New Year Greetings from Purna Yoga East

As you approach the new year take time to reflect on the year past. Remember the moments when you felt aligned with your true purpose. Those moments may be simple times such as holding your grandchild or reading with your children before bed, enjoying a walk with your dog on a brisk morning, resting in Shavasana or feeling gratitude as you sip a warm cup of tea. Those moments may also have been major life changing events such as changing jobs, shifting relationships or committing to a new resolve. Whether the moments were grandiose or modest they represent times when you were most connected with and listening to your soul. It might have been a joyful experience or an uncomfortable one as you grew closer to living your true purpose.

As you approach 2010 ask yourself what vision do you wish to hold for the new year. Take the lessons learned from 2009 and apply them to your dreams for 2010. Commit to what is really important in your life and know that you can create a life that is both fulfilling and joyful by being conscious of your choices. What one focuses upon expands, so be aware and deliberate with your focus.

At Purna Yoga East we invite you to join us in 2010 to explore ways in which to maintain your focus and create health, well-being and joy in your life.

By investing in classes at Purna Yoga East you are giving yourself not only the time to support your physical health and well being, but time to soothe your nervous system and calm your mind from outer distractions so that you can hear the soft whispers of your hearts calling and stay focused on your new years dreams.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Warmly,

Catharine

NEW CLASS OFFERINGS, CLASS TIMES and INSTRUCTORS!

Check out the new schedule and enroll in a class at http://www.purnayogaeast.com/. Classes begin the week of January 4th! Weve added eight new classes and four new instructors to our fabulous teaching staff. Give a call if you are not sure which class is right for you! 919-270-4892.

New Year's Eve at the Flipside

New Year's Eve


Appetizers

Angus Beef Sliders with BBQ grilled onions and cheddar cheese

Clam Chowder soup

Shrimp Cocktail puffs - shrimp wrapped in a pastry dough and deep fried.

Hamachi (sushi grade tuna) Napoleon with a sesame wasabi drizzle.


Featured Entree's

Copacabana Salmon - Atlantic salmon fillet spriced with a tequila lime pepper and served over a bed of greens and topped with a house made black bean salsa

Bacon wrapped center cut sirloin served with an hierloom potato medly and a baked apple

Spinach portobello linguini with shallots, roasted garlic, tomatoes, pine nuts and fresh spinach tossed in a white wine broth.

(our regular menu will also be available)

Johnny Orr and Southstation will be taking us into the New Year...2010

No Reservations Required. We will be seating upstairs and down)

Redevelopment Plan for Town Lot Revised - Project Should be Complete by June

RICK MERCIER 23.DEC.09
Clayton News Star


The town is moving forward with a revised redevelopment plan for the municipal parking lot at the corner of Lombard and Main streets and hopes to complete the $400,000 project by the end of June, Town Manager Steve Biggs said.

Ashley Grady with Raleigh-based G2 Design recently finished an update of the design concept for the lot, which includes a parking loop with 30 angled spaces, a plaza with landscaping and areas for public art fronting Main Street and a grassy, landscaped area on the back side of the property. [more]

Final Week of Christmas Shopping - Do It Downtown!

Final Week of Christmas Shopping

Think Clayton. Think Downtown!

In the final days of your Christmas shopping, keep it local and shop at the many businesses in downtown Clayton!

Downtown businesses offer a diverse and unique selection of gift ideas and specials, and they'll remember your name the next time you come in!

There's more in downtown Clayton than you might think, including 7 restaurants!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Clayton Christmas Bucks Winner Announced!

Alice Benson of Clayton is the lucky winner of the $1,000 Clayton Christmas Bucks shopping spree. The promotion, sponsored by The Clayton News-Star and 24 Clayton businesses, was devised to keep Clayton dollars in Clayton. From Nov. 30 through Dec. 12, shoppers registered to win the shopping spree at participating businesses. Each business had two drawings for preliminary winners, who received $50 in Clayton Christmas Bucks (CCBs) to be spent at the sponsor's business.

All the preliminary winners' names were put into the grand prize drawing and, of course, Alice was the fortunate winner. In all $3,400 in CCBs were given away to Clayton shoppers.

The key to the contest is that the Clayton Christmas Bucks can only be spent at participating sponsors. Downtown Clayton businesses that participated are Main Street Jewelers, North Carolina Paper, Blackley's Printing, Tre Colori Italian Gourmet Foods and Gifts, Fancy That, T.R. Lee Gas and Oil Company, Mulberry on Main, Clayton Steakhouse, Jones Lunch, Elmore Furniture, Clayton Residential Rentals, Clayton Food Town, Doggie Do'z, Purses Unlimited and Shears Hair Studio and Colour Bar.

From the Flipside!

Weekend Dinner Features

BBQ rubbed Center Cut Sirloin cooked to prefection with Bleu cheese mashed potatoes and veggie

Porterhouse Pork Chop with a spicy curry sauce and served with couscous

Penne broccoli Alfredo served with a side salad and bread
________________________________________

It's going to be a DANCE weekend!!!

Tonight
D. Martini & The Highballs
www.myspace.com/dmartiniandthehighballs

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

December 26th
DL Token
www.myspace.com/dltoken

NEW YEAR'S EVE
Johnny Orr & Southstation
www.myspace.com/southstationband

"America's Got Talent" Finalists To Perform in Clayton

"Voices of Glory," the popular trio who were among the top 10 finalists on America's Got Talent, perform at The Clayton Center, Saturday, Jan. 16, in a fundraiser to benefit the local Kids Café of Clayton program.

The Voices of Glory -- Michael, Avery, and Nadia of Highland, N.Y. -- are the siblings whose unique style of singing harmonies won America over during their run to the finals during season four of the popular television talent show. The group started singing together in 2007 after their mother was seriously injured in a head-on car collision. She was in a coma for months, and the three children serenaded her while she was hospitalized. Their mother eventually came out of the coma, started rehabilitation and is doing well.

Kids' Cafe is an after-school program for students at Cooper Elementary School that provides local students with hot meals, tutoring, mentoring and workshops for parents.

The benefit concert also will feature gospel recording artists C3 Chozen. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $15, plus service fees in advance; $20 plus service fees at the door.

From the Flipside...

Lunch Specials


$5.00 "brother can you spare a dime" burger with lettuce, tomatoe and onion and regular fries. Your choice of cheese.

Pulled BBQ chicken on a kriaser with lettuce and tomatoe, american cheese and your choice of a side.

Dinner Features

8oz. Center Cut Sirloin lightly spiced and grilled and topped with a medly of carmelized onions, blue cheese crumbles and a balsamic drizzle. Served on a ciabatta roll with mixed greens and tomatoes. Your choice of a side.

Linguine with red or clam sauce. Served with a side salad and bread.

12oz. Porterhouse pork chop with a brown sugar cinnamom apple glaze. Served with hierloom poatoes and a veggie, with bread.

________________________________________

Tonight Open Mic with Tracy Wiebeck hosting. Thursday: Karaoke

Friday  D. Martini & The Highballs

Saturday  Joe Bell & The Stinging Blades

Gift Cards make a fantastic gift. So does wonderfully delicious, LOCALLY roasted, organically grown COFFEE!!!

Order wonderful, affordable, gift baskets now from The Coffee Mill

Schedule that Holiday cartering now, or private party. Give us a call. We can work out a great package for you! morgone@mindspring.com   553-0123

Clayton Christmas Parade One of the Largest Around!

The 2009 Clayton Christmas Parade was held this afternoon and had 196 entries! The parade began at 3 and ended before 5 - great job by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce!

Purna Yoga East proudly announces the first graduating class from The College of Purna Yoga

Eight aspiring yoga teachers entered the program in September and attended over 200 hour of training in yoga poses, breathing techniques, anatomy, nutrition, poetry and meditation techniques. The students were required to write book reports, complete anatomy homework, learn the alignment and safety points for all the yoga poses including the contra indications for the poses as well as the physical benefits for each of the poses and memorize poetry. Purna Yoga East is the only studio in Johnston County that is registered with the Yoga Alliance to train yoga teachers.

They were required to attend all classes, sit for a 2 hour final written exam, as well as teach a yoga class to evaluate their knowledge base and abilities to lead a safe yoga class before being able to graduate.

Catharine Eberhart, E-RYT 500 and director of Purna Yoga East, led the training. She also teaches a 500 hour level yoga teacher training program at Yoga Centers in Bellevue, WA. She was so impressed and inspired by the talent and commitment of this group of students. They were wonderful students and are delightful people. It made teaching a joy.

We are lucky to have such a caring, professional group of yoga teachers in Clayton who will share the gifts of yoga with their students as well as keep their students safe!

Seven of the graduates have committed to teach at Purna Yoga East beginning this winter!

Pictured from L to R: Susan Myers, Anna Woodson-Williamson, Phyllis Harris, Hank Harris, Catharine Eberhart, Valerie Sayre, Tonia Bowen, Bobbie Ginnane and Lara Perry

12 Days of Christmas at Right Angles Framing & Art

Right Angles Framing & Art is celebrating some of the 12 days leading up to Christmas. We've extended our hours leading up to the 25th for your shopping convenience.

Monday-Friday 10 AM - 6 PM (Tues nites till 7)

Saturday 10 AM - 3 PM

Beginning on Friday, the 11th, we'll offer ALL gold custom frames at 1/2 price until we close at 6:00. ( There's still time for custom framing. The elves are working overtime! )

On Saturday, the 12th, we'll offer ALL silver custom frames at 1/2 price until we close at 3:00.

Different gift items will be offered at deep discounts each day along with refreshments.

To see what the next day's offering will be, call us (553-2486) or stop in daily, or visit us on Facebook at Right Angles. Remember, we sell a lot of one of a kind items. Quantities are very limited.

We appreciate each and every one of you who support our small, locally owned business!!!!  Right Angles is located at 401 E Main Street in downtown Clayton.

Short Circuit Traveling Film Festival Returns To Johnston County

The Southern Arts Federation’s third annual Short Circuit Traveling Film Festival will screen at The Clayton Center on Saturday, Feb. 6, beginning at 1 p.m.
The festival spotlights short films created by filmmakers living and working in the Southeast and presents a dozen short films selected for their artistic merit by a panel of media arts professionals. The 2009-10 selections range from fiction and animation to experimental and documentary by filmmakers from Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Tennessee.

The Clayton Center in Clayton and the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield are collaborating to present the Short Circuit Film Festival.

Heidi Stump, Executive Director of The Clayton Center said, “We are excited to be co-hosting the Short Circuit Traveling Film Festival for the third time. The festival was well received in the past, and we hope to reach an even wider base of film lovers this year.”

Jessica Meadows Hammett, Executive Director of the Ava Gardner Museum stated, “This cross-county partnership demonstrates the benefit of collaborative efforts between organizations and the Ava Gardner Museum is eager to help present these entertaining films to Johnston County residents.”

The three-hour film festival has been traveling the region since November. Tickets for The Clayton Center screening are $2.50, plus service fee. Tickets may be purchased at The Clayton Center Box Office located at 111 E. Second Street in downtown Clayton, by calling 919-553-1737, ext. 2, or online at http://www.theclaytoncenter.com/

Southern Arts Federation (SAF) is a non-profit regional arts organization founded in 1975. SAF creates partnerships and collaborations; assists in the development of artists, arts professionals and arts organizations; presents, promotes and produces Southern arts and cultural programming; and advocates for the arts and arts education. The organization works in partnership with the state arts agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. For more information on the Southern Arts Federation and its programs visit www.southarts.org.

For a complete list of films and the festival schedule visit the Short Circuit Traveling Film Festival.

Ways to Enjoy A "Greener" Christmas Holiday!

Local artist Kirk Adam shared this article with us...

Greetings,

Here is a helpful article for us all to try!

While the twelve days of Christmas may bring much joy and happiness, lots more garbage is generated in the process. Some studies suggest that 20% more waste is generated during the holidays than any other time of the year. But that doesn't have to be the case.

"With more Americans concerned about preserving the environment, a 'green Christmas,' rather than a 'white' one, is becoming top-of-mind for many this holiday season," says Tommy Linstroth, a sustainable expert for the national public television show, Farmers' Almanac TV. "Many consumers are realizing that some of the extras they're purchasing are just filling up landfills, so they are looking for ways to make their holidays more earth-friendly."

To help make your 12 days of Christmas more environmentally sensitive, try these 12 "green" tips and hints from Farmers' Almanac TV and Farmers' Almanac, one of the nation's oldest brands promoting resourceful and sustainable living.

12. Get Energy Saving Lights. When decorating the house and tree, buy strings of LED lights, which look the same as conventional incandescent bulbs, but last longer and use 80 to 90 percent less energy. Plus, they put off much less heat, so you won't burn your fingers if you touch a bulb.

11. Point Out Both The Trash and Recycling Bins. When your holiday guests come over, make sure you point out where the recycling bins are – and insist that they use them.

10. Make Compost From Your Tree. Instead of tossing your holiday tree out on the curb for the garbage service to take, find out where you can have it chipped up for mulch or compost. Or, you can purchase a living tree that can be planted outside after the holidays are over.

9. Gift CFLs. For the man or woman who has everything, try gifting a pack of compact fluorescent light bulbs. Most people say they'll switch to these energy-saving bulbs once their current ones run out. So why not save them a trip to the store?

8. Recycle Office Paper for Packing Filler . Don't bother with expensive packing material for those fragile gifts. Instead, try using paper from an electric shredder as filler.

7. Send the Very Best with E-Mail . Stay in touch with friends and family with an e-card or personalized e-mail this holiday season. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness and appreciate your concern for sparing the trees.

6. Microwaves Save Energy. Cooking a big holiday dinner? Use the microwave or pressure cooker whenever possible. These appliances cut the cooking time and save energy.

5. Recycle Last Year's Cards for Stickers. Use last years cards to create "to" and "from" stickers. Just cut out pictures of cherubs, angels, trees, religious motifs, snow scenes, etc. from last year's holiday cards and write the names of the giver and receiver. Then glue or tape to your packages.

4. Gift Recipes, Dress-up Clothes, and Other Recycled Products. Instead of buying something new, think about recycling things that have value to the recipient. Compile a book of favorite recipes for the cook on your list, or create a box of dress-up clothes for young kids.

3. Go Organic. Cooking a Christmas bird or steak? Be sure to choose organic foods for your holiday dinner. Organic, free-range fowl and grass-fed beef is easier on the environment, and your dinner will taste spectacular!

2. Use Paper Bags for Gift Wrap. Wrapping paper doesn't have to come in rolls! Dressed up brown paper bags, or even newspaper, make fine wrapping paper, and most people are more concerned with what's inside than what's on the paper!

1. Break Out the Good Stuff. Entertaining guests? Use metal flatware and realglasses and dishes rather than disposable options. They look better, your guests will appreciate it, and you're not creating any waste

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/home_garden/a/make-your-12-days-of-christmas-more-green

Pizazz Needs Your Donations!

Pizazz, the resale store in Clayton, is in need of gently-used clothing and furniture. Donors will receive a tax receipt upon donating.

Pizazz helps to fund programs and services for Harbor, Inc., Johnston County’s shelter for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and displaced homemakers. In 2008, Harbor served over 2900 individuals; 515 were children.

Harbor offers 24/7 telephone crisis intervention, transitional housing, and a 14-bed shelter. Individual and group counseling and children’s programs are also offered. Court assistance and hospital companionship for victims are services of Harbor.

Donations for Pizazz may be dropped off at the store’s location, 132 E. Main Street, Clayton.

From the Flipside...

Lunch Specials

$5.00 "Recovery" burger with lettuce tomato, onion and your choice of cheese with regualr fries.

Chicken on ciabatta bread with goat cheese, tomatoes, mixed greens and pesto aoili

Dinner Features

Our house Center Cut Sirloin with a bourbon glaze served with hierloom potatoes and fresh veggies

12oz Porterhouse cut Pork Chop seared then finished in the oven topped with a spiced goat cheese and homemade apple chutney
served with a starch and fresh veggie

Linguini primavera - veggie mix with a butter, white wine broth and served with a side salad and bread
________________________________________
Open Mic Tonight - Tracy Wiebeck hosting

Wednesday - Trivia Night @ 8:00pm

Friday - DREAD34 with Blue Marble Beat opening
Saturday - The Fifty/50 Band

New Year's Eve with Johnny Orr & SouthStation

Gift Cards make a fantastic gift
Order wonderful, affordable, gift baskets now from The Coffee Mill

Schedule that Holiday cartering now, or private party. Give us a call. We can work out a great package for you! morgone@mindspring.com 553-0123

Clayton “Christmas Village & Tree Lighting” A Success!

About 4,000 people attended Clayton’s Christmas Village & Tree Lighting on Thursday night in downtown. The weather was perfect with a near full moon rising in the eastern sky. They came for the tree lighting which concluded the evenings activities, but also to visit more than 25 businesses that were open with special treats and activities; the live nativity, and enjoy the entertainment that included dance performances, choruses from area elementary schools, hand bell choir, and jazz band.

Celebrity Guest host Melanie Sanders, NBC-17 news anchor, was escorted by Ed Knight, President, Downtown Development Association, through the crowded downtown streets visiting the businesses and helping judge the Doggie Christmas Costume Contest (& Parade). Ms. Sanders also hung out with Santa Claus, and along with Mayor Jody McLeod, the trio followed the Clayton High School Marching Band from Lombard & Main to the Town Square in a horse-drawn carriage.

Mr. Knight welcomed the audience to the Tree Lighting Ceremony and introduced the Mayor, Ms. Sanders and Santa Claus as they departed the carriage in front of the stage. Once on-stage, Mayor McLeod sang “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” which can be viewed by visiting www.downtownclayton.org.

The Storefront Decorating Contest winners were also announced and brought to the stage to receive a plaque which will be displayed in their businesses for the next year. The winners are:

Best Overall – Signage of the Carolinas, 218 W Main Street
Most Traditional – North Carolina Paper Company, 114 W Main Street
Most Creative – Awards & Engravables, 327 E Main Street
The Grinch Award was given to Hair on Main, 401 E Main Street for having no decorations!

At about 8:35, Mayor McLeod, MS. Sanders, and Santa Claus led the crowd in the count-down to light the tree and then the Clayton High School Chorus performed several selections to close the evening.

About 30 dogs participated in the Doggie Christmas Costume Contest, organized by Doggie Do’z (113 E First Street). Photos of the parade, entrants and winners can be viewed at www.downtownclayton.org. The results for 2009:

First Place: Buzz, a Welsh Terrier owned by Sarah Hale
Second Place: Halo, a Chihuahua owned by Susan Moore
Third Place: Oliver, a Yorkshire Terrier owned by Faye Lankford

The 2010 Christmas Village & Tree Lighting takes place on December 2.

2009 Doggie Christmas Costume Contest Winners

About 30 dogs participated in the 2009 Doggie Christmas Costume Contest, which took place during the Clayton Christmas Village & Tree Lighting on December 3. The contest & parade were organized by Doggie Do’z (113 E First Street).


First Place: Buzz, a Welsh Terrier owned by Sarah Hale



Second Place: Halo, a Chihuahua owned by Susan Moore




Third Place: Oliver, a Yorkshire Terrier owned by Faye Lankford

2009 Storefront Decoration Contest Winners

A highlight of the Christmas Village & Tree Lighting is the annual Storefront Decorating Contest, which encourages downtown businesses to decorate their windows to create a Christmas holiday decoration destination for for downtown Clayton. Downtown Clayton has a highly decorated downtown, but the anonymous judges could only select three:

Best Overall: Signage of the Carolinas, 218 W Main Street





In the photo, Linda Adams received the new plaque which will be passed from winner to winner each year. (Left to right: Mayor Jody McLeod, Melanie Sanders, NBC-17 News, Linda, Santa)


Most Creative: Awards & Engravables, 327 E Main Street






Most Traditional: North Carolina Paper Company, 114 W Main Street



(Photo: Joyce Haynes receives the winners plaque. Flanked by Mayor Jody McLeod, Melanie Sanders, NBC-17 News, and Santa)


Some businesses did not decorate and are subject to receiving "The Grinch Award" and this year's recipient was Hair on Main, 401 E Main Street.

3rd Annual Christmas Village & Tree Lighting Another Success!!

Last night's Christmas Village & Tree Lighting was another success with close to 4,000 people in attendance!

Highlights included:


celebrity guest host, Melanie Sanders, evening news anchor from NBC-17;

Mayor Jody McLeod singing "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," (video)

musical performances by area schools



Clayton High School Chorus (video)

Live Nativity



Doggie Christmas Costume Contest & Parade




and more than 25 downtown businesses open with refreshments and good cheer!

More photos will be posted soon!

Blinkie's Will Be Available in Downtown Thursday Night!

The ever-popular Christmas Tree Blinky will be available during the Christmas Village & Tree Lighting for $1.00 each. The Clayton Downtown Development Association will have them on sale only at the Information tents at Lombard & Main and at the Town Square. There is a limited supply so be sure to get your Blinky!

Christmas Village & Tree Lighting Schedule - UPDATED

Clayton Youth Theatre Presents "Pippin" Feb. 19 & 20

Two dozen young students from all over the area are putting in a lot of extra work over the holidays this year, getting ready for the Clayton Youth Theater's production of the play PIPPIN, which is scheduled for three performances in February at the Clayton Center.

Nearly 40 students auditioned for a part, the most ever for a Youth Theater production.

The play will be performed Friday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 pm and then again Saturday, Feb. 20 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm.

Twelve students from Clayton High School will be in the production, along with five from West Johnston High School, two from Riverwood Middle School, two that are home-schooled, one from Cooper Elementary School and one from Cardinal Gibbons High School.

A fairy tale with a twist, PIPPIN is the story of a young prince who longs to discover the secret of true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of loveless relationships, and the intrigues of political power, but ultimately finds it in a most unlikely place.