“BREAKFAST CLUB” to Perform at Clayton Town Square Concert on August 7

The original 80's tribute band, “The Breakfast Club” will perform at the Clayton Town Square Concert Series on Thursday, August 7 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Formed in December 1993, The Breakfast Club was the very first tribute band of its kind in the country. Created by Jerry Finley, who has worked with such 80's music legends as The Romantics and The Hooters, the band continues to be the most requested and widely marketable 80's tribute band in the southeast USA.

To date, The Breakfast Club guys have performed for British royalty, movie stars, rock legends, some of the world's top corporations, and more than two million of the most amazing fans a band of any kind could ever hope for.

The Clayton Town Square Concert Series is presented by the Clayton Downtown Development Association. All concerts begin at 7:00 pm and the final concert of the series will feature a Battle of the Bands on September 18.
Refreshments available at the Town Square will include pizza, hot dogs, beer, wine and soft drinks. Although folding chairs and blankets are encouraged for people to sit on, coolers are not allowed.

Sponsors for the concert series include Town of Clayton, Time Warner Cable, Clayton News Star, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, and Clayton Steak House. Contributing sponsors include Avent-Permenter Group Appraisals, Clayton Glass & Mirror, Hometowne Realty, Matthews Motors and True Line Surveying.

If you plan to attend the concerts, consider dinner out before the music begins. Downtown Clayton offers a variety of restaurants for an enjoyable pre-show meal. Consider The FlipSide on 408 E Second Street, 553-0123, Clayton Steakhouse, 307 E Main Street, 553-2299; Mulberry on Main Italian Restaurant 217 E Main Street, 550-7400 or El Sabor de Oaxaca, 226 E Main Street, 359-1477 for traditional Mexican cuisine. All are in the heart of downtown and within walking distance of the Town Square.

The Town Square is in downtown Clayton and sits between West Main Street and S. O’Neil and Fayetteville streets. For more information and updates check the Downtown Clayton blog at www.downtownclayton.blogspot.com. For further information call (919) 553-1545.

Main Street Trees Get Limbed & Trimmed

The Savannah holly trees on Main Street received a bit of a trim last week (right) and now you can walk on the sidewalks without ducking! At the Downtown Development Association's request, the limbs of the trees have been trimmed 7-8 feet above the sidewalk and the branches were shaped to give the trees a somewhat uniform appearance. The goals were to provide a more comfortable pedestrian experience but also to bring some of the buildings out in the open. One business commented that they have already received at least one new customer who did not know they were there prior to the pruning. Another observation: There's a clear view all the way down the sidewalk!

Craig Woolard Band Draws Record Crowd to Town Square Concert Series!

The Craig Woolard Band last night attracted nearly 1,000 people to the Town Square Concert Series in downtown Clayton! The weather was just perfect with low humidity and temp's in the mid 80's. Craig put on a great show that was enjoyed by young and "older" alike.

The next concert is in two weeks, featuring The Breakfast Club on August 7 beginning at 7:00 pm.

Lombard and Main to Become a Downtown Centerpiece

Designers are working on plans to turn the open space at the corner of Lombard and Main Streets into an “aesthetic centerpiece” for the downtown area, Town Manager Steve Biggs told the Town Council this week.

While retaining a parking area, the spot will add to the beauty of downtown, he said.

“The emphasis is on green space, making it an attractive area,” the Town Manager said. “We will also be looking for opportunities to add a public art element.”

The plan is a departure from earlier ideas to put commercial space and upscale condominiums on the property.

Town Square Concert Series Weather Forecast: PERFECT!

Becoming mostly sunny, cooler and less humid by late afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Our cold front is moving through the area this morning. The clouds we see at the start of the day will gradually shift eastward though the day leaving most of us with sunshine for the afternoon hours. High pressure builds in upon the area today remains with us through Friday. The air will slowly dry out through the afternoon, so by the end of the day you may notice a drop in humidity. Wind: NW, 5-10 mph.

WRAL Weather

NBC-17 Weather

Craig Woolard Band Thursday 7 pm Town Square Concert Series

Clayton is 8th Fastest Growing Town in NC

Article in 7/16/08 The Herald
By Solja Nygard Frangos, Online Editor

Johnston County towns continued their growth last year, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimate. At the same time, the entire county’s population grew by 6,440 to 157,437.

All 10 towns in Johnston experienced growth between mid-2006 and mid-2007, according to the Census Bureau estimates, released July 10. Clayton led the pack with a 7.9-percent surge, from 13,845 residents to 14,948. Smithfield grew by 2.9 percent, from 12,196 people to 12,544, and Selma by 1.8 percent, from 6,702 residents to 6,820.

The county’s smaller towns, such as Kenly and Four Oaks, had similar growth rates. Kenly’s population grew by 2.5 percent, from 1,854 to 1,901, while the number of folks in Four Oaks grew 2.4 percent, from 1,821 to 1,864.

The whole county’s population grew by 4.3 percent, according to the estimates. Johnston was the fifth-fastest growing county in the state.

Clayton was the eighth-fastest growing town in North Carolina, trumping such cities as Cary, which grew by 7.3 percent. More

Downtown Clayton Events & Activities

Remember, it is always best to call the venue or contact number for the latest updates!

July 17
Karaoke with DJ Ray at the Flipside 408 E Second Street, 553-0123

July 18 - Josh Pepper at the Flipside 408 E Second Street, 553-0123

July 19 - The Fifty/50 Band at the Flipside 408 E Second Street, 553-0123

July 22 - Open Mic hosted by Tracy Weibeck at the Flipside 408 E Second Street, 553-0123

July 24 7:00 pm
Craig Woolard Band at the Town Square Outdoor Concert

July 24 Central Carolina Songwriters (all original music) at the Flipside 408 E Second Street, 553-0123

July 25 Coty Rivers & Johnny Orr at the Flipside 408 E Second Street, 553-0123

July 26 Andy Coats & The Bank Walkers at the Flipside 408 E Second Street, 553-0123

July 29 - Open Mic hosted by Tracy Weibeck at the Flipside 408 E Second Street, 553-0123

August 7 7:00 pm
Breakfast Club at the Town Square Outdoor Concert

September 11 7:00 pm
9-11 Remembrance at Town Square

September 18 7:00 pm
Battle of the Bands at the Town Square Outdoor Concert

If you are having an event in downtown Clayton, send the information to Downtown Events to be included on the events calendar.

“Craig Woolard Band” to Perform at Clayton Town Square Concert on July 24

The Craig Woolard Band returns to Clayton to perform at the Clayton Town Square Concert Series on Thursday, July 24 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. With the classic style of Ray Charles, the dynamics of Marvin Gaye and Rod Stewart, the soul of James Brown, the vocal prowess of Steve Perry of Journey, combined with the passion of Sam Cook and Michael McDonald, you have “The Soul Man of Beach Music”, Craig Woolard!

As the ambassador of Beach Music, Woolard enjoyed a stellar 27 year career as the front man of one of Carolina’s premiere bands, the Embers. His new band, The Craig Woolard Band, in their first year out in 2005, was honored as ‘GROUP OF THE YEAR” , while Craig walked away with Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist, Best Smoothie Song, and Song of the Year.

The Clayton Town Square Concert Series is presented by the Clayton Downtown Development Association. All concerts begin at 7:00 pm and the remaining concerts will feature Breakfast Club on August 7 and a Battle of the Bands on September 18.

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

Sponsors for the concert series include Town of Clayton, Time Warner Cable, Clayton News Star, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, and Clayton Steak House. Contributing sponsors include Avent-Permenter Group Appraisals, Clayton Glass & Mirror, Hometowne Realty, Matthews Motors and True Line Surveying.

If you plan to attend the concerts, consider dinner out before the music begins. Downtown Clayton offers a variety of restaurants for an enjoyable pre-show meal. Consider The FlipSide on 408 E Second Street, 553-0123, Clayton Steakhouse, 307 E Main Street, 553-2299; Mulberry on Main Italian Restaurant 217 E Main Street, 550-7400 or El Sabor de Oaxaca, 226 E Main Street, 359-1477 for traditional Mexican cuisine. All are in the heart of downtown and within walking distance of the Town Square.

The Town Square is in downtown Clayton and sits between West Main Street and S. O’Neil and Fayetteville streets. For more information and updates keep checking the Downtown Clayton blog. For further information call (919) 553-1545.

This Week at The Flipside in Downtown Clayton!

From The Flipside--

This coming Friday, July 18th, at 6:30p.m.we're having a Wine Tasting.
RSVP is requested. (you can call either 550-0174 or 553-0123)

Wednesday is Mid-Week Coffee Break in The Coffee Mill
Buy a pound of coffee and get a medium expresso based drink on the house (with a flavor if you want it...) Just tell 'em you read the email.

Tonight is Open Mic Night with Tracy Wiebeck
Thursday we're having another Karaoke with KJ Ray
Friday we're excited about having The Josh Pepper Band

Saturday is the return...(drum roll please...dumm dumm dumm..) of
The Fifty/50 Band

Come enjoy Lunch or Dinner with Us.

http://www.myspace.com/theflipside1

Catalytic Converters Being Targeted for Theft

Clayton Police Department ---- Chamber of Commerce ALERT e-mail # 08-002

Smithfield Police are investigating the theft of 5 catalytic converters from parked vehicles recently, and Benson had 3 catalytic converters stolen from parked cars there. Several cases have been reported in Wake County and one has now been reported in Clayton this week. Catalytic converters change harmful pollutants into less harmful emissions before they leave the car's exhaust system

Most of the stolen converters were removed using a small battery powered saw to cut the converters out of the exhaust system under the vehicles. Some can be stolen by removing the mounting bolts. Catalytic converters contain precious metals like platinum, making them desirable to sell for scrap metal and causing them to be expensive to replace. The thieves can quickly cut the converters off of cars in shopping center parking lots and on the streets in front of houses. Vehicles (SUVs and trucks) with more ground clearance are particularly susceptible, but any car built since 1975 may be targeted.

Catalytic converter thefts are rapidly increasing in our area, so the Clayton Police Department urges all car owners (and vehicle fleet managers) to be careful and to reasonably try to avoid parking in isolated areas and unattended lots for extended periods. The public is also requested to be vigilant for suspicious persons around or under vehicles, and to call 9-1-1 to have law enforcement investigate such circumstances.

Chief Glen B. Allen
Clayton (NC) Police Department

Clayton Bypass: Friend to drivers, foe to businesses?

(from WRAL-TV 5)

Clayton, N.C. — Drivers love the new shortcut around Clayton. However, some businesses want the congestion to return.

The 70 Bypass is a little more than 1 month old. It links Interstate 40 to U.S. 70 in Johnston County and diverts thousands of cars a day around the town of Clayton.

When the Bypass opened, Highway 70 through Clayton became designated as Business 70.

“As a business, you want more traffic. You want congestion,” said “Fathead the Barber,” who works at Glen's Barber & Style Shop on Main Street in downtown Clayton. More

Media Two Earns Recognition

Downtown Clayton-based Media Two Interactive was ranked as the region's top Internet advertising and design firm recently by the Triangle Business Journal. The firm, owned by Clayton resident Michael Hubbard, has recently received favorable coverage from CNN, MSNBC and the Wall Street Journal. Media Two is an advertising agency that specializes in the strategic buying and design of interactive media while also identifying best uses of traditional media. The company, located in the Clayton Spinning Mill behind the downtown Post Office, employs 22 people.

Clayton & County Adopt Downtown Redevelopment Incentive Grant

In an effort to encourage development of vacant building lots in downtown Clayton, the Clayton Town Council in May and, the Johnston County Commissioners this week, have adopted the Clayton Downtown Redevelopment Incentive Grant which grants back a portion of the property tax value of the project. The incentive is geared toward property owners who build new commercial buildings on empty lots or engage in major rehabilitation projects in downtown Clayton.

The incentive is a grant that is based on the difference between the appraised tax value of the site or building prior to construction or rehabilitation and the determined tax value following completion of the project. The property owner pays the full town and county property tax value by its due date. If all conditions are met, the property owner receives a grant based on that value for five years. Grants would be disbursed the first two years at 100%, year three at 75%, year four at 50% and year 5 at 25%.

Property owners interested in utilizing this program should contact Downtown Development Coordinator Bruce Naegelen at 553-1545 before starting a project. Information on the program is posted on the Town of Clayton website at www.townofclaytonnc.org under Downtown and Business Development.

The Clayton Downtown Development Association proposed this incentive grant to encourage and promote infill growth of vacant spaces with new commercial development and the major rehabilitation of older buildings within Clayton's downtown commercial district.

Projects that are already being planned would not be eligible, since the grant is for projects that would not have happened if not for the grant.

Restaurant Review: El Sabor de Oaxaca

Here's a blog review of El Sabor de Oaxaca in downtown Clayton...

Best Fireworks Around? Clayton! Ask Anyone!!

Clayton Parks & Recreation will host their annual Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 4 at the Municipal Park on Stalling Street. Activities begin at 4:00 pm and end with the area's best fireworks display at 9:15 pm. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets! Family activities will include field events at 4:00 pm and children's games from 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm. There will be free watermelon at 5:00 pm and free ice cream at 7:00 pm. Other activities consist of basketball and horseshoe tournaments at 4:00 pm; karaoke and local performers at 5:00 pm; Bingo at 6:00 pm and the The Extraordinaires will begin performing at 7:00 pm. There will be a raffle drawing at 9:00 pm. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $1 at the Parks & Recreation office or at the celebration. prizes include $150.00 First Prize; $100 Second Prize; $50 Third Prize. Click here for a full schedule or call 553-1550.