KIWANIS CLUB OF CLAYTON TO HOLD FUNDRAISING EVENT

The Kiwanis Club of Clayton will be hosting the First Annual “Eat, Drink & Be Charitable” event sponsored by William M. Becker, CPA. The dinner will be held Wednesday, October 7, 2009 from 6pm – 10:00pm at Mulberry on Main located at 217 E. Main Street Clayton. Tickets will be $15 per person and can be purchased from any Kiwanis member. All proceeds will benefit the Children of Clayton.

This annual event will have special guest appearances by Ms. Catastrophe 2009 and her court as well as upcoming contestants competing for the 2010 Ms. Catastrophe Crown. The Clayton High School Key Club will be on hand selling Pizza Coupons for future use. So come out and enjoy a select menu at Mulberry on Main for a great cause and help support the Children of Clayton.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance. Call Kim 919-553-6352, Detria 919-553-4700, Allison 919-427-6625 for tickets or more information.

From Tre Colori Italian Gourmet Foods & Gifts

This week's Specials!

New Products:
- Pepper stuffed wutb breadcrumbs
- Mancini roasted red peppers
- Smoked mozzarella - 1 lb.
- Black cured pitted olives in herbs

Also:
Extra Sharp Improted Provolone - $11.99 lb.
Granna Padana - $8.99 lb

Tre Colori Italian Gourmet Foods
227 E Main Street
Downtown Clayton, NC
(9190 550-7466

8-29-09 Clayton Farm and Community Market Newsletter

Email claytonmarket@earthlink.net with any questions, comments, article contributions or to get your own weekly copy delivered to your inbox. The Clayton Market is located at the Clayton Town Square at the corner of Main and O’Neil Street in Downtown Clayton. We are open every Saturday, April-October 8am-1pm.

Call for 2010 Clayton Market Board Members: The Clayton Farm and Community Market is governed by an independent board of advisors. If you are interested in joining the Clayton Market Board for the 2010 calendar year please email us at Claytonmarket@earthlink.net. Job description coming next week.

What to do with all that basil: I bought some basil from the Clayton Market vendors last spring, and it did well….very well. I have basil everywhere. BJ from Sunday Morning Farm told me I could harvest it, wash and dry and then freeze it. She said freeze it in small portions using an ice cube tray or muffin tin. It sounds a whole lot easier than drying it, and BJ said will have a fresher flavor when I am ready to use it this winter. I’ll let you know in next April’s newsletter how it turned out. Do you have leftovers from Market plants? If so, email and let me know how you are preserving them.

Dates Open for Events: Can you teach us something about gardening or preserving? Can you or your group sing or dance? I am personally interested in anyone willing to set up a quilt and teach me how to make patchwork quilts or other crafts. A lot of our crafts are being lost to my generation and I think this is the perfect venue to pass on the knowledge. We would love to have you in our entertainment tent. Send us an email and let us know your availability.

Free Soil Sample Kits Available at the Market: Now’s the time to get your free soil sample kits. The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Science gets backed up in the spring, but waiting times to find out what goodies are in your soil are much shorter in the fall. Stop by this week for a box and instructions.

NY Yankees Legends Bucky Dent & Ron Blomberg in Clayton Sept 12

BASEBALL TALK and CLINIC at Monster Batting Cages
Saturday September 12th, 2009 (9:00am-12:00pm)

Bucky Dent (MVP 1978 World Series) will talk on fielding & winning
Ron Blomberg (First Designated Hiter) will talk on hitting & being the First Ever DH
A Q&A with both players will take place as well
$40 "Player Ticket"
$20 "Fan Ticket"

Monster Batting Cages
320 West Main St
Clayton, NC 27520
"Old Mill Warehouse Building"

TICKETS AVAILABLE THRU:
www.MonsterBattingCages.com

Congressman Bob Ethridge Office Hours in Clayton

2nd District Congressman Bob Etheridge will hold "office Hours" from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm on Thursday, September 3 at the Clayton Center, 111 E Second Street in downtown Clayton.

He is asking anyone with concerns on any topic to stop by to talk with him and his staff. If you need to contact his regular office, call (888) 262-6202.

Individual Tickets for Ricky Skaggs and Other Artists On Sale Now

Individual tickets for the 4pm and 8pm October 17 performances of Ricky Skaggs & Thunder went on sale today at 10am. Also on sale are individual tickets to each of The Clayton Center’s 2009-10 performances. Highlights of the season include the fifth annual Blues Bash featuring Eric Bibb and Ruthie Foster, jazz legend John Pizzarelli and Americana Music Awards, Emerging Artists of the Year, Mike Farris and The Roseland Rhythm Revue.

Season tickets for The Clayton Center’s Palladian Series featuring six Friday and Saturday evening performances including the Skaggs concert, went on sale to new subscribers August 19.

Tickets for Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder are $25 for the 4pm performance and $29 for the 8pm. Reserved seating may be purchased online at www.theclaytoncenter.com, by phone at 919.553.1737 or at The Clayton Center Box Office at 111 E. Second St. in downtown Clayton. Box Office hours are from 10 a.m. until noon and from 1 until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Photos from Town Square Concert - Zydecopious

The Clayton News-Star's Jim Green took some great photos of last week's Town Square Concert Series featuring Zydecopious. Check them out here!

Street & Sidewalk Work Begins This Week

The Town of Clayton is beginning work this week to upgrade sections of four streets and some related public infrastructure.

Improvements are as follows:

1) Second Street (Fayetteville to Lombard)
- sidewalk & curb replacement at isolated locations
- storm drain structure and pipe replacement
- water and sewer main replacement
- stone base installation and pavement replacement

2) Church Street (Second to Horne)
- water main replacement

3) Barbour Street (Second to Horne)
- water main replacement

4) Barbour Street (Horne to Blanche)
- sewer manhole replacement
- storm drainage structure replacement
- pavement removal and replacement

5) Kennel Street (Fayetteville to end)
- stone base installation and pavement replacement
- curb and gutter installation
-water and sewer main replacement
- storm drain structure and pipe installation

The Town has a 180-day contract with Narron Contracting to do the repairs. There will be some occasional road closures due to the work. This is the last scheduled street work before next year's large-scale upgrade of streets which will be financed thoguh a bond issue approved by voters in May 2008.

The Clayton Center Serves Up Seventh Performing Arts Season

An eclectic mix of music, the down-home musings of one of today’s hottest comediennes and some spectacular magic are on the schedule for The Clayton Center’s
2009-10 performing arts season.

The seventh Palladian Series opens on Saturday, Oct. 17, with two shows by bluegrass icon Ricky Skaggs and his band Kentucky Thunder. Skaggs’ show will feature songs from his 2009 GRAMMY award winning Honoring The Fathers Of Bluegrass: Tribute To 1946 and 1947, as well as those from the multitude of songs he has produced in his 38-year career. Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder will appear at 4 and 8 p.m. It is their first performance in Clayton since 2003.

Heidi Stump, executive director of The Clayton Center, said, “We are thrilled to bring Ricky Skaggs back to Clayton. He has a huge following in this area, and we expect tickets to this show to sell quickly.

“This is just the first of seven exciting performances that we are able to bring to the community this year. Last year, we sold out five of six of our Palladian Series shows and attracted audiences from all around the region. Audience response to the artists who appear here continues to grow.”

The 2009-10 Palladian Series also brings back to Clayton audience favorite Etta May in her new solo show, Dr. Etta (Family Specialist). Etta May delivers down-home Southern humor in a style all her own on Friday, Jan. 22.

The Palladian Series continues on Feb. 13 with a performance by the Canadian “popera” sensation Destino Tenors, followed by the fifth annual Blues Bash on Feb. 26. Blues Bash V: Soul Mates features
Eric Bibb and Ruthie Foster.

The season wraps up with two diverse musical shows. Jazz guitarist, band leader and radio host John Pizzarelli performs his brand of jazz peppered with pop and swing on March 26, while Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Review perform their soulful, Southern gospel inspired arrangements on April 10.

In addition to the Palladian Series, The Clayton Center will offer a special Sunday afternoon event on Nov. 15. The Spencers: Theatre of Illusion is a fun, family show filled with never-before-seen-illusion – original magical creations designed exclusively for these modern-day Houdinis.

All shows are held in the 600-seat renovated historic auditorium at 111 E. Second St. in downtown Clayton, located about 15 miles east of Raleigh.

Season tickets for the Palladian Series, which are $125, are available for purchase beginning Aug. 19. Individual tickets for performances range from $20 to $29 and go on sale Aug. 27. Tickets 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.

Other popular artists presented in past seasons at The Clayton Center include Kathy Mattea, Johnny Winter, Jesse Cook, Jim Brickman, Doc Watson, Eileen Ivers, Riders In the Sky, the Harlem Gospel Choir and David Sedaris.




Season At A Glance

Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder
Sat. Oct. 17
4pm & 8pm

Spencers: Theater of Illusion
Sun. Nov. 15
4pm

Dr. Etta (Family Specialist)
Fri. Jan. 22
8pm

Blues Bash V: Soul Mates
Featuring Eric Bibb and Ruthie Foster
Fri. Feb. 26
8pm

Destino
Sat. Feb. 13
8pm

John Pizzarelli
Fri. Mar. 26
8pm

Mike Farris & the Roseland Rhythm Review
Sat. Apr. 10
8pm

Season Tickets On Sale August 19. Individual Show Tickets On Sale August 27.

Tickets and Information www.theclaytoncenter.com
919.553-1737

Johnston Health Opens In Clayton

From Triangle East Magazine
Written and Photographed By Aubrey Jones

The long awaited expansion of Johnston County's health care system is falling into place: Johnston Health opened the doors to Johnston Medical Center-Clayton this past weekend, bringing new services to this growing area of Triangle East.

The $42 million, state-of-the-art medical center will provide patients with 24/7 emergency services, diagnostic imaging and surgical services. As of now, the medical center provides outpatient assistance only, but the center has room for 100 inpatient beds as part of Johnston Health's plan to transform the center into a hospital. Among those 100 beds will be 27 from Johnston Medical Center-Smithfield, to be transferred to the Clayton location. Read more

Story in the Clayton News Star

From the Flipside...

$5.00 Lunch Special - Chicken Caesar pita 6" pita with grilled chicken, ceasar tossed lettuce with fresh
shredded Romano cheese. with french fries.

Buffalo Chicken pizza $7.00


Dinner Features
Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Early Bird Special
15% off any Entree' from 5:00 to 6:00 (dine in only)
(Wednesdays enjoy a glass of wine for 1/2 price)

Halibut Sandwich - Cajun spiced grilled halibut filet on toasted bread with melted swiss cheese and cole slaw. Your choice of a side.

Sirloin Quesadilla - tender center cut sirloin grilled with roasted corn, mushrooms, peppers and onion quesadilla with pepper jack cheese and fresh mozzarella, sour cream, salsa and lettuce.

Open Mic Tonight
All are welcome...come join the fun!!

Friday
Joe Bell & The Stinging Blades
www.myspace.com/joebellandthestingingblades

Saturday
MikeMickXer
(www.mikemickxer.com)

Have a special event you'd like catered - from a small group to a large gathering...give us a call. We do catering...

Town of Clayton Seeking Applications for Citizen Boards, Including Downtown Development Association

As a Clayton resident, wouldn’t you like to get to know the Town and its people better? Then consider the opportunities serving on a Town board or committee could provide to you.

The Clayton Town Council is seeking citizens to serve on the following advisory boards and committees:

Board of Adjustment
Downtown Development Association (also known as DDA)
Clayton Library Board
Planning & Zoning Board
Clayton Recreation Advisory Committee

Appointments are made by the Town Council when vacancies occur or when terms of service expire.

Information about the Town boards and committees and an application are available on the Town’s website at: www.townofclaytonnc.org.

If you do not have access to the Internet and would like additional information or an application, please contact Town Clerk Sherry Scoggins at 919.553.5002.

Citizens wishing to be considered for an appointment to a board or committee are encouraged to return a completed application to the Town Clerk by Friday, September 18, 2009.

Mark Cuban blogs: ‘Success & Motivation: What Entrepreneurs Should NOT Do.’

Local Tech Wire

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – If you are an entrepreneur looking for investors and venture capital, be sure to check out Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban’s latest blog.

Titled “Success & Motivation: What Entrepreneurs Should NOT Do,” Cuban lays out in blunt, colorful terms many mistakes entrepreneurs should avoid.

The bottom line in making a pitch that could lead to a deal? His conclusion:

“If you are an entrepreneur who is looking for capital and is sending letters or emails of introduction, leave out the B(bleep). Say who you are. What you have. What makes it different than the competition. What you want to accomplish. How you plan on getting there and how I can help. Everything else will usually hurt more than it will help.”

In case you didn’t know, Cuban made his many millions in tech as an entrepreneur and he is investing as a VC as well as offering free advice.

Zydecopious Concert A Lot of Fun!

Just under a thousand people enjoyed the music of Zydecopious last night as part of the Clayton Town Square Concert Series in downtown Clayton. The season finale will be September 17 with Band of Oz.




The winner of a Concert Series Party Pack was Lisa Sacco! The party pack includes a concert series T-shirt, L.E.D baton and 3 koozies.

From the Flipside!

Weekend Dinner Features

Seafood Special - Halibut filet seasoned with an Asian citrus curry rub then seared and baked to perfection with a port wine reduction and served with coconut rice

Steak Speical - Center cut Sirloin grilled to your liking then topped with a roasted garlic parsley butter and served with roasted red potatoes medallions and fresh sauteed veggies

Pasta Special - Asian Stir Fry with cellophane bean thread noodles and mushrooms, broccoli, peppers, shallots, scallions, garlic, lemon grass and red chili sauce in a sesame soy broth - hot or mild


Friday
BOTH
www.myspace.com/boththeband

Saturday
Full Moon Pie
http://www.fmpie.com/

Planning an office shindig? Maybe a family gathering or special celebration.
The FlipSide can provide a wonderful catered lunch or dinner!

Zydecopious at Town Square Concert Tonight

Weather looks good for Zydecopious to perform tonight at the Town Square Concert in downtown Clayton, from 7 pm - 9 pm.

Their name means "ample amounts of zydeco," and that's what this band promises dancers and listeners alike. Their debut in December 2006 at The Flipside in Clayton, followed by a special performance at Yancy's in Raleigh, prompted raves from all who experienced the band's unique sound.

Zydecopious offers up not only tunes that zydeco aficionados and dancers have come to know and love (such as "Have Mercy," "I'm Comin' Home," "My YaYa," "Born in the Country," "Midland Two-Step," "Give 'em Cornbread"), but it also plays songs that reflect the heavy R&B-tinged music of Louisiana and the other Gulf Coast states, such as "Baby Please Don't Go," "Diddie-Wah-Diddie," and "Iko-Iko." And always expect some surprises, as some popular hits of the past get the zydeco treatment (remember Peggy Lee's "Fever" from 1958 and Mongo Jerry's "In the Summertime" from 1970?).

Zydecopious is the Triangle's only local zydeco band. It includes Kenny Shore on frottoir; Tracy Wiebeck on bass; Mike Davis on guitar; Leo Briere on accordion; Ed Mezynski on Drums, and Mick Voiland on organ. They all invite you to listen, enjoy, tap your feet, and, most definitely, DANCE!

Refreshments available at the Town Square include pizza, hot dogs, beer, wine and soft drinks, homemade ice cream and Italian ice. Although folding chairs and blankets are encouraged for people to sit on, coolers are not allowed.

Several downtown restaurants offer pre-concert dinner specials, including The Flipside at 408 E Second Street, Clayton Steakhouse, 307 E Main Street, Mulberry on Main Italian Restaurant, 217 E Main Street as well as Festejos Mexican Grill, 905 E Main Street and Lucky Chicken Peruvian Restaurant, 226 E Main Street.

Major sponsors for the concerts include, the Town of Clayton, Downtown Development Association, Clayton News Star and Time Warner Cable & Clayton Steakhouse.

Contributing sponsors include Avent-Permenter Group, Clayton Glass & Mirror, Hometowne Realty, Johnston Health and Novo Nordisk.

The Town Square is in downtown Clayton at 100 W Main Street between S. O’Neil and Fayetteville streets. The final show in the series will be Band of Oz on September 17

Hospital Brings Jobs to Clayton

BY SARAH NAGEM - News & Observer Staff Writer
Published: Thu, Aug. 20, 2009 02:00AM
Modified Wed, Aug. 19, 2009 09:56PM

CLAYTON -- At a new medical complex preparing to open on a rural highway outside Clayton, it's hard to see signs of the recession.

The $40 million hospital from Johnston Health, a public health system in Johnston County, is bringing new jobs and will serve western Johnston and southeastern Wake counties, which have seen steady population growth. Full Story

DDA Says "No" to Curfew Ordinance

During it's August 10th regular meeting, the Clayton Downtown Development Association voted to recommend to the Town Council to not enact an ordinance that would create a curfew for young people under the age of 16 between Midnight and 6:00 am.

Board chairman, Ed Knight, presented the letter and spoke to the Town Council during Monday night's public forum at the Council meeting. The DDA's main concerns were:

• The public perception of a community initiating a curfew is that the community has a crime problem
• A perceived “curfew” could hamper and harm economic development efforts
• As a crime deterrent, the proposed ordinance does little since most juvenile crime occurs between the hours of 3 pm and 9 pm.*

Town Council will make a decision on the ordinance at their September 8 meeting.

Clayton News Star article

TO: Clayton Town Council
FROM: Ed Knight, Chairman, Downtown Development Association
DATE: August 17, 2009
SUBJECT: Chapter 133: Youth Protection (proposed ordinance amendment)

The issue of the Town’s proposed Youth Protection ordinance amendment was discussed at the August 10, 2009, Downtown Development Association meeting.

The stated purpose of the proposed ordinance is to “reinforce and promote the role of the parent in raising and guiding children…” The wording is gentle, yet firm enough to provide genuine guidance.

However, the proposed ordinance provides, in essence, a curfew. The public views a community in need of a curfew as having serious juvenile and other crime problems.

Fortunately, Clayton does not have a serious juvenile crime issue, especially between the proposed hours. According to the Clayton Police Department between April 15, 2008 and April 15, 2009 there were five reported incidences of juvenile crime between midnight and 6:00 am.

Following discussion, the DDA board on August 10, voted to recommend opposition to the proposed ordinance for the following reasons:

• The public perception of a community initiating a curfew is that the community has a crime problem
• A perceived “curfew” could hamper and harm economic development efforts
• As a crime deterrent, the proposed ordinance does little since most juvenile crime occurs between the hours of 3 pm and 9 pm.*

The concept of “it takes a village,” which has been offered as a reason for this proposed ordinance, simply means neighbors helping neighbors. It does not mean the government or the police taking on parental responsibilities.

We don’t need a curfew in Clayton and we urge you not to adopt this proposed ordinance.

Sincerely,

Edward Knight, Chairman
Downtown Development Association

*Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention

Clayton Downtown Development Association Releases FY08/09 Downtown Statistics

Downtown Clayton showed a net gain of 11 new businesses and 18.5 new jobs from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 according to statistics released by the Clayton Downtown Development Association. Three (3) businesses expanded and ten (10) downtown buildings had facade improvements with one (1) building totally renovated. Private investment in downtown, including property purchases and improvements totaled $1,353,488. There was $276,247 in public investment, which includes local, state, federal funds and grants.

Downtown Development Coordinator Bruce Naegelen said he is pleased with these figures given the economic downturn this past year. ”The numbers show that we have a stable business environment in downtown Clayton. Although fewer businesses opened this year (18), substantially fewer closed (7) than in the previous year, so we ended with the same net gain of new businesses (11) both years,” he said. There has been a net gain of 34 new businesses opened in downtown Clayton since 2005/2006, the first year the statistics were measured.

During the past fiscal year, for every public dollar invested in downtown Clayton $3.90 was invested privately. ”That was a little less than half the previous year (1:10) but given the state of the economy, that’s still pretty good,” according to Leslie Hubbard,vice chair of the DDA’s Economic Restructuring Committee. Over the past three years, since the downtown program began, there has been a 1:6.76 ratio of public to private investment.

Although there are many variables, downtown Clayton compared favorably to many of the other Main Street communities in North Carolina. Of the 49 downtowns that reported, 4 towns had a higher net gain of new busineses than downtown Clayton (11). 2 others were tied and 11 towns showed net business losses. 11 towns had between $2M-19M in private investment and 11 towns had between $1M-2M which is where Clayton lined up.

DDA chairman, Edward Knight said, ”The statistics help us show that downtown Clayton is a stable and desirable place to invest and locate a business.”

The DDA keeps track of these statistics each year as one measurement of economic development in downtown Clayton. These statistics are also provided to the NC Main Street Center to help provide a statewide picture of downtown development. Other economic development measurements include an annual survey of downtown retail and service businesses and market analysis, which is underway. A consumer survey will be conducted in mid-September.

Purna East Yoga (formerly East Second Street Yoga)

East Second Street Massage is now Purna Yoga East at 107 East First Street in downtown Clayton.

Catharine Eberhart has some upcoming fall classes that begin the week of September 14.
Enrollment is now open and class size is limited! They're adding new classes and starting their Yoga Alliance registered Yoga Teacher Training this September as well.

Level 1-Beginner’s Basics
Tues. 7:15 pm-8:45 pm
Thurs.6:15 pm07:45 pm

Level 1-2 Beginner’s Plus
Mon. 10:00 am- 11:30 am (new level!)
Sun. 5:30 pm-7:00 pm (new class!)

Level 2 Foundations
Mon. 7:15 pm-8:45 pm
Wed 5:30 pm-7:00 pm

Level 3-4 Advanced
Wed. 7:15 pm-8:45 pm
Thur. 9:00 am-10:30 am (new class!)



Yoga Alliance 200 hour Teacher Training program begins Sept. 21st
Learn to be a yoga teacher in our approved College of Purna Yoga Program

Massage Therapy by appointment


Purna Yoga East
A Yoga and Massage Therapy Studio

107 East First Street
919-270-4892
www.purnayogaeast.com

Four Oaks Bank Hosts Back To School Carnival Today

Four Oaks Bank in downtown Clayton is hosting a Back to School event today in their parking lot. Bouncy rides, fire demonstrations and games all take place between 10 am and 3 pm today.

Bank manager Jerry Thornton describes the day's activities in this video...

Clayton High School Teacher to Appear on Jeopardy!

Clayton High School science teacher Andy Srinivasan will appear on Jeopardy on September 25, according to a press release from Johnston County Schools.

The press releases says Srinivasan cannot discuss the outcome and specifics of the show until September 26.

Clayton OKTOBERFEST - October 16-17

Get out your lederhosen and green felt hats and “Lass uns Deutsch werden!” That’s “let’s get German” in celebration of the first Clayton Oktoberfest scheduled for October 16-17 in downtown Clayton. The Clayton Downtown Development Association, Inc. is organizing this event.

The parking lots behind the Avent-Permenter Group and Hometowne Realty will be transformed with the aromas and tastes of Germany, including bratwurst and frankfurters, sauerkraut, pretzels, and other foods with a Bavarian flair. Of course, German beers and wines will be offered along with domestic favorites and soft drinks. To add to the authenticity, the Foothills Oom-Pah Band will perform Friday and Saturday evenings.

Hours will be Friday from 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm and Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm.
This will be a ticketed event and the price of admission will get you into the event along with a commemorative stein and a ticket for your first beer. There will also be special prices for designated drivers and youngsters.

Plans include the food, beverages, music, and even some inflatable children’s games to keep the younger set interested. DDA member Jeme Avent said, “We really envision this as a family-type event to experience different foods and music.”

CDDA President, Ed Knight, said, “We are seeking volunteers to help with a variety of tasks in two to four hour shifts.”

Downtown will be hopping that weekend, with the Clayton Visual Arts “Art ala Carte House Walk and Art Tour” and two performances by bluegrass star Ricky Scaggs at The Clayton Center.

For more information and updates about Clayton Oktoberfest visit or email bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org or call (919) 553-1545.

From The Flipside!

Some really great Lunch Specials this week!

Marinated Sirloin Burrito - tender slices of sirloin, marinated to a dazzling taste and grilled to perfection, with black beans, tri-colors bell peppers, mushrooms, red onions, lettuce, tomatoes and melted colby jack cheese served with sour cream and our house made salsa

$5.00 Burger with your choice of a side

A Summer Salad (available for lunch or dinner) made with Romaine lettuce, dried cranberries, canteloup, cherry tomatoes, cucmbers, grilled chicken, croutons and topped with a refreshing citrus vinaigrette

Grouper Ruben - fresh black grouper fillet with 1000 Island dressing, sauerkraut on rye with swiss

Dinner Features
Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Early Bird Special
15% off any Entree' from 5:00 to 6:00 (dine in only)
(Wednesdays enjoy a glass of wine for 1/2 price)

Steak Feature--8 oz. center cut sirloin marinated in a sweet & tangy house made teriyaki served with a baked potato & fresh steamed broccoli

Pasta Feature--vegetable medly pasta with mushrooms, tri-colored peppers, cherry tomatoes, shallots, fresh minced garlic, & herbs in a white wine broth served with side salad & bread

Seafood Speical--8 oz. black grouper filet with a pink peppercorn sherry sauce served with pesto parmesan basmati rice & fresh veggie

________________________________________
Tonight - Open Mic with Tracy Wiebeck hosting

Thursday - Special Night of Karaoke with KJ Ray. It's Ray's birthday, so come out and help him celebrate!

Friday - Drew Questell & Friends

Saturday - Valentino & The Piedmont Shieks

Eye of the Eagle Art & Paint It Red Parties & Internet Cafe Host 1st Annual Back To School Block Party

The Eye of the Eagle Art and Paint-It-Red Cafe in Downtown Clayton will host the 1st Annual Back-To-School Block Party on First Street on Saturday August 22, 2009, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public of all ages.

Activities include: Face Painting, Waterslide, Inflatable Bouncer, Carnival Style Games, The Traveling Teacher Show, Side Walk Chalk Drawing Contest for ages 6-18 with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and one Grand Prize Winner. (Drawings judged by local artists.)

Side walk contest is open to the General Public and a $3 entry fee and entry form is required to reserve a spot. Entry forms are available at the Eye of the Eagle Art Center.

Demonstration and Education presentations by local Law Enforcement, Fire Department and EMT’s agency’s throughout the day as their schedule permit. Food and Drink will be available for sale at Paint-It-Red and from other food vendors.

Block Party Sponsors: Carolina Paper – Main Street Clayton, Clayton Steak House – Main Street Clayton, Doggie Do’z – First Street Clayton, Four Oaks Bank – Main Street Clayton, Ragland Productions – Main Street Clayton, Fancy That – Main Street Clayton, TechStar Computer Sales and Repairs – Main Street Clayton

The Eye of the Eagle Art gallery and art center is located at 131 E First Street, Clayton, NC 27520. Gallery Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. You can call 919-585-2461, email art@eyeoftheeagleart.com or go to www.eyeoftheeagleart.com for further information. The mission of The Eye of the Eagle Art is to support the arts, the artists both professional and emerging, and bring the arts alive in the community.

Paint It Red Parties and Internet Café is located at 115 E. First St., Clayton, NC, 27520. For further information call 919-553-8317

Former News-Star Editor Margaret Ritchie Succumbs to Cancer

Sad to report that Margaret Ritchie, former Clayton News Star Editor, passed away Saturday,following a recurrence of cancer. Details on the Clayton News-Star website. Here's the post on the Clayton News Star website...

Cancer claims retired CNS editor

BRIAN RAPP 10.AUG.09

Margaret Ritchie, the editor who guided The Clayton News-Star for more than a decade after it was bought by Publisher Stewart McLeod in the mid-1990s, died Saturday at her home following a recurrence of cancer.

An award-winning journalist who came to the News-Star following a distinguished career as an editor with The Raleigh Times, Ritchie was diagnosed in May with a recurrence of malignant melanoma, which was first discovered a decade ago. She retired from the News-Star in 2007.

Visitation will be 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at McLaurin Funeral Home, 12830 U.S. 70 Business in Clayton. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at McLaurin.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Wake County.

Full details on Ritchie's career in journalism, including her years with the News-Star, will appear in the Aug. 12 issue of the paper.

Back to School Block Party - August 22

Free and Open to the Public

The Eye of the Eagle Art center and Paint-it-Red Café are holding a back to school block party for children of all ages.

Date: Saturday August 22nd 2009
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: On First Street, Downtown Clayton between Eye of the Eagle Art and Paint it Red.
Activates include:
• Waterslide
• Bouncy (to be announced)
• Games
• Music
• Drawings for Door Prizes will be held throughout the day.
• A Side Walk Chalk Drawing Contest for ages 6-18 with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and one Grand Prize Winner.

Side Walk space is limited, reserve your spot today. Visit the Eye of the Eagle Art center for an entry form or get one online at www.EyeOfTheEagleArt.com. A $3 entry fee is required with the entry form to reserve a spot.

To reserve your spot mail (please do not mail cash), or drop off your entry form and fee to:
Eye of the Eagle Art Center
131 East First Street
Clayton, NC 27520
For more information, call 919-585-2461, or visit www.Eye OfTheEagleArt.com.

We greatly appreciate our sponsors:
Carolina Paper
Clayton Steak House
Doggie Do’z
Four Oaks Bank
Ragland Productions
TechStar Computer Sales and Repairs
The Traveling Teacher Show

Eye of the Eagle Art - Fence Mural (video)

Forgot to post this video describing the new fence mural at Eye of the Eagle Art, 131 E First Street in downtown Clayton. The mural was unveiled July 4 and was painted by local artist Penny Evans!

EYE OF THE EAGLE ART HOSTS RECEPTION FOR ARTIST DUANE BROWN FEATURING HIS UNIQUE SCULPTURAL TEAPOTS

The Eye of the Eagle Art in Downtown Clayton will host an opening Art Reception for artist Duane Brown on Friday, August 14, 2009 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

Duane Brown will exhibit his unique sculptural teapots at Eye of the Eagle art for the month of August. He currently teaches art at Cleveland Middle School, and has exhibited his murals and ceramic sculptures in Tennessee and North Carolina. Creating a dynamic teapot that has a working lid, spout and handle is the driving force of his work. The teapots on exhibit are primarily sculptures. The artist calls them functioning, non practical teapots. You can use them but he doesn’t recommend brewing Grandma’s tea in them.

The gallery and art center is located at 131 E First Street, Clayton, NC 27520. Gallery Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. You can call 919-585-2461, email art@eyeoftheeagleart.com or go to www.eyeoftheeagleart.com for further information. The mission of The Eye of the Eagle Art is to support the arts, the artists both professional and emerging, and bring the arts alive in the community.

Marketing Classes Offered for Local Artists

In an effort to provide the community with quality arts programming and opportunities, the Johnston County Arts Council, in partnership with the Small Business Center at Johnston Community College, has scheduled the following classes:

Creative Marketing for Artists, Part I: How to Plan Your Prosperous Marketing Palette

(Barnsley Brown, Spirited Solutions, Presenter)
Tuesday 6:30-8:30pm 8/25/09 Room 8, Cleveland Center
Come find out why marketing your work is as exciting and creative as the process of making art! Learn the top ten marketing methods of over twenty-five artists-painters, sculptors, folks artists, jewelry makers, musical instrument makers, theatre artists, writers, crafters, etc.-who make their livings from their art. You'll come away with a palette of bold, bright ideas and a plan to implement them. Become a marketing expert in this fun, invigorating seminar!

Creative Marketing for Artists, Part II: 33 Creative Ways to Show and Sell Your Arts and Have Fun Doing it!
(Barnsley Brown, Spirited Solutions, Presenter)
Tuesday 6:30-8:30pm 10/06/2009 TBD, Public Safety Services Complex

Are you running out of ideas for what to do with your art? Join us for a taste of thirty-three free or low-cost ways you can get your art out there, get it seen, and get it sold! Be sure to bring some of your art along too so we can brainstorm what will work best for you and your particular talent/medium!

These classes are offered at no charge with limited seats available. Please contact Rosa Andrews, Director of Small Business and Occupational Licensure for JCC at 209-2015 or Zilphia Adcock, Executive Director of the Johnston County Arts Council at 553-1930 to register.

"Once On This Island" This Weekend at Clayton Center

Friday August 7 2009 - Saturday August 8 2009

A tale of love, loss, and redemption, "Once On This Island" is a calypso-flavored retelling of the traditional "Little Mermaid" story. Presented by area 7th-12th graders. www.claytonyouththeater.com Show times: Fri-Sat 7:30pm,Sat 2pm.
Location:
The Clayton Center.
Admission: $10 Adults; $5 Students.
Phone: Nikki Dyke, 919-553-1737
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Clayton Center August Art Exhibit & Artists Reception

Clayton, Fuquay artists
featured in August
Thursday, Aug. 6, from 6 to 7:30 p.m

Local artist Susan Soper of Clayton and Triangle artist Tricia McKellar of Fuquay-Varina will be featured exhibitors during August at The Clayton Center.

The exhibits are arranged by Clayton Visual Arts.

A meet-the-artists reception will be held Thursday, Aug. 6, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the lobby of The Clayton Center. Hosted by Clayton Visual Arts, it is free and open to the public. Dress is casual and light refreshments will be served-fruit, cheese, cookies, nuts, and punch.

Soper will exhibit lithographs-original prints created by using the technique of waterless lithography or the process of stone lithography. Each print is drawn and hand-pulled by the artist.

She has lived in Clayton since 2003 and was juried into Artspace Artist Association in Raleigh in 2006. She was born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised on Long Island.

McKellar, a mixed media artist, will exhibit textiles and digital art. She was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to American parents, but moved to North Carolina as a child. She has lived in Arizona, Texas, and Virginia.
She is largely a self-taught artist, and her work is part of the permanent collection of Duke Hospital and can also be found in offices around the Triangle.
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Think Clayton & Downtown When Shopping During Tax-Free Weekend!

Retailers hope shoppers will spend

by Sue Stock, News & Observer

Merchants are hoping that this weekend consumers will do something they haven't done in a while: spend with abandon.

They're counting on this weekend's tax holiday -- when state and county taxes are suspended on numerous items -- and their own discounts to attract consumers hungry for bargains. full story