Man About Uptown

2011-08-01T21:05:00.000-07:00

The Restaurant Scene on Monday

Mondays have a way of slipping up on me, showing me something that might surprise or really reinforce an idea that had been cooking along over the weekend. Today was no different as we entered the month of August.

At lunch, I was feeling a bit under the weather and decided on Ginger Chicken at Joe's Place. That has an almost medicinal impact on me, and usually it makes me feel better right away. It worked well, again, but I would have felt better anyway at the solid business for lunch at Joe's. Some folks might not want to wait a few extra minutes, but when I'm in an Uptown restaurantI'm glad to see strong business that might challenge the kitchen and slow me down just a bit.

Then at 5:30 I passed the corner of Washington and Warren to see that Chris & Nancy Canoutas, along with a good team of servers and cooks, had completed their work and the OPEN banner was hanging aloft. Ah, another interesting eatery in Uptown Shelby. I drove on to the Post Office and came back to the Square at about 6:15.

Within just 45 minutes the new NEWT'S (A modern burger joint) had completely filled and there was a wait. Chris had told me he hoped to open informally on Monday if all went well, but I think the whole crew was pleasantly surprised at the strong crowd and the obviouis good feelings. Service was courteous and prompt, especially for an opening night. The tables were comfortable and customers ranged over about 70 years, extended families to friends, from the Royster family who have redeveloped the corner shop, City Manager Rick Howell and Finance Director Ted Phillips after a City Council meeting, and plentyof folks who seemed to instantly feel at home.

Just two years ago we were down to just over half the number of restaurants and cafes we have today. I remember two or three people saying something along the lines of "Uptown might have about all the restaurants we can handle." I didn't believe it then and I'm even more convinced now that Uptown Shelby has a host of opportunities for quality food, good service and a friendly atmosphere. Sure, there would be a point where the market is full. But we're nowhere near that. Customers are coming from all around Cleveland County as well as Shelby's own neighborhoods. We also know that neighbors are coming in from Rutherford and Lincoln Counties, from Gaffney and other spots to the south of the state line.

One of the great side benefits of a strong restaurant trade in Uptown Shelby is that our city now has a nice night life in it's central business district. Restaurants have begun to offer live musical entertainment on a regular basis. Special menu items and value-priced specials also attract families, after-work groups, Ladies Night, Shag Night dancers, and all sorts of patrons who might have had few options just a few months ago.

Well, full restaurants on Mondays, visitors and locals alike smiling and clamoring for tables, along with more cars parked in Uptown Shelby. It's the sound and aroma of progress, and it's all approachable and easy to enjoy. Come out and join in the excitement.

I say! I say! Did I hear you say Livermush?

2010-10-06T06:05:00.000-07:00

Hard to conjure up Foghorn Leghorn here in text at 9 a.m., this is one of our very distinctive events and food traditions here in Shelby. Livermush. Come to town on October 23rd, at historic Court Square, and either sample a southern foodway that you've never heard of, or rekindle old memories if it is something you grew up with.

Livermush has been written about in Our State, Southern Living, and The Charlotte Observer. Heck, there have even been classic odes and haiku poetry written about livermush. It's been the subject of Andrew Zimmern's Bizzarre Food's series in an episode examinging the traditional foods of the Southern Appalachians.

There's plenty of festivities and music as well. Check out the Art of Sound Festival staged around Uptown Shelby by the Cleveland County Arts Festival October 21-23. Check www.ccartscouncil.org/artofsound for a full lineup and schedule of performances.

Lankmark In Uptown Shelby

2010-10-05T07:09:00.001-07:00

Yesterday the City Council approved the landmarking of historic Mason Square in Uptown Shelby. The historic building was constructed as the Shelby Masonic Temple, between a formal groundbreaking in 1924 and its completion in 1925. It sits on a prominent corner of the historic Court Square at the intersection of East Warren and South Washington Streets.

It was Shelby's tallest building, at four stories, and has served as home to a number of commercial enterprises in addition to meeting the needs of the Masons for a meeting and assembly hall until 1984. It featured the first electric elevator in town.

Most notably, the building features Egyptian Revival architectural style, with a number of distinctive carvings on the building's surface, as well as columns flanking the Washington Street entrance.

Officially landmarked buildings have certain protections that are key to maintaining the character of an historic commercial or residential district such as Uptown Shelby. In fact the building is already listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was listed as a contributing structure in the Central Shelby District of the National Register of Historic Districts. The designations provide distinction and honor, but also carry requirement to ensure that the exterior remains stable and is not changed to remove the historic character.

There are two more local historic landmarks on Historic Court Square in Uptown: The Old Court House itself (which will be transformed into The Earl Scruggs Center: Songs & Story of the Carolina Piedmont in 2011), and the original City Hall & Fire Station at 5 East Marion Street. Uptown's other historic landmark building is the Old Shelby Suppy Building on North Lafayette Street, between First Baptist Church and Ascension Lutheran Church.

Next time you are walking around Uptown Shelby, take a few minutes to look up at the pretty unique carvings and columns. There are very few buildings in the United States with this type of detailing, and only one other in North Carolina. Celebrate the uniqueness of Mason Square and our historic buildings in Uptown Shelby.

A new milepost

2010-08-27T13:45:00.000-07:00

Well, we've completed our organizaiton's summer series of free outdoor concerts and inexpensive movies for kids and families. I have popped one barge load of popcorn, even stressed the popper enough that we had to arrange for electrical repairs after last night. And now we seem to have finally gotten some weather that we can live with. Wow.

Juliette Lewis comes to town to rock the Don Gibson tomorrow night. That should cause a few graves to shift in Sunset Cemetery. I'm hoping that there's not an abrupt shut-off in fun at the end of the concert. As I said to one local leadership type the other day: We need some anarchy and spontaneity for a change. It's a healthy part of a good mix behind a successful community.

Month's end, another big round to go

2010-08-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, we finally outlived July and the record breaking heat. Given the misery it caused, I think we all behaved fairly well and didn't let the stress break down our social skills . I am coming to realize that my seasonal affect disorder (SAD) may be at its worst in Dog Days. There are 11 more days left to wallow in the discomfort of the ancient astrological cycle. Hopefully the end of Dog Days will bring rain and moderate temperatures so we can get down to working on group projects without worrying that our colleagues are going to die on us.

Much to be done! Head 'em up, move em out!

Friday Afternoon

2010-06-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

Don't worry, it's too hot for musings or thoughts! Just enough energy for reactions, I guess.

Yesterday the local thermometers were reading 99 and 100 mid-afternoon. We held our movie night at the Gibson and I know folks were happy that we no longer have these events later at night in an asphalt parking lot! Somewhere in the neighborhood of 125 + children and adults enjoyed the cool temps and the flick in the evening. 75 kids came to the morning matinee from day care centers around Shelby.

From the smiles or direct comments from parents, I know people appreciate the chance to get their children out for a cool evening of distraction at a low cost. I popped at least 15 of those packs of oil and popcorn as well. Wow.

Unless the heat breaks up I'm staying inside and working this weekend.

Now, where was I?

2010-06-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's not that I haven't been doing much or even writing about it. Just not here.

It's hot as the blazes all over the region, so about the only good reason to go outside is to water things to keep them from perishing.

Things are bubbling along here in Uptown. The latest three new businesses to open are perking along. We're going to have to see some property rehabbed or redeveloped if much else is going to come on-board. But I do have faith that some will go through the fixing up stage soon.

Stay cool out there!

2010-02-19T13:48:00.000-08:00

What a difference two days of mild weather and full sunlight can make!!

This is the first weekend where we haven't had a boatload of bad weather in ages, and the first time we haven't had a featured artist at the Don Gibson Theatre. But I just heard The Hot Club of Cowtown on WNCW and that portends great times when they come to play in our Uptown!

The week just past has been one for more mundane work. Everyone I've talked with has felt pretty much the same way about it. Nothing bad, but nothing really wild and fun either. Is this the "new normal" I keep hearing about? I doubt it.

Time to close up the shop and get ready for a couple of days with a different rhythmn and standard. Adios for now.

Winter! Be gone!

2010-02-15T07:42:00.000-08:00

It's Monday, it's raining, and I'm glad of that. --It's not snowing at least! I moved back to my native soil to escape this type of weather born travesty and this is getting on my nerves in new and unexpected ways.

But even a nasty snow, with slow to blocked traffic on the highways from all directions did not do any more than delay the Shemekia Copeland concert on Friday evening. She put on one of the best concerts I've ever experienced, and that's a whole lot of concerts if you don't know me. Best of all, the smaller crowd who were braving the weather were in a rowdy and fun mood.

I've been hearing her recordings on radio for quite a while, but she's such a powerful performer with the perfectly timed movement of her arm or a quick step forward, communicating even more than the most amazing voice I've heard in years! This was her first tour date in a few months as she'd taken off time for her wedding. She was clearly ready to get back into performing and I think she's an artist who feeds off spirited audiences.

Most of Shelby missed one heck of an opportunity to hear greatness in abundance when they stayed inside with this latest snow storm. But if you ever get a chance to hear this lady, no matter the cost, no matter how far you must drive in awful weather, get yourself to the concert and be ready to float out of the place revived.

She even did a song she wrote to honor the memory of her Grandmother Jesse back in the Wilson, NC area, that was a miniature Holy Ghost revival with a full-sized effect, called Testify! It was as if Saturday Night and Sunday Morning had merged and risen above thi old world in one mighty song. And then she went on to bring the house to our feet, dancing and swaying around. As I've heard some singers and observers note before, when we talk about the Blues, we aren't just talking about songs that dwell on tough times and hard emotions. The Blues, when in the heart and voices of the best, will take us through the low spots and the high, helping us understand how to get over. Testify! And snow be gone!

What A Milestone!

2010-01-20T13:16:00.000-08:00

The long weekend for the Martin Luther King Birthdy holiday was a blast. An old buddy came through to visit and that always helps me see things a little differently, especially since I tend to be some sort of renegade Chamber of Commerce tour guide. But I do find that most of the family and friends who I have introduced to Shelby have all found it visually appealing while not overlooking our imperfections.

And this was also the weekend of the Marianne Faithful concert at the Don Gibson. When David Jenkins had first told me that he would love to book her, I think I began to pant or beg about like my Golden Retriever. I don't think either of us dared confess that we hoped he could pull it off. But by golly it happened and one of my artistic heroes from years ago was on the stage, in my own neighborhood, singing "Say It In Broken English" and making the whole place pulsate with energy.

I felt like I was so privileged to see her perform any place, and certainly only one block from my own living room! Some of the first songs were new, by current artists in the early years of their own careers. One was an old Cole Porter standard older than us all--Mrs. Otis Regrets. Marianne's performance of that was so straight on wonderful that I hope she adds it to her repertoire. There was a throbbing bass drum beat that had the passion or un-passion of a burlesque routine, all the way through the song while Marianne crooned in her own unique range. It was bawdy, rowdy, poignant, and witty at the same time. It was even better than Ella Fitzgerald's own recording of the classic.

I was about to express my disbelief that she was going to finish the show without THAT song. But it was the last number in the long set, and she set the stage for it by announcing that it was "my filthy dirty song, --but the band loves it and I think it's fun." Well, George Carlin's 7 words you can't say on TV seems so tame by comparison to "Why'd ya do it?" It was enough to bring nearly 400 people to their feet for five to ten minutes of standing ovation. I think she was even a little touched by how much the audience appreciated the chance to hear and see her live.

After a few minutes of all that she came back onstage with the band, bowed and announced that she would end with a Merle Haggard song, Sing Me Back Home. From Tears Go By to Mrs. Otis Regrets, a wicked Sister Morphine and Broken English to the raw anger and sensuality of Why'd ya do it, to a sweet country ballad you might hear sun around a campfire. Wow, no wonder we were floating on air!

I'd been hearing her songs on radio in Boston years ago, not even knowing that she lived in the area at the time. Only the daring young DJs in a college town with over a quarter of a million students could expect to get away with some of those songs on air. But there were the great renditions she had done of the Brecht & Weill songs from the 40's and 50's, all gritty but packed with emotion that threatened to turn rancid or flow like blood.

We even used to catch fleeting glimpses of Marianne Faithful in places like Harvard Square or Back Bay, just like catching Julia Child at the butcher or wine shop, or Robert Parker drinking and telling stories at The Harvest. Being able to participate in this concert was a connection with the old sounds and energies of my own past, but it was so much more!

It was a hot night in a cold town!

2010-01-11T06:09:00.000-08:00

The Allison Brown Quartet concert on Saturday evening was out of this world. With the addition of guest artist Joe Craven in the mix the music was wide ranging in style, subtle and calming at times, but more likely to make a fellow want to jump up and dance for joy.

Five string banjo and fiddle figured greatly, along with references to Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, and Allison Krause. It was pure Appalachian soul one minute and wild improvisation the next. The grand piano was put to excellent use for driving rhythm as well as an incredible solo performance. And percussion was heavy for the drummer as well as the improvised antics of Joe Craven.

And plenty of people were ready to get out of the house even with the nasty cold weather. It was such a treat to walk a block and enjoy world-class music with extremely talented artists providing the show! Man I love this town!

Shivering, While Sliding and Slamming around Shelby!

2010-01-06T08:37:00.000-08:00

Winter wonderland? No way! Winter horror. Cruel fate reared her ugly mug yesterday when I saw that temperatures were actually higher in New England. I moved back to North Carolina 16 years ago when I'd endured one to many winters in the northland.

I've never been much of a winter wimp, but this is testing the limits for me. Really, I've often said that one of the things I like about NC is that we have a real winter, but that it is blessedly brief in duration. Right now I'm not even inclined to take up my relatives' invitation to visit them at the coast of southeastern Georgia. I'm sure they are running around trying to cover citrus trees and checking on the neighbors.

But right now we are mostly rid of the snow and ice that fell before Christmas. We can get along with work and continue with efforts to make some big progress. Businesses are continuing to come into Uptown Shelby and we have had a net gain in the number of businesses operating here over the past 18 months.

One of the great joys I received for Christmas this year was the confirmation of a new business opening coming up in February for something near and dear to my heart. Coffee!!! I've talked with numerous folks about trying to get a coffee shop in Uptown, but nothing clicked until the folks behind Indigo Book Boutique and Coffee Bar entered the scenario. Yes Wade, there is a Santa Claus!

Stay warm and keep the faith y'all.

REHAB NATION

2009-12-28T08:14:00.000-08:00

Upon returning to Shelby from my holiday visit to Mount Airy, I was ready to put the mind in neutral and coast through some mindless television watching. Mindless is the operative term there, of course, and there was a surplus of it.

Seems that some folks in the TV business were focused on the word "Recovery" and I'm left wondering if those people have completely lost it. Everyone seemed to be running a holiday recovery marathon or series. Is Christmas such a festival of wretched excess that we have to enter formal recovery to go on with life in the aftermath? Are we at a point where the entire nation is watching Dr. Drew's Sex Rehab on MTV? (I'm not, by the way.) Are we a REHAB nation in the worst sense of the word's current usage?

Well, I hope we can take up the Rehab banner in a very different light here in 2010. Rehab as in working on strengthening our historic building stock, replacing roofs and windows, painting, converting unused second floors to residential or office uses, and so forth. Let's rehab unused industrial space for some new businesses that make solar panels or naturally-derived cleaning products. Let's use an old warehouse for a new brewery or a facility to prepare and package new locally-grown foods.

You see where I'm going, of course, leading back around to the locovore idea of sustainable living. If we can strive for that improved balance and activity we can get to the point where we don't need to run off for REHAB or RECOVERY in the first place.

The rant is ended, go in peace.

Time Races On

2009-12-15T07:49:00.000-08:00

Always seems to be my theme around the holidays. Even this year when I've got most of my shopping completed and there's nothing that's way out of control in my life, I still feel the fleeting nature of time. Maybe its the rarity of daylight. Yeah, that's the ticket!

I was so amazed by the Suzy Bogguss concert at the Don Gibson Theatre on Saturday. I'd been familiar with her music from radio, but the woman in person was so much more interesting. Jeans, straight hair, straight talking too. She was just getting over a cold, but man does she have some serious lung power!

When the music started, I felt like I was transported someplace special. Like New York or LA, or like the feel of a very slick TV concert presentation in some far away location. But no, just the music hall down the street from my home or office. She also seemed to be real serious about making sure that we were in on the joke of life, as well as the more serious emotions in the songs she wrote or sang. Major talent!

Plus I had the best pizza before the concert. Chicken, Basil, Mozzarella, garlic chips, olive oil. . . The joke was that it was a group creation at Pleasant City, but it was a creation that woke up my taste buds.

See, even when the clock and calendar are racing, life can be quite fine.

Holiday Season Gets Rolling

2009-12-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

It's a sunny, chilly crisp Monday, so there's no lingering weekend sleepy-headedness for me and that's a nice change.

Friday was a very nice evening of carriage rides in Uptown Shelby, and there seemed to be more people out just to enjoy the lights and walk about the area. Most of the stores have their own light spectacles to brighten up the night time, and First National Bank really has done a great job of lighting up their buildings along with their Santa's House. The FNB sponsored Toyland in the old Court House is another sparkler in the very heart of Uptown Shelby and I hope everyone goes to see what they've managed to accomplish.

We even had a saxophone player performing some improvisations on familiar Christmas tunes for a little while. I don't know who the fellow was, but he was good and it sounded great. The mystery sax lent an air of big city feel for a while. Urban and urbane!

Then Saturday's Art Around Town gallery crawl was a great chance to sample a few of our arts businesses here. I still am impressed that we have so many gallery and studio operations in the Uptown district. It's more than most similar sized citie that aren't in mountain or seaside locations. I got a few handmade ornaments, Christmas cards, and a couple of pottery items as I got a start on the shopping.

Saturday night I went up to Fallston to hear Flint Hill play at Leatherwoods. Good crowd and good music! Steve Leatherwood kept live music in Uptown Shelby for several years at his former location on Court Square, and I hope he can enjoy similar success in Fallston with a schedule that should be a little easier to keep up.

The week ahead looks way too busy. But that's usually the case this time of year. Take a deep breath and let it fly!

Musings about Music

2009-11-30T09:46:00.000-08:00

The Lovell Sisters were a great treat on Saturday night. I'd been told they were live wires. But they were also very talented musicians. And very young too, but they obviously had been given a good start in understanding life by their parents.

I say that because their original lyrics were generally wise beyond their years, and they were talking about influences that late teens don't normally recognize. There was a longer instrumental in recognition of Jimi Hendrix's birthday on Friday. It was obviously a bluegrass number, but it went through some pretty amazing chord changes and became almost hypnotic before they drew it to a close for an extended version of Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues. The eldest of the three sisters, herself no more than 21 years of age, belted out the most mischievous version of that song I've ever witnessed.

There was a bit of everything in this show and I took it as a true omen of good things to come for the Don Gibson Theatre and for Uptown Shelby. When they finisihed up the second set the audience just sprange to their feet, no thinking about whether it was good enough for a big standing ovation! Anytime I can hear such good playing with such high energy I'll be there!

2009-11-23T06:15:00.000-08:00

Ah, Time Flies & Holidays Are Here!
Well, we are fast approaching Thanksgiving and the official beginning to the Christmas Season with a bit more hope and calm this year. But the calm is only on the emotional side, as things here at Uptown Shelby Association are at a really fast pace compared with last year. Of course, the new kid (that's me) was being cut a little slack last year and this time around I know that we are not insulated from the way everyone goes into overdrive this time of year.

We've seen four new businesses open in the last 21 days, adding about 28-30 employees to the Uptown workforce. The city electrical crews have been teasing everyone by testing and replacing lights in the early evening hours as the days shorten. And merchants have been shifting from seasonal fall decorations to an all-out blast of lights that should reach a completely dazzling stage this week.

I hope the good folks of Shelby will take advantage of Uptown merchants' offerings this year and receive a positive thing in return--sanity and memories of shopping the old time way in the heart of their home town.

From What I'm Hearing, . . .

2009-10-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

Just a short post today to try and start the long catch up. It's cloudy, misty, and down right soaked after the steady rain that began late yesterday and went through the night.

Some of us were out in that rainy mess last night. First there was the kick-off rally for the American Legion World Series bid that was blessedly scheduled for a dry indoor place. Then there was the marquee lighting at the Don Gibson Theatre, which suffered only from rain. But there's no reason to be inside when you're celebrating turning on the outside lights for the first time in years, now is there?

Both events were so optimistic and future directed for citizens and visitors to our community. Whether it's for folks who want to see great baseball from young adults from all sizes of towns around the nation, or top flight concerts by a wide variety of artists who present a view of our musical heritage, it's about good things to enjoy and value here in Shelby.

By the way, I heard plenty of wonderful music this past weekend at the Art of Sound festival in Uptown Shelby. Man! I don't know who was best. Miss Tess and the Bon Ton Parade was the biggest surprise for me. But then Balsam Range, Old Ceremony, Unspoken Tradition, Rick Boyles, Kerri Sickenberger, and Elizabeth Cook were all presenting uncommonly fine music.

I didn't hear one band that was bad. But I did hear things I wouldn't normally catch on an average weekend. The most audacious act was Moses Cherry and the Topless Gospel Choir from neighboring Cherryville. No, there was no naked choir, and the lead singer's real name is Isaac, but it was a joyously goofy set that romped all over the history of the American Blues.

Soon we're going to be hearing all sorts of new music. Prick up your ears and let this audio adventure lift you up!

Falling Into UPtown

2009-10-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

The weather made a sudden changs about two weeks ago. Daytime high temperatures went from the high 90's to the mid-80's. The quality of light changed dramatically as well. I had noticed that the sunlight was much kinder on the eyes, and even made everything look as if you were viewing a professional photograph.

Fall's light has always been known for a special quality. And it didn't surprise me at all one day last week when I saw three different small groups around Uptown, all carrying cameras. They were out, obviously on assignment from a teacher, taking pictures of each other against backgrounds of brick, peeling paint, and back alleys.

I toyed with urging them to get pictures of the more grand doorways or the columns of the courthouse, but with the speed of our alleyway projects, they should get that gritty urban feel now. Some of the alley's may be years away from landscaping or paving, but I do believe they will all have a clean and cared-for look in the next 12 months.

Over the weekend I met some folks from Belmont at Pleasant City. One said she'd just spoken with her daughter in New York and had asked what she was going to do in the big city tonight. After a bored "I don't know" that sounded like nothing at all, The mother laughed and said with glee, "Well I'm going out to eat some great pizza and listen to a wild band named Jimmy Rehab in Uptown Shelby. I'll be out past midnight, but call if you get bored!"

You know I love hearing things like that. Excitement is where you make it. Just like alley ways that look big city can be found in our own backyard, and high energy rock and roll doesn't need a big arena or converted factory on the edge of Uptown Charlotte either.

Hump Day?

2009-09-23T11:00:00.000-07:00

No, that's not a very creative title, and I haven't had any flashes of brilliance today either. But it's been a good time to get some work completed. For some reason, the phones have been quiet this week--not dead, but not crazy either. It also seems to be a week where most folks have low expectations and my job is to pull them along in thinking about some alternatives.

But it is also a week where we're getting ready for the Star Stage & Sound trade show and conference at Shelby City Park on Saturday. I'm not very mechanically inclined to begin with, and when I took all the parts of our trade show booth out of the neat rolling cases my heart sank. But I've still got two days to get that all figured out for quick assembly on Saturday. Lucky for me, once I get the assembly worked out, it will be easy to talk with people about our Uptown Shelby district and organization.

And join me in hoping and praying for good weather Thursday evening so we can finish up our Alive After Five '09 Summer Concert series in comfort. Hope to see you there!

Monday perspective

2009-09-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

It's Monday, I'm back in town after a weekend back in my home town area with family and friends. I might not have a truly fresh perspective on things, but just enough to have revealed a few insights.

First, even though my farm in the hills is only two hours away, having been absent since Christmas is not a good idea. Even a close knit family begins to seem like they are going in strange directions or doing things that surprise you. Of course, there's also the capacity for positive surprise as well, as with the incredible progress my nephew is achieving with his metalsmithing and jewelry making career. From motorhead to gunsmith to engraver and now he's forming sophisticated, costly works in a few short months where most pros take years to reach that point. I've already told him to plan to be here for Art on the Square in 2010.

Being out of town for two days sets me up to look at everything a little closer to make sure nothing changed while I was away. Nonsense, yes, I know. But I'm sure we all do it on some level. And if something did change it looks as if it was for the better.

While I was in Mount Airy, the nearest thing to a home town for this farm boy, I was pleased to see that there were few empty store fronts on Main Street since I was last there. The local paper had recently run a feature on new businesses and found that the majority of the business owners were under 40 years of age. That's a great thing to find!

So yes, it's Monday. Time to get back to the grind with a smile. Even on a cloudy wet Monday.

Colleagues, travel, meetings, etc.

2009-09-08T11:56:00.000-07:00

I know that a "managers meeting" is usually enough to make folks run away, but I've just been to one that was uplifting, encouraging, and inspiring. It was the late summer Managers Meeting for the North Carolina Main Street Center. It didn't hurt that it was in Brevard and did not require me to drive five hours. But even if it had, I think I would have been just as inspired and upbeat.

Uptown Shelby Association is one of the five oldest Main Street programs in North Carolina and we've been represented at these meetings ever since the early 80's. But where the backdrop today might have been recession, credit freeze, and mounting unemployment, the Main Street Managers were a pretty optimistic group. We joked that it's because we've always been faced with doing a lot with little to no money. I fully believe that it is a skill set that has put us in good stead for a time of economic challenge.

But we also think that we see some strong signs of changing trends that promote independent start-up and local businesses. While not everyone reported upbeat results, the majority did report that our occupancy rates were up over recent years and that interest remains strong in new business formation within their communities.

Yes, we all have stories about native born, lifelong residents of our small towns and small cities who just have no idea that our downtowns have businesses where they are welcomed and served so well. But as long as we are reducing the number of such people in our communities I'll take that progress.

I loved Brevard, and I think it was my first visit, at least since infancy. With a chocolate shop and a great toy store, I'll be going back. But it also helped me appreciate my own corner of the world here in Shelby even more.

2009-08-31T05:52:00.000-07:00

It's a rainy Monday, but there's no time even think about wallowing in the blues that are naturally associated with the mix of calendar and weather.

Too much is going on here for that sort of indulgence. New prospects seem to be coming in to visit or phoning to explore the possibility of locating here in Uptown. There's the crush of activity with plans for Fall Festival/Livermush/Art of Sound in late October, not to mention the building anticipation for the Don Gibson Theatre sometime in November.

Along with the Christmas season, there's real estate to guide along, empty locations to fill, and eventually concerns with streetscaping and wayfinding signs to guide visitors around Uptown.

So, no time to dawdle today!

New Fiscal Year, New Ideas

2009-07-18T12:55:00.000-07:00

We've just begun a new fiscal year for the Uptown Shelby Association, Inc. and that's a great reason to do some new year's wishes or resolutions.

One of the key thing we've discussed in our staff meetings and in talking with all sorts of folks here in Uptown Shelby is a renewal of focus on merchants and other businesses in our midst. We were backers of the recent $20 on the 20th campaign undertaken by the STAR, and that helped get us past the first thoughts of what can be done.

I'm heading out to talk with merchants over the next two weeks to see what they are thinking and how we can find common ground for us all to learn something new and apply new thinking to how we pull in more shoppers, diners, and business clients to Uptown Shelby. Consider this an open invitation to any and all readers to let us hear your own constructive ideas or dreams.

Everything will be put into the mix and we will work on crafting the best programs, campaigns and promotions we can pull together with the resources we have.

I also hope that everyone is getting excited about all of the good stuff on our horizon. I got a quick peek inside the Don Gibson Theater yesterday and that is now beginning to look like a sharp entertainment and gathering spot for Shelby. Plus we've got Fall Festival for the children coming up in late October at the same time of Livermush Expo and Art of Sound. In the meantime, next week brings us the Real to Real International Film Festival!

Summer Time

2009-07-09T08:01:00.001-07:00

Living might be a little easier, but time does not flow slowly like molasses anymore. There has been work going on!

We had about 100 people show up at a screening of Horton Hears A Who! in the Wachovia Movies al la mode series in uptown nearly two weeks ago. Kids were full of energy at the beginning, but it seemed they were quite ready to settle down for a full length cartoon adventure. And several parents made certain we knew they appreciated a good night out.

Things were admittedly too quiet over the weekend of the 4th of July, but that is going to have to change next year! The new flags did cut a fine figure in Uptown on the 4th, so that is a major step forward.

And today we're meeting with a street scape expert and designer from the North Carolina Main Street Staff. Sandy Smith has started to gather up some steam in our block to take the old alley way in back and turn it into an asset. It will take a lot of work, but its worth improving our surrounding. A small begging, perhaps, but small steps can take us a long way in the end.

So even if it looks quiet on the surface, don't be fooled!

Tropical Heat Wave!

2009-06-20T12:11:00.000-07:00

OK, maybe temperate zone heat wave, but I haven't felt so wilted in a while. The Earl Scruggs concert last night was a great show on many levels. The first few minutes I was feeling sad that I was there alone and not with my late father who would have loved the spectacle and the music. But it soon raised my spirits tremendously.

Even though I could tell they had the cooling system cranked as low as they could take it, the atmospheric heat came indoors with us. Hearing old favorites just took me back in time to a place where neither heat nor cold mattered. Ballad of Jed Clampett, You are my flower, Foggy Mountain Breakdown, . . .

The crackle of Earl's banjo contrasted greatly with the electric bass and drums, but that just reminded me of what a rebel he'd been for so many years. I do remember the old time music crowd in Mount Airy and Wilkes County back in the late 60's would grouse about Flat & Scruggs doing new-fangled things. I can only chuckle about that now since Earl Scruggs is still picking with style and grace.

And who in the world would have expected to see Earl Scruggs playing a duet with Rob Ikes, the Dobro guitar star who normally hangs out with Blue Highway. Man that was inspired genius as far as I tell. It had been a few years since I saw a lot of his playing when I was wondering among festivals in the mountains of NC, Tennessee, Virginia and even West Virginia back in the 80's. Those were special times and at least he's only gotten better.

Seems like $20 on the 20th was good for the merchants here. I spent more, but managed to find things that I really can use or pass along as thoughtful gifts. It's not just about increasing sales, while that is vital, but it's also about helping us be clear about our intentions and methods of shopping. It's a responsible way for us to guide our actions in the future as we hope to returning to a time of economic progress later this year.

I've never been a shopaholic type of guy, and sometimes I even have to force myself to go out for staples. However, I do need to be thinking about replacing some things that are wearing out, as well as finding gifts for the family. I've always had a real problem getting my Christmas shopping done on time, so maybe I can have a more relaxed holiday this year and try to remember what I've already bought for the relatives! The latter point will be more of a challenge than anyone wants to admit!

Friday is for Fiddling (or Banjo too)

2009-06-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

We had a great Alive After Five last night, even after the weather and the severe storm siren conspired to scare folks away. Steep Canyon Rangers were even better than I'd expected. On top of being great musicians performing mostly their own original music, the band members were probably the best dressed group on our series in some time. And given how hot things were before the frontal system blew through, I was amazed they were willing to wear jackets for even a few seconds.

The audience included more than a few folks who were visiting from out of town, and I think we had some local folks who might not have been to one of our events in some time. I think we were lucky on the weather since it cooled things down about 5 - 10 degrees, and even luckier to get such a great band here when they are routinely playing big festivals. On top of that they've been playing with the original wild and crazy guy (Steve Martin) for some well-received performances in Los Angeles and New York City.

And we're blessed to be getting a second night of live music of greatness! Native son Earl Scruggs is back in town to perform tonight on the Malcolm Brown stage. Everyone's heard Earl on records to MP3's and seen him on TV, heard him on radio, but this will be the first time for me to experience him in person. I put him in the category of Bluegrass Legend, and I'm glad to be adding him to a life-list of people like Ralph Stanley, Grandpa Jones, and Doc Watson that I've seen up close in great performances.

While it might be unusual to get such high quality performances in rapid fire succession, we oughtto be getting used to having more live music in our community. When Art of Sound comes back around, and then the Don Gibson Theater opening, we will be a regional center for live music.

But you don't just build a theater and become a musical draw for 100 mile radius. it turns out that Shelby and other key pockets of the foothills are traditionally hotbeds of music. It turns out that I grew up in another one of those pockets up in Surry County, just south of the Virginia line. Shelby is just north of the state line, so maybe there's some magic in those imaginary lines on the map!

Monday aggravation

2009-06-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

Some creature stole two large flowering annual plants from one of our planters over the weekend. Beautiful plants too. I know they didn't pop out easy since they'd rooted in very well and we were keeping them water daily whenever the rains didn't do the job for us.

If it happens again I will install video surveillance and/or camp out in the office all weekend. It takes a remarkably low-down person to rustle flowers.

On to more cheerful things--Steep Canyon Rangers are coming on Thursday! I've seen them on TV, heard them a lot on local radio, and now get to see and hear a live show. I hope we have a huge crowd.

Seems like just a blink of the eye

2009-06-11T06:54:00.000-07:00

Things can change for the better in short order. But it takes a little planning, checking with some folks for either permission or support, and then a few people working together to make change happen.

Yesterday, Wednesday, was spring cleaning day at Uptown Shelby. I was at home sick. Really I was. The guilt of not being a part of the work is way too big to mess with for me.

But Allison Gragg and Sandy Smith from the Uptown staff organized a day that left us in better shape, inside and out. Inside, we got some help from Brian Butler, our summer intern who helped move desks and such so vacuuming and mopping could take place. Everything was smelling fresh and clean when I came in. The back windows had been washed for the first time in years too!

Outside, the team and other volunteers in the immediate neighborhood went to work clearing weeds, debris and forgotten items in the alleyway that runs parallel to Lafayette and South Trade. What a difference!

The alley project is only just begun, as we hope to create a more attractive landscaped pedestrian pathway that is an asset to the busiensses and residents of the block. A mere six hours and some hard work by a group of people made one building much nicer, and certainly removed some lingering eyesores in the process of improving the design and function of a larger outdoor space.

End of another week, and the work is just getting started

2009-06-05T12:56:00.001-07:00

Meetings, and not empty sessions of yapping at all, and writing some good letters, gathering information on properties and managing to finally find my way to Owl's Eye Vineyard, our local winery that is surprisingly fine. . . What a week. We even got what will likely be a close to final draft of the Uptown Shelby budget done, and our in-house storage areas are in the neatest shape in perhaps 28 years.

But last night as we were sitting at dinner to discuss Uptown Shelby's readiness for the opening of the Don Gibson Theatre, I had a moment of panic. We were sitting in a local restaurant that was about 85% full. I suspect three or four more restaurants were about 75% or more full. Three other smaller eateries that specialize in breakfast or lunch were closed. If there had been a performance by a popular band at Gibson that night, where would we seat 200-300 extra guests who might want to eat before or after the concert?

We were being guided through the thought process by Frank Jernigan, who directs group travel sales and marketing support for the NC Commerce Department's Division of Tourism. This morning we were joined by Frankie McWhorter, a Division of Tourism Development Officer based in Rutherfordton. At least we've got great advice and connections with other people involved in similar tasks.

The ARK is getting a little crowded!

2009-05-29T08:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know, talking about the weather is cliche alright. One of the merchants exclaimed to me in a dramatic way yesterday--Wade! It' hasn't rained in a half hour!!! What are you going to do??? Well just wait around, which I did, and it blasted forth.

Now the sun is out, but government forecasts are calling for more showers and storms, and we're not going to take chances. We've discussed all the pros and cons, contingencies, and the Wachovia Movies a la Mode Tales of Despareaux is being postponed to next week. We think everyone is just too soggy and the likelihood of it getting worse is just too strong.

Perhaps a dove will fly by with an olive branch tomorrow!

How does it all come together?

2009-05-26T09:20:00.000-07:00

As much as we are all complaining, and I do stress the WE, you'd expect us to be made of pure sugar and fearful of melting away in the rain. Nah! Never happen for any number of reasons.

At least we had a bright and shining moment for the first of our Alive After Five concerts this past Thursday. Contagious Blues kept the tempo revved up to a high level all evening, and it seemed that everyone was enjoying the liveliness, whether they were active listeners, dancers, people watchers, or visiting with neighbors. It's always hard to do an accurate headcount of attendees, especially when there is coming and going over a three hour period. But I feel justified in saying we had about a thousand folks or more who enjoyed a good old block party setting. That's more than decent for the start of a season.

Just so we get the word out a little more widely every time, this series has been in the planning stages since last November, and was finalized in early Februrary. Like clockwork, I picked up a call in the office on Friday with a fellow who asked if we were having Alive After Five concerts this year and could we feature his band?

I'd just like for people to learn that it takes a lot of preparation for these events to work without total mayhem breaking loose. Allison Gragg at Uptown Shelby spent much of December and January booking the bands, talking with agents, and meeting with our Promotion/Events committee. Then she spent March and April talking with sponsors and vendors to be sure there were spaces available, and refreshments for the audience to enjoy.

Lastly, the volunteers from Uptown Shelby's board of directors and from our sponsor businesses all helped keep the wristbands organized, popcorn boxed up and drinks poured at the Uptown tent. Then we fanned out working to be sure every candy wrapper and cigarette butt was picked up. It takes hard work to keep things smooth and get the place looking decent the next day.

By the way, personally, I picked up at least 1,000 nasty cigarette butts on my own. As a cigar smoker, I'm not about to rip into a righteous sermon on smoking. But good lord, folks! Find an ashtray or something! My back hurt for two days!

What am I forgetting?

2009-05-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

I don't care how old or young you are, you know that feeling. It's gotten more common for all of us as we are catching more phone calls to more phones, and the flicker of the computer with more messages from email to social media pages.

But I'm trying to enjoy the moderate temperatures and days when the sun is out to be sure I get a chance to slow the brain down a little. There will be a time this summer, when the Dog Days of August are beating down upon us, and we will fondly wish for a cool day like May.

Meanwhile, back at the office . . .

2009-05-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

I'm back in the office after three days of workshops and conferences out of town. That was both exhausting and invigorating, with a chance to talk with colleagues and compare notes on how things are going in other towns and cities around the state.

On Wednesday, a workshop in Mooresville explored various aspects of federal stimulus grants coming available for governments and non-profits here in the region. Then on Thursday and Friday I was with about 25 to 30 other Main Street managers from across the state. Some were from programs that were just admitted in the last year or two. Others were like ours, among the oldest Main Street organizations in the US.

All of us reported tighter sponsorship situations, but some were obviously much tighter than ours. Some are getting little or no support from local governments, while others are getting what I felt like would qualify as lavish public funding. We're more or less in the center when it comes to funding, perhaps a little more stable in the past couple of years with strong fiscal management.

But I do think we are also stretching our dollars pretty well, getting more accomplished in some areas. But there were plenty of ideas for new projects and services that were suggested. And we Main Street managers are pretty honest about borrowing ideas and inspiration from each other. We do, however, try to remember to give credit when we gather twice a year.

Back home I got here in time to help celebrate the Grand Opening at Country Heart on the corner of Marion and Lafayette streets. Ann Finnigan cut the big red ribbon as Mayor Alexander and former Mayor Roark watched, along with USA Board members Holly Brock and Trish Butler. Best of all, there was a pretty steady number of shoppers exploring a new location.

On a rather more difficult front, Uptown is sad about the early morning fire at Arizona on Lafayette. I've been watching a steady stream of professionals with cleaning and repairs go in and out to prepare estimates today, and hope that means things will be back to normal soon. Good luck neighbors!

We also had a lightening fire at Coldwell Banker Horne on DeKalb Street a couple of weeks back. They are almost back online with the operation, and I want to say thanks to the neigbors and friends who offered the staff at Coldwell Banker a spare desk or phone station to fill in. That is one true measure of a community.

Have a great week here in Uptown, and if you are someplace else, come visit.

Art Riot?

2009-05-04T06:05:00.000-07:00

The Mystery Art affair at the Cleveland County Arts Council Thursday night was a great success. The air of mystery created around the event worked to create quite a buzz in certain circles. Getting images of all of the paintings up on the Web site helped everything by letting people see what quality had come through. But the identity of the artists was never disclosed before one purchased the work.

Well, the buzz was enough that many of us would have gotten there before the opening time to be sure we staked out our purchases. The Arts Council was getting worried. Then they decided to lock the doors at 5 and re-open at 5:30. About 20 of us were on the steps a few minutes after 5. People could be seen walking in that direction too. Would order be maintained?

Yes, the City of Pleasant Living was orderly, but we streamed in there with no delay, no greeting old friends, but headed directly for our targets. I scored two of the best small portraits I've ever seen. Isaac Shelby and Maj. Patrick Ferguson will soon be framed and grace the front hall.

But even better news is that there was a really strong group of 5 x 7 canvases from area artists. 270 or so, in fact. Some were student works, students from local high schools and adult classes, and some were by professional artists. Best of all, it wasn't possible to tell amateur from pro in most cases. Some were playful, some very serious, but most were objects that I'd feel good about seeing every day. And even when we know the identity of the artist, there's still mystery there if you are going to live with art.

Change, A Bit At A Time

2009-04-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

I've been catching most of the new PBS series on Appalachia and the early parts talked about the formation of the mountains in terms of Geologic Time. That's real slow, and sometime life seems to mimic geology a bit. However, there's plenty of examples of how things are changing with regularity here. It ay be in smaller increments than we might think we want to see, but I think it probably happens about as quickly as we poor humans can handle it.

Look at the rapid progress on the Don Gibson Theater. The roof on the special event center is up, the exterior walls are almost done,and the concrete floor done, all in about 5 weeks.

Sidewalk tables, with snappy orange shade umbrellas are now outside Pleasant City Wood Fire Grill, and it's now possible to enjoy a glass of wine or beer with your dinner. And across the intersection the fountain is back on since the drought emergency has passed us at last.

We had a great turnout for our outdoor movie here in Uptown, with about 150 people enjoying a night out. And attendance seemed to be good for the opening day of the Foothills Farmers Market, along with a great Arts on the Square show this year. The crafts and fine arts exhibitors were very strong, very professional in quality and presentation, and it was great to see such an explosion of creativity on our fairly staid Court Square. Something's going on around here, right?

And when change doesn't proceed like this, I suspect it's people that just cant' handle it. Someone once told me "People don't change much, but organizations will always change." I guess my friend was right. There are people who do things, and I suspect that their continual action is a perpetual motion generator that helps things happen around them. Others drift through, and some are in between. But thank goodness change is a constant, according to physicists and science teachers.

Sounds

2009-04-21T13:54:00.000-07:00

It was a cool, misty Sunday afternoon. Sunday afternoons in the South have almost always been quiet in my experience. It used to bore me, but now I understand why all the adults I knew would take a nap on Sunday afternoon.

This Sunday was a little different as we had a concert scheduled on the Court Square by the Jinotega Music School's concert band. Thankfully, Central United Methodist Church gave us shelter, and about 120 folks came out despite the rain.

The concert was lively, bright, professionally done, and a real pleasant afternoon. And it was probably the last thing most of us would expect to be hearing on a quiet spring afternoon in the Carolina hills. Thankfully, I didn't feel like subjecting everyone to the spectacle of my dancing skills, but it did make me feel like bouncing around.

Monday

2009-04-13T08:10:00.001-07:00

Oh, rainy Mondays are almost mythically Blue Mondays or at least difficult. I'm having trouble, but I think that could only be laid to my having enjoyed a long weekend for the Easter Holiday.

But work must resume and things must get done. There's a What's UPtown newsletter to be distibuted, reports and proposals to be written, and plenty of other tasks whether it's Monday or not.

At least the steady showers we've been getting lately should mean that our Farmer's Market on the 25th will have enough greens and other produce to keep customers happy. Last year's drought really made that tougher than normal. Lettuce, green onions and a good dressing, maybe even a hot dressing, will set me right.

Weird Weather

2009-04-07T06:13:00.000-07:00

At the risk of sounding like Skip Foster's brother with talk about weather and such, I'm surely impressed with the cold temperatures this morning! It's enough to test a fellow's faith in the inevitable return of Spring. Or maybe it came along to remind us not to be lulled into taking spring for granted. All sense of complacency froze and fell right off my back this morning when I stepped out the door.

But the beautiful weather on Saturday was a real pleasure for all of us at Uptown Shelby. Several great volunteers (including Boy Scouts from Troop 101) helped roping off areas, hiding 7000 colored easter eggs with candy or toy prizes, and helping to manage hundreds of children and parents on hand for the spectacle.

Thanks go to our sponsors: Kidsville News, Pleasant City Wood Fired Grill, First National Bank, Victoria-Stephen, Shelby Savings Bank, Cleveland Headline News, Child Care Connections, and Buffalo Creek Gallery. And our special prizes in the metallic eggs were provided by Arnold's Jewelry, Christine's Baskets and Gifts, and Shelby Ice Cream and Deli.

The Easter Bunny (ahem!) was joined by Scoop Dog from Channel 33, and the huggable Dragon from Kidsville News. Lots of pictures, lots of fun. And it was all over in an hour! Happy Easter, everyone!

Under the Surface

2009-04-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

It's a pretty quiet week on the surface, but that's total deception. The Easter Bunny is due to drop by later this week to get over 6000 eggs out of my office for placement on Court Square. Saturday's Easter Egg Hunt promises to be somewhat crazed, and so far it looks as if we may be blessed with the right weather.

The Don Gibson Theatre is taking form with the walls going up for the new exhibit and event space adjoining the performance space in the original State Theatre building.

There's more activity around the Uptown Shelby district, but nothing quite that large. However,some of the quiet shuffling and scurrying about are the big dreams of individuals launching new businesses or working on new ideas to achieve their goals.

Tonight there's a ribbon cutting for Simply Charming, a bridal registry and gift retailer at the corner of Graham and Dekalb Streets. The store has moved from Spartanburg!

I continue to be surprised with folks stopping by to talk with me about the process of starting a new shop or restaurant in Uptown. It keeps me busy, yes, but also pleasantly inspired with the level of optimism folks bring to their efforts.

Hope and Spring are a good combination.

Spring Showers

2009-03-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

It's not yet April, but we're getting a gentle spring shower as I write. I'm happy, even though cloudy dark weather makes me feel like fungus most times. I'm happy because lawns will be perking up, especially after the poor man's nitrogen we got in the big snow a while back.

More importantly, the farmers and gardeners will be in better shape this year than the dry spring last year. I'm looking forward to the first day of Foothills Farmers Market this year: April 25th, on Court Square. I'm a strong supporter of shopping local, and that is definitely true when it comes to vegetables, greens and fruit. And don't forget eggs and meat!

It's going to be the same day as the Art On The Square festival sponsored by Buffalo Creek Gallery and Uptown Shelby, not to mention the Merry Go Round Festival at City Park. I hope everyone is going to be out enjoying spring and all the activity.

Since I will be out working with Art On The Square I'll be up early enough on that Saturday to get an early selection at Foothills Farmers Market. There might some tomato plants for pots and it will be good to have fresh eggs again! And I hope everyone comes out to see the opening and our new logo for the Foothills Farmers Market. I just got two designs from our helper and comes down to either a Red Belly Tractor or a vintage red pickup, both with vegetables and flowers. Nice choice!!!

Finding a muse

2009-03-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

It's not easy to stay inspired, but there's the classical idea of the muse, a person or even mythical creature who might drive us to write verses of poetry. Well, I'm no poet, but there seems to be no shortage of sights or turn of events that can make me want to write.

Last night, while walking my willful Golden Retriever along Washington Street, I noticed that workmen were busy polishing the concrete floor on the new exhibition and event section of the Don Gibson theatre. Knowing they are trying hard to keep to the original schedule for a fall completion and opening, I'm impressed when people work extraordinary hours to make things happen.

It is going to be lots of long hours, by both workers and volunteers, that make the Don Gibson open its doors this fall. That and contributions both large and small will make it possible for us to celebrate the distinctive musical heritage of Shelby and Cleveland County.

But we will need to start celebrating this music in some other places too: Schools where the children learn everything from marching band tunes to symphonic masterpieces for Carnegie Hall. Community buildings, dance halls, playgrounds and fellowship halls all over the county can be producing the next Gibson or Scruggs for a new generation.

We're working up to a summer of Alive After Five concerts, Art of Sound festival performances, and many other things just as the Don Gibson Theatre will be going through final completion. Let's all nurture this creative vein here, be a muse, or just go listen to some music!

Trees and Worry

2009-03-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

Nothing freshens up the way we look at our environment quite the same way as a change of scene. I jut returned from a few days out of town. One of the first things I noticed upon getting the car out of the garage at the airport was the Bradford Pears. Everywhere! Luckily there were few to none to be seen when I got back here to Shelby. Those are the trees that look great for about 7 to 10 days in the spring, if there's no freeze, and for about 10 days of blazing foliage in October. The rest of the time they are busy splitting and falling apart.

And nothing challenges the way a self avowed tree hugger feels about trees like having a big tree limb fall on a man's car. A few days after the snow and ice, a good sized limb fell from the top of a Live Oak and scratched up the back of my car. No structural damage, thankfully, but it will require some paint and work. Now, having a limb fall out still doesn't put the Live Oaks in the same category as Bradford Pears in my eyes.

Live Oaks generally look great year round. But what this proved to me is that what looks like green and healthy tree branches can actually be dead and dried up limbs and leaves. We have a serious challenge in Uptown after years of drought, and we may see more of our beautiful and valued trees fall in the next couple of years as a result of the stress.

I hope that is not sounding too alarmist to anyone reading this, but I do think we need to start directing a lot of concern toward the health of trees and shrubs in our midst. They aren't frills. They keep heating and cooling bills down, keep the sidewalks shady enough for children and elderly alike to enjoy, and they sometimes hide a mess of sins like an overdue paint job on second story window frames.

Start thinking about the street side trees in Shelby and what is important to you about them. And if you are ever in a position to plant a new tree, whether at a school, church or in Uptown Shelby, remember it needs care and water to grow into a glorious asset for everyone to enjoy!

Is Winter Finally Broken?

2009-03-03T20:26:00.000-08:00

Oh, I hope this is the last freeze of any magnitude for us this year. I must admit that I didn't believe the forecasters. Especially that we could get so much snow. So my first winter in Shelby has been a good deal more extreme than I was expecting!

Monday I just walked in to work. Three blocks is not that bad, even though it would have been nicer if I hadn't donated the rubber boots and dress shoe coverups to Good Will before leaving Mount Airy. But it was beautiful, and Monday was great in the way it slowed everyone down or kept us inside more. It gave me the luxury to have a longer and more detailed meeting than otherwise possible most days.

I saw only a couple of big branches broken by heavy snow. With the leaves on the live oaks, that was pretty remarkable. And I only heard about two or three people slipping and almost falling on ice. If anyone did crash, you have my sympathy. Over 15 years of living in New England usually saw me slipping and hurting some part of me at least three or four times a year.

Though most businesses were closed on Monday there was a crush of all sorts of people in The Shelby Cafe. It was warm and fragrant inside, and even the new guy in town saw a few familiar faces as we all seemed to enjoy closeness of the place when it was so radically cold and icy outside.

Bring on the spring. Even a little March wind. But I hope this is our once in five years taste of snow. I'm ready for 7000 colored Easter Eggs on Court Square.

New Activity--Must Be Almost Spring

2009-02-24T07:05:00.000-08:00

We've probably all seen the first daffodil blossoms that always seem to be Spring's early warning system. But there's a new energy in Uptown Shelby that bodes well for the future here in the Uptown district.

I began to hear from hopeful new business owners this winter, about the time that those deep cold blasts were coming through our area. But just like early buds and green spikes in the garden, those early contacts have begun to bear fruit. Three new businesses have already opened their doors: Christine's Baskets and Gifts (On East Marion next to Winter House Deli), Ditto Consignments at 226 Lafayette Street, and Simply Sassy Salon in the Charleston Place building on West Marion.

Then we have Welcome Home, which has moved from the corner of Washington and Warren, around to mid-block on Washington in the old Cleveland Times printing building. Carla Beam says she has more space for expanded merchandising and her own creative work. She's diagonally across Washginton from Hi-Lites.

More are in the works. Simply Charming is a bridal registry and hand painted gift store that will open at the corner of Graham and DeKalb later in March. I am in discussions with an established home decor business owner who is working to create a new shop in the heart of Uptown Shelby, and others are looking at potential space while working on their business plans for new enterprises.

The Uptown Shelby Association has a New Business Incentive Program that provides technical assistance as well as some small financial assistance options. Our staff and some of our board members recently attended the North Carolina Main Street Conference (we were one of the first five Main Street designated towns in NC), and we all came back with renewed commitment to help new and existing businesses make it in tough economic times.

If you aren't yet an Uptown Shelby regular, I personally urge you to come on Uptown this spring and see how an historic commercial city center can pull together. Not every storefront will be filled, but we're making progress. More is in the works, so check this space!

And if you are looking for something fun to do with children or grandkids, don't forget the Uptown Shelby Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 4th. 7000 eggs will somehow be hidden on Court Square for children to discover with candy and toy prizes, as well as a few other special Uptown Shelby prizes. Grab your child and an empty Easter basket!

Slings & Arrows, Or Just Getting Old

2009-02-09T19:52:00.000-08:00

It didn't used to be minor surgery, not when my Mom had her gall bladder removed years ago and spent four or five days in the hospital. But now you are in by nine and out before four, with some staples at spots on the abdomen, and sent on to mend up in short order. Well, the good news is thus: Cleveland Regional seems to come through with flying colors.
The bad news: I end up feeling like a geezer! That will pass as soon as I can go back to enjoying a Margherita pizza at Pleasant City later this week. No longer will I fear a sharp tomato sauce or strong basil.
And I can celebrate the last days of 5 East without worrying about robust garlic or olives. Thanks Chef Naman for reminding me that there are great tastes to be had in this town.
Thankfully, spring is not far on our horizon here. I keep wishing the daffodils would take a few days longer before popping up, but I know they will soon be brightening up things and returning hope to the landscape. Soon enough there will be time for over 6000 Easter eggs on Court Square in April. What will be the more remarkable thing? Hiding 6000 eggs or watching all the children going wild in search of brightly colored eggs? Co-workers have chuckled that I'm in for an eye opening experience.
So Spring is coming, and passing another birthday soon will be just another marker. That's because Spring is coming. I'm not getting mushy in my old age, but every year it revives me. That's why I had to get out of Massachusetts years ago. Spring always took too long to arrive, and didn't always do a convincing job of it anyway. I love my Carolina winter. Real, but short! Bring it on Spring.

2009-01-19T13:11:00.000-08:00

Cold Enough For You?
Amen! I've seen colder times, but it seems to be that the deep freezes are pretty reliable on the calendar. I remember being in Washington DC for a conference when the temperatures were so awful that Reagan's second inaugural was all but cancelled because of the weather. One year about now Massachusetts Bay was almost frozen solid. And that shows you why I returned to my homeland!

At least it isn't too brutally cold to bring everything to a halt. Carla Beam is moving Welcome Home into a bit larger quarters just across Washington Street, but I know the cold had to be difficult. I think Deborah's Baskets and Gifts on East Marion, beside Winter House Deli, probably got most of her stock moved in before the temperatures took a big dive.

And I'm sure I'm not alone in noticing the look of wild glee in the eyes of a certain newspaperman who is so excited about the possibility of snow! While we are so cold, why not? Let it snow for a while. But I do hope everyone realizes how lucky you are to never see the ugliness of dirty snow and ice that hangs around for days and weeks.

We're blessed to get diversity in our weather here. But we're even more blessed that our weather doesn't stay awful for very long.

2009-01-16T08:39:00.000-08:00

WINTER UPS, WINTER DOWNS
Short days, cold temperatures, and the absence of sparkling holiday lights always slows me down on writing. I’ve never been one of those people who make New Year’s resolutions to write daily. Well, at least not since high school when I realized that I didn’t have the gift for consistency and patience.

But life goes on, even with too little daylight! We’re dealing with the aftermath of a weak Christmas shopping season, and national recession woes. And life in Uptown goes on. At USA’s office we’re getting ready for spring and summer with planning for things like the Easter Egg Hunt and Alive After Five concerts. The artist members of Buffalo Creek are readying the return of Arts On The Square, their festival of fine art and craft in late April.

Lots of other things are in the works, from plans to celebrate the progress of Destination Cleveland County and the Don Gibson Theater, to the Fall Festival and Livermush Expo in October.

Folks are working to get the construction begun on Warren Square, two new retail shops are getting ready to open their doors in the coming weeks, and the rhythm continues.

Yes, we have a few hiccups or disruptions to that rhythm. Education Station and 5 East are closing after good runs. Even though I’ve only been here for about 5 months now, I can honestly say that these two businesses and their teams have been very important to Uptown Shelby.

Trish Butler has been a strong supporter of Uptown and has served as an officer and director for some time. She made me welcome on arriving here and I thank her for all the hard work she’s done. At least she’s staying connected and continues to share in the stewardship of a good Uptown.

Hunt(er) Naman may have been back in the kitchen most of the time, but I must express my gratitude for serving up some excellent and exciting tastes when I cam here to Shelby. I’d just left a town to the north of here that seemed to only understand barbecue as an adjective to modify the noun restaurant. Man, thanks for reigniting the taste buds!

No doubt there will be more new businesses opening, new restaurants, just as there will probably be a few more to close with either changing times or retirement plans bearing fruit for some lucky soul. I’ve already heard from a couple of brothers who want to create a restaurant centered around music and want it to be in Uptown.

Watch this space, and watch those spaces along the streets of Uptown. You really never know when Uptown will prove its ability to still surprise and delight.

Thanks

2008-11-26T13:12:00.001-08:00

Even with all the damp, bone chilling, windy weather of late, I was surprised when I stepped out onto South Trade Street today. The wind had stilled, the sun was shining, and I stopped trying to pull my heavy jacket on to bask in the warm light.

This time of year things can get out of hand. Everyone gets tied in knots with too many things to do. It’s worse than October and April when every local festival and celebration has to take place.

But it’s those little times when the sun hits your face and makes you stop for minute or two that can snap me back into something like my right mind. Thankfulness, satisfaction, appreciation, etc. Those are the basic things that keep an uptown manager type from getting down or losing hope. Oh yes, the task is big, and some days it will be scary, but we will make some progress.

I’m hoping those sunny moments keep hitting me up the side of the head.

Local Color

2008-11-06T12:50:00.000-08:00

When I first arrived here just two months ago things were so green. It was the live oaks and all the greenery around Court Square that first tugged at me on the first visit. But even though the live oaks are still green, I’ve been appreciating the blaze of maples and dogwoods that have suddenly made their presence impossible to ignore. Local color is that blaze of glory that can make you stop and gasp. But local color is way more than some pigment on the surface. It’s the quirks and quacks that makes a place different and enjoyable. It takes more than two months to find them, but I’m sure they are here. Who knows? In a few years I might be one myself as I age. (It does run in the family!)Yesterday I spent the day in Columbia (SC) at a seminar by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street center. The topic was Finding New Merchants for Main Street, something on the mind of just about every town I know of. Unfortunately, there were no magic bullets among the many ideas we discussed. However, there were enough hints and tips to make a trip down worth the drive.We talked about things that are just good common sense, like making certain that buildings are clean and sound before recruiting, avoiding expensive brochures in favor of basic fact sheets, and the like. But I was glad to hear the instructor tell us that recruitment is fine if you have loads of time and money, but the best way to build up new businesses for a place like Uptown Shelby is to encourage local entrepreneurs, that fancy word for people who create new stores, new businesses and services. Encouraging people to take the chance that their idea is one that will work isn’t easy, but I hope we can start that process soon. It takes a broad effort, from teaching school kids how to think about money and the ways business works, to helping the recently laid off office worker or forklift driver think about ways they can establish a new business that lets them have greater control over their work-life and finances. As hard as it sounds, it can be easier than trying to get someone from corporate headquarters in New York or San Francisco to put a Gap on Layfayette Street.Coming full circle, local business means local customs and, especially with Foothills Farmers Market, tastes that are familiar. It’s local color! Right?Does anyone out there have ideas or want to volunteer to help? Let me hear from you!

Art Around Town

2008-11-03T13:40:00.001-08:00

I was pleasantly surprised by the Art Around Town Gallery Crawl last Thursday. Not by what happens during a gallery crawl event. Been there, done that, in many places.

But I was struck by the depth and quality of what is presented for the public here. Part of it was exhibit only, part for sale, and a good part was for giving folks a chance to talk with artists about their work.

We used to joke about how potentially scary these interactions might be to many folks when some communities began to host these events back in the late 80’s. My best carnival barker voice might intone “See the exotic artists live in their native habitat!” And my artist friends would break into wild calls every time.

But Cotton Ketchie is from Mooresville and is a born story teller as well as a fine painter and photographer. He’s too busy to be an exotic character, but he’s also the guy who has never met a stranger. I’ve met him before, but didn’t have any of his work. Well he showed up at Frame Masters with a beautiful photo of an old tobacco barn with Pilot Mountain in the background. I had to get it. Pilot Mountain, or Mount Pilot, is the southeastern view from my farm in the hills up in the Mount Airy area. Mr. Ketchie gave me a bit of home to hang in the office.

The Arts Council gallery presented arts and artifacts from El Nido, the Gibbs house that is being restored and stabilized by Preservation North Carolina. Images from the past, but intriguing and surely not something you see every day.

The artists at Buffalo Creek were not doing anything very different from their day-to-day operations, except that they had new work available for viewing and purchase. The great thing about this cooperatively owned gallery and its artists is the variety, depth and breadth that is seen in their work.

I hadn’t had a chance to see much of the other galleries/shops before The Crawl, so I was glad to have a chance to stop and talk with Allan Griffin at his studio and shop. There were several nice pieces to see, with some arts & crafts references, as well as a nicely original take on the traditional face jugs so well known across North Carolina. I know several potters and this was different in a nice way.

Synergy had some of the edgiest work on display, but I was also surprised to see the quality of the different artists in the exhibit. I also loved the look and feel of the studio space they’ve carved out for themselves in an old mercantile building just west of the tracks on Warren Street.

And lastly, the beautiful work at Alley Quilts. It’s next door to the Uptown offices, but there’d never been enough time to duck in and take some time to enjoy their work. What a terrible shame, it turns out. From a funky pink flamingo banner to traditional patchwork bed quilts, wall hangings and table runners, the colors were lively and intricate. Plus quilts just make me feel like I’m a little kid again, visiting my grandmother on a late fall day for milk and cookies while she had the quilting frame up in the front parlor.

Uptown Shelby alone has the visual art strengths to keep a sizeable community lively. I hear there are great artists and good work around the countryside and small towns hereabouts. I think we all ought to enjoy this rich blessing whenever possible and invite the rest of the world to sample it as well. The variety and high quality is what is so very striking.

Not a Sleepy Town

2008-10-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

Not even close! Weekend before last I ran around between volunteering for Art of Sound, and listening to the performances of as many as I could fit in. I missed a few that I really wanted to see or heard about from other folks.

My biggest surprise was The Old Ceremony from Chapel Hill. I guess it would be labeled as Indie Rock, but those guys were alternately soft and lyrical or loud and driving fast. There were marimbas, and I bet they called it a violin instead of a fiddle. I especially liked that they were performing in Blanton Hall at First National.

I did get to listen to my old favorites Slate Mountain Ramblers and traveled back to my homeplace and childhood through music with the Bowman family that I’ve been hearing for the better part of my life it seems. If I hadn’t been raised by seriously sober minded Quakers and Baptists I’d probably have been dancing. But Shelby was spared that awful spectacle.

I’m hoping we can keep the quality of the music performers this high going forward and get the word out so more folks will take advantage of the variety and fun this festival brings to town.

Now, this past weekend was a completely different celebration. The Shelby Fall Festival & Liver Mush Expo combine our own Uptown Shelby Association and the folks at Travel & Tourism to create what turned out to be a really nice day of fun, kid-sized spectacles, tasty treats, farmers market and more.

The day began with clouds, but things warmed up and folks came out in good numbers. I’m going to say that we had almost 2,000 folks in total. Mayor Ted Alexander delivered the Liver Mush Proclamation for the City of Shelby, and we even had major national media present. Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods on Travel Channel was here to sample our local delicacies, and we’re hoping to see Shelby on TV sometime early in 2009. There was old fashioned ice cream from a paddle-style maker that was powered by an old John Deere motor. Plus Sundrop and Cheerwine. We ran the popcorn popper and gave away a few hundred bags to kids of all ages.

I think we’re already feeling in our bones that next year’s Liver Mush Expo will be bigger and better, and we’re always ready to expand the fun crafts for children and make pets a part of the show. I saw some fine looking dogs Uptown on Saturday. Maybe next year I can bring mine.

Now it’s time to do another newsletter, get ready to enjoy the Art Gallery Crawl on Thursday and then Hog Happenin’ on the weekend. Never a dull moment it seems!

Too many temptations, but the music wins out!

2008-10-15T11:15:00.001-07:00

October can be the cruelest month, with apologies to T.S. Elliott. It’s not the kind of cruelty to be dreaded or cause me to hide out. No the cruelty in October is the weather and all the things to do with our dwindling time. And great events too. Seems like every time I turn around or answer the phone there’s something else really interesting but it’s the same weekend as something else I’ve got to [gladly] attend.

There are several things this weekend all over the western third of NC that could tempt me out, but I won’t have to drive any. Instead, three blocks into Uptown and I’ll be in the middle of Art of Sound. Some of the artists will be new to me, others like Acoustic Syndicate, Michael Reno Harrel and Jim Lauderdale I’ve been hearing on radio and in concert for quite a while. But well over 22 artists I’ve never heard! It’ll be good for the ears.

I’m especially looking forward to hearing the Slate Mountain Ramblers who hail from the ‘hills and hollers’ around my hometown of Mt. Airy. A local friend tells me most folks around here have probably not heard much of what gets labeled Old Time String Band that took root up that way before and after the Civil War. That’s when we had all kinds of Scots-Irish, British, African, German Moravians, city-folk and country dwellers, all bumping into each other in that boisterous period. It took a few decades to brew a more refined thing like the early Bluegrass sound that began here, in Galax and Bristol in Virginia, Mt. Airy and then somehow got on to records and then radio in Nashville.

So, even when there’s a great little wine festival up in the northern foothills, I’ll dodge the cruelty of schedules and fall colors and great weather to stay home and feed the soul with some great listening. It's all in the streets, landmark buildings, and minds of folks here in Uptown Shelby. See y’all there!

Hump Day?

2008-10-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

Wednesday—is it hump day or the low point? Rainy and dreary, good and bad, like life alright.

We were out briefly with Mayor Alexander this afternoon, on the west side of Uptown Shelby, and decided to go by New Jerusalem Church. One TV news crew was on site when we arrived and another arrived a few minutes later. The Mayor spoke with both about the tragedy of the fire, something he feels doubly as a working preservationist and civic leader. He spoke of the need for churches to come together in times like this, as the central role of churches is being leaned upon more heavily in most communities here.

I think we’re beginning to see that working together is going to be a stronger theme in the months ahead, whether it’s the work we do here at Uptown Shelby Association, neighborhood revitalization, school improvements, or business recruitment. I’m ready. I don’t think I’m too far ahead of the trends on this one either.

The next few days ought to be looking up a bit with the return of cool, clear fall weather. That and some good food for thought with the Destination Cleveland County presentation of initial findings for the Earl Scruggs Center-Music and Stories of the Carolina Foothills on Sunday at the Arts Council on Court Square. That ought to be a great warm-up for Art of Sound the following week. Now that will be something to liven up my ears!

Monday morning

2008-10-06T07:16:00.000-07:00

Returned from the Rural Center's annual forum in Raleigh, and it confirmed I was at home. I'm still seeing things that I love, things that I'd love to polish up a little, and a few things that really need some work. No, I'm not talking about my home! But I still felt better about being back than on the road. That's a good sign.

Some ideas that floated to the top at the conference were creation of a bakery (breads, bagels, pretzels, cookies, and maybe even cakes) with goods to be sold in stores throughout the county. And do it on a scale that puts between 10 and 20 people to work.

Another idea is to develop an alternative energy operation of some sort. Perhaps a solar wafer manufacturing plant, or maybe a plant that manufactures wind turbines. I would like for us to be playing a role in the development of energy altnernatives, and I think it helps spur along the adoption rate for new technology bya wider range of people.

One idea many people don't seem to be exploring much outside Asheville and the surrounding zone of cool towns is live music as a way to make a place more interesting and vital. It doesn't need to be a saloon, but a listening room would make a great addition to our local scene, Anyone want to help on that?

Be well.
Wade

Milestones

2008-10-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

Roughly one month ago I moved here to start work at Uptown Shelby Association. No one ever knows what is going to happen with a new job, but I have to admit that I made the decision with a good bit of good feeling about how this place looked and how I felt about the people I'd met. I didn't know about the old tag line of "City of Pleasant Living" until well after I have moved in.

I've been struck by how compact and yet full-featured the Uptown is. Other than a few trips to the super market and a little sightseeing around the county, I've mostly stayed within the official confines of Uptown and the historic districts around the edge. Plenty of interesting restaurants and gathering places, folks to meet and talk with. And events to get me out for more than just taking the dog for a walk.

Art of Sound is coming and I can't wait! I don't have to drive all the way to Asheville or Merlefest to hear a wide variety of great regional music. And with the groundbreaking for the Gibson Theater this week, there's a strong promise of a steady stream of great performers to keep our ears alive here in Uptown. Think I lucked out!