Call for Artists: Millstock Music & Arts Faire

Visual artists of all types are being sought for the Ninth Annual Millstock Music & Arts Faire from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on June 6 in downtown Clayton, NC. In addition to visual artists, Millstock will feature several bands, including reknowned blues guitarist, Cool John Ferguson.

Artists working in paint, graphics, printmaking & drawing, sculpture, ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry, woodwork, photography, mixed media, & other categories are encouraged to participate. All works must be of original design, and executed by the exhibiting artist or artisan. Last year’s Millstock had its best art showing to date, according to event chair Gina Moreland. “Artists were allowed to display fine arts and fine crafts only and, because of this requirement, we saw a tremendous improvement in the quality of artwork being displayed.”

All artists wishing to have a booth at the 9th Annual Millstock Music & Arts Faire can contact Clayton Visual Arts by e-mailing claytonvisualarts@rocketmail.com or by calling Ms. Moreland at 320-8287. The booth fee is $35 and the deadline to register is May 27, 2009.

Registration forms

Artists will be situated along South Lombard and parts of E Main Street and the music will be staged behind the Coffee Mill and Flipside Restaurant on E Second Street. Downtown businesses and restaurants will be open and on the sidewalks creating an even more festive day.

Some new activities are debuting this year at Millstock:
Chalk It Up Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest – individuals, groups, children, adults, and families are invited to take part in this sidewalk chalk art competition with cash prizes. Sidewalk squares are being sold for $10 each. Chalk will be provided and artwork will be judged by local artist, Dorothy Demboski. Tickets may be purchased at Right Angles Custom Framing and GO Design at 401 E Main Street.

DIY Screened Event Tshirts - Local artist Kirk Adam will also be screening Millstock event t-shirts. Each shirt will be unique, and you can help screen your own shirt!

For more information on the schedule of events and for updates visit www.downtownclayton.org. All proceeds go toward expanding & enhancing Millstock Music & Arts Faire in downtown Clayton.

Ava Gardner Museum Gets New Director

Jessica Meadows, former director of the Johnston Arts Council is the new director of the Ava Gardner Museum in downtown Smithfield. check out the N&O news article! Way to go Jessica!

Clayton Chamber to Host Swine Flu Workshop

The Clayton Area Chamber of Commerce will present a Swine Flu Pandemic informational workshop on Friday, May 8 from 8:00 am - 9:00 am. Scott Gailbaith, former NC Emergency Management Team Member, will address concerns about this strain of flu.

A light breakfast and coffee will be available. The session is open to everyone. Please contact the Chamber at 553-6352 to reserve your space.

From the Flipside

Lunch Specials

The "Brother can you spare a dime" $5.00 Club Sandwich wth your choice of a side.

$6.00 Mixed green salad - tomatoes, onions, cukes, manderian oranges, gorganzola cheese with a mixed berry vinegarette

$6.00 Pasta - sausage tomato Alfredo

Dinner Features

A Steak Sandwich made with Flat Iron Steak marinated in a sweat onion teriyaki with peppers, onions, mushrooms - grilled then sliced and served
on a kaiser with your choice of a side.

Linguini with Clam a white wine sauce: side salad and bread

Friday Night Music: Mister Mustard

Saturday Night Music: Valentino & The Piedmont Sheiks

Presentation for Potential SCORE Counselors Scheduled May 19

A presentation for potential SCORE counselors is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 at 6:00 pm at The Clayton Center. The presentation is being organized by the Clayton Downtown Development Association with the intent of establishing a SCORE chapter in Clayton.

If you are a retired executive or entrepreneur willing to volunteer your time as an advisor to small business people, come to the Clayton Center May 19th to learn more about this service organization.

A primary goal of Clayton's Downtown Development Association (DDA) is to help strengthen and expand existing downtown businesses. Leslie Hubbard, Vice-Chair of the DDA’s Economic Restructuring Committee said, “One of the most invaluable resources available to the small businessperson in need of general business advice or expertise in a specific area is the volunteer service corps known as SCORE. There are over 400 SCORE chapters in the U.S., but the closest to us is in Raleigh. We would like to see a chapter established here, for the benefit of both Clayton business people and small business people across Johnston County.”

The first step, according to DDA Chair, Ed Knight, is to find potential business counselors or mentors living in the area. “The ideal candidates are successful business professionals, retired or currently working, who are willing to volunteer their time to mentor small business owners,” said Mr. Knight.

SCORE is a nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to supporting, educating and helping grow small business start-ups and existing businesses. They are a resource partner of the Small Business Administration (SBA) with more than 10,000 volunteers across the country providing free counseling and low cost workshops to new and existing small to medium sized businesses. Both working and retired executives, with small business and corporate backgrounds volunteer their time and expertise as counselors.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering with SCORE, please contact Bruce Naegelen, Downtown Development Coordinator at (919) 553-1545 or bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org. Also, visit the Raleigh SCORE at www.raleighscore.org.

DDA Brings Business Assistance Options to Downtown Businesses

(Left to right: Jerry Lustig, President, Raleigh Chapter SCORE; Ivan Hankins, Senior Area Manager Small Business Administration; Kelley Ferrante, Capital Bank; Rosa Andrews, Director, Johnston County Small Business Center; Geoff Harper, Four Oaks Bank)

The Clayton Downtown Development Association calls them “Downtown Business Block Parties” – an opportunity to bring downtown businesses together to network and to learn something to take back to work with them. Recently, about 20 businesses from Clayton, many from downtown, attended a panel discussion at the Flipside Restaurant about “Business Assistance Options” with representatives from several different agencies.

Leslie Hubbard, Vice Chair of the DDA’s Economic Restructuring Committee said just providing these networking opportunities are a form of business assistance. “Whatever the topic, the business owners meet other business owners and find things in common that they can use to cross-promote their businesses or they might find someone with a solution to a problem they’re having.”

The panelists were: Rosa Andrews, Johnston County Small Business Center; Jerry Lustig, SCORE-Raleigh Chapter; Ivan Hankins, Small Business Administration; Geoff Harper, Four Oaks Bank; Kelley Ferrante, Capital Bank and Bruce Naegelen, Clayton Downtown Development Association.

Each panelist gave a brief overview of what their agency provided in terms of assistance to small businesses, whether it was an opportunity for capital assistance or, just as valuable, guidance and advice.

The top issues the panelists cited from their clients are:
· Lack of working capital
· Lack of start-up capital
· Indecision about what direction to take: expansion or diversification or starting a new business

The panelists stressed the one thing a small business needs is a plan. A business plan that clarifies what they are going to do to sustain and grow their business.

Kelley Ferrante, of Capital Bank said handing businesses cash won’t solve any problems. “What’s your plan? Having a well-thought out plan is going to largely affect how we’re [lenders] going to be able to respond to you.” SCORE, Johnston County Small Business Center and the DDA can assist with business plan development.

Ivan Hankins, Senior Area Manager with the Small Business Association said, “The SBA is a lending tool for the bank” and there have been recent changes to some of the loan programs offered by the SBA, making it a bit easier, and a tad less expensive to utilize the programs.
SCORE offers counseling and mentor services using retired executives and business people to offer their experience and guidance for people starting new businesses and helping to grow existing businesses.

Jerry Lustig, Raleigh Chapter President, said he was very pleased to see an interest in having a SCORE presence in Clayton with the first step being a presentation for potential counselors on May 19 at 6:00 pm at The Clayton Center.

Downtown Development Coordinator Bruce Naegelen said that business should utilize the expertise of the DDA as a first step. “Along with the experience on the board, we also have a statewide and national network of resources to tap.” He also noted a DDA Resource Library with books, DVD’s and reports that cover marketing, design and economic development issues.
For more information on the Downtown Development Association, contact Bruce Naegelen at (919) 553-1545 or bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org.

Links:

Small Business Administration: http://www.sba.gov/
SCORE: http://www.raleighscore.org/
Four Oaks Bank: http://www.fouroaksbank.com/
Capital Bank: http://www.capitalbank-nc.com/
Johnston County Small Business Center: www.johnstoncc.edu/smallbusinesscenter.aspx
Clayton Downtown Development Association: www.townofclaytonnc.org/Business/Downtown

Downtown is Improving says DDA Annual Report

Business improved last year, with downtown businesses attracting 13 percent of retail sales within the town's Primary Trade Area, according to the Downtown Development Association's (DDA) 2008 annual report.

Downtown got $47 million of the $352 million in retail sales within a five-mile radius of the Central Business District. Though the percentage of sales was small in a relative sense, figures show it is growing.

About $100 million of the amount that downtown didn’t get in sales is considered "retail leakage."

“The main leakage categories were in restaurants, clothing and general merchandise or department stores,” said Downtown Development Coordinator Bruce Naegelen.

Leakage occurs when members of a community spend money outside that community, or makes purchases that could have been made inside the community.

A total of 27 new businesses opened in downtown last year, easily offsetting the 16 that closed up shop. That brings the number of retail businesses to 41 and the number of service businesses to 107. The net gain in downtown employees was 75. Investment in downtown last year, including building improvements, totaled more than $2 million.

The report listed several goals of the DDA to improve the quality and appearance of downtown's businesses and lure more people to the area. They included:

• Facade Grant Program, which helped seven businesses improve their appearance
• Streetscape Plan, which succeeded in getting approval for a signalized crossing at Lombard and Main
• Gateway Entrances, which succeeded in getting a new "Gateway to Downtown" design implemented at the US 70 and Main Street intersection and a "Welcome to Downtown Clayton" sign to be installed this year
• Farmers Market, which opened this month on Town Square is expected to bring more people downtown on Saturdays
• Town Square Concert series, which attracted an average of 740 people downtown for each of last year's five free Thursday early evening concerts
• Live Christmas Village and Tree lighting, which drew more than 3,000 people downtown to visit businesses, see a live nativity and enjoy live dance and musical performances
*A "Branding & Wayfinding Plan," put together to help develop an image for the town, will attempt to persuade the state's residents to THINK CLAYTON in coming years.

“Since successful revitalization is an incremental process, we often forget, or even get used to the improvements, activities and projects that have occurred over a period of time," said DDA Chair Ed Knight. "The annual report reminds the community of those things and provides a measure of those accomplishments from year to year."

From The Flipside...

Dinner Specials

Mediterranean Chicken - green olives, capers, tri-colored peppers, shallots sauteed in a butter and while wine sauce with a grilled breast of chicken over a bed of basmati rice

Linguini in a sherry cream sauce with diced tomatoes, shallots and tri-colored peppers (add chicken, shrimp, or blackened samon for $3.00) Served with side salad and bread

Pasta with a roasted garlic pesto cream sauce, served with 1/2 loaf of bread $6.00

Pizza Special - Hawaiian Hawaiian: with pineapple, ham, jalapenos, mozzarella & marinara $7.00

________________________________________

Saturday Music

MikeMickXer

Town to Offer "Do-It-Yourself" Solutions

Working with area service agencies, businesses and churches, the Town of Clayton has scheduled a series of four free workshops this spring aimed at helping those adversely impacted by the current economic crisis get back on their feet.

Titled A Do-It-Yourself Bailout, the four workshops will offer practical tools and information on topics ranging from employment issues and health care to saving money on utilities and managing finances in a crisis. All four are open to everyone. Registration forms can be obtained at The Clayton Center and particpating community and business partners. Registration forms may be mailed or dropped off at The Clayton Center in advance of the event or events you plan to attend.

"With unemployment in Johnston County the highest ever recorded, people are hurting and need help," said Councilman Bob Ahlert. "The federal government is doing all it can on a national level, and we feel there's a part that local government can play, too."

Here is the workshop schedule:

Tuesday, April 21 - Managing Your Finances in a Crisis

Tuesday, April 28 - Employment Issues & Opportunities

Tuesday, May 5 - Healthcare Issues & Opportunities

Tuesday, May 12 - How to Cut the Fat Out of Your Electric
Bill (and other bills, too): Part 2

Event Registration Form

All sessions will be held at The Clayton Center at 111 E. Second Street in downtown Clayton from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. Registration forms will be distributed throughout the area. Childcare is available for those who need it through cooperation with "The Second Street Center". Need for child care should be noted on the preregistration form. Seating will be limited to those adult participants in attendance.

"Our hope is that those who need help will come out of these sessions with the help they need," said Councilman Michael Grannis. "We're grateful for all the help and support we've gotten for this initiative from throughout the community. Pulling together in a crisis is what good, solid communities do."

Some of the town's program supporters in the initiative include First Citizens Bank, Four Oaks Bank, Capital Bank, Project Access, the Capital Area Joblink Career Center, New Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon Christian Church and the Johnston County Department’s of Public Health, Mental Health and Social Services.

Clayton Lion's Club to Host Spaghetti Dinner - May 8

The Clayton Lions Club spaghetti dinner has been scheduled for Friday, May 8th from 4pm to 7pm at the Clayton High School.

We are offering eat in or carry out this year. Tickets are $7 per plate which includes spaghetti, italian bread, salad with dressing on the side, dessert and beverage.

Tickets can be purchased at:
Crescent State Bank - 919/550-2050
First Federal Bank - 919/550-7558
Project Access - 919/550-0011
Doctors Vision Center - 919/550-2464

Lions Club International is the largest service club organization in the world with nearly 1.35 million members in 45,000 clubs and 200 countries around the world.

Clayton Lions Club formed in September of 2007. Since that time, they have held several fundraisers and donated to Clayton Area Ministries, local families for assistance at Christmas and Camp Dogwood (a camp for the blind). They have also assisted with the purchase of eyeglasses and eye appointments. Most recently, the club sponsored the Vision Van where they screened nearly 100 individuals.

Eyeglasses collection boxes are located at the locations listed above. These glasses are sent out of the country to help provide eyeglasses to those in need.

Lions Club meets the first and third Thursday of each month from 12:30 - 1:30 at Clayton Steak House 307 E Main Street. For more information, contact Sarah Martin at 919/550-2050 or Kim Loftin at 919/550-7558.

Purse's Unlimited Opens at 420 E Main Street

Wendy Nixon has opened Purses Unlimited at 420 E Main Street. Wendy felt it was time to move her purse party business onto the street. In a unique pairing of businesses, Wendy moved into the office half of the building occupied by her father's business, Earp's Service Center. They added some landscaping elements in front of the building, some new signage and have been selling purses, jewelry, gifts and even Rainbow flip flops.

Hours are 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Monday through Friday and 10:00 am - 2:00 pm on Saturday. 550-1021.

Stacie's Used Furniture Opens in Downtown

Quality used furniture and accessories, including antiques can be found at Stacie's Used Furniture located at 232 E Main Street in downtown Clayton. Stacie Hay and her husband Bill opened the store in mid March and are open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday-Saturday. Be sure to make it a regular stop. 550-0018.

2nd Annual Our Green Earth Event - Downtown

The second annual Our Green Earth event will be held April 18 at the corner of Church and First streets in Clayton. Free admission.

Entertainment will include Paul Bomar at 10 a.m., with special guests Guy Percy and Mike Rosado; Victoria Axelrod at noon; Bruce Naegelen at 2 p.m.; and Scott Aker at 4 p.m.

Presentations include Johnston County Master Gardener Shawn Banks; Susan Woodward of the Johnston County Soil and Water District;

Participate in making an interactive fiber sculpture using found objects and scrap fibers with Cheryl McCardle; Plant a Garden activity for the children. Artists include Jodi Aker; Cheryl McCardle; and Marianne Massimiano.

for more information visit www.eyeoftheeagleart.com

The 2009 Town Square Concert Series Line-up

The third season of Clayton’s Town Square Concert Series will feature headlining and popular bands, according to Lyn Austin, Promotion Committee chair for the Downtown Development Association. “We had incredible audiences last year and the lineup we have scheduled for this year should help to bring more people to downtown Clayton.” she said.

Returning to Clayton to open the outdoor concert series on May 21will be Liquid Pleasure, which was one of the most talked about performances last year. All concerts begin at 7:00 pm and will end around 9 pm.


May 21, Liquid Pleasure

June 18, Abbey Road Live!

July 16, Legends of Beach

August 20, Zydecopious

September 17, Band of Oz

Major sponsors for the concerts include, the Town of Clayton, Downtown Development Association, Clayton News Star and Time Warner Cable & Clayton Steakhouse. Contributing sponsors include Avent-Permenter Group, Clayton Glass & Mirror, Hometowne Realty, Johnston Health and Novo Nordisk. The Town Square is in downtown Clayton at 100 W Main Street between S. O’Neil and Fayetteville streets. For more information call (919) 553-1545 and for updates check the Downtown Clayton blog at www.downtownclayton.org.

Refreshments available at the Town Square will include pizza, hot dogs, beer, wine and soft drinks and homemade ice cream. New this year will be the addition of Italian ice. Although folding chairs and blankets are encouraged for people to sit on, coolers are not allowed.

Liquid Pleasure
www.liquidpleasureband.com
In an industry where the average life of a band is about five years, Liquid Pleasure has set a new standard. As they enter their 20th year, they have firmly established themselves as the area’s premiere show and dance band! Three out of the six present musicians who make up Liquid Pleasure are original members. This type of consistency combined with exceptional talent sets Liquid Pleasure apart from the rest. Over the years, the band has appeared with such notable artists as Paula Abdul, The Temptations, Whitney Houston, The Four Tops, Stacy Lattisaw, Aretha Franklin and Jeffery Osborne.


Liquid Pleasure is: Kenny Mann (keyboards, leader, manager, comedian, wise-cracker and founding member); Melvin Farrington (bass guitar, original member); Leonard Hackney (lead guitar, original member); Cedric Hardin (drums); Darrin Johnson (lead guitar and background vocals); Vincent Poole (lead and background vocals)


Abbey Road Live!
www.abbeyroadlive.comSince 2002, Abbey Road LIVE! has been rocking the music of the Beatles at clubs, theatres, festivals, and private events. Initially a tribute to the monumental "Abbey Road" album, the band has expanded its scope to include more than 100 Beatles tunes, from all eras of the Fab Four's career. The band specializes in complete, start-to-finish album performances of masterpieces such as "Abbey Road", "Magical Mystery Tour" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band".

Abbey Road LIVE! is not your typcial Beatle look-alike tribute act; don't expect mop-top haircuts and vintage Rickenbacker guitars. Rather, this show is about bringing to life some of the more mature and complex Beatles material in a raw & spirited fashion, while remaining true to the original recordings. Combining attention to detail with a creative exuberance, the band always delights its audiences with its diverse repertoire of hits and more obscure favorites.

Abbey Road LIVE! is made up of four all-star musicians from the infamous Athens GA music scene that gave the world R.E.M., Widespread Panic, and B-52s. Collectively the band members have recorded and toured regularly with Cosmic Charlie, Charlie Mars, and Fuzzy Sprouts. Individual band members have also collaborated with acts such as Indigo Girls, Juliana Hatfield, Mike Houser (Widespread Panic), Danielle Howle and Lemonheads.

While the four lads from Athens GA generally perform as a quartet, they have also been known to recruit the "Magical Mystery Horns" and the "Lonely Hearts Strings", lending authentic accompaniment to the more elaborately orchestrated tunes. The latest addition to the Abbey Road LIVE! musical arsenal is a real Indian sitar and tablas.

At a typical Abbey Road LIVE! show, audiences young and old can found gleefully singing along with every word, many in utter disbelief at getting to hear this monumental music performed live; something that even the Beatles themselves never did, since they stopped touring in 1966.

Legends of Beach
www.legendsofbeach.com
Legends of Beach is a new group composed of eight musicians including five former members of the Beach Music group the Embers. Lead singer, Jackie Gore is the composer and original lead voice on the beach music classic, "I Love Beach Music".
Other former Embers are Gerald Davis, Jeff Grimes , Mark Black, and Johnny Barker, who wrote the beach music classic, "Summertime's Calling Me". Additional musicians are Glenn Edwards -- drums, Rusty Smith -- trumpet, Scott Bailey -- trombone, and Seth Carper -- sax, along with Steve Davis, former sound technician with the Embers for 25 years.

The group will be playing the beach music classics they were known for in the '80's and '90's, as well as some brand new original beach music songs.

Zydecopious
www.zydecopious.com
A hot, swingin' Zydeco band guaranteed to make your feet happy! Their name means "ample amounts of zydeco," and that's what this new band promises dancers and listeners alike. Their debut in December 2006 at The Flipside in Clayton, followed by a special performance at Yancy's in Raleigh, prompted raves from all who experienced the band's unique sound.


Zydecopious offers up not only tunes that zydeco aficionados and dancers have come to know and love (such as "Have Mercy," "I'm Comin' Home," "My YaYa," "Born in the Country," "Midland Two-Step," "Give 'em Cornbread"), but it also plays songs that reflect the heavy R&B-tinged music of Louisiana and the other Gulf Coast states, such as "Baby Please Don't Go," "Diddie-Wah-Diddie," and "Iko-Iko." And always expect some surprises, as some popular hits of the past get the zydeco treatment (remember Peggy Lee's "Fever" from 1958 and Mongo Jerry's "In the Summertime" from 1970?).

Zydecopious is the Triangle's only local zydeco band. It includes Kenny Shore on frottoir; Tracy Wiebeck on bass; Mike Davis on guitar; Leo Briere on accordion; Ed Mezynski on Drums, and Mick Voiland on organ. They all invite you to listen, enjoy, tap your feet, and, most definitely, DANCE!

Band of Oz
www.bandofoz.com
The Band of Oz was formed in 1967 as a part-time band playing fraternity parties and high school proms all over the South. In 1977 the band went on the road full time.

Since that time the band has made an exceptional name for itself throughout the Southeast by playing the top clubs and corporate parties, and getting excellent reviews along the way. For several years the group has been a guest on most of the major beach concerts in the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia. The Band of Oz is one of the most successful groups in the Southeast, and continues to get the very best reviews from the top people in the entertainment business. The band now features a full horn section to total a dynamic eight-member group. They still perform well over two-hundred shows per year for corporate events, festivals, concerts, wedding receptions, and many other public and private events.

Millstock Music & Arts Faire Gears Up for 9th Year

Put June 6 on the calendar for a full day of music and art in downtown Clayton. The Ninth Annual Millstock Music & Arts Faire will take place from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm featuring live music from several bands behind The Coffee Mill & The Flipside Restaurant, and thirty to forty artists along S Lombard and Main streets.

The Millstock committee, comprised of members from the Downtown Development Association, Clayton Visual Arts and downtown business owners, has placed an increased focus on several key areas in an effort to grow the festival. These areas include:
• Expanding the festival toward Main Street
• Increasing the number of artists
• Hands-on art and other activities for children and adults, and
• Continuing to bring some amazing musical talent for which Millstock has become famous.

“Downtown should really hop this year with Millstock on one end and the Farmer’s Market on the other,” said DDA Chairman Ed Knight. He added, “Both events will bring new people to downtown Clayton to sample our restaurants and businesses, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Gina Moreland, with Clayton Visual Arts said, “Last year’s Millstock had its best art showing to date. Artists were allowed to display fine arts and fine crafts only and, because of this requirement, we saw a tremendous improvement in the quality of artwork being displayed. The 102 degree heat on that day definitely kept the number of attendants down, but we are hopeful the weather will cooperate this year and many more people will be able to come out and enjoy the wonderful local artwork and great music in our downtown”.


All artists wishing to have a booth at the 9th Annual Millstock Music & Arts Faire can contact Clayton Visual Arts by e-mailing claytonvisualarts@rocketmail.com or by calling Gina Moreland at 320-8287. The booth fee is $35 and the deadline to register is May 27, 2009.

New this year to Millstock:
Chalk It Up – individuals, groups, children, adults, and families are invited to take part in this sidewalk chalk art competition with cash prizes. Sidewalk squares are being sold for $10 each. Chalk will be provided and artwork will be judged by local artist, Dorothy Demboski. Tickets may be purchased at Right Angles Custom Framing and GO Design at 401 E Main Street.

Make your own Millstock T-shirt – local artist Kirk Adam will be on hand to help festival-goers screen-print their own t-shirt.

For more information on the schedule of events and for updates visit www.downtownclayton.org.

The Millstock Committee is: Gina Moreland, Jodi Sager, Dianne Carroll, Gail O’Neil, Ed Knight and Bruce Naegelen. All proceeds go toward expanding & enhancing Millstock Music & Arts Faire in downtown Clayton

Kathy Mattea’s April 25 Clayton Show A Sell Out, Standing Room Only On Sale Now

Reserved seating for the Saturday, April 25, Kathy Mattea concert has SOLD OUT, and a limited number of Standing Room Only tickets are available.

The award-winning singer-songwriter brings her Moving Mountains tour to The Clayton Center for an 8 p.m. show. The show will feature songs from Mattea’s latest release – “Coal” – as well as old favorites, including Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses and Where've You Been.

The Mattea concert is the final performance of the 2008-2009 Palladian Series and the fifth sell out of the season. “It’s been a phenomenal year for the Palladian Series,” Heidi Stump, executive director, said. “Audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive for all of the shows, and we expect the same to be true of Kathy Mattea.”

Standing Room Only tickets for Kathy Mattea are $12, plus service fees. These spots are truly standing room only; no seats will be available for patrons who purchase tickets for this section. Individual SRO tickets may be purchased online at www.theclaytoncenter.com, by phone at 919.553.1737 or at The Clayton Center Box Office at 111 E. Second St. in downtown Clayton from 10 a.m. until noon and from 1 until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Clayton Farmers Market Featured in N&O

A good article in the N&O this morning about farmer's markets features Clayton!

From the Flipside!

Lunch Specials

$5.00 "Downturn" Burger (available during lunch only...)

Meatloaf Sandwich: one faced with gravy and your choice of a side. $6.00

Grilled Chicken Panini: grilled chicken, onions and peppers with goat cheese, lettuce, tomato
and your choice of a side. $8.00

Dinner Specials

Budget Pasta with meatballs, served with bread. $6.00

BBQ Cheddar Kobe Burger: cheddar cheese, bacon, grilled onion on a toasted Kaiser with your choice of a side.

Wednesday
1/2 price Wine by the glass. All Day!

Saturday
The Rick Keene Trio

Flipside Open TONIGHT For THE GAME!

The NCAA Championship game tips off TONIGHT at 9:21 PM

We will be open monday night @ 7 PM for the game ON THE BIG SCREEN

light appetizers/beer & drink specials

We had a blast saturday night cheering on unc - come join us for the final

N.C. Railroad yields on land use in its corridor

Lawmakers work out compromise to ease financial demands on land that borders tracks.

By Marti Maguire - Staff Writer News & Observer
Published: Mon, Apr. 06, 2009

The steel pathway from Charlotte to the coast that was synonymous with progress when its tracks were laid in the 1850s is once again becoming central to the state's plans - and once again raising the ire of its neighbors.

The N.C. Railroad, a private company that runs the state-owned tracks from Charlotte to Morehead City, is backing off what some said was a heavy-handed approach toward businesses and institutions that had slowly encroached on a swath of land surrounding the train tracks that the railroad claims as its own.

The N.C. Railroad remains intent on managing the 200-foot wide corridor, though critics dispute that width. But after complaints from residents and the nudging of legislators, the company has abandoned some of its demands. FULL STORY

Clayton Farmers Market Opening Day (Slideshow)

Clayton Farmers Market Has Successful Opening Day

NBC-17 did a nice story on the opening day of the Clayton Farm & Community Market.

We'll post some additional pictures and video in a little while.

CLayton Historical Association Annual Meeting This Saturday

2009 Annual Membership Meeting
Clayton Historical Association

April 4th, 2009

10:30am – 11:30am



Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library

100 S Church Street, downtown Clayton

Agenda:
Election of Officers
2008 Treasurer Report
2009 Scheduled Events
Guest Speaker: Bruce Naegelen to discuss Clayton Historic District

No RSVP needed, for questions please call 919-553-5334 or email
claytonnchistory@gmail.com

Clayton Farm & Community Market Set to Open Saturday

And the weather is forecast to be perfect!!

Great articles in last week's Clayton News Star and today's Garner-Clayton Record about the opening this Saturday.

Quick Facts:

Clayton Farm & Community Market
Saturdays
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Clayton Town Square
100 block W Main St
Downtown Clayton

for more info: claytonmarket@earthlink.net

April Art Exhibit - Photography by Glenda Poulter

Eye of the Eagle Art - 131 E First Street Downtown Clayton

Glenda Poulter is our featured artist for April. Her photography will be on exhibit until April 30th.

“I hope, through my photographs, others can see my love for the natural world. I also hope my pictures will inspire them to explore the outdoors themselves, searching for the tiniest to the imposing, feeling the calm and peace and silence settle over them.” …Glenda Poulter

You are invited to the Opening Wine Reception for Glenda on April 4th from 4:00 pm - 6:00pm. This is free and open to the public.

“I am honored to be invited to show my photography at The Eye of the Eagle ArtGallery. Please come out and support this wonderful gallery as they give me and other emerging artists an opportunity to share our work with the community.”…Glenda Poulter

Her photo’s are framed with hand painted frames and mats that complement the photos. Come out and see for yourself see!