Honor a Teacher's Giving Spirit.

Today is the last day of the 2015 Arts Council Campaign, so it's a hard day at the office. We are getting closer to our goal, but I'm worried. I saw so many wonderful artists and arts organizations speak passionately about the projects that they want to share with the community. The panel of community members who select the grants had their work cut out for them; they had to choose what projects would be funded. So many times I heard, "If only we could fund more projects, or fund the ones we have chosen fully..." Yes, if only.

There are 360,000 people in Forsyth County. At this writing, we have 4,165 individuals who have helped us reach 95% of our campaign goal.

Do you know what the truly amazing thing is?

TEACHERS make up 31% of the individuals who have given to The Arts Council. TEACHERS!

Teachers get it. Their salaries were frozen for six years, yet they faithfully give to the arts every year. They give to their students, they give to their community, and they give to the arts. They see the arts as a way to teach, a way to enrich teaching, a way to entertain and inspire creativity. I taught elementary school for 5 years in WSFCS. The generosity of the teachers, administrators, and staff is simply inspirational.

So, on our last day, in honor and support of the incredible giving nature of teachers and school employees, I challenge you to make a donation to The Arts Council in a teacher's name. When you click on one of links below and make a donation, under "General Information" you can write in the comment section the name of a teacher, administrator, school counselor, staff member that you would like to honor with your donation. If they are still working in the school system, we will let him/her know about your donation.

Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools

Summit School

Arts Based School

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem State University

Forsyth Technical Community College

Other School

I am so thankful to all of the individuals and businesses who have faithfully given their support, and I'm excited to have so many new members of the community who have learned more about the Arts Council this year. The grants that we will award next month are amazing, and the organizations we support are exceptional.

If we had more, we could give more. If only...

Krankies Craft Fair this Weekend!

This is one of my favorite events of the year. I always find something for that hard-to-buy-for friend or relative. Not just great art that is created by great people, but these people are creative! You will find things at the Krankies Craft Fair that you can't find anywhere else. Coffee, beer, art, friends- it has it all.

Learn about some of the great Artists that will be there selling their local, hand-made art on their Facebook page.

A New Voice for Education

I am not always vocal about politics but I am always involved. I want my vote to be counted for the things that are important to me and education has always been at the top of that list.- my degree is in elementary education, and it was my profession for several years.

I am no longer in a classroom, but I did not leave because of the children. As some of my students, now in college, the armed forces, and the workforce may attest, I loved teaching and I wanted the most for each and every one of them.

But the politics involved in education need to change to keep good teachers in the classroom, where they can inspire children and help those who need it. Friends who are still working in education are anxious to leave, and these are amazing teachers, counselors, and administrators.

Mark Johnson and I were classmates in the City of Winston-Salem University (CWSU), where we learned about our city and government. We both took the class because we wanted to be more involved in the community and have the knowledge to make educated decisions when it came time to cast a vote and decide where our tax dollars are needed.

We have kept in touch over the last few years, and he reached out to me to join him for a cup of coffee to talk about his opportunity to run for School Board. This was the first time, in a very long time, that I was inspired about the political future of education in our community. I invite you to get to know Mark. He's a wonderful person and passionate about our schools.

Mark's experiences as a father, a teacher, a community leader, and a business counselor will make him an effective member of the School Board for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County Schools.

Sweet and Savory Weekend Ahead: Hello Summer!

There are some great events going on in Winston-Salem this weekend. Partly cloudy days and cool evenings make this the perfect weekend to get the most out of what is going on in town.  Get out there and have fun!

 

If one of these events is your favorite, make sure you vote for it in Smitty's Notes "Best of Winston-Salem" contest.

 

My Runaround: 

All Weekend:

Twin City Ribfest:

During lunchtime today, admission is only $1. Great weather and amazing food. I went yesterday and can attest that the food is amazing. Choose from Ribs, Brisket, Pulled Pork, and more and wash it down with a giant iced tea.

The event goes on all weekend so there are plenty of opportunities to get your fill. #TwinCityRibFest

 Winston-Salem Dash Baseball

The Winston-Salem Dash host the Carolina Mudcats (High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians) on Friday, June 6 at 7:00 p.m. at BB&T Ballpark. A postgame fireworks show will follow!

The Dash will play at home June 6 -June 11. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (336) 714-2287 or visit www.wsdash.com

Friday

It's Doughnut Day!

Stop by Krispy Kreme for a free doughnut, any kind, to celebrate International Doughnut Day!

#InternationalDoughnutDay

 



Friday Night:

 

Gallery Hop! Trade Street is the place to be for First Friday Gallery Hop. Visit local galleries, eat at local restaurants, enjoy being in the company of great artists and business owners who want to make your Friday Great. June 6 Gallery Hop includes artist and gallery receptions, shops open extended hours and the kick-off of the Library's Summer Reading Program!

 

Saturday

Farming and Farmers:

Look at this!

After the market on Saturday, the CFSA Triad Farm Tour begins- 2-6pm on Saturday and Sunday. 17 farms in the Winston-Salem/ Greensboro surrounding area to visit and learn from!

Three Sisters Artisan Bakery with Better Cheddar and Jalapeno Cheddar Bread, Tarheel Brownies and more

Plum Granny Farm with certified organic garlic scapes, sugar snap peas and Raspberry-Chipotle Mole Sauce (grat for Father's Day!)

Harmony Ridge Farm with new red potatoes, eggs, heirloom lettuce, kale

Sungold Farm with kohlrabi, head lettuces, green onions

Buffalo Creek Farm and Creamery: Rock House (Raw Milk 16 month aged Parmesan-Type Goat Cheese)

Shore Farms with lambs quarter, spring mix lettuce, head lettuce, fennel, dill, spring onions, green garlic, eggs, napa cabbage and broccoli

Lavender Anne's New Product: mustache wax and beard oil (Great for Father's Day!)

Cafe Gelato with several seasonal varieties of gelato

 Hoots Flea Market!!!

Saturday, 12pm-5pm at 918 Bridge Street 27101

Twitter @HootsFlea

#HootsFlea

This is one of my favorite events of all time. Love, Love, Love

Food trucks, Buskers, Art Vendors, Hoots Beer, Antiques, The Porch and More!

Sawtooth School for Visual Art will be participating in the next Hoots Flea Market in a very interactive way! Come check out their booth to screen print your own Sawtooth merchandise. They’ll have a selection of t-shirts, patches, &; magnets for you to custom print yourself. Purchase your prints or just participate to get the printmaking experience. Bring your own shirt to print for free! 　

 

Saturday Night

Twitter @BGSRacing

I hate to admit it, but I have never been to a race at Bowman Gray Stadium. I can hear the races from my house, have often talked about going, but this Saturday night I will experience it for the very first time. It's a W-S institution and I am marking it off my list of "must-dos" if you want to call yourself a W-S Native.

Gates open at 6pm and the racing starts at 8pm

 

Sunday:

 Second Sundays on Fourth

#SSo4

We are shutting down the block to celebrate with you! Celebrate what you might ask? Warm weather, free community fun, togetherness, good eats/drinks, arts, family + friends and our amazing downtown!

300 block of Fourth Street. Catch a film at a/perture then join us out on the street for some live music from local talent, fun activities for the kiddos and amazing food/drinks from local restaurants and shops in the area.

FREE ICE CREAM!!!!! @DeweysBakery

 

Come to our second annual Free Ice Cream Day and celebrate the debut of our most decadent ice cream flavors yet!

Stop by our Thruway or Reynolda Manor stores on Sunday, June 8th to receive your choice of a free cone or cup of ice cream.

Our new ice cream varieties are overflowing with delicious ingredients like caramel, strawberries, marshmallows and various candies in every single bite.

You'll also receive 10% off your purchase of all ice cream items, including ice cream cupcakes, ice cream cakes and ice cream sandwiches!

Stop by and spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon enjoying FREE ice cream!



Yard Cart Renewal Time and Vacation Hold

City of Winston-Salem Yard Carts expire at the end of June. If you have a yard cart, or need a yard cart, you can purchase your sticker online.

Stickers are valid through the city's fiscal year, July 01 - June 30.

Renew your sticker here

As school draws to a close for many families, people leave town for vacation. You can put your mail on hold for up to 30 days, and mail will be delivered to you when you return. Click to hold mail.

If you subscribe to the Winston-Salem Journal, you can hold your paper by calling customer service.
Call Customer Service at (336) 727-7462 or 1-800-642-0925 ext. 7462

Let the Summer Fun Begin

Cool News:

Sutler’s Spirit Distillery Opens - Triad City Beat

The Runaround:

There is so much fabulous planned for this weekend, I can hardly contain myself. Here are my weekend plans. What are you going to do?
 
Friday Night:

An interactive and fun LIVE chef demonstration, featuring Nathalie Dupree.  Alongside local Winston-Salem chefs, Nathalie explores some "classic southern food recipes" with a new twist.  An author, chef and TV show host, Nathalie's demonstration is the main feature presentation for the event. The chefs not only get to present their talented culinary skills, but they are able to interact with the audience, whether it be sharing stories or asking someone to join them onstage to sneak a taste. Nathalie will feature two dishes that incorporate local southern food and progresses step-by-step so that the audience can follow along and ask questions. 

Local chefs that are participating include Chef Jeff Bacon of Triad Community Kitchen and Tim Grandinetti of Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen and Bar.

Guests will also enjoy some fine North Carolina wine, as well as small bites.  Michael Hastings, Food Editor of the Winston-Salem Journal will be our Master of Ceremonies and will talk us through the chef demonstrations.

Evening of Southern Food is presented by Texas Pete Sauces... and produced by the Winston-Salem Journal. Demo recipes will be made available to all attendees of this event.

#SouthernFoodWS

 
Saturday Day:
 

 
No longer the downtown step-child, Burke Street gets cooler everyday because of events like THIS.
 
It's the kick-off of Last Saturday!, a new monthly block party series coming to Burke Street this summer!

Airtype is proud to partner with City Beverage Co, Camel City Grill & Lighthouse Grill to transform the parking lot of City Beverage into a vibrant downtown block party! Featuring beer tastings, food trucks, a fresh local produce market with Shore Farms Organics, games and more, Last Saturday! is free and open to the public. #myws

 

 
Salute! The North Carolina Wine Celebration has become the premier downtown festival in the state that exclusively features North Carolina wine.  Produced by the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership, Salute! offers musical entertainment for visitors, places increased focus on the burgeoning North Carolina wine industry and establishes downtown Winston-Salem as the “hub” of the Yadkin Valley Wine region for leisure travelers.

Presented by BB&T, the festival traditionally brings more than 30 North Carolina wineries to showcase their products, pour wine samples and sell some of their best wines. Salute! is held rain or shine this year from Noon until 6 p.m. in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem along Fourth Street Saturday, May 31.

Tickets for Salute! NC Wine Celebration may be purchased online at www.salutencwine.com, all North Carolina Lowes Foods stores, select BB&T branches, Whole Foods in Winston-Salem, or at Triad Total Wine Stores.
Advance tickets are $25 each. Day-of tickets will be available for $30 each and are subject to sell out.
 
 
Saturday Night:
 

 

It's a fun night at the new-ish venue for art and music, Reanimator.

 

Two Virginia bands head south for a Carolina weekender, come give them a warm Winston welcome!!! Winston-Salem native and Mt. Tabor Class of 1987 legend, Nick Rubin brings his band New Boss to Reanimator with another Virginia band, Ya'll. Show Time Starts at 7pm!

 

Sunday
 

Winston-Salem Dash Game at 2pm
#WSDash
 
Special Promotions:

Pups in the Park!
Bring your dog out to BB&T Ballpark for today's game! You must purchase your pooch pass in advance by calling 336-714-6871 

Kids Run the Bases
All children can run the bases on the BB&T Ballpark field after the game

Second Harvest Food Bank's Empty Bowls Event

One of my favorite events EVER. My mom was a huge pottery fan and I have more than I know what to do with, but I cannot and will not miss the Second Harvest Food Bank's Empty Bowl event.

My dear friend, who I never see, have made this an annual tradition and I think this is our fourth or fifth year.

Great soups served by local celebrities, desserts, a silent auction and the tables of bowls to choose from. I plan to take lots of pictures t post here later.