Good morning. Tomatoes, peppers, carrots and other produce will soon arrive at a neighborhood off Rim Road. But it’s not from a new grocery store or government initiative. It’s from community members who are pitching in seeds, soil and labor to plant and manage gardens in residents’ yards.
The mutual aid network was formed through the Crashout Gardening Project by the nonprofit Er’Body Eatz and its founder J’Kwan Fulmore. Crashout Gardening takes abandoned properties, vacant lots and volunteered yards in blighted neighborhoods and transforms them into community gardens that produce fruits and vegetables for neighbors to enjoy.
Welcome to CityView Today. In today’s newsletter, drivers should expect longer commutes when the N.C. Department of Transportation closes a stretch of Raeford Road for eight months. Residents who want to share their thoughts on affordable housing can participate in online sessions next week. Public feedback could be used in upcoming strategic plans.
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Nagem
Editor, Border Belt Independent
Residents are taking food insecurity into their own hands
J’Kwan Fulmore founded Er’Body Eatz to tackle food injustice in Cumberland County. When local government failed to support him, he turned to residents to support Crashout Gardening. The project transforms yards in blighted neighborhoods into community gardens.
More from CityView
Raeford Road near Highland Country Club to close for eight months
A section of Raeford Road near Highland Country Club will close for eight months starting at the end of March while the N.C. Department of Transportation replaces a culvert underneath the road.
Have ideas on how to improve affordable housing opportunities? County seeking input next week
Sign up to participate in online hearings.
Events
TAI CHI IN THE GARDEN
- Where: Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville
- When: 10-11:30 a.m. today
- What: A Chinese martial art and system of calisthenics with very slow controlled movements taught by Rich Martin.
JAMES BOYD BOOK CLUB
- Where: Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines
- When: 2-3 p.m. today
- What: The James Boyd Book Club meets the third Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m. in the Boyd House Library.
PINECONE PATHWAYS KICKOFF CELEBRATION
- Where: Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines
- When: 5:30-7 p.m. today
- What: There will be special announcements, giveaways, a meet and greet with glassmakers from Starworks, a pop-up market, kids’ activities, musical entertainment by Whiskey Pines, and food trucks for everyone to enjoy.
Obituaries
Donna Lynn Locklear
Donna Lynn Locklear, 70, of Rowland, passed away on Saturday, March 15.
James Johnson III
James Johnson III, 74, of Fayetteville, passed away on Friday, March 14.
Georgia Smith
Georgia Smith, 67, of Lumberton, passed away on March 14.
Until tomorrow!
🍎 The Cumberland County Board of Education is hosting “Your Voice, Your Leader: Superintendent Search Forums” to get community input on the next CCS superintendent. One forum is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. today at Gray’s Creek High School. Another is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Douglas Byrd High School. Both are open to the public and don’t require an RSVP to attend.
~ Morgan Casey
