Local News

Supply drive for shelter animals; Vaccination clinics held for pets and people; Suicide awareness raised in county

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Tuesday, 01 October 2024

Written by Staff Report

Cumberland County Public Library Hosts “31 Days of Love” Supply Drive for Shelter Pets
Cumberland County Public Library is participating in the “31 Days of Love” campaign, aimed at enhancing the lives of Cumberland County Animal Services pets. Throughout October, all library locations will accept donations of pet supplies to support this worthy cause.
Items needed include pet food, toys, blankets, newspapers for lining cages, and other essential animal supplies. A detailed wish list can be found on the Animal Services website or on Amazon by searching “Cumberland County Animal Services Wishlist”. Monetary contributions can be made online or delivered directly to Animal Services at 4704 Corporation Dr. in Fayetteville.
In addition to the supply drive, the Library will host pet adoption events to help shelter pets find their forever homes. Mark your calendars for these special adoption programs:
• Oct. 3: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – East Regional Library
• Oct. 12: 1-3 p.m. – Hope Mills Community Library
• Oct. 22: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Headquarters Library
Adopting a shelter pet is a wonderful way to make a difference. Visit Cumberland County Animal Services at 4704 Corporation Dr., Fayetteville, or check out adoptable animals online at the Animal Services website at www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/animal-services.
Pet supply donations are accepted year-round Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the shelter.
For more information about adoption or to learn more about donating supplies, please
call 910-321-6852.
For more information on the Library system, including other locations and hours of operation, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/library.

Health Dept. Vax Your Pet, Vax Yourself Clinic Oct. 19
The Cumberland County Department of Public Health will hold a “Vax Your Pet, Vax Yourself” event Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Health Department, located at 1235 Ramsey St., Fayetteville.
Rabies vaccinations cost $5 per pet. Residents may receive flu and COVID-19 vaccines at no cost. No appointments required. Walk-ins are welcome.
Organizations will distribute free promotional items and information about programs and services. The Cumberland County Department of Public Health, Department of Social Services and Library will participate.
There will be a prize raffle for $100 prepaid cards every hour. Participants must be present to win.
Vax Your Pet
Rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats will be $5 for each animal. North Carolina Law states “the owner of every dog and cat over four months of age shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies.” To remain properly immunized, a dog or cat must receive two rabies vaccinations one year apart, then one vaccination every three years thereafter. Dog and cat owners in Cumberland County who have not vaccinated their pet in accordance with this law are subject to a $100 civil penalty.
While at the clinic, dogs must be leashed and cats in separate carriers or boxes. Owners may be held responsible for any damage their pet causes at the clinic.
Cash is the only accepted method of payment. Exact change to pay the $5 per animal fee is required and rolled coins, checks, debit and credit cards are not accepted.
Vax Yourself
Vaccinations for COVID-19, Influenza and RSV will be available at the event. No appointments are needed; services are available by walk-in only. Vaccines are free for everyone regardless of insurance status. If insured, the insurance company will be billed. Anyone accompanying a minor must show proof of custody.
The health department is encouraging everyone 6 months and older to get their seasonal flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness, hospitalization and long-term health complications from viruses. Both vaccines have been updated for the new flu and COVID-19 virus strains that will continue to spread this fall and winter.
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also spreads in the fall and winter and can lead to severe illness in older adults, young children and those with underlying medical conditions. RSV vaccines are recommended to protect adults ages 60 years and older from severe RSV. There are two immunizations recommended to protect infants from severe RSV: a maternal RSV vaccine given during pregnancy OR an RSV antibody given to infants after birth.
Test Yourself
The Cumberland County Public Health Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Express Clinic will be open during this event with confidential testing for HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and other STIs. Testing is free, regardless of insurance status. Call 910-433-3600 to schedule an appointment.
For more information about Cumberland County Department of Public Health programs, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/public-health or call 910-433-3600.

Cumberland County Public Health Raises Awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Cumberland County proudly joined communities across the country in a day of action focused on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) first annual 988 Day on Sept. 8, 2024.
988 Day is a pivotal initiative aimed at raising awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline within local communities. This observance was part of broader September initiatives focused on suicide prevention and mental health awareness, including National Suicide Prevention Month and Recovery Month.
Cumberland County reminds citizens anyone can text or chat any time of day by texting or dialing 988. The lifeline connects callers with skilled, caring and nonjudgmental counselors. This year marks the inaugural 988 Day, establishing an annual tradition on Sept. 8 and fostering ongoing engagement and awareness of 988 across the United States.
“As we marked the first 988 Day, we hope to help our community understand that help is always available,” said Dr. Jennifer Green, Director of Public Health. “We encourage everyone to reach out, whether for themselves or someone they care about.”
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers judgment-free support for mental health, substance use and more. Simply text or call 988.
Learn more about the Cumberland County Department of Public Health by visiting www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/public-health or on social media by searching the username CumberlandCountyPublicHealth.

Up & Coming Weekly Dining Guide

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Wednesday, 25 September 2024

Written by Staff Report

We are thrilled to announce the return of the Dining Guide! This will be a monthly feature that shines a spotlight on a different location in the Fayetteville area each month. For this month, we are excited to share information about the fantastic dining establishments located in Downtown Fayetteville.
From cozy cafes to elegant restaurants, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Stay tuned as we explore the culinary delights this vibrant city has to offer!

AGORA RESTAURANT
107 Person Street
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
910-491-7578
www.facebook.com/agoranc/
Agora offers a tasty selection of Greek and Turkish cuisine. This Mediterranean eatery is an excellent choice for a relaxed meal or event catering service.

ANTONELLA'S
300 Hay Street
Tues. & Wed. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Thurs. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-10 a.m.
Sun. Noon - 8 p.m.
910-486-0046
https://tinyurl.com/3jhkz6ye
Antonella's specializes in authentic Southern Italian cuisine, offering guests a delightful dining experience filled with rich flavors and warm hospitality.

ARCHWAY BURGERS
113 Person Street
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
910-758-9449
www.facebook.com/ArchwayBDB
Archway offers burgers, hotdogs and sandwiches that you can build to your personal preferences. Enjoy a craft beer or delicious side as well.

BLUE MOON CAFE
310 Hay Street
Mon. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sun. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
910-860-4700
www.facebook.com/pg/bluemoonfay/
Blue Moon Cafe is a bistro-style restaurant known for its delicious lunch and dinner options, as well as having a great drink and wine menu.

CIRCA 1800
108 Person Street
Wed. 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Thurs. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
& 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Fri. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
& 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
& 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Sun. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
910-568-4725
www.thecirca1800.com
Circa 1800 is focused on new Southern cuisine made with local ingredients. Don't miss out on their draft beers, all made in North Carolina.

CRU FAYETTEVILLE
114 Gillespie Street
Mon.-Thurs. 7 p.m - 1 a.m.
Fri. & Sat. 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
Sun. 1 p.m.-12 a.m.
910-916-6556
https://tinyurl.com/mr54c8w5
Cru Fayetteville focuses on creating unique craft cocktails paired with delicious, chef-inspired dishes for a memorable experience.

GASTON BREWING
COMPANY
124 Hay Street
Wed. & Thurs. Noon -9 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. Noon -11 p.m.
Sun. 12:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
910-748-0580
www.gastonbrewing.com
Gaston Brewing is a veteran-owned and operated brewpub. They combine great American food with craft beer options. Check out their second location, their taproom, at 421 Chicago Drive, serving up several beers that they themselves have produced.

PAN
105 Hay Street
Mon. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tues.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
910-491-3105
www.facebook.com/panfaync
Pan offers delicious sandwiches, salads and paninis created with local ingredients and often named after Fayetteville businesses and landmarks. They now also offer breakfast to start your day off right.

PIERRO'S ITALIAN BISTRO
217 Hay Street
Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
910-678-8885
www.pierrositalianbistro.com
Pierro’s is an Italian restaurant that beautifully combines rustic charm with contemporary culinary delights, creating a unique dining experience for all guests.

VIBE GASTROPUB
131 Hay Street
Mon. Noon -5 p.m.
Tues.-Sat. Noon -8 p.m.
910-491-8259
www.facebook.com/VibeGastropubNC
Vibe Gastropub is a 100% plant-based restaurant and a great alternative for vegetarian and vegan eaters.

RUDE AWAKENING
227 Hay Street
Mon.-Thurs. 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Fri.-Sat. 7:30 -Midnight
Sun. 9 a.m.- 10 p.m.
910-223-7833
www.rudeawakening.net
Beyond a simple coffee shop, Rude Awakening serves tasty sandwiches, morning meals, desserts, and seasonal soups during colder months, making it a versatile dining spot.

Places new to Fayetteville:

CAKE ME AWAY
1056 A, Purdue Drive
Wed.-Sun. 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
910-339-0312
www.cakemeawaync.com
Cake Me Away promises to satisfy all your sweet carvings. Offering a selection of cakes, cheesecake, baklava, croissants and gelatos, there is sure to be something for everyone.

ALLY'S APPLES DELISH
928 Brighton Road
Tues.-Fri. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
910-286-1268
https://tinyurl.com/bw8yeja7
Ally's Apples Delish is offering a wide assortment of handmade candied and caramel apples, chocolate-covered strawberries, pretzel sticks and rice crispy treats.

TRENCH NUTRITION
103 Hay Street
Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-4:40 p.m.
Sun 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
910-491-0813
Trench Nutrition brought to you by the owners of the Protein Lab, offers Energy Teas, Protein Shakes, Protein Bowls, Protein Coffees, Acai Bowls, Post Workout Shakes and Boba Teas.

WOW WOW HAWAIIAN
LEMONADE
2957 Town Center Drive
Opening Soon
wowwowhawaiianlemonade.com/location/fayetteville/
Opening soon, Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade will offer handcrafted lemonades, acai bowls, superfood smoothies, and other healthy bites.

CARIBOU COFFEE
5837 Lakewood Drive, Hope Mills
Scheduled to open on November 6
910-600-6881
https://tinyurl.com/k5f6ve9z
Caribou Coffee is a chain with over 700 locations worldwide. They will be offering a variety of coffee drinks, teas, espresso, energy drinks and all-day breakfast.

CHICK-FIL-A
1015 Murchison Road
Mon 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Tues.-Thurs. 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fri 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sat 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
910-672-1739
https://tinyurl.com/4n9jfrsd
Opened at Bronco Square, this Chick-Fil-A will have an impact on the 300 Fayetteville State University students, faculty, and staff as an option for dining as well as jobs and playing a huge part of the Murchison Road and Bronco Square renovation and rebranding.

DIRTBAG PLAZA
5533 Corporation Drive, Hope Mills
In the Planning Stages
910-426-2537
https://www.facebook.com/DirtbagAles
Dirtbag Ales has big plans for the strip of land across the street from them. They are planning an eight-store strip mall that will house businesses like The Redneck BBQ Lab. Be sure to follow them on Facebook for updates.

Getting the message from Gen ME to Gen Z

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Wednesday, 25 September 2024

Written by Dr. Sonny Kelly, FTCC Communication Instructor

Since 2008, when I began my bi-vocational career as a college communication instructor and youth pastor, I have taught and counseled thousands of Gen Z’ers (born between 1997 and 2012). I am also raising two of them (my 16- and 13-year-old sons). To some, these kids appear to be a bunch of whimsical Peter Pans, with shiny device screens for Tinkerbells. However, my time with the members of this oft-misunderstood generation has taught me a few invaluable lessons about the roots of our differences and routes we can take to transcend them.
Complaint #1: They’re so self-righteous and emotionally fragile!
Gen Z’ers have been bolstered by copious childhood affirmations from adults (who often gave everyone a trophy) and fired up by a barrage of increasingly polarized media feeds, so they tend to have lots of passion and little patience for criticism. Therefore, we must carefully navigate conflict with them, always mindful of the wise words from a 17-year-old who recently told me, “Trust snaps like that, for us; and once you lose our trust, you lose us.”
Complaint #2: They are addicted to digital media!
We must remember that these kids are “digital natives” who have been riding the algorithmic waves of online media since they were babies. Many adults haphazardly facilitate this digital dependency to distract them from boredom and depression. A 20-year-old told me recently, “I don’t think we’re feeble minded; we’ve just been conditioned. I think every generation would have responded the same if they had been given access to technology at such an early age.”
Complaint #3: They Have an Aversion to Adulting!
They have survived wars on terror, a pandemic, and opioid epidemic. As a result, death is very real and present to them - which often manifests in either a nihilistic or anxious worldview. So, they often focus on enjoying the moment, but they also tend to be risk averse. My 16-year-old justified his resistance to pursuing his driver’s license by lamenting, “But, Dad, I don’t want to hurt anybody.”
Solutions
I haven’t cracked the code, but I have gathered six tips for helping Gen Z’ers:
1. Stop bemoaning how different they are. (They are sick of hearing it!)
2. Don’t embarrass them. (They are all too aware of the sting of shame through social media.)
3. You must let them figure some stuff out and resist your urge to give them the answer.
4. Acknowledge when they’re right (even when it’s only halfway right). They crave your respect and affirmation.
5. Lean on their expertise in the digital world and thank them for helping you to navigate it.
6. Always be ready to graciously answer their “Why’s”. Gen Z’ers, are the most curious and inquisitive generation on the planet. Don’t be offended by their constant questions and try to praise their refreshingly forthright quest for truth in a chaotic world.
Remember: If you don’t give them answers, somebody else will.

Foodie Mob Fayetteville: Social media group fueling local scene

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Wednesday, 25 September 2024

Written by Amber Little

Social media used to be for college students, but now, there are kids under the age of 10 making millions of dollars. During the pandemic, it was a source of entertainment and connection at a time when people had nothing but time on their hands. Facebook is still one of the most popular and downloaded social media apps.
Groups are a growing trend on the platform, connecting people in a community with the same interests. One of those growing groups is Foodie Mob Fayetteville, a subgroup of FayToday Community News, a local online news outlet serving the community since 2009 and owned by Fayetteville native and Fayetteville State University graduate, Kres Thomas. The group boasts over 12 thousand members who are very active and vocal community members, all passionate about one thing, food. Group discussions include new and upcoming restaurants, reviews (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and calls for recommendations.
Restaurant owners are encouraged to join the group and be active with the patrons they serve. Foodie Mob Fayetteville is a great resource for anyone who has just moved to the area or anyone looking for something in particular. A simple search within the group will produce a range of recommendations and reviews.
Born out of the pandemic, the group was something Thomas felt was necessary saying, “Foodie Mob Fayetteville began during the pandemic when I noticed people finding comfort and excitement in food. With limited activities, folks started taking what I like to call ‘food-cations’—trips around Fayetteville or to nearby counties to discover new dishes and flavors. I wanted to create a space where everyone could share their food adventures, highlight their favorite spots, and support our local food scene together.”
While there are a few other food-related groups in the area, FMF has solidified itself as the go-to for all things food in Fayetteville.
“Foodie Mob has grown into a hub for everything food-related in Fayetteville. We spotlight grand openings, provide honest reviews, and promote local food trucks, hidden gems, and global cuisine. It’s a place for discovering new spots to eat, celebrating local flavors, and enjoying good food together,” Thomas said.
As for the future of the group and food in Fayetteville, “Looking to the future, I see Foodie Mob becoming the go-to guide for everything delicious in Fayetteville. We aim to help locals and visitors find their next favorite meal, whether it’s at one of the many family dining spots near Cross Creek Mall, savoring international dishes along Yadkin Road, grabbing quick bites from top food trucks at the Haymount Truck Stop, enjoying unique outdoor dining downtown, or uncovering hidden gems in Spring Lake and Hope Mills. Every corner of Fayetteville has something special to offer … To truly put Fayetteville on the map as a food destination, we need to keep sharing our stories and celebrating the unique aspects of our local food scene. Our community is a vibrant mix of military families, longtime residents, and people from all backgrounds, bringing together flavors and experiences you won’t find anywhere else. By highlighting our local treasures, we can draw more food lovers to explore and appreciate what Fayetteville has to offer,” Thomas explained.
With Foodie Mob Fayetteville and FayToday Community News, Thomas has his hands full but is passionate about the work that goes into both. Fayetteville residents can look forward to seeing more of Thomas and his continued investment in the community.
"Through Foodie Mob and FayToday News, my goal is to provide uplifting content that supports local businesses and helps everyone make the most of life here in Fayetteville—one great meal at a time. Join us in sharing tips on where the Foodie Mob should visit next! " - Kres Thomas

(Photo courtesy of Foodie Mob Fayetteville Facebook Page)