Teacher, Teacher! Where Would We be Now?

Currently there is much controversy in North Carolina over the recent voting rights and education legislation signed into law by Governor Pat McCrory and our republican-leaning general assembly. Yes, North Carolina is getting a lot of air time on national TV and radio; though I’m not sure it’s the complimentary kind. Even high-pro관le Republican personalities like former Secretary of State Colin Powell is weighing in on McCrory’s voter ID position and labeling it a bad move for Republicans, noting that he considers it to be ineffective strategic planning. Wow! And that coming from a republican?

For me, honestly, I have no idea what’s going on up there in Raleigh. I just can’t figure out the strategy of either party.

Unfortunately, and like many Americans, I just don’t understand why our state and federal governments are so adept at finding, identifying, uncovering and exposing government waste, abuse, fraud and duplication yet they are totally powerless, or unwilling, to do anything about it. Go 관gure.

Both Republicans and Democrats continue throwing barbs at one another while continuing doing “business as usual” by ignoring horrendous circumstances that every American recognizes regardless of their social status, religion or race. Frustrating. So, now that we know the lay of the land, let’s talk about education in North Carolina and Cumberland County.

First of all, I will state the obvious: “Every politician we have elected are where they are today because of a dedicated teacher, professor or educational mentor. And, if asked, each and every one of them could recount fond and grateful memories of how those educators affected their lives and molded them into mature, responsible adults.

This being the case, why then are North Carolina teachers’ pay ranked as one of the lowest in the nation? That is a simple question, which lacks a simple answer.

However, I will say with some certainty that it is not because our current Republican administration does not value or appreciate the noble profession. Recently, an educator was quoted as “not having a raise in seven years.” Seven years? The McCrory administration is less than a year old. What were previous administrations doing about this? Educating young children has always been a valuable avocation. It is not a business where revenue and pro관ts drive corporate direction. Our entire economy is based on the simple concept of supply and demand. As more parents, high school and college counselors direct and push students into teaching professions, the glut of available qualified teachers will continue to grow keeping both the demand and the salaries down.

For sure, this is not to say we do not appreciate the people who we entrust with educating our children on a daily basis. And, if this is not enough justification there is an even bigger deterrent to higher teacher salaries: That is the passion, dedication and overwhelming desire professional teachers have to participate in developing, influencing and nurturing humanity. The truth be known, yes, teachers and teacher assistants deserve higher salaries, but the majority (silent) of dedicated educators are hard-working professionals and not doing it just for the money. Back to what I said earlier, there would be plenty of money for increased teacher salaries if local and state governments would focus on detecting and eliminating government waste, fraud, duplication of services and abuse of tax payers’ money.

North Carolina educators should stay focused and strive for not only higher salaries but also for higher measurable standards in education. If children are truly our future, then they should not be pawns used by individuals, organizations or political parties intent only on trying to further their cause.

Here in Cumberland County, I am extremely proud of our educational achievements and applaud the efforts of Superintendent Dr. Frank Till and his staff of administrators, principals, teachers and teacher assistants. All of whom, despite salaries that should be more reflective of their talents and achievements, succeeded in getting every school in Cumberland County accredited — feat that eluded Mecklenburg and Wake Counties.

In addition, the Cumberland County School District was recognized as one of the top four educational systems in the country and has become a finalist for the Broad Foundation Scholarship Award. The Broad Prize ($550,000) recognizes large urban school districts that show significant improvements over a four-year period. Cumberland County did not apply for this consideration; it was independently chosen out of the country’s 75 largest urban school districts serving a large percentage of low-income and minority students. We were one of four districts that had notable gains in overall student achievement and in reducing achievement gaps for low-income Hispanic and African-American children. Proof positive that we have a system that works.

A system dedicated to the profession of educating young children. A system full of educational professionals, staffers, principals, teachers and teacher assistants and all doing more with less. Why? Because they care. What price can be put on this? So, I guess if you are reading this, thank a teacher. They are priceless!

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. Don’t forget you can go to our website at www.upandcomingweekly.com and subscribe free and receive our VIP edition directly to your computer Tuesday afternoon. Also, listen in to my show with Goldy and Jim on WFNC’s 640AM Good Morning Fayetteville every Wednesday.

Good food, culture, music, dancing and great company — what’s not to like? It’s time for the 23rd Annual Greek Festival and all the fun that comes with it. Sept. 6-8 the congregation of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church will host the much anticipated and much loved Greek Festival.

The entire congregation pulls together every year to host this event, and every year the community takes them up on their offer of hospitality. The festival is centered on outreach and sharing, and every year the entire Greek community pulls together to give the locals an opportunity to get to know our neighbors and their culture a little bit better.

“One of my favorite things about the Greek Festival is the fellowship and learning more about our religion and sharing these things with the community,” said John Poulos, a member of the Greek FestivalPlanning Committee. “I like sharing the positive things that the Greek culture and the Orthodox Church does for the community and sharing our culture and our heritage.”

Many friendships are formed and memories made when people break bread together. A favorite aspect of Greek culture for many who attend the event, is the food. The Greek Festival features everything from gyros to souvlaki to spanikopita. For those who love Greek food this is a great opportunity to taste the many lovely flavors of the Greek Isles. Lamb, beef and chicken prepared with olive oil and spices make up a portion of typical Greek fare, along with the greens and veggies that are used in a refreshing Greek salad. Stuffed grape leaves, or dolmades are another popular dish. While parents can enjoy authentic Greek cuisine, there is always something for the kids to eat, too. Greek beer and wine, which pair nicely with the authentic cuisine are also available at the event.

Not much finishes off a great meal like an amazing dessert, and local Greek pastries can’t be beat. This is one of few occasions throughout the year when the congregation offers such delicacies in great supply. Filled with honey, nuts and butter, baklava is always a hit, but the pastry table is always covered with a variety of delectable treats like finikia, almond cookies and more.

This year there will be a limited lunch all day Friday, with a full dinner serving beginning at 5 p.m.

Decked in traditional garb of the Greek Isles, various folk dance troupes perform each year, showcasing the native dances and dress of their homeland. The troupes typically perform at various times throughout the weekend and often invite the audience to join in the fun and try a few of the simpler dances.

“We are going to show visitors to the festival how to Greek dance, but we will also give them a geography lecture and show slides of cities, villages and monuments in Greece,” explained Poulos.

Traditional Greek music will be provided by the Nick Trivelas Band, right down to the bouzouki, a mandolin-like instrument that is a staple in this genre of music. His playlist includes not only traditional Greek songs, but songs that can be heard in Greek taverns today. He’s released a CD of Greek Dance Festivalival music and one of Mediterranean love songs as well and both have met with great success across the country.

No culture can be truly understood without examining its faith. Take a guided tour of the church and learn more about Greek history and the Greek Orthodox beliefs. It is a great time to ask questions and delve deeper into the beliefs that inspire so many people in the community.

Books about the Greek Orthodox faith are sold at the market each year. Visitors will find everything from paintings, to clothes to jewelry. 

The Greek grocery store offers things like olive oil, cooking wines, coffee and other items that are commonly found in Greek pantries. It is a fun way to experiment with new ingredients, or even to pick up some hard to find items that will perk up meal time.

Also on display will be a traditional Greek home. Take a peek into the simple décor and serene atmosphere of a typical homestead that one might find on a Greek island.

The raffle each year includes two round trip tickets to Greece (or $2,000). The tickets cost just $5 each.

An addition to this year’s Festival is a community health fair. Working in partnership with Cape Fear Valley, the Festival will offer CPR classes as well as screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol. Attendees will have a chance to give back during a blood drive.

“We are hoping this will have a positive impact on the health of Cumberland County,” said Poulos.

Gracious hosts each year, the generosity of the congregation extends beyond the Festival weekend. Several nonprofits in the community benefit from donations that the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church bestows upon them. This year is no different, as the church plans to share part of the proceeds from this event with the community. Agencies who will receive funding include the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America, the United Way and the Autism Society. “If you haven’t been you should give it a try,” said Poulos.

“If you have been before, we can’t wait to see you again!”

The Festival runs Sept 6-8 and is open from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday; Saturday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. Entrance to the event and parking are free, but come prepared to shop and eat! Find out more about the Festivalival at www.stsch.nc.goarch.org or by calling 484-2010.

Photos:  A celebration of culture, faith and food, the Greek Festival runs Sept. 6-8.

Finding Money for College

How many times have you thought about going to college, only to have your dreams put on holdbecause you could not figure out how to pay for it? The information below will explain how you can turn those educational dreams into reality and offers solutions that you might explore for paying for college.

First of all, let’s compare the costs of education. Per 12 credit hours of education Fayetteville Technical Community College tuition and fees cost $903; state universities cost $3165.38; and private institutions cost $5102.

FTCC offers several college transfer options. If you graduate from FTCC with a two-year college transfer degree and have met the requirements of our statewide agreement with the university system, you will enter the university as a first-semester junior. As you can see, FTCC is your affordable alternative for your first two years of college.

With that said, how do you pay for classes at FTCC? Take a moment to consider your options below.

Grants: Grant funds are generally given based on financial need. Students do not have to pay back any grant funds received.

Scholarships: Scholarship funding is given to students based on different criteria, such as need, merit, or other specific requirements. Students do not have to pay back scholarship funds.

William D. Ford Loans: Loans disbursed through the William D. Ford Loan Program help provide students with financial funding for education, but students must pay back the loan money which incurs interest.

Payment Plan: FTCC offers a payment plan that breaks up the cost of college into a series of four payments.

Short-term loans: FTCC offers to students who are applying for financial aid but have not yet completed the entire financial aid process a short-term loan, which must be paid back.

Employer Grants: Inquire with your employer about employer help with funding for your education. Many employers consider helping their employees with education expenses a worthwhile expense because employees’ job skills will become enhanced or upgraded through education.

Private loans: Students can easily access a listing of providers of private educational loans through an Internet search. Remember, loans are monies that must be paid back, and loans incur interest.

Workforce Development: The Workforce Development Center is a service provided through the state of North Carolina that will pay tuition for individuals who are trying to upgrade their workforce skills. http://www.faytechcc.edu/institutional_effectiveness/wfdfrequentlyaskedquestions.aspx

Centralized Tuition Military Assistance:Many active duty soldiers qualify for tuition assistance. Check with your educational officer to see how you qualify.

Veteran’s Benefits: If you are a veteran or the dependent of a veteran, you may qualify for certain benefits to include the payment of tuition and fees. For more information, visit the FTCC veteran’s website at: http://www.faytechcc.edu/veterans_services.

Clubs, Organizations and Churches: Many clubs, organizations, and churches offer scholarship programs.

Would you like to know more about the options above? Visit the FTCC Financial Aid Website at www.faytechcc.edu/financial_aid/types_of_aid.aspx. Act now to ensure that you have completed the necessary steps to pay for college. FTCC is pleased to serve and be your school of choice!

Photo: Finding money for college might be easier than you think.

Anyone who has spent a season in North Carolina knows that mosquitoes are hardly scarce in the region. It is not an unfamiliar situation that as the sun starts to set and the sky erupts with colors, the beauty of the night may be corrupted by the eruption of mosquitoes. It doesn’t have to be that way, however. There is a company dedicated to helping families reclaim their yards from the bloodsucking pests, The Mosquito Squad.

Paul Reinhardt, the owner of Mosquito Squad in Fayetteville, has a passion for getting rid of mosquitoes. He says that it is important to control these pests.

“There is a rampant outbreak and the mosquitoes are one of the deadliest predators on earth. Their bites result in more than 2 million deaths a year,” he said.

Female mosquitoes bite humans in order to get the blood they need for their reproductive cycle. Unfortunately, besides leaving itchy annoying bumps, these attacks can also lead to the spread of diseases such as the West Nile Virus and Malaria.

On the Mosquito Squad website there are many do-it-yourself tips such as removing standing water and planting catnip, citronella or a few other plants that mosquitoes naturally hate. If that is not enough to protect a yard, calling a mosquito elimination expert is the next best thing to do.

There are several options for yard treatments such as barrier sprays which last for an average of 21 days, misting systems, which periodically mist foliage with bug repellent and even all-natural options that can be applied every 14 days. For special events like weddings, the Mosquito squad can also apply a 24-48 hour barrier spray with added repellents for stinging insects before guests arrive to ensure a pest free day.

“When we come out to spray a yard, 90 percent of mosquitoes will be eliminated and families will be able to enjoy their yard again,” Reinhardt said.

There are many advantages to having an entire yard protected as opposed to layering on bug spray before every outing.

“It is healthier than applying chemicals directly to the body. The spray is put on the surrounding foliage and it is healthier and more effective. It allows people to use the outdoors again and it greatly reduces the chance of disease.” Reinhardt explains.

Though it is especially designed to kill mosquitoes, the bug spray applied to gardens and yards gets rid of many other pests as well. Ticks are another major disease-spreading pest that can be eliminated from homes. Known to cause Lyme Disease and other diseases, ticks causes serious health issues in tens of thousands of people each year. These parasitic arachnids are common in any wooded or grassy area, but can be eliminated with the use of a barrier spray or misting system. The Mosquito Squad has more tips on how to get rid of mosquitoes and ticks on the website.

For more information or to schedule a visit from the mosquito squad visit http://fayetteville.mosquitoesquad.com or call 910-779-2656.

Photo: The Mosquito Squad is a local company that can get rid of what bugs you.

The fifth season of Huske Unplugged starts on Sept. 4, and if the past four seasons are any indication of the talent that is likely to participate, Fayetteville is in for a treat. While there are several venues for musicians to perform locally, Huske Unplugged is a platform for songwriters (many of whom also happen to be performers). Last season ended with a bang as both local and national sponsors awarded prizes worth more than $20,000.

Huske Hardware House owner Josh Collins has been a strong supporter of the event since its inception when he offered $2,000 of his own money as the prize. Last season, PCG Nashville, an agency that helps professionally develop artists of all genres awarded a $15,000 scholarship to their program, Reed Lallier Chevrolet offered $3,000 or a one-year car lease and Manifold Recording offered free recording time. Through the entire season the audience was treated to a variety of music by songwriters with varying levels of experience and expertise. In the end, Autumn Nicholas won the scholarship category and Ethan Hanson won the cash award category - and truly the biggest winners were the people who came out week after week to encourage and listen to the songwriters.

Sponsors are stepping up to support the participants. Mike Tiemann of Manifold Recording has confirmed that they will once again be a sponsor for Huske Unplugged Singer/Songwriter Night. The songwriter awarded best overall performance will receive a day of free recording at the state-of-the-art facility in Pittsboro. There will also be cash prizes each week and at the conclusion of the season.

As in previous seasons, there are eight weeks of preliminaries. Wednesday nights at 7 p.m., the sign-up sheet goes out. Performances start at 8 p.m. There are 12 available slots each week. The winner walks away with a cash prize and a spot in the semi-finals. Songwriters should come prepared to perform two to three songs, one of which can be a cover song.

"Songwriters come to this with different levels of experience," said Greg Biltz, cohost and cofounder of the event. "Sometimes one song is all they've written, and we still want to give them a chance to be heard."
There are two weeks of semi-finals leading up to the big night on Nov. 20. Throughout the competition Biltz has made sure that the event remains focused on the songwriters and the work they put into their compositions.

"This is not American Idol Fayetteville," said Biltz. "This showcase is about songwriters. Not every songwriter is a natural performer, and we want to keep this about content. We've had some amazing talent come out in the past four seasons and I hope to see some familiar faces, along with plenty of new faces, this time around."

In the past four seasons combined, 96 songwriters have participated. Only one, Nicholas, has won both the cash prize category and the scholarship category. That means there is a chance that the audience will get to see some of their favorites come out again since winners are only able to win each category once, at the current time.

An advocate for local musicians, Biltz is impressed with the talent in the area and has been blown away time and again with the many musical acts and what they have to offer.

"Our very fist winner, Nathan Fair, opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd at Sturgis this year," said Biltz. "He said they asked him to come back next year, too."
Nicholas has been to Nashville as part of winning the scholarship category last season. "I went to Nashville to watch Autumn. It was her first appearance as a PCG Nashville client," said Biltz. "She blew everyone away."

While Ethan Hanson won last season in the cash award category, the execs from PCG Nashville were reaching out to him, too, on the night of the finals. While there were several top-notch performers at the finals in April, Biltz called Hanson's victory a well-deserved win. "There were some people that I thought had a good chance, but then Ethan came in and just ate everybody's lunch," he said.

Casey Cotton competed last season and has put together a group that is building quite a following around town.

"Casey is the best keyboard player I have seen in 30 years. He is a showman," said Biltz. "He puts on a good show and he knows how to connect with the audience. His music is  upbeat and hard to describe. They do some fairly well-known pieces, but the way they put it together is different and fresh."

Mitch Clark is another crowd-pleaser that Biltz hopes to see at Huske Unplugged. "He has been a finalist in all four events and he is coming along phenomenally as well," said Biltz. "He is really developing as a songwriter. In 2011, he had never written a song before and he came in third place."

With so many talented writers and performers it's hard to tell who may or may not show, but Biltz is excited to see what this season brings.

"I've said from the beginning, and I tell everybody who shows up to play that this isn't about the money or winning a prize," said Biltz. "It's about an opportunity to have your original work heard. It is a chance to play your own songs in front of people who are interested in hearing them. Shoot, if I weren't hosting I'd be up there every week just to get my material heard."

Huske Hardware House owners Josh and Tonia Collins have been supporters of local musicians for years. In fact, their daughter, Summer Collins, has graced the stage at Huske Hardware, Festival Park and other local venues since she was in middle school. Thanks to her family's support and her talent and hard work, Summer is yet another success story in the Fayetteville music scene.

"I am finally heading west to Nashville, Tenn., to attend Belmont University as a commercial music major," she said. "I will be working with masters of the industry and surrounded by inspiration. I am anxious to dive into the Music City culture and driven to make Fayetteville proud."

Season five of Huske Unplugged starts, Wednesday, Sept. 4 at Huske Hardware House. Check the Huske Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HuskeHardware for more information.

During the Revolutionary War, the French played a huge part in securing victory for the United States. One man more than any other stands out as a hero and a leader, our town's namesake, the Marquis de Lafayette. In honor of this hero of the American Revolution, and our namesake, starting Sept. 6, the Lafayette Birthday Celebration ensues.

To kick-off the celebration, Lieutenant General Russel L. Honorè will speak as part of the Lafayette Leaderhip Speaker Series. General Honorè is famous for his management of the Hurricane Katrina aftermath. He is now a public speaker about emergency preparedness and leadership in modern day America. The lecture is free to the public and is on Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. until 11:50 a.m. in the Reeves Auditorium at Methodist University, 5400 Ramsey St.

There are a number of events over the weekend for people to enjoy. They are family friendly, and the majority are completely free to the public.

"There is the Lafayette Trail tour where people retrace the steps of Lafayette's visit in 1825. Kids can go with their parents to Wine, Paint and Canvas and paint an Eiffel Tower. For people who like sports there is a 3K pooch run and fencing - an open fencing tournament at the All American Fencing Academy. There is something for everyone. There will be sidewalk sales and entertainment in the streets," Hank Parfitt, the event organizer said.

Wine, Paint and Canvas will offer the paint your own Eiffel Tower from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Sept. 8. It costs $30 for adults and $20 for children. For more information, call 483-0433. Wine and Canvas is located at 3350 Footbridge Ln.

The sidewalk sale is also on Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., all throughout downtown Fayetteville. For more information, visit www.lafayettesociety.org/sidewalk-sale.php.

The 3K Dog Jog and a 5K Road Race will begin behind the Medical Arts Building at Hay Street and Bragg Boulevard. The race starts at 9 a.m. on Sept. 8. The Lafayette Open Fencing Tournament is the fourth annual tournament. It begins at 10 a.m. and will last until 3 p.m. at the All American Fencing Academy, 201 Donaldson St. For more information, call 644-0137.

The Marquis de Lafayette is a huge part of American History, and though cities all over the United States bear his name, Fayetteville, N.C., is the only one ever visited by the man himself. One of the most popular events of the birthday celebration each year is the guided tour of the Lafayette trail. "Bruce Daws, the city historian and commander of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry, which is the second oldest private militia in the nation, will guide people through the route Lafayette took when he visited Fayetteville. He will be wearing the uniform that the militia would have been wearing in 1825, when Lafayette visited." Parfitt said. Before the tour there will be coffee and croissants and afterwards there will be a great lunch catered by Circa 1800. A new addition to the tour this year is the local landmark The Cool Springs Tavern. Tickets are $3 and are available by calling 678-8899 or at City Center Gallery & Books at 112 Hay St.

For more information, visit www.lafayettesociety.org/events.php. 

Get set to be entertained by "Ready and Resilient," the 2013 U.S. Army Soldier Show as it comes to the Crown Theatre Sept. 3-4.

The 75-minute song-and-dance production by active duty, Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers uses music to put an entertaining spin on how Soldiers and their families maintain readiness and resiliency.
"We had to take a good look at what the Army says makes troops and their families ready and resilient and what mechanisms the country and the world in general are offering to help with resilience," said Soldier Show Artistic Director Victor Hurtado. "And helping with readiness because you know there's a good chance that you're going back out again, so you better be ready.

"The show is very much about illustrating not only ways to get away and be resilient, but also illustrating overarching solutions to certain issues that are facing the military today, like [the Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program], Gold Star, Blue Star and Survivor Outreach Services," Hurtado said.

The show's troops are focused on accomplishing the mission and providing quality entertainment at the same time.

"The material makes sense with the messaging, and it also makes sense to them," Hurtado said of the 15 Soldier-performers and seven Soldier-technicians who comprise the cast and crew. "We're also going to be entertaining. We're going to be singing songs just because they are on the radio."

Hurtado promises there is something for everyone who watches the show. Tributes are paid to the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 75th anniversary of "God Bless America," the 60th anniversary of the Armistice of the Korean War, and the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the modern era of the U.S. Army Soldier Show.

"Every American, military-affiliated or not, will be able to see themselves in the show," Hurtado said. "The fact that the show is entertaining someone is already taking them away [from their mindset], but the messaging is going to inspire. We know they are coming to be entertained, but further, the content in the show is designed to hopefully be a time-released pool of inspiration."

From the opening song, "Let's Go" by Calvin Harris, the direction of the show is set.

"There's a lyric in there that we've taken almost all of our cues from, and it says it's not about where you've been, it's about where you're going," Hurtado said.
"To me, as the artistic director and the writer of the show, that's where I'm taking my cues from," Hurtado said. "Resilience is about the now. And readiness is about getting ready for the future. Not much you can do about the past. We're not painting a rosy picture, but resilience, again, is about moving on."
Hurtado does not want to reveal too much about the show, insisting this is one not to miss.

"The mechanism is really brilliant, so if we give too much of it away, they are going to be expecting it," Hurtado said. "Arguably and humbly, I will say this is going to probably go down as one of the more well thought-out shows, and there are a lot of reasons for it."

The shows are free, and start at 7 p.m.

This past Saturday I attended the first of what will hopefully be many more candidate forums for the office of mayor of our fine city. This forum was hosted by the Cumberland County Citizens United organization in western Fayetteville, which originally formed to fight Fayetteville's "Big Bang" annexation a few years ago.

Needless to say, that was a failed endeavor.

The overall turnout was disappointing. Some estimate about 100 people showed up to hear the candidates; when you take out the five mayoral candidates, their families and the media, I'm not sure the turnout was all that impressive. Maybe about 60 people.

However, I was pleased to see two Cumberland County Commissioners there, Billy R. King and Ed Melvin. I have always felt that Fayetteville would benefit from a closer relationship with Cumberland County officials.
In any case, all five mayoral candidates did show up present and accounted for. That, in the end, was the real problem for me. In attendance were the three serious mayoral candidates: Val Applewhite, current city council member, Air Force veteran, businesswoman and mother of two; Kirk deViere local business owner, business man, community volunteer and past chair of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerc; and Nat Robertson, lifetime resident, local businessman and former two-term city council member.

The other not-so-serious candidates present were CCCU founder Charles Regan and past city council member Paul Williams. Both of these gentlemen will be on the ballot for mayor but by their own volition only serve as posers* (*short for impostors, i.e. posing as something you are not) since neither are serious mayoral candidates.

Combined, their responses, statements, postures and positions on issues facing the City of Fayetteville would have been comical and even laughable if the circumstances were not so serious. Their performance on Saturday begged the question: What were they doing there?

Honestly, both these candidates have come out and declared that they are NOT serious candidates for the office of  Mayor of Fayetteville.  Neither has any intention of actively campaigning or soliciting for the position.
So why are they taking up space at a citizen forum dealing with serious issues concerning the future of the City of Fayetteville? After all, just because they can scrape up $24 in sofa change to pay the filing fee does not entitle them to make a mockery of this democratically protected American right - or to create a distraction to the process that many feel is vitally important to our city's future at this very moment.

This mayoral race (or any electoral race) should not be used as a buffoon's personal platform to draw attention to themselves by creating a continuous eight-week rant just to get their name in the newspaper or an invitation to a radio talk show to promote a business or for creating their own personal public forum for whining, complaining, criticizing and pontificating over circumstances and situations for which they have no remedy or intention of solution. Sad.  

In any case, it is my opinion that these types of shenanigans are not needed or wanted in this race where loyalty, honesty and ability will come together to define the type of person capable of providing the residents of the City of Fayetteville a mayor who can effectively lead our city. There is no place for Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello or Dumb and Dumber. We all can look elsewhere for our comic relief.

With that being said, what is the solution? Easy. Don't invite them! That's right. If, through their very own words and deeds they have admitted they are not serious candidates then they should not be invited to participate in the forums. The hosts of these forums should invite only the serious candidates (Applewhite, deViere, Robertson) and let the time and efforts be wisely spent educating the public on how they plan to lead and improve our city. People who attend these forums want to hear what they have to say about crime, jobs, taxes, roads, transportation, PWC, storm water and the other important issues facing our community, all of which I deem serious.

A $24 filing fee does not give these irreverent posers the right to waste the valuable time of our voters by distracting and confusing the issues when we have so much of importance to talk about. For what it is worth, here are a few other comments and recommendations about future forums:

1. Have closing comments. Each candidate should have a chance to make a final statement.

2. Ditch fluff questions. Pose hard, fair but relevant questions on serious, relevant subjects that demand specific answers.

 3. Let the audience ask questions to specific candidates then give other candidates an opportunity to comment.

4. With a moderator, let the candidates pose questions to each other. Hey, this could be where the real fun is.

I'll close by thanking you for reading Up & Coming Weekly and by congratulating and saying "thank you" to Val Applewhite, Kirk deViere and Nat Robertson for taking up the challenge to serve and improve our city. Vote!

A smart, but frustrated, chum rang up recently with an unusual complaint that resonated with me. We Americans simply have too many choices. We have so many choices, she suggests, that choosing among our myriad options has become actual work.

All of us research our major purchases. No one ever buys a car without researching it in some way. We do not go to a car dealership and say, for example, "I want to buy a blue car." Even writing that sounds absurd, much less doing it. Instead we decide what sort of vehicle we want - sedan, station wagon (moi!), SUV, pick-up truck - how much we want to spend on whatever we have chosen and perhaps what brand we prefer. We read and talk to other people. Then we go out to find the vehicle we want and haggle with the sales staff until we cut a deal.

Not so with lesser consumer items. Take shampoo. Have you cruised what is generally called the "Hair Care" aisle lately? It is smorgasbord of colors and sizes, products for normal hair, oily hair, damaged hair, colored hair, aging hair, thinning hair, curly hair and on and on. Products at eye level - how they got that cherished spot is anyone's guess - may sell more because they are the obvious and easy grab, but if you actually look around, confusion reigns. How can a shopper know what is the right product for his/her young or old, curly or straight, dry or oily, flowing or skimpy tresses? If you survive the great shampoo hunt, you may feel the need for a hair conditioner. And about a styling product? Gel or spray? Mousse, perhaps? Do you go for the same brand in all these products or do you mix and match? If so, how do you choose which shampoo goes with which conditioner, much less which styling goo?

You are getting the idea. The whole thing is a lot of work not because hair products are unique in and of themselves, but because there are so darn many of them.

Ditto for face cream, hand cream, toothpaste, shaving cream and just about every other "personal care" item you can imagine. We are drowning in choices.

And, my friend insisted, do not even get her started on wine options! In the olden days before Americans took up wine quaffing with an enthusiasm unmatched even in Europe, most of us thought we had two choices - red or white, and the occasional pink one, which, if we were feeling sophisticated, we referred to as a rosé.

My, how times have changed! My neighborhood grocery has an entire wine section, bigger even than the beer display, which must be a shock for some of the good-old-boys. There are chardonnays from California and France, champagnes from France, proseccos from Italy, malbecs from Argentina and Chile, merlots, pinot grigios, pinot noirs, sauvignon blancs, cabernet sauvingnons, bordeauxs - all from many different regions of the world, along with traditional chiantis and chabillis. It is all a bit much for a shopper who simply wants to find a wine to serve dinner guests Saturday night. He or she is going to have to work hard to avoid making an embarrassing vino faux pas.

The choice problem is certainly not a problem on the scale of, say, world peace, but it is frustrating and confusing. I know that specialty stores maintain knowledgeable staffs who can help us decide what suits our needs and our pocketbooks, and they can indeed be instructive. The cold hard reality for many shoppers, though, is that many of us are busy, doing all this on the fly as we juggle our other responsibilities and obligations. Devoting significant chunks of time to what our hair may be hankering for or finding the perfect after-dinner sherry just is not in the cards for most of us on a regular basis.

So what are we to do? For personal care items, wines and lots of other things, this consumer takes to the Internet to read reviews posted by other people who have tried whatever it might be. This is not a foolproof system, as we all have different needs and different tastes. I find the practice helpful, though, as fellow consumers can be brutally honest as in "this blouse is made of really cheap fabric and makes you look fat." or "this cream smells like motor oil," realities advertising faithfully overlooks.

Happy shopping!

Magic has tantalized the public for generations, providing entertainment and wonder for millions across the globe. One thing that magic is not commonly related to however, is education. As most people know, “a good magician never reveals his secrets.” Kidsville News! is changing that though, with a new take on magic shows.

Kidsville News! and the Kidsville News Literacy & Education Foundation are partnering with the Crown to present Truman’s Mystical Magical Adventure, featuring The Amazing Vandoren. This show promises to be not only fun, but also educational and beneficial to the community. Kristy Sykes, the event marketing consultant says “Net proceeds from this event will go to the Kidsville News Literacy and Educational Foundation to continue providing educational community programs for our youth.”

The magic show is an event that the whole family can enjoy. The Amazing Vandoren has been performing for years, and just as his name suggests, he will amaze the crowd. Truman will also attend the magic show.
“He will greet everyone as they walk into the show and he will actually be on stage assisting The Amazing Vandoren,” Sykes said.

For schools, shows will take place Oct. 3-4. There are two shows each day at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Each school that attends will receive a donation of $1 per attending student. Tickets cost $8 per student.

Principals, teachers, chaperones and bus drivers get in free. The school with the most students attending will also win a Truman’s Magic show, starring The Amazing Vandoren, for their entire school. Each student who attends the show will also receive an autographed photo of Truman and The Amazing Vandoren. Schools can book shows by having a school representative call 484-6200. The show is open for schools in Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, Lee, Sampson and Robeson counties.

There are also public performances, with an evening show on Oct. 4, at 7 p.m., and an afternoon show on Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. There are also special group rates and military discounts offered. It is requested that large groups make reservations. All tickets for family shows can be purchased by calling 484-6200 or through ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com/Crown-Center-tickets-Fayetteville/venue/115005. Tickets can also be purchased at the Crown Box Office. All shows will be held in the Crown, at 1960 Coliseum Drive.

The Kidsville News Literacy & Education Foundation’s mission is to “improve literacy, education and character development among America’s young children by providing support for various early literacy and learning-based initiatives nationwide.” Since 1998, one way the foundation has done that is through Kidsville News! This child-focused publication is a free resource for grades kindergarten to fifth grade that is distributed to schools across the nation. Currently, 1.4 million people are reached by Kidsville News! every month.

To sponsor or donate to Truman’s Mystical Magical Adventure contact Kristy Sykes at 484-6200 or kristy@upandcomingweekly.com.
“Donations will help cover the cost for underprivileged students who otherwise would not be able to come,” Sykes said.

This past week, a lot of talk and a lot of newsprint has been dedicated to talking about the need to revitalize the Bragg Boulevard and Murchison Road corridor, particularly where it intersects with Fayetteville State University. Additionally, Fayetteville State University Chancellor James Anderson called for a closer tie between the university and the city. None of this is new news.

When I moved to Fayetteville in 1997, people were talking about the same things. Everyone agreed that it was important work. It was work that needed to be done. And we all went about our business doing other necessary work. At that time, the city's attention was focused on downtown. People gathered to watch the old strip clubs on Hay Street fall to the wrecking ball and newer edifices like city hall, the police department and later, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum take their place. This was revitalization at its finest.

Residents gawked as brave investors began pumping money into downtown. The brave among us attended the first of the 4th Friday events, happy when we got back in our cars with no mishaps. And slowly, downtown became a reality. It was work, hard work. Those involved in the lion's share of that work, people like Robin Kelly-Legg, endured the cynicism and the rebuffs from established business owners, but kept pushing to make it a reality.

In 1998, WRAL ran a story about the revitalization of downtown: Years of planning, fundraising and taking risks is paying off, as downtown Fayetteville makes a comeback. You may not be able to see it from the street yet, but inside many downtown Fayetteville buildings, there is quite a bit of restoration going on. And, it doesn't come cheaply.

"Mike Pinkston owns the Climbing Place. One year ago, he invested his life savings in the indoor-climbing business. His hope was that if he built it, they would come - even if customers would have to come to a decaying downtown Fayetteville. Luckily, private cash has resulted in an uptick for the heart of the city.

"Since the spring of 1996, more than $24 million has been invested here by the private sector. The Fayetteville Partnership's Robin Kelly-Legg says that those investors are seeing healthy returns.
"Pinkston is so pleased, he is expanding his business. And, others have big plans as well.

"The investor of the Huske Hardware House brew pub will have spent more than $4.5 million dollars, once the floors above the restaurant are turned into apartments (That still hasn't happened). The Radisson Prince Charles is also spending about $4 million for a new nine-story tower. (That also didn't happen, although development plans are underway.) "Officials with the Fayetteville Partnership believe the money is coming, because people believe its Vision Plan is going to work."

There are some key things in this 15-year-old story about downtown that are missing when it comes to revitalizing Bragg Boulevard and Murchison Road.

First, there was a key entity - The Fayetteville Partnership was tagged with pushing revitalization efforts in downtown. And, there was a point person - Kelly-Legg. Her office lived and breathed downtown. More importantly, she had a passion for it and put her heart and soul into it. There is no lightning rod, no one-source that can be tagged for the revitalization of Bragg and Murchison. Certainly Chancellor Anderson cannot be that person and no one in the city is stepping up to the plate.

Secondly, there was a vast investment of private money going into the downtown area, as noted in the story, more than $24 million in private funding. We can't even get anyone to open a restaurant or hotel adjacent to a college campus. That should be easy. Students eat. Their families who come to visit need a place to stay near the campus. Why won't investors bite? Take a look at the crime rate and take a look at the surrounding neighborhoods. (Which again, scream revitalization.)

Finally, what's missing in the call for revitalization of these blighted areas is belief. People do not believe that Bragg Boulevard or the Murchison Road corridor can change, and where there is no belief, there is no action.

For these areas to change, we need at least one true believer who will spearhead the effort and put in the work necessary to make it happen. Who will step into that role?

Those already familiar with Cape Fear Regional Theatre's top-notch productions anticipate the new theater season much the same way kids look forward to summer vacation each year. From the theatre's earliest days, founding director Bo Thorpe made careful selections for each season, inspired performers to give their all and delivered well-produced, award-winning plays to the community. As the organization has grown and transitioned through the years, it has continued to provide some of the best theatre productions in the region. When Tom Quaintance joined the team in 2011, stepping into Thorpe's role as artistic director, the theatre continued to flourish.

At the official announcement of the 2013-2014 theatre season, Quaintance reminded the audience that CFRT's motto and guiding principle is "Great stories told here." He added that "Great stories bring us together, bridge gaps between generations and cultures, inspire us, excite our imaginations and give us the opportunity to share what is important in our lives."

The season opens on Sept. 19 with an adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince. The story was first published in French in 1943. "It is truly a tale for all ages - a fantastic journey through the stars for kids and a path for adults to remember what is important. As the wise fox said to the little prince ‘It is only with the heart that one can see wisely what is essential is invisible to the eye.'"

The CRFT crew is already hard at work prepping for this gem. In fact, they have a few new tricks up their sleeve for the audience. "There are so many cool things about this play," said Quaintance. "We are working on a lift that will raise the Little Prince's planet so that it grows out of the stage. There are several very talented musicians in this. There will be live music and original compositions."

Quaintance sees this as a story for adults in a kid-friendly format, noting that this play will bring out the child in everyone. "This really is a family show and something that parents can enjoy with their children," Quaintance said.

Next in the line up is Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. This Tony Award-winning masterpiece is set in London and features dark humor and wit. Drama and horror mingle with beautiful songs with humorous lyrics. Quaintance called the piece Shakespearean in scope, ambition and execution. The piece runs through Nov. 17 and will be directed by Quaintance.
"I was lucky enough to work on this piece in Chapel Hill over the summer, so it is fresh in my mind and will be much bigger than I first envisioned when we decided to do this play," said Quaintance.

A long time favorite, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever returns to the stage Dec. 5-15 for school performances and Dec. 3-13 for public performances. This show has been a part of the CFRT holiday repertoire for more than 20 years and includes local and regional actors in rotating casts.

"One thing that really strikes me about this play is that every year when we have a couple hundred kids come out to audition, if you ask them why they want to be in The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever they always say that Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without BCPE," said Quaintance.

There is plenty to do around the holidays in Fayetteville, but not too many adult-centric activities. That all changes this holiday season. The SantaLand Diaries by David Sedaris, runs Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14. This is a holiday treat for grown-ups and will play during the weekend evenings of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, only later. The play is a comedic look at Sedaris's tenure working as a Macy's SantaLand elf. Local actor, Michael Thrash carries this one man show.

"This is a really funny show that is a little racy, but definitely something worth seeing," said Quaintance. "We are running it later in the evening after the BCPE performances are over and the kids have all gone home."
Fiddler on the Roof won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. A production that covers a wide range of emotions, this production will include the efforts of award-winning director and choreographer Gary John LaRosa. With more than 25 years in the theatre, La Rosa has more than 200 productions under his belt, including performances in the 25th and 30th anniversary productions of Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway and national tour. He's been a part of more than two dozen productions of the play around the world.

"One of the things I really like about LaRosa is that he has a lot of experience with Fiddler on the Roof, but he is interested in producing it for the community we are in. This is one of the greatest musicals of all time and it has not been on the stage here since 1971. It's time," said Quaintance. "Sometimes people forget how deep and meaningful the story is, how change can be difficult, tradition is important and how hard it is to face the pressures to abandon deeply-held beliefs."

This classic musical based on Joseph Steins book and Sholem Aleichem's stories by special permission of Arnold Perl, opens on Jan. 23 and runs through Feb. 16.
August Wilson's The Piano Lesson opens March 6 and runs through March 23. This drama will be the main stage production of CFRT's 18th Annual Classic Theatre Series. More than 1,500 students from Cumberland County Schools will receive free tickets to see this show. This production is an important component in the CFRT's goal to bring stories that the entire community can appreciate to the stage.

In the past, this production was performed off site for students, but this year the CFRT has made it a part of the regular season as well. "As a nonprofit we have a responsibility to do good in the community and this show is the most important work we do all year," said Quaintance.

The CFRT staff met with the Cumberland County School System and coordinated this show with the 11th grade reading curriculum. All the 11th graders in CCS will read The Piano Lesson this year and will have a chance to see the play.

"We added it to the regular season not only because it is a great play written by one of the great African-American playwrights," said Quaintance, "but also because we hope that the students will see it and their parents will come see it too, and that they will  be able to have an ongoing conversation at home."

April 17-May 4 don't miss John Buchanan's The 39 Steps. An Olivier Award Winner: Best Comedy and Drama Desk Award Winner: Unique Theatrical Experience, The 39 Steps mixes the suspense of a Hitchcock masterpiece with the quirky humor of Monty Python for a fast-paced who-dun-it that is sure to please, according to Quaintance. The script includes more than 150 characters and will be played by a cast of four performers. Nick Minas will direct.

The season comes to a close with the Rivershow - Return to the Forbidden Planet. The website describes this production as take one plot (Shakespeare's The Tempest), one B movie (Forbidden Planet) and for added flavor plunder the entire Shakespearean cannon for dialogue (the more pungent the plagiarism, the more piquant the final effect). Filled with favorites like "Wipeout," "Young Girl" and "Monster Mash," the show runs from May 15-25.

This is Quaintance's second full season as the Artistic Director at CFRT. Since his arrival in Fayetteville, ticket sales are up 40 percent and the theatre is in the enviable position of selling out shows on a regular basis.
"Some people tend to wait till the last minute to purchase their tickets and they have found themselves unable to attend," said Leslie Flom, of the theatre staff.
The best way to counter that situation is to purchase season tickets, which are also cheaper than box office prices.

"One of the things that consistently surprises people is how varied our program is," said Quaintance. "A lot of people think we just do musicals, but we are more than that... we do dramas, comedies, you name it. Our goal is for the entire community to feel welcome and excited about what they will find here. Fayetteville is a diverse community and there are not too many places for everyone to come together. We want this to be one of the places where everyone can come together."

Find out more about CFRT and the upcoming season at www.cfrt.org.

...And the Pursuit of Happiness

Okay, I know I did not come up with those iconic and much-loved words.

Thomas Jefferson did. He penned them into our nation’s Declaration of Independence, giving form to the yearnings of people who would ban together to create a new nation and signaling hope to others all around the world — even today. As a schoolgirl first learning about our Declaration of Independence, I wondered why, if happiness were an “inalienable right”— as Jefferson put it, why was I not always happy? Why was I happy some days, unhappy at other times and just blah in between the highs and the lows?

What young Margaret was overlooking are the key words, “the pursuit of.” Jefferson was not saying that all people have a right to be happy. He articulated that we have a right to try to be happy.

Splitting hairs? Not really.

But what is happiness and is it good for us?

Happiness is certainly different for all of us, but for me it often involves spending time with family and friends, knowing that the people I love are safe, well and seemingly happy themselves. I experience what I feel as happiness, for example, around the dining table with people I care for as we share ideas, stories and each other’s lives. Good food, often prepared together, enhances the experience. I suspect most people have similar definitions of happiness — not so much winning the lottery as enjoying ordinary life with those we most care about.

That may not be the ultimate happiness, though.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and University of California, Los Angeles released results of a study earlier this month indicating that all happiness is not created equal — that some kinds of happiness are better for us than others. It sounds like if we want to be both happy and healthy, we need to focus less on our own happiness and more on that of others.

The researchers found that while we cannot measure our emotions, including happiness, the way we measure height and weight, they do have physical components. Happiness can improve our health in various ways, reducing our risk of heart disease, stroke, maybe even cancer. But, they say, the kind of happiness I find being in the company of loved ones is really a self-centered form of happiness that makes my immune system act as if it were under stress, which is not usually a good thing. Long-term stress is known to weaken our immune systems, leaving them more vulnerable to all sorts of diseases. We cannot see all of this, of course, because it is a swirling chemical mix that affects our bodies for good or for ill, but science tells us it is real, nonetheless.

Happiness focused on others or on one’s own purpose in life, however, causes a positive reaction in our immune systems.

Most of us have experienced such happiness although we might not have realized what a positive force it is in our bodies. I think about a third grader I once tutored whose reading improved as I helped him. I think about a single mother and her children whom my family “adopted” one Christmas, and a horse my daughter and I found running loose on a rural road. She caught him and we returned him safely to his own barn.
I did not love that 3rd grader or the single mother the way I love my family and friends, and I was actually a bit nervous around the horse who was much, much bigger than my daughter and me. But I did feel good about helping in each instance, and that is the kind of happiness the researchers say is positive for our health.

UNC psychology professor Barb Fredrickson, the primary author of the study, says there are many ways to find happiness, all of which are important to our well-being. She has found meaning in her own life by writing books using her scientific expertise but meant to help a broad audience. “This is my way to make a positive contribution to society,” Fredrickson says. “And it makes me feel good, too.”

Fredrickson adds that much is left to be learned about happiness and that the key to good health over the long haul may be balancing different kinds of happiness.

This sounds like another example of what everyone’s mother told us growing up — that moderation in all things is the secret
of life.

And it may be confirmation, yet again, of why we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

Common Sense and Civility, Please

From my early childhood, I have been a political junkie. Yes, I will admit it, I am probably one of the only third graders who watched both party’s national conventions — not because we didn’t have cable and there was nothing on — but because I thought they were cool.

And yes, when I was in college, I spent one weekend every month participating in the North Carolina Student Legislature debating issues that were of importance to our state and country. And yes, while in high school, I was on the parliamentary procedures team and know Robert’s Rules forward and backwards. So you can guess that with the political season getting underway in our fair city and state, I am avidly watching and listening to what candidates have to say.

And I am somewhat saddened.

We have only just begun the season and already the claws are out and the nastiness has started. I don’t want you to tell me what’s wrong with your opponent, I want you to tell me what’s right about you. I can figure out what’s wrong with both of you. I want to see campaigns that offer real solutions, not campaigns that simply slam their opponent’s ideas. That’s easy. Showing me how you will fix a problem is the hard part.

I also want candidates who know the left and right limits of what they can and cannot do in the office to which they aspire. I do not want a candidate running for the school board to tell me they will decrease the size of my child’s class. That’s just not possible. I also don’t want candidates running for mayor to tell me they will lower the national debt, bring world peace and solve global warming. I want them to tell me how they will 관ght crime in our city, bring jobs to our community and run our city like a business. Anything else and you are just blowing smoke. I know it. The other voters know it, and hopefully so do you.

I also want candidates to be educated — primarily on the jobs they are hoping to take on — but also on how other factors impact that job. I would be lying if I didn’t add that I also want you to know how to put together a cogent, well-thought-out plan for what you hope to achieve while in office.

And, while I am at it, I want you to serve the term you are elected for to the best of your ability and not spend that time in office campaigning for another term or for another office. If I’ve wasted my precious vote on you, you better make it worth my while.

I also expect you to act in a civil manner not only to those who support you, but also to those who do not. Denigrating someone because they don’t share your opinion is a mark of true ignorance. I listen to those who are so far removed from what I believe and try to take something away from what they say, because they might just have something worth hearing.

I beg of you to let common sense reign in all that you say and do. Don’t make big promises and write checks that your office and position can’t cash. That does nothing but muddy the waters and confuse people who really are just searching for answers.As noted in the movie The American President, if you are running for office, then be prepared to lead. We as a community are thirsty for leadership — and while you may be able to confuse some people into believing what you are offering is just that — some of us will see past that if you don’t know what leadership really is.

In the coming months, you will see a lot about campaigns in the pages of this paper — just look to the next page. We will allow all candidates to express their views. So don’t hammer us because you think we are too liberal or too conservative. We aren’t. We are simply members of the Fourth Estate who want our community to see all sides of the issue.

My love for politics has not dimmed with age, but I no longer view it through the eyes of a child. I see it for what it is — a sometimes dirty necessity that is one of the greatest freedoms that we have.

This political season, inform yourselves. Educate yourselves and, yes, this is my 30-second sound bite, vote. It’s not a right, it’s a privilege.

Michael Solovey is not your average artist. He does not sit, excluded from the rest of society, in a personal studio constructing his next Michelangelo-esque masterpiece to be auctioned off at some wealthy estate. No, Solovey is a member of the military who has served throughout the world in areas like Bosnia and Afghanistan. He uses his experiences to inspire creativity and form a powerful work ethic that can be inspirational for us all. Residents will be given the opportunity to view his work at Gallery 208 anytime during the business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Up & Coming Weekly office.

Whether it be a commission by an Army unit or a personal project he creates for himself, he explains his way of approaching artwork on his website www.soloveyart.com.

“Success equals fulfillment. And to me, fulfilment is the combination of three very specific ideals that must be constantly pursued,” Solovey says. “Probably the most rewarding concept for me is to ‘build something from nothing’ — whether that be a business, to composing a piece of artwork, to designing, engineering and then building an automobile from the ground-up. All the while, pouring every ounce of your energy, talent and heart into that specific initiative or ideal.”

The Solovey Art Collection’s vision is clear: Give back to the community and create artwork with passion and attention to detail.

Solovey continues to describe his experience as a writer.Solovey continues by describing what it means to share his work. “Then there is the process of taking that end product(s) and sharing it. And then hopefully, others will feed from it and find inspiration that carries over into their respective pursuits. Then take it a step further - and mentor those junior to you — especially, in my case, younger artists.”

There’s no doubt that younger artists have a reason to look up to Solovey’s work and philosophy. He defines the American dream and success through his artwork.

One might categorize Solovey’s work as military art but there is so much more. Solovey caters to a wide variety of art subjects whether it be old automobiles to paintings of people and locations. Solovey is also known for his sculpture, architectural renderings, landscapes and fine-art commissions.

Do not miss the opportunity to see Solovey’s work yourself. Bring along any art lover and you’ll be sure to find something to appreciate in this tribute of hard work and dedication. The exhibit is free.

Call 484-6200 for more information.

Photo: Jingle Truck is a depiction of the vehicles that are commonly seen in Afghanistan.

Big trucks, small trucks, old trucks, new trucks and mud trucks. No, this isn’t a Dr. Seuss story, but the scene of Aug. 10 at the Outback Motorsports Complex in Laurinburg. The Mud Bog Run will raise money in support of the local Spring Hill Fire Department so that the firefighters can better equip themselves to save lives and homes. Additionally, some of the money will be donated to Relay For Life.

The Mud Bog Run is what one might expect. ATVs, dirt bikes and trucks are welcomed to tear up the mud track for an evening of unadulterated, mud-slinging fun. Mudding became popular in the ‘70s throughout the United States and Canada and still remains immensely popular today.

“It’s cool to see the guys go through mud bogs. It’s pretty popular to a lot of people. We’ll have a three-acre pond in the back, too. We’ll have a little bit of mud wrestling and a little bit of everything,” said Mike Evock, owner of Outback Motorsports Complex.

“It’s a good, family-oriented event and park,” Evock said. “It’s an event for people to get together, have some food, have a good time and have fun.”

While enjoying the mud bog, pick up some concessions and enjoy the DJ at the event as well. Also, there will be a bouncy house for the kids to enjoy.

This is the first Mud Bog Run in support of the Spring Hill Fire Department. The money raised will help the department buy more firefighting equipment as well as aid their construction efforts in adding to the department’s new building. The Mud Bog Run is the perfect social event to have a great time and support a good cause. If this is your first mud bog run and you’d like to participate directly, Evock has some advice.

“Just have good tires on your truck and go right ahead,” Evock said. “Go out there and go for it. Give it a shot.”

Relay For Life is the charity of the American Cancer Society. Since 1985, Relay For Life has donated more than $4 billion to cancer research. Participants in the relay jog different laps to bring awareness to the harm cancer does to society. The organization began in May of 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt ran around a track in Tacoma, Wash., for 24 hours, ultimately raising $27,000 for the American Cancer Society. A year later, hundreds of supporters joined the event and it has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon.

Do not miss out on the chance to help save lives in two different ways. The gates to the event will open at 9 a.m. And the mudding will begin at 3 p.m. For more information about this event, call 916 0284.

Thanks to its strong connection to Fort Bragg, the citizens of Fayetteville have a unique level of access to the military. One way that this benefits the community is the many events that the military sponsors and that local citizens get to enjoy. One such event is the concerts presented by the Army Ground Forces Band, the Summer Salute.

The Army Ground Forces Band has a rich history. Originally the Fourth Infantry Regiment Band, it was formed on July 21, 1845. The Armed Forces Band is the only military band that has received a combat distinction, which it earned by fighting in the Mexican War. The band now serves by performing all around the country for events ranging from local festivals to inaugurations. Local performances are particularly special for the band, however.

“The Army Ground Forces Band arrived at Fort Bragg in the summer of 2011. Since that time, the band has endeavored to find ways to serve the area’s citizens and strengthen the ties between the Army and the surrounding communities. To further those goals, the band worked closely with the City of Fayetteville, Parks and Recreation and the Arts Council to plan this year’s inaugural outdoor concert series. The band’s first performance on June 20, was attended by several hundred people and honored firefighters, paramedics, first responders and members of the Red Cross for their service to the community. The biggest reward is being able to play for the members of our host community; the biggest challenge is getting Mother Nature to cooperate,” said Carol Eubanks, the public affairs specialist with the U.S. Army Forces Command Public Affairs Office.

This summer, the band will offer free concerts in Festival Park. While many may be skeptical about concerts presented by soldiers, these fears are wholly unfounded. These soldiers auditioned for the band, and many of them have trained at the nation’s leading music schools. A prime example of the skill level required for this band is the current commander and conductor, Captain Daniel Toven. He has a masters of music in conducting from Eastman School of Music, and numerous other accolades such as attending the Pierre Monteux School for Orchestra and Conductors.

One of the most incredible things about The Army Ground Forces Band is its mastery of multiple genres of music. With the Summer Salute the band is highlighting its flexibility by performing many different styles.

“Each concert promises to be a highly entertaining evening of music by some of the Army’s most talented soldier-musicians. The remaining concerts will feature the Loose Cannons rock band (Aug. 9), the Jazz Guardians (Aug 16) and the Concert Band (Aug. 30),” said Eubanks.

It is fun for the whole family, and has something for everyone to enjoy.

Festival Park is located in downtown Fayetteville at 225 Ray Ave. The concerts are free to the public and it is recommended that those attending bring a blanket or a lawn chair. The concerts begin at 7 p.m. and are scheduled on Aug 9, 16 and 30. For more information, visit the website www.forscom.army.mil/band or call 570-7223.

Photo: The Army Ground Forces Band is set to perform several concerts for the community with its Summer Salute Series.

When many people see an empty plastic bottle, they see garbage. Artist David Edgar sees potential. A retired Associate Professor of Art at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Edgar has more than 25 years experience in the art world, including contributions as a production artist on Epcot Center and Tokyo Disneyland. His most recent exhibit, Transformation: Artful Recycling, is on display at the Arts Council through Aug. 17.

His work is colorful and playful, and consists mostly of plastic bottles that he transforms into brilliantly colored sea creatures and masks. Several local artists contributed to this exhibit as well. While using found and/or discarded objects in art is not a new idea, this exhibit offers an insightful and thought-provoking look at recycling and waste while offering whimsical and colorful creations.

“We have done a recycled art exhibit for the past several years in partnership with the city environmental resources department,” said Mary Kinney. “Our sponsors are on behalf of the City of Fayetteville. This exhibit brings attention to the importance of recycling and turning trash into something wonderful, useful and enjoyable instead of putting it into landfills.”

According to environmentalistseveryday.org, garbage has a huge impact on our lives and our planet.

“The average American discards 4.43 pounds of garbage every day. (EPA facts and figures). The total volume of solid waste produced in the U.S. each year is equal to the weight of more than 5,600 Nimitz Class aircraft carriers, 247,000 space shuttles or 2.3 million Boeing 747 jumbo jets (Beck).”

Dosomething.org further notes that more than 75 percent of waste is recyclable, but we only recycle about 30 percent of it and Americans throw away 25,000,000 plastic bottles every hour.

This year the exhibit was an invitational. It includes some local favorites as well as a visiting artist.

A professionally trained sculptor, Edgar spent more than three decades welding steel sculptures. Even then, his work included found objects. His first foray into recycled art involved a football game.

“We were new in Charlotte nine and a half years ago,” said Edgar. “The day the Panthers played the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl we were invited to a party. I didn’t have a hat or T-shirt, but I had a plastic bottle that was the right color blue. So I used that and part of a rotisserie chicken tray and some other scraps to make a mascot mask to take to the party. That was the beginning.”

Maybe it’s the whimsical nature of his pieces, or perhaps it is the “focus group approved colors” as Edgar calls them. Either way his pieces were well received from the beginning. So much so that now plastic is the only medium Edgar shows.

“When I first started working with plastic I thought I was in denial about my steel work and that I was not confronting my serious calling,” said Edgar.

Then he entered a juried exhibit called Trashformation. “The curator was a guy named Lloyd Herman. He was the founding director of the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian, which is America’s craft museum. He really liked the work. That was within the first 90 days of me trying something new,” said Edgar.

Marcela Casals is a staple in the local arts scene and has contributed significantly to the culture of the area. In fact, she worked on the N.C. Veterans Park project making moldings of the hands of North Carolina veterans. Her pieces in this exhibit include “Expansion” and “Woodforestdream.”

“Woodforestdream is a great addition to this exhibit,” said Kinney. “We spend so much time thinking in flat planes. The words on a page are flat and we read from left to right. Looking out over the ocean we see a horizontal plane. This piece challenges us to think more vertically and to look at the world in a new way.”

Phil Atwood created three pieces using found objects. One is called “Birdfeeder,” and the other two are both titled “Elegant Birdfeeder.”

Megan Dietzen made a stunning American flag using a wooden pallet and acrylic paint.

Greg Hathaway used found metal to create a piece called “Still a Rose.” Other pieces contributed by Hathaway include wood and found objects titled “Small Fish,” “Vessel:Nuclear Artifact,” “Santee Cooper River Bouquet” as well as a series of junk owls.

Regina Lloyd-Dodd used magazines to create collages with titles like “Raeford Old Gin Mill,” “Water is Life,” “Country Window” and “Take Me There.”

Brian Tyler submitted “Order,” “Flower I and Political Arena,” “3x#,” “Flower II,” “The Lottery,” “Garden Ball I,” “Garden Ball II,” “Grape Table” and “Garden Table.” The pieces are made of found objects and include drawers and mosaics.

Some of the things that Edgar especially appreciates about this exhibit is that the pieces address a serious topic in a fun and original way.

“I like that the work makes people smile. It is fun to watch people walk by and do double takes when they see my work. I think that it is good that artwork can have intellectual accessibility, that it can be about something that is serious but it doesn’t have to be heavy and intense. You can have fun with it, This is not over the top art that you can only appreciate it if you have a graduate degree. It resonates with people.”

Transformation: Artful Recycling runs through Aug. 17, at the Arts Council, at 301 Hay St. Find out about this and other exhibits, events and opportunities at www.theartscouncil.com or by calling 323-1776.

Photo: Transformation: Artful recycling is a celebration of recycled art. 

Life Unfolds in the Grocery Store

Dear Mr. Dillon:

Congratulations to the Kroger Corporation on its recent purchase of Harris Teeter, North Carolina’s home-grown chain of more than 200 regional grocery stores in which many of us have lived out our lives. I have read with great interest several news accounts of Kroger’s recent acquisition and breathed heartfelt sighs of relief when you and other Kroger brass promised not to change a thing. I and countless other devoted VIC card customers are taking you at your word but keeping our fingers crossed anyway. We have, after all, seen corporate buyouts before.

I was a Harris Teeter shopper before it was Harris Teeter. I packed up my newly minted North Carolina Driver’s License to scoot to the Big M, Harris Teeter’s predecessor, to pick up some item my mother needed for dinner, and it has just continued from there. During the saddest Christmas season our family ever had, my sister and I went to Harris Teeter on Christmas eve and bought one of the few remaining Christmas trees for $2, a tree so big we struggled to get it home and even more to get it in the house. It was so big we had to wire it to a window frame and it fell over anyway. One of the few laughs that dismal holiday season was that we were the only people stupid enough to buy a tree that big, no matter what a bargain it was.

Then came my own family, children who twisted around in their cart seats to take items off shelves when I was not looking and later zoomed along the aisles despite my pleas for calm. Harris Teeter wisely dealt with the loose children issue by providing carts with steering wheels for them to “drive” and “shopper in training” carts for them to push. There are also snacks to sample for both children and more mature shoppers, a hit with everyone.

Over the years in the grocery, one of my cousins refers to as “store to the stars,” I have shared the happy news of engagements, pregnancies, college acceptances with friends and grieved with them over terrifying medical diagnoses, deaths of loved ones, all manner of family heartbreaks. I have talked politics, recipes, exercise classes, budding romances and every other conceivable topic and managed — most of the time — to bring home what the Dicksons were having for dinner.

Back in the go-go days before the Great Recession descended, my VIC card number was awarded a Caribbean cruise, which my husband and brother-in-law enjoyed tremendously since I was unable to go. I know that VIC cards are marketing and tracking tools, but I still love checking my Harris Teeter receipt to see how much I save each visit and how much so far each year.

I admit to straying from time to time. There have been forays into various Food Lions and even Krogers when we had them, both the one on McPherson Church and the one on Hope Mills Road. But my car always finds its way back to the Harris Teeter parking lot, and not just because it is the most convenient grocery store to chez Dickson. It is also the grocery whose employees wear name tags with their year of employment on them, many of whom have been there so long, name tags are no longer necessary. I love it that Harris Teeter hires people with obvious physical and/or mental disabilities, a blessing for them, their families and those of us who come to know them.

Then, of course, there are the groceries themselves. Harris Teeter, also known in some circles as simply The Teeter, boasts a glorious produce section offering us both staple veggies like potatoes, spinach, apples and oranges and the sorts of exotic goodies this native North Carolinian never imagined when I first crossed the Big M’s threshold — bok choy, for example. And, my goodness — the seafood! It comes from North Carolina’s long coast and from every other corner of the world. Harris Teeter thoughtfully tells shoppers exactly what country, whether it is farm-raised or wild-caught and offers recipes for how to cook it.

I have never considered writing a fan letter to a grocery store, but that seems to be what I am doing. Harris Teeter is almost as woven into my life (and those of many other North Carolinians) as our jobs and our families. Most of us are perfectly happy with the status quo.

So, dear Mr. Dillon, as you and your colleagues cope with that pesky lawsuit from disgruntled Harris Teeter shareholders and attempt to absorb all the Harris Teeter stores into the largest grocery chain in our nation, please remember those of us down here in the Southeast. We know Kroger execs in Ohio might find us a tad quirky in our devotion to the grocery store we grew up with, but please ease us into the change we know is inevitable.

Photo: For many, Harris Teeter is more than a grocery store. It is a place where lives unfold.

New Albums Released

This week in The Buzz we will feature several recent happenings in contemporary Christian music.

Stellar Kart frontman Adam Agee tells us about their new lineup and new sound.

According to Adam Agee, lead singer for Stellar Kart, the band has undergone some major changes over the past couple of years.

New guitartist Nick Baumhardt, former touring player with Thousand Foot Crutch, brings producing skills along with his “killer” guitar playing. Adam’s longtime friend Jeremi Hough has been the drummer for the band over the last several years.

The newest member of the band is actually Nick’s sister Allie. Reluctant at first, she is now thriving on bass and brings complementary vocals as well. Allie’s voice is featured significantly on the new Stellar Kart record All In. Adam describes it as having a new dynamic and being super-fresh.

The album releases on Aug. 27.

Veteran artists still have plenty to sing about.

More than 30 years ago I, along with thousands of Christian music fans, was introduced to Amy Grant through her song “Father’s Eyes.” Much has changed in the world of music over the last three decades, but the key to producing great songs is the same; sing relate-able lyrics, from your heart and direct attention back to the giver of the song. Amy’s first studio release in ten years, How Mercy Looks From Here follows that formula to a tee. She is as transparent as ever as she shares this ‘labor of love’ with the world. How Mercy Looks From Here by Amy Grant is available now.

Fresh off a successful project he did exclusively for Cracker Barrel, Steven Curtis Chapman has another full studio album ready to release; The Glorious Unfolding. The first single, currently available for download, is the upbeat and infectious “Love Take Me Over.” It has a very familiar sound, not unlike what we have heard from Steven in the past, yet at the same time it is new and fresh. The Glorious Unfolding by Steven Curtis Chapman will release on October 1st.

A baby has been born but for this one London is his name, not his birthplace.

Group 1 Crew is made up of three individuals: singers Blanca & Manuel along with drummer Ben Callahan. Well Ben and Blanca are married and they recently welcomed their first child into the world!

London Rey Callahan was born at 12:55 a.m. on Thursday, July 25. Everyone is happy and healthy. And when the touring season starts up in the fall, life on the bus is sure to be much more exciting.

From 1919 to 1929, a group of artists, writers, wits and actors met in New York City’s Algonquin Hotel for lunch. This celebrated group became known as the Algonquin Round Table.

Members included writers Dorothy Parker, Harold Ross (founder of The New Yorker) and Robert Benchley; columnists Franklin Pierce Adams and Heywood Broun, and Broun’s wife Ruth Hale; critic Alexander Woollcott; comedian Harpo Marx and playwrights George S. Kaufman, Marc Connelly, Edna Ferber and Robert Sherwood. They became famous for satire, witticisms, wisecracks, and artistic creativity.

Fayetteville’s own Lynn Pryer hosts our city’s version of the Algonquin Round Table. Lynn is the creative genius and founder of Fayetteville’s innovative community playhouse — the Gilbert Theater. As a patron of the arts, he brings together an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, writers, poets, actors and bon vivant philosophers every Sunday for brunch.

Pryer started this salon movement to promote interaction among Fayetteville’s arts community. No venue existed for the arts crowd to meet socially and exchange ideas — in an informal setting.

Why?

In his lifetime, Pryer observed the gradual isolation of modern man. People would rather text than talk face-to-face. He saw how quickly “we are caught up in life; disconnected from one another in a highly modular society”.

“People today are victims of the technology of isolation,” said Pryer.

The weekly roundtable breaks barriers, builds bridges and connects individuals.

The “group with no name” meets at the Marquis Market on Hay Street. Every Sunday Pryer invites a new group of 14 epicurean arts-lovers. A different group each week brings together many creative people over time. The literati have been meeting since February 2013.

Pryer carefully prepares his invitation list. I call him Maestro because he orchestrates the selection of guests to insure compatibility and creativity.

At every brunch he circulates a sketch pad for everyone to doodle.

Upon arrival participants meet and greet over coffee then adjourn to a theme-decorated dining table. Every week Pryer has different decor. Past themes include Easter; famous writers; famous painters; dance; the African veldt; music; the Fourth of July; movies; vintage cars; great actors and actresses.

Interspersed with the dinner conversations are amusements. Pryer holds an auction for a coffee-table-type book. The book is related to the theme of the day. This is not an auction where money is the coin of the realm. Participants bid acts of kindness. I bid 17 acts of kindness to win the book The Art of Edward Hopper. Successful bidders must keep a journal and give a full report to the group after four weeks.

Dinner conversation is fresh and sparkling. Discourse covers a colorful spectrum from fashion to philosophy; to music, art, plays, writing and “wuz up” in town. This is a cornucopia of laughter, good cheer and frivolity.

The atmosphere is upbeat, warm and inviting. A vintage jazz combo usually provides cool music in the background. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a 1950s Greenwich Village coffee house.

A fresh venue … stimulating our vibrant arts community.

This is Fayetteville’s own Algonquin Round Table.

Photo: The Algonquin Round Table: (l-r) Art Samuels, Charles MacArthur, Harpo Marx, Dorothy Parker and Alexander Woollcott (circa 1919-1929)

If you’re like me, you have one or more drawers full of promotional T-shirts. And you probably have them in many different colors and with many different graphics, logos and phrases. Some say things that you are afraid to wear outside the house. Some are worn and faded.

“That one needs to go,” my new wife often says to me. I just chuckle and go on wearing it. That’s what I want to talk about this week — the difference between giving away a favorite T-shirt that people cling to beyond all reason and just another T-shirt.

T-shirts can be a powerful walking billboard. A good T-shirt does double duty as it is a constant reminder to the wearer of you, the giver, and they show your message to dozens or possibly hundreds of people every day that they are worn. That’s marketing power. So what makes for a good T-shirt?

T-shirts are made special in three ways: they commemorate an event like a concert, sporting event or visit to a tourist location: the print (graphic, logo or phrase) is one you like being seen wearing: and the fabric feels good against your skin or fits particularly well.

Commemorative T-shirts are generally created for retailers by professional designers. Most of you who are reading this are neither of those. However, some family and company events do deserve commemoration. Should you find yourself involved in such an event, then apply the rules we will be discussing later and you will be happier with the end product. If you are lucky enough to be using a nationally branded logo that is considered cool to wear, then you don’t need much more than that to get your T-shirt worn often. The rest of us, who have logos that are less well known, may need to add graphics, catchy phrases or effects around or behind it in order to create desire to wear it.

Often as not, it is a creative use of colors and shapes in the print that makes a T-shirt special. If your screen-printer has a full-time professional artist, he can take a mundane logo or design idea and make it a work of art. The really good ones can make an eye-catching print with just one or two colors, which saves you a lot of money. Using a professional artist might seem expensive but most work for between $30 and $50 per hour and can complete most designs in one or two hours. This is a small percentage of the overall cost of most T-shirt orders and can make the difference between a T-shirt that is worn a hundred times and one that is tossed in the garbage.

Sometimes, a catchy, funny or provocative phrase can be enough to increase the wear of your T-shirt. Think “Just Do It!” or “Life Is Good.” Use phrases that reflect an attitude (positive is almost always better when marketing a business) that has broad appeal. If you use one that appeals to a narrow demographic, then expect a majority to ignore it when choosing what to wear.

Most of my customers are surprised to learn that there are many ways to decorate a shirt besides standard vinyl inks. There are water-based inks that are soft after one washing (The most comfortable print for hot weather). Fashion inks that are somewhere in between. Laser engraving that burns the surface of the shirt but adds no pigment. Heat press debossing/embossing where the message is pressed into or raised in the fabric. There are many more and new ones are being invented all the time. Sometimes just decorating a T-shirt in a new and different way can be enough to make users want to wear them.

Lastly, let’s talk fabrics — the most overlooked aspect of the T-shirt buying process. You have this great graphic in mind and when it comes to choosing the fabric you ask, ‘What’s the least expensive?” Well, if a generic heavy cotton costs $5 and a fashion weight ring-spun ultra soft 4 oz. cotton costs $7, then the heavy cotton is the better deal right? Wrong. The fashion weight ring-spun is incredibly soft and light and most people prefer it hands down over the base model. Therefore, the fashion weight is worn many times more often and is a far better buy dollar for dollar than the heavy cotton. That is not to say you have to increase your budget for the better fabric. You are just as well off buying fewer of a better shirt than having more just end up in the landfill.

T-shirts are an excellent promotional medium but it takes thought and knowledge to make them truly effective. Take the time to choose the right fabric, decoration method, and image then watch your walking billboards do their job.

Photo: T-shirts are great ways to advertise, but there are a few things to think about first.

 Don’t Look Ethel!

Ha! Recording legend Ray Stevens shouted out that hilarious line in his 1970s hit song “The Streak.” This hilarious lyric comes to mind in a not so funny way when I think of the dust up local Fayetteville resident and Army veteran Don Talbot created when he sent out an alleged set of offensive photos depicting the extremely explicit realities of urban blight and noting the consequences of a deteriorating city.

It was shock and awe at its finest — Talbot style.

Online comments via email and Facebook flooded local cyberspace with criticism flying fast and furious lambasting Talbot for his insights. In reality, Talbot is right and he got me thinking. His message was as simple, as it was harsh: Is this what we want America to become? People were outraged.

When City Manager Ted Voorhees sent a reply-all message back asking Talbot to cease sending him such offensive materials and to remove him from his mailing list, it opened the floodgates of criticism of Talbot. And to my dismay, the race card was thrown.

When race is artificially interjected into any argument or situation, the result is that the main point of the argument is usually the photos people found objectionable — admittedly by their own volition.

Yes, they admit it.

Sure, it took nearly three decades to bring the Motown metro to this point, but, it was the citizens who nailed the coffin shut by consistently voting in leadership that took advantage of its citizens, extorted businesses and reduced the auto city to rubble. Talbot’s photos were nothing but a comment, warning and possible glimpse into the future of our nation.

My message is this: If photos of real life offend you, don’t look, but don’t bury your heads in the sand and think these problems are going away.

No one wants to see our community go the way of Detroit. But, only we can prevent this from happening. Love him, hate him, Talbot is right. We must stop illegal immigration. We must stop voter fraud — even if it means showing our IDs. Our leaders must focus on lowering unemployment by creating new jobs.

Most importantly, we must elect leaders who are ethical. It is a good time to remember if you do business anywhere in the world, you must be consistent. Being honest, hardworking and trustworthy has never failed to get the job done. Make your vote count this year. Send a message to all the candidates that character counts.

Make the statement that as Americans we need to stop rewarding bad behavior like that of New York City Mayoral Candidate Anthony Wiener, former Congressman Elliott Spitzer and of course our own Tonzie Collins.

You have a voice, use it. Vote.

See you at the Best of Fayetteville Party at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 17.

Photo: While many cities around the country face tough challenges like urban blight and high crime rates, citizens have an opportunity and a responsibility to be a part of the solution. Informed vot-ers make a difference.

 Raise your glasses for an all American good time. On August 8, Americans will come together to support and honor the people who make sacrifices for freedom everyday — military service members. Jack Daniels and the USO are collaborating to present Toast to the Troops. The event includes stuffing packages to send to deployed military members. To support and entertain the volunteers, as well as the general public, Fort Bragg MWR will a concert performed by Craig Morgan.

The day is broken down into three phases. Starting early, 150 volunteers will be ready for stuffing party. The volunteers are a mixture of military spouses, USO volunteers, Jack Daniels employees and friends. Care packages are to be stuffed with the necessities like razors, shaving cream, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant and sunscreen for 7,500 soldiers down range. In addition to these necessities each package will also contain a “toast” card. These cards contain personal messages for the soldiers that Jack Daniels and the USO have collected. After the stuffing party, the volunteers get to enjoy a nice cookout leading up to the prime entertainment — the Craig Morgan concert.

Morgan, a sensational country artist, is also an Army veteran. He spent 10 years on active duty and nine years in the Army Reserve. He has participated in eight Toast to The Troops events in Jacksonville, Fla. In a recent press release, Morgan stated, “I’ve said it before, but being part of every Toastevent over the past eight years has been a really rewarding experience for me. Our nation’s service members and their families do so much for us on a daily basis and I hope everyone will come out and join us.”

He has won fans over with his hit songs “Bonfire,” “Wake Up Loving You,” “Almost Home” and “That’s What I Love About Sunday.”

Morgan has participated in every Toast to the Troops, a total of 19 since 2005, but this one has a special importance for the singer. During his military career, Morgan was stationed at Ft. Bragg. “I served there when I was active duty in the Army, and I feel a special kinship with those soldiers and their families currently stationed at Fort Bragg. We can’t wait to get there to show them how much they are appreciated and supported.” Morgan said.

Since the program’s inception, Toast to the Troops events have provided more than 165,000 Operation USO Care Packages to troops overseas. This year is the 20th Toast to the Troops and that is remarkable. Kelli Seely, the USO Senior Vice President of Development and Chief Development Officer said, “Our 20th Toast to the Troops event is a true testament of the dedication and appreciation the Jack Daniels family has for the USO and our nation’s military. We are so grateful for their continuing support to bring a touch of home to those brave men and women serving overseas.”

U.S. Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) aims to create the best atmosphere for soldiers. The mission is to “serve the needs, interests and responsibilities of each individual in the Army community for as long as they are associated with the Army, no matter where they are. They also seek to bridge the gap between the garrison and the local community, and contribute to the Army’s strength and readiness by offering services that reduce stress, build skills and self-confidence for soldiers and their families. The Family and MWR mission is to create and maintain ‘First Choice’ MWR products and services for America’s Army, essential to a ready, self-reliant force.”

Here at Fort Bragg, MWR also strives to provide for soldiers and their family members. “We help to improve the quality of life for soldiers and their families by having quality entertainment and free opportunities for the community. Also, we provide service and a secure family-friendly environment at a very affordable cost,” Rhett Stroupe, special events coordinator of Fort Bragg MWR, said.

Ft. Bragg MWR also holds the Ft. Bragg Fair in May, the July 4th celebration in previous years, the Renaissance Faire in September and other activities and events.

The concert is free and open to the general public — no ticket is necessary — and lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. It is going to be at the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds. The gates open at 4 p.m. and the concert begins at 5 p.m.

“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to entertain soldiers and family and help relieve the stressors of military life,” Stroupe said.

The USO is dedicated to supporting the “spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide,” according to the organization’s website. The USO is a private and nonprofit organization, but the organization works closely with the government, as well as corporate partners and dedicated American citizens, to make all of its programs possible. So, for anyone who would like to support service members the Operation USO Care Package is an effective way to help. Due to heightened security, no packages that are marked “Any Service Member” can be mailed, so the USO ensures that the troops are still able to receive a little comfort from home. Since 2003, two million care packages have been sent overseas by the USO. The organization also offers other programs to support active duty military troops and families. For more information about these programs visit the www.uso.org.

Please do not bring pets, large bags, coolers, alcohol, glass, backpacks or weapons to the concert or Fair Grounds. For more information contact 495-1437.

Upon hearing that fellow musicians, David and Charis Duke were moving to Philadelphia, Soprano Gail Morfesis asked local businessman and supporter of the arts Menno Pennink to assist in presenting a concert in their honor. The concert is entitled Languages of Love: Music from Opera, Art Song & Musical Theater. It will be presented in The Capitol Room, 134 Person St., in downtown Fayetteville on Aug. 3, at 7 p.m.

Since their 2003 arrival in Fayetteville, the Duke’s have contributed their talents to the Fayetteville musical scene. Dr. David Duke came to join the music faculty at Methodist University and also served as the music director of many musicals at Fayetteville Technical Community College where his wife, composer and pianist Charis Duke, led the pit orchestra. He has been a cast member at Cape Fear Regional Theatre and in 2012 was a featured soloist with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra.

David’s formal studies include undergraduate degrees from Brigham Young University (Provo, UT, B.M. Music Education), and graduate studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (M. M. and D.M.A. in Vocal Performance).

Charis has made her presence known at FTCC, The Gilbert Theater and Snyder Music Academy. One of her children’s musicals, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, was presented by Up & Coming Weekly in conjunction with Snyder Music Academy in 2009 at the Sol Rose Amphitheater at Campbellton Landing.

Charis attended Brigham Young University where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition. She received a fellowship to attend graduate school at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she earned a Master of Music degree in Composition. Her music has been performed by numerous ensembles including the Jezic Ensemble of Baltimore, the Amadeus Choir of Toronto, the Boston Viola Quartet and the Cincinnati Camerata. She has received numerous honors and awards, most notably the Nancy Van de Vate International Prize for Opera from Vienna Masterworks. She is a four-time winner of the International Christmas Carol and Chanukah song writing competition, and most recently won the Cincinnati Camerata Prize for choral music. She has also written ten children’s operas which were commissioned by the Arts Academy at Bella Vista in Clovis, New Mexico.

The concert has attracted some of Fayetteville’s favorite performers who are no strangers to the world stage including vocalists Gail Morfesis (UNCP), Robert Williams (FSU) and pianists Scott Marosek (Methodist) and Jesse Davis (Methodist, FSU & Snyder Music).

The concert will be held at Menno Pennink’s Capitol Room, a relatively new music venue on Person Street in downtown Fayetteville. Dr. Pennink is a retired neurosurgeon and avid music lover having hosted 28 private music soirees in his home. Pennink states, “The Capitol Room was initially conceived as a private music room. When Suzanne and I moved from our home on Willow Bend Lane to the 300 Block in downtown, we had to part with our music room. So we looked for a building that would accommodate the same concept, making music in a private setting. We found a building on Person Street and created the Music Room. The room has a magnificent 9-foot Steinway concert grand and is a perfect place for chamber music. The acoustics in the room are excellent, enhancing the sound of the string instruments and voice. One of the interesting features of the room is that we used all recycled materials; the bookcases and cabinets came out of my old medical office. All metal was recycled material from an apartment complex, which was destroyed by a tornado that swept through our area a few years ago. The concrete floors were sanded and almost look like marble. The glass doors inside were salvaged from a downtown project.”

Don’t miss this wonderful farewell concert. Refreshments will be served. Seats are limited, so call our event manager Gayle Nelson for reservations at 978-3352.

Photo: Top left: Charis Duke, Bottom left: David Duke