L3 Brand Community Alliance

(CSDD) is thrilled to announce a unique and creative opportunity for local artists, arts organizations, and downtown businesses as part of our Fiesta Latina 4th Friday, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

We seek artists to transform prefabricated, 8-foot-tall animatronic skeletons into imaginative artworks inspired by *Dia de Mu***os*. This traditional Mexican holiday honors the reunion of families with their deceased relatives through food, drink, and celebration. Selected artworks will be publicly displayed during our vibrant Fourth Friday celebration on September 27, 2024, bringing cultural vibrancy to the heart of Downtown Fayetteville. READ THE FULL DETAILS

https://visitdowntownfayetteville.com/call-for-artist/

CALL FOR ART: ESQUELETOS CREATIVOS – A DIA DE MU***OS ART CHALLENGE
Fayetteville, NC – Cool Spring Downtown District (CSDD) is thrilled to announce a unique and creative opportunity for local artists, arts organizations, and downtown businesses as part of our Fiesta Latina 4th Friday, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. CSDD invites the local creative community to participate in *Esqueletos Creativos: A Dia de Mu***os Art Challenge.
We seek artists to transform prefabricated, 8-foot-tall animatronic skeletons into imaginative artworks inspired by *Dia de Mu***os*. This traditional Mexican holiday honors the reunion of families with their deceased relatives through food, drink, and celebration. Selected artworks will be publicly displayed during our vibrant Fourth Friday celebration on September 27, 2024, bringing cultural vibrancy to the heart of Downtown Fayetteville.
Key Dates and Details:
Entry Deadline: September 9, 2024, by 5:00 PM
Artist Notification: September 13, 2024
Skeleton Return Date: September 25, 2024
Installation Date: September 27, 2024
Eligibility
The *Esqueletos Creativos* challenge is open to local artists, arts organizations, and downtown businesses based in Cumberland County. Applicants must be 16 years or older to participate.
Specifications
Artists will be provided with disassembled 8-foot-tall skeletons measuring 39”D x 37”W x 96”H, which they are encouraged to transform creatively. While designs should be inspired by Dia de Mu***os, they must remain non-religious, apolitical, free of licensed/corporate branding, and non-pornographic.
How to Apply
To apply, artists must submit a written artist statement (no more than 250 words) along with 2-3 digital images or sketches of their proposed concept. All application materials should be submitted via email to [email protected] by 5:00 PM on September 9, 2024. The email subject heading should read Submission: Esqueletos Creativos.
Stipend and Awards
Selected artists will receive a $250 stipend to cover time and supplies. A public vote will also be held to determine the community’s favorite skeleton, with the winning artist receiving a $250 cash prize.
Join Us in Celebrating Culture and Creativity
We invite the Fayetteville community to celebrate Dia de Mu***os during Fiesta Latina 4th Friday on September 27, 2024. This event will honor Hispanic Heritage Month and showcase the artistic talents of our local community in partnership with the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County. Don’t miss this exciting blend of art, culture, and celebration.
For more information or to apply, please visit https://visitdowntownfayetteville.com or email us at [email protected].

IT to
New York times Games
Street Wars
A weekly series on the battle for space on New York’s streets and sidewalks.

Playing on the street in Harlem. Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
The Low-Budget Back-to-School Supply That City Kids Love
By Dodai Stewart

It’s simple, really: You’ll just need a metal barricade.
Maybe some traffic cones.
That’s how you make an entire school full of children happy.
From stickball to double Dutch, playing in the street has long been a rite of passage in New York City. But for the first time, the Department of Transportation program, Open Streets for Schools, has established a legal framework to close off streets for play and to support schools through the initiative, which became law in the spring.
This month, there will be 71 streets closed to traffic and open for children at schools across the city — a record number since the program launched during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Though traffic fatalities in New York have declined in the last 30 years, this year, pedestrian fatalities are up.
Enthusiasm for the new open school streets is already high.
Starting this month, P.S. 28 Mount Hope Centennial School in the Bronx is annexing part of Anthony Avenue outside its building once a week.
The school tested out blocking off the street to cars once a week in May. “The students were absolutely in love,” said Elise Banegas, a community school director at P.S. 28.
The school is undergoing construction that may take five or six years, making its small yard unusable. But during the street pilot, Banegas saw the joy children derived from just having space. “They were so happy to be able to go outside, burn some steam and just have, like, that old-school feel of being able to go outside and enjoy yourself during lunch time,” she said.
P.S. 28 teamed up with Street Lab, a nonprofit that creates and shares programs for public space across the city.
Leslie Davol, Street Lab’s co-founder and executive director, says that of all the work the organization has done, working with schools has been the most meaningful. “These students, they’re like, ‘Oh, my god, we’ve taken over the street!’” she said. “It’s incredibly powerful.”
Street Lab helps schools apply for permits. But the group also arrives at schools with programming and gear: mobile obstacle courses; a pop-up reading room consisting of a bookcase on wheels; building blocks. “They also have an art station,” Banegas said, “and little cameras that you can take pictures with.”
There are multiple ways a school can organize an Open Street. Some just put a metal barrier at each end of the block for about half an hour in the morning and afternoon, when students are being picked up and dropped off. Other schools use the barriers for a few hours in the middle of the day so students can have recess outdoors. And some schools close the street to cars for the entire school day.
While the street is closed to through traffic, residents with cars are still able to access the block.
And it’s not just public schools — some of the fanciest private schools in the city also participate. This month is the beginning of the second year that The École, a French-American bilingual school on East 22nd Street, has had barriers out on the street. The head of the school, Jean-Yves Vesseau, called it “a game changer for us in terms of how we organize our recesses.” He added: “The kids and staff love it.”
Friends Seminary on East 13th Street has been participating for five years. The initiative “has been invaluable in fostering play, community, and connection,” said the head of the school, Robert Lauder, who goes by Bo.

A basketball game in the middle of a New York street in 1970. Eddie Hausner/The New York Times
The freedom to go outside and play in the fresh air during the school day can be especially meaningful. Residents in the area around P.S. 28 Mount Hope — in the Tremont neighborhood of the Bronx — are among those with the highest asthma rates in the city.
Banegas said that among administrators in the Bronx, word has spread “like wildfire,” with staffers telling friends across town: “You need this program in your school.”
While the metal barriers are provided at no cost from the Department of Transportation, participating in the Open Streets program involves planning and paperwork. That’s where nonprofits focused on the use of streets come in.
Sabina Sethi Unni, a schools planner for Open Plans, a nonprofit advocacy group that promotes a people-first street culture, said her group has helped 22 schools apply. Simplifying the process is on the group’s list of recommendations for the program. “We know that school administrators are so overburdened,” Unni said.
Requesting a street closure relies on community buy-in, so Unni will also do lots of outreach. “I’ll speak at community board meetings,” she said. “I’ll talk to neighborhood moms over doughnuts before school starts. Go to P.T.A. meetings. I’ll talk to principals, to parents, to teachers.” She also speaks to elected officials and obtains letters of support.
One sticking point is often parking, or car access to the street, including for teachers.
When a street near a school is not closed to cars, the combination of children running around and vehicles idling for pick up or drop off can be dangerous, Unni said.
“Dangerous for not just kids — dangerous for pedestrians who live and work nearby,” she said. “It’s also an air pollution and asthma issue when you have so much congestion.”
Mike Robert Horenstein’s 6-year-old son, Sol, is an incoming first grader at P.S. 290 The Manhattan New School on East 82nd Street. Horenstein said he likes that the street is closed off during the school day for Open Streets.
But one morning when they were walking in the street by the school, a parked car scared them when it pulled out into the street, even though a traffic-blocking barrier was in place, and “went by too quickly,” Horenstein said.
“Nobody wants to see an S.U.V. stop short, or maneuver slowly after being too fast, when there are kindergarten-age children in the middle of the street,” he said.
The driver apologized. “But it’s important that residents be reminded, on a regular basis, somehow, to take care,” Horenstein said. And though he wishes that schools, in general, had more options for space, he acknowledged: “This is New York City. You have to make do with what you can get.”
Figuring out how to strike a balance between the needs of children and people who want to park on the block where they live is tricky.
Unni, of Open Plans, stressed that residents with cars or who use Access-A-Ride should know: “If you need to drive down the street, you can drive down the street.”
“This is like not a program that is going to take anything away from you,” she said she tells drivers. “It’s just generating more opportunities for communal spaces. For safe spaces.”
Banegas, whose Bronx students play outside one day a week, already wants to expand the program to three days.
“Kids deserve to be able to go outside and have that experience,” she said.

Greater Life of Fayetteville
Sept6th
"JUST US: A heartwarming platform dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between mothers and their children through shared experiences, bonding activities, and resources for nurturing strong family relationships."
JUST US is getting together with mothers and their children.
We are excited about this bonding time.
Space is limited. However, we look forward to a great time.
This first meeting is with

Warm Regards,
Georgeanna Pinckney, MPA
Executive Director
Greater Life of Fayetteville (GLOF), Inc
600 Orange Street, Fayetteville NC 28301
WEB: greaterlifeoffayetteville.org
Email: [email protected]
(910) 364-9531
"We are the Change! Offering our Youth and Family a Greater Life"

Each September is set aside to speak about su***de prevention. There are great conversations going on worldwide to help break the stigma. Allow me to help bring a discussion and training to your group or organization. Everyone is needed in this fight against su***de. It starts with meaningful conversations.
Contact One Common Bond today. Let's get YOUR group on the calendar.
***de ***depreventionspeaker ***de

This week Mayor Colvin had the honor of presenting The Key and Coin to the City to Mr. Johnny Wilson, in recognition of his remarkable 25 years of service to our community!

As the Executive Director of Fayetteville Urban Ministry, Inc., Mr. Wilson has been a tireless advocate for those in need, leading a community-driven nonprofit that offers vital resources and support to individuals and families across Cumberland County. From financial assistance to ESL programs and mentorship opportunities, Fayetteville Urban Ministry is truly a beacon of hope, and Mr. Wilson's dedication has been instrumental in empowering countless lives.

830PM

An Amber Alert was issued for a 2-year-old boy out of Morrisville NC on Friday night.
Morrisville NC police are investigating a reported assault and child abduction connected to the alert.
The child was last seen traveling with Deneshia Williams, Jontae Purdie, and another man. The suspect vehicle is a blue Nissan Maxima with NC tags LCN-3490. Police believe the vehicle may be traveling to Fayetteville.

Greater Life of Fayetteville

Thursday, Aug 29, 2024
Board of Directors Application Session Open

We are pleased to announce that the application period for Board Member positions is now open! Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by September 30, 2024. This is a great opportunity to contribute to our organization and help shape its future. For more details on the application process, please visit our website or contact us directly.
Thank you!

Warm Regards,
Georgeanna Pinckney, MPA
Executive Director
600 Orange St., Fayetteville, NC 28301 | P.O. Box 41432 | Fayetteville, NC 28309-1432
Website: greaterlifeoffayetteville.org Phone: (910) 364-9531
"We are the change! Offering Our Youth, A Greater Life"
"All Things Are Possible for Those Who Believe"

Greater Life of Fayetteville

It's That Yummy, Yummy ... Join Magic 106.9 and our sister stations Q98 & Rock 103 for a day of Food, Fun & Music ! Fire up your grill and compete for the prizes!! Click here to sign up now!

🌡️Cooling Stations Available in Cumberland County🌡️
Cooling stations are open for residents who do not have access to air conditioning and need a place to get out of the heat! Please take precautions during extreme heat!
View cooling station locations for people who need a place to escape the heat: https://ow.ly/zgY050T7Zc1
Cumberland County NC - Emergency Services
City of Fayetteville, NC Government
Cumberland County Department of Public Health
Cumberland County Public Library

Cumberland County NC - Board of Elections needs new Precinct Officials!
For more information on how you can get involved, and the benefits of becoming a Precinct Official, visit the Cumberland County Board of Elections website: https://ow.ly/ABEx50T4uIT

For the over 60,000 veterans who live in Cumberland County, the Cumberland County Veterans Services Department is here to assist veterans, and their dependents obtain benefits to which they are entitled.

Visit the Cumberland County Veterans Services website for information about disability benefits, pension benefits, dependent benefits and more. https://ow.ly/rl7u50T3pwG

City of Fayetteville,

FOOD
'I have to pay the bills': What's next for Feena's in Fayetteville?
Taylor Shook
The Fayetteville Observer

Feena’s owner Hafeena Ali-Martinez was prepared to close her well-known Murchison Road dollar store and dessert shop when her longtime lease was set to run out in early September, but public outcry led to another two years in Fayetteville’s Bronco Midtown shopping center.

Ali-Martinez said Friday that her new two-year lease with Grant Murray, the real estate company that manages the property on behalf of owner Bronco Development, includes a rent hike of $600 and another $600 increase next year. She also had to remove the logos from her shop windows.

From back in early August:The future of Feena's is up in the air after lease ends

Despite those stipulations, Ali-Martinez said, she’s grateful that the community rallied behind her as she fought to stay open.

“I love that people came together,” she said.

Ali-Martinez said she hopes that incorporating delivery, especially to offices nearby, will offset rising expenses.

The shopkeeper said she also hopes to negotiate with Fayetteville State University to be part of the “Bronco bucks” system in which students can use dollars from their university meal plans to purchase food and other items.

After the news broke: Fayetteville rallies around Feena's dessert shop as lease runs out

Whether Feena’s remains after this two-year lease depends on whether business keeps her afloat, she said.

“I have to pay the bills,” she said. “I would love to stay.”

Food, dining and culture reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at [email protected]. Want weekly food news delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the Fayetteville Foodies newsletter.

'I have to pay the bills': What's next for Feena's in Fayetteville? Property management told Feena's she needed to be out of Bronco Midtown on Murchison Road by Sept. 5, prompting public outcry. What happens next?

Send a message to learn more

Be sure to come out tonight for our Opening Football Game. We are hosting Cape Fear with a 7pm Kickoff. Scan the QR Code to purchase tickets!

Cumberland County Schools message to adults: Don't trespass on buses Cumberland County Schools officials are reminding adults and parents that it is trespassing if they step onto a school bus without permission.

Long March For Unity and Justice
Area Sept 26th to Sept 27th
[email protected]
(336) 230-0001
417 Arlington Street,
Greensboro, NC 27406
Mailing Address
PO Box 875 Greensboro, NC 27402
Contact Us Phone (336) 230-0001
DAY SEVEN – Thursday, September 26th
• Greenville, NC | Facebook Group
DAY EIGHT – Friday, September 27th
• Fayetteville, NC | Facebook Group
o Virtual Site Meeting, Aug 19, 6PM
 Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpfu-opzMiGd00Zr6Ly6KKXZ9GnmUTzBFN