On Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2, history will be made at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre when DOWNRANGE Voices from the Homefront is read on the theatre’s stage. The play, written by Mike Wiley, is the first original play commissioned by the CFRT in its 53-year history.

DOWNRANGE: Voices from the Homefront began as an outreach program by the theatre to reach out to one of its most underserved communities: the military. Putting an emphasis on embracing the military as a central part of the community, was one of the major goals for Tom Quaintance, the theatre’s artistic director. When Quaintance interviewed for the job at the CFRT, he was asked to name the greatest challenge facing the theatre. His response was, “You are underserving the your community.”

Quaintance quickly learned that a large part of that community was comprised of military families, many of whom were separated by ongoing deployments. He heard stories from these families. Stories he has referred to as “stories of bravery, of community, of heartbreak and joy, of the everyday and the extraordinary.” He knew this was a story that needed to be told.

The theatre looked for and found funding for that project through the Audience (R)Evolution grant, a four-stage program to study, promote and support successful audience engagement and community development models across the country. The Audience (R)Evolution grant program was designed by the Theatre Communications Group, or TCG, and is funded by the Doris Duke Foundation. The grant gave the theatre the means to refocus its community engagement model to put the military center stage.

DOWNRANGE has been a year in the making, beginning with the collaboration with Wylie, whose acclaimed play The Parchman Hour: Songs and Stories of 1961 Freedom Riders, wowed CFRT audiences, as well as audiences in Chapel Hill, where it premiered. Another key partner in creating the show is Hidden Voices, a Chapel Hill-based nonprofit, that has been collaborating with underrepresented communities since 2003. The group’s mission statement, “To challenge, strengthen and connect our diverse communities through the transformative power of the individual voice,” meshed with Quaintance’s vision. Wiley, along with theatre volunteers,  volunteers from the military community and members of Hidden Voices, beganthe story telling process by first listening to the stories of those who have been impacted by the deployments: military spouses. The grant paid for the workshops, childcare for participants, community outreach, the commission of the work and the staged reading.

Downrange: Voices from the Homefront focuses on the families of deployed military men and women, and will develop a piece of documentary theatre, the staged reading and a visual art installation, which is designed to give the participants a non-verbal mode of storytelling. 

The stories collected through the workshops have been woven into a play that is moving, funny and inspiring by Wiley. 

Immediately following the reading, a talk-back session is planned to allow the audience to discuss the play and to ensure that the theatre is on the right track moving forward to a full production in the 2015-2016 season. 

Quaintance noted, “It is one of the largest projects we have ever undertaken, and I’m excited, and energized and terrified. I feel a tremendous responsibility to do the stories of these men and women justice.”

For tickets and information, visit www.cfrt.org.

If you haven’t noticed, the Fayetteville Observereditorials, especially the one from April 14, lean favorably toward abandoning the Crown Theatre facility and building a new performing arts center downtown. The paper quotes Commissioner Jimmy Keefe when he says “... it needs to go in a place where it can enhance other accommodations and really amplify the food and beverage tax and the occupancy tax.” 

Sounds like a wise plan to me.

On April 21, 2013, The Fayetteville Observer quoted Keefe when he said “It’s taxpayer money. We have a responsibility to ensure that the taxpayers who pay that.... are getting the best value for what that money is going toward.” He was talking about the benchmark study that the Civic Center Commission wanted to have done as we were trying to determine the next step for the Crown Center, as a whole. You really have the same question here, with maybe more than one answer.

Consider that the Crown Theatre is still a viable facility today. From July 2014 to March 2015, 45 events were held in the Crown Theatre with a total of 48,868 patrons attending those events. Consider also that the theatre has had substantial taxpayer money spent on it over the last few years to upgrade the lobby area and, most recently, new HVAC systems. These were major taxpayer expenses that shouldn’t be discounted. 

There is constant whining that the Crown Complex is in the wrong place. Let’s get over it. We can’t move it so let’s work towards improving the area to make it more appealing. At least, at that location we have ample parking, a facility that the taxpayers already own, a management company running the shows and more. A new performing arts center downtown could lack all of this.

 Does the city or county own a location downtown for this new center? Is there really ample parking within a reasonable distance for patrons to park and walk? How far do you really want to walk to get to an event? Is the infrastructure already in place for this new facility or will taxpayers have to start over and spend money to create it? Consider also, that just a short block away from the Crown Complex, Walmart is building a new store. This alone will change the face of the Gillespie Street area far more than anything government can do to improve it. Walmart brings other retailers and restaurants eager to follow in their footsteps. We need that in the Gillespie Street area.

So where does that leave things? Personally, I think we need to either expand and improve or rebuild the performing arts building where the Crown Theatre sits today.

The existing building can be expanded for more seating. The neighborhood will improve over the next few years from the new Walmart alone. Make the Crown Complex our local destination for entertainment in Cumberland County. More than 48,800 patrons have already have done that this last year alone. Make the new Crown Theatre a real FayPAC. One that rivals our neighbor to the north. While we are at it, let’s turn Festival Park over to Global Spectrum, the Crown’s management  company, and have some outdoor concerts and other events on a regular basis, like Walnut Creek.

If the powers that be still think downtown is the place, we might also consider the existing AIT building. It is currently on the market, and already has a 350 seat auditorium on the ground floor. It is adjacent to a 400-space city owned parking area in the back. For $8.5 million it can be yours. Sounds like a good deal compared to the numbers we have heard.

As usual, we have too many choices and not enough money. After living in Fayetteville all my life, I would really like to see us plan for the future instead of retro-fitting after the fact because we didn’t plan. We are not too good at looking ahead.

The Fourth of July 2015 will be here before we know it, with Americans of every stripe celebrating the one thing we all have in common — love for and pride in our free country and for the opportunities available to us and our families. We will stare up at red, white and blue fireworks from parks, beaches and backyards across our country; grateful that we are in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We are living the American Dream.

But what exactly is the American Dream?

Home ownership pops readily to mind, and that is certainly part of it. But the dream is much fuller and richer — education, upward mobility, good health, being with our families, freedom to make our own decisions and personal goals and desires of our very own. The dream differs with each generation and as our young country continues to evolve.

The CBS News magazine 60 Minutes and Vanity Fair magazine recently polled 1,002 Americans for the 2015 iteration of the American Dream. I found some of it affirming, some a bit disheartening and I suspect your take on it may be different than mine based on age, life experiences and personal opinions.

Here are a few of the findings.

Q: How would you describe the American Dream today?

As a mother I am not surprised that 44 percent of us answer this way: “Giving your kids a better life.” “Having a successful career” comes in first for 22 percent. Blessedly, only 5 percent of us value “becoming wealthy overnight” and only 2 percent say, “becoming famous.”

Q: Who has had a better life?”

Two out three — 66 percent — of us say we have a better life than our parents did. I agree with this one. I am now more than 10 years older than my mother was when she died, and one year behind my father’s departure. Our more welcoming culture has also opened more doors for my children and me than my parents could have imagined. If they had defined their American Dream as a better life for their children, I think they achieved it.

Q: Which is most important in achieving the American Dream?

Almost half of us — 44 percent — say a college education. Second, at 22 percent, is being an American citizen. Far behind in single digits are being born wealthy, speaking English, having health insurance and being white.

Hear! Hear!

Q: Which of these people best embodies the American Dream?

Steve Jobs tops the list, with Oprah Winfrey, Sam Walton and Rosa Parks less then 10 points behind. Last on the list, at 1 percent, is Kim Kardashian. I find this result deeply affirming that our nation is on the right track.

Q: Would your first American ancestors be proud of you?

A whopping 76 percent of us say “yes.” This seems to me a bit of a loaded question. Some of us have ancestors who were here before there was a United States, some of us have ancestors who came in great waves of immigrants, and some of us are the first in our families to be here. Some, but not all of my ancestors, are in the first category, and I can hardly imagine how they would assess my life compared to theirs. The centuries seem so far apart. I hope they would be proud.

Q: Do immigrants help or hurt the U.S?

EEK! We are conflicted here. By a small margin — 35 to 32 percent, more people said immigrants are hurting our country. The rest of us see no effect. Interestingly, more Republicans — 53 percent — say immigrants hurt while more Democrats — 45 percent — say they are helping. Interpret that one as you will.

And now for the hot potato.

Q: Which part of the Bill of Rights would you get rid of first?

Just the facts, ma’am. 

Right to Bear Arms — 37 percent. 

Trial by Jury — 14 percent.

Freedom of Speech — 10 percent

Freedom of Religion — 9 percent

None of these — 28 percent

Clearly, Americans are distressed by the gun violence in our country.

All polls on whatever topics are snapshots in time. They are also subject to error. The 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair poll says its margin of error is 3 percent either way.

That being said, the results feel All-American to me. 

Despite our economic challenges of the last decade, just shy of a past generation’s Great Depression, and our growing economic divide, we remain a hopeful and forward-looking people. We want our children to have better lives than we have had, and we believe that education and hard work can provide that for them. We have our political differences as we have had since before we were a nation, and we continue to persevere. We continue to believe that American life can — and will — be better.

Amen!

For the past several years, a favorite road trip for my family and me, has been a quick jaunt up to Baltimore to catch our beloved Yankees face off against the Orioles. We make a weekend of it and catch a couple of games. The first trip we made, we were a little unsure of what to expect having never been there before, but we fell in love with the area.

We stay right in the middle of the Inner Harbor. We walk to the ball park. Everyone is friendly. The folks in the restaurants and the vendors on the street good naturedly give us a hard time about being Yankees fans — and we give it right back. There are great restaurants throughout the harbor, cool shops and other attractions. It is a great weekend get away, and it has become a tradition. Sometimes we go alone as a family, sometimes we take close friends. 

So it was with a great deal of distress that I watched the footage of the protest turned to mayhem that streamed across the television, my computer, and my iPhone over the weekend. The peaceful streets resembled a war zone. We watched shocked as the innocent restaurant owners, store owners and vendors became targets. It was, needless to say, painful to watch.

Our distress as outsiders, cannot begin to match that of the residents of the city, the business owners and those who found themselves caught up in the mayhem — many of whom were just in town to catch a game. Of course, nothing can begin to approach the pain of the peaceful demonstrators who were trying to bring attention to the death of Freddie Gray, who died while in police custody, as they watched their planned protest deteriorate into madness.

According to news reports, Gray, a 25-year-old black man, was arrested after he made eye contact with police officers and ran away. Officers gave chase, caught him, held him down, handcuffed him and loaded him into a police van, where he was physically restrained with leg cuffs. According to police reports Gray asked for medical help before he was put into the van. Paramedics were finally called but it was too late. Gray died from an unexplained spinal injury. Since the news broke of his death, protest have occurred daily in the city, but none have been as big or have been violent. 

News reports agree that Saturday’s protest began as planned, with thousands of people peacefully assembling at the site of Gray’s arrest and then marching to city hall. Organizers say the crowd exceeded their expectation, but they did not expect the violence.

 No one can identify the tipping point where righteous anger spilled over into mob madness; although many have tried. Some argue, like Baltimore Mayor Stehanie Rawlings-Blake that “a small group of agitators turned what was other wise a peaceful demonstration into a violent protest.” While other news reports argue that there were only three outsiders for every 30 residents participating in the violence. Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, who deployed roughly 1,200 officers to the downtown area to try and keep the peace believes that the “violent agitators” were not from Baltimore.

I would like to believe that. I have seen Baltimore at its best, and it does not resemble what played out on our televisions but happened painfully to the residents of the city. 

Restaurants and stores were sacked. People peacefully walking the streets on their way to the game or catching a quick bite to eat were beaten by groups who broke off from the protest. These splinter groups threw chairs and tables through store windows, tossed flaming trash cans at the police, broke out car windows and demolished police vehicles. At city hall, they tore down the American Flag and attempted to set it on fire, while voices of reason tried to hold them back

City leaders went on television begging for calm. Gray’s twin sister broke her silence to issue the following statement, “ My family wants to say, can you all please, please stop the violence? Freddie Gray would not want this.”

The violence of a few drowned out the message of the thousands —this has got to stop. Nothing comes from looting and destroying. The message gets lost and only fuels the racial tension in our nation, which is at a boiling point. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was beaten and jailed during his fight for Civil Rights, saw the same thing. But he knew that violence wouldn’t solve the problem; it would only make it worse. 

“The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that,” said King. 

King’s spirit and beliefs still live on in like-minded people who are seeking peace, who are seeking understanding. We saw that in Fredericka Gray . We saw that in the quiet dignity of the family of Walter Scott in South Carolina. Both families who suffered a great loss knew that violence was not the answer, and they acted in a manner to bring peace to the horrible situation in which they find themselves. 

In the opening night buzz of the audience at The Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s much anticipated The Trip to Bountiful,  words of love and expressions of pride flowed from many people who waited patiently with programs in hand. They were ready to take a ride; patiently waiting for the stage to open and the stage lights to come up so they could begin their trip. The anticipation was understandable, as the cast was comprised of some of the theatre’s favorite veteran actors. Already spellbound, the audience waited to take the trip to see and experience a place called “Bountiful.”

Their first destination: Houston, Texas, 1953. Directed by Anne Scarbrough, the story revolves around an elderly, yet spry woman, Carrie Watts played by Bo Thorp, who is also waiting patiently in her rocking chair,  watching traffic – forlorn and spiritless. She is living in an apartment under the watchful eyes of her overprotective son, Ludie Watts (Greg King), and his controlling wife, Jessie Mae Watts (Libby McNeill Seymour). Carrie may seem lost, but it soon becomes evident that she is storing energy to begin an adventure; a trip back to her hometown of Bountiful, Texas.  

There is a struggle between mother, son and daughter-in-law that echoes in many relationships;  however, the audience can still relate to the uniqueness of each character as it was brought to life with striking precision and emotional clarity by the actors.  

King gives an honest and paradoxical performance as Ludie, who tries his best to talk some sense into his mother who is consumed with making a trip back to the homestead where she was raised.  It is with a fine balance of deep care and exasperation that King gives relevancy to the character, ensuring that the audience understands his deep love and concern for his aging mother, which is sometimes overshadowed by his need to appease the relentless complaints and narcissism of his wife.  

Seymour plays the domineering Jessie Mae with amazing ease. She expertly walks the fine line between domineering and comical. She demonstrates great finesse with this character; by making the audience sympathize with her, while  still wanting to wring her neck for her greed in taking the elderly Carrie’s pension, which she spends frivolously on Coca-colas from the drugstore. In the next instant, we laughed at her exact comic timing as she dim-wittedly proclaims her need for celebrity-lifestyle magazines and her beauty parlor addiction.

Thorp gives a resounding performance as Carrie Watts. We see a woman who seems discouraged and hopeless at first, yet with each step she takes in her journey to visit Bountiful, she becomes a more spirited, tenacious and energetic woman. Thorp plays the role with will and urgency, while remaining endearing and sometimes comical. This is a true testament to her seasoned and crafted acting chops.  Thorp’s return to the stage has long been awaited by patrons of the Cape Fear Regional Theatre.  The last time we got to see her tread the boards was in 2012 in her endearing portrayal of Ethel Thayer in On Golden Pond.  Thorp strikes a bullseye with every word, nuance and movement and she makes it very easy for the audience to care deeply about all of her character’s motives and feelings.  

One great comical moment is her escape from her family at the bus station. Thorp conjured up a Lucille Ball-like moment, wearing the janitor’s cap and uniform while dusting and shooting across the stage to dodge the grasp of Ludie and Jessie Mae, who want to take her home.  

Thorp deftly juxtaposes hilarity with a heart-felt moment while befriending a young lady named Thelma (Michelle Zaun) who is also taking a bus. Zaun plays the freshness of a new military wife whose husband has just left for service superbly.  You witness the sweetness that Thelma brings to Carrie, which in turn contrasts Carrie’s interaction with Thelma as opposed to Jessie Mae. Carrie, when treated with dignity,  becomes even stronger and more committed to her journey.

Arriving in Bountiful, Carrie finds her childhood home dilapidated and weather-worn. There is a moment that hit my soul with such compassion when Carrie grabs dirt from the ground around the house and shoves it in her purse. The purpose and determination that we saw in Carrie’s decision to make the trip reverberates in this moment and allows us to realize that the grit and determination that put her on her path was steadfast in her character throughout the play. 

Upon finding Carrie, Ludie and Jessie Mae are both concerned and vexed; however, the journey has not left them untouched. There is a newfound sense of harmony as we see each one finding new meaning in their journey, which creates a truce between them. 

I would be remiss not to mention the simple, yet brilliant set design executed by designer Kimberly Powers, scenic artist David Rawlins and technical director James Rogers.  There were specific moments when I heard audible gasps from the audience when moving set pieces transported actors into scenes, like the bus that Carrie and Thelma were riding juxtaposed against a dazzling starry night. Likewise, the apartment in Houston disappears and the bus station appears as the stage seems to shift and fold like origami art to reveal scene transitions.

Take a trip to the Cape Fear Regional Theatre to see this eloquent, inspiring and powerful piece of storytelling. The Trip to Bountiful will leave you inspired with a heartfelt spirt that stays with you for a long while.

For more than 20 years, the Cumberland Oratorio Singers have entertained the community through the presentation of professional symphonic choral music. The 65 members, under the direction of Director Dr. Michael Martin, perform throughout Cumberland County and the Sandhills Region. 

“I think what I hear most from others is that they are quite surprised that we have a choir in this area that is capable of singing so many different genres of music,” said Martin, who has lead the group for the past seven seasons.

Martin hails from the great state of Maine. Following 18 years of teaching, he attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, and completed his Ph.D. in Music Education. 

He is the Director of Choral Activities and Music Education at Methodist University and was appointed artistic director and conductor of Cumberland Oratorio Singers in 2008. 

“From folk music to spiritual, or small to major choral works with orchestra, it seems we always hear from people that they didn’t know we existed,” he continued. “While that’s a compliment, we really do try to reach into our community.” 

With a choir as large as the COS it takes 8 or even 10 weeks to prepare for any given concert. The COS strives to sing, share and listen, while giving the community live choral music. 

The choir also affords local college students and other vocalist the opportunity to share their talent with others and entertain audiences. Being a part of a musical group can be a musician’s greatest desire. Learning from a group that’s been around for decades can help build an artist’s craft.  

On Saturday, May 2, the choir will exercise its vocal prowess during a performance, which features the Terry Sanford High School Choir, at St. John’s Episcopal Church. The performance will focus on two multi-movement works: Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms and Francis Poulenc’s Gloria.

“In terms of picking the music, I try to ensure the music is accessible, yet challenging, to the choir. It also means choosing the repertoire in February to advertise the next season,” said Martin. 

“My greatest enjoyment is to make choral music accessible to the singers in Cumberland County. Between the Cumberland Oratorio Singers, the Cross Creek Chorale, and our endeavor to create a youth chorus in Fayetteville, we feel we are doing our best to make all levels of choral music accessible to all singers,” he added.

The Cross Creek Chorale, an auditioned group, will feature a more expanded choral experience for those wanting advanced rigor. This ensemble is featured, along with the entire membership of the COS, in its opening and closing concerts of every season. The addition of the auditioned group allowed the organization to offer something for all singers, which will allow it to better meet its mission of providing choral music to more people in the Sandhills region.

Season tickets to Cumberland Oratorio Singers concerts are $23 per person. Students are admitted free with an ID.  

For more information about the Cumberland Oratorio Singers, visit the website at www.singwithcos.org

There are a few annual traditions in Fayetteville that inarguably mean spring has arrived and summer is well on its way. One that many look forward to is the Fort Bragg Fair, a growing tradition that is  shared and passed down through generations. 

The fair is open to the public and everyone is invited to take part in the rides, activities and more. Expect to see, “… typical carnival rides, 28 in all, carnival food favorites and midway games,” said Rhett Stroupe the Fort Bragg MWR special events coordinator. 

This year’s fair has an incredible lineup of entertainers. New and particularly exciting is Kachunga and the Alligator Show. The show began in 1982 and is geared toward educating people about alligators in a fun and exciting way. In every show Kachunga, an alligator expert from deep in the swamps of Florida, impresses crowds with his ability to take on the 9-foot long 300-pound alligator known for its quick reflexes and strength. It may seem like an impossible task, but Kachunga can handle the pressure like no other. No alligators are harmed in the shows. They are treated with the utmost respect and care. The show is intense, but perfectly safe to watch. Kachunga and the alligator are on stage weekdays at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Weekend shows are at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. For more information about this show, visit www.kachunga.com. 

Much of the success of the Fort Bragg Fair is due to the dedication and the skill of the organizers. Their passion and diligence is inspired by a very simple but powerful show of gratitude and smiles once the gates open. 

Stroupe elaborated, “It is very rewarding to see it all come together for the good of our soldiers, families and the greater Fayetteville community.  We sell fun — how good is that!?”   

In order for attendees to have the best time possible, Stroupe noted that there are ATM’s on-site and advises attendees to always remember sunscreen. 

General admission is $12 on weekdays and $17 on weekends. However, Stroupe noted that admission includes unlimited rides, entertainment and parking. 

“We do not get into one’s pockets every time they want to ride something. Ride till you drop.”
he said.

On May 10, the fair includes a Mother’s Day special. Mothers are admitted free when accompanied by a paying child 36 inches or taller up to age 17. There is also a customer appreciation special throughout the event. Monday-Friday, from 5-7 p.m., $7 admission (includes unlimited rides).  

“It is a great value and we have many families come multiple days taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity,” Stroupe added. 

The Fort Bragg Fair is at the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds on Bragg Boulevard. The fair is open from April 23 until May 10. Gates open at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. General admission is $12 weekdays and $17 on weekends. There are discounts for military, children, disabled and senior citizens. For more information, visit www.fortbraggmwr.com/flyersMWR/fair2015.pdf?0967f3. 

Excitement is blooming in the community for the upcoming Dogwood Festival April 24-26 in Downtown Fayetteville. The annual rite of spring is celebrating its 33rd year of bringing the community together for an action-packed, non-stop weekend of fun.

“Each year our organization works hard to produce a quality event for our community,” said Carrie King, the director of the event. “Just like Mother Nature, we too like to refresh the process each year to keep our event energized and vibrant! This year marks our 33rd year of fun, family and festivities. This time-honored Fayetteville tradition will continue to provide lasting memories and community pride for generations to come.”

If all goes as planned for this year’s festival, it will be another one for the books. The “unofficial opening of the festival” is at Cross Creek Park at 4 p.m., as the Boys and Girls Clubs of  Cumberland County welcome guests to their annual garden party, an official Dogwood Festival sanctioned event.

The Garden Party is an afternoon and evening of Southern tradition — dancing, entertainment, good food and friends. So ladies grab your favorite hat and guys, pull out your seersucker suits. Dress in your best summer chic attire for an afternoon of fun in support of  the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cumberland County.  This adults-only party features entertainment provided  by The (919) Band and beer and wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres powered by B&B Catering.

Tickets are $50 per person and are on sale at www.ccbgc.org or at www.facebook.com/ccbgc.org. 

As evening falls, the fun transitions to Festival Park for the annualBloom and Boom party that officially opens the event. The fun starts at 6 p.m. and ends with a fireworks finale at 10 p.m. Of course, there is a lot of fun in between as country comes to town with performances by Craig Campbell and Mo Pitney.

Campbell is one of country

music’s hippest neo-tradionalists. Growing up in rural Lyons, Georgia, Campbell is a proud reminder of one of country’s strongest creative periods. Becoming one of the most successful new artists of 2011, his debut album Craig Campbellspawned the hits “Family Man,” “Fish” and “When I Get It.” The second album, Never Regret (2013), climbed the charts with hits “Keep Them Kisses Comin’” and “Outta
My Head.”

At 20 years of age, Pitney’s deep baritone voice causes crowds to swoon. His sound is influenced by bluegrass artists such as Tony Rice and J.D. Crowe, as well as traditional and mainstream country. He has been named a 2015 hot country artist to watch by Billboard Magazineand one of the “15 Country Artists To Watch in 2015” by Huffington Post.

The midway is always a big draw at the festival with gates opening at 6 p.m. For $25  get all-you-can-ride wrist bands. Rides include the Freak Out, Screamer and Drop Tower. On Saturday and Sunday midway rides will be open during regular festival hours (midway will close at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday) and will operate on a ticketed system, tickets $1 each, on Saturday and Sunday.

Be sure to get a lot of sleep Friday night, as the Dogwood Festival kicks into high gear on Saturday, which will feature more than 100 arts and crafts, food vendors and fun activities for the whole family. One popular spot is The Partnership for Children’s KidStuff, which focuses on science this year. On Saturday, kids get a chance to meet Emmy-nominated Sid the Science Kid and UNC-TV’s own Frank Graff from the North Carolina Science Nowseries.On Sunday, the seriously silly Professor Gizmo will present his Fun and Science Show at 1:30, 3:30 and 5 p.m. Music and performances will continue throught the day at the Street Fair Stage and the Performance Stage.

On Saturday night, Festival Park will rock with performances by ‘80s bands Warrant and Quiet Riot.

At its core, WARRANT is an American rock band through and through. Their signature style of rock music is very catchy and yet very melodic. Hitting it big in 1989, the Hollywood, California based band rose through the ranks to multiplatinum selling, chart-topping success. Their debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich and sophomore album Cherry Pie produced radio and MTV chart toppers “Heaven,” “Cherry Pie,” and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” 

QUIET RIOT is a rock and roll phenomenon. Famously described as the first heavy metal band to top the pop charts, the Los Angeles quartet became an overnight sensation thanks to their monster smash album Metal Health, which has now exceeded the 10 million worldwide sales mark. Songs “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)” and “Cum on Feel the Noize” stormed the U.S. charts and made heavy metal history, with “Cum On Feel The Noize” being the first heavy metal song to reach Billboard Magazine’s Top 5.

Remember some simple event rules to make your time at the festival more fun:

•No coolers

•No pets (except certified service animals)

•No weapons of any kind

•No bikes, rollerblades or skateboards

•No inappropriate language or behavior 

Disabled parking will be designated in the Hay Street United Methodist Church parking lot and the Bank of America parking lots on Ray Ave. Availability is first come, first served.

For a complete schedule of events visit the Dogwood Festival website at www.faydogwoodfest.com. Grab your family and come out for one of Fayetteville’s favorite events - The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival!

Okay everyone, take a look at your calendar and make plans to get lots of sleep this week. You may want to add some stretching and endurance exercises into your daily routine. In case you missed the obvious signs of pollen coating your vehicles and dogwoods blooming, it’s time to get ready for one of Cumberland County’s biggest weekends of the year.

So hold onto your hats, this week we are celebrating the award-winning Fayetteville Dogwood Festival! Remember it’s not a race, it’s a marathon weekend, and you don’t want to miss a thing.

This annual rite of spring that showcases all the best of our community is in the spotlight of this edition of Up & Coming Weekly.  We have showcased this wonderfully anticipated event that has been over a year in the making. So, get ready for a great week!

 Forget about your taxes and that extension you filed last week. Forget about the UDO, PWC, tax rates, annexation controversies or the washing machine hose that broke and flooded your basement or that shopping cart that dinged your new car. This is our time to celebrate springtime here in Fayetteville, N.C., by showing off our city, our communities and the people who make livinghere enjoyable and unique. 

The publication you are reading right now is your guide to experiencing one of the most outstanding outdoor festivals in southeast North Carolina – for that matter in the Southeast. For those of you that are new in town or strictly get your news and information from an iPhone or other source of social media, the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival is held annually in Historic Downtown Fayetteville. In downtown and its adjacent Festival Park, you will experience three days of fun, food and entertainment that showcases the personality and hospitality of our entire community. There will be something for everyone: motorcycle/car rallies, pageants, duck races, street vendors, arts, crafts, street performers and live music including several huge concerts. See Associate Publisher Janice Burton’s article on page13. Janice is a veteran of numerous Dogwood Festivals and knows what she is talking about.

My message this week is extremely simple: This event is very special to us. Its quality reflects not only the values of our community but signifies what can be maintained and preserved when the right vision, compassion and proper leadership come together for the benefit of the Fayetteville community and our surrounding communities. This being said, I congratulate Dogwood Festival Director Carrie King, her board of directors and the countless numbers of volunteers dedicated to carrying on this 33-year Fayetteville tradition. We need more of this kind of leadership to make our community safe, economically sound and to provide the quality of life needed for growth in the 21st century. Again, thank you Carrie! 

Now let’s all have a wonderful and unforgettable weekend. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly, your community newspaper. 

Since 2008, The Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame, operating under the auspices of Community Concerts, has inducted Cumberland County residents who have “brought musical distinction to the community” into its elite group of performers.

The ultimate goal of The Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame is intended to thank and honor the community leaders who have helped to improve the community with their talents. 

On March 25, the organization inducted three new members prior to the performance of the Australian Bee Gees at the Crown Theatre. Gaining entry into its elite ranks were Charlotte Blume, Laura Stevens and Malachi Sharpe.

According to Michael Fleishman, who helps organize and bring talented acts to the community, this year’s inductees are more than performers; they are mentors and teachers to others in the community.

Charlotte Blume, the artistic director and choreographer of the Charlotte Blume School of Dance, has 40 years experience performing, choreographing and teaching dancers from around the nation. Her school features programs for classical ballet, tap, gymnastics and contemporary dance. 

As a choreographer she works with the North Carolina State Ballet and she is on the advisory board for the Cultural Arts Division of the N.C. Department of Instruction. 

Blume has a dedication to her work that is rare. It is this dedication that makes her the perfect candidate for induction. 

“It is nice to feel that the community is appreciating the years of service. This may sound funny, but I never considered it or thought of it as a goal. I just did my thing to the best of my ability and that thing is dance,” she said. “I just did what I’ve always done and I hope that in doing that, I have been able to help others reach their goals. I enjoy teaching and imparting what I know from years of experience and training.”

Like Blume, Laura Stevens has a rich history of performance in the community. Local residents may remember her playing the piano at the Prince Charles during its prime; still others may have taken piano or voice lessons from her. Most will know her from the amazing Broadway-style show she brings to the community each year: The Heart of Christmas Show.

If you want to see Stevens’ passion, you have only to see her with the young performers who make the show such a success. Stevens pours not only her knowledge, love and passion for music into them, but also her knowledge, love and passion for life.

Since its inception, The Heart of Christmas Show,headlined by the Voices of the Heart, has raised more than $600,000 for children’s charities in the community.

Stevens, a deeply spiritual woman, has not only taught her students music, she has taught them to truly care and to put action behind their words, making the community a better place.

Malachi Sharpe was posthumously inducted into the organization. Sharpe, a Fayetteville native, played in several jazz bands in the Fayetteville area, he chose to devote his life to his family and teaching instead of pursuing a professional jazz career. For many years he taught in Robeson County, where he inspired a jazz flavor in the high school marching band. Even after retirement, Sharpe continued to teach and inspire students about music and the importance of jazz in American culture

For more information on the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame visit http://www.community-concerts.com/hall-of-fame/. 

Lynne O’Quinn is no stranger to the military. Her father and grandfather both served and instilled in her a respect for the sacrifices that service members and their loved ones make. 

Growing up near Fort Bragg, North Carolina, she watched soldiers and their families carrying out the nation’s business. She didn’t necessarily plan to start a ministry built around the military, in fact, she had her heart set on a career in music, but when it happened, it was clear that this was what she was meant to do. The ministry, His Little Ones Ministry, was founded in 2008 and is currently in 110 countries. In addition to running His Little Ones Ministry and the His Stars and Stripe subsidiary that focuses on military children, she is set to release the single, “Stand Proud.”

Now in its second iteration, “Stand Proud” was first conceived during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery and the National Archives in Washington, D.C. 

“This song was released one time before during Operation Desert Storm. It was right when Desert Storm had begun. It was actually the 4th of July that I wrote it,” said O’Quinn. “All of this stuff was going on overseas …  they were burning the flag and so many other things that were hard to see.”

Inspiration struck when O’Quinn was walking through Arlington National Cemetery looking at the headstones and reflecting on the sacrifices. 

“There were so many. I was looking at the names and ages on each grave and some weren’t even marked,” she said. “It just really grabbed me and these words just started coming to me.”  

From there, she visited the National Archives Building, where she found herself overwhelmed with the history of the nation. “God just started working in my heart and I tried to conceive of all the sacrifices that have been made … I was just overcome. I sat on the steps and pulled out whatever was in my pocket and started writing down these words. Within a few minutes it was done. Then the 4th of July parade happened, and I was in tears.”

When she returned home, O’Quinn teamed up with longtime friend and musician Doyle Wood who wrote the music to go with the lyrics. The song came together quickly and was met with success but was pulled from distribution when Operation Desert Storm ended. 

 Recently, while working on another project, O’Quinn came across the original recording of “Stand Proud.” She knew right away that it was time to breathe new life into the song. She brought it up to Wood, who agreed, and the two set out to refine the piece. 

“We have worked very hard on this and were very careful to have something unifying in every sentence to make this a song that can bring America together,” said O’Quinn.

The project has taken on a life of its own, reaffirming O’Quinn’s belief that this song is about more than entertainment. It is about healing. It features powerhouse musicians like Miss North Carolina Beth Stovall and Vanessa Mathis Holland, who has had hits place at No. 2 and No. 6 on the Soul Charts, the Snyder Memorial Baptist Church Choir, Laura Stevens and many more notable talents. 

“The piece is already in orchestration,” said O’Quinn. “We are receiving calls from churches and other organizations that want to perform this piece, and we will have the musical scores so it will be ready for any band, symphony or other musical group to perform.”

All of the proceeds from the song will be used to support the His Stars and Stripes Ministry in support of military children. 

“We are wanting this for the country and to help troops and to build their morale and do something to say ‘Thanks’ and that ‘We appreciate all you and your families have done,’” said O’Quinn.

Find out more about Stand Proud at www.americastandproud.org. Learn more about her ministries at www.hislittleonesministry.org/about/his-stars-and-stripes.

Fayetteville is an arts-friendly town if there ever was one. With several galleries, resources and support systems for creatives it is hard to imagine an organization that supports art and artists flying under the radar, but for many, Ellington-White CDC has done just that. 

The group has been active in Fayetteville since 2007. Before that, Ellington-White CDC called Detroit, Michigan, home. At Ellington-White CDC, all art is valuable and one of the main goals is to ensure access and development of artistic experiences for everyone. Currently, the Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery is partnering with the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County in the show Earthy Abstractions. The show is on display at the Arts Council until May 16. 

Earthy Abstractions showcases works by artists that use earth elements like soil, clay, wood, stone and other natural materials in their work. The pieces are connected by theme, texture or materials in their relationship to nature. The Arts Council 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.

“Currently we have a national exhibit on display in the Arts Council’s exhibition space entitled Earthy Abstractions. It contains work from more than 35 artists from 14 states and is the first of what we plan to be many national high profile exhibitions,” said Calvin Mims, the executive director of Ellington-White. “On May 9, we open another national show in partnership with the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens entitled Art and Flowers: Color, Form and Harmony. This is another national competition that will feature more than 50 floral inspired works of art from 33 national artists, several from this area.”

Art And Flowers: Color Form and Harmony runs through June 20.

Exploring and encouraging diversity in the arts is important to Ellington-White CDC, and the programs it supports. Upon relocating to Fayetteville, Ellington-White CDC reached out to Fayetteville State University and CommuniCare and started programming that provides high-quality, after-school arts education to special-needs youth. It is taught on the FSU campus by professional artists. Other programs provide artists with the information and tools they need to engage the community and use art as a unifying concept in building a strong community.

“We bring much needed culturally diverse visual art that is reflective of our community here in Cumberland County. I also think that our Discovering the Arts program for young people is an important program for us,” explained Mims. “With our program partner, CommuniCare, Inc., we have been exposing young people to the joys of the arts. Young people are given a positive outlet for their emotions and creativity.”

In March, Ellington-White CDC partnered with the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Fayetteville State University to bring Moving in the Spirit II: The Griot and Movement, a two-day regional dance conference to the community. 

“What I love most about our work at Ellington-White is the excitement of discovery for everyone who comes to the gallery and makes a meaningful connection with a work of art,” he continued. “We feel that the art scene here in Fayetteville is growing. There is a youthful excitement around the exhibitions we bring and the growing body of support from young local artists that makes me very hopeful for the future.”

In addition to collaborations with local organizations, Ellington-White CDC offers show space in the Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery. This space features works by emerging and professional artists as well as touring exhibits. The focus is on shows that reflect and respond to cultural arts and diversity in the community.

Through outreach, programming and partnerships, Ellington-White CDC seeks to:

• Ensure access and development of artistic experiences for everyone;

• Promote investment in the arts as
economic development;

• Publicly champion the importance of the arts in everyday life;

• Expand public/private partnerships between schools, the community and arts organizations;

• Create an artist corps of professionals; and,

• Present after-school and community-based 

arts programs

Find out more about Ellington-White CDC at http://www.ellington-white.com.

A sure sign of spring in Fayetteville is the sight of hundreds of motorcycles and convertibles converging on the Airborne and Special Operations Museum for the annual Hogs & Rags Spring Rally. 

For the past 10 years, Gardner Altman and Bobby Bleecker (of Bleecker Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge) and other civic-minded community businesses, organizations and volunteers have joined forces to create one of the community’s best fundraisers. Since its inception, this event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for organizations that directly benefit the residents of Fayetteville, Fort Bragg and Cumberland County. 

The idea came together in 2005, when Altman floated the idea of bringing car and motorcycle enthusiasts together to benefit worthy local causes. The community agreed and has gotten behind the event wholeheartedly. Year after year, the participation and sponsors continue to grow for this Dogwood Festival-sanctioned event.

The event, which starts at the ASOM and ends in Myrtle Beach has continued to grow. Last year, the rally drew motorcycle and car enthusiasts from across the state. With kickstands up and tops down, the participants were quite a sight, with Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson and his first lady, Kim, taking the lead as the Grand Marshals. 

Working to top last year’s extremely successful event, the Hogs & Rags committee has been working hard for months to ensure that the event will continue to grow.  Included in that is the addition of a new event, a pre-registration party the night before the ride, which will bring together local residents and those from across the state who have made their way to Fayetteville to participate in the event. On Friday, April 24, from 7 – 9 p.m., Mac’s Speed Shop on McPherson Church Road will host the Hogs & Rags Welcome Party. The free event is hosted by Mac’s and the Hogs & Rags committee for all event sponsors, participants, riders and their guests. The party is a chance to welcome out-of-town guests, conduct pre-registration, give out T-shirts, sell raffle tickets, play games, give away prizes and listen to great live music provided by the band Lotus Sun. Of course, you can also taste Fayetteville’s hospitality with some cold beverages and Mac’s barbecue. Mosheh Samson,  bar manager at Mac’s Fayetteville and Mac’s general manager Nick Hart are excited about hosting the inaugural welcome event. They have been diligently promoting the rally since early April with banners and posters. 

The next morning it is show time. Saturday, April 25, at 7 a.m.,  registration for the event officially begins. At 9 a.m., it’s kickstands up, with Mayor Nat Robertson again taking the lead. Leaving the 

As the riders cross the Cape Fear River, the smell of biscuits greets the participants as they approach the Rockin-A-Ranch, where they are welcomed with southern hospitality and served a wonderful breakfast. As an added bonus, the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team will parachute into the ranch, while the West Bladenboro High School Junior ROTC Color Guard presents the colors. As breakfast winds down, door prizes and raffles will close out the morning.parking lot, the ride moves at a quick pace. The ride is escorted by local and state police from Fayetteville to Myrtle Beach.  

From there, it is off to Myrtle Beach. The ride stops briefly at the South Carolina state line for a water break. The next stop is Margaritaville at Broadway at the Beach. Riders will enjoy a great lunch, get their beach groove on and take their chances at a winning the $2,500 reverse raffle and assorted door prizes. 

Participants can elect to return to Fayetteville and rock-out to Warrant and Quite Riot at the Dogwood Festival or spend the afternoon or evening shopping or with their toes in the sand. 

Although everyone has fun at this event, the big winners are the beneficiaries. This year, the proceeds will go to the Green Beret Foundation, Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation and the American Cancer Society. 

“This event benefits the people in this community. One way or the other, we all know people with cancer, children or in those in the military who need a little extra help,”
 said Bleecker.

The Green Beret Foundation provides immediate financial assistance to Special Forces soldiers who are injured in the line of duty, to their families and to the families of fallen soldiers. They also provide funds to support the extended care of an injured Green Beret who requires help while waiting on VA funding. The foundation is focused on the immediate special needs of wounded soldiers and is dedicated to the long-term health of Green Beret families.

The Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides reading and educational materials free to Cumberland Country children from kindergarten to sixth grade. Kidsville News!is a fun, family resource that promotes education, literacy and good character traits in the community’s children. 

For more than 100 years, the American Cancer Society has worked relentlessly to save lives and support those suffering from cancer. Together, with millions of supporters worldwide, the organization helps people in need, funds research and aids people in their fight against cancer.  

Of course, this would not be possible without the help and assistance of dozens of volunteers, event supporters and sponsors and participants of this event to make a difference like Kristie Holtsclaw of Ray Price Motorsports who is the Hogs & Rags premier sponsor. From day one, Holtsclaw and her company have embraced the Fort Bragg/Fayetteville community. 

Join the sponsors and participants of this event to make a difference in our community. Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 25. Come with a full tank of gas and expect lots of food, entertainment, riding, prizes and fellowship. The event is $50 per person. Pre-register at www.hogsandrags.com or call Wendy at 910-818-0458. Learn more about the event www.hogsandrags.com. 

An article in The Atlantic several months ago caught my attention. It refutes the widespread notion that men think about sex every seven seconds. I have always found that an absurd idea even for teenagers and young men whose bodies often seem to be hijacking them, because every seven seconds amounts to an astounding 7,200 times a day! Nothing is that interesting.

All of us think about food, though, and if not 7,200 times a day, probably more than just at breakfast lunch and dinner. My 6 a.m. exercise class routinely discusses breakfast biscuits, shrimp and grits recipes and what we cooked over the weekend even as we walk a treadmill and lift weights. Our trainers give us rich chocolates for Christmas.

Frankly, I think this is a good thing. What’s more, I think many of us are getting more careful about what we put in our bodies in an effort to get more use out of them and for a longer time.

Until World War II, most Americans ate what we now think of as “unprocessed” food. There were some canned goods, but we were still close enough to the land that if we were not actual farmers, we had gardens. We shopped almost daily for freshly cut meats and locally or regionally grown produce. We cooked and ate our meals at home with our families. Giant home freezers did not exist, nor did chain restaurants or fast food outlets. 

World War II brought us processed foods like powdered milk and eggs and processed fruits. The idea was that the highest quality foods went to our troops, and the folks back home would make do, which they proudly did. We can debate the long-lasting effects of processing, but it is obvious to me that the fresher and closer to its natural state our food is, the better it is for our bodies.

Enter the age of farm-to-table restaurants, Paleo eating plans, sushi bars, GMO/pesticide/antibiotic free meats and dairy products, wild-caught seafood, spinach smoothies with hemp seed and all the other ways we are fleeing from processed and industrialized food. My observations about American eating trends are unscientifically my own, but this quest for better quality food seems particularly pronounced among younger people, the millennials. 

The Precious Jewels and their contemporaries know about and enjoy foods, restaurants and cooking techniques I have never heard of, and probably would have astounded my grandmother. She was a world-class Southern cook, and her scalloped oysters — just oysters, butter, milk and salt and pepper, could make grown men weep, but I cannot image a sushi bite passing her lips. I am confident she never heard, much less uttered, the word “aioli.”

Consider what is going on in America’s fast food industry, specifically the granddaddy of fast food, McDonald’s. It is an industry that appeals to and courts young people who are on the go, who have limited wallets and who may not be in cooking situations. They are the folks who have historically “grabbed a burger” — except not so much these days. 

Ronald McDonald aficionados need not panic. McDonald’s remains one of the world’s best-known and valuable brands, and its revenues are three times that of its nearest U.S. competitor, Subway. It is not going anywhere anytime soon, but there are troubling signs. U.S. sales have dropped by an alarming 15 percent, and efforts to make the menu greener and healthier are getting ho-hum reactions. Apple slices in Happy Meals, more chicken than beef served last year for the first time in history, no more “pink slime” (you don’t really want to know what that is), and fancy beverages havenot received the press that workers demanding higher pay and calorie counts have. In fairness, other large fast-food chains are having similar problems. The ones that are not are small — and probably more nimble — making change easier.

McDonald’s has an image problem and is fighting back with new food offerings and social-media campaigns, including blogs by moms touting the quality and yumminess of the menu. But in an age when “foodies” with ideas of local sourcing, sustainability, purity, nutritional value and cross-cultural eating seem to be on every corner, food that comes wrapped in slick paper or in cardboard boxes seems doomed to lose. 

The history of culture is that trends are always in the air, and the trend now is clearly back toward unprocessed foods that are, by definition, not “fast foods.” Remember what happened to film when digital cameras trended? 

Some trends simply cannot be stopped. 

Years ago, one of the Precious Jewels invited a little friend over to play. From the next room, I overheard our guest say she was hungry and suggest the two get a soda and some chips. The Precious Jewel replied matter of factly, “We do not have any of that. My mother is a health-food nut.”

The Dicksons began
trendy early.

It looks like Fayetteville City Manager Ted Voorhees is still chasing PWC as a means of balancing the city budget; and squarely in his court is our local daily newspaper issuing dire warnings to Fayetteville residents of the pending catastrophe if the General Assembly approves the recommendations recently made by our legislative delegation. 

What are they thinking? Raising questions at this point about the competent operation and management of PWC makes me wonder whether Fayetteville Observer’s editorial writer, Tim White, even lives in Fayetteville or Cumberland County for that matter.  In last Sunday’s edition he spoke about PWC and the city sharing services  like human resource departments, call center services and other cooperative efforts that could possibly save taxpayers money. 

 My first reaction is to recommend that he check out how well the combined City /Cumberland County Parks & Recreation program is working out. How efficient is it and how much money have we saved collectively? My second reaction is to ask him to compare and evaluate how well other city departments are currently operated and what their level of efficiency is. They can start with the notorious Inspections Department. Don’t even get me started about the numerous complaints that have been launched in that direction concerning  their service and  “efficiency”.

Questioning the veracity and trustworthiness of PWC, which has consistently earned state and national honors for its operations is, well, suspicious at best. White suggested that the proposed new charter provides only “some vague assurances” that PWC and its commissioners will continue to look out for the best interest of Fayetteville residents. Again, what are you thinking, Tim? 

Check the records. Our PWC has been operating efficiently for more than 100 years. It has been recognized locally for its commitment to community and regionally, statewide and nationally for quality,  customer service and fiscal responsibility.  Toe-to-toe and nose-to-nose, I doubt whether the city under Voorhees direction would measure up. And, to insinuate that PWC Chairman Mike Lallier is wrong in trying to preserve the integrity of PWC’s independence indicates how truly out of touch White and our daily newspaper are with this community.

PWC is a business. A huge business. Appropriately, Mike Lallier is a local successful businessman, as is PWC Commissioners Darsweil Rogers of RMC Strategies, Lynne Green of Highland Lumber Company and Wade Fowler. In addition, several members of our local legislative delegation who crafted HB 392 are also successful business people: John Szoka, Sen. Wesley Meredith and Rep. Rick Glazier.  They didn’t get where they are by making dumb and irresponsible business decisions. They are all smart, conscientious public servants committed to this community with integrity and long-term vision. Not bureaucrats. If career bureaucrats, like Voorhees, could accomplish such feats they wouldn’t be trying to raid PWC’s coffers. Perhaps, if the city worked more efficiently it could cut its budget - starting in city hall. 

I know this issue is very confusing to many of our readers so I will try to explain it. Hence, the Ted Voorhees/PWC Charter Controversy Primer

Chapter One: Voorhees comes to the Fayetteville Farm and sees a “cash cow” in PWC just waiting to be milked. In meetings at the state- level he makes it plain that he plans on taking over the operation. He assumes he is smarter than anyone else including the city council  because he is a “trained administrator.”  

Chapter Two: The PWC cash cow is not ready for milking and resists Voorhees advances. Farm hand, Mike Lallier objects to this as do others. 

Chapter Three: Voorhees insist he needs fresh milk from the PWC cow. He convinces six newly hired farmhands (city council members) that he knows all about cash cows. Since they are newbies and know little about the ways of the cash cow, they acquiesce to Voorhees wishes and follow him blindly in hopes of getting the PWC cash cow milked. Everyone knows what you step in when you walk blindly down a “cow path”. Voorhees is up to his knees in it!

Chapter Four: Seeing the potential cattle rustling on the horizon, Lallier and the farmhands sue Voorhees and the city asking them to keep their hands off their udders. The PWC farm hands have been tending to  PWC cows for more than a century and have consistently brought home the blue ribbon - check their trophy case.  The city cowhands said they could do it better. Laughter erupts!

Chapter Five: Mediation commences without much progress. Both agree that the charter needed to be clarified. Enter the General Assembly.

Chapter Six: The Cumberland County legislative delegation assembled and agreed to assist. The delegation, headed up by John Szoka, clarified and simplified the Charter and drafted a bill (HB 392) to implement changes clarifying the roles and responsibilities of both parties. Happy ending? Not so much for Voorhees. As predicted, the cash cow is now out of his grasp. The crowd goes wild.

Chapter Seven: Voorhees, upset and angry,  goes into Chicken Little mode crying  the sky is falling! And directs all city departments to slow their spending and reduce their budgets, ensuring the pain is shared by all.  At this point, one must ask: Who is giving Voorhees his direction? Who doesVoorhees work for? The city council should remember he serves at their pleasure not the other way around. See you down on the farm.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

There is an excitement in the theatre community; a buzz that is building as the play The Trip to Bountifulprepares to open at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. 

The buzz surrounds the return to the stage by Bo Thorp, the founding artistic director of the theatre, who has been absent from the stage for almost two years. This month, Thorp, along with veteran CFRT actors Greg King and Libby Seymour, will join forces to bring a hopeful play to the stage, one that invites you to take a journey.

“I think a return to roots and nature is a thing that can be very healing,” said Anne Scarbrough, the director of The Trip to Bountiful. “Horton Foote asks us to consider whether a return from where we came might help us consider who we are. It invites us to have a return to our strength and dignity. This is an idea that  really resonates with me.”

Scarbrough, a director from California, understands the need to return to simpler times and things.

“The short of it is that I grew up in the country and now I live in the city,” she said. “I miss it every single day — the rhythms of it. The frequency with which the city vibrates versus that which the country vibrates is very different.”

For Scarbrough, exploring those differences and the need to return to the simple brings a feeling of hope.

“I see a great hopefulness in this piece, one that I haven’t seen in other productions, although I have seen some wonderful productions. I haven’t seen the version that lives in my heart,” she explained. “I felt excited about playing out that vision. This play is about healing, a hopeful, bright future for the this family.”

Scarbrough was also enticed to come to Fayetteville and direct this play through her long-standing friendship with CFRT Artistic Director Tom Quaintance.

“My dear friend Tom, spoke so highly to me about this community. I could hear in his voice how wonderful it has been to be a part of this community and to work with Bo, and I wanted a piece of that,” she said. “That sounded so good to me.”

While Scarbrough did auditions for the lead roles in New York, she soon discovered that the community already had the perfect cast to stage this show, eventually casting Thorp, King and Seymour. Speaking of their professionalism, Scarbrough noted, “It is apparent in their work on stage. Off stage, they are so down to earth, warm and welcoming. They made me feel  like I belong here. It is on stage that you truly begin to see why they are so revered in thiscommunity.”

She noted that while watching a run-through of the play, she is amazed at the talent and craft of the cast.

“I’m watching a run and see their craft on stage, and I remember there is a reason why they are revered here,” she said, noting that she also is in awe of the bond between the three. “There is a real apparent and palpable love and it is showing up in this story.”

That will be key to the success of the play. The Trip to Bountifulis a story of rebellion and redemption. It’s a story about running away and coming home.”

That’s a topic that Thorp can embrace. Having been absent from the stage for almost two years, Thorp’s return to the stage is a homecoming of sorts.

“I love to work,” she said. “When you haven’t worked in a while, your muscles get broken. In the olden days of the Fort Bragg Play House and the Little Theatre, there was never a time I wasn’t in a play or directing a play,” she said. “The muscle was so fresh. Having been gone from it makes me realize I have a focus, a reason to get up and get going to something I love. Even though it’s hard and agony, it’s what I want. I have to remind myself of that. 

“It is called work, because it is work. It is recreating these lives and living them,” she said. 

For tickets and show times, visit the CFRT website at www.cfrt.org.

Unless you have been vacationing on Mars, you know the 2016 campaign season is well underway. This year’s municipal elections are merely the warm up — albeit an important one given questions of leadership swirling in all quarters of our community, for the onslaught coming next year. Candidates are already declaring themselves, and who knows how many others are pondering privately.

Given that, here is something for the rest of us to ponder.

A study released late last month by Meredith College in Raleigh finds that women are woefully under-represented in both elective and appointive positions in our state. Women now make up less than 25 percent of these officials and only 20 percent of elected positions that have taxing and spending authority, such as city council, county commissioners and legislators. Just over half, 56 of North Carolina’s 100 counties, have a woman commissioner. These numbers have declined in our state since the 2010 mid-term elections, as they have in other states. 

These sad numbers exist despite the fact that women make up more than 51 percent of our state’s population and 54 percent of our state’s registered voters.

So why does this matter? What difference does it make that the great preponderance of our elected and appointed decision makers are men, most of them white? Are women better at these jobs than men?

It matters because when decisions that affect all of us are made, those decisions will be better if there are more voices with a variety of life experiences at the table. Some women are better than some men at decision making and vice versa, but the reality is that if our public decisions are being made mainly by one class of people — say for example, white men over 50 — other voices are not being heard and certainly not in proportion to their percentages in the general population. My life experience includes marriage, children, life in a North Carolina metropolitan area and a career in a family business. That experience is different from that of an African-American man who lives in rural North Carolina and who has farmed for most of his life. Our state is among the fastest growing in the nation, and people are coming to us from other states and other nations. No one’s experience is better than others but all deserve to be part of the decision making process.

There are all sorts of reasons why women are under-represented, including family obligations. Among the most galling to me is the well-researched fact, which the Meredith study notes, that men run for office at younger ages and when asked to consider elective service more often than not consider themselves “well-qualified” candidates. Women are more likely to think: “Who me?”

The good news for all of us is that when women do run, they are likely to be elected. Last year, 25 percent of candidates in North Carolina were women, and 63 percent of them were elected to the office they sought. One reason for this is that voters consider women trustworthy, and a generic candidate named “Jane” will get a 2 to 5 percent leg up from voters over her generic opponent named “John.” 

I am sure there are many reasons for this as well, but one that comes to mind for me is Anthony Weiner, my personal poster boy for how not to behave as an elected official. Have you ever heard of a woman candidate or elected official texting photos of her various parts to some unsuspecting fellow via cyberspace?

• • • • •

This year’s NCAA tournament is history with my team hoping for a better tomorrow, but there is some good sports news. The New York Times reported that Fayetteville’s own Shea Ralph, is returning after five seasons in Pittsburgh to the University of Connecticut, the scene of her greatest triumph so far, as an assistant coach of the women’s basketball team. Ralph was captain of the Huskies when they won the NCAA women’s championship in 2000. Before that, though, she was one of Terry Sanford High School’s greatest scholars/athletes ever, graduating with a 4.2 academic average while being a basketball star and lettering in soccer, cross country and track along the way. She was the 1996 USA Today National Player of the Year before becoming a college basketball legend.

The Dickson connection to Shea Ralph? 

Her dad tutored at least one Precious Jewel through algebra.

• • • • • 

And, from the “say it ain’t so” department, North Carolina is losing her Southern drawl.

That is the word from Robin Dodsworth, an associate linguistics professor at N.C. State, and it is especially true in our urban areas, which have new residents from many other places. Duckworth says, “…little by little over the course of several decades Southern features kind of got washed out.” 

Maybe and sadly so, but there are compensations. 

I have Yankee friends who routinely and comfortably use our Southern all-purpose word, “ya’ll.” 

Some of them also say, “Well, bless your heart.”

Earlier this year I noted that the city would not be happy if the N.C. Legislature had to step in and resolve the problems between the city and its utility, Fayetteville PWC. With the recriminations, gnashing of teeth and dire threats of financial ruin and hiring freezes coming from city hall, it would seem that my prediction was correct.

Earlier this month, the local contingent to the N.C. Legislature filed a local bill (NCHB 392) defining the roles of each party in the charter and the responsibilities of each. For PWC, the bill keeps the city’s hand out of its till and doing what it is supposed to do — appointing members to the utility board and letting the utility take care of its own business. For the city, that’s the equivalent of losing the goose that lays the golden egg. But hey, they took their chances, they rolled the dice and they lost. This is not a big surprise to anyone.

But, for City Manager Ted Voorhees, who was counting on the cash cow to help pay the bills, it stings. On April 1, Voorhees sent out a memo to the city’s senior management team expressing his displeasure with the legislature.

In his memo, Voorhees predicts an impact of approximately $1.6 million on the city’s 2016 budget from the changes to the PWC charter by the legislature. Voorhees’ number came from the assumption that PWC would no longer support programs it has supported in the past such as Fay TV, Enterprise GIS, audits and budgets. Voorhees also noted that the legislative action would impact the current budget to a tune of about $400,000.

With that in mind, he directed all departments to “slow spending dramatically for the remainder of the fiscal year,” and that “unless the charter bill funding formula is changed in a meaningful way, we are about to have a “new normal.”  

The most impactful knee-jerk reaction coming from city hall was a hiring freeze for all departments. With a stroke of a key, Voorhees put himself in charge of all hiring, ultimately deferring hiring until he found another way to “capture savings.”

In an effort to capture savings and “balance” the budget, Voorhees directed cuts to the following departments:

Police and Fire: 5%

All other General Fund departments: 10%

Environmental Services: 5%

Parks and Recreation:  A proposed new “Northern Area” pool was funded until the charter bill was filed. It is no longer funded. Please reassess your capital expenditures to find a way to finance a new pool by cutting something else or closing/consolidating the least used facilities.

Voorhees ended his memo with the following: “I wish this were an April Fool’s joke. It is not.”

On the flipside, those in the know see Voorhees’ reaction and pronouncement as quite foolish.

PWC countered that rather than losing money, the city would, in fact, be gaining money, noting the following:

“The net cash contribution to the City of Fayetteville General Fund for FY2015 is $9 million. The annual net cash contribution to the city will likely increase almost $500,000 in FY2016 and the increase will escalate every year with an estimated increase of $2.7 million over the current transfer agreement by FY2025.”

If you follow the numbers, it would seem that our city manager is making a mountain out of a mole hill. In reality, the city will not lose money, it will, in fact, gain money. This has been the problem from the get go when it comes to PWC.

Voorhees saw what his neighbor had and coveted it. He wanted it. It wasn’t his, but he still tried to take it. He tried to prove that PWC was in the wrong and was not handling its finances appropriately. This was a dead end road before he even started going down it. PWC has been lauded statewide and nationally for its fiscal responsibility. 

With his latest round of “the sky is falling,” Voorhees has shown his true colors; making sure that if things don’t go his way, everyone will feel the pain.

We have to ask: When will the members of our city council take off their blinders and truly look at their city manager? Will they continue to follow him blindly — even though the facts are against him?

This is the time for real leadership by the city council. Let’s hope they don’t continue in their “hear no evil, see no evil” mind set. It’s time for real leaders to make hard decisions. Who is going to step up? We wonder.

“Better to be prepared before the storm hits,” said Steve Rogers.

 After experiencing no electricity for a week during the disaster of hurricane Fran in 1996, Rogers, a Fayetteville native, is now the cochairman of the Cumberland Disaster Recovery Coalition.

The CDRC will host a preparedness expo to teach the public how to handle unexpected emergencies. The group came about after the tornado that occurred locally in 2011.

The mission of the CDRC is to assess unmet needs and provide Cumberland County residents access to, coordination with and education of available resources in a long-term disaster-caused recovery.

“We would just like to bring awareness to the public that a disaster can happen anywhere and anyplace. It’s best to be prepared for what can happen in your area. In our case, the only thing we do not have to prepare for is a volcanic eruption,” said Rogers.

The CDRC is there to assess the needs of citizens in time of recovery and to help them rebuild what was once “normal”.

 During the expo, the American Red Cross, Cumberland County Schools, Cumberland EM, Home Safe Home Inventory, Small Business Administration and TMCK9 Search and Rescue Dogs, will offer presentations. 

The presenters will share knowledge about how to prepare for disasters as well as how to react to one.

Not many people can say they’ve ever experienced a natural disaster but it’s important to be prepared for them. The best way to stay prepared is to have a survival kit on hand. The bare minimum survival kit includes water, food, flashlight, a radio, a first aid kit, a cell phone, an emergency blanket and maps of the area. 

“Most people have the things needed in case of an emergency already in their home. Its best to put everything together in case of an emergency. My children each have their own bags packed in case of an emergency. The expo will be a great place for children to learn how to react in their homes, as well,” said Rogers.  

Add additional things to your kit to fit your family’s needs. When preparing for a disaster, planning ahead is key. Plan where your family will meet in case of an emergency and strategize by working together. In your local area it’s important to find out how law enforcement will respond to the needs of people in crisis.

“Many people think once one disaster happens another can’t ,but that’s not true. Anytime and anyplace, a disaster can happen. Coming to the expo can help start your plan for safety,” said Rogers.

Come to the expo on April 11 at the John D. Fuller Rec. Center at 10 a.m. to learn more about preparedness for disasters. 

The Beth Israel Synagogue is hosting the Cumberland Oratorio Singers as they present a powerful performance of Chichester Psalms written by Leonard Bernstein on April 19, at 4 p.m.

Chichester Psalms is a celebration of Hebrew culture and a remembrance of the Holocaust.  

“The lyrics are taken from poetry about the Holocaust called “The Butterfly.” It ties into the Jewish Holocaust memorial holiday (Yom HaShoah). It is when the Jewish community remembers the dead of the Holocaust, and we wanted to tie the concert into that remembrance,” Dr. Michael Martin, the director of choral activities and music education for the Cumberland Oratorio Singers said. 

This piece is quite unique. It combines theatrical and liturgical music in a way that could only come from the musical master Bernstein. 

“Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein is written for a boy soprano and an orchestra. We are using a piano, a harp and percussion in a small ensemble. The songs are from the Bible and the Hebrew Bible and translated into the original Hebrew,” said Martin. “This piece was commissioned in 1965 for a festival located in the Chichester Cathedral in (Sussex) England. They just wanted something liturgical and West Side Story from Bernstein. He wrote the music for West Side Story. So, you can hear aspects of West Side Story in the performance if you are an aficionado,” Martin said. 

For those who cannot speak Hebrew, programs with translations will be available.  The performance also includes Frances Poulenc’s “Gloria.”

This season has been a particular challenge for the Cumberland Oratorio Singers, but in a good way. Martin explained that the most difficult aspect of this season has been how busy they have been and the reduced time that they have to prepare for each show. 

“We just finished two shows and we have three rehearsals and then we go to finish this. It is a quick turn around that this group is not necessarily used to. They haven’t really conceived of themselves as professionals with one piece at three weeks and then a new piece. I have mediated that a little by working on two at once,” he said. 

The unwaveringly fantastic performances, despite limited time, speaks to the skills of the performers. 

Despite the end of the season approaching, the Cumberland Oratorio Singers are not slowing down. Instead they are growing. 

“We are looking forward to putting (a youth choir) together this summer and then reaching out for an artistic director … it is an exciting new part of our organization. I get a lot of phone calls when people move here, especially from military families and they say, ‘Mr. Martin you seem to be the guy to call. Where is your local youth choir?’ Then I have to say we don’t have one,” Martin said. “Next fall, we will have the leadership in place and we would like to have them as part of our performance of Carmina Burana with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. If we can, we would like them on another piece at the end, but for right now we want to start small and then keep building, building, building.”

For more information, visit www.singwithcos.org or call 910-630-7153. Beth Israel Synagogue is located at 2204 Morganton Road. For more information, call 910-484-6462. 

Celtic Woman is an entirely female musical group that specializes in both traditional Irish songs and modern works performed in a uniquely Celtic style. This year the tour, which stops at the Crown on April 8, promises to
be spectacular. 

“This concert is the 10th Anniversary concert so it is a celebration of what Celtic Woman has achieved. It is sort of a ‘pinching yourself’ kind of moment after these 10 years,” says Mairéad Carlin, the newest member of the group. “That first show was just supposed to be for one night and here we are 10 years later! I think that is because people have really connected with the songs, and there are certain songs that they associate with Celtic Woman.” 

Carlin is the first girl in the group from Northern Ireland. Surrounded by performing, she discovered her love for music at an early age with her first singing lesson at the age of four. And while she is the newest member of the group, she has been with Celtic Woman for two years. She is well-acquainted with the trials of touring. 

“For all of us, it is a big commitment because Celtic Woman is away on tour for eight months out of the year. But we are grateful for this opportunity. Opportunities like this don’t come around very often,” she explained. “It is hard to be away from our families, but luckily, we are all so close. They are very mindful when they choose people to be part of Celtic Woman. They pick people they know will get on with each other.” 

Despite the challenges, she readily embraces the great experiences she has had. 

“Opportunities like this don’t come around very often. As performers, when you audition you pray to get a job like this and to have a sustainable job. This lets me perform songs that I grew up with and love on stage with incredible musicians,” she says, “It is a ‘pinch myself ‘kind of moment. Sometimes I have to remind myself how lucky I am.”

A Celtic Woman’s music is a unique experience in itself. Carlin explains this by saying, “Storytelling is a big part of Ireland and Celtic Woman is really about storytelling; I think that is why people connect so much with the songs. They connect with the stories.”

Seeing the performance in concert is an entirely different experience. It is so much more than incredible music. The show also features dancers as well as musicians performing on traditional Irish instruments. 

“The concert is more of a grand experience. When you listen to a CD you just hear the music, which can be good because a lot of the treatments to the songs are very intimate … but the show is an experience with the beautiful costumes. They are very different. It just can’t compare,” she says. 

The Celtic Woman 10th Anniversary Tour will be at the Crown Coliseum on April 8 at 7 p.m. The Crown Coliseum is located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. Ticket prices range from $60 to $80. They can be purchased at ticketmaster.com or by calling 910-438-4100. For more information, visit http://crowncomplexnc.com/events/celtic-woman/ or http://celticwoman.com. 

Express Employment Professionals takes its commitment to matching employers with qualified candidates seriously, but there is much more to this organization and its commitment to the community it serves. 

“We want to help local businesses and organizations grow and improve and consistently do well,” said Brad Loase, owner of Fayetteville’s Express Employment Professionals. 

For Loase, that means not only finding and providing qualified candidates to fill local and regional employment positions but also identifying and developing good leadership candidates for their clients. The Refresh Leadership Live Simulcast is all about that: building better leaders — leaders that will help businesses grow and prosper while moving communities forward through strong economic development and civic involvement. Scheduled for April 15, that is the purpose of the annual Refresh Leadership Live Simulcast. This is the event’s sixth year, however, this year, Loase has partnered up with Up & Coming Weekly, the Fayetteville Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Fayetteville I-95 Holiday Inn and local sponsors to take it to another level. This year, they have added an all-day Shop Local Business Expo showcasing local businesses and organizations, a Leadership Keynote Luncheon featuring the notable Denise Ryan, a Leadership workshop  and a networking Leadership Reception co-sponsored by the Holiday Inn and Chamber of Commerce. And, with the exception of the Leadership luncheon, Express Employment Professionals and sponsors are hosting the entire event free of charge to the local community. Voluntary Donations of $10.00 will be accepted for the Kidsville News! Literacy and Education Foundation, a local nonprofit (501 c3) organization that provides free reading and educational resources to all K-6 grade students and teachers in Cumberland and Hoke Counties. 

 “Leadership is very important in motivating employees and growing communities. It is an ongoing process that we all have to nurture, constantly encourage and develop,” said Loase. “There are several things that people always bring up when asked about their jobs. One of them is what leadership qualities and capabilities does their supervisor or boss have; this has always been the key to of what makes a company or organization successful.” Any  business owner, manager, community leader looking to gain insights and a better understanding about leadership can gain from The Refresh Leadership Live Simulcast. 

This year’s Celebrity Guest Speakers are Liz Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Daymond John. They bring a variety of humor, valuable insights, fresh perspectives on leadership and management strategies all from very different life experiences and points of view.  “I am very excited about the line-up,” said Loase. “I have heard all three speak; they are all great speakers and each has a great message to communicate.” 

Liz Murray known for her memoir about her life, Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness and her book My Journey from Homeless to Harvard which was a feature movie on the Lifetime Channel titled: Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story. Murray has taken that difficult experience in her life and now uses it to help others.”

Dan Aykroyd is an actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician and businessman. From Saturday Night Live to The Blues Brothers and Ghost Busters, Aykroyd has entertained America for the past four decades, but he is a keen businessman, as well. Aykroyd also co-founded a night club called the House of Blues in 1992. 

Daymond John is the co-star of ABC’s Shark Tank. He got his start in fashion and has since become a master of branding. “Daymond John embodies the American dream. He had an idea and went for it, and grew one of the biggest most successful enterprises in the world. He is amazing,” said Loase. “I think that each speaker will have something unique and valuable to offer attendees. This program has been very successful in the past and I think this will be our best Refresh Leadership Simulcast yet,” he added.

There is seating for 300, however, Loase noted that they expect a full house. Although the doors open at 7:30 a.m. for check in and the Continental Breakfast, the program will begin promptly at 8:30.  There will be breaks in between the speakers for networking and visiting the Shop Local vendors and sponsors. The Leadership Luncheon with Denise Ryan will follow.  “Denise always has a great message,” he said. “We are also going to recognize Kim Robertson for her leadership as Principal of  Elizabeth Cashwell Elementary School and for being not only Cumberland County’s Principal of the Year but also the Regional Principal of the Year. She is currently competing for the North Carolina title.”

Ryan is excited to be back in Fayetteville and is looking forward to the event. “I started my business in Fayetteville. It is a terrific place not only to start a business but to do business. In a lot of places it is hard to break in but you can do that pretty easily in Fayetteville because there are so many resources and incredibly friendly and supportive people here,” she said.

 Following the luncheon keynote address, Denise will also conduct a seminar titled Survival Tips for Leaders. This will be followed by a distinguished panel of experts and the business reception. There will be prizes and surprises all day long. Important: If you go remember:  You must pre -register at www.refreshleadership/live or https://www.cvent.com/events/2015-refresh-leadership-simulcast-us-/registration-bc3b4af633454e7db955f1e815d1e258.aspx?r=d6b5fbce-250d-469a-8ed6-63328b130ccc&refid=NC-North%20

This event is free all day with the exception of the luncheon. Tickets for the luncheon are $45 for nonchamber members and $35 for chamber members. Luncheon tickets (if available) will be $45 the day of the event. To register for the luncheon, visit the chamber site at  http://business.fayettevillencchamber.org/events/details/2015-refresh-leadership-live-keynote-luncheon-with-denise-ryan-5551.

Will a performing arts center be our next big controversy? Well, let’s hope not. However, when you reflect on our track record for making significant and successful decisions concerning the proper growth and development of the Fayetteville and Cumberland County community we seem to have an overabundance of  bias, greed, special interest and a major deficiency of leadership, common sense, economic prudence, intelligence and intestinal fortitude. 

Now, don’t misinterpret my intention here, I think our community should have, and deserves, a quality, safe and prestigious Performing Arts Center. In addition, I have no problem with it being located in Historic Downtown Fayetteville, nor would I have a problem with it remaining as part of the Crown Coliseum Complex.

No doubt we need to do something. Our current facility is an embarrassment. This being the case, I have no preference as to whether we give our existing auditorium a major renovation or level it to the ground and build anew. I, like many other city/county taxpayers just want the decision and the process to reflect intelligence, dignity, economic sense and common sense. 

The 320,000 residents of  Cumberland County deserve that.

Unfortunately, for those of us who have been around here for 30 years or so, we are naturally conditioned for the worse possible scenario. It’s almost like living in Superman’s “Bizarro World,” where everything appears in reverse and opposite of reality. We are living with the reality of these past decisions every day. I.e. Crown Coliseum, JP Riddle Stadium,County Jail, Festival Park Building, Prince Charles Hotel and the future Transportation Hub. All the result of when city and county politico’s cater to inflated egos and self-interest undeterred by logic, self control and short-term memories.  

The recent discussions about what to do about the Memorial Auditorium (FPAC) have the propensity for becoming the next community dividing controversy because what has already taken place. It is beginning to resemble an advocacy for a new FPAC to be built in Historic Downtown Fayetteville.  

People are already talking and red flags are already starting to fly after the Civic Center Commission and County Commissioners ordered up a $47,000 renovation assessment conducted by Eric Lindstrom of sfl+a Architects. No doubt a reputable and talented architect whose corporate office and residence are located in Historic Downtown Fayetteville. Hmmmmm? What dog could he possibly have in that fight? 

As fate would have it, his assessment was damning withrenovation estimates that could exceed $39 million. This anticipated outcome laced with a few scary scenarios about serious balcony safety concerns and looming liability lawsuits, set the stage for a Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) vision with a price tag of nearly $60 million. Yes. $60 million. More than the Crown Coliseum originally cost, and we remember how the general population felt about that. 

This is when the second set of red flags started flying.

It’s difficult, if not impossible, to compare DPAC, Durham County and its metro community with our Memorial Auditorium, Cumberland County or our Historical Downtown. Here’s why: 

Durham’s Per Capita Income is 23 percent higher than ours and their Median Household income  is 14.8 percent higher than that of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. 

In addition, the development of DPAC was part of a specific downtown revitalization plan involving some of Durham’s largest corporations  like Capitol Broadcasting Company that owns several TV stations in the area including Fox 50 TV. (Big bucks were invested here!) 

Another major contrast is that the DPAC was intended to be an added attraction complementing the already popular American Tobacco Historic District and Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which is the home of the CBC’s baseball team the Durham Bulls. 

Enough of repeating that old adage “A rising tide, floats all ships.” 

Hey, we get it!  I can see how DPAC fit into the overall revitalization and economic development plans. DPAC was successful in rising the tide and ships did float. However, Downtown Fayetteville and Cumberland County is not Durham so this adage doesn’t apply here. We have no water, no tide and no ships. 

The cost for building DPAC in 2007/2008 was $48 Million. Not only did Capitol Broadcasting Company step up but, so did Duke University and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The last time I looked we had no huge charitable corporate entities here in our community. Their contributions alone were valued at 16 percent of the construction cost. 

There is no doubt that an improved facility would benefit our community. But, knowing what we know, we should try to avoid controversy by approaching this project with our “eyes wide open” not “eyes wide shut.”

We must learn from past mistakes and be proactive asking tough questions, seeking feasible solution and doing the right things for the right reasons. Let’s act responsible, mature and make sure we cover all our bases keeping the best interest of our county population at the forefront, not like we did in the case of Sanderson Farms.  

For instance, if we know this project is going to be expensive what would be the harm in getting two opinions? Why not bring in another independent unbiased architectural firm to do the exact same assessments? After all, what’s another $47K when you’re looking to spend $38 to $60 million? Then, once we feel confident with that, we begin asking the right questions: How are we going to pay for it? Where are we going to locate it? What impact will it have on the Crown Coliseum and Expo? Who will manage it? Will we be able to compete with Raleigh’s Duke Energy Center for shows or DPAC’s industry giant Nederlander Organization and its Professional Facilities Management team that operates the facility. 

How will this impact our economic development downtown? How would it impact the economic development of the Crown Complex out on the bypass? What other like facilities have done major renovations? In a few months Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium will undertake its first renovation in 25 years. They have budgeted $10 million.

No matter which way we go, build new or renovate, downtown or uptown it can be a win-win for everyone in the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community if we move forward with this project by being responsible, accountable and prudent by looking at all our options and learning from our past missteps, mistakes and lessons learned.  

Thank you for reading your community newspaper, Up & Coming Weekly.