From The Flipside...

Lunch
$5 burger with Lettuce, Tomato, and Onion served with reg. French Fries.

$8 Chicken salad wrap-Fresh homemade chicken salad with crisp celery, red onions and sweet red grapes served on a wheat wrap with lettuce and tomato.

$10 Seared tuna wrap- 6 oz. steak of yellowfin sushi grade tuna lightly spiced with a roasted garlic pepper and seared. Then sliced and served on a wheat wrap with mixed greens and diced tomato with a fresh mango salsa. Comes with choice side

Soup of the Day
Sweet Cream Sherry Crab Bisque-

Dinner
$15 Pork Chop-Gingered Pork Chop with Orange Sauce-Our house 12 oz. Porter House cut pork steak spiced with ground ginger and pan seared tossed with sauteed shallots and fresh squeezed orange juice then baked to golden perfection.Served with basmati veggie rice and fresh broccoli.

Pasta of the Day
Cajun Pasta-Linguini in a peppery creamy sauce of basil,thyme,black,white and crushed red pepper,scallions,swiss and parmesan cheeses.Served with side salad and bread. Add your choice of chicken or seafood for an additional charge.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays
EARLY BIRD DINNER SPECIALS

15% OFF Dinner Entrees and/or Dinner Features   5:00 to 6:30

Wednesdays

1/2 price Wine by the glass or bottle

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Tonight - Open Mic with Tracy Wiebeck hosting
Thursday - Karaoke with KJ Greg
Friday - some funk, pop, jazz with Will McBride Group
Saturday - Final Four on the Big Screen

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

New Downtown Clayton Gateway Sign Unveiled

The first gateway sign into downtown Clayton was unveiled this morning. The new sign is located as you turn onto E Main Street from US 70 Business. The mayor, members of the Town Council, Downtown Development Association, Chamber of Commerce and other members of the business community were in attendance.

Just before the sign was unveiled, Mayor McLeod told the crowd, ”When you live in a community for a long period of time you assume everyone knows where their downtown is, but with the influx of so many people in our area, we want to make sure everybody knows where downtown is.” (video)

The Downtown Development Association's Design Committee developed the final concept about six months ago, and following various testing to determine the best place to locate the sign, construction began about 8 weeks ago with local companies doing all the work. Joyce Blackley was chair of the DDA when planning for the sign began and said she was delighted the sign was completed. “This sign is very important to our businesses downtown and we thank the mayor and our town officials for making this day possible.”

Current DDA chair, Ed Knight recognized past Design Committee chair, Jeme Avent for her committee’s efforts in designing and help in determining where the sign is located. Other members of the Design Committee include current Chair, Boo Carver, Holley Carpenter of Cider House Studio, Jeme Avent of Avent-Permenter Group and Joyce Blackley.

In attendance at the unveiling were, Mayor Jody McLeod, Town Council members, Art Holder, Bob Satterfield and Michael Grannis, DDA members Ed Knight and Boo Carver, Chamber of Commerce President Wanda Markuson, and interim director Jazz Woodward, downtown business owners Courtney Trasti and Dee Norris of The Loft. Charles Bryant and Ann Duck of Suburban Real Estate, Century 21 on US 70 business also joined the festivities.

The Town of Clayton contracted with Signage of the Carolinas, a downtown business, to lead the project. They teamed with All American Iron Works, another downtown business, for the wrought iron framework and Atlantic Stone in Benson for the stonework.

The Clayton Downtown Development Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed to coordinate revitalization work in the historic downtown district. The Clayton DDA advocates and provides business improvement services in the downtown district, administers incentives for downtown improvements, and organizes several special events, including the Town Square Concert Series, Millstock Music & Art Faire, Oktoberfest and the Christmas Village & Tree Lighting.

Photo: front row l-r): Charles Bryant, Ann Duck, Dee Norris. (second row l-r): Skip Browder, Town of Clayton Planning Director; Town Councilmen Bob Satterfield and Art Holder; Mayor Jody McLeod; Joyce Blackley, Blackley’s Printing; Councilman Michael Grannis; Courtney Trasti, The Loft; Boo Carver, DDA Design Committee chair; Ernest Blackley; Ed Knight, Chair, DDA; Wanda Markuson, President, Clayton Area Chamber of Commerce and Jazz Woodward, Interim Director, Clayton Area Chamber of Commerce.

AM Stretch at Purna Yoga East

Folks are showing up for the AM Stretch classes offered at Purna Yoga East on Tuesdays and Thursdays mornings from 6:00-6:45 am. After a good stretch to prepare the body for the day the students head off to work at local businesses and schools or back home for a relaxing morning. Town residents and people who work in the downtown area are also enjoying the Lunch Stretch classes from 12:00-12:45 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

For more information call 919-270-4892 or visit http://www.purnayogaeast.com/

Purna Yoga East now offers ongoing yoga classes 7 days a week! Day and evening classes are available for all levels of students especially those who feel stressed out, stiff, achy, tired or have no flexibility! Classes at Purna Yoga East are for all ages, shapes and sizes-you don't have to be a pretzel to do yoga!

Always A Hit…REP brings Patsy Cline to Clayton: Musical Production Staged for March 27 & 28

The Raleigh Ensemble Players Theater Company (REP) will bring the popular musical production Always...Patsy Cline, to The Clayton Center on Saturday, March 27, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 28, at 4 p.m.

Considered one of the most produced musicals in American theatre, Always...Patsy Cline by Ted Swindley, is based on his 1988 country-imbued musical jukebox that chronicles the true story between Patsy and her friendship with a groupie from Houston named Louise Seger. Seger, who ultimately befriends the star in a Texas honky-tonk in l961, continues a correspondence with Cline until her untimely death in a plane crash in 1963. The show's title is inspired by Cline's letters to Seger, which were consistently signed "Love ALWAYS... Patsy Cline."

"Always...Patsy Cline" is a look at a star's unforgettable sound and the legacy that still endures to this day. The musical play features 27 of Patsy's unforgettable hits including Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams and Walking After Midnight.

The REP production is directed by Maggie Rasnick and features ensemble members Canady Vance Thomas and Susannah Hough. The Triangle Theatre Review said of the REP production, "[Always...Patsy Cline] provides a splendid showcase for the bodacious singing and acting talents of Canady Thomas in the title role of the Country-Music-Hall-of-Famer, as well as a fabulous forum for Susannah Hough...to put on a veritable clinic in comic acting."

Tickets for the REP performances are $20 plus service fees. All seats are General Admission. 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 http://www.theclaytoncenter.com/

“Always...Patsy Cline” is an addition to The Clayton Center schedule, which annually presents a season of national professional touring performances. 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.

The Raleigh Ensemble Players Theatre Company is Raleigh’s nationally recognized theatre company and the Triangle’s oldest producer of powerful, provocative and penetrating theatre. For 28 seasons, REP has entertained, challenged and inspired area audiences with its unique brand of storytelling and are happy to be a vital part of the energy and excitement of Downtown Raleigh in their new home at 213 Fayetteville Street.

Call To Artists for Millstock Music and Arts Faire - 2010

The 10th Annual Millstock Music & Arts Faire will be held June 5, 2010 from 10am-6pm in Downtown Clayton. All artists wishing to have a booth at the Faire can contact Clayton Visual Arts by e-mailing godesign@earthlink.net or by calling Gail O'Neil at 919-553-6188. The booth fee is $35 and the deadline to turn in your application for the juried show is April 15, 2010. Only fine arts and crafts will be considered.

Last year's Millstock had its best art showing to date and this year's Millstock committee has placed an increased focus on several key areas in an effort to grow the festival and attendance. These areas include expanding the festival toward Main Street, increasing the number of artists, incorporating hands-on art activities for children and adults, and adding to the amazing musical talent for which Millstock has become famous.

John Pizzarelli Celebrates The Music of Duke Ellington

Singer/guitarist John Pizzarelli, a master in the art of reinventing jazz classics, celebrates the music of Duke Ellington in his Friday, March 26, performance at The Clayton Center. Pizzarelli and his band members will perform selections from his latest CD, Rockin’ in Rhythm: A Tribute to Duke Ellington, along with classic standards from the great American songbook.

Combining the enduring work of Ellington with Pizzarelli’s own musical achievements, Rockin’ in Rhythm features new arrangements of “In a Mellow Tone,” “East St. Louis Toodle-oo/Don't Get Around Much Anymore,” “C Jam Blues,” “I Got it Bad and That Ain't Good,” and “Cottontail/ Rockin' in Rhythm,” among others. All About Jazz said, “Mainstream jazz is a demanding mistress, and Pizzarelli manages her with grace and wit. This recording is an accomplishment of the most rarefied order.”
Considered one of the great jazz guitarists and vocalists performing today, Pizzarelli is always fresh and engaging. His smooth vocals, masterful instrumentals and easy, winning way with people, make him an audience favorite.

The Pizzarelli performance is the fifth in The Clayton Center’s Palladian Series. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $25 plus service fees and are available through The Clayton Center Box Office, located at 111 E. Second St. in downtown Clayton, or by calling 553-1737, ext. 2. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. until noon and 1-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets also can be purchased online at www.theclaytoncenter.com.

The 2009-2010 Palladian Series culminates with an April 10 performance by Mike Farris and The Roseland Rhythm Revue. 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.

Clayton Library to Hold Book Sale on Saturday

The Hocutt-Ellington Library will hold its spring Book Sale tomorrow (3/20) from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm. Hundreds of books will be on sale by the bagful! Helping prepare for the sale tomorrow are Clayton High School students (ffrom left) Rachel Mitchell, Job Coach Julie Wile, Courtney Dixon and Chastity Mitchell.

Downtown Clayton Gateway Sign to be Unveiled Unveiled WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24 at 10:30 am

The official unveiling of the Downtown Clayton gateway sign has been re-scheduled for Wednesday, March 24 at 10:30 am at E Main Street and US 70 Business. Mayor Jody McLeod will be joined by other elected officials, Downtown Development Association members and the DDA’s Design Committee for this long anticipated event. The public is invited to attend.

The Clayton Downtown Development Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed to coordinate revitalization work in the historic downtown district. The Clayton DDA advocates and provides business improvement services in the downtown district, administers incentives for downtown improvements, and organizes several special events, including the Town Square Concert Series, Millstock Music & Art Faire, Oktoberfest and the Christmas Village & Tree Lighting.

Local artists receive Achievement in Art Awards.

Young artists participating in Creation Station art program recently received Achievement in Art Awards and gold medals at the spring ceremony held at Eye of the Eagle Art center in downtown Clayton. Family and friends were in attendance to support their accomplishments. In addition to creating individual weekly art projects and drawing portfolios, the artists teamed up for eight weeks to create a group art project to donate to WakeMed in Clayton. The next 6-week session of Creation Station begins May 6. The class time is 6:15-7:15pm. The fee is $68 and includes all supplies. To enroll your child in Creation Station, please email creationstation3@aol.com or call 550-8135. The artists are pictured with their awards and medals from left to right: (front row) Daniel Cooke, Ellie Salter, Preston Bye, Joe Palmer; (back row) Emma Kilduff, Kevin Wensley, Bethany Tillerson, Jeff Palmer (Not pictured is Marisa Andino).

Demolition Work Begins on Clayton’s “Town Lot”

The demolition phase of work is being done at the corner of E Main Street & Lombard Street in downtown Clayton as part of the plans to get the site ready for construction of a more attractive and usable public space. The work is being performed by in-house forces to save project cost. Town crews are removing the crepe myrtles that lined the sidewalk and are pulling up granite work that was installed by Ashley Horne at the turn of the 20th century. The removal of the granite requires extra care since it is over 100 years old and will be reused in the new project. The demolition work is expected to end on Thursday and there will be a period of inactivity until the construction project begins. Town officials say they will make every effort to accomodate the needs of businesses and their customers during this time.

Actual construction of the new project is expected to begin sometime in April or May and last approximately 90 days. Plans for the new space, as yet unnamed, have been in the works for some time and will go out for bid by the end of March. Temporary parking is being developed adjacent to the existing lot just to the west behind Hometowne Realty, WR Starkey and Pier 33 Seafood.

Several views of what the space will look like upon completion are available here.  A project blog is being developed to keep information current along with photographs of the work in progress and guidance about customer parking.

From The Flipside...

This is going to be a great week! As the weather turns warmer let's have lunch on the patio...maybe even dinner...yikes!!!

Don't forget Tuesdays & Wednesdays "Early Bird Special"  5:00 to 6:30 15% off any entree or dinner feature

Wednesdays  1/2 price wine by the glass...all day!
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Tonight we've got Open Mic with Tracy Wiebeck hosting! Bring your stuff and let's hear it. Lots of fun!

Wednesday is Trivia Night  Everyone has had a blast with this. Come join in.

Thursday is Karaoke with KJ Ray

Friday a night of good ole rock n' roll Full Moon Pie

Saturday We are so very honored to have these, not only beautiful, but amazingly talented women back!
The Wells Family!

The Flipside is located at 408 E Second Street in downtown Clayton. (919) 553-0123

Think Clayton Think Downtown Advertisement

From The Flipside...

Weekend Dinner Features
Pasta - Penne broccoli Alfredo with scallions and cherry tomatoes. Served with side salad and bread

Seafood - Jerk rubbed tuna: yellowfin tuna rubbed with a jerk sauce and seared. Served over a bed of greens and topped with mango salsa

Steak - Chipotle BBQ Sirloin: center cut sirloin smothered in a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce and served
with bleu cheese mashed potatoes and fresh steamed broccoli

Chicken - Tropical chicken- Spicy, smokey seasoned chicken breast pan seared then baked to perfection and served with a veggie basmati rice blend of white corn, scallions, tomatoes, tri colored peppers and shallots. Then topped with mango salsa and served with bread
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Tonight we're gonna dance dance dance!!!   D. Martini & The Highballs

Saturday   Get ready to shake that booty!!!   MikeMickXer

Arbor Day Celebration Planned at Clayton Community Center

The Town of Clayton will be recognized for the fourth consecutive year as a Tree City USA. Johnston Assistant County Ranger, Doug White will present the Town with Tree City USA Award. As part of the ceremony, Mayor Jody McLeod will read a proclamation naming March 19, 2010 as Arbor Day in Clayton.

Arbor Day, which means simply “Tree Day,” was the idea of J. Sterling Morton. In 1872, Morton helped start a new holiday in Nebraska dedicated to tree planting. It is estimated that more than one million trees were planted on the first Arbor Day. Morton's idea quickly spread and today Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states and in many other countries. Actual dates of the event differ for each area depending on planting times. North Carolina celebrates Arbor Day on the first Friday following the 15th of March, which this year is March 19th.

The public is invited to attend.  For more information about Arbor Day, visit http://www.arborday.org/.

Three Artists Featured at Clayton Center

The work of three area artists--Fiber Artist Valarie Jean Bailey and Painters Marriott Little and Cherri Sterling--is on exhibition at the Clayton Center during March. The exhibition is free and open to the public. A "meet-the-artists" reception, sponsored by Clayton Visual Arts, is scheduled Thursday at 6 pm at the Center and all are invited to attend.

Bailey, a Clayton resident for more than a decade, has been designing, exhibiting and teaching the art of traditional and contemporary quilts and folk crafts for more than 35 years. She says she finds inspiration "from the flowers and trees that are abundant in Clayton."

Little, a Raleigh native who began painting at the age of 10, has won more than 50 awards for her watercolor, oil, pastels and acrylic paintings. Her work ranges from traditional subjects to more intuitive and subjective abstraction.

Sterling, who lives in Pikeville, has the unusual ability to draw and paint with both hands simultaneously. Her techniques were developed by working on her own over the years, without the benefit of an art lesson.

Town Praised at "State of Clayton" Seminar

Nearly 200 of the area's leaders in business, industry and government came together here Friday to explore the moves and decisions that have turned Clayton from a sleepy southern village into one of the strongest and most desirable small towns in America.

They wanted to know how, during an economic downturn, a small town can continue luring multiple new industries to town, continue spending millions on infrastructure while trimming its operating budget, get credit rating upgrades from both of the country's leading bond rating institutions and get ranked in the nation's top 10 for affordability and quality of schools.

"What makes Clayton so successful?," asked NC Dept. of Commerce Asst. Sec. Katharine Neal. "I'll tell you. Communities have to have the basics in place. Clayton has all the pieces. You have to have the things in place that Clayton has worked hard to have in place." (full story)

VIDEO CLIPS OF SPEAKERS (in order of appearance):
Wanda Markuson, President, Clayton Area Chamber of Commerce
Jody McLeod, Mayor, Town of Clayton
Leo John, Special Reports Editor, Triangle Business Journal

Steve Biggs, Town Manager, Clayton
Jackie Ring, Johnston Medical Center
Tim Hamm, Talecris Biotherapeutics
Bobby Lewis, NC DOT
Katharine Neal, NC Department of Commerce

The "State of Clayton" Special Section was published in the Triangle Business Journal's February 26 edition.

From The Flipside

Lunch

5$ burger with L.T.and O choice of cheese and reg. F.F.

8$ Buffalo Tilapia-8oz.tilapia fillet battered and fried then tossed in our house buffalo sauce. Served on a kaiser with lettuce, tomato, onion and choice of sauce and choice of side.

Soup of the day
Southwestern style chicken soup with corn, tomato, red onion, green onion, sweet bell peppers, in a broth style soup.

Dinner
Sweet and spicy Asian chicken-Tender white meat chicken cut into bite size pieces lightly dusted with flour then sauteed in olive oil and tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce served with rice and fresh steamed brocolli.

Pasta of the day
Feta and spinach linguini-in a white wine broth.served with bread and side salad.
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Tuesday & Wednesday

Early Bird Special - 5:00 to 6:30
15% off any entree or dinner feature

Wednesdays
1/2 price wine by the glass...all day!

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Tonight: Open Mic with JB & Jason hosting
Thursday: Karaoke with KJ Greg
Wednesday: Jodi wants to show a movie.....
Friday: The Rick Keene Trio
Saturday: Great Big Gone

408 E Second Street in downtown Clayton
Hey, want to host a private party? Or maybe you are planning a special gathering. We can set you up here, or cater the occasion. Give us a call....553-0123

Steady Progress in Downtown - Editorial

An editorial from the February 24, 2010 edition of the Clayton News Star:

The town’s recent announcement that Clayton has been selected to host the N.C. Main Street Conference in January 2012 is further confirmation that downtown revitalization efforts have come a long way in the past few years. (more)