Happy New Year from everyone at Fayetteville Technical Community College!

Even though it may seem early to begin thinking about fall, when it comes to college admissions, it is never too early to prepare. We at FTCC are currently accepting admissions applications for 2015 Fall Semester and encourage everyone to apply for financial aid as soon as 2014 income tax information is complete. Even though it may seem early, now is the perfect time to begin the fall admissions process.

The most important admissions advice I would like to offer: “DO NOT WAIT.” Visit our website www.faytechcc.edu and click on the “Get Started” link located on the home page. This links directly with the free College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) application used by FTCC and many colleges. Once the application is complete, two things happen: (1) an email is sent directly to the email address used in the application, and (2) we at FTCC mail a letter to the physical/mailing address used in the CFNC application.

The email outlines admissions steps and provides links to forms used for many purposes, such as to request a transcript from high school or other colleges, financial aid and the assessment and placement office. The email also provides a link to connect with an FTCC Admissions Counselor and to our Veteran’s Services and military websites, health counselor and the Spring Lake campus and Ft. Bragg Center.

The letter provides log-in and password setup information for student email and WebAdvisor accounts. All FTCC student applicants receive a student email account and a WebAdvisor account, even before they are registered for classes. The email and WebAdvisor accounts are important because FTCC supports “green” initiatives and communicates with students via student email after the first hard-copy letter is sent. FTCC’s WebAdvisor is an excellent tool for applicants and students in managing financial aid, registering for classes, contacting an advisor, viewing grades, requesting transcripts and setting up a payment plan (for students who pay tuition and other expenses out of pocket).

Even in today’s high-tech world, FTCC recognizes that face-to-face assistance remains important, and we are proud to offer this one-on-one, personal interaction. We encourage you to visit our beautiful campuses located in Fayetteville and Spring Lake and FTCC’s Fort Bragg Center located at the Bragg Training and Education Center. FTCC Student Services is currently located within the General Classroom Building (GCB) at 2817 Fort Bragg Road at the Fayetteville campus while building renovations are underway at the Tony Rand Student Center. Representatives are also available to assist at both the Spring Lake campus and Fort Bragg. I invite you to visit with us at the GCB for assistance with the CFNC application, to take the placement test, and to learn how to log in to your FTCC student email and WebAdvisor. Admissions representatives located at all three campus locations can assist with financial aid applications. And FTCC’s admissions counselors offer help with making career choices and registration for that very important first semester.

Please begin the Fall Semester 2015 admissions process today, and thank you for making Fayetteville Technical Community College your school of choice!

Photo: Now is the perfect time to apply to FTCC for fall admission.

Some artists take years to find the perfect medium, dabbling in this or that, chasing the latest artistic trend in seeking to feed their creative fire. That wasn’t the case for Charles Farrar. He knew when he was a little boy that wood had a special place in his heart; he carved his first piece when he was about 12.

His work has evolved significantly since he fashioned a 3-foot-long fire-breathing dragon from a piece of wood he found in his youth at Bugs Island Dam in Virginia. Now, his work graces galleries, studios and homes in the form of beautifully turned bowls and vases. Farrar’s work will be displayed at Cape Fear Studios main gallery through Feb. 23.

Woodturning is definitely not new. In fact, Farrar noted that while modern tools come with many bells and whistles, people have been turning wood for thousands of years.

“The tool that wood turners use to create is a tool given to the world by Egyptians in the 4th Dynasty during the time of the great pyramids. The tombs that had the vessels that contained the entrails of the pharaoh — we know they were fashioned using a lathe. That stands to reason because the Egyptians gave us the potter’s wheel, as well, in the 800 year period prior to that,” explained Farrar.

Until recently, it was considered more practical than artistic. Old wooden plates, bowls and utensils dating back hundreds of years are still being unearthed.

“We are still uncovering caches of wood vessels turned in the 1500s and 1600s in early America,” said Farrar. “We can date them and know they come from early Americans. It is a form of craft that only in the past 40-60 years has risen to be respected. There was a time if you were not turning a bowl or bucket or something else utilitarian, you were wasting your time.”

One look at Farrar’s work and it is clear that wood can indeed be art. Turned from found and reclaimed wood, Farrar’s pieces showcase the features that make each piece unique. Each piece of wood has its own story to tell. Maybe it is the interesting pattern in the grain that speaks to him, or the stunning markings left by a wood beetle that he chooses to highlight. Sometimes, it is even the story of where the wood came from that inspires him as he turns the wood and guides the lathe. Often, it is as much about the process as it is about the end product. And for many, there is magic in his methods. Farrar uses found wood and reclaimed wood for his work; he refuses to fell a tree for one of his projects when there is so much wood readily available.

“I was commissioned to do a piece for choreographer Debbie Allen. She was working on a production that celebrated the life of Harriet Tubman,” said Farrar. “They wanted a vessel that reflected, in its time on Earth, Harriet Tubman’s approximate age. I went to an old mill that had been in operation for more than 100 years that was going out of business and was able to get a 12x13 floor joist. I got within a couple of years of what we think was Harriet Tubman’s age. I made the vessel and got to present it to Debbie Allen. The vessel was hard as rock because it was more than 100 years old at the time and had been alive many years before it was used to make the floor of that mill. It was hard to work that wood, and at the time, not knowing so much and not having the tools I have today, it was a challenge. I learned from a playwright friend years later that she still has that vessel in her extensive art collection in her home.”

When Farrar’s church was ready to replace its organ that dated back to 1872, he was asked to use the wood from the organ’s pipes to make gifts for the choir members. He made cross pendants fashioned from the F sharp pipe.

“The trees that made that pipe may have started growing 100 years before the organ was even made. For that same wood to get a whole new life in those crosses … I love the idea of recycling and recycling again.”

Throughout Farrar’s life, his connection to wood never waned. He collected pieces at arts festivals and admired fine workmanship when he saw it. In the early ‘90s he went to an arts festival and bought a wood-turned bowl. He spent the following year admiring it. The next year, the same craftsman was at the festival again. Farrar wanted to buy another bowl, but more importantly, he wanted to know how this artist made such fine work.

“I’d spent 23 years of corporate life as a middle manager for Bell South — 23 years 8 months and 6 days, but who’s counting?” said Farrar. “When I asked that artist how he made his pieces, he said ‘Come up the mountain on Saturday and I will show you everything I know about woodturning.’ I did and he did and that artist — David Goins — became my mentor. Before I got home that weekend, I had purchased a lathe and a series of training tools. I spent about $800 out of the family budget without even talking about it with my wife.”

Since then, Farrar has demonstrated design and technique at the National Symposium of The American Association of Woodturners and many prestigious museums throughout the U.S.

His work will be on display through Feb 23 at Cape Fear Studios.

“I love that in Fayetteville there is this forward-thinking gallery. Wood is still not a medium that always gets the right showings,” said Farrar. “I am tickled that Cape Fear Studios is stepping out there and that they are doing it during Black History Month when the work is presented by an African-American and the tools that gave this art form to the world were made by black people.”

Find out more about Charles Farrar at www.charlesfarrar.com. Find out more about Cape Fear Studios at www.capefearstudios.com.

Photo: The intricate woodworking of Charles Farrar is on display at Cape Fear Studios through Feb. 23.

Elementary school is the gateway to learning. Reading, writing, math and science are the basic components to everything. But art is just as important. The study of the arts gives children the ability to dream. Art is not just painting or even music; it’s the embodiment of thinking. Through art a person has power to imagine, which is the idea that is not only embraced by The Capitol Encore Academy in Downtown Fayetteville, but which is played out through its curriculum.

Capitol Encore Academy is one of two charter schools in the community. Charter schools receive public funding, but operate under their own independent jurisdiction. A charter school may have alternative ways of teaching compared to a traditional public school.

Located in the building that once housed the Capitol Department Store, and more recently, Docks at the Capitol, the school pays homage to its heritage by maintaining its name.

The building has since been well renovated by adding a dance room as well as a theater. Classrooms and other designated rooms are now where arcade games used to be. The building can be utilized as a place of learning as well as a place for fun.

Capitol Encore Academy’s mission is to develop artists who inspire others with principles of design and artful thinking through the integration of academic excellence, virtuous character and disciplined artistry.

“Enrollment is going wonderfully. We are currently full in almost all grades, with openings only in 3rd and 4th. The kids are doing some amazing things. We have their art displayed on Hay Street in our windows as well as all over the school,” said Joe Salisbury, office manager of the academy.

The academy encourages its students to use their minds to focus on creativity by supporting a child’s hands-on learning in conjunction with artful thinking.

The academy will eventually be open to grades K-12 following its grade expansion plan. It is expected that most of the children will be from Fayetteville and some surrounding areas. The school is adding 6th grade next year.

“Businesses are now looking for Master’s of Fine Arts over MBAs as their utilization and understanding of computers is what is needed in an ever-changing technological world,” said Salisbury. “Also, being in a truly arts focused community helps as the students are involved in/exposed to a multitude of different arts and are able to take part in many functions,” said Salisbury.

The school also offers classes with its Encore Kids College program that includes dance, music, theater, movement arts, visual arts/poetry and martial arts. These classes offer additional learning opportunities for students to focus on their talents throughout the entire school year. Students will enjoy sharing their talents with one another and have one-on-one time with teachers.

“The biggest challenge is getting up and smoothly running. Luckily, we have an amazing educational service provider that helped get us started and gives us the resources needed to give the students a top-notch education. Also, the amount of parent support has been unbelievable,” he said.

“The reason charter schools succeed is, ultimately, not the administration, but the teachers who work diligently every day to create a learning environment for the school,” said Salisbury.

The academy will host Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s Sweet Words from Feb. 11-15.

Open enrollment for The Capitol Encore Academy starts on Feb. 2 and runs through March 13. Parents who would like to enroll are asked to fill out the online application. The academy is currently open to grades K-5. For more information about the school and requirements visit www.capitolencoreacademy.org.

Photo: The Capitol Encore Academy is one of two charter schools in Cumberland County. The Capitol focuses on the arts as the building blocks of education.

Wear Green for Progress and for Jobs

My head is spinning! I just returned from a 10-day road trip and I have spent the entire weekend catching up on the local news. PWC and chicken plants: “Oh my!” I know what you are thinking, why don’t I just Google “Fayetteville” when I’m on the road. Or, better yet, go online to the Fayetteville Observer’s website and check out what’s going on in my hometown. Well, I’ll tell you why. It depresses me.

I must admit, I suffer from depression when I go online to read our local newspaper knowing that I am actually seeing and reading exactly what everyone else in the world is seeing and reading about our community. Embarrassing! Try it yourself.

Believe me, it isn’t pretty. For all the wonderful things going on in our community, when you read about what’s making news in Fayetteville, we come off like a cross between the “Gang Who Couldn’t Shoot Straight” and the Three Stooges. This would be funny if it were not so sad.

Does anyone in a leadership position in Fayetteville or Cumberland County have any idea how we must look to the outside world?

I doubt if the people who are Googling Fayetteville are reading features and articles about our wonderful cultural arts programs, our compassionate and generous nonprofit organizations or our amazingly dedicated, talented teachers and school principals or our brave and dauntless military warriors. No, they are reading about grouchy city councilmen decrying “treachery” among us and others making silly suggestions like how we could possibly reduce the number of murders in our city by issuing city permits to better monitor these murderous neighborhood parties.

Sure, this makes perfect sense with plenty of logic like: now, the party host “doesn’t feel he has to police the situation by himself.” And, he “..may appreciate the beefed-up police presence.” Isn’t that reassuring. Are you kidding me?

It gets better. You can read about hired city staff dictating policy to our city council, who, unfortunately, don’t know any better than to not listen to them. Or, how about reading about a rogue city manager who thinks our public utility is a piggy bank and a city-appointed public utility commission that was forced to sue the city in order to do its job of protecting and properly serving its citizens.

Now, add to that the Sanderson Farm circus and clown parade led by County Commissioner Charles Evans, whose uninformed decisions have punished the very residents he vowed to love, honor, respect and serve. Now, after the damage is done, Evans is attempting a “do over” to get the incentive issue back on the county commissioners’ agenda for a joint public hearing on Feb. 2. This meeting will serve only to allow those local residents who would have benefited from Sanderson Farms $100 million dollar expansion into our community and the 1, 000 new jobs it would have brought, a final opportunity to have their voices heard.

So, I suggest you be at the Crown Coliseum on Monday, Feb. 2 and I very strongly suggest you take advantage of this opportunity to tell our leadership not only how you feel about the Sanderson Farms project, but how you feel about the way this entire situation has been handled. After all, these county commissioners, city councilmen and the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Alliance all are supposed to be working for us — all 325,871 of us — and not just for a few dozen “red shirted” elite landowners.

Be there. Wear GREEN! That’s right. Green for progress! Green for jobs! Green for the unemployed! Green for the homeless! Green for new local money! And, green, for the color of Evans face when he finally realizes how badly he let his constituents down. Wear green for bad politics.

So, Monday will be our day, one way or the other. Please be there. Each speaker will have a maximum of three minutes to comment. Citizens who wish to address the board may register prior to the event by contacting the clerk to the Board of Commissioners at 910-678-7771 or 910-678-7772. They may also e-mail cwhite@co.cumberland.nc.us. Speakers may also sign-up in the lobby the night of the hearing. Doors open at 5 p.m.

I love this community. It is my community. I have been here for more than 40 years. Met my wife here, started my family here, raised our son here, built my business here. Believe me, you didn’t have to be born in Cumberland County to be from Cumberland County. So, if you sense that I’m a little put out, you are correct. We have a responsibility to secure a livable community for future generations, which includes jobs for everyone — even those low-skill jobs that still offer a living wage.

See you on Monday, Feb. 2 and thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Photo: Wear green this Monday to support progress in Fayetteville.

People may not be familiar with the name Kadir Nelson, but chances are they are familiar with his work. He worked as a concept artist for the movies Amistad and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. He has created artworks for Sports Illustrated, Coca Cola, The U.S. Postal Service, Major League Baseball and The U.S. House of Representatives to name a few.

In 2011, Nelson first displayed his work in Fayetteville in the exhibit We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. The illustrations were from Nelson’s picture book of the same name that was published in 2008 by Disney/Hyperion. His current exhibit, Words and Pictures: Illustrated Works by Kadir Nelson is set to open at the Arts Council during 4th Friday festivities on Jan. 23.

Words and Pictures: Illustrated Works by Kadir Nelson is composed of illustrations by Nelson that have appeared in six books, four of which he authored. The books are: I Have a Dream(the illustrated version of Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech); HEART AND SOUL: The Story of America and African Americans; A Nation’s Hope (the story of boxing legend Joe Louis); Nelson Mandela; Baby Bear; and Coretta Scott).

Marketing Director of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County Mary Kinney is excited about the message this exhibit sends.

“We knew when Kadir’s exhibit, We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball was here in 2011 that we wanted to feature his work again,” said Kinney. “Not only is he a wonderful artist, but his work really speaks to the tenacity of the human spirit. His works offer an opportunity for learning about history, about people, about life and change and overcoming adversity.”

There is additional programming throughout the month that ties in with this exhibit. Nelson will be in attendance at the opening of the exhibit. There will be a limited number of books featuring Nelson’s work available for purchase. He will sign books and give autographs.

On Jan. 31, don’t miss the reading and book signing by Carole Boston Weatherford. Weatherford is a professor at Fayetteville State University. She collaborated with Nelson on the book Moses. This work earned Nelson his first Caldecott Honor. The event is free to the public and runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m at the Arts Council.

A children’s workshop is scheduled for Feb. 14. The workshop features children’s book author and illustrator Cammeron Batanides. Children will view Nelson’s exhibit Words and Pictures: Illustrated Works by Kadir Nelson and read some of his books as well as Batanides’ book Meet Panda, which is about a dog who teaches lessons about love and acceptance. After reading about Panda, the children will write and illustrate a book of their own to take home. The workshop is free. Registration is required. There are two sessions. Children 5-9-years-old are scheduled from 10 a.m. until noon. From 1-3 p.m. 10-14-year-olds are welcome. The workshop takes place at the Arts Council. Call 323-1776 or email admin@theartscouncil.com to register.

While downtown, don’t miss some of the other 4th Friday events. Cape Fear Studios and Gallery is located at 148 Maxwell St. Within the unassuming brick building resides an artistic cornocopia of inspired and inspiring art. Works by member artists who a juried in are always on display. There are also rotating exhibits of artwork from guest artists. Coinciding with 4th Friday, Cape Fear Studios and Gallery debuts an exhibit in honor of Black History Month that focuses on the amazing wooden pieces created by Charles Farrar using his lathe. Farrar has a special love for working with found wood, and with the environment in mind, he does not harvest any living trees for his artwork. Woodcarving and turning have ancient roots in Africa. Sub-Saharan Africans were masters of carving and Egyptians were the first to master the lathe. This exhibit both honors the history of this craft and explores its modern beauty. For more information, visit www.capefearstudious.com or call 433-2986. The exhibit opens with a reception at 6 p.m. on Jan. 23 and runs through Feb. 23.

Fascinate-U is a hands-on museum that is dedicated to promoting education, growth and imagination in children. They have many exhibits that consist of miniature versions of common places found around town. Kids can explore these areas, role-play and learn about the world around them in a fun and safe way. On Jan. 23, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. admission is free. Children will have the opportunity to creat a free snowman craft. The museum is located at 116 Green St. For more information, visitwww.fascinate-u.com or call 829-9171.

Visit The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum to learn more about local history or check out downtown businesses that stay open late and offer everything from entertainment to shopping and eating discounts.

Find out more about 4th Friday at www.theartscouncil.com.

Photo: right; The Arts Council celebrates Black History Month with the exhibit Words and Pictures: Illustrated Works by Kadir Nelson.  set to open at the Arts Council at 4th Friday on Jan. 23.
Cover photo credit: Kadir Nelson.

Wynonna Judd is one of country’s brightest lights, and on Friday, Jan. 23, she will bring her unique sound to Fayetteville.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There’s nothing like music to warm the soul and set the mood for an evening of love and romance, which is why Headliners Live is taking Eargazm Volume 1, featuring Brian McKnight, Eric Benet and Tevin Campbell across the country.

The concept of the tour is to provide pure unadulterated musical ecstasy from beginning to end. The tour is hosted by comedian Kevin Simpson who will keep the show moving and keep the audience in stitches with his shoot-from-the-hip style of humor.

The entertainers will perform their greatest hits and other hits that inspired them to embark on their musical careers. The lineup includes solo as well as group performances and duets.

Brian McKnight is an accomplished singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. He has had 16 Grammy nominations and sold 20 million albums worldwide. The Buffalo, N.Y., native grew up in a family where music came naturally and he had a gospel upbringing in the church. Over time, McKnight explored other genres of music and began writing and learned how to play several musical instruments.

Eric Benet has released six studio albums and is known for his melodic love songs. Eric grew up in Milwaukee, Wis., and is the youngest of five musically talented siblings. Eric has also ventured into the role of actor and starred in his first lead role in the feature film Trinity Goodheart.

Tevin Campbell was a popular teen singer in the ‘90s who had great hits on his platinum albums T.E.V.I.N and I’m Ready. The Texas native’s roots began in the church at a very early age. Throughout his career, he earned five Grammy nominations and sold an estimated 3 million albums worldwide. Campbell has experienced the world of acting as well performing in the Broadway musical Hairspray.

Eargazm Vol. 1 was originally scheduled make a stop in Fayetteville on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 8:30 p.m. at the Crown Coliseum. The concert has been moved to Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 8:00 PM.

Tickets for the January 31, 2015 Eargazm Tour Volume 1 Tour will be honored for the rescheduled date of March 14, 2015. Tickets are $55, $65, $75 and $80. Groups of ten or more can save $7. For more information, call 438-4123.

PWC to City: Thanks, But We Will Take Our Chances with

the Legislature

In a time when respect and belief in the ability of our nation’s legislative bodies to operate is at an all-time low, PWC is banking that the legislature will use common sense in sorting out the difficulties between the City of Fayetteville and PWC.

On Oct. 16, 2014, PWC filed a petition asking the courts to “issue a declaratory ruling that clarifies its duties and responsibilities. The goal of the filing is to eliminate any confusion and uncertainty regarding the way PWC currently operates and to provide clear direction about how it should operate in the future.” This request came on the heels of a report filed by the city’s consultant Davenport/Lawrence, which indicated that PWC was operating outside its scope and its accountability to the City of Fayetteville.

PWC officials quickly answered the consultant’s charges, and followed up with the court filing. Neither the city nor PWC wants an extended court battle, which will ultimately impact the citizens of Fayetteville and PWC customers. To that end, in mid-December both agreed to mediation, which has been ongoing. At that time, Mike Lailler, chairman of the city-appointed PWC Commission noted in a statement to the media, “Our goal from the beginning has been to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the PWC commissioners. That can be accomplished through mediation or through legislative action without the need for a lengthy court proceeding.”

Last week, mediation appeared to have come to an impasse when Lailler released a statement that had to make city staff and councilmen a little jumpy. In his statement (below), Lailler and PWC take the nuclear action that the city has been trying to desperately avoid: They gave the problem to the N.C. General Assembly.

From the get go, the city has been averse to involving the legislature in the fight between itself and PWC. When the legislature opens up the PWC Charter for consideration and clarification, it could go bad, very bad for the city — and the city knows this. PWC has been lauded nationwide as a prime example of efficiency and as an example of how a public utility should operate. We can’t say the same of the city.

Cumberland County’s legislative delegation is prepared to take up this problem, and PWC is more than ready to let them do so; the city, not so much. This is what the PWC Commission had to say about moving the dispute into the legislature’s court:

“From the beginning, PWC Commissioners have sought to clarify the roles and responsibilities outlined by the N.C. General Assembly in the original charter. The legislature intentionally created a separate, independent board to manage the utility and that model has worked well for the City of Fayetteville and PWC customers since 1905.

The City Council’s suggested revisions would radically alter PWC’s governance model. They would make PWC just another department of the city under the full control and authority of the City Manager and allow the City Council to remove Commissioners at will. That would limit the role of PWC Commissioners to that of an advisory board. These changes would also allow politics to have greater influence in PWC operations by making Commissioners subject to changing political winds.

Specifically, these changes would likely disrupt the Commissioner’s extended tenure of up to 12 years. PWC oversees $1.1 Billion in assets and spends approximately $1 Million per day to provide electric, water and wastewater treatment to this community. To effectively manage such a valuable and complex organization that regularly makes decisions with consequences far into the future requires an experienced and stable group of Commissioners that think strategically and long-term.

At a time when technology and alternative energy sources are rapidly changing, and when quality and competitive utility services are a core component to our economic environment, such a radical change in the governance of PWC, we feel, would be a mistake. We feel it would be in the city’s best interest to have a stable utility not subject to rapidly changing political environments.

We trust in the wisdom of our legislative delegation and will let them determine whether to reverse 110 years of successful operating practices or maintain the current structure with the clarifications set forth by the commissioners.”

This could get worse before it gets better. Hold onto your hats, it’s going to get dicey.

The Fayetteville FireAntz have been lighting it up on the ice over the past month and a half, winning 10 of their last 15 games. After an off-season filled with a tremendous amount of time spent recruiting by head coach Emery Olauson, the Antz endured a slow start to the 2014-2015 season. But there was never a doubt in the minds of Olauson and his locker room.

“This team has faced a ton of adversity since the start of the season in October,” said Olauson.

When asked about three of his goalies already being called up this season Olauson noted, “Although it’s a scramble to find goalies mid-season, ultimately, we are a developmental league trying to progress players to the next level.”

Olauson takes pride in the talent he’s brought to Fayetteville this season and is passionate about developing the skills of his players. Every player on the roster has a role that is vital to the team’s overall success. Sometimes, it takes a tough guy willing to get his hands dirty … or cut … or bruised, whichever they prefer — a tough guy, a guy who’s got a teammate’s back no matter what or who stands in the way.

That’s the kind of role that #13 Rookie Brad Drobot plays in the Antz lineup. Through 26 games, Drobot has recorded 93 penalty minutes with 11 major penalties, the most by any rookie in the league in both statistics.

Readers might think — a tough guy with a big beard and hands like a bear, must be crazy off of the ice, too. That’s not the case, even the slightest bit. Drobot was born and raised in Calgary Alberta, Canada, developing a passion for hockey at the young age of 5. With parents who run their own business, Drobot comes from a family where hard work is no stranger. Drobot looks up to his parents, appreciating the work ethic they’ve instilled in him. Since he’s been in Fayetteville, Drobot has had the opportunity to give back to the community and says the food drive this past December was “… an amazing experience to help people in need during the holidays.”

When asked about his favorite on-ice experience in Fayetteville, he was quick to reply “… saluting the crowd after my fight on Military Night.”

What does it take to prepare for such a night? For Drobot, a good morning of practice followed by a rather large plate of spaghetti and meat sauce, topped with a little one hour snooze, will get him ready to dish out some major punishment come game time. His roommate is teammate Tim Recio, who Drobot says “… sings way too loud in the shower but has the voice of an angel.”

Drobot hopes to continue playing professional hockey as long as he can. In the off-season, he enjoys off ice training and is a bouncer at a night club.

Photo: top left; Brad Drobot. Bottom right; Rookie Brad Drobot mixes it up on the ice during Military Appreciation night. Drobot leads the league in penalty minutes (93) and major penalties (11).

The Three Musketeers is a timeless story. It’s one that most people know whether it’s from the book, a comic book or one of the countless movies that have been made over the past century. With the Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s staging of this classic tale, Director Steve Rankin is staying as true to the story as possible.

“This is a great story that instantaneously puts you in the middle of a sword fight, with men of honor fighting villains,” he said. “The way you make this story fresh is simply telling the story. When you start messing around with it, it’s the wrong thing to do. This is a story of bravery and camaraderie, of men coming together and bonding over a cause, which is something that is missing in this digital age.”

Rankin, a New York-based actor, director and fight director, is excited to bring this story to the stage. It has been one show that has eluded him throughout his career. A longtime friend of Tom Quaintance, Rankin was invited to come as either the director or the fight director. He chose to do both.

“I have staged fights all over the world. In this show, a large amount of stage time is sword fighting,” he explained. “It has been a challenge to make it work, but the gauntlet has been thrown and we are going forward.”

There are 10 fight scenes during the two hour show, and several of the actors have never even held a sword. It is Rankin’s job to make them look like consummate swordsmen. The actors are in their second week of rehearsals and any free time they have is spent in rehearsing their sword play.

Rankin is particularly excited about bringing a story of brotherhood to Fayetteville and its military community.

“This play speaks to loyalty, camaraderie and about having each other’s back. This is what it is all about and it should speak to this community,” he said.

He explained that in the first scene, D’Artagnan’s father sits him down to talk to him about becoming a Musketeer, and he basically describes what it means to be a Marine.

“The only things these guys had was their honor and their name, which was as precious as a mutual fund portfolio. D’Artagnan’s father tells him to surround himself with the appropriate people. It was very important that he surround himself with men of honor and men of loyalty. This is something that will really resound with the military community — the idea of ‘all for one and one for all.’”

The other idea that will resound is the idea of brotherhood, which is embodied in the spirit of the Musketeers.

Porthos, who is played by Arthur Lazalde, brings to mind the Ghost of Christmas Present. He loves life and sees it as a banquet. He loves to fight. He loves women. He loves his brother musketeers and knows they will always back his play, even if he is wrong. While each of the musketeers are very different, they complement each other and make each other better. Each man serves a purpose, much like modern day Special Forces teams.

Rankin explains that they use their honor to navigate the waters of their times. They also use their humor. There are a lot of plays on words, which makes even the most intense fight scene a little funny. It is not slapstick, but rather a more sophisticated humor.

Athos, played by Shad Ramsey, is a wounded warrior. He knows that it is important to do the right thing, but also knows that there is a price to pay for doing that. Athos knows that you have to continue living but he lives with his pain. He doesn’t let it kill him, he goes on and keeps the code of honor, loyalty and bravery that is at the heart of the story of The Three Musketeers. The play opens on Jan. 22 and runs through Feb. 8. Tickets range in price. To purchase tickets, visit the CFRT website at www.cfrt.org.

Navigating the college selection process can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. This should be a time of great excitement, discovery and anticipation.

Making the list

First, ask questions to figure out what a student needs to succeed.

• “How do I learn?” Colleges can have different teaching philosophies that may fit one type of student better than the other.

• “Big or small?” A big school might have more amenities, but have lecture classes with upwards of 200 people. At a small college, the emphasis might be on intimate discussion and personal attention

• “What do I want to study?” Students frequently change their majors, but finding a department that works for a student’s early goals is a good start.

• “Is there academic support?” Services like tutoring, study and writing centers and professors who are available to students can help when the going gets tough.

• “Where do I want to be?” Close to home or far away? In a big city or a small town? Like in real estate, location is everything.

• “What about after graduation?” Will a college’s academic program sufficiently prepare students for graduate school? If a student plans to enter the workforce, how does the college offer to help students prepare? What are the college’s statistics on successful job placement? Does the school offer a network of dedicated alumni eager to help new graduates get a start on their careers?

Students looking at potential colleges should ask all of these questions and schedule visits to prospective schools. Nothing beats walking on a campus and experiencing the atmosphere firsthand. Some colleges can tailor special tours based on a student’s interests, even arranging to give a peek at classes and athletics. A student shouldn’t ignore the gut feeling they get while on the campus tour. If it feels right, there is a good chance it is right.

Choosing a college

After a student has applied and received acceptance letters and financial aid awards, it is now time to find the one school that fits.

The student shouldn’t look for the “perfect fit,” but rather the “best fit,” taking all of the factors into account. Once the decision is made, the student should take advantage of every resource available on that campus.

College is a tremendous time of learning and growth that is best experienced by participation rather than observation.

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

I often wonder what Martin Luther King Jr. would say about recent events if he were alive today. His vision was for everyone to be treated equally and he wanted minorities to have a voice. This past year has been full of tragedies, protests and social injustices. The truth remains that we still have a long way to go and I wonder if we will ever get there.

The Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council presents the 22nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast on Monday, Jan. 19, at 7:30 a.m. at the Crown Exhibition Center. The theme for this year’s breakfast is “Working Together for Unity in the Community.”

“We focus greatly on promoting community unity and it is not just the black community,” said Mary C. Owens, president of The Fayetteville Cumberland County Ministerial Council. “We will celebrate the community as a whole with the idea of what King called the beloved community.”

Dr. King’s beloved community is a global vision in which all people can share in the wealth of the Earth. In the beloved community, poverty, homelessness and hunger will not be tolerated. Racism and all forms of discrimination such as prejudice and bigotry will be replaced with a spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood.

The keynote speaker at the breakfast is retired Maj. Gen. Rodney Anderson. Entertainment will be provided by the 82nd Airborne Division’s All American Chorus. The event will feature a youth summit and an MLK Vendors Exhibition following the prayer breakfast. Vendors will run until 5 p.m.

A worship service is planned for Sunday, Jan. 18, at 5 p.m. at Simon Temple AME Church and the gospel messenger is Reverend Perry Irby.

“We are going to try to capture some of the flavor of King himself,” said Owens. “We are going to utilize some of the songs that King loved in the worship service.”

The event will also feature a summit, which will allow the voices of Fayetteville’s youth to be heard.

“This year we are hosting a youth summit that will follow right after the breakfast in partnership with Fayetteville Human Relations,” said Owens. “We will provide a platform to hear from the young people and what is on their mind that concerns them.”

Owens added that we may think we know what’s on young people’s minds but sometimes they speak a totally different language.

“We are hoping that parents and churches will encourage their children to participate in the youth summit,” said Owens. “We encourage everyone to come out and support this event.”

Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, New Life Bible Church, Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, Heal The Land Outreach Ministries and Mr. Zeke’s Shoeshine. For more information, call 670-5662.

Photo: The MLK Breakfast will focus on Unity in the Community.

So you think you know about Carolina history? Then come out to the 14th Annual Civil War Quiz Bowl to show the town what you’ve got.

The Museum of Cape Fear keeps the history of our great nation and local community alive by hosting several events throughout the year. The Civil War Quiz Bowl is one of them andit makes learning a fun engagement for all ages. While the event is sponsored by the Museum of the Cape Fear, it is hosted by the Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center. The quiz bowl, slated for Jan. 29, will have 20 constants who will be asked different questions covering all aspect of the war. For example: Name the runaway slave, born in Smithville, N.C. (later renamed Southport) who served as an intelligence agent for Union General Benjamin Butler.

Prizes are awarded to two winners in the youth category (up to age 16) and the adult category, which includes ages 17 and up. The museum staff comes up with the series of questions that can often stump even the most knowledgeable person.

“Those who learn history can hear the voices of so many. And we can learn stories about individuals as well as groups of people. There is importance in understanding the actions of people from the past and what their lives were like. I think it makes us better human beings in the present and gives hope to the future,” said Leisa Greathouse, the curator of education at Museum of the Cape Fear.

Although many theorists and history buffs may have completely different thoughts about the Civil War, three important facts always come to mind President Lincoln, freedom and bridging the gap between North and South.

“The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” by Julia Ward Howe, speaks volumes about how American’s must have felt during the times of brutality and hardship. Like many other areas across the country, during the war, Fayetteville suffered food shortages and fear of what was to come. Women and children where left with farms to maintain and the future for the slaves depended on how the war ended.

The country’s history shows that modern day America has made more than a few changes.

“The Civil War was the beginning of a new paradoxical era. It freed the slaves but they were not accepted into the larger society. While the Freedman’s Bureau was the channel to acclimate the newly freed persons into the American society, former slaves and persons of color in general, had a tough go of it,” said Greathouse.

The community of Fayetteville has deep roots within the history of the Civil War. Arsenal Park is where firearms where crafted for the war.

“On the second floor of the museum is a Civil War exhibit. In commemoration of the Civil War’s 150th anniversary, three new exhibit cases were changed and allowed the museum to exhibit some unique artifacts. In one case there are artifacts recovered from the Modern Greece, a blockade runner that ran aground at Fort Fisher. In another case are four models of Fayetteville Rifles. Each of those weapons were constructed at the Fayetteville Arsenal. The rifles have ended back up where they were made,” she said.

The civil war was fought from 1861 to 1865 to strengthen the union or either prove separation for the Confederates.

The Northern states that fought for the Union had approximately 22 million soldiers compared to the 9 million Confederate soldiers.The confederates were joined by 3.5 million slaves.

“There is importance in understanding the actions of people from the past and what their lives were like. I think it makes us better human beings in the present and gives hope to the future,” said Greathouse.

The Quiz bowl will be held Thurs. Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Pate Room at the Headquarters Library 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville, N.C. 28301.

For more information or to compete in the Quiz Bowl contact Leisa Greathouse at 910-486-1330, or email leisa.greathouse@ncdcr.gov.

Going, Going, Gone!

Old news. The vote is in 4 to 3 against a public hearing offering an incentive package to Sanderson Farms that wanted to bring 1,000 jobs to Cumberland County by locating and building a $113 million dollar chicken-processing plant in a vacant, 15-year-old industrial park located off Highway 53 in Cedar Creek.

Too bad, so sad. But, is the issue completely dead?

Only County Commissioner Charles Evans really knows for sure. Even though there were three other dissenting votes (Ken Edge, Larry Lancaster and Marshall Faircloth), it was Evans’ swing vote that ultimately killed the deal and started the fierce fervor of confusion, displeasure and discontent throughout the community.

Honestly, from where we stood, the majority of the county viewed Sanderson Farms as a positive move toward higher paying and better paying jobs, much needed healthcare and a better quality of life for many Cumberland County residents.

Those in Evans’ district were taken totally by surprise when County Commissioner Charles Evans, who was held in high esteem as the biggest champion and proponent of the poor, needy and downtrodden, abruptly turned his back on his constituents and voted an astounding “No” on what is now viewed as a minor misunderstanding and petty technicality.

I personally asked Commissioner Evans to consider requesting a “do over” now that he has a better understanding of the process and how strongly the community really feels. After all, Evans is popular. He was the top vote getter in Cumberland County. Surely, he must feel some compassion and commitment for the people who trusted and elected him.

No, Evans felt nothing.

This level of action and disappointment can only be fostered by someone so terribly narcissistic or illiterate in the ways of humanity. Evans must not have been much of a student of the teachings of the late and great Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. In King’s “I Have a Dream” speech he talks of “the bank of justice” and “great vaults of opportunity of this nation.” Both leading to “riches of freedom and the security of justice.”

In the opinions of many, Evans has robbed the bank of justice and emptied the vaults of opportunity for many people assuring them limited opportunity with a taste of injustice.

Evans has slipped off the “solid rock of brotherhood” and overlooked “the urgency of the moment” thus betraying his own constituents.

However, Evans can fix it. If he moves quickly and, assuming Sanderson Farms is still interested in locating in Cumberland County, Evans can request a “do over.” And, why not?

It would be for the greater good of the entire community and not for a few dozen “red-shirted” elitists.

With all our elected officials campaigning on and paying lip service to eliminating crime, hunger and homelessness, voting down more than 1,000 good-paying jobs sets an all-time high in new lows, don’t you think?

Someone much smarter than me asked: “Do you know the best way to stop a bullet?” Answer: A job!

Needless to say, I hope, there is still time to right this wrong. It is up to Commissioner Evans. However, if we miss this opportunity, the entire community should not forget Sanderson Farms and what dastardly deed has been perpetrated on us. So, come election time, perhaps more time will be spent judging the content of a candidate’s character rather than the color of their skin.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Photo: Even though there were three other dissenting votes, it was Evans’ swing vote that ultimately killed the deal with Sanderson Farms.

January: Appreciate, Respect and Thank Law Enforcement

Here’s a great way to start off the new year: Let’s declare January as Appreciate, Respect and Thank our Local Law Enforcement Month. It’s an easy thing to do.

First, turn off your TV. If all you do is listen to the TV and radio news reports showcasing and spotlighting “grievous industry” provocateurs like Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, Eric Holder and Rev. Jeremiah Wright, as they provoke racial disharmony and serve up that noxious and incessant conspiracy theory that law enforcement nationally, our cops, are out to harass, harm, destroy and eradicate then you are going to stay in a state of anger. My advice is unplug the TV, turn off the radio and tune out these hate mongers who monetize and capitalize on the sad, unfortunate and heartbreaking situations like that of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.

I suggest that every American just look around and believe in what you actually see and experience every day. Notice the makeup of your friends, co-workers and business associates. Diverse? Absolutely. Confrontational? Absolutely not! Every day we live and work in harmony with our ethnically diverse friends and neighbors. Black, White, Asian Hispanic, etc. We shop together, play together, eat together in local restaurants, stand in line together at hockey games and movie theaters — we even worship together. So where is the problem? Answer: There is none except in the darkened, exploitative hearts and minds of racial provocateurs.

No one needs to buy into this. Instead, we should focus on and recognize how fortunate we are to live in such a free, respectful and civilized society; while contemplating on how we have maintained and achieved such an accomplishment.

This being said, again, I can’t think of a better way to start off 2015 than to personally walk up to any law enforcement officer and thank them for unselfishly putting themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis so we may confidently and peacefully go about enjoying our families, lifestyles and quality of life.

How could we exist in a dangerous, crime-ridden and lawless community? Answer: We can’t. So, let’s thank law enforcement officers today and, every day for putting their lives on the line to serve and protect us, our families and our property.

To this end, Up & Coming Weekly is declaring January as Appreciate, Respect and Thank our Local Law Enforcement Month.

This is not to infer that January is the only month we want to show our appreciation; however, it is said that if you can do something repeatedly and consistently at least 21 times it will become a habit. Well, I can’t think of a better habit to develop. Today is Jan. 7 and you will be reading this edition until at least Jan. 13. If you begin right now there is a very good chance, that with just a little bit of dedicated effort, you can be first among tens of thousands of local residents who actively and habitually participate in this massive practice.

This past Sunday there were two Fayetteville Police Officer’s having breakfast at the Cracker Barrel on Skibo Road. On my way out I made it a point to stop by to tell them that I appreciated their service and to keep up the good work. The smile on their faces made the experience worthwhile. I discreetly asked the server to give me their check but she responded, “Too late. Someone has already treated them to breakfast.” Now, that’s the Fayetteville I know. I love this town!

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

A Fresh Approach to the Art of the Print is an appropriate title for the new exhibit at Gallery 208 since artist Callie Farmer Goss uses traditional print making techniques as a platform to explore alternative methods. The result is an exquisitely delicate surface of patterns inspired by nature; depth is created by layers of transparent colors and the contrast of hard edge and softness.

Gallery 208 is excited to present an exhibit by an artist who has recently earned a Master of Fine Arts with an emphasis in print making before relocating into the region. A professional artist, Goss is excited about her solo exhibit at Gallery 208.

The exhibit is a mix of her newest works and works created during her graduate studies. Discussing the theme of the exhibit, Goss said, “Something that sets this body of work apart from past series is that this series also has a humanistic quality to it from the actual print making layers to the patterns having a ‘man-made’ quality. Combining various disciplines (painting and print making) and techniques on the paper matrix allowed for different ideas and artistic styles to come together as one.”

Visitors to Gallery 208 will see ways in which the artist’s earlier works incorporate the use of random patterns and a fluidity; while the patterns of the later work appear more intentional to create pictorial tension.

“By closely observing images in nature, new color palettes are revealed that are useful to represent the specific natural feeling I am expressing in my work,” she explained. “In addition to color, the textures and patterns that can be seen in nature have influenced my web-like patterns.”

Goss is exhibiting a few of her early works developed in a vertical scroll format — long pieces of paper hang like ancient tapestries to reveal a contemporary abstract environment and her personal response to nature. Goss noted she is constantly pulled to the organic and abstract within the world of nature and always intrigued by different shapes, forms, illusions and colors.

“I am pulled into the detail,” she said.

Like other prints, the scrolls are monoprints (one-of-a-kind images) instead of traditional print making editions (multiples of the same image) and predominantly built upon a relief matrix. To create these works, the artist uses the relief technique as a unifier. In the relief process, a surface is carved (linoleum, wood or some other rigid material). Using an inked roller, the ink is passed over the carved surface, the recessed areas are ink free. The ink is then transferred from the surface onto paper using firm pressure by hand or a distinct type of press. Goss is able to incorporate painterly and one-of-a-kind techniques in her work by a mixed-media approach — often adding gouache, intaglio and silk-screening in combination with the relief.

Looking at her creative works, one is easily pulled into the details, but also the distinctive type of nature she has created, which are inspired by hiking and camping. Finding her inspiration in the time she spends outdoors, her work embodies the discovery of the biological.

“With my love and experience of the outdoors, I am able to see the growth of layers in nature, how nature layers itself to build and rebuild,” she explained. “The growth of layers within the environment is similar to the layers of memories we have as human beings. I am able to find relationships within my own experiences and how various shapes, textures and colors are within the environment and how they trigger my own memories.”

Seeing through the transparent colors in all of her images is germane to the aesthetics of Goss’s work, while varying her approach in the ways she creates movement and rhythm. Some works evoke a sense of delicate forms floating from a soft breeze while other works are still delicate, but pictorial tension is created by a darker or hard-edge pattern holding the elusive in place. No matter what the composition or placement of the form(s), one never senses solitude or isolation, but rather a relationship between two or more entities.

Goss creates worlds within worlds. While looking at her prints, one can sense the bigger natural world we live in, but her work also evokes something in nature we have not yet discovered: She reveals it for us. It is as if we have discovered the beauty of a complex system as well as a type of nature we might find in a new universe, or our own if we would just look more closely.

As always, the public is invited to Gallery 208 to attend the opening and artist reception. Callie Farmer Goss: A Fresh Approach to the Art of the Print opens on Jan. 13 at 5 p.m. The gallery is located at 208 Rowan Street in the corporate offices of Up and Coming Weekly. The artist will speak at 6 p.m.

The exhibit will remain open until the end of February and gallery visitation hours are regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Photo: Gallery 208 hosts the opening of an exhibit by artist Callie Farmer Goss on Jan. 13 from 5-7 p.m. 

Most everyone knows who William Shakespeare is — not only because of his works, but also because he inspired so many other artists. The Sweet Tea Shakespeare organization is one such group of artists. The group makes live performances fun, inviting and educational to the community of Fayetteville. With help from Fayetteville State University and many other local organizations, Sweet Tea Shakespeare is able to host a diverse body of productions.

The Winter’s Tale is a well-known story complete with romance and drama. It’s not surprising as Shakespeare is known for works that include a forbidden love that ends in the tragedy of heartbreak. This play was one of Shakespeare’s last works, published in 1611.

The Winters Tale is Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s 10th main stage production. Its cast has a diverse group of actors. Jeremy Fiebig, the artistic director, said, “We started winter productions last year and had great success with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. We think The Winter’s Tale is a great fit, both for the time of year and as a great story after the rush of the holiday season.”

Shakespeare’s writing, like all 16th century writing, is written in old English. The English language builds with time and learning his works can help youth learn to express themselves, not only though writing but also in speech.

The three goals of Sweet Tea Shakespeare are:

1. To vitalize the performance of Shakespeare and other dramas.

2. To foster community and fellowship around the enterprise of theatre in outdoor and other beautiful spaces.

3. To provide exceptional avenues for artists and audiences of all backgrounds.

Sweet Tea Shakespeare encourages participation from all ages, recognizing that the involvement of children in theater is a great way to encourage creativity, while building the kind of confidence and self-esteem that come from being on stage.

The majority of the performers are from Fayetteville, with many of the actors being students at FSU.

“Last year’s winter show was one of our highest attended. We have a total of 11 showings over three weekends and look forward to a healthy crowd to join us at the Capitol Encore Academy building downtown,” said Fiebig.

“We have a small budget that’s generated from ticket sales and the generosity of the Arts Council and other donors,” Fiebig explained. “We put together our productions with these resources and with help from FSU and other local arts groups, volunteers and friends.”

Sweet Tea Shakespeare‘s house band, The Suspenders, will perform live music and refreshments will be served prior to the show’s beginning and during the brief intermission.

Tickets are $12 for general admission. To purchase tickets in advance, visit http://sweetteashakespeare.com or call (910) 672-1724.

Performances are Jan. 9-11, 16-18, 23-25 at 7 p.m. Matinees are on Jan. 17 and 25 at 2 p.m. All performances are at the Capitol Encore Academy, 126 Hay St.

Avery Hurt got her first guitar when she was 10 years old. It was a gift from her grandfather Wayne Canady, who is also a musician. At the time, Hurt didn’t think a lot about the guitar. But in the ensuing years, that guitar became very important to her.

Shortly after receiving the guitar, Hurt’s father, Master Sgt. David Hurt, a Green Beret with the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), was killed in action while deployed to Afghanistan. As Hurt struggled to find a way to deal with her grief, she turned to the guitar and used it and the songs that she wrote as an outlet for her grief.

“I was really very bad at expressing myself at that time,” said Hurt. “Music became my outlet. I didn’t play for anyone else. I would just go up to my room and play and work out how I felt.”

For several years, it was something she did just for herself but as her confidence grew, her mother, Kelly, let the cat out of the bag.

“Our church’s youth pastor started talking about putting a band together to play for the youth group,” recalled Kelly Hurt. “I told him that Avery could play and that maybe if he asked her, she would help out.”

The younger Hurt took that first step and started playing with the worship band on a weekly basis and she started writing more songs. She also put in extra work in school, and graduated from high school at the age of 16. With a plan to take on Nashville, Hurt wants to attend Belmont University.

Both she and her mom agreed that it would be better for her to wait until she turned 18 before heading to Nashville, which is giving her time to work on her music. To that end, her cousin, Lisa Ness, introduced her to Gary Fisher of Elderock Music, who was looking for someone to open Warrior Jam. Fisher saw Hurt’s potential and started booking her at live-music venues around the community.

Hurt has several venues she plays each month including 22 Kliks in Hope Mills, the Sandtrap and the Creek Bar and Grill in Gray’s Creek, the community in which she was raised. She also plays special events, weddings and other social events. Most recently, she played a fundraiser at the Creek to raise funds for her friend Josh Durden, a freshman at Gray’s Creek High School who is undergoing treatment for bone cancer. She plays an eclectic selection from country to Taylor Swift pop to Rehab to her own songs.

“I really would love to play somewhere every night,” she said.

On Friday, Jan. 9, she will play during half time at the Faytteville FireAntz Military Appreciation Night. If you catch her at one of her gigs, you will immediately know what keeps her grounded and moving in the right direction. Sharing the stage with Avery is her grandfather who plays the drums. Her mom and numerous cousins are in the audience. For Hurt, music is definitely a family thing.

Photo: Avery Hurt, a 17-year-old Cumberland County resident, is making her mark on the Fayetteville music scene.

On Dec. 4, 1956, something magical happened and rock and roll history was made. Sam Philips brought together Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for one of the greatest nights in rock and roll history. This is the only night that these four incredible musicians ever played together, and it was so magical that it has been memorialized for future generations through the Broadway musical The Million Dollar Quartet, which is coming to the Givens Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of North Carolina-Pembroke on Jan. 15.

“First time viewers will be blown away, especially because all the actors are also the musicians,” said Colte Julian, a musician who plays the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in the show. “A lot of times people have the tendency to ask ‘Whoa! Are they really playing that?’ and the answer is yes. We are really playing the instruments, Johnny Cash really is playing the guitar and Jerry Lee Lewis really is playing the piano.”

This is his first national tour, but he has performed with the Chicago show for four years.

Julian has a very personal connection and understanding of Jerry Lee Lewis.

“I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma and he grew up in a small town in Louisiana. We both started playing piano when we were little because we wanted to learn the instrument so we learned,” he said. “I played a lot of gospel in the church, and I love to play by ear. I loved to find the style of a musician, learn it, and then play a song in a new style, and that’s what Jerry Lee Lewis was really famous for. He took country songs and played them in a boogie style.

“We had a difference in education; he, of course, became famous when he was 21. But as far as being a country boy who learned to play the piano because he loved to play and melding country songs with blues style, I did that as a kid before I even knew who Jerry Lee Lewis was,” he continued. “But as I’ve played this part and learned about him, I’ve really come to respect him and his style.”

“I started learning piano when I was 9-years-old. My grandfather was a big fan of Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis and he introduced me to them,” Julian explained. “He said I was going to be the next Jerry Lee Lewis. I didn’t believe him, but here I am. “

This personal understanding of Lewis coupled with his experience playing the part creates an incredible ability to not copy, but to become the rock and roll legend.

“It was important that we (as a cast) don’t just mimic these men. We don’t say a specific word just because they said it, because they wouldn’t have necessarily done it the same way twice,” he explained. “Instead we have to find the essence of these performers and the style of that person.”

With his regional and now national experience, some would wonder if he gets bored with the show. But Julian explains that the concert-like nature of the show provides a great amount of variety. No two shows are the same. Julian’s natural love for this style of music also aids in inspiring his performances and avoiding performance ruts. So no matter how many times people have seen it, “No one will sit still. They will all be dancing,” Julian says.

Million Dollar Quartetis on stage one night only at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 15. For more information call 910-521-6287. Tickets range in price from $21 to $36. The Givens Performing Arts Center is located at 1 University Drive in Pembroke.

Photo: Million Dollar Quartet is coming to the Givens Performing Arts Center stage on Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

During the Christmas season a fresh fir or spruce looks magnificent decked out in lights and ornaments. The house smells refreshingly like a forest, and the season is full of bright evergreen beauty. At the end of the season however, when all of the decorations have come down, the inevitable question arises: What do I do with my tree? Bring it to the Grinding of the Greens!

The Grinding of the Greens is a Fayetteville tradition that takes old Christmas trees and recycles them. This year the project is a collaboration between the Fayetteville Public Works Commission, the City of Fayetteville and Duke Energy Progress. These organizations working together allow the community to take a resource that would otherwise be wasted, and use it to support local institutions. The first grinding of the greens took place in 1994, and it has grown ever since. The live trees are fed into large wood chippers and turned into mulch that is given to local parks

The Grinding of the Greens serves two great purposes for the community. First, it keeps the Christmas trees out of the landfill. Hundreds of live Christmas trees thrown into a landfill add up quickly. The landfill grows, resources are wasted and decomposition is hindered. Just keeping the trees out of the landfill is great for the environment. The Grinding of the Greens takes it even a step further and turns the trees into mulch that is distributed to the Fayetteville Community Garden and other local parks.

Besides adding a beauty and elegance to landscaping, mulch serves several very important functions in gardening. It traps moisture, which reduces the amount of water needed, helping to prevent drought. This reduces water waste, which is beneficial to the environment and helps to increase the resiliency of the plants. So, in the face of a drought, the gardens will remain beautiful and healthy without excessive watering. Additionally, as the mulch decomposes it also adds nutrients to the soil to help the plants thrive even more. Mulch also helps prevent the growth of weeds, which keeps the parks beautiful with less effort. Mulch is an incredibly important gardening tool, and creating it from a resource that would otherwise be tossed into a landfill is cost effective, environmentally friendly and beneficial for the entire community.

If you want to participate in the Grinding of the Greens, you can drop your tree off at the Fayetteville Community Garden before Jan. 10. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 10, volunteers from PWC and Duke Energy Progress will begin grinding the trees. All trees must be dropped off prior to this.

The garden is located at the intersection of Van Story and Mann Street. To make sure that the trees are ready for grinding, all decorations, lights, stands and trimmings should be removed. For more information visit www.faypwc.com/grinding_greens.aspx or call 483-1382.

Photo: The Annual Grinding of the Greens is slated for Jan. 10 at 8:30 a.m. at the Fayetteville Community Garden, which is located at the intersection of Van Story and Mann Street.

Saying Goodbye to 2014: Bring It 2015

2014 is winding down its last hours as I write this. The year will not go down as an example of one of our nation’s finest. In fact, most of us are happy to hasten it on its way out. And, we have good cause.

The past several months have been marked by growing racial tension in our country. The racial tension is fanned, in my opinion, by the media and by hate mongers who seek to profit from the misfortunes of others. Not that they have created the problem, they have just blown it out of proportion. Common sense and good judgment have flown out the window. In fact, 2014 may very well be the year that killed those two important qualities in our nation. That does not bode well for 2015.

In our own community, we started the year talking about race and the idea of profiling. With new leadership in the Fayetteville Police Department, we have tried to move past that. But every now and then throughout the year someone would make a charge, which was usually found false, of discrimination by our fine men and women who fill the ranks of the department. When common sense, good judgment and open government exist, these problems can be dealt with in a professional and legitimate manner, which does not include throwing rocks or improvised bombs or burning down buildings or vehicles.

It is my hope that 2015 will be the year that common sense and good judgment come back to life and become a common practice not only in our communities, but more importantly, in those who govern our communities, state and nation.

What also needs to return is civility in how we conduct ourselves. Respect for authority and respect for life have been noticeably absent in 2014. That was seen clearly in the assassination in New York. It was seen again in St. Louis, when a crowd attacked a policeman who was forced to shoot a young man who pulled a gun on him. And it happened again in Texas. When there is no respect for life, no respect for law and no respect for leadership, chaos reigns. We are better than that and it is my hope that in 2015 we will all realize that.

Many of us will make resolutions to improve some aspect of our lives, like health, finances or familial relationships. We make those resolutions with good intentions. We work hard at it the first couple of weeks and then we gradually go back to old routines and promise ourselves that next year we will do better.

Whatever you resolve in 2015, make it count. Make it matter. Don’t give up on it. Work a little harder. It takes 21 days to make a habit. So spend three weeks on your resolution, and then it’s a habit. You can do it.

In 2015, we promise to remain here, showcasing the best of our community, and when needed, pointing out what’s wrong. We will work hard to be your community newspaper, and we will exercise common sense, good judgment and civility in all that we do.

As you count down 2014, let it go without malice. Forgive. Let it go. Love. Most importantly, welcome 2015 with a clean slate. Happy New Year!

Now that 2015 is upon us, you may be thinking about making some New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps you’ll decide to take up a musical instrument, or hit the gym more often, or even learn a new language. All these are worthy goals, of course — but you could also gain some key benefits by working to achieve some financial resolutions.

Here are a few to consider:

Fill “gaps” in your investment portfolio. From time to time, you — or possibly your financial advisor, if you work with one — might identify “gaps” in your investment portfolio. For example, you might find that you are making insufficient progress on a key goal, such as saving for a child’s college education. Or you might discover that you need to place additional resources in a particular asset class to achieve proper diversification, which can help reduce the impact of market volatility on your portfolio. (Keep in mind, though, that diversification by itself can’t guarantee profits or protect against loss.) So put “filling portfolio gaps” high on your list of New Year’s financial resolutions.

Boost your 401(k) contributions.If your salary has gone up with the new year, consider boosting your contributions to your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan. You may not be able to afford to contribute the maximum annual amount — which in 2015 is $18,000, or $24,000 if you’re 50 or older — but if you increase your contributions every year, you can greatly speed your progress toward your retirement savings goals. You can put this New Year’s resolution into effect by contacting your human resources or benefits department as soon as you get back to work in 2015.

Eliminate “unhealthy” investment habits. As part of your general New Year’s resolutions, you may have decided to cut back on “carbs” and sugar-laced soft drinks, with the expectation that these moves could help your overall health. But you can also make “unhealthy” financial moves, such as chasing after “hot” stocks (which may already have cooled off by the time you find them) or selling quality investments just because their price has temporarily dropped. Strive to focus more intently on your long-term investment strategy, as opposed to reacting to short-term stimuli.

Review your estate strategy. During any given year, you might experience major changes in your life — marriage (or remarriage), new child, new home, etc. — and these changes will have profound effects on your estate plans. But whether or not you encountered any of these events in 2014, it’s a good idea to look over your estate planning documents — such as a will, living trust, power of attorney and so forth — to make sure they are still current with your wishes. It’s especially important to update beneficiary designations on your insurance policies and retirement accounts so that they are aligned with the wishes you have expressed in your will. And if you haven’t drawn up your estate plans yet, make a New Year’s resolution to do so in 2015 — because it’s never too soon to take the steps necessary to protect your loved ones in the future.

Unlike some New Year’s resolutions, these financial ones won’t require a big shift in your lifestyle. But if you can stick to them, they can make a big difference in your life.

Photo: The new year is a great time to take a look at finances.

Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) has a comprehensive program of study leading to an Associate Degree in Fire Protection Technology. The program of study is flexible, offering courses completely online or through the traditional classroom setting. The program is designed to provide individuals with technical and professional knowledge to make decisions regarding fire protection for both public and private sectors. The program also provides a sound foundation for continuous higher learning in fire protection, administration, and management. Course work includes classroom and laboratory exercises to introduce the student to various aspects of fire protection. Students will learn technical and administrative skills, such as hydraulics, hazardous materials, arson investigation, fire protection safety, fire suppression management, law, and codes.

In addition to the associate degree program, two other learning pathways are available in an effort to meet the needs of students and the fire service community: the High School Connections Program and a Program for Working Adults and Certified Fire Fighters.

High School Connections Program. Together with Cumberland County Schools through the High School Connections program, FTCC offers a certificate program which allows high school juniors and seniors to attend college-level courses at FTCC for two semesters, simultaneously earning high school and college credit for four classes—all tuition free! Upon graduation, students have the option to continue at FTCC to complete the associate degree program and then either work or transfer their associate degree to a 4-year college or university. Students who transfer to a college environment will find the FTCC transfer/transition process to be handled seamlessly.

Program for Working Adults and Certified Fire Fighters. Earnest Ward (FTCC Fire Training Program Coordinator) and I have outlined several courses within FTCC’s Fire Protection Technology program that will transfer curriculum credit hours from the Fire Academy and the Executive Fire Officer courses. A similar crossover credit is available for military firefighters. Firefighters have seen their hard work and training equate to course credits for Fire Academy graduation and other approved courses. Through this program, FTCC is able to improve the firefighter’s technical knowledge while also assisting them in career advancement and professional development. We at FTCC feel this is truly a win-win situation not only for us in our efforts to serve students but also for the firefighter who desires to attain a higher level of professionalism. All interested individuals, both local and distant, can participate, as the program can be completed online, an option particularly helpful to a firefighter’s work schedule.

Graduates of FTCC’s Fire Protection Technology program qualify for employment or advancement in governmental agencies, industrial firms, insurance rating organizations, educational organizations, and municipal fire departments. Employed individuals who complete the program should have opportunities for skilled and supervisory-level positions within their current organizations.

The faculty and staff at FTCC work hard to ensure that students’ learning experiences are enjoyable, meaningful, and successful. More information on the Fire Protection Technology Associate Degree program is available at FTCC’s website, http://www.faytechcc.edu/public_service/fip.aspx. I can be reached at (910) 678-0046. Get “fired up” today by visiting or calling FTCC to learn more!

Photo: In addition to the associate degree program, two other learning pathways are available in an effort to meet the needs of students and the fire service community: the High School Connections Program and a Program for Working Adults and Certified Fire Fighters. 

On Jan. 9, at 8 p.m., the Crown Theatre will play host to one of the nation’s hottest touring comics. Ron White is bringing his Nutcracker Tourto Fayetteville for one night only. This tour follows on the heels of the success White had with his A Little Unprofessional Tour that made a tour stop in Durham last year.

White described this show as being very similar to the ones that have been so popular and successful in the past.

“This is a full blown, Ron White, smack you in the mouth hour and twenty minutes of comedy, which is what I always do,” White said, while adding, “There will be a little bit of stuff from my last record, because people won’t let me quit doing it, and then tons of new stuff.”

White’s last album, A Little Unprofessional, was released back in 2012, and according to him, could very well be his last.

White said, “I don’t know if you will ever see another one. The real experience of the show is to see it live, there is really no reason for me to release it through television or an album. I doubt I’ll release another album. I have released five and that is more than most comedians have ever done. I don’t know that I will release another one, but I say that every time.”

For White, touring is his preferred way of life. He speaks very highly of his fans and is very grateful for the success they have given him.

“I never quit touring… I have been one of the top three highest grossing comics in the country for 11 years in a row,” he said. “People ask me when I am going to quit, since I am 58 now. I tell them that my fans will let me know.”

White concluded, “As long as they are still coming out, I’m still going to do it. I love doing this so much, I can’t imagine a life without that kind of interaction. It is very addicting to have that much attention from that many people while you are talking. It is a very tough thing to walk away from.”

Apart from his individual touring success, White found tremendous success in his past as a part of The Blue Collar Comedy Tour. The tour, which he did with fellow southern comedians, Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry The Cable Guy from 2000 through 2003 catapulted White to another level of success.

It was that tour that caused his now famous routine “They Call Me Tater Salad” to really became a hit with audiences.

When asked about the true origins of his “Tater Salad” alter ego, White shared, “The first person to call me Tater Salad was a guy named Ross Hoskins, when we were on the USS Conserver in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. We were having a family day on the ship and having a picnic on the front of the ship. Our cook was a horrible cook, but he made good potato salad. Actually, it was the ONLY thing I liked. On the ship, they boiled steaks; it was just horrible food. This guy (Hoskins) was down there at the picnic and they were eating all the potato salad because everything else sucked. So I called down to him and pleaded with him to come up to my station to relieve me before they ate up all that tater salad. From then on he started calling me Tater Salad.”

The origin of his Tater Salad nickname is not the end of the military connection for White, either. He is very outspoken in his support for the men and women of the armed forces.

White said that his latest endeavor for the troops will be out in the spring. White said, “I have been doing this thing called Ron White’s Celebrity Salute to the Troops. We are filming our fifth one for CMT in March. We are working to continue to bring awareness to the fact that this country is still at war. Those young men and women are our responsibility and that is something we need to live up to as a nation.”

Another set of trademarks of a Ron White show is his cigar and bottle of fine liquor that he partakes of while performing. That cigar and liquor, like his shows, have grown and improved as the years have gone by.

White talked about that evolution of his cigars and drink of choice, “Early on, the cigars tasted like cigarettes, because that’s what they were. From the very beginning I started with a beer and a cigarette because I couldn’t figure out what to do with my hands. Also, taking a sip or a puff was a great reason not to be talking, it’s a great pause. Then I went and quit smoking cigarettes and with the $70 a month I am saving, not smoking cigarettes, I’m now smoking $700 worth of cigars. I don’t even know what I am going to do with all that money I am saving by quitting cigarettes, I haven’t decided.” As for the types of cigars he smokes White noted, “I only smoke good cigars but I don’t smoke Cuban cigars. I would never do anything as Un-American as smoke a great cigar.”

His current drink of choice while onstage has evolved from the can of beer to his current first choice, Number Juan Tequila Extra Anejo; he owns the company.

When asked why fans should come out to the show instead of just popping in one of DVDs White said, “If you go to a show, it is more interactive than if you were seeing that show on television. The energy of the room is very contagious. It is easier to get caught up in it.”

White went on to say that, “If fans are familiar with my work and have never seen me live, it will be fun. White did offer up a warning about the content of the show as only he could in saying, “Don’t bring your kids to my show, and I won’t come to your house and cuss.”

Tickets for the show are available through Ticketmaster and the Crown Complex Box Office. Also, be sure to ask about the “200 Proof” VIP Experience and the “100 Proof” VIP Experience. Each package comes with premium seating, autographed DVDs and lots of other extras including a meet and greet after the show with White himself.

Photo: Ron “They Call Me Tater Salad” White brings his unique brand of comedy to the Crown Coliseum for an evening of hilarity.

What do brooms, boxes of matches, water barrels and heavy work boots all have in common? If you guessed they were some of the musical instruments for an upcoming show at the Crown Theatre, then you were correct.

On Sunday, Jan. 11, the Crown Complex will play host to the always unique and supremely successful touring show, Stomp; brought to the area by Fayetteville Live.

Ivan Delaforce is the current rehearsal director and a long time cast member of the American touring cast of Stomp. Delaforce joined the cast back in 1995 just as the show was beginning to tour in the United States.

“I like to call Stomp a concert … It is technically physical theatre, but it’s definitely music and that music came first,” Delaforce said describing the show. “When Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, the creators of the show, wrote (Stomp), they did it as musicians. I love calling it a concert because it is an hour and a half of just music. Some of it is loud and some of it is quiet. Once you see through the characters and the visuals, it is music.”

The visuals that Delaforce is speaking of are the result of the truly unique method that the creators of the show followed for creating the sounds. Instead of using traditional percussion instruments to generate the music, everyday household objects are used with a creative flair. When asked about how the various items are selected for a show Delaforce said, “The creators of the show decide what types of object goes into a number. There is a lot of stuff that seems cool and sounds a certain way, they are just geniuses at putting it together and making it visual and making some sort of a beginning and an end to it. Otherwise it would be us just banging on a bunch of different stuff. They pick the sounds and determine what is used based on what looks interesting.”

Delaforce continued, “We have a new number called ‘Trollies’, which we know in the states as shopping carts. They have incorporated that into the show. You wouldn’t think that they would sound great at all but it starts off being quiet and ends up being masterful and brilliant in the end. It is that kind of vision that the creators have to figure out how to make something like a shopping cart be awesome in the show.”

Stomp has been a selling out theatres in the United States since 1996, and the show has also produced a DVD and HBO special. Even with those TV and film adaptations out there, Delaforce still believes the live show cannot be missed.

He went on to say, “Like just about anything you have seen on TV, it is never the same as seeing it live. You might know what is coming and you might have watched it a million times, but to see a live performance, to see someone onstage doing it and to hear it… To hear and see the rhythms coming off the stage and to actually witness the cast making that music, when you are sitting there in the theatre, you are immersed in it.”

This show is one for the whole family to enjoy with comedy and music and amazing performers making music with everything except the kitchen sink; they will probably use that too. Tickets for the show are available through Ticketmaster and The Crown Complex Box Office. For more information go to, fayettevilleliveshows.com.

Photo: Stomp, the award-winning Broadway show will make a one night-stop in Fayetteville.