Keeping the Faith in Fayetteville, Our Nation and

the World

I have a lot of faith in God, America and humanity in general. I also believe that when day-to-day circumstances get too far out of sync we, as Americans, will endeavor to take just and proper action and get things back on track. Historically, that’s what true Americans do.

In the meantime, as we get bombarded with the news of unfortunate, sad, hurtful and hideous acts taking place in our hometown of Fayetteville, as well as in Ferguson, Mo., or the Far East, we must try to remember to  “keep the faith.” Many challenges abound causing us to question our faith, doubt ourselves, our local, state and national leadership and our very own traditional American way of life.

In view of this, we must remain strong and diligent by preserving American values and not allowing fear, apathy, racial tensions, social or governmental intimidation to weaken our resolve as a Christian nation.

Everyone seems to be asking: Is Christianity under attack? Well, in my opinion, yes, I believe so, and, not just by the murdering militant and radical Islamist tormenting the Mid East. Here in America, little by little, it seems the virtues of Christianity have been chiseled away to a point where we are almost becoming apologetic for our beliefs.

This is sad. Think about the events and revelations of the last several decades and how we have witnessed our nation and the world, nurturing unsurpassed levels of hostility, deception, dishonesty, crime, social injustice and governmental discourse all overshadowing Christianity and the Golden Rule. Well, I’m not a theologian, Bible thumper or even a consistent Sunday church attendee; however, I am a Christian who is quite capable of distinguishing good and bad and right from wrong.  And, since Christianity is based on these principles and those of us honoring and obeying God’s word with respect to honoring and respecting humanity, one can see where the belief in God could conflict, interfere and contradict the kind of subversive ideologies we find ourselves subjected to today.

Honestly, this is not a hard concept to understand. The reality is, of course, eliminate the Christian consciousness and, by doing so, you minimalize and eliminate personal responsibility for love, honesty, fairness, compassion or humanitarian action. What remains is exactly what we are experiencing today. Detached and unresponsive government, social and racial unrest, disrespect for human life, unbridled obsession with a “win at all costs” mentality, gross dishonesty and mistrust, blatant cheating, deception and a reluctance to hold people accountable, responsible or even to punish those who violate the principles of humanity and victimize the innocent.

When will it end? Who knows? Will it end? No doubt. I want to be a part of that awakening. In the meantime, if we must be at war, let’s all pray we are all fighting on the right side and for the right cause.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Photo: Eliminate the Christian consciousness and, by doing so, you minimalize and eliminate personal responsibility for love, honesty, fair-ness, compassion or humanitarian action.

Though summer may be coming to an end, 4th Fridayis in full swing. This family-friendly event puts all that downtown Fayetteville has to offer on display. There is a huge variety of entertainment, culture and shopping; resulting in something for everyone to enjoy on Aug. 22.

The Arts Council has brought incredible exhibits to the downtown area for decades. It provides a space for local artists to display their talents and ideas. This 4th Friday, the Arts Council has two events scheduled. Inside the building is a new exhibit on display titled Mediating Relevance: The Politics of Gender. This exhibit is designed to “investigate and question society’s position or perception on gender roles and otherness.” Outside the building, The Army Ground Forces Band Freedom’s Groove will perform. Both events begin at 7 p.m. and last until 9 p.m. The Arts Council is located at 301 Hay St. For more information visit http://www.theartscouncil.com/fourthmain.php.

Headquarters Library will offer a fun and educational event for all ages. The Cape Fear Mineral and Gem Society will put on a demonstration in the Pate Room from 7 to 8:45 p.m. They will have fossils, minerals and gems of all kinds to show and discuss. There is a demonstration about how to make cabochon gems on a polishing wheel. These gems are shaped polished as opposed to the typical style of faceting. Softer stones are generally used in this process. Refreshments are provided and handmade jewelry and stones are available for purchase. Headquarters Library is located at 300 Maiden Lane. For more information, call 424-4756 or visit http://host7.evanced.info/cumberland/evanced/eventcalendar.asp?ln=ALL.

This month, Fascinate-U will have an activity for parents as well as children. From 7 to 9 p.m. there is a certified car seat technician giving a free workshop on how to properly install a child’s car seat, and the importance of proper car seat safety. For children there is a free craft available. This month it is creating a “funky” self-portrait collage out of food. Admission is free for the evening and the interactive museum is open late. Fascinate-U is located at 116 Green St. For more information, call 829-9171 or visit http://www.fascinate-u.com/contact.php.

Hay Street United Methodist Church is participating in the fun this month by providing live music. From 6 to 7 p.m. the band Double Trouble will perform, with The Ash Breeze performing until 8 p.m. There is also a free fish craft for kids from 6 to 8 p.m. The church is located at 320 Hay St. For more information, visit http://www.theartscouncil.com/fourthmain.php.

There is also live music during the evening at the Market Square Coffee House. The music begins at 7 p.m. and will feature local talent. The coffee house is located at 106 Hay St. City Center Gallery and Books located at 112 Hay St. will also provide local entertainment from 6p.m. until 8 p.m.

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

  Downtown Fayetteville is packed with diverse restaurants offering varied and delicious food. The Fayetteville Downtown Alliance and the Downtown Fayetteville Restaurant Association have figured out just the way to showcase them. On August 20-22, the community is invited to join the Small Plate Crawl to enjoy a little taste of all of them and discover all the enticing dining options downtown has to offer.

Visit www.faydta.org, download a passport and prepare your palate. During the three days of the plate crawl, bring the passport to participating restaurants, order a small plate and enjoy. Get the passport stamped by three restaurants and become eligible for prizes. The plates cost between $5 and $10 and vary from place to place.

Pierro’s owner Michael Laurenceau is excited about this event and has come up with an enticing plate that includes caprese, bruschetta and a homemade meatball and crostini. “This is just a really fun way to show people how many great restaurants we have downtown,” said Laurenceau. “We are one of the bigger places downtown and sometimes when I ask people who come here if they have tried many of the other places, they are surprised to hear how many different choices they have for dining in downtown Fayetteville. This is a great way for them to see more of what downtown has to offer.”

“Each restaurant has its own flavor and your taste buds will be jumping with joy. It is a small sample of what each restaurant has to offer and a low-cost, fun way to build our customer base with people who may not normally eat downtown,” Anthony Jackson, the owner of Circa 1800, said. The hope is that a little taste will bring people back for more and introduce people to restaurants outside of their usual haunts.

Thanks to the dedication and hard work of many, over the past few years downtown has blossomed into an exciting and thriving place. The Small Plate Crawl encourages further growth, but also highlights the great things already present. “When you shop, eat, and live in downtown and visit the local shops they are all locally owned. Ninety percent of the time, you will meet the owners. This is where we live and work and we pour our hearts and souls into it. You won’t get that from chain restaurants. This will let people see what we put in - the passion - and taste good food in the process.” Jackson explained.

“We’ve been downtown for about eight years,” said Laurenceau, “and it has been encouraging to watch it grow. Things have changed a lot and I think that the more we can get people to see that the more they will come downtown and enjoy all the things we have to offer. Our establishment has done well enough that we were able to open another Pierro’s in Hope Mills this past January and we are excited to be a part of the good things going on downtown.”

Circa 1800 is one of the restaurants participating in the crawl. The restaurant prides itself on using as many local ingredients and products as possible. The bounty of North Carolina is truly on display here. The cuisine for the crawl is Southern-inspired, but much more than the plain fried chicken that comes to mind with the mention of the word southern. “We are trying to present Southern fine dining like you might find in Charleston or Savannah. We will have shrimp and grits with whatever is fresh for that day. We use local produce so our vegetable changes every week,“ says Jackson.

The small plates range from $5 to $10 and if anyone in the group orders a plate, everyone receives a “passport stamp.” “The plate will be a little smaller than an appetizer. If you bring five people in, it will be big enough for each of you to have a bite. One of the main things we want to get across is that a small plate is a small plate. It is not a meal, it is a sample of the restaurants,” Jackson said.

Each participant receives a passport to chronicle the experience. The passport is stamped at each restaurant they visit. Crawlers should leave their passport at the last restaurant they visit at the end of the three days. Those with stamps for two or more restaurants will be entered into a drawing. Winners will be notified by email. For more information or to download a free passport visit www.DTAFay.org. All restaurants begin serving at 11:30 a.m. and all but the Fried Turkey Shop will continue until 9 p.m. The Fried Turkey shop will end the crawl at 2:30 p.m.

There will be a drawing on Aug. 25, to see who will get the prizes. The prize packages include:

One night stay for 2 at Medaloni Cellars with Wine Tasting in the Chateau Bergeron (Cabin) http://www.medalonicellars.com/ ($500 Value)

• Movie Date Night from the Cameo (Tickets for 2)

• $100 Gift Card from Sysco

• $25 Gift Certificate for The Butcher and The Baker

• Brewery Tour from Railhouse Brewery in Aberdeen

• Cooking Class for 2 people at Sherefe’s

• Wine Class for 2 people at The Wine Cafe

The restaurants participating in the event include: Circa 1800- Opened in 2009, this restaurant provides a true taste of what North Carolina has to offer. Nearly all of their products are locally sourced, even the spirits. Their vodka, gin, beer, and rum all come from local legal distillers.

Huske Hardware- This establishment is a unique mix of a restaurant, pub, and brewery called a gastropub. Simplified, it means that there is great food and phenomenal beer. They carry five house brews year round and at least one seasonal brew.

Pierros Italian Bistro- The classic Italian fare and warm rustic atmosphere combine to create a relaxing and welcoming meal at any time of day. Whether stopping in for a glass of wine from the most diverse wine selection in Downtown Fayetteville, or a hand cut steak the experience will be fantastic.

The Wine Café-A glass of wine paired with slice of cheese is a classic and beautiful combination. The Wine Café elevates this experience by providing unique small batch wines from around the world and artisanal cheeses. They also have a unique interactive tasting experience that utilizes automated self-dispensing units for the wines.

The Blue Moon Café- Fresh skillfully prepared food and craft beer are the center of what makes The Blue Moon Café an incredible restaurant. What could surpass sitting on the spacious patio surrounded by the beautiful brick buildings of downtown Fayetteville enjoying a flavorful cold brew and a gourmet sandwich?

The Tap House- the Tap House is an offshoot of Huske Hardware. It offers the same high quality of food and brews in a more sports bar themed atmosphere. The food also has a more classic sports bar theme, but with the same high quality as with Huske Hardware.

Sherefe- Sherefe brings a taste of Greece to downtown Fayetteville. The bright flavors mimic the sun-filled beaches along the Mediterranean Sea and the fresh North Carolina produce makes it all the more flavorful. They also pride themselves on being vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free friendly.

Off the Hook- This isn’t your average taco joint; in fact, nothing they serve is average. They take incredible flavors and dishes from around the world and condense them into a stunning four-bite taco. Their combinations are unexpected and unique, but always delicious.

Marquis Market- Today there is coffee everywhere, but the question is, is it good coffee? The Marquis Market is dedicated to bringing the most authentic and delicious coffees from around the world to the public in a sustainable and responsible way. Their passion for quality is also exemplified by their diverse menu

A Taste of West Africa- A meal at Taste of West Africa is a journey. This honest home cooked food transports you to an entirely new culinary continent and tells a story of passion and commitment. The recipes and traditions are ancient, but the love and ingredients used to make them are fresh.

The Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop- Since 2008 the Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop has been providing the community with quality sandwiches of all kinds. Of course, the moist and flavorful fried turkey is the star of the menu, but their other options are crafted with the same care and passion. Every dish is a blue ribbon winner. This shop will be participating from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

“Umoja” is the Swahili word for “unity” and is one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Establishing a sense of community in Fayetteville is essential, so the Umoja Festival will be held on Saturday, August 23 from noon to 7 p.m., at the Smith Recreation Center and Seabrook Park.

“We started back in 1989 and decided to participate in Kwanzaa to celebrate African-American history, arts and culture,“ said Dorothy Fielder, director of the Umoja Festival. “We decided that we needed an activity in the summertime that had a cultural component so we started the Umoja Festival.”

Fielder added that the event will feature storytellers, clothing and food vendors, drummers, dancers and collard green sandwiches. There will be a special performance from E. E. Smith High School and Fayetteville State University’s bands.

One of the highlights of the festival is a special health component.

“We will have two health-wise things going on at the Umoja Festival,“ said Darvin Jones, community health coordinator of Cape Fear Valley. “One is a health fair with 30 local community-based organizations and the other is a health clinic.”

Prevention and early detection improves outcomes. Four years ago, Cape Fear Valley approached the Umoja group about adding a health component to the festival. More than 30 social agencies will display resources ranging from medication assistance to free mammograms. The health clinic involves people calling in to make an appointment for health screenings: cholesterol, EKG, blood pressure, lung functioning, BMI, HIV, dental and blood glucose readings. This year, UNC’s Kidney Education Outreach Program’s Mobile Outreach Unit is part of the clinic conducting kidney function screenings and the blood mobile will be there for blood donations.

“Kidney screenings are very important in Black America due to the high prevalence of high blood pressure, diabetes or family members who may have a family member on dialysis” said Jones. “It is important for them to get screened.” Jones added that a hands-on CPR station and free haircuts for the kids are available if you participate in the health screenings. Agencies such as Better Health, The Care Clinic, Barber Kings, Sickle Cell and many others are a part of the clinic. The African Physicians Association of Fayetteville will interpret the health screenings.

“Last year we had about 1,500 people come through the health fair and we screened more than 250 patients,” said Jones. “We helped more than 70 patients find medical homes for folks who had high blood pressure.”

Jones added that this is a great resource in helping people find everything from medical supplies to their medication.

“My goal is for 2,000 people to come to the health fair and at least 300 of them are screened,” said Jones. “We are so happy because knowledge is power.”

Health screenings will take place from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free parking is at Fayetteville State University’s Capel Arena parking lot. The hospital’s shuttle bus will transport individuals to the Smith Recreation Center. For more information, to make a donation, volunteer, or to set up an appointment for a screening, call 615-5465.

Back to School: Support Our Teachers

With the end of summer fast approaching it is time to start thinking about going back to school. Sure, the lazy mornings were nice for the kids. The trips to visit relatives, the weekends at the beach, the day-trips with grandparents and extended family to various points of interest were all fun. But we are ready to get back to a predictable schedule and the challenges and changes that come with every school year.

My family has our own version of preparation that includes back-to-school shopping, poring over class schedules, furious textingback and forth with friends to discuss said schedules, talks about expectations and extracurricular activities and attendance at a series of open houses and back-to-school nights. I can’t help but wonder how teachers across the country are preparing for the coming school year. As they attend workshops and prepare classrooms to receive the next generation of leaders, are they excited to meet the youngsters they will spend 180 days with this year? Are they fired up about the subjects they are going to teach? Do they feel supported by the school boards, administrators, parent teacher associations and other education-related groups? I’m sure it is different in every district, school and classroom. One thing I do know is that every day when I release my kids into their care, my expectations are high.

So it seems reasonable to me that I do everything in my power to help my kids succeed and to make the teacher’s job a little easier if I can. I like to believe that my offspring always get a good night’s rest, turn things in on time, study for tests, remember all their supplies and lunch money and play well with others. I’d be lying if I said we pulled it off every day without fail. Multiply that by the number of students in classrooms around the country and it is clear that teachers deal with much more than teaching every day and they are usually quite gracious and patient with kids and families who are truly trying to do their best to make sure the school year is successful.

If you are a teacher and you are reading this, please know that there are many thousands of parents who stand in awe of you and the amazing things you accomplish each day. Thank you for your long hours in and out of the classroom. Thank you for your patience, your commitment, your dedication to children. Thank you for the structure and color that you add to a child’s day and for taking on the responsibility of joining parents in turning our young people into healthy, responsible and productive citizens. I don’t know all the challenges and burdens you face. I do know that I could not do what you do and I am one of the many who stand in awe of you.

As our nation and our community scrutinize the current state of affairs in medical care for our vets, there is reason to take pride in other ways we have stepped up to better serve those who have bravely served our country.

At Fayetteville Tech, no fewer than 3,000 veterans have enrolled since 2012. That’s among the Top 5 veteran enrollments in the country and number one in the state for community colleges. Military Times has ranked FTCC as second highest on their list of Best for Vets for Career and Technical Colleges in 2014. The creation of the All-American Veterans Center (which recently held its grand opening on June 16) supports veterans as they transition to being successful students and employed graduates. The state-of-the-art, 3,500-square-foot All-American Veterans Center serves as a role model for other campuses seeking to support our returning and retiring military personnel.

A significant characteristic of FTCC’s Veterans Center is that it is managed and staffed by veterans. The one-stop-shop concept at the Center promotes not only certifying educational benefits but also connecting veterans with other support, whether or not the veteran is an FTCC student. The impact to the community represents an outreach to as many as 10,000 veterans in that FTCC’s center offers assistance to all veterans. Physical space within the Veterans’ Center is provided to the many daily volunteers who represent the DAV, American Legion, VFW, Patriot Outreach, Cumberland County VA, Fayetteville Workforce Solutions and N.C. National Guard. Partnerships have also been created with the local Wounded Warrior Project office, VAforVets recruiter, Kangaroo Express, Walmart, Home Depot, and several other local veteran-friendly businesses which support FTCC’s initiatives for veterans.

Perhaps the best measure of the center’s and FTCC’s success with veterans is our graduation rate. Of the 3,000 veterans enrolled since 2012, 987 graduated in 2012-13, and another 872 graduated this past May. Over this summer, FTCC saw a 9 percent increase in veterans’ enrollment over last year, prior to the creation of the center. And with a current growth of 3 percent projected for the fall, FTCC’s All-American Veterans Center is making a significant impact within our community by stepping up efforts to serve all veterans.

Engagement through networking with various agencies and companies and attending local meetings of other organizations, who strive to help veterans, helps to increase awareness about the Center and promote ways that various organizations can work together to do the most to help our veterans. Organizations involved with this networking include Community Blueprint, Veterans All-Call, Military family and child/Living in the New Normal, and other active duty spouse groups. The All-American Veterans Center offers résumé workshops, hiring events from local employers, academic and career counseling, and in-house tutoring from faculty. The center is equipped with a lounge with cable, a computer lab, a coffee bar, popcorn, and an employment resource center.

We invite you to visit the All-American Veterans Center located inside the General Classroom Building (Fayetteville campus, 2817 Fort Bragg Road) to see firsthand the unique extension of care, service and honor that Fayetteville Technical Community College is providing our veterans (thewesm@faytechcc.edu or (910) 678-8580).

Are you ready for this? September is National Preparedness Month. Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Preparedness Month seeks to educate Americans on preparing for natural disasters and other types of emergencies. But you’ll also need to prepare for unexpected events in many other areas of your life — particularly those events related to the financial security of you and your family.

Here are some of the most important of these events, along with possible preparations for them:

• Unanticipated early retirement. If you encounter a “downsizing” or other occurrence that results in the loss of a job, or even the end of a career, before you expected it, would you be able to avoid major disruptions to your lifestyle? To help prepare for such a loss of income, make sure to fully fund your IRA each year. The maximum contribution is $5,500 per year plus an additional $1,000 for those age 50 and older.

• Disability. Even a short-term disability can seriously harm your finances — and a long-term disability could prove devastating. Your employer might offer some form of disability insurance, but it may not be sufficient. So you may need to explore private coverage.

• Personal liability. If someone were ever injured on your property or due to some action of yours, you could face legal actions demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars. To help protect yourself, consider adding umbrella liability insurance.

• Changing family situation. Changes in your life — marriage, divorce, remarriage, children, stepchildren — can drastically affect your estate plans and the type of legacy you want to leave. To prevent unpleasant surprises for your family, make sure you periodically review beneficiary designations on your investment accounts, such as your IRA and 401(k), and work with your tax and legal advisors to update your estate-planning documents — will, living trust and so on — as needed.

• Outliving your money. Once you reach retirement, your greatest concern may be that you’ll outlive your money. To help prevent this from happening, create a sustainable withdrawal strategy — that is, determine how much you can take out each year from your investment and retirement accounts, and stick to this amount.

• Need for long-term care. You can’t predict whether you will ever need to enter a nursing home or require the assistance of a home health care worker, but one thing is for sure — these services are extremely expensive. Consider this: The national average for a private room in a nursing home is nearly $84,000 per year, according to a recent survey by Genworth, a financial security company. To help prepare for these costs, you may want to consult with a professional financial advisor, who can suggest appropriate solutions.

• Untimely death. Your absence could jeopardize your family’s financial security, particularly if you passed away while your children were still at home. To help ensure that your family could remain in the home and that your children could go to college, if they choose, make sure you have adequate life insurance.

Your passage through life will be filled with twists and turns, and you can’t always see what lies ahead. But you can ease your journey by preparing yourself for the unexpected.

  On Dec. 10, 2008, Fayetteville was the host to the Ultimate Fighting Championships’ “UFC: Fight for the Troops” event at the Crown Complex. The event was broadcast live on Spike TV free of charge, a rarity at the time. The event was put on by the UFC to raise money for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes fund and featured 10 fights consisting of competitors that were all high caliber mixed martial artists. The fighters that were used were all up and coming contenders that were determined to put on a good show for the men and women of the U.S. Army who filled the arena.

Since that 2008 UFC card, Fayetteville has been in a bit of a drought when it comes to having high-level MMA events come through. While the UFC has remained at the top of the heap, other national promotions have sprung up like: ElitrXC, Strikeforce, Affliction, Bellator,and a few others. Even with all of those promotions springing up, the city still seemed to find itself overlooked in getting the “big time shows.” The city did manage to attract and host a few smaller regional shows, like the recent FightLab show that came through, but the big national promotions seem to constantly skip over the Fayetteville area. All of that changes on Aug. 22.

On Aug. 22 at the Crown Complex, Titan Fighting Championships will hold its TitanFC 29 MMA event; the event will also air nationally on CBS Sports Network.

On that night, fans in attendance will see an undercard featuring local fighters like Blaine Thomas, originally from Laurinburg, and D’Juan Owens from Durham. Also on the card are MMA prospects on the rise, like Keith Johnson from Alabama, who look to inch their way closer and closer to the top of the sport. The top of the card will consist of matches between seasoned veterans of MMA Kurt Holobaugh and Lloyd Woodard who will fight for a future shot at the Titan Featherweight 145 title. Also UFC veterans Mike Ricci and George Sotiropoulos will fight against each other as they work towards their goal of getting back into the UFC. The main event of the night will feature a match between two MMA veterans, Ben “Killa B” Saunders and Jose “Pele” Landi-Jons for the Titan Welterweight (170lbs) Championship.

Jeff Aronson is the owner and driving force behind Titan Fighting Championships, or Titan FC as it is known by fans. Aronson purchased the promotion at the turn of the year, but his roots in MMA run much deeper. Aronson got his start in MMA in his teens training with Renzo Gracie’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in New York as a form of self-defense. Years later, Aronson would use his love for the sport to motivate him to partner with friends Lex McMahon, Nima Safapour and Hip-Hop music pioneer MC Hammer to form Alchemist Fight Management.

Alchemist Management would grow into a successful fight management company serving a large number of the top tier talent in MMA. Aronson proudly points out; “Alchemist Management is one of the largest and most powerful MMA management companies in the world.”

Why would a man like Aronson leave such a successful and powerful business to try and put on fights? For Aronson, the answer to that question is directly related to his time as a manager of fighters. “We (Alchemist) would sign all of this incredible, high-level talent and I would have nowhere for them to fight… Everybody’s aspiration was to get into the UFC, but if you are sub 5 fights, or let’s say you were a guy in the UFC that got hurt or you got cut, whatever the case maybe that the UFC released you, it was almost impossible for you to get back in because no one wanted to fight you. After dealing with this for some years now, I felt that it was time to create my own promotion to fill that need. Titan was a regional promotion out of Kansas City… I bought them and we did our first show in Kansas City, then one in Oklahoma and the next one is in Fayetteville.”

When asked why he chose to bring his fight card to Fayetteville when so many others had overlooked the area Aronson said, “I love the Fayetteville area, I love that Fort Bragg is right there. My longtime business partner is a retired Marine, we are alsopartners with the A HERO Foundation… we are very military oriented. So, with Fort Bragg being right there and with no major fights being in that part of the country for so long, we looked at it and said this is a natural, how can we not do this?”

Aronson also offered up the surprise, “Should this event go off like I think it is going to go off… I would like to make Fayetteville one of our primaries. Every six months or every year or something we do a show there.”

Aronson described what fans can expect from him and Titan, “I’m doing this for them (the fans). I’m putting on a card that is so stacked from top to bottom. Even if you are not a MMA fan and you are curious and you want to see a show live and you want to see an incredible sporting event live, this is something you should go see. This truly is for the fans and I hope that everybody comes out and supports us. I think it is going to be a blockbuster event. We are going to be doing giveaways and all kinds of fun stuff leading up to the fights. I hope that everybody comes out in support so we can do shows in Fayetteville all of the time.”

Welterweight title contender and main event fighter Ben “Killa B” Saunders sums up why fans should come out in saying, “If you have never seen a live MMA show, this is definitely one to go to. The entire card is stacked with studs; UFC veterans, Bellator veterans… It is a very high quality show that Titan is putting on. If you need an introduction to MMA, this is definitely the show to go to.”

Tickets for the event are available through Ticketmaster and at the Crown Complex Box Office.

Photo: The Titan FC 29 is set to bring a smack down to the Crown. It’s an event MMA fans won’t want to miss.

Being active is important to being healthy. Having fun and helping a great cause is a plus! Better Health of Fayetteville is hosting its first ever, Diabetes…Dodge It! For Better Health Dodgeball Tournament. The tournament will take place Saturday, Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. at Freedom Courts Sportsplex on Gillespie St. in Fayetteville.

Founded in 1958, Better Health is a nonprofit, charitable organization and relies upon local foundation, community and donor generosity for its funding. Better Health is dedicated to bridging gaps in healthcare services for Cumberland County residents by providing: diabetes awareness, education and self-management programs, childhood obesity prevention and education, loans of medical equipment and financial assistance for emergency medical needs.

Judy Klinck, Better Health executive director, said that she has had many verbal confirmations of participants, and if everyone saying they’ll be there comes, there will be a huge turn out. If it is successful, Better Health will continue to plan this event annually.

“This event fits our mission very well. We want people to know that exercise and fitness can be fun with the added bonus of improving their health and lessening their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. No experience is necessary; we want people of all skill levels to come out and play,” said Klinck.

The proceeds from the tournament will go specifically to diabetes awareness programs within Better Health. There are two divisions: middle school students and adult/open. The team registration fee is $100 for six players with up to three substitutes. Individuals who are not involved with a team but would like to participate can register for $25 and will be placed on a team. Pre-registration is suggested and those who registered before August 8 are guaranteed a tournament T-shirt(6 per team, 1 per individual). The winning team in the adult/open division will take home $500 in prize money, while the top middle school team will receive $250.

Here’s a quick primer on the rules if you aren’t read up on them:

The Game

The object of the game is to eliminate all opposing players by getting them “OUT”. This may be done by:

1. Hitting an opposing player with a LIVE thrown ball below the shoulders.

2. Catching a LIVE ball thrown by your opponent before it touches the ground. Definition: LIVE: A ball that has been thrown and has not touched anything, including the floor/ground, another ball, another player, official or other item outside of the playing field (wall, ceiling, etc)

Boundaries

During play, all players must remain within the boundary lines. Players may leave the boundaries through their end-line only to retrieve stray balls. They must also return through their end-line.

The Opening Rush

Game begins by placing the dodgeballs along the center line – three (3) on one side of the center hash and three (3) on the other. Players then take a position behind their end line. Following a signal by the official, teams may APPROACH the centerline to retrieve the balls. This signal officially starts the contest. Teams may only retrieve the three (3) balls to their right of the center hash. Once a ball is retrieved it must be taken behind the attack-line before it can be legally thrown.

Timing and Winning a Game

The first team to legally eliminate all opposing players will be declared the winner. A 3-minute time limit has been established for each contest. If neither team has been eliminated at the end of the 3 minutes, the team with the greater number of players remaining will be declared the winner. Details on overtime can be found in the NADA Rule Book.

Get your friends together, create the dream team and do something different to make a difference. For more information, please visit betterhealthcc.org or call (910)-964-3069.

Since the Precious Jewels and their raging appetites — not to mention the equally voracious hungers of their 20-something chums — have left the nest, I have had to adjust. Some days I open the fridge to find not much more than limp greens, half and half for my coffee and shelves of condiments, some of which might be old enough to vote.

In other words, less is actually less.

So what do I do on those occasions? I do what you likely do as well. I jump in Station Wagon #7 and head for the neighborhood grocery store. If I am really organized, I take a list of items that would make my fridge and my cabinets more appealing to all concerned, including me.
This is easy for most of us because we have convenient transportation and do not live in food deserts.

Say what?

Food desert is a relatively new term, apparently coined in a 1995 British nutritional task force report and referring to “populated areas with little or no food retail provision,” meaning areas where people live but have little access to fresh food. There may be convenience stores and fast food outlets but no real groceries, supermarkets or famers markets. Quality food access becomes even more of an issue if you are a young child, disabled or elderly or if you have no transportation, which makes even getting to what food is available a problem.

The result is that even when people understand healthy eating and want to do that, there is little opportunity, and their diets and overall health suffer for that lack.

There are basically two kinds of food deserts — urban and rural. Urban food deserts are defined as no retail supermarket within a mile of one’s home, and rural food deserts have none within 10 miles of one’s home.

 From my house in the Haymount section of Fayetteville, that would mean no grocery store between home and downtown or home and Raeford Road and Purdue Drive. Blessedly, there is one, and I am there several times a week but it would be a definite hike if I had to walk it and then carry my groceries home. If we pretend for a moment that my house were in a rural food desert, that would mean no supermarket between my house and almost Hoke County. There is no way I could get there without my car, much less get the goodies home.

So why do we have food deserts?

There are many reasons, and they are largely economic. Groceries and supermarkets, as wonderful and healthy as they may be, are at their core businesses, which must be profitable to survive. They need to be in areas with enough people to buy their food and in areas where people can afford their food. The cold, hard and unfortunate truth is that fresh healthy food is more expensive than processed, packaged food. Hence, supermarkets tend to be in suburban neighborhoods. In addition, there are sometimes issues of cultural differences, crime rates and others that discourage supermarkets from locating in certain neighborhoods, which contributes to the creation of food deserts.

The Internet is loaded with sites showing food deserts all over the nation, including in North Carolina. While I have lived in urban or suburban locales all my life, this is certainly something I would look at before I decamped to a rural area or an urban center with which I was not familiar. The U.S.

Department of Agriculture is a good place to start.

Food deserts are one of the reasons I have followed the long-running saga of farmers markets in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. With no permanent home identified, different markets are popping up in various parts of our community — Murchison Road, Ramsey Street and elsewhere, along with the more established one in downtown. While they are small and seasonal, they are also opportunities for local residents to buy locally grown and produced fruits, vegetables and occasionally meats. There is also at least one home delivery service available in our community. The additional products offered in these venues, including homemade baked and canned goods as well as crafts, are bonuses.
No one has come up with a solution to food deserts, but it is clear that the answer lies in being able to distribute quality foods at affordable prices to people who live in rural areas and to those who are not particularly mobile or who lack transportation.

So, why should people who do have transportation and who do live in proximity to groceries and supermarkets with fresh, high-quality food worry about food deserts? Why should people like you and me care about this? It should matter to us because poor health affects all of us in higher medical costs and in a less productive and prosperous community.

If fresh, high-quality food is available, I believe that most people will try to do the right thing for themselves and their families.

Over the past several months, good news about military healthcare has been hard to find. That is particularly true here in Fayetteville, where not only the Fayetteville VA but also Womack Army Medical Center has come under harsh scrutiny for patient care and wellness.

That has left many in the community skeptical. I have friends who are literally afraid of getting sick because they don’t want to go to Womack. One of my friends thinks she has a gall bladder problem, but she won’t get it treated because she is afraid of being treated at the hospital.
We joke about it, but somewhere, deep down inside, there is a grain of truth in our jokes. So, let me share a personal story with you that may aleviate some fears.

Last Saturday was a good day. The sun was shining. My boy was playing baseball. It was the kind of Saturday you put in a memory book. We ate cheeseburgers for dinner and watched television as a family. For once, we all went to bed early. Sounds peaceful, right? Around 11 p.m., I was roused from sleep by terrible pain — ungodly pain — quickly followed by extreme gastric distress. I spent the majority of the night throwing up and alternately praying for death. Somewhere in the midst of that, I jumped on webmd and diagnosed myself with an appendicitis. Around 7 a.m., I told my husband we had to go to the hospital.

“Do you want me to just take you to Cape Fear?” he asked.

“No,” I said. “Take me to Womack.”

On the drive, which was extremely painful, thoughts of Womack’s woes ran through my head. But then all of the excellent care I have personally been given at the hospital quickly chased my doubts away. I may be the only person to say this, but I have never had less than excellent care at the hospital — getting to it may be frustrating — but once I’ve seen a doctor, I have been satisfied.

We got to the Emergency Department, which is under renovation, and made a circuitous route to the door. There are no signs telling you what to do and we were barked at by the man at the front desk to stand along the side wall. A customer service class could be in order. Once I was registered and triaged, I was taken directly to the back. The inital staff interaction was awesome. I was given meds to alleviate my nauseousnous and pain meds to take care of the pain. A care plan was quickly devised.

And then everything stopped. We were in the ER for eight hours. Part of the time was waiting on testing and I’m not sure what the other part was because no one was talking to us. I saw a friend who was working on another pod and got her to check on my status because the three nurses assigned to me were not communicating with me. At one point I told one of the orderlies I felt like they had forgotten me. And that’s the worst thing that happened to me while I was there.

I was moved to 2 North, where I was treated with great care and respect by the staff. They answered my every call and even did their best to make me not afraid. They were caring, dedicated healthcare providers. I have nothing but good to say about them and the care they provided me during the night and morning leading up to surgery and the night after surgery before my release.

My surgeon, Dr. Perkins, was a consummate professional who informed me at every turn where we were and what was going on. I had no fear knowing that she would be operating on me.

So here’s your good news story. I’m here. I’m writing this one week to the day I entered the hospital. Let’s be honest. Womack’s rates are better than most civilian hospitals. It is unfortunate that the hospital has been dragged under the microscope by the VA’s woes, thus making anything that happens there a big deal. So here’s the big deal, there are caring, professionals at work there every day. They will take care of you. Don’t be afraid.

Director/screenwriter Scott Derrickson piqued my interest way back in 2000 with Hellraiser: Inferno and won my heart with Sinister in 2012. The Exorcism of Emily Rose didn’t do much for me, but a whole lot of people really seemed to like it. He’s done some other odds and ends — including the execrable Day the Earth Stood Still remake. 

 

Deliver Us From Evil (118 minutes) seems more like an Emily Rose afterthought than an extension of his existing body of work. Possibly this is because Derrickson actually wrote Deliver Us From Evil more than ten years ago — before the successful release of Emily Rose. After reading some interviews, it seems that after the success of that film and the success of his indie horror Sinister two years ago, he was able to re-write his original script to take advantage of an expanded budget, not to mention incorporating some new perspectives on horror.

 

The film is based on Beware the Night, a memoir co-authored by NYPD Sergeant Ralph Sarchie and journalist Lisa Collier Cool. Depending on your belief system, you might take the “memoir” designation more or less seriously. Sarchie wrote the source material after his retirement, and discusses anecdotes that span more than a decade. Deliver Us From Evil, on the other hand, compresses the accounts into a shorter time span, ties them together with a central demonic thread and takes a number of liberties with the story. While the narrative does touch on his relationship with the demon-fighting Bishop McKenna (Father McKenna in the film), there is no mention of his partnership with famed paranormal investigators, the Warrens, at all. That might get picked up in a sequel, but judging by the box office and critical reaction there’s not much chance of a sequel getting made. 

 

Sergeant Sarchie (Eric Bana) is a police officer and he’s burnt out, possibly because he suffers from some sort of sunlight-deprivation depression. You see, it rains a lot in the movie version of The Bronx and he works nights. During a patrol he and his partner — wait — is that — Joel McHale from The Soup and Community playing his partner? It is. Well that’s just distracting. Anyway, they respond to a call and wind up wrestling with an abusive spouse. This case is the first in a line of increasingly disturbing calls.

 

Eventually, the guys end up in the Bronx Zoo. Interestingly, at least to me, this is the first movie filmed on location in the zoo since 1980’s Altered States. Hijinks ensue, and they eventually find a woman on her knees clawing desperately at the earth. It’s seriously creepy. Back at the station, Sarchie meets Father Mendoza (Edgar Ramirez). In an amusing twist, the Father is an ex-junkie who drinks, chain-smokes, does topless push-ups and checks out women in bars. I guess you’d call him a progressive?

 

Sarchie continues to track down leads and finds himself coming full circle, connecting the woman at the zoo to a dead body in somebody’s basement, and finally back to the domestic abuse case that opened the film. 

 

Overall, it was a letdown after Sinister, but not entirely unenjoyable. If movies like The Conjuring are your thing, give it a try. 

The room is dark and quiet; students furtively work on the computers in front of them. On the screen is a form of a person, and with a few clicks, the form on the screen can move its shoulders, and its arms and hands. This is a scene from the Introduction to 3D Animation class that was offered to youth during FTCC’s Summerscapes program. Summerscapes is an annual program made up of a variety of classes created specifically for children ages 8-18.  Topics include academics, art, cooking, music, photography, and sewing. The program has been expanded this summer to include new technology classes (Introduction to Programming with ALICE, 3D Animation, and Making a Game with Gamemaker). These classes were developed by FTCC’s Continuing Education Division and Simulation and Game Development faculty. FTCC realized a need for technology classes in their summer program, with teens developing a growing interest in the creation of video games and computer games.  What better way for teens to be introduced to these concepts than through use of professionals in the field! These classes are designed to introduce pre-teens and teens to 3D animation concepts through simple computer applications. FTCC has the most current equipment and software to maximize the students’ learning experiences during these short introductory classes. Students who have taken these classes have a newfound understanding of programming and animation concepts and may even become experts in the Simulation and Game Development industry one day! Work has already begun on expanding the program for next summer to include Computer Building and Motion Capture classes. 

 

The Summerscapes program at Fayetteville Technical Community College begins each year in June and runs through the middle of August. The community college can offer these self-supporting courses only during the summer, so be sure to take advantage of these enjoyable, inexpensive learning opportunities for your child next summer! Youth ages 8-18 can get involved in fun classes at FTCC to express their creativity while they discover new talents. Classes are taught by highly motivated and trained instructors who provide a positive learning environment. Whether your child enjoys art, photography, cooking, yoga, music, reading, or technology, FTCC Summerscapes offers much to choose from. Although Summerscapes 2014 is coming to a close, we are already making grand plans for the 2015 course schedule, which comes out in early March of 2015. While the program has ended for 2014, we are already under way with planning for the next awesome summer here at FTCC!

 

Won’t you plan now to join us for next year’s Summerscapes program at FTCC?  It offers a unique summer educational (and enjoyable!) experience for teens.  To learn more, please call 910-678-8309 or e-mail baugharc@faytechcc.edu.  For a complete listing of Continuing Education classes available at FTCC, please visit our website at www.faytechcc.edu/continuing_education.

The playoff chase hits the home stretch this week at The Swamp as Fayetteville SwampDogs look to keep the ball rolling with another exciting and busy week of baseball. But of course, at J.P. Riddle Stadium the game is not the only exciting thing going on.

This week as always, The Swamp is the place to be for a fun time for all members of the family.

 

It all starts on Wednesday, July 30, against the Morehead City Marlins at 7:05 p.m. The SwampDogs will look to capture the luck of the Irish on Summertime St. Paddy’s Day! The first 500 fans in attendance 21 and over will receive a souvenir worthy of a river dance, courtesy of our friends over at Healy Wholesale.

 

Don’t forget that morning to head out to Dunkin’ Donuts for Wake Up Wednesdays to meet SwampDogs players and FunGo! Remember, America — and the SwampDogs —runs on Dunkin’.

 

The fun continues on Saturday, August 2, as the SwampDogs host the Columbia Blowfish at 7:05 p. m. Don’t miss your last chance of the summer to see Fayetteville’s best fireworks show, taking place at the conclusion of the game. You’re not going to want to miss out on the very special fireworks extravaganza, everyone in town is sure to be talking about it.

 

That night will also be fan appreciation night, with giveaways and prizes being handed out all night long.

 

Monday, August 4, will be your last chance of the regular season to watch the Dogs, as they play a doubleheader against the Florence RedWolves starting at 6:05 p.m. on Back to School Night. Come cheer on the SwampDogs as they make their final push toward the Pettit Cup Playoffs.

 

Don’t forget that game will be the final Mug Monday of the year. On Monday home games, fans purchasing a 16 oz. souvenir mug will get free entry into the Miller Lite Liberty Lounge. The Mug is reusable for the rest of the season, and will get fans free access to The Lounge during every Monday home game.

 

Once you are in the Miller Lite Liberty Lounge enjoy $1 beer, burgers and dogs, $2 wine and free popcorn, peanuts and soda while watching the game from some of the best seats in the house. It’s a great deal, any day of the week.

 

Make sure to make your way out to The Swamp this week for all this — plus a few surprises. It is sure to be affordable fun for the entire family.

 

Like the team on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoSwampDogs, follow the team’s Twitter and Instagram accounts at @GoSwampDogs and keep updated on highlights, player interviews and much more at www.youtube.com/GoSwampDogs. 

 

For tickets to all of these great games, for more information call the SwampDogs offices at 426-5900. You can also check out the team website: www.goswampdogs.com.

 The Annual Kidsville News!-Knights of Columbus Charity Golf Tournament in Memory of Luther J. Stultz will take place on August 15 at King’s Grant Country Club. The Knights of Columbus Cardinal Gibbons’ Council 2838 are proud to host the 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. The proceeds from this tournament will benefit Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation and K of C Operation L.A.M.B. program. 

The event is held in memory of Luther J. Stultz the past state master and state deputy of the Knights of Columbus who was an incredible leader and advocate of Operation L.A.M.B.  

 

Operation L.A.M.B. is a charity created by the Knights of Columbus to benefit citizens with Intellectual Disabilities. Since its inception in 1974, the Operation L.A.M.B. of North Carolina has raised millions of dollars to assist citizens of North Carolina. K of C Fayetteville Council 2838 will use half the proceeds from this tournament to provide financial support to local agencies and organizations in the Fayetteville area that provide services for the mentally handicapped. 

 

Kidsville News! established in 1998, is a nationally acclaimed and award-winning literacy and educational resource newspaper provided free each month to all K-6 grade children in Cumberland County and Ft. Bragg. As a classroom resource, Kidsville News! promotes reading, education, healthy lifestyles and good character development in young people. 

 

Kidsville News! has a proven 16-year track record as a valuable reading and educational resource serving young children, teachers, parents and guardians.With publishers in ten states, a monthly circulation of more than 600,000 and a readership of 1.4 million, Kidsville News! is the fastest growing children’s publication in the nation. Kidsville News! is aligned nationally with the Common Core Curriculum Standards and is currently used by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for reading assessments and end-of-grade testing. Kidsville News! is recognized nationally as a quality children’s publication by the Parents’ Choice Foundation and received the National Parents’ Choice Award in 2008 and 2012. Each Kidsville News! publication has its own interactive website, teacher/parent worksheets and online electronic version (with free subscriptions) adaptable for use on class-room white boards, computers and tablets. 

 

The proceeds from the tournament that go to the Kidsville News Literacy & Education Foundation will be used to support the organization’s mission, which is to improve literacy, education and character development among America’s young children by providing support for various early literacy and learning-based initiatives. Half the proceeds from this tournament will support literacy and education in Cumberland County.

 

Golf Chairman Bob Testa noted that the tournament will have a Captain’s Choice format. You can bring your own team or sign up as an individual. Teams will be made up accordingly. All different skill levels, children, ladies and gentlemen are all welcome. The entry fee is $65.00 per person and that includes green fees, cart, range balls, meal after play, on-course refreshments and plenty of prizes. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. You can even win a new car provided by Powers-Swain Chevrolet if you make a hole in one on a selected Par 3. The event is sponsored by Coca Cola Consolidated, Fayetteville Family Chiropractic, Healy Wholesale Co, Inc., Powers-Swain Chevrolet, K of C Fayetteville Council 2838 and Up & Coming Weekly. Hole sponsorships are available for individuals, companies and organizations for only $100. For more Information or questions contact: Robert Testa at 910-691-4526 or email him at rtesta317@aol.com. 

Music plays an important role in the Army. Not only does it lift the spirits of soldiers abroad and at home, it also acts as a bridge between the military and the rest of the nation. Simply put by Capt. Dae Kim, the commander and conductor of the Army Ground Forces Band, “We are the musical ambassadors of the American combat soldier.” The Army Ground Forces Band has fulfilled this role since its inception in 1845 in a city known for its music, New Orleans. The band is now stationed at Fort Bragg and has played numerous shows in the surrounding area, such as the performances in the upcoming Summer Concert Series in Festival Park. 

 

On July 31, the Loose Cannons, an ensemble of the Army Ground Forces Band, will perform at downtown’s favorite music venue. The Loose Cannons have performed for deployed troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom, but the ensemble’s incredible skill and energy put them right at home in any venue. “The Loose Cannons are our more rock/pop group. They perform the newer songs, more like the top 40 of the last five years, but they are also very versatile and if they get requests they can do that,” Kim said. The group also performs country, R&B, and Hip Hop. 

 

On August 14, the Jazz Guardians will perform at Festival Park. As the name suggests, this amazing group of musicians has a special interest in promoting and preserving Jazz. They perform the works of many of the great classic Jazz musicians,and have been featured in Jazz Festivals across the nation. “The Jazz Guardians are more of our big band set. They can cover everything from all of the jazz legends and big band songs from the early 40s like Glenn Miller and other pre World War II artists to modern big band songs of today. They are very versatile and perform from Jazz to Funk, but stop just a little before pop,” said Kim.

 

August 28 is the concert series finale and the Army Ground Forces Concert Band will perform. This is one of the largest and best groups the Army has to offer. It has received the Col. George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence for Military Concert Bands twice and has performed in notable halls across the nation. The band’s performances include varied contemporary and classical pieces. It includes “everything from orchestral transcriptions, marches, instrumental and vocal solos to popular tunes and patriotic music.”

 

The passion that these men and women have for their craft is what truly makes these performances incredible. Every performance is overflowing with energy and excitement that inevitably spills into the crowd. Kim expresses his own excitement for being part of the Army Ground Forces Band by saying, “As my predecessor said, this is the best job in the Army, truly. These people are soldiers who just happen to be world-class musicians. They come into the Army with these skills and then use them on behalf of the Army. But probably the best part would be working with these amazing soldiers daily to communicate the Army message.”

 

The Loose Cannons perform on July 31 and the Jazz Guardians perform on August 14. The series finale takes place on August 28. All of the performances are at 7 p.m. in Festival Park and are part of the Summer Concert Series. For more information on the band visit http://www.forscom.army.mil/band/default.htm.  Festival Park is located at 225 Ray Ave. 

Think you have troubles? Tired of unrelenting waves of ugly news? Wars and rumors of war abound in Gaza, the Ukraine, the Kardashians and the Republican Party. Putin on a happy face. At least you are not Medusa. Today we stroll down memory lane to visit our old pals, the ancient Greeks, to ponder if there is anything we can use from mythology to make our vale of tears a little bit less damp.

 

If someone else has it worse than you, that can be a comfort. Cheer yourself up by contemplating the troubles that faced Greek Mythology’s Bachelorette Number 1, Medusa. When you think of Medusa, and admittedly she doesn’t get much thought these days, most will remember her as a lady with some beauty issues and fly-away snake hair. Medusa wasn’t always ugly. She started out as a pretty young thing. She came from a close knit family, her Dad Phorkys and her mom Ceto were brother and sister. Medusa and her two sisters were Gorgons. Being a Gorgon is like being a Hatfield in West Virginia. The mists of history hide whether Phorkys was the original inspiration for the great 1982 movie, Porky’s, but the spelling of the names is too close to be a mere coincidence.

But back to our story. Medusa’s first job was as a priestess in Athena’s temple. As a priestess she took a vow of celibacy so she would never force her employer to buy her birth control pills like the Hobby Lobby situation. Unfortunately for Medusa, she caught the eye of Poseidon who was the God of the Sea. One day, while Poseidon was on shore leave, he wandered up to Athena’s Temple to chill out with the home boys from Olympus. Medusa was doing all those Vestal Virgin things that the temple beauties do. Poseidon started chatting her up. Having been out to sea for a long time, Poseidon had developed a hankering for some female companionship. Medusa fell for him like a ton of grape leaves because Poseidon had a smooth line of patter. Poseidon actually looked like a Greek God because he was a Greek God.

 

One thing led to another. Medusa threw caution, her vows of celibacy and her vestal garments to the winds. She ended up making whoopee with Poseidon. This situation did not sit well with Athena. She was not happy one of her virgins had broken her vow of celibacy thus exposing her Temple to Hobby Lobby and Obamacare. Poseidon suddenly remembered some urgent business he had with a flounder. He scrammed back to the sea leaving Medusa to face a very cranky Athena. It is never a good idea to torque off a Greek Goddess or the Ladies of the Altar Guild.

 

Athena whipped out some magic and turned Medusa into one ugly mother. Medusa’s beautiful blonde hair became poisonous snakes. She uglied up Medusa’s face turning it green and more frightening than an audit letter from the IRS. Her baby blue eyes became blood shot and creepy. This naturally freaked Medusa out. Medusa high tailed it out of Athena’s Temple never to return. She was so ugly that if anyone looked at her they would turn to stone. That is more than passing ugly.

 

Her transformation from beauty to beast was not good for Medusa’s personality. She became withdrawn and suffered social anxiety disorder. Perseus was drafted to kill Medusa which was not an easy task. If Perseus looked at her he would turn to stone. Cleverly, Perseus held up his mirrored shield and looked at the reflection of Medusa when he chopped off her head. Poseidon had gotten Medusa in the family way. When Perseus removed her head, Pegasus, the winged horse and future symbol of Mobil Oil Company, jumped out of her body. Perseus flew around on Pegasus with Medusa’s head on his shield doing drive-by stonings, turning his enemies to granite. Medusa’s head dripped blood all over the place. Snakes formed wherever her blood fell. Perseus eventually gave Medusa’s head on the shield to Athena who kept it as a knick knack on her mantle.

 

So if current events are depressing you, don’t worry. It could be worse. You could be Medusa. Even if you are having a bad hair day, your split ends aren’t as bad as Medusa’s. Medusa is now on the state seal of Washington and Colorado echoing Bob Dylan’s immortal lines, “Everybody must get stoned.” 

My heart aches for Valerie Macon, and I have never laid eyes on the woman.

Macon is the state worker plucked from obscurity by Governor Pat McCrory earlier this month and named North Carolina’s eighth Poet Laureate. Her credentials are two volumes of self-published poems. In addition, her website, which has since disappeared, claimed she had been named a Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet, when she had actually been part of a program to be mentored by such a poet.  

The Governor confirmed that he and his staff had not followed the customary procedure consulting with the North Carolina Arts Council before naming someone to the post. The work of Poet Laureate involves conducting poetry workshops and readings and comes with a stipend in the $5,000 to $15,000 range. Macon’s predecessors in the post have all been award-winning writers whose works were published by other people. A number of them have taught at the university level.

  

A dignified cultural firestorm but a firestorm nonetheless erupted following the appointment. Veteran North Carolina writers contend that while Macon has talent and is addressing important issues like homelessness, she is a novice poet and not ready for such a position or such an honor. Within a week, Macon resigned. No word on whether she is back on the job as a disability determination specialist at the Department of Health and Human Services.

 

McCrory, apparently not realizing he was already in a hole, kept on digging, with this statement. “We’ve got to open up opportunities for people that aren’t always part of the standard or even elite groups that have been in place for a long time.”

Well!

A timely and reasonable answer to that came from Richard Krawiec, a Durham poet, who said, “Laureate is for people with national and statewide reputations. If you don’t honor that basic criteria of literary excellence and laureates being poets at the top of their game, what’s the purpose of the laureate position?”

Krawiec is right.

Oscars do not go to actors who appear on screen for ten seconds and utter one sentence. Pulitzer Prizes do not go to newspapers which simply publish wire service stories or to self-published novelists. The Heisman Trophy does not go to a third-string benchwarmer, however charming and appealing he may be.  Such folks may win awards later and I hope they do, but in the meantime, they can develop their crafts just as others move up the ladders inbusiness, all sorts of professions, and every other field of endeavor.

 

North Carolina’s Poet Laureate fiasco does not rise to the level of world peace, of course, but it has stirred up some strong opinions, especially among would-be poets. The News and Observer in Raleigh asked readers to pen their own poems regarding the brouhaha, and here are three that amused me.

 

Loyd Dillon of Charlotte and Kevin Stroud of Raleigh tried their hands at these limericks, respectively.

“McCrory to poets: ‘Take that!’”

(A name he just pulled from his hat).

“Ha! I’m not well-versed?

You snobs are the worst!”

Real poets cannot stand Pat.

Then this.

There once was a governor named Pat.

Who put on his own stupid hat

When appointing a poet

He didn’t quite know it

The state has a system for that.

Janie Prete of Clayton wrote an ode.

Oh, the elite they do froth in a way that I love,

since Ms. Macon has risen to a perch far above.

It all seems so dire her rise to the top,

sidestepping the privileged. Who know she’ll stop.

And the Guv who we love, is he in a stew!!!

We all are befuddled, but really what’s new?

So North Carolina is without a Poet Laureate at the moment, which is unfortunate, but the vacancy is hardly our state’s most pressing problem. I suspect Governor McCrory will get around to filling the job, and he will likely do so this time with the counsel of the state’s arts and cultural communities.

 

As for Valerie Macon, she has had a rough several weeks, but she will survive and be the stronger for it. Even as voices rose saying she is not qualified to be Poet Laureate, there were also voices saying she is indeed a talented and promising poet. I hope she will write more and perhaps even attend a workshop or a reading by North Carolina’s next Poet Laureate.

Who knows? 

Maybe years from now a future Governor will appoint her and that by then she will be seasoned and ready to take on the mantle of Poet Laureate.

By the time you read this article, for which I thank you, I will be nearly half way through my motorcycle journey to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Ah, the open road. I will miss you this week. However, as I gaze at the majestic Dakota mountains and bask in the historic beauty of Mount Rushmore, rest assured, I’ll be listening to WFNC’s morning show with Goldy and Jim on I Heart Radio and thinking about all the wonderful things going on in Fayetteville.

 

I’m particularly excited about what’s going on in Historic Downtown Fayetteville. There seems to be a new attitude down there. I wouldn’t call it a Renaissance just yet, but business owners and residents seem to be getting organized and are stepping up and investing not only in downtown’s  infrastructure but, in establishing its identity and brand, which will eventually define and refine downtown Fayetteville’s precarious image. This movement seems to understand the importance that marketing and promotion in defining the overall value of a successful and prosperous downtown has to a community both culturally and economically. In particular, I was extremely glad to hear that the Chamber of Commerce is moving back downtown. With additional new businesses and development, motivated people with innovative ideas are stepping forward. I think we’re going to experience a serious sort of downtown rejuvenation like we have never seen before — the first step in establishing Fayetteville as a major North Carolina destination point. What’s not to like about that?

 

So, bring on Sanderson Farms, its poultry, their 1,100 jobs and multimillion dollar economic impact on our community. The timing is perfect, the leadership is in place and, we can handle it! Hey, this is no time to be “chicken”.

 

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Bobby Joe Swilley, the not-so-hidden treasure Fayetteville has to offer to the music world, is originally from Brandon, Mississippi. Swilley was recently inducted into the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame which is located in Jackson, Tennessee. The museum takes pride in featuring the most influential artists in music history. Rockabilly is a musical blend of gospel, country and blues.

 

 Swilley’s office is covered in pictures and memorabilia from some of his impressive musical encounters. He has played with several bands, but has played with the same 10 guys for the past 50 years. They travel to meet each other to create music together. The musicians are all from different places in the U.S but still manage to make time for their first love, music. Swilley is known for his rhythm on the drums and his song-writing skills. He entered a song-writing competition in 2002 for the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame and, with all the given criteria they were asking for, he won. His song, was chosen from several international applicants to be the theme song for the Hall of Fame.

 

Swilley grew up the youngest in a family of six kids, all of whom had natural musical talent. His mother played piano at the Baptist church they attended and he remembers vividly the family gatherings where all they did or wanted to do was play music and sing together. One of his fondest memories was being asked to sing along with the teenage choir with his sister, who was eight years older than him, and him holding the book upside down. It didn’t matter though because he knew the entire Baptist songbook by heart. As a young child he knew music was going to be a way of life for him. “I had a God-given talent as a drummer, a natural feel for it,” said Swilley. The very first albums he ever owned were Johnny Cash, BB King, Elvis Presley, Jimmy Reed, Howling Wolf, and Meryl Haggard but credits Ray Charles and Chuck Berry for his inspiration. 

 

Swilley joined his first band as a drummer at the age of 17, with Jimmie Ammons and Delta Records. Swilley recorded some songs in the Delta Records studio as well as with Sun Records, founded by Sam Philips -- better known as the guy who discovered Elvis. “One of my most memorable musical moments, besides being inducted into the Hall of Fame, would have to be recording at Sun Records. I was there with the giants, where all these other amazing artists have been, playing on the same sets of people I’d grown up listening to,” said Swilley. 

 

Another memorable moment Swilley spoke about was breaking a world record in 2001. He, along with 52 other drummers, played the same song on a full set of drums. That song was “Blue Suede Shoes.” They played it at the same time, in the same place, breaking the standing record. Alongside of him during this amazing life experience was Johnny Cash’s drummer, Stan Perkins. 

 

Swilley, who turns 70 in September, has led a life full of experiences most of us can only dream of, but encourages those who have what it takes, “You only get one chance — take it. Don’t have regrets.” 

 

He hopes to one day be able to play at Viva Las Vegas and especially, the Grand Ole Opry. Swilley also expressed how much he would enjoy playing at the Dogwood Festival or even at a 4th Friday, something local, for his guys to get together here. 

 

Swilley will play at the Rockabilly Festival in Jackson, Tennessee at the Oman Arena on August 7, 8, and 9. That’s three whole nights of incredible music with ticket prices starting at around $50. This is an international event, with bands coming from all over the globe and dancing is strongly encouraged. It will be worth the short drive to Jackson, Tennessee to see our favorite singing drummer, and recent Hall of Fame inductee, and show our support as his Fayetteville family. 

 

For more information, call (731) 425-8580 or email info@cityofjackson.net. Visit the Rockabilly Hall of Fame at www.rockabillyhall.org.

Hollow- Having a hole or empty space inside:  Without significance:   Insincere: Phrase example: beat someone hollow
 
Some came with questions, some came seeking answers and some came for entertainment alone —  but none left unchanged. As audience members left The Gilbert Theater’s preview, debut performance of Hollow Men, by local playwright Stephen Miles, some were subdued, cocooned in silence, while others were incensed with denial or revulsion, yet others met and questioned the cast about their experience with the subject matter, script and its affect on their performance and them as fellow human sojourners. Has a serious theatrical work performed its task and completed itself with provoking thought in its audience? I think not.  

In the Gilbert’s Green Room following the play, lead actor Stanley Seay spoke of his preparation for the play, which included frank conversations with neighbors and acquaintances about their experience in the military, reliving eyewitness accounts of horror and devastation as well as camaraderie and the thought of someone “having your back.”

In the play, Gerry and Sandra Oxford’s, played by Stanley Seay and Nicki Hart, lives are changed forever by Gerry’s wartime trauma and his struggle for recovery at the famed Walter Reed Hospital. We witness first hand his spiral downward into depression and substance abuse.
Fellow soldier, medic and friend, John Sadler moves to their small town to open a much-needed medical clinic and attempts to rekindle their friendship through scenes of concern and tough love but the dye is already cast.

 The cast describes it best in statements given during an interview with Brandon Herring for WNCN News:

"It's not an upbeat play I'm sorry to say, but I think it's a realistic one," laywright Stephen Miles said. "I hope it makes the audience think about what our nation does in our name and the cost. Whereas I went to Vietnam for two tours, they're going five, six and seven tours. I can't even imagine that."

"It needs to be told. It shouldn't be swept up under the carpet. It shouldn't be ignored,” actor, Stanley Seay said.

"Let's be honest. PTSD is not happy and fluffy. This play could maybe turn that blind eye into an open eye so that they can do something to help their neighbor, or their friend or their family member," said actress, Nicki Hart.

“This play is very visceral and raw,” added actor Sebastian Arroyo.

"This is something that's important to the community,”' said director Brian Adam Kline. "It starts a conversation.”

Lead actors, Seay and Hart are dynamic in their creation of the tension and deep psychological grief experienced by their characters. I commend them on their craft because this type of character analysis and preparation does not come without cost. As a reviewer, I would have liked just one scene of reminiscence between the medic and the wife about the man they both respected and loved. It would have provided the audience with a respite in this depiction of the “storm and stress” of life.

Local physician, Andrew Morfesis stated that he “admired Miles courage in telling this story of which Miles must have had personal experience to be so insightful.” The playwright indeed served as an Army helicopter pilot in Vietnam for 18 months in the late '60s and early 1970s and was wounded in combat. He first confronted his military experience onstage with his play "Deros: A Vietnam Trilogy" staged at N.C. State University. The play won a 1986 playwriting award. Scenes from the play were presented during Fayetteville’s “Heroes Homecoming: A Tribute to Local Vietnam War Veterans” in 2011.

Hollow Men runs through July 27 at the Gilbert Theater, 116 Green Street. Call the box office for additional information at 910-678-7186.

Local author Jerry Wilson is a survivor. He beat cancer twice and lived to tell the tale. His book,  Cancer … A Blessing? chronicles his fight and was written in the hopes of encouraging and inspiring others who face tough battles in their lives.

Wilson is originally from Fayetteville but left in 1968 after he was married. He came back 39 years later to retire. His book chronicles his many real life experiences going through chemo and proton therapy. He specifically said that anyone who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and hasn’t looked into proton therapy is making a huge mistake. Proton therapy is based out of Jacksonville, Fla., at Florida University at the Proton Therapy Treatment Center. While in Jacksonville for his treatment, he decided to give himself something to do with his time, so he started a blog, which he liked to call his journal. In this blog he would talk about every aspect of his day, such as his treatment process, what he had for lunch, who he met, if he took a nap and so on.

When he returned from his treatment, he was strongly encouraged by readers to write a book on his story. It was then he decided if he was going to write a book, it was going to include his first cancer battle of Stage 4 Lymphoma, in 1997.

“Being told you have Stage 4 cancer is scary because Stage 5 is usually your local funeral home,” said Wilson.

He uses humor regularly in the book but he never loses sight of the serious disease he is dealing with. He calls himself the poster child for chemotherapy because he was essentially the guinea pig. When going through the process, he stresses the importance of attitude. He gives credit to his incredible oncologist, his attitude and his faith for his survival. Wilson  talked about a nurse in the hospital he spoke with during his treatments that had a brother with Stage 2 Lymphoma, She told him that her brother’s attitude was not positive like his, and if he could maybe speak with him she would appreciate it. Wilson called the brother only to discover he was one of the most negative people he had ever spoken with, and couldn’t seem to shake him out of it. Two weeks later, the brother passed away. Wilson said that in this moment, his whole body went numb because this person was only at Stage 2, making him wonder how someone with Stage 4 could not be the next to go?

Reading his book is like speaking to him on the phone or over coffee; it’s a conversation. This book is already a bestseller in his eyes because he has helped someone cope with cancer. That was his goal, and he has accomplished it.
He never wanted to make lots of money from this book, but wanted to be wealthy in a different way — the wealth that comes from helping people.

“This book is not just for a cancer patient, but for anyone to read. It could even be for someone dealing with a family member diagnosed with cancer,” said Wilson.

 Over the course of a year, this book is now published and being sold on amazon.com, through kindle and occasionally, because he carries copies with him, at his sister’s beauty shop. He has sold more than 200 copies. His customer reviews on amazon.com are impeccable. On the back cover of the book, there is a quote by the senior pastor at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, Rev. John Cook, “We affectionately call Jerry, “Job,” because of the many challenges he has faced and overcome in his life. He battled and beat cancer 17 years ago, and he lost his precious wife, Scottie, unexpectedly last July. Any one of those events by itself could bring a man to his knees … not only has he weathered these storms with his faith intact, but he has been an inspiration to all of us. He loves the Lord with all his heart, and Jerry knows it is God’s grace that has brought him safe thus far.”
Wilson has a book signing at Gates Four Golf and Country Club on Thursday July 24 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

“Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional. I’m a kid at heart,” said Wilson.

The final days of the North Carolina General Assembly’s “short” session have been more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

Charlotte blogger Fannie Flono calls it her “guilty pleasure,” better than the Real Housewives of Atlanta or Orange County. Having never seen those programs, I really have no idea about that, but I did enjoy seeing a powerful senator deliver lumps of coal to House members who refused to do things the Senate’s way. In addition to showing his irritation, the coal was a veiled threat that the legislature might stay in Raleigh until Christmas — a truly scary thought!

My own favorite remark this legislative session came in a letter to the editor in the News and Observer of Raleigh. The writer suggested that just as many working people wear uniforms identifying themselves and their employers, state legislators should be required to wear uniforms identifying the industry they represent in the general assembly!

It is easy to have some fun at the expense of the “honorables,” but it is a lot harder to find out what they are really up to in Raleigh. The problem is not just that legislators might not want us to see the sausage-making process. The real problem is that there are fewer and fewer journalists keeping an eye on them.

The well-respected and non-partisan Pew Research Center released a report earlier this month confirming what many people have already observed — that between 2003 and 2014, the number of full-time statehouse reporters in 50 state legislatures dropped an astounding 35 percent!
I know. I know. Your first reaction might be to jump up and down and shout, “thank heavens!” But think again.

Government at all levels is complex and bureaucratic and, frankly, a lot of it is outright boring. In addition, it can be frustrating when we think our elected officials are making poor decisions and when they make no decisions at all. Top all this with partisan bickering and name calling and it is no wonder we do not rush to our newspapers and televisions to find out what they have done now.

“What,” you exclaim. “There are talking heads all over television 24/7,” and that is true. But they are talking heads mostly in Washington or New York, and they are talking about what is going on in Washington, the nation and around the world. There is so much coverage that members of Congress can barely eat a lunch sandwich at their desks without a camera crew recording the momentous event. But Wolf Blitzer and his journalistic colleagues do not know much, let alone talk about, what the North Carolina General Assembly is up to and what it means for those of us who live here.

Congress is critically important, of course, and its actions have bearing on the lives of all Americans. The reality, though, is that state legislatures have a much more direct impact on the citizens they represent. The 170 people in the North Carolina General Assembly, predominately middle-aged white men, are making decisions about how many teachers will stand in our children’s classrooms next month, about how much money those teachers will be paid for their work and about how much money will be spent on our children’s textbooks and other educational materials. Those 170 people are making decisions about what health services will be available to North Carolina’s children, senior citizens and women of childbearing age. They are making decisions about our UNC system that has proudly educated North Carolinians since 1795, and about how many and what kind of roads we will use in our own communities and to travel from Murphy to Manteo. Theirs are decisions that affect all nearly 10 million of us one way or another every time we walk out our front doors.

Some of us will agree with the choices our General Assembly makes, and some us will be horrified and angry. My point here, though, is that we should at least know about them.

So what has changed?

There are multiple reasons for the decline of legislative coverage. The Great Recession hit traditional news outlets, primarily newspapers but radio and television as well, like a sledgehammer. Then there is the rise of the Internet where news is available when and in what form we want it. Traditional media’s advertising revenues have plummeted, and they continue to scramble to figure out new ways to support their core mission of reporting the news to us. Niche media also cut into traditional media’s pie. There are all manner of online and cable options, many of which have abandoned the concept of objectivity and straight news to promote one point of view or another. Think Fox News preaching to its choir and MSNBC preaching to its choir, and the picture becomes clear.

The upshot?

If we want to know what is going on in Raleigh — and we should, we must try harder, dig deeper and ask more questions of our legislators.

We are living in a time when ignorance is definitely not bliss.

It’s time for 4th Friday, and the Arts Council  is teaming up with the city to celebrate recycling. Many exhibits hosted by the Arts Council also bring work from artists across the nation to downtown Fayetteville. On July 25, the newest exhibit titled Transformation: Artful Recycling opens. This is the annual recycling-inspired exhibit hosted by The Arts Council. This event is sponsored by Pratt Industries, Wastequip and Waste Industries on behalf of the City of Fayetteville’s Environmental Services Department. The goal is to show all of the creative uses for items that would otherwise be thrown away, and inspire everyday recycling.

“Our show features four artists, two from Fayetteville, one from Durham  and one from Raleigh,” said Mary Kinney, marketing director of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “Their work is really unique. It is showcasing recycled materials as fine art.”
The exhibit will open from 7 to 9 p.m. at 301 Hay St. during the 4th Friday activities.

Also welcoming 4th Friday guests is the City of Fayetteville’s Environmental Services Department. Come early (between 6 and 7 p.m.) to sign up for the Recycling Scavenger Hunt in front of the Arts Council building. Enjoy music by the Erik Smallwood Duo from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information. visit www.theartscouncil.com.

Keeping with the recycling theme the Hay Street United Methodist Church, located at 320 Hay St., will offer a free and fun craft for kids making bird feeders from recycled tin cans. They will also have live music provided by the “United Praise” band from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

This month the Downtown Alliance theme for 4th Friday is “Beach Blast.” Embracing this celebration of summer, many of the downtown businesses will remain open late and some will even provide entertainment like live music. The Downtown Alliance will also provide free entertainment through the Street Ratz Breakdance Crew, which will perform in front of 222 Hay St. Shadows of Fire/TranceFusion Arts will also perform in front of the Capitol Building at 126 Hay St.

Fascinate-U is a paradise for curious kids, who are invited to explore the entire miniature city, and unlike many museums, touching the exhibits is encouraged.  Fascinate-U also offers special events throughout the year, and always on 4th Friday. This month the event is about celebrating summer. The museum is open from 7 to 9 p.m. and admission is free. Kids are invited in to explore the new schoolhouse and farm. There is also a free summer craft that kids can take home. Fascinate-U is located on 166 Green St.  

Downtown Fayetteville is full of art, and Cape Fear Studious, established in 1989, is one of the galleries in downtown Fayetteville. It provides retail space and studios for local artists. It also has a gallery that features work from all over the nation. A new exhibit coincides with 4th Friday: Solo Artist Member Show. From 6 to 9 p.m., artwork of many mediums is on display at Cape Fear Studios. For more information, visit www.capefearstudious.com
Downtown Fayetteville is also saturated with history. One of the best places to learn about the history of downtown is at the Market House. The Market House has both a permanent exhibit and a rotating exhibit. The permanent one is titled A View From the Square and explores the history of downtown. The rotating one explores a new aspect of the region’s history every month. This month’s exhibit is titled Cape Fear River, and explores the history of the river and how it has affected the region. The Market House is open from 6 to 10 p.m. and is located where Hay St., Gillespie, Person and Green streets meet.

The American Red Cross Highlands Chapter hosts its 8th Annual Run for the Red 10K, 5K and 1-mile Fun Run on Saturday Aug. 2, beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 10 a.m. All race proceeds go directly to the American Red Cross, in efforts to provide much-needed emergency services for our community as well as communities around the world. The Red Cross is the nation’s leading provider of health and safety courses. Each year, more than 9 million Americans participate in its training programs; CPR, First Aid and Lifeguard training.

There are seven age groups, Cash prizes will be rewarded to the top three male and female runners overall. First, second and third place in each age division will receive a prize. Awards will also be given to the group who has the largest participation.

The Highlands Chapter encourages anyone to participate in honor of the hero who impacted a life, a family member’s or a friend’s — to honor the thousands of heroes who, trained by the Red Cross, are ready to help. According to the Highlands Chapter website, the Run for the Red supports programs and services to help the community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Phil Harris, the executive director, said, “You’re not just signing up to run, you’re signing up to help your neighbor.” He is expecting about 350 runners as well as 100 volunteers. Every year he has more and more people show their support. Harris also said that many groups come out to volunteer as a team-building event. He encourages anyone and everyone to come out to help. Locally, the money raised will go directly to the organization. In Fayetteville alone, there is one house fire a day and that’s something Harris and his team are passionately trying to help change. Not only with issue of the fire itself, but with the disaster that comes with it. The Highlands chapter will provide food, clothing and shelter with money raised from local events.

According to the official Red Cross website, the Red Cross responds to approximately 70,000 disasters in the United States every year, in these events the Red Cross provides shelter, food, health and mental health services to help families and entire communities get back on their feet. The Red Cross helps military members, veterans, and their families prepare for, cope with and respond to the challenges of military service. Their services help an average of 150,000 military families and veterans annually.

The starting point of the race is at Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville. The trail will lead runners downtown and through the Haymount area. Along the route, there are water stations, and motivation from the crowds. Register online for the Run for the Red, and gain access to online fundraising tools, including your own personal webpage. This online advantage will help participants raise money, gain more team me, build morale and update followers on their success. Registration fees are non-refundable. After registering, pick up yourmbers packet on Aug. 1, between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m or the morning of the event at 5:30 a.m. This event takes place rain or shine. T-shirts are for sale for $8. If you’d like to make a difference but aren’t really a runner, you can always volunteer, and be a part of making this event come to life and be a huge help behind the scenes, just email at RunfortheRedHighlands@redcross.org. For registration fees or other information regarding Run for the Red please call (910) 867-8151 or email to RunfortheRedHighlands@redcross.org.