Newcomers meet
The Clayton Neighbors and Newcomers Club a dynamic and active social group wants Clayton metropolitan area residents to join them at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22 for their pre-St. Patrick’s Day meeting. The Neighbors and Newcomers meet at the Woman’s Club of Clayton Building, 109 Church St., across the street from the Clayton Public Library. This month’s speaker is Donna Bailey, Director of the Johnston County Tourism Board. The club is on Facebook at Clayton Neighbors and Newcomers. Call Ned Bunn, 585-7977 or email at nedbn01@yahoo.com for more information.
Black History Month events
• The Cooper Heritage Alumni and Friends Association is honoring the 1963 State Championship basketball team of William Mason Cooper High School at a Black History Celebration luncheon noon Saturday, Feb. 25 at the American Legion Building in Clayton. To purchase $20 tickets call Alumni President, John Smith Jr. at 910-977-2120, Effie Sanders at 231-1500 or Lillie Kirby at 934-7821.
• Johnston Community College is hosting Black History Month events throughout the month. Events are free and open to the public. For more details, please contact Della McMillian at 464-2282 or Jane K. Robbins at 464-2380.
• “A Reflection of Negro History through the Eye of a Lens,” the private photography collection of Craig James, is showcased in The Frank Creech Art Gallery. The exhibit contains daguerreotypes, amber types, and tin types from the early 19th century. This exhibit is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays until Feb. 29.
• Feb. 15, students can participate in a Black History Quiz Bowl noon-2 p.m. The competition is in Room 160 of the Elsee Building.
• A Black Business Expo is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22 in the lobby of the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium. Local businesses and health professionals will offer information about their products and services. To reserve a space for this event, call Della McMillian, 464-2282 or Jane K. Robbins at (919) 464-2380.
• The Johnston County Heritage Center’s Black History Committee is paying tribute to African-American Masonic lodges and Eastern Star chapters that have served Johnstonians for more than a century. The Johnston County Heritage Center, in the former headquarters building of First Citizens Bank in Smithfield, is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Call the Heritage Center at 934-2836 or e-mail heritagecenter@johnstonnc.com.
Fundraisers
• The Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10225 in Garner is having a Chili cook-off/fundraiser 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, 1706 W. Garner Road. Enjoy lots of different types of chili for $5 a bowl. Call 772-1062 for more information.
• The Mental Health Association in Johnston County is hosting a flapjack fundraiser 8-10 a.m. Saturday Feb. 18 at Applebee’s 1260 N. Brightleaf Blvd. in Smithfield. Proceeds benefit the Health Minds/Healthy Children program and help fund family support groups. For tickets or to volunteer call Marie Dodson, 934-0311.
• There is a St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event at noon March 17 at the Flipside Restaurant. Call Rob Baker at 235-8474 to donate money or hair or visit stbaldricks.org/events/clayton2012. Money raised benefits childhood cancer research. Several Clayton officials including town manager, Steve Biggs are going bald for a cause. Jim Godfrey, the Chamber President is also giving up his hair. In the past events they’ve had 200 heads and raised more than $100,000. Event organizers also plan to honor two local children who are currently undergoing treatment for brain tumors and the children’s dad’s who are shaving their heads in honor of their daughters.
JCC art events
• Johnston Community College and the North Carolina Museum of Art are presenting a documentary screening of Fold, Crumple, Crush: The Art of El Anatsui 11 a.m. Friday, March 2 in The Frank Creech Art Gallery.
This documentary provides an overview of El Anatusui’s career and his process of transforming recycled materials found in Nigeria into highly prized works of art. The hour long documentary screening is free. An optional for NCMA members and JCC students and faculty and $12 lunch for non members follows the screening. Registration for lunch is required by Wednesday, Feb. 29. Tickets are online at jccperformingarts.com.
• A public community workshop where participants can create art from salvaged materials is 11 a.m. Friday, March 16. Creations from this workshop will be exhibited in the North Carolina Museum of Art’s education space during the El Anatsui retrospective, When I Last Wrote to You about Africa. The workshop is free, but registration is required. Call 209-2032 to registration details for both of these events.
JCC shows
• Thursday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m., Clayton Piano Festival, A Night at the Theater (Matthew Harrison), $12. General admission.
• Friday, Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m., Clayton Piano Festival, Piano Music of the 21st Century (Christian McLeer), $12. General admission.
• Saturday, Feb. 18, 8 p.m., Ladysmith Black Mambazo, $29. Reserved seating.
• “Are You My Mother,” Feb. 19
• The Cleverlys, Feb. 25
For tickets call the box office, 209-2099, go online to jccperformingarts.com or email khmitchelljr@johnstoncc.edu.
Upcoming concert
The Clayton Rotary Club presents in concert The Heart of Carolina Chorus of Durham, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 10 at the Clayton Center Auditorium. “Love & Lights” is an evening of harmony featuring the Carolina Senior Champion Quartet and the Sweet Adelines Regional Champions. Tickets are $10 and on sale at the box office, 553-1737 or theclaytoncenter.com.
Johnston County Horse Show
The Johnston County Horse Show Winter Warm-up Tack Sale and Expo beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 (rain date is Feb. 26) at the Johnston County Livestock Arena in Smithfield. Call 934-1344 or email sileeno@ipass.net or visit www.ipass.net/blaine_mclaughlin.
Youth Summit
Sponsors of the annual Wake and Johnston County Youth summit are looking for participants for the summit. The event is 8:30-2 p.m. Tuesday, March 6. Sponsors are accepting registration from 20 kids per agency or organization. Youths 14-21 can attend the summit at Wake Technical Community College, Student Services Building, 9101 Fayetteville Road in Raleigh. Visit snipurl/21t2ww6 to register. This is a day filled with workshops and motivational speakers including Thomas Barksdale II, of the Barksdale Foundation. For details call Trenice Cutler, 856-6058.
NLT production
The Neuse Little Theatre of Smithfield presents “The Dixie Swim Club” a comedy about five Southern women, whose friendships began in college. The women get together every August to recharge those relationships. Written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten and directed by Ruth Mills, performances are 8 p.m. Feb.17 and 18. Tickets are $12 for reserved seating and $14 at the door. Call the box office at 934-1873 for ticket information or visit neuselittletheatre.org.
Restore is moving
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is moving Feb. 28 to 136 Clayton Commerce Center, (known as the Clayton Spinning Plant) behind the post office. ReStore is open Fridays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 550-1879 for directions.
NAACP voter campaign
Johnston County NAACP is holding Get out the Vote campaign events including forums where candidates and elected officials can speak about their stand on current issues. The organization wants volunteers and organizers to help with their campaign. Call 285-9654 or email pr@jcncaacp.info.
Art class
The JCPAADD meetings, the Eye of the Eagle Art Studio is holding a “Sculpty Class” for children. This is a hands-on art class working with clay and other art therapies. Call Mary Beth, 401-524-4799 for details.
Mommy & Me program
Registration for the Jumpin’ Jax Mommy & Me Program is now open. This is a weekly instructor lead, fun and fitness class for parents and children, 19 months to three-years-old. The new semester starts Jan. 23. Call 772-5546 or go to jumpinjkids.com for more details.
Register for preschool
The Preschool at Clayton Crossings is accepting registrations for the fall term. They offer two, three and five-day options for children one-years-old and up. Monthly tuition rates are $110, $150, and $200. For information on their half-day program call 272-3600.
Support group
• The Johnston County Parent Association for ADD, a support group for parents of children with ADHD/ADD meets the first and third Thursdays of 7-8:15 p.m. monthly at the Clayton Chamber of Commerce. Call Mary Beth Roberti at 553-6352 or 401-524-4799 for more information.
• The Widowed Persons Organization of Clayton and surrounding area meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday monthly at the Rainbow Lanes in Clayton. Anyone who has lost their mates from death and is seeking support and friendship with others coping with the same experience is welcome to join this group. Cost is $5 to cover refreshments. Call 616-5131 or 772-7086.
Court advocates needed
Harbor, Inc. needs volunteer court advocates who can assist the victim’s advocate and victims of domestic violence and sexual assault at the Johnston County Courthouse in Smithfield. Volunteers will be trained and work under the direction of Harbor’s victim advocate. Spanish speaking volunteers are especially needed. Some knowledge of the criminal justice system is helpful. Call Donna Jones, 938-3566.
