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: https://www.epageflip.net/i/173316
lifestyle showcasing lavish homes, was successful as a development concept but it failed to jump start a Bragg Boulevard renaissance that would have enhanced his investment. Now, the Villagio is an island of luxurious living in a gated development floating in a sea of wretched ugliness. Gaudy strip centers, empty store fronts and store front churches, trash littered highways, tattered, ill-repaired businesses, unkept landscaping, old dilapidated signs, vacant deserted buildings, storage barns, girlie bars and gentlemen's clubs line the road. City leaders are trying to address this problem by building a consensus and getting existing businesses to rally and get involved with the cause. In the meantime, We of UCW can only recommend that when you have guests in town and you want to impress them with our community avoid the Boulevard. Embassy Suites® Fayetteville/Fort Bragg NC Thank You Fayetteville! Best Local Fundraiser Fayetteville Urban Ministry's Duck Derby 701 Whitfield St. 910.483.5944 www.fayurbanmin.org Already, plans are being made for one of the most fun and entertaining Spring events in Fayetteville, the 3rd Annual Duck Derby. Sponsored by Fayetteville Urban Ministry, this fundraising event captivates the entire community as friends and neighbors rally to adopt and purchase thousands of rubber ducks whose one purpose in life is to take a plunge into the Cape Fear River in hopes of crossing the finish line first to win a grand prize. Hats off to Johnny Wilson, Fayetteville Urban Ministry executive director, and event coordinators Lynne Greene and the entire Duck Derby committee for not only having a successful event, but for involving the entire community. This unique program allows other local nonprofit organizations to sell ducks for the event and keep part of the proceeds for their organizations. Local restaurants even stepped up to promote the event by selling ducks and offering specialty "ducky" drinks and appetizers to their patrons. Literally, dozens of businesses donated time, money and merchandise to the event that was celebrated on the banks of the Cape Fear River at Campbellton Landing. It's worthy to note that for the second year in a row, Tom Costello, General Manager of Rick Hendrick Toyota , became the patriarch of the event by donating a brand new Toyota Scion as the grand prize. The Fayetteville Urban Ministry's leadership and staff will be the first to thank God and the Fayetteville community for their success. They acknowledge that without the support of hundreds of dedicated sponsors, volunteers, committee members, staff and great friends and neighbors, that this success would not have been possible. Fifteen thousand ducks floating down the Cape Fear River is a beautiful sight. What Does Downtown Need Most More Businesses, Shopping, Entertainment Downtown Fayetteville needs more business and shopping, but downtown developers are beginning to realize that entertainment is only one way to that means. Without a doubt, we must give visitors and residents a reason to visit. Along with a unique shopping experience, the arts and theatre, movies and limited music venues provide a limited amount of fun and entertainment. But, only after visitors have arrived here. The focus, mission and mandate of downtown should be to get them to "arrive" downtown. In order to do that, there must be more shopping, more restaurants, and more places that entertain or educate. A new injection of fresh businesses to complement and enhance the existing ones will surely keep downtown growing. Best of Fayetteville Voted Fayetteville's Best Hotel •We at the Embassy Suites Fayetteville/Ft. Bragg offer a selection of spacious and beautifully furnished two-room suites, with each featuring tasteful décor, fresh modern colors, and boasts a private bedroom as well as a separate living area. • We offer 6 floors, and 165 spacious suites including: •103 one-bedroom King Suites •38 one-bedroom Queen/Queen Suites •11 one-bedroom King Jacuzzi Suites •11 King Studio Suites • 2 luxury Presidential Suites each featuring two separate rooms, private dining room area, spacious resort style walk-in shower, one 70" & three 60" TVs, and a built in gas fireplace. Voted Fayetteville's Best Convention & Meeting Space • The Richard M. Wiggins Conference Center features over 18,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, 3,500 square feet of pre-function space, and 6 breakout rooms. • The Grande Ballroom, boasts a serving capacity of over 600 guests for a variety of banquet events, or over 900 for theatre style events. • We offer a multitude of in-house catering, lighting, staging, dance floors, and decorating options. 4760 Lake Valley Drive, Fayetteville, NC, 28303 (910) 826-3600 www.fayettevillefortbragg.embassysuites.com SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2013 UCW 7