Buying a handgun is a big decision to make. It’s not as easy as going down to your local gun store and picking your favorite. There are legal steps that you must complete, and there are safety steps that you should take before you take a weapon into your home.

First and foremost, in order to purchase a handgun in the State of North Carolina, you must apply for a gun permit. The permit request must be placed at the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office in the Special Services Office. Pistol permits are $5. You can download the application at www.ccsonc.org/specialservices.htm.

The permit requires you answer personal question such as your address, height, weight, Social Security number and distinguishing marks. The second section of the permit serves as a background check. Those who have been convicted of a felony, dishonorably discharged from the military, renounced their citizenship, or convicted of domestic violence charges will not be able to receive a gun permit.

After the permit is filed at the Special Services Office, the staff will run a background check, which will include a criminal history check. If it can be established that you are of good moral character and that you desire the gun for the “protection of the home, business, person, family or property, target shooting, collecting or hunting” your permit will be issued.

Your permit may be denied for good cause, and if it is denied, you should receive a written statement of the reason of denial within seven days. The license must be approved or disapproved within 30 days.

After your permit is approved, you should go to a licensed gun shop and try several fi rearms before you purchase one. If the sales staff does not seem knowledgeable about the types and selections of guns on hand, you should try another store. Once you determine the type of weapon you like, you should try it on a range before you purchase it. Guns, even of the same caliber, handle differently. You should find a gun that you feel comfortable with, and that you can handle with a degree of skill.

If you are not familiar with guns, you should take a basic gun course. Many types of these classes are offered in the community. A Google search will give you a wide number to choose from. Ensure that the instructor is a certified firearm’s instructor and ask about the content of instruction.

North Carolina is an open carry state, so you can carry your weapon in public as long as it is in the open. There are some places, like schools, parks and bars, where weapons of any kind are not permitted. Know the law. Carrying your gun in your purse or in the console of your car does not meet the law. It must be visible.

If you do not want to open carry, then you must apply for a Concealed Carry Permit. Concealed Carry Permits may also be obtained at the Special Services Office. The application is also on the website. There is a $90 fee. You must complete a Concealed Carry class in order to obtain the permit.

Once you get your permit, there are some things you should know:

1. Your permit to carry a concealed handgun must be carried along with valid identification whenever the handgun is being carried concealed.

2. When approached or addressed by any officer, you must disclose the fact that you have a valid concealed handgun permit and inform the officer that you are in possession of a concealed handgun. You should not attempt to draw or display either your weapon or your permit to the officer unless and until he directs you to do so. Your hands are to be kept in plain view and you are not to make any sudden movements.

3. At the request of any law enforcement officer, you must display both the permit and valid identification.

4. You may not, with or without a permit, carry a concealed weapon while consuming alcohol or while alcohol or any controlled substances are in your blood, unless the controlled substance was obtained legally and taken in therapeutically appropriate amounts.

5. You must notify the sheriff who issued the permit of any address change within thirty (30) days of the change of address.

6. If a permit is lost or destroyed, you must notify the sheriff who issued the permit and you may receive a duplicate permit by submitting a notarized statement to that effect along with the required fee. Do not carry a handgun without it.

7. Even with a permit, you may not carry a concealed handgun in the following areas:

a. Any law enforcement or correctional facility

b. Any space occupied by state or federal employees

c. A financial institution

d. Any premise where the carrying of a concealed handgun is prohibited by the posting of a statement by the controller of the premise

e. Educational property

f. Areas of assemblies, parades, funerals, or demonstrations

g. Places where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed

h. State occupied property

i. Any state or federal courthouse

j. In any area prohibited by federal law

k. Any local government building if the local government had adopted an ordinance and posted signs prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons

8. If you are in a vehicle and stopped by a law enforcement officer, you should put both hands on the steering wheel, announce you are in possession of a concealed handgun and state where you have it concealed, and that you are in possession of a permit. Do not remove your hands from the wheel until instructed to do so by the officer.

If you meet all of the legal requirements, there are still some things you need to know. North Carolina is a Castle Doctrine state and has a stand-your-ground law. In short, this law permits the use of deadly physical force against an intruder in your home. The law, N.C. General Statute 14-51.1 reads: Use of deadly physical force against an intruder. (a) A lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence is justified in using any degree of force that the occupant reasonably believes is necessary, including deadly force, against an intruder to prevent a forcible entry into the home or residence or to terminate the intruder’s unlawful entry (i) if the occupant reasonably apprehends that the intruder may kill or inflict serious bodily harm to the occupant or others in the home or residence, or (ii) if the occupant reasonably believes that the intruder intends to commit a felony in the home or residence. (b) A lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence does not have a duty to retreat from an intruder in the circumstances described in this section. (c) This section is not intended to repeal, expand, or limit any other defense that may exist under the common law.

It is important that you understand what is considered deadly force. This type of information can be gained in your gun classes.

The Fayetteville City Council meeting this past Monday night was indeed not its finest hour. Rather, it was an indicator of how far our elected city government has not come. The council voted on a controversial issue along strict racial lines, supporting an appeal by a black entrepreneur for a city-backed loan to build an entertainment center in the former Capitol Department Store building, to be called Docks.

Whether the planned use for the to-be-recycled building has sufficient merit to justify the city-backed loan is one issue; how the approval was reached is another. It would appear that each councilperson’s vote was consistent with the views of the voters in their respective districts, as they perceived them. If that was the case, then so be it, but it does not deny the fact that the vote was along racial lines. Mel Henderson who is developing the project is black, as are the five council persons who voted on the project.

Councilman Johnny Dawkins is quoted as saying the vote was not on racial lines. Sorry Johnny, if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck it, you guessed it, it is a duck. Lois Kirby, a white council member, did not vote because she was out of town. The city manager’s office was alerted to her absence well ahead of the time this past Monday’s agenda was set and therefore — hmm.

So the vote on this matter was both a victory and defeat for our mayor who would have this diverse community be racially unifi ed — if that is possible.

For Dr. Henderson, the vote was a solid victory after years of struggle to obtain public financial support for his private enterprise. Independent business people are intrinsically risk takers, but as Dr. Henderson is quoted as saying, “This is speculative and you’re either a fool to do this project or you have to have incentives.”

Or maybe, Dr. Henderson, both.

But who is fooling who? Let us trot out our trusty calculators and legal pads and run the numbers, as they have been provided to us by local media. First we all want publicly backed projects to have some “greater good” spin. In this opportunity, jobs seem to be in the forefront, 110 of them. So, if this number is representing full-time equivalent employees, as it should, and if they all earn something near minimum wage, the payroll, including appropriate taxes, should be about $2,000,000. This will be a nice shot in the arm to the local economy. Let us vote for it.

But wait, isn’t the enterprise to deliver about $75,000 in sales taxes to the city? On a two percent sales tax return rate basis, that means Dock’s should realize gross revenues of about $3,750,000 annually. But payroll alone is going to be $2,000,000 — more than half of gross revenues. This does look risky. Better vote against it.

Well, what about property taxes of $110,000? That’s good isn’t it? Yes, but we have to forgive half of that for five years. Gee, not so good, maybe vote against it. Well, what about 178,000 people annually coming downtown to patronize this facility? Won’t that be good? Sure, assuming the business is open 360 days a year, to about 500 people per day. On a nine hours-per-business-day basis, that works out to one person a minute every day, day in and day out, throughout the year.But wait, to gross $3,750,000 per year, each of these 178,000 only have to spend $20 per visit. That is an awful lot of video games per person every minute.

In all seriousness, a business that would attract that much traffic would be up and running somewhere in this community and it would not have required nine years of wrangling to get it off the ground. So the offered numbers are suspect and the taxpayer’s money is very much at risk.

Perhaps the coldest wind this council decision blows is toward those community members that are currently ensconced in the downtown area, and particularly those in the historic district. They took risks with their own money (and do not get a 50 percent property tax relief consideration) and have not had an easy time getting their respective businesses to a successful point. Now comes Docks, which, if it works, will exacerbate an already serious parking problem.

How does the city address this? Something akin to, “Tough bananas you Downtown Alliance members. Your parking, precious little as it is, is to be given to the new guy.” And finally, what about appropriateness? Are antique stores truly second class? Is a facility for bowling and war games the right direction for our downtown historic district? Whenever the last chapter is written on this situation, the then-sitting city council members may look back and say, “How could we have made such a decision?

What We Say in 2010

The now public demise of Docks should have surprised no one. The Hay Street entertainment and dining facility was established with business plan criteria fraught with cooked and created financial expectations. A modicum of business sense applied to the numbers presented to the Fayetteville City Council in March 2005 would have revealed that Dr. Mel Henderson was pursuing an impossible ambition.

If we give the then sitting Fayetteville City Council credit, at least for the most part, for being in possession of such business understanding, why then was the loan request approved? And why were the banks so easily duped by a whining Dr. Henderson and slick talking Marshall Isner, then president of the Downtown Development Corporation?

It might be helpful to recall that this same city council voted to forcibly annex 43,000 citizens and 27 square miles without any idea as to how to pay for the infrastructure that the city was by law required to install in the newly annexed areas. So lack of reasoning ability should not be absolutely ruled out as an explanation for the council’s strange decision in favor of Dr. Henderson’s loan request. Another quite plausible explanation could have been the question of where the money was to be sourced. Federal Community Block Grant funds covered 40 percent of the city’s participation, so the money wasn’t altogether the local taxpayer’s money. That made a reckless decision okay it would seem.

Another explanation could have been Isner’s presentation to the council. His really absurd projected financials must have been compelling to a naïve city council. Then city manager Roger Stancil, true to form, never said a word about Henderson’s pie-in-the-sky plan even though he had to have known the project was destined to be a financial disaster. Isner brokered the deal for Henderson, insisting that the plan was a slam dunk. Later, when it was obvious that Docks was a failure he maintained that he had always been skeptical. You can’t have it both ways, Marshall, and the record is clear.

The council’s inexplicable majority vote on the project could be rationalized from a race perspective. All of the votes for Dr. Henderson, who is black, and his scheme were by black council members. All opposed votes were by white council members. The city was considering the 300 block project proposed by white businessmen so fair is fair. Then Mayor Pro Tem, Lois Kirby, who is white, was not in attendance at the council meeting when the vote to fund the project was taken.

So now the question as to why Docks was a financial debacle is being considered, or at least it should be. The North American Savings Bank may not care why. They would just like to recover some of their non-performing asset, i.e. a $4.3 million loan to Henderson and Docks. The City of Fayetteville loaned Henderson $750,000 of which $450,000 came from city taxpayers. The Cumberland County Business Council (now the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce) loaned Henderson $178,000 to be paid back after five years or December 2010. Since payment of that loan is not yet due it is not in arrears. But it absolutely will be due and the chamber can kiss that money goodbye.

Docks was a project that was to be completed in six to nine months but required two and one half years to open for business. It was to cost $7 million for renovations and new construction, including furnishings and equipment. The final tally is about $11 million. Slippage of $4 million or 57 percent is suspicious and reeks of an intentional low cost estimate and poor management of the work. Even Isner’s grossly inflated guesses regarding patronage of 178,000 annually would not have supported that much indebtedness.

Now Docks is closed and probably will never reopen, despite Dr. Henderson’s ridiculous insistence that “he is arranging new financing.” The city and county have never collected a penny of property taxes from Docks and never will. Dr. Henderson may have taken himself and others into bankruptcy. The community is left to wonder how so many, including dozens of Docks employees, could have been duped by so few.

Dr. Henderson also may have to answer to a judge and jury about his failure to pay sales taxes on his equipment and revenues. He certainly owes his former employees a sincere dose of honesty regarding the condition of his now defunct business. Henderson also must face serious charges for his failure to forward to the state and federal government payroll taxes taken from his employee’s earnings. Those guilty of such transgressions often go to prison.

Inception (Rated PG-13) 4 STARS

You know what movie really reeked? Insomnia, Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to the amazing Memento. You knowwhat else reeked? The Prestige, Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to Batman Begins. You know what movie didn’t reek? Inception (148 minutes), which Nolan wrote and directed. His lead actor is completely overrated and his two female leads are underutilized, but on overall thrills and head-scratchiness, Nolan delivers. If we could just get him to jumpstart a new X-Men franchise, Imight finally be able to put my Singer vendetta to rest.

The film opens on a beach, with Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) face down in the sand. He is detained by armed guards and taken inside a building. Puzzling dialogue takes us into the next scene so as to confuse the audience as early in the film as possible.

The film’s focus is the creation and manipulation of dreams, and in a wonderfully crafted introduction to this central idea Cobb and his partner Arthur (Joseph Gorden- Levitt) submit a business proposal to Saito (Ken Watanabe). During their meeting with Saito, Cobb’s wife Mal (Marion Cotillard) appears and throws a wrench into their plans.

This leads into the main plot. Cobb and his team are hired to target a man named Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy). They are supposed to assist Saito in an act of industrial espionage, planting an idea to influence Fischer to break up his near monopoly in order to protect Saito’s business interests. Even though Cobb is experienced with stealing ideas, the rest of his team is convinced that planting an idea (inception) is impossible. At least they are until Cobb tells them a bedtime story about a dream within a dream.

The only problem with “inception” is the potential damage to the subject and danger to the dreamer. Once the existing team (and the audience) understands the risks involved, Cobb meets with his father-in-law and teacher, Miles (Michael Caine). Miles offers his most brilliant student, Ariadne (Ellen Page) to work with the team. Despite her stupidly dramatic name she seems like a pretty good egg. Cobb and Company manage to recruit her as the dream’s architect and then set about filling out the rest of the team.

A series of classic team building subplots follow. First Cobb hunts down expert forger Eames (Tom Hardy) to impersonate a key character inside the dream. Then he goes after Yusef (Dileep Rao) to prepare the carefully crafted chemicals necessary to induce the proper dream state.

Back in the “A” plot, Ariadne and her stupidly dramatic name begin to discover some of Cobb’s better kept secrets, which reveal an even greater element of risk to the group. It is here that the concept of Limbo is explained, and those of you in the slow seats will probably want to take some notes, because it all gets a little hard to follow at this point.

It is a major strength of the film that reality and the various levels of dreaming are so interchangeable, since the audience can keep guessing til the cows come home without ever really knowing for sure where the characters are. While there are various ambigious clues offered throughout the movie, each viewer is allowed to decide at what point the dream ends and reality begins (if it ever does).

It was one year ago a group of representatives from local art agencies sat with Bill Bowman, Editor of Up & ComingWeekly, to talk about the possibility of forming an alliance of the galleries in Fayetteville, galleries who have an exhibition calendar of at least sic months ahead of schedule.

From the beginning, the alliance’s main focus would be to run bi-monthly ads about gallery openings for the general public, promote member organization events and pursue collaborative programming and marketing in the visual arts.

The alliance’s name became VAA, the Visual Art Alliance; its slogan, “buy original, buy local,” is one that celebrates its member’s position all year round. By late August 2009, a grant was submitted to the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County for seed money to support the organization.

After receiving the grant, Gallery 208 became VAA’s official gallery — every third month one of VAA’s members coordinated a regional artist exhibit for Gallery 208 and a local artist in McLeod Gallery, both at Up & Coming Weekly. During its first year, VAA hosted excellent exhibitions in their space. The opening receptions, hosted by Up & Coming Weekly, as always, were special — lots of food and beverage, artists and art patrons participated as well as art lovers to the receptions.

In an effort to promote Fayetteville as an art-buying destination and to reshape the perception of the visual arts in Fayetteville, VAA presented two lectures at the Arts Council about buying art and how to pursue a gallery in a major city. Both lectures were well attended.

In addition to the lectures and exhibitions by member agencies, VAA had a special art sale during a particularly hot day in the Transportation Museum parking lot on June 5. The One Day Art Market was a huge success as a way to generate funds.

Although ceramics and jewelry were available, people came to find good deals on prints, drawings, watercolors and paintings. And they did! As a fundraiser many professional artists donated personal works they regularly sell between the amounts of $300 to $1,200 and marked those works as little as $25 and never more than $150.

Within the first three hours of the art market, the raffle for two professional works took place and the work was picked over. VAA members noted there were a significant number of people who were from out of town that visited the sale.

From July of last year to the present the Visual Art Alliance has been dedicated to building an enduring visual arts community in Fayetteville. Members last year included the Fayetteville Museum of Art and its present members: Cape Fear Studios, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, Rosenthal Gallery at Fayetteville State University, the Fayetteville Art Guild, the art gallery at Fayetteville Technical Community College and Old Towne Gallery.

The organization made it though a successful first year with the help of its sponsors and a membership dedicated to the arts locally. So, thank you big sponsors: Arts Council, Up & Coming Weekly, and its newest sponsor, The Fayetteville Feed. VAA could not have done it without your support!

Special thanks to the small dollars from individuals who attended the lectures and made purchases at the one day market. Every dollar helps and adds up! But it takes people, too.

It’s a year old organization that I think has helped to make a difference this past year in the art landscape in Fayetteville; but it’s a year round effort by everyone who wants to strengthen the arts in Fayetteville to support the Visual Arts in Fayetteville by attending the openings and buying local. You don’t have to purchase to go to a reception or an exhibition at a gallery. All of the galleries are happy to see visitors enjoy the works of art, too.

Each art agency is a valued sister organization in the community, all are interrelated to support the success of the arts. Yet participation at openings and events is just as important to support reputable art galleries and exhibit spaces for all levels of artists to show their work — including the novice.

I know how important art patrons are to the arts, but as cited in an earlier exposé Chris Kastner stated, “It’s important for artists to be at openings. In general, the public likes to meet the artist whose work is hanging on the wall and ask the artist questions — its good business for artists to attend openings to meet other artists.”

VAA hopes the next year will bring more artists and art patrons and new-comers out to galleries. The agency hopes younger emerging artists will take the time to attend openings and events, mix with established artists.

The alliance will continue to do its part, to work as a collective, seeking to promote events and increase the number of individuals who attend openings and art events all over the city. I just hope artists understand how important they are to an artistic community that celebrates all creative people and process; that values the exploration of new ideas, new ways to exhibit, and new art business ventures.

There are many exciting exhibitions planned in VAA’s second year. When you’re in its member’s galleries, look for the newly published post card maps which geographically locates VAA’s member galleries. And in the months ahead, look for the VAA canopy on Maxwell Street during 4th Fridays.

Individual artists can’t joint VAA, but if you are seeking information about VAA or would like to contact VAA, contact its President, Sean McDaniel at Fayetteville Technical Community College (910) 678-0042, or Secretary Chris Kastner, Executive Director of the Cape Fear Studios (910) 433-2986.

Connie King and Kathleen Ruppert want people to be smart about protecting their property. The two crime prevention specialists at the City of Fayetteville make it their mission to teach people how to be street smart, informed and unappealing targets to criminals.

“We’ve really made the push of making people become more aware that it (their safety) is their responsibility,” said Ruppert. “A lot of that is the push with our crime mapping — our e-mails to citizens. We have really been hitting civic groups, Fort Bragg and any group that we can on safety tips — things that citizens can do to make themselves not become a victim.”

Taking advantage of the techno-savvy population, the Fayetteville Police Department uses a program called Nixle to keep folks informed about everything from crimes that are being committed locally to traffic problems to public service announcements.

“If people want to know what is going on in Fayetteville, who the bad guys are, what is going on with the police department, any crime trend, anything that is happening, our public information offi cer has been awesome with getting Nixle started in Fayetteville,” said Ruppert. “The information is there, people just have to be receptive and open to getting that info. Nixle is a great tool whether it be through an e-mail or a text alert to your phone.”

You can find out more at Nixle.com, and you don’t have to register to get a preview of how the Web site works. Type in your zip code and get local and relevant information, then decide if you want to have updates sent to your e-mail or phone and go from there.

Another way to stay informed is to call one of the Crime Prevention Specialists and get on their mailing list.

“We send out what we call ‘The Hot Spots’ every week,” said Ruppert. “That is also a way that we try to get people to be aware of what is going on, not just where they live, but in the entire city. We also give them safety tips, try to connect them with their neighborhood watch. They can always contact us — we are always able to prepare statistics for them, especially if they are getting ready to move into a new community. We can let them know what the stats are in a community before they move in.”

Once a person has moved in, or even if you have lived in your home for years, give the Crime Prevention Unit a calland they will come to your house and perform a security assessment.

“We offer a free home survey to citizens in Fayetteville,” said King “We will come out and give you different ideas of better ways that you can secure your home. Just call us. It is a free service to community.”

So while the police department can’t provide a policeman in every neighborhood, they are very serious about providing solid information and educating the public on how to better protect themselves and their property. For help with any of the programs above, call one of the local Crime Prevention Specialists at 433-1033 or 433-1034.

Here are some easy, common sense things that Ruppert and King think are important to remember when is comes to keeping your home secure.

• An easy target home is any home that has the no one home appearance ... newspapers in the yard and that kind of stuff.

• Use automatic light timers in your home while you are gone.

• If you have an alarm system USE IT! Even when you are at home.

• Lock the doors — even when you are home.

• Don’t be afraid to call 911. You can be anonymous, but make the call if you see something suspicious.

• Porch lights and outdoor lighting allow your neighbors to see anything suspicious going on at your house. Leave the lights on!

• Don’t leave valuables in your car. Criminals can break in, steal the garage door opener, or gps system, get your address from your registration (or gps) and know right where to come for the rest of your valuables.

• Get to know your neighbors.

“You need to speak to them and let them know that you are there for them because they are your first line of defense if something happens,” said King.

“If you are at home, make sure that you acknowledge someone that is at your door. There was a crime trend where people were knocking on doors and if you don’t answer they were going around back and kicking the door in,” said King. “We recommend at least saying ‘Hello. What do you want? Go away! I am calling 911!’ Something just to let them know that you are at home. If you think about it a criminal really doesn’t want to be seen. If they know you are home they will go somewhere else.”

• Break down boxes and burn them inside out after making a big purchase. Throwing away an empty box for a big screen TV or gaming system is like advertising to criminals the contents of your home.

It’s August, and while it may feel more like Hades outside than the Middle South, that little detail won’t deter dedicated runners and walkers from participating in the largest road race in Fayetteville, the American Red Cross “Run for the Red” 10K, 5K and 1-mile fun run on Saturday, August 14.

Billed as “The Hottest Race in the South” –– literally and figuratively this year–– the annual event kicks off at 7 a.m. at 101 Robeson Street, giving runners a head start on the heat.

“This is the fourth year of the race,” said Tracey Kohut, Program Assistant for the Highlands Chapter of the American Red Cross (ARC), which serves Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke and Sampson Counties. “The 5K is the North Carolina State Championship race for the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). It is something that is done across the United States with the ARC. It is a major fundraiser for the ARC, and the neatest thing is that not only does it include a state championship race, but there’s also a cash purse for the top three males and females in the 5K and 10K races.”

And those who wish to participate in the event, but don’t want to run in the 5K and 10K races, won’t feel left out in the…heat.

“A lot of people don’t necessarily do the running thing,” Kohut said, “so we incorporated it so that it can be a family-fun event, and we’ve got that one-mile walk. That’s pretty awesome.”

Strollers, kids’ wagons and dogs on leashes are also welcome.

Money raised from the race will help ensure the ARC is able to support members of the community served by the Highlands Chapter in times of need. And the community is an important contributing factor to the success of the race.

“The community has jumped in. Our sponsors are making this possible,” said Kohut. “They’re supplying water for the runners. They’re supplying snacks for the runners. It’s a community-wide event where everybody gets involved.

“I have to tell you what a lot of people don’t know. Everybody thinks that the ARC is a government agency, so therefore everybody thinks that the ARC has a lot of money. What folks don’t realize is that we are able to do what we do only because of donations from individuals, corporations and businesses. And all of the money that we raise from this race is going to stay in our local community to fund our disaster services, to fund our health and safety services –– we taught over 10,000 people CPR last year –– and our Services to Armed Forces (SAF). Here in Fayetteville, this chapter actually initiates emergency messaging to give to service members when there is something going on in the family. We actually start that messaging so that families and service members can be reunited in a time of need. That’s what our donations actually pay for.”

Participation in the race has steadily climbed each year, and Kohut hopes to see it reach a new benchmark.

“The first year it started out, it was just several hundred people, and of course, last year was year number three, and it was at 1200, and I’m thinking well, come on, we can get 1500!”

Participants may register online, by mail or by dropping off a completed form at the Highlands ARC offi ce. Online registration ends on Wednesday, August 11. On-site registration may be available if the event is not full, but runners and walkers are encouraged to register online. Registration fees for individuals for the 10K, 5K and 1-Mile fun run are $35, $30 and $5, respectively.

“The runners for the 5K and 10K will receive a tee shirt with the sponsors listed on the back,” Kohut said. “If they are going to walk, they have the opportunity to purchase a T-shirt.”

The races also feature staggered start times. The 10K begins at 7 a.m., the 5K at 8:30 a.m. and the 1-Mile at 9 a.m. For those who come out, yes, it will probably be hot, and yes, you will sweat, but you will also be making a difference for our community.

“It’s a morning run,” said Kohut. “Awards will be scheduled at 10 a.m., so hopefully by the heat of the day, everybody’s going to be basking in their glory of what a great job they did. Everybody come on out. Please come out and make a difference.”

For more information or to volunteer, visit www.highlandsarc.org/ or call 910-867-8151.

Taking Their Safety Into Their Own Hands

In a military community, the idea of seeing guns is not as shocking as in many communities. But what may shock some people is who’s carrying the weapons. According to Debbie Tanna, spokesperson for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department, there has been a big increase in the number of women seeking to buy handguns and applying for concealed carry permits.

But Cumberland County is not alone in that trend. Across the nation, there has been a dramatic upswing in the number of women who are buying and carrying weapons to protect themselves and their homes. The trend started shortly after 9/11 and has continued to grow, particularly during the weakened economy.

Locally, Tanna contributes that increase to a couple of things.

“There has defnitely been an increase in the number of women requesting gun permits and applying for the concealed carry permits,” said Tanna. “A lot of it has to do with the fact that we are in a military community and women are alone and feel vulnerable. Another aspect is the report of rapes in the area. These two factors have caused a lot of women to become more responsible for their personal safety, and that of their families.”

Tanna said that in order to drive the idea of taking responsibility for your own personal safety home, Sheriff Moose Butler added a program to extend the idea to personal property, as well as personal safety.

“Earlier this year, Sheriff Butler implemented the Help Us Help You program designed to increase awareness of personal responsibility for securing your belongings and yourself,” explained Tanna. “The program encourages people to be more diligent when it comes to these areas. A key factor is keeping an eye on your surroundings, including your neighborhood and your neighbors, safeguarding your property by making sure your home is secured and your children are safe. Another aspect is taking property out of your vehicle, such as GPS, radios, purses, etc., which are likely to be stolen. Since we started the program, we have defi nitely seen a decrease in property crimes.”

That was confirmed by the release of crime rates by the state in July. According to the report, the number of crimes in Cumberland County dropped in 2009, following a statewide trend that put North Carolina’s crime rate at the lowest level since 1984. That was the good news. The bad news is that the county had the secondhighest crime rate in North Carolina last year. Only Robeson County had a higher rate of crimes per 100,000 residents, according to fi gures released by the state’s Attorney General’s Offi ce. The crime rate for Cumberland County — including Fayetteville, smaller towns and unincorporated areas — was 7,154 crimes per 100,000 people. That’s about 5 percent lower than the crime rate in 2008. Broken down by crime types, Cumberland ranked No. 2 in North Carolina for highest rate of property crimes, which includes burglaries and thefts. Cumberland ranked sixth for violent crimes.

Taking Responsibility

And it is those figures that have women looking to secure their own safety. Jennifer Martin, the wife of a Soldier, believes that women should be able to defend themselves. Martin, a former member of the North Carolina National Guard and a federal employee, takes her personal safety very seriously. She has guns. She has been trained to use the guns, and she has a concealed carry permit.

“For a lot of women, the idea of having a gun is like a security blanket,” said Martin. “I feel more comfortable knowing I have a weapon, but most people don’t think they will ever have to pull it. You can’t let the idea of having a weapon let you let your guard down. You have to be very active in your self-defense, and to do that, you have to educate yourself.”

Martin is a strong advocate for tactical training, but also for knowing the law. “You need to know what is going to happen if you pull your weapon, as much as you need to know how to use it,” she said.

It is that lack of knowledge that many local firearms experts work diligently to share with the community.

“If you have a gun, and you don’t know how to use it then you are putting yourself in danger, because it is going to be taken from you and turned against you,” said Frankie McRae, the operator of Range 37 outside of Lillington.

McRae, a former Special Forces Soldier, believes that the two biggest problems confronting women who own guns is their lack of knowledge about the gun, which puts them in harm’s way, and the lack of knowledge about how to respond to a threat, which may cause them to unintentionally hurt someone they care about.

To combat those tragic incidents, McRae and the staff at Range 37 offer three women-only classes designed to educate and train women in the use of guns and improvised weapons. The basic class taught at the range walks students through the mechanics of the gun, the moving parts, the ammunition, shooting stances and other fundamentals.

The Concealed Carry Class is tied to a Women’s Self Defense Class, wherein you have the mandatory 8-hour Concealed Carry Class, followed by two to three hours of self-defense, which teaches you how to respond to a threat with improvised weapons other than a gun.

McRae demonstrated the idea by taking a lipstick tube and using it as a weapon. “There are a lot of ways you can defend yourself,” he said. “But you have to learn them, and practice them.”

The range also offers an advanced class that teaches tactical shooting. “This advanced class is scenario driven,” he said. “It will take you through the act of defending your home. Targets will pop-up and you have less than a second to determine if it’s the intruder or a member of your family.”

It is that kind of split-second decision making that is lacking in many gun owners, including men. McRae said that if you intend to have weapons in your home for personal safety or to carry them with you, then you need to have the training to make those kinds of decisions. He noted that there are many people who offer similar training, noting that before you take any training you should look for a certifi ed instructor on a certifi ed range, and should look at the course content.

“Do they only offer the minimum training or do they go beyond that?” he said.

The women-only training classes are held the third Saturday of every other month, with the next class scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18. For more information about Range 37 and its classes, visit the website at www.range37.com.

When You Are a Victim

Jessica Taylor is a vivacious, well-liked woman in the community. The realtor, associated with Remax West Allstars, is involved in the arts community. Also a military wife, Taylor is familiar with weapons, but until recently didn’t see a need to own one for herself. That all changed several weeks ago.

“I’m being stalked,” explained Taylor to Geary Chlebus, a firearms expert who is affiliated with Jim’s Pawn Shop.

Chlebus, who teaches the Concealed Carry Course at Jim’s, as well as the Firearms for Females classes, has heard similar stories over his career in law enforcement. For 11 years, Chlebus ran a police academy, where he focused on fi rearms, interrogation and criminal investigation.

“Women have a responsibility to prevent violence against themselves and others who they are responsible for,” he said. “To survive, a woman needs to keep the tactics simple along with being vicious against the attacker.”

On a recent Sunday afternoon, he and the management of Jim’s Pawn Shop, opened the range, which is normally closed, in order to allow Taylor, Martin and myself to come to the range and learn more about guns and personal safety.

As we entered the store, Chlebus made a quick assessment. Martin fell squarelyin the realm of not a victim. I was an unknown, while Taylor fell into the box of victim.

“It’s about how you present yourself,” said Chlebus. “If you walk with your head down or are digging in your purse, or talking on your cell phone, then you fall into the victim category. If you walk with your head up and show awareness of your surroundings, you are not as likely to be a victim.”

He listened intently as Taylor told her story.

“It started a few weeks ago,” she said. “This man has started calling my phone. Sometimes he is telling me what I’m wearing, and what he wants to do to me. So I know he has to be close.”

Chlebus concurred. “What have you noticed? Have you seen someone in the same place a lot?” he asked.

“I’m not really sure, I’m on the phone a lot or working in my planner,” she confessed. “So I haven’t noticed. I am very aware of safety when I am meeting new clients or entering empty houses. In fact, I think a lot more about those things than do my clients.”

With the phone calls, Taylor decided she needed to purchase a gun. Chlebus, upon inspection of the small, very feminine gun, explained that the gun wouldn’t do much to protect her.

He explained that many women are not familiar enough with guns to make a decision about what kind of gun to buy, so they listen to other people. “If you go to a Ford dealership, what do they tell you is the best car?” he asked. “A Ford! You have to go to someone who is knowledgeable about guns, and who can help you fi nd a gun that works for you. You need to try several guns to determine what you are comfortable with.”

He said that the size of gun and ammunition a woman uses has to do with how much control she has over the weapons. This can be determined by hand size, length of trigger fi nger and thumbs, muscle mass and strength.

“There’s no one right gun,” he said. “You have to find the one that fits you.”

And the best way to do that is to go to a range and work with a certifi ed firearms instructor. Chlebus, as well as McRae, discourage the idea of a spouse or signifi cant other teaching a woman to shoot.

“That usually results in arguments, or the husband expects the wife to be able to handle a really big gun,” said Chlebus. “It doesn’t work.”

After going through and teaching important safety techniques, such as how to ensure the gun is not loaded, the proper way to hold a weapon and different shooting stances, Chlebus took the group onto the range.

For Taylor and me, Chlebus explained the basics of shooting, and then allowed us to shoot a number of differentweapons until we found one that was comfortable for us. Taylor was undecided, but knows she needs to look at getting a bigger gun. I am torn between a 38 and a 9 mm. Martin learned more advanced skills, and each of us were taught to move toward and away from the aggressor while fi ring.

“What you learn on most ranges is to stand still and shoot,” said Chlebus. “That isn’t reality. If someone kicks in the door of your house, you aren’t going to be in a fi ring position. You may be laying in bed or watching TV. You have to learn to shoot from a variety of positions,” he said. “Most women are victimized at their cars. You have to know how to protect yourself if you are strapped in your seat belt or if you are trying to get your child out of harm’s way. You can only do that through training.”

Chlebus noted that Jim’s feels a special responsibility for the safety of the community, and goes the extra mile by offering free range time to women on Wednesdays and by offering a number of free classes.

“If you have been a victim, you can take these classes free,” he said. “There are a number of other classes we offer that will help you protect yourself, and if you can’t come to us, we will bring the class to you, but you have to do your shooting on the range here.” For more information about the classes, contact Jim’s at 910-864-2270. See next week’s issue for more information about guns and the law.

(Photo top) Fayetteville resident Jennifer Martin steps up to the
firing lane at Jim’s Pawn Shop.

(Photo bottom right) Jessica Taylor, a local realtor, takes the first steps
to protect herself.

The pop hit song “The Greatest Love of All,” by Michael Masser and Linda Creed, begins, “I believe the children are our future.” The Partnership for Children of Cumberland County (PFC), a nonprofi t organization and local administrator for North Carolina’s early childhood initiative Smart Start and the More at Four Public Pre-Kindergarten Program, exemplifi es that statement in its efforts to provide Cumberland County’s 25,300 children with access to high-quality early childhood development programs. Such an endeavor is daunting in the best of times, but even in today’s challenging economic environment, the PFC continues to provide “The support you need to help children succeed.”

“We started our new (fi scal) year on July 1,” said President Eva Hansen, “and we have had some challenges with reduction of funding, but we’re expecting less than a 3 percent cut, and we are losing about 64 pre-Kindergarten spots out of 2000. Considering the state of the economy, it could have been a lot worse. We’re very appreciative of all the support. I think it demonstrates acceptance that early childhood development is really a critical component to our ability to compete in the global economy and contributes to our future prosperity because we’re growing and developing the future.”

Hansen elaborated on some of the organization’s ongoing and upcoming programs to foster the healthy development and growth of children.

“We did have, for three years, a project-funded activity with the Museum of Arts called Art Trunks Parent Kit. Since the museum closed, there was concern about what would happen to that activity,” Hansen said. “We’ve been able to absorb it through our Child Care Resource and Referral department and the Resource Lending Library so that there are trunk kits that will still be available to child care centers, and the parent kit will also be available.”

A trunk kit, Hansen explained, depicts different cultures and scenes that are used for early literacy and incorporates music and all kinds of exciting things that teachers and child care centers can use with young children to improve literacy and education. A parent kit includes manipulatives and ideas for activities that parents can do with their children. They can check the kits out at no cost and return them within a period of time.

“They are very popular,” said Hansen, “and we think we’ll be ready to get that going again in the middle of August.”

In addition to the Art Trunks program, PFC is excited to offer a new activity and service program called Raising a Reader, an evidence-based early literacy and parent engagement program to improve the reading-readiness skills of children ages 0-5.

“Fayetteville State University is going to be the primary service provider in collaboration with the Cumberland County Public Library and the PFC Child Care Resource and Referral Department,” Hansen said. “It’s going to focus on child care centers and students in the Cumberland County School System that are in high-risk areas.”

PFC offers many other events and volunteer opportunities, including Operation Ceasefi re Movie Nights, with free admission, popcorn, drinks and prizes; Book Club on the fi rst Tuesday of each month from 10:30 -11:30 a.m.; Story & Art Time on the second and fourth Fridays of each month from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon and Grandparent Support Group on the third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.. On September 16 and 17, PFC will cosponsor a conference, “Forward March: Moving Children Forward During Challenging Times,” at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church.

PFC, located at 351 Wagoner Dr, Suite 200, in Fayetteville, can be reached at (910) 867-9700 or via its new updated Web site, ccpfc.org.

“We are located in the FPC Research Center with many other organizations,” said Hansen. “There’s an opportunity to connect with many other services,” which helps fulfi ll the PFC’s mission statement, “To build partnerships with families and the community so that all children have the opportunity to succeed in school and be prepared to contribute to our social and economic future.”

Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday the building that houses the Catalyst Community slowly comes to life. The handful of dedicated volunteers enter the building and begin the process that has, over the past four years, improved the lives of many in the Massey Hill Community.

One man, who asked not to be identifi ed, busies himself in the kitchen, while David Clark gases up the van and heads out on his route. The Price family moves around like the well-oiled machine they are — making copies, setting up tables, preparing lessons and their hearts for the evening to come.

At the center stands Pastor James Sizemore, who, along with his band of brothers, founded the Catalyst Ministry four years ago. With all the preparation ready, they wait. It isn’t a long wait.

The van, which Clark, the karate sensei, drives on nightly routes pulls back in front of the building located on Gillespie Street. Almost before it comes to a stop, the doors open and children, with smiles a mile wide, pile out of the van. Sometimes Clark takes several trips, but the result is the same. The children enter their sanctuary, a place where they found a family many did not know they were missing.

The Massey Hill Community has a long history. Over the years it has evolved from a mill village to a less than desirable neighborhood. While politicians talk about cleaning it up and improving the homes, many of which are in poor condition, the people who live in the community go about their daily lives. For some, it is merely a stop. They light there for a month or two and then move on. For others, it is home. Whether the people in the community are there for the long haul or just a brief stint, the volunteers at Catalyst want to make a difference in their lives. To hear Sizemore tell it, it’s a God thing.

“Catalyst is an odd little place,” said Sizemore, as he refl ected back on the start of the outreach. “I was unhappy with regular church. I felt like people’s needs were not being met at regular churches — whether that be physical, spiritual or mental.

“The particular church I was attending tried to implement some of the things we do at Catalyst but it didn’t work out. I felt the Lord tell me to step out on faith — and that’s what I did.”

Sizemore was joined by a core group of fi ve other volunteers and the ministry has evolved since then.

“We did not know where we were going to go. But we wanted to go somewhere we could make a difference. I would drive around town praying and looking, and I happened upon Massey Hill and knew this was it. It was really a God thing.”

When the group set up their outreach in a house on Gillespie Street, the community really didn’t know what to think about them. There are 20 some churches within walking distance of the ministry, but many people in the community do not feel welcome there, according to Sizemore.

“It took about two years of hard work and building trust for them to understand that when we say we accept you, we accept you — not matter who you are, what you’ve done — because they have been turned away by so many churches. They’ve gotten to a place of understanding that we are there for a purpose,” he said.

That purpose is the intentional living of faith. There is no paid staff. The church does not take up an offering, but rather operates on the belief that God will provide what they need. The core group of volunteers are consistent. The people in the community know that when the doors are open, they will be there with arms wide open.

The outreach has a number of programs under its umbrella. There is a recovery program for people dealing with substance abuse. There are parenting classes for those parents who want to particiapte. There are women’s Bible studies and men’s prayer groups. There is an outreach to the Hispanic population in the community. There’s a Sunday worship and Bible study. And then there is the children’s outreach. That may be the heart of Catalyst.

The children’s ministry brings children off the streets three times a week. They get a hot meal, are given help with their school work, are offered classes like gardening and karate. They participate in a youth group, book clubs and fi eld trips to the library and other places of interest in the community.And every Sunday morning they are taught about God — but only after they are fed a hot breakfast.

“Every time you see Jesus presented in scripture — it usually revolves around food — and the fact that he is feeding people physicially and spiritually. We honestly believe in the case of the population we work with they aren’t going to hear one word you say about God until they have something to eat. Basic human needs supercede a lot of times the presentation of the Gospel. We feed people because that’s what Jesus did.”

And the feeding doesn’t stop at the ministry. Every Friday during the school year, volunteers in the outreach load up the van and pack backpacks full of food from the Second Harvest Food Bank. The food goes to Cumberland Road School, where it is dispersed to children who may not otherwise have anything to eat over the weekend.

“Each backpack is fi lled with enough food to meet the child’s nutritional needs over the weekend,” said Jennifer Price, who along with her daughter, distributes the food at the school.

The lack of food is only one of the needs the organization seeks to meet. They also seek to provide a sense of stability and hope in what can sometimes be a hopeless environment. The children are drawn to the volunteers. Price and her husband Curtis are constantly reaching out to give hugs and praise to the children. They respond with smiles, and with hard work.

“It comes down to the core of what you believe,” said Jennifer. “If you believe that the whole purpose of life is to love your neighbor as yourself, then this makes sense.”

The Price family spends countless hours in the community, but for them, it is what they are called to do. “We are blessed and are able and very willing to be here. We believe it is our priority.”

That comes out in their interaction with the children who fl ock around them. Since the ministry has been in place, they’ve seen the lives of children change. Students who were struggling in school, are now succeeding. Children who were afraid to speak, now run up for hugs. There are high school students who are reading college-level books and discussing them with intelligence.

Some of that comes from the discipline inspired by Clark, who uses karate as more than just a weapon.

“I emphasize honor, respect and discipline — hopefully it gives them a foothold on things they are not getting at home. Some of the kids don’t have dads at home. Some have mothers at home that just are not mothers,” he said. “We try our best to fi ll in the gaps to give them a whole life. We offer them things that in other situations they wouldn’t have a chance in the world to take part in.”

Clark is living his ministry. He moved from Raleigh and moved into the house where the outreach initially started. It hasn’t been easy. His house has been broken into three times. His work truck has been sacked.

“It’s not my stuff anyway,” he said. “The Lord gives it to us. If it helps somebody else, then it helps them. I love teaching. I love working with the kids. There’s nothing better than working with them especially when you are teaching them something and they haven’t quite caught on. When it snaps in place, the look on their face is just priceless. I don’t think I could do it without that.”

So he lives in the community, and watches out for the children and their families. And, he intentionally lives his faith. “Truth to be told, back in the day, these kids could have been me,” he said.

For Pastor Sizemore, he doesn’t wish for more money for the ministry, rather his prayer is that more people would open their hearts and spend some time making a difference in the lives of others. “We need people to come along side us. It’s easy to pay someone’s light bill. It’s a lot more diffi cult to walk beside them through the whole journey.”

Raising kids can be tricky, even in the best of circumstances. Parents often do their best and still struggle as they watch their youngsters make poor choices, fall in with the wrong crowd and end up facing serious consequences. Quite often it can seem like there is no one to turn to until it is too late and little Johnny or Suzy is facing the judge in juvenile court. It doesn’t have to be that way.

The Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC), in its own words, was established to serve as the focal point within the community in assessing the underlying problems of at-risk youth for parents, schools, law enforcement and the courts.

The agency serves a wide range of youth and their families, everything from kids who are under court supervision to at-risk kids who have yet to find themselves in big trouble but seem to be headed in that direction.

“We get referrals that come from schools — especially the school resource officers. Mental health also sends us kids,” said Richard Alligood, JAC program manager. “Our largest number of referrals though, come from parents who have heard about our services and law enforcement offIcers who get calls from parents who are having diffIculty and seeking advice as to which way to go.”

When families come to the JAC, they are screened and interviewed separately and then given a case manager. The goal is for the case manager to help get these families with at-risk kids plugged in to the resources that they need, whether it is a referral to mental health, counseling services or one of the many other programs available through the system.

“Our goal is to spend about six months on each case,” said Alligood. “We do a lot of the initial screening and interviewing and then put these kids in touch with the people that can help them. After about six months we can usually extricate ourselves from the situation and let them continue on their course of treatment.”

Of course, if a child needs a case manager for more than six months that is not a problem. JAC is about doing the right thing and changing lives.

The JAC is a nonprofit organization and operates under the umbrella organization CommuniCare. On a budget of just under $400,000 they keep a pretty steady case load of about 200 families. In the fi scal year 2008/2009, 49.73 percent of their clients saw problems either eliminated or reduced at home and 54.75 percent experienced a reduction or elimination of problems at school.

Of course, a large part of the success or failure of a student in these programs is directly related to the amount of support they get from the adults who are responsible for them.

“We generally see three types of parents,” said Alligood. “There are the parents who are 100 percent dedicated and willing to do whatever they can to help their child be successful.”

Then there are the parents who will participate in the programs and support their kids when it is convenient. “These kids have a little bit of a tougher time,” said Alligood. “But it is the parents who don’t participate at all that really hinder their child’s progress. How can a young person attend an event if they can’t drive and mom or dad won’t bring them? We serve kids who are 6- to 17-years old. Most of them can’t drive.”

For more information about JAC and other great programs that CommuniCare offers visit www.cccommunicare.org.

If you are looking for a powerhouse of an organization that packs a lot of punch for Fayetteville area kids — and their families — check out the YMCA.

Their motto is building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. They are committed to putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Locally, the YMCA has two sites, one on Fort Bragg Road and one on Ellison Street in Hope Mills.

By providing reasonable membership rates that start at $12 a month for youth and go up to $90 per month for a family of four, the YMCA looks to make healthy living affordable.

Swimming lessons are available at the Rae O Hope pool on Hope Mills Road as well as the Fort Bragg Road indoor pool. The Rae O Hope outdoor pool also offers seasonal membership as well.

With school out for the summer, the YMCA is adding day camps to their repertoire. Through Aug.13 preschool discovery camp is offered for children between the ages of three and fi ve who have not yet attended kindergarten. According to the website “The curriculum is an enhanced version of our P.R.E.P. (Preschool Recreation and Education Program) which runs during the regular school year with additional fi eld trips and activities such a swimming and nature hikes.” This camp is offered at the Hope Mills location.

The Summer Blockbuster camp is offered at both locations. It runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is a new theme every week that includes special guests and field trips. Kids have to be between the ages of five and 12 to attend.

“Summer camp programs go on one fi eld trip at least once a week, they go swimming, and we do arts and crafts,” said Audraw Williams, YMCA site director. “The theme this year is blockbuster. We take little movies and show it to the parents at the end of each week. Basically we pick a movie and we make arts and crafts related to that movie.”

There is a sports program that accommodates kids from three to nine years old. The goal here is to help children learn/ develop basic skills and rules, teamwork and confidence. Leagues offered are basketball, soccer, flag football and baseball.

“We offer cheerleding and gymnastics in September too,” said Williams. “We have a school of dance that is called Angelic Arts. Our swim team is a year-round program that serves ages 5 and up.”

Times are tough all over and nonprofi ts are no exception, but the local YMCA continues to serve the community, and do their best to reach as many people as possible.

“We are a nonprofit and it is all about community,” said Williams. “To make it affordable for everybody to use is one of our missions. We don’t turn anybody away. We try to get everybody into the facility.”

For more information visit www.fayettevilleymca. org or call 323-0800.

School will be starting soon and the Cumberland County School System wants to make sure that students are prepared by having the “Help Stuff the Bus” initiative on Tax Free Friday, Aug. 6 from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. at all Wal-Mart locations.

The collection sites are on Raeford Road, Skibo Road, Ramsey Street, Hope Mills and Spring Lake. Cumberland County School employees will be at each Wal- Mart location collecting donations of school supplies from sun up to sun down.

“This is the third year we have had this school-supply drive,” said Pamela Story, Cumberland County Schools’ social work coordinator. “We are partnering with Operation Home Front and will distribute the donations to the homeless and less fortunate students in the Cumberland County and Fort Bragg School Systems.

Story added that last school year more than 400 backpacks were given to Cumberland County School students and this year’s goal is to stuff 600 backpacks. More than 600 homeless students have been identifi ed in Cumberland County Schools for the 2010-2011 school year.

The items most needed include backpacks, three-ring binders, pocket folders, loose leaf paper, mechanical and colored pencils, school uniforms, hand sanitizer, marble composition books, and other items.

“The donations we collect reduces the amount we must spend from our McKinney Vento Homeless Education Grant that assists students in homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters and transitional housing,” said Story.

“The items will be distributed after August 18,” she noted, adding that families in need of school supplies should contact the school social worker at their child’s school.

“We are proud to add the Spring Lake Wal-Mart as a collection site this year,” said Story. “We are overwhelmed by the number of volunteers who have agreed to help out such as athletes, school clubs, sororities, the police department, school social workers, banks, concerned citizens, and we hope to see everyone at one of the area Wal-Mart locations.”

Donations are also being accepted at the CCS Social Work offi ce located at 2465 Gillespie St. between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information call 678-2419 or 678-7014.

With a history that spans hundreds of years and a following that numbers in the hundreds of thousands at least, pool is a game for everyone. In fact the American Pool players Association (APA) boasts a membership of more than 265,000 and more than 250 franchises. Fayetteville’s APA league has more than 1,600 members according to League Operator Tom Dosier.

As the league operator, Dosier considers it his responsibility to keep the local billiards subculture fun and interesting. One of the ways he does that is by bringing in national talent a few times a year.

On Friday, July 23 Dominic “The Drill Instructor” Esposito will be running boot camp at Corner Pockets at 3116 Bragg Blvd., from noon to 6 p.m.

Esposito’s love of the game and impressive skills have resulted in him being ranked in the the top 20 world class instructors by Pool & Billiard magazine. He is the head instructor of Pro Skills Drills Boot Camp, a staff writer for Pool & Billiard Magazine, Author of Pro Skill Drills, inventor of The Jest “Aiming “ jump cue and two time BCA 10 Ball Champion, Orlando, Fla.

“Well, what he does is he shows you different ways to improve your game no matter what skill level you are at,” said Dosier. He teaches different techniques and drills that you can practice to improve where you are in your game — and it is a six-hour block of instruction. It will be a fun time for everybody whether they just come out to watch or come out and participate.”

It costs $50 to reserve your slot (there is limited enrollment so don’t wait) and another $25 at the door. So for $75 attendees can look forward to handson instruction, one on one evaluations, and improvement in your game regardless of skill level, free lunch and hourly prize drawings.

If you can’t make the boot camp or it just isn’t your style there will be some entertainment later in the weekend that you won’t want to miss. “On Saturday night he will be putting on a show,” said Dosier. “It is a three-hour show that starts at 8 p.m. at Corner Pockets. It is just entertaining for the people in the league. We are doing this just to promote the game.”

For more information or to register give Tom Dosier a call at 868-8514.

Tina Johnson with APA President Renee’ Lyle. 

The Last Airbender (Rated PG)  3 stars

I admit I did not watch the original series. After watching M. Night Shyamalan’s lackluster (and more than a little racist) version, I wish I had. Shyamalan’s career started off strong, but quickly degenerated into a series of farcical box office flops too dependent on his signature “twist” to sustain creditability. The Happening offered the promise of better things to come, but The Last Airbender (103 minutes) fails to deliver on that promise.

The world created by DiMartino and Konietzko is distinctly Asian and references authentic cultural practices, celebrating diversity. The world created by Shyamalan relegates Asian actors to background roles and villainy while the heroes are all obviously caucasian. This is even more inexplicable considering the caucasian heroes live in the middle of villages filled with Asian characters.

This is not to imply that there are not Asian actors in primary roles. Adding insult to injury, consider the main villain, Prince Zuko (Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire), alongside a number of other villains primarily played predominately by Asian actors. Central casting can hide behind choosing actors over ethnicities, but there are so many prominent/qualified Asian actors it is especially offensive to think that Hollywood values them so little. Did anybody even call Kal Penn? What about John Cho? What about Michelle Yeoh? What about that chick from Glee? The list goes on.

The myth behind the show involves element-based tribes, the Airbenders, the Waterbenders, the Earthbenders and the Firebenders. The Firebenders are the film’s antagonists, and this tribe seeks to dominate the rest of the world. They began taking control with the disappearance of an Avatar capable of controlling all four basic elements approximately 100 years prior to the film’s opening.

In the present, the Avatar Aang (Noah Ringer) is rediscovered and immediately begins to suck screen time while running around with a cheap version of Falcor the Luck Dragon from The Neverending Story. He begins hanging out with the wonder twins Katara (Nicola Peltz) and Sokka (Jackson Rathbone). Between the three of them, they have the acting ability of one child star, so in any given scene only one of them is really selling the story while the other two look on blankly.

The three begin a pilgrimage to various ruins on the way to the big waterbender city while dodging several factions of the Fire Nation. Their most persistent pursuers include Prince Zuko and Admiral Zhao (Aasif Mandvi) who are unable to play nicely together.

The acting grows increasingly worse, the plot grows more and more complicated, new characters are introduced, but nobody in the audience cares. The reason nobody really cares is because the real stars of the film are the elements, twisted into new life by skillfully applied CGI. The FX guys and gals are the saving grace of an otherwise poorly realized vision, giving us something to look at instead of the dead eyes of the leads. Though enjoyable on a basic level, the film fails to achieve the bright contrasting tones of other visually arresting action movies (Curse of the Golden Flower; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).

Lovell Pulley is the local artist being exhibited in the McLeod Gallery at Up & Coming Weekly. Pulley opens in the small local gallery during the same time as the regional artist, Judy Jones, is hosted in the Gallery 208. Both artists were selected for their choice of a limited color palette, a minimalist approach to image making, and both artists are examining something about nature.

Pulley is a local artist who uses the computer to generate works of art with a twist about human nature. States of being, status quo, in contemporary culture is the artist’s content; yet his content iscloaked in humor. From his skin chart to the violence in America, Pulley reduces his images to simple scenarios of a story or symbols of American culture gone awry. Double meaning is always present; in every work there is a message to examine or refl ect on.

A minimalist artist in design or composition, Pulley reduces his images to a series of black, white and grey with a pop of color somewhere in the image for a focal point. Representing youth culture, his images are messages in a stylized fl attened format. Unlike many contemporary artists who embed meaning, Pulley approaches meaning from a direct approach.

There nothing subtle about Pulley’s approach to content and message, instead he holds a contemporary mirror up to the viewer in every work. In all his work the artist is asking: What do you think about this?

Pulley’s works will be unveiled on Thursday, July 22 at an exhibit opening at the offices of Up & Coming Weekly. The event kicks-off at 5:30 p.m., and features great art, artist’s talks from Jones and Pulley, as well as food and drink. The event is free and open to the public.

The summer is hot, and it’s going to get a lot hotter when Summer Jam, an annual Fort Bragg event, returns this month. Only this time, the event, which is usually held on the hot pavement of the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds will chill a little, as it makes the Crown Coliseum its new home. Summer Jam XXIV is slated for July 24, and while the venue may be different the same phenomenal talent and fun that has made it such a successful event has not changed.

Admittedly, there are some pros and cons to the new location.

“We don’t have to worry about things like parking and heat-related illness,” said Rhett Stroupe, special events coordinator at Fort Bragg Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR). “Although the seating capacity is 8,200 at the Crown, at the fair grounds it is 12,000, and usually that is fi lled up.”

Sponsored by Fort Bragg MWR and local radio station Foxy 99, the entertainment is scheduled to include Ludacris, Monica, Rick Ross, Lyfe Jennings, Gyptian, J Cole, Cali Swag District, Party Boyz and Danny Bee.

“Our line up is very good this year,” said Stroupe. “It is probably one of the best that we’ve had as far as artists go, and last week we added Fantasia to the list as well. I think the word is out among the artists that this is a very good show and it is also an opportunity to entertain our soldiers.”

The pre-party starts at noon in the lower parking lot of the Crown Center. Doors for the concert open at 4 p.m. and the concert starts at 5:30 p.m. The concert is open to the public. While Summer Jam is a popular event that the soldiers and community look forward to every year, Stroupe sees this as more than just at show.

“This is an opportunity to provide quality entertainment for our soldiers and the local community and to provide them an escape from the stressors of every day life,” he said.

In addition to putting on a top notch event, the organizers have added a new twist this year for certain audience members.

“One thing we are doing different this year is that active-duty military are eligible for one free ticket. They have to go to the Tickets and Tours offi ce here on post to get it, and the deadline is close of business Wednesday, July 21,” he said.

A valid military ID card must be presented in order to receive a free ticket. Please note that ID cards will be checked at the venue as well. Stroupe recommends that soldiers picking up a free ticket who are planning to attend the event with friends and family should consider purchasing tickets when they pick up theirs to be sure that seats will be together. Tickets range in price from $20 to $40, and they can be purchased through the Crown Coliseum box offi ce, Tickets and Tours on Fort Bragg, Ticketmaster or Foxy99 Ticket Stops. All sales are fi nal and tickets are nonrefundable.

For more information, visit the Website at www.fortbraggmwr.com or call 396-9126.

For the past two months there has been a new component to 4th Friday. While the monthly events that we’ve come to know and love downtown — the music, dancing, speakers, exhibits, vendors and more — still grace Hay Street and the surrounding area, Arts Alive has been added to the monthly event to share the world of art with the community in a new and refreshing way.

Artists spend three hours, from 6-9 p.m. on the fourth Friday of the month making their art in the studios, in the galleries and even in the streets along Maxwell and Franklin Streets.

“Arts Alive is really a way for us to accomplish two goals,” said Chris Kastner, executive director of Cape Fear Studios, one of the Arts Alive participating galleries. “It gives local artists a chance to exhibit their work and share their knowledge of their craft, and it educates the public about art which is part of our mission statement.”

This format is designed to bring a richer experience to the folks who take the time to come downtown and enjoy the monthly festivities. Coming to Arts Alive is the difference between seeing a pretty painting hanging on a wall and talking with the painter about their work and their technique as they mix shades of vibrant colors on the palette, layer them on the canvas and assemble an image, right before your eyes.

It is the difference between seeing a shiny, multicolored raku pot on a gallery shelf and watching the potter apply the fi nish, pull the pot from the fl aming kiln and scrub away the ashes to reveal a one of a kind vessel, explaining the process, entertaining questions and engaging the crowd the entire time. And on and on it goes. The woodcarver — why does he use that particular wood, is it native or exoti, and why that particular chisel or lathe? Where does the photographer fi nd her subjects, her inspiration? Why did the basket weaver choose the reed she did and why did she make the Nantucket basket instead of the Iroquois water basket?

These are questions that can only be answered by watching artists as they work, by asking questions and engaging in the process. The jeweler, the glassblower, the classical guitarist, the poet, the songwriter — who knows which one you will fi nd at Arts Alive and what secrets they will share with you … what lessons, artistic treasures and memories you will take home?

As the Arts Council reaches out to local artists and invites them to submit their works for jurying into Arts Alive, look for 4th Friday and Arts Alive to continue to grow and to offer new experiences. In fact, this month, on July 23, there will be a new exhibit space along Maxwell Street. Just across from the Arts Council Building parking lot. Look for a window display featuring the works of Arts Alive participants. As the number of artist participants grows each month, the window display will refl ect their contributions.

“This is really an attempt to reach out to local artists and give them another place to exhibit their work,” said Mary Kinny, marketing manager of the Arts Council of the new window exhibit. “While there are other exhibiting spaces in town, this is a way to tie those windows to our Arts Alive event. It is a way of having Arts Alive all month long and it gives a sense of the divesity of art that we have here.”

For more information about becoming involved in Arts Alive contact Ashley Hunt, Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County special events coordinator at 323-1776.

Greg Hathaway, a local artists paints on maxwell Street, while a musician performs.

When Nicole Overteem heard Ryan Kishbaugh’s story, she felt an immediate connection, and she knew that there had to be a way to help others facing similar struggles.

Ryan Kishbaugh was a stellar student and athlete attending Fayetteville Academy when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma during the fall of 2002 —his senior year.

Kishbaugh’s future had seemed solid. He had been accepted to Princeton and the world was just beginning to open up for him. He died in 2003 following complications from a bone marrow transplant. Kishbaugh’s father, Dr. David Kishbaugh, started the Ryan Patrick Kishbaugh Golf Invitational as a way to honor his son. It has grown over time and is now an event that the community looks forward to every summer. This year, the tournament will be held July 24, at Cypress Lakes Golf Course, a poignant date for Ryan’s friends and family because it is just two days before his 25th birthday.

When Overteem heard the Kishbaugh story, it really hit home with her.

“I approached Dr. Kishbaugh about this idea. I had to do something for young adults who who have a chronic illness and want to be collegiate athletes,” said Overteem. “I was very lucky that with my chronic illness, I was able to compete at the collegiate level in swimming. I’ve had some up and downs and I was lucky that I never lost my scholarship — so I wanted to pay it forward and give other young adults the same opportunity that I received.”

It only seemed natural, considering Ryan Kishbaugh’s love of sports that his legacy be a part of her plan.

While the tournament will be run exactly the same way, according to Overteem, it will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Courage, Confidence, Wisdom and Strength (CCWS) Foundation, which Overteem started with Dr. Kishbaugh. These are virtues that are required of every athlete, but are especially relevant to those battling chronic illness.

“The scholarships won’t all stay local,” said Overteem. “We will send out our packet of info to case workers and case workers will distribute the information to young adults who have chronic illnesses that they know can benefi t from this. The case workers will be in large hospitals around the nation.”

With more than 60 golfers already registered and corporate sponsorships from the RPK Center, Carpe Diem, Valley Regional Imaging, Cross Creek Imaging and Family Foods, Overteem is anticipating that the event will be a success. The Fayetteville Academy is sponsoring the hole-in-one prize — $40,000 in cash or four years tuition at Fayetteville Academy.

Registration starts at 7 a.m., and there will be a shot gun start at 8:30 a.m. Visit the CCWS Foundation Facebook page or the Ryan Patrick Kishbaugh Memorial Golf Tournament Facebook page for more information or to make a donation.

 (Pictured top left): Ryan Kishbaugh (Bottom right): Participants in last year's golf tournament.

Fayetteville residents are blessed with a vibrant and changing arts scene. Nowhere is that better seen than the performing arts, particularly in the area of dramatic arts. This year local residents have not one, not two, but three great theatrical seasons to look forward to, with great seasons planned by the Gilbert Theater, the Givens Performing Arts Center and the Cape Fear Regional Theatre.

Gilbert Theater

We all know the history behind the Gilbert. Started in the basement of founder Lyn Pryer’s home, the Gilbert has grown into a successful venue that offers the traditional (A Christmas Carol), alongside the not so traditional (The Rocky Horror Show.) With a shorter season than its counterparts, the Gilbert is a grass roots, community-focused and operated theater. Its performers, by-in-large, come from within the community, and many of its productions are original works. The same can be said of the upcoming season.

The Gilbert kicks-off its season with the quirky musical The Rocky Horror Show. The much beloved musical will open on Sept. 23 and run through Oct. 10. It’s a story that is wellknown by a certain generation. It’s a tale of love, lust and biological advancement all carried out in a crumbling castle. It’s a story that will make you laugh, and get on your feet and dance.

The second show of the season is the highly anticipated annual telling of the story of Scrooge. A Christmas Carol is one of the theater’s mainstays, and is looked forward to each year by the community. It is an adaptation by Kent Smith and Marcela Casals, and will run from Nov. 26 through Dec. 12.

An original production, Dateline Greensboro, written by John Merritt tells the story of the 1960 Greensboro lunch counter sit-in. It is slated for Feb. 3-20.

One of America’s favorite playwrites, Eugene O’Neill, wrote A Long Day’s Journey into Nightabout his family and their home on the Connecticut coast. It is scheduled to run March 31-April 17.

The final show of the season is Headsets, written by William Missour Down. The play is a comedy that tells the story of a falling-down theater on closing night of a very bad production of Hamlet.

The Gilbert is located at 116 Green St. in downtown Fayetteville For more information about the Gilbert and the upcoming season, check out the Web site at www.gilberttheater.com or call 678-7186.

Givens Performing Arts Center

Located on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, the Givens Performing Arts Center brings a wide variety of professional performances to the surrounding the community.

The arts center hosts not only the Broadway and More Series, but also a children’s series, a distinguished speakers series and a nostalgia series. Each event is designed to entertain and educate the audience. The shows,which are available at a per ticket price, which ranges from $20 to $40 per ticket, can also be purchased at a subscription rate for the entire season.

This year, the excitement is quickly building over the Broadway and More Series, which will bring not only great theatrical works, but also musical performances from around the world. The season begins in October with a performance of Oklahoma! and ends in April with a performance of Romeo and Juliet by the Russian National Ballet.

Oklahoma! will be on stage on Friday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, two Academy Awards, a Grammy and a special Tony Award, Oklahoma! is the classic American musical that launched the remarkable songwriting collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Set in turn of the century Oklahoma, against a backdrop of the high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys, Oklahoma! is the cherished love story of Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl. Featuring such favorite numbers as “People Will Say We’re In Love,” “Oh What A Beautiful Mornin’,“ and “Surrey With A Fringe On Top,” this landmark musical is a true treasure that can be enjoyed over and over again!

Legally Blond is slated for Monday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. The hilarious MGM fi lm is Broadway’s new smash hit musical. Legally Blonde follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who doesn’t take “no” for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more “serious,” Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.

The Color Purple is on stage on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. The play is a soul-stirring musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who fi nds her unique voice in the world.

The National Philharmonic of Poland will perform on Friday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. The history of the Opole, Philharmonic of Poland can be traced back to the years immediately following World War II. One of Poland’s leading Orchestra’s, the Opole, Philharmonic of Poland was founded in 1947 and became the resident Orchestra of Opole. In 1952, a major Performing Arts Center was built in the city of Opole as permanent home to the Opole, Philharmonic of Poland. In June of 1969, the Orchestra was awarded by the Ministry of Culture of Poland the State Award for Arts Excellence in honor of the great Polish Composer Jósef Elsner.

Tango Buenos Aires will dance into your heart on Tuesday, March 1 at 8 p.m. Tango Buenos Aires has become one of Argentina’s great cultural exports, known throughout the Americas, Europe and the Far East as the most authentic and uncompromising representative of the Tango.

Tango Buenos Aires was created for the “Jazmines” festival at the famous Buenos Aires cabaret “Michelangelo” by renowned composer and tango director Osvaldo Requena. The company met with tremendous success and was immediately added to the season of the General San Martin Municipal Theatre.

The Russian National Ballet’s performance of Romeo & Juliet will end the season on Thursday, April 14 at 8 p.m.The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded in Moscow during the transitional period of Perestroika in the late 1980s, when many of the great dancers and choreographers of the Soviet Union’s ballet institutions were exercising their new-found creative freedom by starting new, vibrant companies dedicated not only to the timeless tradition of classical Russian Ballet but to invigorate this tradition as the Russians began to accept new developments in the dance from around the world. Today, the Russian National Ballet Theatre is its own institution, with over 50 dancers of singular instruction and vast experience, many of whom have been with the company since its inception.

To order tickets for any of the shows or to buy a season subscription, contact the box offi ce at 910-521-6361 or 1-800-367-0778 or visit the Web site at www.uncp.edu/gpac.

The Cape Fear Regional Theatre

Bo Thorp, the leading lady of local theatre, has spent a lot of time thinking about the upcoming season at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. This season is a prelude to the celebration of the theatre’s 50th anniversary, and Thorp and company are looking to pull out all of the stops.

“Trying to choose the plays for the season is hard. It’s awful because there are so many to choose from,” explained Thorp. “What we look for fi rst is what the audience will like the most, and then what they want to see, and what will enrich their lives.”

Thorp said that the local audience isn’t really keyed into titles, so the theatre staff has to work hard to sell the audience on plays they might not recognize. “We know what they would like to see, but sometimes we have to convince them they want to see it,” she laughingly said.

The first show of the season, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, falls into that category. Thorp said the show is great fun, and becomes even more so for audience members who have a chance to participate. Each evening, four members of the audience will join the cast in the production. The show is scheduled for Sept. 23 to Oct. 10

That musical production will be followed by A View from the Bridge, Nov. 4-21. The Arthur Miller drama is fi ercely compelling and tells a story of love, belonging and betrayal.

Over Christmas, theatre’s much beloved production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will run from Dec. 9-19, and delight the community. Thorp said this production has done so much over the years to build confi dence in children and to introduce them to, and bring them into, the theatre family.

The over-the-top musical Hairspray will usher in 2011 as the cast shakes and shimmies its way onto the stage Jan. 21-Feb. 13. Thorp said the show is well known and will bring a wide audience to the theatre.

Rumors, by Neil Simon, will be on stage April 1-17. Rumors tells the story of four couples who gather to celebrate a 10th wedding anniversary of their best friend only to discover a series of events that will leave you laughing until you cry.

I love you, you’re perfect, now change will be on stage in June. It is a celebration of the mating game, and takes on the truths and myths behind that contemporary conundrum know as “the relationship.”

There will be three special performances this year. In March, the theatre family will tackle Lunch at the Piccadilly again, which will be fi lmed by UNC-TV for broadcast.

The Classic Theatre Series will also present Our Town in March, and the season will wind up with the 27th Annual River Show, which will pay tribute to Hank Williams: Lost Highway running May 13-29.

“We hope our audience is going to love this season, our 49th season,” said Thorp. “This is our run-up to the 50th season, and it’s the start of our celebration.” For more information, visit the theatre’s Web site at www.cfrt.org.

Bill Bowman, publisher of Up and Coming Weekly, has afforded me his Publisher’s Pen space in this issue to announce the latest information on Moses Mathis, more commonly known as the Bicycle Man, and his work for underprivileged children.

Last Friday’s issue of the Fayetteville Observer included an op-ed written by me that described the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee’s latest offer to Cumberland County regarding the Washington Drive property (a.k.a. the Blue Street property) which is owned by the committee. The offer of conveyance made this past April by the committee has not been acted on by the commissioners.

On or about July 9, Attorney Ronnie Mitchell, legal counsel to the MLK Committee, advised me in conversation that the committee had met earlier that week and had developed an alternative offer to the county which could facilitate the Bicycle Man’s occupancy of the Blue Street building in an expedient manner. The offer is a license agreement that the county could accept from the committee which would, in turn, allow the county to re-license the property to Mathis without actually owning it.

The details of the offer, as described to me by Mr. Mitchell, included a fi ve-day window for the county to act after receipt of his letter describing details of the offer. While Mr. Mitchell’s decision to delay the actual mailing of the letter was well intentioned and helpful, it clearly indicated that he and I did not adequately communicate regarding the planned mailing date. As it has turned out, the letter was not mailed until July 19. On July 16 county attornies received e-mail copies of the letter to provide them with extra time to consider the legalities of the offer and to advise county management and the county commissioners.

The county commissioners will have the full week of July 19 to either accept or reject the committee’s latest and most likely last effort to help Mr. Mathis. Acceptance of the license agreement will also keep the offer of property conveyance alive until Dec. 31. The next and most obvious question is: Will the commissioners act favorably on this matter or simply let the opportunity die?

Efforts by two commissioners, Chairman Billy R. King and member Ed Melvin, to bring the matter to a discussion level have been squashed by the board majority. My conversations with both King and Melvin regarding this situation have convinced me that they are sincere in their efforts to have the county step up to its responsibilities to Mr. Mathis and his program.

Cumberland County originally conveyed the property to the MLK Committee years ago. The conveyance was completed in good faith by both parties, no doubt, but the situation has changed. The property has no actual value, in fact, it is a liability, due to the soil contamination that exists. Ultimately the county must take back that which has become a “white elephant” to the MLK Committee.

If the county does accept the property back it will be at once required to address a litany of building-code violations associated with the dilapidated buildings. The metal building Mathis has occupied and wishes to reoccupy is not in code violation. The City of Fayetteville has been sitting out in the weeds in this matter, seeing no dog in the fi ght for them. It would be helpful if the city would take some steps to allay the county’s concerns over this aspect of this now rather complex issue.

Commissioners King and Melvin must garner support from at least two other commissioners so that this matter can be put to rest, at least temporarily. In the time remaining this year, Mr. Mathis can prepare his bicycles while others seek out a more permanent home for his program.

Readers interested in seeing the Bicycle Man’s program endure should call, email or write commissioners and express your concerns and preferences about this situation. But do so quickly. Time is running out.

(Photo top left) David G. Wilson

With record-breaking scorching temperatures, thick humidity and heat indexes over 100 degrees, many are staying inside to avoid the hot weather. But for those who want to get out and enjoy the summer, what’s the best way to stay safe?

Drink It In

It is often hard to tell just by looking at someone whether or not they are dehydrated. People may not know what signs to look for in others or themselves if they are dehydrated.

Some of the first signs of dehydration are heat cramps in the legs or abdomen, due to a drop in electrolytes after long exposure to the sun, sweating, and feeling tired or excessively hot. How much water people drink after going to the bathroom can also affect hydration. When people sweat or use the bathroom, fluids are essentially leaving the body. If people do not re-hydrate with water, they may feel cool, moist to the touch, pale or dizzy and could potentially pass out.

In severe cases, a heat or sun stroke may occur. If someone has hot, red skin that feels dry or moist, are vomiting or have a high body temperature they are at risk for a heat stroke. Immediately call 911 then apply ice packs, wrapped in a cloth or other material, to the person’s armpits, groin, wrists, neck and ankles to help cool them.

In order to avoid dehydration it is best to never be outside between 11 am and 2 p.m., when the temperature is the hottest, don’t eat heavy meals, be aware of the heat index and humidity, wear light weight and loose clothing, take frequent breaks when doing yard work or working outside, avoid alcohol, soft drinks and otherdrinks with caffeine and drink plenty of water.

“There is a disagreement on drinking eight glasses of water a day,” said Mary Lou Powers of the Highland’s Chapter of the American Red Cross. “Eight glasses should be a minimum because everyone knows their own body.”

Powers also pointed out the importance of never leaving children sitting inside cars, regardless of the time of year, and checking on people who live alone and especially on those who live without air conditioning.

“A lot of people who don’t have a cool place will go somewhere with air conditioning like a mall or library,” said Powers.

The easiest way to stay safe and hydrated is to always use the “buddy system.” Having a buddy with you while playing or working outside will help keep you hydrated by checking up on one another and will help prevent the negative effects of dehydration.

Powers further suggested that people should wear hats when they are outside and should wear sunscreen, reapplying it every 45 minutes even if the label says it is waterproof. She stressed that it is very important to read the labels on sunscreens and to be very careful with babies outside because their skin is very sensitive to sunlight.

With pet friends we want to remember to provide clean water for them at all times and give them breaks every 10 to 15 minutes to drink water when playing with them. Try not to play with them during the hottest hours of the day. For cool refreshments to keep pets well-hydrated, freeze water with flavored biscuits or treats inside, or freeze a little vegetable broth inside their water. For further information, call your local veterinarian.

Heat It Up

Summer is here and people are pulling out their grills for picnics, cookouts and outdoor fun. When preparing for a grill-out, one of the most important things to remember is grilling safety. Roger Sullivan, Captain and Public Educator for the Fayetteville Fire and Emergency Management department offered these safety tips:

• For first time use on a cast iron grate or griddle, wash it thoroughly with a mild dishwashing liquid to remove the protective wax coating that is applied to the grill for shipping. Rinse with hot water and dry completely with a soft cloth or paper towel. Do not allow the griddle to drain dry and do not wash in a dishwasher. Then season the grates or griddle, to prevent rusting and sticking, by spreading a thin coat of solid vegetable shortening over the entire surface of the grill with a paper towel. Do not use butter or margarine for seasoning.

• Remember propane and charcoal grills should only be used outside, a good distance away from the home itself, deck railings, out from under roof overhangs and tree branches.

• Indoor use of propane or charcoal grills may result in death by fire or CO poisoning.

• Always keep children and pets away from the grilling area. -Set up a three foot “kid-free zone” around the grilling area in order to prevent accidents. -Keep grills away from any lawn games, play areas or foot traffic.

• Grill chefs should use long handled grilling tools in order to ensure safety from heat and flames.

• Never leave your grill unattended.

• Keep your grill clean by removing grease and fat build-up on the grill itself and trays underneath.

• Consult your grill manual for proper detergents and devices to clean the grill after its first use.

Charcoal Grills

For charcoal grills, a charcoal chimney starter will allow a grill to be started using newspaper as a fuel. A chimney starter is a metal cylinder with a charcoal grate mounted inside. The unlit charcoal is placed in the top of the cylinder then the newspaper is placed into the bottom underneath the grate and when lit, it burns and lights the charcoal. Chimney starters can be purchased at most hardware stores.

Only use charcoal starter fluid on charcoal grills and do not add any starter fluid or other flammable liquids to the grill fire once it has started. Remember to always keep charcoal starter fluid out of children’s reach and away from all other sources of heat.

Electric charcoal starters can also be used as an alternative to starter fluid, matches or gas lighters. An electric charcoal starter is a simple device with a handle on one end and a loop of metal on the other, which serves as the heating element.

When finished grilling, coals should be completely cool before they are disposed of in a metal container.

Propane Grills

Before using a propane tank each year the gas tank hose should be checked for leaks by adding a light soap and water mix to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If the grill has a propane gas leak, determined by the smell or soapy bubble test, turn off the gas tank and grill if there is no flame. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop call the fire department immediately. If you smell gas while grilling, get away from the grill immediately and call the fire department, but do not attempt to move the grill. Always remember to never store propane gas tanks in buildings or garages and if storing a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside.

Always use only equipment with a recognized testing laboratory on it and follow manufacturer’s instructions on how to set up a grill and maintain it.

In a three year period, U.S. fire departments responded to 7,900 home fires involving grills. Leaks or breaks is the leading contributor to gas grill fires.

Get Wet, But Not Wild

by DR. SHANESSA FENNER

Summer is here and it is time to relax and have some fun. Following these safety tips for swimming and boating activities can ensure that a fun time is also a safe time.

Tips for safe swimming

• Don’t run around the pool.

• Learn how to swim. • Swim at a depth that is safe for you.

• Don’t dive into unknown waters. Enter the water feet first.

• Make sure the water is clean from leaves, dirt, and other debris.

• Stay away from drains and filters. Hair or clothing can become tangled in these structures that could trap you under the water.

• Keep TVs and radios a safe distance from the water.

• Drink plenty of water to avoid heatstroke and dehydration.

• Keep an eye on your kids at all times.

• Swim near a lifeguard.

• Take frequent breaks.

• Never swim alone 

• Learn to perform CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation).

• Use plenty of sunscreen. Tips for safe boating

• Do not drink alcohol while boating.

• Wear a PFD (personal flotation device) at all times. It keeps you floating if you are too tired to swim or hit your head and lose consciousness.

• Tell someone where you are going and when you will return.

• Do not allow passengers to ride on gunwales, seat backs, or outside of protective railings.

• Bring a weather radio to update you on the weather.

• Keep emergency supplies on board such as floating devices, maps, flares, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit.

• Test the boat lights and anchor before you leave the dock.

• Operate the boat at a safe speed.

• Have a designated lookout for swimmers, other boaters, and objects.

• Make sure you have enough fuel and oil for the entire trip.

Pants All Around

by ERINN CRIDER

Summer should be a time fun in the sun and lazy pool days with your fuzzy friend. Most people are well aware of the dangers of heat for the elderly and infirm, but it is also a serious threat for animals and needs to be taken seriously.

Heat stroke is a serious problem when it comes to pets. Pet experts from the Today Show say that the basic rule of thumb is if it’s too hot for you it’s too hot for your pet, especially since they have a less efficient cooling system. It is also more dangerous for dogs with short muzzles, elderly pooches, those with dark hair or a tendency to over exert themselves. Also, it can help to adjust your pets exercise regimen. For example move play time to the morning or evening after the weather cools off, and don’t be afraid to cut walks short if it is hot.

Knowledge is power, so knowing the signs of heatstroke can help you save your best furry friend. Danger signs include: excessive panting, rapid breathing, excessive drooling, dark or bright red gums or tongue, staggering, temperature above 104, bloody diarrhea or vomiting.

If you suspect that your animal is suffering from heatstroke immediately call your vet. To help cool your puppy down you can offer it ice cubes to lick, apply rubbing alcohol to its paws or give it Pedialyte to restore electrolytes. Water should be cool but not cold, to avoid shock.

“A lot of people try to cool the pet too much at home, but sometimes you get into a hypothermia situation. Douse it with cool water, have a fan blowing on the dog, but don’t immerse it in an ice bath. Get it to an animal hospital fast. A dog’s normal temperature is 102º — heat stroke is around 106º and up. But when their temp gets back down to 103, stop cooling them so you don’t risk rebound hypothermia,” explains local veterinarian Dr. Lisa Jonas of Cape Fear Animal Hospital.

Heatstroke can really mess up your summer, but there are definitely some other dangers to look out for during the warmer months, such as the sun. Many people think that because of their fur pets are not susceptible to sunburn, but that is completely untrue. Your pet is even more prone to sunburn if it has light hair or pink skin. You should consult your vet about what kind of sunscreen is good for your pet.

“Many people get their long-haired dogs clipped in the summer, which really isn’t necessary unless it’s a heavily matted coat. Their natural hair cover helps keep them cool and protects them from sun damage,” said Jonas.

Water safety is also something of which to be aware. A pet should never be left unsupervised in a pool because it can drown if it can’t figure out how to get out of the pool and becomes too exhausted. It’s a good idea to teach your pet the way out of the pool or consider using a pet ramp or pet life vest.

Many people go to the beach in the summer and may bring along their pets. It’s important to remember that not all dogs are great swimmers, and even if they are, they can be caught by the undertow or rip current. If the sand is too hot for your feet it’s also too hot for your pet’s delicate paws. (That goes for asphalt, too.) The best vacation for your dog may be to leave them at home.

“They do not enjoy being on the hot beach while you suntan. If they get in the water and drink the salt water, then they are going to have diarrhea,” adds Jonas. And that won’t be fun for either of you.

Finally some tips to keep your buddy cool during the hot summer days: make sure that your pet has access to fresh water at all times, adjust workout routines to the cooler part of the day, and if your pet is outside make sure it has shade and maybe even a kiddy pool to cool off in, and do not leave your pet in the car even with the windows down even “for just a second” it’s just not safe.

“There is no safe time frame, or amount of open windows — it’s an absolute rule — don’t leave them in the car. And if pets have to be outside, make sure they have shade and fresh water,” says Jonas. And remember, these tips are for cats, too!

Also be sure to protect your pets from heartworms (transmitted by mosquitoes) with a monthly preventative medication. Stay safe, and keep your best fuzzy friend safe this summer too.

 

Let’s just be honest here, Fayetteville is known for a lot of things — being a top notch tourist destination isprobably not one of them though. There are plenty of people working hard to change that, and Curator of Education at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex Leisa Greathouse is one of them. She is a Fayetteville native, a team player with a drive to showcase the best that the area has to offer, a staunch supporter of the art, culture and history that abounds here, and a valuable asset to the community. Her hard work and contributions have not gone unnoticed.

Greathouse was recently awarded the first national Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) of the Year Star Award for her tireless work on Fayetteville area history, tourism, marketing and visitor service.

“I was just giddy inside when I found out,” said Greathouse. “I was tickled, and I won’t make any bones about it. It has been rejuvenating. Professionally, it is probably the top thing I’ve ever achieved and it solidifies my more than 20 years of service to the state of North Carolina. It really meant a lot.”

The CTA program is fairly new to Fayetteville — Greathouse is a member of the first local graduating class. The program aims to increase tourism by inspiring front line hospitality workers to work together to make every visitor encounter a pleasant one. According to www.tourismambassadorinstitute. com. The premise is simple: If front-line employees and volunteers (those who come into immediate contact with the visitor) provide quality service to visitors (convention attendees, visitors, business travelers, etc.), the visitor is more likely to have a positive experience. Visitors who have a positive experience are more likely to return at some point in the future. They will share their perceptions with their friends. Everyone benefits – the tourist, the hospitality industry, the local economy and, most importantly, the frontline ambassador.

For Greathouse this program has been a long time coming.

“In one sense we’ve been waiting for something like this to come to the community,” said Greathouse. “I think it will unite us. The tourism industry is made up of so many organizations — businesses, nonprofits, cultural organizations — it was really hard otherwise to get all these groups together and that was a real problem in our community for a long time. The CTA program brings us all together and helps us learn about each other and the result is better service to our visitors and our customers.”

So we don’t have a leaning tower, a sandy shore, an uber-large canyon or a snowy mountain peak to draw visitors this way. We’ve got our history, heroes and a hometown feeling going for us, and a growing number of tourism ambassadors who are looking to impress, befriend and inform visitors as they pass through, and hopefully inspire them to return and even spread the word about the great folks that live here, the interesting events and things to do in the area and the hospitality of the folks that make this such a unique community.

To find out more or become a Certified Tourism Ambassador visit http://www.visitfayettevillenc.com/ or call the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at 888-98-HEROES.

Judy Jones, a printmaker and entrepreneur, from Raleigh, North Carolina, is an artist who has remained true to her art form; at the same time she has developed a successful business that supports herself as an artist and other artists.

The Visual Arts Alliance is pleased to have the opportunity to introduce the original prints of Jones to the Fayetteville area in Gallery 208 during the exhibit Cause and Effect: The Prints of Judy Jones, July 22 – September 16, 2010.

Visitors to Cause and Effect will be pleasantly surprised by mixed media works which are unlike anything being produced in the region. A subtle color palette is used to create pictorial tension between object and abstraction, patterns and drawing, mixing the organic with the man made.

Her approach is to work in distinct themes and is presenting works from two themes she has undertaken in the last several years — Random Events (Cruciferae Series) and the Parrot Plant Series. Both exude the artist’s sensitivity to material and intent — materials can include chine collé, graphite or white charcoal in combination with traditional woodcut and contemporary printmaking techniques.

Jones’s artistic complexity is veiled in the minimalist art style. Viewer’s won’t see-hear the loud clanging of a fire alarm, instead they witness a smoldering fire. The design in the Cruciferae Series, at first, seems straightforward, a decorative intent. It is not until the viewer takes some time to unravel the implied intricate complexity of the design that they understand Jones is telling a story.

For Jones, being an artist is a lifestyle. She also has an extensive education in the arts. She earned a B.A. in Studio Art at UNC Pembroke in 1989 and in 1992, an M.A.Ed. degree at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina. Her education includes an Art Therapy degree from Buffalo State University of New York.

Her work experience is varied and includes, but has not been limited to, being an instructor at The Print Studio in Naples, Florida. She has been the coordinator for the Youth Program of ArtsCool Summer Arts Program for Kids in Naples, Florida, and an adjunct Professor at the Edison Community College in Naples.

After leaving Florida, Jones relocated back to North Carolina. Her teaching efforts resumed in her small printmaking studio at Artspace in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since then Jones has been dedicated to being an art advocate for the printmaking medium and was one of the key organizers of PoNC (The Printmakers of North Carolina) in 2006. As stated on their website: “PoNC is a collective of artists determined to create traditional and non-traditional, hand-pulled prints, and to promote the education and the exploration of the print medium.”

PoNC is now housed at 311 West Martin Galleries and Studios in Raleigh, North Carolina. 311 West Martin Galleries is owned by Jones and her husband; the business is located in the Warehouse District of downtown historic Raleigh, N.C. There are currently 14 tenant artists working and showing in the studios and galleries of 311. Their exhibition space features the work of tenant artists and alternately, that of emerging artists as well as some of Raleigh’s favorite established artists.

It’s still a difficult economic time for artists and galleries, but as you can see, Judy Jones has made it work. In the 311 space is where you will find Jones’s printmaking studio; she shares the space during workshops. She remains a committed artist and entrepreneur, a prolific producing artist who continues to promote the arts in the greater Raleigh area.

For artists and art patrons interested in seeing Cause and Effector hearing Jones talk about her work, you will want to be at the artist’s reception on Thursday, July 22, 2010, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., at Gallery 208. Gallery 208 is located in the offices of Up & Coming Weekly at 208 Rowan St. As always, the public is welcome to attend!

Fridays are magical. They signify the end of the week and the beginning of the weekend, but the fourth Friday of every month is even better. It means that a new month with fresh possibilities is on its way, and more importantly that the streets of downtown Fayetteville are about to come alive with local art.

On July 23, downtown will be crawling with the creative and the inspired demonstrating for the casual passerby. Everyone from puppeteers, poets and painters to the wandering musician will be out on the streets performing.

This month, the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County has partnered with the Home Builders Association of Fayetteville to bring a new kind of exhibit to the community — A Parade of Homes.

“Last year was the fi rst year that we did a contest for our Parade of Homes marketing piece,” said Natalie Woodbury, executive offi cer of the Homebuilders Association of Fayetteville. “The winner that is chosen will be on all of the marketing materials for the parade of homes to include the cover of the tour guide magazines, all the billboards etcetera.”

The exhibit will open at 7 p.m. during 4th Friday festivities.

“The partnership between the Home Builders Association and Arts council is a really unique partnership,” said Woodbury. “We are both very proud of bringing the two industries together.”

Art is usually presented as a fi nished product, but with the new Arts Alive aspect of 4th Friday, we common folk will be blessed enough to witness the dramatic transformation from thought to reality at this family friendly event.

Along Maxwell street there will be different artists that, in the past, have included painting, glass work and jewelry making. Keep an eye out for Curtis Barnes to be among the artists. He is a wood worker who will be demonstrating on a small wood lathe. Expect to see him on Maxwell Street near Cape Fear Studios. While you are there, pop in and see the opening of the Cape Fear Studios 2010 Photography Exhibition.

Roaming Hay and Person Streets, there will also be musicians, vendors and the regular Fourth Friday entertainment that we all look forward to each month. In several of the buildings along these streets and others downtown, such as Horne’s Cafe and Cumberland County Headquarters Library, there will be stationary bands performing, as well.

Of course one could make an evening of just visiting the Art Center and touring Maxwell Street, but there will be exhibits all over downtown to check out. Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, Fayetteville Art Guild, Market House and Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum are just a few of the other places to check out. 4th
Friday takes place from 7 - 9 P.m. Find out more at www.theartscouncil.com

The film starts off with one of the most artistically challenging Pixar shorts to date, Night and Day. The idea is that the anthropomorphized “Day” meets the anthropomorphized “Night” and beautifully scored brilliantly animated hijinks ensue. With that taken care of, feel free to skip the next four paragraphs, since I am about to indulge in a rant.

I don’t know how to react to Toy Story 3 (103 minutes) with the childlike wonder that everyone else in America seems to reserve for movies that remind them of lollipops and teddy bears. Ok, the second and third films in the trilogy worked on adding some adventurous and determined female characters (even while subtly undercutting their agency by pairing them with romantic interests). Progress, not perfection, I suppose.

However, while everyone else is worshipping at the altar of Pixar, I am wondering why all the characters are white. I also can’t help but wonder why the toys all paid so much hostile attention to the Ken doll (Michael Keaton). It is repeatedly emphasized in the film that as a girl’s toy the Ken doll possesses many feminine qualities. Not only are these qualities emphasized and mocked, Ken is never shown affirming his right to behave as he wants. In fact, his behavior (enjoying clothes, being romantic, writing in the color purple) is played for laughs throughout the film, the implication being that since he is a so-called girl’s toy he is not “masculine” enough. This begs the question; do presumably neutered toys care about your gender?

But the most egregious –ism is in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it scene towards the end of the film. It happened so quick I can’t be sure I heard what I think I heard and a number of web searches failed to turn up any solid evidence. Never one for spreading rumors, I want to throw this out to see if anyone else noticed: a toy refers to the character of Big Baby as “mongo.”

It is one thing for a movie like Shrek to use the term when referring to the giant gingerbread man. Not okay, but contextualized as part of a film in which boundary pushing was the name of the game. On the other hand, in a film such as Toy Story 3 rated G and marketed to children should the slur “mongo” be an acceptable way for one toy to refer to another? But this might be a tempest in a teapot. I heard the word, but I haven’t been able to get independent verification. End rant.

All possible racism, sexism, heterosexism and other forms of prejudice aside, on the surface Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen) and the gang are in fine form. Andy (John Morris) is packing for college and clearing out his room. Inevitably he is forced to decide what to do with his beloved toys. After a mix-up his toys end up at Sunnyside Day Care under the seemingly benign Lotso (Ned Beatty). Life for the toys heads rapidly downhill as they discover the TERRIBLE SECRET haunting the seeming paradise of endlessly rotating children to play with. Of course, the whole plot is a kind of tribute to Orwell’s famous Animal Farm, where all toys are created equal but some toys are more equal than others.

Honestly, 90 percent of viewers can just go to the theater with their kids and enjoy a nice afternoon without worrying about all the subtext. But for those of you bored with a conventional understanding, feel free to take your sociology textbooks along.