Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Downtown Clayton Entertainment Calendar

Remember, it is always best to call the venue or contact number for the latest updates!

Friday, August 3
THE FLIPSIDE 408 E Second Street, 553-0123: The Will McBride Group
GOODTIMES CAFÉ & TAVERN 219 E Second Street, 550-0623:

Saturday, August 4
THE FLIPSIDE 408 E Second Street, 553-0123: Zydecopious
GOODTIMES CAFÉ & TAVERN 219 E Second Street, 550-0623:

Thursday, August 9
THE FLIPSIDE 408 E Second Street, 553-0123: Karaoke
GOODTIMES CAFÉ & TAVERN 219 E Second Street, 550-0623:

Friday, August 10
THE FLIPSIDE 408 E Second Street, 553-0123: The Amateurs
GOODTIMES CAFÉ & TAVERN 219 E Second Street, 550-0623:

Saturday, August 11
THE FLIPSIDE 408 E Second Street, 553-0123: Jeff Hart & The Ruins
GOODTIMES CAFÉ & TAVERN 219 E Second Street, 550-0623:

NC Highway Patrol Helicopter to Visit Downtown Clayton August 7

There will be a different kind of visitor to downtown Clayton the morning of August 7. As part of The Hocutt Ellington Memorial Library’s summer program “Get A Clue @ Your Library”, they have invited the NC Highway Patrol to bring their helicopter, a Bell OH-58, to the Town Square.

Several hundred children will be able to get close to the helicopter and talk with the two NC Highway officers who operate it at 10:00 am and 11:00 am.

Children participating in the summer reading program will receive gift bags provided by the Library and Friend's of the Library. The Woman's Club of Clayton will be sponsoring the refreshments.

For more information, call Kristi Lesmann at the Hocutt Ellington Memorial Library, 553-5542.

Pianist Levin to Perform at Clayton Lunch Bunch

The next performance scheduled for the Music for the Lunch Bunch series is this Wednesday, August 1st at 12:15pm at First Baptist Church in Clayton. Jonathan Levin will perform on piano.Jonathan Levin has just completed the four-year Bachelor of Music degree program for classical piano performance at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where he studied with Nina Svetlanova. Jonathan is currently studying at the Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music pursuing his Masters Degree in piano performance under the tutelage of pianist Jeffrey Biegel.

Jonathan began studying piano at age 8 with Dara Edwards of Clayton, who recommended him to Marilyn Brown, Director of Raleigh Conservatory of Music. Under Mrs. Brown’s mentorship and instruction, Jonathan was privileged to win numerous statewide and national piano competitions. He has been honored to have performed with the Raleigh Symphony, Durham Symphony, and the North Carolina Symphony Orchestras as a high school concerto competition winner.

One of the great highlights of the spring of 2004 was Jonathan’s selection to participate at the historically renowned Steinway Hall in New York City. Last year, he presented a solo recital at the Manhattan School of Music. This season’s concerts have included a recital at Hopper Piano Company, as well as a performance at the Brooklyn Public Library.

The Music for the Lunch Bunch is a series of summer concerts held every Wednesday, at 12:15 pm, featuring local artists performing a variety of music, with particular emphasis on classical music. The concert series is grassroots funded by the Johnston County Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council. There is no admission charge but donations are accepted.

Monday, July 23, 2007

”True Spirit” to Bring High Energy Gospel to Clayton Town Square on August 23



True Spirit is a group with a unique style of music which appeals to people from all walks of life. True Spirit was once known as “Kingdoms Heir”. The group was formed in 1989 and the group has recorded three projects, “My Father Rich”, “True Spirit” and their current CD “Revelation Times” which is climbing the Southern Gospel market charts. The group is made up of David Montague, Robert Siler, Glenn Frazier, John Cooper and Terrence Todd Dewberry. Together, they create the kind of music that touches your heart and lifts your spirits. They will be performing at the Concert on the Square on August 23 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

The free concert is sponsored by the Town of Clayton and Downtown Development Association, with major support from Caterpillar, Novo Nordisk and Clayton News Star. Additional support comes from Avent-Permenter Group, Clayton Glass & Mirror, Hometowne Realty, Hudson’s Hardware, Matthews Motors, Morning Glory Inn and True Line Surveying.

The final Town Square Concert of the series will be “Boys from Carolina Bluegrass Band” on September 20.

The Town Square is in downtown Clayton and sits between Main Street and S. O’Neil and Fayetteville streets. For more information call (919) 553-1545 and for updates check the Downtown Clayton blog at www.downtownclayton.blogspot.com.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Downtown Clayton Events

Friday, July 20
THE FLIPSIDE 408 E Second Street, 553-0123: The Bill Ely Band http://www.myspace.com/17879047 and
Brothers Grim http://www.myspace.com/brothersgrimraleigh

GOODTIMES CAFÉ & TAVERN 219 E Second Street, 550-0623: Machine Gun

Saturday, July 21
THE FLIPSIDE 408 E Second Street, 553-0123: The Fifty/50 Band

GOODTIMES CAFÉ & TAVERN 219 E Second Street, 550-0623: First Annual Beach Party 2-6 pm featuring “No Dice”

Nantucket Rocks Clayton!



Rock band Nantucket (left) took downtown Clayton by storm with a nearly two-hour performance that was hot, in every sense of the word! The audience of about 750 people was treated to their favorite Nantucket songs, with the loudest cheers when the band launched into their signature song "Heartbreaker".

"Machine Gun" (right) a trio out of Wilmington provided an ideal warmup performance - and they will be playing at Good Times Cafe & Tavern on Main Street tonight.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Clayton Community Cookout - July 14th - Clayton NC


Earth Productions is pleased to announce the return of the Clayton Community Cookout on Saturday July 14th at the FlipSide, located in historic downtown Clayton, North Carolina. This event will feature national and local musicians, local artists displaying their works, and a community environment.

Join us and enjoy the music of Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Barefoot Manner, Two High String Band, Old Habits, Pickin' Buds, Turbo Pro Project and more TBA for a day of fun, community, and FREE BBQ! It will feel like a big family cookout.

FREE BBQ DINNER!

Thats right Folks! With each paid admission you will receive a FREE BBQ Dinner provided by, everybody's favorite, Lancaster's BBQ will be included in your ticket price! The FREE Dinner will be served from 5:30pm - 8:00pm only, please make note of that.
TICKETS! TICKETS! TICKETS!

Tickets are only $15.00 per person and kids 12 and under are free. Starting June 18th tickets will be available at the Coffee Mill and the FlipSide in Downtown Clayton. You can also purchase tickets ONLINE by clicking HERE. Please contact us at 919.553.6210 or email bob@earthproductions.net if you have ANY questions.

Directions

The Cookout is taking place at 105 S. Lombard Street in Downtown Clayton, North Carolina. Click HERE to view a map. If you need any further help feel free to email me at bob@earthproductions.net.

Please Remember

The Cookout is a non-profit event where 100% of all proceeds go to benefit Johnston County Public Schools. We will allocate the funds to all areas of need within the school sytem. So please bring your family out to have fun and support a good cause! Oh, and PLEASE BRING YOUR LAWN CHAIR!

DONATIONS! WE REALLY NEED DONATIONS!
Folks, this event is for the maintenance, upkeep, and building of new schools! This event is for our Children. If you love this idea but cannot make this event, if you do not like this type of event, or if you have an extra $15.00 lying around that you could donate to a good cause, I URGE you to purchase a ticket anyway! Your ticket purchase will go directly to helping us raise money to give to the SCHOOLS! It's only $15.00 but if we are all able to BOND together and make a donation as a community that $15.00 can go a LONG way!! Just look at your ticket purchase as a donation - and buy one even if you have no plans to attend. We will keep you all posted on what funds we are able to raise and EXACTLY where they are being allocated. This is a work in progress.. something we can all watch grow together and know that it is for the kids. If you need to check the validity of this event, please feel free to contact the Johnston County Schools Superintendent- Dr. Parker - 919.934.6032. We are working directly with the school board to ensure these funds go to the most glaring areas of need. Now we just need your help!

Feel free to contact us at bob@earthproductions.net or 919.553.6210 or if you do the myspace thing: www.myspace.com/claytoncommunitycookout.

STAGE SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED!

# 3:30-4:20 Pickin' Buds

# 4:35-5:25 Old Habits

# 5:35-6:15 TurboPro Project

# 6:30-7:45 Two High String Band

# 8:00-9:30 Larry Keel and Natural Bridge

# 9:40-11:ish Barefoot Manner

REMINDER: BBQ Dinner will be served from 5:30pm-8:00pm ONLY!! It will also be first come first serve! So arrive early.

We look forward to hearing from you. See you there!

Sincerely,

Bob Delong
President - EarthProductions

Larry Keel and Natural Bridge

Barefoot Manner

Two High String Band

Old Habits

Turbo Pro Project

Pickin' Buds

A very special thanks to...



Reward Offered For Teens Charged In Clayton Business Burglaries


A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrests of two teenagers wanted for breaking into Pittman’s Jewelers on East Main Street in Clayton on July 2, where $30,000 in merchandise was stolen. The suspects have also been linked by authorities to a second nearby burglary at Clayton Before & After Care, also on East Main Street . $645 in Playstations and Gameboys were stolen but later recovered, along with some of the stolen jewelry.



Clayton police detectives have obtained warrants for Daniel Clifton Freeman, 19, and Sean Kelly Porter, 18, who are being sought on breaking and entering and larceny charges at both businesses. The teens are also wanted by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office for obtaining property by false pretenses, for allegedly selling the stolen jewelry to a pawn shop in the Cleveland community. Freeman and Porter were last known to stay at an address on Ackerman Road near Garner. Anyone knowing their whereabouts is asked to contact the Clayton Police Department or their local 9-1-1 center.

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Community Branding Brain-Storming Session Scheduled for July 10 at 6:30 pm

Ben Muldrow of Arnett Muldrow & Associates will lead a discussion and brainstorming session to help create a community brand for the Town of Clayton. Arnett Muldrow will develop an overall brand for the community, as well as a distinct and consistent brand for downtown & any other character districts that become apparent during the process. Each brand, logo, and marketing approach will be part of a seamless marketing strategy for the Town of Clayton.

The brand will then be applied to a variety of uses depending on the needs of the community. These will definitely include marketing pieces as well as other potential items such as ad designs, billboards, brochure templates, banners, way-finding signs, gateways, letterhead, business cards, and others as needed by the community.

The community branding is the second phase of a three-pronged project that includes a market analysis, a community branding and a wayfinding and gateway assessment for Clayton.

The session will be held on Tuesday, July 10 at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers in The Clayton Center at 111 E Second Street. The discussion and brainstorming session will last a couple of hours.

For more information, please contact Bruce Naegelen at (919) 553-1545 or bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org

Clayton Market Assessment Presentation Scheduled for July 9

Aaron Arnett of Arnett Muldrow & Associates will make a brief presentation of the results of a market analysis conducted by the firm for the Town of Clayton. The presentation will detail the market analysis findings, initial business and market opportunities and may begin to suggest some strategies for Clayton. The town-wide analysis is the first phase of a three-pronged project that includes the market analysis, a community branding and a wayfinding and gateway assessment for Clayton.

The presentation will be made on Monday, July 9 at 4:00 pm in the Training Room (GS223) in The Clayton Center at 111 E Second Street.

For more information, please contact Bruce Naegelen at (919) 553-1545 or bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org

“Downtown Clayton: Vision 2012” Adopted by Town Council

"Downtown has truly become the social and cultural hub of Clayton." That's the summation of the vision statement for downtown Clayton adopted June 18 by the Clayton Town Council and created by 80 residents, business and property owners during a Main Street Vision Forum conducted in late April as part of the NC Main Street Program. During the workshop, the 80-plus participants were divided into groups, which developed lists of downtown Clayton’s strengths and weaknesses and from those lists developed individual and group vision statements. Following the Vision Forum, Clayton’s Downtown Development Association (DDA) members synthesized the twelve statements received from the April 24 Vision Forum and took the best themes and ideas to forge this vision statement.

Clayton Mayor Jody McLeod said, “It was an exciting process to bring these people from all over town together and develop positive visions for downtown.” He added, “The final vision statement really sounds great and is something we can really work with.”

According to DDA Chair, Joyce Blackley, the vision statement contains goals the DDA will pursue through their volunteer committees, and by creating partnerships with the appropriate entities. Mrs. Blackley said that the most popular ideas and thoughts generated during the Vision Forum are reflected in the statement. "Everybody who participated had great ideas and this vision provides realistic and achievable goals over the next five years." she said.

Downtown Clayton Vision: 2012

The new streetscape of Main Street thrives amid a profusion of flowers and plantings, decorative street-crossings, walkways, and interesting buildings. Downtown is well-lit and safe. Overall, Clayton has a clean, uncluttered look, especially since the utility lines were put underground.

Now a diverse business center, Clayton retains its small town charm as it steams toward its progressive future. Trendy restaurants offer sidewalk cafes and entertainment for all tastes. Every storefront is occupied and restored to its original architectural glory accented by attractive landscaping. A variety of shops are open evenings to accommodate the needs of residents and visitors alike. The open-air market provides fresh, local produce and crafts.

Clayton’s growing visual and performing arts community is alive with artists and music. Public art throughout downtown provides beauty and interest. The Clayton Center continues to flourish with live professional and community performances.

Attractive and informative signs welcome residents and visitors to downtown shops and parking. They guide the way to downtown from other Clayton communities.

The visitor's center provides us with maps of historic Clayton and a schedule of events, such as the Harvest Festival and Millstock, for the downtown area. The Clayton History Museum offers an interactive map and walking tour of the historical area and other points of interest.

Downtown has truly become the social and cultural hub of Clayton.


The Clayton Downtown Development Association is a Town Council-appointed board that is charged with the long-term effort to enhance and maintain downtown Clayton’s business and residential neighborhoods. DDA operates under a four-point umbrella, based on the Main Street Program’s “Four-Point” approach to revitalization. The four major elements contribute to a downtown’s total image and the DDA adopted these as standing committees.

Organization Committee – Betsy Grannis, Chair. This committee manages resource needs, develops financial strategies, evaluates public relations needs and drafts plan of work proposals. The type of projects this committee typically oversees includes development of project fundraising plans; developing a newsletter for downtown constituents; solicit sponsorships for specific projects.

Design Committee – Jeme Avent, Chair. This committee deals with what we see. It plays a key role in shaping the physical image of the downtown area as a place attractive to shoppers, investors, business owners and visitors. The committee builds consensus among independent business owners, property owners and civic leaders to adopt a specific approach for physical improvements to buildings, businesses and public areas. The primary activities of the Design Committee are education of committee members and property owners, offering resource assistance, planning and developing design tools for use by downtown interests.

Economic Restructuring Committee – Interim Chair This committee deals with the downtown infrastructure. It helps identify new market opportunities for the traditional commercial district, find new uses for historic commercial buildings and stimulates investment in property. Major activities are collecting information, diversifying the use of downtown, encouraging downtown investment and monitoring the downtown economy.

Promotion Committee – Lyn Austin, Chair. The mission of the Promotion Committee is to let people know about the downtown area and to promote the downtown district as the center of commerce, culture and community life for residents and visitors. Developing and maintaining an image campaign, educating retailers about and encouraging joint retail promotions and special events help carry out the committee's mission.

For more information on Downtown Clayton: Vision 2012 or the DDA, call Joyce Blackley at 553-6813 or email bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org

“New Business Guide” Published by Clayton Downtown Development Association

There are numerous steps a prospective business owner must take before starting a new business. Identifying all the licenses, permits, regulations and other approvals required for the planned business is a crucial step to the success of any business. Simply knowing which agencies to contact can be a very confusing task for the new entrepreneur. The Clayton Downtown Development Association is hoping to make that process a little easier to understand with a recently published booklet entitled, “New Business Guide: Tips & Guidance for Starting a New Business in Downtown Clayton.”

Clayton’s Downtown Development Coordinator, Bruce Naegelen said that, “Most of the frustration and confusion of putting a new business together is not knowing how to navigate the regulatory process.” The booklet helps the prospective business owner navigate the regulatory process with resource and contact information. There are even questions to ask yourself and Town planning and inspections staff, such as how is the property zoned?

According to Naegelen, the Town of Clayton really wants to help businesses get started and grow, but many of the regulations, especially building codes, are state-mandated, not local ordinances and the town merely enforces the rules. That’s why, he added, it’s important to do your homework up front and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Copies of the booklet are available at the Small Business Center at the Johnston County Workforce Development Center and the Clayton Area Chamber of Commerce. It will also be available on-line sometime this summer. For more information or for a copy of the booklet, contact Downtown Development Coordinator Bruce Naegelen at 553-1545 or by email at bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org.