The General Store Cafe News
April 23, 2003
The Birth Of Flowers


God spoke! And from the arid scene

Sprang rich and verdant bowers,

Till all the earth was soft with green-

He smiled, and there were flowers.
Mary M. Fenollosa

Happy Earth Day!

NEW: Extended Hours!

Thanks to popular demand the General Store Café has extended its hours again!

We are now open one hour longer on Mondays through Wednesdays - from 7:30 am to 9:00pm. Our hours are still the same on Thursday and Friday (7:30am to 10:30pm). However, on Saturday mornings we will open one hour earlier, beginning breakfast at 8:00am (instead of 9:00am) and going on through until 10:30pm.

General Store Café Space Available for Rent on Sundays

Want to have a party, retreat, or business meeting, but don’t have the space? The General Store Café is available to be rented out on certain Sundays. For more information, please email info@thegeneralstorecafe.com

 

Next Family Night Tuesdays presents Shelley Higgins and Tony Godwin - Tuesday April 29th.

Tony Godwin and vocalist Shelley Higgins bring the intimacy of the duo setting to a broad repertoire that is accessible yet extraordinary... you'll hear tunes from the Beatles, Cole Porter, Ernestine Anderson, Dizzy Gillespie, India Arie, Bonnie Raitt, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Norah Jones, and more.

The sound is sensual, elegant, bluesy and funky, sometimes intense, always engaging... just two musicians, a lot of music to listen to. Come and enjoy with the whole family!

Win a Canoe! Enter the Canoe Raffle! Only $1.00

Don’t miss the opportunity to own this fine canoe! Hanging from our rafters, this 14 foot Mad River Explorer sure is a beauty. Retails for over $1000! Raffle entry only costs $1.00! The lucky winner gets to experience the adventure this canoe promises!

Let us fulfill your Catering Needs!

Call us at (919) 542-2432 or email us at info@thegeneralstorecafe.com if you would like us to suggest some delicious dishes for your event!

This Week's SPECIAL EVENING MENU !

Special Items, Thursday through Friday Night

  • Caribbean Chicken - marinated and roasted in ginger, garlic, lime, fresh herbs, served with a pineapple salsa and gingered sweet potatoes.
  • Shrimp (Camarones) Primavera - shrimp w/ fresh vegetables and penne pasta.
  • Louisiana Blackened Tuna - served atop a bed of Lettuce with Balsamic Vinaigrette and Sautéed Vegetables.
  • Mediterranean Pasta - with crumbled feta cheese, sundried tomatoes, and kalamata olives.
  • Chili Roasted Chicken Quesadilla - a faboulous chili quesadilla, not too hot, yet full of flavor!
and - our regular items, such as Burritos and Quesadillias and more in-store specials of the day that will be displayed on our regular board!

This Week's EVENING ENTERTAINMENT!

Wednesday, April 23 - Salsa Dancing with Guillermo Escobar and Melissa Stansbury (Dance workshop)

Learn this seductive dance from these award winning performers! Winners of the Salsa Competition in Acapulco Mexico of 1999, Guillermo and Melissa teach salsa dancing at the General Store around or after 8:00pm on Wednesday nights.

Thursday, April 24 - Blue Combo (Jazz)

Featuring Bernie Petteway on guitar, Ed Butler on drums, and Rick Lassiter on bass

Friday, April 25 - Bluemont Road (Bluegrass)

Bluemont Road plays a fine bluegrass strongly rooted in tradition (i.e. Stanley, Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs) but with an unmistakably contemporary yet original sound. Expect to hear classic songs from the rich and varied past of bluegrass and gospel along with well written originals all played with true heart and soul. The members are:

Danny Knighten - Mandolin & Vocals from Saxapahaw. Danny has been involved in the area’s bluegrass music scene for over 30 years. He was a member of Solid Ground, Kickin’ Grass and has recently joined a side project group with none other than the Grass Cat’s Russell Johnson. An outstanding mandolin player and singer, he brings invaluable experience and veteran leadership to the band.

Emily Frantz - Fiddle & Vocals from Chapel Hill. An extraordinary talented singer and fiddle player with unlimited potential for the future. Only 15 years old, she began playing the fiddle at age 6. She sings with the power and control of someone twice her age. Emily too, was a member of Solid Ground.

Greg Hawks from Carrboro. An Accomplished musician with nearly 20 years experience, Greg recorded an album and played with his band, The Tremblers in recent years before deciding to devote all of his time with this project. Hawks is the group’s main songwriter and is responsible for the band’s name which came from the address of his late grandparents in his birthplace of Mt. Airy, NC. His soulful country voice sounds right at home in the high lonesome sounds of bluegrass.

Dave Newton from Wake Forest, originally from Bakersfield, California. Newton played drums for the highly esteemed local country act The Two Dollar Pistols. Although new to bluegrass, Dave brings great timing and feel to the band with his simple but elegant bass playing.

And special guest on Banjo is Dave Lefleur from Cary. A 30 year veteran on the banjo. He will dazzle you with his flawless tone and timing.

Saturday, April 26 - Milagro Saints (Soul/Folk)

A combination of Dylanesque popular grit and Van Morrison-style urban soul – a sophisticated take on modern folk - the band has no qualms about crossing over into rock if it suits their purpose. Featuring Stephen David Ineson, Joyce Bowden, and Lee Kirby.

Stephen was born in Sheffield, England into a family history of banjo, fiddle and moviehouse orchestra players.

Joyce Bowden was born "somewhere in Virginia". Her father possessed a fine baritone and Joyce would harmonize with him and all the other kids, "singing the 7th’s and 9th’s". She kept her instinct for harmonies, and forged a career as an actor/singer in NYC-becoming part of the east coast country folk scene with the likes of Shawn Colvin and Jim Lauderdale.

Lee Kirby grew up in rural Arkansas where the radio played Chet Atkins, George Jones and Buck Owens all day. He learned to play harmonica out in the fields. Eventually he found himself in Chicago haunting blues clubs.

The Independent Weekly (Raleigh, NC) stated "The Milagro Saints raise the standard of modern folk-rock". We could not agree more! So - come out to the store on Saturday and enjoy some first class Soul and Folk music!

Hello Neighbor!

Hello neighbor is the recurring section of the newsletter where we highlight local people, businesses, events and other local items of interest. If you have an event that you want to recommend for this section (a person, business, event or other item of interest) - please email info@thegeneralstorecafe.com

Celebrating the Haw River Festival with Critter Artist, Clyde Jones!

Perhaps you’ve seen Clyde Jones at the annual Haw River Festival, or passed his home where hundreds of his creatures dwell. It’s hard to miss his house. It’s the only one with a white tin roof painted with sea creatures, and walls painted with large penguins. Outside his Bynum home reads a sign, "Critter Crossing, where hundreds, possibly thousand of critters are brought to life from the hickory and ash trees that grow along the Haw River.

Loved by children, his "critter crossing," receives hundreds of visitors who come to admire and play on the rough hewn figured animals. His creations have received world wide acclaim-and have visited China, Africa, the Philippines, Peru and Taiwan! There’s even one that sits on the Great Wall of China. Clyde Jones critters are often sold or raffled off to raise money for charities, or given away. In fact, when dancer, Mikhail Baryshnikov, visited Critter Crossing in 1991, Clyde Jones politely refused to sell him one.

For the past 14 years, Clyde Jones has played an instrumental role in the Annual Haw River Festival, creating the T-Shirts that are sold each year as well as participating in the festival by auctioning off his famous critters.

The arts became an integral part of the Haw River Festival when local artist-storyteller, Louise Omoto Kessel first approached the Haw River Assembly in 1990 with an idea for an annual Haw River Festival: a traveling river celebration of performers and naturalists and volunteers, canoeing down the Haw, performing and teaching about the rivers as they went. Past experiences taught her that "activism without creativity and opportunity to be physically involved in an adventure just doesn’t feed the participants enough." The Annual Haw River Festival was a way to bring community together to create a voice for the river as well as excitement and activism while being committed to a sense of purpose and spirit of service.

In addition to Clyde Jones’ "critters" and paintings and other artworks that are auctioned off each year at the festival, other local artists have contributed as well from a songbook of music, to a growing family of puppets and masks.

The General Store Café launched a benefit concert in support of the Haw River last Friday with festival performers and giant puppets. The store is decorated with the Haw River in mind. In addition to the canoe that hangs from the ceiling, Clyde Jones’ T-shirts of the last 14 years are hung throughout the store, as well as one of his critters that sits on display on a table.

Perhaps you even met Clyde Jones last month when he celebrated his birthday with friends at the General Store Café on April 1st for our "Fool’s Night Out!" event with storyteller, Louise Omoto Kessel and mime artist, Jef (pictured here in green hair!).

Born in nearby Pittsboro, Jones worked as a mill worker until 1979 when he severely injured himself with a chainsaw. During his long recovery, he began cutting and assembling roots and stumps into animals or "critters." His animals, described as "whimsical" and "fanciful," are rough pieces of log remnants and stumps, that are cut quickly and nailed together sometimes with or without a coat of paint. His painting, which began in 1987, is usually an application of house or car paint applied to plywood and discarded doors depicting the animals of the Haw River.

Truly a national treasure, we are lucky to have Clyde Jones as our neighbor!

Mark your Calendars for the 8th Annual Piedmont Farm Tour on April 26 and 27!

Continue to Celebrate Earth Day by touring small local farms. Many of the farms to be toured are farms that the General Store Cafe purchases our produce from. There are 24 farms on the tour. The cafe is selling buttons, $20 in advance, or $25.00 at the farm. Or you can pay $5.00 per car per farm.

So, gather up your friends, fill up a car, locate each farm on the map, and decide which route you want to take. Weaver Street Market in Carrboro will hold a Farm Tour Kick-Off from 6:00-8:00pm on Thursday, April 24 on the lawn with live music, grilled food and good friends-- meet the farmers and local producers. Meet folks from the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (they will be grilling) and the Sustainable Farming Program in Pittsboro.

While your in Carrboro, you may want to cross the street to visit the Carrboro Century Center which will showcase the Stewards of the Land documentary project on April 24, from 6:30-10:00pm. Stewards of the Land is a multimedia documentary project profiling six of the Triangle’s organic, sustainable, and/or traditional farmers. It is an experience composed of photographs, the written word, oral history interviews, informational displays, audio documentary, and an interactive website.

This project is a celebration of the farmers and the service they provide. It is an honest look at the challenges they face in a sometimes thankless, always labor-intensive, and often rapidly-changing business. It is a personal glimpse into their lives and also an explanation of the context – social, political, economic and environmental – in which they work It is a chance to bring these individual, yet connected, stories to the public in a unique and accessible way. For more information, visit the website: www.stewardsoftheland.org

C.A.R.E Orphan of the Week

The Chatham Animal Rescue & Education (C.A.R.E), is an all volunteer, non-profit humane society that promotes respect and understanding for all animals, acts as a community resource for animal issues, and provides quality care for rescued animals in a foster home network. For more information, please visit www.chathamanimalrescue.org or call 542-5757.

Introducing.... Charlotte

Charlotte, a 2 year old Rottie/Shepherd mix weighing in at 90 lbs, is a happy, affectionate girl who bonds easily with people. After a rough start in life, she savors the simple things in life: romping outside, snuggling on the couch, chewing on a yummy treat.

Intelligent and eager to please, Charlotte is looking for an experienced and dog-savvy owner to channel her exuberant love
of life. Her dream home includes a fenced yard, status as an 'only' dog, and no kitties to chase. She is spayed, vaccinated, and housebroken.

Chatham and Orange April Events Calendar!

This is a new section of the newsletter where we highlight some of the many upcoming events in Chatham (and some in Orange) in February. Check out What's Happening! If you have an upcoming event you want us to highlight in this newsletter, please email info@thegeneralstorecafe.com . Please title and date your event. All entries must have no more than 200 words. Do not submit attachments. All entries are left to the discretion of the GSC to edit as necessary.

April 11 - June 6 Art Exhibit by Central Carolina Community College students

The Friends of the Pittsboro Memorial Library present an exhibit by the students of Doris Dunlap, in the Reeves Auditorium at the Pittsboro Memorial Library. Doris Dunlap is an art instructor at Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro.

The exhibit will include realism, still life, abstract, and impressionism art. Artists exhibiting are: Sally Bird, Anne Bodner, Betty deSherbinn, Edee Gazda, Marian Glick, Tussey Marble, Jeffrey Payne, Gloria Preminger, Naomi Putney, and Linda Skuns.

The Reeves Auditorium is open during regular library hours, Monday, 2pm to 6pm; Tuesday, 9am to 8pm; Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10am to 6pm and Saturday, 9am to 5pm.

This exhibit is free and open to the public. 158 West Street. Please call the library at 542-3524 for more information.

Saturday - Sunday, April 26 & 27- Annual Piedmont Farm Tour

Tour 25+ local and organic farms. This self-guided, choose your own adventure allows you to meet farmers, learn about their vegetable, cut flower, dairy, bee, horse, and goat operations. $5 per car, per site; $25 weekend pass per car; $20 in advance. Tickets available at various locations. Throughout Chatham County and the Triangle, 919.542.2402, cfsa@carolinafarmstewards.org http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/

Saturday, April 26 - Drum circle way to healing body, mind and spirit

Mayday/Beltane Celebration led by the Runes Group, fire/drum circle to follow. Indigenous peoples of the world have for millennia gathered under the light of the Full Moon to dance and make music. The beat of the drums brings celebrators into tune with the rhythms of nature. The dancers evoke and raise powerful currents of life energy. Contact LibbyAnn Capaldi at 919-542-7307 for more information

Sunday, April 27th - Scared Dance led by Mark Malachi and Iuval Clejan (7:00pm)

Contact LibbyAnn Capaldi at 919-542-7307 for more information.

Sunday, April 27 - Lettice and Lovage - Temple Theater, Sanford - 2:30 pm

A wonderfully funny English Farce by Peter Shaffer is a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. This is a fundraiser to benefit four local non-profits; Chatham County Together!, CORA (Chatham OutReach Alliance), FVRC (Family Violence and Rape Crisis Service) and Chatham County Arts Council. Ticket prices are $20 which includes refreshments at intermission. You may get a ticket by contacting your favorite non-profit. This opportunity is through the generosity of Carolina Meadows residents.

Sunday, April 27 - Apple Chill Festival (12:30 - 6:00 pm)

Come out and enjoy Chapel Hill's outdoor festival! The Haw River Assembly will be sharing a table with their watershed friends - the Morgan Creek Valley Alliance and the Friends of Bolin Creek. Volunteers are needed for the following time slots: 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. , 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. , 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. Contact the Haw River Assembly if you can help!

Monday, April 28 - Organic Pest Management Workshop

Organic Pest Management in Vegetables and Cut Flowers will be presented by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos. Participants will receive a comprehensive resource notebook. The workshop will provide 2 continuing certification credits for private and commercial pesticide applicators. For more information on this workshop series, visit the Growing Small Farms website at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/index.html. Cost of workshop: $10.00. Pre-registration is required by April 24. Contact Debbie Roos at 919-542-8202 or debbie_roos@ncsu.edu for more information.

Tuesday, April 29 - Family Night Tuesdays presents Shelley Higgins and Tony Godwin at the General Store Café

Shelley Higgins has been performing and recording as a singer, lyricist and vocal arranger for the last hundred and ten years....well, not that long.........mostly in the San Franscisco Bay Area, she wasted her youth hanging out in record stores, becoming a curator of obscure musical gems, and singing in various ensembles. These ranged from gospel with Dorothy Morrison (remember "Oh Happy Day"?), to demos with new age performer Jai Uttal, lounge jazz with the Bay Area duo Body and Soul to the award winining , a cappella sounds of The Irrationals. Also, lately she can be heard camping it up with the Magnolia Klezmer Band. Here in North Carolina, collaborating with guitarist Tony Godwin, she is enjoying "freedom in the groove"....no concept, no stylistic bag, just great songs from great songwriters.

Tony Godwin has been playing the guitar since he was six yers old. The path has led from the rock bands of his youth, immersion in the jazz guitar gods, technical training in music school, the street music scene of Boston, and then a return to a pure, fundamental, yet evolved guitar approach. With this sweet homecoming to the essence of his instrument, he has played every style he can think of, especially in the jazz related idiom, and enjoyed a deep affinity with singers. His work with vocalist Shelley Higgins brings the intimacy of the duo setting to a broad repertoire that is accessible yet extraordinary ...you'll hear tunes from the Beatles, Cole Porter, Ernestine Anderson, Dizzy Gillespie, India Arie, Bonnie Raitt, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Norah Jones, and more. The sound is sensual, elegant, bluesy and funky, sometimes intense...always engaging.....just two musicains, a lot of music to listen to.......Come and enjoy!

Thursday - Saturday, May 1-3, Book Sale at the Pittsboro Memorial Library

This is the major fundraiser for the Friends and all proceeds are used for library programs. The Friends is an association of people interested in books and the promotion of the full use of the library as a valuable and vital community resource. A great selection of hundreds of books will be for sale - children’s books, adult fiction, mystery, history, hobby and crafts, biographies, cookbooks and more. Audio and video tapes will also be for sale.

Proceeds go toward special book purchases as well as for speakers and programs for adults and children and also lend support to the county Bookmobile. Volunteers, donated books, and buyers are welcome. Call the Pittsboro Memorial Library at 542-3524 for more information. 158 West Street.

Friday-Sunday, May 2 - 4, The Sanford Pottery Festival at Dennis Wicker Civic Center

With 200 studio potters represented, this show promises to be a great one. Showcasing both traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, music, and great food. There is a preview Friday evening from 6-9 pm (admission is $10.00 and includes Saturday and Sunday admission.) Admission is $5.00 on Saturday from 9-6pm and on Sunday from 10-5pm.

The best way to get to the festival is to park in downtown Sanford and ride the free shuttle to the festival site. If you have any questions call the festival office at 919-708-7082 or visit the website at www.sanfordpottery.com. Or call Edwards Antiques at 919-542-5649.

Saturday, May 3 - 2nd Annual CARE Woof-A-Palooza

Join this benefit dog walk, event and social! There will be vendors, food, and family fun--even if you don't have a dog! You'll find information and sources on dog training, T shirt sales, and many fun events. Events include the one mile dog walk around Central Carolina Community College, APS Doggy Drill Team Demo, Doggie contests of Best Retriever, Weenie Toss, Best Dressed, Musical Sit, and CARE Alumni.

Saturday, May 3 - READ-A-THON at St Julia Tutoring and and Literacy Center

St. Julia Tutoring and Literacy Center is hosting a read-a-thon in honorof 'el dia de los libros - the day of the books!" The kick off will begin at Wren Memorial Library in Siler City at 11am-3pm. The read-a-thon will begin 3:30pm-midnight at the Tutoring Center at 109 N Chatham Ave.
Reading aged students can sign up to participate in the read-a-thon by coming by St. Julia Tutoring Center.

The registration fee is $10.00 and each will get a packet to collect sponsors to support them. The student with the most collected sponsored money will win a playstation2! There will be a 2nd and 3rd prize given as well. There will also be an award for the teacher with the most students attending! If you have any questions, feel
free to call Crystal Williams at 919-742-5501.

Sunday, May 4th - Benefit Concert for the Kamensk Uralski Baby Home at Snipes Farm

This is the 4th annual concert for this very worthy charity. If you like Cajun music, electric blues, or Flying Burrito food this event is a "CAN'T MISS". The headliner is Mel "the Zydeco chef" Melton and the Wicked Mojos. Mel is an award winning chef who plays a mixture of Zydeco, blues, and cajun music that prompted the Chicago Sun Times to report "On stage and off, Mel can cook".

Also playing, Armand's Bluesology featuring the amazing Bonnie Raitt and Mussel Shoals guitarist Will McFarlane . Bluesology is one of the premier electric blues bands in the area. Also appearing are Danny Gotham, Bill Newton & Keith Guile, and Spoonful of Soul. This is a chance to hear some seriously good music and donate to a great charity.

This is a family event. Lawn chairs and sun screen are recommended; coolers are permitted. There is no cover charge, but a donation to the Baby Home will be appreciated. Questions or directions? 919-929-7777 or 919-933-5016 or email us at alenchek@aol.com

Saturday May 10 - 14th Haw River Festival Finale 1:00pm - 6:00pm

Music, art, environmental booths, river monitoring, Clyde Jones' critters, the Paperhand Puppet Inteventions theater and lots more down by the river at the Bynum Bridge. 1:00-6:00pm.

Contact the Haw River Assembly for more information or to learn how to be a volunteer at 919-542-5790 or email info@hawriver.org

Saturday, May 10 - Walk the Chatham Mile!

Mile-long yard sale, flea market, and fun festivities for the entire family.

The gala is for people of all ages and admission is free. 764 West Street, US Hwy 64, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Call 919-542-4512 or email pamking5@yahoo.com for more information. http://www.chathamcouncilonaging.org/coming_events.htm

Saturday, May 17 - Siler City Chicken Festival

Live music, food, games, crafts, golf tournament, street fair and more. Free. 9am to 4pm. 1609 East 11th St, US Hwy 64, Siler City, NC 27344 For more info, call 919.742.3333 or email ccucc@centernet.net http://www.ccucc.net/

How are we doing?

The General Store Café appreciates any feedback, suggestions or comments you may have as to how we can fulfill your expectations. Email suggestions to info@thegeneralstorecafe.com . Your comments are important, please allow 24-48 hours to receive a response.

The final word!

BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DELI & DINNER:
The café is open Monday - Wednesday 7:30 am - 9:00 pm (breakfast 7:30am - 11:00am, lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, deli items 3:00pm - 6:00pm, dinner 6:00pm - 9:00pm), Thursday and Friday 7:30am - 10:30pm and on Saturday 8:00 am - 10:30 pm.

DINNER & MUSIC :
Thursday - Saturday we have live music from 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm to go with your dinner!

How to get here: 39 W Street, Pittsboro is next to the downtown traffic circle, just across from the Pittsboro courthouse. Phone: (919) 542-2432

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