Who Studies the Bible?

Lots of people enjoy reading the Bible. Pastors spend a lot of time studying the Bible in preparation for Sunday’s message. But others who teach the Bible, like Sunday School teachers or small- group leaders, also spend a lot of time thinking about the Bible. You don’t have to be a teacher to study the Bible. In fact, all Christians should study God’s word.

Should I study one book or read it all?

Reading the entire Bible is a worthwhile endeavor. But let’s be honest, that’s a lot to bite off at once. Besides, there are a lot of historical and cultural issues to study so that you can understand all the Bible. Granted, every Christian should seek to read the Bible at least once and maybe even once a year.

It’s also beneficial to study a single book of the Bible. Focusing on one book allows the reader to understand the original author’s purpose. It takes time to study the background of a book, but it’s important to know the author, audience and occasion of a book. It is also helpful to study “Chapter 3” after reading “Chapter 2.” It did come in that order for a reason!

Where Do I Start?

This question often baffles Bible readers. With 66 different books, is it better to start with the Old Testament or the New? Maybe a Gospel
about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus? Or perhaps a shorter book like Philippians?

If you are ready to jump into a Bible book study, where do you start? Right now, I am working through the Gospel of Mark. It’s a relatively short book at 16 chapters. Plus, there is a lot of action. But there are shorter books, like Philippians, Colossians and 1 John.

A goal might be to read and study all 66 books of the Bible. But if you’re interested in getting a full sweep of the entire Bible, consider studying a shorter list of specific books. For example, the book of Genesis is important to the entire biblical story. Many Christians have found great comfort in reading the Psalms. The Gospel of John displays the story of Jesus’s life beautifully. Studying some of these major books helps put the entire Bible into context.

Bible book studies are important. Our Biblical Studies degree requires students to take courses in the following books: Genesis, Daniel, John, Romans and Hebrews. We believe these books are significant in understanding the Christian faith and doctrine.

For more information, visit www.ccbs.edu or give us a call at (910) 323-5614.

Once again, North Carolina is faced with daunting numbers concerning its children and their education. These numbers have to do with dropouts, and the numbers are not good. According to the National Center for Education Statistics in North Carolina, last year we had 11,000 students drop out of school. This school year, we will lose over 250 students a week to dropping out.

If we just knew those figures, it would be enough to cause alarm. But what we have learned, and what many do not fully grasp, is the cost.

Consider that we now know that a dropout makes $10,000 a year less than a person who completes their high school education and over $36,000 less than a person with a bachelor’s degree. The unemployment rate is 15 percent higher for dropouts.

These statistics should raise concerns for us. They demonstrate we must get a grip on why we are losing our youth, and this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

A dropout is likely to live a shorter period. He or she is likely to be less productive. A dropout is nine times more likely to be a single mother.

A dropout is less likely to marry or participate in civic affairs.

Dropouts are less likely to vote or participate in the democratic process.

But the most disturbing facts are that dropouts make up more than 80 percent of our prison population, and over our lifetime will cost society over $292,000 apiece. Imagine what we could do with the excess funds if we simply cut the dropout rate in half and kept those students in school to finish their degrees.

If all dropouts in the nation from the class of 2011 had earned diplomas, the nation would benefit from $150 billion in income over their working lifetimes.

These statistics are devastating, to say the least, but they are only statistics. There are other factors to consider, including the quality of life that each of us has, both the citizen who is working hard and building themselves up and the dropout, who has little or no chance to do so.

By changing this, we not only change the statistics stated above, but we also change the quality of life for all citizens, including dropout and their children. We must act now to end this incredible plague on our communities by keeping young people in school. The remedy begins with our legislators, who have done little over the past several sessions to address the issue.

 Anyone who takes even a cursory, but honest, look at the overall efficiency and effectiveness of Cumberland County government and the municipalities in the county will certainly conclude we must do better.

The County Commissioners recently passed a budget that included spending reductions and a sizable property tax increase to offset a $27 million shortfall. Economic development throughout the county, including municipalities, is nowhere near what is needed nor is it reasonable to expect. In spite of an overall decline in property values, Fayetteville did not increase the property tax rate, but did increase some fees. There has been a battle underway between Fayetteville and the county over which of them should manage a proposed consolidated 911 call center. Then there is the controversy of several years regarding division of sales tax revenue among the county, Fayetteville and several other municipalities. Add annexation squabbles to this mix.

This listing is by no means all-inclusive, but is more than sufficient to indicate the need for a course correction in how governing happens in the municipalities and at the county level. I am convinced it is time for a move to unified government in Cumberland County. That is, one government, one governing body. This possibility was raised several years ago by a few visionaries in our area, but went nowhere. That is the case just about every time the idea is raised in America. How can this be? Mike Maciag answers in an article titled “Governments Resisting the Urge to Merge.” He writes: “Government fragmentation has long been tugged at by two competing interests. On the one hand, many argue consolidation cuts costs and allows officials to better coordinate efforts. Citizens, though, are often emotionally attached to their local governments.”

The remainder of the answer is that people in power are very seldom willing to give up that power even in the interest of what is good for citizens. This seems especially true of politicians who will defy common sense for the sake of holding onto power.

The track record of unified governments is impressive. Look to Athens-Clarke County, Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee, with Davidson County; or Kansas City, Kansas, with Wyandotte County. In a 2012 article titled “Cities, Counties and the Urge to Merge,” Mark Funkhouser wrote:

“Things have worked out better for Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County, according to Dennis Hays, who has been administrator of that unified government since it was created 17 years ago (and who before that was the city’s administrator for three years). Before the consolidation, he says, ‘we were slipping into the deep abyss, and if we hadn’t done consolidation when we did, who knows where we’d be?’ Since then, he says, the quality of services has improved, thanks to economies achieved by combining duplicative departments. Taxes have been cut by 15 percent, and the combined workforce has been reduced by 20 percent. But in Hays’ view, having a single policy-making body willing to take on the tough decisions has made the biggest difference, resulting in real improvements to the local quality of life. ‘We are an older blue-collar community, and now we are seeing young people wanting to move into Wyandotte for the first time in decades.’” When introduced to the “unified government” concept during those discussions several years ago, it made sense to me. When the effort went nowhere in our county, I gave it very little additional thought until a recent experience. During a meeting of Cumberland County United, Shivani Kohut mentioned concern among residents of her neighborhood regarding a conditional rezoning application pending in the Jack Britt High School area of Cumberland County. The request was to rezone parcels at the intersection of Lakewood Drive and Rockfish Road. A yet unidentified grocery store would be built. There is also the possibility of other businesses being established in  the location.

Listening to Kohut’s comments and the response of Arnold Roberts Jr., who spoke on behalf of the developer, I wanted to know more about this situation. I attended a neighborhood meeting on May 22 where residents of the area surrounding the parcels subject to the rezoning application were in attendance. Two representatives of the developer attended and spoke. At the time of this meeting, the application had been reviewed by city staff with a recommendation to the Zoning Commission that it be denied. In spite of the staff’s recommendation, the Zoning Commission recommended that Fayetteville City Council approve the rezoning application. A public hearing before City Council was scheduled but later canceled because the rezoning application was withdrawn. Applicants indicated it would be resubmitted at some future time. Even though the application was withdrawn, watching this process was eye-opening for me.

City staff was clear in presenting reasons for recommending, to the Zoning Commission, denial of the application. Here are the key points recorded in that recommendation:

1. The property is surrounded mostly by a mix of low-density residential, institutional (schools) and commercial.

2. The City’s land use plan and the County’s Southwest Cumberland plans call for residential development on this property.

3. Traffic is a major concern with a shopping center and two schools adjacent to these properties.

4. The overabundance of properties throughout the city that are vacant and already zoned for commercial use.

Against this backdrop of detailed reasons for staff recommending denial and meeting attendees reporting no reasons were given for the Zoning Commission recommending approval of the application, the neighborhood meeting was held. In that meeting, Shivani Kohut used a PowerPoint presentation to detail several community objections to the project. Among these were the following:

1. Parking lot = additional light pollution into residential area, trash, incoming/outgoing traffic, hazards for walking children

2. No conditional specs over retail use and out parcel use = future protests over unsavory retail choices? 

3. Clearing/development = loss of natural habitat and existing tree canopy, displacement of birds  and others

4. People will be hesitant to buy into area — excessive development occurring simultaneously has unpredictable impact on community

5. Proposed traffic revision will not address congestion toward schools and city — wider roads needed.

6. Increase in crime and traffic accidents in surrounding areas

7. Flooding is a major concern — flooding with every storm as drains back up will worsen with more paving over of land

8. No environmental impact studies, traffic impact studies, only claims of preliminary assessments (claims made by attorney/developers)

During the neighborhood meeting, one lady told of having standing water in her yard after a heavy rain. Whatever drainage was in place was not working properly. She called several governmental entities, but all of them said they were not responsible for her area. Similarly, a gentleman who lives in the neighborhood talked of finding, at the entrance to his development, a bag that turned out to contain an illegal substance. Law enforcement personnel from at least three agencies came out, but none of them acknowledged responsibility in this situation. In neither of these cases did anybody ever acknowledge responsibility.

Given that the area in question is not in Fayetteville, why is the city involved in this process? For a business or development that is outside the city limits to get sewer service, it must be annexed. With annexing comes zoning enforcement. Further, since the citizens affected by this project live in the county and are not eligible to vote in Fayetteville, they are at the mercy of a city council over which they have no political influence.

From the troubling indicators in the opening paragraph of this column to the, at best, blatantly questionable treatment of the Jack Britt area in general and the course of this rezoning application in particular, something is wrong.

I would argue we have too many governmental entities in this county, and consolidation is the answer. Will it happen? I doubt it. Doing so would require vision, selflessness, courage and common sense. These have become rare traits in America.

The chattering classes have been using the words “Donald Trump” and “sexism and misogyny” in the same sentences for decades now. It did not matter much when he was a real estate developer and reality television star, but it matters tremendously now that he is president of the United States. It matters both to Americans for whom he makes lifechanging decisions and to people who watch us all around the world and who are also affected by his actions.

Trump apologists say they are disappointed and personally would not say such things, but that we should not worry — it is just “Trump being Trump.” Each of us can decide that for ourselves. Here, in his own words, are actual documented quotes Trump has uttered about women in general and some women in particular.  He and his staff have tried to reinterpret some of them, but no one has denied he actually said these things.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump attacked both prominent women and private citizens.

Revealing an unsettling interest in bodily functions, he ridiculed Hillary Clinton for going to a ladies’ restroom, using the word “disgusting.” And who can ever forget his characterization of news anchor Megyn Kelly when he said she “had blood coming out of her where ever.”

Also opinionated about women’s looks, Trump slammed fellow Republican presidential hopeful Carly Fiorina saying, “Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that?” He did not care for Clinton’s appearance either, commenting, “I just don’t think she has a presidential look. And you need a presidential look.” 

Private citizen Ghazala Khan also drew Trump’s scorn. The mother of an American soldier who was killed in Iraq stood beside her husband as he spoke at the Democratic convention. Trump criticized the grieving mother, suggesting she “wasn’t allowed to have anything to say,” because she is a Muslim. 

Incredibly, Trump’s views of women were apparently even more toxic before he went into politics. His 2005 comments about being attracted to beautiful women are well-known. “You know I am automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them,” he said. “It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. And when you are a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the p***y; you can  do anything.” 

But these words are hardly the most shocking. During proceedings related to a real estate lawsuit, Trump objected to an attorney taking a break to breastfeed her infant. “You’re disgusting,” he said, and walked out of the room. Stunningly, he also suggested that he might like to date his daughter, Ivanka. “Yeah, she’s really something, and what a beauty, that one,” he said. “If I weren’t happily married, and ya know, her father….” He also told Howard Stern in a 2004 interview that he did not mind if Stern referred to Ivanka as “a piece of a**.” 

Trump’s feud with comedian Rosie O’Donnell is well-known and exceptionally cruel and hypocritical. “We’re all a little chubby, but Rosie’s just worse than most of us,” he said. “But it’s not the chubbiness — Rosie is a very unattractive person, inside and out.”

A quick Google search reveals much more, some of which I could not bring myself  to transcribe. 

Most Americans — those who voted for him and those who did not — are under no illusion that any of this is going to change.  Donald Trump is our president, with both the right to free speech and the international spotlight to make sure everyone hears exactly what he says and tweets. We are just going to have to live through it.

The red flags here are not Trump’s obvious disdain for women other than as beautiful and sexual objects. The red flags are that his attitude will become an acceptable social norm — that it will become OK for other men, and sadly women as well, to speak in such painful and degrading ways.  Young people who are still forming their views hear Trump’s words.  Just as Americans have looked up to presidents since George Washington, we may come to see Trump’s views as acceptable.

The rest of the world hears all this as well, and the international community is forming opinions not only of our president but of us for tolerating and, in some cases, embracing his views of women. 

Would any of us tolerate someone saying such things about our mothers, sisters, wives and  daughters?

On Saturday, District 3 City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Colvin informally announced his intentions to challenge incumbent Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson. To quote USMC Private Gomer Pyle: “Surprise, surprise, surprise!” And, what a surprise it was. Needless to say, this development has many involved Fayetteville citizens and political observers scratching their heads and wondering how this will affect the future of Fayetteville. Their concerns are justified.

First of all, it was common knowledge in political circles that Colvin was not interested in seeking the mayor’s spot this time around. In addition, he had pledged to support Robertson in his bid for a third term in office. Robertson was counting on it.

Secondly, unlike the ugly and mean-spirited 2013 mayoral race between Val Applewhite and Robertson, no such hostility, conflicts or transgressions seem to be present between Colvin and Robertson.

This begs the question, why is Colvin entering the race? Why, after years of touting the many successful achievements impacting and improving Fayetteville’s quality of life and economic development, would he question or challenge Fayetteville’s present leadership and direction? And, without provocation? Even more disturbing is why Robertson’s challengers are two sitting Council members. What’s the beef? Under Robertson and the current council, Fayetteville has enjoyed a lower crime rate, a safer city and across the board quality-oflife achievements. These achievements include the $35 million Parks and Recreation bond and the $33 million baseball stadium, which is a potential $60 million economic development driver for the City and all of Cumberland County. Not to mention a vibrant downtown community that is finally coming of age. In other words, what’s not to like? Or, what’s not to dislike?

deViere versus Robertson. Ok we get it. There are noticeable philo
sophical and leadership style differences that manifested themselves over the last year. But, Colvin? There are no such traces of animosity, internal conflict or leadership depravity. This too begs the question, what’s Colvin’s motive? How can he, or deViere for that matter, attack the leadership and achievements of a Council on which they both serve? We’ll find out as this political drama unfolds. In the meantime, hope for the best but prepare for the worst in the long run. Unexplainable situations like this don’t usually work out for the best. And then there’s that old Fayetteville haunt that we never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

Voters need to pay attention. Fayetteville’s future is at stake here. And, the stakes are high. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Westover has tapped a coach from one of the best known football families in Fayetteville to head its program.

Craig Raye, the younger brother of longtime NFL assistant coach and Michigan State quarterback Jimmy Raye, takes over from Stephen Roberson, who left earlier this year for another high school job in South Carolina.

Raye, a 1978 graduate of Michigan State, brings a wealth of college coaching experience to the Wolverine campus, starting as a college coach in 1982 with stops at North Carolina A&T, Wichita State, Purdue, Western Carolina, Wesleyan University and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

He’s been out of coaching for a year but was excited for the chance to return to his native Fayetteville and coach at Westover. “Having played and grown up there, it was a special treat,’’ Raye said.

He hopes to relocate to Fayetteville by the middle of July. That won’t give him much time to work with the Wolverines during the offseason as the week of July 17-21 is a dead period because of the North Carolina Coaches Association clinic in Greensboro.

During a recent visit to Fayetteville, Raye met with Wolverine assistant coach Justin Sherrod who has been running offseason practice. “I told him to continue,’’ Raye said.

He also had time to sit down with Sherrod and get an overview of what Westover ran offensively last season. “It’s a system I’m very familiar with, the spread offense,’’ Raye said. “That’s what we ran at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The key is terminology.’’

Having been a recruiting coordinator for much of his college coaching career, Raye hopes to be able to share with his players guidance on what recruiters are looking for and how to best prepare themselves for a chance to play at the next level.

He also plans to tap into his connections and the connections of his older brother, Jimmy, with players who have gone on to the NFL.

“I hope to get some of the guys I’ve coached and met through Jimmy and continue to bring them into Fayetteville,’’ Raye said. “We want to do some things for the community and have all that knowledge rub off.

“I may even have Jimmy come out and visit with the team so these guys can see what an old quarterback looks like.’’

The elder Raye broke color barriers in college football when he started as quarterback at Michigan State and is best remembered as the Spartans’ quarterback against Notre Dame in the famous 10-10 with the Irish in 1966.

PHOTO: Craig Raye

Recently, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Motorcycle Research Group/Center for Automated Vehicle Systems and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation conducted a study of 100 riders. Together, they logged over 366,000 miles on the riders’ bikes. The test went from two months to two years. It recorded 30,844 trips. Whenever a bike started and stopped equaled one trip. These trips represented 9,354 hours of riding and 100.6 years of motorcycle time, for a total of 336,667 miles.

The study showed what many of us have suspected. We crash more from our own doing than from someone else’s.

Motorcycle statistics are slow to come in, and nonreported crashes never make it to paper. This study collected data by installing GPS tracking, cameras facing out and back at the rider, and kinematic impact measuring equipment. These algorithms involved data mining in which kinematic data measured lateral and longitudinal acceleration. These conditions were developed to indicate extreme situations where a potential of a Crash or a Near-Crash (CNC) exists.

A sample of the group ranged in demographics and experience using various motorcycles. All participants did a basic course and eye exam to establish a baseline. Of those in the groups, 65 percent reported passing at least one riders course.

There were 30 crashes and 122 CNCs for a total of 152 events. Of the 100 participants, the number of CNC events per rider ranged from 0 to 13. Of the riders, 55 experienced at least one event.

What the study says about our riding is that we do not know how to stop, make right-hand turns or judge speeds.

The most common case for crashes was ground impact at low speed. This was defined as “two-wheeled vehicle falls coincident with low or no speed (even if in gear), due to issue not defined in other incident type categories. The rider allows the bike to lean while it is being stopped, just beginning to move from a stop, or making a turn at low speed. Vehicle upright stability is lost due to lack of input by the rider to counter the effect of gravity.” This is the scientific way of saying that we do not know how to start, stop or hold up our motorcycles.

Also, the study showed that capsizing your bike leads to other problems. This reveals a breakdown in the rider’s ability to execute a task, baseline proficiencies, or a temporary reduction in readiness to ride.

The largest risk of a CNC is a motorcyclist whose motion, path or speed is affected by an intersection that is uncontrolled in the participant’s direction of travel (no signal or other signage in the participant’s direction). Being inattentive, aggressive or frustrated sharply increased the risk. The study found that parking lots are a hazard as well.

The study showed that we have trouble with hills. The data showed that any maneuver on a grade should be practiced. Riding on an uphill grade doubles the risk of CNC, and riding on a downhill grade increase this risk four times.

The study stated that “whether called a turn, corner or curve, changing direction requires special attention.” The study showed that riding into a right turn doubles the risk of a CNC compared to riding on a straight roadway. This type of event includes taking the right curve too wide or at excessive speed and crossing over the lane line into the oncoming lane (termed a near-crash due to the evasive maneuver required to regain control and proper lane position).

The study results indicate that 67 percent of all single-vehicle CNC events involved curve negotiation, and 63 percent of those were run-off-road or lane line crossing cases.

The study concluded: “There is rarely a single cause of any crash. Usually, there are many factors that interact, or combine, to result in a crash. You do not want to ignore even minor factors because you want to break the chain of events that may lead to a crash.”

If you want to be a better and safer rider, find an empty parking lot and practice those basic maneuvers. Practice stopping, decreasing speed to a full stop, accelerating from a stop, turning left and right from a stop, making a right-hand turn and swerving to avoid a collision. Remember space is your friend and for most of your riding, it is something you can control. 

On July 14, the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory & Museum opens its doors for an informative and family-friendly open house. Fayetteville’s military history reaches back long before Fort Bragg opened, and these 224 years of history will be on display during the open house.

“The Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry was formed in 1793 under an act of Congress called the Militia Act, signed by President George Washington,” Heidi Bleazy, a museum specialist, explained. “In a time before Fayetteville’s large military post, Fort Bragg, the FILI mustered, drilled and prepared to serve the defense needs of the state and nation. They were the military escorts of Lafayette when he was here in Fayetteville in 1825.” 

Being able to trace its inception back to local families in 1793 is significant for the FILI. “It is the oldest militia unit in continuous existence in the South and one of the oldest in the country,” Bleazy said. “Known as the ‘Corps of Gentlemen,’ today, members still come from the community. Some are active duty and retired servicemen.”

The group served in the War of 1812 and some conflicts throughout World War I. Since the FILI has existed continuously for such a long time, the museum has captured a unique local perspective on a staggering amount of American history.

The FILI Museum is a private museum. Normally tours are by appointment only, so the open house July 14 from noon until 4 p.m. is a unique opportunity to explore the treasures inside. Bleazy described it as “a chance to meet some of the museum staff and learn about what militia units, specifically the FILI, did and do, as well as view artifacts from several different wars. A walk through the FILI Armory & Museum features the well-known Lafayette Carriage.”

Also July 14, the Fayetteville Area Transportation & Local History Museum will open another historical site in Fayetteville not usually open to the public: The Market House Museum, which resides on the building’s second floor.

“The Market House is an iconic building for Fayetteville, built in 1832 to replace the statehouse that burned in the Great Fire of 1831,” Bleazy said. “It is Cumberland County’s only National Landmark. Not only is the Market House itself important to the travel and trade history of this community, but the site is where North Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution and became the 12th state; (where) the University of North Carolina was chartered; and (where) Lafayette addressed the citizens of his namesake city.”

The Market House Museum open house is part of an overall effort to open the second floor of the building to the community more often. It is an important part of the local history that interested community members should be able to see. According to Bleazy, this event isn’t just exciting for community members. “Museum staffs are always excited to host events like this,” she said. “So many people enjoy learning and sharing and are often surprised at the big and little stories that make Fayetteville’s history intriguing, unique and  worth exploring.“

The FILI Museum is located at 210 Burgess St. For more information, visit www.fili793.com.

PHOTO: Peek into Fayetteville’s past at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory & Museum open house.

Ruth Nelson, the director of Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s upcoming production of “Cymbeline,” which opens July 6 at the Museum of the Cape Fear’s Poe House, discovered her love of theater early in life.

“I started acting in church plays at the age of six, so you could say I’ve been involved with theater on and off for 26 years,” Nelson said. “In college, theater was supposed to be my extracurricular activity. My main interest(s) (were) writing and music, but I eventually double majored in theater and I got my masters in acting. It really became an important part of my life.”

Nelson got involved with Sweet Tea Shakespeare in 2012 as the company was just beginning. She became an actor and a company member. “Each company member has a different job; mine is dramaturgy,” she said. “It’s a kind of funny word, but my title is Master of Words. I’m in charge of the words. Shakespeare can be a challenge, and I help the actors and the director translate the text for the audience,” she explained. “Cymbeline” is her first foray into directing for the company.

“Cymbeline” is not one of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays, but it certainly is a unique one. Nelson described it as “Shakespeare’s forgotten fairytale.” It is whimsical and combines many elements recognizable in his other works. It walks the line between tragedy and comedy without fitting neatly into either category.

“Of his works, it is kind of in the realm of ‘The Tempest,’” Nelson said. “It is odd and has these elements of the supernatural. There’s a moment when the gods come down from the heavens and talk to the characters.  It is otherworldly, but it deals with real life problems like family drama, the loss of a loved one and redemption. It is both incredibly human and otherworldly.”

Instead of being entirely historically accurate or reinterpreting the show through a modern lens, as is extremely popular with Shakespeare, Nelson is approaching the show as a “timeless fairytale.” There will be a mixture of modern, fairy tale and medieval accents. Just like the story itself, this production will not fit neatly into any defined categories. 

“The great thing about performing at the Poe House, our summer home, is that it is beautiful, especially when all of the flowers are in bloom,” Nelson said. “It does most of the work creating a magical setting for us. We don’t have to make these huge sets. The challenge is making arrangements to capitalize on the natural beauty and fold it into the show.”

For those unfamiliar with live theater and Shakespeare, a Sweet Tea Shakespeare performance is a fantastic introduction. Nelson wants to remind audience members that Shakespeare intended his work to be performed. Reading “Cymbeline” and seeing it come to life onstage are two completely different experiences, and seeing actors breathe life into unfamiliar language presents the story in totally new way.

“Don’t be intimidated,” Nelson said. “It is our job to make sure you are having a good time. It is like coming over to our house. We will make sure there’s something there for you to enjoy.”

For tickets and information, visit www.sweetteashakespeare.com. 

When service members leave the military, they have help transitioning to the civilian world. They have access to job training, they get help with their resumes, they learn about interview processes and more. “It’s all about helping service members get prepared for that next phase in their lives,” said retired CSM Ron Thompson.

On Friday, July 14, Transition Assistance Services will host a golf tournament to benefit Fort Bragg military spouses with career training. The training will be provided by Fayetteville Technical Community College.

“All of the funds raised go to training military spouses at FTCC,” Thompson said. “What we’re doing is helping families that are transitioning and changing careers. Many service members have spouses that maybe didn’t have a career while their soldier was serving. We help them get ready for their civilian lives.”

Thompson went on to say that the program so many service members use to prepare for life after the Army is called the Transition Assistance Program. It focuses on getting transitioning soldiers a job, among other things. Spouses often go through the TAP program but don’t have the same guarantee of getting a job at the end. That’s what makes this tournament special.

“We’re going to help spouses get jobs,” Thompson said. “We have companies we’ve partnered with, and they will hire spouses after they complete this training. Some of the classes are two weeks; some last six weeks or two months.”

FTCC routinely offers programs that include things like forklift driver certification, CDL licensing and more. Thompson noted there are 12 to 15 programs at FTCC geared toward this kind of training.

“Some of the courses only get your resume ready, others come with the expectation of a job at the end of the training. (For) the three we’re doing — you have a job when you get done with this training.”

One program involves working in a shipyard, one involves repairing wrecked cars and one involves training for a  CDL license.

“We just want to take care of soldiers and their families,” Thompson said. “I spent 30 years in the Army, and I just want to help. Spouses are at home a lot of times taking care of the family while their soldier is serving our country. So, when the soldier gets out of the Army, what skills do they have? Maybe they want to start a second career. Giving them the skills that will help them get a job and be successful at it will be a success story for these families and for  the military.”

Thompson added that he sees TAP as a great program because it helps soldiers who come in, and maybe after three to five years, they realize that the military is not for them. “They leave, and we help them find a job,” Thompson said. “When we help soldiers and their families, we are all  better for it.”

All proceeds from this tournament will be used to pay for training military spouses. The golf tournament is at Anderson Creek Golf Club in Spring Lake. Check-in and lunch are at noon. There’s a shotgun start at 1 p.m. and registration costs $400 per team. For more information or to register your team, contact Ron Thompson at (910) 578-3660 or email Ron5150t@yahoo.com.

Anyone interested in a fresh and highly creative approach to image-making and ceramics should plan on attending the opening of a new exhibit at Gallery 208. “In the Between: New Work by Kaela Nommay” opens with a public reception at 208 Rowan Street, from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 11.

Gallery 208 is very pleased to introduce such a fresh and gifted artist to the community at large with her first one-person exhibition in the region. Nommay brings the contemporary sensibilities of a postmodern pop culture artist to Fayetteville and the area. The artist employs her exquisitely detailed drawing ability as a way to bring the viewer in closer to look at her work. After taking the time to look closely, the viewer may be perplexed. It’s as if the work alludes to something we should remember but have forgotten, or maybe something we missed and should pay attention to?

Having flawless design skills, Nommay juxtaposes large areas of negative space and sometimes patterns with details of the recognizable in nature. If her work is anything, it is idiosyncratic, and the viewer senses from the images and forms a bigger dialogue is taking place — the whimsical is foreboding, something seemingly romantic is perhaps a metaphor or evidence of a state of being. Inherent value in the work is that it is not decorative but visually calls to be examined.

After looking at Nommay’s work, I was interested to know if my sense of the content was at least close to the artist’s intent. The artist affirmed parts of my interpretation when she explained what inspires her and her approach to the work.

“When creating these works, I was thinking of the relationship between human-constructed space and nature and how both sides are affected — the ongoing push and pull for defining whose space is where,” Nommay said. “As an answer, I ended up with an ambiguous gray space as the starting point to explore in this new body of work. Often, I reverse the roles of animals and humans to lighten the mood and create an absurd and humorous experience of the animal’s displacement.

“The scenarios in the work are recreated from my everyday observations and experiences. Whether it be from a phone call with my mother, catching a snippet of a conversation or a funny scene I see idly walking by strangers — all of these small moments stick with me. Mundane moments are what I believe can make life interesting. It separates each day from the next, but these small moments are constantly in flux, much like defining our space apart from nature with roads and structures as we are constantly restoring areas and adding new ones.”

Although her style is highly graphic, drawing and painting is one way in which Nommay distinguishes herself from a reproduced or scanned image. The use of patterns has also been used by the artist in older work and continues in the new work. When asked about her design practice and why she often uses patterns, she explained, “The patterns found in my work are common to home interiors such as wallpapers, fabrics and pillows. Integrating patterns that are commonly found in the home suggests the presence and influence of the human figure. On a formal level, this flat space contrasts and balances the more rendered areas and forms. It also leads the viewer’s eye throughout the artwork, directing it to other significant areas of the composition.”

The Fayetteville community and region is fortunate to have an artist of Nommay’s caliber as a local artist, educator and resource for innovative work and thinking. Nommay moved to Fayetteville from San Antonio, Texas, a year ago. She earned an MFA in Ceramics from the University of Texas at San Antonio in May 2016, and a BFA from the University of the Incarnate Word in 2013, also in San Antonio, with a double concentration in ceramics and painting.

Since Texas is a different landscape from North Carolina, the artist was asked if living in our region has affected her work. “Since I primarily recreate observations from everyday life, I have had a new influx of inspiration since moving to North Carolina,” she said. “Having trees all around, a river a few feet from my balcony at home and experiencing the changing seasons has given me a new source to observe the relationship between human space and nature.”

As a young and emerging artist, Nommay has already been regularly exhibiting her work. In 2017 her work was included in the exhibit “Game of Chance” at the Freight Gallery in San Antonio. In 2016 her work was included in “Dreamers and Realists” at the Ruiz-Healy Art Gallery in San Antonio and  in the exhibit “Blue Star Red Dot: Emerging Artist” at Blue Star Contemporary Gallery in San Antonio.

Nommay has already been formally influencing the area’s art students since arriving in Fayetteville. During this past academic year, she has been busy working as adjunct faculty for all three of the local institutions of higher learning: Fayetteville State University, Methodist University and Fayetteville Technical Community College. She has plans to continue teaching in the area and exhibit her work as much as possible in the region and nationally.

The public is invited to the opening reception at Gallery 208 to meet the artist and have a preview of “In the Between: New Work by Kaela Nommay” July 11 from 5:30–7 p.m. The exhibit will remain up until Sept. 10, 2017. If you are not able to get to the opening reception, Gallery 208 is open during regular business hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions about the exhibit or location of Gallery 208, call Up & Coming Weekly at (910) 4846200 or go to www.upandcomingweekly.com. 

Alex Munroe used to take his dog to play and swim in a beautiful lake in Elizabethtown. When the idyllic property came up for sale, Munroe didn’t hesitate. He could have kept the picturesque secret for himself. Instead, he developed a venue he could share with the community: Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery.

It’s been a little over a year since CFVW opened its doors and it is quickly becoming the premier destination for things like fine dining, weddings, events and getaways — and for good reason.

“We are so close to the Fayetteville community,” Monroe said. “We are accessible. For someone looking for a nice ‘daycation,’ there are not many places around (where) you can do so many things.”

Fine Dining The menu at CFVW is all farm-to-table and changes seasonally. “We like to keep it fresh,” Munroe said. “You can come have great food. We pair every meal with our wine, and we develop our wines around our menu. The house wines used here have been developed to go with North Carolina vegetables, meat, poultry and pork. We took a lot of care developing (them).”

Events The scenic grounds, unique waterside venue and welcoming staff are all reasons to plan a wedding, family reunion or other event at CFVW. Lakeside lodging, one of the largest camellia exhibits in the state, the ballroom, a lakeside amphitheater and a pavilion are perfect for making memories.

Outdoor Entertainment “We are proud to be members of the North Carolina Agritourism Project,” Munroe said. “The average child is three generations removed from farming. So, most children today have never picked up a chicken egg from under a chicken or seen a chicken up close. Here, they can see llamas, mini horses, mini donkeys, swans, peacocks and Flemish rabbits, which are the largest in the world. We have blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes and over 200 rose bushes. We have an 18-acre lake and beautiful land preserved around us. We also have honey bees; we are making our honey.”

Art “After 9/11, New York City was shut down. Do you know where people went?” Munroe asked. “They went to museums.” CFVW is home to works by modern masters including Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall and Salvador Dali. “Studies show that when people look at art, it triggers the same emotional response in the brain as when a small child looks at their mother,” Munroe said. “That had an impact on me.”

The collection also includes artworks by celebrities including Grace Slick, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Ronnie Wood, Phyllis Diller, Muhammed Ali, David Lee Roth, Sylvester Stallone, Sophia Loren, Jaques Cousteau, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, Mr. Brainwash, Red Skelton, Dom Delouise, Sid Caesar, Burt Reynolds and many more. “They may not be professionally trained, but these pieces give you a chance to know these celebrities differently,” Munroe said.

It’s in this spirit that CFVW chose to partner with the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre to present “The Fantasticks.”

The longest-running off-Broadway show of all time, this musical comedy  is the perfect show for Fayetteville audiences. Playing off the talents of a strong cast, it has a clever storyline with lyrics written by Tom Jones and ageless music and songs by Harvey Schmidt.

Director Jeanne Koonce, Purple Door Productions, sees the intimate setting of the dinner theater as providing another major strength for this production. The show is funny, romantic and intimate, and all with only eight characters.

The cast is composed of local and regional talent many theater enthusiasts will recognize. The Girl, Luisa, is played by Fayetteville resident Amber Jansen, a junior at Massey Hill Classical High School.

The Boy, Matt, is played by Ryan Ransom, a St. Pauls native and a music/ theater student at UNC Pembroke.

El Gallo is played by Clay Rogers. He is a native of Fairmont and employed by Givens Performing Arts Center in Pembroke.

A strong supporting cast includes Robeson County natives Matt Jacobs and Steve Chambers as the meddling fathers and Denver McCullough as Henry, the old actor. McCullough has performed in many local and regional productions at Cape Fear Regional Theatre and the former Fort Bragg Playhouse. UNCP student Dakota Hammonds plays Henry’s sidekick, Mortimer. UNCP alumni Winona Oxendine is cast as the mute and the stage manager.

The Fayetteville Dinner Theatre is being billed as “A unique theater experience.” Defined, this means the evening will include much more than a great show performed by talented actors.

The evening begins with a V.I.P. reception and wine-tasting and sale at 6 p.m. hosted by CFVW. The winery will showcase seven of its wines.

At 6:30 p.m., a three-course, duel-entrée dinner will be served by the Ramada Plaza staff while the theater guests are entertained by Fayetteville’s own Cross Creek Chordsmen, an award-winning chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society Choral Group. According to spokesman Joshua GrayHeim, the group will present a repertoire of current hits as well as traditional four-part harmonies dating back to the 1800s and early 1900s. 

“The Fantasticks” opens immediately following. There will be plenty of prizes and surprises at intermission as well as a post-show meet-and-greet with the actors. The FDT and CFVW will give away a grand prize each evening worth hundreds of dollars. Prizes include a dinner for two at the winery with a complimentary bottle of wine, a flight of all seven of CFVW’s wines and a two-night stay in the cabins on the lake at CFVW.

Proceeds from “The Fantasticks” benefit the Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit, for securing reading and educational resources for Cumberland County children. CFVW will also donate all proceeds from the wine-tasting and sale to  the foundation. 

“With an awesome show, talented actors, a V.I.P. reception, an exclusive wine-tasting, a great dinner, door prizes, entertainment by the Cross Creek Chordsmen, and all culminating with a post-show meetand-greet and grand prize giveaway, this will truly be ‘a unique theatre experience’” said FDT producer and Up & Coming Weekly Publisher Bill Bowman. “It’s all about giving the audience what they pay for. Value. Fayetteville residents appreciate good theater and great entertainment, and that is what we are going to provide for them.”

Bowman also expressed his appreciation and thanks to the FDT supporters and sponsors: Ramada Plaza, Allegra Printing & Imaging, Five Star Entertainment and Women’s View Magazine.

Show dates are July 27, 28 and 29. Tickets cost $75 per person with discounts for seniors 65+ and active duty military. Tickets are available from 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. at the FDT Box Office at the Ramada Plaza. Call (910) 391-3859 for details.

To make reservations online or to learn more about the show, visit www.fayettevilledinnertheatre.com. To learn more about CFVW, visit www.capefearwinery.com.

PHOTO: Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery offers a variety of dining and entertainment venues.

Bud Light, in partnership with the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, presents its free summer concert series featuring On the Border: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band, Friday, July 14, at 7 p.m. in  Festival Park.

“This concert is expected to be our largest Fayetteville After 5 event,” said Sarah Suggs,  marketing and events coordinator for the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. “We have had On the Border before; they are an Eagles Tribute Band and a Fayetteville favorite.” Suggs said the opening performance would be Quilted Sky. Quilted Sky is a cover band and is local to the area.  

On the Border is from Charlotte, North Carolina. They perform shows all over the United States at major festivals, music venues, casinos, theaters and other events. The band was crowned “The Greatest Eagles Tribute Band in the World” by AXSTV and Katie Daryl. The group consists of Tracy Maples, Tim Giovanniello, Bill Morgan, Andy Young, Scott Sobota and Bob Orazi.

The concert is a fundraiser for the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival organization. “We put on events throughout the year, and the purpose is to raise money for the next event so we can  continue to put on these free concerts for the community,” Suggs said. “Fayetteville After 5 events were started three or four years ago and would take place on the fourth Friday. Now the events are scheduled for the second Friday of summer months.”

There is more than great music at Fayetteville After 5, though. The event will feature food trucks from My Daddy’s Barbeque, Brain Freeze Ice Cream, Hibachi Express, King Queen #1 Haitian Cuisine, Kona-Ice, My Boricua Kitchen, Queso Monster, Tropical Island Concessions, Flavapaloza, Ragging Rooster, Bowls on a Roll, Tony’s Concession and Babann’s Southern Fried Chicken. A concession stand will be on-site and beer will be sold. “We encourage people to get there early because we are expecting a large crowd,” Suggs said. “We look forward to great music, food and fun.”

Admission is free. Gates open at 5 p.m. No outside food or beverages are allowed within the park. The public is encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. For more information, call (910) 323-1934.

PHOTO: On the Border - The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band is set to perform at Fayetteville After 5 on July 14.

Drug overdose deaths have become so common in America that they hardly make the news. But the abuse of medically prescribed opiates and the reemergence of illegal heroin are alarming trends that have gotten the attention of communities everywhere. Fayetteville even established a Mayoral task force to combat  opioid abuse.

“I’m excited to learn that Fayetteville is a leader in implementing innovative programs to combat this crisis,” said NC Attorney General Josh Stein during a recent meeting here.

Opioids are used to treat moderate to severe pain that may not respond well to other pain medications. Codeine, Morphine, Percocet, Fentanyl and heroin are in that class of drugs. Heroin, of course, is illegal but less expensive on the street than  the others.

One of the significant effects of an opioid overdose is respiratory depression and/or arrest. Patients’ breathing slows or stops, which will eventually lead to death. Naloxone, also known by the trade name Narcan, is used to counteract life-threatening situations by allowing an overdose victim to breathe normally. It is non-addictive and now available without prescription in North Carolina.

Fayetteville Police were among the first in the state to be equipped with naloxone. It was authorized in 2013 by a change in state law that cleared the way for law enforcement to carry and administer naloxone.

“Our officers have saved 78 lives using naloxone in the last two years,” said Police Captain Lars Paul. Initially, the PD used medicinal injectors of Narcan that were donated to the department. Since then, $11,000 in drug forfeiture money was used to purchase Narcan nasal spray, which is far less expensive. 

While police and EMS can administer naloxone to overdose patients, Fayetteville firefighters cannot. They are first responders who often arrive on the scene of medical emergencies before others. And all city firefighters are trained EMTs. Violent withdrawal symptoms can sometimes cause patients to be combative. Brian Pearce, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center Emergency Medical Service director, said that firefighter safety was the primary consideration in determining whether to authorize them to administer naloxone.

He said “firefighters can deliver appropriate patient care for opioid overdose patients in a safe manner without administering naloxone.” But, he added, it’s up to the fire department to decide if personnel should carry naloxone. Pearce administers laws and regulations of the county medical director.

“We have been trained in life support measures to increase the survivability of patients until they receive the correct level of advanced care that they may need,” stated Fire Department spokesman, Battalion Chief Michael Martin. Fire crews administer oxygen using bag valve masks, which breathe for patients when they cannot effectively breathe themselves. Fire Chief Ben Major was not available for comment, but it’s his decision whether to authorize firefighters to carry and use naloxone. “All they have to do is work with us to come up with a plan and protocols for administration and education and obtain the funding to purchase the naloxone,” Pearce said. “Then we would update the county EMS plan, and they would be allowed to administer naloxone.”

If Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson hoped that by announcing early he was seeking re-election would discourage others from entering the Mayor’s race, he miscalculated.

District 2 City Councilman Kirk deViere has decided to seek the position. Robertson defeated deViere in the 2013 municipal primary election. Many political pundits thought he would do one more term serving District 2 before seeking the mayor’s seat. The twoweek City Council filing period for the fall elections is underway, and it’s doubtful the mayor’s race will be the only contested seat. At this writing, at least two incumbent members of Council, Bobby Hurst and Ted Mohn, have said they would not seek  re-election.

DeViere came to Fayetteville with the Army about 20 years ago. He currently owns and operates 219 Group, an advertising and marketing firm headquartered in downtown Fayetteville. His announcement came in the form of a three-minute YouTube video posted on Facebook.

In his public address, he said all residents must work together to make Fayetteville a better place to live. He referred to “inequalities across the city” and suggested that more community amenities must be developed that will bring back people who’ve been fleeing the community, claiming that Cumberland County is losing population, unlike virtually all other metropolitan areas of North Carolina.

He also spoke of what he called “decaying neighborhoods” and streets in need of desperate repair. He was supported by his wife Jenny who affirmed that they are committed to the race and the community.

PHOTO: Mayor Nat Robertson and Councilman Kirk DeViere

Fayetteville’s new chief of police will hit the ground running when she starts her new job next month. Gina Hawkins, 49, the deputy chief of the Clayton County, Georgia, Police Department, was selected by City Manager Doug Hewett.

He acknowledged during a news conference that his choice might initially appear unpopular since many ranking members of the Police Department’s command staff supported Interim Chief Anthony Kelly. “Selecting the new chief is one of the most difficult decisions I have been faced with since becoming the City Manager and one that I don‘t take lightly,” Hewett said. “I am exceedingly grateful for Kelly’s service as interim chief,” he added. Kelly meanwhile pledged his continued best efforts and support to the new chief as her senior assistant chief.

Hewett described Hawkins as a multifaceted criminal justice professional with 28 years of comprehensive experience. She holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice from Georgia State University and a master of science in management from Johns Hopkins University. She is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University and is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Hewett outlined distinctions he said set Hawkins apart from the other finalists: a diverse skillset which includes the ability to listen to others, attention to detail, the ability to adapt and evolve, ease of connecting with people, a sense of humor and an education, which includes advanced degrees. Her starting pay will be $140,000.

PHOTO: Gina Hawkins, Fayetteville’s new chief of police

The City of Fayetteville received an additional $1.85 million in grants from the Golden LEAF Foundation to provide relief for projects related to Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts.

This new funding will be applied to the following projects: $993,000 for additional debris removal from four creeks — Branson Creek, Blounts Creek, Hybarts Branch and Buckhead Creek. Spruce Street drainage will  receive $873,831.

These grants are in addition to a $1.2 million grant the City received in April that paid for the removal of debris from Cross Creek and the replacement of a road at Rayconda destroyed during Hurricane Matthew. The City is now applying for additional grants in the third round of funding, asking for $2.5+ million for bank stabilization (City’s Cross Creek Cemetery #2) along with more than $800,000 for storm debris removal from Beaver Creek, Little Cross Creek tributaries and Bones Creek. Neighborhoods affected by these tributaries are Chestnut Hills, Hollywood Heights, Beaver Run, Cliffdale West and the Washington Drive community.

“Golden LEAF has again come through for us in a big way to assist with our Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts in Fayetteville,” Mayor Nat Robertson said. The Golden LEAF Foundation is committed to using the funds entrusted to it by the General Assembly through the Disaster Recovery Act of 2016.

Cape Fear River Contamination Inspection

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has inspected the Chemours Fayetteville facility and verified that the company is now containing wastewater from its byproduct GenX, thereby preventing further discharge of the unregulated chemical compound into the Cape Fear River. DEQ officials verified during an on-site inspection that Chemours is redirecting the wastewater into temporary storage tanks at the Fayetteville facility.

“We are holding Chemours accountable for containing the compound as we continue to investigate the presence of GenX in the Cape Fear River,” said Michael Regan, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.

The state is investigating reports of GenX presence in the lower Cape Fear River at Wilmington. Chemours previously discharged wastewater from the process into the Cape Fear for many years.

Breached Dams Meetings Set This Month

The City of Fayetteville is holding meetings this summer for residents whose neighborhood dams were destroyed by Hurricane Matthew. These meetings will be held for the following neighborhoods at the listed dates, times and locations:

• Mirror Lake Dam: City Hall, Tues., July 25, 6 p.m.

• Devonwood: City Hall, Tues., July 25, 7:30 p.m.

• Gables, Strickland Bridge, Loch Lomond and all other city private dams: City Hall, Thurs., July  27, 6 p.m.

• Arran Lakes: Lake Rim Recreation Center, Tues., Aug. 1, 6 p.m.

• Rayconda: Lake Rim Recreation Center, Tues., Aug. 1, 7:30 p.m. 

The City is working with homeowners’ associations to encourage turnout at the meetings and to solicit feedback. That feedback will be presented to City Council at a future meeting.

Free Lunches for Kids This Summer

Cumberland County Schools are helping to keep children healthy while school is out, recognizing that for some, daily school lunches are a necessity. CCS’ Child Nutrition Services is providing free meals to area children this summer.  Meals are served at 17 locations around Cumberland County, Monday through Friday through July 28. Anyone 18 or younger is welcome. The meals are free.

“Children can receive nutritious meals … by visiting open feeding sites or attending camps, church programs and other organizations that participate in the Summer Feeding Program,” said Beth Maynard, Executive Director of CCS’ Child Nutrition Services. Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with CCS’ Child Nutrition Services to provide the meals to children when school is out for the summer.

Local Real Estate Broker Earns Distinguished Designation 

Grant-Murray Real Estate, LLC., of Fayetteville announced that Rishi Shah completed training to earn the designation as Certified Commercial Investment Member. The distinction denotes that Shah has completed advanced coursework in financial and market analysis and demonstrated extensive experience in the commercial real estate industry.

Shah has been a Broker Associate with GrantMurray since November 2014. He earned a degree in economics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He’s a native of Laurinburg and grew up in Fayetteville. Grant-Murray is a full-service commercial real estate and investment brokerage firm. 

HIT: Fayetteville’s 15th annual Blues-N-Brews Festival was a resounding success. It’s the Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s major fundraiser. Thousands turned out at Festival Park and paid $40 each for small glasses resembling shot glasses on steroids to sample the many craft beers available and enjoy the concert.

MISS: The departure of newspaperman Andrew Barksdale from The Fayetteville Observer is a loss for our community. Andrew spent 17 years reporting on local government for the Observer. He was a good journalist. Barksdale is a casualty of the purchase of the newspaper by GateHouse Media, headquartered in suburban Rochester, New York. He said he’s been looking to change jobs for quite a while. He resigned to take a job in public relations with the state Department of Transportation in Raleigh.

HIT: Imagine this: A motorist driving along Pinecrest Drive was actually doing 25 mph, the speed limit. I was behind her. When she turned onto Morganton Road, she stepped it up to 35 mph, also the speed limit. I was in no hurry, but you can imagine how impatient everyone else was.

MISS: The Bragg Boulevard construction detour near downtown was a flop. DOT set up signs, orange barrels and cones directing inbound traffic to turn left onto the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway over to Ramsey Street and then downtown. A smarter and much shorter detour was to turn right onto the MLK over to Hay Street, only three-tenths of a mile, and then downtown. Motorists had to figure that out for themselves … and many did.

HIT: Thanks to the merchants and restaurants who give seniors their discounts without customers having to ask for them. In most cases, it’s obvious when seniors are making purchases and are therefore entitled to their 10 percent discount. Not all places give the discounts unless requested by the customers.

MISS:  Pretty soon, the new downtown FAST Transit Center will open. It’s more than a year behind schedule. Greyhound will also use the terminal. Something’s missing, though. There isn’t any public parking on the property for visitors or families. There are a few parking spots on the street.

HIT: City Councilman Ted Mohn speaks his mind no matter what. He said he isn’t going to seek re-election, which may be why he’s so willing to be more straightforward these days. Not only does Mohn say it like it is, he’s the Council’s resident numbers analyst. Maybe we can persuade him to run again.

With some fanfare, the Fayetteville City Council last Monday unanimously adopted its FY2018 budget without a tax increase.

That’s great for incumbent Councilmembers who face opposition during the upcoming fall municipal election and didn’t want to face the ire of property owners. But it’s not so great for citizens next year when the Council’s ambitious spending spree comes home to roost.

I predict there will be a call for a major tax increase next year. As Councilman Jim Arp recently told a civic group, he never knew of any governmental entity that asked for less money than in previous years.

So, the tax rate remains at 49.95 cents per $100 valuation. City Manager Doug Hewett wanted to bump the tax rate to 52.7 cents. The 2.7 cent hike would make up for what the City will lose because of declining property values.

Lower property values result in a 4.6 percent loss in property taxes. However, budget analysts estimate the City will gain 1.75 percent in personal property taxes and another 3.5 percent in motor vehicle taxes. They also project a 4.1 percent growth in sales taxes.

According to budget gurus, the 52.7 cent tax rate would get the City the same amount from property taxes it got last year, and property owners wouldn’t really shell out more money.

But City Council balked at the idea of “raising” taxes, even to a revenue neutral state. Instead, they let Hewett come up with increasing fees.

What’s the difference between taxes and fees, you may ask? Well, fees aren’t deductible on your federal tax returns. And, I’ve never heard of fees going down. I’ve always considered them a euphemism for taxes.

Hewett asked for and got a 59.26 percent fee increase for picking up your garbage, recyclables, leaves and pine straw, and on occasion some of the big stuff you haul to the curb.

The increase from $44 to $108 is $64 a year. It’s still a good deal for getting stuff taken away from your house unless you live in the western part of the City. That’s the area swallowed up by the 2005 Big Bang annexation, and where the City touted its green rollout garbage can as part of a deal of a lifetime for those being annexed.

That’s a $5.33 per month increase that people in the annexed areas were initially told would be part of their City taxes.

The stormwater fee also increased, from $45 to $51. I can’t argue with that. We need all the help we can get to stem flooding in Fayetteville. Hurricane Matthew proved that. But most people won’t see a direct benefit, except for an occasional street sweeper or drain-clearing project. The proposed $2.26 million for stormwater drainage projects just won’t spread across a city the size of Fayetteville.

Overall, the FY 2018 budget increases spending by about 1 percent over last year. There are some big-ticket items on the horizon. There’s the $33 million downtown baseball stadium; $3.6 million for a parking deck at City Hall; $400,000 for land for short-term downtown parking; and $529,000 for operating costs for the soon-to-be-completed $11 million downtown transit center that’s already $400,000 over budget.

Hewett and his budgeteers will have an interesting and perhaps stressful time coming up with a hold-the-line budget next year. Then again, it’s not a municipal election year.

North Carolina is known for many fine food products — the world’s best barbecue, hush puppies and collard sandwiches come to mind immediately. What could be better than a big ol’ collard sandwich washed down with a frosty glass of iced tea seasoned with a tasty chemical called GenX?

GenX is thoughtfully provided by DuPont & Chemours Fayetteville Works nestled beside the Cape Fear River. Remember what happened when your mother got angry with you? If she called out your full name, you were toast. When GenX’s momma gets mad at GenX, she yells out GenX’s full name, which is Perflouro-2-Propxypropanic Acid.

It turns out the public didn’t know until this month that GenX has been swimming in the Cape Fear River since 1980. Through one of those Catch-22 loopholes that the federal regulators create to help favored industries, GenX did not have to meet any clean drinking water standards. Because GenX was produced as a byproduct of another chemical and not made intentionally, the Feds didn’t have any requirements to keep it out of your children’s drinking water. There is some indication that drinking GenX-infused water might not be good for you from a health standpoint. But, since it got into drinking water legally, no harm, no foul.

The North Carolina General Assembly just passed House Bill 576, which is better known as the Garbage Juice bill. This is an appetizing concept the Landfill Lobby sold the legislature.

Let’s say you own a dump. Dumps ooze nasty cootie-filled liquids called leachate as the garbage rots. If you own the dump, you can’t just let the garbage juice run off into the local creek. Those soreheads in charge of clean water make you either keep your garbage juice on-site or haul it off to be disposed of in some poverty-stricken locale that lacks the political clout to keep it out. Either of these options is expensive. Can the General Assembly help the dump owners? Why sure.

Instead of hauling the garbage juice off, let’s just spray it into the air with giant fans called aerosolizers. In theory, the wind will carry away the suddenly clean water, and the solid cooties will just fall like toxic snowflakes back into the dump. What could go wrong? The inventor of the giant fans contributed $5,000 to State Senator Trudy Wade, the main sponsor of the Garbage Juice Bill. Of course, this $5,000 had nothing to do with Senator’s Wade’s sponsoring the Garbage Juice Bill. The bill requires the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to approve the use of the giant spray fans. Some soreheads think the garbage juice sprayed into the air will drift off-site and deposit cootie-filled water droplets on neighbors, cats, dogs and children.

Some sissies think the GenX and Garbage Juice will make North Carolina a less attractive place to live. Fortunately, Sterling Cooper has come up with an ad campaign to make North Carolina pollution hip.

Here are some of the slogans:  Wow! I could have had a Garbage Juice. Garbage Juice, good to the last drop. If it tasted any better, it would still be in the dump. I’d like to buy the world a Garbage Juice. Things go better with Garbage Juice. Garbage Juice — the pause that refreshes. Have a Garbage Juice and a tumor. Behold the power of Garbage Juice. Garbage Juice — something special in the air. Garbage Juice — the fabric of our lives and the lining of our stomachs. Garbage Juice is forever. Every kiss begins with Garbage Juice. Garbage Juice— it’s magically delicious. Garbage Juice — melts in your liver, not in your hands. The Champagne of bottled Garbage Juice. All the Garbage Juice that’s fit to drink. Garbage Juice hits the spot. Silly rabbit, Garbage Juice is for kids. Garbage Juice tastes good like dump leachate should.

As John Lennon once sang, “Garbage Juice is all you need.” Drink up and don’t complain. The government knows best.

Wedding season is in full swing, and I have already attended several with one more next month in a public park and one in September in the country music capital of the world, Nashville, Tennessee. Each has been or will be accompanied by several other festivities, including but not limited to engagement parties celebrating engagements that might last years, bridal showers, bachelor/ bachelorette trips with friends, dinners and afterparties. Wedding dresses are chosen with as much anticipation as selecting a groom. Wedding trips are often exotic — islands in the Pacific or off the coast of South America or in romantic Paris. 

Today’s weddings encompass much more of everything — planning, time, people and certainly expense — than a mere stroll down the aisle.

My own nuptials decades ago were a relatively low-key affair. We decided to wed in June and did so three months later, in September. My father walked me down the aisle of a downtown Fayetteville church. I wore a white silk dress stitched for me by a lovely seamstress with a storefront on Yadkin Road. My groom and his brother got new suits for the occasion, and my only attendant, my sister, wore a dress we picked out just because we liked it. Our reception was in the yard of my aunt and uncle’s home, and my father and I did not have to choose music for a “father-daughter dance,” since we had no band. No one came from far away except a former roommate and her new hubby who came from England, but only because he worked for the airline and they could fly for free. My groom and I escaped to Charleston (with dead fish hidden under the car’s hood courtesy of a mischievous cousin) for a few days, followed by a week at Topsail Beach.

We thought it was all grand!

But my groom and I belonged to the baby boomer generation. Today’s young couples are millennials, and they are putting their stamps on the marriage process  — and, surely, on the institution itself. Engagements are announced on Instagram and Snapchat, and occasionally on Facebook, although that is more a medium for Boomers now that millennials have started moving on. Ditto for shopping expeditions, parties, food-tastings, makeup sessions and on and on and on — all shared via social media. We can all participate in the experience from courtship to honeymoon in ways no one ever imagined as my groom and I drove along, wondering why the car smelled so fishy.

Among the stranger marriage developments, I have lately encountered guests who attend weddings by Skype or FaceTime, both billed as the next best thing to being there. These would require some dexterity as to holding the phone or computer for a relatively long time, and I wonder whether the “guest” on the receiving end of the wedding technology dresses up in wedding finery for the call, or whether he or she just  wears pajamas?

Strangest of all is an NPR story I heard recently involving “virtual” attendance at weddings and other family occasions. The “guest” puts on special 3-D glasses just like the movies and “attends” the event, feeling like he or she is there. One woman interviewed for the story wept as she “attended” an event in her grandfather’s home nations away. The problem is, no one there knew she felt like she was in the room as she boohooed thousands of miles away.

All of that said, Millennial couples embarking on marriage face the same learning curves couples of all prior generations faced. We marry not just a person, but families who can guide and support us over time. We all have to learn to be kind to each other, to compromise, to plan and dream for our joint futures, to plan financially and responsibly, and if we are so blessed, to bring up children who are productive and loving. We all have to learn that sometimes our spouses are our lovers, sometimes our friends and sometimes just our roommates who don’t want to do the dishes or mow the grass either. We all have to learn that our spouse whom we have promised to share our lives with is not perfect, but then neither are we.

I am OK with nuptial progress — Skype, FaceTime and such, even though I would have a hard time staying focused on a little screen for an entire wedding and reception with toasts, dancing and long-distance festivities.

But I am concerned about how to bring my lips to a flute of “virtual” Champagne... 

Well, Kirk deViere’s YouTube announcement last week that he intends to give up his District 2 City Council seat and enter the race for mayor makes it look like Fayetteville residents are going to experience a spirited municipal race and election this fall.

Two-term incumbent Mayor, Nat Robertson, has much going for him, including years of experience, a grassroots kinship with the Fayetteville community and a long list of municipal accomplishments with an even longer list of Republican friends, donors and supporters. On the other hand, Florida-born outsider deViere was introduced to Fayetteville via his 10-year Army tenure and affiliations through Fort Bragg. He consequently and consciously adopted Fayetteville as his “hometown.” Here, he built his reputation, his businesses and his home. With his marriage to one of Fayetteville’s local and most prominent favorite daughters, Jenny Beaver, he is now in the process of raising a Fayetteville family.

With these two worthy contenders having much in common, it practically assures an exciting and competitive race. Matter of fact, they have so much in common it makes you wonder why they are vying for the same position and not combining their experience, intellect and passion into building a leadership coalition that would expedite Fayetteville’s growth and prosperity for all citizens. It has been said that Fayetteville is a tale of two cities  — the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Well, I’m not sure I buy that. Fayetteville is one city, and it should be governed as one city. Robertson and deViere are both good men. A close look at these two candidates reflects many positive similarities.

Both candidates love the Fayetteville community and are committed to making it a better place to live, work and raise  a family.

Both are honest, intelligent and reasonable with a lot of common sense.

Both are free-thinking and can articulate and communicate their ideas  succinctly.

Both understand the importance of long-term planning and leadership.

Both have positive visions for the Fayetteville community.

Both have demonstrated an extreme work ethic.

Both have extensive “hands-on” business experience.

Both are entrepreneurial and have owned businesses.

Both are familiar with the pressures of making an employee payroll.

Both are logical and creative thinkers.

Both are family-oriented: Robertson has two successful grown children raised in Fayetteville and deViere has chosen to raise his children in Fayetteville.

Both their wives are local women of substance who have successful professional careers. Both women are involved and active in the community and extremely dedicated to and supportive of their husbands.

Both want to see Fayetteville grow and prosper both economically and socially.

And, both contenders know the agony of defeat, having each lost a previous mayoral campaign.

So, on the surface, we have two substantially qualified candidates who undoubtedly and passionately have the City of Fayetteville’s best interest at heart. Personal leadership style and philosophy may end up being the only real contentions between the two. Let’s hope so. We do not need the overwhelming vitriol that was present when Robertson ran against and defeated real estate agent Val Applewhite in 2013. Many people felt that was fueled because Applewhite’s priorities were misaligned and that she was running for all the wrong reasons.

No one can predict what will take place in the coming weeks. Will it be a dignified and respectable mayoral race between two dignified and respectable city servants? 

No one knows, but, I sincerely hope so.  No doubt both candidates want to be leaders and accountable to the people. I’m hoping for an aggressive but positive and respectable campaign — one where the winner becomes mayor and the loser remains an involved supporter and advocate of the Fayetteville community.

No doubt The Fayetteville Observer and the local radio talk shows will try to keep the election conflicted. They think it sells more papers and gains listeners. I doubt it. The fact is, our local daily newspaper doesn’t have many reporters left in the newsroom, if any, who have a qualified local historical and political perspective of Fayetteville, let alone of the candidates. And, with its local editorial page editor living two counties away in Chatham County, you can be sure his opinions and insights will be shallow and antagonistic.

The local radio talk shows will tend to follow their same “unfair and unbalanced” format. My best advice to the candidates and the community is to resist, resist, resist. This means Fayetteville residents must do their due diligence by vetting each candidate. Talk openly with and candidly to these two highly-qualified mayoral candidates. Then vote your conscience. Don’t depend on the media.

Our community is on the verge of greatness. Fayetteville residents want it, and we deserve it. 

I close this editorial with excellent advice to all the 2017 candidates intending to affect Fayetteville’s future and quality of life. To paraphrase Gen. George Patton, lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way. Anything else and you are impeding progress.

I thank both Mayor Robertson and City Councilman Kirk deViere for their service to our community. And, I thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. 

As the American Legion Area II regular season ends, the Hope Mills Boosters are again in contention for a trip to the state tournament, which will be held at Pitt Community College this year, July 20-25.

Through a June 28 win over Jacksonville, Hope Mills still held a piece of first place with an 11-1 Area II record, 12-3 overall. Their main rival, also with a single league defeat, is perennial power Wilmington Post 10.

At this writing, Hope Mills had road games left with Wilmington and Wallace, which is also in the title picture, and a home doubleheader with Whiteville. Whiteville was knocked out of the regular-season title picture when it forfeited multiple wins for using an ineligible player. Morehead City announced it won’t take part in this year’s playoffs.

Hope Mills rolled to an 8-0 start before facing strong opposition in a recent tournament in Florence, S.C. They took a five-inning 10-0 loss to Garner and lost a slugfest with defending state and regional American Legion champion Rowan County, 11-9.

“We didn’t see our real good competition until after that eighth game,’’ said Hope Mills coach Mark Kahlenberg. “Garner was a solid team with good pitching and they hit the ball well against us.’’

Pitching was Hope Mills’ biggest problem in the loss to Rowan County. “I think we had 11 or 12 walks against them,’’ Kahlenberg said.

Walks have hurt Hope Mills all season, Kahlenberg said. In the Florence tournament they walked 30 in three games. For the season the total is 67 in 15.

“That’s 4.5 per game,’’ he said. “We’d like to get that number down to maybe one or two free passes a night. We’d prefer none, but one or two a game you can deal with.’’

The 18-man roster for Hope Mills includes players from South View, Jack Britt and Purnell Swett.

Among the better county pitchers for the team are Andrew Sabalboro of South View and James Howell, D.J. Bishop and Zach Knapp of Jack Britt. Howell and Sabalboro both have earned run averages of zero. Bishop has a win and has allowed only two hits. Knapp is 2-0 with 18 strikeouts in 11.2 innings.

Knapp is among the offensive leaders with a .367 average including three home runs and eight RBIs. “He’s consistently been in the 5-6 slot in the order,’’  Kahlenberg said.

If Hope Mills can finish either first or second in the final Area II standings, it will get a first-round bye for the state playoffs, which begin July 7.

The teams that don’t get byes, Nos. 3-6, will match up in best-of-three series. The winners of those will face the top two teams in another best-of-three round. The top-seeded team gets the lowest-seeded survivor of the first round.

The two teams that win in the second round are automatically guaranteed berths in the state tournament. The coaches of those teams will then decide if they’ll have a one-game playoff or a series to determine which team is No. 1 seed from Area II for the state tournament.

Kahlenberg would like to get one of the byes but said it won’t be the end of the season if they don’t. “We feel confident if we don’t have that first-round bye we’re going to have enough pitching and we hit the ball well enough that we’re going to make it to the second round at least,’’ he said.

“Maybe we can get in a couple of practices and stay fresh for that second-round matchup, whoever it  may be.’’

EDITOR’S NOTE: The critical Friday, June 30th, Hope Mills at Wilmington Post 10 game was postponed by rain. This put the remaining Hope Mills regular-season schedule in jeopardy as both teams were to end the regular schedule on July 3 and open the playoffs July 7.

PHOTO: Mark Kahlenberg & Zach Knapp