Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1508412
SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 UCW 5 Best of Fayetteville Best Thing to Show Off to Visitors/Best Museum Airborne and Special Operations Museum 100 Bragg Blvd. 910-643-2778 or www.asomf.org The Airborne & Special Operations Museum is the only museum in the coun- try dedicated to all Army Airborne and Special Operations units. Every year, it sees thousands of visitors: veterans who often share their stories with other visi- tors, Gold Star family members, students from local schools, those who want to understand more about our military, and people from all over the world. Nearby, Fort Liberty is home to the 82nd Airborne Division, Army Special Operations Command, 1st Special Forces Command and Joint Special Operations Command — so downtown Fayetteville is the ideal place for this museum. No wonder ASOM is a repeat winner in both of these Best of Fayetteville categories. Established in 2000 under the direction of the late Gen. James Lindsay, the ASOM tells the story of U.S. Airborne and Special Operations soldiers from 1940 to the present. Features include permanent and temporary exhibits, a parade field lined with monuments, a reflection garden, simulator experiences and more. Extra events include the annual Field of Honor, military-related movie showings, guest speakers and book signings, National Airborne Day celebra- tions, as well as ceremonies honoring different individuals and units. The U.S. Army owns and operates the museum while the ASOM Foundation manages the museum store and the motion simulator, as well as the memorial paver and monument program. What Does Fayetteville Need Most? Family Entertainment With the decline of COVID-19 and the gradual reopening of the community, families are now craving those special moments of togetherness and bonding. Fayetteville offers a multitude of recreational options, such as multiple parks, cinemas, museums, escape rooms, climbing gyms, bowling alleys, indoor trampoline parks and bouncy houses. The city is also home to at least three semi-professional or amateur sports teams. However, if your family is seeking additional options, there are numerous exciting new attractions available in the area. Furthermore, there are a few upcoming additions that promise even more fun for families. Main Event, a 38,000-square-foot venue, that includes activities such as laser tag, video games, virtual reality, bowling and more, just opened this past sum- mer. In November, a new facility called Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park will be launching on Skibo Road. This expansive indoor trampoline center offers a wide range of activities for the entire family to enjoy. From mini-golf and trapeze to bumper cars, go-karts, bowling, and more, there is something for everyone. Furthermore, the downtown courthouse's parking lot is set to transform into the site of the upcoming Crown Event Center. This new establishment will boast a conference and event space, along with a 3,000-seat theater featuring a terrace. Best Local Community Project Friendship House Fayetteville and Friendship House Gardens 600 Ames Street 910-826-4699 or www.friendshiphousefayetteville.org www.fcgfaync.org/ Friendship House Fayetteville is an intentional living community that provides affordable, integrated housing for young adults with intel- lectual and developmental disabilities (referred to as friend residents). It specifically focuses on college stu- dents and young professionals in the healthcare, allied health and human service sectors. The primary aim of Friendship House Fayetteville is to create an environment where these individuals can live together harmoniously while pursuing their personal and professional goals. Friendship House, a distinctive community model rooted in faith, was initially introduced at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Collaborating with various local stakeholders, ServiceSource North Carolina successfully replicated this model to establish Friendship House in Fayetteville, becoming the fifth of its kind globally. This concept promotes communal interdependence and fosters a sense of belonging among its resi- dents. One of the other on-site projects at Friendship House Fayetteville is the Friendship Community Gardens. Friendship Community Gardens aims to lever- age gardening and its distinctive position to foster new connections among individuals from different racial backgrounds and abilities. Simultaneously, it also seeks to contribute towards the availability of sustainable food choices for residents in our community. Situated at the crossroads of Savoy Heights neighborhood, Haymount, Friendship House Fayetteville and Forest Lakes neighborhood — a diverse com- munity encompassing various economic, intellectual,and physical capacities — the garden site offers abundant advantages. The multitude of benefits that arise from neighbors collaborating together to cultivate nutritious crops are immea- surable! Bloom Farmers Market was then born where produce from the Friendship Community Gardens is sold to patrons and local craft vendors, musicians and food vendors are also invited to sell their wares. This premier market was from June to August of this year. Best Local Nonprofit Organization ServiceSource of Fayetteville 600 Ames Street 910-826-4699 or www.servicesource.org ServiceSource is a prominent nonprofit organization that specializes in dis- ability resources. Their services and prime contract operations are available in over 13 states and the District of Columbia. The organization's five regional offices all work toward the same goal of providing outstanding support to indi- viduals with disabilities. This includes various services such as employment opportunities, training programs, habilitation assistance, housing options and other forms of support. In addition to this, ServiceSource also strives to promote inclusivity by actively contributing toward the development of more inclusive communities. In FY23, ServiceSource's regional office in Fayetteville provided assistance to more than 3,200 community members with disabilities. Alongside their support services, ServiceSource also extended their offerings through Friendship House Fayetteville, the Community Inclusion Day Program and Warrior Bridge.