North State Journal — Vol. 1, Issue 26

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 26

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

www.NSJONLINE.com

the Sunday News Briefing

PET ADOPTION

NC unemployment rate drops to below national average Raleigh North Carolina’s unemployment rate has dropped below the national average to 4.7 percent in July. The rate is now the lowest that N.C.’s unemployment rate has been since July 2007, and the labor force has grown almost 3 percent since January 2013.

NBA moves All-Star Game to New Orleans New York The NBA announced that it will hold its All-Star Game in New Orleans, moving it from Charlotte in protest of the state’s H.B. 2 bathroom bill that requires multistall public bathrooms to be designated for the gender on the user’s birth certificates. Critics say that the decision proves the politicization of issue, pointing out that New Orleans also has ordinances that designate public facilities as being for biological male and female users.

Aetna will pull out of NC health exchanges Hartford, Conn.

Aetna said it will pull out of N.C. health exchanges after submitting requests to raise rates under the Affordable Care Act earlier this year. Aetna will stop selling in 11 of the 15 states where it was participating in the ACA, joining other insurers who’ve pulled out of the program after reporting growing losses.

Madeline Gray | north state journal

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

VOTE 2016 Lara Yunaska Trump speaks to North State Journal reporters in an interview at Trump National Golf Club Charlotte in Mooresville on Aug. 18. Lara and her husband, Eric, sat down with a few news outlets to talk about the campaign and the importance of North Carolina ahead of a day of fundraising.

$3.5M final bid made for Southern Season Chapel Hill, N.C. Southern Season’s flagship store in Chapel Hill received just a single “acceptable” bid on Friday for $3.5 million from Delaware’s Calvert Retail.

As of press time Friday, a federal judge was pending approval of the sale, with a possible closing of the deal expected as early as Monday. Calvert is only purchasing the Chapel Hill location; the Taste of Southern stores in Raleigh, Asheville and Charleston, S.C., will be closed.

Molly Goldston, who started Saving Grace Rescue and Adoption 15 years ago, holds Mystery at the adoption center in Wake Forest on Wednesday.

Saving Grace takes in many dogs from rural areas that do not have the infrastructure to care for the animals.

Rescue groups lead charge to save shelter dogs

By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal WILSON N.C. — Pit bulls, Labrador retrievers, Border collies, beagles and the good ol’ stray mix.

Dogs are everywhere in North Carolina and the continuous increase in the animal population has rescue organizations working overtime to help every homeless animal.

“This isn’t a choice. Once you see these dogs in the shelter, you have to get them out,” said Laurie Robl Brumfield.

In North Carolina, one is hard-pressed to find a county where a rescue organization is not hard at work saving dogs from shelters. In Wilson, Brumfield, founder and director of The Maggie Society of Canine Rehabilitation, Rescue and Education, leads the volunteer efforts of many to save dogs day in and day out.

“We focus on helping the 11th-hour dog. Our primary obligation is to save shelter dogs,” said Brumfield.

According to the N.C. Department of Agriculture’s 2015 Public Animal Shelter report, more than 126,400 dogs were taken in the shelters. Of those, dogs were either adopted, returned to their owner, or were among the more than 72,400 who were euthanized.

“These dogs just need the opportunity and gift of time,” said Brumfield.

The Maggie Society is named after Brumfield’s own rescue dog, a Chesapeake Bay retriever that was deemed unadoptable until she came along. Estab-

“I’m 24/7 because dogs’ lives are at stake. ... They have to be rescued or adopted, or they will be put to sleep.”

— Laurie Robl Brumfield

See dogs, page A8

TRUMP CAMPAIGN

NC agriculture plays key Clinton, Trump differ role in national security on NC strategies EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

INSIDE

Analyzing the biggest position battles for the Carolina Panthers B1 Reynolds Coliseum’s facelift is almost complete B4-B5 Sports Raise a glass with us in Duplin County as we visit with the thriving N.C. wine industry.

C1 the good life

5

20177 52016 $2.00

8

By Jeff Moore North State Journal

By Jeff Moore North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina has comfortably secured its status as a key battleground state in the 2016 presidential elections. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump are both investing a lot in the Old North State to secure a win in November.

Clinton has opened field offices across the state to get out the vote, while Trump and his surrogates make appearances in key markets nearly every week now in what is shaping up to be a battle of the traditional versus non-traditional to claim the state’s 15 electoral votes.

Trump, who has spent remarkably little on advertising and has resisted traditional field operations to this point, has emphasizes personal appearances and rallies to enthuse his base.

Marc Rotterman, host of Front Row, a political roundtable talk show on WUNC-TV, described the approach Trump needs to win.

“He motivates people when he fires up his base,” said Rotterman. “He draws huge crowds which helps, but it doesn’t necessarily translate to turnout. You’ve got to work the local press, particularly Donald Trump. He’s not getting a fair shake from local media.”

Though, as with the Trump campaign leadership, their strategy may be evolving soon. The See CAMPAIGN, page A3

“Clinton has to win the suburban areas, while Trump needs an over vote in blue collar Eastern North Carolina.”

— Front Row host Marc Rotterman

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump tapped two North Carolinians to be agriculture advisers for his campaign.

Sen. Brent Jackson (R-Sampson County) and Bob Goodale, the former CEO of grocery chain Harris Teeter, are joining a high profile group that includes six governors to lead agriculture policy for Trump.

The 64-member list is circulating because of it has a number of industry heavyweights. In addition to Jackson and Goodale, It includes John Block, former head of the USDA; and Jim Gilmore, former governor of Virginia and chairman of Report on Terrorism and Agro-Terrorism. The list indicates the campaign is focusing on the role of agriculture in national security.

“Trump believes agriculture is as much a part of national security as is our military,” said Jackson. “As long as we can produce our own food that’s a step up from other countries. He is also adamant about being less dependent on foreign oil, so you’ll see experts on biofuels in this group.”

North Carolina agriculture accounts for 17 percent of the state’s economy, providing $2.8 billion in annual income. Growing more than 80 varieties of food and fiber, N.C. is the largest producer of sweet potatoes and tobacco of any state in the nation, and the second largest of Christmas trees, hogs and turkeys.

“There are no stronger environmentalists than agriculture community. We raise our children and grandchildren on this land,” said Jackson. “There’s got to be a balance between what is common sense and what is good for the environment.”

North Carolina House Majority Leader Mike Hager resigns On Murphy to Manteo, page A5

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

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NS J

THE BACKSTORY

08.21.16

Poll: Trump leads in NC among unaffiliated voters

By Donna King North State Journal

we stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error email corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

Visit North State Journal online! nsjonline.com jonesandblount.com nsjsports.com carolinabrewreview.com chickenbonealley.com

North State Journal (USPS PP 166) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Publisher Donna King Managing Editor Drew Elliot Opinion Editor Will Brinson Sports Editor Jennifer Wood Features Editor Published each Sunday by North State Media, LLC 819 W. Hargett Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27603 Inquiries: 866-458-7184 Annual Subscription Price: $260.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

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RALEIGH — A poll released Thursday shows Donald Trump leading Hillary Clinton among unaffiliated voters in North Carolina by 10 points, 38 to 28 percent. The poll is from N.C. conservative think tank the Civitas Institute, and also found that among unaffiliated voters, Gov. Pat McCrory leads his challenger, Attorney General Roy Cooper, 43 percent to 35 percent with 16 percent undecided.

Unaffiliated N.C. voters have an increasingly favorable view of McCrory, a Republican, at 46 percent favorable, compared to 40 percent this time last year. Cooper, according to the poll, had a 31 percent favorable rating. However, Cooper had his unfavorable numbers nearly double in a year, jumping from 14 percent to 26 percent.

“McCrory is right-side up in his favorability for the first time in years, so he is in the right place going into elections,” said Francis X. DeLuca, president of Civitas.

The poll, conducted by Adam Geller of National Research Inc., zeroed in on unaffiliated voters only, the fastest-growing segment of the N.C. voter base. As a swing state, North Carolina went narrowly for Democrat Barack Obama in 2008, but voted for Republican Mitt Romney in 2012.

Nationwide, polls show voters leaning toward Hillary Clinton.

Zogby Analytics said Tuesday Trump had pulled within two points of Clinton nationwide, with Clinton leading 38 to 36 percent.

Reuters/Ipsos said Clinton still enjoys a five-point lead nationwide.

“National polls provide a snap­ shot as to what the overall opinion of voters may be at a given moment in time; however, local and swing state polls provide insight as to how the Electoral College count may

How to get the most out of a poll 1. Check the pollster’s track record.

Look at firms that put out a lot of polls over time and whether it is a public poll or a campaign poll.

can claim to be registered but it doesn’t make them so. If you are working with a voter list, now you’re working with something,” said Geller.

2. Check the methodology.

“On statewide polls, a certain amount is landline and supplemented with online polls that are cell phone only,” said Williams. “Online is faster and cheaper, and internet is going to be the future of polling, but it only works if you have a large sampling, and right now there just aren’t enough people taking online polls.”

5. Check the trend lines and top lines.

A candidate may show a lead, but the trend may be headed south.

“It’s always better to look at five polls over time rather than just one,” said Williams.

3. Read the wording of the questions.

Look for questions that strike a balance. However, private campaign polling questions are different.

“In campaign polling we frequently use questions to test messaging and themes,” said Geller. “They are designed to elicit positive or negative responses.

We want to see if messages are effective and, if so, among whom.”

4. What’s the sample population?

“Likely voters,” as opposed to “registered voters,” are most accurate. “If it’s random digit dialing, adults

end up,” said Johnny Shull of Red Wolf Public Sector. “If you want to know who is most likely to be the next president, then you had better start counting likely electoral votes rather than simply looking at the national polls.”

Pollsters agree there is an art and science to polling, with accuracy depending heavily on the way a question is worded and weighting final results to more accurately reflect anticipated voter turnout.

While a generation ago polls were taken door to door, today pollsters have to figure out who to reach and how. Respondents to polls tend to be older than the average American, but also more likely to vote.

“Just like it’s harder to get young people to the polls, it’s equally hard

6. When was the poll taken?

“Current events matter,” said Felts. “Numbers about President Obama’s job performance taken at the end of one week in 2011 changed significantly when the country woke up the following Monday morning to the news that Bin Laden had been killed.”

In addition to these tips, pollsters say the value in the numbers is not whether they predict a winner, but how a campaign uses them to set a strategy toward November.

“Polls are like a carton of milk: after a week or so they get funky,” said Geller. “News happens, ads run, mailers go out, door-to-door campaigns start. The poll, if we do it right, is a snapshot in time, not a predictor.”

to get young people to take a poll,” said Jim Williams, polling analyst at Public Policy Polling. “You need to weight your data, amplify the responses of young people — even double — and at the same time depress the response of older people.”

However, that strategy can back­fire. In 2012, pollsters under­ estimated the success rate of Republican re-election to the N.C. General Assembly, primarily, they say, because they underestimated the high turnout of Republicans in a non-presidential year and the low turnout of Democrats.

“But you can’t overlearn the lesson because this time we are in a presidential election year,” said Williams. “Younger turnout tends

to go up, minority turnout goes up.

2012, not 2014, is probably what we need to look at.”

The Clinton campaign has been working to tap into Obama’s Democratic voter turnout in N.C. from 2008, but many analysts say they don’t anticipate the high African-American turnout he generated. Those figures from eight years ago make it difficult to accurately weight the N.C. polls.

Still, poll results will continue to come faster and more furiously over the next three months. Professional pollsters say there are tricks to getting the most information out of a poll, like looking into the pollster’s background, the wording of questions, and seeing when polling was done.

M re

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Message paid for by Duke Energy shareholders

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY the

the DASHBOARD

2.1%

increase in new house groundbreaking nationwide — the highest in five months

0.5%

growth in new housing starts in Southern and Western U.S., the highest in the nation

5%

23.9%

overall increase in starts of multifamily housing projects, compared to 0.5 percent of single-family homes

drop in new housing in the Northestern U.S.

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce

NC energy production: Keep your cool, save some green

By Josh Hyatt North State Journal RALEIGH — Completely burn a standard four-inch kitchen match and you will generate roughly 1 Btu, the metric used to measure electric power. Burn 138 of them and you’ll produce approximately the amount of power that the average North Carolinian consumes every minute on a residential basis, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Not every minute of every day has an average temperature, though, and that was certainly reflected last month when Duke Energy Carolinas reported its all-time summer record for peak usage of 20,617 megawatt-hours for the hour ending at 5 p.m. on July 27 — or about 70.4 billion kitchen matches.

It doesn’t take a meteorologist to tell you it’s been hot outside, or that you’re probably consuming more power than usual just to keep your cool. But what are the power companies doing to more efficiently, and more cheaply, produce your energy to save you money? The North State Journal followed up with the two biggest energy players in the state — Duke Energy Carolinas and Dominion North Carolina Power — to find out.

Randy Wheeless, a 25-year employee at Duke Energy, said the company has been building newer natural gas facilities as it retires its older coal-fired stations, which consequentially lowers energy production costs due to the currently favorable pricing of natural gas in the energy market.

He estimated Duke creates 90 to 95 percent of the electricity generated within the state and maintains market share of over 3.3 million homes, accounting for about 70 percent of the state’s residential population.

And while you may complain about how often it’s been raining

CAMPAIGN from page A1 Trump campaign recently announced a large advertising buy in key states, including North Carolina. In an interview with North State Journal, Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump, a North Carolina native, explained how they’re investing in a more robust ground game.

“We’re very aware of the situation with the Clinton campaign and we have plans,” she said. “I think within the next week we’re planning to open maybe 10 to 15 different offices here in this state in addition to what we already have going on.”

Still, each candidate is focusing efforts on different parts of the state to gain an edge, according to Rotterman.

“Clinton has to win the suburban areas, while Trump needs an over vote in blue collar Eastern North Carolina,” said Rotterman.

“If I were Trump, I would be in Greenville, Jacksonville, New Bern — Eastern N.C. is Trump territory.”

Lara Trump, originally from Wrightsville Beach and a graduate of NC State, is married to Eric Trump and eager to leverage her connection to the state to extend the campaign’s reach.

“I’m excited to be back here in my home state,” she said. “I certainly want to play as big a role as pos-

BRIEF Low T Center expands to North Carolina Pineville, N.C. The Low T Center, a provider of physician-led diagnosis and treatment of low testosterone, announced Wednesday it is expanding to the Charlotte area. The company’s first N.C. Low T Center will be located in Pineville, with a second Charlotte-area location slated for Mooresville. Including the Pineville center, there are currently 47 Low T Centers in operation in 11 states.

Two NC cities make Forbes’ Best Big Cities for Jobs 2016 list New York Forbes recently released its “Best Big Cities for Jobs in 2016” list, and two North Carolina metro areas made the cut. In the publication’s ranking of the 70 areas in the U.S. with 450,000 jobs or more, based on employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2004 to 2015, the Charlotte and Raleigh metro areas ranked eighth and ninth, respectively. The Charlotte region, including Concord and Gastonia, experienced 2.99 percent job growth in 2015 and 16.21 percent growth from 2010 to 2015. Raleigh notched a 3.92 percent job growth in 2015 along with 17.45 percent growth overall from 2010 to 2015.

MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Electric lines at a substation in downtown Raleigh crisscross the sky on May 4.

on your way home from work, Wheeless said this summer could have been a lot worse as the consistent evening rainstorms in the state have actually helped lead to cooler nights and thus cooler mornings. That means the intense daytime heat has not resulted in an overall strain on summer energy production, keeping energy prices manageable.

Bonita Harris, Dominion’s community relations manager for North Carolina, said natural gas is currently the best priced and one of the cleanest sources of energy. Her company currently provides power for 21 counties in lesser-populated northeastern N.C., which includes roughly 122,000 customers.

Harris said although Dominion has a relatively small customer footprint in the North Carolina compared to Duke, the company

provides power to 14 different states and its largest number of solar energy partnerships stem from coastal N.C., including the Morgans Corner Solar Facility in Pasquotank County.

Peter Ledford, the regulatory counsel at the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, called North Carolina a leader in solar energy. N.C. currently ranks third in the nation in solar power capacity, just behind California and Arizona. Ledford, whose organization advocates for policies to expand clean energy generation and energy efficient practices, had some advice for people trying to save money on their power bill.

“The average person can do anything from extremely low cost to extremely high cost measures,” he said. “Every home is different, every family is different. So you

sible. Whether that means going to smaller areas where my father-inlaw couldn’t go and meeting with people, answering their questions, finding about what’s important to them this election cycle, and just really doing everything we can to connect with all people.

“All my family for the most part is still here in North Carolina,” she continued. “My parents are small business owners, a lot of my extended family own small businesses. So, the things that are important to the average person in North Carolina, they tell me about.

It’s impacted them. I think hearing a first-person perspective when it comes to my family being affected by things like that, I think it really means something and it impacts my father-in-law when I tell him these things.”

Brad Crone, president of Campaign Connections, a Raleigh-based campaign consulting firm, sees regional divergence in the opposing campaigns, but thinks the Clinton campaign’s heavier focus on field operations could be a deciding factor.

“The Trump people believe they have a movement, but a movement is not sustainable if you don’t have feet on the ground, and I don’t see Trump’s troops out,” said Crone.

“The only conservative field operations that I’ve seen has been Americans For Prosperity, and they’ve been knocking on social conserv-

ative and evangelical doors in the western part of the state.”

Clinton’s running mate, Sen. Tim Kaine, thinks the field operations focus is most important.

“It’s not going to be one more TV ad that tips this thing,” said Kaine at a recent campaign rally in Fayetteville. “It’s not going to be a negative ad that’s going to tip this thing. It’s going to be person-to-person volunteering, talking to your neighbor. People don’t believe what they see on TV anymore. Maybe that’s smart, but they do believe a word from a trusted friend or neighbor or someone at their church or someone they go to church or a co-worker. They believe that.”

The Clinton campaign is currently running a barrage of both positive and negative TV ads in the North Carolina market.

Although Trump, running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, and surrogates like former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani have held large rallies across the state, Clinton, her surrogates, and Kaine have also spent considerable time in North Carolina investing in ads and field operations.

“The Clinton campaign now has more than 300 field staff across the state,” said Crone. “They’re organized and they’re organized in their priority counties and they have clear-cut directions. It is the most robust field operation I’ve

can do things such as installing a smart thermostat that learns your habits and adjusts your HVAC accordingly, that’s a couple hundred dollars. You can spend $10 at Lowe’s getting caulking for windows and things like that, that’s a very cheap measure that can save money on your energy bill.

“And then there’s more expensive things, such as installing new insulation or improved windows or an upgraded HVAC system altogether. Or geothermal that would make a big change, but they’re capital intensive upgrades.”

For those on the Duke grid, Duke spokeswoman Meghan Miles said customers can opt in to voluntary demand response programs that pay its customers for reducing their energy during times of high demand.

Transportation Impact, First Flight Solutions rank among Inc. 5000 Emerald Isle, N.C. Transportation Impact and First Flight Solutions both ranked highly on the Inc. 5000, an annual list of the nation’s fastestgrowing private companies.

Transportation Impact ranked No. 5 in North Carolina in the logistics and transportation industry category and 62nd in the nation by the same metric.

First Flight Solutions, in which Transportation Impact owns a majority, ranked No. 3 in the state as a logistics and transportation company and No. 52 in the nation. “We are humbled to receive so much recognition for the growth of our company,” said Travis Burt, Transportation Impact’s co-founder.

EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Eric Trump speaks to a television reporter in an interview at Trump National Golf Club Charlotte in Mooresville onAug. 18. Eric and his wife, Lara Yunaska Trump sat down to talk about the campaign and the importance of North Carolina ahead of a day of fundraising.

seen in the state since 2008.”

Yet, according to Crone, Clinton’s activities in the state may be more defense than offense.

“The Clinton campaign knows Trump must win North Carolina,” said Crone. “It’s an absolute must win [for him]. She doesn’t necessarily have to win in N.C. but she’s going to force him to spend money here and spend time here trying to defend his home turf.”

Her home turf is exactly what Lara Trump hopes to defend for her father-in-law after playing an instrumental role in his Republican primary win in the state.

“We have 80 days to go,” she said, “and I don’t want to wake up on Nov. 9 thinking I could have done more, gone to more places around the state to really let them know what Donald Trump is about.”

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

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North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

Murphy

Arts for all

Forsyth County $272,202

The state-funded North Carolina Arts Council recently announced a list of projects across the state that will benefit from more than $7 million in grant money. Based on county population, all 100 counties will receive portions of the grant, which seeks to boost support for 340 schools and arts organizations. There was $500,000 in additional funding for the program in the most recent state budget.

“For nearly 50 years the North Carolina Arts Council has invested in artists and arts organizations,” said Wayne Martin, executive director of the N.C. Arts Council. “The result is a diverse arts infrastructure that is one of the most extensive in our nation, reaching into all 100 counties of the state. “Recipients of the grant money are decided by panels of civic leaders and arts experts based on artistic merit and benefit to the state’s citizens.

Recommendations are reviewed by the North Buncombe County Carolina Arts Council Board and forwarded to $269,831 Secretary Susan Kluttz for final approval.”

For a complete list of projects, visit nsjonline.com.

to Guilford County $406,601

Manteo Durham County $340,242

Wake County $554,322

$32,000$56,999

$57,000$81,999

$82,000$106,999

Jones& Blount jonesandblount.com @JonesandBlount

NC House Majority Leader Mike Hager resigns

By Donna King North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina House Majority Leader Mike Hager (R-Rutherford) officially resigned his seat in the General Assembly on Tuesday.

In an exclusive interview with the North State Journal, Hager cited needing to devote more time to his family and his real estate business as the key reasons for his decision to resign ahead of the November elections.

Hager is in his third term in the N.C. House, where he quickly rose to Majority Whip in his second term and Majority Leader during the recent term.

As he reflected on his tenure in the legislature, Hager said, “I am proud of my work on restructuring film and energy tax credits, which allowed the state to spend more money on other priorities like law enforcement and education.”

He added, “With a Republican majority, it shouldn’t have been that hard, but it was.”

While Hager did not rule out a lobbying career in the future, he said that his immediate focus was on his father, who is in ill health, supporting

Mecklenberg County $993,497

Amount awarded:

$7,000$31,999

A5

his mother, and getting his real estate company back on track after devoting his time over the last six years to serving in the General Assembly.

Hager added he “feels confident” his seat in District 112 will remain in the hands of the GOP after this year’s election.

The Rutherford County GOP Executive Committee is responsible for naming a Republican replacement for Hager on the November ballot.

Hager would not name a favorite to be a successor, but a source close to the Rutherford GOP said David Rogers, an attorney, is one likely candidate to fill his spot on the ballot.

Hager said he plans to spend the time he would’ve spent on the campaign trail for himself campaigning for Gov. Pat McCrory’s re-election bid. Hager has also been a frequent attendee and speaker at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump events. In the future, Hager said that he will also work to recruit conservative candidates to run for public office, which includes addressing the $15,000 per year salary of state lawmakers.

“We need to make it financially possible for the average person to serve in the state legislature,” said Hager.

$107,000- $132,000- $157,000- $182,000+ $131,999 $156,999 $181,999 Infographic by Cece Pascual

Tour aims to fight poverty in NC west 1 dead, 2 arrested after Walmart officer-involved shooting Caldwell County Police say one person is dead and two are in custody after an officer-involved shooting at a Lenoir Walmart. Police Chief Scott Brown said Carl Marcus Nivins, 32, fired at police and one of the officers returned fire, which killed him. Officers were brought to the scene after a report of suspicious activities. Two others with Niven were arrested on unrelated charges. The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the shooting.

ABC 11

Man reaches 130 mph while fleeing highway trooper Henderson County A State Highway Patrol trooper reported he pursued a man for speeding on Interstate 26 in Henderson County Thursday night, with the man being chased reaching speeds of 130 mph in a 60-mph zone. George James Pitcher IV, 23 of Candler, had been driving at least 15 mph over the posted speed limit when the trooper attempted to pull him over, according to court

paperwork. Pitcher fled the officer and hit another vehicle during the pursuit. He has been charged with a felony of fleeing to elude arrest along with both careless and reckless driving. Bond for Pitcher was set at $10,000 secured.

Asheville Citizen-Times

Boone woman arrested for stabbing man Watauga County Sami Grassman, 31 of Boone, was arrested while charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury after stabbing a local man. Jonathan Pleasant, 27, was stabbed in the upper chest just after 8 p.m. on Zeb Street off of Meadowview Drive in Boone and was then taken to Watauga Medical Center before being transferred to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Grassman was held without bond and will appear in court Oct. 20.

WXII 12 News

piedmont Crabtree Valley Mall incident leads to no arrests or victims Wake County Crabtree Valley Mall reopened Aug. 14 after there were reports of a shooting that led to panic and a lockdown a day earlier. Raleigh police said they did not find evidence that indicated someone was shot. Police said there was no one in custody and no one was wounded, but they are looking into what caused “a loud bang.” Eight people, ranging from age 10 to 70, were injured when people rushed to leave the mall. Shoppers who left items at Crabtree Valley in the rush to leave were able to pick up their belongings when the mall reopened.

TWC News

Mother’s boyfriend charged with murder in girl’s death Gaston County A search for a missing 3-year-old girl ended when police found her remains on Tuesday. The boyfriend of the mother was charged with the murder of Jordan Ann Dumont. William “Skip” McCullen, 25, was charged with first-degree murder and taken to Gaston County Jail. Police received a

call Monday from McCullen saying the girl was missing. On Tuesday morning, her remains were found.

Officials are still investigating if Dumont’s mother had a part in the murder. Gaston County Police Chief Joseph Ramey said there had been 49 domestic-related incident calls over three years to the home.

Fox Carolina

NC’s 55M annual tourists rank sixth in the nation Mecklenburg County Visit NC said visitor spending is up across the state, with tourists spending a record $21.9 million dollars in 2015-16. Visitor spending increased in 91 counties in North Carolina, up about 3 percent from last year. “Nothing compares with our state’s diverse natural beauty and rewarding experiences at every turn,” said Department of Commerce Secretary John Skvarla III. “We can take pride in North Carolina’s position as the sixth most-visited state in the nation with nearly 55 million visitors last year.”

The Charlotte Observer

east Day Treatment Center set to open at end of month Brunswick County Brunswick County school district’s Day Treatment Center, which will serve elementary students with severely aggressive behavior, is set to open Aug. 29.

In a stand-alone building on the campus of Bolivia Elementary School, the center will welcome eight students. The center is a partnership between the Brunswick County school system and the Alexander Youth Network.

The goal is to provide students identified with mental health needs a combination of educational services and mental health therapy while parents of those students are provided ongoing counseling.

Star News

Tribe gets place in Rowland Robeson County The process of developing a housing complex and community center for Lumbee elders in the southern part of Robeson County is growing closer to a reality. Sixteen acres of land, located on N.C. 130

about a mile outside of Rowland, was signed over to the Lumbee Tribal Council. The tribe’s total investment in the project is approximately $1.6 million. The project includes construction of nine to 10 singlefamily units and a community building which will take 18 months from site planning to completion.

The Robesonian

Whiteville School Board eliminates valedictorian rankings Columbus County After a statewide change to a 10-point grading scale for high school students last fall, the Whiteville City School Board has decided to eliminate the old class ranking system that names valedictorians and salutatorians for the graduating classes. Instead, the system will utilize the Latin Honor system to recognize student achievement.

Through this system, students will be recognized with a weighted grade point average of 4.0 or higher as Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude.

The News Reporter

By Emory Rakestraw North State Journal KANNAPOLIS, N.C — “The system is rigged,” stated U.S Rep. Richard Hudson when meeting with nonprofit directors Wednesday at Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce. The roundtable discussion was part of Hudson’s “A Better Way to Fight Poverty” tour across North Carolina.

Nonprofit directors discussed issues and concerns with Hudson, most notably welfare, funding, childcare, transitional housing, and opioid addiction and treatment.

A day earlier Hudson visited with Fayetteville mayor Nat Robertson and the Fayetteville Opioid Task Force.

Fayetteville ranks 15th nationally in prescription opioid abuse. As a rising problem not only in Fayetteville, but throughout North Carolina, this was a central discussion topic.

“Here in Concord, two-thirds of our men that come into Serenity House have their drug of choice as opioids, and that’s something we’ve never seen before. ...

I’m hoping that’s something we can look at,” said Alice Harrison, CEO of Serenity House.

Funding was also a major talking point. Roundtable opinion leaned toward government getting out of the way and moving to a local level. Hudson stated that Washington views poverty as a distant issue, yet, “Republicans care deeply about poverty, we just have

a different idea about how to solve the problem.”

Harrison stated a $350,000 yearly grant for Serenity House was cut and that transitional housing is not easily funded. Yet, it is a double-edged sword as transitional housing is crucial for treating addiction and helping those in poverty achieve better circumstances. Valerie Melton, director of the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus, asked, “Who is making these decisions?”

Hudson’s poverty section in the A Better Way policy package aligned with many goals the nonprofit directors discussed, most notably tailoring plans to the individual as opposed to a one-size-fitsall package. Hudson also stated the need for one funding stream by the federal government.

A Better Way was introduced by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) and includes a detailed, six-part breakdown on the fight against poverty. Hudson aims to connect work requirements with federal housing, improve job opportunities, education and accessibility for those in poverty as well as offer “work rewards” instead of cutting benefits when someone begins to earn more income. “It’s immoral the way we trap people,” said Hudson.

A Better Way to Fight Poverty Tour also included a visit to the Baptist’s Children’s Home of North Carolina in Cameron.

After the roundtable discussion, Hudson visited at the Bridge to Recovery in Oakboro and spoke with residents and staff.

100 YEARS OF MAKING MEMORIES.

TIMELESS WONDER

For more information visit ncparks.gov or call 919-707-9300.

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

A6

north STATEment Neal Robbins, publisher | Drew Elliot, opinion editor | Ray Nothstine, deputy opinion editor EDITORIALS | DREW ELLIOT

Off-Target policy meets reality The real losers in this scenario are the employees of Target, who became pawns in their executives’ political correctness game.

“TARGET YIELDS IN RESTROOM DEBATE,” read a Wall Street Journal headline on Aug. 18. The retailer had announced in April that employees and guests could “use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity.” The policy was a response to North Carolina’s House Bill 2. Now just four months later, it will spend $20 million to add single-occupancy restrooms to stores nationwide that don’t already have them.

That’s $20 million Target would rather not spend. The company released earnings Wednesday, and for the first time in two years its same-store sales declined. Second quarter revenue fell 7.2 percent compared to the same period last year, missing Wall Street targets.

The company warned investors that larger drops could be coming.

Is there any relation to the bathroom policy? The American Family Association certainly thinks so. AFA called for a boycott of Target and says 1.4 million people have since agreed to stop shopping at the retailer. Abraham Hamilton, a public policy analyst with AFA, says the timing can’t be ignored.

“Target is doing pretty bad, and our boycott definitely had an impact on them,” Hamilton said. Officially, Target disagrees, claiming the boycott had no material impact on sales. But Target’s closest competitor, Wal-Mart, is doing fine. Sales are up, and WalMart Stores, Inc. revised upward its profit outlook for the year.

Target admitted the policy was unpopular. “It’s clear that some of our guests like and some dislike our inclusive bathroom policy,” said Cathy Smith, Target’s chief understatement officer.

As it stands, Target can change the policy as it sees fit, and customers can respond accordingly. North Carolinians should remember that without H.B. 2, this would not be possible — at least not in Charlotte, anyway.

While far from a perfect bill, the best thing H.B. 2 did was override the Charlotte city council’s diktat to every business, association, and charity in the city that they use its preferred bathroom policy. If Charlotte’s policy had gone into effect, Target would have been forced to adopt the council’s extreme interpretation of “inclusiveness.”

For while Target’s policy opened its bathroom and changing rooms specifically to transgender persons who espouse a “gender identity” different than their sex, Charlotte’s ordinance eliminated any discrimination based on sex anywhere in an organization with public accommodations. Under its ordinance, a non-transgender pedophile would not have to pretend he was identifying as a female to shower with the girls — he could simply, and legally, walk on in.

But since H.B. 2 allows organizations to set their own policies, customers — including families, transgender persons, sexual assault victims, and anyone else — may accept Target’s policy, go to Wal-Mart, or shop wherever they choose.

The real losers in this scenario are the employees of Target, who became pawns in their executives’ political correctness game.

You can bet that Target CEO Brian Cornell’s salary didn’t fall 7.2 percent along with revenue, but it’s likely that the rank-and-file workers will take a hit as a result of the financial woes.

To be sure, no one is forced to work at Target. But it’s all so unnecessary. Proof of that is Target’s solution: single-occupancy bathrooms. That’s the same approach favored by the AFA and the same approach encouraged by politicians who backed H.B. 2.

In Target’s case, it is still expecting transgender persons to use their preferred bathroom, with accommodations for anyone uncomfortable with that policy. That’s like the Empire State Building replacing all but one of its elevators with stairwells out of deference to the few who are afraid of elevators. But at least it’s an acknowledgement that its customers have legitimate concerns.

That’s true whether or not the boycott was financially significant.

VISUAL VOICES

BE IN TOUCH Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjvonline.com or 819 W. Hargett St. Raleigh, N.C. 27603. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.

EDITORIALS | RAY NOTHSTINE

Amid national division, Louisiana teaching about community That more Americans know about the Ryan Lochte “robbery” saga than the floods is a stirring indictment of the media and culture.

RELATIVELY UNKNOWN to many is the fact that churches and civil society organizations are now highly equipped to respond to disaster relief. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which devastated America’s Gulf Coast, communities learned from their mistakes and can respond in ways government fails.

This week citizens across Louisiana leapt into action as over 4 trillion gallons of rain fell on parts of South Louisiana on August 12-14.

Over 20,000 souls had to be rescued and well over 100,000 are now homeless. Many North Carolinians know too well the destruction flooding causes to property and homes. Almost every possession is essentially destroyed.

The visuals were equally horrific and inspiring, as residents enlisted their boats to pull thousands to safety. Boats attached to trailers raced across the highway to join rescue efforts and were quickly dubbed the “Cajun Navy.”

Citizens used emergency Facebook pages to network and identify those in need of immediate assistance. It was an excellent example of spontaneous order empowered by the human heart.

AirBnb, an online market for temporary housing, was one of the first companies to respond by immediately suspending service fees for guests and hosts. Entertainer Taylor Swift quickly stepped forward to donate $1 million to the recovery effort.

Writing at the American Conservative, Louisiana native Rod Dreher talked about a socially conservative evangelical friend who opened up his home to “a female-to-male transgender and his boyfriend.” Dreher offered too a story of a 50-year-old black lady who lost her home and wanted to give up an offer of a warm bed by a stranger because she felt there were too many who needed it more than she did.

This is just one small example of the kindness that still exixts across America. The people racing to homes in boats are not constrained by divisions highlighted by the media and broader culture.

Much has been made recently, and rightly so, about the inadequate media coverage given to Louisiana, especially on cable news. Salon, The Atlantic, and Huffington Post were some of the first publications to highlight the media blackout. CNN was chastised for providing more coverage to explaining Justin Bieber’s Instagram account than a hundred thousand American citizens who have been financially wiped out.

A New York Times public editor apologized, admitting the newspaper dropped the ball on covering the devastation. Absent racial division, riots, and celebrity culture, citizens in the region came to the realization that their rescue efforts and heartfelt cooperation didn’t fit the media narrative.

Still, national attention is essential for helping

to raise much-needed funds. Louisiana’s largest daily newspaper on Thursday called for the president to cut short his vacation on Martha’s Vineyard to visit the devastation. So far, the call has gone unanswered. The president predictably continued his golf outings with comedian Larry David and a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton.

Citizens in “flyover country” now offer little entertainment and political value.

Undoubtedly, powerful headlines and images on screens can’t tell the full story of havoc and decimation. The heartbreak and long recovery is a reminder that there is so much more important than partisan politics and media hype over divisive issues like H.B. 2 and Voter I.D. laws. That more Americans know about the Ryan Lochte “robbery” saga than the floods is a stirring indictment of the media and culture.

It’s unfortunate that there are so few who have paid attention to what has and is occurring in Louisiana. The lesson is an important one. There is still a part of America that is strong when united in purpose. While the federal government provides an important role amid disasters, its failings and inadequacies are often magnified by strong communities and institutions that work so well.

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

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GUEST OPINION | SUSAN KLUTTZ

JOHN BARRASSO

Obamacare failures, point by point ILLARY CLINTON is telling voters she wants “to build on” Obamacare. The H president’s signature health care law remains

EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

A view of Jordan Lake in Chatham County. Jordan Lake is home to Jordan Lake State Recreational Area.

I am happy to report that this merger has been a success and is a very “natural” marriage of two very similar divisions.

Why ‘Natural’ and ‘Cultural’ belong together

Y

OU MIGHT WONDER what a state park and a symphony have in common.

Or maybe you think the zoo and historic preservation are unusual partners. It may seem that each is different from the other, but I would disagree. All are state treasures and welcome guests from near and far to encourage conservation, preservation and add to the quality of life we enjoy in North Carolina.

North Carolina is rich in these treasures and I was delighted that Gov. Pat McCrory recommended that North Carolina’s natural resources be transferred to the Department of Cultural Resources to become the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. With this name change, four divisions created the Nature component to join with Arts, History and Library into one great agency. Together, we continue to promote all of the state-owned treasures that make North Carolina such an amazing place.

The 2015 budget included this change, and the details of issues, such as budget and human resources, have taken nearly a year to complete.

The governor made it clear that this should be a merger instead of a transfer — that he wanted these two groups to work as one. Today, I am happy to report that this merger has been a success and is a very “natural” marriage of two very similar divisions.

I learned from a yearlong tour of North Carolina’s cities and towns in 2014 to rally support for the Historic Preservation Tax Credits that preserving our historic buildings, which our citizens recognized as treasures of this state in our Cultural department, was very similar to conserving our parks, rivers and streams in our Natural department.

Some of the many advantages are obvious.

Most importantly, together we can operate more efficiently and can cross-market and promote both state sites and their regions to increase tourism.

So today, North Carolinians can enjoy an amazing collection, all housed in one department.

Joining 27 historic sites, seven history museums including three maritime museums, two art museums, the state symphony, the state arts council, historic preservation, state archives, the state library, state archaeology including underwater archaeology, state records, and historical publications are 35 state parks, four recreation areas, 20 natural areas, seven lakes, four rivers, five trails, the state zoo, two museums of natural sciences, three aquariums, Jeanette’s Pier, Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the Natural Heritage Program. Wow! When I was originally appointed as the secretary of Cultural Resources in 2012, the governor made it clear that my focus would be on using the department for economic development, job creation and tourism. But now, especially with the addition of natural resources, I have learned that North Carolina is unique in having such an abundance of these treasures because they provide not only an economic advantage, but also the quality of life that makes our state the wonderful place that it is.

Our greatest hope is that we preserve the best of North Carolina for the future so that our children and grandchildren will be left with a better North Carolina than we found it. That is our goal.

Susan Kluttz, from Salisbury, is secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

highly unpopular because many Americans believe it’s not a good deal for them personally.

The president essentially laid out a case for the law’s failures in an article he wrote for the Journal of the American Medical Association.

He wrote: “Too many Americans still strain to pay for their physician visits and prescriptions, cover their deductibles, or pay their monthly insurance bills; struggle to navigate a complex, sometimes bewildering system; and remain uninsured.”

It was a striking concession. It also shows that the president still has no idea how much damage he’s done to Americans’ health care.

Let’s go point by point.

1. “Too many Americans still strain to pay for their physician visits and prescriptions …”

Drug costs have risen dramatically over the past few years. According to a report from Emory University, those insured through Obamacare are hit especially hard. Out-ofpocket expenses for medications in a typical Obamacare silver plan are twice as high as they are in the average employer-sponsored plan.

Just as bad, people may try to see their family doctor, only to be told, “Sorry, we don’t take Obamacare.” They can get hit with a huge bill for a routine office visit that’s now “out-ofnetwork.”

2. “cover their deductibles …”

The average silver plan in the Obamacare exchanges this year has a deductible of more than $3,000. Some Obamacare plans next year will have deductibles as high as $7,000.

If you have to switch insurance in the middle of the year, you could find that you have already paid thousands of dollars toward your deductible, only to have to start over.

This is the situation facing 72,000 people in Illinois and Ohio whose taxpayer-supported health insurance co-ops collapsed recently.

3. “pay their monthly insurance bills …”

Even Obama hasn’t been able to ignore the headlines about skyrocketing premiums.

Insurers across the country expect to raise their prices an average of 23 percent next year.

The president once bragged that his health care law would reduce premiums by $2,500 per family, per year. Instead, the average premium for families who get insurance through their job rose by $4,170 between 2009 and 2015.

Health spending in America will reach a record high of more than $10,000 per person this year. Under Obamacare, millions of people are paying more of this cost themselves.

4. “struggle to navigate a complex, sometimes bewildering system …”

COLUMNIST | SAMUEL PIÑERO

An Olympic blow to Trump’s campaign narrative T Having racial and cultural diversity means that the pool of athletes has different body types, backgrounds, and interests.

HE GRANDEUR of the opening ceremony of the Olympics is an inspiring and beautiful event. As the athletes for the different countries walk, it is clear that few countries have the diversity of the American athletes. Various countries walk by with homogeneous athletes, and then the United States shows up with a variety of races and cultures, united as Americans. It is stunning, delightful, and fills me with pride as I watch. These Olympics will be devastating to Donald Trump’s campaign for president.

Trump’s campaign is based on the concept of making America great again. That greatness is purportedly the America from the 1950s, maybe the 1960s. While his supporters would likely deny that it has anything to do with the segregation and dominance of one race over all the others during that time period, I’m not buying it. Trump’s narrative implicitly, and sometimes directly, places the blame of America’s supposed downfall on increasing diversity. If you do not sense the attacks on America’s diversity coming from his camp, you have not been paying attention. His attacks on Mexicans, Muslims, the Chinese, the federal judge, and the Khans, among other statements, are about how the influx of different races and cultures into the U.S. somehow diminishes us.

The Olympic games wreck Trumps’ narrative.

We never win anymore?

Not only is the United States currently dominating the medal count at the Olympics, at the time of this writing 100 medals to China’s 61, but it is our diversity that is enabling this blowout.

Having racial and cultural diversity means that

the pool of athletes has different body types, backgrounds, and interests. Does a sport require a really tall, thin athlete? We have that. How about a little tiny person? Take your pick; we have all different sizes and builds. Do you need someone who grew up working on archery? How about crew? Judo? Ping pong? We have all of those, because the world’s sports, hobbies, food, pastimes, and languages are here. As Lionel Ritchie said, we are the world. Our freedoms, immigration policies, and diversity attract better athletes and trainers.

It is difficult not to feel a sense of pride watching these Olympic athletes win. While my sense of pride in the opening ceremony was based on the diversity of the athletes coming from America, this sense of pride is not based on the race or culture of the competitor. It is pride for America those athletes inspire, no matter their race or culture.

We all feel it, and it is an invalidation of Trump’s narrative of impending doom.

Crime is down nationally, the economy is doing better, and the country is better off than it was eight years ago. Trump’s narrative panders to the feelings of marginalized blue-collar white males.

Those feelings are likely softened in all but the most hard core by the sense of unity and pride engendered by the Olympic games. Trump will have to change his narrative to reach the majority that he would need to secure the presidency. He is wrong. We are not made weak because of our diversity, it is our greatest strength.

Samuel Piñero is an attorney practicing law in Raleigh.

Obamacare took the complexity of America’s health care system to a new level.

The law is more than 2,000 pages long. Rules and regulations associated with it run to about 30,000 pages.

Ever since the failed launch of HealthCare.gov in 2013, the annual ritual of signing up for Obamacare has been a nightmare. Families often have no idea if their doctor will accept their insurance from one year to the next.

5. “and remain uninsured.”

President Obama could have said from the start that the law’s only real goal was to cover people who didn’t have health insurance. He could have admitted that doing this would create more chaos, higher costs, and worse care for American families.

The law still would have fallen short. About 29 million people in America still don’t have insurance. Last year, the Congressional Budget Office predicted that 21 million people would enroll in coverage through the Obamacare exchanges this year. The number is actually 11 million.

The weak enrollment numbers show how unpopular Obamacare is. The law pushed millions of people into second-class coverage in Medicaid. It forced others into narrow insurance for which they’re paying too much.

Obama has finally acknowledged some of the ways his law is failing the American people. Hillary Clinton and Democrats in Washington continue to promise that they can fix Obamacare if we just allow them to make it bigger, costlier and more complex.

That’s simply not going to work. The only way to fix Obamacare is to end it and replace it with patient-centered care.

John Barrasso, a physician and Republican senator from Wyoming, is chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee.

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

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NATION& WORLD US says payment to Iran used as leverage for prisoners’ release

NEWS IN IMAGES

By Donna King North State Journal

RONEN ZVULUN | REUTERS

Tisha B’Av, a day of fasting and lament, commemorates the date in the Jewish calendar on which it is believed that First and Second Temples were destroyed in Jerusalem.

JONATHAN BACHMAN | REUTERS

A man wades through a flooded street Monday in Ascension Parish, La.

Athit Perawongmetha | REUTERS

Chalermpon Punnotok, CEO of CT Asia Robotics, gives a hand to a robot during an interview with Reuters in Bangkok.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. State Department said Thursday it released $400 million in cash to Iran under a tribunal settlement only once it was assured that American prisoners had been freed and had boarded a plane.

“The payment of the $400 million was not done until after the prisoners were released,” State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

“We took advantage of that to make sure we had the maximum leverage possible to get our people out and get them out safely,” Kirby added.

It was the first time the administration has said publicly that it used the payment as leverage to ensure the prisoners were released by Iran.

Three of the five prisoners, including Jason Rezaian, the Washington Posts’s Tehran bureau chief; Saeed Abedini, a pastor from Idaho; and Amir Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine from Flint, Mich., as well as some family members, were part of a prisoner exchange that followed the lifting of most international sanctions against Iran following a nuclear deal in 2015.

One more prisoner, Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, chose to remain in Iran, while a fifth prisoner, American student Matthew Trevithick, was released separately.

Both U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have denied the payment was ransom

JORGE SILVA | REUTERS

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has been criticized, along wth President Barack Obama, for a $400 million cash payment to Iran.

for the release of the prisoners or tied to the Iran nuclear deal.

The White House announced on Jan. 17 it was releasing $400 million in funds frozen since 1981, plus $1.3 billion in interest owed to Iran, as part of a settlement of a long-standing Iranian claim at the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal in The Hague.

The funds were part of a trust fund Iran used before its 1979 Islamic Revolution to buy U.S. military equipment that was tied up for decades in litigation at the tribunal.

education

Dogs from page A1

From left, N.C. Principal of the Year Melody Chalmers, N.C. Teacher of the Year Bobbie Cavnar and N.C. Su­ perintendent of the Year Dr. Freddie Williamson answer questions at the North Carolina Conference on Education on Thursday in Durham.

Christine T. Nguyen | north state journal

Educators look to make a difference outside the classroom

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal DURHAM — It is back-toschool season, but it will be the first time in a long time Bobbie Cavnar won’t be teaching.

Cavnar, an English teacher at South Point High School in Belmont, N.C., will be touring the state as the Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year. That means not being in the classroom in 2016-17 — at least not his own.

“Right now, all of my co-workers are getting their classrooms ready, and it feels weird. ... This is the first time in my adult life that I’ve not had a classroom, so it’s very strange,” he said.

For 17 years, the 39-year-old Cavnar has been preparing for the next wave of students every August, teaching right out of college since age 21. He spent four years in Florida before coming to Gaston County.

Cavnar, Principal of the Year Melody Chalmers and Superintendent of the Year Freddie Williamson were in the Triangle Thursday to speak to the North Carolina Chamber on the keys to success for local schools.

“My main job is actually traveling around the state as both an ambassador for teachers, as their teacher voice, but also just listening to teachers and finding out what are they concerned about,” Cavnar said.

That means advocating for

The payment was made by the United States in cash due to international sanctions against Iran.

The administration has maintained that negotiations over the funds and the prisoners were conducted on separate tracks and were in no way linked.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has asked Kerry to appear at a future committee hearing to discuss the payment.

teachers while also talking to them about what’s happening in their classrooms while he’s not in his.

“It’s very important, from my perspective, to be a voice for teachers at the legislative level and at the school board level,” Cavnar said.

Cavnar said he chose to start a family in North Carolina after teaching at a Florida high school with more than 5,000 students, an experience he said was impersonal.

The community atmosphere he sought and found at South Point High is a big reason Cavnar can spend a year traveling around the state despite a busy home life. Cavnar and his wife, Jenny, have 4- and 6-year-old daughters, and Jenny works full time for an accounting firm in Charlotte.

Cavnar will rely on his fellow teachers to pick up the slack at South Point High, while some familiar faces have offered help at home since the Cavnars have no family in the area.

“Luckily, we have a team of babysitters because I know lots of kids from teaching high school for so long,” he said, laughing.

For Chalmers, a principal for six years at E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, the honor includes speaking engagements.

But unlike Cavnar, Chalmers also maintains duties at her school.

“I’ve just got to balance time. I really rely on my teacher leader-

ship,” Chalmers said. “My teachers are really supportive of what I’m going to be doing this year.”

That included discovering this week she needed to hire a new social studies teacher, one of three positions she still has to fill.

Chalmers said finding teachers has become difficult.

“Our school is actually beside Fayetteville State University, so a lot of times whenever I have a vacancy the first person I call is the university,” Chalmers said. “And they’re saying, ‘No, we don’t have anybody in the pipeline.’”

Still, Chalmers and E.E. Smith High have thrived by striking up relationships with local businesses and the military base at Fort Bragg to help students get a glimpse of life after high school.

“We really are about making them college- and career-ready,” Chalmers said.

For those who do go to college, Chalmers said more of her students — many who come from poor families — are opting for cheaper options if they decide to pursue a higher education.

“Some of my top students who probably five, six years ago would have been going to Carolina, NC State, Duke, they’re saying, ‘No, no, no. I’m going to Fayetteville Tech first, and then I’ll transfer later so I don’t have that same cost,’” Chalmers said.

“It’s definitely a shift,” she said. “But the bottom line is we just want kids to be prepared for the next level, whatever it is.”

lished in 2010, the Maggie Society has saved more than 3,500 dogs.

A partnership with Wags Rescue in Horsham, Pa., has a local team traveling once a month to safely deliver dogs to Wags Rescue.

Up North, dogs are in short supply, and adopters are waiting in droves.

“We are over-dogged in the South,” said Brumfield, “The state needs mandatory spay and neuter laws.”

These homeless and shelter dogs aren’t one particular breed, but a variety of mixes including beagles and hounds, pit bulls, Labrador retrievers, poodles, terriers, German shepherds, and the list continues.

“Dog ownership is a financial responsibility. We rally against the mentality of dogs as yard art.

Dogs should be looked at as part of the family within the home,” said Brumfield.

The top reasons dogs are taken to a shelter are due to the lack of spaying and neutering; lack of financial support for medical care; puppies left over from breeders; senior dogs who have grown old; and people getting married, having a baby or their significant other doesn’t like their pet.

The Maggie Society will often meet people in the parking lot of the animal shelter to save dogs, for once they go inside the shelter, it means another animal has to be put to sleep to make room. Organizations like Saving Grace in Wake Forest also rescue dogs from rural shelters, care for them, and adopt them out to screened families that will hopefully give them a forever home.

The Wilson County Animal Shelter averages a weekly intake of 20 to 40 dogs with only space for 32. Foster families take on six to seven dogs in their homes. Of the 30 dogs brought in to the shelter last week, 10 were owner surrenders. Several of the owner surrenders were making a return trip to the shelter.

The animals are starved for attention and love, and are more often than not in need of medical care. It’s a daily battle for rescue

organizations to obtain monetary donations to cover the cost of veterinary care. The average cost of a vet visit for a rescue dog ranges between $250-$275, if the animal doesn’t have heartworms. The cost rises to $300 if they do. Dogs are treated for skin and ear infections and even gunshot wounds.

“If a dog is sick and the family can’t afford the vet care, then they turn the dog over to the shelter,” said Brumfield.

Then there are those dogs who are too sick and need to ride out their last days with a committed foster family willing to provide hospice care.

The Maggie Society saves 65 to 80 dogs a month, spending on average $195,000 a year. Fundraisers and donations help cover the costs, but if the money can’t be raised, then the volunteers reach further into their own pockets.

Brumfield is a teacher in the public school system who everyday fields calls regarding dogs who need help. Her summer, weekends and evenings are spent saving dogs. She responds to every message.

“I’m 24/7 because dogs’ lives are at stake,” said Brumfield.

“Dogs can spend only 72 hours in a shelter. When the shelter is full, there is nowhere else for these dogs to go. They have to be rescued or adopted, or they will be put to sleep,” said Brumfield.

The Wilson County Animal Shelter took in 1,182 dogs in 2015.

Of those, 661 were adopted, 259 were returned to owners, and 262 were euthanized. Numbers across the state were staggering in showing the overpopulation of dogs. Guilford County Shelter took in the most animals at 7,823, with 2,685 saved and 2,709 euthanized. Cumberland County and Charlotte/Mecklenburg brought in more than 6,000 dogs each.

While the majority were adopted, more than 1,900 were euthanized at each location.

Rescue groups continue to work in saving and finding homes for shelter dogs.

Brumfield added, “It takes all of us working together to save these dogs. This is a high-burnout, high-stress, non-paying job.”

Madeline Gray | north state journal

McKenna, a six-monthold Labrador retriever, relaxes in one of the large enclosures at Saving Grace Rescue and Adoption in Wake Forest on Wednesday.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

the Sunday Sideline report

Rio olympics

1. Team USA advances to gold medal basketball game with 82-76 win over Spain behind DeAndre Jordan’s 16 rebounds.

2. Ryan Lochte apologized for “not being more careful” after bizarre Brazil incident. Lochte and other swimmers face possible criminal charges in Rio. 3. Braves called up top prospect and future shortstop Dansby Swanson, who went 2-for4 in his first game.

4. Charlotte Hornets announced new name for Time Warner Cable Arena, which will be renamed Spectrum Center.

5. Russian Olympic team stripped of 2008 gold medal earned during Beijing Olympics with 4x100-meter track and field.

@LieutenantDans7: Thank you to the @Braves for giving me this opportunity to fulfill a life long dream, something better than ever imagineable. #ChopChop

Shannon Stapleton | Reuters

DeAndre Jordan flexes and screams following a huge play in Team USA’s semifinals basketball victory over Spain on Friday afternoon. Jordan set a record for most rebounds in a single game with 16 and USA advanced to Sunday’s gold medal game with an 82-76 win.

SPORTS

Carolina panthers

By Brian Geisinger North State Journal

@MikeAxisa: Outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is hurt so the Marlins should sign DH Alex Rodriguez is some kind of logic.

eading into the 2016 Olympics, it was frequently noted the calling card for Team USA basketball would H be its defense. With defensive mastermind Tom Thibodeau,

@SteveRushin: Synchronized swimmers would keep their story straight.

NFL

Four players facing potential suspensions The league sent a letter to four players named in the Al-Jazeera investigation from last season — Mike Neal, Clay Matthews, James Harrison and Julius Peppers — informing them if they did not cooperate with the investigation and agree to an interview by Aug. 25 they will face suspensions.

NBA

Hornets playing Cavs on New Year’s Eve The NBA released the full 2016-17 schedule last week and several notable games are on tap for the Hornets. Charlotte opens the season on Wed., Oct. 26 in Milwaukee, has its home opener Sat., Oct. 29 against the Celtics, and will host the defending champion Cavaliers on New Year’s Eve.

NFL

Bills DT Dareus suspended four games Bills star defensive tackle Marcell Dareus was suspended the first four games of the 2016 season for violating the substance-abuse policy, the NFL announced.

nba

All-Star Game moved to New Orleans The 2016 NBA All-Star Game, moved out of Charlotte, was officially moved to New Orleans, the league announced on Friday.

Team USA topples Spain, goes for gold

Rafael Suanes | USA today sports images

Panthers lineman Mike Remmers lines up to block against the Baltimore Ravens during Carolina’s Week 1 preseason game. Remmers and the right tackle position is a key area to watch moving forward.

Panthers position battles to watch

By Shawn Krest North State Journal BO was wise to stay away from the Carolina Panthers H this preseason.

The network’s popular “Hard Knocks” series follows a different NFL franchise through training camp each year. While the defending NFC champions have plenty of premium cable-worthy star power in Cam Newton, Greg Olsen and Luke Kuechly, the Panthers have been short on drama this August.

The head-to-head drama of fighting for a job is where “Hard Knocks” shines, and like most teams good enough to reach the Super Bowl, the Panthers have few jobs up for grabs this year.

“I think the thing about this training camp is we came in with most of our positions settled,” said coach Ron Rivera. “In the past, we had a number of positions we weren’t quite sure about.”

With one high-profile exception, most of the Panthers’ training camp drama surrounds battles for backup spots.

With Cam and the rest of the A-listers unlikely to stick around for long in preseason games,

here’s a look at the position battles to watch in the final three games leading up to the season opener.

Left and right cornerback The only wide-open battles for starting jobs were in the team’s defensive backfield. Pro Bowler Josh Norman left after his franchise tag was rescinded, Charles Tillman retired and Cortland Finnegan departed as a free agent.

If the first preseason game is any indication, however, this competition may be over already.

Rookie draft picks James Bradberry and Daryl Worley stepped right into the lineup and have looked good in practice and against the Ravens. Veterans Robert McClain and Bene Benwikere are the chief competition, but they appear to be trailing the new kids by a fairly steep margin.

Another rookie, Zack Sanchez, will also look to work his way into the mix.

“The biggest thing that went on for us was the defensive backfield,” Rivera said. “We come away feeling pretty good about that group.”

See Panthers, page B7

an American assistant, barking signals from the sideline (“ICE! ICE!”), and a fleet of long-armed athletes patrolling the floor, this was a logical conclusion.

With a combined wingspan that roughly approximates a B-52, Team USA These guys should just be able to wall off the paint. have so much Unfortunately that isn’t how basketball works, and it certainly hasn’t been the firepower it’s case for the Americans down in Rio. Ball ridiculous. This moves faster than man, and teams have team can win sliced Team USA apart with spread pickgames even with and-rolls and timely passing.

This isn’t a hot take. It’s the simple, a stagnant, isohard truth.

Carmelo Anthony and Kyrie Irving are heavy offense phenomenal basketball players who can and a Swissget buckets against any (known) creature in the entire galaxy, and their commit- cheese defense. ment to their country is a treat to see. The same can be said about DeMarcus Cousins. These are, without a doubt, three of the 15-20 best players on the planet. But it’s essentially impossible to build a functional defense when some combination of this trio is on the floor for a majority of the minutes.

International opponents have cracked Team USA’s code and penetrated their aggressive man-to-man defense relentlessly. Outside of Anthony Davis, who is sitting out these Olympics to recuperate from a collection of injuries, Cousins is the best young big man in the American system. But teams have picked on him relentlessly.

Despite the liabilities on the defensive end, these guys have so much offensive firepower it’s ridiculous. This team can win games even with a stagnant, iso-heavy offense and a Swiss-cheese defense. It’s not always pretty, but this team

See Team USA, page B8

inside

Eamon queeney | north state journal

NC State is nearing the end of its multimillion dollar renovation of Reynolds Colisuem. Wolfpack history is on full display with the brand new Hall of Fame inside and plenty of treasured moments frozen in time throughout the hallowed halls. North State Journal gives you an inside look at the renovation work done so far and a preview of what’s to come.

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

B2

NS J beyond the box score

08.21.16

POTENT QUOTABLES

Giancarlo Stanton: Marlins slugger suffered a left groin strain and will likely miss the remainder of the 2016 season as a result.

Anthony Rizzo: Chicago Cubs first baseman made an incredible catch on Tuesday night, leaping onto the wall at Wrigley Field to nab a ball that was heading into the stands.

Christian Ponder: Former Florida State quarterback found a new home in the NFL, signing a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers after former Duke QB Thad Lewis went down with an ACL tear.

Neymar: Brazilian soccer star scored the fastest goal in Olympic history (15 seconds) against Honduras.

Robert Griffin III: Browns quarterback reportedly files for divorce from wife.

Usain Bolt is the fastest man in the world and proved it by coasting to multiple gold medals at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, including the

Pat McAfee: Colts punter blasted a 67yard punt during his team’s first preseason game of the year and then posted a notice on Twitter he got from the NFL just two days later: he was being “randomly” drug tested.

Sawan Serasinghe: Olympic badminton player feasted on an incredible amount of McDonald’s — 8,000 calories worth! — after exiting the meal involved at least four cheeseburgers (two Big Macs), five orders of french fries and four large orders of McNuggets.

olympics

100-meter and 200-meter individual sprints. Bolt was so far ahead in one race he turned, looked back at the competition and grinned.

Tommy Gilligan | USA TODAY Sports

“I don’t even want to touch the topic of black quarterback. This game is bigger than black, white or green.”

Cam Newton in a GQ interview talking on race

Kai Pfaffenbach | Reuters

olympics

NFL

mlb

7.41 Shelby Miller’s 2016 ERA. Miller was the centerpiece of the trade that netted the Braves Dansby Swanson. It looks like a disaster for Arizona.

mlb

9 Number of runs Stephen Strasburg allowed in his last outing, making him just the fourth Nationals pitcher to give up nine runs and get five outs or fewer in a single start and the first since 2012.

Robert Deutsch | USA TODAY SPORTS

Simone Biles continued to establish herself as the standard bearer for world gymnastics, dominating at all levels during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Biles won four gold medals, including the women’s individual all-around, women’s vault and women’s floor exercise.

@brycegustafson | twitter

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton’s fashion choices drew plenty of attention in 2015. The MVP picked up where he left off, donning loafers, high pants, a sweater around his neck and a bucket hat before playing the Ravens in the preseason.

olympics

Jack Gruber | USA TODAY SPORTS

Kerri Walsh Jennings experienced a rare thing for her: Olympic heartbreak.

Paired with April Ross, she fell short of the gold for the first time in her career with a loss to Brazil. They avenged the loss to another pair of Brazilians in the bronze-medal match.

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

B3

mudcats

Carolina Mudcats outfielder Braxton Davidson (24) swings at a pitch during the game against the Fredericks­ burg Keys at the Five County Stadium in Zebulon on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.

The Mudcats defeated the Keys 6-4.

Madeline Gray | north state journal

Braxton Davidson

on minor league patience and mom’s home cooking

By R. Cory Smith North State Journal

understand that not everybody’s Bryce Harper, Mike Trout or Noah Syndergaard. People put in their minds that every firstround pick is going to be those guys. It takes time for some guys to develop, you know? I’m two years removed from high school, so it doesn’t always click immediately. It’s going to take time, and I’m glad the Braves are taking that time with me.

ebulon, n.c. — Being a first-round pick in the MLB Z draft is glorified, but comes with

a massive spotlight. Asheville native Braxton Davidson has dealt with that notoriety for the last two-plus years, bouncing around with four different teams since being drafted in 2014.

This season, however, Davidson has enjoyed staying close to home with the Carolina Mudcats. After playing with T.C. Roberson, the 20-year-old was drafted by the Braves with the 32nd pick. While he hasn’t quite met expectations along the way, Davidson hasn’t lost faith in himself. Neither have the Braves.

Whether it’s bonding with Dansby Swanson, enjoying a home-cooked meal from mom or getting texts from Fred McGriff, Davidson is enjoying every minute of being in Zebulon. He discussed all that and the pressure that comes along with being a first-round pick when he sat down with the North State Journal.

North State Journal: How has the second half of the season gone for you thus far?

Braxton Davidson: It’s gone pretty well. I’ve been trying to stick to my same approach of staying through the middle and it’s been working out better so far. I’ve been swinging and missing a lot this season and fouling off some pitches I can usually hit hard. But all in all, I feel like I’ve done a good job of driving in people and hitting home runs, which is what helps teams win ballgames.

How much do you feel like you’ve grown as a player since being drafted out of T.C. Roberson?

I feel like I’ve grown a lot. I’m more mature now, even though I showed some immaturity today [slamming his bat after a strikeout], but usually that stuff doesn’t happen. Learning from guys that have been with this team like Dansby [Swanson]

What is it like to be a part of a system that is currently in rebuild mode and looking to develop young talent?

It’s pretty special because the Braves have faith in me. I know that with Dansby, Albies, Sean Newcomb and Dustin Peterson that we can all be great. This is kind of what they did in the early ’90s is build a roster around young players and won 14 straight division titles.

It’s special to be a part of this organization and know that the future is bright

Braxton Davidson Age: 20 Hometown: Asheville, NC School: T.C. Roberson Class of: 2015 Draft: Atlanta Braves, Round 1, 2014 MLB Draft 2016 Team: Carolina Mudcats 2016 Stats: .222/.381/.755 - 10 HR - 61 RBI - 50 R - 4 SB Twitter: @B_Davidson06

and [Ozzie] Albies have shaped me more as a player. I just try to see how they adjust to failure to help me grow on and off the field. It’s pretty special to learn from guys like that.

Seeing guys like Dansby and Ozzie pass through, how much does that encourage you to join them?

Those guys are very, very good ballplayers. And they’re great people. Most people don’t know that, but Dansby was my roommate and I was with Albies since 2014, so they motivated me a lot. I love being here, but

seeing guys like Dansby and Albies moving on makes me want to get out of here.

Why do you say that?

I want to be with them all the way through this process. Hopefully we can come up together and play in Atlanta together and bring championships back to the Braves. We believe that we can bring back what the Braves had in the ’90s again. Hopefully we’ll bring more world championships to the table.

Growing up in Asheville and playing in Cary for USA Baseball, what is it like to play close to home?

I also got to play in Five County Stadium during my freshman year against a guy named Carlos Rodon. You might have heard of him. (Laughs) He was pretty good back then, too. But yeah, this is a place that feels like home. My parents make the trip and a lot of my friends go to NC State and UNC. It’s pretty special to still have that feeling because minor league ball can get lonely at times.

What’s the go-to when your mom comes to town?

Man, there’s nothing like having moms in town. I’ve always been a momma’s boy, what can I say?

(Laughs) She always cooks up those filets with a loaded baked potato and asparagus. That’s my go-to with mom. Can’t get any better than having that on a regular basis.

Going straight to the pros out of high school, how difficult has the path been?

I’ve had good moments and I’ve had really bad moments. I’m here for a reason, though, and I believe in me as a player and that I’m capable of being great. I try to put in the work and really do things the right way. I’ve still got a long way to go, but I feel like I’m on the right path.

How much extra pressure comes with being a firstround pick?

There’s pressure tied to being a first-rounder because of writers who talk about ‘prospects this, prospects that.’ They don’t

Did you grow up a Braves fan?

I went to a lot of games, but I actually grew up a Yankees fan.

But with it being close to home, I always rooted for the Braves, too. I was a big Andruw Jones fan, to be honest. And a Fred McGriff fan with that helicopter swing, man that was awesome.

(Laughs) Those guys were so much fun to watch.

I know Fred McGriff made the trip down to Zebulon earlier this year as a special assistant. Did you develop a relationship with him?

Man, the Crime Dog texts me about once a week to see how I’m doing. It’s pretty special to be that close with someone I idolized as a kid. He just wants me to hit home runs, man.

That’s all. (Laughs) He sent me a text after the [July 17] game that said, ‘Two strikeouts and a grand slam? Excellent game!’ I’ll take that all day. It was awesome for my confidence to know he watches what I’m doing. It makes me proud to be a Brave.

I’m hoping I can stay a Brave until my career’s over.

B4

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

Touches of the old Reynolds Coliseum like the old Kay Yow court can still be seen in the arena’s new renovation on NC State’s campus in Raleigh, which will reopen on Sept. 16, and host women’s basketball and Olympic sports.

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

Renovating Reynolds

B5

Stories by R. Cory Smith | Photos by Eamon Queeney

Everett Case built it. Norm Sloan hung the first banner in its rafters. Jim Valvano brought it the most unlikely championship in NCAA history, and Kay Yow captured many of her 700-plus wins in the hallowed halls of Reynolds Coliseum.

The historical landmark on NC State’s campus is undergoing massive changes, reimagining the space with an eye on both the past and the future.

A massive overhaul of the court is taking place to update the look and feel of Reynolds, including media and TV control rooms, a brand new scoreboard and the school’s Hall of Fame. Original seats and the famed noise meter ensure Reynolds retains its historic spirit.

The Past Whether it was serving as the original site for the ACC Tournament, the Dixie Classic or the Southern Conference Tournament, Reynolds featured big-time basketball in the South since its opening in 1949.

It was rejuvenated under Sloan, Valvano and Yow on multiple occasions, as the ACC ran the college basketball world during the ’70s and ’80s. With 11 ACC titles between Sloan, Valvano and Yow from 1970-91, Reynolds was the place to be for Wolfpack fans.

For NC State legend and 1983 champion Dereck Whittenburg, that allure will never go away.

“The memories made in Reynolds will last a lifetime,” Whittenburg said. “Not just playing, but the countless hours of practicing and camps that I participated in. Even one instance where I was on the stage in 1985 as Ronald Reagan came in. My Senior Day with my parents. It’s hard to put into words how much that place means to me, so to see life breathed into it is great.”

Memories for the opposing teams were not quite as fond.

“Reynolds Coliseum at NC

State was the toughest place I played while in college,” former Duke player and current ESPN broadcaster Jay Bilas said.

“Reynolds was loud, edgy and intense. The Wolfpack under Jim Valvano were a tough out and the games were always fistfights. But the thing I remember most is coming back to a huddle and seeing lips move, but not being able to hear what was said.

It was so hot and loud that your head would spin.”

The Reynolds legacy is about much more than just basketball.

Prior to men’s basketball leaving Reynolds for PNC Arena, there were an estimated 20 million visitors to the historic coliseum.

Of those patrons, only 8 million were for basketball games.

The days of the Rolling Stones and Elton John playing in the old Reynolds have come and gone, but those huge events remain on the walkway around the court.

Lining that hallway are “Reynolds Historic Moments,” including past ACC Tournaments and Everett Case cutting down the nets in 1965, the first recorded occurrence of the now storied tradition.

“Reynolds Coliseum might

be the most important building ever funded by North Carolina,” Tim Peeler, NC State’s de facto sports historian, said. “For what basketball has meant to the state and what Reynolds has meant for the culture, there is no building outside of maybe the State Capitol that has had a bigger impact on as large of a region.

“That’s all the more reason for Reynolds to be preserved. Sure, everyone remembers the great games that took place and moments for NC State basketball.

But it’s one of the most important buildings on campus for so many other reasons.”

Whittenburg’s favorite memory does come from a basketball game. However, it’s not one that most longtime fans might remember fondly.

“It shouldn’t be a favorite, but the game where I hurt my foot is the one I’ll remember the most,” Whittenburg said with a laugh.

“I actually had 27 points at the half, so it should have been one of my highest scoring games of my career. It also helped us win a national championship. It’s a bittersweet one, but I’ll never forget how that day affected that entire season.”

A look at the underside of the scoreboard (left) and the original noise meter hung from the rafters (below) inside Reynolds Coliseum on NC State’s campus in Raleigh.

Originally opened in 1949, Reynolds is undergoing a $35 million renovation and will reopen on Sept. 16.

A look at the new court at Reynolds Coliseum on NC State’s campus in Raleigh on July 28.

The Present College basketball is still the calling card for the ACC, with four of the last eight national champions residing in the conference. NC State doesn’t currently reside at the top of the food chain, but the ACC wouldn’t be where it is today without the creation of Reynolds.

“Reynolds Coliseum is why ACC basketball is the biggest draw for college athletics in the South,” Peeler said. “That’s what Everett Case’s vision was when he expanded and elongated it, was to have the best and biggest — and it was.”

When Reynolds opened in 1949, it was the largest basketball facility between New York and New Orleans. As arenas have grown and become homes for multiple sports, Reynolds has been dwarfed by other massive venues.

But instead of increasing the capacity, NCSU opted to make sporting events more intimate. The max capacity was reduced from 8,000 before the project to 5,500 for basketball and 6,000 for other events, creating perfect seating for the remaining sports.

Women’s basketball, gymnastics, wrestling and volleyball don’t draw the same numbers as men’s basketball did in its heyday when capacity was nearly 14,000. Several seats may have been taken out, but nearly 5,000 chairs remain from the previous configuration.

“The majority of the seating is still from 1949,” Associate Athletics Direc-

The Future tor for Communications and Marketing Fred Demarest said. “It was conceptually something that made sense.

But we also think fans will be pleased that they can still sit in the same seats they grew up with or their family grew up sitting in.”

Along with original seats, Reynolds also features something players, fans, musicians along with current and former presidents have requested for decades — air conditioning. It’s probably cooler in Reynolds during an August afternoon than it ever was during a December home game.

The true gem of the project is the NC State Hall of Fame. Thirty former players or coaches were already inducted into the Hall, but there was no true home before the Reynolds overhaul.

That was one of the most obvious reasons for the renovations, and there was no better location to honor Wolfpack players and coaches.

“We needed somewhere that adequately recognized our history and what better place than Reynolds?”

Demarest said. “It was really the only place for us. As far as athletics are concerned, Reynolds is an iconic facility. We just needed to find the right configuration to make it something our fans could be proud of.”

Names like Ted Brown, David Thompson, Sam Esposito along with Valvano, Case and Yow will all have their rightful place in Reynolds.

Construction workers continue to renovate Reynolds Coliseum on July 28, walking past a number of important moments lining the walls inside the facility.

Reynolds isn’t getting men’s basketball back after the renovations. A lot of the elements that made Reynolds perfect for NC State fans are no more, but it was necessary to keep the historical venue alive.

Imagine the campus without Reynolds. It was a real concern for the athletics department when the project was originally discussed. Now the future of the historical venue is solidified.

“It’s a place that has touched and impacted people of not just this generation but every person who has stepped foot on this campus,” Demarest said.

One of the biggest additions are the cases surrounding the court as fans walk to their seats. Glass cases encase history for all 23 teams on the “Walk of Fame” to show off the Wolfpack’s accomplishments across all sports.

It’s a great way for fans to remember their history, but also an asset for teams on the recruiting trail.

“I think Reynolds becomes a tremendous recruiting tool,” Whittenburg said. “First of all, the four programs that play there now have a state-of-the-art facility. Secondly, for the rest of the programs to be able to show off their accomplishments to young athletes is important. You can’t overstate the value these changes have on recruiting.”

When the doors open, all cases will be as current as possible prior to the

season. But Demarest expects each one to change on a regular basis as the entire department continues to add to its list of accomplishments.

“We have the ability to add to displays when new benchmarks are set,” Demarest said. “It doesn’t end here because our teams are making strides on a yearly basis. We thought about the next generation because we want to continue to make sure this facility is reaching its maximum efficiency.”

The project will ultimately total $35 million, with $20 million coming from the athletics department and $15 million from the university. It was a collaboration by both sides to reconstruct another facility alongside Talley Student Union and Harrelson Hall.

The outer structure for Reynolds remains the same. But Reynolds is a natural fit for a larger-scale overhaul of the campus.

“It was absolutely critical,” Demarest said of upgrading Reynolds. “It’s right next to Talley, so we had to have something that married the two together. Now you’re going to have two gorgeous facilities right next to each other that students can enjoy for decades to come right here on campus.”

Kay Yow Court may be ripped up, but remnants of the flooring are spread around the concourse.

“The House That Case Built” may look entirely different, but it still has touches of his greatness throughout the walkways.

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

B6 UNC football

UNC emphasizing run defense improvement in Chizik’s second year

By Brooke Pryor North State Journal CHAPEL HILL — After the 2014 season, it was obvious the North Carolina defense needed something different.

The 6-7 Tar Heels ranked 117 out of 125 FBS teams in total defense, giving up nearly 500 yards per game. By giving up 240 rushing yards per game, opponents were quite literally running all over UNC. The program needed a change, and it got one in a big way with the hiring of defensive guru Gene Chizik. The mastermind behind Auburn’s 2010 undefeated national championship season joined the Tar Heels as the defensive coordinator, replacing Vic Koenning. The results weren’t instantaneous, but after a season with Chizik at the defensive helm, the Tar Heels are showing a marked improvement.

In a 2015 season that culminated with a loss to Baylor in the Russell Athletic Bowl, UNC improved from 117th-best defense in the FBS to 95th, holding opponents to 435.9 yards per game and 5.50 yards per play. While those numbers don’t necessarily show a drastic change, UNC did improve its scoring defense, holding opponents to an average of 24.5 points in 2015, a big improvement from 39 points per game the previous season.

And to coach Larry Fedora, that’s the most telling statistic.

“I never look at total yards. I don’t care how many yards we give up,” he said. “We’re looking at turnover ratio, explosive plays, catastrophic plays. We look at how we perform in the red zone.

We want to hold teams to field goals or nothing 50 percent of the time. Then I look at third-down percentages.

“There’s only really one stat that means anything on the defense, and that’s scoring defense.

As long as they hold them to one less point than we score, then they’ve done a good job.”

So how did Chizik do it?

The former head coach took UNC’s defense out of Koenning’s 4-2-5 system and implemented a much simpler 4-3 pressure scheme. Chizik held off on in-

Panthers from page B1 Right tackle Mike Remmers, who bounced around NFL practice squads and waiver wires before being signed

by Carolina in 2014, entered camp as the starter. Remmers won the job from 2015 fourthround draft pick Daryl Williams last preseason. The pair were expected to battle for the spot again, but that hasn’t materialized, as Williams hasn’t stepped up as the team hoped.

“Honestly, no,” Rivera said.

“I’d love to see him push Remmers even more, but to Mike’s credit, he’s having a really good camp.”

Williams’ first snap in the preseason opener was at left tackle, and he promptly gave up a sack that resulted in a lost fumble.

Reinhold Matay | usa today sports images

stalling all of the complicated variations of the defense and kept his players largely operating out of the base scheme.

While the defensive backs flourished in their first year under Chizik, grabbing 17 interceptions, the defensive line still struggled to stop opponents’ run game. UNC allowed opponents to rack up 247.4 rushing yards per game and ranked 121 out of 127 FBS teams in run defense. It comes as no surprise, then, that improving run defense is Chizik’s top priority in the preseason.

“That’s not an oversimplification,” Chizik said. “We have to get better at stopping the run, and we know that.”

Though UNC obviously has to improve on that aspect of the defense, circumstances within live games will determine how much the Tar Heels have to clamp down on opponents’ run game.

With their powerful offense putting up 40.7 points per game last season, the Tar Heels weren’t too worried about giving up a couple

Scifres was also signed in the offseason. His non-kicking leg, still recovering from an offseason knee surgery, has limited him in camp. Another former Charger, Kasey Redfern, was signed to take Waters’ roster spot. The former Wofford punter will get a shot at the job, but there’s also a very good chance the team’s first 2016 punt will come off the foot of a player not yet on the Panthers’ roster.

Tight end depth While Greg Olsen is the clearcut starter, the next spot on the depth chart is in flux. Ed Dickson had 17 catches for 121 yards and two scores in that role last year.

He’s being pushed by draft pick Beau Sandland, as well as veteran Scott Simonson, who was a reserve last season.

Punter

Defensive end depth

Brad Nortman, who had been the Panthers’ punter for the last four years, signed with the Jaguars as a free agent in the offseason. At the moment, the job is up for grabs, if anyone wants to seize it.

CFL standout Swayze Waters was brought in to compete for the job and was the only player to punt in the first preseason game.

The Panthers promptly cut him days later.

Former Chargers punter Mike

Charles Johnson will man one pass-rushing spot, and Kony Ealy would have to have a disastrous camp to lose his grip on the opposite side. With Johnson missing time in three of the last five seasons, including seven games last year, the second-team defensive ends will have an important role. Wes Horton, Mario Addison and Ryan Delaire lead a group of unheralded players looking to lock up a spot on the depth chart.

Tommy Gilligan | USA TODAY SPORTS images

Baltimore Ravens defensive back Sam Brown (28) dives over the pile for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium.

runs through the course of game.

“If you’re up by 35 points, then stopping the run isn’t really the name of the game at that point,” Chizik said. “Circumstances definitely dictate, but as an overall, general rule, we have to get better at stopping the run.”

One year into Chizik’s system, the Tar Heels have a firm grasp of the base defense. But now, Chizik will add more bells and whistles to his system.

“What we wanted is to stay as basic as possible for our players and it helped us be successful last year,” Fedora said. “No doubt about it. Now, Gene and the defensive staff know, we’ve got to expand our package and we will and we have.”

Keeping it simple worked for the Tar Heels, and the team managed to force 26 turnovers, including 17 interceptions. Anchored by Donnie Miles, Des Lawrence and M.J. Stewart, the secondary flourished. Miles led UNC with 128 tackles while Stewart grabbed four intercep-

tions.

But as evidenced in the run game, there’s still plenty of room to grow.

With Nazair Jones, Mikey Bart and Jalen Dalton, UNC has good key pieces returning to the defensive line. As a senior, Bart returns with the most experience. He led UNC with 6.5 sacks and nine quarterback hurries last season.

UNC also has plenty of talent in Jones, a third-team All-ACC selection. He averaged four tackles a game last season and had one interception and three quarterback hurries.

Dalton, a defensive tackle recruited as the No. 1 player in North Carolina in his class, added about 40 pounds in the offseason in preparation for a monster sophomore campaign.

And with defensive end Dajaun Drennon battling an undisclosed injury, junior tackle Tyler Powell is filling in to give the Tar Heels more flexibility on the line.

“We’re trying to get some

Baylor Bears running back Terence Williams (22) stretches to reach the end zone during the second half of a football game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Russell Athletic Bowl.

depth with some other guys,” Chizik said. “Tyler Powell has kind of become a swing guy for us where we feel he can play the inside and outside. It’s a mix of younger guys along with Mikey.”

There’s still a long way to go before UNC’s ready to face Georgia Sept. 3, but through a couple of camp scrimmages, the staff has already noticed a big improvement in the defensive line.

“I think they’re understanding where they fit in the scheme really well,” Chizik said. “Once you do that, then the amount of physicality that you can bring to the table every week changes because there’s not a lot of thinking going on.

“If you don’t have a defensive line, then you don’t have a defense. They’ve shown some progress in that and in our pass rush, our four-man pass rush. I think we’ve gotten better at that.

They’re still a work in progress but I think they’re much further along this time than they were this time last year.”

NFL

Redskins RBs still up in the air

By Brian McNally The Sports Xchange ICHMOND, Va. — It might be just one preseason game, R but the Washington Redskins

need to see more from their running back group after a 23-17 loss at Atlanta in the preseason.

Matt Jones and Chris Thompson, the two experienced backs on the roster, managed just one yard on three carries. Yes, Jones had an 11-yard run called back.

But even backup Colt McCoy had more yards (eight) on one play. It wasn’t good enough.

The young backs fared a little better. Seventh-round pick Keith Marshall was hesitant at times.

He did catch a pair of passes for 10 yards, but was limited to minus-1 yard on five carries.

Mack Brown, a practice squad player last year, had 28 yards on seven carries and Robert Kelley totaled 40 yards on seven carries with a touchdown.

The Redskins can’t afford to simply write that poor effort off as just one bad preseason game.

They weren’t very good last season with Alfred Morris and Jones as the primary backs and they didn’t add anyone to the mix this offseason.

There were plenty of reasons for those struggles on Thursday.

On one run, the Redskins left a Falcons’ defensive player unaccounted for. Several times the quarterback called for a draw into a stacked box that went for nothing.

And the backs were at fault, too, missing several cutback opportunities. It all added up to a performance that was far too reminiscent of last season when Washington was one of the league’s worst rushing teams.

“We’re not going to panic after the first preseason game,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. “But

Dale Zanine | USA TODAY SPORTS images

Washington Redskins running back Robert Kelley (22) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome.

we also understand that these games, you are what you are based on what you put on tape.”

On the bubble: Defensive end Stephen Paea: Had a rough season with just 1.5 sacks after signing with Washington as a free agent. An early December foot injury ended his 2015 season prematurely. With Trent Murphy moving back to outside linebacker following the Junior Galette season-ending injury (torn right Achilles tendon), Paea is probably OK. Veteran Ziggy Hood has had a strong camp, however, and if young prospects like Corey Crawford and Matt Ioannidis (2016 fifthround draft pick) also make a push, then Paea could be at risk.

Expect the Redskins to keep seven defensive linemen as they did last season. The locks — for now — are Chris Baker, Ricky Jean Francois, Kedric Golston and free-agent signing Kendall Reyes.

Redskins notes: • Center Kory Lichtensteiger was limited in practice last week because of a sore arm.

• Left tackle Trent Williams is close to returning from a sore right knee. He didn’t participate in team drills at last Saturday’s practice and was out Week 1 versus Atlanta. But Williams is expected back for practice — the last official one in Richmond, Va. • Tight end Niles Paul sat out practice on Saturday. He tweaked his knee in the preseason game at Atlanta, though was able to walk off the field under his own power.

Paul is expected to practice over the weekend.

• Left tackle Ty Nskehe, the top reserve tackle, went down on a play in the middle of last Saturday’s practice after a defensive player rolled into his knee. Nsekhe stayed on the ground for three minutes attended by team trainers before eventually walking off on his own. But he did not return to practice.

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

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ncsu football

Wolfpack wideouts working to fill void left by Ramos

By R. Cory Smith North State Journal ALEIGH — Plenty of coachspeak involves talk R about dealing with injuries.

They’re “a part of the game” and it’s “next man up.” Generic indeed, but also 100 percent accurate.

NC State experienced the reality before fall camp even began.

Jumichael Ramos, the team’s leading wide receiver in 2015, will redshirt the season due to knee surgery. It’s a critical blow for a team needing size at the position with a trio of new quarterbacks leading the way.

“It’s really tough for our team,” offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz said of losing Ramos. “Leading receiver coming back, a guy who knew the ropes here? That’s a difficult thing. But now we’ve got to have other guys step up.”

So far, the receiving corps has been led by senior Bra’Lon Cherry — who was expected to start before Ramos’ injury — along with Stephen Louis and Nyheim Hines.

Christine T. Nguyen | north state journal

NC State wide receiver Bra’Lon Cherry (13) practices on Aug. 1.

NC State head coach Dave Doeren also noted Maurice Trowell and Kelvin Harmon are expected to step up in heightened roles.

After lining up as a running back mostly in the spring, Hines is back with the receivers and still working on transitioning back to

the role.

“I can tell I haven’t played receiver in a while,” Hines said with a smile. “I’ve been forgetting a little bit of the fine details. [Wide receivers] coach [George] McDonald has been doing a great job working with me and making sure I’m up to par with the receivers and DBs because the DBs in this league are so tough.”

While the learning curve has been a tough one for other offensive players on the team, the wideouts have benefited from an easier play set.

Unlike the offensive backfield, most of the receivers noted the routes are similar to previous years, which is key for a team with new faces needing to step up.

For Louis, a player whose shining moment was catching one touchdown against Old Dominion as a freshman in 2014, filling the void of Ramos is not an easy task.

Louis is sure of his hands and ability, but also understands replacing a senior is about more than just stuffing the stat sheet.

golf

“He’s a big-play receiver, but he was our voice on the field,” Louis said. “He always brings that leadership along with being a physical player.”

Cherry and Hines combined for 544 receiving yards and one score last year while Ramos alone had 457 yards and three touchdowns. Luckily, the passing game still has Jaylen Samuels, who led NC State in catches (65), receiving yards (597) and receiving touchdowns (seven) in 2015.

But if NC State is looking to stretch the field — an important component in Drinkwitz’s system — it will need the wideouts to perform at a high level. With less than a month remaining before the Sept. 1 season opener against William & Mary, Doeren gave an honest reaction to what he’s seen thus far.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Doeren said of his receivers. “...

Between Steph[en Louis], Bra’Lon Cherry and Trowell, Kelvin [Harmon] we’ve got four guys that can catch the ball out there.”

mlb

Former Mudcat Dansby Swanson gets called up by Braves

By R. Cory Smith North State Journal unning on four hours of sleep, Dansby Swanson arrived in Atlanta. The No. 1 prospect R in the Braves’ system received a huge ovation from

Madeline Gray | north state journal

Former baseball catcher for the Cincinnati Reds Johnny Bench, right, signs baseballs for Phil Santomassi, left, of Wilmington, during a golf tournament hosted by Hope for Warriors at the River Landing Country Club in Wallace on Monday. Bench, Doug Flynn and Dereck Whittenburg attended the event to help raise money to support veterans, military members and their families.

Johnny Bench, local stars help Hope For The Warriors golf tournament

By R. Cory Smith North State Journal ALLACE, N.C. — Johnny Bench signed countless baseballs, hats W and scorecards as he walked through the

clubhouse at River Landing Golf Club.

The 68-year-old Hall of Famer didn’t mind the attention, and he actually invited it on Monday afternoon.

The 14-time All-Star catcher was on hand yet again for the Hope For The Warriors golf tournament in Wallace, participating in nearly every event over its five years at River Landing.

While he didn’t actually play golf this time around, Bench helped raise money for the association from last Friday through Monday.

“I’m all for everything we can do to help the healing process,” Bench said.

“These men and women were injured fighting for us. Giving back in every way possible still doesn’t seem like enough.”

Bench and former teammate Doug Flynn, an 11-year MLB veteran, found the association nearly a decade ago and immediately wanted to help. After both participated in a golf tournament at Camp Lejeune in 2005 that awarded money to winners, they decided they wanted to be a part of an organization that solely rewarded the soldiers.

“I felt like, ‘I’m coming down here for a cause that I should be bringing money in for,’” Flynn said of other tournaments. “I just sort of felt like there was more that we could do. So we started finding ways to raise money ... because there’s no adequate way that we could ever give these guys back what they deserve.”

Bench was a little more skeptical at first after having helped out other associations.

“When they initially came to me, I said, ‘How much money do you want?’

“I just sort of felt like there was more that we could do.

So we started finding ways to raise money ... because there’s no adequate way that we could ever give these guys back what they deserve.”

Doug Flynn, former teammate of Johnny Bench and 11-year MLB veteran

That’s just my normal reaction,” Bench said with a laugh. “But Hope For The Warriors wanted me to help make a difference. With so much of the money going back to soldiers, that was good enough for me.”

In fact, 92 cents out of every dollar made goes back to the wounded military members. Those funds go to every branch of the military to provide assistance to combat wounded service members, their families, and families of those killed in action.

Now in its 10th year of business, Hope For The Warriors has changed the lives of several military families.

Last year alone, more than $300,000 was provided to 264 families with 148 military households saved from eviction or foreclosure.

John Rose, an active gunnery sergeant in the Marines with 15 years under his belt, has benefited from Hope For The Warriors on multiple occasions. With a false left eye from battle, he feels the golf tournaments are beneficial for soldiers in more ways than just raising funds.

“This tournament is awesome because it brings us around other guys like ourselves,” Rose said. “It helps us grow so much as individuals. You may have a problem, I may have a problem, I’ve dealt with that problem and here’s something that worked for me. It really gives us a chance to learn from each other, and there’s not many organizations out there that give us that opportunity.”

Even with a tournament that also included stars like NC State legend Dereck Whittenburg, singer Scotty McCreery and sportscaster Rick Allen, the military members were constantly under the spotlight. Rose’s sentiments were exactly what Hope For The Warriors co-founder and CEO Robin Kelleher set out to accomplish when she started the tournament.

“The tournament for us is a way to let the service members be the heroes, celebrities and stars,” Kelleher said.

“It’s kind of a 180-degree flip. It’s a really meaningful event because they can tell their stories. They get to teach each other how to play golf and spend that real, organic time together. It’s very meaningful for them because they come away feeling like rock stars.”

The service members might come away on a high, but they’re not the only ones benefiting from being on hand at River Landing.

“Every celebrity that’s here is here because they know what they’re coming to and the cause they’re supporting,” Flynn said. “They’re here to hopefully make a difference in these folks’ lives.

Nobody down here is patting themselves on the back for shooting well or hoping to get any kind of accolades.

“We’re just here because we believe this is the right thing to do, and we know this is the right organization to do it with.”

the crowd as he ran to the dugout for the first time in his career.

It’s a stark change from where his season began in Zebulon for the Carolina Mudcats. But after growing up in Marietta, Ga., and idolizing players from the Braves’ golden era, Swanson was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for his first start with the tomahawk across his chest.

“Probably as close to a dream come true as possible,” Swanson said of getting called up. “That’s the only way I can sum it up. Playing for your hometown team, basically going out there and doing what you’ve worked your whole life for is pretty special.”

Swanson’s numbers across the minors aren’t staggering, as he hit .275/.362/.426 with nine home runs and 55 RBI. But the power was more prevalent during his time with Mississippi, hitting eight of his nine homers over the final 84-game stretch.

Jeff Franceour, a former highly touted Braves prospect in his own respect, gave Swanson some sage advice before his debut.

“I told him you get one game to stink and that’s tonight,” Franceour said. “After that you’ve got to start playing.”

Swanson wasted no time getting his first hit at the MLB level, though, ripping an opposite-field single in his second plate appearance. He ultimately finished with a 2-for-4 night in a 10-3 loss for the Braves against the Minnesota Twins.

But the reason why the former No. 1 overall pick is at or near the top of almost every prospect ranking system is about more than just his bat. He’s a slick-fielding shortstop who already displays the pedigree and maturity of a major leaguer before his first full season with the Braves.

“Obviously this is the highest level,” Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “But the way he’s walking around, he looks very calm, cool and collected.”

Brought in during a trade with the Diamondbacks last season, the Braves have clearly gotten the better end of the trade with Swanson. Shelby Miller, who Atlanta dealt for the shortstop, is scuffling in Arizona with a 7.14 ERA over 14 starts, eventually earning a demotion to the minor leagues.

Rather than having a shaky starter in a young rotation, the Braves now tout one of the top prospects in the MLB. While he still has a long career ahead of him before he can be seen as a huge boon for the Braves, Swanson has a young group around him ready to help him become Atlanta’s next star.

“I didn’t really feel nervous the whole game, really,” Swanson said. “I guess just kind of like the visualization — my whole life this is what I wanted, now it’s here. The guys were keeping it loose and having fun, everybody laughing, so that makes it a little bit easier.

“Credit to those guys like Frenchy [Francoeur], Gordon [Beckham] and Freddie [Freeman] for just kind of walking me through it and just telling me to have fun and enjoy it. That’s what I was able to do.”

Dale Zanine | USA TODAY SPORTS images

Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson on the field after lining out during his first at bat in the majors against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning at Turner Field.

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North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

NBA

braves baseball

New Orleans replaces Greensboro serves as Ryder Charlotte as 2017 All- Cup scouting trip for Love Star Game host city

By The Sports Xchange Via Reuters

By The Sports Xchange Via Reuters The NBA has chosen New Orleans to replace Charlotte for the 2017 All-Star Game, the league announced Friday.

The 66th NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 19, at Smoothie King Center, home of the New Orleans Pelicans.

The NBA last month pulled the 2017 marquee midseason event out of Charlotte in response to the league’s objection to North Carolina House Bill 2, a state law that mandates transgender people use public restrooms corresponding to the sex listed on their birth certificates.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver had threatened for months to move the All-Star Weekend out of Charlotte unless the law aimed at the state’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community was changed.

In addition to the All-Star Game, the Smoothie King Center will host the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 17 and All-Star Night on Saturday, Feb. 18, while the All-Star practice, celebrity game and NBA Development League AllStar Game will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

“New Orleans is a worldclass destination for sports and entertainment and we are very appreciative that the city is once again hosting our AllStar festivities,” Silver said in a statement. “We are grateful to Tom and Gayle Benson and the Pelicans organization and to Governor John Bel Edwards, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation for inviting us back for what promises to be another exciting and memorable celebration of the game.”

This will mark the third time New Orleans has been the site of the league’s All-Star celebration, having previously hosted the event in 2008 and 2014.

“We are grateful that the NBA has selected us to host the 2017 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans,” Pelicans owner Tom Benson said. “We have

made tremendous upgrades to the Smoothie King Center and know the building will be a first-class venue to host the myriad of events associated with All-Star weekend. New Orleans has hosted the All-Star Game twice in the past nine years, and is a perfect destination for NBA fans. As we know, the NBA will engage thousands of local children and charities during this weekend. On behalf of my wife Gayle and the entire Pelicans organization, we thank Governor Edwards, Mayor Landrieu, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, SMG, and all of the others that worked so hard in a short amount of time to bring the All-Star Game to New Orleans.”

In the wake of the devastating floods that have affected thousands of Louisiana residents, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have joined the Pelicans and the New Orleans Saints to provide financial and other ongoing support of the flood rescue, relief and rebuilding efforts.

“Even in the midst of a historic crisis, I am excited that the NBA has recognized how great the City of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana are,” Edwards said. “In Louisiana, one of the strongest bonds that unites all of us is our passion for sports. Not only will NBA fans be able to participate in the AllStar Game events, they will also be a part of our world-famous Mardi Gras festivities. The fan experience can’t get any better than that. While we move into the recovery phase of this disaster, I want to thank the NBA for the vote of confidence in our state to host this event and their support of the relief efforts currently underway. I want to congratulate Mayor Landrieu, the City of New Orleans, and the Pelicans for working in short order to make this all possible.”

The 2017 NBA All-Star Game will be televised in prime time on TNT for the 15th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports’ 32nd year of NBA AllStar coverage.

REENSBORO — Davis Love III captured the Wyndham G Championship for the third time

last year, and even though he will be at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., this week, he will not be defending his title.

The 52-year-old Love, a Charlotte native who was a three-time All-American at the University of North Carolina, is recovering from surgery on his left hip and won’t play on tour again this season. But he’s got a more important role to deal with as captain of the United States Ryder Cup team.

The team has matches coming in five weeks at Hazeltine, but several spots are still in flux.

And with four captains choices — one which will be made after the Tour Championship — Love will be paying close attention to what happens at Sedgefield.

“Obviously, the team is playing very well, really, from 1 to 25, you keep getting solid play out of a lot of guys,” said Love, who was captain when the Europeans rallied past the Americans in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah to win for the third straight time and sixth time in the past seven.

“We might not win every week, which is hard to do on the PGA Tour these days. We have four, five, six guys right up there every week. ... After this week, we can solidify it a little bit better, start thinking about who might be picks and look to the [FedExCup] playoffs [which start next week with the Barclays].”

There was speculation earlier this year Love might put one of his vice captains, Tiger Woods, on the U.S. team as a captain’s pick, but Woods hasn’t played because of back surgery since tying for 10th in the Wyndham last year.

However, a similar question arose two weeks ago when vice captain Jim Furyk became the first player to shoot 58 on the PGA Tour to tie for fifth in the Travelers Championship.

Love already had him on his radar.

“We’ve got guys like Jim Furyk that went out last year during the playoffs and didn’t play until really the week before the U.S. Open [where he finished tied for second],” Love told reporters at the PGA Championship, one of seven

Brian Spurlock | USA TODAY SPORTS images

Jul 26, 2016; Springfield, NJ, USA; Davis Love III speaks to the media during a practice round for the 2016 PGA Championship golf tournament at Baltusrol GC - Lower Course.

times in which he mentioned Furyk, who had wrist surgery early in the year.

“If Furyk played his normal schedule ... he’d probably pop right back up into the top five or six.”

Love will know who his top eight players are when the Barclays finishes on Sunday next week, and as of now, they would be U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson, Jimmy Walker, Brooks Koepka, Zach Johnson, J.B Holmes and Patrick Reed.

The first three captain’s picks will be made on Sept. 11 after the BMW Championship, with one more coming on Sept. 25 following the Tour Championship.

Those on the bubble include veterans Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar and Bill Haas.

“When you look at it, remember Jack Nicklaus saying [as captain], ‘I’m just going to take the Top 12 and make it easy,’” said Love, who hopes to increase the Americans’ 25-13-2 lead in the series. “When we look past the top 12, we are probably looking a little further than people think.

“I’m excited about the top-tobottom play, and I think that’s what’s most important, is we have a lot of players that can make the team and a lot of players to

Team USA from page B1 can style win even when some of their most important players are off. Poor Klay Thompson’s jumper missed its connection flight down to Rio. Aside from the game against France, when Thompson sizzled for 30 points on 16 attempts, the Golden State Warriors sharpshooter has been a disaster. Thompson has shot 30 percent from the field, making just 10 of his 35 threes (28.6 percent). This guy is arguably the second best shooter in the world and he’s looked like a YMCA chucker in the Olympics.

Irving and Anthony saved the day against Australia, and after playing well but mostly snoozing through the first five games, Kevin Durant erupted against Argentina. KD was his usual hyper-efficient self, pumping in 27 points on just 13 attempts (7-of-9 on 3-pointers). Outside of Durant, the Americans were just 4-of-24 from beyond the arc.

Even though they laid enough bricks to build a house from the perimeter, that Argentina victory was important. The 27-point win was the first time since this squad arrived in Rio that they’ve looked like a complete team against real competition. It was also easily their best performance on defense. And it couldn’t come at a better time, with the gold medal game coming Sunday at 2:45 p.m.

After falling down 19-9 to start the game, the Americans roared back with a vengeance. Ignited by their bench, the United States — led by a line of Durant, Cousins, Paul George, Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry — ripped off a 27-5 run, which effectively ended the game. USA’s bench outscored Argentina’s 28-7 in the first half

Jim Young | Reuters

Carmelo Anthony (15) and Kyrie Irving (10) of Team USA basketball high five following a big play against Spain in the Olympic semifinals. USA advanced to the gold medal game with an 82-76 victory.

alone. Team USA corralled Argentina’s pick-and-roll action and flooded passing lanes, which allowed their transition game to finally kick in. When they’re running and gunning, no team can hang with the Americans, especially if Durant and George play like that. No one else has athletes like those two.

Against Spain, an 82-76 Team USA win to advance to the gold medal game, the American’s familiar opponent came with a gameplan that worked early, getting good looks on offense and keeping both Melo and KD in check.

Durant got it going in the third, and DeAndre Jordan (STATS)

committed international crimes as a force inside above the rim.

Spain seemed comfortable hanging around, and the international vets started bringing the fight in the crucial moments.

It sent a message that echoes what we saw from Australia and others: despite the tournament dominance, the Americans are not quite as intimidating as they might like to be perceived. Team USA’s superior talent level delivered in the clutch moments on Friday, and that’s what they’ll need again on Sunday afternoon in the Gold Medal game.

George was phenomenal in the semifinals, and Mike Krzyzewski will need the Indiana Pacers star

to continuously bring that ubiquitous floor game of his to competition. It’s what can help balance out Kyrie, Boogie and Melo.

Defense hasn’t been the only issue, though.

International teams know they can’t run with America. They muck up the game and commit fouls to prevent transition opportunities, which forces the United States to operate in the half-court.

This is where an offense that mostly runs through Irving and Anthony can become problematic. Team USA has fantastic chemistry, these guys love playing with one another, but those two players, both of whom ranked in the top 15 in the NBA last season in

choose from.

“It’s a new system this year.

Obviously, we are used to, after the PGA Championship we get our team, and it used to be the team and the picks basically would all happen at once.

“I like having some leeway and some time. You don’t want to miss out on a guy that’s hot.”

Love was hoping to at least have the option of choosing Woods, if he got back onto the course, but that didn’t happen.

However, the captain has been thrilled by the play of Mickelson, 46.

“Obviously, Phil last year for the Presidents Cup was in the 20s [in the points] and was picked, and was the star of the team,” Love said of Lefty, who tied for second behind Henrik Stenson of Sweden in the Open Championship at Royal Troon last month.

“Phil obviously played an unbelievable [Open] Championship. Would have won ... 141 of the Open Championships played. He just ran into a hot player.

“Phil is methodical about his preparation. He knows how to prepare for a major championship. I don’t have to worry about him.”

That’s good, because Love has plenty of other concerns in the Americans’ bid to turn the tide against the Euros.

usage percentage, are ball-dominant scorers, who earn their keep cooking dudes one-on-one.

This makes the Americans far too easy to defend at times. Team USA runs one basic action, the opponents snuffs it out, and then those two get sticky with the ball.

Movement stops. Then they dribble out the clock until it’s time to hoist a jumper.

It’s not an issue of selfishness, but this is a cause and effect of running an overly simplified offense. In most cases, an Irving or Melo shot is a solid outcome.

Those are good players and when they shoot the ball, good things normally happen. But it’s making a team with a dozen awesome players way too easy to contain.

It’s clear this team misses Chris Paul and LeBron James, who starred for the last two Olympic teams. Paul and James are probably the two most clever passers in the NBA, and when the offense flows through them, the ball is constantly in motion.

The lifeblood of their games is getting others involved. Team USA lacks playmaking in its lineup, and this stationary offense wouldn’t fly under the guidance of Paul or James.

Draymond Green has been relegated mostly to the bench as he tries to find his niche on this roster, but it may be worth increasing his playing time. Green is known for his defensive, but he’s a willing and ambitious passer who could facilitate more ball movement.

Ultimately, though, basketball is a game of makes and misses. It’s cliched, but the team that makes the most shots generally wins. With the ball in the more-than-capable hands of Irving and Anthony, Team USA has the best shot at a third-straight gold medal.

NS J

reach for Take notice — pop-up markets are happening all around N.C. and could be just the way to find that unique item you’ve been searching for.

See page C4

the good life IN A NORTH STATE OF MIND

the seed

SUNDAY

8.21.16

playlist August 20-27 The Winston-Salem Open Winston-Salem The Winston-Salem Open is one of the East Coast’s most popular tennis events. Now in its sixth year, it is held at Wake Forest University and is the last ATP World Tour 250 event prior to the US Open.

Steve Johnson, Donald Young, Bradley Klahn, and some of the top ranked players in the world competed in the 2015 tournament, and many are expected to return for the 2016 competition. winstonsalemopen.com

August 26-27 Apron Making Workshop Pineville This is the first sewing workshop of 2016 and volunteer Mia Dappert will be at the James K. Polk State Historic Site to teach basic 18th century sewing stitches and guide participants as they begin to create a women’s “Alamance Plaid” apron similar to those that would have been worn between the 1790s-1810s. All skill levels are welcome, and materials will be provided to participants.

Space is limited and preregistration is required. jameskpolk.net

August 26-28 MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Shawn Fenell, left, and Michael Becker, right, box bottles of Christmas wine at Duplin Winery in Rose Hill on Tuesday, July 26.

Wine industry thrives in N.C. With 160 wineries and 400 vineyards in the state, it is clear the climate is right for the wine industry in N.C.—we talked with two to learn more about their experience as the enterprise sees growth and expansion.

By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal

A

s friends gather for a glass of cool white wine and chefs cook beef stew in a red wine sauce, wine continues to thrive in the marketplace. North Carolina’s continuous growth in the wine industry has propelled the state to be one of the leading producers of wine in the country.

“There are many different opinions on wine. You have the opportunity to try all these different wines in our state with so many wineries and so many different experiences. Seven percent of people come to a winery to learn something, the other 93 percent come to have a good time. The state understands the tourism aspect which is helping wineries continue to grow,” said Jonathan Fussell, president of Duplin Wine Family.

North Carolina is home to approximately 160 wineries from Murphy to Manteo. Muscadines grow bountifully in the coastal regions while vinifera grape varieties thrive in the Western and Piedmont regions.

Ranking 10th in the United States for both wine and grape production, the annual economic impact of the North Carolina wine and grape industry is $1.28 billion with nearly 7,600 jobs supported.

See the seed, page C6

Inside

Mid-Atlantic Fall Boat & RV Show and Sale Charlotte This is the first Annual MidAtlantic Fall Boat Show and Sale, bringing together Marine dealers from the region with the goal of passing along savings to their customers on the remaining inventory just before the beautiful Carolina fall boating season that lies ahead. midatlanticfallboatshow.com 2016 Civil War Weekend Salisbury The N.C. Transportation Museum presents the 2016 Civil War Weekend: Stoneman’s Raid through Salisbury. Activities include a lantern tour on Friday night, reenactments on train rides that represent Stoneman’s men capturing a train, cannon and musket demonstrations, medical demonstrations, and a dinner dance. nctrans.org

Bottles of sweet muscadine wine sit on the shelves at the Duplin Winery in Rose Hill.

read to me

Buster Goes to Kindergarten It’s time for school, and Buster the puppy is heading to kindergarten for the first time in this fictional story!

See page C7

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

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necessities the nest

history marked

Five things to tell yourself after college drop-off

Aug. 22, 1914

By Jennifer Wood North State Journal t is off-to-college season, the time when young Icoeds burst forth from their

homes packing more than necessary (and then some) to start life on campus while their parents do their best to hang on and secure just one more hug.

Having weathered this season of life myself, I have a little advice for those of you feeling the distinct nostalgic sting of postcollege drop off.

1. Your child has already succeeded. You just dropped them off at college. They are furthering their education. Take a minute and be proud of them.

2. Regardless of whether or not you think they do or do not want to hear from you — they do. Whether they are down the street or across the country, communication is key. This may be the first time many of your kids have been away from home for an extended period of time and even though they seem all grown up on the outside, they still need you. You can choose to agree on a set time for a phone call check-in, but every student is different and it is likely best to let them choose when they call and just be ready to listen and talk when the phone rings.

Above all, get used to texting and remember that snail mail and care packages equal love in college. After a crummy day, getting a notice that you have a care package from home waiting for you feels like a hug enclosed in a cardboard box.

3. This is your new reality.

Figure out how to fill this free time with something other than worry or helicopter parenting. You did well. You raised a fine human who will let you know when they need you. Go take a class to expand your career goals or look for volunteer opportunities in your community.

4. This one may not make sense and I might be too late for some of you, but whatever you do don’t go in their room yet, give it at least a week ... maybe more.

Trust me on this one.

5. Do not project your own sense of anxiety on to them.

They have enough on their plate with adjusting to a roommate and getting used to classes (likely harder than they’ve ever experienced), and trying to fit into an entirely new environment without worrying over how you are doing.

Take a deep breath — or maybe three — and know that before you can say “toga party” it will be fall break, and they’ll be standing in your foyer handing over their laundry.

Voices Contributors to this section this week include: Julie David Samantha Gratton Josh Hyatt Laura Ashley Lamm Ally Levine Liz Moomey

Tell us Know a North Carolina story that needs telling?

Drop us a line at features@nsjonline.com.

Country Music Association founder Connie Barriot Gay was born in Lizard Lick in rural Wake County.

After working on his family’s tobacco farm as a youth, Gay become an agricultural extension agent. That job led him into radio broadcasting in the 1940s when he took over the Farm Security Administration’s National Farm and Home Hour. Gay’s interest in radio and music grew, and in 1946 he approached the program director of an Arlington, Virginia radio station about starting a country music show called “Town and Country.”

Through the show, Gay polished the image of what had been known as “hillbilly music,” and he is credited with coining the term “country music.”

Aug. 23, 1934

Legendary quarterback Christian Jurgensen, was born in Wilmington.

Known to the world as Sonny, Jurgensen is considered one of the all-time best passers in pro football history. Jurgensen was a multi-talented athlete in Wilmington during the 1940s and 1950s, playing baseball, basketball, football and tennis. He attended Duke and joined the varsity football squad in 1954 as a defensive back, becoming starting quarterback the next year and leading the team to the Orange Bowl. He then played seven seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles after signing as a fourth-round draft pick in 1957. In 1964, the Eagles traded him to the Washington Redskins, where he spent the rest of his career.

Aug. 25, 1962

Little Eva hit the top of the charts with her recording of “The LocoMotion.” Eva Narcissus Boyd, fresh from her home in Belhaven, can be said to have been in the right place at the right time. In 1960, she left North Carolina and headed to New York to try to break into the music business. While she sang backup in some studio sessions early on, it was not until “The Loco-Motion” — which was co-written by Carole King, who Boyd used to babysit — that she got her big break.

Information courtesy of N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

turn the page It’s that time again—time to grab those school supplies, put on those brand new shoes, and start the school year. Page 158 Books in Wake Forest provided this excellent list to get your kids mentally prepared for the first day and the weeks to come.

Whether your little ones are heading off to school for the first time or the fourth time, these books are great ways to prepare young readers for the year to come.

just a pinch the

rule

Tips for attracting our cardinals to your yard: • Did you know our state bird is the largest songbird in the Southeast?

The cardinal has a big beak, so make sure to put out bigger seed: they prefer sunflower or safflower seeds, but they also like suet mixes.

• Give this big bird sturdy footing with a stationary or platform feeder that is secure enough to handle their weight. Cardinals prefer dense foliage, so place the feeder near shrubbery or high perches around the edge of your trees in the yard.

• Who doesn’t like a bath? Birdbaths do take upkeep, but they’re worth it to your colorful bird friends. You can purchase a water wiggler to keep the water moving which keeps it from attracting mosquitoes in the summer and freezing in the winter.

• A box of sand aids in digestion by giving cardinals a place to grind the seeds they eat—and they can also dust off their feathers there if need be.

A cardinal is a homebody who will generally stay in the same area, so be a good host and you will have a colorful backyard neighbor to enjoy throughout the year.

get ready

Back to school Teacher support

By Julie David For the North State Journal School supply lists are out and children, if not anticipating the actual return of school, get excited for those new folders and pens. As a parent, you scan the list and it gets less and less glamorous as you near the end, the place for “community supplies” like sanitizing wipes and tissues. While it might be tempting to gloss over these items, thinking the teacher will get plenty, don’t be so quick to dismiss them. Providing community supplies is the front line of helping teachers.

It’s a simple way to let teachers know they have supportive parents behind them right from the start.

On the flip side of that, family budgets are usually stretched as school starts, so ongoing help is often just as important. Buying classroom supplies like a fresh pack of pencils (they give out a lot of these!) or a pack of notebook paper is appreciated by teachers year-round, no matter the grade level.

A holiday basket with a ream of copy paper and

new dry erase markers may not seem exciting, but it is a welcome sight halfway through the school year.

And though gift cards to discount stores or coffee shops seem impersonal, I have seen more than once on social media teachers saying how much they are appreciated. When it comes to teachers in North Carolina, a little token of appreciation goes a long way.

And giving of time, I think more than anything, shows a family’s willingness to partner in a child’s education. Whether it be organizing a once-a-year party, volunteering during the lunch hour to make copies, or giving an hour to tutor a small group of students, teachers know your time is precious.

They only need to be asked once what kind of support they could use in the classroom. However, don’t be discouraged if a teacher seems not to need help. Use your time instead to reassure them with communication, like an appreciative email when your child has enjoyed a new concept or a simple card on the teacher’s birthday. We often hear the phrase “kindness matters” and that is doubly true when it comes to supporting today’s teachers.

Julie David is a Charlotte mom to three school-age daughters and a former middle school teacher. She enjoys being a community partner liaison between her daughter’s public school and their church and is passionate about creating encouraging relationships between schools and their communities.

pre-sharpened pencils

gift cards

“The Night Before Preschool”

Top supplies to contribute

“The Night Before Kindergarten”

facial tissues

“Night Before First Grade”

by Natasha Wing

for grades preschool through 1st

“First Day Jitters”

by Julie Dannenberg for grades kindergarten through 3rd

“My Weird School Special: Back to School, Weird Kids Rule!”

by Dan Gutman

for grades 1st through 5th

“Fish in a Tree”

by Lynda Mullaly Hunt for grades 4th through 6th

copy paper

heavy-duty electric pencil sharpener

“Out of My Mind”

by Sharon Draper for grades 5th and up

dry erase markers

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

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the maker CAM | Raleigh

By Liz Moomey North State Journal

E E

xcellent clays, strong family connections, and an ability to adapt really allowed pottery in North Carolina to survive,” Lindsey Lambert, North Carolina Pottery Center executive director, said.

“North Carolina has such a diversity of clay.”

North Carolina Pottery Center led a CAMversation at CAM Raleigh on Wednesday night to share the stories of Pittsboro-based potter Mark Hewitt.

Hewitt spoke about how his family, traveling and the geology of North Carolina influenced his pottery. During Hewitt’s presentation, he explained he was looking for a place that had “good clay and good wood” to set up shop in the United States.

Lambert said this is why pottery has flourished in the state and says his main goal at the N.C. Pottery Center is sharing the stories of why pottery is important to the makers, and CAMversation provides such a stage.

“This is why events like this are important, because people do have the opportunity to learn so much more about the potter as a person, and that’s one of the things that is very interesting about pottery,” Lambert said. “Some people may buy it for the aesthetic alone, but so many people are interested in the story behind the pots. And that’s what we, at North Carolina Pottery Center, work to tell. We work to tell those stories behind the pots.”

Hewitt shared how his work with clay told these stories saying, “Diamonds, sapphires and emeralds are wonderful and they have the image that you cut it, flatten it, and make it into shapes. Clay also has image, but it’s grander, it’s fluid, it’s flexible, it’s lighter.”

Hewitt noted one of the aspects of pottery is the divide between usability and decoration with pottery, which depends on the customer.

“I can’t control what people end up doing with my work, Hewitt sad. “I can control the aesthetic at all stages, but once it gets out to the marketplace, it takes on a life of its own. I think it’s a shame to buy a Rolls-Royce

MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Potter Mark Hewitt presents his work during a conversation at the Contemporary Art Museum in Raleigh on Wednesday, August 17. Although he spent the beginning of his life in Europe and traveling the world, Hewitt settled in North Carolina because he wanted to find a place with local supplies of clay and wood.

“Diamonds, sapphires and emeralds are wonderful and they have the image that you cut it, flatten it, and make it into shapes.

Clay also has image, but it’s grander, it’s fluid, it’s flexible, it’s lighter.”

— Mark Hewitt

PHOTO COURTESY OF SENORA LYNCH

MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Left, Katy Petrisin, of Graham, listens as potter Mark Hewitt presents his work during a conversation at the Contemporary Art Museum in Raleigh on Wednesday, August 17. Right, North Carolina potter Senora Lynch creates each of her pieces using a traditional Native American technique called hand-coiling.

and not drive it.”

He added pottery allows for improvement with every piece he crafts.

“If I’m making 150 mugs in a day, I’m making each one better than the last,” Hewitt said. “It is sort of an act of devotion. It’s a prayer. I’ve got to get this one right. I have to get the next one right.”

Warrenton’s Senora Lynch,

who is known for American Indian handmade pottery, was also scheduled to speak but was unable to make it. For her, pottery is a way of showing her heritage, which she calls her pottery “Living Traditions.” Originally, her pottery was one color and used texture design. When she began mastering her craft, her pots started to tell the stories of her tribe. Lynch said, “The land, old

ways, community — those are what’s important, so I started to develop those designs into my pottery.”

Like Hewitt, Lynch touches each pot in a different way. Even if she is designing the same turtle on a tobacco leaf as she did with the pot before, the outcome varies.

“I’m a different person every day,” Lynch said. “My fingers

may not move the same as they did before.”

With every piece she makes, she pours everything into it and hopes a part of her spirit is felt through it.

“I always pray over my work,” she said. “I hope it will bring them health and joy. I hope that they feel it — feel that love and respect and joy. I hope they feel that when they take it home.”

SEPTEMBER 13 - 18 Hurry for Best Seats | New seats available at $35

+ taxes & fees

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North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

reach for Urban Vintage | Raleigh Pop-up shops are popping up all across the state. North Carolina is fortunate to have multiple handmade happenings and vintage ventures going on from Asheville’s East West Shop on Haywood, Vintage Hendo in Hendersonville, The Vintage Charlotte Market, events in Raleigh hosted by the Handmaidens, Durham’s Rock & Shop Market, and all the way to the coast in Leland at the Seaglass Salvage Market where they host a Tulips & Juleps event to celebrate Mother’s Day and the Kentucky Derby.

With the amount of talented artisans in N.C. it is easy to see why this sort of marketplace is appealing to both buyers and sellers. In case you have yet to experience the joy of pop-up shopping, here’s the scoop. Pop-up market organizers work with local makers, artists, and collectors to bring their wares to a unique space to sell for a set amount of time. This is a great way for small companies just starting out to build brand awareness, launch a new product, or test a new consumer market. For buyers, the ability to buy local, often directly from the artist, and enjoy an experience that includes food trucks and local music or the launch of a new craft brew makes for an event not to be missed.

Left, Vintage alphabet flashcards are displayed at the Field of Poppies booth at the Urban Vintage pop-up market. Field of Poppies owners Cassina Maynor and Melodie Love-Wagner only sell their upcycled vintage goods at pop-up markets. Right, Lucie Branch keeps cool in the Gypsy Jule mobile shop.

From left, Chelsea Perry, Emily Babcock, and Kristen Fish joke as Babcock considers buying a chair from Gypsy Jule at the Urban Vintage pop-up market Saturday, August 13.

PHOTOS BY MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Top, The Urban Vintage pop-up market is one of two shopping events hosted by The Handmaidens, a collective of North Carolina artists, designers and crafters. The Handmaidens also host The Handmade Market, a two-day craft pop-up market. Bottom, Vintage postcards and letters are displayed at SuzAnna’s Antiques booth at the Urban Vintage pop-up market Saturday, August 13.

We have a large market planned for next summer that will feature artisans from across the state.

We are still in the planning stages, but we've secured a farm location and the seller's booths will be set up based on location, for example: Coastal, Piedmont, and Mountains. These pop-up markets have been a wonderful supplement to our business.”

— Jenny Sellars of SuzAnna's Antiques who runs a brick & mortar store in Raleigh and participates in multiple pop-up markets every year

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North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

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The Duplin name is stamped on a cask at the winery’s event space in Rose Hill on Tuesday, July 26.

THE SEED from page C1 “This is the sweet taste of the South. We always say, ‘life is sweeter here at Duplin.’ We are proud of the fact that we make sweet wine,” said Fussell. “We’ve always embraced it—that is who we are— there are a lot of great dry wines out there, but we try to stick to our roots.”

Duplin Winery, the world’s largest producer of muscadine wine, is also the largest and oldest winery in the state with the Fussell family having opened the doors in 1976.

Located in Rose Hill, with a second site in North Myrtle Beach, Duplin uses grapes grown in four states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Florida.

“When Hurricane Hugo came through in 1989 it affected us tremendously, causing us to lose a lot of grapes. We learned that when a hurricane hits us here, we need to have grapes in other states that wouldn’t be affected by a hurricane,” said Fussell.

Now, Duplin Winery bottles between 6,000-7,000 bottles of wine per hour producing 475,000 cases of wine annually from seven types of grapes: Carlos, Magnolia, Scuppernong, Noble, James, Coastal, and Doreen.

While the richness of the land in Eastern North Carolina is useful for the growing of sweeter grapes, the terrain of Western Carolina is providing a whole different avenue for the wine industry.

The Biltmore Estate Winery, which receives more than 1 million visitors annually, is the most visited winery in the United States. Producing 11 different blends in addi-

tion to more than 35 distinctive varietals, Biltmore is known for more than just the vast home of George Vanderbilt.

“The diversity in our wine lineup is unique to Biltmore Winery. The diversity in our portfolio makes it easy for anyone—from the novice wine drinker to the connoisseur— to explore Biltmore wines and incorporate them into their own entertaining. The wine preferences of our customers are quite varied, and we feel it’s important to offer different wines to appeal to these different palates,” said Marissa Jamison, public relations manager for the Biltmore.

“We are able to offer such diversity in our wine portfolio due to having appellations in both North Carolina and California, and that makes Biltmore Winery very unique.”

In the terrain of Western Carolina, six types of grapes—riesling, chardonnay, viognier, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot—have proven successful for Biltmore wine production.

The consistently changing weather conditions and climate in the mountain region of the state, have allowed for Biltmore wines to partner with other vineyards in the state as well as California growers to keep pace with demand while maintaining quality.

“Because we source from so many vineyards, we find the best grapes in order to craft the best possible wines,” says Sharon Fenchak, who along with Bernard Delille, leads wine production at Biltmore.

Biltmore Winery produces approximately 150,000 cases of

PHOTOS BY MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Bottles of Christmas wine are filled in the bottling room at the Duplin Winery in Rose Hill.

“There are many different opinions on wine. You have the opportunity to try all these different wines in our state with so many wineries and so many different experiences.”

— Jonathan Fussell, president of Duplin Wine Family

Thurman Casey, right, and Maria Casey, center, of Rocky Point, buy wine from Crystal Todd, left, at the Duplin Winery in Rose Hill on Tuesday, July 26.

wine annually, which amounts to approximately 1.8 million bottles of wine annually, and ranks in the top one percent of U.S. wine business.

Both Duplin and Biltmore win-

eries, along with others throughout North Carolina, have a wine presence outside of the state which continuously works to increase recognition of the state’s wine industry.

remembrance Marvin Johnson

EDGAR MARVIN JOHNSON

September 4, 1926-August 17, 2016 Edgar Marvin Johnson, the founder of House of Raeford Farms, passed away Wednesday at his home at the age of 89.

Johnson was chairman of the board emeritus and former chief executive officer of the Rose Hill poultry company, which he and his family founded after he returned from serving in World War II in the merchant marine.

“I was saddened to learn of the death of Marvin Johnson, the founder and former CEO of House of Raeford Farms,” Gov. Pat McCrory said. “He was truly a pioneer in the poultry industry, starting his business here in North

Carolina and turning it into a national business leader. Ann and I are praying for the Johnson family during this time.”

On Johnson’s passing and what he meant to North Carolina agriculture, N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said, “Marvin Johnson epitomized what an entrepreneur is. From his humble beginnings selling turkeys from his backyard, to building a world-class poultry company, Marvin certainly helped build North Carolina’s poultry industry into the No. 1 agricultural sector in our state. We will miss his vision and his toughness.”

After Rose Hill Poultry and Raeford Turkey Farms became House of Raeford, Johnson helped the company become the first to transition turkey from a seasonal prod-

uct and produce turkeys all year long, and in the process invented the retail deli turkey breast and whole cooked turkey products. The company now counts itself among the top 10 chicken producers in the country and remains one of the largest family owned businesses in North Carolina.

Johnson not only served his company, he served the poultry industry as well. He was president of the National Turkey Federation, the N.C. Poultry Federation and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, and he was inducted into the N.C. Poultry Hall of Fame in 1996. In 2010 he was named chairman of the board emeritus and transitioned from House of Raeford day-to-day operations, leaving his son, Bob, at the helm.

“Marvin Johnson was a pioneer

with duplin

duplinwinery.com • 800.774.9634 505 n. sycamore street • rose hill, nc 28458

leader in the N.C. poultry industry,” Robert L. Ford, the executive director of the North Carolina Poultry Federation, said. “A man of his word, who could make business deals with only a handshake. He did so much to help the poor and downtrodden that most folks never heard about.”

His family said he passed peacefully in his sleep early Wednesday morning.

“Marvin Johnson had a tremendous impact on the industry and his community,” a release from his company said. “He will be remembered as a visionary entrepreneur, a community leader, and a dedicated family man whose wit and humor will never be forgotten.”

Johnson’s funeral service was held at Rose Hill United Methodist Church on Friday, Aug. 19.

North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

№26

Read to me

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EDITOR’s NOTE

Stories have power. They amuse, enchant, teach, and transport us to another time and place outside of our own. Each week, we invite you to read with us, and with the people you love, to let your imagination run wild and free.

Buster Goes to Kindergarten

By Samantha Gratton

TT

his was it. Today was the big day. It was Buster’s first day of puppy kindergarten!

He woke up with a stretch and looked around his kennel at his blankie and favorite toy. What would it be like? He had never heard of kindergarten before, but his mom and dad seemed pretty happy to take him there. They said he would make new friends and learn all sorts of new tricks.

Buster wasn’t sure about it. For one thing, he wasn’t really ready to give up his free time.

All day long he could play when he wanted, take a nap when he was tired, and bark at birds in the window until mom and dad got home from work. Besides, he already had a few friends. Hazel the cat and Letty the pit bull were some of his best buds, but they wouldn’t be there today.

When Buster asked them about it last week, Hazel just quietly told him that she was homeschooled. Her parents taught her from home, so she didn’t have to go. And Letty? Since she was older, she would be in a completely different class at school!

But, like it or not, Buster had to go to kindergarten. His mom got him a new collar and made him pose by the door for the first day, saying it was a tradition. His dad started the car, and they all climbed in to get there on time.

As they pulled into the parking lot Buster looked around at all of the other puppies and families walking into school — he’d never seen so many puppies his own age! Some were curly haired, some had short legs, others barked loudly, and some were running in circles they were so excited. Buster started whimpering from the back seat. What if he didn’t know where to go? Or who was nice?

He just wanted to go back home!

His mom promised it would be fun and his dad told him to be brave with a pat on the back. They walked with him down the crowded hall to his classroom where the teacher was waiting. She had been a teacher for years and didn’t seem to know what it was like to be a puppy. She gave him a firm look and said to sit down. Buster was scared … so

illustration for the north state journal | ALLY LEVINE

scared that he had a little accident right then and there.

Oh no! How embarrassing! He turned his nose toward the floor and backed away from the mess. He kept backing up until he bumped right into a beagle puppy named Bogey! Oops!

Bogey immediately gave a friendly bark and wagged his tail at Buster. So Buster grinned and jumped toward him. Maybe this was one of the new friends mom was talking about!

Buster was ready to play right away and wanted to get to know Bogey.

The teacher quickly put a stop to that.

She explained that there would be time to play later, but first she needed to go over the classroom rules and teach her lesson. The rules were: • Be kind to others • Pay attention to the teacher • Obey your parents • No jumping on the furniture

Then she started teaching the lesson, which was all about how to act calmly and politely to other humans and dogs. She said playtime was the best time to run around and get all your energy out. But then she showed the class the calm tricks they could do like high-five and army crawl.

Buster loved learning how to high-five! He thought it was just the coolest thing ever!

At the end of the day his teacher gave him a treat and a hug. So maybe school wasn’t so bad after all. He came, he learned, and he was ready to go home. He hopped in the car and happily started gnawing on his new bone.

Then his mom said the craziest thing: “Are you excited to go back again tomorrow, Buster?”

What!? Buster thought this was just a one-time thing. He couldn’t believe he had to do it all over again. But then he sat back and remembered all of the good parts of the day.

He made a new friend, learned something, and even had some fun.

COMING UP in the good life Listen up

Across the state there are a vast number of venues to check out live local music. We have a guide to get you grooving down the road.

Techknow senior

We talk with a company that specializes in teaching senior citizens the ins and outs of communicating with computers and technology.

Art on the move

Grab your flapper dress and your dinner jacket, we’re going behind the scenes to preview the artistic flair of the automobiles from the art deco period with the North Carolina Museum of Art.

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North State Journal for Sunday, August 21, 2016

pen & Paper pursuits

Janric classic sudoku

Solutions from 8.14.16

I reckon . . .

Your guide to what’s what, where, why, and how to say it.

North Carolina barbecue on an international flight? Piedmont Airlines began serving a barbecue plate as an inflight meal in 1988 for their Charlotte to London flights. Barbecue wasn’t just popular in the state, it was becoming an international phenomenon. Wise people indeed to serve their customers N.C. barbecue in the air.

Information courtesy of the Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center in Old Fort.