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/862014
AUGUST 16 - 22, 2017 UCW 9 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Domestic Violence Awareness month is October, but the sea of purple could almost make you forget it was only the end of July. On Sunday afternoon Fleet Feet Runner's Spot hosted a 5K fun run/walk to pro- mote Domestic Violence Awareness. I don't know how many in all came out, but we had a 100 event T-shirts, and we ran out well before the end of the line checked-in. Sorry to the runners that didn't get a shirt, but I know that wasn't your motivation for coming anyway. e Jordan Soccer Com- plex was the starting point for the runners, and the route was along the beauti- ful Cape Fear River Trail. I was amazed at the variety of people that showed up to participate. ere were as many men as there were women. ere were hard-core runners, others out for a brisk walk, young people, seniors and fami- lies. One young mom with a double baby-stroller came all the way from Wilmington. She mentioned the kids would sleep the two-hour ride home. I wondered how she'd be once they arrived. e kids would be refreshed and ready to make the most of the evening before bedtime, but her — probably not so much. I also wondered what caused all of these people from different walks of life and stages of life to be there. Were there victims in the crowd? Probably so considering, statistically, in the U.S. a woman is beaten every nine seconds. As I had that sobering thought, in that instant, my heart hurt for the victims I was likely surrounded by, and then just as quickly my heart leapt realizing I was also likely sur- rounded by survivors, their support- ers and advocates. Aside from my speculation as to why some were present, there were others there with a clear purpose and message. e Fayetteville chapter of NOW, the National Organization for Women, set up a table and shared in- formation. NOW combines the power of grass-roots activism with national lobbying and not by coincidence one of their official priorities is ending violence against women. e Care Center Family Violence Program was also represented. e Care Center is a service of Cumberland County DSS Adult Services Division. e Care Center works to eliminate domestic violence by providing services to women, men and children involved in these situations. ese services include a safe house, pro- viding legal information, counseling and education to name a few. In case someone reading this needs to know, their Crisis line is (910) 677- 2532 and is available 24 hours a day. I was there for both personal and profes- sional reasons. Per- sonally, I think every woman should be aware and prepared to help a sister or her family when in crisis. Profes- sionally, I was there to talk about the role of the Clerk of Court in assist- ing victims of domestic violence. e Clerk's office is the portal for domestic violence victims to access the court to obtain a protec- tive order. I'm running for Clerk of Court in 2018 and if elected, improv- ing services provided by the Clerk's Domestic Violence office will be a priority. Let me be clear, I'm not talk- ing about the staff; they are wonder- ful. I'm talking about the process. We can and should employ technology to allow victims to apply for protective orders from a safe remote location rather than going to the courthouse where their victimizer may very well be waiting. We can all image the worst-case scenario, but more often subtle acts of intimidation occur dur- ing the walk from the parking lot to the courthouse doors, discouraging victims from seeking the help they desperately need. rough technol- ogy, victims can meet with a judge from a safe place away from the court- house. Additionally, protective orders should be electronically transmitted to law enforcement for service on the perpetrator, a much safer and faster process than victims walking a piece of paper across an open courtyard. e 5K run/walk was a fun event for a serious matter. anks again to the organizers. anks also to all that came out, to all that help victims find a safe place, and those that work to stop domestic violence. CYNTHIA BLACKWELL CLERK OF COURT CANDIDATE. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. (910) 484.6200. Raising Domestic Violence Awareness by CYNTHIA BLACKWELL CANDIDATES SPEAK Fleet Feet Runner's Spot hosted a 5K fun run/walk to promote Domestic Vio- lence Awareness. Fayetteville's Community Newspaper Gates Four Golf & Country Club Friday, Saturday & Sunday September 15 – 17, 2017 C H A M P I O N S H I P C L A S S I C • A 54-hole stroke-play event. • Open Divisions plus New Women's Division & Super Senior Division ighted after 36 holes. • All amateur entrants must be 16 or older and reside in Cumberland County. • Past CC champions who are not golf professionals are eligible. • Golfers 50 years of age or older are eligible to participate in a Seniors' Flight, unless they declare to play in the Open or Championship ights. • Entry fee of $165.00. Includes: 3 rounds of golf, a practice round*, tournament gift range balls, food, beverages, trophies, prizes, and admission to Champion's Reception & Pairings Party** • New 2018 USGA Rules in will be eect. • $10,000 hole-in-one prize on HOLE #11. • No preferred pairings. • Gates Four Country Club requires collared shirts and denim is prohibited. • Field Limited to 144 participants. • *Green fees only, cart not included. Practice rounds are limited to weekdays and after 1 p.m. on weekends seven days prior to tournament after fees are paid. Please call (910) 425-6667 for tee time . Cumberland County's Premier Golf Event! Champion's Reception & Pairings Party ** Thursday Sept. 14th 6:00 – 8:00 PM Hosted by: Gates Four Golf & Country Club Player Gifts, Contests and Door Prizes! No charge to participants / Guests $15.00 Early Bird **Register by September 1st and receive 5 FREE FOURSOME ROUNDS OF GOLF AT • Deadline to enter is September 13 th at 6 p.m. • NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE ALLOWED Open Division (To be ighted based on number of entries.) Senior Division (Age 50 - 65.) Super Senior Division (Age 66 & above.) Championship Division (To be played from the back tees.) Women's Division (Flighted after 36 holes) REGISTER ONLINE at CumberlandCountyGolfClassic.com or Return Application by Sept 13th with Entry Fee to: Scooter Buhrman, PGA Pro sbuhrman@gatesfour.com • 910-425-6667 ext. 224 • FAX 910-425-6661 Make checks payable to Cumberland County Golf Classic 208 Rowan Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 (910) 391-3859 CCGC: Supports the Kay Yow Cancer Fund & Kidsville News Literacy & Education Foundation (501C3 Non Prot) T H E R I C H A R D S O N F I R M T R I A L A T T O R N E Y S