Up & Coming Weekly recently had a conversation with local musician Roy Shiels about his plans for 2011.

UCW: Who are your band members and what instruments do they play?

RS: Roy Shiels (vocals, guitars, bass, piano & drums). I incorporate various musicians for live shows and I will be searching for live musicians when in Fayetteville.

UCW: Give us a brief history lesson on your career. When and where did you get started?

RS: I’ve been a musician (guitar) from the age of 15, played in several rock/ indie bands throughout Dublin city. I’ve been writing songs since 2000 and became a gigging solo artist in 2008.

UCW: How did you choose your stage name? RS: It’s my birth name UCW: How would you define your music?

RS: Light and shade... edgy, contemporary rock with with pop/indie elements.

UCW: Who are your favorite bands/influences on your music?

RS: Arcade Fire, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, U2, Peral Jam, MGMT

UCW: Do you write your own music and where does that inspiration come from?

RS: Yes. What ever life throws at me, I throw it into a song

UCW: If you only had two words to describe yourself what would they be? RS: Doggedly passionate UCW: What are your hopes/goals for the future?

RS: I really want to tour the United States.

UCW: Where do you see yourself five years, 10 years from now?

RS: Recording my third album and touring internationally.

UCW: Where can Fayetteville music lovers check you in the near future?

RS: I’m at www.myspace.com/royshiels and in early 2011, in as many Fayetteville clubs & bars as possible.

Photo: Roy Shiels

The Green Hornet (Rated PG-13) 3 STARS

Well, The Green Hornet (119 minutes) probably won’t win any awards, but that’s not really what it’s for anyway. Director Michel Gondry typically specializes in mind bending metamovies like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Be Kind Rewind. This one doesn’t quite seem to fit, and it seems to drag on and on at times, but it was a fun super hero movie with some hot leading men.

James Reid (Tom Wilkinson) is the publisher of the Los Angeles Daily Sentinel. In his spare time, he emotionally abuses his son Britt (Seth Rogen) and earns the admiration of the entire city. Too bad he is DOOMED!! Once he has thoroughly demoralized the little man in his care, the little man grows up to be a surprisingly thin playboy slacker; a “Bruce Wayne” type, if you will.

Britt goes through a mid-life crisis at age 28, but eventually the power of amazing coffee topped with a leaf shape made of steamed frothy milk beings him back to reality. The progenitor of this heavenly brew is the heavenly Kato (Jay Chou, who I forgive for not being John Cho). It turns out that in addition to cappuccino making and car fixing, Kato is super great at designing sophisticated weapons and preforming martial arts.

Lucky for Britt, he is also pretty terrific at saving people. When Britt makes a bad decision, Kato is there to do some awesome slow motion moves that result in all kinds of crazy camera work. Based on Kato’s overall perfection as a person, and the fact that Britt is trying to overcome his massive daddy issues, the two decide to work together to fight crime. Because becoming police officers/ private investigators/lawyers/people who work with disadvantaged children who just need a big brother to steer them towards good decisions would take way too much work, they go in another direction. They decide to be vigilantes who pose as criminals in order to avoid emotional blackmail or something — that part didn’t make much sense, but whatever.

There’s only one problem. Despite Britt’s fortune and Kato’s prowess, they have no idea how to be super heroes disguised as super villains. Enter Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz). She is, as so often happens, way smarter than the people she works for, but not smart enough to know she is being used. Her role saves the film from being a sexist mess, much like the skilled Jay Chou manages to subvert stereotypes just before the moment where they are promoted.

It is hard to pinpoint the Big Bad, but Benjamin Chudnofsky/Bloodnofsky (Christoph Waltz) is supposed to be the super villain. The problem is, the actor just isn’t channeling the action comedy genius you would expect … he is not menacing enough or funny enough. He doesn’t seem to fit the role, and he pulls the whole film down. Picture this: instead of a scenery chewing Waltz, let Edward James Olmos play the bad guy behind the bad guy! He was already in the film as managing editor Mike Axford, the trusted confidante of Poppa Reid … but he could have been so much more!

Too bad I wasn’t consulted. While the writers and directors were on the phone with me, we could have also talked through the disappointing love subplot that didn’t really go anywhere, and irritated me with its simplistic nature. At least I got some laughs out of the dialogue. But it’s never a good sign when I’m the only one in the theater laughing.

Overall, fans of Seth Rogen will enjoy an afternoon at the movies. Fans of the original Green Hornet, and the superhero genre in general should probably rent this one.

In being asked to do this article, I was introduced to the both beautiful and little known art of scrimshaw. I, like most people, had never heard of the practice, probably due to the fact that it was most popular in the mid-1700 and early 1800s, but is now getting some of the recognition it deserves.

Scrimshaw is the act of carving images into the surface of the bones or teeth of sperm whales, the baleen of other whales and sometimes the tusk of the walrus. After the picture is carved, the image is then highlighted with some sort of pigment or ink. The making of scrimshaw began on whaling ships between 1745 to 1759 on the Pacifi c Ocean, and was widely popular until the late 1800s. Scrimshaw is derived from the practice of sailors on whaling ships creating common tools, where the byproducts of whales were readily available to them. The term originally referred to the making of these tools, only later referring to works of art created by whalers in their spare time. Early scrimshaw was done with crude sailing needles, and the movement of the ship, as well as the skill of the artist, produced drawings of varying levels of detail and artistry. Originally, candle black, soot or tobacco juice would have been used to bring the etched design into view. Today’s artists use fi ner tools in various sizes, mostly borrowed from the dental industry. Some would ink their work with more than one color, and restrained polychromed examples of this art are now popular. The work of whaling was very dangerous at the best of times, and whalers were unable to work at night. This gave them a great deal more free time than other sailors and since whale bone was ideally suited for the task, and was easy to work and plentiful, the development of scrimshaw took off and stayed popular for many years.

The market for whale teeth, (which was sought by Chinese traders for use in the Pacifi c Islands), was fl ooded after a narrative by an American sailor revealed both the market and the source of the teeth survived until the ban on commercial whaling. The practice survives as a hobby and as a trade for commercial artisans, such as Kenneth L. Baldwin.

Kenneth Baldwin is a Cincinnati Ohio native, and is both a musician and artist that has worked in many different ventures including painting, book and magazine illustration and of course, the art of scrimshaw. Graduating from Cincinnati Art School of Advertising, he worked in advertising and commercial art until joining the US Navy as an illustrator; it was there that his love of scrimshaw fi rst began. “During my time in the navy I became quite interested in naval history and I remember seeing pictures of scrimshaw in history books, and was instantly attracted to its beauty and the craftmanship of it.” His work has been displayed in multiple galleries, museums, and with private collectors in the United States and in Europe. Along with his love of art, he has also been blessed with the talent of composing and performing music pieces. Since the early 1990s Kenneth has served as a primary songwriter and instrumentalist for several acoustic ensembles and also as a soloist and his compositions have been used on National Public Radio stations across the country.

Recently retired from the service and a new Fayetteville resident, Kenneth has been busy since he arrived, writing a one-act play, children’s book concepts, and a project consisting of a collection of new compositions for a recording of original American Civil War era songs.

Hank Parfitt, founder, director and past President of The Downtown Alliance says, “We’re very excited about presenting this installment by Kenneth Baldwin, it is truly unique. I do not think that Fayetteville has ever seen such an exhibit, and I think that people will really enjoy it.”

Kenneth has seen a great response to his work from the public. “I think people are fascinated by this true American art form. It’s a delicate and meticulous process, and people are always interested in the time that it takes and care that it takes to create this art. Scrimshaw has been around a long time, but it’s not a well known art form, although it is seen often on knife handles and similar items.”

When asked about the sometimes controversial usage of rare materials, Baldwin states “I rarely use whale teeth or walrus tusks any longer, but use the more environmentally friendly faux ivory. Other times I use Mastedon and Mammoth tusk, once they have been dried and prepared, which really adds to the carvings antique look and feel.

You have a chance to view Kenneth Baldwin’s art and sample his music this month at the City Center Gallery and Books on Jan. 28, located at 112 Hay Street, Fayetteville N.C. 20301. For more information call City Center Gallery and Books at 678-8899.

Since 1932, the North Carolina Symphony has been enthralling audiences with fi ne musical compositions and fi rst class entertainment. They perform 175 concerts annually throughout the state in varied settings and communities of all sizes. Whether it is a concert hall, a gymnasium or a park, the symphony is constantly and consistently reaching out to North Carolina residents to share with them the beauty and art of musical performances. They’ve partnered with other arts organizations like the Playmakers Repertory Company and the North Carolina Museum of Art to produce things like the four-concert series Crossing the Atlantic which examined cultural and musical dialogues between America and Britain and featured the work of Robin Holloway, James MacMillan, Edgar Meyer and Jennifer Higdon, among others.

On Thursday, Feb. 3, the North Carolina Symphony will perform at Reeves Auditorium at Methodist University as part of their Dance in Music Series.

The orchestra will play several pieces including Debussy’s “Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun” and “Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.” Renowned soloist Valentina Lisitsa will perform Saint-Sans’s “Piano Concerto No. 2”.

Lisitsa was born in Kiev, Ukraine to a family of non-musicians. She began playingthe piano at the age of three and had her fi rst solo recital when she was four. Although she is quite talented and music came easy to her, she had no intention of becoming a full-time musician. She had her sights set on becoming a professional chess player.

“With a minimum of practice time, she sailed through the Kiev Conservatory, winning competitions along the way, by relying on her extraordinary sight-reading abilities and photographic memory. Valentina attributes her effortless technique to hours of mindless repetition of the most difficult passages while simultaneously devouring a book that interested her, which she kept open on her music stand. This way, she explains, she was able to convince her family that she was practicing,” according to the North Carolina Symphony.

After meeting fellow student and her future partner, Alexei Kuznetsoff, at the Conservatory, Lisitsa began to think about music more seriously. The first major enterprise undertaken by the young couple turned out to be not only a great success but a turning point in their lives. They decided to prepare for the most important two-piano competition in the world — The Murray Dranoff Two Piano Competition.

In one year of intense work they achieved something which ordinarily takes decades — becoming a seamless unity as a duo-piano team. Their reward, in addition to winning fi rst prize in the 1991 Competition, was an opportunity to move to the United States and launch a career as one of the most highly-esteemed piano duos in the country, beginning with their orchestral debut at the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center in New York.

The dance portion of the evening will include Polovtsian Dances from Borodin’ opera Prince Igor. The Polovtsy were nomadic invaders of Russia who, in the opera, capture Igor.

The show starts at 8 p.m. Visit http://www.ncsymphony.org/ for tickets and more info.

Photo above right: Valentina Lisitsa

Your Fayetteville FireAntz return to action this Saturday night and will take to the ice in the middle of the muddied waters that are the Southern Professional Hockey League standings. There are only four points separating fourth place from seventh in the SPHL, with the top six teams qualifying for the playoffs.

There is plenty of hockey to be played, however, as the FireAntz have 21 games remaining of the 56-game schedule. Of those, nine are at home where the FireAntz will look to capitalize on their home-ice advantage.

As the FireAntz begin their push towards the playoffs they are looking to a few key players to lead the way. Two forwards, Chris Leveille and Rob Sich, are amongst the top four in scoring in the SPHL and have been near or atop the scoring list all season. Newcomer Anthony Perdicaro has been a tremendous spark for the offense as well, tallying a point-per-game that he’s been with the club.

At the other end of the ice, the FireAntz have received tremendous play from two rookie goaltenders, Travis Yonkman and Mike Spillane. Each arriving since opening night, the two rookies have proven to be among the best the SPHL has to offer. Spillane, who was named SPHL Player of the Week on December 5th, was then quickly called up to the Greenville Road Warriors of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL.) Yonkman, who leads amongst goaltenders in the SPHL in save percentage is the other half of the dynamic goaltending duo for the FireAntz. He is also fourth in save percentage.

Combining with the offense and goaltending the FireAntz continue to look to captain defenseman Craig Geerlinks to anchor the team’s defensive corps. The perennial leader in blocked shots as well as the all-time leader in games played in SPHL history, the veteran provides solid on and off ice leadership as well as being the consistent stalwart defenseman for the FireAntz.

Join the FireAntz in their push through the remainder of the season as they look to get into playoff mode. There is sure to be riveting hockey action the remainder of the season. Kick it off this Saturday, Jan. 29th, as your FireAntz take the home ice against long time rival, the Knoxville Ice Bears.

Photo: FireAntz Forward #7 Anthony Perdicaro. Photo Courtesy: J. Shank.

Do you remember with fondness a time when big hair was in, and non-competitive dance shows were all the rage? Even if you don’t remember those days with a certain degree of fondness, The Cape Fear Regional Theatre has a show that’s right up your alley — Hairspray!

On Saturday, Jan. 22, an exuberant cast is going to Mashpotato, Pony and ChaCha their way into CFRT history with its stellar music, amazing dancing, laughout- loud comedy and thought provoking look at life in the ‘60s.

For those not familiar with show, the year is 1962. Dancing on the Corny Collins Show is all the rage in Baltimore, and big hair is in. For Tracy Turnblad, who will be played by University of North Carolina at Pembroke student Amy Rowland, dancing on the show is her only desire, and when that dream comes true, she goes from social outcast to super star. Instead of basking in her new found fame, she takes the opportunity to vanquish the mean girls, win the heart of her crush and integrate a TV network all in one fell swoop. If the thought of doing that all at once leaves you breathless, wait until you see the energy packed show that is powered by the enthusiasm of the cast.

“I have really high expectations for this performance,” said Tom Quaintance, the director of the show. “We have a fantastic cast that has been working very hard. It’s really a great show. It’s really well cast. I think the audience is going to love it.”

For Quaintance and the cast, the show is still a work in progress. Rehearsals started during the holidays, which left Quaintance three and half weeks to put the show together.

“We took a look at the schedule, and because it is such a big show, we arranged to have four or fi ve rehearsals for dance and vocal to give the folks who were local a leg up,” he said, adding that throughout the duration of the rehearsals, there has only been one day (for just fi ve minutes) that the whole cast has been at the rehearsal at once.

Those early rehearsals did not include Rowland or Richard Pruitt, who is playing Tracy’s mother, Edna. Pruitt, the elder statesman of the cast, is the only member of the cast from New York.

“Over the past few years, I’ve gotten used to being the oldest person in most shows that I am in,” said Pruitt. “Admittedly this is an extremely young cast. I remember saying a couple of nights ago to Molly’s dad, Ken Griggs (who is also in the play), ‘I guess I was that young once. I can’t remember it. I’m sure I was that young once, but never that energetic.”

The majority of the ensemble has been cast from colleges across the state, although many members of the CFRT are in the cast, including Ken Griggs and his daughter, Molly.

“It’s fun to see people who are not jaded,” said Pruitt. “Sometimes in theater, especially in New York, you see a lot of people who are burned out. That isn’t the case here, it’s all very upbeat.”

“One of the challenges of the show is that it’s a very heavy dance show. People are dancing as hard as they can and singing as hard as they can. People are really working hard and it’s paying off,” said Quaintance.

Because the show is so demanding, the cast really does not get a break. Quaintance explained that as soon as one group goes off stage, they are singing in support of the people on stage.

The show is choreographed by Todd Smith, a member of the original Hairspray Broadway cast. This show will also feature the original staging and choreography, which presents its own challenges in a theatre the size of the CFRT.

“There are some challenges with the staging, but I love this space,” said Quaintance. “It’s a great size. With the size of this cast, you are really in the audience’s laps, so it’s so exciting.

“I’ve long been a believer that the pinnacle of musical is not Broadway. The best expression of musical theatre comes from young people. Musicals succeed or fail based on the pure joy that the performers have on stage. That’s what its about,” continued Quaintance. “Being up there, loving what you are doing and meaning it. If you are able to do that with a young cast, and tap into that energy, and then have the kind of professionals like Richard that bring the stability, focus and craft that they have, it’s going to be justthrilling.”

While the show is a comedy, it tackles some very serious issues.

“At the end of the day, it’s a relationship play. It’s a musical about love and acceptance,” said Quaintance. “When we were doing ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’, it’s hard to get through. It’s so emotional. You can get lost in how much fun the show is while you are putting it together and miss the really serious social situation that the play is taking place under. We were able to step back and talk about racism and how it has affected all of us. I’m proud that people aren’t leaning into the wacky part of it, and losing those relationships.”

“When we fi rst got into that big scene, we talked about it for a while, and made connections on how we would approach it,” said Rowland. “While we are singing that song, we aren’t just holding hands, we are connecting. It’s a very emotional process. We are experiencing it all together. We are not alone. It’s pure emotion.”

CFRT’s production of Hairspray runs from Jan. 20-Feb.13. The box offi ce is open. Tickets are $12/14 – Preview on Thursday, Jan. 20 and Friday, Jan. 21; $27 – Fridays and $29 Saturdays; $22 – Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Show times are 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sunday evening. Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. CFRT’s traditional discounts of $1 are available for seniors 55 and older, active duty military and their dependants on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturday matinees. There is a Military Appreciation Night on Thursday, Jan. 27. All active-duty military members and their families will receive $3 off the regular ticket price. For more information, visit www.cfrt.org

Fayetteville Technical Community College and the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity have worked together since 1988 to strengthen the community, improve the quality of life, and change lives. Since its founding in April 1988, the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity has built more than 110 homes to help eliminate substandard housing in Cumberland County, and Fayetteville Technical Community College is proud to be a partner in 59 of these proj-ects. FTCC’s Building and Trades Division and students enrolled in the cabinetmaking, plumbing, electrical, and masonry classes have completed 29 homes since the completion of the first dwelling on Camden Road.

The partnership between Fayetteville Tech and the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity provides not only the opportunity for hands-on training for FTCC students but also low-cost construction op-portunities for Habitat for Humanity. FTCC Student Hershel Williams feels that working on projects with Habitat of Humanity has helped him become more aware of community services. “FTCC students take pride in giving back to the community that has supported them throughout the years. Through the various projects with Habitat for Humanity and other similar non-profit orga-nizations, FTCC students are able to learn the value of giving back while gain-ing the experience needed to obtain employment after graduation. As a student participating in these projects, I am truly blessed,” Hershel said.

Students in the Building and Trades programs at FTCC learn quickly through working with Habitat for Humanity where the learning experience is based on a “hands-up” not a “hand-out” philosophy. FTCC students feel they are partnering with families by helping them build their homes, and FTCC students are committed to those families for their long-term success. FTCC students, faculty, administration, and members of the community can see the fruits of students’ labor in the completion of a house that may be the first “home” for a family.

Hershel Williams believes there is no substitute for experience and encourages any individual seek-ing knowledge and experience to enroll at Fayetteville Tech. The partnerships with Habitat for Humanity and other non-profits allow students valuable on-site job and learning experiences. Because of the combina-tion of hands-on experiences and classroom instruc-tion, students become knowledgeable and skilled employees available for the work force. Hershel plans to continue his education at NC A&T University and admits that the foundation he received at Fayetteville Technical Community College and through his experience with Habitat for Humanity have better prepared him for a successful four-year college experience.

All conscientious parents worry about their children’s educations, even when children attend excellent schools with dedicated and caring teachers. When the Dicksons’ Precious Jewels were of school age, we referred to each new school year as “an adventure in education,” because even top-notch schools have not-so-top-notch teachers and terrifi c teachers can be found in less well-regarded schools. Then, of course, there are the occasional personality clashes between teachers and students and the expected emotional moments that occur among students in every school setting.

I remember the start of each school year as a nerveracking few weeks until routine settled in, and I remember some entire grades as being perfectly wonderful and others as simply lost time.

 For some parents, adventures in education end when their own children leave school, but this really is not true. Public education should be a concern for all of us, because its quality affects our nation and everyone in it whether ornot we have current students.

Almost lost in the holiday rush was a troubling news story late last month about American education. Associated Press writers Christine Armario and Dorie Turner reported that almost a fourth of young Americans seeking to join the U.S. Army and other branches of our military service fail to meet minimum educational requirements.

Ponder that for a moment. 

What that says is that we are not preparing our young people well enough to defend their own nation.

Here are the dismal numbers from The Education Trust, a children’s advocacy group, using data released for the fi rst time by the Army. Of all Americans aged 17 to 24 — those most likely to seek military service — a whopping 75 percent do not qualify to take the enlistment exam at all because they are physically unfi t, often because they are overweight, they have a criminal record or they did not graduate from high school.

Of those who are eligible, 23 percent do not achieve the minimum score required by the Army on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, in military speak. The other services have higher requirements, meaning still fewer students are eligible for service in the Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. The Army requires recruits to score at least 31 out of 99 in the initial section of the three-hour test. The test includes basic questions such as “If 2 plus x equals 4, what is the value of x?” There are achievement gaps between whites and minority students just as there are on other nonmilitary standardized tests. North Carolina is average in that somewhere between 21 and 25 percent of our high school graduates do not pass the test.

The Department of Defense says our military services are meeting their current recruitment targets, but there is concern for the future as our economy improves and jobs are added in the private sector and perhaps in some areas of government, giving people more options than in the current recession economy. Retired Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett with Mission Readiness, a group of retired military leaders concerned about this issue, says “If you can’t get the people that you need, there’s a potential for a decline in your readiness.” Even U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan acknowledges the problem. “I am deeply troubled by the national security burden created by America’s underperforming education system.”

Like many of you, I have been in the military community a long time, and I am both impressed by and proud of our active duty military. They have chosen to serve and protect the rest of us in our nation, and the soldiers I encounter at all ranks are both fi t and smart. I join my fellow citizens in gratitude for their devoted service and the sacrifi ces freely given by both them and their families. The issue, though, is not our present military, but our future military. Will we have enough educated people ready and willing to perform the increasingly demanding and technologically challenging jobs required of active-duty personnel? This is the question we should all be asking ourselves and if the answer seems to be “no,” then we must ask ourselves what we can do about it.

This is not just a question for the educational establishment in school systems throughout our nation or for the parents of students now moving through our schools. It is a question for all of us who care about the strength of our nation and the defense of our way of life.

It is why we should all care about “adventures in education.”

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is well known for their outreach efforts to the community. With everything from free Fourth of July performances in Festival Park and at the Fort Bragg Parade Field to the free concert that all Cumberland County School System’s third graders attend each year to the Symphony at your library events, there is no doubt that the FSO believes that good music is for everyone and should be easily accessible to everyone, at little or no cost.

On Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Crown Coliseum, Maestro Fouhad Foukouri and the FSO present the Exceptional Children and Adults Concert. With the help of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the Florence Rogers Charitable Trust, the event is free and open to the public.

For this performance there will be no awkwardness when audience members clap loudly or sing out of turn, no frustrated neighbours telling the listeners to hush or throwing stink eye because of unbridled enthusiasm in response to the performance. Just as the name suggests, this event is for exceptional children and adults — and it will be more than a concert.

The sixty musicians will be presenting a dedicated classical performance that will include the Stars and Stripes and the National Anthem which will give all participants an opportunity to sing along.

However, the heart of the evening will be the symphonic performance of Peter and the Wolf, written by Sergei Prokofi ev. The story will be read by a narrator who will be accompanied by the orchestra. Adding to the experience, there will be pictures of the story in the lobby for concert attendees to enjoy.

“The beauty of performing Peter and the Wolf is that it is musical story telling at its fi nest. It is shorter and exciting and there are visuals to enhance the performance for those in attendance,” said FSO spokesperson, Carin Sychterz.

The audience is encouraged to visit the Instrument Petting Zoo where instruments will be placed on tables in the lobby with musicians who play those instruments there to offer guidance, answer questions and talk about sound, music and how a musician works to create sound.

“The concert goers will have the opportunity to play the instruments which will deepen their concert experience but also involve them in the musical process; giving the children and especially those with autism who are both visual learners and very tactile, a sense of being in the music,” said Sychterz.

So that the experience will be more than one unforgettable evening, the Fayetteville Symphony will give an FSO CD to the fi rst 125 families that attend the evening’s concert.

“This CD will give the special needs child or adult the opportunity to listen to other music that can give them joy over and over again; returning them to the classical music that will provide a calming and soothing experience and evoking the pleasing memories from the live performance,” Sychterz said.

This project is being supported fi nancially by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and The Florence Rogers Charitable Trust. It is also supported by the Autism Society of Cumberland County, The Gilmore Therapeutic Recreation Center, the Autism Society of North Carolina and theExceptional Family Member Program on Fort Bragg.

For more information call the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra at 433-4690. It’s free and no preregistration is required.

Photo top left: The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” - Pablo Picasso 

For 11 months of the year, the fourth Friday of each month (December excepted), downtown Fayetteville comes alive with art and artists of every stripe and color. Sometimes there are themes — November is special because of the Dicken’s holiday celebration which revisits A Christmas Carol and all things Victorian and Christmasy. In the fall, the International Folk Festival sets the tone for the 4th Friday celebrations not only at the Arts Council but all over downtown.

This month, showcasing our community’s young artists at the Art’s Council and in conjunction with the school system’s Arts Education Program, is the 11th Annual Cumberland County High School Juried Art Exhibition.

It opens at 7 p.m. and runs through 9 p.m. on Jan. 28, although the show will hang through Feb. 17.

The exhibit includes drawings, paintings, sculpture and mixed media artwork. Each entry will be judged by an art professional with recognition going to fi rst, second and third place along with honorable mentions. All students submitting artwork will receive a certifi cate of participation.

“We are in awe every year at the amazing work produced by our community’s tremendously talented high school students,” said Mary Kinny, marketing manager for the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “We really stress that this is not a ‘Come look at what these kids did’ kind of show. That is not the point of if it. These are students who are at the top of their class in terms of art and they’ve already been through a weeding out process in each of their schools to compete to be in this show. Then, this show is jured. It really is the best of the best in terms of our high school students who are artists.”

Not only is this show a treat for the public, allowing a peek into the hearts and minds of local young adults and future leaders, it also provides the students with an opportunity to learn and grow as artists. As supporters of the arts, the Arts Council is pleased to have the opportunity to make “it possible for students to learn the important skills of critical thinking, making connections, expressing diversity and solving problems creatively, which will serve them in all facets of life.”

Don’t forget to check out the other exhibits, demonstrations and performances downtown, too.

City Center Gallery & Books is hosting scrimshander Ken Baldwin. Scrimshaw art is the etching of pictures onto whale bone or teeth.

Headquarters Library, on Maiden Lane is featuring blues band The Piedmont Rhythm Aces. We’re talking down-home music complete with string/washboard, guitar, mandolin and a fi ddle backing up the vocals.

Speaking of old-fashioned and down home, the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum has a 1917 Model TT Ford truck – set up for moonshining – in the museum’s annex, alongside other artifacts of transportation from days gone by.

An off-shoot of Fourth Friday, Arts Alive starts at 6 p.m. and runs through 10 p.m. Here you can see artists at work demonstrating their craft.

This month, says Kinny, Kevin Gregory will sell and demonstrate his paintings, which range from colorful depictions of baby dinosaurs to dark and macabre monsters and zombies. Glasswork artist Shannon Davis will use a gasfueled torch to melt solid rods and hollow tubes of glass into figurines and jewelry. Deborah Crandall will sell handcrafted jewelry while Greg Hathaway and Nancy Edge demonstrate raku fi ring. Performance artists also provide entertainment for the crowd.

Photo, top right: “Vagabond” by Terry Sanford High student Jasmin Nieves, got honorable mention in the drawing category during the 2010 Cumberland County High School Juried Art Show.

TRUE GRIT (Rated PG-13)      Five Stars

Interestingly, this might serve as the first Coen brothers’ movie that works as a straight piece (as opposed to an exploration of bizarre characters). So many of their other films seem to focus on the massive flaws of the leads that True Grit (110 minutes) stands out for a kinder, gentler depiction of the characters. 

Unlike the original, which started much slower, the remake collapses the intro to a short voiceover by Mattie Ross (Elizabeth Marvel) recounting the story of how Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) killed her father. The voiceover switches to a younger Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld, much less irritating than the 1969 version), who arrives to collect her father’s body. She spends the night in the morgue, and then sets out the next day to assert her Protestant ethic all over everybody. In the midst of dealing with the loose ends left by the death of her father, Mattie inquires about U.S. Marshals. When she hears that Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) is the meanest, she attempts to hire him.

Apparently, even in the old west it is considered rude to approach someone about a job when they are in the outhouse, and Rooster rebuffs her first attempt. Meanwhile, Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Matt Damon, also less irritating than the 1969 version) arrives looking for Chaney. He proposes that the three work together, since the Marshal knows the territory and he knows Chaney.

Mattie, Rooster, and la Boeuf have a difference of opinion over how best to pursue Chaney, and they set off in two separate parties. Mattie and Rooster set out. They find a hanged man being pecked by crows and a man dressed as a bear. This is not a dream sequence, and therefore it is highly amusing. They get information that sends them after Lucky Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper … and I know that Robert Duvall is old, but I bet he could have done a better job reprising his 1969 role than Barry Pepper. Because I don’t like Berry Pepper.) and his gang. They find a dugout cabin and plan an ambush to scoop up the gang, but their plans go afoul.

Now reunited with La Boeuf, the three ride on into the plains towards the mountains, and their best chance for catching Lucky Ned. Of course, it is past time to address the “Rooster drinks too much” subplot, and so the Marshal starts drinking heavily. After drinking heavily, he randomly fires his weapon at some corn biscuits, while a straight faced La Boeuf occasionally takes a shot himself at the corn biscuits in order to…? Well, I’m sure he was trying to make some kind of point.

Rooster continues to drink long in to the night, and finally calls off the whole expedition. Naturally, Mattie finds what she seeks the very next morning, meeting Chaney when she goes to get morning water. Some nifty horse riding and gun fighting follow some great confrontation scenes. The finale differs slightly from the 1969 version, with a return to adult Mattie Ross considering the history she shared with Rooster.

Hailee Steinfeld manages to capture the single-minded composure of Mattie Ross without alienating viewers by presenting herself as too precocious. Jeff Bridges does an acceptable job with his character arc, encapsulating the gruff peacemaker who manages to meet Mattie on her admittedly uncompromising terms perfectly.

It is a strength of the film that the action moves quickly without sacrificing the sincerity of the character development. Overall an excellent western that is also family friendly, if you can get past the random amputations and constant shooting.

The Fayetteville FireAntz have had a trying season thus far. They’ve battled injuries as well as a roster that has seen numerous changes. However, lately the team has taken great strides towards moving up in the standings and cementing themselves solidly in playoff position as they look to make another run for an SPHL Championship. This was evident in the FireAntz’s last two home games on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

The FireAntz hosted the first place Huntsville Havoc at the Crown Coliseum both nights. It was a daunting task but the FireAntz proved to be up to the challenge.

Friday, Dec. 31, was the first of the two consecutive contests against the Huntsville Havoc. They had played just three days before and the Havoc won 2-1. The FireAntz got off to a great start on a power play goal by Rob Sich. They would extend their lead, by the half way point of the game, to 3-0 on goals by Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn and Chris Leveille, on a penalty shot. Huntsville, however, battled back and made the score 3-2 with three minutes remaining in the game. Leveille would cap his four-point night by scoring an empty-net goal, providing the FireAntz a much-needed 4-2 victory over the Havoc.

Saturday, Jan. 1, the FireAntz looked to gain a home sweep against Huntsville. The FireAntz again got off to a great start on the power play with Anthony Perdicaro giving the FireAntz a 1-0 lead going into the 1st intermission. The second period was full of fireworks as there were five goals, three by the FireAntz. Leading 4-2 entering the third period, the FireAntz received a scare when Huntsville narrowed the lead to 4-3 with 15 minutes still to play. But a power play goal by Jeff Borrows iced the game and the victory giving the FireAntz back-to-back home wins over the first place Havoc.

Goaltender Travis Yonkman was spectacular both nights as he turned away 92 of 97 shots faced.

Join in the excitement of FireAntz Hockey this weekend as they lace up the skates again for two home games Friday and Saturday nights at the Crown Coliseum. The pucks drop at 7:30 p.m. both nights.

Travis Yonkman makes a spectacular glove save!
Photo Courtesy: J. Shank

Martin Luther King Day was signed into law in 1983 by Ronald Reagan. It was first observed in 1986. Because some states resisted observing the holiday or combined it with other holidays it was not officially observed in all 50 states until 2000. Since then, it has become more and more a day about individuals giving back to their communities rather than just having a day off work, and according to Dr. Larry Wright Sr., president of the Fayetteville/ Cumberland County Ministerial Council (FCCMC) and senior pastor at Heal the Land Outreach Ministries that is just the way Dr. King would have preferred it.

“When they awarded this holiday, Dr. King’s wife, Coretta Scott King, came out and made a statement that she would rather this be a day on than a day off (because of all the work that was put in and all the suffering and things they went through during the civil rights movement) instead of just going to the breakfast and eating and then going home and going to sleep,” said Wright. “I feel that would be an injustice to the legacy of such a great man who worked so hard for equality for all mankind.”

That is just what the FCCMC has in mind this year. They’ve registered with the National MLK Day of Service, which will be held on Jan. 17, and they aim to reach out and touch the community in a variety of ways.

One of the easiest ways to help it to bring nonperishable food items to the breakfast.

“Second Harvest, will be there with containers and a truck to collect the donations and use them to restock,” said Wright. “We are also doing a community clean up on Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway. We are doing a blood drive, there will be a group visiting the veterans home and possibly some other homes where we can spend time with retirees. We’ve also got a letter writing campaign going where people will be writing letters of thanks and encouragement to deployed military members.”

Vikki Andrews is the Cumberland County Day of Service chair/coordinator. Not only is she taking registration for volunteers for events that are already planned, she is also ready to add any groups or volunteer organizations to the Day of Service event.

“If there are any groups out there that maybe were planning to volunteer or have an event on a different day but would be willing to change it to Jan. 17, they can email me and I’d be glad to register them with us in the National Day of Service Registry,” said Andrews. “Or if they want to plan something right now they can contact us and we’d love to have them join us.”

Get involved at cumberlandcountydayofservice@gmail.com.

While Martin Luther King Jr. is a great inspiration and volunteering a few hours of time in his honor is commendable, Wright and the FCCMC are aiming to keep the momentum going throughout the year.

In fact, they are already working on the homeless problem in the area and are also reaching out to the local schools.

“This year we did a thing called Hunger and Homeless Stand Down. We, and several other organizations that we partner with, helped about 800 people in November — which is national homeless month — and we did a great event at the VFW on Ramsey Street,” said Wright. “We also hope to partner with the schools for churches to adopt schools to help in any way we can as far as mentoring and being there for support for children. We have a lot of kids in our schools who are homeless and don’t get the proper food and nourishment they need, you have kids with no father figure in their lives, no role models. We want to meet them at their point of stress or concern and help motivate them and see if we can do anything to get that child inspired to do better in school.”

There are so many good causes, so many in need and so much work to be done that Wright is putting out a call to ourcommunity’s Christian churches to step up, pull together and overcome their differences in the interest of bettering this particular corner of the world.

“It is time for us to get out of our comfort zones, to get up off our seats and to get out into our community. I believe that God is a God of action and I know he is a God of results and a God of passion,” said Wright. “I make an appeal to all of our community leaders, politicians, business people and clergy to begin to look to see what areas in our community that you can be involved in and have a positive impact in. Partner with them. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel and we don’t have to stop doing what we are doing but I think we can have a greater impact if we are doing it together. Let’s put aside our differences in our doctrinal beliefs and come together for the greater cause of humanity. Now is the time. Now is the season. If we don’t’ do it now, then when? If you don’t do it, who is going to do it?”

The 18th Annual Prayer Breakfast in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is on Monday, Jan. 17 from 7:30 -10 a.m. at the Crown Expo Center and will be followed immediately by the National Day of Service activities. A $20 donation is requested at he door. Billy Taylor, executive manager of Goodyear Corporation, Fayetteville will be the keynote speaker. Visit www.ministriescouncil.net to find out more.

 Photo: People working together to better their community is what the National Day of Service is all
about

A long time Fayetteville favorite for good food, a good time and good company, the Big Apple has recently undergone a few changes. Not only has the restaurant added a patio with a full bar and seven 50-inch televisions, owners are also focusing their energy on being more than Fayetteville’s premier night club, they are embracing the family restaurant and sports-bar scene as well.

General Manager Mike Callahan runs a tight ship, and with so much going on, it is no wonder that the restaurant is so well known for its evening activities.

“We are not a pub, we just happen to have a popular night atmosphere from 9 p.m. on,” said Callahan.“We are a restaurant and sports bar — we just happen to have a big nighttime following because of our late-night entertainment with DJs and karaoke and things like that.”

The massive multi-roomed establishment just outside the Yadkin Road gate of Fort Bragg features something for everyone.

It is open at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and at noon on weekends serving American, Italian and Asian cuisine in a family-style restaurant. Snack on appetizers, have a sandwich, soup or a steak. The restaurant even offers $5 lunch specials that will fi ll you up without breaking the bank. The dining room is located at the front of the building and offers plenty of kid-friendly seating away from the noise and fracas of the sports pub.

Customers can relax in the quie, and distinguished, private bar/cigar parlor and enjoy all of their favorite labels while chatting with friends or just enjoying the calm atmosphere of the room.

“The cigar parlor has its own ventilation system, so if you want to smoke a cigar indoors you can do it in that room,” said Callahan. “It has three big screen TVs and a fi replace so you can get cozy and intimate. We also feature live music in there on Friday nights.”

With eight pool tables and 25 big screens, Big Apple offers its patrons a chance hang to out with friends without missing their favorite sports team or pay-per-view sporting event. The restaurant carries all of the sports packages, so their customers won’t even miss a play this season.

If sports aren’t your thing, no worries. Dance the night away or sing karaoke till the wee hours. There is something to do here every night — NFL Sundays, Monday Night Football, karaoke contests on Tuesdays, live DJ spinning your favorite tunes on Wednesdays, military appreciation Thursdays, and DJ V. Smoove on Friday and Saturday. Throw in the awesome drink specials and great dining room deals that rotate daily and you’ve got a great time ready to happen — all the time.

There’s a party to celebrate most every occasion, like the New Year’s Eve Silver, Gold and Black party that recently crowned Fayetteville’s King and Queen of the New Year. Super Bowl Sunday, which is Feb. 6, will bring another party with prizes given away quarterly and raffl es and other gifts, too.

“We have a ski package for two — including lessons, a stereo system to give away and Time Warner is giving us a GPS unit to raffl e. Cumulus Broadcasting is giving us two N.C. State tickets,” Callahan said. “We also have a package to Renaissance Day Spa... just for the ladies. It includes a manicure, a pedicure, a massage and a year-long membership to The Spa. It is going to be a mad, fun day.”

Check out the website at www.bigapplefay.com or call 868-5559 to fi nd out more.

If you’ve never heard of Bill Engvall, well, here’s your sign. Engvall, one of the leaders in Blue Collar comedy has left audiences rolling in their seats since the mid ‘90s. On Saturday, Jan. 22, Engvall will bring his rare blend of down-home humor to the Crown Theatre for a raucous night of fun.

Engvall, a Texas native, has the ability to connect with his audience. His humor isn’t off-color, instead he relies on the madness of everyday life and common place situations to get you laughing not only at the people he’s talking about, but also yourself. That talent has made him one of the top comedians in America, and has kept him quiet busy.

A native of Galveston, Texas, Bill moved to Dallas and was working as a disc jockey with plans of becoming of a teacher. While in a nightclub one evening, Bill decided to try his hand at stand-up comedy and quickly found that making people laugh was truly his forte. Soon after, he decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue television opportunities.

First there was a Showtime special, A Pair of Joker’s with Rosie O’Donnell, followed by Bill hosting A&E’s Evening at the Improv and several appearances on both The Tonight Show and The Late Show with David Letterman. In 1992, Bill won the American Comedy Award for “Best Male Stand-up Comedian.” After appearing in episodes of Designing Women, Bill went on to portray Buck Overton on the ABC sitcom, Delta, starring Delta Burke, thus solidifying his status as a sought-after comic. Bill also starred in the NBC series, The Jeff Foxworthy Show, where he played Jeff’s best friend.

Since the 1996 release of his platinum album Here’s Your Sign, Engvall has been on a meteoric rise to the top of the comedy heap. The comedy album, which held the top of the Billboard Comedy Chart for 15 straight weeks, also gained Engvall time on country airwaves when he collaborated with Travis Tritt on a video also entitled “Here’s Your Sign.” That boosted his sales, and the single became one of the most requested singles on country radio, gaining the number one position on the country charts for 10 weeks.

From there, Engvall’s catch phrase became a piece of America’s cultural lexicon. He quickly followed that release with the release of another comedy album, Dorkfish, in 1998. He drew quite a fan base and over the past decade has made his mark on television, through the written word and on the big screen.

He signed on with a few of his friends to create a sketch comedy show for the WB network. You might know it as Blue Collar TV. The show premiered in 2004 to the delight of some 5.4 million viewers. It featured Engvall, Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy.

The three capitalized on the success of the show and started a cultural phenomenon known as the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, which premiered on Comedy Central, and than premiered in millions of homes across the nation through DVD sales. The sequel, the Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again was also a hit, as was the follow-on , the Blue Collar Comedy Tour: One for the Road.

Many people may have come to know Engvall through his television show The Bill Engvall Show. The show features Engvall as the father at the midst of a wacky family comedy. The series debuted in 2007 to rave reviews and high ratings.

He also hosts one of the top rated shows on CMT, Country Fried Home Videos. This show fi nds real videos from real people showing what real Americans do bringing the wit and wisdom to television that only the heartland can offer.

Fans got a chance to see Engvall in Bait Shop, which co-stars Billy Ray Cyrus. The story centers around a small town bait shop owner who fi nds his beloved business threatened with foreclosure. In an attempt to raise the money to save it, he enters a high profi le fishing tournament. Additionally, Engvall starred in the movie Delta Farce with Larry the Cable Guy and D.J. Qualls, which was released on May 11, 2007 and distributed by Lionsgate. This hilarious comedy about three blue collar heroes on the military’s front line is available on DVD.

Along with his Blue Collar movies, Engvall also has two solo specials which aired on Comedy Central. 15° Off Cool aired on March 25, 2007 and was one of the highest rated special of the year.

Engvall has also written several books, including his autobiographyBill Engvall –Just A Guy from St. Martin’s Press on May 15, 2007.

Engvall will hit the stage of the Crown Theatre at 7 p.m. Tickets for the performance are available at the Crown Box Office and all Ticketmaster Outlets. For more information, visit www.atthecrown.com .

Photo: Bill Engvall

On Jan. 11, the Friends of the Library will host their annual meeting in the Pate Room at the Headquarters Library in downtown Fayetteville. And while some business will be discussed, the highlight of the evening will be a reading and a discussion of her works by noted Southern author Sharyn McCrumb.

McCrumb is an award-winning Southern writer, whose novel St. Dale, is the story of a group of ordinary people who go on a pilgrimage in honor of racing legend Dale Earnhardt, and fi nd a miracle. This Canterbury Tales in a NASCAR setting won a 2006 Library of Virginia Award as well as the AWA Book of the Year Award. Once Around the Track, again set in NASCAR, is a nominee for the 2007 Weatherford Award.

McCrumb has been named a “Virginia Woman of History” for 2008, an annual designation honoring eight women — past and present — who have made important contributions to Virginia and to America in the arts, law, education, politics, etc.

McCrumb is best known for her Appalachian “Ballad” novels, set in the North Carolina/Tennessee mountains. Her novels include New York Times Best Sellers She Walks These Hills and The Rosewood Casket, which deal with the issue of the vanishing wilderness, and The Ballad of Frankie Silver, the story of the fi rst woman hanged for murder in the state of North Carolina; The Songcatcher, a genealogy in music; and Ghost Riders, an account of the Civil War in the Appalachians. A fi lm of her novel The Rosewood Casket is currently in production, directed by British Academy Award nominee Roberto Schaefer.

McCrumb’s honors include: the Wilma Dykeman Award for Literature given by the East Tennessee Historical Society; AWA Outstanding Contribution to Appalachian Literature Award; the Chaffi n Award for Achievement in Southern Literature; the Plattner Award for Short Story; and AWA’s Best Appalachian Novel. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and received her M.A. in English from Virginia Tech.

McCrumb, whose books have been translated into more than 10 languages, was the first writer-in-residence at King College in Tennessee. In 2001 she served as fi ction writer-in-residence at the WICE Conference in Paris, and in 2005 she was honored as the writer of the year at the annual literary celebration at Emory and Henry College. McCrumb has lectured on her work at Oxford University, the Smithsonian Institution, the University of Bonn, Germany, and at universities and libraries throughout the country.

McCrumb’s great-grandfathers were circuit preachers in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains a hundred years ago, riding horseback over the ridges to preach in a different community each week. It is from them, she says, that she gets her regard for books, her gift of storytelling and publicspeaking, and her love of the Appalachian Mountains.

“My books are like Appalachian quilts,” says McCrumb. “I take brightly colored scraps of legends, ballads, fragments of rural life, and local tragedy, and I piece them together into a complex whole that tells not only a story, but also a deeper truth about the culture of the mountain South.”

Her latest novel, Devil Amongst the Lawyers, is the story of a pretty young schoolteacher charged with murder in 1930s Appalachia. The national press uses it as an excuse to sell newspapers — and to demonize the region, raising issues that go far beyond the fate of one defendant.

McCrumb’s lecture follows a short Friends of the Library business meeting where the results of the executive board elections will be announced. The event begins at 7 p.m., and is open to the public.

Photo: Sharyn McCrumb

Black Swan (Rated R)   Five Stars

Darren Aronofsky is a competent director with a long list of arthouse specials. I admit to watching his films; I also admit that I have never watched any of his films twice. After watching Black Swan (108 minutes) that may change. It works as a companion piece to critical darling The Wrestler and takes a visual cue from its grainy 16M style. It is also reminiscent of metaphorical science fiction romance The Fountain.

The story is set in New York, of course. A ballet company is preparing for their new season by replacing the current diva, Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) and raising one of the background dancers to prima ballerina. The top contender for the coveted position is Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman). Portman is surprisingly adept at playing the shy girl just begging to be Svengalied, since she so often shines in roles that highlight her unmistakable poise.

A new company dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis), is introduced. Her presence destabilizes the already wobbly Nina. Lily and Nina form the points of a triangle completed by director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel). Leroy is unwilling to cast Nina in his new production of Swan Lake until he pushes her too far and finds out that this kitten has a whip! Even after she is cast she is far better at playing the innocent, fragile White Swan than the sexual and devious Black Swan.

Lily, on the other hand, mean girls her way into the position of understudy, and stands poised to step into the twin roles at the first opportunity. Or does she? One of the greatest strengths of the film is the inability of the audience to separate Nina’s fantasy from everyone else’s reality. Much like the psychological thriller Repulsion (if you loved Black Swan, Netflix Repulsion immediately, if not sooner), the camera forces us to accept the insanity of the protagonist as reality.

Nina is overwhelmed by the pressure of her new position, and more than a little naïve. Her mother (Barbara Hershey) doesn’t help matters with her bizarre drawings and inability to interpret the meaning of a closed bathroom door. Of course, her mother’s overprotectiveness is a bit more reasonable in light of Nina’s history of self-mutilation and erratic behavior … and her hallucinations involving both Doppelgangers and bloody wounds that suddenly appear on her body.

Kunis is totally believable in her role, and it is hard to tell if Lily is friend or foe. In a pivotal scene, the two opposites attract while gooseflesh ripples across the thighs and neck of Nina. It seems as if Nina will finally throw off the shackles of M-O-M, but her grip on reality is tenuous. The things that she sees become more grotesque as the story of Swan Lake infects her perceptions.

Losing her grip on reality releases her from her dry and technical perfection, allowing her to finally embrace the passion required to successfully dance the role of the Black Swan. The ballet is nothing special until Nina becomes the Black Swan for the second act. The third act moves inevitably into the tragic conclusion of both the ballet and the movie. The only real issue is with the final line of the movie, which comes off as anticlimactic after such a wrenching finale.

  Fayetteville residents have a pretty diverse taste in entertainment. While some people are into theatre and art, others are into simpler past times, while still others are adrenalin junkies. If you fall into the latter category, you are not going to want to miss one of rowdiest events of the new year: ThunderSlam at the Crown Coliseum, Jan. 7-8.

ThunderSlam brings some of the best-known monster trucks in the world to the Crown, and organizers of the event have pulled out all of the stops to make sure that the show will be one for the books.

“We are bringing the biggest, baddest son-of-a-gun of all monster trucks to Fayetteville,” said Ron Leach, the “man, the myth, the legend” behind MonsterSlam.

Leach said that some of the best known names in the sport will be racing, flipping and crushing their way through the coliseum for two rowdy nights of fun.

Headlining the event will be Big Foot, the truck that is also known as the King of Monster Trucks. Big Foot will be in good company with Viper and Ghostrider, the champion back-fl ipping monster truck. Throughout the twohour show, the trucks will race in free-style competitions, with the audience being the judges, a wheelie contest to see how high they can fl y and side-by-side racing.

“The fierce competitive nature of these guys makes for a great show,” said Leach, noting Big Foot’s team refuses to lose, while the Viper team has a “ready to strike” attitude. They will be joined by 25-year veteran Andy Hoffman in War Wagon and the tour’s rookie in The Toxic Truck. “It is guaranteed that everyone in attendance will defi nitely get their money’s worth.

If that isn’t enough, the Metal Mulisha, a West-coast based freestyle motocross team, will be on hand to wow the crowd. It was formed by Brian Deegan, an X Game champion who has garnered three gold medals and seven bronze medals in the X Games. He is the only rider to compete in at least one event in every X Game. He was the fi rst rider ever to do a 360 in competition. He named the trick the “Mulisha Twist.”

“These guys are the international superstars that got freestyle going in motocross,” said Leech.

Headlining the group will be Trigger Gumm, the world record holder and X Games medalist.

“The unbelievable tricks these guys can do with a motorcycle are truly amazing,” said Leach. “They do everything from insane Tail Whips to death defying back flips. These are the rock stars of the freestyle motocross Community; they bring it to you and put it in your face every time they take the spotlight.”

In addition to the motocross event, organizers are bringing in the Globe of Death, a big ball of steel used as a performance vehicle for riders on mini bikes.

“The guys do all sorts of tricks inside the globe,” said Leach. “It’s pretty awesome. The whole event is testosterone at its fi nest — but it’s still good quality family fun at an affordable price.”

Once you’ve seen how the professionals do it, you won’t want to miss local truck enthusiasts as they compete in the Wilson Off-Road Tough Truck Challenge. The Tough Truck competition usually turns out to be a battle between the “good old boys” and the “new technology guys and girls.” Leach said the local competitors range from a Very Strong 65 Ford F-100 to a 2009 Toyota 4×4 and many other great trucks and jeeps built at local shops. He added that the different 4×4 shops in the area are always trying to be better than the other; the people watching them compete are the real winners.

The festivities kick off each night with the “Ace Wrecking Pit Party” from 6-7 p.m.

“This is a great time to bring the family, the camera and the autograph book,” explained Leach. “All the monster trucks and drivers, The Metal Mulisha FMX riders, The Globe of Death riders and the locals competing in the tough truck race will be out on the show floor signing autographs and taking pictures with all our loyal fans. Free Pit Party Passes ($5 Value) are available at Blacks Tire & Rimtyme Automotive and various other locations.”

Tickets are available at the Crown Coliseum at www.atthecrown.com or by calling 438-4100 and are also available online at www.Ticketmaster.com and www.amptour.com. Log in now for great family value packs, pit party passes and VIP group packages, as well as $2 off Holiday discount for single ticket purchases (code “Monster). Members of the military get a $2 discount at all times.

“We always say, we sell you the whole seat, but you’ll only use a couple of inches,” concluded Leach.

Photo: Don’t miss the Monster Truck ThunderSlam at the Crown on Jan. 7 and 8.

Designed to provide a base of community and alumni support for the Department of Music at Methodist University, the Friends of Music has been able to not only bring top-notch performers to the community, but also to host concert receptions, establish an endowed music scholarship and present professional guest artist concerts and master classes. The Friends are now well into another season of stellar performances by local, national and international performers and are moving ahead in their mission to serve not only the community but the Methodist University School of Music as well.

On Jan. 7, Gabriele Leporatti, a noted pianist, is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. in Hensdale Chapel as part of the Friends of Music annual music series.

Leporatti comes to Fayetteville all the way from Italy. He began studying music at the tender age of six and by the time he was 19, he had graduated with not only high grades but also a special mention from L. Cherubini Conservatory in Florence. That same year he won the Joel Estes Tate scholarship and entered the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas as a student of Joaquin Achucarro.

He received his artist certifi cate from Southern Methodist University in 1999, and has trained with world renowned artists like Also Ciccolini, Jerome Rose, Melvyn Tan, Edward Zilberkant, Fabio Bidini, Franco Rossi, Piero Rattalino and Dmitri Bashkirov and received awards in national and international competitions — third prize in the International Piano Competition, “Citta ai Pinerolo” a Special Award in Bremen Klavierwettbewerb and the Dorothy McKenzie Award, amongst others.

Leporatti’s recordings include a four hands piano music CD with Fabio Bidini (Schubert, Brahms, Rachmaninoff) for Tru Sounds Label and a solo CD, The Young Brahms with early Brahms piano music.

Leporatti is well traveled and has performed in places like Turkey, Spain, England, Germany and Switzerland with some of his performances being broadcast by classical radio stations like SAFM in South Africa and RBB Kulturradio in Germany.

As the season progresses, look for events like the Guitar Festival concert in March, a faculty jazz combo, the third annual Methodist University Jazz Festival and more.

Stay on top of the Friends of Music events at www.methodist.edu/music/friends10.pdf or become a member and support the arts in the community by calling the Methodist University Office of Development at 630-7200.

Phoro: Gabriele Leporatti will perform at Methodist University on Jan. 7.

Among the many good things in our community, Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation can be counted on to deliver fun, interesting and educational opportunities on a regular basis. Aside from the sports programs (and there are many), there are also boating trips, educational hikes and classes for things like canoeing, fishing, cooking and archery.

On Jan. 7, Lake Rim Park is offering Stars and Constellations— a class on just that — the beauty and mysteries of the nighttime winter sky.

It’s the perfect opportunity for star gazers of all stripes and colors from novices to hobbyists to professionals to come out and view the night sky, explore its wonders and learn about constellations and other celestial objects and the folklore behind them.

Mike Morales is a park ranger at Lake Rim and helps out with this class on a regular basis. He noted that even though it is pretty chilly out there on winter evenings, the experience is absolutely worth braving the winter weather.

“We do these classes mainly in the winter because that is when the sky is clearer,” said Morales. “So even though it is really cold, this is the best season of the year to do astronomy. There is not as much pollution and ozone and smog clouding up your view either.”

While attendees are invited to bring their own telescopes and binoculars, quite often members of the Fayetteville Astronomy Club come out and bring their high powered telescopes, and are kind enough to share their view (and equipment) for the benefi t of the group.

“The astronomers have telescopes that you can punch in the coordinates and it will show you what you are looking for,” said Morales.

And what exactly will they be looking for?

“The constellations shift throughout the year,” Morales explained. “This time of year Orion, the Hunter, is pretty prominent. You can still see the Big Dipper, too. Of course, you can see the Little Dipper all year round, that is the constellation with the North Star in it. We’ve got Cassiopeia the Queen in the sky this time of year, too.”

If the conditions are right, plan to see more than just the constellations. Morales said that other space entities are often visible as well, things like nebula, the Andromeda and the Milky Way as well as other galaxies.

In the past they’ve seen not just Saturn, but the rings of Saturn, Jupiter, as well as three of its four big moons and the bands of Jupiter, too.

Between the park ranger on duty that night and the local astronomy club, no one is left out in the cold, trying to fi gure what they are seeing or where to point their telescope to fi nd the secrets hidden in the night sky.

“This class is just to get people interested in astronomy and get them looking up and maybe to teach them the basic stars and planets that you can see,” said Morales. “It isn’t just for astronomy buffs — although it is really nice to have the astronomy club out here because they have the technical know how to use their telescopes can show beginners who bring their own equipment how to properly use it, and they are always very nice and give people an opportunity to see things that they might not get to see otherwise. We also have some basic telescopes that we set up and let people use as well.”

The class is free and runs from 6-8 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the park at 424-6134. It is an outside event so remember to bundle up.

Photo: The winter sky offers a variety of constellations. Check out the Stars and Constellations class at Lake Rim Park.

We have just come through the season of giving, and I am always humbled by just how giving we Americans are. We dug into our pockets to help victims of natural disasters ranging from tsunamis to hurricanes to earthquakes. We went to far-fl ung locations to provide physical assistance and moral support. We also gave to our local causes even though many of us had already blown through our budgets for charitable giving.

Americans are a generous people.

We can also be incredibly rude.

A cousin and I traveled in southeast Asia one fall, a wonderful and memorable experience in all kinds of ways. Airline travel in that part of the world was an unexpected delight. Thai Airways even had vases of orchids in the onboard restrooms, but the service really shone. Lovely and slender young women in uniforms patterned after traditional Thai dress fl oated down the aisles with bottles of wine inquiring whether we would like more red or white.

I know, of course, that Americans no longer tolerate employment requirements about gender, weight and makeup, but we do tolerate what seems to me an increasing level of rudeness in our culture.

This was brought home to my cousin and me several times on our trip. The first was an American man who loudly berated airline personnel in Bangkok because our late trans-Pacific flight caused him to miss his connection. He shouted at counter agents, who had, of course, had nothing to do with the delayed fl ight, demanding that they buy him a train ticket to his next stop and give him a meal voucher even though we had just had a large breakfast on the plane. Everyone within earshot was embarrassed.

Another tilt on the rude-o-meter came once we were back in the United States on a domestic airline on the way to the east coast. A flight attendant, a middle-aged woman with a loud voice and dirty hair, was selling earphones for $2 to passengers who wanted to watch a movie or listen to music. The man seated in front of me had been coughing and as the earphone-hawking attendant passed his seat he asked her politely for something to drink. Her reaction left him — and me — speechless.

“Does this look like a beverage cart to you?” she snapped, adding that she would deal with drinks after she finished selling the earphones.

I do not know whether that poor fellow ever got his water, but I do know that in addition to safety training, that airline should consider bringing on Miss Manners as a consultant.

None of us really know whether Americans were more courteous and polite in past generations, but I suspect that our “Me! Me! Me!” culture of today with the emphasis on individual rights and self-fulfi llment has created, at best, less sensitivity for the feelings of others, and, at worst, a lot of truly rude people.

I hear cell phones go off in meetings and in movie theaters. I see people all the time interrupting actual face-to-face conversations to take cell phone calls, leaving others to stand by and listen to personal, even intimate discussions with who-knows-who on the other end of the wireless call. I deal with surly store clerks who begrudge me their time and effort even though I may buy some item or service for which they might receive a commission. I receive emails from people who write things I doubt they would ever say in person. I see motorists make obscene gestures and mouth curses to other drivers.

The list of rudeness is endless, and I know you see it, too.

Just out of curiosity, I did a search on the word “manners.” My grandmother called manners the glue of society and said they are what keep us from killing each other. The search did not quote my grandmother, but it did turn up several insights on the concepts of manners and of rudeness. Eric Hoffer observes that “Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength.” Margaret Walker and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas had similar takes. They said, respectively, “Friends and good manners will carry you where money won’t go,” and “Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.” George Bernard Shaw’s Henry Higgins tells his waif-intraining- to-be-a-lady that “The great secret, Eliza, is not having bad manners or good manners or any other particular sort of manners, but having the same manners for all human souls.” Emily Post, the Miss Manners of her day, put it this way: “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners no matter what fork you use.”

My favorite, though, comes from an unknown author and it pretty much sums up the concept of manners for me.

“Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you — not because they are nice, but because you are.”

Photo: Although Americans are a generous people, we can also be extremely rude.

As 2010 winds down, Fayetteville residents have a lot to celebrate. For many it’s the return of soldiers from deployments and for others it’s the promise of the new year and a new beginning. Whatever the case, if you want to celebrate in style look no further. This is Fayetteville’s guide to New Year’s Eve mayhem and madness. Check out one or more of these great events, but as always, if you drink remember to bring along a driver!

Downtown

Fayetteville’s official party — New Year’s Eve Party in the Park — is a family-focused event that has not just one, but two sets of fireworks. Bring in the New Year with live performances by everyone’s favorite party band — Hot Sauce.

This event will also have a children’s area hosted by The Partnership For Children, that includes craft activities and an early New Year countdown at 8:30 p.m., with a fireworks show for the little ones who can’t make it until midnight. This area proves to be fun for all ages!

Beer, champagne, party favors and food will be available for purchase.

At the stroke of midnight, a dogwood blossom will drop under the spectacle of another fireworks show.

Bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy this free event, and remember, no coolers, pets (except service animals) or weapons of any kind are allowed in Festival Park.

If the Party in the Park sounds like your idea of fun, check out the New Year’s Eve special at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux. The package includes overnight accommodations with a late check out at 1 p.m.; hourly shuttles to and from the Party in the Park; and a New Year’s Day Brunch in the Cafe Bordeaux from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The total cost per room/couple is $109 plus tax, and you can add dinner for two at Wiley’s for a package price of $159. For more information or to reserve your room, call 323-0111.

While you are downtown, you might want to stop in at one of the city’s favorite destinations for nightlife — Huske Hardware House. If you come early, you might want to take advantage of the special New Year’s Eve dinner special. Couples can enjoy a Huske Salad, a 10 oz. New York Strip, a side of their choice, a dessert of their choice and either a glass of house wine or champagne all for $49.99 per couple.

As the evening progresses, the lights will go down and the party will crank up as Huske brings on dancing to the sounds of your favorite DJ, drink specials, party favors, balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. Those attending the party will be charged a $20 cover charge at the door.

Just down the street at Pierro’s, you can ring in the New Year in the newly constructed Sky Lounge. Enjoy a DJ-hosted event, champagne toast and party favors as you await the magic hour of midnight. Book ahead by calling 678-8885, and get tickets for just $10 per person. You can also come early and cash in on the dinner special for two, which includes two appetizers, salads, entrees and drinks.

At Circa 1800, there will be three dinner seatings: 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Reservations are required and a special menu is available. At midnight, there will be a champagne toast. The Circa celebration is a more relaxed event and is not designed for the party-hardy crowd. For more information or to make reservations, call 568-4725.

Lido’s is hosting its first New Year’s Bash with drink specials, countdown on the big screen and a champagne toast at midnight. Get to Lido’s early for dinner and avoid the lines and cover charges at the door. They are throwing another big party on New Year’s Day. Call 222-8237 for reservations.

Crown Coliseum

Another family-friendly event on New Year’s Eve will take place at the Crown Coliseum as the Fayetteville FireAntz take on the Huntsville Havoc. The FireAntz know Fayetteville likes to party, so the New Year’s Eve game will start at 6 p.m. in order to allow you to get wound up with a high energy, action-packed hockey game before you head out to other events. Visit www.fireantzhockey.com for details.

Just up the street from the coliseum, the Doghouse is having a New Year’s Eve bash featuring Universal recording artist and local musical favorite, The Fifth. The action lasts from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. There will be party favors and free champagne. Breakfast will be served at midnight. Call 323-2400 for more information.

Around Town

Scrub Oaks on Ramsey Street is planning a laid back, festive celebration to bring in the New Year. The menu consists of a trio of specials selected from votes that customers have submitted in the weeks leading up to the holiday. Check out the website www.scruboaks.com. The eight big-screen TVs will follow the countdown with Ryan Seacrest in New York. Folks are welcome to make reservations, but there is no formal seating plan for the evening, and don’t forget the midnight champagne toast.

The Doubletree Inn on Cedar Creek Road is hosting a three ballroom entertainment extravaganza. Look for R&B and Hip Hop in one ballroom with Gilbert Vaez as the DJ. The second ballroom will feature a live band and plenty of jazz music with Buddy McCloud and the Two Reel Band and guest artist Reggie Codrington. The third ballroom will be more of a social mixer atmosphere with a tribute to Fat Daddy’s Bar and Grill. Entertainment will include karaoke, speed dating and other mixer activities. Pay one price and enjoy all three parties.

Tickets are $40 per single, $75 per couple and include heavy hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast and party favors. Stay the night for $109 dollars and get not only a room but breakfast for two. Tickets are available at Twice as Nice Boutique on Bragg Boulevard, Rogers Law Firm on Bow Street or by calling 578-2959.

Regulars at Legends Pub know that there is always a good time to be had at 4624 Bragg Boulevard, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. Come on over and ring in 2011 with your favorite bikers. Call 867-2364 for more information.

Fort Bragg

Competitive bowlers check out the New Year’s Eve Tournament at Airborne Lanes. From 8 p.m. - 2 a.m., for just $25 for adults and $15 for kids you’ll get an all inclusive bowling experience. There will be a Cosmic 9 pin tournament, a champagne toast at midnight and prizes and give-aways throughout the evening.

Just down Yadkin Road, The Big Apple is pulling out all the stops for its New Year’s Eve Silver, Gold and Black party. The event starts at 9 p.m., and patrons are asked to dress to impress. The evening features drink specials, dancing and prizes, a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight and the crowning of Fayetteville’s King and Queen of the New Year! The party starts at 9 p.m. Call 868-5559 for more information.

As 2010 winds down, Fayetteville residents have a lot to celebrate. For many it’s the return of soldiers from deployments and for others it’s the promise of the new year and a new beginning. Whatever the case, if you want to celebrate in style look no further. This is Fayetteville’s guide to New Year’s Eve mayhem and madness. Check out one or more of these great events, but as always, if you drink remember to bring along a driver!

Downtown

Fayetteville’s official party — New Year’s Eve Party in the Park — is a family-focused event that has not just one, but two sets of fireworks. Bring in the New Year with live performances by everyone’s favorite party band — Hot Sauce.

This event will also have a children’s area hosted by The Partnership For Children, that includes craft activities and an early New Year countdown at 8:30 p.m., with a fireworks show for the little ones who can’t make it until midnight. This area proves to be fun for all ages!

Beer, champagne, party favors and food will be available for purchase.

At the stroke of midnight, a dogwood blossom will drop under the spectacle of another fireworks show.

Bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy this free event, and remember, no coolers, pets (except service animals) or weapons of any kind are allowed in Festival Park.

If the Party in the Park sounds like your idea of fun, check out the New Year’s Eve special at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux. The package includes overnight accommodations with a late check out at 1 p.m.; hourly shuttles to and from the Party in the Park; and a New Year’s Day Brunch in the Cafe Bordeaux from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The total cost per room/couple is $109 plus tax, and you can add dinner for two at Wiley’s for a package price of $159. For more information or to reserve your room, call 323-0111.

While you are downtown, you might want to stop in at one of the city’s favorite destinations for nightlife — Huske Hardware House. If you come early, you might want to take advantage of the special New Year’s Eve dinner special. Couples can enjoy a Huske Salad, a 10 oz. New York Strip, a side of their choice, a dessert of their choice and either a glass of house wine or champagne all for $49.99 per couple.

As the evening progresses, the lights will go down and the party will crank up as Huske brings on dancing to the sounds of your favorite DJ, drink specials, party favors, balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. Those attending the party will be charged a $20 cover charge at the door.

Just down the street at Pierro’s, you can ring in the New Year in the newly constructed Sky Lounge. Enjoy a DJ-hosted event, champagne toast and party favors as you await the magic hour of midnight. Book ahead by calling 678-8885, and get tickets for just $10 per person. You can also come early and cash in on the dinner special for two, which includes two appetizers, salads, entrees and drinks.

At Circa 1800, there will be three dinner seatings: 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Reservations are required and a special menu is available. At midnight, there will be a champagne toast. The Circa celebration is a more relaxed event and is not designed for the party-hardy crowd. For more information or to make reservations, call 568-4725.

Lido’s is hosting its first New Year’s Bash with drink specials, countdown on the big screen and a champagne toast at midnight. Get to Lido’s early for dinner and avoid the lines and cover charges at the door. They are throwing another big party on New Year’s Day. Call 222-8237 for reservations.

Crown Coliseum

Another family-friendly event on New Year’s Eve will take place at the Crown Coliseum as the Fayetteville FireAntz take on the Huntsville Havoc. The FireAntz know Fayetteville likes to party, so the New Year’s Eve game will start at 6 p.m. in order to allow you to get wound up with a high energy, action-packed hockey game before you head out to other events. Visit www.fireantzhockey.com for details.

Just up the street from the coliseum, the Doghouse is having a New Year’s Eve bash featuring Universal recording artist and local musical favorite, The Fifth. The action lasts from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. There will be party favors and free champagne. Breakfast will be served at midnight. Call 323-2400 for more information.

Around Town

Scrub Oaks on Ramsey Street is planning a laid back, festive celebration to bring in the New Year. The menu consists of a trio of specials selected from votes that customers have submitted in the weeks leading up to the holiday. Check out the website www.scruboaks.com. The eight big-screen TVs will follow the countdown with Ryan Seacrest in New York. Folks are welcome to make reservations, but there is no formal seating plan for the evening, and don’t forget the midnight champagne toast.

The Doubletree Inn on Cedar Creek Road is hosting a three ballroom entertainment extravaganza. Look for R&B and Hip Hop in one ballroom with Gilbert Vaez as the DJ. The second ballroom will feature a live band and plenty of jazz music with Buddy McCloud and the Two Reel Band and guest artist Reggie Codrington. The third ballroom will be more of a social mixer atmosphere with a tribute to Fat Daddy’s Bar and Grill. Entertainment will include karaoke, speed dating and other mixer activities. Pay one price and enjoy all three parties.

Tickets are $40 per single, $75 per couple and include heavy hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast and party favors. Stay the night for $109 dollars and get not only a room but breakfast for two. Tickets are available at Twice as Nice Boutique on Bragg Boulevard, Rogers Law Firm on Bow Street or by calling 578-2959.

Regulars at Legends Pub know that there is always a good time to be had at 4624 Bragg Boulevard, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. Come on over and ring in 2011 with your favorite bikers. Call 867-2364 for more information.

Fort Bragg

Competitive bowlers check out the New Year’s Eve Tournament at Airborne Lanes. From 8 p.m. - 2 a.m., for just $25 for adults and $15 for kids you’ll get an all inclusive bowling experience. There will be a Cosmic 9 pin tournament, a champagne toast at midnight and prizes and give-aways throughout the evening.

Just down Yadkin Road, The Big Apple is pulling out all the stops for its New Year’s Eve Silver, Gold and Black party. The event starts at 9 p.m., and patrons are asked to dress to impress. The evening features drink specials, dancing and prizes, a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight and the crowning of Fayetteville’s King and Queen of the New Year! The party starts at 9 p.m. Call 868-5559 for more information.

With 89 schools serving more than 52,000 students, educating the youth of Cumberland County is no small challenge. As 2010 comes to an end and a new year lies ahead, we spoke with Dr. Frank Till, superintendent, about the “state of the schools” and the accomplishments and challenges of the school system.

According to Till, the county schools have much to be proud of in 2010.

“We had a good year. Achievement was up signifi cantly. And, we have begun to be recognized for our global initiative, which was even highlighted by the State Department. We feel good about that recognition and our future opportunities,” said Till.

Of course, the focus of the school system is still on making sure our students get the basic skills — science, math, languages — to make them competitive to get into colleges and careers. Achievement in those areas went up signifi cantly. Many subject areas were above the state average and 56 of 89 schools became high growth schools. But the global studies initiative takes the basic education up a notch, preparing students to work in a global economy and be competitive for jobs worldwide.

“Through several partnerships, we are exposing our students to international opportunities, and exposing them to languages such as Spanish, Japanese and Chinese.”

Although Cumberland County celebrated many achievements in 2010, the year ahead offers many challenges.

“I think we’ve made good progress. But we can’t be satisfi ed with where we’re at; We have to keep growing. We can’t be complacent. We have to keep moving in the right direction.”

One of the biggest challenges is to implement a new technology plan to go completely wireless in the next three years. This includes every facility in the district, plus new devices for all teachers. In some subject areas, if funds allow, there will also be new devices for students.

And of course, with the state of the economy, funds are a challenge. “Logistically, the state is still going through some tough times so we have to sort out our budget cuts. We hope, from some things we are implementing, to minimize the impact on the children and the classroom,” says Till.

And then there is BRAC. The community has been abuzz about the Base Realignment and Closure and the infl ux of new people to Fort Bragg. Naturally, those people will be bringing families and school-aged children to our area. But Till is certain that we are prepared for them.

“In the short term, we’ll have more students, but we are prepared facility wise. We opened a new elementary school this year, and will open a new middle school in 2012. A new college-type high school program will start next year around international studies,” explained Till. “We believe we have enough capacity in the short term. We’ll be ready when it occurs.”

As Till completes 2010 and his 19 months with the Cumberland County School System, he is excited about the future.

“I think the real key is just continuing to put things in place to continue growth in student achievement. We want to be above the state average. Our goal is to be among the top school districts in the state in achievement and opportunities for children,” he said. “We want Cumberland County to truly be a place where any student who works hard can achieve their dream. We’re proud of our young people and our staff and we think together we’ll create a good future for Cumberland County.”