction. Come back now. You can’t have a snack,’” Felthous says laughing.

    She stops for a brief moment, smiles and then says, “These kids stand up to every professional show I’ve done. Come see these children.”

    “Matilda The Musical” runs Jan. 26 through Feb. 19. CFRT is located at 1209 Hay Street in Fayetteville. For tickets or additional information contact the box office at 910-323-4233 or visit www.cfrt.org/.

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    Editor’s note: Last week, the Fayetteville Police Department lost one of its own. A young officer took his own life. Police ask that the community keep the family and the department in prayer.

    Assistant Register of Deeds Receives Order of Long Leaf Pine

    Cumberland County Senior Assistant Register of Deeds Pam Stultz received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Dec. 18 during her retirement ceremony in the Courthouse. North Carolina Sen. Wesley Meredith presented the order to Stultz on behalf of Gov. Pat McCrory. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is the state’s highest civilian honor.

    Stultz has been employed with the Register of Deeds Office since 1987, following four years of employment with the State of North Carolina. In 2011, Stultz received the Charles W. Moore award from the North Carolina Association Registers of Deeds. The award is given annually to a register of deeds assistant or deputy in recognition for outstanding service to the association.

    Cumberland County Register of Deeds Lee Warren also presented Stultz with a ceremonial key to the Deeds vault in recognition of her years of service to the Cumberland County Register of Deeds office.

     

    Educators accused of assaulting children

    Two former Pauline Jones Alternative Middle School educators await trial on charges of assaulting students. Terry Van Drake, 47, faces three counts of child abuse stemming from separate assaults. Danny Pettigrew, 61, faces one charge. Both men are no longer with the school system, according to School Superintendent Frank Till Jr. 

    The charges stem from incidents that occurred in late October and mid-November. A Sheriff’s Office investigation was initiated when a parent of one of the children complained. Drake served as Pauline Jones’ safe school coordinator. In one instance, he allegedly grabbed a child by the wrist and yanked him from a desk, according to Sgt. Sean Swain of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department. Drake later allegedly grabbed the child by the wrist, pulled him from a chair and forced him to the floor and placing his knee in the child’s back. Drake allegedly grabbed another student by the wrist, placed his left hand on the child’s back and forced him to the floor, said Swain. He then allegedly picked the child up and forced him into a desk. Two days later, Drake allegedly grabbed another child, jerked him out of his desk and took him to the ground while forcing the youngster’s hands behind his back. Pettigrew, who was a teacher, is accused of grabbing a child by the neck and chest and throwing him against a wall. 

     

  • 17Fashion has a lot of uses. It can be practical, it can be pretty, it can be silly and it can also tell us a lot about history.

    From designs to textiles, clothes and how we wear them can reflect the state of the world. That reflection will be clear in the new exhibit at the Fayetteville History Museum.

    “Bits and Baubles: Curated Fashion Items from our Collection” opened last week. The exhibit looks at a variety of women’s clothing and accessory items from the museum’s collection. Each item on display has a connection to women’s fashion. Museum staff have had a shopping trip of sorts through the museum’s stored collection but have also brought in a few personal pieces from their own pasts.

    “The museum has a distinct collection of things that aren’t on display and sometimes come out on rotation. And so we’ve been able to peek back behind the closed doors and go through and pick out some things that have been on display that have some unique stories to tell. And so we thought that would be fun,” Heidi Bleazey, the historic and natural resources manager for the Fayetteville History Museum, said.

    The exhibit title refers to “bits” as in tidbits of local fashion history, customs of the past and local textile mill history. The “baubles” will be on display in the main entrance gallery of the museum, as well.
    Bleazey says that the exhibit is not a comprehensive look at fashion, it does have a few standouts for local impacts of fashion.

    “We have some information on probably one of the most famous stories here in Fayetteville, the Capitol Department Store, or taking it way back to Colonial North Carolina and talking about the Edenton Tea Party,” Bleazey told Up & Coming Weekly. “Not only did the women of Edenton boycott tea, but they boycotted imported fabrics which must have wreaked havoc on their wardrobe — their patriotic statement of support for the colonies against the taxes imposed by the British,” she said.

    There will also be information about the impact that African Americans had on the local fashion world of Fayetteville as well as Massey Hill and the textile factories.
    Another aspect of the historical exhibit is that it can be interactive. If people have their own historical fashion items hidden in an attic or closet somewhere, they are encouraged to add it to the museum’s collection and put on display.

    The exhibit is located in the main museum gallery and is free to the public. The Fayetteville History Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Fayetteville History Museum is located at 325 Franklin Street in downtown Fayetteville.

    The museum is part of the Historic and Natural Resources of Fayetteville Cumberland Parks and Recreation. For more information, visit www.fcpr.us/historymuseum or call 910-433-1457.

     

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    Two Months until the Bond Vote 

    Fayetteville City Council refined the projects that residents will vote on in a March 15 parks and recreation bond referendum. Missing from the list is the $3.2 million fresh water aquarium that was under consideration. Council agreed on spending up to $35 million on six splash pads, two senior centers, a Cape Fear River Park, a skateboard park, a multi-purpose athletic field, a tennis complex and several neighborhood park improvements. A companion plan to lease a privately-built $28 million multi-purpose aquatic and senior center was separated from the referendum. 

    “It needs to be totally divorced from this bond issue,” said Councilman Bill Crisp. His colleagues agreed and voted 8-1 to adopt the measure. Councilman Larry Wright was absent. 


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    Vets and Their Care

    Fayetteville’s new $120 million VA Health Care Center is officially open for business with the recent formal ribbon-cutting. The real test of the investment lies ahead as Congressional leaders and VA officials keep their attention focused on those who served. The Veterans Affairs Department in Fayetteville serves one of the nation’s fastest growing veteran populations. The number of veterans receiving care from the Fayetteville VA has grown by 13 percent in the last two years, officials have said. 

    “Our shared goals are to ensure that veterans have a clear understanding of  the VA and where to go for what they need within any of our facilities; that employees are empowered with the authority, knowledge and tools they need to solve problems and take action; and that the products and services that we deliver to veterans are integrated within the organization,” said VA Secretary Bob McDonald.


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    Poll Workers Needed

    The Cumberland County Board of Elections is seeking precinct workers for the North Carolina primary on March 15. Candidates must be registered voters in Cumberland County. Unaffiliated voters and those registered from both political parties are needed to work at the county’s 77 voting precincts. Poll workers are paid for attending a mandatory five-hour training session and for working on Election Day from 5:30 a.m. until all precincts have closed. Anyone interested in being a poll worker should contact the Board of Elections office at 678-7733. Applications are available online at www.co.cumberland.nc.us/elections. They are also available at the Board of Elections office in the E. Newton Smith Office Building at 227 Fountainhead Lane.


  • 16January is a time of rebirth, conviction-driven resolutions, and a do-over for last year’s missteps and disappointments. It’s a time when people can look toward the future and aspire to become better than they were.

    For all the joys of a clean slate, January can also be a month of harsh realities, short days, and a reminder of the ugliness that lurks at the edge of our everyday lives.
    In addition to the federally recognized Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, January is also National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

    In partnership with W.O.R.T.H. Court (We Overcome Recidivism Through Healing), Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Methodist University Social Work Department, the Child Advocacy Center of Fayetteville has put together several initiatives during the month of January to bring awareness to a crime that destroys the lives of thousands each year.
    Research conducted by the American Civil Liberties Union suggests that between 15,000 and 18,000 people are trafficked yearly. Exact numbers are difficult to nail down due to the far-reaching and fast-paced nature of the crime. Still, according to the U.S. Department of State, there are approximately 24.9 million victims of human trafficking worldwide at any given time.

    Human trafficking — whose victims can be any age, gender or race — is recognized as the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain or exploit individuals for labor or commercial sex acts.
    Though the epidemic is worldwide, the potential for human trafficking exists everywhere. From the bustling city scapes of New York down to rural Appalachia — there’s no such thing as a safe space.

    Because of its proximity to I-95 and easy access to major cities like Atlanta, Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina ranks among the top 15 states in the nation for human trafficking.
    Due to these alarming numbers, CAC has made it a priority this January to not only inform the public about the very real dangers of human trafficking, but to arm them with the tools to prevent it as well.
    One initiative intended to bring the community into a larger conversation about human trafficking is the inaugural “Be Their Voice 5k Run” on Saturday, Jan. 28 at Methodist University. Race-day registration begins at 8 a.m.; the race will officially start at 9.

    Fayetteville Running Club, a local nonprofit organization, is assisting the CAC with this special race meant to honor victims and bring awareness to this growing issue.
    The race is $25 to participate, and the money raised will be split between the CAC and W.O.R.T.H. — North Carolina’s only human trafficking court.

    “We’re proud we can use our love of running to help and serve our community. We’ve been a part of this town for almost 15 years and cherish opportunities like ‘Be Their Voice 5k’ to give back,” FRC President Shaun Wussow shared via a press release for the event.

    Vagabond coffee will be on-site to warm up spectators with hot drinks and bottled water for sale. For sweet or savory breakfast options, local favorite Fayetteville Pie Company will have some of their delicious wares for purchase as well. In honor of the mission, both businesses will donate a portion of the day’s sales to CAC.

    Founded in 1993, CAC, a nonprofit organization, was instituted to create a safe space for children to share their stories of abuse with a panel of professionals specially trained to meet their unique needs. Partnering with over 19 different agencies, the CAC strives to “alleviate the trauma children experience once a disclosure of sexual abuse or serious physical abuse occurs by creating a community of collaborating advocates.”

    According to their website, the CAC’s mission is to collaborate with community partners to respond to and prevent child abuse. As children make up an estimated 27% of all human trafficking victims worldwide, the CAC feels it is particularly important to support all efforts to bring awareness to the danger modern-day slavery poses to an already vulnerable population.

    “We want the community to have some hands-on tools to recognize the signs of human trafficking,” said Faith Boehmer, the CAC’s Prevention and Volunteer Coordinator.

    “It does happen here. It happens in the small rural communities — it happens everywhere,” she said.

    In addition to this month’s 5k, the CAC has put together a commendable list of activities to aid in its information dissemination efforts.

    • Jan. 11 was National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and many local community members and businesses encouraged others to wear blue in solidarity with the victims of human trafficking.
    • On Jan. 19, the CAC will host a human trafficking forum featuring a panel of experts at the Kiwanis Rec Center at 6:30 p.m. Speakers include the honorable Judge Tony King of W.O.R.T.H. court, Beverly Weeks (Cry Freedom Missions, C.E.O.), Sarah Hallick (Communicare), Sgt. Nicole Mincey (Cumberland County P.D.) and Nancy Hagan (N.C. Human Trafficking Commission).
    • Wednesday, Jan. 25, there will be an information session at John D. Fuller Rec Center at 6 p.m.
    • Tuesday, Jan. 31, the W.O.R.T.H. Court Team will present “Day of Hope: Human Trafficking” at Cumberland Hall on the Fayetteville Technical Community College campus from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

    The sheer number of scheduled activities for this month’s campaign clearly indicates its urgency. As the number of victims continues to rise locally and abroad, the need for action is long overdue, and the role of “passive citizen” is no longer enough.
    Awareness and action are at the heart of this initiative. While they alone can’t make this problem disappear — it’s a great place to start — a message CAC hopes to make clear.

    “Ultimately, we want for the people that attend to walk away with an awareness, education and confidence that allows them to recognize that they can do something,” Boehmer shared. “We want them to take that information to their churches, schools and social groups and help others become aware of the signs at grocery stores, hotels or restaurants. We hope they take advantage of that education and call or text the number to get help.”

    If you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

    To register for the “Be Their Voice 5k Run” visit https://www.cacfaync.org/. For more information about the Child Advocacy Center, visit https://www.cacfaync.org/.

  • 14 Sweet Tea Shakespeare is scheduled to perform “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” Jan. 20 until Feb. 5, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at the Fayetteville Pie Company, starting at 7:30 p.m.

    Tickets are $40 and include a dinner with pie. “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” is a retelling of the classic Jules Verne tale.

    Sweet Tea Shakespeare is a theatre and music company based in Fayetteville, Raleigh, the wider North Carolina region, and online. Sweet Tea Shakespeare strives to create simple, elemental, magical performances and to share delight in the wonder of story, song and stagecraft.

    Judson Clark, director of marketing and media at Sweet Tea Shakespeare said, “Don’t miss out on Fayetteville’s most innovative theatre event yet! Our talented cast will use their signature wit and charm to bring Jules Verne’s classic tale to life like never before.”

    The audience will experience cutting-edge theatre technology that combines immersive sets, a curated menu by Fayetteville Pie Company, and exclusive streaming access. Whether viewers join us in-person or online, “we guarantee you’ll be mesmerised by this thrilling tale of high-seas adventure and epic discovery,” he said.

    “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” tells of Dr. Pierre Aronnax, a professor who leaves New York to investigate reports of an unusual sea monster sighted offshore.

    To the surprise of Dr. Aronnax and his companions, the creature turns out to be a submarine, a burgeoning piece of technology at the time of the novel’s publication. When Dr. Aronnax’s ship is destroyed by the submarine, he is taken aboard and meets the brilliant and enigmatic Captain Nemo. Nemo’s creation, named the Nautilus, patrols the world’s waters unbound to any sovereign country, diving to the deepest and most mysterious reaches of the world’s oceans.

    Born from Nemo’s desire to resist governmental authority and civilization, the Nautilus is used mainly to conduct research under the sea, as well as to provide a home for Nemo, who wishes to live independently of the world’s countries.

    As with other productions, Sweet Tea Shakespeare will add their own unique take on the story that will no doubt entertain audiences. The Fayetteville Pie Company is located in the Westwood Shopping Center.

    For more info, visit www.sweetteashakespeare.com

  • 13bThe Gilbert Theater is offering three separate stage combat classes in January for anyone in the Fayetteville area — whether they are part of the theater community or not.

    The instructor of the class, Madeline Murphy, says the workshops build on top of each other, but could also be taken separately. No former knowledge of stage combat is needed to take the classes.

    “Any skill level can benefit from this, but it’s mostly for people who have never experienced this before and even if you have, it will be really fun to come in and relearn the basics and go back to fundamentals,” Murphy said.

    The first workshop on unarmed fighting was successful. The second class, scheduled for Jan. 14 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., will focus on knife fighting techniques.
    In that workshop, students will learn how to safely perform a variety of prop knife maneuvers in a choreographed fight. This includes cutting drills and patterns, disarms and basic handling of a knife in the context of stage combat.

    Students are asked to bring a “knife” to practice with. It can be anything the approximate size of a knife that isn’t actually sharp, for example, a paint mixing stick.
    The third and final workshop, scheduled for Jan. 28 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., will be about sword fighting. Students will learn the basics and fundamentals of performing a safe stage version of a classic combat style.

    This class includes cut patterns and drills, parries, and both basic and creative handling of a broadsword. Everyone will get an opportunity to work with a real professional-grade prop steel broadsword.
    Students are asked to bring a “sword” to practice with. It can be anything the approximate size of a sword that isn’t actually sharp, for example, dowel rods.

    “At the end of every workshop, we are going to have a short little scene that everyone will have learned. It will have a few basic combat moves for each discipline in one scene,” she said. “So, they can take that home and have a nice little package, tied up with a bow to wrap it up, so they can practice in their own time and improve on.”

    Students must be 18 and older and there is a limit of 20 students per class. These workshops are a part of its adult theater education program, which Tammy Woody, the education director at Gilbert Theater, runs.
    The program offers fun and informal workshops for those who are new to the theater, and for those who make a living performing in the theater.

    “We’ve had a few shows that we’ve done over the past couple of years that have had quite a few scenes in them, and I just thought it would be a good way for some of our regulars and also just anybody in the surrounding area that is interested in it,” Lawrence Carlisle, the artistic director of the Gilbert Theater, said. “I think it's a cool idea for the arts community here in Fayetteville.”

    Those who are interested in signing up for the remaining two classes can register at www.gilberttheater.com. The cost of the classes is $40 each. All of the classes will take place at the Gilbert Theater.

  • 13Fayetteville Symphony is back with another event! On Saturday, Jan. 21, Fayetteville’s very own Symphony Orchestra and the voices of First Presbyterian Church will be performing in the church’s sanctuary at 102 Ann St.

    The performance will start at 7:30 p.m. and last for one hour with no intermission.

    Meghan Woolbright, the marketing and office manager at Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, said, “Jubilate Deo is the fourth concert of our season and we’re excited for our community to hear it!”
    You may wonder, “What is the Jubilate Deo and where did it originate?” Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo brings to life the global aspect of the traditional Psalm 100 text, “O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands,” by setting it in seven different languages and drawing from a wide spectrum of musical influences.

    Each movement combines some characteristics of its language group’s musical culture with the composer’s own musical language.
    Movements include liturgical Latin, intertwined Hebrew and Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Zulu, Spanish, Song of the Earth, and a closing movement combining several of these languages with English.

    The result is a stunning global celebration of joy, as all the earth sings as one, “Omnis terra, jubilate!”13a

    Tickets for this event can be purchased at www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

    Adult tickets are $32 and seniors 65 or older pay $25 for a ticket. If you are in the military, previously served, or you’re a Cumberland County Schools employee, your ticket would also be $25. College student tickets are $8 and child tickets are $5.

    For more information, visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

    Editor's note: Founded in 1956, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is a professional, regional orchestra whose mission is to educate, entertain, and inspire citizens.
    Praised for its artistic excellence, the Symphony leads in the cultural and educational landscape for Fayetteville and our southeastern North Carolina region.

  • 141 The new year brings new opportunities to take the kids out to local parks to explore, learn and have some fun. There are a variety of events scheduled at Clark Park and Lake Rim Park to interest all ages.

    Clark Park

    www.fcpr.us/parks-trails/parks/clark-park or 910-433-1579
    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. It remains a natural woodland area dedicated to preserving the environment, educating the public on North Carolina plants and wildlife, and providing a place to passively commune with nature. The Nature Center features exhibits and free viewing of live animals. You can walk an outdoor storybook on the trail near the playground.
    Visitors can picnic overlooking the woods and one of the highest waterfalls in the coastal plain. For those interested in walking or jogging, the park has its own set of unpaved trails. Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome on trails as long as you clean up after them.
    Clark Park Nature Center offers nature and recreation programming for educators, groups, individuals and families. Programs meet at the Nature Center unless otherwise noted. You must pre-register for all programs. Register early; space is limited in most programs. If enrollment is low, programs are canceled.
    For more program information follow the park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fcprnature. Clark Park is located at 631 Sherman Drive. The Center hours are Nov.- Feb.: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; March-Oct.: Mon.-Fri. 8a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trail Hours are 8 a.m. until dusk.
    Free programs scheduled for January and early February are listed below.

    Animal Feedings!

    Alligators chomping, snakes swallowing, and turtles snapping, come see what is for dinner at the nature center. All ages; Wed.: 4 p.m.

    Mystery Animal Identification

    Do you know the clues to identifying local animals by their tracks? Help the rangers look for tracks around the park to identify what animals call Clark Park home. Make a track of your own to take home. Call or register online. All ages; Tues., Jan. 3: 3 to 4 p.m.

    Nature Story Time

    You and your child are invited to Clark Park for an interactive story time with the Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center. The story will be followed by themed crafts and activities. Call or register online. 6-under yrs. with adult; Tues., Jan. 10: Frogs; 1 to 2 p.m.

    Winter Magic Nature Potions

    It’s Brew a Potion Day so let nature be inspiration to brew up a special potion in the Loblolly Garden. Bring a jar and your imagination, nature will supply the rest! Call or register online. Age 10 and under; Thurs., Jan. 19: 11 a.m. until noon.

    Dung Beetle Derby

    Scarabs, tumblebugs, dung beetles. It’s a dirty job but somebody in the animal world has to do it! This special group of beetles is nature’s cleanup crew. After learning about their unique lifestyles, participants can make a craft tumblebug and participate in a “Dung Beetle Derby” for prizes. Call or register online. All ages; Fri., Jan. 27: 3:30 to 5 p.m.

    National Draw a Dinosaur Day

    Learn about dinosaurs, play with some and draw a dinosaur! All supplies provided, just bring your creativity. Call or register online. All ages; Mon., Jan. 30: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

    The Groundhog’s Big Day!

    Will the groundhog see his shadow? How did this tradition get started? Just what is a groundhog? Come to Clark Park to discover this unique underground creature through games, stories, and a craft. Call or register online. All ages; Wed., Feb. 1: 10 to 11:30 a.m.

    14Lake Rim Park

    www.fcpr.us/parks-trails/parks/lake-rim-park or 910-433-1018
    Whether you want to take a stroll on the one-mile border trail through the wetlands to Bones Creek, play a game of soccer with friends, or have a family picnic, Lake Rim Park offers something for everyone. An assortment of outdoor amenities, including picnic areas, horseshoe pits, walking trails, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, athletic fields, natural areas, and children’s playgrounds are available to enjoy.
    All facilities are open to the public on a first come, first serve basis unless they are reserved. To find out how you can reserve a picnic shelter or athletic field for your special event contact the park office. Well-behaved, furry family members are welcome to enjoy a walk around the park too, but they must be on a leash and under your control at all times.
    Lake Rim Park is located at 2214 Tar Kiln Drive. Park winter hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Park summer hours are 7 a.m. until dusk. Office hours are Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Free programs scheduled for January and early February are listed below.

    Feel the Soil

    Bring an empty two-liter bottle to help explore our local soils. Find out why the place we call home is known as the Sandhills. Call or register online at register.fcpr.us. All ages; Fri., Jan. 13: 4 to 5 p.m.

    Stars and Constellations

    Winter nights are the premier time to view the night sky. Learn about our constellations, other celestial objects and the folklore behind them. Bring telescopes and binoculars if you have them. This program occurs after park operating hours. Please arrive promptly at 6 p.m. so staff can let you in the gate. Dress for the weather. Call or register online at register.fcpr.us. All ages; Fri., Jan. 20: 6 to 8 p.m.

    Here’s to the Land of the Longleaf Pine

    The pine tree is North Carolina’s State Tree. While it wasn’t officially designated as such, most people believe that the honor was reserved for the longleaf pine specifically. Find out what makes this tree so important to our state's history and to the nature of the Southeast. Call or register online at register.fcpr.us. All ages; Tues., Jan. 31: 3 to 4:30 p.m.
    Fruit or Vegetable Munch and Learn
    Munch and learn as you look inside food to discover what parts of the plant makes it a fruit or a vegetable. Call or register online at register.fcpr.us. All ages; Mon., Feb. 6: 3 to 4 p.m.

    Bird Walk

    Take a walk around Lake Rim Park to see which of our feathered friends are flitting about while counting birds for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Bring binoculars if you have them. Meet at the park office. Call or register online at register.fcpr.us, space is limited. Adults and mature children ages 8+; Fri., Feb. 17: 3:30 to 5 p.m.

  • 13 It’s time to get excited, country music fans! The 8th annual Carolina Country Music Awards is on Jan. 21 at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

    Once a year, a panel of judges formed by industry leaders comes together to honor stars native to North and South Carolina. The ceremony is produced and hosted each year by the Carolina Music Association.

    Bill Bowman, publisher of Up & Coming Weekly, will act as the master of ceremonies at this year’s award show, and a veritable who’s who of Fayetteville musicians are nominated across 12 categories or scheduled to perform on the House of Blues stage.

    Created and developed by the Carolina Music Association, the CCMAs are an opportunity to showcase and honor musical talent here in the Sandhills and throughout the Carolinas.
    Up & Coming Weekly spoke with CMA’s Executive Director Christy Andrulonis, known as Sweet Tea to her listeners on the Carolina Country Radio Network 100.1 WFAY in Fayetteville, about CMA’s mission to create space for independent artists native to the region and “share the story of the Carolinas” through music.

    “Traditionally, you play the hits [on a radio station]; you don’t make the hits,” she explained. “There are just so many talented artists in the Carolinas and even here in the immediate area that deserve to tell their story.”

    13 Bailey morrison With this in mind, CMA created the Carolina Artist Showdown to bring attention and airplay to new and emerging Carolina musicians. The knock-out style competition allows artists to get daily airplay, or “spins,” on local radio stations. Listeners can vote on their favorite artists each week. Whichever musician or group receives the most votes go on to become Artist of the Month and may eventually be in contention to win “Fan Voted Artist of the Year” at the CCMAs.

    The Carolina Artist Showdown is an opportunity for some artists, many of whom are hearing themselves on the radio for the first time. In the course of a month, a song may get as many as 20 spins bringing a massive amount of exposure to musicians in an industry that often overlooks small acts.

    “My jaw just dropped,” said Fayetteville native Bailey Morrison on hearing his song on the radio for the first time. “It was surreal — I had just left lunch, hopped in my truck, turned on the radio, and my song came on — I couldn’t believe it.” The 19-year-old musician’s song, “Where I Come From,” is nominated for Country Single of the Year at this year’s CCMAs.

    In addition to the Carolina Artist Showdown and the CCMAs, the Carolina Music Association is also responsible for the North Carolina Songwriters Festival. This multi-day event highlights the stories and writers behind some of today’s hottest and newest country music.

    Andrulonis, a 20-year player in the industry, knows how difficult it can be to get a foot in the door, and she’s dedicated to holding it open a bit wider for those brave enough to knock. 13 Currie Wayne Clayton

    “I’m passionate about this because I’ve seen so many phenomenal singer-songwriters not get the recognition they deserve,” she said. “To watch an artist from the beginning of their career to making it big in country music is amazing to be a part of.”

    The continued endeavor to celebrate what is beautiful about the Carolinas — its people, history and values, is fully represented in the rich tapestry of country music, a genre that first took root in the mountains of North Carolina. Originally brought over in the folk music of Scottish and Irish immigrants, country music is a loop in the swirling fingerprint of the Carolinas.

    13 Doyle Wood “It’s a traditional sound that’s a part of our roots and community,” Andruolins explained. “If you listen to the older country music, you hear the banjo, the mandolin and guitar — you can hear those roots, and it’s just evolved into the country music we know today.”

    In addition to Bailey Morrison, Fayetteville will be represented by eight-time Fayetteville’s favorite band, Rivermist — nominated for Vocal Group of the Year; Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame inductee Doyle Wood is nominated for Christian Country Single of the Year for his song “There’s a River Called Jordan” performed with Rivermist. Eric Hawks will pull double duty as a nominee for Male Artist of the Year and performer, a fact for which he is truly in disbelief.

    “I grew up going to Myrtle Beach for vacations every year,” Hawks said. “I’ve seen hundreds of shows at the House of Blues, so to be able to say that I’ve played on that stage is unreal.”

    Born and raised in Rockingham, Hawks moved to Fayetteville in 2018 and decided to make a go of his solo career right as the world shut down due to COVID. As restrictions lifted, Hawks began touring in 2021 and put out two singles: “Notebooks” and “Tracing Your Tattoos,” which Andrulonis picked up, and the rest has been an exciting blur, according to Hawks. No matter the outcome, he’s honored to be nominated and grateful for the CMA’s support.

    “I think the CMA is so cool to spotlight all the talent in North and South Carolina — to give us a platform to get our music out there is wonderful, and I’m very fortunate to be a small part of it,” he said. 13 Erik Hawks

    Well-known Fayetteville arts and music personality, Dr. Gail Morfesis, will present this year’s Songwriter of the Year award, and Cabin Fever Studio co-founder Currie Wayne Clayton Jr. is nominated for the Damien Horne Humanitarian Award.

    A special guest performance by drummer Mark Herndon of legendary country music group Alabama will make it a night to remember for guests in attendance and the artists waiting to hear their names.

    13 rivermist Ultimately, the CCMAs tell every independent artist or would-be musician that their efforts, however small, are worthwhile. They champion the idea that you don’t have to be well-known to be well-loved, and while talent might go a long way — opportunity is sometimes the final ingredient in the recipe for success.

    According to Sweet Tea, “I can give the artist the canvas, but they have to make the masterpiece.”

    Tickets for the show run $25-$100 on Eventbrite. To purchase tickets visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carolina-country-music-awards-tickets-376892865707?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

    To learn more about the Carolina Music Association and this year’s nominees, visit https://www.carolinacountrymusicassociation.org/.
    The House of Blues is located at 4640 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

  • 12 You would never suspect a professional recording studio sits nestled inside a log cabin one block south of eastern Raeford Road, two doors away from a Chick-fil-A. And yet, there it stands amongst skinny oak trees, concealing a warm and quiet interior.

    Started during the pandemic, Cabin Fever Studio is the brainchild of owners Lynne O’Quinn and audio engineer Currie Wayne Clayton, Jr. The studio and HOW (His Outreach Worldwide) ministry split the building down the center, with O’Quinn running HOW and Clayton overseeing the recording studio.

    "We think of this operation like an “east wing, west wing” sort of deal," Clayton says. On one side there’s the ministry, and the other side is the studio.

    In between, there’s a full kitchen, wood trim throughout the whole place and plenty of light streaming through the windows. Owing to its log and plaster construction, the building doesn’t budge like a regular house to bodies walking across its floors: it is unbelievably solid.

    “We’ve had bands and missionaries stay here,” O’Quinn says. “It’s a really neat place. This house was originally built in 1949.”

    O’Quinn is an interesting Fayetteville native. She possesses a sweet disposition, serene blue eyes and, at one time, managed Lynyrd Skynyrd. O’Quinn has connections in Nashville, and she just started a publishing company named Charted Records whose performers, Bailey Morrison and Jonathan Tucker, will perform at the Carolina Country Music Awards in Myrtle Beach, Jan. 23. In fact, Clayton will perform as well.

    In what they call the “live room” (which used to be the living room) sits a full drum set and a real first generation 1959 Hammond B3 organ that looks more like a piece of antique furniture than instrument.

    “We’re getting ready to mount a TV screen [over the brick fireplace] so the drummer can be in touch with everything” happening in the control room, O’Quinn says.

    Entering the control room, the door on the right leads to what is obviously the studio’s point of pride: the vocal booth.

    The booth is as professional as it gets, extremely private and oddly deafening because of the way acoustic sound foam (pyramidal and lining the walls) absorbs ambient noises, keeping them from the microphone that’s suspended from the ceiling at the tip of an articulated arm. That’s Ozzy Osbourne’s go-to recording microphone, Clayton says.

    The booth is an intimate affair: a video monitor and camera provide two-way communication between singer and engineer.

    “It was a bathroom,” Clayton says. “I converted it.”

    Clayton has a silver waist-length pony tail, silver goatee and black tattoos. He’s big and intense, yet affable and responsible for every bit of the studio’s trick carpentry. Guitars hang neatly from racks on the walls, along with monitors, microphones and cables running through a hole in the ceiling to another isolation booth upstairs.

    In his own music, Clayton plays every instrument except for horns.

    “Whatever I hear, I can do,” Clayton says from his seat at the head of Cabin Fever Studio’s nerve center. “That’s the gift I have. It’s not mine. God gave it to me. I’ve never taken a lesson on anything I’m doing.”

    That’s the truth, too. Pulling guitars and bass guitars from the racks, Clayton shreds them with the kind of ability you’re either born with or not. Playing drums, Clayton hits them solidly and with an intimate sense of time.

    “[Clayton] was born and raised in Haw River,” O’Quinn says. “So, he’s a North Carolina boy, but he also grew up in Delaware” and lived in South Carolina before moving to Fayetteville.

    Behind Clayton, a red and massive analogue mixer sprawls out towards a large flatscreen monitor on the wall displaying Pro Tools, a standard in digital mixing software. Incoming recordings first go through the analogue mixer before going to the digital mixer.

    There are 16 channels of analogue, Clayton explains, plus eight tracks of pre-amp, giving a total of 24 analogue channels for recording instruments. Digital meaning “so you can see” music in real-time on a screen, he adds.

    “We run analogue first,” Clayton says. “We go analogue to digital, and then digital back to analogue” for a super warm sound.

    O’Quinn started HOW in 2008 after writing a book entitled “Sharing Jesus With Children Around The World.” Since it was published, the little book has made its way around the globe to an estimated 159 countries, including the entire African continent. Over two million copies have been published, and it has been translated into over 100 languages.

    From July 2021 to July 2022, organized by HOW, thousands of pounds worth of foodstuffs, clothes, and book and bed supplies were served to peoples all over the world, as well as three new churches built in Honduras, a church in Pakistan and a primary school in Myanmar.

    “It’s interesting,” O’Quinn says. “God just takes you down roads and paths that you have just no idea [about], and all of a sudden it’s really cool.”

    Cabin Fever Studio specializes in country music, although they are open to working with different types of genres. In fact, Clayton is in the process of finishing a track with a local rapper.
    Clayton is also responsible for much of the production that happens in Cabin Fever Studio, revealing decades worth of musical knowledge to young musicians who’re just beginning to forge their paths in what can be an inhospitable business.

    Since Currie Wayne moved to town, people don’t know he’s so talented, O’Quinn says. He tours up and down the east coast performing professionally, and he’s a whirlwind of ideas.
    Cabin Fever Studio is proud of Bailey Morrison, Jonathan Tucker and Clayton. In addition to performing at the Carolina Country Music Awards, Bailey Morrison is nominated for Country Single of the Year and Clayton has been nominated for the Damien Horne Humanitarian Award.

    The Damien Horne Humanitarian Award is given to those who serve others in their musical pursuits.

    For more information, Cabin Fever Studio can be reached at 910-476-7975 and www.CabinFeverStudioProductions.com. The studio is open by appointment only.

  • 11 The annual fashion show from An Affair to Remember is back. The show highlights the empowerment of local young women and female leaders in businesses and nonprofits.
    Kathy Jensen, the founder of An Affair to Remember, Pageant, and Formal Wear, started this show 11 years ago. She was approached about doing a fashion show to highlight upcoming trends, but she wanted to highlight girls in town.

    “The show is just about women celebrating that they are women,” Jensen said. “Anytime you see a woman on the stage, their confidence is raised.”

    Five years ago, the idea of highlighting local women in business and nonprofits was brought up by community members. No speeches, just a place where women could come together as strangers and leave as friends. These Women of Power would not only get recognition but also be able to talk to and inspire young women in high school.

    Women of Power became such a success that a nonprofit organization called the Women of Power Society of North Carolina came out of it. The Women of Power Society is the brainchild of Jensen and Suzy Hrabovsky.

    In 2022, the Women of Power Society partnered with the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development to host a Women’s Equality Day Brunch and #HerWeek Fayetteville. A portion of the fashion show’s proceeds will go to #HerPitch, a grant awarded to women in business.

    Last year, Jensen says that $10,000 was raised over the year to go to CEED. This year’s fashion show is themed “The You Won’t Break My Soul Runway Extravaganza.” The theme is focused on making women and young girls feel empowered and beautiful in their own right.

    Jensen tells Up & Coming Weekly that the theme was inspired by Beyonce’s song, “You Won’t Break My Soul.” This upcoming show will be the eleventh fashion show that An Affair to Remember will be hosting. The show features the latest formal wear from the industries leading designers like JOVANI, Sherri Hill, Rachel Allan, ASHLEYlauren, Johnathan Kayne and more. Julie Durocher, the leading prom dress designer for JOVANI, will be present at the fashion show.

    Unlike last year, there will only be one show combining both the younger ladies of Fayetteville and the main show featuring high school-aged girls and the Women of Power. Overall, there will be 110 models this year, and at least 15 featured Women of Power.

    The show will feature live music this year by the band Sleeping Booty. The Sleeping Booty Band is an energetic music collective based in Raleigh. They take inspiration from every genre, playing classics from Aretha Franklin to ZZ Top.

    This year, one high schooler will have the opportunity to win a free prom dress and a VIP prom experience with some of her closest friends. In order to enter, all that high schooler has to do is attend the show. They will receive a raffle ticket that will be drawn during the show.

    This fashion show is for anyone who wants to get out and support fellow women in the community, not just those who are interested in fashion

    “Expect a great dinner. Be prepared to dance,” Jensen said. “It’s a great family event. Great for girls’ night out. It will just be a great night.”

    General admission tickets are $20. Tickets for Row 3 are $40, Row 2 are $50, and Row 1 is $60. The show will take place at the Crown Coliseum on Saturday, Jan. 7. Doors open at 6 p.m., the show starts at 7 p.m.
    Tickets can be bought at www.eventbrite.com/e/runway-extravaganza-fashion-show-tickets-442930917297. For more information on the show, go to www.aatrncfashionshow.com/.

  • 01-05-11-black-swan.gifBlack Swan (Rated R)   Five Stars

    Darren Aronofsky is a competent director with a long list of arthouse specials. I admit to watching his films; I also admit that I have never watched any of his films twice. After watching Black Swan (108 minutes) that may change. It works as a companion piece to critical darling The Wrestler and takes a visual cue from its grainy 16M style. It is also reminiscent of metaphorical science fiction romance The Fountain.

    The story is set in New York, of course. A ballet company is preparing for their new season by replacing the current diva, Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) and raising one of the background dancers to prima ballerina. The top contender for the coveted position is Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman). Portman is surprisingly adept at playing the shy girl just begging to be Svengalied, since she so often shines in roles that highlight her unmistakable poise.

    A new company dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis), is introduced. Her presence destabilizes the already wobbly Nina. Lily and Nina form the points of a triangle completed by director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel). Leroy is unwilling to cast Nina in his new production of Swan Lake until he pushes her too far and finds out that this kitten has a whip! Even after she is cast she is far better at playing the innocent, fragile White Swan than the sexual and devious Black Swan.

    Lily, on the other hand, mean girls her way into the position of understudy, and stands poised to step into the twin roles at the first opportunity. Or does she? One of the greatest strengths of the film is the inability of the audience to separate Nina’s fantasy from everyone else’s reality. Much like the psychological thriller Repulsion (if you loved Black Swan, Netflix Repulsion immediately, if not sooner), the camera forces us to accept the insanity of the protagonist as reality.

    Nina is overwhelmed by the pressure of her new position, and more than a little naïve. Her mother (Barbara Hershey) doesn’t help matters with her bizarre drawings and inability to interpret the meaning of a closed bathroom door. Of course, her mother’s overprotectiveness is a bit more reasonable in light of Nina’s history of self-mutilation and erratic behavior … and her hallucinations involving both Doppelgangers and bloody wounds that suddenly appear on her body.

    Kunis is totally believable in her role, and it is hard to tell if Lily is friend or foe. In a pivotal scene, the two opposites attract while gooseflesh ripples across the thighs and neck of Nina. It seems as if Nina will finally throw off the shackles of M-O-M, but her grip on reality is tenuous. The things that she sees become more grotesque as the story of Swan Lake infects her perceptions.

    Losing her grip on reality releases her from her dry and technical perfection, allowing her to finally embrace the passion required to successfully dance the role of the Black Swan. The ballet is nothing special until Nina becomes the Black Swan for the second act. The third act moves inevitably into the tragic conclusion of both the ballet and the movie. The only real issue is with the final line of the movie, which comes off as anticlimactic after such a wrenching finale.

  • If you’ve never heard of Bill Engvall, well, here’s your sign. Engvall, one of the leaders in Blue Collar comedy has left01-12-11-bill-engall.gif audiences rolling in their seats since the mid ‘90s. On Saturday, Jan. 22, Engvall will bring his rare blend of down-home humor to the Crown Theatre for a raucous night of fun.

    Engvall, a Texas native, has the ability to connect with his audience. His humor isn’t off-color, instead he relies on the madness of everyday life and common place situations to get you laughing not only at the people he’s talking about, but also yourself. That talent has made him one of the top comedians in America, and has kept him quiet busy.

    A native of Galveston, Texas, Bill moved to Dallas and was working as a disc jockey with plans of becoming of a teacher. While in a nightclub one evening, Bill decided to try his hand at stand-up comedy and quickly found that making people laugh was truly his forte. Soon after, he decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue television opportunities.

    First there was a Showtime special, A Pair of Joker’s with Rosie O’Donnell, followed by Bill hosting A&E’s Evening at the Improv and several appearances on both The Tonight Show and The Late Show with David Letterman. In 1992, Bill won the American Comedy Award for “Best Male Stand-up Comedian.” After appearing in episodes of Designing Women, Bill went on to portray Buck Overton on the ABC sitcom, Delta, starring Delta Burke, thus solidifying his status as a sought-after comic. Bill also starred in the NBC series, The Jeff Foxworthy Show, where he played Jeff’s best friend.

    Since the 1996 release of his platinum album Here’s Your Sign, Engvall has been on a meteoric rise to the top of the comedy heap. The comedy album, which held the top of the Billboard Comedy Chart for 15 straight weeks, also gained Engvall time on country airwaves when he collaborated with Travis Tritt on a video also entitled “Here’s Your Sign.” That boosted his sales, and the single became one of the most requested singles on country radio, gaining the number one position on the country charts for 10 weeks.

    From there, Engvall’s catch phrase became a piece of America’s cultural lexicon. He quickly followed that release with the release of another comedy album, Dorkfish, in 1998. He drew quite a fan base and over the past decade has made his mark on television, through the written word and on the big screen.

    He signed on with a few of his friends to create a sketch comedy show for the WB network. You might know it as Blue Collar TV. The show premiered in 2004 to the delight of some 5.4 million viewers. It featured Engvall, Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy.

    The three capitalized on the success of the show and started a cultural phenomenon known as the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, which premiered on Comedy Central, and than premiered in millions of homes across the nation through DVD sales. The sequel, the Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again was also a hit, as was the follow-on , the Blue Collar Comedy Tour: One for the Road.

    Many people may have come to know Engvall through his television show The Bill Engvall Show. The show features Engvall as the father at the midst of a wacky family comedy. The series debuted in 2007 to rave reviews and high ratings.

    He also hosts one of the top rated shows on CMT, Country Fried Home Videos. This show fi nds real videos from real people showing what real Americans do bringing the wit and wisdom to television that only the heartland can offer.

    Fans got a chance to see Engvall in Bait Shop, which co-stars Billy Ray Cyrus. The story centers around a small town bait shop owner who fi nds his beloved business threatened with foreclosure. In an attempt to raise the money to save it, he enters a high profi le fishing tournament. Additionally, Engvall starred in the movie Delta Farce with Larry the Cable Guy and D.J. Qualls, which was released on May 11, 2007 and distributed by Lionsgate. This hilarious comedy about three blue collar heroes on the military’s front line is available on DVD.

    Along with his Blue Collar movies, Engvall also has two solo specials which aired on Comedy Central. 15° Off Cool aired on March 25, 2007 and was one of the highest rated special of the year.

    Engvall has also written several books, including his autobiographyBill Engvall –Just A Guy from St. Martin’s Press on May 15, 2007.

    Engvall will hit the stage of the Crown Theatre at 7 p.m. Tickets for the performance are available at the Crown Box Office and all Ticketmaster Outlets. For more information, visit www.atthecrown.com .

    Photo: Bill Engvall

  • 01-19-11-music-for-exceptional.gifThe Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is well known for their outreach efforts to the community. With everything from free Fourth of July performances in Festival Park and at the Fort Bragg Parade Field to the free concert that all Cumberland County School System’s third graders attend each year to the Symphony at your library events, there is no doubt that the FSO believes that good music is for everyone and should be easily accessible to everyone, at little or no cost.

    On Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Crown Coliseum, Maestro Fouhad Foukouri and the FSO present the Exceptional Children and Adults Concert. With the help of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the Florence Rogers Charitable Trust, the event is free and open to the public.

    For this performance there will be no awkwardness when audience members clap loudly or sing out of turn, no frustrated neighbours telling the listeners to hush or throwing stink eye because of unbridled enthusiasm in response to the performance. Just as the name suggests, this event is for exceptional children and adults — and it will be more than a concert.

    The sixty musicians will be presenting a dedicated classical performance that will include the Stars and Stripes and the National Anthem which will give all participants an opportunity to sing along.

    However, the heart of the evening will be the symphonic performance of Peter and the Wolf, written by Sergei Prokofi ev. The story will be read by a narrator who will be accompanied by the orchestra. Adding to the experience, there will be pictures of the story in the lobby for concert attendees to enjoy.

    “The beauty of performing Peter and the Wolf is that it is musical story telling at its fi nest. It is shorter and exciting and there are visuals to enhance the performance for those in attendance,” said FSO spokesperson, Carin Sychterz.

    The audience is encouraged to visit the Instrument Petting Zoo where instruments will be placed on tables in the lobby with musicians who play those instruments there to offer guidance, answer questions and talk about sound, music and how a musician works to create sound.

    “The concert goers will have the opportunity to play the instruments which will deepen their concert experience but also involve them in the musical process; giving the children and especially those with autism who are both visual learners and very tactile, a sense of being in the music,” said Sychterz.

    So that the experience will be more than one unforgettable evening, the Fayetteville Symphony will give an FSO CD to the fi rst 125 families that attend the evening’s concert.

    “This CD will give the special needs child or adult the opportunity to listen to other music that can give them joy over and over again; returning them to the classical music that will provide a calming and soothing experience and evoking the pleasing memories from the live performance,” Sychterz said.

    This project is being supported fi nancially by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and The Florence Rogers Charitable Trust. It is also supported by the Autism Society of Cumberland County, The Gilmore Therapeutic Recreation Center, the Autism Society of North Carolina and theExceptional Family Member Program on Fort Bragg.

    For more information call the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra at 433-4690. It’s free and no preregistration is required.

    Photo top left: The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra.

  • Up & Coming Weekly recently had a conversation with local musician Roy Shiels about his plans for 2011.01-26-11-ray-shiels.gif

    UCW: Who are your band members and what instruments do they play?

    RS: Roy Shiels (vocals, guitars, bass, piano & drums). I incorporate various musicians for live shows and I will be searching for live musicians when in Fayetteville.

    UCW: Give us a brief history lesson on your career. When and where did you get started?

    RS: I’ve been a musician (guitar) from the age of 15, played in several rock/ indie bands throughout Dublin city. I’ve been writing songs since 2000 and became a gigging solo artist in 2008.

    UCW: How did you choose your stage name? RS: It’s my birth name UCW: How would you define your music?

    RS: Light and shade... edgy, contemporary rock with with pop/indie elements.

    UCW: Who are your favorite bands/influences on your music?

    RS: Arcade Fire, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, U2, Peral Jam, MGMT

    UCW: Do you write your own music and where does that inspiration come from?

    RS: Yes. What ever life throws at me, I throw it into a song

    UCW: If you only had two words to describe yourself what would they be? RS: Doggedly passionate UCW: What are your hopes/goals for the future?

    RS: I really want to tour the United States.

    UCW: Where do you see yourself five years, 10 years from now?

    RS: Recording my third album and touring internationally.

    UCW: Where can Fayetteville music lovers check you in the near future?

    RS: I’m at www.myspace.com/royshiels and in early 2011, in as many Fayetteville clubs & bars as possible.

    Photo: Roy Shiels

  •     Cumberland County, through its membership in the National Association of Counties, is making available drug discount cards that offer average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.
        {mosimage}The cards, which are available at locations throughout the county, may be used by all county residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage. A national network of more than 59,000 participating retail pharmacies will honor it. (To see a list of local participating pharmacies, go to the Cumberland County Web site, www.co.cumberland.nc.us or www.caremark.com/naco.)
        Among the locations where the card can be obtained immediately are the large county departments that interact with the public — Department of Social Services, the Health Department, Mental Health and all branches of the Cumberland County Library and Information System. Additionally, the cards can be obtained at the Women’s Center in Fayetteville as well as The Care Clinic. All locations have cards in English and Spanish.
        There is no cost to county taxpayers for NACo and Cumberland County to make these money-saving cards available to residents. To use the card, ardholders simply present it at a participating pharmacy. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no restrictions or limits on frequency of use. Cardholders and their family members may use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.
        The discount card program is administered by CVS Caremark. For more detailed information on the program, call 1-877-321-2651 or visit www.caremark.com/naco.

    Former Library Director Receives Lifetime Achievement Award; Library picks up two honors
           Former Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center Director Jerry Thrasher, who retired in December 2007, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Carolina Public Library Directors Association on Dec. 4 in Greensboro.
        Thrasher was recognized for his service to Cumberland County, as well as his contributions to the state and national public library communities. Thrasher served as library director for 28 years. Under his leadership, the Cumberland County library system experienced tremendous growth with the construction of the Headquarters Library and six branch libraries that replaced smaller facilities.
        Thrasher was recognized through the years for his defense of intellectual freedom and was named Librarian of the Year for 1999 by Library Journal.
        During its annual awards banquet, the NCPLDA also presented two awards in the large library category to the Cumberland County Public Library system. The system picked up the Best Children’s Program Award for its Caldecott Kids outreach program developed by Meg Smith, the youth services manager at Headquarters Library.
        The library also received the award for Best Promotional Project for publicity materials created by the system’s Community Relations Department for Older Americans Month in May.
  •     The Fayetteville FireAntz opened 2009 at home against their I-95 rival, the Richmond Renegades. It was the seventh contest between the familiar opponents, with the FireAntz holding a slight 2-1-3 advantage over the Renegades this season.
        In front of 3,025 hockey fans at the Crown Coliseum, the FireAntz looked to get off to a fast start in the New Year... and they did just that.
        Rookie Chris Leveille got the FireAntz on the scoreboard first, scoring at 7:18 of the first period with a goal set up by a great pass from defenseman Lawne Snyder. Team leading-scorer Rob Sich followed with a goal of his own a little over 4 minutes later to give the club a two-goal cushion. It would not be the last that Leveille and Sich would be heard from on the night as the FireAntz took a 2-0 lead to the locker room at the end of the first period.
        {mosimage}The FireAntz continued to pressure in the second frame and extended their lead. Goals by Rob Colangelo and Sich (2) were scored in the first 5 minutes of the period. Richmond’s Beau MacLauglin narrowed the lead to 4-1 with a power play goal at 6:14; however, Fayetteville’s Sich completed his hat trick with a power play goal of his own at 11:06, to give the FireAntz another four-goal advantage going into the third period.
        Richmond’s MacLaughlin (2) netted his second goal of the game, at 1:52, to shrink the FireAntz’ lead to 5-2. But the FireAntz speedy rookie, Leveille, was not done. On back-to-back shorthanded situations Leveille was able to split the Renegades’ defense and score twice, giving him a hat trick to match that of Sich. It was Leveille’s first professional hat trick and the first time in team history that a player had two shorthanded goals in a game. He was also named the “1st Star of the Game.”
        Goaltender Chad Collins was also stellar between the pipes for the FireAntz, turning aside 35 of the 37 shots he faced.
        Expect more of the same from your hometown hockey team the remainder of the season as they look to climb the Southern Professional Hockey League Standings and capture another championship.

    Contact Jason Fleming at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 

  • uac010610001.jpg If you ask Mayor Tony Chavonne what he thinks about the upcoming year, you are going to get an earful. Chavonne sees 2010 as the pivotal year for the city in a lot of different ways. It is his job, along with the members of the Fayetteville City Council, to ensure that everything is done to capitalize on the city’s momentum going into 2010 and move the city forward. It’s a job he takes seriously.

    “This is a very critical year for us,” he said during a recent telephone interview. “This is the year where it all starts to happen. We are really going to see things coming out of the ground this year.”

    Chavonne means that literally and fi guratively. The beginning of this year will see the groundbreaking of the N.C. Veterans Park in downtown. The $15 million project has been years in the making, with the most intensive working being done over the past few years. City residents will watch the corner of Bragg Boulevard and Hay Street transform into a park that rivals that found in cities around the nation. The project will incorporate water features and quiet walking paths alongside a modern visitor’s center. While bringing construction to the downtown, part of its beauty is its protection of green spaces within the city center.

    On a less celebrated portion of the city, the Hope VI project will take off. The $20 million project, funded by a grant by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development was the seed money for the Old Wilmington Road Revitalization project. The entire project will be funded with approximately $100 million in public and private funds. The primary focus of the project is to provide high-quality housing that is accessible to a wide range of incomelevels. Included in the project is the demolition of Delona Gardens and Campbell Terrace, two public housing areas that will be replaced with modern housing that refl ects the architecture of Fayetteville. The distribution of low-income housing in the area will drop from 100 percent to 30 percent creating a more diverse and mixed-income neighborhood.

    “This year is going to be the payoff for a lot of hard work over the past few years,” said Chavonne.

    Besides physically seeing projects come out of the ground, the council is hoping to set a vision for the city for years to come.

    “We have been pretty serious about the planning process,” said Chavonne. “Coming up in 2010, one of our priorities is going to be the passage of the Unifi ed Development Ordinance. We’ve been working on it for more than a year, and we hope it will set the standard for what Fayetteville will look like in the coming years.”

    The UDO is a complete overhaul of the city’s zoning ordinances. It will spell out what can and can’t be done in certain areas of the city. Chavonne said the last overhaul of the ordinance occurred in the 1960s. The new ordinances will help address the visual blight that has been an ongoing problem for the city.

    Chavonne said one of the city’s big problems is the lack of planning, which has residential neighborhoods inundated with businesses. “You can ride down the street and see it,” said Chavonne. “There are residential homes, and then there is a lawnmower repair shop. We are going to put standards into place that will clean that up.”

    Chavonne said that other issues such as signage and the development of “cookie cutter” neighborhoods need attention as well.

    “There’s a lot of middleground from where we are – almost unregulated to super regulated. We’ve worked very hard with stakeholders to try and fi nd that balance. The UDO is a big step in making our city a more attractive, clean, peaceful city,” he said.

    One of the biggest topics the city will tackle this year is crime. “Our number one priority is going to be fi ghting crime. Statistics show that we are getting much better in some areas, but we will continue to work on it. We are still dealing with a lot of issues — like gangs — but we will address those issues,” he said.

  • In being asked to do this article, I was introduced to the both beautiful and little known art of scrimshaw. I, like most people, had never heard of the practice, probably due to the fact that it was most popular in the mid-1700 and early 1800s, but is now getting some of the recognition it deserves. 01-26-11-scrimshaw-artist.gif

    Scrimshaw is the act of carving images into the surface of the bones or teeth of sperm whales, the baleen of other whales and sometimes the tusk of the walrus. After the picture is carved, the image is then highlighted with some sort of pigment or ink. The making of scrimshaw began on whaling ships between 1745 to 1759 on the Pacifi c Ocean, and was widely popular until the late 1800s. Scrimshaw is derived from the practice of sailors on whaling ships creating common tools, where the byproducts of whales were readily available to them. The term originally referred to the making of these tools, only later referring to works of art created by whalers in their spare time. Early scrimshaw was done with crude sailing needles, and the movement of the ship, as well as the skill of the artist, produced drawings of varying levels of detail and artistry. Originally, candle black, soot or tobacco juice would have been used to bring the etched design into view. Today’s artists use fi ner tools in various sizes, mostly borrowed from the dental industry. Some would ink their work with more than one color, and restrained polychromed examples of this art are now popular. The work of whaling was very dangerous at the best of times, and whalers were unable to work at night. This gave them a great deal more free time than other sailors and since whale bone was ideally suited for the task, and was easy to work and plentiful, the development of scrimshaw took off and stayed popular for many years.

    The market for whale teeth, (which was sought by Chinese traders for use in the Pacifi c Islands), was fl ooded after a narrative by an American sailor revealed both the market and the source of the teeth survived until the ban on commercial whaling. The practice survives as a hobby and as a trade for commercial artisans, such as Kenneth L. Baldwin.

    Kenneth Baldwin is a Cincinnati Ohio native, and is both a musician and artist that has worked in many different ventures including painting, book and magazine illustration and of course, the art of scrimshaw. Graduating from Cincinnati Art School of Advertising, he worked in advertising and commercial art until joining the US Navy as an illustrator; it was there that his love of scrimshaw fi rst began. “During my time in the navy I became quite interested in naval history and I remember seeing pictures of scrimshaw in history books, and was instantly attracted to its beauty and the craftmanship of it.” His work has been displayed in multiple galleries, museums, and with private collectors in the United States and in Europe. Along with his love of art, he has also been blessed with the talent of composing and performing music pieces. Since the early 1990s Kenneth has served as a primary songwriter and instrumentalist for several acoustic ensembles and also as a soloist and his compositions have been used on National Public Radio stations across the country.

    Recently retired from the service and a new Fayetteville resident, Kenneth has been busy since he arrived, writing a one-act play, children’s book concepts, and a project consisting of a collection of new compositions for a recording of original American Civil War era songs.

    Hank Parfitt, founder, director and past President of The Downtown Alliance says, “We’re very excited about presenting this installment by Kenneth Baldwin, it is truly unique. I do not think that Fayetteville has ever seen such an exhibit, and I think that people will really enjoy it.”

    Kenneth has seen a great response to his work from the public. “I think people are fascinated by this true American art form. It’s a delicate and meticulous process, and people are always interested in the time that it takes and care that it takes to create this art. Scrimshaw has been around a long time, but it’s not a well known art form, although it is seen often on knife handles and similar items.”

    When asked about the sometimes controversial usage of rare materials, Baldwin states “I rarely use whale teeth or walrus tusks any longer, but use the more environmentally friendly faux ivory. Other times I use Mastedon and Mammoth tusk, once they have been dried and prepared, which really adds to the carvings antique look and feel.

    You have a chance to view Kenneth Baldwin’s art and sample his music this month at the City Center Gallery and Books on Jan. 28, located at 112 Hay Street, Fayetteville N.C. 20301. For more information call City Center Gallery and Books at 678-8899.

  • soniThe newest body of work being exhibited by photographer Gray Lyons in Rosenthal Gallery on the campus of Fayetteville State University is simultaneously physical and ethereal. Before reflecting on the meaning or reading the artist’s statement, I was compelled to “just be” with the work. The persistence of its material and immateriality evokes a state of transcendence.


    The exhibit, titled Wavelength, includes nine cyanotypes (a process that dates back to the 1800s). Working in units, Lyon has created large-scale images of a female in states of an activity. We sense the graceful movement of the figure within the depth of an indigo blue space by the layering and effects of light. The scale of the work, measuring approximately 88”x 30,” contributes to the overall meaning.


    In viewing Wavelength I was mindful of the variety of approaches a photographer can undertake in the medium. Yet Lyons selected this process and this subject. Are both a metaphor for something that is beyond the subject being captured, using the visible to reveal something invisible?


    The artist stated the following: “My work addresses themes of memory, history and sexuality and self … images are narrative-based self-portraits, focusing on issues of identity. The photographs in this exhibit are an examination of the female body and the self. It is my intention to unify the functioning and experiential body and the remnants of the body’s story. Through investigating its surface and boundaries, I interrogate desire, compulsion, imagination, gender and ritual. These enactments are a way to understand an experience through the use of the body rather than the use of the mind — a physical resolution rather than an intellectual one … I seek to interpret and reframe these narratives, in an effort to expand the dialogue that surrounds the female body.”


    In that the materiality of the process equally lends itself to meaning, Lyons was asked to explain the process. She stated: “The body is used as a photographic negative and is exposed directly onto the paper. The cyanotype is created by hand-coating a surface (in this case, paper) with a light-sensitive solution, then exposing the coated surface to the sun. An object resting on the coated surface blocks portions of the light, which creates an impression of the object. After the exposure, the image is washed with water, which makes it safe to be viewed in daylight conditions. This is an antique photographic process (circa 1840).”


    The artist continued, “For this exhibition, I was interested in making images using primarily things that leave a visible trace on the paper, but do not have a clearly defined physical presence. To achieve this, I began exploring what effects a sudden rise in humidity, or a differently-timed water wash, or a change in temperature partway through an exposure would have on the resulting tones of the image. As someone who tends toward precision whenever possible, it was both terrifying and exhilarating to disrupt the tightly controlled, carefully timed and measured conditions under which I normally proceed, in order to achieve results that I could not predict or replicate.”


    Wavelength is free and the public is invited to see the exhibition at Rosenthal Gallery until it closes on Feb. 18. In viewing Wavelength, visitors will be seeing a body of work by an artist who has earned degrees from Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Savannah College of Art and Design and Towson University. Her work has been exhibited and published nationally and internationally and can be found in the collections of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, the Siena Art Institute Library, the Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur and the Brauer Museum of Art. Ms. Lyons has been a visiting artist at the Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, Georgetown College, Goucher College and other venues. Her studio is in South Bend, Indiana.


    Rosenthal Gallery is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the campus of Fayetteville State University. The public is also invited to attend a Skype session with the artist and FSU art students on Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. in the gallery. Please check the FSU Area of Art Website for information: http://www.uncfsu.edu/arts/visual-arts-home.

  • little mermaidMany readers may already be familiar with The Little Mermaid either from the animated Disney movie or the original story by Hans Christian Andersen. Mermaid princess Ariel longs to be human and goes to the surface to observe them. During a storm, she rescues Prince Eric and falls in love. When her father, King Triton, forbids here from returning to the surface, she makes a deal with sea witch Ursula to get back to Eric.


    Cape Fear Regional Theatre took the classic story, added stunning costumes from the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, threw in circus performers from 2 Ring Circus, flavored it with an amazing set and topped it off with a tremendous cast. Voila, you’ve got the makings of a fabulous show for all ages. It runs through Feb.12.


    It is difficult to choose what I liked best about seeing Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the CFRT. Hearing the songs and being part of the audience singing along was fun. Seeing the aerialists performing a ballet in the air was terrific. By the end of the show, what I enjoyed most was seeing this musical locally produced here in Fayetteville in top-notch fashion while showcasing some CFRT regulars.


    Director Melissa Rain Anderson is to be commended for pulling it all together. Lani Corson did a great job as Ariel. Her performance as the main character delivered everything we want in a lead. She’s very talented on several counts. Helen Regula was so good as Ursula, the sea witch, I found myself rooting for her. I almost wanted it to become an octopus story so I could see and hear more of her on stage. Regula portrays the big baddie under the sea with a deliciously evil passion.


    The costumes by Rafael Colon Castanera make the show a spectacular sight. I could write a thousand words about how great they are and how much dimension they add to the musical. I wanted to sneak backstage afterward just to see how the costumes were put together and what they are made of (but I didn’t CFRT, I didn’t).


    The way CFRT blended visiting talent with regular CFRT contributors really made it an over-the-top production. Scenic Designer Kimberly Powers and Scenic Artist David Rawlins deliver an unbelievable set that puts you under the sea and in a palace with equal attention to detail and flair.


    Locals rounding out the cast were fabulous, bringing favorite characters to life. Deon Releford-Lee as Sebastian, the courtly crab, steals every scene he is in. His performances of “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl” brought the house down. I enjoyed watching him in last season’s The Wiz, but now, with the accent and the dance moves — I may be in love with a Jamaican crustacean who sings and dances calypso.


    Also a veteran of The Wiz, Jeremiah Packer delivers an adorable performance as Flounder, Ariel’s best friend. He perfectly captures the innocence of the character and some almost-human emotions while fluttering about with Ariel on her adventures.


    It is a story featuring a little mermaid, to be sure, but the supporting cast really took the production to another level. It was a pleasant surprise to see Taylor Kraft as Aquata, one of the mersisters and part of the female ensemble. Last seen at the CFRT in Million Dollar Quartet, Kraft also appeared in Ring of Fire — two of my favorite CFRT shows to date. Kudos to Christian Donnelly as Scuttle and the Gulls whose tap routine during “Positoovity” was a show highlight.


    Perhaps no other moment in the show really delivered for me the reason CFRT is such an asset to our community than seeing Ken Griggs on stage as Chef Louis. I last saw him performing as the lead in It’s a Wonderful Life in December. To see that serious, powerful performance followed by his fun and silly rendition of “Les Poisson” really demonstrates the goldmine of talent we have in the local area. His turn serenading fish and chasing crabs was something else, not to mention that wig!


    Don’t miss this show. Disney’s The Little Mermaid runs through Feb. 12. Visit www.cfrt.org or call 910.323.4233 for more information.

  • 42On Jan. 26, Givens Performing Arts Center brings 42nd Street to the stage. The show c is about the American dream and it centers around the character Peggy Sawyer. She is a young dancer who leaves her quiet town to take her chances in New York. She auditions for the Broadway musical, Pretty Lady. Peggy starts off as the traditional underdog character. The lead in the show goes to an already legendary starlet. However, Peggy gets her lucky break when the leading lady breaks her ankle and Peggy gets to take over the lead role. The show has been described as a “tap dance extravaganza” and offers an entertaining peak into Broadway’s backstage drama.

    Gerriane Genga plays Dorothy Brock, the leading lady who breaks her ankle. “This show is filled with all the magic and sparkle of Broadway,” she said. “The music is incredible. Some of the numbers include “We’re In The Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “Shuffle Off To Buffalo,” “Dames,” “I Only Have Eyes For You” and of course “42nd Street.”

    For Genga, the story is a classic, but the scenery and choreography make it that much better. “The set designers create a beautiful stage for telling this story,” she said. “And the costumes are just as impressive. The choreography is so energetic. You will definitely leave with a smile on your face.”

    Genga added that the cast is filled with energy on and off stage. “They bring such intensity to every performance and every town we visit. This is quite an energetic cast.”

    This story has long roots stretching back to 1933 when Hollywood adapted Bradford Rope’s novel into a film. In 1980 Gower Champion directed the show on Broadway and in 1981, it won the Tony Award for Best Musical. It went on to play 3,486 performances on Broadway. In 2001 the show made another appearance on Broadway. It played for 1,524 performances and won the Tony for Best Revival. This traveling performance of the show is direction by Mark Bramble and choreography by Randy Skinner. This is the same dynamic duo that brought Broadway the 2001 award-winning revival.

    “A lot of people don’t know that this show almost didn’t open when it debuted,” said Genga. “The original director, Gower Champion, died hours before the curtain rose. But none of the performers knew it until after the show was over.”

    The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.uncp.edu/gpactickets , by visiting the box office in person or by calling 910.521.6361. Tickets cost between $10 and $14.

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    From floating women in abandoned buildings to double-exposed portraits, photographs by Michele Bir evoke a second glance. Appearing as moments, the circumstance in Bir’s narrative ranges from dreamlike to the supernatural. While viewing Perceptions of Circumstance: Photographs by Michele Bir at Gallery 208, visitors may sense they have discovered something voyeuristically intentional; while other photographs evoke quite the opposite – we have interrupted something very private.

    Whatever the intent of the artist, vulnerability is always present.

    Bir’s background story as a photographer is unusual. She earned a Master’s in Public Administration and concentrated on Public Policy and Law and only became interested in photography when her husband was deployed in 2010. She purchased a 35mm Canon Rebel camera from eBay for

    $50 and started to explore the urban environment as a hobby.

    Since that relatively recent commitment, she doggedly researched the art of photography, photographers and Photoshop techniques. As recently as

    2013 she decided to pursue photography as a career. Her talent, diligence and compassion were rewarded when she was able to work as a freelance photographer for the Fayetteville Observer and City View Magazine. Bir is presently employed as a photojournalist with the Sanford Herald in North Carolina.

    Bir shared that she has been influenced by Surrealism and the idea of dream imagery.

    Developed in the 1920s, Surrealism artists often utilizes the element of surprise with random objects and unpredictable juxtapositions that one might find in a dream. The irrational becomes the norm; it is a style that provides the freedom to convey feelings and thoughts.

    For Bir, “It isn’t about capturing a moment in time or natural environments, but a way to recreate my dreams.” That can be a Surrealist approach, but which one? When I think about Bir’s images, I don’t think of Surrealist Salvador Dali and his famous melting clocks. Instead, I am reminded of a quote by Surrealist Giorgio de Chirico: ““Although the dream is a very strange phenomenon and an inexplicable mystery, far more inexplicable is the mystery and aspect our minds to confer on certain objects and aspects of life.”

    Bir seems to be reflecting de Chirico’s “aspects of our mind confers on aspects of life” in her own way - creating an eerie mood, one that we might encounter in a dream. The artist combines multiple images taken at varying exposures, then merge them into a single image. The artist explained how an “image contains anywhere from six to12 different exposures and the incorporation of models allows for elevated storytelling.”

    Bir shared that her “photographs are my dreams and my nightmares. My work is an attempt to convey my emotions without words. It inhabits the undefined space where my soul meets my body.”

    For me, she is like many contemporary photographers and the photograph is a medium to evoke another way of seeing. All are backdrops for some kind of transformation or revelation located in places hidden from us, forgotten or abandoned.

    The public is invited to attend the exhibit and the opening reception.

    Perceptions of Circumstance: Photographs by Michele Bir opens on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Everyone attending the reception will get a preview of the exhibit and meet the artist. Bir will speak at 6 p.m. to briefly talk about her work.

    The exhibit will remain at Gallery 208 until mid-March 2017. Gallery is located at 208 West Rowan Street, Fayetteville. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For information, call Up and Coming Weekly at 484-6200.

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  • The Crown Center has just the cure for the winter blues — a line up of sensational shows that will keep you entertained. With upcoming shows, you will be on the edge of your seat, jamming to some of your favorite music, laughing out loud at side splitting comedy and shedding a tear or two over01-11-12-crown1.jpglive theatre. So hang onto your seat, and grab a phone to order tickets, the Crown is starting the year out right.

    The FireAntz opened the year with a game against the Huntsville Havoc and have several home games scheduled through March. As we head into the coldest months of the year, a feisty game of hockey is sure to heat things up. Check the schedule at www.fireantzhockey.com.

    Community Concerts presents REO Speedwagon on Jan. 14. The band formed in 1967, and has been on stage and in the studio for more than 40 years producing, doz01-11-12-crown2.jpgens of albums and performing hundreds of concerts. The concert is sure to please fans of every age. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and the Crown box office. Contact Community Concerts at www.community-concerts.com for more information and ticket inquiries.

    Broadway’s best-loved musical, The Color Purple, makes a stop at the Crown on Jan. 19. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the film by Steven Spielberg, the play tells the story of Celie, a woman who finds strength to triumph over adversity and discover her voice in the world. The curtain rises at 8 p.m. Tickets are between $30 and $59.

    On Jan. 21, country crooner Jason Aldean performs at 7:30 p.m., along with Luke Bryan and American Idolrunner-up Lauren Alaina. Since his debut in 2005 with Hicktown, Aldean has become a country favorite, keeping critics and listeners on their toes.

    Tickets are available by calling the Crown box office at 438-4100.

    Look for the Thunderslam Monster Truck Spectacular on Jan. 27-28. If the smell of dust in the air and the sounds of crunching metal get your heart pounding, this event is a must-see. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on01-11-12-crown3.jpg both nights.

    Comedian Ron White visits the Crown on Feb. 3. White performed with funny men Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy in the Blue Collar Comedy Tour from January 2000 throughMarch of 2003. They played to sold-out audiences in more than 90 cities and grossed more than $15 million dollars. Over the past five years, White has been one of the top-three grossing comedians on tour in the U.S. A Comedy Central mainstay, White’s sense of humor keeps his audiences in stitches. The show starts at 8 p.m.

    Rock of Ages featuring music from ‘80s bands, Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison and Whitesnake, rocks the Crown on Valentine’s Day. Presented by Community Concerts, this event is the perfect opportunity to relive some great memories — or ma01-11-12-crown4.jpgke new ones — with your sweetheart, best friend or favorite teenager. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. 

    Comedian Mike Epps brings laughter to Fayetteville on Feb. 19 with the I’m Still Standing Tour, followed by Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots on Feb. 23-24.

    February comes to a close with the Carolina Home and Garden Show on the Feb 25-26. Attend a workshop, visit with vendors and get ready for spring.

    Find out more about these and other events at www.atthecrown.com or by calling the Crown Box Office at 438-4100.

    Photos: Jason Aldean, Lauren Alaina, Ron White. 

  • Part of the mission of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra (FSO) is to try and serve every citizen of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. The FSO will once again do so in a very special way when the orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Fouad Fakhouri, presents Peter and the Wolf at the Second Annual Exceptional Children and Adults’ Concerton Friday, Jan. 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Crown Theater in Fayetteville.

    Free and open to the public, the concert event welcomes all children and adults to attend, providing an opportunity for those with mental, physical and developmental disabilities to enjoy a live performance of the symphony. The concert program features Michael Macias on piano, Ken Smith as narrator and Betty-Neill Parsons, conductor of One Voice, the Gilmore Center’s Exceptional Performing Chorus.

    “This is the second year that we’ve done this program. It was a great success last year,” said Fakhouri, FSO music director and conductor. “There’s obviously a need for something like this because many of these exceptional young children, and adults as well, are underserved in that regard, and we felt that we should fulfi ll that need. We have associated with the concert the instrument petting zoo. The kids get to grab these instruments, touch them and play them and then they get to hear them when we perform.”01-18-12-fso-exceptional.jpg

    The FSO was able to acquire and purchase the instruments for the zoo through a grant from the Cumberland Community Education Foundation.

    “These kids can always play with them, and when we go to schools, we can even take them with us. It’s a great, great thing. The idea behind it is that after the concert, as they are walking out, the instruments are there as well, and they can gravitate towards the instrument that they liked in that performance. It provides them with hands-on experience with these instruments, beyond just sitting there in the audience and listening and being preached to. It gives them an actual chance to physically touch the instruments, and that’s real important,” he noted.

    Also important, Fakhouri noted, is the effect the music itself may have on many in the audience who, prior to this type of concert, may have never had an opportunity to see an orchestra or sit in an audience and listen to one.

    “Last year, when we first started, there were many noises in the audience, a lot of activity. As everything settled in, and as we started getting into the third or fourth piece, it almost had this calming effect, and you could sense that it shifted from ‘they’re just watching’ to ‘now they’re listening to us’ because a lot of the noise completely dissipated and subsided to a point where we felt we could acknowledge that we had their attention.

    “The concerts in general are a joy for the musicians to perform and certainly for me because part of what we do as musicians always is try to touch people’s lives in ways that we feel certainly are important to us as musicians. By the time you leave that concert, you feel that you have significantly affected positively the lives of children and adults,” Fakhouri continued, underscoring the importance of the FSO’s commitment to its mission as it celebrates its 55th anniversary season: To Educate. To Entertain. To Inspire.

    “We want to encourage everyone to come to our concerts. We are constantly trying to seek programs, any events that will touch people. We are always striving for that, and to provide culture and music to all of Fayetteville and Cumberland County.”

    For more information on the Exceptional Children and Adults’ Concert or the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, please call 910.433.4690, email info@fayettevillesymphony.org or visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

    Photo: The Instrument Petting Zoo is a big draw for children at the FSO Exceptional Children and Adults’ Concert..

  • 01-25-12-ron-white.jpgComedian Ron “Tater Salad” White brings laughter to the Crown Center Theatre on Friday, Feb. 3, performing in Fayetteville for his Moral Compass Tour.

    Even though he couldn’t comment on the content of the show because he doesn’t want to spoil what is in store for his fans, White did promise “You won’t breathe for an hour and 30 minutes.” It’s just that funny.

    Being in the show business for 26 years, he has had the opportunity to perform 10,000 live shows and travel to 148 cities. The comedian does big shows three times a week and is thrilled every time. This performance is no exception.

    This is not White’s first visit to Fayetteville, the comedian has a strong connection to the military and has performed at the Crown Center Theatre in the past. A Navy veteran, White is an active member of the Armed Forces Foundation, which he joined in 2008. The Armed Forces Foundation is a non-profit organization that devotes its time to bringing relief to the mem-bers of the Armed Forces community during their greatest time of need. The foundation provides direct financial support to military members and their families. In fact, 94 percent of all donations to this organization go to help our nation’s heroes.

    The cigar-smoking, scotch-drinking funny man is always thrilled when he is on stage. The response he receives from his fans gives him the validation that he still has the ability to entertain. “People going crazy in the audience is worth more than the price of admission,” he said.

    White has been doing stand-up comedy since he was 29. He has been making people laugh all his life and knew that it was something that he wanted to pursue. White has led a successful career that includes Grammy nomina-tions, a New York Times Best-selling book, a Gold Record, three of the top rated one-hour TV specials in Comedy Central history, and CD and DVD sales of more than 10 million units. White has also starred in two popular movies: Sex and The City 2 and Horrible Bosses. His latest movie venture, Jayne Mansfield’s Car, is a project that the comedian is thrilled about. White will star in the feature with Billy Bob Thornton, who also directed the movie. Robert Duvall also has a role in the film. The movie premieres at the Berlin International Film Festival in February.

    “This is the biggest part I’ve ever played,” White said.

    The Crown Center Theatre is thrilled to have the comedian perform again. Marshall Perry, director of marketing and sales, anticipates a sell-out for this show and stated that tickets are going very fast. “White will be greatly enjoyed by those who come to see the show. They will not be disappointed. Although the show is intended for mature audiences only, it will be very amusing to say the least,” said Perry. “He always does a great show and is very well received.”

    White loves what he does and has no plans of retiring anytime soon.

    “I plan on doing it as long as people want to see it” White said.

    The show will begin at 8 p.m. at the Crown Center Theatre, located on 1960 Coliseum Dr. Ticket prices range from $35 to $85. Tickets are available at the Crown Box Office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

    Photo: Ron White performs at the Crown on Feb. 3.

  • MISSION IMPOSSIBLE(RATED PG-13) 4 STARS02-01-12-movie.jpg

     I don’t know what to tell you people. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol(133 minutes) was long and had some boring parts, but it didn’t suck. If you’re into seeing a crazy-pants cultist perform some physically impossible stunts while looking intently at the camera, you should really enjoy it. Although you should be careful not to look directly into his eyes; that’s how the thetans get you! There are some pretty girls rolling around on the floor together, ripping at each other clothes and bashing vases over each other’s heads, too. But that is in no way sexist or exploitative, because, see they’re spies and stuff, and they are in a fight so it makes perfect sense within the logic of the plot. And boy spies do exactly the same thing, except they don’t, so it’s sexist. Unless you count the Viggo Mortenson full frontal sauna fight from Eastern Promises.

    As far as I am concerned, the franchise peaked with Mission Impossible II, but this one is certainly watchable enough. The logic behind choosing Brad Bird to direct eludes me. I’m not com-plaining (after all, this is the guy that did the “Family Dog” episode of Amazing Stories and Ratatouille), it just seems an improbable jump

    . I guess he did all right. Can he do a feature length version of “Family Dog?” That would be cool.So, Abrams clearly had a hand in recruiting, since Josh Holloway shows up early in the film as MI agent Trevor Hanaway. He gets to play with some cool new technology that works really well, unlike later in the film when, like toys on Christmas morning, everything breaks two seconds after it’s out of the package. He is tracked by an elite assassin with an awesome name, Sabine Moreau (Lea Seydoux). As what should have been a simple snatch and grab operation goes toes up, we transi-tion to a Moscow prison.

    Apparently, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) did something naughty and ended up in the gulag. Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Jane Carter (Paula Patton) plan a nifty prison break, that involves exposing the dedicated prison guards who are only trying to do their jobs to a full-scale prison riot. At least Ethan heads back to save that one prison guard … nope. Nope. He is walking right past the guy getting beaten to death to collect his plot point Bogdan (Miraj Grbic).

    After some very arty opening credits, Ethan gets his mission message and takes the team, sadly not including Ving Rhames, to the Kremlin. They do some technology stuff, only to find out their mission is a bust and take off, followed by a massive explosion.

    Ethan manages to mission impossible his way out of his impend-ing arrest only to hear the rather disappointing news that he and his team are going to act as scapegoats for the U.S. government, and that MI will be disbanded under the rules of the Ghost Protocol. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but whatever. At least Ethan has Brandt (Jeremy Renner) to keep him company when he goes under-ground! And from all the smoldering glances they keep giving each other, it doesn’t look like he misses his MI: III wife at all.

    The team regroups in a near impossible-to-access moving bun-ker, which might look like a well-cared for state of the art weapons cache, but is apparently filled with junk because none of it works. They head out to Dubai to look for a mystery man with a nuclear device (Michael Nyqvist). Despite being disavowed, they still have unlimited funds and lots of fake ID’s, so when they can’t nab him there, they track their guy to Mumbai, and send Jane in to seduce important information out of some dude. Because in an MI movie, that’s all highly skilled spy ladies are good for. Also, they get emotional and kill people they’re not supposed to kill.

    Overall, watchable if you don’t spend too much time thinking and you don’t mind suspending disbelief regarding what is and is not physically possible.

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

  • 01-04-12-youth-programming.jpgIt has been said you can judge a society by how it treats its weakest members — its children. If that is the case, there is a lot to be said for the City of Fayetteville and the way it celebrates its youngest citizens.

    While nothing replaces the time and attention of parents, the Fayetteville community has several resources that make parenting a little more fun and interesting.

    Each fall the community rallies around its youth to support education and literacy with Reading Rocks, a 1.5 mile walk through downtown Fayetteville that draws crowds of more than 20,000. The local high-school marching bands are stationed along the route and provide inspiration to the walkers. Dignitaries from the school system, local community and Fort Bragg attend the event in celebration of local youth.

    The funds raised through this program support public education and raise money for literacy. The money also provides grants for teachers and programs that support 53,000 students in the 88 schools in the community. Reading Rocks has raised more than $800,000 since its inception — all of which is used to locally to support literacy in Cumberland County Schools. It’s an investment in the community’s future — it just happens to be fun, too.

    Most every parent knows that no matter how old kids are, one of the easiest ways to keep them out of trouble is to keep them busy. Fayetteville Cumberland Parks and Recreation offers local citizens a bevy of choices when it comes to keeping youth engaged.

    Boasting 18 recreation centers county-wide and at least twice as many parks that range from school and community playgrounds to sports complexes to multi-use and community parks, the possibilities for healthy activities are impressive.

    Recreation-league sports like soccer, football, basketball and baseball are just the beginning of what the community’s parks and recreation department has to offer. Peel back another layer and there are self-guided scavenger hunts, kayak lessons and fishing events at Lake Rim Park, nature totes for check out and nature-themed story time at Clarke Park.

    Dig deeper still and find a variety of classes and activities that are offered each month. Archery, stars and constellations, cooking, geocaching, dancing, music lessons, tennis and martial arts classes are just a few of the options available through the parks and recreation department at amazing prices.

    When youngsters are restless for some wholesome and fun activities, why not take them for a stroll on the Cape Fear River Trail or to Mazarick Park for an outside adventure? To find out everything there is to know about the community’s green spaces, checkout the parks and rec activity guide at www.fcpr.us.

    Another great resource for youth is the Cumberland County Library. Yes, books are available for check out, and sure, they’ve got story-time activities for kids of all ages (including book clubs and visiting authors for mom and dad), but that is just the beginning.

    With eight locations throughout Cumberland County, the library is always looking for new ways to become involved in the community. Events like movie night and the many make it/take it activities are popular, but there is still more. Perhaps gingerbread house contests, musical performances, weekend storytelling festivals, gaming clubs, writing workshops and photography and art contests aren’t the first things that come to mind when someone mentions the word library, but these events and many more happen all the time, right here in Fayetteville — at the library.

    Check out the calendar of events at their website www.cumberland.lib.nc.us.

    Photo: Reading Rocks is one of many youth-based programs that enriches the community and encourages its youth.

  • 01-11-12-special-ed.jpgIt’s happened to most everyone. You need a resource or information and cannot find where or how to access it, or you have a resource/information that you know will be useful to many and can’t seem to get it into the hands of the people it will help the most. It’s beyond frustrating. When the two come together, so much good can happen. And that is apparent in the Cumberland County Schools.

    Parents of special-needs children are aware of how diffi cult it can be to unlock the resources that the public-school system provides. So is Dr. Franklin Till, the Cumberland County Schools superintendent. He, along with the Exceptional Children Parents Advisory Council, has spent the last two years trying to find a way to better connect parents of special-needs children with the right programs and resources within the school system. What the group has found that is in most cases, the programs are already in place. The problem comes in connecting the the right families with the right resources. The result of their efforts is the Special Education Parent Teacher Association, or SEPTA.

    Joan Owen and Julie Rufenacht are parents of special-needs children. They know first-hand the extra effort it takes to meet the myriad education needs of children with special needs.

    “There was not a way for parents to connect,” said Owen.“There was a lot of miscommunication in the system and parents were not educated on how the system works. They don’t know what services are offered and things like that, so this is a way for them to work within the school system and see what is available. It is a way for parents to connect with other parents who may have a child with a similar diagnosis.”

    Two years in the making, SEPTA was formally organized in August 2011 and held its first meeting in November. Owen and Rufenacht were both thrilled when more than 100 people showed up. “A lot of these parents have all they can handle and they don’t get involved in PTA’s because they feel like it is not suitable to them,” said Rufenacht. “This is a way to build a platform for these families and their children to come together and learn from each other, learn the school system and learn how we, as families, can help each other.”

    The next meeting is scheduled for Jan 19 at Maxx Abbott Middle School The program topic IEP/504 and How We Can Work with the System will be presented by Angela Rafferty of the Family Support Network. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. To find out more, contact SEPTA at cumberlandcountysepta@yahoo.com.

    Photo: The Special Education PTA works in conjunction with the Cumberland County PTA to unite families of special-needs students and educate them about resources provided through the school system. 

  • uac011812001.jpg A little indulgence now and then can be good for the soul. Indulging for a good cause, who doesn’t love that? On Jan. 28, that is exactly what’s happening at the 9th Annual A Chocolate Affair … to Remember.

    The Chocolate Affairis more than sweet treats. Bid on vacation packages, collectibles, crafts, art/photography, jewelry, toys, event tickets, sports memorabilia and more — all donated by local merchants and benefactors. The items are divided between live and silent auctions.

    “We are really excited about the items we have to auction this year,” said Lisa Perkins, regional director of Catholic Charities. “Our donors have been very generous and the winners, I’m sure, will be happy with what they get.”

    Perkins suggests that the event would be the perfect way to end an evening out.

    “We tried to time it so that people could go out to dinner or something and then come and enjoy some really nice desserts and maybe have a glass of wine,” said Perkins.

    Local R&B artist Reggie Codrington is scheduled to perform throughout the evening. Codrington has eight CD’s to his name and years of experience performing. His most recent release, Vision of Dreams came out in 2010. A Vicarious Experience, which is Codrington’s next project, drops this summer.

    It’s not just the chocolate, music and the generous donations that make this event so much fun. Perkins points out that it is a great opportunity to enjoy the company of the people around you and maybe even do a little networking.

    LIFE at St. Joseph in the Pines is the title sponsor this year. It is a fairly new program of all-inclusive care for the elderly. The program provides a team of healthcare professionals to help assist senior citizens. Some of the services provided include adult day health services, medical care, occupational-, physical- and speech-therapy, dental care and mental-health services. 

    While enjoying a sweet snack and bidding on auction items, consider that the proceeds benefi t Catholic Charities of Fayetteville, an organization that serves the poor and needy in Fayetteville and surrounding counties. Catholic Charities routinely provides emergency assistance, counseling, family support, legal-immigration services and employment assistance to people in the community. Perkins estimates that the organization helps about 200 families locally each year, and 55,000 regionally. In addition to providing emergency resources and direct services, Catholic Charities advocates for social and economic justice for people in need and serves people regardless of their religion.01-18-12-chocolate.jpg

    The confections will be provided by a number of chocolatiers, including Fayetteville’s own, The Chocolate Lady.

    A supporter of the Catholic Charities’ Chocolate Affairsince its inception, Jeannie Nelson — the Chocolate Lady — has been making chocolate since the ‘80s. It was a stint at a chocolate factory in Hawaii that really showed her how to temper the chocolate, which she says is the secret to making her great treats.

    “Once you learn now to properly temper the chocolate, there are so many possibilities that open up,” said Nelson. “It is key in making so many things.”

    A regular in the Fayetteville chocolate scene since 2002, Nelson is excited to start her 10th year in business here. “When we fi rst moved here I built my business mostly by word-of-mouth recommendations, and I worked some through a local caterer,” she said. Now she is a part of the downtown business community and enjoys the foot traffic that brings people into her shop each day. “It is hard to believe that was 10 years ago.”

    Peek into her shop and it becomes clear that Nelson is serious about making chocolate fun. Confections that look like wedding cakes, festive cocktails in miniature martini glasses, scrumptious two-toned chocolate tuxedos and even adorable cartoon-ish looking chocolate mice (think Cinderella) fill the cases.

    Standard favorites like buck-eyes, truffles and peanut clusters are on the menu too, along with chocolate covered treats like cereal bars and of course luscious chocolate-dipped fruits.“

    We try to make sure that there is something here that appeals to everyone,” said Nelson. “The chocolate covered strawberries are popular, and of course the truffl es. Those are my very favorite. A lot of time and energy goes into making those just right.”

    Look for Chocolate Lady confections at the Catholic Charities 9th Annual Chocolate Affair... to Remember. It’s is an event she looks forward to each year.

    “This is such a fun night and just a great event,” said Nelson. “I really enjoy being a part of it and watching how much everyone enjoys themselves.”

    Find out more about the Chocolate Lady at www.fayettevillechocolatelady.com.

    A Chocolate Affair … to Remember is at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux, Marseille Room and runs from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $35 if purchased in advance and $40 at the door. Sponsorships are still available and can be purchased starting at $250. For advanced tickets call 424-2020 or purchase them at The Pollitt Selection in Westwood Shopping Center or The Chocolate Lady on Hay Street. Donations are tax deductible.

    Photo: Chocolate treats headline at A Chocolate Affair.

  • The Animal Called POW, a special exhibit, opens at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum on Friday, Feb 10. 02-01-12-pow-at-asom.jpg

    The temporary exhibit is sponsored by the Directorate of Plans Training and Mobilization (DPTM) and the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation. It focuses on educating the public about the prison camps in South Vietnam and the horrors the soldiers incarcerated in the camps faced. The exhibit runs through January 2013, and takes a hard look at rescue missions, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) training, as well as current prisoners of war. Dr. Nicole Suarez, curator at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, says that this has been the most worthwhile exhibit that she has worked with.

    “People aren’t aware that there were prisoners of war in South Vietnam and our mission is to inform and educate the public about it,” Suarez says.

    Colonel James “Nick” Rowe, a U.S. Army offi cer, is a main discussion point in the exhibit. He was one of only 34 prisoners to escape during imprisonment in the Vietnam War. The exhibit displays a replica of the “tiger cage” that housed the soldier while he was held captive. Rowe, who retired following his escape, was later recalled to active duty to use the lessons he learned during his struggle to survive to create the SERE training that is still taught to high-risk personnel in today’s armed forces.

    In 1989, Rowe, who was assigned to the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group in the Philippines, was assissinated on the morning of April 21, 1989, as he was being driven to work in an armored limousine. Rowe’s vehicle was hit by gunfire from a .45 caliber pistol and an M16 rifle. Twenty-one shots hit the vehicle; one round entered through an unarmored portion of the vehicle frame and struck Colonel Rowe in the head, killing him instantly. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery.

    Visitors will get a glimpse of what it was like to live in these prison camps by viewing an immersive indoctrination hut, which replicates the one used in “Force of Darkness” in South Vietnam.

    “A prison camp has been created inside the exhibit for the public to walk through and understand what it was like for these soldiers,” Suarez adds.

    The walls of the exhibit are made of bamboo, which offers a more realistic approach to the public. A display of actual artifacts from the POWs is also on display, as well as a section of the exhibit that shows movie clips related to POWs throughout the years. The public will gain some knowledge and hear of lessons learned from the prisoners of war and the escape attempts that they made. Suarez also added that as visitors walk through the exhibit they hear the POWs’ stories in their own words. This allows visitors to have a more realistic experience. “I think the general public can take something away from viewing this exhibit,” Suarez says.

    The Airborne and Special Operations Foundation was inspired by the Heroes Homecoming celebration in Fayetteville last year, which honored Vietnam Veterans. The group created this exhibit to acknowledge and praise these veterans’ stand for sacrifi ce, teamwork and victory. The mission of the organization is to provide a unique and educational experience on U.S. history and basic core values of airborne and special-operations soldiers. The organization members want to preserve interpretation and recognition of U.S. Army airborne and special-operations history, equipment, technology, legend, art and weaponry.

    The main exhibits in the museum are the Early Airborneexhibit, World War II Exhibit, Korea and Cold War exhibit, Vietnamexhibitand Contingency Operations and Training exhibit. Set up in a chronological manner, visitors travel through time, beginning in the 1940s.

    The museum also includes a theatre and simulator where visitors can gain a more virtual experience.

    Admission to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum is free, however, donations are accepted. Doors to the museum are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays. Volunteers are always welcome and contribute to the success of the museum. For more information about the museum or any volunteer work, contact the museum at 910-643-2766 or email at info@asomf.org.

  • The British culture has always been deeply intertwined with America. In recent years especially, the British culture has become increasingly popular, and the Headquarters Library has embraced this with a Downton Abbey-inspired tea party. The event takes place on Jan. 6. It promises to be fun — and educational, too.

    When most people think of British High Society they picture top hats, monocles and extended pinkies while drinking tea. However, there is a lot more to the complex and regal culture of England’s wealthiest and most influential citizens. England has a rich history that stretches over centuries and all this history has shaped the country’s culture in enormous and complex ways.

    Downton Abbey, which is the television show that has inspired this huge tea party, has been airing in America since 2011. It started originally in the United Kingdom in 2010. Downton Abbey is set in post-Edwardian era England in the aristocratic and fictional Yorkshire estate that gives the show its name. The focus of the series is the rich and influential Crawley family, and the people who serve them.

    The series tackles many of the major historical events and accurately shows their effect on the British social hierarchy as well as their effect on the fictional Crawleys. Some of the historical events that are tackled throughout the different seasons are the sinking of the Titanic, the Spanish Influenza and, of course, World War I.

    For anyone interested in learning about the British culture in the early 1900s, this downtown Downton Abbey tea party is the perfect place to be. One of the most defining and well-known aspects of British culture is their affinity for tea. To stick with the Downton Abbey theme, and to educate citizens on the traditions of the British high tea, the Headquarters Library will host a huge tea party that will provide citizens with an authentic English high tea experience. 01-02-13-downton-abbey.gif

    There will be more to this gathering than Earl Grey and crumpets, however. The tea party will also offer an enlightening history lesson from Fayetteville State University History Department’s professor Brad Kadel.

    Apart from the history, participants will be able to enjoy the traditional fare of this British tradition. Since the 1800s Britain has been the largest consumer of tea per capita. The tea traditionally enjoyed is a strong black tea with milk and sugar. Usually, scones are served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. The beverage is enjoyed in every class, but only the upper class experiences the delicate tea drinking ritual most often pictured. Most of the middle and lower classes enjoy tea in a mug; much like an American would enjoy their coffee.

    Participants should come dressed in their “Downton best.” Reservations are required for the tea party. The tea party is from 3 to 6 p.m. at Headquarters Library in the Pate Room. The library is located at 300 Maiden Lane. For more information, call 483-7727.

    Photo: British High Tea is making a come back and the Downtown Library is getting in on it by sponsoring a British High Tea Downtown Abbey style.

  • Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D (Rated R) 2 Stars

    I don’t use the phrase shamelessly derivative cash grab lightly. I find it ut-terly incomprehensible that Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D (92 minutes) was number one at the box office the week it released. I mean, neither Django nor Les Miserables was able to take down The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and here we have this worthless bit of nothing leapfrogging into the top spot.

    01-23-13-movie.gifI really enjoyed the original when I first saw it (a shoddy copy on VHS) and I enjoyed the remastered DVD even more. The se-quels were completely unnecessary, and the millennial remakes amounted to little better than torture-porn. Going into this film, I thought I was about the see the third in the remake trilogy so I was extremely puzzled when the film appeared to start with scenes from the original — including shots of original Leatherface Gunnar Hansen.

    The quality of the earlier footage is ruined by the insertion of Bill Moseley. He is not even playing his Chop-Top Sawyer character from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. Instead, his character is the patriarch of the clan who was played by Jim Siedow in Chainsaw and its sequel, Drayton Sawyer. Things start to make sense when the original footage segues into new scenes of the Sheriff (Thom Barry) shout-ing at Drayton to bring the boy out. At first there is some disagreement in the Sawyer clan as to whether or not to send Leatherface out, but then some Texans with cowboy hats and shotguns/rifles/guns show up and start slinging nooses. Clearly, things are about to get interesting. With the shouting back and forth headed towards Leatherface being taken into custody forthwith, the Texans decide that lynching is too good for those who cooperate with authority, and so they set the place on fire.

    As you would expect, a small fire quickly engulfs the large house and burns it to the ground. But wait! There’s a survivor! One of the Texans takes a baby from the wreckage and gives it to his wife. Recap: this film is the sequel to the original, not the remakes, but it essentially ignores the events from the original sequels, assuming Drayton Sawyer is killed in the fire. Of course, if there was one survivor they may be a few more…

    Anyway. The baby grows up to be a hottie with really pretty eyes who appeared in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia that one time. Heather (Alexandria Daddario) finds out she was adopted and has inherited a large property in Texas. She plans to head down South to settle the estate. Her boyfriend Ryan (Tremaine Neverson) and frenemy Nikki (Tania Raymonde) decide to go with her, bringing along Ryan’s friend/Nikki’s hook-up Kenny (Keram Malicki-Sanchez) to be supportive.

    On the way to Texas, they run into a hitchhiker. Of course, it turns out that Darryl the Hitchhiker (Shaun Sipos) was working a scam all along, and tries to rob the estate the first chance he gets. Because, duh, stupid young people, don’t pick up hitchhikers.

    While the trusting fools get supplies, Darryl begins poking around until he finds the butler’s pantry and a secret door. I feel like I should include Spoiler Tags here, but I’m not spoiling much, given the title of the film. Out pops Leatherface! He blud-geons Darryl to death and I roll my eyes in disgust because it’s not called Texas Bludgeoning Massacre 3D. The death count rises and the stupid chainsaw has still not made an appearance.

    Eventually, the town’s police force gets into the action and tries to lure Leatherface into an abandoned slaughterhouse for the final act. Narrative in-consistencies abound, and an after-credits scene provides little satisfaction. The entire effort is ugly, nasty and more than little bit icky, and not in that arty way like Gummo.

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

  • 01-18-12-4th-friday.jpgArt enthusiasts in Fayetteville know that the end of the month means more than turning a page on the calendar. It means 4th Friday — a time to celebrate the arts and creativity. This month, 4th Friday falls on Jan. 27, and like always, there will be plenty to see and do.

    “We have a very exciting 4th Friday coming up,” said Mary Kinney, marketing director at the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “We are opening the Friends of African and African-American Art exhibit. Last year we had we are The Ship and the year before that we had Art of the Masters. This year we have three collections.”

    The Arts Council hosts a trio of exhibits this month. Inspiration features Maya Angelou’s poem “Our Grandmothers” paired with illustrations by John Biggers. An author, speaker, educator, teacher, historian, filmmaker and Civil Rights activist, Dr. Angelou’s works speak boldly and eloquently in her poem, which was originally published in I Shall Not Be Moved. Biggers, a contemporary of Angelou’s is known for his murals, drawings, paintings and lithographs portraying the multifaceted ethnic heritage of African Americans. Inspiration features lithographs by John Biggers.

    Voices, an artist book by 23 African-American artists, celebrates creativity and excellence in African-American art. Each book contains an original work by each of the featured 23 African-American artists, and each is a one of a kind. Portfolio is the third exhibit and is set up in a similar fashion.

    “We are very lucky to have an organization like Friends of African and African-American Art,” said Kinney. “This organization really understands that African and African-American art needs to be seen. It is still underserved. The fact that we have this organization that makes an effort every year to present quality African and African-American Art is a service to this community.”

    Don’t miss the opportunity to see artists at work at Arts Alive. From 6-10 p.m. local artists gather in the parking lot by the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum and demonstrate their skills. Each month is different. Sometimes there are glass artists, painters and musicians, and on another day there might be basket weavers, rock polishers and poets.

    Just behind Arts Alive sits Cape Fear Studios and the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum, and each has a unique exhibit for visitors to enjoy. At the museum, learn about agriculture and check out farm-related tools from 7-9 p.m.

    Cape Fear Studios hosts its North Carolina College Faculty exhibit. Look for pieces from professors from Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Meredith College, Methodist University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. The exhibit includes works in various mediums and diverse genres. The show runs from Jan. 27-Feb. 22.

    The Market House opens at 6 p.m. for visitors to explore an educational exhibit and remains open until 10 p.m. Local drummers gather for a drum circle and meet under the market house to entertain 4th Friday visitors.

    Local businesses are anticipating a good crowd and many will be open late and offering great deals. Restaurants like Huske Hardware House, Wet Willies and the Hilltop House are all great places to enjoy a hearty meal before setting out to enjoy the artistic offerings.

  • Managing the Challenges of Alzheimer’s: Part Two

    The following, from the Home Instead Senior Care® network and Vickie Dellaquila, certified professional organizer and author of Don’t Toss My Memories in the Trash, are 10 reasons seniors can’t or won’t give up their stuff and what to do about it.

    01-02-13-senior-corner.gif• The Sentimental Attachment

    The beloved prom dress represents the history and memories of the event; it’s not the dress itself. Save only a piece of the dress to make a quilt or display in a shadow box. Scrapbooking and converting photos to DVDs are other ways to save trea-sured keepsakes without all the extra mess.

    • The Sense Of Loyalty

    Older adults who’ve received gifts from family and friends may be reluctant to part with them. Encourage your loved one to give unused gifts back to the giver or grandchildren.

    • The Need To Conserve

    Seniors are the original green people. Appeal to a senior’s desire to help others. “You went through the Great Depression, now it’s time for you to let go and help someone else.” Counter a senior’s inclination to conserve by appealing to their desire to give back.

    • The Fatigue

    A home with a lifetime of memories can easily become too much for an older adult to handle. Help seniors manage clutter by establishing online bill paying. Also, get your senior off junk-mail lists, which can put them at risk for identity theft. Buy them a shredder.

    • The Change In Health

    Seniors who have suffered a brain trauma or stroke, who are wheelchair bound or who are experiencing dementia may no longer be able to man-age household duties, which could contribute to clutter. If you see a health change, encourage your senior to visit his or her doctor and consider a pro-fessional organizer and caregiver to help your loved one.

    • The Fear

    Seniors often fear what will happen if they give up their stuff, like the older adult who saved three generations of bank statements. Use logic and information to help seniors understand it’s okay to let go.

    The Dream of the Future

    Those clothes in the closet don’t fit anymore, but your loved one is sure that some day she’ll lose enough weight to get into them. Ask seniors to fill a box with clothing they don’t wear much and make a list of the items in the box. Agree that if they have not gone back to the box in six months to wear the item, they will donate that to charity.

    • The Love of Shopping

    Today’s seniors have more money than any other previous generation of older adults and they love to shop. Clutter can become so bad seniors can’t find things and they repurchase items they already have, contributing to the clutter cycle. Try to convince seniors to cut back and to say “no” to free stuff.

    • The History And Memories

    Keepsakes represent history and memories. Encourage se-niors to take old photos to a family reunion and share with several generations. Let seniors know they can contribute to the history of their time and leave a lasting legacy by donating to museums and historical societies, a theater and library or churches and synagogues.

    •The Loneliness

    Stuff can become a misplaced companion. Loneliness may also lead to depression, which makes it difficult for seniors to get organized. Consider the services of a professional organizer and caregiver. For more information, go to the National Association of Professional Organizers at www.napo.net or visit www.homeinstead.com.

    Other experts contributing to these tips include Katherine “Kit” Anderson, CPO-CD, president of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization; University of Kansas Professor Dr. David Ekerdt, who is coordinating a “household moves” project to determine the role that posses-sions play in older people’s housing decisions; and University of New Mexico Researcher Dr. Catherine Roster.

  • 1-16-13-fly-fishing.gifFor thousands of years people fished. It began simply as a way to hunt the food found in the water, but over the years it has developed into a sport — and for many an art form. Fly fishing is one such form of fishing, and it is arguably one of the most challenging. This winter, the John E. Pechmann Fishing Center offers several classes. A class is scheduled for Jan. 19.

    Fly fishing is a unique form of fishing that requires specific movements for casting the line. The fisher uses a lure made to look like a fly. Through casting techniques the fisher simulates the landing and movements of a fly on the water. Often, fishermen tie their own lures out of strings and hair so that they resemble flying insects. Traditionally, fly fishing is practiced in cold mountain streams, but it can be practiced anywhere. Most all species of fish respond to the movements simulating flies.

    “That is one of the things we point out,” said Tom Carpenter, a program coordinator at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center. “Traditionally, when people think of fly fishing they think trout or salmon. What we show them is that you can fish farm ponds for blue-gill bass, you can fly fish warm water streams, you can fly fish at the beach for speckle trout … you are not limited to any particular species of fish. It is wide open to what you want to do with a fly rod.”

    It is never too late to learn a new form of casting, and with that in mind the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center offers several fly fishing classes for beginners. In this class, participants will learn the basics of casting and knot tying according to regulations and ethics.

    The Pechmann Center has revamped its fly-fishing courses for 2013, and Carpenter sees it as a good thing for students.

    “Our primary focus is the basic casting instruction,” he said. “We provide some instruction for knots and we also have some handouts that help students with fly selection.”

    After class, students put their new-found skills to use and head over to the two stocked fishing ponds on the property to practice their new skills.

    “We usually have quite a few people catch some trout when we take them to the ponds,” said Carpenter.

    One of the things that students appreciate about the course is that handling a fly rod is more of a challenge than reel fishing. “One of the things to remember about fly fishing, as with any sort of fishing, is that it is a life-long learning experience,” said Carpenter. “We have to understand what the fish feed on, what time of day they eat and how the weather might affect the fish. We learn all these things so we can become better fisherman. It gives you a better understanding of nature as well.”

    The class is taught with the help of several experienced volunteer instructors. Each class can accommodate 40 students and classes fill up quickly, Carpenter noted.

    The class requires preregistration and costs $5 per person. Registration begins Dec. 3 at Lake Rim Park. The fishing education center will provide all equipment, but it is advised that participants bring eye protection and a brimmed hat.

    The beginner classes will be held on Saturday, Jan, 5, Jan. 19 and Feb. 2. All classes will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The class is intended for participants aged 12 and up. The younger fishers must have a participating adult accompany them. For more information, call 433-1018. The fishing center is located next to Lake Rim Park at 7489 Raeford Rd.

    Photo: Local sportsmen can learn the art of fly fishing at upcoming classes.

  • Fayetteville State University Hosts MLK Celebration

    The FSU Department of Performing and Fine Arts will present its Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Concert featuring the FSU Concert Band and The Army Ground Forces Band from Fort Bragg. This free concert takes place on Jan. 21 in Seabrook Auditorium on the main campus of Fayetteville State University at 7 p.m.01-23-13-community-news.gif

    The concert provides a rare opportunity to hear works by African-American composers for a concert band.

    This concert commemorates two significant events this year: the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington. The FSU Concert Band will perform Have a Dream by Greg Danner in commemoration of the March.

    The Honorable Mayor Anthony Chavonne will join the combined ensembles in Randol Bass’ New Birth of Freedomfor band and narrator. This narrative setting of Lincoln’s immortal Gettysburg Address was commissioned by the United States President’s Own Marine Band in early 2009.

    The program ends with Mark Camphous’s A Movement for Rosain honor of the Civil Rights heroine Rosa Parks. Other works on the program include compositions by Alton Adams, Aaron Copland, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

    The event is free and open to the public. For more information about the concert, please contact Alfred Davis at 910-672-1446 oradavis50@uncfsu.edu or Dr. Earnest Lamb at 910-672-1571 or elamb@uncfsu.edu.

    Crisis Intervention Team Honors Public Safety Professionals

    On Jan. 8, the Fayetteville-Cumberland Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) recognized five local public safety professionals from the Cumberland County Emergency Services Department, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fayetteville Police Department for outstanding service. The awards ceremony, hosted by the local CIT and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, was held at the county’s Mental Health Clinic, 109 Bradford Ave.

    The following individuals received awards:

    Cumberland County Emergency Services: Telecommunicator of the Year Wanda Barton

    Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office:Deputy of the Year Sgt. Corrie Simmons

    Trainer of the Year Sgt. Hardin Brown

    Fayetteville Police Department: Officer of the Year Lt. Randy Podobinski

    Telecommunicator of the Year Tracy Trogdon

    “We are looking to build a comprehensive and seamless system of crisis response in Cumberland County,” said Cumberland County CIT Coordinator Wayne Cannon. “I am extremely proud of those who were acknowledged at the awards reception.”

    CIT is a jail diversion program designed to be a specialized law enforcement response to individuals experiencing a crisis related to mental illness. The program seeks to help citizens get treatment instead of incarceration. Currently, 250 law enforcement offi cers and 54 telecommunicators in Cumberland County are CIT certified.

  • 01-30-13-methodist.gifCollege is expensive, and every year all over the country the tuition prices seem to go up. There are ways for students to manage the prices, however. One such way is through the generosity of the community. Thankfully, local colleges go out of their way to work with students to make a college education a reality. At Methodist University, 95 percent of the students receive some sort of financial aid. Last year the school awarded more than $17 million in financial aid.

    One of the ways that Methodist University is able to help their students is through the Loyalty Day Scholarship Fund. When most people think of Loyalty Day they think of donations from alumni, but alumni are not the only benefactors who contribute to the fund.

    Methodist is a strong community-based school, and there are many individuals and businesses in the community that support it. Krista Lee, the director of the Annual fundraiser noted, “Community members are our biggest supporters for the Loyalty Day campaign. Last year 25 percent of our goal was met by alumni support, 75 percent by community supporters, faculty and staff. However, it is important to note that many of our alumni are also community members.”

    While at Methodist University, students are completely entrenched in the community of the college. For many, this creates amazing experiences that motivate them to give back to their community and stay involved. The money raised through the Loyalty Day campaign goes to benefit institutional scholarships that are specifically intended for students in need. One example is Jeannie Snider, Class of 2013, who says “My ambition keeps me in college, but what keeps me at Methodist University is the family atmosphere, the wonderful faculty and staff who have helped me along the way and the amazing career-oriented opportunities I have received. I am a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship at Methodist University. This scholarship has not only helped me pursue a degree, but it has enabled me to receive the best quality education possible in criminal justice. I plan to pursue a career with the Fayetteville Police Department and am looking forward to being engaged in the community which has given so much to me.”

    Over the years Loyalty Day has grown just as the university has expanded both its reach and programs. “Loyalty Day was born out of a commitment of annual support made by the Fayetteville community in 1955 when Methodist University was established. At that time, the community pledged $50,000 a year. We try to increase our goal each year. This year we have a goal of $130,000 and are hoping to surpass it through the overwhelming support of our community.” Lee said.

    For more information contact Lee at 630-7169. To donate visit the website www.methodist.edu/advancement/loyalty.htm “We print the Loyalty Day thank you advertisement in the paper in April and usually conclude our campaign follow-up by the end of March,” says Lee.

    Photo: Over the years Loyalty Day has grown just as the University has expanded both its reach and programs. 

  • uac012214001.gif If you ever encounter Earl Gardner, you will be struck by two things: the first is the depth of his knowledge about the world around him and the second is the serenity that surrounds him.

    The first comes from the fact that he is a well-read man, the second is the fact he does what he loves and loves what he does. Between the two, it’s hard not to find serenity in this crazy world.

    Gardner, a self-proclaimed Army brat, spent his childhood like a modern-day gypsy picking up stakes, moving every three years with his family from Fort Benning, Ga., where he was born, to foreign locales like Germany and Texas, which he jokingly refers to as one more foreign country.

    “Have you ever been to Texas?” he asks, with a smile on his face.

    One of those moves brought his family to Fort Bragg, and Gardner, to the place he has called home most of his adult life.

    “When we moved to Fort Bragg, my family bought this place,” he said, referencing the grey farm house in Parkton, N.C., where he and his wife, Janice (a school teacher), raised their family.

    It was there, that Gardner began a life-long study of art.

    “I was that kid who sat in the back of the room and was supposed to be learning, but instead was drawing,” he said.

    “When he was supposed to be learning to spell, he learned about art,” added Janice.

    In high school, he took advantage of the limited art classes offered and learned what he could, but after graduation, he started to work at a series of factories, spending 27 years of his life at Kelly Springfield making tires. Painting definitely was not in his job description, but while there, he painted a couple of murals in the factory’s front office and created a 3-D model of the plant.

    During that time, he would take continuing education art classes at Fayetteville Technical Community College and picked up ideas for painting and techniques from the copious amount of books he read and from television.

    “I’m not a big fan of Bob Ross, but don’t tell anyone,” he said. “But I learned from anyone and everyone I could.”

    A massive heart attack took Gardner out of the factory and gave him the opportunity to indulge his passion.

    “If you have a passion for something, don’t waste your time doing something else,” he said. “When you work in a production environment, there is no end in sight. You put out a paper and when it is finished, it’s done. You can put your name on it and move on. In a factory, 1,400 people work on a tire, and when it goes out the door, there’s another tire to make and nobody puts their name on it.”

    That pride in ownership is something that shines through in the landscapes Gardner produces. He paints what he sees, and while it is usually the simple things around him, he makes them unique. His work is in oils, because he believes they are the most forgiving.

    “Water colors do not allow mistakes,” he said. “Everybody has a streak of creativity in them; it’s part of the Creator.”

    For Gardner, that creativity is fed by the things he sees every day. The joy he takes in making the mundane art is easy to see in the serenity of his paintings.

    “If you don’t love something, don’t do it,” he continued. “For me, I always look for the light. I look for the way light hits objects. I have tried to paint battlefields and war scenes, but that’s not me. I only want to paint things that are meaningful to me. I look for peaceful things.”

    Janice laughingly explains that nothing and no one is safe when Gardner begins looking for a new subject.

    “If we are out on the boat, and he sees something that interests him on another boat, he starts taking pictures,” she said. “I always tell him that not everyone wants to be a subject for his painting.”

    But painting is his passion.01-22-14-cover-story.gif

    “God doesn’t charge you for the time you spend creating,” said Gardner. “When I’m painting, I totally get immersed in it.”

    While there are some people in his paintings, his focus is really the world around them. His art falls mainly into two categories: landscapes and seascapes. While his name may not be familiar in Fayetteville art circles, his work is. One of his landscapes hangs in Cape Fear Valley Hospital. The piece, originally painted for his wife, caught the eye of a hospital administrator, who bought the painting. Gardner quickly went about creating a similar painting for his wife.

    “I lose a lot of paintings that way,” she said.

    For Gardner, seeing is creating. “I need to see what I am painting. I don’t have much imagination. I leave that to the Creator. I look at what he has made and that’s my inspiration. I look at life as more than just a glance out of a window. I believe there is a God-spark in all of us and my paintings come from that spark, which the Creator gifted me with.”

    He says he paints in the impressionist style. “They did not paint exactly what they saw, they painted their impression of it. That’s why I do,” he continued. “I love that golden hour when the light is hitting just right and the entire world looks alive.”

    He takes that moment to capture what is around him, from an old tobacco barn to a seascape from his boat as he indulges in his other passion — fishing.

    “We spend a lot of time at Oak Island,” he said. “The movement of the ocean and the light is so different there. Usually, we are there on vacation, and when you are on vacation, you take the time to really look at things. The ocean is constantly in motion and the light is always different. Everything is moving, and capturing that movement is magical.”

    Gardner recently did a 20-foot mural of the waters off of Oak Island, which traces the island all the way up to Fort Caswell. That mural is on display at Parkton Elementary School. That painting came quickly for him. “Sometimes you may spend 14 hours on a project, and others come so quickly. That was one of them,” he said.

    Gardner is excited to have his work on display at Gallery 208.

    “This is really a first for me,” he said. “I’ve had works at 4th Friday events, even won some money. But this is the first time I am going to share my works in such a large collection. I’m a little nervous.”

    To see Gardner’s works, come to the opening at Gallery 208, located in the corporate offices of Up & Coming Weekly at 208 Rowan St. The opening is on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 484-6200.

    Photo: Earl Gardner has always loved painting. His work falls mainly into two catego-ries: seascapes and landscapes.

  • 18Jaylen Hudson

    Jaylen Hudson

    Cape Fear • Junior •

    Basketball/football

    Hudson has a 4.0 grade point average while playing both basketball and football for the Colts.

     

     

     

     

    19Sarah Gallagher

     

    Sarah Gallagher

    Cape Fear • Senior •

    Swimming Gallagher has a 4.5 grade point average. In addition to swimming, she’s active in the Beta Club, the Key Club and the Student Government Association.

  • 16Jeff Nance Grays Creek baseballHere are some upcoming events involving local high schools.

    • The Gray’s Creek High School baseball team will hold a golf tournament fundraiser Saturday, March 17, at Cypress Lakes Golf Course.

    Bear head baseball coach Jeff Nance said the format for the event is four-person captain’s choice.

    The entry fee is $65 per person. The shotgun start is at 8:30 a.m.

    There will be several events included with the tournament, among them closest to the pin, longest drive, holein- one prizes, food and beverages. Lunch will be catered by Fred Chason’s Grandsons restaurant.

    The registration deadline is March 10, and entry fees should be made payable to Gray’s Creek High School, attention: Jeff Nance.

    The mailing address is 5301 Celebration Dr., Hope Mills, NC 28348.

    All the money raised by the tournament will be used to upgrade and improve the baseball program at Gray’s Creek.

    • Terry Sanford High School will hold the fifth annual Bulldog Dash/Bash and Al Munoz Memorial 5K Saturday, March 17, at 8 a.m. at the school.

    A portion of the proceeds will go to help cancer patients in the Cumberland County area.

    You can register online at Active.com or get an entry form from the school. Mailed forms should be sent to 498 Windwoodon- Skye, Fayetteville, NC 28303 and sent attention: Bulldog Dash/Bash. All checks should be made payable to FTS Booster Club. The entry fee is $25 before March 2 and $30 after. The entry fee is not refundable.

    A race packet distribution and late registration will begin the day of the race at 7 a.m.

    For further information or to find out about large group registration, call Donna Johnson at 910-728-3702 or email jjohn86100@aol.com.

    • The recent string of snow/cold weather days causing school to be closed force some changes in the planned Play4Kay basketball fundraiser games scheduled by some of the Cumberland County Schools.

    Following are the revised dates for some of the schools that had to move games.

    Please contact each school before attending to make sure this is still a Play4Kay game.

    Money raised at the games will be contributed to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, in memory of the former N.C. State womens’ head coach.

    Feb. 2 - Pine Forest at Cape Fear.

    Feb. 5 - Pinecrest at Seventy-First.

    Feb. 7 - Pine Forest at South View.

    Photo: Jeff Nance, Gray’s Creek head baseball coach

     

  • 15Dwayne AllenWho’s going to win Super Bowl LII? Here’s how the Cumberland County Schools senior high school football coaches see the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the defending champion New England Patriots going.

    Bill Sochovka, Pine Forest – “I will be supporting the Eagles. I was very impressed with how the defense played against the Vikings, and I have a nephew who works for the Eagles. Have to support the family.’’

    Mike Paroli, Douglas Byrd – “I think New England will win. But I will be pulling for the Eagles.’’

    Craig Raye, Westover – “Philly over New England. They’re playing good defense.’’

    Deron Donald, E.E. Smith – “I really don’t have a pick for this game. It should be competitive, but I’m not a fan of either team.’’

    Rodney Brewington, South View - “My selection is the Philadelphia Eagles. They are playing the best defense, and they are able to manufacture first downs.’’

    Jake Thomas, Cape Fear – “Although their conference championship performances make me want to pick the Eagles, I don’t think Nick Foles (Eagles quarterback) can come up with backto- back best career performances on this stage. Also, my gut tells me never bet against (Tom) Brady/(Bill) Belichick. When it matters the most, they both have Jedi mind powers. Patriots.’’

    Bruce McClelland, Terry Sanford – “New England 28, Philadelphia 17. Dwayne Allen, former Terry Sanford Bulldog standout, gets a ring and a touchdown in this matchup. (Allen is a backup tight end for the Patriots.) Allen helps Brady get yet another ring.’’

    Brian Randolph, Jack Britt – “Patriots win by 13. The Patriots are a quality football team that plays well in every phase of the game. They are very wellcoached and always force the opposing team to play ‘left-handed’. I am just hoping for a competitive game.’’

    David Lovette, Gray’s Creek – “The New England Patriots will probably win. Brady and Belichick are a great quarterback/coach combo. And to paraphrase Ric Flair, whether you like it or not, you better learn to live with the Patriots because they are the best thing going today.’’

    Duran McLaurin, Seventy-First – “I’m going with the Eagles. All that know me know that I’m a big Eagles fan. I just think this is the year. With all the injuries to key players, they’ve managed to continue to gel. Hopefully they’ve saved the best for last.’’

    Photo: Terry Sanford graduate Dwayne Allen with the Lamar Hunt trophy after he and the New England Patriots won the AFC championship Sunday.

  • uac010715001.gif A Fresh Approach to the Art of the Print is an appropriate title for the new exhibit at Gallery 208 since artist Callie Farmer Goss uses traditional print making techniques as a platform to explore alternative methods. The result is an exquisitely delicate surface of patterns inspired by nature; depth is created by layers of transparent colors and the contrast of hard edge and softness.

    Gallery 208 is excited to present an exhibit by an artist who has recently earned a Master of Fine Arts with an emphasis in print making before relocating into the region. A professional artist, Goss is excited about her solo exhibit at Gallery 208.

    The exhibit is a mix of her newest works and works created during her graduate studies. Discussing the theme of the exhibit, Goss said, “Something that sets this body of work apart from past series is that this series also has a humanistic quality to it from the actual print making layers to the patterns having a ‘man-made’ quality. Combining various disciplines (painting and print making) and techniques on the paper matrix allowed for different ideas and artistic styles to come together as one.”

    Visitors to Gallery 208 will see ways in which the artist’s earlier works incorporate the use of random patterns and a fluidity; while the patterns of the later work appear more intentional to create pictorial tension.

    “By closely observing images in nature, new color palettes are revealed that are useful to represent the specific natural feeling I am expressing in my work,” she explained. “In addition to color, the textures and patterns that can be seen in nature have influenced my web-like patterns.”

    Goss is exhibiting a few of her early works developed in a vertical scroll format — long pieces of paper hang like ancient tapestries to reveal a contemporary abstract environment and her personal response to nature. Goss noted she is constantly pulled to the organic and abstract within the world of nature and always intrigued by different shapes, forms, illusions and colors.

    “I am pulled into the detail,” she said.

    Like other prints, the scrolls are monoprints (one-of-a-kind images) instead of traditional print making editions (multiples of the same image) and predominantly built upon a relief matrix. To create these works, the artist uses the relief technique as a unifier. In the relief process, a surface is carved (linoleum, wood or some other rigid material). Using an inked roller, the ink is passed over the carved surface, the recessed areas are ink free. The ink is then transferred from the surface onto paper using firm pressure by hand or a distinct type of press. Goss is able to incorporate painterly and one-of-a-kind techniques in her work by a mixed-media approach — often adding gouache, intaglio and silk-screening in combination with the relief.

    Looking at her creative works, one is easily pulled into the details, but also the distinctive type of nature she has created, which are inspired by hiking and camping. Finding her inspiration in the time she spends outdoors, her work embodies the discovery of the biological.

    “With my love and experience of the outdoors, I am able to see the growth of layers in nature, how nature layers itself to build and rebuild,” she explained. “The growth of layers within the environment is similar to the layers of memories we have as human beings. I am able to find relationships within my own experiences and how various shapes, textures and colors are within the environment and how they trigger my own memories.”

    Seeing through the transparent colors in all of her images is germane to the aesthetics of Goss’s work, while varying her approach in the ways she creates movement and rhythm. Some works evoke a sense of delicate forms floating from a soft breeze while other works are still delicate, but pictorial tension is created by a darker or hard-edge pattern holding the elusive in place. No matter what the composition or placement of the form(s), one never senses solitude or isolation, but rather a relationship between two or more entities.

    Goss creates worlds within worlds. While looking at her prints, one can sense the bigger natural world we live in, but her work also evokes something in nature we have not yet discovered: She reveals it for us. It is as if we have discovered the beauty of a complex system as well as a type of nature we might find in a new universe, or our own if we would just look more closely.

    As always, the public is invited to Gallery 208 to attend the opening and artist reception. Callie Farmer Goss: A Fresh Approach to the Art of the Print opens on Jan. 13 at 5 p.m. The gallery is located at 208 Rowan Street in the corporate offices of Up and Coming Weekly. The artist will speak at 6 p.m.

    The exhibit will remain open until the end of February and gallery visitation hours are regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Photo: Gallery 208 hosts the opening of an exhibit by artist Callie Farmer Goss on Jan. 13 from 5-7 p.m. 

  • 21Sydnie Lubbers Jack Britt

     

    Sydnie Lubbers

    Jack Britt • Senior•

    Cheerleading/tennis

    In addition to competing in two sports for the Buccaneers, Lubbers maintains a weight grade point average of 4.66.

     

     

     

    22Kevin Wanovich Jack Britt

     

    Kevin Wanovich

    Jack Britt • Junior •

    Wrestling/soccer/lacrosse Wanovich has a weighted grade point average of 4.21. He’s a two-time state qualifier in wrestling. He’s active in the youth group at MacPherson Presbyterian Churc

     

  • uac012815001.gif Some artists take years to find the perfect medium, dabbling in this or that, chasing the latest artistic trend in seeking to feed their creative fire. That wasn’t the case for Charles Farrar. He knew when he was a little boy that wood had a special place in his heart; he carved his first piece when he was about 12.

    His work has evolved significantly since he fashioned a 3-foot-long fire-breathing dragon from a piece of wood he found in his youth at Bugs Island Dam in Virginia. Now, his work graces galleries, studios and homes in the form of beautifully turned bowls and vases. Farrar’s work will be displayed at Cape Fear Studios main gallery through Feb. 23.

    Woodturning is definitely not new. In fact, Farrar noted that while modern tools come with many bells and whistles, people have been turning wood for thousands of years.

    “The tool that wood turners use to create is a tool given to the world by Egyptians in the 4th Dynasty during the time of the great pyramids. The tombs that had the vessels that contained the entrails of the pharaoh — we know they were fashioned using a lathe. That stands to reason because the Egyptians gave us the potter’s wheel, as well, in the 800 year period prior to that,” explained Farrar.

    Until recently, it was considered more practical than artistic. Old wooden plates, bowls and utensils dating back hundreds of years are still being unearthed.

    “We are still uncovering caches of wood vessels turned in the 1500s and 1600s in early America,” said Farrar. “We can date them and know they come from early Americans. It is a form of craft that only in the past 40-60 years has risen to be respected. There was a time if you were not turning a bowl or bucket or something else utilitarian, you were wasting your time.”

    One look at Farrar’s work and it is clear that wood can indeed be art. Turned from found and reclaimed wood, Farrar’s pieces showcase the features that make each piece unique. Each piece of wood has its own story to tell. Maybe it is the interesting pattern in the grain that speaks to him, or the stunning markings left by a wood beetle that he chooses to highlight. Sometimes, it is even the story of where the wood came from that inspires him as he turns the wood and guides the lathe. Often, it is as much about the process as it is about the end product. And for many, there is magic in his methods. Farrar uses found wood and reclaimed wood for his work; he refuses to fell a tree for one of his projects when there is so much wood readily available.

    “I was commissioned to do a piece for choreographer Debbie Allen. She was working on a production that celebrated the life of Harriet Tubman,” said Farrar. “They wanted a vessel that reflected, in its time on Earth, Harriet Tubman’s approximate age. I went to an old mill that had been in operation for more than 100 years that was going out of business and was able to get a 12x13 floor joist. I got within a couple of years of what we think was Harriet Tubman’s age. I made the vessel and got to present it to Debbie Allen. The vessel was hard as rock because it was more than 100 years old at the time and had been alive many years before it was used to make the floor of that mill. It was hard to work that wood, and at the time, not knowing so much and not having the tools I have today, it was a challenge. I learned from a playwright friend years later that she still has that vessel in her extensive art collection in her home.”01-28-15-cover-story1.gif

    When Farrar’s church was ready to replace its organ that dated back to 1872, he was asked to use the wood from the organ’s pipes to make gifts for the choir members. He made cross pendants fashioned from the F sharp pipe.

    “The trees that made that pipe may have started growing 100 years before the organ was even made. For that same wood to get a whole new life in those crosses … I love the idea of recycling and recycling again.”

    Throughout Farrar’s life, his connection to wood never waned. He collected pieces at arts festivals and admired fine workmanship when he saw it. In the early ‘90s he went to an arts festival and bought a wood-turned bowl. He spent the following year admiring it. The next year, the same craftsman was at the festival again. Farrar wanted to buy another bowl, but more importantly, he wanted to know how this artist made such fine work.

    “I’d spent 23 years of corporate life as a middle manager for Bell South — 23 years 8 months and 6 days, but who’s counting?” said Farrar. “When I asked that artist how he made his pieces, he said ‘Come up the mountain on Saturday and I will show you everything I know about woodturning.’ I did and he did and that artist — David Goins — became my mentor. Before I got home that weekend, I had purchased a lathe and a series of training tools. I spent about $800 out of the family budget without even talking about it with my wife.”

    Since then, Farrar has demonstrated design and technique at the National Symposium of The American Association of Woodturners and many prestigious museums throughout the U.S.

    His work will be on display through Feb 23 at Cape Fear Studios.

    “I love that in Fayetteville there is this forward-thinking gallery. Wood is still not a medium that always gets the right showings,” said Farrar. “I am tickled that Cape Fear Studios is stepping out there and that they are doing it during Black History Month when the work is presented by an African-American and the tools that gave this art form to the world were made by black people.”

    Find out more about Charles Farrar at www.charlesfarrar.com. Find out more about Cape Fear Studios at www.capefearstudios.com.

    Photo: The intricate woodworking of Charles Farrar is on display at Cape Fear Studios through Feb. 23.

  • 19Zizhou Lu Grays Creek20Adrienne Stevens South View

    Even when school’s closed, most high school athletes can find a place to practice on their own, either alone or with teammates, to stay sharp and maintain conditioning.

    But in one Cumberland County high school sport, swimming, that freedom to practice isn’t a given. There are no local indoor public swimming pools open all year, and the one where local swimmers currently practice and compete at Fayetteville State University was shut tight during the Christmas break.

    That meant standout swimmers like Zizhou Lu of Gray’s Creek and Adrienne Stevens of South View had no place to practice. That’s part of the reason the best swimmers from the county have had a problem competing evenly with their counterparts from other parts of the state who have better access to public pools.

    “With more access to pools you’d have more swimmers,’’ said Gray’s Creek swimming coach Rick Kaiser. “You can do some weight room stuff as far as pushing off walls and a little upper body work, but for the most part, it’s a different type of exercise. Pool access is huge for developing the swimmer.’’

    Despite problems with getting into the pool for enough practice time, both Lu and Stevens have established themselves among the top swimmers from Cumberland County this season.

    Lu, a junior, has been swimming for seven years. He got into it mainly for fitness but soon improved and began swimming competitively. “It became like a passion,’’ he said. His favorite events are the 50-, 100- and 200-meter freestyle.

    “It’s like it’s its own world,’’ he said of swimming. “You don’t have to worry about other stuff during the time you swim. It’s like stress-free.’

    Stevens got into swimming about eight years ago when her grandfather took her for lessons; she quickly became hooked. The 100- meter fly and the 200 individual medley are her favorite events.

    “I’ve definitely worked on speed and trying to see how I can go faster and longer distances,’’ Stevens said. “I’m practicing hard every day, being motivated and having the right mindset.’’

    John McConnell is in his first season as head coach of the South View team and said Stevens is a better swimmer than he is a coach.

    “She swims all the strokes perfectly and is a very strong swimmer,’’ he said.

    Lu and Stevens, along with all the other swimmers from Cumberland County, are gearing up for the postseason stretch of competition in swimming.

    The final Patriot Athletic Conference meet of the season is scheduled Jan. 25 at the FSU pool.

    Following that, for those that qualify, the 3-A and 4-A regional meets will be held at the Greensboro Aquatic Center Feb. 2-3, and the state championships will be the weekend of Feb. 8-10.

    The 3-A meet will be Feb. 8, 4-A Feb. 10, both at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary.

    McConnell agrees with Kaiser that for Cumberland County to have a serious shot at winning individual state titles, better access to swimming facilities is a must.

    “We need to get a dedicated aquatic center,’’ he said. “We can’t keep borrowing pools here and there.’’

    Photos L to R: Zizhou Lu; Adrienne Stevens

  • 18Justice Galloway Velazquez Cape FearCape Fear High School football standout Justice Galloway-Velazquez was a big part of changing the school’s football program to a winning tradition. Now he wants to do the same for Campbell University.

    In an announcement that caught some people by surprise, Galloway-Velazquez recently revealed he’s made an oral commitment to play football for the Camels.

    Many expected the Cape Fear quarterback and linebacker to choose a more high-profile program, but Galloway-Velazquez said there were a lot of commonsense reasons why he went with Campbell.

    One was the attention he got from the Campbell coaching staff, especially defensive line coach Damien Adams, who was the primary recruiter pursuing Galloway-Velazquez for the Camels.

    “He stayed with me throughout the whole process, gave me the love and care I was looking for and wasn’t receiving from other schools,’’ Galloway- Velazquez said.

    There were overtures from some more highprofile schools, but many of them wanted to see Galloway-Velazquez in person on their campuses and at camps. Most of those requests came last spring when he was recovering from surgery for an ankle injury that took place in the Eastern Regional championship game with Scotland near the end of his junior season.

    “With the ankle injury, there were some questions from some schools with how he would recover,’’ said Colt coach Jake Thomas. “I feel he probably was under-recruited for his size, talent and production on the field.’’

    Thomas said he’s checked the North Carolina High School Athletic Association record book and is confident Galloway-Velazquez ranks in the top ten in the state all-time in all-purpose yards, thanks to his combination of rushing and passing prowess during his career at Cape Fear.

    But the question remains if he’ll play quarterback or linebacker at Campbell. Galloway-Velazquez said he’s leaning toward the defensive side of the football but added no final decision has been made.

    “We’ll talk it over a lot more,’’ he said.

    “We’ll see where I need to be to benefit the team.’’

    Thomas said Campbell will likely be happy wherever it decides to use Galloway-Velazquez.

    “He was a guy who could emotionally, mentally and physically will your team to victory,’’ Thomas said. “He’ll go down as one of the top athletes in Cumberland County history, and definitely the top player in Cape Fear history.’’

    Photo: Justice Galloway-Velazquez

  • 15Mike Vernagallo Cape Fear16Josh Jones Cape Fear17Daniel Peede Pine Forest

    The high school wrestling season is getting close to the finish line, and three Cumberland County wrestlers are currently ranked at the top of the heap in their respective classes.

    The most recent rankings at NCMat.com showed two Cape Fear wrestlers, 170- pound Mike Vernagallo and 285-pound Josh Jones, at the No. 1 position. Joining them at No. 1 is Pine Forest’s Daniel Peede at 152 pounds. Vernagallo and Jones are in the 3-A classification while Peede competes at the 4-A level.

    Of the three, Vernagallo is the only one still unbeaten for the season through Jan. 17. Jones and Peede both have losses they picked up over the Christmas break, Jones in the Holy Angels tournament in Charlotte and Peede in the WRAL tournament in Raleigh.

    Records posted on ncprepsports.net as of Jan. 15 had Peede 29-1, Jones 26-1 and Vernagallo 29-0.

    Vernagallo is chasing his second state wrestling title, having won for the first time last season, while Jones and Peede will both be looking for higher finishes as they attempt to again qualify for the state tournament this season.

    Cape Fear coach Heath Wilson said Vernagallo and Jones both provide leadership for his Colt team, which is among the best in the state this year.

    “Mikey is a dominant force, a freak of nature,’’ Wilson said. “Josh is one heck of a man when he gets on the mat. It’s tough to deal with his strength and size, but he’s also teachable, which is probably the biggest asset with Josh. You teach him something and he grabs hold.’’

    Pine Forest coach Charles Daniels said he has no problem motivating Peede. “He’s an independent guy,’’ Daniels said. “He takes it on himself to go to club wrestling. He’s like a second coach. He knows what to do and makes it happen.’’

    Peede said being top-ranked with only one loss doesn’t put any pressure on him. “Last season, I was ranked pretty high, so I’m used to it,’’ he said. “If there’s a target on my back and everybody is coming for me, I welcome it. It’s not going to change the way we do things.’’

    Like Peede, both Vernagallo and Jones are looking ahead to the major competitions waiting at the end of the season: conference tournament, regionals and state finals.

    Vernagallo’s main goal has been to get a more solid physique and stay healthy. “Last year, I was a small 170,’’ he said. “I just lifted, and my diet got better, more meats and carbs.’’

    Jones has been focusing on consistency and taking one match at a time. “Right now, I’m focusing on staying healthy and making sure by body is in tip-top shape,’’ he said.

    Cape Fear also has a shot at a state team title, and Jones said the whole team has one goal in the matches remaining.

    “To pin and not get pinned,’’ he said. “That’s basically all we’ve got to do.’’

    Photos L to R : Mike Vernagallo; Josh Jones; Daniel Peede

  •     At the age of 19, most young adults are either enrolled in college, trying one of many jobs in order to find their niche or stuck in their parents living room playing their Wii.
        That isn’t the case for one Pennsylvania-born teen. More often than not, you can find this teen in a recording studio, or hanging out glam pals Kelly Pickler and Carrie Underwood. You could also have caught her on CMT talking about herself or on tour or a host of other places. Taylor Swift took country music by storm in 2006 with the relase of her debut single “Tim McGraw,” which was quickly follwed up by “Teardrops on My Guitar,” “Our Song,” “Picture to Burn,” and yet another number one in “Should Have Said No.”
        If you’re thinking that was all just beginners luck, you might want to get your head examined. With the release of her newest album Fearless, Swift proves she has what it takes to keep her front and center in Nashville and in the running for America’s sweetheart.
        {mosimage}Released on Nov. 11, 2008, the first song relased from the compilation, “Love Story,” shot straight to the top of the charts. Following the album’s release, The New York Timescalled the country crooner “one of pop’s finest songwriters, country’s foremost pragmatist and more in touch with her inner life than most adults.”
        That’s a lot for a 19-year-old who still lives at home with mom and dad. Of course, Swift started her career fairly young, and even at this age has earned her chops in Nashville. Her first trip to Music Row was at the age of 11. Doors slammed in her face, but that didn’t keep the plucky songstress from trying again. At 15, she rejected a deal with RCA Records because they wouldn’t let her record her own music, but later that year, she caught the eye of Big Machine Records chief Scott Borchetta who knew gold when he saw it.
        Fearlessdebuted at the top of the Billboard charts, and had the largest opening U.S. sales week in 2008 by a female artist in all genres. So, if you’re one of the few country music or even pop fans who haven’t heard this album yet, let me tell you what you are missing.
        Fearless is full of heartbreak. The majority of the songs on the album deal with love gone wrong. I don’t know if this has anything to do with her break-up with that Jonas Brother, but Swift might want to look at exploring some new content.
    With that sad, Swift is the princess of break-up songs, from “White Horse” to “Breathe” to “The Way I Loved You,” she puts all the angst of  heart ache into her lyrics. “White Horse” talks about the realization that love isn’t always a fairytale and doesn’t always have Hollywood endings, and usually a prince isn’t going to ride in on his — you got it — white horse to save you.
        One of my favorite songs on the album is “Fifteen,” which tells the story of a girl’s freshman year and all the dreams and hopes she has. For some of those girls, their dreams get dashed because in Swift’s words they “forget to look before they fall.” The song, geared to the teen crowd, encourages young women to realize that at 15, they don’t who they are going to be and it encourages them to give themselves the time to figure that out before they get into serious relationships and take on responsibilities (like motherhood) that they are too young to deal with.
        My other favorite on the album is one of the few songs not abot heartbreak. It’s actually a tribute to Swift’s mother. Called, “The Best Day,” the song chronicles days spent with her mother. If you have a close relationship with one of  your parents, you’ll get this song.
        {mosimage}Overall, the CD is probably geared more toward the pop/teen scene, but the music is good, and with a few more years, Swift will be able to sing about more than teen heartbreak, and then we’ll really have something to talk about.

    Contact Janice Burton at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 

  • 25Xeavier Bullock E.E. Smith

    Xeavier Bullock

    E.E. Smith • Senior • Football

    Bullock was a captain for the E.E. Smith football team. He also served as vice president of the senior class. His grade point average is 3.75.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    26Melissa LuMelissa Lu

    Terry Sanford • Senior • Tennis

    Lu was the No. 1 singles player for the Bulldogs. She went unbeaten in Patriot Athletic Conference play and has a grade point average of 4.0. She is active in the Terry Sanford orchestra, the Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta, the National Honor Society and the Academy of Scholars.

  • The Fayetteville Sports Club has increased membership in its Hall of Fame by five with the announcement of the inductees in the class of 2018.

    The five inductees will be honored at a banquet to be scheduled some time later this year.

    The banquet honoring this year's class will be held Wednesday, March 7th, at Highland Country Club. There will be a social beginning at 6:30 p.m. followed by the banquet at 7 p.m.
    Tickets are $50. They are available from Ashley Petroski at Nobles Pound Financial, 1315 Fort Bragg Road, Fayetteville, 28305. The phone is (910) 323-9195.
    Credit cards and cash will be accepted. Checks should be made payable to the Fayetteville Sports Club. 

    Listed alphabetically below, here is a brief summary of the accomplishments of the members of the new class.

    20Chip BishopChip Bishop 

    Bishop was a standout athlete at Terry Sanford High School who once returned a pass interception 102 yards for a touchdown. He went on to a successful career as a coach and athletic administrator at Terry Sanford and Fayetteville Academy.

    He’s spent 36 years with the Academy, the last 22 as athletic director. As a coach, he won two North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association boys’ basketball titles with the school. He recently received the Chuck Carter Athletic Director of the Year Award from the NCISAA.

    21Jim FarthingJim Farthing

    Farthing was a veteran coach in the Cumberland County Schools system, spending many years working at Pine Forest High School. He coached a variety of sports and was recognized in 2017 with the naming of the gymnasium at Pine Forest Middle School in his honor. He won 245 games while coaching in the same gym before Pine Forest High School moved to its current campus on Andrews Road.

     

     

    22Buck MeltonBuck Melton

    A graduate of old Massey Hill High School, Melton went on to become one of the best athletic officials in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

    One of the best tributes was paid to Melton by former Cumberland County Schools central office staff member Glenn Riddle, who was a fellow official during Melton’s years.

    In a column by Bill Kirby Jr. that appeared in The Fayetteville Observer, Riddle made the following comment about Melton.

    “Buck was an outstanding official, a great guy and a true friend to many, many people. If there was a crucial game to be played, Buck Melton was almost always selected to be one of the officials. He was a mentor to so many beginning officials. I never officiated football or basketball, at the high school level or college level, with a better official. I will truly miss Buck Melton.’’ 

    Lisa Monaco Wheless and Margit Monaco Hicks

    23Lisa Monaco Wheless24Margit Monaco Hicks

    This duo from Terry Sanford High School dominated the open classification of North Carolina High School Athletic Association doubles tennis like no other duo in state history.

    They remain the only players in the history of NCHSAA tennis, boys or girls, to win four consecutive state championships in doubles from 1977-80 when the sport was unclassified and they competed against every tennis-playing school in the state.

    Their final two years at Terry Sanford, under veteran coach Christine Cherry, they helped lead the Bulldogs to the team state title.

  • 19Julian HillA little over a week into January, Julian Hill was listed as the top rebounder from Cumberland County Schools on the stats at ncprepsports.net with an average of 10.1 per game.

    That might not seem to be an incredible accomplishment, but considering how far Hill has come in the last two years, it’s almost a leap over Mount Everest.

    The 6-foot-4-inch senior forward has battled back from two surgeries on his right knee. This is his first season on a basketball court in two years.

    He had to miss the first two games of the current season, not getting clearance from his doctor to return to full competition until Nov. 18.

    Regardless of all those challenges, one person who never doubted he’d return was Trojan boys’ head basketball coach Jimmy Peaden.

    “I’ve never seen a kid that has his will power as far as getting back from not one but two surgeries,’’ Peaden said. “He’s put in the work. He’s not satisfied at all with where he is.’’

    Where he is, despite still not being 100 percent in basketball shape, is averaging a double-double almost nightly for the Trojans while often pulling double coverage from the defense.

    The toughest part for Hill this season, he said, was realizing he would not be healthy in time to return to his role as quarterback on the Trojan football team. About mid-season during football, he sat down with his family, his doctor and his physical therapist to plot strategy for what remained.

    “We said basketball was going to be the goal,’’ Hill said. That forced a change in the rehabilitation therapy he was taking.

    “Basketball requires a lot of jumping, a lot of explosiveness,’’ he said. “We did a lot of jumping activities, a change of direction.’’

    Despite all the personal work he’s put in, Hill doesn’t like to take credit for his rebounding success so far.

    “When the entire team boxes out, it works for whoever gets the ball,’’ Hill said.

    There is still a lot of basketball to be played this season, and Hill said that is what Peaden has been preaching to the Trojan team.

    “We have to stay together, even through the downs,’’ Hill said. “We have to stay tougher every day and better ourselves for the next game.

    “It’s like a big brotherhood. The guys know it, and the coaches feel it. I think we’ll turn it around really soon.’’

    Photo: Julian Hill

  • 18ChristinaSneadWhen Christina Snead first heard she was about to make North Carolina High School Athletic Association history as the first female to officiate a football state championship game, she wasn’t able to celebrate the news the way she wanted.

    “I actually wanted to a do a cartwheel,’’ the 41-year-old graduate of Cape Fear High School said. “I couldn’t. I was at school.’’

    The school she’s referring to is Fayetteville State University, where she teaches health and wellness, first aid, CPR and swimming. She’s also doing work there on a degree in accounting.

    This is her third year working as a high school football official, but her love for the game goes back much further.

    “I always enjoyed it growing up,’’ she said. “I volunteered around Fayetteville State, traveled with the team and started doing rec ball and moved up gradually. I wanted to be around it all the time.’’

    She played for six years with Cape Fear Thunder, a semi-pro women’s team, seeing action at running back and quarterback.

    Friends who recognized her love for the sport urged her to become a high school official, but she quickly realized her perspective toward football had to change.

    “When you become an official, you have to see what’s right,’’ she said. “There’s a lot more perspective you have to look at when officiating versus playing the game.’’

    Before calling this year’s state 2AA championship game at Kenan Stadium between East Dublin and Hibriten in December, Snead called games in the state playoffs. Tony Haire was the head of the officiating crew during Snead’s run to the finals and the title game.

    “I don’t know of any situations where there was a problem with a coach or issues with players that created a problem,’’ Haire said of his game experience with Snead. “Everything was pretty smooth on her side of the field.’’

    Snead’s position as an official was what’s now known as down judge. She oversaw operations of the chain crew and was responsible for calls on the line of scrimmage as well as plays run to her side of the field.

    With a national shortage of officials a growing problem, Haire said it’s important to get qualified women like Snead involved in the officiating program. “Over 99 percent of officials are men,’’ he said. “If we can get more women involved in officiating as a whole, and definitely in football, it would ease the shortage we’re in.’’

    Neil Buie, regional supervisor of football officials for the Cape Fear region, agrees. He added that Snead’s selection to call the state title game wasn’t some gimmick to spotlight female officials. She was picked because she was deserving of the honor.

    “She did an excellent job in the state championship and throughout the playoffs,’’ Buie said.

    He added that the barrier of women serving as officials for traditionally male sports is no longer there. “It comes down to a mindset of I enjoy sports and being around young people,’’ he said. “I enjoy giving back and want to be part of it.’’

    Snead feels the same way. “I want any female to know nothing is impossible,’’ she said. “If there’s something they want to do in their lifetime, go for it.

    Photo: Snead

  • 01-08-14-methodist-abound.gifA new semester has started at Methodist University, and there are many events the local community is welcome to attend and enjoy in the coming months. All of the events are free, unless otherwise noted.

    Along with the Museum of the Cape Fear, MU will host the 13th Annual Civil War Quiz Bowl on Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Yarborough Auditorium. Anyone can participate and registration will be accepted until 20 spaces are filled.

    February starts with Spring Convocation on Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. in Huff Concert Hall, followed by the Miss Methodist University Pageant on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in Huff Concert Hall. On Feb 13, the much anticipated exhibit, Pablo Picasso: 25 Years of Edition Ceramics opens in the David McCune International Art Gallery. The exhibit’s opening gala will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. that evening, and the show will run through April 13. The gallery will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturdays.

    At the end of February, writers should plan to attend the 24th Southern Writers Symposium (registration and consultation fees vary) from Feb. 21-22, while the MU Department of Theatre will put on “W.I.P. @ MU: The Production” from Feb. 20-23. The shows will start at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

    Music

    Music lovers have a lot to look forward to this semester at Methodist. Friends of Music will present a guitar recital by John Holt Jan. 24 and a flute recital by Sarah Busman March 28. Both recitals start at 7:30 p.m. in Hensdale Chapel. There will also be a faculty music recital Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Hensdale Chapel. MU’s Concert Band and Jazz Monarchs will hold two joint concerts this semester, on Feb. 25 and April 24, both of which will start at 7:30 p.m. in Huff Concert Hall. Later in the semester, there will be performances by the Fayetteville Symphony Youth, the Fayetteville Symphonic Band, the North Carolina Symphony, One Voice gospel choir, the Fayetteville Symphony and the Cumberland Oratorio Singers. Perennial favorite Easter Jam will be back, as well as the Cape Fear New Music Festival, MU’s All-Choirs concert and MU Jazz Festival.

    Community Engagement

    Methodist University’s Center for Community Engagement has several projects scheduled for the New Year. In collaboration with students from FSU and FTCC, students will participate in a Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 20. On Jan. 25, students will participate in a roadside clean-up. Because of the support from Cumberland Community Foundation and many other community partners, more than 600 students have played an active role in the community by engaging with the professional and volunteer community through service and internship opportunities.

    For more information on Methodist University events and programs, please visit methodist.edu or call 910.630.7000.

  • “Prove it.”

    One of this column’s readers challenged me to back up my recent assertion that characteristics of some Americans could be explained by our connections to certain regions of the British Isles. I was focusing on those who are hardnosed, sometimes rebellious, resistant to direction, suspicious of people in charge, unwilling to give up individual choice to some kind of group direction.

    I wrote about the ways in which our ancestors’ folkways still influence us and play a part in the way we act and think today, but the reader was not convinced there was a connection.

    My column was sparked by Joe Klein’s article in The New Yorker about a 1989 book, “Albion’s Seed: Four British Folkways in America,” by David Hackett Fischer. Klein says the book explains how “the history of four centuries ago still shapes American culture and politics.”

    Many of the early European settlers in North Carolina were what we call Scots-Irish. But they also include emigrants from Ireland and the borderlands of Scotland and England. In these areas for more than seven centuries, there was constant fighting. People had to live in the middle of conflict. No one else was going to provide order and peace.

    When they settled in North Carolina and adjoining regions, they brought that culture of violence and resistance to external control to their new homeland.

    In his book Fischer writes that these emigrants came from “a society of autonomous individuals who were unable to endure external control and incapable of restraining their rage against anyone who stood in the way.”

    He quotes one settler woman: “We never let go of a belief once fixed in our minds.”

    So how does Fischer prove that the descendants of the early immigrants from the British border areas are still influenced by where their ancestors came from? He builds his case by detailing the folkways of British border areas and showing how they still exist in sections of America today.

    One of those folkways is our way of speaking, the words and phrases we use and how we frame and sound them. He has a term for the way of speaking in our backcountry. He calls it southern highland speech and shows how it is related to the border speech in Britain.

    He writes, “This southern highland speech has long been very distinctive for its patterns of pronunciation. It says whar for where, thar for there, hard for hired, critter for creature, sartin for certain, a-goin for going, hit for it, he-it for hit, far for fire, deef for deaf, pizen for poison, nekkid for naked, eetch for itch, boosh for bush, wrassle for wrestle, chaney for china, chaw for chew, poosh for push, shet for shut, ba-it for bat, be-it for be, narrer for narrow, winder for window, widder for widow, and young-uns for young ones.”

    Sound familiar?

    Once when we were living in Bristol, Tenn.-Va., deep in the Appalachian Mountains, my mother worried that her children would pick up the mountain dialect. As she explained to one of her Atlanta friends, “Up here they say tar for an auto tire. And they say tire for the tar to pave a road.”

    Fischer concedes that the southern highland speech used in America today is not exactly the same as that spoken in Britain. But he insists that scholars agree that this language developed from the spoken language of the British border areas. It is the clear ancestor of “a distinctive variety of American speech which still flourishes in the southern highlands of the United States.”

    Does this close language connection prove that immigrants from the British border brought not only their special speech ways to the southern highlands, but also their hard-nosed rebellious attitudes?

    Maybe not, but the connections are more than a little thought-provoking.

  • earls pic 
    The Cumberland County Holiday Classic basketball tournament will undergo a dramatic change next December in hopes of preventing the 10 Cumberland County high schools from having to play each other too many times during the season.
     
    Vernon Aldridge, student activities director for the Cumberland County Schools, unveiled the new format at Tuesday’s first monthly meeting of the 10 senior high school athletic directors at the county schools central office.
     
    Under the new plan, the old format of a play-in round to qualify the lowest-seeded teams into the tournament field has been eliminated.
     
    There will now be four separate tournaments, two each for boys and girls. The county schools will be split in half, five teams playing in each of the two separate tournaments for boys and girls. To complete the field, three outside teams for a total of 12 will be brought in.
     
    For the first year, Aldridge has secured commitments from the following schools. The boys’ entries are Clinton, Middle Creek, Southern Lee, Lakewood, Forest Hills and Triton. Clinton, Southern Lee, Lakewood and Triton will also be in the girls’ tournaments, along with Scotland and Athens Drive.
     
    Aldridge said ideas for an alternate format were discussed at last month’s seeding meeting for the Holiday Classic, with the coaches expressing the most interest in the format announced today.
     
    “Coaches want to see different opponents,’’ Aldridge said, noting that since eight of the 10 senior high schools are in the Sandhills Atheltic Conference, it’s possible schools could meet each other as many as five times in a season.
     
    The dates for next year’s tournaments are Dec. 20-22. Seventy-First and Terry Sanford will host the boys’ games and Pine Forest and E.E. Smith will host the girls.
     
    The four separate championship games will be held the final day at Fayetteville State’s Capel Arena, with the four high school sites hosting the consolation bracket games.
     
    Aldridge decided to keep the tournament prior to the Christmas holiday, even though history indicates gate receipts are higher when it’s held after Christmas.
     
    “The difference in dollar amount of what we made before and after Christmas wasn’t all that great,’’ he said. “We thought it gave coaches, players and their families a chance to have a holiday break.’’
     
     
    --
  • 01-29-14-ftcc.gifIn the 21st century higher-education climate, active-duty military and veteran students have become one of the most important interest groups educators seek to capture, both because of the unique needs and challenges they face, as well as the civilian debt of gratitude owed to these selfless men and women. At Fayetteville Technical Community College, our service to military personnel, veterans and their respective families spans both local and international boundaries.

    FTCC deeply understands the unique challenges military and veteran students face. FTCC’s MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) degree program helps soldiers complete their educations. Having achieved a #2 ranking in the Military Times “Best for Vets: Career and Technical Colleges” in 2013, FTCC has designed and launched a state-of-the-art learning assessment model based on the individual student’s Military Occupational Specialty. Such a method of turning military experience into a transferable credit is unique among military-friendly schools, and Fayetteville is leading the proverbial pack. We have also devised a flexible and individualized academic plan for military students, offering over 190 programs of study with substantial online opportunities and 8-week accelerated programs. These specific individualized curriculum tracks for key occupational classifications and academic programs map to military credentials, training, and experience. As such, FTCC serves a wide variety of constituents that represent all levels of preparation, expectation, and pursuit of success defined by a variety of descriptors.

    Of FTCC’s more than 12,500 student population, more than 3,000 are military or veteran students. The college maintains multiple campuses that house state-of-the-art instructional and laboratory facilities, which support high-quality technical career prep programs. The school’s close proximity to the Fayetteville VA Medical Center provides an important synergy between the VA hospital’s military-friendly activities and FTCC’s Health Programs curricula and myriad of course offerings. FTCC’s health degree programs are a significant part of the college’s success, given that the healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of the American economy and projected to employ a significant portion of the country’s workforce.

    In short, FTCC is fast becoming a true “educational gateway” for military personnel, from their recruitment, through their service, and into professions and careers post-active military service. Within six months of leaving the college, 93 percent of graduates find themselves employed; close to 40 programs boast a 100 percent placement rate. In the 2012 Community College Survey of Student Engagement, 87.2 percent of survey respondents reported that they would recommend FTCC to family and friends. This endorsement rings loud and clear — FTCC is working hard to give back to a community of learners who have sacrificed much for their country. Our educational and training services to special operations and conventional forces in the Army are especially important to our college and, more important, to the defenders of our freedom that we all treasure highly.

    I invite you to visit our college soon to learn more about how FTCC can positively impact your life through education. Our Fayetteville, Spring Lake, and Fort Bragg campus locations, combined with online study, provide convenient options for everyone.

    Photo: FTCC is fast becoming a true “educational gateway” for military personnel.

  • Editor's Note: The content included below was submitted by each candidate to Publisher Bill Bowman, and has only been edited by the production staff for spelling and punctuation.
    Publisher's Note: These views are the candidates and their's alone and do not reflect the opinions of our newspaper. Up & Coming Weekly is not endorsing these candidates. These are views from citizens who want to contribute their time and talents to the community.

    Mitch Colvin To Citizens and Residents of Fayetteville: I am a lifelong resident of Fayetteville, having raised my three daughters and built a successful family business here. Other than being a father, son and brother to my siblings, one of my greatest honors is serving as your mayor.

    Over the past four years, our city and indeed our country, has faced unprecedented challenges including natural disasters, a global pandemic and social unrest relating to events which unfolded in Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. In addition, Cumberland County has been designated as a Tier 1 county which means that it lags behind the state’s largest cities in terms of the key indicators of quality of life such as unemployment rate and low tax base. If that is not enough, the residents of our city have unfortunately been confronted with baseless allegations about city leaders and private individuals which resulted in another community distraction and diverted our collective attention from the real work we must do to move our city forward.

    As has been said before, these are serious times which requires serious solutions. One of my top priorities as mayor has been to strengthen our city through industry recruitment, job creation, higher wages, increased contracting with local and minority-owned businesses, investment in infrastructure and increasing the availability of affordable and workforce housing. My goal has been to be pro-people and pro-business.

    In the last four years, more than $250 million in new private investment has been made in Fayetteville and over 2,500 new jobs created. In addition, our city is increasingly becoming a logistics center which supports e-commerce and takes advantage of our strategic proximity to major highway systems and the deep-water shipping ports in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

    We have made historic investments to improve our streets, sidewalks, and stormwater systems. I’m particularly proud to have worked closely with the Public Works Commission to facilitate an investment of $70 million for a fiber-optic broadband network serving Fayetteville and also providing broadband internet access to much of Cumberland County.

    The city has made unprecedented investments towards ending homelessness and housing affordability. Recently, we broke ground on a new $4 million Homeless Day Center on South King Street which was funded substantially by federal dollars. We also worked very closely with the Fayetteville Metropolitan Housing Authority to create approximately 300 new garden style apartments on Grove Street which presents an attractive gateway to the city. We also supported our seniors with $12 million in funding for new state-of-the-art senior wellness centers.

    All of the progress we have made together is reflective of our “Can Do” spirit and our new branding strategy. Along with the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation and other municipal partners, a project to rebrand our city from the old stereotype to our attractive new “Can Do” theme was commissioned and can be seen throughout the city.

    We recognize that the city should be safe no matter where you live or work. In response to the national crime trends that are affecting the entire country, we commissioned the Gun Shot Detection software platform which allows city policeman to identify the source of gunshots. We have made significant in public safety infrastructure to reduce our street paving from an average 47-year cycle to 16 years [sic].

    While it is true that the last four years has tested our city and the rest of the country, our city has had a good deal of success. I am particularly grateful for the way our city has come together to respond to the unprecedented global pandemic. In this regard, I am urging everyone to remain vigilant and take everyone [sic] precaution to protect your family and neighbors from this unforgiving COVID-19 virus and its variations.

    My warmest personal regards, Mitch Colvin, Mayor

  • 19Katy Beasley Terry Sanford

    Katy Beasley

    Terry Sanford • Sophomore •

    Tennis

    Beasley has a 4.0 grade point average. She was the No. 4 singles player on the Terry Sanford team. She is active in a number of organizations, including Tri Chi, Key Club, Friends Club, Go Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She’s in the Hay Street United Methodist Church youth group and volunteers at the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society.

    20Connor Sykes Pine Forest

    Connor Sykes

    Pine Forest • Junior •

    Soccer Sykes has a 4.0 grade point average. In addition to playing soccer at Pine Forest, he’s active in the Student Government Association and Academy of Emergency Medical Science.

  • Editor's Note: The content included below was submitted by each candidate to Publisher Bill Bowman, and has only been edited by the production staff for spelling and punctuation.
    Publisher's Note: These views are the candidates and their's alone and do not reflect the opinions of our newspaper. Up & Coming Weekly is not endorsing these candidates. These are views from citizens who want to contribute their time and talents to the community.

    melvin In 1961, Ronald Reagan said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction." This statement rings true even now, 60 years later.

    In 2020, COVID-19 descended upon our nation, and at the time, we moved cautiously, many of us willing to follow the guidance of the CDC amidst the uncertainty. But as we learned more about the virus, that it has a 99.75% survivability rate, somehow the restrictions grew tighter, and the mandates began to affect every aspect of our lives.

    At the same time, Fayetteville faced riots that ravaged our very own neighborhoods and small businesses. Police were attacked, racial tension reached an all-time high and the citizens of our fair city were more divided than ever.

    It seemed our way of life, not only here in Fayetteville but through all of our country, was being turned on its head with no one seeking to set it right. I thought to myself; I could sit idly, grateful that my family was making it through, or I could do everything in my power to make a change for all of Fayetteville. I choose to make a change.

    My name is Nyrell Melvin, and I am running for mayor here in Fayetteville, North Carolina. I ask for your vote that we may stand together for the values that make our city great.

    Every single American has rights and freedoms granted by God and protected by the Constitution. It is the job of elected officials to protect those rights, not to take them away. Here, today, I stand for your freedoms.

    According to the Constitution, I stand for every law-abiding citizen's right to "keep and bear arms." Our neighborhoods have seen a massive increase in violent crimes in the last two years, and Fayetteville citizens need to know that they can protect their homes and families.

    I believe strong families are the building block of a thriving community, but the family unit is under attack. The worst attack on the family is abortion, America's greatest injustice of our time.

    We've seen injustices cast lasting darkness upon the nation throughout our history, injustices such as slavery. But slavery, unlike abortion, was ultimately abolished, and today we look back in horror at its evils, all while we continue to slaughter nearly 3,000 unborn children every day. If elected, I vow to protect those innocent, defenseless lives, all while working to make adoption more accessible (and affordable) for those in our community who are praying for a child.

    I also stand for strengthening and fully funding our local law enforcement. We know that when law enforcement is active and present, neighborhoods are safer. But instead, law enforcement budget cuts and layoffs are destroying many communities in this state in an era of defund the police.

    Defunding the police means fewer officers responding to calls, fewer resources to investigate high-level crimes, and fewer neighborhoods with regular patrol to protect the families who live in areas plagued with rampant corruption. Today Fayetteville sees 1,839 violent crimes each year, nearly twice the state average, and it's only getting worse. Our current mayor, city manager and chief of police's crime prevention policies have proven ineffective and are costing families their loved ones.
    It's time we recognize the importance and value of our law enforcement and the risks they take every day to keep us safe. If elected, I will continue to work closely with the local law enforcement agencies to stand for truth and justice to provide safe neighborhoods for our children to grow up in.

    Part of crime prevention includes a focus on quality and sound education. I will not hesitate to say that I've had a troubled past. As a young man, I attended Tarheel Challenge Academy, a dropout recovery program that helps at-risk youth earn their high school diploma. The academy helped me gain the American values, life skills, education and self-discipline necessary to succeed as a productive citizen.

    But today, our public schools are failing to produce productive citizens. In North Carolina, only 57% of public school students have proficiency in English Language Arts, and only 59% have proficiency in math. Meanwhile, educators are spending precious class time teaching white students they are oppressors and teaching black students they are oppressed. I've seen it first hand. They are teaching radical sex education to students as young as kindergarten. Someone once said that "all education is a moral education." Therefore, we must be careful what morals are being taught to our children. That's why we need to get involved with public schools.
    If elected, I will continue to work closely with the Cumberland County Board of Education to ensure our kids have the best opportunities to excel in not only reading, writing and arithmetic but also the arts and music, as well as financial literacy. I will work to ensure our children have the knowledge, skills, and values for a prosperous life. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education."

    Part of developing true character includes acknowledging our Creator. As a Christian, I found Christ on Easter Sunday in 2014, but it wasn't until I was in a jail cell that my life was radically changed for the better. And whether or not you believe in Christ, it's no secret that America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. Our religious heritage is embedded in our coins and in the language of our founding documents. As Reagan said, "If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be one nation gone under."

    One of the most outrageous aspects of the COVID lockdowns is the attack on the church. Many of us were told to stop gathering together, stop singing together, stop worshipping together. And more than an attack on our religious freedom, the attack on churches hurt the struggling families and the homeless in our community who rely on the services and support of the local church. Our local churches feed people spiritually and physically at no cost to the taxpayer. When many churches were forced to close or go online, our community was cut off from crucial spiritual and physical resources.

    If elected, I will stand for moving forward from tyrannical, authoritarian COVID restrictions. I need you to really understand this with me. We're on year three of "fifteen days to slow the spread," and the goalposts continue to change daily.

    To this day, we have no evidence that these lock downs and restrictions have made any difference. Right now, New York, a state with some of the strictest lockdown measures, has eight times the number of COVID cases per 100,000 people than Florida, a state with some of the fewest lockdown measures. We, the people, can see what works and what doesn't.

    We cannot continue decimating our economy for a virus with a 99.75% survival rate, a virus with an average age of fatality that is higher than the average life expectancy, a virus that already has an established and easily accessible vaccine. I stand for moving from COVID restrictions to restore Fayetteville citizens' God-given and God-granted freedoms, which are Constitutionally protected.

    If you choose to elect me as your mayor, I can promise you this one thing that I will wake up every single day fighting for these causes and more.

    I will never give up on our future because I firmly believe that we can move forward together as one when we come together as Americans. John F. Kennedy once said, "United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do — for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder." And it's time for us to move forward from covid to make a better Fayetteville for tomorrow!

    Again, my name is Nyrell Melvin, I stand with Fayetteville, and I am running to be your mayor. I would be honored to earn your vote. May God bless you, and May God bless America. Thank You!

  • 18Shot clockYou’d be amazed at what high school sports writers do with their free time over the holidays.

    During the down week after the Cumberland County Holiday Classic, I got into a discussion on Twitter with several of my peers and a few coaches about a burning issue in high school basketball, the question of whether a shot clock is needed.

    There are some who feel strongly the time has come to pull the high school game into the same arena with colleges and the NBA and add a shot clock to competition.

    The arguments are pretty familiar. They think it will improve the pace of play, plus it will be a boon for those athletes who will be leaving the high school ranks to compete at the higher levels where the clock has been in use for years

    But let’s just hold on for a second. I’m not sure if I’m in a minority or a majority on this because I haven’t conducted any polls, but I strongly disagree that the time for the shot clock has come in the high school game.

    For one thing, I can count on zero fingers the number of times I’ve seen a team engage in a full-fledged stall to try and win a high school game. The reason for that is the majority of teams don’t have a player skilled enough to command possession of the ball and keep flipping it around the court to various teammates to force the clock to wind down.

    So my biggest case is we’re trying to fix something that’s not broken, at least it’s not broken in the basketball I’ve seen.

    The biggest argument against the change to a shot clock is the cost. Somebody’s got to buy a working clock, and you’ve got to set up satellite clocks at either end of the court that both teams can see.

    I just did a quick Google search, and the first one I saw with the operating station and the two clocks came in at $1,375.

    Another problem is you’ve got to train and pay someone to operate the clock. That’s an ongoing hit to already skimpy athletic budgets.

    Finally, my biggest objection to a shot clock in high school is you’re going to make the game worse, not better, because only a fraction of the athletes at the high school level have the athletic ability and drive to advance to college and NBA basketball.

    Far too many youngsters who play the high school game are out there simply for the love of it and don’t have either the aspiration or the chance to be on a team once high school is over.

    To force players of limited skill to try and get off a shot every 30 or 45 or however many seconds we set a high school shot clock for would be painful and turn sloppy games into absolute train wrecks.

    Let’s don’t rush to judgment on this and do something that will benefit a fraction of the players and a handful of teams who would dominate the opposition because of superior talent alone.

    Let’s leave something to coaching and respect the talent level of every player in the game, from the stars to the kids that get in off the bench.

  • Editor's Note: The content included below was submitted by each candidate to Publisher Bill Bowman, and has only been edited by the production staff for spelling and punctuation.
    Publisher's Note: These views are the candidates and their's alone and do not reflect the opinions of our newspaper. Up & Coming Weekly is not endorsing these candidates. These are views from citizens who want to contribute their time and talents to the community.

    Webb Well, since I have decided to run for the Mayor of Fayetteville, I should introduce myself. I was born in Germany in 1966 of Italian and Greek descent. I lived there with my brother and sisters until an American family adopted my older sister and I. My dad was third-generation U.S. Army and proudly serving our great nation, and luckily he got stationed at Fort Bragg. I fell in love with Fayetteville. I graduated from E.E. Smith High School and attended college in Indiana to be closer to my family. However, I found myself drawn back to the Tar Heel state and returned to Fayetteville. Once back, I attended Campbell University and followed my father's footsteps by enlisting in the U.S. Army, where I served with the 82nd Airborne Division and 7th Special Forces Group[(Airborne)].

    While still serving at Fort Bragg, I joined West Area Fire Station 15 and have been a firefighter for 33 years. My children were born and raised here, and I currently own and operate several Fayetteville businesses. I can't imagine living anywhere else. I love this city and feel it is vitally important to take an active role in it. I have been president of the Aaron Lakes West and Wells Place Community Watch, Vice-Chair for the Fayetteville/Cumberland Human Relations Commission, where I'm presently serving as a commissioner. I'm past Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council and work with many veteran groups and local non-profit organizations. All in an attempt to make life better for Fayetteville and Cumberland County citizens. We help and support each other, and it's what neighbors do. I want to provide Fayetteville with common sense leadership, transparency, more and better services, and fluid communications between City Hall and our citizens. I believe we need "A Fayetteville for the People."

    I want to be the peoples' mayor. I am running on a platform based on what the people want:

    Public Safety: Fayetteville has experienced a record-setting crime rate since 2016. The city's 2021 homicide rate is at record levels at 48 during 2021, up from the previous record of 32 in 2016, while other various crimes continue to rise dramatically. The brazen murder of an unarmed motorcyclist during an altercation last week [Jan. 1 to 8] on Skibo Road and the recent shooting and death of Jason Walker on Bingham Drive are only two very dire examples of how 2022 is starting.

    Traffic in Fayetteville is horrendous and dangerous in Fayetteville for both passengers and pedestrians. Traffic citations and stops have fallen from approximately 70,000 per month to about 22,000 in 2021. Yes, there is a shortage of law enforcement officers patrolling our streets, and it is the police officer's instruction to stand down and ignore minor infractions. This is why we have too many unlicensed off-road ATVs and dirt bikes speeding in and out of traffic on the city's busiest streets, pulling wheelies, darting in and out of traffic, and knowingly and wantonly disregarding the law and putting our citizens in great danger. Unpunished minor crimes, beget more enormous crimes. I will work with all Law Enforcement agencies in providing them with the tools needed to properly "serve and protect" Fayetteville citizens.

    Economic Development: I know that top industry businesses would like to set up shop in Fayetteville. We must provide them decent incentives to locate here. We need to make it easy to do business here. This will give us high-paying jobs and a solid tax base. I will work with the Fayetteville Economic Development team to do whatever it takes to bring these companies to Fayetteville.

    Education: (Work Experience Education) Training and teaching our citizens the proper skills needed to land one of these higher paying jobs is necessary for showing our citizens that we care and want them to succeed. I will work with Fayetteville officials, the Chamber of Commerce, F[ayetteville ]T[echnical] C[ommunity] C[ollege,] and other local organizations to ensure that Fayetteville has a fighting chance to land these jobs.

    City Beautification: Not long ago, we achieved, for the third time, All American City status. Fayetteville was recognized for being clean and beautiful. We need to be proud of our city. A clean city is a reflection of its citizens. I will work together with the Fayetteville Beautiful organization to bring that beauty back to our city.
    I know this is a huge platform for any candidate. Yet, anyone who loves this community knows that these are the issues of most significant concern and should be the highest priority. They are my highest priority. This is why I am asking for your vote [and] support.

    "A Fayetteville for the People"

    Franco Webb for Mayor of Fayetteville

  • 16Heath Wilson Cape Fear17Michael Vernagallo Cape Fear

    Cape Fear High School wrestling coach Heath Wilson wanted to give his team a test over the Christmas holiday break, but even he was shocked at the grade the Colt squad recorded.

    The Colts traveled to Raleigh and Charlotte to take part in two major tournaments, the annual WRAL-TV tournament in Raleigh and the Holy Angels Invitational at Bojangles Arena in Charlotte.

    Cape Fear faced formidable opposition in both tournaments and came away with the team championship in both events.

    “We want to follow where the talent goes,’’ Wilson said.

    The WRAL tournament was more than just a matter of seeking good opposition. During the 1980s when Wilson was a state champion wrestler at Cape Fear, the Colts never won the Raleigh tournament as a team.

    “That’s a bucket list item,’’ Wilson said. “If I didn’t win it as a wrestler, I wanted to win it as a coach. It was icing on the cake.’’

    The Holy Angels tournament doesn’t have the history WRAL does, but it’s grown into one of the state’s biggest holiday events over the last several years, Wilson said.

    “When they got from 32 to 50 teams it started peaking my interest,’’ Wilson said. “We had four of the top-ranked teams in the state from 4-A to 1-A.’’

    In both tournaments, Cape Fear got solid efforts from a quintet of wrestlers, Jared Barbour at 152 pounds, Dallas Wilson at 132, Josh Jones at 285, Triston Chapman at 126 and defending state champion Michael Vernagallo at 170.

    Heath said Dallas and Vernagallo have been pushing each other in practice as partners.

    Although he’s got four losses, Barbour is still ranked among the top five wrestlers in the state in his weight class.

    Through Jan. 1, according to records posted at NCPrepSports.net, Vernagallo is 20-0, Chapman 21-3, Wilson 17-1, Jones 11-0 and Barbour 17-4.

    The next big tournament challenge for Cape Fear comes this weekend when it travels to Eden Morehead High School for the annual Sarah Wilkes Invitational.

    “That is the trifecta,’’ Heath Wilson said of the Eden tournament. “(Hillsborough) Orange will be in it, the defending 3-A state champion.’’

    Wilson added that the Colts haven’t had their full regular lineup on the mat yet this season. The key to success moving forward, he said, will be the ability for his wrestlers to be flexible and compete at different weights.

    “That’s going to be a good factor if I can get that versatility,’’ Wilson said.

  • Editor's Note: The content included below was submitted by each candidate to Publisher Bill Bowman, and has only been edited by the production staff for spelling and punctuation.
    Publisher's Note: These views are the candidates and their's alone and do not reflect the opinions of our newspaper. Up & Coming Weekly is not endorsing these candidates. These are views from citizens who want to contribute their time and talents to the community.

    J Antoine Miner Cooler Heads Must Prevail: The shootings that took place this week [Jan. 1 to 8] in Fayetteville are indeed tragedies and should be handled as such.
    There are no words that will comfort the families and loved one[s] of the two men who were shot and killed on our streets this week [Jan. 1 to 8], and our hearts go out to the families! Our city is saddened and heartbroken!

    It is also saddening to see just how quickly some so-called leaders in this city, even faith leaders have jumped to fan the racial flames. They call for peace while giving inflammatory speeches and posting dog whistles on their time lines.

    They call for peace publicly but secretly advocate for war. They publicly pray to the God of Heaven while privately hoping that all hell breaks loose.

    This city has been through enough, and the last thing that we need are “leaders” who will see these tragedies to capitalize on hate and division. We need LEADERS who will bring this city together!

    If we are going to be “America’s Can Do City” we have to first be “America’s Can Do Better City.”

    We must be that city on a hill; we must be that beacon of light that the rest of the nation looks to when the seas are raging, the pressure is high, and the fires of hate and division are being fanned.

    Fayetteville, we are a city of hope, passion, compassion, faith and prayer. We are a city that understand the importance on coming together. We cannot allow hate traffickers and race-baiters to activate their divisive agenda and further tear our city apart.

    The wolves are howling, the vultures are circling, and the sharks are going in for the kill, but we must be the true gatekeepers of peace that we are called to be.

    We mourn these tragic losses of life, and we pray the comfort of God for the families left behind.

    Let us seek justice through peace, not through war. And let us resist the urge to hate. Let us come together in prayer and let us seek God for guidance!

    We have an opportunity before to show the nation and the world what “can do” really looks like, and I know that we can do it.

    Let us Lead Fayetteville Forward. TOGETHER

    Thank you, God bless you, May God bless the city of Fayetteville, the families of those we’ve lost, and may God continue to bless the United States of America

  • 14Byron Sigmon Jack Britt15Daniel Peede Pine Forest

    The Boneyard Bash at Jack Britt High School, always one of Cumberland County’s biggest regular-season wrestling events, is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday, Jan. 13-14, in the Britt gymnasium.

    This is the 18th annual version of the tournament started by former Buccaneer wrestling coach John DeWeese, who, though retired, is still helping out behind the scenes with setting up this year’s event.

    There will be a slight change in the starting time of the tournament to help schools taking part in testing this week.

    Although gates are scheduled to open at 4:30 p.m., weigh-ins may begin as late as 5:30 p.m., and some opening matches might not start until 6:30 p.m. or later.

    Three rounds will be wrestled Friday. Gates will open at 7:30 a.m. Saturday with wrestling beginning at 8 a.m.

    The finals are tentatively scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

    Tickets are $8 for Friday and $10 for Saturday. A two-day pass can be purchased for $15.

    The tournament will feature some familiar faces from Cumberland County, including host Jack Britt, Gray’s Creek, Pine Forest, Terry Sanford and Seventy-First. Traditional state power Cary is entered along with a traditionally strong program from the western part of the state, Lake Norman.

    “It’s great having teams from outside our region coming in,’’ said first-year Jack Britt wrestling head coach Byron Sigmon. “Different parts of the state have different styles and coaching strategies. It’s great to see those kids now rather than wait until the state tournament.’’

    Among the top wrestlers competing from county schools are the following. Records are through Jan. 1 as posted on NCPrepSports.net:

    106 - Kevin Wanovich, Jack Britt, 11-1.

    113 - Pierre Young, Terry Sanford, 11-1;

    Kyle Cunningham, Gray’s Creek, 20-3.

    120 - Tre Sousa, Gray’s Creek, 20-4.

    138 - Andrew Esterly, Gray’s Creek,

    22-2; Christian Govan, Pine Forest, 20-8.

    145 - Andrew Grierson, Gray’s Creek, 12-1.

    152 - Daniel Peede, Pine Forest, 24-0.

    160 - Keith Jalen, Gray’s Creek, 16-7.

    170 - Ferris Allen, Terry Sanford, 10-1;

    Darius Govan, Pine Forest, 21-4.

    182 - Daniel Ogunwo, Jack Britt, 9-0;

    Finley Allen, Terry Sanford, 11-0; Luke Roberson, Jack Britt, 11-2.

    220 - Tony Tyndal, Gray’s Creek, 17-4.

    Photos L to R: Byron Sigmon, Jack Britt wrestling head coach; Daniel Peed, a top Cumberland County wrestler

     

  • Editor's Note: The content included below was submitted by each candidate to Publisher Bill Bowman, and has only been edited by the production staff for spelling and punctuation.
    Publisher's Note: These views are the candidates and their's alone and do not reflect the opinions of our newspaper. Up & Coming Weekly is not endorsing these candidates. These are views from citizens who want to contribute their time and talents to the community.

    Delacruz I am Efrain "Freddie" de la Cruz, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and Mayoral Candidate for Fayetteville. This is my assessment of the crime and law enforcement situation in our "Can Do" city. First, you need to know that I served over thirty-two years in the U.S. Army and have more than twenty-eight years of experience as a military police officer. Five years of that was spent in an active combat zone, an experience that qualifies me to understand why Fayetteville is struggling with rising homicide and crime rates and how poor leadership within the Fayetteville Police Department is festering and fostering discontent, low morale and subsequently, a scandalous deficit of quality law enforcement officers.

    I am a battle-tested proven leader that understands what needs to be done to curtail crime and keep our citizens safe. The crime statistics speak for themselves: Record-setting murder rate in 2021, with the first couple weeks of 2022 out to surpass that. Fayetteville does not need to be the murder capital of North Carolina. There are no easy solutions, but I strongly believe that petty crimes, property damage and murders can be significantly curtailed by allowing our Fayetteville police officers to do their job and enforce the law. When you let the people openly and without consequence break the law by rioting, looting and dangerously ignoring and violating local traffic laws, we create an environment of lawlessness. And, that is what we are currently witnessing in our city.

    Recently, the Fayetteville Ethics Commission dismissed all the allegations of misconduct against Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins. Sad. She is the dark cloud hanging over the entire Fayetteville Police Department. Public safety is the mainstay of my campaign to run for mayor of Fayetteville. Of course, I believe everyone is innocent until proven guilty; however, the toxic environment in the police department and the dysfunctional makeup of our City Council all speak for themselves. As mayor, I would encourage Fayetteville citizens to replace the current leadership. As your mayor, I would strongly recommend that the City Manager fire Gina Hawkins and replace her with a chief of police with integrity and an impeccable record in law enforcement.

    Regarding the recent senseless shooting of Jason Walker by off-duty Cumberland County deputy Lt. Jeffery Hash, my sympathies are with both families. Now, we must allow the official investigation of the incident to determine the case's fate. I'm confident the assigned agencies will do a thorough and fair investigation, and justice will be dispersed according to the laws of North Carolina. Justice and peace work hand and hand [sic]. I ask that everyone pray for unity, our community and the future of our great City of Fayetteville. Thank you, and I would appreciate your support and vote for Mayor of Fayetteville.

  • 16Xavier Callejas E.E. Smith Xavier Callejas

    E.E. Smith • Senior •

    Football

    Callejas has a grade point average of 4.29. In addition to playing football, he’s secretary of the Student Government Association.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    17Peyton Rouse Grays Creek

    Peyton Rouse

    Gray’s Creek • Senior •

    Volleyball/Softball

    Rouse has a grade point average of 3.83. She’s active in the National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America and Academic and Intellectually Gifted.

  • Molasses By the time this column appears to leave yet another stain on world literature, it will be almost the end of January. By then, most people's New Year's Resolutions will be ghosts in the rear-view mirror fading off into the lost horizon of good intentions. January was named after the two-headed Roman god Janus. Janus was the Roman term for an archway or a ceremonial gateway. In other words, it was a way to go in and out. At the beginning of the Roman calendar, Janus had two heads, one looking backward and one looking forward. The Romans watched the old year go away while seeing the New Year come trundling along on the other side of the archway. Hence the term, two heads are better than one. It did mean that Janus had to double his budget for hats as opposed to ordinary one-headed gods. But being a god, his credit was good.

    What can we say about the month of January? Is there anything worth pondering about our fleeting first month? Funny, you should ask. You have certainly heard the old saying, "Slow as molasses in January." Well, like Sporting Life once sang in "Porgy and Bess," "It ain't necessarily so." Hop right into Mr. Peabody's Way Back Machine and take a ride on the Reading to January 15, 1919 to Boston, Massachusetts. The day began like any other January day, a bit warmer than most, but nothing way out of the ordinary. The workers at the U.S. Industrial Alcohol factory worked to produce molasses for the hungry masses yearning to eat highly sweetened pancakes. The International House of Pancakes was not invented until 1958. IHOP bears no responsibility for what happened in Boston in 1919.

    So, what did happen in 1919 that undermines that statement about being slow as molasses in January? Well, listen, my children, and you shall hear of the Noon-time Great Boston Molasses Flood. To paraphrase Scatman Carruthers in "The Shining:" "A lot of things have happened in Boston, and not all of them were good." The factory in question produced massive amounts of molasses. It was right before lunch when all heck or, more aptly, all molasses broke loose. The workers were loading molasses into freight cars to tickle America's sweet tooth. The molasses was stored in an almost six-story high tank containing about 2.5 million gallons of hot molasses. That is a mega amount of molasses.

    In the wink of an eye, something went very wrong. The bolts holding the bottom of the six-story vat of molasses gave up the ghost. The bolts blew out like the bottom of the Titanic meeting its fateful iceberg. News reports say an 8-foot-tall wall of hot molasses spewed out of the bottom of the vat, knocking freight cars, men, and the building walls over like a hungry 350-pound man lunging for crab legs at an all you can eat seafood buffet at Myrtle Beach. Once the molasses escaped the building, it poured into the streets of Boston, destroying a nearby firehouse and knocking down the supports of the elevated train track. Twenty-one people and multiple horses died in the flood of molasses.

    Foreshadowing of the modern-day flood of lawyer ads on Cablevision, over 100 lawsuits were filed against the U.S. Industrial Alcohol. The name Industrial Alcohol does not make me think of butterflies and unicorns. It sounds more like Everclear's evil twin. For those of you who have never consumed Everclear, allow me to proffer some medical advice, don't break your record of abstention. But I digress. Boston took weeks to clean its streets of molasses. One can only imagine the delightful task of policing up the corpses of molasses-soaked horses stuck to the roads. The mind boggles. Ultimately State Auditor, the Honorable Hugh W. Ogden, was appointed by the court to sort out all the claims against the U.S. Industrial Alcohol. Mr. Ogden decided the U.S. Industrial Alcohol was at fault due to the poor construction of the molasses vat. The company was ordered to pay almost $1 million to the plaintiffs.

    So, what have we learned today? As usual, not much. However, we should be careful not to believe all general statements, not even this one. Not all molasses is slow in January. An 8-foot wall of hot molasses by any other name would smell as sweet. As far as the Boston attorneys were concerned, the Great Molasses Flood was a financial bonanza. They latched onto the molasses like flies on poop, reaping financial rewards that illustrated Shakespeare's quote in "As You Like It:" "Sweet are the uses of adversity, which like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head."

    Shall we compare an 8-foot-wall of boiling molasses to a toad wearing a jewel in his head? Why not? I would rather see a toad wearing a jewel than an 8-foot wall of hot molasses bearing down. Not everything makes sense. Once you grasp that concept, it all makes sense. If the glove fits, you must acquit — so long January. See you next year.

  • 15Jalin Thorne Westover14Gloria Smith 71st

    The 2018 Cumberland County Holiday Classic that wrapped up at Fayetteville State’s Capel Arena just before Christmas will be remembered as an event of stark contrasts.

    The boys’ championship was pretty much by the numbers, as top-seeded Westover avenged an early defeat to Terry Sanford, handing the second-seeded Bulldogs a 43-35 setback.

    But the girls’ final resulted in possibly the most shocking outcome in Holiday Classic history. Seventy-First had to win a play-in round game to even make the main field of eight, then strung together three more wins over higher-seeded teams to take the title.

    The finals may have provided the biggest surprise as the Falcons handed previously unbeaten No. 2 seed Terry Sanford its first defeat of the season, 48-29.

    For Henry Cowan, head coach of the Falcons, there was no magical formula behind what happened. “As a team, we found our rhythm,’’ he said. “We started trusting each other. Our playercoach relationship really bonded. We were wanting to win instead of playing not to lose. We were wanting to make a statement.’’

    Gloria Smith, who was named the girls’ tournament most valuable player, agreed with her coach. “We talked to each other and executed what we needed to do,’’ she said. “We just worked hard for it.’’

    That may be an understatement as the Falcons won four games in four days, the final one on the longer court at Fayetteville State. Smith said the team talked about being tired but quickly dismissed it. “No matter how tired we are, we’ve got to keep pushing,’’ she said. “We got what we needed to get. We got that W.’’

    Meanwhile, the top-seeded Westover boys turned the tables on a Bulldog team that handed them a smothering defeat just a week earlier.

    “When we played them the first time we were unbeaten and had beaten some very good teams,’’ Westover coach George Stackhouse said. “You know how kids are. I think a lot of people were patting them on the back. When we went over to play them, I just think the kids played really relaxed and we got killed on the glass.’’

    “We came out with a lot more intensity,’’ Thorne said. “We executed way better, and we were prepared for their 2-3 zone defense.’’

    Thorne said the Wolverines were far more patient with the ball this time than they were in the first game. “That was the No. 1 thing coach stressed, and we came out and did it.’’

    Both Seventy-First and Westover enjoyed a break but will return to conference action this week in their respective leagues.

    Cowan said his Falcons hope to continue with the same intensity they had in the Holiday Classic and try to speed other teams up. “We like to play fast,’’ he said. “If we can get where we can trust our offense and defensive rotations and help the helper, I think we’re going to be okay.’’

    Stackhouse has a similar plan for Westover. “We’ve got to make sure we’ve got everybody on the same page,’’ he said. “Stay focused. We’ve got the talent at some point to be a very, very good team.”

    Here are the all-tournament teams for the Holiday Classic.

    BOYS

    MVP - Jalin Thorne, Westover; Dontravious Byrd, Seventy-First; Calvin Washington, Jack Britt; Gabe Harbison, Terry Sanford; Yates Johnson, Terry Sanford; Tyron George, Westover.

    GIRLS

    MVP - Gloria Smith, Seventy-First; Jaelyn Autman, Gray’s Creek; Lillian Flantos, South View; Imani Elliott, Terry Sanford; Lindsay Bell, Terry Sanford; Daireanna McIntyre, Seventy-First.

    Photos: Left- Gloria Smith; Right- Jalin Thorne

  • 01-13-10-cat.jpgIt’s easy to see David McCormick is a visual artist with a sense of humor. Titles like Cloning of America, Miss America and On My Honor all lead us into his world of humor — add skillfulness and an underlying serious message.

    McCormick is the first “must-see” exhibit of the 2010 exhibition schedule at Gallery 208, located at Up and Coming Weekly on Rowan Street. Visitors who attend the opening reception or the exhibit later will see a large body of work by a highly respected and extremely skillful artist. An artist who admits his work is “more of an introspective journey.”

    The opening reception for McCormick’s one man exhibition is on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010 between the hours of 5:30-7:00 p.m. Visitors to the reception will fi nd McCormick to be likeable, his work colorful and a mixed media blast of materials — gouache, India Ink, enamel paint, acrylic paint, pastels, pencil, wax crayon, textural papers, kinds of cardboard, cloth photographs, wire, embroidery thread and more.

    David McCormick has been the Chair of the Art Department at Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, N.C., since 1993. Local artists who visit the exhibit may recognize his works from a local exhibition or competition. The indulgence now is to be able to see a large body of his work and to see a body of work that is very different than what is being created in the immediate area.

    Earning his Master of Arts from New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M., McCormick’s major was painting with a minor in drawing. The drawing in his work is a testament to his exceptional skill level; his drawing is the underpinning of his style.

    In the work titled On My Honor (pictured above) a group of Boy Scouts are all seated in an outdoor setting. McCormick then adds a series of likely and unlikely objects across the surface of the mixed-media work to prompt perplexity and raise questions about their purpose in the work. A supersized snake slithers across the surface of the picture plane in contrast to a series of diagonal marks, the Boy Scout insignia fl oats, and a small fi re is blazing in the right corner. Details, pattern and repetition unify the variety of textures.

    In the mixed media painting titled Cats, McCormick celebrates the idea of “catness” in his sophisticated use of color, contrast of shapes, mixing text and the pictorial, line and plane, washes and opacity. Just as he uses a mix of mediums, he also uses a mix of elements of art and design to create a unifi ed work.

    The artist will briefl y speak at the reception and answer questions about his work. McCormick will address the direction of his artwork01-13-10-on_my_honor.jpgand how it “has evolved to become more auto-biographical in recent years.”

    He stated, “I believe it’s a given that most creative people in the arts draw on their lives for their work, but I intentionally used my life experiences for this body of work. I recollected both positive and negative influences, actions, people and events that have impacted my thinking and incorporated it all into my artwork. As a result, the artwork has become increasingly, very personal.”

    In talking to McCormick about this body of work he shared that he did not want to only show the autobiographical direction, but that he wanted to share some of the positive and negative infl uences. He noted, “The work titled One Small Step is a celebration of my time when I worked at NASA and the Apollo program as an artist. The painting titled Cats simply expresses my love of the many felines I have owned.

    “Others are much darker and sadder and double as an attempt to work things out for myself. The work titled Eye of the Storm is about a bad relationship; Skyway is about the growing pains of boyhood; and the work titled 621 Mockingbird is about an early lesson on the preciousness of beauty and life,” he continued.

    For me, the best thing about seeing the body of work by McCormick is that his work is fresh and very different from what people in the area are accustomed to seeing. Not only does he rely heavily upon drawing in his work, but he also has an exacting way in which he approaches the narrative in painting and drawing. He has a masterful use of composition, layout and design.

    His personal history as an artist is interesting and varied. Between earning two degrees, he worked in Houston for several years in two different television stations as an artist, cameraman, set constructor, light technician and photographer.

    Early in his artistic career McCormick worked for Lockheed Electronics and TRW, Inc. as a graphic artist and draftsman. Both corporations were under contract to NASA and were related to the space program or the Earth Resources Program. McCormick worked on the Apollo missions 11, 12 and 13. Later he worked at NASA for several years as a technical artist before becoming a college art educator.

    During the past 27years he has worked at four different educational institutions in four states: Kansas, Wyoming, Louisiana and North Carolina. McCormick is in his 16th year at Southeastern Community College.

    At Southeastern McCormick teaches art classes, doubles as the gallery director, created and has managed two annual national shows during the past 12 years: Watermark and Frameless. A dedicated member of the faculty he has taken students and faculty on seven different tours to Europe and will be on his eighth tour to England this May.

    McCormick’s expertise is evident in the more than 100 one-person exhibitions, national competitions and invitational exhibitions he has participated in during the last 25 years. To name only a limited number of the places he has exhibited would include St. John’s Museum of Art in Wilmington, N.C., The Downtown Gallery in New Orleans, Gallerie Verlag in Vienna, Austria, International Gallery in Kanazawa, Japan, and Southdown Museum in Houma, La.

    Visitors to Gallery 208 will quickly understand why McCormick was selected to be the fi rst artist in an exhibition schedule coordinated by the newly formed Visual Art Alliance. During the year each member organization of the alliance will assume the responsibility of coordinating an exhibit.

    Works by David McCormick was coordinated by Chris Kastner, executive director of the Cape Fear Studios. Works by David McCormick opens Jan. 21, at 5:30 p.m. and closes in early March. Visitors who do not attend the open reception can see the exhibit during regular work week hours at Gallery 208, Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. For information call Kastner at the Cape Fear Studios, (910) 433-2986.

  • Delegation A few weeks ago, I penned an editorial about how our local Cumberland County State Legislators have set an excellent example for local City and County officials on how teamwork and cooperation net big dividends for all residents of our community.

    Well, that message was again heard loud and clear on Jan. 13, when the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce hosted a community-wide "thank you" reception for our delegation at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum. And rightfully so. Our Legislative Delegation under Chairman Rep. Billy Richardson's leadership passed North Carolina's first budget since 2018. Working together, Richardson, Sen. Kirk deViere, Sen. Ben Clark,

    Rep. John Szoka, Rep. Diane Wheatley, and Rep. Marvin Lucas brought an unprecedented $412 million back to Fayetteville and Cumberland County. For this, we are truly grateful! $412 million, which will improve the quality of life for every citizen in our community.

    Fayetteville's future is bright, with plenty of economic potential and opportunity for growth. But only if we have competent and responsible leadership with vision. Leadership who appreciates the value of negotiation, compromise, teamwork and communication. As a media source and your local community newspaper, we will continue to do our part by providing the space in print and online to any citizen, candidate or elected official to speak directly to the Fayetteville and Cumberland County community. No exceptions! In this edition, there are several letters from Fayetteville mayoral candidates expressing their views, concerns and insights about their vision for the city. These views are theirs and theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of our newspaper. Up & Coming Weekly is not endorsing these candidates. These are views from citizens who want to contribute their time and talents to the community. We welcome and encourage this type of communication. Again, our publication is open and available to all citizens.

    Remember, $412 million didn't just happen; it resulted from hard work, compromise, communication and teamwork.

    Our Cumberland County Legislative Delegation set the example. Now, all we have to do is follow it.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly!

  • 13Officials photoCongratulations to these Southeastern Athletic Officials Association officials who called the 2-AA football finals at Kenan Stadium between East Duplin and Lenoir Hibriten.

    Pictured left, L-R: Christina Snead, down judge; Travis Lewis, back judge; Oliver Sanders, side judge; Tony Haire, referee; Danny Bowers, line judge; Chip Bishop, field judge; and Eric Cole, umpire.

  • 012710xanadu.jpgThere are times when people are having so much fun, that they don’t notice they’re being inspired until later. This is to be expected when the audience is being amused by a muse. The undercover muse, Kira, and her cast of friends are rolling onto the Broadway Series South stage at Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium in the hit musical, Xanadu. In a time when the pressures of life can be overwhelming, an entertaining love story full of fun, great music, lively choreography and unexpectedly meaningful messages about pursuing your heart’s desires is well-received.

    Thursday, Jan. 28 – Sunday, Jan. 31, audiences can experience the mystical story of the characters portrayed by Elizabeth Stanley and Max Von Essen, as they overcome interesting challenges and fall in love while mythological fi gures intervene with their Roller Disco venture. The cast members are no strangers to the stage and the impressive level of talent becomes evident in the singing, acting and dancing that is somehow enjoyably expressed while on wheels!

    The performances of Natasha Yvette Williams, Annie Golden, Larry Marshall and Kevin Duda bring the magic of Mt. Olympus to the setting of Venice Beach as imaginations are sparked by the retro-fabulous costumes, chart-topping music and balancing-act choreography that can only be found in what has been recently called “the happiest show on Broadway.” The talents of Amy Goldberger, Veronica J. Kuehn, Jesse Nager, Vincent Rodriguez III, Chauntee Schuler, David Tankersley and Tiffany Topol also grace the stage in Douglas Carter Beane’s theatrical adaptation of the 80’s classic.

    In an interview with Up & Coming Weekly, Stanley shares her thoughts about her leading role as Clio/Kira, the chemistry of the cast and her overall experience in Xanadu.

    UCW: What is it that you like about the current lead character that you portray, Kira?

    STANLEY: One of the most fun things about playing Kira is that she’s magical! I think it’s great that she’s superhuman and possesses the abilities to make wonderful things happen for people.

    UCW: Are there things about the character that you can actually relate to or see in yourself?

    STANLEY: I like to think of myself as a kind person who has compassion for others and also has a love for the arts. In those ways I can see myself in Kira who also likes to inspire people around her to believe in themselves and try new things.

    UCW: I know there are many exciting scenes, but what is your favorite scene and why?

    STANLEY: That’s always an interesting question to me because my favorite scenes change over time! Each show brings something different to appreciate and I fi nd myself saying ‘That’s my new favorite scene to do!’ But lately, I’m really enjoying doing the opening scene, “I’m Alive”; especially because there are new cast members and it’s a number that we all get to rejoice in and do together.

    UCW: In your opinion, what are the lessons that audiences can take from the show?

    STANLEY: One of the main things I love is at the end of the show the meaning of Xanadu is revealed, which is “To love someone else and to create art.” I love that theme. I think it’s so beautiful because it’s saying if you can do what your soul really wants to do in this life and then also share your life with someone special — that’s the ultimate reward. I think that’s a pretty deep message to come from such a fun show!

    UCW: The cast is a very talented and experienced group of people. What is the chemistry like?

    STANLEY: The chemistry is great now and it was great in the old cast too. The ebb and fl ow of the people involved is one of the wonderful things about being a part of a production for an extended period of time. This group is so lovely. Everyone is really excited and there’s so much talent and heart going into the show.

    UCW: What is the most interesting thing (that you can comfortably share) that has happened behind the scenes?

    STANLEY: Oh my gosh, there are so many things that happen! Max and I like to give each other a hard time. A lot of jokes are made during really chaotic stage changes. When it seems like we’re having a diffi cult time, I’ll ask Max if he’s seen my voice anywhere because I can’t seem to fi nd it! I like to try on everyone’s wigs and sometimes we’ll prance around in the hallways while everyone is getting ready and silly things like that.

    For tickets and more information, contact the Raleigh Convention and Conference Center at 919-831-6060 or visit the Broadway Series South Web site at http://www.broadwayseriessouth.com.

  • Peace and Faith Do you ever just long for peace? And I'm not talking about the absence of war; that's too far above my pay grade. I'm talking about the kind of peace that finds us calm and content in the middle of even the worst imaginable scenario. That kind of peace is possible, but for many, it completely eludes us.

    In a world where seemingly everything we do and say is contested, the stress of making what would once have been the simplest of decisions comes under scrutiny. The preconception that we can't be 'for' one thing without being 'against' another gets in the way of relationships of every kind.

    As a Christian in today's world, our charge is the same as it has always been, be peacemakers. Some interpret that as a call to roll over and accept whatever comes next, but I believe it means – maybe now more than ever – to step up and step in.

    Time after time in the Bible, we are told not to be afraid. You can interpret that to mean there will be plenty of opportunities to be afraid, but that we shouldn't be. One such instance is found in the Gospel account given by John.

    Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
    Not long afterward, Jesus tells his disciples that the world will hate them.

    "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."

    He went on to say, "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." (John 15: 18-19)
    This statement doesn't sound very comforting. Hey, those people you'll see later today. They hate you. And so will the ones you meet tomorrow.

    Yet Jesus said these words to those close followers with both peace and conviction.

    The comforting part is that he tells them not to sweat it. That he's telling them in advance is perhaps the most remarkable thing Jesus could have done.

    Knowing that to believe and follow the things Jesus taught is setting myself up for rejection seems a fair enough warning, but it still doesn't account for the pain and conflict we experience on a day-to-day basis.
    With or without God, stuff happens. Friends die, people take advantage of us, and those we love the most might walk away without notice.

    I've said many times, the price of discontent is high. And it is. Very high.

    We find ourselves looking for more, better, faster, and we begin to stir up a little war within even ourselves.

    But there is peace. And it comes from a place far from here but is within reach every second of the day. What's better is that you can not only have peace, but you can extend it to others.

  • 12KayYowCumberland County Schools will participate in the annual Play4Kay charity fundraiser during the month of January.

    Play4Kay is named in memory of former NC State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow. It was started during the 2004-05 basketball season when the cancer that eventually led to the longtime coach’s death recurred.

    In 2007, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund was established, and games were played annually to help raise money for cancer research.

    The plan for Play4Kay games is simple. Schools pick a regular-season game and designate it as a Play4Kay game. The game is used to help raise money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and also to recognize cancer survivors on the court during the game.

    Schools are encouraged to sell official Play4Kay shirts, which can be customized with each school’s logo or sponsor.

    Chasity Melvin, a star at Lakewood High School who went on to play for Yow at NC State and enjoyed a successful career in the WNBA, is the coordinator of development for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

    Late last year, she paid a visit to Fayetteville and spoke to the athletic directors of the 10 Cumberland County senior high schools about what Play4Kay is all about and what playing for Coach Yow meant to her.

    “Coach Yow was instrumental in helping me become a great player on and off the court from 1994-98 and throughout my professional career,’’ Melvin said.

    “I’m proud to say that the Kay Yow Cancer Fund has been a huge success in funding grants for advancements in research and serving the underserved, which was a big part of Coach Yow’s vision. I’m passionate about having every school host a Play4Kay, whether it’s this season, next season or the next season.’’

    Melvin has a picture of Yow in her office, and she said she talks to it like Yow is still here. “I get excited when a school tells me they are hosting a game,’’ Melvin said. “I look up at my picture of Coach Yow and say, ‘There’s another one.’”

    Melvin said she can hear Yow’s voice saying,“Good job Chasity, but I know you can do more.’’

    And Melvin agrees. “Because of each of you, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund can continue to do more and continue the vision of our fellow North Carolinian, Kay Yow,’’ she said.

    Here are the dates for the Play4Kay games the Cumberland County Schools will be hosting:

    Jan. 5 - Hoke County at Jack Britt, Pine Forest at Cape Fear.

    Jan. 8 - Douglas Byrd at Westover.

    Jan. 10 - Overhills at E.E. Smith.

    Jan. 12 - E.E. Smith at Gray’s Creek.

    Jan. 19 - Pinecrest at Seventy-First.

    Jan. 23 - Pine Forest at South View.

    Jan. 26 - Douglas Byrd at Terry Sanford.

    Jan. 30 - E.E. Smith at Pine Forest, Overhills at Douglas Byrd.

  •     If we all could “see” music as a shimmering palate of colors, chances are a cool sax riff by Charlie “Bird” Parker or a smooth solo from George Benson’s guitar would probably resemble one of Eric McRay’s paintings.
        Talking in the vernacular of a jazz musician, McRay describes his art as “improvisational.”
        “Improvisation is a big part of my art,” said McRay, “just like a jazz musician. My art is a random type of expression. For me, painting is pulling all these notes together into one piece. In my next life, I’m coming back as a musician.”
        Thankfully, for art lovers, McRay is living in the moment rather than some future existence as a New Orleans trumpeter, allowing us to be treated to his paintings, some of which will be on display at the Fayetteville Museum of Art from Jan. 17-March 8 as part of a two-person exhibit entitled Visual Allegories. The other featured artist is Chandra Cox.
        Both McRay and and Cox are African-Americans, appropros for the Visual Allegories exhibit, which will compare the artists’ work with utilitarian African objects that are part of the FMoA’s Lewis Pate collection.
    McRay’s paintings — many of which are centered around jazz, as well as North Carolina landscapes — are full of “allegories” and metaphors... at least sometimes.
        {mosimage}“I put a lot of myself into my art,” said McRay, who owns McRay Studios in Raleigh. “I use my knowledge of art history and African-American history to try and connect my art to the human experience.
        “But sometimes,” said McRay, in perhaps a mild swipe at learned art scholars who overanalyze and psychoanalyze every brush stroke, “sometimes... a tree is just a tree.”
        Speaking of trees, despite his deep love of jazz, which is the subject of many of his paintings, including some works that will be on display at the FMoA, part of McRay’s continuing maturity as an artist includes more landscapes.
    “Art is all about change,” said McCray. “I painted a lot of jazz when I was into popular music and hung out with jazz musicians and writers. Now, I’m painting more landscapes because I’m traveling more and meeting all these ‘well-to-do’  folks who live on the coast and have beautiful houses.”
        But fear not jazzbos, you’ll get more than your fix of McCray’s illustrated representation of your favorite music at the Visual Allegories exhibit, especially in such works as the collage piece “Late Night Jazz.”
        You’ll also be treated to a variety of artistic mediums by Cox, a practicing artist, image-maker who works in a range of mediums from oil and acrylic to digital media.
        Her work has been presented in numerous museums and galleries around the country such as the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh and the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Her artworks in public collections include North Carolina State University, North Carolina Central University and The University Of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She illustrated the children’s book Christmas Makes Me Think, published by Lee and Low of New York.
    Among her awards are the Artist-in-Residence Fellowship at the Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito, Calif. Cox also received the Outstanding Teacher Award in 1985 and 1995, and the Undergraduate Alumni Distinguished Professor Award in 1988.
        You can get an early look at the work by these two artists at the museum’s premier party on Jan. 16 from 6-8 p.m. There will also be some audio, thanks to Chapel Hill band Physics of Meaning. Daniel Hart, leader and chief songwriter for Physics of Meaning, has contributed to such groups as St. Vincent and the critically acclaimed Polyphonic Spree.

    Contact Tim Wilkins at tim@upandcomingweekly.com 

  • Fitness Center The right fitness center is a place where you look forward to exercising, socializing and a place you can unwind. There are many reasons people join a fitness center, and your reason should be that it meets your needs.

    A fitness center can be the perfect choice for those that like to engage in group activities, specialty fitness, extensive use of machines, specialized training and fitness centers with specific amenities for seniors.
    Joining a fitness center is not only a monetary investment. It is an investment for you. It should be a place where you look forward to working out and making new friends. Selecting a suitable facility is much like building a new relationship.

    A good center is aesthetically pleasing, has quality equipment, is clean, safe and has friendly and knowledgeable staff. Fitness centers vary in amenities, equipment options, group fitness classes, services and monthly pricing. Defining what type of center you are looking for will help you make the right choice when visiting facilities. You are investing your time and money and need to be confident that your choice is the right fit for you. Look at the center's website or social media pages and ask your friends if they like the center at which they are members.

    Making a fitness center checklist will help you in making the right decision. On this list, answer the following questions. First, what is the main reason you are interested in joining a fitness center? Is it for weight loss, strength training, toning, specialty training, cardio activities, weight lifting, circuit training, water aerobics, personal training or overall fitness? Is the center convenient to your home, has good parking, and you feel safe there at night? Do you like amenities such as a pool for exercise, sauna, dry sauna or whirlpool? Do they offer group fitness classes that you may be interested in, and are the times the classes available right for you? Are the hours of operation convenient to your schedule?

    If you are a weight lifting enthusiast, are there a diversified number of machines and free weights to target the areas that you are interested in working? Do you like a more boutique center with one-on-one training? Do you want a center with a coed room or a separate area for women? Are you interested in joining a facility that offers a program for Silver Sneakers or a center oriented towards an older or younger clientele? Are you interested in a center that meets a set budget?

    It is essential that you visit the center or centers you are interested in joining. Make an appointment for your visit and ask questions from your list. Make your visit count and take a good look at the surroundings for cleanliness, overall age of equipment, and the staff's knowledge. Did you find the staff friendly and feel that you are selecting a facility that could be your new fitness home? Make the time and take a close look at your contract because it is binding and a monetary commitment.

    Be sure you are comfortable with their membership terms. Joining a fitness center is a commitment beyond just a signed contract. Your commitment should be to attend regularly and set goals for your fitness journey while making new friends and achieving your goals. Live, love, life, and health!

  •    Remnants of last year’s holiday season have almost disappeared. It’s the end of January, time to bundle up and welcome the first of a line up of exhibitions the local art venues have planned this year. Visitors to the January 4th Friday evening gallery crawl won’t be disappointed to view the first exhibition of 2009 at the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County — Distinguished Visions, Timeless Tradition.
       The exhibit consists of original works by African-American artists, collected by local patrons of the arts and local artists. What you will experience is the power and beauty of the African-American voice in the visual arts and the generosity of collectors who are willing to share part of their collection of original works with the community.
        According to Calvin Mims, arts services coordinator at the Arts Council, “the exhibit was brought together from the private collections of Fayetteville residents to tell life’s story in black. It’s a story of family, love, joy, strength and celebration, in the tradition of the African-American culture.”
       Mims shared with me how the Arts Council wanted to have an exhibit showcasing African-American artists for Black History Month.
       “Through our research we found that several of the country’s noteworthy artists, who happen to be African American, lived or taught in North Carolina, such as John Biggers. The idea for the exhibit came from the discovery that many Fayetteville residents have over the year’s collected significant works of art by African-American artists,” said Mims.
      {mosimage} Mims commented, “At the arts council we are always engaged in dialogue about American culture and we want to ensure that these outstanding artistic contributions will be enjoyed and valued by future generations.   In collecting the work and getting ready for the exhibit to go up, I have been pleased with the number of individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge of African-American art.”
       Visitors to the arts council will see original oils, drawings, signed limited-edition prints and photographs by contemporary younger artists and also many works by artists who worked through the social and political climate of the late 1960s and early 1970s — a time when the Civil Rights and the Black Pride movement were igniting. It’s a chance to see an original Hughie Lee Smith, Elizabeth Catlett, John Biggers, Betye Saar and many others.
       If art history is not your passion, be aware there are many artists in the exhibit who are already historically significant and tell the African-American story in American culture. If you remember the The Cosby Show, Hughie Lee Smith’s work was hung on the set of the show.
       Smith taught in many prestigious art academies in the United States and his works were exhibited in museums and galleries across the country. Even after receiving many awards he was not given a major solo exhibition until 50 years after he started painting, at the age of 73. 
       Many people may not know the name Ernie Barnes, but they know his work — he is the artist whose paintings were often seen on the television sit-com show Good Times. Barnes was born in Durham and attended North Carolina Central University. An athlete himself, his work is characterized by athletic and elongated figures.
       Work by two of my personal favorites, Betye Saar and Elizabeth Catlett are part of the exhibit. Born in 1926, Saar is an artist who uses mixed media to explore the personal and political. In 1998 Saar made a poetic statement about the essence of her style, a statement that seems to sum it up: “Symbols, images, place and cultures merge. Time slips away. The stars, the cards, the mystic vigil may hold the answers. By shifting the point of view an inner spirit is released. Free to create.”
       Catlett, born in 1919, is an artist who made her reputation in sculpture and printmaking by exploring themes which related to black women: love, children and marriage. A Mary Cassatt, in 1970s Pop-Art style, Catlett also focused on images of heroic and talented figures in African-American history and was not shy about being highly political in her work and her political activism.
       Catlett is an artist who was very effective in raising the consciousness of African Americans in the ‘60s and ‘70s. She did this with the subject matter of her work and the many people she reached through teaching art.
    Seeing work by John Biggers is always a pleasure. I clearly remember the year the Fayetteville Museum of Art had an exhibit of his work and arranged for him to talk to our students at Fayetteville State University.   Before us was a renowned artist whose lifetime had spanned the Great Depression, World War II and the Civil Rights movement; yet the first thing you experienced from Biggers was the kindness and generosity he exuded.
       Born in Gastonia in 1924, it was Biggers’ extraordinary talent and his humility that made him a memorable artist to meet. Future generations will know him for his use of symbols, mixed with a highly stylized figurative technique that carved him a place in the history of art.
       It is not a coincidence that Biggers and others in the exhibit are from North Carolina.
       The exhibit has not left out some younger contemporary artists who are making their way into galleries, museums, private and corporate collections, and hopefully art history. Mima McMillan, a young artist who is employed at the McColl Art Center in Charlotte, is part of the exhibit. A lithographic transfer from an older body of work titled Highland Avenue is in the exhibit.
    McMillan’s photographic influence has evolved into a more conceptual body of work which was recently exhibited at the Hart Witzen Gallery in Charlotte. From Fayetteville, McMillan attended Peace College in Raleigh and finished at Fayetteville State University. She was one of the founding members of the Flow artists in Fayetteville and is now one of the founding members of the Contemporaries in Charlotte.
       Another local artist in the exhibit is Dwight Smith. After relocating to Fayetteville from Detroit, Mich., several years ago, he has made a place for himself in the local art community. A mature, professional artist, Smith’s work continues to be purchased by collectors and major corporations. Even with his noted national reputation, Smith takes the time to support local community efforts by participating in the CommuniCare project and is president-elect of the Fayetteville Art Guild. 
       Distinguished Visions, Timeless Tradition opens this 4th Friday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. at the Arts Council, 301 Hay St., and will remain up until March 21.
       There is plenty of time to visit the exhibit and take new visitors to the Arts Council. The exhibit is free and open to the public Monday – Sunday. For information about the exhibit, additional programming surrounding the exhibit, and the hours of the gallery, call 323-1776.


    Contact Soni Martin at editor@upandcomingweekly.com
  • Ghost Kitchen When I first heard of ghost kitchens, my thoughts went to ghouls cooking up a Halloween brew, ladles dancing in midair, unexplainable noises filling up the kitchen. I am happy to report that it is not the case. Not too long ago, I received a call from a recruiter who was looking for a place to host a ghost kitchen, and he was interested in using my restaurant. I must confess that I was taken aback and decided to do some research.

    Ghost kitchens are virtual restaurants created on app platforms. No cooking or restaurant experience is necessary to create one. This is the easiest way to have your own restaurant.

    According to Cloudkitchens.com, if you have a concept in mind, a menu, and the right amount of cash, you can have a restaurant. Ghost kitchens use existing restaurants to cook the menu items and package them for take-out. This concept of virtual kitchens arose before the pandemic came upon us; however, with the surge of take-out and delivery during the pandemic, virtual kitchens became more popular. In today’s restaurant world, deliveries make up 60% of total sales; hence, virtual kitchens have found fertile ground for their sales.

    How do ghost kitchens operate? They do so through ordering apps, such as DoorDash or UberEats. Customers who want to order their meal delivered, choose a restaurant on a delivery platform, browse the menu, and pay online.

    Meanwhile, the restaurant receives the order on a dedicated ordering system, prepares the food, packages it for delivery, and hands it out to a delivery driver.

    This new business model was welcomed by brick-and-mortar restaurants that lost business during the initial stages of the pandemic.

    With dining rooms empty, and increased demand for delivery, many restaurants agreed to be the kitchen where virtual menus are prepared. It sounds like the perfect solution to a serious problem. Ghost kitchens have kept many restaurants in business and people in the workforce.

    Who is the target customer for ghost kitchens? According to statistics, Gen Z (18 to 24 years old) is the section of the population who orders the most, followed by Millennials (25 to 40 years old). The target market of virtual kitchens is key to understanding why they have become so popular.

    There are pros and cons to this new business model. The advantages are many, especially for restaurants. Virtual kitchens do not require much capital to start up a restaurant. There are no remodel or building expenses. Overhead is practically nonexistent, and the hiring and firing headache is not even an afterthought.

    The restaurants who agree to be the brick and mortar for the virtual kitchen keep busy with online orders and do not have to worry about hiring delivery drivers, as they come with the package deal. What are the disadvantages? Lack of transparency, for starters. But, that might not be a priority for Gen Z and Millennials. I assume the rest of us would like to know where the food is prepared, or that the food comes from a virtual kitchen.

    Some folks care about the sanitation score of restaurants. With virtual kitchens, such a score is unknown because the menu found online doesn’t disclose where the food is prepared.

    It’s obvious, due to the current circumstances, that ghost kitchens are here to stay, as long as people request delivery or carry out.

    Perhaps, with customer demand, there will be more transparency.

  • Margaret If you are not worried about the future of American democracy, you are not paying attention.

    There is a lot of hot air on this topic from the left and the right. People share their thoughts based on little more than individual political leanings and overheated emotions — no need to take my word for this. Just turn on CNN, Fox News, or scroll your Facebook or Instagram accounts, and you will get the idea pronto.

    That said, there is also a great deal of learned and informed information and commentary to indicate that we are indeed a nation in distress. We are a nation facing divisions of historic proportions, on the precipice of sliding from a representative democracy toward a more authoritarian form of government.

    My first brush with this powerful and terrifying possibility came when reading the 2018 book "How Democracies Die" by two Harvard political scientists. They chronicle how elected leaders undermine the political process to increase their power. It has happened to other democracies, and these authors see it unfolding in the United States. More recent books on the same theme include “Four Threats: The Recurring Crises of American Democracy” and “American Democracy in Peril: Eight Challenges to America.”

    These conversations have continued and expanded among scholars, historians and regular Americans who fear for our nation.

    Here are some numbers to get us started. Last summer, a PBS Newshour/NPR/Marist poll found that 67% of American adults believe our nation's democracy is under attack. A more recent CNN poll finds that 93% of us believe that our democracy is under attack (56%) or is being tested (37%). A majority, 51% of us, believe that elected officials will overturn an election in coming years because their party lost.

    Perhaps most alarmingly to me, the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank generally considered on the conservative side, reported earlier this month that Americans of all political stripes see the potential for violence. Thirty percent of Republicans, 17% of independents, and 11% of Democrats, now agree that violence might be necessary to save our nation.

    If we concede that those who do not know or understand history are doomed to repeat it, then we really should be nervous.

    Barbara Walter, a political science professor at the University of California at San Diego and an advisor to the CIA on political instability, believes we are perilously close to another civil war. She and others cite extreme partisanship, geographic sectionalism, urban and rural divides and differing visions for state and federal governments.

    Not all scholars and observers agree with her. Still, most are concerned about the toxic political atmosphere and systematic attacks on voting undermining public faith in the political process.

    These ideas are alternately unsettling and baffling for most Americans, leaving us confused at best and terrified at worst.

    Both ends of the political spectrum, those who think it is happening as you read this and those who scoff that it can never happen in our America, need to back up and take a deep breath.

    The fact that "We the People" are now talking about this indicates we are concerned, even alarmed. It also tells us that both sides must be thoughtful in what we say and do as we go through a troubled and challenging period in our nation's history.

    Western European nations fell to fascist governments in the first half of the 20th century, as did southern hemisphere nations in the second half. We are foolish to believe it could not happen here.

    As frustrating and imperfect as democracy may be, 1947 Winston Churchill's take still rings true now. "Many forms of government have been tried and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."

  • Webb Telescope Who is the most famous North Carolinian today?

    If you check the latest edition of the World Almanac as I do this time every year, you will find a list of “Famous North Carolinians.”

    That list includes the following people but not today’s most famous person from our state.

    Read over the names on the World Almanac list and then I will tell you today’s most famous person: David Brinkley, Shirley Caesar, John Coltrane, Stephen Curry, Rick Dees, Elizabeth Hanford Dole, Dale Earnhardt Sr., John Edwards, Ava Gardner, Richard Jordan Gatling, Billy Graham, Andy Griffith, O. Henry, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, Michael Jordan, William Rufus King, Charles Kuralt, Meadowlark Lemon, Dolley Madison, Thelonious Monk, Edward R. Murrow, Richard Petty, James K. Polk, Charlie Rose, Carl Sandburg, Enos Slaughter, Dean Smith, James Taylor, Thomas Wolfe.

    But that list does not include the North Carolinian most talked about across the world these past few days: a man who grew up in the Tally Ho community of Granville County.

    On Christmas Day a $10 billion giant telescope to replace the aging Hubble scope was launched from French Guiana. So far, the launch has been successful. The device is already preparing to begin its observations by unfolding its antenna, mirror, and tennis-court-sized sunshield, as it moves toward a final orbit.

    The Hubble, at work for more than 30 years, was named for Edwin Powell Hubble, an American astronomer who died in 1953. He was an important astronomer whose work provided evidence that the universe is expanding.

    The new observatory-telescope will be about 100 times more sensitive than the Hubble. As described by Dennis Overbye in the October 20, 2021, edition of The New York Times, “Orbiting the sun a million miles from Earth, it will be capable of bringing into focus the earliest stars and galaxies in the universe and closely inspecting the atmospheres of nearby exoplanets for signs of life or habitability.”

    So, what does all this have to do with Granville County and the most talked-about North Carolinian?

    The new telescope is named the James Webb Space Telescope. Like the Hubble, the James Webb Space Telescope, or JWST, or Webb Telescope, or simply the Webb, will be in almost every news story about space exploration for many years. Every young person studying astronomy or reading about space will see his name. It will be everywhere.

    Why is this critical device named for Webb?

    Lewis Bowling, who, like Webb grew up working in the tobacco fields and barns of Granville County, explained in his column in the December 30, 2021, edition of the Oxford Public Ledger, Granville County’s twice-weekly newspaper.

    “James Webb, who grew up in the sticks like me, surrounded by great big fields of tobacco was the man most responsible for leading us to the moon. Let me clarify something: James Webb was born in Tally Ho near Stem, so he was a country boy like me, but obviously a lot smarter. Webb knew and worked for several presidents and was the National Aeronautics and Space Administration director under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. As North Carolina Congressman L. H. Fountain once said, ‘for the first time since the beginning of the world there are now footprints on the moon, and the major share of credit goes to a distinguished son of Granville County, James E. Webb.’”

    I would make a bet that there will be a new entry in the 2023 World Almanac’s list of “Famous North Carolinians.”

    James Webb from Tally Ho.

  • Among my most precious mementos is a postcard sent by my mother on Tuesday, March 26, 1968. I was seven years old and with my grandfather while my parents attended an annual convention of rabbis. My mother wrote (using common terminology for the period),

    Dear Dov,
    Last night a very great man spoke to us. His name is Martin Luther King. He is a leader of the Negro people, and he wants to help them get a better life.
    Love,
    Ema and Abba

    I understood working to help people achieve a better life, as my father was very active in local and Vermont state civil rights and social justice efforts.

    Still, as a young white boy in a state with few people of color, I did not know who Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was, other than someone who addressed that convention.

    I vividly remember sitting on my parents’ bed nine days later, listening for radio updates on his condition and finally hearing the awful announcement of his death.

    405px Abraham Heschel with MLK Recently I learned that King had been planning, just eight days later, to be at the home of his friend, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, for Passover Seder, the ritual meal commemorating the biblical liberation of the Jewish people from slavery.

    Rabbi Heschel, my father’s seminary teacher, was a leading Jewish voice for civil rights, a foremost Jewish theologian and the person who introduced King at that convention. It is no small irony that King was murdered just a week before he was to attend the Jewish celebration of freedom.

    With the approach of MLK Day, I am reflecting both on the Jewish scriptural reading for that weekend’s Sabbath and my mother’s brief postcard.

    The designated portion for that Sabbath includes the Israelite’s crossing through the split water of the Sea of Reeds (often misleadingly rendered in English as the Red Sea).

    In the biblical narrative, Pharaoh’s hardened heart appears to have been overcome as he finally allows the Israelites to leave.

    But, shortly after their departure, Pharaoh’s heart hardens again as he sends troops after his fleeing ex-slaves, though they do narrowly escape through miraculous intervention.

    It seems to me that the conviction of those advocating for non-violent protest in the civil rights movement of the sixties was that it would be the softening of hearts across the country which would ultimately bring their struggle success in the legal, political and social arenas.

    However much (incomplete) improvement may have been achieved since then, many today with diverse political ideologies feel as if we again see a hardening of hearts and a rise in intolerance.

    Our world is certainly not the world of a half-century ago. It never is. And it is natural to harden one’s own heart when we believe others have done so first.

    But, while people should stand up for their beliefs, we will never truly achieve the better life we seek if we allow others to succeed in hardening our hearts.

  • Pitt Dickey Unaccustomed to tooting my own horn, today’s column is full bore tooting. If reading another bragging Christmas letter is not your thing, kindly turn the page. Do not go any further.

    Spoiler alert, this column will make both my readers feel inadequate.

    Until this Christmas past, I did not realize that Christmas was a contest.

    My youngest son, Will, pointed out that I had won Christmas this year.

    How you might inquire, did I win Christmas? Funny, you should ask. Allow me to retort.

    I accomplished something Dads, and Husbands face every Yuletide Season. I purchased an item that warned, “Some assembly required.”

    These are words that strike fear into the hearts of men across the fruited plains. After my wife and I retired, the Rona arrived full force.

    For over a year, we left the house only to purchase supplies. To deal with the prospect of massive boredom and to avoid having to talk to me 24 hours a day, my wife Lani took up painting.

    Before Rona, she had been a painter but only painted Agreeable Gray on apartment walls. After Rona, she took up painting pictures, took art courses and turned a little-used room into an art studio.

    It turns out she is an excellent painter. She had hidden her artist talents under a bushel for the forty-plus years we have been married. But enough about her, this column is about me.

    Painting is a hobby similar to photography in that there are an almost infinite number of things you can buy to pursue your dreams of artistic immortality.

    We acquired an easel and the usual widgets.

    Lately, she had been sitting on the floor to paint, which was fine until the time came to get up off the floor.

    We had not purchased a skyhook, so her rising was a bit more challenging than sitting down. Being observant for once, it occurred to me that if she had some sort of art desk/easel contraption, she might be a bit more comfortable sitting during painting sessions.

    At a local art supply store, I found something called the Art and Crafts Creative Center, a fancy desk and stool.

    It came in a box all the way from China with literally 97 pieces to be assembled.

    The package was so heavy that I used a hand truck to haul it into the house. The 20-page instruction book was diagrams only. No words of comfort to encourage the would-be assembler. Just inscrutable diagrams with 17 easy steps to assemble the beast.

    My favorite diagram, Step 9, illustrates this column.

    To say I have few mechanical abilities would be to far overstate my skills in putting things together.

    Flipping the correct switch on the breaker box exceeds my level of accomplishment.

    Yet here I was, the day after Christmas confronting a seemingly impossible task. I was armed only with a screwdriver and a fatalistic determination to get the Creative Center assembled or die trying.

    The magnitude of the task facing me was more daunting than the challenge faced by the Greeks at the Battle of Thermopylae. As you no doubt recall, way back in 480 BC, 300 Spartan warriors under King Leonidas fought 10,000 Persians under King Xerxes.

    The 300 Spartans, against overwhelming odds, managed to delay the Persians long enough for the rest of the Greek army to get into position, and they ultimately defeated the Persians.

    The bravery and stubbornness of the Spartans saved Western civilization.

    As I faced the overwhelming odds of assembling the now unboxed artistic monster, I called upon the spirit of Leonidas to give me strength.

    For three hours without a break, I valiantly did my best to assemble the mighty beast. Steps 1 and 2 were inscrutable as the diagram did not remotely resemble the legs that came with the box.

    The actual legs were far different from those shown. Alas and Alack!

    Trying to make sense of the incomprehensible instructions, I felt like the narrator in Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven, who almost said: “Once upon an afternoon dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten diagrams.”

    A lesser man would have quit in disgust.

    But the spirit of Leonidas was with me. I persevered and innovated with the misbegotten legs. Conquering the first two steps gave me the confidence to move on to the next 15 steps.

    Displaying an almost inhuman resolve to complete the task, I only cursed once during the entire process.

    It was a relatively mild curse that Rhett Butler might have issued when he left Scarlett O’Hara at the end of Gone with the Wind.

    Surprising my whole family and mostly myself, I constructed the artsy desk in one sweat-soaked afternoon with only three pieces left over. Lani was delighted with the desk. My son Will awarded me the Winner of Christmas Award.

    Life was good. A picture of the desk with her latest artwork is attached above.
    Moral of this story: When confronted with a difficult task, may the determination of King Leonidas be with you.

  • Erica Stankwytch Bailey, a Fayetteville jeweler and metalsmith, is heading to the Grand Canyon to be the012710bailey.jpgartist-in-residence for February.

    “So much of my work is about the small within the large — the cell within the larger organism, a shell in an enormous sea — and now I will represent the miniscule being within the vastness of the Grand Canyon.”

    She was selected through a competitive application process by the Grand Canyon National Park Artist-In-Residence Program. The National Parks have always welcomed artistic interpretations of the beauty of the land ever since Thomas Moran’s paintings of Yellowstone directly infl uenced the establishment of Yellowstone as our nation’s fi rst National Park. They continue to support the artistic process with more than 40 Artist-in-Residence Programs throughout the National Park Service system. The program at the Grand Canyon seeks artists who are engaged in work that is relevant to the park interpretive themes and who communicate complex issues through their medium. Bailey has been selected for the program on the South Rim and will be given the opportunity to spend three weeks in housing provided by the National Park Service.

    “This whole opportunity still seems so surreal to me — I can’t believe it is happening and yet I am so excited. As an artist I am sure that the experience will have a profound effect on my work and my ways of seeing,” said Bailey.

    Bailey’s application proposal focused on her plans to hike the Grand Canyon to study the basic forms in nature. “My work has always been inspired by the textures of the earth,” she noted.

    She was intrigued by the idea of studying the dynamic habitats within the vastness of the Grand Canyon. An additional component of her proposal was that she would have to simplify her work process to what she could produce from the tools she can take on a plane as she travels to the Canyon. She will be required to produce a piece for the Grand Canyon National Park which will remain with the Park Service on display.

    While at the Grand Canyon, Erica will serve as a guest juror for the Seventh Annual Student Art Exhibit at Kolb Studio on the South Rim. She will also present an Evening Program about her work and metalsmithing methods. Upon her return she will be required to make a presentation to the Fayetteville community detailing her experience.

    Bailey grew up in Fayetteville and received her high school diploma in the Applied Arts from the North Carolina School of the Arts. She holds a BA in Women’s Studies and a BFA in Metal Design from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. She is currently teaching jewelry fabrication courses at Fayetteville Technical Community College and works full-time as a metalsmith. She also offers workshops through Cape Fear Studios where she is an exhibiting member. Bailey is the First Vice President of Cape Fear Studios, which is a member organization of the Visual Arts Alliance. She has shows and sells her work nationally at festivals, art centers, galleries and museums and is the winner of several exhibit and artistic merit awards. Additionally she has received several regional artist grants from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County which have allowed her to continue the pursuit of her art.

    Bailey’s work involves a variety of technical applications that allow her to create conceptual and aesthetic work. She collects items from nature including shells, seed pods and stones and fi lls her sketchbook with drawings of organic/natural elements which she translates into metal objects. Using techniques such as lamination, chasing, metal weaving, fabrication, enameling, forging and forming she is able to create pieces that are tactile and invoke the senses. If you would like to see examples of her work you may visit her Web site www. ericastankwytchbailey.com or see her work on display at Cape Fear Studios, 148-1 Maxwell St. in Fayetteville.

    As a part of her residency, Bailey plans to blog as a means of documenting her experience. Her blog may be accessed at http://www.ericastankwytchbailey. blogspot..com/.

  • MLK Dream Jam Banner 02 This coming weekend's MLK Dream Jam Basketball Tournament will personify and celebrate "The Dream" of one of America's most honored civil rights advocates and scholars, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

    MLK Dream Jam Basketball Tournament is a unique two-day sporting event. It will celebrate the legacy of this King by demonstrating his philosophies of peace, harmony and the coming together of all peoples regardless of race, nationality or religion. The event will celebrate those cherished principles. It will also celebrate the teachers and coaches who support and educate Fayetteville's young people, who are our future.

    Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper is exceptionally proud to be sponsoring this event.

    The tournament will showcase all the outstanding basketball players from public, private and Christian schools in Fayetteville, Ft. Bragg, Cumberland County and the surrounding areas. The MLK Dream Jam is a friendly sporting competition bringing schools, players, teachers, coaches, parents and local college and university scouts all together for the best basketball of the year.

    The MLK Dream Jam tournament logo says it all and is very significant to the event's theme. At its conception, Karl Molnar and the MLK Dream Jam organizers reached out to two influential Fayetteville celebrities to ask if they would support and promote the concept of bringing everyone together for a private school vs. public school basketball competition. Dennis Smith Jr., a graduate of Fayetteville's private Trinity Christian High School and current player for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers and J. Cole, singer and songwriter, from Fayetteville's public Terry Sanford High School, were onboard. Both are featured in the logo.

    The MLK Dream Jam Basketball Tournament became a reality. The cherished prize: One full year of bragging rights.

    We want to congratulate Coach Karl Molnar for his insight, hard work and perseverance in creating a unique sporting event that brings our community together. In addition, we want to extend our gratitude to Fayetteville Technical Community College, Piedmont Natural Gas, and Public Works Commission for their willingness to support this all-inclusive event and for their countless and ongoing contributions to the quality of life in our community. We encourage everyone to come out and support the best high school athletes in Fayetteville, Ft. Bragg, Cumberland County and the surrounding areas.

    Have fun and thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • resolutions The New Year celebration is a time-honored tradition that brings resolutions at each annual reset. New Year's resolutions are usually made with good intentions but fade as time passes. About 60% of us make resolutions, but only about 8% follow them through. The top New Year's resolutions include weight loss, exercise, saving money, learning a new skill, quitting smoking, reading more, finding another job, drinking less, drinking more water, getting organized and spending more time with family and friends. Nothing on the list mentions anything about personal me time and pampering yourself.

    As a fitness trainer, I advocate for healthy eating, exercise and lifestyle. Lifestyle, however, also has to do with taking time for ourselves and personal indulgence. The holidays especially are a go, go, go, do, do, do. The holiday season is satisfying with the grand celebrations, charitable events, parties, family gatherings, fabulous meals and decorating. Still, the time spent on all of this may have left you feeling tired. Me-time is an essential part of well-being, and there is nothing wrong with feeling the need to crank it down a bit and do something for yourself without feeling guilty. Mental health is just as important as physical. A friend of mine has a one-liner; she often says, "Everyone has the same twenty-four hours in a day, and you cannot add to that period." It took a long time for me not to feel guilty about doing something for myself and to say no. It is usual for us to volunteer, be on committees, spend time with friends and it is easy for schedules to fill. It can be hard to say no to an increasingly busy schedule and find time to squeeze in one more thing. Saying no is better with a straightforward approach; don't make excuses. It can seem that one more thing will lead to an avalanche of responsibility to the point that you feel overwhelmed. It is unfair to you and those involved because quality is better than quantity when you overextend yourself. How often have you said, I do not know why I am doing this because I do not have the time. This year take your time to think about the commitment involved and ask questions.

    We all need time for ourselves, and while what everyone likes to do varies, everyone's preferences are equally important. Your me-time may be a hobby, activity, going to lunch or shopping with friends. My indulgences are occasional spa visits. For me, there is nothing like a great facial, massage or pedicure. The personal time, relaxation, music and attentive pampering throw me in the ultimate state of relaxation with no thoughts of the outside world for an hour.

    Make your resolutions — create a healthier you. Set small attainable goals and reward yourself when you reach them. Be involved with organizations, committees, fundraisers but don't feel you have to be involved in all of them. Remember to take me-time and make sure you set that time aside. It helps to have a schedule in front of you when making your decisions. Good decisions create less stress for you. Learn the art of saying no without feeling bad about it. You are not letting someone down if something is not a good fit, and you do not have to make excuses.

    Live, love life, keep moving and remember you cannot squeeze more than twenty-four hours into a day.

  • 2022 In our first whole week of the new year, I have to admit how little I remembered about the last one, 2021 is a blur.

    To be more accurate, how difficult it was for me to distinguish memories of 2021 from those of 2020. It's been a weird run, to say the least.

    It seems forever ago, but 2021 lays claim to the disruption of global trade.

    A massive cargo ship got lodged in the Suez Canal, a first-time event, leading to a six-day effort involving a dozen tugboats, under the watchful eye of worldwide media outlets. On the bright side, millions of people around the globe learned the Suez Canal is in Egypt as it became one of the most-searched items on Google last March.

    And while the story had a happy ending, it wasn't any easier to explain than the bottled water and toilet paper shortage that took place a year earlier.

    A little later in the year, that search was outpaced by a considerable uptick in searches for how to say "I love you" in sign language as BTS and many other K-pop stars began incorporating sign language into their choreography.

    According to Google, the world searched "love you in sign language" more than ever in 2021.

    Additionally, the world was abuzz with concerns over extreme weather, from widespread fires to floods in the U.S. and abroad.

    Throw in a solid dose of the turbulent social and political arenas, that we found ourselves in over the past year, and maybe your memory will get a little fuzzy, too.

    One thing I can say for sure, though: none of this has caught the God of this universe by surprise.

    We just celebrated Christmas, a recalling of a world-changing event which took place more than 2,000 years ago.

    The world was steeped in chaos at the time.

    Thousands of people in dozens of nations were living under oppressive regimes.

    These people were forced to pay taxes to their oppressors while trying to outrun imprisonment, enslavement, cruelly harsh punishment and even sometimes ordered to surrender their children to be slaughtered by evil and corrupt regional leaders.

    So, if you're inclined to look back and think, 'this is the worse it's ever been,' you may want to count your many blessings before saying it aloud.

    During 2021, most (at least in America) had enough to eat that we could share some with those who didn't have enough.

    Most of us had a place to call home, the opportunity for a job to pay for it and more than enough to wear as the weather threw us its curve balls throughout the year.

    Let's enter 2022 consciously aware of all we have to be thankful for. Maybe, just maybe, we'll look up to see it's actually the best it's ever been.

  • Joan Didion2 Let’s be honest—2021 was a long and dreadful year with COVID-19 in its various iterations and toxic political divisions that separate family and friends and threaten our very democracy. We continue to face uncertainty at every turn, and we feel beleaguered. So, while we may have celebrated, at least sort of, the arrival of 2022, nothing has changed.

    Shortly before the New Year arrived, the quintessentially American author and journalist, Joan Didion, died at 87. Her long and storied career taught us about ourselves in stressful periods of American history. She also knew a thing or two about loss and killing sadness and wrote about that as well, work that earned her a National Book Award. Before deep personal trials beset her early in her career, Didion wrote a 1961 essay for VOGUE entitled “Self-Respect: Its Source, Its Power.” Her essay has been widely referenced and reprinted since her death, and it seems newly powerful as we slide into a new year saddled with the angst of the unknown.

    Here is some of what Didion, then 27, says about those with self-respect and the strength that comes with it, you can find the full essay at www.vogue.com/article/joan-didion-self-respect-essay-1961

    “… people with self-respect have the courage of their mistakes. They know the price of things. If they choose to commit adultery, they do not then go running, in an access of bad consciences, to receive absolution from the wronged parties; nor do they complain of the unfairness, the undeserved embarrassment, of being named correspondent….

    “In brief, people with self-respect exhibit a certain toughness, a kind of moral nerve; they display what was once called character, a quality which, although approved in the abstract, sometimes loses ground to other, more instantly negotiable virtues. The measure of its slipping prestige is that one tends to think of it only in connection with homely children and with United States senators who have been defeated, preferably in the primary, for re-election. Nonetheless, character—the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life—is the source from which self-respect springs.

    “Self-respect is something that our grandparents, whether or not they had it, knew all about. They had instilled in them, young, a certain discipline, the sense that one lives by doing things one does not particularly want to do, by putting fears and doubts to one side, by weighing immediate comforts against the possibility of larger, even intangible, comforts….

    “That kind of self-respect is a discipline, a habit of mind that can never be faked but can be developed, trained, coaxed forth….

    “To have that sense of one’s intrinsic worth which, for better or for worse, constitutes self-respect, is potentially to have everything: the ability to discriminate, to love and to remain indifferent. To lack it is to be locked within oneself, paradoxically incapable of either love or indifference.

    “…to free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves—there lies the great, singular power of self-respect. Without it, one eventually discovers the final turn of the screw: one runs away to find oneself, and finds no one at home.”

    Didion’s words from six decades ago do not address COVID-19 or our endangered nation, but they do guide us. She tells us to know ourselves and be responsible for ourselves, not to be led blindly by others—social media come to mind here with politics and pandemics. She suggests not to take the immediate comfort—think no mask or social distancing, but to head for the longer-term goal of a healthy community.

    None of us knows what 2022 will bring, but going with the flow in both politics and healthy living is rarely the answer.

    Wishing you and those you love a healthy and happy 2022.

  • Pub Pen Typewriter As the New Year begins, we have much to reflect on and look forward to. Fayetteville and Cumberland County have much potential and many opportunities, but only if our civic and political leaders relent and start communicating and cooperating. Until that happens, Fayetteville's image, reputation and potential growth will suffer under the burden of stubborn, belligerent and failed local leadership. One of the biggest obstacles our community faces is a lack of local media coverage. We are the fifth-largest municipality in North Carolina, yet we are without a viable daily newspaper and void of a local television station. The absence of media coverage puts our community at an insurmountable disadvantage. Truth and knowledge are power; lacking news and information makes our citizens and community vulnerable. The media, free speech and a free press, support American freedoms by keeping our leaders honest and accountable. We appreciate people, businesses and organizations that understand and respect these tenants. Through their and our actions, we have rallied to support our community's free and honest flow of information. Notably, we applaud the efforts of Tony Chavonne of City View Magazine and Marty Cayton of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal for stepping up to fill the media void left by the decline of our daily newspaper. Likewise, here at Up & Coming Weekly, we utilize all our available resources to provide hyper-local news, views and insights. Our goal is to support the residents, businesses and organizations that endorse and embrace these constitutional tenets of democracy. We are committed and will continue to reach out to all nine Cumberland County municipalities to promote their communities, businesses, activities, events and achievements.

    Thanks to the encouragement and support of our readers, and the confidence of our local advertisers, we have begun an expansion of newsroom operations to provide much-requested and much-needed transparency into local government. To this end, we have invested in a professional, young, talented and energetic editorial and production staff. They strive to focus on Fayetteville and Cumberland County's future and quality of life. These gifted reporters and writers are committed to accuracy, fairness and transparency and will be engaging in more in-depth investigative reporting on local government officials, issues and policies. They will report on and explain the policies and procedures of significant matters in city and county government and the relationships of those involved. In other words, we want to help our readers "connect the dots." Help them understand the details of the policies that impact their families and businesses. Up & Coming Weekly will ask the hard questions that are now conveniently ignored.

    There will be no change in our newspaper's mission or mandates. We will continue nearly three decades of policy that includes supporting Fort Bragg and showcasing the people businesses and organizations of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Those that make our community distinctively unique. Our local charm, southern hospitality and cultural character defined by our music, art, and theater assets are too often overshadowed and minimalized by the unsavory parts of our community. Local newspapers and news media can provide the defining balance. Local is the keyword here.

    In 2022, you can expect the best from us. We are committed to Fayetteville, Cumberland County and Fort Bragg. Up & Coming Weekly will continue to offer a free, unbiased and open public forum for local citizens regardless of race, religion or political affiliation. We want these voices heard. Nationally, local community newspapers thrive while the daily papers struggle with relevance. We are Fayetteville's local media resource, and local is what we do best. You can depend on it.

    Happy New Year, and thank you for reading the Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper.

  • 01-07-15-grinding-greens.gifDuring the Christmas season a fresh fir or spruce looks magnificent decked out in lights and ornaments. The house smells refreshingly like a forest, and the season is full of bright evergreen beauty. At the end of the season however, when all of the decorations have come down, the inevitable question arises: What do I do with my tree? Bring it to the Grinding of the Greens!

    The Grinding of the Greens is a Fayetteville tradition that takes old Christmas trees and recycles them. This year the project is a collaboration between the Fayetteville Public Works Commission, the City of Fayetteville and Duke Energy Progress. These organizations working together allow the community to take a resource that would otherwise be wasted, and use it to support local institutions. The first grinding of the greens took place in 1994, and it has grown ever since. The live trees are fed into large wood chippers and turned into mulch that is given to local parks

    The Grinding of the Greens serves two great purposes for the community. First, it keeps the Christmas trees out of the landfill. Hundreds of live Christmas trees thrown into a landfill add up quickly. The landfill grows, resources are wasted and decomposition is hindered. Just keeping the trees out of the landfill is great for the environment. The Grinding of the Greens takes it even a step further and turns the trees into mulch that is distributed to the Fayetteville Community Garden and other local parks.

    Besides adding a beauty and elegance to landscaping, mulch serves several very important functions in gardening. It traps moisture, which reduces the amount of water needed, helping to prevent drought. This reduces water waste, which is beneficial to the environment and helps to increase the resiliency of the plants. So, in the face of a drought, the gardens will remain beautiful and healthy without excessive watering. Additionally, as the mulch decomposes it also adds nutrients to the soil to help the plants thrive even more. Mulch also helps prevent the growth of weeds, which keeps the parks beautiful with less effort. Mulch is an incredibly important gardening tool, and creating it from a resource that would otherwise be tossed into a landfill is cost effective, environmentally friendly and beneficial for the entire community.

    If you want to participate in the Grinding of the Greens, you can drop your tree off at the Fayetteville Community Garden before Jan. 10. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 10, volunteers from PWC and Duke Energy Progress will begin grinding the trees. All trees must be dropped off prior to this.

    The garden is located at the intersection of Van Story and Mann Street. To make sure that the trees are ready for grinding, all decorations, lights, stands and trimmings should be removed. For more information visit www.faypwc.com/grinding_greens.aspx or call 483-1382.

    Photo: The Annual Grinding of the Greens is slated for Jan. 10 at 8:30 a.m. at the Fayetteville Community Garden, which is located at the intersection of Van Story and Mann Street.

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    Col. Ron Stephens, commander of Fort Bragg’s Womack Army Medical Center will pass command to Col. Lance Raney on Jan. 8. Stephens is leaving this week to serve  as Deputy Commander, Army Pacific Regional Health Command. He’s been at Womack since May of 2014, when he replaced Col. Steven Brewster who was relieved of command following the unexpected deaths of two patients and what the Army describes as a loss of confidence by his superiors.

    “The past is in the past…we are looking to the future,” Stephens told his staff of more than 4,000. “We do have some work to do.” 

    Stephens said he was comfortable coming to Womack because he knew the organization well. “We have re-established faith, trust and confidence in the staff, leaders around Fort Bragg and the patients whom we serve,” he said. “We have placed a relentless focus on safety, which was a key concern.” 

    Acknowledging that soldier readiness is priority one, Stephens pointed out the medical center also focuses on research, collaboration with other medical facilities, education and training. Womack has the only podiatry residency in the Army healthcare system. 

    Stephens says the region’s medical community is facing a constant turnover of clinicians that causes wait times he has worked hard to manage. He spoke of opportunities that present themselves at other facilities which results in resignations. 

    “We have been short of primary care providers since I got here,” Dr. Stephens said. “Constant turnover is a constant problem.”

    Womack has 120,000 patients enrolled in its direct care system… the largest in the Army. Another 30,000 are assigned to civilian care providers. Fort Bragg’s pharmacy is the busiest in the Department of Defense. 

    The budget he began with this year was higher than the year before and the year before that, Stephens observed. He declined to criticize the budget process noting that “Budgetary opportunities are based on primary care clinics and number of patients…we never, ever compromise safety and quality of care.”  

    He expects that over the next few months with the hiring of additional providers, Womack will be able to add thousands to its enrollment.

    Stephens said departing Womack Army Medical Center and the privilege of command “is bitter sweet…I am comfortable that we have the programs and policies and initiatives in place that will allow my successor to hit his stride and Womack Army Medical center will continue to move forward. I wish I could have stayed longer.” Col Stephens notes that he was a soldier before he became a doctor. He spent his first 10 years in the Army as an enlisted man, having joined as a member of the Georgia National Guard. He was commissioned after graduating from his college ROTC program. Dr. Stephens has spent the last 20 years as an Army physician, and is grateful for “the community’s unwavering support of the Army and Army medicine.” 

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    Not many companies could stay in business long if they collected only 55 percent of their billings. That’s what American Traffic Solutions of Phoenix, Arizona, is taking in from Fayetteville violators who run video-monitored red lights. An updated report prepared for Up & Coming Weekly indicates that 7,657 citations were issued since the program began last summer. 

    City of Fayetteville Spokesman Kevin Arata says the new data is for the calendar year ending Dec. 31. A total of 4,257 citations of $100 each were paid for a gross total of $425,000. Sixty-five percent of the proceeds or $276,000 goes to Cumberland County Schools, as provided by law. American Traffic Solutions keeps the rest. 

    “There is no cost to the city,” says Traffic Engineer Lee Jernigan. Jernigan estimates the school system can likely depend on about $800,000 a year in red light citation revenue.

    What about the 3,400 violators who haven’t paid the fines? They “are assessed late fees of $100 if they aren’t paid within a 30-day timeframe,” according to Arata. After that, the company would have to take the violaters to small-claims court. Because the citations are civil violations, no records of them are shown on drivers’ licenses or insurance reports. 

    Records provided by the city indicate three of the intersections monitored by the cameras have accounted for nearly 50 percent of the tickets. They are Skibo at Morganton Road, Ramsey Street at Law Road and South Reilly at Kimridge Road. Jernigan says it will take several months to determine whether the red light cameras are having the desired effect of reducing auto accidents.


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    Fundraiser Set for Homeless Shelter

    Fayetteville’s Operation Inasmuch plans to begin construction of its new shelter for homeless men this winter with occupancy in the fall. The agency is promoting what it calls a “Drive-thru Fundraiser” for the shelter at Hillsboro and Chance Streets across from its ministry center on Jan. 31. Executive Director Sue Byrd says $200,000 has already been raised or pledged; the estimated cost of the shelter is $500, 000.

    The facility will be built “in keeping with the construction and finishes of the seven Frink Street homes” owned by the charity says Byrd. The fenced-on, 6,500 sq. ft. single-story building will front Chance Street as a limited-access facility with the main entry enabled with a security buzzer and security glass. The police department will install a surveillance camera that can be monitored 24/7. The shelter will also nclude an office or the police department’s homeless project police officer. The shelter will be staffed day and night with paid staff or volunteers.

    Byrd says the building will have beds for 40 men, with standard rest room facilities including two handicapped accessible rest rooms. A day room will have TVs and will provide space for group meetings. A laundry will include three clothes washers and three dryers. On life threatening, cold ‘white flag’ nights, the facility will serve an additional 15 to 25 men. 

    Typically the shelter will open at 6 p.m. to receive men who were pre-registered earlier in the day at the Operation Inasmuch Ministry Center, according to Byrd. “There will be no long lines of people waiting to get in,” she said. The nextday, residents must be up and out by 7:15 a.m. They will be served breakfast at Inasmuch across the street.

    Scholarships for Children of Veterans

    College scholarships are available for eligible high school seniors who are the children of North Carolina veterans. The scholarships are provided by the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the North Carolina Association of Veterans Services Officers. 

    The Military and Veterans Affairs Department manages scholarships for children of certain categories of deceased, disabled, combat or POW/MIA vets. They provide four years of tuition and fees at approved North Carolina state universities. Students who choose to attend private schools are given vouchers of $4,500 a year for eight semesters over eight years. Qualifications and applications are available online at www.milvets.nc.gov. 

    The scholarships from the Association of Veterans Services Officers were established to honor members. They’re open to graduating seniors whose parents are honorably discharged state residents. The scholarships pay $1,000. Applications are available at the Cumberland County Veterans Services Office at 301 E. Russell St. 


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    Voter ID Required This Year

    For the first time in more than 100 years, North Carolina voters are required to show photo ID at the polls. Five years ago, the Republican-controlled North Carolina General Assembly changed voting laws that had been in effect since 1896. The Cumberland County Board of Elections says acceptable photo IDs include North Carolina driver’s licenses or ID cards, passports, military ID cards, Veterans Administration cards and certain tribal ID cards. Options for citizens who don’t have or are not able to obtain ID cards can be found online at voterID.nc.gov.

    The Board of Elections’ early voting schedule was created after receiving input from the public. Early voting times and dates are: 

    Board of Elections Office (227 Fountainhead Lane)- March 3, 4, 7-11 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; March 5 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; March 12 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    Cliffdale Recreation Center, East Regional Branch Library, Hope Mills Recreation Center and North Regional Branch Library- March 3, 4, 7-11 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; March 5 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; March 12 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.


    Health Dept. Receives Grant

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has awarded the Cumberland County Health Department a $300,000 grant for the Adolescent Parenting Program . This program serves pregnant teens and mothers who are 19 or younger at the time of enrollment. The APP is a teen pregnancy prevention program developed to help prevent second pregnancies. It’s administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health and the Family Planning and Reproductive Health Unit.

     The goals are to increase self-sufficiency, increase high school graduation rates or completion of GEDs and improve the welfare of children of teen parents. APP also hopes to increase incidence of positive parenting and increase children’s physical well-being by creating safe home environments. 

    The Health Department will receive $75,000 annually for four years beginning June 1, 2016. Pregnant teens must be enrolled at any stage of their pregnancy and may remain in the program until they graduate from high school or complete a GED. The program is coordinated by a full-time public health staff member with an average caseload of between 15 and 25 participants annually. It includes home visitation and peer group education sessions. 

    Cumberland County was targeted for funding based on its five-year average teen pregnancy rate of 63.6 percent from 2009-2013, which ranked 12th highest in the state.


  • 01-23-13-naked-at-gilbert.gifThe Gilbert Theater’s fourth main stage production of the season brings together the works of three local playwrights: Stephen Miles, James Dean and Robyne Parrish in a thought-provoking evening revealing the struggles and unburdening of the soul.

    The opening one act play, Grey Zones by Miles explores the relationship between a married couple when many truths are exposed. The role of the husband, a World War II veteran, was written by Miles for Dean. Dean is a favorite with local audiences for his many superb performances with The Gilbert Theater, Cape Fear Regional Theater and other area theaters. Carrie Carroll, also well known to Fayetteville audiences, portrays his wife.

    Miles is currently the playwright-in-residence at The Gilbert. He was the founding member and president of Writer’s Ink Guild, a Fayetteville writer’s group, and founder and president of the Professional Writer’s Group, which is comprised of professional playwrights statewide. He taught creative writing at Methodist College and will assist with the Veteran’s Writer Group at Methodist on Feb. 9. He has won many awards for his works including the Sanskrit Award, Thompson Theatre Playwright’s Award, Tar Heel Writer’s Award and was a finalist in the International Playwrights Festival in 2012. Other notable works by Miles produced at The Gilbert include Yesterday’s News (2008), Clusters (2011) and selections from Deros: A Vietnam Trilogy, which was performed as part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremonies during Fayetteville’s Heroes Homecoming in November, 2011.

    Grey Zones is followed by Dean’s Method Man and Parrish’s GoodBadUgly.

    Grey Zones will last about one hour; however, the following two plays by Dean and Parrish are more properly characterized as shorts lasting about 25 and 10 minutes respectively.

    Dean’s Method Man is a glimpse into the life of two actors, Stan and Ollie, who have come to an audition to find that no one else is in attendance — not even the director and producer. They are thus forced to interact producing some unexpected consequences and hidden agendas. Several other plays by Dean have been presented at The Gilbert including Murder Knocks at the Musical Box (2001) and the winner of a Gilbert playwright contest, Colonel Hollister’s Daughter.

    GoodBadUgly is the first play to be presented at The Gilbert by Parrish, which she describes as a spiritual transformation. Parrish is the new artistic director at The Gilbert and is in her fi rst season with the theater. This short was originally written for a playwright competition in Pittsburgh, Pa. It was performed as part of the Swan Day Festival with No Name Players at the Hazlett Theatre in Pittsburgh in March 2011. She has also authored several children’s books under the pseudonym, R. M Parrish.During the interview, each playwright was asked to use one word which would best describe their work. The replies in order of performance were “Poetic,” “Edgy” and “Naked”.

    This should prove to be an evening that induces thought. As Lynn Pryer, founder of The Gilbert Theater and former artistic director so often said, The Gilbert is where storytelling takes center stage.”

    The production runs Jan. 31 – Feb. 10 (preview Jan. 30), Thursday — Saturday at 8 p.m. and matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Naked contains full frontal nudity, strong Language and adult situations and is not recommended for all audiences.

  •   uac010511001.gif Fayetteville residents have a pretty diverse taste in entertainment. While some people are into theatre and art, others are into simpler past times, while still others are adrenalin junkies. If you fall into the latter category, you are not going to want to miss one of rowdiest events of the new year: ThunderSlam at the Crown Coliseum, Jan. 7-8.

    ThunderSlam brings some of the best-known monster trucks in the world to the Crown, and organizers of the event have pulled out all of the stops to make sure that the show will be one for the books.

    “We are bringing the biggest, baddest son-of-a-gun of all monster trucks to Fayetteville,” said Ron Leach, the “man, the myth, the legend” behind MonsterSlam.

    Leach said that some of the best known names in the sport will be racing, flipping and crushing their way through the coliseum for two rowdy nights of fun.

    Headlining the event will be Big Foot, the truck that is also known as the King of Monster Trucks. Big Foot will be in good company with Viper and Ghostrider, the champion back-fl ipping monster truck. Throughout the twohour show, the trucks will race in free-style competitions, with the audience being the judges, a wheelie contest to see how high they can fl y and side-by-side racing.

    “The fierce competitive nature of these guys makes for a great show,” said Leach, noting Big Foot’s team refuses to lose, while the Viper team has a “ready to strike” attitude. They will be joined by 25-year veteran Andy Hoffman in War Wagon and the tour’s rookie in The Toxic Truck. “It is guaranteed that everyone in attendance will defi nitely get their money’s worth.

    If that isn’t enough, the Metal Mulisha, a West-coast based freestyle motocross team, will be on hand to wow the crowd. It was formed by Brian Deegan, an X Game champion who has garnered three gold medals and seven bronze medals in the X Games. He is the only rider to compete in at least one event in every X Game. He was the fi rst rider ever to do a 360 in competition. He named the trick the “Mulisha Twist.”

    “These guys are the international superstars that got freestyle going in motocross,” said Leech.

    Headlining the group will be Trigger Gumm, the world record holder and X Games medalist.

    “The unbelievable tricks these guys can do with a motorcycle are truly amazing,” said Leach. “They do everything from insane Tail Whips to death defying back flips. These are the rock stars of the freestyle motocross Community; they bring it to you and put it in your face every time they take the spotlight.”

    In addition to the motocross event, organizers are bringing in the Globe of Death, a big ball of steel used as a performance vehicle for riders on mini bikes.

    “The guys do all sorts of tricks inside the globe,” said Leach. “It’s pretty awesome. The whole event is testosterone at its fi nest — but it’s still good quality family fun at an affordable price.”

    Once you’ve seen how the professionals do it, you won’t want to miss local truck enthusiasts as they compete in the Wilson Off-Road Tough Truck Challenge. The Tough Truck competition usually turns out to be a battle between the “good old boys” and the “new technology guys and girls.” Leach said the local competitors range from a Very Strong 65 Ford F-100 to a 2009 Toyota 4×4 and many other great trucks and jeeps built at local shops. He added that the different 4×4 shops in the area are always trying to be better than the other; the people watching them compete are the real winners.

    The festivities kick off each night with the “Ace Wrecking Pit Party” from 6-7 p.m.01-05-11-big-foot.gif

    “This is a great time to bring the family, the camera and the autograph book,” explained Leach. “All the monster trucks and drivers, The Metal Mulisha FMX riders, The Globe of Death riders and the locals competing in the tough truck race will be out on the show floor signing autographs and taking pictures with all our loyal fans. Free Pit Party Passes ($5 Value) are available at Blacks Tire & Rimtyme Automotive and various other locations.”

    Tickets are available at the Crown Coliseum at www.atthecrown.com or by calling 438-4100 and are also available online at www.Ticketmaster.com and www.amptour.com. Log in now for great family value packs, pit party passes and VIP group packages, as well as $2 off Holiday discount for single ticket purchases (code “Monster). Members of the military get a $2 discount at all times.

    “We always say, we sell you the whole seat, but you’ll only use a couple of inches,” concluded Leach.

    Photo: Don’t miss the Monster Truck ThunderSlam at the Crown on Jan. 7 and 8.

  • uac012313001.gif 4th Friday, the community’s celebration of the arts, is reaching a high note this month, as The Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the Friends of African & African-American Art bring an impressive exhibit called Songs from the Soul A Revue: Art Comes to Life to town.

    The exhibit contains portraits and educational text panels featuring Smokey Robinson, Bo Diddley, Marvin Gaye, Quincy Jones, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and more. Like many of the artists the exhibit celebrates, look for a larger-than-life experience. Along with colorful portraits and illustrations, the exhibit uses black and white photographs and caption panels to shine a light on the relationships between music, history and culture and the influence these artists had in several music genres, including rhythm and blues, jazz, soul, gospel, disco and rock and roll.

    “It is colorful portrait illustrations plus black and white photos from William Gottlieb. The photos are more behind-the-scenes with these artists,” said Mary Kinney, marketing director at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “There is a beautiful one of Billy Holiday in the dressing room. Some are of performers standing outside having a cigarette together or in rehearsal. This particular photographer travelled with these artists, so he was with them during these moments. It is a more intimate scene into their lives.”

    The portraits on the other hand, “… are very vibrant colors and really fun happy portrayals of the artists. They are all just stunning and musicians are smiling or singing,” said Kinney. “They capture warm moments for these icons.”

    The 23 portraits are the work of international artist Wolfram Schramm who hales from Geringen, Germany. The 15 black-and-white photographs are from the William Gottlieb collection, Songs from the Soul, a collection that reflects the influences of famous African-Americans during the Civil Rights movement through today’s pop culture.

    More artists who seem to come to life in Songs from the Soulinclude: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, B.B. King, Little Richard, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Mariah Carey, Donna Summer, Patti LaBelle, and Berry Gordy Jr., the founder of the Motown record label, the Apollo Theatre, Cotton Cub, Soul Train.

    The exhibit opens on Jan. 25 at The Arts Council. A reception is planned from 7-9 p.m. Fayetteville State University’s Department of Performing and Fine Art’s performance groups Mane Attraction and Men of Distinction will perform Songs from the Soul — A Revue: Art Comes to Life under the direction of Denise Payton. FSU Jazz Express will also perform under the direction of Dr. Neal Finn. The exhibit will hang until Feb.16. Visit www.theartscouncil.com for more information and gallery hours.01-23-13-songs-from-soul.gif

    In celebration of Black History month, several activities have been planned around the exhibit. On Feb. 2, local artist and nationally known jazz musician Ray Codrington is scheduled to perform a Jazzy Jam session at The Arts Council from noon to 4 p.m.

    “It is a jam session in the sense that other artists will come and play with him and will be coming in an out,” said Kinny. “There is a surprise local guest talent scheduled to perform, too. It is someone that people will not expect to see. His profession is not as a musician but he is very talented musically.”

    On Feb. 16, kids 7-13 are invited to a music and art workshop at The Arts Council. The event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free. Space is limited, and registration is required. Call 323-1776 for more information or to register.

    Cape Fear studios opens its 2013 Black History Month Exhibit on 4th Friday. The display features the works of local artists Edwina C. Clark (Cape Fear Studios member artist), Winson Colter Clark (artist and son of Edwina C. Clark), Dwight Smith (artist, FSU professor), Stacey Robinson (artist, FSU graduate). Stop in and meet the artists from 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 25.

    The Downtown Alliance is focusing on heart health at 4th Friday and will offer free fitness assessments at J’s Fitness Factory. Group fitness classes are planned and attendees get a chance to check out J’s Fitness Factory.

    Don’t forget to stop by the Market House and check out the exhibit covering Fayetteville’s Historic District architecture.

    Fascinate-U offers free admission for 4th Friday as well as a project. This month, visitors are invited to make Valentine’s Day cards. The museum is open from 7-9 p.m. for this event.

    The Fayetteville Art Guild, located at Gallery One13, 113 Gillespie St., opens a new exhibit called The Creative Spirit, a juried photography show. The gallery is open from 6-9 p.m. for 4th Friday.

    At Hay Street United Methodist Church, the praise bands of Hay Street UMC, Snyder Memorial Baptist Church and Highland Presbyterian will perform a Music 4 Missions concert.

    Explore local history at the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum. The featured exhibit this month showcases Fayatteville’s Edgar Allen Poe. Poes was a prominent businessman who lived in Fayetteville in the early 1900s. He manufactured bricks and pottery.

    Find out more about 4th Friday at www.theartscouncil.com.

    Photo: Vibrant and colorful portraits make up part of the Songs from the Soul exhibit at the Arts Council.  Photo credit, www.ArtVisionExhibitions.com

     

  • 01-12-11-big-apple-logo.gifA long time Fayetteville favorite for good food, a good time and good company, the Big Apple has recently undergone a few changes. Not only has the restaurant added a patio with a full bar and seven 50-inch televisions, owners are also focusing their energy on being more than Fayetteville’s premier night club, they are embracing the family restaurant and sports-bar scene as well.

    General Manager Mike Callahan runs a tight ship, and with so much going on, it is no wonder that the restaurant is so well known for its evening activities.

    “We are not a pub, we just happen to have a popular night atmosphere from 9 p.m. on,” said Callahan.“We are a restaurant and sports bar — we just happen to have a big nighttime following because of our late-night entertainment with DJs and karaoke and things like that.”

    The massive multi-roomed establishment just outside the Yadkin Road gate of Fort Bragg features something for everyone.

    It is open at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and at noon on weekends serving American, Italian and Asian cuisine in a family-style restaurant. Snack on appetizers, have a sandwich, soup or a steak. The restaurant even offers $5 lunch specials that will fi ll you up without breaking the bank. The dining room is located at the front of the building and offers plenty of kid-friendly seating away from the noise and fracas of the sports pub.

    Customers can relax in the quie, and distinguished, private bar/cigar parlor and enjoy all of their favorite labels while chatting with friends or just enjoying the calm atmosphere of the room.

    “The cigar parlor has its own ventilation system, so if you want to smoke a cigar indoors you can do it in that room,” said Callahan. “It has three big screen TVs and a fi replace so you can get cozy and intimate. We also feature live music in there on Friday nights.”

    With eight pool tables and 25 big screens, Big Apple offers its patrons a chance hang to out with friends without missing their favorite sports team or pay-per-view sporting event. The restaurant carries all of the sports packages, so their customers won’t even miss a play this season.

    If sports aren’t your thing, no worries. Dance the night away or sing karaoke till the wee hours. There is something to do here every night — NFL Sundays, Monday Night Football, karaoke contests on Tuesdays, live DJ spinning your favorite tunes on Wednesdays, military appreciation Thursdays, and DJ V. Smoove on Friday and Saturday. Throw in the awesome drink specials and great dining room deals that rotate daily and you’ve got a great time ready to happen — all the time.

    There’s a party to celebrate most every occasion, like the New Year’s Eve Silver, Gold and Black party that recently crowned Fayetteville’s King and Queen of the New Year. Super Bowl Sunday, which is Feb. 6, will bring another party with prizes given away quarterly and raffl es and other gifts, too.

    “We have a ski package for two — including lessons, a stereo system to give away and Time Warner is giving us a GPS unit to raffl e. Cumulus Broadcasting is giving us two N.C. State tickets,” Callahan said. “We also have a package to Renaissance Day Spa... just for the ladies. It includes a manicure, a pedicure, a massage and a year-long membership to The Spa. It is going to be a mad, fun day.”

    Check out the website at www.bigapplefay.com or call 868-5559 to fi nd out more.

  • The Green Hornet (Rated PG-13) 3 STARS

    Well, The Green Hornet (119 minutes) probably won’t win any awards, but that’s not really what it’s for anyway. Director Michel Gondry typically specializes in mind bending metamovies like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Be Kind Rewind. This one doesn’t quite seem to fit, and it seems to drag on and on at times, but it was a fun super hero movie with some hot leading men.

    James Reid (Tom Wilkinson) is the publisher of the Los Angeles Daily Sentinel. In his spare time, he01-26-11-green-hornet.gif emotionally abuses his son Britt (Seth Rogen) and earns the admiration of the entire city. Too bad he is DOOMED!! Once he has thoroughly demoralized the little man in his care, the little man grows up to be a surprisingly thin playboy slacker; a “Bruce Wayne” type, if you will.

    Britt goes through a mid-life crisis at age 28, but eventually the power of amazing coffee topped with a leaf shape made of steamed frothy milk beings him back to reality. The progenitor of this heavenly brew is the heavenly Kato (Jay Chou, who I forgive for not being John Cho). It turns out that in addition to cappuccino making and car fixing, Kato is super great at designing sophisticated weapons and preforming martial arts.

    Lucky for Britt, he is also pretty terrific at saving people. When Britt makes a bad decision, Kato is there to do some awesome slow motion moves that result in all kinds of crazy camera work. Based on Kato’s overall perfection as a person, and the fact that Britt is trying to overcome his massive daddy issues, the two decide to work together to fight crime. Because becoming police officers/ private investigators/lawyers/people who work with disadvantaged children who just need a big brother to steer them towards good decisions would take way too much work, they go in another direction. They decide to be vigilantes who pose as criminals in order to avoid emotional blackmail or something — that part didn’t make much sense, but whatever.

    There’s only one problem. Despite Britt’s fortune and Kato’s prowess, they have no idea how to be super heroes disguised as super villains. Enter Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz). She is, as so often happens, way smarter than the people she works for, but not smart enough to know she is being used. Her role saves the film from being a sexist mess, much like the skilled Jay Chou manages to subvert stereotypes just before the moment where they are promoted.

    It is hard to pinpoint the Big Bad, but Benjamin Chudnofsky/Bloodnofsky (Christoph Waltz) is supposed to be the super villain. The problem is, the actor just isn’t channeling the action comedy genius you would expect … he is not menacing enough or funny enough. He doesn’t seem to fit the role, and he pulls the whole film down. Picture this: instead of a scenery chewing Waltz, let Edward James Olmos play the bad guy behind the bad guy! He was already in the film as managing editor Mike Axford, the trusted confidante of Poppa Reid … but he could have been so much more!

    Too bad I wasn’t consulted. While the writers and directors were on the phone with me, we could have also talked through the disappointing love subplot that didn’t really go anywhere, and irritated me with its simplistic nature. At least I got some laughs out of the dialogue. But it’s never a good sign when I’m the only one in the theater laughing.

    Overall, fans of Seth Rogen will enjoy an afternoon at the movies. Fans of the original Green Hornet, and the superhero genre in general should probably rent this one.

  • 01-22-14-fiddler-on-roof.gifThere is a reason that Fiddler on the Roof is one of the longest running Broadway plays in history. “The words, the music, the script are all great,” said actress Patti Cucco. “It’s concise, funny and beautifully written.” Cucco is set to play Yente the matchmaker in Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s upcoming rendition of the play, which opens Jan. 23.

    The cast is excited about the performance for a variety of reasons. This production is not a spin-off or a reinterpretation. It sticks to the original script in telling the story of a Jewish family in 1905 Tzarist Russia. Yente, the matchmaker, arranges a marriage for Tzeital, the oldest daughter of Reb Tevye, the milkman. Tzeital is in love with Motel, the poor tailor. Going against tradition, the youngsters go to Reb and ask permission to get married. As each daughter comes to her father and asks to marry outside tradition, Reb struggles to hold his family together and honor the Jewish customs he holds so dear all the while doing his best to keep them safe in an anti-Jewish environment.

    Mallory Cunnigham plays Tzeitel and is drawn to the character because “... it is such a powerful story about family, about life, about love. It will make you want to go home and call your family, whoever you love most, and reconnect with them.”

    “It’s about your village, whoever that village is,” said Leslie Flom, Cape Fear Regional Theatre marketing director. “Whether that is the family you were born into, your best friends that are your family, your theater family. It is about the people you are closest to.”

    Model, played by Sean Powell, is at the bottom of the social ladder when he falls in love with Tzeital. She is the first person to encourage Model and tell him that he can be successful. This is Powell’s third time performing in Fiddler on the Roof, but the first time he has played Model. “On eof the great things about getting to play different characters in this play is getting to know each of them as people and how they deal with problems,” said Powell. “The time they lived in is so different and their problems are so far removed from what we deal with. We get upset when our phone battery dies. It makes you think about things like ‘What would I do if I had to leave my home and family and could only take with me what I could carry on my back?’”

    The play first debuted on Broadway in 1964 and even those who are not familiar with the story will likely recognize the tunes.

    “People will know the score,” said Cucco. There are so many layers and components that work together here. Everyone is likely to take away something different. “People come away thinking, feeling, even humming. I think they will feel good about the hopefullness in Fiddler on the Roof.”

    The play runs through February 16 and will have matinee showings on Feb. 1 and 15. Visit www.cfrt.org to learn more or call the box office at 323-4233.

    Photo: CFRT welcomes Bill Nolte as Tevye. Fiddler is Mr. Nolte’s CFRT debut. His Broadway credits include: La Cage Aux Folles, The Producers, Amour, Jane Eyre, 1776, King David and A Christmas Carol.

  • uac012115001.gif People may not be familiar with the name Kadir Nelson, but chances are they are familiar with his work. He worked as a concept artist for the movies Amistad and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. He has created artworks for Sports Illustrated, Coca Cola, The U.S. Postal Service, Major League Baseball and The U.S. House of Representatives to name a few.

    In 2011, Nelson first displayed his work in Fayetteville in the exhibit We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. The illustrations were from Nelson’s picture book of the same name that was published in 2008 by Disney/Hyperion. His current exhibit, Words and Pictures: Illustrated Works by Kadir Nelson is set to open at the Arts Council during 4th Friday festivities on Jan. 23.

    Words and Pictures: Illustrated Works by Kadir Nelson is composed of illustrations by Nelson that have appeared in six books, four of which he authored. The books are: I Have a Dream(the illustrated version of Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech); HEART AND SOUL: The Story of America and African Americans; A Nation’s Hope (the story of boxing legend Joe Louis); Nelson Mandela; Baby Bear; and Coretta Scott).

    Marketing Director of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County Mary Kinney is excited about the message this exhibit sends.

    “We knew when Kadir’s exhibit, We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball was here in 2011 that we wanted to feature his work again,” said Kinney. “Not only is he a wonderful artist, but his work really speaks to the tenacity of the human spirit. His works offer an opportunity for learning about history, about people, about life and change and overcoming adversity.”

    There is additional programming throughout the month that ties in with this exhibit. Nelson will be in attendance at the opening of the exhibit. There will be a limited number of books featuring Nelson’s work available for purchase. He will sign books and give autographs.

    On Jan. 31, don’t miss the reading and book signing by Carole Boston Weatherford. Weatherford is a professor at Fayetteville State University. She collaborated with Nelson on the book Moses. This work earned Nelson his first Caldecott Honor. The event is free to the public and runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m at the Arts Council.

    A children’s workshop is scheduled for Feb. 14. The workshop features children’s book author and illustrator Cammeron Batanides. Children will view Nelson’s exhibit Words and Pictures: Illustrated Works by Kadir Nelson and read some of his books as well as Batanides’ book Meet Panda, which is about a dog who teaches lessons about love and acceptance. After reading about Panda, the children will write and illustrate a book of their own to take home. The workshop is free. Registration is required. There are two sessions. Children 5-9-years-old are scheduled from 10 a.m. until noon. From 1-3 p.m. 10-14-year-olds are welcome. The workshop takes place at the Arts Council. Call 323-1776 or email admin@theartscouncil.com to register. 01-21-15-art-council-showcase.gif

    While downtown, don’t miss some of the other 4th Friday events. Cape Fear Studios and Gallery is located at 148 Maxwell St. Within the unassuming brick building resides an artistic cornocopia of inspired and inspiring art. Works by member artists who a juried in are always on display. There are also rotating exhibits of artwork from guest artists. Coinciding with 4th Friday, Cape Fear Studios and Gallery debuts an exhibit in honor of Black History Month that focuses on the amazing wooden pieces created by Charles Farrar using his lathe. Farrar has a special love for working with found wood, and with the environment in mind, he does not harvest any living trees for his artwork. Woodcarving and turning have ancient roots in Africa. Sub-Saharan Africans were masters of carving and Egyptians were the first to master the lathe. This exhibit both honors the history of this craft and explores its modern beauty. For more information, visit www.capefearstudious.com or call 433-2986. The exhibit opens with a reception at 6 p.m. on Jan. 23 and runs through Feb. 23.

    Fascinate-U is a hands-on museum that is dedicated to promoting education, growth and imagination in children. They have many exhibits that consist of miniature versions of common places found around town. Kids can explore these areas, role-play and learn about the world around them in a fun and safe way. On Jan. 23, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. admission is free. Children will have the opportunity to creat a free snowman craft. The museum is located at 116 Green St. For more information, visitwww.fascinate-u.com or call 829-9171.

    Visit The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum to learn more about local history or check out downtown businesses that stay open late and offer everything from entertainment to shopping and eating discounts.

    Find out more about 4th Friday at www.theartscouncil.com.

    Photo: right; The Arts Council celebrates Black History Month with the exhibit Words and Pictures: Illustrated Works by Kadir Nelson.  set to open at the Arts Council at 4th Friday on Jan. 23.
    Cover photo credit: Kadir Nelson.

  •     Award winning political cartoonist Dennis Draughon — whose illustrations will be on display at Gallery 208 beginning Jan. 22 — says his career path was strewn with peanuts.
        “When I was in the fifth grade I used to draw Snoopy and I would mail the drawings to Peanuts creator Charles Schultz,” said Draughon via a telephone interview from his Raleigh home. “He sent me letters encouraging me to keep it up. I kept one of those framed letters hanging on my wall for years.”
        Though Draughon never met the late, great creator of Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and Pigpen, Schultz’s early interest in the artist as a young man paved the way for Draughon to produce biting, satirical cartoons that have appeared in countless newspapers. You probably know him best by his illustrations that appear regularly on the editorial page of The Fayetteville Observer. His work is also published weekly in The Durham News and other media outlets affiliated with the Capitol Press Association.
        {mosimage}Despite being known as a “cartoonist,” Draughon’s work should still be considered art, said Tom Grubb, executive director of the Fayetteville Museum of Art.
        “This is an important exhibit because it is a way to point out that cartooning is part of the visual arts,” said Grubb. “Political cartoons show what is going on in the world around us.”
        While Draughon earned his early illustrating chops with drawings of the “famous World War I flying ace” battling the Red Baron from atop a doghouse, Draughon attributes his success to a specific failure: Draughon failed the physical exam for entrance into the Air Force Academy, which led him to enroll at North Carolina State University, where he studied aerospace engineering, history and visual design. While enrolled at State, he first dipped his feet into the world of ink and political satire, spending eight years as the editorial cartoonist for the student newspaper, The Technician.
        And, in a stroke of pure synchronicity, the man who sponsored Draughon in his failed attempt at joining the Air Force would later become one of the cartoonist’s favorite targets when he put pen to paper: the late Sen. Jesse Helms.
    “I’ve had friendly relations with many of my targets,” said Draughon. “Senator Helms was a great help to me. And even though we could not be further apart politically, after we met I found that I really liked him a lot.”
    Draughon says he never allows personal feelings to come into play when he draws one of his politically charged cartoons.
        “When I worked for the Scranton Times Tribune in the ‘90s, I made the city’s mayor a frequent target,” said Draughon. “I liked the guy personally, but I felt he had no business being a mayor. I drew him with really big ears... a very goofy persona. But we had lunch together all the time. It’s never personal... It’s just business.”
        Closer to home, Draughon has made Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne his target more than once.
    For his part, Chavonne — former general manager of The Fayetteville Observer — says he enjoys Draughon’s caricatures.
        “It comes with the territory,” said Chavonne. “I enjoy his work, even when I’m the brunt of it. We’re lucky to have such a talented cartoonist drawing for The Fayetteville Observer.
        Draughon says folks with exaggerated physical features are easier to draw. His all-time favorite subjects include a couple of presidents — Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
        “Pretty people are usually harder to draw,” said Draughon. “If they don’t have a big nose or big ears, then those characters don’t come easy to me.”
        While Draughon says he has “no regrets” about anyone he’s ever lampooned on the editorial page, he says that a certain President-elect causes a pause in the pens of many cartoonists.
        “A lot of cartoonists are hesitant about how they draw Obama because of the racial connotations,” said Draughon. “Mainly because most of them are white. There aren’t a whole lot of women or minorities in this business.”
        Actually, there aren’t a whole lot of cartoonists in the editorial cartoon business. Draughon says the proliferation of the Internet and other mass media has reduced the number of full-time political cartoonists from 300 to about 80.
    Despite the slim odds of achieving success as an editorial cartoonist in the current climate, whenever aspiring illustrators send him samples of their work Draughon remembers the early guidance of Schultz — and other mentors such as well-known cartoonist Doug Marlette.
        “I always offer these up and coming cartoonists encouragement,” said Draughon. “Just like I received from Schultz all those years ago.”
        And despite the limited number of cartoonists currently harpooning political figures with a sharpened quill, Draughon feels there may be more opportunities for cartoonists in the future, thanks to the same device that has submarined many of his contemporaries: “The Internet may provide an outlet for more and more cartoonists,” said Draughon.
        However, Draughon advises would-be cartoonists to follow their art with their heart, not their wallets.
        After all, he started out working for peanuts.
        The premiere party for the Draughon exhibit will be Jan. 22 from 5-7 p.m. at Gallery 208 in the Up and Coming Weekly offices, 208 Rowan St.

    Contact Tim Wilkins at tim@upandcomingweekly.com 

  •     If you’ve recently taken the family out for dinner and a movie, you know that such a night on the town can inflict a dent of Grand Canyon proportions on your bank account.
        After paying for the meal, buying the tickets and a tub or two of popcorn, you’ve expended roughly the entire annual budget of a breakaway Russian republic.
        Fortunately, for both your family and your finances, Huske Hardware House in downtown Fayetteville has a solution: the restaurant/brewery is offering Dinner and a Movie Night every Tuesday, with kids 10 and under allowed to eat for free.
        Tonia Collins, co-owner of Huske Hardware House, says Dinner and a Movie Night will screen films at 6 and 8 p.m.; plus, she says all movies will be family fare, rated PG-13 or better.
        “There will also be romantic movies for a date night,” said Collins. “And even families can enjoy a date night; we’ve got enough room so kids can sit at a table or booth separate from mom and dad so the parents can have their own personal date night.”
        Collins says the movies will either be played off a DVD or streamed via satellite onto the restaurant’s two large screen TVs — an additional pair of large screen televisions will be set up in the future.
        {mosimage}Collins says she believes the idea is original to Huske Hardware House and she also says that viewers will not only be treated to great food and a great picture, but great sound as well.
        “This idea came to us when we were doing a UFC fight and we previewed a movie afterwards,” said Collins. “We played it late that night after we were closed and we realized what a great sound system we have... it was almost like a theater. So we thought how great it would be to have a movie night.”
        The sound system is so good, in fact, that Huske Hardware House has another cinematic idea coming down the pike in February after football season is over: “almost live” concerts on Monday nights, featuring prerecorded video concerts such as Pink Floyd’s The Wall.
        A specific time for the video concerts has not been decided on, though Collins says it will probably be a little later in the evening, perhaps eventually segueing into midnight movies.
        “We don’t necessarily want to be playing Pink Floyd’s The Wall when there are a lot of children in the restaurant,” said Collins. “But this does offer a lot of possibilities.”
        Collins adds that restaurant goers uninterested in a movie or video concert need not be concerned about the noise level generated by these events.
        “The sound for the movie is great, but you can still have a conversation,” said Collins. “The way the restaurant is built it absorbs the noise. You can have the TV blaring and still have a conversation.”
        Collins says Huske will probably offer drink specials for the Monday night concert films and perhaps movie-themed meal specials on Dinner and a Movie Night, which started on Jan. 6.
        For a list of upcoming movies, call Huske Hardware House at 437-9905. 

    Contact Tim Wilkins at tim@upandcomingweekly.com 

  •     When the 111th Congress of the United States convened a little more than two weeks ago, a lot of new faces showed up on Capitol Hill. Many of those faces, while new to Capitol Hill, were not new to politics. They had been involved in local and statewide politics for years. That isn’t the case for the newest congressman to represent the 8th Congressional District – a district that includes Cumberland County.
        {mosimage}Larry Kissell knows a lot about politics – not because he played an active role in it – but because he taught in the classroom. Kissell, a former textile worker turned teacher, taught social studies and world history to high school students in the very high school he graduated from. In the classroom he told his students about the formation of a government for the people by the people. And in teaching his lessons, he took them to heart.
    “I hadn’t ever been involved in politics. My brother was in local politics, but I wasn’t involved in any level,” said Kissell during a recent interview.
        But what he saw in our elected leaders changed his mind. Kissell, like many in the country, believes that many elected officials have lost touch with the people they represent. Key among them was Robin Hayes, the man Kissell defeated in November to take the seat.
        Hayes’ family owned a textile mill. Kissell worked in one.
    “I look at things from the perspective of the regular working people. That is one of the disconnects that has been in government. Elected officials were not looking at the needs of their constituents. People didn’t feel like the issues being addressed by their elected leaders affected them. They wanted someone to look at the issues that affect their families,” said Kissell.
        “So I ran based on the sheer belief, that why shouldn’t someone who just has a lifetime of the study of working and being part of a community be able to go to Washington to represent the people they worked with all their lives,” he continued. “Who knows their wants and knows their needs and frustrations more?”
        It is that simple mantra that Kissell has taken with him to Washington. He wants to be the voice of the working man in an institution that seems to have forgotten who they represent.
        “I woke up on Wednesday morning after the inauguration and thought ‘Has it really only been two weeks since I came to Washington?’” he said.
        Those two weeks have seemed like a long time. Kissell said there have been a lot of forces at work; he’s been learning a new job, getting to know new people, and doing what the people who elected him wanted him to do – working on the things that are important to them.”
        Kissell has had a lot to adjust to. There is, after all, a big difference between standing in the classroom and standing on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.
        “There’s a big difference in the two professions, but I have not been overwhelmed,” he said. “The classroom is challenging, and I remain in awe of teachers and the job they do, but the classroom prepared me for this change.”
        He said there are a lot of people in place to help ease newly elected officials into the job. One of the most helpful, he noted, is the Capitol Police.
        “They are the most amazing folks in terms of helping you get around,” he said.
    Kissell made his presence in the House known immediately. His first official act was to co-sign the bill to rescind the automatic pay raise for Congress.
        “As soon as I heard about the pay raise I said this isn’t for me,” he said. “It’s not the right message to send to the American people. We are asking people to sacrifice, so it wasn’t the time to give ourselves a pay raise. When I worked in textiles, we all knew that when things got tough, you didn’t get a pay raise. So the message I wanted to send to the people of our country was that I was elected to be the voice of working people, and getting raises is not their lives right now.”
        His next act was to sponsor an amendment to an act to extend funding for children’s healthcare.
        “I’m proud that the House passed the legislation to fund children’s healthcare, but that funding was coming on a cigarette tax that would affect a lot of working people. It would hurt a lot of people who work in the industry. So my amendment modified the implementation of the tax to cut down on its affect on working people,” he explained. “We hoped to make the point that as much as the act will help children, it will hurt other families who will lose their job and therefore hurt other children. We need to find a balance. That’s a message that needed to be sent.”
        Another message that Kissell helped send was that money spent by the Congress had to be accounted for.
    “The House just passed a bill that would put stringent guidelines on the second part of TARP (Troubled Assets Relief Program),” explained Kissell. “It is the general feeling, and my opinion, that the first $350 million of TARP funding was not used effectively. That’s why I was against it. The money was not used in the right places. The bills passed this week, are designed to be more specific as to how this money is spent. It requires a report back to Congress and the American people. This money can’t be used for bonuses or overseas projects. It has to be used to recapitalize our economy and to help in the terms of trying to slow down on foreclosures, which the first TARP agreement didn’t do at all.”
        As Congress has turned its attention to tax breaks designed to turn the economy around, Kissell, too, has taken a hard look at them.
        “We are looking at 95 percent of working families realizing tax benefits and tax breaks,” he said. “But that’s not enough. We have to supplement the process with infrastructure by reenergizing demand and stabilizing the economy. We have to reinvest in our nation.”
        Kissell said the “reinvestment program” authored by President Barack Obama is the key to turning the economy around.
        “We are going to make sure that the money is well spent so that it can stimulate the economy,” he said, adding that he wants to ensure that people in the 8th District are aware of where this money is intended to go, so that they can take advantage of the money.
        “A lot of the money is going to go through the governor and the state,” he said. “My office is going to facilitate communication, so that the people in district are aware of what’s coming and can take advantage of this opportunity.”
  •    Who hasn’t, at some point in their life, felt like Miss Holly Golightly, the effervescent woman who is as quirky and disheveled as she is beautiful and charming? Well, perhaps we’ve each wanted to feel like Miss Audrey Hepburn as she peers into a Tiffany’s window, breakfast roll and coffee in hand, pondering life in the big city and all the glorious trinkets that could befall her. This iconic film (Breakfast at Tiffany’s for those unaware, if you’ve not seen it, go rent it!) sets the stage for the Fayetteville Museum of Art’s new fundraiser “Girls Night Out” on Jan. 30. This low ticket event allows women to shy away from the pressures of the day — men, children, job — to delight in an evening with the gals, a night of relaxation, socializing, and activities.
       {mosimage}In looking over the museum’s previous fundraising programs — it’s annual gala, the Fayetteville After Five concert series, and the Museum Miles, museum staff realized they were missing a great audience — the modern day woman. Women are constantly looking for something unique and interesting to do outside of dinner and a movie, especially in Fayetteville, as opportunities are limited. Museum staff, primarily comprised of females, questioned what would pull them off of their couches after a long week at work, devoting the majority of their energy to jobs, relationships, and lives. The opportunity to leave men and children at home and engage with other women of the community proved an enticing idea — the prospect of getting dressed up and sipping delicious cocktails an added bonus. Thus, “Girls Night Out” was born. The fundraiser is expected to be held quarterly with a modest ticket price of $35.
       Each “Girls Night Out” is themed around a female-empowering film providing a unique backdrop to the museum’s artful walls, connecting attendees to the modern art of film. Museum Assistant Director Michele Horn, when asked why the museum chose Breakfast at Tiffany’s for its first theme, replied, “Audrey’s character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a magnetic socialite searching for herself and finding freedom in it. Each woman coming to this party respects these ideals and likely looks to present herself in the same classy and timeless way that Holly Golightly did, despite flaws and eccentricities. This party gives the opportunity for us to do just that, to celebrate being a woman, being glamorous, while most importantly letting us have FUN.”
       Yes, F-U-N, with capital letters. The Museum plans on serving a special Breakfast at Tiffany’s cocktail (among other sophisticated beverages), food dishes themed to the movie (think breakfast pastries and Tiffany’s colored cupcakes), provide props for Golightly picture taking, have a pin-the-tail-on-the-cat game, party favors for all and a special raffle prize for one. So, ladies, as the invitation reads, “Grab your little black dress, your diamonds and pearls. It’s an evening of fun, a night with the girls. We’ll enjoy martinis, slurped so politely. We’ll party with Audrey — Miss Holly Golightly. Waste no more time, please call in a hurry. Your spot will be saved, there’s no need to worry. The 30th at 7, the curtain will rise. It’s a night for girls only, sorry no guys.”
    Call (910) 485-5121 for more information or to reserve your space for “Girls Night Out.”


     Contact Tim Wilkins at tim@upandcomingweekly.com
  • 01-22-14-cumberland-county.gifWhat does Cumberland County look like? This age-old question has been the centerpiece of major philosophical debate for centuries. From the time of the prophets, scripture has tackled this mystery with verses stating, “Yea, I say unto thee that no man shall know the true nature of Cumberland, for this land is great with Army and the stores of pawn.” (II Opinions 8:2).

    Great minds including Socrates, Voltaire and Friedrich Nietzsche have even devoted exhaustive study to this quandary to no avail. Fortunately, this brain buster has finally been answered with a zip line and ceramic eagle head.

    In the Fall of 2013, students from Fayetteville State University’s Art 452-01 Ceramics IV class were asked to create a work of art for the stairwell of the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. This project resulted in a fascinating mural by talented students giving their interpretation of exactly what Cumberland County looks like. The final pieces of art depict the zip line experience, a parachutist, Marquis de LaFayette and, as promised, a couple of eagle heads with one representing the Great Seal of the United States. This mural is currently on display at the bureau and patrons are encouraged to visit.

    The eight students who worked on the mural are: Frankie Freeman, Monica Griffin, Yavaughn Jackson, Su Kim, Damien Mathis, Sylvester “PJ” Purdie, Dayshaun Tate and Jasmine Williams.

    FACVB President and CEO John Meroski said, “We’re honored to showcase the student’s depiction of the question we posed — ‘What does Cumberland County look like?’” He went on to give thanks to FSU Service Learning and the students for their hard work on the mural and called it Freedom of Expression in Action.

    Class instructor and Associate Professor in Visual Arts Socorro Hernandez-Hinek said, “This was an opportunity for young students to apply their training, skills and creative talent through a partnership with the real world,”

    Dr. Ernest Lamb, chair of the Department of Performing and Fine Arts said, “I’m so grateful for the leadership and guidance Socorro Hernandez-Hinek provided our art students during the course of this service learning project. The tag line for the Department of Performing and Fine Arts is ‘Building community through the arts.’ I can think of no better way to demonstrate our commitment to this ideal than through public art projects like this.”

    Fayetteville State University itself is an important part of Cumberland County history. Founded in 1867, FSU is the second-oldest public institution in North Carolina. It offers nearly 60 degrees in the arts, sciences, business and education at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. As for where the mural is on display. The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Fort Bragg and Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. For additional information on the mural, visit ww.VisitFayettevilleNC.com or call 1-800-255-8217.

    Photo: Fayetteville State University students answered the question “What does Cumberland County look like?” Their answers were expressed in ceramic and are posted as a mural at the Fayetteville Area Conven-tion and Visitors Bureau.

  • uac011112001.jpg When it first started, Community Concerts was one of many organizations around the country that would buy shows from Columbia Entertainment and bring them to their communities. Over time, the concept grew and as recently as 20 years ago, according to Michael Fleishman, attractions director for the Community Concerts series, the program was strictly a classical music affair. The organization continued to keep pace with the tastes of its audience and over the years the programming, at least here in Fayetteville, has evolved.

    “We decided to change with the times and our organization has grown and grown. Today there are just a handful of community-concerts organizations left in the country,” said Fleishman. “The parent organization went by the wayside 10 to 15 years ago, and we are the only group that really became a true performing-arts organization.”

    Part of changing with the times includes bringing in a variety of shows each season that meet the entertainment needs of a vibrant and diverse audience. This season is no exception. In fact, this year’s programming budget is the largest it has ever been, and that is refl ected in the shows that are available. Darius Rucker, former front man for Hootie and the Blowfish, now a country solo sensation, kicked off the season in November, followed by Lee Ann Rimes in December.

    REO Speedwagon is up next in the lineup. The band, which reached its heyday in the late ‘70s with its break-out album You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish, will be at the Crown on Jan. 14, bringing back memories and making new ones for the audience.

    Some see the group as only an ‘80s band, but in reality, REO Speedwagon has been entertaining for more than 30 years and counting. With hits like “Keep On Loving You,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Take It on the Run” and “Someone Tonight”, they continue to tour the country performing and recording music — and their fans keep showing up at concerts and buying their songs. The pace is brisk, but the band wants nothing more than to please their fans. REO Speedwagon has not let a year slip by without doing at least one concert, and they continue to seek creative ways to make their work available to listeners.

    In 2007, the band recorded Find Your Own Way Home and teamed up with Wal-Mart to get the music to the public at affordable prices. Their passion shows through in each performance as fans from years past flock to hear their old favorites, and they bring their teenaged children with them, spawning an entirely new generation of followers, and well, keeping the fire burning so to speak.

    Driven by a desire to give back, REO Speedwagon is out there working to help when a worthy cause arises. They’ve participated in Live Aid in 1985, a benefit for port authority workers just after 9/11, MusiCares shows and a “Ridin’ The Storm Out” benefit concert, raising more than $500,000 for Iowa flood relief in 2008.

    So far, the ticket sales are strong and Fleishman is confident that the group is a good fit for Community Concerts’audiences.

    “Reo Speedwagon is the third concert for this, our 76th season,” he said. “It promises to be huge. It is going to be a big show. They are a very iconic group.”

    There is something to be said about a group with this kind of staying power. The themes of their songs are easy to relate to; they are about life, passion, relationships and overcoming challenges.

    In addition to a rockin’ good time, Community Concerts has something else planned in conjunction01-11-12-reo-speedwagon.jpg with the concert. This marks the fifth anniversary of the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame. On the night of the concert, the newest members will be honored. “At the REO Speedwagon concert we will do a very special presentation,” said Fleishman. “It is to honor those who have brought musical distinction to Fayetteville. There are a lot of people here who, through the years, have taught our children; they’ve entertained us; they’ve gone to Broadway; they’ve put on Broadway shows for us. They’ve enriched this community musically and they deserve to be honored.”

    Community Concertsis serious about providing good entertainment, but the organization has a positive impact on the community in other ways, too.

    “We did a cancer-awareness recognitions with Lee Ann Rimes. Through the efforts of the Darius Rucker show we had a big Veterans Day salute to the military in conjunction with Heroes Homecoming. We’ve been doing more in recent years to put community into Community Concerts,” said Fleishman. “This organization does a lot more than put on concerts. It is an all-volunteer nonprofit and I don’t think a lot of people realize that they’ve done a lot outside of the concert season.”

    The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and the Crown Box Office. For more information at ticket inquiries visit Community Concerts at www.community-concerts.com or call 323-1991.

     Photo: REO Speedwagon is set to rock the Crown on Jan. 14

  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo  (Rated R)  5 Stars01-18-12-movie.jpg

    Hey, you know who is just excellent at moody and atmospheric films that show characters in sort of a bad light? Director David Fincher (Se7en, Fight Club)! Most of the time, the book is bet-ter than the movie, and an original foreign film is better than a big-budget American redo. In this case, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (158 well-chosen minutes) matches the original Swedish film, just as both films somehow manage to do justice to the first book in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy.

    Rooney Mara is brilliantly cast as Lisbeth Salander, and she ap-parently went method with the role — all those piercings are real. Considering the train wreck that Natalie Portman or Kiera Knightly would have been in this role, somebody in central casting deserves a nice end-of-year bonus. Daniel Craig is a great actor, and he does the role justice, but he also comes off as almost boyish when compared to Michael Nyqvist from the original film, which is not so much a misstep as a personal quibble with directorial choices. At least Fincher made the choice to keep the film’s setting in Sweden, even if all the characters are speaking English. The country itself is a character in the story, and forcing the film to take place in New England or something just would not have worked.

    Mikael Blomkvist (Craig) is up against a professional wall, having tried to take down a wealthy businessman, only to be charged and convicted of libel when he is unable to back up his allegations. He is smoking a lot, and I would say shame on you Daniel Craig, but children shouldn’t be watching this anyway.

    Broke and facing the loss of his professional reputation, he is approached by Dirche Frode (Steven Berkoff, who I last saw playing Victor Maitland in Beverly Hills Cop). Frode represents Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer), who wishes to hire him to solve the decades-old murder of his niece based on the strength of a background check performed by Lisbeth Salander (Mara). Blomkvist is reluc-tant at first, but agrees when he finds out that Vanger has information that will restore his journalistic reputation.

    Meanwhile, Salander is assigned a legal guardian named Nils Bjurman (Yorick van Wageningen). Bjurman is every bit as evil as depicted in the books. While I give the actors credit for managing to film the intense scenes required, and acknowledge that one of the main themes of the trilogy is the violence men visit upon women, I find it distasteful that Fincher felt bound to mirror some of the more vicious choices made in the first film, and even exceed them by a bit. For a film that spends so much time alluding to violence against women without lingering over the details, I don’t see how including one of the most violent mainstream literary scenes around adds anything to an otherwise skillfully edited movie. For this, Fincher, go back to the ear slicing scene in Reservoir Dogs to see how you show violence without actually showing violence. I guess what I am saying is, the scene in the remake is even harder to watch.

    Anyway, Blomkvist settles in to the Vanger estate, meeting the dramatis personae and learning the background to the case. It doesn’t take long for him to meet Vanger Industries CEO Martin Vanger (Stellan Skarsgård) and Cecilia Vanger (Geraldine James). It takes about 90 minutes to put Blomkvist and Salander in the same room, which is when things start moving quickly. Naturally, the two reach the same conclusion at the same time, putting one of them in danger just in time to be rescued by the other.

    If you haven’t read the books or seen the Swedish trilogy, this is an excellent introduction … and you should definitely check them out just to see the different character choices.

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

  • The Adventures of Tintin (Rated PG)  3 Stars01-25-12-movie.jpg

    Much like Pavlov’s dog, I have been conditioned to respond to the sounds of Celine Dion’s “The Heart Will Go On” with tears. Weirdly, the fact that the song makes me cry always inspires hysterical laughter. So, sorry, people in the theater trying to enjoy the Titanic 3D trailer, I might have gotten a bit loud.

    Maybe I’m a bit burnt out on kids movies, but The Adventures of Tintin (107 minutes) left me a bit cold. The spectacle was there, the sense of adventure and wonder, the nostalgia … it just seemed to lack heart somehow. Obviously, di-rector Spielberg put a lot of time and effort into the project, demonstrating a good deal of loyalty to the source material in the pro-cess. But just like the source material, this is a story by boys, about boys and for boys. The narrative connection to the Indiana Jones movies is clear, but did we really need another kid’s movie where boys get to do all the cool stuff?

    The film opens on some arty credits, which lead into a shot of Tintin, boy re-porter (Jamie Bell) having a caricature drawn by a street artist with Snowy the dog by his side. In a clever bit of tribute, the caricature resembles the original art in the children’s series by Herge. Actual Tintin, however, resembles Neil Patrick Harris.

    While Tintin schmoozes with the artist, Snowy runs off down the street in pursuit of a pickpocket (Toby Jones) who turns out to be important later. While tracking down his dog, Tintin spots a nice model ship and buys it just ahead of two competitors, Sakharine (Daniel Craig) and Barnaby (Joe Starr).

    Tintin skips off home to display his new toy, only to have an evil little kitty sneak into his apartment and mess with his stuff. After he leaves to investigate the his-tory of his find, somebody breaks in to steal it. I wonder if it was one of the guys who were trying to get it earlier? Eventually, one of them shows up, only to be shot up on Tintin’s doorstep. He must have been wearing a bullet vest or some-thing, because despite being shot badly enough to pass out in the entryway, there isn’t any blood.

    Interpol agents Thompson and Thompson (Nick Frost and Simon Pegg) helpfully explain that the possibly dead guy was also an agent, and that he was on the track of something huge. Naturally, he didn’t tell anyone what he was doing, and because he is possibly dead or maybe just shot and in a coma, they can’t ask him.

    This story is going nowhere quick. Maybe some villain will appear to advance the plot? Yes indeed! The new villains kidnap Tintin, and are very mean to Snowy, who manages to follow them all the way to the docks because he is smarter than the average dog. The bad guys put their captive in a locked cage below decks, and the head bad guy stops by to offer some helpful and menacing exposition without actually accomplishing anything that will further his presumably evil plot. Luckily, Snowy the wonder-dog frees Tintin, and they hook up with Captain Drunky (Andy Serkis). After some ship chases, followed by airplane chases, followed by motorcycle chases and then some more ship chases, the heroes triumph, mostly because the vil-lain has a stupid backstory.

    All in all, the movie was cute. I am sure kids will enjoy it more than I did. But just to make sure that kids don’t take the wrong message away, tell the kids that girls can become heroic reporters chasing down pirates, too.

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

  • 02-01-12-fireantz.jpgAfter returning from a road trip consisting of three games in three days, the FireAntz are hosting a Military Appreciation Night. Saturday, Feb. 4, will be the second Military Appreciation Night of the FireAntz season. We would like to show our apprecia-tion for all the military does by honoring them at the game. Local businesses such as Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union, Thee Car Lot, USAA and Picerne Military Housing have re-ceived tickets to give out to service men and women and their families.

    At the game on Feb. 4, one of the large group-sin attendance is the 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment. The soldiers within the unit have continuously deployed to Afghanistan to support both conventional and special-operations forces with long-range rocket and missile fire since 2005. Two of the batteries, Delta Battery and Charlie Battery, have recently redeployed from Afghanistan in November and December respectively, after successfully completing their missions. Currently, Alpha Battery is de-ployed to Afghanistan to continue the mission and will return in June.

    The FireAntz host the Augusta RiverHawks with a puck drop at 7:30 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 4. There will be a specialty jersey worn for Military Appreciation Night. After the game, fans have the opportunity to meet their favorite FireAntz players, and bid on the game jerseys.

    The FireAntz would like to thank the following local businesses that are a part of the Military Appreciation Night: USAA, CenturyLink, Dex Knows, Pierro’s, All American Homes, Black’s Tire, Stanley Steemer, Hurst Annaho, Pierne Military Housing, Thee Car Lot, Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union, Heritage Jewelers, Systel, Quizno’s, 4G Communications and First Class Property. These local business help make our Military Appreciation Nights such a big success.

    The FireAntz return to action at the Crown on Tuesday, Feb. 14, to face the same opponent, the Augusta RiverHawks, for a Valentines’ Day meeting.

    For future games and times, you can find a full 2011-2012 FireAntz schedule at www.fireantzhockey.com.

    Do not forget to contact the FireAntz office by phone at 321-0123 if you have questions. Gather your friends and family to come out and enjoy Fayetteville FireAntz Hockey where fire and ice unite!

    Photo: FireAntz host military appreciation night on Feb. 4.

  •     World War One. 
        It was the war to end all wars, or so we thought. 
        November 11, 2008 marked the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I; and to commemorate that long and brutal conflict, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum and the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum are hosting exhibits with artwork and objects from the Great War — a war in which for the first time, the United States ‘flexed’ it’s military muscle for the entire world to see.
        “We’ve got to remember this about World War I — we entered the war with the intention of making war impossible after peace was achieved, and that was Woodrow Wilson’s intent,” said ASOM Director John Duvall. “The U.S. was sort of coming of age in World War I. It was becoming a great power. It was sort of flexing its muscles and saying ‘We have a role in the world and we can bring this war in Europe to an end.’”
        {mosimage}Duvall has procured art from the U.S. Army Center of Military History in Washington D.C. to convey the Woeld War I experience. While there had been artists on the battlefield long before WWI, it was during this time that the Army officially sent artists to the front to document what our soldiers were experiencing. The works of Jules Andre Smith, George Harding and master printmaker Kerr Erby will be on display. There will also be posters used by the government during World War I, including the famous Uncle Sam “I Want You” recruiting poster. Posters were used extensively for not only recruiting but selling war bonds and promoting other civic actions.
        “One of my concerns about this exhibit,” said Duvall “is that people will miss the subtleties of these works.”
        The lithographs and etchings provide a unique look at the battlefront, as well as life in smalltown France.
        The Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum exhibit explores how Fayetteville and the surrounding areas were impacted by World War I. The exhibit is heavily supplemented with war-related artifacts, including some items on loan from the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum located at Fort Bragg. Visitors can expect to see a German machine gun, a French machine gun, rifles, bayonets, uniforms, radios, medals and personal items that were carried by soldiers, such as shaving kits and helmets.
        Fayetteville Historic Properties Manager Bruce Dawes designed the exhibit to touch upon every possible aspect of World War I. 
        “We talk about the ordinary soldier from Cumberland County and his experiences,” said Dawes. “We talk about the hometown unit which was the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry. We tell about what was going on at the home front; patriotic speeches, recruiting, war bonds... all those things that the civilians back here were doing to support the troops.  
    “I think this is a very hometown exhibit, so it brings with it a lot of old Fayetteville names that you will recognize,” said Dawes.
        For example, William O. Huske, who was associated with Huske Hardware, was gassed and wounded during the war.  
    Duvall and Dawes both mentioned that there is a permanent World War I exhibit at Fort Bragg’s 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum that fits in nicely with the events going on downtown.

    Contact Stephanie Crider at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 

  •    The art of war and the art of painting would seem to be mutually exclusive.
       Unless the artist in question is himself a warrior.
       Sergeant 1st Class Brian Steverson, a parachute rigger with the Army, combines his love for the military with his love for painting. This seemingly paradoxical love for country and love for colors will be on display at Gallery 208 beginning Jan. 22.
       “A lot of my paintings I’ve given away,” said Steverson. “I give it to my buddies because it’s usually airplanes, tanks, jumpers... whatever they like or want.”
        Steverson was also commissioned to paint an insignia on the wall of his chow hall, as well as giant jump wings on the wall of the parachute rigger shed.
       {mosimage}As a painter of such macho, militaristic subjects, it’s a little shocking to pore through Steverson’s portfolio and find paintings of pink flamingos... shocking pink flamingos.
       “My artwork is a little bit of everything,” said Steverson. “I like to do paintings and drawings... acrylic seems to be the way to go these days as there’s less cleanup and it’s less money and dries faster. I do oils too... I’ve been doing oils for years.”
       A native of Florida, it’s understandable why Steverson would paint flamingos. He also has created many landscapes — seascapes of the Florida coast as well as a number of paintings of the canals of Venice and other sites in Italy. His love for things Italian can be traced to his admiration of the artist who has been his biggest influence: Michelangelo.
       “The greatest artist was Michelangelo,” said Steverson. “He’s not the greatest paimter... he was the greatest sculptor. He was a draftsman, an architect... he practically built Rome.”
       Steverson — who describes his style as being caught somewhere between impressionism and realism — also admits an admiration for Monet and some of the realists. However, his first influence was his mother, who dabbled in everything art-related, including oils and acrylics, drawing, stained glass and flower arrangements on the wall.
       Steverson currently has four paintings hanging at Cape Fear Studios and recently had an exhibit at Cottages of North Ramsey.
       A fast worker, he says a typical painting generally takes a couple of hours to complete, depending on the size.
       In addition to his quickness with the brush, Steverson boasts something of an eccentricity: he paints using only three primary colors.
       “I paint in primary red, primary yellow and primary blue and colors they don’t call colors... white and black,” said Steverson.
       While his choice of colors may be basic, his work is multifaceted. Check out his art at the Leonard McLeod Gallery, Gallery 208, 208 Rowan St., in the offices of Up & Coming Weekly. Also ongoing at Gallery 208 is an exhibition of the work of famed editorial cartoonist Dennis Draughon.

    Contact Tim Wilkins at tim@upandcomingweekly.com

  • 01-15-14-4th-friday.gifEvery year the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the Friends of African and African-American Art team up to put together a top-notch exhibit for the area. Dont miss “A Celebration of African-American Art” at the Arts Council from Jan. 24-March 1.

    “In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, the free exhibition will feature a wonderful private collection from a prominent local collector of African-American art,” said Mary Kinney, marketing director of the Arts Council. “It will be open six days a week from 7-9 p.m.”

    The exhibition opens in conjunction with the Arts Council’s 4th Friday celebration: a downtown tradition where people of all ages enjoy the art and entertainment that Fayetteville has to offer. Featured artists, exhibits, refreshments and entertainment are all combined to bring everyone the art of Fayetteville free of charge. Bistro’s, bookstores, galleries and shops in the four and a half blocks of historic downtown Fayetteville become artistic venues and feature the arts in all forms.

    A special membership category devoted to the endeavor of the FAAA has been developed by the Arts Council, in which members benefit from invitations to Friends meetings and social events, as well as invitations to special lectures that pertain to African-American art by local, national and international prominent artists and scholars. Through this membership category, the FAAA is also afforded the opportunity to raise public awareness and appreciation for African-American art by way of exhibits, educational programs and social events. Anyone interested in becoming a member must either be a current Arts Council member or join at the $35 level or higher to be eligible for the FAAA membership category.

    While the mission is to raise public awareness and appreciation for the artistic legacy of indigenous Africans and people of African displacement, the primary focus of this membership category is to fund an annual exhibit for Black History Month and develop a schedule of informative events and activities to occur during the month, as well as throughout the year.

    Every fourth Friday of the month, starting at 6 p.m., the Downtown Alliance office has free fanatics cards that show the latest deals and a full list of 4th Fridayevents when the QR code on the back is scanned. One of these events featured on the card includes the exhibit at Cape Fear Studios, where works by Barton Hatcher will be on display, as well as works by special visiting pottery artists Charles and Linda Riggs. For more information, visit www.theartscouncil.com. For Cape Fear Studios, visit www.capefearstudios.com. For the Downtown Alliance, call 910-222-3382, or visit www.faydta.org.

    Although the Headquarters Library has no special events scheduled on Jan. 24, many of its branches in the surrounding area plan to host events for children and young adults.

    Fascinate-U Children’s Museum makes 4th Friday fun for the whole family with fun activities for the kids and free admission from 7-9 p.m. This month, the featured craft is “Mix and Match Sports Time,” where kids can make a sports-related puzzle. Find out more about Fascinate-U at www.fascinate-u.com.

    The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum features unique exhibit year round that tell the story of Fayetteville through different lenses. The museum is open during 4th Friday. Call 433-1457 for more information.

  • There are more than 57,000 soldiers stationed at Fort Bragg, many of them with families in tow. Sure, a few choose to stay within the confines of the post, but the majority are in the community raising families, worshipping at local churches, serving on PTA boards, and supporting the arts and local businesses.

    The sacrifices made by the service members and their families are not lost on the community. In fact, it has moved many to action. The organizations that rally around troops and their families are not only well-meaning, they are creative and thoughtful in how they go about meeting the needs of our nation’s heroes.01-04-12-boots-&-booties.jpg

    “We want soldiers and their families to know that no matter where they have been or what they have been through, there is a community here that loves and understands them,” said Jennifer Lowe, corporate communications, City of Fayetteville. “Service members of every generation can come here, build a life and know that they will be accepted and appreciated. Because we have such a large military population, there is no shortage of people, businesses and facilities ready to meet the needs and support the interests of veterans and active duty service members. This understanding attitude is part of what makes Fayetteville the nation’s first Military Sanctuary City.”

    You have only to look around to see the impact the military has on our community. On July 4, 2011, the North Carolina Veterans Park opened to a crowd of 3,000. With a 3,500 square foot Visitors Center and a chandelier made from 33,000 dog tags, the North Carolina Veterans Park was designed for refl ection and celebration.

    With the thousands of military members who pass through Fayetteville Regional Airport each year, it just made sense for the USO to open a center there. Which is exactly what happened in November 2011. Renee Lane, USO-N.C. center director Fort Bragg and USO Fayetteville, said, “The service members are so happy to have access to a travel center before they head to all points across the globe. We have had nothing but positive comments.”

    The Army’s Army was founded in 2008 and is made up of citizens and businesses who’ve pledged their moral, physical and spiritual support to those in the military. The group has 1,500 members and 50 businesses that take their role in “watching over those who watch over us” very seriously.

    The Army’s Army offers relocation support and looks for creative ways to support the military. The group has packed care packages for deployed soldiers; hosted Heroes Crusade, an athletic campaign that took place during Heroes Homecoming; and created a blog called Military Discounts where business partners offer and advertise special discounts to the military.

    With the brisk operations tempo over the past decade, Fayetteville Cares was formed in 2007 to provide support to military personnel and their families during and after deployments.

    The group has hosted the World’s Largest Baby Shower to benefit military spouses, which offers love and support to 1,000 moms and moms-to-be. Fayetteville Cares routinely sends care packages to deployed military members, prepares the barracks for single soldiers prior to their return from deployment, and works with other military support organizations in the area to meet the needs of military members and their families.

    Each May, Fayetteville spends an entire month honoring military service members and veterans with a 31 Day Salute. The event is a month-long celebration of performances, ceremonies, exhibits and activities designed to show the community’s enthusiastic appreciation, respect and support for those who serve and have served in our armed forces.

    It’s one of the many ways Fayetteville reaches out to its military neighbors.

    Photo: Fayetteville Cares’ Boots & Booties Baby Shower is one of the many ways the community supports the military.

  • uac012512001.jpg The Cape Fear Regional Theatre Celebrates 50 Years of Excellence

    If ever a director had the perfect show with the perfect cast, Bo Thorp has it with the staging of Encore: 50 Years. Encore is retrospective of the past 50 years of theater at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. The show is comprised of some of the best music to ever be performed on the stage, along with a cast of 60 performers who have given their hearts and souls to the CFRT.

    As much as Thorp and company hope the community enjoys the show, putting the show together has been its own reward. To stage the show, Thorp invited back some of the founders of the CFRT, as well as some members of early casts and put them together with the talented actors who walk the stage today. What she has made is theatrical magic.

    Encore celebrates 50 years of fabulous theatre. It is a retrospective of what we have peformed and a reunion of talented people,” explained Thorp. “In my opinion, it’s the best of each. We have picked the best songs and have gathered a grand group to perform them with us.”

    The cast of 60 is made of some old faces and of the future of the theatre in its youth performers. Thorp has managed to gather an eclectic cast including Reggie Barton, a former board member who spearheaded the fi rst renovation of the theatre and later was bitten by the acting bug, Josh White Jr., an international performer who has followed in his father’s footsteps performing African-American folk songs, Dirk Lumbard, who has performed at the theatre off and on throughout its history and Ray Kennedy.

    To put the show together, Thorp brought Grady Bowman, who has just finished the show Billy Elliott on Broadway, to choreograph the musical. Bowman, who has been working on Broadway since he graduated from college, grew up on the CFRT stage under Thorp’s direction.

    “Seeing Grady helping direct the show rather than be in it is really seamless,” said Thorp. “Of all the people that I have seen over the years, he was the one person that I knew would have a professional career in theatre, and I knew he would one day come back and direct us. Grady was just 5 years old when he performed in Encore: 25 Years.”

    Thorp said the reunion of so many talented performers has been a homecoming, but it has also been nostalgic. “In the show, we have an In Memoriam section to honor some of the great talents we are missing,” she said.

    Leonard McLeod, Pat Reese, Lee Yop and Herbert Thorp are just some of the people whom Thorp pays tribute to in the show. “Leonard, Pat and Lee were just tremendous talents,” she said. “I put Herbert (Thorp’s husband) in there because he was the one who stood by, and if we couldn’t get something to work, he would fi nd a way to make it work for us — even if it meant calling the President of the United States. He wanted the theatre to be successful for us and for the community, and he wanted me to be happy.”

    Looking back over the past 50 years, Thorp acknowledges that she has found happiness and a second family at the theatre. This season is her last as a member of the theatre’s staff, but she hopes to come back often as a performer or a director.

    “Very few people get to orchestrate their exit, and I’ve done that,” she said. “I’m hoping that will let me in the doors now then so I can watch a rehearsal and maybe they will let me perform. I hope people will see me as available and capable of performing.”

    She noted that while the show has brought a sense of nostalgia, and while there is some sadness at the end of her career with the theatre, she can leave the theatre knowing it’s in good hands. “I’m happy with what we have accomplished here,” said Thorp, giving a nod to the caliber of performances at the theatre, which is manifest in Encore. “What more success could you want than to leave a legacy like this? I know that I have left my corner of Haymount better than what I found it.”

    And she knows she has touched the lives of countless performers, but more specifi cally, children in the community who have become a part of the theatre family.

    “I love that the most,” said Bo. “That the children will always remember Ms. Bo.”

    Bowman is living proof of that. He first walked the boards at the CFRT at the age of 5. “I had one line in the show, and the only thing I can remember is that I had to stand behind my godfather, Leonard McLeod, for the big reveal. I was the younger him, and he was remembering his life. I remember sticking to him like glue.”

    Bowman says the roots for his successful career on Broadway were created at the CFRT. “I did 25 to 30 shows here, and I had the opportunity to work with so many talented, even legendary people,” he said.

    That experience has served him well over the years on the stage. At this point in his career, he is transitioning from the role of performer to choreographer. So it seemed fi tting that he come home and choreograph this historic show.

    “I’ve always wanted to come home, and luckily my schedule lined up so that I could do this show,” said Bowman. “It’s more than a retrospective, it’s really a changing of the guard — the end of an era. I am proud to be here and be a part of this because it was such a huge part of my life.”

    Like the majority of the performers who have returned for the show, Bowman sees it as a reunion. “There are so many old faces, as well as new ones, and they are all so talented,” he said. “When I first got here, I went up and sat in the seats that have my name and Leonard’s name on them. I just sat and took it all in — all the memories.”

    If the walls could talk, the memories that would fl oat through the air are the stuff theatre magic is made of.

    Linda Riddle came to Fayetteville in June of 1969, and immediately immersed herself in the theater. “I was sitting in the Dixie Diner in Spring Lake, when I saw an advertisement for a summer workshop at the Little Theatre. The workshop was taught by Pat Reese, so I went down and took the class. My first show was in the summer of 1969 — Sweet Bird of Youth — and I’ve been involved ever since.”

    Riddle said that she is proud to have been invited to perform in the show.

    “I’m so grateful to see so many faces of people who are coming home just for the show,” she said. “It’s been wonderful. But as much as I love seeing the old faces, I am just in awe of the all the young talent that is here in Fayetteville and that is showcased in the show.”

    Having “grown up” with the theatre, Riddle said that she is proud of what the theatre has accomplished over the years. She recalls affectionately the pranks that she and Pat Reese played on each other on stage. During the world premier of Raney, Reese, who played a character who committed suicide, wound up in the casket dressed in drag. Riddle was the only person who could see him. To pay him back, she dumped ice out of her handbag into the casket and made sure the majority of it landed on his crotch.

    “He was having the worst time trying to stay still,” recalled Riddle. “It’s those kinds of moments that keep coming back to me.”

    For Halley Sullivan, 14, it sounds odd, but she is also returning to her roots. Sullivan was tapped for a role in the Lion King on Broadway when she was just 9-years-old.

    “I just love Bo and the theatre, and getting to be a part of something that is so important to them, is very important to me,” she said.

    While the community can watch the performance, they can’t really hear all of these memories, but they will have their chance to live and breathe them during the theatre’s gala on Feb. 11.

    “It’s a party, not a peformance,” said Thorp. “There will be bands, music, great food and libations all over the theatre. It’s going to be a big to do. We have been planning this for months. It’s our Golden Gala and it’s a cause to celebrate.”

    The event is spearheaded by Debbie Lallier and Jenny Beaver and runs through Feb., 5. Tickets for the event are available to the public at $75 per ticket. For tickets to Encore or to the Gala, call the CFRT Box Offi ce at 323-4233.

  • Medication Problems and the Elderly

    At 83 years old, Sally still lived in her own home, and enjoyed working in her garden and canning peaches. It was becoming harder to motivate herself, to get up in the mornings and accomplish the day’s tasks. She confided to her daughter that she felt anxious and tired. Her daughter, who was taking medication for her anxiety, took Sally to her own doctor, (not Sally’s doctor) and got her a prescription for Valium. In doing so, the daughter’s doctor, who had never seen Sally an02-01-12-senior-corner.jpgd who did not have her medical history, was only aware of a few medi-cations they told him she was taking.

    Sally, in fact, was taking 9 different medications as well as herbal supplements.

    The addition of Valium to her existing list of prescribed drugs sent her to the emergency room with respiratory distress. If she had gone to her own doctor, he would have found that a dosage adjustment of her current medications would have solved her anxiety.

    Medication errors are common in the elderly. Many seniors take on average six to eight different prescriptions, as well as over the counter drugs. Many times the elderly will not go back to their doctor to have their dosage evaluated and changed if necessary.

    Family members should be aware, that elderly parents tend to take the family’s advice over going to their own doctor. Even though children want to help increase the health and stamina of their parents, they may in fact be causing damage by misdirecting their loved ones.

    An online article on HealthSquare.com, titled “Drugs and the Elderly,” talks about physical symptoms and medications.

    “Among the first signs that a drug may not be working properly in an older person is a change in mood, energy, attitude or memory. Too often, these alterations are overlooked, ignored, or chalked up to “old age” or senility. Older people may feel that their blue mood is caused by something external such as the death of a friend or boredom. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Virtually every heart medication, blood pressure drug, sleeping pill and tranquilizer has been known to trig-ger depressive symptoms.

    “When a psychological symptom appears in an older person, examine his or her medication or drug use first. Consider, too, factors like alcohol intake, poor nutrition and hormone imbalance. And never dismiss the possibility that a real psychological problem has developed and may itself require medication.”

    There are many things family members can do to help monitor medications for their elderly parents.

    • Make a list of medicines prescribed and all supplements being taken.

    • Give this list to the doctor and pharmacist and have one on hand for emergencies.

    • Use the same pharmacy to fill all prescriptions. Pharmacies keep a record of your prescribed drugs and will verify your doctor’s instructions. They will also tell you if foods or over the counter supplements will interact with a prescription.

    • Dispense pills in a daily pill organizer box.

    • Have a family member be responsible to call or physically monitor the taking of medication. Family members who live long distances from their elders have available to them new technology in medication monitoring.

    • Alarms for pill boxes, watch alarms, medical alarm bands and necklaces that ring a reminder.

    • Computerized pill box dispensers that ring a designated number if the pills have not been taken.

    • Home Telehealth. Technology has developed computers and computer cameras to help the elderly in their homes stay safe and healthy. Home telehealth — set up by medical professionals in the home — enables providers to monitor such things as medications and blood pressure and actually see the patient. Patient questions are an-swered and advice is given, while the monitoring nurse views through the video phone how his or her patient looks physically.

    • Home Care Agencies. Homecare companies offer a variety of service options in helping families care for and properly dispense medication to their elder parents.Overmedication or taking medication incorrectly may lead to early mental confusion and decline in health in seniors. If medication problems were ranked as a disease in cause of death, it would be the fifth leading cause in the United States.

    Photo: Many seniors take on average six to eight different prescriptions, as well as over the counter drugs. 

  • 012716-soni.jpg

    Four downtown area galleries in Fayetteville have started 2016 with a strong presence of nationally and internationally acclaimed artists to share with the region. Visitors should visit all four galleries to experience the full richness of ways in which artists use materials, techniques and form to create meaning. After visiting each gallery your perception will be heightened; you will have a clear understanding about a predilection in late modern and contemporary art — artists are responding to their personal experiences in culture.

    Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery, at 113 Gillespie Street, is exhibiting the photographs and sculptures by Willis Bing Davis, an exhibit titled We Wear the Mask: An Ode to Poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. Texture, pattern and found materials become signifiers for meaning as each art object becomes a sum of its parts to create universal meaning — abstraction becomes the real. 

    Davis’ artist statement reveals his reality when he states: “My works address myself to the unlimited resources of possibilities of my existence. The conscious inclusion of social commentary in my work is the first step toward speaking to a universal condition. The rich artistic heritage of African art with its religious, social and magical substance is what I select as an aesthetic an historical link … I feel my art should be a natural extension of my existence, bringing to fruition personal images, symbols and forms that most accurately express my perception of life.”

    An accomplished artist, Davis is included in prestigious galleries and museums around the world. This list includes, but is not limited to, exhibitions at Studio Museum of Harlem, American Craft Museum, Renwick Gallery, Maryland Institute College of Art, Savannah College of Art and Design, Anacostia Museum, National Museum of Art of Senegal West Africa, United States Embassy Accra, Ghana and Museum fur Angewandte Kunst (Museum of Applied Arts, Frankfurt, Germany). His art can be found in public and private collections in the U. S., England, China, Japan, France, Australia, plus Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Namibiaand Gabon on the continent of Africa.

    In strong contrast to the softened edges, textured layers and physicality of the works by Willis Bing Davis, Rosenthal Gallery on the campus of Fayetteville State University, has opened the new year with Explorer of Form and the Beauty of Number by Vandorn Hinnant. Elaborate drawings and minimalist sculptures are all connected to the interconnectivity of that which is beyond the physical for Hinnant — that which is spiritual. Visitors to the gallery will immediately sense order, harmony, balance and a sense of perfection. 

    When Hinnant talks about his highly symmetrical, circular and coded works, he references the influences of how he approaches his relationship with images and object making: “My current work is a further exploration and articulation of an ancient knowledge of relationship passed on to and through notables such as Euclid, Archimedes, Plato, Pythagoras, Leonardo Da Vinci, Giordano Bruno, Johannes Kepler, Albrecht Durer, Maurits Cornelis Escher, Buckminster Fuller, Robert L. Powell Sr., Lynnclaire Dennis, and a great many others.”

    He continued: “These forms and images are a reflection of the geometries of nature and embody some of the energetic matrices of nature’s pre-material template. These works of art are to serve viewers as a source of inspiration, as a springboard for the imagination, and as a visual bridge between the arts and the sciences… my practice of rendering visible signs of the unseen ‘Implicate Order’ is in keeping with the ancient craft guilds’ directives, and more ancient canons for referencing the Divine Presence in all things. Each work is born out of a deep communion with what I poetically refer to as ‘The Art Spirit.’”

    You will leave Hinnant’s exhibit feeling refreshed and “centered.” So it is not surprising some of his commissions/exhibitions include the Cone Health Sickle Cell Medical Center at North Elam Medical Plaza/Wesley Long Hospital Campus in Greensboro, North Carolina; “Together We Rise” public art sculpture in Winston-Salem; Harrison Museum of African American Culture, in Roanoke, Virginia; The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching in Cullowhee, North Carolina; and the Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. 

    Gallery 208 at 208 Rowan Street is hosting Dwight Smith: an Artist’s Approach to Discovery. Visitors to the exhibit will enjoy seeing how Smith transitions between mediums; each process contributes to his personal meaning or content. For Smith the act of drawing, painting and printmaking is an immediate source of discovery.

    The following statement by Smith is the key to understanding how he moves so easily between the different media: “My research and investigations into contemporary painting involve mixed media painting and drawings that are influenced by material surfaces and scale … As an artist the act of discovery involves methods of integrating opposites into a state of harmony and balance. Elements of design referenced in African, African-American or multi-cultural imagery create a catalyst to begin my visual language that informs the work. Through the work I am responding to the tension generated by a resounding past and an insistent present. Each work is a commitment to intimate concerns about painting and the contemporary language of abstraction.”

    Some of Smith’s most recent group invitations to exhibit include NAAHBCU National Exhibition: AfroFurturism, at the Tubman African-American Museum, Macon, Georgia; FORECAST: OVERFLOW at the Brown & Juanita Ford Art Gallery, Wayne County Community College in Detroit, Michigan; Earthy Abstraction: Works by Jack Kehoe, Kipley Meyer, Brian Rust and Dwight Smith at the Madison Artists Guild in Madison, Georgia; and Contemporary Works on Paper at the Brandywine Center for the Visual Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Selected solo exhibitions include OBSERVATIONS: Mixed Media Works from Dwight Smith at the Ellington-White Contemporary Art Gallery in Fayetteville; New works by Dwight Smith at the National Conference of Artists Michigan Chapter Gallery in Detroit, Michigan; Peintures, Le Manufacture in Aurillac, France; and National Conference of Artists International Exhibition at the The National Gallery in Dakar, Senegal.

    The Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County is exhibiting Romare Bearden: Beat of a Different Drum and features the original illustrations of Li’l Dan, the Drummer Boy, a Civil War Story.

    Romare Bearden is recognized as one of the most creative and original visual artists of the 20th century. This exhibition includes 26 original watercolors from the only book he illustrated in his career. Romare Bearden: Beat of a Different Drum includes the book and text panels with audio narration by the late legendary poet and Civil Rights activist Maya Angelou. 

    An important 20th century late modern artist, Bearden’s work is included in many important public collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and The Studio Museum in Harlem, among others. He has had retrospectives at the Mint Museum of Art (1980), the Detroit Institute of the Arts (1986), as well as numerous posthumous retrospectives, including The Studio Museum in Harlem (1991) and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C. (2003).

    All exhibits will remain open until mid-February and are free to the public. To call about information to visit the galleries or tour information, please call the following numbers: Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery at 910.483.1388; Rosenthal Gallery at 910.672.1975; Gallery 208 at 910.484.6200; and the Arts Council at 910.323.1776.

  •     On a recent Saturday afternoon, the Jets were on the move and on the lookout for the Sharks. They were ready to rumble. As they waited, they worked hard on some of their moves. Of course, one of the moves they were working on was named twinkle toes, not a standing back-kick. The Jets we’re talking about are the cast of upcoming production of West Side Story at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre.
        The majority of The Jets are young, local actors. The training they are getting for this play rivals the training that dancers get on Broadway. That’s because the director/choreographer, Robert Bianca, and the assistant director/choreographer, Mary MacLeod, believe that’s the only way to get ready for a production like West Side Story.
    Both Bianca and MacLeod are veteran Broadway performers. MacLeod was on stage at the CFRT in the production of Chicago. This is Bianca’s first trip to the area. How they got here makes an interesting story.
        When Bo Thorp, the CFRT’s artistic director, decided to add West Side Story to the season lineup, Dirk Lombard told her she had to talk to MacLeod because she “knew everyone who dances.” Thorp gave MacLeod a call just before Christmas to see if she could give her some advice.
        {mosimage}MacLeod immediately recommended Bianca, with one caveat. “Bo wanted to do the play with its original choreography. I told her ‘I know him well enough if you’re interested, but he’s not going to want to do the original.’ So she talked to him and they hit it off great. I didn’t think I would be involved, but Bobby wanted me to work with him, so I was glad to come.”
        Bianca said when he first talked to Thorp, she explained that many people wanted her to do the original version, but once he explained his ideas, she was on board. He noted that the dancers in the original production all had classical training and that to try and impose that kind of strict dancing on local actors who do not have that kind of training would be “forced and not effective.”
        He added that the local dancers had an “incredible spirit, energy and talent.”
        “Even though we aren’t doing the original choreography, the feeling and respect for the original ideas is intact,” he said.
        Along with Bianca and MacLeod, the CFRT has also brought two young actors from New York to play the leading roles of Maria and Tony. Jen Anaya, an Arizona native, moved to New York several years ago and began auditioning for regional and local plays. This will be her first time performing in West Side Story, but she noted that playing Maria has always been a “dream role” for her.
        That feeling is shared by Jeremy Janet, who will be playing Tony. Janet was raised in a small town outside of Green Bay, Wisc. He moved to New York four years ago and has been doing regional theater.
        “I remember seeing the movie musical when I was 11- or 12-years-old,” said Janet. “It was one of those New Year’s Eve sing-alongs, and I remember thinking to myself, ‘I could do that.’”
        Rehearsals have been going on since the beginning of January, and Bianca admits it has been grinding. He said rehearsals have been very demanding and intense in order to bring out the raw emotion needed for the production.
        “There is no slickness to this play. Raw emotion is the point of the show and these kids are great for that. When they dig deep and they hit it, it’s inspiring. It’s effective because it’s real,” said Bianca.
        West Side Story opens at the CFRT on Friday, Jan. 23, with a preview performance at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $15. The Champagne Opening is on Saturday, Jan. 24. Tickets are $28. The play runs through Feb. 8. For reservations, call the CFRT Box Office at 323-4233.

    Contact Janice Burton at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 

  • If Your Senior Won't Let Go

    Getting rid of stuff is actually a two-step process: sorting and deciding, on the one hand, and disposing on the other. That’s according to University of Kansas Professor Dr. David Ekerdt, who is coordinating a “household moves” project to determine the role that possessions play in older people’s housing decisions. But convincing seniors to start that process can be a challenge.

    Following are strategies if your loved one doesn’t want to let go from Katherine “Kit” Anderson, CPO-CD, president of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization, and Vickie Dellaquila, certified professional organizer and author of Don’t Toss My Memories in the Trash.

    1. Arrange And Cheer Small Victories.

    Suppose you spend a short time helping your loved one clear off a table. Celebrate the accomplishment together.

    2. Conduct An “Experiment.”

    If your loved one has 150 empty margarine tub containers, suggest donating 15 of those to a school for a painting project. Allow some time to go by and ask how she felt giving those up. Chances are she won’t feel as awful as suspected.

    3. Gently Approach The Idea Of Health And Safety. Remind your loved ones that too much clutter can actually keep them from being safe in their homes, which could jeopardize their ability to stay at home. They could trip over papers on the floor or lose bills and medications.

    4. Draft An Agreement.

    Agree to box up unused clothing or tools. Carefully list what’s in the box and track that for six months. If your loved one does not use the items in that time, suggest they donate them to a charity.

    5. Consider The Control Issue.

    Clutter is all about control, but so is being the one to decide where stuff goes. Remind your loved ones if they don’t decide where something will go, someone else will.

    For more information, contact the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) at www.nsgcd.org or visit www.homeinstead.com. For tips on talking to a loved one about sensitive subjects, go to www.4070talk.com. If you notice these characteristics about your senior loved ones or their homes, clutter could start creeping up on them.

    1. Piles of mail and unpaid bills. 1-16-13-senior-corner.gif

    2. Difficulty walking safely through a home.

    3. Frustration trying to organize.

    4. Difficulty managing activities of daily living.

    5. Expired food in the refrigerator.

    6. Jammed closets and drawers.

    7. Compulsive shopping.

    8. Difficulty deciding whether to discard items.

    9. A health episode such as a stroke or dementia.

    10. Loneliness.

    When family members are not able to assist with decluttering activities, consider hiring professional caregivers who can take on the sorting projects slowly and methodically. For more information, call 910-484-7200 or visit www.homeinstead.com/647.

    Photo: Cluttered drawers are a sign that your senior might need help.

     

  • A season of “Blessings” for Laura Story01-23-13-buzz.gif

    Sowing & Reaping

    As we go through life, we will all inevitably reap what we have sown. Laura Story has been faithful in her music ministry as well as her devotion and support to her ail-ing husband, Martin. Lately she has certainly been enjoying the reap-ing end of the equation.

    Heading to the Grammy’s

    Her song “Blessing” has been her most suc-cessful song to date, both in sales and more importantly in the im-pact it has had on people’s lives. As a result of this success, Story was nominated for and won her first Grammy Award! A rare feat for any Christian artist, and even more a fe-male worship artist.

    Multiple Doves

    Story was recog-nized by her peers in a big way at last month’s 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards. She walked away with Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year and Album of the Year, as well as overall Song and Songwriter of the year — all stemming from her huge hit “Blessings”!

    The Singer/Songwriter Becomes an Author

    Capturing an incredible thought in a song is nothing new for Story. What is new is turning those thoughts into a devotional book called What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? Comprised of 30 daily devotions designed to draw readers into a deeper understanding of God’s sometimes mysterious gifts, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? includes the devotions “He Loves Us Too Much to Give Us Lesser Things”; “When Faith Disappears”; “The Blessed Thorn”; “Giving Endurance a Chance to Grow”; and “How Can We Find Peace Amid Suffering?” Each devotion contains Story’s personal reflections garnered from her own journey, along with prayers, quotes and a journaling page for read-ers to recount how blessings have impacted their own lives.

    Best Blessing of All

    As if the music awards and the success of her new cd and book weren’t enough to make this one of Story’s best year’s ever, she and husband Martin recently learned that she is pregnant. The bundle of joy is due to arrive in September and the expectant mom and dad couldn’t be more excited. 2012 was a year of bountiful blessing for Story and we wish her many more!

    Photo: Lara Story

  • 01-30-13-ftcc.gifFayetteville Technical Community College is excited to announce that starting Fall 2013, it will offer an associate degree in Health and Fitness Science. Do the topics of fitness, nutrition, ex-ercise science, personal training and group exer-cise interest you? Does working with different aged populations and motivating others sound appealing to you? Want to make good money by doing something that you enjoy? Would you like to have the freedom to create your own personal work schedule?

    If you answered yes, then a Health and Fitness Science degree may be perfect for you.

    As a graduate of FTCC’s Health and Fitness Science program, you will have the skills to manage a fitness center, meet the needs of fitness clients, develop and cultivate your exercise programming ideas, lead group-exercise classes, become a personal trainer and work with special populations to promote health and encourage an overall better quality of life.

    The career opportunities are numerous for Health and Fitness graduate. According to the Bureau of Labor 2010 statistics, the median salary for a fitness trainer or instructor was $31,090 per year or $14.95 per hour. According to the same statistics, the fitness industry job market is expected to increase by 24 percent by the year 2020. That is 10 percent faster than the national average of all occupational growth for the same time frame. As you can see, the fitness industry is in high demand and looking for some-one like you. Come join FTCC’s Health and Fitness Science program and open your world to this amazing and rewarding fitness industry.

    To learn more, contact Fayetteville Technical Community College at (910) 678-8400 to speak with an academic coun-selor to learn more about this new associate degree program and how to enroll at FTCC.

    Photo: According to the same statistics, the fitness industry job mar-ket is expected to increase by 24 percent by the year 2020. 

  • “Discrimination is a hellhound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

    What would Martin Luther King, Jr. say about the present state of America? He had a dream for freedom, opportunity, and justice for all. In a turbulent time in America’s history, King was a voice of change, a voice of reason, a voice of vision.

    On Jan. 18, the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Ministerial Council will celebrate that voice, that dream and that vision at the 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast. The event will be held at the Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center from 7:30 -10 a.m.

    The guest speaker at the prayer breakfast will be Fayetteville State University’s Chancellor James A. Anderson. Anderson came to FSU in June 2008 from the University of Albany in New York where he served as vice president for student success and vice provost for institutional assessment and diversity. He was also a professor in the department of psychology.

    “I think it is important to talk about not only the vision and the kind of framework that Dr. King addressed, but to talk about it both in its historical context and how we need to almost retranslate his language to talk about it in the 21st century,” said Anderson. “We have young people and more diverse groups who may not understand the original context of Dr. King’s message.”

    Anderson added that one of the things he wants to focus on in his message is Fayetteville as a community and what it means in the context of a message like Dr. King’s and other great leaders to come together as a community to be successful in terms of our economic and human rights transformation.

    “I was honored to be asked by the Minister’s Council to serve as the speaker of the prayer breakfast because that’s a group I think so highly of,” said Anderson. “I am glad that there has been such a good response in terms of people who want to participate in this event.”

    Individual tickets are $18. Corporate and group sponsorships are available. For more information call 672-1474 or 868-9640.

  • 22 Until none Thousands of veterans commit suicide every year in the United States. In 2019, the suicide rate for Veterans was 52.3% higher than non-veterans, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. This hits close to home as Cumberland County is home to more than 60,000 veterans.

    Agora Productions Music Company, a local company that produces live music shows at a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, will be hosting a benefit concert to raise funds for 22 Until None.

    22 Until None is a non-profit that assists these veterans, and is looking to raise money to help give financial emergency assistance as well as help with Veteran's Affair's benefits and other services to veterans who need it.

    The goal for Agora Productions is to raise $5,000 for the non-profit.

    Chris McHargue is the ambassador of Tarheel Chapter of 22 Until None. He helps host chapter meetings at VFW Post 670. He says the main goal for 22 Until None is to help the immediate needs for local veterans in crisis.

    “We handle the immediate crisis needs that a lot of charities can’t do because it takes a long time for approval and things like that,” McHargue said. “Then we follow-up after the crisis and ask, what got you at this point and what can we do to help you from getting to this point again?”

    Wade B, Bubba Sparxxx, Race Taylor Music Group, Erikka, Lane Ward, Krackle Capone and Emmy Nominated artist TONE-z will be performing at the concert. Many of the artists are country acoustic artists or country-rap artists.

    Gary Fisher, the promoter of Agora Productions, says the show will not only feature great music, but it will also be helping a good cause.

    “I think it’s really good for veterans or soldiers to come to VFW or places like this because they can talk to people that have gone through the same thing that they have,” Fisher said. “Sometimes just talking to somebody and seeing somebody that’s gone through it and can tell you how they went through or are dealing with it, can be a really good thing.”

    The concert will be featuring the local chapters of 22 Until None and the Veterans Suicide Awareness and Prevention Series, who will have resources available to veterans who come to the concert.

    22Klicks Food Truck will also be at the event for people who want to purchase food.

    Outside of the sponsors, the tickets, and the fundraiser Agora Productions is hosting, they will also be having two types of raffles to help raise money for the non-profit.

    Fisher says this is an all-ages show and is open for the public to attend.

    The concert will take place at VFW Post 670, 3928 Doc Bennett Road, on Feb. 3. Pre-sale tickets are $15 while tickets at the door are $20. Only 250 tickets will be available.

    Doors to the concert will open at 6 p.m. and the live performances will start at 7 p.m.

    Tickets can be bought online at https://theticketing.co/events/22untilnonebenefit.

  • Im Unstoppable The annual fashion show from An Affair to Remember is back. The exhibition empowers local young women and female leaders in local businesses and non-profits.

    Kathy Jensen, the founder of An Affair to Remember, Pageant and Formal Wear, started the show eleven years ago. When community members approached her about a fashion show to highlight upcoming trends, she wanted to highlight women and girls in town instead.

    Then, four years ago, the community presented the idea of highlighting local women in business and non-profits, "Women of Power" in Fayetteville. These "Women of Power" would not only receive recognition, but they would also be able to talk to and inspire young women in high school.

    "It is one of the things we do as a business that if you are in high school and you buy a dress from us, you have the opportunity to walk the runway because there were so many pretty girls in here, but they didn't think they were pretty," Jensen told Up & Coming Weekly.

    Jensen hopes that the women in her shows present as role models and help set the tone for girls finding their place in the world.

    "My generation was a man's world. And as a young girl, you would be blessed if your parents thought you could be more than a housewife," Jensen said. "Young women are trying to figure it out. But when they see and meet women that are doing that, they look up to them and say, 'I can do that.'"

    "Women of Power" was met with success that a non-profit organization called "Women of Power" Society of N.C was born from the concept. Last year, they partnered with the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development (CEED) to host a "Women of Power" brunch, which sold out and was another resounding success. As a result, they are now looking to create an endowment fund to help women access financing for their businesses, especially during this time of financial uncertainty with the pandemic.

    Organizers hope that the endowment, set up with CEED, will help upcoming businesswomen know how to access government grants.

    "Empower them by knowledge," Jensen explained.

    This year's fashion show is themed "I'm Unstoppable."

    This upcoming show will be the tenth fashion show that An Affair to Remember will be hosting; they took one year off. This year, there will be two different shows. The first show, "Unstoppable Little Ladies," will feature girls from the elementary and middle school age ranges. That show will start at 2 p.m. with doors opening at 1:30 p.m.

    The second show will feature high school-aged girls and the "Women of Power." They will be wearing the latest prom and pageant dresses from top fashion designers. This show will start at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m.

    Overall, there will be 100 models this year and 20 featured "Women of Power."

    Jensen says that this show is a perfect girls' night out - especially for mothers and daughters.

    "It's a great night out. It's a great thing," Jensen said. "We have mothers and daughters that come every year. We have a group of girls that dress alike and come every year. We have people that dress up."

    Tickets for the "Unstoppable Little Ladies" show are $20, and tickets for the "Women of Power" show range from $20 to $400. Both shows will occur at the Crown Expo on Sunday, Jan. 23.

    Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect the new dates/times of the shows due to inclement weather.

  • Nadia Pasta Nadia Minniti, the owner of Gusto Napoletano Pizzeria and Restaurant, truly believes in good food. It’s part of why she offers cooking classes once a month at her restaurant.

    “I like to share with people what real Italian food is, what the culture is. My mission in life is to show people what real Italian food is,” said Minniti.
    Minniti opened Gusto Napoletano in 2019 and has been dishing up authentic Italian food for Fayetteville ever since.

    The restaurant, located on Raeford Road across the street from Harris Teeter, serves authentic food from Minniti’s hometown of Naples, Italy.

    The restaurant’s signature is a brick wood-burning pizza oven used to create an authentic Neapolitan pizza for patrons.

    Minniti, a trained chef, was awarded the pizzaiolo certificate by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana and is very proud of her Neapolitan pizza heritage.

    In addition to the pizza oven, the restaurant serves fresh, homemade pasta and other classic Italian fares. Minniti holds classes on cooking authentic Italian food every month in the spirit of sharing Italian cuisine.

    On Saturday, Jan. 22, at 3:30 p.m., she is hosting her next pasta class at the restaurant.

    This month’s class is centered around a square pasta known as spaghetti alla chitarra, or “guitar spaghetti.”

    The name comes from the traditional implement used to make the classic noodle shape; a wooden frame with metal strings. The pasta dough is rolled out, then placed on top of the frame, and is rolled again through the strings, creating a long, square-shaped noodle.

    Traditionally, the pasta is served with a hearty, rich sauce and covered in pecorino cheese.

    “This is an easy noodle to make; anyone at home can make a good tasting pasta,” said Minniti.

    Pasta students will be making their pasta dough during the class, then cutting the dough into long, square noodles.

    Minniti will have the sauce prepared beforehand. At the end of the hour-long class, participants will sample their creations. Minniti enjoys sharing the time with her students, who in turn seem to enjoy the classes.

    Participants get into the spirit of making Italian food and often pair the experience with a glass of wine or two.

    “I love teaching the class. We’ve had some characters,” she said.

    The class is currently being offered to adults and costs $37 per person. Minniti limits participation to ten people.

    Participants will be given ingredients and tools to use during the course.

    To register for the event, visit Gusto Napoletano’s Facebook page or purchase tickets through Eventbrite at:
    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/learn-to-make-pasta-dough-for-spaghetti-alla-chitarra-tickets-235958266527?aff=ebdssbdestsearch or by calling, 910-779-0622.

  • MLK Dream Jam Banner 02 Three hundred kids from local Cumberland County schools, both public and private, will face off during the second annual MLK Dream Jam at Terry Sanford High School, Jan. 15th and 17th.

    The event will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by advocating for children in the community to come together and play basketball.

    The MLK Dream Jam began in 2020 as a way for public and private school students to play basketball against each other in a friendly but competitive environment.

    Twenty-six teams will participate in the event this year, spread across two days. Twelve girls’ teams will challenge each other on Saturday, Jan. 15th, and 14 boys’ teams will compete against each other on Monday, Jan. 17th.

    Karl Molnar, a coach and teacher at Terry Sanford High School, is the event organizer.

    The idea of the MLK Dream Jam was to have public and private schools play against each other, explained Molnar, intending to keep it as local as possible. Molnar said that Fayetteville public and private schools have a history with one another.

    “Private and public schools have an interesting dynamic (in Cumberland County) … I want to bridge the gap where schools are standing in the same room and won’t talk to one another. I want us all to play nice in the sandbox together,” said Molnar.

    Holding the Dream Jam during the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday weekend helps the coaches and student-athletes celebrate and honor the legacy of the civil rights leader by coming together.

    With the MLK Dream Jam, Molnar and other coaches in the area hope to ease some of these inter-school tensions. Every game features a public-school team against a private school team. Additionally, university coaches and scouts in attendance can watch talented young student-athletes from the community as part of the recruitment process.

    “We wanted a reason for college coaches to come to one area on one day and see the talent in Fayetteville,” Molnar said.

    As for the kids, Molnar said they are excited to participate Several young student-athletes in Cumberland County play on travel teams with each other throughout the summer, but with this event, they get to compete against their friends. At the inaugural event in 2020, Molnar said the games were all very close and competitive, making for an exciting day of basketball.

    “The first event had six games during one day, and by the end of the day, the gym was packed. You couldn’t find a seat … the atmosphere was palpable. I’m excited for that to happen again,” he said.

    Players from other teams were in the audience that day, and several went back to their coaches to ask if they could join in the event the following year.

    Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event couldn’t be held in 2021. Molnar said he is anxiously excited about the event returning this year.

    The rise in cases from the Omicron variant brings a threat of cancellation, but Molnar and the others remain optimistic the event will go on as scheduled.

    The MLK Dream Jam will be at the Terry Sanford gymnasium on Jan. 15 and 17. Those interested in attending can purchase tickets at the door.

    Doors open on Saturday at 10 a.m., and Saturday tickets are $10. Monday’s festivities kick off at 8:15 a.m., and Monday tickets are $12. Six games are scheduled for Saturday, and seven on Monday. Attendees will be asked to wear a mask.

    Miller’s Crew food truck and Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop will be on location to provide food and refreshments.

  • Eons ago people told stories to pass on family history, to entertain, to retell adventures and to01-08-14-lies,-lies-more-lies.gifexplain the origins of man. Storytelling is a way to share, entertain and bond. The most entertaining stories; however, need not be completely true. Great storytellers can take even the dullest tale and remake it into a masterpiece. The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition hosted by The Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast puts local storytellers skills to the test. Competitors, bring your best “there I was...” story and come ready to embellish like never before. The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition is planned for Jan. 11 and promises to be great fun

    .Executive Director Jennifer Hansen McRae said the competition is “A great time with lots of laughs! The competition portion of the day will have 18-20 tellers telling three minute or less tall tales — the more extravagant the lie the better. Just make the judges believe it. Storyteller Tim Lowry is our head judge and he has great experience on both sides. He was a liar in the very first liar’s showdown. The evening’s events will feature Tim telling rodeo tales and the top three liars from the morning event.”

    According to McRae, stories range from fishing, to western and much more. The competitors have free range in their topics. The goal is just to be entertaining and as convincing as possible. For the audience members, the goal is just to enjoy the outrageous stories, and try to spot the lies. According to McRae, the best part of the day is, “Hearing the laughter and feeling the appreciation for the art of storytelling.”

    The day is all about leaving behind all concerns and indulging in a day of laughter and fun.

    Competitors must be 16 years old or older and come from the Southeast. Registration is required to participate and tickets are required to attend the event. Applications are available online. Tickets for either the afternoon or evening are $10. Tickets for both are $15. The competition takes place at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. Tim Lowry, the featured storyteller, will perform. Lowry is expected to put on quite a show regaling the crowd with whoppers about the rodeo.

    “There are no fees to participate — most of the spots are full for this year. The top three liars win cash prizes as well as trophies,” McRae said. In addition to the top three receiving prizes, there is also a People’s Choice Award and a Special Trophy. Lowry is the chief judge for this competition, but in total, there are three judges trying to uncover the lies in every extravagant story. All of the judges are from the Southeast, specifically North Carolina and the surrounding states.

    The competition is at The Storytelling & Arts Center of the Southeast. The building is located at 131 South Main St., Laurinburg. Tickets are available for purchase at www.storyartscenter.org. To register to participate, email Brenda Gilbert at bgilbert@sfoc.info or call 277-3599, or find an application at www.storyartscenter.org.

    Photo: Renowned storyteller Tim Lowry is set to perform and judge The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition at The Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast on Jan 11.

  • 01-05-11-friends-at-methodist.gifDesigned to provide a base of community and alumni support for the Department of Music at Methodist University, the Friends of Music has been able to not only bring top-notch performers to the community, but also to host concert receptions, establish an endowed music scholarship and present professional guest artist concerts and master classes. The Friends are now well into another season of stellar performances by local, national and international performers and are moving ahead in their mission to serve not only the community but the Methodist University School of Music as well.

    On Jan. 7, Gabriele Leporatti, a noted pianist, is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. in Hensdale Chapel as part of the Friends of Music annual music series.

    Leporatti comes to Fayetteville all the way from Italy. He began studying music at the tender age of six and by the time he was 19, he had graduated with not only high grades but also a special mention from L. Cherubini Conservatory in Florence. That same year he won the Joel Estes Tate scholarship and entered the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas as a student of Joaquin Achucarro.

    He received his artist certifi cate from Southern Methodist University in 1999, and has trained with world renowned artists like Also Ciccolini, Jerome Rose, Melvyn Tan, Edward Zilberkant, Fabio Bidini, Franco Rossi, Piero Rattalino and Dmitri Bashkirov and received awards in national and international competitions — third prize in the International Piano Competition, “Citta ai Pinerolo” a Special Award in Bremen Klavierwettbewerb and the Dorothy McKenzie Award, amongst others.

    Leporatti’s recordings include a four hands piano music CD with Fabio Bidini (Schubert, Brahms, Rachmaninoff) for Tru Sounds Label and a solo CD, The Young Brahms with early Brahms piano music.

    Leporatti is well traveled and has performed in places like Turkey, Spain, England, Germany and Switzerland with some of his performances being broadcast by classical radio stations like SAFM in South Africa and RBB Kulturradio in Germany.

    As the season progresses, look for events like the Guitar Festival concert in March, a faculty jazz combo, the third annual Methodist University Jazz Festival and more.

    Stay on top of the Friends of Music events at www.methodist.edu/music/friends10.pdf or become a member and support the arts in the community by calling the Methodist University Office of Development at 630-7200.

    Phoro: Gabriele Leporatti will perform at Methodist University on Jan. 7.

  • Since 1932, the North Carolina Symphony has been enthralling audiences with fi ne musical compositions and fi rst class entertainment. They perform 175 concerts annually throughout the state in varied settings and communities of all sizes. Whether it is a concert hall, a gymnasium or a park, the symphony is constantly and consistently reaching out to North Carolina residents to share with them the beauty and art of musical performances. They’ve partnered with other arts organizations like the Playmakers Repertory Company and the North Carolina Museum of Art to produce things like the four-concert series Crossing the Atlantic which examined cultural and musical dialogues between America and Britain and featured the work of Robin Holloway, James MacMillan, Edgar Meyer and Jennifer Higdon, among others.

    On Thursday, Feb. 3, the North Carolina Symphony will perform at Reeves Auditorium at Methodist University as part of their Dance in Music Series.

    The orchestra will play several pieces including Debussy’s “Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun” and “Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.” Renowned soloist Valentina Lisitsa will perform Saint-Sans’s “Piano Concerto No. 2”.

    Lisitsa was born in Kiev, Ukraine to a family of non-musicians. She began playing01-26-11-musicsymphony.gifthe piano at the age of three and had her fi rst solo recital when she was four. Although she is quite talented and music came easy to her, she had no intention of becoming a full-time musician. She had her sights set on becoming a professional chess player.

    “With a minimum of practice time, she sailed through the Kiev Conservatory, winning competitions along the way, by relying on her extraordinary sight-reading abilities and photographic memory. Valentina attributes her effortless technique to hours of mindless repetition of the most difficult passages while simultaneously devouring a book that interested her, which she kept open on her music stand. This way, she explains, she was able to convince her family that she was practicing,” according to the North Carolina Symphony.

    After meeting fellow student and her future partner, Alexei Kuznetsoff, at the Conservatory, Lisitsa began to think about music more seriously. The first major enterprise undertaken by the young couple turned out to be not only a great success but a turning point in their lives. They decided to prepare for the most important two-piano competition in the world — The Murray Dranoff Two Piano Competition.

    In one year of intense work they achieved something which ordinarily takes decades — becoming a seamless unity as a duo-piano team. Their reward, in addition to winning fi rst prize in the 1991 Competition, was an opportunity to move to the United States and launch a career as one of the most highly-esteemed piano duos in the country, beginning with their orchestral debut at the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center in New York.

    The dance portion of the evening will include Polovtsian Dances from Borodin’ opera Prince Igor. The Polovtsy were nomadic invaders of Russia who, in the opera, capture Igor.

    The show starts at 8 p.m. Visit http://www.ncsymphony.org/ for tickets and more info.

    Photo above right: Valentina Lisitsa

  • 03 pexels andrea piacquadio 3768723The reality is that big tech has now jumped right into the arena of the war on censorship. After last week's rally in D.C., Facebook cut user's live feeds. Later, Twitter and Facebook deleted President Trump's account and many others.

    Let's be honest: for years, Google, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook have all been picking and choosing what's seen and not seen on social media platforms. This summer, we watched day and night riots, cities burning, stores looted, police assaulted and thugs were indiscriminately beating the crap out of people. We watched uncensored social media accounts of these coordinated riots and attacks from all across the county.

    I understand that these "big tech" companies have the right to do as they wish. I get it. But, now, it's their way or the highway. In a world of competition, a new company immerged called Parler. If you are not familiar with Parler, it has pitched itself as "Twitter without restrictions." Twitter and Facebook are both free apps, and the president nor anyone else owns them. In exchange for this free service, they use our information and our keystrokes then sell that data to other companies. So last week, the president jumped on Parler. But no-no, without warning, Google pulled Parler from the Google Play Store, and Apple's App Store followed suit. Amazon hosts Parler on their Amazon Web Services and has also threatened to pull Parler. If AWS pulls Parler, they will more than likely be finished. All of this under the pretense that Trump supporters used Parler to call for violence at the Capitol. Really?

    I protest a lot, not in force and not at a demonstration. I quietly resist. I usually protest by not purchasing or using a company's products or services. If you have an Apple phone, Apple requires you to go through their App Store to load apps.

    Google does the same. Amazon owns one of the most extensive web hosting services in the world. When we hear the word cloud, that is part of it. Your information and the company's platforms are stored on their servers.

    Who made these "high-tech" companies responsible for national security? Isn't that law enforcement's job? If there were plots to overthrow the country beforehand, why didn't they report them to the FBI or Homeland Security? When these companies unilaterally or collectively decide to target private citizens, businesses and organizations, that is a conspiracy known as racketeering. Now is the time for Attorney Generals and the FBI to do their jobs and start opening and investigating some cases.

    Why is this happening? Imagine, what if the 78 million people who voted for Donald Trump decided to close their Facebook account and move to Parler? Their revenue would drop, and their stock would nosedive. And, what if 78 million people decided to no longer use Amazon for their shopping and decide to go back to shopping at their local stores?

    Although these actions are not state-run communist propaganda machines, the effects are the same. These high-tech companies are essentially suppressing American's freedom of speech and restricting our First Amendment rights.

    Today, everything revolves around the internet. For years, we were told to stop killing trees, protect the environment and save the planet. This made it easy to move toward the internet and social media. Even if you are frustrated and fed up with all of this, we find ourselves with very few alternatives because we cannot disconnect. Almost everything in our daily lives is connected to the internet. Payroll is electronic with no option to pay in cash. We do taxes via the internet. Our televisions, watches and Amazon Alexas all are collecting data 24/7. Our modern vehicles track every place we go and continually sends out data with no option to turn off the transmitters.

    Can we go back to old school dial-up telephones, manual typewriters and Post Office mail? Can we demand we get paid via a paper check or real cash? How about we quit debating about election fraud and decide to dump electronic voting machines and return to in-person voting on paper ballots. While we are at it, let's get back on the gold standard. Here, in less than 800 words, I laid out how we can fix some issues in America pretty quickly. By the way, does anyone know how to train carrier pigeons?

  • 07 random kindnessIf you're reading this, congratulations – you made it! You're almost a month into a brand new year. A year that came pre-loaded with its challenges and thoughts of what victories lie ahead,and the memories of time gone by. Over the past year many of us celebrated the joy and excitement of new life, some experienced the sadness of loss, and, if we're at all alike, we've done our best to be a friend offering encouragement in the wake of both the best and worst of times.

    If nothing else, 2020 gave me opportunity once again to acknowledge the fact we're all just passing through. We get, we give, we have and we hold, but in the end we arrive at the same humbling conclusion – everything on this earth is temporary. While we build mighty castles to wall us in or monuments to all we consider great, the only true legacy we leave will be found in how we loved. Over time I've learned to loosen my grip on the things I think I control, lest they begin to control me in return. And I am reminded there is a time and season for everything, and a marvelous Creator who steadies and stills us though it all.

    I don't want to beat a depressingly melancholy drum too long, so let's peer down the road from these first days of 2021 with the knowledge we have choices. We can each choose to see a winding road strewn with rocks, slopes, and unknown peril around each bend, or look a little further to the beauty of the horizon, with the realization the road itself is a journey worth taking. Each step brings us closer to something new, and often leads us away from things familiar.

    In either case we take those steps both challenged and comforted by an immensely wise Creator who seems to say, "Be prepared to let go of anything I take from you, but never let go of My hand!"

    You may have entered 2021 without making a resolution or a promise, but there is plenty of positive change you can work on this year. Start by simply being grateful. Take stock in all you've already been given. More than food, a decent car, a home or stuff to fill it, count the blessings of family, friends, and life itself. At WCLN, our daily charge is to bring relationships alive and deliver music filled with the good news that God loves you. The two greatest things we he hope to inspire in you is to love Him back, and love others more than yourself. That's what makes Christian 105.7 different, and it will work for you, too.

    Enjoy your family and friends today. Give extra hugs and words of love just because you can. Make the world a happier place by doing some extra act of kindness. Smile a little bit longer. Most importantly, be grateful for the life you've been given.

  • 03 social meadia screenInauguration Day has come and gone, and democracy has prevailed, though not without national pain. A week after a violent, bloody and deadly insurrection at our United States Capitol, our new President and Vice President were sworn in on the steps of that same sacred building before a sprinkling of spectators in a city on near-total lockdown.

    It is both reassuring and horrifying that at least some on the podium, including President Biden and Vice President Harris and their spouses, were reportedly wearing body armor and other protective clothing.

    This unprecedented American inauguration begs the question, “how on God’s green earth did the people of the United States find ourselves in an uncivil war with each other?”
    Social scientists and historians will debate this long after we are gone, and there are surely many factors. Our immediate past President, an active combatant in the uncivil war certainly stoked its fires by both his policies and incendiary language. He did not, however, invent our differences, many of which go back to the earliest days of our nation. He did make it acceptable to voice opinions not acceptable in the past, and that has shoved many Americans into hard and fast positions we find difficult to change.

    Another, harder to pin down, factor is a gift from expanding technologies, social media. This general category includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Tik Tok and others used by millions around the world but which digital immigrants like this writer may not know even exist, much less use. As best I understand the technologies, they are powered by algorithms, which allow social media platforms to tell us what they think we want to hear, based on choices we make online.

    A simple example of this phenomenon is if I search for “blue sweater, size M,” it will not be long before ads for blue sweaters, size M pop up on my computer screen. No harm done, and I just might order one.

    More ominous, though, is information fed to us that a is less fact-based and more opinion-based. "The Social Dilemma," a Netflix documentary, explores how the choices we make online, such as “likes,” create our “digital tattoo.” This tattoo identifies us in certain ways and affects how we are perceived both by people who read our posts and also by the technologies that power them. For example, if one person searches for and/or “likes” mainly conservative information or posts, and another person searches for and/or “likes” mainly liberal information or posts, both will find themselves in echo chambers, getting more and more of the same and less and less of the other. This means that if a skeptic and a believer both search for “climate change,” they will get different answers based on their past search behavior. Both answers will be tailored to the user, and neither may be factually accurate.

    Think of it this way. Unless you search for a hard fact such as “how many quarts in a galloon,” the answer you get is going to be based more on how you are perceived generated by algorithms created just for you.

    It is like we have siloed ourselves in two separate Towers of Babel. Those in one shout at those of us in the other, but we do not understand what those in the other tower are saying. In 2021 reality, MSNBC viewers cannot understand Fox News and vice versa.

    Calls for social media regulation are increasing, and rightly so given their worldwide influence and inability to regulate themselves. Congress is expected to take up the issue this session. At the end of the day, though, it is we the American people who must reach out to each other from our separate Towers of Babel and seek common ground.

    Let the healing begin.

  • 02 empty press briefingHey, what's going on? Where? Here in Fayetteville? Raleigh? Washington D.C.? Portland, Seattle? "What's going on?" used to be a friendly, inquisitive and common query? Now, this once innocuous inquiry is met all too often with the flippant response: "How the hell should I know!" That's because they don't know. No one knows. How could they? The news media has gone off course and lost its sense of responsibility along with its journalistic integrity.

    Hey, what's going on? Who the hell knows, but, you will surely know what this generation of inept news media posers want you to know. If it's news that doesn't suit or endorse the narrative of their political agenda or their employers' or advertisers' political agenda, then generally speaking, "it isn't news!"

    As you read the next few hundred words, try to read them through the lens of being an American. Not a white, Black, brown, Democratic, Republican, Liberal, Conservative or vegetarian American, just an American. Think about how great it is. Do we not live in the most fabulous county in the world? And, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation, what do we all have in common? Our freedom. So many freedoms. Why would we want to give them up or put them in jeopardy? We wouldn't. At least, not intentionally. This is why the First Amendment of our Constitution is so vital to our existence as a free nation.

    Without free speech and the free press, we have no idea what our government leadership is doing. And, nothing good has ever come from that. Traditionally, the news media has been the formidable guardian of truth and the ardent enemy of tyranny. Unfortunately, today the media has acquiesced to political and commercial pressures. Now, the tech giants like Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google are closing in on Americans by censoring free speech and picking and choosing what news and information we are entitled to receive. (Sound a little Third Reich?) This is a bold and blatant example of extinguishing American freedoms. It doesn't make any difference what color, race or political persuasion you are, in the end, if this continues, you are going to lose your rights and liberties along with the rest of America.

    Let's put all this on a local perspective and be honest with each other. The next time someone says to you, "Hey, what's going on in Fayetteville?" Admit it! You have NO IDEA! How could you? We are a community of over 300,000, and we have no local TV station, an inept failing daily newspaper, and no media outlets willing to report on local issues and news. Local taxpaying citizens have no idea what is taking place at Fayetteville's City Hall, the County Courthouse, the CC school board meetings, or any other government meetings. We don't know our law enforcement status, what our crime rate is or how our tax dollars are being spent. We have little knowledge of how well our Mayor and fellow council members are performing, and we very, very seldom hear from our City Manager. In other words, Fayetteville and Cumberland County need local news media to keep residents informed on how our community is functioning. This is the responsibility of the local press and what residents expect. The Fayetteville community has a great deal of growth and economic potential. Citizens need to communicate with their local officials and monitor their performance, ensuring they have the community's priorities in proper order and are spending their tax dollars prudently.

    Most people who know me know I'm not a fan of social media. I think it has a few good attributes, but mostly it causes more harm than good by disseminating false and misleading information. Besides, I don't believe in "aiding and abetting" the enemy. Using or providing support, financial or otherwise, to Google, Amazon, Apple, or Facebook only empowers them with more authority to restrict information and impede our First Amendment rights. So, knowing as a local community newspaper, I cannot affect or influence these mega tech companies' sinister actions, I will continue to focus my media concerns locally on Fayetteville and Cumberland County. The Up & Coming Weekly newspaper will continue to work within the journalism industry's basic guidelines and ethics. And, with the help and support of the community, we are working hard to prevent the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community from becoming the next North Carolina "news media desert."

    We desperately need to know what is going on at City Hall, in the County Commissioners' chambers, and at the meetings of the school board and other public gatherings. More importantly, we need honest and factual information to hold our local government officials accountable - information required to celebrate their achievements and congratulate their accomplishments, as well as admonish incompetence and neglect when it exists. It's all about LOCAL. It's all about transparency, and it's all about accountability. It all starts with free speech and the FREE PRESS. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • The Darkest Hour (Rated PG13) 4 Stars01-11-12-movie.jpg

    I’m gonna go out on a limb here and pronounce The Darkest Hour (89 minutes) an enjoyable little sci-fi, even though apparently everyone but me hates it. Director Chris Gorak’s freshman film was a neat little Indie flick called Right at Your Door, and if you blinked and missed its release, Netflix has that little gem. Along with Gorak, for those of you who care, this is the first screenplay credited to Prometheus writer Jon Spaihts (the Ridley Scott movie set in the Alien universe!). Not to mention that producer Timur Bekmambetov directed the original Russian version of Nightwatch!

    Before we get any farther, I want to put out there what everyone was thinking about during the trailer for this movie. I don’t think this counts as a spoiler, because it is in every commercial. Filmmakers, it would be much easier to like you and celebrate your good points if you hadn’t killed the dog. Never kill the dog. Seriously. Wipe out most of humanity, gut the planet, knock down the buildings. But you heartless monsters: Do. Not. Kill the dog. Ever. I don’t even want to think about what hap-pened to Faraday kitty DJ Lance Rock.

    The film takes place in Moscow, where Sean (Emile Hirsch) and Ben (Max Minghella) have traveled to seal the deal on some kind of dot-com startup. After a day touring the city, they wind up in a nightclub that only allows pretty people inside. Naturally, they meet the only other Americans in Moscow, Natalie (Olivia Thirlby) and Anne (Rachael Taylor, who is techni-cally Australian).

    Since none of them speak Russian or know their way around Moscow, when the aliens come they are immediately dispatched. Except that some-how doesn’t happen, and they wind up hiding in some kind of basement pantry. Eventually, they claim to be out of food (despite the sticks of delicious pepperoni clearly visible in the background) and decide to leave their safe haven in search of the American embassy. That works out about as well as you would expect.

    For most of the search, it seems that Natalie would apparently rather walk barefoot through the bizarrely clean Russian streets than loot some Russian sneakers. I hear you Natalie! Buy American! Finally, they hole up in a mall (as you do following an apocalypse) and after a few hours of staring blankly at each other, decide to liberate some sup-plies, including some stylish black suede calf length boots for Natalie. Remember, the world might have ended, but that is no excuse to ignore fashion! Of course, it helps when your hair and make-up are designed to last for weeks without a shower.

    In their travels, they discover the scientific principles of the alien defense systems, despite having no technical training whatsoever. It is good to know that in every end-of-the-world scenario, there is that one smart guy who lives just long enough to explain what is going on to the pretty young idiots, who aren’t even smart enough to remember how to hide from aliens from one scene to the next.

    Finally, let’s take just a moment to ponder over the anti-intellectual theme of the movie. To put it simply, the smarter the character, the quicker they died. The entire film is a celebration of impulse and intuitiveness. Ah well, the prettiest ones lived. Overall, if you enjoyed Skyline you will like this, and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.

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

  • 01-18-12-hilltop-house.jpgAs someone who grew up in Fayetteville and is often back home for business and fam-ily, I am always appreciative of some of our more sincere non-chain restaurants. My constant favorite is hands-down the Hilltop House, which is located in the histor-ic community of Haymount.

    The dining atmosphere is warm and inviting — and thoughtfully respectful of the 110 year plus history of the home. While the interior makes for a wonderful respite and a marvelous setting to conclude business, it is the food and the wine list that brings me back and solidifies Hilltop House as my favorite Fayetteville restaurant.

    A thoughtful restaurant menu must always be paired with an informed wine list. The Hilltop does not disappoint. The domestic wines are of ex-cellent value and range from subtle crisp Washington State Rieslings to a Big Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon. There is an equally impressive selec-tion of international wines, all thoughtfully and extremely well considered — as we would expect from internationally traveled proprietor Sandra Shearin.

    Ahh, but the main reason I am such a big fan is clearly the food. Irrespective, of whether it is only a small bite of lunch or a big night out for dinner, the menu is as wonderfully varied as the wine. Chefs Beth Smith and Matt Graham exhude both confidence and creativity in their preparation.

    There is no obvious prejudice to a certain style or kitchen. This culinary freedom allows Hilltop to vary its menu and experiment with new opportunities.

    My “never let me down” favorites are their simple shrimp bisque, stuffed pork chops and just about every salad they make.

    Living in Charlotte affords me wonderful res-taurant choices. My wife and I have several that we frequent there, but back in my hometown of Fayetteville I am always eager to find another reason to dine at Hilltop House.

    After all, I have only scratched the surface of their wine list and I have too many assured favorite dishes yet to sample.

    Photo: Sandra Shearin and Beth Smith share a toast at the Hilltop House.

  •     Jeff Worth, seated, and Paul McArdle are ready to get your motor running as Rockfish Motor Sports prepares to open a go-kart course on Rockfish Road.
        On Jan. 17, Rockfish Motor Sports will open a 1/8th-mile track on Rockfish Road, just behind the Rockfish Flea Mall.
    You will be able to bring your go-kart to the track to kick up dust and trade a little paint, or, if you don’t own a go-kart, you’ll be able to rent one.
        It’s all about having fun while keeping safe and out of trouble said Paul McArdle, a spokesman for Rockfish Motor Sports.
        “It’s going to be a family-oriented operation,” said McArdle. “It will give kids a place to ride go-karts rather than down railroad tracks or power lines or streets or neighbors’ yards.”
        The track is the brainchild of Bill Brown, owner of Brownies Towing on the Cumberland/Hoke County line. Brown used to race competitively himself, burning up the oval in the Legends series — a sort of miniature version of NASCAR.
    Also, Brown’s two sons — a 4-year-old and a 14-year-old — are into riding go-karts.
        “It’s a hobby more than a business for Mr. Brown,” said Jeff Worth, a mechanic for Rockfish Motor Sports. “It’s something he got hooked on. He wants to make money but it’s also to have fun.”
        While McArdle says the track will give kids a safe alternative to tearing up local streets or cow pastures, he realizes that “big kids” will be attracted to the thrill of the ride as well.
        “We feel there is going to be a great demand, not only from children but by military personnel,” said McArdle. “The Special Forces and 82nd Airborne are very gung ho and like thrills.”
        And even though there will be plenty of thrills and chills at the track, safety will be the first concern. While some of the go-karts sold by Rockfish Motor Sports will attain speeds of up to 40 mph, there will be a 25 mph speed limit on the course. The limit will be enforced on the rental karts through the use of a governor.
        In order to further ensure safety, all drivers must sign a waiver before taking the track and anyone under 12 must have the signed permission of a parent or guardian.
        Also, all drivers will be required to wear a helmet and goggles while on the track.
        “If people exceed the speed limit we’ll ask them to leave,” said McArdle.
        The price for racing around the track is $30 a half hour — $25 if you have your own kart. The rental price includes the use of goggles and a helmet. Of course, McArdle says Rockfish Motor Sports would love to sell you those safety accessories … as well as a go-kart or two.
        {mosimage}Worth says the company has hopes of having organized, competitive races at the track — races fueled, perhaps, by a local professional rivalry or two.
        “Maybe we can get some Hoke County deputies and some highway patrolmen out there and have a little friendly competition,” said Worth.
        There are also tentative plans to invite groups and organizations that may not have access to go-kart racing.
        “We’d like to bring in groups like handicapped children and have them ride the karts for free,” said McArdle, “… set up certain days for certain groups.”
        And to make sure the racers are well fed, Rockfish Motor Sports will have food vendors on hand to satisfy the masses. In fact, pretty much all food vendors are invited to come on out and set up — just call the folks at Rockfish Motor Sports and tell them you’re interested.
        Food vendors will probably do a pretty brisk business, as numerous go-kart aficionados have already inquired about the track.
        “We’re getting all kinds of interest since we put signs up and started advertising,’ said Worth. “One day when we over there working on the track we had 30 people come in asking about it.
        “We really think this will take off because there’s nothing like it around here,” said Worth.
        The tentative hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon; and Sunday, 2-5 p.m.
        For more information, call Rockfish Motor Sports at 237-5898, or stop by the company’s location at 10298 Fayetteville Road.

    Contact Tim Wilkins at tim@upandcomingweekly.com





























     
     







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  •    They say the eating of chocolate is one of life’s “sinful” pleasures.
       However, the 6th Annual A Chocolate Affair to Remember — sponsored by the Catholic Charities of Fayetteville — will allow you to have your truffle and eat it too... minus any guilt.
       {mosimage}The event will be held Jan. 31, 7 p.m., at Saint Ann Catholic Community Social Hall in downtown Fayetteville and is the only annual fundraiser for Catholic Charities of Cumberland County. A $25 ticket will allow you to indulge in a variety of chocolate treats and beverages, along with fruit and cheese. There will also be both a silent and live auction emceed by local auctioneer Col. Robert Pegram and a White Chocolate Elephant Table chock full of special, donated goodies.
       All money raised at the event will go toward the mission of Catholic Charities, which provides emergency assistance to those in need, outfits a child’s and infant’s closet, and provides counseling and job placement.
       “The money we raise from this fundraiser is given to those in need, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity,” said George Quigley, a spokesman for Catholic Charities — the oldest charity in North Carolina. “The biggest needs are emergency assistance and counseling in child abuse situations. With the bad economy we’re seeing a substantial increase in the number of requests for assistance.
       The chocolate, desserts, fruit and cheese are all donated by a number of local businesses, individuals  and chocolatiers, including Jeannie Nelson, owner of The Chocolate Lady located in downtown Fayetteville.
       “It’s a wonderful cause and it’s a popular, well-run event,” said Nelson. “Last year I did a lot of chocolate strawberries, which I’ll have a lot of this year. And I like to do a lot of fun stuff, such as chocolate ladybugs and butterflies — things people aren’t expecting. I usually try to do a variety of things. I also try to throw in some crazy things. One year I did a chocolate carousel as a centerpiece.
       “I think it’s a very important event this year with the shape of the economy,” said Nelson. “It’s a reasonably priced event and you get a lot for your money, including great tasting treats and entertainment.”


    Contact Tim Wilkins at tim@upandcomingweekly.com
  • The Impossible (Rated PG-13) 3 Stars01-30-13-movie.gif

    The Impossible (114 minutes) is a hard film to review. First, it is based on the true story of real people who survived the most devastating tsunami in recent memory. That makes it real hard to crack jokes or make sarcastic observations, and that’s 90 percent of my typical review content. Second, the acting isn’t terrible. The other 10 percent of most of my reviews revolves around calling out the over and under actors.

    The length was fine, the narrative arc balanced throughout the film, and director Juan Antonio Bayona managed to avoid Spielbergian levels of emotional manipulation. Most of the bodies that show up are covered, but there are several scenes that hint at the number of dead — though, I sus-pect, without conveying the true magnitude of the disaster. Toss your leads around in a huge water tank all you want, it’s still going to fall short of the actual tsunami.

    I may not have much to work with, but I can point out that the story of a Spanish family was conveniently turned into the story of a bunch of white people. In the film, María Belón is called Maria Bennet (Naomi Watts), her husband Enrique becomes Henry (Ewan McGregor) and son Tomas becomes Thomas (Samuel Joslin). At least sons Lucas (Tom Holland) and Simon (Oaklee Pendergast) get to keep their names. The director may claim that his goal was to create a family of ambiguous ethnic background, but he didn’t do such a good job since after seeing the film I was left with the impression that they were from England originally. I’m not sure which was the biggest clue, but maybe it was the English accents?

    The film opens on a plane. A family of five is headed overseas to vaca-tion in Thailand. There is a bit of character-establishing family discussion. It seems that Thomas is upset by his older brother Lucas ignoring him, so Mom Maria runs interference. Meanwhile, Henry fills out paperwork. As family dynamics go, the brief scene is enough to reveal all. There is a bit of mild sibling rivalry, a stay at home mom mediating the squabbles and a father more concerned with external needs than family business. McGregor and Watts have a fairly realistic chemistry and the two youngest kids are too cute to be believed.

    They settle into their rooms, complete with ocean view and do vacation stuff together. They celebrate Christmas and I wonder about the lo-gistics of shipping Christmas presents back and forth by plane. Wouldn’t going to Thailand be present enough? Perhaps my standards for gift exchange are a bit off.

    The appearance of the tsunami is both intense and brutal, occurring just as Henry and the two younger boys are playing in the pool, separated from Maria and Lucas. The film follows Maria and Lucas as they are swept away and hurled into a va-riety of moving and stationary objects by the unrelenting flood waters. This is seriously edge-of-the-seat stuff. Eventually, battered and dressed in the remains of their lounging-by-the-pool outfits they reach semi-safety and are assisted by locals. The rest of the film is about this little family trying to reconnect in a sea of people. Overall, a tense film that man-ages to show just a little bit of the reality of a devastating natural disaster.

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

  •     Hamlet brandishing a cell phone?
        Guildenstern and Rosencrantz strapped with pearl-handled .38s?
        Alas, poor Yorick, I thought I knew one of Shakespeare’s greatest works so well; however, there appears to be more things going on in Sanford with the Temple Theatre’s production of Hamlet“than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
        Beginning Jan. 8 and going through Jan. 25, Shakespeare lovers will be treated to a production unlike any they have probably ever seen as Hamlet is modernized, complete with all the trappings of the 21st century, including the aforementioned cell phone and firearms, as well as a multimedia presentation never dreamt of by the stage hands working the old Globe Theatre.
        {mosimage}Temple Theatre has partnered with Washington, D.C.-based Cyburbia Productions to present new media displays designed to enhance the impact of Shakespeare’s great tragedy. This twist on Hamlet marries theater with film. Images on screens will be scattered across the stage, movies are presented to the court, and an entire chapel is created with the magic of digital video. 
        Rick St. Peter, the play’s director, originally staged this version of Hamlet at his home theater, Actors Guild of Lexington, Ky. 
        “This will be a very different production of Hamlet,” said St. Peter. “As the action unfolds on the stage, there will be video and animations accompanying the play. We will be taking one of the great canons of Western literature and combining it with a 21st century production. Watching this version of Hamlet makes the audience feel as if it is inside a live movie.”
        Before all you Shakespeareophiles doth protest too much over a seemingly heretical redoing of this great tragedy, know that this is not the first time the Bard’s works have been altered to reflect modern times. Take for instance the 1996 film version of Romeo and Juliet, which was set in present day Verona Beach, Calif., featuring gun-toting Montagues and Capulets, as well as Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in the titular roles. Also, Shakespeare’s Othello was retold in the 2000 flick O, with Mekhi Phifer as a high school basketball star named Odin who travels down the primrose path of Shakespearean tragedy in the modern South.
        And while this modernized riff on Shakespeare’s tragic warhorse may be new to folks around here, St. Peter is an old pro, having pulled off the play numerous times before, though, according to St. Peter, never with such a talented cast.
        “This is probably the best cast I’ve had,” said St. Peter. “They are sensational. Theater goers are in for a real treat.”
        The cast is pared down to 10 actors, including Temple favorites Tom Dalton and Michael Brocki; St. Peter also cast Adam Luckey, who portrayed Hamletin the original production at Actors Guild of Lexington.
        In addition to retelling the story of the murder of Hamlet’s father and the title character’s bittersweet revenge, St. Peter and his cast have made a work that is dense with symbolism and metaphor a little more “real.”
        “The Temple Theatre’s board of directors watched one of our final rehearsals and they said they loved it because they could understand it,” said St. Peter. “It’s such great material … It’s the ultimate ghost story.”
        And remember, all you folks concerned that this isn’t your father’s Shakespeare, when you come right down to it, the play’s the thing.
        Hamletwill be performed at the Temple Theatre in Sanford from Jan. 8-25. Show times are Thursday 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m. (Student matinees Friday, Jan. 16 & 23 at 9:30 a.m.) For ticket prices and more information, call the Temple Theatre at (919) 774-4155, or the Web site www.templeshows.com.

    Contact Tim Wilkins at tim@upandcomingweekly.com 

  •     Latin Grammy award winner Nestor Torres brings his music to the Crown Theatre on Friday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m.
    If a flute could talk and sing, it would certainly be in the voice of Nestor Torres, for he speaks through his instrument. Equally fluent in jazz, classical and Latin idioms, his fluid versatility sets him apart. Torres’ total command of his instrument allows him a freedom of expression that is at once captivating and liberating, powerful and genuine.
        Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Torres has played music all his life. His parents (the father, a gifted musician himself, and mother, an educator and business woman) gave him a set of drums at age 5, and later took up the flute (at age 12). He moved to New York City with his family in his teenage years and went on to study at Mannes School of Music and later at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. At that time he was also able to learn to improvise in a style of Cuban Dance music called charanga, which helped to shape and develop Torres’ melodic and danceable sound.
        {mosimage}Torres has recorded 13 CDs to date. His fifth and seventh records, Treasure of the Heart and My Latin Soul, were nominated for a Latin Grammy, and his production, This Side of Paradise, won the Latin Grammy award in the pop instrumental category on Sept. 11, 2001.
        “Of course it was a great honor and privilege to win the Grammy,” said Torres. “That being said, the fact that I was to receive it on 9/11 gave my work and my music a stronger sense of mission and purpose. Terrorism and violence come from ignorance, anger, and hopelessness. Music inspires and empowers; it soothes the human heart and enlightens the spirit. I have made it my prime point to create music and live my life in a way that does just that.”
        On his brand new CD, Nouveau Latino, Torres returns to his Latin roots with a fresh approach, impeccable musicianship, and irresistible improvisations. Featuring songs from stars like Celia Cruz and Ruben Blades, Torres’ interpretations of these great Latin hits appeal to those discovering the songs for the first time as much as those who remember them.
        Tickets are $25 and $55 ($55 ticket includes meet and greet, private table near stage, drinks and desserts) and are currently on sale. Tickets are available at the Crown Center box office, online at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. For more information, call (910) 438-4100 or visit www.crowncoliseum.com.
        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.
  • In August of 2010, Fayetteville was ranked as the second highest per-capita income in North Carolina, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The per-capita income in the Fayetteville metro area, which includes Cumberland and Hoke counties, was $40,917 in 2009, up 4.8 percent from 2008’s $39,054.01-04-12-local-business.jpg

    In October 2010, the Miliken Institute ranked Fayetteville as the 18th best-performing large city in the nation, up from 31st place the previous year. Fayetteville was also ranked third in the nation for one-year job growth and sixth in the nation for one-year wage and salary increases by the same institute.

    June of 2011 saw Fayetteville named the best city for college graduates by the Daily Beast .

    Policom Corporation’s Economic Strength Rankings 2011 ranked the Fayetteville metropolitan statistical area as the 92nd strongest in the country.

    In June of 2011, Fayetteville won its fourth All-America City Award.

    These are some impressive achievements for a place once known as Fayettenam.

    It takes more than one industry to rate numbers like this. The city’s small business community is a large part of what drives the economy and what makes Fayetteville news worthy.

    One sign of the strength of Fayetteville businesses is the success of non-franchise restaurants that are successful in the community. Fayetteville’s locally owned restaurants span a wide variety of tastes and cultures: The Bombay Bistro, Vietnamese Restaurant, Zorba’s, Mi Casita, Lido’s, Bella Villa, Mash House, Huske Hardware House, Hilltop House and the Haymont Grill.

    These are just a few of the many locally owned businesses that, through patronage of their customers, strengthen the local economy. They hold a special place in the community’s heart because they offer experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. Manufacturing and industry also have a long established presence in Fayetteville. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., employs 2,600 people and has invested more than $295 million locally. DuPont has a plant here too and has invested more than $70 million in our economy.

    Adding to the momentum of the local economy, is the push to bring higher technology and higher wage jobs to the area. A dedication to growth by leveraging our military presence to strenthen the economy has seen impressive results. Greater Fayetteville Futures opened the Military Business Center in Fayetteville to assist businesses with military and other federal contracts and help military family members connect with job opportunities. The result is nearly 600 contracts worth $2.7 billion awarded to North Carolina firms. Companies including RLM, L3 Communications and Booz Allen Hamilton have come to Fayetteville bringing with them more than 600 high-tech jobs.

    Together, these businesses pack a mighty punch in our favor — both locally and nationally.

  • 01-04-12-city-embraces.jpgGiven the size of Fayetteville — a little more than 200,000 citizens according to the 2010 census — and the many nationalities that make up the population, it just makes sense that the city chooses to celebrate its diversity and cherish the strength that comes from being a city with such a large international influence.

    Fort Bragg adds richness to the ethnic and cultural composition of our population. Military-connected students are more than 20 percent of the school district’s enrollment. More than 40 languages are spoken by students in local schools ranging from Spanish to Farsi. The ethnic composition of local schools consists of 63 percent minority populations.The city is so dedicated to embracing its diversity, that in September 2011, the Fayetteville City Council gave formal support to the State proclamation that declares September as Diversity Month. The celebration of diversity month goes hand-in-hand with the community’s own celebration — the International Folk Festival.

    The State proclamation reads, “cities and towns across our state will celebrate … by encouraging citizens to have lunch and open a dialogue with someone from a different background during the month of September and throughout the year.” The International Folk Festival, which was held Friday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 25, offered local citizens the chance to not only initiate such a conversation, but to experience some of the customs practiced by citizens in the All-America City.

    This is fitting, as Fayetteville can best be described as a cultural mosaic and is, in fact, statistically the fourth most diverse city in the country.

    The State proclamation speaks to that kind of diversity: “our cities and towns reflect the ethnicities, cultures, religions, orientations and abilities of many people living out the promises of a nation founded on the premise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.”

    The Arts Council Fayetteville Cumberland County is especially good at showcasing the beauty and differences of the many nationalities found locally.

    The organization funds much of the artistic and cultural activity in the area and sponsors exhibits and festivals throughout the year. Operating grants for things like the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, local theaters and arts organizations make the quality of life better for everyone and contribute to the many reasons Fayetteville won the All America City Award for the third time.

    A sure sign of the community’s dedication to celebrating its heritage and culture occurs every fall. For more than three decades, the Arts Council has hosted the International Folk Festival, which is a weekend celebration of diversity and culture. The event includes a parade that showcases local cultural groups. Participants wear the ceremonial dress of their native countries and sing and dance as they make their way down the city center in a Parade of Nations. As the festival continues, Festival Park fills with people eager to try cuisine from the many nations represented in the various celebrations. The stages overflow with dancers in colorful costumes and melodies from around the world fill the air.

    Fayetteville residents have the opportunity to share their unique heritage and culture with their neighbors. School children get to see their classmates in a new light. They see them not as the kid who sits next to them in class, but as the kid who has an exotic and rich hertiage, and as a kid who honors that heritage.

    In addition to participating in the International Folk Festival, many local cultural clubs host events throughout the year and invite the public to partake in the festivities.

    In the fall the Greek community spends a weekend sharing their love of people, music and food. Sample the fare, dance with the dance troupes and tour the church to learn more about the culture and faith of these passionate and friendly people.

    “So many of the Greeks came here with nothing,” said Kelly Papagikos wife of Father Alex Papgikos of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Fayetteville. “They built their lives here and became successful and they want to share their blessings with the people and the town that accepted them and made them feel welcome.”

    Likewise, each spring the India Festival entices the community to partake in the culture of the Asian Indian community. Visitors learn about customs, sample the food and enjoy traditional dances and customs. The festival organizers then donate the money raised from the event to different charities in the community as a way to give back to their friends and neighbors. In the past six years the festival has donated more than $85,000 to local organizations including Wounded Warriors, YMCA, Falcon Children’s Home and the Center for Economic Empowerment & Development.01-04-12-city-embraces-2.jpg

    Reinforcing cultural diversity, Friends of African & African-American Art brought WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball to Fayetteville in 2011. The exhibit is described as “The story of gifted athletes and determined owners, racial discrimination and international sportsmanship, fortunes won and lost, and triumphs and defeats on and off the field. It is a perfect mirror for the social and political history of black America in the first half of the 20th century.”

    These are just a few of the many events put on by different groups in the community. These efforts share with friends and neighbors, build bridges and grow relationships. Events like these are just one of the many factors that contribute to Fayetteville’s prize-winning, multicultural atmosphere.

    “For a city this size, we are blessed to have such diversity,” said Papagikos. “As a pastor’s wife, having lived in more than one place, I can tell you that the warmth we have felt here is like none other we have felt before. The people here are diverse and beautiful and amazing. I’ve never lived anywhere like this before and I cherish it.”

  • 01-25-12-chocolateaffair2.jpgIt takes more than good intentions to put on an affair as grand in scale and generosity as A Chocolate Affair... to Remember.

    Now in its ninth year, the event is slated for Jan. 28, and draws about 200 guests each year. The indulgence of choice for the evening is, of course, chocolate. Jazz music by Reggie Codrington, a posh venue at Hotel Bordeaux and Conference Center and both live and silent auctions, in addition to the confections, make for a luxurious evening.

    A relatively new item in the live auction is the Dessert of the Month, provided by contributing chef Terry Ciszek.

    “Last year was the fi rst year we did the Dessert of the Month and it was so much fun for me getting to know the winner through out the year and cooking up a new dessert for him every month,” said Ciszek.

    The event is set to begin at 7 p.m. — just the right hour for dessert and entertainment after a dinner out.

    B&B Catering is a major benefactor for the Chocolate Affair. Located in Spring Lake, B&B Catering specializes in total event planning and creating a unique yet elegant atmosphere for every occasion.

    Personal service and attention to detail are what owners Bill Pannhoff and Rob Masone focus on when putting together unforgettable events like this one. Chefs Pannhoff and Masone use only the freshest, highest quality ingredients available, which is what makes them a perfect fi t for this event.

    “Bill Pannhoff is a huge contributor of ours and he is always so generous,” said Ciszek. Pannhoff contributes savory hors d’oeuvres for the event to bring balance to the richness of the many desserts being served.

    “With so much chocolate, you really need some salt to bring out the flavors. Chef Pannhoff usually does bacon crisps and two or three other items. He also donates platters, linens, risers and utensils. He gives us everything we need to make the event successful, and we are really thankful for his contributions,” Ciszek added.

    A freelance photographer with a passion for cooking, Ciszek looks forward to the Chocolate Affair each year. It’s been four or fi ve years since she was fi rst invited to cook for the event and she still remembers how excited she was.

    “I had already attended the event a few times and I had really enjoyed the food. I had even thought to myself, ‘I wish they would ask me to make something,’” she recalled.

    Now, Ciszek looks forward to making delicious chocolate desserts each year and considers this a chance to expand her repertoire.

    “Every year I can get more adventurous and that is something I love. I like to cook and to give it away. I believe that if God gave me a talent I am to use it to serve others,” she explained.

    Ciszek is still tweaking her menu items, but some of her favorites have made her short list and may be served at A Chocolate Affair: mini cheesecakes dipped in chocolate; chocolate cookies filled with white chocolate cream; chocolate biscotti; truffles; chocolate-dipped, toasted coconut clusters and an item or two involving peanut butter.

    “I am a freak for caramel, so there will be a caramel-chocolate combination item, too. I am just not sure which recipe it will be,” Ciszek added.

    Wendy Riddle is slated to be the emcee this year, which Ciszek says is sure to be a fun time. “She is just so good at it and makes it a fun evening for everyone.”

    The proceeds benefit Catholic Charities, a member of the United Way of Cumberland County. The event, in the Marseille Room of the Hotel Bordeaux, runs from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $35 if purchased in advance and $40 at the door. For advance tickets, call 424-2020.

    Photo: A Chocolate Affair …To Remember brings great chocolate desserts, music and fun together to benefit the Catholic Charities.

  • Robotics has not only become an integral part of manufacturing processes but is also now sneaking into our homes. Everyone has seen the iRobot Roomba, the vacuum cleaning robot that moves around the room sucking any dirt in its path. You may have even seen demonstrations of robot lawn mowers, such as the Robotics RoboMower. The prices really aren’t that high. About $400 will take care of your dirty floor and another $1,700 will take care of your overgrown lawn. Who would have thought that the dirty floor and overgrown lawn would be the “killer” applications for robotics in the home? The sci-fi shows have led us to believe that robotic servants, dogs, or children would have been the first instances of home robots.

    What jobs involve robotics? Well, there’s mechanical design; there’s electrical design; there’s electronics design; there’s software design; and then there’s AI (Artificial Intelligence). All of this robot research, design and development is performed by engineers, both hardware and software types. What about engineering technicians? Well, someone has to build, test and maintain these robots during the development, manufacturing and lifetime phases of these robots and that’s the job of the electri-cal, electronics, computer and mechanical engi-neering technicians.

    What kind of salaries are we talking about? According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of electrical and computer engineers is about $90,000, and the salary for engineering technicians is about $53,000. Note these are median salaries for experienced engineers and technicians.

    How do I get into robotics? Well, right here at Fayetteville Technical Community College. The Electronics Engineering Technology Program at FTCC has evolved from a typical electronics program into one that covers many of the different aspects of robotics. There are courses in the C, C#, assembly and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) programming languages, all of which can be used to program a robot. There are courses in microprocessors and PLCs, which serve as the brain of a robot. There is a course in control theory, which covers feedback and motor control. You have to make sure the robot has all the right moves. There’s a course in AI, which covers finite state machines, fuzzy logic, neural networks and genetic algorithms.

    So what about robots? Well, we have robotic arms and those wonderful Robotis Bioloid Robots to apply all this knowledge in the above courses. We also have the PLCs and have used the Microchip PICs to make our own versions.

    In addition to our Electronics Engineering Technology Program, we are currently working to get a Pre-Engineering Program (Associate of Science) at FTCC. With this program, you would be able to get the first two years of an engineering degree at FTCC and then finish with a bachelor’s of engineering degree at the university of your choice.

    Call me (Beymer Bevill, FTCC Department Chair) at 678-8216 to schedule a tour of the facilities and discuss what opportunities await you in the exciting field of robotics and other electronics-related areas. I’ll be waiting for your call.

  • 05 rope pic from websiteThe Gilbert Theater’s newest production “Rope” is set to open Jan. 29 and has already sold-out opening day.

    The thrilling drama centered around a murder, once used as the basis of the Alfred Hitchcock film “Rope,” will play every weekend until
    Feb. 14.”

    Tickets are $16 per person, and $14 with senior (55+) and military discount are available for purchase on the theater’s website, or by calling 910-678-7186.

    “’Rope’ is basically the opposite of ‘who done it?’ because you already know who’s done the murder and now it’s all about are they going to get away with it,” Matt Gore, director of the play, said. “It's darkly humorous where these two guys kill this 19-year-old young man, stuff him in a chest and decide to have a dinner party around his corpse.”

    It’s mostly just a study in tension, and the building of tension and suspense, said Lawrence Carlisle, artistic director at the Gilbert Theater.

    Beyond picking the play for the season, Carlisle will be acting in the play in the role of an acquaintance of the two murderers who invite him to the dinner party to flaunt the crime.

    My character slowly starts to have some suspicions, he said.

    Carlisle said he had not acted in a production for a while and thought it would be exciting to audition and act again.

    “I just like the experience of it and having fun with the other performers and learning things from the director to use when I direct things,”
    he said.

    Carlisle picked “Rope” written by Patrick Hamilton, to include in this year’s season because he liked the story, a thriller, and he didn’t think those are seen often enough in theaters.

    “It’s been a little bit of a challenge, you know, I still have to deal with the day-to-day and making sure that things are running smoothly on an administrative level while also learning a whole bunch of lines, worrying about costumes, stuff I usually don't have to worry about,” he said.

    “Rope” is loosely based on the “Leopold and Loeb” murder in the 1920s. Guests can look forward to a night of suspense and thrill.

    “The practices have been super smooth, I like working here and they have some very dedicated people working here behind the scenes, in the offices,” Gore said.

    Things are going fairly well, all things considered, Carlisle said.

    The production will be about two hours long with a ten-minute intermission.

    Theater staff will conduct temperature checks at the door and offer socially distant seating with only up to 25 people per show. Masks will be required, and the staff will be sanitizing everything between each show.

    “I hope people want to come see it, I know things are bad right now in the world, but what I have been trying to do since the start of this pandemic is hopefully have a place where people can come and forget about that even if they do have to wear their masks and socially distance, and not speak to the actors afterwards but some sacrifices have to be made,” Carlisle said.

    For more information about the theater, production and tickets, visit https://www.gilberttheater.com

  • 01-13-10-the-stars-colored-tuxes.jpgSome things never go out of style. The little black dress and a simple string of pearls. A ’66 Mustang convertible. And the Doo Wop music of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Who can help but sing along and dance a bit when hearing such hits as “Only You” and “My Girl” and “Under the Boardwalk”? Good times, good times.

    Chime in and groove to these and other classic tunes when Myles Savage and the Stars from The Platters, The Coasters, The Drifters and The Temptations Salute the Troops during their “Farewell Tour” with a performance at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23, at Methodist University’s Reeves Auditorium. Funds will be raised for V.W.F (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post #6018 and V.W.F. Post #670, Fayetteville, N.C.

    In a recent phone interview, Savage, who was recruited as the lead singer for The Platters in 1976, explained the tour’s title.

    “Well, farewell in the sense that all of us have our solo careers that we’re going off to. I’m looking forward to going to opera. I’ve always wanted to do that.”

    Savage will be joined by Barry Gunn, lead singer from Cornell Gunter’s Coasters; Ira Greig, lead singer from Beary Hobb’s Drifters and Wolf Johnson from Richard Street’s Temptations as each performs his group’s hits, backed by members of the other groups.

    And it’s a long farewell, thanks to the popularity of their music and dynamic performances.

    “We started off about eight years ago after playing the Sahara Hotel and Casino. The bill at that time was The Platters, The Coasters and The Drifters. I met a Temptations friend in Las Vegas,” said Savage, “and he said, ‘Hey, you know what? Why don’t we put together a tour that would encompass going around the world to all the nooks and crannies, and we’ll call it the “Farewell Tour” of the Stars of The Platters, The Coasters, The Drifters and The Temptations.’ And so we did, and it’s been continuously touring because people just keep asking us to come, no matter where we are. They ask us to come, so we’re just very, very happy to have such a wide and large market for the music of the ‘50s and ‘60s, even though the radio stations have basically dropped their ‘50s and early ‘60s format. The people, when they fi nd that we’re coming to town, just crawl out of the woodwork because they want to hear their music. It’s the baby boomers who want to hear their music, and we’re so happy to bring it to them with some of the members who actually have sung with the groups that made these wonderful hits famous so many, many years ago. We’re just overwhelmed. It’s just more popular that we 01-13-10-the-stars-headshot.jpgthought it would be.”

    And these “Royalties of Doo Wop” don’t expect their audience to take their farewell sitting down as they listen to “The Great Pretender,” “Charlie Brown,” “Poison Ivy,” “My Girl,” “Get Ready” and “Up On The Roof.”

    “We make our show an audience participation show because it’s not just for us to sing the songs. We like people to get involved. Once they get involved, they have a fantastic time,” Savage said. “I had one lady tell me she came in with a cane and she had to throw it down and start dancing, so I guess the music must be healing. We do the shake, the rattle and the roll. We do the Twist, and everyone’s twisting out there. We see these grandmas and great grandmothers twisting out there, and it’s just a fantastic time.

    “It’s so delightful to hear after the show, when people say, ‘Oh, my gosh, you made me feel like I was 16 years old again,’ and that’s just wonderful. It just brings back some fantastic memories, but we also make some memories on each night of the concert. All of us are veteran entertainers from over 40 years of performing, and we know how to go out in the audience and just have a good time. Everyone’s dancing. It’s 1955 or 1956 all over again.”

    All along the tour, the stars have raised money for veterans of foreign wars.

    “We have veterans of foreign wars all over the country, and we raise money for their community projects. It’s our opportunity to serve them because they have served us so well,” said Savage. “They come to the show, they stand and I acknowledge them on songs like “My Prayer.” We just enjoy serving. We’ve raised over $2,500 in many venues, sometimes $3,000.”

    After a recent show in Wilmington, N.C., Savage looked across the Cape Fear River at the USS North Carolina, and a sign caught his eye.

    “It said, ‘All gave some, and some gave all.’ And I know that our group is doing the right thing, and we’re proud to do it.”

    Savage noted that in challenging times, people want to feel good, and music lets them do just that.

    “Oh, yeah, especially in times like these. We try to keep our ticket price very low so that everybody can come out and enjoy it. The music’s for everybody. It always was at that time, and our philosophy is to keep it at a price that people can afford. We just want to have a good time.”

    Tickets for the performance are available at V.F.W. Post 6018, 116 Chance Street, (910) 323-3755; Brooks “Pro” Sound, Lighting and Video, 715 West Rowan Street, (910) 483-7160 or through TicketsWest, 1-866-464-2626 or www.ticketswest.com. Tickets range in price from $25 to $35.

  • Do you remember the old home remedies that your mother insisted were the next best things to a divine healing? Castor oil was the number one01-20-10-faces-of-faith.gif choice around my house because of its “cleansing” powers. A big dose — if I could swallow it — was what my mother thought I needed to rid me of all ailments and prevent me from having to pay a visit to the family doctor.

    Doctors are wonderful people and I thank God for those who were an extension of my mother’s home remedies and who provided excellent care throughout my life. Dr. Janine Scott- Lowe, a family practice doctor at the Robinson Health Clinic on Fort Bragg, has provided excellent medical care to military families since 2004. Many of her patients are spouses and children of deployed soldiers. Along with their medical needs they are often dealing with depression and other stress-related issues. As a result, she feels the need to be emotionally and spiritually armored in order to be equipped to handle the needs of her patients.

    Since moving to Fayetteville from Connecticut in 1996 to complete her residency, Scott-Lowe has experienced her share of rejection in four significant areas: ageism (because she’s young), sexism (because she’s a woman), racism (because she’s African-American) and cultural issues (because she’s from the north). She also experienced the pain of divorce and having her focus shift to the emotional challenges of being a single, working mother. Her thoughts were also on her patients and their emotional needs as well as how she could find ways to be encouraged in the Lord.

    In 2004, Scott-Lowe began sending out encouraging writings via email to about 15-20 under the ministry name of “His Hands Extended Online” as a way to uplift her and others in the Lord. A web site ministry entitled,All Things Encouraging (allthingsencouraging. com) was developed and is made up of His Hands Extended Online, Nuggets of Inspirations, Thoughts of inspirations, divine inspirations in prayer and the encouraging “Songs that got Momma over.”

    To date, All Things Encouraging reaches countless people with encouraging words from the Word of God. Scott-Lowe has also authored two books entitled Reflections and Inspirations published by Xulon Press which are compilations of her online ministry. She is currently working on two new books which will be released by Cranberry Quill Publishing.

    Scott-Lowe loves her profession but she sees her work as a means to fund her calling. She is committed to her ministry’s work and advancing the kingdom of God. She loves the Lord and knows that it’s through him that she and countless others have found strength. “Jesus is our hope. When we see things coming against us, we need a refuge.” This column is about people in our community who live their faith daily. If you know someone who you like to see featured, please contact: editor@upandcomingweekly.com

  • 01-09-13-methodist.gifA new group meeting at Methodist University is encouraging members of the local military community to tell their stories through the written word, hopefully to give voice to unshared experiences while empowering and transforming the storytellers.

    The Veterans Writing Collective is open to active-duty military, vet-erans and family members. The group will have its first meeting on Saturday, Jan. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Trustees Building Room 340 on the Methodist campus.

    The mission of the collective, which will meet monthly, is to encour-age the art of writing and provide an environment where participants offer honest, positive feedback on members’ writing. The group is free and open to writers of all genres. At the first meeting and every third meeting, the group will also host a credentialed writer for special pre-sentations on technical aspects of writing. Regular times and dates will be set after the first meeting.

    “The focus is on writing,” said English and writing professor Robin Greene, who is advising the group. “Our group meetings will be con-ducted as workshops, which means that writers will gather to share their work, receive supportive feedback and learn about craft.”

    Greene said there is a need for such groups as the military continues a lengthy stretch of overseas campaigns and deployment cycles. Also, family members and veterans with older experiences are now telling their stories.

    An unlikely organizer — Greene is not a veteran — she was con-tacted by several organizations over the summer who wanted something like this in the Fayetteville community: a group for military-related writing where they could be free to tell stories that might otherwise shock or offend people without similar experiences.

    “Our goal is to honor veterans and encourage them to tap into their creativity as they offer unique glimpses into their experiences,” Greene said. “Even family mem-bers have the opportunity to write creatively about their experiences. Frequently, in the cry for service stories, we neglect their stories.”

    Whether fictionalized accounts, poetry or personal stories, Greene believes writing helps process difficult memories and emotions, empowering and transforming the writer with critical distance to deal with the material.

    “Too often, stories are lost because we don’t give ourselves permission to speak our truth,” Greene said. “And traditionally, the military has trained men and women to be stoic — which is often interpreted as a mandate to be silent. But that’s no longer the case. Throughout America, and here in our hometown, the voices of our warriors and their family members are finding outlets to be heard.”

    As Greene was fielding inquisitive phone calls, one of her students, Paul Stroebel, was researching literature about war. Stroebel, a senior writing major and U.S. Army veteran, found writing to be empowering and cathartic, and hopes other veterans will, too. He will facilitate the group’s meetings.

    “I hope to work with the members as we all learn to refine our writing,” Stroebel said. “We have a common experience in the U.S. military, and that experience informs our lives and our writing. As we learn to use that experience as a lens through which we see our work, we grow as writers.”

    The new group already has attention and support from established local writers, like Appalachian State University Professor and North Carolina’s Poet Laureate Joseph Bathanti, also an organizer. When he took the post in September, Bathanti announced he wanted to work with veterans to share their stories through poetry. He hopes these workshops will be duplicated across the state.

    “I’m interested in working with the Fayetteville group precisely because of their location and because what they are doing dovetails so nicely into my mission as Poet Laureate,” Bathanti said. “I’m hoping also to lead workshops for the group this spring in Fayetteville.”

    Greene said the group plans to post members’ works on its website, methodist.edu/writingvets. In the future, the group may also hold pub-lic readings of their work on campus or at other locations.

    For more information, contact Greene at rgreene@methodist.edu.

    Photo: Veterans are invited to join The Veteran’s Writing Collective at Methodist University.

  • 1-16-13-student-college-loans-300x300.gifIt’s official: the holidays are over. You have run yourself ragged trying to find just the right gift for everyone you know, spending next month’s paycheck and tightening your grocery budget. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to give something to your kids that wouldn’t cost you any money? Instead of getting them the latest gadget, which will undoubtedly be outdated within six months, wouldn’t you like to do something that might positively affect the rest of their lives?

    Fayetteville Technical Community Colleges has the solution for you, and we feel that it is one of Fayetteville’s best kept secrets.

    For years now, local high school students have been invited to take classes at FTCC through the High School Connections program. This exciting opportunity provides students with both high school and college credit tuition — free. According to money.cnn.com*, the average cost of public university tuition for the 2012-2013 school year is about $8,655. Add to that the expense of books, housing, fees, food and your child’s version of “spending money,” and you’ve probably got some heavy financing to do. When it comes to total cost of attendance, College Board gives a “moderate” budget estimate of $22,261 at a public institution and $43,289 at a private one.

    The HSC program can help alleviate these financial worries for many local families. Eligible junior and senior high school students can participate in a variety of programs, and although they will incur textbook and fee costs, the tuition itself is paid in full through the state’s Career and College Promise initiative. Sample career and technical education programs include Demi-Chef, Plumbing, Graphic Design, Nursing, Medical Coding and many more. FTCC even offers general college transfer classes for those students who, like the rest of us, aren’t sure yet what they want to be when they grow up.

    Now, as parents, you are probably jumping for joy at the thought of giving your kids a head start on their post-graduation plans; the sooner they have job training for the “real world,” the less likely they are to live on your couch forever. Past CTE students who have completed certificate programs via HSC have been able to find work after their high-school graduation, either full-time or part-time as they pursue further education. Students who take college transfer courses can complete as many as 34 credits by the time they graduate from high school, which can take a healthy bite out of that four-year degree cost. Financially, our smartest students are those who begin their college education with HSC, then enroll in FTCC to complete an associate’s degree, and then transfer on to a four-year university if needed.

    Hopefully by now, you are wondering how to get your child involved in our program. In that case, we encourage you to speak first with your student’s high school counselor; each Cumberland County high school has a designated HSC contact to help you get started. FTCC will also host an open house for HSC on Feb. 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for interested student and their parents.

    For more information about requirements, a list of available programs, and how to contact us, visit our website at http://www.faytechcc.edu/highschool_connections/default.asp.

    They say the best gifts in life are free; why not let your gift be your child’s college education?

  • 01-08-14-outgoing-commish.gifWhile politics is definitely not for everyone, when concerned citizens step up and invest in making the community better, it is to the benegit of the community. For outgoing Cumberland County Commissioner Chairman of the Board Jimmy Keefe, serving comes naturally.

    “For years I was on the city council. There was a lot happening on Ramsey Street (where I grew up) at the time and I wanted to help be a part of the planning that went on,” said Keefe. “I found that public service is a good fit for me. A natural progression after the city was to move to county level. It is a good board to work with; we were able to come together and work as a group to get positive changes going. It was a good, busy year.”

    Keefe listed some of the highlights of the past year including the Mental Health merger with The Alliance Health Care of Durham. The state legislature directed counties to become a part of a Managed Care Organization instead of at individual county levels. After much research and negotiation, Cumberland County merged with Alliance Health Care along with Wake, Durham and Johnston counties. This is one of the largest and most professionally run MCOs in the state. Since the merger, Cumberland County has received a higher level of service, oversight and savings. Cumberland County Commissioner Kenneth Edge serves as a member on The Alliance board.

    In conjunction with the merger, the board of commissioners instituted a First Crisis Intervention Team drop-off center. This allows specially trained law enforcement and EMS personnel to deliver non-violent mental-health patients to this center for treatment instead of the previous alternative of the detention center or the emergency room. Not only will this save money, it gets these citizens the assistance they require.

    The Crown Coliseum Board and the commissioners took a bold step in initiating a shift to a private-management company to manage the operations and promotion of The Crown Coliseum. For many years, the Crown Coliseum’s expenses were exceeding its income. The board of commissioners worked with the Crown Board to move forward with a smooth transition. All indications are that the level of service, promotion and the events at the Crown Coliseum are enhanced by the move.

    The Detention Center is near completion and should be open in the next 30 days. Each level of government has a responsibility to make a commitment to solving the crime issue in the community. The current detention center is not adequate and constantly over capacity. The board of commissioners made a financial commitment to build the expanded detention center to help make the community a safer place.

    Last year, the county suffered greatly from the financial storm of sequestration and the shutdown of federal government programs on which so many county citizens rely. Early preparation for this crisis, enabled the county to continue services to clients without any delay during the shutdown.

    The board of commissioners and all nine of the municipalities were able to agree on a sales-taxdistribution formula for the next 10 years; allowing the county and each of the municipalities to plan long-term.

    The county opened the new Veterans Services Office, which gives veterans a place to get services with ample parking and more accessibility for disabled vets.

    Hiring new County Finance Officer, Melissa Cardinali, and a new assistant County Manager, Quinton McPhatter, added stability to the management staff.

    For the first time in its history, the county now has a countywide animal control ordinance that applies to the municipalities and the unincorporated areas. According to Keefe, the Animal Control Office and its leadership have done an incredible job at increasing the adoption rate and reducing euthanasia of animals in Cumberland County.

    Most importantly,while many N.C. counties reduced their funding to the local schools systems, Cumberland County was able to fund the school system at its previous budget without any loss in revenue.

    Photo: Outgoing Cumberland County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Jimmy Keefe.

  • 13 LIVE CONCERT 1aThe Fayetteville Community Concert series put in a tall order for the midwinter 2020 show. The response? A show as big as Texas. Community Concerts brings singing sensation The Texas Tenors to the Crown Theater, Friday, Feb. 14,  at 7:30 p.m.

    The Emmy Award-winning vocalists rose to fame on “America’s Got Talent” in 2009. World renowned, The Texas Tenors are the most successful music group and third highest-selling artist in the history of the TV show. Now the tenor trio of John Hagen, Marcus Collins and JC Fisher are bringing their 10th Anniversary Tour to Fayetteville for a one-night performance.

    Community Concerts attractions director Michael Fleishman is excited to host The Texas Tenors in this 84th show season themed “It’s Showtime.” The Texas Tenors is the third hit attraction in the all-star concert line-up, coming after Chicago and Mannheim Steamroller’s stellar productions and ushering in The Four Tops and The Temptations combo March 6 and The Oakridge Boys May 21. Adding to the anticipation for The Texas Tenor performance is the concert date, a day as synonymous with love as the tenor voice is with romance.

    “This is the perfect Valentine’s Day show. Skip the restaurant lines and do this instead. From Bruno Mars, the Righteous Brothers and John Denver to country music and Broadway hits, The Texas Tenors are a nonstop wow,” said Fleishman.

    The versatile vocals of the trio make for a night of exciting entertainment. The 10th Anniversary Tour includes a collection of music from the past decade, including selections from the 2019 album “A Collection of Broadway & American Classics,” which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical Charts. The hit parade pinnacle is a second for the band, as their 2017 studio album “Rise” met the same acclaim. The Texas Tenors look forward to sharing their songs with Fayetteville fans.

    “We are excited about our upcoming Valentine’s Day concert at the Crown,” said Tenor Marcus Collins. “We’ve put together a special repertoire of some of our favorites but also what we feel are the most romantic love songs ever written. Of course, there will be a mix of our signature patriotic, country and classical songs as well.”

    Over the past decade, the classically trained tenors have performed more than 1,300 concerts around the U.S. and world, including headline shows in Las Vegas, Nevada; Branson, Missouri; China; and a 24-city tour in the United Kingdom. The Texas Tenors perform three different live concerts, “Rise: Live on Tour,” “Let Freedom Sing” and holiday favorite “Deep in the Heart of Christmas.” The 2019-20 10th Anniversary Tour celebrates the group’s success with hits fan love and brand-new music.

    With four studio albums, four DVD releases, two Public Broadcasting Service specials and multiple singles to date, their music appeals to all ages and blends many music genres, so much that they were named Billboard’s Magazine’s 2017 #10 Classical Crossover Artist in the World. The Texas Tenor music has roots in country, classical, opera and Broadway show tunes, and meets success in all venues from performing arts centers and casinos to symphony halls and outdoor festivals. The group even performs on cruise vacations, with private performances for members of their official and ever-growing fan club.

    In addition to collaborations with some of the more prestigious symphonies in the world, including the Houston Symphony, Pittsburg Symphony and The City of Prague Orchestra, the group has performed at the White House National Tree Lighting, Medal of Honor ceremonies, charity events, NBA games and the Professional Bull Riding World Finals in Las Vegas. Of special distinction is the fact that The Texas Tenors are among the top 50 artists from the AGT series invited to compete on the show’s NBC prime-time championship spin-off, “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” and the only U.S. vocal group invited to participate.

    Beyond music, Hagen, Collins and Fisher are also published authors. Winner of the 2015 Gelett Burgess Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature, “Ruckus on the Ranch” is the inaugural picture book from The Texas Tenors, a western-themed read about playful ranch critters. A six-song CD of accompanying music for “Ruckus on the Ranch” accompanies the book. The Texas Tenor’s second and newest book, “Moon’s on Fire,” is soon to be released and is a sequel to “Ruckus.” It also comes with a CD and features “The Cowboy Lullaby” for the youngest fans.

    The men that make up The Texas Tenors are as varied as the music they sing. John Hagen, referred to simply as “The Tenor,” has an extensive classical background, while Marcus Collins, “The Contemporary Tenor,” has a past that includes TV and film work. JC Fisher, aka “The Romantic Tenor,” is the group’s founder who grew up singing in church. Collectively, their influences include artists from the modern, classical, spiritual and operatic traditions.

    A member of The Texas Tenor fan club, Francene Taylor lives in Havelock, North Carolina, but plans to travel to Fayetteville for the Feb. 14 special. She has seen the group over 70 times and in states ranging from North Carolina and New Jersey to Missouri and Arizona, including two cruise concerts. For her, and other devoted fan club members, traveling to see their favorite band is not a problem.

    “Wherever they go,” said Taylor, “people just gravitate to them. I know we do.”

    Hooked on The Texas Tenors since the first AGT broadcast, Taylor described their personalities, not only musicality, as “magnetic.”

    “Each of the Tenors brings something special to the trio, and each has unique character. But when they combine, watch out! They are also very audience-oriented; the guys draw the crowd into every performance. Even though I have seen them many times, each performance is unique, and they never do exactly the same show twice.”

    To buy single-show tickets to The Texas Tenor performance, visit the Crown box office in person, the Cape Fear Tix website online or call 1-888-267-6208. For season memberships, see http://www.community-concerts.com/tickets/.

  • 12 nikolas noonan fQM8cbGY6iQ unsplashIf you want to see a play that tells a story that is both entertaining and relatable then “Ruins” is a must-see. This play is both humorous and in touch with what it feels like to experience a natural disaster. Written and directed by Montgomery Sutton, “Ruins” will be performed at the Gilbert Theater Jan. 24-Feb. 9.

    What starts as a simple story of a man who visits his former friend and lover, who has been affected by a horrific natural disaster, evolves into a reflection on their relationship, their memories and what led to their eventual breakup. This is production is an in-depth examination of what we feel like as people in romantic relationships and how these relationships affect our everyday lives.

    Unlike other plays performed in the Gilbert Theater, the set for “Ruins” has a look to it that is far from the glitz and glam of many typical sets. The set is so unique and life-like, it looks like a tornado blew through the theater, decimating the stage. Broken furniture is scattered everywhere. Remnants of a house have been spread all around the stage and the cast even describes where each room of the house formerly was throughout the course of the play.

    The performance starts off with a scene where we meet the two main characters, Grace Garson and Adam Smith. Grace is played by Megan L. Martinez, and the character that is Adam is played by Justin Matthew Toyer.

    During the opening scene, Garson and Smith meet for the first time in over a decade. They are in the literal ruins of Garson’s childhood home, reminiscing about all the memories they made in the home. Garson was not expecting to see Smith, and Smith is very nervous to see Garson after all of these years.

    The tension between these two could have been felt from miles away. Martinez and Toyer do an incredible job displaying the complexity of the many feelings their characters are feeling at that moment.

    The talent of Martinez and Toyer shines throughout the course of the play. Regardless of what emotion they are supposed to evoke, they show it with care and with intense passion. There was intense passion the audience could feel from the actors. It was almost as if the lines between actor and character were blurred.

    As the show goes on audience learns more and more about their relationship. The two started out as high school sweethearts. They were crazy about each other. They were so crazy about each other that in college they even contemplated the idea of going to New York City together.

    Later down the road, their relationship faced much adversity. They wanted different things from life, which led them down two separate paths. The actors portray their story through reflections told by the characters and flashback scenes.
    The symbolism in the story was touching as well. One thing that really broke my heart  was the tree coming down. This tree was Grace and Adam’s favorite tree when they were teenagers. The tree coming down essentially symbolized the end of that time that they had together.

    To experience the artistic creation that is “Ruins,” visit www.gilberttheater.com for tickets and information.

  • 11 fbphotoPiedmont Natural Gas, Fayetteville State University and The Fayetteville/Cumberland County Arts Council present “True to Yourself 2020: A Black History Month Talk Series” Saturday, Feb. 1 at J. W. Seabrook Auditorium on the campus of Fayetteville State University from 7-9 p.m.

     “We are in the third year of our ‘True to Yourself’ Black History Month Talk Series that celebrates and highlights Hollywood movie stars who have been true to themselves and the things they have believed in throughout their lives. That is part of what makes them successful,” said Greg Weber, president and CEO of the Arts Council. “That particular event focuses on successful Hollywood black artists. They come in and share their story and do a question and answer session. … We hope it inspires people.”

     Weber added that no matter what challenges one may have or what’s around you, as long as you stick to the things you believe in that make you who you are, you are going to be a success.

     The event features actress Meagan Good and her producer husband DeVon Franklin. “We chose these two individuals because we have not done a husband and wife team and Meagan has been so successful as an actress,” said Weber. “DeVon brings to the table the producing side, and he was voted one of the top 100 most influential black people in Hollywood. … We thought that would be a nice combination.

     “How do these two people that are in high profile positions and on this ‘A’ league level still make certain they are not just true to themselves as individuals but true to themselves as a couple?” asked Weber. “Hopefully it will inspire married guys like me that we can really still be supportive of everything our wife is doing.”

     Meagan Good is an actress who has appeared in numerous television shows, films and music videos. Some of her movies and TV shows include “The Intruder,” “Think Like A Man,” “Stomp the Yard,” “Waist Deep,” “My Wife and Kids” and more. DeVon Franklin is an award-winning Hollywood TV and film producer, New York Times best-selling author, preacher and international motivational speaker.

     “The Arts Council is an organization that supports every single artist and every single cultural arts organization in town,” said Weber. “We actually have a very broad footprint here in the city for what we do, which is support anything that has to do with lifelong learning through the arts, economic development, cultural preservation and individual artists.

     “We would like to thank our sponsors, Piedmont Natural Gas and Fayetteville State University because we would not be able to do this event without their support,” said Weber.

     Tickets cost $20, student cost is $10 and VIP Meet and Greet is $100.

    For more information, contact UniQue Webster at 910-323-1776 or uniquew@theartscouncil.com.

  • 10 dayne topkin cB10K2ugb 4 unsplashWomen have made many contributions to western music. The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is taking the initiative to recognize and celebrate women composers in its production of “Music She Wrote” Saturday, Feb. 8. This concert, held in the Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University, will feature pieces exclusively written by women.

    One of the women featured in this concert is Florence Price. Born in the late 1880s in Little Rock, Arkansas, Price is credited for being the first African-American woman composer. Her musical endeavors began at an early age under the guidance of her mother, who was a music teacher. At the age of 11, Price had her first composition published. She also had success in her academics and graduated at 14 with the title of valedictorian and later studied at the New England Conservatory of Music. During her lifetime, she worked as a music educator, organist and composer. Her Symphony No.1 in E minor can be heard at the FSO concert. The composition won first prize in the Rodman Wanamaker Competition in 1932.

    Another woman featured in the“Music She Wrote” program is Amy Beach. An American composer, Beach is considered to be the first American female composer of large scale art music. Also known as serious music, art music refers to any music derived from Western classical music. The FSO will honor her by performing her “Gaelic” symphony. The symphony premiered in 1896, performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Beah was also a successful pianist who performed her works in the United States and Germany.

    The FSO also offers a unique opportunity to experience the music of a living composer. Anna Clyne currently resides in the United States. She is a Grammy-nominated contemporary English composer. Her compositions are known for their acoustic and electro-acoustic elements. She has had many accomplishments and has had pieces premiere at various music festivals, such as the 2019 Carrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. She has also served as an in-residence composer for various symphony orchestras, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Berkeley Symphony, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the L’ Orchestre national d’île-de-France. Her works “Masquerade” and “Seascape,” which is the second movement from her orchestral suite titled, “Abstractions,” are to be performed for this concert.

    Other women composers that will be featured in the concert are Ellen Taafe Zwillich, Joan Tower and Cecile Chaminade. The Fayetteville symphony promises an evening of empowerment, and listeners will be exposed to music created by intelligent and groundbreaking women.

    Visit http://www.fayettevillesymphony.org/ or call 910-433-4690 for tickets and information.
     
  • 09 Picture1Once upon a time, not so far, far away, in the Land of Cape Fear Regional Theatre, fairytale creatures wove a mesmerizing story with song, dance, comedy, love, self-acceptance and, of course, a princess, a hero and a villain. In this magical place, also known as CFRT, the townspeople watched ever so closely as the landscape magically transformed from a kingdom into an ogre’s swampy home and then to an open field, a dragon’s keep with a tall-tower and so much more — right before their very eyes. In fact, the enchanted land was innovative and brilliant as  “Shrek: The Musical” unfolded upon the stage. There is still time to see it —  the play runs through Feb. 16 at CFRT.

    The characters within the performance have stupendous vocals — whether speaking, shouting at each other (did I mention the ogres or the dragon yet?) or singing. The show is choreographed by Sebastiani Romagnolo and music is directed by David Maglione. From their storybook homeland, to the spellbinding music, it’s clear the performers are engrossed in the story, and it reflects in the the performance.

    The audience travels along on a  journey with Shrek, played by Nicholas J. Pearson , Donkey, played by Marc De La Concha, Princess Fiona, played by Becca Vourvoulas and Lord Farquaad, played by Gabe Belyeu. The youth ensemble includes Zoi Pegues as Teen Fiona. Both Vourvoulas and Pegues appeared in CFRT’s production of “Annie” last season. It truly is an adventure for all involved. The townspeople’s involvement is not only welcomed, but expected.

    CFRT does not hold back when it comes to imaginary depiction of detailed characterizations for each and every part of their productions — especially with this particular story — “Shrek: The Musical.” The talented team members at CFRT are inventive visionaries.

    The first moment  audience members are received into the spellbinding world of Shrek and the others, they are whisked away on an eye-catching journey.

    The costuming was impressive. Each fairytale character or person had the accurate whimsical attire to perform their representation of their character and  bring this magical production to life.

    The harmonious movement in the choreography and dazzling execution of lighting and sound made an already incredible show that much more entertaining and engaging.

    In a nutshell, everything about this show is amazing. The outstanding vocals of the performers, the interaction with the audience and the characters, the moments when you will literally laugh out loud, the dynamic costumes, the dancing and movement on stage during the scenes, the props and music, all of it will not only grab your attention, but hold it throughout the show.

    Don’t miss this opportunity to take a trip to CFRT for this theatrical performance of “Shrek: The Musical.”

    There is still time to purchase tickets to see how the story plays out on stage. Visit www.cfrt.org for your entrance into a fairytale like no other!

  • 12 web1 5Our community offers a unique structure of residents and it’s fair to say that many know firsthand the struggles of war. It is because of this very reason that Givens Performing Arts Center at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke chose the play “Bandstand” as one of its performances for this year. It’s a one-night-only performance Wednesday, Jan. 29.

    Directed by three-time Tony winner and “Hamilton” choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, the musical “Bandstand” is a top notch-production with upbeat music. It’s a compelling story that portrays the undeniable impact of war and the lifelong consequences on those who serve. The play takes place in 1945. There’s a homecoming and a joyous celebration of such. “Bandstand” will have you tapping your feet and snapping your fingers to the lively music of jazz and swing. But it’s not just about the celebrations of those who have returned. It also how addresses the tough question of to deal with getting back to so-called “normal” life once one has been to war.

    “Bandstand” is a play that will captivate your emotions by weaving the struggle of war with the main character Pfc. Donny Noviski, who is thrilled to be home but also laboring to find his way to fulfill his lifelong dream of being a singer and songwriter.

    “This story is one that moves the heart and honors our women and men who serve our country,” Givens Performing Arts Center Marketing Director Chat Locklear said. “And although the music is inspired by the 1940s, it is all brand-new.”
    If you want to feel nostalgic, you like swing and jazz music, you want to honor our military or you just want to understand what service members and their families go through, this play is something to put on your calendar. There will be only one performance of Bandstand and it is Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $21 - $46. The show is recommended for those 13 and older because of some adult language and some subject matter that may not be understood by younger children. Audiences can expect the show to last two hours and to include an intermission.

    Call 910-521-6361 or visit https://www.uncp.edu/resources/givens-performing-arts-center for tickets and information.

  • 11 RuinsWhen natural disasters strike Fayetteville, our community often becomes poignant, reflecting on prior disasters and our relationships with each other.  Montgomery Sutton’s “Ruins,” opening on Jan. 24 at Gilbert Theater, asks the questions, What is the past? And when we look on the past, what are we really looking back on?

    The production is a romantic tragic comedy set in the wake of a horrific natural disaster in Tornado Alley, where two lovers who haven’t seen each other in a decade are reunited in the wake of that tragedy. “Over the course of 90 minutes, they relive moments from their pasts that shed light on the past 10 years. Each of them realizes that actions and events from the past they remember may not exist in the same way they think for the other person,” Sutton explained.

    A short play was the origin of the production almost a decade ago. For Sutton, the play was inspired by personal events in his life, which spurred the evolution of the work.  He is oiginally from Dallas, Texas, and since he began the writing of the play, there have been two major natural disasters in the area — tornadoes. “And then of course, in my personal life, there have been all kinds of personal and romantic relationships that have come and gone that have elevated me and also erupted and dissolved. The play has very much become an exploration of what heightened moments of tragedy in life can inspire in our own personal spheres,” he said.

    He wanted to explore the nostalgia of events that we recall and question whether or not the memories we are recalling might, in fact, be fiction.

    Larry Carlisle III, the artistic director at Gilbert Theater is excited to see the show on stage. “This is the first time that it’s been produced anywhere, so no one has ever seen it on a stage before. We, at the Gilbert — that’s kind of part of our mission to present lesser-known and sometimes previously unpublished or unproduced works.”

    Since the show takes place in the wake of a tornado, the set reflects that. “The technical director and main builder of the set really outdid herself on this one,” Carlisle said.

    The cast is small, featuring new and familiar faces. Adam Smith is played by Justin Toyer. Grace Carson is played by Megan Martinez. The last character is a tree removal expert named Mr. Green, played by Michael Carney. Carney and Toyer are Gilbert veterans, but the show will be Martinez’s first time performing on the Gilbert stage.

    Sutton was an actor in Cape Fear Regional Theater’s “Henry V” in 2016. At Gilbert Theater, he wrote a new adaptation and directed “Antigone” two years ago.

    Sutton’s favorite part of the production is the inventive way that the cast performs the transitions in time throughout the production. Being in one space and with one audience, the production “changes the trope of this flashback into something that is very unique … and creates an experience that becomes slightly experimental in the way it looks at how our memories affect our actions in the present,” said Sutton.

    “Ruins” opens on Jan. 24 and runs through Feb. 9. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.gilberttheater.com/ or by calling 910-678-7186. Tickets are $16 and specially priced tickets for seniors 55 and up, military, students and first responders are available for $14.

  •    There are two new sheriffs... er, commissioners... in town and they’ve got definite ideas on what’s best for the future of Cumberland County.
       Jimmy Keefe and Marshall Faircloth were sworn in as Cumberland County commissioners earlier this month; both men bring a wealth of experience and a wealth of opinions on what it will take to keep the county on a proper course and avoid a few icebergs along the way.
       Faircloth, a lifelong Cumberland County resident and a CPA since the 1970s, served as a school board member from 1988-1992 and had a previous run on the board of the county commissioners from 1992-1996.
    Keefe, a native of Fayetteville, served two terms on the Fayetteville City Council. His father and brother also served as county commissioners. He runs the Trophy House on Bragg Boulevard.
       Both Faircloth and Keefe have known each other for years and consider the other to be a good friend. However, they don’t let their friendship get in the way of a good disagreement, especially when the subject is a proposed countywide water system.
       The debate on the need for a countywide water system heated up last February when a number of county residents complained about tainted well water. Of the counties surrounding Cumberland — Hoke, Robeson, Harnett and Bladen — all have countywide water systems.
      {mosimage} Keefe believes a countywide water system is a must for Cumberland.
       “Water’s not a big issue unless you’re the one not getting clean water,” said Keefe, “And you’re the one who has to boil your water and you worry about what your kids are drinking.
       “For us to be a county that is trying to really put our face on the map, for us not to have a countywide water system is pretty poor and we need to change that,” said Keefe.
       As far as funding a water system, Keefe admits it would be “an expensive proposition,” though he thinks the county and the Public Works Administration (PWC) could come up with solutions that wouldn’t include raising property taxes.
       “I’ve talked to the folks at PWC on a few things and they have some very creative ideas as far as municipal water lines and water towers to the outlying areas,” said Keefe. “I think there is a real aggressive approach to getting water and I think it’s important.”
       Faircloth isn’t quite as sanguine on the subject of a water system.
       “I think it’s a pipe dream,” said Faircloth. “I don’t think the county has any business getting into the water business. Somebody would have to show me some feasibility — it would be a losing proposition. The low hanging fruit has already been picked by PWC. I haven’t seen any studies that show the county can possibly even break even by providing water in the outlying areas.”
      {mosimage} Faircloth’s opinion on the county’s property tax rate is much more optimistic. Faircloth believes that the revaluation of property values will drop the tax rate to a number that will make it competitive with surrounding counties — an important factor as BRAC (Base Closure and Realignment) promises to bring new businesses to the surrounding areas.
       “I think the property tax rate is coming down,” said Faircloth. “The revaluation, and all I’ve seem are preliminary numbers and they sound a little high to me as far as property values, I heard the tax administrator say on the radio that it’s coming in between 20-25 percent. It sounds high to me, but even if it’s 10 percent the increase in property values will allow us to drop the rate.
       “Businesses looking here, if they can operate new business in another county that has a lower tax rate, why wouldn’t they do that? They have people there that will work for them so if that’s a factor in business then we’re not competitive,” said Faircloth. “I think that 79 cents number is kind of a psychological number. If Harnett’s out there at 73 cents or Hoke’s out there at 77 cents, if Cumberland is at 79 cents then you eliminate that as one reason to go elsewhere, I think.”
       Cumberland County’s current property tax rate is 86 cents.
       On the subject of BRAC, both Keefe and Faircloth agree that it’s a great opportunity for Cumberland County, though many questions remain to be answered. For example, until the families start arriving from the closed military bases, no one knows for sure how many school children will need to be provided for.
       Keefe compares BRAC to “winning the lottery” for the county, though he does express reservations about the influx of new students and how easily they will be absorbed.
       “There’s a lot of layers to that onion,” said Keefe. “Are we ready for the influx of people coming to the schools... no. There is an issue on the table trying to get federal money to help build some new schools but quite frankly, time is getting short.”
       Again, Faircloth offers a differing opinion, saying while there are many questions concerning BRAC, he believes the county will be able to accommodate all the new students — as long as those students don’t land in one geographical area.
       “You can just about figure it’s going to be in the western part of the county so there are a couple of schools already being built that I’m not so sure we wouldn’t fill up, even without BRAC,” said Faircloth. “And the honest truth is the number I hear is 3,000 students; if you spread 3,000 students over the whole county they can probably be absorbed. If they jump into one attendance area you’ve got to build some buildings. So it’s a question of where at this point.”
       The two new commissioners come together again on their high opinion of their fellow commissioners and their ability to blend in as the new kids on the block, though Faircloth says he might cause just a bit of consternation once in a while as he relearns the ropes.
       “It will be a good group to work with,” said Faircloth. “If anything, I tend to be more open and let it all hang out than some of them may. And I might make some of them uncomfortable because of that. I’m sensing a little bit of that but I’m not going to spring any surprises on anybody. I like doing public business in public and I think Jimmy’s kind of the same way. So probably, the two rookies will cause a little bit of heartburn at first but I think we’ll all work together real well.”


    Contact Tim Wilkins at tim@upandcomingweekly.com 















  • 10 sled graEditor's note:  Due to inclement weather, Sled-gra has been moved to Saturday, Jan. 25 from 3-9 p.m. The Arts Council exhibit will be opening tonight. 

    If you are looking for something fun to do on a Friday night at the end of the month, look no further than the Fourth Friday celebration that takes place right here in Fayetteville.


    Every fourth Friday of the month, downtown Fayetteville puts on a variety of events and forms of entertainment available to everyone. And it’s free to attend. Many of these events are sponsored by the Cool Spring Downtown District. The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and local businesses and galleries participate go all-out for Fourth Friday festivities as well.

    This event is filled with music, the arts and so much more. It is essentially a celebration of downtown Fayetteville and the arts. People of all ages and all walks of life are able to enjoy the local talents of Fayetteville through the display of their exhibits and often performances throughout the downtown area. Small businesses are spread all throughout the four-and-a-half-block radius of downtown Fayetteville.

    Bianca Shoneman is the president of the Cool Spring Downtown District. Since its inception, the Cool Spring Downtown District participated in Fourth Friday.

    When asked about what goes into the behind the scenes of the events, Shoneman said, “It depends month to month on what the activity level is. Each month is unique and varies. Sometimes it involves street programming like bussers and vendors and artist performance, and other times it requires more of a large-scale event. It takes months of planning and collaboration in communication across various channels, including the media, the arts community, municipal services, et cetera.”

    The Cool Spring Downtown District is always looking for ways to improve upon participance in Fourth Friday. Shoneman said, “We are looking to do some larger events in Fourth Friday in the coming year. In February, we have something really special to celebrate black history month.”

    Metoya Scott is the public relations manager for the Arts Council of Fayetteville. Regarding the Arts Council’s role in Fourth Friday, Scott said, “Recently we have been doing a parking lot party. We are not doing it outside because of the weather, but we have exhibits that open on Fourth Friday. So, it just kind of varies.”

    Scott added that she hopes to engage even more people than the Arts Council already reaches with its many programs and educational initiatives. “Letting people know that we are open to new people moving here that we are an open gallery that is open seven days a week (is important),” said Scott. “(As is) increasing the amount of people who know what the Arts Council is, and of course, the amount of people attending our events.”

    This Fourth Friday, don’t miss sledding at Segra Stadium, complete with four snow hills. Search Sled-Gra on Eventbrite for tickets and information.

    To learn more about Fourth Friday, visit theartscouncil.com or visitdowntownfayettevile.com.

  • 09 Shrek picJanuary in Fayetteville can be a fun and busy time with community activities. This week locals can play in the snow at Segra Stadium, catch a Marksmen game at the Crown, or watch Oscar contenders at the Cameo. For adventure seekers who want to step into a fairy tale and tag along with a hero and his trusty steed to rescue a princess, well, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre has just the thing. “Shrek: The Musical” opens at CFRT Jan. 23 and brings with it lavish set pieces and costumes, local and national talent and enough song and dance to make the Times Square New Year’s Eve Party look weak.

    Based on the Oscar-winning animated film, the musical is a Tony Award winning feat of its own. Creating fairy tale misfits and fire-breathing dragons in animation is fun to watch, but CFRT is presenting them right on stage in the ‘Ville. The technical team has been working behind the scenes to make sure local audiences are thrilled with the results, said CFRT Artistic Director Mary Kate Burke.

    Truckloads of set pieces and costumes were rented and brought in for the show, Burke said, but CFRT technical crew regulars finished up set and costume work to make “Shrek” a “visual feast” for local audiences.

    With the truckloads brought in behind the scenes, 19 songs, 31 cast members and one flying dragon, “It’s an ogre-size show in every sense of the word,” Director Tiffany Green said.

    The characters you love (or don’t) from the movie will be onstage: Shrek, Donkey, Princess Fiona and Lord Farquaad. Not to worry if you haven’t seen (or don’t remember) details from the movie. Burke said audiences will have no trouble following the story.

    Ogre Shrek and his sidekick, Donkey set off on a quest to rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona, who is guarded by a love-sick dragon. The vertically challenged Lord Farquaad wants to marry Fiona and become king. There will be some trouble, some romance, a secret revealed, big laughs and a lot of singing and dancing.

    The show is appropriate for all ages and presents themes that resonate with humans and fairy tale creatures alike, Green said.

    “It is about love, acceptance, tolerance and joy,” Green said. “It is about putting light out into the world. It’s really a show for everyone.”

    The large cast includes Nicholas J. Pearson as Shrek, Marc De La Concha as Donkey, Becca Vourvoulas as Princess Fiona, and Gabe Belyeu as Lord Farquaad. The youth ensemble includes Zoi Pegues as Teen Fiona. Both Vourvoulas and Pegues appeared in CFRT’s production of “Annie” last season.

    “Shrek: The Musical” has music by Jeanine Tesori. The book and lyrics are by David Lindsay-Abaire. The show is choreographed by Sebastiani Romagnolo and music is directed by David Maglione.

    “Shrek: The Musica”l runs Jan. 23 until Feb.16. CFRT has scheduled several special events during the show’s run. You can also treat your little ogre to a VIP Experience after matinee showings in February. For more information on special events or to purchase tickets, visit cfrt.org or call 910-323-4233.

    Special Events

    PJ Party, Jan. 23 and Feb.7 The perfect excuse to wear your pajamas in public and enjoy a pre-show popcorn bar and friendship bracelet making.
    Opening Night Dance Party, Jan. 25 following the performance. Join the cast, creative team and CFRT staff for an opening night dance party and reception.
    Military Appreciation Night Jan. 29 All military personnel receive a 25% discount on tickets with valid ID.
    Swamp Soiree, Jan. 30 Preshow games and activities that are perfect for all the fairy tale creatures in the audience.
    Teacher Appreciation Night, Jan. 31 All educators receive a 25% discount on tickets with valid ID.
    Ogre and Princess Party, Feb. 1 Dress as your favorite ogre, princess or fairytale creature. Decorate your own crown and color pictures before the show.
    Sensory Friendly Performance, Feb. 2 Lighting and sound effects are decreased and there is a “safe zone” with sensory experiences and tactile objects for anyone to use.
    Galentines’s Day, Feb. 13 Enjoy a mimosa bar with your best girlfriends.
  •   13 512px USMC 09611The Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council presents the 27th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast Monday, Jan. 20, from 8-10 a.m., at the Crown Exposition Center. The theme this year is “Seize the Moment: A New Season.”

     “This is the 27th year of the Ministerial Council sponsoring this event, and it has become somewhat iconic in the city,” said Dr. Maxie Dobson, president of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council. “We have the level of sustained support community-wise that we do, and I think that speaks to our community, (which) appreciates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and what he stood for, which are the principles we espouse.”

     Dobson added that’s why the celebration is so well supported and probably one of the most popular events in terms of attendance in our city on an annual basis, and the event organizers are grateful for the support.

     “We will have a great speaker, Bishop Kenneth Monroe … of Eastern North Carolina District A. M. E. Zion Church body, for the event this year. … And we are looking forward to him speaking under the theme, as there is a lot of excitement of him being a part of the program,” said Dobson.

    “It is a time to not only celebrate but to reflect as we look at the theme that the organization has selected. … It somewhat speaks to if, in past times, opportunities have not been given attention, what you would have liked to (do).

     “We can look at where we are now and examine ourselves and ask, ‘what is it can I do to contribute to my community?’ So, it’s in that context that we chose the specific theme for the 2020 breakfast.”

    One of the things that is being done this year that is different is the expansion on the theme and engagement of the community beyond the holiday.

     Dobson added that in the council’s communication to its sponsors for the 2020 breakfast included a form that would allow the sponsors to select a project that can be engaged year-round and not make the day of service effort just on the MLK holiday.

     “Some organizations do different things on that day as a show of community support,” said Dobson. “We want to provoke expanding that to select something that can be done beyond that day and not necessarily every week, but something that can encompass the entire year.

     “We are anticipating how that will be received by the community, and we have a board meeting to see what kinds of submissions that we have had so far,” said Dobson.

    He continued, “That is an expansion of an element — engaging the community in service throughout the year to be a help and (supporting) what the organizations and individuals choose to do. We are looking forward to seeing how that evolves.”

     The event will feature breakfast, entertainment, a speaker and an 8-year-old youngster who will recite speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “There’s a young man who comes well recommended, and he will recite different speeches by Dr. King,” said Dobson. “This will be a way of allowing the youth to be represented in the program, and we look forward to this highlight.

     “We will have singers, but one of the things we want to do is expedite things so that we can be completed by 10 a.m.,” said Dobson. “We are very committed about doing that, so we may not have as much entertainment as we have had in some of the previous years.”

     Dobson added that, like previous years, there will be music playing while individuals are eating breakfast.

     The Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council began in 1957, and the organization is in its 62nd year. “It was birthed during the civil rights era, and it was to give attention to … (the fact) that we had to be a better community,” said Dobson. “They were faced with things like education, housing and the typical things that many communities were challenged with during the 50s and 60s.”

     One of the primary things the Council  highlights is the hard-earned right to vote and to encourage the community and the leaders of the faith community to engage their congregation to exercise their right. As a 501c3 organization, the Council is not allowed and does not become an advocate of any particular candidate, but it is an advocate of encouraging everyone who is eligible to vote to go to the polls and vote.

     “One of the other things we do is to highlight opportunities for nonprofits to seek funds to pursue the community endeavors that they have become organized to do, and there is funding from different sources,” said Dobson. “So we have these kinds of discussions at our monthly breakfast meetings, which are the third Saturday of each month — except for the months of January, June and July.”

     One of the primary outcomes of the Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast is to fund 10 scholarships of $1,000 each to high school students who are going to college. “We take great satisfaction in the legacy that we have there and the number of students that we have been able to help over the years,” said Dobson. “I think that’s one component that the community appreciates very much and that they are contributing to that kind of objective and we look forward to doing that again in 2020.”

     The Martin Luther King Jr. Worship Service is Sunday, Jan. 19, at 5 p.m., at Covenant Love Church. The guest speaker is Apostle Anthony Buie, pastor of St. Joseph Miracle Revival Center in Red Springs, North Carolina.
     Ticket cost for breakfast is $20. The day of the event ticket cost will be $25. Sponsorship levels are available for purchase.
     For more information or to purchase tickets, call Pastor Yvonne Hodges at 910-797-5879 or email Beverly Gibson at secretaryfccmcfaync@gmail.com. Visit the website at www.fayettevillemincouncil.org for more details.

  • 12 MarshallLooking for an event to go to that will be both inspiring and motivating? Look no further than the Givens Performing Arts Center, where  Newy Scruggs, a seven-time Emmy winner, sports personality and UNCP alumnus will host Cynthia Marshall on Jan 22.

     The Dallas Mavericks’ CEO is the first African-American CEO in the NBA. She took over the role in February 2018.

    Marshall has been making her mark since day one. She grew up in low-income housing in Richmond, California. She went to college at the University of California, Berkeley, on a full academic scholarship. She also became the university’s first African-American cheerleader.

    Marshall came out of retirement to be the CEO of the Mavericks. Before her retirement, she enjoyed a 36-year career at AT&T. She began her career there after graduating from college with a degree in business administration and human resources management. Throughout the years, she worked her way up, and in 2012, Marshall was promoted to the role of senior vice president of human resources/chief diversity officer for the national office.

    Abdul Ghaffar is the director of campus engagement and leadership at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

    Ghaffar said that the main focus of the event would be, “Mr. Scruggs and Ms. Marshall sharing their many experiences in business and television with the audience.”

    When it came to having Marshall, specifically, at the Givens Performing Arts Center, Ghaffar said, “The host of the event, Newy Scruggs, a UNCP graduate and sports personality in Dallas. He recommended her. Once I began my research, I discovered that she has several North Carolina ties, including living in the state for several years.

    “Our speaker series has a long tradition at UNCP. We have hosted such names as Spike Lee, Maya Angelou, Caitlyn Jenner, Oliver North, James Earl Jones, Henry Winkler, Cornel West, Bill Nye, Olympians Gabby Douglas and Billy Mills and so many more. Many times, we have our speakers visit parts of our community like the Pembroke Boys and Girls Club and the Lumbee Tribe. Most speakers are interviewed on WNCP TV on campus and participate in a reception for the students, faculty, staff and donors.”

    When asked about what he and the rest of the students and staff hope to get of the event, Ghaffar said, “We are co-sponsoring this event with the School of Business. Since Ms. Marshall was an executive at AT&T for many years and is the only female CEO in the NBA, meaning she runs a billion-dollar sports franchise, we are hoping our students gain some knowledge about the business world. Also Mr. Scruggs is a seven-time Emmy Award winner and hosts his own radio show and is a TV sports personality, so we hope our students will be motivated by his success as a UNCP Alumni.”

    Visit uncp.edu/resources/givens-performing-arts-center for more information or to buy tickets to this event.

  • 11 N1111P72003CFor history buffs, avid learners or anyone up for a challenge, the Civil War & Reconstruction Quiz Bowl, which will take place on Jan. 23 at the Headquarters Library, presents an exciting opportunity for informal and friendly competition as well as an opportunity for an intellectual test.

    The quiz bowl was originally part of a larger series of programs called the Arsenal Roundtable. Now, after 19 years, the annual competition still welcomes young and old to enter and test their historical knowledge, with a cap of 15 contestants. “All ages (can compete), which is why we give a prize to the adult and youth winner,” said Leisa Greathouse, the associate curator of education for the Museum of the Cape Fear. The youth category is considered to be 16 and under.

    The winners will receive a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble.

    Since learning is fun, the categories are, too. “The name of the categories this year are taken from famous and popular movie quotes,” Greathouse said. “The categories are: ‘I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse,’ ‘…life is like a box of chocolates,’ ‘Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer,’ ‘Here’s Johnny,’ ‘You ain’t heard nothing yet,’ ‘Shaken, not stirred,’ ‘Carpe Diem. Seize the day boys,’ ‘I feel the need — the need for speed,’ ‘Houston, we have a problem ’ (and) ‘Bond, James Bond.’”

    Some questions are easy; some questions are hard. They cover a broad range of topics, including people, battles and places, weapons and the military, slavery and freedom. Some questions are about events that took place after the war. In total, 200 questions, including some that are reserved for certain circumstances, will be prepared for the competition.

    With the recent and constant conversations around the pending transition of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex into The North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center, one may be tempted to think the quiz bowl is especially relevant right now. However, an understanding of history is always something important for any community.

    “Even though it can be a divisive topic, we view it as an opportunity to bring understanding through education. Year after year, generation after generation, we seek to build a community of critical thinkers and history-minded individuals. Knowing at least a certain amount of history is imperative to understanding our society,” Greathouse pointed out.

    “History and history museums are always relevant, and we would like to see more people spend more time visiting our facility and attending events like this,” she said.

    Participating in the event is a great opportunity learn facts in an interactive way. Greathouse encourages teachers and college faculty to give extra credit to students in attendance.

    The Civil War & Reconstruction Quiz Bowl will take place on  Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., in the Pate Room of the Headquarters Library, located at 300 Maiden Lane. Up to 15 participants can compete and are encouraged to sign up ahead of time by emailing leisa.greathouse@ncdcr.gov or by calling 910-500-4243. If space is available, which has been the case in the past, then registrations will be taken at the door.

  • 14 OrchestraFrom 1600 to 1750, the Baroque period challenged artistic expectations in Europe. Meaning “oddly shaped pearl,” barroco is characterized by contrasting melodies, harmony and multiple instrument sounds. This style didn’t become popular overnight. In fact, critics of the period described Baroque compositions as overly complicated and elaborate. However, fans of Bach, Vivaldi, Purcell and other masterminds of the era would disagree. The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra will play tribute to these artists with a Baroque performance, Jan. 16, at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

    The concert will provide an educational glimpse into 17th- and 18th-century Europe. In fact, Executive Director Jesse Hughes chose to showcase works from this era “to give the community and audience exposure to famous (composers) of the Baroque period,” particularly Johann Sebastian Bach. “He was like the musical example — the model — the one that’s paid a lot of homage to by the previous composers,” Hughes said about the German composer. “He is looked at as being the forerunner of the Baroque style.”

    Baroque music also offers quite a variety to the listener, Hughes said. Although the Baroque movement took place in Europe, styles varied between countries, particularly France, Germany, England and Italy. Such variety will be represented at FSO’s concert.

    “Expect to be entertained through the musical versatility and flexibility of the musicians,” Hughes said. “For example, Adagio in G Minor for Strings and Organ, where you normally see it on piano, you’ll see on a church organ.”

    Hughes explained that FSO will perform as a chamber orchestra, a more intimate format, since Baroque compositions were traditionally performed this way. “The chamber orchestra can be 50 players or less, and normally instead of having multiple instruments on a part it can be one to two instruments on a part,” said Hughes.

    St. John’s intimate setting combined with the smaller orchestra will allow for more interaction between performers and audience, according to Hughes. Instead of performing onstage, the orchestra will be on ground level; the performers will also enter the same doors that the patrons enter, so the audience will likely be able to meet orchestra members after the concert.

    During the remainder of the season, FSO will perform “Music She Wrote,” a concert that celebrates female composers with works written exclusively by women on Feb. 8. On March 7, FSO will highlight pieces by Brahms, Wagner, Bizet and Berlioz during “In Their Footsteps.” April 4, FSO will perform Bohemian masterpieces, including Dvorak’s Cello Concerto, in “Musical Folktales.” The Music Nerd will appear at 6:45 p.m. before each concert to hold a question and answer session with the audience.

    Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s “If It Ain’t Baroque” will take place at 302 Green St., Thursday, Jan. 16, at 7:30 p.m.

    To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit https://squareup.com/store/fayetteville-symphony-orchestra/item/if-it-ain-t-baroque.

  •     In 1994, California transplant Lynn Pryor opened a theater in the basement of his Fayetteville home.
        “The first season was a short one; we were on the ground floor of my house and seating 40 people,” said Pryor, artistic director and founder of the Gilbert Theater. For the next eight years, performances were at the house — five plays a year (sometimes more) with three inside the house and two in the garden. 
        “We did Shakespeare and children’s plays,” said Pryor. “Many of our plays would not have been seen here otherwise.”
        {mosimage}Next came three years of performing at the Art’s Council building before moving into the current location on Bow Street.
        From the theater’s first days, Pryor had every intention of building something with staying power — so much so that he gave it a name that connected it with the city. 
        “When I decided to move here and I saw this space I knew that I could start a theater and I knew that I wanted to associate is somehow with Marquis de Lafayette,” said Pryor. “I can’t even remember what it is now but I decided that is what was going to be the name of the theater.
        “Then, the next night I thought ‘Are you crazy? Do you want to spend the next 25 years telling people how to pronounce it... how to spell it?’” said Pryor. And then I looked at his (Lafayette’s) full name and he had four or five Christian names and the one that his family used was Gilbert — and that is how it is directly related to our city’s namesake.”
        Of course, many things went right for the Gilbert Theater from the beginning; however, Pryor gives ultimate credit to those who have played a part over the years, naming not only the great actors, producers, business sponsors and artistic supporters, but also the audiences that have come to be entertained.
        “People here are so marvelous, so kind and generous,” he said, comparing it to the analogy of a snowball rolling downhill. “Very soon I could see that it would last, given the community and the commitment that I had from people that were coming to the heart of it. After the first season or two I could see the trajectory of it.”
        On the theater’s Web site it reads, “Gilbert Theater: Where the process is as important as the product.” Pryor is serious about that motto, recalling acting companies in other theaters where all that mattered was opening night — no matter what the wreckage might be in terms of people saying they would never work there again.  
        “I want this to be the absolute opposite here,” said Pryor. “I want people to return because they are treated with respect and have a time of growth and collaboration and fulfilling artistic impulses.”
        Unfortunately, it is still a few weeks too early for Pryor to give many details about what is in store for the coming season, though he did offer a few clues.
        “There is going to be a premier original musical... if all goes well,” said Pryor. “A second musical and our Christmas Caroland then a contemporary play that I saw in London a couple of years ago and knew would be perfect for us.
    “There will be a very, very humorous comedy,” he added. “It is just a couple of weeks too early to spill the beans right now.”

    Contact Stephanie Crider at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 

  •    Salvador Dali was not an attractive man.
       With his pencil-thin, heavily waxed mustache and prominent, aquiline nose, he came across as the raffish love child of Cyrano de Bergerac and former Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Rollie Fingers.
    But oh, his art … sexy, seductive, surreal … imbued with Freudian-inspired symbolism … now that’s hot. And so is the play References To Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, opening at the Gilbert Theater on Jan. 29.
    Based on the story by Jose Riviera — whom you may know better as the author of The Motorcycle Diaries — References To Salvador Dali Make Me Hot blends the deliciously surreal with a story line that the local military and the spouses of those warriors can certainly identify with.
       {mosimage}Gabriele is a beautiful Latina woman in her sexual prime living in the high plains desert town of Barstow, Calif., with her husband Benito, a soldier who leaves her alone to fight in the first Gulf War; after returning to Gabriele he is called away for yet another tour of duty. Left alone, Gabriele finds herself lonesome and throwing off hormones like a nuclear plant venting radioactive steam.
    Her passion is so palpable that both human and non-humans — and even celestial bodies — fall for her body. Among the characters who seek to woo this dark-haired moon goddess are a coyote, a 14-year-old boy named Martin, and the moon itself.
    Sound surreal enough for you so far?
       That’s the point, says Brooke Sullivan, who plays the oh-so-sensual Gabriele.
       “I think the way the play is written, it’s very surreal,” said Sullivan. “Marcella (Casals) is directing it in a way in which people might not always understand what’s going on, but I think that’s the point of the story.”
    However, despite its dreamlike narrative, References is still accessible, says Director Casals … especially for residents — men and women — of a military town like Fayetteville.
       “Benito is in the Army and he’s been away in the Gulf War,” said Casals, who has most recently directed Assassins and Cabaret at the Gilbert. “And as soon as he gets back they send him back into the field. And it seems she’s always waiting for him. She wants him out and he has nine years to go until retirement. He loves what he does and is proud of what he does.
       “It’s very apropos for Fayetteville because we have so many of us who understand that very, very well,” said Casals. “So it’s really for everyone but I think the military will really identify with it... both spouses .. I think everyone will identify with the struggle between the magic of love that we feel and the reality of everyday experiences... and that it is a give and take and that fear that we are giving up too much to have this wonderful person and sometimes we don’t know where we begin and the other begins. There’s a line from the play where she says ‘how do I know if these are my thoughts that I’m thinking?’ She has a whole inner life... she talks to the moon and to her cat and they talk to her.”
       The play is especially real for Will Moreno, who plays Benito. Moreno is an Army vet in real life; he is also starring in his very first play — a prospect nearly as daunting as facing a well dug-in enemy.
       “This is my first time on stage. I got a call that they needed a Hispanic man so I tried out for the part,” said Moreno. “I had no idea it was for one of the lead roles. My family is a little surprised but they’ve been very, very supportive.
       ”I think it’s very real,’ said Moreno. “I relate to my character because I’m a vet. I think military spouses will really be able to relate to the play.”
       The rest of the cast is rounded out by Rickie Jacobs as the moon, Teresa Dagaz as the cat, Steve Jones as the coyote, and newcomer  Manquillan Minnifee as Martin — the 14-year-old neighbor who lusts after      Gabriele (and, on a side note, Minnifee is Casals’ son).
       “This is a young, mostly inexperienced cast that’s really got a lot of energy and is really gelling well,” said Sullivan. “I can’t wait for opening night to get here.”
       Fair warning: This is not a family-friendly play. There is very strong language as well as the aforementioned all-pervading undercurrent of sexuality. Bring your imagination and sense of wonder but leave the kiddies at home.


    Contact Tim Wilkins at tim@upandcomingweekly.com



     

  • Chances are, that if you are connected to the Internet, you follow a blogger or two online. Perhaps you even have a blog of your own. You may use ads to help defray any cost –– or even to make money. And with a simple press of the button, you share yourself and your opinions with the world.

    Now, imagine maintaining a blog in 1858. You write it out by longhand. Up to 100 times. And sell it for a $2 yearly subscription fee. Such was the historical endeavor of Harnett County native John McLean Harrington. Michael Ray Smith, PhD, a professor of communication studies at Campbell University, details Harrington’s fascinating story in his recent book, A Free Press in Freehand: The Spirit of American Blogging in the Handwritten Newspapers of John McLean Harrington, 1858-1869. Smith will discuss his book and more on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m., at the Cumberland County Public Library Headquarters, 300 Maiden Lane. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library Author Visit program and is free and open to the public.

    A native of Washington, D. C., Smith is an award-winning journalist and photographer and author of fi ve books. He has taught for more than 20 years after a 10-year stint in the newsroom. His “discovery” of Harrington’s writings came about after moving to Harnett County and studying its history.

    01-25-12-library-spotlights.jpg“He’s a guy that deserves some kind of recognition,” said Smith. “You may have heard of Paul Green, the playwright that created The Lost Colony. In my way of thinking, you couldn’t have a Paul Green if we hadn’t had a John McLean Harrington. Harrington kind of paved the way for other writers who created people. This guy wrote short stories in 1858. He was 18 years old. He wrote about marriages and obituaries and just routine kinds of stuff happening in the community. But he also had that literary quality. In 11 years, from 1858 to 1869, he authored 302 separate handwritten publications, and in some cases, he hand-copied them up to 100 times. It’s staggering. Unbelievable.”

    Smith was surprised that no one had ever studied Harrington, and one can find irony in the detail that just up the road, UNC-Chapel Hill is home to one of the best journalism schools in the country.

    “He’s mentioned in passing. He doesn’t have any roadside markers like Paul Green has. He was right here in Harnett County. You can go to Duke and see them [the newspapers]; you can touch them, you can pick them up and read them. They’re very available, and they’re historic artifacts, but no one ever bothered. I felt like Columbus. I had a discovery here. This is 1858. This is rural Harnett County. Things haven’t changed much. There’s some development, but there’s not a lot of industry. I admire people who use their own God-given ingenuity to come up with something that’s not just interesting, but it was commercial. He sold this. He sold each of his newspapers for $2 a year. And he has real strict terms: $2 in advance, and if you don’t pay, you don’t get your newspaper.”

    The son of affluent parents, Harrington attended the best schools, which at that time were all private, and by the time he was 15, he was a headmaster earning $158 for three months’ work. As the postmaster of the Harrington Post Offi ce in Broadway, near Sanford, N.C., Harrington was fortunate to have a method of not only distributing his newspapers, but also collecting information.

    “People would go there a couple times a week to get their mail, and he’d have the newspaper there,” said Smith. “When people were getting their mail, they’d stand around and talk.”

    Harrington’s newspapers included some display advertising as well. But Smith also notes that Harrington included some “weird” stuff in his paper, like ads from Philadelphia and New York, though most of the area’s residents “had never been more than 20 miles from their home. He had to put it in there just to make it look more like a newspaper,” Smith said.

    Harrington wrote his newspapers, which included news, jokes and short stories, from age 18 to 29 and lived to be 48, but his life was not without turmoil. He never married, and unlike other able-bodied men of his area, did not serve in the military during the Civil War, nor did he support the Confederacy, considered treasonous at the time.

    For more information, visit www.michaelraysmith.com.

    Photo: Michael Ray Smith to speak at Friends of Library author visit on Feb. 7.

     

  • uac011310001.jpg Hoping to start the new year off with some interesting entertainment?

    Look no further than Givens Performing Arts Center at UNC Pembroke. They’ve got an assortment of productions that cover a variety of tastes.

    “We really have a world class line up for the end of our season,” said Givens Performing Arts Center Director of Marketing Tasha Oxendine. “We scan the globe for great entertainment and we have a lot of really fun things coming up. There is truly something for everyone.”

    The lineup kicks off Jan. 19 with a performance by the Band of the Irish Guards at 8 p.m. Queen Victoria formed this group in 1900 to commemorate the bravery of the Irish Regiments who fought in the South African campaigns. With 49 musicians, the band plays for the Mounting of the Queens Guard at Buckingham Palace and on other ceremonial occasions like Royal Weddings, State Visits and the01-13-10-band-of-irish-guard.jpgQueen’s Birthday Parade.

    “The Band of the Irish Guard — the Queens band — is an opportunity to see one of the best bands in the world,” said Oxendine. “They performed for Queen Victoria at royal functions, and have a distinguished history.”

    The band has toured around the world visiting many countries including Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Switzerland and Japan to name just a few. This tour marks their debut in the U.S.

    Tickets are priced between $5 and $33. The performance starts at 8 p.m.

    On Jan. 21, former WNBA all-star Sheryl Swoopes will be speaking at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series.

    Swoopes has an impressive athletic resume. She’s a three-time gold medal winning Olympian, a four-time WNBA all-star leading vote getter, three-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, the 2002 WNBA MVP and the fi rst female athlete to receive a shoe endorsement from Nike – the Air Swoopes. She’s also the founder of the Sheryl Swoopes Foundation for Youth.

    As part of the Nostalgia Concert Series, Let’s Get Down Tonight, featuring the Boogie Wonder Band will be rockin’ the night away on Jan. 23. Think bell bottoms, disco balls, platform shoes and leisure suits as the the performers bring back the greatest hits of the ‘70s. 01-13-10-boogie-wonder-2.jpg

    The 10-piece band features singers Stardust, Kat Brown and JJ Martinez, backed by Boogie Cindy (bass), Luke Andersen (drums), Eddie Toussaint (percussion), Jack Wrangler (guitar), Erotic Eric (sax), Dr. Tony Fever (trumpet) and Chico Murphy (keys), playing “I Will Survive,” “Jungle Boogie,” “That’s the Way I Like It,” “I Love the Nightlife,” “It’s Raining Men” and much more. In their 11 years of touring more than 300 cities, the Boogie Wonder Band has shared the stage with Kool and the Gang and the late Ric01-13-10-blue-logo.jpgk James.

    Tickets cost between $5 and $24. The performance begins at 8 pm.

    Return to the ‘80s with Robbie Hart — everyone’s favorite wedding singer. That is until he is left at the altar. Broken hearted, he turns every wedding performance into a disaster. Enter Julia, a charming waitress who wins his heart — unfortunately she is already spoken for. Can Hart win the girl of his dreams away from her successful stockbroker fi ancé? 

    Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as “among the most ingenious and amusing musical adaptations of a Hollywood fi lm ever to reach Broadway,” The Wedding Singer is based on the 1998 hit fi lm starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. 

    There will be a faux wedding reception following the performance. The show begins at 8 p.m. on Jan 28. Tickets are between $12 and $32.

    The On Stage for Youth Series features the children’s classic Are You My Mother? A baby bird hatches. Her mother is no where to be found. Baby bird sets off to fi nd her mom. Based on P.D. Eastman’s book, this program is for the K-2 audience. Tickets are $7-10. Show time is 10 a.m. on Feb. 5.

    The Web site www.uncp.edu/gpac has plenty of details and info about other upcoming events at Givens, or give them a call at 521-6287.

  • 01-20-10-tinkerbell.gifMegan Ellis and Dirk Lumbard agree on one thing: There’s a little Peter Pan in all of us.

    That being said, the two veteran actors are leading a merry band of indians, pirates and Lost Boys, on a merry romp through Neverland and into the community’s collective imagination as the Cape Fear Regional Theatre brings Peter Pan to life.

    The story is one that is beloved by generations and Ellis, an Oklahoma native who is revisiting the musical for the third time in her career, hopes to bring its magic to the community.

    “I want the audience to sit back and remember their childhood. Maybe they’ll take a close look at their own lives and see how everyone has a little Peter Pan in them,” she said. “There are many adults who are not able to hold on to that spark of fun and magic and still remember how to play. Maybe this performance will remind them of that — maybe give them that spark back.”

    If Ellis had lost that spark, she was sure to have found it over the past weeks of performance. Bringing Peter Pan to life, Ellis has been in constant contact with the cast of local children who make up the Lost Boys. “I’ve never had a better character study,” she said. “it’s great to play with this bunch of boys. I’m learning a lot from them. They are so economical in their movements and they are so uninhibited. They are teaching me so much.”

    Not that Ellis has a lot to learn about Peter Pan. This is her third performance in the musical; however, it’s her fi rst time in the leading role.

    “Playing Peter is a dream come true for me,” she said. “I’ve been an understudy but never made a performance on stage. I just love the magic of the story and this opportunity is just amazing.”

    Lumbard, a veteran on the CFRT stage concurs with Ellis on yet another point. Throughout his long career he has never had the opportunity to perform in Peter Pan, and when it was offered to him by Director Bo Thorp, he jumped.

    Lumbard will play duals roles, that of the father and Captain Hook. While both are important, it is the role of Captain Hook that has him the most excited.

    “I grew up watching the Mary Martin television production of Peter Pan,” said Lumbard. “Cyril Ritchard, who played Captain Hook in that version was a comedic genius. He has always been an idol of mine, so this is a dream come true for me.”

    Lumbard said that while Hook, in the eyes of the Lost Boys, is the essence of evil, he is really not a very good villan. “He has a band of cutthroat pirates who really aren’t very good either,” he said. “It’s very easy to make him a very foppish character with his long black wig and hook.”

    The hook has been something Lumbard has had to concentrate on throughout rehearsals. “It would be very easy to hurt someone with it,” he said. “So I’ve worked very hard with it.”

    He, and the rest of the cast, have also worked very hard on the fi ghts scenes. “Megan has been a great help to us in that area,” he said. “I haven’t done any sword fi ghting in about 15 years, so I really had to get in shape.”

    The cast will also take fl ying lessons in the week prior to the opening. The show is very physical, and Lumbard noted that safety is of prime importance.

    Like Ellis, Lumbard has had a great time working with the local actors who are bringing to life the pirates, indians and Lost Boys. “For many of these children, it’s been a great opportunity to get a taste of professional theatre with the professional sets and lights,” he said. “They have been so much fun.”

    The musical opens on Thursday, Jan. 28 and runs through Sunday, Feb. 21. Ticket prices range from $15 to $28, and can be purchased by calling the CFRT Box Offi ce at 323-4233. For more information, visit the CFRT Web site at www.cfrt.org.

  • uac011613001.gif To say Kay Yow is a legend is an understatement. She was the N.C. State Wolfpack women’s basketball team head coach from 1975 to 2009. With more than 700 career wins, and a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame, Yow was an inspiration to many, not just for her great coaching skills, but for her fighting spirit.

    Yow was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and after three bouts with the disease she passed away on Jan. 24, 2009. On Saturday, Feb. 2, Fayetteville State University will get into the game by hosting a “Ball in Pink” basketball game against its rival St. Augustine’s University. .

    The event is part of the Play 4 Kay campaign sponsored by the Kay Yow Cancer Foundation. The Play 4 Kay program (formerly known as WBCA Pink Zone) encourages coaches across the nation to increase breast-cancer awareness and raise funds for breast-cancer research. The program has raised more than $2 million for women’s cancer research since 2007.

    Breast cancer survivors and family members are eligible for free admission and special seating in the chancellor’s section. After the game, breast cancer surivivors and family members are invited to a reception. The group will also be recognized during half-time of the nationally televised men’s game. If you are interested in attending, contact Kevin Wilson at 910-672-2565 or email kwilso10@uncfsu.edu. The deadline is January 21. Support the cause and wear pink to the game. Better yet, help raise funds for breast-cancer research by purchasing a “Ball in Pink” T-shirt at the FSU bookstore before the game. To make a donation, visit www.play4kay.org, click “donate to the team” and select “FSU Broncos.” All of the proceeds benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Foundation and the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation Friends of the Cancer Center.1-16-13-yowhyperdunk.gif

    The women’s game starts at 1 p.m. followed by the men’s game at 4 p.m. There will also be a silent auction at the game.

    Methodist Monarchs

    On Feb. 16, Methodist University will also celebrate Play 4 Kay at a 2 p.m. game. Fans who wear pink to the game will be admitted free with a donation to support breast-cancer awareness. The team will wear pink shirts to support the cause as well. Purchase a T-shirt or pint glass to remember the event. Items are available before the game or at www.mumonarchs.com/sb_output.aspx?form=16. During the game, fans are encouraged to participate in the silent auctions. Items up for bid include autographed items, special golf packages and more.

    Breast cancer survivors will be honored during half-time. This is yet another way that the university seeks to raise awareness about this invasive killer. In the past four years, this event has helped Methodist University Monarchs raise more than $15,000 to support breast-cancer research and awareness.

    “Kay Yow has always been an inspiration to me — not only as a coach, but as a player,” said Methodist’s Head Coach DeeDee Jarman. “She was devoted to North Carolina State, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the game of basketball; we are delighted to have the opportunity to give back.”

    To find out more about this event, contact the Methodist University Athletic Department at (910) 630-7175 or visit www.mumonarchs.com/play4kay.

    Breast cancer survivors interested in participating in the event should contact DeeDee Jarman at (910) 630-7283 or djarman@methodist.edu

    Photo: Ball In Pink games raise money to support cancer research through the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

  • 01-08-14-honoring-dr-king.gifIn Fayetteville, Two events will take place in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 20: The 21st Annual Prayer Breakfast and the 2014 MLK Challenge Day of Service. This year’s prayer breakfast is hosted by The New Life Bible Church and as in years past, is slated at the Crown Exposition Center. The Honorable Judge, Ed Pone (Fayetteville-Cumberland County) is the keynote speaker.

    “Every year, the night before the actual prayer breakfast, the churches of the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Ministerial Council get together in a local church and have a worship service to worship the Lord,” said Dr. Allen McLauchlin, pastor of The New Life Bible Church. “Last year, it was held at Northwood Temple. This year, it is at The New Life Bible Church Center.”

    McLauchlin said that a good turn out includes anywhere between 800 to 1,000 people.

    “The prayer breakfast itself is to highlight Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday,” said McLauchlin. “It is open to the community whether they are people of many different faiths or people of no faith.”

    Local and national recording artists, Pastor Rodney Raines and Emmanuel, will provide entertainment at the event.

    “We do this in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. because he’s an icon,” said McLauchlin. “He sacrificed his life and he represents a struggle. You normally tend to pick out people who are trailblazers, and he definitely was that. He left a trail for us to follow and blazed a trail for us to get through. He was a visionary who believed that all people are created equal and his message is timeless.”

    Immediately following the breakfast, the public is invited to attend a citywide conversation on working together for Fayetteville’s success.

    “After the breakfast, we will have a public-policy forum where we will sit down and speak to teenagers with the hope of inspiring them to do something for the public,” said McLauchlin. “One of thfind alternatives to violence. If a person is thinking about their future, wanting to become somebody and leaving their mark on society, when violence comes their way, they’re going to stray away from it, and so we need to give these kids something to look forward to.”

    The 2014 MLK Challenge Day of service is a day in which the faculty, staff and students of Fayetteville State University, Methodist University and Fayetteville Technical Community College invite the residents of Fayetteville and Cumberland County to come out and help serve the community in celebration and honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by making this annual day of service “a day on, not a day off.” Initiated by Congress in 1994, it is a nationwide effort to transform the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. into a day of community service and continued elaboration on his teachings that help solve problems. An adult must accompany anyone under the age of 18

    .Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the opening ceremony commences at 9:15 a.m. The event takes place at Fayetteville State University’s Lilly Gymnasium. For pre-registration, visit www.2014MLKDay.Eventbrite.com. Everyone is encouraged to bring nonperishable foods for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

    The 21st Annual Prayer Breakfast is sponsored by The Fayetteville/Cumberland County Ministerial Council, Inc.. The prayer breakfast will last from 7:30 to 10 a.m. with a donation of $18 or $20 at the door.

    For more information, contact Reverend Mary Owens: 910-670-5662, Dr. Maxie Dobson: 910-624-7785, or Dr. Allen McLauchlin: 910-818-1228 or visit the website at www.ministerscouncil.net.

    Photo: The community is set to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a breakfast and day of service.


  •    There’s nothing like a gathering of friends around the dinner table: the comfortable flow of chatter about day-to-day events, the relating of humorous stories, sometimes even the sharing of grief. The dinner table has long been a central point of communication in our society.
       What if an evening around the table could actually make a difference in our community and in the lives of those in need? That’s exactly what happens at the Evening of Care, an annual fundraiser for the CARE Clinic. The 12th annual Evening of Care is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7. People all over the community will open their homes for an evening of fun and good food — and you’re invited.
        Sandy Ammons, one of the organizers of the annual event, said this fundraiser is one of the most anticipated events of the year.
       “Every year it grows and grows,” said Ammons. “There are so many different types of parties all over town. Some of the dinner parties are formal and some of them are more like backyard barbecues. The one thing they all have in common is that they are all fun.”
       {mosimage}While the atmosphere at the dinners may be different, all of the meals are the same. Each year Dorothy Royal, of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, cooks each and every dinner. Diners can choose between lasagna and a chicken meal. In case you’re wondering, that’s a lot of meals. Last year, 703 meals were served, which raised around $60,000 for the clinic.
       Joanne Chavonne, another member of the organizing committee, recounted how the event has grown over the years.
       “Our first year, in 1998, we served 343 meals and raised $31,000,” she said. “Every year it has grown a little bit. We are on track on our reservations from last year, and we expect to serve as many, if not more this year.”
       Last year Chavonne, who started Fayetteville Cares, an organization whose main goal is to show support for the men and women in the armed forces in our community, added a new element to the dinner. Community residents were able to sponsor wounded soldiers to the dinner.
       “We had an overwhelming response,” said Chavonne. “We ended up with 104 sponsorships. Everyone in the community was so supportive, and we’ve had great feedback from the military, as well.”
       Chavonne said to date, there are 50 military sponsorships, but she expects more to come in as the deadline for the registration quickly approaches.
       “We’re looking forward to this evening. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” she said.
       Ammons said that the event is one of the biggest fundraisers for the clinic each year. The CARE Clinic is a private, nonprofit organization that provides free medical care and dental extractions for uninsured, low income adults of Cumberland County. The clinic relies totally on grants, donations and fundraising events, such as The Evening of CARE to continue to provide health services in the community.
    The cost for the dinner is $75 per person. If you would like to receive an invitation, please contact Gloria at The CARE Clinic at (910) 485-0555 or e-mail projects@nc.rr.com. 

    Contact Janice Burton at editor@upandcomingweekly.com




























     
     







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  • While much of the community and nation has been focused on the economy, Fayetteville leaders have managed to look beyond the economy to the city’s future and have undertaken a number of initiatives over the past year to improve not only city services, but the qaulity of life for its citiznes.

    For a number of years, the Fayetteville Area Transit System has been a top priority for the Fayetteville City Council. A large segment of the city’s population depends on the city buses to get to work, to doctors appointments and shopping destinations. While many city’s are cutting services, Fayetteville has maintained its commitment to the community by increasing not only the number of citizens served by the buses but also the quality of the service.

    In September 2011, the city added extended services to a number of bus routes, including the FASTtrac van service for disabled residents.

    “By adding evening hours to these routes, travel will be enhanced from downtown to north Fayetteville,” said Transit Director Randy Hume. “Connections are also being added to Cape Fear Valley satellite locations and western portions of the service area. Funding for these improvements was provided by the Fayetteville City Council in the city’s budget. These changes are only a few of the improvements clients will experience as FAST continues to enhance citizens’ travel options one step at a time.”

    The same attention that was given to the FAST system was also extended to the disabled in our community.

    The Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commision is active in working to create opportunities for the disabled. Following the completion of a Self Evaluation and Transition Plan in 2007, the city has undertaken a wide variety of projects to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act, including closed captioning and listening devices for city council meetings; a city council chamber renovation; numerous ADA projects at City-owned facilities, recreation centers and parks; handicap lifts at the Amtrak station; curb cuts and sidewalk upgrades, along with special doors, to accommodate persons who are disabled; and appropriate signage in city hall.

    “The City of Fayetteville has taken great strides to address ADA requirements,” said Ron McElrath, city ADA coordinator and human relations director.

    From its people, to its environment, the city continues to look for ways to improve.

    One unique aspect of innovation is the purchase of four Big Belly solar compactors for disposing of recyclables and trash. These compactors are used at large events downtown including the International Folk Festival and the Dogwood Festival. Each Big Belly solar compactor uses solar energy to compact trash and actually cuts public garbage collection emissions by up to 80 percent, because it has five times the capacity of a regular trashcan.

    Reducing waste and increasing effi ciency are key elements in this great form of technology. Also, equipped with wireless monitoring, staff is notified when the trashcans need to be emptied and can be tracked from a remote computer.

    The second part of the unit is a recycling component that collects glass, plastic, and paper recycling, which was one of the number one requests for things to be added to downtown. the like during the International The compactors are an example of green efforts in the All-America City of Fayetteville.

  • 20220131 130332 housing CPP01 scaled When COVID-19 hit in March 2020, the economy stuttered to a standstill, and hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians lost their jobs over the next year and a half.

    Amid the loss of income, the biggest expense for the vast majority of those workers was sometimes left unpaid: rent.

    To answer this need, Congress allocated billions of dollars in rental assistance through federal stimulus funds. North Carolina cities and counties received those funds to oversee disbursement.

    Cumberland County and the city of Fayetteville received a combined $18.1 million, which they jointly used to create the Fayetteville Cumberland Rental Assistance Program, or RAP.

    Nearly eight months after RAP launched, more than $17.3 million has been spent — almost 96% — to aid more than 7,600 renting households, according to figures from the city and county provided to Carolina Public Press late last week.

    As of Monday, the program is not accepting new applications until it gets new funding, as program administrators still need to work through over 5,000 pending applications.

    More than 750 new COVID-19 cases, due to the omicron variant, were reported in Cumberland County on a typical day throughout January, well above rates before this surge.

    If the pandemic continues to close businesses and eliminate jobs, then more help will be needed, said Dee Taylor, Cumberland community development director.

    “There’s some uncertainty of what our future poses as it relates to this crisis,” she said. “If this continues, then yes, more than likely, we’re going to need additional aid in the future.”

    ‘We were already struggling’

    Before the pandemic, tenants in Cumberland County were already struggling to pay rent.

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s five-year American Community Survey in 2019, 48% of renting households spent 30% or more of their income on housing costs.

    That’s higher than the statewide rate of 43% for the same time frame.

    The target for many housing experts and advocates is to keep housing costs at or below that 30% mark.

    “We were already struggling with the lack of affordable housing in our community,” Taylor said. “We’ve always had a short supply of affordable housing. As far as the housing market, it does not help those who are living in poverty. To be able to afford the market rate housing in our community — that’s where you have a big challenge, especially in this community.”

    Increased fees on new round of assistance

    In the last $1.7 million of federal funding into Cumberland’s portion of RAP, the county Board of Commissioners increased the portion of administrative fees and housing stability services from 8% to 25%, CPP previously reported.

    This is the maximum that U.S. Treasury Department guidelines allow.

    While RAP will spend 15% on administration by Innovative Emergency Management, the agency that the county and city contracted to disburse the aid, the remaining 10% will be spent on housing stability services.

    The U.S. Treasury, in its guidelines for emergency rental aid disbursement, allows for eviction diversion programs and case management related to housing stability, among others, under these services.

    Taylor said the eviction diversion could be used to offset the tenant’s costs for legal services and court fees when facing eviction.

    She would anticipate that a majority, though, would be spent on case management, as it helps finalize rental assistance agreements between tenant and landlord, especially in Cumberland’s case as it navigates through its remaining applications, she said.

    “In general, it helps (tenants) navigate through the application process,” Taylor said.

    “When they submit their application, they still have to turn in certain documentation to show that they’re eligible for the program. … Sometimes, not always, a lot of times the applications are not always complete with the required documentation.

    “So, the case managers are there to help them gather that information and service the end communication between the tenant and the landlord.”


     Photo Credit: Multi-family housing in the Stanton Arms complex off Whitfield Street in Fayetteville is seen on Saturday. Melissa Sue Gerrits / Carolina Public Press

  • GOP Debate A new congressional seat in North Carolina is getting much attention from political hopefuls and resident politicians. Congressional District 4 will now encompass Cumberland County, Sampson County, Johnston County, most of Harnett County, and a section of Wayne County.

    Many Republican candidates have thrown their names into the hat, hoping to become the Representative for the new district. This past Saturday, the Cumberland County GOP hosted a forum for ten candidates to discuss crucial issues and introduce themselves to voters in Fayetteville. Nine of the candidates were present, as Christine Villaverde was unable to come due to a case of pneumonia; however, her campaign team was in attendance.

    Some of the issues discussed were national, such as opinions on federalizing the elections, solving the problem of illegal immigration, becoming energy independent, the security threat of China, and how the federal government can address the rising crime.

    Other questions were more individualized, like which committees they would want to serve on and who they would support for a House Speaker.

    Michael Andriani
    Andriani is a newcomer to politics and recently resigned from the U.S. Army after refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. He did request to get a religious exemption, however, that was denied. Andriani was commissioned as an Army officer and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute with a degree in history.

    Andriani did not indicate who he would support for Speaker of the House but did throw out the suggestion it should be former President Donald Trump.

    Andriani did say his priorities would be to defend the Constitution and enforce the law.

    When it comes to being energy independent, he believes that the U.S. should look at multiple energy sources, particularly nuclear energy.

     

    DeVan Barbour
    Barbour, a native of Johnston County, has worked as a delegate for the Republican National Convention, but this is his first time running for office. He co-founded Cornerstone Employee Benefits and previously worked for Pierce Group Benefits. He is running a campaign as "one of the people."

    He says he is a conservative Republican and wants to vote for conservative values. When it comes to the Speaker of the House, he says he will see who Trump endorses and would like to serve on the House Agriculture Committee or the House Armed Services Committee.

    While he is not a fan of federalizing elections, he says he wants to look into a national voter I.D. system and a federal ban on ballot drop-off boxes. He also believes that the border wall needs to be finished, and he would like to see an end to all catch-and-release programs.

    Rene Borghese
    Borghese worked for 31 years as a nurse and is currently the Director for Logistics of the Air Medical Program for Duke Life Flight. She says she decided to run for the first time because she wants to see conservative values return to the country.

    She would like to see streamlining in the government and create better communication between local/state governments and the federal government.
    For Speaker of the House, she says she will vote for someone who shows up and votes and not someone who makes behind-the-door deals with lobby groups. She would like to serve on the House Committee on Appropriations and focus on healthcare due to her experience in that field.

    She said she would like America to be more independent with energy and economics and be less dependent on China. She raises concerns about outsourcing jobs and the purchasing of companies and their properties by China-owned companies. She says you can't put the cart before the horse for energy independence, which she believes President Joe Biden has done with shutting down the Keystone Pipeline.

    Bill Brewster
    Brewster is a veteran from Charlotte but now lives in this seat's area for his business. He previously ran in the 2020 election for the U.S. House North Carolina District 12 but was disqualified after not paying his filing fee. He also launched his 2022 campaign for District 13 before the new redistricting map was published.

    He says that the U.S. Government needs leadership with character, motivation and dedication. When asked about who he would support for Speaker of the House, he said it should be someone younger with vitality and not someone like Mitch McConnell - who currently serves in the U.S. Senate. He also stated that he would be interested in serving on the House Agriculture Committee and would like to work on a committee regarding business or one that helps veterans.

    When it comes to federalizing elections, he said he would support a federal voter I.D. law, but everything else should be left to the state to decide on election law.

    Tony Cowden
    Cowden is a veteran and business owner in Sampson County. He is new to the political world; this is the first elected seat he has run for.
    He says his decisions and core principles are based on the ten commandments, the constitution and constituents and announced that he would only serve four terms if he were to be elected.

    Cowden says he won't vote for someone who compromises with the left when choosing the next Speaker of the House. If elected, he says he would like to serve on the House Agriculture Committee, House Homeland Security Committee, or the House Armed Services Committee. He did bring up concerns over barracks living and how the House could improve the lives of service members.

    When it came to energy independence and illegal immigration, he believes America can resolve these two issues if the U.S. decides to invest more in our southern neighbors than Europe or the Middle East. He says we should focus on becoming a stronger hemisphere rather than worry about issues halfway across the globe. By investing in countries to our south, we could help support jobs that deter immigration to the U.S.

    Renee Ellmers
    Ellmers is no stranger to Cumberland County. She served as the U.S. Representative for District 2 from 2011 to 2017, when Cumberland County fell in District 2. She previously served on the Energy and Commerce Committee, House Agriculture Committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Small Business Committee. She was endorsed by Trump in 2016.

    Ellmers says she doesn't want to name anyone at the moment for a possible Speaker of the House but says she will pay close attention to the person's staff and who they pick to work with them. She also said she is open to someone new who may be running in the 2022 elections.

    If she were to be elected, she would focus on ending the Green New Deal and help support an American Parents Bill of Rights that would allow parents to have the right to know what curriculum is being taught to their children and have a say in it.

    She stated that she does not view President Joe Biden as a legitimate president but is against federalizing election law. She would help support Voter ID and Picture ID laws but it should be left up to the states.

    Nat Robertson
    Robertson is a familiar face to Fayetteville natives as Fayetteville's former Mayor. He was also appointed to the Trump White House Roundtable on Infrastructure, the North Carolina Governors Crime Commission under Pat McCrory, N.C. League of Municipalities, The Task Force on Veteran Homelessness, the Task Force on Opioid Addiction Awareness and the Fayetteville Police Foundation.

    When it comes to the Speaker of the House, Robertson says he will listen to what the Republican leadership says and go with them. He said that making those connections early on would help him pass legislation later. He also said that he would be interested in serving on a committee that would work for veterans.

    He says he is not a fan of big government and believes many issues, such as crime and elections, should be done on a state and local level.

    He also emphasized family values throughout the forum. However, he says he is concerned that China-owned companies compromise those values.

    Alan Swain
    Swain is a veteran who previously worked at the White House under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush as the Executive Officer to the White House Drug Czar. He told people at the forum that he knows D.C. and is a fighter.

    He stated that he would have concerns if Kevin McCarthy was elected as House Speaker and be more comfortable voting for Steve Scalise. However, if Scalise doesn't run for House Speaker, Swain said he would also look at Jim Banks, a well-liked fresh face.

    Swain also noted that he would be interested in serving on the House Oversight Committee, House Judiciary Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. However, he did mention that he would want term limits and would pass that if voted on.

    He is worried about illegal immigration and how many federal departments are becoming biased and not enforcing what they are sworn to do, like the Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services and Homeland Security. He also noted that China is one of the U.S.'s most significant enemies, and we need to be more prepared in defense against them.

    John Szoka
    Szoka is a veteran and is currently a representative for North Carolina House District 45 and has been in that seat since 2013. He is currently serving on the Banking Committee, Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform Committee, Energy and Public Utilities Committee, House Finance Committee, Health Committee, House Redistricting Committee and the Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House Committee.

    Szoka says he currently has no favorite pick for a possible House Speaker and says that the Republican Party needs to focus on having a successful election. He would be interested in serving on the Armed Services Committee or the Energy and Commerce Committee.

    He believes in making sure no federal law passes regarding state elections, even relating to Voter ID. However, he said the most significant impact that voters will have on election law is the upcoming fall election of the State Supreme Court.

    Like the other candidates, he believes that the pipeline should reopen to secure energy independence. However, while companies should work towards sustainable energy, no mandates should force them to follow sustainable energy options.

    He also noted that the United States needs to maintain a strong military force, especially against China and Russia.

    He says he is concerned about online security, and that needs to be a more prominent topic on how to stop electronic hacks on our government.

    Cumberland GOP Poll Results NEW

    Following the forum, the Cumberland County GOP Chapter held a straw poll, both in-person and online.

    The top candidates for the in-house straw poll were Barbour, polling at 25.6%, Szoka, polling at 23.3%, and Cowden, polling at 20.9%. The people at the bottom of the poll were Brewster, Andriani and Borghese.

    The Primary Election will take place on May 17.

  • LIHWAP NEW Households in Cumberland County that had their water services cut off or have received notice that their water services are in danger of being cut off can apply for assistance in paying their bill through a new federal program called the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). 

    LIHWAP is a temporary emergency program that will help eligible households and families afford water and wastewater services. The temporary program provides a one-time payment for eligible low-income households directly to the utility company. 

    Households that currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services, or those that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services between Oct. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021, are automatically eligible to receive this benefit.

    “This program will assist Cumberland County residents keep their water service running for proper hygiene and better health,” Heather Skeens, Department of Social Services Director, said in a press release.

    All other households that have lost water services or are in danger of losing service can apply online at www.epass.nc.gov. Individuals can also apply by printing a paper application from www.epass.nc.gov and dropping it off at a drop box outside the Cumberland County Department of Social Services, 1225 Ramsey Street in Fayetteville, or by faxing it to (910) 677-2885 or by calling (910) 677-2983 to apply by phone.

    All households that are not in danger of losing their water service can apply for assistance if they meet the eligibility requirements. To be eligible for the LIHWAP program, a household must have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen and:

    • Has income equal to or less than 150% of the federal poverty level,
    • Has household services that are disconnected and are in jeopardy of disconnection or have a current outstanding bill
    • Is responsible for the water bill

    For more information on this program and eligibility, visit the LIHWAP website.

    LIHWAP runs through September 2023 or until the funds run out.

  • JCPC RFP new The Cumberland County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) is seeking new programs to help serve delinquent and at-risk youth. The JCPC has announced that $1,119,291 will be available for various programs beginning July 1.

    The JCPC anticipates receiving the funds from the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Corrections and Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Community Programs for the state Fiscal Year 2022-2023.

    The deadline for the proposal submissions is March 1 at 5 p.m. Applicant RFPs should address the following items:

    • Program services that are compatible with research that is shown to be effective with juvenile offenders.
    • Program services that are outcome-based.
    • The program must have an evaluation component.

    The JCPC will consider proposals for the following needed programs:

    • Mentoring Programs
    • Teen Court
    • Mediation/Conflict Resolution
    • Parent/Family Skill Building
    • Tutoring/Academic Enhancement
    • Interpersonal Skill Building
    • Restitution/Community Service
    • Substance Abuse Treatment
    • Sex Offender Treatment
    • Vocational Development
    • Group Home Services
    • Counseling
    • Clinical Evaluation/Psychological Assessment
    • Temporary Shelter (Emergency/Crisis Placement)
    • Juvenile Structured Day Programs
    • Gang Prevention Services

    Proposed programs should target the following risk factors for delinquency or repeat delinquency:

    • School Behavior Problems
    • In-School Suspension/Out-of-School Suspension/Teen Dropouts
    • Behavioral Health Needs (Mental Health/Substance Abuse)
    • Family Conflict/Parenting Skills
    • Negative Peer Relationships
    • Runaway Programs

    An application must be completed and submitted online here.

    Governmental agencies, 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporations and local housing authorities are invited to submit applications. After submitting the application electronically, print and submit hard copies. In order to be considered for funding, all required documentation must be submitted with the program application by the March 1 deadline. It is required that two copies of the RFP be submitted.

    The applications can be mailed to Nichelle Gaines, JCPC Coordinator at Cumberland County, Suite 512, P.O. Box 1829, Fayetteville, NC 28302. Gaines can be contacted at 910-437-1884.

    For questions about the proposals or assistance with submissions, contact JCPC Area Consultant Crystal Bennett at 919-710-5331.

  • Refresh this page for the latest information about closures, delays, and winter weather forecasts throughout Cumberland County.

    City of Fayetteville

    The City of Fayetteville leaders says that they will monitor forecasts which call for cold temperatures, rain and possibly light snow this weekend.

    All Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation games, practices, programs and activities for Saturday, Jan. 29 have been canceled due to the anticipated snowfall and elevated risk of travel hazards. All facilities and gated parks will be closed on Saturday. FCPR said they will return to normal operations on Monday, Jan. 31.

    “No matter how much accumulation we see, make good decisions,“ Emergency Management Coordinator Scott Bullard said. “Your life is important. It doesn’t take much snow to pose a hazard, slick roads can be deadly. A weather event can change your life. We’ve seen what a vehicle crash, wind and even power outages can do.”

    Many City services such as Police Reports and Permit applications can be accessed online. Departments also recommend phone calls to assist with research and questions during operational hours.

  • Fort Bragg Airborne Elements from the 82nd Airborne Division and the 18th Airborne Corps from Fort Bragg have been placed on alert for possible eastern Europe deployment.

    Other units placed on alert include the 18th Airborne Corps and the 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell, KY and the 4th Infantry at Fort Carson, CO. No deployment orders have been issued as of Thursday afternoon.

    Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby made the announcement at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

    "The vast majority of the troops that the secretary put on prepare-to-deploy are in fact dedicated to the NATO Response Force. And if and when they're activated, we'll be able to provide more specific detail in terms of breakdowns and numbers," Kirby said.

    Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III announced Monday that 8,500 troops were put on heightened alert, so they will be prepared to deploy if needed to reassure NATO allies in the face of ongoing Russian aggression on the border of Ukraine. If the NATO force is activated, Austin's order will allow the United States to rapidly deploy additional brigade combat teams, along with units specializing in logistics, medical, aviation, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, transportation and more.

    Kirby said Thursday that the buildup of Russian forces near the Ukrainian border has increased “in the last 24 hours.”

    "The Immediate Response Force is always prepared to go anywhere," Lt. Col. Brett Lea, a spokesperson for the 82nd Airborne Division told Up & Coming Weekly on Tuesday. "We are always on standby."

    Passes and leave for service members on standby have been revoked.


     (DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

  • dr keen vertical 312x400 Dr. Larry Keen, president of Fayetteville Technical Community College for nearly 15 years, announced that he plans to retire next year.

    Keen joined FTCC as the College’s president in August of 2007, succeeding Dr. Larry Norris, who retired after ten years.

    “To say this is bittersweet would be an understatement,” Keen wrote in a letter to the FTCC’s Board of Trustees.

    He thanked the board “for the incredible opportunity” to have served as FTCC’s fourth president and said the College is financially secure, academically strong and dedicated to continuous improvement.

    Keen said he plans to continue to work hard until he retires.

    "I'll be with you for another year," he told the board. "If anyone expects me to be a lame duck, they're expecting the wrong thing."

    David Williford, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said Keen will be missed when he leaves.

    "It is with great sadness that we hear this news," Williford said. "We appreciate your knowledge and your leadership. We wish you the very best."

  • Zoning Downtown The City of Fayetteville held a community meeting last week to discuss a plan that will expand the downtown footprint beyond Hay Street. Over 100 people attended the Zoom-only meeting to discuss the Downtown Urban Design Plan.

    The City Council adopted the plan in February 2020 to guide development in the downtown area.

    The main initiatives talked about during the meeting were creating a downtown district and fostering downtown living.

    “What our plan calls for is those six districts to be consolidated into two,” Craig Harmon, a senior planner, said. “You’ll have a Downtown 1 district, which is basically what our downtown district is now, and then a Downtown 2 district that hopes to stretch the downtown off of that. Within these boundaries, we have everything from residential to office to commercial to industrial.”

    Each district has different zoning standards. By turning the six districts into two districts, the city can provide more consistency in the types of businesses and licensures available downtown.

    For example, sexually-oriented businesses, principal-use parking lots and private golf courses would not be allowed in the two new districts. Right now, they are allowed in at least one of the smaller districts that are currently set up.

    “The main thing that this rezoning is looking to do is help with one, cohesiveness, and, two, some predictability for property owners,” Harmon said.

    Alicia Moore, another senior planner for the city, says they want to focus on the walkability and living of the downtown area and the main way to do that is to focus on businesses that serve people who can walk there.

    “Another way that we support downtown as a holistic, complete neighborhood is by building on its existing draw as a destination for restaurants and other activities that you enjoy and then leave, and rounding it out with more housing options to encourage more people to live there and by supporting more everyday commercial activities,” Moore said.

    The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on zoning text changes on March 22 and then the Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on map changes on April 12. City Council will hold a public hearing on all the changes on May 23.

  • The emergency rental assistance program in Cumberland County will start again now that the board has accepted $1,773,457.20 from the U.S. Treasury. However, that didn't come without discussion.

    Innovative Emergency Management, the contractor who helps administer funds for the ERAP program, asked the board to amend their contract. Instead of receiving 8% for administrative costs and other services, they are now asking for a maximum of 25%. Fifteen percent will go towards administrative fees, and 10% will go towards case management.

    Cumberland County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe expressed concern with the increased costs.

    "I think the rental emergency program is good," Keefe said. "But I will stand by that I believe that 25% of $1.7 million, which is $450,000, going to administration of this program is not in the best interest and not good for stewardship of this money because that's $450,000 that could possibly help a lot of people and their rent."

    Five board members — Board Chairman Glenn Adams and commissioners Larry Lancaster, Jeannette Council and Toni Stewart — voted in favor. Three commissioners — Charles Evans, Michael Boose, and Keefe — voted against.

  • 01-08-14-lies,-lies-more-lies.gifEons ago people told stories to pass on family history, to entertain, to retell adventures and to explain the origins of man. Storytelling is a way to share, entertain and bond. The most entertaining stories; however, need not be completely true. Great storytellers can take even the dullest tale and remake it into a masterpiece. The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition hosted by The Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast puts local storytellers skills to the test. Competitors, bring your best “there I was...” story and come ready to embellish like never before. The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition is planned for Jan. 11 and promises to be great fun.

    Executive Director Jennifer Hansen McRae said the competition is “A great time with lots of laughs! The competition portion of the day will have 18-20 tellers telling three minute or less tall tales — the more extravagant the lie the better. Just make the judges believe it. Storyteller Tim Lowry is our head judge and he has great experience on both sides. He was a liar in the very first liar’s showdown. The evening’s events will feature Tim telling rodeo tales and the top three liars from the morning event.”

    According to McRae, stories range from fishing, to western and much more. The competitors have free range in their topics. The goal is just to be entertaining and as convincing as possible. For the audience members, the goal is just to enjoy the outrageous stories, and try to spot the lies. According to McRae, the best part of the day is, “Hearing the laughter and feeling the appreciation for the art of storytelling.”

    The day is all about leaving behind all concerns and indulging in a day of laughter and fun.

    Competitors must be 16 years old or older and come from the Southeast. Registration is required to participate and tickets are required to attend the event. Applications are available online. Tickets for either the afternoon or evening are $10. Tickets for both are $15. The competition takes place at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. Tim Lowry, the featured storyteller, will perform. Lowry is expected to put on quite a show regaling the crowd with whoppers about the rodeo.

    “There are no fees to participate — most of the spots are full for this year. The top three liars win cash prizes as well as trophies,” McRae said. In addition to the top three receiving prizes, there is also a People’s Choice Award and a Special Trophy. Lowry is the chief judge for this competition, but in total, there are three judges trying to uncover the lies in every extravagant story. All of the judges are from the Southeast, specifically North Carolina and the surrounding states.

    The competition is at The Storytelling & Arts Center of the Southeast. The building is located at 131 South Main St., Laurinburg. Tickets are available for purchase at www.storyartscenter.org. To register to participate, email Brenda Gilbert at bgilbert@sfoc.info or call 277-3599, or find an application at www.storyartscenter.org.

    Photo: Renowned storyteller Tim Lowry is set to perform and judge The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition at The Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast on Jan 11.

  • With a shortage of new housing construction inflating home prices across North Carolina in recent months, one community took steps Monday that could alleviate that trend for local would-be homebuyers.  

    Up to 250 houses could be built in far northeast Fayetteville after the City Council unanimously approved an annexation request, allowing the land for the potential development to receive city utilities.

    Located just under 2 miles northeast of city limits on Ramsey Street and south of the Tractor Road, the 117-acre, noncontiguous plot is now zoned for single-family residential housing.

    The developer intends to use the land for a low-density, single-family residential subdivision.

    “We love to grow the tax base; we need homes,” Mayor Mitch Colvin said. 

    The annexation is effective immediately.

    Increased supply lowers costs

    In 2021, the median sales price of a single-family home in Cumberland County was $185,000, up from $156,000, an increase of over 18%, according to listing data from Longleaf Pine Realtors.

    For new construction, like that approved by the council Monday, the median price was more than $284,000 in 2021, increasing by more than 9% from the previous year.

    Increased home prices are part of a nationwide trend seen throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

     

    A study by government-backed lender Freddie Mac last year found that nationwide, the housing market faces a shortage of 3.8 million units. Much like other markets, the low supply drives up costs.

    The study credited the shortage to rising demand for homes during the pandemic and a long-term decline in new construction of single-family houses.

    With 250 homes set to be built in the newly annexed land, that would amount to nearly half of the 575 new single-family homes listed in 2021 in Cumberland County, according to Longleaf Pine Realtors. The year before, 609 new homes were listed.

    P21 59

    Of the 575 new houses listed last year, 454 closed before year’s end. That’s down more than 27% from the 623 homes that closed in Cumberland County in 2020. However, the difference doesn’t come from a drop in demand, but a substantial decrease in new home construction last year. The annexed property stands to potentially reverse that construction trend in early 2022.

    Like the rest of North Carolina and the entire country, demand for housing is increasing in Cumberland County.

    In 2021, Cumberland buyers closed on over 5,760 existing single-family homes, an increase of nearly 17% from 2020.

  • CCA Arts Center The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners is moving forward to continue discussions about a multipurpose center — but now they will do so with a project manager.

    The center is expected to be approximately 89,000 square feet, hold a maximum capacity of 2,500 for large events, and cost anywhere from $75 million to $80 million.

    The county would like construction to start by the end of 2023 with a planned opening by 2025 — preferably on Oct. 1.

    The Board of Commissioners will now start the negotiation process with MBP Carolinas, Inc. Once there is a drafted contract, it will be presented to the Board for review and approval.
    MBP Carolinas, Inc. will be in charge of the site selection, assist with securing a contractor, architect and various sub-contractors, manage project accounting and coordinate the procurement of owner furnished equipment and materials.

    The location for the center is undecided; however, it will be in Fayetteville. The county hopes the center will host various events, including concerts, comedy shows, family shows, theater, Broadway performances and other local and regional performances.

    Commissioner Michael Boose was the only one who voted against the approval, saying that he would rather see a couple of consensus contracts as he and other commissioners have not overseen the building of a performing arts center before. He does not want to be taken advantage of by one company.

  • Fort Bragg Airborne Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has placed 8,500 U.S. service members on alert amid Russia's continuing provocations along its border with Ukraine.

    While the units that are on alert have not been identified, Fort Bragg's own 82nd Airborne Division is an Immediate Response Force - a rapid reaction force that is available to deploy at any given moment. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby announced Monday that they would release the details of which units are on standby once personnel and their families are informed.

    "The Immediate Response Force is always prepared to go anywhere," Lt. Col. Brett Lea, a spokesperson for the 82nd Airborne Division told Up & Coming Weekly. "We are always on standby."

    Fort Bragg officials have referred Up & Coming Weekly to the Secretary of Defense's office, and no response on whether troops at Fort Bragg are on the list of units put on alert has been given at this time. However, an announcement from the Office of the Secretary of Defense is expected later today or tomorrow, according to Fort Bragg officials.

    What units are affected will be released once personnel and their families are informed, Kirby told the press Monday evening.

    "I'm sure there are personnel readiness things that they have to do," Kirby said in the press conference. "That again is one of the reasons why I'm not giving units today. The units are getting notified, and we want to also give them time to talk about this with their families – this potential deployment order."

    Passes and leave for service members on standby have been revoked.

    Instead of having ten days to deploy, the units will need to deploy in five days.

    "They will have to make whatever preparations they feel they need to make to be able to meet that five-day commitment," Kirby said.

    Kirby said the order highlights America's commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its common defense. If that group is activated, the 8,500 troops are based in the United States and would be part of the NATO Response Force. The American forces would be in addition to the significant combat-capable U.S. forces already established in Europe.

    "Secretary Austin has placed a range of units in the United States on a heightened preparedness to deploy, which increases our readiness to provide forces if NATO should activate the N[ATO]RF or if other situations develop," Kirby said.

    If the NATO force is activated, Austin's order will allow the United States to rapidly deploy additional brigade combat teams, along with units specializing in logistics, medical, aviation, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, transportation and more, he said.

    "Again, I want to reinforce that as of now, the decision has been made to put these units on higher alert and higher alert only," Kirby said. "No decisions have been made to deploy any forces from the United States at this time."


    (DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

  • Cumberland County Schools

    Cumberland County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay for students and school-based staff on Monday, Jan. 24. Schools will start and buses will run two hours later than the normal time. Twelve-month employees and Central Services personnel will report to work at their normal time if it is safe to do so.

    Morning Prime Time will not be available and breakfast will not be served. However, afternoon Prime Time will observe a normal schedule.

    There may be roads that are not passable by buses. However, parents may transport students to school, in alignment with the two-hour delay, if they are able to safely do so. School officials will notify families if bus transportation is unavailable.

    City of Fayetteville

    City offices will be reopened by Monday. The biggest change will be the trash collection schedule. Last Friday's collection will be moved to Monday. Monday's collection will be moved to Tuesday. Tuesday's trash collection will be moved to Wednesday. B-week recycling will be collected next week.

    Fort Bragg

    Fort Bragg will return to normal operating hours on Monday. DoDEA schools are closed Monday, Jan. 24 for a teacher workday. In addition, the North Post Main Store will be closed on Monday for its annual inventory. 

  • american rescue plan Cumberland County is requesting proposals from nonprofit organizations for projects that will help the community respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. These proposals could be funded by the American Rescue Plan, which awarded the county $65.2 million. The Board of Commissioners approved  $3.5 million to go to funding nonprofit organizations that conduct programs and projects that help the county recover from and respond to COVID-19 and its negative impacts.

    Nonprofit organizations will need to identify a health or economic harm resulting from or exacerbated by the COVID-19 public health emergency. The proposal should explain how the funding would address that harm, what population would be served, the proposed impact of the project and how the effort will help build toward an equitable and sustainable COVID-19 recovery. 

    The County will hold a virtual information workshop on Jan. 24 at 3:30 p.m. for interested nonprofit organizations and a video recording of that session will be posted for anyone unable to participate.

    Submissions can be made through a formal competitive Request for Proposal process. The RFP is posted on County’s ARP webpage at cumberlandcountync.gov/ARP and under the Vendor Self Service page (Bid #391). Submissions are due Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m.

  • Amaru Edward Barnes A 19-year-old Fayetteville man is being charged with the murder of his neighbor, according to officials.

    On Friday, Jan. 21, around 11:36 p.m., deputies from the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office were sent to a shooting near the 300 block of Grouper Drive. They found 20-year-old Jesse James McDowell inside the residence with a gunshot wound. He was declared dead at the scene.

    His neighbor, Amaru Edward Barnes, was identified as the suspect. Barnes is being charged with First Degree Murder and is currently being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center without bond. His arraignment hearing is scheduled for Jan. 24.

    Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Homicide Detective Lieutenant A. Bean at (910) 677-5496 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).

    According to Up & Coming Weekly's records, this is the fifth homicide in Fayetteville so far in 2022.

  • This page will continue to update as more information by officials is released throughout the week.

    SHELTERS OPEN

    Cumberland County will open Smith Recreation Center off 1520 Slater Avenue in Fayetteville as a shelter starting at 4 p.m. Thursday and will remain open until noon on Sunday. Pets will not be allowed to be housed at the shelter. COVID-19 screening will occur for individuals entering the shelter. Isolation and quarantine areas will be available for people who test positive or experience COVID-19 symptoms.

    The Salvation Army will open for White Flag nights and serve as a daytime shelter from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. 

    CUMBERLAND COUNTY SCHOOLS

    Cumberland County Schools will be releasing students two hours early on Thursday, Jan. 20 and transition to remote learning for Friday, Jan. 21 due to the anticipated winter storm. All athletic events and after-school activities are canceled.

    Students will work independently on assignments that are uploaded to the Canvas learning management platform and have five days to complete and submit their assignments. Prime Time will be closed on Friday and all athletic events and after-school activities are canceled.

    Students enrolled in classes at Fayetteville State University and Fayetteville Technical Community College should consult with their instructors for additional guidance. 

    CUMBERLAND COUNTY

    Cumberland County Government Offices and the court system will be closed on Friday, Jan. 21. This includes the Department of Public Health COVID-19 testing sites, the Cumberland County landfill and container sites, all library locations and animal services.

    “Residents need to prepare for severe weather by making sure electronic devices such as phones and tablets are charged, know where your emergency kit is located and continue to monitor the weather,” said Chairman Glenn Adams, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. “Over the next few days, I recommend people to stay indoors and off roadways if possible.”

    Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation facilities and gated parks will be closed Friday and Saturday. Activities, programs, practices, games, etc. have been canceled for these dates. FCPR plans to return to normal facility operations on Monday, Jan. 23 as weather conditions permit.

    Residents can stay prepared by signing up for Cumberland Alerts, a free emergency notification system that can send alerts to your phone or email. To register, go to cumberlandcountync.gov and click on the lightning icon at the bottom right of the homepage.

    CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE

    City of Fayetteville leaders is telling people to prepare for frigid conditions. Emergency Management Coordinator Scott Bullard warns of possible road dangers Friday and Saturday due to wintry precipitation. 

    According to the National Weather Service, snow, sleet and freezing rain are in the forecast. Fayetteville and surrounding areas are under a Winter Weather Watch through Saturday morning.  

    “This time will be different, we expect more accumulation,” Bullard said. “We can expect the impacts to be felt all weekend.” 

    The Public Services team has already prepared salt trucks Wednesday morning. Additionally, brine was applied to City roads Wednesday and barricades will remain at historic trouble spots. 

    FORT BRAGG 

    Fort Bragg will be suspending normal operations Friday, Jan. 21. Only mission essential Soldiers and weather essential civilians are to report this Friday. Non-adverse weather employees should not report for duty. Unless telework-ready, non-adverse weather employees will receive Weather and Safety Leave during the suspension of normal operations. Telework Ready Employees who are able to perform work at an approved telework site must telework the entire workday or request leave, or a combination of both.

    The Manchester, Reilly, Canopy, Knox East, and Butner gates will be closed. All other gates will remain open under a normal schedule.

    All Fort Bragg DoDEA schools are closed, both for in-person and remote instruction. Only two Child Development Centers, the Baez School Age Center and the Baugess Child Development Center, will be open and will be for essential staffing only from 5:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

    Womack Army Medical Center will remain open with reduced staffing.

    The Exchange and Commissaries will be closed on Friday. Old Glory Express and Linden Oaks Express will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday.
    All personnel should contact their chain of command or supervisors to determine their mission essential or adverse weather status.

    TOWN OF SPRING LAKE 

    All Town of Spring Lake offices, including the Water Department drive-thru service, as well as the Senior and Recreation Departments, will be closed on Friday, Jan. 21 due to the forecasted inclement weather.

    If you need to make a utility payment, you may utilize the online BillPay at www.townofspringlake.com, or use one of their two secure drop boxes. One is in the drive-thru lane at Town Hall, and the other is directly across from the Town Hall in the EXIT lane of the parking lot.

    To report a power outage or check the status of your area, visit https://www.duke-energy.com/Outages or if you are with South River Electric, you can report your outage by using their automated phone system (910-892-8071 or 800-338-5530) and pressing 2 to report the outage. You must provide identifying information to match your outage to your account.

    TOWN OF HOPE MILLS

    The Town of Hope Mills Town offices will be closed on Friday, Jan. 21 due to the potential for inclement weather and black ice on local roads. All non-essential personnel will be asked to stay home.

    FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY

    All scheduled in-person classes for Friday and Saturday will move to a virtual format. Online classes will continue as scheduled. Onsite COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing has been suspended. The university will remain open on a very limited basis but has formally suspended all but mandatory operations due to minimal staffing levels. 

    GOVERNOR SIGNS STATE OF EMERGENCY

    Governor Roy Cooper has signed a state of emergency in advance of the second winter storm to move through the state in a week. Beginning Thursday, snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice are expected to cause significant winter impacts in central and eastern regions of the state.

    “This state of emergency will waive some transportation regulations to allow for quicker storm preparation and response and power restoration,” said Governor Cooper. “North Carolinians should prepare today for this storm and make sure they have any medications, food and emergency equipment they may need over the next few days.”

    The Governor's Office expects this storm to bring several inches of snowfall from the Triangle northeast toward the coast, and up to a half-inch of ice accumulation to southeastern counties. Widespread power outages begin when about a quarter-inch of ice accumulates on power lines.

    To prepare for this storm and possible power outages, North Carolina Emergency Management advises people to:

    • Get the groceries and essentials you need before Thursday evening. Travel will become hazardous in many parts of eastern North Carolina after that.
    • Keep cell phones, mobile devices and spare batteries charged in case your power goes out
    • Keep fresh batteries on hand for weather radios and flashlights.
    • Dress warmly. Wear multiple layers of thin clothing instead of a single layer of thick clothing.
    • Properly vent kerosene heaters and ensure generators are operated outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
    • Never burn charcoal indoors or use a gas grill indoors.
    • Use a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio or a weather alert app on your phone to receive emergency weather alerts.
    • Store an emergency kit in your vehicle. Include scraper, jumper cables, tow chain, sand/salt, blankets, flashlight, first-aid kit and road map.
    • Gather emergency supplies for your pet including leash and feeding supplies, enough food and for several days and pet travel carrier.
    • Do not leave pets outside for long periods of time during freezing weather.

    Visit ReadyNC.gov for additional information on winter weather preparation, as well as information on power outages. Visit DriveNC.gov for current travel conditions from NCDOT.

  • Juneteenth flag City Council met last Monday and approved several resolutions unanimously. One of those resolutions was to adopt Juneteenth Day as a city holiday. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of African American slaves in the United States and became a federal holiday last year.

    This means that on June 19, regular full-time and part-time employees shall earn holiday leave in proportion to their average hours worked per day and City Hall will be closed.

    City Manager Doug Hewett told the council during a work session at the beginning of the month that there will be no direct budget costs, however, productivity costs loss could be estimated at around $482,600. Other considerations included the trash pickup schedule which would have to be rearranged.

  • Cumberland County School Board The Cumberland County Board of Education voted last week to continue with its mandatory face mask policy. The board is required by state law to vote each month on the mask policy. The board voted 6-1, with Nathan Warfel being against the mandate.

    Superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr. told the board that the current rate of positive tests for COVID-19 is more than 32 percent in Cumberland County. According to the school's COVID-19 Data Dashboard, between Dec. 31 and Jan. 6, there were 828 cases of COVID-19.

    Outside of the mask mandate, the board approved to make HVAC upgrades for Douglas Byrd Middle, Douglas Byrd High, Pine Forest High and Lewis Chapel Middle School.

    At Douglas Byrd High, they will be replacing the existing water-cooled chiller, associated pumps, multi-zone and single-zone air handlers and duct cleaning. The existing controls will also be upgraded.

    At Douglas Byrd Middle, they will be replacing two air-cooled chillers, associated pumps and multi-zone air handlers. The existing controls will also be upgraded.

    At Pine Forest High, they will be replacing the existing 375-ton chilled water plant, eight multi-zone dual temperature air-handling units and duct cleaning.

    At Lewis Chapel Middle, they will be replacing the existing 175-ton chilled water plant and eight multi-zone dual temp air-handling units, and duct cleaning.

    The total cost of the upgrades is $9,282,195; however, Emergency Relief funds, given to the county for COVID-19 impacts, will be used for the Pine Forest High repairs and for the Lewis Chapel Middle repairs.

    The work at all of the schools is scheduled to be completed this summer.

    The next school board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.

  • Walker Death 1 Three body-camera videos were released Friday afternoon showing officer interviews with witnesses at the scene of the shooting death of Jason Walker.

    Walker was shot and killed by Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Lt. Jeffrey Hash while he was off-duty.

    The first video, which was 49 seconds, shows officers arriving at the scene and several people around the Hash's truck. The officer asks if anyone saw what happened.

    One man says he saw Walker jump on Hash's vehicle.

    "That fellow [Walker] jumped up on the hood, and he [Hash] got out of his car and shot him," the man told the officer.

    The video ends with officers asking if anyone was related to Walker and Walker's father identifies himself.

    The second video, running one minute and one second long, shows an officer talking to Walker's father. The father tells officers that he told Walker to come back to the sidewalk after Walker ran across the road. Walker was running back when Hash drove up.

    "He was in the dang-on street when that fellow pulled up. He jumped up on the guy's hood, and the guy [Hash] jumped out and starts shooting him."

    The father then points out the windshield wipers and says Walker hit the windshield with the wiper, which Hash stated had been removed from the vehicle by Walker.

    The officer asked if Walker had any mental or medical issues, but Walker's father says he did not.

    The third video shows an officer taking a statement from Elizabeth Ricks, who held a shirt to Walker's wounds before he passed, and her partner, Chase Sorrell. The couple videotaped the aftermath of the shooting.

    Ricks says she did not see what happened before the shooting. She tells the officer that Walker was on the ground when Hash got out and shot Walker.

    The video interview with Ricks and Sorrell is two minutes and 56 seconds long.

    In a press release, Jodi Phelps, the Corporate Communications Director for the City of Fayetteville, says they are trying to release more footage.

    "The footage released today is only a few minutes long and represents the first videos we submitted to the judge. However, the City has filed a petition to have all of the body cam footage released which encompasses about 20 hours of video. Staff will be working as expeditiously as possible to review that video and submit it for the judge's consideration."

  • Winter Fayetteville NC Governor Roy Cooper is urging people across North Carolina to prepare for a significant incoming winter storm and has signed a state of emergency in advance of the storm’s arrival.

    “This storm will bring significant impacts from snow, sleet and freezing rain in different parts of the state, with likely power outages and travel disruptions,” said Governor Cooper. “North Carolinians should pay close attention to their local weather forecast over the next few days, and make sure they are personally prepared before Saturday afternoon.”

    The Governor signed a state of emergency Thursday evening to activate state resources to respond to the storm and to allow for the possibility of Federal reimbursement if the event qualifies.

    NCDOT crews and contractor resources will work to clear roads as fast as possible, but response times are expected to be slower than previous storms due to labor shortages impacting crews spread around the state.

    Department of Transportation workers started brining roads Thursday in preparation for the storm and expect to complete that work on Friday. Transportation officials recommend staying off the roads once travel conditions deteriorate.

    If you must travel during bad weather, State Highway Patrol officials remind motorists to reduce speed, leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles and clear all ice or snow from your vehicle before traveling. If you become stranded, pull off the highway, remain in your vehicle and call for help. Do not set out on foot unless you can see a building close by where you can take shelter.

    To prepare for winter weather, North Carolina Emergency Management officials recommend these tips:

    Always keep at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food and a supply of medication in your home.
    Keep cell phones and mobile devices charged in case of power outages.
    Keep fresh batteries on hand for weather radios and flashlights.
    Dress warmly. Wear multiple layers of thin clothing instead of a single layer of thick clothing.
    Properly vent kerosene heaters and ensure generators are operated outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never burn charcoal indoors or use a gas grill indoors.
    Use a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio or a weather alert app on your phone to receive emergency weather alerts.
    Store an emergency kit in your vehicle. Include scraper, jumper cables, tow chain, sand/salt, blankets, flashlight, first-aid kit and road map.
    Make an emergency supplies kit for your pet and include medical records, leash and feeding supplies, enough food and for several days and pet travel carrier.
    Do not leave pets outside for long periods of time during freezing weather.
    With heavy rain and coastal flooding possible across eastern North Carolina, it is important to never drive through flooded roadways.

    Visit ReadyNC.gov for additional information on winter weather preparation, as well as information on power outages. Visit DriveNC.gov for current travel conditions from NCDOT.

    The City of Fayetteville shared the below video on their social media pages describing the winter weather preparations the city will do to prepare for inclement weather and their role in spreading brine, salt and sand.

    The Town of Spring Lake Parks and Recreation will not be open this Sunday due to the forecasted inclement weather for our area.

  • Gina HawkinsThe Ethics Commission decided Thursday night that all allegations against Police Chief Gina Hawkins be dismissed.

    This decision comes after three evenings of listening and hearing from witnesses, looking at the evidence, and talking amongst each other. 

    The initial 14 allegations were filed by Raleigh Attorney Mikael Gross, who forwarded Up & Coming Weekly the ethics complaint. The Ethics Commission looked at eight of those allegations.

    The full list of allegations can be found here.

    Hawkins denied the allegations when Up & Coming Weekly reached out to Hawkins last month.

    "The so-called 'Ethics Complaint' is meritless and is knowingly compiled of false allegations," Hawkins's lawyer said in a statement last month. "Chief Hawkins is limited, for now, in her public response to those allegations as some pertain to FPD personnel/privacy matters. I am sure the so-called 'Petitioner' is aware of that fact as he released Chief Hawkins' responses to the media, knowing the legal position she is in as Chief. At this juncture, we are befuddled that a hearing would actually take place based upon the complete dearth of any evidence to support the allegations. We look forward to vigorously and aggressively addressing this 'Ethics Complaint' at the appropriate time."

    The Ethics Commission has five members — lawyer, Tracey Henderson, CPA, Dale Knowles, lawyer, Dymond Spain, Dr. Stephen Rochman and Thomas Donnelly Jr.

  • The Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana are icons and they reign supreme in the minds of most young people. In my generation, the Jackson Five reigned supreme. I, (along with three friends), used to practice for hours the ways we would approach the front door of the Jackson compound in Encino, Calif., and boldly knock on the front door. We would scream and laugh about what our reactions would be if either of the Jacksons opened the door and greeted us. We collected every printed picture of the group and plastered them on our bedroom walls. We bought every album. Oh…to be 12-years-old again.010610 emma-carter.jpg

    Emma Carter is 12-yearsold but instead of shrieking and screaming over today’s music superstars, she’s enjoying listening to — and making music of a different kind — Christian music. Carter also reigns as this year’s Young Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. She received the highest interview score of all the contestants in the pageant. This very talented and gifted young lady makes no apologies for her faith and her strong Christian beliefs. She’s not afraid to talk openly about Jesus (who she accepted when she was only 7) and to share her faith with others.

    Carter admits that the challenges she faces are similar to those of other 12-year-olds. She has non-Christian friends whom she enjoys being around but sometimes feels the pressures to listen to secular music or be influenced in other negative ways. However, she cares about her friends and just prays that she stays on track and continues to live for Christ around them.

    Music has been a part of her life since she was born. Her grandparents, Jay and Mary Stone, formed the Southern gospel group, The Jay Stone Singers. Until recently, The Stones, their son Jeff Stone (of Cape Fear Music Center) and the Carter family (Bobby, Sharona, Stone and Emma) all performed together. The group has been mainly comprised of the Carter family, with Emma and Stone playing various instruments. Emma is also very active in her local church youth choir and has won many music awards, both locally and nationally.

    She loves all types of Christian music but she has a few favorites which include Toby Mac and Group 1 Crew. She said that the difference between contemporary Christian music and secular music is the lyrics and that people should listen to the message in the songs.

    Her advice to young people who are wrestling with how to live for God and avoid peer pressure is they should “Pray every night when they have a problem and read their Bible because that always helps me.”

    For booking information, please visit www. JayStoneSingers.com

  • Fort Bragg Sign Three schools on Fort Bragg are going virtual for two weeks.

    Bowley Elementary, Hampton Elementary, and Poole Elementary will be closed Jan. 13 and Jan. 14 in order for teachers to prepare for remote instruction. On Jan. 14, teachers should be providing students with meeting links and student log-in information.

    The schools will resume virtually on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Students are expected to return back to school on Thursday, Jan. 27, depending on COVID-19 trends.

    "We will continue to work in close coordination with our military community partners and military public health officials throughout this process," a message to parents said. "Even in this pandemic, our guiding vision remains excellence in education for every student, every day, everywhere. The safety and well-being of our students and employees is paramount and will always be our first consideration."
  • For the past three years the Cumberland County Public Library System and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra have joined forces to present a01-20-10-symphony.gif lecture series and pre-concert to provide a preview to the community of the compositions to be performed in the coming FSO season.

    “The pre-concert presentations are part of our education program and target adults in the community,” says Fatrice Currie, education coordinator of the FSO.

    Funded by the North Carolina Arts Council’s Arts and Audiences grant, the Symphony @ Your Library Lecture Series is free, informative and can be of interest to all ages.

    Audiences experience a style of music that evokes an array of emotions as lecturer, Joanna Hersey, intermittingly shares details about the lives of the composers, the music and the time period. Hersey is an assistant professor at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke and a tuba player. FSO musicians joining her for the series at the Headquarters Library in downtown Fayetteville are: Dr. Tim Altman, Trumpet; Dr. Larry Wells, Trumpet; Steve Skillman, French Horn; and Nikki McCaslin on Trombone.

    “Ms. Hersey will delight the audience with interesting, and sometimes humorous historical and cultural facts about the composers and their compositions that will be performed at the next concert on Feb. 6,” says Currie. Hersey and fellow musicians will expose the public to the exciting lineup in store for the FSO’s new season. The season includes William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony in celebration of Black History Month for the Feb. 6 concert at Seabrook Auditorium, located on the campus of Fayetteville State University, a program that also features the suite from Stravinsky’s Firebird Ballet. The March 13 concert at Methodist University’s Reeves Auditorium highlights Beethoven’s powerful Symphony No. 4 as well as Vivaldi’s lively concerto, and features Altman and Wells who are participating in the Symphony @ Your Library series. The May 1 season fi nale, also at Reeves Auditorium, includes Mussorgky’s Pictures at an Exhibitionalong with other exciting pieces that showcase the immeasurable talent of the FSO.

    “This is our third year of the series with the symphony, and we’re glad to give people a taste of what’s upcoming,” says Jane Castro, CCPL Headquarters Services Manager.

    The first of three presentations from the Symphony @ Your Library series is Jan. 27 at the Cumberland County Public Library Headquarters in the Pate Room from 7-8:30 p.m.

  • Last month, the Fayetteville City Council decided who would be on the Community Police Advisory Board. The board function is to hear about concerns and complaints about potential police misconduct involving the

    Fayetteville Police Department. In addition, they will help review and recommend ways to improve police department policies and practices.

    According to the board charter, the nine board members and one alternate will meet monthly. However, their first meeting has not yet been scheduled.

    The board is composed of six men and four women — many with previous police experience or who have worked/volunteered with police departments in the past. The majority of the board is also African-American with one Hispanic member and three Caucasian members.

    Here is an introduction to who will serve on the board, their personal history, and how long each person will be on the commission.

    Debra Slaughter

    Slaughter, who will be serving a one-year term, is an Office Administrator for the non-profit Operation Inasmuch.

    “I want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem,” Slaughter said on her application. “The best way I see to do that is to become a member of a committee that will impact the relationship between the citizens of Fayetteville and our police department.”

    She says her primary concern is that many citizens view police officers as the enemy so, officers need to have relationships with the communities they serve, according to Slaughter.

    She would like the board to address the issue of equity in police stops, an expansion of the Police Activity League program, and reach out to elementary schools to educate students about police.

    Gregory Perkins

    Perkins, who will be serving a one-year term, is a contributing faculty member at Walden University and is a volunteer chaplain for FPD. He also previously served as a Juvenile Probation Officer.

    “I believe that through assessing specific community profiles within the city, I can potentially assist the Police Department in developing citizen-based action forum to serve as a positive commitment to serve all citizens within the city,” Perkins wrote on his application.

    He says that the media has portrayed police officers as insensitive and power-hungry, and citizens need to obey the law to promote healthy relationships with the police department.

    Perkins would like the board to ask FPD leadership what the top five most pressing issues are for FPD and how the city can help support them.

    Jacqueline Clay

    Clay, who will be serving for a two-year term, is a former Fayetteville police officer. She worked as a patrol officer in Zone 1. After six years, she joined the Fayetteville State University Police Department where she later became Acting Chief and then retired.

    “As a retired police officer with 21 years experience on the street, and as an administrator I am familiar with steps on how to achieve best practices, and as an experienced officer in the field, I know the importance of community policing and gaining the confidence of the community,” Clay said on her application.

    She believes trust is needed from both citizens and the police. Clay says that citizens have to have confidence in those they rely on to serve and protect the community. At the same time, police need to treat the community as they want to be treated and be held to a greater standard of professionalism.

    Jim Bove

    Bove, who will be serving for a three-year term, is a Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Air Force. He previously worked as a Point Information Officer and Community Outreach Facilitator for the Redmond Police Department in Washington state.

    “Any opportunity to create conversations and answer questions. This allows both police and residents to understand one another and it gives officers the opportunity to be seen as humans,” Bove wrote on his application.

    He believes citizens need to communicate with the police department and ask questions, while officers need to interact with the community and create relationships.

    He would like to see the board address community and media relations and how best to navigate a public reputation.

    Juana Magnum

    Magnum, who will serve as the alternate, is a victim services coordinator for the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office. She has been working in victim services and victim advocacy for over thirteen years. She also served as a corrections officer for the North Carolina Department of Corrections in the late 1990s.

    “As a victim of a burglary, I know how it feels to be victimized, but on the flip side of that, as a victim advocate, I know how important it is to empathize with and assist the victim,” Magnum said on her application.

    She believes officers need to be sympathetic with people who call 911 and ask for their assistance. She says that even though some calls may seem or sound outlandish, officers need to remember that what that person is experiencing at that moment is real to them. Citizens, she says, need to be cooperative when officers come out to canvas neighborhoods and are willing to be open to them.

    She would like the board to address how elderly citizens are more fearful now because of COVID-19 and rising crime rates.

    Julie Alul

    Alul, who will be serving for a three-year term, is a retired Cumberland County School District employee. She was the Executive Director of Exceptional Children Services and worked with the Mental Health Consortium to start mental health services in the school system.

    “The pipeline to prison is a real thing in young adolescents and adults in our community that needs addressing in a more compassionate and knowledgeable way instead of just providing School Resource Officers in the schools,” Alul said on her application.

    She believes that police officers need to promote interactions that encourage understanding of citizens’ concerns, needs and promote conversation outside of crises. Citizens also need to have knowledge of current prevention programs and work with police to prevent further incidents and problem-solve.

    She would like the board to address the current status of police activities, identify priorities and areas of most significant impact and needs, research and design programs that can be implemented and implement active engagement and relationship-building activities.

    Lionel Cartwright

    Cartwright, who will be serving for a three-year term, is a retired Army chief warrant officer and reverend. He also served as a chaplain for the Chadbourn Police Department. He currently serves as a volunteer judge on the Teen Court at the Cumberland County Dispute Resolution Center.

    “I commend the Mayor and the City Council, on the merits of implementing the Community Police Advisory Board,” Cartwright said on his application. “I believe the board, coupled with the necessary resources and support will prove to be an extremely valuable resource in improving Fayetteville citizen and waw enforcement relationships.”

    Cartwright believes that citizens need to be proactive in ascertaining the facts and aware of law enforcement’s roles and responsibilities. Police Officers, on the other hand, need to listen, trust and have social interaction with citizens.

    He would like the board to showcase healthy relationships and positive interactions between citizens and police officers.

    Pablo Arroyo

    Arroyo, who will be serving for a two-year term, is an Army veteran who currently works as a probation and parole officer for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. He also previously worked at the Harnett Correctional Institution as a corrections officer.

    “I care for my community and I have seen the great changes that the City of Fayetteville has accomplished in this last 30 years and I believe that it can accomplish more and that it is going on an excellent direction to accomplish better things for the community,” Arroyo said in his application.

    He believes that citizens need to get to know their local police officers, and officers need to be more available to learn about community resources and behavioral issues. He would like the board to address issues like gangs, drugs, community involvement, social resources, social disparities, bias, racial discrimination and community needs.

    Sidney King

    King, who will be serving for a two-year term, is a retired security manager and is currently the President of the United Methodist Men of Hay Street United Methodist Church. He has previously served on the Fayetteville Police Foundation Board of Directors.

    “Having extra eye and experiences to help their effort is a very worthwhile commitment," King said on his application.

    He would like police and citizens to encourage two-way dialogue by having civic organizations host talk sessions and for police representatives to participate in these talks. He would also want police officers to learn more about mental health and how best to interact with individuals during mental health crises.

    He would like the board to check with Police Chief Gina Hawkins and FPD to ensure educational opportunities are available to officers.

    Tony Haire

    Haire, serving a one-year term, is a behavioral therapist at Community Re-Entry Program and an Army Veteran. In the early 90s’, Haire was appointed to the Durham County Youth Advisory Criminal Justice Board. In addition, he has been appointed and is currently serving on the Governor’s Commission for the Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services Board.

    “I would be willing, with the help of the city, promoting and providing space, to offer training to those in the community who are interested in getting to know who we are, understanding why we do what we do and how to capture and redirect the thoughts that we have that aren’t consistent with the goal of being a community that desires to look out for the wellbeing of one another," Haire said on his application.

    He believes police officers need to promote healthy relationships with people in the community and for citizens to understand the role of a police officer fully.

    Haire would like the board to address community policing, ways the community can help support police and their families and assign a community liaison within each zone.

  • It is that time of year again. No, it is not time to start that diet or quit smoking — although both are really great ideas. It is time for stu-dents who wish to pursue a degree in healthcare to apply for a seat for the fall 2012 semester at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

    Anyone seeking a degree in the healthcare field knows how important it is to have the proper credentials.

    01-04-12-ftcc.jpgAt Fayetteville Technical Community College, we are here to help our students achieve their health career goals, but in order to be competitive, students need to apply to the program of their choice before Jan. 30.

    Sound easy? Well, it is, and it isn’t. At FTCC, we have a competi-tive process for entry into our cur-riculum health programs. Due to the limited number of applicants we can take every fall, the competitive pro-cess, though confusing, is very ef-fective. The competitive process not only gives us the best and brightest, it allows students who enter the program the luxury of having most of their general college classes completed so they can concentrate on their core and clinical classes. Since the deadline is approaching, it is essential that students act fast.

    These admissions requirements include an application, submission of all high school and college transcripts and testing if necessary. An applica-tion for admissions can be completed on our website www.faytechcc.edu. Transcripts must be official, meaning that they were sent from the original institution directly to us, or they can be hand carried in official sealed en-velopes. Even students with advanced degrees are required to bring in high school transcripts. Many prerequisites are high-school level, and the great thing is that they do not expire! Testing may not be required for students who have certain college-level classes.

    After all admissions criteria are met, students should see a counselor or attend a group counseling session and, most important, apply for the de-sired program on the computer terminals located in the Tony Rand Student Center lobby, the Spring Lake Campus lobby, or the FTCC Fort Bragg of-fice. It is quick and easy and takes about five minutes; once completed, stu-dents are given a receipt. It is essential that the student keep that receipt. It has dates, deadlines and expiration dates listed on it. Also, it is proof of the date of application.

    While it is true that time is of the essence, all hope is not lost. Students who do not apply on time, or have missing documentation, can still be con-sidered for a health program on a space-available basis.

    Please feel free to call Counseling Services at 678-8419, or go online to www.faytechcc.edu/areas_of_study/HealthPrograms.asp.

    Fayetteville Technical Community College offers you affordable, high-quality education for life’s changing circumstances. Let us help you get started today on your new educational journey!

    Photo: It is time for students who wish to pursue a degree in health care to apply for a seat for the fall 2012 semester at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

  • Eddie Saez The second homicide of the year happened on Jan. 4 at Southern City Swag Boutique located at 4621 Yadkin Rd.

    Officers located 34-year-old Eddie Saez inside of the business.

    He had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene. Saez owned Southern City Swag Boutique. Other media outlets report that he was a father to seven kids.

    Local surveillance video shows two people may have information about the murder. Detectives are asking the public to help identify and locate the two men and the Infiniti SUV vehicle shown above.

    Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective J. Olsen at (910) 709-1958 or Crimestoppers at p3tips.com.

  • Yamile Nazar Yamile Nazar has been appointed as the new director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Department. Nazar previously served as the interim director of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission.

    She will be responsible for the department’s existing programs and services which includes support for the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission and Fair Housing Board. She will also be broadening existing efforts, both internally and externally, through the implementation of innovative strategies supporting positive human relations and opportunities for all.

    “I am grateful to City leadership, mentors and colleagues for their continued confidence in my ability to lead this important department and for demonstrating their meaningful investment in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts,” Nazar said “I look forward to leveraging my extensive experience to offer enhanced strategic advisory and consulting capabilities to our community and contributing to the realization of the City's DEI goals and objectives.”

    Before working for the city, Nazar previously served as an investigator and mediator in the State of New York.

  • Roger Nobles On Jan. 3, Fayetteville police officers were dispatched to a reported shooting along Skibo Road at Cliffdale Road.

    Upon arrival, officers located 32-year-old Stephen Addison who was shot.

    He was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

    The investigation revealed that 51-year-old Roger Dale Nobles, a driver of a truck, and Nobles son, were yelling at Addison who was driving a motorcycle.

    While Nobles's son was outside of the truck yelling at Addison, Nobles himself allegedly shot Addison and then he and his son fled.

    Nobles was arrested at his home later that day by Cumberland County deputies. Nobles is being charged with First Degree Murder and has not received a bond.

    His son has not faced any charges at this time. Nobles is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center. His next pre-trial hearing date will be on Jan. 25.

    A GoFundMe has been set up by Addison's wife, Justina Hemphill. She says Addison leaves behind three children. The GoFundMe funds raised will be used towards the expenses of having Addison's body moved to Buffalo, New York as well as the funeral service.

  • Cape Fear Valley Due to the local positivity rates of COVID-19 as well as the increasing rate of COVID-19 admissions, Cape Fear Valley Health System’s facilities and Womack Army Medical Center are restricting visitation.

    At Cape Fear Valley Health, patients who have not tested positive for COVID-19 will be allowed one visitor per day, between the hours of noon to 8 p.m. COVID-19 patients will be allowed one visitor per day, for one hour between 4 to 8 p.m.

    In the Emergency Department, visitors will not be allowed in the waiting room, but one visitor will be allowed once the patient has been given a room. Visitors to patients in the Emergency Department will not be allowed to leave and return. All visitors will be screened with a brief verbal questionnaire and a temperature scan before being allowed entry. Those who refuse to answer the questions or who have a temperature above 100.3 Fahrenheit will be denied entry.

    “We are watching the trend of the inpatient COVID-19 cases at Cape Fear Valley as well as tracking the spread in the community on an ongoing basis and adjusting visitation policies accordingly,” Chief Operating Officer Daniel Weatherly said. “The hospital will provide visitors with a mask that must be worn during their entire visit. We also encourage everyone in the community to get vaccinated, and get their booster shot when it’s due, to help our healthcare heroes as we fight this pandemic into its third year.”

    At Womack, all visitors are restricted except for pediatric patients, one-support person for women in labor, and for those in extenuating circumstances. This restriction for in-patient services will remain in place until further notice.

    "WAMC remains committed to protecting our patients, beneficiaries, healthcare providers, and staff; maintaining mission readiness; and supporting the whole-of-government effort response to COVID-19," the press release stated.

  • The 911 calls and the incident report pertaining to the death investigation of Jason Walker have been released by the Fayetteville Police Department.

    The case, which has gotten national attention, pertains to an incident at Bingham and Shenandoah Drive in Fayetteville on Saturday, Jan. 8., shortly after 2:15 p.m. where 37-year-old Walker was shot and killed by an off-duty Cumberland County Deputy.

    The deputy, Lt. Jeffrey Hash told the 911 operator that Walker jumped on his car and broke the windshield.

    "I was driving down the road and he came flying across Bingham Drive running. I stopped so I wouldn't hit him, and he jumped on my car and started screaming, pulled my windshield wipers off to try to beat my windshield and broke my windshield. I had my wife and my daughter in my vehicle," Hash told the 911 operator.

    When the 911 operator asks if Walker was breathing, Hash replies that Walker "was gone."

    In the call, a woman can be heard in the background trying to aid Walker. Hash tells the 911 operator that she is a trauma nurse. The operator and nurse keep asking Hash to identify where Walker was shot in order to stop the bleeding.

    "I don't know. He was on the front of my vehicle. He jumped on my car," Hash can be heard telling the nurse.

    "I don't care about that," the woman can be heard telling Hash. "Where is the entry point?"

    "I do not know," Hash said.

    At that point, the 911 operator tells Hash to not engage with anyone else at the scene and to stay on the line until the officers arrived.

    That trauma nurse, later identified as Elizabeth Ricks, said at a protest Sunday evening that she rendered first aid to Walker and no officers offered medical assistance when they arrived at the scene. Ricks says that she didn't see Walker jump onto the vehicle.

    "[Walker] was hit. He was trying to go home. He was trying to go across the street to his family," Ricks said at the rally. "You can't tell me anything else. I saw what I saw."

    Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins and District Attorney Billy West held a press conference on Sunday night to update the public on the investigation. Hawkins explained the truck's black box did not record any impact with "any person or thing." Hawkins also clarified that the shots did not go through the windshield. However, they found one of the truck's windshield wipers was ripped off, and the truck's windshield had sustained damage in multiple places.

    Hash was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation as of Monday morning. Hash has been with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office since 2005.

    The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation took over the investigation Saturday night and the FBI is assessing the case to see if any civil rights were violated.

    The incident report states that Hash's car is listed as evidence but does not state if investigators seized it. The firearm used in the incident has been taken as evidence, according to the SBI.

    Ben Crump, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney, announced Tuesday morning that he will be representing the family of Walker. 

    "We stand committed, with the family and the young son that Jason Walker left behind, to finding answers as to what happened to him when he was senselessly shot and killed by off-duty deputy Jeffrey Hash. We have reason to believe that this was a case of ‘shoot first, ask later,’ a philosophy seen all too often within law enforcement. We look to the North Carolina SBI for a swift and transparent investigation so that we can get justice for Jason and his loved ones," Crump said in a press release.

    Ben Crump Release

    The SBI sent out a press release Tuesday morning stating that no further information is available at this time. They also state that District Attorney Billy West has requested that at the end of the investigation, the SBI should provide the complete case file to the Conference of District Attorneys.

    Anyone who witnessed the incident, knows of anyone who witnessed the incident or has video or audio footage before, during or after the incident, should contact the SBI Southeastern District office at 910-778-5724 during business hours or call 1-800-334-3000 after business hours.

  • The Fayetteville City Council unanimously approved a resolution to draft and send a letter to Eastern District U.S. Attorney Michael Easley during the Monday, Jan. 10, City Council meeting regarding the Jason Walker investigation.

    The motion was raised by Councilmember Courtney Banks-McLaughlin and finalized by Mayor Mitch Colvin to discuss the investigation and formally reach out to the Department of Justice to join in the investigation.

    Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins spoke to the Council, saying that the FBI (Department of Justice) is already assessing the case to assess any civil rights violations.

    "The FBI, which governs civil rights, which is a part of the Department of Justice, is doing an assessment of all what has occurred thus far, looking at evidence, looking at statements and body-worn camera for that purpose," Hawkins said.

    The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is handling the current criminal investigation. The SBI would initiate any criminal charges brought due to the investigation. The SBI released a statement Tuesday morning stating that at the conclusion of the investigation, the SBI will provide its complete case file to the Conference of District Attorneys who has been requested by District Attorney Billy West to review the case.

    Hawkins clarified that the FBI and SBI conduct two separate investigations and separate entities.

    While the public was not allowed inside the city council meeting due to COVID-19 protocols, a handful of people called in to discuss Walker's case and how the FPD handled it during the public forum.

    "We're calling for and demanding the immediate arrest and charge of Jeffrey Hash. Fayetteville City Council, especially Councilmember Davis, it's your responsibility to take up for, to stand for the people that you represent," Shaun McMillan said. "We also ask the council tonight to pass a non-binding resolution that denounces the behavior, the injustice of the Fayetteville Police Department in not arresting Jeffrey Hash on Saturday."

    The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office announced Monday morning that the off-duty deputy who was involved, Lt. Jeffrey Hash, has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. He has not been arrested or charged with any crimes.

    Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has video of the incident should contact the SBI Southeastern District office at 910-778-5724 during business hours or 800-334-3000 after hours.

  • IMG 3110 Cumberland County Commissioner Charles Evans held a press conference at the Cumberland County Courthouse Monday afternoon to tell families of recent violent crime victims that he hears them and they are not alone.

    “I stand with you in prayer and believing that we will see a brighter day,” Evans said.

    Evans specifically recognized the recent homicides of Eddie Suez, Stephen Addison and Jason Walker.

    Evans made a point that he was doing the press conference on his own and not as a part of the County Commission. Evans also spoke about being at the protest Sunday night where people demanded justice for Walker’s death.

    “It's my responsibility and my duty to let them know that I am here for them. And whatever it takes, whatever I can do to help them, during these difficult times, I am here,” Evans said.

    When it comes to Walker’s death and the state investigation, Evans says that he believes that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation will thoroughly investigate the case and that justice will be served.

    “I believe that our law enforcement and legal system, along with the assistance of the community, can bring those who are committing these crimes to justice,” Evans said. “It is my hope that every family is given the opportunity to see fairness and justice prevail. During times like this, we must unite instead of standing alone.”

    When asked about the transparency of local law enforcement agencies and if he would bring forward the idea of an accountability board to Cumberland County’s Sheriff’s Office, he says he has no problem with the idea, but right now he is focusing on the families who are hurting.

    “The one thing that I am here today is not to question the ability of our law enforcement officers but to let the citizens that have been involved in these unfortunate acts of crime know that this elected office, their county commissioner, is just as concerned about what transpires in this investigation,” Evans said.

    Evans was elected to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners as an at-large representative in 2010 and was re-elected in 2014 and 2018. His current term expires in 2022 and he is now planning to campaign for the new seat of North Carolina Congressional District 4.

  • The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office has identified the deputy involved in the shooting death of 37-year-old Jason Walker.

    The deputy, Lt. Jeffrey Hash, has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. According to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, Hash has been with CCS since 2005 and is currently assigned as a Lieutenant in the Civil Section. The Civil Office of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the service of civil papers in Cumberland County.

    “Our sincere condolences go out to Jason Walker’s family,” the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said in their press release.

    Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins gave a press conference on Jan. 9 where she stated Hash was taken into custody following the shooting on Jan. 8, and his firearm was collected as evidence, but he was not arrested.

    The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations is currently in charge of the investigation. The SBI told Up & Coming Weekly that anyone who witnessed the incident, knows of anyone who witnessed the incident or has video of the incident before, during or after, should contact the SBI Southeastern District office at 910-778-5724 during business hours or call 1-800-334-3000 after business hours.

  • Walker Death 1 The third homicide of the year occurred last Saturday, Jan. 8 and involved an off-duty Cumberland County Sheriff's Deputy.

    According to initial reports from the Fayetteville Police Department, 37-year-old Jason Walker allegedly ran into traffic along Bingham Drive and jumped on a moving vehicle. FPD states that the driver, the off-duty deputy, shot Walker and then called 911.

    Other accounts of the incident state that the car hit Walker, and Walker was shot at least twice in the back.

    Because the individual who shot Walker is a sheriff's deputy, FPD has turned over the investigation to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations.

    On Sunday, Jan. 9, protestors walked up Hay Street and around the Market House and stopped in front of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and the Fayetteville Police Department. The protesters demanded justice in Walker's death.

    Jason Walker 2 Elizabeth Ricks, who was in the vehicle behind the truck involved in the shooting, says she rendered first aid to Walker and no officers offered medical assistance when they arrived at the scene. Ricks says that she didn't see Walker jump onto the vehicle.

    "[Walker] was hit. He was trying to go home. He was trying to go across the street to his family," Ricks said at the rally. "You can't tell me anything else. I saw what I saw."

    Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins and District Attorney Billy West held a press conference also on Sunday night. Hawkins stated the truck's black box did not record any impact with "any person or thing." Hawkins also clarified that the shots did not go through the windshield. However, they found one of the truck's windshield wipers was ripped off, and the truck's windshield had sustained damage in multiple places.

    "We currently have no witnesses who claim that anyone was hit by this truck. We went back and reviewed body-worn camera footage, and individuals at the scene indicated they did not witness the incident," Hawkins said. "The only witness available to us now tells us the exact opposite. Again, today we ask for any additional eyewitnesses to please contact SBI."

    The off-duty deputy was taken into custody, their statement was taken, and they have not been arrested at this time. According to FPD, because the off-duty officer is a member of law enforcement, their identity is being withheld following state regulations.

    Up & Coming Weekly has reached out to the SBI for comment and received the following statement:

     "What we need from the public at this point - Anyone who witnessed the incident, knows of anyone who witnessed the incident or has video of the incident before, during or after, should contact the SBI Southeastern District office at 910-778-5724 during business hours or call 1-800-334-3000 after business hours."

    The SBI did clarify that the firearm used had been seized. They said that other information will be revealed after the medical examiner releases their report/autopsy.

    The SBI does not have incident reports and told Up & Coming Weekly that we would have to go through FPD. Up & Coming Weekly has requested that incident report.

  • Keshawn Ayers WEB The Fayetteville Police Department has arrested a 26-year-old man for the first-degree murder of a 2-year-old boy.

    Police state that on New Year's Eve, a two-year-old was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center after police responded to a call saying that the boy was unresponsive. The boy died at the hospital. At the time of the incident, the toddler was in the custody of Keshawn Ayers, the mother's boyfriend.

    Foul play was not suspected until the Medical Examiner's autopsy determined that the manner of death was homicide.

    Ayers was arrested on Jan. 7 and is being charged with first-degree murder as well as felony child abuse inflicting serious physical injury. He is currently at the Cumberland County jail with no bond. His next pre-trial hearing is on Jan. 10.

    This was the 48th homicide in Fayetteville in 2021.

  • Rowan Map A zoning meeting has been scheduled to discuss the future of Rowan Park. Rowan Park is located at 725 West Rowan St. It is a mixed green space spread across a little over 12 acres near downtown Fayetteville. A $1 million skate park was recently completed on-site, with a ribbon-cutting being held on August 28, 2020. The park also houses a playground, a disused tennis court, and a large covered picnic pavilion area used as a stage and for yoga classes, animal sculptures and a building associated with the Lions Club of Fayetteville, Inc., built-in 1956.

    Rowan Park is currently zoned Mixed-Residential 5 (MR-5). Defined by the city, MR-5 allows for a wide variety of residential housing at moderate to high densities. Also allowed are places of worship, post offices, police substations, daycare facilities and limited small-scale neighborhood-oriented convenience retail. The proposed rezoning would shift the green space to a Community Commercial (CC) zoning district. The city defines CC as allowing for medium to high-intensity retail, service and office use with higher density residential use on the upper floors of nonresidential establishments or as stand-alone buildings.

    The public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Festival Park Plaza Training & Development Center at 225 Ray St, Suite 122. Citizens are invited to submit comments in advance and up to 24-hours after the meeting. The hearing will then be continued until a date after the comment period has ended. Written comments or evidence may be submitted to jenniferbaptiste@fayettevillenc.gov. Those wishing to speak at the hearing should call 910-433-1612 before 5 p.m. on the hearing date to sign up.

    Citizens can obtain additional information by calling the Planning Division at 910-433-1612. Individuals can attend the meeting via Zoom. The meeting link is https://fayettevillenc.zoom.us/j/86087712996?pwd=aVk4M1B2T09yZytkdDFxNUJIRTF3dz09. Password: 56103.

  • Christmas Tree The Annual Grinding of the Greens Christmas Tree Recycling program, a Fayetteville holiday tradition for 28 years, encourages Fayetteville residents to recycle their live Christmas trees. Recycling the trees prevents them from ending up in landfills.

    The Cumberland-Fayetteville Parks and Recreation will collect the trees from Fayetteville city residents in a special tree pickup beginning Monday, Jan. 10. These pickups are separate from yard waste, trash or recycle pickups. City residents should put their trees out for curbside collection by the morning of Jan. 10. All lights, stands and trimmings should be removed from the tree before placing them on the curb.

    Residents who live outside the City or miss the pickup may drop off trees at the Fayetteville Community Garden, located at the corner of Van Story and Mann Street just off Old Wilmington Road, anytime before Jan. 15.

    Public Works Commission and Department of Environmental Protection volunteers will grind the trees into mulch at the Community Garden on Jan. 15. This mulch will be used for the Fayetteville Community Garden and other local parks.

  • Backpacks for Patriots The holidays are over, but that doesn’t mean the season of giving ends. The Fayetteville Woodpeckers, the Military Luggage Company, the Rick Herrema Foundation and Off-Road Outreach have joined forces to help homeless veterans and low-income military families.

    The Woodpeckers Foundation and Community Leaders Program have raised $7,480 and used it to purchase 187 backpacks from the Military Luggage Company, which discounted each bag by 50%. Donations collected to fill the bags include coats, shoes, hats, gloves, cold medicine and first aid kits. Off-Road Outreach will distribute the backpacks to homeless veterans and low-income military families on Jan. 10 at Operation Inasmuch, a local nonprofit. Off-road Outreach, ServiceSource and the Woodpeckers will be serving a free lunch at the event. They will also provide free haircuts and additional resources to people who need them.

    Kristen Nett, community and media relations manager for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, hopes this inaugural event will persist, becoming an annual opportunity to give back.

    “We have not done this event in the past,” Nett said. “I hope to make this an annual event to support homeless veterans and low-income military families in our community.”

    People can still donate hygiene items, coats, blankets, shoes, hats and gloves at Operations Inasmuch at 531 Hillsboro St. To register for the event or volunteer, visit www.rhfnow.org.

  • Methodist Methodist University will be delaying the opening of campus for the Spring Semester after a spike in the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

    Faculty and staff will return to campus on Jan. 10 while undergraduate students will return on Jan. 18. Graduate programs will begin on Jan. 10 and online programs will begin on their original start date.

    "I am certain we will have cases on our campus this spring, but as promised all along, we are working daily to remain as open as possible while also being as safe as possible," President Stanley Wearden said in a university announcement. "Delaying the full opening of campus by a week affords us multiple opportunities to mitigate risk."

    Faculty and staff are expected to be tested anytime before Jan. 10, preferably 72 hours before returning to campus. Students who will be on campus must show proof of full vaccination and will need to be tested for COVID-19 before Jan. 18.

    Students who live in residence halls will be asked to return to campus in four phases, beginning Jan. 13.

    At Fayetteville State University, classes have been delayed and will now begin on Jan. 19 to allow time to conduct re-entry testing for students, faculty, and staff. COVID-19 testing is required for all employees and students. They must complete a COVID-19 test within 72-hours of returning to work on campus in January. This is for vaccinated and unvaccinated employees. Unvaccinated students must participate in mandatory testing twice a week.

    Between Jan. 4 through Jan. 18, staff are required to check-in at the re-entry testing site at Seabrook Auditorium prior to reporting to workstations. From Jan. 10 through Jan. 18, all residential students are required to complete a re-entry health screening and COVID testing in the Student Center.

    Commuter students and faculty members are required to check in anytime between Jan. 10 through Jan. 19. Faculty will test in Seabrook Auditorium. Commuter students will test in the Student Health Center.

    At Fayetteville Technical Community College, all faculty and staff must undergo a COVID-19 test on or after Jan. 5. This policy applies to all faculty and staff, regardless of vaccination status. All fully vaccinated faculty and staff will be required to wear masks until they can produce a negative test.

  • A 32-year-old man was found dead in front of an apartment building on Christmas morning, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.

    Officers were dispatched at 6:39 a.m. to a reported shooting along 1200 block of Beebe Estate Circle. The victim, Clarence Arthur Branch II, was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Shaun Williams

    Police are now looking for 33-year-old Shaun Williams (pictured above) as detectives believe he has information about this case. 

    FPD Wanted Car

    Detectives are also seeking the vehicle shown above that was seen leaving the scene. The vehicle is a red 2001-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo displaying NC registration plate TBL-4034, however, police believe the registration plate may have been removed or replaced. The vehicle has a number 8 behind the rear window pillars.

    Police believe that this was not a random incident and homicide detectives are actively investigating. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective M. Waters at (910) 635-4978 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).

  • trafficking Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal industries in the world. During 2021, the Child Advocacy Center received 959 cases of reported child abuse which is a 9.5% increase from the previous year. 514 forensic interviews were conducted at the center which is a 4% increase from the previous year. 568 families received victim family advocate services providing direct aid as well as assisting them in accessing much-needed resources.

    “Every year January is known as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and every year we do something around the topic,” said Faith Boehmer, prevention and volunteer coordinator of the Child Advocacy Center. “We have designed two community cafes that will take place in January where we will have individuals come in, have some dialogue around the tables to discuss the issue, and talk about what is going on in our community.”

    Boehmer added they are also doing a Speaker Series focusing on the impact of human trafficking. One speaker is Dr. Dean Duncan, UNC Chapel Hill Research Professor and his topic is “Demand Reduction.” Courtney Dunkerton from the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault will speak about “What You Need To Know About Human Trafficking In North Carolina.”

    This year the Child Advocacy Center had an 11-year-old female come to the center twice. The child was communicating with a male stranger through messaging on a social media app. The stranger paid for a lift to take her to a motel. The girl was reported missing. Law enforcement found her in the motel with the older male stranger. Children do not divulge information so it is hard to prove human trafficking because children will not talk about it for a variety of reasons.

    “Most tweens and teenagers who have been seen at the Child Advocacy Center are in the age range of 11-years-old to 16-years-old,” said Boehmer. “They are meeting older men online through social media messaging apps as well as dating apps such as Badoo, Instagram, Tik-Tok, and Snapchat.”

    She added, “They connect online, arrange to meet, and the older man provides the transportation for them to meet at the hotel.”

    This writer asks, Parents, please talk to your children about the dangers of talking to strangers in person and online using social media apps. I am an elementary principal and my Friday afternoon announcements entail telling my elementary babies to be aware of “Stranger Danger.” I tell them they should not talk to strangers or take any money, food, candy, or help strangers look for their pets. They are taught that if a stranger approaches them online, they are to run and tell their parents immediately. We have got to protect our babies and young teens from the dangers of human trafficking. Sit down tonight and have that conversation with your child.

    “We have created a prayer guide that we are going to be sending out to the faith community that will bring more awareness about human trafficking,” said Boehmer.

    For more information visit www.CACFayNC.org or call (910) 486-9700.

  • Carolina Predators "It has been three years since the last indoor football game," General Manager of the Carolina Predators, Benjamin Pippen, said at the Carolina Predators press conference last week. "We are now bringing in a new arena football team, the Carolina Predators."

    One of three Predators team owners, Ralph Byrd, is thankful to have a permanent home for the Carolina Predators to play in and feels the team will help unify the community.

    "For three years, we were a travel team up and down East Coast," Byrd said. Fayetteville is a great place, a great city, for football. Wins and losses. We are not just about winning the football game. Some of the coaches have played and coached here when there was an arena team years ago. It is not just about football games; it is about bringing everyone together."

    Byrd, an athletic trainer, is not just an owner; he is now a general manager for the Carolina Predators.

    "I took care of these guys, and now I am going to take care of them on another level. I appreciate Fayetteville for having us – that's the big thing."

    Byrd says he bought the team and brought it to Fayetteville to allow another generation the opportunity to play.

    "Playing has done great things for us. We couldn't play anymore. It was something we decided to do. We wanted to give the younger guys the ability to play football. It was reaching out to different arenas in various cities, and Fayetteville had a very warm and inviting arena. The atmosphere brought us here," he said.

    The team has big plans for their first game and hopes the events will be accessible and affordable.

    "We will have a tailgate, especially for the first game," Byrd said. "A formal meet & greet with coaches, players and staff. Tickets will be $10 to $15. We are not here to make money. We want to provide a family-friendly atmosphere in which kids can meet professional football players."

    The Head Coach, Charles Givens, saw this announcement as a great belated Christmas gift, announcing the Predators are coming not just to Fayetteville but specifically back at the Crown Coliseum.

    "When I walked in, I felt chills. I've played here. I have coached here. I played for the Cape Fear Wildcats in 2001," he said.

    Givens explained that he is bringing "a championship coaching staff and championship football team" to support the Predators.

    This championship staff includes Jon Hall, who has been coaching since 2015. Hall won Offensive Coach of the Year in 2016 and has called Fayetteville home since 2012. In the past, he also played for the Wildcats. Offensive Coordinator, Shawn Wood, is also happy to be here at the Crown.

    "Thanks for allowing us to be a part of Cumberland County. We bring exciting football here and an electric offense. You are going to see a lot of fireworks from this team," Wood told attendees at the press conference.

    Team tryouts will be held at an undecided location on Jan. 15.

    These men, who are bringing the Carolina Predators to Fayetteville, are long-time teammates and colleagues. They have played and coached together at different times in their lives. They plan to utilize that long-standing team dynamic to bring quality and skilled sports entertainment to the Fayetteville community.

    Spectators and athletes can find up-to-date information about tryouts and the team's upcoming schedule on the team's Facebook page, Carolina Predators Arena Football Team. The first game will be on March 26, in Mississippi. The first home game will be on April 10.

  • 14 car at side of roadReturning from a funeral in Texas, I encountered on the west outskirts of Columbia, South Carolina, on I-20, a 10-year old Lincoln four-door sedan, which had “just died”. Occupants were “Kiki”, the driver, a 30-something-year-old woman with a purple wig, “Estevan” a 25-year old guy and two young grade-school kids. Kiki told me that the clamps to her battery posts — battery was in the trunk — were loose and the car had cut off several times.

     I asked how she knew the clamps were loose. She replied that she had gotten a jump start from someone else who had told her that, but this person didn’t have any tools to tighten the clamps. I figured that getting the clamps tightened would be easy, and it was — only one clamp was loose, but it required six 1-inch-long segments of paper clip wire inserted between the clamp and post to add enough bulk to the post. This paper clip trick on the battery worked, since the engine started right away and kept running. 

    In the trunk, I noticed that the vehicle’s donut spare had no air; there was a gap where there should have been a bead between the tire and the rim. The spare was not needed since there was no flat tire, but when I told Kiki about the empty spare and offered to try to inflate it, she agreed.

    I was hoping that my new more-powerful Viair compressor would pump air into the tire fast enough to reseal the bead without having to use a ratchet strap around the tread to force the tire’s inner lip against the rim. After massaging the tire with my hand as the compressor hummed away, I was delighted to hear a very loud pop as the bead sealed. As Estevan looked on I pointed out a jack in the trunk, but there was no lug wrench.
    I informed Kiki of all this, recommending she get a lug wrench. It was then that she told me also that the vehicle’s steering was very loose so the car was hard to keep in a lane. I advised her to call for a tow or drive the car slowly and directly to a shop like Pep Boys in Columbia.
    She replied that she had no money for either so she would have to try to drive it another 20 miles to her original destination. Before we split, Kiki and Estevan both thanked me for helping them. I hope they made it.
    Walt’s tips:
    Keep battery clamps tight, so they cannot be moved by hand.
    Check the spare tire for proper inflation.
    Have tire changing tools.
    If the car cannot be steered safely, park it!
     
  • The Cumberland County Board of Education met Tuesday morning to discuss possible virtual instruction for students this week, however, after looking over the numbers of staff and teachers who can work, they decided that school should resume as normal.

    District officials considered one of three options in the meeting. Transition to virtual instruction, make a change to the calendar or move forward with in-person instruction. A survey went out to staff on Monday and Tuesday asking them if they were unable to work due to currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, being diagnosed with COVID-19, quarantine due to close contact, or needing to be home with a child who has been diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19. Out of 4,959 respondents, 406 said they would not be able to work this week. That is 8 percent. 280 of those respondents were teachers or teacher assistants.

    IMG 2994

    Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr. recommended moving forward with in-person learning on Jan. 5 through Jan. 7, as planned. However, due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in the county and the state, the school district will implement new COVID protocols, including temporarily limiting visitors at school facilities, reducing capacity at athletic events to 50 percent and expanding COVID-19 testing options to students and staff.

    “In light of the COVID-19 metrics in our county and understanding that many of our staff, students, and their families may have been exposed to COVID-19 over the break, we felt obligated to explore all possible options upon our return from winter break,” said Connelly said in a press release. “We also wanted to ensure we had adequate staff to move forward with in-person learning, since some staff may miss work because of COVID protocols.”

    The School Board did not vote or take any action since the recommendation was to move forward with in-person learning as planned. Chairman Greg West closed the meeting shortly after the recommendation was made and no public comment was allowed.

    Holly Autry, a mother of a senior at Cape Fear High School, said she was happy with the decision the school district made.

    "Speaking on my daughter's behalf, she has pretty much all honors classes, and although she is a good student and could get her work done virtually, face-to-face learning and being able to raise her hand and a teacher actually being able to walk to her desk and explain something if she has a question is so much better than sending an email and waiting for lord knows how long to get a response," Autry told Up & Coming Weekly.

    Autry wasn't the only one happy with the decision. Work-from-home mom Susan Brown said that if the school district went virtual, it would have been stressful for her whole family. Her 7-year-old son is autistic and in IEP classes. She says that special education students are some of the most negatively impacted by many of the COVID policies.

    "In honesty, I would have attempted my son to do what they asked but I have two other children and I work from home," Brown said. "It would have been a stressful mess and he would surely lose learning time. I’d have to log him on and off twice during the school day to drop off and pick up my other kids."

    Althea Thompkins, a mother of a kindergartener, said that she was hoping the school district would offer a virtual option, however, the Board of Education did not consider virtual for those who may want to opt-in for it.

    "I became furious because I’m immune-compromised and 30 weeks pregnant. We as a household just got over COVID and I don’t plan to catch it again," Thompkins said. "Also, I am appalled that some parents are saying they would rather their children catch COVID than to prevent it. Just because some parents are healthy and can afford to not be so precautious does not mean others are. I am strongly leaning towards doing homeschooling or virtual for the rest of the year because some of these parents I can not trust."

    Thompkins said that the new protocols the district will implement are a must along with face masks.

    "People who demand continuing to live our lives like there’s not a virus still out, need to realize that there are just as many immune-compromised and vulnerable people and children in this city," Thompkins said.

    Autry on the other hand said she had mixed feelings about the new protocols.

    "Being a frontline healthcare worker in a Primary Care office we see it all from minor symptoms to major concerning symptoms, from Covid vaccinated to non-vaccinated," Autry said. "My honest opinion in athletic games - what is the point in limiting the amount of people allowed to watch the game or match when the athletes playing are constantly coming in contact with each other while sweating and breathing heavy, there’s just no way around it! As for the testing in school I’m definitely against. I can’t speak for everybody else but I’m not letting my daughter get tested at school."

  • 05 moneyRecently, we’ve seen an increased interest in mindfulness, although the concept itself is thousands of years old. Essentially, being mindful means you are living very much in the present, highly conscious of your thoughts and feelings. However, being mindful doesn’t mean acting on those thoughts and feelings — it’s just the opposite. With mindfulness, your decision-making is based on cognitive skills and a rational perspective, rather than emotions. As such, mindfulness can be quite valuable as you make investment decisions.

    Two of the most common emotions or tendencies associated with investing are fear and greed. Let’s see how they can affect investors’ behavior.

    • When investors are fearful … Investors’ biggest fear is losing money. So, how did many of them respond during the steep market decline from late 2007 through early 2009? They began selling off their stocks and stock-based mutual funds and fled for “safer” investments, such as Treasury bills and certificates of deposit. But mindful investors witnessed the same situation and saw something else: a great buying opportunity. By looking past the fear of losing money, they recognized the chance to buy quality investments at bargain prices. And they were rewarded for their patience, long-term perspective and refusal to let fear govern their decisions, because 10 years after the market bottomed out in March 2009 (as measured by the Dow Jones Industrial Average), it had risen about 300%.

    • When investors are greedy … We only have to go back a few years before the 2007-09 bear market to see a classic example of greed in the investment world. From 1995 to early 2000, investors chased after almost any company that had “dot com” in its name, even companies with no business plans, no assets and, in some cases, no products. Yet, the rising stock prices of these companies led more and more investors to buy shares in them, causing a greed-driven vicious circle — more demand led to higher prices, which led to more demand. But the bubble burst in March 2000, and by October 2002, the technology-dominated Nasdaq stock index had fallen more than 75%. And since some of these companies not only lost value, but went out of business, many investors never recouped their investments.

    To avoid the dangers of fear and greed, take these steps:

    • Know your investments. Make sure you understand what you’re investing in. Know the fundamentals, such as the quality of the product or service, the skill of the management team, the state of the industry, whether the stock is priced fairly or overvalued, and so on. The better informed you are, the less likely you’ll be to chase after “hot” investments or to bail out on good ones.

    • Rebalance when necessary. If you’ve decided your portfolio should contain certain percentages of stocks, bonds and other vehicles, stick to those percentages and rebalance when necessary.

    • Keep investing. Ups and downs are a normal feature of the investment landscape. By continuing to invest over time, rather than stopping and starting, you can reduce the effects of volatility on your portfolio.
    It’s not always easy to be a mindful investor and to avoid letting emotions drive your decisions – but it’s well worth the effort.
  • The Cumberland County Board of Education is holding a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 4, to consider a delay in in-person learning. Students were initially scheduled to return to school on Wednesday, Jan. 5. However, the school board will soon decide if Jan. 5 through Jan. 7 will be entirely virtual for students and staff.

    If the board decides to vote for virtual learning, principals at each school will share information with families about device pick-up opportunities for those students who did not bring their school-issued laptops and devices home over winter break.

    Teachers and staff have been instructed to work from home on Monday, Jan. 3, and Tuesday, Jan. 4.

    The meeting will be open to the public via live-streaming on their YouTube channel. There will also be capacity-limited seating available to members of the public, who will be required to maintain masking and observe all COVID-19 related protocols. There will be no public comment period during the special meeting.

     

    Editor's Note: If you have a letter to the editor about the decision the board will make on Tuesday, send it to editor@upandcomingweekly.com.

  •  04 IMG 0365What’s that signpost up ahead? Beware, you are about to cross over into the Valentine Zone. It’s the middle ground between light and shadow, science and superstition. It lies between the pit of man’s fears and women’s expectations. This is the dimension of sensitivity. A place where no man is safe from making a bumble-headed move in affairs of the heart.

    As a public service to men everywhere, today’s stain on world literature will explain what love is. Gentlemen start your engines. As our Beloved Dear Leader might report: “Many people say that love is a hot-blooded emotion.” Au contraire, as our French friends would say love is best exemplified by the world’s greatest cold-blooded lover. I speak of the Casanova of Reptilian Love, the one, the only, Diego the Giant Tortoise of Amor. Diego was recently the subject of an admiring article in The New York Times written by Amee Ortiz. If Amee said it, I believe it and that settles it. Diego has recently retired as the King of Tortoise Love, which triggered The New York Times article.
    Let us first consider Diego’s background to determine what made him such a superstar in the giant tortoise world. Diego was hatched around 1920 on the island of Espanola. At some point in the 1930s, he emigrated from Espanola to his current home in the Galapagos. Diego’s personal stats are impressive. When he extends his full length, he is almost 5 feet long and weighs over 175 pounds. That is a lot of giant tortoise. Despite Diego’s uncanny resemblance to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Lady Tortoise’s can’t get enough of Diego. Who says love is blind? Diego says so.

    To misquote our old pal, Percy Bysshe Shelly in his poem “Ozymandias,” “Look upon Diego’s works, ye mighty warm-blooded mammals, and despair!” Diego is over 100 years old and a stud among studs. He had a way with the lady tortoises that resulted in saving his species from extinction. He was placed in a captive breeding program in the 1970s in the Galapagos Islands. When Diego signed up for romantic duty, there were only 14 giant tortoises of his tribe, the Chelonoidis hoodensis, on the island. The 14 giant tortoises consisted of 12 lady tortoises, Diego and another male with the uninspiring name of E5. Things were looking bleaker than the chance the Tar Heels would get into the NCAA tournament for the survival of the species until Diego rose to the occasion. When Diego had finished doing his thing in 2019, there were 2,000 giant tortoises on the island. These statistics demonstrate that baby giant tortoises are proof that male giant tortoises look good to female giant tortoises.

    Through the giant tortoise equivalent of 23 & Me genetic testing, it turns out that Diego was responsible for 40% of the resulting baby giant tortoises. This does mean that his buddy, E5 was responsible for 60% of the new giant tortoises, but Diego gets all the publicity. Obviously, Diego has a much better press agent than E5 — as well as a much catchier name. Professor James Gibbs, head guru of giant tortoise Love Island, explained Diego’s fame, saying that “Diego has a big personality — quite aggressive, active and vocal in his mating habits, and so I think he has gotten most of the attention. But it clearly is the other quieter male that has had much more success. Maybe he prefers to mate more at night.”

    Makes you wonder what sweet nothings Diego bellows in the ears of the lady tortoises. It also makes you wonder if tortoises have ears. Have you ever seen a giant tortoise’s ears? Not me. But apparently Diego knew where to look. Apparently, lady tortoises have an aural spot with which Diego could tickle their fancy. One can only wonder what Diego whispered to his lady loves — “If loving you is wrong, I don’t want to be a giant tortoise,” “This giant tortoise is in love with you,” “I just bellowed to say ‘I love you’” “Tortoise love will keep us together,” “All you need is tortoise love,” “I want to hold your claw,” or possibly “My shell, Ma Belle.” The ways of giant tortoise love are a many splendored thing.

    Diego is going to be sent back to his home island of Espanola, where he is going to live out the rest of his days writing his memoirs, telling lies to his tortoise buddies about his multiple romantic conquests and appearing in commercials for Viagra.

    So, what can Diego teach mere mortal men about love in this most dangerous time of the upcoming Valentine Zone? Toot your own horn. Have a big personality. Promise her anything but remember to deliver. Slow and steady wins the race to repopulate. Never, ever give up. Even if you look like Mitch McConnell, there is a woman who is right for you.

  • 03 mohit tomar 9 g 6JcF6fk unsplashHow about these for some eye-popping numbers?

    There are apparently 2,153 billionaires — yes, with a b — in the world who have the same collective worth as the poorest half of the world. Put another way, these 2,153 vastly privileged people have the same collective wealth as 4.6 billion — yes, with a b — poor people. And, who is the richest person in the world? He is Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, and his estimated worth is $131 billion, almost six times North Carolina’s annual budget at one man’s disposal. Bill Gates is No. 2 at $96 billion, followed by Warren Buffett at $83 billion. Donald Trump comes in at a mere $3 billion. Much of that wealth has come from exploding technology and financial sectors. The report also finds that 22 men have more wealth than Africa’s 326 million women combined.

    Oxfam, a group of 19 independent charitable organizations focused on reducing global poverty, issues an annual report on who holds the world’s wealth. The report, issued to coincide with this month’s gathering of the ultra-rich at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, is based on data from the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report, an outfit that has a good handle on where the money is. More than a few observers see the irony in rich people flying in on their private jets to discuss world poverty, among other issues. The Oxfam report is full of economic statistics that can be sliced and diced in all sorts of ways, not all of them positive.

    The World Economic Forum also expands the elite billionaire category to the richest multi-millionaires, which means the top 1% of the world’s wealth holders have twice as much collective wealth as almost seven billion people. One way to visualize the disparity of this inequality is to imagine that if we all sat on our wealth in $100 bills, most of us would sitting on the floor. Middle class folks from a wealthy nation, say most Americans, would be sitting at chair height. The world’s two richest men, Bezos and Gates, would be sitting in space.

    One aspect of world poverty and global inequity is that women put in literally billions of unpaid, undervalued work around the world, at least 12.5 billion hours adding almost $11 trillion — yes, with a t — to the world economy every year. This work includes women who walk miles to get water for their families, providing cooking, child-minding and other care work that is undervalued and generally unpaid, keeping the women in poverty and generating massive wealth for others.

    In general, the rich get richer and the poor either stay the same or get poorer. Money makes money through investing — hence more billionaires, most of them Americans, but workers do not have enough money to make it work for them. Oxfam reports that while the poorest of the poor are making some progress worldwide, nearly half the world’s population lives on less than $5.50 a day.

    “Extreme wealth is a sign of a failing economic system,” says the Oxfam report. Still, no one is realistically advocating snagging billions from the big-time “haves” of the world, much less from you and me. But Oxfam does have some suggestions to right the distortions that allow a few to accumulate vast wealth while most people struggle.

    1.  Deliver universal health care, education and other public services to all, including women and girls. Limit or end privatization of public services.

    2.  Invest in public services that allow women to move from daily hours of unpaid care services into actual employment.

    3.  End the under taxation of wealthy individuals and corporations that now pay lower rates than middle-class individuals. Eliminate tax avoidance and evasion by the super-rich and corporations.

    It took decades to get to such economic unbalance, and it will take decades to right our worldwide economic ship. What has occurred and how to deal with it is well worth pondering as we surf the internet with our fingers hovering over “Buy Now” on the Amazon website.

     
     
  • 02 cv4I yield to Pat King’s editorial below because it seems to be the sentiment of many educated and well-informed Fayetteville residents on the historical, educational, cultural and fiscal benefits our community would gain from having the North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center located in our community. It would be a big win — unless small minds and personal political agendas crush another opportunity for us to enhance the quality of life of all citizens. The impact of this facility on Fayetteville would be grand and historical. Will it happen? Stay tuned. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          — Bill
     
    I just finished reading John L. Johnson’s letter published in The Fayetteville Observer Thursday, Jan. 23. It was the incentive I needed to write these comments. His characterization of “myopic attitudes and lack of visionary leadership” exactly matches my perception of the elected city officials — primarily the mayor — who are in a position to have the greatest influence on the possibility of the North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center coming to fruition.

    In the Dec. 29, 2019, edition of The Fayetteville Observer is an article by staff writer John Henderson titled “Debate rages on about proposed Civil War History Center.” There is no raging debate, only the slow strangulation of support for this important project by the mayor and those he calls “concerned citizens,” primarily citizens that he needs to maintain his power base and time in office. On page A6 of that edition is a picture of the mayor, another local politician and a phalanx of Colvin’s “concerned citizens.” As the mayor continues his flip-flop about the NCCWRHC, he manages to keep this particular constituency opposed to what is already a functioning Civil War and Reconstruction History Center.

    If he took the time to learn about the great work that the History Center’s Cheri Todd Molter and her small staff are doing, he might come to understand that most of his incitement about the Center is false and harmful to eventually getting this significant project committed and under construction. Anyone who goes to the website http://nccivilwarcenter.org and reads all the articles and watches the videos will understand what this facility will be — a teaching and learning center for all our people and (that will show) how this period shaped and still affects us all.

    The mayor is resorting to the same tactics he used in his campaign to remove the Market House from recognition as the symbol of our city — keeping a number of our citizens hoodwinked into believing his version of the facts. It worked. And it will work again and lead to the demise of the NCCWR History Center by keeping it from becoming a full reality.

    Mr. Johnson, the lack of “visionary leadership” you see will continue to do harm to the growth and betterment of our community unless citizens, like yourself, continue to speak up and support what is so desperately needed for the growth of jobs, development and investment in our city.

    To the mayor I say: Take the time to fully understand and respond to Mr. Johnson like you did to Mr. Patrick Tuohey’s piece in Friday’s newspaper about the development along Hay Street. Your legacy is becoming one of keeping racial issues as part of what should be what is good for all of Fayetteville’s citizens. You should be focused on Fayetteville’s future — not on your future and re-election.
     
  • 15 college studentsFayetteville Technical Community College's Central Sterile Processing Program offers students a chance to learn a new career and enter the health field in just 16 weeks.  Sterile processing is a field that does not receive a lot of attention, so spreading the word about opportunities in this field is a top priority.  It is a growing profession and needs trained, quality and technical individuals.

    The Central Sterile Processing Program is part of the Department of Surgical Services at FTCC.  We offer a curriculum program, and our campus is military friendly.  The program’s goal is to provide the community with highly trained, certified technicians to build the local workforce.  Upon completion of the program, students will have the knowledge and skills to successfully pass the national certification exam provided by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc. as a Certified Sterile Processing Department Technician.

    The Sterile Processing Department is considered to be the “heart” of the hospital, as infection control starts here. SPD consists of disinfection, decontamination, preparation and packaging, sterilization, sterile storage, and distribution of medical supplies and equipment. Students must have a working knowledge of the SPD environment, including the types of chemicals used, surgical instrumentation, processes, record-keeping in addition to critical thinking and troubleshooting skills to name a few. Technicians must be able to provide safe, quality patient care.

    The program is offered every fall semester and runs from August to December. Classes are broken up into two eight-week sessions. The program offers a combination class taught during the first eight weeks on campus in the evenings and shares information on an introduction to sterile processing, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and medical terminology. There is also a lab portion that meets two evenings a week and gives the students the opportunity to learn and demonstrate the necessary skills to prepare for the clinical environment. The second eight weeks are comprised of clinical hours and professional development in preparation for employment. Clinical hours are scheduled at various facilities with a minimum of 18 hours a week and vary from day to day based on the assigned location. Students are prepared for entry-level positions and are job-ready upon completion.

    To find out more information and how to apply, visit https://www.faytechcc.edu/academics/health-programs/central-sterile-processing/, contact me at gallowas@faytechcc.edu or call 910-678-9861. In addition to receiving affordable, high-quality education, students who attend Fayetteville Technical Community College have unique opportunities to network and experience leadership roles, enjoy athletics and much more. We invite you to visit our campus locations in Fayetteville, Spring Lake, or Fort Bragg and become a member of our team. Make the SMART choice for your education — Fayetteville Technical Community College.  

  • 14 Neil Peart"The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect." — "The Garden" by Rush.

     On Jan. 7, drummer, lyricist, motorcyclist and writer Neil Peart died from brain cancer. To the music world, he was one of the greatest drummers and percussionists ever. To the motorcycling world, he was a motorcycle enthusiast. To his fans, he was a hero.

     As the drummer for rock trio Rush, the band was different than the other groups in the 70s. They were the nerd squad. On tour, Rush was known for reading books, playing tennis and baseball, visiting museums and talking science fiction and philosophy. To them, the band was about the music and being the best.

     In 1997, tragedy hit. Neil's 19-year-old daughter was killed in a car accident, and nine months later, his wife died from cancer. Shortly after that, he packed up his BMW 1100GS and started riding. Absent for years, he traveled over 55,000 miles across the Americas. In 2002, he released the book, "Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road." The book documented his journey of grief, motorcycle life and healing. In the end, he found love and returned to the band and work. The motorcycle community took note.

     It was no secret that Neil disliked touring and the notoriety of stardom. After a show, Neil would escape to his tour bus, and the band would pull into a place they called the "Chateau Walmart" for the night. The next morning, he would ride off to the next venue.

     As a lyricist, once Neil joined the band in 1968, he wrote all of Rush's lyrics with over 75 songs to his credit. Rush's most popular sounds were "Tom Sawyer," "The Spirit of Radio" and "Working Man." Over time, Neil wrote seven books, including four about motorcycling. Rush retired in 2015 with a 40-year tour.

     In June 1994, The Standard wrote about him growing up in St. Catharines, Canada. In the article, Neil said, "And in a world which is supposed to be so desperate for heroes, maybe it's time we stopped looking so far away. Surely we have learned by now not to hitch our wagons to a 'star,' not to bow to celebrity. We find no superhumans among actors, athletes, artists or the aristocracy, as the media are so constantly revealing that our so-called heroes from Prince Charles to Michael Jackson, are in reality, as old Fred Nietzsche put it, 'human — all too human.' … And maybe the role models that we really need are to be found all around us, right in our own neighborhoods. Not some remote model of perfection which exists only as a fantasy, but everyday people who actually show us, by example, a way to behave that we can see is good, and sometimes even people who can show us what it is to be excellent."

     In an article in Inc., Neil told the reporter, "Never follow anyone, be your own hero."
     
  • 05 teacher and studentsFriend, the 2019-2020 long Legislative Session has adjourned, and we still don’t have a budget. The failure to pass this budget lies with Sen. Phil Berger and the Republican leadership who are unwilling to compromise and work for all the people in North Carolina. Our educators deserve a pay increase, we need investment in our public education infrastructure, we must protect our water from contaminants like Gen X, North Carolinians need Medicaid expansion, and we can pay for it all by cutting corporate welfare in favor of taking care of the people of North Carolina. 

    It is time to govern and put people over politics. Republicans continue to make excuses rather than working for the people of North Carolina and compromising on a budget that works for everyone. I am committed along with the other 20 democratic members in the Senate to continue this fight for a better budget. 

    On Jan. 14, the North Carolina Senate met for a brief session before adjourning until April. 

    During this session, no compromise was made on the budget. Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue and all Senate Democratic members offered to stay for as long as it takes to get an adequate budget that supports public education (K-12 and higher ed), teachers, support staff and retirees.

     What I’m fighting for in the budget process:
    ·     Adequate pay raise for teachers — GOP budget has a 3.8% raise, Gov. Cooper proposed 8.6%. Senate Democrats are fighting for a compromise of 6.5%.
    ·     Adequate pay raise for retirees — GOP budget has a 0.5% raise. Gov. Cooper proposed 2%. Senate Democrats suggested a compromise of 1.5%.
    ·     Adequate pay for noncertified educators — GOP budget included a $500 bonus. Gov. Cooper proposed 1.5%. Senate Democrats suggested 2%, while other state employees saw an increase of the minimum to $15/hour, facility staff like bus drivers, janitors, cafeteria staff and others have not seen a meaningful pay raise in years.
    ·     Democrats proposed a $100 million increase in public school infrastructure, including $19 million in additional funding for Cumberland County.
    ·     Democrats also proposed $5 million in additional resources to address contaminants like Gen X.

     The North Carolina General Assembly session has adjourned and will be back in session April 28. Please know that the office will continue to be open, so feel free to visit us at any time.  Please contact us by phone at 919-733-5776 or by email at Devierela@ncleg.net for further questions.

  • 04 UAC012220006In my column two weeks ago titled “Black Privilege Is Real in America,” I shared my reaction to an opinion piece that appeared in The Fayetteville Observer. It was written by Debra Figgins and titled, “County schools must address racial disparities in discipline.” The writer presented several actions that she contended should be taken by the Cumberland County School System to reduce adverse disciplinary actions toward black students. I saw her presentation as reflecting “Black Privilege.” See  http://www.karlmerritt.com/2020/01/09/black-privilege-is-real-in-america/ for my column. In part, I wrote: “If I have accurately assessed what is being called for here, it means special treatment of disruptive black students, while disadvantaging educators and non-disruptive students. For educators, that disadvantaging comes by way of adding a multitude of new requirements to a workload that is very likely already overwhelming for most. Further, the additional requirements, without attention to parental and student responsibilities, are doomed to failure. Sadly, students who, without regard to race, will be disadvantaged in that teachers will have even less time and energy for helping them in their education process.

    ‘The bottom line is that this is a call for special treatment of black students while disadvantaging educators and other students; even those black students who want to learn and do not present disciplinary problems. This is ‘black privilege.’”

    The school situation allowed for discussion of one manifestation of black privilege. However, another glaring indicator came along at about the same time as I was writing regarding Cumberland County Schools. In a column titled “Smith Recreation Center as Early Voting Site for Primary: Fear and Anger,” I addressed the push to make Smith Recreation Center an early voting site for the 2020 Primary. See http://www.karlmerritt.com/2019/12/29/smith-recreation-center-as-early-voting-site-for-primary-fear-and-anger/.

     Because the Cumberland County Board of Elections was not able to unanimously agree on a 2020 Primary early voting plan, the decision had to be made by the North Carolina Board of Elections. With three Democrats and two Republicans on that board, only a majority vote is required. Democrats from our local board presented a Majority Plan, and Republicans presented a Minority Plan. This was done before the State Board Dec. 20, 2019.

    The State Board voted, along party lines, to approve the Majority (Democratic) Plan. This was not a surprise to me. However, I found the Majority’s argument weak, while Democrats on the State Board seemed to totally disregard the case made by the Minority. Given that the area in question is predominately black by population, I hold that this is another case of “black privilege.” What follows are some instances reflecting the Majority argument weaknesses and/or disregard of the Minority case.

    Rev. Dr. Floyd W. Johnson Jr., Democrat and chairman of the County Board, opened the Majority presentation by saying, in part, “The members of the Majority Plan agrees that due to the aging community and lack of personal transportation that the Smith Recreation Center as an early voting site is a necessity because voters will not have to walk or ride the bus to another voting site. The site will not only accommodate the students from Fayetteville State University but also the voters from the Town of Spring Lake.”

    He went on to say that the recommendation regarding Smith is not driven by consideration of race. This was followed by Johnson saying, “It is, however, one of the heaviest poverty struck areas in Cumberland County that is centered in heart of Afro-American community. It makes sense that everyone should have a right or access to a voting site regardless of their circumstances.”

    When this opening is viewed in light of other information that was provided and the summary quote from my column, which is repeated at the end of this one, what is being called for here constitutes special treatment of black citizens in the area surrounding Smith.

    Linda Devore, Republican and County Board member, talked about the Minority’s approach to selecting early voting sites. She emphasized that they want to minimize wait times on Election Day. That means focusing on large precincts when selecting early voting sites. Some have as many as nearly 5,000 registered voters. This is not the case in older neighborhoods like around Smith Recreation Center and around the Board of Elections. For me, this approach seems very reasonable. This thoughtful approach does not support making Smith an early primary voting site.

    Irene Grimes, Democrat County Board member, also spoke for the Majority Plan. At one point, she made this statement: “I know we are probably going to hear about budgetary restraints that should keep Smith closed for the primary. Those, of course, have to be taken into consideration. However, one of the biggest arguments for Smith is that, this community, every time we have had a meeting about early voting plans, primary or general election, this community has shown up. They have shown up at the meetings advocating heavily for this center to be open. I believe we all are constantly lamenting the lack of voter participation in our elections. So, one of the biggest arguments is if the population in that area wants Smith Recreation as a voting site, then we should give it to them.”

    I read this statement to say forget cost, scrap reason, and just give people what they want. That is a troubling approach and a weak argument. It is even more troubling when a statement by Linda Devore, regarding the Nov. 12, 2019, meeting referred to above by Grimes, comes into play. Devore said, “Of the 46 who attended the meeting, only two live in the precinct where Smith Recreation is, and only one was from the adjacent precinct. The other people live in scattered precincts all across the county.” These numbers do not line up with the tremendous interest and support argument claimed by Grimes.

    Johnson and Grimes talked about not wanting voters to have to walk or take a bus to the Board of Elections to vote early. I found this interesting because of what was said about proposed weekend early voting. Devore explained that the Minority Plan called for Saturday voting on the first and third Saturdays so that workers would not work two weekends back-to-back. Grimes responded by saying: “I have been an election poll worker before I was appointed to the board. I also ran an early voting site, and I know that whether you are a regular staff member at the Board of Elections or a temporary poll worker like I was, everybody is extremely dedicated. And I understand that we have... that we wanted to take into consideration the staffing issue, but it’s an election. I mean, we all just buckle down, put on our big girl pants, and do the 18 hours we have to do.”

    So, people should not have to take a short bus ride to vote, but workers should “... put on big girl pants and...” This sounds like very special treatment of a selected group of people.

    Dr. Stella Anderson, Democratic member of the State Board, questioned Linda Devore regarding a reference Devore made during the Nov. 12 meeting to a newly revised state statute, adopted days earlier.  Anderson based her question to Devore on an article from The Fayetteville Observer titled “Vote site fight: Should early voting be held next door to Fayetteville State University?” Devore explained that her comments were mischaracterized by the Observer, which did not have a reporter at the meeting.  At the Nov. 12 meeting, Devore read the relevant section of the statute and then raised the concern about how this newly revised statute should be applied to the Smith issue. She also expressed her concern that the plan be based on what is best for the voters of the entire county.

    The following section from my column gives attention to what Devore was referring to — “four precincts” are those close to Smith: “Finally, this singular focus will very possibly conflict with the intent, if not the letter, of recently passed legislation. During the 2016 primary, in these four precincts, a total of 2,516 ballots were cast: 205 by Republicans, 2,301 by Democrats and 10 by others. Having Smith Recreation as an early voting site during the primary would clearly favor Democrats and a primarily black population. Senate Bill 683/SL 2019-239, 163-227.6(b) speaks to voting site selection and ends with ‘... that the use of the sites chosen will not unfairly favor any party, racial or ethnic group, or candidate.’”

    My assessment is that Anderson made a lengthy statement intended to exempt the State Board from considering the requirements of Senate Bill 683/SL 2019-239, 163-227.6(b). Quoted below is the heart of her statement: “We all need to be understanding about what the considerations are supposed to be for the state board when we have before us petition plans. And the standard is for us to look at the plan as a whole... period. All of the sites that are proposed for the county and the extent to which the county’s electorate is well served by, and in this case, the multiple sites that are before us. So it is not the inclusion or exclusion of a single site and the perception of who will be best served, who would be mostly served, by any given site.”

    Simply put, I strongly contend that Anderson’s statement dismisses consideration of an applicable statute.

    Over the course of this hearing, Devore made several points that were also raised in my column. That was the case because much of what I wrote was prompted by a review of the  Nov. 12 meeting minutes. Aside from the statute issue, I summarized as follows: The picture here is one of misinformation that is not widely and forthrightly corrected by those who initially contribute to forming it: accusations of black voter suppression not supported by facts or reason; focusing on a small segment of the population when, in this case, equal treatment of all should be the aim; disregarding the high financial cost of the proposed change; not recognizing the inequity of having one site so much closer to another than is the case with others; by declining use of city buses, calling for greater convenience than seems necessary.

    At the bottom line, Democrats on the State Board approved a plan including Smith Recreation Center, despite a weak argument for doing so, and a multitude of legitimate reasons for not approving it. Even further, they totally dismissed appropriate consideration for a statute that certainly should have been given far more attention. This is unjustified special treatment of a group of people; it is black privilege.

  • 03 margaret picRemember bell-bottom pants from the 1970s? How about shag haircuts and midriff-baring outfits and skinny suits for men? They are all back in some form, generally with new monikers like “flares,” “bedhead” and “hipster.” At the end of the day, though, these blasts from the past are comebacks of ideas that worked before and are working again.

    The same is true for the names we bestow on what is most precious to us in life, our children.

    The Social Security Administration has kept track of what we name our children since the 1880s, and it turns out that vintage names are making a comeback, especially for baby girls. A century ago, the 10 most popular names for girls were Mary, Dorothy, Helen, Margaret (yay!), Ruth, Mildred, Virginia, Elizabeth, Frances and Anna. I know babies and little girls today with some of those names, even though none of them are in the current top 10. Still, the SSA says traditional names are popping up on birth certificates, including Violet, Hazel, Faye, June, Millie, Eloise, Vera, Elsa, Stella, Rosalie, Olive and Josie. I know a few of those as well.

    As for boys, the 1920 top 10 names were John, William, Robert, James, Charles, George, Joseph, Edward, Frank and Richard. William and James are still among the top 10 in 2020, which indicates that parents may be more willing to take a flier on girls’ names than with those for boys. Like the girls, boys are also experiencing a return of vintage names, including Clyde, Warren, Silas, Everett, Otto, Hugh, Jasper, Leon, Amos, Otis, Dean and Archie. Our family has a new double-traditional, George Claude.

    North Carolina parents seem right on trend in our baby-naming. In 2018, the latest year available, we named our little girls Ava, Emma, Olivia, Charlotte, Harper, Isabella, Amelia, Abigail, Sophia and Elizabeth, a nice mixture of tradition and a bit of modern. Tar Heel boy-naming continues to lean on tradition, with William and James still in the top 10 in second and fourth place, along with Noah, Liam, Elijah, Mason, Jackson, Carter, Lucas and Benjamin.

    Make no mistake, though. American parents are perfectly willing to be creative on names when the mood strikes, according to Huff Post, which seems to be every bit as interested in baby naming as I am. For example, Maverick is more popular for boys than the first man’s name, Adam. Brooklyn, originally a New York borough, is more popular for girls than the traditional Anna. Oaklynn, a word that does not register on spellcheck, is one of the fastest rising names for girls. Axel was recently bestowed on more little boys than ever-popular Edward, and Genesis is both more popular than Lauren for girls and the fastest-rising name for boys between 2017-2018. Jason was a biggie several decades ago, but it has now been passed by Angel, and Roman now tops Justin. For girls, Serenity has edged out the traditional Julia, and Brittany, once in the top five, has declined to only a few hundred in 2018. Dior is one of the fastest risers, with more than 1,000 baby girls receiving it in 2018. Kairo, another made-up word, is zooming up the name chart for boys, while Cairo, the actual spelling of the word, has never hit the 1,000 mark.

    The real question for parents with a new and precious bundle of joy is whether his or her name has already stood the test of time or whether someone will say 20 years later, “Oh, you must have been born in 2020!”
     
     
  • 02 BaseballThis week, Bill yields his space to sports writer Earl Vaughan Jr. to address the Houston Astros cheating scandal. The sport of baseball has a relationship with its own rules that often defies description.

    While sports like football and basketball seem to insist that rules be enforced with precision and accuracy across the board, baseball is the one major sport where the competitors seem to approach certain aspects of the game with a wink and a grin. I had the great fortune to interview legendary pitcher Gaylord Perry. For those not familiar, Perry’s a North Carolina native best-known for his alleged mastery of an illegal pitch called the spitball. He never admitted that he threw it, but there were strong suspicions and a trail of frustrated batters that would swear he did. But while Perry’s spitter was legendary, another staple of baseball is the stealing of signs.

    Again, for the uninitiated, here’s what that involves. The catcher gives a signal to the pitcher as to what pitch to throw. This usually involves dropping down a different number of fingers that represent each pitch. The pitcher either accepts the signal or he shakes off the sign and the catcher makes another suggestion. It’s possible for players on the opposing team to see these signs. The next step is to figure out the code the pitcher and catcher are using so the batter can be alerted to what pitch the pitcher is throwing. For a Major League player, that information is a huge asset that will most often result in him getting a hit. This has been going on since the game was invented.

    No complaints. Until now. You may have heard about the Houston Astros cheating scandal. They just happen to be the parent team of Fayetteville’s minor league affiliate, the Woodpeckers. The Astros have been accused of taking the art of sign stealing into the 21st century. With the help of electronic enhancement, they picked up the other teams’ signs then relayed the information to the batter. So guess what? The Astros won the 2017 World Series 4-3.
    The commissioner of baseball, Rob Manfred, warned the Astros to stop. Apparently, they didn’t.

    So, Manfred suspended Astros manager A.J. Hinch and G.M. Jeff Luhnow for a year. The team then fired both men. The dominos continued to fall as Alex Cora, a former Astros bench coach who led the Boston Red Sox to the World Series title in 2018 and New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran, a former Astros player, were both implicated in the scandal.

    There’s just one problem with all this. That shiny trophy the Astros got for winning the 2017 World Series is still in their possession. The record books still say they are the champions. That’s got to change. Stealing signs is one thing. Adding electronic technology to the mix is taking it to a completely unfair and unacceptable level.

    Multiple talking heads on television say that taking the championship from the Astros is pointless. They won the games. They won the championship. No one is going to forget that.

    True. But, they will also never forget if the title is stripped from them. When people look in a record book and go down the list and notice that word vacated next to the year 2017, it will recall this incident, how wrong it was and that the penalty exacted for it was steep.

    If the NCAA can strip national championships from college teams, there’s no reason Major League Baseball can’t do the same with the Astros. CBS Sports compiled a list of teams that lost their NCAA titles and are no longer recognized as champions for far less than what the Houston Astros did.

    San Francisco men’s soccer, 1978 — One student-athlete submitted an altered transcript when he enrolled in the school.

    Tulsa women’s golf, 1988 — The golf team did nothing wrong but lost the title because the NCAA put the entire Tulsa athletic program on three-year’s probation after a host of violations by the school’s track and field team.
    Syracuse men’s lacrosse, 1990 — Lost the title because the wife of the head coach co-signed a car loan for a player on the team.

    Hawaii men’s volleyball, 2002 — One player played on a professional team before playing for the college team.

    LSU women’s outdoor track and field, 2012 — One player used a stimulant that’s on the NCAA’s banned list. The stimulant is routinely found in over-the-counter nutritional supplements.

    The Astros, Red Sox and Mets took the first step in sending the right message that electronic sign-stealing won’t be tolerated by cutting ties with the people who have been implicated in the scheme.
    Now, Major League Baseball needs to finish the puzzle and leave the Houston Astros with an empty trophy case.
     
     
  • 14 car oilWalt Brinker, 1966 West Point graduate, retired US Army infantry lieutenant colonel and Vietnam War veteran, retired civilian project manager, instructor at FTCC, and Eastover resident, has provided well over 2,000 free-of-charge roadside assists as a hobby. With experience from these assists he wrote a book, “Roadside Survival: Low-Tech Solutions to Automobile Breakdowns” for the everyday motorist. He also set up a website, “roadsidesurvival.com”, to help individuals, driver education teachers, and law enforcement. This vignette captures one of his many assists, along with lessons.

    The Toyota Highlander was stopped on the Interstate highway shoulder. The right front tire was flat. Its occupants were roasting on the hot summer day. “Joseph” from Cameroon, the driver and father of the family, told me that he couldn’t get to his spare tire because the vehicle’s rear hatchback, which covered access to lower the spare, wouldn’t open. So I jacked up his vehicle, removed the flat tire wheel, wrapped it in an old sheet and put it in my car. Joseph and I took it to a Walmart for repair — all it needed was a valve stem.

    While we were there, I pointed out a portable 12-volt jumper battery and compressor, which could come in handy. He was not interested. Tire repaired, we returned to his vehicle, where I remounted the wheel. His 8-year old twin daughters, coached and rehearsed while Joseph and I were gone, performed a really cute, lively thank you dance for me. Very nice!

    Before I departed I suggested Joseph visit the nearby Toyota dealer to fix the latch on his rear door; he declined, saying he was in a hurry. His wife remarked acidly, “We might as well not have a spare tire.” I decided to leave before their fight. After taking the next exit and returning toward the Toyota, I noticed that it had not moved. I circled back and again stopped.

    Evidently, while Joseph and I were away, the family had used the sound system, running down the vehicle’s battery. So I gave him a jump start. I then gently reminded him about that portable jumper battery we had seen, suggesting he might want to reconsider. He smiled and said, “No,I don’t think so”, before thanking me and driving away.

    Driver tips:

    1. Don’t drive without a spare tire, especially in hot or cold weather, with one’s family. Not having access to the spare is the same as driving without it.
    2. If you know of a problem that restricts performance of basics such as changing a tire, get it fixed before a trip. As the saying goes, “The good Lord helps those who help themselves.”
    3. Consider keeping a 12-volt portable jumper battery and a 12-volt air compressor in your vehicle. Note: portable batteries require periodic recharging after each use or monthly, at least, otherwise they will underperform. Total loss of charge will end the battery’s effective life.

  • 05 N1804P17007CNow that we’ve closed the book on 2019, it’s officially tax season. As you prepare your tax returns for the April 15 deadline, you might already start looking for opportunities to improve your tax-related financial outcomes in the future. And one important step you can take is to connect your tax professional with your financial advisor. Together, these professionals can help you take advantage of some valuable strategies:

    Roth vs. traditional IRA — If you’re eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA, you might find it beneficial to have your financial advisor talk to your tax professional about which is the better choice. Generally, if you think your tax rate will be higher in retirement, you might want to contribute to the Roth IRA, which provides tax-free withdrawals, if you’re older than 59 ½ and have had your account at least five years. But if you think your tax bracket will be lower when you retire, you might be better off with the traditional IRA, which offers upfront tax benefits — specifically, your contributions may reduce your annual taxable income in a given tax year. Your tax advisor may have some thoughts on this issue, as well as how it might fit in with your overall tax picture in retirement.

    Taxable vs. non-taxable income — Turning taxable income into non-taxable income can lower your current year’s tax bracket. Depending on your income, you could potentially subtract your traditional IRA contributions, or your SEP-IRA contributions if you’re self-employed, from your taxable income. And even now, it’s not too late to affect the 2019 tax year, if you still haven’t reached the IRA or SEP-IRA contribution limits. Before you file your 2019 tax returns, your tax professional can tell your financial advisor how much you would have to contribute to your traditional IRA, SEP-IRA or similar account to potentially lower your taxable income. If you make the contribution, your financial advisor can illustrate how it would impact your retirement picture and make a recommendation on how to invest the money. You can fund your IRA with virtually any type of investment — stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and so on.

    Capital gains taxes on mutual funds — You might think you have total control over taxes related to your mutual funds. After all, you decide how long to hold these funds before selling shares and incurring capital gains taxes. However, mutual fund managers are usually free to buy and sell new investments as they see fit, and some of these sales could generate capital gains taxes for you. If these taxes are relatively large in any one year, your tax professional may notice and could relay this information to your financial advisor. This doesn’t necessarily mean these mutual funds are inappropriate for you; they still may be suitable for your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. But the tax aspect may be of interest to your financial advisor, who might recommend more tax-efficient investment options.

    Your investment and tax pictures have many overlaps, and by ensuring your team of advisors is working together, or at least communicating with each other, you can increase the chances of getting your desired results.

  •  04 jared brashier duNHkmSkW6M unsplashLook, up into the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Nope. It’s a Reaper Drone. Iranian General Soleimani probably wished it was Superman instead. But as the Rolling Stones once pointed out in song, “You can’t always get what you want/But if you try some time/You just might find you get what you need.”

    Soleimani got what he needed, which was a sudden exit into the land of 70 virgins, courtesy of the United States. Without question, he was a really bad guy, responsible for the deaths of many Americans, Iranians and Iraqis. But as someone once said, just because you can do something, doesn’t mean that you should do it. Personally, I could fly to Vegas to gamble away all of my earthly treasures in a short time. However, just because I can do it, doesn’t mean that I should do it.

     Let’s get in Mr. Peabody’s Way Back machine and visit with our old friend the Greek King Pyrrhus. Pyrrhus was born about 319 B.C.E. His daddy was king of Epirus. Unfortunately for child Pyrrhus, there was a squabble for the throne. His dad lost his job to the King of Macedon. Once Pyrrhus grew up, he got involved in a fight for the remains of Alexander the Great’s empire. By 297, Pyrrhus had taken over his old homeplace and surrounding territories. In 280 B.C.E., Pyrrhus got into a battle with the new kids on the block, the Romans. The Romans were feeling their oats, and Macedon looked like a pretty nice place to hang their helmets.

     Pyrrhus wasn’t about to give up his throne without a fight. He took 20 war elephants and about 3,000 troops for a showdown with the Romans. Back then, war elephants were the technological equivalent of drones. A major ruckus ensued between the Greeks and the Romans. Much to the Romans’ surprise, Pyrrhus whipped them at the battle of Asculum.

     Although Pyrrhus won the battle, he lost most of his generals, officers and foot soldiers. The Romans lost more men than Pyrrhus, but they had the advantage that replacement soldiers were anxious to join the Roman legions. Unfortunately for Pyrrhus, the well was dry for replacement soldiers for the Greeks. One of Pyrrhus’ surviving officers congratulated Pyrrhus on winning the battle. Pyrrhus, knowing that his army was mostly kaput, famously replied according to legend: “If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined.”

    This gave history the colorful term “Pyrrhic victory.” According to the wizards at Wikipedia, a Pyrrhic victory leaves “such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat. Someone who wins a Pyrrhic victory has taken a heavy toll that negates any true sense of achievement or damages long-term progress.”

     What does Pyrrhus have to do with Soleimani’s sudden and gooey death? Maybe nothing, This column is written 10 days before it appears to stain world literature yet again. Maybe the Iranians quietly took it on the chin, which seems unlikely. Or maybe the Iranians have done all sorts of terrible things and we have a brand-new 20-year shooting war now with the Iranians.

    We sent Soleimani to his well-deserved reward, but at what cost in American lives? Living in Fayetteville, war is not some abstraction. Our friends and neighbors are sent into harm’s way when the nation calls. We take war very seriously because we understand its real cost. If it can be avoided, it should be.

     I get the feeling that our own Dear Leader is the first Zen President. He lives only in the present. The past is of no interest to him. The future doesn’t exist. The only thing that exists is the immediate now. Soleimani is dead. What happens next is not a factor. Pyrrhus would understand and not be pleased with celebrating Soleimani’s death as such a victory. To quote many football coaches, “When you score a touchdown, don’t showboat, act like you have been there before.”

     However, not to leave on a sour note, let us consider what is happening to pigeons in Las Vegas. According to The Washington Post, someone is gluing brightly colored miniature cowboy hats on pigeons. The local pigeon rescue group, an excellent bunch called Lofty Hopes, is trying to help unhat the pigeons. Mariah Hillman, the group’s founder, has been passing out business cards telling people to feed the pigeons and give Mariah a call to come catch the pigeons so she can get their tiny hats off. Unsurprisingly, the hat glue is not good for the pigeons. So far, Mariah has caught and rehabbed two pigeons, Chuck Norris who is wearing a red cowboy hat and Coolamity James wearing a pink lady-like cowboy hat. Suspicion for hatting the pigeons has pointed to someone attending the National Finals Rodeo. The Rodeo has denied any involvement in hatting the pigeons. Gluing a hat to a pigeon is something that a human can do. Which takes us back to the original thesis of this column. Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean that you should do it.

     For the 82ndAirborne Division, as Sgt. Phil Esterhaus used to say on Hill Street Blues: “Let’s be careful out there.” Come home safely. We love you.
     
  • 03 voting stickersThe start of a new year makes us feel clean, fresh, renewed and hopeful. Gone are the holiday decorations, which — no matter how treasured — seem heavy and tired. In are resolutions for kindness, health and achievement. It is a time for looking forward, knowing the road ahead may be difficult but embarking on it with hope and good faith.

    We are a nation as divided politically as we have been, at least in my lifetime, and it is impossible in January to see where we will be in November. It feels to many Americans of both persuasions that it is going to be a long and difficult haul. North Carolina is widely perceived as a battleground state in presidential politics, but we have some issues that need tackling on the home front that are not — or should not be — overtly partisan.

    Like many states, North Carolina struggles with a growing urban-rural divide. Our cities are growing and thriving, fueled by higher education, technology and financial services. Our rural areas are stagnant, even losing population, and facing losses in educational offerings, health care and economic opportunities. North Carolinians of all political persuasions should urge our political leaders to step up measures to address these disparities.

    A major help would be Medicaid expansion. In low-wealth areas where medical care is in ever-growing short supply and residents have to travel to get it, Medicaid expansion would both provide health coverage for more than half a million North Carolinians and create jobs in communities that desperately need them. Withholding Medicaid coverage, when most of it would be paid for in federal, not state, dollars is both shortsighted and cruel. This can be remedied by a vote of the General Assembly, but there has been much suffering over the last decade.

    Another significant piece in addressing the urban-rural divide is increasing public education funding. Public education in urban counties offers families strong and diverse options, including various academies and charter schools. But some North Carolina counties, especially in the northeastern part of the state, can no longer fund their schools, much less provide options. This means that students in rural areas are less prepared for today’s higher education and today’s technology-focused workplaces. Lesser educational offerings virtually guarantee that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer in both economics and quality of life.

     North Carolina used to bill herself as “Variety Vacationland,” a nod toward both our beautiful pristine coast and our spectacular mountains. In the decades since that slogan disappeared from North Carolina license plates, our environment — like many across the nation — has taken hits from increased population density and emissions and wastes from energy-production facilities. North Carolinians must hold our leaders accountable for protecting our environment in ways they never have in the past.

    Finally, Americans — including the 10-million-plus of us who call ourselves Tar Heels — understand that there is something seriously wrong with our election systems and that a big part of the problem is extreme gerrymandering. Both Democrats and Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly have failed to act on redistricting reform, either out of fear of losing power or hope of attaining it. While gerrymandering has existed since the earliest years of our nation, it has become more extreme with technology, and it is cutting voters out of the election process making “one man, one vote” no longer true. North Carolina voters must insist that the General Assembly address this issue in 2020. If they do not, our state will suffer through extreme gerrymandering for at least another 10 years.

    As 2020 unfolds, we are into a new decade and 20% into the 21st century. Life is good for many of us, but our issues are difficult for many North Carolinians. Our elected officials swear oaths to do the right thing, and it is up to all of us to hold them to it.
     
  • 02 fake newsEditor's note: The cost of the demolition of the Parish House is less than $7,800, not $1,800. The actual bid was $7,715. The original typos in the article have been corrected below.

    The decision to demolish the old Christ Episcopal Church Parish House for less than $7,800 demonstrated the common sense and prudent leadership of the newly elected commissioners of Hope Mills. Commissioners Pat Edwards, Bryan Marley and Kenjuana McCray prevailed as they rebuffed the efforts of Commissioners Jerry Legge and Jessie Bellflowers in their attempt to restore the 110-year-old building for a whopping estimated price tag of over $300,000 of Hope Mills taxpayers’ money. Over the years, even with numerous repairs, additions and building modifications, it was difficult to identify much of anything that could  be documented or classified as significantly historical about the building.

     This being the case, the commissioners demonstrated the kind of logical thinking and visionary decision-making that will move Hope Mills positively into the 21st century. Tough decisions are rarely ever popular, no doubt about it. In this case, three Hope Mills commissioners evaluated the facts, completed their due diligence and made a decision based on what was best for the town and its residents. That’s leadership. And, that’s what they were elected to do.

     They will undoubtedly experience boisterous pushback from distractors in the form of personal attacks, criticism, protests and whiney social media posts. However, with Hope Mills having 16,000+ residents, a dozen or so malcontents demonstrating this kind of behavior is mostly inconsequential. Unfortunately, it has become more and more prevalent with the reckless popularity of social media compounded by the inability of the news media to wean itself away from the temptation of creating “fake news.”

     I have written many articles about my disappointment with today’s media and journalistic community, especially when so many of them disseminate, create and report fake news. Fake news is not only defined as creating and reporting things that are not true. It is misrepresenting or eliminating known facts to add drama to a story, cause or personal agenda. Fake news is also when only one side of the story is told, depriving the public of facts they need to understand an issue or situation at hand.

    This was the situation recently when The Fayetteville Observer and WTVD-11 both ignored major facts and circumstances influencing the ultimate decision to demolish the Parish House. They chose the easy route and focused only on the sympathetic protesters and Jessie Bellflowers’ disappointment over the decision to demolish the building. They covered the story without any mention of the actual time and energy that the board invested in doing the appropriate due diligence on the project. The Parish House has no significant historical value. Estimated revitalization cost is $300,000+.  One hundred forty-thousand dollars plus must be paid up front just to stabilize the building before anyone can safely enter to get a detailed estimate on the work needed — an estimate that could very well exceed $300,000.

     Hope Mills is not Williamsburg, Virginia, nor is it Old Salem. Hope Mills has its own wonderfully unique blend of Southern hospitality and personality. Its current leadership is smart, caring and thorough. These leaders see the big picture of Hope Mills’ future — economic development, safe neighborhoods, outstanding schools, clean streets, art, music, theater, festivals and fun, lakeside family activites. What’s not to like here? Three hundred thousand dollars less to demolish the Parish House can go a long way in building and maintaining a historically wonderful Cumberland County community.
     Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 13 One Thousand GiftsOn New Year's Eve of 2018, my boss, Dorothy, laid a bright blue spiral notebook on my desk. I slipped my thumb under the front cover and turned to the first page, the quiet crack of the card stock separating from the paper it protected, proving it had never been opened.

    “A new notebook for a new year,” she said.

    This was a challenge.

    Several years ago, Dorothy read a book called “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp, and remembering it sparked her to buy the entire staff a notebook and a copy of the book. The challenge was to chronicle 1,000 God-given gifts, no matter how big or small, by the end of 2019. It could be a good meal or beautiful flower, a credit card paid off or sweet baby laughter. The first chirp of a bird when spring arrives. Family. Common things. Uncommon things. Silly things. Serious things. Any good gift from God.

    At first thought, this sounds cliche. It's so easy for me to gloss over those sticky-sweet quotes dressed in beautiful fonts slapped on a well-edited photo of some snow-covered trees that friends on social media post almost daily. Those graphics that say, “Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened,” or “Life's a journey, not a destination.” Ugh. Give me a break. The quotes never really have anything to do with the background they're plastered on and they kind of make me want to throw up, but I digress. If those kinds of things help you, that's great. More power to you, I say. For me, its a big “thanks, but no thanks."

    For the first half of last year, I participated in this challenge, chronicling nearly 500 of the thousand I was to come up with. I must say, I was feeling mighty fine. I was loving life — taking care of myself, seeing some relationships in my life have some major breakthroughs, cooking supper for my family every night. I was making my list day by day and it was really making a difference.

    That summer, one of the most unknowingly overwhelming seasons of my life hit like an anvil to the forehead. I had family members become life-threateningly ill. My 1-year-old started day care for the first time, causing a change in my work schedule and time at home, in addition to bringing sickness after sickness home with him for months. My husband and I sold our home and moved back to my family's farm to better tackle some debt and be near to those sick family members. Most of it was not all that weighty, but all at once, it was a lot of change in a short amount of time.

    Somehow, as I tried to keep on keeping on, my 1,000 Gifts list trailed off.

    Over the course of just three months, I found myself irritated, unmotivated, easily offended, critical of others, overwhelmed, exhausted, disappointed, disengaged, crying a lot, inattentive, rude to my husband and telling myself how much of a failure I was because of the important things I let slip through the cracks at work and at home.

    I had a lot on my plate, but I know that all those things would have been easier to chew if I feasted on thanks-giving.

    I am convinced now more than ever that there's actually something to this gift list. In the last 24 hours of Jesus's life before he was crucified, he did a strange thing. In Luke 22, we find the account of the Last Supper, where Jesus brings his disciples together to share a meal. Luke 22:19 says, “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them...” Originally written in Greek, the word for “he gave thanks” is “eucharisteo." The root word of eucharisteo is "charis," meaning “grace.” Jesus took bread, saw it as grace, and gave thanks. Also found in eucharisteo is "chara," which means “joy.” Isn't that what we all long for? More joy? It seems that deep chara joy is found at the table of euCHARisteo — the table of thanksgiving.

    Voskamp writes, “So then, as long as thanks is possible, joy is always possible... Whenever, meaning now. Wherever, meaning here.” In every circumstance, in every season of life, joy can be found if we can focus on giving thanks. To say it better, joy is found when we see God in the here and now.

    So, I'm starting over. This year, I'm making a list called “Seeing 2020” — get it? It's time for a new perspective — a grateful perspective — that can only come by finding today's good and lovely. I'm filling it with things Philippians 4:8 talks about. It says, “...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Today's things.

    You can find — I can find — today's good and lovely in the middle of heartache, tumult, emotional debris and disappointment. It's there. We just have to look.

    I want more joy. I definitely want God's grace. I must be intentional in giving thanks no matter what this year holds.

    You find what you look for. What can you find today?

  • 06 michael jin ipHlSSaC3vk unsplashSo many times, I have heard people who have been involved in an auto wreck say: “I have full coverage.” What does that mean? For most people that means they have coverage for liability, property damage and a rental car. Let’s talk about what that often does not mean.

    When most of us buy auto insurance, we’re just looking at how much coverage we need to get behind the wheel and how low we can keep the monthly payment. Here’s the reality of auto insurance coverage:

    One day you are running out to the grocery store to pick up a few things. As you drive through an intersection with the green light, another driver runs the red light and smashes into your car. You wake up at the hospital with stitches in your head and several broken bones. You had to have some emergency surgery, and you will be in the hospital for several days. You aren’t going to be able to go back to work for quite a while and you have bills to pay. Your life has just been turned upside down. Your daily commitments and responsibilities are still there, even though you are out of commission.

    It’s usually at this point when most of us will begin to wonder about how much insurance the guy/gal that hit us had. This is a good question because your medical bills alone could easily exceed $30,000. What about your missed paychecks? What about the broken bones and the scar on your head? What about the terrible pain you feel that the pain killers barely take the edge off?

    North Carolina law requires a minimum of $30,000 in insurance coverage to operate a motor vehicle. If the guy that hit you has minimum coverage, what do you do? You look at your insurance coverage. Do you have “underinsured” coverage? That is the “UIM” coverage on your policy. “UM” is for when an uninsured motorist hits you. “UIM” is for when a motorist hits you and they do not have enough coverage to pay for your damages. Most of us do not know much about “UIM” or “UM” until we need it, and then we wish we had it or had gotten more.

    Honestly, if you have a significant injury in a car wreck, $30,000 minimum coverage will not be enough to protect you from serious financial loss. On the flip side, if you run the red light and hit someone and only have $30,000 in coverage, that will not protect you from serious financial trouble, either. My recommendation is to get as much coverage as you can afford and, if you can, try not to have anything less than $100,000.00 in coverage. This should include liability coverage (if you are at fault) and underinsured “UIM” and uninsured “UM” coverage (if someone hits you who has little or no coverage). If you can afford more, do it. It only takes one bad wreck to make us realize how important that coverage is — and if you don’t have it, the consequences can be devastating.

  • There’s a popular saying that no matter how thin the pancake, it always has two sides, which is a colorful variant of there are two sides to every story. This statement is so true regarding the article “The Parish House” by Elizabeth Blevins, owner of Hopemills.net. After careful review, I found at least 18 areas that are rift with misinformation purported to be fact-based information.

    The article omits several public records and a factual, chronological history of event references that, for some unknown reason, Blevins failed to include and share with her readers. Some examples are:

    05 parish house 2 The article completely omitted the town board regular meeting Feb. 4, 2019, regarding the discussion of the Parish House and its demolition (Budget Retreat Item 2018). A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mike Mitchell to rescind the motion from March 3, 2018, to budget for the demolition of the Parish House and engineering fees for the design of a parking lot until the Board has received further information from the Historic Preservation Commission. Why? Because the HPC was never informed of the town board’s decision to demolish the building.

    Blevins also claims the Parish House is not on the National Register of Historic Places — but it is! I researched her claim by calling Amber Stimpson, local preservation commission/certified local government coordinator at the State Historic Preservation Office, located at the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in Raleigh, North Carolina. Stimpson informed me Hope Mills was last surveyed in 1985 and the Parish House, at a minimum, must be “significant” enough to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

    In fact, this issue was referenced during a town board regular meeting on March 8, 2017, where Planning and Development Administrator Chancer McLaughlin presented an overview of the Hope Mills Historic Overlay District in concert with the work of the Historic Preservation Commission. McLaughlin presented a map with the current boundaries and noted the HOD is registered on the National Register of Historic Places.

    Blevins also claims Pat Hall identified the HOD … but she did not. The HOD was identified as the Historic Mill Village in 1985 when it was placed on the National Register of Historic Properties by the North Carolina Department of History and Culture. In fact, the Historic Preservation Commission began reviewing the HOD with a $15,000 grant by the same State Division in 1995.

    Further, the Parish House is 110 years old as of 2020 — not 89 years old. According to the Episcopal Church History in North Carolina by Rev. Norvin C. Duncan, the Parish House was built in 1910, not 1930. The church burned in 1916, at which time the Parish House was damaged. The Parish House was partially restored and a new brick church building was erected.

    After reading the article, my best advice to Blevins is a quote from Catherine Rampell’s article, “Four suggested 2020 resolutions for the media.” Rampell states, “Make sure we’re in the information business, not the disinformation business. … Yes, it’s important to challenge misstatements or deliberate lies, especially consequential ones. But we need to lead with the facts, contest the falsehoods and swiftly return to the facts again. Instead of amplifying the lies, we must amplify the truths.”

    In conclusion, I cannot predict what the future holds for the 110-year-old Parish House. However, what I do know is that every option must be discussed and explored, along with public input, before a final decision is made in the best interest of the town and the citizens of Hope Mills.

    Respectfully,
    Jessie Bellflowers
  • 04 N1807P44009CI have read, and my wife has told me 1,000 times, “Do not read a newspaper or watch a TV newscast shortly before going to bed.” The warning is that doing so will interfere with my sleep.

    I certainly wish that I had followed that sound advice on Dec. 6, 2019. Instead, I made the mistake of reading The Fayetteville Observer online edition for that day. It included an opinion piece by Debra Figgins, who is president of the Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The title was “County schools must address racial disparities in discipline.” I do not doubt that Figgins, and those she represents, firmly believe all that was presented in that opinion piece. What I say here intends no disrespect or lack of appreciation for Figgins or her sorority. However, her presentation disrupted my sleep because it was more of the arguments for actions that I believe fail to appropriately address the matter at hand. Inordinately high rates of serious disciplinary actions toward black students in public schools.

    Beyond not forthrightly determining and addressing the root causes of unacceptable conduct by black students, I see placing full blame and corrective responsibility on educators and other staff as unfair and doomed to failure. My observation is that this is by no means where the bulk of the blame and responsibility for correction should fall. This thinking did not just show up for me as a result of this opinion piece. Reading it was simply like gasoline on a smoldering fire.

    Being black and proud of it makes it very difficult to be silent when I see what feels like excuse-making and passing the buck when it comes to dealing with the unacceptable conditions and actions of some black Americans. My level of sadness and outrage generated by this excuse-making and buck-passing is heightened by various observations and experiences. Among the observations and experiences that send my sadness and outrage meter spiraling are the examples of attention given to charges of “white privilege.” White people today are supposed to feel guilty because of whatever advantage they supposedly have in life because of being white. Further, they are required to somehow compensate black Americans for some immeasurable disadvantage our ancestors suffered.

    The contention is that black Americans are still adversely impacted by slavery and all of the horrendous events that followed. I accept that position. I part ways with those who, under the “white privilege” umbrella, are comfortable seeking to solve problems plaguing black Americans by totally blaming white Americans and calling on them to fix our situation — while we accept no responsibility for causing or fixing our problems. All of this in a climate where, while not perfect, there are substantial opportunities for black Americans to succeed in life.

    For me, thinking such as that put forth by Figgins aligns with the excuse-making, pass-the-buck approach justified by claims of white privilege. As I reflected on the opinion piece and how what is proposed there is happening across the country, my thought was that white privilege is alleged, but black privilege is real. I could not sleep.

    Figgins opens by explaining: “The Social Action Committee of the Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter (FAC) wrote a resolution entitled, ‘Resolution to Eliminate Racial Disparities in School Suspensions and Stop the School to Prison Pipeline’ to address an issue that not only plagues Cumberland County Schools, but the state and nation as well.” She then presents statistics regarding this issue: “Unfortunately, this October Cumberland County Schools and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reported in 2017-2018, black girls were suspended at 7 times the rate of white girls. Black boys were suspended at 5 times the rate of white boys. Black students were suspended at 5.5 times the rate of white students. Seventy percent of short-term suspensions in Cumberland County Schools were black students.

    “Eighty-two percent of long-term suspensions were black students. It is time to identify more effective strategies to eliminate placing students of color on a path to prison.”

    The resolution closes as follows: “Resolved, that the Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, on behalf of its members: 1. urges the Cumberland County Board of Education to develop policies that will significantly reduce racial disparities in suspensions; 2. requests that all Cumberland County School employees and Board of Education members be required to participate in cultural sensitivity to enhance their ability to work with racially and ethnically diverse populations; 3. requests that the leadership of Cumberland County Schools annually evaluate each school’s disciplinary policies using a racially equitable lens to determine if those polices disparately impact students of racial minorities; 4. advocates for greater diversity in the hiring of teachers and administrators within the Cumberland County School District; 5. recognizes that implementing systemic change to affect positive outcomes for students of color requires involvement by community stakeholders; 6. commits fully to bring about this needed change by supporting Cumberland County Schools through engagement with school officials, serving on system-wide committees, acting as mentors to students and supporting teachers, parents and student resource providers; and 7. believes that together we can significantly impact the quality of education for all students in Cumberland County Schools.”

    As I read this opinion piece, my impression was that the school system, especially teachers and school staff, are being called on to do the fixing of this problem. I see nothing that puts the responsibility on anybody else. Maybe this resolution addresses school personnel and there is another one that speaks to students and their responsibilities/conduct. Maybe the same is the case with parents. If an equal level of scrutiny and pressure is being applied to Cumberland County students and parents, please show me.

    If I have accurately assessed what is being called for here, it means special treatment of disruptive black students while disadvantaging educators and nondisruptive students. For educators, that disadvantaging comes by way of adding a multitude of new requirements to a workload that is very likely already overwhelming for most. Further, the additional requirements, without attention to parental and student responsibilities, are doomed to failure. Sadly, students, without regard to race, will be disadvantaged in that teachers will have even less time and energy for helping them in their education process.

    The bottom line is that this is a call for special treatment of black students, while disadvantaging educators and other students, even those black students who want to learn and do not present disciplinary problems. This is “black privilege.”

    What is being proposed by Figgins and her sorority is not new. Not only have the kinds of proposals put forth here been considered elsewhere, many have been implemented. This from a 2014 article by Kimberly Hefling titled, “Government issuing recommendations for classroom discipline.”

    It states, “The Obama administration on Wednesday pressed the nation’s schools to abandon what it described as overly zealous discipline policies that send students to court instead of the principal’s office. Even before the announcement, school districts around the country have been taking action to adjust the policies that disproportionately affect minority students.”

    The following statement from a Dec. 19, 2018, article by Jonathan Butcher titled, “Obama’s School Discipline Guidance Could Be Doomed. Here’s Why That’s Great News” gives a critical clarification the Obama guidance: “And a letter drafted by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty and signed by state-based research institutes questioned the Dear Colleague letter’s use of ‘disparate impact.’ The federal guidance used this legal theory to threaten schools with investigations if schools disciplined students from certain races more often — even if the same students broke rules more frequently than their peers.”

    Key on “… even if the same students broke rules more frequently than their peers.” I contend this piece of information is further support for the label of “black privilege.” This is special treatment of one group while disadvantaging others. Based on the Obama guidance, schools across this nation implemented the kinds of actions called for by Figgins.

    Now comes the test of all that I have argued to this point. An article on Dec. 21, 2018, by Francisco Vara-Orta, titled, “It’s official: DeVos has axed Obama discipline guidelines meant to reduce suspensions of students of color” begins with this opening paragraph: “It’s official: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has rescinded the guidance issued by the Obama administration directing schools to reduce racial disparities in how they discipline students.” Although the guidelines have been rescinded, school systems are given the authority to determine disciplinary policies at the local level.

    Despite the rescinding of the Obama guidelines, I expect that local school systems will still be pressured to take the kinds of actions called for by those guidelines. That is exactly what is happening in the resolution effort underway by Figgins and the Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Far more often than not, school systems will yield to these demands. Black privilege is real in America.
     
  • 03 women talkingWords and language, specifically English, have been important to me all my life. My mother was a grammatical stickler, and the Precious Jewels stick me with that label as well. English, with all its peculiarities, is a rich language with about 170,000 words — more than any other language, though most of us use only 20,000 to 30,000 of them regularly. It is considered a difficult language for non-English speakers to learn.

    Like most languages, English evolves. Chances are that if our most celebrated playwright and acknowledged master of English, William Shakespeare, appeared to speak to us today, we probably would not understand his English of four centuries ago — nor he our modern parlance. Shakespeare would almost certainly not get our most recent words, expressions or acronyms.

    The dictionary company, Merriam-Webster, adds new words every year, and based on its additions since 2010, Caroline Bologna writing for Huff Post has listed 20 “words” that helped define the decade we just left, 2010-2019. Here are some of them. 

    A decade ago, we might not have known what each other were saying but now we all know that “hashtag” refers to the pound symbol, #, used in connection with various social and political movements and the social medium, Twitter. We also know “FOMO” means fear of missing out, a form of anxiety in the age of social media. “Self-care” means not just taking care of one’s physical and mental health but pampering and indulging oneself as well. “Athleisure” references cozy and comfortable clothing, like yoga pants, worn outside the gym in all sorts of circumstances, something my mother could never have imagined and to which I plead “totally guilty.” “Bingeable” refers not to midnight snacks but to streamed television or other-screened programming watched for hours on end — of which your columnist is also totally guilty.  

    I had to look up this one, but a “flexitarian” is a person eating a more plant-based diet by reducing animal protein without eliminating it altogether. To “Stan” was also a new term for me, and it refers to being an aggressive, even obsessive, fan of some celebrity or another and is short for “stalker fan.” It derives from an Eminem song dealing with that topic. I still grapple with the meaning of “meme” — is it an idea or a visual symbol or both? Maybe Merriam-Webster can set me straight.

    Finally, I love the notion of “glamping”— glamorous camping — and look forward to trying it in our new decade. I am working on taking “selfies” but am not as interested in them as in glamping. And, truth be told, at my age, I have had just about as much “mansplaining” —male condescension in the workplace and personal relationships — as I can stand.

    Merriam-Webster also documents the most searched word each year, and with a 313% uptick in searches, 2019’s most sought after word definition was for the humble pronoun “they.” Apparently, many of us are trying to figure out how to use that word when referring to people of undetermined, unknown, fluid or otherwise undescribed gender. Also in the highly searched category were “quid pro quo,” “impeach,” “egregious” and “crawdad” for obvious reasons — Donald Trump and a bestselling novel.

    In 2120, English speakers may no longer know the meaning of FOMO or mansplaining, just as we no longer understand words Shakespeare used often — amain (at full speed), corse (corpse) or peradventure (chance). English was in Shakespeare’s day and remains today a language with great flexibility and resilience and one which finds a way to describe our world as it changes.

    Welcome to the 2020s, whatever they may bring!

  • 02 Parish HouseWell, 2020 marks Up & Coming Weekly’s 25th year as Fayetteville and Cumberland County’s weekly community newspaper. It’s been a great quarter-century, and we are thankful that we have been able to contribute to the growth and prosperity of the community. Yes, we are a unique publication, highly opinionated and focused on the good news and quality of life in Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Hope Mills and Cumberland County. Our local newspaper is uniquely customized to serve our unique community. In the last two years, and in response to the needs and demands of our readers, we have modified our publication and operating procedures to meet the needs of our readers and better serve the community. During this time, we have added writers and reporters, created new sections, expanded distribution in Hope Mills and Spring Lake, brought on additional editors and expanded our online presence. We are proud of what we do and cherish the position we hold in the community.

    Of course, nobody’s perfect, so we do have our share of distractors. Not all of our readers agree with our opinion or the positions we take on certain issues, and that’s OK. At least they are reading our publication — because these issues affect the people and communities that our newspaper serves. Every article and opinion piece we publish is a reflection of someone’s perception of this community. And everyone is welcome to contribute. However, our reporters and news correspondents like Earl Vaughan Jr., Jeff Thompson and Elizabeth Blevins are dedicated professionals charged with providing our readers with accurate and honest information about important community projects, local government initiatives and community events. Providing facts is their job. They take it seriously, and they do it extremely well. Below is such an example.

    Here, Up & Coming Weekly’s Hope Mills correspondent Elizabeth Blevins clears the air around the swirling controversy over the future of the Hope Mills Parish House. Let us know what you think. On page 8, Hope Mills Commissioner Jessie Bellflowers also shares his opinion with us about the Parish House. I am often told that everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not to their own facts. We agree. However, you be the judge!

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.
        — Bill Bowman, publisher

    On Dec. 16, the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners discussed the Parish House, one of several historic buildings owned by the municipality. While they didn’t vote, the board members did request estimates for demolishing the house. Days later, former members of the Hope Mills Historic Preservation Commission and its followers launched a social media campaign of misinformation designed to sway public opinion in favor of preserving the house. The HPC wants to preserve the building for use as a museum.

    In July 2017, the Board of Commissioners met with members of the HPC to hear from local architect Gordon Johnson. Johnson noted the town’s inspection department had concerns about the deterioration of the building, specifically its sagging floors. His recommendation was the town look into other options before investing a large amount of money into restoration.

    Pat Hall, then-chairman of the HPC, recommended the board do nothing with the Parish House while it was settling an ownership issue with the heirs of an adjoining property. That issue wasn’t settled until summer 2019.
    Several months later, the HPC met with town staff, who confirmed the Parish House was no longer a viable option. They suggested the town might purchase a mill house on Trade Street as an alternative location for the museum.
    During the November 2017 board meeting, it was announced the town had purchased the mill house and members of the HPC specifically requested the town manager inform the board they didn’t want to move forward with the Parish House. That evening, the HPC members posted their excitement on social media, and then explained the Parish House restoration would have been far too costly to continue.

    In March of 2018, during the board’s budget retreat, a staff member officially informed the board the repairs for the Parish House were too expensive to move forward. Town manager Melissa Adams read a prepared statement from the HPC, indicating they didn’t have a problem with the municipality destroying the house but did not want them to sell the property. The board voted unanimously to demolish the Parish House during that meeting.

    For nearly a year, the staff worked diligently on making modifications to the mill house, and there was no mention of the Parish House during official meetings by the Board of Commissioners. But in February 2019, the two groups met again, and Pat Hall declared the HPC was never notified of the board’s decision to demolish the house. Further, she insisted the HPC never advocated for its destruction but instead wanted it restored. Amazingly, the same board that voted to demolish it 11 months earlier, rescinded their votes and directed staff to begin restoration.

    In 2017, the estimated restoration would have cost $220,000. A recent survey by an engineer indicated the cost has ballooned to more than $350,000. The building suffered damage from two hurricanes and was struck by a vehicle a year ago.

    The historical integrity of the house has been hotly debated. The second floor was replaced after a fire in 1916, a kitchen and bathroom were added later, as well as siding and a front porch. Very little of the original historic structure remains.

    Members of the HPC suggested they would raise the funds necessary for the reconstruction, but all but one has resigned. Now, the board is left to decide whether they should spend close to half a million dollars restoring the building or redirect that money to other more viable projects.
     
  • 10STEM Dr. Marilyn Lanier is an assistant professor in the Department of Elementary Education at Fayetteville State University. She is also the founder and organizer of the “Fall in Love with Math, Science & the Arts Expo.” She put on the inaugural event in 2016. It had 25 booths and saw 300 attendees. Fast forward to 2018 and there were 64 booths, and 800 people attended the expo. This year, Lanier hopes to see well over 1,000 people at the expo, which will take place Saturday, Feb. 16, at Fayetteville State University Capel Arena.

    It’s a celebration of math, science and the arts. The entire event is designed specifically to have fun but also to spark a passion for discovery and learning.

    “The country is moving into science and math, so STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math, covers a little of all these areas,” Lanier said. “This expo is a place where students can delve into science and try hands-on things. Students get to experience a variety of areas where they can see and get a good idea of what STEM is.”

    Lanier promised guests will find plenty to keep them engaged — including a trip to the FSU Aquarium. “We will shuttle them over to the science building, where they can take part in observing organisms and do hands-on activities,” she said. “Last year, they were able to touch lobsters. It was such an amazing experience. You could see on their faces that they were excited about that.”

    Look for static displays, including fire trucks, patrol cars, and an ambulance where people can get inside the vehicles and see how they work and talk to the people who use them. There will be plenty of other kinds of technology, too.

    “We will have robots,” Lanier said. “They can get finger-printed, see small animals and even do puttputt. Science is everywhere and that is what we want to show people. For example, putt-putt involves physics.”

    Though she leads the charge, Lanier said she is thankful for the support from the community. “When I started this, I wanted to connect with the community, and, because I’m a science person, I wanted to make hands-on experiences available to children. Being an educator, I know there is limited time in school where kids get a chance to do science hands-on.”

    She is not alone in her enthusiasm for sharing the joy of learning. She partners with the Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center and the Cumberland County Schools system as well as other institutions, including Methodist University.

    The expo is free to attend. “We try to make things very accessible,” Lanier said. “We want to get the message of STEM out there. We will have a lot of giveaways, and each booth will have something children can walk away with. Children are given a little bag to collect the goodies from the vendors —and they will get a lot of goodies,” she added.

    The expo is sponsored by Fayetteville State University Department of Education/College of Education. It will take place at Capel Arena, which is located at 1200 Murchison Rd. It starts at 1 p.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.

    For more information, contact Dr. Marilyn Lanier at 910-672-1631 or mlanier1@uncfsu.edu.

     

  • 11 FTCC Although the new athletics program at Fayetteville Technical Community College has existed only three years, it is already causing many changes that are positively affecting the college, both in and out of the classroom. New teams and new facilities are adding new opportunities for the college and the community.

    The FTCC men’s and the women’s basketball teams are in their third year and are having their best seasons to date. At Thanksgiving break, both teams were in first place in the region. Although the teams have not maintained that position, their efforts have positioned them as teams to watch, and they are representing FTCC well. Their levels of play so far have given the three new teams a respected reputation with high expectations within the region.

    Women’s volleyball opened in September with a strong schedule. Team members played all home games inside Horace Sisk Gymnasium at the Fayetteville campus. Though the gym is small, it created a great atmosphere that changed the perception of FTCC athletics on campus. The team performed well with good wins over other schools with longestablished programs. The campus welcomed the home team with a nice crowd in attendance for each match.

    Baseball and softball begin this spring, and their addition brings more changes to the campus. The college has received, through re-gifting from Cumberland County, the J.P. Riddle Stadium. Having this space will highlight the baseball and softball teams and add opportunities for lab space and work-based learning.

    Several FTCC programs will have the opportunity to use real-world applications and classroom learning through this relationship with the county. Students in areas of study such as horticulture, culinary arts, business, civil engineering and others will benefit. It won’t be only the players competing on the field who enjoy many facets of the baseball/stadium experience.

    The acquisition of the stadium has allowed for an additional opportunity for the FTCC softball team. Freedom Christian Academy has been playing baseball at J.P. Riddle Stadium for a few seasons and will continue to practice and play there, along with the FTCC Trojans. As a result, the Trojans will be able to share the softball field at FCA, which is built behind its campus, for games. The field at FCA is new and will be a great location for Trojan women’s softball home games. This is all possible through diligent scheduling of practice time, facilities and games. All FTCC games are on weekends; FCA plays during the week.

    Trojan Athletics has positively affected campus life in only three years and is now reaching out into the community. The new teams have introduced many more studentathletes to FTCC. The Trojan logo can be seen throughout the campus more now than ever. Teams play games at various locations throughout Fayetteville — basketball at Reid Ross Classical School, volleyball at FTCC, softball at FCA and baseball at J.P. Riddle Stadium.

    These teams present great opportunities for local student-athletes to perform. It is a great time to be an FTCC Trojan. Learn more about FTCC athletics at www.faytechcc.edu/athletics.

  • 09 Cool Spring on Ice The 4th Friday of the month is a special day in in downtown Fayetteville. Galleries, bookstores and shops stay open late. Artists showcase their works and musicians entertain guests at the various activities. And it’s free to attend.

    The Cool Spring Downtown District has something extra special in store this month — Cool Spring on Ice. That’s right, Friday through Sunday there will be a temporary ice-skating rink in downtown Fayetteville.

    It’s a project that has been a long time in the making. “Last fall we were trying to come up with something fun and a little different to do downtown,” said Melissa Purvine, Cool Spring Downtown District marketing and communications manager. “Ice skating is something that had been a success in other North Carolina cities, so we decided to give it a try.”

    The response was enthusiastic. Within 24 hours of the Cools Spring Downtown District Facebook post announcing the event, more than 1,500 people replied as interested in or attending Cool Spring on Ice. At one week out from 4th Friday, Purvine said there were about 3,000 people who had responded to the event posting.

    “We are excited to offer this to the community,” Purvine said. “It is something everyone can enjoy — from family outings to a date night or a group of friends. … I can’t wait to see people on the ice having fun.”

    If all goes well, Fayetteville could see more ice-skating opportunities in the future. “This is for a weekend — to test the waters,” said Purvine. “We are in talks about possibly doing it again and maybe doing it for longer stretches of time, like a week or something similar.”

    The temporary rink opens Friday, Jan. 25, at noon and will be open for 4th Friday festivities. It will also be open Saturday, Jan. 26, from 8-10 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 27, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. It costs $7 per 45 minutes. Skates are included in the rental price. Tickets are available at https://visitdowntownfayetteville.com.

    There is plenty to enjoy in addition to fun in the rink at 4th Friday.

    The Ellington-White Gallery will showcase “A National Juried Print Exhibition.” The show addresses issues involving social injustice. It will run until Saturday, March 30. It is free and open to the public. Call 910-483-1388 or visit www.ellington-white.com for details.

    Fascinate-U Children’s Museum invites families to join in and prepare for the Chinese New Year. This includes making colorful 3D dragon art. It’s easy and fun for children. The museum is also open for free play from 7-9 p.m. Find out more at www. fascinate-u.com.

    The Arts Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County opens its newest exhibition, “Take It For Granted.” The artwork includes works by awardees of the Arts Council’s Regional Artist Project Grants in 2016, 2017, 2018. The projects range from painting to sculpture to photography and quilts. The artists competed throughout an 11-county area for the grants they received. Visit www.theartscouncil.com or call 910-323-1776 for more information.

    Headquarters Library’s exhibit is called “A Select History of Medicine and Dentistry in Cumberland County and North Carolina” and will remain open to the public through Feb. 28. Cal 910-483-7727 ext. 1359 or visit www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/ccplsite for more information.

    4th Friday runs from 6-10 p.m. Call 910-223-1089 for more information.

  • 10QuizBowl Whether it is Academic Decathlon or Battle of the Books or a homeschool spelling bee, the thrill of intellectual challenge and conquest in middle school and high school is sweet. It’s sweet as a grown-up, too. Thursday, Jan. 24, history buffs and trivia fans of all ages will have a chance to test their chops at the Museum of the Cape Fear’s 18th annual Civil War & Reconstruction Quiz Bowl. It will be held in the Pate Room of Headquarters Library and begins at 7 p.m.

    Leisa Greathouse, curator of education for the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, organizes the event and creates the questions each year.

    “There is no age requirement,” she said. “Anyone of any age who would like to participate is welcome to do so.” A maximum of 15 contestants can take part; this is a change from previous years’ cap of 20 contestants.

    The quiz bowl features 150 questions plus a few extra in case any are contested. In another departure from the past format, gameplay will be organized by rounds instead of categories.

    One round consists of each contestant answering one question. Then the next round starts, with those contestants who answered incorrectly in the previous round having a strike.

    “Three strikes and you’re out!” Greathouse said. “At the end of each round, we will look at the scoreboard and get to see just how close the contest might be. We will continue with rounds until a winner emerges, which is the last person without three strikes.”

    Contestants will encounter questions about people, battles and events surrounding the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. There will be questions with images accompanying them, as well as multiple choice and true-or-false questions.

    All ages will compete together in the one event, but winners will be crowned for an adult category (age 17 and up) and a youth category (age 16 and under). Winners will be the last adult standing and the last youth standing. Each winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble.

    This event serves as both a fun community-builder and a way to emphasize the importance of understanding and reflecting on our nation’s history. It’s been well-received and well-loved for many years. “Some of the contestants who began competing at 11 and 12 years old are now competing as adults,” Greathouse said.

    The quiz bowl is especially relevant as the Museum of the Cape Fear continues to transition into the North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center, a project with roots that trace back to 2007 but that picked up speed in the past few years.

    The new center, according to nccivilwarcenter.org, aims to be “a teaching museum rather than a collecting museum.” It will be the first state museum in the U.S. to provide an interpretation of the Civil War and its aftermath from the perspective of an entire state — which will include perspectives that represent all walks of life and political and social affiliations.

    Call Greathouse at 910-500-4243 to register in advance. If there is still room the night of the quiz bowl, contestants can sign up at the door.

    The Civil War & Reconstruction Quiz Bowl is free and open to the public. Headquarters Library is located at 300 Maiden Ln. in downtown Fayetteville.

  • 09Magic Prepare to be amazed at “The Heart and Soul of Magic,” hitting the Seabrook Auditorium stage Saturday, Jan. 26, at 7:30 p.m. Fayetteville State University welcomes magicians Randy “Ran’D” Shine, Jamahl Keyes, Kid Ace and Hip Hop Juggler for this event.

    According to Aaron Singleton, personal relations representative for FSU’s Seabrook Performance Series, “We talked to folks at Fort Bragg … we thought (this show) was something that would appeal to families and people of all ages.”

    Steve Mack, a fellow staff member at Seabrook, commented on the acts, saying, “When we put the series together for this year, we looked for a variety of entertainment … we talked about doing something that would appeal to the military, families and students in the area.”

    Magical comedian Randy Shine has been entertaining a variety of audiences for more than 10 years. A highly acclaimed performer, Shine has presented at such prestigious events as the 44th Presidential Inauguration Banquet and Ball for President Barack Obama. Moreover, Shine teaches about magic at universities throughout the country and various U.S. military bases around the world; he also performs in hospitals for children with terminal illnesses.

    Shine has even been a producer for “The Heart and Soul of Magic” tour itself. He will share the stage with Jamahl Keyes, another comedic magician who blends interactive laughs with classic magic. “Keyes is, in his own rite, an ‘ace-magician’ — he does workshops on team-building and becoming a better person,” said Singleton.

    Kid Ace will put a fresh spin on the show by mixing magic with illusion. Besides his performances across the globe, he has entranced audiences on his “North American Tour” and starred on season three of the Netflix sensation “Bill Nye Saves the World.”

    Kid Ace specializes in infusing magic with elements of today’s culture. His understanding of fashion and music influences his performances in a way everyone will love.

    Another culturally savvy magician, Paris, or the “Hip Hop Juggler” as nicknamed by Al Roker, has been performing for more than 10 years. His comedy, stunts and juggling skills have wowed audiences from the White House to “The Today Show.” Paris has taught his fans how to juggle at various conventions, and you can find him showing off his skills in Thalía and Natti Natasha music video “No Me Acuerdo.”

    “You can expect to be amazed, to be dazzled — you can expect to laugh a lot,” Singleton said of the show. “If you don’t want to have fun, you shouldn’t show up.”

    Of the performers, Mack said, “They’re all good at just getting everyone in the audience involved. The fact that we were able to package all four of these artists really made it something unique.”

    “The Heart and Soul of Magic” will take place at Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University, 1200 Murchison Rd. To purchase tickets, visit www.etix.com. For more information, call 910-672-1724 or visit www.facebook.com/jwseabrookauditoriumThis event is open to the public.

  • 01-20-10-paul-anka.gifIn the ‘50s, Paul Anka had teenage girls screaming. Today, the girls have gotten a little older, as has Anka, but they still thrill to his music and his ability to entertain an audience. On Tuesday, Jan. 26, Fayetteville will welcome the legendary showman to the Crown Theatre as part of the Community Concerts series.

    The mission of Community Concerts is a simple one — to bring the fi nest in top-notch entertainment to Fayetteville. It’s something they’ve been doing successfully for the past 74 years, and the impact it has on the quality of life in the community is more far reaching than just great entertainment. The organization supports outreach programs for Boys and Girls Club members and deserving seniors as well as music clinics for youth and a music scholarship fund.

    This year’s season opened with the Doobie Brothers in October. The nearly sold-out event garnered an impressive response from concert goers who have come to expect nothing but the best from this series.

    “We’ve been fortunate to enjoy a lot of support and because of that we are able to bring in top-notch acts,” said Community Concerts Marketing Committee Representative Kristy Meave. “Community Concerts brings an important quality of life impact with it. When people have one more fun thing to do on a weekday evening it is good for the whole town. We’ve been doing this for a very, very long time. The town was much smaller 74 years ago and as the town has grown the acts have grown, too. We got a lot of positive feedback from the Doobie Brothers concert it hit our target audience.”

    “Paul Anka has been a heart throb since the 1950s,” said Meave. “In fact, he was a heart throb while he was still a teen.”

    A singer/songwriter with decades of staying power, Anka has recorded more than 125 albums, including 10 in other languages. His worldwide sales top 15 million and he has authored more than 900 songs, 130 of which have been recorded by other artist including “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” (Buddy Holly), “Shes a Lady” (Tom Jones), “Puppy Love” (Donny Osmond) and “My Way” (Frank Sinatra).

    Born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1941, Anka knew he wanted to be a singer and songwriter at a very young age. By the time he was 13, he was singing wherever he could fi nd an audience. Now, all these years later, he is still thriving on stage and delivering great shows to his audiences.

    According to www.paulanka.com, Anka is not showing any signs of slowing down.

    “He works not for fun, not to eat, but because one must. However, these days he works when he wants to work, where he wants to work. ‘I perform because I still need to,’ he says. ‘It’s one of those things that’s in your blood. Because, in the beginning, people didn’t come to see me because I was a performer. They came to see me because I had a hit song. Now they come because they know I’ll give them a performance like no one else.’”

    Meave is certain that Fayetteville will get a show that they won’t soon forget.

    “He’s such a crowd pleaser and he loves to wow people. I’m sure he will sing all the favorites, which span decades, as well as a few of his newer songs. He is such a wonderful performer, I think that the audience will be pleased.”

    The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster ( 800 745-3000) or by calling the Crown Box Offi ce at 438-4100.

  • 08mlk The Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council presents its 26th annual “Honoring Dr. MLK’s Legacy” Prayer Breakfast Monday, Jan. 21, from 8 a.m.-10 a. m. at the Crown Expo Center.

    “Our keynote speaker this year is Joseph High, who is a recently retired corporate executive, and this is his third retirement,” said Dr. Maxie Dobson, president of The Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council. “I think that everyone will enjoy him. … He is a direct recipient of benefiting from the legacy of Dr. King, and I am grateful that he accepted to be the speaker for the 2019 prayer breakfast.”

    Dobson added that one of the goals for the breakfast this year is an expeditious execution, saying he would like for it to be no longer than two hours. The reason is that, typically, there are 1,500 attendees who have to get through the breakfast line.

    The event also includes a day of service component. “The tradition has been that we encourage all who are attending to find some means of rendering some service in honor of the holiday; (it’s for those who are inspired by) the encouragement by Dr. King’s wife to make it a day ‘on’ rather than a day ‘off,’” said Dobson.

    He continued, “For many individuals, it is an off day from their regular job. But (Dr. King’s wife) said rather than considering it an off day, consider doing some kind of service in your community.”

    The Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council’s theme for this year’s event is “Seize the Moment.”

    “The theme is to promote a sense of urgency... to first identify the opportunities that the individual can engage themselves to facilitate and then make it an urgency to do so,” said Dobson. “The Tabernacle of Miracles Church is collecting socks and blankets for the homeless, and it is very satisfying to know that we will be able to contribute those to the homeless shelter.”

    Dobson speculated on what Dr. King would say about the present state of America if he were alive today. “I think Dr. King would... rightly assess that the values … he espoused — particularly to love community — are not being pursued in a large-scale way,” said Dobson.

    “I think that he would encourage us not to allow what he gave his life for to be in vain. (I think he would us encourage us) to remind ourselves that we are one community and to celebrate our differences as opposed to finding an occasion to condemn our differences based upon whatever ideology one may choose.”

    Dobson added, “I believe we can anticipate our best breakfast yet. We look forward to seeing everyone at the event.”

    Tickets cost $20. For more information, visit www.fayettevillemincouncil.org or call 910-624-7785.

     

  • 15Secret Token What really happened to Virginia Dare, the first child of English parents born in the New World? This is the same Virginia Dare whom I suggested recently belonged on “The World Almanac’s” list of famous North Carolinians.

    A few weeks ago, I wrote about Sir Walter Raleigh’s organization and establishment of the colony on Roanoke Island as described by Andrew Lawler in his book “The Secret Token: Myth, Obsession, and the Search for the Lost Colony of Roanoke.” He called the expensive and intricate preparations for the colony “the Elizabethan equivalent of the Apollo program.”

    In July of 1587, the colonists arrived on Roanoke Island led by its governor, John White, whose granddaughter, Virginia Dare, was born Aug. 18. A few days later, White sailed to England for much-needed supplies. When he finally returned in August 1590, the colony had disappeared, leaving only a carving of “Croatoan” on a tree as a possible clue.

    There are a lot of answers to the question of what happened to Virginia Dare, her family and their fellow colonists. Most are legends. Some say Virginia Dare grew up into a lovely young woman and was transformed into a white doe, an animal that still haunts coastal North Carolina. Another story says she and other colonists made their way to Robeson County where some locals will show you her burial site near Red Springs.

    Less imaginative authors suggest that the colonists, including Virginia Dare, died from hunger, disease or a massacre by Native Americans. Others suggest that the colonists joined nearby Native Americans and were absorbed by them.

    In “The Secret Token,” Lawler gives a history of the developing interest in Virginia Dare and the Lost Colony. After her baptism certificate in 1587, there was no public mention of her until 1834. In that year, Harvard-trained historian George Bancroft published his influential “A History of the United States.” Lawler writes, “It is difficult to overstate his impact on the way we see Raleigh’s colony today.”

    For Bancroft, the colony was “the germinating seed” for our country and its institutions, “just as important as its revolutionary coming of age.”

    Lawler writes that for Bancroft, “Roanoke was, in essence, the nation’s humble Bethlehem, and Virginia Dare was its infant savior destined for sacrifice.”

    Bancroft’s version sparked an explosion of writing and activity around Virginia Dare. In the 1890s, some white supremacy organizations adopted her. Lawler writes, “Roanoke Island emerged as a pilgrimage site for Anglo-Americans seeking to reaffirm their racial dominance at the annual celebration of Virginia Dare’s birth.”

    According to Lawler, Marjorie Hudson — Chatham County author of “Searching for Virginia Dare” — takes a different and less exclusive path. She writes that Virginia Dare “is the archetypal mother, a source, like a great river of strength and blood for descendants of a convergence of two great peoples.”

    Lawler chronicles efforts to learn where the colonists, if they survived, went. To Croatoan, now a part of Hatteras Island? To Site X, a place marked under a patch in a map drawn by John White, located where the Roanoke River flows into the Albemarle Sound? Or to the Chesapeake Bay near where the Jamestown Colony settled and where Powhatan, the local Indian king, massacred them?

    Or near Edenton, where in 1937, a California man said he found a large stone? It was inscribed with a message from Virginia Dare’s mother, Eleanor, to her father, John White, reporting the death of her husband, her daughter Virginia, and other colonists. Lawler’s account of this probable fake “Dare Stone” is almost as interesting as the story of the colonists told by Harnett County native and Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Green’s outdoor drama, “The Lost Colony.”

  • 11Pitt DickeyReaders of Up & Coming Weekly have likely encountered Pitt Dickey’s funny and sometimes outlandish biweekly opinion column. He has a knack for combining Greek mythology, random factoids, quotes from old T.V. commercials, politics and social commentary in a way that leaves readers chuckling and, on occasion, slightly bewildered.

    Dickey is more than just a funny writer, though. He’s an attorney who specializes in advocating for people in need of Social Security disability benefits. He became a partner with Smith, Dickey & Dempster P.A. in 1978 and has been working Social Security disability cases for more than 35 years.

    “There’s very little funny in disability,” he said of his career. “There are a lot of people that need help.”

    While Dickey likes to poke fun at authority in his column, that strategy connects to a serious ideology. “(Authority bothers me) when it squishes the little people,” he said. “The poor and the sick don’t have that much of a lobbying ability like big pharma.

    “Representing people with Social Security disability, basically I’m representing people who the government says are not sick enough to get disability benefits.

    “I say they are, and then we have a hearing, and the judge decides for us.”

    In a seeming paradox, Pitt said he knew he wanted to be a lawyer as a child because he wanted to know what the rules were. As an adult, he said, he still believes in the importance of rules.

    “If we don’t follow the rules, then it’s whoever’s strongest gets to eat the weak people. These folks I represent in disability cases, they’re at the end of their rope. They have no money, and they have no insurance for the most part, unless they’re military. And I can use the rules to help them.”

    In 1996, Dickey was working both Social Security disability and family law cases, which he described as “the equivalent of being a legal proctologist.” He needed an outlet, and he’d taken several English classes as an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in the early ’70s.

    Back to 1996. Dickey ran into Bill Bowman, who had recently become the new owner of Up & Coming Weekly, at Haymont Grill. Dickey asked if he could write a column for the paper.

    Dickey’s only foray into published humorous writing at that point was an opinion piece he’d written during his adolescent years at Seventy-First High School. The topic? The lunchroom. The entire edition of that school newspaper was recalled. “You can’t poke fun at the school lunchroom,” is what he learned.

    Back again to 1996. “(Bill) said sure, send one in, and I did. And the rest is history.

    “The column in Up & Coming Weekly allows me to poke at the powers that be. … You can’t go out and make people do things, but if you point out that what they’re doing is ridiculous, that might in some way change things. Authority doesn’t like humor.”

    Ultimately, he said, he also just genuinely enjoys entertaining people. The key to both his writing process and to understanding his articles, he said, is “the drinking of coffee. Then everything makes sense.”

    Since 1998, Dickey has also written a monthly column covering various need-to-know subjects for Social Security disability claimants. It appears online at www.seniormag.com and in several local publications.

    He’s been married for more than 40 years to Lani Dickey, a longtime educator at FTCC who recently retired.

    “We met on the steps of the institute of government on the first day of law school (at UNC),” he said. “She was a Davidson and I was a Dickey, and we were lined up in alphabetical order. Isn’t that beautiful? If she’d been a Smith, who knows?”

    Photo: Pitt Dickey

  • 09SwampDogs story J.P. Riddle Stadium The decision by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners to hand operation of J.P. Riddle Stadium over to Fayetteville Technical Community College has some people in the county wondering what that means for the future of the Fayetteville SwampDogs. The SwampDogs is the summer baseball team that plays at J.P. Riddle Stadium and offers opportunities for college players to compete in a wood bat league.

    One person with expertise in that area who thinks both the SwampDogs and Fayetteville’s new minor league baseball team, the Woodpeckers, can both survive is Darden Jenkins.

    Jenkins runs Classic Ballpark Solutions, a company that consults with people looking to start or refurbish baseball stadiums. He’s currently working with a community that’s looking to field both a pro and college baseball team in the same community.

    Jenkins thinks the main thing the SwampDogs have on their side is tradition and a loyal fan base. “They’ve been in town almost 20 years, and the last several years they’ve led their division in attendance,’’ he said. He also pointed to the many families in the community who’ve worked with the SwampDogs over the years to provide housing for the college players who’ve come to Fayetteville to play.

    As for proof that a pro and college team can work in the same town, he pointed to Columbia, South Carolina, where a similar situation already exists.

    “You can’t say Columbia is apples to apples with Fayetteville,’’ he said, “but it can work, and we’re going to see pretty fast if it will work here.’’

    Jenkins thinks the decision by the county commissioners to give J.P. Riddle Stadium to Fayetteville Tech was a maneuver that takes the pressure off local government to have to deal with any future lease arrangement with the SwampDogs to use the stadium.

    “If they put it in the college’s hands, it will be the college’s decision whether the SwampDogs continue,’’ Jenkins said. “But since the SwampDogs use college kids and FTCC is a college, it makes sense. It’s going to be an amateur baseball hub. I think there will be good synergy there.’’

    Since FTCC plans to use the stadium as a training tool for its students studying professions related to field maintenance and such, Jenkins thinks it would be to FTCC’s advantage for the SwampDogs to remain and keep the stadium in use.

    The stadium will be occupied by the new FTCC baseball team. If this team plays a typical community college schedule, it will be done with its season before May, when the SwampDogs would begin their season.

    “The more dates they have, the more they are going to make,’’ Jenkins said of FTCC. “When I ran Jackie Robinson ballpark (in Daytona Beach, Florida), I tried to get as many games as we could. I think it’s a good experience and good for Fayetteville.’’

  • uac012010001.gif It’s rare that a body of original works of art is exhibited in Fayetteville, N.C. It is rarer still, that our community has the opportunity to experience, fi rst hand, the expansive richness and diversity of African-American art in one exhibition. Art of the Masters: A Survey of African-American Images, 1980-2000 is such an exhibit and opens Jan. 22 during 4th Friday at the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County at 301 Hay Street.

    After opening at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City, Fayetteville is the traveling exhibit’s only stop in the Southeast before moving on to Chicago. How the exhibit was scheduled to stop in Fayetteville is equally relevant — especially when the economy remains a signifi cant concern for people and businesses.

    The Back Story

    For Calvin Mims, arts services director at the Arts Council, and Dwight Smith, instructor of painting at Fayetteville State University, it all began with an outing last year to the North Carolina Art Museum in Raleigh. The men were attending a social event hosted by the Durham Friends of African and African- American Art to unveil the newly purchased sculpture titled Tippy Toes by Allison Saar at the museum. A crowded event, Mims and Smith left with the idea that Fayetteville was ready for such an organization.

    With the support of Deborah Mintz, president of the Arts Council, Mims created a steering committee to plan events and begin the fundraising for the Arts Council’s new affi liate — Fayetteville’s Friends of African and African American-Art, known as FAAA.

    What began as an effort by Mims, Smith and the steering committee to collect $25 memberships for the FAAA grew into major sponsorships by local businesses and an institution of higher learning to make it possible for Art of the Masters and its suopporting events to become a reality in Fayetteville.

    Art of the Masters is touring exhibit through the National Conference of Artists, Michigan Chapters. Specifi c to the exhibition, Mims had this to say, “The purpose of bringing the Art of the Masters exhibition to Fayetteville is to continue our mission at the Arts Council of educating the community of the breadth and depth of contemporary creativity in the African- American community.”

    The Exhibit

    Visitors to Art of the Masters will experience fi rst hand, the “depth and breadth” of four generations of artists in the African-American community by seeing more than 60 original works of art from 36 national and international artists. Original works by most of the major African-American artists already included in art-history texts are on exhibit. Works by John Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, Robert Colescott, Betye Saar, Benny Andrews, David Driskell, Sam Gilliam and many others are there for visitors to the Arts Council to view not just once, but several times.

    To view such a renowned group of internationally known artists is to celebrate the importance of these works. Halima Taha, art historian at the Museum of Modern Art, best states this opportunity in the exhibit’s catalogue introduction: “Within the concluding quarter of the 20th century, African-American art — specifi cally functioning within the collective activity of artists, dealers, collectors, curators, auction houses and critics — has become the most actively sought work by private and institutional collectors worldwide. Major collectors of American art are recognizing the historic and aesthetic gaps in their American art collections; and African-American artists are combining a rich and diverse blend of aesthetic traditions from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. Consequently they are attracting an international audience of collectors to a varied aesthetic with a historic precedent since 1793.”

    The varied aesthetic Taha refers to will become immediately obvious. The use of patterns in the works of Frank Smith, Murray Norman DePillars, Willis “Bing” Davis and Shirley Woodson are in contrast to the watery abstraction of Samella Lewis, the stark realism of Hugh Grannum, or the fl oating “Mumbo Jumbo” of Betye Saar.

    The Educational Component01-20-10-cover-story-pot.gif

    Rosenthal Gallery, on the campus of Fayetteville State University, partnered with the Arts Council to host an educational component to the exhibition. Thirty educational panels about most of the artists have been prepared and installed at Rosenthal Gallerty to educate visitors about the artists, including quotes from the artists, biographies, their infl uences and references to the styles of each artist.

    Visitors to Rosenthal Gallery can read information about the works before or after they visit the Arts Council to see the original works. While seeing the abstracted fl oating iconographic symbols of Betye Saar, the educational panel includes a quote from the artist’s Web site which gives us insight into her purpose: “I am intrigued with combining the remnant of memories, fragments of relics and ordinary objects, with the components of technology. It’s a way of delving into the past and reaching into the future simultaneously.”

    In the case of Sam Gilliam, visitors will learn that he was part of the late abstract expressionist movement that took place with a group of painters in Washington, D. C. Gilliam is attributed as the fi rst artist to paint on stretched canvasses that hung without the support of stretcher bars.

    Collectors, art patrons and students of art history will be familiar with the themes of Robert Colescott — satire and social commentary on race, sex and interracial relationships. But it is North Carolina native John Biggers, who is most known in this region by the general public. Biggers was born in 1924 and is one of the pillars of modern African-American art.

    An example of the information you will discover about John Biggers in Rosenthal Gallery is the following: “… Biggers became interested in the continent of Africa while attending Lincoln Academy. The principal, previously a missionary in West Africa, urged his students to learn and value African culture. Biggers later attended Hampton Institute, where his Professor Viktor Lowenfeld, a Jewish immigrant from Nazi Germany, re-enforced in him the signifi cance of studying his African heritage. Lowenfeld also introduced him to the art of the Mexican muralists, a style for which he is best known. While at Hampton, artists and intellectuals such as Charles White and Elizabeth Catlett, Hale Woodruff and Dr. Alain Locke infl uenced Biggers’ work.”

    His quote on the educational panel in Rosenthal Gallery refl ects the teacher in Dr. John Biggers: “I … see art not primarily as an individual expression of talent, but as a responsibility to refl ect the spirit and style of Negro people. It became an awesome responsibility to me, not a fun thing at all.”

    For many that quote rings true, particularly today, about the need for artists, people in a community and agencies in a community to be responsible for, as the artist Romare Bearden once said, “Adding to our existing concept of reality.”

    Parallel to the meaning of the words of Bearden, Dr. James Anderson, chancellor of Fayetteville State University, had this to say about the Art of the Masters exhibit and the educational component in Rosenthal Gallery, “Few things are more wondrous than the moment when the image of an artist moves the spirit and opens a new reality to a viewer. The work of each of these renowned artists represents a national treasure that serves as visual evidence of the vast range of the human experience. Savor the complexities of color, form and fi gure with a child’s inquisitive eye and each picture will have a differentmeaning for each viewer.”

    The Lecture Series

    Another educational component of the Art of the Masters includes a series of lectures scheduled at Rosenthal Gallery and the Arts Council during the exhibit by local university art professors. The Chancellors’ Distinguished Speaker Series at Fayetteville State University is sponsoring a special event, a lecture in Seabrook Auditorium by the historically important artist David Driskell.

    Driskell is a renowned painter, collector of art and is one of the leading authorities on the subject of African-American art and the black artist in American society. His paintings can be found in major museums and private collections worldwide. \Driskell has written several books. His essays on African-American art have appeared in major publications throughout the world, and he has written more than 40 catalogues for exhibitions he has curated.

    Although Driskell is known for many achievements, since 1977 Professor Driskell has served as cultural adviser to Bill and Camille Cosby as the curator of the Cosby Collection of Fine Arts. In 2000, in a White House Ceremony, Professor Driskell received the National Humanities Medal from President Bill Clinton.

    In addition, a lecture and book signing by Driskell for local- and regionalart students at colleges and universities has been scheduled at the Arts Council. The Arts Council is also sponsoring activities for children and has developed a study guide.

    The Schedule

    Art of the Masters is a different type of exhibit in Fayetteville that runs from Jan. 22 to March 6. It is not something you visit once, people in the community and the surrounding counties have two months to return the Arts Council or Rosenthal Gallery to refl ect on how, according to Chancellor Anderson, “An artist moves the spirit and opens a new reality to a viewer.” In addition, throughout the months of January to early March many free events have been planned around the exhibition.

    Being highly aware of all the effort and work that went into the fi rst year of FAAA, resulting in the Art of the Masters and its scheduled events, it’s easy to take the bigger picture for granted. Mintz stated, “The most wonderful part of FAAA and the exhibit is that it is truly a community endeavor. People from the community came together to raise the money for the exhibit, develop the activities and create the educational components — every piece was planned and undertaken by individuals in the community. It is a community production, sponsored by the many individuals who joined the $25 membership and sponsors from organizations and businesses.”

    All the activities are free and open to the public. For a complete list of the events, visit www.TheArtsCouncil.com. Call the Arts Council at 910-323-1776 for information or to schedule a time to have a large group tour Art of the Masters at the Arts Council.

  • 12Yow Cancer Fund Logo PinkfireMethodist University is set to host the Play4Kay Women’s Basketball Event Saturday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. at the March F. Riddle Center on the campus of MU. The event is in remembrance and honor of Coach Kay Yow, who died Jan. 24, 2009, when she lost her fight with breast cancer.

    “Play4Kay is a fundraising initiative that was started by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association about 12 years ago, and now it is partnered with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund,” said DeeDee Jarman, deputy director of athletics at MU. “This was something that Coach Yow wanted to start before she died because she wanted to bring awareness to breast cancer.”

    Jarman added that the initiative has transformed into an event to raise awareness for all women’s cancers. The money that is donated to their organization is given back to organizations such as research firms that are trying to find a cure for cancer. Half of the funds are used locally for underprivileged women to receive mammograms.

    There will be a silent auction and special recognition for cancer patients and survivors during halftime and a reception after the game.

    “The silent auction is our biggest fundraiser, and we have items that are donated,” said Jarman. “Some of the items we have this year include a Kay Yow pin flag signed by Arnold Palmer, tennis shoes designed for the Kay Yow sports line (and) an autographed Carolina Hurricanes Jersey.”

    Several restaurants and businesses will have spirit nights and will donate a percentage of their sales to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Chipotle’s is Feb. 20; Buffalo Wild Wings’ is Feb. 2 and 8; and Scrub Oaks’ is Feb. 9. TLC Auto Wash on Ramsey Street will donate $1 for every car wash from Feb. 4-11. Local high schools have also joined in to help raise funds. The morning of the game, there will be a 5K walk/run at 9 a.m. The entrance fee is $25. All participants will receive a T-shirt and a medal.

    Yow was the women’s basketball coach at North Carolina State University for 28 years. She battled with cancer three different times.

    “I worked her camp for 13 years, and that is how I got to know her,” said Jarman. “If you had the opportunity to ever meet her, you would know she was a very caring person and always put others before herself; and if you had any relationship with her, you would want to try to continue what she started.”

    “This has become a real big event across the nation,” said Jarman. “We want to continue to recognize and keep Coach Yow’s memory going strong.”

    If you would like to participate in the basketball game, email djarman@methodist.edu or call 910-630-7283. For more information on the 5K, call 910-630-7615. Merchandise will be available for sale.

  • 11AngelaAn upcoming performance titled “1867-2017: A 150-Year Celebration!” by the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra on Feb. 10 is set to honor black excellence on a number of levels.

    For starters, the event is hosted at Fayetteville State University, specifically to celebrate the school’s 150th anniversary of its founding. According to the school’s history webpage, the sesquicentennial marks the moment when seven black Fayetteville citizens purchased two lots on Gillespie Street to “form among themselves a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees to maintain the property for the education of Black youth.”

    Just 10 years later, in 1877, the school would be the first public, normal school for North Carolinian African-Americans, as well as the first statesponsored institution in the south for the training of black teachers. As of 2018, FSU offers a doctoral degree, eight master’s degrees and 33 bachelor’s degrees to students.

    To parallel this journey, the orchestra’s performance will track African-American influences in music during the same 150-year time period.

    According to Stefan Sanders, FSO music director, the performance will include music from African-American composers such as William Grant Still, Florence Price, Samuel Coleridge- Taylor and Scott Joplin. The performance will conclude with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech set to music by composer Lee Hoiby.

    “It’s just going to be this... amazing musical journey that is tracking the incredible history of the last 150 years and celebrating African- American culture,” said Sanders.

    Joining the orchestra as a guest artist will be the world-renowned soprano opera vocalist Angela Brown. She has travelled both internationally and across the United States based on the merits of her voice. She has made headlines in major publications from The New York Times to Essence and Oprah magazines.

    Brown will be performing a piece from one of Giuseppe Verdi’s operas as well as Gershwin’s song “Summertime” from his opera “Porgy and Bess.”

    “It’s not every day that an artist of (Brown’s) prestige is coming to Fayetteville so we’re really excited about collaborating with her on this program,” said Sanders.

    Brown is also the producer and creator of the stage show “Opera…from a Sistah’s Point of View.” According to her website, the solo show “dispels the common myths of opera from her own sassy perspective.” Brown will be performing the show while in town for FSU’s 150th celebration. The show is free and takes place at the Arts Council Center Thursday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m.

    “The truth is, I’ve never met a person that doesn’t love music, and, most of the time, when they let themselves experience something new, they end up really enjoying it,” said Sanders. “And that’s the case with this concert performance. We’re going to be playing great music, and Angela is a superstar.”

    But it’s not simply about good music in celebration of FSU and Black History Month. FSU’s journey represents hopes and dreams turned into thunderous reality through the tireless effort of the black community, which FSO’s performance will endeavor to embody.

    “1867-2017: A 150-Year Celebration” will be at the Seabrook Auditorium at FSU, located at 1200 Murchison Rd., Saturday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m. The pre-concert talk with the FSO “Music Nerd” begins at 6:45 p.m.

    For tickets, visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

    Photo: World-renowned soprano opera vocalist Angela Brown

  • Activities at Hope Mills Parks and Recreation: 5770 Rockfish Rd.

    Open gym is closed until further notice.

    Game room is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

    Skate park hours through March 31: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.

    Oldies music every first and third Friday, 6 p.m., free.

    Senior programs 55 plus: Various activities for seniors are available Monday through Friday at the recreation center. For specific times and events, go to townofhopemills.com and follow the links to Hope Mills Parks and Recreation.

    Senior Valentine’s Day Luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 14, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free, but sign-up required. Only 100 seats available. You must be registered with Hope Mills Parks and Recreation to attend. Main dish, drinks and entertainment will be provided. Please bring a side dish to share with your peers. Call 910-426- 4109 or visit the front reception desk to register. To cancel, call at least two days in advance.

    Social Knitting and Crocheting Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon, Small Activity Room. Those planning to attend must provide their own supplies and projects.

    Hope Mills Youth baseball and indoor soccer registration is open through Feb. 28 and ends at 4:30 p.m. daily. Baseball ages 5-14, instructional soccer ages 5-8, indoor soccer ages 7-12. Eligibility cut-off date for baseball and indoor soccer is May 1. Proof of address and birth certificate are required to register. Call 910-426-4105 for more information.

    Hope Mills Youth wrestling registration is open until Feb. 2 for ages 6-12. Practices are held at Brower Park. Matches are held at Myers Recreation Center March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. $30 per child. Proof of address and birth certificate are required to register. Call 910-426-4105 for more information.

    Promote yourself

    To have your business, organization or event included in this section, email us: hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 10HiddenFiguresFayetteville State University’s Chancellor’s Speaker Series presents Margot Lee Shetterly, Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. at J. W. Seabrook Auditorium. The speaker series is designed to bring top executives, government officials, academic leaders and nationally known speakers to FSU.

    Shetterly is an entrepreneur, writer, researcher and the author of “Hidden Figures: The American Dream and The Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race.” The film adaptation, “Hidden Figures” became the No. 1 movie in America during its run, scoring three Oscar nominations (Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Spencer) and two Golden Globes (Best Supporting Actress for Spencer and Best Original Score). It also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

    Up & Coming Weekly spoke with the author about her upcoming appearance.

    UCW: What should the audience expect to hear from you Feb. 6?

    Shetterly: I’ll be speaking about my book, “Hidden Figures,” and a little bit about the history behind it.

    UCW: Please give us a short synopsis of your book.

    Shetterly: It is a story about four African-American women who worked as mathematicians at NASA from 1943-1969. It serves as the secondary narrative (to the primary narrative), which is really the history of desegregation of schools in Virginia by extension of the United States.

    UCW: What inspired you to write this book?

    Shetterly: My father is a NASA scientist, and I grew up knowing these women and grew up living in the same community with them. Their history is my history in a very direct way.

    UCW: Why is it important to tell the history of black women?

    Shetterly: I think the most important thing is if we wait for other people to tell our story, it won’t get told. I think it is really incumbent upon each of us who know these stories, (who) grew up with these people who are remarkable and may not (have) gotten their full accounting in the history books – we have to learn those stories and tell those stories.

    UCW: What is the one thing you want the audience to take from your presentation Feb. 6?

    Shetterly: One thing is that all of this is our history. Black history is American history. There is no difference between the two.

    UCW: Are you working on any new projects?

    Shetterly: I am just in the beginning stages of working on a new project. “Hidden Figures” is still keeping me busy.

    UCW: Final thoughts?

    Shetterly: I’m really looking forward to the trip. It is very exciting, and I am really grateful to everyone for extending the invitation.

    The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 910-672-1111.

  • 14hm picActivities

    Hope Mills Youth baseball and indoor soccer registration is open through Feb. 28, 4:30 p.m. Baseball ages 5-14, instructional soccer ages 5-6, indoor soccer ages 7-12. Eligibility cut-off date for baseball and indoor soccer is May 1. Proof of address and birth certificate are required to register. Call 910-426-4105 for more information.

    Hope Mills Youth wrestling registration is open until Feb. 2 for ages 6-12. Practices are held at Brower Park. Matches are held at Myers Recreation Center. $30 per child. Proof of address and birth certificate are required to register. Call 910-426-4105 for more information.

    Meetings

    Jan. 25 The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting at the Sheraton Inn, 1 Europa Dr., Chapel Hill, at 6 p.m. to conduct a workshop to discuss and plan upcoming goals for the board.

    Volunteer

    The Town of Hope Mills is soliciting applications for vacancies on the following committees. If you would like to apply for any of the vacancies, please contact Deborah Holland, interim town clerk, at 910-426-4113, or email dholland@townofhopemills.com for more information.

    Lake Advisory Committee – second Tuesdays at the Hope Mills Recreation Center, 6 p.m. The purpose of the committee is to advise and make recommendations regarding various issues pertaining to the safety and environment of the lake and preserving it as a valuable resource to the town. Three vacancies to expire February 2020.

    Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee – fourth Mondays at Hope Mills Recreation Center, 6:30 p.m. This committee seeks to recommend and plan programs of recreation activities and events. In addition to the regular membership, there are two liaison members who represent the Hope Mills Senior Citizens Club and the Hope Mills Youth Association. One vacancy to expire February 2020.

    Historic Preservation Commission – second Wednesdays at Hope Mills Recreation Center, 5 p.m. The committee advises the governing body on issues related to historic identification and preservation. Two vacancies to expire February 2020.

    Appearance Commission – fourth Tuesdays at Hope Mills Recreation Center, 7 p.m. This committee seeks to enhance and improve the visual quality and aesthetic characteristics of the town. One vacancy to expire February 2020.

    Veterans Affairs Commission – fourth Thursdays at the Hope Mills Recreation Center, 7 p.m. The committee is comprised of town residents who are armed services veterans. Members advise the town on affairs related to its active and retired military citizens. Three vacancies expire in February 2020.

    Promote yourself

    To have your business, organization or event included in this section, email us: hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 10disalvo2Some argue the craziest people in all of sports are ice-hockey goaltenders, who seek out a tiny chunk of rubber whizzing toward them at nearly 100 miles per hour. Sure, they wear padding and have special equipment to protect them, but to defy human nature and willingly take a hit from a puck – well, that would take a mad man, or a mad dog, in the case of Marksmen netminder Peter Di Salvo.

    “When I was about 4 or 5 years old, I was on a baseball team called the Mad Dogs,” Di Salvo said. “During and after games, I was a typical kid, always excited; (I) loved being on the team. Since we were the Mad Dogs, I would get all hyped up like a dog regularly. My parents would call me Mad Dog as a joke to cater (to) me.”

    The Mad Dog moniker stuck for Di Salvo, who at an early age knew he would be between the pipes every time he stepped onto the ice.

    “When I was 6, I got my first goalie mask, and my parents decided to put “The Mad Dog” on my mask,” he said. “My team was the Oakville Rangers, so my parents got my mask painted to resemble Mike Richter’s (New York Rangers) helmet. The main difference was instead of the Statue of Liberty on the top of the mask, there was a bulldog, and the nickname has stuck ever since.”

    Twenty-one years after receiving that mask, Di Salvo hasn’t slowed down. The veteran netminder appeared in his 100th Southern Professional Hockey League game December 1, 2017, in a game against the Peoria Rivermen.

    He’s also found a second home during the summer months where he can continue to play the sport he loves in an unconventional place: Australia.

    “Once the season is finished here in Fayetteville, I will be heading straight back to Canada ASAP for a few days and then head to Australia from there,” said Di Salvo, who will join the Perth Thunder for a second straight season this summer. “While I am there, we only play on weekends and only practice twice a week. During my spare time there, I work to earn money, do my own workouts and explore different parts of Australia.”

    As for any differences between North American and Australian hockey, the most notable come off the ice, according to Di Salvo.

    “There are a lot of differences between Australian and (North American) hockey. The main difference is the hockey family. Every team has their fans, and every team’s fans have so much respect for every other team, other teams’ players, owners, coaches, etc. … (there is) no negativity or tension between the teams and their fan bases.”

    But before he can start thinking about his time in the land Down Under, he knows he has a job to do in Fayetteville.

    “We just need to build off our success and consistently play smart hockey,” he said. “We need to create our own steady ride instead of being on a roller coaster with all the ups and downs. As long as we stick together and play for each other, we can have more success.”

    Photo: Peter Di Salvo

  • 08CAREThe CARE Clinic, established in 1993, provides free basic medical care, dental extractions, chiropractic care, lab testing, diagnostic testing, pharmacy service, health education, community resource information, social services and referrals to specialists to uninsured, low-income residents of Cumberland County. The clinic would not be able to provide any of these services without its volunteers. All of The CARE Clinic’s physicians, nurses, dentists, dental assistants, phlebotomists, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and receptionists are volunteers. Volunteers also serve on numerous committees, prepare dinner for their fellow volunteers on clinic evenings, assist with fundraising events and much more. Without volunteers, The CARE Clinic could not function. Here are just a few of those volunteers.

    Glenn Thorp is a pharmacist with Cape Fear Valley Health System. He has been volunteering for six months.

    “I wanted to give back to the community that I live in,” he said. “The pharmacy residency introduced me to this opportunity. A woman recently lost her job and prescription insurance/medical insurance. She came to The CARE Clinic and was extremely grateful for the services we were able to provide. We were able to prevent her from missing refills with her blood pressure, thyroid and asthma medications.

    Sgt. Arjay Mendoza is a pharmacy technician in the U.S. Army. He has been volunteering for almost a year. “I choose to volunteer at The CARE Clinic because I want to give back to the community by helping the underserved population,” he said. “Since I’m (in the) military, one patient thanked me for my service. I replied, ‘Thank you. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to help those people in need.’”

    Yung Lee is a student at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. He has been volunteering since January 2017. “I chose to volunteer at The CARE Clinic to give back to my community and to gain experience in the field of dentistry,” he said. “It is rewarding to be able to help others while at the same time working alongside compassionate dentists. The people at the clinic truly care about the patients and their wellbeing. Being in such a positive environment makes volunteering that much more fun and exciting.

    “One of the patients was terrified of needles and anesthetics. The patient asked me to hold their hand during the anesthesia and throughout the treatment. The patient was very thankful (to me for) comforting them throughout the procedure. Moments like these remind me why I want to pursue this profession. It further solidified my commitment to pursue dentistry.

    Ginna Pugh is a retired educator with Cumberland County Schools. She has been volunteering for more than a year. “I had always been interested in The CARE Clinic and what they do for their patients,” she said. “Patients are so appreciative. One patient came in and wanted to make a donation. She did not have an appointment that evening, but her son had sent her money for her birthday and she wanted to give part of it to The CARE Clinic because they had done so much for her.”

    Kerstin Hudgins is a registered nurse at Cape Fear Valley Health System. She has been volunteering for four years. “It is a nice way to give back to the community and to practice nursing with a more personal touch,” she said. “(Once), we were seeing our last patient and getting ready to close when I observed the patient’s mother having a severe cough. She was also a patient but had no appointment that evening. I advocated for her to be seen. We saved her from a potential Emergency Department visit and worsening of her symptoms.”

    Cheryl P. Colvin is a physician in the Emergency Department at Cape Fear Valley Health System. She has been volunteering for five years. “I completely understand the needs of the community, and the patients at The CARE Clinic appreciate the services provided,” she said. “The heartfelt appreciation from every patient makes it memorable.”

    Erin Stevens is a nurse at Cape Fear Valley Health System. She has been volunteering for two years.

    “It is a great cause,” she said. “It is rewarding to see how appreciative the patients are.”

    Jacqueline Merritt-Evans is a territory manager with Premier Concepts, LLC. She has been volunteering for two years. “I wanted to keep up my skills as a medical assistant and in the field of phlebotomy,” she said. “I enjoy the people and atmosphere. I enjoy giving back and helping out where I can. I had a patient who was very nervous about getting her blood drawn. I gave her a squeeze ball that is shaped like a brain, and I said to her, ‘Please hold my brain.’ She gave me a funny look as I put the ball (brain) in her hand, and we both laughed so hard. She was OK after that, and I was able to draw her blood. She laughed away her nervousness.”

    Ana Mercurio is a dental assistant at Dr. Walter Scott DDS & Associates. She has been volunteering for seven years. She said she volunteers “to give back, to help others. The gratitude of the patients is (from) genuine, hard-working people who truly appreciate us.

    The CARE Clinic is located at 239 Robeson St. Contact Julie Dixon or Cathy Riddle at 910-485-0555 if you are interested in volunteering. Visit thecareclinic.org to learn more about the clinic.

    Eligibility:

    To be eligible for The CARE Clinic’s services, you must:

    • Be an adult resident of Cumberland County or the surrounding area • Have no insurance – including Medicaid

    • Meet an income requirement

    • Display proof of household income and a valid, North Carolina DMV-issued picture ID card or driver’s license showing your current address

    Appointments:

    • No walk-ins.

    • Appointments are made only by phone; for more information on making an appointment, call 910-485-0555.

    • Medical appointments may be made Monday- Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Dental appointments may be made Friday from 9 a.m. to noon for the following week.

    • The clinic serves patients each Tuesday and Thursday and the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

    • Dental clinics are every Tuesday and the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Appointments are made on a space available basis.

    • To cancel an appointment, you must call by 8 a.m. the day of the appointment and leave a message on the answering machine in order not to be penalized.

    Patients are given the opportunity to make a donation at the time of their visit.

  • 16softballActivities

    Hope Mills Youth baseball, softball and indoor soccer registration is open through Feb. 28, 4:30 p.m. Baseball ages 5-14, Softball ages 7-5, instructional soccer ages 5-6, indoor soccer ages 7-12. Eligibility cut-off date for baseball and indoor soccer is May 1. Softball cut-off date is Jan. 1. Proof of address and birth certificate are required to register. Call 910-426-4105 for more information.

    Hope Mills Youth wrestling registration is open until Feb. 2 for ages 6-12. Practices are held at Brower Park. Matches are held at Myers Recreation Center. $30 per child. Proof of address and birth certificate are required to register. Call 910-426-4105 for more information.

    Meetings

    Jan. 25 The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting at the Sheraton Inn, I Europa Dr., Chapel Hill, at 6 p.m. to conduct a workshop to discuss and plan upcoming goals for the board.

    Volunteer

    The Town of Hope Mills is soliciting applications for vacancies on the following committees. If you would like to apply for any of the vacancies, please contact Deborah Holland, interim town clerk, at 910-426-4113, or email dholland@ townofhopemills.com for more information.

    Lake Advisory Committee – second Tuesdays at the Hope Mills Recreation Center, 6 p.m. The purpose of the committee is to advise and make recommendations regarding various issues pertaining to the safety and environment of the lake and preserving it as a valuable resource to the town. Three vacancies to expire February 2020.

    Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee – fourth Mondays at Hope Mills Recreation Center, 6:30 p.m. This committee seeks to recommend and plan programs of recreation activities and events. In addition to the regular membership, there are two liaison members who represent the Hope Mills Senior Citizens Club and the Hope Mills Youth Association. One vacancy to expire February 2020.

    • Historic Preservation Commission – second Wednesdays at Hope Mills Recreation Center, 5 p.m. The committee advises the governing body on issues related to historic identification and preservation. Two vacancies to expire February 2020.

    Appearance Commission – fourth Tuesdays at Hope Mills Recreation Center, 7 p.m. This committee seeks to enhance and improve the visual quality and aesthetic characteristics of the town. One vacancy to expire February 2020.

    • Veterans Affairs Commission – fourth Thursdays at the Hope Mills Recreation Center, 7 p.m. The committee is comprised of town residents who are armed services veterans. Members advise the town on affairs related to its active and retired military citizens. Three vacancies expire in February 2020.

    Stay in the know

    Go Green! Recycling helps keep your refuse fees lower. Call the Public Works Department’s Waste Management division to start your service at 910-480-4010. Acceptable recyclables can be commingled together in the recycling container. Acceptable recyclable items include: magazines, office paper, junk mail, brown paper bags, newspaper, paperboard (cereal, cracker, drink and snack boxes), phone books, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles (#1 - 7), paper cardboard (dairy and juice containers), aluminum cans, foil and pie tins, steel or tin cans. Collection is on Wednesdays.

    Hope Mills is accepting bids for “ROCKFISH ROAD SIDEWALK FOR TOWN OF HOPE MILLS.” Sealed bids for the project entitled “ROCKFISH ROAD SIDEWALK FOR TOWN OF HOPE MILLS” will be received by the town of Hope Mills until 2 p.m., Feb. 6, in the town of Hope Mills Town Hall, 5770 Rockfish Rd., Board Room. At said place and time, all bids that have been duly received will be publicly opened and read aloud.

    A pre-bid conference will be held at 2 p.m., Jan. 16 at the town of Hope Mills Town Hall, 5770 Rockfish Rd., Board Room. Interested parties are invited to attend this meeting to review the plans, ask for additional information or clarification and to visit the project site. Visit www.townofhopemills.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=546 for more information.

    Promote yourself

    To have your business, organization or event included in this section, email us: hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 15Elite CateringLuis Irizarry knew one thing for sure when he retired from the Army in 2006: he was done taking orders. Irizarry always had an entrepreneurial bent, opening a restaurant in the late 1990s when he was stationed in Virginia and a home improvement business when he transitioned out of the Army years later. Now, the serial entrepreneur and his wife Edna have their hands full with several thriving foodbased businesses.

    Born in Puerto Rico and raised in New Jersey, Luis has always loved cooking. “A lot of Spanish dishes, I learned from my mom,” Irizarry said. “That was a big part of the menu at my first restaurant.”

    Straight out of the Army, Luis opened a business doing home repairs and flipping houses. While it was rewarding being his own boss, he eventually decided it wasn’t a good fit. “I got tired of that,” he said. “Then, I went to school. I already knew how to cook, but I wanted to learn more and to brush up. I went to Fayetteville Technical Community College and got a culinary degree, hotel management degree and business degree.”

    Now he gives back, returning to FTCC and local high schools to share his story with students. Sharing his passion with young people and teaching them about the food business is one of his favorite things to do. Often, he takes on local students as interns and employees, teaching them the food service business.

    With a catering business, a food truck and a food truck commissary based out of Hope Mills and now, running the kitchen at downtown Fayetteville’s Lake Gaston Brewery, Luis and Edna have their hands full. The pair is committed to bringing delicious food to the community.

    “Elite Catering is a full-service catering company,” said Luis. “We come to your location, serve, take care of your guests and clean up. You don’t have to worry about anything. Just come hungry.”

    Luis also noted that staying flexible is a big part of being successful. For example, what is now the Elite Catering food truck was originally the truck Luis used in his home improvement business.

    “Once I started the catering business, I would use it to transport things to and from parties,” Luis said. “But when we decided to convert it to a food truck, I would go on Craigslist and buy used equipment as I could and as I needed it. I don’t owe anyone, and I own all of my equipment outright. That has given me a lot of freedom when it comes to growing my businesses.”

    Another priority for Luis with the catering food truck has been keeping the menu flexible. “I didn’t want people to see my truck and say, ‘Oh, there goes the taco truck.’ Or, ‘There goes the rib truck,’” said Luis. “I like to keep my options open and adjust the menu to what I think will work for the occasion and location.”

    When Luis decided to open his food truck in 2007, he was on the hunt for a commissary – a place to prep food and clean his truck – and he had a hard time finding one. “Food trucks weren’t popular here yet, so I had a hard time finding a commissary,” he said. “But when the opportunity came up to help other food trucks, it was easy to say yes. I wanted to give back because no one gave me a chance. So, when someone comes to me, I like to help them. I currently have three food trucks and a hotdog cart that we are a commissary for.”

    In addition to the Hope Mills food truck commissary, Luis owns a building in Hope Mills that he plans to reopen as a café at some point. Right now, though, he said the catering business, food truck and food truck commissary are plenty in addition to the Lake Gaston Brewing Co. venture.

    “We have a new menu coming after Valentine’s Day,” said Luis. The menu reflects not only Luis’ Puerto Rican cooking background that includes dishes he learned from his mom; it has items like cauliflower bites, buffalo shrimp, lamb sliders, brats, gourmet burgers and more.

    “It’s a passion for me and Edna,” Luis said. “We don’t think in terms of dollars. We consider every event and how we can make it a good experience for the guests and our customers. We don’t cut corners, and we love people.”

    Photo:Luis Irizarry

  • 12Dan ForestThe Cumberland County Republican Party presents its Lincoln-Reagan Dinner Saturday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m. at The Vine.

    “This is an annual dinner for candidates, registered Republican voters and their guests to get together and share ideas about the coming year and how we can best advance conservative ideas locally and in the state,” said James Baker, county Republican Party chairman. “In the case of congressmen who are attending, we also want to share with them our concerns as conservatives on the national level.”

    Baker added that many conservative voters are supportive of tax reform, and many of them are hunters or sportsmen and support the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill that one of our congressmen has recently advocated.

    The keynote speaker is Lt. Gov. Dan Forest. Special guests include North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice Barbara Jackson, Congressman Robert Pittenger, Sen. Wesley Meredith, Rep. John Szoka and other statewide and local officials.

    The Lincoln-Reagan Dinner is named in honor of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan.

    Lincoln was the first Republican president and a great president who successfully preserved the Union,” said Baker. “Reagan was a tremendous conservative, and even President Obama has referred to Reagan as a transformational figure who was successful in the opinion of many in bringing transformational change to the country in his generation.”

    Baker said the Cumberland County Republican Party exists to support its candidates. “We support our candidates at the local level, statewide and national levels,” said Baker. “Our primary focus is local, then statewide and then nationwide – in that order.

    “We are looking forward to a good event. Our guests are very highly regarded by local Republicans, and we are looking forward to a great evening.”

    Ticket cost is $50, and there will be door prizes. Doors open at 5 p.m. The Vine is located at 806 Katie St. For more information, call 910-728-2601.

    Photo:Lt. Gov. Dan Forest is set to deliver the keynote address at the Lincoln- Reagan Dinner Jan. 27. The dinner is hosted by the Cumberland County Republican Party.

  • 11CivilWarQBThe 17th Annual Civil War Quiz Bowl will be hosted by the Museum of the Cape Fear Thursday, Jan. 25, at Headquarters Cumberland County Library.

    Over 200 questions have been prepared for willing and knowledgeable participants. Prizes will be awarded for first place in both the youth and adult categories.

    According to Leisa Greathouse, associate curator of education for the museum, the quiz bowl began as a way of “telling more than a museum exhibit can.”

    “It struck us how much people like trivia, especially Civil War trivia, so we developed the quiz bowl,” Greathouse said. “In our business, we meet many, many Civil War buffs and thought it would be fun to have a friendly contest where they could see how much they know. A test of their knowledge.”

    The quiz bowl accepts up to 20 contestants of all ages. This year, the youngest contestant is 12 years old. Greathouse said that many who participate have done so before, with some having competed in all 17 events.

    The format of the event remains steadfast every year. Each contestant chooses a category and is asked a question. If that person answers incorrectly, they receive a strike. When a contestant gets three strikes, they’re out of the contest.

    The categories and questions vary from year to year and are determined by the curator of education. The categories this year include “Elementary, My Dear,” “Brief Bios,” “Gettysburg,” “Fayetteville Arsenal,” “Chronology,” “Jeopardy (answer in the form of a question),” “The CW in NC,” “For the Experts,” and “When or Where.”

    Greathouse said, “It is the most creative aspect in developing the quiz bowl. Last year, for example, all the categories were named for social media sites. Facebook was one category, and all questions contained a picture of the person or the event. This year, we have named categories that people are more accustomed to seeing. The biggest twist we have attempted to put on the event is asking contestants to phrase their answer in the form of a question in just the one category, ‘Jeopardy.’”

    The museum has encouraged participants to register early this year in a “Sign-Up, Study-Up” initiative.

    Greathouse gave an example of the kind of tricky subject matter participants might encounter. “Civil War enthusiasts know that many battles are referred to differently by both sides,” she said. “Confederates tended to name battles for the nearest town, such as Manassas, in northern Virginia. The Union tended to name battles for the nearest waterway, such as Bull Run Creek.”

    The quiz bowl is especially relevant as the Museum of the Cape Fear transitions into the North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center. According to the official website, the history center has raised $7.5 million from both the city of Fayetteville and Cumberland County, as well as $5 million from the state. The plan is to renovate and relocate two Civil War-era homes near the Culbreth House to create a period “village.” There is also planning for a Digital Educational Outreach program, as well as the purchase of the existing Poe Rental House. The groundbreaking for its first phase is scheduled for the spring of 2018.

    But before our local museum changes into a prominent, statewide history center, it is events like the quiz bowl that will inform the community.

    Greathouse said, “By educating people year after year and generation after generation, we are preserving history. But in the end, we want to build a well-educated community. A community of critical thinkers and history-minded individuals who will, at least on occasion, reflect on the past and the lives that lived it.”

    The quiz bowl will take place at 7 p.m. in the Pate Room of the library. It is free and open to the public. To sign up, contact Leisa Greathouse at 910-500-4243.

  • 13sidewalkActivities

    Every Monday and Friday, the Alms House serves meals from noon to 12:30 p.m. and 5-5:30 p.m. Saturday meals are at noon, and Sunday meals are at 5 p.m. Free. Contact, Grilley Mitchell at 910-476-3719 or visit www.almshousehopemills.com for details.

    Hope Mills Youth baseball, softball and indoor soccer registration is open through Feb. 28, 4:30 p.m. Baseball ages 5-14, Softball ages 7-5, instructional soccer ages 5-6, indoor soccer ages 7-12. Eligibility cut-off date for baseball and indoor soccer is May 1. Softball cut-off date is Jan. 1. Proof of address and birth certificate are required to register. Call 910-426-4105 for more information.

    Hope Mills Youth wrestling registration is open until Feb. 2 for ages 6-12. Practices are held at Brower Park. Matches are held at Myers Recreation Center. $30 per child. Proof of address and birth certificate are required to register. Call 910-426-4105 for more information.

    Meetings

    Alcoholics Anonymous meetings Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. at Hope Mills United Methodist Church, 4955 Legion Rd. • Hope Mills Board of Commissioners Meeting first and third Monday of each month at the Town Hall Building at 7 p.m.

    Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club second Tuesdays at noon at Buckhead Steakhouse (Sammio’s starting in Feb.) and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Mi Casita in Hope Mills. For details, call 910-237-1240.

    Volunteer

    Volunteer coaches needed for Hope Mills Youth sports. Pick up coach applications and background check forms at the front counter of the Hope Mills Recreation Center. Call 910-426-4105 for more information.

    Adopt-A-Street Help keep the streets of Hope Mills clean by adopting one near your home or business. Contact the Street Department at https://townofhopemills.com/200/Maintenance for details.

    • Adopt-A-Drain Join volunteers from all over town who help keep storm drains clean and free of debris. Help prevent flooding, protect wildlife, and keep the town’s water clean and safe. Visit the Adopt-A-Drain Program page to get started: www.townofhopemills.com/203/Adopt-ADrain- Program.

    Citizen’s Police Academy The Training Department at the Hope Mills Police Department offers a training course for citizens to become more prepared and involved in the safety of their community. Download the application to get started: www.townofhopemills.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/62.

    Firefighters The Hope Mills Fire Department employs both career staff and volunteers. Find out the criteria and training requirements for volunteer firefighters and join the team today: www.townofhopemills.com/155/Volunteer-Firefighters.

    Stay in the know

    Go Green! Recycling helps keep your refuse fees lower. Call the Public Works Department’s Waste Management division to start your service at 910-480-4010. Acceptable recyclables can be commingled together in the recycling container. Acceptable recyclable items include: magazines, office paper, junk mail, brown paper bags, newspaper, paperboard (cereal, cracker, drink and snack boxes), phone books, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles (#1 - 7), paper cardboard (dairy and juice containers), aluminum cans, foil and pie tins, steel or tin cans. Collection is on Wednesdays.

    • Hope Mills is accepting bids for “ROCKFISH ROAD SIDEWALK FOR TOWN OF HOPE MILLS.” Sealed bids for the project entitled “ROCKFISH ROAD SIDEWALK FOR TOWN OF HOPE MILLS” will be received by the town of Hope Mills until 2 p.m., Feb. 6, in the town of Hope Mills Town Hall, 5770 Rockfish Rd., Board Room. At said place and time, all bids that have been duly received will be publicly opened and read aloud.

    A pre-bid conference will be held at 2 p.m., Jan. 16 at the town of Hope Mills Town Hall, 5770 Rockfish Rd., Board Room. Interested parties are invited to attend this meeting to review the plans, ask for additional information or clarification and to visit the project site. Visit www.townofhopemills.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=546 for more information.

    • Fire Inspections: Anyone who would like to schedule a fire inspection, report a possible fire code violation or ask questions about the fire code are encouraged to contact the fire marshal at 910-424-0948 ext. 3397.

    The town of Hope Mills charges for fire inspections and permits. Fees for fire inspections are based on the square footage of the occupancy. All permits are obtained through the town’s inspection department. Fines will be issued for fire code violations and are assessed on a per violation and per occurrence basis. The fire marshal is responsible for conducting state mandated fire inspections and fire code enforcement in all new and existing buildings, except for one- and two-family dwellings.

    On July 1, 1991, North Carolina adopted the statewide fire code, and state legislation enacted a mandatory inspection schedule. This schedule governs the frequency of inspections based on occupancy classifications. Commonly observed fire code violations include: failure to have fire extinguishers serviced annually; failure to have automatic fire protection systems (sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems) serviced annually; hood suppression systems not serviced (must be serviced every six months); improper use of extension cords; inoperative exit signs and emergency lighting; improper locking devices on required exits; blocked or locked fire exits; and poor housekeeping and storage practices.

    The NC Community Development Initiative Small Business Disaster Recovery Program offers loans to small businesses affected by Hurricane Matthew. The funds are available for refinancing, predevelopment, new construction, rehabilitation, working capital, equipment and inventory. The Affordable housing program offers loans for the development of projects that expand access to disaster recovery affordable housing. The rental housing repair program offers funds for owners of rental housing whose properties were damaged in Hurricane Matthew. Learn more at www.ncinitiative.org/initiative-capital.

    The Hope Mills Senior Program is seeking qualified instructors in the areas of fitness, creative arts, crafting and dance to teach classes and/or workshops to older adults ages 55 and up. Format and scheduling are flexible. Contact Kasey Ivey or Anne Evanco for more information: 910-426-4109.

    Promote yourself

    To have your business, organization or event included in this section, email us: hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 10martin luther king jrThe greater Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council presents the “25th Year Honoring MLK’s Legacy” Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast Monday, Jan. 15, at 8 a.m. at the Crown Expo Center. The theme this year is “One Nation, One People: One Community, Fayetteville.”

    “The theme echoes Dr. King himself as it relates to love of the community, being a nation of diversity, difference of opinion, different approaches to addressing matters of concern and for the sake of the love of community, we don’t allow differences to cause an imbalance,” said Dr. Maxie Dobson, vice president of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council. “This year we will have singing, as usual, from choirs and groups and the collective singing of the ‘Black American National Anthem.’” Dobson added that the event will follow the same format as past MLK breakfasts.

    The keynote speaker is Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, senior pastor of Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, Michigan.

    “We are particularly excited about our special keynote speaker, Bishop Ellis,” said Dobson. “He is a very personable and approachable person who is very busy. He is indirectly connected to the Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks because his church hosted her homegoing services, and that was a grand affair.” Parks lived in Detroit for many years after she moved from Alabama, and she passed away in 2005.

    “We are looking for it to be our best one because this is the milestone 25th year that the Ministerial Council has sponsored this event, and that makes it more special and particularly satisfying,” said Dobson. “We are very grateful for the community at large because this is an event that is almost a common staple and a gathering that has no second thought, and the majority are reoccurring attendees.”

    Dobson said the event is the best-attended gathering of its kind in the state of North Carolina and that it says something about the community that we would commit ourselves together and revisit the opportunities before us in the spirit of the legacy of Dr. King.

    Ticket cost is $20 in advance or $23 at the door. For more information, visit www.fayettevillemincouncil.org.

  • 11involvementActivities

    Every Monday and Friday, the Alms House serves meals from noon to 12:30 p.m. and 5-5:30 p.m. Saturday meals are at noon, and Sunday meals are at 5 p.m. Free. Contact, Grilley Mitchell at (910) 476-3719 or visit www.almshousehopemills. com for details.

    Hope Mills Youth baseball, softball and indoor soccer registration is open through Feb. 28, 4:30 p.m. Baseball ages 5-14, Softball ages 7-5, instructional soccer ages 5-6, indoor soccer ages 7-12. Eligibility cut-off date for baseball and indoor soccer is May 1. Softball cut-off date is Jan. 1. Proof of address and birth certificate are required to register. Call 910-426-4105 for more information.

    Hope Mills Youth wrestling registration is open until Feb. 2 for ages 6-12. Practices are held at Brower Park. Matches are held at Myers Recreation Center. $30 per child. Proof of address and birth certificate are required to register. Call 910-426-4105 for more information.

    Meetings

    Jan. 8 Hope Mills Chamber January Luncheon at Hope Mills Park and Recreation from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Enjoy a meal, network, and talk about the new year. Pivot Physical Therapy will be the guest speaker. Cost for lunch is $10. Purchase tickets at www.hopemillschamber.org.

    Jan. 8 The Board of Commissioners of the town of Hope Mills has scheduled a public hearing at 7 p.m. at Hope Mills Town Hall, 5770 Rockfish Rd., Room #120, on the question of annexing the following described territory, requested by petition filed pursuant to G. S. 160A-3 l: The described area of land lies on the western side of Woodspring Drive to include Cumberland County Parcel ID #s 0404-31-3069, 0404-31-8623 and 0404-32-6039 named West Hampton Phase II and is 75.85 +/-acres. This is a contiguous annexation. The public is invited to attend the meeting to offer comments or ask questions.

    Alcoholics Anonymous meetings Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. at Hope Mills United Methodist Church, 4955 Legion Rd.

    Hope Mills Board of Commissioners Meeting first and third Monday of each month at the Town Hall Building at 7 p.m.

    Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club second Tuesdays at noon at Buckhead Steakhouse (Sammio’s starting in Feb.) and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Mi Casita in Hope Mills. For details, call (910) 237-1240.

    Volunteer

    Volunteer coaches needed for Hope Mills Youth sports. Pick up coach applications and background check forms at the front counter of the Hope Mills Recreation Center. Call 910-426-4105 for more information.

    Adopt-A-Street Help keep the streets of Hope Mills clean by adopting one near your home or business. Contact the Street Department at https:// townofhopemills.com/200/Maintenance for details.

    Adopt-A-Drain Join volunteers from all over town who help keep storm drains clean and free of debris. Help prevent flooding, protect wildlife, and keep the town’s water clean and safe. Visit the Adopt- A-Drain Program page to get started: www.townofhopemills.com/203/Adopt-ADrain- Program.

    Citizen’s Police Academy The Training Department at the Hope Mills Police Department offers a training course for citizens to become more prepared and involved in the safety of their community. Download the application to get started: www.townofhopemills.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/62.

    • Firefighters The Hope Mills Fire Department employs both career staff and volunteers. Find out the criteria and training requirements for volunteer firefighters and join the team today: www.townofhopemills.com/155/Volunteer-Firefighters.

    Stay in the know

    The NC Community Development Initiative Small Business Disaster Recovery Program offers loans to small businesses affected by Hurricane Matthew. The funds are available for gab penancing, predevelopment, new construction, rehabilitation, working capital, equipment and inventory. The Affordable housing program offers loans for the development of projects that expand access to disaster recovery affordable housing. The rental housing repair program offers funds for owners of rental housing whose properties were damaged in Hurricane Matthew. Learn more at ncinitiative.org/initiative-capital.

    The Hope Mills Senior Program is seeking qualified instructors in the areas of fitness, creative arts, crafting and dance to teach classes and/or workshops to older adults ages 55 and up. Format and scheduling are flexible. Contact Kasey Ivey or Anne Evanco for more information: 910-426-4109.

    Promote yourself

    To have your business, organization or event included in this section, email us: hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 09NelsonDerik Nelson and his siblings have been performing since they were quite young. Up & Coming Weekly interviewed them about their upcoming show at Givens Performing Arts Center Jan. 9.

    Up & Coming Weekly: Do you write your own music? If so, where do you find inspiration for your songs?

    Derik: Yes. About half the songs we perform in our touring show are original songs I’ve written the music and lyrics for. Audiences can expect the other half to be covers from a variety of genres, eras and styles, done in our own three-partharmony arrangements. I’m consistently inspired by my musical heroes. Sting, John Mayer and Pat Metheny are three of many. I love artists who use a lot of styles and genres in their music and aren’t afraid to push boundaries. It inspires me to continue to take chances, try new arrangements, and not allow a genre boundary or style dictate how or why I create.

    UCW: Can you talk about the visual aspect of your performances?

    Dalten: At our show in Pembroke, the audience will experience a visual backdrop featuring video and audio throughout the show, and it’s all synced to the live vocals. I’ve spent the last few years filming, editing, producing and creating over 200 different videos to span the stage.

    Riana: What audiences might not know is Derik plays a lot of different instruments: guitar, piano, saxophone, drums, bass, flute, etc. Dalten and Derik started collaborating years ago, filming music videos for Derik’s YouTube channel, which has since grown to have over 3.6 million views. We found a creative way to allow Derik to play all the instruments he loves as part of our video backdrop. I’ll keep our method a secret until audiences can see the show!

    UCW: What do you love most about performing?

    Derik: I love being able to connect with people. Music transcends any age, religion, language. Especially when people come up after shows with tears in their eyes, saying that they were moved or impacted or changed somehow by a lyric, or a song … that’s the human connection through music I think all three of us love so much.

    UCW: How do you unwind?

    Dalten: “When I’m not touring, I spend a lot of time in nature and at the gym. It really grounds me to lift weights and focus on fitness.

    Riana: I love calligraphy and watercolor painting. When I’m not touring, I paint and often do custom commission work for others. I love cooking vegan and vegetarian recipes too, which is not something I get to do while traveling for work, so it really relaxes me. I’m also a huge fan of “This Is Us” and always look forward to watching it with my mom. We call it “This Is Us Crying.” Such a brilliant show!

    Derik: I love writing new lyrics and music. I can spend all day working on a new song or recording. I love layering instruments and vocals to create almost like a choir sound, and this is also how I often come up with new ideas for songs, too. That time to explore is really relaxing to me and helps me unwind. And I love taking the ferry in Seattle. It’s one of the quickest ways I relax!

    UCW: For someone who has never heard you perform, how would you describe your music?

    Derik: It’s pop music that’s acoustic-based, with folk, jazz and rock influences, all with a focus on the three-part harmony sibling sound. There’s something special about sibling voices blending together. I love the blend that’s possible when singing with family.

    Visit www.uncp.edu or call 910-521-6000 for tickets and information.

    Photo: Derik Nelson & Family will be at GPAC Jan. 9. L to R: Dalten, Derik, Riana.

  • 08African Childrens ChoirThe African Children’s Choir began as one man’s vision to show the western world the hope, dignity and joy of Africa’s children. Ray Barnett, founder of the choir and its larger organization, Music for Life, first created a choir in 1984 after visiting Uganda during the brutal regime of Idi Amin. Barnett wanted the western world to see an alternative side to Africa, one the media doesn’t always portray – one that puts these bright and talented children in the spotlight. Choir 48 is coming to Fayetteville Sunday, Jan. 7, to perform at Fayetteville Christian Church.

    Blessed with 18 children from Uganda, all the choir members feel privileged to be traveling around North America singing, dancing and representing their friends back home. The children in the choir come from severe poverty, but they are given the hope of a different future through education. Money raised at their performances goes toward the choir members’ education. Their education is now paid through university, and they are mentored throughout their childhood until they become young adults and future change-makers.

    The children also perform to raise money for their friends in Africa. The larger organization, Music for Life, works in seven African countries: Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana. Over the last 33 years, Music for Life has supported 52,000 children’s education by giving them the tools to become successful and secure a bright future for their families, communities and country.

    The African Children’s Choir has had the privilege to perform before presidents, heads of state and most recently the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, for her diamond jubilee. The choir has also had the honor of singing alongside artists such as Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, Michael W. Smith and other inspirational performers.

    The audience will see the delight in these children’s faces as they spread the message of hope to the people of Fayetteville. The program is a variety of traditional African songs, contemporary worship music and old gospel favorites. The children will also perform traditional Ugandan tribal dance. It is a free event and open to the public.

    There will be a love offering taken during the concert. Money donated will go towards the education projects in Africa to support not only the children in the choir but thousands of others. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. Learn more at www.africanchildrenschoir. com or by calling 910-822-2402.

  • 05FlyFayetteville The Jan. 16, 2019, issue of Up & Coming Weekly featured a Publisher’s Pen article by Bill Bowman about the virtues of the Fayetteville airport. Here are some of our readers’ unedited responses.

    Hi Bill!

    As usual on point! I learned the hard way about trying to save a couple of bucks flying out of RDU instead of Fayetteville. Long story short, it was a nightmare and I will never ever do it again! What really hurt Fayetteville is when U.S. Air merged with American Airlines and they cut the flights to and from Reagan National a couple of years ago.

    I frequently traveled to Washington when that flight was available because I have family in Maryland. And it was cheap! Maybe someday we will get it back — along with other destinations — but until then, flying to Charlotte or Atlanta will suffice. And you are also correct, the Pentagon is only two stops away from the Reagan National on the Metro Subway system. It was very convenient for people in the military.

    Have a great day!

    Nelson L. Smith

    Editor:

    Mr. Bowman is 110 percent correct in this article, “Fly Fayetteville!” I have found this airport for my wife and I to be far friendlier and more accommodating with us and her post knee surgery accommodations! Also, taking into account the almost two-hour, 90- mile trip, expensive RDU parking and time wasted, to us it makes sense to FLY FAYETTEVILLE!

    Matthew Fagin

    Editor:

    This isn’t a reflection on the airport. It’s a reflection on local government. That airport will never be more than a hub. But if they want large airlines to invest... they should give them something to invest in. They need to create industry in our community. And to do that they have to invest in our community! When you spend all of your time publicly disrespecting Fayetteville and all aspects of the community... you can’t really expect the residents to commit and you sure as hell can’t get outside agencies to commit. Local government owns that airport. They want it to be better, then they need to make it better. Or resign. Either option would be an improvement.

    Liz Blevins via Facebook

    Also in the Jan. 16 issue, Karl Merritt wrote about the government shutdown and misplaced outrage. Here is one reader’s response,

    As I read your column on the 34th day of the trump shut do down. Yes, it’s his shut down, he said he would do it, and he said he would own it. He did it but he is not owning it. He also said that Mexico would pay, they told him that they would not pay for his wall. Thump lied, and he continues to lie everyday. To close the government is only hurting honest hard working people. For you and thump to bring up the drug and crime components is disingenuous. Placing a wall on the southern border will not solve the drug and crime problem. This is a complete shut down of the federal government and it’s shameful. It’s people like you and trump that I pray for every night that God will change your hearts.

    James F. Hawkins

  • 04pitt Is seeing believing? Today we are going determine the nature of reality. In America, politically, what you see is what you want to see. It’s a pretty neat trick. Alternate facts reproduce like bunnies in spring time. Today’s crime against world literature tackles why reality, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

    Unless you have been living under a rock, you have seen the video of the confrontation at the Lincoln Memorial between high school students, Native American tribal elder Nathan Phillips and the Hebrew Israelites, which occurred at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. This video has it all — something for folks of every political stripe to seize as evidence that their side is correct and the other side is pure evil. The primary high school student shall not be named as he will encounter a passel of troubles for grinning at Phillips. Let’s call the student Archie. Now to explain how perception works.

    The best college teacher I ever had was an English professor named Rollin Lasseter. A half century ago, Dr. Lasseter explained the nature of perception to our literature class one bright spring day by holding up a cigar. He asked us to look at the cigar and tell him what it was. The class, still having bright young minds, which had not yet been pounded by the real world, unanimously agreed it was a cigar.

    Dr. Lasseter told us we were correct, but that while we perceived it was a cigar, what we really saw was light filtered through our optic nerves which was then converted into electrical impulses, which Mr. Brain then interpreted as a cigar. Dr. Lasseter pointed out, “You really do not have a cigar in your brain, because if you did, it would clog you in some fashion.” I have never forgotten this advice. What you see is subject to interpretation and filtration.

    Back to Archie and Phillips. There are two opposed narratives about their meeting, which differ based upon what you think of Donald Trump. As they say, let us teach the controversy. The Beatles once sang: “Let me take you down/ Cause I’m going to Strawberry Fields/ Nothing is real/ And nothing to get hung about.”

    Version A, short-form video: The video of Phillips and Archie that spread across the internet like a digital flood shows Phillips surrounded by chanting, mocking students wearing “Make America Great Again” hats. The students are menacing Phillips, who is playing a drum and singing a prayer song.

    Archie stands up close and personal to Phillips with a frozen grin on his face while appearing to block Phillips. Adherents of Version A were outraged by the students’ actions, intimidating a man who had served his country in war. Phillips calmly chants a prayer song while confronted by a crowd who might do him harm at any moment. Phillips is quoted saying, “When I took that drum and hit the first beat... it was a supplication to God. Look at us, God, look at what is going on here; my America is being torn apart by racism, hatred, bigotry.”

    Now let’s look at Version B, long-form video: In Version B, the high school students are shouting cheers to drown out insults from the Hebrew Israelites. Phillips then walks into the crowd of students to A, try to calm things down between the students and the Hebrew Israelites, or B, insert himself into the crowd of students to provoke an incident. Phillips walks up to Archie and refuses to go around him. Archie says, “He locked eyes with me and approached me, coming within inches of my face. I did not speak to him, I did not make any hand gestures or other aggressive moves. To be honest, I was startled and confused as to why he had approached me ... I was worried that a situation was getting out of control where adults were attempting to provoke teenagers.”

    So, you take your choice. Pick your interpretation of what happened. Archie and his friends were punks trying to intimidate an older Native American activist who was trying to defuse an escalating confrontation between the students and the Hebrew Israelites. Or, Phillips was totally at fault for walking into a crowd of peaceful high school students who were blamelessly waiting for a bus while being harassed by Hebrew Israelites.

    It doesn’t matter which perception you choose, as it won’t convince the other side that you are correct. Call each other names on the internet if you like. Like cement hardening under a hot July sun, America continues to calcify into camps that get along as well as the Shiites and the Sunnis. It may be that the result of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart and America’s political arteries is not going to work out as well as either side hopes.

    What have we learned today? Again, almost nothing. Better luck, next column. However, keep in mind the immortal words of the late, great singer Roger Miller, who advised us: “You can’t roller skate in a buffalo herd/ But you can be happy if you’ve a mind to.”

  • 03banknotes bills cash 164652 Almost 50 years ago, “Deep Throat” gave Washington Post investigative journalists Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward advice so fundamental that Americans, both journalists and ordinary citizens, have found it useful ever since. “Follow the money,” whispered the thenanonymous source in the murky depths of a Washington, D.C., parking garage. His admonition resulted in the only presidential resignation in American history, at least so far.

    Money both ebbs and flows, so let’s take a look at some that is flowing — or soon will be.

    China, with whom President Donald Trump and his family have conflicted relationships, has granted Ivanka Trump preliminary approval for five additional trademarks. These involve sunglasses, child care centers, wedding dresses and brokerage, charitable fundraising, and art valuation services.

    Ivanka’s supporters argue the trademarks are necessary to protect her famous name from others who might seek to capitalize on it. Critics say that a Trump asking a foreign government for valuable trademark rights opens the door to pressure from that nation in all sorts of government negotiations. It unquestionably lays out the welcome mat for lucrative business possibilities in the future.

    That money faucet is poised to flow. 

    Money also ebbs, even disappears, for both individuals and entities. The Public School Forum of North Carolina, a nonpartisan advocate for public education, charged this month that reduced funding to traditional public schools in favor of charter and private schools has undermined public education for millions of North Carolina students. The vast majority of our children are in traditional public schools. The group urged the General Assembly to “renew North Carolina’s commitment to public schools for the public good.”

    Said Lauren Fox of the Public School Forum, “Recent policy decision have served to discredit, defund and devalue our state’s public education system.”

    Rural North Carolina also suffers from a money flow that has morphed into a money trickle from both public and private sources. Some small towns and rural areas are highly creative in making their communities unique in some way to combat the increasing concentration of resources — cultural, educational and monetary — in growing urban areas. Others are flattened by the lack of opportunity that sends their young folks to “the big city,” be it in North Carolina or somewhere else.

    Our state, once known as “Variety Vacationland,” is blessed with one-of-a-kind nooks and crannies from Murphy to Manteo and Tuxedo to Turkey. Our travel dollars would be well spent giving ourselves special memories and helping prime our small towns’ money faucets.

    And, money does indeed grow, even if not on trees. Increasingly, in the United States and other developed countries, wealth is concentrating in the coffers of the few while the many accumulate debt.

    Statistics abound and vary, but virtually all find that the richest are getting richer. CNN reported last year that the top 1 percent of Americans now hold 38 percent of the nation’s wealth, up from just under 34 percent a decade ago, while the bottom 90 percent holds about 23 percent of the wealth, down from 28 percent.

    Within those numbers are significant racial and ethnic gaps. The Pew Research Center reports that since the Great Recession of the last decade, white families continue to hold more wealth than other demographic groups.

    In addition, while we may not know the exact numbers ourselves, we do understand our economic system is not working for many of us. The World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, this month released polling results. They reveal that Americans, along with people in other developed nations, are losing faith in capitalism. Nearly two-thirds of Americans surveyed no longer believe our economic system is a path to upward mobility.

    “Deep Throat” steered the intrepid reporters toward criminal activities that changed the course of our nation and made millions of Americans distrustful of our government. The ebb and flow of money is not usually criminal, but it affects all of us, and we should be aware of when and how. We should also press for policy changes when we believe they are needed.

  • 02pub notes “Who’s on First” was a comedy routine made popular by comedians Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in the 1940s. It was clever and funny. The act centered on Abbott trying to explain to Costello the nature of a baseball game. The routine exemplified how difficult it can be trying to communicate an otherwise simple concept when the components of the event are misleading and confusing. Hence, the phrase, “Who’s on first?” took on the meaning, “Does anyone know what’s going on here?”

    That’s a question many Americans are asking as they watch our national government spiraling out of control, making innocent American citizens collateral damage to politicians’ petty and senseless personal, political agendas. Republican and Democratic parties are guilty of this pettiness — of both ignoring common sense and allegiance to their sworn responsibilities to the American people.

    This belligerent “my way or the highway” style of political thinking does not produce the kind of government that will preserve the future safety, rights and freedoms of American citizens.

    The pettiness of our leaders at the highest levels of government should have all Americans concerned. The 35-day government shutdown is the latest example of this. Shutdown for what? To keep from allocating $5 billion to President Trump for border security? That’s chump change in our federal budget.

    Is it worth putting our country in economic jeopardy and inflicting financial hardships on hundreds of thousands of innocent Americans? I think not. Again, Americans become collateral damage to the government elite as our leaders needlessly spend time and money on issues and situations that add nothing to America’s overall safety, well-being or quality of life. We deserve better. In this situation, we surely deserve more than a three-week continuing resolution granting a threeweek temporary reprieve. Now we have 800,000 federal employees holding their breaths, waiting in anticipation for the second shoe to drop. And, over what? Again, chump change and principle?

    This irresponsible behavior trickles down to our local governments, too. That is why we are paying so much attention to the Hope Mills commissioners — with the exception of Pat Edwards, who makes common-sense decisions on the town’s behalf. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Mitchell and fellow Commissioners Meg Larson, Jesse Bellflowers and Jerry Legge are hell-bent on discrediting Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner. It comes down to not wanting her to succeed or get credit for initiating projects that would benefit the town and endear her to the Hope Mills community.

    As a result, ordinances are adopted and unilateral decisions are made without citizen or staff input. This approach to politics has the town running amok, needlessly spending time and taxpayer money on an internal investigation that has yet to be defined — except to insinuate wrongdoing.

    Really? By whom? When? The real purpose is an attempt to embarrass and discredit Warner and to fulfill personal agendas that have nothing to do with the well-being of Hope Mills or its citizens. If Mitchell, Bellflowers, Larson and Legge wanted the best for Hope Mills, they would spend their time and efforts working together to move the town forward and not in finding fault with Warner’s aggressive and successful leadership style.

    Well, we can’t do much about the political situation in Washington, D.C. However, we can act locally. We love the Hope Mills community and will continue to support the town by being its community newspaper and its advocate. In reality, the growth, progress and opportunities in Hope Mills can overcome the negative impact of the town’s leadership — even with rumors and fake news circulation in the town undermining its leadership, progress and achievements.

    Up & Coming Weekly and Elizabeth Blevins’ informational website, Hope-Mills.net, are committed to keeping you abreast of news, events and information that affect all the citizens of Hope Mills and Cumberland County. Stay tuned. Good things are happening in Hope Mills, and we are pleased to be a part of it.

    Thanks for reading Up & Coming WeeklySubscribe to the electronic version free of charge at www.upandcomingweekly.comStay in the know!

  • 04 Merritt Outrage seems to be constantly present in today’s American society. No matter how insignificant or lacking in justification, a group of people will be outraged at almost every occurrence. Not only is there outrage at the insignificant and unjustified events; more importantly, outrage is too often misplaced. That is, it is directed at one component of a situation when other, deserving components are met with little or no outrage.

    As I write this on Jan. 10, a glaring case of misplaced outrage is reflected in what is happening regarding President Trump’s call for improved security on our southern border. His insistence on funding for measures to secure that border, including walls in some areas, has resulted in a partial government shutdown. That shutdown is continuing because Democrats will not agree, or even negotiate, to provide funding for walls.

    Trump argues that there is a crisis at the border. What follows are some statements from his Jan. 8 Oval Office speech that define the crisis. Fact-checkers have challenged several of his statements, but I believe these survive the challenges:

    “But all Americans are hurt by uncontrolled, illegal migration. It strains public resources and drives down jobs and wages. Among those hardest hit are African-Americans and Hispanic Americans.”

    “Our southern border is a pipeline for vast quantities of illegal drugs, including meth, heroin, cocaine and fentanyl. Every week, 300 of our citizens are killed by heroin alone, 90 percent of which floods across from our southern border. More Americans will die from drugs this year than were killed in the entire Vietnam War.”

    “In the last two years, ICE officers made 266,000 arrests of aliens with criminal records, including those charged or convicted of 100,000 assaults, 30,000 sex crimes and 4,000 violent killings. Over the years, thousands of Americans have been brutally killed by those who illegally entered our country, and thousands more lives will be lost if we don’t act right now.”

    “Last month, 20,000 migrant children were illegally brought into the United States — a dramatic increase. These children are used as human pawns by vicious coyotes and ruthless gangs. One in three women are sexually assaulted on the dangerous trek up through Mexico. Women and children are the biggest victims, by far, of our broken system.”

    “America’s heart broke the day after Christmas when a young police officer in California was savagely murdered in cold blood by an illegal alien, who just came across the border. The life of an American hero was stolen by someone who had no right to be in our country.”

    “Over the last several years, I’ve met with dozens of families whose loved ones were stolen by illegal immigration. I’ve held the hands of the weeping mothers and embraced the grief-stricken fathers. So sad. So terrible. I will never forget the pain in their eyes, the tremble in their voices and the sadness gripping their souls.”

    The president made a solid case. Even beyond what he presented, there are reports of new caravans forming in Honduras. This is beyond the few thousand people already waiting in Tijuana, Mexico, for asylum screening at the U.S. border entry point. One forming caravan is estimated at 15,000.

    The border situation is further complicated by the shift in who is crossing illegally. This from an article by Miriam Jordan titled “Eight-Year-Old Migrant Child from Guatemala Dies in U.S. Custody.”

    “The Border Patrol apprehended 25,172 people in family units in November, compared with 7,016 the same month a year earlier.”

    This dramatic increase in the number of persons illegally crossing in family units complicates processing these immigrants. A court ruling requires that children be held no more than 20 days. The facilities where illegal immigrants are held were built when most illegal immigrants were adult males. Consequently, these facilities are not suitable for holding children. Since a court ruling also prohibits separating children from parents, children are temporarily held in these facilities. There is also insufficient space for housing the numbers of illegal immigrants entering across the southern border. These conditions necessitate “catch and release.” That is, illegal immigrants are released into our country to await a hearing, before an immigration judge, regarding their asylum request. All of this speaks to migrants who are apprehended. Clearly, many more are not apprehended and go on to live in America illegally.

    There is outrage from Democrats and their cohorts because of what they see as inhumane conditions under which children are held. Their outrage was intensified by the deaths of two children who died in the custody of the Border Patrol after being apprehended crossing the border illegally.

    One was a 7-year-old girl and the other was an 8-year-old boy. The girl, with her father, made the 2,000-mile dangerous and demanding trip from Guatemala. The boy made the same trip with his father. Reports indicate both fathers brought their child on the arduous trip because they understood having a child with them would make it more likely that they would gain entry to America.

    What has been described to this point is a crisis. Now consider how the Democrats are responding to this crisis and to what Trump proposes to do.

    First, they call for investigations of the deaths of the two children and how illegal immigrants are being treated. Second, they want extensive medical examinations of children who are apprehended crossing the border illegally.

    Third, Suzanne Gutierrez wrote this in an article titled “Congressman Castro demands top border official resign after migrant girl’s death.” It reads, “Democratic Rep. Joaquín Castro issued a call for the head of Customs and Border Protection to step down for failing to speedily report the death of a 7-year-old girl while in border officials’ custody.”

    Fourth, Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House, and Chuck Schumer, senate minority leader, both Democrats, refuse to negotiate with Trump on wall funding.

    Finally, in one meeting with the president, Pelosi and Schumer refused to listen to a presentation by Kirstjen Nielsen, Homeland Security secretary, in which she would detail border conditions. In a second meeting, when Nielsen presented facts, Pelosi said she did not trust the facts.

    The Democratic response to this crisis is wrapped in outrage. As of today, following the president’s Oval Office address, they have labelled his actions and position as a “Manufactured Crisis.” Note that in all of their outrage, none is directed at those fathers who brought children, for the personal benefit of the fathers, on that dangerous journey. Further, Democrats and their cohorts, especially in the liberal media, express no outrage in response to the harm, and negative impact, of illegal immigration on bona fide Americans.

    The president, in that Oval Office address, painted a clear picture of the negative impact of illegal immigration on American citizens. Among what he presented was the case of Cpl. Ronil Singh. He was a police officer in Newman, California, a husband, the father of a 5-month-old son and a legal immigrant. After stopping a suspected drunken driver, Singh was shot and killed. A few days after the shooting, Gustavo Perez Arriaga, an illegal immigrant, was arrested and charged with killing Singh.

    I contend a statement by Pelosi reflects the attitude and priority held by most Democratic members of Congress — and by liberal media. The following is from an article by Kerry Picket titled “Pelosi says stories like Ronil Singh’s are ‘tragic,’ but not enough to call a crisis.”

    The Daily Caller asked Pelosi at her weekly presser if she would still describe the border issue as a ‘manufactured crisis’ to people who have lost relatives to overdoses from the drugs flowing across the border, or to families that have lost loved ones to crimes by illegal immigrants, like Corporal Ronil Singh’s.

    ‘“What I would say to families like that is what I would say to the president regularly,’ Pelosi replied. ‘These are tragic situations. There’s a tragic situation at the border. Two little children died in the custody of Border Patrol, but the plural anecdote is not data.’”

    There is burning outrage in defense of people who break into this country, but pure calm when bona fide Americans are abused, killed, suffer in employment and are made to financially support people who break our laws and force their way into our country.

    This is misplaced outrage, and Americans better respond with appropriately placed outrage that produces responses that are reasoned, legal, civil and effective.

  • 12 On New Year’s Eve, my boss, Dorothy, laid a bright blue spiral notebook on my desk. I slipped my thumb under the front cover and turned to the first page, the quiet crack of the card stock separating from the paper it protected.

    “A new notebook for a new year,” she said.

    This was a challenge.

    Several years ago, Dorothy read a book called “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. Recently remembering it sparked her to buy the entire staff a notebook and a copy of the book. The challenge was this: to chronicle 1,000 God-given gifts, no matter how big or small, by the end of 2019. It could be a good meal or beautiful flower, a credit card paid off or sweet baby laughter. The first chirp of a bird when spring arrives. Family. Common things. Uncommon things. Silly things. Serious things. Any good gift from God.

    Honestly, at first, this sounded cliché. It’s so easy for me to gloss over those sticky-sweet quotes — the ones that friends on social media post almost daily. I mean the quotes dressed in beautiful fonts slapped on a well-edited photo of some snow-covered trees. You know... those graphics that say things like, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened,” or, “Life’s a journey, not a destination.”

    Ugh. Give me a break. The quotes never really have anything to do with the background they’re plastered on, and they kind of make me want to throw up, but I digress. If those kinds of things help you, that’s great. More power to you. For me, it’s “thanks, but no thanks.”

    However, I think there’s actually something to this “Gift List.” In the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life before he was crucified, he did a strange thing. In Luke 22 we find the account of the Last Supper, where Jesus brings his disciples together to have a meal together. Luke 22:19 says, “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them.”

    Originally written in Greek, the word for “he gave thanks” is “eucharisteo.” The root word of eucharisteo is “charis,” meaning grace. Jesus took bread, saw it as grace and gave thanks. Also found in eucharisteo is “chara,” which means joy. Isn’t that what we all long for? More joy? It seems that deep “chara,” or joy, is found at the table of euCHARisteo – the table of thanksgiving.

    Voskamp writes, “So then, as long as thanks is possible, joy is always possible... Whenever, meaning now. Wherever, meaning here.” In every circumstance, in every season of life, joy can be found if we can focus on giving thanks. To say it better, joy is found when we see God in the here and now.

    So, I’m making a list called “One Thousand Gifts in 2019.” I’m filling it with things that Philippians 4:8 talks about. That verse says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

    I definitely want more joy. I definitely want God’s grace. I will definitely be intentional in giving thanks.

    Dorothy, if you’re reading — challenge accepted.

  • 03 Margaret Americans have absorbed a great deal over the last few years.

    We have learned — and not for the first time — how political divides damage personal relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Many of us can tell tales of our own experiences with toxic politics in the last several years. Some involve painful estrangements of important relationships.

    We have learned anew how deeply painful statues commemorating aspects of our Civil War are to millions of Americans. Earlier this month, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt resigned— some pundits say “bolted”— effective at the end of the school year. She also ordered the last remnant of a Confederate statue removed from campus only to have the UNC system Board of Governors abruptly terminate her, saying without words, “Don’t let the door hit you on the rump on your way out.”

    And, we now understand the long-smoldering and erupting fury of American women over not only discrimination in the workplace but sexual harassment and abuse in both our public and private lives. This fury is captured in the #MeToo movement. It also encompasses the frustration of generations of women who have been bullied by men, demeaned by men, talked over by men, paid less than men for the same work and who have endured catcalls and inappropriate comments by men — the list is as long as the countless numbers of women on the receiving end of such actions.

    The Gillette Company, whose razors are used daily by men all over the world, has launched a new ad campaign addressing what many dub “toxic masculinity” and asking, “Is this the best a man can get?” The ad released last week is just under two minutes long and had 20 million views on YouTube in its first two days. Not surprisingly, some viewers praise the ad while others find it threatening.

    At the very least, Gillette has opened the conversation for the first generation of men to be held accountable for such actions by a large swath of American society, and the company should be saluted for that. Very few Americans would dispute the reality that being born a man in our culture comes with an extra measure of power, what some refer to as “male privilege.” While feminists have tried since the 19th century to move women’s issues up the national agenda, a bright national spotlight swung their way only in the last several years.

    What Gillette’s ad and its supporters are attempting to do is pierce the protective armor of “boys will be boys” — at any age, apparently— and inspire men to hold each other accountable for their treatment of others whether that behavior is bullying, demeaning or outright abuse. The ad challenges men to reflect on their behavior and invites them to be kinder in both personal life and the workplace and to help other men do so.

    Most American men are not violent and do not demean, bully or assault others, and the Gillette ad acknowledges that. It also points out that too many men remain silent when they witness such behavior in other men and challenges them to call out brethren’s negative actions. Some critics say the Gillette spot gives a pass to following the crowd even when men witness bad behavior, and there may be truth in that charge. At the same time, though, Gillette deserves credit for opening the conversation in a frank way, even if it is not perfect.

    As a woman who grew up with one sister and became the mother of two boys, now men, I felt pressure— and still do — to teach my sons to treat all others kindly and with respect in both the workplace and in their personal lives. I know that today’s parents of growing boys feel the same pressure, and with any luck, the Gillette ad will resonate and inform their parenting.

    Gillette’s tag line says it all.

    “Boys watching today will be the men of tomorrow.”

    That can either scare us or give us hope for change.

  • 02 pub pen Editor’s note: On occasion, Publisher Bill Bowman yields this space to allow others to discuss relevant local topics. This week’s Publisher’s Pen is by HopeMills.net founder Elizabeth Blevins.

    “If you want an amazing downtown, it must start with rock stars leading the way. Board members who understand their commitment.” MainStreetAmerica.org

    Where are the rock stars in Hope Mills? Where’s the dedication and commitment from our elected officials? It’s a year into their administration, and Hope Mills freshman commissioners Jesse Bellflowers, Meg Larson and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Mitchell have commandeered the board of commissioners while hijacking its dignity and effectiveness. Progress, or anything akin to it, has practically come to a halt.

    We observe at each Monday night meeting as they flounder, stutter and stammer through the meetings, ill-prepared to the point of indecision. In addition, they ignore existing town policies to further their agendas and those of their friends while condemning one another … for failing to follow policy. All this and we’ve yet to see them effectively serve the citizens of Hope Mills.

    Elected officials are supposed to serve the community. They’re meant to humble themselves and to put the needs and wants of thousands of Hope Mills citizens before their own personal agendas. They should serve with humility, not ego.

    With the exception of Commissioner Pat Edwards, we have seen these Hope Mills Commissioners flit from whim to whim, reacting and rushing through votes without pausing to consider the ramifications, feasibility or consequences of their actions — or the ultimate effect on residents. Example: They agreed to a new walking trail without ever considering the cost of the project or, more importantly, the need. Both of which will ultimately affect the taxpayers.

    Most recently, the commissioners agreed to hire an outside law firm to come in and conduct an independent investigation without ever defining the reasons or purpose for it or establishing a budget or salary cap for the investigator.

    Also, they failed to specify what the investigator was supposed to do with the information he gleans from the investigation. What is that all about? An investigation in search of possible wrongdoing? By whom? Mayor Jackie Warner? Warner has been a dedicated servant to the residents of the Hope Mills community for her entire life. How absurd — not to mention a terrible and irresponsible waste of the town’s financial resources. Especially when there are so many other important needs to be attended to.

    Besides, Hope Mills does not have a recall election option, so what’s the point?

    Here’s the point: Unfortunately, this entire investigation is Larson and Mitchell’s attempt to discredit and embarrass Warner while at the same time trying to cover up and justify their collective poor judgement and decision to reject the $1.5 million retreat the Lone Survivor Foundation wanted to bring to Hope Mills to treat and serve military veterans. With Hope Mills tax money at their disposal, they are proving to be very poor stewards of it.

    Hope Mills is a great town with awesome potential and caring, loving and concerned residents. Hope Mills deserves better leadership than this. Hope Mills deserves leaders with passion, empathy and vision. It deserves dedicated leaders who take the time to study and understand the issues and fully research options and solutions and plan accordingly. Based on what’s good for the town’s residents and businesses, Hope Mills’ elected officials should listen to the people then determine what’s best for the community. We need honest, trustworthy leaders who are proactive, not reactive.

    Hope Mills is full of rock stars, and its residents are the town’s biggest assets with the loudest voices. They should not let their silence be their consent! Hope Mills deserves better from its elected officials and its citizens should demand such. The town has been subjected to less than it deserves for far too long.

    We encourage Hope Mills residents to get involved, pay attention and stay informed. Up & Coming Weekly and HopeMills.net are two valuable Hope Mills media resources you can depend on for honest, trustworthy and accurate information. Both are easily accessible to Hope Mills residents and both are available to all residents with free online subscriptions.

    Let your voices be heard. Remind all the Hope Mills Commissioners that the residents and taxpayers of Hope Mills deserve, no demand, more responsible representation.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly, Hope Mills’ community newspaper.

    I appreciate Publisher Bill Bowman allowing me to use his space for this editorial.

    Photo L to R:  Commissioner Mike Mitchell; Commissioner Jessie Bellflowers; Commissioner Meg Larson

  • 04UCW SlowLoris What is so rare as a slow loris in June? Would a slow loris by any other name smell as sweet? Today, we shall journey down a zoological rabbit hole to visit our old friend, the slow loris.

    As we all know, Loris is a small town in South Carolina, which stands between Fayetteville and Myrtle Beach. The slow loris is a lemur-like critter that has nothing to do with South Carolina. The slow loris is a native of South Asia. Befitting its name, the slow loris spends most of his day curled up in a ball sleeping in a tree, waiting for night to fall.

    This behavior is reminiscent of a congressman or a member of the North Carolina General Assembly waiting for free food at a buffet sponsored by a corporate lobbyist. Like our legislative representatives, the slow loris waits until night to eat.

    It is unclear if the slow lorises were labeled when young and placed in special education classes. No slow loris ever had an Individualized Education Program. The slow loris likely got its name in reference to his lack of physical speed. He is a little guy, weighing from about 7 ounces to 2 pounds.

    The slow loris, or SloLo as his friends call him, will eat anything — fruits, leaves, vegetables, small birds and little reptiles. To call SloLo by his scientific name, you would refer to him as a nocturnal strepsirrhine primate. Try saying nocturnal strepsirrhine primate three times fast. Go ahead. I’ll wait. Not easy, is it? That’s why his buddies call him SloLo. It’s easier to say.

    SloLo has tiny little hands like America’s own Dear Very Stable Genius Leader. SloLo is armed with fingers that allow him to grasp tree branches to hang around for long periods. He avoids falling on the jungle floor where bad things might happen to him.

    The dandy thing about SloLo is, despite being the size of an hors d’oeuvre, larger predators give him great respect and don’t eat him. Why don’t they eat him, you ask? He’s slow, tiny and sleeps during the day, making him an easy target.

    Despite the difficult hand dealt to SloLo by Mother Nature, he prevails. SloLo has a super power. His tiny little teeth are toxic. He is the only poisonous primate. Despite his cute appearance and yearning eyes, he can poison you with a bite. He has grooved teeth that let him hold poison in his mouth — the better to chomp you.

    He stores his venom in glands in his elbows. He slurps down on his elbows, and his saliva, like the activated charcoal in Kent cigarettes, causes the venom to burst into full nastiness. The better to bite you with, my dear. Mamma SloLo licks her elbows to gather venom. She then licks it all over the baby SloLo, grooming him with poison. The other jungle critters know that if they eat a baby SloLo, they will get a case of gastro esophageal reflux that would send them to the jungle Emergency Room — if there were an ER in the jungle. Since the predators don’t have Blue Cross, the baby SloLos can pass their childhood essentially uneaten.

    SloLos do have a few enemies. Snakes and orangutans have a taste for SloLo toxin, but the other bad guys know them and leave them alone. A threatened SloLo goes into the freeze mode, remaining still until the danger passes. Unfortunately, the local human population believes SloLos have supernatural powers that can ward off evil spirits and heal the sick. This leads to SloLos being hunted by humans. As the SloLo freezes when frightened, catching them is akin to shooting fish in a barrel. Not very sporting, but very easy.

    It remains to be seen if a fast loris exists. We hope for no fast lorises. Consider zombies. The vast majority of zombies are slow and lumbering like those portrayed in “The Walking Dead.” Most people can outrun zombies. Unfortunately, there is a genus of zombies who can run as shown in the movies “28 Days” and “28 Days Later.” If chased by a running zombie, most people will end up as zombie chow, as zombies never get winded because they don’t breathe. If there are fast lorises, the poisonous tooth would be on the other foot as the fast loris could catch and bite the natives who are killing its cousin, the slow loris.

    So, have we learned anything today? Once again, probably nothing. Better luck next time. However, if Shakespeare had ever met a slow loris, literary history would have been changed. Consider the plays he would have written: “All’s Well that Ends with a Slow Loris Bite,” “Slow Loris Labor’s Lost,” “Merry Wives of Slow Loris,” “Much Ado about Slow Lorises,” “Taming of the Slow Loris” and “A Midsummer Night’s Slow Loris.” As Mitch Miller once sang, “Be kind to your poisonous primates in the swamp, for a slow loris may be somebody’s mother.”

  • 03margaret As a Tar Heel born and bred, all things North Carolina and most things Southern are the norm for me, so much so that I forget people in other places do not experience the world exactly the way we do. Poor babies!

    That truth was brought home to me yet again when one of the Dickson Precious Jewels took off to New York City for her college years, making friends with people from all over the world, including some Skinny-Minnie New York girls who had never heard of, much less tasted, pimento cheese. This Southern mother immediately set out to right that wrong, and the girls loved it so much, we transported containers of PC to the Big Apple since it is not a staple in NYC grocery coolers.

    There is nothing like a Saturday morning fried egg sandwich with bacon, tomato, and pimento cheese on a toasted English muffin.

    The South is known for its hospitality, which often includes foods like pimento cheese, gumbo, pecan pie, and barbeque with vinegar sauce, but our most enduring contribution to American culture may well be our colorful and unique way with the English language.

    “Talk Southern to Me” by Julia Fowler found its way under my Christmas tree, and I have laughed and marveled while wallowing in its pages. Fowler recounts stories of our special brands of charm, family, love and marriage, parenthood and more.

    Southerners are great storytellers and have plenty of them to pass along. The best part to me, though, is Fowler’s glossary of Southernisms — or as she expresses them, “stuff Southern folks say that needs interpreting.” Many of them have escaped my lips all my life, but I had no idea they are conspicuously Southern. I thought everyone used these expressions.

    These include “billfold” (Americans elsewhere use the word wallet,) “pocketbook” (purse), “lightning bugs” (fireflies), “drop cord” (extension cord), “ear bob” (earring), “mash” (as in press the doorbell), “playing possum” (faking sleep), “rubbernecking” (staring at some sight), “sorry” (as in useless), “stomping ground” (home turf ), “tizzy” (uproar) and “wrecker” (tow truck.)

    Others are so Southern even I recognize them for what they are — wonderfully inventive words and expressions to describe elements of everyday life. Julia Fowler lists pages of them, and here are some of my favorites.

    “Directly” as in very soon. My beloved grandmother, Gobbie, was always doing things “directly.”

    “Get-out,” a form of measurement. I love you more than all “get-out.”

    “Forty eleven.” A large amount, as in I have “forty-eleven” emails waiting.

    “Tight.” Thrifty, even cheap, as in he’s too “tight” to eat in restaurants. Can also mean having too much to drink, as in Joe is too “tight” to drive.

    “Go whole hog.” Go all out, over the top. We are “going whole hog” for this family reunion.

    “Hold the phone.” Calm down, chill out.

    “Knee baby.” A toddler, as in I’ve known Buddy since he was a “knee baby.”

    “Nekid as a jaybird.” Totally nude. My father used this term when the children were bathing.

    “Carry.” Transport. I hope John will “carry” me to the doctor.

    “People.” Family. Gobbie used to ask my friends “who are your people” to figure out — another Southernism — whether she knew them.

    “Pure tee.” Real, genuine. That fellow is “pure-tee” mean.

    “Slap.” Completely, as in worn “slap” out.

    “Used to could.” Could do in the past. I “used to could” run a 4-minute mile.

    “Weuns,” “Youins,” and “usins.” We all, you all and us all.

    “No-count.” Substandard. This old car is “no-count.”

    “Libala.” Likely, as in if I don’t write down your phone number, I’m “libala” to forget it.

    Finally, my all-time favorite, which I have heard all my life and probably used myself.

    “Jeet?” Have you eaten yet? As in “Jeet lunch?”

    I wonder if I ever asked those Skinny-Minnie New York girls that question.

  • 02aeroplaneCOLOR I must have missed something along the way when it comes to knowing what is going on with all the grumblings about our airport. I thought our airport commission and the staff at Fayetteville Regional Airport were doing a pretty good job, considering the makeup and nature of our community and the challenges that small, regional airports like Fayetteville face from rising operating costs and competition from the larger, more aggressive metropolitan airports.

    For business and pleasure, mostly business, I have flown out of our airport dozens of times over the years. Prices have always been competitive and the service satisfactory. The most favorable factor of all has been convenience.

    Rarely have I had to travel to Raleigh for a destination — however, when I have had to, it was costlier after accounting for my time, travel, gas and parking. I never have, nor would I ever, choose to fly out of Raleigh for the personal convenience of avoiding layovers.

    Besides, from a business point of view, needless effort is time-consuming and costly to a company, though state, city and county governments may not be that concerned about such wasteful spending.

    Case in point: Depending on where you live in Fayetteville or Cumberland County, it is about 77 miles to Raleigh-Durham International Airport in Raleigh. It takes approximately one hour and 15 minutes to arrive at the terminal in normal traffic. And, as everyone is well aware, there is nothing normal about Raleigh traffic.

    At best, you can get your car parked in a remote lot, wait on a shuttle to deliver you to the terminal, and, even if you are in the possession of an electronic ticket, you still face going through TSA’s security before taking that hike to your departure gate.

    So, now that we know the routine, let’s say your flight leaves Raleigh at 10 a.m. and you want to arrive at the departure gate at least 30 minutes before that. What time would you have to leave Fayetteville? Let’s see:

    Drive to airport (no traffic) — 75 minutes

    Park car and shuttle to terminal — 25minutes

    Ticket counter or kiosk for seat assignment— 20 minutes

    Security with TSA, shoes, belt, laptop —20 minutes

    Trek down to departure gate — five minutes

    Total time — two hours and 42 minutes

    If you need to check your baggage, that’s another 10 minutes. Let’s just say twoand- a-half hours for this exercise. So, to be sitting comfortably at the departure gate by 9:30 a.m., you would have to be on the road by 7 a.m. without complications. This means you would probably have to wake up at least by 6:15 a.m.

    That’s time, and time is money. Let’s talk money from a business point of view. I assume that if you are in business, your time is valuable. And, now the decision has been made that you are going to spend 2.5 hours getting to your departure gate in Raleigh.

    Let’s evaluate the cost: salary, benefits, etc. If you make $35 per hour x 2.5 hours, that’s $87.50. Now, add a mileage charge of 53.5 cents for 77 miles traveled. That equals $41.20. Multiply those numbers by two because you still have to drive home, and don’t forget to add a modest parking fee of $20. Total cost to the business or government: $277.40.

    Now, just how much cheaper was that ticket out of RDU? Is $277.40 plus 5 hours of frustration and anxiety worth avoiding a layover for personal convenience? Not to me. Besides, I don’t think it’s fair to criticize the commission or airport staff for an underperforming facility when ignoring the facts and realities of the situation.

    The most obvious of these facts is that airlines, like all other for-profit businesses, are not going to come into our market just because we want them to, ask them to or need them to. The only reason they are going to locate their business in Fayetteville is if they can make a profit.

    Allegiant Airlines didn’t last six months, and United Airlines, which recently pulled out, really should have known better than to think flying into Washington Dulles International Airport was going to capture the lucrative military market from Fort Bragg. WDI is 27 miles from the Pentagon. That’s an hour’s drive on a good day. The Pentagon is only 2 miles from Reagan International and a five-minute Uber ride. No, I think Fayetteville City Council needs to cut our airport commission, staff and management a little slack and back off the micro-management.

    Let our airport succeed or fail of its own volition. After all, we can’t expect an airline company to come in and serve the Fayetteville community if we claim to be an “airline dessert.” Yeah. “Airline dessert.” You remember, just like the food dessert we had out on Murchison Road, where residents didn’t have anywhere to purchase milk, bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, or lottery tickets.

    In that situation, Walmart came to the rescue in November 2015 by building a Neighborhood Market, thinking it was winning the economic jackpot by developing an untapped market while doing a good deed for the community by serving humanity. In less than three years, Walmart pulled out after acknowledging the reality that forced Winn-Dixie to exit the area in 1998. Not enough people shopped there.

    Everyone was sad and disappointed over the Walmart situation, and as a result, many words were spoken and written about the unfortunate nature of what happened. Yet few could produce any evidence that they supported or patronized the store.

    Well, the same goes for the airport. If we readily admit that we have a second-rate facility, and if our leadership thinks flying out of RDU is cheaper, more convenient and more enjoyable with greater amenities, then don’t expect the commission, staff or consultants at FAY to effect the outcome. Let’s continue to support the airport commission and upgrade the facility as much as we can afford to. However, shining turnstiles, faster escalators and convenient coffee shops will not entice airline carriers to serve Fayetteville unless they can make money.

    A profit, in addition to aggressive, consistent and continual awareness and marketing, is what the airport needs to tell its story. And, everyone needs to tell it — the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation, city officials, county officials, and most of all, the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.

    After all, there are 1,300 to 1,500 new families moving in and out of Cumberland County every month. Most don’t even know we have an airport. Who’s telling them to go to Raleigh? Let’s tell them why they should fly out of Fayetteville. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Let’s start telling our story. Fly Fayetteville!

  • Screen Shot 2019 01 08 at 10.43.22 AM  If you’re reading this, congratulations— you made it! We’re a week into a brand-new year, complete with thoughts of its challenges, of what victories lie ahead and of the memories gone by. Over the past year, many of us celebrated the joy and excitement of new life, some experienced the sadness of loss, and, if we’re at all alike, we’ve done our best to be a friend offering encouragement in the wake of both the best and worst of times.

    If nothing else, 2018 gave me opportunity once again to acknowledge the fact we’re all just passing through. We get, we give, we have and we hold, but in the end we arrive at the same humbling conclusion — everything on this earth is temporary. While we build mighty castles to wall us in or monuments to all we consider great, the only true legacy we leave will be found in how we loved.

    Over time I’ve learned to loosen my grip on the things I think I control lest they begin to control me in return. And I am reminded there is a time and season for everything and a marvelous creator who steadies and stills us though it all.

    I don’t want to beat a depressingly melancholy drum too long, so let’s peer down the road from these first few days of 2019 with the knowledge that we have choices. We can each choose to see a winding road strewn with rocks, slopes and unknown peril around each bend. Or, we can look a little further to the beauty of the horizon with the realization the road itself is a journey worth taking. Each step brings us closer to something new and often leads us away from things familiar.

    In either case, we take those steps both challenged and comforted by an immensely wise creator who seems to say, “Be prepared to let go of anything I take from you, but never let go of my hand!”

    You may have entered 2019 without making a resolution or a promise, but there is plenty of positive change anyone can work on this year. Start by simply being grateful. Take stock in all you’ve already been given. More than food, a decent car, a home or stuff to fill it, count the blessings of family, friends and life itself.

    At WCLN, our daily charge is to help bring relationships to life and deliver music filled with the good news that God loves every person in the world. We believe the two greatest things we could inspire anyone to do is to love God back and to love others more than themselves. That’s what makes Christian 105.7 different, and it will work for you, too.

    Enjoy your family and friends today. Give extra hugs and words of love just because you can. Make the world a happier place by doing some extra act of kindness. Smile a little bit longer. Most importantly, be grateful for the life you’ve been given.

  • 14FTCC Individuals with disabilities have long struggled with and continue to struggle with a lack of appropriate assistance. Many who cope with physical or mental impairments have not always received appropriate assistance because of their limitations. As a consequence, career and educational options can seem dim for these individuals.

    In the past, society offered little to no support related to jobs and educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. This was primarily because of a lack of acceptance for those individuals coupled with problems in providing adequate accommodations for individuals who needed them.

    Currently, our society agrees that it’s important to treat all people fairly. Acceptance is growing nationally for those who have disabilities. Many areas of government are inspiring and encouraging people to live rewarding lifestyles regardless of their situations or limitations. Federal and state laws are helping everyone reach for academic accomplishment and achievement.

    Contemporary standards and regulations associated with the Americans with Disability Act protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination at federally funded colleges. Fayetteville Technical Community College collaborates with this initiative by providing students with quality, non-discriminatory education. FTCC’s Disability Support Services Office works hard to assure students that FTCC is working on their behalf.

    Students who have documented psychological and medical disabilities often obtain services through FTCC’s Disability Support Services Office. FTCC provides these services, known as academic accommodations, to students at any time as needed during each semester. Accommodations depend on the student’s diagnosis.

    A few examples of common accommodations students might receive include extended time on assessments, a separate setting for assessments, use of assistive technology, preferential classroom seating, extended time transitioning between classes and more.

    Accommodations related to a student’s disability are determined according to the proper diagnostician and Office of the Civil Rights recommendations. Approvals for services are accessible through a straightforward application process for academic assistance.

    FTCC ensures that faculty and staff employees throughout the college understand the importance of implementing ADA standards and regulations. FTCC also promotes assured methods of maintaining ADA compliance. FTCC also provides professional development opportunities and training for school personnel to verify policies and procedures are efficient and effective.

    FTCC provides equal learning opportunities to all regardless of a student’s physical or mental impairment. An office representative from the Disability Support Services Office will be happy to assist current and future FTCC students with their inquiries about eligibility for receiving accommodations.

    Students can sign up now for spring classes, which begin Jan. 14. For additional information, please email grooverc@faytechcc.edu or call 910-678-8479.

  • 05Disorder  My wife, Deb, and I were having a discussion this morning and she reminded me of an old cliché that I hadn’t heard in years. “If you’re going to make an omelet, you have to crack some eggs.” I felt this saying to be appropriate for my article.

    It surprises me how isolated the American people are to what is happening globally. Here in the U.S., President Trump is considered the No. 1 egg cracker. He is tough, and his style parallels that of Andrew Jackson. Jackson’s style was referred to by many as the “populist laissez-faire.” Middle America loved him, and the urban elitists despised him. Sound familiar?

    The fact is, Europe has led the way in the global populist movement. This movement has been fully entrenched in the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and let’s not forget Greece. The similarities for all these countries have been the issues of immigration, taxes, trade and ultimately, cost of living. Any of that sound familiar?

    British Prime Minister Teresa May’s days appear to be limited as her negotiation regarding Brexit — the U.K. leaving the European Union — likely will not pass the parliament. A decision must be made very soon on the agreement because on March 29, a hard Brexit is set to take place. This could prove devastating to the U.K. economy. One of the toughest issues in her negotiations with the EU was an open border with Ireland. You see, Ireland is part of the EU. Northern Ireland is considered part of the British Isles, and this is a huge issue for the UK.

    In Italy, the trouble has been immigration as well as budget disagreements with the EU. The 5-Star Movement, a political party, is well organized and has teamed up with other groups to seize control of Italy’s legislative body. As a result, Parliament is now controlled by the populists. They are not likely to bow to EU demands.

    A few weeks back, all eyes were focused on France as Macron called up nearly 89,000 police officers to bring an end to the civil unrest. Riots broke out after Macron attempted to increase the gas tax, bringing gas prices to more than $7.90 a gallon — all in the name of global warming. The unrest continued after he reversed his position on the gas tax increase. Now, the “yellow vests” — the rioters — continue their unrest due to the high taxes and the high cost of living in France.

    Macron was elected in 2017 and his term is scheduled to end in 2022. Seventy-five percent of the population disapproves of his administration. I bet he does not serve his full term.

    He has taken the torch from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, supporting a unified EU. Merkel just announced she will not seek re-election simply because she no longer has support of the people in Germany.

    The issue in Germany has been immigration. One of the cornerstone policies of the EU is open borders among its members. As a result, there has been a huge influx of Muslim refugees into Germany.

    The borders have closed, but not before a million Muslim refugees made Germany their home. Most of these refugees are uneducated, and most Muslim women are not allowed to work. Medical centers and hospitals are being swamped to meet the medical needs of these refugees — who have no means to pay.

    The German citizens have had enough. Hence, the fall of the Merkel dynasty.

    The Netherlands appears to be a carbon copy of Italy. The populist movement is led by Geert Wilders. He was the founder of the Partij voor de Vrijheid, or PVV, party. Currently, it is the third-largest party in the Netherlands. It was instrumental in keeping Prime Minister Mark Rutte in office. Immigration was the No. 1 issue for the PVV, and now it has focused on the EU deficit reduction plan. The PVV has clearly focused its attention on Brussels, home of the EU headquarters, as well as the European Central Bank.

    The Belgian populist movement has gained traction under the leadership of Steve Bannon of Breitbart. Bannon was a trusted adviser for Donald Trump.

    The populist movement is a global phenomenon that started years before the election of Donald Trump. Concepts of secure borders and bilateral trade agreements aren’t all that original. These same issues are coming to a head in Europe and have had an economic impact over all of the continent. Furthermore, these collective happenings have the potential to slow European growth to a crawl, and in some countries, the potential for recession is alive and well.

    Populism is a grassroots movement that was born out of the struggles of the working class. I have written many times on the concentration of wealth, which is not just limited to the United States. As you can see, it has impacted the entire world.

    If you’re struggling to put food on the table and a roof over your head, it’s hard to be worried about global warming. The last thing you need is a carbon tax on gasoline when it’s already close to $8 a gallon. President Macron, take care of your people first.

    Of course we want to lend a helping hand to refugees fleeing war and oppression — but only to the extent we can afford to do so. On our very own Statue of Liberty, it says, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free.” A stone’s throw away, we also have Ellis Island, where migrants were screened for serious medical issues. If medical issues were found, they were treated and deported back to their original countries. We couldn’t risk the cost of spreading epidemics let alone the cost of medical treatment. The EU took none of these precautions, and it is paying the price.

    As of this article’s writing on Jan. 3, our government has been shut down for almost two weeks, and Nancy Pelosi was just voted in as speaker of the house. The issue, of course, is the wall and immigration policy. Only time will tell who blinks first. The point is, immigration is a global issue, and I, for one, believe our safety is the first obligation of our government.

    So, Mr. President, continue to crack eggs and stir them up in that omelet. If we get a few shells mixed in, so be it. Continue putting America first, and rebuild its heartbeat. Bring our industrial base home and secure our borders. And, yes, drain the swamp.

  • 04border wall In the three years my column has appeared in Up & Coming Weekly, I do not think there has been a time when I forthrightly characterized anybody. Circumstances, and my assessment of them, force me to do so in this column. I must acknowledge that far too many bullies and wimps populate the United States Congress. For the most part, many Democrats in Congress have earned the “bully” characterization, while a substantial number of Republicans are justifiably labelled as “wimps.”

    The most recent event that shines a bright light on this “bullies and wimps” condition is front and center as I start this column Dec. 26, 2018. Twenty-five percent of the federal government shut down because the House, Senate, and president have not agreed on funding for a wall on the Southern border. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has repeatedly stated that Senate Democrats will not approve any funding for a wall. Since this matter was not settled by the expiration of the last continuing resolution Dec. 21, the partial shutdown commenced.

    In what is happening here, the bullying shows through, first, in Democrats refusing to negotiate on a matter of national security reasonably. Allowing illegal immigration to proceed as it currently is in America clearly threatens our national security.

    Then there is the in-your-face, confrontational, attacking approach employed by many Democrats in dealing with anybody who is part of the Trump administration or supportive of the president’s agenda.

    A prime example of this conduct is reflected in comments by Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois to Kirstjen Nielsen, secretary of Homeland Security, during a House Committee hearing. He brands her a liar, misappropriates a biblical passage and walks out of the hearing as Nielsen starts to respond to his comments. To get the full impact of the point I am making here regarding bullying by Democrats, please watch the clip of the Gutierrez/Nielsen exchange at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ScCMHhnkUk.

    On the other hand, Congress has far too many Republicans whose actions show them to be wimps. For the last two years, Republicans have held a majority in the House and Senate and had a Republican in the White House. Donald Trump won the presidency, in great part, by promising to build a wall along the Southern border to curb illegal immigration. Congressional Republicans have given lip service to making the wall happen. Time and again, when they should have taken a stand, they promised to address the matter later. Republicans repeatedly bowed to the bullying of the Democrats.

    In March 2018, Congress passed a $1.3 trillion spending bill that funded the government through Sept. 30, 2018. Trump threatened to not sign the legislation because it did not include funding for a border wall. Republican Congressional leadership promised Trump that wall funding would be secured by the end of this year.

    After Sept. 30 and into the new fiscal year, no serious action was taken to make wall funding available. An FY 2019 budget was put in place and funding was appropriated for 75 percent of the government. The remaining 25 percent was operating on temporary extensions that expired at midnight Dec. 21, 2018.

    The Senate, overly populated by Republican wimps, by voice vote, passed another extension that would have gone into February 2019 — after Democrats take over the House majority. The extension included $1.6 billion for border security but did not include wall funding. Instead of accepting the Senate’s extension, the House passed a spending bill providing $5.7 billion for border security, including wall construction.

    The Senate took no action on the House’s bill because Schumer made it clear that Democrats would not vote for wall funding. Given that it would take 60 votes in the Senate and there are only 51 Republicans, the House bill would fail in the Senate. No need to bring it up.

    Trump has, rightly, locked in to his position that he will veto any bill that does not provide wall funding. At this point, it is not publicly known what amount would be acceptable to the president. Before the House action, it appeared Trump was about ready to give up the fight until the House Freedom Caucus demonstrated their lack of wimp affliction and encouraged the president to stand his ground. They committed to stand with him. The House Freedom Caucus is made up of 30-plus conservative Republicans led by Republican Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina.

    Another wimp presence indicator is that when the House was moving toward a spending bill vote, many Republican members had already left Washington, headed home for Christmas. This was especially true of those who were retiring or lost their re-election bid. Still on the payroll, in the midst of a crucial fight, they went home. Some had to be called back for the vote. Despite the urgency, 11 Republican House members did not vote.

    In this bully/wimp circumstance, governing deteriorates to a dangerous and disgusting level. Conditions that make absolutely no sense are allowed to fester, and American citizens suffer. Consider some of what, with regard to the shutdown and illegal immigration, illustrates the horrible consequences of being governed by too many bullies and wimps.

    Start with the $5.7 billion the House approved. Subtract the $1.6 billion the Senate offered for border security, but not a wall. That leaves $4.1 billion that could be spent on the wall, and Trump would probably accept this amount. An article by Kimberly Amadeo titled “FY 2017 Federal Budget Compared to Trump’s Spending” stated that FY 2017 federal spending totaled $3.982 trillion.

    The government is in partial shutdown over $4.1 billion, or one-tenth of 1 percent of the total government spending in FY 2017.

    We have 420,000 federal employees working without pay because they are considered essential and 380,000 on furlough without pay. It makes no sense.

    An article by Alan Gomez titled “Federal judge blocks another attempt by Trump to limit asylum” addresses an area where the president has tried to take needed action, but the matter requires congressional correction. Following are crucial sections of the article:

    “A federal judge in Washington on Wednesday ruled that the Trump administration violated federal law by barring migrants from qualifying for asylum in the U.S. based on their fears from domestic abuse or gang violence in their home countries.”

    “Then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced new rules in June that required U.S. officials to deny those applications for asylum and place the applicants into expedited deportation proceedings.”

    “Sullivan’s ruling follows a separate decision from a federal judge in San Francisco on Nov. 19, which temporarily prevents the Trump administration from implementing new rules that bar migrants who enter the U.S. illegally from requesting asylum.”

    Being granted asylum in the U.S. requires that a person demonstrate that he or she has been, or expects to be, persecuted in their home country and that persecution is due to one of these five reasons: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, political opinion. Former Attorney General Sessions took the position that these conditions refer to actions by governments. If extended beyond governments, and beyond the five categories, we could have an even more dire situation than now.

    As for illegal immigrants being allowed to apply for asylum, given the overwhelming flow across the Southern border, allowing it is unmanageable and does not pass the common-sense test. Both of these are matters that Congress should address, but they won’t touch them. They leave it to the president and then complain about what he does in response to these situations that threaten our national security.

    A report by the Federation for American Immigration Reform titled “The Fiscal Burden of Illegal Immigration on United States Taxpayers” (2017) estimates that, after adjustments for taxes paid, illegal immigrants cost the federal government and state governments $115.9 billion annually. Paying $5.7 billion, even $25 billion, appears to be a reasonable investment to reduce that annual expense.

    Democrats repeatedly say walls do not work. The Border Patrol says, and has demonstrated, that walls work. Further, research these walls that work: Israel- West Bank; Morocco-Algeria; Cyprus; India-Pakistan; Turkey-Syria. These walls work.

    I could go on to address the negative impact of illegal immigration on employment for American citizens; the horrendous human consequence of illegal drugs that come across the Southern border; the additional crime that happens in our country; abuse of the asylum process. The list goes on.

    Simply considering what is presented here makes it crystal-clear that Congress is an abysmal failure, and has been for years, with regard to addressing illegal immigration. Sadly, this is just one example among many that shows this institution to be nearing a state of uselessness, if not a danger, to the very survival of America. This condition should not be a surprise where bullies and wimps dramatically outnumber people of reason and courage.

  • 03Congress When the 116th Congress convened last week, 25 women were sworn in as senators, and a stunning 102 women became members of the House of Representatives, 43 of them women of color. For the first time in our nation’s history, nearly one-fourth of Congress is composed of women members — nowhere near our 51 percent of the population but far above the paltry numbers of the past.

    And, oh, the diversity! At 29, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman to serve in Congress. Two Muslim women were sworn in, one of them wearing a traditional Palestinian gown, a colorful throbe. The other, a Somali native, recalled her arrival to the United States with her father 23 years ago from a refugee camp in Kenya.

    Kansas and New Mexico sent the first Native American women to Congress. Marsha Blackburn and Cindy Hyde-Smith became the first women senators from Tennessee and Mississippi, respectively. Six states — Arizona, California, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire and Washington — are now represented by two women Senators. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona is the first openly bisexual person ever sworn into the U.S. Senate.

    Our U.S. Congress remains overwhelmingly white and male, but it is beginning to look more like the rest of America than it ever has.

    The gains for women are unequal viewed through a partisan lens, however. Far more women ran and won as Democrats than as Republicans, who lost 10 women House members, down from 23 in the last Congress to 13 today. Of the 127 women now serving in Congress, 21 are Republicans. Of the 36 new women members of the House, one is a Republican. Republicans picked up two new women senators, but it is clear that for all sorts of reasons, Republican women remain on the elective sidelines.

    Two questions seem obvious. Why is this pink wave happening now, and why is it important?

    Many American women were stunned by the election of Donald Trump. Add in the #MeToo movement ignited by sexual harassment and assault from Trump, media moguls and stars, chefs and bosses of all stripes, and women reached a breaking point.

    We ran for election to offices at local levels and to win positions as governors and members of Congress, and more of us won than ever before. We are doing so at younger ages, often without prior experience in public life, much less public office. Books are being written about this, including “Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger,” a New York Times best-seller by Rebecca Traister and a powerful and profane look at the lives of American women in workplaces dominated and controlled by men.

    It is critical that women serve in public office, because we make up more than half of our nation’s population and because our life experiences are different from those of men, not better or worse but different in all respects.

    From childhood, girls and boys experience the world in different ways, just as we do as adults. Like it or not, women continue to shoulder most household responsibilities, including child care and homemaking chores. This does not mean we come to elected responsibilities, from school board to U.S. president, with more skills than men but with different perspectives.

    This difference was summed up nicely on a Christmas towel someone sent me online, which read, “Wise women would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stables, made a casserole, brought practical gifts, and there would be Peace on Earth.”

    Neither approach is wrong, just different. The same is true of women in elective office. Some are better at their jobs than their men counterparts, and some are not. Both perspectives are needed at the table when public policy for all is being made.

    It is clear that some of us are threatened by changes in American demographics, culture and governance. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus understood that people struggle with change when he wrote, “the only thing that is constant is change.”

    American women are going through significant change now, and our nation will be better for it.

  • 02Statistics Note from Up & Coming Weekly Publisher Bill Bowman: No one has a better feel for the progress and economic momentum taking place in Cumberland County than Robert Van Geons, president and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation. When an inept Washington, D.C., personal finance website like WalletHub shoots from the hip and publishes its version of fake news at our expense, someone needs to set the record straight. Read on. Van Geons does just that. Let’s see if WalletHub picks up on this story. Or, better yet, maybe WTVD 11 will pick it up.

    On the morning of Jan. 3, I received a call from Fayetteville Mayor Colvin asking if I had seen a recent study by WalletHub, which listed Fayetteville last on its list of “Best Places to Find a Job.” Considering all the projects we have underway, the recent economic development announcements and general state of our local economy, his instincts told him this wasn’t correct. While the city’s communication team followed up with the publisher, I took a closer look at the study. We soon found out that the mayor’s suspicions were on point.

    Digging deeper, when reviewing the sources listed, it was clear that most of the data had been collected in 2016, before projects like the $130 million Woodpeckers Stadium/downtown development, our new transit center, the $35 million Parks and Recreation Bond and important initiatives such as Pathways to Prosperity. And it certainly didn’t include any of the job-creating economic development announcements made in the last two years, Booz Allen Hamilton, Campbell’s Soup Company and eClerx as examples.

    At best, rankings like what was published by WalletHub say a lot about where we’ve been — as opposed to where we are today or where we are headed.

    Before going any further, let’s be clear. We are a work in progress. I am confident that most of our public- and private-sector leadership would agree that, while we are making great strides, there remains much to be done. That said, our recent history shows us confronting tough challenges, investing in the future and driving progress forward.

    Wanting to understand better the data that went into the WalletHub rankings, we went searching for the reports referenced, starting with the heavily weighted “Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.” To our surprise, that analysis is only available for the 100 largest metropolitan statistical areas, of which we are not one (Fayetteville is #138).

    Shortly after this discovery, the city’s communications team received additional information from WalletHub, showing that five data points for Fayetteville were marked “N/A – Not Available,” taking 17.07 of 100 possible points off the proverbial table.

    Subsequent conversations with the publisher confirmed that while we were not penalized for unavailable data, based on the sources they chose to use, we could not receive points for any of the following:

    • Employment Outlook: Double Weight (6.53 points)

    • Job Satisfaction: Full Weight (3.27 points)

    • Retirement Access and Participation: Full Weight (3.27 Points)

    • Transit Score: Full Weight (2.00 Points)

    • Recreation-Friendliness: Full Weight (2.00 Points)

    In the end, benchmarking our community against other cities can provide valuable insights. However, if someone is going to saddle a community with a label, the same criteria must be used for all. Putting our city at the bottom of a list that was developed using incomplete data is downright disingenuous.

    Our community is moving forward, and I am confident that our citizens — and those considering Fayetteville for a business or personal move — will see past this website’s ranking. While WalletHub left out important statistics about our community, here are a few of which we can be proud.

    • 1,200-plus current job openings in Fayetteville (NCWorks Employment Center)

    • $200 million-plus announced projects under construction (FCEDC)

    • 1,100-plus new jobs announced since January 2017 (FCEDC)

    • 3,725 more people working than December 2016. (NC Commerce)

    • 2,000 more people in the labor force (NC Commerce)

    • 1,00,000-plus square feet of new construction underway (FCEDC)

    • 4.6 percent unemployment rate – down 1.5 percent since December 2016 (NC Commerce)

    The actions we are taking today set the foundation for us to be a stronger, more vibrant and globally competitive city. Working together, we are committed to building an economic landscape full of opportunity for all of our citizens. No internet study is going to deter us from continued progress along our path toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

  • 04politicians  As another year draws to a close, a year of Democratic resurgence in both national and local politics, I offer this challenge to incumbent and newly elected lawmakers alike. Do you really want to be leaders? Or do you just want to be politicians?

    A mastery of politics is required to lead effectively, I grant you. No matter how high your ideals and how ambitious your goals may be, you have to win elections and cultivate alliances in order to fashion public policy. But only some effective politicians prove to be effective leaders.

    In Washington, D.C., there is an obvious test of seriousness that, alas, few would-be leaders have been passing lately. Will Congress and the Trump administration do anything of consequence to address the most consequential issue we face, fiscal irresponsibility?

    The federal budget is wildly, recklessly out of whack. Its massive annual deficits will add trillions more to the federal debt in the coming years.

    Democrats blame the tax cuts enacted by the Republican Congress in 2017. It’s certainly the case that the reductions in personal and corporate income taxes, while growth-enhancing, will lead to lower federal revenues that would otherwise have been collected, at least in the near future. I believe the tax cuts should have been fully offset by budget cuts.

    But Washington’s fiscal irresponsibility didn’t begin in 2017, and it has little to do with the nickeland- dime stuff we usually hear about on cable networks and talk shows.

    Nearly three-quarters of what the federal government does can be described as transfer payments. It collects revenue from income and payroll taxes and then sends checks either to households (for Social Security, pensions and welfare) or to health care providers (for Medicare and Medicaid).

    The federal government has promised more outflow than can be financed with the projected inflow. Progressives say they want to make up the difference with massive tax hikes — indeed, most want to expand Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and welfare programs even more — while conservatives say they want to control expenditures.

    In truth, neither group seems to have the courage of their purported convictions. Few have offered anything approaching a viable plan for balancing the budget. When progressives claim only the “wealthy” will pay for their grandiose schemes and conservatives claim they can bring spending into line by targeting only “waste, fraud and abuse,” both groups are offering us a governing fantasy, not a governing philosophy. They are being unserious.

    Here in North Carolina, the dividing line between politician and leader runs directly through the largest single function of state government: financing education. Democrats have promised vastly larger expenditures for preschool, elementary, secondary and higher education than the Republican-led General Assembly has yet appropriated. The money can’t come from borrowing, and the desired amount is too large to be financed by economizing elsewhere in the budget.

    Either explicitly or implicitly, Democrats are calling for major tax increases — in the hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars a year. Will Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper include them in his upcoming 2019-21 budget proposal? Will Democrats list themselves as sponsors of such a tax hike in the 2019 session? Will the Republicans who have themselves promised much-higher spending levels be willing to sign on, as well?

    I expect few such profiles in courage. Rather, I think some will be tempted to construct a kind of collusive settlement in the long-running Leandro litigation that would yield an order by the North Carolina Supreme Court to increase state spending — and, in effect, to raise taxes. This would be a thoroughly political gambit, not an exercise of leadership, and would provoke a constitutional crisis.

    If they would truly lead, then policymakers of both parties should be looking for mutually agreeable ways to increase the productivity of the tax dollars North Carolinians already pay into education. States such as Florida, Indiana and Texas have higher-performing school systems as well as tax burdens comparable to or lower than ours. It can be done.

    Will serious leaders step forward in 2019?

  • 03UW 1919  It’s time once again to hop into Mr. Peabody’s Way Back Machine to take a stroll down memory lane to visit our old friend — the year 1919. For a year that is now a century old, 1919 doesn’t look a day over 68.

    The year started with a bang on Jan. 1 when Edsel Ford took over the Ford Motor Company from his daddy, Henry Ford. Those of you of a certain vintage may recall his namesake car, the Ford Edsel, which appeared in 1958. The Edsel turned out to be one of the worst cars ever produced, although it provided many jokes for 1950s-era comedians. The Edsel only lasted until 1960 when production stopped due to lack of buyers. Naturally, if you have an Edsel now, it is worth a lot more than it was then.

    In January, the tragic Boston Molasses Disaster took place. A storage tank filled with more than 2 million gallons of molasses collapsed. A 25-foot-high tsunami of molasses rushed through the streets of Boston at 35 miles an hour, killing 21 people and injuring more than 150 others. It was a sticky situation. To make matters worse, the 16th Amendment, creating Prohibition, went into effect the next day.

    Politically, things were grumpy in 1919. The War to End All Wars, also known as World War I, had just ended. Like all things, nothing is finished until the paperwork is done. The winning team and the losers got together in Paris in January to work out the terms of the victory in the Treaty of Versailles so that the world could live in peace forever.

    The treaty worked out about as well as the Titanic did in 1912 or the Edsel in 1958. The German’s were made to say, “I’m a bad country, kick me, and Uncle three times.” The Germans promised to pay the Allies much more in reparations than they could have done without using a rubber check. Unfortunately, the winning team was never told that winning is enough and a victory dance in the end zone is too much. The seeds of World War II were planted at Versailles.

    In January, the Nazi party was founded as the German Farmers Party. Benito Mussolini founded the Fascist Party in Italy in February. The first congress of the Communist International met in Moscow in March and picked Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin as its leaders. Trouble was brewing. The poo was heading toward the fan. As Roman Emperor Claudius once said, “Let all the evil that lurks in the mud, hatch out.” The hatching started early in the year.

    Not everything was grim in 1919. The comic strip “Barney Google” first graced the funny papers in June. Barney Google’s side kick, Snuffy Smith, eventually became the star of the strip. Snuffy’s wife, Loweezy, spent most of the strip hanging out clothes on the line and gossiping with her neighbor, Elviney. When Mrs. Smith was startled by news of some local event, she would blurt out, “Land O’ Goshen!” The “Snuffy Smith” comic strip continues to appear in fine newspapers 100 years later.

    A bit of presidential medical trivia occurred the fall of 1919. President Woodrow Wilson was out on a long tour promoting the League of Nations. He had a stroke in October 1919, which left him essentially incapacitated for the rest of his term of office until 1921. Wilson’s wife, Edith, kept the country from learning how bad off Woody was by cutting off access to the president. Edith served as the country’s first female president for the rest of Woody’s term in office, acting as regent. She made presidential decisions in Wilson’s name while Woody recuperated. Just for a moment, ponder something like this happening now. President Melania has a nice ring to it.

    In October, “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” first appeared in The New York Globe newspaper, dazzling and amazing readers ever since. You can now be dazzled and amazed at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

    Not to be outdone by the man with the world’s longest toe nails, Felix the Cat made his film debut in November 1919 in “Feline Follies.” Felix is credited with being the first cartoon character to gain a major audience. Mickey Mouse did not make his film debut until 1928, so Felix beat Mickey to the audience, although Mickey beat Felix to the bank.

    So, what have we learned about 1919? Sometimes, the people selling wars to the public do not always tell the truth. If you suddenly smell a strong odor of molasses, either make pancakes or get to higher ground immediately. Melania might make a better president than our current Dear Glorious Very Stable Genius Leader. Bless his heart. Land O’ Goshen, I’m just sayin’. Happy New Year.

  • 02Children The holidays have come and gone, and we are entering a new year with all its blank new days stretched out in front of us.

    I love the glitz and sparkle of the holidays, as well as the quiet moments of reflection that we somehow manage to work into our often-frantic schedules. Now that it is all over, I welcome the new year with its sense of freshness and renewal. Out with the dry tree and in with the paperwhite bulbs blooming on the kitchen counter.

    Among the joys for me this holiday season was meeting several new babies just weeks old — the sort my father called “teeny weenies.” The new parents, thrilled and starry-eyed with both love and sleep deprivation, assured me they are getting the hang of 24/7 parenting. I, in turn, told them they have many adventures ahead with moments of great joy and moments of sheer terror. They smiled the smile of the uninitiated, but I know they will come to understand.

    Also on my list of joys are the cards that come my way, bearing photographs of children with Santa, at play with siblings or just hanging out in their yards. The cards come, of course, not from the children but from the parents who love them so much they want to share them with family and friends not close enough to enjoy every moment with their precious little ones.

    I understand. I, too, sent those cards for many years and still have a complete collection of Dickson photo cards from Precious Jewel No. 1’s first Christmas going forward to be joined by numbers 2 and 3 and into young adulthood. I would probably still be sending photo cards if the Precious Jewels were still willing to pose for them.

    Those of us who have been parents for decades know, and new parents will learn, that bringing up children is a process, a journey that never ends. Even when we parents are gone, we live in our children’s memories, and our voices echo in their heads. Parenthood is not a series of highly significant and life-altering events, though those exist as well.

    This brings me to a 2010 News and Observer profile of nationally acclaimed Durham architect Phil Freelon. In it, his wife, Nnenna, herself a Grammy award nominee, said this about her husband’s role as the father of their three children.

    “I think he builds children. Not in the same way you build buildings, but you do build them. The time you spend, the things you model, the way you behave. Just the same way your partners, your employees watch you, your children watch you. And at some point, the walk becomes more important than the talk.”

    She has hit on the simple and profound truth about being a good parent. You cannot tell children what it means to become a good person. You must show them.

    Anyone who has ever been a parent or who has taken care of children knows this truth. Children, and especially adolescents, may seem lost in their own worlds that parents can barely fathom, but they are still sponges, taking in everything that happens around them, absorbing and processing their parents’ every word and action, for good or for ill.

    That does not mean, of course, that every word and action must be perfect — an impossible standard — but it does mean just what Nnenna Freelon said, that “the walk becomes more important than the talk.”

    My hope for 2019 for young parents beginning their journeys with their children is that you will live lives you hope your children will understand and admire, knowing that some days you will fail and some days you will be gratified to hear your own words and values repeated back to you, whether the children recognize that or not.

    I wish the entire Up & Coming Weekly family and all its readers a happy and healthy 2019.

  • 04 Crime Scene DocumentationThe city of Fayetteville has matched a record set several years ago in the number of homicides recorded this past year.

    Police spokesman Sgt. Jeremy Glass says 33 homicides in 2020 include the shooting death of a 7-year-old child and two manslaughter cases. On average, Fayetteville homicides number in the mid-twenties annually.

    Glass said authorities are waiting on the state’s chief medical examiner’s findings in two other cases.

    The detective division is compiling an annual report which will include the identities of murder victims, the alleged perpetrators, causes of death and arrests in every homicide.

    A formal report will be issued in February according to Glass.

  • 02 Jan 8 Vaccinations2The Cumberland County Department of Public Health formally moved into Phase 1b, Group 1 of the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan on Jan. 8 administering the coronavirus vaccine to anyone 75 years of age and older, regardless of health conditions.

    More than 500 people received the vaccine at the clinic held at the Crown Complex. Within the first three hours, 200 vaccines were given to individuals in Phase 1a and Phase 1b, Group 1. Individuals who received their first dose of the vaccine are eligible to get their final dose as early as Jan. 29.

    “This was our first mass vaccination clinic for the public, and we are pleased that things ran smoothly,” said Health Director Dr. Jennifer Green. “We will continue to fine-tune our operations as we expand our capacity moving forward into the other phases.”

    The Health Department has already been vaccinating individuals in Phase 1a in a closed point of distribution center at the facility.

    The Health Department coordinated with Cape Fear Valley Health to assist with overflow from the medical center’s limited supply clinic held the
    same day.

    Among those receiving a vaccination at Cape Fear Valley Health was Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin. Although he is not 75 years old, as a licensed funeral director, Colvin falls within the criteria for front-line workers to receive the vaccine.

    He wanted to publicly receive the vaccine, Colvin said, to encourage all residents to receive it when they get the
    opportunity.

    As a funeral director, Colvin said he has seen first-hand how COVID-19 has affected this community.

    “This virus is real, it is to be taken seriously,” Colvin said. “But the light at the end of the tunnel is this vaccine … this vaccine is safe, it’s needed and it’s necessary.”

    The next vaccination clinics at the Crown Expo Center for individuals in Phase 1a and Phase 1b, Group 1 are scheduled for Jan. 12, 13, 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, while supplies last.

    Individuals who are not part of Phase 1a or Phase 1b, Group 1, are not eligible to be vaccinated at this time. Phase 1a is for health care workers at high risk for exposure and staff and residents at long-term care facilities. Phase 1b, Group 1 is for people 75 years of age or older.

    The COVID-19 vaccine is still limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the clinics. No appointments are necessary.

    Anyone seeking the vaccine will be screened prior to entering the vaccination area. Vaccinations will be available in a drive-thru setting at the Crown Complex at the West VIP parking lot. A walk-in option will be available at the front of the building.

    Visitors should expect long lines and come prepared to wait. Visit the County’s vaccine website https://co.cumberland.nc.us/departments/public-health-group/public-health/covid-19-vaccine for additional instructions.

    Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccination phases on the County’s vaccination page at co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19vaccine or call 910-433-3770.

    Cape Fear Valley Health will begin online appointment scheduling for vaccines starting Jan. 13 for its hospital campuses including the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville and Cape Fear Valley hospitals in Hoke and Bladen counties.

    Following the prioritization schedule from the NC Department of Health and Human Services, vaccines will go to those in Phases 1b, group 1, as well as continuing vaccinating first and second doses for healthcare workers in Phase 1a.

    Individuals in the current phases may schedule an appointment online at www.capefearvalley.com/covid19 by choosing a time block. Time blocks for the Medical Center in Fayetteville will be 7-10 a.m.; 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Vaccine supply is limited and space is limited for each block.

    At the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, the vaccine clinic will continue in the Rehabilitation Center Auditorium.

    Individuals should arrive to the building from the corner of Melrose and John Carlisle Lane and look for the “Event Parking” sign for the designated parking lot. Do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to your scheduled
    appointment block.

    Visit www.capefearvalley.com/covid19 to schedule an appointment and check for additional COVID-19 updates.

    There is also an automated message line, 910-615-9000, which will be updated throughout the vaccine process with the phase currently being vaccinated.

  • 01 IMG 7630Dr. Robert A. Clinton Jr. is a Fayetteville physician at Haymount Urgent Care on Owen Drive. He says he has been averaging 800 patients a day since March because he provides free rapid testing for COVID-19.

    Until two months ago, his customers lined up in his parking lot. When the overflow started affecting nearby business traffic, Dr. Clinton told Up & Coming Weekly he requested police assistance, but eventually decided to lease a location to better accommodate those interested in being tested.

    Since November, 30 of Dr. Clinton’s physician assistants, technicians and other employees have been working at the location of the former K&W cafeteria on Village Drive which was torn down several months ago. Hundreds of cars drive through four lanes for people to receive coronavirus testing. Mondays are the busiest, Dr. Clinton said, because testing is not done on weekends.

    “I’ve been spending $30,000 a day to make test kits available which provide immediate results.” He said he has run up a debt of a million dollars, much of which he hopes will be reimbursed.

    The tests are free, but many patients have insurance policies. Antigen tests are not only rapid. They are considered the most sensitive for detecting active infections, and the results are highly accurate. Health care providers collect mucus from the nose or throat using specialized swabs. Turnaround time of rapid tests is much quicker than PCR tests. Antigen testing works the same way as molecular PCR testing. But, instead of waiting days for the results, antigen rapid tests produce results in an hour or less, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

    Dr. Clinton says he has worked out an arrangement with a lab in Raleigh to speed up PCR testing so those results can also be available the same day.

    There are some other free test locations in Cumberland County. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website has a listing of testing places. Some Walmart stores and eight CVS Pharmacies in Cumberland County are providing testing. There are two CVS testing sites in Hope Mills. Appointments are required.

    The Cumberland County Department of Public Health announced last week that it is suspending its COVID-19 testing sites until further notice so that the department can scale up vaccination efforts. The department had been conducting free COVID-19 testing twice a week at Manna Church Cliffdale Road campus and Second Missionary Baptist Church.

    “There are many other test locations in Cumberland County that are free and are open to the public,” said Cumberland County Public Health Director Dr. Jennifer Green. “The suspension of the testing sites will allow us to shift our staff to vaccination sites.”

    The NCDHHS continues free testing sites at Manna Dream Center on Wednesdays and New Life Bible Church on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The department is working to get a vendor through NCDHHS to get three additional testing sites in the county.

    Cumberland County currently has more than 20 COVID-19 testing locations. To find one near you, visit co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19. You can also visit the NCDHHS website at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-my-testing-place to find a free testing place near you.

    As of Jan. 10, Cumberland County has a total of 14,671 COVID-19 cases and 140 deaths.

    The county’s case positivity rate is at 15.4%. The target rate recommended by the World Health Organization is 5%.

    Case Prioritization
    Because of the rising number of positive tests, case investigations and contact tracing will be prioritized. Most recently reported cases, cases linked to a cluster/outbreak and cases known to be living in a congregate or healthcare setting, including hospitalizations will be prioritized first. All cases of COVID-19 must still be reported to the local health department or the NCDHHS.

    The health department will deprioritize cases after 10 days from the date the specimen has been collected.

    “The last lab result that comes in will be investigated first,” said Dr. Green. “The goal of prioritization is to maximize COVID-19 prevention success by focusing health department resources on investigating and tracing the close contacts of cases most at risk of large-scale transmission events.”

    Case Notifications
    NCDHHS issued updated case investigation and contact tracing guidance to help prioritize cases. All residents who have provided a cell phone or email address will receive an automatic text or email message to connect people to follow-up resources and supports.

    People receiving a text or email will be directed to a secure website that provides additional information about how to protect themselves and their loved ones, how to get support if needed to safely isolate, and how to contact someone immediately for additional information.

    Vaccination Rollout Plan
    A tested, safe and effective vaccine will be available to all who want it, the County said, but initial supplies are limited. The health department received more than 3,500 doses of Pfizer and Moderna. Currently, Cumberland County is in Phase 1a of the vaccination plan. This phase vaccinates public health and health care workers fighting COVID-19 and long-term care staff and residents.

    Phase 1b was expected to begin Jan. 11 and will be given in the following order:
    •Group 1: Anyone 75 years and older
    •Group 2: Health care workers (not vaccinated in Phase 1a) and frontline essential workers 50 years and older (estimated to begin late January)
    •Group 3: Health care workers (not vaccinated in Phase 1a) and frontline essential workers (as defined above) of any age (estimated to begin in early February)
    Final dates and times are still to be determined. Visit co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19/covid-19-vaccine for the most recent information.

    Phase 2 will begin shortly after phase 1b in the following order:
    Group 1: Anyone 65-75 years old
    Group 2: Anyone aged 16 to 64 years with one or more high-risk medical conditions, as defined by CDC
    Group 3: Anyone who is incarcerated or living in other congregate settings who is not already vaccinated due to age, medical condition or job function
    Group 4: Essential workers who have not yet been vaccinated in Phase 1b

    Staying Updated
    Cumberland County urges all to stay updated on the latest information about COVID-19. You can visit the webpage at www.co.cumberland.nc.us//covid19 for a list of COVID-19-related closures and service changes.
    The county is also sharing information on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

  • 04 cape fear valley med ctrTo broaden access to the COVID-19 vaccine, Cape Fear Valley Health has added an additional vaccine clinic at its Health Pavilion North location within the ExpressCare clinic location at 6387 Ramsey St. Going forward, the clinic will be open Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    The HPN ExpressCare at this location is temporarily closed due to staff joining the COVID-19 vaccination efforts. ExpressCare at Highsmith Rainey Specialty Hospital will remain open, and an additional provider has been added to the clinic to care for patients seeking walk-in ExpressCare visits. All HPN ExpressCare calls will be forwarded to Highsmith Rainey ExpressCare. The other HPN clinics, including the Cancer Center, physical and occupational therapy, the Health Pavilion North Family Care, laboratory and radiology, as well as the outpatient pharmacy will remain open.

    Cape Fear is currently offering vaccinations to healthcare workers and members of the public who are age 65 and older. Appointments may be scheduled for those that live in Cumberland or Bladen County. There is also a limited supply of doses for walk-ins available for individuals who do not live in one of those counties.

    On Jan. 26, Hoke Hospital’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic converted to a walk-in only clinic that will allow individuals to stay in their vehicles until their group is called.

    Cape Fear’s current vaccination clinic hours (for both employees and the public) are as follows:
    -Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center Auditorium: Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those who schedule appointments at www.capefearvalley.com/COVID19 will be given priority here, but walk-ins are welcome, as supply allows.
    -Cape Fear Valley Health Pavilion North (HPN) at ExpressCare: Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    -Bladen County Hospital: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those who schedule appointments at www.capefearvalley.com/COVID19 will be given priority here, but walk-ins are welcome, as our supply allows.
    -Hoke Hospital: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Starting Jan. 26, the Hoke clinic will be a walk-in clinic only, which allows individuals to remain in their vehicles until called.

  • dream uDreams. We all have them. Sometimes they get put on the back burner or are forgotten because, well, life happens. That doesn’t have to be the end of the story, though. It’s never too late to change your path, to chase your dream, to push yourself in a new direction. Sometimes it’s hard. And scary. Those aren’t reasons to shy away from forging your own destiny. Military spouses often face additional challenges when it comes to building careers, owning businesses and pursuing higher education. On Feb. 10.

    American Dream U and the Fort Bragg have put together an event designed to inspire and motivate military spouses to chase their dreams. The Fort Bragg Military Spouse Business & Career Dream Conference runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.


    The conference is not a vendor show or trade conference. It is an interactive, inspirational experience showcasing 19 – 20 (many of them local) military spouses who have started and are running successful businesses, who have successful careers, who pursued or are pursuing educational degrees and certifications. They’ve weathered the deployments, PCS moves and crazy training schedules that every military family faces and still made their dream work. And they are sharing their stories, lessons learned and advice at this conference.


    Speakers include Candy Sugarman, founder of Gun Powder Girls; Melissa Swire, CEO of Can Cuddlers; Tammy Tuttle, founder of T. Tuttle Cakes and participant on Food Network’s Cake Wars; Elizabeth Boardman, founder of the Milspo Project; Crystal Wambeke, founder of Crystal Wambeke Accounting; Dianna Potts, consultant; Ashley Thompson, founder of Pressed: A Creative Space; Hana Ehrenrich, ED Sustainable Sandhills; Cameron Cruse, co-founder of R. Riveter and competitor on ABC’s Shark Tank; Robin Matthews of A Bit of Carolina in addition to other presenters.


    “It will be a conference that is free-flowing,” said ACS Training Specialist Dee Ann Rader. “We will have two rooms with speakers. So participants can take a look at the schedule, and even if they want to hear more than one speaker at the same time, they will still have access to both of them. After the speakers are done there will be an opportunity for one-on-one questions. Or possibly time in a smaller group setting.”


    Rader stressed that this is not about services or products, it is about successful military spouses sharing their stories and experiences on their paths to success. “There are so many military spouses who have talents,” said Rader. “There are times where spouses are not working or can’t find work. This is a way for them to see that they can do something and make their dream or goals work.”


    Inspiration is just part of the formula, though. Putting a dream into action takes planning, resources and tools. And there will be plenty of those at the conference, too. Army Community Services is bringing a wealth of information and representatives who can talk to participants about everything from finances to stress management. Fort Bragg’s Ready and Resilient program will be in attendance, too. The Education Center will be there representing local higher education institutions. The N.C. Center for Economic Empowerment and Development will also have representatives on site.


    Registration runs through Feb. 7. This event is exclusively for military spouses. Register online at http://bit.ly/ADU_DreamConference, or call (910) 908-4459.

  • PopovichLyingDownOn Feb. 4, at 6 p.m., the Crown Theater’s stage will be full of some unique performers. The circus star Gregory Popovich has turned regular house pets that he adopted from shelters all over the country into a cast of Las Vegas stars. The show combines the talents of humans and more than 30 animals to create a hilarious and fun variety show for audiences of all ages.


    For Popovich, performing and animals have always been part of his life. “I am a fourth-generation Russian circus performer,” he explained. “I was born in the Soviet Union. My mom and dad were in the circus and worked with trained dogs. I grew up backstage around the trained dogs of my mom.”
    Despite his early connection with animals, his own career began with a different act. He was a world-renowned juggler. In fact, he was named the world’s best juggler twice. He came to the United States in 1990 when the circus giants Barnum and Bailey invited him to be part of their circus. It wasn’t until after this experience that he started thinking about performing with animals again. “I started to think about building my own show and doing a comedy routine. A friend of mine took me to visit an animal shelter. I was very surprised that so many good-looking kitties and dogs needed owners,” Popovich said.

    He describes his experience at the shelter as kind of like falling in love. “I came to the shelter with an open mind. I didn’t have any breed or anything in mind. You just see the eyes and how they act and it’s a natural chemistry. You fall in love. I can’t explain how it happens, but it happens,” he said.


    Right now the show features over 30 animals. There are 14 cats, 12 dogs, white pigeons, a parrot and some geese. There is also a special guest star: Diamond the miniature horse. Working with each animal is unique. Unsurprisingly, Popovich says that dogs are the easiest to train. They are eager to obey and have abundant energy. Cats however, pose a challenge. “Cats are the opposite. With cats, it is not about techniques. I find a natural habit. They show me what they like to do. They do it in my living room. As soon as I find a natural habit I create a trick around it. It isn’t training, it is intuitive,” Popovich explained, “The most difficult step is moving it from the living room to the stage. It is all in steps. I have my family clap whenever they do the trick at home so they learn that applause will not destroy them. Or I will play some music so that they learn that music won’t hurt them.”
    While the show is entertaining, Popovich also wants to highlight a serious issue in the country. There millions of animals in shelters around the country that need happy homes. Often shelter animals can be overlooked, but every animal in this show is a rescue. “Look at these ordinary pets. They are so talented and smart. If people want pets in their lives they should go visit a shelter,” Popovich said.


    While the animals are a significant part of the show, they are not the entire show. It is a variety show so there are a fun mix of acts. The show also features some humans performing incredible feats like acrobatics, juggling and European-style physical comedy. The audience is also an important feature of the show because the animal and human performers are competing against each other. The audience determines the winners by applause. For tickets and information, visit http://www.community-concerts.com.

  • FLPL logo 1 origInspiring. Educating. Empowering. Celebrating. These are all good things. Things we all need. Fayetteville has an organization that was created just for that. It’s the Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch, a quarterly event designed for just for women.


    The 2017 lunches are scheduled for Feb. 9, May 11, August 10 and Nov. 9. Each event opens at 10 a.m. with a shopportunity and wine tasting featuring a variety of vendors. The lunch portion starts at 11:45 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. and includes a keynote speaker along with prizes and networking opportunities. The shopportunity ends at 3 p.m.


    The Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch is run by an advisory board that collectively works to make each power lunch interesting and purposeful — and fun. The board consists of local businesswomen Keri Dickson, Peggy Manning, Chi Chi Okoroafor, Jill Merrill, Cely Graham, Belinda Wilkerson, Dr. Mary Kansora and Joan Richter. “We want everyone who comes to the Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch to leave feeling empowered and inspired. We try to bring in speakers from different backgrounds and professions to share their insights with the group.”


    Dr. Sandhya Thomas-Montilus M.D. is the first speaker of the year. She’s lived in North Carolina since 1997 and practices internal medicine in Lumberton and Fayetteville. Montilus practices integrated medicine, which treats the cause of an illness not just the symptoms. She also practices pain management and addiction medicine.


    On May 1, Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s founding Artistic Director, Bo Thorp, is scheduled to speak. In 1962, Thorp along with a small group of local thespians, performed two shows: A Christmas Carol and The Night of January 16. From this modest first season the Fayetteville Little Theater was born. Later, the group changed its name to Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Thorp has been honored for her work with several awards including the North Carolina Award, which is the highest honor the governor can bestow on a civilian.


    Fayetteville native Melody Chalmers has come full circle in her career. She is scheduled to speak at the August luncheon. Chalmers graduated from E.E. Smith High School and was a North Carolina Fellows Scholarship recipient. She received a degree in English Education from North Carolina A&T State University. Chalmers returned to E.E. Smith as an English teacher in 1998. She earned a master’s degree, served as principal of Cross Creek Early College High School and is now the principal of E.E. High School, In 2016, Chalmers was named the Wells Fargo N.C. Principal of the Year.


    Colonel Marsha Lundt will speak at the November Power Lunch. She served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for 30 years before transitioning to serve as the Emergency Manager for Womack Army Medical Center for 15 years. Since she joined the military, she has succeeded in the high pressure, high profile, male-dominated profession accomplishing many “firsts.” Although this is admirable, her role as a mentor to other women in the military is one she finds the most rewarding.


    Tickets to the Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch cost $35. Register at www.fayettevilleladiespowerlunch.com.

  • coverAugust: Osage County can be an intimidating story. It is an intense drama about a dysfunctional family, and it is playing onstage at the Gilbert Theater through Feb. 12.

    Anyone familiar with the story will recognize that the subject matter is intense and uncomfortable because it is so relatable. However, these uncomfortably intense stories are some of the most important ones to tell.

    “A huge part of the Gilbert mission is to present work that is thought provoking and out of the box. This play is the kind of play the company was built on,” Robyne Parrish, artistic director and co-education director for Gilbert Theater said, “I am excited by this play because it is a truthful look at family dynamics. Families can be crazy! We all know that! There is a lot of love and a lot of laughs in this play, and everyone will be able to identify with one or many of the characters.”

    For the show’s director, Greg Fiebig, the uncomfortable realism of the show is important but balanced. “The play is in the manner of realism. Realism is not always nice and neat with an upbeat resolution at the end. So in that sense, August: Osage County is dark. But honestly, Tracy Letts, the playwright, has unique ability to find humor in the most unlikely places,” he says, “As dark as the show may be, the audience will be entertained and for those who are engaged in the story, there is hope!”

    Just as the heavy material in the show can affect the audience, it can pose a challenge to the cast of the show as well. They spend hours upon hours working with these characters’ stories and emotions. “Truth be told, I prefer plays to musicals, and drama to comedy. So, the show is not that difficult for me. I was initially concerned about the cast playing such emotional roles, but the cast is great and understands the concept of aesthetic distance. While aesthetic distance often refers to an audience’s ability to separate reality from make-believe, I think it applies to actors as well. The stories we are telling are someone else’s, not ours. As long as we approach the acting and storytelling from that perspective, the emotions are understood to be make-believe,” Fiebig said.

    Fiebig also has some advice for audience members unfamiliar with the story before they come to the show. “Do a little research before coming to see the show,” he says, “You might even watch the movie version, starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, although I promise you will enjoy our live theatre production as much, or even more. There is something about the immediacy of live theater that gets lost in film. Themes of the show include: stereotyping, mother and daughter relationships, interpersonal and family conflict, addictions, etc. The main takeaway from the show is essentially that we reap what we sow. The characters are believable, the dialogue intriguing, and the action compelling.”

    This season at the Gilbert Theater marks the fifth and final season for Parrish, who is headed to Pittburgh to pursue other opportunities. “It’s been an honor to steward The Gilbert for these many years,” Parrish said in her departing announcement. “This will be an exciting final season. I have worked vigorously with the board over the last six months to find what we feel is the best replacement moving forward. Matthew Overturf has been a wonderful addition to our company in both talent and administrative skill and after much deliberation, the search committee and the board feel that Mr. Overturf is the perfect fit as the Gilbert moves forward and continues to grow. The addition of Meghann Redding as Executive Director will create a power team for the future of the Gilbert!”

    The search committee conducted a nationwide search before choosing Overturf as Parrish’s replacement, interviewing several applicants in the hiring process.

    Overturf came to Fayetteville from Arkansas in 2014 where he worked as a successful theatre educator, actor and director working both at the high school, community and regional levels. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Southwest Baptist University (2007) and a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from Arkansas State University (2014). His theatrical training also includes work through the Theatre Squared, a professional development program in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

    For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ww.gilberttheater.com.

  • coverSome things never go out of style: good friends, good food and good music are some of them. It’s been 50 years since The Beach Boys came together to produce the iconic music so many people know and love. On Jan. 30, Community Concerts brings The Beach Boys to the Crown for the second concert of the 2016-17 season.
    “Fifty years ago, we started something very big,” says Brian Wilson on the band’s website. “So now we’re celebrating together in a very big way.”
    “It’s pretty miraculous that we can start out as a bunch of guys who didn’t know anything about fame or money, or anything like that,” band member Mike Love agreed. “All we knew was we liked to sing and make harmonies together. So, to have it become part of American musical culture is pretty amazing.”
    In 1961, the Wilson brothers: Brian, Carl and Dennis, their cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine were teenagers living in Hawthorne, Calif. They loved music and writing and singing songs together. By the summer of 1962, their neighbor David Marks had joined the group and they released their first album with Capitol Records, Surfin’ Safari. Marks left the band in 1963. In 1965 Brian Wilson stopped performing to write and produce for the band. That’s when Bruce Johnston joined the group. Surfin’ Safari spent 37 weeks on the charts, launching The Beach Boys’ careers and bringing their harmonic musical style and California beach boy attitude to the forefront of the music scene.
    It was not long before The Beach Boys were topping music charts around the world. On June 5, they are set to release their 29th studio album, That’s Why God Made the Radio. The album features all the band’s original surviving members. “We’ve come full circle,” says Al Jardine. “Sharing our memories and our present in the studio has been really remarkable. I can especially feel it when we’re all singing around the mic together because we all hear each other and we really lock in.”
    The album has 11 tracks that reach back to the band’s sound established decades ago. Song titles from That’s Why God Made the Radio include “Think About the Days,” “Isn’t It Time,” “Spring Vacation,” “Private Life of Bill and Sue,” “Shelter,” “Daybreak Over the Ocean,” “Beaches in Mind,” “Strange World,” “My Life Suite,” and “Summer’s Gone.”
    What makes this concert so special is that not only is Brian Wilson back on the stage with the rest of the band after two decades, the titles cover the group’s more than 50-year history. The playlist includes early classics as well as masterpieces like “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows” from perhaps the band’s most popular album, Pet Sounds. They will perform hits from the 1970s and 80s including songs like “Kokomo” as well as brand new songs recently recorded for That’s Why God Made the Radio. The performance also includes a nod to the contributions of the original band members, the late Carl and Dennis Wilson.
    As Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and recipients of The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award, the Beach Boys’ sound is as fresh today as it was in 1962.
    With four more concerts left in the season, the remaining Community Concerts performances bring a variety of entertainment to the stage. On Feb. 4, Popovich Pet Comedy, which was voted the “Best Family Show in Las Vegas” brings Popovich, a fifth-generation Russian circus performer, and his comedy pet theater to the Crown. More than 30 dogs, cats, mice, geese, and parrots – all rescued from shelters – bring hijinks and comedy to the stage.
    Hits like “Juke Box Hero,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Hot Blooded,” “Cold as Ice,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Waiting for A Girl Like You,” and the worldwide #1 hit, “I Want to Know What Love Is,” were all over the airwaves in the 1970s and 80s as Foreigner climbed the charts to claim its place as rock and roll royalty. To date, the band has sold more than 75 million albums. With 16 top 30 hits and 10 multi-platinum albums, it is no wonder the band continues to play to sold-out venues. On Feb. 25 Community Concerts bring Foreigner to the Crown.
    Hailing from Australia, The Ten Tenors take the stage on March 18. The group’s repertoire includes both classics and contemporary numbers. They’ve put out six platinum and gold records and have sold more than 3.5 million concert tickets.
    While audiences crave more than arias from groups like this, The Ten Tenors have 20 years in the music industry and have helped redefine their genre. Long-serving member of The TEN, Paul Gelsumini says “The best part of being in this group is being able to sing whatever we want to sing from all music genres, be it classical, rock or even diva pop, and seeing the delight and surprise on audience members faces in that split moment when they realize what we are singing next; it’s such a buzz and so much fun when seemingly conservative audience members get up and dance in their seats.”
    The season closes on April 11 with Rain, a live multi-media tribute to the Beatles. This is not like other Beatles tributes. Rain is a note-by-note reenactment of Beatles hits including classics like “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Hard Day’s Night,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Let It Be,” “Come Together” and “Hey Jude.”
    To find out more about Community Concerts or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.community-concerts.com.

  • 05WordsReturn with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, back in the mid-20th century, when a giant picture of the 82nd Airborne Division graced the wall of Sears on Hay Street. The huge mural was on the stairway above the shoe department in Sears. Climb into Mr. Peabody’s Way Back machine and wander through midcentury Fayetteville.

    The picture was taken at Fort Bragg of paratroopers falling from the sky above a color guard. The soldier in the middle of the picture wearing the parachute is Colonel Stephen J. Meade. Note the flag with 48 stars. Bill Belche took the picture. Belche owned WIDU radio station and was famous for his catch phrase, “Hey, Lordy Mamma!”

    If you are from Fayetteville and calendar-enriched, you will recall this picture, which dominated downtown for decades. The Sears building ultimately morphed into the Department of Social Services and then AIT. The fate of the original mural is lost in time.

    To quote our old pal Charles Dickens about Fayetteville in the 1960’s, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” The Donald’s recent “s***hole” comment got me thinking about earlier times. Like the Overlook Hotel in “The Shining,” a lot of things happened in the South, and not all of them were good.

    Begin in Sears shoe department’s mechanical rocket ship ride, which for a dime could buy a couple of minutes of child entertainment. Next to the rocket was the foot X-ray machine, where people could Xray their feet for free as many times as they desired. The fun of the machine was to put your feet into a new pair of shoes and wiggle your toes to see if the new shoes fit. Al Bundy would have loved this medical shoe-selling technique.

    I X-rayed my feet whenever we were downtown. It is no small wonder that I still have feet. The machine was cool. You stood up and put your feet under the X-ray device and looked into a viewer at the top of the machine. The X-ray image you saw of your bones was purple, as I recall. After 60 years, memory can fade. Fortunately for Sears, the statute of limitations has long since passed. If your feet have rotted away due to amateur radiology, you are on your own.

    Santa Claus held forth on the landing above the shoe department each year. The toy department at the back of Sears had an electric train layout that rivaled the real thing. A kid could stand there watching the trains go around while surrounded by a sea of wonderful Christmas toys. Climb to Sears’ second floor on Saturdays, and the appliance department had a ham cooking over a rotisserie grill. The smell was wonderful. Sears’ record department on the second floor had racks of the latest platters, bringing music to the huddled masses yearning to buy Elvis Presley’s latest tunes.

    Not all nostalgia is sepia-toned. Next to the X-ray machine stood the water fountains marked “White” and “Colored.” I recall the “White” water fountain was a standard refrigerated model and the “Colored” water fountain was a much simpler non-refrigerated model.

    The bathrooms were also segregated by race. Growing up in the South, this seemed quite normal. From the perspective of 2018, it seems quite bizarre. Segregation was not limited to water fountains. The theaters downtown – the Miracle, Colony, Carolina, and Broadway – were segregated. The black people had their own separate entrance that led up to the balcony where they had to sit. The white people went in to the main floor. You learned not to sit under the very edge of the balcony as you might find yourself enjoying a shower of coke or popcorn from on high. Considering the indignity of having to sit upstairs due to your race, the white people down below were lucky heavier objects did not rain down upon us from above.

    Cape Fear Valley Hospital was not immune to Jim Crow, either. The hospital had separate but unequal waiting rooms for “White” and “Colored” people. In retrospect, it seems odd that a hospital would sort out its patients by race, but that is what happened.

    The school systems were segregated. My high school, 71st, was not integrated until my junior year in 1967. About 10 black students got dropped into an all-white school. It was not an easy transition for them. I remember Fletcher Williams was one of the first black students. Fletcher was a natural athlete, outgoing and cheerful. He played on the football team and ran on the track team and was accepted. The other black students had a much harder time.

    So when pondering The Donald’s preference for Norwegians over black and brown people from “s***hole countries,” consider where we were 60 years ago. Back then, where you could drink, eat, see movies, go to school and get medical attention was determined by the color of your skin. Those were not the good old days for everyone.

    Best we keep those days from returning. They did not make America great.

  • 04CandaceOI appreciate that readers often give feedback regarding my columns that appear in Up & Coming Weekly newspaper and are also distributed by e-newsletter. As I would expect, given my conservative views, feedback from most black readers reflects strong disagreement with what I write. Sometimes feedback from this group is rather harsh. (Yes, there are some white readers who express strong objections to my thinking.)

    In view of me being black, but not thinking as some would expect given my blackness, there are times when I feel alone in this struggle to have my thinking heard and seriously considered. I got a reminder today that I am not alone in my thinking regarding many issues of our time. I ran across a video by Candace Owens. What she says in the video, and her clear commitment to speak up in the face of opposition, provided encouragement for me to keep standing.

    You may watch the video at www.youtube. com/watch?v=mK8H9qGKkMI.

    Photo: Candace Owens

  • 03HeroesIf you listened carefully, you could almost hear hearts breaking across America last week as young woman after young woman confronted their monster, a medical doctor, who sexually assaulted them repeatedly when they were aspiring young athletes. More than 150 young women, some Olympians, told Dr. Larry Nassar directly how his abuse had derailed their young lives and destroyed their trust in medicine, in athletics, in authority and in some instances, in their parents. The exact number of victims is unknown and probably always will be.

    The only heroes in this sad tale are the young women who insisted they had been abused by someone who was an icon in his field and kept saying so until they were finally believed.

    The first and greatest betrayals were Nassar’s alone. For whatever tortured reasons, he put his desires ahead of those of his patients, many of them children when the abuse began. It is impossible to know what drove this man, but the carnage left by his actions is obvious to anyone with a TV. Adding to his enduring shame, Nassar asked the sentencing judge to excuse him from the courtroom so that he would not have to confront his victims in person and experience their anger and hurt. To her enduring credit, the judge declined, saying he committed abuse for years and could certainly listen to its aftermath for a few days.

    Institutional betrayals are legion as well, with administrators cascading from lofty posts into oblivion. Topping the list is the president of Michigan State University, Nassar’s employer, who inexplicably cleared him of abuse charges, but who also had doubts but did nothing. University administrators below her are falling, too, as are officials of the national gymnastics associations and people in other sporting groups. Organizations that support young athletes promote not only athletic excellence but character values, but in this instance, they did not walk the talk.

    Perhaps most tragic are failures and betrayals by the parents of these young athletes, many of whom were present when the abuse occurred. Stunning as this sounds, they were in the room when Nassar performed “medical procedures” on their daughters, though he shielded his actions from their view with his body or with draping. Some of these parents pushed their talented young athletes to perform in their sports. Some of these parents may have ignored what their daughters told them about Nassar and his procedures, some of them were trusting and unobservant of what he was doing, and some of them likely experienced all of the above. Whatever their thoughts at the time, many will go to their graves with deep guilt that they did not protect their daughters from one of the most prolific child predators the sports world has ever encountered.

    If there is any saving grace in this grim story of selfish and criminal disregard for other people, it is that Nassar is now the poster boy for child sexual abuse and stars in the latest chapter just behind #MeToo in our nation’s growing intolerance for such behavior.

    If #MeToo addresses women standing up for ourselves in the workplace, then the words “Larry Nassar” are code for the importance of adult vigilance, both individually and institutionally, in protecting children, including promising athletes, from perverted adults. As Americans process how we have addressed – or not addressed – what girls and women are telling us about how they are treated in the workplace and beyond, #Me Too and Larry Nassar offer glimmers of hope that Americans will now believe what we say.

    Author Malcolm Gladwell wrote “The Tipping Point” in 2000, a best-seller describing how ideas take hold in a culture and then become part of the culture – think the change in Americans’ attitudes toward cigarette smoking over the last decades of the 20th century and, more recently, our acceptance of samesex marriage.

    Let us all hope that sexual abuse of both girls and women in the workplace is becoming a shockingly unacceptable act.

    Photo: Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Aly Raisman 

  • 02PubPen superbowlA conversation with our publisher, Bill Bowman, prompted this week’s publisher’s pen. He told me about how he joined a football pool for the big game Feb. 4. Shortly after he bought into the pool, his money was returned. It was canceled due to lack of interest. Really? Lack of interest in the Super Bowl? That’s when he learned several other popular pools were canceled for the same reason – the public has no interest in the NFL and the Super Bowl. People seem to be done with the NFL. Fans are angry and disappointed. It’s time to move on.

    For generations, parents have warned their children that actions have consequences. It’s good advice, as is “just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” The craziness that’s been happening in the NFL the past two seasons is a perfect example of how true and relevant these axioms still are.

    Who knows what Colin Kaepernick thought would happen when, in August 2016, he chose to sit, and a few games later, kneel, during the national anthem to protest police brutality against minorities? It probably wasn’t this. Watching the last 18 months play out has been both interesting and disheartening.

    I grew up in a military home, as have my children. My family is steeped in military service and tradition going back generations. I doubt anyone in my family could sit or kneel for the national anthem if our lives depended on it. So many of my loved ones have served, fought and even died for people to be able to make their own choices – including the choice to not stand for the national anthem.

    Sitting or kneeling for the anthem is a right that Americans do have. But when someone chooses to do this, it speaks volumes about them and their feelings toward the people who fought for their right to make that choice. On a personal level, it is hard not to hold it against people who protest in this way. In this case, it makes it easy to choose to stop watching games and buying tickets to support an organization that permits and encourages these actions.

    There is no need to rehash the history and details of the kneeling protests, the pushback from fans and the NFL’s refusal to reign in its players. What would be the point? Many of those who strongly oppose the NFL’s stand have already quit watching the games, buying tickets and merchandise and cheering for their favorite teams in football pools. Those still watching may not come back next season.

    The NFL’s recent decision to refuse to run an ad by American Veterans, an organization founded in 1944 that’s more than a quarter-million members strong, may be the last straw for fans trying to hang on to a game and tradition they love.

    The ad in question shows an American flag with the hashtag #PleaseStand. It includes information about how to support AMVETS financially. AMVETS National Commander Marion Polk replied to the NFL’s refusal to run the ad saying, “Freedom of speech works both ways. We respect the rights of those who choose to protest as these rights are precisely what our members have fought – and in many cases died – for. Please support our mission.”

    Was the NFL within its rights to deny the ad? Sure. Will that decision bring consequences? Probably.

    It’s disheartening that a great American tradition like football that usually brings people together has become be so divisive.

    What will you be doing during the NFL’s Super Bowl Sunday? I’ll be “taking a knee.”

     

  • 13Mellisa AdamsThe town of Hope Mills is heading into the new year enjoying a continuing pattern of growth. Melissa Adams says the challenge of the year ahead is growth management. Adams is Hope Mills’ new town manager. She’s a native of neighboring Moore County and has 27 years of experience in municipal administration.

    Adams came to Hope Mills from Carthage as town clerk in 2011. A year ago, she became Hope Mills’ interim manager, succeeding John Ellis, who resigned. In March of 2017, she was promoted to town manager by the board of commissioners and was salaried at $92,000 a year. It’s her first job as a municipal manager, responsible for a town government of 150 employees and a population on the verge of 17,000 residents.

    Given her experience, Adams was well aware that the average term of service of small-town administrators is about three years. She said it was a concern when she considered whether to accept the job offer, but, “I felt like I was ready for more.”

    She added that she feels she’s more than proven herself since becoming town manager.

    Perhaps her greatest achievement thus far is helping to fix what she called “the broken relationship between the town and chamber of commerce.” Adams believes both agencies are now working in harmony for the good of the community.

    The town’s centerpiece, Hope Mills Lake, is ready to be impounded now that the dam has been rebuilt. The 121-acre lake is fed by natural streams and contained by the new $9.6 million dam. Adams said she hopes the lake can be opened to the public this summer. A new ordinance will allow swimming and “no wake boating.” Water skiing and speed boating won’t be allowed. Town officials are excited about developing a lakeside boardwalk, a new dock and a pier. Adams said regulatory procedures are the final hurdle and that town government is trying to clarify and pay various fees that are still pending so the state will issue a final permit.

    Adams believes growth management will be the key to better government in the new year. “I’m excited about the year ahead,” she said. She intends to continue holding citizens academies twice a year to better educate the people on the operation of local government. She said she is dedicated to transparency in government.

    “We have definitely reduced the number of closed sessions,” she said. Adams said she wants to develop closer working relationships with the city of Fayetteville and the Public Works Commission. Town government is collaborating with the local economic development corporation to determine the kinds of growth needed in Hope Mills.

    She hopes to address how the town will develop the former golf course on Golfview Drive, which is owned by the town. Other projects include a museum on Trade Street, and traffic congestion must be dealt with.

    Adams said the main streets in town are designated state roads, which means they are governed and maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Adams was quick to point out that the new traffic median along Main Street was DOT’s doing, not the town’s. The state has been constructing roadway medians on major arteries across Cumberland County, insisting that they reduce accidents. Adams said congestion management is the state’s responsibility and that DOT must work with the town to relieve gridlock. It’s at its worst when school buses clog the streets and during rush hours.

    The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners holds its 2018 planning retreat Saturday, March 2, at Camp Rockfish.

    Photo: Melissa Adams, Hope Mills town manager

  • 05FriendsIn J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy “The Lord of the Rings,” a young hobbit named Frodo Baggins is given the impossible task of returning the so-called “ring of power” back to the fires of Mordor. But the young hobbit could never complete this task alone. So, Frodo is surrounded by a band of mismatched companions with the single task of assisting him on this dire mission.

    When you face impossible tasks, faithful friends are a necessity. This is true when tackling the fires of Mordor, and this is true when facing the struggles of life. You were not designed to tackle life as the Lone Ranger. God created you to have community and fellowship; he designed you to have meaningful friendships.

    The Apostle Paul knew the importance of friends. In practically every letter he wrote, Paul greeted the friends he had across the Roman world. In Romans 16 alone, he mentions 26 individuals.

    In the closing words of his letter to the Colossian believers, he mentions nine people by name. Here we see four types of friends.

    First, we should surround ourselves with faithful friends who will encourage us. In Colossians 4:7-11, Paul mentions those key people who supported his ministry. People like Tychicus, Aristarchus, Onesimus and even Mark, who once departed from the team, Jesus Justus and Luke. Each man was marked by his support of Paul and how he encouraged him along life’s journey.

    Second, we should surround ourselves with warrior friends who will pray for us. In Colossians 4:12- 13, Paul says that Epaphras earnestly prayed for the believers in Colossae. We need people who will sincerely pray for us, our families, our ministries, our failures. We need prayer warriors.

    Third, we should be aware that along the way, we will have worldly friends who will leave us. In Colossians 4:14, Paul mentions a man named Demas. Nothing much is said about him in Colossians. But in 2 Timothy 4:9 we discover that Demas deserted Paul and the ministry, having loved the present world more. Christian, you’re going to have friends who turn their backs on you because of your faith. Prepare for that heartache. But don’t let their worldliness sidetrack you from serving God.

    Finally, Paul mentions a man named Archippus. It appears that Archippus was involved in some level of leadership at Colossae, for Paul tells him to take heed to the ministry the Lord had given him. We need to invest in potential friends who can advance us. That is, take time to disciple someone to carry on the life and legacy of your life.

    In a world filled with Facebook friends, most people have very few real friends. When it is the middle of the night and your car is stuck on the side of the road, your real friend will come to your aid.

    But more than considering who is a true friend to you, consider whether or not you are being a true friend to someone else. Take time this week to invest in your friendships with a phone call, a note of thanks or just a conversation over a cup of coffee. Make time for those people who make time for you.

  • 04fire departmentSeveral months ago, my column titled “Racial diversity in the Fayetteville Fire Department: Rest of the story” addressed the issue of there being very few black firefighters in our city’s fire department. I agreed that where the Fayetteville population is 41 percent black and 45 percent white, it is unacceptable that only 2.7 percent of the department’s employees are black. In another column during the same period, I objected to how this matter was addressed by some members of city council during a meeting where Fire Chief Ben Major did a presentation. That presentation detailed the diversity problem and what was being done to increase black representation in the department. The column title was “Successfully controlling the thoughts and actions of Black Americans.” Both columns are on my website at www.karlmerritt.com/category/articles/.

    Thinking the matter was being successfully addressed, I moved on to other topics. Then an article by Jeff Thompson in the Jan. 10-16, 2018, issue of Up & Coming Weekly grabbed my attention. The headline was “Dealing with lack of diversity.” Thompson reported on a Jan. 2 work session of the Fayetteville City Council where Fire Chief Ben Major provided an update regarding efforts to improve diversity in the department. Given that there had been no noticeable increase in the number of blacks in the department, the discussion turned to causes and possible solutions. Thompson’s article included two quotes that prompted me to follow up. Councilman Jim Arp was quoted as saying to Major, “‘You need to open the tool box.’” Mayor Mitch Colvin was quoted as saying, “‘You’re the professionals, so figure it out.’”

    I contacted both men to further discuss their comments. Arp explained that he was encouraging the examination of a wide range of actions that might increase black representation in the department. He mentioned one tool that he raised in the meeting and that Thompson reported: “allowing certified firefighters from other communities to be hired.” Adding to this tool, Arp suggested hiring individuals based on their potential for, through training, gaining the skills not currently possessed that are required to qualify for hiring; recruiting at gatherings of firefighters, such as conventions; and outreach to students approaching high school. Other tools were discussed, and I left that conversation better understanding Arp’s “tool box” comment and appreciating his overall point.

    The discussion with Colvin was, in my estimation, equally productive by way of better understanding his comment of “‘You’re the professionals, so figure it out.’” Colvin explained that he sees the role of council to be one of setting policy. In the case of fire department diversity, that means providing a framework within which the department is able to successfully address the issue. In line with this thinking, the following is from his email to me after our conversation:

    “As I mentioned, I am equally concerned with the department’s employee diversity. Our department’s 2.7 percent, compared to our municipal peers who have nearly 5xs the number of minorities.

    I am hopeful that we can maintain our high qualification standards and never compromise on the physical and academic requirements. However, it is fair to ask the question why the interview process accounts for 60 percent of the scoring matrix. The interview carries more weight than the applicant’s physical and academic combined (score). This may be our problem.

    Monica Vendituoli, Fayetteville Observer staff writer, summarized the Jan. 2 discussion appropriately in an article headlined “Lateral hiring, interview discussed to improve firefighter diversity.” In it, she said, “Lateral hiring, a consultant, a symposium and changing how interviews are handled were all suggestions on how to diversify the Fayetteville Fire Department that the City Council discussed during a work session Tuesday night.”

    I do not doubt for a moment that there is a sincere effort underway to increase the number of black firefighters in Fayetteville. What troubles me about this effort, and so many others across our nation and around the world, is the seeming unwillingness to confront and address the core causes of, and effective solutions to, the problems that plague us. Rev. Robby Gallaty shared an experience that illustrates this point. It appears in the Sunday school book “Bible Studies for Life: Winter 2017-2018.” Gallaty wrote, “When I came home from work one day, I discovered a pipe had burst in the bathroom and the room was filled with water. I attacked the leak with towels and a mop as quickly as I could. I would haul out a bucket full of water and return to mopping up more water. I did this repeatedly. I never made any progress because as I hauled water out of the bathroom, more water replaced it by the time I got back.

    “The problem? I wasn’t fixing the source of the trouble, only masking it. I wasn’t able to solve the problem of water in the bathroom until I got to the root of it and fixed the burst pipe.”

    What was outlined in that working session, if pursued, will likely increase the number of black firefighters for a while but will not lead to maintenance of acceptable levels over the long term. These actions are like mopping but not stopping the leak. Here is what I mean. The following is from my column titled “Successfully controlling the thoughts and actions of black Americans,” published in June 2017. Referring to a chart presented to council by Major showing statistics from the then most recent round of hiring, I wrote, “The chart showed the following regarding black males: Total applicants, 130; eliminated at review, 20; failed to schedule exam, 40; no show at exam, 17; withdrew after exam, 1; failed exam, 25; did not schedule PAT, 1; did not show at PAT, 3; failed PAT, 2; successfully completed these steps, 21 (out of 163 eligible at this stage).

    Then, I wrote, “Honest examination of facts would require drilling down to determine why the black male numbers at every critical step in the hiring process reflect far less than acceptable or reasonably expected performance. For instance, why would 31 percent of black male applicants fail to self-schedule for the written exam? How is it 48 percent of black males who took it failed an exam written on a 10th-grade level? Against this backdrop, consider the following from a 2011 Policy Notes report. The report comes under the heading “Addressing Achievement Gaps: Positioning Young Black Boys for Educational Success” and can be found at https://files. eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED528986.pdf: “Average black male achievement falls far below that of white and Asian boys. Only 12 percent of black fourth grade boys are proficient in reading, compared to 38 percent of white boys. Only 12 percent of black eighth grade boys are proficient in math, compared to 44 percent of white boys. By fourth grade, black students may be three full years behind their peers.”

    This statement of fact regarding the proficiency of black boys in reading and math points to what is probably the most impactful factor in poor test performance by black males applying to become Fayetteville firefighters. Nowhere in the discussion of the problem have I heard this consideration raised. Like stopping bathroom flooding, attention must be given to causes. That gets into really treacherous territory because one must look at parenting performance, cultural influences, societal norms, individual attitudes and several other factors. Giving attention to any of these factors is now contrary to political correctness and very high-risk for politicians.

    I suggest that Colvin and members of council meet with Major and appropriate personnel to, in a civil manner, define the problem, forthrightly assess causes, brainstorm solutions, and develop a plan for resolving the issue. Keys to success of such an effort are civility and forthrightness.

    My wife asked me what I was writing about in this column. When I said, “lack of diversity in the fire department,” knowing that I had written on this topic before, she asked if there would be anything new. My response was, “Probably not, but there are times when repetition is needed.”

  • 03margaretBarely into a new year, we yearn to feel fresh and hopeful, but not all our news is good.

    One of the most disturbing reads I have had lately was published last week in The New York Times. Writing on the op-ed page, David Leonhardt addressed racism in America, quoting Steve Bannon as saying, “I want them to talk about racism every day. If the left is focused on race and identity, and we go with economic nationalism, we can crush the Democrats.”

    Leonhardt weighs in by saying that racism is alive and well and should be addressed but that emphasizing concerns of middle- and working-class voters is a better way to get their attention. Says Leonhardt, “Race is different. When it’s at the center of the political debate, a large group of voters can become more likely to choose white-nationalist candidates like Trump, as Bannon understood – and exploited – in 2016. You can lament that fact. I certainly do. But don’t make the mistake of denying it.”

    Hard to argue with that assessment.

    ********************

    North Carolina is no longer a full democracy, according to the Electoral Integrity Project, an independent research effort with team members at Harvard University and the University of Sydney. Since 2012, the EIP has measured 213 elections in 153 countries, evaluating how fair, free and democratic those elections were. EIP also evaluated North Carolina’s 2016 elections, giving our state electoral integrity a score of 58/100, similar to the scores Cuba, Sierra Leone and Indonesia received. Drilling down, regarding voter registration, North Carolina ranked with Iran and Venezuela, and no nation has ever received as low a score as North Carolina did on unfair districting.

    EIP also criticized North Carolina for limiting citizens’ rights based on their born identities in the infamous House Bill 2, sometimes called the bathroom bill.

    Writing in The News and Observer, Andrew Reynolds proposed a remedy to how far North Carolina has fallen.

    *******************

    As the mother of three young American adults, this news obviously caught my eye.

    The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said late last year that U.S. life expectancy is no longer rising compared to our world counterparts. A typical American born in 1979 could expect to live to age 73.9, a year and a half longer than people born in other First World, predominantly western nations. By 2015, though, a typical American born that year could expect to live slightly less than 79 years, while people born in our counterpart nations could expect to make it to almost 81 years of age.

    The CDC cites several factors underlying the change.

    While health care in the United States can be excellent, it is also spotty and out of reach for those who cannot afford health insurance.

    Violence and specifically gun violence are factors. Americans are more likely to be murdered than are people in other rich nations, and more than 25-times likelier to be shot to death.

    Also, our national safety nets to address issues like smoking, drug abuse, obesity and others are frayed compared to those in our counterpart countries.

    ********************

    On a considerably lighter note, Walmart has released the most popular items sold online last year. Across the board, shoppers bought paper towels and other household items, but the most-bought list is far more interesting by state. Who knew Walmart shoppers’ tastes vary so dramatically just across state lines?

    Alabamians bought crayons. Coloradans adore Peanut M&Ms. Hawaiians love the Barbie farmer doll, while Idahoans can’t do without the My Little Pony Mini Collection. Indianans made a run on instant coffee, but Kentuckians took the prize for 4X6 photo prints. Marylanders bought glue sticks, while folks in Michigan made major purchases – refrigerators. Minnesotans love Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, while Nebraskans – presumably women – took the prize for pressed powder makeup purchases. North Dakotans led on the watermelon-flavored gum front, and Pennsylvanians bought the most plastic hangers. Wisconsin residents triumphed on Green Bay Packers bathmats. Our neighbors in South Carolina (coin banks), Tennessee (Disney Infinity Power Discs) and Virginia (coolers) did their own things, too.

    So what did North Carolinians buy most often? Mayonnaise, although Walmart did not disclose whether we prefer Duke’s or Hellman’s.

  • 02PubPenAmerica is acting badly.

    Never in my lifetime have I experienced such an atmosphere of intolerance, meanness and hate from my fellow Americans. What ever happened to “love thy neighbor”? Today, it seems like we hate just for the sake of hating. Instead of investing our time, money and resources in positive aspects of our American way of life, we have gravitated to degrading, debasing and trying to obliterate any person, organization or policy with which we disagree.

    This hostility and anger are costing us greatly in what we cherish most: joy, contentment and the pleasures of experiencing America’s unique way of life. I place much of the blame for this on the news media and the new wave of journalists reaching for celebrity status as they desperately try to fill the story gaps created by a 24-hour news cycle. Equally at fault is the irresponsible and reckless use of social media. Both are making a mockery of the news, politics and the American dream.

    Much of this vile and mean-spirited sentiment is coming directly from our elected officials in Washington, D.C. All of them.

    This kind of behavior must stop. This wholesale hatred preoccupies us, distracts us and robs us of enjoying and appreciating the successes, positive events and accomplishments happening in our country every day.

    Let’s look back at 2017, and perhaps we can get a peek at what we may have to look forward to in 2018 if we are not distracted by hate. Ignore whether you like or dislike President Trump, and set aside your political affiliations and thoughts about the recent government shutdown. Don’t think about fake news, crazy tweets and the wild, wild west of social media. Disregard the crazy antics of characters like Lindsey Graham, Chuck Schumer, Steve Bannon and Nancy Pelosi and anything, true or false, in Michael Wolf’s book “Fire and Fury.”

    Let’s look at the past year. These 2017 events, regardless of your personal, social or political affiliations, will affect all of us and continue to impact our country and the world for years to come, so why not enjoy them – regardless of who was or was not responsible for their existence?

    The U.S. economy perked up by about 3 percent. This rate hasn’t been achieved in years. The Dow Jones is up over 26,000 points with stock indexes at all-time highs. This is important. Why? Consider that 50 percent of Americans have stocks through their workplace 401(k) plans and pensions. U.S. unemployment is at historic lows, hovering at about 4.1 percent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that African-American unemployment fell to 6.8 percent – the lowest level in four decades.

    We are finally winning the battle against ISIS. Finally!

    Syria, for the time being, has stopped killing its people.

    North Korea and South Korea are beginning to talk with one another and will march together in the upcoming Olympics.

    Iran has been called out by other Muslim nations as an exporter of terrorism. Democracy is finally taking hold there, causing dissent toward its autocratic rule. Is this an indication that the world is becoming a safer place?

    A tax reform bill was initiated, meaning lower taxes will be paid by most Americans. The tax reform policies in place will result in many large corporations, like Apple, bringing manufacturing and jobs back to the U.S. Additionally, U.S. companies, large and small, will expand, create more jobs and raise salaries.

    In 2017, according to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, small businesses were doing better than ever, and confidence in small business has reached a record high.

    These are only a few examples of the good things happening that affect our country.

    Who cares who was responsible for these achievements? Everyone should be able to enjoy them. It’s OK if you do not like or support a person, party, policy or even the presidency, but as civilized human beings, we should not indulge those who continually generate chaos and disharmony by creating an atmosphere of hate.

    I hope that 2018 will be the year everyone comes to their senses. I refuse to be a pawn used by any person, organization or political party that only has their preservation and self-interest at heart. It’s time we recognize and disavow hypocrisy and let our voices be heard. Let freedom ring!

    We should hold our American values high, honor our Constitution and always respect the office of the president – regardless of who is representing the American people. No one wins unless we do these things. Need proof? President Trump’s approval ratings are historically lower than any other president after their first year in office. However, he still ranks higher than Congress and the news media. This is nothing to be happy about or proud of.

    Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    Correction: At Up & Coming Weekly we make every effort to provide fair, balanced and accurate coverage of local news and events occurring in Fayetteville, Fort Bragg and Cumberland County. This has been a 22-year commitment to our readers. In an article published in last week’s edition, our senior reporter, Jeff Thompson, mistakenly reported that Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins was reorganizing three patrol districts into two. This was incorrect. Our apologies to the chief and the fine men and women of the Fayetteville Police Department. Chief Hawkins is in fact retaining the three patrol districts as they are.

  • 17NewyearThe song “Time Stand Still” by Rush has lyrics that read:

    “Summer’s going fast

    Nights growing colder

    Children growing up

    Old friends growing older

    Freeze this moment

    A little bit longer

    Make each sensation

    A little bit stronger”

    This song seems to fit my year last year. In this song, the singer is wishing that time would stand still. For me, as well, it seems like time flew by.

    The other day, I did an early morning ride. It was 30 degrees, and I knew the nights were getting colder. My little son is now 32 and announced he and his wife are going to have a baby. As I get older, I have noticed that some of my conversations with my riding friends have gone from talking about motorcycling to Medicare, Social Security and retirement. Sadly, a few of my friends have had their last ride.

    Each year, I write about riding, spending time with friends and making plans to do those things that people only talk about. I have often written about the “Walt Rule.” For those that have not read heard of this rule, here is a quick recap. Ten years ago, my friend Walter was killed in a car wreck. For years, Walt had asked me to join him on his boat at the beach to go scuba diving, and I never did. It seemed like I always found a reason – I was too busy or I had too much yard work or too much life. So, after Walt passed, I knew I would never get to dive with Walt. I wondered what a trip to the beach with him would have been like, and somehow, I felt I robbed him – and me – of an adventure. It was then that I made a new rule for myself. If someone asks me to do something, and if I can, I will, because otherwise I’ll never know what new journey might have been.

    Since that time, I have been on a lot of adventures that I would have never, ever tried before. I have taken up adventure riding. I have ridden to the Arctic Circle, made hundreds of friends, traveled thousands of miles and loved every minute of it.

    I often meet riders or “wanna be” riders, and I get a lot of the same story. It usually goes like this: “I wished I could ride, but …” My favorite is the guys with motorcycle vests and bikes who say they cannot ride across town because, although it may look cool, it is extremely uncomfortable. They say they want to ride, but their bike won’t make it.

    This time last year, I had no plans. It wasn’t until May that I was able to make a break for it and get my first long ride in. Before the year was over, I was able to cover about 10,000 miles, 13 states and three different time zones. Not only did I see a lot of great sights, I was able to visit a lot of friends and family along the way.

    This year, publisher Bill Bowman and I rode to Cody, Wyoming. Most riding days were 400- to 600-mile days. It was nothing to look at each other the night before and say, “I think we have about 500 miles tomorrow,” and we would smile and get at it.

    So, as the new year comes, take that step out there, make a plan, write it down, and do it. Make sure that you do not let an experience slip away.

    On a personal note, I would like to thank all the folks at Up & Coming Weekly who continue to print my articles and to thank all of you, the readers, for being so supportive over the years.

    If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, you can contact me at motorcycle4fun@aol.com.

    RIDE SAFE!

  • 14JenkinsIf Charles Robert Jenkins were still around, we could ask him about how to best deal with North Korea. Jenkins, in case you don’t remember, was the soldier from Rich Square, North Carolina, who spent 40 years in that country after deserting across the border while serving in the U.S. Army in South Korea.

    Before he died last month, he told Los Angeles Times writer Jonathan Kaiman the lesson he learned from his time there. “I don’t put nothing past North Korea,” he said. “North Korea could to do anything. North Korea don’t care.

    “Ain’t nobody live good in North Korea. Nothing to eat. No running water. No electricity. In the wintertime you freeze – in my bedroom, the walls were covered in ice.”

    That insight might help us better understand the nature of the country that is threatening a nuclear missile attack against major U.S. cities. But it does not lay out a strategy for dealing with the North Korean threat.

    Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the current administration recognizes the challenge. “When President Trump took office, he identified North Korea as the United States’ greatest security threat,” Tillerson said. “He abandoned the failed policy of strategic patience. In its place, we carried out a policy of pressure through diplomatic and economic sanctions.

    A door to dialogue remains open, but we have made it clear that the regime must earn its way back to the negotiating table.”

    But the North Koreans have not jumped at the opportunity to talk to the U.S. Surprisingly, they are now talking to the South Koreans about the possibility of participating in the Winter Olympics, which South Korea is hosting next month. Responding to these talks and the possibility of North Korean participation, Sen. Lindsey Graham said the U.S. should boycott the Olympics if North Korea participates. “Allowing Kim Jong Un’s North Korea to participate in #WinterOlympics would give legitimacy to the most illegitimate regime on the planet,” she tweeted.

    Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un and our president trade angry threats like bullies in a school yard.

    Contrary to Tillerson’s assertion that North Korea is our “greatest security threat,” the greatest threat to the U.S. may be the fixation of people like Tillerson, Graham and Trump on Kim Jong Un.

    Is there a better way for the U.S. to deal with North Korea’s nuclear threat than Trump’s boastful threats to destroy North Korea militarily if the U.S. is provoked?

    The extraordinary attention given to the North Korean threat is understandable, but it might be counterproductive. Our efforts, our threats, our daily absorption arguably could be doing more harm than good.

    We may be paying too much attention to North Korea.

    Maybe we should take a step back, get out of the direct confrontation mode, disclaim the primary responsibility for dealing with North Korea’s nuclear fixation, and adopt these guidelines:

    Cede leadership and responsibility for North Korea to those most at risk: China, South Korea, Japan and perhaps Russia. Make it clear that we will be supportive of their efforts and will cooperate with the solutions they develop, but we will not dictate terms or take the lead in any negotiations.

    2. Continue to work with other nations and the U.N. to enforce and expand the sanctions against North Korea, working as a partner and not insisting on directing the effort.

    3. Continue and accelerate research and construction of expanded anti-missile capability, quietly and without unnecessary disclosure, working as rapidly as possible to check the North Korean missiles should they ever be launched.

    4. Quietly develop, test and improve contingency plans for a strong response to any North Korea military action against South Korea.

    As Jenkins pointed out, there is no good way to deal with the North Koreans. But maybe a step back from confrontation would be “less bad” than our current frantic and provocative approach.

    Photo: Charles Jenkins

  • 13voter fraudPresident Donald Trump’s claims about voter fraud are preposterous. No credible evidence suggests that millions of people cast illegal ballots or that candidates who outpoll rivals by several percentage points can accomplish that by fraud under modern election administration.

    Now that I’ve completed the requisite throat-clearing, I have a question for progressive readers: does the recent contest for control of the Virginia House of Delegates make you even a little bit uncomfortable?

    Thanks primarily to the prevailing anti-Trump political winds, Virginia Democrats did very well in November. Their net gain of 15 GOP-held seats put them just one seat away from a tie and a likely power-sharing deal in the Virginia House.

    That seat might have been won by Democrat Shelly Simonds in a Newport News-centered district. After the election-night tally showed her just 10 votes behind incumbent Republican David Yancey, Simonds sought a recount. It put her ahead by a single ballot. Republicans then successfully challenged that ballot in court.

    The resulting tie was settled by drawing a name out of a bowl. Yancey got the luck of the draw. The GOP retained control of the legislative chamber, however unimpressively.

    Tied elections aren’t unknown in North Carolina. As The Charlotte Observer recently reported, tied municipal races in Alleghany County, Sampson County and Mecklenburg County have been resolved by chance in recent memory. If we broaden the category a bit to include races settled by dozens or hundreds of votes, there are many more cases in municipal, county and even legislative races.

    For that matter, who can forget the 2000 Florida recounts? A few hundred ballots separated George W. Bush and Al Gore in a state with enough electoral votes to sway the presidential race. Complaints about hanging chads, butterfly ballots and premature media calls depressing turnout in the Florida panhandle weren’t the only relevant controversies. Another was illegal voting, either by felons or by snowbirds and students with residences in multiple states.

    Over the years, North Carolina has implemented a number of policies to deter illegal voting. Still, after the 2016 election, the State Board of Elections conducted an audit that found 508 votes cast that shouldn’t have counted. Most involved felons whose right to vote had not yet been restored. But there were also 41 substantiated cases of votes by noncitizens, 24 substantiated cases of double-voting and two substantiated cases of impersonation fraud, one in person and one by absentee ballot.

    Some activists claimed this post-election audit proved that additional measures to ensure election integrity were unneeded. Their reasoning was faulty. The audit established a floor, not a ceiling, for illegal votes cast.

    Impersonation fraud, for example, is likely done most of the time by people voting on behalf of their relatives, as was the case with the two substantiated cases in 2016. But such an audit can catch that only if the titular voters are deceased. What about voting on behalf of shut-ins or relatives with mental disabilities? Rules for both absentee and in-person voting need to be stricter to deter that.

    Residency fraud also merits more attention and could be better policed in part by voter-ID requirements. If people with living quarters in multiple states – be they retirees, professionals or students – want to make North Carolina their residence for the purposes of voting, they should be required to possess a state-issued ID as an indication of their true intention. (Most are already required by state law to have North Carolina driver’s licenses if they want to operate a vehicle in the state for more than a few weeks, although they don’t always realize that.)

    If you think election-integrity initiatives are nothing more than a Republican plot to suppress the vote, you should know that downplaying rare but potentially consequential cases of voter fraud only strengthens the resolve of those who favor voter-ID laws and the like, as a new Public Opinion Quarterly study confirms. A more productive response would be to work with Republicans to implement a low-cost insurance policy against fraudulent electoral outcomes.

  • 05Chemours.svgWe need to clear up once and for all whether a chemical compound produced by Chemours Fayetteville Works is making us sick, killing us or just scaring the heck out everybody.

    Some background. Chemours – formerly DuPont – produces GenX, a chemical compound used to make nonstick coatings on pots and frying pans. It’s also been labeled a potential cancer-causing toxin, which naturally has people in the area around the plant worried. The stuff has been showing up in above-recommended levels in the Cape Fear River, a couple of lakes and in nearby private wells.

    Late last month, the state reported finding GenX on the east side of the Cape Fear River in five more wells, directly across from the Chemours Plant. Apparently, the stuff travels through the air as well as through groundwater.

    Chemours is located between N.C. Highway 87 to the west and Cape Fear River to the east on the Bladen/Cumberland County line.

    Word got out this past June that researchers had found GenX in the Cape Fear River a year earlier. In fact, it’s been swimming in the river since 1980.

    Research has linked the chemical to tumors in small animals, but there is no definite link to humans yet. In almost every report about GenX, there’s a qualifying statement referring to it as a potential hazard to humans. Currently, state officials claim it’s not dangerous to humans if the discharge is 140 parts per trillion or less. To me, that’s like being just a little pregnant.

    I think it’s time to set the record straight. How does GenX affect humans? People whose wells are affected and those living downriver deserve to know exactly how this chemical affects their health. Calling it potentially dangerous without sound scientific proof does nothing but cause undue fear.

    Remember, the stuff is made so we can fry our eggs without butter. We use it daily, in muffin pans, pots and other cookware. How much of it do we eat when we scrape our eggs out of a pan that should have been thrown out as soon as its cooking surface started to show signs of wear?

    So, where’s the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on this? When Flint, Michigan, had its lead-contaminated drinking water crisis in 2014, the CDC was all over it.

    The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act directs the CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry to study the health effects on humans from perflorinated chemicals, which includes GenX. The study is due for completion in December 2023. But that timetable doesn’t help the people living near the Chemours site having to drink bottled water.

    So far, the people living downriver seem to be OK. Wilmington’s Sweeney Water Plant for the past several months also ran tests for GenX. The resuts consistently registered below the 140 parts per trillion level, with one high reading at 98 ppt.

    What about our General Assembly? The Senate hasn’t moved on this issue yet. But the House has been busy. Nov. 30, state Department of Environmental Quality staff briefed members of the House Select Committee on NC River Quality on the latest surface and groundwater monitoring and air emissions from Chemours. They also reported on state enforcement actions for an unreported chemical spill at Chemours.

    Based on that information, the legislative committee approved a proposed bill Jan. 4 to deal with the “potentially carcinogenic compound found in the Cape Fear River. “

    At this writing, the General Assembly was scheduled to consider the bill during a Wednesday, Jan. 10, special daylong session.

    The bill authorizes the state Department of Health and Human Services to work with scientists on coming up with health goals for contaminants. It also directs the DEQ to study the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting process and to coordinate and share water quality data with neighboring states.

    In the meantime, we still don’t know if GenX – even at 140 ppt – is harming us, or worse.

  • 04IguanaAs I am now in that awkward age between 65 and death, I have begun to think about big concepts that in the past I would have ignored as the press of daily life distracted me. Recently, I have been thinking about an old Chiffon margarine TV commercial from the 1970s. Mother Nature appears in the ad. She gets fooled into thinking that Chiffon margarine is butter. When she learns that the Chiffon margarine is not butter, she gets cranky. Mother Nature does not like to be fooled. She calls down lightning and elephant stampedes to express her displeasure. She famously said, “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.”

    I suspect Mother Nature is currently unamused as evidenced by our recent blast of cold weather, frozen pipes and the epidemic of cabin fever experienced by most of the eastern United States. Nature Mom is unhappy with the number of cooties we have been tossing up into the atmosphere. If Mother Nature were a human patient, she might be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She can get really hot – 117 degrees recently in Australia that melted asphalt – or really cold, dropping to minus zero in the U.S.A., featuring floods of ice in New York. Her weather moods are labile, as the psychiatrists say. Even Ollie, the weather forecaster from “Family Guy,” doesn’t know what to make of the psychotic breaks from reality of Mother Nature’s freakouts. Only George Costanza is comfortable with the many moods of Mother Nature.

    Mark Twain probably said that people are always complaining about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. Well, that can’t be said of iguanas. Iguanas are doing something about the weird cold weather in Florida. They are freezing and falling out of trees in Miami. A recent New York Times article dealt with the issue of falling iguanas. Iguanas are cold-blooded reptiles, which does not necessarily make them Republicans, but it helps. When the temperature gets down into the 40s, iguanas begin to slow down and freeze up. Iguanas do not have access to Motel Six, so they sleep in trees at night. It’s an iguana thing that you as a mere human wouldn’t understand. They wrap their little iguana toes around the limb of the tree where they are bunking for the evening. This works well, and they remain in place as long as the temperature doesn’t drop too low. However, once Mother Nature drops the temperature to below 30, it’s lights out in the old iguana tree house. Their claws can no longer hold onto the trees as their metabolism slows to zombie levels.

    Their toes lose control. It begins to rain iguanas as they drop out of the trees. The iguanas lose their bright green color, turn gray and appear to have joined the ranks of the undead. However, looks can be deceiving. A semi-frozen fallen gray iguana lying upside down by your pool or on your windshield who appears to have crossed the Great Divide may not actually be dead. Said iguana may be in a state of suspended iguana animation like passengers on a spaceship to a distant galaxy.

    Humans are advised not to dispose of zombie iguanas as they may come back to life when the temperature begins to warm up. A zombie iguana can reanimate and resume doing whatever iguanas do when they are not falling out of trees. An official from the Miami Zoo advises that if the iguana turns from gray to dark brown, the iguana has in fact gone on to meet its ancestors. Then it’s time to light up the old grill, invite the neighbors, crack the keg and party down with a good oldfashioned iguana barbecue.

    What can we learn from the recent rain of iguanas in Florida? Perhaps falling iguanas are some sort of warning Mother Nature is providing us similar to the miners who brought alarm canaries into coal mines. Canaries apparently need more air than humans. If the miners’ Tweetie Bird croaked in the mine, it was a message to the miners it was time to make like a tree and leave the mine before they ran out of breathable air. Like Keith Richards falling from his palm tree, not everything or everyone who falls out of a tree is dead. Keith has looked like he is dead for many decades, and yet he lives on. Considering the climate change that Mother Nature is inflicting on us as a result of our own devices, we need to focus on what kind of world we want to leave to Keith Richards and the frozen iguanas after we all are gone.

    If you are handy with knitting needles, it’s time to start knitting scarfs and Speedos for Keith and the iguanas. It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature. Poor Keith is going to have to explain to her what we did to the climate.

  • 03gerrymanderingREADER ALERT!

    This column deals with gerrymandering, a topic that has been described as everything you hated about high school civics. Admittedly, it is not as titillating as reading about porn stars and Donald Trump. Gerrymandering refers to the drawing of elective districts for offices from Congress down to county and municipal positions to benefit individual candidates, political parties or both. It has been with us since the earliest days of our nation and has been practiced by both Democrats and Republicans and the parties that preceded them.

    Feeling sleepy?

    I understand, but make no mistake. Gerrymandering affects all of us, rendering some of our votes meaningless and leading to the election of legislators and members of Congress of one party when members of the opposite party cast more votes. It cheapens the sacred “one person, one vote” premise Americans hold dear. Redistricting, which has meant gerrymandering in recent cycles, occurs after every U.S. census to distribute changing populations relatively equally for the coming decade. Lawsuits almost always follow.

    The latest round of lawsuits began in 2011 and is still going strong. In the interest of full disclosure, I am the lead plaintiff in one of the several suits, which has been to the U.S. Supreme Court twice and to the North Carolina Supreme Court not once, not twice but three times – so far! The latest court ruling on gerrymandering in our state came last week from a three-judge federal panel and is by all accounts – and to use the vernacular – a really big deal not only for North Carolina but for our nation.

    Since 2011, rulings in the phalanx of redistricting lawsuits in both state and federal courts have addressed gerrymandering based on race, and both state and federal courts have uniformly and repeatedly said racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional. Ruling last week, the federal judges said gerrymandering of congressional districts based on partisan politics is also unconstitutional. “No, no,” said the judges. The party in charge of redistricting – in North Carolina’s case last time around, the Republicans – may not gerrymander for gross partisan advantage.

    Rep. David Lewis of Harnett County had justified the partisan gerrymandering to House colleagues by saying, “I propose we draw the maps to give a partisan advantage to 10 Republicans and three Democrats because I do not believe it is possible to draw maps with 11 Republicans and two Democrats.”

    The judges did not buy that position, however, marking the first time partisan gerrymandering has been struck down in North Carolina. In fact, while racial gerrymandering has long been deemed unconstitutional – though legislators still try it from time to time – courts have rarely dealt with partisan gerrymandering. That legal void has left room for the practice and allowed legislators like Rep. Lewis to feel comfortable announcing such plans out loud and in public.

    As Bob Dylan famously sang, “The times they are a’ changing.”

    The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a partisan redistricting case from Wisconsin last fall and has agreed to take up another case from Maryland. Legal observers speculate that last week’s North Carolina ruling will also make its way to Washington. In other words, the highest court in the land is signaling that partisan gerrymandering is an issue of national significance. Advances in computer software now allow slicing and dicing of voting districts in ways not imaginable even a decade ago, much less in pre-computer days. These advances make gerrymandering, including partisan gerrymandering, a mere click away, and the high court is clearly concerned.

    You and I can do little to combat gerrymandering of any sort except vote for candidates for the North Carolina General Assembly who support a bipartisan redistricting system. North Carolina, like most states, tasks the legislature with Congressional and legislative redistricting, a practice that allows those who benefit from the system to control the system. Think the fox guarding the henhouse.

    North Carolina has held three election cycles – 2012, 2014 and 2016 – with Congressional and legislative districts that have been found unconstitutional, but legal appeals continue even as the next U.S. census and subsequent redistricting loom. This makes no sense to voters, repelling us instead of attracting us to our voting places. Gerrymandering in all its forms damages our democracy, and the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts are turning their attention to its highly partisan incarnation.

    Stay tuned.

  • 02newspaper Pub PenThe past decade has been a difficult one for daily and weekly newspapers and print news media in general. Financial stability has been a challenge as the industry gradually leaves the world of printed news on paper and transitions to the new, less dependable and everchanging world of the internet and social media. I’m not worried, though. There is still a valuable and relevant market and community interest for locally printed newspapers – especially for weekly community newspapers like Up & Coming Weekly.

    However, today, there is a new breed of newspaper publishers, and, I use the term “publisher” loosely since many of the legitimate, honorable and traditional newspaper publishers are being replaced with corporate bean-counters and caretakers. They have little knowledge of the communities they serve, nor is there any interest in getting involved with the local missions and mandates that factor into having clear communication and a good quality of life within a community. With this being said, you can bet they have little knowledge of the newspaper industry let alone a clear understanding of what the Fourth Estate – the press, which is not officially recognized as part of the political system but wields a significant influence – contributes to society. No wonder there is such apparent public apathy toward any plight the newspaper industry may have. And it does have a plight.

    Currently, national leaders in Washington, D.C., have been entertaining a proposal they feel is critically important to protect and shore up the operations of one West Coast domestic paper-producing company rather than being guardians of the national free press, the stalwart foundation of the Fourth Estate.

    Daily and weekly newspapers across North Carolina (and the nation) are speaking out in an organized and collective voice, demanding that legislative delegations in Washington reject the idea of imposing tariffs on imported Canadian newsprint (uncoated groundwood). This is the type paper that many U.S. publishing companies use daily.

    The movement is being spearheaded by large conglomerate newspaper chains and by state and national newspaper associations that say these proposed tariffs on Canadian paper could vary from 6 to 10 percent. This would increase U.S. newspaper companies’ costs of doing business and decay bottom-line profits. According to newspaper industry leaders, such an action by the Department of Commerce would create overall higher domestic newsprint pricing that would end up being passed on to the consumer while creating a financial burden on all newspaper companies across the state and country.

    I agree that on the surface, protecting a national industry may look like the correct thing to do. But as The Fayetteville Observer pointed out in its Friday, Jan. 12, editorial “A newsprint tariff’s unintended consequences,” this kind of protectionism could have devastating consequences to the already-struggling newspaper industry – including Up & Coming Weekly.

    Well, as the title of this editorial reflects: Cry me a river!

    Honestly, who cares what happens to the daily newspaper industry? After all, we have the internet. What’s laughable is how the newspaper industry is claiming the viability and importance of daily and weekly newspapers as a local community medium while declaring such a tariff would hurt American businesses by increasing operating costs and reducing profitability, which would eventually lead to the loss of thousands of jobs in the newspaper industry.

    Well, during the last 18 months here in Fayetteville, we lost plenty of newspaper jobs, and it had nothing to do with the price of newsprint. Even more laughable is the arrogant self-perception that the news industry cares about the communities it serves. Here is a quote from The Fayetteville Observer’s editorial:

    “We are at an important juncture right now, and our role of getting real news to you on a daily or weekly basis matters more than ever. A credible news source that has a vested interest in communitybased news and information is one of our bedrock principles as a free nation.” They are talking about themselves. They go on, claiming that “Readers rely on newspapers to provide credible information about what matters most to them – news about local people, local government, local happenings, local businesses and important public notices that can impact a community.” Again, really? Are they talking about our daily newspaper?

    I find it ironic that newspapers and newspaper-related associations have found it so convenient to, blatantly and without shame, violate the spirit of the Fourth Estate by publishing products with persistent politically leaning bias. And they do it with a mean-spirited penchant for sensationalizing fake news and half-truths while fostering ongoing and unfounded negative and disrespectful attacks on the office of the president of the United States. This injustice is as blatant as the disrespect many newspapers have for Americans who don’t agree with their opinions and ideology.

    How ironic is it that now the mighty, arrogant liberal press is seeing its oncerespected bully pulpit reduced to an insignificant stub? Even as liberal abuses continue to mock freedom of speech and other constitutional freedoms, the newspaper industry is asking North Carolinians and people from across the nation to step up, exert our influence and invest our political capital to save it from an impending tax increase. Now that’s arrogant.

    They want those of us who they have continuously attacked and offended to speak out on their behalf by contacting the U.S. Department of Commerce, the offices of Sens. Burr and Tillis and anyone else who will listen to oppose this proposed Canadian newsprint tariff. Honestly, why would we do that? So the newspaper industry can continue to assault our senses, make a mockery of the U.S. Constitution and spew the same disrespectful and biased reporting? I don’t think so. I’m not going to second-guess our congressional leaders; don’t be surprised if this falls on deaf ears. After all, this request is like asking the hangman for a new rope. Good luck.

    I do agree with The Fayetteville Observer on this point, though: “A free press is more important than ever, and newspapers have always been at the forefront of serving our communities. We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue doing so.” Yep. This is what we do.

    I’ll accept the price increase and make it work. After all, that’s been a 22-year tradition. Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 12HM year in review

  • 06NewYearThe new year is well underway. If you’re like most people, you made a few resolutions. And if you’re like most people, you may have already broken a few of those.

    One reason we often fail at resolutions and forming new habits is because our lives are maxed out – spouse, children, college, work, home repair, yard work, dinner, sports, dance class, Scouts, grocery shopping, family, vacation (who has time for that?), church, the list goes on and on. So how can we balance life and ministry? Here are three principles.

    1. Determine to spend time with God daily.

    In Mark 1:35, we find Jesus arising early, while it is still dark, to go pray. The night before was filled with activity and ministry. Why didn’t he just sleep in – bypass the early morning prayer time? Because spending time with God is a necessity. For Christians, this activity is vital. Yet, because it is something left unscheduled, we often skip it. Take a moment to set a time, set a location, and set a task – read the Bible, pray, meditate, etc.

    2. Decide to do what is necessary daily.

    My calendar is overflowing with things that “need” to be done. However, I often spend my time doing things that are unnecessary. Things like watching TV, scrolling through Facebook, playing Candy Crush and much more. Only a few things are necessary: food, sleep, exercise, work, family and devotional time with God.

    In Mark 1:36-38, the disciples find Jesus praying, and they try to get him to go back to the village. The people were anxious to see more miracles, healings and exorcisms. But Jesus said, “No!” He knew what was necessary and what was not. In verse 38, he says, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby so that I can preach there also; for that is what I came for.” In short, Jesus determined what was necessary and chose not to do the rest.

    You have 24 hours in your day – the same as me. What you accomplish in those 24 hours depends on the choices you make. If you choose to do the unnecessary tasks, then you will not accomplish the more important, necessary tasks. Need to spend more time with the family? Watch less TV. Want to pick up a new hobby? Stop wasting time on Twitter. Do you really want to read the Bible through this year? Then choose to spend time doing it.

    3. Do what is necessary.

    The Nike adage is still true today: Just do it! There’s a big difference in knowing what’s necessary and doing what’s necessary. After Jesus identifies the thing he came to do as preaching, the next verse shows him going into the synagogues preaching (Mark 1:39). It’s a matter of action. It’s a matter of just doing it.

    So, whatever you’re seeking to accomplish in 2018, you can make a significant step toward achieving it with these three simple principles. If one of those goals is to learn to read and study your Bible better, then consider our tuition-free class, “How to Study the Bible.” We’d love to help you be a new you in this new year.

  • 05RichardsonBefore we start a new year, I always take time to reflect on the year that has passed. 2017 has been a year for the history books. As your congressman, I made a promise that I would work hard to advance policies that strengthen our economy and bring more jobs to the 8th District. I also promised I would be as accessible as possible and strive to represent you and our community’s priorities. On both of those counts, I think we had a successful year.

    Right here in North Carolina, we saw close to 100,000 new jobs in 2017. Nationwide, the economy has added millions of jobs, the stock market is at the highest it has ever been, and our unemployment rate is at a historic low of 4.1 percent. That’s the lowest rate in nearly 17 years, due in large part because we have rolled back 22 regulations for every one that has been added.

    While this is incredible news for our economy, we are just getting started. We closed out 2017 by passing the most comprehensive tax reform in over 30 years. We will see the full impact of this law manifest in more jobs, higher wages and more money in your pocket in the coming year.

    Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, we have strengthened our national security and restored confidence in America. We have taken steps to rebuild our military, ISIS has lost nearly all of its territory and its stronghold in Iraq and Syria, and we have bolstered our border security

    In the House of Representatives, we passed 477 bills – including four of mine (of which one made it into law), with a total of 97 signed into law. Unfortunately, 378 of those bills got log-jammed in the Senate. While I am disappointed in the slow work of the Senate, we concentrated on issues important to the 8th District and the American people. We passed bills to address Veterans Affairs inefficiency, combat human trafficking and to continue to address the opioids crisis.

    By far, one of the most important parts of my job as your representative is taking care of your needs. As our district changed this year to include Moore, Hoke and Cumberland Counties, I opened offices in downtown Fayetteville and at Sandhills Community College to increase my accessibility. This year, we’ve helped hundreds of folks with problems with federal agencies like Social Security and the VA. We’ve helped veterans get service medals that were long overdue and fire stations get grants for more firefighters and equipment. I also introduced legislation to name the Spring Lake post office after Howard B. Pate, a World War II veteran and the town’s longtime post master.

    Last but not least, we passed what was described by AWR Hawkins as the “biggest guns rights boost since the ratification of the Second Amendment” this year with the passage of my concealed carry reciprocity legislation in the House. This legislation will ensure that law-abiding citizens can protect their families across state lines.

    2017 has been a great year for North Carolina’s 8th District, and I’m looking forward to what this new year has in store. I will continue to work for good-paying jobs, a strengthened economy and commonsense government. My wife Renee and I wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

  • 04WealthyI have come to a point of empathizing with wealthy Americans. In my estimation, they are being financially victimized. Much of what brought me to this conclusion appears in the thoughts that follow.

    The Cambridge Dictionary defines the word victimize as such: “to treat someone in an intentionally unfair way.” The case I make now is that wealthy Americans are financially victimized. The victimization happens in how their tax rates are determined.

    Consider some observations as to what drives their tax rate determination. Because it is politically beneficial, there is an effort to condition non-wealthy citizens to believe the wealthy should pay a substantial amount of their wealth in taxes. Since the wealthy are very much in the minority by way of numbers, conditioning the non-wealthy to expect, and even demand, redistribution of wealth brings votes to those politicians who pursue wealth redistribution.

    This conditioning process has several moving parts. One is that politicians, almost always Democratic, and their supporters claim great concern for people. They look for opportunities to demonstrate that concern. The demonstration of concern is hardly ever productive for citizens, but simply mischaracterizes what might be a productive action by an individual or group seen as the opposition.

    A case in point as to how this supposed concern for people plays out was evident in Democratic opposition to the recently passed tax legislation (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act). While offering nothing by way of legislation when the American economy needs to be stimulated with jobs brought back to and created in this country, Democrats latched onto what they saw as a vulnerable point. The proposed Republican legislation limited the duration of the individual tax cuts but made the corporate reductions permanent. Democrat after Democrat was before a microphone talking about how this was unfair to individuals, especially the middle class, and how it favored big business.

    Not one time did I hear a Democrat explain why Republicans took this action. It was because the Senate has what is called the Byrd Rule. This rule originated with Senator Robert Byrd, a Democrat from West Virginia. The time limit on individual tax cuts was included in the bill so it complies with Senate rules – the Byrd Rule – that legislation can be passed with a simple majority only if it doesn’t drive up the deficit 10 years after passage. Not a single Democrat was going to vote for this legislation. Consequently, Republicans made the change so that they could pass it with a simple majority, which they had. Democrats only told the part of the story that would lead the non-wealthy to think Democrats were concerned about them.

    Democratic actions described above also reflect another step in the conditioning process. This step is to paint Republicans as members of a party that does what is good for the wealthy while showing no concern for the non-wealthy. Beyond pressing Democratic concern for the non-wealthy, telling only the advantageous part of the Byrd Rule situation was intended to advance the “Republicans love wealthy people and don’t care about the nonwealthy” narrative

    Even further, conditioning the non-wealthy includes instilling dislike, if not pure hate, for the wealthy. In part, this is done by repeatedly saying the wealthy are not paying their fair share in taxes. An example is what President Barack Obama said, as reported by Joel Gehrke in an article titled “President Obama on the ‘fiscal cliff’ agreement:”

    “‘Obviously, there is still more to do when it comes to reducing our debt,’” Obama said in the video. ‘And I’m willing to do more, as long as we do it in a balanced way that doesn’t put all the burden on seniors or students or middle-class families, but also asks the wealthiest Americans to contribute and pay their fair share.’”

    At the bottom line, this statement says make the wealthy pay and pay. The call for the wealthy to pay more is repeated frequently, but never with specificity. Sean Hannity, host of “Hannity” on Fox Cable News, has asked numerous proponents of the wealthy paying their fair share to name that fair share rate. I have never seen him get a straight answer.

    The effectiveness of this conditioning process is reflected in several outcomes. One is that polls show this approach to be effective. In an article titled “High-income Americans pay most income taxes, but enough to be ‘fair’?” Drew Desilver, based on a Pew Research Center survey, reports: “Some six-in-ten Americans said they were bothered a lot by the feeling that ‘some wealthy people’ and ‘some corporations’ don’t pay their fair share.”

    Nobody is able to make a fact-based argument as to what constitutes fair share, but continuously repeating the call produces the feelings reflected in that Pew survey.

    The Drew Desilver article makes this statement, based on a Monmouth University poll, regarding the then-developing 2017 tax legislation: “The poll, released Monday, found that 50 percent of the public believes the federal taxes they pay will go up under the Grand Old Party’s proposal; 25 percent think their taxes will stay the same, and just 14 percent say their taxes will go down.”

    I am comfortable concluding these poll results were not driven by respondents examining their tax situation in light of the proposed legislation. There might be some exceptions, but most respondents had to be going on “gut instinct” conditioned by the process I have described to this point.

    The end result is that this conditioning process brings far too many non-wealthy individuals to the point that they faithfully vote for those politicians who work this conditioning process with amazing acumen. My observation is that Democrats are masters of this conditioning process. Since the wealthy are vastly outnumbered by voting non-wealthy citizens, many of whom have succumbed to Democratic conditioning, tax policy results in this country are predictable. Here is the picture based on Pew Center research reported in the Desilver article:

    “In 2014, people with adjusted gross income, or AGI, above $250,000 paid just over half (51.6 percent) of all individual income taxes, though they accounted for only 2.7 percent of all returns filed, according to our analysis of preliminary IRS data. Their average tax rate (total taxes paid divided by cumulative AGI) was 25.7 percent. By contrast, people with incomes of less than $50,000 accounted for 62.3 percent of all individual returns filed, but they paid just 5.7 percent of total taxes. Their average tax rate was 4.3 percent.”

    It appears to me a sizable number of citizens who pay little or nothing in taxes get to elect politicians who, in turn, take huge sums from the wealthy and pass benefits to those non-wealthy citizens who are conditioned to support this process.

    There are at least two sources of sadness from what I have described here. One is that this looks and smells like financial victimization of the wealthy. The second is that the benefits provided to the non-wealthy normally do little or nothing by way of nurturing productive attitudes, promoting individual responsibility, allowing for and encouraging upward mobility or unifying a nation. We must find a better way.

  • 03.1Ilhan Omar03.2KathyTran03.3Vi Lyles

    More than a few Americans and people elsewhere in the world expected 2017 to be the Year of the Woman, or more specifically, the Year of One Particular Woman – Hillary Clinton. That did not happen, as we all know, proving that America is not quite ready for a woman president. We are apparently ready, though, for women leaders in other high places. Writing for The Washington Post, Petula Dvorak pointed to three new women U.S. senators, the first woman to head a major Unified Combatant Command, the first woman NFL coach, and the first woman depicted on U.S. currency, all of which came to fruition in 2017.

    So there is progress.

    What is more, 2018 is shaping up not as the Year of the Woman, but the Year of Women. The Women’s March a year ago in Washington, D.C., and other cities across the nation brought millions of women together to mourn a loss and to celebrate what will surely come in future years. It was a historical moment filled with hope and energy. It was also a moment that cannot be duplicated, though women’s marches around the country are also planned for later this month.

    That was then, though, and this is now, and the difference is a year in which women of all partisan stripes declared they were running for public offices from the U.S. Senate and governorships down to local school boards. Some of those women were elected in 2017, and some will be on ballots in 2018.

    What we are seeing is women demanding seats at decision-making tables and voters deciding women candidates are often more trustworthy than men who have jealously guarded the status quo for not just decades but centuries. Women make up 51 percent of the American population, and millions of those women have decided we do not like the way we have been treated in oh-so-many ways.

    Women are tired of being shut out, yes, but feminine activism is also fueled by the election of a president who bragged openly about groping women, which in turn led to the #MeToo movement. Famous and powerful women, and others who lead more private lives, have stepped forward to report sexual harassment and abuse, some of it criminal, toppling men from high places in politics, media, business, and even restaurant kitchens. At times, it has felt like a tsunami of men tumbling head over heels, a phenomenon political commentator and humorist Celia Rivenbark describes as “raining men.”

    It is true that the women energized to run for elective office and even the millions of women marching last year are but a small fraction of the 154 million plus women in the United States. Most women have done neither of those things, but make no mistake. Women are watching the actions and achievements of their sisters, and they are nursing their own stories of gender inequities and worse. They are watching and cheering, sometimes silently, advances they see that will benefit themselves, their daughters and others in general.

    It shocks me every time I think about it to realize that my own mother was born into a country, the United States, that did not yet allow women to vote. That baby girl grew into a woman who voted at every opportunity, as do her two daughters. Hillary Clinton did not become president for many reasons – not only her gender – but almost a century after American women got the vote, Clinton did run on a major party ticket and came close to becoming the leader of the free world.

    The bottom line here is that some women are more capable than men in almost every field or endeavor, and some are not. What the Year of Women is about is leveling the field so that the most capable person rises to the top and so that power in public and in private is not used selectively based on gender.

    If nothing else, 2018 is going to be an interesting, energizing and profoundly hopeful time to be an American woman.

    L to R: Ilhan Omar, America’s first Somali-American Muslim woman legislator; Kathy Tran, the first Asian-American woman elected to the Virginia House of Delegates; Vi Lyles, the first African-American woman mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. These women are just a few of many who are changing hundreds of years of the male-dominated status quo in America.

  • City Council newBusiness-wise, 2017 was a great year, but I’m especially excited about 2018. Fayetteville and Cumberland County are flush with opportunities to stimulate our economy, advance our reputation, solidify our brand and enhance our quality of life. The big question looming out there is whether we have the leadership in place to take advantage of these opportunities. After attending the first planning session of the new Fayetteville City Council, I must admit I was slightly disappointed at the reluctance of several council members to step up and take leadership positions on two major local initiatives.

    Both initiatives – Pathways to Prosperity and city support for the proposed NC Civil War & Reconstruction History Center – were obviously relevant and potentially beneficial to the residents of Fayetteville. Instead of evaluating these projects on their merits and how they could positively impact the community, council members seemed to be reluctant and overly concerned about how their constituents would perceive and react to their decisions. This concern, rather than a will to provide the leadership and direction for which they were elected, was the focus.

    This preoccupation is concerning. They are all intelligent and capable people with good intentions and judgment. Why the reluctance? Doing the right thing for the right reasons never warrants an apology. That’s real leadership, and real leadership inspires vision and aggressive action. The city of Fayetteville is desperately in need of both if it is to succeed in growing the community. This is reality, not negativity.

    I was trying to think of a relevant New Year’s resolution I could bestow on our new Fayetteville City Council in the hope it may provide council members inspiration and confidence to be aggressive in their thinking and decision-making. As I was driving through the frozen, snow-covered mountains of West Virginia this weekend, a popular country song by Rodney Atkins came on the radio and provided me the idea for my resolution.

    The song is “If You’re Going through Hell.” How appropriate. Atkins sings out an upbeat message of perseverance that could serve to shore up anyone’s confidence and resolve. It goes like this:

    If you’re going through hell Keep on going, don’t slow down If you’re scared, don’t show it You might get out Before the devil even knows you’re there Yeah, if you’re going through hell Keep on moving, face that fire Walk right through it You might get out Before the devil even knows you’re there

    It’s a fun and catchy tune with a great message. Check it out: www.YouTube/Rodney Atkins. You’ll be humming it all week.

    So, there you have it. My musical New Year’s gift and message to the new city council. Lyrics to live and survive by. Work hard, keep on going, don’t slow down, and, if you’re scared – don’t show it! All while continuing to serve and do the right things for the Fayetteville community. You can never go wrong doing the right things for the right reasons.

    Here’s wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year. Thank you for reading and supporting Up & Coming Weekly and allowing us to serve you. Expect only the best from our publications as we expect only the best for this community.

  • 10HopeMillsDuring the Christmas celebration of 2017, my family and I, once again, enjoyed Hollywood’s classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Our small town of Hope Mills has many similarities to the fictional Bedford Falls, where neighbors and neighborhoods identify as family. As our once mill villages continue to grow as one large community, 2018 promises to be a fruitful and exciting time for us all.

    With much anticipation, the town awaits the return of its centerpiece: Hope Mills Lake, which will be accented with a new public fishing pier, a freshly painted pedestrian bridge and a plan for a new parking lot and entrance to the lake park. The lake park will have a boardwalk, complete with swings for our community to enjoy the lake.

    Just across Lakeview Road, Heritage Park should begin to take shape in 2018 with additional recreational opportunities for citizens while reminding us of our mill village heritage.

    The long-awaited town museum and historical district will become a reality in 2018 with the help of Hope Mills’ Historical Preservation Commission and town staff. The town’s Appearance Committee will oversee the landscape and beautification projects in the lake park and museum plans.

    The Parks and Recreation Committee along with town staff will continue work on a complete recreation plan for all areas in Hope Mills, focusing on the property on Golfview Road in the coming year.

    Our talented town manager, Melissa Adams, is leading the way with plans for additional Citizens’ Academies, more community activities and cultural arts programs at the Town Hall complex.

    Hope Mills Park will benefit from a new parking lot set to open in January 2018 near the Main Street entrance to the park, giving more citizens access to the activities.

    Hope Mills’ Public Works Department continues to improve the community’s appearance with the addition of a new leaf truck. The town staff is involved in all aspects of the new dam and Lake Park, which means 2018 will be a busy time for this department.

    Public Safety Building plans will move forward in 2018 with the development of a funding plan for the new structure’s design. This much-needed facility will house the town’s Police and Fire Departments. It will not be built this year, but we hope to have a ground breaking before 2019.

    This month, the town board of commissioners and town staff will create a strategic plan with achievable goals for the new year. This will be followed by a budget retreat in March to create a budget that meets the needs of our community – a unified board with a vision for Hope Mills.

    There is hope for relief from the town’s traffic congestion with the completion of the Multimodal Congestion Plan in 2018. This plan is being developed by professionals with input from our citizens and is being funded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation to provide recommendations for improved travel in Hope Mills.

    2018 brings a renewed interest in economic development as evidenced by a partnership between the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Corporation, the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce and the Hope Mills Board and town staff. Hope Mills is moving forward with a vision for jobs and planned growth in cooperation with the Cumberland County commissioners, the mayors of neighboring small towns, PWC and NCDOT to ensure we are all members of a unified team for our community and for Cumberland County.

    It must be acknowledged that the exciting times ahead are because of the strategic plans and work of the 2015-17 board of commissioners and staff. As successful as our previous boards have been, it is bittersweet without some of our leaders who have passed on: former Mayor and Commissioner Edwin Deaver, long-time Mayor Pro Tem Bob Gorman and former Mayor and Commissioner Al Bradford. Each of these leaders left a legacy of dedication to our town and enabled our lake to return in 2018.

    In the 1946 movie, a quote is given that is applicable to Hope Mills. The angel Clarence says, “Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?’

    It is a wonderful time in Hope Mills – thanks to those past and present. Hope Mills, as was Bedford Falls, is a blessed place to call home.

    Happy New Year!

  • 04HappybdayTime flies when you are having fun. Fruit flies like bananas. Seems like only yesterday, the year 1918 was only 99 years old. Now 1918 is coming up on its 100th birthday and it doesn’t look a day over 80. To celebrate this occasion, hop on board Mr. Peabody’s Time Machine and let us reminisce about what was doing back in 1918.

    A lot of things happened in 1918, and like in the Overlook Hotel, not all of them were good. The year started with a bang as Finland and the USSR finally dropped the Julian Calendar and switched over to the Gregorian Calendar. In a day that will live in infamy, Mississippi became the first state to ratify the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the use of alcohol. Prohibition did not work out quite as well as its proponents had hoped, although it made a lot of money for moonshiners, including JFK’s daddy. The first Tarzan movie debuted in 1918, paving the way for an endless series of Ape Man flicks.

    On a sad note in February, Incas, the last Carolina Parakeet, died at the Cincinnati Zoo. Carolina Parakeets once numbered in the millions but, unfortunately for them, their plumage was attractive to ladies of fashion, so off they went. Incas died in the very same cage in which Martha the last passenger pigeon crossed over the rainbow. The moral of that story is that if you are the last of your breed, stay out of the Cincinnati Zoo.

    The first case of the Spanish flu appeared in March of 1918 at Fort Riley, Kansas. This flu went on to become a pandemic killing an estimated 50 to 100 million people. My very own grandfather was supposed to become the superintendent of schools in Wilmington, North Carolina, in the fall of 1918. But by the time he got there, all the schools had closed due to the flu. The schools were converted to hospitals for flu victims. With no schools open, there was no need for a school superintendent. He was hired to go tell the bad news to the families of flu victims who had died in the schools. This was not a job he enjoyed.

    In April, Snoopy’s nemesis, Manfred von Richthofen, also known as the Red Baron, shot down his 79th and 80th Allied planes before being terminated with extreme prejudice the next day after a profound collision with the earth. In a fit of attempting to stuff the First Amendment into the dust bin of history, Congress passed the Sedition Act of 1918, which made it a crime to criticize the government. If you think President Trump would like to reinstate the Sedition Act of 1918, please raise your hand. Later that year, the House of Representatives tried to make amends by passing the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

    The Russian czar, Nicholas II, had a bad day at the office when he and his family were executed by a Bolshevik firing squad in July of 1918. U.S. soldier and Gary Cooper lookalike Alvin York had a good day at the office by shooting 20 Germans and capturing 132 of the Huns. Meanwhile, Lawrence of Arabia led Arab forces and captured Damascus from the Turks, which ultimately led to a movie of the same name winning seven Academy Awards – including Best Picture in 1963. In October of 1918, Boris become king of Bulgaria. Don’t know much about Bulgarian history, but I think living in a country ruled by a dude named King Boris would be kind of cool.

    World War I finally ended on Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m., leaving an estimated 16 to 18 million dead and over 20 million wounded. As Bob Dylan once sang, “The first World War came and it went/The reason for fighting, I never did get.” Now we tend to commemorate Veterans Day by having mattress sales, which somehow honors the 18 million dead.

    In December, Robert Ripley published his first “Believe it or Not” newspaper column that led to the creation of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum at Myrtle Beach, USA.

    For reasons that remain shrouded in the mists of time, future FBI director and America’s most famous cross-dressing crime fighter, John E. Hoover, decided to change his name to J. Edgar Hoover. Only Carl Tolson, J. Edgar’s longtime companion and close friend, knew for sure why J. Edgar swapped out his name. Carl ain’t telling because Carl has crossed the Great Divide and is buried close to J. Edgar.

    So happy birthday, 1918. 100 is the new 80.

    Photo: J. Edgar Hoover and Ripley’s Believe It or Not both experienced significant events in 1918.

  • 03Leaves in the roadMISS: Leaf season

    The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Fayetteville as a Tree City for 15 years. A lot of trees means a lot of leaves and pine needles. This year’s loose-leaf collection schedule is a joke. All the leaves cannot possibly be collected by city crews with one sweep through each neighborhood. There used to be two sweeps each fall. Because of the cutback in this basic service, leaves are left in the street.

    HIT: Transit Center

    Finally, the new, $12.6 million transit center is open. Facilities for Greyhound have not yet been constructed, but the city is providing the carrier temporary office space. The new, brightly lit terminal provides comfort and efficiency for riders and brings Fayetteville in line with other large North Carolina cities.

    MISS: Traffic enforcement

    Former Police Chief Harold Medlock promised a significant expansion of the department’s traffic division. But then he retired. Let’s hope Chief Gina Hawkins recognizes that the Fayetteville Police Department must make a significant increase is visible, aggressive efforts to stop red-light running and speeding.

    MISS: Trash recycling station

    The recycling center hasn’t been in place on Fort Bragg Road near the recreation center for a few years now. Maybe it’s time the city takes down the sign.

    HIT: New and improved streets

    The city of Fayetteville is to be commended for the resurfacing of major thoroughfares across the city. The state Department of Transportation is also doing its part, and Owen Drive should be among the next arteries to be improved.

    MISS: Yielding instead of stopping

    Most drivers do not stop for stop signs. They usually check both ways and cruise on through intersections. The city should consider replacing most stop signs with yield signs, ’cause that’s what we do.

  • 02PubPenThis week, Publisher Bill Bowman yields this space to Margaret Dickson, longtime Up & Coming Weekly columnist. Enjoy her eloquent and thought provoking New Year reflections.

    A new year always feels fresh.

    Gone are the decorations and general holiday clutter. Our homes feel spare and open to new possibilities. We are back into our routines of work and school and doing our darnedest to live up to the resolutions we made with such determination. The new year is a blank slate that opens at midnight, one which will mark another chapter in the journeys of our lives.

    We also experience evolutions, changes that come slowly over time, sometimes so subtly we may not recognize them at all. One that struck me only when I read a newspaper article about it is that Christmas in America is becoming more of a holiday than a holy day. The non-partisan Pew Research Center, which polls on many aspects of American life, released findings just before Christmas on how Americans now see the two-millennia old religious observance. It is now more of a secular and cultural holiday than a religious one, with only 57 percent of us professing to believe all four elements of the biblical account of the birth of Jesus.

    The study finds that some of us do find more meaning in the religious significance of Christmas while others of us find special meaning in gatherings of family and friends and in being kind to others, and some of us feel both aspects of Christmas observance. Just as Western Europe has become more secular, Pew Research finds so too is the United States.

    No American could have missed the increasing concern over the opioid epidemic in our country. Some of us have experienced it personally and painfully through our own addictions or those of people we love. Some of us have lost someone dear.

    Now we find that the opioid epidemic strikes women more quickly and more severely than men, creating a gender disparity that leaves women in worse health. The numbers are startling. Opioid overdose rates for men have increased some 265 percent since the epidemic took hold, but for women that number is an eye-popping 400 percent. Some of the disparity may revolve around the reality that women are generally smaller than men and should have lower dosages of prescription drugs and some around the fact that women are prescribed longer regimens. Whatever the reasons, though, the disparities are there. Writing in the Los Angeles Times, health economist Ken Sagynbekov advocates for more extensive health care coverage, including in Medicaid and Medicare, something both North Carolina and the federal government have resisted. Says Sagynbekov, “The long-term consequences of ignoring the gender gap in health should frighten us more than political tempests.”

    He is right.

    Back to the ever-curious Pew Research Center polling findings. Many an American family jokes about young adult children returning to the nest, and there is truth in those jokes. For the first time in modern American history – more than 130 years – young adults ages 18- 34 are choosing to live with their parents more often than any other living arrangement, including with roommates or significant others and even marriage.

    Interestingly, more returnees are sons, not daughters, probably because young men have seen both declining employment rates and incomes. Living at home is a trend that predates the Great Recession, but one that has probably been exacerbated by it. Pew Research says the trend is fueled by young people waiting until age 35 or longer to commit romantically, whether they marry or just decide to combine households, what the U.S. Census Bureau calls “cohabitation.”

    Another factor at play is educational attainment. Less-educated young people are more likely to live with parents than their more educated contemporaries, probably because of lower incomes. Young adults with college degrees have done much better economically in the workplace, making it more likely that they are able to establish their own homes. Add to this another Pew Research finding that roughly six in 10 Americans 35 and under are living “unpartnered,” and it is apparent that significant social change is indeed underway. Racially and ethnically, a record percentage of young black and Hispanic people, 36 percent, are living with parents.

    As 2018 unfolds its new, fresh and unmarked self in our lives, we may be concentrating on what we can do to make our mark on it. We can also be mindful of outside forces, which shape our lives as much or more than anything we control ourselves.

  • 01-07-15-avery-hurt.gifAvery Hurt got her first guitar when she was 10 years old. It was a gift from her grandfather Wayne Canady, who is also a musician. At the time, Hurt didn’t think a lot about the guitar. But in the ensuing years, that guitar became very important to her.

    Shortly after receiving the guitar, Hurt’s father, Master Sgt. David Hurt, a Green Beret with the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), was killed in action while deployed to Afghanistan. As Hurt struggled to find a way to deal with her grief, she turned to the guitar and used it and the songs that she wrote as an outlet for her grief.

    “I was really very bad at expressing myself at that time,” said Hurt. “Music became my outlet. I didn’t play for anyone else. I would just go up to my room and play and work out how I felt.”

    For several years, it was something she did just for herself but as her confidence grew, her mother, Kelly, let the cat out of the bag.

    “Our church’s youth pastor started talking about putting a band together to play for the youth group,” recalled Kelly Hurt. “I told him that Avery could play and that maybe if he asked her, she would help out.”

    The younger Hurt took that first step and started playing with the worship band on a weekly basis and she started writing more songs. She also put in extra work in school, and graduated from high school at the age of 16. With a plan to take on Nashville, Hurt wants to attend Belmont University.

    Both she and her mom agreed that it would be better for her to wait until she turned 18 before heading to Nashville, which is giving her time to work on her music. To that end, her cousin, Lisa Ness, introduced her to Gary Fisher of Elderock Music, who was looking for someone to open Warrior Jam. Fisher saw Hurt’s potential and started booking her at live-music venues around the community.

    Hurt has several venues she plays each month including 22 Kliks in Hope Mills, the Sandtrap and the Creek Bar and Grill in Gray’s Creek, the community in which she was raised. She also plays special events, weddings and other social events. Most recently, she played a fundraiser at the Creek to raise funds for her friend Josh Durden, a freshman at Gray’s Creek High School who is undergoing treatment for bone cancer. She plays an eclectic selection from country to Taylor Swift pop to Rehab to her own songs.

    “I really would love to play somewhere every night,” she said.

    On Friday, Jan. 9, she will play during half time at the Faytteville FireAntz Military Appreciation Night. If you catch her at one of her gigs, you will immediately know what keeps her grounded and moving in the right direction. Sharing the stage with Avery is her grandfather who plays the drums. Her mom and numerous cousins are in the audience. For Hurt, music is definitely a family thing.

    Photo: Avery Hurt, a 17-year-old Cumberland County resident, is making her mark on the Fayetteville music scene.

  • 01-21-15 brad drobot use.gifThe Fayetteville FireAntz have been lighting it up on the ice over the past month and a half, winning 10 of their last 15 games. After an off-season filled with a tremendous amount of time spent recruiting by head coach Emery Olauson, the Antz endured a slow start to the 2014-2015 season. But there was never a doubt in the minds of Olauson and his locker room.

    “This team has faced a ton of adversity since the start of the season in October,” said Olauson.

    When asked about three of his goalies already being called up this season Olauson noted, “Although it’s a scramble to find goalies mid-season, ultimately, we are a developmental league trying to progress players to the next level.”

    Olauson takes pride in the talent he’s brought to Fayetteville this season and is passionate about developing the skills of his players. Every player on the roster has a role that is vital to the team’s overall success. Sometimes, it takes a tough guy willing to get his hands dirty … or cut … or bruised, whichever they prefer — a tough guy, a guy who’s got a teammate’s back no matter what or who stands in the way.

    That’s the kind of role that #13 Rookie Brad Drobot plays in the Antz lineup. Through 26 games, Drobot has recorded 93 penalty minutes with 11 major penalties, the most by any rookie in the league in both statistics.

    Readers might think — a tough guy with a big beard and hands like a bear, must be crazy off of the ice, too. That’s not the case, even the slightest bit. Drobot was born and raised in Calgary Alberta, Canada, developing a passion for hockey at the young age of 5. With parents who run their own business, Drobot comes from a family where hard work is no stranger. Drobot looks up to his parents, appreciating the work ethic they’ve instilled in him. Since he’s been in Fayetteville, Drobot has had the opportunity to give back to the community and says the food drive this past December was “… an amazing experience to help people in need during the holidays.”01-21-15-brad-drobot.gif

    When asked about his favorite on-ice experience in Fayetteville, he was quick to reply “… saluting the crowd after my fight on Military Night.”

    What does it take to prepare for such a night? For Drobot, a good morning of practice followed by a rather large plate of spaghetti and meat sauce, topped with a little one hour snooze, will get him ready to dish out some major punishment come game time. His roommate is teammate Tim Recio, who Drobot says “… sings way too loud in the shower but has the voice of an angel.”

    Drobot hopes to continue playing professional hockey as long as he can. In the off-season, he enjoys off ice training and is a bouncer at a night club.

    Photo: top left; Brad Drobot. Bottom right; Rookie Brad Drobot mixes it up on the ice during Military Appreciation night. Drobot leads the league in penalty minutes (93) and major penalties (11).

  • 08 VeryStableGenius 3D extend copyPresident Donald Trump blasted top military officials as “losers” and “a bunch of dopes and babies” for lack of success in recent wars during a tense meeting early in his presidency, which set a negative tone for the relationship between the Pentagon and White House, according to a new book.

    The book, “A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trump’s Testing of America,” was written by Washington Post national investigative reporter Carol Leonnig and White House bureau chief Philip Rucker. It provides an insider narrative of Donald Trump’s presidency.

    “A Very Stable Genius” was named after Trump’s declaration of his superior knowledge. The book chronicles the first three years of the Trump presidency, with interviews about high-level administration discussions, which the authors say have not been made public before. Included are details of a meeting at the Pentagon in the summer of 2017, six months into Trump’s presidency, where top generals and administration officials met with the president to discuss U.S. alliances and military posture overseas. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, and Director of the National Economic Council Gary Cohn were present. All of them have since stepped down from their posts.

    For the first time, officials who felt honor-bound not to criticize a sitting president publicly or divulge what they witnessed in a position of trust, tell the truth for the benefit of history. Sources interviewed for the book say the Pentagon meeting devolved into an angry rant by Trump, who accused top U.S. military officials of incompetence. He called Afghanistan a “loser war” and told the generals that “you don’t know how to win anymore.” He attacked the group for the costs of ongoing military operations overseas and said that the United States should have gotten payments in oil from allies that the U.S. assisted in the Middle East.

    “I wouldn’t go to war with you people,” the book quotes Trump as saying to the military officials. “You’re a bunch of dopes and babies.”

    According to the authors, Tillerson defended the military leaders and told Trump his criticism was “totally wrong.” Tillerson was fired in March 2018. Mattis, a former Marine Corps general, resigned about nine months later, citing differences with Trump over support for foreign allies. Mattis declined to comment on the new book. During the meeting, the authors wrote, Trump suggested charging “rent” to South Korea for U.S. military forces stationed there and suggested that NATO countries owed America direct payments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.

    Publicly, Pentagon leaders characterized the meeting in a positive light. But Leonnig and Rucker said the session led to a strained relationship between the generals and Trump and the eventual departure of several high-ranking officials who were upset over the administration’s policies. Predictably, President Trump lashed out at the authors of the book calling them “stone-cold losers.”

    In a tweet, Trump asserted that “almost every story” in the book was “a made-up lie.”

  • 07 homeless personFayetteville City Council is considering spending nearly $4 million on a facility to help the homeless. The money is available to the city in state grant funds. City Council invited officials of Raleigh’s Oak City Cares to make a presentation at a recent public meeting. Oak City Cares is an organization that bills itself as a multiservice agency that provides a day center and services to help the homeless.

    The “concept is to coordinate rather than compete with other agencies,” said Oak City Cares Executive Director Kathryn Johnson.

    Wake County provided $7 million, and the city of Raleigh gave $3.4 million for the multipurpose center in downtown Raleigh, according to Rick Miller, retired regional director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh, which operates the facility.

    Wake County provided an old warehouse as a shell building for the center. Catholic Charities employees operate the facility, which raised $2.5 million in a private fundraising effort. The funds are paying the nonprofit agency’s share of operating costs for the first few years and provide $400,000 in reserve funds, Johnson told Council.

    Local Fayetteville agencies that serve the homeless insist a multimillion-dollar complex would be a waste of money since the services offered by such a facility are already available in the community. Fayetteville’s Operation Inasmuch has many of the programs and facilities provided by Oak City Cares. FOI’s website says its 40-bed lodge has led more than 200 men to get jobs, assisted over 100 men to find stable housing, provided individualized case management, offered job search and interview training and reduced the homeless population. Just as Oak City Cares does, the Operation Inasmuch lodge provides shower facilities, laundry services and computer access.

    Unlike the capital city area where city and county governments worked together, Cumberland County Commissioners have said they have no interest in joining the city in a multipurpose center for the homeless. Other groups are also active in Fayetteville in meeting the needs of people living on the streets. Street people who live a public, transient lifestyle on the streets of a city are among the homeless and are often mentally ill. Organizations here that serve the homeless agree the city should focus on job creation and providing affordable housing.

    City Council also heard from the director of Communities in Communities, which builds and leases tiny homes for those in need. It’s a Greensboro-based company that replaces vacant and blighted properties in the Triad with small houses of 500 to 1,000 square feet. Scott Jones outlined cottage communities in pocket neighborhoods that have been developed in High Point and Greensboro with a new development underway in Winston-Salem. “They are designed to serve the needs of the chronic homeless,” Jones said. “The idea is to replace tent-living with small homes that are practical and affordable.”

    Rent is subsidized based on the occupants’ earnings. City officials took no action on the proposals and did not schedule a subsequent meeting.

  • 06 01 Memorial auditorium and arenaSpectra Venue Management, the company that manages Fayetteville’s Crown Complex, has selected Conventions, Sports, and Leisure International to conduct a market analysis and feasibility study for a new venue to replace the Crown Theatre and Crown Arena. Memorial auditorium and arena will be closed in October 2022. The study will analyze and determine whether a new facility is feasible, and if so, its type, size and location. Results of the market analysis and feasibility study are expected by May of this year. The study is being paid for by Spectra Venue Management, utilizing funds that were set aside in its 2017 management agreement with Cumberland County. “We are excited for CSL to get started on this project,” Trent Merritt, Spectra’s regional vice president, said. CSL clients in North Carolina include Hickory Performing Arts Center; Keenan Stadium at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; the Charlotte Coliseum; and proposed venues in Wilmington and Mooresville. CSL will establish a date, time and location for public forums for those who wish to provide insight or feedback on the project.

    County extension of water lines to Grays Creek underway

    06 02 chemours2Several dozen Grays Creek residents were on hand at a county commission meeting this month when the board agreed to spend $376,000 for engineering work on a water line extension. The need for public water came to the surface two-and-a-half years ago when GenX, a potential carcinogen, was found in Grays Creek water wells. The culprit is the huge Chemours chemical plant on the Cumberland/Bladen County line. Chemours has provided bottled water and water filtration systems to some homes in the area. The project is a $10.5 million water line extension commissioners approved Jan. 6. GenX has also been reported in the Cape Fear River and in drinking water supplies of communities downstream from Chemours that get their water from the river. Residents claim the contamination has reduced property values and that Chemours should be held responsible for the cost of the water line extension.

    SBA provides loans for Hurricane Dorian repairs

    The U.S. Small Business Administration says Working Capital Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations in some North Carolina communities as a result of Hurricane Dorian on Sept. 6 - 10, 2019. Locally, loans are available in Cumberland, Bladen, Harnett and Hoke counties. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of the hurricane. Disaster loans are not available to 06 03 hurricane dorin 2agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers. The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and 2.75% for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at Disasterloan.sba.gov. Disaster loan information may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
    Fayetteville airport opens new concourse

    The new concourse features an open rotunda with large viewing windows, a new waiting area with in-seat charging stations and three new boarding gates. American Airlines is utilizing the new 06 04 Fayetteville Regional Airportconcourse, servicing its daily flights to and from Charlotte. The concourse will soon feature a new restaurant, which is expected to open in the spring. The facility is Phase 1 of a $45 million renovation project at Fayetteville Regional Project.
    “The opening of the new concourse is a big milestone for us,” said Airport Director Bradley Whited. “No major improvements have been made to the airport terminal since its opening in 1969.”
    Plans to start Phase 2 are already underway, including renovation of the front façade, a refreshed interior, a new TSA checkpoint, renovated ticketing and baggage wings and an updated second floor. Offering service to two major airline hubs, travelers have access to more than 230 one-stop destinations.

    Public countywide education program set

    A local state of education event scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 4, will shine a spotlight on various educational institutions in Cumberland County. During the event at J.W. Seabrook Auditorium on the campus of Fayetteville State University, participants will learn about major initiatives and strategic priorities in Cumberland County schools. Leaders from Fayetteville State, Methodist University and Fayetteville Technical Community College will also be featured. The program begins at 6 p.m.
    06 05 State of Education of CC 2 1200x496 copy
  • 13 01 business rally 1If you are a local business owner or are looking to start a new venture, the Building Business Rally, which will be held on Jan. 30, is a must for you.

    “This could have one of the biggest impacts on keeping dollars local than any other event this year,” said Christine Michaels, president and CEO of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber.

    The event will be held at the Ramada Plaza, 1707 Owen Dr., from 2-6 p.m., and features purchasing and procurement representatives for Fayetteville and Cumberland County’s largest buyers who have over $1 billion of needs and opportunities for local vendors, regardless of your business.

    “To have the purchasing staff from the major companies and government entities all in one place, and all with dollars to spend, is an unbelievable opportunity for local businesses to make the right connections,” said Michaels.

    Robert Van Geons, president and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, said the Building Business Rally is significant for our community. “These major organizations spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year, and if they have to go out of Fayetteville/Cumberland County to find businesses to meet their procurement needs, we are exporting that wealth to other people and places,” said Van Geons. “Imagine if we spent all our public dollars here, how much better our community can be. Our hope with events like the Building Business Rally is by educating our entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs, we can build that ecosystem, keep more dollars local and churn that funding through our local economy.”

    13 02 UAC012220015The town of Hope Mills is one entity looking to keep their dollars local and will be at the event. In the next five years, the town projects it will spend over $35 million on major projects, including the construction of the John W. Hodges Public Safety Building, design and implementation of the Heritage Park Masterplan, and the Hope Mills Golf Course Masterplan.

    “As we continue to see huge increases in future economic development, focusing on our local contractor and vendor base is paramount to the growth of the base of local businesses in this region, “ said Chancer McLaughlin, planning and economic development director for town of Hope Mills. “This event is so important to us because growing our local general contractor pool is vital to creating a sustainable tax base that ultimately results, not only in keeping local companies in business but also helping retain many of the local college students, creating opportunities for employment.”  

    The Building Business Rally is part of a communitywide initiative by local elected officials to increase the amount of funding spent locally on the wide range of service, supply and equipment purchased by local government.

    Michaels emphasized the event is for every type of business, and the needs of these organizations are not just construction. Suppliers, professional service providers and prime and sub-contractors of all sizes should attend.

    “We are educating and engaging local businesses on how to work with us and the types of goods and services we need, “ said city of Fayetteville Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen. “We will be there because it’s vital that our community foster an environment where businesses can thrive and grow. Even though you think you might not belong there, check it out and you may just find an opportunity that’s perfect for you.”

    Michaels said one might equate the Building Business Rally to attending a job fair, only here you are connecting your business to organizations that have money to spend and are looking for local vendors to spend it with.

    “Having attended a previous rally, I would encourage other businesses to bring materials such as a capability statement that tells them about your services, references that can talk about your performance and business cards because you want to make sure you stand out,” said Michelle Horne, president and CEO of Landart Solutions. “Time is money. It’s exciting to have a one-stop-shop and be able to participate in and find opportunities throughout the community in a short period of time.”

    Over 100 businesses are recognizing the potential opportunities available and have already registered to attend the Rally. James Suber, owner of  JS Designs is registered and says as a small business, getting the word out is hard and the event makes that easier for him. “I am looking forward to it because I hope to get the word out about the services we have to offer and hopefully gain business. I think this is a great opportunity for us to introduce ourselves to the community.”

    Joel Angarita of BGS Services agrees that as a local small business, his biggest challenge is getting his company’s name out to the community and says the Building Business Rally offers even more than promoting his services. “I also believe by attending, it will help recognize the gaps that aren’t being filled here,” he said.

    This is an opportunity to introduce your company to 15 major organizations and tell them how you can help them and find out what they are looking for,” said Ramona Moore, director of sales and marketing for Holiday Inn & Suites West/Fort Bragg.

    Even with extensive involvement and a long work history in our community, Moore knows taking advantage of this opportunity is important to her and other local businesses. “As a new hotel, I need to get the word out, and this is the perfect (venue) for that. … I would tell all businesses to take advantage of this great event and don’ t miss this opportunity.”

    The Building Business Rally is free to attend. Businesses are encouraged to preregister at www.faybids.com or can register at the door. All registrants will have their company information shared with the participating procurement representatives.
     
  • 08 cat cageThe term pound is still commonly used in American society. Its origin is a mystery, but one belief is that it’s a derivative of impound, meaning an enclosed area. These days, homeless animals are no longer viewed as a public nuisance to be warehoused in substandard facilities and disposed of as quickly as possible. Homeless animals and the care they receive in shelters has changed for the better. Increasingly, the trend across the United States is to design shelters as friendly and inviting community centers where the public can go to relinquish or adopt pets.

    “There is an awareness and a willingness to help these animals, and we are confident that we can make an even bigger difference … in the coming years,” Cumberland County Animal Control Director Elaine Smith said in a news release. “Our ultimate goal is to never have to euthanize an adoptable animal, and we appreciate all the help from our community partners, the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society, numerous rescue groups, our volunteers and foster parents.”
    Animal Control said 3,012 dogs and cats were adopted locally in 2019, compared to 2,829 in 2018. The number of dogs and cats euthanized by the county dropped by more than 500 from 3,790 in 2018 to 3,241 in 2019. Smith said personnel at Animal Control strive to perform their jobs professionally and thoroughly. They love and care for the animals brought into the shelter, she said, and do their best to find homes for as many of the animals as possible, and only as a last resort, euthanize them.

    The Cumberland County Animal Control department has implemented the Fear Free Shelter Program whereby all 48 employees complete studies on the emotional health of animals, animal communication, gentle control techniques and good behavior training. The Fear Free Shelter Program teaches strategies and techniques to reduce fear, anxiety, stress and frustration in the dogs and cats handled by Animal Control staff in the shelter and in the field.

    “Our goal at Cumberland County Animal Control is to constantly improve the way we handle and house animals at our shelter so that we minimize the animals’ stress and fear,” Smith said. “We are all animal lovers, so the employees are eager to learn and improve their knowledge and skills.” Future Animal Control employees will be required to obtain certification when they are hired. This training is provided at no cost by the Fear Free Shelter Program.

    The public is encouraged to support the thousands of cats and dogs who find their way to the animal shelter annually. Monetary donations can be made to the Animal Enrichment Fund at licensepet.com/cumberlandcountyncdonate. Food, toys or treats can be donated at the shelter. Additionally, Friends of Cumberland County Animal Shelter collects cold-weather dog houses, straw and blankets for outdoor dogs for their comfort and safety during the winter months. 

    Residents who would like to donate cold-weather supplies may drop off items at the shelter. The Animal Control Department and Animal Shelter are located off Tom Starling Road, east of Fayetteville.

  • 07 McKaughlin VillilonFayetteville is struggling with the departure of elements of two 82nd Airborne Division combat teams to the Middle East, where casualties continue to mount. Two paratroopers with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan died earlier this month. Staff Sgt. Ian Paul McLaughlin, 29, of Newport News, Virginia, and Pfc. Miguel Angel Villalon, 21, of Joliet, Illinois, were killed when their vehicle struck a roadside improvised explosive device. Two other U.S. soldiers from the 82nd Airborne were wounded in the attack, which occurred in the southern province of Kandahar, a spokesman for the division said.

    “When our nation called for its best airborne combat engineers to deploy into harm’s way, Staff Sgt. McLaughlin and Pfc. Villalon answered without hesitation,” said Col. Art Sellers, Commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
    Maj. Gen. James Mingus, the 82nd Airborne Division’s commanding general, added, “These paratroopers represent the very best of our nation and our Army. They will be honored, mourned, but never forgotten, and we are committed to taking care of their families for life.”

    The U.S. also has the 82nd’s 1st Brigade Combat Team on duty in the Middle East. The entire unit’s 4,000 paratroopers were deployed following the killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. The troops were deployed to Iraq, Kuwait and other parts of the region, overseen by the Army’s Central Command. Defense officials maintain that the additional soldiers were not a direct response to Soleimani’s death, but rather a continuation of an earlier announcement to beef up America’s military presence in the region, officials said.

    McLaughlin and Villalon were assigned to the 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion at Fort Bragg. This was their first combat deployment.  McLaughlin joined the Army in 2012. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with “C” Device, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Combat Action Badge and the Basic Parachutist Badge. He was a 2018 graduate of the U.S. Army Advanced Airborne School Jumpmaster Course. McLaughlin is survived by his wife and four children. The couple’s youngest child was born while his father was deployed.
    Villalon joined the Army in 2018. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with “C” Device, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Action Badge. Villalon is survived by his mother of Chicago, Illinois and father of Brownsville, Texas.

    More than 2,400 American troops have died in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion was launched in response to the 9/11 attacks. Most of the 20,000 international troops now in Afghanistan are focused on training and advising Afghan security forces, with a smaller contingent taking part in a counterterrorism mission.

  • 06 01 Logan MelgarA Navy SEAL has pleaded not guilty after being charged with murder in the strangulation death of a Fort Bragg Green Beret staff sergeant while both were deployed in West Africa a year-and-a-half ago. Special Warfare Operator Chief Tony E. DeDolph was arraigned on charges of involuntary manslaughter, hazing and felony murder plus conspiracy, assault, obstruction of justice and burglary, according to court records. DeDolph and three other service members — a fellow SEAL and two Marine Raiders, including Gunnery Sgt. Mario Madera-Rodriguez — were initially charged in the June 4, 2017, death of Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar in Bamako, Mali, where the men were on a counterterrorism deployment. Madera-Rodriguez was arraigned on charges late last year. The other co-defendants, Staff Sgt. Kevin Maxwell and Navy SEAL Adam C. Matthews, pleaded guilty to lesser charges in 2019. DeDolph’s attorney, Phillip Stackhouse, told Military Times Jan. 10 that the government had denied his client’s requests for expert witnesses, which included a criminologist, DNA analyst and forensic pathologist. But the judge in the trial granted the requests. “This case is nothing short of sad for everyone involved,” Stackhouse said. He called Melgar’s death a “tragic accident” that has since “snowballed into an injustice” because of the way it has been handled.

    Federal Emergency Management Agency grants local government financial assistance

    The state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have announced that more than $1.6 million has been approved to reimburse expenses for damages to the Cumberland County landfill, which was 06 02 Burrow Pitdamaged during Hurricane Florence. Reimbursements include costs for dredging and reconstructing the landfill’s borrow pit after hurricane-related flood damage. A borrow pit is a large hole that has been dug for a particular purpose. FEMA has approved more than $5 million in Hurricane Florence-related expenses for Cumberland County. FEMA’s public assistance program provides grants for state and local governments to reimburse the cost of debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent repair work. FEMA reimburses applicants at least 75% of eligible costs, and the state covers the remaining 25%.

    Vets service office recognized

    Cumberland County Veterans Services has been ranked No. 1 in the state for distribution of veterans’ affairs expenditures for fiscal year 2018. Cumberland County ranked first in the state with VA expenditures of $897,700,000. VA expenditures include compensation and pension, construction and education and vocational rehabilitation employment.

    In a letter to Cumberland County Veterans Services, North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Regional Manager Robert Johnson said, “The news of Cumberland County Veterans Services achieving this prestigious position does not come as any surprise.”

    06 03 DMVA Newsletter HeaderNEWSThe Cumberland County Veterans Services Department helps veterans and their dependents obtain benefits to which they are entitled by submitting claims benefits to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The office is located at 301 E. Russell St., Fayetteville. Call 910-677-2970 or go to co.cumberland.nc.us for more information.

    VA staff vacancies mount

    Despite new incentives to help the Veterans Administration fill vacant staff positions, the number of vacancies rose to nearly 50,000 over the last year, according to the latest federal data. A key Democratic senator wants to know why the employment shortfall isn’t being fixed.

    06 04 VA SealIn a letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee ranking member, Jon Tester, D-Mont., said he has “serious concerns” that officials have not found a way to deal with the department’s “persistent workforce shortage” despite assistance from Congress. “I remain consistently frustrated that VA medical facilities, particularly those in rural areas, are dramatically understaffed,” Tester wrote.

    Tester said lawmakers have offered new hiring incentives such as loan repayment and relocation incentives but have been disappointed with the results. VA press secretary Christina Mandreucc said in a statement that many vacancies are attributed to “normal retirements and job changes” and not widespread problems with department hiring practices.

    Citizen interest in serving local government is lacking

    The city of Fayetteville needs more than 30 citizens to fill vacancies on various advisory boards and commissions. Here are the vacancies the city says need to be filled:
    Airport Commission – two openings
    Audit Committee – two openings
    Fair Housing Board – three openings; one is required to be a real estate representative
    Fayetteville Advisory Committee on Transit – four openings; one is required to be a FAST Driver, one is required to be an ADA representative, one is required to be a resident who lives in the FAST service area and one must be a business representative
    06 05 citizen participationRedevelopment Commission – two openings
    Historic Resources Commission – five openings; one must be a building designer
    Linear Park – two openings
    Personnel Review Board – three openings
    Public Arts Commission – three openings; two are required to be arts council appointees
    Planning Commission – two openings
    Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission – one opening
    Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission – one opening
    Applications are being accepted until midnight Jan. 31. All qualified applications will be presented to the city council’s appointments committee in February. The city is accepting applications on its website at www.fayettevillenc.gov.
  • 10 business thingSeveral years ago, the Public Works Commission set as a strategic goal increasing our local vendor capacity and engaging local vendors on the many opportunities available to them to provide services and goods to PWC. This came after both hearing concerns of local businesses and many incidents where PWC had to re-bid opportunities because of low or no response.

    Among our many initiatives was starting an event to invite local businesses to learn about the millions of dollars we spend on goods and services and future plans and capital projects that businesses could position themselves to be a part of.

     PWC held a “Building Business Rally” in 2016 and 2017. Because of its success, in 2018, we coordinated an expanded Regional Building Business Rally, partnering with nearly 30 organizations and agencies on the event with the hopes of increasing local spending and encouraging local economic development. The Rally is a unique opportunity as a “one-stop” shop for local businesses where they connect to organizations that have money to spend and are looking for local businesses to spend it with.

    Since May of 2018, the momentum of this effort has continued. Our Building Local Vendor Capacity Committee set our vision to “maximize local purchasing and procurement opportunities from within our region, thereby enhancing the wealth and health of the community” and our mission to use community collaboration to enhance our local supplier base.

     Collaboration and education are key to our success, and with the support of the Cumberland County’s Mayor’s Coalition, January has been proclaimed as Building Local Business month, with the month culminating with the fourth annual Building Business Rally on Thursday, Jan. 30.

    Organizations participating in the Rally are Cumberland County and Fayetteville’s largest buyers, representing over $1 billion in opportunities. They include Cape Fear Valley Hospital System; Cumberland County; Cumberland County Schools; the city of Fayetteville, including FAST and Community Development; Fayetteville State University; Fayetteville Technical Community college; the town of Hope Mills; the town of Spring Lake; North Carolina Department of Transportation; Prince Charles Holdings; PWC; and Vector Fleet Maintenance, which manages the city of Fayetteville fleet.

     Some of the opportunities that will be presented at the rally are PWC’s ongoing needs installing water and sewer services, maintaining our current system and annual repairs and maintenance and upgrades of our electric system. Cumberland County Schools estimates spending $10 million a year on instructional custodial supplies, information technology, and construction, while the town of Hope Mills projects it will spend over $34 million on facilities, public works, transportation, public safety and  stormwater and recreation projects.

    The Jan. 30 event utilizes the local business resources of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, the Small Business and Technology Development Center, and Cumberland County N.C. Works to help businesses find opportunities, structure their business for success and find a qualified workforce.

     To register for the event, which will be held at the Ramada Plaza on Owen Drive from 2-6 p.m., visit www.faybids.com. Bookmark that site as it is a one-stop-shop for local contracting opportunities and local classes and workshops that can benefit your business.

  • 09 cape fear valley med ctrCape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville is likely one of the safest institutions in Cumberland County. It has facilities and procedures designed to keep patients, staff and visitors safe at all times. The local hospital is the flagship of a system of area health facilities to include Cape Fear Valley Healthplex, Fayetteville’s most comprehensive fitness and wellness center. A couple of weeks ago, health system facilities were placed on lockdown for a day because of a nonspecific threat made to law enforcement against a Fayetteville-area hospital.

    Cape Fear Valley Health System maintains more than 700 continuously monitored security cameras at its campuses. The system also has a comprehensive visitor management system, a security team with 24-hour internal and external patrols, metal detectors and screening at emergency room entrances as well as additional safety mechanisms for use in emergency situations.

    Law enforcement officers combed medical center offices after a man called the National Suicide Hotline, threatening to kill himself and first responders employed by the hospital. The lockdown was ordered as police officers descended on the Owen Drive hospital, a sprawling set of inpatient and outpatient facilities. Police used cellphone technology to determine the caller’s location. He originally said he was on Interstate 95 in Fayetteville before then saying he was outside Cape Fear Valley’s Fayetteville campus. The situation prompted authorities to restrict admission to Cape Fear Valley except for the emergency department. Police found no one on medical center property.

    The health system also restricted access to Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital, Hoke Hospital and Bladen County Hospital. It was the second incident of concern at the medical center in the last two months.

    Cape Fear Valley Health is a 950-bed health system serving a region of more than 800,000 people in southeastern North Carolina. The not-for-profit system is the state’s eighth-largest health system made up of 7,000 team members and 850 physicians, eight hospitals and more than 60 primary care and specialty clinics. Cape Fear Valley Health offers residencies in emergency medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry and general surgery, as well as a transitional year internship in affiliation with the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine at Campbell University.

  • 08 helloquence OQMZwNd3ThU unsplashEvery other year the city of Fayetteville conducts a comprehensive survey to assess resident satisfaction of major city services. Consulting firm ETC Institute administered the most recent survey during the fall of 2019. It was reported to City Council this month. The highest level of gratification was the overall satisfaction of fire department services. Categories that citizens felt need additional emphasis were traffic flow, street maintenance and the overall quality of police protection. However, police performance was second only to fire protection.

    The survey found that residents have a positive perception of the city. The overall quality of services provided by the city was significantly higher than findings in the southeastern U.S. and the nation as a whole. Residents ranked Fayetteville as a safe and secure community and a desirable place to live and work. Survey respondents were asked about taxes and their willingness to support additional funding for certain services.

    Fire and police services and stormwater infrastructure got the most funding support along with investments in the city’s transportation network and construction of additional sidewalks. Since the last survey, satisfaction ratings have increased or stayed the same in 66 of 101 areas of concern over the last two years. Fayetteville ranks 13% above the U.S. average in the overall quality of city services and 15% above the national average in city employees’ customer service.

    Residents who took the biennial survey were asked about their feeling of safety in Fayetteville. Fifty-four percent said they felt safe. Forty-seven percent of the people were neutral in their responses or felt unsafe. Nationally, 66% of the citizenry felt safe in their communities. Police response time got good marks; 58% were satisfied with law enforcement response to emergencies. But 39% of the respondents were happy with neighborhood police patrols.

    Overall, the fall 2019 citizen survey reflected improvements in the ways the city of Fayetteville provided services to its residents. There was one area of general dissatisfaction over the last few years — code enforcement. There was a 17% negative differential in the enforcement of codes and city ordinances in Fayetteville when compared with other cities in the mid-Atlantic region. The appearance of houses in neighborhoods was down a tad since 2013. Graffiti removal got a 48% rating six years ago but was 43% in 2019. Removal of abandoned vehicles on private property got a better response from the city in 2013 than last year.

    City officials say the purpose of the resident survey was to help the city ensure that its priorities match the needs and wants of residents. This was the fourth survey that ETC Institute has conducted for the city of Fayetteville. During the past year, ETC Institute said 42% of households contacted the city to seek services, ask questions or file complaints. Survey results are available online via the city’s website, https://fayettevillenc.gov/ .

  • 07 MILLEY GEN CMD 13AUG2014 1Under pressure from lawmakers, America’s top military officer declined to defend President Donald Trump’s decision to grant clemency to three service members last month but said he does not believe the moves will disrupt good order in the ranks. “I think the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the means by which we maintain good order and discipline are a critical element in order to maintain some level of humanity in combat zones,” said Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley during an appearance before the House Armed Services Committee.

    The comments came following questioning from Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., a Marine Corps veteran, who said he heard from current service members who were dismayed by the moves. The separate cases have all drawn attacks from Trump’s critics and praise from his supporters. The decisions were reportedly made over the objections of senior military officials who warned that forgiving war crimes could undermine the military justice system.

    In November, Trump granted a pardon to Army 1st Lt. Clint Lorance, convicted of second-degree murder in the death of two Afghans. Lorance walked out of military prison the next day. He also preemptively waived charges against Army Maj. Mathew Golsteyn, who faced trial at Fort Bragg on murder charges for actions in Afghanistan. In the most highly publicized case, Trump granted clemency to Navy Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher, who had been acquitted of a string of alleged war crimes but convicted of posing for a picture alongside the corpse of an insurgent.

    Trump said their previous military service merited a “second chance.” Congressman Moulton said a Marine sergeant major texted him saying Trump’s actions were “basically setting a precedent that the rule of law in a combat zone doesn’t apply and encourages folks to start burning villages and pillaging like Genghis Khan.”

    Defense officials emphasized that the moves were within the White House’s authority. “I understand where the sergeant major is coming from,” Milley said. But, he noted the president of the United States is part of the process, and he has the legal authority to do what he did.

    Trump’s timing was part of the issue. Senior military advisers said the commander in chief should not have involved himself until all the cases were adjudicated. Asked about Golsteyn’s status, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told The Washington Post that he was focused on the Gallagher case and would “take this one step at a time.”

    Republicans came to the president’s defense. “We need to be very careful in equating bad judgment calls, calls that may get you relieved of command, with a war crime,” Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., and an Army veteran said.

    First hailed a hero, then stripped of his medals and charged with murder only to be pardoned by the president, Golsteyn wants the Silver Star he was awarded in 2010 to be upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross, the military’s second-highest honor. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and a former Green Beret. He was cited for bravery while with the 3rd Special Forces Group during the battle of Marjah in 2010, where he repeatedly braved enemy fire, launched a mission to find enemy marksmen, aided a wounded Afghan soldier and coordinated airstrikes.

     

    Pictured: Gen. Mark Milley appeared before the House Armed Services Committee.

  • 06 01 your voice your voteThe question of voter ID in North Carolina for the November elections remains unsettled. Attorney General Josh Stein announced he will appeal a judge’s ruling blocking the state law requiring ID from going into effect. However, it appears that no matter how the legal fight unfolds, voter ID will not be required during the state’s primary elections in the spring. Although Election Day for the primary isn’t until March, absentee voting starts in less than two weeks. Stein said he would not request that ID be put back in place for the primary, “to avoid any further voter confusion.” A federal judge in North Carolina said she would block the law temporarily.

    “North Carolina has a sordid history of racial discrimination and voter suppression stretching back to the time of slavery,” wrote Loretta Biggs, a federal judge in North Carolina’s middle district.

    Opponents of voter ID have said that voter fraud is incredibly rare. North Carolina officials caught one case of in-person voter impersonation in the 2016 elections, out of 4.8 million votes cast. They 06 02 your voice your votecontend the real intent of voter ID is to disenfranchise minorities and college students, who are less likely to have driver’s licenses and who tend to support Democrats.

    Local Army-dependent school students supported

    Cumberland County Schools serves the third-largest concentration of military-connected students in the world. The district has dedicated personnel who support the needs of military dependents and their families. District staff remains in close communication and collaboration with Fort Bragg military liaisons to provide additional support to families who are affected by the rapid deployment of soldiers from various units of Fort Bragg, the school system said in a statement.
    “We are united behind our Fort Bragg soldiers and families,” said CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr. “Our entire school system is ready to assist our students, staff and families during this challenging time.”

    06 03 Trump MilitaryThe school system has developed a comprehensive support plan to include expanding the Military Student Transition Consultants school coverage, so they are available to assist more military-connected students, connecting the families of deployed soldiers with resources available to them and providing training and resources for school personnel. Families in need of additional support may contact their school counselor or MSTC for guidance.

    Trump popularity is down among military men and women

    A recent Military Times survey reveals that President Trump’s favorability among service members continues to decline. Approval of the president’s performance has been on the decline since the initial poll in 2016. Half of active-duty military personnel contacted held an unfavorable view of Trump. Forty-two percent approved of his conduct in the latest poll, held between Oct. 23 and Dec. 2. Fifty percent of troops said they had an unfavorable view of him. By comparison, just a few weeks after his election in November 2016, 37% had a negative opinion. The poll surveyed 1,630 active-duty Military Times subscribers in partnership with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University. The numbers likely reflect career-oriented men and women,” said Peter Feaver, a 06 04 census jobs copypolitical science professor at Duke University. “These are people for whom the morals and standards of the military mean a lot,” he said.

    Hundreds of part-time jobs available in Cumberland County

    The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of workers in Cumberland County for temporary jobs in advance of the 2020 census. The Atlanta Regional Census Center reports there are 3,667 employment opportunities in Cumberland County. Forty-one percent of those positions are filled. Interested individuals are urged to apply. The census count is used to determine how much federal funding goes to communities and states and determines how many members in the U.S. House of Representatives each state gets. Job seekers may apply online. The 2020 Census Jobs website allows applicants to apply for a range of positions, including recruiting assistants, office operations supervisors, clerks, census field supervisors and census takers. The positions offer flexible work 06 05 County Manager Amy Cannonhours, including daytime, evenings and weekends. The pay rate is $14.00 - $14.50. More information is available at www.2020census.gov or call 1-855-562-2020.

    Cumberland County official honored

    County Manager Amy Cannon was recently recognized by the International City & County Management Association for 30 years of service to local government. The awards are based on the number of years of full-time employment in local government. Cannon has been the county manager since June 2014 and is the first woman to serve in that position. She previously served as the deputy county manager and assistant county manager for financial and administrative services. Cannon was the county’s finance director from 1998 to 2013.

    “We are proud of the leadership she has provided as our county manager and congratulate her on this tremendous milestone,” said County Commission Chairman Marshall Faircloth.

    Cannon began her career in local government as an internal auditor with the city of Fayetteville. She is a Fayetteville native and earned an accounting degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
     
    Picture 5: County Manager Amy Cannon
  • 12 ophthalmicFayetteville Technical Community College plans to offer a new certificate program during Fall 2020 designed for certified ophthalmic assistants and certified ophthalmic technicians to gain the skills needed for the ophthalmic surgical assistant.

    The need to develop OSAs is now nationally recognized, and ophthalmologists agree that the range of OSA training could assist the mechanical and technical aspects of ophthalmic surgery.

    Based on the fact there are no OSA programs in North Carolina, the employment opportunities for graduates of FTCC’s Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant program will continue to grow. The program will provide current COAs and COTs with another unique career option in the health care industry.

    The didactic portion of the program will be taught online, and the laboratory portion will be taught in the evenings. This format will allow interested candidates to continue their employment while completing the requirements for the program.
    Fayetteville Technical Community College can help you earn the training that can set you up to get the career you want. In addition to high-quality education available at an affordable cost, students can enjoy leadership opportunities by participation in a number of clubs and organizations, athletics and so much more. Fayetteville Tech offers associate degree programs, certificate programs and diploma programs in the areas of health, business, computer technology, engineering/applied technology and public service. Students who wish to pursue a four-year degree can save money on tuition and other expenses by enrolling at FTCC in arts and humanities or math and science associate degree programs, which transfer to some four-year colleges/universities. Students who have transferred from FTCC to four-year colleges have enjoyed high levels of success in the four-year college environment. 

    Make an investment in yourself that pays off. Learn more about exciting possibilities awaiting you at Fayetteville Technical Community College by visiting the website at www.faytechcc.edu. Make the smart choice for your education—Fayetteville Technical Community College! To learn more about the OSA Program, please contact me at 910-678-8358 or via email herringt@faytechcc.edu.

  • 10 Stock photoLet’s do business! As a small business owner, as well as a member of the Fayetteville City Council, our Council’s strategic goal of having a diverse and viable economy is one that is near and dear to my heart. It is so important that we foster an environment where businesses can thrive and grow.

    Along with proclaiming January as Building Local Business month, I want to encourage all local businesses to attend the fourth annual Building Business Rally on Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Ramada Plaza, from 2-6 p.m., to learn about opportunities to win local government bids and contracts.

    The event features purchasing and procurement representatives for Fayetteville and Cumberland County’s largest buyers, including many from the city of Fayetteville. Each has needs and offers opportunities for local vendors — suppliers, professional service providers and prime and subcontractors of all sizes. The event is an ongoing initiative to educate and engage local businesses on how to do business with our organizations as well as the types of goods and services we need.

    Businesses that attend will have the opportunity to meet and talk with representatives from the city of Fayetteville’s purchasing department, Community Development, the Fayetteville Area System of Transit, and Vector Fleet Maintenance, who manages the city’s fleet.

    The city currently has budgeted millions of dollars for a multitude of projects and initiatives that city leaders would love nothing more than to spend locally. Examples range from the continued work on the Parks and Recreation bond projects — the sports field complex, Jordan Soccer Complex and the Senior Center East — to Fayetteville Regional Airport renovations, sidewalk and streetscape improvements and over $4 million in stormwater projects.

    Closely related to city projects, representatives from Prince Charles Holdings will also be available at the event. Prince Charles Holdings’ private investment in our downtown area is complimenting ongoing city initiatives, and they also have needs for services, materials and contractors.

    Other organizations participating in the Building Business Rally include Cape Fear Valley Hospital System, Cumberland County, Cumberland County Schools, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Technical Community College, the town of Hope Mills, the town of Spring Lake and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

    To help businesses take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the event, organizers — the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, Small Business and Technology Development Center, and Cumberland County N.C. Works — have scheduled a series of Building Business Rally Workshops before the Jan. 30 event. Presented by the SBTC, topics of the two remaining workshops, which will be Jan. 9 and Jan. 23, include information that can help businesses get results when attending the Building Business Rally. Workshops will be held at the PWC Administrative Offices at 955 Old Wilmington Rd. at 6 p.m., and the Building Business Rally is scheduled for Jan. 30, from 2-6 p.m., at the Ramada Plaza on Owen Drive.

    All events are free. Additional details about the workshops and Building Business rally, as well as event registration and local contracting opportunities, can be found at www.faybids.com.
     
     
  • 09 N1509P39004CThe 2018 North Carolina Infant Mortality Report shows the infant mortality rate in Cumberland County has dropped significantly — 33% compared to 2017. The lower infant mortality rate mirrors a record low rate statewide. In Cumberland County, there were 34 infant deaths recorded to residents of the county in 2018, compared to 52 deaths in 2017. The infant mortality rate in Cumberland County in 2018 was 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 compared to 9.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2017.

    Statewide, infant deaths in 2018 reached the lowest rate in the 31 years that deaths have been tracked — declining for the third straight year. According to the North Carolina Infant Mortality Report, 806 infant deaths were recorded to residents of North Carolina in 2018 compared to 852 in 2017.

    “While we are pleased by recent reports of a reduction in the number of infant deaths in Cumberland County, one death is still too many,” said Cumberland County Public Health Director Dr. Jennifer Green. “Department initiatives such as the Baby Store are aimed at promoting prenatal health which leads to healthy moms and healthy babies.”

    Wisconsin is at the top of the Centers for Disease Control and prevention list when it comes to infant mortality for nonHispanic black women, with the following deaths per 1,000 live births:
    Wisconsin — 14.28
    Ohio — 13.46
    Alabama — 13.40
    Indiana — 13.26
    North Carolina — 12.24

    Dr. Green notes that North Carolina has historically been among the states with high rates of infant mortality. The report indicates that notable disparities persist in infant mortality, particularly among African Americans. The African-American infant mortality rate in the tar heel state reached an all-time low, decreasing by 9% since 2016. In Cumberland County, the rate is four times the white infant mortality rate at 9.9 deaths per 1,000 births in 2018. Leading causes of infant mortality are preterm birth and low birth weight, birth defects, Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and complications of pregnancy, labor and delivery.

    The rate is impacted by a wide range of social, behavioral and health risk factors, including poverty, racism, education, tobacco use, obesity and lack of access to medical care before and during pregnancy. In the United States, research has identified associations between individual socioeconomic factors and select community-level factors. In the 2018 report, the authors looked beyond traditional risk factors for infant mortality and examined the social context of race in this country to understand African-American women’s long-standing birth outcome disadvantage.

    In the process, recent insights are highlighted concerning neighborhood-level factors such as crime, poverty, segregation and institutional racism. A 2018 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, which uses data from 2013-2015, states: For infants of nonHispanic black women, the mortality rate ranged from 8.27 in Massachusetts to 14.28 in Wisconsin.

    “The data should be shocking to everyone,” Wisconsin state Rep. Shelia Stubbs said in an email. “But for black families, especially black women, this is reality.”

  • 08 downtown parking 2 2Republic Parking assumed management and enforcement of downtown parking the first of the year, taking over from McLaurin Parking. City officials say that, initially, there will be no changes to downtown parking enforcement as the new company takes over. Republic Parking is working with City Council to implement a paid parking plan in the downtown area. Parking revisions were made necessary with the construction of Segra Stadium, the minor league baseball field in the 400 block of Hay Street.

    The city will charge patrons $5 per parking space in the more than 1,100 parking spaces in the 12 downtown public parking lots during large downtown events, to include home baseball games. City-paid lots will be clearly marked with roadside signs indicating the lot locations. Parking attendants at the city-maintained parking lots will accept cash or credit/debit cards as payment for $5 parking fees.

    Republic Parking is in the process of deciding where to place pay stations that will be installed along on-street parking and in city parking lots. Costs will be $1 per hour for on-street parking and $1 per hour or $5 per day in city lots. Downtown visitors will also be able to use the app, ParkMobile, to pay for parking. Republic Parking is working on an education campaign in advance of the expected spring kick-off for paid parking.

    “Paid parking is something that is needed here in Fayetteville. We are a growing city, and this is the direction many growing cities with successful downtown areas are taking,” said Mayor Mitch Colvin. “I am confident this plan will allow more people to enjoy our beautiful downtown area.”

    Information will be provided via the news media, the city’s website and through downtown businesses. A new website complete with FAQs and other information about downtown parking will also be launched in the coming months.

    “Republic Parking manages parking for more than 100 municipalities across the country, said Jack Skelton, Republic’s executive vice president of Municipal Division. We look forward to working with the city and community to develop an innovative and convenient downtown parking program.” Skelton went on to say “We’ve seen this time and time again — that businesses are concerned paid parking will be a detriment to downtown visitors — on the contrary, our experience shows that paid parking actually increases parking turnover, with visitors finding it easier to park and businesses finding that it increases their customer foot traffic due to higher parking turnover.”

    Revenue generated by downtown parking will be used to assist in paying the debt on Segra Stadium as part of the business plan the city developed more than 18 months ago when proposing the stadium concept to City Council. Republic Parking was selected through a process that included submissions from five different parking firms. Republic has managed the city’s airport parking lots for several years. Information on the current downtown parking enforcement plan can be found at www.FayettevilleNC.gov/downtownparking.

  • 08 downtown parking 2 2Republic Parking assumed management and enforcement of downtown parking the first of the year, taking over from McLaurin Parking. City officials say that, initially, there will be no changes to downtown parking enforcement as the new company takes over. Republic Parking is working with City Council to implement a paid parking plan in the downtown area. Parking revisions were made necessary with the construction of Segra Stadium, the minor league baseball field in the 400 block of Hay Street.

    The city will charge patrons $5 per parking space in the more than 1,100 parking spaces in the 12 downtown public parking lots during large downtown events, to include home baseball games. City-paid lots will be clearly marked with roadside signs indicating the lot locations. Parking attendants at the city-maintained parking lots will accept cash or credit/debit cards as payment for $5 parking fees.

    Republic Parking is in the process of deciding where to place pay stations that will be installed along on-street parking and in city parking lots. Costs will be $1 per hour for on-street parking and $1 per hour or $5 per day in city lots. Downtown visitors will also be able to use the app, ParkMobile, to pay for parking. Republic Parking is working on an education campaign in advance of the expected spring kick-off for paid parking.

    “Paid parking is something that is needed here in Fayetteville. We are a growing city, and this is the direction many growing cities with successful downtown areas are taking,” said Mayor Mitch Colvin. “I am confident this plan will allow more people to enjoy our beautiful downtown area.”

    Information will be provided via the news media, the city’s website and through downtown businesses. A new website complete with FAQs and other information about downtown parking will also be launched in the coming months.

    “Republic Parking manages parking for more than 100 municipalities across the country, said Jack Skelton, Republic’s executive vice president of Municipal Division. We look forward to working with the city and community to develop an innovative and convenient downtown parking program.” Skelton went on to say “We’ve seen this time and time again — that businesses are concerned paid parking will be a detriment to downtown visitors — on the contrary, our experience shows that paid parking actually increases parking turnover, with visitors finding it easier to park and businesses finding that it increases their customer foot traffic due to higher parking turnover.”

    Revenue generated by downtown parking will be used to assist in paying the debt on Segra Stadium as part of the business plan the city developed more than 18 months ago when proposing the stadium concept to City Council. Republic Parking was selected through a process that included submissions from five different parking firms. Republic has managed the city’s airport parking lots for several years. Information on the current downtown parking enforcement plan can be found at www.FayettevilleNC.gov/downtownparking.

  • 07 01 82nd Airborne Division InsigniaThe 82nd Airborne Division’s Immediate Response Force has deployed to the Middle East. One of the division’s brigade combat teams is routinely on call as America’s rapid deployment strike force. Fifteen years ago, in December 2004, elements of the 82nd deployed to Iraq in support of Iraqi national elections. Today, as they have throughout the division’s history, the troopers who wear the red, white and blue patch of the 82nd Airborne Division are the cutting edge of the United States strategic combat force. Defense Secretary Mark Esper launched the deployment of America’s Guard of Honor on New Year’s Day saying, “At the direction of the Commander in Chief, I have authorized the deployment of an infantry battalion from the Immediate Response Force of the 82nd Airborne Division to the U.S. Central Command area of operations in response to recent events in Iraq.”

    Additional 82nd paratroopers followed. The deployment came in the wake of rocket attacks against Iraqi bases housing coalition troops.

    Property taxes are due

    The Cumberland County tax collector reminds taxpayers that property taxes for real estate and personal property that have not been paid are considered delinquent. The county can impose interest and enforced collections such as bank levy, wage/rent garnishments and foreclosure. Payments can be made in the tax office, by phone or online. There is a processing fee for credit or debit card payments. Electronic check draft payments can be made online for no additional fee. To pay in person, go to Room 527 on the fifth floor of the Courthouse from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To pay by phone, call 1-866-441-6614. To pay online, visit co.cumberland.nc.us/tax/payments. The address to pay taxes by mail is Cumberland County Tax Collector, P.O. Box 449, Fayetteville, N.C., 28302-0449. Tax listing forms must be updated and signed and be postmarked no later than Jan. 31 to avoid a 10% late listing fee. For more information, call 910-678-7507 or go to co.cumberland.nc.us/tax.aspx.
    07 02 Property Tax Scrabble
    Citizens can help shape Fayetteville’s future

    The city of Fayetteville will hold its annual Community Café Conversation Thursday, Jan. 16, at Smith Recreation Center on Slater Avenue. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. and allows Fayetteville citizens to answer questions about their perceptions of the community’s priorities. Questions include what city services need to be improved and how the city can better promote transparency and accountability. Input will be incorporated into the city’s strategic plan, which guides future efforts and budget decisions. Interested residents are encouraged to reserve their seats by calling 910-433-1979 or emailing an RSVP to atebbe@ci.fay.nc.us. A drawing will be held at the end of the event for gift certificates to several local businesses as a way of saying, “thank you” to the participants.

    Energy assistance aid expanded

    07 03 community meetingThe Cumberland County Department of Social Services is accepting applications for the North Carolina Low Income Energy Assistance Program from all qualified households. In December, only households with elderly or disabled persons could apply for LIEAP. The program helps qualified families with their heating costs. LIEAP is federally funded and provides a one-time vendor payment directly to the utility company to help eligible households pay their heating bills during cold-weather months. Household income must not exceed 130% of the poverty level. There are several ways Cumberland County residents can apply. Applications can be made in person at DSS, located at 1225 Ramsey St., Fayetteville. Applications can also be downloaded and submitted by mail or fax. Households may apply for LIEAP through March 31, or until funds are exhausted.

    Cancer patient advocacy

    Jesse H. Byrd has won the Mary Lynn Bryan Leadership Award for his years of cancer patient advocacy work. The Bryan Leadership Award recognizes the person who best exhibits excellence in leading a Cumberland County charitable organization toward sound nonprofit best practices. Byrd, a retired CPA, is a founding member of Friends of the Cancer Center, which formed in 1989 to help support area cancer patients and their families. The support includes financial assistance, hats, scarves, yoga and art therapy programs, all free of charge to patients. The FOCC became a part 07 04 Electric power linesof the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation in 2002, allowing Byrd to join the foundation’s board of directors. He has been on the board since. Byrd’s wife, Irene, died of cancer, which led to his dedication to the cancer community over the years. In 2014, Byrd helped establish the Irene Thompson Byrd Cancer Care Endowment. The endowment has grown to nearly $1 million. Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation will receive $1,000 under the Bryan Leadership Award to use toward board member development.












    07 05 Cape Fear Valley Health logo
  • TWITTER 1Really?


    Did our newly-elected North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance actually say that?

    Did a two-term state Senator really say what was reported?

    Indeed they did.

    In fact, they did not just say it, they posted it on social media for all the world to see and where it will never, ever go away.

    And what exactly did they say?

    Following the recent women’s marches across our nation and the world involving millions, Commissioner Mike Causey posted this on Facebook. “In one day, Trump got more fat women out marching than Michelle Obama did in 8 years.” The Commissioner compounded his insult by linking it to his Twitter account to distribute even more broadly. Shortly thereafter Senator Joyce Krawiec of Forsyth County tweeted, “Message to crazies @ Women’s March — If brains were lard, you couldn’t grease a small skillet. You know who you are.”

    Really?

    In fairness, both offenders have apologized, repeatedly and profusely in Krawiec’s case. Said Causey about his comment on people exercising their Constitutional rights, it “was a momentary lapse in judgment for which I am truly sorry.” Then he deleted the offending comment, from social media but not from people’s minds.

    Krawiec seems even sorrier. Tweeted she within a brief 45-minute window, “BTW I was speaking only of those DC protesters dressed inappropriately and spewing foul language. Disrespecting women. Not representing women.” Within a minute came this. “I applaud those women who were there for the cause and were respectful. They know who they are.” Thirty minutes later came this. “I apologize to those women who marched for the right reasons. I was only talking about those I described. They didn’t speak for all women.” Six minutes later came a final wail. “I apologize. I apologize. I was only talking to those who acted inappropriately. Forgive me. Please. Twitter Lesson learned.”

    Recovering a shred of dignity, Krawiec issued a statement later the same day, saying, “Like many other Americans, I was deeply offended by vulgar language and graphic imagery used by some protesters. I have apologized for the words I used to express those frustrations, which were unfair to the many women who advocated for their beliefs in a respectful way.”


    Thanks, Commissioner and Senator, but that toothpaste is out of the tube forever.

    How on God’s green Earth did we get to the point of our highest elected officials charged with making decisions that affect all of us feeling free to insult us? Whatever happened to respecting the constitutional rights of others, even when we disagree with what they are saying? Is civility in our culture dead, buried and forgotten?

    Truth be told, I, too, was offended by some of the signage and language at some of the marches. I am of a generation taught to “watch our language,” another concept that seems to be going by the wayside. But it never occurred to me to call protesters fat or stupid, even though I was uncomfortable with the ways some chose to express their constitutionally guaranteed opinions.
    Part of this is surely the advent of social media. Unlike sitting down to write a letter — or a newspaper column, for that matter — typing a few words into a cell phone and hitting “send” can happen in a flash and with little thought, as Causey and Krawiec and zillions of other have learned the hard way. The painful truth is that while apologies can take away some of the sting, once words have been uttered, they will never really go away.

    Steve Shallenberger, author of the bestseller, Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders, addressed incivility in our politics, business, and ordinary life this way. “Replacing rudeness and impatience with the Golden Rule may not change the world, but it will change your world and your relationships.” Shallenberger is telling us exactly what our mothers and grandmothers told us. Courtesy and kindness are never the wrong positions to take.

    Some might argue and it is certainly true that rude people enjoy the same constitutional protections the rest of us do. My mother and grandmother told me something else that is also true. Rudeness, incivility, and unkindness say more about the people dishing them out than the people on the receiving end.

    That message is not flattering.

  • KArl MerrittIf Democrat leaders continue on their current course, I expect Donald Trump will serve eight years as president, with Mike Pence as vice-president, followed by eight years of Pence as president. What follows is a look at some components of the perilous course being pursued by Democrat leaders.
    Start with their effort to preserve the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in spite of serious problems with the program. President Obama acknowledges program problems as reported by Robert Pearoct in his article, “Ailing Obama Health Care Act May Have to Change to Survive:”
    “Mr. Obama himself, while boasting that 20 million people had gained coverage because of the law, acknowledged in July that ‘more work to reform the health care system is necessary.’


    ‘Too many Americans still strain to pay for their physician visits and prescriptions, cover their deductibles or pay their monthly insurance bills; struggle to navigate a complex, sometimes bewildering system; and remain uninsured,’ Mr. Obama wrote in The Journal of the American Medical Association.”

    In an attempt to preserve Obamacare, Democrat leaders take three primary actions that are indicative of their perilous course. Chuck Schumer, Minority Leader (Democrat) in the Senate, in spite of program problems even recognized by President Obama, goes on the attack against Republicans instead of espousing steps to put in place a health care program that works. The article, “Schumer: Trump, Republicans Will ‘Make America Sick Again,’” by Ian Schwartz, quotes Senator Schumer:

    “They can’t keep all the things that Americans like about the ACA (Affordable Care Act) and get rid of the rest without throwing away the entire health care system, not just those on ACA, but those with private insurance into chaos...”


    Then there is the use of fear in protecting Obamacare. Schumer repeatedly says repealing the program will “make America sick again.” This should be coupled with a comment by Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader (Democrat) in the House of Representatives: “You want grandma living in the guest room? Repeal Obamacare.” These statements reflect efforts to instill fear in people while doing absolutely nothing by way of informing the public and moving toward solutions that work.

    As though attacking Republican efforts to address the problems of Obamacare and working to instill fear in the public were not enough, Barack Obama met with Congressional Democrats in early January and, I contend, confirmed the perilous Democrat course. The article, “GOP launches long-promised repeal of Obamacare with no full plan to replace it” by Juliet Eilperin, Amy Goldstein and Kelsey Snell reports regarding the president’s meeting: “He urged members of his party not to help the GOP devise a new health-care law.”

    The president, who was accompanied by Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (D-Fla.) as he entered the Capitol, took no questions from reporters before or after the nearly two-hour meeting. But participants said he told members of his party that they did not have to ‘rescue’ Republicans and that they should ‘stay strong’ as the GOP strives to replace the law.”

    This treatment of the Affordable Care Act problems by Democrats, including the president, sends all the wrong signals. That is especially true in America’s current political climate.

    The next indicator is the Democrats’ plan for addressing confirmation of Supreme Court justices nominated by President Donald Trump. The following appears in an article published by Robert Laurie titled, “Chuck Schumer threatens Trump over SCOTUS nominee — endless filibuster for any nominee?”:
    “If Chuck Schumer is right, the Dems are about to go full-on obstructionist over one of the 2016 campaign’s most central issues - the next Supreme Court Justice.

    He made his stance clear last night on the Rachel Maddow show, as NBC News reports: Suggesting that turnabout is fair play, the Senate’s new top Democrat said Tuesday night ‘it’s hard for me to imagine’ Democratic senators supporting a Supreme Court nomination submitted by President-elect Donald Trump.

    ‘The consequences are going to be down the road,’ Schumer said. ‘If they don’t appoint somebody good, we’re going to oppose them tooth and nail.’”
    By any analysis, it is clear a major factor in the election of Donald Trump was his intentions as to the kind of individuals he would nominate as Supreme Court justices. Those intentions, and his promise were opposite of what Hillary Clinton clearly indicated she would do in this regard. When Schumer says “somebody good,” he means as defined by Hillary Clinton during her campaign. Donald Trump won. Consequently, it seems clear to me opposing his Supreme Court nominees would not be a wise move for Democrats. This is especially true since the lack of reasonable foundation for their opposition would quickly become apparent.

    Democrats are taking a similar position regarding Trump’s cabinet nominees. Burgess Everett explains their plan by writing, in part, in an article titled, “Democrats aim to launch comeback with Cabinet showdown”:“Senate Democrats want to force Trump’s picks to lay down markers on specific policies that can be used to build a case against the incumbent as his administration unfolds and the next election approaches, insiders said. More immediately, they want to begin to make the case to Trump voters that what they voted for is a far cry from what they’ll be getting with the next president.”

    This Democrat plan absolutely does not aim to be about positively addressing the pressing issues of our time. I need not list those because most people across the length and breadth of America know those issues and are negatively impacted by them daily. In this condition, Democrats choose to intentionally impede the process of dealing with these issues that desperately require attention for the sake of people … not plants, not model airplanes, not lifeless objects that feel no pain and do not suffer. No, they are messing with human beings.


    They do this at great peril to the continued existence of their party and their ideas. Their assumption must be that they are acting in accordance with the wishes of Democrat citizens. I contend that this is not the case. I recently had a conversation with a life-long friend with whom I agreed to stop discussing politics well before the 2016 election. That agreement came about because he is, and for all of his life, has been a committed Democrat. He could not deal with my conservative views and later support of Donald Trump. We had a phone conversation shortly after Trump’s victory. I did not mention politics or the election. Out of nowhere, he said to me, “You all have it all and I expect results.” When he went on to explain he was talking about Republicans having the presidency and majorities in the House and Senate, I laughed and said, “That’s sarcasm.” He said, “No, I am serious. I want to see cooperation and progress. In fact, I am upset that Democrats did not put in new congressional leadership. I wanted Nancy Pelosi replaced.”


    That friend is not alone in his expectations. All of what is presented here, and even more that space does not allow for, says Democrat leadership is dangerously out of touch with the reasonable desires and expectations of most Americans. If they pursue the course described above, Trump and Pence … 8 and 16 will be the result. However, Democrat obstruction could still take America to a level of destruction from which Trump and Pence cannot lead us back. This is a pivotal time for America.

  • MargaretAs a woman of the vast Baby Boom generation, a survivor of the turbulent 1960s and 70s and the mother of a Millennial daughter, I look forward to the day that the United States is led by a woman President. But, as Gail Collins wrote in the New York Times just after the election, “The Glass Ceiling Holds.” While 2016 was not the year of shattering glass, there has been much progress.


    One area of change that stands out to me is education. We women apparently either like to learn or are highly ambitious or both. We are outdistancing our male brethren in almost all educational sectors, save science, design and engineering.

    The year I finished college, only 8.5 percent of American women held college degrees, compared to almost 15 percent of men. In 1979, women became the majority of students enrolled in college and today women represent 57 percent of college student bodies nationwide. Today, the U.S. Census Bureau says more American women, 30 percent, hold college degrees than men, 29 percent, and that the percentage of women college grads is growing.

    In addition, women are beating down the doors of professional schools.

    The American Bar Association says that 2017 is the year women’s enrollment will pass men’s in our nation’s law schools, and the rosters of both the Cumberland County Bar Association and of local judges reflect these changes.

    The story is much the same in our nation’s medical schools. The Association of American Medical Colleges reports that nearly 48 percent of graduates in 2013-14 were women, compared to less than 7 percent in 1965-66. What’s more, a study of 1.5 million hospital visits published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that women are better doctors for elderly patients. The study estimates that 32,000 medicare patients could be saved each year if male docs did as well as women docs. That is about the same number of vehicle crash fatalities annually across our nation.


    However dramatic, these numbers remain statistics, open to as many interpretations and implications as there are readers. The one that keeps me up at night is wondering why women are surging ahead of men in these areas and what, if anything, that means in the long run for all aspects of American life from business to child rearing.
    ********************
    America mourned in the final days of 2016 for two of our celebrity sweethearts, actresses Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds who died within 24 hours of each other. The daughter died of unexpected cardiac arrest and the mother of a heart apparently broken by the loss of her daughter.
    There is a real phenomenon of people who love each other deeply dying within a short period of time, especially long-married couples.


    Remember the wonderful story of Bernard Jordan, the 90-year-old escapee from a British retirement facility who received worldwide attention after he bolted and crossed the English Channel to attend the 70th anniversary commemorations of D-Day? He and his escape–abetting wife died less than a week apart shortly thereafter.

    Scientists say there is a reason for this called, not so scientifically, Broken Heart Syndrome. It is an impermanent heart condition brought on by acute stress, such as death of a loved one. Blessedly, most people who experience a sudden surge of stress hormones causing chest pain do not die of it, but we should all know that Broken Heart Syndrome exists and is a real condition with science behind it.
    *********************
    Public policies aside, we Americans have plenty of reasons to miss the Obamas.

    The former president was dubbed “no drama Obama” early in his White House days for his cool, intellectual and controlled demeanor and his articulate voice. But “no drama” went beyond the president himself. He and his wife, Michelle, were role models for a collaborative marital partnership, and they showed America what a grownup and affectionate marriage and attentive and loving parents look like. Their daughters, Malia and Sasha, passed through their childhoods and adolescences without mishap, or at least no publicly embarrassing ones. And, Obama administration staffers made it through eight years of intense public exposure without significant scandal.

    The Obamas had fun being together in the White House and on various trips, both public and private. They sang and danced, played sports, marveled at other parts of the world. They valued, promoted and lived healthy habits and helped us understand we could as well. And, they looked good doing it all, especially Michelle Obama, who gave a huge boost to young American fashion designers.

    As the Obamas, still a relatively young family, begin their next chapters — whatever they may be — America wishes them Godspeed.

  • robyne parrishSometimes, just sometimes, there is so much going on in this community it’s hard to decide what to write about. So, here are a few thoughts and comments on some hits and misses I found most interesting the past several weeks. I will start with the most exciting.

    Hit: On Friday, Jan. 20, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as America’s 45th president. Making America great should be every American’s highest priority.

    Miss: All those people who refuse to acknowledge him as the truly-elected Commander-in-Chief are disrespecting the office of the presidency. This is deplorable, un-American behavior regardless of sexual orientation, political affiliation or race.

    Hit: Cumberland County follows the City’s lead and steps up with a $7.5 million unanimous decision to support the Civil War History Education Center. All we need to do now is get started on a new downtown Performing Arts Center.

    Miss: Cary and Raleigh’s attempt to “drain the river” by taking nine million gallons of water a day from the Cape Fear River, regardless of the long-term effect it will have on everyone down river in the southeast region of North Carolina.

    Hit: A gracious farewell by Artistic Director of the Gilbert Theatre Robyne Parrish as she addressed about 75 friends and well-wishers, bidding them goodbye. Parrish is relocating to Pittsburgh, with her husband Matt, after a successful five-year stint at the Gilbert.

    Miss: Shame on the naysayers who have no vision for the future of Fayetteville. They need to lead, follow or get out of the way.

    Miss: The excessive amount of litter on Fayetteville and Cumberland County streets and roadways. Fayetteville needs an anti-litter campaign and an official beautification program. This is not being critical of efforts currently being taken by the city and county to address the litter problem. Only education, awareness and action will be effective in addressing the problem. Trash is everywhere!

    Hit: City Manager Doug Hewett has initiated a search for a new Fayetteville police chief to replace Chief Harold Medlock, who retired last year. Many think our interim chief Anthony Kelly is qualified for the job. We’ll find out soon.

    Miss: Gun violence and homicides in Fayetteville during 2016 have reached a concerning all-time high. Should we be concerned? Yes!

    Hit: The new downtown baseball stadium and the $60 million of economic development that will ensue.

    Miss: Our community’s continued insistence on listening to outsider experts and paid boilerplate consultants on how to create economic development in Cumberland County. We continue to pay them to come here and state the obvious to us as if it was new found wisdom. Recently, a professor at the UNC School of Government shared these nuggets of wisdom with our local government officials: Local leaders must work together and get along with each other. Duh! And, we should encourage more local investment and more investment would mean more jobs and more jobs would mean higher wages and that would mean a better quality of life. Really? At this stage of the game do Fayetteville and Cumberland County think we really need consultants and university professors stating the obvious to us?

    Hit: The prospect of our local Fayetteville General Assembly delegation advocating for “local preference” legislation that would give local businesses an edge in gaining local contracts. Keeping commerce local is important and so is shopping locally.

    All these things are thought-worthy and all affect our quality of life here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. And, you didn’t need to hire a consultant to find them out.

    I love this job! Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly

  • call centerFor once, some of our elected public servants are looking out for your safety, welfare and even your tax dollars instead of their own political fiefdoms.

    I’m talking about the Fayetteville City Council and the uber politically motivated Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. Both governing bodies are looking to provide citizens (aka taxpayers) with a more efficient and cost-effective emergency 911 service.

    What started as a discussion several years ago to co-locate Fayetteville’s and Cumberland County’s independently-operated call centers for the sake of space has morphed into a full marriage proposal for the city and county’s 911 service.

    The city and county this past June even signed an “engagement” agreement, a joint resolution they call it. The agreement supports a “continued collaboration on the development of a joint 911 and emergency operations center.”

    The initial catalyst for looking to move in together is that city and county call centers are cramped and expansion for improved services is a no go. Also, working in the cramped environment doesn’t bode well for optimum efficiency.

    So, the city and county did what all government agencies do, they hired a consultant: Mission Critical Partners, experts in public safety planning. They’re a Pennsylvania company with an office in Raleigh.

    Mission Critical Partners, or MCP, assessed the feasibility of co-locating and then merging the two operations. It presented its findings to the City/County Liaison Committee in February.

    The City/County Liaison Committee brings together city and county elected people and their respective senior staff to parley about issues affecting both sides.

    Here’s what MCP had to say:

    Current 911 facilities are outdated

    There’s no room to expand operations

    It’s not efficient to work in those facilities

    Putting new technology in old facilities creates new problems

    Also, both centers are not survivable if a major disaster should occur in those locations. The city’s well-run utility, the Fayetteville Public Works Commission, learned that lesson during Hurricane Matthew.

    And here’s what MCP said the city and county need to do:

    First, get together and create a committee … it’s what governments do

    Decide on where you want to put a new facility

    Figure out how to pay for it

    Apply for a hefty grant from the state’s NC911 Board

    The consultant recommended two places to put a new facility: the as yet empty Cedar Creek Business Park owned by the county or on property located off Fields Road and owned by the City.

    Based on those recommendations, city and county moved forward and established their executive steering committee. It includes members of both governing boards, their senior management team, their respective lawyers (got to have lawyers), their money people and people actually doing the public safety work.

    The “agreement to cooperate” signed in June by Mayor Nat Robertson and then County Board of Commission Chair Marshall Faircloth says a combined 911 call center would improve efficiency, improve the flow of communications among first responders, and would reduce maintenance costs.

    And, combining the two centers, according to the agreement, would allow people operating the center to advance to a higher level of service. The idea sounds so appealing that even Fort Bragg’s Garrison Command may want in.

    I tried contacting someone in the know about next steps but was directed to the city’s and county’s public relations people. They responded to my email requests but I didn’t get a chance to follow up personally. So, while the information is good, I can’t attribute it to any one person in particular.

    Here’s what is happening next. The city and county “Task Force” will submit a grant application to the North Carolina 911 Board in the spring, hoping for money sometime in the fall.

    Exact savings as a result of the merger is not yet discernible but expect “efficiencies in a number of different administrative and operational areas.” 

    But everything good does cost money. So, initial costs estimates are a cool $30 million for the “facility, technology, furnishings and other critical infrastructure.”

     

    As a member of the Cape Fear River Assembly Board with lifelong involvement in agriculture, the land and water, the title of this little piece is very important to me. 
    Matthew visited us in October 2016. It was preceded about a week by heavy ground-saturating rain. The damaging wind came and went in about a day or so, but we are still dealing with the impacts of storm water from the combination of events. Hurricane Floyd came in 1999 with less damaging wind inland but an almost identical pattern of preceding rainfall and huge combined storm water damage. Some places such as Princeville and parts of Lumberton may never return after those two mostly storm water events. 
    We often talk about 100 year or 500 year storms, or 100-year 24-hour rainfall events, etc., without quantification of either. A 100-year rain event is one that is 1 percent likely to happen during any year (once every 100 years). There is no set amount of rain to qualify. It means nothing!
    So, what did we learn? Apparently not enough! In Fayetteville, are there not some residential areas that were built in what could be or should be considered “flood plains,” (or maybe not even considered?) and thus suffered major damage?  Or areas such as Rayconda, which watched its access road disappear with the dam that washed out because of lack of planning for storm water management from paved areas at the new VA hospital site? And there is to be more development in the VA area that will make the problem worse. And there are more examples. 
    I was much involved in the aftermath of Floyd and its impact on agriculture in eastern N.C. and saw recurrences of that again with Matthew. It took me back to my hometown of Westfield, Mass., when we had 18.3 inches of rain on August 20, 1955, as a result of hurricane Diane. There was virtually NO wind damage but a devastating impact of storm water. I saw it up close and personal. Westfield did not have a storm water plan, but they do now!
    There is rumor of either the existence of a (soon to be released?) storm water plan for Fayetteville. And there may well one somewhere. But how many residents have seen it? And how much public input was there in its development? And if there is one, how often is it used in making siting location decisions for developing or paving a plot of open space? Is the plan current if it exists? I hope that the answers to these questions are all affirmative. But it is not apparent to me that they are.
    Maybe it is time to have a serious public discussion about storm water and how it is currently managed, how it is intended to be managed into the future, as well as how it is to impact future development. 
    Do we need to wait for the new baseball stadium to become a big splash pad during baseball season before there is an effective storm water management plan for Fayetteville? A lot of people in Fayetteville do not think so.
     
  • flood2As a member of the Cape Fear River Assembly Board with lifelong involvement in agriculture, the land and water, the title of this little piece is very important to me.


    Matthew visited us in October 2016. It was preceded about a week by heavy ground-saturating rain. The damaging wind came and went in about a day or so, but we are still dealing with the impacts of storm water from the combination of events. Hurricane Floyd came in 1999 with less damaging wind inland but an almost identical pattern of preceding rainfall and huge combined storm water damage. Some places such as Princeville and parts of Lumberton may never return after those two mostly storm water events.


    We often talk about 100 year or 500 year storms, or 100-year 24-hour rainfall events, etc., without quantification of either. A 100-year rain event is one that is 1 percent likely to happen during any year (once every 100 years). There is no set amount of rain to qualify. It means nothing!


    So, what did we learn? Apparently not enough! In Fayetteville, are there not some residential areas that were built in what could be or should be considered “flood plains,” (or maybe not even considered?) and thus suffered major damage? Or areas such as Rayconda, which watched its access road disappear with the dam that washed out because of lack of planning for storm water management from paved areas at the new VA hospital site? And there is to be more development in the VA area that will make the problem worse. And there are more examples.


    I was much involved in the aftermath of Floyd and its impact on agriculture in eastern N.C. and saw recurrences of that again with Matthew. It took me back to my hometown of Westfield, Mass., when we had 18.3 inches of rain on August 20, 1955, as a result of hurricane Diane. There was virtually NO wind damage but a devastating impact of storm water. I saw it up close and personal. Westfield did not have a storm water plan, but they do now!


    There is rumor of either the existence of a (soon to be released?) storm water plan for Fayetteville. And there may well one somewhere. But how many residents have seen it? And how much public input was there in its development? And if there is one, how often is it used in making siting location decisions for developing or paving a plot of open space? Is the plan current if it exists? I hope that the answers to these questions are all affirmative.

    But it is not apparent to me that they are.


    Maybe it is time to have a serious public discussion about storm water and how it is currently managed, how it is intended to be managed into the future, as well as how it is to impact future development.


    Do we need to wait for the new baseball stadium to become a big splash pad during baseball season before there is an effective storm water management plan for Fayetteville? A lot of people in Fayetteville do not think so.

  • pittThere is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as a giant toupee and as timeless as yesterday’s tweet. It is the middle ground between outright lies and mere fabrication, between pseudo-science and superstition. It lies between the pit of Democrats’ fears and the summit of the Tea Party’s wildest hopes. You unlock this door with a computer key provided by Vladimir Putin. You are moving into a land of both shadow and innuendo. This is the dimension of attention-deficit-disorder-based-presidential actions. You have just crossed over into the Trump Zone on Jan. 20.


    America’s pundits and media can’t understand what has happened or is about to happen. The Talking Heads continually rail about Trump’s inconsistent statements. Build the wall. Mexico will pay for it. No, we will pay for the wall. Mexico will reimburse us. The check will be in the mail. Lock her up. No, leave her alone, I don’t want to hurt her. Repeal Obamacare. Keep pieces of Obamacare. Take a phone call from Taiwan’s president. Tweet insults at China. Tweet insults at Saturday Night Live and Meryl Streep. It’s all the same. Insult nuclear-armed nations and Hollywood celebs. Tweet ‘em all and let my poll numbers sort them out. Let the Democrats suffer from Post Trump Stress Disorder. That’s their problem, not The Donald’s or his loyal supporters. We’re in charge now and you had better get used to it.


    On the face of it, grumpy sore loser non-Trumpsters claim there is no coherent pattern to what President Trump thinks. Not so. President Trump is America’s first zen president. He lives solely in the moment. Be here now. There is no past. There is no future. There is only the now. As George Costanza said, “It’s not a lie if you believe it.” His tweets are Zen Koans designed to enlighten us. According to no less an authority than Wikipedia, a Koan is “a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment.” Trump’s seemingly unrelated random thoughts are in fact Trump’s recognition that only the zen of Now matters.


    Yesterday Trump said X. Today Trump says Not-X. This is not a contradiction. It is a Trump Koan and your key to enlightenment. Logical reasoning is inadequate to perceive reality. If you try to use logic to understand Trump’s tweets you will be lost in the fog of incoherence. The tweets are not supposed to make sense. They are designed to open your mind to Trump Zen. Get over it, you silly logic-based non-Trumpsters. Now is the post truth and post-logic era. What is the sound of one tweet clapping?


    As a rule, a president-elect after a close election will try to bring the country together by telling us he will be president of all the people. Not The Donald. Unifying America after a hard-fought election is for sissies. Trump is not a sissy. He is a manly man. If it were not so, would not Putin have told him? Trump thinks much more hugely than just unifying America.


    Trump’s ongoing bromance with Putin is Exhibit A. The 17 US intelligence agencies issued a report that Putin personally ordered a campaign to hack the Democrats to grab their dirty laundry to hurt Hillary’s campaign and boost the chances of The Donald. Putin denies any efforts to influence the American presidential election. The Donald sides with Putin against the American intelligence agencies. Some soreheads wonder why an American president would believe Putin instead of his own intelligence agencies. In the brave new world of the Trump Zone, such soreheads who question the thoughts of The Donald are henceforth to be known as either stupid or fools.


    The Donald wants to unify America and Russia. His recent tweet “ Having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. Only ‘stupid’ people, or fools, would think that is bad.” Any dumb Americans who disagree with the thoughts of President Trump are either stupid or a fool. The Donald doesn’t need no stinking unity in America. There can be no space for disagreement with the president. The Breitbart reported mysterious FEMA re-educations camps that President Obama never got around to opening could find new life under President Trump to upgrade the knowledge base of the stupid fools who disagree with him. If you are a Democrat, find some Republican friends who will speak up for you when the black helicopters come to haul you away like Mr. Peabody’s coal train.


    Kindly come visit me in Guantanamo.

  • margaretIn the olden days, we used to call it “the press,” and with good reason. Our news came to us in printed form, produced by real printing presses. In the early 20th century, radio made its debut as a news vehicle, followed mid-century by traditional television networks. In most cases over the last century or so, writers and broadcasters strived for objectivity and accuracy in presentation of our news, some with more success than others.


    I come from this tradition, my first job other than babysitting being as a very junior reporter at our family’s radio business. My boss, Jeff Thompson, whose excellent reporting you also find in Up & Coming Weekly, assigned me to check the police and sheriff departments’ blotters of criminal charges — yes, such paper records were actually kept in those days—early every morning. So excited was I one day to find a charge involving two men at the bus station, that my young and naïve self rushed back to the office to tell Jeff. He, a man of the world compared to my teenaged worldview, promptly and directly told me what “crime against nature” actually means. I eventually got over my humiliation, and to this day, Jeff calls me “Scoop” and I call him “Boss.”

    But I digress.

    The New Year brings us much conversation about what constitutes news, and the organizations that deliver it are now referred to as “the media.” This term includes outlets from the venerable New York Times to shadowy internet sites that come and go anonymously. Our president-elect is getting a big dose of this confusion.


    Obviously, not all outlets are created equal. Some, like the Times, pride themselves on objectivity and accuracy and are widely trusted. Others do not give a flip, and some knowingly disseminate untruths, what we now call “fake news.” Sometimes the differences between real and fake are glaring, but sometimes they are not, and many of us are sucked into believing information that is simply not true.

    Fake news seems to me an outgrowth, in part, of the increasingly segmented news market, or niche news. In the olden days, we read our local newspapers and listened to or watched the few existing broadcast networks. There was no cable and satellite service, much less internet, and we were basically getting the same information, whatever its source. The rise of unlimited outlets gives us unlimited choices, and many of us choose “news” that suits us, with which we agree.

    For example, conservatives flock to Fox News while liberals favor MSNBC, both networks with clear political slants. In other words, we pick the “news” we want to hear and ignore the “news” we dislike. During the presidential campaign, Fox told us all things negative about Hillary Clinton and the Democrats, while MSNBC slammed The Donald and his unusual hairdo. The result of all this is that many of us are simply reinforcing what we already believe. We are not learning or processing new information to help us understand the world around us or to make informed decisions.


    Ignorance may be bliss, but it is not good for our democracy or our collective life as a nation. It has fostered great division among us, as all the world learned during campaign 2016, and which dogs us as a new president takes office. Our isolation in the information we take in makes us a less informed people, which means we are less equipped to operate in and deal with our increasingly complex world.


    I can feel some of you rolling your eyes and telegraphing me that all media outlets have some sort of slant, which I concede. The New York Times takes liberal/Democratic editorial stances, just as the Wall Street Journal leans conservative/Republican in its editorial positions. Both, however, make every effort to present news factually so that readers can form their own opinions, as do thousands of other media outlets both in our nation and around the world, including internet sites. Even more do not, with some simply careless and others willingly false or partisan or both.


    The challenge for us as citizens and news consumers is to take in not only news that suits our own opinions but news that does not. Think of this as a variation of the old saw, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” How can we be conscientious and productive citizens of our great democracy — still the envy of the rest of the world — if we do not know what other people, our fellow citizens, understand and believe?
    Perhaps we can think of this challenge as a New Year’s resolution to turning not only our flabby bodies but our flabby minds into tip-top news consuming and analytic machines.


    Boss, you taught me well — and thanks!

  • pub notes

    Last week’s article in Up & Coming Weekly penned by contributing writer and Fayetteville resident, Karl Merritt, “Diminishing Effectiveness of the Race Card,” lit up social media like the Las Vegas strip. The topic of race took on a life of its own as dozens of misdirected posts debated the validity, or lack of, the use of race when it comes to the influencing decisions being made in our community. I’m not going to debate Merritt’s subject matter or the content of his article. Those who are interested can click on the link above to read it for themselves and draw their own conclusions. However, what I do find extremely interesting is that Merritt, who is an African American, made an intelligent observation based on facts and reason. He then articulated this information in a clear, intellectual, logical format for which he took full responsibility. Yet, Merritt’s name was never mentioned or referenced in any of the fiery and critical social media posts that appeared online. Why? Maybe, just maybe, it’s because criticizing someone else’s position when that position is supported by intellect, facts and logic would be akin to someone showing up at a gunfight with a butter knife. It has become the norm to blame race bias for any unfavorable experience or outcome rather than take responsibility for the outcome itself.


    In the case of Merritt and his article, the distractors knew it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find fault with the truth of his content. Unfortunately, what played out on social media only confirmed Merritt’s position that the biggest obstacle to finding meaningful solutions when addressing problems of race bias is through open and honest communication. The inflamed responses to his article only reinforced the position that all too often, people tend to speak in vague generalities while stating innuendo as truth and drawing conclusions based on predetermined and subjective opinions rather than truth and fact. Unfortunately, this is becoming a common mainstream media practice at all levels. Traditionally, mainstream media, especially newspapers, were referred to as the Fourth Estate of the U.S. government. Journalistic integrity, truth and honesty of all media kept the other three branches of government in check. The mainstream media acted as the watchdog for all Americans who searched out the truth. Unfortunately, over the last decade, the media has morphed into a partisan political strategy, depriving the general public of their right to know the truth while pushing non-transparent hidden agendas. There is no better example of this kind of mainstream media bias than in the memo that was sent out recently to all N.C. media outlets by Daniel Keylin, communications director for North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis. With his permission, I have reprinted this memo below as an example of how the media is compromising journalistic ethics for the purposes of political gain and depriving taxpayers of the details of the real issues. Read the following and know that Walter Cronkite and David Brinkley are probably turning in their graves.


    TO: North Carolina Media
    FROM: Daniel Keylin, Communications Director,
    Senator Thom Tillis
    RE: Coverage Bias In North Carolina Media
    The media has been on the receiving end of a lot of criticism lately, particularly for chasing shiny objects designed to attract viewers and page clicks, rather than focusing on the important policies that actually have a meaningful impact on the lives of the American people. Reflecting this, a recent Gallup poll found that the nation’s trust in the mass media is at an all-time low. I know many good journalists who are incredibly frustrated by this development, and this memo is not meant to be an attack on North Carolina’s media outlets or reporters. It’s simply a presentation of enlightening data points that I hope all reporters and editors in North Carolina will take to heart when they consider what to cover and how they cover it.


    Yesterday, many television stations in North Carolina provided air time to Rev. William Barber for a protest he held at Senator Tillis’ constituent services office in Raleigh. Barber was protesting the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions as Attorney General, demanding that Tillis oppose his confirmation. In total, 14 television stations covering North Carolina devoted air time yesterday to Rev. Barber’s protest at Senator Tillis’ office regarding Senator Sessions. And of those 14 television stations, only 1 reached out to Senator Tillis’ office to give the Senator an opportunity to share his thoughts. 

    Consider what this television coverage was about: a partisan political activist opining on what a duly-elected statewide official’s position should be. Then consider how few media outlets in North Carolina actually covered Senator Tillis when he publicly declared his position on Jeff Sessions’ nomination back in November, through a press release that was sent to the news desk of every single television station in North Carolina. In total, only 4 television stations devoted air time to Senator Tillis’ statement on Jeff Sessions’ nomination during the November 18, 2016, news cycle. None of the 14 stations covering Rev. Barber’s protest yesterday included Tillis’ original statement in their story.

    This poses an important question: why did media outlets believe it was newsworthy to cover a partisan political activist’s opinion on what Senator Tillis’ position should be, even though they previously made the decision not to run a story when Senator Tillis publicly expressed his position months earlier? Or, more simply put: why are views of a partisan political activist deemed newsworthy, but the views of a statewide elected official are not, even though they are in a direct position to influence the subject matter? Whether this type of coverage bias is intentional or not, it’s bias nonetheless, and it’s a disservice to North Carolinians. [end]


    Whether you agree or not, this makes a grand argument for “fake news.” I’ll conclude with this: We have come to a point in our nation where every issue and every situation we deal with has become politicized. It is frustrating and heartbreaking. Last week, I penned an article about how the amount of litter on our streets is trashing our community’s image. I advocated for the city and county to initiate a countywide beautification campaign that would involve education, awareness and enforcement of littering ordinances. Believe it or not, some of my good friends and loyal readers pushed back and were upset with me. They objected to my bringing up the subject of litter. They became defensive, saying that I didn’t appreciate what the city and county were doing in regards to controlling the litter. Not true.


    Here, they took a simple observation and recommendation and applied a political value to it that the city and county elected officials were not doing their jobs. Crazy! I, along with everyone else, just want a cleaner community. Nonetheless, this misdirection will serve to do nothing to move the community forward. Only progressive action can do that.

    In closing, I say we need many more people like Karl Merritt and Daniel Keylin. Fayetteville, the state of North Carolina and America all need journalists and media outlets who are honest and not afraid to speak out for truth. And, they must be willing to report the facts without a personal agenda or political bias. We gain nothing from ignoring the facts and even less if we don’t speak truth to power. Make no mistake about it, without the Fourth Estate, it’s all fake news! Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.
    Click here to visit www.karlmerritt.com

  • CArrieFor several years, playing the “race card” has been an effective means of forcing actions that might not have otherwise come to pass. From the Cambridge Dictionary, race card is “to try to gain an advantage by drawing attention to someone’s race or to issues of race.” An editorial in the Fayetteville Observer titled, “Our View: School board creates drama with appointment” presents what has been the predominant response to race card playing and what appears to be a new reality. The editorial opens as follows: “Carrie Sutton says her fellow members on the Cumberland County school board did her wrong — and she thinks their motivation was racial. Member Greg West strongly pushed back against that notion. Either way, the board on Tuesday created needless tension with what should have been a pro forma appointment.”


    The background here is that Carrie Sutton, who is black, was serving as vice-chair of the school board. The “pro forma” referred to in the editorial is that normally, although not policy, the vice-chair moves up to the chairperson position. During this election, Greg West, who is white, was elected chair on a 5-4 vote along racial lines. My assessment is the Observer’s editorial calls for the school board to bow to the race card. However, as is starting to happen across America, those five white members refused to bow. I hold that examination of this situation shows this to be an encouraging outcome. It points to the diminishing effectiveness of playing the race card.


    An article by Alicia Banks titled, “Cumberland County school board members discuss vote on chairman” provides much information that allows for examination of this situation. Banks writes that some attendees at the meeting “called the vote to not choose Sutton ‘racially motivated’ and a ‘disgrace.’” Greg West is reported to have said, in part, “‘It’s unfortunate race was paraded around last night.’’’ In his column titled, “Sutton speaks her mind; I like that”, Myron Pitts indicates Sutton, in the meeting, “called the vote ‘so racial.’” Without doubt, Carrie Sutton, being black, has been made the centerpiece of objections to her failure to be elected chairwoman.

    Did this 5-4 vote happen because Carrie Sutton is black? If not, the race card was played and, so far, has failed to force the desired result. I say “so far” because those who play this card hardly ever give up without a physically, and even financially, draining fight. Consider the following from Alicia Banks’ article: “Greg West said this week he was named to the position because of his ability to handle challenges for the school system next year. Some of those include securing more money from the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and possibly seeking a bond to pay for delayed maintenance projects in schools. ‘Each year should be looked at as what’s best for this year because the challenges are different,’ he said. ‘And leadership style is what it came down to.


    ‘We need to come together and do what’s best for all the children,’ West said. ‘I want to work with everybody, and I haven’t given 14 years to stop now. I’m excited to lead the board forward.’”

    Greg West is right. In this case, above all else, the primary decision point is leadership style. Even though what I have seen is from a distance, I have no problem at all choosing Greg West over Carrie Sutton when it comes to leadership style. What follows are some particulars.


    In June 2016, my column titled, “Without Question-This is Discrimination” appeared in Up & Coming Weekly. I argued that Carrie Sutton’s vote against Vernon Aldridge, to replace Leon Mack, as the school system’s activities director was an act of discrimination. Aldridge is white and Mack is black.

    Sutton’s reason for voting as she did was reported in Catherine Pritchard’s article headlined, “School board taps Vernon Aldridge as activities director amid controversy.”


    “Sutton said then she couldn’t support Aldridge’s appointment because she felt the school system should have looked harder to find a qualified minority candidate for the job. She said she believed black students, particularly young males, need to see black people in leadership positions to imagine their own future possibilities.”


    Sutton voted against Aldridge because he was white, not black. This kind of thinking is not indicative of a leadership style that promotes fairness or thoughtful working through of issues.


    Then there is Sutton’s response to actions taken in the case of Lee Francis, the Fayetteville teacher who stepped on the American flag while teaching on the First Amendment. He was initially suspended for 10 days without pay. As of this writing, he is assigned to a non-classroom position pending further action. My column in October 2016 titled, “Framework as a Critical Element of Thought” made the case that Francis demonstrated extremely poor judgment is his flag-stepping and general approach to presenting this topic. During a school board meeting where Francis’ suspension was appealed, the suspension was upheld on a 5-2 vote. Sutton voted against upholding the suspension. In her article, “Suspension upheld for teacher who stepped on flag,” Alicia Banks quotes Sutton, as follows regarding her “no” vote:“‘I believe the whole thing was blown out of proportion, and I want strong African-American teachers who are innovative and creative. Was this the best judgment? No, it wasn’t. We don’t always make the best judgments.’”
    When I review what I wrote in the column regarding Francis, I find Sutton’s thinking reflects poor judgment. Again, this leads me to question what would be her leadership style.


    The Observer editorial referenced in the opening of this column indicates Alicia Chisolm, a black board member referring to the Francis hearing, offered a possible reason for votes against Sutton: “A majority of the board backed the schools’ superintendent’s decision to suspend Francis. Not Sutton, who Chisolm says, ‘questioned their Christianity for what they did to him.’” This is attacking individuals instead of examining facts and pursuing reasonable solutions.


    In Myron Pitts’ column, he writes, “Sutton told me Friday she mentioned being chairwoman to fellow members as recently as three weeks ago, and no one raised objections.” I think the reason nobody voiced objection is reflected in what Greg West said to Alicia Banks as shown in her “...discuss vote” article above: “‘I guess she assumed she would get it. I knew this would upset her, but it’s what’s best for the board.’” What West says indicates a reasonable reluctance to present Sutton with positions contrary to her own.

    Here was a candidate who, I contend, surely engaged in open discrimination, exercised poor judgment in the Francis case, inappropriately challenged the Christian standing of some board members, and fostered an atmosphere where she does not respect or tolerate disagreement with her thinking. I have seen, and had to deal with, the leadership style reflected in these actions and attitude. I believe those five white board members did what was necessary...they did not bow. This was not, and is not, about race. It is about leadership style. More importantly, it is about the lives and future of a bunch of young people who deserve much better than is indicated by this playing of the race card.

    NOTE: Karl Merritt’s columns mentioned above can be read at following Up & Coming Weekly links:
    Without Question-This is Discrimination...
    https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3320
    Framework as a Critical Element of Thought... https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/index.php?option=com.content&view=article&id=3526

  • fay signLately, there has been a lot of talk about upgrading and beautifying the gateways into our fine city. Lately? How about for nearly two decades. There are many tax-paying residents who feel this task is futile despite the hard work and good intentions of Mayor pro tem Mitch Colvin and the Gateways Committee. At this speed, progress may take another two decades. But, you know what? That may not be a bad thing. If shiny, new, attractive and well-groomed gateways were to materialize tomorrow it would equate to “putting lipstick on a pig” unless we address other related issues.


    If you haven’t noticed, we have a serious litter problem here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Actually, I would say the problem is more of an epidemic. Cumberland County resident Tony Long stated it best when he called into WFNC’s morning talk show last week saying the amount of trash and litter on our community’s streets was disgusting, embarrassing and inexcusable. Many people agree. I agree.

    It is commendable that the City has reinstated more litter patrols, however, this is typical governmental posturing where leaders treat the symptoms of a problem rather than the cause. So, what is the cause (of litter) you may ask? Well, in this writer's opinion there are several reasons for this trash epidemic:
    Fayetteville’s current physical appearance does not inspire a sense of accomplishment or pride in our community. It does, however, nurture and cultivate a poor perception of our community.
    Solving the litter problem is a low or no priority.

    There is no enforcement of litter ordinances.

    There is no public awareness of local litter ordinances and, what I feel is the most important reason for the problem: There is no city/countywide beautification awareness program.

    In my opinion, addressing the litter problem, enforcing the anti-litter ordinances and instituting a “Keep Fayetteville/Cumberland County Clean and Green” campaign should all be included into the gateways development initiative. Otherwise, we will only be spending taxpayers’ money creating a false façade. I agree with those who say that our elected officials collectively do not have the political will to address the gateways development issues.


    Property owners and businesses along the effected corridors look at the overall appearance of the community and ask, “Why should we be the ones to conform? What is our incentive?” However, if their compliance and cooperation was part of an overall city/countywide beautification initiative they may be more willing to be a part of this progress.

    Political will? Really? It shouldn’t take political will to take pride in what your city and county looks like. It shouldn’t take political will to enforce ordinances or institute a countywide beautification program residents and businesses alike can take pride in.
    In the past 14 years I have ridden my motorcycle over 80,000 miles from Fayetteville to Maine, Montana to Key West, Fla. I have cruised through thousands of cities, towns, villages and boroughs. It always fascinated me that as soon as I entered into a community, regardless of its size, I could tell immediately how much pride the citizens took in their community. I saw many clean streets, manicured medians, trees, shrubs and lawns, all well maintained with attractive trash receptacles conveniently located and signs. Welcome to Springfield, Ill. Where it’s clean and beautiful! Keep Brookfield, Mass. Clean and Green, Please Don’t Litter — Keep Ashville Clean & Green, Litterbugs Not Welcome, and Do Not Litter $500 Fine, are just a few of them.

    Of course, I have also traveled into hundreds of cities with their own versions of Bragg and Eastern Boulevards. The point being, you can tell instantly where a community puts its priorities and how it feels about itself. This pertains to other quality-of-life aspects of the community.

    Years ago I remember returning from a business trip in Wichita, Kan., and sharing an impressive observation about art with Deborah Mintz, president of the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Arts Council. I shared with her how impressed I was with the Wichita cultural arts promotion campaign “Art Lives Here.” In Wichita, art did live there! It was everywhere you looked within the city. Paintings and drawings lined the walls of the airport welcoming me to their city. Sculptures of various sizes and pottery pieces were also on display throughout

    Sculptures of various sizes and pottery pieces were also on display throughout the terminal. As I left the airport, there was a metal sculpture practically three stories high. And, in downtown Wichita, sculptures adorned street corners and beautiful silk-looking banners promoting art galleries, exhibitions and live theatrical events flanked both sides of the streets. No doubt, they wanted to make a bold statement about quality of life. They did. By the way, the city was spotless. Litter free.

    I hope that as we explore what our options are for improving Fayetteville gateways, elected officials and residents work together to recognize and address the litter situation as a real problem. I will close by saying that if you have not driven out into the Cumberland County countryside you should. It’s beautiful. Take River Road or Hwy. 53 or any secondary road out of town. You will see and enjoy some of the most scenic farms with green and rolling landscapes. You will also see the severity of the litter problem. Let’s clean it up. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • PubPenimageNorth Carolina Democracy? Shame! Shame! Shame!

    An online article published in Slate magazine just before Christmas stated that a group of experts that rates the integrity of elections around the world found that North Carolina can’t really be considered a democracy anymore. It cited the findings of the Electoral Integrity Project, a nonpartisan organization that empowers citizen volunteers through education and training, to participate actively in protecting our freedoms and way of life. Its research team is based at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and the University of Sydney. The criticism noted that our outgoing Republican governor, Pat McCrory, signed a bill stripping his Democratic successor, Roy Cooper, of certain powers.

    In a related op-ed piece published in the News & Observer of Raleigh, Andrew Reynolds, an associate professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, wrote that North Carolina is the worst state in the U.S. for unfair legislative and congressional districting and also the worst entity in the world ever analyzed by the E.I.P.

    The E.I.P. think tank placed North Carolina alongside the likes of Cuba, Indonesia and Sierra Leone when it comes to governance. North Carolina does so poorly on the measures of legal framework and voter registration that E.I.P actually ranked our state alongside Iran and Venezuela. Ugh!

    Not good. And, it gets worse. When it comes to the integrity of voting district boundaries, no country has ever received as low a score as North Carolina.

    “That North Carolina can no longer call its elections democratic is shocking enough, but our democratic decline goes beyond what happens at election time,” notes Reynolds. The most respected measures of democracy are those that reflect the fairness and execution of power by those elected to represent the people. The extent to which North Carolina’s legislature breaches these principles means our state government can no longer be classified as a full democracy. This should concern all Tar Heel residents. Unresponsive and irresponsible politics perpetrated by reigning Democrats and Republicans cannot escape the fair and equal blame for such outrageous governance. Shame! Shame! Shame!

    Reynolds observes in his op-ed piece that democracies do not limit their citizens’ rights based on their born identities. However, this is exactly what the North Carolina legislature did through House Bill 2 and its attempts to reduce African-American and Latino access to the vote.

    Professor Reynolds concludes that we need to address the institutional failures that have cost us our democratic ranking – unfair districting, denial of equal access to the vote and the abuse of legislative power.

    No democracy in the world outside of the U.S. allows elected politicians to draw the lines. Voter registration and poll access should make voting as easy as possible and never be skewed in favor of any one element of society. Elected officials, regardless of their political affiliation, need to follow the core principle of democracy; that is to respect the will of the people. In our America, all true Republicans, Democrats, Independents and even Green Party members need to be fully dedicated and loyal to the inherent democratic principles of our Founding Fathers.

    The questions that remain are: Where do you stand? Who will be the peacemakers? Who will be the first to set self-interest aside and step up to be the statesmen for fairness, decency, equality and the American way? In North Carolina, from both sides of the aisle, what we know for sure is that “Absolute power corrupts…Absolutely!”

    Again: Shame! Shame! Shame!

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 08lending The new director of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has asked Congress for explicit authority to strengthen its enforcement of financial protections for service members. Kathleen Kraninger wants specific authorization to conduct examinations of payday lenders and others under the CFPB’s jurisdiction to ensure the lenders are complying with the Military Lending Act.

    Kraninger’s appointment to the CFPB came under scrutiny in the Senate in December. She was a littleknown government employee. Her nomination was narrowly approved along party lines.

    A 2006 Department of Defense report detailed the harmful effects of high-interest loans on service members and on military readiness. In 2015, the Department of Defense tightened its implementing regulation to help prevent lenders from evading the rules. But last year, under then-acting CFPB Director Mick Mulvaney, the agency pulled back from its regular examinations of payday lenders, saying it didn’t have the authority to do those exams.

    In announcing her legislative proposal, which was submitted in January, Kraninger said the bureau’s commitment to the well-being of service members “includes ensuring that lenders subject to our jurisdiction comply with the Military Lending Act.”

    The law limits interest rates that can be charged to active-duty service members and their dependents to an annual percentage rate of 36 percent. Young service members, who are particularly vulnerable to these lenders, aren’t necessarily aware of complex laws that protect them and might not file complaints. Kraninger noted she was pleased to see the legislation proposed recently in the House of Representatives.

    The North Carolinas General Assembly has resisted efforts of payday lenders and other creditors to foist their high interest rates, often in the triple digits, on the people of this state. During years of back and forth on predatory lending, federal legislation has been inconsistent. Two years ago, a bill written by Congressman Patrick McHenry of western North Carolina would allow lenders with the most harmful lending practices to do business in the Tar Heel state.

    The North Carolina Consumer Finance Act governs check-cashing businesses and prohibits cash advances under some circumstances. A company known as Online Cash 4 Payday declares on its website that “borrowers looking for loans without a credit check or who have bad credit will need to look for alternative forms of financing.”

    North Carolina installment loans and personal loans are available and legal. There are dozens of small-loan and check-cashing store-front companies in Fayetteville. Online Cash 4 Pay said, “we are here to give you access to the money you need when your (sic) in a pinch … whether your (sic) needing a cash advance, installment loan, personal funds for debt consolidation, title loan, or any type of financial advance.”

    In anticipation of a proposal to revise debt collection rules expected in March, advocates from 74 national and state consumer groups sent a letter to Kraninger urging the bureau to focus on protecting consumers from abusive debt collection practices.

  • 07priority issues  Fayetteville City Council members will meet next month for their annual planning retreat. Last week, they held a preliminary session designed to zero in on issues they believe most important to the people in the year ahead. For the first time in many years, crime control is not on the list.

    The priorities include initiating a development plan for the Murchison Road corridor. Members have been talking about economic improvement along the roadway for years. Mayor Mitch Colvin owns Colvin Funeral Home & Crematory at 2010 Murchison Rd. Murchison Road stretches for 10 miles from downtown Fayetteville to Spring Lake.

    City Council plans to take on the revitalization in segments, the first being from the new Rowan Street railroad overpass to Langdon Street, just beyond Fayetteville State University. Local business development, improved street lighting, additional bus stops and mobility are potential areas of improvement. It “could be 15, 20 years before this whole corridor is done,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ted Mohn.

    Another area of interest to council would be the city’s investment in a modern, high-speed broadband system. Councilman Jim Arp spoke of making Fayetteville a Top 50 smart technology city, saying “information is the commerce of the next century.”

    The city administration calls these special interest projects targets for action. Other projects include completion of the comprehensive land use plan, development and maintenance of city street and stormwater systems, and development of options for a young adult engagement program and an internship program.

    The objective of the session was to get the council thinking in greater detail about the goals it will concentrate on during the annual planning retreat. In addition to public safety concerns, they scratched development of parks and recreation programs from their list. P&R Committee Chair Kathy Jensen noted that passage of the $35 million bond referendum three years ago had stabilized funding needs.

    The list of targets for action did not include crime control in Fayetteville. Statistics continue to reflect an overall upward trend in crime over 17 years with both violent and property crimes increasing. Based on this trend, the crime rate in Fayetteville for 2019 is expected to be higher than in 2016 according to CityRating.com. The city had a record number of homicides in 2016 — 33.

    In 2016, the violent crime rate in Fayetteville was higher than the violent crime rate in North Carolina by 103.42 percent, and the city’s property crime rate was higher than the property crime rate in North Carolina by 66.23 percent.

    The source of data on Fayetteville crime rates is the FBI Report of Offenses Known to Law Enforcement. The projected crime rate data was generated from the trends and crime information available from previous years of reported data. The FBI cautions that statistics comparing yearly data solely on the basis of population is meaningful only upon further examination of all variables that affect crime.

  • 06Joshua Beale 2  A Fort Bragg Green Beret died from enemy gunfire in Afghanistan Jan. 22. The Department of Defense announced the death of Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Z. Beale, 32, of Carrollton, Virginia. He was mortally wounded by enemy small-arms fire during combat operations in Uruzgan Province, the DOD said in a news release. SFC Beale was a member of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg and was posthumously promoted to sergeant first class, a spokesman with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command said.

    “He will be greatly missed by everyone who had the fortunate opportunity to know him. We extend our deepest condolences to his family for this tragic loss,” said Col. Nathan Prussian, commander of 3rd Special Forces Group. This was Beale’s fourth combat deployment, and his third tour to Afghanistan.

    Will the city join the county at its 911 center?

    A nondescript, gated building that formerly housed U.S. Defense Department offices is the future home of Cumberland County’s joint 911 communications and emergency operations centers.

    Surveillance cameras are mounted on every corner of the structure. Perimeter wrought iron fencing is K-rated, which means the barrier provides anti-terrorism crash protection. County government bought the 17,000 square-foot building at the intersection of Ravenhill Drive and Executive Place for $5.1 million.

    Consultants will develop designs and preliminary cost estimates for renovations, which Assistant County Manager Tracey Jackson said will cost as much as $17 million, including upgraded communications equipment.

    “Building a new center would cost more than $30 million,” Jackson said. “Our communications center and emergency operations center are outdated and obsolete.”

    Officials noted that the county will request state grant funding from the North Carolina 911 Board of Directors. The city of Fayetteville and county commissioners have been debating whether to undertake a joint effort to consolidate 911 operations for several years.

    County Commission Chair Jeannette Council said she has been in touch with Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin regarding the city’s interest in a joint venture and is awaiting a response. “We have been talking about building a new emergency services center for years,” she said. A “path is before us now, and we are excited about what lies ahead.”

    Congressional election still undecided

    With the seating of a new North Carolina Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement pending, the state’s 9th Congressional District still has no representation in Congress. Much of Cumberland County is in the district.

    A state board evidentiary hearing on alleged election improprieties was canceled when courts ruled the board’s makeup was unconstitutional and dissolved it. In a separate court action, Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway denied Republican Mark Harris’ effort to be declared winner of the November election. He said the incoming elections board doesn’t have to certify the results of the election until the investigation into alleged absentee ballot fraud is completed.

    “Why are we looking at a dramatic intervention by one branch of government into the functioning of another branch of government?” the judge asked. “That’s an extraordinary step to ask a court to take.”

    Democratic leaders in the U.S. House have already said they won’t seat Harris until the fraud allegations have been resolved. Harris led Democrat Dan McCready by about 900 votes following the election, but the state board has refused to certify that because of suspicious absentee voting results in Bladen and Robeson counties.

    Gene Booth named new Emergency Services director

    Cumberland County Manager Amy Cannon has announced the promotion of Woodson E. “Gene” Booth to director of Cumberland County Emergency Services. He succeeds Randy Beeman, who resigned in July to accept a position in Durham County. Booth has worked for Cumberland County Emergency Services for almost 15 years, most recently as the Emergency Management Program Coordinator and fire marshal.

    “Mr. Booth has demonstrated that he has the experience, skills and character to lead our Emergency Services Department, and that was especially evident as he managed the Emergency Operations Center during Hurricane Florence,” Cannon said.

    Booth is a Hoke County native. He graduated from Cape Fear High School and has more than 21 years of public safety experience. During his tenure, he led the county’s emergency management efforts for Hurricanes Matthew and Florence.

    FSU/Lafayette Society collaboration

    Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 6 p.m., The Lafayette Society will partner with the Fayetteville State University Black History Scholars Association to co-host a presentation by Dr. Robert Taber about the Haitian Revolution. Taber is assistant professor of History at FSU, where he has taught courses about U.S., African-American, Latin American and French history since 2016.

    “His audience will be introduced to the major events, themes and personalities of the Haitian Revolution, and (he) will highlight the ways the revolution influenced the coming of the U.S. Civil War,” said Lafayette Society President Hank Parfitt.

    In 1775, slavery was legal everywhere in the Americas. By 1890, it was legal nowhere. The rebellion in Haiti, 1789-1804, is regarded as the most successful uprising of enslaved people in the history of the world.

    The event will take place in the Rudolph Jones Student Center on the campus of FSU, and it is free and open to the public. For more information, email hankparfitt@embarqmail.com or visit www.lafayettesociety.org.

    Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Beale

  • 07 taxes City of Fayetteville officials have come to an agreement with Cumberland County Commissioners on the short-term distribution of local sales tax revenues. A lot of money is at stake —$192,897,697 during fiscal year 2018 alone. City Council and county commissioners and their senior management staffs worked cooperatively to agree on a formula that will be in place for at least the next four years.

    The city preferred a longer-term agreement, but the county pointed to the upcoming 2020 U.S. census, which could change everything by altering population figures that guide the sales tax apportionment. State law gives county governments the responsibility of divvying up sales tax receipts either by population or tax districts. Since 2003, the population formula has been in force locally.

    The so-called “Big Bang” annexation by Fayetteville of 40,000 residents 10 years ago came into play. The county won an agreement in which the city would sacrifice 50 percent of the tax revenues in annexed areas for which the county agreed to continue the population dispersion method.

    A modified payback fund by which the city reimburses the county for annexed areas remains in effect. The revised plan continues the current 50-50 split of sales tax money from the annexations during year one. In the following three years, the municipalities would receive 60 percent of any new revenue. The county would get 40 percent.

    The county had cautioned the city that, if the two entities couldn’t come to terms on the population distribution plan, commissioners would consider switching to the tax district formula. That would have cost the city of Fayetteville an estimated $5 million a year. And, the smaller towns would have suffered as well.

    While county government had the advantage, commissioners had to consider that most voters live inside the municipalities. “I think this is the best deal for the citizens of Fayetteville,” said Mayor Mitch Colvin.

    Councilwoman Kathy Jensen noted that local governments will have to go back to the drawing board in a couple of years to negotiate a new agreement.

    Others pointed out that a significant deployment of Fort Bragg troops, unlikely as that might be, would reduce Fayetteville’s population. Residential areas of the Army post are in the city. The current agreement expires at the end of this fiscal year. But County Manager Amy Cannon gave the city until the end of this month to agree on the revised distribution formula. City Council did so Jan. 14 — by unanimous vote.

  • 06 Milley Those who know Army Gen. Mark Milley say the administration’s choice to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is a soldier’s soldier. He’s likely better known at Fort Bragg than in Washington, D.C. He is not part of the Pentagon establishment and has spent more time in Afghanistan than inside the Beltway.

    Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. is scheduled to retire next fall. Trump said the transition date was to be determined. “I am thankful to both of these incredible men for their service to our Country!” Trump tweeted. Milley’s nomination will need to be confirmed by the Senate. No date has been set for the confirmation.

    Milley became the 39th Chief of Staff of the Army in August 2015 after serving as commanding general of Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg. He has had numerous command and staff positions in eight divisions and Special Forces units throughout his 35 years of military service. A native of Winchester, Massachusetts, Milley received his commission from Princeton University in 1980.

    He has served in the 82nd Airborne Division and the 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg. “I’ve watched him lead soldiers overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as at home... and most recently as the commander of U.S. Forces Command,” said former Army Secretary John McHugh in a statement. “At all times, he has led with distinction in both war and peace.”

    McHugh has known Milley since Milley’s days commanding the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York, an Army post in the district McHugh represented as a congressman. McHugh praised Milley as a “remarkable leader.”

    A Hill staffer who met Milley in Afghanistan agreed. “He came across as very well-informed and as someone who’d thought about the situation he was dealing with fairly deeply,” the source said.

    The question now for many is whether a mind that could grasp Afghanistan can effectively manage the unpredictable world of Washington. History records that military leaders with field backgrounds don’t always do well in D.C. Straight shooters haven’t usually served the Army well as chief of staff or as chairman.

    Military regimentation doesn’t translate into politics naturally. Gen. Eric Shinseki’s assessment that 100,000 troops were needed to occupy Iraq brought him grief in the administration of former President George W. Bush.

    Milley’s operational deployments include the Multi-National Force and Observers, or MFO, Sinai, Egypt; Operation Just Cause, Panama; Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti; Operation Joint Endeavor, Bosnia-Herzegovina; Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq; and three tours during Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. He also deployed to Somalia and Colombia.

    Milley and his wife have been married for more than 30 years and have two children.

  • 05 news digest The city of Fayetteville has honored the late former mayor, Bill Hurley, and the late former mayor pro tem, Harry Shaw.

    City Council proposed to name the plaza at the entrance to the downtown baseball stadium in Hurley’s honor. Hurley led the effort to remove beer halls and strip clubs from what used to be the 500 block of Hay Street. The Council will ask the public to endorse the idea at a future meeting.

    City Council also voted to rename Cross Creek Linear Park trail for Shaw. He founded the nonprofit organization and personally directed development of the park and trail that runs along Cross Creek from Festival Park to Eastern Boulevard.

    Shaw was a member of the Fayetteville Technical Community College Board of Trustees for many years and served on City Council in the late 1960s and early ’70s.

    NCDOT unveils 10-year construction plan

    The North Carolina Department of Transportation has disclosed its 10-year transportation plan draft for 2020-2029. The plan includes 17 new highway projects in DOT Division 6, which encompasses Cumberland, Bladen, Columbus, Harnett and Robeson counties. Two local projects are being accelerated, including the widening of the All American Freeway between Owen Drive and Santa Fe Drive, with construction scheduled for 2025.

    The widening of I-95 to eight lanes between exit 22 in Robeson County and exit 40 in Cumberland County has been moved up to 2026. “I-95 is a vital corridor on the East Coast and heavily congested,” said board of transportation member Grady Hunt.

    New projects also include adding raised medians and other safety improvements along Robeson Street between Blount Street and Raeford Road. Construction is planned for 2029.

    New Robeson County urgent care

     Southeastern Urgent Care of Pembroke is changing its name to more accurately reflect growth in services it offers. The organization is now called the Southeastern Multi-Specialty and Urgent Care, Pembroke. The facility is expanding to the neighboring space in the Southeastern Health complex, which housed the former Trinity Urgent Care.

    Family nurse practitioner Denene Smith has joined Southeastern Health’s expanded clinic. She has more than 25 years of combined nursing and nurse practitioner experience. Also, Southeastern Health plans to relocate Duke Health-affiliated cardiology services, which are provided by Dr. Matt Cummings and nurse practitioner Allison Scott, from Foxglove Place to Southeastern Multi-Specialty and Urgent Care. The complex is at 923 West Third St. in Pembroke.

    School choice seminar

    Is your child a budding artist? Maybe engineering is in her future? Would a year-round school fit your family’s needs? Explore the options for elementary, middle and high school students at the Cumberland County Schools’ Choice Fair, which runs from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., Feb. 2, at E.E. Smith High School, 1800 Seabrook Rd.

    “We are proud to offer a variety of choice programs that include locally developed themes as well as nationally recognized models,” said Assistant Superintendent of Schools Melody Chalmers. “We hope families will find the perfect program that matches their child’s interests.”

    Details about specific programs are available at http://choice.ccs.k12.nc.us.

    Flu vaccine still available

    The Cumberland County Health Department reminds residents that it’s not too late to get an annual flu vaccine. It’s available at the Health Department’s Immunization Clinic, 1235 Ramsey St., Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended hours are scheduled every second and fourth Tuesday until 7 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon.

    The Health Department accepts Medicaid, Medicare Part B, United, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Tricare insurance. Out-of-pocket charges are based on the type of flu antigen received.

    It’s free for uninsured children 6 months to 18 years old. “The flu vaccine can reduce the risk of flu illness and time out of work or school due to being sick,” said Krystle Vinson, health department director of nursing.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that flu activity increases in the winter months, peaking during January and February. For more information, call the Cumberland County Health Department at 910-433-3600.

    County Fair wins accolades

    The 2018 Cumberland County Fair received the Innovation Award during the annual convention of the North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs Jan. 5 and 6 in Raleigh. The fair takes place annually on the grounds of the Crown Complex. Row crop and agricultural displays in the Charlie Rose Agri- Expo Center impressed the awards committee when members visited the fair.

    Fair Manager Hubert Bullard accepted the award on behalf of the fair staff. He credited Cooperative Extension Director Lisa Childers and staff and the Junior Fair Board for creating and managing the exhibits. “Lisa... committed to creating an even more impressive exhibit in 2019,” Bullard said.

    Dates for this year’s Cumberland County Fair are Aug. 30-Sept. 8.

  • 07Soldiers mock fight Two Marines and a Navy corpsman are under investigation in the death in northern Iraq of a Lockheed Martin contractor from Fayetteville. The New York Times reported that the military contractor was severely injured in a brawl on New Year’s Eve in Erbil, Iraq, and was airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany. The Daily Beast identified the Lockheed contractor as Rick Rodriguez, a former Green Beret with nearly 20 years of service in the Army.

    Rodriguez’s wife and four children, who live in Fayetteville, were flown by the military to Germany and, according to an anonymous U.S. military source, decided to take him off life support Jan. 4. The Daily Beast reported that accounts of his death vary. One version, cited by the military source, stemmed from an altercation in an Erbil gym. Another involved a shooting competition.

    In both scenarios, an atmosphere of bravado and trash-talking involving several people spilled over into a fight that left the contractor beaten and then stomped into unconsciousness. The military source said the incident had numerous witnesses.

    “Lockheed Martin was saddened to learn of the loss of one of our employees, who was fatally injured while supporting Special Operations Forces within the... area of operations in a noncombat related incident,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

    The New York Times reported that the Marines and sailor under investigation in Rodriguez’s death were assigned to a Marine special operations unit in Iraq. “MARSOC (Marine Forces Operations Command) is providing all requested support to investigators as they look into this incident,” Maj. Nicholas Mannweiler told ABC News.

    The former Green Beret’s death is the latest in a series of serious episodes among special operations forces. The killing follows last year’s death of Green Beret Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar in West Africa. He was assigned to special forces at Fort Bragg. Two Marine Raiders and two Navy SEALs have been charged with murder in that incident. Special Warfare Operator Chief Edward Gallagher was arraigned early this month at Naval Base San Diego in San Diego, California, on numerous charges, including the killing of a wounded ISIS prisoner.

    A Defense Department review of ethics and standards within the special operations community is underway. The commander of U.S. Special Operations Forces issued a call to action because of what he called a “damaged culture of discipline in the ranks. Left unchecked, an eroded values system threatens to erode the trust of our fellow comrades, our senior leaders and ultimately the American people,” Gen. Tony Thomas said in a message to the force.

    The message called for “rapid and focused action to... identify and address the underlying causes. Correcting this trend will take committed leadership at all levels of our command and personal moral courage by all,” Thomas wrote.

    On Jan. 1, Special Operations Command launched a 90-day internal review requiring senior field grade officers to get more involved with their troops, according to Thomas’ message, first reported by Newsweek. The review also includes a look at instruction, culture, command climate surveys and research into behavioral health issues associated with operations.

  • 06airplane taking off 2 The Fayetteville city administration spent more than an hour at a recent City Council work session defending its management of Fayetteville Regional Airport. Mayor Mitch Colvin criticized airport director Bradley Whited for failing to acknowledge that the airport is underperforming. “It’s hard to be open for change if you don’t think something is wrong,” Colvin said.

    A panel of officials addressed City Council’s concerns. “If we’re not getting the results we want, we need to change what we’re doing,” said Councilman Jim Arp. He is a retired Army officer but did not mention specifically that Fort Bragg military personnel and their families represent the local airport’s most dependable customer base. Arp said that airport officials should better understand who flies out of Fayetteville.

    City Manager Doug Hewett defended Whited’s 22 years of service, noting a North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Aviation study released Jan. 7 that pointed out that Fayetteville Regional Airport generates more than $784 million for the local economy and supports 4,410 jobs.

    Over the last 15 years, enplaned passenger levels have increased 95 percent. Fayetteville and Jacksonville, North Carolina, airports, both of which serve military communities, have trended higher in passenger growth than other regional airports. City council members spoke of customer service inadequacies. Councilwoman Kathy Jensen said she enjoys flying out of Fayetteville, but she can’t even buy a cup of coffee in the early morning. Whited said that will change with a full-service restaurant now under construction. Others complained that smaller cities like Wilmington and Asheville airports provide more airline service. Those communities are tourist attractions, and Fayetteville is not.

    Whited pointed out that a $40 million terminal modernization program now underway will reduce facility complaints. Fayetteville Regional Airport is spending $19 million in federal grants during the first year of the project. The airport is self-supporting and receives no local tax funds from city government.

    “These numbers highlight the importance of Fayetteville Regional Airport and show why area residents should fly local,” Whited said in a statement. “Considering the … time you save to fly out of Fayetteville, customers can’t beat the convenience and customer service of Fayetteville Regional Airport.”

    The NCDOT Division of Aviation report brought up by Hewett highlights the economic impact of the state’s public airports. NCDOT said it created the report to help guide future investment in aviation infrastructure and to act as a tool for recruiting future aviation and aerospace industry. The report contains data compiled and analyzed for NCDOT by North Carolina State University’s Institute for Transportation Research and Education.

    Fayetteville received word last month that United Airlines was discontinuing service from Fayetteville to Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport, citing a costly 64 percent average passenger load factor. Eighty percent is considered the norm.

    Council members did not discuss the competitive edge Raleigh-Durham International Airport enjoys. American Airlines and Delta continue service here. Nine airlines operate out of RDU.

    Local studies indicate about half of Fayetteville fliers choose RDU rather than the local airport. The Fayetteville Area Capture Rate by Airport found that 49.6 percent of Fayetteville passengers chose RDU, 44.4 percent chose FAY, and 5.7 percent selected Charlotte Douglas International Airport, according to Airline Schedule data via Fayetteville Regional Airport Market Leakage Analysis (2016) provided by Hubpoint consultant Managing Director Doung Banez.

  • 05Johnny Dawkins Fayetteville City Councilman Johnny Dawkins is on the mend at home following heart surgery. He is recovering from quadruple heart bypass surgery that took place at Duke Heart Center in Durham Dec. 28. He returned home New Year’s Day. The surgery, he said, took five hours.

    “They gave me four new coronary artery bypass grafts,” he said. Dawkins added that he has no intention of resigning from City Council.

    He said Dr. Jacob Schroder, a thoracic surgeon who practices at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, performed the surgery. Doctors discovered arterial blockages after he had a cardiac catheterization — a procedure that took place after he continued to have jaw pain while exercising on an elliptical machine.

    Dawkins is a member of the Duke Cancer Institute’s Brain Tumor Board of Advisors. He served on City Council from 2003 to 2005 and ran again successfully in 2016.

    Local hospital official resigns

    Arkansas Children’s Hospital has hired Brent Thompson to lead its legal services division as senior vice president and chief legal officer. Thompson currently serves as chief legal officer for Cape Fear Valley Health System in Fayetteville, a system with more than 900 licensed beds and 6,000 employees.

    “Brent was drawn to our mission of championing children because one of his two sons spent several days in an NICU right after birth,” said Arkansas Children’s President and CEO Marcy Doderer.

    Thompson earned a law degree at the University of Tulsa College of Law and is also an alumnus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman. He has extensive experience in litigation, hospital policies and procedures and hospital compliance with federal laws.

    Human Trafficking Awareness Month

    January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Fayetteville’s Child Advocacy Center, the Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and the Methodist University social work department are co-sponsoring three presentations on the subject. Russell G. Wilson, an expert in human trafficking, will make the presentations.

    Wilson graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed his first research project in Cambodia looking at the factors of resiliency for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation.

    His first session will be Thursday, Jan. 24, from 2-4 p.m., at Lafayette Baptist Church, 501 Hope Mills Rd. The intended audience is law enforcement, social workers and mental health professionals. That evening, from 6:30-8 p.m., Wilson will give an address at the Kiwanis Recreation Center, 352 Devers St. The intended audience is the community at large.

    Friday, Jan. 25, from 10 a.m.-noon, the final session will be at Fayetteville State University’s Shaw Auditorium, 1200 Murchison St. Faculty and students are encouraged to attend.

    The programs are offered free of charge, but registration is required at the Child Advocacy website. For more details or to register, visit CACFayNC.org.

    Flick your BIC

    BIC USA is observing its 60th anniversary and has allocated $60,000 of an original $100,000 donation in 2018 to DonorsChoose.org to fund in-school handwriting projects and classroom requests. The company said the money will reach nearly 800 elementary and middle school students in underserved areas, including a school in Fayetteville.

    “At BIC, we are committed to education and serving our communities,” said Linda Palladino, senior brand manager of BIC Consumer Products.

    DonorsChoose.org is a nonprofit organization that considers teacher requests and allows individuals and companies to donate directly to classroom projects. Funding from BIC USA and DonorsChoose.org will help students in Cumberland and six other North Carolina counties to learn the art of handwriting and develop skills to become better readers through projects designed to spark their creativity.

    Specific projects supported in North Carolina include “Essential Learning with Play-Dough” at Cumberland Road Elementary School in Fayetteville.

    “According to Hanover Research, 15 minutes of daily writing promotes individuality, enhances motor skills and improves cognitive development,” said Linda Palladino, senior brand manager for BIC Consumer Products USA.

    Fayetteville Minor League Baseball

    Fayetteville’s downtown baseball stadium is one of three brand-new minor league ballparks opening this coming season. According to BallparkDigest.com, inaugural Minor League Baseball games have been announced for all three ballparks. They include home openers for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (High A; Carolina League), Amarillo Sod Poodles (Class AA; Texas League) and the Las Vegas Aviators (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). After beginning the season on the road, the Woodpeckers will open their ballpark with an April 18 matchup against the Carolina Mudcats.

    The Woodpeckers spent the past two seasons at Campbell University’s Jim Perry Stadium.

    The new stadium in Fayetteville will also host several events in addition to Woodpeckers’ games. It has already been announced as the home of the annual Big South Conference baseball tournament from 2019-2021. In both Amarillo, Texas, and Fayetteville, affiliated Minor League Baseball action returns after a considerable absence.

    Fayetteville has not had a Minor League Baseball club since the Cape Fear Crocs (Low A; Sally League) moved to Lakewood, New Jersey, after the 2000 campaign. The Sod Poodles are the first Amarillo-based affiliated minor league team since the Texas League’s Gold Sox relocated to Beaumont, Texas, after the 1982 season.

    Photo: Johnny Dawkins

  • 01coverUAC011619001 Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the January 2019 issue of Fayetteville Women’s View Magazine. F&B Publications is reprinting it here in order to widen the reach of this relevant and exciting information. For help compiling and/or writing portions of this overview, especially data-related information, special thanks to: Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation; Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau; Cool Spring Downtown District; and Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom.

    Our community has so much to celebrate from 2018 and many things to look forward to in 2019. While not all-encompassing, here is an overview of reasons to celebrate the past year and reasons to get excited for the new one.

    2018: Year in Review

    An increasingly positive reputation

    • In 2017, Governing magazine began an annual report, called “Equipt to Innovate,” in conjunction with the nonprofit Living Cities. The 2018 report named Fayetteville the most innovative city in the U.S. and the city with the best employee engagement. The study, which has a goal of helping cities improve their ability to innovate, judged cities based on seven factors: dynamically planned; broadly partnered; resident-involved; race-informed; smartly resourced; employee-engaged; and data-driven.

    Learn more at www.governing.com/topics/urban/gov-fayetteville-best-man- aged-city-equiptinnovate-lc.html.

    • The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau launched three new videos in its “Find Your Pursuit” series this year, bringing the total in the series to eight. All three new videos — “Pursuit of Brotherhood,” “Pursuit of Harmony” and “Pursuit of Discovery” — feature beautiful, high-quality clips of this area’s events, businesses and landscape. View them on YouTube; you can’t help but feel hometown pride while watching. Search “Visit Cumberland County NC” on YouTube.

    • Cool Spring Downtown District initiated a new city of Fayetteville recognition – the Hometown Hero Award. The award is presented annually during Fayetteville’s Veterans Day celebration to honor a resident who contributed to development of the relationship between the city and the military. Gen. James J. Lindsay received the first Hometown Hero award Nov. 10.

    New initiatives supporting local makers and growers

    Dirtbag Ales Farmers Market debuted in April 2018 with its inaugural Strawberry Festival, which featured 20 local vendors, and strawberries that sold out in the first two hours. DBA created the Hope Mills-based market in partnership with Sustainable Sandhills to help citizens engage with local producers of crafts and goods as well as local farmers. Every Sunday from April through November, 20 to 25 local vendors of everything from handblown glass to freerange meats to microgreens set up their wares on DBA’s idyllic outdoor grounds. The market reopens April 28, 2019.

    Learn more at facebook.com/dirtbagfarmersmarket.

    • Prima Elements Wellness Center and Sheridan’s Philosophy hosted Fayetteville’s First Annual Vegan Festival in June. Between 2,000-3,000 people came to browse more than 50 vendors and educators of all things vegan-related. Leading up to the festival, Prima Elements also started hosting monthly vegan potlucks from its location in downtown Fayetteville. Those potlucks will resume in February 2019.

    Learn more at www.veganfestivalfaync.com.

    Economic growth and new jobs

    • Management and technology consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton announced expansion of its Fayetteville operations Aug. 28 that will create 208 new jobs. Business services provider eClerx, which has one U.S. delivery center — in Fayetteville — announced expansion of our local center Oct. 18 that will create 150 new jobs.

    Progress for healthcare and research

    The Cumberland County Healthcare Next

    Generation Partnership, an initiative led by the County Workforce Development Board, brings together more than 20 representatives from Cape Fear Valley Health, Womack Army Medical Center, private providers and other related businesses. Its June 14 session was the first of its kind in North Carolina. Next Gen Partnerships enable business leaders to champion their priorities and work with local, regional and state partners to achieve specified goals. The partners are forwarding actions to increase the coordination of care, strengthen the talent pipeline into the healthcare industry and prevent obesity.

    Learn more at www.fayedc.com/2018/06/nc-nextgeneration- partnership.

    • June 8, Womack Army Medical Center and the

    Geneva Foundation launched the Fort Bragg Research Institute at Fayetteville State University. The institute aims to link the vast research infrastructure of our community with the growing requirements of operational readiness at Fort Bragg. Working with the Cape Fear Research Consortium, the FBRI’s mission is to optimize military performance and improve health disparities of southeastern North Carolina through scientific innovation.

    Learn more at www.uncfsu.edu/fort-bragg-research.

    2019: Year in Preview

    Fayetteville’s new baseball team debuts

    • Construction on downtown Fayetteville’s new $37.8 million ballpark dominated conversation last year. The stadium heralds this area’s first minor league baseball presence in 17 years, and this spring, the wait will finally come to an end. The Fayetteville Woodpeckers, a minor league affiliate of the World Series Champion Houston Astros, will play their first home game April 18, 2019, against the Carolina Mudcats. The Astros signed a 30-year lease, indicating their investment in the long-term success of the city. The stadium will also host the NCAA Big South Conference baseball tournament May 21-25. Learn more at www.milb.com/fayetteville.

    The debut of the stadium and team will be complemented by Prince Charles Holdings’ $110 million plan, which includes the renovation of the Prince Charles Hotel, along with other downtown revitalization projects.

    Development and new business

    • Improvements to Concourse A, the first phase of Fayetteville Regional Airport’s $35 million renovation project, are expected to be completed in July. The first major renovation since the terminal was built, the updated concourse will be triple the size of its predecessor, seat 128 passengers and include a new restaurant serving salads, sandwiches and local craft beer. The second phase is expected to start in November, which will improve the facade of the building and include new escalators, elevators and stairwells.

    • Launched a year ago and gaining steam, The CORE is an innovation corridor in downtown Fayetteville with a mission to connect the talent and resources of our community while providing a central location for tech companies, DoD Contractors and entrepreneurs to develop and deploy next-gen technologies. This hub plans to provide a coworking space for innovators in cybersecurity, digital healthcare, energy, Internet of Things, augmented reality and other related technologies.

    Campbell Soup Supply Company, in partnership with DHL Supply Chain, will open a new, state-of-the-art distribution center in Cedar Creek Business Center by this summer. The project will result in a $40 million investment and the creation of 195 jobs.

    Quality-of-life activities

    • Though it technically started in 2018, Cool Spring Downtown District’s busker program will grow in strength this year, adding a delightful element of live music to downtown Fayetteville every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, along with Saturday and Sunday afternoons. CSDD has more exciting plans for the year: Jan. 25-27, there will be outdoor ice skating downtown; Feb. 22- 23, a gaming tournament; an every-Wednesday lunch in Cross Creek Park starting in March; and summer concerts every Thursday night this summer.

    Learn more at www.visitdowntownfayetteville.com.

    Welcoming new troops at Fort Bragg

    • Fort Bragg’s leadership announced they anticipate adding 2,500 to 3,000 troops in the coming years, increasing the installation’s total population to around 57,000.

  • 10nc 295 southern terminus The North Carolina Department of Transportation had hoped to open a new section of Fayetteville’s Outer Loop by Christmas. But DOT spokesman Andrew Barksdale said it will likely be summer or fall of this year before the segment from the All American Freeway to Cliffdale Road opens to traffic.

    “Fort Bragg wanted a way to get from a unit’s motor pool straight to the training area and not have to go out and around (Interstate) 295,” Barksdale said. “A bridge was too costly, so we are building a large enough tunnel — at a cost of $2 million — for the military vehicles to use to travel under I-295.”

    Barksdale noted Fort Bragg formally requested the enhancement of the project, and DOT Secretary Jim Trogdon approved it. Trogdon is from Hope Mills and retired in 2016 as the Deputy Adjutant General of the North Carolina National Guard.

    A Fayetteville loop was first considered in 1977. But similar projects in Charlotte were given funding priority for several years.

    In 2005, the DOT received the I-295 designation as a future route with signs erected along initial sections of the route soon after that. Changes made in 2014 downgraded the freeway to NC 295, a temporary designation pending completion of the loop. The Outer Loop, as it is alternately known, improves connectivity between Fort Bragg and Interstate 95, a commitment the Army sought for decades.

    It also provides a new commuter route between the post and the city of Fayetteville. The final design takes the bypass 39 miles around the north, west and south sides of Fayetteville. Once the section to Cliffdale Road is completed, the next project awarded by DOT at a cost of $85.2 million will be a 3.1-mile stretch to Raeford Road.

    The final three legs of the beltway are being built simultaneously. A design-build concept makes it possible for Barnhill Contracting Co., Sanford Construction, and HDR Engineering to work together and combine all aspects of the plan from design through construction under a single contract.

    Work includes replacing the Lake Rim runoff bridge over Bones Creek on Old Raeford Road. That fragment should be finished by May 2022. Then comes Raeford Road to Camden Road. A contract is set to be awarded by DOT this month with construction to be completed by 2023.

    The final leg of the future interstate is from Camden Road to I-95 South just below the Cumberland/ Robeson County line. That $129.7 million design-build contract has already been awarded to the Wilmington-based team of Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc., Branch Civil Inc. and STV Engineers Inc. and has a scheduled completion of July 2021.

    When finished, I-295 will connect I-95 North and U.S. Highway 13 at Eastover to Fort Bragg. It then curves around Fayetteville and Hope Mills and  reconnects to I-95 South above St. Pauls. Total cost will be $1 billion.

  • 06Surveillance The Fayetteville Police Department’s system of surveillance cameras is still not fully functional. It went down two years ago, and according to police spokesman Sgt. Shawn Strepay, “a portion of the system is up and running and other portions remain down.”

    The cameras were purchased and installed with drug forfeiture funds. “The latest hurricane was a setback and caused additional damage to the system,” Strepay added. That was more than a year ago.

    Dozens of cameras were initially installed, most of them in the downtown area. They can be monitored in real time at police headquarters. “We are currently going through the process of upgrading the system’s infrastructure to include hardwiring portions of the system with fiber optics, instead of relying only on a wireless system,” Strepay said.

    The new FAST Transit Center on Robeson Street has its own system of exterior surveillance cameras that are monitored live, Strepay said. Recordings are also made, and the footage can be reviewed when necessary.

    Voter information updating

    In the past, local voters who failed to cast ballots on a regular basis had their names purged from the system, requiring that they re-register. The Cumberland County Board of Elections recently mailed biennial list maintenance notices to 13,169 registered voters to ensure their voter information is current. The notices were sent to registered voters who had not voted in two consecutive federal election cycles. They included address confirmation cards with instructions that they be filled out and returned.

    “We encourage voters that receive the biennial list maintenance notice from our office to please respond,” said Board of Elections Director Terri Robertson. Voters who do not return their cards will be marked inactive. They will still be registered but will be asked to update their addresses the next time they vote.

    Voters may also update their records at the Board of Elections office, 227 Fountainhead Ln. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

    Another cold case cleared

    The Fayetteville Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, has charged a suspect with a rape that occurred nearly 30 years ago. An investigation from Nov. 20, 1990, revealed the victim was kidnapped at Mazarick Park and sexually assaulted, after which the suspect stole her vehicle.

    The case remained unsolved until Nov. 2017, when detectives learned that DNA from the crime scene had been linked to a Wilbur D. McGill, 54, of Torbay Drive.

    He was recently located in Orange County, Florida, and charged with first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon, larceny of motor vehicle and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. McGill is being held in Orange County pending extradition to North Carolina.

    Town hall community development meetings

    Cumberland County Community Development is holding town hall meetings to provide information about various housing programs and other activities offered to eligible Cumberland County residents through the Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnership Program. Feedback is welcomed from community residents. It helps the department prioritize projects to be undertaken during the 2019 program year.

    Several meetings have taken place. Those still scheduled will be held Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. — Godwin Town Hall, Godwin; Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. — Falcon Town Hall, Falcon; Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. — Spring Lake Town Hall, Spring Lake; Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. — Wade Town Hall, Wade; and Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. — Linden Town Hall, Linden.

    For more information, contact Community Development at 910-321-6112 or online at www.co.cumberland.nc.us/departments/communitydevelopment-group/community_development.

  • 09District Candidates The North Carolina Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement is evaluating tangible evidence of voter fraud in Cumberland and Robeson counties. Robeson is one of the counties alleged to have been significantly involved in election irregularities in the 2018 9th Congressional District race.

    The state is investigating allegations that Harry L. Faust, 34, of Fayetteville and Lumberton voted twice using different addresses. Documents obtained by Up & Coming Weekly purport that Faust registered and voted first in Robeson County Oct. 22.

    An email sent by Cumberland County Board of Elections Director Teri Robertson to the state board of elections’ chief investigator said Faust voted in Fayetteville, where he was already registered, Nov. 2. “That case is under investigation, and I cannot comment further,” said Patrick Gannon, a spokesman for the state board.

    There is no apparent record of Faust living at the Cattail Court address in East Fayetteville that he claimed on registration documents. He is, however, a former resident of 785 Rose Ct. in Lumberton, which is the address he listed on forms there.

    Other public records indicate Faust is a registered sex offender. He spent a year in prison after being convicted in 2013 of taking indecent liberties with a child. He gave Rose Court as his address at that time.

    Robertson said that while reviewing duplicate voter information, a board of elections staffer found documentation that Faust had voted twice. The office of the state board says on its website that it “works in conjunction with County Boards of Elections to ensure that elections are conducted lawfully and fairly.”

    It is unclear whether findings in the Faust case will be presented during an evidentiary hearing into allegations of misconduct during the 9th Congressional District election campaign.

    Among the allegations are that Bladen County businessman Leslie McCrea Dowless, who worked for Republican Mark Harris’ campaign, coordinated an effort to collect and fill in, or discard, the ballots of Democratic voters who might have otherwise voted for Harris’ opponent, Democrat Dan McCready.

    The board initially planned to hold the hearing Dec. 21, 2018, but it was rescheduled for Jan 11. Last week, the board put the hearing off again saying it needed more time to continue its investigation into illicit campaign activity. Harris beat McCready by 905 votes of 283,317 total votes cast.

    The elections board refused to certify the results, citing an unusually high number of requested absentee ballots, many of which were unreturned, in rural Bladen County and neighboring Robeson County.

    The 116th House of Representatives was sworn in Jan. 3 with a Democratic majority. The party flipped 40 seats in November. The local congressional district election is the only one undecided. The state board of elections appears to be leaning toward calling a new election to settle the issue.

    Harris’ narrow victory over incumbent Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-N.C., in the Republican primary is also under scrutiny, with new attention on the disproportionate number of absentee ballots — 96 percent — that Harris won in Bladen County. Pittenger said he will not challenge Harris if a second primary is held.

    Photo: Mark Harris

     

  • 06McCrae Dowless 2 Since election day last month, there has been a slow ripple of revelations about 9th Congressional District get-out- the-vote conduct in Bladen County, the small, eastern-most county in the 9th district. The North Carolina congressional election is the only one in the nation still pending because of allegations of election fraud.

    Bladen County businessman McCrae Dowless is the central figure in an alleged conspiracy being investigated by the State Board of Elections. Some officials are calling for a new 9th district election because of multiple examples of potentially criminal behavior by Dowless.

    At issue is an apparent 905-vote margin of nearly 283,000 votes cast between the Republican and Democratic candidates for Congress. The vote as it stands favors Republican Mark Harris over Democrat Dan McCready.

    Dowless has no political party allegiance. He has supported Democrats in the past. Dowless is accused of having workers collect dozens of mail-in absentee ballots from residents before they were filled in, which violates the law.

    The attention in the 9th district is not always on Republican partisan conduct. A political action committee with an unofficial affiliation with the North Carolina Democratic Party had two paid staffers who served as witnesses for more than 100 absentee ballots. Also, a Democratic member of the Bladen County Board of Elections was once a business partner of Dowless. The local elections board is being examined by the state for potential conflicts of interest.

    Dr. Michael Bitzer is a political scientist at Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina. He is considered one of the nation’s leading scholars on the American presidency. Bitzer found that many more North Carolinians returned absentee ballots than four years ago. And there was a distinct partisan difference in the voting than in years past as well.

    Bitzer noted that, historically, a low percentage of absentee ballots in the 9th district is returned compared to other districts in the state. This time, Bladen County had twice the number of absentee ballots on average than most other counties. Bitzer’s analysis suggested additional aberrations.

    In seven of the eight counties in the 9th District, for example, McCready got a lopsided majority of absentee ballots. But not in Bladen County. There, Harris won 61 percent of the vote, even though registered Republicans initially received few of the county’s accepted absentee ballots. Most of the unreturned ballots belonged to African-American and Native American voters.

    The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. States with larger populations have greater representation. Each district elects a member to the U.S. House of Representatives for a two-year term.

    The 8th and 9th Congressional districts adjoin each other and stretch along the South Carolina border to Mecklenburg County and a small portion of Gaston County. Cumberland County is split in half and is shared by both districts. Fort Bragg is part of the 8th district.

    Photo: McCrae Dowless

  • 05military pay raise   Since 2007, the federal debt has more than doubled in relation to the size of the economy, and it will keep growing significantly if annual budget deficits projected under current law come to pass. The Congressional Budget Office periodically issues suggestions of policy options that could reduce the deficit.

    The latest CBO report, issued last month, presents 121 options that would decrease federal spending and/or increase federal revenues over the next 10 years. Twenty of those proposals would affect the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, including holding the line on the base pay of military service members.

    Basic pay is the largest component of service members’ cash compensation, accounting for about 60 percent of the total. This option would cap basic pay raises for service members at 0.5 percentage points below the increase in the Employment Compensation Index for five years starting in 2020 and then return them to the ECI benchmark in 2025. The CBO estimates that this would reduce the discretionary budget by nearly $18 billion from 2020 through 2028.

    “Fatal Vision” update

    Jeffrey MacDonald is a name with deep connections to Fort Bragg. He was convicted 40 years ago of the February 1970 murders of his pregnant wife and two young daughters in the Corregidor Court housing area on post. The military was unsuccessful in prosecuting MacDonald, and he received an honorable discharge from the Army in late 1970.

    Years of subsequent allegations and judicial appeals ended when the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear his case. His trial was held in U.S. District Court in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1979. Since his conviction, MacDonald has continued to maintain his innocence.

    Last month, on Dec. 21, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, refused to grant the former Army officer a new trial. The three-judge panel declined to overturn a federal judge’s 2014 ruling. The appeals court agreed with the lower-court ruling that MacDonald failed to show that new evidence, if presented to a jury, would likely change the outcome of his conviction.

    FOCCAS an abbreviation worth remembering

    Friends of the Cumberland County Animal Shelter made Christmas special for about 100 dogs and 50 cats at the compound. The dogs and cats enjoyed animal-friendly holiday meals at the shelter. The animals also received stockings filled with treats an  toys. FOCCAS is also collecting cold-weather dog houses, blankets and food for outdoor dogs.

    “Ideally, dogs should be brought indoors during cold weather, but we understand there are some pets that will remain outside,” said Shelly Bryant, FOCCAS president. “For these cases, we want to ensure pet owners have adequate shelter for their pets.” FOCCAS is a 501c3 nonprofit that promotes animal welfare initiatives and responsible pet ownership through education, community outreach, and animal enrichment programs.

    Fayetteville Technical Community College names new senior vice president

    FTCC has announced the appointment of Dr. Mark Sorrells as its new senior vice president for academic and student services. Sorrells comes to FTCC from the Golden LEAF Foundation where he was senior vice president and its longest-serving staff member. Sorrells earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville and completed his doctorate in education at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.

    In July, FTCC announced that then-Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Services David Brand was leaving, and that President Larry Keen would assume his duties. The college did not say at the time why Brand left abruptly. Later, the college issued a statement saying Brand was on leave recovering from shoulder surgery and would retire Nov. 1.

    Grinding of the Greens recycles trees

    Grinding of the Greens encourages Fayetteville residents to recycle their live Christmas trees and has kept thousands of pounds of recyclable material out of our landfills. The long-standing partnership between Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Cumberland-Fayetteville Parks & Recreation and Duke Energy Progress turns live Christmas trees into mulch for the Fayetteville Community Garden and

    other local parks.

    Employees from Cumberland-Fayetteville Parks and Recreation will collect the trees from Fayetteville city residents in a special tree pickup beginning the morning of Monday, Jan. 7. Pickups are separate from yard waste, trash or recycle pickups. All lights, stands and trimmings should be removed from the tree.

    Residents who live outside the city or miss the pickup may drop off trees at the Fayetteville Community Garden, located at the corner of Van Story and Mann Street just off Old Wilmington Road, any day before Jan. 12. PWC and DEP volunteers will grind them into mulch at the Community Garden on Jan. 12, following a ceremonial start at 8:30 a.m.

  • Wow, I’m glad 2010 is here and we have closed out a decade most of us would like to forget.

    Really!

    Ahhhhh, this is the first issue of the brand new year and, now, only 51 more to go and we are definitely up to the task. Many people I know have made out their New Year’s resolution lists, but me, I only have a “wish list” and I will gladly share it with you:

    I wish … our local economy would continue to stabilize and grow. I wish … the Fayetteville Museum of Art would reestablish its venues and restore dignity and harmony in the arts community.

    I wish … a parking deck would get built in Downtown Fayetteville and in the “correct” location. 010610 dream.jpg

    I wish … the city would get around to repaving Russell Street.

    I wish … that Gov. Purdue would continue to fight for and be an advocate of keeping convicted murderers, rapists and child molesters in jail... for life.

    I wish … our downtown city leaders and developers would come to realize the damage the “parking gestapo” is doing to the morale and positive image of our city. Their frenzy and enthusiasm to issue parking tickets has almost made it a recreational sport.

    I wish … the end of extreme political correctness when it defies common sense and threatens our safety, welfare and quality-of-life.

    I wish … for an honest Congress that starts listening and respecting the wishes of their constituents.

    I wish … for greater transparency at all levels of government and the end of partisan “pay-to-play” politics that is making a mockery of Constitutional Rights.

    I wish … the Cumberland Country leadership would make an exerted effort to cooperate with the City of Fayetteville for the betterment of all Cumberland County residents.

    I wish … to see the Prince Charles Hotel demolished so our downtown can develop with dignity.

    I wish … the American judicial system would begin to respect the rights of crime victims with as much conviction, vigor and vitality as they do the rights of criminals.

    I wish … we would allocate more money toward Cumberland County’s children. They are our best investments in our future.

    I wish … we would continue to enhance efforts to beautify our city.

    Finally, and my biggest wish of all, is the safe and swift return of the thousands of dedicated and patriotic military men and women serving our country around the world. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families each and every day.

    Well, I’m not done yet but I have run out of space. This is my short list.

    If you have a wish for our community and would like to share it please email me at bbowman@upandcomingweekly. com. I would love to hear from you.

    In the meantime, thanks for reading and supporting Up & Coming Weekly.If you would like to receive the VIP Early Bird Edition of Up & Coming Weekly register for a free subscription at www.upandcomingweekly. com. Again, thanks for readin

  • We have just come through the season of giving, and I am always humbled by just how giving we Americans are. We dug into our pockets to help victims of natural disasters ranging from tsunamis to hurricanes to earthquakes. We went to far-fl ung locations to provide physical assistance and moral support. We also gave to our local causes even though many of us had already blown through our budgets for charitable giving.

    Americans are a generous people.

    We can also be incredibly rude.

    A cousin and I traveled in southeast Asia one fall, a wonderful and memorable experience in all kinds of ways. Airline travel in that part of the world was an unexpected delight. Thai Airways even had vases of orchids in the onboard restrooms, but the service really shone. Lovely and slender young women in uniforms patterned after traditional Thai dress fl oated down the aisles with bottles of wine inquiring whether we would like more red or white.

    I know, of course, that Americans no longer tolerate employment requirements about gender, weight and makeup, but we do tolerate what seems to me an increasing level of rudeness in our culture.

    This was brought home to my cousin and me several times on our trip. The first was an American man who loudly berated airline personnel in Bangkok because our late trans-Pacific flight caused him to miss his connection. He shouted at counter agents, who had, of course, had nothing to do with the delayed fl ight, demanding that they buy him a train ticket to his next stop and give him a meal voucher even though we had just had a large breakfast on the plane. Everyone within earshot was embarrassed.

    Another tilt on the rude-o-meter came once we were back in the United States on a domestic airline on the way to the east coast. A flight attendant, a middle-aged woman with a loud voice and dirty hair, was selling earphones for $2 to passengers who wanted to watch a movie or listen to music. The man seated in front of me had been coughing and as the earphone-hawking attendant passed his seat he asked her politely for something to drink. Her reaction left him — and me — speechless.

    “Does this look like a beverage cart to you?” she snapped, adding that she would deal with drinks after she finished selling the earphones.

    I do not know whether that poor fellow ever got his water, but I do know that in addition to safety training, that airline should consider bringing on Miss Manners as a consultant.

    None of us really know whether Americans were more courteous and polite in past generations, but I suspect that our “Me! Me! Me!” culture of today with the emphasis on individual rights and self-fulfi llment has created, at best, less sensitivity for the feelings of others, and, at worst, a lot of truly rude people.

    I hear cell phones go off in meetings and in movie theaters. I see people all the time interrupting actual face-to-face conversations to take cell phone calls, leaving others to stand by and listen to personal, even intimate discussions with who-knows-who on the other end of the wireless call. I deal with surly store clerks who begrudge me their time and effort even though I may buy some item or service for which they might receive a commission. I receive emails from people who write things I doubt they would ever say in person. I see motorists make obscene gestures and mouth curses to other drivers.

    The list of rudeness is endless, and I know you see it, too.

    Just out of curiosity, I did a search on the word “manners.” My grandmother called manners the glue of society and said they are what keep us from killing each other. The search did not quote my grandmother, but it did turn up several insights on the concepts of manners and of rudeness. Eric Hoffer observes that “Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength.” Margaret Walker and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas had similar takes. They said, respectively, “Friends and good manners will carry you where money won’t go,” and “Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.” George Bernard Shaw’s Henry Higgins tells his waif-intraining- to-be-a-lady that “The great secret, Eliza, is not having bad manners or good manners or any other particular sort of manners, but having the same manners for all human souls.” Emily Post, the Miss Manners of her day, put it this way: “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners no matter what fork you use.”

    My favorite, though, comes from an unknown author and it pretty much sums up the concept of manners for me.

    “Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you — not because they are nice, but because you are.”

    Photo: Although Americans are a generous people, we can also be extremely rude.

  • The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Family Caregivers

    Caring for seniors — a family affair for thousands of households across the United States — requires a special action plan when kids go back to school after the holidays. Nearly one-quarter of American adults (23 percent) currently provide companionship or assistance with daily living to an elderly parent or relative, according to a study for Home Instead Senior Care by Harris Interactive®.

    While each family caregiving situation is different, stress is a com-mon denominator.01-04-12-senior-corner.jpg

    Stress and time demands often increase during times of change, like after the winter break, when children prepare to go back to school and get involved with winter sports and other activities. “During the school vacation, children sometimes play an active role in the caregiving pro-cess, running errands and cleaning house for Grandpa and Grandma, or simply serving as a companion,” according to the report. “Many times, those grandchildren provide heartfelt support when seniors are ill or re-covering from sickness or surgery.”

    “Not only do many families lose that extra pair of hands, but their children need more help as well,” said Suzanne Mintz, co-founder and president of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA). “Life is always easier on an even keel. When your norm is disrupted, as during times of transition, the stress levels go up until a new norm is estab-lished.”

    Home Instead Senior Care sees an increase in the number of families caught in this gap each January, when return to normal activities throw their lives into turmoil again. People search outside the family when the pressures of homework, basketball and other activities become too much to handle. Outside caregivers can help seniors with meal preparation, housekeeping, errands and shopping, personal-care services, and other non-medical home care and companionship duties. Deciding what’s im-portant by creating a plan of action and prioritizing are the keys to helping families maintain their sanity, said leadership expert Stephen Covey, whose books, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, have helped revolutionize how Americans manage their work and home lives. Covey said he sees particular stress among working women who are trying to juggle the care of seniors and children. “My basic response is you’ve got to really decide what is very important so that you can learn to say ‘no’ to what is not that important, even though it has the feeling of urgency,” Covey said. “If you can say ‘no’ guilt-free, that means you have a burning ‘yes’ about something that is more important.”

    The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Caregivers

    Stephen Covey partnered with Home Instead Senior Care to apply his 7 Habits to the unique role of a family caregiver.

    Be Proactive. Don’t react to the stress of juggling a child’s sched-ule and caring for your elderly loved one. Think and plan ahead to be prepared for this stressful time.

    Begin with the End in Mind. If family is what is most important to you, contribute your time, energy and talents to that end.

    Put First Things First. Plan weekly and daily as a family and indi-vidually so you’re focused and prepared to meet goals, appointments and obligations.

    Think Win/Win. Approach the idea of caring for youngsters and elderly parents, and balancing school and work with a win/win at-titude. Meet together to establish parameters (everyone’s roles and responsibilities) upfront so everyone feels good about the care situa-tion.

    Seek First to Understand …Then to be Understood. Listen empathetically with your heart and your ears to your children and parents when concerns arise and relationships may be strained. Try to understand exactly why Grandma is crabby.

    Synergize. Brainstorm to solve problems so that everyone feels a part of the so-lution. There are many ways to utilize our differences for the good of everyone.

    Sharpen the Saw. Strive to live, to love, to learn and to leave a legacy. To do that, a family caregiver must take care of himself or herself. They love being appreciated and valued. And when they feel how their grandkids look to them and listen to their wisdom, their whole world will change.”

    Photo: Author Stephen Covey part-nered with Home Instead Senior Care to apply his 7 Habits to the unique role of a family caregiver.

  • 01-18-12-ftcc.jpgAre you considering going back to school? Many jobs are skill specifi c and without the right education it can be difficult to break into the job field of your dreams. Today, many high-paying jobs list a community college education as the foundation for entering into positions requiring specialized skills. This is good news because your neighbor, Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC), has more 120 exciting programs to choose from — and at an affordable cost!

    As with all new endeavors, you are probably wondering if you can afford to attend school. The cost to attend FTCC is affordable, and Fayetteville Tech also offers fi nancial aid. In fact, the annual cost for tuition and fees to attend FTCC is approximately $1,686. Students who are interested in pursuing a four-year degree can use FTCC as a stepping stone to take their first two years of study and then transfer to a four-year college or university to complete the fi nal two years. It’s not only a smart way to earn a four-year degree, but it’s also a smart way to get a solid foundation on your education. Below are some of the major funding programs available to students at FTCC:

    • Pell Grant: This is a major United States Entitlement available to qualifi ed applicants. The maximum amount available is $5,500.00.

    • Scholarships: Scholarships are a popular form of fi nancial assistance because the money from scholarships does not have to be paid back. Qualifi cations and award amounts from scholarships vary.

    • Federal Direct Subsidized Loans: The Department of Education (DOE) offers this loan to students who demonstrate financial need. Students must pay back this money once school attendance has stopped. However, the federal government pays the interest on the loan as long as the student is in school.

    • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans:These are low-interest loans made by the DOE to students who do not qualify for a subsidized loan. Unlike the subsidized loan, the DOE does not pay the interest on this loan. Loan interest accrues as long as the student is in school. Six months after the last date of school attendance, the student must begin making payments to pay back the loan.

    This represents a quick overview of some of the major sources of educational funding available to students. Why not get started on a new career path today? To get started, there are two important steps that must be accomplished:

    1. Apply for Admissions: Go to the FTCC website at: http://www.faytechcc.edu/. On the lefthand side of the page, click on Getting Started. You will be able to access the online admissions application at this location, and you can also see other items you may need to accomplish.

    2. Apply for Financial Aid: Go to The Federal Student Aid website at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

    As you fill out this application for fi nancial aid, you will be asked to provide the FTCC school code. The FTCC school code is 007640.

    FTCC offers many programs of study leading to the awards of diploma, certifi cate, and associate degree. To help you reach your goal, Fayetteville Tech also offers many resources, including a variety of fi nancial aid options. With the start of the new year, we invite you to invite FTCC into your life to help you achieve new skills, enhance your existing skills or help you change to a completely new career path. The choice is yours, and the opportunities awaiting you are endless. Learn more about FTCC at www.faytechcc.edu.

    Photo: To help you reach your goal, Fayetteville Technical Community College also offers many resources, including a variety of fi nancial aid options. 

  • uac010213001.gif As we enter into 2013, we think it only fitting that we review some of the top stories that made headlines in 2012.

    The Economy: As the nation stands poised on the verge of jumping off the fiscal cliff, it only makes sense that the economy would be the top story of 2012. Jobs, lack of jobs, business creation, lack of business creation have topped the conversations in the community over the past years. As the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce took a bruising from county and city leaders in regards to its ability to draw jobs into the community, it reorganized and reinvented itself to try and better meet the many demands placed on it.

    Chief among those changes was creating an entity within its fold to specifically focus on the small businesses already in the community. It is these businesses, which have managed to sustain themselves through the tough economic times who are the heartbeat of our community. Even with the resiliency that comes with small business, there have been setbacks. This time last year, the community was celebrating the opening of Wet Willie’s in downtown Fayetteville. We are not mourning it’s demise. The economy will continue to be the buzz word for 2013.

    Downtown: Downtown businesses garnered many headlines during 2012, unfortunately, not all of them were good. Those businesses getting the most ink were the ones doing the most bad. Topping our list of bad downtown residents are The Prince Charles Hotel and Doc’s. 01-02-13-happy-new-year-20121.gif

    The Prince Charles, a venerable, historic building, has been a source of discontent for downtown for quite some time. In 2012, its problems grew greater at the hands of owner, John Chen. Chen, a New York developer, bought the building with promises of renovation and an upscale apartment/business center. Instead, he turned the building into a low-rent, by-the-month facility, all the while ignoring city codes and building codes as he “renovated” the hotel rooms to make them mini-apartments with miniscule rents.

    When the city had its fill of Chen’s business practices, the city’s inspection office shut the building down and the city moved to have the hotel put on the auction block for fees owed. To date, Chen has managed to out-maneuver the city and kept the hotel off of the auction block, but the clock is ticking. Who knows what will come of the Prince Charles in 2013.

    Doc’s, the restaurant/family fun center, also located in downtown drew many headlines in 2012. Built with private and public funding, Doc’s opened with much promise and closed in shame, as employees were put on the street without pay, loans went unpaid and the building began collapsing on Hay Street. Shuttered, the facility sits in limbo with plans being tossed about to make it into a charter school.

    Racial Profiling: We would be remiss if we did not make mention of the most contentious (other than the election) issue to impact our community in 2012: charges of racial profiling.

    In March, the issue came to a head, as the city accepted a report from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives that reported that while the city’s police department had a disproportionate number of blacks who are subject to traffic stop and warrantless searches, it could not say that Fayetteville police officers were guilty of racial profiling.

    Consultants who reviewed the Fayetteville Police Department say blacks are disproportionately subjected to traffic stops and warrantless searches, but the analysts cannot say officers are guilty of racial profiling. In the midst of this debate, city officials discussed imposing a moratorium on voluntary searches following traffic stops. The City Council voted 8-2 in January to halt so-called consent searches of vehicles for 120 days while the consultants investigated claims that the practice disproportionately targets black drivers.

    This discussion led to the dismissal of City Manager Dale Iman and the ultimate resignation of Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine. With 2013 in its opening days, the city is in the final decision-making process to hire a new police chief.

    Extreme Home Makeover: Fayetteville/Cumberland County officials were doing a happy dance when the wildly popular television show Extreme Home Makeover decided to visit the city to build a home for homeless veterans. Local businesses, community leaders and non-profits geared up to support the show with businesses donating thousands of dollars in goods and services to make the project a reality. As the reality television show rolled into town on one of the hottest days of the summer, countless volunteers stood by for their chance to make history in the community. Even the nation’s First Lady got into the act, arriving in Fayetteville just a couple of hours before her cameo and leaving as soon as it was shot. The show revolved around the efforts of Barbara Marshall, a 15-year Navy veteran, who had opened up her home to homeless veterans. Her goal, with the assistance of Extreme Home Makeover, was to wide the reach of Jubilee House to include more families.

    Months after the home was remade, it came to light the Marshall had no veterans staying in her home, and had, in fact, put them out shortly after the show aired. Veterans complained Marshall, who was represented as caring for them from the goodness of her heart instead charged them high rent and when they couldn’t meet her demands were put on the street. It later came to light that money, donated to ensure the house could stay in business, was instead spent by Marshall to purchase another home.

    The unofficial board of the non-profit stepped in to take a look at the home’s finances and its programs. Today, the house touts a number of programs, although little is said about it in the media.

    Politicians Acting Badly: Most politicians go out of their way to stay out of the headlines, but that isn’t he case with Cumberland County Commissioner Charles Evans. Evans, a former Fayetteville City Councilman, made more headlines out of the commission chamber than he did while in it.

    Earlier this year, Evans was stopped for having an expired tag, an event which moved to above-the-fold headlines claiming the officer, who was also African-American had racially profiled him. While video footage of the stop, quickly gained hits on You Tube, it did little to boost Evans’ image in the community.

    This is not the first time Evans antics have raised eyebrows and made headlines. Does anyone remember the cockroach debate that resulted in an exchange of words between Evans and then-Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Bill Harrison? What about the supposed shoving match between Evans and then-Commission Chairman Kenneth Edge?

    In October of 2012, Evans again made headlines for failure to repay travel advances to the ABC Commission and for faulty reporting of travel expenses. It can only be hoped that 2013 will be much kinder to the gentleman from Cumberland County.

  • Fixing a System that Is Broke and Broken

    North Carolina currently faces a more than $2 billion debt to the federal government for loans used to fund the state’s share of unemployment compensation benefits — this is the third largest unemployment insurance debt in the United States.

    Record-high unemployment rates, a very slow economic recovery and extended benefits mandated by the federal government led to a significant increase in claims that quickly depleted the state’s unemployment trust fund.When the trust fund was solvent in good economic times, there was a reduction in UI taxes, while at the same time benefits were being expanded. The combination of these factors resulted in an unsustainable system that was ultimately not prepared for the severity of the recession.

    Neither the tax rates nor the benefit structure single-handedly led to the debt crisis and, similarly, fixing just one of these factors is not a viable solution to creating a solvent and effective UI system for the future. Our state’s UI system has an annual deficit of $470 million a year. The benefit payout has simply outstripped the ability to pay for the program and inaction for many years caused the problem to quickly go from bad to worse. A number of measures have to be considered in order to bring balance to the system. North Carolina’s UI benefits paid are more generous than the national average and above the regional area.

    North Carolina’s unemployment insurance system is not only broke but also broken. The broken UI system has leaked $556 million in improper jobless benefits payouts between 2008 and 2011, of which millions involved allegations of fraud. An investigation uncovered serious problems that contribute to UI fraud going back 15 years.

    It gets worse. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, North Carolina had the worst scores in the country on important quality-control measures. In fact, of 120 quality checks performed by the department on our state’s unemployment agency since 1997, it has passed only twice.

    The responsibility to pay off this debt falls squarely on employers. Under current federal guidelines, and given the state’s outstanding loan balance, North Carolina employers will repay approximately $2.5 billion in principal and more than $500 million in interest from 2011 to 2019 to extinguish the state’s loan.

    On Nov. 10, 2012, North Carolina missed another deadline to repay the federal UI loan in order to avoid additional tax penalties. This translates into a tax increase on every job from $63 to $84 per employee, and will continue to rise annually until the debt is paid. These crippling tax increases at the federal and state levels year-after-year will cost North Carolina jobs, making our unemployment problem worse. Inaction on this issue cost employers a total of $395 million in 2012 alone.

    While tax adjustments are an appropriate part of a comprehensive solution, it would be irresponsible not to address the problem as a whole, which includes ensuring that employer investments into the fund are managed efficiently and inserting accountability measures into the system.

    It is important that we make common-sense reforms to align tax revenues with benefits and allow North Carolina to be competitive with other states which helps attract business and investment. The goal is that no one will ever reach the end of their benefits. A job is the ultimate economic stimulus and changes to affordability would be consistent with the goal of an enhanced focus on reemployment of UI claimants.

    The Fayetteville Regional Chamber has joined a Reemployment Coalition of businesses, local chambers and allied business organizations to address the state’s broken UI system and advocate for reforms that put the focus back on jobs.

    Photo: Record-high unemployment rates, a very slow economic recovery and extended benefits mandates by the federal government led to a significant increase in claims that quickly depleted the state’s unemployment trust fund.

  • Reassured: Fayetteville Police Are Competent

    “Reassure us.” That was the below-the-fold headline found on the op-ed page of the Fayetteville Observer on Friday, Jan. 3rd. How disappointing. What a terrible way to start the new year.

    The fact that our local, daily newspaper has a very hard time finding the positive side to even the most simple situations should be of great concern to our community’s residents. That short, but emphatic, editorial spoke volumes about the newspaper’s ongoing reluctance to provide our community balanced news and worse still, questions the integrity of the men and women who daily put their lives on the line in protection of our city.

    01-08-14-pub-notes.gifThe subtitle of this bogus editorial was “Our View: OfFIcer Cleared. But Shootings Leave Tension.” The editorial referenced an incident involving Fayetteville Police OfFIcer, Denton Heath Little, who, in the line of duty, fatally shot and killed Lawrence Graham III. Graham displayed a gun during a routine trafFIc stop. This was a very heartbreaking incident.

    Any time you have a situation involving the loss of life, the community is going to “struggle” with questions. We all get that. It’s a part of life. Grieving families and friends want to know why. We all want to feel safe on our city streets. We want to know that those who enforce the rules are following the rules. And that’s really what the editorial should have been about.

    But instead of using editorial space to let the community know that proper procedures were followed and that a thorough internal investigation conducted by state and local law enforcement officials found Officer Little’s actions prudent and lawful, the editorial questioned whether or not the investigation results were correct. Really?

    Based on the results of the investigation, which had input from the State Bureau of Investigation, District Attorney Billy West decided not to take criminal action against Little. The investigation found that this well-trained Fayetteville police officer acted, and reacted, properly in the line of duty. Little’s actions saved his life and perhaps the lives of others.

    Why isn’t that newsworthy? Why wasn’t it reported as an indication that our police department is competent, well trained, diligent and capable of responding to Fayetteville’s major concern: Crime. Isn’t this news? Why lose a great opportunity to assure our community, that we are in good hands?

    Instead, the local newspaper chose to plant unsavory seeds of doubt and suspicion not only in regards to our police force but to our entire system. This undermines the goal of creating and maintaining safe Fayetteville communities. What is the motive here?

    Is the newspaper trying to foster unrest and disharmony in the community? I hope not. But what is the purpose of questioning the FIndings and why suggest that this would be a good time for the Fayetteville Police Department to “redouble its efforts to ensure officers are well-trained and conditioned to make the best split-second decision when faced with similar situations, so future incidents have a better chance of turning out differently.”

    Turning out differently? How? I hope by “differently” they mean that nobody gets killed and not that the police officer gets killed instead or that the bad guy gets away with a crime.

    The newspaper’s position is that this would be an appropriate time to reassure our community that our police department is competent and can hold itself accountable when doubts arise. Well, guess what? That’s exactly what happened, and the newspaper failed to acknowledge it, but instead chose to sensationalize the incident.

    One Final note: At this point, the family of Lawrence Graham III and their local attorneys Allen Rogers and Coy Brewer are considering a civil suit against the city. For what? The police department doing its job?

    Until all of the players in our community get on the same page and realize that fostering discontent will only tear the city down, we will have a difficult time moving forward.

    Photo: A recent editorial in the Fayetteville Observer casts doubt on the results of an investigation involving a Fayetteville Police Officer. 

  • Fayetteville Technical Community College and the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity have worked together since 1988 to strengthen the community, improve the quality of life, and change lives. Since its founding in April 1988, the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity has built more than 110 homes to help eliminate substandard housing in Cumberland County, and Fayetteville Technical Community College is proud to be a partner in 59 of these proj-ects. FTCC’s Building and Trades Division and students enrolled in the cabinetmaking, plumbing, electrical, and masonry classes have completed 29 homes since the completion of the first dwelling on Camden Road.01-19-11-ftcc.gif

    The partnership between Fayetteville Tech and the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity provides not only the opportunity for hands-on training for FTCC students but also low-cost construction op-portunities for Habitat for Humanity. FTCC Student Hershel Williams feels that working on projects with Habitat of Humanity has helped him become more aware of community services. “FTCC students take pride in giving back to the community that has supported them throughout the years. Through the various projects with Habitat for Humanity and other similar non-profit orga-nizations, FTCC students are able to learn the value of giving back while gain-ing the experience needed to obtain employment after graduation. As a student participating in these projects, I am truly blessed,” Hershel said.

    Students in the Building and Trades programs at FTCC learn quickly through working with Habitat for Humanity where the learning experience is based on a “hands-up” not a “hand-out” philosophy. FTCC students feel they are partnering with families by helping them build their homes, and FTCC students are committed to those families for their long-term success. FTCC students, faculty, administration, and members of the community can see the fruits of students’ labor in the completion of a house that may be the first “home” for a family.

    Hershel Williams believes there is no substitute for experience and encourages any individual seek-ing knowledge and experience to enroll at Fayetteville Tech. The partnerships with Habitat for Humanity and other non-profits allow students valuable on-site job and learning experiences. Because of the combina-tion of hands-on experiences and classroom instruc-tion, students become knowledgeable and skilled employees available for the work force. Hershel plans to continue his education at NC A&T University and admits that the foundation he received at Fayetteville Technical Community College and through his experience with Habitat for Humanity have better prepared him for a successful four-year college experience.

  • uac012611001.gif Fifty-five years ago, the members of The North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Church and local Methodist churches had a brilliant and daring idea. Deciding that their town deserved a four-year college, these brave pioneers went out into the community canvassing funds to build a college from the ground up. They finally achieved their goal, saving enough money in 1956, opening the doors of then Methodist College, now Methodist University, in 1960 and congratulating their fi rst graduating class in 1964.

    Every second Tuesday in February, supporters of Methodist University continue this tradition of gathering community support, when more than 100 volunteers go out into the community and collect funds from Fayetteville’s business owners and community leaders to provide scholarships for Methodist students.

    This year, Loyalty Day will be held on February 8. Volunteers will be making phone calls and paying visits in the community to share information about Methodist University and the campaign’s “A Passion for Education” message.

    “We are grateful to the members of the Methodist University Foundation and the more than 100 business people and individuals who volunteer their time to make personal visits on Loyalty Day to raise funds for scholarships for our students,” said Lauren Cook Wike, director of the Annual Fund and Alumni Affairs for Methodist University. “It says so much to the community that these volunteer representatives have given of their time to help provide for educational opportunities for others — that is why Loyalty Day has been successful over its 54-year history.”

    Most importantly, Loyalty Day is about the students. Over 90 percent of Methodist University students received some form of scholarship or financial aid. Without this assistance, many of these students would not have access to a Methodist education. The funds raised during Loyalty Day are devoted solely to the support of student scholarships. There are over  2,100 students from 41 states and 30 countries that depend on the generosity of the Fayetteville, Cumberland County, community on Loyalty Day and throughout the year.
     

    Wike noted that this year’s event has signifi cance in that it is the community’s fi rst introduction to the university’s new president, Dr. Ben Hancock. Hancock made his first public appearance on Thursday, Jan. 20 at the Chamber Coffee Club. He was introduced by Harvey Wright II, a graduate of the class of 1970 and now the chairman of the Methodist University Board of Trustees. Methodist traditionally sponsors the January Coffee Club to kick off its annual Loyalty Day campaign, and the board thought it a fi tting time to introduce Hancock to the community.

    Dr. Hancock comes to Methodist from Ball State, where he served as vice president for University Advancement. Hancock earned a bachelor’s degree in Russian studies in 1974 and a master’s degree in education in 1975 from James Madison University in Virginia. He completed his doctorate at the University of Virginia in comparative and international education in 2004. Only the fourth president in the school’s history, Hancock was tapped for the position by the Board of Trustees in November 2010. He will offi cially take offi ce in March 2011. Hancock succeeds Dr. M. Elton Hendricks, who served as president of the university for 27 years. In his role as president, Hancock will also oversee the establishment of effective fundraising and alumni-relations strategies, systems, networks and practices.

    In addition, he directly supervises the administrative areas of University Advancement, which comprises University Development, Advancement Services, International Advancement, Alumni Programs and the Alumni Center. In addition to the traditional solicitation in the community, Methodist is adding a unique event to this year’s Loyalty Day activities: a benefit concert featuring The Embers. The beach band has been named North Carolina’s offi cial musical ambassadors. For decades, The Embers have been making music by playing a mix of rhythm and blues and heart and soul.

    Tickets are available now for the concert slated for Friday, Feb. 4, and can be purchased by visiting www.methodist.edu or by calling (910) 630-7167. For more information about Loyalty Day, please contact Lauren Wike at (910) 630-7167, e-mail to lwike@methodist.edu or visit www.methodist.edu and select “Development.”k

  • Older Adults May Need Help to Stay Mentally Fit

    You’ve probably heard the phrase “use it or lose it.” As it turns out, it’s more than just a cliché. Research confirms it’s true.

    A study in Psychological Medicine found that individuals with high “brain reserve” have a 46 percent decreased risk of dementia as compared to those with low brain reserve. What is brain reserve, you ask? Well, it looks at how mentally stimulating pursuits can prevent cognitive decline. And more good news — the study pointed out that even a late-life surge in mental activity can ward off the effects of dementia.

    So what are today’s seniors doing to keep mentally fi t? Many have said goodbye to traditional games such as bingo. They’re gravitating more to group activities such as Scrabble® and bridge tournaments. According to the latest studies, it all helps.

    Here are some suggestions to help seniors keep their minds active.

    • Video Action: Interactive video games have become popular for family members of all ages. Some games, such as Nintendo’s Brain Age, and the Wii home video-game system, may be particularly good for stimulating seniors’ minds.

    • Computer Savvy Not Required:Seniors can start playing Solitaire, a variety of other computer games or joining an online bridge game.

    • Organize Game Night: Board or card games offer a great avenue for mind stimulation. Encourage your senior loved one to get a few friends together to join in the fun.

    • The Magic of Music: Many seniors were avid musicians in earlier years and some may still have instruments in their homes. Ask them to play you a tune or challenge them to learn an instrument.

    • Tournament Fun: Bridge and Scrabble tournaments for seniors are springing up around the country. Check with the local senior center to learn of any activities in your area, or encourage your older adult to join a bridge group.

    • Think Big: Large-piece jigsaw and large-type crossword and Sudoku puzzles are great pastimes for seniors who need a mind-stimulating activity when they’re alone.

    • Out and About:Most communities have concerts, lectures and other pursuits that can interest seniors and their families. If your loved one is able to get out, consider activities such as these.

    • In the News: Many seniors maintain their interest in politics and current events. For their next birthday (or another special date), why not renew a subscription, regular — or large print if needed, to a newspaper or popular news magazine. Or, you can organize a news-discussion group.

    • Just the Two of You:When it’s just you and your senior loved one, remember there are more things you can do than just watching television. For instance, Hasbro Inc. — the largest U.S. game company — has introduced three fast versions of classic board games: Monopoly® Express, Scrabble® Express and Sorry!® Express. They don’t take long to play.

    • Companionship Counts: Companionship is an important part of stimulating seniors’ minds. If your senior has no one to spend time with, consider hiring a companion — such as a Home Instead CAREGiver.

    • Guided Conversations: Purchasing items that prompt topics of discussion such as Caring Cards™. This set of cards was produced by Dr. Amy Inc, a leader in caregiver wellness. Caring Cards™ features more than 50 questions on a wide range of topics to help engage seniors in meaningful conversations and keep those conversations going. Contact Home Instead Senior Care for more information.

    During these winter months of limited outdoor activity, focusing on mental stimulation can produce healthy results as well as fi ll many hours with enjoyable activities.

    Top Mind-Game Activities For Seniors

    Based upon 17 years of experience serving thousand of clients around the world, the Home Instead Senior Care franchise network suggests the following activities as great mind –sharpening exercises for seniors:

    • Scrabble®    • Bridge    • Crossword Puzzles    • Dominos    • Jigsaw Puzzles    • Word Searches

    • Sudoku Puzzles    • Card Games    • Video Games

  • Navigating the college selection process can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. This should be a time of great excitement, discovery and anticipation.

    Making the list01-14-15-finding-a-college.gif

    First, ask questions to figure out what a student needs to succeed.

    • “How do I learn?” Colleges can have different teaching philosophies that may fit one type of student better than the other.

    • “Big or small?” A big school might have more amenities, but have lecture classes with upwards of 200 people. At a small college, the emphasis might be on intimate discussion and personal attention

    • “What do I want to study?” Students frequently change their majors, but finding a department that works for a student’s early goals is a good start.

    • “Is there academic support?” Services like tutoring, study and writing centers and professors who are available to students can help when the going gets tough.

    • “Where do I want to be?” Close to home or far away? In a big city or a small town? Like in real estate, location is everything.

    • “What about after graduation?” Will a college’s academic program sufficiently prepare students for graduate school? If a student plans to enter the workforce, how does the college offer to help students prepare? What are the college’s statistics on successful job placement? Does the school offer a network of dedicated alumni eager to help new graduates get a start on their careers?

    Students looking at potential colleges should ask all of these questions and schedule visits to prospective schools. Nothing beats walking on a campus and experiencing the atmosphere firsthand. Some colleges can tailor special tours based on a student’s interests, even arranging to give a peek at classes and athletics. A student shouldn’t ignore the gut feeling they get while on the campus tour. If it feels right, there is a good chance it is right.

    Choosing a college

    After a student has applied and received acceptance letters and financial aid awards, it is now time to find the one school that fits.

    The student shouldn’t look for the “perfect fit,” but rather the “best fit,” taking all of the factors into account. Once the decision is made, the student should take advantage of every resource available on that campus.

    College is a tremendous time of learning and growth that is best experienced by participation rather than observation.

  • 14Erin Yoest South View FFA advisorThe Future Farmers of America arboretum at South View High School is about to get a major upgrade and offer a direct benefit to the community.

    Erin Yoest, first-year agriculture teacher at South View, landed a $5,000 grant for the school’s arboretum from North Carolina State University.

    The money will be used to expand South View’s arboretum and eventually grow vegetables that will be given to the needy in the community.

    Yoest, 23, is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University who joined the faculty at South View eight months ago. She has a degree in agriculture and extension education and has been interested in agriculture since she was a youngster.

    “We had a few show pigs and we got involved with 4-H as soon as we could,’’ she said. “When I went to high school, I knew I would be part of FFA. My interest in agriculture grew from there.’’

    South View offers three courses in agriculture – agriscience applications and Horticulture I and II.

    Yoest said the courses cover plant sciences, agricultural engineering and mechanics, and a little animal science and environmental science.

    She learned about the grant opportunity from N.C. State last September and had to submit an application that included a project outline, timeline, goals and objectives, and a budget.

    She has clear plans for how to spend the $5,000 the school was awarded.

    “We’re going to be getting new tables for one of our greenhouses to make it a safer environment to work in,’’ she said. “Now they have wooden tables and they are starting to dry rot.’’

    The rest of the money will go to purchase a drip irrigation system for the school’s edible arboretum.

    Yoest said drip irrigation is a more efficient way to irrigate the arboretum than using traditional sprinklers. “You’re reaching the soil a lot better,’’ she said. “It’s educational as well as efficient.’’

    She’s also hopeful that the school will be able to use the arboretum to raise money for the school’s FFA program. She said there are about 16 4-by-4- foot plots of soil in the arboretum that she would like to rent to the community.

    “We’ll start with the staff and faculty at South View High School and Middle School,’’ she said. “We’ll eventually open it to the community to come and rent lots.’’

    Yoest plans to start planting tomatoes, peppers, okra and corn, plus a variety of vegetables they already have seeds for.

    How fast the various crops grow depends on normal growth rates for each and how cooperative the weather is during the spring and summer.

    Some of the vegetables will get a jump-start by being planted in the school greenhouse in February.

    “We could have some stuff ready by early summer,’’ Yoest said. “Other things like corn, watermelon and pumpkins will be more toward the end of the summer.’’

    A final decision on exactly how the vegetables grown will be distributed to those in need hasn’t been made, Yoest said. One possible idea is to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank, she said. The issue will be settled once the arboretum is closer to producing actual food for distribution.

    Photo: Erin Yoe

  • 13HMbridge3 by Steve AldridgeThe aging railroad bridge on North Main Street in Hope Mills is scheduled for a long overdue cleanup.

    At the most recent meeting of the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners, a budget amendment was approved that will set aside $7,500 for a project to clean the CSX railroad bridge. The bridge is one of the gateways into the town and sits adjacent to the empty Hope Mills Lake that will soon be filled with water.

    Town manager Melissa Adams said the late Bob Gorman, longtime town commissioner, was among those who started the push several months ago to do something about the appearance of the aging bridge, which has been a fixture of the town for longer than most people on the current board of commissioners can remember.

    In addition to being the victim of the wear and tear of years, the bridge has also been a target of graffiti artists who have left their mark in some places.

    Adams stressed that the bridge project is strictly cosmetic, and has nothing to do with any structural issues; the goal is simply to make it look better for both motor traffic and pedestrians.

    “It’s in relation to where it is, with the lake coming back, beautification and enhancement of the area,’’ she said. “That’s how a lot of people come into town, especially off I-95. You go right by the lake and hit that big, ugly bridge.’’

    The Hope Mills leaders had to go through a lot of red tape in order to make plans for cleaning the bridge, because it’s officially the property of the railroad folks at CSX.

    Adams said CSX had to be approached first to seek permission to enter the bridge property and perform the cleaning.

    “CSX won’t come and clean it,’’ Adams said. “If we wanted it clean, we had to go through proper channels with them, (getting) releases and that kind of thing.’’

    Hector Cruz, director of the Public Works Department for the town of Hope Mills, took the lead in seeking all the proper permission from CSX to come onto the railroad’s property at the bridge and perform the cleaning.

    He is currently wrapping up negotiations with a firm to handle the actual job of cleaning the bridge.

    Once that’s been finalized, the town will pay a down payment of $1,595, then an additional $5,980 for the pressure washing. There will also be an undetermined fee to acquire lift equipment that will raise the cleaning crew up to the higher levels of the bridge.

    Adams said the cleaning project won’t affect railroad schedules as the cleaning crew doesn’t need to actually get on the train tracks atop the bridge to do its job.

    In addition to a basic pressure wash, Cruz said the cleaning crew will use chemicals that will help clean the acid and corrosion stains on the surface of the bridge’s concrete. “It’s a very old structure,’’ he said. “We’re shooting to get it as good as it can look.’’

    One of the biggest challenges of the washing project will be coping with the heavy traffic on N.C. Highway 59 that passes under the bridge.

    Cruz said it will be necessary when the cleaning is in progress to block one lane of traffic so the crew can work safely.

    “That will require some flagging for traffic,’’ he said.

    Cruz said the town will work with the cleaning crew and try to determine the days and hours when the least possible disruption of traffic will be caused by cutting the flow of cars to a single lane.

    Once everything is scheduled, Cruz is hopeful that the whole process will take from two to four days, depending on weather and how long the crew can work each day.

    With favorable weather, Cruz is optimistic the project can be finished by the end of January.

  • 01coverHistoryCenterHistory is not always pretty. But an honest examination of the past can be valuable in educating the generations that follow, ensuring past atrocities never again occur and, for many, offering an avenue for healing and forward motion. The Civil War and Reconstruction History Center seeks to tell the stories of all those involved in and affected by the Civil War: soldiers who fought for both the Union and the Confederacy; enslaved people for whom the invasion by U.S. troops meant liberation; free blacks caught in the middle of warring armies; and the women and children left behind to fend for themselves as their husbands, sons and fathers went to war. These are the people the history center hopes to highlight.

    The Civil War is, with good reason, a subject that both skeptics and supporters agree must be treated thoroughly and with an emphasis on education rather than simply memorialization.

    Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin, our city’s second African-American mayor, cautiously supports the proposed Civil War and Reconstruction History Center. Colvin agrees with supporters that Fayetteville is ready for another world-class institution like the Army’s Airborne & Special Operations Museum to solidify the city as a tourist destination.

    Tisha Waddell, who is black, is the councilwoman who replaced Colvin as the member representing the Murchison Road area’s District 3. She said she sees the History Center as an opportunity that will benefit the community. At a recent council meeting, she said the controversy that still surrounds the subject of the Civil War is precisely why an education center dealing with that period in American history is needed.

    “Whenever history is told, all sides must be equally represented,” she said. “If that’s done, it could be powerful.”

    Organizers said they will take “an evenhanded approach to the state’s Civil War experience precisely because no one agreed on it then, and no one agrees on it today.”

    The Reconstruction period, 1867-77, was an attempt to repair the rift between the North and the South. It did not. However, during that time, life for blacks didn’t change much. President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 freed only those slaves held in the Confederate states. Emancipation became universal with the adoption of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which Congress passed in January 1865, and it became national policy.

    Given little guidance from Washington, Southern whites turned to their traditional political leaders for reorganization of their state governments. The results were suspiciously like those of the antebellum period. To be sure, slavery was abolished; but each reconstructed Southern state government adopted a “Black Code,” regulating the rights and privileges of freedmen. The 14th Amendment was designed to provide citizenship and civil liberties to freed slaves.

    Hiram Revels, born a free man in Fayetteville, became the first African-American to serve in the U.S. Congress. He was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church and was called to be a permanent pastor of a church in Natchez, Mississippi. In 1870, Revels was elected to finish the term of one of Mississippi’s two seats in the U.S. Senate, which had been left vacant since the Civil War. The South had been economically devastated. The Union was preserved and restored, but the cost in physical and moral suffering was incalculable.

    This history and much more is what the center is all about. As its founding documents make clear, “The History Center is designed to be a ‘teaching museum’ rather than a ‘collecting museum.’” It would be owned and operated by the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The site chosen for the facility is the location of one of North Carolina’s most important Civil War sites, the Federal Arsenal in Haymount, now often referred to as the Fayetteville Arsenal. History Center Foundation President Mac Healy said this will not be “a museum full of relics, weapons, uniforms and such.” The North Carolina Civil War and Reconstruction History Center will be about lifestyles, teaching an understanding of honor and respect for all the people whose individual contributions and sacrifices, woven together, create the complex tapestry that is our nation’s, our state’s, our community’s history. As stated in the foundation’s literature, “Visitors to the Center should get a sense of stepping into the shoes of these individuals … from a place of compassion and understanding and what it was like to face extreme challenges that are unimaginable today.”

    Often overlooked is that life on the homefront was risky business, especially for women, whose purpose in life was often reduced to not much more than bearing babies. An example of what passed for success was provided by a Cumberland County woman – a planter’s wife – who, after 15 live births and a couple of miscarriages finally had a whole decade of freedom from childbearing to enjoy before dying in her mid-50s. Her epitaph was a model of understatement: “She hath done what she could.”

    The History Center will, in addition to being a place of education and reflection, serve as a hub for economic development and tourism. Officials estimate the History Center will draw upward of 130,000 visitors to the community annually. Healy said studies indicate that destination tourists stay twice as long and spend twice as much as travelers. Additionally, the History Center will produce more than 150 service industry jobs. It is projected to generate $12 million a year in economic impact for our region.

    “Good economic development such as the History Center will grow the tax base rather than be a constant financial drain on the community,” Healy said.

    Professors from the University of North Carolina System are compiling research for the center that will also serve as Civil War history curriculum for Tar Heel schoolchildren. The History Center will include a 60,000 square-foot main building. Two other buildings on the site, including the original Arsenal House, will be renovated. The center’s foundation has already raised about $27 million of the $65 million project cost. This includes $5 million from the state, $7.5 million each from Cumberland County and the city of Fayetteville and $7 million in private, mostly local, commitments. The city has agreed to a withdrawal of $250,000 from its fund if the county does the same.

    Learn more about the History Center at http://nccivilwarcenter.org.

  • 01-15-14-pub-notes.gifTurmoil Over Tenure

    Personally, I think teaching is the most noble of professions. There’s not a person out there who cannot recollect that special teacher who personally transformed their life.

    Here in Cumberland County I think our teachers are the best. Administratively, we have conscientious, competent, empathetic leadership. This is reflected in test scores, low drop-out rates and high graduation rates. So, why are teachers not making more money? Should our teachers earn higher salaries? Absolutely. It’s a mystery to me why our statewide teacher salaries are so low — 46th in the nation. There are a lot of excuses and finger pointing by the current Republican administration in Raleigh, but, in their defense, the records show a 2008 salary freeze for educators.

    To many North Carolinians, this indicates the education of our children is a low priority. In view of the abundance of waste, fraud and abuse at all levels of state government, you would think finding money for the people who are responsible for the development of future generations would be a no-brainer. Well, it’s time to give our teaching profession the respect and priority it deserves in North Carolina.

    The first step in doing that is to make sure that our teachers are respected and paid a decent salary. Having said this, it doesn’t mean paying all teachers the same salary, giving them the same amount of raise or harboring the incompetent. In other words, there is no place in secondary education for tenure. How would a business or organization survive if they could not fire incompetent employees? How would a professional sports team compete if they were forced to play unskilled team members? This is not the way it works in real life.

    Hard work, success and competency are rewarded in real life. In real life, there are no guarantees. Hence, tenure has no place in secondary education. Actually, the concept of tenure was created in the early 1900s designed to protect the jobs of college professors to assure them academic freedom to teach and pursue extraordinary ideas and theories that college and university administrators may find objectionable. Prior to that time, only federal judges had such protections. Tenure was never meant to serve has an automatic safe port for the protection of lazy and incompetent educators.

    Perhaps the perception that children cannot get a good education in North Carolina is at the heart of low morale, lagging academic achievement and the growth of charter schools. Bonuses for the best teachers is a must. Raises for the best teachers is a must. No to tenure and to the subsidies to mediocrity.

    Good teaching professionals do not care about tenure and job security. They care about the children. They care about their profession and take pride in their talents and craft. To them, this is their job security. Again, tenure has no place in secondary public education. It protects the incompetent. It fosters mediocrity. It destroys intellectual treasures. States now spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in hearings, litigation and appeals just trying to remove teachers from their positions. It’s a costly process to maintain and the money spent on defending tenure could very well be reallocated to teachers’ salaries.

    It is my hope that as the months go by the residents of Cumberland County and the State of North Carolina realize that public education is vitally important to the growth of our state. Educating our children in the public school system should reflect total commitment to our future generations. If we were doing this adequately, there would be little need for charter and private schools. Their proliferation is an indication that we need to do a better job.

    If education and higher teacher salaries are truly high priorities in North Carolina, then we should find the money to fund them adequately. Tenure distracts from the very best. The longer the debate over tenure goes on, the longer we will have to wait on paying the professional, successful teachers in our school systems.One final note on the matter: Raleigh should initiate a statewide top-down assessment of education in North Carolina. I think what they will find is an abundant excess of resources and enough “waste and abuse” of taxpayer money that, if reallocated, would make our teachers the highest paid in the nation. And why not? We entrust them with the futures of our children.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    Photo: It’s time to make teacher tenure a thing of the past. 

  • 08Airborne Mass JumpThere is an old saying, “You can’t always believe what you read.” These days, news frequently becomes gospel as inaccurate information sometimes overtakes valid facts. Some believe the confusion is the result of information overload. President Trump calls it “fake.”

    Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Stokes’ military career is not only fake; it’s a sham. Stokes had been a squad leader in the 82nd Airborne Division for about a year when, according to Army Times, a fellow noncommissioned officer pointed out that something was wrong with one of his records.

    That NCO for Company A, 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment had seen hundreds of Airborne School graduation certificates when he noticed something was wrong with Stokes’ certificate. His name wasn’t printed in all caps as is usual. An investigation that followed unraveled a history of falsified documents and unearned distinctions in Stokes’ service record.

    The official investigation report was obtained by Army Times, which contacted the Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, to see if Stokes had graduated Aug. 12, 2000, as his certificate stated. A clerk there confirmed Stokes was not a member of that class. “She (said) that (Stokes’) name and Social Security number were not on any of the manifests of jumps on record at the Airborne School,” the investigator wrote. Stokes did not respond to newspaper inquiries. The probe also found that Stokes sent false documents to the Electronic Military Personnel Office, awarding himself a Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal. But the timing was off.

    Six days into the investigation, Stokes was brought in for an interview where he answered some basic questions. Unsatisfied, the investigator called him in for a second interview with more detailed inquiries.

    “He answered almost half of the questions on the sworn statement before deciding to stop the interview and requested (sic) an attorney,” according to the report. In his sworn statement, Stokes denied lying about anything. He claimed he had gone to jump school in 2002, not 2000, as the suspicious certificate stated.

    But there were numerous false reports in his parachute jump log, several from 2003, a time when Stokes was stationed with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. It is not an airborne unit even though it’s a subordinate command of XVIII Airborne Corps. One thing was for sure: He did jump with the 82nd.

    “Based on the final jump manifest from 28 Aug. 2014, real records show that he actually jumped out of an aircraft,” the investigator wrote in his report, “even though he was not airborne certified.”

    “Airborne operations are inherently dangerous, and it is critical that all paratroopers on airborne status have received the basic airborne training,” 82nd spokesman Lt. Col. Joe Buccino told Army Times. Not only was Stokes’ airborne graduation certificate bogus, but it also didn’t make sense. He changed his last name from Asche in 2002, yet Stokes’ name was on his certificate dated 2000. His Army Enlisted Records Brief (an enlisted person’s personnel record) said he graduated in 2005. His jump log listed 20 jumps, but in his sworn statement, he said he had eight. He never received jump pay. He was not airborne and never had been.

    In the end, the investigator recommended further Uniform Code of Military Justice action for Stokes. What remains is unexplained by the Army, including how it was that the soldier’s often contradictory records went undetected by the Army for so long. A spokeswoman for Human Resources Command confirmed to Army Times that Stokes had been separated from the Army but would not confirm what kind of discharge he received, citing privacy concerns.

    “This appears to be a case in which the command identified misconduct and took appropriate action,” Buccino said.

  • Thank a Soldier01-22-14-pub-notes.gif

    While many in the United States were watching the football play-offs, I was watching Lone Survivor. Yes, that’s right, I was watching a movie while the rest of the United States was watching the real-world drama of who would play in the Super Bowl. Yep, they were watching a game.

    I have to say that no matter how painful it was to watch the 49’ers/Seahawk game, it doesn’t begin to compare to the pain I felt watching the movie. Of course, I am biased. I spend my days surrounded by special-operations forces. (If you want to know what a hero is, find one of them.) I know them by name. I hear stories about their families. I joke with them. I listen to their frustrations. Oh wait, I live with a former one of them. So, of course, a story about them losing their lives would be more important than a football game.

    I know, I have just broken a cardinal rule; football, basketball, baseball, celebrity, they are all more important than the sacrifices made by our military. At least, that’s what the world tells us and that’s what our Congress reinforces, when military benefits, which are something earned, vs. an entitlement like welfare, which is something mandated by Congress, are taken away without a moment’s hesitation..

    A veteran of multiple deployments by my husband, I don’t consider myself an easy sell. I am, after all, the mother who was watching We Were Soldiers, (call me a glutton for punishment) when my 4-year-old son crawled out of bed, and started smacking the TV, yelling at the Vietnamese to leave his father alone. It doesn’t really matter that he wasn’t in Vietnam, but that my 4-year-old knew what war was. Yes, at 4, he knew what war was — never mind the girl at the gaming store who thought when he was 12 that I was a bad mother for letting him play a game with the word war in the title.

    Of course, I had lived the life my son has lived. My father, at 30, was called pappy in Vietnam. I didn’t know that. I was only 3. What I knew, was that my daddy (now approaching his 80th birthday) was gone. I was the one who laid by the front door, waiting for him to come home. I was the one whom my grandfather and mother put to bed; only to find me in the morning, laying in front of the same front door, waiting for my father to come home.

    Knowing my history, you can maybe understand my thoughts reference this movie — or not. I really couldn’t care less. Yep, I just said that. You see, like many of you who are reading this, while I do not know the men in this movie, I know men just like them. I know the men who fought up the mountain and back down again in the Shok Valley of Afghanistan (Google it. It’s just as compelling). While I do not know their names, I have heard the stories of the villagers who climbed up the mountain in Afghanistan, and vowed to protect my husband who was setting up communications during the beginning of the war. They knew and understood the meaning of Pashtunwali, which is described at the end of the movie. It’s a concept of hospitality. Once someone offers you their protection, they will die to make sure you are safe. I know the name of the Iraqi woman, who asked me to be her friend because my son sent Christmas presents to her children in hopes that her husband wouldn’t want to kill his daddy who was deployed there. By the way, she asked me to be her friend. I count myself lucky.

    As a member of the 4th estate, I read the news (all sources) and have read the reviews of the movie, including the one where the reviewer said it was far-fetched and over blown. Really?

    Climb a mountain in Afghanistan. HALO into the wilds of Africa. Then tell the world what our soldiers do is overblown. Let me know if you will fight your way through an Afghan town, walking in front of a HUMVEE, keeping villagers away from the vehicle so your men will be safe. To the critics, who are trumpeting that the film rings false, let me know if you will go into a remote village in Africa with limited food and medical supplies and spend months doing a mission — eating whatever the villagers can provide you — even if you don’t know what it is.

    If you want to criticize our soldiers, stand by a grave of someone you love, and hear “Taps” played and watch their children’s world fall apart — when you can do that, write your letters and your ignorant Facebook posts. Until then, say thank you and say a prayer every night, because they are the ones who keep harm from your door and their spouses and children are the ones who have helped pay the price.

    Overblown, not true to life? We can’t even begin to imagine. Thank a soldier that you don’t have to.

  • 07Cape Fear River in FayettevilleThe city of Fayetteville and its Public Works Commission have won an important public water rights victory. Superior Court Judge Richard Doughton approved an agreement Jan. 17 that settled an ongoing inter-river-basin water transfer dispute that had its origin in 2001. It came to a head in 2015 when the towns of Cary, Apex, Morrisville and Research Triangle Park, along with the southern portion of Wake County, were granted a revised interbasin transfer certificate from the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission.

    The certificate allows them to transfer up to 31 million gallons of water a day from the Haw River Basin to the Neuse River Basin and 2 million gallons of water per day from the Cape Fear River Basin to the Neuse. The 2015 decision was a significant modification of the 17-year-old certificate of understanding issued to the same municipalities. The late state Sen. Lura S. Talley, D-Cumberland, helped craft the 2001 agreement requiring the return of water to the Cape Fear and Haw River Basins. The 2015 state certificate authorized an increase in the amount of water the municipalities could take from the Cape Fear and Haw Rivers, but it did not require the towns to return the water as the original agreement had.

    To ensure Fayetteville and other downriver users would have adequate water supply to meet the needs of their citizens, PWC and the city of Fayetteville filed suit in May 2015, challenging the decision by the EMC to issue the 2015 certificate without a required return flow condition. The Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority and the town of Eastover later joined the suit as co-plaintiffs.

    “One of the Commission’s most important roles is ensuring a safe and plentiful water supply for our customers and the citizens of our community,” said PWC Chairman Wade Fowler.

    A year ago, the court ruled that the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resource and the North Carolina EMC substantially deprived downriver users and exceeded their authority or jurisdiction, acted erroneously, failed to use proper procedure, acted arbitrarily and capriciously and failed to act as required by law or rule upon issuing the 2015 inter-basin transfer certificate. Fayetteville PWC, led by chief operating officer Mick Noland, and other municipalities along the Cape Fear River Basin, overwhelmingly prevailed. The losing parties appealed the court’s decision to Cumberland County Superior Court March 9, 2017.

    Since then, representatives of the involved parties were able to successfully negotiate the approved agreement, which settled the case. This month, the plaintiffs reached an accord with the towns of Cary and Apex, along with the North Carolina EMC and the state Department of Environmental Quality. The EMC now mandates a return flow requirement in the revised inter-basin transfer contract.

    “I’m proud PWC could help secure our region’s future water supply,” said District Court Judge Lou Olivera, a former PWC commissioner.

    The towns of Cary and Apex are required to submit compliance and monitoring plans to the Division of Water Resources to ensure the required amount of water is being returned.

    “I would like to commend PWC, the city of Fayetteville and the other plaintiffs for their commitment to the protection of our most important asset – clean drinking water,” said Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin.

  • Collective Impact01-29-14-robertson.gif

    Well, I guess we have new buzz words in our community. Collective Impact is a vogue and stylish term now being used to describe the cooperative initiative that needs to take place in order to enable communities, organizations and municipalities to deal with progress, situations and problems they face.

    Interesting.

    I had a very social and enlightening weekend; here is what I learned and observed while talking with established Fayetteville residents.

    First, I found it amazing how knowledgeable they were of the problems and impediments facing Fayetteville and Cumberland County that keep our community from progressing and moving forward. Everyone I talked with felt the same way about the urgent and contemporary needs of our community. No doubt, addressing Cumberland County’s crime problem was always priority number one. It seems like our new mayor is right on track with that one.

    Priority two, also no surprise, is the need to create jobs and explore innovative ways to encourage new business and economic development. (Check the box again for Mayor Nat Robertson).

    Finally, local residents believe we need to address the quality of life of our residents through the enhancement of education, the fine arts and more public recreational facilities.

    Is anyone surprised?

    What might surprise you is that each person I talked to expressed the opinion that it wasn’t ideas or initiatives that kept us from moving forward. Instead, they mined it down to one word: silos.

    Obviously, they were not talking about a silo storage cylinder for farm grain or an underground chamber where a missile is housed until it is ready to launch. What they were talking about and what I found myself talking about a lot is the use of the word as a metaphor to describe the mentality of people and organizations that just don’t want to share information.

    They are selfish, self-indulgent and protective of their turf, resources and money, while stifling progress and growth of an otherwise progressive community.

    What is equally astonishing is that everyone speaks of this as common knowledge and a typical way of life here in our community.

    That might have been true in the past. It may not be true now. But for our community to succeed and thrive, it can’t remain that way. If this community is going to move forward and better itself there is no doubt that collective impact will need to take place. This can only happen if there is a cooperative spirit among people, organizations, institutions and governments.

    Like in Berlin, the walls must come down! Leaders must lead and emerge with a long-term vision for our community that the community can get behind and to which it can make a commitment. This takes cooperation and leadership.

    Can we do it? Will we do it? This is yet to be determined. However, after a weekend of extended discussions with friends, there is no doubt in my mind that we know what the problems are, it’s just a matter of whether or not we have the intestinal fortitude to address them.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    Photo: Fayetteville’s new mayor, Nat Robertson, has plenty of work to do to bring the people, organizations, institutions and government together. It looks like he is on the right track. 

  • 06News Digest Robertson Car CrashThe owner of Robertson’s Sandwich Shop in Eutaw Village and his young son miraculously escaped serious injury when a sports car plowed into the restaurant. Frank Fernandez and his 8-year-old son Paxon suffered minor cuts and bruises as the Chevrolet Corvette came to rest completely inside the building.

    The driver, John Vaughn, 78, of Fayetteville, told police he apparently stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake while attempting to park his car outside the restaurant. It slammed into and through the plate glass window. The restaurant was closed at the time. Fernandez freed his son, who was momentarily pinned between the car and the sandwich shop’s counter. Police said Vaughn had a minor head injury and was treated at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and released. He was not charged.

    Road closure disrupts FAST Transit service to Hollywood Heights

    The city closed Louise Street, off Skibo Road, this month, resulting in a significant change of service for FAST Transit. Residents of the subdivision are also making changes in their commuting. The only other street in and out of the neighborhood is Pritchett Road, which connects to Cliffdale Road. FAST Director Randy Hume said all bus stops in the community will be served, but there may be delays.

    The Louise Street Bridge over Beaver Creek in Hollywood Heights had been declared structurally deficient, meaning it has components that are in poor condition because of deterioration and is unsafe for vehicular traffic. It’s been moved up on the city’s Capital Improvement Program. A North Carolina Department of Transportation consultant’s inspection found that the bridge timbers, or pilings, had “advance deterioration beyond which previous inspections had found,” said City Public Services Director Rob Stone.

    Pedestrians, including school children, can still use the bridge.

    “The bridge has been on the city’s replacement list for several years,” said city spokesman Nathan Walls. Despite that, “this is not a quick process,” said City Manager Doug Hewett, apparently because no pre-planning has been done.

    Stone estimates replacing the bridge will cost at least $1.5 million.

    All bridges over water in North Carolina are regulated by the state Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The design process for a replacement bridge will get underway immediately because this is considered an emergency, Stone said.

    City Councilman Larry Wright did not respond to Up & Coming Weekly’s inquiry asking for his thoughts on the matter. Hollywood Heights is in his district.

    Stone estimates it will take a year or so to replace the bridge once the city funds the project.

    TRICARE insurance modifications

    Most military TRICARE Prime enrollees are no longer required to have referrals for urgent care visits. And, point-of-service charges no longer apply for urgent care claims. Previously, only the first two urgent care visits were covered. Active duty service members should continue to visit military hospitals and clinics for care.

    Soldiers enrolled in TRICARE Prime Remote who do not live near a military hospital or clinic do not need a referral when seeking an urgent care visit.

    “We wanted our service members, families and others to have easier access to urgent care,” said Ken Canestrini, acting director, TRICARE Health Plan within the Defense Health Agency. “Beneficiaries can go visit an urgent care center right away any time they have a need.”

    Urgent care is defined as care needed for nonemergency illnesses or injuries requiring treatment within 24 hours.

    It’s true – K&W is moving

    Fayetteville’s popular K&W Cafeteria has been located at 3187 Village Dr. for about 30 years. Rumors have been circulating for weeks that it will be moving.

    “We got a new, updated facility. Just a better facility,” said Anthony Molten, the general manager of the restaurant.

    A date for the move hasn’t been finalized, Molten said, but he expects to be in their new location in Bordeaux Shopping Center about March 1. That location next to Carlie C’s IGA will give K&W an additional 3,200 square feet of space. Molten said the cafeteria will have 20 additional employees. The cafeteria will be incorporating carry-out and to-go operations.

    “I think we’ll do better,” he said. “We’ll have a big parking lot there.”

    The company, headquartered in Winston-Salem, is a family-owned business with 33 locations in the Carolinas and Virginias.

    Hope Mills athletic development

    Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner’s Youth Leadership Committee has some ideas for what it would like the town to do with the former Golfview Road golf course.

    The property is owned by the town, which had granted various golf course operators long-term leases. But it was closed a couple of years ago and has remained dormant.

    The YLC has suggested that the town consider building a sports complex, to include an indoor pool and gymnasium.

    They noted the area’s three high school sports teams must travel out of town to facilities that can accommodate their needs. The committee also suggested an artificial turf ballfield with a track and a nine-hole golf course.

    Town Manager Mellissa Adams noted the next big capital project for the town is a consolidated public safety center, which will house fire and police departments.

    CFRT wins major grant

    Cape Fear Regional Theatre has announced receipt of a Cumberland Community Foundation Lilly Endowment Challenge grant. It’s a 1:1 matching grant up to $25,000 made possible by the Ashton W. Lilly Fund for Philanthropy. The funds will be added to the Bo and Herbert Thorp Endowment for the theater.

    CFRT was also awarded $10,000 from CCF’s Endowment Operating Support Grant for general operating support. The support committee is only $70,000 short of its goal to raise $1 million in endowment contributions. CFRT endowment funds are managed by CCF to ensure sound financial stewardship.

  • 12Bobby1The final days of 2017 marked the end of an era in Hope Mills when Bobby Henley locked the doors of Clinic Pharmacy on South Main Street for the last time.

    Henley, who took over from his father, the late John Henley Sr., sold the business after it had been in his family for 72 years, deciding it was time to retire.

    His father, a former mayor of Hope Mills who rose to prominence as one of the highest-ranking members of the North Carolina State Senate, started the pharmacy in conjunction with a small hospital in Hope Mills after moving there from Cary, following World War II. The senior Henley, who died in 2012 at the age of 90, was born in Wadesboro but left there after the Great Depression and relocated to Cary.

    The original drug store was across the street from the current location, next to the now long-departed hospital. The current pharmacy was constructed in 1960 and has been at that location ever since.

    Bobby Henley said that when Hamilton-Porter Funeral Home closed its doors some years ago, owner Ken Porter told him that made Clinic Pharmacy the oldest business in the town.

    Young Bobby had been a part of Clinic Pharmacy since he was 9 years old, sweeping and mopping at the drugstore.

    “I always enjoyed dealing with people,’’ said the younger Henley, now 68.

    When it came to considering a career, he never thought of anything but pharmacy. He enrolled in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned his pharmacist credentials and came back to Hope Mills to the family business in 1977.

    He would continue to work at the pharmacy until Dec. 31 of last year.

    “Pharmacy has changed a lot because of all the government and insurance,’’ Henley said. “It’s just not what it was even 10 years ago.’’

    Henley said he got a chance to sell his business to another independent drugstore owner instead of one of the chain operations. “I felt the business would survive and do well,’’ he said.

    He’ll be leaving behind the headache of mounting paperwork in the business, plus increased training for things like fraud, waste and abuse.

    “It’s the same phenomenon going on with doctors,’’ Henley said. “They’re selling out to the hospitals because they are tired of doing all that paperwork and all that regulation on them.”

    Henley added he’s not opposed to regulations and understands the need for them but that the grind has just become too much. “It’s like three to four hours to fill out all the forms and do this and that,’’ he said. “It gets old after 45 years.’’

    But Henley takes plenty of good memories with him into retirement. “We’ve been fortunate,’’ he said. “We survived. There have been a lot of pharmacies that haven’t.’’

    Henley had a simple philosophy on how to compete with the big chain drugstores: Reach out to customers with personalized service and go the extra mile the chains sometimes won’t.

    “Our prices were equal to or better than the chains a lot of times,’’ he said. “People don’t check the prices. Brand and generic drugs are priced so differently.’’

    Henley said he’s had cases where people have told him some of his drugs sold for as much as $50 cheaper per prescription than the same drug at a chain pharmacy.

    “People don’t necessarily check that,’’ Henley said. “Because of ads, they were willing to wait hours for prescriptions to be filled instead of being in and out in 15 minutes.’’

    Good prices aren’t the only things that small drugstores like Clinic Pharmacy offer. Henley said other small operations specialize in the lost art of compounding medications to develop more effective, personalized treatment for patients.

    It is that part of the business Henley will miss most, he said – his customers, or as he called them, his patients.

    “Some of these people I’ve known since I was knee-high to a grasshopper,’’ Henley said.

    He said the drugstore and the pharmacy counter were kind of a meeting place, not unlike the barber shop in the “Andy Griffith” television show of the 1960s.

    “People would come in and see each other, stay 20 or 30 minutes, talking and joking,’’ Henley said. “Certain people, the only place I saw them was in the drugstore. They have been mighty, mighty kind to us over 72 years.’’

    As for the future, Henley is looking forward to having most Saturdays off and spending some long weekends at his place at Lake Waccamaw.

    He also wants to golf, something he hasn’t done much of for the last three or four years, but he’s not totally walking away from his job as a pharmacist.

    “I’ll do a little relief work when other independents might need me to help them out,’’ Henley said. “I wouldn’t mind doing some of that just to get my hand in.’’

    Even though he won’t be around anymore, Henley hopes his old place of business continues to thrive. “They’ve got a mighty fine person taking over in Joe Williams,’’ he said. “I hope they’ll give him a chance and get to know him. I think he’s going to be an asset to the town of Hope Mills.’’

    Just like Henley and his family have been.

    Photo: L: Bobby Henley 

  • 11FTCCMembers of the High School Connections staff at Fayetteville Technical Community College were thrilled this past August when over 1,200 high school students arrived on campus in buses, in cars and on foot to earn free college credit. Counselors at the high schools attended by these lucky students shared information with them about FTCC’s High School Connections program. High School Connections

    High School Connections offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to dual enroll in college classes at FTCC while still in high school. This program is an excellent money-saving idea for parents who fund their children’s education. The savings from earning one year, or even one semester, of college credit without paying tuition could be substantial. Plus, consider the savings resulting from not needing a meal plan or a dorm room.

    FTCC provides the College Transfer Pathway participants with general education courses such as math, history, psychology, sociology and foreign languages available. College Transfer Pathway courses are guaranteed to transfer to all 16 UNC universities in North Carolina if the student earns a grade of C or better in the course.

    Some students may be interested in attending a university. Others might enjoy the opportunity to learn a technical trade so they can work while paying for college.

    FTCC’s Career and Technical Pathway initiative offers over 30 programs. These program areas include several computer-related pathways, including demi-chef, business, medical coding and billing, nurse’s aide, emergency medical science, horticulture, manicuring, fire protection, construction, infant- toddler care, computer-integrated machining, collision repair, criminal justice and more. FTCC also offers concurrent pathways in plumbing, welding, a/c, heating and refrigeration, and electricity motors and controls. A complete listing of programs is available at: www.faytechcc.edu/academics/highschool- connections.

    Students who are interested should check in with their high school guidance counselor or contact me at FTCC at fultond@ faytechcc.edu for more details.

    Feb. 27, FTCC will host its annual open house from 5 to 7 p.m. and hold “parent nights” February through April at many local Cumberland County high schools and private schools. Parents and students can meet FTCC faculty and staff at open houses as well as see presentations and participate in Q&A sessions. FTCC staff can also help students complete the online application. Parents should remember to bring their child’s social security number to begin the admissions process.

    High School Connections is just one of the outstanding programs available at FTCC. Visit with staff at campus locations in Fayetteville and Spring Lake or take virtual tours via the website at www.faytechcc.edu.

  • 07OpioidsThe Department of Veterans Affairs has begun publicizing information about how often its doctors prescribe opioids to help ease patients’ pain. It’s a move led by VA Secretary David Shulkin to increase awareness. Efforts spearheaded by former Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson and former Fayetteville VA Medical Center Director Elizabeth Gooslby helped to significantly reduce local VA prescription rates beyond those of the other three VA medical centers in North Carolina.

    In 2017, for the first time, department officials began publicly listing information on VA disciplinary actions, hospital wait times and leadership travel. Those data were often misleading, according to Fayetteville VA records. This latest move for transparency makes the department the first hospital system in the country to disclose details on opioid use. Nationwide, the abuse of opioids has risen dramatically in recent years and has caused as many as 90 overdose deaths a day.

    There is persuasive evidence that the task force headed by Robertson and Goolsby reduced local opioid abuse. Since 2012, when the Veterans Affairs Department instituted its new opioid safety initiative, dispensed prescriptions dropped more than 41 percent systemwide. The Fayetteville VA did far better than that. In 2012, the prescribing rate of opioids dispensed at the Ramsey Street VA hospital was 21 percent. In 2017, it fell to 8 percent – a 65 percent reduction. At the VA Medical Centers in Asheville and Salisbury, the decline was 42 percent; Durham was 39 percent.

    In an interview with The Military Times, Shulkin said he hopes the move will provide a clearer picture of VA facilities that are successfully responding to the problem.

    “I think VA is among some of the best work in the country on this,” he said. “We also have the responsibility to share what we learned with the rest of the country.”

    Late last year, Shulkin invited members of the White House commission on opioids to visit the Cleveland, Ohio, VA Medical Center to discuss their medication management techniques. Shulkin said the hospital now has only 3 percent of its patients using opioids. Shulkin acknowledged, however that prescribing rates remain high at some other VA facilities.

    In a statement, Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president and a lead official on the opioid commission, praised the VA’s move as “an innovative way to raise awareness, increase transparency and mitigate the dangers of overprescribing.”

    Shulkin called the department’s new transparency efforts part of a broader cultural change at the department over the last year, a permanent change in how VA physicians approach their responsibilities for years to come.

    “When you begin to start disclosing and publicly sharing information, it’s very hard to stop,” he said. “That’s a commitment that’s going to be at VA for a long time. And that’s part of what we need to do to transform this organization to regain the trust of those we serve, our veterans.”

  • 06LTG Stephen TownsendLt. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera took command from Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend as commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg. Townsend served as corps commander for more than two years. He spent about half that time deployed to Iraq as commander of Operation Inherent Resolve.

    Townsend is the new commanding general of the Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Eustis, Virginia. It is a four-star command.

    LaCamera received his third star as he was named Fort Bragg’s new commander in a ceremony Jan. 19. LaCamera served as deputy commander of XVIII Airborne Corps. Rarely has Fort Bragg’s deputy commander been elevated to commander.

    All-America City bragging rights

    To help recognize All-America Cities from around the country, the National Civic League is sponsoring an All-America City #ShareYour- Shield photo contest to showcase all the ways in which cities have used the All-America City logo to recognize their award. The winner will receive free registration for four people to attend the 2018 National Conference on Local Governance and the 2018 All-America City Award event.

    With over 500 All-America Cities throughout the country, the National Civic League has seen many creative and inspiring uses of the All-America City Shield. Fayetteville has been designated an All- America City three times. Cities are asked to share their most creative and impactful uses of the logo on Facebook or Twitter by tagging All-America City and using #ShareYourShield no later than Feb. 8.

    Governor comes to town

    Gov. Roy Cooper was in Fayetteville last week. He attended the 25th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast at the Crown Center. It is hosted each year by the Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council.

    Cooper urged the 1,300 attendees to speak out against injustice. He spoke of King’s passionate speeches that were essential to the American civil rights movement of the 1960s. Cooper seemed to refer indirectly to recent news headlines, saying light can drive out darkness, despite leaders who seek to divide and people who call each other names.

    “Keep shining your light in the world, and we can all together drive out the darkness,” the governor said. “Now is the time for us to raise our voices for inclusiveness and diversity because they make us stronger,” he said. He also spoke of the importance of faith and community. “Those values will light our path forward.”

    Fatal fire under investigation

    The Fayetteville Fire Department continues to probe the cause of a fire earlier this month that claimed the life of a woman identified as Shelley Davis, 57.

    The fire was reported at 4:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at 1908 Stanberry St. in the Holly Springs neighborhood off Murchison Road. Officials said the small house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The victim was found dead inside the house after fire crews were able to knock down intense flames and enter the building. Three other occupants were able to escape.

    But, the victim’s husband, Robert Davis, 59, was badly burned and taken to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. Their 30-year-old daughter and a toddler whose name and age were not given were treated and released from a local hospital, said Lt. Todd Joyce, a Fayetteville Police spokesman.

    “12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers"

    With the premier of the movie “12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers,” Fayetteville’s Airborne & Special Operations Museum is displaying a special exhibit entitled “America’s Response.”

    It features artifacts from the special forces soldiers who deployed to Afghanistan immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Artifacts include a saddle used by the Horse Soldiers and steel from the World Trade Center carried during the deployment by a special forces soldier. Operational Detachments Alpha 555 and Alpha 595 of the Army’s 5th special forces Group were inserted into Afghanistan. Because of the rugged mountainous terrain, ODA 595 adopted the local mode of transportation: horses. The 12 Green Berets were the first U.S. soldiers to fight on horseback since World War II. In November 2001, ODA 595 fought alongside other Green Berets and approximately 2,000 Northern Alliance fighters mostly on horseback. They took the Taliban stronghold of Mazar-e-Sharif, the first significant Taliban defeat in the Global War on Terror. The exhibit runs through the end of January.

    Better Business Bureau announces development program

    Liz Stiles, the Better Business Bureau customer service representative for Fayetteville and Cumberland County, announced this week a new program designed to enhance customer relations for local businesses and organizations. With the belief that actions speak louder than words, the BBB is encouraging businesses to practice what they have designated as the 5 gestures of trust: Be honest, be transparent, be proactive, be humble, and be fair. The program will be presented in the form of a new, exclusive webinar Jan. 23 from 2-3 p.m. to accredited businesses in the Fayetteville and Cumberland County area.

    According to Stiles, “Ever-changing technology, social media and direct consumer experiences can make or break a business. Today’s successful businesses, therefore, must be customer-centric, employee-focused, innovative and environmentally and socially conscious. This is what the BBB’s 5 Gestures of Trust Program is all about – assisting businesses and organizations in establishing new frameworks to evaluate and improve relationships with their customers.”

    To register for the webinar or for more information about the BBB Fayetteville/Cumberland County, contact Liz Stiles at e.stiles@coastalcarolina.bbb.org or call 910-818-0367.

    Photo: Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend

  • 09Chris CammackFormer Fayetteville High School and North Carolina State University standout Chris Cammack is one of 15 members of the latest class chosen for induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in Raleigh.

    Cammack helped lead Fayetteville High to a state basketball title in the late 1960s under veteran head coach Len Maness but is best remembered for his baseball exploits. He was a four-year All-ACC performer at third base for NC State and helped lead the team to the 1968 College World Series.

    His batting average of .429 in 1969 is still the single-season record at NC State.

    Fayetteville lawyer Wade Byrd was a classmate of Cammack’s at Fayetteville High and among his best friends.

    He probably could have played college basketball but he chose baseball because it was his first love,’’ Byrd said. “He was one of the greatest athletes to come out of Fayetteville or North Carolina.’’

    Byrd said if Cammack was still alive, he’d likely downplay and joke about his selection for the hall. “He was a great guy with an engaging smile,’’ Byrd said. “Everybody who knew him loved him.’’

    Photo: Chris Cammack

  • 08FreezeAt 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 6, the Fayetteville Public Works Commission noticed water levels in some elevated water towers were dropping. It wasn’t until 4 p.m. that PWC discovered a massive flow of water on Langdon Street a couple of blocks from city Fire Station 14. Two hundred yards or so off the road, a crew found the problem: A valve on the end of a 48-inch water main stub-out had burst, and water was gushing horizontally above ground.

    It was the worst of several dozen water line breaks that first began occurring Jan. 2. Temperatures had plunged below freezing New Year’s Day and stayed that way until Jan. 8. Nearly the entire PWC water distribution system of 1,400 miles of cast iron, ductile iron and PVC water pipes encountered problems. It was the worst mass water service interruption career crew members have seen.

    PWC team leader Tony Lucas and his crew were working on a water leak on S. Main Street in Hope Mills when he was splashed by rushing water. “My pants immediately froze to my legs,” Lucas said. The temperature had fallen to 11 degrees. On another occasion, Lucas said, his boots froze solid. Water valve technician James Pickens was called out Saturday and shut off an estimated 30 valves over the course of two days.

    “I’ve got a tremendous group of guys,” said Chris Rainey, operations manager of PWC’s Water Resources Division.

    Rainey said it took two hours to shut down the Landon Street water main where a 12-inch line was coupled to the 48-inch main. He said the valve split in half, and they still haven’t found the half that broke off. It took another two hours to drain the line before repairs could begin.

    Large water mains also burst on Sunset Avenue, Southern Avenue and Anarine Road. Water levels dropped in five 1 million-gallon water towers, causing the gravity distribution system to falter. Rainey said he had 85 crewmen working over the Jan. 6-7 weekend.

    At about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, PWC issued a precautionary boil water advisory, according to Communications Officer Carolyn Justice-Hinson. Restaurants began closing because they could no longer use water or ice. She said the system was restored about 10 p.m. as the tanks were refilled. The water still could not be used for human consumption until it was thoroughly tested for contaminants. That took another couple of days.

    Rainey said local records indicate there had not been a prolonged spell of a week or more of sub-freezing temperatures since 1968. Even after temperatures rose above freezing Jan. 9, water main breaks occurred. As Rainey explained it, the thawing of the ground relieves pressure on pipes, and they become vulnerable to breaking. They tend to be nuisance type breaks but require maintenance.

    “The public was gracious and understanding,” Justice-Hinson said of the events. PWC used Facebook and its website, FayPWC.com, to keep the public informed. Comments were for the most part supportive of the dedicated men and women of the PWC, she added.

  • 07GinaHawkins USEFayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins said she intended to make some organizational changes in the police department. She has done just that. Hawkins is undoing a major organizational change implemented three years ago by former Chief Harold Medlock. She is reorganizing the department into two patrol districts. That’s the way it was before Medlock created a third district. The two district police substations are on Raeford Road and Sycamore Dairy Road. The FPD’s Executive Command Staff is headquartered at the main police station on Hay Street.

    Hawkins has reshaped the FPD’s command staff structure as well. Assistant Chief Christopher Davis is retiring next month, and Hawkins has decided not to replace him. When asked why he was taking early retirement, Davis said, “The Medlock years took a lot out of me.” He’s looking for another job and is also teaching at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

    The FPD will be left with two assistant chiefs, Anthony Kelly and Michael Petti. The department’s organization flow chart will have an additional layer of executives. Chief Hawkins is creating four new positions with the rank of major.

    “They will be promoted from within,” she said. The selections have not yet been made. One of the majors will be Hawkins’ chief of staff. Another will be in charge of the Specialized Support Bureau. Two majors will be assigned to the Field Support Bureau.

    Hawkins said the new executive positions will be funded by reallocating the assistant chief’s payroll and that of a captain’s position following his recent retirement. The reorganization goes into effect Feb. 5. That’s when the dominos will begin to fall with the promotion of four police captains to major, which will reshape the command staff. Four lieutenants will ostensibly be promoted to captain, and four sergeants will be elevated to lieutenant, leaving the opportunity for four patrolmen to become sergeants.

    Another captain recently resigned, and that vacancy is being filled with the promotion of Lt. Todd Joyce, Hawkins said. “Filling that position was extremely competitive,” the chief said, “but Joyce earned it.” Joyce has served as the department’s public information officer for several years. Lt. Gary Womble will take that position when Joyce moves up.

    Photo: Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins

  • 06Doug Hewett OfficialFayetteville City Manager Doug Hewett got a pay raise when his employment contract was quietly renewed in October. City council had given Hewett a one-year deal in 2016 to see if he would turn out to be the right man for the job. He succeeded Ted Voorhees who was fired. City spokesman Nathan Walls said Hewett received a $10,000 raise from $185,000 annually to $195,000 plus $6,000 in additional “executive compensation.” The new agreement is open-ended, as contracts for city managers normally are. Hewett serves at the pleasure of city council.

    Internet knowledge for parents

    A local workshop in Spring Lake last week was likely a wake-up call for some parents. Cumberland County Schools held the forum at Manchester Elementary School to help parents learn how to protect their children from online risks. Natalie Wood Riche of the North Carolina Department of Justice discussed with parents how exposure to cyberbullying, cyberstalking and sexting could cause harm to youth. Parents were also alerted to the reality of child predators. Riche shared tips on what to do if a youngster becomes a victim of cyberbullying or cyberstalking.

    Dosomething.org, a global movement of 5.5 million young people making positive change online, found that nearly 40 percent of all teenagers have posted or sent sexually suggestive messages, but this practice is more common among boys than girls. Sending semi-nude or nude photos is more common among teens girls. Twenty-two percent of teen girls report sending images of this nature, while only 18 percent of same-age boys have.

    Back to the judicial drawing board

    A three-member panel of federal judges has again struck down a North Carolina Republican legislature’s proposed congressional election districts. They declared the revised map unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering and gave state lawmakers until Jan. 29 to come up with new maps.

    The judges, in a decision authored by Judge James A. Wynn, unanimously held that the Republican congressional map violated the U.S. Constitution’s equal-protection clause because it favored their party.

    “The General Assembly intended to discriminate against voters who supported or were likely to support non-Republican candidates,” Wynn wrote, and “the 2016 Plan dilutes the votes of non-Republican voters and entrenches Republican control of the state’s congressional delegation.”

    The ruling creates uncertainty in the 2018 election cycle in North Carolina a month before candidates were scheduled to file for office. Until the issue is resolved, the appeals court ordered that new congressional elections are on hold. Legislative leaders say they plan to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

    Sexual abuse in the armed forces

    It was a traumatic moment for Nichole Bowen- Crawford. The last thing she wanted to do was fly across the country to stand in the bitter cold outside the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., to tell those who would listen about being assaulted by a fellow soldier and then silenced by her superiors. But she did it because she believed she had to speak up and encourage others like her to break their silence.

    “Standing up for the men and women who serve our country who can’t report sexual assault in a safe way is more important than my feelings,” she said. “It’s time... that men and women have the freedom to say ‘Me, too,’ instead of (maintaining) silence.” Bowen-Crawford joined a small cadre of military sexual assault survivors who demanded accountability from Pentagon leadership. “The truth is, I am really scared to be here, really scared to tell my story,” she told a small crowd gathered at the Pentagon gates.

    Despite efforts to reduce the occurrence of military sexual assault in recent years, the Pentagon estimates more than 6,100 sexual assaults took place in fiscal year 2016, about the same as in the two previous years. The Pentagon estimates that two-thirds of victims don’t come forward, which means there were more than 18,300 sexual assaults for each of those years.

    Lydia Watts, CEO of Service Women’s Action Network, organized the protest. “When do we see military perpetrators of sexual violence held to account?” she asked. Protestors demanded that the Pentagon take increased action to stop sexual assault by changing what several called a misogynistic military culture. They called on leaders to take assault cases out of the hands of commanders – a change that has been championed by Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, D-NY. Military leadership has blocked the proposal, claiming it would undermine command authority. Inside the Pentagon, Army Col. Rob Manning said there is “zero tolerance” for sexual assault or harassment in the military.

    The people speak about community needs

    The city of Fayetteville’s Economic & Community Development Department is hosting a series of citizen participation meetings to help identify needs in the community in preparation for the department’s 2018-19 Annual Action Plan. Topics of discussion include housing and economic development. The meetings are designed to allow citizens the opportunity to voice their concerns and identify needs. They will learn how federal community development funds are utilized. Feedback collected from participants will help staff develop a revised action plan to be presented to city council for consideration.

    Remaining meetings will be held Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. at Hollywood Heights Community Center on Pritchett Road and Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. at the Old Wilmington Road Neighborhood Resource Center.

    Photo: Fayetteville City Manager Doug Hewett

     

  • 11veteranFayetteville Technical Community College, which serves over 4,200 military and veteran students and their dependents, was ranked No. 3 nationally by Military Times’ Best Colleges 2018 report. Staff at the All American Veterans Center (located inside the General Classroom Building at the Fayetteville campus) are committed to helping active-duty service members, veterans and their dependents achieve their educational goals.

    Most service members exiting the military face some anxiety as they prepare for the next chapter in life. Change, the loss of one’s support network and the unknown future can lead to feelings of frustration. Where and how to begin the educational journey are questions often faced by veterans. What kind of career will allow utilization of military training and experience? Where are military-friendly school environments with staff who understand the needs of veterans? Who can answer questions and offer help?

    The staff at FTCC’s AAVC will do everything possible to help veterans find the answers to these questions and more. Veterans may even discover they are closer to a degree than they thought. For some veterans, an associate degree may require less than two years to complete. Staff members evaluate prior learning and experience for applying possible academic credit toward a degree.

    Many students enter the AAVC with apprehension but leave with a sense of relief in receiving assistance with the first step of the Veterans Affairs educational benefits process. Members of the AAVC work-study staff, who are student veterans, assist new students with the enrollment process. They explain VA educational benefits options and eligibility, assist students in completing the VA application and much more. School certifying officials are ready to certify enrollment to VA for payment.

    VA educational benefits assist with the cost of education. A veteran may be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) education benefits if active duty service occurred for at least 90 days after September 10, 2001. Individuals eligible for full benefits will receive in-state rate of tuition and fees and a book stipend of $1,000 per academic year. A percentage of the maximum monthly housing allowance of $1,289 is paid based on a student’s enrollment status, such as full-time versus part-time enrollment. FTCC also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program to assist veterans financially with the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.

    The AAVC offers a relaxed atmosphere where veterans can engage in conversation with fellow veteran students. The center has computers, refreshments and locations where veterans can complete homework or hold study groups with fellow veterans. While the primary focus of the AAVC is to provide veteran students the tools needed to be successful in accomplishing educational goals, the staff makes every effort to obtain information on any community resource the veteran may need. Volunteers from the Patriot Outreach Center work at the AAVC to offer additional information and support.

    If you are at the crossroads of your military service and civilian life, visit FTCC’s All American Veterans Center. You earned your veteran educational benefits, and you deserve them. Now let us serve you at FTCC.

  • 01Trafficking coverHuman trafficking is a worldwide problem. A September 2017 International Labor Organization and Walk Free Foundation report stated, “An estimated 24.9 million victims are trapped in modernday slavery. Of these, 16 million – 64 percent – were exploited for labor; 4.8 million – 19 percent – were sexually exploited; and 4.1 million – 17 percent – were exploited in state-imposed forced labor.”

    Human trafficking is a statewide problem. Last year, statistics from the National Human Trafficking Hotline ranked North Carolina among the top 10 states for human trafficking with 181 cases reported in 2016.

    Human trafficking is a local problem. In 2017, multiple human trafficking arrests were made in Cumberland County in February, July, September and October.

    Human trafficking is a problem we can work together to combat. Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m., learn more about human trafficking and how to be a part of the solution at the Human Trafficking Awareness Forum hosted by The Child Advocacy Center along with Fayetteville Alumnae Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

    The forum will include presentations as well as opportunities to ask the panelists questions.

    Covering a variety of perspectives on the topic, the forum panelists include Fayetteville Police Department detective Ronnie Hutchins; Senior Sergeant Adam Farnham, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office; Pete Twedell, executive director, 5 Sparrows/ Fayetteville Dream Center; Dr. Dean Duncan, research professor at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Social Work; Pam Strickland, founder and executive director, Eastern North Carolina Stop Human Trafficking Now and committee member, NC Coalition Against Human Trafficking; and a survivor of human trafficking.

    Cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and other agencies is vital when it comes to fighting trafficking. Hutchins and Farnham represent Fayetteville and Cumberland County law enforcement organizations. The Fayetteville Police Department and Cumberland County Sherriff’s Office partner with the Child Advocacy Center, which provides a safe, child-friendly place where partner agencies interview, investigate crimes against and provide support for abused children. Dedication and teamwork have led to multiple arrests locally.

    “Human trafficking impacts families and communities left behind,” Hutchins said. “It also affects the health of women and children trafficked for sexual exploitation. They are at risk of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections and of spreading the diseases among Cumberland County and across the state of North Carolina. Human trafficking brings an increase in gun violence and drug use across our community. It also brings an additional cost to law enforcement to fight this crime and increases medical costs to the community and state to treat victims.”

    Hutchins added that while finding and helping victims is a challenge, the fight doesn’t end there. “The biggest challenge I have seen in my career is to keep track of the victims after the arrest of the trafficker,” he said. “The victim will normally move from one area to another and constantly change their phone number. A (human trafficking) case can take two years or more to go to trial. During that time, it is very hard to keep track of or locate the victim. The victim may go back to prostitution or very hard drug use.”

    Additionally, Twedell noted, “Human trafficking deteriorates the enormous value of every human life entrapped in the dark injustice by treating people as an object/commodity. (Human trafficking) exists primarily because of two things:... (First), an enormous demand for sexual services and/or cheap labor and other services and... (second), a desire to create profit at the expense of people’s freedom. At the North Carolina statelevel, trafficking fuels an underground and illicit economy that provides no positive benefits for our state or economy – and exists in stark contrast to our nation’s principals, which emphasize freedom for every citizen.”

    Twedell’s organization, 5 Sparrows, partners with law enforcement and victim service/support organizations to work against human trafficking in the community. As the only local human trafficking-dedicated service organization, 5 Sparrows serves victims of human trafficking, providing full-spectrum support to survivors to enable them to walk a new path.

    5 Sparrows also assists law enforcement in the pursuit of trafficking perpetrators, continually promotes human trafficking prevention and awareness and works to change the status quo in the community so that trafficking is no longer acceptable. There is an extensive reading list about the topic at www.5sparrowsfdc.com/reading-list.

    Duncan is the principal investigator for Project No Rest. PNR collaborates with the UNC School of Social Work to raise awareness about human trafficking with prevention being the end goal.

    One of the most effective ways to do this is to educate the public about how trafficking affects youth in North Carolina. PNR works with state and local government organizations and agencies to not only reduce the number of youth who are trafficked but to help those whose lives have been affected by it. Practical things the organization does include raising awareness and prevention initiatives; fostering cooperation between agencies; developing policies and practices to prevent young people from becoming trafficking victims; improving methods used to identify trafficking victims; and finding safe places for victims to live and heal. Learn more about PNR at www.projectnorest.org.

    Strickland founded the Eastern North Carolina Stop Human Trafficking Now, a group of citizens committed to addressing human trafficking within the community by engaging the local citizens. By educating the populace, the organization seeks to reduce the demand for slave labor and sexual servitude, prosecute the perpetrators, and protect victims and potential victims.

    Often, trafficking happens in plain sight. Knowing the signs can help save lives. In many cases, trafficking victims are obviously fearful and nervous; they become anxious near law enforcement; they avoid eye contact and may be overly attached to one person or have a person who is overly attached to them. They may appear malnourished and show signs of physical abuse. Trafficking victims often have few personal items, wearing the same clothes day in and day out; they have no control over their money or identification. There may always be a third party present, preventing the victims from speaking for themselves.

    “Human trafficking frequently looks like prostitution, but it is not,” said Twedell. “Human trafficking is a sophisticated crime against people who are victims. Recovery for victims of human trafficking requires a complex approach for lasting restoration.”

    From a preventative standpoint, Hutchins noted that there are things parents can do. “Parents need to monitor their children’s social media accounts, friends and any changes in their behavior or health,” he said.

    To report trafficking, call the national human trafficking hotline at 888-373-7888 or text HELP to 233733.

    The Human Trafficking Awareness Forum on Jan. 23 will be held at the Kiwanis Rec. Center, 352 Devers St., at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and is appropriate for any adults who want to learn more about this topic. There is no charge to attend, but registration is requested at Eventbrite.com. Information presented will include how human trafficking is impacting our community, signs for recognizing it and what can be done to help.

    For more information, call the Child Advocacy Center at 910-486-9700.

  • 09NC civilThe Civil War History Center proposed for Fayetteville has struggled with image for the 10 years the idea has been developed. “Mention of the Civil War brings with it the issue of slavery,” said City Councilman Larry Wright. He and some other African-American members of council say nearly half of Fayetteville’s population is sensitive to and struggles with the topic of slavery. Councilwoman Tisha Waddell said that’s precisely why a history center is important to the community.

    The facility’s board of directors recently changed the name to the NC Civil War & Reconstruction History Center. Officials believe the new name more accurately describes the center’s purpose, which is to educate.

    “This will not be a memorial to or celebration of the Confederacy,” said President Mac Healy. “Our center is searching for stories of how families dealt with the hardships that came as a result of the Civil War.”

    Healy said it will not be a museum filled with Confederate weapons and uniforms. Instead, the focus will be on much of the 19th century, including the antebellum run up to the war, the war itself and the reconstruction period between 1865 and 1877.

    “We will be the first history center... in the country that will approach the Civil War and its aftermath from the perspective of what it was like to be living as a citizen of North Carolina at the time,” said Senior Consultant David Winslow. The facility will include a place for permanent exhibits that interpret the antebellum history and the Civil War in North Carolina as well as a 3D theater that portrays U.S. General William Sherman’s final march and Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston’s surrender at Bennett’s Place.

    The History Center Foundation said it is taking an evenhanded approach to North Carolina’s experiences. The Fayetteville Arsenal will be the jumping off point of experiences involving the entire state. Anecdotal stories from all 100 counties will make the center a historic educational destination for Fayetteville. As envisioned, oral histories of people, places and events told and retold through generations will tell the story of what North Carolina was like before, during and after the War between the States. Those personal recollections are still being sought from Tar Heel farmers and businessmen, Native Americans, African-Americans, immigrants, the freed and enslaved.

    Research reviewed by the University of North Carolina will be used to write a public-school curriculum to be used by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction statewide. The 60,000-square-foot history center will replace the existing Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex. Since the center was announced in 2014, $27 million has been raised. The city of Fayetteville, county of Cumberland and state of North Carolina have made significant financial commitments. $7 million has been raised privately. Once complete, the center will be owned and operated by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

  • 08Fayetteville Fire RecruitingThe Fayetteville Fire Department has designated a veteran fire captain as its official recruiter. The position was established in November without city support. “We had to take a firefighter off the line since the position hasn’t been funded,” said Fire Chief Ben Major. Officials said they will include payroll for a recruiter in next fiscal year’s budget. In the meantime, the department is one man short at the fire station where the recruiter was previously assigned.

    Major said the recruiter position had not been approved by city council in previous budgets, but he’s confident it will be in the FY2019 budget process. The department’s recruiting effort is aimed at improving the employment of minority firefighters.

    “We don’t have a recruiting problem; we have a diversity recruiting problem,” Major told city council. He said that out of the FFD’s 331 employees, nine are African American. Major himself is one of the nine.

    In a memo to city council, the chief said the fire department “continues to face challenges in improving diversity within the organization.” He outlined measures designed to assist the department in increasing racial integration of the workforce. These include hosting a symposium on recruiting for diversity that will feature speakers discussing best practices and what has worked well for other municipal fire departments. The symposium will be held Jan. 30 at the student center of Fayetteville State University.

    The city has retained the Pittman McLenagan Group, L.C. of Bethesda, Maryland, to consult with the fire department on project management experience, project understanding, personnel qualifications and general qualifications. Pittman McLenagan describes itself online as a small, woman-owned firm providing a broad spectrum of employment consulting services for organizations seeking to improve their procedures. Other strategies include sponsoring enhanced preparatory workshops for potential candidates and partnering with agencies that share an interest in workforce development.

    “What’s the choke point for candidates?” asked Councilman Jim Arp. He wanted to know why many minorities failed to make the hiring cut. Major said it was the written test that all applicants take. The results count 40 percent in the application evaluation process. Personal interviews with a city Human Resource Committee count 60 percent, Major said.

    City Attorney Karen MacDonald told council the city’s diversity committee is reviewing the application process to determine if the process itself is part of the problem.

    Nearly 700 applicants applied to fill 30 fire department vacancies in the most recent academy. Major did not know how many of the candidates were black.

    “You need to open the tool box,” Arp told Major. He suggested allowing certified firefighters from other communities to be hired, as the police department does. Lateral hiring, as it’s known, could help improve integration, Arp added.

    “You’re the professionals, so figure it out,” Mayor Mitch Colvin told Major.

  • 07Kinlaws SupermarketAnother 11 ex-offenders will be getting jobs when Kinlaw’s Supermarket finishes its $500,000 store expansion. Owner Tommy Kinlaw said his store in East Fayetteville needs additional meat processing space plus more cold storage and expanded distribution capacity. “We are very pleased that this expansion will create local jobs for people who have had difficulty finding employment due to their past,” Kinlaw said.

    The company regularly demonstrates its commitment to the community by actively participating in the local re-entry program, which finds jobs for former convicts.

    “Our city is committed to supporting existing businesses and attracting new jobs and investment,” said Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin.

    The 11 full-time jobs will provide the new employees an average annual wage of $31,158, including comprehensive benefits.

    “When people have served their time, we want them to become productive members of society for their own success and for the safety and success of our communities,” Governor Roy Cooper said.

    Kinlaw noted that he has hired dozens of former offenders over the years. In addition to the Sapona Road store expansion, the company has purchased a second supermarket on Gillespie Street. “More jobs will be created for this store in the coming months, and hiring is expected to start immediately,” he said.

    Campbell Soup cooks up a local deal

    Campbell Soup Supply Company, in partnership with DHL Supply Chain, has selected the Cedar Creek Business Center in Fayetteville for a new, state-of-the-art distribution center. The deal became public several weeks ago under a code name. The companies plan to invest more than $40 million in the project, which will result in the creation of 140 full-time and 55 part-time jobs.

    In October, incentives for the project, which had not been publicly disclosed, were unanimously approved by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and Fayetteville City Council. The company will receive grants of not more than 75 percent of new real property taxes for seven years. The county also agreed to sell the company approximately 98 acres in the industrial park for about $1.23 million, which is more than $500,000 less than the fair market value.

    DHL is partnering with Campbell to develop a network of four distribution centers across the country. Campbell Soup has a manufacturing plant in nearby Maxton. It employs more than 800 workers in the production of several popular lines of soups. Construction of the local 627,000-square foot plant is scheduled to begin early this year.

    “DHL Supply Chain and Campbell chose Cumberland County for its skilled workforce, proximity to major transportation hubs and favorable business climate,” said Governor Roy Cooper.

    A supply chain is a system of integrated logistics that functions in harmony. Procurement, production, planning and transportation play vital roles in a supply chain. These processes also drive a company’s support functions such as marketing, finance, human resources, information technology and product development.

    Murders down from 2016

    Last year was unofficially the second-deadliest year on record for Fayetteville homicides. The alltime- record of 31 violent deaths was set in 2016. The unofficial total for 2017 was 26. September was the most violent month of the year with five murders investigated by Fayetteville police. Twenty-five of the deaths were classified by police as murders. The perpetrator of one of the homicides was charged with manslaughter. There was one double-homicide. And in one instance, a man murdered his wife and then took his own life. Suicide is not by legal definition homicide.

    By contrast, the city of Durham counted only 20 homicides last year. At last count, there were 78 [sic] homicides in Raleigh.

    Update on paratrooper’s death

    An Army investigation into a Fort Bragg paratrooper’s death two years ago concluded that the soldier’s improper exit from the plane caused his death. Spc. Nicholas Roberts, 27, was killed instantly when the static line cut his neck, according to the report. The accident occurred April 28, 2016, during a night jump onto Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg. It was Roberts’ seventh jump, but his first at night with a loaded rucksack and modular airborne weapons case.

    His inexperience was cited as a contributing factor to the accident. But, the report also cited poor performance by jumpmasters, who failed to attend a pre-jump training session. The jumpmasters were formally reprimanded.

    Roberts was a member of 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division. Video and witnesses indicated that his MAWC was rigged too loosely. As he handed off his static line just before jumping from the aircraft, “his MAWC was positioned at an improper angle and appears nearly horizontal, as he turned in to the paratroop door,” according to the report. The MAWC, in which the soldier’s rifle and other gear were enclosed, struck the door of the C-17 as Roberts exited the aircraft, causing him to spin.

    Teen pregnancy down in Cumberland County

    Teen pregnancy rates locally have dropped more than 13 percent from 2015 to 2016, according to the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics. In Cumberland County, there were 398 pregnancies among 15- to 19-year-old girls, which equates to a rate of 37 pregnancies per 1,000 girls of that age range. That ranks Cumberland County 23rd out of 100 counties in the state.

    Statewide, North Carolina’s teen pregnancy rate fell 7 percent. Additional highlights from the data indicate that North Carolina’s teen pregnancy rate has fallen 73 percent since it peaked in 1990.

    Pregnancies of white, black and Hispanic teens dropped 9, 8 and 4 percent, respectively. Pregnancy rates among African-American and Hispanic teens remain twice as high as those among whites.

    Nationwide, researchers attribute pregnancy declines to increased use of birth control and birth control methods. The Health Department’s Teen Wellness Clinic assists patients who are 12-19 years old. Teens receive confidential, high-quality, friendly health care. The clinic provides numerous birth control methods including condoms, natural family planning, birth control pills, the patch, the NuvaRing and Depo Provera.

  • 06Cultural diversityThe city of Fayetteville was first recognized as one of the most integrated communities in the nation 25 years ago. Recently released U.S. Census data continues to show Fayetteville is among cities in America with almost equal populations of whites and African-Americans. A 1992 University of Michigan study found Fayetteville was the fourth least-segregated city in the country. Another North Carolina military community, Jacksonville, was No. 1. Experts suspect growth in the population of retired Army veterans and regular turnover of military families are among the main contributors to the phenomenon.

    David Nash, senior planner for the city of Fayetteville, shared new U.S. Census 2012-16 American Community Survey 5-year estimates with Up & Coming Weekly. Of Fayetteville’s estimated 203,670 residents, 46 percent are white; 42 percent are black. Other populations, to include Asians and Hispanics, comprise the remaining 12 percent of the city’s population. The minority population has grown slightly while the majority population has declined somewhat since the 2010 census. Forty thousand suburban residents of West Fayetteville were annexed 10 years ago and contribute to the diversity.

    Integration in America has been a slow process. “There has been a great change in attitudes among whites. But there has been a much slower change among whites to accept blacks as neighbors,” said Reynolds Farley, a researcher who oversaw the University of Michigan study.

    Over the years, the acceptance of mixed-race neighborhoods in active duty and retired military communities like Fayetteville is an exception to the general rule. Cities with large portions of housing built after the Fair Housing Act of 1968 had greater racial integration, the study found. The 1968 act expanded on previous laws and prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, and since 1974, gender. Since 1988, the act also protects people with disabilities and families with children.

    The population growth of Fayetteville and Cumberland County has been stagnant over the last 25 years. Intermediate census reports indicate that only 1,100 new residents call Fayetteville home since 2010. Five years earlier, the so-called “big bang annexation” catapulted Fayetteville’s population over the 200,000 mark. It was the last involuntary annexation by a North Carolina city because of a change in state law provoked by the “big bang.”

    There has been virtually no residential growth in unincorporated areas of Cumberland County. No one seems to know why that is, although County Manager Amy Cannon has said a reduction in the military population a few years ago could have something to do with it. Fort Bragg is home to 54,000 soldiers, and the military population has increased regularly over time except for a brief period several years ago. The number will likely eclipse 55,000 with the arrival of a new Security Force Assistance Brigade. Fort Bragg is the largest military installation in the U.S.

     

  • 05NewsDigestFayetteville Technical Community College has been ranked first nationally among large community colleges that serve military members and their families. Military Friendly® Schools and Victory Media are in their 16th year of ranking colleges. They provide a comprehensive guide for veterans and their families using data from federal agencies, students and survey information. This year, student survey data was taken into consideration for the designation.

     

    “Our ability to apply a clear, consistent standard to colleges creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to invest in programs to provide educational outcomes that are better for veterans,” said Victory Media’s Chief Product Officer Daniel Nichols. Victory Media is the originator of the family of Military Friendly® Schools program. The ranking is available at militaryfriendly.com.

    Local firms enthusiastic about baseball stadium

    Already, the planned center-city minor league baseball stadium is having a positive economic impact. Barton Malow, general contractor for its construction, has encouraged local contractors to bid on sub-contracting projects. “Just under 40 percent of the projected stadium project has been bid, and over 83 percent of that work will be going to local or Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprise contractors,” said Kristoff Bauer, deputy city manager, who is serving as project manager. “This means that the project has already achieved at least 32 percent local participation for the entire project.”

    Bauer went on to say, “Reaching city council’s 40 percent objective should be very achievable.”

    A Single-A Advanced farm team of the Houston Astros will be the primary tenant of the multi-purpose stadium. The Astros signed a 30- year contract and lease with the city of Fayetteville to provide the team. Groundbreaking for the stadium was held in August, and grounds preparation began several weeks ago. The ball park is expected to be completed in time for the team to begin Carolina League play in April of 2019.

    Inmate re-entry program

    The North Carolina Department of Public Safety is awarding contracts to local organizations to establish five new re-entry councils in Cumberland, Onslow, Jones, Guilford, Pamlico, Craven and Forsyth to help people released from prison transition back into their communities. The hope is to help communities prevent repeat offenders. A contract for $150,000 will go to Action Pathways, Inc., in Cumberland County.

    Re-entry councils are networks of community-based organizations that work together to assist people returning from prison by providing necessary local services like housing, employment, food, clothing, treatment, transportation and mentoring.

    “When people have served their time, we want them to become productive members of society for their own success and for the safety and success of our communities,” Governor Roy Cooper said.

    Grinding of the Greens

    The 24th Annual Fayetteville Grinding of the Greens Christmas Tree Recycling program is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 13. The program encourages Fayetteville residents to recycle their live Christmas trees. Since 1994, the project has kept thousands of pounds of recyclable material out of the landfill. PWC employees, along with workers of the city of Fayetteville and Duke Energy, partner each year to turn the trees into mulch.

    City trucks will collect trees left at curbside beginning Monday, Jan. 8. Residents should put their trees out for collection by that morning. All lights, stands and trimmings should be removed. Residents who live outside the city or miss the pickup may drop off trees at the Fayetteville Community Garden at the corner of Van Story and Mann Streets just off Old Wilmington Road.

  • January: Appreciate, Respect and Thank Law Enforcement

    Here’s a great way to start off the new year: Let’s declare January as Appreciate, Respect and Thank our Local Law Enforcement Month. It’s an easy thing to do.

    01-07-15-pub-notes.gifFirst, turn off your TV. If all you do is listen to the TV and radio news reports showcasing and spotlighting “grievous industry” provocateurs like Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, Eric Holder and Rev. Jeremiah Wright, as they provoke racial disharmony and serve up that noxious and incessant conspiracy theory that law enforcement nationally, our cops, are out to harass, harm, destroy and eradicate then you are going to stay in a state of anger. My advice is unplug the TV, turn off the radio and tune out these hate mongers who monetize and capitalize on the sad, unfortunate and heartbreaking situations like that of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.

    I suggest that every American just look around and believe in what you actually see and experience every day. Notice the makeup of your friends, co-workers and business associates. Diverse? Absolutely. Confrontational? Absolutely not! Every day we live and work in harmony with our ethnically diverse friends and neighbors. Black, White, Asian Hispanic, etc. We shop together, play together, eat together in local restaurants, stand in line together at hockey games and movie theaters — we even worship together. So where is the problem? Answer: There is none except in the darkened, exploitative hearts and minds of racial provocateurs.

    No one needs to buy into this. Instead, we should focus on and recognize how fortunate we are to live in such a free, respectful and civilized society; while contemplating on how we have maintained and achieved such an accomplishment.

    This being said, again, I can’t think of a better way to start off 2015 than to personally walk up to any law enforcement officer and thank them for unselfishly putting themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis so we may confidently and peacefully go about enjoying our families, lifestyles and quality of life.

    How could we exist in a dangerous, crime-ridden and lawless community? Answer: We can’t. So, let’s thank law enforcement officers today and, every day for putting their lives on the line to serve and protect us, our families and our property.

    To this end, Up & Coming Weekly is declaring January as Appreciate, Respect and Thank our Local Law Enforcement Month.

    This is not to infer that January is the only month we want to show our appreciation; however, it is said that if you can do something repeatedly and consistently at least 21 times it will become a habit. Well, I can’t think of a better habit to develop. Today is Jan. 7 and you will be reading this edition until at least Jan. 13. If you begin right now there is a very good chance, that with just a little bit of dedicated effort, you can be first among tens of thousands of local residents who actively and habitually participate in this massive practice.

    This past Sunday there were two Fayetteville Police Officer’s having breakfast at the Cracker Barrel on Skibo Road. On my way out I made it a point to stop by to tell them that I appreciated their service and to keep up the good work. The smile on their faces made the experience worthwhile. I discreetly asked the server to give me their check but she responded, “Too late. Someone has already treated them to breakfast.” Now, that’s the Fayetteville I know. I love this town!

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • Going, Going, Gone!01-14-15-pub-notes.gif

    Old news. The vote is in 4 to 3 against a public hearing offering an incentive package to Sanderson Farms that wanted to bring 1,000 jobs to Cumberland County by locating and building a $113 million dollar chicken-processing plant in a vacant, 15-year-old industrial park located off Highway 53 in Cedar Creek.

    Too bad, so sad. But, is the issue completely dead?

    Only County Commissioner Charles Evans really knows for sure. Even though there were three other dissenting votes (Ken Edge, Larry Lancaster and Marshall Faircloth), it was Evans’ swing vote that ultimately killed the deal and started the fierce fervor of confusion, displeasure and discontent throughout the community.

    Honestly, from where we stood, the majority of the county viewed Sanderson Farms as a positive move toward higher paying and better paying jobs, much needed healthcare and a better quality of life for many Cumberland County residents.

    Those in Evans’ district were taken totally by surprise when County Commissioner Charles Evans, who was held in high esteem as the biggest champion and proponent of the poor, needy and downtrodden, abruptly turned his back on his constituents and voted an astounding “No” on what is now viewed as a minor misunderstanding and petty technicality.

    I personally asked Commissioner Evans to consider requesting a “do over” now that he has a better understanding of the process and how strongly the community really feels. After all, Evans is popular. He was the top vote getter in Cumberland County. Surely, he must feel some compassion and commitment for the people who trusted and elected him.

    No, Evans felt nothing.

    This level of action and disappointment can only be fostered by someone so terribly narcissistic or illiterate in the ways of humanity. Evans must not have been much of a student of the teachings of the late and great Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. In King’s “I Have a Dream” speech he talks of “the bank of justice” and “great vaults of opportunity of this nation.” Both leading to “riches of freedom and the security of justice.”

    In the opinions of many, Evans has robbed the bank of justice and emptied the vaults of opportunity for many people assuring them limited opportunity with a taste of injustice.

    Evans has slipped off the “solid rock of brotherhood” and overlooked “the urgency of the moment” thus betraying his own constituents.

    However, Evans can fix it. If he moves quickly and, assuming Sanderson Farms is still interested in locating in Cumberland County, Evans can request a “do over.” And, why not?

    It would be for the greater good of the entire community and not for a few dozen “red-shirted” elitists.

    With all our elected officials campaigning on and paying lip service to eliminating crime, hunger and homelessness, voting down more than 1,000 good-paying jobs sets an all-time high in new lows, don’t you think?

    Someone much smarter than me asked: “Do you know the best way to stop a bullet?” Answer: A job!

    Needless to say, I hope, there is still time to right this wrong. It is up to Commissioner Evans. However, if we miss this opportunity, the entire community should not forget Sanderson Farms and what dastardly deed has been perpetrated on us. So, come election time, perhaps more time will be spent judging the content of a candidate’s character rather than the color of their skin.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    Photo: Even though there were three other dissenting votes, it was Evans’ swing vote that ultimately killed the deal with Sanderson Farms.

  • PWC to City: Thanks, But We Will Take Our Chances with

    the Legislature

    In a time when respect and belief in the ability of our nation’s legislative bodies to operate is at an all-time low, PWC is banking that the legislature will use common sense in sorting out the difficulties between the City of Fayetteville and PWC.

    01-21-15-pub-notes.gifOn Oct. 16, 2014, PWC filed a petition asking the courts to “issue a declaratory ruling that clarifies its duties and responsibilities. The goal of the filing is to eliminate any confusion and uncertainty regarding the way PWC currently operates and to provide clear direction about how it should operate in the future.” This request came on the heels of a report filed by the city’s consultant Davenport/Lawrence, which indicated that PWC was operating outside its scope and its accountability to the City of Fayetteville.

    PWC officials quickly answered the consultant’s charges, and followed up with the court filing. Neither the city nor PWC wants an extended court battle, which will ultimately impact the citizens of Fayetteville and PWC customers. To that end, in mid-December both agreed to mediation, which has been ongoing. At that time, Mike Lailler, chairman of the city-appointed PWC Commission noted in a statement to the media, “Our goal from the beginning has been to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the PWC commissioners. That can be accomplished through mediation or through legislative action without the need for a lengthy court proceeding.”

    Last week, mediation appeared to have come to an impasse when Lailler released a statement that had to make city staff and councilmen a little jumpy. In his statement (below), Lailler and PWC take the nuclear action that the city has been trying to desperately avoid: They gave the problem to the N.C. General Assembly.

    From the get go, the city has been averse to involving the legislature in the fight between itself and PWC. When the legislature opens up the PWC Charter for consideration and clarification, it could go bad, very bad for the city — and the city knows this. PWC has been lauded nationwide as a prime example of efficiency and as an example of how a public utility should operate. We can’t say the same of the city.

    Cumberland County’s legislative delegation is prepared to take up this problem, and PWC is more than ready to let them do so; the city, not so much. This is what the PWC Commission had to say about moving the dispute into the legislature’s court:

    “From the beginning, PWC Commissioners have sought to clarify the roles and responsibilities outlined by the N.C. General Assembly in the original charter. The legislature intentionally created a separate, independent board to manage the utility and that model has worked well for the City of Fayetteville and PWC customers since 1905.

    The City Council’s suggested revisions would radically alter PWC’s governance model. They would make PWC just another department of the city under the full control and authority of the City Manager and allow the City Council to remove Commissioners at will. That would limit the role of PWC Commissioners to that of an advisory board. These changes would also allow politics to have greater influence in PWC operations by making Commissioners subject to changing political winds.

    Specifically, these changes would likely disrupt the Commissioner’s extended tenure of up to 12 years. PWC oversees $1.1 Billion in assets and spends approximately $1 Million per day to provide electric, water and wastewater treatment to this community. To effectively manage such a valuable and complex organization that regularly makes decisions with consequences far into the future requires an experienced and stable group of Commissioners that think strategically and long-term.

    At a time when technology and alternative energy sources are rapidly changing, and when quality and competitive utility services are a core component to our economic environment, such a radical change in the governance of PWC, we feel, would be a mistake. We feel it would be in the city’s best interest to have a stable utility not subject to rapidly changing political environments.

    We trust in the wisdom of our legislative delegation and will let them determine whether to reverse 110 years of successful operating practices or maintain the current structure with the clarifications set forth by the commissioners.”

    This could get worse before it gets better. Hold onto your hats, it’s going to get dicey.

  • All conscientious parents worry about their children’s educations, even when children attend excellent schools with dedicated and caring teachers. When the Dicksons’ Precious Jewels were of school age, we referred to each new school year as “an adventure in education,” because even top-notch schools have not-so-top-notch teachers and terrifi c teachers can be found in less well-regarded schools. Then, of course, there are the occasional personality clashes between teachers and students and the expected emotional moments that occur among students in every school setting.

    I remember the start of each school year as a nerveracking few weeks until routine settled in, and I remember some entire grades as being perfectly wonderful and others as simply lost time.

     For some parents, adventures in education end when their own children leave school, but this really is not true. Public education should be a concern for all of us, because its quality affects our nation and everyone in it whether ornot we have current students.

    Almost lost in the holiday rush was a troubling news story late last month about American education. Associated Press writers Christine Armario and Dorie Turner reported that almost a fourth of young Americans seeking to join the U.S. Army and other branches of our military service fail to meet minimum educational requirements. 01-19-11-margaret-dickson.gif

    Ponder that for a moment. 

    What that says is that we are not preparing our young people well enough to defend their own nation.

    Here are the dismal numbers from The Education Trust, a children’s advocacy group, using data released for the fi rst time by the Army. Of all Americans aged 17 to 24 — those most likely to seek military service — a whopping 75 percent do not qualify to take the enlistment exam at all because they are physically unfi t, often because they are overweight, they have a criminal record or they did not graduate from high school.

    Of those who are eligible, 23 percent do not achieve the minimum score required by the Army on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, in military speak. The other services have higher requirements, meaning still fewer students are eligible for service in the Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. The Army requires recruits to score at least 31 out of 99 in the initial section of the three-hour test. The test includes basic questions such as “If 2 plus x equals 4, what is the value of x?” There are achievement gaps between whites and minority students just as there are on other nonmilitary standardized tests. North Carolina is average in that somewhere between 21 and 25 percent of our high school graduates do not pass the test.

    The Department of Defense says our military services are meeting their current recruitment targets, but there is concern for the future as our economy improves and jobs are added in the private sector and perhaps in some areas of government, giving people more options than in the current recession economy. Retired Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett with Mission Readiness, a group of retired military leaders concerned about this issue, says “If you can’t get the people that you need, there’s a potential for a decline in your readiness.” Even U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan acknowledges the problem. “I am deeply troubled by the national security burden created by America’s underperforming education system.”

    Like many of you, I have been in the military community a long time, and I am both impressed by and proud of our active duty military. They have chosen to serve and protect the rest of us in our nation, and the soldiers I encounter at all ranks are both fi t and smart. I join my fellow citizens in gratitude for their devoted service and the sacrifi ces freely given by both them and their families. The issue, though, is not our present military, but our future military. Will we have enough educated people ready and willing to perform the increasingly demanding and technologically challenging jobs required of active-duty personnel? This is the question we should all be asking ourselves and if the answer seems to be “no,” then we must ask ourselves what we can do about it.

    This is not just a question for the educational establishment in school systems throughout our nation or for the parents of students now moving through our schools. It is a question for all of us who care about the strength of our nation and the defense of our way of life.

    It is why we should all care about “adventures in education.”

  • Wear Green for Progress and for Jobs

    My head is spinning! I just returned from a 10-day road trip and I have spent the entire weekend catching up on the local news. PWC and chicken plants: “Oh my!” I know what you are thinking, why don’t I just Google “Fayetteville” when I’m on the road. Or, better yet, go online to the Fayetteville Observer’s website and check out what’s going on in my hometown. Well, I’ll tell you why. It depresses me.

    01-28-15-pub-notess-art.gifI must admit, I suffer from depression when I go online to read our local newspaper knowing that I am actually seeing and reading exactly what everyone else in the world is seeing and reading about our community. Embarrassing! Try it yourself.

    Believe me, it isn’t pretty. For all the wonderful things going on in our community, when you read about what’s making news in Fayetteville, we come off like a cross between the “Gang Who Couldn’t Shoot Straight” and the Three Stooges. This would be funny if it were not so sad.

    Does anyone in a leadership position in Fayetteville or Cumberland County have any idea how we must look to the outside world?

    I doubt if the people who are Googling Fayetteville are reading features and articles about our wonderful cultural arts programs, our compassionate and generous nonprofit organizations or our amazingly dedicated, talented teachers and school principals or our brave and dauntless military warriors. No, they are reading about grouchy city councilmen decrying “treachery” among us and others making silly suggestions like how we could possibly reduce the number of murders in our city by issuing city permits to better monitor these murderous neighborhood parties.

    Sure, this makes perfect sense with plenty of logic like: now, the party host “doesn’t feel he has to police the situation by himself.” And, he “..may appreciate the beefed-up police presence.” Isn’t that reassuring. Are you kidding me?

    It gets better. You can read about hired city staff dictating policy to our city council, who, unfortunately, don’t know any better than to not listen to them. Or, how about reading about a rogue city manager who thinks our public utility is a piggy bank and a city-appointed public utility commission that was forced to sue the city in order to do its job of protecting and properly serving its citizens.

    Now, add to that the Sanderson Farm circus and clown parade led by County Commissioner Charles Evans, whose uninformed decisions have punished the very residents he vowed to love, honor, respect and serve. Now, after the damage is done, Evans is attempting a “do over” to get the incentive issue back on the county commissioners’ agenda for a joint public hearing on Feb. 2. This meeting will serve only to allow those local residents who would have benefited from Sanderson Farms $100 million dollar expansion into our community and the 1, 000 new jobs it would have brought, a final opportunity to have their voices heard.

    So, I suggest you be at the Crown Coliseum on Monday, Feb. 2 and I very strongly suggest you take advantage of this opportunity to tell our leadership not only how you feel about the Sanderson Farms project, but how you feel about the way this entire situation has been handled. After all, these county commissioners, city councilmen and the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Alliance all are supposed to be working for us — all 325,871 of us — and not just for a few dozen “red shirted” elite landowners.

    Be there. Wear GREEN! That’s right. Green for progress! Green for jobs! Green for the unemployed! Green for the homeless! Green for new local money! And, green, for the color of Evans face when he finally realizes how badly he let his constituents down. Wear green for bad politics.

    So, Monday will be our day, one way or the other. Please be there. Each speaker will have a maximum of three minutes to comment. Citizens who wish to address the board may register prior to the event by contacting the clerk to the Board of Commissioners at 910-678-7771 or 910-678-7772. They may also e-mail cwhite@co.cumberland.nc.us. Speakers may also sign-up in the lobby the night of the hearing. Doors open at 5 p.m.

    I love this community. It is my community. I have been here for more than 40 years. Met my wife here, started my family here, raised our son here, built my business here. Believe me, you didn’t have to be born in Cumberland County to be from Cumberland County. So, if you sense that I’m a little put out, you are correct. We have a responsibility to secure a livable community for future generations, which includes jobs for everyone — even those low-skill jobs that still offer a living wage.

    See you on Monday, Feb. 2 and thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    Photo: Wear green this Monday to support progress in Fayetteville.

  • 012016the-wiz-012016.jpg

    In the 1970s, The Wiz took Broadway by storm revamping The Wizard of Ozwith an all-black cast in a super soul musical. Now, Cape Fear Regional Theatre is embracing the story and showcasing it as a part of their 2015-2016 season.

    First time CFRT guest director Donna Baldwin-Bradby admits that this is her favorite show and her passion for the musical is evident in her excitement and that of her actors. 

    “I remember seeing this show thinking this little girl [Dorothy] looks like me. It changed my life,” said Baldwin-Bradby. “The journey that Dorothy goes through is like everyday life. You can get disheveled; you can go through what you think is the worst, but you are better in the end. That’s what I want the audience to know and feel.”

    The story of Dorothy going through the tornado, landing in Oz, meeting her friends is all there in The Wiz, but fans of the original Baum work will find that it follows his story even closer than the 1939 film changing the iconic ruby red slippers to silver shoes, involving the four original witches as opposed to just the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the North and more that avid book readers can identify with in this stage production. Those changes make this musical even more of a treat and challenge the audience to remember their favorite books from childhood.

    Not only does the musical stay true to the original work, the audience may be surprised not to find an actual yellow brick road, a field of poppies or even stage effects creating a tornado. Those parts of the show are played by actors and dancers as moving parts making the show a thrilling way to spend a night — or afternoon. 

    “Almost everything is a person. The sets and the costumes are going to be amazing,” said TyNia Brandon playing Dorothy. “Everyone has a role and everyone is important to the show.”

    The actors including Dorothy and adding in friends, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow, define an ensemble with easy chemistry where they admit that it doesn’t even feel like work. They are all just trying to be great, encouraged by a director who is also more of an educator.

    “At the end of the day, our director has made us all a little brighter. My cup runneth over from being a part of this show,” said Fayetteville native T.J. Fields playing the Lion. This show was also groundbreaking because it helped celebrate black actors in a time where there were not many black roles and gave them a platform to showcase special music styles, dance and even life.

    “There are so many cultural things involved that the entire audience may not grasp firsthand, but will love to experience,” said Deon Releford Lee, who plays the Tinman. “The set will have African Kente cloth and there is African dance incorporated. This musical is also a celebration of culture.”

    As far as experiencing firsthand, the audience will also be encouraged to participate as the actors will use the entire theatre, not just the stage. 

    “This show is interactive. We will be in the aisles and we will encourage the audience to clap, dance and shout,” said Baldwin-Bradby, “This show will leave you recharged and energized when the curtain closes.”

    The musical comes to life on  Jan. 21 and runs through Feb. 14 with 2 p.m. matinees and 7:30 evening performances. Also available are limited seating “Lunch with Dorothy” tickets, where an hour before weekend matinee performances, those interested are encouraged to dress as their favorite character, have lunch in the Emerald City and meet The Wiz actors. Lunch tickets are $10. All performance tickets are $15-28 and are available at www.cfrt.org or by calling the box office at 910.323.4233. Ease on down!


  •    The Fayetteville City Council recently, tentatively, approved new municipal electoral district lines, and as reported by the news media, “…some of the incumbents would see big changes… .” Although there has to be a tweaking of the district lines each time there is a significant  annexation, such as the recent annexation of Fort Bragg, this doesn’t have to be so unsettling or painful every time.  
       Since 1986, the City of Fayetteville has had electoral districts, starting with six districts in 1986 and swelling to nine in the 1990s. At one point, the council had 12 members (nine districts and three at-large) plus the mayor.  At the end of the ‘90s, those at-large seats on the council disappeared. As any observer of the council knows, the competition for scarce revenues vs. the needs of the community has often led to significant district turf battles. As is the case in any battle, there’s a winner and a loser, and those on the losing end of the funding were left with lingering acrimony.
       In an effort to resolve this dilemma, the council studied multimember districts in the mid-‘90s. The plan considered was three districts with three members in each district.
       The map looked like a fan with its smaller end east of the Cape Fear River approximately centered at I-95, exit 56, and then the three districts fanning out to the west. For discussion purposes, the district lines might have followed Raeford Road to the south and across the river, Raeford Road to Bragg Boulevard, and Bragg Boulevard to the north and across the river. As the city annexed new areas, these lines would expand to the west. These are approximations to paint a mental picture and certainly not the actual lines. However, this configuration would be easier to redefine each time than the gerrymandering that is occurring now to protect incumbents. 
       Part of the problem with obtaining approval for a redistricting plan is that annexation planning, to be sound and comply with the general statutes, has to follow water/sewer extension planning. This is not a concern of the Department of Justice , which has to give pre-clearance (its word for approval) of the new lines each time. No one can disagree with the one-man, one-vote doctrine — and protection of incumbents — but the DOJ has never given any credit to the water/sewer concerns in its pre-clearance processing. With only three lines to adjust (excluding the city limits perimeter), it seems that allowing for population growth that follows water/sewer would make for a much easier and less costly process.
       Another advantage to three districts (could be two or three members in each) would be less infighting over projects such as street resurfacing lists and new recreation facilities.
       It would also provide an easier transition to what some other larger municipalities do, and that is require approval through the committee process of 2/3 of the council before an item may be placed on a regular meeting agenda.

      Contact Bob Cogswell at editor@upandcomingweekly.com
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    Athletes seeking to push themselves — and have a great time — need look no further than the Boomerang Beer and Brat Fun Run 5K. For those not quite ready for the 5K, there is also a one-miler.  Hosted by the Special Operators Challenge, the event takes place on Jan. 30 at the Crown Coliseum. It’s not your standard road race, in fact, far from it, but Ivan Castro, the founder of Special Operators Challenge, and his crew, are working hard to make sure that it’s a fun day for everyone involved. The day’s plans include more than a road race, so bring a friend and plan to stay awhile. The course involves costume changes, eating (and drinking) on the run, a bratwurst eating contest and costume judging. 

    This is the first year the event takes place at the Crown. Even though it has grown every year, Castro was looking to reach even more people.  “We did this two years in a row at the Carolina Horse Park and we decided to bring it home and move to Fayetteville so we can have all of Fort Bragg and Fayetteville, Spring Lake and Hope Mills join us. We want to include the students from Methodist University, Fayetteville State University and Fayetteville Technical Community College. We want everyone to come and have a good time,” said Castro. “When people hear our name they sometimes think this is just for the military and that is not the case. This is for everyone — of all experience levels and abilities.” 

    The day starts at 10 a.m. with check-in and same-day registration. Food and beer are available for purchase and local vendors will join the fun to showcase their inventories. “At 12:20 p.m. the entertainment starts,” said Darlene Matos, Castro’s business partner. “It’s Jackie from Jackie’s Boot Camp. She promised not to boot camp us — she is a dancer and will be a lot of fun. We thank God for beer at 12:55 p.m. and at 1 p.m. we start boomeranging ourselves around the coliseum property. Hopefully everyone is done by 2 p.m. Then we have the brat-eating competition and costume judging. Last call is at 3:30 p.m. Then everyone is invited to the after party at Louie’s Sports Bar.”

    The route is on the Crown property and involves mile-long laps — or one lap for the one-miler participants. “You drink a beer then walk (or run) a lap, then come around and eat a foot-long brat. Walk or run a mile and then drink a beer and walk or run a mile,” said Castro. “Our motto is: Eat. Drink. Race. Repeat.”

    But that is just the beginning. There is plenty of fun to be had along the way. ”Every ¼ mile there is a pit stop with different activities at every stop. Maybe it’s dancing the polka or doing the Chicken Dance or the hokey pokey. We’ll have group hugs, singing, playing hopscotch and changing clothes with someone else,” said Matos. “So bring your ugly Christmas sweater or granny’s nightie. Bring something you would like to see someone else wearing. The clothes swaps happen three times. It will be a great time for spectators, too.” 

    Participants as well as the general public are invited to contribute to the Boomerang food, diaper and clothing drive. “Like our events, this has grown every year, too,” said Castro. “The first year we had about three or four big wardrobe boxes full of things to donate. Last year we had an entire pick-up truck full of those boxes. Bring nonperishable, non-expired goods that are well packaged. We want to give back and food is not only something people need during the holidays. It is a year-round thing.”

    While the Boomerang Beer and Brat Fun Run is right around the corner, it is not the only event that Special Operators Challenge hosts. This year there are five races on the calendar. “There is the Boomerang coming up on Jan. 30 and we are planning another in September for Octoberfest,” said Castro. “We have three other events in the middle of the year.” 

    Mark the calendar for June 4. It’s the day of the Dirty Darby, which is a 5K mud and obstacle course event. That same day there is a kid-friendly race — The Little Muddy. Aug. 20, is the next race: The Esprit de Corps Challenge. That is an adventure race and event. It has shotgun shooting, archery and tomahawk throwing. There is a rock climbing wall, rapelling, canoeing, an observation game and fire starting. “That one has three options — no trek, a 5-mile or a 10-mile. It takes 5-12 hours depending on which trek you do,” said Castro. “We put people on a team so you get to meet people and you do not have to have any experience to participate. You can be a novice and still come out and have a great time. We have trained pros that will teach you how to do these things — draw a bow or load a shot gun or whatever you need. And if you feel uncomfortable with any of it you can opt out of that event and still participate in the overall race. If you don’t like to be in the water, you don‘t have to do it — you can pass on the canoe or guns or whatever station. You don’t have to partake of all the events. The same is true for all of our events. If you don’t care to drink at the Boomerang, no problem. If you don’t eat meat, take a pass on the brats, but come out and have a good time.”

    All events are open for registration. Contestants can register for any of the events online at active.com or at specialoperatorschallenge.com. the Boomerang 5K VIP package, which includes choice parking and access to a heated tent; the Boomerang Beer and Brat 5K Fun Run individual for $35; the 1 mile fun run individual for $35; the Bratwurst eating competition for $10; and the Boomerang 6-pack team entry for $180. Registration includes a long-sleeve moisture wicking shirt, two beers and a bratwurst. Teams of six or more get a free beer for each team member. Medals are also available for $12. Participants must be 18 years old by race day and 21-years-old to drink alcohol. Nonalcoholic beverages are available for those who can’t or don’t want to drink. There are also vegetables to snack on.

    Call 483-1900 or visit specialoperatorschallenge.com for more information.

  •    I should have known something was wrong when I saw the little umbrella floating in the toilet. It was one of those tiny umbrellas that comes with a tropical rum-based drink. The umbrella was from a trip years ago. It had been sitting artistically in an empty bottle of Polygamy Porter. Polygamy Porter is an excellent beer brewed in Utah... to the chagrin of the Mormon church. The label sports Rubenesque classy semi-naked ladies above the slogan “Why just have one?” I discovered Polygamy Porter in Utah while on a fact finding trip to Vegas and surrounding cultural attractions. The souvenir beer bottle roosted atop the medicine cabinet in our bathroom gallery of outsider art.
       {mosimage}The tiny umbrella was undisturbed for years in the bottle high above daily life. Frankly I had forgotten it was there. But now the umbrella was floating in the toilet bowl. It did not occur to me to wonder how it had gotten from its lofty perch to a lowly floating position in the toilet. I fished it out, put the umbrella in the bath tub to dry, and promptly forgot about it. The story had only begun.
    When bedtime finally rolled around, I retired upstairs to prepare for a long winter’s nap. The soft glow of the TV cast comforting flickering shadows of idle time consumption across the dark room. All was right with the world. When suddenly from the dresser there arose such a clatter that I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. What to my wondering eyes should appear but a stick of Right Guard that had somehow jumped off the dresser onto the floor. At this point I dimly began to suspect poltergeist infestation. Something might be amiss but I was too sleepy to bother to figure it out.
       Our semi-toothless auxiliary miniature dachshund Nikko sleeps in the bedroom with us since our prime dachshund, the venerable Elvis, crossed over the great divide this summer to be with his doggy ancestors, Otto and Wrinkles. Nikko is afraid of everything. The loss of Elvis has intensified his polyphobias. After a while I heard Nikko actually getting out of his chair and skittering across the dark floor. This behavior is very unusual, as Nikko is afraid of being eaten by the monster he believes lives under our bed. His level of anxiety was such that it finally occurred to me that we might not be alone. I rose and turned on the light. There was a tiny squirrel sitting on the top of the fire screen. Rocky the flying squirrel couldn’t have been more than 4 inches long, including his tail. I don’t think Rocky was any happier to see me than I was to see him. Nikko stared at him but did not bark out any warning.
       I stood there wondering how to get Rocky back to the wild. Suddenly he made a lunge for the bedroom door and escaped into the gloom. Problem temporarily solved. Like Scarlett O’Hara I thought, “tomorrow is another day” and we’ll deal with the squirrel then. Unfortunately it was not to be. Apparently, Rocky got lonely in the night and crawled back under the door into our room. Nikko began his restless squirrel patrol a few hours later and woke me up. This cannot be happening. The squirrel should be hiding elsewhere. Not back in here again. I finally opened my eyes. There sitting on the end of our bed was Rocky in all his rodent splendor. What was he doing there? Was he looking for Carolina basketball team’s missing defense? Was he the squirrel version of Bernie Maddoff on the lam from a major Ponzi scheme after cheating other squirrels out of their winter nuts? Was he a homicidal squirrel raised by the Manson family? When I got up, he jumped down and disappeared again. I got a broom fully intending to play squirrel hockey to get him out of the house. Rocky was too smart to reappear while the light was on. It was 4 a.m. I was too tired to stay up to wait for him and didn’t really want to spend the night wondering if he would crawl in between the sheets with us.
       Admitting defeat, 300 pounds of humans were vanquished by 3 ounces of squirrel. We retreated  downstairs to sleep on the couch leaving Rocky in full charge of our bedroom. I think he watched the Animal Planet channel the rest of the night.

    Contact Pitt Dickey at editor@upandcomingweekly.com

  • karl-merritt_010616.jpg

    The Sunday school class that I am a member of discussed Zechariah’s Song on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. In that song, Zechariah, who is the father of John the Baptist, expresses thanks for God’s faithfulness, talks about how his son will prepare the way for Jesus, and concludes by giving the only course to peace and successful living. That course is in Luke 1:78-79 which says: “Because of our God’s deep compassion, the dawn from heaven will break upon us, to give light to those who are sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide us on the path of peace.” Light symbolizes seeking to live as God commands while darkness represents everything that is anti-God. I am convinced that America is a country in darkness.  Beyond being in darkness our destiny is in the hands of leaders who do not seem to recognize that we are in darkness nor do they comprehend the consequences of being in darkness.

    This state of darkness shows through in many ways. These ways range from acceptance of same sex marriage to legalizing marijuana and wanting to legalize more destructive drugs. Add to these the wide-spread support for abortion, driving Christianity from the public square, viewing out-of-wedlock pregnancies as a societal norm and living beyond our financial means as a nation. On and on goes the listing of darkness indicators. 

    As of Dec. 15, I am reading every installment of a series of articles that brings this darkness front and center. The series is “Poverty’s Price” by Greg Barnes in The Fayetteville Observer. Let me be clear in saying Barnes is reporting what is happening and putting forth the thinking of various people on the matter. He is doing a superb job. Regarding the aim of his series, Barnes says even though he tells stories about black citizens, “…it is not primarily a story about race. Instead, it is a story about poverty. Grinding, multi-generational poverty that provides only glimpses of hope for emergence.”

    Barnes says that a report released by the University of North Carolina Center for Urban & Regional Studies classified six census tracts in Fayetteville as economically distressed. He writes, “To reach that designation, poverty and unemployment rates in the census tracts had to be at least 50 percent higher than the state average and annual per capita income at least a third lower.” The writer focuses on the Old Wilmington Road and B Street area, which are among the six economically distressed tracts. Almost all of the residents in this tract are black. Barnes records, “Here, nearly one family in three doesn’t own a car or earn more than $10,000 a year, according to the most recent statistics.”

    Now comes a discussion of reasons for this “grinding poverty:” 

    1. Lack of opportunity.

    2. Children being reared in single-parent households by a mother or grandmother in a family stuck in poverty.

    3. Limited access to preschool, which leads to children starting school without much exposure to learning. 

    4. Poor parent involvement in the education process of their children. 

    Walker-Spivey Elementary School serves the Old Wilmington Road area. Unexcused absences and tardiness are a factor in children performing poorly in school. Barnes writes that Erica McAdoo, the Walker-Spivey principal, said at her school these conditions can be attributed to transportation issues or a caretaker working two jobs. He adds, “But she acknowledged that parents are largely to blame. Most of the children who attend Walker-Spivey live within walking distance of the school.”

    5. Poor role models. This especially refers to black men without good jobs.

    6. Out of school suspensions.

    7. High arrest rates among blacks. Again, this factor especially focuses on black men.

    These are not all the possible causes of poverty among Fayetteville citizens as reflected in the article. Against the backdrop of the poverty causes listed above, consider the following comments from community leaders as to how poverty can be alleviated. Some of these are from the article while others are from elsewhere but inspired by Barnes’ article. What I see is the usual argument for government spending more money on a multitude of programs and people outside these poverty-stricken communities having total responsibility for correcting the dire situation within those communities:

    1. Talking about the progression of a black boy in poverty to a brush with the law, Barnes writes, “Because his family is poor and because public resources to assist him are stretched, he may not get much help to make this brush with the law a chance for redirection.”

    2. Val Applewhite, a former member of City Council who recently lost her second bid to become Mayor of Fayetteville, posted this on Facebook after an early article in Barnes’ series, “This is Fayetteville, N.C. Yet, our Mayor and City Council will ask us to vote in March 2016 to approve millions of dollars to spend on pools and baseball fields.”

    3. On Dec. 13, an Observer editorial talked about the negative impact of poverty on the whole population then said, “Breaking the cycle would have an enormous payoff. But that will require investment, and this state is moving in the opposite direction — cutting, for example, early-education funding instead of increasing it to meet community needs.”

    4. Rick Glazier was a state lawmaker for 13 years and now heads the N.C. Justice Center. Larry Wright is a local pastor and member of the Fayetteville City Council. Barnes writes that Glazier and Wright argue, “…that the city and the state aren’t doing enough for poor people and poor neighborhoods.”

    So, my reading of the series so far leads to the conclusion the prevailing thinking is that people outside of these poverty-stricken communities have a responsibility to spend more taxpayer money and assume responsibility for externally correcting a problem for which the core causes are individual citizen responsibilities and life-style choices.

    Here is the prime picture of why the “spend more money” and put the correcting responsibility on people outside the economically distressed communities shows us to be a country “locked in darkness.” Barnes tells the story of one black boy who is going through the experiences and reactions that could land him in jail. He casually, routinely mentions that this 11-year old has four brothers and all his brothers came from different mothers. Then this from Barnes, of the 73 women who gave birth in this census tract in 2014, only three were married, and all 73 were living in poverty. Nowhere in the first three articles have I seen that anybody raises this matter of out-of-wedlock pregnancies. Without doubt, this is the primary cause of the grinding poverty that Barnes writes about. 

    Several years ago I was driving four black boys to an event. All of them were sixth or seventh grade and from households headed by a single female. Out of nowhere, those boys started talking about how the cycle of out-of-wedlock pregnancies had to be stopped. They began with how it negatively impacts the children and families. They ended with, “Sex outside of marriage is a sin.” Those boys understood darkness and the consequences of living in darkness.

    If a group of sixth and seventh grade black boys could figure this out, how is it so many adult Americans seem clueless? 

    There are only a few possible answers: 

    (1) Having people in poverty and appearing to care for them is politically profitable. It wins votes. This process financially incentivizes out-of-wedlock pregnancies.

    (2) There is money to be made from the existence of poverty. 

    (3) In spite of common sense and history indicating otherwise, they genuinely believe that government spending is the answer to alleviating poverty. 

    Whatever the reason, we are following a course to a guaranteed horrible outcome.  America needs people who understand the light of God that values all people and calls us to a way of life that is morally responsible and thereby dispels the darkness. Light that unlocks the darkness includes teaching abstinence and purpose, fiscal responsibility and goal-setting, accountable parenting and pursuit of opportunities. This instruction will be most effective when done in the context of a call to Godly living.


      


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     Once upon a time there was a king named Midas who lived in Macedonia. Once upon our time there was a billionaire named Donald Trump who lived in Manhattan. Turns out these two have a lot in common. Ponder the similarities. As you recall from your Greek mythology, everything Midas touched turned to gold. This didn’t work out quite as well as he hoped. Topping King Midas, everything The Donald touches turns to gold — and fear. This may not turn out as well as The Donald hopes. 

     In the land of mythology, Dionysus was the god of wine. Dionysus learned his party skills from his tutor Silenus. Silenus was an alcoholic satyr. Satyrs are half horse and half human. Horses can’t hold their liquor, which exacerbated Silenus’ alcohol problem. Silenus wandered off drunk one day and blacked out in Midas’ flower garden. Midas recognized Silenus and threw him a big party. Midas then took Silenus back to Dionysus. Dionysus was so glad to see Silenus that he told Midas he would grant him one wish. Midas, considering his financial future, asked that anything he touched would turn to gold. At the time this seemed like a good idea, just like hover boards and zillions of Christmas drones seemed like a good idea. 

     Initially Midas had some fun turning twigs, flowers and his daughter into gold. When he called for a banquet to celebrate his new found ability, Midas had an “Uh Oh” moment. As he tried to eat or drink, his food and wine turned into gluten-free gold which is pretty indigestible. Realizing he was going to starve to death or die of thirst due to his golden touch, Midas asked Dionysus to undo his wish. Dionysus told him to wash in the Pactolus River to remove the golden touch. Midas went down to the river and the golden touch vanished.

     This experience left Midas no longer interested in financial planning. Midas took John Prine’s advice and “blew up his TV, threw away his paper/went to the country, built him a home/planted a little garden/and ate a lot peaches.” While living in the country, Midas became buddies with Pan who was the god of the fields and an excellent flutist. Pan was so proud of his flute playing that he challenged Apollo the god of music to a flute off. Apollo won the contest but Midas objected to the referee’s decision. Never argue with a god. Apollo, feeling insulted, changed Midas’ ears into donkey ears. Midas was self-conscious about his ears. He always hid his donkey ears under a turban. The only person who knew about Midas’ donkey ears was his barber who was supposed to keep it secret. Barbers are not noted for secret keeping. The barber dug a hole and whispered the secret into the hole. Unfortunately for Midas, a bunch of reeds overheard the whispered secret and started spreading the news that Midas had donkey ears. Reeds were mythology’s version of social media. Reeds, like barbers, can’t keep a secret. 

     Now let us ponder the similarities between The Donald and King Midas. The Donald has the financial touch of Midas as he frequently points out to us how rich he is. He can turn real estate into gold. As a presidential candidate, he is doing his best to turn his opponents into objects of fear and loathing. He tells America we need to fear the Mexicans, the Muslims, the Chinese, Senator Cruz’s Canadian citizenship and the sissy boys playing touch football in the NFL. The Donald admires Vlad Putin in the continuing weird love affair between the right wing and a murdering commie dictator. The Donald has a populist gift for inducing fear and loathing by convincing vast numbers of voters that The Donald alone can protect them from The Other. Alienating everyone who isn’t white may not turn out to be the best quality for a president to have. Perhaps Dionysus still has a set of donkey ears left to send to Earth. 

     Maybe The Donald already has donkey ears on his head like Midas. Instead of wearing a turban on his head, (which would make him look like a Muslim), the Donald has this huge pile of hair on his head. Could the pile of hair conceal donkey ears? Only The Donald’s barber knows for sure. Maybe his barber has whispered The Donald’s secret into a fracking well in Oklahoma. It’s a hair-raising possibility. Only the results of the electoral college will know for sure.

     


  •     Dear EarthTalk: With all the talk of rising seas, what could happen to the rivers that flow into the oceans? Will they reverse flow? Will rising seas back up into fresh water lakes? And what happens to our groundwater should saltwater flow backwards into it?  — Sandy Smith, Mich.

        The intrusion of saltwater from the sea into rivers and groundwater is a serious issue, but the threat is not from a reversal of flow, and our far inland lakes and rivers are not expected to be directly affected by the salty water of our oceans. However, the sensitive areas around the edges of our continents, where fresh water meets salt water, are at risk, and greater efforts must be taken to protect them. Some 40 percent of world population lives less than 40 miles (60 kilometers) from the shoreline.
        According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global average sea levels should rise eight to 34 inches by the year 2100, a much faster pace than the four to 10-inch increase of the past century. Seas rise because of higher global temperatures, melting mountain glaciers and polar ice caps and other factors. Higher temperatures also cause thermal expansion of ocean water, intensifying the problem.
        Rising sea levels cause major problems as they erode and flood coastlines and, yes, as they mix salt water with fresh. A November 2007 article in ScienceDaily posited that coastal communities could face significant losses in fresh water supplies as saltwater intrudes inland. And whereas it had been previously assumed that salty water could only intrude underground as far as it did above ground, new studies show that in some cases salt water can go 50 percent further inland underground than it does above ground.
        Salty water invading groundwater can reach not only residential water supplies but intakes for agricultural irrigation and industrial uses, as well. Economic effects include loss of coastal fisheries and other industries, coastal protection costs, and the loss of once-valuable coastal property as people move inland.
        Estuaries at the mouths of rivers have in the past handled rising ocean levels. Sediment that accumulates along the edge of an estuary can raise the level of the land as the sea levels rise. And mangrove swamps, which buffer many a coastal zone around the world, flourish in brackish conditions. But because of our preference for living in coastal areas, and our habit of re-engineering our surroundings accordingly, humans make matters worse by preventing natural processes from managing the change. On the coast, we build roads and buildings, and replace natural buffers like mangrove swamps with dikes and bulkheads to control flooding, which make the problem worse by preventing beach sediment from collecting. And as we dam rivers and create reservoirs, we trap the sediment that would naturally flow down to the sea.
        In some places, changes are happening. Governments are beginning to restrict or prohibit building in setback zones along the coast where risk of erosion is the greatest. A newer policy of “rolling easements” is also being tried, where developers are allowed to build in restricted zones but will be required to remove the structures if and when they become threatened by erosion. The IPCC recommends more drastic actions, such as creating more marshes and wetlands as buffers against the rising level of the sea, and migrating populations and industry away from coastlines altogether.
        CONTACTS: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, www.ipcc.ch.
        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.
  •    My heart leapt when I saw the results of a recent survey of American readers.
       The bad news is that too many of us do not read much of anything and actually ‘fessed up to reading no books, poems or plays whatsoever last year. The good news, though, is that after a two-decade or so decline in American reading, we are now on an upswing, however slight.
       As a girl who read books with a flashlight under the bedcovers until her mother caught her and as an adult who savors few joys more than a good novel, I wish I could convince everyone — especially young folks — that reading is both a learning tool and a profound pleasure. Chances are, since you picked up the Up and Coming Weekly and are reading this column, that you share my conviction.
       I am a founding member — the only one of three left — of a book club which took shape almost two decades ago at a holiday gathering for the Rape Crisis Volunteers of Cumberland County. We call it Funky Book Club, because that is what it is. Ours is a most eclectic group of people, both men and women, who might not encounter each other in any other context. Over the life of FBC, our members have included lawyers, homemakers, psychologists, business owners, teachers, engineers and nonprofit directors — each one an inquiring reader and unique and interesting human being.
       We love our books, and we love each other.
       Apparently, we are not typical.         
       {mosimage}A recent article in the New York Times made me realize how fortunate we FBC members are. According to the Times’ Joanne Kaufman, book clubs abound in the United States, and their numbers actually increase during tough economic times as inexpensive social outlets. Most book clubs are women only, the social descendants of sewing circles, and, increasingly, as in many other aspects of 21st century life, more and more are online book clubs where members never have to interact with each other in person.
       All that being said, not all book club members seem as compatible as the folks in FBC.  Kaufman reports that some book clubs can become so contentious over what books to read and related issues — Oprah picks or no Oprah picks, classics or pop lit, wine or no wine, terse and pithy comments vs. the club rambler — that a new occupation has been created. Esther Bushell of New York is one such facilitator and leads about a dozen suburban book groups for an impressive $250-300 per member, per year. I am confident in saying that FBC members would hoot at such a notion, but Bushell, like others in her field, are hired to keep long-winded and opinionated book clubbers under control without sparking World War III. Some book clubs may welcome such professional assistance, but FBC members have not been shy about squelching those among us who talk too much. We just talk even more until he or she gets the point and laughs. I have felt blessed to be part of FBC since its beginnings, and the Times piece has only reinforced that. Each member, past and present, has enriched us as individuals and as a group, and we miss those who have moved on — among them, one to become a New York attorney, several psychologists, a law professor, and a longtime        Fayetteville resident who sold her business and packed up for a new marriage in the wild west.     
       Together we have read and tried to help each other comprehend great works of literature from different times and faraway places, and we have obsessed about OJ Simpson and tried to help each other understand that and all its repercussions as well. We have watched movies to accompany our books. We have laughed together at every single meeting. We have shed the occasional tear and, rarely, shared the deep, dark secrets of our souls.
       Over the years, too, we have held hands over the death of a spouse, mourned life changes that took members away from this community, watched each other’s children grow up and move into their own lives, suffered through divorce and just last year attended a happy remarriage, celebrated job triumphs and commiserated over job woes, and have generally taken pleasure in each other’s company once a month for all these many years.      
       In these tough times when all of us are tightening our belts in many ways, very likely including our entertainment dollars, I am not surprised to learn that book clubs are booming. They offer social outlets and, if you are lucky, something to chew on intellectually. They can be as structured and as rule-driven as a group wants them to be, or they can be as freewheeling as Funky Book Club, whose only rule is that you do not have to have read the book to attend the meeting.   
       I certainly wish Esther Bushell well with her book club facilitating business in New York, but I do not think FBC will be needing her services any time soon.

    Contact Margaret Dickson at editor@upandcomingweekly.com

  • Carl Mitchell PhotoThe Better Business Bureau of Coastal Carolina announced last week that Mr. Carl Mitchell, a Fayetteville resident and longtime BBB board member, has been named the Chairman of its Board of Directors. Mitchell has served in various leadership positions with the BBB over the year, including Secretary and Chair-Elect. Mitchell is employed at Fayetteville Technical Community College where he serves as the college’s Vice President of Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness. He is very active in the Fayetteville community also serving as the Chairman of the Fayetteville Personnel Review Board, Board Secretary for the Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union and former Chairman of the Cumberland-Fayetteville Human Relations Commission. Mitchell is also a member of the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club.


    “Carl Mitchell’s commitment to the BBB’s mission of creating a community of trustworthy businesses and setting standards for marketplace trust, along with educating consumers and businesses, noting and celebrating marketplace role models has been a hallmark of his previous positions of trust on the BBB Board. The BBB staff and the Board of Directors were honored to have him accept his new role as our Chairman,” said BBB President Dr. John D’Ambrosio. He added, “Carl is the type of leader that calmly listens to others and has the unique ability to openly welcome suggestions, recommendations and counsel from others. He uses that information to make reasoned decisions. The BBB Board has long relied on his professional talents, calm demeanor and superb professional expertise. We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber and talents accept this leadership role as we continue our mission of marketplace trust. We look forward to supporting him as the new Board Chairman as we sustain a community of trustworthy businesses and organizations operating in our service region.”

     

    Former Cumberland County Commissioner and founder of Ed’s Tire, Ed Melvin, has spent over two decades serving on the BBB board of directors. His position was also elevated last week when they named him Chair-Elect for 2017. Melvin and Mitchell are long-time friends and business associates. “Carl Mitchell has our full support and dedication in assisting him with the great work of the BBB. This is the first time in the 30 year history of the Coastal Carolina BBB organization that they have elected both a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman from the Fayetteville/Cumberland County region. This is a great honor for me and for our community and one that is long overdue” said Melvin. “Carl Mitchell has the full respect, commitment and loyalty of his fellow Board members, and we look forward to working with him as our Chair. He will do great things for the businesses, organizations and consumers residing in the 15 counties served by the BBB.” He concluded.


    “It is an honor and privilege to serve my fellow BBB Board Members who represent the thousands of businesses and consumers across Coastal Carolina’s service area. I appreciate their trust and confidence in me. I will work to the best of my ability to provide the excellent and expected service honoring the long BBB history and tradition of building trust. It is my personal goal to encourage BBB accredited businesses, which serve consumers across our 15-county region, to professionally share their best practices with other businesses operating in our region. With a goal of continued improvement, we can all learn from one another. It will be the businesses and consumers who will be the recipients of those shared best practices. I feel privileged to work with such a great group of professionals who faithfully serve the businesses, organizations and consumers of the Coastal Carolina region. I look forward to the future and to the continued great work of the BBB” said Mitchell.


    The Coastal Carolina BBB is headquartered in Conway, S.C., and covers a region of 15 NC and SC counties to include: Cumberland, New Hanover, Pender, Robeson and Sampson, Counties Horry, Georgetown, Williamsburg, Dillion, Darlington, Florence and Marion Counties in South Carolina and Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus. Seventy-five percent of the BBB directors represent the private sector while the other twenty-five percent represent the public sector. Dr. John D’Ambrosio is the President and CEO of the Coastal Carolina BBB. Contact him at drjohn@coastalcarolina.bbb.org, or visit him at the BBB central office located at 1121 Third Ave., Conway, S.C.


    The BBB will hold its mid-year meeting Board in Fayetteville on May 25. The 2017 annual meeting for all accredited BBB member businesses in the Coastal Carolina Region will be held in November or early December in Conway/Myrtle Beach area (date TBA).

  • James PietrowskiA Max Abbott Middle School teacher collapsed while attending a faculty meeting at school January 24. James Pietrowski, 27, died after arriving at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. The cause of death was not disclosed. Pietrowski was a sixth-grade math and science teacher, said Cumberland County Schools spokeswoman Renarta Moyd. “Mr. Pietrowski was … loved and respected by the faculty and students alike,” Superintendent Frank Till said. The school system informed students and parents of his passing via an automated telephone message later in the day.


    Another Con Game Is Circulating
    Fayetteville Police are warning about the latest scam targeting local residents. Fraud detectives have received reports that a subject calls people informing them that he is a lieutenant with the Fayetteville Police Department. He tells those he calls that police have a warrant for their arrest and that they must pay fines. The caller then asks for personal information and payments. The caller may sound professional and very courteous as he asks for names, dates of birth and social security numbers. The FPD reminds citizens that the police will not call you to request personal information over the phone or solicit money. This is the latest version of a reoccurring scam, said a police news release.


    An Evening with Myrna Colley-Lee
    From original artwork by acclaimed visual artists to smooth jazz by Reggie Codrington to an exclusive costume showcase by Myrna Colley-Lee, a pioneer in the black theatre movement, this event promises a multi-disciplinary sensory experience. Tickets are $50 per person ($45 for Arts Council members). Proceeds help keep Arts Council exhibits free and open to the public. Seating is limited for this event. To purchase tickets by phone, call (910) 323-1776.

    Annual Cumberland County Job Fair
    Local employers are invited to participate in an upcoming Cumberland County Department of Social Services March to Work Job Fair. It will be held on March 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crown Expo Center. The annual job fair traditionally attracts over 2,000 qualified job seekers and approximately 100 employers. The job fair provides companies to sign new employees. Job readiness experts will be available to review resumes for job seekers. Services will also include resume writing assistance, job interview tips as well as information about job opportunities for youth, older adults, veterans and people with disabilities.

  • Crime Scene TapeFayetteville saw a dramatic 30 percent increase in violent crime last year while property crimes declined for the fourth year in a row. Increases in murders and aggravated assaults in Fayetteville mirror a national trend, said Interim Police Chief Anthony Kelly. The city recorded an all-time high in annual homicides in 2016, 31. In 2015 there were 19 murders. All the cases have been cleared with arrests. “We struggle with the violence every day,” the chief said. Homicides in the African American community are personal for Kelly. He attributes black-on-black crime to “risky lifestyles and societal issues such as poverty and unemployment.”


    Kelly’s annual report included demographic data showing that 85 percent of the perpetrators in the city’s 31 violent deaths were black. They were not random killings for the most part. Twenty-seven of the 29 murder cases were crimes among acquaintances. There were two double homicides in 2016. Rape cases were up 42 percent and aggravated assaults increased by 53 percent last year. Kelly pointed out that throwing a pencil at someone is categorized as an aggravated assault. “Law enforcement shoulders more than its share of responsibility for coping with a society of broken homes and lack of jobs” that the greater community should play a role in fixing, Kelly added.


    Robberies went down 15 percent and virtually all property crimes also saw decreases. Burglaries and larcenies have been on the decline since 2013. Six hundred thirty-five motor vehicles were stolen in 2013. Last year, that number was reduced to 392. The FPD has engaged in a public awareness campaign in recent years, encouraging residents not to leave their cars unlocked. The chief reassured officials that there’s an upside to the war on crime locally. “There’s no leadership structure and no organized gang activity,” which is often the case in large urban areas.


    Kelly also reported on vehicle crashes: There were 109 auto accidents last year, which included 21 fatalities. Five young people were killed in a single crash, making it the worst motor vehicle accident in Fayetteville in recent memory. In the last few years the FPD has kept close track of citizen complaints and compliments. Complaints have been on the decline while compliments have increased. The department’s internal affairs unit took 28 complaints last year compared with 56 in 2015 and 62 the year before that. Officers received 87 compliments in 2016 compared with 65 in 2015, the first year records were kept.


    Chief Kelly is a career lawman having served with the Fayetteville Police Department for 22 years. He has not said whether he will seek the chief’s position on a permanent basis. City Manager Doug Hewett just last week told city council he intends to launch a nationwide search for a successor to recently retired Chief Harold Medlock. In Fayetteville, the police chief is hired by the city manager. Following Kelly’s presentation to city council, he received praise and support from most members of the body.

  • UCW012517Very soon, future medical residents will benefit from a local collaboration that’s been years in the making.


    Over six years ago, an issue was brought to light within the Cape Fear Valley Hospital System. It needed more residents. Local politicians, civic leaders and those with a vision for our community worked hard to establish a viable solution through the residency program within Campbell University’s medical school.

    It was a no-brainer for Cape Fear Valley Health System’s CEO Michael Nagowski. The hospital wanted to develop residencies and Campbell University wanted to develop medical students. The partnership benefits many in our surrounding community from the underserved patients needing care in the region to medical students to the University and to our community.

    With former experience as the president of Buffalo General Hospital, Nagowski was no stranger to drawing in over 400 residents in the successful residency training facility in collaboration with the University of Buffalo. He was the man to bring the local vision to fruition.


    The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute produces health outcome rankings by county across the United States. As expected, Orange, Durham and Wake counties with the state’s largest academic medical centers rank near the top for health outcomes. Cumberland County is ranked 73 out of 100 counties. Robeson and Bladen counties drop even lower.

    “All of the counties around us that feed into CFVHS are underserved,” said Representative John Szoka, a key executor on the collaboration. “There aren’t enough doctors for the people in Bladen, Robeson and Sampson counties.”


    Given the fine academic medical centers in North Carolina, it was shocking to learn that even though schools are producing a large number of physicians in our state, generally around 25 percent of our counties do not have an obstetrician, a general surgeon, a pediatrician or psychiatrist. “A quarter of our counties don’t have core services,” said Nagowski. “Some of the most basic kinds of physicians that you need.”

    The economic impact that will benefit these underserved regions in our community is huge during a time when there is a recognizable physician shortage in southeastern North Carolina. “The data in studies show that the majority of residents stay within a 50-mile radius of their residency location,” said Nagowski. “When you are somewhere for 10 years, that’s home.”


    We’ve already seen this happen successfully in our city and state with graduates of Campbell University’s law program. Data shows that 90 percent of graduating lawyers from Campbell practice in rural areas.


    “Campbell has a strong commitment to excellence and they have built a superb law school that attracts great students and professors. The result has been an enormous impact on the legal profession in Cumberland County and throughout North Carolina,” said Representative Billy Richardson.

    “Campbell University has the same commitment to excellence with this program. The result of which will be highly skilled doctors and medical professionals for Cumberland County and the region.”


    Economic Impact
    The residents’ average starting salary is around $50,000 a year upon graduation, plus benefits. “We are chasing 350 new, well-paying, benefitted jobs,” explained Nagowski. “We believe this is at least $30 million a year of graduate education funding.”


    The groundwork is laid; 157 positions are already approved. To put it in perspective, for a general surgeon, it is a five-year program that will produce 20 residents. Each year, there will be four students in that year group’s pipeline. Although the residency program is in the nascent stages, program organizers are actively working on the next wave. As far as timelines, state funding was received and the residency infrastructure development is happening now.

    “These new jobs will be, quality, high-paying jobs, not to mention the support jobs and medical devices and tests they will attract along with the countless professors and mentors,” said Rep. Richardson. “This will bring numerous professionals who will be there to support the students ranging from nurses to x-ray technicians to professors.”


    Program organizers have conducted over 200 interviews with fourth-year medical students from around the country from which the first class will be selected. This February, ‘the match’ occurs for the residents where they rank CFVHS in their order of desire in a national databank. Then the outcomes are released for the next week’s phase, ‘the scramble’ where the students and hospitals finalize decisions. “By the end of March, we’ll know who our first class is,” said Nagowski. “The great news for us is that we are only interviewing medical students in the top 50 percent of their class, we are going to set the standards very high.” The residencies begin in July.


    Health care and reimbursements can be confusing. For Medicare and Medicaid, Cape Fear Valley was categorized as an urban hospital that brings in higher reimbursements, but the issue is that a new residency program cannot be stood up while CFVHS operates under the urban designation. By choosing to go to a rural status, the classification was changed.


    Since CFVHS falls into a rural regional referral center, meaning it takes care of a rural area, it met the exception to policy and could launch this new residency program after being reclassified as a rural health system.

    Look for legislative relief through Rep. Szoka and Senator Wesley Meredith, they let the federal government know the designation was changed along with securing a $7 million appropriation for the program. Not an easy task. Over the past six years, the state has agreed to fund the $7.7 million and Campbell University funded $3 million.


    “The benefit to the state is huge,” said Rep. Szoka. How they sold it is that CFVHS is filling an unmet need. There are 350 doctors in the program in specialties where there are shortages in North Carolina.


    CFVHS worked with Campbell University to get the funding through the legislature, Rep. Szoka took the House, and Sen. Meredith took the Senate, convincing them of the fact that the economic impact doesn’t just benefit Fayetteville, but the entire region of southeastern North Carolina.


    “The economic impact of this is tens of millions of dollars every year,” said Rep. Szoka. “Not just in direct salaries, but every time you spend a dollar, 70 percent of it stays in the local area, and you get the velocity of money going around. All of a sudden, it’s worth a $60 million a year benefit.”


    Not only is Fayetteville a desirable place to live, work and play, collaborations like this make both the hospital system and universities more marketable.
    “It will be very much a symbiotic relationship with the residents benefiting from the City of Fayetteville as much as our city will benefit from them. The unique demographics of Fayetteville and Cumberland County will enhance the residents’ encounters as they gain experience in treating a broad range of health issues and emergencies,” said Sen. Meredith. “The citizens of Fayetteville will benefit from the infusion of high-quality health care providers. And, of course, Fayetteville’s history, heroes, and a hometown feeling will encourage these doctors to remain in our community, making Fayetteville their permanent home.”


    There are many facets to this story and how this successful program is going to impact local health care and the quality of life in our community. This is cooperation, collaboration and leadership at its best. Next month, we’ll keep you informed in this three-part series featuring more updates, interviews and insights provided by CFVHS staff and management. And finally, in March, we’ll provide a snapshot of the Campbell University students selected from the first residency class.

  • suicide prevention lifelineAs your community paper, it is an honor to share the many good things in the community and to also speak frankly about the serious issues our community faces. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing news about exciting changes coming to Up & Coming Weekly. This week, though, Dr. Shanessa Fenner weighs in on an important topic: suicide prevention. It’s a serious issue, one that our publisher, Bill Bowman considers worthy of this space.
    Stephanie Crider, Associate Publisher

    The struggle is real. I remember it like it was yesterday. My phone rang and a good friend was on the other end. She told me she wanted to kill herself. I immediately began talking to her and praying at the same time. It was scary but the right words came out of my mouth at the right time. I am so glad I answered the phone. Nearly 43,000 Americans die by suicide every year.
    Feb. 5 – 11 is Cumberland County Schools’ Suicide Prevention Week.


    “We want to raise awareness to a topic that is considered taboo and a lot of people do not like to talk about it, but the irony of that is the easiest way to save someone’s life is to ask and show that you care,” said Dr. Natasha Scott, executive director of student services for Cumberland County Schools. “It is okay to ask someone who is thinking about killing themselves if they are okay. And if you are thinking about suicide yourself, it is okay to ask for help.” Scott added this is one of the best interventions for helping someone who may be suicidal.


    “Feb. 8 has been designated as Suicide Awareness Day and we are asking everyone to wear the colors purple and turquoise,” said Scott. “Those are the national colors for suicide prevention, so we are asking people to wear these colors and take a selfie holding a sign saying, 'It is okay to ask for help.'” Scott added that they are going to use all of the photos to create a photo gallery.


    This is another way to share valuable information on CCS’ webpage in a neat way and continue to promote the theme. Business leaders, community leaders, educators, parents and students are asked to participate in this initiative.


    Cumberland County’s district office has planned training for all of the principals and central service staff on how to recognize the signs of suicide and to know when and how to get help. Some of the signs that may indicate a person is considering suicide include giving away important possessions, doing poorly in school, not wanting to do things they used to love to do, having an unusual interest in death or violence, a change in friendships, being bullied, mood swings or a change in personality, a change in eating and sleeping habits and a struggle with gender identity. “There is a myth that if you talk about suicide it will put the idea in someone’s head and that someone who was not thinking about suicide may become suicidal because you asked,” said Scott. “This is a myth and always pay attention to the people that are around you because you never know what is going on with them and it is okay to ask.”


    For more information call 678-2433. If you know someone or if you are contemplating suicide please call 1 (800) 273-8255.

  • CivilWarHistoryCenterLocal governments have endorsed and committed funding for the North Carolina Civil War History Center proposed for Fayetteville. Cumberland County Commissioners joined Fayetteville City Council in adopting formal resolutions in support of the proposed $65 million branch of the state Museum of History. The city and county agreed to provide $7.5 million each if the state legislature and Governor Roy Cooper approve an appropriation of $30 million from the state. Rep. Billy Richardson (D-Cumberland) is optimistic the funds will be included in the governor’s budget. State Sen. Wesley Meredith (R-Cumberland) says he believes the Senate will favorably consider funding the history center. The History Center Foundation budget asks the state for $30 million. The rest of the money would be raised statewide in private contributions. Foundation President Mac Healy says $6.5 million has already been pledged locally. The facility would be built on the site of the historic Fayetteville Arsenal in Old Haymount.


    City Council endorsed the project late last year. Commissioners were asked by the foundation to make a commitment in September. They had not publicly discussed the matter since then, but adopted their resolution of support and funding last week without comment. Their vote was unanimous. Once built, the center would become a state-owned branch of the North Carolina Division of History. Neither city nor county taxpayers will pay to operate it. Healy notes the history center will be the first of its kind in the nation. It will examine the antebellum period, the impact of the Civil War and reconstruction. He describes the center as an education facility, not a museum. “It will deal honestly and factually with the entire period and will examine the events and impacts of this tragic time in our history on all who lived through it,” Healy said. City Councilman Chalmers McDougald says that can’t be emphasized too much to allay concerns of African Americans. Here’s one of the stories from the Civil War Center Foundation’s historic research:
    Henry Lawson Wright was only 19 when he left his home in Tarboro to go off to war with the Edgecombe Guards. Henry was one of 88 privates in the Edgecombe unit. It had nine noncoms and four commissioned officers. This group became Company A of the First Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers. On June 10, 1861, the First North Carolina was in Virginia near a place called Big Bethel Church, not far from Hampton. That’s where the war began for Henry. His unit got into a skirmish with a group of Massachusetts troops. On the battlefield was a house. Inside were some of those Massachusetts soldiers. An officer decided it would be a good idea to burn them out. So, on that Monday morning in 1861, Private Henry Lawson Wyatt and four comrades crossed a field to burn the house.


    It isn’t known how far Henry advanced or what his thoughts were as he and his comrades undertook their mission. None of it really matters anymore. What matters is that shots were fired from somewhere along the Federal line. What matters more is that one of those shots slammed into the head of Henry Lawson Wyatt. The Battle of Bethel Church ended after about two hours, and the Federals retreated. Henry never opened his eyes again. He died that night. He was the battle’s only Confederate fatality and was the first soldier from North Carolina who died in combat. Thirty-five thousand North Carolinians followed over the next four years.

  • Sales Tax Image“We need to send a clear message to the county that we won’t be caught flat-footed again,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Colvin. That was a year ago when City Council begrudgingly agreed to a temporary sales tax revenue distribution method. In North Carolina, county governments have the authority to divvy up sales tax money to cities and towns. They must use one of two methods stipulated by the state; per capita population or ad valorem property basis. The population method currently in use tends to favor the City of Fayetteville and towns.


    But there’s a caveat that Mayor Nat Robertson wants done away with. The city agreed in 2004 to rebate 50 percent of new city sales taxes collected in the big bang annexation area. About 46,000 residents on the west side of the county were taken into the city, significantly increasing sales tax collections for the city. Over time, the city has refunded about $65 million, mostly to county government, with smaller amounts going to the towns. Robertson wants to phase out the rebates over the next 14 years. Under his plan, if county commissioners were to agree to it, the 50 percent revenue refund would be reduced by 10 percent a year over 14 years, after which the city would no longer rebate any tax receipts. “We just want them to do the right thing,” Robertson said.


    In January of last year, county commissioners began talking about possibly changing the formula. The county threatened to adopt the other distribution method, which doles out revenue by tax district. That would benefit the county and financially hurt the city and towns. “It would be political suicide” for commissioners to make any changes,” Colvin said, noting that most of the county’s voters live in Fayetteville and the small towns. Commissioners and City Council members agreed to a truce for three years, with the condition that the boards begin new negotiations this month.


    County Commission Chairman Glenn Adams is suggesting that a joint committee of local government officials meet to hash out a new deal. It would go into effect in July, 2019. His idea is that a small group of six elected officials, including two from Fayetteville, one each from Hope Mills and Spring Lake and two members representing the county’s small towns come together to begin negotiations. Adams hasn’t said how many commissioners would join in the discussions, but he hinted at three. Fayetteville decided instead to place four of its councilmen on the committee. “The problem is they would have more members on the committee than we would,” Adams said. “Clearly four is not going to work. It’s just a working committee, and it’s only about coming up with proposals,” he added.


    “It’s a great opportunity for compromise,” Councilwoman Kathy Jensen said. “If they don’t want to compromise, we’ll figure it out,” she added.

  • news digestThe Cumberland County Tax Administration Office reminds residents that the deadline for the 2017 annual property tax listing period is Tuesday, Jan. 31. Listing forms must be updated, signed, returned and postmarked no later than Jan. 31 to avoid the 10 percent late listing penalty. Listing forms may be obtained online at co.cumberland.nc.us/tax.aspx or in person at the Tax Administration Office on the 5th floor of the Courthouse, 117 Dick St. Listing forms should be mailed or hand delivered to Tax Administration, P.O. Box 449, Fayetteville, NC 28302.

    FTCC Wins Again
    Fayetteville Technical Community College has been named a Top Ten Gold Military Friendly School for 2017, (https://militaryfriendly.com). For more than a decade, military friendly ratings have set the standard for companies and colleges that demonstrate positive employment and education outcomes for veterans and their families. This year, 154 employers and 541 schools have been recognized for excellence in different categories, highlighting not only “Are you military friendly?” but “How military friendly are you?” Institutions earning the Military Friendly School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from the company’s proprietary survey. “All of our Military Friendly award recipients set the standard for excellence,” said Daniel Nichols, chief product officer of Military Friendly development. “They offer exceptional examples of what it means not just to build a program that meets federal requirements, but one that serves the military and veteran community from classrooms to careers.”

    PWC Hires New Executive
    Jon Rynne has been named Chief Operating Officer of Electric Systems for the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. Rynne served as director of utilities in New Bern for five years. He replaces Reggie Wallace who retired December 30, after a 22-year career at PWC. In New Bern, Rynne managed the city’s electric, water and sewer utilities, which served 21,500 electric customers and 15,000 water and sewer customers. Rynne is a licensed professional engineer. He earned his electrical engineering degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

    Radon Test Kits Available
    Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas caused by the decay of naturally-occurring radium in the earth. It’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Cumberland County Health Department is giving away free short-term radon test kits while the supply lasts. This is National Radon Action Month. The kits are designed to test homes for radon gas and show residents how to lower radon levels. The kits are available at the Public Health Center at 1235 Ramsey St. during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p. m. weekdays. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is providing the kits to local health departments.

  • povertyIt appears that Cumberland County Commissioners and Fayetteville City Council members are about to take on fighting poverty as a priority in the year ahead, and beyond. Local government and school board members often refer to budgetary needs not being met because ours is a “low wealth community.” Councilman Kirk deViere says his wake-up call came when he began campaigning for the District 2 council seat he now holds. The district is comprised of some of the poorest and wealthiest neighborhoods in Fayetteville. He found that three of the city’s six economically distressed census tracts are in District 2.
    Coincidentally, newly-named County Commission Chairman Glenn Adams also acknowledged poverty in Cumberland County during his acceptance speech in early December. He said it’s important for the board “to discuss and bring action to the issue of poverty because poverty involves everyone’s lives. This issue must be addressed head-on in the next year; we cannot and will not be afraid to be a great community,” he declared.
    The census tracts deViere represents that are among the poorest in Fayetteville include Massey Hill, Downtown/Hillsboro Street and Old Wilmington Road. District 2 also includes parts of Haymount and the “gold coast” near Highland Country Club. In a report to City Council deViere identified five major indicators of wealth or the lack of it: Segregation, income inequality, school quality, social capital and family structure.
    Using census data, he found that one in four Fayetteville residents lives in poverty. Annual income of $24,300 is the poverty level for a family of four. The 2016 federal poverty level is used to calculate eligibility for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. DeViere found that Cumberland County is dead last among the U.S. 100 largest economic centers in earnings potential for children growing up in poverty; that single mothers represent 67.5 percent of local residents living below the poverty line; that 23.6 percent of impoverished residents are African American; 20.5 percent are Hispanic. “When we take action to change economic inequalities, we will change lives,” deViere said. Following a 15-minute presentation to City Council, his colleagues voted unanimously to begin the process of learning more about aligning the community to address poverty.
    Adams contends that as the issue of poverty is discussed, the murder rate in our community must also be addressed. The City of Fayetteville recorded the highest number of homicides in its history last year, 31. Eighty-seven individuals charged with murder are awaiting trial in the county jail “and a large number of those are black men killing black men,” Adams noted. “We cannot put our heads in the sand and act like this is not a problem,” he said in his Dec. 5 address.
    Both officials recognize that coming to grips with poverty will make Fayetteville and Cumberland County a more desirable place for youth to stay, local college graduates to return home and make the community more attractive to business and entrepreneurs. DeViere calls the process “pathways for prosperity.”

  • managing financesIt’s not often that Fayetteville is discussed in the same context with New York and Chicago. The Big Apple and the Windy City rank at the bottom of a new analysis of municipal fiscal strength, while Fayetteville is near the top. The Fiscal Times report of the financial health of 116 U.S. cities with populations over 200,000 was based primarily on data from 2015 financial reports issued by the cities themselves. The Fiscal Times is a digital news analysis and opinion publication based in New York City and Washington, D.C. It says it focuses on how fiscal policy affects business and consumers and how business and consumer behavior influences government fiscal policy.
    Chicago’s has a large amount of outstanding debt and underfunded pension plans. New York City also carries a very heavy debt burden. The city’s comptroller reports that new York’s per capita debt greatly exceeds that of all other large U.S. cities, and is even 50 percent higher than that of Chicago. Six of the top 10 cities were in California, led by Irvine which scored a perfect 100. The Fiscal Times gave Fayetteville a score of 89, ranking the city 8th best in the nation. “It’s because of our strong fiscal health, we are able to look at future economic development projects like the downtown stadium,” said Mayor Nat Robertson. “To maintain our solid fiscal policy, we not only keep an eye on what we spend, we spend it like it was our own money,” he added.
    Five other North Carolina cities had scores of 70 or above. Durham came in as 13th. Greensboro was 21st. Charlotte and Raleigh were 56th and 57th respectively, and Winston Salem ranked 64th. The online news service said any score higher than 70 could reasonably be interpreted as a level of fiscal health sufficient to justify a AAA credit rating, the highest possible. “We are very pleased to be recognized nationally, and also with the highest ranking in the state,” said Cheryl Spivey, the city’s Chief Financial Officer. This “is an indicator of how well-managed our funds are,” she added.
    The City of Fayetteville has been recognized consistently for its management of financial affairs. It received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for fiscal year 2016 and Certificates of Excellence in Financial Reporting for Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports for fiscal years 2006 through 2015. State and local governments that receive over $750,000 in federal funds are required to file audited financial statements no later than nine months after their fiscal year end. Federal government financial accounting procedures also require cities to report all long-term obligations.
    The Fiscal Times weighted scoring system is based on a 100-point scale, using five factors: Here are the details of Fayetteville’s fiscal health:

    General Fund Balance as a Percentage of General Fund Expenditures 47.42 percent.
    Long Term Obligations as a Percentage of Total Revenues 71.61 percent
    Actuarially Required Pension Contributions as a Percentage of Total Revenues 2.16 percent
    Change in Unemployment Rate 0.20 percent
    Change in Home Prices -2.23 percent
    Fiscal Health Score 89
    Implied Bond Ratin gAAA

    The analysis was authored by Marc Joffe, Director of Policy Research for the California Policy Center. He has written for the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, the Reason Foundation and the Haas Institute at UC Berkeley. Previously, he was a senior director at Moody’s Analytics.

  • Mario McNeillThe early January snow storm disrupted scheduled oral arguments before the North Carolina Supreme Court. Mario McNeill’s lawyers were to ask that his convictions for the 2009 rape and murder of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis be thrown out. The cases set for review this month were carried over to mid-February. McNeill’s hearing has not been reset. McNeill, 36, was convicted by a Cumberland County Superior Court jury in May 2013 and sentenced to death by the same jury. The little girl was reported missing from her Fayetteville home by her mother, Antoinette Davis. Davis sold Shaniya to McNeill to pay off a $200 debt. She was sentenced to serve at least 17 years in prison for second-degree murder, human trafficking of a minor and other charges.
    Volunteer searchers eventually found the child’s body in a wooded area off N.C. Highway 87 near the Lee-Harnett County line. Searchers and their dogs had passed by the area without finding the girl’s remains until McNeill’s lawyers told police where to look. And that’s the crux of his new attorney’s appeal, reports the Associated Press. The lawyers contend his conviction was all but assured when McNeill’s lawyers told authorities where to find Shaniya’s body, the hope being that prosecutors would go easier on him. McNeill professed his innocence... insisting that he did not kill the child. At trial, he told judge Jim Ammons that he didn’t want anyone to speak on his behalf during his sentencing. Saying he fully understood that he could be sentenced to death, McNeill said, “My goal was freedom. I lost my freedom. What does it matter after that?” He presented no defense during his 12-day trial. Ammons said “You understand you are completely and totally tying your lawyers’ hands?” Defense attorney Terry Alford said McNeill instructed him not to participate in the sentencing hearing or offer any closing. District Attorney Billy West pressed the case without concessions and McNeill was convicted of first degree murder, kidnapping, rape, human trafficking of a minor, sexual servitude of a minor and taking indecent liberties with a child.
    Jurors took two days to determine his guilt, handing down the death sentence. The jury deliberated less than 40 minutes before deciding that McNeill should die for suffocating the 5-year-old. “I submit to you, without hesitation, that the only punishment appropriate in this case – for these crimes – is the death penalty,” Assistant District Attorney Robby Hicks said in his closing argument. Under North Carolina law, a jury’s unanimous decision is binding on the presiding judge.
    The Supreme Court could throw out McNeil’s conviction on the grounds his initial legal assistance was ineffective and ruined his claim of innocence, McNeill’s lawyers said. North Carolina hasn’t executed any of the 150 convicted killers on death row because of various legal challenges. Condemned killers get automatic reviews of their cases by the state Supreme Court

  • tough as they come coverSylvester Stallone and Adam Driver have committed to star in a planned feature film on the life of retired 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper Staff Sgt. Travis Mills. He lost his legs and arms to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He’s already authored a best-selling book and is the subject of a film documentary which chronicled his 2012 combat injuries and nearly two years of recovery and rehabilitation. SSgt. Mills is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries. The movie will reportedly share its title with Mills’ memoir entitled As Tough as They Come” Driver, best known for his role as the villain Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is a Marine veteran. The Army Times says he reportedly will play the part of Mills, while Stallone will direct and play Mills’ father-in-law. Twentieth Century Fox has reportedly been approached per a report in Deadline.com. IMDb.com lists the film as a 2018 release. Since leaving service, Mills started a charitable foundation, has given motivational speeches and parachuted with the Army Golden Knights.

    Property Revaluation Results Delayed
    Cumberland County Manager Amy Cannon says the schedule for announcing the 2017 property revaluation results has been delayed until next month. Tax values were to have been made public on January 17, said spokeswoman Sally Shutt. “Tax Administrator Joe Utley will present the information at the County Commissioners’ Finance Committee meeting on Feb. 2,” said Chairman Glen Adams. Property owners should begin receiving revaluation notices beginning that day, Adams added. Hurricane Matthew prompted the delay. Tax appraisers had the added task of damage assessment of affected properties caused by the hurricane


    Police Colleagues Cross Paths
    Former Assistant Fayetteville Police Chief Charles Kimble has succeeded Troy McDuffie as Spring Lake Chief of Police. Kimble, 47, has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years. He spent most of that time with Fayetteville Police Department. Kimble ran unsuccessfully for sheriff, and most recently headed up police and security services at Fayetteville State University. Chief Kimble is a native of Milwaukee where he first got involved in police work. He takes over a police force comprised of 34 sworn officers. Kimble’s hope is that relationships he has developed will benefit his new command. “It’s easier to call for help from other agencies when you know the people involved,” he said. McDuffie, 53, retired at the end of last year. He spent 30 years in law enforcement, much of that time with the Fayetteville Police Department. He’d been with Spring Lake Police for the last seven years.

    Soldier’s Death Probed
    An 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper died at his home in Fayetteville, Jan. 6. City police are investigating the death of Private First Class Andrew C. Berg, 27, of Waterford, Mich. He was a combat medic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. “There does not appear to be any sign of foul play regarding the death, and the body was sent to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Raleigh for an autopsy,” said Police Lt. Todd Joyce. “There is evidence that points in the direction that the death may be an overdose,” Joyce added. Officers responded to the soldier’s apartment for a well-being check after his sergeant was unable to establish contact. Berg had been in the Army about a year and a half.

    Bragg Mutual’s New Office
    Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union has opened a full-service branch in Spring Lake. Bragg Mutual was founded in Fayetteville in 1952, originally to serve the civilian workforce at Fort Bragg. It also provides credit union services for employees of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Cape Fear Valley Health System and Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission among others, said President Eileen Donovan. The new branch is located next to the Spring Lake Post Office at 219 N. Main Street.

  •  cover

    “The Negro needs the white man to free him from his fears. The white man needs the Negro to free him from his guilt.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

    Martin Luther King Jr. stood for equality and peace for African-Americans and the socially disadvantaged. The local community honors his legacy annually and will continue to have the faith that we can unite as one and cultivate better relationships with one another. The Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council presents the 24th annual MLK Prayer Breakfast and the 60th anniversary of service to the community on Monday, Jan. 16, at 8 a.m. at the Crown Exhibition Center.


    “What will be prominent at the breakfast and the worship service is this is our 60th year of service to the community and we believe that it is a milestone that is worthy and I think it will be a surprise that we have existed as an organization that long,” said Dr. Maxie Dobson, vice president of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council. “It is also special to take a moment and reflect as to why we have the great gathering that we do each year and to acknowledge the benefits we still enjoy because of a great person, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Dobson added that the breakfast is sponsored annually by 75 percent of recurring sponsors and that speaks to the recognition that the community at large has for this event.


    The theme of this year is to highlight the 60 years of service the Ministerial Council has given to the community. As for their service 60 years ago versus now, the areas of engagement differ. “I’ve heard stories about the Ministerial Council being very much involved in the Civil Rights movement many years ago,” said Dobson. “I think the Ministerial Council is looked upon, in terms of the face of community, the organization to come to if there is a response needed from the community on some particular subject matter because we still have that kind of statute.”


    The program entails singing, posting of the colors by students and a keynote speaker. The keynote speaker of the MLK breakfast is Dr. Otis McMillan, director of Bureau of World Evangelism A. M. E. Zion. There will be a worship service on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 5 p.m. at Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with host pastor Dr. Christoppher Stackhouse. The keynote speaker for the MLK worship service is Dr. Cureton Johnson of First Missionary Baptist Church. “One of the special things that is made possible each year is the ten $1,000 scholarships that we give to high school seniors that are planning on going to college,” said Dobson. “We are able to do this annually because of the community watch support.” Dobson added this is another component of the event that the community at large can appreciate and it will be highlighted at the breakfast.

    “I believe we are the biggest gathering for this event in the state,” said Dobson. “We look forward to seeing everyone at the event.” Tickets are $20 in advance and $23 at the door. For more information call 624-7785.

    Other local events to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
    Spring Lake’s Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast at Spring Lake Community Center. Jan.13, 8 a.m. 
    MLK Parade Downtown Fayetteville (will start at MLK Park). Jan. 14. 12 – 1 p.m. 
    MLK Birthday Commemoration. Jan. 16. 11:30 a.m. Iron Mike Conference Center on Fort Bragg

    Martin Luther King Holiday Timeline

    1968 Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Rep. John Conyers introduces legislation for federal holiday to commemorate King.

    1973 Illinois is first state to adopt MLK Day as a state holiday.

    1983 Congress passes legislation creating Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

    1986 Federal Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday goes into effect.

    1987 Arizona governor Evan Mecham rescinds MLK Day as his first act in office, setting off a boycott of the state.

    1989 State MLK holiday adopted in 44 states.

    1991 The NFL moves the 1993 Super Bowl site from Phoenix, Arizona to Pasedena, California because of the MLK Day boycott.

    1992 Arizona citizens vote to enact MLK Day.

    1993 For the first time, MLK Day is held in some form in all 50 states.

    1999 New Hampshire becomes the last state to adopt MLK Day as a paid state holiday replacing its optional Civil Rights Day.

    2000 Utah becomes the last state to recognize MLK Day by name renaming its Human Rights Day state holiday to Martin Luther King, Jr Day. 

    South Carolina becomes the last state to make MLK Day a paid holiday for all state
    employees. Until now, employees could choose between celebrating it or one of three Confederate-related holidays.

  • factoryGreater Fayetteville has seen a remarkable reversal in population growth over the last 50 years. Cumberland County’s population exploded in the post-World War II years. The government said its 43 percent increase in the 1960s was the largest in any of North Carolina’s 100 counties. Construction was fast-paced as shopping developments and suburban residential subdivisions began to spread outside the Fayetteville city limits toward Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. During the industrial development heyday of the 1970s, Cumberland County was reputed to be the third fastest growing community in the southeastern United States. Manufacturers including Kelly Springfield Tire Company, Black & Decker Power Tools, Fasco Industries, Purolator Auto Filters, Texfi Industries, Rohm & Hass and Monsanto made multi-million-dollar plant investments in Cumberland County. They employed thousands of residents with high paying jobs. More recently, Maidenform and Walmart opened large distribution facilities.


    Forty years later, Kelly Springfield was absorbed by its parent company Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Texfi went out of business, Black & Decker was closed and its hundreds of jobs went to Mexico, where the company opened a new plant. Purolator was sold to new owners and still employs a small workforce. Rohm & Hass and Monsanto are no more. Maidenform closed its distribution center in 2014. Thankfully, Walmart’s new distribution plant is still with us. Over the last 25 years, industrial and population growth have been stagnant, and in the last five years virtually non-existent, according to updated data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

    In 2005, Congress passed the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Act, resulting in several new commands relocating to Fort Bragg. These include the U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) and U.S. Army Reserve Command, both of which moved from Fort McPherson, Georgia. Local officials projected a significant population shot in the arm. More than 30,000 people, including field grade officers and Army civilians, were expected to relocate to the area with their families. It didn’t work out that way. Neighboring counties of Hoke, Moore and Harnett gained the Georgia transplants to a significantly larger degree than Cumberland.

    When examining data from the 2010 Census and Census Bureau estimates from 2015, North Carolina counties have seen significant increases and decreases. The largest percentages of growth were recorded in the southern and central regions of the state. Brunswick County, the southernmost North Carolina county, grew by 13.48 percent, the largest rate of growth during the five-year period. Cumberland County and counties to the east and south either lost population or showed no growth. Cumberland had the smallest rate of growth of all the metropolitan areas of the state at 1.15 percent. The 2015 population estimate is 323,838, making it the fifth largest county in North Carolina.


    Cynics in county government say the upside to zero population growth is no need for more schools, better roads or other new infrastructure. What they don’t like to talk about is taxes. Property values have gone down too. Greater Fayetteville hasn’t made a financial comeback as other communities have since the great recession of 2008, County Manager Amy Cannon observed in her budget message to county commissioners last spring. This year is an ad valorem property tax revaluation year. Taxable property values won’t be known until Jan. 16 when they’ll be released by Tax Administrator Joe Utley, said county spokeswoman Sally Shutt.

  • Fayetteville VA Med CtrThe Department of Veterans Affairs is in for a radical transformation if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on campaign promises to shake up the bureaucracy. Military veterans and their caregivers will watch closely in the year ahead to see how Trump moves on the plan he introduced during the presidential campaign, pledging “no more waiting backlogs” and “no more excessive red tape.” Some of the promises seem relatively easy to implement and monitor. Trump wants a commission to look into “all the fraud, cover-ups and wrongdoing that has taken place in the VA,” something he should be able to establish early next year. But most of his proposed changes will not be easy.


    Trump wants Congress to pass legislation allowing VA officials to quickly fire misbehaving employees and rescind bonuses for others. Those proposals are likely to run afoul of federal workers’ unions and possibly the courts, as similar moves in the past have been struck down by judges. Trump has promised to increase the number of mental health care professionals at VA, something that President Barack Obama has struggled with in recent years because of shortages of specialists.


    In an October essay in the New England Journal of Medicine, two leading members of a blue-ribbon commission charged with evaluating consultant assessments suggested that Veterans Health Administration primary care could be spun off to the private sector. Gail Wilensky, a former head of Medicare, and physician Brett Giroir wrote that the VHA’s model of providing “comprehensive care” to veterans could be shifted to one focused on specialized care like treatment of traumatic brain injuries, audiology, optometry or mental health services. RAND reported VA patients get care that is often higher quality than that in the private sector. The VA has developed into the only nationwide fully-integrated healthcare system in the United States.

    A study published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that men with heart failure, heart attacks or pneumonia were less likely to die if treated at a VHA hospital rather than non-VHA hospital. Integration affords veterans a level of care unavailable to most Americans. The treatment veterans receive is highly coordinated. For example, a veteran with a brain injury may also need a hearing aid or treatment for asthma or diabetes. Veterans seeing their primary care practitioners to discuss health problems can then walk down the hall and talk to a nutritionist about a diet, a pharmacist about how to correctly administer insulin or a mental health professional.


    The VA healthcare system is huge. There are 150 medical centers, including four in North Carolina, and more than 800 outpatient healthcare centers. Fayetteville is fortunate to have one of each. The most recently available data indicates there were 5.69 million VA patients in 2013. Almost 9 million people were enrolled in the system. Fayetteville VAMC says it serves 70,000 veterans in 19 counties of Southeastern North Carolina and two counties in Northeastern South Carolina. National highly-publicized disability claims for which there were long wait times peaked in March 2013, at 611,000. The Fayetteville VA had one of the longest average wait times in the country. The president’s budget includes $182.3 billion for the VA in 2017. The Department of Veterans Affairs says “VA’s budget requests the resources necessary to increase veteran access to benefits and services, sustain progress on the disability claims backlog, and for ending Veteran homelessness.”

  • Chief Deputy Ennis WrightCumberland County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ennis Wright is serving as interim sheriff until the 2018 election. He succeeds Sheriff Moose Butler who retired the end of December, two years before his term expires. County Commissioners unanimously selected Wright. He was one of 10 individuals who indicated an interest in serving. Commissioners set Wright’s annual salary at $145,025. It was based on the average of salaries of sheriffs in the seven largest counties in the state, said County Manager Amy Cannon. Wright is a 20-year veteran of the sheriff’s office and served as chief deputy for several years. He’s the first African-American to hold the position of sheriff of Cumberland County. The three highest ranking public safety officials in Cumberland County are black; Wright, Interim Fayetteville Police Chief Anthony Kelly and Fayetteville Fire Chief Ben Major.

    Storm Damage Grants
    The City of Fayetteville and County of Cumberland continue to help victims of Hurricane Matthew with housing repair grants. The Community Development departments are taking applications to help those in need recover from damage caused by the October storm. Assistance is available to low- and moderate-income homeowners and some rental property owners. The goal is to relieve the financial burden of property owners with housing repair costs not covered by FEMA, SBA or private insurance. The city is offering grants and no-interest loans of up to $5,000. Persons who meet HUD’s income guidelines are eligible to apply. The county is offering $10,000 housing rehab grants. The respective Community Development departments can provide information.

    Hurricane Debris Collection
    Storm debris collection in rural areas of Cumberland County has resumed. So far, the county’s contractors have picked up 270 tons of storm debris in neighborhoods outside the city limits. Cumberland County has contracted with two companies for debris-related services. Residents are asked to separate construction and building materials from leaves and tree branches. Major appliances should also be separated from other debris. Regular household trash should not be included with the debris. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 923 Wilkes Road will be open on Jan. 14 and 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Questions regarding debris removal can be answered at 910-678-7633.

  • RonaldGrayThenCondemned Former Soldier Runs Out of Appeals A former Fort Bragg soldier who killed four women and raped others more than 25 years ago is again headed for execution. This time Ronald Gray has no further recourse. He lost his final appeal last month. Gray’s execution would be the first by the U.S. military in 55 years. Only the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, can approve the execution of a death sentence. President George W. Bush condemned Gray on July 28, 2008. He was convicted in military court in 1988 for two murders and three rapes while stationed at Fort Bragg. He pleaded guilty in Cumberland County Superior Court to two other murders and five separate rapes that occurred off post and was sentenced to life in prison for crimes committed in the civilian domain. Gray is being held at the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The Army initially scheduled his execution for Dec. 10, 2008, at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. The president upheld the death sentence following completion of a full appellate process. Two petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court were denied during the appellate processing of Pvt. Gray’s case.RonaldGrayNow

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Child Fatality Task Force
    Cumberland County Health Department Director Buck Wilson has been re-elected co-chair of the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force.
    Wilson, who was first appointed to the task force by Gov. Pat McCrory in 2013, was elected to the leadership position by members of the task force. The Child Fatality Task Force is a legislative study commission that makes recommendations to the General Assembly and governor on how to reduce child deaths, prevent abuse and neglect and support the safe and healthy development of children. Recommendations are based on data, research and evidence-based practices and reflect hundreds of hours of volunteer input.

     

     

    ImpairedDrivingImageImpaired Driving
    Traffic Fatalities resulting from impaired drivers are down 19 percent in North Carolina. In its 22nd year, the Booze It & Lose It education and enforcement campaign has created increased awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as the penalties associated with driving while impaired. The governor’s Highway Safety Program has awarded grants to DWI Task Force teams that work nightly to catch impaired drivers. The teams are in Cumberland, Brunswick, Buncombe, Forsyth, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Robeson, Union, Wake and Wayne counties.

  • ftccFayetteville Technical Community College has compiled data reflecting that in FY15, FTCC ‘s total impact on the Cumberland County economy was
    $697.4 million in added income, which is equal to 3.4 percent of the region’s Gross Regional Product. A regional economic impact analysis was conducted by Economic Modeling Specialist International based in Moscow, Idaho. It examined the impact of FTCC on the local business community through increased consumer spending and enhanced business productivity.
    The results were measured in terms of added income, and were organized according to three effects: 1) impact of college operations; 2) impact of the spending of students who relocated to the county, and; 3) impact of the increased productivity of alumni who were employed in the regional workforce during the analysis year.
    Impact of college operations: In Fiscal Year 2015, the college employed 1,501 full-time and part-time faculty and staff. Payroll at FTCC amounted to $57 million, much of which was spent in Cumberland County for groceries, eating out, clothing and other household goods and services. The college spent another $46.2 million in support of its day-to-day operations. The net impact of college payroll and expenses in Cumberland County during the analysis year was approximately $69.9 million in added income.
    Impact of student spending: Approximately 16 percent of students attending FTCC came from outside the county. Some of these students relocated to Cumberland County. In addition, some students would have left the county if not for FTCC. These relocated and retained students spent money on groceries, transportation, rent and more at local businesses. Their expenditures during the analysis year added approximately $28.5 million in income to the Cumberland County economy, the study concluded.
    Impact of alumni productivity: Over the years, students who studied at FTCC entered or re-entered the workforce with newly-acquired skills.
    Thousands of these former students are employed in Cumberland County.
    Their accumulated contributions amounted to $599.1 million in added income during the analysis year. That’s the equivalent of 7,517 jobs .
    “Approximately 88 percent of FTCC’s students remain in North Carolina upon completing their education goals,” said Dr. Larry Keen, FTCC President. “As our students earn more, they and their employers pay higher taxes through increased output and spending. Over the students’
    working lives, state and local government in North Carolina will collect
    $227.6 million in the form of higher tax receipts,” he added. Keen noted that “employers will earn more as their businesses become more productive.” It’s estimated that over their working lives, FTCC’s student population will generate a present value of $2.6 billion in added income in North Carolina.
    Fayetteville Area Industrial Education Center was established in 1961, two years before the statewide community college system was formally established. It became Fayetteville Technical Institute (FTI) in 1963 and was renamed Fayetteville Technical Community College in 1988 to broaden the public image of technical and vocational postsecondary education and job training opportunities. Today, FTCC is the fourth largest school in the system serving over 40,000 students annually by providing over 200 occupational, technical, general education, college transfer, and continuing education programs. For more information visit FTCC’s website at www.faytechcc.edu.

  • Rowanscreenshot2A local roadway project which has been on the drawing board for years is about to get underway. Construction was to have begun in December, but needed supplies were not immediately available to the contractor, said DOT Division Construction Engineer Randy Wise. Replacement of the aging Rowan Street Bridge will result in the most dramatic change to the western downtown gateway since the existing bridge was built 60 years ago. The overpass carries NC 24-210 (Rowan St) over CSX Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks and Hillsboro Street. The state Department of Transportation deemed the overpass structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. “That means that while it remains safe, it’s in deteriorating condition and needs to be replaced,” said DOT spokesperson Peggy Beach. “It was built to design standards no longer used in bridge building,” she added. DOT let the project in July of this year at an estimated cost of $18 million. The actual cost is $24.3 million, according to the bid awarded the contractor, S.T. Wooten Corp.
    of Wilson, NC.
    Utility companies have finalized the work of relocating utilities (power, phone, cable, other communications). In addition, the relocation of water and sewer lines has been authorized, according to PWC. Work on the sewer will be the first sign of actual construction work getting underway, said Wise. That requires the temporary closing of Hillsboro St. in the immediate vicinity of the project. That should take place any day now. A detour has been marked. Work on bridge fills and culverts will follow. “While there are already things going on with the project that are not really evident, the biggest sign to the public that the project has begun, will be the closing of Hillsboro St.,” Wise added.
    The new bridges will be impressive, but the real change will be the reconfiguration of the streets. Rowan Street, Bragg Blvd., and Murchison Road will be realigned to join one another at a single intersection.
    There will be no roundabout, which at one time had been considered. The acquisition by the state of properties along Bragg Blvd., Hillsboro Street and Murchison Road is complete. They included the popular Vick’s Drive-In, which had been there nearly as long as the bridge. The entire project will take an estimated three years to complete, said DOT. An animated likeness of the end result can be seen on YouTube at Rowan Street Bridge Project Virtual Flyover.

  • pitt-dickey_010616.jpg

    What can you say about a year that brings a 100 degree drop in temperature overnight, the rise of Lawrence of Arabia and the Theory of Relativity? How about happy birthday 1916? Ponder what was going on 100 years ago, which coincidentally coincides with 1916. The first colorful factoid for our consideration is that Climate Change was born that year. On Jan. 17, 1916, the temperature dropped 100 degrees from 44 degrees to minus 56 degrees overnight in Browning, Montana. Crops and people froze at an alarming rate. A hundred years ago, they just thought it got pretty cold, pretty quick that night. Would a hard freeze by any other name smell as sweet?

    World War I was in full swing, the Battle of Verdun began in February and ended up creating more than 700,000 casualties. In theory, the French ultimately won in December 1916. On a less homicidal note as opposed to the mass insanity of World War I, Pancho Villa invaded the United States in March 1916 attacking Columbus, New Mexico. Naturally this drew the ire of the U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, who sent General Black Jack Pershing to invade Mexico to catch Pancho Villa. After about nine months of searching in vain for Villa, Pershing was called back to the U.S. 

    In March 1916, Robert Stroud, who ultimately became the Bird Man of Alcatraz went into solitary confinement at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary after stabbing a guard to death. Stroud spent 30 years at Leavenworth, where he became interested in canaries after finding an injured bird. He raised birds in prison and wrote two books on bird diseases. Stroud developed and sold bird medicines. In 1942, he was transferred to Alcatraz where he remained until expiring in 1963 when death allowed him to fly over the prison walls to the Great Canary Nest in the Sky. 

    May 1916 saw Albert Einstein present his Theory of Relativity, which was prompted by too much time with his in-laws. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity postulated there is a tremendous difference between a vacation and a family outing. Demonstrating the Theory of Relativity, May 1916 also saw Norman Rockwell’s first cover for The Saturday Evening Post. It featured a couple of boys wearing baseball uniforms laughing at a third boy wearing a suit who was unhappily pushing a younger sibling in a baby carriage. 

    A farm boy named Dwight Eisenhower married a pretty girl named Mamie Doud in July 1916. Ike went on to win World War II, get elected President twice and be criticized for playing too much golf as President. He had the greatest campaign slogan ever invented, “I like Ike.” Unlike Jeb Bush, Ike didn’t have to put an exclamation mark after his name. People genuinely liked Ike. Bush, not so much. 

    Unsurprisingly, there was trouble in the Middle East in 1916. Some things never change. The Brits were in a major ruckus with the Ottoman Empire, which had joined the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy in World War I against the Triple Entente of England, Russia and France. Lawrence of Arabia was sent by the British Army to stir up an insurgent campaign by the local Arabs against the Ottoman Empire. Miraculously, an empire founded upon using large foot stools had controlled much of the world for six centuries. The Ottoman Empire was founded in 1299 by a major dude named Osman I. It expanded to cover most of southeastern Europe, chunks of western Asia and North Africa. By the 16th century, under Suleiman, the Ottoman Empire had about 15,000,000 citizens in three continents. But as George Harrison sang, “All things must pass.” By the 19th century the Ottoman Empire was winding down after a great 600-year run. However, it still controlled much of Arabia. 

    Lawrence’s goal in Arabia was to neutralize the Turks by driving them nuts with an Arab revolt to get them out of World War I. His strategy was to force the Turks to give up their Ottomans and instead start using Laz-E-Boy recliners. The British High Command’s theory was that if the Turks stopped using Ottoman foot stools and sat in western style Laz-E-Boy recliners they would become too lazy to assist their allies in the Triple Alliance. 

    Lawrence’s change of living room furniture campaign was successful. The Turks got comfortable in their Laz-E-Boy recliners with the built in beer caddies. The Turks studied war no more and exited World War I leaving the Ottoman Empire out by the curb. 

    Hence the phrase, “Chair today. Gone tomorrow.” 

     

  • mlk-updated-pic_010616.jpg

    The 23rd Annual Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast is at 8 a.m. Jan. 18 at the Crown Expo Center.  Rev. Brian Thompson, pastor of Simon Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, is the guest speaker.  

    The event, hosted by the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Ministerial Council, Inc., will also honor all first responders. Admission is $20 in advance or $23 at the door.  Tickets are available at the Crown Box Office or by contacting the FCCMC. 

    Rev. Mary C. Owens, the president of the FCCMC, said special recognition will be given to members of the police departments, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department, EMS workers and members of the military.

    “The reason we chose to honor them is because, with all the things going on in our nation and the world now, when something happens, they’re the ones there first, putting their lives on the line for our communities,” Owens said.

    That idea of community is an integral theme of the event, Owens said, as is educating current and future generations. Owens said the event not only pays tribute to the memory and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but also reminds attendees to continue to contribute to their own community, an idea espoused by Dr. King during his lifetime.

    “Many young people are so removed from King’s life experience,” Owens said.  “Our goal is for young people to know ‘the dream’ and what Dr. King meant by ‘becoming the beloved community.’”

    “All of us in our little individual parts make up this whole community… despite our differences, when it comes down to the end of the day, we all have to live and work together,” Owens said.

    Coming together in love and a spirit of peace can transcend race, gender, socio-economic status and political affiliation, Owens believes.

    Evidenced in his speeches and writings, King’s view of the “beloved community” highlighted his assumption that human existence is social in nature.  According to The King Center, the core value of the quest of King’s ‘beloved community’ was agape love — understanding, redeeming goodwill for all, love seeking to preserve and create community.

     “The solidarity of the human family” was a phrase King used frequently. Owens said the FCCMC adheres to a similar mantra. “The belief that family is central to society,” she said.  “We rally and pray, to fight for the family.”

    The FCCMC, a non-profit, has programs to assist the homeless, provide training to ministry personnel, provides some monetary support to other local charities and awards scholarships to high school seniors.

    The annual MLK breakfast is the FCCMC’s biggest fundraiser. It funds the annual scholarship program. For the past eight to nine years, Owens said, the FCCMC has been able to award $10,000 annually to graduating seniors in a May scholarship banquet. Each winning student receives $1,000 that can be used for college expenses. Applications for the scholarship become available at the MLK Breakfast.

    “What greater thing can you do than give back to the children?” asked Owens.

    Involving the next generation in the MLK Breakfast itself is important, she said.

    “We always try to include young people in it,” Owens said.  “Some are involved in greeting and presentations. We will recognize winners of the MLK art contest during the breakfast.” The winner of the poetry and spoken word contest will also present at the breakfast. For those not able to attend the Monday Breakfast, Owens said the public is also invited to attend the 23rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Worship Service on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 5 p.m.  The keynote speaker is Rev. Joe Leggett from Falcon Children’s Home. The worship service is at the Second Missionary Baptist Church. No tickets are needed to attend the worship service, but any donations made during the offeratory will benefit FCCMC programs.  

    To learn more about the FCCMC missions and activities, visit www.ministerscouncil.net or call 910-670-5662. The Worship Service will be held at Second Missionary Baptist Church, located at 522 Old Wilmington Road, 910-483-5925.


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    Late last December, I wrote a rather pointed op-ed piece on the development of the parks and recreation plan for the greater-Fayetteville area. 

    I appreciate our mayor and city council. I’m glad they have the foresight to improve the quality of life in our All-American City, because improvements are badly needed in our existing facilities, as is planning for new facilities. Organized athletics are not just entertainment. They can build teamwork and community spirit as well, and when they also reduce juvenile crime, the community gets a further bonus. Our senior citizens are living longer than ever before, and their quality of life is just as important as that of younger people. Two senior centers, one in East Fayetteville and the other in West Fayetteville, are long overdue.

    But in my op-ed, I tried to explain the plan in its entirety, not just giving a “big picture” overview, but also taking a closer look at the hidden costs of the then-proposed $64 million plan. Several readers voiced appreciation for the background research I included in the article.

    Last Monday the City Council met and revised the $64 million plan to a $35 million plan, still tying it directly to the bond referendum coming up this March. I sincerely think that’s a step in the right direction. The plan objectives are now set out much more clearly, for one thing, but transparency is essential to building trust. I still have several concerns about the modified plan, and about the local political context in which it would be implemented, if approved. 

    First, is the information being provided to the City Council accurate and reliable? If the council is to make good policy, they need to have accurate information. For example, on Dec. 14, city management assured the Council the total cost of the then-$28 million multipurpose complex would be approximately $700,000 per year. That very night, the council voted unanimously to approve the bond referendum being placed on the ballot in March. But later, on Jan. 4, a memo was distributed to say that the number city management gave at the Dec. 14 meeting was inaccurate. Council had already voted on the basis of an inaccurate figure. Now council learned that the true cost would in fact be around $2.3 million a year. That is an understatement of $1.6 million — every year! Unfortunately, this is not the only example of such, “mis-statements.” City management is rightfully expected to do their homework before council votes, rather than afterward. Money is not the issue here. Trust is.

    Second, in the recent municipal election, some on our council campaigned loudly that they were going to hold the line on hasty tax hikes — they would support no tax increase until they had “looked under the hood” to see what synergies or savings they could find — specifically in the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. They have not yet kept that promise. In fact, due to an exceedingly ambitious city manager, who apparently wants PWC totally under his thumb, we are now mired in a sticky lawsuit that will reportedly cost the taxpayers of this city at least $500,000 to litigate. Back during the Big Bang annexation, the city signed a commitment to pay approximately $70 million toward the cost of the infrastructure in this newly-annexed area. But the current city manager wasn’t here when that promise was made, and he seems not to regard it as binding. He is now attempting to renege on that obligation. Just call us “Litigation City.” Keep in mind this $70 million cost was not written directly out of the city budget but was a reduction in the amount the city would have received from technically the ratepayers of PWC. Again, the underlying issue isn’t money. It’s trust. We like folks who keep their word, Ted (Voorhees).

    Prior to negotiations crashing and litigation beginning, PWC had agreed to give back to the city approximately $1.3 million growing every year for inflation. We ended up not only giving that stream of income up but costing the citizens of this city $500,000 for litigation cost. It’s interesting that that $1.3 million a year would almost completely cover the interest expense assuming that the bonds were issued at 4.25 percent, not principal mind you but interest-only.

    True, City Council has the obligation for oversight of PWC. That does not mean City Council members — all of them “part-time” public servants, with private careers of their own — have the time, skill or experience to operate a multi-million dollar public utility. Ah, but that’s why we have city management professionals, right? Re-read the above paragraphs.


  •     The N.C. General Assembly’s program-evaluation division has just recommended an end to N.C.’s system of mandatory safety inspections and emissions tests for automobiles. If lawmakers actually implement the recommendation, it would earn program evaluators on Jones Street the undying admiration of motorists across the state. You’ll find me right up at the front of the line of well-wishers.
        The annual inspection racket has long been a sore spot for me, an example of the state using coercion to reward a targeted group of beneficiaries — garages and inspection stations — at the expense of the general public. While in theory it is not unreasonable to require motorists who traverse state roadways to keep their vehicles in safe working order, and to police the emission of dangerous pollutants into the air everyone breathes, in practice the public has derived little benefit in either case from the regulations.
        As the program evaluators discovered, there are not nearly enough instances of faulty equipment leading to catastrophic traffic accidents to merit imposing a costly annual mandate on all drivers. The vast majority of inspected cars never have a serious problem. Similarly, the vast majority of cars subject to the emissions test will never fail, while the older cars likely to have emission problems are precisely the ones exempted from testing because they lack the on-board computers required. As a result, the tests haven’t played a significant role in recent air-quality improvements in North Carolina or anywhere else.
        {mosimage}Back in 2003, our state became the first in the Southeast to get rid of its traditional tailpipe-testing regime. The evidence had become overwhelming that its costs outweighed its benefits. Unfortunately, North Carolina replaced it with the current computer-based system, also destined to deliver inadequate benefits.
    B    ut hasn’t North Carolina’s air been getting cleaner? Yes, despite what you might hear from misguided environmental activists and the excitable reporters. However, this trend predates the current emissions tests. It largely has to do with the steady turnover of the automobile fleet, as North Carolinians trade in their older cars for newer ones.
        All too often, government policies are about going through the motions. They are designed to make people feel better (think airport security) or satisfy special interests at the expense of the public at large.
        The individual cost of wasteful spending or pointless regulations may be modest — a few dollars, sometimes just a few cents. But they add up, creating a significant burden across the economy. On the other side, the true benefits are highly concentrated on those who pocket the money, in this case the service stations that perform the state inspection tests and the state officials who oversee them. The beneficiaries have a strong incentive to protect the program, regardless of its efficacy. For them, actually, the program’s continued existence is efficacious.
        Regarding traffic safety, the state could increase the penalties for moving violations involving faulty equipment. As for auto emissions, older vehicles are more likely to be out of compliance, as are vehicles used for delivery and freight traffic. Studies show that just five percent of vehicles generate half of all harmful emissions, so you get far more bang for the buck with a targeted testing program rather than a sweeping one. Based on auto data already registered with the state, the Division of Motor Vehicles could identify such vehicles and give them incentives for tune-ups or other improvements. Sen. Charlie Albertson (D-Duplin) said it best: “This is a program that we need to take to the scrap yard and put on the junk pile.


  •    For months the media has been screaming about the recession. In Fayetteville, until recently, we haven’t felt the crunch as much as many in the nation because to a certain extent, we are insulated by the presence of the military in our community.
       Unlike many communities across our nation, we don’t have to fear that our largest industry will close down. The military appears to be recession proof. So, in our community, unlike many other communities, you will still find a lot of people with money to spend. I saw this as I made a stop to get a pedicure recently. Yes, a pedicure is frivolous. I recognize this. But it is one of the few things that I do for me. As I relaxed in the chair over the weekend, I saw plenty of people getting not only pedicures, but manicures as well. Many women were paying simply to have their nails painted. So, it would seem that there are still many in our community who are not feeling the pain of the recession.
      {mosimage} The same cannot be said of area businesses. On Saturday, we visited two stores that were closing their doors. Probably everyone in the community knows that Circuit City will be shutting down. Over the weekend, they started the first of their markdowns. More for curiosity than anything else, we stopped in. People were shopping like crazy. Unlike the corporation that owns the chain of electronics stores and its employees, they had money to spend.
       The second store we visited had a huge impact on me — not because I personally frequented it often, but because of the impact I know the closing had on the owners and their loyal clients. Tarheel Fish and Game, a specialty outdoor store located on Raeford Road, was one of my husband’s favorite destinations. The owners were knowledgeable about their inventory. They cared about their customers and their wants. They were willing to share their knowledge and their skills. In short, they were everything that a good business should be.
       As we visited the store on its last day, I told my husband I felt like we were vultures circling their bones.
       We expressed our regret at their closing, and they told us they had had a very good year, but didn’t think they had the ability to make it in the uncertain economy. They said the risk was too big. Many businesses may soon have to assess their viability in this tough economy. Our hope is they won’t have to make the same decision.


    Contact Janice Burton at editor@upandcomingweekly.com

     

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    Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is on stage at the Givens Performing arts Center on Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. 

    The musical details the Biblical story of Joseph, who is the favorite of 12 sons. To show his love, Joseph’s father gives him a beautiful colorful coat. The other 11 brothers are overcome with jealousy and sell their brother into slavery, telling their father that he has died. They cover his beautiful coat with goat’s blood as proof. Joseph is taken to Egypt by the slavers and is taken into the home of Potiphar, a wealthy and powerful man. He is impressed by Joseph’s hard work and honesty until his wife tries to seduce Joseph, only to be caught by Potiphar, who has Joseph thrown in jail. 

    Joseph can interpret dreams, so while jail, he correctly interprets the prophetic dreams of Pharaoh’s servants. Word of his success makes it to Pharaoh who has also been suffering from strange dreams. He summons Joseph who predicts seven years of bounty followed by seven years of famine. Impressed, Joseph is given a government position in charge of storing food in preparation for the famine. When the famine finally comes Joseph’s family comes in search of food. Joseph recognizes his begging family but they do not recognize him. He tests their honesty and humility. Seeing that they have changed he reveals his identity and there is a beautiful family reunion. 

    The first performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was on March 1, 1968. Alan Doggett, the head of the Music Department at Colet Court, St. Paul’s Junior School asked Andrew Lloyd Weber to create a ‘pop cantata’ for the school choir. Tim Rice wrote the lyrics for the project at Weber’s request. It’s next evolution was a concept album in 1969. It was well received, but not initially successful commercially. It was the success of Jesus Christ Superstar in the ‘70s that allowed this musical to grow and turn into a beloved Broadway production. It first opened on Broadway in 1982. Since then, there have been revivals and a movie version, which was released in 1999. 

    Rice and Webber are both famous for their work on incredibly successful musicals. Their relationship is a long one forged when both were still struggling and unknown in 1965. Together they created Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. Rice has also worked on productions like The Lion King, Aladdin, King Davidand Beauty and the Beast. Some of Weber’s other well-known works are The Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock (a stage adaptation), and Sunset Boulevard. He has received numerous awards including seven Tonys, a Golden Globe and two Emmys. 

    Coming from such acclaimed artists, it is no surprise that Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a well-loved favorite. The traditional Bible story is reimagined and updated for the modern audience. The messages of forgiveness and the importance of hard work and honesty are maintained. No matter how many times you have heard the story in Sunday school, seeing it come to life on stage is a uniquely beautiful experience. The music is a blend of pop, country and rock that makes the story of love and forgiveness as entertaining as it is relatable. The mix of genres makes the music as relatable as the story. This is a fun and energetic family show that everyone can enjoy. 

    This presentation of the now classic adaptation is directed and choreographed by the Tony Award-winner Andy Blakenbuehler. As a performer, Blakenbuehler has years of experience performing on Broadway. He won his Tony and Drama Desk Award for his work as a choreographer for the musical In the Heights. He was also nominated for a Barrymore Award for his work choreographing Waiting for the Moon

    Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.com or by calling 910-521-6361. For more information, visit www.uncp.edu/giving/advancement/givens-performing-arts-center. The GPAC is located at 1 University Dr. in Pembroke. Tickets range from $21 to $41. 

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    Anyone who cares about this community and watches a lot of TV should notice the similarities in the relationship between the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County as our own local and never ending mini series of Game of Thrones.  

    The similarities are astounding, and like the series, everyone wants to be the King of the Seven Kingdoms. Yet, unfortunately, there is only one throne. So, a battle ensues between the self-anointed privileged with everyone eager and willing to engage in a brutal, ruthless and senseless war, where the main rule is that there are no rules. In this war, anything goes. And, like the TV series, while these wannabe kings battle, the citizens of the kingdoms suffer practically unnoticed. Frustrated and helpless, these citizens try to understand as they watch their families suffer and their homes and businesses disintegrate under the burden of needless, self-serving laws, policies and ordinances that favor only the privileged few. Basically, their voices go unheard. 

    Unfortunately, in this kind of war, there can be no winners, only losers. In the upcoming weeks we will witness this Game of Thrones-like scenario as city and county powers that be test each other’s will as to who should rule over the kingdom of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. At stake: the quality of life of 310,000 residents. The stakes are high ranging from future parks and recreation facilities to controlling millions of tax dollars. Ironically, the residents of this kingdom see the nature of the conflict in a more simple, humanistic light with truth, honesty, respect and the philosophy of “doing the right things for the right reasons” going a long way in moving this community forward. Let’s all hope that’s what we get in this new fall series of city and county government. After all, in the Game of Thrones, kings have a very short life span and their kingdoms are eventually destroyed. Don’t touch that dial. The season is just beginning.


    Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.


  • For many of us, the holidays bring precious time with family that is often hard to come by during the rest of the year. The Dicksons shook our holidays up a bit this year with less formality but plenty of togetherness with various family branches at a Christmas Eve supper, a Christmas Day oyster roast, a post-Christmas fried chicken fest and New Year’s black-eyed peas with pimento cheese muffins.

    Plenty of both family and food.

    Family relationships ebb and flow, of course, with beginnings and, sadly, endings. They morph, contracting and expanding among husbands and wives, parents and children, siblings according to changing circumstances and age. We all recognize when things are evolving in our own families. What we may not see as clearly is that our change may not be personal to our own families. They may be part of trends that are carrying others along as well.

    I am part of the Baby Boom generation, the largest American generation born after World War II, until the Millennials, some of them our own children, blew past us in numbers. Our two generations sport many differences, among them that Millennials are far more diverse than Baby Boomers. Another is that while Baby Boomers married for the most part in our 20s, that is not the case with Millennials.

    Today’s Americans between 18 and 34 are, in fact, less than half as likely to be married as were their counterparts 50 years ago.

    Reasons for their aversion to the altar seem elusive but money likely plays a significant role. The Great Recession slowed most people down a bit, few more so than young folks just starting out. Many continue to live in their parents’ homes out of economic necessity. In a recent American Family Survey, Millennials acknowledge financial security as a reason to defer marriage, but they also reference education, several serious relationships as points of reference and home ownership. Love, it seems, is not enough to tie the knot, making marriage less a marker of young adulthood than a later-in-life achievement.

    Families come in all shapes and sizes, of course, some of them being foster families and adoptive ones. North Carolina has plenty of both, with more than 10,000 children in foster care with more than 2,000 of them waiting for an adoptive home. The number of adoptive families is harder to pin down, as many of today’s adoptions are private. Foster children who do not find their “forever families” have far too often had a difficult time, because they aged out of the foster care system at 18, often into nothingness. The North Carolina General Assembly has now allowed some foster children to stay in the system until 21, not a perfect solution but three years better than finding oneself entirely on one’s own at the tender age of 18. In addition, the state has launched an initiative to place foster children in forever homes. 

    No one had ever heard of paternity leave when I was a child, and my father did what most men of his generation did — he brought home most of the bacon and was sweet to and tolerant of my sister and me. I remember a very sleepy Daddy reading “The Three Little Pigs” to my sister who knew the words by heart, of course. He groggily misread a line, saying “laying pigs and slapping mortar between them,” which sent the toddler into wails of distress. I do not recall any diaper duties or meal preparation, except for occasional soft scrambled eggs cooked in the double boiler.

    Contrast that with new father Mark Zuckerburg, also famously the father of Facebook. The Zuckerburgs have a new daughter, Max, and daddy Mark has announced he will take two months of paternity leave. Facebook offers four months of paid paternity leave. Mother Priscilla Chan is a pediatrician who is taking an undisclosed maternity leave, so little Max will be well attended. Mark has already posted a photo of himself changing a diaper on Facebook with the caption, “One more down, thousands to go.”

    Admittedly, Mark Zuckerburg has the resources to do whatever he pleases and admittedly paid paternity leave remains rare in our country outside the technology industries. The fact that the high-profile Zuckerburg is taking his paternity leave so publicly still strikes me as significant. It says to the fathers of his generation, Millennials, that babies need their fathers as well as their mothers and that this is A-OK. It also says to his generation that paternity leave is an important business practice and that American companies should provide that benefit as companies in other nations, especially in Europe, do routinely.

    All this may not be evolution in a Darwinian sense, but it is evolution nonetheless.


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    We knew it would happen and it has. 

    Millennials now outnumber Baby Boomers, 83 million to 75 million, becoming the largest of two gigantic lumps in the United States’ demographic snake.

    The U.S. Census Bureau officially announced the rout last summer, meaning that the Boomers, my generation born into post-World War II America between 1946 and 1964, have been eclipsed by many of our own children, those born roughly between 1980 and 2000, although the exact defining dates remain fluid. Many Boomers continue hale, hearty, and in charge of at least themselves if no one else. Millennials, though, are clearly ascendant, with notables such as Mark Zuckerberg and Taylor Swift already driving
    forces worldwide.

    We all know and probably love some individual Millennials, but as a group, who the heck are these people? How are they different from the Americans who proceeded them? What makes them who they are?

    Millennials’ most defining characteristic is that they are the first generation in all of human history to have grown up with computers in their homes. Not all of them, of course, but as a group they have never known a time without wireless communications and the reality that knowledge about almost any topic is literally a few key strokes away. Rapid communication via social media is a major factor in their daily lives, and for many, there is no such thing as the “slow lane.” The rest of us are “digital immigrants,” but Millennials are the world’s first “digital natives.”

    They are highly diverse, with almost half — more than 44 percent — being part of a minority race or ethnic group, meaning they are not single-race white. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce notes that 11 percent of them are the children of at least one immigrant parent. This diversity trend is not slowing down anytime soon. Of the generation coming behind Millennials, those born since the turn of the 21st century, just over 50 percent is part of a minority race or ethnic group.

    The Census Bureau also finds that Millennials are on target to be the most educated generation in American history. Seventy-two percent graduate from high school, and 68 percent enroll in college, with a graduation rate of 58 percent in six years. Many go on to graduate programs — perhaps to wait out our slowed economy — and while many do take on significant student debt, they do so because they understand the long-term value of education. 

    Millennials may be interested in education, but religion — not so much. A full quarter of them say their religion is “None,” according to the Pew Research Center. Nor do they readily embrace marriage as have prior generations. A slowed economy is part of this trend, which is more pronounced among the working class who are less likely to marry and have children within marriage than college educated Millennials. In addition, Millennials are living at home longer than prior generations, perhaps from economic necessity but perhaps not, earning them the moniker of the “Peter Pan” or “Boomerang” generation.

    These are just the facts, but there is plenty more as everyone from scholarly researchers to Boomer parents tries to figure out Millennials. 

    What caught my attention as the mother of three of these folks is a recent piece on Inc.com entitled “3 Reasons Millennials are Getting Fired.” The author posits that Millennials are handicapped in the work place by the cold, hard facts that bosses are not their helicopter parents eager to cheer them on, that work is not always fun or accomplished on their personally flexible schedules and by their childhood experiences of receiving a trophy simply for showing up for the game. In fact, Millennials are sometimes called the “trophy generation.”

    Researchers at the University of Michigan and UCLA have found that Millennials value wealth about 30 percent more than Boomers do, are less interested in political affairs, though they are classically liberal on social issues, and centrist on fiscal ones, and have little interest in “developing a meaningful philosophy of life” — whatever that might mean.

    Of concern to Millennials, their parents and economists is what effects the Great Recession has had on Millennials and whether they are permanent. Many of them came of age during the Great Recession and found themselves either under employed or unemployed. No one knows yet whether slow starts in the workplace will mean Millennials will not achieve the American dream of doing better than one’s parents.

    What emerges here is a portrait of a generation still defining itself, and it matters because Millennials are the largest generation in American history thus far. They, like their parents the Baby Boomers, will shape and leave their stamp on every aspect of American life, for better or for worse. Like many of my generation, I had no idea I was a Boomer until I was almost an adult, and my guess is most Millennials are just as clueless. They are busy figuring out their own lives, not their generation’s impacts and legacies. 

    Does all of this sound like anyone you know and love?


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    Former Civil Rights journalist turned college professor Frye Gaillard came to town earlier this month at the behest of the North Carolina Civil War History Center Foundation (full disclosure — I serve on the foundation board). Gaillard discussed his most recent book, Journey to the Wilderness: War, Memory, and a Southern Family’s Civil War Letters. It is a curated account of one family’s Civil War experience through their letters, vividly illustrating yet again the excruciating ambivalence and pain that accompanied our nation’s deadliest conflict. Gaillard’s book also reminds us, as if we needed reminding in this election year, that we have yet to resolve many of the issues that troubled Americans 150 years ago.

    Gaillard headed back to Alabama, leaving his audience with much to think about regarding long-running currents in American life, but I was struck as well by another of his works, The Books That Mattered: A Reader’s Memoir. A lifelong consumer of books, I was instantly transported to my earliest memories of books that have become part of me. Before I could even read, my mother read to me. We wept together when Christopher Robin decided it was time to put Winnie the Pooh away as a childish toy. We laughed when Scuppers the Sailor Dog hanged a “hat on the hook for his hat and his rope on the hook for his rope.” Later I lost my self in Frances Hodgson Burnett’s Secret Garden and resolved to live in a tree house like the Swiss Family Robinson. Eventually, I moved on to the Nancy Drew series, biographies of famous women, and by the time I was a teenager, I read everything I could get my hands on, including some totally age-inappropriate books, probably swathed in blankets in hopes no one would notice me and my reading material.

    From the time I could read, I did so until my eyes watered —sometimes under the covers with a flashlight and later boldly with my best lamp blazing.  

    Frye Gaillard reveals that his love of reading began a bit later in life. He was not smitten by fairy tales, most of which seemed to him to involve eating little children. At 9, though, he discovered Esther Forbes’ Johnny Tremain, a Revolutionary War tale which turned young Frye into a lifelong reader. 

    The grown up Gaillard organizes the books that speak to him by theme, with “Southern Voices” including Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, still among America’s best selling books over five decades after its publication. His “Darkness” chapter includes books that explore human evil, including Night by Elie Wiesel, Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut and John Hersey’s Hiroshima. A Southerner as well as a Civil Rights journalist, one would expect Gaillard to delve into issues of race and he does through African-American writers such as Richard Wright, James Baldwin and Henry Louis Gates as well as fellow white Southerners William Faulkner and one of my favorites, Walker Percy.

    In “Poetry, Prose and a Sense of Place” Gaillard confesses that his favorite book is Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men, a book both so Southern we can imagine it even today and so universal that people in other nation’s understand its truth. In “Family Values” he reminds us of the lessons Alex Haley teaches in Roots and those pounded in, perhaps inadvertently in The Great Santini by Pat Conroy. He gives a nod to Cumberland County’s own Tim McLaurin, an author whose snake-handling ways and Keeper of the Moon, his memoir of a boyhood on the eastside of the Cape Fear River, makes me sad that our paths never crossed.

    Finally, Gaillard knows that while reading is how human beings have learned for millennia, sometimes we do it just for fun. Books resonating in that category for him include James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small, a favorite  of the young Dicksons, Walking Across Egypt by North Carolinian Clyde Edgerton and the always wonderful Lee Smith, a Virginia girl who got to the Tar Heel state as soon as she could.

    My list of books is long and, unlike Gaillard’s, totally unorganized, but reading his, we share many of the same books that have meaning for us. One of mine that did not make Gaillard’s list is The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All, a novel by Rocky Mount native Allan Gurganus. A 99-year woman delivers nothing short of a spectacular monologue about her marriage at 15 to a 50 year old Civil War veteran, touching along the way on slavery, racism, the horrors of Reconstruction, the mysteries of marriage, raising children — in short, the human condition, a fictional account of some of the same themes Gaillard’s ancestors recounted in their letters. A tome by anyone’s definition, it is both a romp through things Southern and things true.

    We all have our own lists, and Gaillard’s book pushes me to think about mine.

    I would love to hear about yours.

  •     Weren’t George W. Bush’s years great? Didn’t you have a lot of fun? Bet you are better off now than you were in 2000. Everything was really swell for eight glorious years. I get all misty eyed remembering the dandy times we had under the Great Decider. Watching him reading “My Pet Goat” on 9/11, faking weapons of mass destruction, invading Iraq, occupying Iraq, dodging shoes in Iraq, ratting out a CIA agent, watching New Orleans drown, letting Dick Cheney shred civil liberties, melting down stock markets, vanishing retirement savings, bailing out crooks on Wall Street. Those were the good old days. I really liked Cheney’s theory that in order to save the Constitution it was necessary to destroy the Constitution. The Bush years were more fun than a barrel of rabid monkeys. All in all, like the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s goofy director Brownie during Katrina, President Bush has done a heckuva a job. We’re gonna miss him.
        When Bush ran for office way back in 2000 he promised to be a “uniter.” That may have been the only true thing he said in eight years. With the help of Karl “Boy Genius” Rove, Bush did unite America — against him and the Republican party. A recent poll has 76 percent of Americans united in thinking the country is going in the wrong direction. It takes a special kind of President to get 76 percent of Americans to agree on anything but W managed to do it. Thank you President Bush for bringing us all together, even if it ultimately will be standing next to each other in bread lines.
        By the time this column appears, W’s reign of error will be down to a mere fortnight. Hold onto your food stamps though, there’s no telling what wild and crazy things he will be able to pull off during his last two weeks in office. Remember, it’s always darkest before the storm. If we are all lucky, he’ll just hang out in Crawford. If we’re not so lucky, he’ll have time to bomb Iran or North Korea as a going away gift to the world. Who knows? Maybe he’ll just bomb Bermuda. We should be able to win a war with Bermuda in his last two weeks so he can have a real “Mission Accomplished” moment. We certainly want to send him off in a cloud of positive self-esteem.
        {mosimage}Pondering the end of Bush’s term, I am reminded of the subtle quote in 1974 by Nicholas Von Hoffman who was referring to President Nixon right before Nixon resigned in disgrace. Nick felt it was time for Nixon to go and called out Nixon as “a dead rat on America’s kitchen floor” that needed to be removed. This comment caused a bit of controversy, and got Nick fired from 60 Minutes.
        Despite our financial gloom, all is not lost. Skateboarders in California have discovered a silver lining to the clouds of the foreclosure storms. It turns out that many of the rapidly multiplying abandoned foreclosed homes in California have swimming pools. These swimming pools when emptied of water make excellent skate board ramps. The skaters locate the foreclosed homes with pools on realtor Internet sites and take pumps with them to empty the pools so they can skate. This serves two useful purposes — skaters get exercise and the pools get emptied. The undrained pools at abandoned houses tend to fill up with green slime, deceased animals and West Nile virus carrying mosquitos causing some interesting Third World public health hazards to occur right in American suburbia. Double yikes!
        Skaters can’t do it all though. There are too many abandoned pools for them to drain. What we need is a core of workers to drain America’s green slime-filled pools. Fortunately, America does have a group of individuals trained as financial blood suckers whose talents could be easily switched to sucking out pool scum. We could use the CEO’s of the Wall Street investment banks who came up with the brilliant derivatives schemes that resulted in our current economic Armageddon to suck out the green pools. Provide the wizards at Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Bear Sterns and other financial outfits a case of flexible straws, put orange jump suits on them and let them start sucking out scum from abandoned pools.

    Contact Pitt Dickey at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 

  •     Remember this song? Cha cha chains... Cha cha chains... Cha cha chains, chains, chains, chains... Set me freeeeeeee! Sometimes it is hard to get that tune out of my head as I drive around Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Take a look around. What do you see? Chains (chain stores). Everywhere! Surely, we must rank at the top of the list for having more national chain stores per capita than any other North Carolina city.
        What a dubious honor.
        As our national economy patiently awaits for relief, and unemployment rates continue their rise and the threat of higher local property taxes looms on our horizons, it’s time to remind everyone that we should focus more attention, shopping and money on our own community. Shop local! We should support local commerce and do business with local organizations and merchants. We should throw away the foreign catalogs, toll free numbers and cyberspace bargains and search out products and professional services provided by local neighbors in our own backyard. Nothing is more dependable, beneficial and reliable than homegrown products and professional services. We should give them the opportunity to do business because local merchants have already invested in the local economy.
        {mosimage}I know the big chain and box stores do provide some jobs. However, these are usually entry level, part-time and pay minimum wage without health or insurance benefits. Local merchants make a commitment and investment into the  community of their unique talents, time and money. These independents have a passion for being unique and for serving all aspects of the community. It is these people and businesses that make our community very special and give us flair, color and that unique personality. Besides, for every chain and box store business in the county there is a local merchant providing the same product or service while adding value and stability to our local economy. You will find many of those people marketing and promoting their services in our community paper. And why not? The key word here is community. I would list all of the local businesses if I had the space but unfortunately I do not. However, it makes a fun game to match the local merchants to the chains. Afterwards, you have a great list of venues to visit and to recommend to your friends, neighbors and visitors. A few examples of local retailers include: Bullards (for furniture), Quality Sound (for electronics), Bella Villa and Pierros (for pizza), Elle’s for women’s fashion and Ed’s Tire and Pro (for tires).
        Pretty cool, huh? I could go on, and on, and on, but I think you get my point. Chains and box stores contribute little to our local culture. However, local businesses and the people who operate them are the foundation of our community. Support them. In the future we will be doing more to showcase, support and thank these people for their commitment. We hope you will do the same.
        Oh, by the way, don’t look for a copy of this “free”community newspaper in any of the national or chain stores. Their corporate policy doesn’t allow them. Hmmmmmm? Isn’t that the point!
        Thank you for reading.

    Contact Bill Bowman at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 

  •     “But as it happened, the banks took the taxpayer money and just sat on it.”
        This quote comes from an article by Michael Lewis and David Einhorn in Sunday’s New York Times that explains why banks have not used the billions of dollars from the U.S. government to make loans and unclog the credit jam.
    The following could describe the same situation: “Instead of seizing upon the RFC [which supplied government loans] as a way to stimulate the economy by expanding credit, many bankers saw an opportunity to shore up their holdings.”
        The second example is reported in retired UNC-Chapel Hill history professor William Leuchtenburg’s latest book, Herbert Hoover, published this week by Times Books.
        As I was growing up, two names were mentioned, sometimes in the same angry breath, when an adult wanted to talk about times of suffering: Hoover and Sherman. General Sherman was responsible for destroying the South during the Civil War, and President Hoover was responsible for the Great Depression and all the suffering that accompanied it.
    Leuchtenburg’s new biography of Hoover would be welcome at any time in our history because it gives a balanced account of his life and his complex character as well as the actual role he played in the events leading up to the 1929 stock market crash (a few months after he took office) and the economic crisis that followed.
        {mosimage}As the two quotes at the beginning of this column suggest, Leuchtenburg’s book is an incredibly timely account of the Hoover’s administration’s largely ineffective responses to a breakdown of the financial system. It is timely because it could give us some guidance about what might or might not work in responding to today’s challenges.
        For instance, what did not work for Hoover, and has not worked so far in responding to the current crisis, is simply pouring money into banks and the financial system without insuring that the banks put the money to work by opening the credit lines.
        Although Leuchtenburg, like most historians, does not hold Hoover responsible for causing the Great Depression, he shows why Hoover’s response to the crisis was a failure. That failure was not simply an unwillingness to use government resources to pump life into the nation’s economy. In fact, as Leuchtenburg shows, Hoover not only pushed for the Reconstruction Finance Corporation with authority to make big loans to banks, but he also promoted other government initiatives that some historians have characterized as precursors of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. But these actions were a “bad-tasting pill” for Hoover, and he never had any enthusiasm for activist government.
    Hoover’s primary failure was leadership. In Leuchtenburg’s words, Hoover was not an “effective galvanizer.”
        Why was he not the kind of leader the nation needed? Leuchtenburg’s engaging account of Hoover’s life shows its readers how he could be a very successful businessman and brilliant organizer of humanitarian efforts and still be ill equipped to mobilize, inspire, and lead a nation in trouble.
        Here is just one example from Leuchtenburg. After describing Hoover’s early days as a very successful mining engineer and businessman in Australia, Leuchtenburg points out that, nevertheless, “Hoover’s frigid demeanor and his Yankee brag earned him as much animosity as his hard-nosed procedures.
        Many found him abrasive, abrupt, and overbearing as well as solitary. … He was without humor and, so far as anyone could tell, without emotion. He had few, if any, friends who were equals — then, and for the rest of his days.”
    For a leader with a warm demeanor and the people skills, the country would have to wait for Hoover’s successor, Franklin Roosevelt.
        But you should not wait to read this entertaining and very timely study of an often overlooked and misunderstood president.


  • Late last December, I wrote a rather pointed op-ed piece on the development of the parks and recreation plan for the greater-Fayetteville area. 

    I appreciate our mayor and city council. I’m glad they have the foresight to improve the quality of life in our All-American City, because improvements are badly needed in our existing facilities, as is planning for new facilities. Organized athletics are not just entertainment. They can build teamwork and community spirit as well, and when they also reduce juvenile crime, the community gets a further bonus. Our senior citizens are living longer than ever before, and their quality of life is just as important as that of younger people. Two senior centers, one in East Fayetteville and the other in West Fayetteville, are long overdue.

    But in my op-ed, I tried to explain the plan in its entirety, not just giving a “big picture” overview, but also taking a closer look at the hidden costs of the then-proposed $64 million plan. Several readers voiced appreciation for the background research I included in the article.

    Last Monday the City Council met and revised the $64 million plan to a $35 million plan, still tying it directly to the bond referendum coming up this March. I sincerely think that’s a step in the right direction. The plan objectives are now set out much more clearly, for one thing, but transparency is essential to building trust. I still have several concerns about the modified plan, and about the local political context in which it would be implemented, if approved. 

    First, is the information being provided to the City Council accurate and reliable? If the council is to make good policy, they need to have accurate information. For example, on Dec. 14, city management assured the Council the total cost of the then-$28 million multipurpose complex would be approximately $700,000 per year. That very night, the council voted unanimously to approve the bond referendum being placed on the ballot in March. But later, on Jan. 4, a memo was distributed to say that the number city management gave at the Dec. 14 meeting was inaccurate. Council had already voted on the basis of an inaccurate figure. Now council learned that the true cost would in fact be around $2.3 million a year. That is an understatement of $1.6 million — every year! Unfortunately, this is not the only example of such, “mis-statements.” City management is rightfully expected to do their homework before council votes, rather than afterward. Money is not the issue here. Trust is.

    Second, in the recent municipal election, some on our council campaigned loudly that they were going to hold the line on hasty tax hikes — they would support no tax increase until they had “looked under the hood” to see what synergies or savings they could find — specifically in the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. They have not yet kept that promise. In fact, due to an exceedingly ambitious city manager, who apparently wants PWC totally under his thumb, we are now mired in a sticky lawsuit that will reportedly cost the taxpayers of this city at least $500,000 to litigate. Back during the Big Bang annexation, the city signed a commitment to pay approximately $70 million toward the cost of the infrastructure in this newly-annexed area. But the current city manager wasn’t here when that promise was made, and he seems not to regard it as binding. He is now attempting to renege on that obligation. Just call us “Litigation City.” Keep in mind this $70 million cost was not written directly out of the city budget but was a reduction in the amount the city would have received from technically the ratepayers of PWC. Again, the underlying issue isn’t money. It’s trust. We like folks who keep their word, Ted (Voorhees).

    Prior to negotiations crashing and litigation beginning, PWC had agreed to give back to the city approximately $1.3 million growing every year for inflation. We ended up not only giving that stream of income up but costing the citizens of this city $500,000 for litigation cost. It’s interesting that that $1.3 million a year would almost completely cover the interest expense assuming that the bonds were issued at 4.25 percent, not principal mind you but interest-only.

    True, City Council has the obligation for oversight of PWC. That does not mean City Council members — all of them “part-time” public servants, with private careers of their own — have the time, skill or experience to operate a multi-million dollar public utility. Ah, but that’s why we have city management professionals, right? Re-read the above paragraphs.

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    We are in the early weeks of our New Year’s Resolutions, the period when we are enthusiastic about making ourselves — happier, thinner, kinder, more focused, better paid, or whatever it is we hope to become in 2016. 

    I have resolved to lose 20 pounds, as I do every year, and to learn how to meditate — something I find much more interesting than dieting. I have already begun researching meditation practices and techniques online even though keyboarding uses few if any calories. I hope meditation will help with what yogis call “monkey mind” and what everyone else calls tossing and turning in the middle of the night.

    I have plenty of company in the self-improvement resolution department. Most — some say all — New Year’s resolutions involve losing weight, and that is a good thing for those of us in North Carolina, where we face a number of significant health challenges, including fat. The United Health Foundation ranks North Carolina 31st in the nation in general health, with some good news and some not-so-good news. The good news is that we are up from 37th in the nation last year, and we are second nationally in childhood immunization rates. The bad news is, among other statistics, North Carolina is 33rd in the rate of diabetes, 44th in the number of dentists, 9th in binge drinking, and has a high disparity between the health of more educated people and those without high school diplomas.

    Bad news as well about our weights. We are too heavy and getting heavier. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which tracks such numbers, reports that our adult obesity rate is now nearly 30 percent, up from 21 percent in 2000, and a petite 12 percent in 1990. Fewer children are obese, but then they have not had as much time and opportunity to eat. Obesity, of course, brings with it all sorts of health woes including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis and cancer.

    Blessedly, help of sorts arrived earlier this month just in time to bolster our New Year’s resolutions in the form of suggestions from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services about what we should eat and what we should not. No real surprises in the latest report, one that our government thoughtfully issues every five years. In a nutshell, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and not so much dairy and meats, especially highly processed meats. Take it easy on saturated fats, salt and sugar, which are singled out as particularly tough on the human body. The report says we take in our daily sugar quota in on 16-ounce soda, a fact which should cause soda consumers serious pause. 

    Many an elementary school student has already mastered these general guidelines. It seems to be adults who have trouble with them, probably because our bad habits — which we probably did not know were bad when we started them —are of long standing. That is why we hope our resolve will hold beyond the month of January.

    This year’s report sounds like good sense to me, but with all due respect to our government’s thoughts about what should pass our lips, I have a few of my own to share. 

    The closer the food is to its natural state, the better it is for you. For example, fresh apples and grapes have not been processed and are fine. A piece of cheddar on occasion for sure, but processed cheese product in any form, especially powder, YIKES! Apple pie — well — you get the point. Ditto for broiled fish as opposed to a fried seafood platter and a small square of dark chocolate and a gooey s’more.

    If it — whatever it is — is larger than your palm, think twice before you eat it. A slice of summer watermelon - yes, but a rib-eye steak, probably not unless you are 6 ‘5”.

    If you read the ingredients and cannot pronounce or spell them, don’t eat it. There is simply no telling what you are putting in your body. My red flags also go up when the package lists more than five or six ingredients. They may be just fine but I do check.

    We all know our forebears ate everything they wanted that they could get their hands on, and some of us feel we should as well. Our forbearers’ chow, however, was not laden with chemicals they had never heard of, and their life expectancies were nowhere close to those of today’s Americans.

    And even if your resolutions fall by the wayside as most do, including my 20 pounds, which have been with me for quite a while now, do not despair. Agriculture and Health and Human Services are probably already working on the next round of eating guidelines due to arrive in time for New Year’s 2021.

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    If you have been following the Presidential Election Campaign for the past year, you are probably on election sound bite overload. With nearly hourly updates on the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries; with the Republican debates last Thursday and Democratic debates on Sunday; I have been forced over the edge of exhaustion and frustration and will join the ranks of hundreds of thousands of former Democratic and Republican Party members who have found credence in Groucho Marx’s advice to “Refuse to join any club that would have him as a member.”

    For the average American, the polls have concluded that the government of the greatest nation in the world has not only let us down but has abused us. Both parties have grossly misrepresented their constituents, abused their power and ignored, disrespected and trampled upon the Constitution of the United States making the term “law-of-the-land” a joke. 

    Americans are worse off now than they have ever been. They are scared, economically depressed and angry with a government that has proven time and time again by word and deed that we just don’t matter. Only they matter. 

    This being the case, how can anyone pledge alliance to a politician or political order so brazen, selfish and corrupt? Well, I cannot. Out of protest, I have already pledged not to vote for any incumbent nationally after finding it almost impossible to distinguish who the good guys are. At least, as an Independent voter I can enjoy the fact that I have a choice. A choice without guilt. A choice without compromise. A choice that will allow me to feel that I am not part of the problem, which allows me not to advocate for a dysfunctional government. My choice allows me not to enable that government. It’s not much, but it’s a huge relief to practice my independence.

    Thank you for choosing to read Up & Coming Weekly.  

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    Fayetteville Police Officer Paul Davis, Jr. and 25-year-old Reginald Butler recently crossed paths. From what Police Chief Harold Medlock recounts, Butler should be glad he’s still alive. Davis and his family are no doubt reflecting on what could have been his last day on the job. 

    Butler had crashed his car, and Davis was one of three officers to respond to the scene of the one-vehicle wreck on Bunce Road. The accident investigation disclosed that Butler became “visibly agitated,” according to Lt. David McLaurin, but he apparently was not hurt. Davis asked him to take a seat in his own car and relax, at which point “Butler became even more agitated, took off his coat and threw it on the ground,” McLaurin added.

    Davis was speaking with Butler while the other officers were reviewing the accident scene. Then, in a split second, came one of those “decision points” as Police Chief Harold Medlock described it. While Butler and Davis were talking, Butler reached down and pulled up one of his pants’ legs. The police report indicated Butler pulled a handgun from his sock. Davis grabbed the man’s hand and pistol and pressed them against his leg. Seeing the commotion, the other officers took control of Butler and he was disarmed. The weapon was a 38-caliber snub-nose revolver.

    Medlock tells Up & Coming Weekly had it not been for training and the officer’s presence of mind, the incident could easily have gone differently and Davis would “probably have been justified in shooting Butler” who is black. Davis, a field training officer and a 10-year veteran of the department,  is a “squared away professional” according to Medlock. 

    Butler, as it turns out, has a lengthy criminal record. He is in jail and is being held on several charges including three counts of assault with a deadly weapon on government officials and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to police. This was one of several similar incidents in recent months during which police officers had to confront armed subjects who attempted to assault them, said McLaurin.

    This is not a Fayetteville problem, but rather one that is being faced by law enforcement officers across the nation. 

    “It worries me to no end,” Medlock said. “It’s different at the chief’s level, worrying about their safety. We’re faced with these situations all the time.” 

    The other officers involved in this case were Dylan Kettell, a K-9 officer with 11 years’ experience and Matthew Smith who’s been on the department since 2013. 

  • (Editor’s Note: Margaret is beginning a several week visit to India, and has elected to print some of her favorite columns from the past. We hope you enjoy them.)           

        We have just come through the season of giving, and I am always humbled by just how giving we Americans are. In 2005, we dug into our pockets to help victims of natural disasters ranging from tsunamis to hurricanes to earthquakes.     We went to far-flung locations to provide physical assistance and moral support. We also gave to our local causes even though many of us had already blown through our budgets for charitable giving.
        Americans are a generous people.
        We can also be incredibly rude.
        A cousin and I traveled in southeast Asia last fall, a wonderful and memorable experience in all kinds of ways. Airline travel in that part of the world was an unexpected delight. Thai Airways even had vases of orchids in the onboard restrooms, but the service really shone. Lovely and slender young women in uniforms patterned after traditional Thai dress floated down the aisles with bottles of wine, inquiring whether we would like more red or white.
        {mosimage}I know, of course, that Americans no longer tolerate employment requirements about gender, weight and makeup, but we do tolerate what seems to me an increasing level of rudeness in our culture.
        This was brought home to my cousin and me several times on our trip. The first was an American man who loudly berated airline personnel in Bangkok because our late trans-Pacific flight caused him to miss his connection. He shouted at counter agents, who, of course, had nothing to do with the delayed flight, demanding that they buy him a train ticket to his next stop and give him a meal voucher even though we had just had a large breakfast on the plane. Everyone within earshot was embarrassed.
        Another tilt on the rude-o-meter came once we were back in the United States on a domestic airline on the way to the East Coast. A flight attendant — a middle-aged woman with a loud voice and dirty hair — was selling earphones for $2 to passengers who wanted to watch a movie or listen to music. The man seated in front of me had been coughing and as the earphone-hawking attendant passed his seat he asked her politely for something to drink. Her reaction left him — and me — speechless.
        “Does this look like a beverage cart to you?” she snapped, adding that she would deal with drinks after she finished selling the earphones.
        I do not know whether that poor fellow ever got his water, but I do know that in addition to safety training, that airline should consider bringing on Miss Manners as a consultant.
        None of us really know whether Americans were more courteous and polite in past generations, but I suspect that our “Me! Me! Me!” culture of today with the emphasis on individual rights and self-fulfillment has created, at best, less sensitivity for the feelings of others, and, at worst, a lot of truly rude people.
        I hear cell phones go off in meetings and in movie theaters. I see people all the time interrupting actual face-to-face conversations to take cell phone calls, leaving others to stand by and listen to personal, even intimate discussions with who-knows-who on the other end of the wireless call. I deal with surly store clerks who begrudge me their time and effort even though I may buy some item or service for which they might receive a commission. I receive emails from people who write things I doubt they would ever say in person. I see motorists make obscene gestures and mouth curses to others drivers.
        The list of rudeness is endless, and I know you see it, too.
        Just out of curiosity, I did a search on the word “manners.” My grandmother called manners the glue of society and said they are what keep us from killing each other. The search did not quote my grandmother, but it did turn up several insights on the concepts of manners and of rudeness. Eric Hoffer observes that “Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength.” Margaret Walker and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas had similar takes. They said, respectively, “Friends and good manners will carry you where money won’t go,” and “Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.” George Bernard Shaw’s Henry Higgins tells his waif-in-training-to-be-a-lady that “The great secret,     Eliza, is not having bad manners or good manners or any other particular sort of manners, but having the same manners for all human souls.” Emily Post, the Miss Manners of her day, put it this way: “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners no matter what fork you use.”
        My favorite, though, comes from an unknown author and it pretty much sums up the concept of manners for me.
        “Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you — not because they are nice, but because you are.”

        Contact Margaret Dickson at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 

  •     The true measure of a great leader lies not in a gushing dissection of her many attributes but in weighing her impact. Sarah Palin could not undo in nine weeks what the Republican Party had done to itself for the better part of eight years, but she bought them time, paid for not just with charm, radiance and a hypnotic brand of likability but with a knack for bringing out the best in those who follow her. No less an embedded Washington centrist than John McCain was able to rouse his conservative base just by adding her to his ticket.
        With the possible exception of George W. Bush early in his presidency, she has fired up the conservative base like no one since Ronald Reagan, inspiring chivalry in conservative men, and women, who know that she is tough and can handle herself, think of her as a sister they want to protect. To them, she defines authenticity, so they are upholding not just a name but a set of shared values: common sense, rugged self-reliance, traditional family, faith and the all-American notion that the everyday denizens of our country can not just beat city hall, they can run it.
        Much to the chagrin of wordy intellectuals from the left and the right, the future of conservative leadership could well belong not to the traditional political class but to Sarah Palin and other hockey moms and Joe the Plumbers from small towns far outside the New York-Washington-Ivy League corridor, united by the Internet.
        {mosimage}Even in defeat, Palin garners more press than Vice-President Elect Biden and her star power will certainly fill arenas as a fundraiser and speaker, as it did for Senator Saxby Chambliss who won the Dec. 2 runoff in Georgia. While no one credits her alone, she undoubtedly possesses enormous political capital that pays off not just for herself but for her party. She may well run for president in 2012 with four more years as governor to season her again for the national spotlight. Or, if a popular President Obama appears headed for a second term, she could wait ‘till 2016 when she will be 52, just a kid in political years.
        The left is already writing her political epitaph, some blaming her for the GOP’s defeat, when, in truth, she brought out many conservatives who might have stayed home, uninspired by John McCain. Granted, independents and moderates expressed skepticism over her readiness for high office, but in the end, economic concerns ruled and they voted against the incumbent party, for change and for Barack Obama.
        Some naysayers, mostly on the left, concede that the governor possesses charm, good looks and a large enough following to attain success as a TV talk show host. In other words, let the big boys mold public policy, little lady, and you just stay on the sidelines and look good. They used to tell her that in Alaska, too.
        With all the press coverage of her clothes and her pregnant teen daughter, the average voter may be only vaguely aware that she has laid solid foundations for ethics reform, an energy policy designed for her state to lead America to independence from foreign oil and advocacy for special needs children. Even without a spot on a national ticket, she would be a valued part of a future Republican administration.
        Provided with ambition, Sarah Palin will endure in American life because the values, of which she is both a conduit and a cradle, will endure: faith, family, skepticism of federal power and a rugged, outdoorsy can-do spirit reminiscent of Teddy Roosevelt. Even if she never holds higher office, her spot in the annals of politics is secure. Indeed, in the pantheon of conservative greats, some merit a a military salute and some merit a firm handshake. Millions would surely stand in line to give Sarah Palin a hug, as she earned their respect and affection — not a bad start for a great legacy.

    Contact David Bozeman at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 

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    For heaven’s sake, pay attention Fayetteville! We have a major decision to make in eight weeks about the future of our community. I’m not talking about just voting in the upcoming March 15 Primary Election for local and national elected officials, but rather for the local $35 million bond issue that will increase Fayetteville’s degree of livability. When it comes to economic development, there is no doubt that one of the reasons why we cannot attract lucrative industry to enhance our stature is lack of amenities like parks and recreational facilities.

     I am amazed and disappointed at the lack of awareness local residents have about this critical upcoming decision. Even more disturbing is how many folks are misinformed about the P & R Bond and its potential impact on our community and quality of life. 

    Admittedly, local government’s rationale for determining the communities needs and formulating the right package has left many of us scratching our heads and rolling or eyes. But now it’s done. In the weeks to come the City of Fayetteville has every intention of providing residents information and details about the initiative. To the city’s credit an intensive education and awareness campaign has been implemented. It will include community meetings, public hearings, a media campaign and community outreach. The information will be out there. Now, it will be up to the Fayetteville citizens to pay attention, access the available information, ask questions and make an intelligent and well-informed decision. After all, it is our future. 

    On another note, but still on the same page, it is too bad that the city didn’t buy airtime during the J. Cole Concert Special that aired on HBO last Saturday night. Not only did HBO do a great job showcasing this talented native son, but they, like most misdirected media, made sure America got to see our seedy neighborhoods, run down houses and trashy streets. They didn’t leave out Bragg Boulevard’s shady icons and, of course, our community of homeless residents living under our downtown bridges. 

    To the detriment of our community, but perhaps a wake up call for us, HBO made a great case to vote yes for the March 15 Parks & Rec Referendum. The reality is, this is the way Fayetteville is viewed by the outside world and we are the only ones who can change that. 

    Get smart. Get involved. Get informed. 

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.


  •     The end of a year gives us the opportunity to reflect on the highlights of the past year and to look ahead to the challenges and great opportunities that await us.
        Your city council enjoyed success in 2008 by demonstrating a new commitment to this city, its citizens and its government through Fayetteville Forward. We saw more collaboration between the city and our partners, working with PWC to develop a $200 million sewer extension plan for western Fayetteville; with the military on the annexation of Fort Bragg; and with Cumberland County on a growth management strategy.
        {mosimage}We listened more to citizens, involving them in task forces for recycling, transit, studies of Ramsey Street and Murchison Road, and the Fayetteville Museum of Art location. We started moving city council meetings to the neighborhoods and now aggressively recruit, train and mentor citizens for our boards and commissions.
        We raised the development standards with the approval of ordinances regulating Storm Water, Big Box development, non-conforming junk yards and temporary storage containers.
    Improving our neighborhoods was a focus of the council. We continued our commitment to pave soil streets in the city; demolished dozens of dilapidated buildings; restricted panhandling and increased buffers between night clubs, day cares and schools.
        We saw the continued development of downtown Fayetteville with the approval of the Hope VI project; plans for the N.C. State Veterans Park, the Northwest Gateway; and a new Multi Modal Center. 
        We put more sworn officers on the streets and significantly increased the number of citations written and Fayetteville was recently ranked as one of the safest large cities in North Carolina.
        We continued to diversify our economy with more technology-based jobs opportunities. Our per-capita income grew by almost 8 percent last year ranking us number one in North Carolina.
        We showed our commitment to transit through increased funding; upgraded the fleet and improved the routes as the first steps towards an improved transit system.
        We organized to take advantage of the opportunities for growth with BRAC and broke ground for the Military Business Park. And we reached out to support the soldiers and airmen as well as their families while they defend our freedom throughout the world. This council continued its commitment to our environment with the implementation of residential curbside recycling; a requirement for litter receptacles outside businesses and two Fayetteville Beautiful community-wide cleanups. Fayetteville’s future is a bright one. You will continue to see us make progress as we focus on several key areas for next year.
        We have to bring more and better jobs to the community by recruiting military contractors and working with others to further develop our workforce and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. We will work to grow smarter.
        We’ll approve the Joint 2030 Growth Vision Plan and its new policies for zoning, sewer extensions, and annexation. We will implement the changes from the comprehensive review of the city’s zoning codes.
        We will get organized to address the recommendations of the BRAC RTF Growth Management Plan report and prepare our community for the upcoming growth opportunities.
        We will strengthen our commitment to reducing our crime rates with more resources and attention in this critical area.
        We will resolve the growing parking problem in downtown Fayetteville and break ground on the N.C. Veterans Park as well as replacing hundreds of homes in the first stages of the Hope VI project.
        We’ll work to expand the existing recycling efforts into multifamily housing and commercial areas. We’ll continue to push for a greener city with more trees and green space and a healthier environment.
        We will work with the parks and recreation board to prioritize and identify funding plans to begin to address the facility needs identified in the master plan.
        We will continue our plans to pave soil streets, raise development and appearance standards and provide additional funding for more sidewalks in high traffic areas. And we will continue our efforts to end homelessness in our city.
    We will improve the transit system with a comprehensive redesign of the routes, additional funding and better coordination with the county, Fort Bragg and Pope.
        We are working hard to make Fayetteville a more attractive, clean and peaceful city; one with economic opportunity for all.
        That great city is within our grasp.
        We ask for your continued support and prayers. Pray for our military neighbors. Give us wisdom and guidance as we help lead this city to an even brighter future.  May God bless you and our great city.
  •     AIDS is the number one killer of African-American women aged 23-34. In the African-American community, discussing HIV is taboo. This is a conversation that the African-American community needs to have. We should be afraid. Presently, African-American women have the highest rate of HIV infections and are 23 times more likely to contract AIDS vs. other ethnic groups. A woman is twice as likely to contract HIV infection during unprotected vaginal intercourse with an infected partner. Why is this happening in our community? These women are wives, girlfriends, mothers, sisters, heads of household and the gatekeepers of the African-American community. It’s going to get worse if we do not do something about it. 
       {mosimage}Reasons for this epidemic inclkude unprotected sex, intravenous drug use and brothers on the “down low.” Some African-Americans face challenges that put them at a higher risk of contracting HIV: socioeconomic status, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and less access to high-quality medical care. 
       It saddens me to see this going on in our community. I feel that there is a denial that AIDS is an epidemic among African-Americans which makes people reluctant to get tested or have conversations about the disease. The issue needs to be addressed. We cannot wait on the government to help us with this epidemic and should work together to find a solution to the problem. Early diagnosis is the critical step in dealing with this crisis.
       We are now living in a society where people live double lives, or shall I say double lies, and put others at risk of becoming infected because of selfishness. These actions can destroy the spirit of a woman and cause her not to trust so easily. Women, protect yourselves and listen to your gut feeling when you are getting to know your mate. You know when something is not quite right about a person. HIV statistics among African-American women are rising and you have to take care of you. 
       The African-American community needs to acknowledge that AIDS is an issue and should talk about it. Everyone needs to be involved in the process. We need to educate one another about prevention, encourage HIV testing and provide treatment to those who need it. We have to make sure African-American women are around to take care of their children and contribute to our community. It is time to stop living in denial and do something about it.

    Contact Shanessa Fenner at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 

  •     The Windsors were a part of our household when I was growing up. I saw them frequently and viewed the Windsor children who were close to my ages as my chums. Our mothers dressed us in much the same ways, and it seemed to me that we had common interests and experiences as “baby boomer” children growing up in the decades following World War II.
        It did not really register with me then that the Windsor children’s mother was Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and all its royal dominions and mine was, well, my mother.
        My father had been an Army medic in England, and he and another soldier boarded in the home of an English widow. My father, a personable and courtly Southerner, struck up a friendship with Mrs. Fox which endured until she died in the 1960s. I suppose because the two young families, the Windsors and the Highsmiths, were in the same stage of life, she sent us many books about the British Royal Family.
        The books were PR efforts to portray the Royal Family as — almost — regular folks. They were filled with wonderful and charming photographs. Some were formal portraits involving crowns, scepters, and robes trimmed with ermine. Most though, were family scenes, concocted I am now sure to garner and keep the affection and respect of the Queen’s British subjects, not unlike the slightly later Camelot photographs of President Kennedy’s young family. The Queen’s son Charles, who was actually a cute little boy and her daughter Anne who had Shirley Temple-like yellow curls, were pictured swinging, playing with their dogs, and, occasionally, getting into some slight mischief.
        I loved those books and remember once asking my father to write Mrs. Fox requesting that she invite Charles and Anne to visit us in Fayetteville. I imagined that they would enjoy running around with the children and dogs in our Haymount neighborhood as much as my sister and I did.
        Needless to say, they never showed.
        {mosimage}There has been much water over the dam since then for both the Windsors and the Highsmiths, so I watched with great interest the various celebrations of Queen Elizabeth’s 80th birthday last week. Her people are very fond of her, and so am I.
    I will not bore you with my “water over the dam” experiences, but think for a moment about the Queen who has remained unruffled and serene for decades despite everything from the final dismantling of the once-global British empire to the toe-sucking antics of my imaginary playmates, her precious children, and their wacky spouses.
        Think of having to meet with prime ministers ranging from the Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, to the more freewheeling Tony Blair — once a week, every week whether she liked them or approved of their policies and without legal authority to affect what they do.
        Imagine hearing a recording along with the rest of the world of your son and heir to the throne telling a woman he is not married to that he would like to be “in her trousers” or hearing your-daughter-in law, the woman who would be Queen, confess on worldwide television to an affair with her riding instructor.
        Think of presiding over the final days of the once-great Empire and the rise of the European Union. Imagine what it felt like to see the monetary system which bore your face and those of your ancestors on pounds, shillings, and pence morph into the drab but convenient Euro.
        Imagine watching your grandchildren referred to as “studs” and hoping they will get themselves under control more effectively — or at least more privately — than their parents did.
        Queen Elizabeth has done this and more with dignity and a constant and unwavering hairdo that could have been styled at the Downtowner beauty parlor on Franklin Street in 1965.
        I have a favorite Queen Elizabeth story which, accurate or not, sums up what I think of as her true self.
    I heard it from my walking chum who, like Queen Elizabeth, owns and loves Corgis. It seems that one day the Queen was walking her brood, with her security detail at a discreet English distance. One of her subjects came up to the monarch and observed, “My, you certainly look like the Queen.” To which Her Majesty, Queen of the United Kingdom and Defender of the Faith smiled and replied calmly and sweetly, “That’s reassuring.”
        If my mother were living she would be a few years older than Queen Elizabeth and I suspect she would have much the same hairdo and, I hope, the same serenity which comes from long enduring the human experience, be we royalty or commoner.
        The Queen’s celebrations last week included gatherings with her family and with 99 other Britons born the same day as she. I have no idea what anyone said, but if I had been there, I would have wished her many returns of the day and given her the Dicksons’ special birthday greeting, coined by a toddler who could not quite get it all out.
        “Hap to you, your Majesty.”

    Contact Margaret Dickson at  editor@upandcomingweekly.com

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    In the midst of the Civil War, a young slave named Dan lives on a Southern plantation and loves to play his drum. When a company of Union soldiers announce that the slaves have been set free, Dan has no family, no home and no place to go. He follows the soldiers, who befriend him. When Confederate soldiers attack, Dan discovers that he may be able to save his friends using his drum.

    This is the tale told in Li’l Dan, the Drummer Boy: A Civil War Storyby renowned artist Romare Bearden. The book, the only one written and illustrated by Bearden, is part of the Romare Bearden: Beat of a Different Drum exhibit presented by the Arts Council and opening Jan. 22 during 4th Friday from 7 – 9 p.m.

    “The book is a work of fiction,” said Mary Kinney, marketing director of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “It’s a wonderful story of heroism and bravery of this little boy … finding friendship in unexpected places.”

    The free Black History Month exhibition of artwork and artifacts will run until March 5 and includes lectures, performances and workshops. The Arts Council worked with Charlotte’s Jerald Melberg Gallery, the Romare Bearden Foundation in New York City and the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex to arrange the exhibit.

    It incorporates historical pieces on loan from the Museum of Cape Fear including an authentic Civil War drum, a bayonet and a painting of the Fayetteville Arsenal before it was destroyed in 1865. Kinney said reproductions of a Union soldier’s uniform and a southern woman’s outfit will be available for visitors to touch.

    The highlight of the exhibit is a series of colorful images from Bearden’s book, on loan from the Jerald Melberg Gallery. Kinney said the images and themes will engage visitors of all ages.

    “We’re excited to present this story and works of Romare Bearden,” Kinney said. “There’s a sense of wonder to some of these pieces. This exhibit is very colorful with vibrant pieces. Some a little more abstract and collage focused. In this story told through watercolor, you get the sense that you know this little boy.”

    Bearden was born in Charlotte in 1911, and lived much of his adult life in New York, where he died in 1988. Considered a prolific artist, his work was exhibited during his lifetime throughout the U. S. and Europe. Recognized as one of the most creative and original visual artists of the 20th century, Bearden experimented with different mediums and styles, but is best known for his richly textured collages. Bearden’s diverse interests were evident with his sets and costumes designed for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. 

    “He did have a full career outside of artwork,” Kinney said. “He had a full-time day job as a social worker. Art was evening and weekend work. He was the type of artist that was open to exploring art. His different mediums make the show more accessible to more people.”

    Kinney said the Arts Council expects a wide and varied interest in the exhibit from artists, students, historians and novice art enthusiasts.

    “It is an opportunity to have access to artwork from outside our community, works that are normally not available unless viewed in high-end galleries,” Kinney said. “When they come, they will get a sense that they’ve seen something they wouldn’t normally have a chance to see, and learn something about African-American art.”

    Group tours with educators and other organizations are available with docents who are educated on the time frame, art techniques and historical significance of the works.

    The opening during 4th Friday will feature a meet-and-greet with Diedra Harris-Kelly, co-director of the Romare Bearden Foundation in New York and a relative of Bearden, as well as performances by Fayetteville State University’s Percussion Ensemble at 7:15 and 8 p.m. in the Arts Council’s Grand Hall. 

    Harris-Kelly will also participate in a discussion on collecting African-American art at 11 a.m. on Jan. 23.

    Kinney encourages visitors to also visit a related exhibition at the Transportation & Local History Museum. Cumberland County Goes to War commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and Cumberland County’s war experience. 

    The Arts Council galleries are located at 301 Hay Street. Admission is free. Gallery hours are Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to noon; and Saturday noon to 4 p.m. To schedule a tour from Jan. 25 until March 4, contact the Arts Council at 910.323.1776. To learn more about Romare Bearden’s life and work visit http://www.beardenfoundation.org/ 

     

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    Cape Fear Studios is the only visual arts cooperative in Fayetteville; as such, it already has deep roots in the local artistic community. The beautiful brick building houses a gallery, a retail area, seven studios for member artists and an open area for classes and meetings. And starting last year the cooperative annually opens its gallery walls to all artists in the community. 

    “The ‘Cabin Fever’ Public Exhibit is non-juried exhibit open to all; participants don’t have to be a member of Cape Fear Studios. The art can be of any type including fabric or quilts, which is unusual for us; something we normally don’t do,” Ann Griffin, the executive director, explained. It is an exhibit that brings a fresh perspective to all of the talent in the area. 

    To further engage the community, Cape Fear Studios often coordinates their exhibit openings with 4th Friday, and “Cabin Fever” is no different. Generally, exhibits open on a 4th Friday and remain open until the next one. Guests at the opening can snack on hors d’oeuvre and drinks, and often artists are available to chat with the public. This is especially true for solo exhibits featuring the work of a single artist. “The 4th Friday event … is like a regular exhibit opening reception. The only prize is a People’s Choice Award that people who come to the reception can vote on. They can also come the day before to vote,” Griffin said. 

    According to Griffin one of the most exciting aspects of hosting such an open exhibit is the element of surprise. There is no telling what may come in, but she has never been disappointed with what the community produces. “Last year was our first time doing the ‘Cabin Fever’ exhibit. I was very surprised by the quality. This town is amazing. Last year we had a wood carver bring in a 24-inch tall carving of a man with a cane and it was the coolest. You just look at these things and think ‘wow that really is hand-made.’ And the photographers in Fayetteville are really outstanding. I am always surprised by the quality of the work,” she said. 

    Though Griffin is not an artist herself, she is deeply passionate about her work and about the impact that art has on society as a whole. Art is part of what drives any culture. Technology is wonderful but what tells the story of the period is the art from people that lived at that time. “Many people don’t realize how important music and the arts are for any culture,” she said. “The artists bring more than their creations, they bring their energy. I love being part of that. “She asserts that it is art that differentiates early humans from just a collection of bones. 

    Cape Fear Studious is located at 148 Maxwell St. The exhibit opening and reception is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.capefearstudios.com or call 910.433.2986.

     

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    Longtime Fayetteville residents will remember a time when dinner theatre was a regular part of the city’s social scene. But that hasn’t been the case for more than 30 years.

    Back in the day, theatre patrons could routinely make their way to the Holiday Inn Bordeaux to catch a relaxing and entertaining evening of theatre coupled with a great dinner. As the old saying goes, all good things must end, and that was the case of dinner theatre in Fayetteville. But as the community begins talking about improving its quality of life, local businessman Bill Bowman, decided it was time to bring dinner theatre back to life in Fayetteville. 

    “People always talk about the lack of things to do in Fayetteville, and then they head up to Raleigh or  Durham or Chapel Hill to experience things that could very easily be experienced here locally,” said Bowman. “Why can’t we have the ‘good stuff?”

    With that thought in mind, Bowman reached out to the community, and what he found was many local partners who were excited about the idea of brining dinner theatre back to Fayetteville and welcomed the opportunity to be a part of it.

    Bowman noted, that the enthusiasm with which the dinner theatre idea was greeted made him even more excited about making it a reality, Because he is about community, Bowman thought the best way to bring dinner theatre back was to bring it back by showcasing the work of a local playwright. So he turned to long-time friend Elaine Alexander - now a resident of Charlotte - but a hometown girl at heart. Alexander, a Westover graduate, with family ties that go back several hundred years, has gained success as a playwright in the Charlotte area, and was only too happy to bring one of her shows, A Southern Girl’s Got to Have It,  back home. 

    For Bowman, the next step was finding a venue. For that, he had to look no further than a long-time friend with roots in the hotel industry: Romona Moore. Moore is the marketing director at the Holiday Inn I-95.

    “They have a great venue out there and were one of our first partners,” said Bowman. “The hotel  is very excited and is putting together an elegant evening an wonderful meal to complement a great show.”

    Because dinner theatre is such an intimate event, Bowman thought there was no better weekend to offer the show than Valentine’s Day Weekend.

    “On Valentine’s Day, we are all looking for something unique an elegant to do with our Valentine,” he said. “Dinner theatre, complete with an overnight stay, makes a perfect gift for your special person.”

    To that end, the Holiday Inn is offering special dinner theatre packages. The Hotel Sweetheart package includes two theatre tickets, a deluxe room, two complimentary breafkasts and a half dozen roses with each pair of tickets.

    To make the evening even more unique, Bowman enlisted neighboring Lu Mil Vineyard to join the team. The family-owned vineyard located in Bladen County, will bring a sampling of its wines to the event for a wine tasting.

    “There are a lot of things we are doing to ensure that this is a special night for those who attend,” said Bowman.

    For those who do not have a sweetheart to celebrate Valentine’s with, the theatre  is sponsoring a Ladies’ Night Out on Friday, Feb. 12. Ladies’ Night Out includes a ticket, wine tasting and dinner, music and attendance to a champagne reception for the actors after the show.

    On Friday Feb. 12 and Saturday, Feb. 13, the doors will open at 6 p.m., followed by a wine tasting, dinner and the show. On Sunday, Feb. 14, the show is at noon, which includes a wine tasting and buffet lunch.

    “We are really pulling out all of the stops to make sure that Fayetteville residents have the opportunity to enjoy a great night of dinner and theatre without having to drive an hour away to do so,” he said “With the upcoming bond referendum, there is a lot of talk about what Fayetteville residents deserve. And  I wholeheartedly agree that Fayetteville residents deserve to enjoy great quality of life venues and events. If we can make this event successful, we will look at other ways and venues that we can create to add to the quality of life for our residents.”

    If the dinner theatre is successful, Bowman hopes to bring a Georgetown-based playwright down to present the next dinner theatre. 

    Tickets are $75 and are available at the Holiday Inn, Up &Coming Weekly,the Crown Coliseum, Owen’s Florist and online at CapeFearTix.com. Discounts are available for seniors, active duty military and Cumberland County School Educators. 

    For more information, call 391-3859.

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    The Cape Fear Regional Theatre has a long history of producing top-notch shows. That tradition continues unblemished with its latest production, The Wiz. An adaptation of Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz, the show first opened at the Majestic Theatre in January 1975. Since then it has been delighting audiences, and the audience at the Sunday matinee at the CFRT was no exception.

    Originally produced by Ken Harper, a popular radio personality and producer, the show as groundbreaking in that it was produced with an all black cast. Running for four years during its original run and netted seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, proved the acceptance of an all-black cast by the mainstream on Broadway, laying the framework for future African-America blockbusters like Dream Girls. The popularity of the show has not waned, as shown by the recent televised live performance this year.

    Prior to seeing the show, I wondered how the CFRT could pull of such a big production on their stage. It was something I really didn’t need to worry about. The creative staff at the CFRT has always done a great job at maximizing their space, and that was true with this show as well. Through the use of video, simple dual use scenery and the actors, the show allowed us to suspend reality and step into the make believe world of Oz. The cast also used the aisles going through the theatre as part of its acting space, which invited the audience to become a part of the show.

    Pre-performance, the CFRT staff was a little nervous about how the show itself would come together because of its intricacy and size. They had nothing to worry about. During the show I attended, there was only one noticeable hiccup, and that was with the microphone of the Wicked Witch Evilene. During her first scene, her initial lyrics could not be heard, but the sound crew quickly corrected the problem, and the audience was soon drawn into her delightfully, wicked home. 

    The casting of the show was perfection. Many long-time CFRT performers graced the stage, while we were also introduced to new actors  — whom I’m sure we will see again. It was not a veritable cast of thousands, but the way actors came and went off the stage, it made you feel like it was an extremely large cast. There were close to 50 performers in the cast, many of whom played dual roles. Huge props go to the dancers/singers who popped in and out of many scenes as different characters. Their talent was amazing and they brought it on the big dance production numbers. 

    Special props go out to the younger actors, Justice Haygood, Annalise Kelly, Diego Macias and Helen Steffan, who stole the audience from the get go as the Munchkins, and who popped in and out of the show with great style and stage presence. If actors like these are the next generation of CFRT performers, theatre will thrive in Fayetteville for quite some time to come. 

    Of course, much of the show’s success depended on the performance of Dorothy and her motley band — the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. These four had a great chemistry together and showcased what the CFRT staff does so well — bringing and eclectic group together to make great theatre. TyNia Brandon (Dorothy) is a young North Carolina performer, having earned her bachelor’s of fine arts  in musical theater, with a minor in dance, from Catawba College in 2014. Brandon didn’t just grace the stage, she owned it, which is quite a compliment when you consider the talent with which she shared the stage.

    Other stand-out performers include Crystal Lynn Bradley, who played the not so magical, but street savvy witch Addaperle, Lormarev Jones playing Evilene and Fayettteville native Gigi Ritchey as Glinda. 

    The Wizis a great way for the CFRT to kick off the year, and they did it in such a way that should have you easing on down the road to check it out.

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    For those who visit local galleries regularly, more than likely they have seen Dwight Smith’s abstract paintings. Smith lives in Fayetteville and is an assistant professor of art at Fayetteville State University. His paintings are highly textured, thick and “oozy-sensuous.” Often the mark making in the paintings seem to reference a drawing process — reason and intuition is mediated throughout the finished work. 

    After years of wanting to explore printmaking, Smith recently made the time to become a student of the genre. After seeing the early results, Gallery 208 is excited to host an exhibit of the relationship between Smith’s paintings, drawings and prints in Dwight Smith: an Artist’s Approach to Discovery. The artist’s reception is Jan. 19, from 5:30-7 p.m., and includes several of his paintings while the remainders of the works in the exhibit are drawings and prints. 

    Visitors to Dwight Smith: an Artist’s Approach to Discovery will clearly see how an artist transitions between mediums while retaining the thematic essence of who they are. Each process contributes to personal meaning or content — his oeuvre is embedded in the material he is using at that moment.

    The following statement by Smith is the key to understanding how he moves so easily between the different media: “My research and investigations into contemporary painting involve mixed-media painting and drawings that are influenced by material surfaces and scale.” 

    For Smith, the act of drawing translates into a direct experience and an immediate source of discovery — a process least impeded by technical considerations of a finished painting; he is unencumbered by the “finished” process in a painting. Instead, drawing is the immediate formulation of ideas and is the result of hand, drawing material and the surface of the paper.

    In his approach to painting, Smith explained, “As an artist, my current painting practice involves methods of integrating opposites into a state of harmony and balance. Elements of design referenced in African, African-American or multi-cultural imagery create a catalyst to begin my visual language that informs the work. Through the work I am responding to the tension generated by a resounding past and an insistent present. Each work is a commitment to intimate concerns about painting and the contemporary language of abstraction.”

    Printmaking was simply an extension of Smith’s approach to drawing and painting. The use of materials became possibilities, not an objective search, but about discovery, experimentation and selection. In that printmaking is a studio environment for artists to explore imagery and creative problem solving, Smith thrived due to his approach to drawing and painting — thinking in layers, colors, the graphic use of black, texture and incorporating his personal symbols.  

    No matter what the medium, all Smith’s work reflects what is important to him: “…I create celebrate life, family histories and tributes to artists. I express certain social realities concerning the world while exploring aesthetic qualities of being black in America and addressing the literal symbology of contemporary blackness within the legacy of Abstract Expressionism, thereby creating a pliable structure for intuition, improvisation and chance.” 

    No matter which media Smith is using, it is easy to sum up his approach as an artist by citing a statement by Sarah Thornton in her book Seven Days in the Art World: “You are materializing — taking something from the inside and putting out into the world so you can be relieved of it.”

    After retiring to Fayetteville from a career as a graphic designer in the automobile industry in Detroit, Michigan, Smith has enriched the area with his talent, skills as a teacher and as an art advocate in the community. After being only retired for one year, he was hired to teaching painting at Fayetteville State University. While teaching with Fayetteville State he completed a required advanced terminal degree for studio artists, a master’s of fine arts from the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Smith is also the director of the Rosenthal Gallery on Fayetteville States’campus. 

    Some of Smith’s most recent group invitations to exhibit include NAAHBCU National Exhibition: AfroFurturism, at the Tubman African-American Museum, Macon, Georgia; FORECAST: OVERFLOW at the Brown & Juanita Ford Art Gallery, Wayne County Community College in Detroit Michigan; Earthy Abstraction: Works by Jack Kehoe, Kipley Meyer, Brian Rust and Dwight Smithat the Madison Artists Guild in Madison, Georgia; and Contemporary Works on Paper at the Brandywine Center for the Visual Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    Selected solo exhibitions include OBSERVATIONS: Mixed Media Works from Dwight Smith at the Ellington-White Contemporary Art Gallery in Fayetteville, North Carolina; New Works by Dwight Smith at the National Conference of Artists Michigan Chapter Gallery in Detroit, Michigan; Peintures, Le Manufacture in Aurillac, France; and National Conference of Artists International Exhibition at the The National Gallery in Dakar, Senegal.

    Selected recent presentations by the artist include “Black Art: Abstraction, Social Change and Cultural Identity in My Postwar America” in Rosenthal Gallery on the campus of Fayetteville State University and the Institute of Boston at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts; “Examining Interrelationships of Black Art on Social Change and Cultural Identity” at Fayetteville State University; and “The Evolution of the Black Image in Illustration and Fine Art” for the Friends of African and African American Art at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County in North Carolina.

    Smith’s commitment to the idea of discovery is not limited to the studio, but reaches into the community with his art advocacy.  His community service includes leadership in the Fayetteville Art Guild, participating in the Ellington-White Community Foundation on Gillespie Street and instructing in Discovering the Arts (an after school and summer program for young students). 

    Gallery 208, at Up & Coming Weekly, is pleased to share Dwight Smith: an Artist’s Approach to Discovery with the community. The opening and artists’ reception on Jan. 19 is free and the exhibit will remain up until March 5. Gallery 208 is located at 208 Rowan Street and the hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For information on the opening or the exhibit, please call Up & Coming Weekly at 910.484.6200.

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    The curtain rises on the new Fayetteville Dinner Theatre’s first stage production in more than 30 years. Why? Because we deserve it. 

    That’s right! After all, Fayetteville residents will be going to the polls on March 15 to vote on a $35 million Parks & Rec bond that will provide amenities to enhance our quality of life and give business and industry a reason to come here and stay here. Well, that’s the theory anyway.  We’ll see soon enough. In the meantime, we forge ahead.

    Fayetteville declares it wants and deserves the good stuff – at least that’s what we profess. Good theatre, great restaurants, plenty of arts and culture. So, in a town that gets giddy over a new neighborhood BJ ‘s and intoxicated at the smell fresh veggies at the Fresh Market, its time we stop hitting the road to Raleigh, Durham  and Chapel Hill for an elegant meal  and a great show.

    The first production of the new dinner theatre is a test to see if we as a community can support goodness in our own hometown. On Feb.12-14, Valentine’s Day weekend, the new Fayetteville Dinner Theatre premieres in our community with A Southern Girl’s Got To Have It. A hilarious comedy written by Charlotte playwright Elaine Alexander (born and raised in Fayetteville). This will be a weekend to remember. 

    Each show will include a wine tasting showcasing Lu Mil Vineyards, classic musical entertainment by Kia Walker’s Blue Violin, free gifts for the ladies, door prizes and a special meet and greet with the cast. It will be a very special weekend with a great dinner and three opportunities to enjoy hilarious fun-filled dinner theatre. But, the question remains: Will the community show up to support it? 

    It has all the makings of a success; however, there are no guarantees. If we build it, will they come? All indications say they should. But Fayetteville is Fayetteville, so there are no guarantees. If they don’t come, it won’t be because the evening wasn’t spectacular and it will tell us  what we need to know about ourselves and the future of our community. 

    This is only the beginning. If this project is successful we will go on to create a jazz venue in Fayetteville. Yes, a real live jazz venue where we can take advantage of the dozens of jazz musicians who travel all over the nation and the world playing their music but have no place to play in their own hometown. 

    There is so much opportunity here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Do we need amenities? Yes. Do we need a $35 million dollar bond and all it has to offer in quality of life? Yes. Does the community need to come out and support those amenities? Absolutely. 

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. I hope to see you at the theater.

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