If fun entertainment for the whole family is what you’re looking for, you need go no further than the Crown Center this March.

The Harlem Globetrotters, who combine basketball, comedy and theatre, make a stop in Fayetteville on March 20 for a fun-for-all-ages show that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Not a fan of basketball? Don’t worry! Dizzy Grant, Globetrotter guard and the first pro basketball player to ever hit a four-point shot, says that’s what makes the show so special. “You don’t have to be a fan of basketball to be a fan of the Globetrotters,” Grant said. “Expect a lot of high-flying dunks, and some of the best ball handling you’ve ever seen in your life.”

The Globetrotters’ stop in Fayetteville is part of their 2014 Fans Rule Tour. Show goers are encouraged to visit the Globetrotter webpage (www.harlemglobetrotters.com/rule) to vote for their favorite, craziest rule. The winning rule will be put into play during the March 20 game. Rules up for vote include:

•Hot Hand Jersey – A player wearing this jersey gets double the points when scoring.

•Make or Miss – The quarter starts with two players on each team. When a team scores, a teammate may enter the court. When they miss, a teammate must leave the court.

•Trick Shot Challenge – The team’s challenge each other to make trick shots, with five points awarded to a team that makes a trick shot, and five points given to the opposition if the shot is missed.

One of the great things about the Globetrotter show is that it is appealing and appropriate for all ages. Grant calls it one of the few forms of entertainment you can bring the whole family to. “Everyone is going to be having a good time.”

Originally known as The Savoy Big Five, the Globetrotters’ history is remarkable. When the Savoy Ballroom opened in Chicago in November 1927, the team was hired to put on shows and play exhibitions before concerts and dances there. Since then, they have played more than 22,000 games and have traveled to 121 countries. Known worldwide as the “Ambassadors of Goodwill,” the Globetrotters’ initiatives include The ABCs of Bullying Prevention, a community outreach program designed for 6- to 12-year-olds on ways to stop bullying.

One of Grant’s favorite things about being a Globetrotter is being able to entertain the troops, which makes coming to Fayetteville especially important. “Anytime you have a chance to play in front of service men and women is special,” Grant said.

Ticket prices are $23, $30, $39, $46 and $66, with military ticket prices of $18, $31, $46 and $66 with valid military ID. Discounts are available at the Crown Box Office only. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com, in person at the Crown Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 1.800.745.3000.

Photo: Harlem Globetrotter Dizzy Grant is not only a stellar basketball player, he is also a great entertainer.

Fayette-NAM or Fayette-FAM?

by JENNIFER WHITE GRADNIGO

A long-time advocate for the Fayetteville area, Bill Bowman yields this space to guest writer Jennifer White Gradnigo this week.

Allen’s selection for an Air Force ROTC detachment command allowed us to choose our next assignment. We chose Fayetteville primarily because of Allen’s expected impact at Fayetteville State University. However, we also chose Fayetteville due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., where I lived for 20 years, and also because it is central to so many wonderful cities we want to explore. Because of its beauty and access to both the ocean and the mountains, North Carolina is in the top four states for our possible retirement home so we thought we’d give it a test run.

Unfortunately, a lot of what I read and heard prior to moving to Fayetteville was negative. I had deployed from Fort Bragg in 2004 but hadn’t seen much of the area and only remembered the “strip,” which wasn’t a lot to remember. As recently as last month, when asked how I like the area I replied that we really like it. I was told, “Oh come on, you can be honest.”

No, I’m not a fan of strip malls, but downtown Hay Street reminds me of Old Town Alexandria. Cute shops, plenty of outside dining, and unlike the DC area, free and plentiful parking. Allen and I are definitely ready for more date days and nights. We’ve already been to numerous restaurants downtown with great food and service, and many are also kid-friendly which is a plus for us since we have a 3-year-old daughter.

We stumbled onto some of these restaurants because of location. We were looking for outdoor dining on a fall-like day, and decided to give them a try. Our waiter at a local Italian restaurant was incredibly friendly and told us what a great place Fayetteville is to raise a family. Many of the other restaurants we’ve enjoyed were noted by fellow Fayetteville Regional Chamber members.

One of the top items on my agenda when we moved here six months ago was to join the local chamber. From my very first networking breakfast to being accepted into Leadership Fayetteville, I’ve had fruitful experiences. As Woody Allen said, “Eighty percent of success is just showing up.”

After one event, I decided to make copies of my company’s fact sheets. Not finding a Kinkos online, I pulled out the business card of a person who I had just met at the Chamber breakfast. I walked in the door of the copy store where he works and was approached by one of the friendliest people I’ve encountered since we arrived, and what great customer service! He sat next to me through the entire process to ensure I received what I expected. I found out later that he owns the store.

Because of the warm and friendly people I’ve met through the Chamber and elsewhere, my community feels smaller, in a good way. Allen and I were becoming tired of the congestion and noise of the big city. We were excited about spending the next two or three years at a slower pace with our daughter. We wanted to feel a better sense of community and family and we’ve found it in Fayetteville.

From bumping into a Leadership Fayetteville teammate at a Hay Street restaurant to one-on-one business planning sessions at a local business development center, I already feel like I can reach out to my neighbors for assistance or lunch. With lovely people like the woman at the weigh station who told me my husband was just there when she recognized the photo of our daughter on my credit card, and the caring staff at an upscale day spa, we definitely live in Fayette-FAM, a place with some big city luxuries along with a warm embrace.

Photo: For years Fayetteville was known as Fayette-nam, but that is no longer the case. Once a trouble spot, Hay Street is now a family-friendly place to visit.

You can tell a lot about a society by the way it treats its most vulnerable members. Partnership for Children of Cumberland County’s mission is to build partnerships with families and the community so that all children have the opportunity to succeed in school and be prepared to contribute to our social and economic future. Partnership for Children’s tag line is “The support you need to help children succeed,” and it is not just for parents. “Our customers are parents, caregivers and teachers in early childhood,” said Partnership for Children of Cumberland County President Eva Hansen. “We partner with other organizations that serve kids, too, like the Autism Society, the Boys and Girls Club and the March of Dimes. Our focus is to work with families, service providers and policy makers to have the best outcomes for children.”

On Saturday, March 8, Partnership for Children of Cumberland County is set to host its signature fundraising event of the year — The Soirée. The theme is the Roaring Twenties and period attire is encouraged, dress is semi-formal/black tie optional. Ladies, put on your flapper dresses and headbands. It’s time to dust off those dancing shoes and boogie the night away. “The food is going to be fabulous,” said Hansen. “The menus will reflect the type of foods of the era — the type of food that would be served at an elegant party in the 1920s. The Waldorf salad is just wonderful. There will be an amazing tender pot roast with truffle mashed potatoes along with a couple of choices for fantastic desserts. It will be truly elegant from the décor to the food to the band. Several guests have said they will come in 1920s attire. As an extra bonus we are having a game room so people can keep up with the UNC/Duke game that night.”

Before guests make it through the front door, they will be met by paparazzi as they step out onto the red carpet. “We will have a car from the 20s era at the entry and paparazzi will be there,” said Hansen. “We will also have a photo area set up so people can take formal photos with 20s backgrounds or use fun props to do creative photos. The photos will be available to take home that evening. It will be an opportunity to enjoy fine dining, great conversation and a party atmosphere.”

The entertainment includes 13-piece jazz band Orchestra Casablanca. With a song list that includes more than 300 tunes that cover several genres and features works by musical greats like Count Basie, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, and contemporaries Thad Jones and Harry Connick, Jr., this is an event you won’t want to miss. Guests can dance to period and contemporary music throughout the evening.

In addition to great entertainment and a five-course dinner, guests can look forward to a raffle that has some impressive offerings. “We have great raffle prizes that include a trip to Savannah, a trip to Disney, jewelry, a stay at the Embassy Suites in Raleigh and a Hilton Head package,” said Hansen. “The Wine Café is putting together a downtown date night package and A Little Panache is doing some cool things, too. It should be a swanky and decadent night — very Great Gatsby. We chose the 1920s theme because we are celebrating our 20th year and we knew we could have fun with it.”

The Soirée is sure to be an elegant night to remember. The fact that it is for a great cause is a bonus.

Partnership for Children of Cumberland County has a vision for local children — a community committed to the health, safety, happiness and education of all children and their families. Based on decades of research that shows the first five years of a child’s life are critical to their development, Partnership for Children of Cumberland County focuses a lot of time and energy on providing ways to improve child health, family support, and access to high quality child care and education. Programs are built around the organization’s four primary goals: advancing the well-being of children and making sure they are healthy and prepared to succeed when they enter school; strengthening families by helping caregivers, nurturers and teachers help kids prosper; raising the quality of early care and education and building partnerships by providing options, resources, and support collaboratively to help children and families reach their full potential. Partnership for Children of Cumberland County works with many businesses, government organizations and other nonprofits to bring the most current and useful resources to the community.“

Our theme for the year is 20/2,000 — 20 years championing the first 2,000 days,” said Hansen. “That is the time between a child’s birth and when they start kindergarten. Ninety percent of a person’s brain development happens in the first 2,000 days of life. Children will learn and grow no matter where they are. The question is, what are they going to learn and how are they going to grow?” Additionally, a persons brain develops more rapidly in the first five years of life than in any other time in life — 700 neural connections are formed each second. Children in low-income families understand 3,000 words by the age of four compared to children from higher income families who understand more than 20,000 words by the same age.

Partnership for Children of Cumberland County has seen many milestones in helping area kids, including recognition as a best practice model of Smart Start. Partnership’s KidStuff at the Dogwood Festival is an effective outreach to the community at large. In 2011, Partnership for Children was one of three nonprofits recognized by the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits as exemplary stewards of the public’s trust and resources. The organization’s child care resource and referral services help families find quality child care. Partnership for Children of Cumberland County is one of the first organizations in the state to implement the N.C. Pre-Kindergarten program previously known as More at Four. Fundraisers like The Soirée have helped to raise more than $300,000, increasing private sector investment in the community. More than 375 total volunteers have contributed to Partnership for Children of Cumberland County. The creation and full ownership of the Partnership for Children Resource Center is a resource where 16 like-missioned organizations with more than 80 programs serve children, families, early childhood educators and service providers.

While the impact of Partnership for Children of Cumberland County is substantial, the money raised at The Soirée is earmarked for two outreach projects — the government and military affairs program known as Forward March and the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County’s Kidstuff area at the Dogwood Festival. Both are important projects with a broad reach.“

Our government and military affairs is about the advocacy and education on early care and education for policy makers and the Forward March Conference held in conjunction with Snyder Memorial Baptist Church and Southern Regional Area Health Education Center,” said Hansen. “This helps professionals inside and outside the gates to be better equipped to serve and support military families and veteran families who have been involved with 12 years of deployments. This will be our fifth year for the Forward March Conference.”

The Kidstuff area at The Dogwood Festival is a favorite for many young families because it offers a fun space to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the festival, which can be overwhelming for kids under five and their families, too. “Kidstuff is focused on very young kids and their families,” said Hansen. “It provides interactive activities for the kids. It is free, and we use this opportunity to get surveys from parents telling us what their experiences are and what their needs are. We use that to plan activities and confirm if we are on the right track. It is a huge outreach and a way to share resources in a way parents are receptive to. It is one thing to distribute flyers, it is another to have the kids come and families have fun experiences together. The parents can talk to our partners about resources like the Autism Society, Army Community Services and Cumberland County Library programs. We’re excited the PNC Grow Up Great interactive exhibit is again available. Many of our partners have fun activities and information and booths there. Summer camp and summer activity information will also be available. A lot of times parents say ‘I had no idea these were available!’”

Like many nonprofits, the joy that comes from making a difference is priceless, but there is always more work to do at Partnership for Children of Cumberland County. There are many ways to help, though. Make a monetary donation, volunteer, support the organization online, reach out and share your experience and attend local events like the Soirée. Find out more about Cumberland County Partnership for Children at www.ccpfc.org or call 867-9700.

Photo: The Soirée is sure to be a fun-filled night. Last year the event raised more than $100,000 for Partnership for Children of Cumberland County.

This week’s buzz once again centers on Winter Jam. We will look at the tour’s history, check in onthe success it is having this year, and hear from an artist new to the lineup — Lecrae.

Since its formation by NewSong in 1995, The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular has featured many of the top names in Christian music, including TobyMac, Third Day, Newsboys, Steven Curtis Chapman, Skillet and more! Originally called January Jam, Newsong has been bringing this high-energy tour to Fayetteville for nearly 20 years now. When NewSong began Winter Jam, it was based on the idea of removing cost barriers, so more people could attend, be encouraged by the music, and hear the gospel. That continues to be the emphasis to this day.

It has become so successful that Winter Jam has been the most attended tour in the world for the first quarter each of the last three years! Earlier this month the tour was attended by around 18,000 people in both Knoxville and Greensboro, and was enjoyed by more than 30,000 people at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

New to Winter Jam this year is hip-hop artist Lecrae. Recently featured on the My Hope America project produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Lecrae loves to tell his story everywhere he goes.

He recently shared how some of his friends responded not long after he decided to give his life to Jesus. “My friends said, ‘You are just changing. I don’t know what’s going on with you. You want to do the right thing all the time.’ And I was like, ‘I don’t know what to tell you.’ And they were like, ‘Man, I can’t wait til the old Lecrae comes back.’” Lecrae continued, “I’ll never forget hearing that sound. They were scared they had lost me. And they were like, ‘Man, you’re giving up everything!’ And I was like, ‘Actually, I’m gaining everything!’”

About the Winter Jamtour, Lecrae says “It’s awesome! It’s slowly becoming a little family as we get to know each other better. Myself and another artist, I won’t mention his name, have even started to do some collaborative work together. It’s been a blast just being able to hang out. I just give God the glory.”

Lecrae joins headliners the Newsboys along with Tenth Avenue North, Thousand Foot Crutch, Plumb, Newsong, Colton Dixon, Love & The Outcome, Everfound and Derek Minor as Winter Jam comes to the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville on March 13th. The cost is only ten dollars at the door.

Get all the details you need at www.jamtour.com.

Photo: Lecrae

Healthcare has always been a field that is both challenging and rewarding. As technological advances in medicine are made, healthcare fields are broadened, and eventually, new disciplines are created. Most people are familiar with branches, such as nuclear medicine or radiography; however, many have never heard of Respiratory Therapy.

Respiratory Therapy focuses on the respiratory system. But what is not always understood is that the respiratory system does much more than take in oxygen to be distributed throughout the body and help the body by exhaling waste gases. When an individual has problems with breathing, such as asthma, this condition disrupts the state of internal balance, or homeostasis, which in some cases can be life threatening. Aside from an understanding of the respiratory system, the respiratory therapist must also consider many aspects of the cardiovascular system, which involves how oxygen is taken to the rest of the body. The relationship between the heart and lungs is so significant that some hospitals refer to the respiratory therapy department as “cardiopulmonary.”

Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Respiratory Therapy program equips graduates with the skills to work within this expanding branch of healthcare. Through a combination of lecture, laboratory and hospital clinical rotations, students learn the basic physiology of respiratory therapy needed for patient assessments, oxygen therapy, diagnostic procedures and ventilator management. Graduates will have an in-depth understanding of the anatomy and pathology of the respiratory system for identification, treatment, management and rehabilitation of diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema and interstitial lung disease — just to name a few. Through the program, students will have the opportunity to enhance their critical thinking skills for troubleshooting and equipment manipulation.

After earning an associate of applied science degree with a concentration in respiratory therapy at FTCC, students are qualified to take the required national boards, the Certified Respiratory Therapist and Registered Respiratory Therapist exams. Graduates who successfully earn CRT certification may then apply to the state agency for licensure and begin work in most states. The advanced credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist involves a two-step examination process that may be attempted after the CRT certification is obtained. The RRT credential is not only a professional achievement but also a monetary benchmark. According to salary.com, a CRT’s median annual salary in the Fayetteville area is around $52,000, while RRTs earn approximately $4,000 more per year.

If you are an ambitious problem-solver who is looking for a challenging, exciting, and dynamic career in healthcare and are team oriented and enjoy helping others, then respiratory therapy may be the profession for you.

Visit our website at www.faytechcc.edu to learn more about the Respiratory Therapy program as well as other opportunities available to you at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Email hollomaj@faytechcc.edu with questions about the training at FTCC that can lead to your future career in Respiratory Therapy.

Photo: Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Respiratory Therapy program equips graduates with the skills to work within this expanding branch of healthcare. 

Babe Ruth hit his first home run as a paid professional baseball player in Fayetteville. Yes! George Herman “Babe” Ruth’s first home run as a paid professional baseball player happened in Fayetteville during an intra squad game as a Baltimore Oriole on March 7, 1914, in which he played shortstop. He was only 19 years old.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Babe Ruth’s home run in Fayetteville, the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex has planned a re-dedication of the 1952 historic highway marker honoring the Great Bambino’s home run.

Catch the “Fayetteville Baseball Fever” when it strikes on March 7 with the re-dedication of the highway and a vintage baseball game on March 8. The re-dedication will take place at 558 Gillespie St. at Southern Ave. at the DOT facility, and the vintage game will take place at Arnette Park, located at 2165 Wilmington Hwy,.

Local and state officials will hold a ceremony to re-dedicate the historic highway marker on March 7 at 2 p.m. Opening on March 7, to accompany the museum’s baseball programs, is an exhibit entitled Sports in the Sandhills. It is a collaboration between the Museum of the Cape Fear and the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum and features two visits Babe Ruth made to Fayetteville (one in 1914 and one in 1935). The exhibit also features another baseball player by the name of Jim Thorpe, who also spent a short time in Fayetteville. On March 8, at 11 a.m., baseball re-enactors will converge at Arnette Park and play a Vintage Baseball double header.

“Vintage Baseball is done by baseball re-enactors,” said Leisa Greathouse, curator of education at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex. “They are like Civil War re-enactors, but they play baseball. They play by rules from 1864, so we’re talking about the mid 19th Century. They’ll wear uniforms like the ones used during that time period, so this is like the early-early beginnings of baseball.

“The rules are a little bit different. The hitter, as he is known today, was known as the striker — for striking at the ball. They played barehanded — no gloves, because the baseball was made a little differently, and Arnette Park had a field that met the regulations for the distances between the bases that were common during the mid 19th Century, when baseball was being played.

“The games will continue until the double header is complete and Arnette Park will have concessions that day, so it’ll be just like going out to a baseball game.”

Quoting Babe Ruth, as told to writer and commentator Bob Considine in 1948, Greathouse read, “Late in that game, I hit the first professional home run of my life as I hit all the others: by taking a good gander at the pitch as it came up to the plate, twisting my body into a back swing and then hitting it as hard as I could swing. The ball cleared the right field fence and landed in the cornfield beyond. I don’t have to tell you what it did to me inside, but the effect on Dunny (Manager Jack Dunn) and the others was easy to see, too.”

Led by the Museum of the Cape Fear, the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum, the N.C. Dept. of Transportation, the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fayetteville Parks and Recreation, and the City of Fayetteville have stepped forward to provide these programs at no cost.

“The Sports in the Sandhills Exhibit can be seen during the museum’s regular operating hours,” said Greathouse, covering all the bases (pun intended!) in regard to the planned centennial events.

For more information, visit www.ncdcr.gov/ncmcf/Events.aspx; www.BabeRuthFayettevilleNC.com, or call 910-486-1330. JOSE´GREEN, Intern, COM-MENTS? Editor@upandcomin-gweekly.com.

Habitat for Humanity is an amazing force within the Fayetteville community. This organization provides a platform for individuals to work together to benefit individuals as well as the community in one. Tammy Laurence the Executive Director is excited about the many ways Habitat for Humanity helps the community. “Just in the last year, the Habitat homeowners paid $150,000 in property taxes. This money would not have gotten back into the community without Habitat owners having their own home for the first time.”

This year delicious cake can also be added to the list of benefits the organization offers, with the Have Your Cake and Eat it, Too Luncheon and Cake Auction. All proceeds will go to support building a home for a family in the community.

This luncheon and cake auction is the first fundraiser of its kind in Fayetteville. Ruthie Dent the Director of Communications and Volunteer Services explained what to expect. “People will be able to walk in and look around at all the cakes. The cakes are donations from area bakers. We are going to have some pretty yummy cakes from home bakers and churches. People will be able to look wine in hand. They will have cards to write down their top picks. Then the Hill Top house will serve lunch and the attendees will talk to the people at their tables and unanimously decide on their top three cakes. The tables will act as a unit. Then they will pool their money in the envelope. Then habitat for humanity staff will go around and sort through the bids. The top five bids will win their cake and it will be brought to the table and served. The rest of the cakes will be divvied up and we will all eat desert together. Then individuals can bid on three cakes to take home with them. They won’t be eaten that day. There will also be a brief presentation from the habitat homeowner, who is actually the beneficiary of this auction. The proceeds will be going to provide her and her children with a home. This is going to be a great and moving show. This event is a great place for people to have fun, mingle and network, but this is also about providing a home and that is what Habitat for Humanity is about.”T

his auction is an illustration of how a community can come together to do great things and help provide stability for a family. All of the cakes, as of now 22, were donated from bakers in the community. Everyone from professional bakers to amazing home cooks have provided for the auction. Even the logo was donated. It was designed by a local student of graphic design at Methodist University. “People hear about it and are ready and willing to donate,” Dent said.

The luncheon will be held on March 12 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., at the Hilltop House. The Hilltop House is located at 1240 Ft. Bragg Rd. To reserve a seat call 483-0952. Tickets are $25 per person, but corporate tables are available. Dent said, “Tickets include lunch at the Hilltop House, dessert, wine and champagne. I think we will all have a great time. This event is geared a little more towards women leaders in the community so we wanted to make them feel like their time is well spent.”

Thank You PWC and First Responders for Keeping Us Safe

Well, there’s nothing like back-to-back snow storms to prove the mettle and patience of any community. As you read this editorial, the weather is probably mild, over 50 degrees and sunny with absolutely no hint or residue of the treacherous snow and ice storm that recently plagued our community less than a week ago.

Ah, life in the south. Where else can you play golf one day and be covered in snow the next? As I listened to the regional, statewide and nationwide reports on how these devastating storms were affecting our nation, I could only think of how proud I was of the way Fayetteville and the Cumberland County community responded to the nastiness of this dangerous and freaky winter weather.

Our local government officials, both city and county, were at the top of their games making quick and timely decisions that put the safety and welfare of our residents as their highest priority. From opening up shelters to the timely closing of schools, government offices and businesses, our leadership made all the right decisions at the right time.

As damage from wind, frozen rain, heavy ice and snow generated reports of fallen trees and downed power lines leaving tens of thousands of people without electricity and heat, Fayetteville and Cumberland County suffered no such travesty. And, for this, we must give thanks and credit to the dedicated men and women of our local PWC and our fearless, relentless hard working first responders. Police officers, utility linemen, snow plow operators, firemen, EMS personnel all working together in concert to keep our community safe. No doubt these organizations were prepared and at the top of their game.

Some will say that Cumberland County was really lucky not to have been ill affected by this recent storm. However, many more will say that Fayetteville and Cumberland County made its own luck by having those smart, dedicated leaders and loyal hard working people all in the right place at the right time to help us forge ahead and react to what could have been a very tragic situation.

We also need to thank Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Frank Till and school officials for making wise decisions about closing schools and keeping our children safe. There was some rumbling in the community about the school closings, but those questioning the decision do not see the big picture. Our county schools serve children who live in remote areas of the county, many of which did not see sand or salt trucks until several days into the storm. Dr. Till must look at the safety of all the children in the community – not just those who live in the city proper. These were smart and prudent decisions that again prove good leadership perpetuates itself.

Stay safe and enjoy reading your Up & Coming Weekly.

Photo: Fayetteville first responders did a great job keeping people safe during last week’s snow storms.

Home owners and renters alike are sure to find something to love about this year’s Carolina Home Show. With more than 60 vendors offering the latest in home-related trends and technologies, there is plenty to see and do at this weekend-long event. Mark the calendar for Feb. 22 and 23 and come out and enjoy the day.

“This is our 15th year,” said Natalie Fryer, executive officer at the Home Builders Association of Fayetteville. “Not only will we have all the vendors that people look forward to each year, we are also excited about adding the Healthy Living Expo to this event.”

The show has a reputation for bringing in vendors that offer the latest products and best information about trends in the homebuilding industry and routinely draws visitors from as far away as Raleigh, Wilmington, Pinehurst and Columbia, S.C. The vendors love it, a fact that is proven by the high return rate. “I believe in homebuilders and they believe in the show,” said Kevin Shortridge, chairman of the Carolina Home Show. “I think it brings good publicity to our area, it brings in several visitors to the show and it gives businesses a chance to show what they can do.”

The visitors love it, too, if attendance is any indicator, along with the fact that admission to the event is free. “Usually 3,000 – 4,000 people come through the doors, which is great,” said Shortridge. “Homeownership is the largest investment you will make in your life and people are always looking for the newest technology or ways to make it look better. Landlords tend to look for products that will help keep the value of the home up, people looking to sell usually look for things they can do to add value to the property before they sell it, people who are planning to stay in their homes are often looking to personalize it and make it their own and renters usually gravitate more to garden projects and things like that — and we have things here that will accommodate all of these groups. And then this year we also have the Healthy Living Expo, as well, which is one more thing that people can enjoy while they are here.”

The Carolina Home Show vendors offer the latest innovations and design trends that include cabinetry and countertops, flooring, sunrooms and additions, energy efficiency, heating and A/C, windows and exterior products. Each day also features speakers that offer tips and information about gardening and lawn maintenance.

On Saturday, the Healthy Living Expo, sponsored by Beasley Broadcasting, runs from 10 a.m. to 6p.m. Roger Mercer will speak about Camellia breeding at 11:30 a.m. followed by George Quigley at 12:30 p.m. Quigley is scheduled to speak about low impact lawn maintenance. Don’t miss Charles Allen at 2 p.m. for a talk about ground covers for hard to grow areas. Myra Norton talks about container gardening at 3:30 p.m. and outdoor living design at 5 p.m.

Mercer returns on Sunday at 11 a.m., to discuss tactics for choosing hardy foliage. If you can’t make Quigley’s presentation about low impact lawn maintenance on Saturday, it is offered again at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Allen presents plants for fencing alternatives at 2p.m. and Quigley closes out the presentations for the event at 3:30 p.m. with smart tree planning tips.

While the Healthy Living Expo is a new addition to the event, Fryer and Shortridge are both excited about it and see it as a bonus for people who come out to the event. “The Carolina Home Show is already a one-stop-shopping kind of event and it just makes sense to build on that and add to it where we can,” said Shortridge.

Whether you are in the market for new products, researching a special project or upgrade, considering what to plant this spring or looking to get out and enjoy something different, you are sure to find something interesting at the Carolina Home Show. Vendors offer give-aways, demonstrations and more. It’s free to get in. The Carolina Home Show is Feb. 22-23 at the Crown and is open Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.carolinahomeandgardenshow.com/attendees.html for more information.

Photo: The Carolina Home Show is a great place to check out the latest trends and technology in all things home and gar-den related. The event features more than 60 vendors, exhibits and educational sessions as well as free admission to the Healthy Living Expo.

Fayetteville State University will host the 4th Annual Frederick Douglass Debates on Monday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. in Seabrook Auditorium on the campus of Fayetteville State University. The university will debate Hampton University.

“It is a public debate series that started four years ago at FSU,” said William Thomas, lecturer and director of debate at Fayetteville State University. “We invited another debate team from another university to come in and debate on three issues of social significance to tie in partially to Black History Month and issues that Frederick Douglass may have been interested in.”

Thomas added that they wanted to bring two historically black colleges and universities together for the debate.

The significant topics debated include the stand-your-ground law, prayer/religion in school and other public areas and the Affordable Healthcare Act. Stand your ground is a type of defense law that gives individuals the right to use deadly force to defend themselves without any requirement to evade or retreat from a dangerous situation.

Prayer and religion in school entails that in the United States, school prayer is proscribed in accordance with the establishment clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution which provides the foundation for the separation of church and state.

The Affordable Health Care Act puts consumers back in charge of their healthcare. Under the new law, a new patient’s “Bill of Rights” gives the American people the stability and flexibility they need to make informed choices about their health.

“The debate team decided that we wanted to do something to service our community,” said Thomas. “We could use the skills that the students have in debating to help educate the community about issues that are important and timely to the community.”

Special guest judges are Mayor Chris Rey of Spring Lake, Dr. Karla Holloway, professor of Duke University and lawyer Katherine Hudson from Legal Aid of North Carolina.

“We invite community judges that people will recognize and that will help draw in an audience so they can come in and learn more about the issues,” said Thomas. “Winning the debate is not really the point.”

Thomas added that the winning team will receive a glass bowl trophy.

Invitations were sent to all of the schools in Cumberland County in order to bring students to see the debate.

“Please come out and support the debate,” said Thomas. “Most people feel that debates are boring but it will be full of energy and it is a really entertaining event.”

The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact William Thomas at wthomas3@uncfsu.edu.

Photo: The 4th Annual Frederick Douglass Debates are scheduled for Feb. 24 at Fayetteville State University.

Youth for Christ will host a fundraising event to benefit the youth of the Fayetteville community onFeb. 28. The event is set to take place at New Life Center, Haymount United Methodist Church.

The event features Bob Stromberg, a clean comedian and inspirational speaker who grew up in the Allegheny Mountains of rural Pennsylvania. He has traveled the world starring in the megahit theatrical production Triple Espresso; a production that can only be described as a highly-caffeinated comedy. Triple Espresso has been seen by nearly two million people in dozens of cities ranging from Seattle to the West End of London, and has become the longest running stage production in the history of San Diego, Minneapolis and the entire state of Iowa. Stromberg is also known for his many appearances on the award winning TV comedy Bananas.

“Stromberg has done this kind of work with Youth for Christ chapters throughout the country,” said John McIntyre, executive director at Youth for Christ. “He’s a comedian by trade, but what’s neat is the reason he likes to work with Youth for Christ chapters is that when he was a young man, people came in and helped influence his life. So this is part of his story.”

Aside from the theatrical productions and TV comedy shows Stromberg is featured in, he is known for several books such as Finding the Magnificent in Lower Mundane, the award winning, beautifully illustrated family story The Miracle at Stinky Bay and the best selling Why Geese Fly Farther Than Eagles. Stromberg has been delighting audiences of all ages with his perfect blend of standup, story and shtick for more than 30 years. He’s always clean and his presentation is a disarming healthy blend of knee-slapping comedy and a whole lot of wholesome encouragement.

“This event is a fundraiser,” said McIntyre. “We are nonprofit and we exist on the generosity of folks who love the mission and really get behind it. This event is a neat way to say, ‘Thank you,’ to those people who give, and it’s going to be a solid hour of comedy, man.”

“This guy is hilarious. We want folks to have a good time. We want people that don’t know about us to hear about us — and hear about some good things that are happening and feel good about supporting it.”

“A lot of events are built around personality or groups, depending on what those people are known for,” said McIntyre. “Like when the Crown brought in Bill Cosby, or when people go see other comedians or whatever show they go see. There’s something that they know they’re going for, and Bob is one of the few comedians who has a similar heart [as Bill Cosby] and wants to support the mission of Youth for Christ.”

“We love this kind of event and we hope to make this event an annual one,” said McIntyre. “We’ll obviously need to rotate comedians because people want to see different acts, but as people have the same mindset, the same heart and the same purpose — we’ll see how it goes as we move forward.”

Tickets are on sale now! For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to www.yfcfay.org, or call (910) 433-5630.

Photo: Comedian Bob Stromberg is set to perform at  Haymount United Methodist Church on Feb. 28.

Love is a beautiful emotion that is supposed to make you feel good, but sometimes the person you allow in your heart can cause so much pain. The Crown Center presents the latest Tyler Perry Production, Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned on Thursday, Feb. 27 –Saturday, March 1.

Tyler must have written this play about me. The play is about Anita Lincoln, a single, successful woman who has a great job, family and friends but cannot seem to find a loving man. Anita meets Randy online and he appears to be loving and charming, but things change during a trip to Las Vegas.

“I play the character Anita in the play and I am the woman who has been scorned,” said Cheryl Pepsi Riley. “Anita is in her 40s, an overachiever, has a good heart and has always tried to do the right thing when making decisions in her life.”

Riley added that Anita has a best friend who sets her up on an online date and with a little hesitation she decides to go on the date with the guy. As always, it is too good to be true and from there the story gets really good.

“It is a story that all women can relate to,” said Riley. “Women should bring their significant other with them to the show as well.”

Riley added that women need to be wiser in their counsel about relationships because the flesh can sometimes make decisions that spiritually we would not do.

Riley is best known for her number one hit 1998 ballad, ‘Thanks for My Child.’ After a hiatus from the music industry, she reemerged as a star in a number of gospel plays for playwright Tyler Perry. She has started “Black Velvet Mondays” which is a platform for up and coming artists which is her way to pay it forward for the next generation.

“Everybody knows someone that has dealt with some not so wonderful relationships,” said Riley.

“You really get the complete ride on this show and the cast is amazing.” Riley added that the singing is phenomenal and people will laugh, cry, think, question and ponder as they watch the show.

Show times are Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., and Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $41.50 for Thursday’s show, $47.50 for Friday’s show, $48 for the 3 p.m. show on Saturday, and $51 for the 8 p.m. show on Saturday. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com, the Crown Center Box Office, and all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information call 1-800-745-3000.

Though February is the shortest month of the year, it is packed full of exciting events. Besides Valentines Day, this February will also have a 4th Friday celebration on the 28th. Downtown Fayetteville is a lively destination every day of the week, but on 4th Fridays the activities extend into the night.

4th Friday fun will start a little early this month with the 7th Annual Bread and Bowl’s event. In support of Operation Inasmuch, the Hay Street United Methodist Church offers an opportunity to support the community and enjoy a hearty meal of chicken Brunswick stew. Operation Inasmuch helps the church reach beyond its walls to help those in need. There are two options for meals. A $20 meal is served in a handmade pottery bowl created by local artist Greg Hathaway and other talented local potters. The Inasmuch volunteers also serve a $10 meal in a freshly baked bread bowl. Each meal includes chicken Brunswick stew, a brownie and tea or coffee. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. The dinner hours, which are 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., allow patrons to go directly from dinner to the fun of 4th Friday, which begins at 6 p.m. The Hay Street United Methodist Church is located at 320 Hay St. Tickets and more information are available at www.FAOIAM.org or by calling 433-2161.

Fascinate-U is a gem in downtown Fayetteville, and a must-see for any 4th Friday participants with kids. This museum is focused specifically on children and provides a fun and educational experience. Every 4th Friday, Fascinate-U also offers a free event for families to enjoy. Beginning at 7 p.m., Fascinate-U will host Family Fun Maracas. Children are invited to create their own maracas with the provided supplies and can bring them into the museum for some musical fun. Fascinate-U is located at 116 Green St. For more information visit www.fascinate-u.com or call 829-9171.

The artistic culture in downtown Fayetteville is also on display during 4th Fridays. There are multiple galleries downtown, and they are all open late.This month, the exhibit at the Arts Council, a staple in Fayetteville visual art, celebrates African American culture and artists. The exhibit is entitled The Pilgrim-age: A Lifetime of Collection by Dr. James and Juanita Pilgrim. The exhibit is generously on loan from Dr. James and Juanita Pilgrim. All of the art work was created by African-American artists, and pays homage to their great skills and passionate representations. Some of the featured artists are William Tolliver, Jonathan Green and Paul Goodnight.

“The Army Ground Forces Band’s Freedom’s Groove will play at the Arts Council during 4th Friday this month from 7 to 9 p.m. We’re calling our program a A Celebration of Dance,” said Mary Kinney, marketing director of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “We are excited to have members from two dance groups, Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers and Swing Dance Heritage Club, who will help get the crowd going during 4th Friday. They will mingle on the dance floor to keep everyone swinging and moving to the music.” Admission to the Arts Council is free. The museum is located at 301 Hay St. For more information, visit www.theartscouncil.com.

For those interested in history, stop by the Market House, which is in the center of downtown. This beautiful building also acts as a museum. It has a rotating exhibit for each month that focuses on an aspect of the area’s history that includes a permanent exhibit called View from the Square, which explains the history of Downtown Fayetteville. The Market House is located at the convergence of Hay, Gillespie, Person and Green Streets.

Each 4th Friday the Downtown Alliance, in conjunction with downtown businesses, offers a Fanatics Card that offers discounts, prizes and more. Stop by the Downtown Alliance and pick one up. They are free.

Photo: Stop by Hay Street United Methodist Church for a warm bowl of soup in a custom painted bowl before heading to 4th Friday.

For centuries the circus has captured the imagination. The daring shows of agility and strength combined with amazing and exotic animals are enough to make everyone from children to adults smile. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey names are some of the oldest and most famous in the circus business, and for good reason. On Feb. 27-28 and March 1-2, this famous travelling entertainment venue is coming to Fayetteville to present the Super Circus Heroes show.

One of the main attractions of this event is the Lopez family. This tight-knit family of 12 has been wowing crowds for years, and this is their second year with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. They specialize in a high-wire performance and another crowd favorite, the motorcycle globe. The hollow steel globe is the smallest of its kind in the United States. It is only 12 feet in diameter. This makes their act even more challenging and thrilling when they cram motorcycles into it and they zoom around inside at dangerously fast speeds. “There is room for 1-2 cycles only but they wanted to do more crazy and cool things,” said Maria Dominguez, a performer in the Lopez Family Troupe. “It takes a lot of practice and focus. For me, I have to focus because it is hard to [manage] the speed. You can’t go too fast or too slow but if you like the job it is fun and gives you good adrenaline.”

The high-wire act performed by the Lopez Family is just as daring. They perform acrobatic stunts and even sword fight 25 feet in the air and without a net. It takes copious amounts of practice and years of experience to master. The performers practice on average 1-2 hours a day, and many of them grew up in the circus. “My family is from Chile. My dad got a contract in Mexico and I knew my dad worked in the circus. In 1997, I went to Mexico to be in the circus, too, and I never got home,” Dominguez said. She has 14 years of experience on the high wire now.

The high wire and motorcycle globe are breathtaking, indeed, but the there is still more to enjoy. There are traditional acts like trained animals and acrobats. There are also some newer things like karate performances. At this circus even the most traditional acts are thrilling and given a new edge.

Before the show even begins, there is a lot of fun to be had. “Every ticket has entry to the preshow where people can come and meet all the performers and take pictures. You can try on the costumes and see the motorcycles. You can also meet the Lopez Family and try the low wire that is one or two feet high. We can teach people how to do the low wire. We open the back stage area and all the families can go back and see the animals and the performers and what it takes to put the show together. That part is very fun because you can see behind the scenes and how they do everything for the show,” Dominguez said. Patrons can also take pictures and ask all the performers questions.

Feb. 27-28, the shows start at 7 p.m. March 1 will have performances at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. March 2 will have shows at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. All performances are held at the Crown Coliseum located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information visit www.ringling.com.

Photo: Ticketholders are invited to a preshow event where they can meet the performers, try on costumes, see the animals and even learn a few circus tricks -- like how to walk on the low wire.

Is Government Expansion the Answer?

The City of Fayetteville’s planning retreat, held this past week, ended on a high note, but has me wondering if our new city council and staff members are aware of the myriad of organizations, businesses and institutions that are already serving this community to encourage local economic development.

This question arises after the introduction and discussion surrounding a proposal recommendation by Deputy City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney to create a new city department. According to Small-Toney this new Department of Economic and Business Development would focus specifically on local citywide economic development.

Hmmmm? In my opinion, this seems like an intrusion of local government into those things best left to the expertise of the private sector. No doubt progressive, healthy economic development that leads to the creation of good high-paying jobs goes hand-in-hand with keeping any metropolitan city’s crime rate low and its unemployment rate under control. Having low crime and unemployment rates lead to a better quality of life. Fayetteville is no exception. However, you would think that after at least four decades of implementing “on-again off-again” economic development plans, programs and strategies in this community (all with limited success) it’s amazing that with this idea, what is old is now new, again.

When it comes to coordinating economic development efforts, recruiting industry and retaining and expanding local businesses in Fayetteville and Cumberland County you would think we would have learned to leave that to the professionals. We should know by now that government employees and full-time bureaucrats have a miserable track record navigating the private sector. So, why go there? Again.

But according to Small-Toney there is a desperate need. She states, “We have a gap and now we have an opportunity to close that gap.”

Really? A gap? Where is this gap and what is it? Can it be defined and quantified? It begs the question whether our new city staffers are even aware of all the current services and programs offered here through organizations like FTCC, Fayetteville State University, Methodist University, Fayetteville Regional Chamber of Commerce and CEED (the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development). Many of these organizations are supported by the City of Fayetteville. I think Small-Toney would be impressed if she sat down with people like Chamber President Doug Peters, Russell Rogerson, vice-president of the Economic Development Alliance or Lexi Hasapis or Sylvia Ray of CEED to find out just what services they provide the citizens of Fayetteville. I think she would come away with a new found understanding of what they are collectively doing to address the issues and concerns she has.

As a matter of fact, I think she would be pleasantly surprised to find that their missions are identical to the ones she would like to see addressed with her proposal, i.e. the need to focus on minorities, women-owned enterprises, startups and small businesses. Interesting that there was no inclusion or mention of assisting our military veterans. A concerning omission.

Councilman Jim Arp and other council members should be concerned about creating “duplication of services.” Fayetteville residents and city taxpayers are already contributing heavily to this process. And, the council will already be challenged to find the funding for Police Chief Harold Medlock’s $5 million plus plan to increase his ranks to fight Fayetteville crime making the community safer place for all of us to live, work and play. The people have spoken. Crime is the #1 priority now and we must support Chief Medlock with our time, talent and money. Yes, it will take money. Tax dollars. So, there is no place for duplication here. We just can’t afford it.

There are other issues with this idea. Besides funding, there’s another more subtle concern with Small-Toney’s suggestion of creating a new in-house city department for economic development. This is that we would again be widening the cooperation and communications gap between city officials, Cumberland County Commissioners, the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development officials. Why would we want to do that? Successful, economic development comes from having everyone at the table when strategizing a development plan. Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson and many other council members actually campaigned on the issue and notion that they wanted to achieve greater levels of cooperation, harmony, teamwork and foster better working partnerships between the city, Cumberland County and supporting agencies. So, this idea of Fayetteville “going it alone” just doesn’t seem like it is in sync with the collective ideals of the council.

This is in no way an attack or criticism of Deputy Small-Toney and it’s not to say I don’t appreciate her initiative. From all accounts, the comments I have heard about her performance have been very complimentary noting that she is extremely smart and competent and is making worthwhile contributions to our city as part of Ted Voorhees’ management team. This being said, one wonders from who or where is she getting her information? Obviously, not from someone who is informed and in tune with the important and pressing issues of this community. The last thing our city needs at this sensitive and critical stage is the introduction of a “community organizer” mentality micro-managing the future of our city.

Now, addressing her idea about the need to market the city’s available business parks and redevelopment areas, well, isn’t this what our local, regional and statewide commercial realtors and economic developers do? Again, why try to compete with the private sector?

Fayetteville does not need to add to the expansion of government bureaucracy by creating a new city department, adding a department director, three new staff members, an administrative assistant, a business recruiter and development recruiter.

Nor do we needlessly need to spend hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars to promote and duplicate the business and industry development process when it is already a coordinated effort between the city, county and region. It will not work and we can’t afford to create or take ownership of a failed economic stimulus package of our own creation. This economic-development strategic plan is not well thought out. There are no guidelines or pro forma for the money, yet, the purpose would be to provide business loans to entrepreneurs and business owners and provide down payments for private funding by providing working capital. Then, this newly created department would advertise, market and promote these services to those residents in need and the local business community. What does this sound like? Community organizing! It is not enough to just make a general statement that the city isn’t doing enough to attract economic development. Nor is it fair or prudent to ignore the conditions of our economy, our tax rates, unemployment rates, incentive programs or lack of, the lasting effects of the recession, ever changing technology and the changing demands and qualifications of the American work force.

So, tell me, what is not working? Can it be defined specifically? I don’t think so. Small-Toney said her idea isn’t to duplicate services but work in partnership to provide people with information and services to start and develop small businesses here in Fayetteville. Well, look around. Not only do we have these services and organizations (CEED, Chamber etc.) but they are currently being supported by taxpayer dollars. So, if the real concern is that taxpayer-funded economic development responsibilities are relegated to outside organizations and they are not being accountable to the city, make them accountable! The city is the client. They are working for the City of Fayetteville. However, it is the city’s responsibility to step up and understand the complexities of the process. This would be a very exciting and worthwhile job for the Deputy City Manager. I’m sure after a full year of this kind of involvement we all will hear a more realistic story about the state of our local economic development affairs and, hopefully, how to deal with them. We’ll see.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Photo: Deputy City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney

The Real Housewives of television fame have nothing on Georgia Rogers Farmer when it comes to entertaining. Farmer headlined Better Health’s Annual Evening at the Theater last year and was such a hit that she’s been invited back to perform at the fundraiser again on Feb. 22.

A singer, actress and variety show performer, Farmer has a spot-on delivery as well as remarkable sense of humor. The fact that she loves singing and performing helps, too.

“I started singing when I was really young. I have always loved to sing,” said Farmer. “I got into musical theater after college. I stumbled on cabarets when I worked on a cruise ship 14 years ago. They were looking for someone to fill in at the last minute, so I was like ‘well, I’ll do it.’ That is how the whole cabaret thing got started with me. It was really fun.”

The variety and freedom that a cabaret show offers the performer is perfect for Farmer. This form of theatrical entertainment, consisting mainly of political satire in the form of skits, songs and improvisations, provides great opportunities to engage the audience, which is something Farmer loves to do.

“I always make crafts and prizes for the audience. I make stuff that is really fun,” said Farmer. “I always enjoy this gig. I did it last year and there are three musicians who played that I had never met until I rehearsed with them. They are great — incredible. That is very exciting for me. I was very nervous last year because I am used to playing with the same people. It was perfect. They all really played fantastically. The band includes Steve Menendez on piano and Steve Boletchek on bass.”

“We are out of our minds with excitement,” said Robin Sledge, program manager and director of exercise programs and Eat Smart Move More. “We know how funny and talented she is. I went last year and fell in love with her act.”

One of Sledge’s favorite bits was a number about a meek little mild girl who finds the perfect place to live. “She loves it because it is so calm and sedate and it even has a window seat where she can sit and read,” said Sledge.

“Then an opera singer moves in downstairs so she switches to operatic voice. The meek girl starts talking about the opera singer and goes back and forth between them switching voices flawlessly. Then a jazz singer moved in upstairs. She juggled all three back and forth between the three voices seamlessly.”

Last year’s performance also included a song about bacon. “She came out into the audience with a tray of bacon cupcakes and started handing them out,” said Sledge. “She is so funny and so talented. We all had the best time.”

The theme this year is Real Housewives and it promises to be entertaining. Farmer took her inspiration from the Real Housewives television series. “I am a big fan of the real housewives, reality shows, which are ridiculous,” said Farmer. “I though ‘As much as I watch them, I am going to try to make it work.’ I decided to take a shine to them and really bring it home and show what a real housewife does. It is more real reality. I thought it was a catchy title, though.”

Better Health Executive Director Judy Klinck is excited to have Farmer back for a second performance. “Anyone who saw it last year will know why we are having her back. She has a variety of material and we wanted more. We are in a new venue this year at SkyView on Hay. We are excited about that but we are using the same format as last year. When guests arrive they will have hors d’oeuvres and drinks andget to socialize for an hour. Then we watch the show, which is about an hour and we have dessert and coffee afterwards. It’s a good variety show and that is one of my favorite kinds of entertainment. We don’t have this kind of entertainment in our area. I think this a unique opportunity for a fun night out.”

Klinck credits Cassandra Vallery for bringing such a fun show to the area. “We really thank Cassandra Vallery, who has been producer of our shows for seven years and has been magnificent in her part in the show,” said Klinck. “She is helping in several ways. We owe her everything for this show being so wonderful. Georgia is amazing but it was Cassandra who introduced us to her.”

This event is the main fundraiser for Better Health and the proceeds support many of the programs at the organization. Like the name implies, Better Health’s mission is “to provide for the unmet healthcare needs of Cumberland County residents through assistance, referral, and education.”

Founded in 1958, Better Health offers a variety of programs to the public free of charge. The Emergency Medical Assistance program offers help with prescription medications, tooth extractions, orthotics, medical equipment, gasoline assistence for out of town medical appointments and disposable incontinence supplies, ostomy supplies, testing strips, syringes and more for qualified clients. Medical equipment loans are available for free for up to six months. Items include walkers, canes and crutches, wheelchairs, bathroom aids, bedside commodes and hoya lifts. Hospital beds or scooters are not available. Diabetes services include diabetes monitoring clinics with education sessions three times/week, take Charge of Diabetes 7-week self-management class, glucometer training, exercise classes for diabetics, diabetes and blood pressure screening, diabetic supplies (limited), foot care clinics, vision screening for eye disease and medication review. The Eat Smart Move More childhood obesity prevention program is “A four part educational program to provide children with the skills to improve eating and physical activity behaviors to achieve a healthy weight. Eat Smart, Move More is offered in schools, churches, summer programs and other groups at no charge. The program consists of four sessions of approximately 45 minutes each, including a healthy snack.

Better Health is a United Way agency. Find out more about this organization at www.betterhealthcc.org or call 483-7534..

Methodist University has always been incredibly active in the community. This February the university is providing the community with an opportunity to support breast cancer awareness and enjoy local basketball. Although October is the official breast cancer awareness month, there is no bad time to bring awareness to the dangers of breast cancer. Methodist is doing this by sponsoring a few events, all running under the banner of Play 4Kay Breast Cancer Awareness Events. These events all take place on Feb. 15.

The event is the annual 4K Run and Walk. The Student Athletic Trainers Association hosts the 4K Run and Walk again this year. The event begins at 8:15 a.m, but registration opens at 7:30 a.m. Students and faculty have a discounted registration fee of $10. Registration for the public costs $15. The 4K begins at the March F. Riddle Center and all who participate will receive a Play 4Kay T-shirt.

The main event of the cancer awareness effort is the woman’s basketball game. This is the sixth annual basketball game Methodist University has hosted. The game is at 2 p.m. in March F. Riddle Physical Activities Center. The Methodist Monarchs take on Averett University. Breast Cancer survivors are invited to attend, and will be honored during half time. There will also be a reception after the game to celebrate all breast cancer survivors. Tickets are $2 for students and $4 for the public. However, anyone wearing pink and making a donation will be admitted for free. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. Information about breast cancer prevention will also be available.

There will be more than just a fierce competition at this basketball game. A silent auction is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. and will last until ten minutes into the second half of the woman’s game. The auction will be in the Riddle center and promises a wide variety of amazing items. There will be sports memorabilia, jewelry, gift certificates and handmade items. During the game, Play 4Kay shirts are available for purchase.

All proceeds generated by the Play 4Kay events will be donated to two different cancer-oriented foundations. This combination of foundations allows the events to have both a local and global reach. The first beneficiary is the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center. This foundation provides free mammograms for uninsured women. These mammograms are an important part of detecting breast cancer early, and help keep the women of the community safe and healthy. The second foundation is the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. This foundation was founded in honor of the legendary basketball coach from North Carolina. She was the women’s head basketball coach for North Carolina State University, and unfortunately, fell victim to breast cancer. DeeDee Jarman, the women’s basketball coach at Methodist, feels a special connection to this fund because; “She had a huge impact on my life as a player and as a coach. I strive to live my life the way Kay would want me to. Educating people about cancer prevention will hopefully save lives.”

The fund uses the donations and monies raised during the year to provide grants in order to fund the research of cancer care facilities.

For more information, contact Jarman at 910.630.7283, or visit www.mumonarchs.com/play4kay.

Photo: Although October is the official breast cancer awareness month, there is no bad time to bring awareness to breast cancer.

Local residents will have the rare chance to view an internationally renowned exhibit at The David McCune International Art Gallery at Methodist University.

McCune’s Gallery will be host to PICASSO: 25 Years of Edition Ceramics from the Rosenbaum Collection, an exhibit featuring pottery created by Pablo Picasso. The exhibit will run at the gallery from Feb. 13 through April 13.

The David McCune International Art Gallery at Methodist University hosts student, regional, national, and international artists.

The exhibit will be available for viewing Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. There is no cost for admission to the gallery

.Forty ceramic pieces including plates, bowls, pitchers, vases and plaques, posters and other memorabilia will be on display. The pieces were created between 1947 and 1971 at the Madoura pottery workshop in Vallauris, southern France.

“Picasso is an artist that most people recognize, and have strong opinions about, and this is the type of show that people will travel to see,” said Gallery Director Silvana Foti. “A Picasso show is something that we would normally find in a more metropolitan area. Without the support of our community sponsors, we wouldn’t have been able to bring a name like Picasso to the gallery. This exhibit is also intriguing because we can take a less-known aspect of Picasso’s work — his ceramic art — and bring it to the public eye.”

Part of a national tour, the exhibit’s stop at Methodist University is the only North Carolina and South Atlantic host for display.

The gallery will host a reception to celebrate the opening of the exhibit on Feb. 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The reception is open to the public.

Renowned for his paintings, sculptures and graphics, Picasso became fascinated with pottery after seeing the Madoura potters at a craft fair in 1946. Over the course of 25 years, working with George and Suzanne Ramie, owners of the Madoura studio, Picasso created 633 different plates, bowls, vases and pitchers in limited editions. Most of the pottery was created by the workshop style, a technique where the artist was paired with trained assistants to create the finished piece. From creating clay molds for the pieces and painting pieces that served as models, Picasso’s involvement in the creation process varied from piece to piece.

Many of the pieces in the exhibit come from the personal collection of Marvin Rosenbaum, a well-respected expert in the field. Rosenbaum has traveled to the Madoura Pottery workshop in Vallauris, France. He has been collecting Picasso pieces for over 40 years and has acquired more than 100 pieces.

The exhibit is made possible through the generosity of local sponsors including premiere sponsorship from Cumberland County Tourism Development Authority, ARCO, and Janet Parks, gallery consultant for the David McCune International Art Gallery.

The exhibit tour was organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions. More information about the exhibit can be found on the Landau website at www.a-r-t.com.

For more information on the David McCune International Art Gallery at Methodist University, please visit www.DavidMcCuneGallery.org or call 910-GALLERY.

Photo: Methodist University will host PICASSO: 25 Years of Edition Ceramics from the Rosenbaum Collection, an exhibit featuring pottery created by Pablo Picasso.

Fantasia Barrino made her debut into the American music scene in 2004 on the popular show American Idol. She won the competition and quickly became a hit in the music industry, at only 19 years old. By 2006, she had three Grammy nominations and in the same year played herself on Lifetime Television in Life is Not a Fairy Tale. Additionally, by February of 2012 she had sold an impressive 2,842,000 albums. Get ready Fayetteville, Fantasia is coming to town on Feb. 16.

Fantasia was born in High Point, N.C., in 1984. Professionally, she is referred to just by her first name, Fantasia. Her primary style is soul music and she strives to infuse every song she sings with love and a piece of her spirit. As a child, Fantasia was steeped in gospel and blues. This is partially thanks to her grandfather’s love of B.B. King. She was inspired by Billie Holiday, Josephine Baker, Elton John, Ella Fitzgerald, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Bonnie Raitt and Queen. These inspiring artists helped shape her style of music; her voice and passion make her totally unique.

Fantasia has also faced struggles in her career. In 2007, she was hired to perform in the Broadway production of The Color Purple. Her performance was met with much excitement. Unfortunately, she had to miss several performances. Eventually, it was found that she had a cyst on her vocal cords. After a successful surgery she was able to return to music in full force. By 2008, she had two more Grammy nominations and began working on her new album. Her dedication to her craft and her incredible voice makes her a true star, and Fayetteville will be lucky enough to see her in person.

The concert starts at 7 p.m. and is at the Crown Coliseum located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 1800-745-3000. They can also be purchased online with ticket master at http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0E004B7A0EF3BEDA?brand=crowncenter. Tickets will cost between $55-$75. For more information visit the following website www.atthecrown.com/index.php?s=fantasia.

Photo: American Idol winner for the 2004 season and Grammy nominee Fantasia is set to perform at the Crown on Feb. 16.

Collective Impact: Fayetteville’s Heading in the Right Direction

The term Collective Impact has surfaced in various conversations about crime reduction and quality of life throughout Fayetteville and Cumberland County. I’m happy that it is being discussed. Collective Impact (with capital “C” and “I”) is a set of specific conditions that if properly done, can make significant positive differences where implemented. It includes a formal set of tools and strategies and is not a feel-good process-only outcome. I am a believer in Collective Impact based on conclusions drawn from decades of community-based intervention research, collaborative initiatives as well as my own experiences in many locations. Research from the Collective Impact literature is promising (see the Stanford Social Innovation Review for example). Major philanthropic organizations (Ford, Annenberg, Pew among others) and other philanthropy groups have invested in Collective Impact efforts and endorse the approach with confidence. Collective Impact is outcome driven, its five essential conditions are well documented, and the success that comes from well-implemented projects can be enduring and sustainable (when support and resources remain in the system).

The secret sauce of Collective Impact includes much of what Bill Bowman, publisher of Up & Coming Weekly, noted in his Jan. 29 Publisher’s Notes column — strong and enduring political support, creativity and innovation so that cross-agency and cross-community solutions can be implemented; but most importantly, the backbone organization (or organizations) must be created within a safe zone of work so that politics and ideologies do not erode the mission or the staff in place to do the work. Collective Impact is transparent. Backbone organizations build forward-facing dashboards filled with reports and outcome data on each participating entity. The management and board members of the Collective Impact project hold each element of the project accountable for its portions (including themselves and the backbone organizations). The results are posted for all to see. Efforts are data-driven and outcome focused. All voices are at the table and the governance structure of a Collective Impact project is set up to neutralize the typical problems that often confront community and/or grassroots initiatives. Collective Impact initiatives find innovative and cost-effective ways to solve problems such as the use of community service banks, shared services and bartering, blended funding streams and strategies, innovative trade and educational strategies AND civic crime fighting tools among other ideas.

If the political, civic, business, faith and “grassroots” communities get behind a Collective Impact effort, support will be needed from the greater Fayetteville-Cumberland County area. What really drives the work is the backbone structure itself to enable an effective and high impact initiative fostered through Collective Impact strategies. The backbone organization(s) do not sit within existing government entities. They should be built as expansions or evolutions of existing nonprofits, university or college departments, collaborative philanthropic entities, or innovative twists on these types of agencies/organizations and should not duplicate existing programs. They should be resourced for 4-6 years minimally and should have clearly defined goals, objectives, strategies, tools, measures and outcomes reported routinely to all participants and the general public. Most of all, stakeholders within the governance structure must be empowered and able to make tough decisions. And the public must be willing to support them. Budgets may change, organizations may evolve (some may come, some may go). People’s lives will surely change.

I applaud Up & Coming Weekly, Mayor Nat Robertson, Chief Medlock, Sheriff Butler, the faith and business community folks, Fayetteville Publishing Company, and many others that are considering this dialogue. There are a myriad of ways to engage folks that have not been tried before here in Cumberland County. Collective Impact can be a highly effective pathway for our community to dramatically improve the quality of life for its citizens.

Due to the weather, the Gallery 208 opening reception scheduled for tonight has been moved to Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m.

Work Ethic and the American Way

I love people who work. I especially admire people who really work hard. It’s the American way, and yet, today, too many people feel that the true American work ethic is falling by the wayside. Really?

Well, I’m resisting that notion, but, then again, I’m a child of the ‘50s. I have fond childhood memories of attending school assemblies and viewing short films with titles like Industry on Parade that showcased patriotic music and images of scientists in lab coats and muscular, sweaty, shirtless men in hard hats pounding and forging metal with gigantic vats of red-hot molten steel pouring out in the background. Chilling.

There were also images of four or five farm tractors working in tandem, harvesting a wheat field. These films celebrated pride, integrity and ingenuity; virtues that America was built on. Some things just don’t change.

Ah, the American work ethic. Americans getting their hands dirty, doing manual labor or serving the public in thousands of retail positions; working and giving 110 percent to provide the best possible service to their customers. Nothing symbolizes or expresses the American Way better than hard work and excellent customer service.

This past week, one of the highlights at the Fayetteville Regional Chamber of Commerce annual awards dinner, which took place at the Crown Coliseum, was seeing 23-year-old Alexis Kondratyk practically speechless with pride when presented the 2013 Outstanding Customer Service Award. Kondratyk, a cashier at IGA located in Eutaw Shopping Center, was nominated for her warm personality and consistent and extreme sensitivity to the needs of her customers. Mike Lallier, general manager/owner of Reed-Lallier Chevrolet, sponsored the recognition and presented her the award and keys to a new Chevrolet, which she will be able to drive for the next year. Her shy response: “I was just doing my job.”

Wow! How refreshing.

Our community, our state and our nation need more people like Alexis. Work ethic speaks volumes about character. The victimization of America is becoming much too prevalent as government entitlement programs paralyze the working class by encouraging dependency and discouraging the development of a sound work ethic.

It is my hope that the Chamber of Commerce will continue to recognize people who and businesses that exemplify sound business practices, excellent customer service and the proliferation of solid work ethic and the American Way.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Photo: Alexis Kondratyk receiving the Reed Lallier 2013 Outstanding Customer Service Award with (l-r) Fayetteville Regional Chamber President and CEO Doug Peters, Mike Lallier, owner of Reed Lallier Chevrolet and Chairman of the Board Vincent Venturella.

Breast cancer is one of the leading diseases in the United States. With an estimated 220,000 individuals diagnosed every year, it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. According to womenshealth.gov, breast cancer affects every 1 out of 8 women and is second only to lung cancer as their leading killer in the United States. This very serious disease destroys lives, families and affects many mothers, daughters, wives and sisters across the country. Only with research, application, and the loving support of family and friends can we hope to beat this cancer and work toward a better life for all.

Annually, a variety of events are held to not only call attention to the need for testing but also to raise funds for research to find a cure for this disease. Most people are familiar with walks and runs, but this year, Fayetteville State University is again hosting a Ball in Pink for breast cancer awareness. The purpose of this initiative is also to help raise funds and awareness to fight breast cancer and bring this plight center stage in our city. On Feb. 15, the campus of FSU will host this event as a part of its women’s basketball game against Winston Salem State University. Beginning at 1 p.m., all breast cancer survivors and their families are invited to come out and take part in this initiative. All survivors will be honored during half-time, and after the game, they and their families are invited to a reception.

Spearheading this event is the First Lady of Fayetteville State University, Nancy Anderson, the chancellor’s wife. Those honored will get the opportunity to meet her along with the Chancellor, Broncos’ head coach, players and several others. Kevin M. Wilson, the assistant athletic director for development and marketing at the university, is one of the main organizers for the initiative. Before joining the staff of Fayetteville State University, he served as the assistant director for development at North Carolina Central University in Durham. Wilson takes great joy in knowing that all of the funds raised at the event will stay in Fayetteville.

FSU’s funds will go to the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center-Friends of the Cancer Center. There, they will assist with patient care, establishing support groups, and living costs for those who need aid due to the high expense of treatment. What is raised in the community; stays in the community. He went on to say that it is a goal for the university to gain further support from the local area. As well, another goal of this event is to build community leaders and use this as a platform to bring awareness for many dealing with this disease.

Breast cancer is a destructive killer of women and families but with your help, it can be stopped. Come out and support Fayetteville State University’s Ball in Pink. This noble endeavor will not only help save the lives of those locally hurt by breast cancer but, in turn, will enrich the City of Fayetteville. For more information, on the Ball in Pink initiative or to find out how you can help via donations and support, contact Kevin Wilson at 910.672.2565.

Photo: Fayetteville State University is set to host a Ball in Pink to raise breast cancer awareness.

FireAntz fans have a lot to look forward to this month as the hockey team readies for a series of fun-filled nights. Hockey, hijinx and heartfelt apprecia-tion come together at the rink with activi-ties that fans are sure to love. Don’t miss the 2nd Annual Weiner Dog Race Night on Feb. 7. “It is really a lot of fun,” said Jason Fleming, director of media/sales. “This was a big success last year and we already have more entries for this event than we did for last year’s.”

It takes two people per dog to make this race work. At the first intermission every-one, including the canines, head on to the ice. One person stands at the starting line with the four-legged contestant. The other person heads to the finish line. When the race starts, the person at the finish line does their best to entice the pooch in their direction. The first three dogs to finish win a prize.

Fleming says that the race is a lot of fun for the dogs and the people, but there is still more going on at this particular game. “We also have a pet adoption going on that night where Fayetteville Animal Protection Society comes out. Last year they brought 15 or so dogs and they all got adopted.”

The next night, Feb. 8, is Military Appreciation Night and Race Night and is sponsored by Folds of Honor. Not only is this a chance to celebrate local heroes and their families, there will be a jersey auction at the end of the evening.

“This is always a really fun night. We have big crowds that average 6,000 to 7,000 on military appreciation nights,” said Fleming. “We spotlight some of the drag race guys and some of them bring their cars. We set them up in the VIP parking lot. Some of the military units come out and they bring some of their equipment. People can check that out, too. The cars and military things are always popular with the fans.”

The doors open at 6 p.m., which gives everyone plenty of time to check out the cars and equipment before the game starts at 7 p.m.

Folds of Honor, which is affiliated with Budweiser and is the sponsor of the game, has strong ties to the militaryand works hard to support soldiers and their families. The foundation was founded by Maj. Dan Rooney. Rooney is a former F-16 pilot, golf course owner and PGA Professional. The Folds of Honor website www.foldsofhonor.org showcases the many ways the organization works to support service members and their families: “Through scholarships and other assistance, we give back to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country. We provide healing, hope and an opportu-nity for dreams to be realized...with the support of people like you. We feel this is our duty as citizens of the greatest country in the world.”

Feb. 11 is a great chance to mix things up midweek and take advantage of $2 Tuesday. Groups of 10 or more can call the office and get tickets for just $2. It’s a fun wholesome way to spend a weeknight with friends and family — and it’s affordable.

The game on Feb. 22 promises to be something special. Star Wars fans should mark the calendar now for this fun themed night. “There is a local group called the 501st Legion of Storm Troopers. They are really cool and have invested in authentic Star Wars costumes. We’ll have them at the game that night,” said Fleming. “They come out deep — like 30-40 different characters.

Throughout the game the storm troopers walk around and interact with the crowd and are available for pictures. The highlight of the night, though, is in-termission. “There is an amazing light saber duel at intermission,” said Fleming. “In the past we’ve had Darth Vader versus Luke fighting on the ice. They do a great job with the choreography and the crowd loves it.”

Star Wars Night is such a favorite that the FireAntz team will wear specially designed Star Wars themed jerseys during the game and auction them off at the end of the night. “These are really, really cool jerseys. This is my favorite of the 60 we have done since I have been here in the last ten years,” said Fleming. “We put a Darth Vader helmet on our logo and his stick looks like a light saber.”

The FireAntz go out of their way to make every home game a fun and com-munity-friendly event. They reach out to various groups, support local causes and try to make sure that everyone who shows up for one of their games has a good time. While all these extras are part of what makes them such a special part of the community entertainment scene, local fans also expect a good season from the team.

This season hasn’t been without challenges. The team took on a new coach and several new players this year. Which, in the long run, Flem-ing believes will be a good thing. “It takes a little while to get to know one another and get that cohesiveness on the ice — and we have done that. Everything is looking good and we are moving forward.”

The regular season ends March 22. There are 10 homes games remain-ing. “We are battling through injuries but still playing well,” said Fleming. “We are in the middle of the pack but we are pushing for the play-offs. The parity in the league now is really good. The competition is great. We are looking for a playoff seat. There is still a lot of hockey left to be played, so there will be moving in the standings, but we are going to keep playing our best and see where this season takes us.”

Find out more about the FireAntz at www.FireAntzhockey.com or call the office at 321-0123 for information and tickets.

Photo: FireAntz games are about more than hockey. They are also about having fun and supporting the community. 

Higher education is a great investment that has many rewards. It is not always easy to afford the rising cost of tuition and that is why Meth-odist University is holding its 2014 Loyalty Day Scholar-ship campaign on Tuesday, Feb. 25. It is so important that Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson proclaimed Feb. 25 Methodist Loyalty Day.

The idea began in 1955 when the fundraising was done by the community. Indi-viduals would walk door to door and ask for money to start a school at Methodist. “It is an annual tradition that Methodist has been doing since before the school was founded,” said Krista Lee, director of annual funds. “All of this is made possible by our foundation board.” Lee added that the foundation board goes out and recruits team members and they are put into teams and there is a competition to see which team raises the most money. The foundation board is made up of business owners and community leaders from all walks of life in Cumberland County.

The fundraising campaign raises money and 100 percent of the donations are given to students to help them pay for their college education. The students are selected by a myriad of criteria: merit, academics, scores from high school and other components handled through the financial aid office. The goal this year is $150,000. More than 95 percent of Methodist University students receive financial assistance and the University devotes more than 29 percent of its budget to scholar-ships. In the 2012-2013 academic year, Methodist University awarded $17.3 million in financial aid to students. There is also a plan for many major structures on campus to be renovated and exciting new academic and athletic facilities will be built.

“This is the largest fund-raising effort that we do,” said Lee. “We have 136 volunteers in our community who have volunteered to go out and they are given assignments to the people they know in the community.”

Lee added that they talk with people about making a donation to Methodist for student scholarships.

Each year a Loyalty Day supporter of the year is selected. The person selected is someone who has supported Loyalty Day for many, many years. The name of the person will be announced at the Loyalty Day luncheon on Feb. 25. Tim Richardson, area vice president of First Citizens Bank, is the Loyalty Day chair this year and will be speaking at the luncheon.

“You can give cash, checks, stocks and land,” said Lee. “You name it and we will accept it because no amount is too small and every bit makes a difference.” Lee added that there are many individuals in the community that give every year to help Methodist succeed because they see the jewel Methodist is and want to invest in it and help Methodist grow. Please make checks pay-able to Methodist University. For more information call Krista Lee at 630-7169 or email her at klee@methodist.edu.com.

Photo: Each year supporters of Methodist University come together to raise funds that are used to help students pay for education and expenses.