Total number of homes: 10,173 (this is total dwellings, not homes on market)

Number of homes for sale in Clayton, NC: 372 (3.66% of all homes in Clayton, NC are for sale)

Average market value for homes in 27520: $158,577

Average list price for homes in Clayton, NC: $204,285

Clayton, NC house appreciation in past 12 months: 0.0%

Percentage of people in Clayton, NC who are renters: 20%

Average time on market: Two months

Maximum time on market: Nine months

Minimum time on market: One day (this may include auctions…not a very useful statistic)

Median ages of all homes: 10.0 years

Percentage of vacant homes in Clayton, NC: 4%

Are you looking for a relocation expert to help guide you through a move to Clayton, NC or somewhere else in Johnston County? If so, then look no further than Tracy Riba. Tracy’s not only a wonderful real estate professional, she’s also a relocation expert, having relocated to Clayton, NC from southern California as a way to give her family a place with clean air and a friendly, warm environment.

Whether you’re moving from southern California, or southern Maine, Tracy can help you with listings, local information, service provider and more.

Eye of the Eagle Art invites you to apply to Exhibit in their Clayton, NC Art Gallery
Solo Exhibits will be in Gallery A
Open Exhibits will be in Both Gallerys

January 2009 - Abstracts - Open Exhibit - Any artist may apply. All contract terms and conditions apply

February 2009 - Solo Exhibit - Boswell Williams - Smithfield NC - Oils

March 2009 - For our young artist ages 12 - 18 Prize awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place

April 2009 - Solo Exhibit - Photography - If you are a photographer and would like to exhibit, contact us. June is the month for weddings. If you are game and have the talent to make a Wedding a piece of art, we would love to exhibit your work. Contract terms and conditions apply

May 2009 - April Showers Bring May Flowers - Anything Flowers - Acrylics, Oils, Pastels, Watercolors, Clay, Textured or Abstract. We welcome Professional and Emerging artist to submit 1 piece. Contract terms and conditions apply.

June 2009 - Solo Exhibit - Pastels - If your medium is pastels and you would like to exhibit contact us. Contract terms and conditions apply

July 2009 - Solo Exhibit - Acrylics - If your medium is Acrylics and you would like to exhibit contact us. Contract terms and conditions apply

August 2009 - Solo Exhibit - Sculptures, Pottery -If your medium is clay and you would like to exhibit contact us. Contract terms and conditions apply

September 2009 - Solo Exhibit - Mixed Media - If your medium is mixed media and you would like to exhibit contact us. Contract terms and conditions apply

October 2009 - Fall Colors - Bring them alive with your choice of medium. Open exhibit. Contract terms and conditions apply

November 2009 - Holiday’s around the world - From every point on earth we would like to have on exhibit paintings, textiles and other creative pieces about Holidays around the world. Open exhibit. Contract terms and conditions apply

December 2009 - Art Market - Small pieces made by the artist on sale during the month of December.

Note: The Gallery has the right to reject art work that it feels is inappropriate and does not meet the standards deemed acceptable.

Exhibits may change without notice

A lengthy resume is not necessary to be considered for inclusion. Emerging artists with a fresh perspective are encouraged to apply. The gallery charges a 35% commission on all sales unless otherwise noted. If you are interested in exhibiting either as a solo or during one of the theme months, send you bio, artist statement, and digital or print photos of your work to: Eye of the Eagle Art 131 E 1st Street Clayton, NC 27520.

If you wish to have your digital or print photos returned, please included a stamped address envelope with your photos.

For more information contact Donna Light Pfledderer at 919-221-0452 or donna@eyeoftheeagleart.com

MUSIC FROM “A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS” JAZZ CONCERT

Goldsboro, NC - West coast jazz pianist Jim Martinez and his jazz quartet will present “Music From A Charlie Brown Christmas” on Saturday, November 29, 2008. Show starts at 7pm and will take place at the Paramount Theater, 139 S. Center Street, Goldsboro, NC. General admission is $20.  There will be a $5 discount for military members and their dependents.

A classically-trained pianist based near Sacramento, CA, Martinez has performed or recorded with notables like Lionel Hampton, the Stan Kenton Band, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Christian McBride, Benny Golson, Russell Malone, Roy Hargrove, and Ed Thigpen, who was the first drummer with the Oscar Peterson Trio.

Also featured in the concert will be vocalist Laura Didier, a Goldsboro, NC resident, who has been performing steadily with the Jim Martinez Quartet since early 2007. Didier has performed at jazz festivals in California, Idaho, and Canada.

This concert will feature many great songs from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and other holiday favorites.
More info on Jim and his music can be found at www.jimmartinez.com.

Get your fill of Jazz in Johnston County.

Heritage:  The Johnston County Arts Council was founded in 1972 to serve as the officially-designated private, nonprofit local arts agency for Johnston County.  Its purpose is to seek and provide financial assistance for the county’s arts organizations and artists and to develop and support conditions in Johnston County in which the arts can thrive.  Since its inception, the Arts Council has raised over $1,713,342 for arts programming in Johnston County.

Your membership support plays an integral role in the continued success of our organization and in our ongoing efforts to advance the arts in Johnston County.  Your membership support allows the Johnston County Arts Council to bring innovative programs like the Artists-in-the-Schools and Grassroots Arts programs to the community while also serving as an advocate for the arts on the local level.

To show your support for the arts in Johnston County, please print this Membership form and return to the Johnston County Arts Council office.

NAME: ____________________________________

ADDRESS: _________________________________   CITY: ________________________   ZIP CODE:______

EMAIL: _________________________________ BIRTHDAY (MM/DD): ______

I wish to help strengthen and promote the Arts in Johnston County by contributing as:

___ Donor $25.00 ___ Family $50.00 ___ Investor $100.00 ___ Partner $250.00*

___ Benefactor $500.00* ___ Distinguished Benefactor $1,000.00*

(*gift includes tickets to the annual dinner meeting)

My employer has a matching gift program and will match my contribution.

Check enclosed in the amount of $_________ Payable to the Johnston County Arts Council

Mail completed form to:  Johnston County Arts Council; Post Office Box 1300; Clayton, NC 27528

Johnston County Arts Council is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, Federal ID# 56-1089213.

Financial information about the solicitor and a copy of its license are available form the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-888-830-4989.

If you’re looking for advice on what areas are good and what ones aren’t as hot, shoot the Relocate Clayton team an email, or leave a question in the comments section. We answer all email and questions in comments. We may laugh at your questions and comments first, but we answer them.

Of course, you can get the latest jobs in Johnston County and Wake County by visiting relocateclayton.jobamatic.com

Get to the Parks and Recration office across the street from the Smithfield Middle School (it’s a white house with a bunch of cars in front of it - temporary until the center is built) and enroll.

I know, I know…you can’t be member #1 because I am. You’ll just have to live with that…but there is something you can do to get over it - get a membership at the SRAC. Your body will thank you for it. Get healthy Johnston County, join the SRAC today! Tell Dale that Jason Pedley sent you.

Here’s some more contact info for you:

Dale Ham, ACSM Certified HFS, AFAA
Director, Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center
PO Box 2344
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-2148

One of those things about me is that I like coffee. You, yes you, can buy me a coffee any time. Just say when and where in Johnston County, and I’m there.

So it was logical and symbiotic that I wander into Orchard House Booksellers today after paying, of all things, an overdue library fine. (Sorry library ladies) Nothing eases the pain of money paid for overdue books like the idea of dishing out even more money for a 20 oz cup of coffee - which is hot, so if you give me a second, I’ll let you know how it tastes.

In the meantime, you should know that Orchard House Booksellers sells much more than coffee. Oh wait, you probably already knew they sold books. I should really give you more credit.

Yes, they sell books right out of their Downtown Smithfield store at 117 N Third St, right across from the library parking lot. Orchard House sells books from “adult tastes to children’s classics” as well as local authors and bestsellers. If you can’t find a book, they can usually special order it and have for you within 48 hours.

Orchard House also has on display paintings consigned by local artists in the store’s very own art gallery.

Oh, and don’t forget the free wi-fi…I mean, c’mon, doesn’t McDonald’s charge for wifi? Get it free at Orchard House’s downtown Smithfield, NC hotspot - grab some coffee (which is darn good - I just tried it) and enjoy life.

They’re open 10am - 8pm Monday - Saturday with live music every Friday from 7pm - 9pm.

An when I say ‘coffee’ I really mean specialty coffees like lattes and mochas, along with hot chocolate, smoothies and ice cream.

Orchard House Booksellers: 117 N Third St. Smithfield, NC 27577

(919) 938-1511

This upbeat and uplifting show at The Clayton Center is the second performance of the 2008-09 Palladian Series planned at the historic 600-seat auditorium in downtown Clayton. The performance begins at 8 p.m.

The Official Blues Brothers Revival is the only tribute officially sanctioned by the John Belushi Estate and Dan Aykroyd. The show is not a remake of The Blues Brothers movie brought to stage, nor simply a revival of the characters Jake and Elwood Blues. The Blues Brothers Revival is a homage to Chicago’s rich history of Blues, Gospel, and traditional Soul music.

Tickets for the Official Blues Brothers Revival are $22 plus service fees. Individual tickets may be purchased online at http://www.theclaytoncenter.com, by phone at 919.553.1737 or at The Clayton Center Box Office at 111 E. Second St. in downtown Clayton from 10 a.m. until noon and from 1 until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  All seats are reserved.

The theme of Revival is the dream of salvation. Jake has spent most of the last several last years stuck in purgatory and the Blues Brothers are on a new mission: to get Jake into the Kingdom of Heaven.  With the help of the cast and the audience, Jake seeks redemption through melody, rhythm and verse. Featuring hit songs from the original movie as well as the five Blues Brothers albums, the Official Revival reminds us that in the end, it’s about the music.

It’s a great tool for people wanting to relocate to Clayton, NC and Johnston County….or even surrounding counties.

Employers: List your job on our job board today and pay only $30 for a 90-day listing and get your second listing for only $20!

Seeking Johnston County NC Artists

If you are a resident in Johnston County NC and have an interest in exhibiting your work in the Eye of the Eagle Art Gallery during the month of October, the gallery would love to hear from you. They are seeking diversity and broken boundaries in your chosen medium.

To be considered for exhibition the following requirements must be met:

• Send in 4 pictures (print or digital) with sizes of the artwork being submitted. Two will be chosen to exhibit, more if space allows. Mail to Eye of the Eagle Art, 131 East 1st Street, Clayton, NC 27520 or email donna@eyeoftheeagleart.com
• If you submit your pictures by email, please include your full name, address, phone number you can be reached at during day and evening hours
• If you wish to have your pictures returned, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope
• An Artists’ Statement and/or a resume
• Work must be appropriate for all ages
• Work must be original and made by the artist - no Prints or Giclee
• Work must be professionally framed and wired for hanging - no saw teeth, no exceptions
• Sculptures and pottery will be accepted - include the dimensions of your pieces
• Jewelry will be accepted (no kits)

Note: The Gallery has the right to reject art work that it feels is inappropriate and does not meet the standards deemed acceptable.

Emerging artists in Johnston County with a fresh perspective are encouraged to apply. Art will be on display in the gallery during the month of the grand opening.

If you wish to consign your art to the gallery you may do so at the end of the month. If you do not wish to consign your work to the gallery, it will need to be removed by November 1, 2008 or a $10 daily storage fee will be charged.

All Gallery Sales during the grand opening will incur a 25% commission fee. For more information contact Donna Light Pfledderer at 919-221-0452 or donna@eyeoftheeagleart.com