Smitty's Notes

Greetings, Smittyheads!

I’m going to keep this short. You will see why as you continue reading below.

The next Evening with Eight – Plus Smitty! dinner is Wednesday September 10^th. The speaker is Kevin Terry, President of Baseball Downtown. Want to hear about the baseball stadium and the newly planned “baseball experience”? This is the man to tell you. For a preview visit the Baseball Downtown Web site or check this cool animated flyover of the stadium. Seats are still available. Sign up at EveningwithEight.com

Now to the business at hand…

Mozelle’s Restaurant Opening in West End

A new lunch and personal-chef eatery is opening in the West End neighborhood this month. Mozelle’s is occupying the former location of Scooter’s Deli at 878 West Fourth Street at the corner of Brookstown Avenue. The proprietor is Patrick Manners. Mozelle is the name of his wife Jennifer’s grandmother who is fabulous cook in the family.

The style of cooking is “Southern bistro,” for lunch only, which will include an entrée or sandwich, side item and dessert for under $10. These daily lunch bargains are called “Green Plate” specials consisting of, say, chicken and dumplings, spaghetti and meatballs, pork chops, and shrimp and grits. Sandwich and salad items will also be on the menu. All ingredients will be from local producers and markets. Seating is for 50 people with additional space planned for outside dinning. Mozelle’s will be open Monday-Friday. Hours: 11 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The later afternoon hours will be for their carryout personal chef business.

Patrons can order carryout dinners from Mozelle’s personal chef business, “Suppers On.” These selections, prepared daily, will be listed on the Web site (It will go live at the opening); one can order online, or, of course, by phone. Diners can pick up their orders until 6:00 p.m. Limited Delivery is also available. An anticipated opening is the week of September 15^th.

September - arts e-newsletter (Courtesy of the Downtown Arts District Association)

DADAFirst Friday Gallery Hop - September 5 from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. This one’s a humdinger that includes artist receptions, gallery openings, new work in the shops and studios, belly dancing at Atelier and Shimmy Shack, the Sand Mandala at the newly merged Yoga Gallery/Art of Yoga, dontations for " Help Vinny" , music fromInertia (a band made up of seventh- grade students), Living Rhythms Drum Circle at 6th and Trade (7:30 p.m.-8 p.m.), and on Liberty Street around 8:30, and Bookmarks and ShadowboxTwo at the DADA Center.Whew!This will be a Gallery Hop to remember! The Arts District is a great place to meet the community! Gallery Hops are sponsored and coordinated by DADA, a volunteer organization. Let us know if you'd like to help out! And read on for more information on exhibits, events and more.

Be the Word on the Street - Back by request! By supporting DADA with this tax-deductible donation, you can be part of the foundation of DADA! and the Arts District!

Tourists, school groups, Gallery Hoppers and Shoppers have all enjoyed this project featuring poetry, honorary phrases, company and business logos, school groups, testaments of love and more etched on pavers that are installed in the sidewalks of the Art District. Andyour donations help to fund our Gallery Hops, education programs, DADA events, such as kids’ activities, the Holiday Hop and more! The Bricks Campaign will continue for several months; watch for more events and information!

SEED 10th Anniversary Show - Opening reception Friday September 5th, show on view through Tuesday September 30^th SEED Gallery at Urban Artware, 207 West 6th Street in the heart of Winston-Salem's Downtown Arts District at 6th & Trade Streets. The SEED Co-operative Gallery celebrates 10 wonderful years of "Spreading art throughout the community". This exciting group show will feature works from most of the members and former members from our 10-year span. Please join us for an eclectic visual treat! CONTACT: Millicent Greason, 336-722-2345 or urbanartware@bellsouth.net

Survey says…

DADA has afew questions for you! A Survey! And while most questions are everyone's favorite—multiple choice—DADA made room for an essay question at the end . . . for extra credit! Back to school fun, indeed!

DADA is funded through donations by individuals, our Brick fundraiser, and hard work by our neighborhood. So, every little bit counts toward purchasing our permits from the City, presenting Gallery Hops and working on their Green appearance, special events and education programs. Thanks for taking the time to let the organization know what you think, to donate your time and funding, and for your continued support of our galleries and businesses. Click Here to take the survey

DADA is a (volunteer) neighborhoodorganization of artists’ studios, residences and businesses dedicated to the promotion of arts and culture through education, entertainment, community interaction and trade.

The Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership (DWSP) is conducting a survey to gather the ideas and opinions of the Summer Music Series event attendees from the recently completed 2008 season. The survey responses will assist the DWSP in determining the success of the 2008 season and planning for future events in the summer of 2009. Your input last year was instrumental in developing the recent season format and changes. Click Here to take the survey

Please do take a moment to fill out these surveys. Everyone's opinion counts. Comments are encouraged and will be much appreciated. Feel free to forward this message and survey link along to friends, family and colleagues.

Downtown Developments (Courtesy of the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership)

THE GALLERY LOFTS are now under construction at the corner of Sixth and Chestnut Streets. There will be 82 one- and two-bedroom rental units that will range in price from $800- $1500 per month. This is a historic rehab project of the former Brown & Williamson Tobacco building. Leasing reservations will begin in early 2009. Landex Corporation is the developer in association with Goler CDC. Visit their Web site for more information and photos.

WINSTON FACTORY LOFTS!The six-story, 135,000-square-foot building was constructed by the P. H. Hanes Company in 1920 for textile manufacturing and housed the company’s operations until 1951. The building was previously used by the Brown-Rogers-Dixson Company for warehousing and distribution and was acquired by Clachan Properties, LLC in 2006. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Clachan Properties will rehabilitate and convert Factory Lofts into 85 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes. Construction is well under way with delivery targeted for mid-2009. Click here for construction progress photos.

ONE PARK VISTA residents are moving into new digs! After many months of construction, residents will begin to move into the brand-new, beautiful condos at One Park Vista. These condos feature spacious floor plans and an abundance of luxury amenities, including secure underground parking. Leonard Ryden Burr is the marketing agency. For more information, including open house schedules, visit their Web site . One Park Vista is Phase I of the Civic Plaza project.

A SIX-STORY OFFICE BUILDING has been announced as the first phase of a mixed-use development outside the new downtown baseball stadium. The118,000–square-foot building will be constructed on the right-field side of the park, and the first two floors should be ready by the opening game in April, 2009. Craig Davis Properties and Commercial Realty Advisors are assisting Primo Properties in the joint venture which will be called One Ballpark Center.

JIMMY JOHN’S , which boasts the “World’s Greatest Gourmet Sandwiches,” has opened at 227 West Fourth Street, on the corner of Cherry and Fourth. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, with delivery seven days a week. Jimmy John’s also offers catering service for box lunches, platters and parties. Call 723-7244.

THE SAWTOOTH SCHOOL FOR VISUAL ARTS administrative offices have moved to the Chatham Building and it will share space with the Arts Council. The administrative staff will remain at this location for approximately 18 months while the Sawtooth Building undergoes renovation. The school’s “Taste of Art” classes will be held in the atrium of the Chatham Building, 305 West Fourth Street. Call 723-7395.

CAMPUS SHUTTLE BUSES will begin bringing college students downtown on weekends this fall. Commitments have been received from Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Salem College to offer this transportation service. The Dash, an organization whose goal is to get young adults to support downtown businesses, has launched a fundraising campaign to eventually add a free, circulating trolley to the weekend scene.

PET CLEAN-UP STATIONS will be installed this fall at three downtown locations. Plans currently call for installations at the Center City West parking deck on Fourth Street, the Sixth/Cherry/Trade parking deck on Sixth Street, and the Fourth and Church parking deck on North Church Street. Downtown’s growing residential population has resulted in an equally growing pet population. The Pet Stations will be installed by the City Recreation and Parks Department.

CAFFÈ PRADA has added beer and wine to its menu. It offers daily specials which are served with complimentary snacks. Caffè Prada claims to be the first “green” coffee bar in Winston-Salem, located at the corner of Fourth and Broad Streets in West End Village. Visit http://www.caffeprada.com.

Find out more about Downtown Happenings @ http://www.dwsp.org

Thursday Live Music Extended Through Late September.

Alive After Five @ Corpening Plaza will have encore performances during the month of September! Concert Dates are September 4, 11, and 18. Visit the Web site for more info!

"Music in the Courtyard' at Stratford Place - The Stratford Place Merchants Association has extended its Thursday evening music program until the third week in September. The musicians are: September 4: Rain Check; September 11: Martha Bassett; September 18: Muddy River Jazz Band. Stratford Place Shopping Center is located at South Stratford Road and Business 40 near Thruway Shopping Center.

Evening with Eight – Plus Smitty! Wednesday, September 10

Intelligence. Humor. Good Conversation.

Evening with 8 -- Plus Smitty! is a different kind of dining experience, one where you can meet and mingle with cool people in a casual atmosphere. Plus, the food is first-class, and you can open your mind to new things. Just ask any of the 1,000 or so folks who have met, hung out and forged new friendships and contacts with Smitty over the past seven years. We like to think of it as building social capital in Winston-Salem—one meal at a time!

The first dinner is Wednesday, September 10^th with speaker - - Kevin Terry, President – Winston-Salem Baseball Downtown

Kevin Terry begins his 15th year in professional sports, having been named President of Baseball Downtown and the new ballpark in Downtown Winston-Salem in April of 2008. Kevin started his sports career in 1991 with the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Arena Sports starting as an account Executive selling season and group tickets for the new America West Arena.

Kevin has worked with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors as Executive Director of Sales and Service. In his first year with the team, the Warriors led the league in increased attendance, despite only winning 17 games. In the 2003-04 season, his sales and service department was named as the “Best Practice” in the NBA by the NBA’s Sr. Vice-president of Business Operations, Bernie Mullin. During this period Kevin became known as one of the most innovative sports marketing executives in the industry, developing ticket packages, marketing plans and service initiatives that were recognized as tops in the league.

After completing a one-year consulting position with the Seattle Sonics, Kevin joined the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League baseball as their vice president of sales and marketing. During Kevin’s tenure, the team saw an increase in attendance of more than 350,000 fans and led the league in partial-plan ticket sales.

Kevin’s most recent position was serving as the vice-president of Ticket Sales and Services for the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets. Under Kevin’s leadership the Hornets finished second in new season tickets sold in the NBA, despite the recent devastation to the area by Hurricane Katrina.

Kevin will discuss the new baseball park that’s being built, changes in the ways the local minor baseball team will market to the community and the entire new fan experience. You might even get some insight on the new name of the team which will formerly be known as the Winston-Salem Warthogs at the end of this season. The new team name may be announced by the time of his dinner.

September 25 - Portia Mount, Vice President of Global Marketing – The Center of Creative Leadership(This dinner is in partnership with the Piedmont Club's Women's Networking Group)

October 16 - WSPrime Restaurant Oktoberfest Beer Dinner featuring Spencer Davis - Partner, City Beverage and Timothy Grandinetti - Executive Chef, Twin City Quarter

The best part about Evening with 8— Plus Smitty! is that everyone gets the chance to mix good conversation and good food—at an all-inclusive fee of $45 (registration fee and dinner). Dinners are held at The Piedmont Club, 19^th Floor BB&T Financial Center, 200 West Second Street in downtown Winston-Salem.

If this sounds like something right up your alley, sign up now! Seating is limited and spaces fill up fast. Check out our Web site for more interesting news and up-to-date information at EveningwithEight.com.

For those on LinkedIn who want to join the Smitty’s Notes group - Click here . Or, the Evening with Eight Plus – Smitty ! Alumni group – Click here

Meet the Bloggers of Winston-Salem

Many of you asked during the Smitty’s Notes Best of Winston-Salem contest under the “Blog” category: Do we have bloggers in Winston? Yes we do! Not many, just a few diehards, unlike Greensboro, which has a huge blogging community, from everyday folks talking about what’s on their mind to politicians who use blogs as a communication tool to stay in touch with their constituencies. Greensboro even has local and national blogger Ed Cone with his blog EdCone.com; he has also been a contributing writer for Wired and Forbes Magazine and writes an opinion column for the Greensboro News and Record.

Our bloggers aren’t that famous, but they are passionate about what the do by giving various insights into our community. They include:

LifeInForsyth by Esbee - which is pretty darned entertaining. You can follow Lucy Cash on her day-to-day journey around Winston-Salem with her family and get some unique observations from a trip to the hardware store, farmers’ market and her apparent arachnophobia. LifeInForsyth has been voted by subscribers Best Blog in 2007 and 2008 in the Smitty’s Notes Best of Winston-Salem.

Another is JonLowder.com which is very informative, as Lowder blogs about many hot-button local issues in the community such as the education system, mainstream media, politics, social networking and technology trends, his kids and weekend home repair. Pretty good stuff.

Then we have Sara South – My Favorite Things who takes a very humorous point of view exploring her new town Winston-Salem. A lot of it centers on food, wine, travel (which usually includes food and wine) and some of the pleasantly obscure things that we take for granted in this city. Her commentary is short but sweet— and funny.

Each of these bloggers has their own style, which I love and appreciate. One thing I can say is, they are all pretty responsible in choosing content. Sure, they’re not shy about voicing their opinions, but they do so in a respectful way. I think that’s why they are popular and have a growing following. Being a native of Winston-Salem (yep, there are a few of us out and about), I enjoy reading different perspectives about life around here and seeing things through a different lens and learn something new or try something along the way. You can too.

If there are other Winston-Salem bloggers around. Let me know who you are! Also check the cool local foodie blog TriadEats!

Ziggy’s Concert Series Presents – Corey Smith @ The Millennium Center Thursday, September 11, 2008

Jay Stephens is still working on finding a new home for the beloved and much missed Ziggy’s music venue. However, his promotions company “Ziggy’s Concert Series” is still keeping the brand out in the community.

This month will feature - Corey Smith who melds country, rock and blues into a sound that is all his own. That distinctive musical flair combined with Smith’s pensive, well-crafted lyrics and soulful Southern voice has earned him an enthusiastic legion of fans. Some say he could be the next Dave Matthews. Come judge for yourself. Special Guest: Matt Stillwell. Show time: 8:00 p.m. Tickets $15 in Advance. $20 at the door. The Millennium Center is located at 101 W. Fifth St. in downtown Winston-Salem. For more information visit Ziggyrock.com