18 minute read
FOOD ACCESS
by JAMIE LYNN MILLER photo by TERAH HOOBLER FRUITFUL Endeavor Freedom Dreams Farms seeks food sovereignty
Local farmer and activist ORIANA BOLDEN is working to bring healthful produce, food sovereignty, and equitable access to Wilmington’s Northside.
Food sovereignty, she explains, is “the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods.”
Inspired by the book Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination by Robin D.G. Kelley, Bolden’s vision for Wilmington and its food impoverished neighborhoods has become her own Freedom Dreams Farms.
“There’s not a single word or passage in that book that does not apply to the vision, intentions, and daily work of my small farm,” Bolden says.
When examining the systems that impact poverty and lead to food scarcity, she explains, it’s important to dig beneath the surface.
“Dropping off free food boxes will certainly fill a belly or two for a day or two, but what about the longer term, and the impact on our local farmers who are growing healthy, culturally relevant, and regionally supportive produce? We need a more fair, equitable, and sustained food movement to address the problems at their roots,” she says.
To that end, Freedom Dreams Farms not only brings good food to market, but it educates the public about the processes that make good food happen.
Bolden schedules farm tours; community learn and workdays; and lunch and learns, in association with the Northside Food Co-op. While eating healthful produce, guests partake in healthful discussions and on macro and micro topics such as food sovereignty and individual composting efforts.
You’ll also find Freedom Dreams Farms at Frankie’s Outdoor Market, 1019 Princess Street, on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Freedom Dreams sells eggs, fresh seasonal vegetables, year-round microgreens, culinary and medicinal herbs, as well as potted herbs and vegetable starts.
Committed to working with like-minded distributors, Bolden buys seeds, feed, and supplies from small businesses dedicated to environmental practices and economic justice.
For Bolden, the residual effects of organic farming drive her big-picture priorities.
“If I look at the few extra dollars for organic as cutting into my profits, that would be a mistake,” she adds.
When buying organic sunflower seeds to fill microgreens subscription boxes, Bolden knows the plant is healthier, and that the workers enjoy better working conditions.
“If my couple of bucks extra means less detriment to the plant and a healthier end product for my customers,” Bolden says, “it’s worth it many times over.”
Working with community regional farmers who share her vision continues to be a fruitful endeavor. “I am learning, growing, and connecting with other small farmers/farmers throughout the region,” says Bolden. “There is definitely a pull toward collectivism.”
Single/individual acts such as recycling, composting, reducing waste aren’t enough, she observes. “Planting a few of our own seeds here and there isn’t sufficient,” she explains. “We have to think and mobilize bigger, and together.” W
This profile appeared in a recent WILMA Downtime newsletter. To sign up for daily WILMA emails, go to WILMAmag.com.
Sound Hypnosis
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Sound Hypnosis, LLC 7036 Wrightsville Avenue Ste. 102 Wilmington, NC 28403
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ART IN BLOOM GALLERYPAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT LEANN PIERCE 210 PRINCESS STREET WILMINGTON, NC 28401
WWW.AIBGALLERY.COM
Jeri Greenberg “Red Chair with Leather Ottoman” Pastel on paper
Art is Always Blooming in Downtown Wilmington!
Established in October 2015, Art in Bloom Gallery is located in a renovated 19th century horse stable. The gallery presents an eclectic mix of original, traditional and contemporary works of art and represents over 30 artists.
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CATAPULT
KNOW YOUR JOB WORTH
The Great Resignation has employees and employers alike reassessing how they approach compensation. Now’s an excellent time to review whether you’re paid competitively by your employer. But where to start?
First, let’s discuss data. Catapult’s 2021 NC Wage & Salary Survey reveals that 60% of organizations indicate their pay philosophy is at-marketrate while 12% report they pay above market rate. That means most organizations intend to pay employees comparable to (or better than) other organizations for similar types of work. This philosophy helps businesses recruit and retain the best talent.
If you’re planning to discuss your wage with your employer, know that employees should follow the same steps as organizations to determine if they’re being compensated properly. Step 1: Review Your Job Description
Title matters far less than job function, so keep your skills in mind. I work with some companies that get caught in compensating for titles, and while company culture or client-facing perspectives matter, titles should correlate little to pay. (Tip: Ensure your job description accurately describes the essential functions, responsibilities and requirements you perform!) Step 2: Compare Data
Find comparable descriptions in at least three statistically sound compensation surveys. You can use the Department of Labor’s complementary compensation data on O*NET Online. Also refer to associations, industry groups or paid compensation sources. Be cautious about data that does not include a description or survey methodology explaining how and when the data was collected! Step 3: Do the Math
Any survey data you reference should be averaged to determine a market rate. Use this rate to divide your annual salary by annual market average. This is called a “compa/ratio.” Compensation analysts use these ratios to identify jobs that are underpaid, matching or overpaid compared to the market.
How do you use a compensation ratio? Pay best practice should fall within 20% of market price, so a comp/ratio of .8 to 1.2 is competitive. A compa/ ratio of 1.0 is perfectly aligned to the market.
Keep in Mind Catapult finds that 83% of employers calculate increases against an employee’s base salary while 17% calculate against range midpoint. Since most employers want to match or exceed the market rate, those midpoints should align. Remember: if your compa/ ratio is below market and your increase is calculated using your current rate, you could receive a pay increase and still fall below market!
It’s always important to know what your skills are worth, and your employer should know how their rates match up so they can stay competitive. Use this data to properly advocate for your compensation and to help your employer stay up-todate in your industry.
Employers: need help identifying your business challenges? Catapult Members are fueled by our data compiled from businesses of all sizes. Let’s refine what you know about your ever-evolving industry. Visit letscatapult.org to learn more about Membership.
Stephanie Dillon, PHR, SHRM-CP HR Advisor Stephanie Dillon is a Catapult HR Advisor. Stephanie has partnered with businesses to provide subject matter expertise on Employee Relations and HR Compliance topics, including, but not limited to: EEO/Discrimination, Wage & Hour, FMLA, ADA, OSHA, Workers’ Compensation, NLRA, FCRA, Immigration, and Unemployment Benefits. She coaches business leaders on Employee Relations, Performance Management, Development, Organizational Effectiveness, and Employee Engagement. She also conducts HR analysis and handbook reviews, as well as providing public speaking on various HR topics.
(866) 440-0302 | LETSCATAPULT.ORG
PLANTATION VILLAGE
MEET OUR RESIDENTS: DENE MCINTOSH
EMBRACING LIFE’S CHANGES AT PLANTATION VILLAGE
On the morning of our interview, Dene McIntosh had taken five phone calls before 10am.
“I’m alone, but not lonely!” she told me with a grin. Friends and family within our community and from afar check in with her regularly.
Dene and her late husband, Joe, moved to Plantation Village from next door at Porters Neck Country Club seven years ago. They were active members of the Porter’s Neck community for more than twenty years. They researched CCRCs across the country. They considered moving closer to their children and ultimately decided to “stay home” at PV. They wanted to remain near water and among an active community where they could stay involved with one of their lives’ greatest passions: tennis.
Dene and Joe met on the tennis court decades ago. Dene received a 4.0 rating in the National Tennis Rating Program, which uses a scale of 1.5 (beginner) to 7.0 (touring pro).
While Dene has hung up her racket, she maintains an active lifestyle and walks our 3-miles of paved trails and out at local parks regularly with friends.
She’s active as the Chairperson of the Plantation Village Memorial Fund, a member of the PV “First Team”, a dining committee area representative, a Hospitality representative and she volunteers in our library. She also attends regular church services and remains active in her PNCC book club.
“I wish we’d moved here 5 years earlier,” she says. Dene compares life at PV to the resort-style life you’d find on a cruise ship. For her, the people who make up our community make the difference.
Sure, you’ll find communities with excellent dining, exercise classes and other amenities but she says the kindness and helpfulness exuded by PV staff and associates is unparalleled.
Maintenance-free living is more than she ever expected. She told me once she put in a work order to have her refrigerator’s water filter replaced. She thought it’d get taken care of within a few days and was shocked when she opened the door 5 minutes later to an associate with a water filter in his hand.. She says her children don’t worry about her, because they know she lives in a community where she’s taken care of. You’ll often find her in the Village Market, picking up some freshly made cookies to enjoy! When Dene lost her husband Joe four years ago, being at Plantation Village made all the difference.
She may be alone, but she’s never lonely for the support she has among friends, family and fellow widows and widowers who lean on each other. She’s embraced life’s changes by making new friends, staying connected to her lifelong ones and finding new passions.
1.866.825.3806 | PLANTATIONVILLAGERC.COM
Anna Cook is Marketing Coordinator at Plantation Village, a non-profit continuing care retirement community that offers independent living on a 56-acre campus in Porters Neck, minutes from downtown Wilmington and area beaches.
SCARLESS VEIN CARE
5 SIGNS IT MAY BE TIME TO SCHEDULE A FREE* VEIN HEALTH SCREENING
1. You are experiencing painful, achy legs
It's easy to associate aches and pains with working out or simply part of "getting older", but they can sometimes signal vein issues. If you notice increased leg pain in the absence of major changes to your daily routine, inadequate circulation could be to blame and should be checked by a vein specialist.
2. Your legs feel tired or heavy at the end of the day
Those long days at work may not be to blame, after all. For most people, standing for an extended period of time should not cause your legs to feel heavy, weak, or tired. If you notice this happening regularly, contact a specialist to determine if you have poor blood-pumping action in your leg veins.
3. Your feet and ankles are swelling
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) can lead to blood pooling, causing the feet and ankles to swell. The swelling gets progressively worse as the day goes on, leading to "sock lines," and in some cases, may trigger individuals to start shopping for a larger shoe size! While swelling can happen in connection with heart disease, younger patients without a history of other causative factors should schedule a vascular evaluation. 4. Restless legs keep you up at night
The sensations range from creeping and crawling to tingling and burning, leading to a constant urge to move the legs. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is often treated with medication from a neurological standpoint, but the cause may be connected to venous insufficiency. A vein health screening can assist in pinpointing the cause, potentially helping you avoid unnecessary medication. with severe cramps or Charley horses. Check with a vein doctor to rule out CVI.
How can Dr. Kamran Help?
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it's time to give Dr. Kamran a call and schedule a *free vein health screening. This is especially true if you have a family history of vein disease or you also experienced symptoms along with noticeable vascular changes during pregnancy, since both factors are associated with an increased likelihood
of developing vein disease. Dr. Kamran can help determine the cause of your symptoms during a comprehensive exam and evaluation utilizing state-ofthe-art diagnostic equipment. Fortunately, vein disease is a treatable condition. Treatment Options
Relief from your symptoms is within reach. Dr. Kamran is trained to recognize symptoms of vein disease and offers effective, non-invasive treatment plans that are customized to meet the unique needs of each patient. The most effective treatment will depend on your specific concerns and condition. Compression stockings are often an effective solution for minor discomfort and swelling associated with vein conditions of the legs.
5. You experience frequent Charley horses or leg cramping
If venous insufficiency is to blame, eating a banana or upping your potassium levels won't do the trick. Similar to RLS at night, many patients experiencing the symptoms of vein disease jump out of bed in the middle of the night
910.218.0933 | SCARLESSVEINCARE.COM
About Dr. Kamran: Dr. Kamran is an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of phlebology and vascular surgery. He was one of the first physicians and centers in the state of North Carolina to offer his patients intravascular laser ablation for the treatment of varicose veins. Dr. Kamran has been providing general, thoracic, vascular, laparoscopic, and both upper and lower endoscopic surgeries for more than 40 years. Listen to Dr. Kamran’s podcast to learn more about vein disease risk factors, symptoms of vein disease, and vein disease treatment.
About Scarless Vein Care: With Dr. Kamran, the journey from tired, achy, painful legs and unsightly varicose or spider veins to beautiful, healthy legs can be an easy one. Now offering free vein health screenings, Scarless Vein Care by Dr. Kamran is one of the nation’s preeminent locations for the treatment of venous insufficiency and varicose and spider veins. *Note: The 'Free Vein Health Screening' offer is not valid for Medicaid beneficiaries, or other recipients of federal or state health care benefit programs, or when prohibited by an insurance coverage provider. New patients only. One free screening per person. Not redeemable for cash.
THEARTWORKS™
THE ART WORKS FOR THE ARTIST, THE ART LOVER, THE COMMUNITY, “ART WORKS!”
theArtWorks™ is in 37,000 square feet of repurposed historical industrial space on 200 Willard Street, providing venue rental, an art village with working art studios, art maker spaces, classrooms, a gift shop, and fine art visual and separate photography gallery.
theArtWorks™ provides comprehensive, multifaceted, and inclusive opportunities all located under one roof and strives to enhance the Wilmington community through arts.
Owners, Jim and Betsy Knowles, purchased the current theArtWorks™ building in 1998. The building was a part of the original Block Manufacturing in what is now Wilmington’s South Front District. theArtWorks™ began in 2013, with the mission of enhancing the community, assisting artists, and contributing to the revitalization of Downtown Wilmington. The art village emulates a New Orleans circa 1900s vibe. Jim and Betsy feel strongly about preserving Wilmington’s historical commercial landmarks and providing a place for artists to create, display, and sell all types of art. The Knowles wish to nurture and promote making Wilmington, North Carolina an international art destination. theArtWorks™ is part of the Downtown Wilmington 4th Friday Gallery Nights − free monthly events where downtown area galleries, studios, and art spaces open their doors to the public in an after-hours celebration of art and culture sponsored by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County. 4th Friday Gallery Nights are a self-guided tour through more than 20 downtown Wilmington galleries, studios, and businesses − featuring exhibitions of various artistic genres including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography, metals, woods, ceramics, mixed media, jewelery, pryrography, and more. Showcasing art and art-related events, 4th Friday Gallery Nights also include opening receptions, artist discussions, demonstrations, live music, beer and wine along with other art-related activities. theArtWorks™ also hosts specialty art events promoting performing and literary arts. theArtWorks™ open hours are Thursday thru Friday 11am - 5pm, and by appointment. While theArtWorks™ consumes much of their time, Jim and Betsy still make sure to have fun wherever they go. They are especially committed to their family. They love boating, traveling, and time spent visiting their four adult children living across the United States in four different states. For 15 years, they have hosted Cousins Camp to get their bicoastal grandchildren together for two weeks each summer. The COVID-19 pandemic has hindered their travel and visiting during this time.
Visit theArtWorks™ today by stopping in at, 200 Willard Street in downtown Wilmington, visit their website at, www.theArtWorks.co, or give them a call to find out more about their offerings at, 910352-7077. You want a great nation? Then, it demands a great education − “it all starts with the arts.”
910.352.7077 | THEARTWORKS.CO
