Friday, February 27, 2009

From the Flipside!

The Flipside
408 E Second Street
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-0123


Weekend Features
Baked Tilapia with shrimp, crab and a citrus almond butter and Feta cheese, served with Basmati rice and veggie

Tilapia Vera Cruz: grilled tilapia fillet, topped with sauteed peppers, onions and spicy chili sauce over a bed of
angel hair pasta with stir fryed carrots and broccoli in a light parmesan broth

Spicy Ginger and citrus marinated pork chop with an apple salsa and served with Basmati rice and a veggie

Pineapple Teriyaki Burger or the famous Heart Attack Burger

MUSIC
Friday night---------The Oatmeal Conspiracy


www.myspace.com/theoatmealconspiracy Jazz/Pop Trio

Saturday night------MikeMickXer
You've heard them before but never quite like this.............

Mike Davis Mick Voiland Gary Grier
The Amateurs / Zydecopious Zydecopious West Street Band

A little blues, R&B, Rock, Cajun/Zydeco w/ a touch of the islands!

Put on your dancing shoes!!!

Monday, February 23, 2009

JCC Holds Free Business Seminars in March

The Small Business Center at JCC provides free seminars and counseling to support the development of new small businesses and the growth of existing small businesses. The following free seminars will be held in March:

How to Start Your Own Business
Monday 6:00-9:00pm 3/2/09 Room 115, Elsee Bldg, JCC, Smithfield

Credit Cents: Making Sense of Credit, Debt & Identity
Tuesday 12:00–2:00pm March 3,10,17&24 WDC 1032 Workforce Dev Center, Clayton
You are welcome to bring your lunch.

The Common Sense Approach to Health Care Options for Small Business Monday 6:00-8:00pm 3/9/09 Room 1032, Workforce Dev Center, Clayton
OR
Wednesday 11:00am-1:00pm 3/18/09 Room 1032, Workforce Dev Center, Clayton
You are welcome to bring your lunch.

Dealing with Annoying, Irritating and Frustrating People in the Workplace
Wednesday 11:00am-2:00pm 3/11/09 Room 8, Cleveland Center, Hwy 1010
You are welcome to bring your lunch.

How to Write a Business Plan
Monday 6:00-9:00pm 3/16/09 Room 8, Cleveland Center, Hwy 1010

Retirement for Small Business OwnersMonday 6:00-9:00pm 3/17/09 Room 2014, Workforce Dev Center, Clayton

Starting a Successful Lawn Maintenance & Landscaping Contracting Business
Monday 6:00-9:00pm 3/23/09 Room 2014, Workforce Dev Center, Clayton

Communication Challenges between Men and Women at Work
Wednesday 11:00am-2:00pm 3/25/09 Room 1032, Workforce Dev Center, Clayton
Co-sponsored with the Clayton Chamber of Commerce, Lunch Provided, $10 for Chamber Members and $12 for Non-Members. To register for this seminar, call the Clayton Chamber at 919-553-6352.

Bringing Your Business Online
Wednesday 6:00-9:00pm 3/30/09 Room 1032, Workforce Dev Center, Clayton

Business Success in Tough TimesTuesday 10:00am-12:00pm 3/31/09 Room 1032, Workforce Dev Center, Clayton


To register for these seminars, contact Rosa Andrews at 919-209-2015 or rsandrews@johnstoncc.edu or register through the SBC website

BIG READ EVENT TONIGHT AT CLAYTON CENTER

The Johnston County Arts Council will highlight its "Big Read" program in celebration of the book “To Kill A Mockingbird” with two FREE events at the Clayton Center next week.

First, on Monday at 7 pm, Dr. Karl Campbell, Associate Professor of History at Appalachian State University, will provide an overview of Tar Heel race relations from the Wilmington Race Riot of 1898 to the 2001 court ruling ending busing in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools.

Audience questions and comments will be taken at the end of the program.

Then, Thursday at 7 pm the Arts Council will present a free screening of the 1962 classic film “To Kill A Mockingbird."

Attendees will be given a free copy of the book. Spanish versions will be available, too. Additional supplemental materials on “To Kill A Mockingbird” will also be available.

The Big Read in Johnston County is presented in partnership by The Johnston County Arts Council and The Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield.

For more information on the events, please contact Zilphia Adcock with the Johnston County Arts Council at 919-553-1930 or info@johnstoncountyarts.org You also can view a full calendar of events for The Big Read in Johnston County at www.jocobigread.org

Johnston County is one of 208 communities nationwide participating in The Big Read from September 2008-June 2009. To date, the National Endowment for the Arts has funded more than 500 Big Read programs in the nation’s towns and cities.

The Clayton Town Council has proclaimed February as "Big Read - Johnston County" month.

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. Support for The Big Read is provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Transportation for The Big Read is provided by Ford.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

TICKETS ON SALE FOR WORLD PREMIERE OF "BLAIRE’S BRIDGE"



Blaire’s Bridge, the new feature movie from Webster Falls Films, shot on location in Johnston County and at the Pisgah Covered Bridge in Randolph County, will have its world premiere on March 6 and 7, 2009, at The Clayton Center auditorium in downtown Clayton.

The Friday and Saturday evening showings, at 7:30 p.m. will feature a meet-the-cast session. A family bargain matinee on Saturday will be held at 4:00 p.m..

The movie is based on the novel by former Raleigh radio and TV personality Mark Grady, who is best known for his ten years as a traffic watch pilot/reporter.

The film features many local actors, according to Webster Falls Films Producer T.C. Freeman. “I’m sure you’ll recognize many of the faces you’ll see on the screen,” Freeman said. “The local talent in the Triangle area is phenomenal.”

The local actors appearing in the film include retired district court judge Yates Dobson and Tyler Small, who has appeared as an extra in the television series One Tree Hill. Jennifer Cherry Hinton, a local actress with many credits in local theatre, also has a major role in the movie.

Clayton area residents will recognize a little comic relief in the film when Clayton’s mayor, Jody McLeod, and town manager, Steve Biggs, appear in the film talking about the movie’s fictitious mayor and town manager.

Several local-area student actors also appear in the film.

Set in Clayton, Blaire’s Bridge is the story of the impact a covered bridge, built a half-century ago by man as a tribute to his dying wife, has on a community. The twist at the end puts life in perspective for many in the town suffering from life challenges.

Tickets to the world premiere are on sale now at the Clayton Center box office. For details, visit www.claytonmoviepremiere.com.

Eye of the Eagle Art Holds Artist Reception This Saturday

Wine Reception - Meet the Artist - Saturday, February 21st from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Eye of the Eagle Art, 131 E First St downtown Clayton.

Boswell Williams’ works are on exhibit in the Featured Artist room for the Month of February. Williams is a native of Jamaica and came to the states in 1991. He has exhibited in, to name a few, Philadelphia, PA, Sionna Visions Art Gallery in Plainfield NJ and in Miami, FL.

He was featured in the Tribes Magazine in December/January and April/May 2008 issues.

“Some of my early influences came from Artists like Edna Manley (Wife of late Prime Minister Norman Manley) and other local artists.”

The mediums he mostly used were ink, oil paint, graphite and water color, but he favor’s oil over the others and it shows in the rich golds, reds, browns, and the vivid blues and yellows he uses in his paintings.

Exhibit opened February 1st and runs till February 27th.

Wine Reception - Meet the Artist - Saturday, February 21st from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Downtown Clayton Businesses Geared for Valentine’s Day


Saturday is Valentine’s Day and what better way to say ‘I love you’ than with a wonderful meal, jewelry, flowers or gift? Downtown Clayton businesses can accommodate all this and more within a couple of blocks.

Restaurants
Clayton Steakhouse
307 E Main Street
(919) 553-2299
Complimentary Champagne!
Appetizers
Crabtini - 4 ounces of Jumbo Lump Crab served with our special "Zinger" sauce $9.95
Diablo Shrimp - five Sauteed Jumbo Shrimp served with our Chef's five spice sauce $7.95
Entree's
Porterhouse Steak Dinner for Two - 32 ounce Choice Angus Porterhouse Steak, cooked to your specifications and sliced for your convenience $44.95
Steak & Cake - one of our fine Choice Angus 8 ounce Ribeyes and a 5 ounce Fancy Lump Crab Cake $26.95
Both items include choice of side ( baked potato, sweet potato, fries or steamed broccoli) along with salad bar and Texas toast


Mulberry on Main Italian Restaurant & Catering
217 E Main Street
(919) 550-7400
Fine Italian dining with full Italian menu and bar. Live music featuring Serenata, and horse & carriage rides Valentine’s Day only!

Festejos Mexican Grill
905 E Main Street
(919) 359-2755

The Flipside
408 E Second Street
(919) 553-0123
Valentine’s Day Specials:
- 12 oz. cut of slow roasted prime rib served with garlic red skin potatoes & veggie
- Sauteed scallops & shrimp florentine-tender fresh scallops & shrimp sauteed in a sherry cream sauce with spinach served over linguini
- Island glazed chicken-jerk seasoned chicken breast sauteed & topped with a passion fruit sauce. Served with basmati rice & fresh fruit salsa
The Flipside also features the hottest musical acts of all styles perform on the weekends in a smoke-free environment.

Lucky Chicken
226 E Main Street
(919) 553-5770
The finest Peruvian Cuisine featuring Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken

Florists
Annie V`s Florist
111 S Barbour St
(919) 553-7197

City Florist
549 E Main St
(919) 553-3423

Flowers By The Neuse
321 E Main St
(919) 550-2820

Jewelers
Fine Jewelry By Vincent
335 E Main St
(919) 550-2396

Main Street Jewelers of Clayton
236 E Main St
(919) 553-0803

Pittman Jewelers
Elton Pittman
400 E Main St
(919) 553-6244

Gifts
Eye of the Eagle Art
131 E First St
(919) 585-2461

Fancy That!
120 E Main St
(919) 550-2946

Gail O’Neil Design
401 E Main St
553-16188

Right Angles Custom Framing
401 E Main St
553-2486

For a full directory of downtown businesses, visit www.townofclaytonnc.org

Clayton Farm & Community Market Needs Volunteers

The Clayton Farm & Community Market is opening April 4 at the Town Square in downtown Clayton. They are looking for the following:

(1) VOLUNTEEERS -- to help on market days and with advertising

(2) CFCM MEMBERS -- for $30/year become a CFCM member and shape the market’s future

(3) VENDORS -- if you are a local grower, artisan, craftsperson, baker, etc. we want you! You do not have to join the CFCM to sell at the market.

For more information on any of the above, please contact:
Mary Mizio Bevier at (919) 553-2992

For more information on the Clayton Farm and Community Market, send an email to: claytonmarket@earthlink.net

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Clayton Farm and Community Market to Open Saturday April 4


Every Saturday
April 4 through October 31
8:00am until 1:00pm

On the Clayton Town Square,
100 W Main Street, Clayton, NC

We’re bringing back the spirit of the community market! Visiting local farmers and craftsmen will be sharing their products with the Clayton community every week. Items you can expect to see at the market include:

Plants
Vegetables and fruits
Honey
Baked goods
Jams and jellies
Quality hand-crafted items

Opening Day of the market is April 4th, 2009. Join us for a ribbon cutting, kids activities, and much more!


For more information, e-mail claytonmarket@earthlink.net, call Mary Mizio Bevier at (919) 553-2992, or write to the Clayton Farm and Community Market at P.O. Box 1452, Clayton, NC 27528.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Lombard & Main Has Signalized Cross Walks!


NCDOT contractors this afternoon were putting the final touches on the new four-way crosswalk signals at the intersection of Lombard and Main streets.

Friday, February 06, 2009

Traveling Oprah Winfrey’s Come To Clayton


The Clayton Center 2008-09 series continues on Feb. 22 with the hilarity and clarity of the Four Bitchin’ Babes in "Hormonal Imbalance: A Mood Swinging Musical Revue".

The Babes’ cure for Hormonal Imbalance is one part musical harmony, one part comedy, a pinch of PMS and a heaping helping of sharp social commentary, all baked into an evening of Estrogen-fueled fun. The four outrageously funny and multi-talented musical gal pals – Sally Fingerett, Debi Smith, Nancy Moran and Deirdre Flint – examine and celebrate the lives of today’s men and women offering both poignant views and unbridled comedic commentary on hearth, home and hormones.

The road show that has become the Four Bitchin’ Babes originated in the summer of 1990 when Christine Lavin, the original creative force behind the quartet, had an idea. She gathered four female friends – Fingerett among them – and toured coast to coast. No one could have predicted that the traveling band of babes would create the foundation for 18 years of sorority-like sisterhood that the Babes bring to the stage. In their latest tour, featuring songs from their seventh recording, “Hormonal Imbalance,” the Babes are as wild and wacky as ever. With clever lyrics the Babes tackle such topics as the neglectful Boob Fairy, the fine art of being a high school cheerleader and finding a man who cooks. Their humorously observant tales and sisterly advice led The Boston Globe to nickname the group the “Traveling Oprah Winfrey’s.”

The Four Bitchin’ Babes performance begins at 4 p.m. Tickets, which are $25, plus service fees, may be purchased by phone at 919-553-1737, at The Clayton Center Box Office from 10 a.m. until noon and from 1 until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.theclaytoncenter.com

The Clayton Center’s Palladian Series continues March 14 with a performance by blues legends Johnny Winter and John Dee Holeman and March 27 with the Jesse Cook Band.

Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Updated

DDA/Town Council Make Minor Adjustments to Improve Effectiveness


BEFORE


AFTER

The Clayton Town Council recently approved changes to the Downtown Façade Improvement Grant program as recommended by the Downtown Development Association.

The changes come from a DDA Design Committee review of the program following 8 approved projects and 4 completed projects in an effort to make the program more effective.

“The changes strengthen the program because it provides better guidance for eligible projects,” according to Jeme Avent, the DDA’s Design Committee chair.

Among the changes:
- Eligibility should be viewed in terms of real estate v personal property. Façade improvements should be those that are permanent and part of the building.

- Landscaping of any kind was removed as an eligible expense

- Sign structures or a frame that holds a sign (for example a projecting sign) was added

- Sign replacement and repair was modified so that only established businesses (3 years +) are eligible.

The program provides a 50% reimbursement grant of eligible expenses, and there are still some earmarked funds remaining in this year’s project budget. New façade projects will have to be completed by June 1 in order to qualify.

For a copy of the updated program, visit the Town of Clayton website at www.townofclayton.org . Or call Downtown Development Coordinator Bruce Naegelen at (919) 553-1545.

Blackley Among NC Main Street Champions Honored at Conference


On Thursday, January 29, Joyce Lee Blackley was honored as a 2008 Main Street Champion at the North Carolina Main Street Annual Awards Dinner in Statesville, N.C. She was selected for this special recognition by the Clayton Main Street program in appreciation of her exceptional contributions to the downtown revitalization process. Along with Champions from 35 other communities, Blackley received a certificate commemorating her designation, presented by N.C. Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco (left), Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cleveland Simpson,(right), Main Street Assistant Coordinator Teresa Watts and Office of Urban Development Director Liz Parham.

Each of the state’s active Main Street programs is given the opportunity annually to recognize a local Main Street Champion. The dedication and hard work of countless volunteers is required to make a local Main Street program successful, and the Main Street Champion designation acknowledges the extraordinary efforts of those persons who have played pivotal roles in the revitalization of their downtowns.

“Main Street is a grassroots effort and, in order to be successful, every local program must utilize its community resources—both financial and human,” said Parham. “The human resources come in a number of forms: volunteers, Main Street board members, city staff, elected officials and others. There are no greater supporters of Main Street than those people who we honor here tonight, individuals who have taken their dedication to downtown to the next level—our 2008 N.C. Main Street Champions.”

“Main Street Champions are the people who take on the early tasks, the pioneers who go where others often fear to tread, who step forward when others are stepping back, who make the tough calls and those risky investments. They embody the term “community leader”, and they do this because they love their communities. There would be no Main Street successes without Main Street Champions,” she said.

In nominating Blackley for this honor, the Clayton Downtown Development Association offered the following:

Clayton Main Street Champion Joyce Lee Blackley is the owner of Blackley’s Printing Company. She started the business in her garage in 1976 and moved it to the center of downtown Clayton in 1986, where it has been located ever since.

Joyce has been active in downtown activities since the mid-1980s. In 1989, she was one of the original town appointees to what was then known as the downtown advisory committee. One of her passions is the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, and she has been in charge of that event for 18 years. Joyce has served as chair of the Clayton Downtown Development Association for the past three years.

Just prior to her term as DDA chair, the town created a staff position and hired a downtown manager. Since that time, Joyce has overseen a number of organizational changes and the town’s application and ultimate selection into the Main Street program. Joyce has been strongly involved in improving the appearance of downtown and pushing to get a new entrance sign into the downtown district.

On top of running a busy and successful business, she is also involved in her church, belongs to the Rotary Club and serves on the board of the Clayton Woman’s Club.

Joyce’s tenure on the DDA has come to an end this year, the “victim” of term limits imposed several years ago, but she plans to remain an unabashed champion of downtown Clayton.

We are pleased to honor Joyce as Clayton’s 2008 Main Street Champion.

Main Street is a downtown revitalization program for smaller towns based on economic development within the context of historic preservation. The North Carolina Main Street Program, which provides technical assistance to its communities, is part of the Office of Urban Development in the Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Assistance.

In 1980, North Carolina was one of six original states, selected from 38 that applied, to launch the work of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center. The North Carolina Main Street Program began working with its five original cities – New Bern, Salisbury, Shelby, Tarboro, and Washington – in September 1980 and has since grown to include 57 communities across the state.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Center Stage Dance is Open!


A new business is adding to downtown Clayton’s growing reputation as a creative community. Center Stage Dance Studio has opened under the ownership of Melody Norris. The studio is located at 404 E Main Street, next to Medlin’s Office Supply and across the street from Gail O’Neil’s Gallery and Right Angles Custom Framing. (919) 553-7315.

Please note that Center Stage Dance Clayton is not affiliated with Center Stage School of Performing Arts in Garner or Fuquay Varina.

FLIPSIDE - Friday Night Jamaican Menu!


Dinner at The FlipSide Friday night will be an entire menu of Jamaican food! Cliff and Jodi and the gang are pulling out all the stops with the food and drink specials to make the Dread34 reunion show the party of the young year. So get there early and eat up, mon. Dinner is from 5pm. Showtime's 9pm.

See you there!

The Flipside
408 E Second Street
Downtown Clayton
(919) 553-0123

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

LOCAL ARTISTS EXHIBIT AT CLAYTON CENTER


Ten artist members of Clayton Visual Arts will exhibit artwork at The Clayton Center during February.

They are Dorothy Demboski, Gail O’Neil, Gina Moreland, Janie Prete, June Lioret, Kathy Nobles, Kirk Adam, Linda Strevig, Margaret Ritchie and Ramona Cash.

All are residents of Clayton. Their media range from watercolor to oils and others.

A meet-the-artists reception will be held Thursday, Feb. 5, in the lobby of The Clayton Center, 111 E. Second St., where the art is on display. The 6-7:30 p.m. event is free, and the public is invited. Light refreshments will be served.

The exhibit also is free and runs through Feb. 27. The gallery is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Clayton Visual Arts, which sponsors the monthly exhibits, can be reached through P.O. Box 698, Clayton, NC 27528.

DREAD34 - Celebrate the Life of Bob Marley at the Flipside on Friday


Everyone is invited to a Birthday Celebration! Friday, February 6th

Bob Marley - Music is Love, it's Spiritual, it's a commentary on Life itself and on who We are.

The FlipSide is proud and honored to have a rare reunion gathering of DREAD34.

The folks at The FlipSide, YOU, moved these musicians each time they played The FlipSide in the past, just as they moved US with love.

Let's Dance!

The Flipside
408 E Second Street
downtown Clayton
(919) 553-0123

Monday, February 02, 2009

Article About Lucky Chicken Restaurant

Triangle East Magazine published an online article about the Lucky Chicken Restaurant in downtown Clayton recently. Here it is!

Town Lot Update: Artist Hired for "Aesthetic Centerpiece"



Upon the recommendation of the Public Art Advisory Board, the Town Council has hired Florida Artist Lydia Rubio to help design the town's next public art project.

She will work with Landscape Architect Ashley Horne to transform the vacant lot at Lombard and Main Streets into an “aesthetic centerpiece” for the downtown area, including public art. She could potentially be paid up to $25,000 for her portion of the work.

"We feel that Lydia is a great fit for our project," said Advisory Board Member Heidi Stump. "The downtown lot project is more than just an area in need of an artistic accent, it is, by and large, a design project---it is an opportunity to design the entirety of an area from scratch. Lydia's background as an architectural designer fits perfectly into this need, and lends itself to an easy relationship with a landscape designer."

Rubio, a well-known artist with a reputation for style and vision, is currently working on public art projects for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and The Women's Park in Miami. An artist for more than 25 years, she holds a master's degree in Architecture from Harvard's Graduate School of Design.

“We're excited to have her on-board, and we look forward to seeing this project come together,” said Mayor Jody McLeod.

While accommodating space for public parking, the new centerpiece will add to the beauty of the central business district “and continue the progress that downtown has been making over the last few years,” Town Manager Steve Biggs said.

Town officials hope to have the project completed by the middle of the year. The Council has set aside $127,460 for artistic components at the site, including pathways, gathering spots, walking surfaces and seating elements.

"I think we all understand the value of displaying art for a community to enjoy," said Stump, also Director of the Clayton Center. "But there is more to art in public places than a statue placed in a lot for public view. The value of hiring a public artist is the opportunity to develop content and context in an artistic piece. A public artist is able to develop relationships between the design and the community. A public artist is able to create designs that compliment surrounding architecture, create designs that reference a history of a site. An artist does this by spending time within a community to understand the people, the space and the project. The result is a design of significance to the community and the site, a design that is able to engage a viewer in multiple ways."

Town officials unveiled Clayton's first public art project, a 10-foot by 10-foot mural of downtown scenes, earlier this month at the Clayton Center.