Wednesday, September 21, 2011


1st Annual
Squealin on the Square!
BBQ COOKOFF
October 14th & 15th

So you think you can cook up the tastiest BBQ Pig in the town of Clayton. Well then you need to enter our Pig Cooking contest and claim the honor of being the "Best Pig Cooker" in our community.

Put your apron on, pack up your best BBQ sauce and meet us at the Town Square for the 1st Annual "Squealin on the Square" BBQ Cook-off.
  • When: October 14th & 15th.
  • Where: Downtown Clayton's Town Square on the corner of Main Street and Fayetteville Street
  • Time: Chief Cooks meeting will take place on Oct. 14th at 7:00 p.m. and the pigs will be distributed to the Cooks one hour later. Judging will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15th and the winners will be announced at 1:00 p.m.
  • Tickets: BBQ plates go on sale at 12 noon on Saturday, cost $5 in advance, $6 on the day of the event. Tickets will be available at the Chamber on October 10, 2011.
  • Entertainment: The GB4 Band will play for your entertainment on Saturday from 12 noon until 3:00 p.m. So bring your lawn chairs and enjoy some mouth watering BBQ and enjoy the music.
  • Awards: Prizes will be awarded to the top three(3) cooking teams.
  • RSVP: Registrations and entry fee's must be in at the Chamber by October 7, 2011
Download a registration form today! Fill it out and mail it along with your check to:

Clayton Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 246
Clayton, NC 27528

For more information please contact Jim Godfrey at 919-553-6352 or jim@claytonchamber.com.

Friday, September 09, 2011

Fall Book Sale at Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library Tomorrow (9/10/11)

The Friends of the Library’s Fall Used Book Sale is scheduled for Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 8:00am until 2:00pm at the Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library located at 100 South Church Street in downtown Clayton.

We will offer a variety of used books--fiction, nonfiction, inspirational, cookbooks, textbooks and classics. There will be something of interest for every book lover. We invite you to come, browse and fill one of our provided bags for only $12.00. You won’t find a better bargain anywhere. A Collector’s Corner of special books will also be available.

New Scholastic books will be for sale in the children’s room. Clifford, the Big Red Dog and Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus series will be visiting. Children may have their faces painted for $1.00.

Proceeds from the sale will be used to support the library and its programs. Thank you for your continued support of the library.

2011 Clayton Harvest & Music Festival Heavy on Music and Variety

This is the second year since the Clayton Chamber of Commerce added ”music” to their Clayton Harvest & Music Festival and they are serious with two stages and 13 different music acts.

The East Stage is in on the southside of the 400 block of Main Street, between The Flipside and Jones’ Cafe. Schedule:

10:00 am The Brightleaf Bluegrass Band, featuring Kathi Nixon

11:20 am Mary Selvidge

12:40 pm MikeMickxer

2:00 pm Shelter

3:20 pm Sayer McShane

The West Stage is at Town Square, on West Main Street between Fayetteville Street and O’Neil Street.
Schedule:

11:45 am Taylor Leopold (2010 Clayton Idol Winner)

12:30 pm Bruce Naegelen

1:00 pm 2011 Clayton Idol Winners

1:45 pm Dameron & Ladd

2:45 pm Paul Bomar Trio

3:30 pm Johnny Orr

4:15 pm Revelus

5:00 pm Fifty/50 Band

7:30 pm Central Park Band

All music is free and start times are approximate. Read on for a little background on each musician/band.

2011 Clayton Harvest Festival Music Lineup

Brightleaf Blue Grass Band
East Stage – 10:00 am


The Brightleaf Blue Grass Band is led by Kathi Hinton Nixon a local singer/songwriter with a love for bluegrass and Americana music. In 1994, she and her sister Kellie Hinton produced a CD with a majority of the songs written by Kathi.

East Stage – 11:20 am

Mary Selvidge has been playing and writing music since she was sixteen years old. In November 2007 she placed 2nd in the Colgate Country Showdown Southeast Regional in Thomaston, Georgia. She has performed at concerts for several great country music artist like George Strait, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Taylor Swift, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, and many more.
Mary and her band were winners of the 2011 Carolina Music Awards for best country band.


East Stage – 12:40 pm

Mike Davis, on lead vocals and lead guitar, is well known in Triangle musician circles as the multi-talented and energized front man for The Amateurs, Zydecopious and now the MikeMickXer trio. With crisp and compelling guitar leads played on “Gretchen” (his gorgeous, red, sweet-sounding Gretsch guitar), soulful vocalizations, lively rapport with the audience, and waist-length dreadlocks twirling, Mike provides all the soul, flash and verve a band could want. Mick Voiland, on organ and bass, is the “convenor” of MikeMickXer, having brought Mike, Gary and himself together “not only as a way of playing out in front of people more often, but also exploring what might be done differently with some rarely played tunes from the last 50 years.” Mick provides the bass line for the group using his left hand on a second keyboard, something he says he finds is “fun, mesmerizing and, above all, rewarding.” Gary Grier, on drums, is the trio’s very talented man-on-the-skins. He’s played within the funk, rock and R&B genres, but loves to venture out across all the popular styles. With a strong emphasis on timing and groove, he has played with many local bands, most notable the West Street Band, but now drives the beat for MikeMickXer.

East Stage – 2:00 pm

Shelter is an energetic and entertaining pop/rock cover band playing the songs you love and the ones you forgot you loved from the sixties to today. With both female and male singers covering the classics, a splendid time is guaranteed for all. Shelter is formed by musicians with decades of experience for one purpose - to provide the audience with a variety of music that differs from the standard fare. Recognizable songs, to be sure, but ones you may not hear every time you turn on the radio. We play the songs you love and the ones you forgot from the sixties to today.

East Stage – 3:20 pm
Sayer McShane is an exciting band from Detroit, Michigan. They play an amazing blend of rock, blues, Motown, soul, and more. With a strong command of their instruments, “The Girls” deliver a powerful performance with their big sound and solid harmonies. Kristin Sayer “The Git-tar Player” sings lead and plays lead guitar. Carolyn McShane “MC Shane” sings and plays drums. They entertain the crowd with their fun, interactive dialogue and compelling songwriting. Sayer McShane definitely put on a show unlike anything you've seen before.

West Stage – 11:45 pm

This 16-year old singer-songwriter picked up the guitar for the first time when she was 10 years old. She has written dozens of songs over the past few years and is now working towards releasing them on a self-published album, with an expected release date in late 2011. She was the 2010 Clayton Idol winner, sponsored by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce.

West Stage – 12:30 pm

Bruce Naegelen has been performing his and other people's songs since 1979 throughout central New England and coastal North Carolina. Whether the venue is a festival, restaurant, club or private party, Bruce's music and humor keeps things happening. From Jimmy Buffett to John Prine, songs from the 50's, 60's, 70's and even the 80's, there's something for just about everybody!


West Stage – 1:45 pm

Scott Dameron and Jay Ladd fall comfortably in the mold of the new “singer/songwriter”. Accomplished musicians, singers, and lyricists, their sound is a mixture of new/fast-folk, americana, pop, and any other trendy genre that includes acoustic-based, thoughtfully written, and melody-driven music. Jay Ladd’s dynamic and emotive voice, as well as his stylish keyboard playing, perfectly seams and connects with Scott Dameron’s acoustic guitar, which can be rhythmic and percussive, but also melodic and soulful.


West Stage – 2:45 pm

Paul Bomar is a 35 year old jazz guitarist (as well as other styles), composer, arranger, and guitar instructor (any style)from North Carolina. He has been involved with numerous musical projects throughout the area which include Steel Belted Slinky, Evil Jungle, the Corey Parker, and Human Beans. He is currently involved with Blue Concept, the Marc Getter Trio, the Paul Bomar Trio, the F.O. Finch Quartet, and others.

East Stage – 3:30 pm

Johnny Orr has been a fixture in the Raleigh area for a long time. He’s been performing since the mid 80′s and the past few years have kicked things up notch. Johnny made it to the finals at Nashville Star, he’s been on CMT’s Big Break with Sara Evans, he’s opened for Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Gretchen Wilson, Phil Vassar, Josh Gracin, Josh Thompson, Jeff Bates, and many more. Johnny Orr Band also won the Clayton Town Square Concert Series, “Battle of the Bands” in 2008.

Revelus
West Stage – 4:15 pm

Edgy mainstream alternative rock with strong melodic vocals, a fresh sound and unique appeal...Revelus melds loud, heavy guitars with cut through melodies and mixes rock sensibilities with a sharp sense of pop songwriting. The band strives on creating music that makes heads move! Revelus is a very hard working band, and they take their musical careers very seriously. This is their thing... it's what they have been doing for the duration of their lives, and they wouldn't continue to do it if they didn't do it well. Great things are in store for Revelus and their future.

West Stage – 5:00 pm

The Fifty/50 Band is a very tight Raleigh, N.C. area band specializing in providing a unique variety of great music to party to. Like the banner states, "WE LIKE TO MIX IT UP" Together for more than six years, The Fifty/50 Band has been performing a great mix of music that will get your attention as well as get you on your feet. The Fifty/50 Band get their name from all members having been born in the fifties, they are all in their fifties, and everything so far has had a Fifty/50 chance of happening. The Fifty/50 Band play songs they grew up with and played in garage bands in the late sixties and early seventies. Songs that everyone has heard at least once in their lives. From Classic Rock, Folk Rock, Oldies, Blues, R&B, Country, etc.... You get the idea! Check out the song list!


West Stage – 7:30 pm

The Central Park is one of the most popular bands to play in Clayton and they are from Clayton! The lineup features Casey Coats and Marty Gilbert as lead singers, Tom Bagley on guitar, Craig Pulley on bass, George Coghill on drums and John Fichera on keybords. Their vast repertoire includes playing music from the Beatles to the Black Eyed Pea’s. CPB specializes in audience participation, encouraging people to dance!

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Opportunity for Clayton Business Owners

The Johnston County Job Training Office is offering local businesses a training incentive: on the job training.


On the job training will benefit businesses that wish to hire quality people who are willing to train and learn the skills needed to do the job.

We streamline the hiring process by sending you qualified applicants, and we supplement the cost for training these new employees: up to 50% wage reimbursement during initial training time.

The length of the training period varies depending on need, and there is no limit to the number of applicants that can participate.

Contact:
Nancy B. Stancil, Business Services Coordinator Johnston County Job Training JobLink Career Center Johnston Community College
(919)464-2485
(919-209-2094
nancystancil@johnstoncc.edu

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Jewelry Design Studio Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary

Jewelry Design Studio owners, John & Jovi McFadden celebrated their first year in business today with a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and sidewalk refreshments. Flanked by Chamber members, customers and others, John & Jovi cut the ribbon. Jewelry Design Studio is located at 417 E Main Sreet and their number is 359-3649.

The Castaways Perform at Town Square Concert Series Finale on Sept 15

The season finale of the Clayton Town Square Concert will feature The Castaways on Thursday, September 15 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Clayton Town Square, 100 W Main Street in downtown.

This is the Castaways first appearance in Clayton and are the premier party band in the Carolinas and Virginia. From it's beginning in Durham, NC in 1961, The Castaways have been pleasing audiences with their unique flavor of Beach, Soul, and Rock N' Roll for generations of fans. But don't let the fact that the band has been around for fifty years fool you. High energy, current songs, and fun on stage will bring a party to all age groups! The Castaways original music can be heard on Beach Music radio shows throughout the southeast. As artists on the KHP Music label, their CD’s entitled "Generation Six" and "Give It Up" have received great reviews as they have showcased the variety of vocal styles and song selections that The Castaways can offer.

Sponsors of the 2011 Clayton Town Square Concert Series are the Town of Clayton, Grifols, Clayton Steakhouse, Hometowne Realty, The Flipside Restaurant, Clayton News-Star and Joe Mama’s Mobile Stages and KB Homes.

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, Primo Pizza, 226 E Main and Lucky Chicken Peruvian Restaurant, 312 E Main Street.

Residents of Clayton are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for this “free” public concert. There are several local vendors to provide light refreshments and food. The Clayton Downtown Development Association, Inc. will once again serve beer and wine. Coolers and alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be brought in to the Town Square.

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, and the Christmas Village & Tree Lighting.