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.
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Making a Difference — Politics in the Park by STEPHANIE CRIDER With elections right around the corner, being informed is paramount to ensuring the right candidates get voted into public office. While figuring out which candidate is indeed the one to vote for can be difficult, The Fayetteville Republican Women's Club is mak- ing it a little easier for some people to decide. On Saturday, Oct. 22, The Fayetteville The Fayetteville Republican Women's Club presents Republican Women's Club presents Politics in the Park. The event is at Mazarick Park One, from 1–4 p.m. There are several fun activities on the agenda including a picnic, silent auc- tion and 50/50 raffle. Linda McAlister, The Fayetteville Republican Women's Club secretary, is POLITICS IN THE PARK looking forward to is the recognition of historical achievements by Republican women. She noted that women have had an influential role in American politics and have swayed the course of history yet go largely unnoticed for their efforts. She added that people may be surprised by what they will learn about the achievements of Republican women. The main event of the day, though, is the meet 'n greet. "It is meant to introduce Fayetteville area citizens to Republican candidates at the state and local level," said McAlister. "I think introducing candidates to people, networking with local citizens and the public having a chance to meet the candidates one on one makes such a difference. When you can meet some- one and look in their eyes — and not just hear sound bites — and hear why they believe a certain way and what has gotten them to that opinion and shake their hand, it makes a difference." Several candidates plan to attend, which McAlister says will benefit both the candidates, because they can connect with potential voters, and those in attendance at the event because it offers face time with the candidates. Tony Gurly is scheduled to be there. He is running for lieutenanat gov- ernor. "He is pretty much a name that no one knows around here," said McAlister. "This is a chance for people to meet him before they see his name on the ballot." Wayne King is not a candidate, but he is the Republican vice chairman for the state, and he will be there, too. "He is a 30-year- old gentleman who is such a grass-roots organizer," said McAlister. King is visiting different counties in the state to unite the Republican voters and help with campaigns. Ilario Pantano is tentatively planning to attend. McAlister describes him as a dynamic speaker, a veteran, an author and a financial guru who is sure to impress the crowd. Local radio personality Dave Taylor is the emcee. He will introduce not only the state-level candidates, but also the local councilmen who are running. There are several people running for the very first time and they will be at the event, McAlister said. "It's a great opportunity to reach out and get to know the people who may be making decisions for the city and state in the coming years," she added. It is events like these, says McAlister that give people an opportunity to become informed and help shape the government. "You are not just relying on news, print coverage or sound bites," she said. "This is what The Fayetteville Republican Women's Club has done for me — it has made candidates accessible to me. I am thrilled with having met everyone who was running on the Republican ticket the last election cycle. We get so busy with the bubbles of our lives that we don't meet the people who are making the decisions about our lives." Tickets are $15. Call 323- 5369 or email mgkidd@aol.com for more information or to pur- chase a ticket. STEPHANIE CRIDER, Associate Editor. COMMENTS? Stephanie@ upandcomingweekly.com A Little Goulishness, a Lot of Fun at 4th Friday by AMANDA JENKINS Join in on the fun in Downtown Fayetteville at this month's 4th Friday cel- ebration on Oct. 28. Take a stroll around the historic district, browse the unique boutiques and satisfy your hunger at one of the many remarkable restaurants. There will be music on every corner and many other fun activities for visitors and resi- dents to enjoy. "We have a drum circle, belly danc- ers, acoustic musicians, jugglers. Different businesses will have refreshments, and the Arts Council has an exhibit," said Sheri Collins, 4th Friday coordinator at the Downtown Alliance. "Also, this year we started doing different themes. For instance, this month's theme is the Zombie Walk." Other Halloween related events are the Murder Mystery dinner theatre at the Rainbow Room. This is a fundraiser put on by a group from Fayetteville State University and will benefit homeless and runaway teenagers. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased by calling 322-8266. There will also be a showing of The Night of the Living Dead at the Cameo Art House Theatre. This month's feature exhibit at the Art's In the spirit of Halloween, Zombies will invade downtown Fayetteville at the Second Annual Zombie Walk on 4th Friday. Join in on the fright fest by slip- ping into your most blood-curdling costume and start lining up at the Festival Park Promenade at 7:30 p.m. The zombies will start invading downtown at 8 p.m. and will begin shuffling down Ray Avenue and making their way toward the Market House on Hay Street. The walk will end on Green Street and the zombies will be greeted by haunting music by the Villains/Misfits and oth- ers. "The Zombie Walk ended up being a bigger event than we thought," said Collins, "There were about 1,000 people who participated last year, and we were only expecting maybe a couple hundred." The Zombie Walk and concert is free and open to the public. It is expect- ed that this year the costumes will be even better than last year and that there will be even more participation. 14 UCW OCTOBER 19-25, 2011 Take a stroll around the historic district, browse the unique boutiques and satisfy your hunger at one of the many remarkable restaurants. Council is Witness: The American Vietnam Experience Told First Hand Through Images and Stories of Local Vietnam Veterans, Native Born Vietnamese and the Texas Tech University's Vietnam Center and Archive. This exhibit will be open to the public at the Arts Council from 7-9 p.m. during 4th Friday. Arts Alive! is another 4th Friday feature that takes place at the Farmer's Market at the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum on Franklin Street. Local artists will set up dis- plays and there will be handmade goods such as clay pottery, paintings and jewelry for sale. Cotton Exchange Express will be on site for visitors to ride through the 4th Friday area. "This can be for adults as well, but is mostly something that the kids enjoy," said Collins. "There's also the 4th Friday trolley and you can get out anywhere." So come out to this month's 4th Friday and join in on the haunting and art-centered festivities that Downtown Fayetteville has to offer. AMANDA JENKINS Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? editor@upand- comingweekly.com WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM