25 Downtowners Attend "Getting To Know You-Main Street"



Brian Shirley, Circa; Stewart McLeod, Clayton News Star,
Heather &; David Ford, The Ford Firm


 About 25 downtown business owners and staff attended the first "Getting to Know You - Main Street" networking event last night at the Woman's Club.

The event was scheduled during a DDA Promotion Committee discussion that a lot of downtown business owners and employees don't know other downtown business people - or the other businesses in downtown.

There was no formal prohram, although Downtown Development Coordinator Bruce Naegelen spoke briefly about upcoming events, including the Town Square Concert Series; shared information about the 2012 NC Main Street Conference to be held in Clayton next January;  DDA's un-involvement with Millstock and made a request for the formation of a Retail Workgroup to develop downtown retail events & promotions.

Everyone introduced themselves and the business they owned or represented.

Brian Shirley announced he was starting "Circa," a refinished and antique furniture store at 427 E Main Street. He expects to officially open at the beginning of March.

Business owners and staff from the following businesses were at the event last night:

State Farm Insurance - Dan Tippette,
Wendy Little and Rosa Ramirez

Purna Yoga East - Gayle Murray

Eye of the Eagle Art - Bonnie Light

Four Oaks Bank - Jerry Thornton

Heidi Wood Photography - Heidi Wood

Clayton News-Star - Stewart McLeod

Circa - Brian Shirley

Medlin Office Supply - Jennifer Lawrence

Main Street Jewelers - Ed & Debie Austermuehle

Vast Design - Joel Perrego

Pink Flamingo - Kim Pellegrino

The Ford Firm - David & Heather Ford

Clayton Chamber of Commerce - Jim Godfrey

HTR - James Lipsomb

Element Funding - Cathy Stubbs

DDA Board Members Margaret Lee, Betsy Grannis, Donna Steele and Boo Carver were in attendance as were County Commissioners Lee Mims and Jeffrey Carver.

The next "Getting To Know You - Main Street" event will be announced when it is scheduled.

Former "Men At Work" Frontman Colin Hay To Perform March 13

Colin Hay – the Men At Work frontman-turned-successful-solo-artist – performs classic Men At Work hits as well as his recent music at The Clayton Center on Sunday, March 13.

Throughout his career, the Australian singer/songwriter has performed in every possible situation, from packed arenas and enormous outdoor festivals with a full band to intimate shows with just his guitar. Hay’s solo performances intersperse the classics — “Down Under,” “Overkill” and “Who Can It Be Now?”— with new songs from his more recent releases.

Hay’s 2009 CD American Sunshine (Compass Records) marks a new chapter in his storied career. His songwriting is honed by discipline and experience and his unmistakable voice is well sharpened by decades of performing. He challenges himself, delivering music and live performances that have an easy-going clarity and honesty.

Over the years, Hay has earned a reputation for distinct songwriting and solemn vocal delivery. The frequent use of his music on soundtracks — including the hit television show Scrubs, which featured Hays’ songs “Waiting for My Real Life to Begin,” “My Brilliant Feat” and “Beautiful World,” and the sleeper-hit soundtrack to the film Garden State — has proven his timeless appeal.

Hay’s March 13 performance begins at 8 p.m. in the renovated and historic 600-seat auditorium at 111 E. Second St. in downtown Clayton, located about 15 miles east of Raleigh. Tickets are $22 and can 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/.

Please note this show will contain adult humor and language.

RIP - Millstock Music & Art Faire

Joint Statement from Clayton Visual Arts &

Clayton Downtown Development Association, Inc.

Regarding Millstock Music & Art Faire

(Clayton, North Carolina) – The Millstock Music & Art Faire Committee has decided to discontinue the Millstock Music & Art Faire, which has taken place the first Saturday of June since 2000 in downtown Clayton. The three year old committee, comprised of board members of the Clayton Visual Arts (CVA) and the Clayton Downtown Development Association (CDDA), determined there were limitations with the structure and identity of the ten year old event, which began as a promotion of the Coffee Mill, by its original owners.

In its place, a different music and art event is being planned this spring. Details will be announced soon.

In addition, Clayton Visual Arts (CVA) and the Clayton Downtown Development Association (CDDA) are exploring a series of music and art events, separately and together, to take advantage of the new public space at Lombard & Main streets.

For more information and updates, please visit http://www.downtownclayton.org/ and http://www.claytonvisualartsnc.org/.

Clayton Downtown Development Group Attends NC Main Street Conference in Shelby NC

From Left: Dianne Carroll, President, Woman’s Club of Clayton; Mayor Jody McLeod; Leslie Hubbard (DDA); Richard Rairigh, President, DDA; Debra Austermuehle, (DDA); Betsy Grannis (DDA); Michael Grannis, Town Council (& NC Main Street Champion); Ed Austermuehle; Margaret Lee (DDA); Heidi Stump, Director, The Clayton Center; Bruce Naegelen, Downtown Development Coordinator; Pam McLamb (The Clayton Center); Laurie Partlo (Woman’s Club)

Thirteen representatives from Clayton attended the 2011 North Carolina Main Street Conference in Shelby, NC from January 26-28. Clayton will be the host community for the conference in January 2012, so a few more people than usual went to Shelby to get a handle on what Clayton needs to do to get ready.


Laurie Partlo, from the Woman’s Club of Clayton has agreed to be our Conference Volunteer Coordinator, so she and Club President Dianne Carroll met with the Shelby coordinator, and learned more about Main Street! Clayton Center Director, Heidi Stump and Pam McLamb checked out the overall operation of the conference, since the 2012 event will be based at The Clayton Center. DDA members Leslie Hubbard, Betsy Grannis, Debra Austermuehle and Margaret Lee attended the conference for the training and to get an appreciation for the conference operations. Mayor Jody McLeod, DDA Chair Richard Rairigh and Councilman Michael Grannis attended the Awards Dinner on Thursday night. Mr. Grannis also accepted his certificate as Clayton’s 2010 NC Main Street Champion.

More than 350 people attended the conference in Shelby, representing 103 towns and cities. Clayton may have a few more attending because of our centralized location. This conference will have an amazing economic impact in Clayton, specifically in downtown and will require the assistance of many people and organizations. Planning has already begun!

The conference is a major training opportunity for DDA volunteers, businesses and others involved in downtown revitalization and development. Here are some of the things we learned during the 2011 NC Main Street Conference:

• Partnering and networking opportunities

• Trails – attract “creative class”

• Foot and bicycle races are good money makers

• Business incubators can be helpful to help start-up businesses

• We need to step-up our retail game – and encourage more retail business

• We need to find activities/business to keep people walking in downtown

• Review our windows and storefront displays

• To encourage more retail, vacant buildings should have a major reduction in rent

• Windows & Signage - mark prices and make sure your signs are spelled correctly

• Institutional and government buildings can be anchors to bring more foot traffic to businesses

• Create “walkable zones”

• Define outer edges of downtown to expand walkability – side streets

• Decorate vacant buildings

For more information on getting involved with the DDA or the 2012 Conference, please contact Downtown Development Coordinator, Bruce Naegelen at (919) 553-1545 or bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org

Entertainment, Lunch & Dinner Specials at The Flipside!

Lunch


$5 1/4lb Angus Burger with lettuce, tomato, onion & reg. FF.

$6 - 1/4 lb Black & Blue Burger - blackened and topped with blue cheese sauce and reg. FF.

$7 - Pizza - East NC BBQ chicken with cheddar & mozzarella cheese.


Dinner

$10 - Bacon Cheddar stuffed burger on a Kaiser with lettuce, tomato and onion with choice of side.

$13 - Pasta of the day - Penne pasta with tomato alfredo sauce.

$10 - Catch of the Day - Grouper Po Boy. Fried grouper on a sub roll with lettuce, tomato and jalapeño aioli.

Events:

2/9 - Trivia with Jason Heart

2/10 - Johnny Orr

2/11 - Joe Gore and the Alternatives Band

2/12 - Full Moon Pie Band



Treat your Sweetheart to a Romantic Evening this Valentine's Day at the FlipSide.

Dinner Specials 5 - 10 p.m.

DJ Ray - 6 - 9 p.m.

Reservations Accepted

919-553-0123

Hair 2 Heels Fashion Show Feb 19

FlipSide Specials for the week of 1/31 – 2-5/11

FlipSide Specials for the week of 1/31 – 2-5/11


Lunch-

$5 Burger-1/4 lb Angus burger with lettuce, tomato and onion on a Kaiser with choice of cheese and reg. F.F.

$6 Salad and grill cheese-choice of bread, cheese and dressing.

$7 Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Burger-1/4 Angus Burger with Fried Egg, Bacon and American Cheese on a Kaiser with reg. F.F.

$8 Santa Fe Chicken Wrap -Blackened Chicken, lettuce, tomato and Black bean corn salsa on choice of wrap with choice of side.


Dinner-

$9 Veggie Reuben-Veggie burger with Swiss cheese, kraut, and 1000 island on toasted rye with choice of side.

$13 Pasta-Blue Cheese Mac and cheese with Buffalo chicken. Served with side salad and bread.

Catch of the Day-

$10 Grouper Burrito with south western coleslaw, salsa, saffron rice, and sour cream with choice of side.

-OR-

$15 Baked Grouper New burg-Creamy sauce with shrimp and crab over fillet of grouper baked to perfection and served with rice and veg.

Events for the Week

21/ - Open Mic with JB & Jason

2/3 - Karaoke with DJ Greg

2/4 - Session Cats Band

2/5 - Rick Kenna Trio


Don't forget Super Bowl 1/6 - 3:00 pm until


$5.00 cover charge for half time buffet


Numerous drink specials


Drop by the FlipSide and sign up for your space.

Pre-Valentine Special - A Night of Dining & Dancing

Free Wireless Internet Available Downtown

The new Downtown Plaza at the corner of Main and Lombard Streets now offers free wireless internet service for those who want to surf online while they visit downtown. The area all around also has access to the new free service, compliments of the Town of Clayton, making downtown more likely to become a popular meeting place.

"I think this service is consistent with the reputation that the Triangle Area has developed," said Town Manager Steve Biggs. "Plus, for us, it's part of being 'The Premiere Community for Active Families.'" According to Biggs, "It is not intended to provide business class service, but rather offer convenient WiFi for visitors and others who value connectivity for social and communication purposes."

No password is required, and there's no "sign-up." But the town won't offer technical support, either.

"It's a great perk for the downtown area," said Deputy Town Manager Nancy Medlin. "We hope the public will make good use of it."

Some towns in the area already offer similar service in their central business districts and others have it under consideration. The service has been under consideration here for the last few years.

Purna East Presents "Spiritual Sound & Breath Meditation Workshop" With a Twist!

IRELAND’S "THE HIGH KINGS" TO STOP IN CLAYTON ON NEW TOUR

The High Kings – four handsome young Irishmen whose vibrant take on rock and folk drew attention to their self-titled 2008 debut – will stop in Clayton, Sunday, March 27, during their new U.S. tour.

In addition to the tour, The High Kings also celebrate a new album – Memory Lane, which goes on sale on March 8 (Ard Ri Entertainment/EMI Music), just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

The High Kings count Billy Joel and Steve Martin as fans, as well as the million plus viewers who have watched their Rocky Road To Dublin on YouTube. Not surprising, given the group’s phenomenal live performances where band members play upwards of 13 instruments amidst rousing – and at times heartrending – harmonies.

When Memory Lane was released in Ireland last year, it bowed at No. 5 on the Irish Music chart and quickly reached double platinum sales amidst four sell-out Irish tours. The group headlined the Oxegen Festival, performed at Arthur Guinness Day and, with an impact comparable to a Super Bowl halftime show, bowled over a crowd of 80,000 at the All Ireland Hurling Final at Croke Park Stadium. They’ve also been named “Best Folk Group” for three years running by the Irish Music Awards.

Much like their music, the members of The High Kings are made up of equal parts pop and traditional backgrounds. Darren Holden starred in more than 1,000 performances of Billy Joel’s production, Movin' Out, and toured as part of Joel’s own band; Finbarr Clancy is a scion of Irish music’s legendary Clancy family; Martin Furey is the son of the 'prince of pipers' Finbar Furey; and Brian Dunphy is the son of show band legend Sean Dunphy.

The High Kings’ self-titled debut was released in the U.S. in 2008. Bolstered by appearances on NPR’s Weekend Edition, The View, Weekend Today and prestigious NYC radio station WFUV, the album landed in the Billboard Top 200 chart, ranked No. 13 on the Top Internet Album chart and climbed to No. 2 on Billboard’s world music chart.

Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $30 and can be purchased online at http://www.theclaytoncenter.com/,
by phone at 919-553-1737, or at The Clayton Center Box Office, located at 111 E. Second St. in historic downtown Clayton, from 10 a.m. until noon and from 1 until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.