Shop Nac First

Forget all that big box mumbo jumbo the day after Thanksgiving (who really likes being in those crowds, anyway?). This year, I say we rename the day that follows turkey and mashed potatoes.

I say we call it 3/50 Friday, in celebration of The 3/50 Project. It will be the day we each vow to stop into at least one independent, locally owned brick and mortar to say thanks….

Thanks for smiling and greeting me by name.

Thanks for remembering that I love peonies and detest carnations.

Thanks for asking how my mother is doing, then being sincerely happy when I say she’s well.

Thanks for restocking my favorite candle even though it’s that crazy lime green color.

Thanks for helping me locate the perfect gift for the boss I barely know.

Thanks for laughing when I need a lift and for listening when I need to let down.

Thanks for noticing when I’ve changed my haircut.

Thanks for not noticing when I dashed over in wrinkled sweats for a last minute present.

Thanks for donating to my kids’ fundraiser, and thanks for putting their poster in your window.

Thanks for rushing my order, and thanks for not guilt tripping me about it.

Thanks for staying an extra fifteen minutes the day I got stuck in traffic.

Thanks for that extra cup of coffee, then saying it’s on the house.

Thanks for carrying the financial burdens you do, all to provide a place for me to come.

Thanks for being one of the little guys, responsible for such a big chunk of what makes our community tick.

Thanks for being here for me. For us. For everyone.

This could be a groundswell, folks. The 3/50 Project went viral in record time; whaddaya say we do it again with 3/50 Friday?

Now…let’s get clicking.

Downtown merchants will once again be competing for bragging rights for the best holiday brew during Wassail Fest, one of the highlights of the 13th annual Nine Flags Festival sponsored by the Daily Sentinel.
The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, November 28, when the wassail will be served at various shops, stores and restaurants within the historic downtown district. This year’s theme will once again be the popular “From Renaissance to Rock ‘n Roll” where merchants can pick which decade they would like to portray. A list of participating merchants can be picked up at the Visitors’ Center, located at 200 E. Main St.
Shoppers and other downtown visitors are invited to warm their bodies and spirits by sampling the various recipes, which will be judged on both taste and presentation. The competition is fierce, but the wassail is a warm and welcome respite for holiday shoppers.
“Wassail Fest is a festive event that the downtown merchants and their customers look forward to each and every year,” said Anderson Dolton, meeting and event coordinator of the Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It is a great day to come downtown, do a little Christmas shopping, have lunch, drink some delicious warm wassail and just enjoy the season.”
Wassail is a hot drink that is made with wine, beer or cider, spices, sugar and usually baked apples. It is traditionally served from a large bowl, especially at Christmastime. Wassail Fest participants put their own twists on the recipes, which are heavily guarded secrets among the cooks. The beverages served at Wassail Fest are alcohol-free.
The Nine Flags Festival is a celebration of Texas history & culture and will be held Nov. 14 through Dec. 12 in Nacogdoches, located about 150 miles north of Houston via U.S. 59. Nine different flags have flown over the oldest town in Texas throughout its rich history, and this year’s festival will pay special tribute to the Texas flag. Platinum sponsors of the festival include Commercial Bank of Texas, Mike Perry Motor Company, and Wal-Mart.
For more information about Wassail Fest or other Nine Flags Festival events, call the Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau at 888-OLDEST-TOWN or log onto www.nineflagsfestival.com.

Diann Averitt will be at the Market on Saturday with local raw honey and a variety of baked pies.

Join us this Saturday at the Nacogdoches Farmer’s Market to start marking off items on your Christmas list, stock up on local produce and check out a variety of other items.  The Nacogdoches Farmer’s Market is currently open on Saturday & Wednesday mornings and offers locally grown produce and a variety of other unique and delicious items.

The local holiday season will get a high-voltage jump-start when more than 3 million lights are set aglow with the flip of a switch Nov. 21, as thousands join us in downtown Nacogdoches.
The Lighting & Opening Ceremony kicks off the 13th annual Nine Flags Festival and marks the official start of the holidays in Texas’ oldest town. The fun gets under way at 6 p.m. with entertainment, vendor booths, and carriage rides. Make sure to make your list and check it twice, as Santa will also be present for photographs. Old-fashioned games will delight all of the children and keep them captivated whether doing the cakewalk or participating in the ring toss. The event is made possible by Commercial Bank of Texas.
The lights are set to come on just before 9 p.m., and the evening will culminate in an exciting fireworks display.
“The lighting ceremony has become the traditional start of the Holiday season, in Texas’ Oldest Town,” said Anderson Dolton, meeting & event coordinator for the CVB, “residents and visitor’s alike all enjoy the family friendly celebration downtown.”
The annual Nine Flags Festival honors the cultures represented by the nine flags that have flown over Nacogdoches throughout its rich history and pays special homage to the Texas Flag this year. The festival continues through Dec. 12.
For more information about the Nine Flags Festival, call (936) 564-7351 or visit www.nineflagsfestival.com.

Join us for a wrap up meeting concerning the Jon Schallert workshop.

Let’s help each other put Jon’s principles in to practice!

8:30 – 9:45 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17

Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce Board Room – 2516 North St.

FREE of charge – Open to all!

How retail business owners and managers can create “destination businesses.”

Click here to RSVP – no charge!

Check out discounts local merchants are offering holiday shoppers:

Lyric’s Lateedas & Oohlalas
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Open Late from 6-8pm

You are invited to enjoy home baked buffalo-chip cookies and lemonade at Lyric’s while you browse. Enjoy our Holiday Early Bird Special: All holiday fabrics 30% off.

Location: 409 E. Main, Nacogdoches, TX 75961. Call: 936-560-1488.

Regular store hours are Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm.

Join us this Saturday at the Nacogdoches Farmer’s Market to stock up on local produce and a variety of other items.  The Nacogdoches Farmer’s Market is currently open on Saturday mornings and offers locally grown produce and a variety of other unique and delicious items.

This week the Market as always will feature a variety of fresh produce such as: apples, cucumbers, eggplants, green beans, greens (collard, kale, mustard & turnip), herbs (apple mint, oregano, Thai basil, thyme & sweet leaf basil), Romaine lettuce, okra, onions (white & yellow), oranges, parsley, pears, unshelled pecans, peppers (Bell, banana, cayenne, jalapenos & sweet), persimmons, potatoes (red & white), squash (butternut, white scallop, yellow & zucchini), sweet potatoes, tomatoes (green & regular) and turnips.

Photo by Bruce R. Partain

We are also proud to have these additional items available this Saturday at the Farmer’s Market:  farm raised tilapia, naturally processed &hormone free chickens and farm raised eggs, wonderful fresh cut flowers, homemade candles and perfumes in every scent imaginable, Texas Cheese’s such as fresh made, Gouda, Goat, Jalapeno, Cheddar, Blue & Caraway, freshly ground corn meal, jams & jellies, Carol’s breads, pecan pies, cookies, cakes from Sand hill Farm, and an assortment of other hand crafted items.

This Saturday, October 31, singer/songwriter Chris Edwards will be playing.

If you would like to sign up for the weekly Farmers’ Market email update, please send an email to obriens@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us. You are also more than welcome to visit www.farmermktnac.blogspot.com for the weekly update. Also be our fan on facebook @NacogdochesFarmersMarket.

The Nacogdoches Farmers’ Market, located at the “hitch lot” at the corner of West Main and Pearl Streets, is open from 8 a.m. until noon or later every Saturday. If the market parking lot is full, additional parking is available in the Nacogdoches County Courthouse Annex parking lot.

Nacogdoches has three Chamber members who specialize in yummy sweet treats. Two of the businesses are on North St.

Cookies and Creamery
2801 North St.
Nacogdoches, TX 75965
Phone – (936) 569-8500
Owners Jason and Stacey Bartley

Marble Slab
2425 North St.
Nacogdoches, TX 75965
Phone – (936) 462-9899
Owner Vince Beard

Or if you’d like to make someone’s day – ship something sweet:

call Samye Johnson at Pinto Pony Cookie Factory (936) 288-0202.
Pinto Pony cookies are the best cookies wrapped up in the best Texas packaging – check it out at www.pintopony.com.

Attend “Increasing Sales & Profits as a Destination Business” presented by Jon Schallert.

Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Hotel Fredonia.

Registration at the door is accepted. Click for details.