Smitty's Notes

Greetings, Smittyheads,

Believe it or not, we are halfway through 2008. Time is zooming way too fast for me right now. Probably because of cool news and events to report. Take a look at them below.

Don't forget to check out the winners of the Smitty's Notes Best of Winston-Salem. There were a lot of great responses to this year's survey. The comments were fabulous; some of them are incorporated in the various categories of winners. I suggest that you read the responses of why some of the entries were deemed "the best." A number of you are pretty funny and should be writing standup comedy.

Now to the business at hand…

Smitty's Notes Annual "Best of Winston-Salem" Awards

Just announced are the 2008 Smitty's Notes Best of Winston-Salem awards, the best of what we like and appreciate about our fair city that adds to our general quality of life here . . . and all recommended by you – Smittyheads!

Votes were compiled from a survey that was passed around to recipients of the Smitty's Notes e-newsletter listserv and that was also posted on the SmittysNotes.com Web site during the month of June. Although not a scientific polling, it is a good sampling of the businesses, people and places that you like in Winston-Salem. Remarkably, there were few attempts at ballot-stuffing, but there were some e-mail "lobbies"among friends for favorite places. Yes, we knew how to track those. However, did not sway the voting in any category.

The voting tabulation for each category had a Winner (clear choice); Runner Up (highest second choice); Honorable Mention (enough votes to get noticed); where applicable, Best Quote (a comment worth noting or one too hilarious that it deserved a mention); and Smitty Comment (if I felt like putting my two cents in). In compiling the list, some "obvious" categories were missed by our crack team. However, we felt that by adding a special "Honorable Choice" at the end of the survey the overlooked will their due. There were also a couple of comments about the length of the survey. To those, I pose the question: Where would you cut categories that mean something to someone else? Trust me. This thing could have been longer.

In reading it, I hope you find places and people you've known all about for a while, found lesser-known highlights in the city and like me, plan to visit (or even meet) some of the places and people you didn't know about that are worthy of seeking out. I hope you find as much joy in exploring as Smitty's Notes did putting together its annual "Best of Winston-Salem Contest." The 2008 winners will receive a Certificate of Recognition and window decal for their establishments.

General Comments on this year's awards or input for "2009 Best of Winston-Salem" Contest. Email "Best of Winston-Salem Contest Comments"

Wolfies Frozen Custard shop now open on Fourth Street

Just opened this week downtown in time for the summer heat is a spot that might cool you down. Wolfies Frozen Custard is located at 420 West Fourth Street, between Recreation Billiards and Hutch and Harris. The concept is built around premium frozen dessert products with several signature products sold under the Wolfies Gourmet Custard brand name. They will include Frozen Custard with 50 rich and fresh flavors, milkshakes, sundaes, screamwiches. Wolf Café will occupy 1300 square feet and seat 25 patrons. It is Wi-Fi accessible, thanks to the the free Fourth Street Wireless network. The shop will be open seven days a week. Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. or later. Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. or later. Telephone: 245-2400

Heavy Rebel Weekender to the Arts District - July 4, 5 and 6, 2008

It wouldn't be a Fourth of July week without the wicked return of Heavy Rebel Weekender to the Arts District. Now in its eighth year, the three-day musical event will be held July 4, 5 and 6, with more than 70 groups playing everything including rock 'n' roll, punk, rockabilly, country and swing. It is arguably the most interesting downtown event of the year. The festival's theme highlights the 1950s era, in which James Dean made rebellion tragically hip and spawned an entire trend in pop culture.

On tap for the weekend are vendors, vintage clothing, artists selling original creations, and sculptures from old car parts. One of the main attractions is the Saturday Custom Car and Bike Show on Trade Street, which features custom, restored and classic vehicles made prior to 1968. One rule: No Ford Mustangs or Chevy Cameros are allowed unless they are downright cool in appearance—and the organizers' emphasize "really cool". Get it? For the out-of-the ordinary, there is the popular Mud Wrestling Contest, which has moved up from Jell-O in previous years, a Beer-Guzzlin'-in-60-Seconds Contest and a Banana Puddin'-Eating Contest. Scary! Full refreshments will be provided during the entire event near the Millennium Center. Tickets for the event are $70 (3-day pass) and $35 (a single day pass) in advance, $90 (3-day pass) and $35 (a single day pass) the day of the event; they can be purchased in advance at the Web site and at the door. The Millennium Center is located 101 West Fifth Street. For visuals, visit http://www.heavyrebel.net.

George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic at The Millennium Center - Sunday, July 20, 2008

Coming to the Millennium Center in Winston Salem on Sunday, July 20th at 7:30pm, It's Mr. Atomic Dog himself George Clinton along with Parliament-Funkadelic and special guest Winston's own "The Solos Unit Band." The Sunday show at the Millennium Center kicks off a weeklong celebration of George Clinton's birthday, which is July 22nd. The theme for this show is "A Toast to the Boogie" and it is fittingly co-sponsored by Moët.

Tickets are available at the Record Exchange and Edward McKay's in Winston-Salem, Gerry's News & Music in High Point, and Remember When Records and Personal Treasures in Greensboro or online at http://www.ETIX.com.

The concert will be preceded by an afternoon street fest on Trade Street (2p.m.-6 p.m.). Vendors will be hawking their wares and and radio stations The Buzzard 100.3 and 105.7 Kiss FM will be on hand with prizes and surprises. For vendor space call Robyn at 336-965-0726 or Calvin at 336-813-5073.

From the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership - DWSP

Struever Bros. Chosen for Expansion Of Research Park:

A deal has been in the works since last November that should quicken the long-awaited northern expansion of Piedmont Triad Research Park. Piedmont Triad Research Park said yesterday that it has awarded the exclusive rights to develop 60 acres to Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse to develop 60 acres. The Baltimore-based company specializes in adaptive reuse of historic buildings. The 60 acres would be developed in two phases over five to six years. Click here for more details.

Check out the Partnership's new Web site at http://www.dwsp.org.

Baseball Stadium Cam Update

The future home of the Winston-Salem Warthogs has started to take shape. A few weeks ago crews started erecting steel, which be for the home plate grandstand, concessions, private suites and club restaurant. The latest word is, everything is on schedule.

To check on the baseball stadium progress visit the TruLook Stadium Cam located at the site. And here's a tip: You can move the cam left or right and also zoom in to any part of the site. All you have to do is create a square with your mouse cursor and BOOM! You are there. To view the Baseball Cam - Click Here.

To find out more about the new stadium and reserving your seat for the First Pitch in the Spring of 2009 visit http://www.baseballdowntown.com.

Hanes Park Classic Bike Race – Saturday, August 3, 2008

Mark August 3rd on your calendar for the annual Hanes Park Classic bike race held in Winston-Salem's West End neighborhood. Organized by CycleSafe.org, this event has become one of the highlights of North Carolina's cycling scene. The Pro 1 Race features over 150 of the cycling world's finest competitors who compete on a course lined with rolling hills, straight runs and an exciting uphill sprint to the finish.

The Hanes Park Classic is more than just a bike race, though; it's a full day of outdoor fun and physical activity for the whole family. In addition to the exciting, high-energy professional race, there are plenty of other bike races for all ages and abilities. There's also a Community Fun Ride for those who prefer something a little less competitive. The whole family can participate in the 5K run, the Family 1-Mile Fun Run, the Kids Bike Race, CycleSafe.org Youth Bike Rodeo, and our Kids Zone. To find out how to participate or for more information, visit http://www.hanesparkclassic.com.