Arts on the Run Slated for October 10

The Arts Council of Lincoln County presents Arts on the Run, the organization's first annual 5K run/walk for the arts. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Lincoln Cultural Center, 403 East Main Street, Downtown Lincolnton. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the race will start at 9:00 a.m.

"Early bird" registration (for those who register before October 6) is $20; those who register after October 6 or at the event will pay a $25 registration fee. The first 25 runners who register will receive a free T-shirt and race medallion. For more information, visit www.artslincolnnc.org or call (704) 732-9044.

21st Century Farmers Market Brings Electronic Payment Options for Consumers

The Lincoln County Farmers Market in Downtown Lincolnton is moving into the 21st Century - the 21st Century Farmers Market Program that is. Beginning Saturday, October 3, 2009, the downtown market will accept EBT, debit and credit cards to purchase local farm products.

A partnership between NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and Leaflight Inc., a Chapel Hill non-profit agency promoting community development, is making this possible. NC Cooperative Extension is the local partner that submitted the successful application on behalf of the Lincolnton market location. The Lincoln County Farmers Market - Downtown Lincolnton location was among twelve markets chosen across the state to implement this new program.

"Because of this partnership, it will be easy and convenient for customers and farmers to use electronic payments," said Extension agent Leigh Guth. "So many people don't carry cash - electronic payment should be a win-win for customers and farmers."

To use electronic payment, customers will swipe their cards at a central terminal operated by the market manager and purchase market tokens worth $5.00. The $5 tokens will work like cash with any vendor accepting tokens. Customers can purchase vegetables, plants, art, meat or bakery goods and will receive change from purchases. Customers using EBT cards (which replaced food stamps in 2002) will receive tokens worth $1.00 each and can use their tokens to purchase food and plants that produce food. Customers cannot receive change from EBT tokens. Participating farmers include Wanda Avery, Loyd Lewis, Mary Deal and Art Duckworth.

The statewide goal is to make fresh local produce at farmers markets accessible to customers using EBT cards. Leaflight provides the market with a wireless card processing terminal, bookkeeping and accounting services for the electronic purchases. By using one processing terminal and tokens, fees are kept at a minimum for farmers and new customers are able to shop at the farmers market.

For more information, contact Leigh Guth, North Carolina Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences agent, at (704) 736-8462.

Travis Powell to Headline Last Concert of 2009 GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Season

The GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Summer Concert Series is slated to conclude its 2009 season Thursday, September 24 with the music of Travis Powell, presented by Tindall's Professional Photography.

Powell has spent the last six years playing music and entertaining crowds all over the Southeast, including shows at Nashville's own Cadillac Ranch. Covering music from a variety of artists, Powell says those attending will hear country songs from popular artists such as Keith Urban and Jason Aldean, southern rock by Bob Seger and the Marshall Tucker Band, and pop-rock hits from bands like Nickelback. Powell has also written many original songs, some of which will debut on his self-titled CD to be released in late October. His single, One Step Ahead of a Heartache, has aired on country radio station WSOC 103.7 FM.

Powell's band members include three of the most talented musicians in the region who have played in the area's hottest nightclubs and shared the stage with such artists as Brooks N Dunn. Jim Lincomfelt plays lead guitar with Rick Tackett on bass guitar; rounding out the band is Tracy Scism on drums.

"Expect a high energy show for crowds of all ages that will bring you to your feet and keep you dancing all night long," said Powell.

The show, which is free and open to the public, begins at 6:00 p.m. and will be held at East Main Street and Court Square in downtown Lincolnton. Lawn chairs are encouraged, but no coolers will be allowed. For more information about the show, call the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton at (704) 736-8915. For more information about Travis Powell, visit www.myspace.com/travispowellmusic.

Apple Festival This Saturday

It is time once again for the largest annual gathering of people in downtown Lincolnton - the Lincoln County Apple Festival. This year's festival will be held Saturday, September 19 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. As always, the Apple Festival promises an abundance of crafts, food, fun....and of course....apples.

While making your way through the event, be sure to stop by the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton's stage, located at East Main and South Academy Streets. There, DDA volunteers will be handing out free balloons and holding limbo and hula-hoop contests for the little ones. In addition, the organization will be conducting a "Strange Change Exchange" in coordination with its "Strange Change" initiative which encourages everyone to make purchases from local businesses with $2 bills as a way of showing their support for local businesses. Bring your ones, fives, tens, and twenties by the DDA stage to exchange them for crisp, new $2 bills; then make your statement by spending those $2 bills with locally owned businesses in Lincolnton.

Whether you are a seasoned Apple Festival veteran, or this is your first time attending the event, the Apple Festival Committee has a few tidbits of advice: wear comfortable shoes, drink plenty of water, do not bring your furry friend as law enforcement will be on hand to enforce the "no pets" policy, and do not park in areas where parking is not allowed (ample parking will be available around the perimeter of the event, and at the Lincolnton High School where the Kiwanis Club of Lincolnton will be offering round-trip shuttle service for $2 per person).

For more information on the Lincoln County Apple Festival, visit http://lincoln.ces.ncsu.edu/content/lincolncountyapplefestival.

Strange Change: Dollar Coins and $2 Bills the New Symbols of Going Local

If the Downtown Development Association’s newest Go Local Lincolnton effort “Strange Change” catches on there will be a lot more dollar coins and $2 bills in circulation locally. DDA wants Lincolnton residents to show their support of locally owned businesses by using dollar coins and $2 bills.

“The dollar coin and $2 bill are perfect for this gesture of support,” said Brad Guth, DDA Director. “They are not in wide circulation so they are special when you get them. And now in Lincolnton they will come to symbolize support for local business.”

The ultimate purpose of this effort, as well as a series of other Go Local Lincolnton events, is to educate the community on the importance of not only shopping local but at locally owned businesses.

In recent years, groups like Civic Economics, the Institute for Local Self Reliance and others have studied the effects of doing business with locally owned businesses versus a chain store or big box retailer. Going local always makes a bigger economic impact in the local economy.

In an often quoted study, Civic Economics found that for every $100 of local spending $68 stays local as compared to just $42 when you shop at a chain store or big box retailer.

“That money goes right back into buying a house here,” said Guth, “And into supporting local schools, local sports leagues, local churches and charities and so forth.”

Locally-owned businesses have been a primary element in Lincolnton’s success throughout its history. First established in the 1780s, downtown began as trading post for area farmers. In the mid 1980s downtown experienced disinvestment. Local business owners banded together to form the Downtown Development Association to promote the protection and use of downtown.
Today downtown Lincolnton has the highest concentration of independently owned business in Lincoln County and boasts a 90% occupancy rate.

The Strange Change effort kicks off tonight at the Go Local Lincolnton Alive After Five concert. Customers purchasing beer and soft drinks from DDA will receive strange change. Soon many participating downtown businesses will be providing change in dollar coins and $2 bills. DDA encourages citizens to participate too by requesting their own dollar coins and $2 bills at local banks and spending them at locally owned businesses.

“Now, if you have a $2 bill in your wallet and dollar coins in your pocket, everyone will know you support locally owned businesses in Lincolnton,” said Guth.

Back to School "Splash Bash" August 27

The Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton, the City of Lincolnton, Lincolnton Fire Department, and I-Care, Inc. of Lincolnton are partnering to organize a Back to School "Splash Bash" in coordination with the August 27 Alive After Five concert featuring Papa Mojo.

Firefighters from the Lincolnton Fire Department will use low-pressure hoses to create a designated "splash zone" at the intersection of East Main Street and North Academy Street from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. All kids are asked to come to the event prepared to get wet, as the Fire Department has assured us that no one will leave the splash zone dry! All participants are strongly encouraged to wear shoes, as the event will be held on a paved surface. For more information, call (704) 736-8915.

Papa Mojo to Headline Alive After Five Aug. 27

Since bursting onto the scene last summer, local rock band Papa Mojo has taken the Lincolnton area by storm. With its lineup of highly skilled musicians and Rock & Roll flare, the band has developed a solid fan base who come out again and again to hear the best Rock & Roll, Country, and Southern Rock of the last 40 years.

"We keep our audience constantly guessing by throwing together medleys of Theory of a Deadman, Nickelback, Metallica, Johnny Cash and even Kool and the Gang," said Rob Elmore, one-sixth of Papa Mojo.

The band is composed of a cross-section of musicians representing a variety of musical backgrounds, including Metal, Country, R&B, and Jazz.

Papa Mojo will headline the fourth installment of the 2009 GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Summer Concert Series on August 27th, where it plans to debut its new original, "A Fist Full of DY-NO-MITE." The band will take the stage at 6:00 p.m. on the Court Square in downtown Lincolnton. The show is free and open to the public. Lawn chairs are encouraged, but no coolers will be allowed. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the event.

To learn more about Papa Mojo, visit the band's Web site at www.myspace.com/papamojo08. For more information about the GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Concert Series, call (704) 736-8915.

Papa Mojo:

Mark Angel: Bass, Guitars, Vocals
Heath Boyles: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Kendall Davis: Drums, Vocals
Chad Duncan: Lead Vocals
Rob Elmore: Keys, Bass, Guitars, Drums, Vocals
Brad Michol; Lead Guitar

Tres Chic & The Shoppes on Main is Now Lizzie Lu's

After nearly a year in downtown Lincolnton, Tres Chic & The Shoppes on Main has changed names - and owners. The consignment shop, located at 113 East Main Street, is now home to Lizzie Lu's. After struggling to balance the demands of the thriving retail business with their love of restoring old furniture, Tres Chic owners Laura and Bill LeFevre decided to focus their energies on the latter, selling the consignment shop to three friends - and former school teachers - Whitney King, Libba Thompson, and Beth Wiseman.

For a closer look into the transformation of Tres Chic into Lizzie Lu's, click here for an article from the Lincoln Times-News.

36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering Now Offering Weekend Brunch

Whether you're looking for casual start to your lazy weekend, fuel to kick-start a busy Saturday, or a nice after-church meal on Sunday, 36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering in downtown Lincolnton has just the ticket with its new brunch menu.

"The Cafe," located at 101 North Court Square, is offering a special brunch menu including omelets, quiche, waffles, pancakes, and more from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.

While the Cafe offers casual dining daily, Saturday and Sunday brunches offer a more elegant setting, with colorful stoneware on white linen-clad tables.

No reservations are required for the weekend brunches, and 36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering's regular menu is also available during brunch hours. For more information, visit www.36thstreetbakery.com or call (704) 735-1117.

Southern Charm Wines Celebrates 1st Anniversary

Last summer, Southern Charm Wines took downtown Lincolnton by storm as it opened the doors to Main Street's first winery, offering fine wines hand crafted in the very building in which they are sold. This summer Southern Charm Wines is celebrating its first anniversary, and owners Kim and Kirk Leonard, and Carolyn and Dwight Ramseur would like for you to share in the celebration which runs through August 22nd.

Stop by Southern Charm Wines, conveniently located in downtown Lincolnton's Anderson Building (235-D East Main Street), for gift shop specials and free tastings from Southern Charm's special Summer Wine Bundle.

For more information on Southern Charm Wines, visit www.southerncharmwines.com or call the shop at (704) 240-9899.

Help United Way "Stuff the Bus"

The United Way of Lincoln County is asking residents to help "stuff the school bus" with school supplies for kids in the Lincoln County School System. The following sites will be accepting donations through August 7th:

5th/3rd Bank - Downtown Lincolnton
Carolina Trust Bank - Main Street Lincolnton, Boger City, and Denver
CMC - Lincoln
A2Z Promotions - Denver
Caremore Pharmacy - Denver
Jersey Mike's Subs - Denver
United Way of Lincoln County - Downtown Lincolnton

School buses will also be parked at Wal-Mart stores in Lincolnton and Denver on Saturday, August 8th from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. to collect donations.

The Thunder Brothers Roll Into Lincolnton for Alive After Five

The GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Summer Concert Series continues this Thursday, July 30, on the Court Square in downtown Lincolnton with music from The Thunder Brothers.

The band, established in 1999, has been featured at a variety of events across the region including NASCAR race events, Hog Happenin', and the Thunder Road Marathon in uptown Charlotte. Expect a wide range of musical genres to be represented as Keny Poovey, Kevin Schronce, Bobby Blackwelder, and Ace Philbeck take the stage -- the band is known for its mix of dance, classic rock, "spiced up" oldies, popular ballads, and originals. The Thunder Brothers are sure to offer something for everyone.

The show will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the 100 block of East Main Street in downtown Lincolnton. The event is free and open to the public. Lawn chairs are encouraged, but no coolers will be allowed. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the event. For more information on the event, call (704) 736-8915, and for more information on the Thunder Brothers, visit www.myspace.com/thethunderbrothers.

Find Your Independents Scavenger Hunt Winner Announced

Independents Days, downtown Lincolnton's celebration of locally owned independent businesses, has wound down for the second year. Held July 1 - 14, the event is intended to motivate consumers to support their community by shopping locally. As part of the promotion, the "Find Your Independents Scavenger Hunt" encouraged people to visit participating locally owned businesses in downtown Lincolnton to find unique items, and then to turn in their game cards for a chance at winning a fantastic prize package.

This year's winner, Jennifer Sinclair, was randomly selected from all completed game cards that were turned in to the Business & Community Development office.

Sinclair received a prize pack of items from 36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering; Clark Tire & Auto Supply; Color Me Pretty; Fausto Coffee; Heavenly Paws Grooming; Kate McCall; King's Office Supply; Lighthouse Christian Book Store; Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio; Southern Charm Wines; Stroup's Jewelers; Studio 220 Salon & Spa; Touch of Class; and Tres Chic & The Shoppes on Main.

Greenway Master Plan Open House July 7th

A drop-in public open house for the Lincoln County Greenway Master Plan will be held Tuesday, July 7th, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Lincoln County Family YMCA, 1402 East Gaston Street.

Drop in anytime during the workshop to talk with your neighbors, county staff, and project consultants about how to best connect people and places with trails in Lincoln County. Provide input and learn about the draft routes proposed for the Lincoln County Greenway Master Plan and the Carolina Thread Trail.

For more information, contact:
R.S. Williams, AICP, Principal Planner
Lincoln County Building and Land Development
704.736.8472
rwilliams@lincolncounty.org
www.carolinathreadtrail.org

4th of July Storefront Decorating Contest Winners Announced

Downtown Lincolnton was full of patriotic spirit last week as many businesses decorated their storefronts for the 4th of July Downtown Storefront Decorating Contest. The contest, which is sponsored by the DDA, was judged on the afternoon of July 4th. The winners of this year's contest are listed below:

1st Place - King's Office Supply
2nd Place - Miller Sherrill Blake Eagle CPA
3rd Place - Estate Jewelers
4th Place - Ledford's Upholstery & Fabric

4th of July Celebration this Saturday

The annual Lincolnton 4th of July Celebration will be held this Saturday, July 4. Events will begin with free children's activities and contests from 5:00 p.m - 7:30 p.m. at 100 North Academy Street. Activities will include a bean bag toss, bubble blowing, face painting, tattoos, a hula hoop contest, inflatable games, and more.

Line-up for the parade will begin at 6:30 and the parade will start at 8:00. Ceremonies will begin at 9:15 at the Lincolnton High School Stadium, and will be followed by fireworks at approximately 9:35. Lt. Col. Robert Chad Boyles will be this year's Grand Marshal and Guest Speaker.

Radios may be tuned to WLON 1050 for patriotic music prior to and during the parade, and for live coverage from the LHS Stadium. All of this year's events are made possible by the City of Lincolnton and Lincoln County.

Find Your Independents Scavenger Hunt Game Cards Now Available

Game cards for the Find Your Independents Scavenger Hunt are now available at the following participating businesses:

36th Street Bakery & Cafe
101 N. Court Square

A Touch of Class
317 E. Main St.

Clark Tire & Auto Supply
609 E. Main St.

Color Me Pretty
109 E. Main St.

Fausto Coffee Shop
116 NE. Court Square

Heavenly Paws Grooming
213 N. Aspen St.

Kate McCall
317 E. Pine St.

King's Office Supply
227 E. Main St.

Lighthouse Christian Bookstore
210 N. Aspen St.

Lincolnton Business & Community Development
114 E. Main St.

Lincolnton Farmers Market
225 W. Water St.

Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio
224 E. Main St.

Southern Charm Wines
235-D E. Main St.

Studio 220 Salon & Spa
220 E. Main St.

Stroup's Jewelers
315 E. Main St.

Tres Chic & The Shoppes on Main
113 E. Main St.

Game cards must be returned to the Lincolnton Business & Community Development office, 114 E. Main St., by Tuesday, July 14 to be entered in the grand prize drawing to be held on July 15.

Independents Days To Be Celebrated Downtown July 1 -14

Independents Days will once again be celebrated in downtown Lincolnton July 1 - 14. Hot on the heels of being named "Best Downtown Special Event 2008" by the North Carolina Main Street Center, this year's Independents Days will include the Shop Local Challenge, the Find Your Independents scavenger hunt, a 4th of July window decorating contest, and the 3/50 project.

The initiative was begun by the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) as "Independents Week," but the Downtown Development Association's Promotions Work Group put its own spin on the event by starting Independents Days, a two week long celebration of downtown Lincolnton's locally owned independent businesses, in 2008.

The Shop Local Challenge encourages the public to shop locally owned businesses first, and to keep track of items that are not available from such establishments. Lists of those items may be turned in to the DDA at the Business & Community Development office, 114 East Main Street, to help the organization in identifying products and services that could benefit the downtown community. Similarly, the 3/50 Project asks citizens to identify the three independently owned businesses that they would miss most if they were to close. Citizens are then encouraged to stop by those businesses - to pick up a small gift for a friend or even just to say hello - as a way of showing their support. The project also encourages people to spend $50 each month at an independent business. If half of the employed population of the U.S. did this, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. For more information on the 3/50 Project, visit www.the350project.net.

Perhaps one of the more unique activities of Independents Days is the Find Your Independents scavenger hunt. To play the game, participants will pick up game cards at the Business & Community Development Office or other participating businesses. They will then scour locally owned businesses in the downtown area in search of the unique items listed on the game cards. Clerks in each business will mark the card with a special sticker acknowledging that the items have been found. Once participants find all of the items, they will then turn their game cards in to the Business & Community Development office where one will be randomly drawn on July15 for a prize package filled with goodies from each of the participating businesses.

The DDA is also sponsoring a window decorating contest for downtown Lincolnton businesses. Windows will be judged on Saturday, July 4th. Winners will be announced on The Inside Wire Monday, July 6th.

GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Concert Series Continues!

The 2009 GoLocalLincolnton.org Concert Series has gotten off to a great start and will continue to bring music and fun to the last Thursday of each month for the rest of the summer. There will be more variety in the music this year, and the bands are all local. After the Marty Paris Band, Paris Keeling, and The Mason Dixon Band this week, the lineup for upcoming concerts includes:

The Thunder Brothers - July 30: Three locals who mix southern rock, classic rock, and country
Papa Mojo - August 27: A Rock and Roll band from Vale who covers rock from the 70's to today, southern rock, and country
VanWaylon - September 24: A local band that describes its sound as "'Supertonk': Country with rock glued together with a good dose of party"

find out more at their myspace pages:
www.myspace.com/thethunderbrothers
www.myspace.com/papamojo08
www.myspace.com/vanwaylonband

See you in Downtown Lincolnton!

National Band Paris Keeling to Headline June 25 Alive After Five

Paris Keeling, the nationally acclaimed rock band featuring Marty Paris and Keely Keeling, will take the stage at 7:00 p.m. on June 25, 2009 on the Courthouse Square in downtown Lincolnton as part of the 2009 www.GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Concert Series. The event is being sponsored by the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton and will run from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Food and beverages will be available at the event for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs; however, no coolers will be allowed.

While Paris Keeling is planning a Fall 2009 west coast tour and having recently performed at the Winchester in Cleveland, Ohio, the band did not hesitate when asked to headline a local show. According to Paris, who calls Lincolnton home, "I was thrilled when the DDA asked us to headline one of this summer's Alive After Five concerts. It's always great to play to your hometown crowd." Paris Keeling's performance is timed in conjunction with the upcoming July re-release of their well received End of Ride album. The re-release features five new bonus tracks in addition to all tracks of the original recording.

In addition to his work with Paris Keeling, Paris runs a recording studio in Lincolnton and frequently works with many musicians in a number of different areas including songwriting, recording and production. Knowing that one of the goals of the concert series is to feature and promote local talent, local acts will also be performing in addition to Paris Keeling on June 25. Paris will perform a solo set featuring vocal and musical accompaniment from local musician Beth Bailey (whose country album Marty is producing). In addition, The Mason Dixon Band will take the stage to perform a mixed set including country and rock favorites with a little beach music thrown in for good measure.

To visit the entertainers online, visit:
www.pariskeeling.com
www.myspace.com/martyparis
www.myspace.com/mindradio
www.myspace.com/bethbailey007