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Smitty's Notes
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Published: June 2, 2008
Greetings Again Smittyheads:
I have a few good nuggets to report this edition. They include a new restaurant coming to downtown; an annual student film showing at the North Carolina School of the Arts; a new family book with saintly ties by a respected Triad business reporter and editor; and don't forget about the "Original" North Carolina Wine Festival at Tanglewood.
On a side note, My "Mama", Mary Forney Smith left us on Monday, May 12, 2008 passing away unexpectedly, but peacefully in her sleep at home after a brief illness. She spent her last Mother's Day the day before with my father and all her kids. Mama touched quite a number of lives at many levels in our community. More than I ever knew as I found out this past week.
Looking back, we knew the time was near that day. We are happy she left quietly on her terms. For that, the whole family is at peace. She had wonderful, unselfish and giving life. Mama was a good soul and very funny person too. The Smith and Forney family kept the funeral director entertained in her spirit during the drive to the church, burial and home. She will be truly missed by all. I struggled hard on taking this edition off. However, a familiar voice was giving me an ear full, only in a way she knew how, if I did ;-) She was just not my Mama, but my good buddy. So, on that note.
Now to the business at hand...
The Secret Garden in Liberty Plaza – A new restaurant and bar coming downtown
A new restaurant and bar is being planned for downtown Winston-Salem. Matthew McKeown of the SG Restaurant Group will be opening - The Secret Garden in Liberty Plaza - to be located on the first floor of the Liberty Plaza Building at Third and Liberty Street. The space was formerly occupied by the Forsyth County Register of Deeds office. The concept will fine dining. McKeown has recruited Nick Raba, a Chef at the Bellagio Hotel Casino in Las Vegas to plan the menu and lead the kitchen.
The Secret Garden in Liberty Plaza will occupy 4,000 square feet with seating for close to one hundred patrons. The main dining room will have seating for forty. Additional seating will be by fifteen private coves along the wall. Each cove will have room for two to eight patrons with its own curtain for privacy, separate controls for music and lighting ambiance. A bar for the establishment will be located on the 12th floor of the Liberty Plaza occupying 1,700 square feet with views of the city from the north and west.
McKeown is planning a high level of cuisine and service for the dining patron and will strive to have the restaurant rated four stars on the Mobile Travel Guide Restaurant Rating System. Only a few restaurants in the Triad have obtained some level of rating on this system. J. Basel Noble in High Point and Bistro Sophia in Greensboro are a couple. Construction will start in June with an anticipated opening planned for late September. Planned hours - Restaurant: Tue-Sat 5-10 p.m. Bar: 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Piedmont Wind Symphony Guest Artist Concert presents Arturo Sandoval and Three Dog Night Thursday, May 22, 2008
Four-time Grammy award winner, trumpet player, Arturo Sandoval returns Thursday, May 22, 2008 to the Joel Coliseum Theater to wow audiences with his vivacious Latin-tinged jazz, pop and classical selections. One of the most dynamic live performers of our time, Sandoval has played and recorded with everyone from Dizzy Gillespie to Alicia Keys, and many, many more. He is also a brilliant musical multi-tasker, playing trumpet, flugel horn and piano as well as composing in a variety of genres. In his appearance with Piedmont Wind Symphony, you will hear "Funky Cha Cha", "All Night Long," "Cuban American Medley," and the Hummel Trumpet Concerto just to name a few.
Three Dog Night also joins the Piedmont Wind Symphony for this special evening. Between 1969 and 1974, Three Dog Night had 21 consecutive Top 40 hits, and no artist sold more records or more concert tickets during that time. With such familiar tunes as "Mama Told Me (Not To Come)," "Joy To The World," "Old Fashioned Love Song," "One," and "Celebrate," Three Dog Night helped define the sixties and seventies. The Piedmont Wind Symphony will join them in playing many of their classic song.
Tickets are $125 (limited VIP table seating on the floor), $75, $55, and $35. Tickets available at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum Box office, Ticketmaster outlets, or http://www.ljvm.com and http://www.ticketmaster.com. This Guest Artist Concert is sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Michael J. Morykwas.
North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking Student Films – Thursday, May 29 and Friday May 30, 2008
Lights, camera, action! Don't miss this rare opportunity to see a selection of short films by up and coming young filmmakers from the North Carolina School of the Arts. Films by third year students will be screened Thursday, May 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Theatre and 8:00 p.m. in the Babcock Theatre in the ACE Exhibition Complex in the School of Filmmaking at NCSA. Fourth year student films will be shown Friday, May 30 at 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. in the Main Film Theatre and 8:00 p.m. in the Babcock Theatre. Tickets are $5 and are available through the NCSA Web site http://www.ncarts.edu or through the NCSA Box Office, (336) 721-1945. Please note: Student films are not rated and may contain adult language and situations not suitable for children.
Eighth Annual The "Original" North Carolina Wine Festival, Saturday, May 31, 2008
Returning this month is the Eighth Annual "Original" North Carolina Wine Festival sponsored by 600/1200 WSJS & NewsTalk 1230 WMFR at Tanglewood Park on Saturday, May 31st from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The festival is more than just a wine-tasting day; it has become an exceptional Carolina summertime gathering that highlights the growing wine industry in the Piedmont and the recognition of North Carolina by wine lovers across the state and across the country.
Many wineries throughout the state will be involved in this year's Festival. Complimentary commemorative wine-tasting glasses will be provided at the entrance for the first 13,000 adults. Wineries will be serving in tasting tents for easy access, and a large selection of food vendors will be on hand, as well. Arts and craft vendors will on hand to add to the fun. This year's entertainment will be The Chairmen of the Board, The Plaids and The Fairlanes.
Presenting sponsors are 600/1200 WSJS, NewsTalk 1230 WMFR, Woodard and Company Asset Management Group, 101.1 Talk Radio, U.S. Home Interiors, Twin City Chop House, WCWG TV 20 and Harris Teeter. Tickets are on sale at Triad area Harris Teeter stores and are $20 in advance or $25.00 at the gate. Parking is included with the ticket price. For more information go to http://www.ncwinefestival.com/ or contact Julie McMinn 336-733-5836 / jemcminn@wsjs.com
2008 High Point Challenge – Powerboat Racing May 31 – June 1, 2008
You want to check out the fastest thing on water this month. The 2008 High Point Challenge will kick off the summer for the Piedmont Triad on May 31st and June 1st at Oak Hollow Festival Park. The event weekend will include two days of NASCAR-style racing featuring an international field of Formula Two and Formula Three tunnel boat teams and drivers. The Formula Two and Formula Three boats hitting the water are capable of accelerating from zero to 100 MPH in under six seconds. The F3 boats can reach up to 85 MPH in the straightaway while the F2 can reach 115 MPH and pull 3Gs while turning.
The Powerboat Superleague is the sanctioning body for the High Point Challenge. Since 1986, the Powerboat Superleague has conducted over 132 racing events in two continents and in four countries. As the first stop for the 2008 Superleague tour, the High Point Challenge expects competitors from at least fourteen states and Canada.
There will be plenty of action on the water along with shore side fun and entertainment. For more information visit http://www.highpointchallenge.com Oak Hollow Festival Park is located at 1841 Eastchester Drive in High Point.
Justin Catanoso presents the book - My Cousin The Saint: A Search for Faith, Family and Miracles
Justin Catanoso, Executive Editor of The Business Journal of the Triad is pleased to announce the publishing of his book My Cousin The Saint: A Search for Faith, Family and Miracles. Catanoso is a highly respected business reporter and editor throughout North Carolina with a good grasp of economic and business issues facing the region. He has a knack of picking up and breaking some good business scoops before many in the area media industry. Trust me; I have been trying chasing him.
In 2001, Catanoso learned that his grandfather's cousin, Padre Gaetano Catanoso, was a Vatican-certified miracle worker. After a life of serving the poor and founding an order of nuns in a small town in Italy, Gaetano had been approved by Pope John Paul II to be become a saint. This sparked his interest in learning about the history of two parts of his family tree. His grandfather, Carmelo, who immigrated to the United States; and his sainted cousin Gaetano. Along the way, Catanoso researched more and talked with family members and decided to write a book. This included a visit to Rome, Italy in 2006 to learn more leading to a short sabbatical from the Business Journal in 2007, he began chronicling both paths of his family's rich history ending with Gaetano's canonization in 2005.
The book was published by HarperCollins and goes on sale May 20, 2008. Catanoso will have a book discussion/signings at the Triad Barnes and Nobles stores on Tuesday, June 3 at 7:30 in Greensboro (Friendly Center) and Wednesday, June 4 at 7 p.m. in Winston-Salem (Hanes Mall Blvd). For more information visit http://www.justincatanoso.com
The web site was designed locally by Mary K. Elkins who has done sites for authors Tom Wolfe, Stephen D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner (Freakonomics) and actress Kathleen Turner to name a few. You may know Mary K. as part of the local music group Clare Fader and The Vaudevillians.
Stratford Place "Music in the Courtyard" Jazz Series returns Thursday, June 5, 2008
Looking for an alternative to live music downtown this summer, but still want to chill after work and listen to some tunes? The merchants at Stratford Place Shopping Center (off Business 40 and Stratford Road) are sponsoring "Music in the Courtyard" jazz series every Thursday from June 5 through September 4 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. This is the ninth year that they have teamed together for this event.
The courtyard provides a great setting where you can sit out with friends and co-workers after work, get some grub, and listen to a little live music. Big Shotz Tavern will set up tables in the courtyard which adds a cool ambiance to the scene. This is a free event. For more information call 724-5454 or "Music in the Courtyard" web site.
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