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/27670
STAFF PUBLISHER Bill Bowman bbowman@upandcomingweekly.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Janice Burton Joy Crowe editor@upandcomingweekly.com STAFF WRITER Stephanie Crider stephanie@upandcomingweekly.com MARKETING/SALES Marybeth Leiby Marybeth@upandcomingweekly.com OFFICE MANAGER Tracy McCullough Tracy@upandcomingweekly.com –––––––––––––– GRAPHIC DESIGNER Alicia Miller art@upandcomingweekly.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Soni Martin, D.G. Mar tin, Pitt Dick ey, Margaret Dickson, Bob Cogswell, John Hood, Jhana Lewis, Erinn Crider, Karen Poppele, Heather Griffi ths, Beth Solzsmon-Carpenter –––––––––––– Up & Coming Weekly www.upandcomingweekly.com 208 Rowan Street P.O. Box 53461 Fayetteville, NC 28305 PHONE: (910) 484-6200 FAX: (910) 484-9218 Up & Coming Weekly is a “Quality of Life” publication with local features, news and infor- mation on what’s happening in and around the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community. Up & Coming Weekly is published weekly on Wednesdays. Up & Coming Weekly welcomes manuscripts, photographs and artwork for publication consideration, but assumes no responsibility for them. We cannot accept responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or material. Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to edit or reject copy submitted for publication. Up & Coming Weekly is free of charge and distributed at indoor and outdoor locations throughout Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force Base, Hope Mills and Spring Lake. Readers are limited to one copy per per- son. Subscriptions can be purchased for $30 for six months or $60 for 12 months, delivered weekly by first class mail. ©2007 by F&B Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or advertisements without permission is strictly prohibited. INSIDE PUBLISHER’S PEN by BILL BOWMAN Kudos to Andrew Bondarowicz, owner of Cumberland County’s newest sports team, the Fayetteville Force indoor football team. From the support and reaction of the 2,500 plus fans who attended the inaugural game at the Crown Coliseum last Friday night it would seem that Bondarowicz not only brought his team to Fayetteville but he also brought a strong sense of business, family and community commitment. No big feat, you say? Well, let’s remember, he does hail from New Jersey! None-the-less, Friday night was exciting. From the opening kick-off to the fi nal buzzer, the game was fast, furious and fun. It was fi lled with non-stop action that had fans, young and old, getting up and down from their seats like yo-yos. It was an enjoyable experience and what a rewarding accomplishment. In just a matter of weeks this New Jersey organization acclimated themselves to our community and, from day one, methodically and sincerely engaged themselves in embracing and respecting their new home. From its fi rst news conference, the Force declared itself Fayetteville’s team. They have, in fact, even teamed up to support the soldiers of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School — many of whom were at Friday night’s game. With these kinds of partnerships, you can see and feel the passion and sincerity they had for wanting to build a sports venue Fayetteville and Cumberland County could be proud of. If Friday’s season opener is any indication, they are off to an excellent start. There was a good sense and feel of community at the Crown Friday night. The familiar, enthusiastic voice of Skip Carr, who Fayetteville’s Weather Forecast March 24 Thursday March 23 Saturday March 25 Fayetteville’s Weather Forecast Friday A Fayetteville Force team member practicing for the big game. was clad in his signature bow tie, kept the crowd motivated, excited and involved as he entertained the fans by orchestrating on- fi eld games and events, like mascot football. It was great. From involving local charities like the Urban Ministries’ Duck Derby, to recognizing local business professionals like Harry Sherrill of Homeowners ReMax and showcasing the talent of Katie Mills, Miss Fayetteville, as she so graciously and beautifully sang the “National Anthem.” Bondarowicz also took a personal moment to address and welcome the fans. He reiterated the team’s commitment to the Fayetteville community, then graciously acknowledged community volunteer and Force supporter Up & Coming Weekly’s own, Mary Beth Leiby, for her involvement, hard work and dedication. He designated her a genuine “Force in the community.” It was a nice touch. It all came together Friday night. So, here in Cumberland County, where numerous sports teams have come and gone over the years and have almost always taken away from our community so much more than they ever contributed, we can only hope this newest team continues to embrace the principles and practices that led them to their opening day success. After all, when it comes to attracting sponsors, business partners, fans and community support, we are a community that never fails to help those who help themselves. Fayetteville Force welcome to Cumberland County! Andrew, you’re a southerner now. BILL BOWMAN, Publisher, Up & Coming Weekly, COMMENTS? editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com CalCall 910.354.1679l 910.354.1679 Sunday March 26 Monday March 27 Tuesday March 28 Calendar ........................................... 14 Concert Connection ........................ 20 Movie Review .................................. 22 Free Wheelin’ Feelin’ ....................... 23 Classifieds ........................................ 24 News of the Weird ........................... 26 Horoscopes/Advice Goddess ......... 26 Games .............................................. 27 The Fayetteville Force: Fast, Furious and Fun! High 79° Low 57° Mostly Cloudy 4 UCW MARCH 23-29, 2011 High 66° Low 39° Scattered Storms High 60° Low 36° Sunny Forecast available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. High 63° Low 42° Sunny High 69º Low 47º Sunny High 70º Low 43º Showers WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 24/ 7